Black history month is upon us and I always get asked the same question by white and Asian people alike "why do you guys have black history month?" Well let me explain.
We have black history month as a way to teach all about the contribution of black people to Britain and the wider world as well as the tribulations of the past and the persecution still felt in the present. The teaching of black history in schools is pretty much non existent. I went to secondary school in the 90's and only had black history mentioned once in history and discussed during English as we were reading how to “Kill a Mocking Bird.”
black history month is also a good time to distinguish our history from that of the Americans whose history it is that prevails in the thoughts of people whenever Black history is mentioned.
Why don't we have white history month? Well to, be blunt every month is white history month, including black history month, and rightly so this is England after all a predominantly white country with a long and illustrious history that should be taught. That's not to say that we shouldn't have our own bit of history to celebrate who we are, where we've been and what we have become.
So regardless of your race or creed please read at least one thing about black history month this month you never know you might actually learn something.
We have black history month as a way to teach all about the contribution of black people to Britain and the wider world as well as the tribulations of the past and the persecution still felt in the present. The teaching of black history in schools is pretty much non existent. I went to secondary school in the 90's and only had black history mentioned once in history and discussed during English as we were reading how to “Kill a Mocking Bird.”
black history month is also a good time to distinguish our history from that of the Americans whose history it is that prevails in the thoughts of people whenever Black history is mentioned.
Why don't we have white history month? Well to, be blunt every month is white history month, including black history month, and rightly so this is England after all a predominantly white country with a long and illustrious history that should be taught. That's not to say that we shouldn't have our own bit of history to celebrate who we are, where we've been and what we have become.
So regardless of your race or creed please read at least one thing about black history month this month you never know you might actually learn something.
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