Black History Month

The Monthly
Feb 28, 2021
7 min read

Join The Monthly as they spotlight infamous Black pioneers, in honor of Black History Month.

Mr and Mrs Loving

On 12th June 1967, Mr and Mrs Loving won the famous Loving v. Virginia case where the Supreme Court overturned long-standing miscegenation laws in the state of Virginia. However, before this momentous occasion the couple had to endure years of discrimination and a world that didn’t support them or their relationship. In 1958, Mildred Jeter married Richard Loving, in America’s capital Washington D.C. unaware that their love would cost them so much. When they returned home to Virginia, their interracial marriage was deemed illegal under the miscegination laws. The newlywed were told that they had to leave the state for 25 years, so they packed up and moved to Washington.

On a visit home from Washington, Mr and Mrs Loving were both arrested for travelling together. In light of the 1964 civil rights laws, the Lovings hired a lawyer and in April 1967 they took their case to the Supreme Court which ruled in their favour. The Lovings made history inspiring interracial couples all over the word. The fact that their love was deemed illegal on the basis of racist laws is frankly absurd. Diversity within the black community is what makes it so special. So, this month we should remember Mr and Mrs loving for all that they’ve done.

Charlotte Rodney 12F

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, was the first black president of South Africa, who fought for equality in South Africa even in the face of adversity. Mandela was born in 1918 in a small village in South Africa whilst it was still a British colony. Mandela started to get his BA at the University College of Fort Hare but was subsequently expelled for joining a student protest. He completed his BA through the University of South Africa. In 1944 Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC) which was the oldest black political organization in South Africa. In 1948, the time known as Apartheid began, which reffered to South Africa’s strict institusionalised system of racial segreagation due to the white-ruled South African Nationalist party.

In 1952, Mandela was made the deputy national president of the ANC, which was focusing on resisting the ruling nationalist party through peaceful protest. The aim of the ANC was to maintain complete non-violent during their protests however, in 1960, after a massacre of black South African protesters in Sharpville, a state of emergency was declared and the ANC was banned. Therefore Mandela started organising a paramilitary branch of the ANC known as the Umkhonto we Sizwe to fight the government through guerrilla warfare. At the beginning of 1962, Mandela secretly left South Africa and travelled across Africa and England, gaining support from as many foreign countries as possible. He was arrested for illegally leaving the country and inciting a workers strike. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison but was put on trial again in 1964 for sabotage, where he (alongside other ANC leaders) were sentenced to life in prison. Mandela endured 27 years of abuse and mistreatment within prison yet his resolve never faltered. In 1989, nine days after the unbanning of the ANC, F.W de Klerk, the current South African president at the time, ordered the release of Nelson Mandela, who immediately became involved in the ANC again. Official talks began to end Apartheid and in 1991, Mandela became the ANC president. In 1993, he won the Nobel Peace Prize and in 1994, he was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically elected president

Throughout his life, Nelson Mandela saw the injustice in the world and fought to change it. He knew that one person could be a catalyst for change and was not afraid to be that catalyst. He started off being discriminated against, abused and hurt, and went on to lead a country, change lives and create a legacy that will last forever. No matter the adversity he faced, he never gave up. He endured 27 years in prison and still kept his head held high and advocated for change. He was dedicated to his cause, remaining brave, resilient and confident through all of life's challenges. Nelson Mandela led South Africa into a new era, working to end the legacy of apartheid, and create a new, equal future.

Dia Nanda 10F

Jack Roosevelt Robinson

Defeating the norms of society, Jack Roosevelt Robinson became the first black athlete to play Major League Baseball in the 20th century.

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on the 31st of January 1919 and was raised in relative poverty by a single mother. Robinson showed excellent athletic talent early in his life as he was named the region’s most valuable player in baseball whilst attending a school in California. Inspired by his older brother, Robinson pursued his love of athletics and excelled in his university’s sport activities where he earned varsity letters in four sports. Unfortunately, due to financial hardships, Robinson left the university and moved to Hawaii where he played football for a semi – professional team.

Again, he was unable to continue as his season was cut short when the United States entered WW2. He served in the US Army for two years after which he was arrested for refusing to give up his seat in a segregated bus. Nevertheless, his excellent reputation combined with his friends’ efforts shed public light towards the injustice and he was discharged honourably.

After his discharge from the Army, Robinson continued to excel as he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, marking an unprecedented historical achievement. As a baseball player he proved himself to be one of the most talented despite the racial insults and discourages he faced.

Throughout his career he accomplished many achievements which include being named the leagues ‘Most Valuable Player’ in 1949. Also, he lead the Dodgers to six league championships - in 10 seasons - in addition to one World Series victory.

For all his achievements he was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. Robinson should be remembered for his exceptional athletic talent and should be appreciated for his determination to endure the hardships of racism but never fail to excel. He represented the black community and held a torch of hope for all the black people as he opened the door for them to join major leagues of sport. For his exceptional talents and impact on society, sport fans should celebrate and never forget Jackie Robinson.

Ahmed Mansoor 12F

Oliver Tambo

‘The fight for freedom must go on until it is won’ - Oliver Tambo

Oliver Tambo was one of the most efficacious anti-apartheid leaders who was highly significant in South Africa’s excruciating journey towards a country free of discrimination; towards a country abolished of apartheid; a country free from the gruelling rule of white supremacy. He is significantly remembered as the President of the African National Congress (ANC). The ANC was an anti-apartheid organization that constantly took persuasive actions towards a South Africa free of racial segregation.

One of Tambo’s significant contributions was the international impact he had, apart from the internal impact he had on South Africa. He addressed the UN and multiple international gatherings and organisations, which enabled him to address the apartheid struggles globally. He frequently met with internationally influential figures to address the torturous racially segregating system. Furthermore, this gave ANC the prestige and eminence they needed. His internal impact includes the numerous rallies, marches, protests and campaigns he organized as the President of the ANC.

Moreover, Oliver Tambo was the ‘Nelson Mandela’ of South Africa whilst Mr Mandela was in prison in Robben Island. Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo also established a law firm run by black South-Africans, named ‘Attorney Firm’. However, this law firm was abolished due to Nelson Mandela being convicted of treason and Oliver Tambo fleeing the country.

Oliver Tambo is fondly remembered worldwide for his notable actions taken towards the abolishment of apartheid.

(Source of image: britannica.com)

Veda Varma 10A

Shirley Chisholm

Shirley Chisholm made history in 1968 as she became the first Black woman to be elected into the United States Congress as a representative for the 12th congressional district of New York and served for 14 years. However in 1972, this remarkable woman made history yet again by becoming the first African American candidate for president for a major party, and within her party (Democratic Party) she became the first woman to be put forward as a nominee.

Shirley was born to immigrant parents of Bajan and Guyanese descent and her father worked as a laborer in a factory. She gives credit to her grandmother who gave her confidence, ‘I learned from an early age I was somebody, I didn’t need the black revolution to tell me that’.

She began her journey as a politician by running for a seat in the New York State Assembly, which is the lower house of the NY state legislature. Her campaign faced resistance as the Union Democratic Club was unwilling to support a female candidate, but Chisholm sought to mobilize female voters and won by a landslide victory with 18,000 votes, in comparison, no other candidate had received over 1,900 votes.

She was not only a champion for women empowerment and inclusion but also a hero for immigrants as she argued that the state’s literacy test shouldn’t require English as just because a person ‘functions better in his native language is no sign that a person is illiterate’. Moreover, she helped usher in higher Black representation on key committees in the assembly, helping them achieve more power in decision making which would reflect the needs and opinions of Black communities in New York.

Anoushka Subin 12A

Activists to follow: