Black History Week 

This week at RAW, we will be celebrating Black History! Throughout October, celebrations of Black History occur and at RAW we dedicate Week 4 to celebrating Black History through our departmental shows through things like music and discussions! Throughout the week, departmental stabs will be played with each department explaining an individual they have chosen to spotlight this Black History Week; check out the department's choices below! 

Speech 

This Black History Week, the Speech department has chosen to spotlight Fred Hampton. He was an avid activist during his early 20s founding the anti-racist and anti-classist Rainbow Coalition that was an incredibly multicultural multicultural organisation that campaigned and fought for social change and equality in the United States. Hampton's work ended up with the FBI identifying him as a radical threat and after attempts from the government to curb Hampton's influence and standing by spreading misinformation failed, his life was unjustly taken during a shootout. One shot came from Hampton's side. Over 100 came from the side of law enforcement. His work ended up taking his life but the cause which Hampton fought for will never be forgotten and neither will his actions. 

Arts 

This Black History Week, the Arts department has chosen to spotlight Oscar Micheaux. He is regarded as one of the first African American producers to create a full feature length film and he did this in 1919 with the creation of 'The Homesteader'. His film covered themes such as segregation and the pursuit of success which resonated deeply with the black audiences of the time who had not seen these themes on the screen often. 

Sports 

This Black History Week, the Sports department has chosen to spotlight Walter Tull. He was the third player of mixed heritage to play in the highest tier of English Football during the 1900s and played for many big teams of the current day such as Manchester United and Spurs. Alongside playing for these big names, he was also the first player of African descent to sign for the Rangers in 1917 while he was stationed in Scotland. His dedication off the pitch as a soldier during WW1 fighting in major battles such as the Somme also reflets his dedicated character. 

Music 

This Black History Week, the Music department has chosen to spotlight Lauryn Hill. Widely recognised as one of the most influential female artists of all time, Hill's work broke down the barriers of the music industry with her 1998 solo album being the first from a female rapper to debut atop the Billboard top 200. Today, she still remains an icon in the music industry with many people attributing her as a pioneer to the changes in the industry.

News 

This Black History Week, the News department has chosen to spotlight Benjamin Zephaniah. An all round creative through things like poetry, music and acting, Zephaniah's work pulls from his lived experiences of racism in Birmingham as well as the Jamaican heritage he has. His work has earnt him many different awards and recognition over the years however his core morals and goals have never wavered from this fame and this is evident in his turning down of an OBE in 2003 where he rejected the honour on the basis that is still contained the word empire: a word he refused to ever attach to his own name and work.

Tech 

This Black History Week, the Tech Team has chosen to spotlight Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson. She was the first African-American woman to ever earn a PhD at MIT and she was awarded this for her work in nuclear physics. Her work was incredibly impactful as she focused on the optical and electronic properties of two-dimensional systems and semiconductor theory and this eventually led her to work as lead of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission which helped seal the leaks at Chernobyl. Over the years, Jackson has received a magnitude of awards such as the National Medal of Science and she was also inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1998 for her contributions as a distinguished scientist and a proud advocate for education, science and public policy.