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Black History Month

Explore Library resources, stories and perspectives on Black History Month from Lancaster University Library and beyond.

In person and virtual events

We will try to capture locally organised events marking Black History Month 2022. If you would like to add your event which is open to Lancaster University staff, students, or members of the community, please contact us

Big fat black history quiz 3 Oct 2022

WELCOME WEEK EVENTS- Open to all undergraduate first-year students (new cohort), and also to other UG, PGT and PGR students.

Global Stories, Local Landmarks: The Glocal Lancaster History Tour

Curious to find out more about Lancaster? Fancy discovering how the city’s past connects with the histories of people from around the world? Join us for a free tour of nine places in Lancaster’s historic Castle Quarter and its surroundings. We’ll view some of the city’s most iconic sites and landmarks, and we’ll consider how Lancaster’s story links with histories that span from the Roman Empire to the British Empire. Along the way, we’ll discuss Lancaster’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and contributions to the Industrial Revolution. What’s more, we’ll consider how the look and feel of the local environment has changed over the past 1,000 years.

We are offering four tours – two on Monday 3 October AND two on Thursday 6 October. Registration required, limited places, so please sign up soon!

Monday 10 am        https://lancaster-uk.libcal.com/event/3928073

Monday 1 pm        https://lancaster-uk.libcal.com/event/3928077

Thursday 10 am      https://lancaster-uk.libcal.com/event/3928074

Thursday 1 pm      https://lancaster-uk.libcal.com/event/3928078

Presenters:

Dr Christopher Donaldson and Dr Sunita Abraham

Meeting point: Please arrive outside the main gate of Lancaster Castle (John of Gaunt Gatehouse) between 10 and 15 minutes before the tour begins. We shall begin promptly on the hour. 

Accessibility: The tour will involve climbing stairs and walking on uneven (and potentially slippery) surfaces. Sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate apparel is required.

Black History Month Celebrating Black Voices - for EDI leads, HR and network leads.  Fee.  4 Oct 2022

A virtual tour of Frederick Douglass 5 Oct 2022

Glocal Perspectives: Library Collection and Lancaster History Tour.  Monday 10th October 12 noon – 2 pm. Lancaster University Library Events & Exhibition Space.  

Discover how Lancaster’s past connects with the histories of people from around the world. Travel through time as we explore Lancaster’s links with histories that span from the Roman Empire to the British Empire to the modern world. You’ll also have the chance to learn about the city’s ties with global stories relating to trade, commerce, culture, society, livelihoods and change. 

Moreover, find out about the Library's Glocal (Global and Local) collection, community card membership and Black History Month events. 

We will also reflect on how knowledge of the past is helping to effect change in the present especially in relation to anti-racism and decolonising the curriculum. Free event - lunch included.  Book here: https://lancaster-uk.libcal.com/calendar/libraryevents/GlocalLancasterHistoryTour  

History of Carnival 12 Oct 2022

Decolonising Higher Education.  What’s in it for us? What do we have to lose?  Lancaster University Library Events Space. Wednesday 12th October 2-3.30 p.m. Presenter Dr Richard Budd, Lecturer in Higher Education, Centre for Higher Education Research & Evaluation (CHERE) 

Although decolonising has a very long history, it has certainly risen in public consciousness over the past few years. Depending on what you read, listen to, or watch – and who you are – it either represents a call for long overdue reckonings or a threat to modern society as we know it. This session opens up a discussion around what decolonising means, how it relates to universities, and what the implications are for staff and students. https://lancaster-uk.libcal.com/calendar/libraryevents/decolonisinghighereducation  

Race equality and inclusion in the legal profession 13th Oct 2022

Small Axe ‘Education’ Black History Month film screening and discussion. Lancaster University Library Events & Exhibition space. Thursday 13th October 5–7 pm. During Black History Month join us in the Library Events space for a screening of the BBC film: Small Axe: Education, followed by a discussion facilitated by Lancaster University 'Why is my Curroiculum White?' campaign. 
Education is the coming-of-age story of 12-year-old Kingsley (Kenyah Sandy), who has a fascination for astronauts and rockets. When Kingsley is pulled to the headmaster's office for being disruptive in class, he discovers he's being sent to a school for those with "special needs." Distracted by working two jobs, his parents (Sharlene Whyte, Daniel Francis) are unaware of the unofficial segregation policy at play, preventing many Black children from receiving the education they deserve, until a group of West Indian women take matters into their own hands. Director: Steve McQueen. Following the film screening there will be a discussion facilitated by Lancaster University Why Is My Curriculum White campaign. 

https://lancaster-uk.libcal.com/calendar/libraryevents/BHMfilmscreening 

Bolton Le Sands Library Black Lives Matter: Then and now, 1680-2022. Thursday 13th October 6.30pm.  From castle escapees and runaway slaves to black actors and Abolitionist speakers, explore the history of Lancaster.

Professor Zita Christina Nunes lecture on Dorothy Porter: a Cataloguing pioneer (CILIPS - Scotland) 14th October 2022

15th Oct 2022 - 11am Lancaster City Museum - Imogen Tyler Sharing the findings from the Slavery Family Trees project through artwork and objects available in the collections of Lancaster Museums. All welcome

15th Oct 2022 - 1pm Launch of the Slavery Family Trees project by Imogen Tyler at Lancaster City Museum.

University of Oxford BME Staff network BHM lecture 20th Oct 2022 #

15th October 2022 - 26 February 2023. Slavery Family Trees Exhibition. Lancaster City Museum, Market Square LA1 1HT. Open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Entry free.

After the flood: the church, slavery and reconciliation. Film and panel discussion in conjunction with Movement for Justice and Reconciliation and Lancaster Black History Group. Saturday 15th October 7pm. Lancaster Priory Church. Suggested donation £3. Reservation in advance or on the door. www.lancasterpriory.org

The meaning and matter of Blackness.  Lancaster University Library Events Space. Thursday 20th October 6–7 pm. 

Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere (Why Is My Curriculum White?) explores his personal reflections on the meaning and matter of blackness, opening the floor to further debate & conversation 

Black History Month encourages us to celebrate the achievements and challenge stereotypes of the African diaspora, yet race continues to be the defining factor behind the discrimination of people across the globe. So how does one make sense of the racialised world that surrounds them? What truly is ‘Blackness?’ And how can race influence sense of self? Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere explores his personal reflections on these questions, opening the floor to further debate and conversation. 

https://lancaster-uk.libcal.com/calendar/libraryevents/meaningandmatterofblackness  

10,000 Black Interns Presentation, Thursday 20th October 1-2pm, on MS Teams

Book on CareersConnect https://careersconnect.lancaster-university.uk/leap/event.html?id=16697&service=Careers%20Service

10,000 Black Interns is a charity that was created to improve access to a range of careers for young Black people in the United Kingdom. Each year, we provide 2000+ paid internships for Black students and graduates across various sectors in addition to training and development for every applicant.  Founded by Dawid Konotey-Ahulu, Jonathan Sorrell, Michael Barrington-Hibbert and Wol Kolade in 2020, the programme is having a wide-reaching impact and tangibly improving the progression of thousands of people. The programme is open to undergraduate students, postgraduate students and recent graduates (2019-2022) who are Black or of Black heritage https://www.10000blackinterns.com/

Find out more at this presentation for Lancaster students.

Show Racism the Red Card.  #WRD22Wear it red day 

The Library is fundraising for Show Racism the Red Card by supporting Wear Red Day on 21st October 2022. Show Racism the red Card (SRtRC) is an anti-racism educational charity that utilise the high-profile status of football and football players to help tackle racism in society. They deliver educational workshops to young people and adults in schools, workplaces and at events held in football stadiums. Across the UK, SRtRC provides educational sessions to more than 50,000 individuals per year. In addition to the direct education of young people and adults, SRtRC produces educational resources, to challenge misconceptions, stereotypes and negative attitudes in society.  

Please help the Library to support this initiative by donating money to SRtRC and wearing red on Wear Red Day 21st October 2022. You can also take a selfie wearing red and share it on social media using the hashtag #WRD22 

https://lancaster-uk.libcal.com/calendar/libraryevents/wear_red_day   

Guest Lecture Dr Wendy Lennon entitled 'Skin/Pedagogy' on Wednesday 26 October: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/events/black-history-month-lecture-wendy-lennon

Facing our past, transforming our future: reframing Lancaster’s history. Online via MS Teams & in-person in the Library Events & Exhibition Space 
27th October 6–7.15 pm. Book your place here https://lancaster-uk.libcal.com/calendar/libraryevents/Facing_our_past

During Black History Month join this discussion to consider what is meant by reparative history and what will be achieved by uncovering previously hidden narratives from both sides of Lancaster’s past. 

During Black History Month join this discussion considering what is meant by reparative history and what will be achieved by uncovering previously hidden narratives from both sides of Lancaster’s past. 

I think this will be a nice opportunity to showcase some of our ongoing projects and work, and it will be really great to talk with Lela about her work with us and Lancashire museums as part of this, and Jasmine's work with LGS on Lindow and the Lindow painting (Jasmine I will email Tate again today!). 

Facilitated by Doug Purvis (Library) with Professor Imogen Tyler (Professor of Sociology - Lancaster University); Lela Harris (Kendal Artist commissioned for the Facing The Past project), Jasmine Patel (Lancaster Black History Group); and Professor Alan Rice (Professor in English and American Studies, Director of UCLan Research Centre in Migration, Diaspora and Exile, UCLan), this event will showcase some of the ongoing projects and work locally. 

We welcome staff, students and members of the community to join this event, wither in person at Lancaster University Library, A Floor Events & Exhibition Space, or online. 

Ancient African Queens: New perspectives on Black History 27 Oct 2022

31st October 2022 3pm. Demystifying the Workplace: panel talk with special guests followed by interactive session. Pendle College Bar.

Guests: Elenore Emmanuella Bilambo; Dr Akanimo Odon; Ngqabutho Boaz Gumede; Christopher Corbin.

Iranian Film Screening and Panel discussion, Cavendish LT, Faraday, Wed 2nd November, 2-4 pm – IN PERSON

In solidarity with women of Iran, join us for short presentations, a screening and Q&A byDr Maryam Ghorbankarimi, DLU and Why is my Curriculum White CampaignAn insightful look into The Women’s Rights Activists in Iran and their demands for change ahead of the controversial 2009 elections. As part of the most vibrant social movement in Iran today, the women fight gender discrimination whilst being routinely persecuted by the government.Refreshments will be provided!

Decolonising Lancaster University Reading group, Wed 23 November, 1.30 - 2.30 pm, ONLINE VIA MICROSOFT TEAMS LINK

We’ll be reading and discussing one of the items proposed by Kwamou Feukeu: Norman K. Denzin and Yvonna S. Lincoln’s ‘Critical Methodologies and Indigenous Inquiry’, in Handbook of Critical and Indigenous Methodologies, ed. by Norman K. Denzin, Yvonna S. Lincoln and Linda Tuhiwai Smith (Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2008), pp. 1–20. All welcome! For any queries, please contact c.e.donaldson@lancaster.ac.uk

EVENTS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Preston Black History Group meet 2nd Tuesday of the month at Jalgos Sports and Social Club, Rose Street, Preston.  

Black History Every Month - list of events relating to Black History

Enslaved  is available on BBC iplayer and on BBC channels.

 

Lancaster Race Equality Network