Tag Archive: black history writing competition

0 Comments

Was Britain Ever Really a White Country?

War, empire, and nationhood have typically defined British history, with whiteness serving as a constant underlying motif. As a result, Black history has often been written out of this mainstream narrative. In this illuminating article, Sinead Bedward explores the deep-rooted presence of Black people in Britain, from ancient times to the Tudor period. By foregrounding their success and influence, the article challenges the misconception that Black history is separate from British history, instead exemplifying how Black individuals have shaped Britain for centuries.
AUTHOR SINEAD BEDWARD

0 Comments

The Stories Behind Brit Bennett’s ‘The Vanishing Half’: Racial Passing in Twentieth Century USA

Brit Bennett’s novel ‘The Vanishing Half’ depicts the lives of two sisters, Stella and Desiree, within twentieth century USA. The trajectories that the twins take within the book reflect the complexities of racial identity and understanding at the time, especially surrounding racial passing. In this article, Eloise Gibson illuminates the histories of individuals such as Walter White to see the novel’s ability to represent the real people who experienced racial passing first-hand.
AUTHOR ELOISE GIBSON

1 Comment

Titanic’s Only Black Passenger: The Story of Joseph Laroche

Although the Titanic is arguably the most famous ship in history, many of the horrific memories of its more ordinary passengers have been forgotten. This article spotlights the life of Joseph Laroche and his family, passengers aboard the Titanic, devastated by the tragedy. Helena Hunter successfully widens the narrative of the Titanic disaster by shedding light on the story of the only Black man amongst the ship’s passengers.
AUTHOR: HELENA HUNTER