Black history month
The theme of Black History Month this year is ‘Proud To Be’. We try to teach our children to be proud of who they are, and that means their Nigerian (& Scottish) heritage all year round. Basics like eating egusi with pounded yam and saying goodnight in Yoruba each night, Nigerian life is woven into their daily reality. We do like to engage with black history month though, and this month we’ve been working through Krish and Miriam Kandiah’s Whistlestop Tales around the world in 10 Bible stories as a fun way of learning about black people (and other races) in the Bible. We’ve also been using resources from Tuntimo kids and Tata storytime for fun things to engage with. The Slave Trade is a necessary part of all our history, so rather than focus on it during black history month we use the opportunity to focus on the joys of blackness throughout history and I’m learning what I can throughout the year. Our children are 6 and 2 so our focus is intentional and age appropriate.
When you come into our house, you are never far from experiencing black joy. Even in amongst the post-school exhaustion strops and toddler tantrums there are moments of utter joy; whether from my husband watching his team score a goal, my eldest celebrating winning at cards or the wee one’s glee at mastering a two-footed jump following weeks of trying. There is excellence and success; hard earned new qualifications, a great parents evening report, a communication success with a toddler. This month we’ve been intentional with what meals we cook, things we read and watch. I’m listening to a Jo Saxton book (Dream of You), a Nigerian Brit living in the USA and working through David Olusoga’s Black and British (another Nigerian Brit who’s work I love, though I do try to to read/listen to non Nigerians as well- promise!) There are so many ways to celebrate Black History Month, and if you’re stuck for ideas then here’s a few:
Delight. From the contagious happiness that emanates from the Smiling Boys project, to sampling delicious delicacies like that of Puff Puff Ministry, to wearing something that makes you feel amazing like a Kemi Telford skirt, delight in black joy.
Discover. What is your field of interest? Who are the black leaders (past or present) in that field? Learn from them. Early Years specialist Liz Pemberton runs webinars and more from The Black Nursery Manager. Interested in Christian apologetics? Clare Williams runs Get Real, engaging with big questions about the faith. Whatever your interest or work is, there is someone you can learn from.
Dig deeper. To celebrate black history, we, as white people, need to get a better understanding of the wide variety in perspectives of black people. United we pray is a podcast set to unite christians of different races. It’s helpful to hear stories, thoughts and wisdom on a whole range of topics. Read books by black authors to engage more with different lenses. Submersive Witness by Dominique Gilliard, The Deeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas and We Need To Talk About Race by Ben Lindsay are three Christian books that have impacted my faith and taught me a lot. CBBC have a black horrible histories episode, and there are a few really engaging programmes for grown ups too- Lets Talk About Race gives insight into the lived experience of being British and not white. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead has been made into a tv series, worth reading and watching this incredibly harrowing insight into slavery that through fictional story brings to life the realities.
Let know how you’re learning and celebrating Black History Month- I’m always looking for inspiration too ☺️
myafrocelticclan 