In 1987 Black History Month, (BHM) was launched in Britain to celebrate the culture, contributions, and achievements of people from African and Caribbean descent.  BHM challenges negative stereotypes and highlights the accomplishments of pioneers and key historical figures that are not taught in schools. Black Britons have helped to shape and enhance our nation for many centuries. The recognition of our shared history can only increase our understanding and respect for each other. This year is especially pertinent as the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, sparked global protests and widespread conversations about racism.  People stood together from all backgrounds and cultures in solidarity highlighting that we have come along way but still have work to do. 

Here at St Dominic’s we are committed to social justice, demonstrated by our racial equality sessions in the Chapel to coincide with BHM.  This has led to stimulating and informative discussions around racial inequality and the impact on society.

"Any kind of social or cultural discrimination in basic personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, colour, social conditions, language or religion, must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God's design." Vatican II, 1965, #29

Samantha Clarke‑Henry - Teacher of Religious Education

 

Elizabeth Fagbolagun, student at St Dominic's writes - Claudia Jones was a civil rights activist who organised the first indoor carnival and founded the first commercial black newspaper in the UK.  

Following the BLM protests during lockdown, we believed that it was important to celebrate Black women in British history and who better than Claudia Jones and Rhaune Laslett, the two women who began Carnival, where we, black, white, or mixed can all come together to commemorate black excellence.

Please have a look at a video (by clicking here) made by our students - with Michael Mujizi, audio on the Bristol Bus Boycott and Asha Davidson reads the piece written by Elizabeth Fagbolagun on Claudia Jones (above) and our Librarian, Pauline Byrnand who reads a poem on the Grenfell Tower.