BLACK HISTORY MONTH MATTERS TODAY MORE THAN EVER

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It took many years of persistent and dedicated campaigning to get ‘Black History Month’ recognised as a time in the year, when the nation, and especially Black communities, can affirm their identity and be affirmed as a people with a rich, recognisable and proud past. It’s not always been easy, because Caribbean history for long periods has been marred by hostility, hurt and trauma. Yet despite this, if nothing else, Black History Month offers a chance to celebrate the courage, strength and resilience of the people of the past, honour them and learn how their sacrifices have made us triumph.

Maybe it’s a legacy of the past, but historically Caribbeans has not been good at shouting about its achievements, or it’s the way they see themselves, ultimately influencing their behaviour. It could also be because years of exclusion, neglect, being undervalued, and marginalised have meant that they have internalised a mindset, which makes it difficult for them to cultivate a culture of recognition and celebration of their achievements.

What Black History Month does is to affirm and acknowledge that Black people in Britain are not guests or a mere footnote of its history but are integral to its narrative. It gives space for stories that have too often been silenced, ignored, and even hidden. It confirms that Black people have been in the country at least since Roman times, and not just since 1948, showing that they have been part of the fabric of Britain for as long as anyone can remember.

Black History Month also offers a powerful moment of reflection, for it invites us to acknowledge the vital role Caribbean people have played in shaping modern Britain despite limited recognition. More importantly, it opens the door to conversations about identity, pride, and the importance of remembering and sharing our stories. It also encourages self-reflection, especially as Caribbean achievements are sometimes downplayed or left unspoken.

Caribbean modesty might betray another reason, which some sociologists call cultural conditioning. Historically, Caribbeans have been immersed in British culture for generations and have absorbed would say, the English trait of restraint, understatement, and regard open pride or self-promotion with suspicion. Because of this, their public celebrations and expression of achievements are likely to be muted, as they may not wish to appear boastful, believing this to be inappropriate.

There may be, however, deeper reasons for Caribbean reticence, for when a community fails to value itself or its achievements, there are profound and far-reaching consequences. For example, a lack of self-worth can breed self-doubt, which often leads to internalised feelings of inferiority that hinder progress and limit success. It’s also likely that when a community fails to champion its past successes, it risks losing touch with its roots, history, culture, values, and traditions, thereby weakening its sense of belonging across generations, making it hard for young people in particular to take pride in themselves, their history, and traditions.

Another reason for the reticence is a frequently heard statement, which goes something like this: Why bring up the past-meaning slavery- it was then, we are now, ‘we should move on. ’First, Slavery is not the total of the Caribbean's past, as there’s much more. Also, no one today says forget the Holocaust. In fact, Israel will never allow the world to ever forget, making it an international priority, yet Caribbean people are told to forget what happened to them. This kind of selective memory can mean remaining silent on uncomfortable truths, not wanting to confront painful situations, and avoiding taking any responsibility.

What this statement fails to recognise is the enduring legacy and lasting effects of slavery and its generational effects and disadvantages. It’s not a coincidence that countries in the Caribbean, which are economically poor, are largely historically so because of slavery and the Atlantic slave trade. Failing to understand this is a failure to understand the history of the region and how it has affected its future. The same can be said for the peoples of the Caribbean, for their history, identity and prospects are shaped and influenced by their historical reality. It’s not about living or dwelling in the past, nor about ignoring it either, as both are intricately linked.

In my book Windrush: 7 Events That Changed Britain, I don’t claim to explain the deeper reasons behind the Caribbean’s cultural reticence, but I do highlight seven pivotal events that I believe have significantly shaped Britain’s national identity, and thus are worthy to be celebrated, especially in Black History Month. The examples I explore may seem modest or even ordinary, but their impact has spread like tentacles throughout British society, touching and transforming every part of it.

For instance, in the chapter titled From Pit to Chamber, I point out that there was once a time in Britain when open racial discrimination was legal and unchallenged. There were simply no laws to prevent it, and it took the tireless campaigning of people like Harold Moody, Claudia Jones, Learie Constantine, David Pitt, Paul Stephenson, and countless others—many of them of Caribbean heritage—to help bring about change. The result was the 1965 Race Relations Act, which for the first time made racial discrimination in Britain illegal. It marked a turning point in the history of Black people in Britain and in the country as a whole.

The fight didn’t stop there as the Caribbeans continued struggling for political representation and equality in Britain. It led to the historic elections in 1965 of Diane Abbott, Paul Boateng, Bernie Grant, and Keith Vaz to the British Parliament. It also advanced racial equality, paving the way for others to follow, so that today, equality in Britain is not just a philosophical abstraction, but a lived reality.

Another area in which the Caribbean community has had a profound and lasting impact on British society—and one they should be immensely proud of—is in religion. What began as small “prayer meetings” in people’s homes during the 1960s and 70s, evolved into the establishment of churches that have since grown into a vast and influential network, particularly in urban areas, with over 4,000 Black Caribbean Pentecostal churches across Britain, and a combined membership exceeding 300,000.

This faith-based movement represents one of the oldest, most structured, and financially successful elements of the Caribbean community. Its economic and cultural influence is significant, and many of its members now form part of Britain’s growing Black middle class.

Today, African Pentecostal churches, which are the inheritors of this tradition, continue this success with one African church, ‘The Redeemed Christian Church of God,’ national membership exceeding 80,000 in 870 local churches.

Black Caribbean churches have also played a pivotal role in reshaping Britain’s religious culture. They have introduced ‘gospel’ to sacred music, and their distinctive style of worship have left a lasting imprint. In the 1970s and 80s, their choirs became a familiar presence on British television, offering a dynamic and spirited expression. This influence extended to the Evangelical wing of the Church of England, whose modern public expression owes much to the legacy of Caribbean Christianity.

Now more than ever, Black people in general—and Caribbeans in particular—should wholeheartedly embrace Black History Month, for it is not only a symbol of historical recognition, but also a powerful reminder of resilience, contribution, and identity, offering a vital opportunity to celebrate Black pride, history, and culture—especially for young people who urgently need that affirmation. It’s also a call to action—a reminder that the journey is far from over, challenging us to ensure full representation and visibility in all spheres of British life. Black History Month, therefore, is not just about honouring the past; it’s about recognising and shaping the future.