October is Black History Month, and the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee and African Caribbean Society (ACS) have organised events and activities to celebrate. On Monday, Upper Sixth students Julian, Keira and Leah delivered an inspiring whole school assembly to mark the start of the event.
This year’s theme is ‘Saluting our sisters’, paying homage to black women who have had contributions ignored, ideas appropriated, and voices silenced. However, the students believe BHM is an opportunity for us all to re-evaluate the lens through which we learn and view the world.
Keira spoke of her frustration with how developing countries like Africa are often portrayed in modern media, as places of poverty and struggle. This ignores the rich tapestry of achievements, vibrant communities and stunning landscapes which exist today and throughout history. She explained that historians continue to uncover and study African individuals and communities who accumulated great skills, power and wealth, far beyond that of their European counterparts but these examples had been consistently buried or denied.
Julian spoke of his interest in World War II and the important role colonial forces played, with his own Jamaican family including his great grandfather signing up for the RAF and Navy. This offered an opportunity to encourage students to attend a special talk on Wednesday by author Maureen Dickson, who has dedicated many years to uncovering the role of Caribbean men and women in both World Wars.
Leah focused in on South African apartheid and spoke of the numerous women and children who helped to dismantle this oppressive system over the years. She also spoke of the awe-inspiring role Nelson Mandela played in reconciliation, despite spending 27 years in jail – an important lesson, not just in history, but in humanity.
The Sixth Formers also launched an essay competition, which encourages all students to uncover or recover examples of black individuals’ achievements across the curriculum.
As well as covering Black History Month in various lessons across the timetable, special events include:
History Society
The classroom was packed out with Fourth Year students and above for this week’s History Society. Mr Hutchings shared a global outline of colonialism from 1485 and introduced ideas around the power of history to shape reputations and the power of historians to challenge them.
Maureen Dickson
We were delighted to welcome author Maureen Dickson to school on Wednesday to speak to the students about her book: “Pilots and Soldiers of the Caribbean, Fighting Men of the Caribbean”, inspired by a conversation with her now late father. She shared stories of black individuals she has interviewed all over the world about their role during WWI and WWII and her next book, which focuses on the Caribbean women who joined the armed forces.
Further events to be announced.
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