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 UK, and it feels like it’s time for a rethink. Throughout its history, an celebration that started out as a festivity and recollection of history, culture and the connections between Black populations worldwide, has taken on a commercial tone, expanding to include gatherings where Black people are remunerated to address Caucasian groups about “unconscious bias” and active solidarity. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. But even that moment has passed. The surge has reached its height, producing a diluted aftermath of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins of Black History Celebration
First commemorated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was established in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of remembrance and recognition in the middle of February. Black History Month developed from 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 UK, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
The month has evolved since its inception, giving reduced attention to the histories of colonial slavery and struggles for equality, and greater focus on influential individuals of color in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and broadly celebrating the input Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with talks and cultural events. But the method the observance is observed is a reflection of the political moment. How it evolves is a valuable example in how appropriation leads to dismantling: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the objective of it, which is to address systemic and institutional racism.
A Troubling Time
Little demonstrates how important it is to reevaluate Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it falls this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the shape of the Reform organization is leading the polls. In the summer we saw the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in the history of Britain. Kemi Badenoch, the Black leader of the right-wing political group, is a staunch adversary of the racial justice movement, and we are in a position where a elected representative gains confidence to say that “not seeing any white faces” in certain urban areas is a cause for alarm. Meanwhile, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in the EU as a complete entity.
In the US, a colossal assault against DEI and affirmative action has been taken, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the highest courts of the country. A effort to erase the history of people of color and narrative from the archives is under way. One of the political figure's early administrative commands focused on the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the renowned cultural organization, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to rewrite our Nation’s history” by portraying America “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Given these circumstances, the observance represents how little it can be influential if it is restricted to either obligatory business commemorations, or depoliticized celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than addressing the situation of the contemporary world. It also shows how its restricted time span means that it is disconnected from the broader ongoing work that is necessary. A university professor, a educator at an educational institution, articulated it most accurately when she raised concerns about the fleeting superficial actions of the celebration. “The issue with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month turns into a brief show rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Figuring out how to adapt, revise and extend initiatives 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 observances such as Black History Month completely, assuming they are no longer suitable, or are vestiges of an period that has been ineffective.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and tradition of activism for racial justice – community-based BLM initiatives, inclusion and equity efforts, and indeed, including corporate presentations – represent an framework that a lot of work has gone into. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month appear as? Firstly, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is distributed throughout the annual calendar (as some institutions are already starting to implement), elements of its material (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a time that does not evade governmental matters, and allows opportunity for people, particularly the younger generation, to express their concerns and stories. What use is mere awareness of the bygone era when it ignores the present reality of extreme conservative demonstrations in the public spaces? Organizations who observe it should not be reassured with the passive language of hidden discrimination and sensitivity to minor insults, but faced with the risks that impact society if opposition to discrimination is not treated with importance. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, critical, and reactive. Maybe an complete renaming is required – Black History is Now Month.
