Hubert Baron Baker is credited with discovering Brixton, a district where immigrants of Caribbean ancestry could readily find work and housing. He was well regarded as a charismatic campaigner who fought vehemently against racism and socioeconomic inequalities suffered by Black people in Britain.
According to writer Jamillah Harris, he was a crucial figure in the legendary 1958 race riots in North Kensington, where he used his military training to disarm white rioters and force them to retreat. In 1925, Baron Baker, as he was popularly known, was born in Jamaica. In 1944, he immigrated to the United Kingdom at the age of 19. He was determined to join the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a police officer despite the fact that he was not of the required age.
According to historical reports, he had a great attachment to Britain and considered it his motherland. According to Black History Month, he had to raise his age to 21 in order to join the RAF as a police officer. He aspired to be one of the officers recruited to fight Adolf Hitler and the Nazi system for the liberation of the masses. He found the British to be more accommodating of those fighting alongside them in the war.
According to Baron Baker, his first encounter with racism occurred when he visited a tavern in Gloucester where American soldiers refused to drink with Black customers. This event irritated him, and he reacted furiously since he considered himself as a British citizen. He harbored strong animosity toward racism and fascism.
After the war, Baron Baker continued to battle against the limitations that prevented Black people from enjoying equal social and economic rights. He went on to found the United Africa-Asia League to combat racial discrimination and launch campaigns at Hyde Park’s Speakers Corner.
His opposition to racism would drive him to heckle Oswald Mosley as he espoused fascism. According to historical reports, Baron Baker may have joined the police force not only to oppose Hitler but also to combat prejudice.
In 1948, the World War II veteran challenged the British government’s decision to repatriate Caribbean veterans after the war. During the Windrush era, the British government attempted to return thousands of Caribbean immigrants in 1948. Baron Baker petitioned the British government to temporarily house these immigrants who faced racial discrimination at the Clapham South raid shelter.
Baker went in to live with the hundreds of immigrants at the temporary shelter in protest of the abuse meted out to them. Baker and others attempted to construct Black settlements in London as a long-term solution.
Baker died in 1996 in Notting Hill, where he spent the rest of his life. His funeral was held in Kensal Green Cemetery, where he was remembered as a respected and important community member.