Black History Month is a reflection of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
It's Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it seems it’s time for a re-evaluation. Throughout its history, an observance that began as a commemorative event of heritage, traditions and links between international African diaspora communities, has taken on a corporate feel, broadening to incorporate gatherings where African descendants are compensated to speak with Caucasian groups about implicit prejudice and “allyship”. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the business of showcasing anti-racist commitment. But even that moment has passed. The surge has peaked, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what promoting consciousness is for.
The History of Black History Observance
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of commemoration and observance in the February's second week. Black History Month grew out of this campaign and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the North America in the second month, but also in October in the Britain, Germany, Ireland and the Holland.
The period has transformed since its inception, placing less emphasis on the accounts of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and greater focus on notable African descendants in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and extensively acknowledging the impact Black people have made to mold society. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the way the month is commemorated is a reflection of the political moment. How it evolves is a good lesson in how assimilation leads to weakening: the transformation of Black History Month has hindered the point of it, which is to tackle structural and organizational discrimination.
A Jarring Moment
Few things illustrate how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month better than the particular moment in which it occurs this year. In the United Kingdom, a reemerging right-wing in the guise of the Reform political group is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we witnessed the biggest extreme right demonstration in the history of Britain. the Conservative leader, the Black leader of the right-wing political group, is a strong critic of the racial justice movement, and we are in a situation where a legislator feels empowered to say that the absence of Caucasian individuals in specific city neighborhoods is a source of worry. Meanwhile, extreme conservative groups are expanding in the EU as a whole.
In the US, a significant offensive against DEI and affirmative action has been carried, often successfully, to the highest courts of the country. A effort to erase the history of people of color and narrative from the records is under way. One of the political figure's first executive orders targeted the museum of African American legacy, and the Smithsonian Institution, claiming they of a “concerted and widespread effort to alter the country's historical narrative” by representing the nation “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Against this backdrop, the observance symbolises how insufficiently it can be effective if it is restricted to either dutiful corporate observances, or stripped of political content festivities of former accomplishments, rather than challenging the conditions of the contemporary world. It also shows how its limited duration means that it is detached from the more extensive continuous action that is necessary. Denise Miller, a prof at a learning establishment, put it best when she expressed apprehension about the short-term symbolic gestures of the month. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month turns into a transient display rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Establishing how to alter, change and broaden initiatives for fair treatment and appreciation in such moments of dejection and worry is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just discontinue things like Black History Month altogether, assuming they are no longer suitable, or are vestiges of an period that has not worked.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and legacy of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – form an infrastructure that a significant effort has been invested in. It is there not merely to decline as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month look like? Firstly, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed throughout the annual calendar (as some institutions are already starting to implement), elements of its material (particularly around notable African descendants) integrated into academic syllabi. It would also be a time that does not shy away from political issues, and leaves space for citizens, particularly young people, to air their fears and experiences. What value has mere awareness of the bygone era when it ignores the contemporary truth of extreme conservative demonstrations in the street? Organizations who mark it should not be pacified with the non-confrontational words of “unconscious bias” and awareness of subtle slights, 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, pressing, and responsive. Perhaps an total re-identification is in order – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
