Issue 158

Inside Black History Month

22nd October 2007

"We should emphasize not negro history, but the negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate and religious prejudice." Carter Woodson on founding Negro History Week in 1926.

Black history month means a lot of different things for different people. It could be described as a time to remember and honour heroes and heroines of black origin who have played major roles in the development of the black community. People such as Martin Luther King, Edward Brooke, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Oprah Winfrey and Nelson Mandela.

It could also be seen as an opportunity to exhibit to the world the strength and beauty of the African culture. For others, it is a time to build black self-esteem whilst exposing the harms of racial prejudice. Underlying all these is a celebration of black heritage and a remembrance of the foundation built in times past that have moulded the present and future of the black people as well as a promotion of worthy role models of black heritage for the generation of today.

The rise of hip hop music in our nation today is commendable, even more so is the phenomenal penetration of the culture to spawn street life paradigms that are emblematic for today's youth. But this rule at the basement of society is not going to fetch black people the equity in the corridors of power that they have desired in Western society for over four hundred years since the first black slave arrived. Blacks constantly assert that they remain on the fringes of society, forced to play second fiddle because of the permutation of persistent prejudices and preferential treatment to others. We blacks tend to live in a self- created bubble of complaint and self- victimization. But one must ask what good it does to any black youth when they are socialized into a climate of adulation for role models whose major preoccupations include professing a taste for "money, hoes and bling?"

The Committee for Equality and Human Rights Chair, Trevor Phillips, in seemingly radical policies, has advocated a separation of black boys from other pupils to boost their achievement, highlighting falling educational standards amongst today's black youth. Black- on- black crime as it is so- called has been front page news on so many occasions in the last few years that it has led to the creation of the special police unit, Operation Trident. And even this has not quelled the spate of reported knife- and gun- related murders. There are fewer black members of Parliament in the UK than there are hours in a day. And even less black Lords.

The modern black person will inveigh against "black tax" (a phrase which describes the extra mile professional blacks have to go to gain respect) and discriminatory racial profiling as well as outright racism as causes for these adverse circumstances. Nevertheless, many are convinced that these failings are a result of a lack of suitable role models, so this black history month, if you are truly black and truly proud, stand uprevolutionaries, shrugging of the labels of hip hop culture and reversing the perspectives of black success as being tied solely to music and the arts. Enrobe yourself in dignity and virtue and strive for excellence in politics and professionalism because it is leadership in these fields that will bring blacks to parity with their other racial counterparts. It is education that will improve our social standing.

Every year for over 30 years in the United Kingdom, the month of October has been regarded as a period to acknowledge and celebrate the history of the culture and people of black origin dead and alive. Over the years, this celebration has become more popular, not only with the black community but also with people from other races. This year's celebration of black history month is even more special as it is the same year that the nation celebrates the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slave trade in the British Empire.

As Carter Woodson (director of Association for the study of Negro Life and History) implies in his quote above, this celebration does not intend to create a division in race but seeks to promote the unity amongst races thus an emphasis is placed on the celebration of black role models as opposed to dwelling on the wrongs or injustice of the past.

There would be a "Black History Month" day organised by the International officer on Thursday the 18th of October at Divas from 12noon to 6pm. Also, the African Caribbean Society are organising a week long line-up of activities from the 22nd to the 27th of October at the university.

Everyone irrespective of race or background is encouraged to join in the celebration as it is an important education and enlightening experience.

www.blackhistorymonthuk.co.uk

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