Black History Month Poems 2018

Black History Month oCuerl2eb0rthatyinegar
Poems 2018

By pupils and staff of
TCES Group schools

Cover design by Stephen-Lee, Y6, ELIS

Th is book of poetry and artwork has been created to
celebrate Black History Month 2018. A poetry competition
was held across all TCES Group schools and services which
was open to entries from pupils and staff.

Pupils across all TCES Group schools and services have been
studying Black History throughout October 2018, and some
of the poetry in this book has been inspired by poems and
speeches they’ve studied.

We were delighted to see so many entries from pupils and
staff, expressing their support and own journeys in relation to
Black History Month, irrespective of their background. Their
contributions are also linked into their own creative feelings and
aspirations about both celebrating the goal of inclusivity whilst
acknowledging the strength of diversity.

We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we have!

 
Overall Winners

The following poems have been awarded 1st place
in each category and will be displayed in every
school and service across the TCES Group.

Pupil:
Leroy, ELIS (p6)

Staff:
Sheeva, Speech and Language Therapist (p28)

Joint entry:

  Antony and Yemi, ELIS (p22)

1

Muhammad Ali could sting like a bee,
Anthony Joshua said, “He inspired me.”
Venus and Serena Williams are Tennis Aces,

Usain Bolt always wins first places.
These people paved the way,
For a better world today.

Aretha Franklin sang ‘R.E.S.P.E.C.T.’,
Everyone deserves respect and that sounds right to me.
Michael Jackson said, “It don’t matter if you’re Black or White,” and

we all think that he was right.
James Brown sang, “I feel good”,
Bob Marley sang with ‘3 Little birds’,
Lionel Ritchie danced on the ceiling and sang “Hello”,
Farrell Williams, Beyoncé and Rihanna,
Were inspired by them, don’t you know.

These people paved the way,
For a better world today.

2

Black History Month Poems 2018

When we praise Florence Nightingale, we shouldn’t forget Mary Seacole.
In segregation protests, Rosa Parks played a role.

Barack Obama was 44th president but the first African-American to be elected,
The whole world was positively affected.

Martin Luther King’s legendary dream can now come true,
If we keep on helping it through.
These people paved the way,
For a better world today.
Nurture Class, EFS Witham

3

Respect And Friendship
Family is the most important
Believe in yourself and others
Don’t let bullies put you down
Keep a smile on your face not a frown
Try your best and never give up
Respect others how you will like to be respected
Treat others how you will like to be treated

Be a role model
Be a leader not a follower

Kleberton, Y7, ELIS

4

Black History Month Poems 2018

Kleberton, Y7, ELIS

5

 I am BLACK!
I am black and proud
I am black with an unusual style
I am black who hates
to be racially profiled
Black is beautiful
Black is strong
That slavery ‘ting’ is wrong and long

I stand up for my people
To make sure we are equal

I am BLACK!
Leroy, Y9, ELIS

6

Black History Month Poems 2018

I AM WHO I AM

We lived lives as nobody
We worked for nothing

We had no identity
We were Slaves

We were not allowed to go where white people go.
Why?
Why?

Because of the colour of my skin?
It’s just a pigment
I am like you
We are the same
Are we not?

Strong people fought for my rights to live as you, as humans
Thank you
Thank you

You died fighting for me and others like me.
Thank you

Martin Luther King
Malcolm X

Nelson Mandela
We are now one race, all colour skins as one, one race with equal rights.

Diaz and Miss Irena, NWLIS

7

Understanding
Respect your world

Forgive others
Understanding their needs

Accept them
Positive vibes
Happiness rules the world
Helpful hands carry the world
Be a part of it
Furkan, Y7, ELIS

8

Black History Month Poems 2018

Furkan, Y7, ELIS

9

A Rare Talent

I didn’t understand enough about your life
Your family circumstances or your strife
You hid your pain behind deceitful wiles
Playing the joker with the widest smiles

You never really talked about the home front
Discussions on family were seen as an affront
We tried to involve your mother when you did well
But apathy and anger was where she did dwell

After school you went home without delay
Siblings to support, ironically not child’s play
You were clearly the family standard bearer
Sad for one so young to be a full time Carer

We never knew you got such inspiration from school
Or at home that a parent could be so full of ridicule
Your mother was struggling with her own bleak world
Against a cloud of depression she was regularly curled

You protected your mother without any blame
And defended and loved her just the same

One day in school we were in a group session
When you told us a story a bit like a confession

You told us a tale of what you had wanted the most
Of the next door Caribbean family around a Sunday roast
With aunts, uncles, parents and children shouting in glee

A simple joyful tale of what for you could never be

10

Black History Month Poems 2018

You described the sights and sounds of that happy day
With your nose pressed to the fence in the saddest way
I looked around at all the children and staff listening in
Not a dry eye in the house, you could have heard a pin
We felt so much for you but you said we misunderstood
It wasn’t a tale of woe at all but instead a tale of good

You told us that you never needed anything more
Because at school you had a family and were well cared for
You pointed and named our staff as your uncles and aunt,
and you said we were everything that you could ever want

A ready made family who looked after you and cared
And we were all so happy that you had finally shared
You graduated from our school at the end of that year

And off you went to college to pursue your career
And I often wonder what people think when they see you
Do they see your journey, strength and talents like we do

Will your hard work and talent sustain and carry you
Without our pushing will you have the follow through
Will the years of parental apathy and disinterest catch up
Or perhaps your extended school family will be sufficient back up

Anon (staff)

11

I chose Frank as a subject from The Black History Month website because he links two
areas of London where TCES Group have schools (Silvertown near Custom House and
Notting Hill near East Acton) and because he was a true Leader of his time. Frank was the
first Black Fire Fighter in the UK; the London Fire Brigade call him “The Father of Black
Fire Fighting”. He went on to be the first Black Mental Health Social Worker at a time
when this was far less acceptable as a job and the first Black Court Advocate. These last
two pioneering roles also make Frank a perfect subject for the TCES Group.

Frank moved to Silvertown from Guyana, now an ex-British colony, where the great river
of Essequibo flowed as strong as the changes that brought independence for this nation,
over a decade after Frank left.

Frank Arthur Bailey
(The Soul Exceeds Its Circumstances)

Just a marshy stretch, a hundred years ago,
Silvertown had just bloomed and grown,
Gathering fruits that the world had grown,
A place where tired ships dropped anchor.

Over citrus fruits the dockers fought,
As they all unloaded at this busy port,
Much fruit would fall; always caught!
For Frank’s neighbours, friends and more.

Sweet Silvertown had the best ice cream,
Dellamura and soda: just a dream,

Chocolate from Keller’s; a triangular beam,
A Toblerone to punish the jaw.

But with Molasses wafting up The Thames,
Past sweet Silvertown, on this river’s bend,
Tate and Lyle shared their delicious scent,

From nearby Plaistow Wharf.

So, this sweet man had made his home,
In West Ham’s latest docking zone,

Friendships ensured he was not alone,
Life took an uncharted course.

12

Black History Month Poems 2018

Frank Arthur Bailey. Credit: London Fire Brigade

Left Guyana under Blue Ensign
Symbol of Britain’s; influential decline
Independence he celebrated in London town

Forever: Red, Gold and Green!

By then in Britain a decade or so,
Brave and bold; a real hero.

Fighting fires in the amber glow,
Doing his duty at the scene.

Proud and embarrassed behind a sun-blessed smile,
Fire Brigade uniform, an uncomfortable fit,
Not standing to attention, cap tilted for style,
Touch paper now flared, that Frank had lit.

Hand-me downs will do for this recruit,
An irregular size, but uniform worn,
They didn’t suit; at first didn’t fit!

Frank would happily serve, but not conform.

The oversize buckle secures Frank’s lean frame,
Belt circumnavigating the traveller’s waist.
From Atlantic far, Guyana he came,
A fire fighter’s role was all he chased.

13

Black people don’t have what it takes,
Said the chief, when Frank first enquired.
Not physically strong; not educated enough!

A challenge: Frank’s belly now fired!

He was ‘a gonna’ and Frank was there
Just a drill, just a test, no fire or flare
But he was ‘a gonna’ and Frank was there
Strong enough physically to do and to dare

Six foot two and sixteen stone,
Helpless: a falling boulder,

Frank dived and grabbed his colleague from mid-air,
And threw him over his shoulder.

He was ‘a gonna’ and Frank was there,
Just a drill, just a test, no fire or flare.
But he was ‘a gonna’ and Frank was there,
He had what it takes to do and to dare.

This first Black firefighter had saved a soul,
He’d proved a point and arrested one falling,

Now Frank moved on to another goal,
A tougher challenge now his calling.

In pastures new, he led again:
First Black Mental Health Social Worker.
No Cambridge Royals to back him, back then

Just a lonely professional, ex-docker!

14

Black History Month Poems 2018

Once more, he strove to break the mould,
Current achievements; not enough alone,
First Black Court Advocate for young Black men,

At the Central Court in Marylebone.
He ended his life tasting smoke once more,
In the shadow of Grenfell, old eyes became sore,

Helpless to save; saddened and frail,
A ninety-year-old hero; ashen pale.
Although not all leaders lead from the front,
He had no choice but to be bold; to be blunt.
No one before him; no footsteps to follow,
When seeking advice; just echoes in a hollow.
Frank Arthur Bailey; a name indeed,
A pioneer and leader; not once but three
Life-changing roles of support and giving,
Returned to his independent Guyana Heaven.
But can Essequibo waters wash away the ashes
Of the Notting Hill many that suffered so?
Let us pave the way, for more like him.
To be frank; we need more Black heroes.

Kevin Parker, School Improvement Partner

15

DIFFERENCES TO THE WORLD
When you make a change you can change other lives.
Try to understand people when they’re hurt or down.

Don’t let anyone get in your way.
Be proud of who you are.

Try to understand people with needs.
Accept changes and people that are different to you.

Stephen-Lee, Y6, ELIS

. DO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY
. BE A GOOD ROLE-MODEL

16

Black History Month Poems 2018

Peter, Teaching Assistant

17

What is Black History?

Yo!, my name is Chris
Black History

The other Black History Month has gone
Let’s get ready Leona

I’m setting fire in the booth
I really want to win
Black History

What is White History Month?
I really wanna know

I’m setting fire in the booth yo
What about Nigeria?

I don’t know about the history, I just know about the food yo
Its fire, it’s lit, it’s chicken yo

Let’s talk about Barack Obama, he was the first black president
Let’s talk about the runner

His name is Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world
This is good poetry yo
Nelson Mandela
He’s not a boxer

He was speaker for black rights
This is why we’ve all got the rights

Freedom of speech yo

Christopher, Y8, ELIS

18

Black History Month Poems 2018

Mindblower
Yeah this is my poem.
I know it’s bad but I am trying my best, now let’s get to the test.
I always chill at home on my phone, when I am happy all alone.
My cat is black and white and is fast like a strike,
and my cat Angel is very bright and she likes to fight.
Now let’s talk about me.
I am very sassy so don’t come near me, because I can sting like a bee
I might look small but I am too cool and
I also love to swim in the swimming pool.

Aaliyah, Y6, ELIS

19

Black History?
Black History?
Who’s History?
My History?
Your History?

Set apart?
Or just one part of the World’s history?

Still segregated? Or now included?
Perception can be confusing, the past sometimes eludes us.
Let history be our teacher and the footprint of our ancestors

the path that lights our way.
Together we are stronger. Divided we fall down.

One race. One people. Human. United.

Lateefah, Pastoral Care Coordinator

20

Black History Month Poems 2018

Kleberton, Y7, ELIS

21

 HEY YOUNG BOYS!

Hey young boys! Hey young boys!
Our ancestors carried spades,
So why do you carry blades?

Our past has so much pain and torture,
So why do we disrespect our culture?
Many black people suffered from slavery,

Some rose up, we call that bravery.
Mandela, Parks and King fought for equality
To ensure we were no longer the minority,

Especially what this means to me
I hope you know about our history.
Hey young boys! Hey young boys!

Antony and Yemi, ELIS

22

Black History Month Poems 2018

For Black History Month Create Barking students looked at the Martin Luther
King Jr. speech. They looked at why he did his speech “I have a dream” and
the struggles that black people experienced at the time. They then looked
at persuasive writing and the features that Martin Luther King Jr. used in his
speech. Next they chose a subject they were passionate about and tried to

use the same features that he used and wrote their own speech.

Ellie and Kyler chose mental health. They both had a lot to say about mental
health and their own experience.

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unique. We believe that everyone can be successful!
We are children. We are sons. We are daughters. We are fathers. We are
mothers. We people! We believe!”

Ellie and Kyler, Create London

23

The GREATEST
Is the user in an unusual observance?

In candour, the United States.
Observed in the Netherlands, so cold.

It began.
Remembering important people.

The events in history
Of the African people.

Muhammad Ali
Champion in the Gym
Champions are made

Let’s begin.
Do we have the will?
For we must be stronger,

than the skill.

Antonis, Y12, NWLIS

24

Black History Month Poems 2018

Kevin, Y7, ELIS

25

Peter, Teaching Assistant

26

Black History Month Poems 2018

SLAVERY
In the days of slavery,

Blacks were rats
Whites were
perhaps kings
Blacks were

treated like crap
The skies were blue
And the pavement was
red, covered in blood
Guess there was no love

between the two
The blacks were always

killed in cold blood

Leon, Y9, ELIS

27

 Pain and anguish,
those dark days are gone, they’re history

Things my brothers, sisters and forefathers all did for me

I’m free, I’m free, this freedom not taken lightly

Democracy now in my line of sight
with Frederick Douglas fighting by me

My body now free, my mind explores opportunity

Moving forward leaving fields of misery

Tired of running in the shadow,
I power in and out of tunnels

Harriet Tubman leading me in a hurry

To meet the Sojourner of Truth
captivating me with her preaches and sermons

Leading me to believe in a change
that would one day come

When MLK Jr. walked through the door
I knew surely it was time to overcome

In a procession leading my Stride Toward Freedom
singing R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

I am transported through powerful Parks
with thorny roses and justified fragrances

Finally dancing to a tune, Nelson Mandela

Ending a 246 year trauma

Sheeva, Speech and Language Therapist

28

This is a really lovely story of a local hero . . . Photo credit: www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk

It’s the year 1890 and George Arthur Roberts George Roberts,
is craving adventure. Leaving Trinidad, he firefighter, soldier and
arrives in London at the outbreak of WW1,
joins up and gets nicknamed “the coconut opinion former.
bomber” supposedly due to his ability of
throwing bombs behind enemy lines, 74 feet
no less! He sustained injuries from both the
Battle of Loos and the Somme.

After WW1, George fell in love, settled
in Lewis Rd, Camberwell, got married to
Margaret in 1920 and had two children.
When WW2 began, he joined the fire service,
working from New Cross Fire Station. Saving
countless lives during the Blitz he was
awarded the British Empire Medal.

Last year there was an online vote for people
to nominate who they thought deserved a
blue plaque on their home and George was
declared the winner. So there you have it,
George was not only one of the first black
men to join the British Army, but was also one
of the first to join the fire service. Hoorah!

Create London enjoyed learning about George Arthur Roberts.

oCuerl2eb0rthatyinegar

Black History Month has been celebrated every October in the UK
since 1987. It is the recognition of the contributions of those from

African and Caribbean heritage, as well as those from Asia.
Thank you to everyone who contributed.

Unique Pathways to Learning

Park House, 8 Lombard Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 3TZ
020 8543 7878 | www.tces.org.uk | @TCESgroup

October 2018