Black History Month - a legacy beyond the calendar!

October is a significant month in the UK as it marks the celebration of Black History Month, a time to reflect on and honour the rich cultural heritage of the black community.

This celebration, formerly known as Negro History Week, began in the US in 1926 and was created by Carter G. Woodson, a pioneering African American historian. Years later, the UK celebrated its first Black History Month in 1987, led by Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, a Ghanaian-born refugee who played a significant role in promoting African culture and history in the UK.

What started as a celebration in the USA has now expanded globally, including the UK and other countries, to amplify the narrative of Africans in the diaspora, fostering a sense of unity and shared history.

The purpose of the celebration is in its very title: Black History. It is intended to celebrate Black History. It is intended to challenge negative stereotypes about people of black heritage, addressing racism and other issues. It is intended to inform the public about black history.

But is the intended message the perceived message?

On the one hand, some believe this dedicated month is the perfect opportunity to bridge the gap in knowledge about the history of Africans in the diaspora—encouraging the Black community to get in touch with their roots and remember the sacrifices of their families.  

Year after year, members of the black community question the true purpose of this month supposedly dedicated to Africans in the diaspora. Black History is African history. But very little of African history is actually taught. In fact, many have the opinion that the black history explained in schools, social media, and institutions is simply a subset of American history. It begs a more important question Morgan Freeman asked: "(Why) relegate my history to a month?" All Africans' toils, efforts, culture, and significance simply cannot be compressed into a single month.

The 'Black Aspects' of the UK and USA, such as the contributions of Black soldiers in World War I and II, the Civil Rights Movement, and the achievements of prominent Black figures in various fields, should be taught more often to not need a Black History Month. But that is not the case.

It's not enough to confine the celebration of Black History to a single month. We need to integrate it into our daily lives, in schools, at work, and everywhere, to instil a sense of pride and appreciation for the unique and diverse African culture and the efforts of our forefathers.

~Nwadinma Amucheazi, Assistant Editor 24/25 Committee.

References

Image Source:

Pixabay. Link: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/black-history-black-lives-matter-6929103/. Accessed 29th October, 2024.