This commemorative month acts as a gauge of the political moment, so what steps can we take to refresh it?
It's Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. As time has passed, an celebration that started out as a celebration and reminder of the past, cultural identity and bonds between global Black communities, has taken on a commercial tone, growing to encompass gatherings where individuals of African heritage are remunerated to speak with predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and active solidarity. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s created a surge in the industry of demonstrating racial awareness. However, that period has concluded. The surge has peaked, producing a diluted aftermath of what increasing understanding is for.
The Origins of Black History Observance
Initially celebrated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with a week of celebration and reflection in the middle of February. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States and Canada in the second month, but also in October in the Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The observance has developed since that time, giving reduced attention to the narratives of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and more on influential individuals of color in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and widely honoring the contribution Black people have made to mold society. It is in schools where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the method the month is commemorated is a reflection of the current political situation. How it evolves is a good lesson in how appropriation leads to weakening: the transformation of Black History Month has hindered the purpose of it, which is to address embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
Hardly anything shows how crucial it is to reconsider Black History Month more than the specific period in which it occurs this year. In the Britain, a revitalized conservative movement in the guise of the Reform organization is ahead in surveys. In the recent season we saw the biggest extreme right demonstration in the UK's past. a prominent political figure, the person of color at the helm of the Tory party, is a staunch adversary of anti-racism activism, and we are in a position where a member of parliament gains confidence to say that “not seeing any white faces” in specific city neighborhoods 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, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the state. A drive to erase the history of people of color and experience from the archives is ongoing. One of Donald Trump's early administrative commands focused on the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution, alleging that they of a organized and extensive campaign to alter the country's historical narrative” by representing the nation “as inherently racist”.
Given these circumstances, the observance represents how insufficiently it can be impactful if it is confined to either dutiful corporate observances, or depoliticized festivities of former accomplishments, rather than addressing the situation of the contemporary world. It also demonstrates how its restricted time span means that it is disconnected from the more extensive continuous action that is required. A university professor, a prof at a learning establishment, expressed it perfectly when she voiced worries about the temporary “tokenism” of the celebration. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she wrote, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month evolves into a transient display rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Figuring out how to adapt, revise and extend efforts for equal rights and acknowledgment in such times of discouragement and concern is a treacherous thing. There is a urge to just eliminate things like Black History Month entirely, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an period that has been ineffective.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and legacy of racial movements – local anti-racism groups, DEI programs, and yes, even those talks to businesses – represent an framework that a significant effort has been dedicated to. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, regresses), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month look like? Well, first, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is distributed across all seasons (as various establishments are already starting to implement), parts of its content (particularly around historic Black characters) incorporated into academic syllabi. It would also be a era that does not evade governmental matters, and provides room for citizens, particularly youth, to express their concerns and stories. What purpose serves mere awareness of the past when it doesn’t reckon with the present reality of far-right rallies in the street? Institutions who mark it should not be comforted with the passive language 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 current, critical, and responsive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is necessary – Black History is Now Month.
