Black History Month is a reflection of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an observance that was initiated as a commemorative event of heritage, traditions and links between global Black communities, has taken on a commercial tone, growing to encompass functions where individuals of African heritage are compensated to address white audiences about “unconscious bias” and supportive partnership. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s created a surge in the business of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The surge has peaked, producing a diluted aftermath of what raising awareness is for.
The History of Black History Observance
First commemorated in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of celebration and reflection in the second week of February. Black History Month grew out of this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the US and Canada in February, but also in autumn in the Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Holland.
The month has transformed since that time, focusing less on the accounts of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and greater focus on influential individuals of color in government, the arts, and social movements, and widely honoring the impact Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with talks and cultural events. But the manner the celebration is celebrated is a indication of the contemporary political context. How it progresses is a good lesson in how assimilation leads to weakening: the restructuring of Black History Month has hindered the point of it, which is to confront embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate how crucial it is to rethink Black History Month as much as the particular moment in which it occurs this year. In the Britain, a reemerging right-wing in the form of the Reform party is leading the polls. In the recent season we observed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. the Conservative leader, the African descendant in charge of the Conservative party, is a staunch adversary of the racial justice movement, and we are in a place where a member of parliament feels empowered to say that the absence of Caucasian individuals in certain urban areas is a source of worry. At the same time, extreme conservative groups are expanding in Europe as a complete entity.
In the America, a massive attack against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been taken, frequently with success, to the top legal institutions of the nation. A effort to scrub Black history and experience from the archives is ongoing. One of the former president's initial presidential directives focused on the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, accusing them of a “concerted and widespread effort to alter the country's historical narrative” by representing the nation “as inherently racist”.
In this context, the observance illustrates how insufficiently it can be effective if it is limited to either dutiful corporate observances, or politically neutered celebrations of former accomplishments, rather than confronting the situation of the contemporary world. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is separated from the wider consistent effort that is needed. An academic expert, a professor at a learning establishment, articulated it most accurately when she voiced worries about the temporary “tokenism” of the month. “The problem with embracing a superficial method”, she commented, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month evolves into a transient display rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Determining how to adapt, revise and extend efforts for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a treacherous thing. There is a temptation to just do away with events including Black History Month entirely, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are vestiges of an time that has been ineffective.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and tradition of racial movements – local anti-racism groups, inclusion and equity efforts, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an foundation that a significant effort has been dedicated to. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, regresses), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month appear as? Firstly, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed through the year (as various establishments are already beginning to do), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into school curriculums. It would also be a period that does not avoid politics, and leaves space for individuals, particularly youth, to share their anxieties and narratives. What value has mere awareness of the history when it ignores the contemporary truth of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the public spaces? Organizations who celebrate it should not be pacified with the neutral terminology of “unconscious bias” and awareness of “microaggressions”, but faced with the threats that face all if fight against prejudice is not treated with importance. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made contemporary, urgent, and adaptive. Perhaps an complete renaming is necessary – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.