DENZEL BENTLEY believes that the British school system should change the way it teaches black history. The current method focuses too much on slavery.
South London was the birthplace of the middleweight boxer.
Denzel Bentley would like to see British schools make more effort in teaching Black History Month
He learned about the contributions of people of color to 21st century society at home, not in school, but with his family.
In the last week of Black History Month 2021 Bentley calls on the UK not to forget the topic and asks for a reassessment.
SunSport was informed by him that Black History Month is the only occasion they teach black history.
"We only watched movies about slavery in school. It doesn't help. It happened hundreds of thousands of years ago, as everyone knows.
"To teach slavery is to be lazy. It would be helpful to teach the true history of black history.
"There are many black people who have done good things for the cause of slavery - people mistakenly believe it has disappeared. These rights were fought for by people.
Black History Month celebrates the lives of black people and lets us see that we are more than what we used to be.
"Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela and other slavery abolitionists were among the activists who fought to ensure that black people are treated fairly."
Bentley was the first British boxer who took a knee. This highlights his struggle against discrimination and persecution.
The 26-year old, who was raised in Battersea’s Patmore estate, has been told repeatedly to "go back to your roots". Since the summer, he has been stopped by police as he drove to his Essex gym, twice to search for drugs, and once to look for weapons.
The UK Government statistics, which exclude vehicle cases, show six police stops and searches per 1,000 whites between April 2019 to March 2020. This compares with 54 for every 1000 blacks. 11.
The 14-1-1 Orthodox added that marijuana is often associated with black people. I don't smoke, and my friends don't either. I also don't box. Why did they think I was a weapon when I looked at them?
"The first time I was stopped, I was 11. They asked me if I had any knives.
People don't realize the mental damage it can cause. It's impossible to be you.
"Black people cannot scream and shout having fun after night out like other people - there would be whole police force there.
"I'm British. My parents were born in Ghana, and I was born there. They tell me that I am British even when I visit Ghana. I love being British, I'm grateful I'm British.
"Why can't you be from here?" British is often associated with white.
Because I'm winning for my country, people love me when I win. It's not about sports or giving the country praises. Instead, it's "Go back, you are not from here."
to kneel in the ring.
2Sharp is most hurt when he is told he's lying.
The ex-british champ said: "If you tell me my truth, I won't believe you.
"If you are adamant that these events didn't occur, it is very important to be educated.
"If you don't see it, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen." It is offensive to claim that my reality isn’t real or true.
"If I told you that you were suffering from depression, and you said, "Man up, stop talking rubbish. You're not going to experience anything," you would find it offensive."
Black History Month was observed for the first time in the UK on the 150th anniversary the Slave Compensation Act. This act is part of the Caribbean's emancipation.
It's staged in October every year, and Dudley Stokes, a Jamaican legend of bobsled, believes that this is where the problem lies.
He suggests that instead of learning for 31 days, we should be celebrating and discussing black culture throughout the year.
Stokes, 59 was the driver for the famous sled that crashed at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. This incident inspired the film Cool Runnings.
He is now based in England and told SunSport that "Black History Month" was a good start.
"It is unfortunate that we have to dedicate a month to it, but I recognize the symbol. We need Black History Years.
Rotate the month throughout the year. We need to continue to move this forward to make black culture more accessible to Britons.
"In the UK we need to be able to speak and understand the English language. We also need to know basic math.
"We must see black history within the context of British History. That should be available to everyone of all colors.
A diversity of people has helped us to understand our society. It makes you a better person when you have this understanding.
Stokes said, "People of color in the UK must create a British dialog on race and claim the position which they have already worked, paid for with blood, and then step into it as British citizens."
It belongs to you. You deserve it. It's a right that you have won and not something you want.
"British peoples of colour must understand how their ancestors shaped the world around them.
"The West Indian community must see our participation in World War I. Olympic gold medalists were athletes who fought in World War II.
Stokes, who was 18 when he joined the Jamaica Defence Force, spent some time at RMA Sandhurst in Berkshire, 1981. However, despite his outstanding service, he was still overlooked.
He said, "I wonder if certain actions were motivated by racism - I didn’t think it then."
"I had moments at Sandhurst when I was treated with great kindness by white, British people. One of his friends took me to his home in the village and another rented me a car, which was a great risk for him.
"I should have received promotions based upon performance.
"All the cadet governments from my unit had their own invitations to Charles's and Diana's wedding. These things were too obvious to me.
