From Patrice Etienne.
I teach African History on a well-known African centred Rights Of Passage course.
I first came in to contact with this fantastic A-Level History resource through Toby Green, whilst co-writing Parallel Perspectives: Curation in a transnational context. This project involved academics and other writers working with curators of three exhibitions taking place in London.
I was blown away once I read this resource; it tackles a history often neglected by British History examination boards and is one of it’s kind.
This resource set out a history that showcases more of a perspective, than the narratives of slavery and oppression. This resource is unique and platforms strong narratives on African Kingdoms and their importance – and in many cases how they influenced the West.
I have been looking for more resources that help explain more aspects of African life to my young people and this seems like the perfect tool to help achieve this. It is easy to read and completely accessible; and knowing Toby co-created this means that the fact checking has been carried out to the highest level.
This is a project that I wholeheartedly support and one that I will be using with my young people as they get to know more about African culture and history.
All the best,
From Paul Reid, Formerly Director of the Black Cultural Archives.
The new OCR African Kingdoms option is a huge step forward for the A level syllabus.
Much has been said about the history of Africa and the perspective from which history is taught. This concern revolves around the schism between ‘authority’ and ‘authentic voice’, leading to academia having been criticised for misrepresentation and ethnocentrism.
African Kingdoms seeks to place the achievements of African people and the impact of Africa on the world at centre stage.
It offers a genuine chance for a new academic engagement with History for groups who have struggled to identify with the syllabus, and also offers all communities the chance for a better knowledge and deeper engagement with African cultures and histories.
I really hope this option will get as wide a take-up as possible, and urge teachers to consider taking the bold step of teaching this inspiring option.