Black History Month: When, How and Why
By Aashna Bhatia
October marks the start of Black History Month which celebrates the history, achievements and inspiring lives of black people across the UK. In the US, where this originated in the early 20th century, the month is also referred to as African-American history month.
It is imperative to realise that Black History month has undergone a major transformation to reach where it is today since its start in 1926.
Virginia-born Carter Goodwin Woodson, a historian and co-founder of the “Association for the study of African American Life and History” is often called the “father of black history”. Whilst he was attending a celebration in Illinois which held stands of people, many of which carrying exhibits detailing the achievements of African Americans after the abolishment of slavery. While these exhibits were important and informative, according to him, they weren't enough. To him it seemed like there was three celebrations to honour African Americans: the anniversary of emancipation, Abraham Lincoln's birthday, and Fredrick Douglas' birthday.
This did not sit well with Woodson as he firmly believed that there should have been more time and effort devoted to understanding Black history. Second, Woodson believed that “history was made by the people, not by the achievements of a few great men.”
In response to this, in February 1926, Woodson and his organisation launched, “ Negro History Week”, a precursor to Black History Month.
Woodson believed that teaching of black history was imperative in the study of race within society, stating: “ If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.” This sparked major interests in schools and college campuses and eventually amidst the civil rights movement, President Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976. Black History Month was first celebrated in the U.K. in 1987, an event organised by Ghanaian-born Akyaaba Addai-Sebo.
This year, Croydon BME Forum has partnered with Croydon Council and Croydon Black History Month to host a variety of activities, which includes film screenings, poetry projects and apprenticeship events.
The theme of this year, as stated by the website is “RID the stigma.”
RID the stigma
“RID (representation, identity, diversity) the stigma will focus on black heritage and the identity crisis young people face when they are viewed negatively in the community. The aim remains to address and change this stigma by getting rid of it and focusing instead on their true representation. To enable them to identify who they are and incorporating this cultural diversity and heritage that actually surrounds young black people.
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
There are numerous ways in which one can celebrate black history month. The most important thing, and the thing that Carter G. Woodson intended all those years ago, is for you to get informed about African American History and learn what you can do to apply what you learn in your life.
Take time to sit down and read a book, watch a movie or listen to some music that can be informational of the culture. Engage in discussions and conversations around you.
Here is a list of a few movies you must watch this month:
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Hidden Figures (2016)
Lee Daniels’ The Butler (2013)
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)
42 (2013)
The Help (2011)
Selma (2014)
Some Iconic Artists and Activists to add to your daily tunes
1. Billie Holiday: He once said, “If I’m going to sing like someone else, then I don’t need to sing at all.” When approached by jewish songwriter Abel Meerapol, at a time when Racial killings and segregation was at an all time high in the USA, holiday agreed to take on his song called “Strange Fruit”, with the aim of spreading awareness of the horrific lynch killings that were being experienced within the African-American community throughout the United States.
2. Nina Simone: “There’s no excuse for young people not knowing who their heroes and heroines are.” Simone was very passionate about the discrimination she had experienced as an African American artist, but also felt strongly about the injustices experienced by her people. She joined the civil rights movement in every way she could. Not only through rallies and various events, but by writing impactful, descriptive compositions and always openly talking about her work in the civil rights movement in various interviews, questioning government policies, leaders and in some instances, the interviewer. Nina Simone: To be Free
3. Beyoncé: The queen once said, “I wanted to find real men that have lived, have struggled, cried, have a light and a spirit about them. I felt like this is an opportunity to show the strength and vulnerability in black men.” Her thought provoking album ‘Formation’, to her bringing the mothers of Police brutality victims as her guests to the VMAs, these acts have undoubtedly catapulted Beyonce from the queen of Pop, to a civil rights activist Icon. Beyonce continues to lead protests through her music.
4. Bob Marley: “The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity, and his ability to affect those around his positively.” Bob Marley overtly got involved in politics, often to his detriment, notably being shot and ambushed on a number of occasions. One of the most memorable incidents was when he was supposed to perform at a high-risk political concert in his home country, ‘The One Love Peace Concert’, against the advice of all of his loved ones and fellow band members. His reasoning was that it would be the only way to unite the two rival parties and stop the violence in the country. Marley and his wife were shot in their home the day before the concert, in an effort to stop the performance. Being the fighter that he was, Marley performed the concert, with a bandage around his wound.
Spotify ACM Black History Month playlist
Some thought provoking reads for the month:
The Source of Self-Regard: Selected Essays, Speeches, and Meditations by Toni Morrison
Negrophobia by Darius James
Notes from a Black Woman’s Diary by Kathleen Collins
Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James
Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest by Hanif Abdurraqib
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Closure: Contemporary Black British Short Stories, edited by Jacob Ross and published by Peepal Tree Press.
We need to live in a world that shares the belief that Martin Luther King Jr, propagated,
“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality…. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”
HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!
AASHNA BHATIA
Writer for We Hate Pink
Masters student at London School of Economics, pursuing a degree in Gender, Media and Culture.
Aashna is writing about gender, media representation and trends. Focus on cultural practices across different countries and the psychology behind politics