This week we will be exploring all about Black History Month.
Black History Month takes place in October every year and is a celebration of key figures and events in Black history. Having begun in the USA, it has been celebrated in the UK since 1987, with the emphasis on celebrating particularly the history and contributions to society of people with an African or Caribbean heritage.
There is a different theme every year, for example in 2021 the theme ‘Proud to Be’, aimed to recognise the achievements and contributions that Black people make to the UK every day. The 2022 theme, Time for Change: Action Not Words highlights the importance of being an ally and coming together around shared common goals to achieve a better world for everyone.
Article 2 (non- discrimination)
The Convention applies to every child without discrimination, whatever their ethnicity, gender, religion, language, abilities or any other status, whatever they think or say, whatever their family background.
Article 30 (children from minority or indigenous groups)
Every child has the right to learn and use the language, customs and religion of their family, whether or not these are shared by the majority of the people in the country where they live.
To help you understand these articles in a little bit more detail, try one of the activities below:
Activity 1
Read the story Elmer the Elephant, you can also watch it here. Elmer didn’t feel that he wanted to be the same as the other elephants. Think of ways that we can celebrate our differences like the elephants do on ‘Elmer Day’ – talk about your ideas with an adult.
Activity 2
Everyone is special and important! What is the best thing about being you? Create a classroom display that reflects what you are ‘Proud to Be’. Link this to relevant articles from the CRC.
Activity 3
Read the poem ‘The British’ by Benjamin Zephaniah or watch it performed here. Write your own class version for what makes up your class or your school. Or choose another poem from here.
Activity 4
Black History Month has a focus on people of African and Caribbean heritage. Find out what special times, celebrations, and events there are to celebrate other heritage and cultures from which people come. Create a calendar to show all of these across a year.
