Black History Month is even more important in frightening times of racist violence

September and October have always felt like the true start of the year for me. By the time my birthday comes around, I even find myself setting “birthday resolutions”, small promises for the months ahead. The changing seasons, the anticipation of the holidays, and the arrival of Black History Month have always combined to make this time feel special.

But this October feels different. Across the country, the air is thick with unease and division. Instead of coming together, as Black History Month so often encourages, the UK feels as though it’s sliding deeper into polarisation. The rise in far-right protests and the violence simmering just beneath the surface make it feel dangerous simply to exist as a Black or minoritised person — let alone to celebrate loudly, proudly, and without fear.

In previous Black History Months, there was a sense of community both simultaneously intangible and tangible. You could also feel it in the air. I’ve long been proud to call the UK my home. I’ve never denied its deep-rooted inequalities, but compared to parts of Europe or the United States, that hostility often felt less overt.

Read more:

• I was never taught about Black women in British history. So I decided to do something about it
• Black and minority households ‘forced to cut their hair and hide their accents’ to get social housing
• Renowned photographer Misan Harriman on Black Lives Matter, Gaza and finding hope in protest

Now, though, the landscape feels markedly different. The Overton window has shifted: mainstream politicians speak openly in ways that embolden far-right anger, pouring fuel on riots and unrest. Immigrants and minority communities have been vilified to the extreme, and this October, the fear of simply being visibly ‘different’ hangs heavy. Against that backdrop, it’s harder than ever to find cause for celebration.

Yet now, Black History Month feels more important than ever but more fragile too. We need it desperately. At its heart, Black History Month is a vital opportunity to educate the public about the rich histories, contributions, and too-often overlooked achievements of Black people in Britain and across the world. It combats ignorance and ignorance is so often the fuel for racism and division. It challenges the inaccurate narratives that circulate both in the mainstream and on the fringes. And it shines a light on the systemic inequalities and health disparities that continue to affect Black communities, creating a platform to push for real change.

That’s what makes this year’s moment feel like such a dangerous paradox: precisely when we need the affirmation and visibility of Black History Month the most, fear and hostility may push people into silence. The risk is that we celebrate quietly, or not at all – when in fact its place has never been more crucial.

This year, I find myself anxiously waiting to see how brands and organisations will mark Black History Month. In previous years, their campaigns and events felt loud and unapologetic — but will that still be the case now? Will they retreat in the face of rising hostility, or stand firm? The answer will say a lot about the direction this country is heading, when even a month so deeply entrenched in the fabric of British culture can suddenly feel risky.

It feels like almost every time I scroll through social media, I come across first-hand accounts from Black or minority people who’ve been targeted by hate – whether through words or violence. That constant stream leaves me, like many others, feeling helpless about the state of things. I grew up believing Britain was, at its core, a racially tolerant country – a place where Black culture and history could be celebrated openly alongside others. But if the light of Black History Month is allowed to dim, what does that say about belonging here? Because if there isn’t space for all of us, then in truth, there isn’t space for anyone.

Despite my trepidation, it remains vital to mark and celebrate Black History Month. Black history is not only about honouring the past — it’s about demanding a future where recognition, visibility, and celebration are non-negotiable. These are frightening times, and I feel that fear myself. But choosing to celebrate this year is an act of resistance, a way of protecting and reinforcing the very principles of democracy.

Dahaba Ali Hussen is a journalist and broadcaster whose work examines race, inequality and community. She has featured with The Guardian, the BBC, the Financial Times and other outlets.

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

Reader-funded since 1991 – Big Issue brings you trustworthy journalism that drives real change.

Every day, our journalists dig deeper, speaking up for those society overlooks.

Could you help us keep doing this vital work? Support our journalism from £5 a month.