Posted 4th January 2024

As I read through some of the history books on British Asians I sometimes come across individuals who I have never heard of before, but have contributed an immense amount to the British Asian story in anti racist activism. It saddens me to note that the name of Roy Sawh is seldom if at all mentioned. His name is occasionally mentioned along side the British Black power activist Michael X as founding members of the Universal Coloured People’s Association (UCPA) and the RAAS: The Racial Action Adjustment Society. But that its as far as Roy's contribution goes.

I seek to amend Roy Sawh's recognition and contribution as one of the giants amongst the British Asian antiracism activists. Without giving too much away, I would say he was the first to implement and use the term "black" as an umbrella term to encompass all non white colours in the fight against racism. A forgotten and misinterpreted individual whose revolutionary style of campaigning got him into trouble with the law enforcement.