TESTIMONY

BURNING WORK, JUNE 22, 2020

Sam Stewart

Sam's testimony draws attention to wide reaching effects, beyond issues of nationality law, that the scandal had on members of the community. Recounting some of his experience in establishing his right to remain, Sam notes how the stress, fear and anxiety induced by the state affected his health irrevocably.

In addition to the personal effects of the Scandal, Sam's testimony also sheds light on legislative changes, in line with the 2012 and 2014 Immigration Acts, which blurred the lines between immigration control and healthcare provision. From Sam's experience we see first hand how such measures created a sense of shame and guilt in members of the community in acting to exclude them from belonging.

Mavis Clarke and Donald Biggs

Mavis and Donald note the importance of extra curricular education for creating a sense of self worth as well as improving employment prospects in black communities. Donald notes how growing up in Manchester,the Black Access Course, which he attended for the first time aged 16, provided him with a sense of self worth and community which hadn't been fostered by mainstream schooling.

Mavis builds on Donald's point and notes how the struggle to confront racism in education has not changed but only intensified. Reflecting on her experience of discriminatory schooling at primary school where she was distanced from the other children Mavis's testimony forces us to draw uncomfortable parallels with today's current racial attainment gaps in education which act to disadvantage and stigmatise black communities.