Black History is British History

By Rev. Clive Forster

It has been interesting to see the response and range of activities around Black History Month in Nottingham and the UK. It is important to say that Black History is about British history. Black History Month was created by Carter G Woodson in the USA in 1926 to recognise the contribution of black people to society. In the UK it was organised through the leadership of Ghanaian analyst Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, who had served as a coordinator of special projects for the Greater London Council.

There is still a slight incredulity that in my own lifetime at school the only recognition and contribution of black people was that they were enslaved. Yet the relationship between the UK and black people goes back a long way. One example of this is that the relationship between the UK and Jamaica under the British Empire, Jamaica became a colony in 1655 which was before the formation of the British union between England and Scotland in 1707.

We know via history that this initial relationship was formed out of economic greed, oppression and enslavement. My own parents came to be in this country as part of the Windrush Generation who came over to the motherland after the Second World War to help rebuild the country. They came with a sense of loyalty, determination and innocence to make the country better – all a part of British History. Despite a chilly reception from both the weather and acts of discrimination, most of the Windrush pioneers stayed, made Britain their home and added to the culture and diversity of Britain that we have today. Our shared history and relationship go back a long way. The truth is that black people from the Caribbean were prepared to fight for the country of the UK and raised over £1 million in the First World War towards the war effort.

Black History Month as an opportunity for ongoing recognition for the contribution of black people has made to the UK the story needs to be told throughout the whole year. Black history is British history and every day, we an opportunity to make the kind of history we can all be proud of. Rev. Clive Forster is a Senior Minister of The Pilgrim Church in The Meadows in Nottingham