Black history month reminds me that there are very good people in this world.
Wednesday, 27th October 2021Guest blog written by Ernest Edem Edifor, Technology Development – Manchester Metropolitan University.
On my first day at Manchester Met, my head of department, offered me a cup of tea in her personal mug when she couldn’t find a spare mug for me – those were pre-COVID days when sharing was caring. This kind gesture meant so much to me because she looked beyond my colour, gender and job title. I thought her gesture was a flash in the pan, but, 5 years on, I’ve just come to realise that I have joined a department that is genuinely caring.
Black history month reminds me that there are very good people in this world. These people look beyond cultural, racial, social, political and religious barriers. They acknowledge that prejudice and injustice are enemies of human flourishing and they work tirelessly to ruthlessly eliminate them.
Black history month reminds me that there is hope for humanity – not just for people from minority backgrounds. If people from all backgrounds treat other people with love, respect, fairness and justice, our earth will be a better place. The human race will thrive if we are united and we can be united if we genuinely care for one another.
As Audre Lorde said, “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences”. Black history month reminds me that we need to celebrate our differences, not only in a particular month but all through the year.
Black history month reminds me that with love and care, we will triumph against all odds.
Ernest Edem Edifor is a Senior Lecturer in Technology Development at the Manchester Metropolitan University. Ernest has worked on many local and international projects in the IT industry. His research interests are in immersive technology, reliability engineering, supply chain resilience and EdTech. He is currently the programme leader for the Digital and Technology Solutions apprenticeship at the Manchester Metropolitan University.