nus black history month guide 2013

7/22/2019 NUS Black History Month Guide 2013

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Contents page 1

Introduction page 2-3

Guest Editorial: Celebrating 25 Years of Black MPs page 4

Frequently Asked Questions page 5-6

Ideas to Celebrate Black History Month page 7-8

Celebrating Our Diverse Histories page 9

Previous Black History Month Events page 10-11

Leading Black Activists page 12-15

Model Article for your Students Union Paper page 16

Black History Month Links page 17

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Published by: National Union of Students (UK) NUS HQ, Macadam House, 275 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8QB .

www.nusconnect.org.uk/black

Aaron Kiely 2013 National Union of Students UK, NUS HQ, Macadam House, 275 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8QB.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the contents of the guide are accurate, changes may occur which dates some of the

information, in addition to the possibility of human error. The contents may not reflect the policy of NUS or the NUS Black Students

Campaign. No part of this publication may be reproduced without express permission of the editors.

The term Black is used as a positive, political definition borne out the struggle forjustice and equality. Whilst we acknowledge the diversity within and between

African, Arab, Asian and Caribbean communities, we also recognise that all Blackcommunities are united by our common experience of under-representation,racism and discrimination.

Editor:Aaron Kiely

Assistant Editor: Malia Bouattia

Front Cover Image: Jeff Searle, Mulberry Design.

Acknowledgements: Diane Abbott MP, Stella Fasusi, Sacha Hassan, Abdi Mohamed, Minda Burgos-Lukes, University

of Lincoln Students Union, Kent Union, University of Sussex Students Union, University of West England Students

CONTENTS


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October marks Black History Month, anincredible opportunity for us to

commemorate the history of Blackcommunities and celebrate the immensecontribution that people of African, Arab,Asian and Caribbean heritage make tohumanity.

We are proud as a Campaign to be joining organisationsacross the country in celebrating Black History Month andit is great to see more and more Students Unionsorganising political and social events throughout October -a clear sign that the student movement recognises the

strength of our diversity.

This year marks the 50 year anniversary of Martin LutherKings I have a dream... speech that was made duringthe march on Washington protest on 28 August 1963. Dr.Kings famous words: I have a dream that my four littlechildren will one day live in a nation where they will

not be judged by the color of their skin but by thecontent of their character continue to inspire a

generation just as they did five decades ago.

Martin Luther King is rightly recognised as one of theleading figures of Black history across the world, and the

question that many have asked is; what would he make oftodays society? What would he say if he made a speech

today at a rally in Washington in the United States or

even outside Downing Street in Britain?

What would Dr. King have to say about the fact that Black

people are seven times more likely to be stopped by thepolice than white people? What would he say about one intwo young Black people in Britain being unemployed? Howwould he address the targeting of the Muslim communityby the far-right? When Trayvon Martins killer was set freeby the US justice system what would Martin Luther King

have said?

All of these questions are stark reminders of the need tocontinue the struggle for justice so that we can live inworld where Dr. Kings dream of a society without racism

and oppression is realised.

The reality of being Black in Britain is tough. We arefighting an austerity offensive, with massive cuts to thepublic sector, one in two young Black people unemployed,the loss of Education Maintenance Allowance, and thetrebling of tuition fees. Along with this we are seeing theracist scapegoating of migrants, asylum seekers and Black

communities. We must unite to challenge austerity and thevicious racism that accompanies it and ultimately stand up

to defend all of our Black students.

There must be maximum unity of all students of African,Arab, Asian and Caribbean heritage and we hope that it isin that spirit that you will campaign hard throughout theyear on the issues that are of great importance to Blackcommunities on your campus, community andinternationally. Black communities make up the vast

majority of humanity and united we are stronger.

That is why it is important that we build the strongestpossible movement of Black students to fight injustice andstruggle for liberation, whether thats freedom to practiceour religion, go about our lives free from policeharassment, have our work marked by our words and not

our heritage or be treated with decency and respect.

The NUS Black Students Campaign has a rich history ofleading the student movement on key issues and Blackstudents like you have been absolutely crucial to making

sure that our issues are put on the agenda.

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INTRODUCTION


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How can the NUSBlack StudentsCampaign help you

this month?

The Black

Students Committee

and Officer will betouring the country so ifyoud like to request aspeaker from theCampaign, make sure to

get in touch.

Weve produced a brand-new video entitled

Because which you can use in your events:

http://youtu.be/oOEf5lEXlbQ

Put the dates of our flagship annual Winter

Conference down in your diary, which will beheld in London on the 30th November and 1stDecember. Look out for updates in the coming

weeks!

Follow us on social media for all the latest news,

info and resources from the Campaign and our

Black History Month celebrations.

In this month we should take our time to reflect on thosewho have made the ultimate sacrifice for Black liberationand who lost their lives in the struggle so that we could

enjoy the freedoms that we have today. One of thosepeople is Malcolm X, whose words well leave you with:

Education is our passport to the future,for tomorrow belongs to the people who

prepare for it today.

In unity,

Aaron Kiely

National Black

Students Officer

[email protected]

m: 07919 323 935

Malia Bouattia

Black Students

NEC Representative

[email protected]

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To keep up with the Campaign during Black History Month and to find out about events that are being hosted acrossBritain here are the ways to stay in touch.Twitter:http://twitter.com/nusBSCe-update list: https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/bscFacebook:http://facebook.com/nusBSC

NUS Connect: http://www.nusconnect.org.uk/campaigns/black/


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GUEST EDITORIALBy Diane Abbott MP, Hackney North &Stoke Newington

Twenty five yearsago I was electedalong with BernieGrant, PaulBoateng and KeithVaz as one ofBritains first fourBlack MPs.Strictly speakingalthough Bernie,Paul and I weredefinitely the firstMPs of African

descent, Keith was following in the footsteps ofearlier Asian MPs. But, at the height of 1980s Blackactivism African, Arab, Asian and Caribbeancommunities had come to realise the importance ofunity in our common struggle against racism andunder-representation.

We campaigned under the political term Black - a termthat I am pleased to see that many trade unions andorganisations like the NUS Black Students Campaignproudly maintain. Back then we were told we wouldnt winbut 23 years later Britain celebrated the record election of27 Black MPs.

My family came to this country from the Caribbean, mymother was a nurse and my father worked in a factory. Iwent to Cambridge and was really struck by the huge gulf

between my background and most of the people I was atuniversity with. Also by the opportunities available topeople like my parents, friends and relatives at school,and those I was meeting at Cambridge. It seemed I wasliving in a very divided society and I wanted to dosomething about it.

Looking at my photographs at the time of my election, Iseemed to be incredibly youthful and naive. Nothingprepared me for the experiences that lay ahead of me

over the next quarter century. Paul and Keith had foughtelections before. Bernie had run a big local authority. I

was flung in at the deep end with no mentor, notemplate and nothing to model myself on. If we all

experienced racism, I experienced both racism

and coruscating sexism.

This double whammy that Black women face makes it

that much harder for them. But I think there are manyable and dynamic Black women around and they have alot of things to offer, so I hope to encourage them to getactive in politics. Outside of politics, there are many moreBlack women in professions like teaching and on TV.

Over the last 20 years progress has been made inWestminster. There are now 144 women, a notableimprovement from when I was first elected. There arealso many younger MPs, I remember Parliament initially

seemed a very elderly place.

So much has changed in the past 25 years and I amproud of the contribution I have made. Back then I wasconstantly asked how could I, a Black woman, representwhite people? No one can ask a Black MP that today.Although I had expected there to be many more BlackMPs in Parliament by now, I am proud of the ones thathave emerged. There is still a lot of work to do to achieveracial equality, but I believe that increased Black

representation in Parliament is making a difference.

This article is a republication from the 2012 NUSBlack History Month Guide.

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The first Black MPs: Paul Boateng, Bernie

Grant, Keith Vaz and Diane Abbott.


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FREQUENTLY

ASKED QUESTIONSWhen was Black History Month set up in the UK,and by whom?

Akyaaba Addai

Sebbo is widely

regarded as the

instigator of Black

History Month in the

UK. Addai worked

with Ken Livingstone

at the Greater London

Council (GLC) as co-

ordinator of Special

Projects. The first

event was held on 1st

October 1987, whenthe GLC hosted Dr Maulana Karenga from the US to

mark the contributions of Black people throughout history.

Addai began thinking about celebrations of Black history,

and drew up a plan to recognise the contributions of

African, Asian, Caribbean and Arab people to the

economic, cultural and political life in London and the UK.

Since 1987 was also part of African Jubilee Year, other

boroughs began to formally institute a Black History

Month in the UK.

What form do events take and where are they

held?

Initiatives take place across the UK with voluntary groups,

local authorities, NHS services, museums and libraries

often taking a lead in planning events. All projects use the

skills and experiences of the local workforce and

community in the planning and delivery. Smaller groups

do equally good work on limited budgets, e.g. running

supplementary schools, which incorporate history, or

incorporating the Black History Month theme into

existing events. There is always a rich programme of

events: storytelling, historical walks, theatrical

productions, comedy and panel debates are a few

examples, but all have history as an integral part of their

purpose. Some employers, especially local authorities,

can earmark specific budgets, which groups can apply for

at the beginning of each financial year. Other councilspick up and absorb

publicity or venue hire

costs in some cases.

If Black History

Month derives

from the US, why

and when was it

set up there?

Carter G Woodson

initiated the Negro History Week in 1926, which then

became Black History Month. He chose February

because the birthdays of the two influential figures

Abraham Lincoln, US president and Frederick Douglass

who he believed to have impacted on the conditions of

the Negro, fell in February.

The late African-American writer, John Hernik Clarke

wrote: If we are to change tomorrow, we are going to

have to look back with some courage, and warm our

hands on the revolutionary fires of those who came

before us. This quote was a catalyst for Addais plans at

the GLC in 1987.

What are the dates for Black History Month and

why October?

Black History Month runs throughout the month of

October. There has long been concern about the

experience of Black children in the UK, and this was a

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key factor in setting October as the Black History Month.

It is at the beginning of a new academic year and can

instil pride and identity into young Black learners. The

month is also significant within the African cultural

calendar because the autumn equinox in Africa coincides

with the harvest period, and is a time of plenty. October is

also a period of tolerance and reconciliation in African

culture. Black history is therefore a reconnection with the

African source, hence the Black History Month symbol of

Sankofa learning from the past with the benefit of

hindsight.

Who celebrates Black History Month? Can

anyone participate, or is just for Black people?

Black History Month is open to participation by everyone

and is ideally developed, delivered and managed as aneducational and historical awareness experience by Black

people African, Asian, Caribbean and Arab heritage

and should be shared by everyone as world history.

Why do Black people need a history month?

In an ideal world, the month would not be necessary,

because educational establishments and the national

curriculum would fully recognise and appreciate the

contribution of Black people throughout history. Sadly that

is not the case. The Black community uses this history

month as an opportunity to share with the world its vast

contributions: a time to demonstrate pride in its creativity,

respect for its intellectual prowess and a celebration of its

cultural identity which is far too often misrepresented,

when it is not being ignored, in the mainstream.

How can I find out more about BHM latest news

and events?

As the stature of Black History Month grows, there are

national Black History Month publications to bring

together and document the full diversity of events taking

place in towns and cities around Britain. Some such

magazines are Black History Month Magazine, BlackHeritage Today and Black History 365. They are available

free from libraries across the UK. See the links section for

details.

Is Black History Month recognised by the

government? Are there any government-backed

events?

Black History Month is recognised by the government andmany MPs get involved in hosting and chairing events,

speaking at launches, and have provided forwards for the

two magazines. Local authorities and the Home Office

have Black workers networks, which organise seminars

every year for staff. Ask your local politicians to support

your initiatives!

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IDEAS TO

CELEBRATE BHMBlack History Month gives us a unique opportunity toempower and educate each other so that we can

develop a greater understanding of one another as a

multicultural society.

So what exactly can Students Unions do?

Students Unions and ordinary Black students can do a lotto celebrate Black Historybelow youll find some tips

and ideas for what you can do on your campus.

Remember that you can celebrate Black history anytime

in the yearso use these ideas all year round.

When organising any events, make sure you are

engaging Black women, LGBT and disabled students. To

guarantee attendance at the events, publicise well in

advance, ensure you utilise all the Black clubs andsocieties, make sure the event is inclusive and advertise

free refreshments on your publicity!

Here are some ideas for your campus!

Have a Black History Month stall at your Freshers

Fayre with info on how to get involved and details of whoto approach. Contact the Campaign for free materials!

Campaign to increase Black representation by

creating a Black Students Officer in your Union pass a

motion at your Union Council/Executive committee

meeting.

Invite the Great Debate Touron to campus to discuss

topical issues affecting the Black community. Discuss

racism in education, anonymous marking, high drop out

rates etc. Another popular discussion is on Stop and

Search policing or Black people in the media.

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the African National

Congress Party or 25 years of Black MPs in Britain.

Get the union executive to run a Clubs and Societies

training event for Black groups.

Work with Black Activists Rising Against Cuts to

organise resistance to cuts that are threatening Black

communities and raising Black unemployment. Get local

trade unions involved such as the UCU and UNISON.

Hold a celebration of success awards/dinner for

Black students and their supporters.

Work with the student anti-racism group to run a One

Campus Many Cultures initiative in your college astall, film showing etc. NUS, Unite Against Fascism and

One Society Many Cultures can help provide materials.

Contact Love Music Hate Racism to organise a music

gig at your union. Or put on a bhangra, hip-hop, or African

music/club night.

Contact local museums and ask for loans of artefacts,

replicas or materials and hold an exhibition.

Create a photo exhibition on Black achievements in

arts/science (Nobel Laureates, inventors etc).

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Hold a slam poetry competition historically used to

reflect on topical issues.

Perhaps focus your Black History Month activities within

a week. Play traditional music in your union ask your

university canteens and bars to offerthemed menus on

certain days and your student radio station to hold an

international music day and commission pieces coveringBlack history.

Ask different societies to perform at a fund raising

evening. i.e. the gospel choir, ACS, Indian society, etc.

Pass AGM and union council motions on celebrating

diversity, mandating a yearly Black History Month

celebration.

Hold peaceful demonstrations/vigils in remembranceof Black history i.e. the Montgomery bus strike and

Rosa Parks.

Bring politicians and journalists to talk on topical

Black issues, multiculturalism, the war on terror and the

role of the IMF and World Bank.

Promote

international

campaigns

that tackle

international

justice issues

like the

continuing war

in Afghanistan

or the brutal

and illegaloccupation of

Palestine. The

Campaign and

our affiliated

organisations

such as Stop the War Coalition and the Palestine

Solidarity Campaign can help provide materials.

Show Black films (from Africa, Asia, the Middle-East,Latin America and the Caribbean, and documentaries like

Injustice, Sarafina or 500 Years Later).

Run an international food fairor market in a central

venue by engaging your international students.

Ask the college caterers to serve up food originating

from Black countries.

Put up wall displays and write features in your college

newspaper

about Black

peoples

contributions in a range of fields, e.g. medicine, science,

sport and politics.

Organise a trip to visit Liverpools International Slavery

Museum.

If you want to talk though your ideas, or want to let us

know about events you are putting on in your union,

we can help promote these on our website and

through our networks. Just email

[email protected].

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CELEBRATING OUR

DIVERSE HISTORIESBlack History Month is an opportunity to celebrate

the immense diversity and inspirational leadership

shown by Black Women, Black LGBT and Black

Disabled people in the struggle against racism and

underrepresentation. Here are some tips and advice

on how to make sure that your Black History Month

events are inclusive and empowering.

Black Women

Herstory

Rosa Parks, bell hooks,

Salma Yaqoob Wangari

Maathai, Cynthia

McKinney, Diane Abbott,

and countless others

have made incredible

contributions to the

advancement of the

Black majority of

humanity.

You could host a joint meeting with your campus

Womens or Feminist Society, celebrating the

achievements and struggles of Black Women throughout

herstory.

Host a Black womens-only event to discuss the issues

facing Black women today. Topics could include the

attacks on the right to wear religious dress, the impact of

government cuts on Black women. Invite speakers from

Black Feminists and the Black Womens Forum UK.

Fundraise for Southall Black Sisters or other local

community groups that fight for the rights of Black

women.

Pride in our LGBT Sisters and Brothers

Angela Davis, Linda Bellos, Bayard Rustin, Joe

Amaechi, Margaret Cho,

Tracy Chapman have

been inspirations for

countless people and their

activism continues to raise

consciousness of the

struggle for Black and

LGBT liberation.

Unite together Black

LGBT organisations such

as UK Black Pride, Safra

Project and Imaan with your campus LGBT society to

celebrate Black LGBT people.

Make a banner from your cultural club or society and

bring it to the next Pride march in your area.

Black

Disabled

History

The 2012

Paralympics

were an

opportunity to

witness theincredible sporting prowess of Black Disabled people from

across the world. Ade Adepitan is one of Britains most

famous Black athletes. Dyslexic Muhammad Ali spoke the

immortal words: float like a butterfly, sting like a bee and

remains the most famous boxer of all time.

Work with Black Mental Health UK to put the issue of

Black mental health on the agenda.

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PREVIOUS BLACK

HISTORY MONTH

EVENTS & IDEASUniversity of Lincoln Students Union held avariety of events:

They invited the Great Debate Tour presented by

Young, Black and Successful.

Panel event: with NUS Black Student Officer, VavaTampa from Save the Congo, Lincoln LGBT President

and others from NUS BSC.

Movie nights each week including films like: Brick Lane,Crash, Fire in Babylon, Salute, Do the Right Thing, Glory,Guess Whos Coming to Dinner, The Long Walk Home,Amistad, Cry Freedom, A Soldiers Story, Rosewood, The

Jackie Robinson Story and Tsotsi.

Poster campaign highlighting key individuals and groupsin Black history including: Susan B Anthony, Grace Bubry,Ghandi, Angela Davis, Lorenzo Ervin, Rosa Parks,Malcolm X, Paul Rusesabagina, Martin Luther King,Whitney Young etc. Also modern and local activists:Ashanti Alston, Aung San Suu Kyi, DeJaun Correia,Tawakal Karman, Leymah Gbowee, Doreen Lawrence,

Lee Jasper, Shami Chakrabarti, Sally Becker.

Key dates Lincoln integrated for BHM:

2ndOctober: Celebration of Ghandis birthday.

16th October: World Food Day presentation and

speaker from ONE on 0.7% national incomespent on aid

17th October: International Day for the

Eradication of Poverty so could make

University of Sussex Students Unionengagedwith various student societies, Sussex academics andSussex Alumni in order to produce a wide range of events

in the programme to engage as many students aspossible. The Unions Welfare officer also met with thelocal Brighton and Hove Black History Month Groupseveral times and worked together to cross-promote boththeir events and the Unions. The Students Union wantedto do this to increase communication, minimiseduplication and aid community engagement by openingall of our events to the wider public and helping theBrighton and Hove Black History group recruit student

volunteers to help with their events.

Examples of these events:

An exhibition throughout the month on Black

History in Brighton.

Poetry workshop by award winning poet and

playwright Dean Atta.

Film screening of Do The Right Thing a Spike

Lee masterpiece. Set on a scorching summerday in a Brooklyn neighborhood where racial

tensions are brought to a boiling point.

University of West England Students Unionorganised a Love Music Hate Racism gig, because theywanted to see the Students' Union embrace Black HistoryMonth by celebrating the diversity of the campus. Musichad a way to give out the message in a loud way, and theevent attracted many members of the community. Moreevents like this should happen in Student's Unions, where

students truly have the power to champion diversity, andinclusivity.

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University of Kent Uniondecided to theme eachweek of October. For each week they had 2 or moreevents.

Week 1 was History Week.On the 3rd of October the series of events opened with atalk and presentation by Historian Tony Warner on 'Black-British Civil Right Heroes: 1625-2011'. This was held in

one of the universities lecture theatres and was anincredibly engaging,educational andinteractive event witha great turnout. Itreceived fantasticfeedback and was agreat way to open upBlack History monthat Kent.

That week the African-Caribbean Societyscreened a film aboutBlack History inBritain.

Week 2 was BlackCulture Week.Which was a week showing off the beauty and vibrance of

many Black cultures through music and the arts.

The Christian Performing Arts Society during that week,sang a collection of songs from various Black cultures onmain campus.

That week Kent screened the document 'AncestralVoices'. A documentary about indigenous Africanreligions and the influence of colonialism and mainstreamreligion.

Week 3 was Stereotypes Week. This week was an exciting week because Kent Uniwelcomed Activist, Speaker and former Policy Advisor tothe Mayor of London, Lee Jasper to speak about Raceand Social Justice.

We also welcomed the Great Debate Tour to Kent (anorganisation that visits different universities to hold aseries of debates.) The topics that came to Kent were

topics such as, Black Identity, Student Employment,Ethnicity and the London Riots.

This was very enjoyable week that gained greatrecognition from the university.

Week 4 was Celebration Week. Where Kent closed Black History Month with anamazing showcase. The title of the showcase was: 'GoingThrough Time: Black People in Western History' This was an amazing variety show which includedDance, Music, Drama, Poetry and Fashion. Withperformances by many of the universities societies:Capoeira Society, Christian Performing Arts Society,

Musical Theatre Society, African-Caribbean Society, theAfrican Society and two external fashion designers.

This was an amazingmonth and was incrediblyeducational andentertaining. Putting onBHM earned me the NUSBlack Students Campaignaward for 'Campaign of theYear' 2012 and anomination for 'Campaign

of the Year' at the Kent Union Awards.

Stella Fasusi, Kent Union Black Students Officer2011/12.

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LEADING BLACK

ACTIVISTSThe NUS Black Students Campaign has compiled a

list of current Black activists and political

representatives who are playing leading roles in

increasing Black representation, fighting racism,

Islamophobia and fascism, challenging cuts and

campaigning for peace and justice for the Black

majority of humanity.

This list is not definitive by any means but will

hopefully provide some inspiring examples of Black

leadership in the struggle for justice.

* The list is ordered alphabetically by surname.

DIANE ABBOTT MP thefirst Black woman MPelected in Britain,celebrates her 25th

anniversary in Parliament.Widely recognised for herleading role in thestruggle for Black

representation in Parliament, Diane has continued toraise the issue of racism in Britain and is a noted

campaigner for equality and social justice.

AKALA is a MOBO award-winningrapper who uses his music to

highlight racism, sexism, class andinequality in Britain.

AZAD ALIis the chair ofthe Muslim SafetyForumand an elected vice chair ofUnite Against Fascism. Aliworks at Engage, an

organisation dedicated toempowering Muslims to participate in the political process

and in the media, including increasing voterregistration and challenging Islamophobia in

society.

BARONESS VALERIE AMOS is thecurrent UN Under-Secretary-Generalfor Humanitarian Affairs andEmergency Relief Coordinatorandwas the first Black woman to ever to

sit in the British cabinet.

JENNETTE ARNOLD AMoriginally from Montserrat is thecurrent chair of the LondonAssembly and has worked to holdthe Metropolitan Police to accountas well as campaign against youth

unemployment.

LINDA BELLOS is best knownas a gay and political rightsactivist, and former leader ofLambeth Councilwhere shemade history as the first Blackwoman leader of a localauthority. As chair of LondonsStrategic Policy Unit in the1980s, she helped introduce

Black History Month.

WEYMAN BENNETT hasbeen the Joint Secretary ofUnite Against Fascism since2003 and has played aleading role challenging thefar-right English Defence

League.

JYOTI BHOJANI played a leadingrole for several years for OperationBlack Votes immensely successfulMP Shadowing Scheme and nowworks in Parliament for former

Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.12
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undersecretary-General_for_Humanitarian_Affairs_and_Emergency_Relief_Coordinatorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undersecretary-General_for_Humanitarian_Affairs_and_Emergency_Relief_Coordinatorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undersecretary-General_for_Humanitarian_Affairs_and_Emergency_Relief_Coordinatorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undersecretary-General_for_Humanitarian_Affairs_and_Emergency_Relief_Coordinatorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undersecretary-General_for_Humanitarian_Affairs_and_Emergency_Relief_Coordinatorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undersecretary-General_for_Humanitarian_Affairs_and_Emergency_Relief_Coordinator


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CLLR RUQAYYAHCOLLECTOR is a localCouncillor in her hometown ofBradford, representing the wardthat the contains BradfordUniversity and was the firstMuslim woman to ever sit on the

NUS National Executive Committee in a full-time post. As

a student activist she lead a successful campaign for aracist professor to be suspended from Leeds University.

SABBY DHALU is the Joint SecretaryofUnite Against Fascism since 2003and was previously an anti-racistactivist in the National AssemblyAgainst Racism for over 10 years.Dhalu is also the Secretary of anti-racist campaign One Society Many

Cultures.

VAUGHAN GETHING AM is arepresentative at the NationalAssembly for Wales for CardiffSouth & Penarth and was the firstBlack President of the NationalUnion of Students Wales. Gethingwas also the first Black president

ofWales TUC.PETER HERBERT OBE is a barrister,chair of the Society of Black Lawyersand was appointed as one of the firstBlack judges in Britain in 1996.Herbert also chairs the independentRace Hate Crimes Forum, helping tocombat racial violence. He wasawarded theAmerican BarAssociation diversity award in 2002

and was appointed an EmploymentTribunal chair and a recorder in the Crown Court.

ZITA HOLBOURNE is a poet,artist, and a leading tradeunionist in the PCS Union whoalso sits on the TUC RaceRelations Committee.Holbourne won the Role Modelaward at the National DiversityAwards 2012 and co-foundedBlack Activists Rising Against

Cuts (BARAC).

LEE JASPER has campaignedagainst racism and inequality inBritain for over 30 years and hasplayed prominent roles inorganisations such as the 1990Trust, Operation Black Vote andis a co-founder ofBlack ActivistsRising Against Cuts(BARAC).

Jasper has been a leading figurein challenging police racism.

CLLR RANIA KHAN is a localrepresentative in the London Boroughof Tower Hamlets. Elected at the ageof 23 she has won recognition for herwork challenging sex and lap dancingclubs in her area and for campaigningagainst the racist EDL. She was in2006 the youngest councillor elected

in Britain.

DOREENLAWRENCEandNEVILLELAWRENCEfought an 18-year battle intheir quest forjustice for their

son Stephen,taking on the institutional racism of the police force andthe political establishment. We must commend thestrength, determination and leadership the Lawrencefamily have shown. In 1998 Doreen and Neville Lawrencehelped set up the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trustthatsupports hundreds of aspiring architects during their

studies.

ANNA LO was elected to theNorthern Ireland Assemblyfor South Belfast in the 2007Assembly election. The firstpolitician born in East Asiaelected to any legislative

body in the United Kingdom.

LOWKEY is a rapper known forhis support for the Palestinianliberation struggle and vocal andsharp critique of the US and

British governments wars in theMiddle-East.

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CLAUDE MORAES MEP beforebecoming a Member of theEuropean Parliament, was thedirector of the Joint Council for theWelfare of Immigrants and wasdeclared MEP of the Year for hiswork on Justice and Civil Liberties

in 2011.

CHI ONWURAH MP isthe first African womanelected to the BritishParliament and washeavily involved in theAnti ApartheidMovement. She is also

Newcastles first ever Black MP.

PHYLL OPOKU-GYIMAH is a co-founderand Trustee of the award-winning Black LGBTorganisation UK BlackPride in 2005. Opoku-Gyimah was the PCSonly Black woman

Negotiator in the area of Law and Justice bargainingbefore being appointed PCS Head of Equality, Health

and Safety.

YASMIN QURESHI MP was thejoint first Muslim woman elected tothe British Parliament in the 2010general election and was Boltonsfirst woman MP. She previouslyadvised former London Mayor KenLivingstone on human rights.Qureshi was active in the

Association of Muslim Lawyers.

MAYOR LUTFUR RAHMANof Tower Hamlets is Britainsfirst Muslim executive Mayor.Winning a strong mandatewith over 50% of the vote,Mayor Rahmansadministration launched a

scheme to fill the gap left bythe governments scrappingof the national Educational

Maintenance Scheme (EMA).

BELLAVIA RIBEIRO-ADDY sits onthe National Committee for anti-racist campaign One Society ManyCultures and is an activist in theoldest organisation of African, Asianand Caribbean lawyers in the UK

the Society of Black Lawyers.

MARCIA RIGG-SAMUEL andSAMANTHA RIGG-DAVID have dedicatedthe past four yearsseeking justice for theirbrother Sean Rigg whodied while in police

custody. They are leading figures in the United Familiesand Friends Campaign and fight for police accountabilityand justice for all those who have lost their lives in

custody.

WILF SULLIVAN is a leading tradeunionist at the Trades UnionCongress and since 2004 has beenthe TUC Race Equality Officer.Sullivan represents the TUC at theEuropean Trades Union Congresson migrants and has been an activevoice against racism and

xenophobia.

AVA VIDAL is a pro-Palestinian activist,an award-winningcomedian and writer,as well as a patron ofthe Show Racism

The Red Cardcampaign. Vidal has

used many of her performances to highlight racism in

Britain.

SIMON WOOLLEY is the directorand one of the founders ofOperation Black Vote and acommissioner for race at theEquality and Human Rights

Commission.

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SALMA YAQOOB gainedpopular recognition as aleading figure in the Stop theWar Coalition and known forher courageous opposition tothe US-led War On Terror. In2006 Yaqoob was elected asa local councillor in her home

of Birmingham and was, asleader of the RESPECTParty, the only Black leader of

a British political party.

GARY YOUNGE is anaward-winning journalistforThe Guardian andcurrently based in the US.

Younge is renowned forhis articles exposingracism and is considered

an expert on politics of the US.

BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH is awriter and poet. He featured onThe Times list of Britain's top 50post-war writers in 2008 and hiswork has gained international

prestige.

Let the NUS Black StudentsCampaign know who inspires you

and why and well share some ofthe best submissions.

Email [email protected]

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MODEL ARTICLE

FOR SU PAPEROctober is Black History Month, but students and

officers could be forgiven for wondering how that fits

in with their union work and with their union priorities

of fighting attacks on our education, making their

union democracy work better and making commercial

services relevant to their members.

Well, it fits in very nicely. The month exists to highlightand celebrate Black contributions to British society and is

an ideal chance for the union to get more involved with

Black members and non-members. Some people may

wonder why anyone needs a Black History Month, but the

reality is that Black history is often a hidden history, and

one that has been written out of mainstream British

history. More accurately, it was never written in for

most people, school histories of the UK were strictly all-

white affairs.

Filling in these blank pages does a number of things. It

helps to illustrate the positive contribution Black people

have made to society as a whole. Clearly thats good for

everyone to understand, but it also helps build confidence

in the Black community and provide positive role models

for our Black students.

Black history also combats myths about Black people inthe UK for instance, that they only started arriving

after WWII. Such inaccuracies and generalisations are

bread and butter for the far right. For NUS, Black History

Month is an opportunity to raise awareness one that

helps to destroy the arguments of the British National

Party (BNP) and its like.

Black people have always been at the forefront of human

development, but too often we have been ignored. BlackHistory Month is a valuable step in enabling us to benefit

from all the goodness of our multicultural society. It is a

time to reflect on the achievements and remember

the good and the great who have challenged

the norm and struggled to make the world a better place.

If we want an inclusive society, then we need an inclusive

history. Awareness of all our histories breaks down

barriers and leads to co-operation on all sides and

progress for all. Black people have contributed to all

aspects of British society. One example would be the

NHS, where a high percentage of members of the

workforce from consultant surgeons to porters, nurses

to cleaners come from Black communities.

Celebrating the achievement and contribution of Black

communities in the UK comes from the idea of Dr Carter

Godwin Woodson, a Black civil rights activist. He

recognised that those who have no record of what their

forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration for

change that comes with the teaching of history. If we are

to leave legacies like those of our predecessors, then we

must be active and involved to make that change.

Yet involvement in students union democratic structures

is lower among Black students. Addressing this issue in

our students unions will ensure better representation for

all. And with more involvement and representation will

come higher levels of activism and satisfied students.

The NUS Black Students Campaign is working withs Black Students Officer to

address issues of under-representation, the rise in

racism, inequalities in education and international peace

and justice.

As part of this wider agenda, Black History Month is an

excellent means of engaging Black students on campus

and raising awareness of the issues that affect them. This

is a time to reflect on the achievements and rememberthe good and the great who have challenged the norm

and struggled to make the world a better place.

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BLACK HISTORY

MONTH LINKSPlease find below a list of useful links to additional resources and

websites for Black History Month.

www.100greatblackbritons.com

Find out who has been voted into the list of 100 greatest Black

Britons.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/blackhistorymonth

The Guardian website has an interesting interactive section

covering Black history.

www.black-history-month.co.uk

Articles, information and lists of events that are happening across

Britain.

http://issuu.com/talentmedia/docs/bhm-magazine-2012

Check out the Official Black History Month UK online magazine.

www.movinghere.org.uk

Chart the story of 200 years of migration to Britain.

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

An archive crammed full of African, Asian, Caribbean and Arab

history in Britain from 1500 to the present day.

www.obv.org.uk

Twitter: @OpBlackVote

Operation Black Vote A non-party political campaign that

seeks to redress the Black democratic deficit in the UK and

provide a strong political voice for all Black communities.

www.uaf.org.uk

Twitter: @uaf

Unite Against Fascism is a national campaign against fascist

organisations. It works to alert British society to the rising threat

of the extreme right, in particular the British National Party (BNP)

and the English Defence League, gaining an electoral foothold

and spreading their hatred across the country.

www.onesocietymanycultures.org

T itt 1 i t

One Society Many Cultures is a campaign which brings together

politicians, faith representatives, trade union leaders, students

and others to defend fundamental human rights, celebrate

diversity and challenge racism and Islamophobia.

www.blackmentalhealth.org.uk

Black Mental Health UK was established in 2006 to raise

awareness and address the stigma associated with mental

illness.

www.ukblackpride.org.uk

UK Black Pride promotes unity and co-operation among all Black

people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and Latin

American descent, as well as their friends and families, who

identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender.

http://blackfeminists.org/blog/

Black Feminists is a progressive and safe space for Blackwomen to discuss the issues facing them.

lovemusichateracism.com

Twitter: @LMHRnational

Love Music Hate Racism is a national campaign that challenges

racism by uniting people through music.

www.palestinecampaign.org

Twitter: @PSCupdates

Palestine Solidarity Campaign is an organisation that champions

Palestinian human rights and has many resources on the history

of the conflict.

blackactivistsrisingagainstcuts.blogspot.com

Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC) seeks to unite

Black communities in opposing cuts and austerity.

http://uffc-campaigncentral.net/

The United Friends and Family Campaign brings together

various justice campaigns to challenge deaths in custody.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/blackhistorymonthhttp://www.obv.org.uk/http://www.uaf.org.uk/http://www.onesocietymanycultures.org/http://www.onesocietymanycultures.org/http://www.uaf.org.uk/http://www.obv.org.uk/http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/blackhistorymonth

nus black history month guide 2013

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