UNBREAKABLE: A True Story of Defiance and Survival

UNBREAKABLE

Book One

WRONG PLACE,
WRONG TIME…

A TRUE ACCOUNT OF A YOUNG INDIAN BOY LIVING IN AN ERA OF RACIAL HATRED

Jag Singh

www.jagsingh.uk

INTRODUCTION

THE 14^TH DECEMBER, 1980, IS ETCHED into my mind and will be forever. There I was, a mere ten-year-old boy, totally astounded by what I saw in front of me with my very own eyes. Standing barefoot on the pavement, with my head tilted back and mouth gaping, I watched as the violent rages of fire consumed the very essence of my home without mercy or hesitance. Engulfed in flames and with thick black acrid smoke roaring through the chimney toward the dark red midnight sky, my home soon disappeared to become a burnt-out shell, a pile of rubble, a heap of smouldering detritus. It was at this point that I made myself a promise that I would go on to complete at a later age. In essence, it was to do whatever I could to prevent ‘hate-crime’, to support ‘anti-bullying’, raise ‘mental health’ awareness and strive to make the world a better place. Nobody’s house should be decimated by fire because of their skin colour, religious beliefs, or cultural background. And certainly, neither child nor adult should have to witness their home being destroyed as I did on that frightful night.

As the surrounding bystanders mumbled away, some noticed that I was only wearing my pyjamas on this freezing, wintry night. A tall, middle-aged woman came running up and wrapped me from behind with her long, fluffy seventies-fashioned green Maxi coat. At first, I didn’t even realise what she was doing, I was too busy thinking: how the hell was I still alive?

I’ll never forget what this caring white English woman said to me, “Oh come ‘ere me lovely… You poor little boy.”

It just wasn’t normal to find a family standing outside their house watching it burn away. I found it so hard to believe that this unknown white stranger had so much loving concern for me. I wasn’t used to such behaviour from the white British individuals, rather the total opposite.

Dumbfounded by what was happening to our house, I don’t even remember feeling the coldness of the night. In fact, I couldn’t feel anything. My thoughts and focus were on our house as the uncontrollable fire raged through room after room.

At that time, I wasn’t sure how I was going to live up to the promise I had just made to myself, but that didn’t matter. I knew my passion would help me find a way. All I knew was that I didn’t want any child or individual to go through the gruesome events that I’d experienced. Everyone deserves to be happy; it’s a God-given right; and so, did we.

Today, over forty years later since making that promise in 1980, I can say with great pride, that I have fulfilled it in every way possible. However, I do realise there is still much more work to be done, and with the grace of God, I will continue to live my promise for as long as I remain on this Earth. This is only the beginning.

During the 1970s me and my brother Charanjit, faced a very tough childhood, and I mean tough. We lived on Rangal Road in Canning Town, East London. At that time, my family and I regularly met extraordinary levels of racism. Memories of the abuse we suffered are as clear to me today as if they had happened only yesterday. Due to these incidents, my family and I have had to find ways to deal with our very own mental health issues.

By the time I was thirteen, I could neither read nor write. My primary school years were overshadowed by relentless bullying and the deep-seated prejudice exhibited by some educators. For me, daily survival took precedence over academics. Amid these challenges, it was a struggle to focus on learning. So, taking that into consideration, completing this book fills me with pride, and I’m resolute in my belief that it’s the first of many to come.

I began penning these memoirs in 2003, following the birth of our first child, Josh. Embracing him, I was steadfast in my conviction that he would not endure the hardships of my youth. Britain has evolved; overt racism is less common, and numerous laws have fostered a climate of equality and diversity. While I recognise that Josh, like all of us, will face his own set of challenges, I remain hopeful that the cruel prejudice I encountered growing up as a young Asian Sikh boy in Canning Town will be foreign to him.

In the 1970s, to many prejudiced white British individuals, our perceived transgression was merely our skin colour. Since then, the United Kingdom has grown more inclusive, embracing a tapestry of ethnicities. Yet, it’s disheartening to acknowledge that some vestiges of racism still persist. Today’s difference lies in society’s reduced tolerance for blatant racism.

Throughout my childhood, I fervently recited a nightly prayer. Overwhelmed by fear and nestled under my blankets, I sought divine intervention, hoping those around me — school children, educators, and the white British community — would see beyond my skin colour and faith. The era was marred by extremists, fuelled by a misguided ideology to ‘Keep Britain White’, shunning the idea of diverse ethnicities — be it African, Chinese, or others —integrating into the UK. Tragically, many among them were willing and did resort to using violence to further their cause.

Originally, my main motivation to write my childhood story was so that future generations of my family would fully appreciate and respect the lives that they are living, while not having faced the immense daily racist challenges that we did. By writing my story the intention was not to gain sympathy but to give encouragement and promote determination and fortitude in others who may be facing similar situations. To begin with, I never even thought about having this biography published.

In 2007, four years after the birth of Josh, our second child was born, our princess, Alisha. As the midwife passed this little angel to me, Alisha instantly wrapped her soft fingers around my index finger. I smiled, my heart filled, and uncontrollable tears of happiness flowed. No one was going to mistreat my children; they would live happy and prosperous lives, and enjoy their childhood, an experience that every child should live gracefully.

As soon as my children became old enough to understand, my wife Emma and I taught them the equality laws of the land. We disciplined them to practice fairness, speak the truth, respect other people’s differences and always support people who needed their help. I wanted my children to follow my footsteps and support anti-bullying principles, and motivate the people around them. I am so proud to say, they have. One day it will be their responsibility to teach the future generations the same virtues and values.

When I told my children, friends, and relatives about my turbulent childhood, they encouraged me to share the stories. Like many people do, I, too, could have locked these memories away somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind, never to be mentioned again. But I didn’t. As I began to write, I realised that it wasn’t easy to relive those disastrous days, and I still wasn’t convinced that I should share them until Emma said something to me that made me click.

Her words were poetic, “Jag, you must tell the world your story. It clearly shows the true power of the human spirit. Your stories will surely, indefinitely, motivate and empower everyone who reads them…”

As I continue to write my childhood remembrances, I receive many compliments for having the courage to put pen to paper.

My duty and purpose in life is simple yet important: to encourage others to live their lives full of achievement and betterment. My wife made me realise that my memoirs could change lives and motivate others who were going through difficult times to stand up and challenge any unfair treatment they were experiencing.

If you, as a reader, can relate to what I went through and have a child who is suffering from being bullied, or if you are experiencing this in your workplace or relationship, please reach out and get help. This includes hate crime, mental health issues or lack of confidence. My advice to you is loud and clear: there are people out there who can and want to support you; speak to them immediately. Remember, you are not alone, and please, never, ever suffer in silence. To provide extra support, we have added a list of support groups at the end of this book. Unfortunately for me, I encountered all the above simultaneously: hate crime, mental health issues and lack of confidence. I will always remember the ‘promise’ I made to myself all those years ago. The ‘promise’ stands firm by my side and will forever remain ‘Unbreakable.’

UNBREAKABLE: (Paperback) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unbreakable-Account-Indian-Living-Racial/dp/1910727571/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

UNBREAKABLE: (eBook) – WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME (Book Link) ~ https://www.amazon.co.uk/UNBREAKABLE-Wrong-Place-Time-ebook/dp/B089C2GVP1

TWITTER/X: @Jagsingh_ican

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@JagSingh_ican/videos

About the Author: Jag Singh: Youth Anti-Bullying & Mental Health Advocate | Knife Crime Prevention | Inclusion and Wellbeing Speaker based In Essex/London, UK.
EMAIL: Jagsingh70@btinternet.com