Face it... then move on.

Welcome to the 2006 edition of Black Heritage Today, the ultimate guide to Black History Month – well I like to think so anyway! There are other resources out there, in print form and websites, including the one associated with the magazine in your hand, www.blackheritagetodayUK.co.uk.

If, however, you wish to visit a Black History Month website that is updated right throughout the year, I’d recommend the first UK-based Black History Month website ever, www.black-history-month.co.uk, launched by Mia Morris several years ago. It is a mine of ongoing information, with campaigns, jobs and news relevant to the community.

Whilst black history is important, I try not to linger too much on slavery, the general consensus being that “it happened so, therefore, face it and move on,” but it is difficult to ignore the fact that next year will be the 200th anniversary of the British Parliament’s move to abolish slavery. There has been much debate about how best to commemorate it. No one person or organisation, however, has come up with a suggestion to suit all. So once again we may find pockets of people “doing their own thing” or leaving it up to officials to guide them.

In Black Heritage you will find stories that more recently made the history books, stories such as the genocide in Rwanda (1994), told through the eyes of survivor Immaculee Ilibagiza (front cover pic) via her harrowing book Left to Tell. There are also people making history and creating dynasties and organisations taking the initiative to help the community so that they, in turn, can help themselves.

Lastly I’d like to say to all those who believe that “there is no community out there” – there is, you just have to look around you - the question is “will those fragmented communities ever come together as one?”

Whatever your concept or beliefs are about black history or heritage, this publication sets out to celebrate the fact that we are here, we are making things happen for ourselves and are striving (sometimes against the odds) to make a better life for ourselves and the generations to come.

Enjoy reading Black Heritage Today, we loved putting it together for you.

Barbara Campbell

Write to me at editor@blackheritagetodayuk.com