5 REactions that shaped my month
At the start of October, I noted that the act of reframing was an invitation to take a lot of re- actions. Here are 5
1. REclaim
‘There’s a point when an omission or a half-truth starts to feel like a lie.” This point, made by the historian David O., reminded me that a month devoted to celebrating Black history may be imperfect but the reasons for starting it back in 1987 remain. “This thing that I was interested in only really included White people and mostly White men,” Olusoga noted. "Black people didn’t have a history: this untruth was made to seem real by the absences that were all around me when I was studying."
Whatever its shortcomings, BHM is a chance to raise awareness, redress history’s balance book, and re-energise for the work that remains to be done.
2. REbuild
Liv Little is balm for the soul. An hour in her presence felt like having a lifetime of visionary gems slipped into your creative toolkit. The author, screenwriter, broadcaster and cultural powerhouse took part in a fireside chat for the team at Freuds Group, sharing stories of the experiences and people that shape her work and fuel her desire to create space for narratives that are traditionally sidelined. "My mum went to film school in the 90s … there was such a limited expectation of what a Black story could or should be like… When I was setting up gal-dem I wanted to have the space, grace and scope to tell ANY kind of story I wanted, and to work with others to build a platform where anyone could tell a story about anything that interested them.’
3. REimagine
When you’re joining a new community, what do you need to feel like you belong? And what can you do to help others feel welcome and included? Those were the starter questions we asked ourselves when designing our workshop for the new intake of post-grads at Caius College, Cambridge. Co-designed and delivered with the eternally brilliant Lizzie Shupak, we were on site during freshers week, bringing our Post-its and Sharpie magic to the campus life of a cohort drawn from the four corners of the globe. Our goal was to leave the group with shared language, knowledge and tools to make the spaces where they study and live together inclusive and supportive. Spaces where each of them is free to focus on studying, rather than having to worry about fitting in or becoming isolated because of who they are.
4. REjoice
Ms Lauryn Hill at the O2. Enough said.
5. REconnect
The last Tuesday of the month brought a rare treat – a three-course lunch in a room filled with talented Black storytellers and creatives and their allies. Hosted at LAVO Restaurant and Lounge by The Independent, Seasoned and UK Black Comms Network, the event was a gathering of community and a stylish way to toast the end of the month. As well as the idea of pizza as a starter and new friends, I’m taking the words of Kamiqua Lake (nèe Pearce) with me: "show yourself more grace and find joy."
