WHEN local authorities decide to scrap Black History Month or change it to something else such as “diversity month” or, in the case of one London borough, reduced not just in scope but in time too to “heritage week,” we should question not whether Black History Month is needed but decision-makers’ motives in wanting to erase black history or water it down. 

Black History Month in Britain, inspired by the US Black History Month, came about because there was a real need for it. 

History books and school curriculums failed to include black history or minimised its importance. Race discrimination was deepening.

The intention was never to just have a month of activity but to kick start a programme of black history activities and events across the year. 

Black history is world history. If it was embedded in historic writings and documentation and archives in Britain in a truthful way then there would be no reason for a Black History Month. 

If our contributions were acknowledged, shared and celebrated in education, learning and literature there would be no need for a Black History Month. But the reality is that we have been written out. 

Myself and others have campaigned to keep the few black historical figures such as Mary Seacole and Olaudah Equiano on the national schools curriculum, so we have to ask what was the justification for their proposed removal? 

This year is the 70th anniversary of Windrush. It’s the 50th anniversary of the Race Relations Act 1968, which made discrimination on racial grounds in employment and trade membership unlawful.

In 2018 we face deepening racism, discrimination in the labour market and the “Windrush generation scandal” came to a head after years of a hostile environment.

The irony of celebrating the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush and the people who stepped off it and similar ships with hopes and aspirations in their hearts while deporting those same people seems to have been lost on some. 

The history of enslavement and colonial rule which led to people coming on those ships to Britain is forgotten.

The fact that those who came to Britain worked hard and achieved in the face of racist signs, colour bars and fascist attacks is ignored. 

The fact that those who came benefited the economy and enriched British culture is disregarded when targeting people for detention and deportation. These are some of the key reasons why we need Black History Month to exist and to continue. 

At a time when black communities are being discriminated against, labelled and criminalised, to suggest that Black History Month doesn’t matter is a further slap in the face. 

The sharing of knowledge and celebration of culture through Black History Month is not just important for black communities but for all communities. 

It brings people together, provides awareness and knowledge, dispels myths and lies and it’s a way of challenging prejudice. 

Black History Month was established in Britain at a time when there was no reference in school history lessons to the horrific, inhumane role Britain played in enslaving African people and using them as chattel slaves. Colonial rule and empire was glorified and there was no narrative about the struggles, resistance and challenges by black people to the oppression they faced. Even worse, schools were teaching that the history of black people began with enslavement, ignoring African civilisations which began in ancient times. 
Black History Month was established at a time when black people were facing racism in all aspects of society, targeted by fascists and threatened with deportation.

Fast forward more than 30 years and here we are facing the same erasure of our histories and contributions, deepening racism, amplified by austerity, the rise of the far right and not just threats of deportations but entire plane loads of black people being deported wholesale — the very same people asked to come to Britain to work to help the country recover post-WWII. 

Had the reasons for Black History Month 30 years ago now gone away, had we now won a level playing field, equal status, access and opportunity and if there was a full, truthful and thorough documentation, promotion and celebration of our histories and contributions to Britain, then there might be grounds to stop it. 

But the fact that not only are the Windrush generation who settled here being targeted and criminalised, but their children and grandchildren too, shows there is a need for BHM now as much as at any other time. 

The United Nations recognises that African history is not being taught to young people and that doing so is important in instilling confidence and pride.

Recently I had the honour of being invited by Unesco to become a member of its Coalition of Artists for the General History of Africa.
As such I am a co-signatory of a declaration of commitment to promote the history of Africa, including the contribution of Africans and African diasporas to the general progress of humanity and the need to combat prejudice against people of African descent. 

The Unesco declaration speaks of the widespread and maintained misunderstanding and ignorance surrounding the 
African continent and its diasporas and states that a true knowledge of the history of Africa and its diasporas will enable young Africans to value their culture and draw inspiration from it and instil pride.

There’s an African proverb: “Until the story of the hunt is told by the lion, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”

We must continue to tell our story, not just in October but all year round. However we recognise that having a Black History Month gives us a perfect opportunity to review, renew, share our knowledge of black history and to promote, acknowledge, celebrate and elevate our contribution to British history, to world history and to civilisation. 

That sharing and awareness also has a role in instilling a sense of value and worth when engaging in current struggles against racism. 

Zita Holbourne is national vice-president of PCS, co-founder and national chair of Barac UK, an author, writer, poet, artist, curator, vocalist, joint national chair of Artists Union England and part of the Unesco Coalition of Artists for the history of Africa.