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First public statue of black woman unveiled
Evening Standard8 Oct 2008
England's first public statue of a black woman is due to be unveiled today at a ceremony attended by VIPs from the black community, including attorney general Baroness Scotland and Doreen Lawrence.
The Bronze Woman monument was inspired by a poem written 30 years ago by Stockwell writer Cécile Nobrega, 89, celebrating the achievements of women and the contribution that Caribbean people had made to British society.
The 10ft bronze of a woman holding her child aloft was designed by the late Ian Walters, who also made the statue of Nelson Mandela in Parliament Square.
Ms Nobrega was due to unveil the new monument in Stockwell Memorial Gardens this afternoon.
Reader views (11)
Reading those comments is quite funny, just goes to show the level of institutionalised racism which still exists within the UK. Why is it such an issue for there to be some form of recognition to the black woman as her own entity especially in an area reflecting the same ethnic background?
Furthermore considering the wealth and backlog of history (yes we're talking pre ENGLISH people!) that isn't taught to our children its a great thing to see this up, just a shame it wasn't more publicised.
SS I guess you weren't very happy when Barack Obama made president?! I agree with Squiz lets not make this a racial issue! And not being funny that comment you made about not having statues of random/general white women is ridiculous, open your eyes!
Its actually nice to see black culture in some positive press, far too much damage is being caused at the moment with our teenagers with the violence.
- Lele, NW London, 17/11/2008 16:09
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Casper, you are so funny, have you ever tried stand-up comedy? you'd be great i really mean it. And Suzzy, Wake up! we have the internet, libraries, electricity and everything to enlighten ourselves. Come out of the dark.
- Ab, london, 09/10/2008 13:55
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Ss London
I did say "white women in general". You have stated 2 particular people - not the same thing. I think we would all like a bit of recognition.
- Suzzy, UK, 09/10/2008 13:26
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Mary Seacole opened and ran an establishment called The British Hotel in the Crimea which charged for its services, supplied alcohol, and was open to visiting tourists as well as soldiers, and at which she ran a shop for servicemen selling homemade medicines and general supplies. She certainly is reputed to have risked her life nursing wounded soldiers from both sides while under fire and it is obvious her presence was of great benefit to the troops - but she is wheeled out and lauded to high Heaven simply because she was mixed race, and especially in 'black history month' when things turn desperate trying to find some black figures of historical significance. This is the problem in having these targeted events. Mary Seacole's father was a Scot and she was apparently very proud of the fact and made much of it, but now it is her blackness which is the cause of her fame - more so than at the time it would appear.
- Squiz, Islington, 09/10/2008 12:58
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Suzzy, UK.
1) Edith Cavell - near St Martins in the fields church, Lodnon
2) Florence Nightingale - Waterloo Place, London
Im sure there are others, but these are the ones that spring to mind immediately.
Lets not turn everything into a racial debate.
- Ss, London, UK, 09/10/2008 10:26
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Why do we have to have a statue of an anonymous black woman?
This rankles when there was a black woman who really deserved a statue in her memory. She was Mary Seacole who did as much as Florence Nightingale to relieve the suffering of the soldiers in the Crimea. Unlike Florence Nightingale who was in Scutari, Mary Seacole at her own expense travelled to Balaklava. There she set up a canteen near the front line and used her Carribean herbal medecines to treat wounded and sick soldiers. She even treated the wounded under fire.
- Martin Fielding, London, England, 09/10/2008 10:13
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Can someone tell me where in Britain there is a statue dedicated to white women in general and their struggles through history and in everyday life.
- Suzzy, UK, 08/10/2008 21:20
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Britain is rightly proud that Nelson Mandela qualified as a Barrister in London.
- Blackstone Coke, London, 08/10/2008 15:11
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About time! Was it shown on national tv?.I'm glad that the unveiling was attended by Baroness Scotland didn't the system try and keep her down also.Not forgetting Doreen Lawrence's rise to the challenge also .
Regards
- Estrachan, London UK, 08/10/2008 14:04
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No doubt the statue will soon be sueing for racial disrimination based on the fact that the majority of white statues are located in better areas of London.
- Casper Slides, Ibiza, Spain, 08/10/2008 13:56
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Why on earth do we have a statue of Nelson Mandela in Parliament square, this man had nothing to do with Britain?
- Brandon Thomas, London UK, 08/10/2008 13:19
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