Petitions and activism
Mary Seacole being removed from National Curriculum
sheloveshistory · 21/01/2013 00:04
I am shocked and disgusted at proposals to remove Mary Seacole from the National Curriculum.
After being forgotten about for many years, why would we want her memory to fade yet again.
Please sign the petition www.raceequalityfoundation.org.uk/news/michael-gove-secretary-state-education-keep-mary-seacole-national-curriculum
Lets keep this national heroine where she belongs, as part of history.
ripsishere · 21/01/2013 01:02
I signed that a couple of days ago.
IMO, it is disgraceful the way Ms Seacole is overshadowed by the egotistical and narcissistic Nightingale character.
FiaGrace · 21/01/2013 01:06
I hadn't heard about this but have happily signed the petition. It's disgusting.
ClayDavis · 21/01/2013 04:55
Mary Seacole isn't in the current National Curriculum is she?
Littlefish · 21/01/2013 06:40
It's up to schools which historical figures they choose to study.
scaevola · 21/01/2013 06:54
OP: could you specify which National Curriculum you mean?
Here is the England/Wales history NC for secondary schools where she is not mentioned at all, and here is the primary one, where the whole period (Victorians) is already optional, and she is mentioned (along with others like Mary Kingsley) as an example, not a compulsory component.
sheloveshistory · 21/01/2013 06:56
Mary Seacole is in the appendix of the primary curriculum, alongside Florence Nightingale and others, and the study of her is not mandatory.
Although removal will not prevent schools from covering her during the Victorian history, my fear is she will fade away once again.
bobthebuddha · 21/01/2013 14:33
"IMO, it is disgraceful the way Ms Seacole is overshadowed by the egotistical and narcissistic Nightingale character."
What an extraordinary statement; is Nightingale attempting to maliciously overshadow Seacole from beyond the grave?
As for 'egotistical and narcissistic', it's been hard enough for women to make their way professionally in the 20th century never mind in the 19th, against fierce opposition from family and a prevalent view of nurses as women of ill-repute. Perhaps you'd like to fling some more of the insults women still receive in male-dominated professions? Hysterical perhaps?
There's room for both to be remembered without trying to trash either one.
Sonatensatz · 21/01/2013 16:43
They study her in my DC's infant school alongside Florence Nightingale they cover them both equally. My Ds's really enjoyed finding out about her. I expect DD will be finding out about her later on this year.
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