Black History Month @ Writing on The Wall features Linton Kwesi Johnson, Anyika Onuoura, PM Russell, the L8 Archives, Dorothy Kuya and Anti Slavery International Archives Launch, What’s Your Story International – Gambia, Myanmar, Lebanon, Different Voices Shred Lives, The Attic Child, and more…
Black History Month 22 @ WoW begins at home in Liverpool 8, with the opening of the Liverpool 8 Archives, a WoW project, supported by the Liverpool Records Office, which, through our Creative Heritage Strand, we have been working on for a number of years with the local community. These historic archives document the contribution of black activists and their white comrades in the fight against institutional racism in Liverpool, and while supporting families from all backgrounds in their struggle for decent housing and fair treatment in employment, education and criminal justice.
We invite you to join us to celebrate the completion of the work on the L8 Law Centre and to get involved as we embark, in partnership with National Museums Liverpool, on two crucial heritage projects exploring the life and work of L8-born anti-racist activist Dorothy Kuya and the organisation, Anti-Slavery International.
Writing on the Wall are proud to welcome back Liverpool poetry legend Linton Kwesi Johnson in an exclusive Liverpool event, headlining our programme celebrating Black History Month 2022.
Linton’s work has always been political, vital, and necessary, drawing attention to systemic racism, police abuse and National Front attacks, calling for government, institutions and society to be held to account. Through poetry and verse Linton’s work tells the story of UK Black Power and resistance, of which our L8 activists were an integral part.
Writing on the Wall’s Different Voices Shared Lives project has been working with the Liverpool City Region’s six Library Services to give a voice and platform to Black, Asian, and other racial minority communities across the region. Look out for our event celebrating the work of the people who have taken part.
Our What’s Your Story? International project has reached out to the Gambia, Myanmar and Lebanon to work with communities whose experiences should be heard in the UK and beyond.
Black History, like Asian history, First Nation American and a host of other histories, is the history that has been left out of the books, erased and ignored. However, the white-washed versions of history have never been more contested and subject to scrutiny than they are now. The decolonising of literature and education, reparations, the returning of plundered artefacts, are now key parts of the discourse, indicating that the study and inclusion of black history is essential for society to develop a more complete understanding of human development.
It’s now time to dig deeper. WoW supports all efforts to bring to the fore discussions that enhance awareness through research and education, and continue the fight for true equality.
Black history is not just for October. WoW’s programme draws from our year-round heritage and creative writing projects. We have been privileged to work with a range of incredibly talented local, national and international artists. We are grateful for their immense creativity and ongoing support as we continue our work with diverse communities at home and abroad.
Join us at WoW’s BHM 2022. In the words of Martin Luther King, ‘Let’s keep the movement moving!’
Visit https://writingonthewall.org.uk/black-history-month/ to find out about all of Writing on the Wall’s Black History Month events.