Elliott Primary To Host Black History Museum
[Written by Patrick Bean]
It is said that imitation is flattery; thus, the occasion of Elliott Primary School’s upcoming Black History month presentation ‘Legacy of Excellence: A Black Bermudian Gallery’ offers reverence to its Paget Primary counterpart via sincere mimicry of the latter’s ‘Black History Museum’.
Under the theme “Because They Led, We Can Follow”, the February 26 event shall showcase the lives of Black Bermudians who have significantly impacted the local community and, in many instances, the world.
Each class has selected an individual to study and will transform its classroom into a Gallery for public perusal, starting with a 9 am assembly and remaining open until 2.30 pm.
Spearheading the project is Ethel Liverpool, who initiated the project while teaching at Paget. Noting her teaching status as “inactive” – as opposed to retired — the veteran educator took to heart statements by former Minister of Education Diallo Rabain, which professed hope that the concept would spread throughout public schools.
“I decided to bring in another school, because when we first did it, the minister at the time said, ‘You know, I would like it if other schools did it as well’,” explained Liverpool. “So, since I live in Devonshire and my grandson goes to Elliott, I figured it’s close, and I could just go to Elliott and help them organise it.
“Most everyone has been receptive to the idea, while some were a bit apprehensive at first, considering the amount of work that goes into special projects like this, but they are all keen and working hard to get it together.”
Among those being highlighted by the Hermitage Road institution are first Black female Olympic diver, Katura Horton Perinchief, legendary former English professional footballers Clyde Best and Shawn Goater, social activists Dr E.F. Gordon, Rev. Kingsley Tweed, Mary Prince, former Elliott Primary School principal Cathy Bassett, distance runner Dage Minors, Rev. Dr Eskine Simmons, Banana Doll maker/artist Veronica [Ronnie] Chameau, past Bermuda Premiers Dame Pamela Gordon, Dame Jennifer Smith and Paula Cox, broadcast and business pioneer Montague Egbert [Monty] Sheppard.
Meanwhile, the school’s special needs children are also included, with the specifics of their presentation yet unknown, except that the topic being addressed centres around the sport of cricket.
“Paget has been doing it for seven years, so we don’t expect to be at the same level as they have shown right away,” said Liverpool. “It’s not a competition, but an opportunity to give the children exposure to their history, because most of them have never heard of these persons.
“It’s our first time and I really want it to be successful, so I’m putting my all into it knowing that it’s never been done before.
“Our first time and Paget it was okay. It was good. But it got greater through the years, so much so that we had to add a second day.
“The teachers put a lot of work into it … a lot of work.”
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