The question arises as to who benefits from Black British history being taught the way it is?
Author Archives: Noah Enahoro
Jobs, homes and democracy – how Newham is responding to the Olympics Legacy deficit
2012 Legacy? Newham still waiting
But have the Olympics had a positive impact on the lives of local residents?
On Windrush Day, victims of this devastating scandal still don’t have the justice they deserve.
The political conditions that enabled a government to treat Black Britons as though they were illegal immigrants must never be allowed to exist again.
For the Independent I wrote on why it is important that we do not forget that the Windrush Scandal is still ongoing, despite being exposed in 2018.
Newham Greens and City Farm campaigners form election pact to challenge Labour in Beckton
Save Newham City Farm and Newham Green Party have formed an alliance which will see them stand as joint candidates in Beckton at the local elections on May 5th.
Sol Bourgeon, Karen Webb-Green and Alison McLucas will represent the Green Party in Beckton on a platform of saving Newham City Farm.
‘No Oyster’ plan aims to keep young people safe
Community group Newham Citizens is calling on Transport for London (TfL) to allow school students to return home from school even if they forget their Oyster cards.
The move, part of the organisation’s Manifesto for Newham, is believed to be a step towards tackling knife crime, and is based on evidence that the risk of violence for young people is highest in the afterschool period. Allowing children to take transport home from school, with or without an Oyster card, would ensure they get home quickly and safely.
College students to partner with Oxford on history project
Students from Newham Sixth Form College (NewVIc) have been chosen to work with Oxford University and the Marx Memorial Library on a new research project.
The Charlie Hutchinson Project, named after the only Black British volunteer in the Spanish Civil War, will not only explore his life and contributions but also evaluate wider themes regarding Black History and its broader significance for modern Britain.
Carina Ancell, a History lecturer at NewVic College and co-founder of the Charlie Hutchinson Project, said:
His life is a microcosm of the wider issues in 20th century British history; the story of Black British experiences, connections between Britain and the wider world, the fight against fascism and dictatorship, and the significant role played by the working classes in shaping the modern world.
The fight goes on: defiant protesters demand city farm reopens
The battle to reopen Newham City Farm which was closed by the council last year goes on.
The campaign to save the farm organised a protest on 8 February where supporters gathered again outside East Ham town hall where council leaders were meeting.
The protesters reminded members of the Newham Council Cabinet meeting inside that their anger expressed in previous protests during the latter half of 2021 remains and demonstrations will continue.
“We are protesting because the council closed our community farm that was an invaluable educational community hub that had been open for 45 years”, said Jenny Mwangura, Chair of the Save Newham City Farm campaign.
Talks continue as college teachers strike
Teachers at Newham Sixth Form College (NewVIc) are exercising their right to strike in a series of stoppages to highlight worries over teaching conditions and the future of the college.
Selected staff among the 102 National Education Union (NEU) members at the college have held 12 days of strike action in December and January.
Talks with college management are taking place, but the stoppages will continue “until we reach a resolution with management,” said local lecturer and NEU Representative, Robert Behan.
The strikers say they are taking action over bad college management practices, academisation, and working practices that harm students’ studies. They say these policies and practices are harmful to teachers and students.
Award-winning College centre celebrates first year promoting hidden histories
October 2021 marks 34 years since Black History Month was first celebrated in the UK. It also marks the first anniversary of Newham Sixth Form College’s African Studies Centre.
Hailed as the ‘first of its kind’ by contemporaries, the centre set out to equip teachers with the skills and knowledge to teach students about the history of Africa, without doing so through the lens of European colonialism.
Newham Voices spoke with the two founders of the centre Alan Kunna and Carina Ancell, both History lecturers at the college, about the progress the centre has made and its achievements.
Noah A. Enahoro 