Black History Month
October in the UK is
nominated Black History Month [BHM]. I
remember when I was a teacher this fact always grieved me. The achievement of black people in history
should be an on-going thing and not only allocated a single month in the
year. Children should be more aware of
the achievements of people of colour than being able to rattle off names like
Mary Seacole or Nelson Mandela come end October. And we adults shouldn’t have to refer to
lists such as 10 Black Authors Everyone Should Read.
In my own field, I confess my knowledge of black authors is restricted to Americans such as Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison. I’ve only read a smattering of other poets and authors: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, John Agard, Imtiaz Dharker, Malorie Blackman. As an author of colour this shames me.
In an attempt to wash away some of my shame I’m going to do a little bit for BHM with this feature on a well-known writer born in 1802.Although he’s French, I’m certain many of you have come across his work.
Y…
In my own field, I confess my knowledge of black authors is restricted to Americans such as Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison. I’ve only read a smattering of other poets and authors: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, John Agard, Imtiaz Dharker, Malorie Blackman. As an author of colour this shames me.
In an attempt to wash away some of my shame I’m going to do a little bit for BHM with this feature on a well-known writer born in 1802.Although he’s French, I’m certain many of you have come across his work.
Y…
