WELCOME
Welcome to the Indian Workers Association Southall website. Prepare yourself for a voyage of progress and achievement and a flavour of the challenges that lie ahead for us as a society. Since 1956 a community of passionate individuals have inspired and supported each other in the struggle against racism, exclusion and a political process that sought to deny respect and dignity to all those whose labour underpinned the Health, Transport and private sector in creating wealth and undertaking roles that the established community no longer wanted to undertake. West London and Southall in particular have been at the forefront of the struggle for civil rights.
We have a rich history and are proud of the achievements that have enabled future generations to enjoy some of the social changes that have led to respect, dignity and equality. It is important for the new generation to remember that past struggles exacted a heavy price from a generation that bore the brunt of physical racial violence, name calling, and constantly being reminded that their presence was not welcomed within British Society.
While our history is rich, we need to assure our future, progress and civil right can be eroded and are being eroded as society begins to change and new world orders begin to take shape. With the future in mind, we have decided to focus our energies on inequalities as our mission statement sets out
Our work on inequalities and building evidence led approach will be driven by our Partner organisation – VOX-supporting communities.
SHIFTING POWER – ADVANCING SOLUTIONS
There is a fine line that we must walk if we speak up against injustice done to marginalised people by people who hold power -we have learnt this from our experience since 1956. Or if you fight for equity on behalf of marginalised people you are seen to be demonising one group and championing another group. We see each group as fragile and strong.
We are in the process of firming up through discussions and conversations the core inequalities we will focus on – If you are passionate about challenging inequalities and developing innovative solutions we would love to hear from you. Send us an email.
We remain a deeply unequal society, the nature and exercise of prejudice and racism may have changed, power remains entrenched in spite of increased participation in the democratic process. Conversations on inequalities have resisted scoping the contribution of power to maintaining status quo. As individuals we are made to feel powerless and new inequalities and poverty continue to blight many lives and lead to poorer outcome’s.