When Mr Murray, from the History Department, mentioned he might be able to arrange for Leila Hassan Howe to visit us, we were thrilled to accommodate this to launch our Wellbeing Programme this term. As ever, at CLC we appreciate opportunities to hear of personal experience and individual encounters behind headlines and national events. These are powerful ways to develop our understanding and empathy, and it was most certainly a very inspiring afternoon. How wonderful to hear from such a significant British history maker, leader, writer and activist – Leila Hassan Howe.
Leila Hassan Howe is a black British civil rights activist and co-founder of the 1970s Race Today Collective. She has fought against state and street racism since the 1970s and has been a strategist and activist in her own right, quite apart from being the wife of the legendary Black Power activist Darcus Howe.
In her talk, Leila Hassan Howe took us through her story from working class London to upper class Africa and back. She described aspects of her childhood and her experiences of racism as one of the only three black girls in a grammar school. She recounted other aspects of her interesting life and bravery through telling us about taking over a colonialist institution; publishing Race Today; organising cultural events in the 70s and 80s; liberating properties; challenging police brutality; helping organise and lead 200,000 marchers on the Black People's Day of Action in 1981; and documenting the 1981 uprisings, drawing parallels with Black Lives Matter in 2020. It was a fascinating and moving presentation, and the rapturous applause as she concluded reflects the respect our students clearly felt towards her.
Comments from students who spent time with Leila Hassan Howe last week, echo this:
"It was a privilege to introduce Leila Hassan Howe to CLC; she had a myriad of experiences relating to the important period of the 80s civil rights movement here in the UK, and touched upon many during her visit. As a young black woman, it was an opportunity to feel proud of myself and people like me, as they have fought so hard for our justice and rights, especially as a Londoner." – Iman (SFC1 / Year 11)
"Meeting Leila Hassan Howe was a great privilege. To meet the woman who was a pivotal part of recent black British history and making London a safe place for people of colour was nothing short of an honour. Her history shapes one of the most eclectic cities in the world and I, as an East Londoner, am incredibly grateful to the Black People’s Day of Action and all the work the Race Today Collective have done over the years. I hope to be nothing but a testament to Leila’s work, as I endeavour to continue this positive change in our society." Melinah (SFC1 / Year 11)
The recording of the talk is available in the Wellbeing section of My School Portal, along with other headline speakers we have had at CLC.
Ms Woodhead, Head of Lower College and Wellbeing & Personal Development Co-ordinator
