When Carter G Woodson founded Negro History Week in 1926, he believed that “young African Americans in the early 20th century were not being taught enough of their own heritage, and the achievements of their ancestors.” (1)

The 1987 founders in the UK built on this by linking the observance to liberation movements and had the goal to the elevate the “Afrikan personality” in the public sphere, especially for our children. (2)

Far from being just meaningless dates from long ago, history is intensely political. Many are looking at the attempts to whitewash the history of slavery in the USA. (3) However, these moves were being made years ago in the UK with regard to colonialism and empire. (4) In other words their primary objective is a “white self-esteem curriculum” with the objective of disaffecting and disengaging Afrikan students, not only from learning but also from themselves. (5)

Nevertheless, these deceptions are easy to challenge with the wealth of Afrikan teachers and their works including Clarke, Bem-Jochannan, Dunjee-Houston, Williams, Jackson, Diop, Rashidi, etc.

Yet, more recent history doesn’t have the same level of heavyweight coverage of Afrika UK, save for some notable exceptions like ‘Black History Man’ Robin Walker and Dr Hakim Adi. (6) As a result many of our young people are unaware of events in recent decades like the New Cross Massacre, the Saturday School Movement and general grassroots activism.

Perhaps, the current age call less for historians than film makers that have been able to render valuable narratives in recent times in films like Maafa: Truth 2007 and 500 Years Later.

(1) Sarah Pruitt (31/01/22) The Man Behind Black History Month. https://www.history.com/news/the-man-behind-black-history-month

(2) Akyaaba Addai-Sebo and Ansel Wong (Eds) (1988) Our Story – A Handbook of African History and Contemporary Issues. London Strategic Poverty Unit p. 6-8:: “By the designation of October as Black History Month it is our expectation that “Africa’s ideals”, shall forever be manifested in the upliftment of the African Personality in our schools, institutions of higher learning, communities, borough councils and especially in the hearts, minds and deeds of politicians…promoting positive public images and an understanding of Afrikans and people of Afrikan descent and encourage the positive teaching and development of their history, culture and struggles” and to “support Afrikan organisations and liberation movements based in London”.

(3) Jamaal Abdul-Alim & Jusneel Mahal (03/07/23) How new state laws and book ban movements have made the teaching of US history contentious – 5 essential reads. https://theconversation.com/how-new-state-laws-and-book-ban-movements-have-made-the-teaching-of-us-history-contentious-5-essential-reads-208576

(4) Anna Leach, Antonio Voce & Ashley Kirk (13/07/20) Black British history: the row over the school curriculum in England. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/jul/13/black-british-history-school-curriculum-england

(5) Molefi Kete Asante (1991) Afrocentric Curriculum. https://files.ascd.org/staticfiles/ascd/pdf/journals/ed_lead/el_199112_asante.pdf

(6) Robin Walker, Vanika Marshall, Paula Perry & Anthony Vaughan (2017) Black British History: Black Influences on Black British Culture (1948-2016). Reklaw Education and Croydon Supplementary Education Project; Hakim Adi (Ed), Black British History: New Perspectives. Zed Books.

So tonight we ask the question:

What history are we making now?

1) Where do our children go for information about our history?

2) Why is history such a political issue?

3) Have films replaced books as our primary source of history?

4) What will future historians record about the present?

Our Special Guests:

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of almost 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.

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I-Tricia Life Xpressioness / Little Life Learners

For information

I-Tricia: 07710 406 798 / MovementwithiticiaB@gmail.com

Akeba: 07720 816 360 / littilelifelearners07@gmail

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