• I AM nearly 55 years old, born and brought up in London. My mother and father (he passed in 2007) came to the UK (when they endured such blatant racial hatred because they were black) after being invited (legally) to work (both early 20s and very young). They came over in the early 1960s.

They worked very hard. My Dad was a carpenter. Mum was a dressmaker in Jamaica. But she did two jobs, working in kitchens and cleaning or whatever she could do.

She said they were often told: “No blacks here.” I don’t say I am British, I am embarrassed. People can see I’m black. White people believe they are the only British.

When filling in forms or job applications in the past I experienced the reluctance of third parties to recruit ethnic origins. Britain is (undercover) a racist country.

I have worked from the age of 17 years looking after (care work, entertainer, singer) old and young (white people) and also singing in clubs, pubs, hotels etc (entertaining white folks).

I was in my early 20s and although I did not experience racist behaviour as much as my parents I did encounter the same words often shouted from car windows – the “N” or “B” word, the “P” word.

During work life no one had ever asked me for documents for me having the work right to be here but recently, after starting a managerial role in 2010-2018 (note it is eight years), the company I work for asked several times including once being asked for my passport.

The other (three) managers working for the same company did not have to face this (white). It is so embarrassing for me in front of others to have to prove who I am and I feel targeted being black.

I get invited to sit on the jury while in full-time job. I get invited to vote – always voting. I have my National Insurance number on record. I pay tax and insurance. I don’t have a GP as I keep well.

Being black and being born in this country does not make me British in my opinion. I do not have that status.

When you are seen on the street as black it is assumed you are a refugee, migrant, thief or immigrant (stealing whites’ jobs). Can’t have it both ways (they can). Non-whites get the blame on housing, NHS, crime etc.

In future I won’t sit on a jury, won’t vote. I will continue to hope I won’t need NHS/GP. I’ll keep on paying tax and National Insurance.

And continue to be black and accept abuse from the white people. Racism will never go away. All from the heart. Sorry, but I am angry and feel for the Windrush group.

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