Black History Month 2024

This years theme for Black History Month is 'Reclaiming Narratives', an opportunity to take ownership of own stories and correct the often oversimplified and misrepresented records. 

We have discussed art exhibition catalogues in a previous post and one which reflects the theme of 'reclaiming narratives' is A World in Common (759.069 BON) that accompanied the exhibition of the same name held at the Tate Modern last year. The photographers involved sought to challenge historical narratives of the otherness of Africa and bring forth better understandings of the continent and cultures therein, both in the past and today.  If you are interested in discovering more more art and artists, check out the VADS’ African and Asian Visual Art Archive. We also have access to African American Poetry database as part of our Literature Online collection

We also have access to back issues of the Black History Bulletin, published by the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History. Focusing on American history, this 2002 article “Historical Significance of Black History Month” by Ralph Crowder reflects on the importance of studying and promoting Black history to bridge the gap between the rhetoric of traditional American institutions and reality of black struggles in order to continue the push for equality in all spheres for Black people. Truly an argument that goes to the heart of the theme of Reclaiming narratives. 

If you are interested in Black British history David Olusoga’s highly received documentary “Black and British: A Forgotten History” is available to watch via Box of Broadcasts. David Olusoga is highly awarded for his expertise and efforts in promoting Black British history and is considered one of U.K.’s foremost historians. In this documentary he walks through the history of Black people in Britain and the colonies, from the age of the Roman invasion, through Tudor courts, the Slave trade, up to the Windrush generations and contemporary Britain.

Beyond the resources highlighted here, we have lots more available via LibrarySearch. We also have created an online collection highlighting a few books  for you to browse and we also have physical displays in our libraries, so please pop in and enjoy exploring.