Lucy Bland discusses her digital 'Brown Babies' exhibition at The Mixed Museum

Introduction

The speaker introduces herself and explains how she became interested in the topic of mixed-race children born to African-American GIs and British women during World War II.

Background

• In 2011, the speaker watched a three-part series called "Mix Britannia" that was researched by Chamian and Peter Aspinall.

• The second part of the series featured mixed-race GI babies, which sparked the speaker's interest in the topic.

• In 2013, the speaker began researching this topic and found that very little had been done on it.

• She contacted Tony Martin and Brian Lawrenson, who put her in contact with other people who shared their stories about growing up as mixed-race children.

Britain's Brown Babies

• The speaker wrote a book called "Britain's Brown Babies" based on these stories.

• She also put together a physical exhibition featuring photographs of these children.

Permanent Home for Exhibition

• The speaker talks about how she got in touch with Chamian to find a permanent home for her exhibition.

Black GIs and Marriage

This section discusses how black GIs were not allowed to marry their white girlfriends during the time of American military occupation in Britain.

Black GIs and Marriage

• The American military held that black GIs had to get permission from their commanding officer to marry their white girlfriends.

• The rationale given for refusing permission was that within 48 states, 30 had laws forbidding marriage between whites and blacks.

• As a result, many children were born illegitimate without fathers, and nearly half of them were put in homes.

Britain's Brown Babies

This section talks about the book launch of "Britain's Brown Babies" which tells the stories of children born to black GIs and British women. It also mentions a private Facebook group created by these individuals called "Britain's Brown Babies."

Book Launch and Private Facebook Group

• The book launch for "Britain's Brown Babies" was an opportunity for these individuals to tell their stories and meet each other.

• Many felt it was cathartic being able to share their experiences with others who could relate.

• A private Facebook group called "Britain's Brown Babies" was created as a way for this community to connect with each other.