Black History Month acts as a gauge of the political moment, so what steps can we take to refresh it?
This is Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. As time has passed, an event that began as a festivity and recollection of the past, cultural identity and bonds between global Black communities, has developed a corporate feel, broadening to incorporate events where individuals of African heritage are compensated to speak with white audiences about “unconscious bias” and “allyship”. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the industry of showcasing anti-racist commitment. Yet, that phase is now over. The tide has crested, producing a diluted aftermath of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Origins of Black History Observance
Originally observed in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with seven days of celebration and reflection in the middle of February. Black History Month developed from this campaign and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the North America in winter, but also in the tenth month in the Britain, Deutschland, Éire and the Netherlands.
The observance has evolved since its inception, giving reduced attention to the histories of colonial slavery and fights for racial justice, and more on influential individuals of color in government, the arts, and social movements, and widely honoring the input Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with talks and cultural events. But the way the celebration is observed is a manifestation of the current political situation. How it develops is a instructive case in how co-option leads to erosion: the restructuring of Black History Month has impeded the point of it, which is to tackle systemic and institutional racism.
A Jarring Moment
Hardly anything shows how crucial it is to rethink Black History Month as much as the current time in which it falls this year. In the United Kingdom, a reemerging right-wing in the form of the Reform political group is leading the polls. In the warmer months we saw the biggest extreme right demonstration in the history of Britain. a prominent political figure, the person of color at the helm of the right-wing political group, is a firm opponent of the racial justice movement, and we are in a position where a member of parliament feels empowered to state that “not seeing any white faces” in parts of a city is a source of worry. Simultaneously, extreme conservative groups are surging in Europe as a complete entity.
In the America, a colossal assault against DEI and affirmative action has been brought, frequently with success, to the highest courts of the state. A effort to remove the history of people of color and legacy from the archives is in progress. One of the former president's initial presidential directives aimed at the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that they of a “concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation’s history” by representing the nation “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
In this context, the month symbolises how insufficiently it can be impactful if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered commemorations of contributions in the past, rather than confronting the situation of the contemporary world. It also demonstrates how its limited duration means that it is separated from the more extensive continuous action that is needed. A university professor, a educator at University of Greenwich, articulated it most accurately when she expressed apprehension about the temporary “tokenism” of the observance. “The issue with taking a tokenistic approach”, she commented, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Determining how to alter, change and broaden initiatives for equal rights and acknowledgment in such moments of dejection and worry is a difficult task. There is a urge to just do away with things like Black History Month entirely, thinking they are inadequate for current needs, or are relics of an era that has not worked.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and legacy of campaigns for equality – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and certainly, even commercial engagements – form an infrastructure that a significant effort has been invested in. It is there not just to decay as the politics moves on (and in fact, regresses), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month look like? To begin with, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is spread out through the year (as various establishments are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into academic syllabi. It would also be a era that does not shy away from governmental matters, and leaves space for individuals, particularly young people, to express their concerns and stories. What use is simple recognition of the past when it ignores the current situation of far-right rallies in the street? Organizations who observe it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of “unconscious bias” and sensitivity to minor insults, but faced with the threats that impact society if fight against prejudice is not approached earnestly. To summarize, Black History Month should be made current, pressing, and adaptive. It could be that an complete renaming is required – Contemporary Black History Month.
