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Reading & Viewingto Broaden the Mind
Queen’s Diversity Action Group:
Reading & Viewing to Broaden the Mind
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Robin DiAngelo’s ‘White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism’ is not an easy read but it is an essential one. In clear, crisp prose, it presents a powerful, challenging and ultimately convincing analysis of attitudes to race and racism in the USA; but it equally applies to Britain.
The Diversity Action Group was set up by “The simplistic idea that racism is limited to individual Mr Tillett in response to events in America intentional acts committed by unkind people is at the surrounding the death of George Floyd and root of virtually all white defensiveness on this topic.” soul-searching about the continued existence ‘Black Spartacus’ by Sudhir Hazareesingh, of racism within our societies. It reflected a widespread recounts the life of Toussaint Louverture in this feeling among staff, pupils, alumnae, parents and magisterial biography of the key figure in the Haitian Council members, that this was a historic moment to which we as a “Overall, I gained a revolution – the only successful rebellion of the enslaved in the school community should respond. In the History department this new understanding of Caribbean. Determined to create a world free from enslavement and has started with the rewriting of much of the School curriculum to include a more diverse range of an important milestone in Black British history” racism, there could hardly be a more relevant and compelling figure. histories; lectures from historians such as Miranda Kaufmann and Toby Green; and the establishment of a BAME History prize to encourage students to research diverse topics. The group is a forum in which all interested parties meet to explore and share ideas. Despite the lockdowns, it has already had several very productive meetings and there is a real sense of energy, determination and purpose to respond effectively to this historic moment. The reviews on these pages give a flavour of what students and staff have been reading and viewing.
Mr David Willows,
Head of History, reviewed:
David Olusoga’s ‘Black and British: A short, essential history’ was written specifically for young readers. It begins: “When I was at school … I presumed … that there must not have been any Black people in British history.” Over the next 200 pages, Olusoga corrects that misconception. From the Aurelian Moors on Hadrian’s Wall to Henry VIII’s black trumpeter, John Blanke, and Jamaican, Sam King, who joined the RAF during World War Two, the fascinating stories of black Britons are told across 2,000 years. An excellent starting point for anyone interested in black British history.
Freya reviewed:
‘The Hate U Give’ by Angie Thomas is a young adult novel. It follows the life of teenager Scarr Carter who witnesses the murder of her best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Throughout the novel you learn about the struggle Scarr is facing on whether to speak out, placing her in a dangerous position, or to stay quiet. Additionally, the book points out how common and detrimental racism is, particularly in the police force. One key idea is that even people who are closest to you can still be racist and should be held accountable for their words and actions. It is such an important book, and I would recommend it to everyone.
Maya reviewed:
I’ve chosen Angela Davis’ ‘Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement’. It’s a collection of Davis’ own interviews, essays and speeches which explore race related issues such as black feminism, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the Israeli/Palestinian prison system. This was the first of Davis’ books that I read; it was a great introduction to learning the history of political movements and marginalised communities. One of my favourite quotes: “if we don’t take seriously the ways in which racism is embedded in structures of institutions, then we won’t ever succeed in eradicating racism.”
Sonia reviewed:
Toni Morrison’s ‘Beloved’ is a moving and eye-opening account of slavery and motherhood, following the story of ex-slave Sethe and her daughter Denver. The arrival of Beloved, a mysterious and childlike girl, brings buried memories and hidden secrets to the surface. The book raises thought-provoking points about the past and the long-lasting effects of slavery, ending with the overriding message of the importance of the future and the prospect of tomorrow. Morrison’s writing is beautiful and poetic, and this, as well as the fact that it was loosely based on a true story, is what makes the novel so powerful and heart-breaking.
Sanaa reviewed:
‘Mangrove’, the first of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series, tells the story of the trial of the Mangrove 9 and highlights the police brutality experienced by black people in the 1970s. The Mangrove 9 trial was the first time that a court acknowledged that the police’s treatment of the black community was unfair. McQueen effectively portrays the atmosphere within the Mangrove restaurant. The tension between the police and the Afro-Caribbean community is brought to life through immersive scenes of the restaurant raids, and lengthy courtroom scenes. Overall, I gained a new understanding of an important milestone in Black British history.
Arabella reviewed:
Based on August Wilson’s play, the film ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ follows a number of Blues musicians as they record a track. Levee, an ambitious horn player, finds his confidence puts him at odds with fellow bandmembers, while Ma Rainey is in a constant power struggle with her controlling white management. Although proud and assertive, she is aware, “they don’t care nothing about me, they just need my voice”. What was particularly enlightening was not just the descriptions of experiences of overt racism but also the subtler injustices. For example, upon a minor collision Ma in her car explains the situation, and the policeman responds: “we don’t know whose car that is”, insistent it can’t be hers. Overall, this film was thought-provoking and gripping to watch, with tension building constantly between Blues numbers.
Read more about the group here: www.oqconnect.com/news/queens-collegenews/10/10-QCLs-New-Diversity-Action-Group
