As Black History Month comes to an end, members of the black community in East London tell Rising East that the annual observance has brought about awareness and understanding.
“A few years ago we would have to advertise and explain what Black History Month is and now we are working with an organisation called ‘The World We Imagine’, which is working with young people to teach them their culture and heritage,” said Joy Caron, one of the organisers of an event at the Royal Docks Learning and Activity Centre in North Woolwich earlier this week.
Another organiser, Zoey Charles, said: “It just made me feel like say it’s ours, it’s mine.”
She added: “Black History Month for me has definitely changed from when I was younger, in Newham I haven’t seen any Black History Month events in 15 years, the most iconic event so far is today, growing up there was more, more of a community if it wasn’t for this event it would just be another day.”
Black History Month, which happens in October, aims to promote and celebrate the contribution of those with African and Caribbean heritage to British society and to draw attention to black history in general.
For many, Black History Month now means breaking barriers and carrying opportunities for togetherness and unity for people from all backgrounds, learning about history, and fighting the inequality that different ethnic minorities face still today, to help build a fairer future for all.
Black History Month remains to be important for the black community and shows every year how important it is to raise awareness for it.
Edited by Shirin GHAYAD