Words by Smiley Team
In the UK, October is Black History Month, which this year will celebrate Black and Brown people’s diverse identities under the theme ‘Proud To Be’.
Black History Month magazine launched the 2021 campaign with a callout for Black and Brown people to share what they’re proud of, whether that be being black, brown, LGBT+ or just what makes them unique.
[Discover more good news at smileymovement.org]
Workplaces, schools, celebrities and individuals are invited to send their contributions via email, letter or on social media.
“By asking people to share what they are proud to be we can share both individual stories and the vast richness of diversity that Black and Brown people bring to the UK,” said Catherine.
They decided on the upbeat theme to make the month a “festival of celebration,” to uplift people after such a difficult year.
Editor of Black History Month UK magazine Catherine Ross explained: “It’s been a challenging time for many Black and Brown people, with so much in the media about racism, inequality and injustice.
“We wanted the theme of Black History Month 2021 to focus on celebrating being Black or Brown, and to inspire and share the pride people have in their heritage and culture – in their own way, in their own words.”
Already schools, colleges and workplaces across the country are beginning to share what their pupils and employees are proud to be. This includes the NHS, who are sharing the past, present and future of their Black colleagues.
The campaign is particularly targeted at young people and children, for whom Black History Month has created a free, downloadable pack of educational resources. Educators can use these to normalise the teaching of Black history throughout the year.
Black History Month promotes events led or aimed at people of colour all year round, including a huge variety of music events, exhibitions and panel discussions. Their website shares job opportunities posted by inclusive employers. Meanwhile, Black History magazine publishes news, features and opinion articles relating to Black history and culture.
[Read other positive stories of initiatives to tackle social inequality]
“Black Lives Matter means people being able to live life to the fullest without having to compromise who they are,” said Catherine. “Everyone deserves the right to be Proud To Be everything they are and want to be in life.”
To join the campaign as a Black and Brown person, share what you’re ‘Proud To Be’ via [email protected] or post on social media with the hashtag #proudtobe and tag Black History Month.
Find more information at blackhistorymonth.org.uk.
