Black History Month 2020: A brief introduction

October, in the United Kingdom, marks Black History Month. This is a month that allows us to reflect and look back at the events and people that played an important part in getting black people to where we are now.Not only is it a month to reflect on our past and consider how to move forward even stronger but it is also a time to share our rich history with anyone interested like you, the person reading this. 

First of all,

The origin of Black History Month. 

Black History Month started off in the U.S in the 1920s but not officially till 1976. It started off as ‘Negro History Week’ and was introduced after African – Americans: Carter G Woodson and Jesse E Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. This organisation was dedicated to promoting good things done by African – Americans in the past. Whilst celebrated in February to align with the birthdays of Abraham Lincon and Frederick Douglas, the United Kingdom started to celebrate it also in 1987. It was largely started as a result of community led activism that wanted more representation as well as wanting to dismantle a 'whitewashed' history. And so we have celebrated it ever since.

Even now, we find ourselves making history. As I write this blog, several more petitions are being signed, protests are being attended, hashtags are being used hundreds of times, I write this blog in hope that someone can broaden their perspective and people living in the U.S prepare to vote to try their hardest to make sure change is made to a system that seems so corrupt.

And so, what next? 

Well let's not take this month for granted and even better keep educating yourself. As cool as it is to have a whole month dedicated to Black History Month, please try to keep up with Black History all year round and you may find yourself learning things that you are even surprised by. Diversity and inclusiveness are key things to have even when it isn't the key 'theme of the month'.

For example, did you know that Rosa Parks was not the origin of the Montgomery Bus Boycotts?
Heard the name Claudette Colvin? Claudette is just one of the many examples of black history we don't see on the surface. Claudette was the 15 year old girl that originally refused to give up her seat. Unfortunately, she was seen as too young, too dark and not appropriate to be the face of the movement.

Black History Month enables us to unlock doors that previously have seem shut to us and hopefully with change, these doors could be unlocked all year round. Why limit the vast history of the black community to one month? 

Thank you for reading and as mentioned before, this is a very brief post but I hope that you are even more excited for BHM . Much more to come soon:)
Thank you,

Princess:))

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