Reclaiming the narrative of Black History Month

"I'm black everyday...not just during black history month"

This is something that I hear every October and while true, I would like us to reclaim the narrative about Black History month.

Last October, I heard radio presenter for BBC Radio 5 Dotun Adebayo boldly state across the airwaves that he: “didn’t see the point of Black History Month”. ?I questioned why he would say that but everyone is entitled to their opinion, right? I also watched a panel debate comprising of Black people discussing whether Black History month was still needed…and I sighed.

Is Black history month so polarizing?

“Some claim that to celebrate a specific demographic is exclusionary and that we should, instead, celebrate ‘diversity’ in its entirety. Some reject the month-long spotlight as ‘tokenistic’ and express outrage that the teaching of Black History should be confined to just one month of the year. Unfortunately, both objections are miscalculated, with the former failing to recognise the origins of the celebrations, and the latter being based on seemingly excessive, though well intentioned, optimism.” Funmimola Stewart

Here's the thing; I know Black History is every month and I know that some schools and institutions have started to include aspects of African history and culture in their curriculum, allowing students an accurate narrative of Black history and the contributions of?Black?people.

But what about those schools and institutions that don’t do this?? ?

This year, the theme for Black History month is ‘reclaiming narratives’. It is about correcting historical inaccuracies and sharing the untold success stories and full complexity of Black heritage. It’s about taking control of our stories, honouring our heroes, and challenging narratives that have often overlooked Black contributions and achievements in the UK.

But I think we need to reclaim the narrative about why we still need a Black History month. Let’s not forget that Black British contributions throughout history had not even been acknowledged, let alone celebrated.

In 1987, a month was solely dedicated to Black History (thanks Akyaaba Addai-Sebo) and while we have a month in the UK calendar for us and about us, then I want us to exploit that to the max. As one 16 year old youth parliamentarian told me: “October is the time that we remind ourselves about the contributions of Black people to the cultural, economic and political life of the UK. We then spread that knowledge and advocacy during the other 11 months”

Racial inequity still exists and we need to teach Black History because we need young people to know about the achievements of Black people and, equally importantly, educate them why these achievements aren’t always recognised. Young people should be aware of how our contributions have helped to shape UK society and hope that they can dismantle systems that resulted with us needing Black History month in the first place.

Black History month helps to focus that conversation in October and continue beyond

Here's some ideas of what people can do this Black History month:

Here’s what I will do:

• Produce a high quality magazine bursting with articles about our history and our presence (place your order now)
• Design a fantastic BHM resources pack celebrating people from the black community
• Host a series of progressive events aimed at reclaiming narratives on differerent themes (look out for details)
• Highlight organisations and people across the country that teaches Black History and reclaims narratives all year around. If you know a charity, organisation, group, tutors who do this, please share their details? so that we can ensure that we promote their work and support them.

Black History encourages us all to dig deeper, look closer, think bigger