FOUR teenagers have received a standing ovation after they called for Black history to be added to the school curriculum.
The quartet made their remarks at the North West Migrants Forum’s annual Black History Summit which took place in Ulster Museum on Friday October 23.
This year’s theme was ‘Learning Together: Knowledge Changes Everything’ with a big emphasis placed on the growing campaign to have Black history embedded in the everyday learning of students in Northern Ireland.
Dozens of people gathered to hear the contributions of politicians, academics and researchers. But it was the panel of young people – TJ, Latifa, Jada and Cara – whose powerful remarks brought the audience to their feet.
Jada, whose mother Beverly hails from Guyana, told the Summit how one teacher had told her they didn’t feel Black History Month was important enough to bring into the classroom.
“The curriculum does not include us whatsoever,” said the Foyle College student.
Cara, who attends St Ronan’s College in Lurgan, also stressed her desire for more balanced learning.
“I’ve never sat in a history lesson feeling unseen and no child should ever have to sit in a classroom and feel that their history doesn’t matter.
“Introducing Black history into teaching would lead to greater respect. It would allow people to really look at what is happening in the world.”
TJ, a student at St Columb’s College in Derry, has been part of the drive to have Black history added to the learning plan for the past six years.
He said to continually omit it from the curriculum was to deny pupils a full view of world history.
Latifa, whose parents moved to Derry after war broke out in their native Sudan, said there was an onus on those who set the curriculum to start recognising Northern Ireland’s growing multiculturalism.
“Young people need to learn about the real world, not just preparing for exams,” the Oakgrove Integrated student added.
Keynote speaker for the Summit was Ulster University Professor James Uhomoibhi. He said Black History Month was not just about remembering the past but about understanding the present and shaping the future.
Professor Uhomoibhi also highlighted the contribution Black people and Black communities have made globally yet how many of these scholars, inventors, sportspeople, entertainers and artists remain invisible.
“One of the most important points I want to make today is this – Black history is not an optional extra or some special interest topic, it is part of world history. Therefore it belongs within mainstream education.”
Adding their voices to the call for Black history to be added to the daily teaching plan were researcher Dr Naomi Green and founder of the Merseyside Alliance for Racial Equality Chantelle Lunt.
History teacher and President of the National Education Union NI Charlotte Carson also reiterated her opinion that there was a huge appetite among educators for a more diverse curriculum.
“The National Education Union has been campaigning for a number of years for an anti-racist approach to education in our schools.
“Good history includes women. Good history includes working class communities. And good history includes Black people. Our students deserve good history,” said Ms Carson.
It was left to Dr Livingstone Thompson to reflect on the fascinating day of discussion and to outline what steps should be taken next by those in government in terms of introducing Black history to the educational curriculum.
