QMSU Black History Month 2017

QMSU’s

BLACK HISTORY MONTH OCTOBER 2017 www.qmsu.org/bhm

Hello from your VP Education Hello, I’m Mary Ojo and I’m your VP Education at Queen Mary Students’ Union.

Black History Month is a time for us to highlight the histories, culture and struggles of Black Britons and all people of African and Caribbean descent. Black History Month at QMSU is a celebration and review of all the above. All of our events will showcase the contributions that this group has made to our society.

Desmond Tutu stated that “My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together”. This quote encapsulates the importance of months such as these. In order for us to be ‘human together’ we must first understand one another; a great way to do this is through learning! Black History Month at QMSU will be a celebration and learning experience.

Black History Month allows us to place close attention to a history that we should celebrate all year round. I hope that our events will be the catalyst for student activism, and the discussions that we begin will continue to be part of student discourse here at Queen Mary. There is something for everyone so get involved, and I hope to see you there!

If you’d like to contact me, you can do that here:

su-vpeducation@qmul.ac.uk @EducationQMSU

questioning; a space in which we are able to learn from each other without conflict or discomfort.

Mon 2nd Oct

Thurs 5th Oct

African Caribbean Society Icebreaker

E1: Black History Month Launch Party

Come and meet the ACS committee and find out all the wonderful things they have planned for the academic year. This is a great opportunity to make new friends and socialise.

6pm-8.30pm, Blomeley Room 1, Students’ Union Hub, FREE

Celebrate the launch of QMSU’s Black History Month at our biggest urban night playing your favourite RnB, Hip hop, Grime and Afro beats.

9pm-2am, Drapers Bar & Kitchen, Godward Square, £5 Student, £7 Non student

During the event we will be giving our new members details of our plans for the upcoming academic year, and explaining what it truly means to ‘decolonise’ the establishment.

Food and refreshments will be available with vegan options.

7.30pm-9.30pm, Blomeley Room 1, Students’ Union Hub, FREE

Wed 11th Oct Wed 4th Oct Meet the Henna Society Meet with members and find out what to expect over the next year, what they have to offer and how you can get involved. There will be free food and prizes.

1.30-3.30pm, Blomeley Room 1, Students’ Union Hub

Mon 9th Oct Decolonise QMUL Meet ’n’ Greet One of our key aims is to create a true community spirit on campus so for our first event of the academic year we will introduce new members to existing members of the society.

We want to create a relaxed, safe space for discussion and

QM Pan-African Society Meet and Greet The QM PAN-African Society Meet & Greet event is for nonmembers and members to meet and get to know each other as we begin the new semester. Come along and find out what our society is all about!

6.15pm-8pm, Blomeley Room 1, Students’ Union Hub, FREE

black mental health struggles? ‘Religion has brainwashed the black community’ discuss.

These topics are highly sensitive

Thurs 12th Oct BHM Movie Night: Hidden Figures We will be taking you to Hampton Virginia to look at the journey of three African-American women who helped put man on the moon. There will be free popcorn too!

6pm-9pm, Alfred Hitchcock Theatre Arts one, Tickets are free register via qmsu.org

Tues 17th and Wed 18th Oct Meet your Students’ Union Join us in Library Square to meet your elected officers and find out more about Black History Month.

Make sure you talk to us about our upcoming campaigns and how you can get involved.

From 12pm, Library Square, Mile End Campus, FREE

Tues 17th Oct Food stall: Leah’s Kitchen Selling lots of delicious Caribbean food including a student meal deal and lots of yummy food to try. This family run company specialises in authentic Caribbean fusion with food sensations that will excite your taste buds.

From 12pm, Library Square, Mile End Campus, FREE

6pm, Blomeley room 2, Students’ Union Hub, FREE

Thurs 19th Oct Black History Month Debate This debate will be loosely structured in order to allow audience participation.

We will be discussing the following topics: Race and Sexuality: Is the black community homophobic?

Why does the black community downplay

Wed 25th Oct BHM Dance Party!

This class will take you to the root of the AfroLatin moves that inspire Britain’s favourite fitness dance class, Zumba!

Come and learn a fun routine and dance away your worries. This is a dance party so you don’t need to have any dance experience to join in on the fun.

6pm-7.30pm, BLSA Dance Studio, Whitechapel Campus

Throughout Oct QMSU Moving Exhibit Look out for the first QMSU Moving Exhibit in and around the Students’ Union. Contact Mary your VP Education to get involved.