Racism was a key catalyst for the creation of Black Hisory Month (BHM) in the UK after a racially abused six-year-old asked his mother why couldn’t he be white. (1) This inspired visionary Baba Akyaaba Addai-Sebo to swing into action to organise something that would elevate the “Afrikan personality” in the public sphere, especially for our children. Thus at the start of Afrikan Jubilee Year in October 1987, Black History Month was established in the UK. (2)

For those struggling with importance of history, Warrior Ancestor and Grand Master Teacher Baba John Henrik Clarke offers a timely reminder:

“History is a clock that people use to tell their political and cultural time of day. It is also a compass that people use to find themselves on the map of of human geography. History tells a people where they are and what they are. Most important history tells a people where they still must go and what they still must be. The relationship of a history to a people is the same as a mother to a child.” (3)

The current socio-political climate in the UK is one that Afrikan people are compelled to use this guidance to navigate. The summer riots all but confirmed that the prevailing ideology in the country white grievance. Moreover, it also has its Black advocates from the Black Conservative Industial Complex like Kemi Bad-Enoch, Calvin Robinson, Nana Akua, Tomiwa Owolade and the like to run interference. (4)

So what’s required is an historically grounded overstanding of race. Enter Bro. Howard Dean Johnson, author of the incendiary new book, The Racism Handbook For People Classified As Black: A Guide to How Racism Really Works Vol 1. The book “attempts to be scientific in its approach. It outlines the historical background, development, context and function of modern ‘race’ and racism as it applies to ‘black’ people.” (5)

Bro. Howard adds:

“As a ‘black’ person you cannot work-out how racism completely functions by just ‘thinking about’ it in your head – it cannot be done. This book explains exactly what racism ‘race’ and racism is and when it first began.” (6)

He concludes:

“This handbook will change your life. It will do so by giving you a knowledge of the true ‘black’ or ‘African self’. You will be fully educated in the essential details of Black History and your modern, social and political existence in ‘white’ society. Your understanding of the meaning of ‘race’ and racism will greatly increase. You will therefore see through the race-based deceptions in ‘white’ societies. You will no longer be ‘racially illiterate’ as you properly grasp the full meaning of ‘Empire’ and ‘real liberation’ from its indelible link to ‘race’ and racism.” (7)

(1) Noah Anthony Enahoro (27/09/23) Akyaaba Addai-Sebo: the shocking conversation that led him to start UK Black History Month. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/sep/27/akyaaba-addai-sebo-the-shocking-conversation-that-led-him-to-start-uk-black-history-month

(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”.

(5) St. Clair Bourne (1996) John Henrik Clarke: A Great and Mighty Walk. Black Dot Media

(4) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio (12/08/24) UK Riots: Why Now? https://alkebulan.org/2024/08/12/aswag-497-uk-riots-why-now/; Tafadzwa ShakaRa Mbandaka (25/04/23) GotKush TV: Zivanayi – Open House, Kemi Seba, Dianne Abbott & Racism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPeSSmUZ4wQ; Richard Sudan (18/09/24) “This is an attack on our community”: Kehinde Andrews blasts police probe over ‘House Negro comments. https://www.voice-online.co.uk/news/uk-news/2024/09/18/this-is-an-attack-on-our-community-kehinde-andrews-blasts-police-probe-over-house-negro-comments/

(5) Howard Dean Johnson (2024) The Racism Handbook For People Classified As Black: A Guide to How Racism Really Works Vol 1. https://theracismhandbook.com/the-book/

(6) Ibid.

(7) Ibid.

we ask the question:

What do we get wrong about Racism?

1) Why do we need a handbook on racism?

2) What is “racial literacy” and how do you acquire it?

3) How can we use it to make sense of the world?

4) Does Black History help in achieving the above?

Our Special Guests:

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 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. Howard Dean Johnson: is a teacher and academic with over 30 years of knowledge and experience in race and racism and Black Studies (Africana Studies). As the author of this handbook, Johnson is engaged in community anti-racism to help repair the damage of the colonial legacies. His race and Black Studies education began in the 1980s studying the books: Black People in The British Empire, Malcom X and Afro-American History and The Souls of Black Folks. Later, intensive studies of the lectures and books of Dr Amos Wilson and Dr. Frances Cress Welsing, Prof. Charles Mills, Prof. David Gillborn, Prof. Derrick Bell and Prof. Tommy Curry. In the early 1980s, in the family tradition, he became a musician and music composer. In 2003, he graduated from the University of Surrey receiving his BMus Honours in Music. Since the 2000s, Johnson has been active in the black community for over 20 years. In 2015, he studied ‘Whiteness Studies’ at University College, London. He presently teaches GCSE English literature and language in a secondary school, and has been teaching the subject since 2004. As a social justice advocate, Johnson is deeply committed to teaching the centrality of race to the making of the modern world. He therefore promotes what he calls ‘racial literacy’ or ‘race education’.

******

Support the T21 Alchemy campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/f/t21-alchemy-raising-consciousness-around-around-disability

Help Moyo Solidarity Centre ship & repair their Exhibition!: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-ship-preserve-and-repair-our-exhibition?qid=94d05b5ab9123a974d3d1f85b1b3f0e4