“Sankofa” - A Symbol of Africa’s future
The mythological bird, the “Sankofa” is used as a metaphor for Africa. While it is important for the continent to remember the past it is even more important to look to the future and build on the positive aspects of the past, writes Emira Woods. [Full Text Article, Pambazuka]
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Bicentenary of Abolition of the Slave Trade
Black Peoples of the Americas syllabus - DVD/VHS learning resource:
“The First Black Britons”
Dear Enquiries team
Would you please forward our email to Learning Resource Centres/ Departments - as you feel appropriate (our apologies if you have already seen this information).
My colleague and I are Independent Media Producers. Because of my family background we have a special interest in the Black History and culture of the Americas - 16th century to the present.
With the approach of Black History Month, we are hoping you will find our documentary - “The First Black Britons” - attractive and timely; an entertaining and informative hidden history of the Black Americas.
A trailer is available to view at the University of Washington’s ‘Black Past’ website : www.blackpast.org/?q=video/first-black-britons
‘The First Black Britons’ has been added to the (UK) Amazon.com catalogue. It is on sale at Borders, WH Smith, HMV… Our DVD can also be purchased using Visa online at our distributor’s website www.beckmanndirect.com. Those wishing to use a purchase order should telephone our distributors: Tel: (+44) 01624 816 585, to arrange supply and payment details
Originally broadcast on BBC Television, “The First Black Britons” is a wealth of information and historical discovery, delivered (to-camera) in a warm and ‘to-the-point’ style. DVD sales are proving its broad appeal to adult and school-age audiences in the UK, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Australia and across the Caribbean. Our film reveals the incredible hidden history of thousands of African men (11,000 by the year 1800), lifted from slavery to lead a journey to citizenship in the New World - as equals of White comrades in arms. They fought in the Napoleonic Wars as the West India Regiment (1795-1927).
One of Britain’s leading TV comedy actors, Gary Beadle presents our story as a journey of discovery in Barbados, Jamaica, Liverpool, London and Windsor. Illustrated by a wealth of photographs and pictures, his dramatic and compelling story is ‘brought to life’ by actors in scenes based on the actual quotes of Prime Minister William Pitt (the younger), his friend, William Wilberforce, Queen Victoria, and, the very soldiers who shaped attitudes to race and identity at each turn of the infamous triangular slave trade - Britain, West Africa and the Americas.
The viewer discovers tourist attractions, social and political history, culture and heritage. 59-minutes are divided into 3 x 18-minute stories, structured as follows:
Story 1. ‘Slaves in Redcoats’:
How the government of abolitionist Prime Minister, William Pitt (the younger) secretly purchased a slave-army to defeat French and Napoleonic forces in the Americas.
Story 2. ‘The Queen’s Gentlemen’:
How Britain’s first African army won the personal favour of Queen Victoria, and carved a unique status as a new class of citizen - ‘Black British’.
Story 3. ‘The Prodigals’ Return’:
How West India Regiment soldiers - ‘the sons of slaves’ - exacted bloody revenge on the ‘Chiefdoms’ that sold them into captivity, returning to the infamous slave forts of West Africa to win 2 Victoria Cross medals, in a ‘Action Adventure’ of imperial conquest.
For further details of the programme do please have a look at our website: www.sweetpatootee.co.uk
We are keen to build on our progress in reaching schools and adult audiences in the USA, Canada, and across the Caribbean. If there is anything further you require, please don’t hesitate to be in touch.
Yours sincerely
Tony T
Rebecca Goldstone
Sweet Patootee Ltd
T/F: (+44) 207 686 5101
W: www.sweetpatootee.co.uk