Black History Month acts as a gauge of the current political climate, so how do we revamp it?
This is Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. Over the years, an observance that started out as a celebration and reminder of heritage, traditions and links between global Black communities, has adopted a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass functions where individuals of African heritage are paid to talk to Caucasian groups about hidden biases and “allyship”. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s created a surge in the enterprise of showcasing anti-racist commitment. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has peaked, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what increasing understanding is for.
The Background of Black History Observance
Initially celebrated in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with seven days of remembrance and recognition in the middle of February. Black History Month grew out of this initiative and was officially launched in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the North America in February, but also in the tenth month in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The month has developed since those days, focusing less on the histories of transatlantic enslavement and struggles for equality, and more on influential individuals of color in government, the arts, and social movements, 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 lectures and artistic activities. But the manner the celebration is celebrated is a manifestation of the political moment. How it evolves is a good lesson in how co-option leads to weakening: the transformation of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to confront systemic and institutional racism.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate how critical it is to reevaluate Black History Month better than the particular moment in which it falls this year. In the UK, a reemerging right-wing in the guise of the Reform organization is ahead in surveys. In the summer we saw the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in the history of Britain. a prominent political figure, the person of color at the helm of the Conservative party, is a strong critic of the racial justice movement, and we are in a position where a elected representative feels emboldened to declare that “not seeing any white faces” in parts of a city is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, far-right parties are surging in Europe as a whole.
In the US, a colossal assault against DEI and affirmative action has been brought, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the highest courts of the nation. A drive to scrub Black history and narrative from the records is in progress. One of the political figure's early administrative commands focused on the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution, accusing them of a coordinated and broad attempt to alter the country's historical narrative” by portraying America “as naturally discriminatory”.
Against this backdrop, the month represents how little it can be impactful if it is limited to either obligatory business commemorations, or depoliticized celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the realities of the contemporary world. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is detached from the more extensive continuous action that is required. A university professor, a educator at an educational institution, expressed it perfectly when she expressed apprehension about the short-term symbolic gestures of the month. “The difficulty with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it often means that Black History Month evolves into a transient display rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Establishing how to alter, change and broaden actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a treacherous thing. There is a inclination to just eliminate things like Black History Month altogether, thinking they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an time that has failed to deliver.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and legacy of campaigns for equality – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, DEI programs, and certainly, even commercial engagements – represent an infrastructure that a lot of work has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, declines), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month look like? Firstly, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is dispersed throughout the annual calendar (as some institutions are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into school curriculums. It would also be a period that does not shy away from governmental matters, and allows opportunity for people, particularly the younger generation, to air their fears and experiences. What use is basic knowledge of the bygone era when it ignores the current situation of far-right rallies in the urban areas? Establishments who celebrate it should not be reassured with the passive language of “unconscious bias” and sensitivity to subtle slights, but confronted with the dangers that affect everyone if opposition to discrimination is not approached earnestly. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, pressing, and adaptive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is required – Contemporary Black History Month.
