Arts and Humanities Research Council panel talk on diversity and history

In March 2019 I was invited to speak on a panel regarding diversity and history. Since becoming a researcher it has been very important to me to ensure history and education is accessible to all, especially those that do not know where to turn if they want to learn about their family history and heritage. The event was at The Midland Art Centre in Birmingham and hosted by Arts and Humanities Research Council – First World War Engagement Centres. I brought along two young people that have participated on my community heritage projects in the past as it important to hear from people that do not often have a chance to engage with history.

The event was opened by a keynote lecture by David Olusoga OBE who spoke about ‘Remembering the Forgotten: History, Community and the Legacies of Commemoration’. It is important that since the beginning of the Centenary more questions and awareness of the contribution made by Commonwealth soldiers during First World War have been raised and community members have been involved in projects. Especially in communities that have come or have ties with Commonwealth countries. Many do not know about their histories as it not taught in the main curriculum at schools. David Olusoga emphasised that researching BME contributions to the War would address gaps in histories that we are not taught.

Myself and the two young people were invited to speak on BAME narratives of the First World War and its legacies. The room was full of a mixed audiences of academics, community members, researchers/historians and research organisations that work together to ensure that the BAME narratives are taught and people are aware that the wars were not just won by the British Army alone. It was a joint effort and that the wars could not have been won without the large contribution by Commonwealth soldiers.  

Over the Years I have created community projects around the 1.5 million Indian soldiers (pre-Partition) who volunteered, the largest group of volunteers that the British had. During the Second World War approximately 2.5 million men (pre-Partition) had again volunteered their services for war. Without the Indian soldiers and Commonwealth contribution Britain would have been in trouble.

At the event questions were asked about the role of Indian soldiers during First World War reflected that more needs to be done for communities to learn about their histories. There were many questions on how we can make history more interesting for young people and get them engaged with new narratives. Taiba and Ria spoke about their experiences on how being involved in a community projects allowed them to engage and explore Indian history that they never knew about before. Both Taiba and Ria were able to learn about a history that was personal to them and their identity.

Much more needs to be done if we are to speak about the Contribution made by Commonwealth soldiers. Much of history is taught to a selected audience that have knowledge of these stories, but many communities are left behind and so are their narratives. Making history accessible to communities is important and doing so will generate new interest and investment from communities in new archives and events. History should not belong to any one group of people, which it has done so in the past.