The annual Black History observance serves as a mirror of the current political climate, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a rethink. Over the years, an observance that began as a commemorative event of the past, cultural identity and bonds between Black populations worldwide, has taken on a business-like atmosphere, broadening to incorporate gatherings where individuals of African heritage are remunerated to talk to Caucasian groups about hidden biases and active solidarity. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests generated a rise in the industry of demonstrating racial awareness. But even that moment has passed. The tide has peaked, producing a diluted aftermath of what increasing understanding is for.
The Background of Black History Month
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was publicly established in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the North America in February, but also in autumn in the United Kingdom, Deutschland, the Republic of Ireland and the Holland.
The month has developed since those days, focusing less on the accounts of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and increasingly on prominent Black figures in government, the arts, and social movements, and widely honoring the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in schools where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with lectures and artistic activities. But the way the celebration is celebrated is a manifestation of the political moment. How it progresses is a good lesson in how appropriation leads to dismantling: the reshaping of Black History Month has hindered the objective of it, which is to address structural and organizational discrimination.
A Disconcerting Period
Little demonstrates how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month better than the particular moment in which it takes place this year. In the UK, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform political group is ahead in surveys. In the recent season we saw the biggest extreme right demonstration in the UK's past. Kemi Badenoch, the African descendant in charge of the Tory party, is a staunch adversary of anti-racism activism, and we are in a situation where a member of parliament gains confidence to state that a lack of white people in parts of a city is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in the EU as a complete entity.
In the United States, a significant offensive against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been carried, frequently with success, to the supreme judicial bodies of the state. A campaign to erase African American heritage and narrative from the historical documents is under way. One of the political figure's early administrative commands aimed at the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, alleging that they of a organized and extensive campaign to rewrite our Nation’s history” by depicting the United States “as naturally discriminatory”.
In this context, the month symbolises how minimally it can be impactful if it is confined to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or stripped of political content festivities of historical achievements, rather than challenging the conditions of the contemporary world. It also reveals how its restricted time span means that it is disconnected from the wider consistent effort that is needed. An academic expert, a prof at University of Greenwich, put it best when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the month. “The problem with taking a tokenistic approach”, she wrote, “is that it often means that Black History Month evolves into a transient display rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Determining how to alter, change and broaden initiatives for racial equality and recognition in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a challenging endeavor. There is a urge to just discontinue observances such as Black History Month completely, believing they are no longer suitable, or are remnants of an time that has not worked.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and heritage of campaigns for equality – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – constitute an infrastructure that a significant effort has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, declines), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month appear as? Firstly, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is dispersed through the year (as certain organizations are already beginning to do), elements of its material (particularly around historic Black characters) incorporated into academic syllabi. It would also be a time that does not avoid political issues, and allows opportunity for citizens, particularly youth, to express their concerns and stories. What value has basic knowledge of the bygone era when it ignores the present reality of far-right rallies in the public spaces? Organizations who mark it should not be comforted with the neutral terminology of hidden discrimination and sensitivity to “microaggressions”, but challenged by the dangers that impact society if anti-racism is not treated with importance. In short, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, urgent, and reactive. Perhaps an total re-identification is required – Black History is Now Month.
