19 minute read
WELCOME MESSAGE
Welcome to Black History Month Magazine 2020
2020 has held a mirror up to the world and forced many to see the reality of racism in all its guises. From Black people dying disproportionately in the pandemic, to the horrific murder of George Floyd and no justice for Breonna Taylor – the 26-yearold emergency medical worker killed by police in her own home.
In the UK, the scale and impact of institutionalised racism has been laid bare, with young Black men stopped and searched 20,000 times in London during the coronavirus lockdown (the equivalent of 1 in 4 young Black men), along with Black MPs, barristers, senior police officers, sportspeople and many more. #BlackLivesMatter protests around the world sparked a commitment among many individuals and organisations to educate themselves about Black history, heritage and culture – as part of understanding racism and standing in solidarity against it.
If that commitment is to transcend beyond social media into real change, everyone, from all communities, needs to embrace Black History Month as a starting point for exploring, discovering and celebrating Black history, heritage and culture – both past and contemporary. From the incredible achievements and contributions, to the many untold stories and barriers to progress – the day-to-day reality of institutionalised racism.
Crucially, this year’s Black History Month is a time to shine a light on our shared British history and tell the whole story honestly and truthfully, to decolonise and reclaim history, and tell stories from the perspective of all people – not just the rich white men in power. The felling of contentious statues and monuments is just the start, now it’s time to ask communities how colonial objects and symbols are used to tell the true story of history.
Black History Month 2020 is also a time to look forward and celebrate the here and now – and the future possibilities. In years gone by, October has been the only time of year when the UK talks about the achievements of Black people in Britain. Hopefully, the events of 2020 will be a catalyst for Black history to be shared much more widely – in museums, galleries, schools, universities, public spaces and communities.
Black people have always made history and always will – but it’s equally important that Black people take the lead on how that history is discovered, explored, researched, recorded, archived, curated, exhibited and shared. That means supporting Black-led heritage organisations and professionals; making national and local institutions much more accessible and representative; and empowering communities to define and share what Black history means to them.
Black culture isn’t just a commodity to be appropriated and monetised, and Black history isn’t just a month to be ticked off a calendar dominated by a white-washed version of history.
Black History Month 2020 is a time for people to come together and hopefully learn lessons for the present and the future. It’s a time to honour the commitment to learning and standing united against racism. It’s a time to reclaim history and re-imagine how our shared history will be told in the future.
By Catherine Ross
Editor of Black History Month Founder Director, Museumand - The National Caribbean Heritage Museum
MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER
BORIS JOHNSON
For countless generations people of African and Caribbean descent have been shaping our nation’s story, making a huge difference to our national and cultural life and helping to make Britain a better place to be.
It is this contribution of black British people that I am proud to be celebrating this October.
That contribution is overwhelmingly apparent today in the energy, talent and dedication of business leaders, lawyers, academics, musicians, artists and many more. This year we have seen the heroic efforts of all the frontline workers and the doctors, nurses and medical professionals who have been tirelessly supporting our NHS throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Of course, there is much more work to be done to ensure that every person of every skin colour, background and creed has the opportunity to succeed, and to stamp out discrimination and racism. I understand the force and depth of feeling that has been expressed following the death of George Floyd in the United States, and share the determination of all those seeking a more equal and just world. That’s why I have set up a Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities to make the progress so many have called for, and to bring about lasting change.
But I also believe that alongside tackling the substance of the problem, we should be giving due praise and recognition to all those who have played such an important role in helping to positively shape modern Britain and our modern Commonwealth.
Because it’s a great shame that more people do not know more about Paul Stephenson or Mary Prince. Or that they haven’t heard about the many brave black servicemen who served in the World Wars – from those grappling in the mud of the Western Front, to the valiant Caribbean pilots and aircrew in the Second World War, and the heroes who fought further afield, in places such as Burma. Or even that they know so little about the Windrush generation, from the nurses who were there at the very start of our NHS to all those who helped rebuild our country after the war.
A key part of the Commission’s work will be to look at how we ensure society is more aware of the significant role people from different ethnic backgrounds have played in our shared British history. Let’s use this Black History Month to celebrate not just the achievements of people today, but of all those who have shaped our nation. Let’s raise up those names. Let’s remember their acts. And let’s celebrate them – because black British history is all our history.
KEIR STARMER LEADER OF THE LABOUR PARTY
This month we celebrate the huge achievements of Black Britons and the Black community.
I have immense admiration for the Black Britons who have helped shaped our country’s history and culture. Iconic figures like Mary Seacole, whose heroic service as a nurse during the Crimean war inspires us today in the fight against Covid-19. And of course, my friend Doreen Lawrence, who has done so much in fighting for justice for her son Stephen.
And I pay tribute to Diane Abbott, Bernie Grant and Paul Boateng –the first Black Labour MPs elected to Parliament 33 years ago. We are proud of the achievements of these towering figures. Their tireless campaigning has paved the way for brilliant Black Labour MPs, who I am proud to work with in my Shadow Cabinet and across Labour’s front and backbenches.
Any self-respecting Arsenal fan who remembers the 1990’s like
October is Black History Month - a time to celebrate the enormous contributions Black people have made to our country.
Their contributions have shaped our national identity and are evident in every field from literature, politics, science,
ED DAVEY LEADER OF THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
business, music and arts.
Throughout this month, we remember icons from the trailblazing composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, to Margaret Busby - Britain’s youngest and first Black female book publisher. We also celebrate those who helped establish our National Health Service, joined the war effort, marched for justice and worked tirelessly to build a better world for all of us.
Just a few months ago, the world watched in horror as George Floyd died at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis. The violence inflicted on him and so many otherBlack people across America is abhorrent, and it is time everyone woke up to the multiple injustices Black people face - and not simply in America.
In the wake of George Floyd’s killing, the demand for justice, that Black lives matter, has reverberated around the world and a new generation of activists has arisen in the longstanding battle for racial justice. We must support these movements and help themprovoke reform, in America, in our own country and wherever racial injustice and racial discrimination raises its ugly head.
The shocking reality is, systemic discrimination is a lived reality for Black people; we see it in classrooms, in offices and throughout the criminal justice system. For example, in the UK a Black person is 47 times more likely to be subject to Section 60 ‘Suspicionless’ Stop and Search than a white person. This is unacceptable. That’s why I have demanded that the government scrap that power once and for all.
The last few months have made it clear that there must no longer be anywhere to hide for racial injustice: the curtain must be finally being pulled down on systems complicit in the oppression and dehumanisation of Black people. We can longer be content with the status quo, nor can we merely pay lip service to issues of racial injustice. It’s upon all us to start doing the honest, hard, uncomfortable work of dismantling anti-Black racism.
As a party, we will continue to stand with Black communities and we will keep affirming the fundamental truth that Black lives matter.
I do would also include Ian Wright among their heroes.
I’m lucky to live in and represent a constituency with a rich history of Black culture. I want my kids to know about that, and for all children to have the opportunity to learn about it – and not just in Black History Month.
That’s why this week I called on the Government to ensure Black British history is taught all year round, as part of a truly diverse school curriculum that includes and inspires all young people and aids a full understanding of the struggle for equality. Black history is British history.
I know this year has been extraordinarily difficult. On behalf of the Labour Party I want to pay tribute to all those in the Black community who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, lost loved ones or have heroically kept our country going as key workers.
It was clear from early on that this pandemic was disproportionately affecting people from the Black community. I asked Doreen Lawrence to lead a review into the impact of Covid-19 on Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
Alongside Doreen and Marsha De Cordova, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, I have been pressing the Government to go further and faster on protecting those most at risk from this virus.
Alongside Covid, we are at a historic point in the fight for racial equality. The Black Lives Matter movement shone a light on racism in the UK and around the world.
We need action now, not apathy. It’s why on becoming Labour Party leader, I personally announced a series of measures to improve diversity within the Labour Party, including increased representation across our MPs and councillors through the Bernie Grant Leadership Programme.
But we also need to see action from government ministers. We need them to act on the repeated reviews and recommendations made over recent years. It was disappointing that in response to the Black Lives Matter movement they simply announced another Government review.
There have been countless recommendations made to the government over recent years. Like Ethnicity Pay Gap reporting, or a national target to achieve a representative judiciary – as recommended by my friend and colleague, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, David Lammy. They should be implemented now, not kicked down the road.
We are at a historic point in the fight for racial equality and it deserves immediate action, not another review. Ultimately, I believe what we need is a wholesale race equality strategy to tackle the structural inequalities and institutional racism which still exists.
Our nation’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths and we should celebrate that at every opportunity. I say thank you to all those in the Black community for helping make our country what it is today.
BY LYNDA LOUISE BURRELL Creative Director, Museumand - The National Caribbean Heritage Museum
THE CREATIVE GENIUS WHO HELPED BRING OUR IDENTITY TO LIFE
It’s not every work event I go to that I meet someone who’s acknowledged as a legend by his peers. At a private viewing of Michael McMillan’s exhibition, Rockers, Soulheads and Lovers: Sound Systems Back in Da Day, on 19 March 2016, I had such an opportunity.
The exhibition at the 198 Gallery in London was curated as a Blues Party. It was wonderfully nostalgic and immersive and the graphics and branding were amazing. I expressed my admiration of them to Michael, who said he’d introduce me to the person who designed them. I had never heard of Jon before that moment, but in the short five minute conversation I had with him, I knew I was in the presence of brilliance, a very affable and generous one.
I plucked up the courage to assert my belief in the expression carpe diem and asked if he would help me, a newbie in the heritage world, to design a logo for a museum I had set up. At the early stage of its life, the museum needed a knock-out logo to grab people’s eyes, hearts and minds.
I explained my ambitions and aspirations for a new kind of museum to Jon. A museum that would be inclusive and appeal to everyone, tell heritage stories in new and exciting ways, and create unique, innovative, must-see exhibitions and events. At that point, the museum’s name was The National Caribbean Heritage Museum, and its tagline was Museumand, because I was envisioning a heritage organisation that would be a museum…but so much more.
Jon grasped the idea immediately and said I should make the tagline part of the name. Then he focused on the word ‘and’. He explained how it would give us scope to grow and continue to share heritage in many different forms, and how it would be more powerfully presented if it was used as a symbol in our branding. Inspired! A true Jon inspiration! Whenever anyone comments on the museum’s name they say it’s genius and how powerful the ampersand looks dressed in colours found in many Caribbean flags and cultural identities.
I’ve continued to apply the lessons I learned from meeting Jon following our chance encounter, including ‘always get the best person for the job’. I certainly did!
Jon was an award-winning art director and graphic designer who worked on memorable campaigns for IBM, Virgin Direct and NHS Careers. A man of many talents, Jon was also an author, collector and curator who championed African culture and heritage and supported Black organisations such as Black Cultural Archives, Black History Month’s online and paper magazine, and of course, Museumand, The National Caribbean Heritage Museum.
GROUND STEWARDLOGISTICS AIR &
CPL TANYA MILLER-ANDERSON
I am Corporal Tanya Miller-Anderson, I was born in Jamaica and I have lived in Dublin, Ireland, before deciding to settle in the United Kingdom. I am a logistics Air & Ground Steward based at RAF Lossiemouth.
Working as a Passenger Service Assistant at the Dublin airport, on one of my visits to the UK I saw the advert for joining the RAF and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to have a career in a military environment with the opportunity to travel.
I joined in September 2008. And since joining I have been on detachment to Oman & the Falkland Islands. My highlights so far was being a part of Op Olympics and meeting various Royalties.
My next role within the RAF will be in Recruitment and Selection, this will be an excellent opportunity as being a BAME Ambassador I will have access in recruiting individuals from ethnic background.
I would say to anybody considering joining the RAF, it’s an amazing experience, there is numerous opportunities to develop and enhance your personal attributes.
The RAF has pushed me in challenging myself while taking on new opportunities and discovering personal traits that I didn’t realise existed. There are lots of diverse roles on offer at the Royal Air Force. Meet some of the individuals working in these exciting jobs…
Today’s modern Royal Air Force is the UK’s aerial, peacekeeping and fighting force. It’s made up of impressive full-time Regulars and spare-time Reservists who come from hugely diverse backgrounds and work side-by-side to make a difference at home and abroad. When it comes to recruitment our focus is on attracting the best personnel, and ensuring that they’re well taken care of during and after the service in the RAF. The unique skills and values that diverse individuals bring to the RAF are an essential facet of our business and underpin all we do. Whether at home supporting our communities or overseas on operations, we know that our true strength lies in the diversity of our people. Whatever your academic background, there are a range of great opportunities in the RAF. Some require minimal qualifications; others require specialist skills, higher qualifications and/or a degree.
The RAF has more than 50 available roles and multiple career development opportunities. We employ everyone from Chefs and Photographers, to Cyberspace Communications Systems Technicians, Linguists, Doctors and Pilots.
One route to joining is as an RAF Apprentice – this offers you the chance to gain a UK-recognised trade qualification as part of a challenging and unique career. The RAF is a Top 100 apprenticeship provider, has the best apprenticeship completion rate of any national employer (over 99%) and is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Not only will you gain a civilianrecognised professional qualification, but upon completion you’ll also have a guaranteed job in your chosen field. You’ll receive the very best training and as well as getting paid to learn, the chance to travel the world, play sport and perform a vital national role. Alternatively, should you have the appropriate qualifications, you could apply for a Commission and become an Officer in a wide range of branches including Engineering, Intelligence, Air Operations, among many others.
Whatever your role, the Royal Air Force is committed to investing in every one of its truly valued personnel.
TO FIND OUT MORE Please visit our website
www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/about-the-raf
SUPPORT PERSONNEL
FLIGHT SERGEANT NEAL STRICKLAND
Where did you live?
Birmingham (Handsworth).
Why did you join?
My parents were concerned that I needed to have a focus (parents came to England in the mid 50’s from Jamaica, instability around the mid 70’s in most inner-city areas) so they enrolled me in the RAF Air Cadets which I enjoyed. My interest in the RAF flourished from that point.
What did you do before joining?
I joined straight from school (Aug 78).
What attracted you to the role?
I am a people person so the varied opportunities within the role came very natural to me.
Where have you been?
I have had numerous roles in the UK served 2 tours in Germany (RAF Gutersloh and Ramstein Air Base). I have served in Italy and have visited the USA on a number of occasions.
What’s been a highlight(s) so far?
Being the Area Flight Sergeant (RAF Careers Information Service) for the North West/North Wales (January 2003-April 2006). To be able to engage with potential candidates and giving information on all the great opportunities available is priceless. The ability to change people’s lives, for the better was very fulfilling.
What will you do next?
I am currently part of the RAF Specialist Engagement Team in the North. As part of a team, we go into diverse communities to explain the great opportunities available to those who would not normally consider a career in the RAF.
What extra things do you get up to with the RAF?
My passion was Basketball, I represented the RAF at Junior level than managed the RAF Women’s team for many years. We travelled extensively across Europe representing the RAF.
What would you say to anyone considering joining up?
Do your homework. There is no other job like it, it’s not just a job, it’s a commitment and a gateway to some massive opportunities. “Go for it” do not be disappointed by not fulfilling your dreams.
How have you found the RAF?
The numerous jobs that I have had has given me exceptional life skills, I have travelled and I have been tested many times. I have felt that I have been a valued and effective member of the team and family. The RAF has taught me a number of developed skill sets. The training provided is some of the best you can get. Without a doubt, if I had my time again, I would do it all again.
AIR OPERATIONS
CPL SONIA CAMPBELL
My name is Cpl Sonia Campbell aka Sony. Based at RAF Fylingdales, as an Air & Space Operations Specialist (ASOS). This involves the radar surveillance of UK Airspace and the Space domain.
Born in Derby, where I lived for 5 years before migrating to Jamaica for about 10 years. I then returned to the UK to complete my education. After a spell of working odd jobs, I joined the RAF in 1999 at a Job Fair in London. This was purely by chance as I was curious with working underground in a bunker and carrying out the surveillance of the UK. It all sounded very covert and fascinating which was a big selling point for me. The fact I also wanted to travel and see the world, this was an inexpensive way of doing it and I have never looked back since.
I have been all over the world on deployment, but the highlight for me to date is an operational tour of Afghanistan as part of Op Herrick and also having a life size cut out of myself in the RAF Museum at Hendon Air Museum.
Anyone thinking of joining the RAF, I would say, do your research and don’t be scared to take a chance. The RAF provides a good lifestyle and once you get through the basic phase, there’s a lot of opportunities just waiting to be had. The RAF has helped build my confidence, develop so many new skills and has given me so many opportunities that I never thought possible. I love being in the RAF and sometimes wished I had joined earlier.
