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 appears it’s time for a re-evaluation. Throughout its history, an observance that started out as a celebration and reminder of the past, cultural identity and bonds between global Black communities, has adopted a corporate feel, expanding to include functions where individuals of African heritage are compensated to speak with Caucasian groups about “unconscious bias” and supportive partnership. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests sparked an increase in the business of displaying cultural sensitivity. However, that period has concluded. The tide has reached its height, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what increasing understanding is for.
The History of Black History Observance
Initially celebrated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month developed from this campaign and was publicly established in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the North America in winter, but also in autumn in the Britain, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
The period has transformed since its inception, giving reduced attention to the histories of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and more on influential individuals of color in politics, culture, and activism, and widely honoring the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the method the celebration is celebrated is a manifestation of the political moment. How it evolves is a good lesson in how appropriation leads to erosion: the restructuring of Black History Month has stymied the point of it, which is to address systemic and institutional racism.
A Disconcerting Period
Few things illustrate how crucial it is to rethink Black History Month more than the current time in which it occurs this year. In the United Kingdom, a resurgent right in the shape of the Reform political group is top in opinion ratings. In the recent season we observed the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in British history. a prominent political figure, the African descendant in charge of the Tory party, is a firm opponent of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a situation where a member of parliament feels empowered to say that “not seeing any white faces” in certain urban areas is a reason for concern. At the same time, extreme conservative groups are surging in the European continent 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 top legal institutions of the nation. A campaign to scrub African American heritage and experience from the archives is under way. One of the former president's early administrative commands targeted the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the Smithsonian Institution, claiming they of a “concerted and widespread effort to alter the country's historical narrative” by representing the nation “as inherently racist”.
In this context, the celebration illustrates how minimally it can be impactful if it is limited to either dutiful corporate observances, or politically neutered commemorations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the conditions of the current era. It also shows how its restricted time span means that it is detached from the wider consistent effort that is needed. An academic expert, a professor at a learning establishment, articulated it most accurately when she raised concerns about the fleeting superficial actions of the celebration. “The difficulty with taking a tokenistic approach”, she commented, “is that it often means that Black History Month becomes a brief show rather than a catalyst for change.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Establishing how to adapt, revise and extend initiatives for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just eliminate observances such as Black History Month altogether, believing they are inadequate for current needs, or are relics of an period that has failed to deliver.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and tradition of activism for racial justice – community-based BLM initiatives, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – form an framework that a lot of work has been invested in. It is there not merely to decline as the politics moves on (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month seem? Firstly, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is dispersed across all seasons (as certain organizations are already starting to implement), parts of its content (particularly around prominent figures of color) included in educational programs. It would also be a period that does not evade politics, and leaves space for citizens, particularly youth, to share their anxieties and narratives. What purpose serves basic knowledge of the history when it ignores the current situation of far-right rallies in the street? Establishments who celebrate it should not be comforted with the neutral terminology of implicit prejudice and alertness to minor insults, but confronted with the dangers that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, pressing, and reactive. Maybe an total re-identification is required – Black History is Now Month.
