BLACK HISTORY ISSUE 1 Letter from the Editors

HISTORIA The Hatcham History Magazine

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 changes 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...

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 determined 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 determination 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. During the ‘Black is Beautiful’ era of the 1960’s, the Afro hairstyle was popularised and became the hairstyle of choice for many. In the USA, a young generation of African-Americans used their Afros to re- ject the North-American traditional beauty standards. Afro picks and combs were favoured over hair strengtheners and chemical processors and ‘Blow Out’ products were released to aid with the formation of Afros. Over time, the popularity of the Afro died out. It became known as a hold-over style, worn by people that were trying to hold on to a period of time that had come, passed, made its mark and moved on. Today, the Afro is worn by some people. However, it is no longer used to make a political statement, but rather a fashion statement that is usually worn big and bushy or short and neatly groomed.

1980’s: The Jheri Curl During the 1980’s, chemical processing of hair regained popularity amongst black people. The Jheri Curl emerged. The Jheri Curl is a two part chemical process in which naturally textured African hair is transformed in to wet look hair with looser, more visible curls. The first part of the Jheri Curl process is using a chemical based relaxer product to straighten the hair. In the second part of the process, perm rods are sat in the hair and the hair is shaped to the pattern of the rods by a re-bonding liquid. Michael Jackson famously sported the Jheri Curls in the videos for his songs Thriller and Bad. Jheri Curls became popularised because people were searching for versatility in hair styling. However, the style eventually decreased in popularity due to issues (such as stained clothes) being caused by the heavy amount of product needed to maintain the wet-look. The style was also time consuming and required ample patience.

1980’s and 1990’s: Dreadlocks, Braids and Cornrows During the late 1980’s and in the 1990’s, it became fashionable for black people to wear their hair in Dreadlocks, Braids and Cornrow hair styles. As the Jheri Curl faded off the scene, women were searching for a more ‘natural’ way to style their hair. The desire to wear one’s hair in these traditional West-African styles stemmed from a concept known as Afrocentrism. Afrocentrism encour- ages black people to acknowledge where their ancestors came from and display pride in African culture. Beauty shops specialising in these traditional West-African hair styles began springing up in numerous places in the USA and UK. These shops were staffed with skilled braiders, some of these skilled staff members came straight from Africa. As demand for the hair styles increased, so did demand for the skilled staff in the hair shops. Products were developed in order to help nourish the scalp and clean hair gently without disturbing the corn rows or braids.

2000’s and 2010’s: Weaves, wigs, and everything but the kitchen sink In past decades, people in general have felt pressure to conform to certain trends, the rises and falls in popularity of the Conk, the Afro, Jheri Curls and traditional West-African hairstyles are all great proof of this. While there are still trends, that many people will adhere to, there are also blatant differences in the ways in which people choose to style themselves. It is particularly interesting to notice that today many people have begun recycling styles from past decades, so it’s not a complete surprise to see people sporting Jheri Curls in 2015. However, the development of more modern styles is also quite apparent. So how does one classify the way in which members of the black community style their hair these days? What is the most popular hairstyle amongst black men and women?

Well, in my opinion, there is no longer a partic- ular way in which members of the black community style their hair at this moment in time. We all style our hair in different ways. Wigs, weave and braids are popular- but in 2015, what is really classified as trendy is being yourself. Whoever you are, you should choose a hairstyle for you and embrace your individuality!

Simi Ade-Ojo 10HXY

EvErything’s good now right?

From the plantation fields to the churches of Charleston, black people and white people have campaigned for equal rights. However, in the 21st Century, do black people have the right not to be killed by white police men? Do Black people have the right not to be strangled, shot, hit and arrested for things they didn’t do? Black Americans arrested by the police are twice as likely to be unarmed as to white people; black people who are arrested by American police are therefore half as dangerous. Black people are 29.7 times more likely to be stopped and searched by a po- liceman. It seems to be every other month we hear filtering through the propaganda machines of a western ‘Democracy’, that there was another murder, and Obama stands up and says some placating words, and congress blocks change and more black people are murdered. This is a problem of guns, but also of an institutionally racist system.

In the U.K, however, the unemployment rate is 11.3% for ethnic minorities, but for white people it is 5.5%, When the top civil service, the establishment, the people who choose the laws and implement them, are predominantly white and male, the figures are no surprise. Look at the MPs, the House of Lords where the control of our country lies. Their class is middling to upper, and their race is white. Whilst the establishment tells you otherwise, the struggle lives on. Black culture and fight isn't history, and that’s why images like the one here, are still are so powerful.

Vinay Ostrolenk 12HYG

Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba

Queen of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdom of the Mbandu people in Angola, Nzinga was a successful ruler and warrior, often personally leading her soldiers into battle.

She was named Nzinga as she was born with her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck, which was seen as a sign that she would be a proud and haughty woman.

Her reign began when she assisted her brother in retrieving his land from the Portuguese by starting a peace treaty. Due to this, she converted to Christianity to strengthen it. Howev- er the peace treaty was never honored, leading to her brother’s suicide. After which, she assumed the role of Queen, and went on to form a peace treaty with Dutch, which later helped when sending troops to battle the Portuguese. Harriet Tubman Born as Araminta Rose , she changed her name to Harriet Tub- man after marrying John Tubman. She was originally an enslaved woman from the south of America, and was often whipped and beaten; and after being hit with an iron rod which caused her to suffer from narcolepsy for the rest of her life, she decided to es- cape with her two brothers using hidden roads known as the Un- derground Railroad. However, they returned and later she es- caped a second time alone, heading for safer lanes in the north.

Due to her cunning and knowledge of the land, she then eventually led thirteen rescue missions where she freed around 1000 other enslaved people; which she mentions in one of her most popular quotes: “I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.”

Tubman was greatly respected throughout her life time for her work as a cook, nurse, and armed spy in the American Civil War, as well as assisting with the suffragette movement; she was also given the nickname Moses due to her great rescue missions and the fact that throughout her entire time secretly rescuing men, women and children under the cover of the night, she never lost a life.

Patricia Bath Patricia Bath came from a less than affluent background, born and raised in Harlem, New York; and due to her mother buying her a chemistry set at a young age; she dedicated herself to her studies, which led her to becoming one of a few students that attended a cancer research workshop, sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Dr. Robert Bernard who headed the program was greatly impressed by her findings, to the point where he included her findings in a scientific paper he presented at a conference. Patricia Bath was 16 years old at the time.

After independent study, Bath graduated from high school in only two years, and went on to receive her Bachelor’s degree. Throughout her life, she became the first African-American woman to complete an ophthalmology residency, receive a patent for medical purposes and Bath became the first woman in the nation to chair her own program. Amongst her big- gest achievements she invented the Laserphaco Probe, which harnessed laser technology to cure eye problems.

Drew Chateau 12HYB Top 10 Movies To Watch

2. 12 Years A Slave made its 1. If you haven’t watched Roots, name in 2013 with its astound- where have you been? This heart ing and refreshing look on slav- -wrenching and thought- ery. This film shows how black provoking film follows the life of slaves were cruelly treated by Kunta Kinte who is taken to their white masters, a worthy America , enslaved. Based on the movie to spend some time on. book, Roots: The Saga of an Afri- Warning: An emotional roller- can Family, by Alex Haley . coaster, best to have the boxes of tissues handy.

3. Selma tells the true story of 4. Not many movies are made Martin Luther King and how he about this iconic activist but led a dangerous campaign for this film portrays him with such equal voting rights for black peo- emotion and power that not ple in America. This film is rich in watching it, may just be a crimi- history and is full of surprises nal offence. ‘Malcolm X’ is and suspense, Selma is a movie about… well, Malcolm X. His that needs to be watched and search and journey in raising soon. the issues African Americans were facing.

6. The Butler is loosely based 5. A story of a 6-year old black on the true story of Eugene girl sent to an all-white school in Allen. It tells the story of a New Orleans. This movie shows butler who has served for the struggles of black children in more than three decades at a segregated society and how the White House, and has many tried to overcome it all. witnessed first hand notable Ruby Bridges brings the perspec- political and social events of tive of a black child which is the 20th century. If this mov- mostly never explored in film. ie doesn’t end up on your watch list, what will?

8. This movie shows the 7. Another film about black serv- life of black people in the ants, is ‘the Help’. This focuses hospital and how one black on black maids and their day-to- man helped discover a day lives while serving white world changing treatment families. It also takes place in the and how he overcame rac- significant Civil Rights era of ism and poverty to become 1963. The Help has very loud, a cardiac surgery pioneer. broad characters who stitch the A bittersweet story that film in a perfect fabric of story- needs to be watched. telling. 9. The Colour Purple fo- 10. Hotel Rwanda deals with cuses on the problems the genocide that occurred in faced by black women in Rwanda, a very devastating America during the early part of Rwanda's’ history. It 1900s, including racism, also shows the compassion- poverty, sexism and low ate nature of Paul Rusesa- self-esteem. Watch how bagina who cared for refu- Celie transforms from a gees in his hotel and protect- timid, abused girl to a ed them. A heart-felt story strong, assertive woman that embodies the best of in this epic movie. human nature.

Movie review—Dear White People

The title intrigued me. When I went to watch it I thought this should be good. And it was...to an extent. It's not perfect but I felt that it was a waste of an opportunity. The makers had the opportunity to make this a hard hitting, really satirical movie, but blew it. There was so much more they could've said, more ground they could've touch upon! That really irked me! I felt as if they could've refined the satire, made it more clever, not blunt. If we were to compare the world to the world of Choc- olate, this movie was a Best Buy Milk Chocolate Bar, not as suave as it's Lindt 90% Cocoa counterpart. However, my opinion isn't all doom and gloom. I liked how they portrayed all people, regardless of colour, to still be obsessed with race. This fact rings true for society as it is now. No matter how much we try to deny it. Omodolapo

Book review—Americanah

It’s an interesting story of a Nigerian girl who's dream is to live in America, yet when she arrives it isn't what she expected and it takes her a long time to fit in and create a life there. It’s really enjoyable to read as it follows the girls life throughout all it’s normal and abnormal moments. When she arrives back in Nigeria after living in Ameri- ca, she is nicknamed Americanah because of her new American traits and saying she's developed while there. The book makes a strong point about how it can be difficult to fit in and also shows how it can be hard to be stuck between two very different societies. Eilish Newmark 12HXG Top 10 books to read

10. The Colour Purple by Alice Walker - This classic, PULITZER Prize-winning novel follows Celie, a poor, uneducated, fourteen-year-old black girl living in rural Georgia, who starts writing letters to God after years of abuse from her father.

9. Strange fruit by Abel Meeropol (sang by Billie Holiday) - Is a poem written by teacher Abel Meeropol which exposed American racism, particularly the lynching of African Americans. The poem was later adapted into a song famously sung by Billie Holiday, who first recorded it in 1939.

8. Never far from nowhere by Andrea Levy - Is the story of two sisters, Olive and Vivien, born in London to Jamaican parents and brought up on a council estate. They go to the same grammar school, but while Vivien's life becomes a chaotic mix of friendships, youth clubs, skinhead violence, A-levels, dis- cos and college, Olive, three years older and a skin shade darker, has a very different tale to tell...

7. The Darkest child by Delores Phillips - Rozelle favors her light-skinned kids, but Tangy Mae, 13, her darkest-complected child, is the brightest. She desperately wants to continue with her education. Her mother, however, has other plans.

6. Crumbs from the table of joy by Lyn Nottage - Crumbs is a memory play told through Ernestine, a seventeen year old, African American young woman whose family is dealing with their own realities of change.

5. Long walk to freedom by Nelson Mandela - The riveting memoirs of the outstanding moral and political leader of our time ‘A long walk to freedom’ brilliantly re-creates the drama of the experiences that helped shape Nelson Mandela's destiny.

4. Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley - This novel tells the story of Kunta Kinte, an 18th-century African, captured as an adolescent and sold into slavery in the United States, and follows his life and the lives of his descendants in the U.S. down to Haley.

3. So long a letter by Mariama Bâ - It is a semi-autobiographical epistolary novel originally written in French. Its theme is the condition of women in Western African society dealing with a polygamous marriage.

2. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - It tells the story of a young Nigerian woman who emigrates to the United States for a university education and stays for work.

1. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe - The novel follows the life of Okonkwo, an Igbo ("Ibo" in the novel) leader and local wrestling champion in the fictional Nigerian village of Umuofia.

Aries (March 21-April 20) Libra (September 23-October 23) You may go through a lot of trials and tribulations, Your ability to look at the good and bad sides of a but remember that like the phoenix which shares situation are essential for whatever you put your your element, you will rise. So smile! The future is mind to, make sure you don’t lose it. certainly free of emotional cages. Famous Libra: James Bevel (19th October 1854) Famous Aries: Maya Angelou (4th April 1928) Scorpio (October 24-November 21) Taurus (April 20-May 20) Your determination and wonder is very inspirational You are determined in whatever you do, your life is and everyone around you can feel your positive en- like a map with an X being where you want to be, ergy, never lose it or things may fall apart but make sure to consider other people’s feeling Famous Scorpio: Chinua Achebe (16th November when making your mark. 1930) Famous Taurus: Malcolm X (19th May 1925) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Gemini (May 21-June 20) Nothing can seem to stop you from achieving your You are totally independent in all the things you do, hopes ad dreams, which is a good thing, so make but sometimes it is great to ask for help, you never sure it is historical! know what a helping hand can do. Famous Sagittarius: Carter Godwin Woodson(19th Famous Gemini: Octavia Spencer(25th May 1970) December 1875) Cancer (June 21-July 22) Big things are ahead in your future as long as you Capricorn (December 22-January 19) stick to the right path - sure there will be people Dreams are for the curious, and you try and make who disagree with your ways but as long as your all your dreams a reality, true you will face difficul- ways are right and true, who cares what they ties, but keep this in mind, having people you love think.? Famous Cancer: Nelson Mandela (4th July around can make it just a bit better 1858) Famous Capricorn: Martin Luther King Jr (15th Jan- Leo (July 23-August 22) uary 1929) You are generally the first to do things and when you do things, begin to change. Aquarius (January 20-February 18) Famous Leo: Barack Obama (4th August 1946) Everyone knows you are no push-over, no matter Virgo (August 23-September 22) what the case you believe in what’s right and that You believe in the unity of the people around you suits you just fine and you strive to make everyone you know happy, Famous Aquarius: Rosa Parks (4th February 1913) in return reward and bliss will come to you

Famous Virgo: Kwame Nkrumah (18th September 1909) Pisces (February 19-March 20) Hope keeps you going and with that type of motiva- tion, nothing can go wrong with your life. Famous Pisces: John Lewis ( 21st February 1940) The Interview

We interviewed Dr. Darko Opoku, who is a professor in Africana studies and at the moment, teaching African Politics at Oberlin College in Ohio, USA. The college itself has some history noteworthy during Black history month as they were the first university in America to adopt a policy to admit African American students.

Why do you teach African Politics?

This is a loaded question, but I will attempt to answer in a very direct and simple way. Of all the world’s con- tinents Africa is arguably the least understood, or perhaps more accurately, it is the most stereotyped. African scholars like myself have a voice in how Africa is understood and represented. Teaching offers Afri- cans, myself included, an avenue to challenge stereo- types about Africa. The study of Africa is also of interest to other Americans not just as an important body of knowledge but also as a way to understand the role of Africans in America from its embryonic stages when Africans were brought to the Unit- ed States as slaves to the present, including the rise of Barack Obama as president. Indeed, my sense is that the courses I teach generate curiosity and interest about Africa, thus helping crystallize students’ desire to study in Africa. It is worth noting that for many, perhaps most of my students, I am usually the first African to teach them. It is therefore, for better or for worse, quite an experience for them. Given that a core part of my task is to generate student enthusiasm about Africa and its peoples, my responsibilities go way beyond simply teaching courses. In a sense, then, I serve as an ambassador for the continent. Of course, this is not the job of a scholar, but in the case of Africa, it has become so by default.

As a Professor of African-American studies, How would you define Black history month?

Black history month is a month-long event devoted to learning, honouring and celebrating the experiences of people of African descent, particularly in the diaspora. It involves the celebration of the achievements as well as the struggles of Black people. February has been set aside as Black His- tory Month. (In the U.S.A) In 1987 Black History Month was first celebrated in the United Kingdom and has since become an annual event in there. It expanded to Canada in 1995, when Canada’s parliament, at the urging of Jean Augustine, a Black parliamentarian, officially adopted Black History Month. (I met Jean Au- gustine in Toronto in the 1990s).

Why do you think Black History is important? Black History is very, very important. In fact, its importance cannot be overemphasized. In 1915, following the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Emancipation in Chicago, Illinois, Carter G. Woodson, at the time one of only two Black PhD holders in the United States (the other was W.E.B Du Bois), along with others, decided that an organization dedicated to the scientific study of Black life and history was long overdue. This was a response to longstanding belief that Africans and people of African descent had contributed nothing to human history and that they represented a threat to American civilization. Dr Woodson and other Black activists formed the Association for the study of Negro Life and History (renamed the Association for the Study of African American Life and History in 1973), which began publishing the Journal of Negro History in 1916 to counter this false, but pervasive narrative.

How do you think recognising it has changed society?

Black History is now widely recognized and included in curricula from grade schools to universities. Most colleges and universities in the United States have African American Studies depart- ments. Thus, the study of Blacks has moved from the confines of Historically Black Colleges and Universities to, for lack of a better term, “the mainstream”. Exposure to the story of Black people has helped in challenging, countering and changing previously widely held beliefs and specious ar- guments about Blacks. Their contributions have shaped the United States in very important ways, and the strength of the evidence is such that it is no longer possible to pigeonhole Blacks as nothing other than slaves. A century or even a half-century ago few would have predicted that an Afri- can American would be celebrated as a national hero. And yet January 15, the birthday of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., is celebrated as a national holiday. The significance of this change can be appreci- ated if one takes into account the fact that Dr King was loathed by many of his white contemporar- ies. In other words, he has been transformed from a hated villain to an American hero, respected by many Americans. The ideas that he espoused, deemed so threatening and unacceptable by so many, now seem reasonable and even necessary by most Americans. Black history, to the extent that it provided the knowledge and understanding that changed attitudes must be credited with important changes in society.

Thank you very much to Dr. Darko Opoku for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer a few of our questions. This is definitely one of the most interesting interviews I've read! (For the full interview please see one of our editors.)

Historia The Hatcham History Magazine Winter 2015