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Launch of CARGO classroom to illuminate inspiring untold stories
The untold stories of inspiring revolutionaries from Africa and the African diaspora will be taught in mainstream education thanks to the launch of a new project.
CARGO Classroom aims to meet the urgent need for digital learning resources while addressing the imbalance of historical perspectives currently covered in the curriculum.
The brainchild of award-winning poet Lawrence Hoo, CARGO is the culmination of years of work in collaboration with creative designer Chaz Golding, with support from Massive Attack, the University of Bristol, Arts Council England and others.
is needed now More than ever
It is launching with a Key Stage 3 package of multimedia resources, in which every lesson examines a pivotal event in global history from the perspective of the people at the forefront of events, starting with the theme of revolutionaries.
Speaking about the launch, Lawrence promises there is more to come, saying: “CARGO is excited to be releasing its first package of Key Skills 3 history resources, which have been created with teachers to illuminate the untold stories of the achievements and contributions of people of African and African diaspora descent.”
He added: “It’s inspiring to see what these individuals overcame and achieved and contributed, and a lot of people won’t even know they existed.”
Dutty Boukman was a spiritual leader and instigator of the Haitian uprising – image courtesy of CARGO Classroom
The stories covered in the first four lessons include the actions of Nanny of the Maroons (1686-1733), the leader of slavery resistance in Jamaica, Sam Sharpe (1804-1832), the organiser of the Christmas Uprising in Jamaica, Paul Bogle (1820-1865), leader of the rebellion of enslaved people in Jamaica, and Dutty Boukman (died in 1791), a spiritual leader and instigator of the Haitian uprising.
CARGO, which stands for Charting African Resilience and Generating Opportunities, already has the backing of many high profile figures.
Speaking about the launch, Olivette Otele, professor of the history of slaver at Bristol University, says: “CARGO is about doing. We talk a lot. We talk about what we want to do and how we are going to do it but we don’t do. I love doers.”
Clare Marshall, the director of education consultancy Sustainable Hive, said: “I’ve worked in education my whole life and this is the most exciting thing I have seen in a long time.”
CARGO Classroom aims to address the imbalance of historical perspectives currently covered in the curriculum – photo courtesy of CARGO Clasroom
The free CARGO Classroom resources are available with no sign-in or registration required.
All lessons include teachers notes, including guidance for how the lesson can support the curriculum, a multimedia PowerPoint lesson, with text for close reading and other tasks, historical sources, artwork and filmed poetry performances, and worksheets for completing the tasks.
The learning resources have been created in collaboration with teachers and assembled with the guidance of the School of Education at the University of Bristol.
Main photo of Nanny of the Maroons – courtesy of CARGO Classroom
Read more: The Bristol project changing the narrative of black history in Britain
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