The legacy of the British Empire casts a long shadow, and its honours system is no exception. In this episode, we challenge the status quo and explore the complexities of OBEs and other accolades awarded to people of colour within the UK honour system.

We confront the historical ties these honours have to the monarchy and the British Empire and the painful narratives they carry for descendants of enslaved people and the Windrush generation. Together, we explore the intricate emotions and justifications for accepting these awards and question whether renaming them could address their problematic branding.

In Polite Company is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.