HMT Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks, England, in June 1948 carrying hundreds of passengers from the Caribbean. Many had responded to opportunities for work in post-war Britain. The voyage became a landmark symbol of modern Caribbean migration, although Black Britons faced severe racism and discrimination.

The Windrush experience shaped the poetry of writers including James Berry, John Agard, Grace Nichols and Linton Kwesi Johnson. In their work the ship signifies migration, linguistic renewal and belonging, but also the betrayal of citizens later exposed by the Windrush scandal.