Courier Autumn

Page 24 Black History Month By Natalie Clark Although we may not have many BAME students in our school the message of Black History month is absolutely relevant to us all. Many of our students have been angered, moved and inspired by the Black Lives Matters protests over the past few months and, whilst this movement has its roots in America, it is important for us to recognise the impact of racism and discrimination on our own soil. As educators we have a responsibility to all of our students to raise awareness of the privileges and biases that have shaped our culture and society, and the impact that they have had throughout our history and still do today. It is important that we acknowledge that it is only through being open about this that we can help to change things moving forward. It is also important that we recognise too that BAME students at our school have sadly experienced discrimination from their peers. This is something we all need to own and eradicate. To mark Black History Month 2020, I put together a series of assemblies with staff talking about BAME figures who have inspired them in some way or have made them reflect on the impact of discrimination and their own biases. Here's an overview of the first assembly in October. James Baldwin Inspires Alan Salt ' James Baldwin was a gay, Black African American. Sadly this led to a great deal of discrimination and hatred. He rose above this however and is one of the most important writers of the Twentieth Century. He wrote poetry, novels, plays and became a member of the Civil Rights Movement. Two really important points James Baldwin made were: We are going to change things, but will do so peacefully; and secondly, the problem of racism lies with White People'. Alan Salt Paul Robeson Inspires Sarah Grainger 'The voice of Paul Robeson. The most incredible barotone voice, that cuts through your soul. It stops you dead. He fought for Black Rights in the US and sought to tackle the horrific crime of lynching. He made it his mission to make life easier for Black people who would follow him, by using his influence as a popular musician'. Sarah Grainger Shabaka Hutchings Inspires Ben Cotton ' ' Shabaka Hutchings is someone who inspires so much energy and joy through his music. As a leading member in both the Sons of Kemet and Comet is Coming, Shabaka's unrivalled talent with the saxophone can transport you away in an instant. He is a family favourite in our household - get him on your Friday night playlist people'. Ben Cotton Harriet Tubman Inspires Nick Trafford 'Harriet Tubman was a slave on a plantation in one of the US' southern states during the height of African American slavery. She escaped to the north, but decided to go back in order to help others trapped in slavery to escape. In setting up aid stations between the north and south, she was able to emancipate many, many others'. Nick Trafford Ella Fitzgerald Inspires Sophie Killock 'She is my hero, along with Billie Holiday, Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Before I was a teacher I was a professional jazz singer, I used to sing all her songs. She has a voice like treacle, a three octave range which is very special indeed. She is incredible'. Sophie Killock