Black history month in Ealing schools

2012
Black history month
in Ealing schools
Welcome to this year’s Black History Month (BHM). I am pleased to introduce 2012 theme together with
a pack full of inspirational and thought provoking ideas to celebrate Black History throughout October.
Black History Month has been celebrated in the UK since October 1987, when it emerged as part of the
African Jubilee celebrations for the Marcus Garvey Centenary. BHM gives students, parents, teachers
and the whole community an opportunity to:
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promote knowledge of the Black History, Culture and Heritage
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enable a better understanding of our shared history and culture
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bring to life many important and illuminating stories about black people in the UK and diaspora
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recognise the Black presence throughout history as well as celebrating the contributions of
African, Asian and Caribbean people to the economic, cultural and political life in London and
the UK
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showcase the achievements of local community groups and members
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empower the young people to feel confident and raise awareness of Black cultural heritage
As community , parents and educators our task is to allow and support young generations to discover,
reinstate, highlight, discuss, enjoy and celebrate the black history, culture and heritage.
This year was packed with very exciting celebrations, culminating with the Olympic Games however,
the
Black
History
Month
won't
be
overshadowed,
but
will
embrace
and extend
these
celebrations. Ealing’s theme for 2012 is ‘Celebrating Black heritage through achievements in
science, art, literature, politics and sport’.
Although October is Black History Month, I strongly advocate that Black History is embedded in the
curriculum to be taught throughout the year!
Black history can be made known in so many ways. It can be incorporated into all areas of the
curriculum and celebrated inside or outside the classroom, at home or through larger
organised events. Attached are some suggestions of how you may celebrate the Black History
Month this year. The term ‘Black’ used within these materials refers to African, AfricanCaribbean and South Asian people. I hope you find these materials useful.
Mirela Temo
Educational Improvement Consultant
School Effectiveness, Ealing LA
Black history month
in Ealing schools
The themes and resources suggested in this pack are aimed to give you some ideas around
the themes / projects you could do in your school. Please feel free to adapt and change if you
wish.
Themes and Activities
I. Inventions – Discovering different objects invented by Black people
Key questions
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What was the impact of the inventions on people in the past and the present?
What would our lives be like if these inventions were never created?
Activities
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Discussions / Debates
How do you know what time it is? Who invented the water clock?
Make an Inventions Time-line
Now or long ago? – Sorting game
Display of crafts
Draw / design / create your own invention (see an example in the resources section)
Exhibition
Quiz / Puzzles (see an example in the resources section)
Making books about inventions made by black people
Write a brief biography of an inventor (include picture/s if available)
Visiting museums
II. History of Black People in Britain (London / local area)
Key questions
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When did the first black people come to Britain? Why did they come here?
Where did they settle? What did they do?
What about today?
 Their long journey to freedom
Activities
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Discussions
Research
Biographies / Diaries
Time lines
Calendar of celebrations
Map work
Journeys
III. The contributions that Black and Asian people have made to Britain
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The contribution of black men and women in the wars
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Women in the war (Mary Seacole, Noor Inayat Khan, Una Marson)
A White Man's War? – World War One and the West Indies
Asian soldiers in World War I (Khudadad Khan, etc)
Black spitfire pilots
The making of Britain
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A different view of London – Connections between black ancestors with the
streets and buildings (Discovering the story behind different buildings and streets
in London)
A long journey to freedom (including changes in the law – Race Relations act,
etc)
Black people’s contribution in health service, transport, politics, Metropolitan
Police, etc.
London Black Personalities - There are many role models that children could
explore:
Local Black role models (Margaret Noel, Doreen Lawrence, School Teachers,
Youth Workers, Community, etc)
Inspiring black thinkers (Dr John Roberts)
Young, gifted and black (Yolanda Brown, JlLS, Careeta Robert Green founder of
- born with a gift)
Outstanding Young Students (Lennon Powell, Kunle Babinson) – these are
children from Ealing schools who won special Awards organised by the
Descendants Project.
IV. Celebrating GB’s participation in the Olympic Games 2012
Activities
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Discussions / Debates
Writing biographies
Interviews
Black History in pictures / Picture talks
Using at historical sources (letters, recounts, photographs, objects, etc)
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Research
Student Presentations
Design a war memorial to remember Black and Asian soldiers who died in WW I
Museums
Students produce a Tourist Guide
London / Local Walks (visiting areas which are connected to the black history)
Black history month
in Ealing schools
RESOURCES
Black history month
in Ealing schools
Black Inventors List
What would our lives be like if these invention was never created?
Invention
Biscuit Cutter
Folding Bed
Bicycle Frame
Letter Box
Envelope Seal
Pressure Cooker
Pencil Sharpener
Fire Extinguisher
Lock
Shoe Lasting Machine
Ironing Board
Horse shoe
Elevator
Lawn Mower
Typewriter
Gas Mask
Traffic Signal
Folding Chair
Hair Brush
Clothes Dryer
Baby Buggy
Ice cream Mold
Shoe
Toilet
Mop
Guitar
Helicopter
Fire Escape Ladder
Telephone System
Kitchen Table
Remote Controllers
Roller Coaster
Resource by Mirela Temo
Inventor
A.P. Ashbourne
L.C. Bailey
Issac R. Johnson
G.E. Becket
F.W. Leslie
Maurice W. Lee
John L. Love
Tom J. Marshal
W.A. Martin
Jan Matzeliger
Sarah Boone
Oscar E. Brown
Alexander Miles
John A. Burr
Burridge & Marshman
Garrett Morgan
Garrett Morgan
Purdgy/Sadgwar
Lyda Newman
G.T. Sampson
W.H. Richardson
A.L. Cralle
W.A. Detiz
T. Elkins
T.W. Stewart
Robert Flemming ,Jr
Paul E. Williams
J.B. Winters
Granville T. Woods
H.A. Jackson
Joseph N. Jackson
Granville T. Woods
Black history month
in Ealing schools
Black Inventors – Information Sheet
Elijah McCoy
Elijah McCoy (1843–1929) invented an oil-dripping cup for trains.
Fast Fact: Other inventors tried to copy McCoy's oil-dripping cup. But none of the other cups
worked as well as his, so customers started asking for "the real McCoy." That's where the
expression comes from.
Lewis Latimer
Lewis Latimer (1848–1928) invented an important part of the light bulb — the carbon filament.
Fast Fact: Latimer worked in the laboratories of both Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham
Bell.
Jan Ernst Matzeliger
Jan Ernst Matzeliger (1852–1889) invented a shoemaking machine that increased shoemaking
speed by 900%!
Fast Fact: In 1992, the U.S. made a postage stamp in honor of Matzeliger.
George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver (1860–1943) developed peanut butter and 400 plant products!
Fast Fact: Carver was born a slave. He didn't go to college until he was 30.
Madam C. J. Walker
Madam C. J. Walker (1867–1919) invented a hair-growing lotion.
Fast Fact: Walker grew up poor. But she became the first female African- American
millionaire.
Garrett Morgan
Garrett Morgan (1877–1963) invented the gas mask.
Fast Fact: Morgan also invented the first traffic signal.
Dr. Patricia E. Bath
Dr. Patricia. E. Bath (1949–) invented a method of eye surgery that has helped many blind
people to see.
Fast Fact: Dr. Bath has been nominated to the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Information obtained from: http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/inventors/
Black history month
in Ealing schools
Create your own invention
_________________________________________
Quiz
Black Inventors
1.
2.
3.
4.
Who invented the typewriter?
Who invented the hair brush?
Who invented the helicopter?
Who invented the refrigerator and the freezer?
ANSWERS
Black Inventors
1.
2.
3.
4.
Burridge & Marshman (1885)
Lyda Newman (1898)
Paul E. Williams (1962)
J. Standard (1891)
Note: The information for this quiz was taken from different websites.
Black history month
in Ealing schools
Inspiring black British people
QUIZ
Black Politicians
1. Who was the first Indian to win a sit in the UK Parliament?
2. Who was the first black British MP?
3. Who was the first black Cabinet Minister?
4. Who was the first black woman to be elected to the House of Commons?
5. Who was the first black British to sit in the House of Lords?
Black British Entertainers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Who was the first black British stand-up comic?
Who was the first black British actor to play a dramatic role in a British Theatre?
Who is the first black newsreader in the UK?
What is Rekha Waheed famous for?
What is Nazrin Choudhury famous for?
Black Asian Scholars
1. Cornelia Sorabji became the first woman of Indian origine to graduate at Oxford University.
What did she graduate for and when?
ANSWERS
Black Politicians
1. Dadabhai Naoroji (1892)
2. Bernard Grant (1987)
3. Paul Yaw Boateng (2002)
4. Diane Abbott (1987)
5. David Thomas Pitt (1975)
Black British Entertainers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Charlie Williams
Robert Adams
Sir Trevor McDonald
Rekha Waheed – Novelist and Writer
Nazrin Choudhury – Screenwritter (Eastenders, Doctors, Waterloo Road) and actress
Black Asian Scholars
1. Cornelia Sorabji – Civil Laws (1892)
Resource by M.Temo
Note: The information for this quiz was taken from different websites.
Black history month
in Ealing schools
The road to freedom
Olaudah Equiano (1745 – 1797)
Olaudah Equiano (Gustavus Vassa), was the first political leader of Britain’s Black community.
Equiano was born around 1745, and was about 11 years old when he was kidnapped by slave
traders from a village in the eastern area of Nigeria.
After arriving in the West Indies, Equiano was sold to a local plantation owner, who in turn sold
him to a British naval officer for £30.00. Equiano arrived in London in 1757 at the age of 23
years.
Equiano’s book ‘The Interesting Narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa,
the African’ became a famous documentation of an African’s journey out of slavery, and in its
campaign for the abolition of slavery by a Black man.
During his lifetime, Equiano embarked on many anti-slavery meetings throughout many of the
towns and cities in Britain. He received many letters congratulating him as the principal
instrument in attempting to bring an end to slavery.
Olaudah Equiano died on 31st March 1797, aged about 52. How pleased Equiano would have
been had to lived to see slavery abolished.
Source from Azumah Kwartey Titus – Glover ‘An Educational Guide to the History of Black
People – Past and Present’
Black history month
in Ealing schools
John Richard Archer (1863 – 1932)
John Richard Archer, was born on the 8th June 1863, in Liverpool. His father was a ship’s
steward from Barbados (an island in the Caribbean), and his mother was Irish. John
Richard Archer became the first person of African descent to hold a civic office in Britain.
On the 10th November 1913, Archer was elected Mayor of Battersea. His statement to the
council was:
“You have made history to-night . . .Battersea has done many things in the past, but the
greatest thing it has done is to show that it has no racial prejudice, and that it recognises a
man for the work he has done”.
Archer received many letters of congratulations from leading members of the Black
community in the USA.
In 1918, Archer was elected as the President of the African Congress Union, which
represented Black students, and business people from various parts of Africa, the West
Indies and the Americas.
John Richard Archer died in July 1932, his colleagues commented on his career as:
“there never was a case in which he did not try to get more generous treatment for the
applicant, the poor had no better a friend”.
John Richard Archer was a remarkable and extraordinary representative of the Black
community. He had an excellent record of public service. As a Black man, Archer became
the first British-born, mixed – heritage councillor, Alderman and Mayor.
Source from Azumah Kwartey Titus – Glover ‘An Educational Guide to the History of Black
People – Past and Present’
Black history month
in Ealing schools
Sophia Dulep Singh
Very little is known about Black women who played a part in the early women’s movement in
this country. However, Sophia Dullep Singh an Indian suffragette was prominent in the fight for
votes for women.
Black history month
in Ealing schools
Black British Politicians
Sir Dadabhai Naoroji
Born in 1852 in Bombay, Sir Dadabhai became the first Indian professor of mathematics and
philosophy at the age of 29. He was elected the Liberal MP for Central Finsbury in 1892, and
was a great campaigner for the wrongs being done to his homeland in India.
Naoroji died at the grand old age of 91, leaving behind the legacy of the ‘Grand Old Man of
India’
Britain’s First black MP
Bernard Alexander Montgomery Grant (17 February 1944 – 8 April 2000), known simply as
Bernie Grant, was a politician, and Labour member of Parliament for Tottenham at the time of
his death.
The first black woman to be elected to the House of Commons
Diane Julie Abbott (born 27 September 1953) is a British Labour Party politician who has been
the Member of Parliament (MP) for Hackney North and Stoke Newington since 1987, when she
became the first black woman to be elected to the House of Commons
The first black Cabinet Minister
Paul Yaw Boateng is a Labour Party politician, who was the MP for Brent South from 1987 to
2005, becoming the UK's first black Cabinet Minister in May 2002, when he was appointed as
Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
Keith Vaz
Keith Vaz was first elected in June 1987 and has been re-elected as a Member of Parliament 6
times. He was the first person of Asian origin to sit in the House of Commons since 1922. He
was Britain’s Minister for Europe under Tony Blair.
Vaughan Gething – First black president of the National Union of students of Wales
Vaughan Gething AM (born 1974) is a Welsh Labour Co-operative politician, who has
represented the constituency of Cardiff South and Penarth since the National Assembly for
Wales election of 2011
The first black to sit in the British House of Lords
David Thomas Pitt, Baron Pitt of Hampstead (3 October 1913–14 December 1994) was a civil
rights campaigner and was one of the first persons of African descent to sit in the British House
of Lords.
William Davidson – fighter for the abolition of slavery
Before the 20th century, individuals from the Caribbean were taking part in a variety of political
events and movements. During the 19th century, the political ferment around the abolition of
slavery catapulted many Caribbean-born Black people into the centre of radical activism in
Britain. One of the best known was William Davidson, who was born in Jamaica in 1786 and
educated largely in Scotland.
Resource by M.Temo
Note: The information for this quiz was taken from different websites.
Black history month
in Ealing schools
Black and Asian soldiers in World War I and II
Look at this man.
1. When do you think he lived?
2. Where do you think he was from?
3. What is he wearing and why?
4. What do you think he might be remembered for? What makes you think this?
Khudadad Khan
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Khudadad Khan was born in Dabb Village, Punjab State, Pakistan
When WW1 broke out he joined the Army as a Sepoy or Private soldier and served as a
machine gunner
In October 1914 his regiment was sent to the front line in France. All the gunners were
killed apart from Khan who was badly wounded
For his bravery in France and his involvement in preventing the German Army reaching
vital ports, Khan received the Victoria Cross. He was the first native-born Indian to
receive this honour
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of
the enemy"
Internet resource http://www.blackhistory4schools.com/20century/
More resources are available on this website.
Black history month
in Ealing schools
War and the black women
Mary Seacole
Mary Seacole was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1805. In 1854 Mary travelled to England, and
applied to the War Office to be sent to the Crimea as a nurse. Mary was turned down by
everyone she approached, including one of Florence Nightingale’s assistants.
At the age of 50 years, Mary travelled the 3,000 miles to the Crimea at her own expense. She
set up her own hospital approximately two miles from Balaclava, and tended to many wounded
soldiers on the battle-field.
Black history month
in Ealing schools
Noor Inayat Khan
What can these sources tell you about Noor Inayat Khan?
Note: Photos downloaded from Google images
A prolific author who kept writing well into her 90s, Jean Overton Fuller tracked down many of Noor’s
friends, captors and interrogators after the war to build up a picture of Noor Inayat Khan’s final months.
Noor Inayat Khan was a member of the Special Operations Executive during WW IINote:
Photos downloaded from Google images
Noor Inayat Khan
Noor Inyat Khan, was the only Asian women to serve with the Special Operations Executive
during World War Two. Noor operated under the secret agent name of ‘Madeleine’. She was
fluent in French and other languages. In 1943, while on a secret operation in Paris, she was
betrayed and arrested by the Gestapo. After her capture she was sent to the Dachau
concentration camp where she was interrogated, beaten and then shot.
After the War, Noor Inyat Khan was posthumously awarded the George Cross and the French
Croix de Guerre Medal of honour for her brave actions.Noor Inyat Khan, as a Black women is
also forgotten in British history as a Black war hero.
Source from Azumah Kwartey Titus – Glover ‘An Educational Guide to the History of Black
People – Past and Present’
Black history month
in Ealing schools
Who was Una Marson?
Note: Photos downloaded from Google images
Black history month
in Ealing schools
What do these pictures tell you?
Do you recognise any of these men?
A group of RAF-officers
Front row, from left: [1] unknown, from Jamaica or Belize, [2] Dusty Miller, from Guyana, [3]
S/L Corbett (liason), [4] Ulric Cross , [5] Johnny Smythe, from Sierra Leone, [6] Mark Walker,
from Trinidad; Second row from left: [1] E.A. Gordon from Jamaica, [4] Percy Messiah, from
Trinidad, [5] possibly his brother C.A. Messiah from Trinidad, [7] Jellicoe Scoon from Grenada
or Trinidad (?).Third row from left: [1] E.R Braithwaite from Guyana? The rest are as yet
unknown to us. We invite our visitors to share the names of any person they recognise.
[Names courtesy P.L.U. Cross a.o.; Source: http://www.caribbeanaircrew-ww2.com/
Black history month
in Ealing schools
The First World War
Soldiers and sailors from the African diaspora played an important role in World War I. Black
troops from the colonies were recruited by all the major colonial powers, as well as by the
United States and Canada. France, for example, recruited over 230,000 troops from Africa
alone, as well as more than 23,000 from the French Antilles. Many Black people resident in
Britain at the time joined their local regiments in Britain or the British West Indies Regiment,
which recruited over 15,000 Caribbean men during the war. Black seafarers resident in Britain
also took part in the war, many losing their lives – over 1,000 from Cardiff alone.
As well as providing soldiers, the British Caribbean contributed food and money to the war
effort. However, many of the British West Indies Regiment and the West India Regiments were
prevented from frontline fighting on the Western Front because of racist views in the army,
although these regiments were actively involved in fighting in Palestine and elsewhere.
It is estimated that over 1,200 Caribbean servicemen lost their lives during the First World War,
and many of those who survived received commendations and awards for bravery. The bestknown Black soldier to lose his life during the war was Walter Daniel Tull (1888–1918) who had
also been a famous footballer.
Tull was also notable because he had been made an officer, an extremely rare occurrence at
the time because all the British armed forces operated a colour bar, preventing those not of
'pure' European descent from receiving commissions and commanding troops. Racism was a
constant problem faced by Caribbean troops and, in 1918, led to a mutiny among soldiers of
the British West Indies Regiment stationed at Taranto in Italy.
More than 360,000 African-American troops, including over 600 officers, also served during the
First World War, all of them in segregated units. Many did not serve overseas, and of those
who did, the majority were used for non-combat duties. However, some regiments did fight
alongside French troops and were famous for their bravery. Over 170 African-American
soldiers were awarded the Légion d'honneur, the highest military decoration in France.
African-American troops also had to overcome the racism that was prevalent in the US army.
One African-American soldier who died fighting in France was not awarded a medal by the US
government until 1990. The participation of these troops in the war encouraged and inspired
them to make greater demands for equality and an end to segregation and other discrimination
when they returned home.
However, on their return, conditions were as bad as ever. Many African-American exservicemen faced racist abuse and attack, and in 1919, 'race riots' broke out in 25 US cities.
Black ex-servicemen demobbed in Britain also faced racial violence, and in the same year,
riots and racist attacks that led to several deaths occurred in British towns and cities, including
Cardiff, London and Liverpool.
The Second World War
The African diaspora also made a major contribution during World War II, many giving their
lives or enduring long periods of incarceration as prisoners of war. For example, thousands of
Black troops recruited into the French army, including hundreds from the Caribbean, were held
by the Nazis as prisoners of war or simply executed.
From the British West Indies, over 8,000 men and women were recruited into the armed forces
and to work in essential war industries, although the army did not create a specific Caribbean
Regiment until 1944. Several hundred men were recruited from the Caribbean to work in the
armaments factories throughout Britain and as foresters in Scotland, while women were
recruited into the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). Britain's Caribbean colonies also
contributed food, raw materials and money to the Allied war effort.
In Britain, too, many people of African origin joined the forces, became air raid patrol wardens
or made other contributions. Over 200 people originally from the Caribbean lost their lives in
Britain during the war and hundreds more were wounded. Once again, they all had to
overcome the colour bar. The British government and armed forces were reluctant to recruit
Black troops, and regulations were still in place at the start of the war to prevent the promotion
of Black officers. Even on the home front, there were many examples of discrimination, the
most infamous case being that of Amelia King, who was born in London but in 1943 was
denied entry to the Women's Land Army because she was Black.
African-American troops again served in the armed forces in large numbers – an estimated
total of over one million men and women – approximately half of them overseas, but, again, in
segregated regiments. Racism within the military meant that most troops were not directly
engaged in combat and still faced discriminatory treatment and conditions of service both
overseas and in the US. Despite this, some were decorated for bravery including Doris Miller, a
cook in the US Navy who received the Navy Cross for his heroic action during the Japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941.
Black history month
in Ealing schools
Achievements
Of the British West Indies Regiment who fought during the Great War 105 were killed or
died from their wounds, 697 were wounded and crippled for life, and 1,071 died of
sickness. Of the Black seamen, many of whom were from Cardiff – 1,000 were killed at sea
and 400 were rescued after their ships were sunk, only later to die from exposure.
Many Black soldiers were decorated as heroes
West African Frontier Force & the African Kings Rifles
Sixteen soldiers received the DCM
(Distinguished Conduct Medal)
The British West Indies Regiment
5 DSO’s (Distinguished Service Order)
9 MC’s (Military Crosses)
2 MBE’s (Member of the British Empire)
8 DCM’s (Distinguished Conduct Medal)
37 MM’s (Military Medals)
49 Mentions in Dispatches
Black history month
in Ealing schools
Where is this monument? Who is this monument dedicated to? Why?
Resource from Google images
This could be used as a stimulus to talk about monuments that are linked to Black history. In Nov 2002
the Memorial Gates were opened in London's Hyde Park to "remember the peoples of the Indian subcontinent, Africa and the Caribbean who fought in both World Wars. No longer will they be forgotten by
history“
Black history month
in Ealing schools
Discover the Cleopatra Needle. What is the story behind this oblique?
The Cleopatra needle is in the City of Westminster, on the Victoria Embankment near the
Golden Jubilee Bridges. It is close to the Embankment underground station. It was presented
to the United Kingdom in 1819 by the ruler of Egypt and Sudan Muhammad Ali, in
commemoration of the victories of Lord Nelson at the Battle of the Nile and Sir Ralph
Abercromby at the Battle of Alexandria in 1801. Although the British government welcomed the
gesture, it declined to fund the expense of transporting it to London.
The contribution made by Black and Asian people
to Britain
Read through all of the sources and then complete the task below:
Source A In 1970, there were 200 Indian restaurants; in 2008 there were 8,500 employing
70,000 people. Chicken Tikka Masala and curry and have become Britain’s favourite foods. In
1996, total sales of ‘ethnic food’ in the UK totalled £736 million.
Source B Black and Asian music has had a massive impact on the music charts. After the
Beatles visited India in 1968 they were very influenced by the music they heard there. Artists
like Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix lived in London and played to British audiences. Today music
like garage, dubsteb, drum and bass, grime and hip hop all have Black musical influences, and
bangra and bollywood come from India.
Source C In 1994 Paul Ince became the first Black player to captain England and became the
first Black Manager in the Premier League in 2008.
Nasser Hussain was the first British Asian to captain England at cricket in 1999.
Source D Asian corner shops and off licences have become part of everyday life – in 1990
there were 15,000 corner shops run by Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi shopkeepers.
Source E A survey in 2000 showed that Black Britons contributed £5billion a year to the UK
economy.
Source F In 2003, Baroness Valerie Amos, became the first Black woman in the Cabinet,
when she became Secretary of State for International Development.
Also, Lakshmi Mittal, an Asian businessman was the richest man in Britain in 2009.
Source G More than 200 different languages are spoken in Britain today – this means that
schools, the police and other organisations have had to adapt to be able to work with people
who do not have English as a first language.
Source H http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/charmed-life-campaign.html A campaign, called
‘Windrush Day’ has started to ask the government to introduce a new national bank holiday to
celebrate the contribution made by Black and Asian people in Britain
TASK
You have been invited to join the campaign for a national holiday to celebrate the contribution
made by Black and Asian people in Britain. You need to:
1) Read all of the sources and use your own knowledge. Make a list of the different
contributions that have been made by Black and Asian people
2) Choose your most important two contributions and explain why they are so important in
changing Britain
3) Write a letter to the Home Secretary in the government explaining why you think it would
be a good idea to have a Windrush Day.
Internet resource http://www.blackhistory4schools.com/20century/
More resources are available on this website.
Black history month
in Ealing
Events
Descendants’ project in Ealing runs activities throughout the year such as:
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club meetings every Friday 7.00pm –9.00pm during school terms.
holiday projects
educational activities
inspirational projects
organise educational trips for children and young people
support to children and their parents
work with, and run projects in partnerships with other organisation
offer a mentoring service to young people in small groups and one
to one
HISTORY, MUSIC, ART/CRAFT, DANCE, DRAMA,
PERFORMANCES, EDUCATION TRIPS, SUMMER SCHOOL
http://www.descendants.org.uk/activities.html
Black history month
Ealing Libraries Sessions
October – November 2012
Activity: From Florida to the First Cuckoo: How did African-American music influence Delius?
Date: Tuesday 2 October
Time: 5pm-6.30pm
Venue: Ealing Central Library, Ealing Broadway Centre, Ealing W5 5JY
Cost: £1
Description: Preview of Heritage Project which aims to highlight the profound impact African-American
music had on English composer, Frederick Delius (1862-1934); the legacy of his music represents an
eclectic embodiment of 1880s gospels, blues and spirituals. The project acknowledges and traces the
indispensable contribution made by African-American music to Delius’s creativity. Presented by: Grace
Quansah aka 'Akuba' (Writer, Performance Artiste and Director of WAPPY Heritage Project Learning
Co-ordinator ) Gillian Spragg (Artistic Director of the Ealing Autumn Festival, Heritage Project Coordinator and Music
Activity: African crafts and storytelling for children
Date: Tuesday 9 October
Time: 2.30pm-3.30 pm
Venue: Acton Library, Acton High Street, Acton W3 6NA
Cost: Free
Description: Children’s craft event, making animal masks and African storytelling.
Activity: Andrea Stuart - Author talk and book signing
Date: Thursday 11 October
Time: 6.15pm
Venue: Green Room, Ealing Central Library, Ealing Broadway Centre, Ealing W5 5JY
Cost: Free tbc
Description: Andrea Stuart talks about her book Sugar in the Blood: A Family's Story of Slavery and
Empire, part family memoir and part colonial history, which follows the thread of her own family's
involvement with sugar through successive generations, telling a story of insatiable greed and forbidden
love, of abuse and liberation. Andrea Stuart is also the prize-winning author of The Rose of Martinique:
A Biography of Napoleon's Josephine.
Activity: BHM: The Olympic Spirit - Journey to Greatness
Date: Thursday 18 October
Time: 6pm-7.30pm
Venue: Green Room, Ealing Central Library, Ealing Broadway Centre, Ealing W5 5JY
Cost: Free
Contact: Cheryl Burke - 0208 993 6158 (Email chair@bhcwl.org.uk )
Description: A literature review and debate of African and Caribbean Olympians presented by Black
History and Culture West London. If you would like to recommend a book for the event please bring it
to the event or contact us to add it to our reading list.
Activity: Stories from Africa Interactive Drama Workshop for ages 5-11
Date: Tuesday 30 October
Time: 11am-12 noon
Venue: Northolt Library, Church Road, Northolt UB5 5AS
Cost: £1 per child. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Contact: 020 8825 7296 or reading@ealing.gov.uk
Description: See the tales How Anansi became King of all the Stories and How the Zebra got his
Stripes brought vividly to life as your children revel in creating vibrant African scenes and marvel as the
cunning Anansi captures Osebo, the fearsome leopard. Led by Freshwater Theatre.
Activity: Akuba: Telling African Tales – children & families
Date: Tuesday 30 October
Time: 2.30pm
Venue: Southall Library
Cost: Free
Contact: 020 8825 7259 or reading@ealing.gov.uk
Description: African storytelling for children and families - take an imaginative journey with storyteller
Akuba. An interactive session using drama and art to bring stories to life.
Activity: A Caribbean Story Interactive Drama Workshop for ages 5-7
Date: Wednesday 31 October
Time: 10.30am-11.30am
Venue: Ealing Central Library, Ealing Broadway Centre, Ealing W5 5JY
Cost: £1 per child. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Contact: 020 8825 9278 or reading@ealing.gov.uk
Description: Explore the rich tapestry of the landscape, culture and traditions of St Lucia through the
delightful story of a child and her fisherman grandfather. A wonderful and uplifting story and the perfect
accompaniment to Black History Month celebrations. Led by Freshwater Theatre.
Activity: Akuba: Telling African Tales - children & families
Date: Thursday 1st November
Time: 2.30pm
Venue: West Ealing Library
Cost: Free
Contact: 020 8825 7294 or reading@ealing.gov.uk
Description: African storytelling for children and families - take an imaginative journey with storyteller
Akuba. An interactive session using drama and art to bring stories to life.
Activity: The Amazing History of Black People in London before 1948 - presented by Black
History Studies
Date: Thursday 22 November
Time: 6.15pm
Venue: The Green Room, Ealing Central Library, Ealing Broadway Centre, Ealing W5 5JY
Cost: £2
Contact: 020 8825 9278 or reading@ealing.gov.uk
Description: This fascinating PowerPoint presentation focuses on the hidden history of London on the
contributions made by people of African and Caribbean descent to London in the areas of Literature,
Politics, Music and Health & Welfare before 1948. We will cover key questions such as follows. Were
Black people here in Roman times? What roles did Black people have in 17th century Britain? Who
were the great Black personalities of the 18th and 19th centuries? What was that Black newspaper that
operated out of Fleet Street in 1920? This presentation will highlight the invaluable input people of
African and Caribbean descent have provided to London, from the 17th century to 1948.
Black history month
in Ealing schools
Useful websites
Black History Month websites
http://www.blackhistorymonthuk.co.uk/
http://www.visitlondon.com/events/detail/8974715-black-history-month-in-london
Second World War (1939-1945)
http://www8.open.ac.uk/researchprojects/makingbritain/content/second-world-war-1939-1945
VIDEO - The Black British Experience Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5poS9TAJO4A&feature=plcp
London Black History Personalities
http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/Schools/Resources/Diverse-London-resources/black-historypersonalities.htm
Black AND Asian Presence in Britain 1500 - 1850
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/blackhistory/index.htm
Articles
Black People in Britain – History and Historians
http://www.historytoday.com/ian-duffield/black-people-britain-history-and-historians
Black people in Britain – The 1930s
http://www.historytoday.com/barbara-bush/black-people-britain-1930s
If you scroll down you will find more articles
White Man's War? World War One and the West Indies
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/west_indies_01.shtml
Black British history
http://www.history.ac.uk/makinghistory/resources/articles/black_history.html
The First Black Britons
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/black_britons_01.shtml
A short history of black people in Britain
http://www.workersliberty.org/node/5912
African-Caribbean people to Britain
http://www.irespect.net/Untold%20Stories/Caribbean/Community%20History.htm
Other Websites
www.movinghere.org.uk - archive sources relating to 200 years of migration to Britain
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk - The National Archives on-line lessons, activities, exhibitions,
advice etc. from
http://www.blackpresence.co.uk/
www.everygeneration.co.uk
www.100greatblackbritons.com
www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk
www.sikh-heritage.co.uk
www.blacknet.co.uk
www.duleepsingh.com
www.black-history.org.uk
www.museums.co.uk
http://www.descendants.org.uk/
Acknowledgements:
Monica Raphael (Senior Educational Professional, School Effectiveness)
Margaret Noel (Descendants Founder)
Bernice Bedminster (School Effectiveness)
Lesley Tucker (School Effectiveness/Parent Governor)
Thank you to you all for your priceless suggestions!
Mirela Temo
mtemo@ealing.gov.uk