Black Lives Matter and the recent anniversary of the Windrush has seen a growing number of people wanting to explore black history. PCS member David Eccles has taken advantage of a recent online course organised by PCS Learning to build up his knowledge. 

David works in Crown Prosecution Service’s Specialist Fraud Division as a Business Support Manager (Fees). Ordinarily David is based in Petty France, but is currently work from home, and decided to sign up to a series of sessions around black history.

The course of sessions, initiated by reps in Albert Bridge House Manchester and organised by Ann Ainsworth PCS North West Regional Learning Organiser, is run by Ken Olende a former tutor of black and African history for the Workers' Education Association. Ken is currently studying for a PHD about what 'Black identity' is in modern Britain at Brighton University. 

David explained:

I am currently taking two Black History courses presented by Ken.  These are series of one-hour sessions on alternate weeks, looking at different aspects of Black history as pertains to Britain.”

I have been learning about the history of this country that is rarely taught at school, such as slavery and Empire, as well as more recent events like Brixton riots and The Mangrove Nine, the significance of the events then and now, attitudes prevailing at the time, reasons for changes in attitudes.”

The course has been fascinating.” 

David has really enjoyed the course and felt that Ken is extremely knowledgeable about the subject and supports his presentation with a variety of interesting slides, quotes, videos etc. that make the material accessible and help to bring it to life. 

During the sessions learners are provided with lots of useful links to online sites to deepen their understanding of the specific issues discussed, and a Q&A at the end is used to give a better understanding of the material.

David said that courses have been very useful and that they;

will enable me to enter conversations about race with greater general awareness and confidence so that I am better prepared to challenge attitudes and stereotypical thinking in, and outside, of the workplace.”

When the sessions finish it won’t be the end of David’s learning with the union and he is interested in exploring other courses that have anything to do with Diversity & Inclusion and treating people with respect.

The course, though organised by North West PCS, have been open to members from across the country as they are being run through video conferencing.

The black history sessions start by exploring Britain’s role in the slave trade and the British Empire, through to Post war immigration, how communities grew and tackled racism to what it means to be black in Britain today.

David said he would encourage anyone who was thinking of signing up for learning with PCS to “Do it!”, adding that:

These courses were well researched and well presented, and I’d like to thank Ann Ainsworth for organising these sessions and to Ken for his diligence, commitment and for sharing his knowledge.”