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black history hero

Black History Month – want to learn something new? *

Celebrating diversity is at the heart of Our Little Globe and the activity kits we produce. We have always been committed to highlighting and promoting diversity from around the world.

children with different skin colours

Though we agree that we must be careful not to fall into tokenistic over transformative behaviours; we think that shining a spotlight on black people who have performed heroic deeds often in the face of extremely unjust circumstances does give us and others a chance to hear and read about so many unsung heroes. 

Black History Month is celebrated in the UK in October and is an opportunity to recognise the achievements and contributions of people of African and Caribbean descent across society, as well as exploring Black heritage and culture. 

Has your child been taught anything about black history this month in school or are you using it as a topic in your homeschooling? 

Time is such a precious commodity as a parent, but during those (slightly!) slower moments, having these discussions informally can help grow kids into adults who understand the importance of acting on racial prejudice in all forms.  

Fi and I are both mums of girls under 8 and so we know at this age it is on us to positively influence how our white children treat all people of colour and educate them specifically on the wrongs that the black population have felt time and time again. The conversations are often difficult but we always make sure that they are age-appropriate. However, we both agree that it is a necessary part of our roles as parents. 

Erin and Fiona, owners of Our Little Globe

If like us, you would like to spend some time this month celebrating Black History Month please feel free to use our downloadable activity sheet, there is even a competition that is open until November 5th 2020! 

Ask them to point out the colour of the person’s skin, their hair, what makes them similar or different to them. Remember it is ok to see that difference, after all it’s what makes us unique and can help others understand our cultures and traditions. 

a black child at school

Read about some popular black history heroes below! 

Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford, footballer and Free School Meals lobbyist

This talented and successful Manchester United and England footballer leveraged his fame and reach to launch a campaign to end child food poverty, and he has been awarded the prestigious MBE for his services to vulnerable children. With the Covid-19 crisis wreaking havoc on family incomes, the number of children who have registered for free school lunches has risen dramatically, and his efforts have been hugely helpful in raising awareness of the impact of child poverty in the UK. 

 

Mary Seacole

Mary Seacole, British-Jamaican nurse, healer and businesswoman who set up the "British Hotel" behind the lines during the Crimean War.

Mary Seacole was born more than 200 years ago, a British-Jamaican nurse who, after being initially refused to be sent as an army nurse, travelled at her own expense to the Crimea in Ukraine, and risked her life to help wounded and dying British soldiers in the Crimean War in 1853-56. She worked tirelessly throughout her life to care for people around the world, including in England and Jamaica, Panama and Cuba, the Bahamas and Haiti. 

 

Martin Luther King Jr

Martin Luther King Jr, spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968.

This American civil rights activist and leader is famous for his inspirational “I have a dream” speech – his dream was that everyone in the United States of America would be judged not by the colour of their skin, but by their personal abilities and qualities. In 1964, aged just 35, he became the youngest man at that time to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his campaigns against racism.  

Who are your favourite Black Heroes? We’d love you to share them with us, get in touch!