Luca Difato, Operational Team Support Administrator & Communications Assistant 21 October 2021. 2 Minute Read.
Every October in the UK, Black History Month is celebrated to commemorate black history while promoting and celebrating the achievements and contributions of black people in British society past and present. Throughout the month, it is important to ensure the importance of the Black community’s influence on the fabric of British history isn’t overlooked or misrepresented. This month is an opportunity to not only celebrate black excellence but raise awareness to the on-going racial inequalities and systemic injustices such as the Windrush Scandal and Grenfell Tower disaster that are affecting the community to this day.
Originally beginning in the United States amid the civil rights and Black Power movements in 1969, Black History Month was established by an association led by Harvard-educated historian Carter G Woodson. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognised the month and since then, Black History Month has received official governmental recognition and is observed in Canada ( in February), the United Kingdom and now the Republic of Ireland.
The theme for this year’s Black History Month in the US was The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity, and explored the African diaspora. More on this theme can be found via the Association for the Study of African Life and History. While in the UK this October, the theme is “Proud to Be”. This aims to inspire and share the pride people have in their culture and heritage. Further information on this can be read here.
These themes and campaigns are a great way for people to get involved and take part in the celebrations every Black History Month. These ideas also help to make the month more personal and unique to all families, communities and individuals by giving everyone a platform to voice their own experiences and stating what they are proud to be.
Importance
Available at Our History is Shared History, there is a Black History Month Advent Calendar which highlights 31 of the most important people of African Caribbean heritage ranging from the first black Queen of England, Philippa of Hainault, to British activist Akala. Black history can never be confined to one month, but the current curriculum fails to shed light on figures of historical and cultural significance such as the aforementioned, and this month of observance allows for the emphasis to be placed on black history with an occasion for people to develop their own understanding at the same time.
It is vital that the work being done to raise awareness to the misrepresentation of a vital part of British history continues beyond Black History Month and persists through the year. This is a great time for everyone to view, share and talk about the resources that are available this October as a way to not only learn about black history, but to appreciate why it must be celebrated and normalised as an annual observance.
The too-often neglected accomplishments of Black people in all areas of our society and throughout history is slowly being combated, with resources and literature shining a light on this matter being listed below this section.
Citizens Advice will continue to share relevant information and resources throughout October on social media for everyone to view and share, as we aim to amplify the voices of black people. Citizens Advice adopts an anti-racist approach to race equity which has been developing for over 40 years, from post-war work with black communities to policy work on racism within the benefits system in 1991 with the publication of “Barriers to benefit – black claimants and social security”.
Citizens Advice Reigate and Banstead will continue to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all that it does.
Resources for celebrating Black History Month
Reading materials
Documentaries, TV series and talks
Anti-racism advocacy organisations
Within our organisation, all Citizens Advice staff and volunteers who identify themselves as being Black, Asian or who come from a minority ethnic background, can also join the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network Group, who will host their own celebrations with their members. Our thanks go to the members of this group for the resources and information they have produced.