Who, what and why am I? For 33 years I was at the chalk face
Who, what and why am I? For 33 years I was at the chalk face
Written by Simon Hudson
Growing up Black posed many challenges, questions and obstacles. My humanity was continuously challenged facing monkey chants. My education taught of no Black scientists, engineers, inventors or explorers? In the heart of Africa Tarzan was hailed and Lord of the Jungle. My presence in England was made illegitimate by echoes of the ‘Rivers of Blood’, the National Front, the British National Party and the England Defence League demanding to have their country back. Indeed who, what and why was I?
Thirty-three years saw me at the chalk face- standing in front of the class hoping to inspire, develop minds and open doors to possibilities. I saw my role, in the system, as a teacher to equip those in my charge with the tools to successfully navigate their way forward and through life…to belong, to find and have their place. All may sound admirable but three simple points needed to be addressed and agreed:
What is the purpose of education - is it as outlined above?
If my purpose is as above, how could that be best achieved?
Teaching is a vocation but what does that mean in practice?
That was then, where am I now? I have since retired able to comfortably and proudly look back at my career. I was not just a teacher; I was conscious that I was a Black teacher. I took my responsibilities seriously trying to be a role model. If one can see it one can, be it. If one can broaden the narrative beyond stereotypes and smash glass ceilings then dreams go beyond an illusion. Success was ever present but one always recalls those who never warmed to my efforts.
Now - is a place where I have written two books: History Through the Black Experience. The mission (vocation) as a teacher, now an author, remain the same; to provide a guide to enhance life – learning about and learning from moving towards personal meaning, development and worth. Why? Shakespeare famously wrote ‘To be or not to be…’. I wanted to be - not to be invisible. I wanted pupils who looked like me to be seen. I wanted such pupils to see success and achievement that looked like them and that was within their grasp. For other, non-Black, pupils I wanted open their eyes providing an awareness of diversity, inclusion and equity discovering a broader positive and possible sense of community.
The purpose of this book?
To be seen. Invisibility is uncomfortable. Being unheard is disabling, insulting and frustrating. Not apparently having a history or a story to tell is dehumanising. We all need to belong. We all want a voice. No one wishes to stay in the shadows. The aim of my book is to shine a light on people who do not always get the attention that they deserve. The history of kings and queens often assumes that the peasants had no story to tell. All too often the narrative is owned by the victor. What about the vanquished? A male dominated world denies the females their place at the table. History and success should go beyond tokenistic, and (dangerous) stereotypes. If History Through the Black Experience is to be of value, informative and enlightening it must give voice to those who should be heard. Some people, and it has been said to me on numerous occasions, believe that they are being complimentary, open, honest and fair proclaiming ‘I do not see colour’. On first impression that may sound comforting but on reflection it’s at the heart of Ralph Ellison’s masterpiece; Invisible Man. I want my Blackness to be seen. James Brown put it to music chanting ‘Say it Loud I’m Black and I’m Proud’. But proud of what? Excessive representation as criminals, muggers, drug dealers and gang members have created troublesome stereotypes where if you can see it, you can be it. For some it’s viewed as the easy, best and the most convenient option. By writing History Through the Black Experience, I looked to provide a landscape of possibilities. I sought to put stories of the good, great, amazing, of perseverance, of success, and of achievement out there – on the table. I did not wish to tell a lie, entering a Disneyfied world. It was essential to write about the bad and the ugly too – otherwise we lose a sense of honesty, reality, balance…our humanity, which like all people, is flawed.
The book is written to offer the Black community the opportunity to embrace our history; achievements, successes, failings and weaknesses. We do not have to be ignorant of our past. We do not have to feel limited or behind the curve searching for heroes and sheroes. We were there, that is why we are here, we have always been present. Our story is not about the select few permitted to make it through by the gatekeepers. Entries do not have to be apologetically positive. We do not need to defend ourselves only to express ourselves. We were sinned against through colonialism, empire and slavery. We do need to explain, educate - putting records straight, and providing context. The Black narrative should be common place in the wider (White) society as are the stories of Henry VIII, Shakespeare, Queen Victoria, Hitler, Churchill, Napoleon and Kennedy are to the Black community.
Having a past with stories to tell provides one with a sense of pride, direction and relevance. Having a narrative breaks down stereotypes and limitations. Others can no-longer claim ignorance and should see a whole person, one that is fully rounded. As a people we go beyond the one dimension to a three-dimensional complex character. My book will not end the travails and evils of racism and prejudice. I do hope that for many - eyes, minds and doors will be opened, and that all ethnic groups, white and those of colour, will bathe in the education and share in this part of the Human story.
Education is never far from my thoughts. I would like to add that learning is never far from my thinking either. I continuously knock on doors, to engage schools and education outlets as to the potential of the books. Let’s go beyond Black History Month. Let’s celebrate the stories, events and characters in assemblies. Allow Black pupils see people like them but just as important, let non-Black pupils see a wider illuminating and important narrative – something to behold, to embrace, to acknowledge and to respect. We belong, we should not allow ignorance to fuel being othered. Why should I at best call myself British? So many second and third generation Blacks do not call themselves Black English, why? Does that mean we will never be at the heart, at the centre, playing our part in English communities? Born and raised in England but still many feel unable/uncomfortable calling this sceptred isle home, unable to claim their birth rite. If the books were to reside in homes, libraries and employed and deployed in schools then being othered, being hidden, being on the fringe maybe challenged becoming something of the past.
We have always been here. Black people have always been part of the historical narrative. We have had successes and failures, pain and delights, achievements and loss, adventure and invention. Creativity and wisdom. We have Kings and Queens, chiefs and politicians, scientists, writers, singers, dancers – indeed we have always been present in the human story. History Through the Black Experience aims to shine a light illuminating stories of courage, often against incredible odds, capturing experiences from people of Black heritage looking at the great, the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly. Having a place at the table to learn about and to learn from.
The Black Experience can be purchased directly through Simon rsimonhudson@talktalk.net, through jamaicaheritage@yahoo.co.uk £22 each inc p&p and Waterstones online for £36 each.