The BlackPoppyRose is a symbol that has been created to remember ALL our African/Black ancestors who contributed in many ways towards the war effort.
What is the BlackPoppyRose?
The BlackPoppyRose has been created for Africans/Black People everywhere to hold pride, honour and glory for the tales and legends left behind by our ancestors and for the future generations to be empowered by their history.
•Black – Is for the People
•Poppy – is for Remembrance
•Rose – is for Honour & Respect.
This project started five years ago as it was felt that in the country many call home the history that represents us is missing.
For a country (England) that documents their history, raises monuments, statues & plaques, produces documentaries, books, articles & magazines etc. there was a severe lack in representing a ‘full‘ picture of World War I on all fronts. Africans/Black people all over acknowledged their sense of duty to their Motherlands; even when treated as three fifths of a human being our ancestors gave so much.
When Britain was an Empire they benefited from the colonies which were part of it. We are a result of those contributions.
How I embarked on this journey?
We were invited to a Black Poppy Event which highlighted names, pictures and accounts of Africans who served in World War I all over the world as well as right here at home, England, all of which we had no idea about. This sparked to find a way to encompass the feelings to create a physical representation. This has led to us working in collaboration with others to create the BlackPoppyRose. The atrocities of slavery has scattered us all over the world and this symbol is to honour and remember we are Africans/Black regardless of where we are in this world.
The BlackPoppyRose is different to the Red Poppy as it a symbol to honour African/Black history.
What’s next for the BlackPoppyRose?
The vision for the BlackPoppyRose is for EVERY African Man/Woman & child to be filled with great self-worth.
When November 11th (Remembrance Day) comes around they too should be able remember the legacies left for them.
Since the start of BlackPoppyRose in 2009, we have worked in collaboration with Narrative Eye‘s The Black Poppy & The Empire Needs Men as well as The West Indian Ex-Servicemen & Women association in Clapham Junction.
The Blackpoppyrose will keep the memory of our ancestors‘ contributions, sacrifices and efforts alive in our minds, hearts and spirits for the foreseeable future.