Child learning about slavery in primary school during Black History Month

[mamaM0]

Don't really know where to begin with this but... DD got homework which included a BHM theme as main part of English section.
They were given a timeline of "historic" events and asked to put them in correct order, there were at least 3 "events" referring to the transatlantic slave trade; Europeans "buying and selling of African slaves" , "the abolition of slavery act" and "slavery becoming illegal in the British Empire".
DD is in Y3.
I was not expecting these highly complex subjects to be taught in primary school let alone be rolled out in such a crude, crass way.
My heart is heavy with this subject matter and I feel the school could've taken a much more sensitive approach - better yet, focus on positive historic BH themes to actually inspire the kids - which is why it was created in the first place; to shine a light on black people too often portrayed as negative in western societies.
I'm posting this because I am in shock! And would like to know if this is being taught in your DC's primary schools? If so how have you approached it?
Is this normal?
My DH has refused to allow our DD to complete the homework.

@Hawkins001 I'm glad you asked as it's important to educate ourselves with actual facts and not just our own interpretations about what we've heard or whatever...

I wish people would read properly - I put the film in for "cinematic reference" as its often helpful for people see events played out in history rather than just read about things - the film 12 years a slave was based on true events of a man's actual life unlike Django.

I recommend 2 books to get started;

Capitalism and Slavery, by Eric Williams
From Columbus to Castro, Eric Williams

@AppleKatie I wonder what the main demographic is at your school for them to take such a stance? This seems extreme, BHM was started out of a need to celebrate Black achievement and educate people about Black history in a society that denigrated, segregated and subjugated Black people too often portrayed as negative.
I can understand why your school has rejected BHM - it's so poorly executed most of the time. I like that your school has taken an overall year-round approach to educate and celebrate a more broader range of achievements.
But the point of it, as part of other measures, is to readdress the imbalance in society.

I would say approx 1/6 black, 2/6 other mixed ethnicities, 1/2 white British/Irish. It is a faith school if that makes a difference.

SLT all white, head male.

i agree I like the year round focus, I suppose the success of otherwise of such a policy can’t really be judged until the cohort have grown up. Our school- like I would wager a majority of schools do have an issue with lack of diversity amongst staff (esp senior staff)

Much appreciated, usually I prefer Oxbridge sources for all my research, but at the time I just winged it.

I'd get your coat @Hawkins001 you're digging yourself a hole deeper and deeper into bullshit....

pigalow27 · Yesterday 19:22

I am really intrigued by the idea that societal and legal constructs of race were only after the inception of the transatlantic slave trade. As an English Literature graduate who has studied Shakespeare from a post colonial perspective, I have read that Shakespeare's only two definite characters of colour (Othello and Aaron in 'Titus Andronicus') are defined by racist tropes concerning the devil's portrayal in medieval art. Is this not true?

To be quite honest I have no interest in debating the origins or inspiration for Shakespear's "Black" characters on this thread but, not to labour the point, the negative depictions of black/dark skinned people in medieval art, ancient Latin, the Golden Age of the Elizabethan period (I) and the transatlantic slave trade, all mentioned in this thread, have made me realise they all have one thing in common; they stem from the ideology of white supremacy; the white man's disease and delusion.

The legacy of which we are still dealing with today.

Nah, I'll keep digging history

Why did other tribes enslave other tribes to begin with, presuming they did that before any contact with the Europeans ?

And by extension if other tribes were willing to capture each other then how does that make them any different than the Europeans ?

Just asking these so I can learn more about the topic, from people more knowledgeable than me.

Why do white people think it’s black peoples job to educate them about the slave trade or any aspect of racism?

Genuine question, as I’ve heard this so many times before. Why do you believe black people, exhausted by racism and fighting for equality for themselves and their children will want to spend time educating white people?

Instead of embarrassing yourself (because believe me you are)

Read

Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race,

But you won’t do that will you?

Because you are afraid.

I pity you.

I agree that introducing complex issues such as slavery or the Holocaust, to younger children can be counter-productive - they're too young to understand and like some PPs end up with a very simplistic narrative into adulthood.

Slavery is a great evil which many societies have indulged i, like warfare and torture it's been a horrible part of the human condition for millennia and needs sensitive introduction, and a celebration that our society has evolved so that it is recognised as such an evil.

I agree with the OP that it's not suitable for BHM for younger kids, even if it means that they can't learn about the abolition movement - there is a lot to be celebrated about people sharing their cultural heritage for this age group.

The Castles are grim places. I have seen them first hand. As you say, we tend to be very light on the horrors of Roman slavery. Or WW2. Or our own shame about the factories in industrial Britain.

But nobody is stopping you starting a thread about these horrors. You know you could do that?

Black mumsnet, let's not get sidetracked by the squatters.

Whenever black people want to talk about issues concerning thensel

Concerning *themselves, there is ALWAYS an abundance of people who think they know better. OP, I agree on your stance. I think it's too much too soon.

Chattel slavery is one type of enslavement, and the most extreme and brutal.

So, while many societies have had some form of slavery, that was not necessarily the complete lack of rights, brutally enforced, of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

In the Ottoman Empire, for example, children were captured/taken as slaves, but then educated to become administrators and soldiers with the opportunity to rise through the ranks and acquire status and power. In some respects they were better off than their siblings who weren't slaves, who had far less opportunity for education and advancement. On the other hand, it came at the cost of a complete break from their community, family and culture, and forcible conversion to Islam.

So the 'but lots of societies had slavery' is not a relevant argument to downplay the appalling brutality of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Oh, and I agree BHM is too USA-focussed (and does not give a sense of historical time frames). DD came home convinced her friend must be descended from slaves because the friend's grand parents were from Nigeria and had lived in the USA for a bit...

@Edmontine provided this link from the Jamaica Independence thread. Really good discussion about the Morant Bay rebellion that occurred in the 1860s post abolition of slavery over poor working conditions and widespread poverty. The British governor cracked down on the protests resulting in over 400 people including children being killed.

Governor Eyre was supported by people including Charles Dickens whose concern for the poor did not extend to the colonies it seems! Interestingly, the other Charles, Darwin wanted Eyre tried for murder.

BHM can be used to celebrate people like Paul Bogle, one of the organisers of the rebellion who was hanged under Eyre's instructions and a national hero since 1965.

But the impact of Empire, extending beyond slavery, must have a significant place in the school curriculum and taught in an age appropriate way.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001dnlr