Thanks. Got to put the history degree to good use somehow. Edit - and one small point of accuracy. 1833 was the end of the UK participation in the slave trade. It continued on elsewhere beyond this time of course, the Dutch in abolition took place in 1863 for example.
Yes, you cannot change history but you can narrate it post-event in different ways. I think it's clear that the school curriculum should contain more balance about the British Empire than it did in the past. The good and the bad, and there was both. I don't think that means all students must learn in detail about tribal Africa 200-400 years ago (although this could certainly be a separate option for those interested). I don't agree with you about Boudica. How do you teach children about the Roman occupation without mentioning Boudica? I'm assuming you won't ignore the Romans. As to statues, not a single one should be destroyed in my view because they themselves reflect history even from a jaundiced viewpoint (that itself is history). The worse offenders can have their statues moved to museums by consent of the local population. But to take a statue of Sir Francis Drake down, who led the defence of the Realm against the Spanish Armada, is nonsense. Slave trading was endemic 400 years ago, with both white and black slave masters. If Drake goes, surely Elizabeth I should be a villain for presiding over a reign where offenders were hung, drawn and quartered. And then we're into Pol Pot territory. 2020 is Year Zero.
I think we're in broad agreement. Just for the sake of clarity, my point on Boudica is that her statue is less controversial today - despite her mass killings - as her life doesn't directly impact on the lives of individuals today, in contrast to Colston and his contemporaries, whose decisions most certainly are still felt by many today. I absolutely do think Boudica should be taught about and talked about! We're in agreement on the curriculum and that no statue should be destroyed. How we display them, and where, is the right discussion I think.
Here you go another great post, find the middle ground, find a way forward, and I think this is the way things will go towards as well. Something I think is a bit disturbing about the last couple of weeks is that I'm not actually sure we would be making the progress that appears to be happening if it wasn't for the actions of the unlawful element which isn't right at all. I wish these sort of discussions were having without it, black rights movements have been protesting for years and years, attempting to go through the right channels and being ignored. I know this point is US based but I still think relevant, Colin Kaepernick tried a peaceful protest on a stage he knew would get publicity, and whilst it got the movement noticed and more backing, it really didn't change a thing, other than him getting blacklisted from a sport he loved.
It's interesting to note the 'Oxford Mob' re-igniting calls to remove Cecil Rhodes' statue again. I wonder how many BAME students who were awarded the Rhodes Scholarships and opportunities of a lifetime that brought them would be willing to rip up their degrees and return them in disgust? Sometimes principles can be a bit of an obstacle...
Yesterday I was a bit miffed with people calling for Churchill's Statue to come down then I realised it won't happen. So I am not going to bother about it now.
Don’t remember anyone getting upset about statues and history when this happened... where was the football lads then? https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...xs-london-memorial-vandalised-for-second-time
The point about Boudicas statue was meant to be silly.....that exactly was how it was meant so glad you got it. What people don’t seem to mention is that change has happened and is still happening in the way history is taught. For example, at school in the 70’s everyone of us was taught about Florence Nightingale being ‘The lady of the Lamp’, now my kids come home talking about the good and great things Mary Seacole did. They come home talking about MLK, slavery etc.....things that I only touched on very briefly...... Again sorry for a quick ramble
Agree, I don't remember it but it was stupid. Marx was an important historical figure (whether you agree with his views or not).
And the people have reacted to the protests https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co...ack-lives-matter-hoddesdon-protesters-4208466 Monkey chants, Nazi salutes telling people to go back to Africa...
