Politics · United Kingdom · 1 day ago
National Trust plans Black Power history baking workshop for children
The National Trust plans a baking workshop for children aged five to 12 at Morden Hall Park in south London.
The event is part of Black History Month and will teach children about the Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympics as they make cookies.
Sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised gloved fists during the US national anthem to protest racism and segregation.
The gesture became an enduring symbol of the civil rights movement.
Critics say the subject is not relevant to the history of Morden Hall Park, while the Trust says its events explore people and ideas that shaped history.
The Trust says activities across its sites cover history from the 18th to the 20th century, but no date for the Morden Hall Park workshop is given.
The National Trust plans a baking workshop at Morden Hall Park where children aged five to 12 will learn about the Black Power salute.
The event is part of activities marking Black History Month and will include making “Olympic Gold Cookies”.
The Trust says the workshop will explore the 1968 Olympics and their significance in modern history.
Critics say the subject is not relevant to Morden Hall Park and accuse the charity of putting politics ahead of its heritage role.
- Who
- The National Trust is organising the workshop for children aged five to 12.
- What
- Children will learn about the Black Power salute and bake cookies.
- When
- It is planned as part of Black History Month activities; the event date is not stated.
- Where
- Morden Hall Park, a National Trust property in south London.
- Why
- The Trust says the session will explore people, events and ideas that have shaped history.
The National Trust
Critics of the workshop
Relevance
The National Trust
The Trust says the 1968 Olympics became a significant moment in modern history.
Critics of the workshop
Restore Trust’s Cornelia van der Poll says the salute is not relevant to Morden Hall Park or the Trust’s work.
Purpose
The National Trust
The Trust says its activities let people explore history and the ideas that shaped the world.
Critics of the workshop
Critics say the workshop puts political messaging ahead of teaching children about the property and its history.
Teaching children about a Black Power salute is not relevant to this particular property and it's not relevant to what the National Trust does.
We provide opportunities for people of all ages to explore the people, events and ideas that have shaped history and the world we live in today.
sad, pathetic but wholly predictable
Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their black-gloved fists on the podium at the Mexico City Olympics during the US national anthem.
The Daily Mail published its report on the National Trust’s planned workshop.
- Age range
- Children aged 5 to 12
- Venue
- Morden Hall Park, south London
- Historical subject
- The 1968 Black Power salute by Olympic athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos
- Workshop activity
- Making and baking “Olympic Gold Cookies
- Context
- Part of a series of events for Black History Month
Sources
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