Celebrating black history month - Godfrey Atuahené - Co-BAME Officer

Black History Month (BHM) takes place every October in the UK. It raises awareness of African, Caribbean and Ethnic Minorities' history and cultural heritage - celebrating positive contributions to the political, economical and cultural life of Britain. It also promotes important dialogue about current and past forms of oppression found in the UK and across the world.

At my Students' Union I organised a dynamic programme of events to mark Black History Month in collaboration with the African and Caribbean Society, Politics and Debating Society, Raising and Giving, UPSU TV, Blackwell's Bookstore, Elevation Networks/YBS and the University's Catering Service. From debates, African and Caribbean food being served in the Students' Union bar and raising money for the famine in the Horn of Africa.

For me BHM marks the start of celebrating the diversity of all of our society with LGBT History Month in February and International Women's Day on March 8th. I can't wait to work with Pearl, Emma, Joe and Ben for cross liberation work.

On a side note the NUS Black Students' Campaign Flagship Winter Conference is Saturday 26 November 2011 10:00 - Sunday 27 November 2011 16:00

"The conference provided an excellent opportunity for African, Arab, Asian and Caribbean students to come together and learn about the NUS Black Students' Campaign. In addition to highlighting the various initiatives the Black Students' Campaign is involved in, the conference gave Black students the opportunity to engage in debates and to network."

What ever you did to celebrate Black History Month, I hope it went well, and remember Black History Month is not over yet, why not hold a debate or show a film in a lecture theatre...

If you have any suggestions on what you would like Pearl and myself to do as Co-BAME Officers please do send them in.

All the best
Godfrey
Co-BAME Officer, Labour Students National Committee

Ps...see you at Political Weekend!