InQuire The University of Kent’s student publication
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The Best Horror Movies For Halloween
Monday 18 October 2021 17.3
The Final Frontier: Captain Kirk Goes to Space Science & Technology: Page 15
Lifestyle: Page 9
Black History Month: On Campus and Beyond
Wretched at 60: "Anger is not enough"
By Nathan Collins-Cope Newspaper News Editor
I
Illustration by Tracy Okundia
t is that time of year once again. The 34th rendition of Black History Month is upon us, with University of Kent students and the wider nation finally able to celebrate pan-African and Caribbean history together, alongside the effects that Black and Brown peoples have had on British society and beyond. The social restrictions of 2020 and 2021 meant that last Black History Month’s celebrations could not take place in person, leaving many to be relieved at the return of the retrospective relish. However, with the world still under the influence of the coronavirus Pandemic, albeit at a reduced rate since the rising vaccine uptake, a mix of in-person and virtual celebrations seems to be the approach that organisers are taking.
On campus this month, you can expect a range of BHM themed events – the first of which was The Proud To Be campaign event. This episode, which kicked off on 1st October, is part of a wider national campaign co-ordinated by Black History Month UK Magazine. Its intention: to encourage young black and brown people throughout the UK to share what they are Proud To Be, by letter, email or social media – including audio and video additions – which ultimately get published in the magazine itself and its online platforms. The Editor of the publication, Catherine Ross, had this to say about why the campaign was devised. “It’s been a challenging time for many Black and Brown people, with so much in the media about racism, inequality and injustice. We wanted the theme of Black History Month 2021 to focus on celebrating being Black or Brown, and to inspire and share the pride people have in their heritage and culture – in their own way, and in their own words. “By asking people to share what they are Proud To Be we can share both individual stories and the vast richness of diversity that Black and Brown people bring to the UK. “Black Lives Matter means people being able to live life to the fullest without having to compromise who they are. Everyone deserves the right to be Proud To Be everything they are and want to be in life.” Black History Month UK have also created a new resource pack for schools to integrate into their curriculum all year round, so that black history does not get forgotten for the remaining 11 months of the year. Returning to campus now, a screening of Respect is showing at the Gulbenkien Cinema on the 8th, 13th and 15th October at 19:00. The movie is a dramatisation of Aretha Franklin's career, showing her rise from singing in her father’s church choir to international recognition. A true story set in the post-war era, the movie gives us a peak behind the curtain at how stardom can intersect
with a normal human life, with the icon losing family at a young age and suffering abuse from loved ones – all while changing the course of Soul music forever. Franklin is played by singer Jennifer Hudson. Another interesting localised event occurring is the Black Success panel, where students will get the chance to hear from three ex-Kent Union elected Officers, who will discuss “being black and successful, overcoming challenges, encouraging students to take up roles in the Union and debunking stereotypes”. The trio of Omolade, Sasha (who was the first black woman elected to be Kent Union President in 2019) and Aaron have worked on several different campaigns in their time, and have a wealth of experience to share about what life is like post-university. They will be appearing on Microsoft Teams on 21st October at 18:00 (link available on the Kent Union website). There is also a talk by DKMS, as part of their campaign to raise awareness on blood cancer and hematopoietic issues, for which stem cell donors are desperately needed - especially for black patients. People of all ethnicities between ages 18-55 are encouraged to sign up to the stem cell registry. The talk in question is also hosted on Microsoft Teams on the 14th October at midday (once again, link available on the Kent Union website). Back to in-person fun now, with a Wide Sargasso Sea book club discussion taking place in the Templeman Lecture Theatre at 14:00 – also on 14th of October. In the words of Kent Union, this celebrated “author draws you into a world of oppression and entrapment in colonial Jamaica. She takes you on a journey of exploring complex racial identity dictated by class”. This is an open invite to all students, with no need to have had past knowledge or interaction with the novel. The first 15 attendants will receive a free copy of the book too! To close off the month of commemoration, the Gulbenkian will be showing a second movie on the 29th October at 19:00. Babylon is the fictional story of David, a working class black Musician in South West London. The film depicts the city in the 1980s, with all its disparities in opportunity between black and white people. It shows David’s struggle and downward spiral, in a town that neglects to take a care for his torment. The unfair treatment by society and the law drives David to do things he would not otherwise be capable of.
"The injustice is simply astounding”
Continued on page 2
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