October is Black History Month (BHM).
BHM is very much about writing back into history those events and activities that have conveniently been overlooked or deliberately ignored. Racial justice is something that falls into this category. Prior to the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, churches were reluctant to engage in racial justice work – the sort of work that challenged systems and structures that hindered real equality and inclusion. It was left to those brave men and women who are featured in this resource to encourage churches to ‘do the right thing!’ While racial justice now appears to be on everyone’s lips, akin to the climate emergency, it is important to recognise those heroes and sheroes who ‘fought the good fight’ when it was unfashionable to do so. Indeed, they often-faced tremendous opposition in doing so. It is therefore necessary to honour these individuals; any racial justice progress we now see in the church is a result of their sterling efforts.
Last year, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) published Racial Justice Champions: Volume 1 to celebrate this special month. This publication consists of 25 women and 25 men of faith (from a variety of ethnicities), who have pioneered racial justice in church and society over the last 25 years.
I have always argued that BHM tells the story of everyone’s history. The history found in this resource speaks of the British churches’ struggles to address racial justice. As such, it is British history. And much like Racial Justice Sunday (RJS), BHM is everyone’s business – it tells of the synergies and efforts of Black, White and Asian Christians in the pursuit of racial justice. Finally, I would argue that this history, much like RJS, includes subjects and topics that are worthy of celebration and study throughout the year, and not just for 31 days in a calendar.
Richard Reddie, Director of Justice and Inclusion, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI).
Black History Month – more than just Black and White
Richard Reddie, Director of Justice and Inclusion at Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), reflects on why Christians should celebrate Black History Month. More
What BHM means to me – Laura Nwogu
Laura Nwogu, a 21-year-old recent graduate of International Relations and Development, analyses what Black History Month (BHM) means to her.
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Racial Justice Champions
This resource, for Black History Month, celebrates contributions of often-unsung individuals who spoke about racial justice when it was unfashionable.
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Bloomsbury Essay Prize in Black British History & Christianity
Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church has launched an annual prize awarded for the best essay in Black British History on a topic related to Christianity.
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Sam Sharpe Lecture 2022
Watch again: ‘Bringing Down the House’, the 10th anniversary lecture, was delivered in Oxford by Professor Kehinde Andrews, Professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University, on Wednesday 19 October 2022.
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