 Black History Month might be drawing to a close but that does not mean we should turn away from the history books. If we do not learn about and learn from Black history, then we put ourselves at risk, a leading historian has warned. "Black history is part of British history and everyone should learn this history to make themselves fully equipped and fully aware of some of the issues around British life," says Professor Patrick Vernon OBE. "It is important that everyone learns the history of all communities, so ultimately we can make better decisions in boardrooms, the NHS, local government and national government, otherwise we make bad policies and bad decisions," he continued. Professor Patrick Vernon is a social commentator, campaigner, and cultural historian Yet, in the UK, certain aspects of Black history are taught in some schools more than others, according to the social commentator, campaigner, and cultural historian. For instance, in Wales, more Black British history will be taught in more schools thanks to a new "comprehensive" curriculum. Wales is the first nation in the UK to make teaching Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic histories and experiences mandatory in the school curriculum. Many campaigners, teachers, and parents hope the rest will follow suit. However, that is not to say progress is not being made elsewhere . "People are just getting on with it in their schools, colleges and universities," said Professor Vernon. He explained that teachers are incorporating Black history into lessons through their interpretation of the existing curriculum, before giving London's Kingfisher Hall Primary Academy as an example. "The children in year five [wrote] individual letters to Priti Patel as part of their comprehension exercise around writ){kind=link}
Cultural historian Patrick Vernon OBE reflects on the urgent changes needed in schools to reflect the Black experience, as Black History Month 2022 draws to a close
Black History Month might be drawing to a close but that does not mean we should turn away from the history books. If we do not learn about and learn from Black history, then we put ourselves at risk, a leading historian has warned.
“Black history is part of British history and everyone should learn this history to make themselves fully equipped and fully aware of some of the issues around British life,” says Professor Patrick Vernon OBE.
“It is important that everyone learns the history of all communities, so ultimately we can make better decisions in boardrooms, the NHS, local government and national government, otherwise we make bad policies and bad decisions,” he continued.
Yet, in the UK, certain aspects of Black history are taught in some schools more than others, according to the social commentator, campaigner, and cultural historian.