Black History Month in October is about celebrating the achievements and acknowledging the struggles of Black people throughout history, right up to the present today.
In Luton, several events are being held to commemorate Black History Month. One such event was the Black Culture Market at which there was a variety of stalls offering a range of creative and interesting products and materials. Dee Bailey, the key organizer said “Black History Month is a time for education and reflection, but it is also about supporting & celebrating the contributions of black businesses and social entrepreneurs who add colour, vigour and spice to the British cultural landscape.”
Talking about an interesting exhibition, commemorating the African experience of the Second World War, Cllr Maria Lovell said, “It is a photographic illustration of the contributions and sacrifices made by the African soldiers as part of the British Empire World War II.” This exhibition will be open from 20th October to 25th November from 11am – 5pm at the Church Street Windows in The Mall Shopping Centre.
A ticketed event ‘The Hope Gala Ball’ on 22nd Oct at Venue 360 is bringing the community back together through an evening of comedy, entertainment, music, food and fellowship, while also paying tribute to those who died during the Covid.
Award-winning multi-disciplinary professional practitioner Rev Dr Trevor Adams spoke recently at Hat Factory on Being Black in Luton.
Although Windrush Day is commemorated in the month of June, a special event celebrating the Windrush generation was held at All Saints Church Luton, during Black History Month.
At this event, Right Reverend Richard Atkinson Bishop of Bedford, emphasised on three ‘L’s – Lamentation, Longing & Learning. Lamenting all the hurt and damage caused by the systemic injustices, lamenting all those centuries of wasted human talent, lamenting all those lives that weren’t allowed to flourish, Bishop Richard said we must now move to long for what can be achieved in terms of justice and inclusion by learning from the Windrush events and the injustices that have followed since then.
‘We will learn from this’ is an often repeated phrase by our political and even religious leaders and institutions and yet Bishop Richard said we often do not learn; instead we repeat the sins and we redo the wrongs. He wished and prayed that we will learn together and grow as people, as communities, as nations, as the one precious united human family that God created and cherished. We must learn and execute what it is to be God’s rainbow people. We must learn and long for a society where poor are treated better and people are cared for well and human rights and dignity isn’t trampled anymore.”
Vicar Revd David Kesterton ushered these words in his prayer; “As we give thanks for the courage of the Windrush generation, we celebrate their legacy and look forward to that time when all people will be equally valued as they are in your sight, Lord God, our protector and redeemer. AMEN.”
Bishop Richard Atkinson at All Saints Church Windrush Event (L) & Dee Bailey at Hat Factory Black Culture Market (R)