You Clap For Me Now was a personal project produced and directed by myself and written by Darren Smith during the first lockdown in April 2020. Within 24 hours of sharing it on social media it went viral, amassing more than 300 million views worldwide. It was picked up by media globally - from The Washington Post to Al Jazeera and everything in between, and retweeted by the likes of JK Rowling, Jameela Jamil, Gary Lineker and Sadiq Khan. It was also selected by the United Nations as one of it's official messages of hope and solidarity during an incredibly uncertain time.
This powerful poem was inspired by my mums own experience of arriving in the UK as an immigrant after a desperate plea to fill the massive labour shortages in the NHS during the 60's. It reminds us all that a large number of ‘key workers’ are from Black and Minority Ethnic families and is read out line-by-line by 39 first, second and third-generation immigrants from 19 different ethnicities - including doctors, nurses, teachers, shopkeepers, dentists, social workers, care workers, delivery drivers, broadcasters and more.
Despite long, shameful histories of facing racism and hostility, immigrants globally showed a continuous kindness and solidarity by delivering essential aid and services to their nations during the COVID-19 crisis. Jobs that were once deemed as 'unskilled' were suddenly seen as vital to keeping the public safe and alive.
Because we know – and they know – it doesn’t matter where you come from. During this pandemic we are all humans together, fighting a common enemy.
You Clap for Me Now was a reminder to us all, that when we finally emerged from lockdown, we must never forget those who put their lives at risk to help us and our loved ones through it.
We must ensure that we never go back to a time where we ignore, hurt or disrespect people because of their religion, profession, or the colour of their skin.
This important piece of history now lives on as part of the People's History Museum Collection in Manchester and also in the Poems For A Pandemic book published by Harper Collins.
Credits: Creative Direction and Production - Sachini Imbuldeniya, Words - Darren Smith, Video Editor - Ruben Alvarado
