Black History Month acts as a gauge of the current political climate, so in what ways can we modernize it?
It's Black History Month in the UK, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. Over the years, an event that was initiated as a commemorative event of history, culture and the connections between international African diaspora communities, has developed a business-like atmosphere, broadening to incorporate events where Black people are remunerated to talk to white audiences about hidden biases and supportive partnership. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests generated a rise in the business of demonstrating racial awareness. However, that period has concluded. The wave has crested, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Background of Black History Month
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 multiple days of celebration and reflection in the second week of February. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the North America in winter, but also in autumn in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Holland.
The observance has evolved since those days, placing less emphasis on the narratives of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and greater focus on notable African descendants in government, the arts, and social movements, and widely honoring the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with lectures and artistic activities. But the way the observance is observed is a manifestation of the political moment. How it evolves is a good lesson in how co-option leads to erosion: the restructuring of Black History Month has stymied the objective of it, which is to address systemic and institutional racism.
A Disconcerting Period
Little demonstrates how important it is to rethink Black History Month more than the particular moment in which it falls this year. In the United Kingdom, a reemerging right-wing in the shape of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the summer we saw the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. a prominent political figure, the Black leader of the Tory party, is a firm opponent of anti-racism activism, and we are in a place where a elected representative feels emboldened to declare that “not seeing any white faces” in certain urban areas is a cause for alarm. Meanwhile, extreme conservative groups are surging in the European continent as a entirety.
In the United States, a massive attack against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, frequently with success, to the highest courts of the country. A drive to remove Black history and legacy from the historical documents is in progress. One of the former president's first executive orders targeted the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the prestigious establishment, accusing them of a coordinated and broad attempt to alter the country's historical narrative” by representing the nation “as naturally discriminatory”.
Given these circumstances, the observance symbolises how insufficiently it can be impactful if it is confined to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or stripped of political content commemorations of contributions in the past, rather than confronting the conditions of the current era. It also shows how its short period means that it is separated from the wider consistent effort that is needed. Denise Miller, a prof at an educational institution, articulated it most accurately when she expressed apprehension about the temporary “tokenism” of the month. “The issue with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month turns into a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand efforts for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a treacherous thing. There is a urge to just eliminate events including Black History Month entirely, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are remnants of an period that has failed to deliver.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and heritage of activism for racial justice – community-based BLM initiatives, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an foundation that a considerable labor has gone into. It is there not just to decay as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, declines), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month appear as? Well, first, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is dispersed throughout the annual calendar (as certain organizations are already commencing), sections of its curriculum (particularly around notable African descendants) integrated into school curriculums. It would also be a period that does not avoid politics, and leaves space for people, particularly youth, to express their concerns and stories. What purpose serves mere awareness of the bygone era when it fails to address the contemporary truth of far-right rallies in the street? Establishments who mark it should not be comforted with the passive language of “unconscious bias” and alertness to subtle slights, but faced with the risks that face all if opposition to discrimination is not taken seriously. To summarize, Black History Month should be made current, urgent, and responsive. It could be that an complete renaming is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
