91热爆

The workers from former colonies who responded to the call from Great Britain to do the tough jobs and help rebuild Britain from the 1950's onwards were often from the West Indies and Ireland.

So came signs in the windows of boarding houses and rented accommodation: 'No Blacks, No Irish, No Dogs'.

Except, there's little hard evidence for this sign o' the times, beyond many anecdotal accounts and a much-copied famous photograph.

Why did the 'No Blacks, No Irish...' slogan become so powerful, and why is it still such a strong meme in popular culture today across the world, from histories to T-shirts?

Presenters Peter Curran and Tony Phillips set out to find the truth behind the sign, and assemble a rich and startling parade of archive from across the centuries linking Caribbean and Irish communities and people - including the testimony of freed slaves, rock stars, indentured servants, nurses, labourers, footballers, maids, famous actors, politicians, racist gangs, community workers, politicians, artists, poets and sociologists.

We hear tangy examples of how Irish and Caribbean people have been portrayed on stage, film, television and pop culture. The two presenters also confront each other's beliefs and assumptions about ethnic and cultural history, being 'Black British' and 'White Irish' respectively.

Tony Phillips was born in Leeds to Caribbean immigrant parents. He's an executive producer of podcasts in the USA and UK, and former Radio 4 Arts Commissioner.

Peter Curran came from Belfast to London in the 1980s and worked as an office fitter for six years. He's an award-winning broadcaster, writer and documentary maker.

Produced by Peter Curran and Tony Phillips
A Foghorn Company / Sea Salt & Mango production for 91热爆 Radio 4

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