Reclaiming narratives has been the theme for Black History Month 2024. This theme resonates deeply with me and the work I have dedicated my life to – amplifying marginalized voices, challenging systemic inequities, and advocating for community empowerment.”
“Reclaiming narratives is about taking control of our stories and correcting historical inaccuracies. It’s about giving voice to lived experiences and highlighting the complexity, richness, and achievements of Black heritage – stories that for too long have been overlooked or erased.”
In this short write up I aim to shine a light on the importance of reclaiming our narratives, particularly in the context of Black British history, while sharing some success stories of Black leaders and communities that have risen in the face of adversity.”
The Power of Narratives
Why Narratives Matter:
“Narratives shape how we understand the world – they tell us who we are, where we come from, and what we are capable of. When those narratives are controlled by others, particularly those in power, they can be skewed, limited, or erased altogether.”
Historical impact: “For centuries, the stories of Black people globally have been written by those who colonized, enslaved, and oppressed. This has led to a one-sided, incomplete version of history that erases the complexities, resilience, and contributions of Black communities.”
Reclaiming Our Stories:
“Reclaiming our narratives means telling our own stories in our own voices, rooted in truth, experience, and pride. It is about bringing light to the untold stories of Black achievement, creativity, and leadership.”
Historical Inaccuracies and the Fight to Correct Them
- Erasure of Black Contributions:
- “From academia to art, from politics to industry, the contributions of Black people to global progress have often been under-reported or completely erased. This not only limits our understanding of history but diminishes the legacy of excellence left by Black innovators and leaders.”
- Examples of erasure: “We’ve all heard the names of Churchill and Darwin, but how many of us were taught in school about the contributions of Mary Seacole, Ignatius Sancho, or Ottobah Cugoano, who fought for the abolition of slavery right here in Britain?”
- Reclaiming Space in History:
- “One powerful way we can correct these historical inaccuracies is by reclaiming space in history books, museums, media, and public consciousness. We need to tell the stories of Black soldiers who fought in both World Wars, Black inventors who changed the technological landscape, and Black women who played critical roles in civil rights movements worldwide.”
- The importance of education: “We must push for an inclusive curriculum that reflects the contributions and struggles of Black people throughout history, not just during Black History Month but throughout the entire year.”
Untold Success Stories: Spotlighting Black Excellence (10 minutes)
Success Stories from Britain:
- Highlights of key untold success stories of Black individuals in Britain:
- Olive Morris: “A leader in the British Black Panther movement and a staunch advocate for women’s rights, Olive Morris’ contributions to grassroots activism are often under-acknowledged. She fought relentlessly against racism, sexism, and police brutality.”
- Dr. Harold Moody: “Dr. Moody was a Jamaican-born physician who became a civil rights pioneer in early 20th century Britain. He founded the League of Coloured Peoples in 1931, advocating for equality and combating racial prejudice in the UK.”
- Sir Learie Constantine: “More than a legendary cricketer, Sir Learie Constantine became the first Black peer in the House of Lords and used his platform to challenge racial inequalities both in the UK and internationally.”
- Louise Dacacodia. Her experiences fuelled her determination to tackle race equality issues. Louise worked to make Manchester a better place.
In the 1960s and 70s, she served on regional Race Relations Board committees, handling complaints brought under brand new discrimination laws. In the 1980s she helped transport victims of the Moss Side riots to hospital and later sat on the Hytner inquiry panel investigating the causes of the unrest. She also researched and published a paper highlighting the effects of racism in nursing.
Louise believed passionately that everyone has the right to access housing, education and employment where they feel safe, secure and fulfilled.
Her passion lives on in the work of the Louise Dacacodia Educational Trust.
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- Kath Locke (1928–1992) was a mixed-race British community leader and political activist based in Manchester. Active in Moss Side community politics, she helped to establish the George Jackson House for homeless children in 1973. In 1980, Kath Locke was a co-founder of the Abasindi Co-operative, a community organisation run by Black women. During the 1980s, the Abasindi Co-operative was a hub for many educational and cultural programs for the local African and Afro-Caribbean community, operating out of the Moss Side People’s Centre. The 1995 documentary film We Are Born to Survive tells the story of Kath Locke’s political life. The Kath Locke Centre in Moss Side is named after her.
- Len Johnson. Frequently being forced to take fights at the last minute, rarely being paid what you were promised and then finding your manager was working for the opponent. Those are the kind of setbacks that might fuel the anger, rage and bitterness known by many in the sport.
So, imagine being Len Johnson, a retired middleweight boxer with more than 100 fights behind him, entering Manchester’s Old Abbey Taphouse pub after a tough day driving buses around town on a September night in 1953.
Johnson, then in his early 50s, was teetotal but he was ordering a round for his friends. Whatever optimism, banter and conversation the group had brought to the establishment was swiftly ended in one moment. He was refused service and thrown out because of the colour of his skin.
It wasn’t the first time the boxer had been discriminated against for being black. But Johnson fought back, just as he had done his whole career.
The boxer with 93 wins who could never become British champion born in Clayton, Manchester.
- Global Success Stories:
- Wangari Maathai: “The first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize for her environmental and political activism in Kenya, Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, empowering women and promoting sustainable development.”
- Mansa Musa: “One of the richest individuals in history, Mansa Musa of Mali left an indelible mark on the global economy of the 14th century through his wealth, trade, and support of education and architecture in Africa.”
- Showcasing Community Achievements:
- “The untold success stories aren’t limited to individuals; they also include entire communities. In Manchester, we’ve seen how Afro-Caribbean communities have established thriving cultural, educational, and business networks. From the Windrush generation to modern-day entrepreneurs, these communities have contributed immensely to Manchester’s identity and economy.”
The Role of Lived Experience in Reclaiming Narratives (5 minutes)
- Honouring Lived Experience:
- “Reclaiming our stories isn’t just about history; it’s about recognizing the importance of lived experience. As we see with oral traditions in African cultures, storytelling has been a powerful tool to pass down knowledge, values, and history.”
- The value of community voices: “In my work as a peace activist and community leader, I have witnessed how giving voice to lived experiences of Black communities in Manchester can lead to transformative change.”
- Bringing Control Back to Us:
- “Reclaiming narratives is about putting the power back into the hands of those who have lived it. We must encourage more Black authors, filmmakers, historians, and leaders to tell our stories, create art, and contribute to academia.”
- “Each of us has a story to tell, and it is through sharing our stories authentically that we continue the work of reclaiming our narratives.”
Conclusion: The Path Forward
- Call to Action:
- “Reclaiming our narratives is an ongoing process that requires collective action. It is up to us to challenge the mainstream narratives that have for too long overlooked or distorted Black contributions to society.”
- “We must continue to write, speak, teach, and create to ensure that future generations know the full complexity of Black heritage and its impact on the world.”
- Final Thoughts:
- “As we reflect on this year’s Black History Month theme, let’s commit to honouring our stories, correcting the past, and amplifying the voices of those who have been marginalized. The more we reclaim our narratives, the more we empower ourselves and future generations.”
- Thank You:
- “Thank you for allowing me to share these reflections with you. Let’s continue the important work of reclaiming our stories and our place in history.”