Kicks off:Wednesday 3rd October, 2012

This year's diverse range of events will provide individuals from all cultures and ethnicities with an opportunity to learn, understand and honour the positive role that black/minority ethnic men and women have played in shaping both Glasgow and Scotland's history. It is important to acknowledge the contributions, sacrifices and achievements that have been made in the past as they allow us to stand where we are today and provide the strong foundations for our future.
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Download Programme (PDF)

Some highlights:

Black Internationalist Resistance to Fascism: African American Volunteers in the Spanish Civil War

Wednesday 3rd October, 6.30pm

This talk considers the importance of transnational black resistance to fascism, particularly in the 1930s. It examines the experiences and political outlooks of the 90 or so African Americans who volunteered to fight in Spain with the Abraham Lincoln Brigades. Drawing on the testimonies of activists such as James Yates, Oscar Hunter and Admiral Kilpatrick it examines how they connected the conflict in Spain to opposition to Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia and to struggles against racism in the United States. With the rise of the far-right in different parts of Europe in the context of economic crisis the talk considers the importance of continued struggles against fascism.

Dave Featherstone, Geography, University of Glasgow

(Optional reading: David Featherstone, Solidarity: Hidden Histories and Geographies of Internationalism, Zed Books (London: 2012).

African Caribbean Centre, 66-68 Osborne Street, (Beside 13th Note Cafe)

Robert Wedderburn (1762 - 1835): Scottish-Jamaican radical preacher and revolutionary

Wednesday 10th October 6.30pm

Robert Wedderburn was the son of James Wedderburn, a Scottish planter in Jamaica, and an enslaved woman, Rosanna. In London, Robert became a Unitarian preacher and the leader of a radical working class movement. He combined demands for an uprising against landed privilege in Britain with calls for a slave uprising against their masters in the colonies. In this way, he has become a key figure for recovering marginalised histories of black, anti-colonial and working-class resistance. This talk will draw out the implications of his life and writings for modern, multi-cultural concerns in a devolved Scotland that is yet to come to terms with its imperial past.

Michael Morris is studying a cultural history of Scotland, the Caribbean and the Atlantic world c.1740-1833 in the English Literature department of the University of Glasgow.

(Optional reading: Horrors of Slavery and Other Writings by Robert Wedderburn, ed. by Iain McCalman, Markus Wiener (Princeton: 1991).

African Caribbean Centre, 66-68 Osborne Street, (Beside 13th Note Cafe)

In the Shields

Wednesday 10th October 2012

Inspired by Black History Month, the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights is proud to showcase the work of "She Settles in the Shields" a publication and exhibition conducted by Glasgow Women's Library.

Led by Shamaaila Noorane (one of the researchers for the project), this event will reveal the fascinating stories of hope, isolation, racism, acceptance and integration experienced by the women who travelled to Scotland from all over the world.

At this free event you will have the opportunity to view the full exhibition for "She Settles in the Shields" and also meet some of the participants who took part in the publication.

12.30pm - 1.30pm (sandwich lunch provided)

Venue: CRER Offices, 78 Carlton Place, Glasgow, G5 9TH

For further info contact: Nadia
0141 418 6530,

ANKUR/CRER Blues Party

Wednesday 17th October 2012 - 8.00pm

In the spirt of the Jamaican blue's shindig we celebrate Black History Month with a modern twist. Join Ankur and CRER as we party and enjoy the music and words of an exiciting array of urban artists. If you're feeling brave join them at the microphone or simply dance the night away.

Tickets £2.50. Contact Ankur on 0141 559 4935 to reserve your ticket.

Venue: African Caribbean Centre, 66 Osborne Street, Merchant City, Glasgow, G1 5QH

For more info: Rhea Lewis, 0141 559 4935, email Rhea

www.crer.org.uk