BLACKPOPPYROSE Why we Remember By Selena Carty
The BlackPoppyRose What is the BlackPoppyRose? The BlackPoppyRose is a symbol that has been created to remember ALL African/Black people who have contributed in a number of ways towards various war efforts across the globe, since the 16th Century. Established with the aim of enlightening people of all nations, of the African/Black contribution to global war efforts, the BlackPoppyRose signifies pride, honour and glory, with the hope that future generations will be inspired by these largely untold historical legacies. Why A Black Poppy Rose? Black - For the People Poppy - For Remembrance Rose - For Honour & Respect Why Do We Need A BlackPoppyRose? Growing up in the UK, most people are aware of the infamous red Poppy, which signifies British remembrance, as celebrated by The Royal British Legion. BlackPoppyRose fully supports the legacy of the red Poppy, however, felt that as African/Black Britons exploring our historical journeys, it was important to highlight our contribution to world history. The project began five years ago, following the realisation that in a country that many African/Black people call home, the history that represents us has been displaced over the course of time. England has an excellent archive of the country’s historic achievements. These are documented and celebrated via monuments, statues and plaques, documentaries, books, articles and magazines, etc. However, there is a severe lack of representation displaying the full picture of history, including all of its contributors. African/Black people have consistently contributed to civilisation, even in the face of adversity and in spite of mankind’s most abhorrent treatment and atrocities against us. Throughout history, many of our generations have been displaced; our memories, our pain and our loss is universal. Whilst we do not wish to focus on negative aspects of history, we feel that it is important that our ancestors are recognised for their dues, of which many lost their lives in the process.
Our Aims • For the BlackPoppyRose to keep the memory of our ancestors‘ contributions, sacrifices and efforts alive in our minds, hearts and spirits for the foreseeable future • To collect stories from all over the world, in order to enable us to gain an overview of ‘How’ the war was for us and to document it for future generations • To collect pictures, clothing, memorabilia and artefacts, to preserve and document our presence for future generations • To document the graves/lands of those who have fallen To make the BlackPoppyRose our symbol of Remembrance worldwide.
Why we have the BlackPoppyRose? The BlackPoppyRose is a symbol for us to remember not only the soldiers, but also the families/people, of Africans/Black People who contributed in any way for the War effort.
• • • • • •
Men Women Children Farmers Engineers Teachers
• • • • • •
Doctors/Nurses/Herbalists Skilled Tradesmen Civil Workers Shoemakers Factory Workers And many more...
African/Black Men, Women & Children all played significant roles in contributing: • To help build/purchase – Roads, Trenches, Tanks, Guns & Aircrafts • Unload & carry equipment, lumber, weapons etc. • Collecting and Collating equipment – Binoculars & Telescopes • Food – Sugar cane, Maize, Coffee, Banana, Yams, Legumes, Green vegetable, Herbs for medicine and so much more. • Materials – Cotton, Rubber, Hides & Skins, Tin, Tantalum, Timber, Tobacco, Gold, Silver, Lead, and so much more. • Large and small sums of Money, Donations, Gift aid, etc.
• We served in/from: – – – – – –
Africa Asia Europe North America (West Indies) South American Oceania
100+ years ago our ancestors have enabled us to be here today and this warrants our remembrance, honour & respect.
EUROPE
Walter Tull: England & Arthur Roberts: Scotland
Eugene Bullard African American who served for France
An African who served For Germany
AFRICA • 7 August 1914 – Alhaji Grunshi fired the 1st shot on the British side returning fired on the German led police force (Other Africans) • Alhaji Grunshi was Awarded The Military Medal : Acts of Bravery - 1918
French Colonial Troops - Senegal
King African Riflemen (British Colonial West African Regiment: Troops) – Nyasaland (Malawi), Kenya, Gambia, Gold Coast, Uganda, British Somaliland. Northern Nigeria & Sierra Leone
WEST INDIES
British West Indian Regiment
OCEANIA
Aborgine Communities From Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand
NORTH AMERICA
• • • •
369th Infantry Regiment African American Red Cross nurses Native Americans Reverend William White of the No2 Construction C.E.F in the Canadian Army
ASIA
India - Sikh Community served for Britain, Belgium & France
China – Served for Britain
Our History must not be forgotten, nor must our contributions be undervalued.
Why we Remember...
‘A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots’ ‘The Honourable Marcus Mosiah Garvey’
Where the money goes • WASP: The West Indian Association of Service Personnel Charity Number: 279644. Address: 165/167 Clapham Manor Street, Clapham, London, SW4 6DB • Sourcing: Pictures, Books, Materials, stories to create workshops and future works
BlackPoppyRoses
£2 BlackPoppyRose Fabric pin
£3 BlackPoppyRose Lapel pin
Purchase your BlackPoppyRose NOW • • • •
WASP: 165/167 Clapham Manor Street, Clapham, London, SW4 6DB Pempamsie: 102 Brixton Hill, London, SW2 1AH www.blackpoppyrose.bigcartel.com (.50p more online) Independent Rep’s in London: Contact 07866430733
Wars our peoples fought in American Revolution: 19th April 1775 – 3rd September 1783 Haitian Revolution: 21st April 1791 – 1st January 1804 Napoleonic War: 18th May 1803 – 20th November 1815 • The Battle of Trafalgar: 21st October 1805 • The Battle of Waterloo: 18th June 1815 Crimean War: Oct 1853 – February 1856 World War I - The Great War: 28th July 1914 – 11th November 1918 World War II: 1st September 1939 – 2nd September 1945
Get Involved Support BlackPoppyRose Purchase your BlackPoppyRose from ÂŁ2 and/or make a donation, to help us continue our work in remembering: www.blackpoppyrose.bigcartel.com Retailers To stock the BlackPoppyRose in your store, please contact us: Telephone: 07866 430 733 Email: info@blackpoppyrose.org Web: www.blackpoppyrose.org Educational Institutions, Libraries and Community Organisations
To arrange delivery of A4 Posters, to stock the BlackPoppyRose or to arrange Workshops or Talks at your location, please contact us: Telephone: 07866 430 733 Email: info@blackpoppyrose.org Web: www.blackpoppyrose.org
Further Information Connect with BlackPoppyRose via the following platforms and mediums: Telephone: 07866 430 733 Email: info@blackpoppyrose.org Web: www.blackpoppyrose.org Shop: www.blackpoppyrose.bigcartel.com
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