#morethanjustamonth

[allmyfamousfriends]

#blackhistory is #morethanjustamonth it's #history . #blackgirlmagic #blackboyjoy #blackhistorymonth

[allmyfamousfriends]

It's March and #blackhistory will still be celebrated! #allday #everyday #morethanjustamonth #knowyourculture #teachthemyoung #angels #blackgirlmagic #blackboyjoy

[allmyfamousfriends]

😍😍 #blackhistory #stillbeingmade #tonibraxton #blackgirlmagic #kekepalmer #morethanjustamonth

[allmyfamousfriends]

#angeladavis #melaninqueen Let's put our magic to work ladies our ancestors were great so we can be even greater! #blackgirlmagic #blackboyjoy #blackhistory #morethanjustamonth

[allmyfamousfriends]

#blackhistory is #history #morethanjustamonth #music #culture #love

[allmyfamousfriends]

Look at #normasklarek and all her #blackgirlmagic ❤. Thank you for paving the way! #blackhistory #morethanjustamonth #hiddenfigures #blackboyjoy #myancestorsaredope #liveyourdream

[allmyfamousfriends]

@joannarocker #blackgirlmagic #blackhistory #morethanjustamonth #alifestyle #catwoman #dcuniverse #dccomics

[lsecommunity]

The Importance of Black Her-story

A part of Black History Month, LSESU are putting on a variety of events that explore Black ‘Her-story’ to bring forward an intersectional and gendered perspective on African and Caribbean experiences. 

Black History Month was first celebrated in the UK in 1987. It was organised through the leadership of Ghanaian, Akyaaba Addai-Sebo and we hope to continue this annual legacy at LSE with our own students leading the way in the conversation. 

The empowerment of Black women students at our institution is central to Her-story. Through public speaking workshops, self-defence classes, dance, spoken word and a Her-story exhibition, we are celebrating the achievements of women to shed a positive light on experiences that often go under-appreciated. 

LSESU Black Women’s Yoga session 

Lade, the President of the African and Caribbean Society expresses why Her-story is so important, ‘It celebrates the uniqueness and diversity of Black women. In doing so, it is acts as an aid in the dispulsion of the ‘angry black woman’ narrative that we see perpetuated time and time again in the media. For me, this project emphasises that the ‘Black woman’ is not to be generalised or stereotyped. It celebrates achievements, strengths and weaknesses of a few of the wonderful Black women we have here at the LSE.’

The Intersectional Feminist Society and LSESU will be putting on an inspiring event, SOLIDARITY, on 23rd October in the Hong Kong Theatre which will see Black women performing spoken word and academics analysing the role of Black feminists in historically cis white spaces. Following this, on the 26th October in 1st floor of the Café, Saw See Hock, we will launch a Her-story photographic exhibition of self-defining Black women students and staff right here at LSE! These initiatives are to recognise the current and historic invaluable contributions that African and Caribbean women have made to our collective world histories, heritage and culture. 

LSESU BME Women’s Public Speaking Training 

This month is also about confronting institutional racism and sexism and its roots in the very society we live in. The UK has played a devastating role in ingraining oppression globally, and it is our duty as students of this university to first change it at home. At LSE, where over 70% of our students are international, it is important to understand the ramifications to our academia. Our Euro-centric curriculum has dominated the narrative and overwhelmingly silenced coloured voices. We must challenge the status quo as it has become a norm and seldom a perception. 

This is why we are doing Her-story Week – it is a form of resistance to the dominant ways of thinking about Black History, which predominantly marginalise Black perspectives. Join us on this special occasion where we resist, change and celebrate. 

This is #morethanjustamonth.