E R Braithwaite was born in British Guyana in 1920. Born to oxford educated parents Braithwaite was blessed with a happy childhood and got good education. In the time of Second World War he joined the Royal Air Force of British Army which he later recalls to be the only place where his black skin was not a matter of prejudice.
After war, he was unable to find a profession in his field though he was a doctorate in Physics. Though different authorities and organizations made different reasons for not employing him, it was his skin color that mattered to all who rejected his application.
Reluctantly, he takes up teaching as a profession in Greenslade School, in East end of London. Many of his students were from very poor family background, most of them being back outs from other schools. Semi autobiographical in nature, the book is an account of how an intimate and deep relation builds between Braithwaite and his students. Charismatic and sincere, Braithwaite wins the hearts of his students whom he later addresses as his children.
Excerpts:
After war, he was unable to find a profession in his field though he was a doctorate in Physics. Though different authorities and organizations made different reasons for not employing him, it was his skin color that mattered to all who rejected his application.
Reluctantly, he takes up teaching as a profession in Greenslade School, in East end of London. Many of his students were from very poor family background, most of them being back outs from other schools. Semi autobiographical in nature, the book is an account of how an intimate and deep relation builds between Braithwaite and his students. Charismatic and sincere, Braithwaite wins the hearts of his students whom he later addresses as his children.
Excerpts:
A passage from the book that describes Braithwaite’s feelings on being refused work at Mayfair:
I reflected on my life in the USA. There , when prejudice is felt, it is open , obvious, blatant ; the white man makes his position very clear, and the black man fight those prejudices with equal openness and fervour, using every constitutional device available to him……In Britain, I found things to be very different. I have yet to meet a single English person who has actually admitted to anti-Negro prejudice; it is even generally believed that no such thing exists here. A Negro is free to board any bus or train and sit anywhere, provided he has paid the appropriate fare; the fact that many people might pointedly avoid sitting next to him is casually overlooked. He is free to seek accommodation in any licensed hotel or boarding house – the courteous refusal which frequently follows is never ascribed to prejudice. The betrayal I now felt was greater because it had been perpetrated with the greatest of charm and courtesy.
One of the best books that I have read, “To Sir with Love” lingers in mind posing varied questions to the reader. Autobiographic, the book speaks against prejudices of all hues.
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