Malorie Blackman calls for year-round black history in schools

One of Britain’s most successful children’s authors says schools should teach black history all year round.

Malorie Blackman said history classes should tell “the whole truth” about the British Empire, such as Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.

Schools in England are not currently required to teach black history.

Including it in the curriculum would help those who speak out against racism be accused of “race hate speech,” the former Children’s Prize winner said.

“Some people don’t want to study anything that makes them uncomfortable,” Blackman told BBC News.

But history shouldn’t be about “picking the best bits” and she looked forward to Black History Month – October in the UK – becoming redundant because the subject was taught all year round.

“If you talk about the history of Britain, then that history includes black people and black people,” Blackman said.

“My [ancestors’] History did not begin with slavery. Black people have been in this country since Roman times, if not earlier.”

The curriculum in Wales was changed this year to accommodate the diverse experiences of people from minority ethnic groups.

And if other parts of the UK followed suit, Blackman suggested, it would help fight racism.

“Hopefully we can get over this nonsense of people saying you should go back to where you came from and stuff like that, which I still understand when I bring up that topic,” she said.

“Let’s talk about the whole story, take it warts and all, so we can learn from it.”

The Department of Education did not respond to Blackman’s comments.

But it says the current curriculum in England gives teachers the freedom and flexibility to include black voices and experiences.

The Scottish Government says its curriculum offers opportunities to teach black history throughout the year if teachers so choose.

Best known for the youth series Noughts and Crosses, which was recently adapted into a BBC drama, Blackman’s work over the past 30 years has played a significant role in diversifying children’s literature dealing with issues of race and identity.

Her new memoir was published through rapper Stormzy’s Merky Books brand, which was created to increase representation in literature.

There has been progress, Blackman said, but there is still room for improvement.

“We still need more books from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveler communities, working-class authors and books by and about neurodivergent children,” she said.