Black History Month acts as a gauge of the political moment, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it feels like it’s time for a rethink. As time has passed, an event that was initiated as a festivity and recollection of history, culture and the connections between Black populations worldwide, has adopted a corporate feel, broadening to incorporate events where African descendants are compensated to speak with Caucasian groups about implicit prejudice and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade generated a rise in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. However, that period has concluded. The surge has peaked, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Origins 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 historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with a week of celebration and reflection in the second week of February. Black History Month evolved from this initiative and was publicly established in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the US and Canada in the second month, but also in the tenth month in the Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the Holland.
The observance has developed since its inception, placing less emphasis on the accounts of colonial slavery and fights for racial justice, and greater focus on influential individuals of color in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in schools where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the month is commemorated is a reflection of the political moment. How it develops is a good lesson in how appropriation leads to weakening: the restructuring of Black History Month has stymied the objective of it, which is to address structural and organizational discrimination.
A Disconcerting Period
Hardly anything shows how crucial 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 guise of the Reform organization is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we witnessed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. the Conservative leader, the African descendant in charge of the Conservative party, is a staunch adversary of the racial justice movement, and we are in a position where a member of parliament feels empowered to declare that a lack of white people in certain urban areas is a source of worry. Simultaneously, extreme conservative groups are expanding in the EU as a whole.
In the United States, a colossal assault against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been taken, often successfully, to the supreme judicial bodies of the state. A campaign to erase African American heritage and narrative from the records is under way. One of the former president's initial presidential directives aimed at the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, accusing them of a coordinated and broad attempt to change the national past” by depicting the United States “as naturally discriminatory”.
Against this backdrop, the celebration illustrates how insufficiently it can be impactful if it is limited to either dutiful corporate observances, or politically neutered celebrations of historical achievements, rather than challenging the conditions of the present. It also reveals how its short period means that it is disconnected from the broader ongoing work that is required. Denise Miller, a professor at University of Greenwich, articulated it most accurately when she raised concerns about the fleeting superficial actions of the month. “The issue with embracing a superficial method”, she stated, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month turns into a brief show rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Figuring out how to adapt, revise and extend initiatives for equal rights and acknowledgment in such moments of dejection and worry is a challenging endeavor. There is a urge to just eliminate events including Black History Month altogether, thinking they are no longer suitable, or are relics of an time that has been ineffective.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and legacy of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, DEI programs, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an framework that a lot of work has gone into. It is there not just to decay as the situation evolves (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month look like? Firstly, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is dispersed across all seasons (as certain organizations are already commencing), elements of its material (particularly around prominent figures of color) incorporated into academic syllabi. It would also be a time that does not avoid politics, and allows opportunity for citizens, particularly young people, to share their anxieties and narratives. What value has mere awareness of the bygone era when it doesn’t reckon with the current situation of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the urban areas? Establishments who mark it should not be pacified with the non-confrontational words of “unconscious bias” and alertness to subtle slights, but faced with the dangers that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not approached earnestly. To summarize, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, critical, and adaptive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is required – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
