October is… Thought for the Day28/9/2015

What is Black History Month? Black History Month’s purpose is nicely summed up in these words by the former London Mayor Ken Livingstone; “In order to enrich the cultural diversity of the Greater London area, it is imperative that Londoners know more about African influences on Europe and its people. Despite the significant role that Africa and its Diaspora have played in the world civilization since the beginning of time, Africa’s contribution has been omitted or distorted in most history books.” It is a time to remember the hardships that many black-african people suffered over the years and their hard work standing up to this oppression, but is more importantly a celebration of all that the black- african community has given to help our culture grow. Events and festivals are planned throughout the UK, as well as in the US to celebrate Black History Month. How many of the people above can you identify? Why is it important that we remember their and others’ contribution to our society and world community? How many of the people above can you identify? Why is it important that we remember their and others’ contribution to our society and world community?

Being British... David Lammy MP for Tottenham “Black History Month allows us all to participate in Britain’s rich and diverse history, irrespective of ethnicity and allows us to appreciate and recognise the many important and positive contributions made over the years by Black and Minority Ethnic communities. In order to understand our present, we must be able to appreciate and share our past. Now, more than ever, Black History Month is integral to ensuring that our great nation is able to partake in the commemoration of one of the many things that makes Great Britain great; our ability to understand and remember that we have more in common than that which divides us, and our capacity to accept and pay tribute to the wealth of cultures which have come to be encapsulated in that word; British.” Do you agree with this statement? How could the section in bold be applied to our everyday lives? Do you agree with this statement? How could the section in bold be applied to our everyday lives?

Here are some facts you may not know about the impact that the Black community has had on our society: Did you already know any of these facts? What message can we take from this video that we can use in our everyday lives? The Hidden History Vaccination was introduced to America by a slave. Crisps were invented by a black man. In 1853, a restaurant customer sent his French fries back to the kitchen because they were too thick. The chef, George Crum, cut a bunch of potatoes as thin as he could, fried them crisp in anger and, voila, crisps was born. Thomas Edison often gets the credit for inventing the light bulb, but in reality, dozens of inventors were working to perfect commercial lighting. One of those inventors was Lewis Latimer, an African American. Charles Richard Drew discovered a method of separating red blood cells from plasma and then storing the two components separately. This new process allowed blood to be stored for more than a week, which was the maximum at that time. This became the start of the ‘Blood Bank’. When you drop a letter in a public mailbox, you expect it to reach its destination safely and in good condition. Before 1891, this wasn’t the case until Philip B. Downing changed that with our, now common, mail box design. Garrett Morgan only received a sixth-grade education, but he was observational and a quick learner. While working as a handyman at the turn of the 20th century, he not only created a formula to straighten hair but also created the Gas Mask, undoubtedly saving thousands of lives.

Last week saw another mass shooting in America. America has a history of people using and owning guns. This has led to a real issue of mass shootings in America. As of October , there have been 294 mass shootings in 275 days in Those shootings have claimed the lives of 380 people. No more than eight days this year have passed without a mass shooting in America. Obama went on TV to express his feelings about guns and gun crime. Watch this video and listen to what he said. Do you think America should start banning/limiting the use of guns? Why? What persuasive writing techniques does Obama use in this speech? (Think about your English lesson) What persuasive writing techniques does Obama use in this speech? (Think about your English lesson) Gun Crime in America