October is Black History Month – a celebration of the contributions Black People have made to the communities of this nation. However it is also an opportunity to raise voices of Black people who for a long time have not been heard, undervalued and unjustly treated.
The branch is celebrating Black History month in October with two virtual events, “Black Lives Matter in a hostile environment,” on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st October 2-4pm and is inviting all Black Members and allies to come/join in large numbers to make the event a success.
Invited speakers include Davena Rankin: Chair UNISON Scotland Women’s Committee; Kebba Manneh: Chair UNISON Black Members Group; Rakiya Suleiman: Chair UNISON Scotland Black Members; and Lewis Macdonald, North East of Scotland Labour MSP.
The online events have been organised by Benson Mugyenyi, steward and branch Black Members’ officer, Olusegun Adebayo, branch steward and Kathleen Kennedy, branch Equalities officer.
The links to the meeting are as follows:
Fri, Oct 30, 2020 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
https://global.gotomeeting.com/%20join/540479557
Sat, Oct 31, 2020 2:00 PM -4:00 PM
https://global.gotomeeting.com/%20join/810645677
Benson said, “We celebrate Black History Month because we want the future to be brighter than the past. We want to be the instruments of love, not hate.
“We encourage all Black Members and allies to come and add you voice to the struggle to achieve equality and justice in our society to make the event a success.
“We will hear from good speakers and there will be time for questions and answer as well. Come and contribute and make your voices heard.
“No one is born to hating another person because of the colour of his skin or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite” Nelson Mandela.
Nelson Mandela also said: “As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persists in our world, none of us can rest”.
The struggle continues.