Islington Mayor Councillor Jason Jackson helps launch this year’s Black History Month on the Town Hall steps

WHILE divisive, right-wing politics loom large at home and abroad, it is more important than ever for Islington to hold firm to its values of inclusivity and tolerance, said the borough’s first Nigerian mayor at the start of Black History Month.

The Tribune spoke to Labour councillor Jason Jackson in the Town Hall on Wednesday morning before he led a flag-raising ceremony to kick off a month of events celebrating black communities and black-owned businesses in the borough.

“There is so much noise trying to separate and create division among us that it’s important to have a strong emphasis on a month where black people, black history, or diversity in general are celebrated fully,” said Cllr Jackson. “But the goal should be to celebrate black history every day. Black history is everyone’s history – it shouldn’t just be a month.”

Celebrating the contribution of black people in Islington and the UK at large is not just a moral necessity, the mayor added, but a case of recognising that diversity is the “economical engine” of this country.

“I emphasise this because we live in a world where some people now see diversity as a problem.

“Some people feel like they’ve been left out, or people are taking things from them. But in Islington they are the minority.

“There are external powers that want to divide us, but I believe there are more people that want to keep us together, that welcome multiculturalism.

“And realistically, [diversity] has always been the engine of what has built great British society. Diversity must be a key aspect of an investment, building a stronger, fairer, more inclusive UK – that is why it’s so critical that we celebrate Black History Month.”

The council announced a slew of events taking place throughout October, including workshops focused on black authors at Islington libraries and a showcase of black entrepreneurs and black-owned businesses at the Town Hall on October 23.

“We are doing our best,” Cllr Jackson said. “I’m proud to be serving as Mayor of Islington and doing so as a black man. I’m proud of that, and celebrating black history is something I do every day, and I’m hoping we do it more often.

“For every young black boy that is out there, they should also understand that this is home, and let no one tell them otherwise, because as long as you stay here, or you’ve gone to school here, or you’re part of doing good for the community, you have a place here.

“And there are many more people that agree with that, than those who don’t.”