Black History Month, like most of life, is always a time of dualities. On the one hand, Black people take their rightful place at the forefront of the nation’s mind as we celebrate the remarkable and momentous achievements of all those whose work and lives allow us to continue to believe in and work towards a better tomorrow. On the other is the knowledge that this month is fleeting; after every imaginable organisation has trotted out their prized Black ponies, we and our accomplishments go back in the stables until it’s convenient to bring us out again.
For Black people, though, Black History Month is every month. We don’t need a designated time to celebrate and remember the contributions our community has made to Britain, nor to remind ourselves to take a step back to appreciate those who’ve come before us. We, like everyone else, carry with us our foreparents and call them into our lives and our spirits as we navigate through the world trying to live up to the examples they set. What’s more, I’m not convinced Black History Month really impacts the day-to-day lived experiences of Black people in this country. Which then begs the question: who is Black History Month for?