Distinguished Speakers: Paulette Simpson on cultural identity

Joined in conversation by Professor Philip Murphy, Director of History & Policy, Institute of Historical Research, Paulette shared her experiences and opinions on British Caribbean identity to mark Windrush Day 2025, and how much Britain had an influence on everyday life in the Caribbean.

Born in the UK but having grown up in the Caribbean, Paulette explained how much of her upbringing was structured around the British system. "I don't really know my kings and queens as someone older might, but we did the A-level syllabus, the O-Level syllabus, the papers were flown in from Britain and the invigilators came from Britain and a lot of the teachers were from Britain. A lot of our systems, including laws and medical systems were structured on the British systems."

Paulette explained that while Britain has an ageing population, countries in the commonwealth are attractive because of their significantly younger workforce – but that as the second and third generation of those who come from an Afro-Caribbean background enter the work force, there has been a disconnect between cultural identities:

Younger Caribbean people in the UK are removed from the Britishness of the education system that their elders were exposed to. 

Paulette also touched on the upcoming Windrush anniversary, explaining that the scandal had been redefined, and had become a Home Office Windrush scandal, and that this was an important distinction.

The talk finished with Paulette reflecting on the importance of the opportunity the scandal has given people in being able to write down and record more personal histories for posterity rather than relying on word of mouth to keep these legacies alive.