In the UK the tenth month of the year is observed as “Black History Month” since its inception in 1987.  An observance built that which was established in the USA as “Negro History Week” in February1926 by one Carter Godwin Woodson.  His vision was that celebration would “increase awareness of, and interest in black history among the black masses,” with the hope that this would develop into support for Black organizations. (1)

Similarly, the founders in the UK, headed by Akyaaba Addai Sebo, saw the event as a vehicle for “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”. (2)

It is necessary to recount these origins because every year countless events in the name of “Black History Month” occur without either founder (i.e. USA or UK) being referenced.  Worse still, much of what goes on in the name of BHM is subject to local government “appropriation” or misrepresentation by bad faith actors. (3) Such developments can lead to disillusionment and confusion, not only with the observance but our very history itself. (4)

Yet in a message entitled Afrikan History: Spiritual Healing & Warfare delivered at Alkebu-Lan Shumira, Bro. ShakaRa Mbandaka resolutely emphasised the foundational necessity for engaging with our history as ritual, like all other people do (5):

“We understand the relationship between history, spirituality and the Afrikan Liberation fight.  Because the teaching of history and our spiritualising as Afrikan people has no meaning or no purpose unless we are engaged in the quest and the mission to liberate ourselves.” (6)

Referencing Queen Mother Warrior Scholar Marimba Ani ShakaRa also emphasised the importance of “choosing to be Afrikan” in order to liberate ourselves.  Though regarded as best and only choice it is also considered to the hardest one in the current times of white supremacy world domination.

(1) Jacqueline Goggin (1993) Carter G Woodson: A Life In Black History. Louisiana State University Press. p. 84.

(2)  Akyaaba Addai-Sebo and Ansel Wong (Eds) (1988) Our Story – A Handbook of African History and Contemporary Issues. London Strategic Poverty Unit p. 7-8; p. 319

(3) Sally Weale and Robert Booth (30/09/18) Councils condemned for ‘shameful’ rebranding of Black History Month. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/30/councils-condemned-for-shameful-rebranding-of-black-history-month; Rachel Wearmouth (03/10/21) Black History Month becoming ‘racism history month’, claims Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/fury-minister-kemi-badenoch-claims-25341328

(4) The Rubin Report (03/02/22) Morgan Freeman Silences ’60 Minutes’ Host By Insulting Black History Month. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RosCZkH5uTI

(5) Rachel Cooke (18/09/22) ‘Ritual is important’ – why and how we are mourning Elizabeth II. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/18/ritual-is-important-why-and-how-we-are-mourning-elizabeth-ii

(6) ShakaRa Mbandaka (02/10/22) Afrikan History: Spiritual Healing & Warfare. Message delivered at Alkebu-Lan Shumira

(7) Ibid

So tonight we ask the question:

What is the purpose of Black History Month?

1) Do we know the true origins of BHM in the UK or USA?

2) Why does there seem to be attacks on it every year and where do they come from?

3) Do we use our history in the same way as other people?

4) What does “choosing to be Afrikan” really mean?

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement, Afrikan-Centered Education Consultant and national co-Chair of the interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament.  Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of nearly 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.

Bro. ShakaRa Mbandaka: the son of Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka, Father, Partner, Universal Afrikan Nationalist, Organiser, Spoken Word Activist, Writer, Cultural Scientist, Educator, Sema Tawi (ShakaRaSpeaks.com).