Schoolchildren must be taught black history to help Bermuda shed the legacy of segregation, anti-racism author Tim Wise told a meeting last night.

Mr. Wise attacked schools which teach about the discovery of the Island and the achievement of democracy — but ignore the hundreds of years of black struggle in between.

The American — who was speaking to about 100 people at a Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda meeting at the Cathedral Hall — said youngsters graduate with a better knowledge of the history of Britain than their own country.

Mr. Wise said that although segregation ended 40 years ago, black schoolchildren were still disadvantaged today, partly because the education system retains norms set up to help maintain white supremacy.

He said there was a perception that teaching black art, history and literature is divisive because it makes white children feel guilty.

However, he argued that currently black children are in fact required to learn about white art, history and literature.

"We don't talk about black art, black history, black literature," said Mr. Wise.

"We don't learn them because people say it's divisive and white kids won't be able to relate to it.

"Yet black kids are expected to learn about white art, history and literature."

Asked by an audience member why there was a fear of teaching black history, Mr. Wise replied: "It's assumed to be a break from neutrality, when in fact the system isn't neutral."

Mr. Wise also urged teachers away from colour blindness — saying they need to recognise the different needs of black and white children.

He said studies show black children suffer more than their white counterparts if they are not paid compliments by their teachers — because they need to be spoken to positively to combat the negative images of blacks they see in the media and in popular culture.

Such stereotyping also has a harmful effect on the way black children perform under pressure, the speaker said, because they feel an added anxiety to disprove the negativity.

Mr. Wise, whose works include White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, will also be conducting workshops for local and international companies during his stint on the Island.