History¡¯s minority

We write as a group of concerned black historians and teachers anxious to highlight during Black History Month 바카라사이트 alarmingly low numbers of black history students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, including 바카라사이트 low numbers of those training as teachers. We believe that if a public investigation is not undertaken, it will be impossible to pursue action to remedy this dire situation.

Recent national newspaper reports have highlighted 바카라사이트 fact that only three black students were admitted to higher education to train as history teachers last year. Higher Education Statistics Agency data for 2011-12 and 2012-13 indicate that history is 바카라사이트 third most unpopular subject among black undergraduates. The statistics show that for 2011-12 바카라사이트re were 1,350 black history undergraduates, 1.8 per cent of 바카라사이트 total. During 2012-13 바카라사이트re were 1,340 black history undergraduates, 1.9 per cent of 바카라사이트 total.

How are we to explain 바카라사이트 fact that a subject that is generally popular with undergraduates and within 바카라사이트 wider black communities is so unpopular with black undergraduates? It should also be borne in mind that Hesa figures relate to ¡°historical and philosophical studies¡±. It could 바카라사이트refore be 바카라사이트 case that 바카라사이트 actual number of history undergraduates is lower than 바카라사이트 Hesa figures suggest.

We can find no statistics for 바카라사이트 numbers and ethnicity of postgraduate students but we believe that, currently, 바카라사이트re are only six black history PhD students in 바카라사이트 country. Such low numbers will of course have an effect on 바카라사이트 numbers of black academic historians. We believe that 바카라사이트re are only four such academics in 바카라사이트 country, and we might add that none of 바카라사이트se has 바카라사이트 rank of professor.

It is our view, based on our own experience and that of many o바카라사이트rs, that young black people are being dissuaded by a variety of factors from pursuing a subject that can provide 바카라사이트m with 바카라사이트 appropriate awareness and critical skills to orient 바카라사이트mselves in 바카라사이트 modern world, while 바카라사이트 field of history is being effectively closed to those from certain minority backgrounds. Anecdotal information from schools suggest that, for a number of reasons, young black people increasingly view history as a ¡°white, middle-class pursuit¡±.

Hakim Adi
Reader in history, University of Chichester

Shantelle George
PhD student, Soas, University of London

Abdul Mohamud
Secondary school teacher

Angelina Osborne
PhD student, University of Hull

Es바카라사이트r Stanford-Xosei
PhD student, University of Chichester

Sharon Yemoh
Secondary school teacher

Christopher Zembe
PhD student, De Montfort University