“Black History Month 2020 will be remembered for the death of George Floyd. This crucifixion of a black human being by the white human being, who represented the law, has changed the world. This cruel activity, of the killing of one human being by another, lasted nearly 9 minutes. Previously Black History Month was essentially a collection of talks by organisations. This year, organisations are still involved but businesses, individuals, academics and governments are all involved.
The links between Black History and the killing of George Floyd are not fully understood but it is evident that the racist view that black people are ‘inferior’ to white people played a part in the attitude of the policeman that killed George Floyd. This attitude has its origins in the enslavement of black people legally but wrongly as chattel slaves in the West Indies and the USA. Under slavery laws a black slave was regarded as, not having a right to life and was property for which financial compensation was paid when British slaves were emancipated in 1833-34. Scotland was involved in British slavery. However, many Scottish people, who have attended my lectures on slavery, have complained that this history should have been taught in the school they attended…it wasn’t.
The increased attention being given to the history of black people in Black History Month should also be regarded, in part, as white history because ‘slave and slaver’ go together. Let us hope that by the end of this Black History Month of October 2020, we will come to realise that although we cannot change history, we can change terrible consequence such as the racism that denies racial equality in our diverse society. Black History Month tells us that, as human beings, we are different but the same. ”
Professor Sir Geoff Palmer OBE
About Geoff Palmer
Geoff Henry Palmer is Professor Emeritus of, Grain Science at the Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, and has received various awards for his research and community work. Recently he not only received a distinguished research award as a grain scientist from the American Society of Brewing Chemists, he was also awarded the Sir William Y. Darling bequest from The Edinburgh City Council for his work in “race relations”, the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his research contribution to grain science and the “Black Champion” award for notable contribution to the community in 2002, 2003 and 2004 respectively. In 2005 Professor Palmer was elected Professor Emeritus of the Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh in Scottish-Diaspora Home Coming year (2009) he was awarded a Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science by the University of Abertay, Dundee in the presence of The High Commissioner of Jamaica, His Excellency The Honourable Burchell Whiteman. Also in 2009, he was awarded an additional Honorary Doctorate in Arts and Science by the Open University (55). These degrees complement his Research Degree of Doctor of Science which was achieved in 1983.
He regards the book “The Enlightenment Abolished: Citizens of Britishness” as an attempt to show the terrible consequences of slavery, ignorance and prejudice. Examples of his work on these topics are presented in newspaper articles referenced and reproduced below. These were written to inform our education and justice systems of some of the difficulties Black-British children face in this society. Despite a large ‘race relations industry’ many of these problems remain. Maybe new approaches are required to remove the erroneous perception that black people have not and do not contribute CO the good image and wealth of the country. His recently published short story, ‘Mr White and the Ravens’ (ISBN: 0-9549519-1-3). Henry Publishing, Scotland, is a new or alternative approach at showing the social damage that can be caused by imperialistic ideology based on ignorance and prejudice.
Professor Palmer maintains that the anomalous word ‘race’ is judgemental, divisive, scientifically meaningless and reinforces prejudice. Its origins and meaning are uncertain. It is divisive and should, in future, be abolished and never be applied to human beings. Surely, identical hearts are more important than differences in skin colour. However, in this narrative, it is used as expected. In terms of logic, it is nonsense to refer to ‘races of people’ and retain the concept of Human race. Instead of using the phrase ‘race relations’, we should concentrate our efforts on improving Human relations. In contrast to the word race, the word Human provides a more accurate description of our equality as people. That a large group of white teachers, to whom Professor Palmer was lecturing, declined to define the word race suggests that they were either ignorant of the word or afraid of its politics… no one should be put in such a position in any society.
Professor Palmer believes that ‘equal opportunity is a pointless concept if people do not have the means to realise opportunities. Education should be used to ensure and secure rights. However, if education fails the law cannot afford to fail. He hopes that others, who work in this area, will do all they can to educate those who would deny the rights of other human beings.
