It seems that outside of the UK and US, Black History Month is negligible to the interests of the very community it is intended for. At least, that is the impression a young Nigerian woman gives me.
“Everyday that I am black is a celebration. I do not need a month,” the University of Sheffield student says, almost contemptuously. Growing up in Nigeria, being black was nothing to celebrate; not because there is anything wrong with being black but simply because to her, they are just a person who happens to be black. It was only when she moved to the UK when she heard about an entire month dedicated to honouring the contributions and achievements of the African diaspora throughout history.
Black History Month was first observed in the UK in 1987. In America, it is celebrated in February, but Ghanian activist Akyaaba Addai Sebo, who established the event in the UK, chose October as historically, this is the time when African community chiefs gather to settle their differences.
It is also believed that by celebrating at the beginning of the academic year it gives black children a sense of pride, which is the case for another student at the university. Max Jenz, a second year journalism studies student, also with Nigerian roots, is appreciative of the activism behind the month.
But Max sees it as not a month of celebration but as a month of taking action to counter racism, which coincidentally echoes this year’s theme: “Time for Change: Action not Words.”
Max views it as an opportunity to educate oneself on history: “A lot of the history is not taught in the curriculum and there is pride in knowing one’s history,” he says. Although he doesn’t actively participate in the various celebrations put on by the community, he does occasionally engage in the content, such as features like this one, that’s often pushed during this time to raise public awareness of the event.
Dhyasa Morgan, black Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) students part time officer at the university, also recognizes the educational opportunities the month offers, but maintains that it can be about celebrations just as much as it is about education.
“Often, many conversations around this time of year are about ensuring more diverse historical narratives are shared and personal or trauma informed experiences are engaged with,” she says.
Acknowledging Black History Month as a festival is a practice that has only developed over the years. It was initially focused as a festival of academia, valuing the work of past and present black scholars who have been sidelined in favour of their white colleagues, but it has also become one that celebrates the everyday people for simply being black.
There is value in one’s culture, traditions and history. There is merit in celebrating just for the sake of being ourselves, and celebrating a complicated and tumultuous history especially can be freeing.
“Having these very heavy and personal conversations can be emotionally taxing, so the carnival is one way of ensuring that our members feel supported in a different way, engaged and celebrated for who they are, and not what has been historically taken from them,” Morgan explains.
Sheffield Students Union’s carnival in honour of Black History Month invites local and black-owned businesses, musicians and other artists. But the SU’s celebration of diversity isn’t confined to just this event, or even month.
Black History Month is often criticised as being performative and it’s understandable why some may feel this way. If recalling the young Nigerian woman’s words at the beginning, pledging thirty whole days to commemorate a marginalised community pales in significance to the individual’s life experience.
“I need to be recognised every single month. A month isn’t going to wash away the sins of centuries,” she says.
It is difficult to disagree with her.
Black History Month doesn’t claim to erase the atrocities committed against the black community. But it is a step in the right direction.
Of course, there are those who exploit social activism for capital gain and this applies to all marginalised groups. And there are those pressured by performative activism who simply make a quick post on their social media to feel they have done their part. All this seems superficial and defeats the purpose of the aim behind the event.
But there are those, like the SU, that genuinely commit to the cause.
“Whilst I acknowledge the idea that Black History Month can be viewed as performative, I disagree with this notion from the perspective of the Students’ Union,” Morgan says.
“If there was not continued support and engagement by and from the organisation regarding diversity, this concern would be completely valid, however this is not the case.
“We have a range of both educational and celebratory events that are and will continue to be taking place from a diversity standpoint.”
It is the 35th anniversary of Black History Month being celebrated here in the UK. In those years it has meant a lot or nothing at all to those it is dedicated to.
But regardless of their stance, the young Nigerian woman’s words stay rooted in my mind: “Everyday that I am black is a celebration.”
