What is Black History Month?
Black History Month (BHM) was an initiative from Carter G Woodson, a US historian. He started the holiday which coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederic Douglass. Woodson hoped that eventually it would stop once black history became a fundamental part of American history.
Why support Black History Month?
Black History Month is an opportunity to focus on the achievements of black people in the past and present, which may have been forgotten about or are absent from history books and the education system. For this reason it can be classed as “hidden” history. Similarly the role of women, disabled, LGBT and ordinary workers in general is often omitted from history.
In the US, it is celebrated in February but in the UK it is celebrated in October of each year. In the UK, it has been celebrated since about 1987. Here, Black History Month has encompassed the history of African, Caribbean and Asian people in this country, who have a direct link with the UK through slavery, colonialism and migration to the UK.
Organising for Black History Month
Whilst Black history events can provide an informative and interesting experience, it is hoped PCS branches take the opportunity to engage with black members.
Black History Month should be used to help of organising black members and publicising the inequalities faced by them in the workplace and society. It should be factored into branch organising plans and be a regular part of their calendar.
There is now a toolkit that branches can use to help organise events. This can be found in the useful documents box.
Forward any suggestions or ideas for Black History Month to equality@pcs.org.uk.
Black History month 2013
The National Black Members committee agreed to follow on from the TUC theme of "Putting Race back on the agenda" and highlight two key events.
March for jobs and freedom
2013 is the 50th anniversary of two major events in history. On 28th August 1963, Martin Luther King made his “I have a dream speech” during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In addition to demands for civil rights made by the marchers, was a law to prohibit race discrimination in employment and a minimum wage for all workers.
The United Auto Workers union helped organise the demonstration and one of the march’s leaders was A. Philip Randolph, President of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (railway porters union).
King recognised that poverty amongst blacks was linked to the disparity of wealth in the US. He opposed the Vietnam War, arguing the money could be spent on welfare and began the Poor People’s campaign in 1968 to raise economic issues. King supported workers’ struggles to the bitter end – he was killed, whilst supporting a strike of black sanitation workers for better pay and conditions.
Lift the colour bar!
1963 was also the year the Bristol Bus boycott took place, instigated by Paul Stephenson. The local bus company refused to employ black people – the practice of which was condoned by the local union branch!
Stephenson, inspired by the actions of Rosa Parkes, in the US civil rights struggle, called for a boycott of the bus company. He received support from many local people and Bristol MP, Tony Benn. After 60 days – and coincidentally, the same day Martin Luther King was making his historic speech – the employer gave in and lifted the colour bar.
Working life
Unfortunately the parallels for black communities in 2013 are still to be found. As workers pay the price for the financial speculation and the recession, only 61% of black people are likely to be employed, compared with 76.1% of white workers. With 13.5% of the 1.3 million claiming job seekers allowance, black people are over represented in the “claimant count” as well.
Performance management systems introduced by many Government departments are likely to impact disproportionately amongst black PCS members based on statistics collated by departments.
It is clear that the only way to prevent these attacks is to get active in the union, work alongside your local reps and help to build the widest possible movement against austerity.
Get active
Contact your local branch to see what opportunities there are to get involved, find out about your regional black members network that can help you and your colleagues achieve a more equal workplace and society.
