Source B

Read the following poem I Wish, written by Lawrence Hoo.

I Wish

I wish as a boy growing up, more of my history was shown
There was so much missing, that could have helped me, before I was grown

The history I was taught, helped fill me with anger and pain
Because it taught me, my ancestors, were slaves with no name

Captured, kidnapped, traded and taken from their home
That’s what I remember, when my ancestors were shown

So when it came to history lessons, my interest was none
Because whenever it covered my ancestors, they were savages and dumb

But many years after leaving school, my interest started to grow
And that, is when I realised, there was so much I didn’t know

Much of what I was taught in school, and told was fact
Was really, like someone explaining all your life, on just one act

There is so much to be proud of, there is so much that has been achieved
But without going in search of the truth, I would of been deceived

From kings and queens that built great nations
To teachers and scholars that helped with our educations

From people who stood up when what they saw was wrong
To people who risked their life to help the sick get strong

From warriors that fought with so much pride
To all the people who for our cause …died

These are just a few facts, I found, that turned my anger to joy
And I just wish, they were taught to me, when I, was a boy

Lawrence Hoo