Not February, but October is the Black History Month in the UK. This means an entire month full of events, music and debate about the presence of black people from the Caribbean and Africa in the UK.
To celebrate BHM a video of the Windrush legacy, West Indians in the UK in World War II and the poem "What it Means to be Black" of Jason Nwansi. And a video of Beyonce singing the national anthem of Nigeria, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the independence of Nigeria.
West Indians also fought in World War II and some of them were stationed in the UK. The video West Indies Calling (1943) describes the Caribbean support of a group of West Indians during World War Two
See more videos here
An important landmark of the history of the Afro-Caribbean community in the United Kingdom is the arrival of the Empire Windrush in 1948 in the harbour of Southampton. The Empire Windrush arrived on 22 June, carrying 492 passengers from Jamaica wishing to start a new life in the UK. The passengers were the first large group of West Indian immigrants to the UK after the Second World War. Most of them only intended to stay in England for five years, but most of them stayed.
Video of the Windrush legacy
The poem "What it Means to be Black" written & performed by Jason Nwansi.
See the written poem here
Also part of UK's Black History is the celebration of 50th anniversary of the independence of Nigeria. So, a gift from Beyonce. In the video she sings the national anthem of Nigeria "Arise, O Compatriots".
I am not Nigerian, but it gives me goose bumps when I listen to it.
BHM links
BHM the official guide to Black History Month
www.blackhistorymonthuk.co.uk
Black History Magazine 2010
www.blackhistorymonth2010.co.uk
Black history agenda Catch a Vibe
www.catchavibe.co.uk
Thank you for listing our Black History Month agenda on your wonderful blog.
ReplyDeleteAlice
Editor - Catch a Vibe
Alice, you're welcome. Congratulations with the Black Blogger Award.
ReplyDeleteGreat job promoting UK Black History Month. I live in North America but it's given me the opportunity to to learn about the common heritage we in the diaspora and the motherland share and the common challenges we have had to face and overcome. I believe that efforts such as yours can be instrumental in creating the bridge we need to better work together.
ReplyDeleteProspector - Black Media Mine
Prospector, thanks! I visited your blog and learned something new today.
ReplyDelete