Morning:
14°c
The soporific tedium and predictability of Black History Month celebrations are getting me down already.
We're still only at the beginning of the Nubian love fest that is October and already I'm nodding off each time I attend some Black History Month event.
Year after year, I endure panegyrics to the usual suspects — Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey and, of course, Mary bloody Seacole. So, too, do most children in London schools.
If I had a pound for each time Black History Month has rolled around and I have been forced to listen to yet another lecture/play/talk on Seacole (the black Florence Nightingale), I would be richer than Damon Buffini.
It is a sad testament to black Britain's lack of vision that we are stuck in this groove — especially in the year of Obama.
Come on: Seacole might have been a great nurse but she was still just a nurse. Is this really the best we can offer our young people?
It irks me greatly that the current list of usual suspects is so painfully limited, and thus by extension limiting. Black achievement comes in many shapes, sizes and mindsets.
Therefore it cannot, and should not, be reduced for “promotional purposes” to a stultifying, rigid template consisting of a handful of obvious figures who are by now unfortunately almost caricatures.
My own theory is that, frustratingly, because of the glaring lack of an educated black middle class, we are reliant for the most part upon black (and now white) leaders and teachers whose knowledge of black history simply does not extend beyond these usual suspects.
The problem is compounded by an achingly PC culture which essentially prohibits us from challenging these gaping lacunae.
Don't get me wrong. I'm all for celebrating black achievement (and not just in October, either).
Black History Month's celebrations of MLK, Malcolm, Marcus and Mary are undoubtedly well-meaning.
They serve a valuable function for a people who have over the centuries been starved of positive affirmations of our self-worth.
But now we need more.
Without seeking in any way to diminish the remarkable achievements of these black figures, it's time we looked further afield for less well-known but arguably more deserving black icons and role models.
As fascinating and complex as Martin, Malcolm and Marcus are, as men and as leaders, we need to recognise other great individuals who also overcame prejudice and confounded stereotypes to further the ascent of humanity.
And let's make sure they are people whose contributions have been made with their brains, not their hands.
What about Toussaint L'Ouverture, the Haitian slave revolt leader, whose mixture of Machiavellian realpolitik, courage and decency ensured that Haiti became the first black republic in the western hemisphere?
Or Alex La Guma, the South African anti-apartheid novelist, hailed as the black Dickens for his novels set in the townships of Sixties Cape Town?
Or Aimé Césaire, the Martinican poet, polymath and politician who was mayor of the island's capital, Fort de France, for more than 50 years?
What about Terence, one of the founding fathers of Latin literature and an African slave from Carthage, or James Baldwin, the African-American playwright and novelist, and author of such poignant and life-affirming novels as Another Country?
I know it's tantamount to heresy to say it, but, in short, back Britain needs to find some more intellectual and creative icons, people whose edifying lives and achievements combat the old lie that black is resolutely physical, as opposed to cerebral.
Otherwise a golden opportunity to truly inspire our young people is going begging.
Time for Mary Seacole to get to the back of the queue, I think.
Reader views (14)
It is not true that there is a glaring lack of a black middle class. Have you spoken to the black law society about the number of African/African Carribbean lawyers? Have you seen Roy Williams play at the RSC? Have you looked at the people who attend these BHM events or talks by black writers? Are they not middle class.
If there is a "lack" at all it is because a black graduate is more likely to end up with a job in a call centre than a white graduate. The Obsever recently did an investigation to show that for every 9 applications a white person had to make to secure an interview, a black person with exactly the same professional background had to make 16 applications.
- Alice Jones, London, England
I think there is some merit in the article about what is celebrated during blck history month. There is truth that contribution from blacks in Britain are more than the icons of history and the isue for us as black people is to stir away from allowing ourselves to be only defined by the past. THere needs to be more in black histoty month to inspire the future generations not the tokens it has now become.
- Torse, Birmingham
I think you need to acknowledge that being a nurse during the Mary Seacole's era was a huge acheivement. And Yes, I'm proud to say I am a nurse with a Bsc(hons), a Masters degree and soon to challenge myself with a PhD. The nursing profession has multiple dimensions to acheive and there are those who have reached chief executive board level in the NHS. That makes me proud to be 'just a nurse'!
- Shirley Lendor-N'Guessan, London, UK
There is a Black/African Middle Class - some are working to document African icons so no one has an excuse to trot out a limited list of usual suspects each year. Those who realise that BHM or African History Month is World History told from another perspective did not waste 2007 pretending that Wilberforce was the White Tarzan but were able to highlight the role of the Sons of Africa including Equiano, Cuguano and Sancho to name a few. They did not forget Sam Sharpe or Toussaint l'Ouverture either. More recently, I saw the NARM Exhibition, 1907 - 2007 of African male role models at Willesden Green Library, researched and created by an educated African, a member of the unacknowledged African Middle Class. When the educated seek to make the most of BHM and move it away from the usual singing and dancing and poor history, there is often resistance. Most people have heard of the bus boycott in America, few know about the Bristol bus boycott. MLK, Malcom, Mary Seacole have their place but our history is wider and bigger. From Imhotep to Augustine to Learie Constantine to Prof Allotey, the African Diaspora and the world need to recognise the contribution Africans continue to make. We all need to ensure that BHM steps up to the plate. There is a lot to learn and share, mediocrity should no longer be tolerated. Not inspiring kids with the sheer vastness of African contribution during BHM is a sad indictment on schools and the community.
- Abena, London
The bottom line to this issue is pure racism and it is time the ordinary white British take a good look at themselves and challenge policies which are clearly racially motivated and not wait until an issue which could be classed as a black only problem finds itself in their house eg gun and knife crime, drugs, teen pregnancies. . . It is in our best interests that our children both white and black have positive, visible, and current role models.
- Paris, london
Hey Helen, the British Empire and its 'dominions' have whole history bookfulls and lists of white 'achievers'. Britain is chocca with historical names and grand buildings built on the fortunes of the labours of enslaved Africans. One of Oxfords biggest college endowments, and its most magnificent library, All Souls, came from Slaver Christopher Codrington.
No shortage throughout Britain's history and present, of more white names than you can shake a stick at. Maybe there is no white history month because a month isn't long enough to cram in all the names? Have no fear, Britons made their mark, and history, all over the place and if you're not careful, you'll trip up over all the plaques, statues and pomp and ceremony which are dotted around everywhere you look.
- Jools, London
It's white history month every month Helen.
- Nolan, Londonist
And let's hear it for white folk too please; after all there is no white history month for them.
- Helen, norwich
I tend to be in agreement with you Lindsay. I printed the events my local council was putting on for BHM and it seems like the same ole recycled thing they did last year and the year before.
- June, London
And to avoid ridicule we must avoid exaggerating the modest and humdrum achievements of black men and women whose lives were perfectly normal and unexceptional in every way.
- Obadiah, Battersea, UK
I'd have to agree with Lindsay. Having three sons, two of which are still in the education system, the same names come up in BHM year on year that I wonder whether it is actually necessary to spend a whole month on the subject!
I also don't believe that the certain parts of the curriculum are particularly balanced.
- Mark, South-East London
"I know it's tantamount to heresy to say it, but, in short, black Britain needs to find some more intellectual and creative icons, people whose edifying lives and achievements combat the old lie that black is resolutely physical, as opposed to cerebral."
Of the four "usual suspects" you name - "MLK, Malcolm, Marcus and Mary" - three are known for their intellectual leadership, while Mary Seacole's nursing is a cerebral *and* a physical achievement.
- Jo, London, UK
Get your point which I believe is mean't to be positive but.......... "its not what you say but the way that you say it" normally has a more positive impact!
- Pauline, London
I realise you're being deliberately provocative but "just a nurse"? I hope you don't need hospital treatment any time soon.
- Nolan, Londonist
