London Black History Walks
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London Black History Walks with Brother T.
Black history, heritage and healing are the major themes of the What U Need to Know radio show. For more info, see the Resources section below.
What is the importance of Black history? Interview with Brother T. of London Black History Walks.
Often, we are not told about aspects of our history. Every time I attend one of Brother T's presentations, I learn more valuable information.
I enjoy not only his detailed and extensive knowledge, but also his enthusiasm for his subject.
Did you know there was a bus boycott in the 1960s - in the UK? Check out Black Facts, below.
What is the importance of Black history? Interview with Brother T. of London Black History Walks.
Often, we are not told about aspects of our history. Every time I attend one of Brother T's presentations, I learn more valuable information.
I enjoy not only his detailed and extensive knowledge, but also his enthusiasm for his subject.
Did you know there was a bus boycott in the 1960s - in the UK? Check out Black Facts, below.
Table of Contents
- Black People's Day of Action
- The Brixton Uprising
- Black Spitfire Pilots
- What Are London Black History Walks?
- How, when and why did you first start leading Black History Walks?
- What do you intend to achieve by leading these walks? How do people benefit from them?
- Following on from the previous question, why is Black history important? What difference does it make in our lives?
- What feedback/responses have you had to your walks?
- How can we make Black history a priority for Black parents? How can we teach Black history to our children?
- How/when/why did you start doing your audiovisual presentations at the Imperial War Museum?
- What are your plans for the future?
- Black Facts
- Featured Lenses
- Resources
- Reader Feedback
Black People's Day of Action
Commemorating the events of 1981
London Black History Walks are among the organisers of the Black People's Day of Action tomorrow (2nd of March) to commemorate the events of 1981 ( New Cross Fire: 13 Dead and Nothing Said, "Black Peoples Day of Action", Brixton Uprisings ). This is the first of a series of events.
Black Peoples Day of Action: 30 Years On
Wednesday 2 March 7pm-10.00pm
Lewisham Civic Suite, Catford SE6 4RU.
Entry: Free. First Come, First Served
See the video at the bottom of this page for more historical background.
Black Peoples Day of Action: 30 Years On
Wednesday 2 March 7pm-10.00pm
Lewisham Civic Suite, Catford SE6 4RU.
Entry: Free. First Come, First Served
See the video at the bottom of this page for more historical background.
The Brixton Uprising
Video about the tensions between the Black community and the local police which led to the 1981 Brixton uprising.
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Black Spitfire Pilots
The media seems to be ignoring the contribution of Black Spitfire pilots
This Memorial Day, let's remember the contribution of African people to the war effort.
The massive media coverage of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain gave the impression that it was an all-white affair. The fact is that not only were there Black and Asian Spitfire and Hurricane pilots but there was an extensive African/Caribbean civilian population resident in Britain throughout the war which is to say before the 1948 arrival of the Windrush.
The whitewash of history is challenged by Stephen Bourneo's book Mother Country: Britains Black Community on the Home Front 1939-1945. This book details the lives of non-military black britons. Considering that one publisher refused to print it because "It would challenge the traditional view of Churchilian Britain at war", this book qualifies as a must-read for that very reason.
The massive media coverage of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain gave the impression that it was an all-white affair. The fact is that not only were there Black and Asian Spitfire and Hurricane pilots but there was an extensive African/Caribbean civilian population resident in Britain throughout the war which is to say before the 1948 arrival of the Windrush.
The whitewash of history is challenged by Stephen Bourneo's book Mother Country: Britains Black Community on the Home Front 1939-1945. This book details the lives of non-military black britons. Considering that one publisher refused to print it because "It would challenge the traditional view of Churchilian Britain at war", this book qualifies as a must-read for that very reason.
What Are London Black History Walks?
Interview with Brother T. of London Black History Walks
Walks, Talks and Films on the African History of Britain. We offer guided walking tours of the African history of London. Walks take place in St Pauls/Bank [the financial district], Docklands, Trafalgar Square [Central London], Elephant & Castle [South London] and Notting Hill [West London] areas.
We also offer films, talks and workshops on a variety of related topics all year long. The talks are interactive multi-media presentations designed to suit, schools, colleges, universities, staff associations, community groups and public events such product launches or seminars. We arrange public filmshows and on history and current afairs in venues all over the country. We provide teacher and parent training, inset days and run long and short term interventions in primary/secondary schools
We also offer films, talks and workshops on a variety of related topics all year long. The talks are interactive multi-media presentations designed to suit, schools, colleges, universities, staff associations, community groups and public events such product launches or seminars. We arrange public filmshows and on history and current afairs in venues all over the country. We provide teacher and parent training, inset days and run long and short term interventions in primary/secondary schools
How, when and why did you first start leading Black History Walks?
In 2005. I'd done a number of walks in London and in 2-3 hours only heard one reference to Black people and that was to Martin Luther King (there is a small statue of him above the entrance to Westminster Abbey). I thought it was ridiculous and figured I would 'do for self' as Garvey would say.
What do you intend to achieve by leading these walks? How do people benefit from them?
Just like the other walks, our aim is to tell the story of London, although we make sure to include African/Caribbean people. Adults and children like the tour because it shows them a different view of London and makes them quite proud as to the connection between their ancestors with the streets and buildings.
Following on from the previous question, why is Black history important? What difference does it make in our lives?
All the great scholars talk about the importance of history and how you should learn from the past and recognise your ancestors' contributions. That's why you'll see loads of statues around of Churchill, Nelson and Nightingale. When it comes to Black people, however there's a void which means that people cannot be inspired by our experience, far less learn from the past. That ignorance can also incur low self esteem and prejudice in others. In fact, not knowing your history makes it difficult to understand why it's so important
What feedback/responses have you had to your walks?
Everyone has said it's really educational and sometimes inspiring/amazing.
We have had comments like "excellent, superb, eye -opening, a great day out". We've even had a coach load of Yorkshire people come down just to do the walks, schools and Saturday schools are also big fans
We have had comments like "excellent, superb, eye -opening, a great day out". We've even had a coach load of Yorkshire people come down just to do the walks, schools and Saturday schools are also big fans
How can we make Black history a priority for Black parents? How can we teach Black history to our children?
With less talk and more action. At this stage, if people don't prioritise history, it its because they have been thoroughly brainwashed and they need to be challenged over complacency with the facts and figures that are readily available. Kids are hungry for this knowledge, the parent just needs to put the child where he/she can access the information. The parents also need to educate themselves. There are a number of groups like London Black History Walks who supply such info, and there are masses of websites.
How/when/why did you start doing your audiovisual presentations at the Imperial War Museum?
About eight years ago. I asked them if I could collaborate on telling the stories of African/Caribbean war heroes and they agreed.
What are your plans for the future?
Do some campaigning on statues and learn more about what I don't know.
Black Facts
Facts about People of African Heritage
Many of the facts here were first presented at talks by London Black History Walks.
Winnie Mandela
Winnie Mandela was not allowed to play with ants while she was imprisoned. With no books or outside contact, ants had been her only diversion.
She was kept naked.
She had no access to feminine hygiene products.
She was not allowed to wash.
After she was released, her house was raided at 3 a.m. every two days.
She was confined to her house from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
To read more about her ordeal, see Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.
Black Civil Rights Heroes 1596-2006
Jamaican William Davidson was a committed abolitionist. He was executed for a plot to assassinate the government. The Army had to block off Blackfriars Bridge in London because he was so popular - there were fears he would be rescued.
People in the Brazilian town of Palmares had an armed revolt - they fought against slavery for 67 years before finally being defeated.
To read about the Haitian Revolution, see: Two Films about Haiti..
Bristol Bus Boycott
There was a bus boycott in Bristol in 1963 because the local bus company refused to hire Black workers. The Prime Minister supported the boycott, as did senior Labour politician Tony Benn, and many local Black and white residents. Eventually, the company gave in and started to hire Black employees.
There has been a Black community in Bristol for at least 400 (four hundred) years.
Winnie Mandela
Winnie Mandela was not allowed to play with ants while she was imprisoned. With no books or outside contact, ants had been her only diversion.
She was kept naked.
She had no access to feminine hygiene products.
She was not allowed to wash.
After she was released, her house was raided at 3 a.m. every two days.
She was confined to her house from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
To read more about her ordeal, see Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.
Black Civil Rights Heroes 1596-2006
Jamaican William Davidson was a committed abolitionist. He was executed for a plot to assassinate the government. The Army had to block off Blackfriars Bridge in London because he was so popular - there were fears he would be rescued.
People in the Brazilian town of Palmares had an armed revolt - they fought against slavery for 67 years before finally being defeated.
To read about the Haitian Revolution, see: Two Films about Haiti..
Bristol Bus Boycott
There was a bus boycott in Bristol in 1963 because the local bus company refused to hire Black workers. The Prime Minister supported the boycott, as did senior Labour politician Tony Benn, and many local Black and white residents. Eventually, the company gave in and started to hire Black employees.
There has been a Black community in Bristol for at least 400 (four hundred) years.
Featured Lenses
Resources
Reviews of Black History Events
See below for reviews of events held by London Black History Walks, plus a list of future events.
- London Black History Walks
- Walks, talks and films about Black history in the UK and internationally.
- What U Need to Know Radio Show
- We focus on Black history, heritage and healing every month. Tune in at 2 p.m. EDT, 7 p.m. UK time, or go here to listen to the recordings of previous shows.
- Reviews of "Come Back Africa" and "The End of the Dialogue"
- This lens includes reviews of two landmark anti-apartheid films, 1950's "Come Back Africa" and the 1959 documentary "The End of the Dialogue".
- Next Black History Events
- Next events with London Black History Walks and Black History Studies, including Black Women Hair, Skin & Beauty and African Superheroes Day.
- Black History Films
- Review of an event with Brother T. plus a link to an audio interview with him.
- Black Success Stories
- This book includes an interview with the late Len Garrison, founder of the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton. He talks about when people wanted to donate their items to museums, the museums told them "we are not collecting this type of material". So he started the archives. He also gives tips on how to research Black history.
- Black Victims of the Germans and Nazis 1905-1945
- The first German genocide was inflicted on African people in 1905. Read more here. This presentation was held on 5th December 2009.
- Black Heroes of WWII - Why Fight for Britain?
- Revoew of another presentation by Brother T. from 31st January 2010. All of these events are filled with loads of information.
- Black History Event
- This blog describes a Black history event with Brother T. where he gave loads of information about the history of Black people in London.
- Small Island Q&A with Producer
- A recent screening of "Small Island".
- Amazing Black Facts about the UK
- Facts about history, the police and criminal justice system, and more.
- Black Spitfire Pilots Missing in Action
- Info on the Black History Walks website about Black spitfire pilots. This information has been ignored by the mainstream media.
- Black People's Day of Action
- Commemorating 30 years since the events of 1981
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