Black History Month & The Usual Suspects

Recalling her own experience as the only black kid in her Newport classroom in the eighties Josie d'Arby looks at the introduction of Black History Month into British schools and asks whether it has been a help or hindrance to the way children understand the past and to how black people relate to the way history is taught in our classrooms. Has the focus of BHM changed much over 23 years? Why is there an emphasis on American figures like Martin Luther King and Muhammed Ali? And what about other groups who feel marginalised by not having time dedicated to them? Speaking with teachers, pupils, parents, politicians and academics, Josie finds out what Black History Month means and meets some unlikely critics and supporters. Producer Rachael Kiddey.