| Description | An interview with J.P.Chaudhry Mohammed LATEEF, a married man with one son, six daughters, who is a retired Education Welfare Officer, born in Pakistan and now living in Birmingham. J.P.Chaudhry Mohammed LATEEF’s father was a Railway worker, born in Pakistan (pre-partition India) and his mother a Housewife born in Pakistan (pre-partition India). In the interview, he discusses:
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I was born in Pakistan on 2nd September, 1930. Educated until 15, joined British Army as a Sergeant Clerk until 1948. Appeared before Inter-Associate Selection Board, selected as Attorney Officer. Attended 6 month course. Left army in 1951 due to medical problems with kidneys.
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Requirements for being accepted as an officer.
32” Father was workman who retired as an asst. engineer with North Western Railway. Fairly well off in Govt. accommodation with servants.
1.12 Left the army, joined a post-war reconstruction fund concern: textile firm. Worked as a diamond pay in charge (asst. accounts officer). After 3 years applied to come to England to improve future prospects. Heard about England from letters of two former assistants who worked as bus conductors. In 1957, October, I came to England and came direct to Birmingham.
3.13 Knowledge of Britain gleaned from those letters and from British colleagues in Army. Remembers Major Maiden from Scotland. No Immigration Act in force.
4.32 Letters revealed that jobs were a bit difficult to obtain if not educated.
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15” Matriculated, then did FSE (college), but not a degree. Took father’s advice.
1.17 Education based on British model.
2.16 Unprepared for racist attitudes. I thought it was purely snobbery, as some white people look down on coloured people and because of that they did it. Later on it developed into its real shape, and I heard the words racism and prejudice and discrimination.
3.00 Story about discrimination at work.
4.46 Came to England alone, with intention of returning within 2 years after earning enough money.
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30” Got a job for 10 months, then I joined a college, Garretts Green Technical College, … now it is East Birmingham College and I started studying electrical engineering…. working during day and studying during the night.
1.00 Story about switching jobs.
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I worked for about 3 years with Cadbury’s… Had been away from home for 5 years. Gave up work and returned to Pakistan for 10 months. Father suggested he take his wife and daughters back to England.
1.42 That was in 1964. And we arrived in March and, in June I had my third child…
2.17 I was living on Coventry Road…. Joined with another motor part firm, impressed the production manager with performance.
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Working on Production Control dept. and I carried on until 1975 and by that time I was Senior Production Clerk.
51” Describes working conditions.
2.00 I continued until 1980 when the industrial upheaval came in and I was made redundant. During ‘70s also involved with voluntary work, Birmingham Community Relations Council… Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Assoc. in 1968… I happen to be President of this organisation. Describes the work of the association.
3.36 Describes how he became involved with Birmingham City Council.
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Continues description.
1.30 We got the grant and we started an organisation which is still working at this time, it was called Birmingham Ethnic Education and Advice Service - BEEAS - so our first office was in 71 Broad Street….
2.27 I applied to Birmingham City Council… and I was appointed as Education Welfare Officer, so that is during 1985…. Since 1984 I am a Justice of Peace as well.
4.45 Explains how he came to speak 4 languages.
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57” In 1984 perhaps only 15 JPs from ethnic minorities.
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After appointment as Asst. Welfare Officer, In 1987 I passed a diploma from University of Central England, but it was Polytechnic at that time, called CCAW, Certificate in Community & Advice Work. Then given a full Welfare Officer’s job. Continued for 3 years.
50” Story about conflict of job and role as a JP.
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Continues storye.
40” So this is how I came to the second phase of my Education Department career and I was appointed as Community Development Officer… Describes his specific role.
2.28 Most common problems concerning dress restrictions, school food, and education of girls.
3.46 I was involved with an organisation…. which I was one of the founder members, Muslim Liaison Committee. Describes the work of the Committee.
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50” Details the outcomes of the work between the Committee and the City Council.
3.30 I happen to be the main member of the Birmingham Religious Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education… We have got an agreed syllabus as 1995…
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30” First two daughters’ education from school to university.
1.52 The other children’s education and careers.
3.13 Muslim women and the high level of academic achievement attained.
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Discusses potential problems for children who, in the early days, had no provision for Halal food at school.
44” Anecdote about discussion regarding school dress for his daughters.
2.54 Reveals his own family’s Islamic beliefs.
4.43 Discusses views on separate Islamic schools.
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Continues views on Islamic education. Refers to his own children.
3.55 Wife’s experience of England and adjustments she has made.
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Continues wife’s experience of England.
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Story about family conversation based on Enoch Powell’s rhetoric. Feelings about nationhood. Whenever I say I have got property, I have got a home , I have got a big house in Islamabad, they say yes, good luck to you, you go and live there, but as far as we are concerned, we can go and have a holiday for a few weeks but we won’t go and shift there….. I said what about staying there, they say no,no,no I was dying to come back here (England).
2.43 I would say they are all British, they all have British passports, it is except for the colour, they are British right the way through, they are Muslim…. and they want to uphold that value.
3.15 Feels that colour prejudice is gradually lessening, and the younger generation are more at ease with inter-racial friendships.
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Describes first house in Small Heath. Story about house-buying procedure in 1959.
3.00 Bought a bigger house on Coventry Road in 1964. Explains his reasons for remaining in Small Heath.
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Feels that Small Heath has deteriorated. Explains why.
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Describes his experiences in the workplace.
1.24 Story about an argument with a supervisor which was resolved.
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Health problems. Story about having a kidney removed in 1965. Arthritis in knees from 1989. Found health service helpful.
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Experience as a magistrate. Describes the general conduct amongst magistrates.
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Reflections on coming to this country and belonging.
1.10 There is hardly anything for me to go back to …. most of my friends and colleagues have said, well look if I come to that stage and if I pass away I would rather be buried here where you could always visit my grave and you can always say some prayers for me, so whether live or dead, I think this is my life and that is where I belong.
ENDS"
Logged by Lorraine Blakemore |