They came to London to escape war, famine, poverty, prejudice, sexual abuse and oppression.Others came to find freedom, an education, a better life and economic opportunity.Still others were born here, lucky to have avoided much of the suffering their ancestors endured to get here, especially slavery.They are the diaspora of Africa and they are inviting all Londoners to join them in a month-long celebration, Black History Month.“It’s not all just about celebrating history,” said London chair Shamara Baidoobonso, a Western University doctorate candidate in epidemiology.“It’s about looking forward to the future and celebrating the present and the whole community of London has the opportunity to take part, learn and share ideas. There is something for everyone, not just black history, but the world story, the history of human beings.”The celebration starts Saturday at Museum London where several cultural groups and organizations will gather to present their arts, crafts, dance, music, traditional foods and clothing, as well as share their own stories with other Londoners, said Baidoobonso.A major highlight of the three-hour opening event that begins at 1 p.m. is a reading by Chatham-based, Nigerian-born author Yejide Kilanko, whose first novel,Daughters Who Walk This Path, has received critical acclaim.Congolese native Gisele Mpoto will be among those attending the opening, dressed in traditional and colourful clothing that will complement the afternoon of traditional African music, dance, arts, crafts and food.“I want to know about my community, the people in London,” said Mpoto, who has lived in London for four years. “And I want to let them know we’re here.”Black History Month is celebrated in February across North America.But in London it is about more than sharing history: It’s about celebrating and sharing the arts, culture and stories.Over the next month, Londoners are invited to attend a number of events, most of them free, including an art show, a day of dancing, singing, games and traditional African storytelling and treats at London Regional Children’s Museum, the play based on the Pulitzer Prize winning Harper Lee novel To Kill A Mockingbird at the Palace Theatre, Thursday Night At The Movies at London Public Library featuring movies dealing with black history themes, a youth leadership symposium at the Cross Cultural Learner Centre, and a four-hour music show every Sunday featuring African American arrangers, musicians, composers and singers on Fanshawe College’s 106.9 The X - CIXX-FM, not to mention the closing gala featuring six performers in the Wolf Performance Hall at Central Library.There will also be a presentation Monday at Central Library by London International Quilt Festival organizer Garnet Smalley about the quilts that will be featured at the four-day Out of Africa exhibition in June, featuring African quilts. Well-known London music director Marque Smith, a Toronto native whose parents originated from the Caribbean, is helping to organize the closing gala.“(Black History Month) means expressing yourself through your heritage, through music and dance and the arts and experiencing the heritage of others,” said Smith.London Press
