The annual Black History observance serves as a mirror of the current political climate, so how do we revamp it?
It's Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. As time has passed, an celebration that was initiated as a celebration and reminder of heritage, traditions and links between Black populations worldwide, has adopted a commercial tone, expanding to include events where individuals of African heritage are remunerated to address predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and “allyship”. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests sparked an increase in the business of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has reached its height, producing a diluted aftermath of what raising awareness is for.
The Background of Black History Month
Initially celebrated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with seven days of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month grew out of this campaign and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the North America in February, but also in autumn in the United Kingdom, Deutschland, Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The month has developed since its inception, giving reduced attention to the narratives of colonial slavery and struggles for equality, and increasingly on notable African descendants in government, the arts, and social movements, and broadly celebrating the input Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with talks and cultural events. But the manner the observance is commemorated is a reflection of the contemporary political context. How it progresses is a good lesson in how assimilation leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has hindered the objective of it, which is to confront systemic and institutional racism.
A Troubling Time
Little demonstrates how important it is to reconsider Black History Month as much as the current time in which it occurs this year. In the UK, a revitalized conservative movement in the form of the Reform organization is leading the polls. In the summer we saw the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. the Conservative leader, the African descendant in charge of the Conservative party, is a firm opponent of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a place where a member of parliament gains confidence to say that “not seeing any white faces” in parts of a city is a cause for alarm. Meanwhile, ultra-nationalist movements are growing in Europe as a entirety.
In the United States, a significant offensive against DEI and affirmative action has been brought, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the supreme judicial bodies of the country. A effort to scrub African American heritage and narrative from the archives is under way. One of the political figure's early administrative commands targeted the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the prestigious establishment, accusing them of a organized and extensive campaign to alter the country's historical narrative” by depicting the United States “as inherently racist”.
Given these circumstances, the month illustrates how minimally it can be influential if it is restricted to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered celebrations of former accomplishments, rather than confronting the realities of the present. It also demonstrates how its limited duration means that it is separated from the wider consistent effort that is necessary. An academic expert, a professor at a learning establishment, articulated it most accurately when she voiced worries about the short-term symbolic gestures of the observance. “The issue with taking a tokenistic approach”, she commented, “is that it often means that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Determining how to alter, change and broaden actions for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a treacherous thing. There is a urge to just do away with events including Black History Month altogether, 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 complete comprehensive structure and heritage of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, inclusion and equity efforts, and certainly, even commercial engagements – form an framework that a significant effort has gone into. It is there not merely to decline as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, regresses), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month appear as? Firstly, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is distributed throughout the annual calendar (as some institutions are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a era that does not avoid governmental matters, and provides room for citizens, particularly youth, to share their anxieties and narratives. What value has mere awareness of the bygone era when it fails to address the contemporary truth of far-right rallies in the public spaces? Organizations who celebrate it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of implicit prejudice and alertness to “microaggressions”, but challenged by the threats that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not approached earnestly. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, pressing, and reactive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is required – Black History is Now Month.
