The Culture Edit | Black History Month
October marks Black History Month, and whilst gaining an understanding of the depth, complexity and richness of the Black experience can never be confined to a single month, this is the perfect opportunity to continue the momentum of learning and listening.
Whether you prefer reading a fiction novel or watching a documentary, there is a plethora of ways and resources to immerse yourself in. From upcoming films to legendary writers, here is our edit of just some of the significant works to add to your list.
Watch
Miss Juneteenth, Amazon PrimeCinemas may be shutting their doors once again, but fortunately this new film is also available on Amazon, so we don’t have to miss out. It tells the story of a single mother and former Miss Juneteenth pageant winner preparing her teenage daughter to achieve the same win, with the added bonus of a college scholarship. Written and directed by a woman, Channing Godfrey Peoples, this is a rich example of women telling women’s stories.
Sitting in Limbo, BBC iPlayer
This film is based on the real-life experiences of Anthony Bryan, a Jamaican-born British man who becomes a victim of the Home Office’s immigration policy when he is wrongfully detained and threatened with deportation. It brings to life the very human impact of the Windrush Scandal on British communities, something that must not be forgotten.
Small Axe, BBC
Airing in November, Small Axe is a series of films by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen that examine recent British history. Set between the 1960s and 1980s, each film is inspired by London’s West Indian community. A few of the films have already been shown at a somewhat altered festival season to rave reviews, so this is most certainly one to keep an eye out for.
When They See Us, Netflix
If you didn’t watch this four-part series when it first launched last year, we urge you to watch it now. It tells the true story of five teenagers falsely accused of rape and their subsequent 25-year fight for justice. Co-written and directed by powerhouse film-maker Ava DuVernay, this is an important and tragically still relevant view of relations between the Black community and the law.
13th, NetflixPowerful and heart-breaking, this documentary explores race, justice and incarceration in the US.
Read
Black and British: A Forgotten History, David OlusogaBroadcaster and historian David Olusoga OBE tells the long and intricate relationship between Britain and the people of Africa and the Caribbean. From the Roman Empire to the twentieth century, this book is a crucial and detailed examination of our shared history.
Small Island, Andrea Levy
Set in post-war London, this multi award-winning novel tells the story of Queenie Bligh and her new Jamaican lodgers, who have immigrated to England on the promise of a brighter future only to be met with a startingly different reality.
Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging, Afua Hirsch
Inspired by being repeatedly asked “where are you from?”, this book by British broadcaster and journalist Afua Hirsch examines race and identity in modern Britain. Rooted in her own life experiences, Hirsch explores the reality and result of Britain’s historical and contemporary attitude towards race and it’s impact on individuals and society.
The Colour Purple, Alice Walker
Written as a series of letters, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel gives an unflinching look at the lives of African American women living in the Deep South in the mid-twentieth century. A tale of female relationships, struggle and resilience, it is hailed as one of the most beloved fiction books of modern literature.
Out and aboutBlack History Walks offer a number of different walking tours that educate on the 3,500 years of London’s Black history. Walks are divided by area, with some taking place indoors at the Tate Britain, Wallace Collection and National Gallery. Learn, get some fresh air and bump up your step count all in one go.
For more resources and information, visit https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/