Trinity Church in Abingdon celebrated Black History Month today with a programme of talks, storytelling, music and conversation.
The event featured a talk by Mr Bevan Powell MBE on the history of Black History Month.
This was followed by absorbing storytelling from Mr Joseph Kingsley Nyinah.
There was also a conversation with the Rt Hon Lord Boateng, who many people of my age will remember as Paul Boateng, a Labour Cabinet minister and Britain’s first Black Cabinet minister.
He made the point that no one political party has a monopoly on advancing racial justice.
One example is the repeal in 1981 of the so-called ‘sus’ law, a provision of the Vagrancy Act 1824 that gave police powers to arrest people suspected of intending to commit certain offences. It was used disproportionately against Black men and contributed to tensions between Black communities and the police.
The provision was repealed under Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government, following a campaign involving Black community activists and politicians from across the political spectrum, including Lord Boateng himself.
Lord Boateng went on to argue that political campaigning is just as important as what politicians do once in office in bringing about positive change in society. Reflecting on the current political climate, in which many people have become disenchanted with politics, he said Christians should be campaigning for their core values: peace, justice and care for creation.
The programme also included a musical performance by three members of the Methodist Zimbabwe Fellowship Choir.
The event was introduced by the Revd Georgina Bondzi-Simpson, minister of Trinity and All Saints Church, with a short service led by the Revd Sonia Hicks.
Afterwards, many of those attending went through to the church hall to enjoy African and Caribbean food, including jerk chicken, fried plantain, salt fish fritters and sea bass in coconut cream. There were plenty of other dishes, too, many of which I was trying for the first time and couldn’t name.
Guests included the Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Andrew Skinner, and his wife, along with Cllr Rawda Jehanli, last year’s Mayor.