Black History Presentation: The Black Image

St. Maurice of Germany

It is crucial for Black parents and teachers to learn about, and share, our history with the next generation. For more about this, see below.

I recently attended the  presentation on "The Black image" by Tony Warner of London Black History Walks. I think it was the third time I've seen it.

One thing I enjoy about Brother Tony's presentations is that he always adds some new information. Thus, I enjoy watching them over and over again.

At one time, Black people were depicted in European artworks as regal and magnificent, often dressed in finery.   But in the modern day - starting with Transatlantic slavery and continuing to this day - the Black image has been distorted and degraded.  Films often depict situations in which a small band of white – British or American – fighters are up against hordes of Black enemy soldiers. The white soldiers are represented as brave and heroic, fighting off massive numbers of Black people.

Old films such as Zulu follow this pattern, and it continues with modern-day films such as Black Hawk Down. Similar patterns also appear in video games.

These kinds of images reinforced the British idea of empire: that they had gone into Africa and other places and stood up against huge numbers of hostile locals or, as they would have called them, “natives”. These attitudes continue to be reinforced in the British and American psyches today, through the use of these powerful images. And they affect the way we see ourselves and our history.

Perhaps the most important point Brother Tony made is that we must create our own images. We must record our own history and share it. As a griot, this is my job. It it is the responsibility of all of us - particularly that of parents and teachers. It is useful and important for us to understand the prevailing mainstream images of Black people and Black history, but we must create our own.

There are loads more Black history and African history posts on this blog, so please read them and share them with your networks.  Please leave your comments below.

Why Black History Matters Part 2

London Black History Walks have been holding events about Black people in WWI for many years.  We have now reached the centenary of the start of the First World War and I have noticed that, over the past few years, more and more documentaries have started to emerge about the Black contribution to, and involvement in, the war.  For example, this one about Togo. 

I can’t help thinking that this is partly due to the example set by Black History Walks. 

I am wondering:  what do you think is the importance of Black history? 

Further to what I said in Part 1, I think there are two main benefits to gaining knowledge about our history. 

1) Understanding and analysis.  I touched on this in Part 1. 

2) Self-esteem and confidence.  The more we know about the Black contribution, the clearer is our sense of ourselves, our identities – individual and collective – and our gifts, talents and strengths. 

This is one reason why I publish the More Black Success ebooks.

My mother taught me about slavery and resistance when I was a young child.  Although she never used the word “resistance”, she taught me about Black heroes and sheroes like Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass and Toussaint L’Ouverture. 

These stories gave me a sense of pride.  They also meant I had a little bit of knowledge on which I could build.  

It is the responsibility of each and every one of  us to pass on what Black history knowledge we have to the next generations.  

Click here for more opportunities to expand your knowledge. 

There are lots more Black history posts on this blog, so do explore.  Use this as a resource, and share it with your networks.  I welcome your comments below. 

Why Black History Matters

Child being pursued during the Haitian Revolution

As October is Black History Month/African Heritage Month in the UK, I have been posting lots of Black history events on Nurture Success Events – even more than usual.

Of course, many of us know that every month is Black History Month.   BHM in the UK was started in the 1980s as an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of African people.  It was never intended to be the only Black History Month – just the one observed by local authorities and other statutory bodies.

Tony Warner of London Black History Walks runs events all year long, not just in October. So do Black History Studies.

I attended “What Were Black People Doing in WW1” on Saturday – an excellent presentation.  I have seen it at least three times now, and I always learn something new. Brother Tony breaks down the whole context of how Africa and its people got involved in the two World Wars.

So why does Black history matter?   For one thing, in order to know who we really are, we need to know our history.  We need historical context to understand the events of today, and to understand why Africa and African people are in the position we are in.  For example, check out my recent blog about how people are recovering from the Rwandan genocide. To understand how and why the genocide happened, we need the historical context.

That's just one of many, many examples I can give. 

In order to subdue and control our ancestors, the enslavers did everything they could to steal their cultural identity.

 

When we understand how Black people were robbed of our dignity for many generations, we can begin to see why we behave in ways that are so self-destructive. And these behaviours will continue until we undergo a profound healing process. And of course, that's what my work is all about.

You may also be interested in my recent blogs about the First World War.  More about this soon.

There are loads more Black history posts on this blog, so feel free to explore. 

Organisations such as Black History Studies and London Black History Walks are making a  crucial contribution to us as a people and this needs to be acknowledged more.  Enjoy Black History Month and please share this blog with your networks. Please leave your comments below.

Black History: Break the Silence Congo Week 2014

Mutilated in Congo

In the 19th century, under the rule of King Leopold II, Congolese people were enslaved, forced to work in their own country, which had been turned into the king's private estate, and mutilated when they failed to meet the quotas that had been set for rubber extraction. 

For a fifth year, Black History Studies will take part in the Break the Silence Congo Week for Black History Month. 

The purpose of the Break the Silence Congo Week is to raise consciousness about the devastating situation in the Congo and mobilize support on behalf of the people of the Congo. 

Click here for details.  

For lots more Black history images, see:  African Images and Black History International on Pinterest. 

Why Focus on History?

It was lovely to see several young people at the Black History Studies event the other night, "Slavery Is Not Our History".   More about this event soon. 

One young man asked the important question (and I am paraphrasing):  given the pressures on young people today, what is the point of focusing on history? 

As you can imagine, there was a lot to say about this. 

Mark Simpson of BHS referred to Sankofa:  in order to move forwards, you have to look backwards.  In order to know where we are going, we need to know where we have been. 

Charmaine Simpson, also of BHS, pointed out that many of the issues we face today originated in the enslavement of our ancestors.

I talked about the importance of identity.  Without knowledge of our history and of who we are, it is easy for us to become confused.  

Click here for more Black history events.  

Click here for even more Black history events, with Black History Studies and London Black History Walks. These events are held year-round. 

It is vital that you share this information with young people and parents. 

And always, always Remember Your Greatness.  

Black History: Ebony Goddess and Black Fighter Pilots of World War 2

October is Black History Month in the UK, and I am listing some BHM events on Nurture Success.  

Click here for Next Black History Events.  They include Ebony Goddess and Black Fighter Pilots of World War, two  presentations by London Black History Walks.  These presentations are held every month of the year, not just in October.  

Click here for my review of Black Heroes of WWII, a previous presentation by London Black History Walks.  

Black History Studies is also holding a season of Black history events this month - and every month - including, on Monday 8th October, a screening of the film More than a Month.  

For more details, see Next Black History Events.  

And always, always Remember Your Greatness. 

South Africa Remixed at the Schomburg

The Schomburg will celebrate South Africa Remixed this Saturday.  The programme will include film, live music and discussions.  

Come Back, Africa, a film shot in secret during apartheid, will be one of the films screened.  Click here to read more.  

Click here for more about South Africa Remixed and other Black history and cultural events.   

This is a free event, but you need to book for it. 

Women's Jazz Festival at the Schomburg

The Women's Jazz Festival at the Schomburg is billed as "A gathering of some of New York's Best come together to give praise to those who lead the way".

Includes the Spelman Jazz Ensemble and the Berniece Johnson Reagon Songbook.

Click here for details of the Women's Jazz Festival plus lots more Black history and cultural events.

Tribute to Gil Scott Heron - Message to the Messengers

A tribute to Gil Scott Heron, Message to the Messengers: Mi Revalushanary Frenz will be held at The Drum in Birmingham, UK, on 27th October as part of their Black History Month programme.

Gil Scott Heron was one of the most talented and outspoken spoken word artists of ANY generation. His words, with drums or with jazz accompaniment, forecast some of the issues we are facing today. See below for videos of the classic "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised".

Click here for more details of this and other BHM UK2 2011 events.



Click here for another hard-hitting version.

See below for a video of Gil Scott Heron talking about this piece.



This blog contains hundreds of Black history resources. If you type “Black history” into the search box, you can access them.

Please leave your comments below.

Next Black History Events

BlackHistoryWalks, Nu-Beyond, Positive Mental Attitude Community College & Lewisham Black Staff Forum present Black British Civil Rights Heroes: Mavis Best and the Women of the Scrap Sus Campaign 1981, Friday 13 May 7-9.30pm Lewisham Civic Centre, Catford SE6 4RU

Free entry: first come, first served.

In the late 70s and early 80's police officers would routinely stop, search, strip, assault and jail males and females aged 11 and up using the notorious 'Sus' law. This law meant that if an officer suspected you were about to commit a crime they could arrest you and, if they were in the mood, beat you and plant evidence. It was normal to be arrested for sus while wating at a bus stop.

This meant thousands of young Black people would leave home and not come back. Mavis Best led a group of courageous Black women who went into police stations to rescue the children. When that wasn't enough she organised a campaign to repeal the law itslef. Join us to celebrate the achievement and learn from Mavis Best what tactics were used to win equality.

Special guest appearance from Mia Morris

See video of Mavis Best here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi1mXdgoLyI

Click here for my interview with Brother T. of Black History walks.

Click here for more Black history events, including free film screenings at London Metropolitan University, and films commemorating the death of Bob Marley.

For more great stuff like this, click here to join Nurture Success.

Egyptian Activists Inspired by Martin Luther King Comic

While the world's political pundits debate the role the United States has played in the historical events presently occurring in Egypt, one activist is crediting a specific American with playing a part in inspiring a generation of Egyptians to take to the streets in a nonviolent protest that has changed the course of their nation.

In a recent newsletter to supporters of the American Islamic Congress, Ziada indicated that the translated Martin Luther King comic book had been identified as contributing to the air of peaceful revolution in Egypt. The Fellowship for Reconciliation agreed. Ziada shared this anecdote in her communique:


Click here to read more.

Click here for the What U Need to Know radio show. This month, we were joined by Black History Studies.

Click here for more African cultural events, plus Black history quizzes and more.