Black History Month Celebrated in Leeds

Did you know that October was Black History Month? No? Don’t worry, I’m sure you aren’t alone.

October 2013 is the 26th year the UK will be celebrating the history and contributions of black African and Caribbean communities and individuals, past and present have made both on a local level and across the globe.

Originally launched in 1987 by Akyaaba Addai Sebbo as part of the African Jubilee celebrations for the Marcus Garvey Centenary, Black History Month has aimed to:

Promote knowledge of Black history, culture and heritage

Disseminate information on positive Black contributions to British Society

Heighten the confidence and awareness of Black people to their cultural heritage

Although debate continues around whether the month should be exclusive in promoting only the African and Caribbean contributions, the celebrations in UK have to date sustained inclusion of all ‘Black’ Minority Ethnic communities and therefore the term Black in used in the generic sense.
2013 marks a number of significant anniversaries in Black History, for example:

180th Anniversary of the Slavery outlaw in the UK (1833)

175th Anniversary of the Emancipation – freedom of slaves (1st August 1838)

100th Anniversary of the appointment of Britain’s First Black Major – John Archer (1913)

65th Anniversary of the Empire Windrush arrival in Southampton (1948)

55th Anniversary of the first major black post-war newspaper “The West Indian Gazette” (1958)

55th Anniversary of the Notting Hill and Notting Dale Riots (1958 Aug/Sept)

50th Anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech (1963)

50th Anniversary of 1963 March on Washington/ Black March on the American Embassy at Grosvenor Square organised by Claudia Jones

The 1st of October marks the start of a cultural celebration and remembrance for notable people and events in the history of the African diaspora. BHM includes over 6,000 events and celebrations nationwide. Most local authorities regard it as a mark of pride to sponsor events and even the areas with a sparse black population will delve deep to unearth their own black histories. A number of talks, workshops, screenings, exhibitions and gigs will take place particularly across Leeds throughout October to highlight the lengthy and important contribution that the Black community have made to British life over the centuries.

BHM gives the whole community an opportunity to celebrate the Black presence throughout history as well as Black influence in society today. It would also be opportune to remind ourselves that one month’s celebration cannot make up for forgetting or ignoring Black history the rest of the year – provoking the assumption that Black history is separate from British history. The reality of the world we live in means that if we do not take this opportunity to reveal the histories of the diverse cultures that make up Britain they will remain forever hidden.

From the dark days of slavery, through to mass immigration after the Second World War, to Black stars of the political, entertainment and sporting world in the present day, Black History Month will have something for you regardless of your background. Make this October the beginning of your rediscovery of the richness of British history.