Many thanks to everyone involved in Black History Week this year which has been a hugely positive experience. The pupils and staff of the Archer Group must be congratulated for curating a varied and inspiring programme of events for 2021.
Members of the Emanuel community were encouraged to debate the efficacy of reparations paid by the west for slavery, hear inspirational and moving testimony from Christo Brand, Floella Benjamin and Patrick Hutchinson, study the life experiences of local author Alex Wheatle, analyse James Baldwin’s 1974 masterpiece, ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ and witness the story of three female African American mathematicians playing a pivotal role in the 1960s American space programme.
In the words of the The Rt Hon The Lord Paul Boateng of Akyem and Wembley, this has been ‘a good opportunity to reflect on what needs to be done in order to ensure that our education is a system fit for purpose. The challenge is to prepare by a policy of inclusion rather than exclusion all young people to thrive in a diverse and multi polar world in which no region or race holds sway over the others.’
So, whilst taking pride in the response of our community to this annual focus on black history, we are all mindful that this must be viewed as an ongoing process, far too important to be confined merely to one week or indeed one month a year.
Mr Andrews (Senior Tutor)
