The annual Black History observance is a reflection of the current political climate, so how do we revamp it?
We are in Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a re-evaluation. Throughout its history, an celebration that started out as a festivity and recollection of history, culture and the connections between international African diaspora communities, has developed a business-like atmosphere, expanding to include events where Black people are compensated to talk to Caucasian groups about hidden biases and “allyship”. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests generated a rise in the industry of demonstrating racial awareness. But even that moment has passed. The tide has crested, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what increasing understanding is for.
The Origins of Black History Month
Originally observed in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this campaign and was publicly established in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the North America in February, but also in the tenth month in the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The observance has transformed since those days, giving reduced attention to the histories of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and more on notable African descendants in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the impact Black people have made to mold society. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with lectures and artistic activities. But the method the celebration is celebrated is a reflection of the current political situation. How it progresses is a instructive case in how appropriation leads to weakening: the restructuring of Black History Month has impeded the objective of it, which is to confront structural and organizational discrimination.
A Disconcerting Period
Hardly anything shows how crucial it is to rethink Black History Month as much as the particular moment in which it takes place this year. In the United Kingdom, a revitalized conservative movement in the form of the Reform organization is ahead in surveys. In the summer we saw the biggest extreme right demonstration in the history of Britain. a prominent political figure, the person of color at the helm of the right-wing political group, is a staunch adversary of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a situation where a member of parliament gains confidence to say that the absence of Caucasian individuals in parts of a city is a source of worry. Simultaneously, far-right parties are expanding in the EU as a whole.
In the America, a massive attack against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been carried, frequently with success, to the top legal institutions of the state. A drive to erase African American heritage and narrative from the historical documents is under way. One of Donald Trump's initial presidential directives focused on the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that they of a “concerted and widespread effort to alter the country's historical narrative” by portraying America “as inherently racist”.
Against this backdrop, the month represents how little it can be effective if it is restricted to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or politically neutered festivities of historical achievements, rather than addressing the situation of the present. It also reveals how its limited duration means that it is separated from the wider consistent effort that is required. An academic expert, a educator at University of Greenwich, articulated it most accurately when she raised concerns about the fleeting superficial actions of the observance. “The issue with taking a tokenistic approach”, she wrote, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Establishing how to alter, change and broaden actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a treacherous thing. There is a temptation to just discontinue events including Black History Month altogether, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are remnants of an era that has failed to deliver.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and tradition of campaigns for equality – community-based BLM initiatives, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – represent an foundation that a significant effort has gone into. It is there not just to decay as the politics moves on (and in fact, deteriorates), 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 dispersed throughout the annual calendar (as various establishments are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around notable African descendants) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a era that does not shy away from political issues, and allows opportunity for people, particularly the younger generation, to air their fears and experiences. What purpose serves simple recognition of the history when it ignores the contemporary truth of extreme conservative demonstrations in the street? Institutions who mark it should not be pacified with the passive language of “unconscious bias” and alertness to subtle slights, but challenged by the risks that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not treated with importance. To summarize, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, pressing, and responsive. It could be that an entire name rebrand is required – Contemporary Black History Month.
