UCL Bring Us Black History Month With the Theme ‘Black British Lives Matter’
by Selina Bakkar in Culture & Lifestyle on 1st October, 2017
UCL Student Union have launched an exhibition this month in honour of Black History month so if you are in London be sure to check it out. (The boards are up in campus in the North Cloister). We spoke to Ayo Olatunji, UCL’s BME Officer who explained Black History ‘Month’ is an all year round commitment and the BME Network will be making sure this is so!
The exhibition looks at Black Muslims in the UK following the theme of the month which is ‘Black British Lives Matter’, they have invited Black Muslims to share what their everyday experience looks like. The colour scheme itself is also symbolic and is inspired by the Pan-African Flag, Ayo Olatunji relays:
Red: The colour of the blood which our people must shed for redemption and liberty.
Black: The colour of the noble and distinguished race to which we belong.
Green: The luxuriant vegetation of our Motherland.
When researching black history much of the narrative is that of the experience of American Black history but this exhibition looks to surface Black British narratives by exploring activists, figures and influencers in the UK.
Much of the Black liberation movements were led and formed by Women and UCL’s exhibition both honours these women who have not received the same accolade as their male counterparts. This part of the exhibition has aptly been titled ‘Ode to Black Women’.
There are an array of events being organised by Universities up and down the UK and if your University does not have anything on perhaps you can take the lead or nudge the right person or Society such as the BAME officer or your Islamic Society.
What’s on at UCL?
Selina Bakkar
I'm a simply striving to be better and improve in different areas of my life through more self awareness, experiences and learning more about the deen. You'll find me talking about community, connection, planting & growing, seeking the truth in an age of propaganda and misinformation. This year I want to document more to do with food heritage and history so watch this space or reach out. Have a listen to the Amaliah Voices podcast where I talk passionately about Islam, nature, motherhooding and back home. Link in bio peeps. To join the Amaliah Writer Community email me at selina@amaliah.com IG: SelinaBakkar
