Black History Month acts as a gauge of the current political climate, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the UK, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. Throughout its history, an observance that began as a commemorative event of heritage, traditions and links between international African diaspora communities, has taken on a business-like atmosphere, expanding to include events where African descendants are compensated to speak with predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and active solidarity. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s sparked an increase in the business of demonstrating racial awareness. However, that period has concluded. The surge has reached its height, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins of Black History Observance
Initially celebrated in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with a week of remembrance and recognition in the middle of February. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States and Canada in the second month, but also in autumn in the UK, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
The month has developed since that time, giving reduced attention to the histories of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and increasingly on prominent Black figures in politics, culture, and activism, and widely honoring the input Black people have made to mold society. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the observance is celebrated is a indication of the contemporary political context. How it develops is a valuable example in how co-option leads to dismantling: the restructuring of Black History Month has impeded the purpose of it, which is to tackle embedded and established prejudice.
A Disconcerting Period
Little demonstrates how important it is to reconsider Black History Month as much as the current time in which it takes place this year. In the United Kingdom, a reemerging right-wing in the guise of the Reform party is leading the polls. In the warmer months we observed the biggest extreme right demonstration in the history of Britain. the Conservative leader, the African descendant in charge of the right-wing political group, is a staunch adversary of anti-racism activism, and we are in a situation where a elected representative gains confidence to state that “not seeing any white faces” in specific city neighborhoods is a cause for alarm. Simultaneously, far-right parties are growing in Europe as a complete entity.
In the US, a massive attack against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been taken, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the highest courts of the state. A effort to erase the history of people of color and narrative from the historical documents is in progress. One of the political figure's initial presidential directives targeted the museum of African American legacy, and the prestigious establishment, accusing them of a “concerted and widespread effort to change the national past” by representing the nation “as naturally discriminatory”.
In this context, the observance symbolises how insufficiently it can be effective if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or depoliticized celebrations of historical achievements, rather than confronting the realities of the present. It also shows how its limited duration means that it is disconnected from the broader ongoing work that is needed. Denise Miller, a professor at a learning establishment, put it best when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the celebration. “The difficulty with taking a tokenistic approach”, she stated, “is that it often means that Black History Month turns into a fleeting performance rather than a agent of progress.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand efforts for equal rights and acknowledgment in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a inclination to just do away with events including Black History Month entirely, thinking they are simply not fit for purpose, or are remnants of an time that has not worked.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and heritage of campaigns for equality – local anti-racism groups, DEI programs, and indeed, including corporate presentations – represent an infrastructure that a significant effort has been dedicated to. It is there not just to decay as the situation evolves (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month look like? Well, first, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is spread out through the year (as certain organizations are already commencing), parts of its content (particularly around notable African descendants) included in educational programs. It would also be a time that does not avoid governmental matters, and provides room for people, particularly the younger generation, to share their anxieties and narratives. What purpose serves basic knowledge of the bygone era when it fails to address the contemporary truth of far-right rallies in the urban areas? Organizations who mark it should not be pacified with the passive language of implicit prejudice and alertness to “microaggressions”, but confronted with the dangers that face all if opposition to discrimination is not treated with importance. To summarize, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, urgent, and adaptive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is in order – Contemporary Black History Month.
