Black History Month has a Limited Impact

Black History Month is supposed to celebrate the achievements of black people but I don’t think that enough has been done in the past few years. Black history doesn’t make an impact in communities apart from the predominantly black ones.

Last year at Stoke Newington Library my carnival group ‘Tropical Isles’ performed for the public, showing some of the achievements we had made throughout the year. The performance overall was very good because everyone joined in – if they knew the dances of course. But despite the event being advertised all over the place, hardly any white people or others of non-black origin turned up to see it.

Why is it that people from all walks of life will get involved in celebrating Gay Pride but not be as willing to celebrate black achievements - even though black people made so many things that dominate our lives now? In schools the most they do for Black History month is cook Caribbean food. Although I am from the Caribbean, it’s not the only place that black people are from.

But to end on a high note, some black youngsters in the community are making a positive impact on the world – for example Bashy, Dizzee Rascal, Kano - and me!

About this story

This story was produced by Nyasha McLean, 14.