Film Number

7455

Title

THE STRUGGLE OF BLACK WORKERS, THOMAS BANGBALA [PART TWO]

Producer

WFA

Date

1982

Gauge

U-matic LB

Colour

colour

Sound

sound

Running Time

60 mins 27 secs

Description

The second part of an interview with Tommy (Thomas) Bangbala - post war period. He talks about the race riots after the war and how that impacted on life in Manchester. The incidents of racism he was subjected to and the hardships his white wife had when it was known she was married to a black man. Also the impact on the children. His growing involvement in the Labour Party, Manchester City Council and Trade Union movement and how he represented the interests and cause of black people on these bodies. His industrial accident when he lost his hand and the litigation arising as a consequence of that. He compares his experience in the 1930s with what is happening in the 1980s, also a period of recession and severe cuts and unrest, with riots in the previous year.
He is asked about Len Johnson the boxer and Communist Party member. He talks about Communism and the action taken by his Union to ban Communists from taking office.
Interview followed by 10 minutes of photo material, family photos and other relevant documents.

[Catalogued as part of 'Revitalising the Regions' - a Screen Heritage UK project, 2011]