Black History Black History MonthMonth

Unsung Heroes / Unheard Unsung Heroes / Unheard VoicesVoices

St Michael’s History Department St Michael’s History Department AssemblyAssembly

BLACK HISTORY MONTH OCTOBER 2007

How does someone make it How does someone make it into History?into History?

Why might someone not make Why might someone not make it into the history books?it into the history books?• Biased HistoriansBiased Historians• They don’t fit the right imageThey don’t fit the right image• They don’t have a voice to tell their They don’t have a voice to tell their

storystory

What if the colour of your skin What if the colour of your skin stopped your story being told?stopped your story being told?

BLACK HISTORY MONTH OCTOBER 2007

Black History Month is held every October in BritainBlack History Month was

started in America in 1926 by

Dr Carter Woodson, anAmerican historian, who feltthat the history taught inAmerica’s schools did notrecognise the achievementsof African Americans. Helaunched a week to highlightthose achievements, and bythe 1970s this had becomeBlack History Month in theUnited States. Black HistoryMonth started in Britain in1987.

The aims are to:

The aims are to:

Promote knowledge of Black History

Promote knowledge of Black History

Spread information about positive Black

Spread information about positive Black

contributions to society

contributions to society

BLACK HISTORY MONTH OCTOBER 2007

Who celebrates it? Can anyone Who celebrates it? Can anyone participate or is it just for Black participate or is it just for Black people?people?

• Black History month is for everyone!

• It should be an educational experience and historical educational experience

• African heritage should be shared by everyone as world history

Why do black people need a history Why do black people need a history month?month?• As long as the great

contributions made by these people remain little known we will need Black History Month; until the time when everyone’s history is recognised.

• We need a history month, as an opportunity to share with the world the incredible contribution of all nations to this planet.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH OCTOBER 2007

Unsung Unsung Heroes/Unheard Heroes/Unheard

VoicesVoices

Julius CaesarJulius Caesar

The most famous The most famous Emperor ofEmperor of

The Roman Empire. He The Roman Empire. He ruledruled

for 5 years.for 5 years.

Septimus SeverusSeptimus Severus

Was from North Africa and Was from North Africa and waswas

Emperor of the Roman Emperor of the Roman Empire.Empire.

He ruled for 5 years. He He ruled for 5 years. He rebuiltrebuilt

and restored Hadrian’s and restored Hadrian’s wall.wall.

Unsung Unsung Heroes/Unheard Heroes/Unheard

VoicesVoicesFlorence Florence

NightingaleNightingale

was a nurse in the was a nurse in the Crimean war.Crimean war.

Mary Seacole – was Mary Seacole – was rejected from helping rejected from helping

Nightingale, she Nightingale, she opened her own hotel opened her own hotel and treated soldiers and treated soldiers

there.there.

What important What important contributions contributions have black people have black people made?made?

Black people have invented Black people have invented many things and persevered many things and persevered

throughout time...throughout time...

BLACK HISTORY MONTH OCTOBER 2007

Protest

Benjamin Banneker inventor of the first clock

Adversity

M.A Cherryinventor of the

tricycle

Struggle

Charles Richard Drew Started up blood banks

for blood transfusions

Justice

Daniel Hale Williams First person to successfully perform open heart

surgery

Success

P.B Dowling inventor of the street letter box

Demonstrate

George Crum inventor of

crisps!

Success

D.A Fisher inventor of the joiner’s clamp

Courage

T. Elkins inventor of the

refrigerator

Strength

Malcolm X

How have black people moved forward in today’s Society??

Strength

Intelligence

Success

Diversity

Inspiration

Drive

Black PeopleToday

• England Rugby Star

• Talented at both football and Rugby

• Extremely proud to represent his country in this year’s World Cup

StrengthPaul Sackey

Strength

Intelligence

Success

Diversity

Inspiration

Drive

Black PeopleToday

• Diplomatic correspondent

• Presenter of ITV news and Tonight with Trevor MacDonald

• Knighted for his work in 1999

IntelligenceSir Trevor MacDonald

Strength

Intelligence

Success

Diversity

Inspiration

Drive

Black PeopleToday

• Jamelia- Successful RnB star

• Rio Ferdinand- successful international footballer

• Theo Walcott- youngest ever player to score for England

SuccessJamelia

Rio FerdinandTheo Walcott

Strength

Intelligence

Diversity

Success

Inspiration

Drive

Black PeopleToday

• Black people are successful in all areas of society

• Prestigious positions are held in politics, education and fashion

Diversity

Strength

Intelligence

Diversity

Success

Inspiration

Drive

Black PeopleToday

• Determined athlete

• Persevered with her dream

• Excellent role model

InspirationalKelly Holmes

Strength

Intelligence

Diversity

Success

Inspiration

Drive

Black PeopleToday

• Youngest British Formula 1 driver

• Ambition• Hertfordshire

Hero!• On the verge of

making Formula 1 History

DriveLewis Hamilton

What does MTV Base think What does MTV Base think about Black History Month?about Black History Month?

DREAMDREAM

ACHIEVEACHIEVE

BE HISTORICBE HISTORIC

BLACK HISTORY MONTH OCTOBER 2007

How have black people moved forward in today’s Society??

• Black people will not settle for mediocrity

• Black people are inspirational, passionate, successful, driven and determined

• Black History month is a way of celebrating all of these qualities

• Black people will not settle for mediocrity

• Black people are inspirational, passionate, successful, driven and determined

• Black History month is a way of celebrating all of these qualities

As a result of

Heroes are being praised

And

Voices are being heard in abundance!

Let us finish with a prayer to celebrate Black History Month

"Thank you Lord for those who have brought light to world with their kindness and courage. Help us never to forget the past and those who have worked to make the lives of others better. Give us the strength that many black people had as they strived to make a difference in the world. Help us to keep their memory alive and to use the stories from the past to help us make good choices in the present. Amen."