Black History Month

October is Black History Month and students in all year groups have been hearing how negative narratives can form assumptions which fuel racism.

Ms Parris delivered assemblies to students titled, "Reclaiming Narratives", which focused on the miscommunication associated with black history. Students heard that as far back as 1553, Thomas Wyndham spread a rumour that black people were "dangerous, superstitious, violent and uneducated". This was only to strengthen his position as a trader in Africa, and his words were intended to undermine those living locally in the area he was hoping to colonise.

The students learnt that narratives are difficult to change once they become part of our culture, and if we do not challenge them, it is all too easy for these ideas to become normalised. 

Ms Parris spoke about her own experience of growing up as a black person, and shared with the students that her father told her it was "not good enough to be good", she had to be better than the other students in her class, because of the subconscious bias held by others.

This Black History Month we are all encouraged to challenge narratives have been overlooked in the past, and celebrate the contributions and achievements of black individuals across the globe.

Take a look at some of the black people who have helped change the UK here.