Review: Bristol History Society’s Black History Panel - Reclaiming Narratives

By Shujiao Guo, MA History

Reclaiming Narratives

Bristol History Society discussed this year's theme for Black History Month, "Reclaiming Narratives". Panellists included Isabelle D’Abadie (second year History student and member of the Caribbean Society Committee), Dr. Glen Ncube (Lecturer in Medical History at the University of Bristol) and Dr. Beth Rebisz (Lecturer in the Social History of Modern Africa at the University of Bristol). The panellists explored how this year signifies a pivotal movement towards acknowledging and rectifying the narratives of Black history and culture.

Dr. Ncube opened the discussion through the contention that the act of “Reclaiming Narratives” entails altering the values that are placed upon them. Dr. Ncube shared the TED talk, ‘The Face of Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa’ as a successful example of such a shift in narrative, where the need to discuss Africa’s contributions to drug discovery, pathology, and policy formulation are highlighted. Dr. Ncube, whose academic background is rooted in Economic History prior to specialising in Medical History, also recommended the book Africa is Not a Country: Breaking Stereotypes of Modern Africa to the audience as another example of how narratives surrounding Black history are shifting. 

Dr. Rebisz concurred that the act of “Reclaiming Narratives” is central to Black history. The challenge for historians, Dr. Rebisz noted, is the academic reliance on colonial archives; often untrustworthy and lacking a female perspective. Dr. Rebisz argued that this reliance necessitates an engagement with creative and historical research methods, with a focus on oral history. Dr. Rebisz followed up on this point through sharing their engaging experiences interacting with Kenyan women, emphasizing the importance of such diverse narratives that incorporate the female voice.

Isabelle D'Abadie discussed their experiences of learning history at the University of Bristol and in their homeland, Canada, which has highlighted the persisting impact of  colonial narratives on historical perceptions, even in the Caribbean. Dr. Rebisz agreed, noting that evidence exists which reveals how the deep roots of colonialism have been designed to infiltrate society and make its dismantling a consequently complex journey.

Bristol and the University of Bristol in Public Historical Context

The panel explored Bristol's role in Black history, societal learning from historical events and its influence on education and curriculum development. The panellists addressed how the removal of statues in Bristol sparked discussions and educational engagement across diverse age and social groups. The University of Bristol’s role in driving social change and racial discussions was highlighted. 

The panellists also covered the re-examination of history via the academic discipline itself and the importance of student-led conversations. The impact of student movements in South Africa on social change, including tuition fees and resource access, was also discussed as the panellists emphasized the role of such movements in decolonizing the curriculum. However, the panel also noted the potential for these movements to be co-opted by institutions not genuinely invested in leading these discussions and the possible harm of this, with the divisive student movements at the University of Oxford referenced as an example.

Useful links:

Richard Sarpong,‘The Face of Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa’ (2015) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIsY87-zkXA

Dipo Faloyin, Africa is Not a Country: Breaking Stereotypes of Modern Africa (2022)

 Pumza Fihlani, ‘We are Students thanks to South Africa’s #FeesMustFall protests’ (2019) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-47952787

 University of Oxford, ‘‘Oxford and Colonialism’ hub to improve the University’s anti-racist future by better understanding imperial past’ (2020) https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2020-12-17-oxford-and-colonialism-hub-improve-university-s-anti-racist-future-better

Edited by Isobel Edwards, MSc Gender and International Relations