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Home  ..:::NEWS:::.. Black History - The Obama Effect |
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Black History - The Obama Effect |
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This year, in common with many other similar institutions in the UK, Newbold College celebrated Black History Month with a special week of events organized by Val Bernard and Gifford Rhamie, Co-Directors of the Centre for the Study of Religious and Cultural Diversity (The Diversity Centre).
The theme for the week (12-17 October) was 'The Obama Effect', and challenged students and staff to reflect on the level of impact that US President Barack Obama has had on those on the margins. The week welcomed outside speakers who shared their thoughts on the rich history and identity of the African Diaspora, and on topics such as facing race in today’s world, pride and prejudice, and the hope for change. In the academic curriculum, teachers were encouraged to look at their subjects from a black perspective.
 On Tuesday morning, Newbold’s Principal Dr. Jane Sabes introduced the week to staff and students by emphasizing the importance of Black History Week as a time of both recognition and celebration of the African, Caribbean and black British contributions on the world stage, and noted it as a chance to redress the imbalance. Natalie Kendel (3rd-year Theology student) shared a song about putting destructive swords away.
Guest speaker Marge Lowhar, Director of Tranzitions, a consultancy specializing in Management  and Organisational Development, Personal Effectiveness and Diversity, addressed the impact that President Barack Obama has had on the world, the dispossessed and specifically the Black community. She went on to note that, despite his positive representation, Obama cannot fulfill every need.
Marge continued in the evening with a Diversity Seminar on ‘Facing Race in Different Spaces’, addressing the silences and collusions that often take place on racial tensions between black and white communities, and making the case for creating safe spaces to confront race issues. This session was chaired by Mike Pearson, Chair of the Diversity Centre, and ended with a very open discussion between staff and students.
 Later in the week, Denise Milani, Director of Diversity & Citizen Focus for the Metropolitan Police Service, spent some time with students over a traditional Caribbean meal, recounting her experience of being a black woman in Britain, establishing her identity and climbing the corporate ladder.
Marge Lowhar spoke for the student program The Experience on ‘The Motherless Child’, describing the power underpinning black stories of migrating and settling in Britain. She emphasised that, despite the fact that we may feel motherless at times, we will not always feel so. Lecturers Val Bernard-Allan (Social Sciences) and Gifford Rhamie (Pastoral Studies) presented ‘Motherless Child’ in song.
Also featured during the week was an evening of traditional Creole cuisine and the film 'The Great Debate'. The Library also displayed an interesting set of books and posters representing the theme 'The Obama Effect'.
At the Friday evening vespers, David McQueen, an international motivational speaker, addressed global Black identity and cross cultural communication for the Christian, encouraging the Newbold community to build bridges towards those who they see as different.
 The week concluded on the Sabbath with two speakers in different services. Alastair Agbaje, an MA student, and Pastoral Studies Lecturer Gifford Rhamie, both reminded their congregations to be more aware of their Christian responsibility to care for those on the margins.
Photos from left to right, top to bottom: Dr. Jane Sabes, Marge Lowhar, Denise Milani, David McQueen, Gifford Rhamie, Alastair Agbaje.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 24 November 2009 )
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Newbold College
Binfield, Bracknell, Berks
RG42 4AN
England, United Kingdom
Telephone +44 1344 407407
Fax +44 1344 407406
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In Partnership with the
University of Wales, Lampeter
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