This commemorative 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 feels like it’s time for a reassessment. Over the years, an celebration that started out as a celebration and reminder of history, culture and the connections between Black populations worldwide, has developed a commercial tone, growing to encompass functions where Black people are paid to address white audiences about implicit prejudice and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the industry of demonstrating racial awareness. But even that moment has passed. The surge has peaked, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what raising awareness is for.
The Background 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 historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with a week of remembrance and recognition in the middle of February. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was publicly established in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States and Canada in February, but also in the tenth month in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the Holland.
The observance has transformed since its inception, placing less emphasis on the narratives of colonial slavery and civil rights battles, and increasingly on influential individuals of color in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the impact Black people have made to shape the country. It is in schools where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with lectures and artistic activities. But the method the observance is observed is a reflection of the political moment. How it progresses is a valuable example in how assimilation leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to tackle structural and organizational discrimination.
A Disconcerting Period
Few things illustrate how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month more than the specific period in which it takes place this year. In the Britain, a reemerging right-wing in the guise of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the recent season we observed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. a prominent political figure, the African descendant in charge of the Tory party, is a strong critic of the racial justice movement, and we are in a situation where a member of parliament feels emboldened to state that “not seeing any white faces” in parts of a city is a source of worry. Meanwhile, extreme conservative groups are surging in Europe as a complete entity.
In the America, a massive attack against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been carried, frequently with success, to the top legal institutions of the nation. A effort to scrub African American heritage and experience from the historical documents is under way. One of the former president's initial presidential directives focused on the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution, alleging that they of a “concerted and widespread effort to change the national past” by portraying America “as inherently racist”.
Against this backdrop, the month illustrates how minimally it can be influential if it is confined to either dutiful corporate observances, or stripped of political content commemorations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the conditions of the contemporary world. It also shows how its limited duration means that it is disconnected from the more extensive continuous action that is necessary. A university professor, a professor at an educational institution, put it best when she expressed apprehension about the temporary “tokenism” of the month. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she commented, “is that it often means that Black History Month evolves into a fleeting performance rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Figuring out how to alter, change and broaden efforts for racial equality and recognition in such moments of dejection and worry is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just discontinue things like Black History Month completely, thinking they are inadequate for current needs, or are remnants of an period that has failed to deliver.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and legacy of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, DEI programs, and certainly, even commercial engagements – represent an infrastructure that a significant effort has been invested in. It is there not just to decay as the situation evolves (and in fact, regresses), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month appear as? Firstly, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out throughout the annual calendar (as some institutions are already commencing), elements of its material (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a period that does not avoid political issues, and leaves space for individuals, particularly young people, to air their fears and experiences. What purpose serves simple recognition of the bygone era when it ignores the current situation of far-right rallies in the public spaces? Organizations who observe it should not be comforted with the neutral terminology of “unconscious bias” and alertness to subtle slights, but challenged by the risks that face all if opposition to discrimination is not treated with importance. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, urgent, and responsive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is in order – Contemporary Black History Month.
