This year, Black History Month arrived swiftly—perhaps too swiftly for those of us juggling the weight of economic instability and political noise. Amidst the distractions and disheartening rhetoric, our community in North Lanarkshire stood firm. We chose celebration over silence, truth over propaganda, and solidarity over division.
At Summerlee Museum, I had the privilege of curating an educational display that honoured the contributions of ethnic minorities—particularly those from BAME backgrounds—whose lived experiences and interpersonal wisdom helped reinterpret the world’s collections. These community researchers brought clarity and dignity to a process that demanded we dismantle colonial narratives and reframe object histories with honesty and care.
Reinterpreting Collections with Courage
Our work was not easy. It required us to confront the colonial legacies embedded in museum artefacts and ask difficult questions about provenance, power, and erasure. But it was deeply rewarding. Together, we crafted narratives that honoured the origins of these items and the communities they represent—without bias, without distortion.
As part of the Black History Month programme, I led a Talk and Tour at the Museum. This wasn’t just a walk-through of artefacts; it was an invitation to embrace cultures that have long been misrepresented under the guise of colonial texts. We explored new strategies for sincere engagement with BAME communities, including honest discussions about North Lanarkshire’s historical ties to the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Embracing Uncomfortable Conversations
I welcomed the tough questions, the ones that usually linger in the shadows. I challenged the rhetoric that masquerades as “freedom of speech” but often veers into covert racism. And I discovered something hopeful: when questions are asked with the intent to learn, not to provoke, we open the door to genuine understanding.
So, I ask: when did we, as a society, allow mainstream media, corporations, and self-serving politicians to dictate how we speak, think, and relate to one another? Why have uncomfortable conversations become taboo, when they are precisely what we need to heal and grow?
A Call to Dialogue
In the face of injustice, whether daily or occasional, we must meet discomfort with patience, honour, and humility. Not just for ourselves, but for the collective wellbeing of our communities.
Let’s get the conversation started. Not just during Black History Month, but every day. Let’s speak truth, listen deeply, and build a future rooted in dignity and inclusion.