"15 great black Britons who made history" Topic

"The story of black Britain is the story of Britain itself. For almost two millennia, black people have been born, lived and died here. Theirs is a story of political activism, historic struggle and artistic innovation often in the face of adversity.

As a social historian, I am fascinated by the ways people shape the societies and culture we live in. Here are just a few of the pioneers and trailblazers who deserve our recognition…."
Main page
bbc.com/timelines/zsdtp39

Amicalement
Armand

Rather a stretch to take one individual from Roman Britain and then jump to the 1700s and say that black people have been born lived and died in Britain for almost 2 millennia.

Other than that some interesting individuals.

There are a couple more male burials from Roman Briton which have been identified as of North African origin – Mary Beard got into the headlines for reporting this and annoying the White Right.

There are also a number of Medieval records of people who are 'likely' to be of African origin – a common by-name was Blackamore or Blackmore. One of the Plantagenets had a 'John the Saracen' employed as a crossbow maker. They just don't have suitable portraits or neat back ground stories.

Surprised not to see Walter Tull – a professional football player before the Great War and the first black officer in the British Army – was not mentioned.

Good observation my friend….

Amicalement
Armand

There are a couple more male burials from Roman Briton which have been identified as of North African origin – Mary Beard got into the headlines for reporting this and annoying the White Right.

And now once again Africa becomes the 'Black' continent. Considering the complexions of the current populations and the fact that their DNA so closely matches that of the earlier populations, it still surprises me to see the 'Black' Hannibal, Cleopatra, etc. depictions.

Now to the Romans, citizenship was the deciding factor in determining one's status, so I would not be surprised to see individuals of any color or race in positions of importance and influence in their society. And with the relative ease of long range travel that those persons could show up anywhere in the Roman Empire (not sure how that woman in the linked article becomes a 'great black Briton' other than by just existing though).

Amusingly, that surname of 'Blackmore' or 'Blackamore' goes back to an observation I have made in various discussions that Moors (i.e. North Africans) were not generally Blacks. Hence the need to qualify the designation for those that were.