The festival will open with a free screening of The Hate U Give in the Eldon Building
Held every October, Black History Month aims to promote knowledge and awareness of Black history, culture and heritage, as well as positive Black contributions to British society.
Black people have been a fundamental part of British history for millennia. However, their value and contribution to society is often overlooked, ignored or distorted. Charities like The Black Curriculum are working with schools to decolonise the school curriculum and our University is doing the same. .
The first step in creating change is acknowledging the racial inequalities that currently exist. Sadly, there are still many challenges that Black people face in the UK. Black History Month gives everyone the opportunity to share, celebrate and understand the impact of Black heritage and culture. Black History Month is not just about recognising the effects of racism it’s also an opportunity for people to learn about and celebrate the contribution and achievements of Black people.
This year’s theme of “Saluting Sisters” provides an opportunity to specifically highlight the achievements of Black women. Whether that’s in their - often unsung - work in fighting for civil rights or their personal ambitions.
In support of Black History Month the University is supporting various activities throughout the Month.
Black History Month film festival
The University has teamed up with Southsea Community Cinema & Arts Centre this October to bring you a series of films in recognition of Black History Month, which focus primarily on works by Black members of the film industry.
The University is sponsoring the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever screening on 26 October and providing free pizza before the screening.
Student tickets cost £2.50. You can buy tickets on the Southsea Community Cinema & Arts Centre website.
All showings are taking place at the Southsea Community Cinema & Arts Centre, 1-3 Palmerston Road, Southsea PO5 3QQ, except for the first film of the series ‘The Hate U Give’, which will be shown for free in the Eldon Building on campus. Chris Chang, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement and Student Life), and Ebi Sosseh, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion will introduce the festival with opening remarks before the showing.
Film programme
THE HATE U GIVE (2018) – African-American teen Starr Carter confronts pressure and injustice after witnessing her best friend's police shooting.
Wednesday 4 October, 7.00pm (showing FREE in the Eldon Building)
CLAUDINE (1974) – A welfare-dependant single mother, Claudine, faces relationship challenges with garbageman Roop due to various factors.
Thursday 5 October, 7.00pm
DO THE RIGHT THING (1989) – In a Brooklyn pizzeria, Sal’s Wall of Fame sparks racial tensions when it features only Italian actors, causing a neighbourhood dispute.
Sunday 8 October, 6.00pm
HIDDEN FIGURES (2016) – Three African-American female mathematicians confront racial and gender discrimination while playing a crucial role in astronaut John Glenn’s orbital launch.
Sunday 15 October, 6.00pm
ONE HAND DON’T CLAP (1988) – Lord Kitchener and Calypso Rose are among the musicians spotlighted in this sampling of Calypso and Soca music.
Tuesday 17 October, 7.00pm
BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER (2022) – After King T’Challa’s death, Wakandan heroes unite with Nakia and Everett Ross to defend their nation from outside interference and pave the way for a new era.
*Free pizza with every ticket* - Thursday 26 October, 7.00pm
University Library - Saluting Sisters poster display
Bigging up Black women, this year’s Black History Month’s theme is Saluting Sisters, celebrating Black female role models and all their diverse achievements. The University Library has put together a display celebrating Black British female role models, from scientists to venture capitalists, and creatives to publishers. You can find the display on the first floor, up the wooden stairs from the Atrium and immediately on your left.
The themes in the display are also being explored in a Library blog post series running throughout October. Can’t wait? You can find last year’s blog post series exploring important figures from Black British History right now on the Library blog, all under the “black history” tag.
Of course, when most people think of the Library, they think of books and other things to read, and we never want to disappoint! We have a small display of books by Black British women writers on the ground floor, beside the new books display, but you can read much more widely with the 'Saluting Sisters' themed reading list, created especially for this year’s Black History Month.