The United Kingdom is a multi-cultural society today. Many people have emmigrated from all over the world to make their home here. None more so than peoples from the Commonwealth, former colonies of Great Britain. Most of these people are black and their history is has often been forgotten or overlooked. Black History Month of October is a time set aside to tell the stories of Black Britons.
What is Black History Month?
Black History Month was launched about 40 years ago in London, and celebrated every year since. It has evolved over the years and now celebrates the history, contributions and achievements of all black people.
Ever since the Brexit referendum on 23 June 2016 and the lead up to it, the issue of immigration has been right up there. Immigration became a thing that was talked about in negative ways. But we know better. We know that the diversity of cultures enriches everyone and should be celebrated. Understanding our differences but appreciating one another makes for a cohesive community
The history of black people is not taught in school nor is it mentioned in main stream media. Black History Month is a time for the UK to learn more about our peoples and cultures from all over the world. Its a time to celebrate diversity and recount the forgotten history of black people in Britain.
How do we celebrate?
Did you know that blacks have lived in Britain since Roman times? This means there is a lot of information to be found and used in appropriate ways.
To help with celebrating Black History Month, a good place to start is the Black History website. Here you can find the celebration magazine as well as a Resource Pack that could be used in schools, public and private organisations and elsewhere to create events that run through the month.
I would like to read the book Windrush by Mike Phillips and Trevor Phillips. I bought it ages ago and it just sat on my shelf unread – till now. All over the country, there are concerts, lectures, workshops, dinners, lunches and much more happening.
Message from Jo Swinson MP
Jo Swinson, Liberal Democrat Leader said in her message that this is the time to focus our national attention on the history and legacy of black British communities.
She went on to say “The contributions of black Britons are rich and varied, yet for too long we have ignored the legacy of black pioneers and accepted a narrative that confines the history of black people to that of slaves and colonial subjects. This is not good enough.”
Furthermore, she stated that “Worse still, when we do celebrate black Britons, the contributions of black women are massively diminished. Yet, despite having to contend with both racial and gender oppression black women continue to drive social, political and cultural change.
This year let us celebrate the women of the past, such as Olive Morris, a feminist who dedicated her life to equality and activism. The women of the present, like Olivette Otele, who in 2018 became the UK’s first black female history professor. And let us empower the next generation of activists and trailblazers and do all we can to ensure that their achievements will never be absent from the history books.“
So let’s go out and celebrate all that is great in Black History.