ABOUT THE INITIATIVE
In 2013, as part of Michael Gove’s education reforms, the compulsory part of the curriculum that said children in the U.K. must study the British history of colonisation and slavery was revoked. Instead, it is one of the many non-compulsory modules that can be taught if the teacher feels they are appropriate for that specific class.
According to Gove, schools shouldn’t teach content fuelled by “post-colonial guilt”.
However, this means that crucial parts of our nation’s history are left out and therefore the children of today will not get a comprehensive schooling. For example, we may be taught about British Industrialisation, but not the role that slavery played in underpinning the entire revolution.
In Germany, children are taught the atrocities of the Holocaust, not to be made to feel guilty, but to be aware of the horrors of the past in order to build a better future.
Racism is just as institutional and systematic here in the U.K. as it is in the U.S. - the problem is, here we aren’t taught about it.
By educating the youngest generations on topics such as colonialism, we give them a fuller view of British history and the resources to build their own opinions. This is the education system that is responsible for teaching our Prime Ministers, our MPs, policemen and countless other positions of power.
On the 1st of June, we released a survey with the aim to gather data on the true state of Britain’s curriculum. Using these results, we plan to write to as many public officials, schools and anyone else in a position to make a change and call for educational reform.
But we can’t do this alone!
In the links above, you can find the survey and some of its results (which we will continue to update as it grows), a link to a petition calling for this issue to be discussed in parliament, and letters you can send to MPs, the Education Minister and your schools asking them to make this change as well.
Together we can make a difference.
ABOUT US
We met during our time at secondary school and are both currently university students going in to our second year.
Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
Co-founder
Esmie is a student currently studying Classics and English Literature at the University of Exeter, where she is especially interested in post-colonial studies, environmentalism and creative writing. She is also the author of the forthcoming Order of Legends sci-fi book trilogy.
Storytelling has been an integral part of her life since she could read, and has evolved into a passion for telling stories for those who have historically been forced out of the narrative, or not seen themselves in mainstream media.
Favourite Book of the moment: The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
Favourite TV show of the moment: Black Sails (And Wandavision)
Nell Bevan
Co-founder
Nell is a student studying a BSc in Biology w. Science and Society at the University of Manchester. She has a specific interest in the presentation of scientific information through media, as well as the social causes and implications of disease. She is also interested in the cost of exclusion within the scientific community.
Favourite TV show of the moment: Wandavision (and Rupauls Drag Race).