Our Thursday Thought this morning was brought to us by Ms Davies who talked to pupils about Black History Month, and how the events of the past year means that more than ever we all need to come together and learn lessons for the present and the future; looking at how we can be anti-racist and not just non-racist.
Ms Davies said: "I'm going tell you some of what I have learnt, how teachers in Shiplake are actively trying to help us be more inclusive and what to do if this resonates with you.
"I have always been non-racist. But this summer events such as the death of George Floyd (amongst others) and the BLM protests meant that I was forced to realise that being non-racist or colour blind is not enough in order for things to change."
During her talk, Ms Davies made reference to some interesting and thought provoking videos and books which tutors will be sharing with their tutees:
Ted Talk - the lie that invented racism by Jon Biewen
Ted Talk - The difference between being not racist and antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Why I'm no longer talking to white people about race by Renni Eddo-Lodge
Guardian article on Black History Month
"Every Shiplake teacher whom I have discussed this with agrees that we need to teach a more representative curriculum. Already our teachers are helping students to identify social misrepresentation, black history, social injustice, and day-to-day racism, for example whether you are able to buy a plaster for your own skin tone.
"Some of our teachers have rewritten or are rewriting lessons and broadening the subjects we teach to enable pupils to be better informed about racism and its devastating effects globally."
What can pupils do?
- Read lots. Don't ask people of colour you know to explain institutionalised racism to you, you are putting the burden of knowledge on someone else
- Follow people of colour who are activists, writers and academics on social media
- Donate to important causes
- Sign petitions and write letters
History is not just something that happened over 200 years ago. History is happening now. What we do today will be history tomorrow. What we do now matters.
The Rev has also been highlighting Black History this week in his Thought for the Week email to pupils. In it he highlighted the life of Nelson Mandela and his struggle against racial segregation (Apartheid) in South Africa.
Sq.jpg/Prefects2024_25(1)Sq__500x500.jpg&command_2=resize&height_2=85 "Shiplake's Young Leaders")
.JPG/U12FootballSq(1)__500x500.JPG&command_2=resize&height_2=85 "HM's Team of the Term, Spring 2023")
