BE PROUD OF BLACKNESS- NEWS STORY
Be proud of your blackness!
This was the advice given to students of the Reynold Weekes Primary as they celebrated African Awareness month during a concert this morning.
Under the theme- 'A Trip to Africa'- the students, decked in African garb, were treated to an entertainment package that included singing, dancing, games and a fashion show.
Reception teacher, Julie Greenidge, said the concert was not only about entertainment but about education. She made a call for African History to be taught in schools as a subject and not just during Black History Month.
"I think it should be included [in the curriculum]. . .our history is important, not just European history," she said.
Greenidge advised the students to see their black skin as beautiful and to never be ashamed of their features.
"Be black, be beautiful. . . never let someone tell you 'your hair is too kinky' or 'your skin is too dark'. You are all beautiful different shades of black and brown," she said.
The students were serenaded by the school's choir, who, under the direction of Infants B teacher Jacqueline Wentworth-Linton, belted out many negro spirituals including 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' and 'Give me that Old Time Religion'.
Many of the teachers who were also attired in African wear, performed a dance to the popular song 'This is Africa', much to the delight of the little ones.
The courtyard was then transformed into a catwalk, as the students modeled their outfits to an eruption of applause from their peers.
The teachers, however, attempted to steal the show, as they paraded their outfits on 'the runway' led by principal Anderson Bishop, who donned a Dashiki.
Best dressed boy and girl went to Jazari Watson-Deleen and Jalika Sobers, respectively, who were presented with a voucher for a free lunch from the school's cafeteria.
The students also participated in a quiz on Africa and black history, and prizes were awarded to those with correct answers.
Class 3 teacher, Andre Hayde, said he wanted the students to have knowledge about their history and to be proud of who they are as black people.
