​Edge Of Tomorrow: Is Society Going Backwards? 

​Rewinding Black History (Month) with Kaia Allen-Bevan, Racial Justice Advocate and Director at Edge Of Difference

​October 22nd, 6:30 PM - 8 PM, Online (Google Meet)

​Workshop Summary

​This interactive workshop, “Edge Of Tomorrow: Is Society Going Backwards?” invites participants to critically explore how society engages with Black history and culture today. Despite decades of progress, rising racism, erasure of contributions, and backlash against racial equity efforts suggest that humanity may be regressing in its recognition of Black communities. 

​Through discussion, reflection, and interactive exercises, participants will question whether society is moving forward or backwards, and what role each of us can play in resisting regression and creating meaningful change. We can explore how to hold onto radical hope and implement the lessons learned from Black activists, leaders, academics, scholars, and organisers. 

​Part One: The Backlash Against Progress

• ​The current rise of anti-immigrant rhetoric, denial of systemic racism, and political resistance to diversity initiatives.
  Debate: “Is society actually going backwards, or just exposing what was always there?”

• ​How systemic racism omits or distorts Black history in education, media, and politics.

​Part Two: Rewinding the Tape – Then vs. Now

• ​Compare progress made during key moments of Black liberation movements (civil rights era, UK Black Power, Windrush generation) to current struggles.

• ​Are we celebrating Black History Month meaningfully, or reducing it to symbolism?

• ​Interactive: Timeline activity where participants place historical milestones alongside modern events (e.g., Windrush arrivals vs. Windrush scandal).

​Part Three: Reframing Black Futures

• ​Moving beyond survival and visibility toward thriving, leadership, and structural change.

• ​Explore how to hold onto radical hope and implement the lessons learned from Black activists, leaders, academics, scholars, and organisers.