October marks Black History Month in the UK. It has been held each October since 1987, as an opportunity to reflect on how Britain’s legacy of slavery and colonialism has influenced this group, as well as to celebrate the works and achievements of the Black British community.
The theme of this year’s Black History Month is ‘Time for Change: Action, Not Words. It focuses on the double-burden black people carry, of being discriminated against and expected to overcome this problem with no outside help. The theme emphasises that ending racism and discrimination is a challenge to be tackled by all members of society, and for progress to be made in the form of concrete actions, instead of just dialogue.
A cross-party motion was submitted by West Scotland MSP Pam Gosal, asking:
“The Parliament welcomes that Black History Month takes place in October 2022; notes that the theme is Time for Change: Action, Not Words; understands that it is possible to acknowledge the past and learn from it, but to improve the outlook for the future, action, not words, is needed; welcomes that Black History Month gives everyone the opportunity to share, celebrate, and understand the impact of black heritage and culture, and agrees that it is important to recognise the contributions and achievements of those with African or Caribbean heritage and to learn about the effects of racism and how to challenge negative stereotypes.”
Events in Scotland include a Black history walking tour of Edinburgh, musical performances, and talks from the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER) on Black history and influence in the UK. These events offer links between Scotland and Africa or the Caribbean, as well as showcasing the talents and influence of Black Scots, both historical and contemporary.