Orange background with a copy of The Shoulders We Stand On in the middle, with a purple background and orange title text, and a black and white photograph of a protest in the 1970s with men, women and a child marching and shouting.

The Shoulders We Stand On

How Black and Brown people fought for change in the UK

The UK is grappling with big questions about belonging, equality, and the legacies of Empire and Colonialism. We’ve been here before. Embracing a broader history that encompasses all British people, The Shoulders We Stand On is fundamental to a better understanding of the past and gives many more people who fought for our future a voice in the present.

Have you heard of the Indian Workers' Association? The Grunwick Strike? The Brixton Black Women's Group? The Battle of Brick Lane? If the answer is no, you're not alone. The Shoulders We Stand On tells the stories of ten remarkable movements, campaigns and organisations led by Black and Brown people across Britain from the sixties to the eighties that fought against racism and capitalism and impacted the way we live now.

Researcher and historian Preeti Dhillon wants us to reclaim the history that has been kept from us, and use these vital movements and inspirational moments to better understand the UK we live in today and how change happens.

There is a long and deep history of activism by Black and Brown people spanning the UK. Their stories can inspire all of us to make a difference, just as they did. The Shoulders We Stand On is a book of hope. Hope that together we can make a difference, that together we are powerful, and that we don't have to tackle society's challenges alone.

We're not alone, we've been here before and this is the book we all need now.

Filled with inspiring narratives, Preeti Dhillon uncovers crucial moments from our history. If you loved the books Natives and Brit(ish), the TV series Small Axe or the film Pride, don't miss The Shoulders We Stand On.

Watch the online launch event with Preeti Dhillon and Kavita Puri (broadcaster and author of Partition Voices) here.

Find out all about the:

Indian Workers’ Association

Bristol Bus Boycott

Trial of the Mangrove Nine, and Black Power

Trial of the Oval Four

Black Education Movement

Brixton Black Women’s Group and OWAAD

Grunwick Strike

Battle of Brick Lane

Asian Youth Movements and trial of the Bradford 12

Uprisings of 1981

What others are saying about The Shoulders We Stand On:

“This is one of the most important books I’ve ever read... Preeti Dhillon’s storytelling is equal parts witty, heart-breaking and inspiring; she’s damn right for arguing that this history matters and should never, ever, be forgotten.”
— Dr Priya Atwal, author of Royals and Rebels
“The details provided in each of the case studies leave the reader with a renewed sense of gratitude for all those communities who endured and rose to fight for Black and Brown people’s rights in post-war Britain.”
— Rav Singh, founder of A Little History of the Sikhs
“The book is basically a compendium of gold nuggets for anyone interested in the fight for racial equality in Britain.”
— Tony Warner, founder and author of Black History Walks

Out now

Get your copy today