Some of the Premier League's top players have opened up to Sky Sports News about what Black History Month means to them.
Black History Month was first recognised by the United States government in 1976. UK Black History Month runs throughout October and is an annual celebration of excellence across the Black community, highlighting the contribution of inspirational figures who have helped shape our culture.
England full-back Kyle Walker says Black history is something that needs to be celebrated on a daily basis - and not just for a single month during the year.
"Black History Month, it's important, but do I think that it should be just one month of the year? No, I don't," the three-time Premier League title winner tells Sky Sports News.
"I think it should be every single day of every single month. But that's not just for Black History Month or White history or Asian history. We should all just celebrate, you know, just living and enjoying life."
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba sees Black History Month as a time for people from all backgrounds to celebrate, come together and enjoy themselves.
He says: "I think there shouldn't be a Black History Month, I think it every month should be a humanity month for everyone. That would be nice for everyone. You could invite everyone, your friends from different countries and we all eat together. That could be a nice idea."
As the fight against racial injustice in football and wider society continues, England and Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips points to the importance of learning during Black History Month about those who have paved the way for others to thrive.
"I think it is important because you get to look back on different stories, you get to remember people who have done different things," he says.
"It's a major thing for me, because I've been through some things in my life - I'm going through a thing in the world right now where there are not some very good things happening.
"And it has been important for me to remember where you come from and know who it is that has helped us to get to where we are at now."
For Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Black History Month is about learning about role models and becoming a better one in his own right.
The England international hopes his success on the pitch can offer Black children hope and belief that they can achieve and accomplish anything they want in life.
He says: "For me as a kid, having role models of colour, and then becoming probably, you know, a role model myself today - which is still strange for me - I think it (Black History Month) is massively important.
"It's important because when you see someone that looks like you, that perhaps might come from somewhere that you've come from achieving great things - then there's no question of, well, I can't do that because I'm Black, you know, because he's already done it.
"I suppose that's what I was brought up on [in terms of thinking]. Regardless, of skin colour. it was, you know, if he can do it, then you can do it. In terms of role models, it is massively important."
Manchester City right-back Walker also tries to embrace his status as a role model in the game, and says he is driven by his desire to prove silence his critics.
"It's always good to inspire, and me being where I'm from and what I have had to do deal with, on and off-field, I think that's only made me stronger," he explains.
"I think if you set your heart out to go and get something and go and achieve something, like nothing is impossible. I can assure you that there are people who wrote me off so many times - it gives me the drive to bounce back and make sure that I go and prove them wrong."
When it comes to role models, there are few better than trailblazing 73-cap former Nigeria midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha, who is Everton forward Alex Iwobi's uncle.
Asked who his Black sporting icon is, Iwobi told Sky Sports News: "My uncle, Jay-Jay Okocha. Even to this day, he is messaging me. He's playing a huge part [in my continued development].
"For me, it would be my uncle. He told me about the times when he played in Germany [during spells at Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Neunkirchen in the Nineties]. I would say my uncle, Jay-Jay Okocha."
Black History Month
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Lanceilmuy
0
They will said it but hardly to do it all the time racism against Black's shameful
Hebamnsz
0
I’ll never forget nor forgive you for the atrocities you committed against my ancestors,, I hate every single European country who benefited from slavery,, I corse the thrones of the kings and Queens of Europe from London to Dublin, Glasgow, Naples, Venice, Rome, Cartagena Madrid Berlin Marseille Vienna down to Florence, all your descendants will suffer for the sins you committed against my ancestors,, fucking racist
G-debruyne
0
I’ll never forget nor forgive you for the atrocities you did to my ancestors,, I hate single European country benefited from slavery,, I corse the throne of the Queens and kings of Europe,, from London to Dublin to Glasgow to Naples to Venice to Rome to Cartagena to Madrid to Berlin marseille Vienna,, all your descendants shall suffer because of what you did to Africa,, fucking racists
come down mate.
OzoneFreedom
0
Respect to BLACK POWER, WE ALL LOVE YOU
x-bae
1
when is white history month??
Raedksy
0
Support all the players who support all races the only way to change the worlds mind set.
Peucosu
0
There should not be something like black history month, I never see white history month or Asian. people are becoming with something that doesn't make any sense these days.
Zuubcnoy
1
There shouldn't be anything like a black history month,that's racism,,,humanity history is the only one that should be embraced all over the world
Black history month is a month to celebrate the achievements of black people in America and it has spread to the rest of the world. Given how black people’s achievements and inventions were overlooked from the slavery days to the Jim Crow era, it’s only fitting that there is a black history month although it should be more than just 1 month, however it’s a decent start nonetheless.
kimckstz
0
There shouldn't be anything like a black history month,that's racism,,,humanity history is the only one that should be embraced all over the world
TheRealCR7
2
Before you say gibberish like some of the comments here goan do your research on BHM black history month and stop getting offended smh 😤
Hebamnsz
2
I’ll never forget nor forgive you for the atrocities you did to my ancestors,, I hate single European country benefited from slavery,, I corse the throne of the Queens and kings of Europe,, from London to Dublin to Glasgow to Naples to Venice to Rome to Cartagena to Madrid to Berlin marseille Vienna,, all your descendants shall suffer because of what you did to Africa,, fucking racists
rehaekorty
1
blacks if you like ur roots so much plse return to ur homeland mama Africa and make it a better place to live. blacks don't runaway from Africa in your quest of money and easy life.
Jey_R
0
no wonder why blacks don't like to be called blacks and call others white.
mzeereal
1
EPL has been a great league with black players making huge impact
Cusbelmry
2
It means we are HUMAN
kg-4991
2
Biggest comedy is there exists racism among Racism. People don't care about the religious and linguistic Racism (which is the one that actually lies with deeper roots) over primitive color based racism. F@ck BLACK, WHITE, BROWN, BLUE OR ANYTHING. This is like children complaining and crying some boy poked him while just outside the window somebody murdered cold blooded. This app itself is a platform for Homophobic racism which the @afy doesn't care a thing. At the end, the only people who are involved in these issues are the ones who crave popularity. Like STERLING. He calls out against racism while RASHFORD fights to feed children of all races alike. All I can see with Sterling is popularity crave. While RASHFORD is fighting both poverty and Racism without actually being attention centric. If you people who call yourselves BLACK feels you are being violated. (In US there was color discrimination in the past. Now the discrimination is extremely focused on wealth). The real racism is not in using verbal words. But much much more you can ever fathom. Go to Afghanistan, Go to Pakistan, Come to my nation India. I will show you what is actual racism.
kg-4991
3
The very thing that a BLACK HISTORY MONTH exist shows how deep racism exist in the world.
PK2021
1
EPL and racism are two sides of the same coin. It'll never end. Never.
emabkr42
2
lol