The annual Black History observance serves as a mirror of the political moment, so in what ways can we modernize it?
It's Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a rethink. Over the years, an observance that started out as a commemorative event of heritage, traditions and links between international African diaspora communities, has developed a business-like atmosphere, broadening to incorporate functions where Black people are remunerated to talk to white audiences about “unconscious bias” and supportive partnership. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s generated a rise in the business of demonstrating racial awareness. But even that moment has passed. The wave has reached its height, producing a diluted aftermath of what raising awareness is for.
The Background of Black History Month
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with a week of celebration and reflection in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the US and Canada in February, but also in autumn in the Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany, Éire and the Holland.
The observance has developed since those days, placing less emphasis on the narratives of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and greater focus on prominent Black figures in government, the arts, and social movements, and widely honoring the impact Black people have made to mold society. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with lectures and artistic activities. But the manner the celebration is celebrated is a indication of the contemporary political context. How it evolves is a valuable example in how co-option leads to erosion: the restructuring of Black History Month has stymied the objective of it, which is to address systemic and institutional racism.
A Disconcerting Period
Few things illustrate how important it is to rethink Black History Month better than the current time in which it takes place this year. In the United Kingdom, a revitalized conservative movement in the shape of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the summer we observed the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in the history of Britain. the Conservative leader, the person of color at the helm of the Conservative party, is a staunch adversary of anti-racism activism, and we are in a place where a member of parliament gains confidence to say that “not seeing any white faces” in parts of a city is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, extreme conservative groups are growing in the European continent as a complete entity.
In the United States, a significant offensive against DEI and affirmative action has been carried, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the supreme judicial bodies of the country. A drive to erase Black history and narrative from the historical documents is ongoing. One of the former president's initial presidential directives focused on the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the renowned cultural organization, claiming they of a “concerted and widespread effort to alter the country's historical narrative” by depicting the United States “as naturally discriminatory”.
Against this backdrop, the observance symbolises how little it can be influential if it is restricted to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or stripped of political content commemorations of contributions in the past, rather than addressing the situation of the current era. It also shows how its short period means that it is detached from the more extensive continuous action that is needed. Denise Miller, a professor at a learning establishment, expressed it perfectly when she voiced worries about the temporary “tokenism” of the celebration. “The difficulty with embracing a superficial method”, she stated, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month becomes a transient display rather than a agent of progress.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a difficult task. There is a inclination to just do away with events including Black History Month entirely, believing they are inadequate for current needs, or are relics of an time that has not worked.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and tradition of campaigns for equality – community-based BLM initiatives, inclusion and equity efforts, and indeed, including corporate presentations – represent an infrastructure that a significant effort has gone into. It is there not just to decay as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, regresses), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month seem? Well, first, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is distributed throughout the annual calendar (as various establishments are already beginning to do), elements of its material (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into academic syllabi. It would also be a period that does not avoid politics, and allows opportunity for people, particularly youth, to share their anxieties and narratives. What purpose serves mere awareness of the bygone era when it fails to address the present reality of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the public spaces? Establishments who mark it should not be comforted with the neutral terminology of hidden discrimination and alertness to minor insults, but challenged by the dangers that face all if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. In short, Black History Month should be made contemporary, urgent, and reactive. It could be that an complete renaming is necessary – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
