Black History Month at SOAS: What's On

"Dr Walter Rodney obtained his doctoral degree at the age of 24 from the School of African and Oriental Studies; his thesis was a comprehensive History of the Upper Guinea Coast 1545-1800; his seminal work – How Europe Underdeveloped Africa was penned when he was 30 years old." - Asha T Rodney

Black History Month at SOAS Presents: A month is not enuf (But it's a Start)

Alaa Ahmed

Black Officer - black@soas.ac.uk Black History Month provides the opportunity to raise awareness and celebrate African, AfricanAmerican and Afro-Caribbean history and contemporary culture.

This month’s events will allow us to explore and better understand issues that we may never truly get to discuss. We need a safe space to promote Intersectionality, question academic inequality & attainment gaps, ensure there’s enough recognition and support for mental health and representation of the LGBTQIA+ community.

This month will also allow us to celebrate the rich wealth of art and culture created by Black people (including SOAS students themselves) as well as stablishing a safe space for all Black students through recognition, empowernment, and liberation.

The hurdles we face should not be sidelined, our voices must be heard, and our history acknowledged. Let us celebrate the Black achievement and promote a mainstream culture of appreciation NOT appropriation.

Together we can unlearn ‘Whiteness’ as the default. ***“I will not have my life narrowed down. I will not bow down to somebody else’s whim or to someone else’s ignorance.”- bell hooks.**** If you have any contributions, ideas or would like to help out this month please email: black@soas.ac.uk 2

Zain Dada Co-President Activities and Events zd4@soas.ac.uk 020 7898 4994 Black history should be studied and at the forefront of all educational institutions.

From primary school to university, it’s essential to holistically celebrate, examine and shine a light on black history. In schools the country it is a huge shame that these histories are ignored and violently erased.

My personal education was limited to libraries and the internet and I’m sure this is an experience shared by many.

At an institution at SOAS, it is especially important that we maintain Black History is celebrated.

On the front cover of this year’s Black History Month Year programme is Guyanese political activist Walter Rodney. Rodney attained a PhD in African History at SOAS in 1966 and as we approach the schools centenary, it’s important we honour the legacies of figures like Walter Rodney.

There are so many great events/workshops/parties lined up to celebrate the launch of Black History Month Year this October. From talks by professors and activists who are part of the Black Lives Matter movement in the U.S to the Twerkshop which will examine cultural appropriation and fetishisation.

It’s not too late to put something together for this month, November or next year.

Black History should be celebrated every month of every year and the SOAS Students’ Union will be aiming to do this. If you have something in mind you’d like to organise, please email myself (Zd4@soas.ac.uk) or Alaa or feel free to visit the SU Office to chat about it.

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SOAS Students’ Union Black History Month Year 2015 9th October

15th October

22nd October

Black Friday

Burkina Faso: Thomas Sankara Inspiring a Revolution

Film Screening: Paris is Burning

Black Friday is a monthly celebration of young live artistry. We hope to create a safe place for those that are shunned from venues in London's nightlife, even though their culture plays an intergral part in the music played in such venues. #decolonisingthedancefloor

9th October

What's Good: Black Women Talking Back This discussion will explore and reflect on the prevalence of tone policing and it’s effects on the voices and representation of self-identifying Black women, both in the media and in their own daily experiences.

13th October

An Evening with Black Academics TBC

14th October

What the Fuck are British Values?

Kieran Yates will be discussing “What the fuck British Values” really are and how BAME and how she as a women of colour is creatively responding.

Spoken word, Guest speakers, Storytelling, Music, Dance, Photography, Stalls.

19th & 20th October

Twerk Talk & Twerkshop

The aim is to discuss questions such as cultural appropriation, black female sexuality, autonomy, resistance, white supremacy, spaces, body positivity, self-love, as a space to stop resisting as an act of defiance against the sexualisation of aspects of African culture.

21st October

Paris Is Burning is a 1990 American documentary film directed by Jennie Livingston. Filmed in the mid-to-late 1980s, it chronicles the ball culture of New York City and the AfricanAmerican, Latino, gay, and transgender communities.

22nd October

Is there room for Black on the Union Jack?

A panel discussion on blackness and living in Britain – can the state accommodate a community historically maligned and marginalised today?

23rd October

Transcending Punishment: Black Liberation, Resistance and the Criminalization of America’s Most Vulnerable

Legacies of Slavery in Britain

A lecture by Dr. Donna Murch in collaboration with the Politics Department at SOAS.

Kirsty Warren of the Umbrella project at UCL “Legacies of British Slave-Ownership” will examine and trace the impact of slave ownership on the formation of modern Britain.

21st October

30th October

Creative Access and Working in Finance Hosted by Creative Access and a range of industry speakers this event will give you first hand insight into how you can break into the industry.

Song & Subversion: Hip Hop, Black Lives and America at a Crossroads.

Professor Monica R. Miller and Professor James Braxton Peterson will examine the intersects of Hip Hop culture and the BLM Movement.

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What's On:

Friday 9th October 20:00-01:00 (JCR/BAR) SOAS Students’ Union & Decolonising our Minds Society Black Friday Black Friday is a monthly celebration of young live artistry. We hope to create a safe place for those that are shunned from venues in London’s nightlife, even though their culture plays an intergral part in the music played in such venues. #decolonisingthedancefloor Featuring: Caleb Femi: Caleb Femi is a poet, English teacher and a member of the SXWKS collective.

Caleb is also the Roundhouse Poetry Slam 2015 Winner. Sanguine, his first book in collaboration with illustrator Olivia Twist, will be released in November 2015.

Ruth Ellen: Be inspired by Ruth-Ellen this year. A 22 year old soulful singer/ songwriter originally from South London. Her debut EP, LIFE, was released in earlier this year and she currently gigging in festivals and local venues. Singing alongside her 7 piece band or acoustic guitarist Joe Connell, Ruth delivers a strong, angelic sound.

Mayonaka: Hackney-raised rapper and founding member of SXWKS collective. Mayonaka is currently gigging at festivals and local venues whilst focusing on writing new material for his debut EP set for a January 2016 release.

Josette Joseph: Josette Joseph a poet and event organiser heralding from Brixton. Having had a busy summer performing in and out of England Josette’s summer culminated on her debut event ‘The Bridge Series: Inspiring Africa’s Greatest Asset’ in conjunction with The Royal African Society.

Taya Sophia: R&B singer Taya has worked with artists such as D’explicit and DJ Ironik. Her debut E.P “Know My Name” reached no. 17 on iTunes and her second E.P is 6 currently in pre-production and set for release next year.

Friday 9th October 6-7.30pm (dlt) SOAS BME NEtwork What’s Good: Black women Talking Back

Overview: Inspired by the reverberating effects of Nicki Minaj at the recent VMAs and Matt Damon’s undermining of director Effie Brown whilst speaking on race, this discussion will explore and Nicki Minaj, rapper, singer and songwriter reflect on the prevalence of tone policing and it’s effects on the voices and representation of self-identifying Black women, both in the media and in their own daily experiences.

Between Misogynoir, Erasure, “Whitesplaining”, and “Mansplaining”, in the struggle to have their voices heard is it really better to stay quiet than to be dubbed an “Angry Black Woman” ?

Lending their wisdom and leading this discussion will be: Lateesha Osbourne (Communications Co-ordinator‘Aint I A Woman Collective’ and Diversity and Equality consultant at ‘Challenge Consultancy’) http://www. aintiawomancollective.com/

Nina Simone, singer and songwriter.

Tobi Oredein (Editor- Black Ballad) http://www.blackballad. co.uk/ 7

Tuesday 13th October (room tbc) An Evening with Black Academics TBC

Wednesday 14th October, 7-9pm, (Logan Hall, IOE) SOAS Students’ Union x Decolonising Our Minds What the fuck are British Values: In conversation with Kieran Yates

Overview: British Values” according to Prime Minister David Cameron, describe the “democracy, the rule of law, freedom of speech, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different beliefs and faiths.” Its introduction is a response by the state to what it perceives to be Black, Minority and Ethnic (BAME) communities growing and representing a threat to the norms inherited by hundreds of years of colonial rule.

What is portrayed as a way of “uniting” communities can be a way of policing culture and in particular cultures of colour. Invariably, it can also be a way for the government to criminalise articulations of dissent from BAME communities who express the frustrations of marginalisation.

The zine British Values is a response to “British Values.” Written and created by journalist Kieran Yates, the zine seeks to “rewrite the narrative of what “British values” are by passing our aux cords over to taxi drivers, re-visiting our school lunch boxes and generally shining the spotlight on the lives and experiences of non-native Brits.”

Kieran will be discussing “What the fuck British Values” really are and how BAME and how she as a women of colour is creatively responding.

Tickets are £3 and can be bought online via www.soasunion.org Kendrick Lamar, hip hop artist.

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Wednesday 15th October, 6-11pm, (SOAS JCR) SOAS Students’ Union x Open the Gate Burkina Faso: Thomas Sankara Inspiring a Revolution

Overview: “While revolutionaries as individuals can be murdered, you cannot kill ideas.”

On the 15th of October 1987 Thomas Sankara was assassinated by one of his best commrades named Blaise Compaoré who managed to Audre Lorde, writer & civil rights activist. stay at the head of the Burkina Faso until October 2014. In October 2014, the Revolution by Thomas Sankara’s people took place starting with the women and following with all the people. We invite you to celebrate the inspiring figure of the revolution, Thomas Sankara.

For this celebration we have the pleasure to present: Spoken words, Guest speakers, Storytelling, Music, Dance, Photography, Stalls.

Monday 19th & Tuesday 20th October (Time & Room TBC) SOAS Students’ Union A Twerk Talk (panel discussion) and a Twerkshop (workshop)

Overview: The aim is to discuss questions such as cultural appropriation, black female sexuality, autonomy, resistance, white supremacy, spaces, body positivity, self-love, as a space to stop resisting as an act of defiance against the sexualisation of aspects of African culture.

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Wednesday 21st October, 3:30 – 5pm, (KLT) SOAS Students’ Union x SOAS Careers Service Creative Access and Working in Finance for Black History Month

Overview: As part of Black History month the SOAS Students Union and SOAS Careers Service will be putting on this one off event to give you an insight into working in journalism and what support is out there for students. Hosted by Creative Access and a range of industry speakers this event will give you first hand insight into how you can break into the industry.

This session will help you to: •

Understand the support out there for underrepresented groups to break into journalism • Gain an understanding of the range of roles available • Understand the realities of working in the industry Book your Place at www.soas.ac.uk/ careers/events/

Skepta, grime artist

Wednesday 21st October, 6-8pm (V2111) SOAS Students’ Union x Decolonising our Minds “Transcending Punishment: Black Liberation, Resistance and the Criminalization of America’s Most Vulnerable” Overview: A lecture by Dr. Donna Murch in collaboration with the Politics Department at SOAS. Angela Davis, political activist, scholar and author.

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Thursday 22nd October, 6-8pm, (DLT) SOAS Students’ Union x Decolonising our Minds x Act-ive “Is there room for Black on the Union Jack?”

Overview: A panel discussion on blackness and living in Britain – can the state accommodate a community historically maligned and marginalised today?

Thursday 22nd October (Room TBC) SOAS BME NETWORK Film Screening: Paris is Burning

Overview: Paris Is Burning is a 1990 American documentary film directed by Jennie Livingston. Filmed in the mid-to-late 1980s, it chronicles the ball culture of New York City and the African-American, Latino, gay, and transgendercommunities

Friday 23rd October, 5-7pm, (DLT) SOAS Students’ Union x Decolonising our Minds Legacies of Slavery in Britain Overview: Kirsty Warren of the Umbrella project at UCL “Legacies of British SlaveOwnership” will examine and trace the impact of slave ownership on the formation of modern Britain.

Friday 30th October, 6.30-8.30pm, (Logan Hall, IOE) SOAS Students’ Union x Decolonising our Minds Song & Subversion: Hip Hop, Black Lives and America at a Crossroads.

Fela Kuti, Musician

Overview: Professor Monica R. Miller and Professor James Braxton Peterson will examine the intersects of Hip Hop culture and the BLM Movement. 11

Black History Month at SOAS Presents: A month is not enuf (But it's a Start)