Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio 26/10/20 – Where has 33 years of Black History Month got us?
In advance of their Lion’s Story event on October 29th (https://www.alkebulan.org/aae-lions-story-6260/), we speak to panelists of Afrika Teen Talk about what Black History Month means to them.
The observance in the UK started decades before they were even born and has been regarded in recent years to be little more than “tick-box exercise.” (1) However, many believe the summer of global protests have given the event renewed significance but evidence suggests this has thus far failed to be replicated in the “public sphere (e.g. schools) as the originators intended. (2)
So thirty-three years on, we explore what impact BHM has had on young people as well where and how they access knowledge of their history.
(1) Lucy Campbell (11/10/20) ‘It isn’t a tick-box’: young BLM activists on Black History Month in UK schools. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/11/it-isnt-tick-box-young-black-lives-matter-activists-on-black-history-month-uk-schools.
(2) Akyaaba Addai-Sebo and Ansel Wong (Eds) (1988) Our Story – A Handbook of African History and Contemporary Issues. London Strategic Poverty Unit p. 6-8:: “By the designation of October as Black History Month it is our expectation that “Africa’s ideals”, shall forever be manifested in the upliftment of the African Personality in our schools, institutions of higher learning, communities, borough councils and especially in the hearts, minds and deeds of politicians…promoting positive public images and an understanding of Afrikans and people of Afrikan descent and encourage the positive teaching and development of their history, culture and struggles” and to “support Afrikan organisations and liberation movements based in London”.
We ask the question:
Where has 33 years of Black History Month got us?
1) What was your previous experience of BHM?
2) Should this year have been different because of “Black Lives Matter”? Was it?
3) What legacy has BHM passed on to young people?
4) What proportion of the Black history you know did you learn from school (as opposed to outside school)?
5)? How would you like to BHM observed in the future (if at all)?
Our special Guests:
Panellists from Afrika Teen Talk: which is a panel discussion taking place as part of the Lion’s Story season taking place on Thursday October 29th from 6pm to 8pm online. 29th (https://www.alkebulan.org/aae-lions-story-6260/).