Local Cultures – Global Spaces
Abstract
The arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush to UK shores in 1948 marked a pivotal chapter in Caribbean immigration to the UK. The participants who settled in Peckham between 1950 – 1990 are the Windrush generation (1948-1971). Traditional oral storytelling is the main form of documenting the rich histories of these Caribbean natives and their contributions Peckham’s cultural and social capital (Bourdieu, 1986). ‘Teaching beyond the curriculum’ involves documenting the lives and interconnected histories of research participants and applying non-traditional approaches to dissemination. I live within the community in which I conduct the research and have focused on a purposeful sample of residents who have jumped at the opportunity to tell their story and be heard. The oral histories are stored as audio files and written text. All participation is voluntary, and participants can withdraw their contribution at any time. Some examples of dissemination include creative performances and readings (Wellcome Collection, 2019); lectures in community spaces (Black History Walks, (2014, 2015, 2020,2021; Drapers Tenants Hall, 2019; Thomas Calton Centre, 2019); Peckham Gentrification Walking Tours to impact authenticity of national youth theatre performances (Gone Too Far! Bola Agbaje, NYT, 2023); Rights in Focus creative arts conference (Autograph, UAL, SLG,2023) and UAL CCW Foundation Art project (2023). Radio 4 podcast ‘Thinking Allowed’ (2022). Education without borders is an insightful way to allow the community to tell their own story which impacts future generations. It also enriches the history of communities and their contribution to the cultural and social capital of Peckham.
Dr Charmaine Brown is a Senior Lecturer on Initial Teacher Training, in the School of Education at the University of Greenwich. Professional memberships include Fellow, Royal Society Arts and Society for Education and Training; Chartered Member of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development; Member British Educational Research Association. She has been a diversity, equality, and inclusion advocate in a variety of settings since the 1980s and lectured on gentrification in Peckham since 2014 for Black History Walks and other institutions. Her research is underpinned by the narratives of the