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Tavistock and Portman celebrate Black History Month with special guest Leila Hassan Howe

In October, we celebrate Black History Month: From the nurses who came from the Caribbean to help set up the NHS, to their descendants, the scientists, mathematicians, allied health professionals and leaders whose action and ideas help shape the NHS today.

The NHS workforce is more diverse than at any point in its history. Black colleagues make up 8.5% of our workforce, 6.1% of doctors, dentists and consultants and 11.8% of our nurses, midwives and health visitors.

But we can do a lot more.

There is a significant need for more organ donors of Black heritage to help the growing number of Black patients waiting for life-saving transplants. To be an organ donor when you die, the best thing to do is to confirm your name and decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

As sickle cell is more common in Black people, there’s a real need for blood types that are more common in people of Black heritage. Most people can give blood if they’re in good general health. Check if you can donate.

In the UK people of south Asian and Black African or African Caribbean background have an increased risk of getting cardiovascular disease (CVD ). Please visit NHS.uk to learn how you can reduce your risk.

Use the Know Your Risk tool from Diabetes UK to find out your risk. You can enter information including your ethnicity, age, height, weight and waist measurement, and it will give you an assessment of your personal risk of developing type 2 diabetes and advice about next steps.

Leila Hassan Howe

Author, editor and activist Leila Hassan Howe spoke in front of staff and students on Thursday 3 October to celebrate Black History Month.

The event, organised by communications officer Bryan Knight and the Race Equality Network (REN), was part of this year’s theme, “Reclaiming Narratives”, which seeks to correct historical inaccuracies and shine a light on the complexities and achievements of Black heritage. Hassan Howe, an iconic figure in British Black Power history, reflected on the movement’s legacy, social class issues, the rise of individualism, and the ongoing challenges of mobilising people for anti-racist campaigns.

Hassan Howe began by reflecting on the significance of the Black Power movement in Britain, particularly how it confronted institutional racism and rallied communities in the 1970s and 1980s. One of the most prominent moments she discussed was the Black People’s Day of Action (BPDA) in 1981. This was a large protest in response to the New Cross Fire, which many believed to be a racially-motivated attack and cost the lives of 14 young Black people.

The BPDA demonstrated the power of collective mobilisation by bringing together thousands of people to demand justice in the face of racism. Hassan Howe emphasised the importance of solidarity in the face of systemic injustice. The historic protest march drew attention not only to the tragic deaths but to the broader issue of institutional racism and police brutality that permeates British society.

Hassan Howe highlighted how the Black Power movement was deeply rooted in communal action and solidarity – values that are scarce today. Speaking on the shift towards individualism, she remarked, “This whole concept of individual achievement and individual success, that your self-worth is now matched by how successful you are in a monetary way, in an influencer way. It’s not about your strength in terms of what you give to your community or how you develop your community.” This shift has, in her view, led to a weakening of collective struggles, making mobilisation around anti-racist issues more difficult.

During the event, Hassan Howe explored the intersection of race and class, touching on how economic and social disparities often compound the effects of racism. In the past, those in the Black Power Movement had an acute awareness of the shared struggles faced by working-class people of all races. However, she noted that today’s society tends to focus more on individual success rather than collective upliftment.

“The forms of communication have changed,” she observed. “Whereas growing up, we listened to people who we felt had ideas. We listened to people because we were hungry to learn. Now everybody’s got an idea, hasn’t they? Everybody’s an expert. I mean, we’ve become so individual.” This rise of individualism, combined with social media culture, has shifted the focus away from community-oriented activism, making it harder to galvanise large-scale support for anti-racist causes.

Hassan Howe pointed out how social movements have changed, noting that if the influential Race Today journal, which was a central voice in Black activism during the 1970s and 1980s, existed today, “There’d be no need. It would all be online. Now, that need to get together to publish manually, in the way that we did, doesn’t exist.” She explained that while technology has made communication more accessible, it has also fragmented the very communities that once came together for a shared purpose.

Despite the challenges of mobilisation in today’s individualistic society, Hassan Howe recognised that the global response to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement marked a significant shift in racial politics. She was struck by the massive participation of white allies in these protests, something that was nearly unheard of during the Black Power era.

“When I was young and we would demonstrate, we would get a handful of white people, maybe from white Left organisations who would support us. But with Black Lives Matter, it was hundreds and thousands of white people who came out in support,” she reflected. “When people say, ‘What did it change?’ I think for someone like myself, seeing hundreds of thousands of white people saying ‘this race thing has to stop, this injustice against Black people has to stop’ — that was something I never thought I would see.”

The BLM protests, which drew global attention following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, represented a powerful moment in the fight for racial justice. However, Hassan Howe remained cautious about how this solidarity could be sustained in the long term. The question remains whether the widespread support seen in 2020 can be channelled into sustained activism, policy change, and real social transformation.

Hassan Howe’s reflections during the Black History Month event served as a poignant reminder of both the achievements and ongoing challenges in the fight for social justice. From the collective power of the Black People’s Day of Action to the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, the history of Black activism in Britain has been marked by moments of profound solidarity. However, the growing individualism and the difficulty of sustaining mobilisation present new challenges.

As society continues to evolve, Hassan Howe’s insights underscore the importance of reclaiming narratives, building community, and fostering collective action in the ongoing fight against racial injustice. While much has been achieved, the struggle is far from over, and it will require both reflection on the past and innovation in the present to continue moving forward.

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Message from the Race Equality Network Chair – Black History Month Reflection

On the last day of Black History Month 2024. Let us reflect on what the theme for Black History Month this year represented, remembering there’s a call to action and reclaim narratives that have often been left untold or distorted.
Reclaiming these stories involves highlighting the voices, achievements, and resilience of Black individuals and communities that mainstream histories have overlooked or minimised. This involves taking ownership of the full, nuanced history, focusing on Black perspectives, and correcting misrepresentations.

Please do not forget that reclaiming narratives is also about celebrating everyday acts of defiance, art, innovation, and leadership that have been woven into the fabric of Black communities. Reclaiming Narratives empowers the present by honouring the past, ensuring that the richness and diversity of Black experiences are seen, heard, and understood — not just during this month but every day of the year. This reclamation isn’t just a tribute; it’s a commitment to truth, justice, and a more inclusive future.

Although Black History Month officially concludes on 31st October 2024, our commitment to celebrating Black history, culture, and achievements does not stop there. We will continue to share inspiring stories, highlight significant contributions, and engage with the rich tapestry of Black heritage through to 30th September 2025. This extended period allows us all to dive deeper into untold histories and amplify voices that deserve recognition all year round. Let’s keep the conversation alive together.

Pauline Williams
Race Equality Network Chair
(Written: 31/10/2024)