Do not make the mistake of thinking that because my conclusion is the same as another person's that my reasoning is the same
…in Great Britain.
I'll admit, one place where I feel integration would be of great utility is in history classes.
The existence of black history month implies that our history is separate, and not worth white people's time
Vanessa Walters
Monday September 29, 2003
The Guardian
For 10 years, October has been black history month. It was originally conceived by Akyaaba Addai-Seboas, special projects officer of the race unit of the former GLC, as a means of developing the cultural identity of black teenagers. But it has now become, according to the Department of Education and Skills, a "wonderful occasion to celebrate the diversity of our society and the contributions black and Asian men and women have made to the development of British society, technology and culture".
The celebrations commonly take the form of debates, conferences, performance arts, music shows, workshops and exhibitions. But do these really serve either its original purpose or its present aims?
Black history month is celebrated most in culturally mixed areas. The funding is available everywhere but the decision to use it or not is at the discretion of the local authority. In Finchley, where I grew up, you couldn't find a black hairdresser, let alone a black history event, and October was just another month in the school, where I was one of only two black girls in my class of 30.
It is mostly the case that black experience is noted only where there is a black audience, as if black history is separate from other history, and not worth white people's time. This wastes the opportunity for everyone. Not only does a better understanding of other cultures benefit all pupils, but black history is, in fact, everybody's history.
In those areas where it is funded, black history "edutainment" in schools - the theatre, the dance events, the storytelling - helps to counteract the negative stereotypes that still persist about black people. The celebrations enlighten everyone, regardless of race, recognising achievements made by black people to the advancement of civilisation and instilling pride, while also making people aware of areas where change is necessary.
However, the fact that this takes place only one month of the year undermines the positive benefits. The school curriculum should aim to give pupils a year-round, broad view of British history - a view that does not confine itself to a Eurocentric perspective. Black history month cannot do this, not only because it is time-restricted but also because it ghettoises black experience.