Black History Month at GCC

This post was published on the 6th November 2008
Written by Zaibun Arab
Published in the marketing blog

Activities were arranged by the Student Union to mark Black History Month in October. Students and staff took part in a range of activities including talks, discussions and workshops.

Max Middleton was invited to GCC to talk about Paul Robeson who was

“almost as a second father to me who had struggled to become an athlete, singer and then joined the Civil Rights Movement”.

Born in 1898 Paul won an academic scholarship at Rutgers University (USA) to train as an athlete. Max explained how he was the only black person on the campus and had suffered racism at a physical level.

This did not deter Pauls confidence and after graduating from Columbia Law School and worked for a law firm. He again suffered racism and was not allowed to enter court because of the colour of his skin. Paul left and took up a career in singing, he sung Negro Spiritual Songs performed at The Broadway. Max explained how Paul had fought hard throughout his life to change the way black people were treated and later became part of the Civil Rights Movement.

Later on that week Leslie Mitchel was invited to discuss the 1968 Olympics Black Power Salute.
A powerful documentary was shown to students and staff that illustrated the injustices black Americans had faced. Two athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos struggled to compete in the 1968 Olympics held in Mexico. As a result they won gold and bronze medals in the 200 metres. When collecting their medals they formed a protest where the iconic picture was captured as both athletes bowed their heads, raised their black-glove-covered fist in the air represented black power, no shoes represented poverty and the beads around their necks represented lynching.

Leslie works closely with the community and uses examples from the past “to encourage young black men to fulfil their dreams in life.”

For more information visit www.workingwithmen.org

On a lighter note the Student Union invited Dogon Music Worldwide to perform a dance that weaves the tapestry of a rich tradition of storytelling in West Africa. Students were encouraged to take part in the traditional dance. For more information visit www.dogonmusic.co.uk

The Learning Resource Centre had a book displayed for students and staff to look at and borrow. There was a slide show that presented images and blurbs of famous black historical iconic figures such as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Jesse Jackson.