Ben Butterfield is a Walsall resident. He is the Under 18's Worker at St. Matthew's Church, Walsall.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month is an opportunity to challenge our ignorance: the history we learnt at school was racially biased (and continues to be so), so it’s important to have an annual reminder of the enormous contribution of Black people (and People of Colour) in the UK and across the world.
What does it mean to be Black and British?
As a white man, my own comments on this subject are secondary to Black voices. I think to be Black and British is to be rich: rich in culture and heritage, rich in resilience and adaptability, rich in community and rich in diversity. Increasingly and hopefully, I think it means to be rich in opportunity and rich in reality.
Who inspires you?
I’m inspired by lots of people, but my primary inspiration is Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Person of Colour. Jesus is a role model in that He treated outsiders with dignity and respect, in the way He stood up to oppressors and gave Himself up for the benefit of others.
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