October marks the beginning of Black Futures Season for Black Cultural Archives. This is the season where the charity celebrates and commemorates Black British legacy and look into the future of Black British identity. The highlight of the season this year is a new exhibition – Race Today – Black History is British History.
This exhibition explores the profound legacy of the Race Today journals, with a focus on the influential period from 1973 to 1988 when the Race Today Collective spearheaded its publication. ‘Race Today: Black History is British History’ showcases how the journal tackled transnational issues, serving as a critical platform for conversations about both British and global conflicts, while continually pushing boundaries by uncovering the dynamics behind these movements.
The 1970s and 1980s were a turbulent yet defiantly hopeful time for Black communities in Britain. Race Today often captured the challenges and triumphs of this era, addressing a wide range of pressing issues from austerity, workers’ strikes, the housing crisis, and police brutality to grassroots activism and uprisings. The journal also amplified the cultural contributions of Black and Asian communities worldwide. This exhibition reflects on the parallels and differences between the narratives and activism covered in Race Today and those shaping society today.
Featuring film, including Wayne G. Saunders’ documentary ‘Race Today: The Untold Story of Black Britain’s Political Journal’, alongside collage and archival materials, this exhibition examines how Race Today positioned Black history as British history. It invites visitors to consider how today’s society has built upon this foundation, striving for a more representative and inclusive understanding of the lived experiences of Black British people and the African and Caribbean diasporas worldwide.
Jasmine Pierre, Exhibition & Events Manager, Black Cultural Archives says – “The ‘Race Today: Black History is British History’ exhibition aligns with BCA’s theme for Black Futures Month: Reclaiming Narratives. Through my curatorial research, it became evident that Race Today was not just a publication, but an activist collective at the heart of grassroots organising. Its members played pivotal roles in movements like the Brixton uprisings and other acts of community resistance against oppressive state policies. By revisiting these powerful narratives, BCA aims to honour and elevate the voices and contributions of those often marginalised in mainstream history.”
About Black Cultural Archives
Our mission is to collect, preserve, and celebrate the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in the UK and to inspire and give strength to individuals, communities, and society. Since 1981 Black Cultural Archives (BCA) has embarked on the journey to collect and preserve materials which redress the historical balance and representation of people of African and Caribbean descent in Britain. Black Cultural Archives is committed to promoting diversity, inclusivity, and understanding through the preservation and celebration of Black cultural heritage.