DJ performances, African and Caribbean food, and poetry reading: the event celebrates Black culture, pride and history
The month of October marks Black History Month, and the University held its inauguration at the Hunterian Museum on the 10th of October.
The University first started hosting events celebrating Black History Month in 2001, emphasising the importance of recognising black voices and exploring a history that is often overlooked. This year’s theme, Standing Firm in Power and Pride, recognises the resilience and strength of Black communities. It honors the work and commitment of the Black activists and leaders who have made history, as well as celebrating the voices and contributions shaping a future of growth, empowerment and unity.
Frank Chen, this year’s Vice President (Student Support), perfectly summarizes this in a communication shared with all students: “Black History Month isn’t just about looking back – it’s also about looking forward, challenging inequality, and amplifying Black voices on campus and in wider society.” At the event, Frank expresses how pleased he is with how it turned out, explaining that it had had to be postponed the previous week due to Storm Amy. “We have around 100 people attending the event today at the Huntarian Museum, so the turnout has been great!” He then adds “This event isn’t just for the black community; asian people, white people, locals, international students – they all come here, and we are here to give them an introduction to Black History Month. Also, there are a lot of materials here at the Huntarian Museum that explain black history. [There are a lot of] connections between Black History and this museum. When you join and experience black culture, you can understand how amazing it is.”
A set by DJ Gatzy opens the launch event, playing contagious beats of Africa and the Caribbean. A few people eventually form a circle and dance together. With all the music and dancing and laughter, the event evolves into an uplifting atmosphere: people coming together to celebrate the richness of a culture integral to the Glasgow community. The importance of music in cultural events is often taken for granted. Criminology student Ashanti agrees with us– the music performances are what attracted her the most. She feels a bit homesick, she reveals to us, while breaking eye contact and looking down. The spark in her eyes is reignited when she says “I feel more at home because of the music. It’s hard to find Caribbean and Jamaican music and food in Glasgow.” Ashanti regrets that there are not many ways to experience different cultures in the city, and is grateful to the University for organizing the event: “There should be more opportunities to experience others’ cultures. There are not many ways to do that in Glasgow, to bring the diaspora together!”
Eunjin, a History student, expresses extreme gratitude for being in Glasgow and is enthusiastic about the event. “I am from South Korea, and there are not many chances to experience African Caribbean culture!” she tells us.
We speak with Charlotte, a 1st year Business Management student. “I love it! I wish there were more events like these, mainly in a special venue like the Huntarian Museum, which is rich in history from all around the world!” she points out. Charlotte shares with us that the possibility of experiencing new cultures through food and dance was what drew her to the launch event. In fact, as we were talking to Charlotte, just a few steps away from the museum, in the Kelvin Gallery, the Calabash African Bar and Restaurant and CoCo Bana Afro Caribbean Restaurant were setting up a buffet of dishes from all over Africa and the Caribbean.
We talk to CJ Adebayo Omoaka, Vice-President of Race Equality Officer at the SRC. We ask her what their objectives are for this year’s Black History Month: “Platforming, platforming, platforming, making sure that things are created for us, that are influenced by us, that are made for us by us, that people are adequately given credit and resources, and the ability to keep creating.”
CJ intends to keep creating “events like this, where it’s a celebration of us” while at the same time “highlighting and creating awareness of the very disgusting way in which a lot of these Western countries have discriminated and stolen from Africans, and how, even in this country, as I sit here, anti-immigrant hate is on the rise. Racism is on the rise.”
They are not wrong. In June this year, a report published by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal in Scotland confirmed that Racial crime remains the most commonly reported crime. On the 9th of October, the Home Office disclosed that there was a 6% increase in race hate crimes in England and Wales compared to the previous year.
CJ continues, “[I aim to create] more opportunities: opportunities in academia, opportunities in higher management, in getting promotions, being seen, being heard, being paid.”
Scotland is not a stranger to a past of colonialism and slave trade as part of the British Empire, and nor is the University, which experienced financial gain from these unethical practices. The University has addressed this and launched a report in 2018 where researchers looked into UofG’s history and proposed working towards “reparative justice”. Three years later, in 2021, UofG published its first Understanding Racism, Transforming University Cultures plan: a report including the practical steps to tackle racism and racial harassment on campus. The action plan for 2023/2024 includes committing to taking an anti-racist approach to University processes and systems, instituting a ‘decolonising the curriculum’ strand, as well as adding anti-racist training sessions and delivering these to over 800 colleagues at University.
This year, CJ interprets the theme as “being prideful about my heritage, seeing the power and the potential in it, and working to always be my authentically true self in everything I do.” At the launch, she shows particular excitement about “watching all of the different puzzle pieces fit together. […] We held this event last year […] we had such a big turnout, much bigger than we were expecting. So this year, we have really high expectations […] And I think it’s going great.” She suggests “Talk to someone that you wouldn’t talk to!”
A powerful poetry performance by Naa Saka, from the African and Caribbean society, concludes the evening. To Naa, the event represents a “great opportunity to speak to people you wouldn’t necessarily meet, and enjoy great food and music.” These lines of her poem stood out to us:
“Once upon a time (TIME, TIME) / An innovator walked these halls / Changing the perspective on those his colour / Elevating the standard and inspiring / James McCune Smith / His name derived from those who believed / He was their own / Property / Not knowing that same name would be uttered daily / Holding students as they follow their dreams / And change their story / A foundation stone / Black tears, bloodshed, cries always intertwined into the future of others / Unfortunately only minimally helping their own.”
Naa reminds us that this University is forever interwoven with Scotland’s black history, which means that continuing to make the way for black futures is as important as ever.
For more information on Black History Month at UofG and related events, please visit Black History Month.
Image credits: Simona Lomangino, Julieta Garzón Campos
