Recently I read the powerful ‘I Heard What You Said’ by Jeffrey Boakye – a biographical work in which the author recounts his experiences as a Black teacher in the British education system.  While I do not agree with everything in the book, it is a challenging and eye-opening read and his reflections on Black History Month, in particular, resonated with my own concerns.

That Black History Month runs the risk of narrowing, rather than broadening, our view of history.  Too often, its focus is dominated by two themes: the transatlantic slave trade and the American civil rights movement.  These are hugely important chapters of history – knowledge of which is essential to understanding and improving today’s society – but if we confine Black history to slavery and segregation, we risk defining Black people only as victims.

That there is also a danger of tokenism: that Black history is limited to 31 days a year, placed neatly in a box labelled “Black History Month” placed on a shelf, and forgotten until it is dusted off the following October. 

In an ideal world, Black History Month would be a relic of the past. We would not need a special month to celebrate the contributions of Black people, because these achievements would already be recognised as part of the fabric of our shared history.

Embarrassingly – despite having a degree in philosophy and having taught it for over twenty years – until recently I was unable to name a single black philosopher, whole intellectual traditions had been absent from my studies and my teaching. That is why Black History Month is still needed as a prompt; a prompt to notice what is missing, and to celebrate the contributions of individuals and communities from historically under-represented backgrounds.

That is why Warwick School will continue to mark Black History Month and why we will focus on celebrating the richness and achievements of Black and other marginalised voices across history and culture, alongside learning about the trauma of slavery, and the civil rights movement.

Our Black History Month began with Albert Rivette, Chair of the Warwick Voice Religious and Racial Equality Committee, and Senior Prefect Hector Magraw. Together they highlighted individuals whose contributions span science, sport, music, drama and literature:

• Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson – three pioneering women whose work at NASA helped launch astronauts into space
• Maya Angelou – whose creativity and positive contribution to the world continue to inspire
• Duke Ellington – whose music helped define the Harlem Renaissance and elevate jazz as a global art form

Jazz lab brought this to life with a performance of ‘Take the A Train’, written by Billy Strayhorn for the Duke Ellington Orchestra.  The A Train refers to the subway line to Harlem, the cultural heart of Black America in the 1920s – a place where music, literature and art flourished. 

Black History Month at Warwick won’t be confined to assemblies – it will have a place in lessons across every academic department and for every pupil. For example:

• Sociology students will explore feminism through the writings of Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche
• Music lessons for Year 8 will focus on the Blues, with students composing their own songs inspired by the genre’s roots in African-American History
• Chemistry classes will highlight the work of St. Elmo Brady, James Andrew Harris and Walter Lincoln Hawkins, whose innovation has helped to shape modern science

At Warwick, we believe in judging individuals by the content of their character. Discrimination and prejudice have no place in our community.  So we will continue to mark Black History Month – while also continuing to work to ensure our curriculum is inclusive, representative and inspiring for every pupil.