In this activity young people will learn about Black History Makers and write a letter/post card to one of them to thank them for doing what they do.
Before you start
- One piece of A4 card per four participants, cut into 4 equal pieces (to make post cards)
- Two pieces of A4 paper per participant
- Scissors per pair
- One stamp per participant
- One envelope per participant
- Pens
- Coloured pens or pencils
- Either have access to phones or computers to do research or prepare information sheets about the black history makers below (you could include some of your own too if you wish)
What to do
Introduction
Explain that we often think about the Black History Makers of the past in Black History Month, but we rarely think about who is making history today. Ask young people who they think the next generation of Black History Makers might be? Which people of African or Caribbean heritage alive and working today should be learnt about in years to come? If they are stuck ask them to think about people they look up to in sports, music, politics. They could also think about writers, actors, and people who run businesses or do charity work. Ask who they are most inspired by, and who is really making a difference.
Then introduce the following people. Ask if young people have heard of them/their work and explain what they do.
Malorie Blackman was Children’s Laureate from 2013-15 and wrote Noughts and Crosses, a fantastic book about race and racism and now a TV series too.
Shaka Hislop was the goal keeper for Newcastle United when he set up Show Racism the Red Card, the UK’s largest anti-racism educational charity after his own experiences with receiving racist abuse.
Diane Abbott made history by becoming the first black woman ever elected to the British Parliament. She is now the longest serving female MP.
David Orobosa Michael Omoregie – better known as Dave – is a talented rapper who has used his platform to raise issues around colonisation, racism within the criminal justice system and more. He has also recently raised lots of money for Palestine, Congo and Sudan through his clothing brand Psycho.
Ask participants to choose one of these people or their own black history maker to research. If you don’t have access to enough phones or computers to do this you could prepare some resources on each of these people (and more if you wish) in advance for young people to look at.
Celebrating Inspiration
Explain that we live in a racist society and this means that black people experience racism all the time. For those in the public eye this can be amplified and they can receive really horrible abuse. Unlike their white peers people often tell them they aren’t good enough and that they should give up and stop doing what they are doing.
How wonderful would it be to turn this around. Let’s tell the black history makers why they are important, why their voices and their actions matter, why they should keep on doing what they are doing.
Postcards for the Future
Say that you’re going to do this by writing a letter or a post card to your chosen black history maker. Young people can make their own post cards if they wish, or include a drawing in the letter.
In the written part explain that they should tell the person why they think they are brilliant, why they value them and why they are important to them. Suggest they include specific ways in which they have inspired them e.g “now I want to be an author like you and I have been practicing writing stories in my free time.” Young people should draft their letters or post cards on a piece of paper. And then once they know exactly what they want to write/draw they can move to the post card or another piece of paper for the final letter. You can check and make any corrections before they do this if you wish.
When the first person finishes stop everyone and explain that they will need to find out how to contact their history maker. MPs can be sent things to the Houses of Parliament. Musicians and actors can be contacted via their agent (details available online). Writers can be sent things via their publisher. For those working in business or for a charity yo can write to their organisation. Social media can be a great way to connect with people too. If the young person or your group/district has instagram they can tag the person they are writing to and include a photo of their postcard. Don’t forget to tag @woodcraftfolk too so we can help amplify your message. If young people don’t have their phones/you don’t want them to use them you can look up contact details/make the instagram post for them and show them.