CONTENTS

Contents Introduction Guest Editorial: Celebrating 25 Years of Black MPs Frequently Asked Questions Ideas to Celebrate Black History Month Celebrating Our Diverse Histories Previous Black History Month Events Leading Black Activists Model Article for your Students Union Paper Black History Month Links page 1 page 2-3 page 4 page 5-6 page 7-8 page 9 page 10-11 page 12-15 page 16 page 17

The term Black is used as a positive, political definition borne out the struggle for justice and equality. Whilst we acknowledge the diversity within and between African, Arab, Asian and Caribbean communities, we also recognise that all Black communities 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

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.

INTRODUCTION
October marks Black History Month, an incredible opportunity for us to commemorate the history of Black communities and celebrate the immense contribution that people of African, Arab, Asian and Caribbean heritage make to humanity.
We are proud as a Campaign to be joining organisations across the country in celebrating Black History Month and it is great to see more and more Students Unions organising 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 Luther Kings I have a dream... speech that was made during the march on Washington protest on 28 August 1963. Dr. Kings famous words: I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character continue to inspire a generation just as they did five decades ago. 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 the police than white people? What would he say about one in two young Black people in Britain being unemployed? How would he address the targeting of the Muslim community by the far-right? When Trayvon Martins killer was set free by the US justice system what would Martin Luther King have said? All of these questions are stark reminders of the need to continue the struggle for justice so that we can live in world where Dr. Kings dream of a society without racism and oppression is realised. The reality of being Black in Britain is tough. We are fighting an austerity offensive, with massive cuts to the public sector, one in two young Black people unemployed, the loss of Education Maintenance Allowance, and the trebling of tuition fees. Along with this we are seeing the racist scapegoating of migrants, asylum seekers and Black communities. We must unite to challenge austerity and the vicious 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 is in that spirit that you will campaign hard throughout the year on the issues that are of great importance to Black communities on your campus, community and internationally. Black communities make up the vast majority of humanity and united we are stronger. That is why it is important that we build the strongest possible movement of Black students to fight injustice and struggle for liberation, whether thats freedom to practice our religion, go about our lives free from police harassment, have our work marked by our words and not our heritage or be treated with decency and respect. Martin Luther King is rightly recognised as one of the leading figures of Black history across the world, and the question that many have asked is; what would he make of todays society? What would he say if he made a speech today at a rally in Washington in the United States or The NUS Black Students Campaign has a rich history of leading the student movement on key issues and Black students like you have been absolutely crucial to making sure that our issues are put on the agenda.

How can the NUS Black Students Campaign help you this month?

Follow us on social media for all the latest news, info and resources from the Campaign and our Black History Month celebrations.

The Black Students Committee and Officer will be touring the country so if youd like to request a speaker from the Campaign, make sure to get in touch.

In this month we should take our time to reflect on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for Black liberation and who lost their lives in the struggle so that we could enjoy the freedoms that we have today. One of those people 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.

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 be held in London on the 30th November and 1st December. Look out for updates in the coming weeks!

In unity,

Aaron Kiely
National Black Students Officer Aaron.Kiely@nus.org.uk m: 07919 323 935

Malia Bouattia
Black Students NEC Representative Malia.Bouattia@nus.org.uk

To keep up with the Campaign during Black History Month and to find out about events that are being hosted across Britain here are the ways to stay in touch. Twitter: http://twitter.com/nusBSC e-update list: https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/bsc Facebook: http://facebook.com/nusBSC NUS Connect: http://www.nusconnect.org.uk/campaigns/black/

GUEST EDITORIAL
By Diane Abbott MP, Hackney North & Stoke Newington
Twenty five years ago I was elected along with Bernie Grant, Paul Boateng and Keith Vaz as one of Britains first four Black MPs. Strictly speaking although Bernie, Paul and I were definitely the first MPs of African descent, Keith was following in the footsteps of earlier Asian MPs. But, at the height of 1980s Black activism African, Arab, Asian and Caribbean communities had come to realise the importance of unity in our common struggle against racism and under-representation. and coruscating sexism. This double whammy that Black women face makes it that much harder for them. But I think there are many able and dynamic Black women around and they have a lot of things to offer, so I hope to encourage them to get active in politics. Outside of politics, there are many more Black women in professions like teaching and on TV. Over the last 20 years progress has been made in Westminster. There are now 144 women, a notable improvement from when I was first elected. There are also many younger MPs, I remember Parliament initially seemed a very elderly place. So much has changed in the past 25 years and I am proud of the contribution I have made. Back then I was constantly asked how could I, a Black woman, represent white people? No one can ask a Black MP that today. Although I had expected there to be many more Black MPs in Parliament by now, I am proud of the ones that have emerged. There is still a lot of work to do to achieve racial equality, but I believe that increased Black representation in Parliament is making a difference.

We campaigned under the political term Black - a term that I am pleased to see that many trade unions and This article is a republication from the 2012 NUS organisations like the NUS Black Students Campaign Black History Month Guide. proudly maintain. Back then we were told we wouldnt win but 23 years later Britain celebrated the record election of 27 Black MPs. My family came to this country from the Caribbean, my mother was a nurse and my father worked in a factory. I went to Cambridge and was really struck by the huge gulf between my background and most of the people I was at university with. Also by the opportunities available to people like my parents, friends and relatives at school, and those I was meeting at Cambridge. It seemed I was living in a very divided society and I wanted to do something about it. Looking at my photographs at the time of my election, I seemed to be incredibly youthful and naive. Nothing prepared me for the experiences that lay ahead of me over the next quarter century. Paul and Keith had fought elections before. Bernie had run a big local authority. I was flung in at the deep end with no mentor, no template and nothing to model myself on. If we all experienced racism, I experienced both racism

The first Black MPs: Paul Boateng, Bernie Grant, Keith Vaz and Diane Abbott.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When was Black History Month set up in the UK, existing events. There is always a rich programme of events: storytelling, historical walks, theatrical 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 coordinator of Special Projects. The first event was held on 1st October 1987, when the 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. 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 councils pick 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 Initiatives take place across the UK with voluntary groups, before us. This quote was a catalyst for Addais plans at local authorities, NHS services, museums and libraries the GLC in 1987. often taking a lead in planning events. All projects use the What are the dates for Black History Month and skills and experiences of the local workforce and why October? community in the planning and delivery. Smaller groups do equally good work on limited budgets, e.g. running Black History Month runs throughout the month of supplementary schools, which incorporate history, or October. There has long been concern about the incorporating the Black History Month theme into experience of Black children in the UK, and this was a

What form do events take and where are they held?

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.

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, Black Heritage Today and Black History 365. They are available free from libraries across the UK. See the links section for details.

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 an educational and historical awareness experience by Black people African, Asian, Caribbean and Arab heritage and should be shared by everyone as world history.

Is Black History Month recognised by the government? Are there any government-backed events?
Black History Month is recognised by the government and many 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!

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.

IDEAS TO CELEBRATE BHM

Black History Month gives us a unique opportunity to empower and educate each other so that we can develop a greater understanding of one another as a multicultural society. Campaign to increase Black representation by creating a Black Students Officer in your Union pass a motion at your Union Council/Executive committee meeting.

So what exactly can Students Unions do?

Invite the Great Debate Tour on to campus to discuss topical issues affecting the Black community. Discuss Students Unions and ordinary Black students can do a lot racism in education, anonymous marking, high drop out to celebrate Black Historybelow youll find some tips rates etc. Another popular discussion is on Stop and and ideas for what you can do on your campus. Search policing or Black people in the media. Remember that you can celebrate Black history anytime Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the African National in the yearso use these ideas all year round. Congress Party or 25 years of Black MPs in Britain. When organising any events, make sure you are engaging Black women, LGBT and disabled students. To Get the union executive to run a Clubs and Societies training event for Black groups. guarantee attendance at the events, publicise well in advance, ensure you utilise all the Black clubs and Work with Black Activists Rising Against Cuts to societies, make sure the event is inclusive and advertise organise resistance to cuts that are threatening Black free refreshments on your publicity! 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 a stall, 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).

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 who to approach. Contact the Campaign for free materials!

 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 offer themed menus on certain days and your student radio station to hold an international music day and commission pieces covering Black 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 remembrance of 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 illegal occupation 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 fair or 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 Aaron.Kiely@nus.org.uk.

CELEBRATING OUR DIVERSE HISTORIES

Black 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

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.

Rosa Parks, bell hooks, Salma Yaqoob Wangari Maathai, Cynthia McKinney, Diane Abbott, Make a banner from your cultural club or society and and countless others bring it to the next Pride march in your area. have made incredible contributions to the Black advancement of the Disabled 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.

History

The 2012 Paralympics were an opportunity to witness the incredible 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.

Pride in our LGBT Sisters and Brothers

Angela Davis, Linda Bellos, Bayard Rustin, Joe

PREVIOUS BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS & IDEAS

University of Lincoln Students Union held a
variety of events:

University of Sussex Students Union engaged

with various student societies, Sussex academics and Sussex Alumni in order to produce a wide range of events They invited the Great Debate Tour presented by in the programme to engage as many students as Young, Black and Successful. possible. The Unions Welfare officer also met with the local Brighton and Hove Black History Month Group Panel event: with NUS Black Student Officer, Vava several times and worked together to cross-promote both Tampa from Save the Congo, Lincoln LGBT President their events and the Unions. The Students Union wanted and others from NUS BSC. to do this to increase communication, minimise Movie nights each week including films like: Brick Lane, duplication and aid community engagement by opening Crash, Fire in Babylon, Salute, Do the Right Thing, Glory, all of our events to the wider public and helping the Guess Whos Coming to Dinner, The Long Walk Home, Brighton and Hove Black History group recruit student Amistad, Cry Freedom, A Soldiers Story, Rosewood, The volunteers to help with their events. Jackie Robinson Story and Tsotsi. Examples of these events: Poster campaign highlighting key individuals and groups An exhibition throughout the month on Black in Black history including: Susan B Anthony, Grace Bubry, Ghandi, Angela Davis, Lorenzo Ervin, Rosa Parks, History in Brighton. Malcolm X, Paul Rusesabagina, Martin Luther King, Poetry workshop by award winning poet and Whitney Young etc. Also modern and local activists: playwright Dean Atta. Ashanti Alston, Aung San Suu Kyi, DeJaun Correia, Tawakal Karman, Leymah Gbowee, Doreen Lawrence, Film screening of Do The Right Thing a Spike Lee Jasper, Shami Chakrabarti, Sally Becker. Lee masterpiece. Set on a scorching summer day in a Brooklyn neighborhood where racial Key dates Lincoln integrated for BHM: tensions are brought to a boiling point. 2nd October: Celebration of Ghandis birthday.

16th October: World Food Day presentation and University of West England Students Union speaker from ONE on 0.7% national income organised a Love Music Hate Racism gig, because they spent on aid wanted to see the Students' Union embrace Black History Month by celebrating the diversity of the campus. Music had a way to give out the message in a loud way, and the 17th October: International Day for the event attracted many members of the community. More Eradication of Poverty so could make events like this should happen in Student's Unions, where students truly have the power to champion diversity, and inclusivity.

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University of Kent Union decided to theme each

week of October. For each week they had 2 or more events.

Week 4 was Celebration Week. Where Kent closed Black History Month with an amazing showcase. The title of the showcase was: 'Going Through Time: Black People in Western History' This was an amazing variety show which included Week 1 was History Week. On the 3rd of October the series of events opened with a Dance, Music, Drama, Poetry and Fashion. With talk and presentation by Historian Tony Warner on 'Black- performances by many of the universities societies: Capoeira Society, Christian Performing Arts Society, British Civil Right Heroes: 1625-2011'. This was held in Musical Theatre Society, African-Caribbean Society, the one of the universities lecture theatres and was an African Society and two external fashion designers. incredibly engaging, educational and interactive event with This was an amazing a great turnout. It month and was incredibly received fantastic educational and feedback and was a entertaining. Putting on great way to open up BHM earned me the NUS Black History month Black Students Campaign at Kent. award for 'Campaign of the Year' 2012 and a That week the African nomination for 'Campaign -Caribbean Society of the Year' at the Kent Union Awards. screened a film about Black History in Britain. Stella Fasusi, Kent Union Black Students Officer 2011/12. Week 2 was Black Culture 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 on main campus. That week Kent screened the document 'Ancestral Voices'. A documentary about indigenous African religions and the influence of colonialism and mainstream religion. Week 3 was Stereotypes Week. This week was an exciting week because Kent Uni welcomed Activist, Speaker and former Policy Advisor to the Mayor of London, Lee Jasper to speak about Race and Social Justice. We also welcomed the Great Debate Tour to Kent (an organisation that visits different universities to hold a series 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 great recognition from the university.

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LEADING BLACK ACTIVISTS

The 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 the first Black woman MP elected in Britain, celebrates her 25th anniversary in Parliament. Widely recognised for her leading role in the struggle for Black representation in Parliament, Diane has continued to raise the issue of racism in Britain and is a noted campaigner for equality and social justice. AKALA is a MOBO award-winning rapper who uses his music to highlight racism, sexism, class and inequality in Britain. Black History Month. WEYMAN BENNETT has been the Joint Secretary of Unite Against Fascism since 2003 and has played a leading role challenging the far-right English Defence League. JYOTI BHOJANI played a leading role for several years for Operation Black Votes immensely successful MP Shadowing Scheme and now works in Parliament for former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. BARONESS VALERIE AMOS is the current UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator and was the first Black woman to ever to sit in the British cabinet. JENNETTE ARNOLD AM originally from Montserrat is the current chair of the London Assembly and has worked to hold the Metropolitan Police to account as well as campaign against youth unemployment. LINDA BELLOS is best known as a gay and political rights activist, and former leader of Lambeth Councilwhere she made history as the first Black woman leader of a local authority. As chair of Londons Strategic Policy Unit in the 1980s, she helped introduce

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AZAD ALI is the chair of the Muslim Safety Forum and an elected vice chair of Unite Against Fascism. Ali works at Engage, an organisation dedicated to empowering Muslims to participate in the political process and in the media, including increasing voter registration and challenging Islamophobia in society.

CLLR RUQAYYAH LEE JASPER has campaigned COLLECTOR is a local against racism and inequality in Councillor in her hometown of Britain for over 30 years and has Bradford, representing the ward played prominent roles in that the contains Bradford organisations such as the 1990 University and was the first Trust, Operation Black Vote and Muslim woman to ever sit on the is a co-founder of Black Activists NUS National Executive Committee in a full-time post. As Rising Against Cuts (BARAC). a student activist she lead a successful campaign for a Jasper has been a leading figure racist professor to be suspended from Leeds University. in challenging police racism. SABBY DHALU is the Joint Secretary of Unite Against Fascism since 2003 and was previously an anti-racist activist in the National Assembly Against Racism for over 10 years. Dhalu is also the Secretary of antiracist campaign One Society Many Cultures. VAUGHAN GETHING AM is a representative at the National Assembly for Wales for Cardiff South & Penarth and was the first Black President of the National Union of Students Wales. Gething was also the first Black president of Wales TUC. CLLR RANIA KHAN is a local representative in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Elected at the age of 23 she has won recognition for her work challenging sex and lap dancing clubs in her area and for campaigning against the racist EDL. She was in 2006 the youngest councillor elected in Britain.

DOREEN LAWRENCE and NEVILLE LAWRENCE fought an 18year battle in their quest for justice for their son Stephen, PETER HERBERT OBE is a barrister, taking on the institutional racism of the police force and chair of the Society of Black Lawyers the political establishment. We must commend the and was appointed as one of the first strength, determination and leadership the Lawrence family have shown. In 1998 Doreen and Neville Lawrence Black judges in Britain in 1996. helped set up the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust that Herbert also chairs the independent Race Hate Crimes Forum, helping to supports hundreds of aspiring architects during their studies. combat racial violence. He was awarded the American Bar ANNA LO was elected to the Association diversity award in 2002 Northern Ireland Assembly and was appointed an Employment for South Belfast in the 2007 Tribunal chair and a recorder in the Crown Court. Assembly election. The first ZITA HOLBOURNE is a poet, artist, and a leading trade unionist in the PCS Union who also sits on the TUC Race Relations Committee. Holbourne won the Role Model award at the National Diversity Awards 2012 and co-founded Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC). politician born in East Asia elected to any legislative body in the United Kingdom. LOWKEY is a rapper known for his support for the Palestinian liberation struggle and vocal and sharp critique of the US and British governments wars in the Middle-East.

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CLAUDE MORAES MEP before becoming a Member of the European Parliament, was the director of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants and was declared MEP of the Year for his work on Justice and Civil Liberties in 2011. CHI ONWURAH MP is the first African woman elected to the British Parliament and was heavily involved in the Anti Apartheid Movement. She is also

BELLAVIA RIBEIRO-ADDY sits on the National Committee for antiracist campaign One Society Many Cultures and is an activist in the oldest organisation of African, Asian and Caribbean lawyers in the UK the Society of Black Lawyers.

MARCIA RIGGSAMUEL and SAMANTHA RIGGDAVID have dedicated the past four years seeking justice for their brother Sean Rigg who died while in police Newcastles first ever Black MP. custody. They are leading figures in the United Families PHYLL OPOKUand Friends Campaign and fight for police accountability GYIMAH is a co-founder and justice for all those who have lost their lives in and Trustee of the award custody. -winning Black LGBT organisation UK Black WILF SULLIVAN is a leading trade Pride in 2005. Opokuunionist at the Trades Union Gyimah was the PCS Congress and since 2004 has been only Black woman the TUC Race Equality Officer. Negotiator in the area of Law and Justice bargaining Sullivan represents the TUC at the before being appointed PCS Head of Equality, Health European Trades Union Congress on migrants and has been an active and Safety. voice against racism and YASMIN QURESHI MP was the xenophobia. joint first Muslim woman elected to the British Parliament in the 2010 AVA VIDAL is a progeneral election and was Boltons Palestinian activist, first woman MP. She previously an award-winning advised former London Mayor Ken comedian and writer, Livingstone on human rights. as well as a patron of Qureshi was active in the the Show Racism The Red Card Association of Muslim Lawyers. campaign. Vidal has used many of her performances to highlight racism in MAYOR LUTFUR RAHMAN Britain. of Tower Hamlets is Britains SIMON WOOLLEY is the director first Muslim executive Mayor. and one of the founders of Winning a strong mandate Operation Black Vote and a with over 50% of the vote, commissioner for race at the Mayor Rahmans Equality and Human Rights administration launched a Commission. scheme to fill the gap left by the governments scrapping of the national Educational Maintenance Scheme (EMA).

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SALMA YAQOOB gained popular recognition as a leading figure in the Stop the War Coalition and known for her courageous opposition to the US-led War On Terror. In 2006 Yaqoob was elected as a local councillor in her home of Birmingham and was, as leader of the RESPECT Party, the only Black leader of a British political party. GARY YOUNGE is an award-winning journalist for The Guardian and currently based in the US. Younge is renowned for his articles exposing racism and is considered an expert on politics of the US. BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH is a writer and poet. He featured on The Times list of Britain's top 50 post-war writers in 2008 and his work has gained international prestige.

Let the NUS Black Students Campaign know who inspires you and why and well share some of the best submissions. Email aaron.kiely@nus.org.uk

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MODEL ARTICLE FOR SU PAPER

October 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 highlight and 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 allwhite 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 in the 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. 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 with <insert your institution>s Black Students Officer to address issues of under-representation, the rise in racism, inequalities in education and international peace and justice.

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As part of this wider agenda, Black History Month is an excellent means of engaging Black students on campus Black people have always been at the forefront of human and raising awareness of the issues that affect them. This development, but too often we have been ignored. Black is a time to reflect on the achievements and remember History Month is a valuable step in enabling us to benefit the good and the great who have challenged the norm from all the goodness of our multicultural society. It is a and struggled to make the world a better place. time to reflect on the achievements and remember the good and the great who have challenged

BLACK HISTORY MONTH LINKS

Please find below a list of useful links to additional resources and One Society Many Cultures is a campaign which brings together websites for Black History Month. politicians, faith representatives, trade union leaders, students and others to defend fundamental human rights, celebrate www.100greatblackbritons.com diversity and challenge racism and Islamophobia. Find out who has been voted into the list of 100 greatest Black www.blackmentalhealth.org.uk Britons. Black Mental Health UK was established in 2006 to raise http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/blackhistorymonth awareness and address the stigma associated with mental illness. The Guardian website has an interesting interactive section covering Black history. www.ukblackpride.org.uk www.black-history-month.co.uk UK Black Pride promotes unity and co-operation among all Black Articles, information and lists of events that are happening across people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and Latin American descent, as well as their friends and families, who Britain. identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender. http://issuu.com/talentmedia/docs/bhm-magazine-2012 http://blackfeminists.org/blog/ Check out the Official Black History Month UK online magazine. Black Feminists is a progressive and safe space for Black www.movinghere.org.uk women to discuss the issues facing them. 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 Twitter: 1_society 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.

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