Black History Month serves as a mirror of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. Over the years, an event that began as a festivity and recollection of history, culture and the connections between Black populations worldwide, has adopted a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass events where Black people are remunerated 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 demonstrating racial awareness. But even that moment has passed. The wave has crested, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The Background of Black History Celebration
Originally observed in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of commemoration and observance in the second week of February. Black History Month evolved from this initiative 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 UK, Germany, Ireland and the Holland.
The period has evolved since those days, placing less emphasis on the histories of colonial slavery and struggles for equality, and greater focus on influential individuals of color in politics, culture, and activism, and widely honoring the input Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with lectures and artistic activities. But the way the celebration is observed is a manifestation of the contemporary political context. How it progresses is a good lesson in how co-option leads to weakening: the transformation of Black History Month has stymied the point of it, which is to address systemic and institutional racism.
A Troubling Time
Little demonstrates how important it is to reevaluate Black History Month more than the current time in which it occurs this year. In the United Kingdom, a reemerging right-wing in the guise of the Reform party is ahead in surveys. In the recent season we saw the biggest extreme right demonstration in British history. Kemi Badenoch, the Black leader of the Conservative party, is a firm opponent of the racial justice movement, and we are in a situation where a legislator feels empowered to state that the absence of Caucasian individuals in certain urban areas is a source of worry. Simultaneously, far-right parties are growing in Europe as a complete entity.
In the America, a massive attack against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been brought, frequently with success, to the top legal institutions of the state. A drive to remove African American heritage and experience from the historical documents is under way. One of Donald Trump's first executive orders aimed at the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that they of a organized and extensive campaign to rewrite our Nation’s history” by portraying America “as inherently racist”.
Given these circumstances, the month symbolises how minimally it can be impactful if it is limited to either dutiful corporate observances, or politically neutered commemorations of contributions in the past, rather than confronting the realities of the contemporary world. It also reveals how its short period means that it is separated from the wider consistent effort that is necessary. An academic expert, a prof at University of Greenwich, put it best when she expressed apprehension about the short-term symbolic gestures of the celebration. “The problem with embracing a superficial method”, she commented, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month turns into a transient display rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Figuring out how to alter, change and broaden initiatives for fair treatment and appreciation in such moments of dejection and worry is a treacherous thing. There is a temptation to just do away with events including Black History Month completely, thinking they are simply not fit for purpose, or are vestiges of an era that has not worked.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and legacy of racial movements – community-based BLM initiatives, inclusion and equity efforts, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an infrastructure that a lot of work has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month appear as? Firstly, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is spread out across all seasons (as various establishments are already starting to implement), elements of its material (particularly around historic Black characters) incorporated into educational programs. It would also be a period that does not shy away from political issues, and provides room for individuals, particularly youth, to express their concerns and stories. What purpose serves basic knowledge of the past when it fails to address the present reality of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the urban areas? Organizations who observe it should not be comforted with the passive language of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to “microaggressions”, but confronted with the risks that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made contemporary, pressing, and adaptive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is in order – Black History is Now Month.
