History Through the Black Experience

We have always been here, black people have always been part of the historic narrative, woven into society's fabric. We have had successes and failings, pains and delights, loss and gains, achievements and setbacks, adventure and invention, creativity and philosophy. We too have Kings, Queens, chiefs, politicians, scientists, writers, singers and dancers – indeed we have been ever present in the human story at every stage and level. This book aims to illuminate stories of courage – often against incredible odds; facing prejudice and discrimination, while retaining a sense of dignity and standing tall. The book aims to capture experiences from every corner of the world where people of black heritage have and continue to reside.

The centre space can be crowded but there is room for us all. The book is about reaching the broadest possible audience to understanding, an awareness and celebration of an often underrepresented, sometimes ignored, area of history. Each and every day read what happened on this day. Engagement is not just for Black History Month.

‘History Through the Black Experience’ is about people, organisations and events that have affected all of us, the good, great, interesting, fascinating, amazing, inspiring but also the bad and the ugly. Truth must be the goal.

Born in Southampton in 1964, the following day Cassius Clay became the heavyweight boxing champion of the world, I entered the world just after midnight - becoming the first person born the day Southampton became a city. My Windrush generation parents arrived in England in the late 50’s from Jamaica.

I trained as a teacher at King Alfred’s College (Winchester University) graduating with a B Ed in 1987. Thirty-two years saw me at the chalkface (all at the same school in South West London) teaching Religious Studies. Who, what and why am I? The questions were all about my blackness. Where are people like me in the curriculum? How and where do I fit in? All too often our experiences have been downplayed, redacted, appropriated, forgotten even hidden. I want this book to help set the record straight. Yet I am aware that I still have only begun to scratch there is so much more.

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