BLACK HISTORY ISSUE 1 Letter from the Editors

HISTORIA The Hatcham History Magazine BLACK HISTORY ISSUE 1 Letter from the Editors Welcome to the reinvented History magazine, HISTORIA. Dear readers, We’re the new editors of the improved History Magazine, we have even given it a new name, (drum roll) Historia! The name is based off the origins of the word ‘history’. In this edition we deal with the significant theme of Black History, from the founder of Black History Month to relevant literature and films. Thanks to everyone who has been involved in this edition of the magazine for helping us fill it with amazing articles and new ideas. We hope you like the chang- es we’ve made and if anyone would like to be involved in future editions or suggest themes please get in touch with Miss Myerscough. In the words of Nelson Man- dela, “It seems impossible until its done.” We’ve been working very hard and we’re glad you finally have the chance to read it! Kara, Kwabena and Ruth. Contents Letter from the editors What is Black History ? Carter Godwin Woodson : The father of change Chinua Achebe : Patriarch of the African novel Black Hair Story Everything’s good now right? Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba Top Ten Horoscopes The Interview What is black history? It is the dirt road our ancestors walked, Visions of their lives remain in our hearts. It is a word, a “feeling” and a time. Black history is celebrating the lives we had “made” for us... Na It is the music our family listens to. The dances our friends do. It is embracing, a “culture” and diversity. Black history is celebrating the lives we have now. Munisha Kobia 10HXY. Woodson: The Father of Change Carter Godwin Woodson, better known as the Father of Black His- tory Month was and still is a very inspirational character in the lives of many people around the world. Born to a low-class family on December 19, 1875 in New Canton, Virginia, Woodson was de- termined to help his family through thick and thin, even working as both a sharecropper and a miner to help provide for the people in his household. Once in education, Woodson proved to be a remarkable student in the eyes of both his teachers and peers, even going on to complete a four-year course of study in less than two years! Did you know that Woodson earned his Master's and Bachelor's at the Uni- versity of Chicago and even went on to receive a doctorate from the Woodson in his well-acclaimed and prestigious Harvard University? This made early years him the second African-American to receive a doctorate from the esteemed institution. Woodson accomplished a variety of things during his life, one being writing one of his well- known books, 'Mis-Education of The Negro', which focused on the Western indoctrination and also the empowerment of African-Americans which can still be relatable to other black communi- ties outside the USA. Woodson's most memorable achievement has to be on February of 1926 when he created the Ne- gro History Week which later expanded to become Black History Month, he created this to help educate people of African-American history and black history as a whole. Woodson showed deter- mination and perseverance in every single thing he did throughout his life from a child right up to when he died, and for that he will always be remembered for his extraordinary vision and his legacy will continue to live on in the remarkable form of Black History Month. Kwabena Gyane 12HXG Chinua Achebe: Patriarch of the African novel Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian novelist widely known for his novel, ‘Things Fall Apart.” This is one of the most famous African novelists to date. He is referred to as the "Patriarch of the African novel." His first novel, "Things Fall Apart" follows the life of an Igbo named Okonkwo, a leader in his Village Umuofia. The novel goes on to describe the arrival of the Christian Missionaries and British colonialism. This novel is so important because it was the first novel about British colonialism to come from a Nigerian point of view and therefore began a change in the way the western world viewed Africa in the early 20th century. The novel was a success much to the surprise of the publishers who didn't print a lot to begin with but fast became one of the most popular books on its subject. Chinua Achebe went on to write four novels to complete the history of Africa. Achebe commented that he felt obligated to write these books to give 'Africa their history'. He was a firm believer in Africa and its potential to progress and develop into something greater than what it was perceived to be. For two decades, Achebe refrained from writing during the Nigerian Civil war. He couldn't understand why the people of Nigerian had become so ignorant towards the atrocities that were being committed. He wrote a poem, ‘Refugee Mother and Child’, which gained international awareness as the majority of people dying, were civilians due to lack of food and good health care. This led to the establishment in 1971 Doctors without borders to help war torn areas still receive adequate health care. Achebe gave a lecture in 1975 which was soon published and entitled, 'An image of Africa', with criticism of 'Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad in which he infamously addressed him as 'a bloody racist'. He commented on the savagery of the people Conrad described and remarked at the callous approach he seemed to take to writing about the African people he encountered., “...He has an admiration of the white skin. It is the whiteness that he likes, and he is obsessed with the physi- cality of the Negro." Achebe is recognised at Black history month and I think in any month because he represents what any great person does when they see a need to help make a change. “One of the truest tests of in- tegrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.” He saw the importance of giving the rest of the world an opportunity to understand Africa specifically, Nigeria and what colonisation did to their people. This lesson is explained through the small village setting but is understood on a wider scale because that scenario was played out in various different tribes and villages across Africa. He was also intent on giving the world a glimpse into Africa from an African perspective - something very special; as stories about Africa were written by travellers to African tribes and villages. Following the success of Chinua Achebe, many other African authors have been given a voice. Just a few to name are, Wole Soyinka and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. They have been able to write about what they consider as their truth- something Achebe en- couraged greatly, “People create stories create people; or rather stories create people create stories.” Chinua Achebe sadly died in March 2013 at the age of 82 but his legacy lives on through his literature. The words he wrote continue to inspire and motivate people all across the world. Kara Abraham 12HXG and Ruth Acquah 12HXG Black Hair Story The evolution of Modern Black Hair Fashions During black history month, we often focus too much on the dark side of black history. We focus on areas such as the slave trade and the poor treatment of African-Americans before the civil rights movement. While it is important that we do not forget the dark side of black history, it is also equally as important that we remember the other side of black history. It is important that we are able to celebrate black history and appreciate black culture. An area of black culture that is particularly significant today and has been in the past is black hair. Black hair is a topic of discussion that fascinates almost everyone. There is so much to say about the history and evolution of black hair styling. As time goes on, the styles that are ‘trendy’ in every area of fashion change and develop. Black hair styles are no exception. From the infamous beehive in the 1960’s to the weaves that are popular with many black people today, black hair history is an extremely in- triguing section of black history. Let’s take a look back at the ‘Black Hair Story’. 1920 – 1960: The Conk The ‘Conk’ was popular amongst black males, particularly in the USA, between 1920 and 1960. The name ‘Conk’ is derived from congolene, a substance made from potato-starch, egg protein and corrosive lye. It had to be applied using protective gloves and washed out quickly. The substance was used by black males to straighten their naturally curly hair. This meant that the hair could easily be styled in various different ways, for example the style that became known as the piled pompadour. From the 1920’s-1960’s nearly every black-owned barber shop that operated in the USA had at least one barber who specialised in conking hair. Musicians such as Chuck Berry, Lit- tle Richard and James Brown as well as members of The Temptations and The Miracles all sported the ‘Conk’. 1965-1975: The Afro and ‘Black Power’ When the ‘Afro’ increased in popularity, in the mid 1960’s, during the ‘Black Power’ movement, the ‘Conk’ decreased in popularity. It was during the 1960’s that being black became something that people were proud of. Prior to the 1960’s, being called a black person had negative connotations.

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