Black Mail Box Britain| Britain’s Royal Mail introduces black coloured mailboxes to commemorate Black History Month

The Royal Mail in the United Kingdom has come up with an innovative way to celebrate Black History Month. Four of their iconic red mailboxes in London, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast were painted black. On them, the history of one prominent figure from the UK’s black community was highlighted for the people to read about.

In London, the mailbox consisted of an artwork called ‘Queueing at the RA’ made by a British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare which shows a crowd of people lining up in front of the Royal Academy which is painted with a patch of African print.

Glasgow’s black mailbox featured an image of a black football player named Walter Tull. He was the first black player to be signed on by the Rangers team who was unfortunately killed in the First World War in 1918.

In the Welsh city of Cardiff, a nurse and businesswoman named Mary Seacole was honoured with her image on the special mailbox. She was known for nursing the wounded British soldier during the Crimean War and had made a place for them to recover well enough, which is known as the British Hotel.

Belfast’s mailbox had a photo of a black comedian named Sir Lenny Henry. He was not only a stand-up comedian but was also an actor and a singer as well. He was the co-founder of the famous British charity organization Comic Relief as well.

Originated in the USA, Black History Month commemorates the contribution as well as the struggles of the community that they had to face due to the color of their skin. It came into the United Kingdom in 1987.

For the past many years, the black community has been standing up against the white supremacy that they have to face in the form of police brutality and other kinds of prejudices. ‘Black Lives Matter’ has become a movement that has rallied people together to fight for their people.

Speaking to the British news agency The Metro, the Royal Mail’s head of diversity and inclusion, Peter De Norville called this a great opportunity  to “celebrate the vital work our black employees do throughout the nation, from the mailbox to the meeting room.”

Many people took to Twitter to laud the gesture. “Well done guys! A very imaginative idea to celebrate black history month. Your support is much appreciated,” one user said.

Another one stated that this is a good way for young children to know more about the black community and their contribution to the country.

However, there were some disgruntled responses as well. Some felt that this was not the kind of ‘representation’ the community wants. Adding to it, some called it completely unnecessary and felt that it will not bring about the equality the community asks for.

All in all, there were mixed responses to this gesture. Only time will tell how will this be seen as an accurate way to commemorate the community.