Black History Month

We're only on day one of #BHM (Black History Month) and I'm already so excited for the calendar of events that have been lined up for us. The plan is to 'educate' 'celebrate' and 'fundraise' and I personally want to make sure I'm doing what I can to invest my time, effort and energy into each.

On the first topic of 'educate', and since the #blacklivematter events earlier this year, I've sought ways to educate myself, to learn more and especially to start to appreciate the importance and context of 'Britain's black history' - where before I have only really appreciated American Black History given the headlines.

I've started, and I emphasize started, to try to build some of my own perspective and to uncover context. First by reading 'Girl, Woman, Other' by Bernadine Evaristo. A fantastic book which I implore you all to read (or perhaps get on audiobook to bring the characters to life). Girl, woman, other is a novel which explores the lives (and struggles) of 12 characters in the UK, telling of varied experiences through generations and social classes. A vibrant, 'new kind of history' which introduces topics of race, sex and LGBTQ+. It's brilliant and really set the tone for me.

"I'm not done with Reni's book and it isn't done with me...I need to keep revisiting it, to learn from and to inform my conversations"

Second, as part of the inaugural #JustBe bookclub we've read and discussed 'Why I'm no longer talking to white people about race'. Here author Reni Eddo-Lodge explores race, class and gender based on her own and the experience of others, brilliantly set-up in the context of a (I must say, hard hitting) history of systemic racism in Britain. This is a must read, and a page turner. Both in the way I felt compelled to keep reading but also in the way I've folded pages over to ensure I can go back and revisit - something a number of us shared we had done the same in our discussion.

I'm not done with Reni's book and it isn't done with me. Chapters discussing white supremacy, systemic racism and what white people can do are rich with thought provoking prose, and I'm keen to keep revisiting these chapters and their key messages, to remind my of the histories and to better start my own conversations.

Next for me will be Steve McQueen's 'Small Axe' - previewed below and coming to our screens on the BBC. I'm intrigued, excited but also unsure about how uncomfortable I may feel again about building more color on my understanding of Britain's black history, but I want to do more to learn and understand, to build perspective and context so I can better guide my own positive actions going forward.

I'd love to hear from anyone who's read these tiles, or plans to watch the BBC series. Let's start the conversation and share learning, on the path to being better allies together.

Speak soon,

Josh

"Rainbow Milk author Paul Mendez sits down with the Academy Award-winning film-maker and artist to discuss his new BBC series, Small Axe."

#BHM #BlackHistoryMonth