Black History Month
“Your queerness does not absolve you of your racism” @ihartericka
Every October, the UK honours Black History Month; this years theme is “Time for Change: Actions Not Words.”
Black History Month is an integral part of British history, celebrating the achievements and contributions of all black lives, including those who are lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, questioning and ACE.
The UK’s national celebration of Black History began in the 1980’s in London as a result of local community activism, fighting racism and the Eurocentric version of history taught in schools.
If it were not for the contributions and hard work of the Black LGBTQIA+ community, many of the freedoms and rights enjoyed by the wider LGBTQIA+ community today would not exist.
We must not only learn about black history, but also become active allies in order to create a world where all black and LGBTQIA+ people can be themselves.
Sadly, racism and prejudice are still prevalent within our LGBTQIA+ community. Stonewall reported that over half of people of colour and three fifths of black people have experienced discrimination within the LGBTQIA+ community due to their race or ethnicity.
It is indeed Time for Change: Actions, Not Words!
We must call out the people around us on their words and actions. We must amplify the voices of black people and other POC. We must learn to be allies; this month and every month.