Black History Month 2023: What’s Happening in Govanhill?
Black History Month returns with another year of events to celebrate the lives and achievements of Black people in Britain and highlight the injustice they continue to face through political and structural inequalities.
By Samar Jamal | Illustration by Malini Chakrabarty | Source Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights
Black History Month is a celebration of the lives of Black people and is also a time to encourage an understanding of Black history, reflect on Scotland's colonial contribution, what we can learn from it and how decolonisation can be integrated into our curriculum, policies and daily lives.
It was introduced in the U.S. in the 1940s, some records date it back as early as the 1920s. In Scotland, the first programme of events was co-ordinated by the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights in 2001. It has since evolved to include a variety of events from films, poetry readings, exhibitions, music, panel discussions and much more. This year Black History Month is packed with a variety of events, many taking place in Govanhill.
500 Years a Slave: Historicising the Common Struggles of Black people and Romani people and Building New Solidarities
When: 7–9pm, Tuesday 17 October
Where: The Community Newsroom, 82 Bowman Street, G42 8LF
This event intends to highlight and raise awareness of Roma slavery and, by extension, to foreground the interconnected transnational struggles of Black people and Romani people throughout history, from slavery to abolition. There will be a film screening, a panel discussion, and an informal reception.
Angela Davis: Women, Race and Class – Talk
When: 6:30–8pm, Tuesday 24 October
Where: The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Street, G41 2PZ
Ruby Hirsch, activist and member of Stand Up to Racism Glasgow, joins Govanhill Baths for a talk about African American political thinker and activist who was once on the FBI’s most wanted list, Angela Davis.
Making the Black Jacobins: C. L. R. James and the Drama of History – Book Talk
When: 6:30–8pm, Wednesday 25 October
Where: The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Street, Glasgow, G41 2PZ
A book discussion of ‘Making The Black Jacobins’, written and led by Rachel Douglas. Douglas works in Caribbean literature, history, film, visual art, and archives at the University of Glasgow.
Expensive Sh*t – Film Screening and Q&A
When: 6:30–9pm, Friday 27 October
Where: The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Street, G41 2PZ
Adura Onashile, actor, playwright, and director, will join Govanhill Baths to screen her short film Expensive Shit.
A Guided Performance to A Quiet Fire
When: 2pm–4pm, Saturday 28 October
Where: Tramway, 25 Albert Drive, G41 2PE
This workshop is led by Beulah Ezeugo and is a response to Billie Zangewa’s A Quiet Fire.
Billie Zangewa is a Malawian artist who creates intricate, hand-stitched silk collages exploring objectification, self-fashioning, racial stereotyping and constructions of identity.
Maud – Film Screening
When: 6–9pm, Saturday 28 October
Where: The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Street, G41 2PZ
Maud is a call to celebrate the life and work of the Scottish-Ghanaian artist Maud Sulter (1960 – 2008) who grew up in the Gorbals, Glasgow.
It Wisnae Us: The Truth About Glasgow and Slavery
When: 10–5pm (daily), September 21 - October 31
Where: Central Courtyard, Burrell Collection, Pollok Country Park, G43 1AT
The exhibition provides an insight into the role of slavery in Glasgow's past, telling a story through the buildings and streets that have a tangible link with slavery. Illustrating the links between tobacco, slavery and abolition.
Online Events
Afrocentricity, Humanity and the Transforming of the Discourse Around Race
When 6–7:30pm, Friday 13 October
Where: Online via Zoom
A panel discussion featuring authors Dr Molefi Kete Asante, widely recognised as the foremost articulator of Afrocentricity in the world and Dr Nah Dove, teacher of Afronography, the Black Woman and Afrocentric Education. The panellists will speak on their recent book entitled ‘Being Human Being: Transforming the Race Discourse’
Radio Awaz
When: 10–12pm, October 14, 21 & 28
Where: Listen on-air Awaz FM 107.2, DAB across Glasgow and Edinburgh or online www.awazfm.co.uk.
Radio Awaz will amplify voices, share stories, and foster meaningful discussions surrounding Black history, heritage, and contributions to society.
Multicultural and Intergenerational Folklore Stories
When: 5:45–8pm, Saturday 14 October
Where: Online via Zoom
African and Caribbean Elders organisation host an event celebrating intergeneration inclusiveness, interaction and growing up in a multicultural society.
What Do You Do With Your Legacy and How Do You Put it to Best Use?" - August Wilson
When: 6–7:30pm, Monday 16 October
Where: Online via Zoom
American Cultural Center and Royal Conservatoire explore the works and life of August Wilson. Discussing how each city is exploring its legacy of slavery and how institutions can be ‘agents for change’.
From Surface to Deep Diversity - Re-imagining Social Work for Decolonial Futures
When: 3–4:30pm, Wednesday 18 October
Where: Online via Zoom
As well as the destruction of human life, the ongoing violence of the transatlantic slave trade and European colonialism can be felt in the destruction of culture and biodiversity. Adopting a decolonial perspective, this presentation by Dr Gurnam Singh will explore the delicate relationship between diversity, culture, human functioning and transformative social work.
Transatlantic Slavery: Learning Resources for Teachers
When: 4–4:45pm, Tuesday 24 October
Where: Online via MS Teams
Two online sessions aimed at primary and secondary teachers to utilise with pupils to teach about transatlantic slavery through an anti-racist lens and less Eurocentric way, using museum objects and archival material.
SGSAH and SQSS Black History Month Keynote Lecture
When: 1–2:30pm, Wednesday 25 October
Where: Online via Zoom
Speakers - layla-roxanne Hill and Francesca Sobande, authors of Black Oot Here: Black Lives in Scotland, lead a talk to celebrate the history, achievements and contributions of Black and minority ethnic people from across and beyond Scotland.
Should Reparations be Part of Scotland's Approach to Global Affairs?
When: 6:30–8pm, Wednesday 25 October
Where: Online via Zoom
A discussion of Scotland’s colonial legacies and what can be done to develop anti-racist, anti-colonial foreign policy priorities for Scotland, led by Black and minority ethnic voices.