Black History Month
has been recognized in the UK since at least the 1950's (1).
In 1987 Black History Month became more established as part
of the African Jubilee celebrations for Marcus Garvey's 100th
year -- creating an important opportunity to learn about and
celebrate the contributions of African, Caribbean and Asian
cultures in British society. Created by Akyaaba
Addai-Sebo (2), special projects officer for the race
unit of Greater London Council, the event was inspired by
the Black History activities which take place in North America
every February.
There is
a lot of evidence which shows that Africans lived in early
British society as free people, servants, slaves, missionaries,
farmers, knights, and soldiers. There are more histories of
Africans and Asians living in Britain still to be written
as more discoveries are made about the past.
In the early 1600's, both rich and poor Britons saw new American
colonies as the land of opportunity. British planters increased
the number of African slaves
for 2 main reasons: 1) to the southern United States and Caribbean
to improve their cash crops; and 2) to provide other sources
of labour in the North which included Canada. New York city
was built using slave labour provided primarily by African
slaves. Canada had a number of free Africans living there
but there were many slaves as well. Gradually, laws were put
in place which defined legal status by race, ensuring that
Africans and their descendants would remain slaves. But African
slaves did rebel, joining forces with black and white anti-slavery
activists. After slavery ended in the US, black Americans
were still living in a world that did not recognize the contributions
of African people. In 1915, teacher and historian Carter G.
Woodson started the Association for the Study of Negro Life
and History. In 1926, his dream of starting a 'Negro History
Week' to explore and document the contributions of African
Americans in the world came true. Woodson chose the 2nd week
of February because 2 people he felt had done a lot to help
black Americans were born during that month: Frederick Douglass
(a former slave who traveled the world speaking to end slavery
in the Abolitionist movement) and Abraham Lincoln (the American
president who ended slavery of Africans in the United States).
In 1976, Negro History Week became Black History Month.
Black people have imparted much to the world. From women pharaohs
of ancient Egypt to Oprah Winfrey; from Imhotep to Dr. Philip
Emeagwali, the significant contributions of black people in
the world is undeniable.
|
Nigeria's Dr. Philip
Emeagwali is an African scientist who helped give birth to
what is now known as the supercomputer -- the technology responsible
for the growth of the internet.
Some great black Britons include:
*Kelly
Holmes
*Charlotte
Williams
*Isaac
Julien
*Shirley
Bassey
*Pauline Crabbe
*Dennis Bovell
*Courtney
Pine
*Jazzie
B
*Ben
Okri
*Joan
Armatrading
*Lennox
Lewis
*Linton
Kwesi Johnson
Find out more about great Black
Britons at 100
Great Black Britons
Notes:
1. Source: Black
History Month UK
2. Source: African
History Month - Ligali web site
written and compiled by marva
jackson lord
- based on a workshop which was presented at Muswell Hill
Primary School in North London in 2003
Here are some links to a variety of
information resources about Black History. If there are others
you think could be listed here, please email suggestions to
Griots.net admin:
Black
History in Wales
Black
History Month UK
100
Great Black Britons
Channel
4 Black and Asian History Map
Dr.
Philip Emeagwali
Black History
Game
(American)
Black History
Learning Resources (American)
|
