Whilst the origins of Black History Month in the US can be traced to Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In the UK recognising the contribution of Black People and Black culture began in 1987 and is annually celebrated in the month of October.

As a Black Briton of Afro-Caribbean ancestry I do feel a sense of frustration that the recognition and contribution Black people have made to the UK frequently starts with migration from the Caribbean on the Empire Windrush in 1948.

Black people have lived and worked in the Britain since the 12^th century, which covers period from the 1101 to 1200, but that is not the information and history shared as part of British history.

I also question how much recognition Black women receive for their contribution from within and without Black communities. As a young girl growing up in Birmingham, I do not recall hearing, seeing, and reading up Black women who I could have aspired me, apart from my Mum. Who was a real inspiration for me?

In fact, in the UK Black people were portrayed on tv as stereotypes in sitcoms, two 1970’s which spring to mind are Love thy Neighbour, which showed the conflict be a white working-class man and his Black neighbour and Never Mind the Language, about a group of immigrants learning English in an adult education school in London. Black women featured in minor ways to the men. The other context where Black people were visible was in sports, however I never saw a Black female gymnast, and as I was a gymnast it could have encouraged me to continue to pursue my passion for gymnastics. I had to settle for Olga Korbut and Nadia Comăneci.

I fully appreciate that the adage “You can’t be what you can’t see,” by Marian Wright Edelman may not resonate with some, but it does take a certain something from inside to place yourself in environments where you are different to everyone else. And it is isolating, and emotionally and psychologically draining.

So, it is great to see the contribution Black women have made, and continue to make, is being increasingly recognised. From the Poet Phillis Wheatley became the first ever African woman to be published in Britain and America in 1773, Mary Seacole who set up a facility outside of Balaklava, Ukraine where she nursed wounded British soldiers; Lilian Bader, the very first black women to join the British Armed Forces; Olive Morris, civil rights campaigner; Diane Abbott the first black woman ever to be elected to Parliament; Dr Shirley J. Thompson OBE Composer, Conductor, Artistic Director, Educator, Violinist. Professor Thompson is Head of Composition and Performance at the University of Westminster.

What’s heartening to see, with this year’s theme of “Proud to Be” Black women coming into the limelight. For example Dr. Elizabeth Williams blog post, Black History Month 2021:Black Women. Not forgetting seeing two Black British women in major roles in the James Bond films, Naomie Harris and Lashana Lynch certainly brings an enormous smile to my face.

I cannot help but wonder why its taken so much time for Black women’s role, contribution, and achievements to acknowledged and celebrated. I end by sharing an extract from a poem I wrote titled “Who do you see when you look at me?

“Do you see my intellect, creativity, capability, competence and potential.

But does that really matter to you when you look at me?

Which box do I fit in, that works for you, when you look at me?