A sense of PRIDE

“The month is an opportunity for ALL of us to learn more about the histories of ALL black people. If we leave out any part, it’s not a true or complete history.” So says Andrew Prince, as he leads the way in breaking down misconceptions and prejudices surrounding the LGBT community.

Black History Month is the month in which we bear witness to the progress, richness and diversity of black achievement. It should be seen as a time for black people to reflect on how far we have come and how far we still have to go. It is a time for black people all over to reflect on both the history and teachings of black people whose contributions are still too little known.

The Month’s primary focus is on acknowledging the achievements of the black community, as well as providing an opportunity to acknowledge the historical legacy of the slave trade and colonialism across the world.

Until very recently, if you objectively review the black press, there remains a negative response to anything to do with being LGBT during the month. It’s as if there’s a deliberate ongoing suppression of black LGBT culture and history. It is ironic because one of the founders of Black History Month in the UK, Linda Bellos, is an out black lesbian and was former leader of Lambeth Council in 1986.

The month is an opportunity for ALL of us to learn more about the histories of ALL black people. If we leave out any part, it’s not a true or complete history. The church, with its ex-colonial religion, plays a big part in resisting LGBT inclusion - coupled with male machismo and the idea that being LGBT is somehow “foreign” to black culture. When we start to break down these misconceptions, we will be able to make some headway and all of us will be able to celebrate Black History Month in a positive way.

The way of building strong communities and individuals is to give them a sense of pride irrespective of sexuality. Because of this non-inclusion for a very long time, since 2006 we have decided to organise our own events during the month, and so far we have had a good response from organisations we have contacted.

We have to use the Month as a vehicle through which we can showcase this contribution, and so help to provide a model for our young, who are so badly in need of example. The growing self-destructiveness that we see in our young leads us to the question, what models are they following?

The central lesson of Black History Month is that with courage and initiative, we can change things. To this end, for Outburst UK will be screening a film entitled “Finding Me”, with financial assistance from Southwark Council. The London Southbank University has kindly donated the use of their 200 seat cinema for screening. This year the theme is “The Journey: past, present future”.

Andrew Prince is the founder and director of Outburst UK, he is also an Associate Director of Pride London and the editor of www.UKBlackOut.com, the largest black lesbian and gay resource website in Europe. Andrew has had a long involvement with the community promoting events, advocacy, communications and campaigns. In 2007, he was the recipient of the Black LGBT Community Awards for Communications.

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