A meeting at Harlesden Library, North West London, on February 2nd based on the book Tell It Like It Is: How our schools fail Black children was fantastically successful with about 150 people crowding into the library, and I know that there were many people who supported the initiative but were not able to come. One thing the meeting clearly showed was that Black parents are deeply concerned about their children's education as are many teachers, school support staff, youth and community workers and librarians.

There have been a number of similar meetings in other parts of London and some of the people involved in organising them have met with Doreen Lawrence at the Stephen Lawrence Foundation to discuss how we can proceed with finding solutions to the problems highlighted in the book and illuminated so effectively at the meeting. That Black children still face institutional racism in the school system more than thirty years after the publication of Bernard Coard's pamphlet is a national disgrace and we are sure you will agree that we need to unite everyone who is concerned about the issue to change the situation for the sake of our children.

Please come to a follow-up meeting on Thursday March 9th at 6.00 pm at Harlesden Library where there will be people who have been to the meetings at the Stephen Lawrence Foundation, some of whom have been involved in organising meetings in other areas so that we can share our experience and build a united campaign. There may also be specific things we can do locally in relation to Brent as an education authority.

We have invited Brian Richardson the book's editor, but have not yet heard whether he is able to come.

If you are unable to come on March 9th, but would like to know what the meeting decides and be invited to future meetings, please email  roundwood@redmail.com or
ring Sarah on 0208 451 0739 or 07887 743 411 so that we can keep you in touch with developments.

Many people who are concerned about the adverse effects that the Government's White Paper on education will have if the proposals in it are passed will be assembling on Thursday March 2nd 5.30 pm at Ambrosden Ave near Westminster Cathedral (near Victoria Station) to march at 6.00 pm to Parliament Square and then attend a rally in Central Hall Westminster at 7.00 pm - this is instead of the picket of the Department of Education announced at the February 2nd meeting as the support for the protest has grown massively since then.



In solidarity

Sarah Cox for Brent Tell It Like It Is group

PS Please forward this to anyone you think would be interested. Thank you.