A somber new exhibition in Leeds tells the tragic tale of a man who drowned in the River Aire after experiencing racial harassment. David Oluwale is one of the intriguing historical characters whose lives have gone unwritten or are underrepresented in the exhibition Overlooked, which debuts at Leeds City Museum. David Oluwale was an apprentice tailor who immigrated to the UK from Nigeria in the 1940s. He went to Leeds, where he was regrettably singled out for discrimination due to his mental health, homelessness, and race.
After being bullied by Leeds City Police officers for years, he drowned in the River Aire on April 18, 1969. A variety of books, plays, and a recently built bridge bearing his name have all been inspired by the city’s tragic legacy left by the circumstances of his death. Additionally, a blue plaque honoring his life was put on Leeds Bridge last year; however, it was vandalized. But Leeds Civic Trust took its place as a result of the city’s very positive response.
Large selection of records and photographs will be on exhibit.
Some duplicates of David’s plaque with the words written by author and dramatist Caryl Phillips reading “The river tried to carry you away, but you stay with us in Leeds,” will be one of the items on exhibit as part of Overlooked. A selection of records from the National Archives, including court records and photographs, about David’s life and the police inquiry into his death will also be on exhibit. They consist of Gary Galvin’s original scrapbook, which he put together after reporting David’s abuse to West Yorkshire Police.
The Preservative Party, a group of history enthusiasts who range in age from 14 to 24, has been formed. For more than ten years, they have planned and curated exhibitions and displays for Leeds Museums and Galleries. The history of Leeds has been shaped by numerous intriguing people, each of whom has contributed in their own unique way to the city we know and love today, according to Jordan Keighley, curator of youth engagement at Leeds City Museum.
Two enslaved African Americans who fled slavery are featured in Overlooked.
Ellen and William Craft, two enslaved African Americans who fled slavery, are among the other stories featured as part of Overlooked. While traveling throughout the US, William pretended to be an enslaved person who belonged to Ellen, who was pretending to be a white guy. They ultimately left the US and arrived in Leeds, where they spoke and organized campaigns to rescue everyone who was still held captive. Lena Cromack, who worked alongside hundreds of other Leeds women at the Barnbow munitions plant during the First World War to help create between 300,000 and 400,000 ammunition rounds every week, is also on display.
There will be a lock of her hair on exhibit at the museum that she chopped off so she could work securely at Barnbow. In order to assist individuals in telling their own tales through the show, the Preservative Party also collaborated with nearby community organizations. This has included a collaboration with the Deaf Arts Forum, a small focus group that will be sharing their personal reflections and experiences in the exhibition through a series of short films and interviews covering subjects like deaf awareness, identity, culture, and community, as well as technology.
Modern Leeds is now proudly built on diversity.
Additionally, Overlooked includes a number of audio and video recordings of Leeds Older Peoples Forum participants and individuals with neurodivergence. The proud foundation of contemporary Leeds is based on inclusivity, diversity, and the celebration of people who contribute significantly to the city’s character as a whole. However, it hasn’t always been like that; there are people whose contributions have gone unappreciated and whose tales clearly need to be heard. It’s inspiring to see this team of enthusiastic young people working so hard to tell their stories to guests of all ages.
Related Link
LCM: Website
Fact-Checking Tool – Snopes.com
Stories rediscovered by young history lovers. – David Oluwale, victim of police harassment remembered by blue plaque in Leeds. – Express your point of view.
This is the epitome of history. It helps us recall past events that have happened. The plaques in the headline really symbolises the different events that has taken place in the past over time.
Having varieties of book, play and the rest in memory of david is an excellent one. The story is really tragic.
The exhibition Overlooked, which is making its premiere at Leeds City Museum, features a number of fascinating historical figures whose lives have not been written about or are neglected.
Stories rediscovered by young history lovers. The past history story will help to learn more about the past event
He traveled to Leeds, where, unfortunately, he was singled out for prejudice due to the fact that he was homeless, suffering from mental illness, and was a minority.
An assortment of materials regarding David’s life and the investigation into his death that were found in the National Archives will also be displayed at the exhibit. These records include court records and pictures.
A number of replicas of the plaque that bears David’s name, with the inscription written by the playwright and dramatist Caryl Phillips
The museum will display a snippet of her hair that she severed so that she could continue working safely at Barnbow. This snippet of her hair will be on display. I
It is motivating to witness a group of young people who are so enthused about their work and who are working so hard to communicate their experiences to visitors of all ages.
It wasn’t always that way; there are those whose efforts have been underappreciated and whose stories unquestionably deserve to be told. This situation has changed through time.
This is a history that will help us remember the past about what happen and learn from it, this story is really something
Being around a bunch of young people who are so passionate about what they do and who are working so hard to share their experiences with visitors of all ages inspires me.
It’s inspiring to see this team of enthusiastic young people working so hard to tell their stories. This would serve as motivation for coming generations.
The Leeds City Museum is the first venue to host the exhibition Overlooked, which focuses on interesting historical personalities whose stories have been forgotten or are not well known.
Seeing a group of young people so invested in their job and committed to sharing their experiences with guests of all ages is inspiring.
What a touching story to remember. It is indeed a story rediscovered that speak about David Oluwole on racism and why it need to be completely condemned.
The story of David Oluwole has created a deep emotion in the heart of many. It is a story that speaks volumes and pass across a strong message. Racism must be total eradicated from our society.
Being around a bunch of young people who are so passionate about what they do and who are working so hard to share their experiences with visitors of all ages inspires me.