Black history month: It’s time the UK protected black history, not erased it
This Black History Month, conversations across the UK are filled with tributes to the achievements and history of Black people. However, Richard Sudan argues that beyond celebrations, there is an urgent need to protect Black history and resist increasing attempts to erase it from academia and public discourse. Systematic cuts and silencing of Black voices in universities and political institutions are threatening this vital history and must be challenged to safeguard a future where Black contributions are acknowledged, not forgotten.
Systematic attacks on black Academia
Recent developments highlight a concerning trend in the UK, where academic programs focusing on Black history and representation are being quietly dismantled. Professor Hakim Adi’s Master of Research (MRes) program in the History of Africa and the African Diaspora at the University of Chichester, the first of its kind in the UK, was abruptly discontinued in 2023, and Professor Adi himself was made redundant. This course provided an essential platform for students, particularly those of African and Caribbean descent, to engage with their heritage. Adi’s own work, such as African and Caribbean People in Britain: A History, meticulously traces the history of Black people in the UK and preserves the community’s contributions to British society.
Despite the importance of the program, financial constraints were cited as the reason for its cancellation. However, as the University and College Union (UCU) pointed out, the move seemed to be an “attack on Black academia.” In a country where only 1% of professors are Black, removing such a pivotal course undermines efforts to diversify academia and amplifies the voices of historically marginalized groups.
Similarly, Professor Kehinde Andrews, another prominent academic and advocate for Black studies, faced a similar fate. Andrews’ Black Studies undergraduate program at Birmingham City University—the first such program in Europe—was discontinued. The course was a groundbreaking exploration of the intersections between race, power, and history, designed to encourage students to critically engage with institutional racism and inequality. The closure of these programs reflects a disturbing trend of silencing courses that critique the establishment, rendering Black history and voices increasingly invisible within the UK education system.
The erasure of black voices in political and cultural discourse
This suppression of Black voices extends beyond academia. For decades, the UK government has pushed back against movements that challenge institutional power, as seen in the 1970s and 1980s, when Margaret Thatcher’s government sought to dismantle cultural studies programs that questioned the state’s authority. Professor Stuart Hall, a pioneer in cultural studies, famously coined the term “Thatcherism” to capture the rise of this conservative ideology. Despite resistance, many of these progressive programs were eventually disbanded.
Similarly, politicians today continue to downplay or outright deny the impact of slavery and colonialism on Britain’s wealth. In an article for the World Economic Forum, Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch controversially argued that slavery was not central to the development of British wealth—a statement at odds with historical evidence. Such revisionism distorts public understanding of Britain’s colonial history, contributing to a sanitized narrative that erases the brutal realities of exploitation.
Moreover, attempts to sideline Black voices within political institutions have intensified. For example, Labour recently sidelined figures like Diane Abbott, a staunch advocate for racial justice, and Jovan Owusu-Nepaul, a Black candidate in Clacton. These moves suggest a troubling pattern of marginalizing Black representation in politics, silencing individuals who would otherwise amplify issues affecting Black communities.
Resisting erasure and reclaiming black history
The recent closures and political marginalization show a systematic attempt to stifle Black contributions and erase historical truths about colonialism and racism. Radical courses like Black Studies play a crucial role in challenging these dominant narratives, exposing inequalities, and inspiring students to think critically about race, class, and power structures. Yet, with universities prioritizing financial “viability” over intellectual diversity, such programs are increasingly vulnerable.
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The marketization of higher education in the UK has seen courses that do not directly serve capitalist interests deemed expendable. This erasure undermines the fight for racial justice, particularly given the documented rise of racism in recent years. Education unions and academics must mobilize to defend Black academics and history with the same energy seen in movements for Palestine solidarity and broader social justice.
Protecting the future of black history
This Black History Month, the call to action goes beyond celebrating Black achievements. There is a need for coalitions that unite around the shared cause of anti-racism and anti-imperialism, pushing back against the ongoing erasure of Black narratives from UK institutions. By safeguarding Black history, protecting Black academics, and defending truthful representations of the past, the UK can honor Black contributions and resist efforts to sanitize its colonial history.
The fight to protect Black history is not only about preserving the past but also about shaping a future where the stories and achievements of Black communities are valued and celebrated. If the UK truly wants to celebrate Black History Month, it must go beyond symbolism and commit to safeguarding the spaces where Black history is taught, studied, and valued.
