Htp

2007 marks the 200 year anniversary of the abolishment of slavery in UK ... would you support the introduction of a african history book into the national curriculum ?

On one hand yes because as it stands not enough people actually know about slavery and myths abound as much as apathy.

But then having it in the national curriculum is a worrisome idea for me. It means controlof the material will be govermental. So look for the usual Africans started it, we ended it, we civilised them type of thing.

Sure the way we have it now with only a lucky few whose parents care enough to provide that extra curricular knowledge or those adults who come across readings in later life actually know about slavery is not ideal but at least we have a level of control.

Htp the Watcher,

The book I have in mind is When we Ruled by Robin Walker. It is more a reference book, written by an educator/teacher with the purpose of it being taught. The book is structured in such a way that it can be in the school curriculum. There is a tread called Shall we Walk the Walk which has some links to the department of education and it is here that we can submit a proposal for the inclusion of this book into the national curriculum. Teaching slavery to our youths, compounded with the dysfunction within some of our communities, will only serve to worsen the situation.
Personally, I worry more about there being NO THING at all positive for young minds to feed off than the government having control. Ultimately it is PARENTS who have control of what their child is taught, even within the educational system.....


One love & light
htp

It depends what is meant by 'African History'. If you are talking soley about 'The History of Slavery - The African Perspective'.......that does not enthuse me much. But if you are talking about African History (in which slavery features in part, yes) but which covers the whole spectrum of Africa's and Africans fundamental and quite significant contribution to the birth and development of CIVILISATION and to WORLD DEVELOPMENT IN GENERAL................then it's a thumbs up from me!

Respect

Htp Backatya,

I'm not sure if you're familiar with the book in question but please visit http://www.whenweruled.com where the author gives an interview stating that Afrikans' history did not begin with slavery, in fact the book emphasies our achievements. Under the link Afrikan Rulers you will get a "flavour" of what the book is about.

It is non-religious and covers a timeline from pre-history, the Nile Valley, Ethiopia, North Africa, Carthage and Numida, West African Coast, Central Sahara, Medieaval Nubia, Southern Africa, Sumer & Elam, the Indus Valley and Arabia, to name but a few. The Institution of Education will teach our children "slavery" regardless. We have an opportunity to have a voice in that process .....

One love & light
htp

I voted "no". I am unsure about such an endeavor. I would like this to be mandated among African peoples. But as to trying to educate others? I just don't know. It would seem that everytime we try to negotiate with the mainstream, we end up losing. I would rather we just focus on educating our own.

TheDogon wrote: I like how you think. I thought the same thing as I try to always reference my thoughts of the future to historical pasts. Every time we work with the mainstrem we lose twice as much as we put in. However I moved away from your conclusion. I wish to educate all of my people, but with so many of them holed up in institutions of mass indoctrination I have begun to wonder, do we have the time ro the luxury to scoff at the chance of putting our truth into the mainstream because of the unfortunate side effect of having to teach others as well. I don't believe we have the luxury to leave the majority of our people in institutionally racist systems while we amass the necessary capital and human resources to teach our own in our own way.I think that ultimately we will lose more potential warriors in that way.Ihowever I understand your point of view.

I'm not sure.

I'm with the dogon. I'd much ratherAfrican historybe taught by us. BUT it'sclear that manywill not be so it's probabably better that they are taught something by 'others'.

I've always been an advocate of kids being taught world history.Especially as it wouldn't be surprising that many of it willbe linked with British history anyway.

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Saida.M wrote: My whole stance is simply that I don't think we have the luxury of waiting until our shit is in order before we can teach our young. I was speaking to Toyin from the Ligali organisation about education. Apparantly it's well within a parents rights to sit in on a class or even at times to take it over. If the book is there then all that is left is that parents get up and sit there and make sure that the teacher is not misinforming the students. If this is done properly it will exist as a temporary fix until we are in a position to teach our young ourselves. It will also give our youth some pride in their heritage because it is definitely hard to have to go to school and hear a teacher tell you that you were slaves and that's it. That you were waiting in the jungle until caucasians arrived to civilise you. That's what they will be taught without this book. If you have read Robin Walkers book you will understand it's power and you will know that it is a necessary tool for the liberation ofthe minds of Africans. Not even a caucasian teacher could twist that book into something anti African.