This year’s theme for Black History Month is ‘Time for Change: Action Not Words’. Black people are often given the double burden of experiencing racism and discrimination, and then being expected to fix it. Hopefully, by focusing on this theme, we can come together to make a change for the better. This year, the EmbRace network are highlighting Black British and US figures, as well as our very own GC colleagues.
John Barnes
John Charles Bryan Barnes MBE (born 7th November 1963) is a Jamaican football manager and former international professional footballer. He currently works as a commentator and pundit for ESPN and SuperSport. A successful footballer, he won two league titles with Liverpool where he also won two cup finals at Wembley. He earned 79 caps for England.
Barnes was born and initially raised in Jamaica as the son of a military officer from Trinidad and Tobago and a Jamaican mother. He moved to London with his family when he was 12 years old. He debuted for England in 1983 and in 1987 joined Liverpool. By the time of his last cap in 1995, he had more caps than any other Black England player. After two years at Newcastle United, he ended his playing career at Charlton Athletic in 1999.
In the run-up to England's 1990 FIFA World Cup campaign, he recorded a rap for the official team song, New Order's "World in Motion". In 2005, he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.
The Uncomfortable Truth about Racism: John Barnes - the activist
Rather than being a pinnacle moment in racism in football, the way in which John back-heeled a banana off the pitch was his routine response to a depressingly familiar occurrence. But Barnes himself, a brilliant footballer who is now an admirably thoughtful man willing to ask searching questions about race and society, was never depressed by the absurd prejudice of the banana-throwers.
When he was 20, in 1984, he scored one of England’s greatest goals against Brazil. He mentions that game was the worst moment of racial abuse in his career.
“It wasn’t the worst because I was laughing at this idiot on the way to Brazil, but it might show an interesting insight. Some National Front supporters were on the plane with us when we flew to Rio. One of them was sitting just behind us because we were on a commercial flight. We didn’t even fly business class those days. These supporters were funded by the National Front to follow England. We would see the National Front flag draped over their seats in the Maracanã. We had all the football journalists on the plane, and no one said a word.”
John has written a book called ‘The Uncomfortable Truth about Racism’ which reiterates that racism is embedded in society rather than just football.
For John, the insidious influence of colonialism, which so degraded black people around the world, persists. He also argues that class is just as divisive as race.
He also points out that while outraged attention is paid to verbal racism, the damage caused is less than that done by the silent pillars of prejudice within society.
“You can’t see or prove this racism. To black people it’s happening every single day of their lives. There are invisible banana skins and unspoken words which are much more damaging.”
GC Black Colleagues: Spotlight on Liam James
What’s your role at GC? Partnership and Integration Manager.
What was your background before joining us?
Engineering, A&G, Sales & Recruitment.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
The developing narrative is so important as I feel it’s valuable to know and raise awareness about the changing landscape of black issues.
BHM is about celebrating the contributions of black people and also increase awareness for the current adversity a lot of black people face today.
The theme this year is ‘Actions not Words’, which Black figure do you think encapsulates this and why?
Marcus Mosiah Garvey as the first black man to awaken the dignity of the black race in the Caribbean, North America, and Africa.
Who is a source of inspiration to you during Black History Month?
My Father.
GC Black Colleagues: Spotlight on Marcus Brice
What is your role at GC?
Employment Adviser.
What was your background before joining us?
Advice & Guidance.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
My honest opinion - Black History means more than just a month as this is something which is in my DNA and my family heritage.
The theme this year is ‘Actions not Words’, which Black figure do you think encapsulates this and why?
Martin Luther King Jr because he was an iconic person who was a visible spokesman and leader in the civil rights movement.
Who is a source of inspiration to you during Black History Month?
My Grandmother.
Upcoming External Black History Month Events
Black History Month 2022 at HOME - HOME (homemcr.org)
See Tickets - COBO Black History Month Special Tickets | Sunday, 30 Oct 2022 at 7:45 PM
Online Events - Black History Month 2022
- MANCHESTER, Monday 17th October. Film ‘Playing Away’ - When a West Indian cricket team from Brixton are invited to play a charity game in a small English village, members of both teams have their reservations
- MANCHESTER, Tuesday 18th October. Norman Beaton and Michael Abbensetts – Double Bill.
- MANCHESTER, Wednesday 19th October: Burning an Illusion
- LIVERPOOL, Monday 17th of October: Killerof Sheep
Manchester Literature Week:
- Monday 17th October: Join leading voices in contemporary culture to hear insights into their work, lives and creativity. Edward Enninful, the first Black editor-in-chief at British Vogue is in town to talk about his new memoir ‘A Visible Man’ and the transformative effect he has had on the fashion world with award-winning author and fellow game-changer Bernardine Evaristo @ Manchester Central Library
- Thursday 20th of October: Want to know a but about the Man behind the ‘Lemn Sissay? An MMU Union Black History Month event featuring award winning Author, Poet and Broadcaster Lemn Sissay who will provide a reading and Q&A
Events for Half Term:
- Week of the 17th of October: Alongside our digital Storytime Sessions ‘When Animals Could Talk’ by Ruth Awolola, Manchester Library are running three family-friendly workshops in October half-term. So if you’re looking to get crafty and creative, these free drop-in workshops will focus on storytelling and story-making and will encourage young children to develop their own stories.
Events in Manchester:
Events in the North West:
- Wednesday 19th of October: Black History Month – time for change.
- Saturday 22nd of October: Journey through the Black History of Liverpool, this tour unlocks the untold Black heritage in Liverpool and the city's prominent links to The Transatlantic Trade of Enslaved Africans. The tour will also showcase the phenomenal contributions of the unique artists who have used their talents to bring this history to full vivid life!
Events South Yorkshire:
- Friday 21st of October: Africa4U have organised an event in Bradford
- Saturday 16th of October: Journey of Discovery in Leeds