BLACK HISTORY MONTH


UNDERSTANDING BLACK HISTORY MONTH


Paul Odle, chair of the PFEW’s Race, Religion and Beliefs group explains what Black History Month is and why we should all celebrate


PC Norwell Gumbs (later Norwell Roberts) – London’s first black police officer, beginning his training with colleagues at Hendon Police College


There are 195 countries in the world but only four of them – the UK, the US, Canada, and Germany – celebrate Black History Month. It is celebrated every October in the UK, while in the US, Canada and Germany, it is celebrated in February. But does celebrating it make Black people sit above others? Does it make them different from others? Personally, I think fantastic achievements of Black people must be celebrated, just as we do for


32 | POLICE | OCTOBER 2022


others. There have been numerous achievements over the years with many Black people at the forefront of life- changing inventions.


“Marginalising of Black people has caused a mistrust and a lack of confidence


within Black communities in relation to policing”


Historically, the countries that celebrate Black History Month formed the bedrock of conditions that kept Black people disadvantaged


by sustaining disparities and preventing the racial equality in society. It seems to me that by celebrating


Black History Month, these countries are Paul Odle


assuming ownership of how they have treated and mistreated Black people


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