Petition: Teach children about the realities of Imperialism and Colonialism

I studied in France, for two masters, studied history for years, then worked in the UK/Africa for years... but I had to teach myself colonial history, while it had directly impacted my family for decades!

I worked for years as a reporter in North America; East, central and North Africa; travelled to West and Southern Africa, Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Mexico, Belgium and another dozen of European countries, covering these issues. And worked as a researcher for a few documentary films currently in the making. First and foremost one biopic on anti-colonialist thinker and psychiatrist Frantz Fanon, but also projects about Malcolm X, American Indigenous history and history of genocides.

Let's give the next generation a better chance to understand!! And not only in the UK... In the USA, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Italy at least, all nations that participated in colonising the Americas & Caribbean islands, Africa, Asia, Australia & Australasia, and the Middle East.

Teach British children about the realities of British Imperialism and Colonialism

Petition:

Teach British children about the realities of British Imperialism and Colonialism

The Department for Education states that:

"The national curriculum for history aims to ensure that all pupils: Know and understand the history of these islands as a coherent, chronological narrative, from the earliest times to the present day: how people’s lives have shaped this nation and how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world."

Despite this, there is still much omitted from Britain’s colonial history. By excluding the evils of British Imperialism, along with how members of the African Diaspora contributed to the British nation-state, British children are robbed of understanding how colonialist ideology was implemented. This stunts the growth of racial equality in the UK and hinders the racial esteem of Black British children.

Frederick Douglass said that “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” Similarly, we recognise that better education for our children is the most effective tool for constructing an anti-racist society.