This commemorative month acts as a gauge of the current political climate, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the UK, and it feels like it’s time for a re-evaluation. Over the years, an celebration that began as a commemorative event of heritage, traditions and links between Black populations worldwide, has taken on a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass functions where Black people are paid to address predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and active solidarity. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests generated a rise in the industry of demonstrating racial awareness. However, that period has concluded. The surge has reached its height, producing a diluted aftermath of what increasing understanding is for.
The History of Black History Month
Initially celebrated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with a week of celebration and reflection in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States and Canada in winter, but also in October in the Britain, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The month has evolved since that time, placing less emphasis on the narratives of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and more on prominent Black figures in government, the arts, and social movements, and broadly celebrating the contribution Black people have made to mold society. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with lectures and artistic activities. But the way the month is commemorated is a manifestation of the political moment. How it evolves is a instructive case in how assimilation leads to dismantling: the restructuring of Black History Month has hindered the point of it, which is to tackle structural and organizational discrimination.
A Troubling Time
Hardly anything shows how critical it is to rethink Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it falls this year. In the Britain, a reemerging right-wing in the shape of the Reform organization is ahead in surveys. In the warmer months we witnessed 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 anti-racism activism, and we are in a position where a elected representative gains confidence to state that the absence of Caucasian individuals in certain urban areas is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, far-right parties are growing in the European continent as a complete entity.
In the United States, a significant offensive against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been taken, often successfully, to the highest courts of the country. A drive to scrub Black history and narrative from the archives is in progress. One of the political figure's early administrative commands aimed at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the renowned cultural organization, alleging that they of a organized and extensive campaign to alter the country's historical narrative” by depicting the United States “as naturally discriminatory”.
Against this backdrop, the observance symbolises how minimally it can be impactful if it is confined to either dutiful corporate observances, or depoliticized celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the conditions of the present. It also reveals how its short period means that it is separated from the broader ongoing work that is necessary. Denise Miller, a professor at University of Greenwich, put it best when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the observance. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she commented, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month turns into a fleeting performance rather than a agent of progress.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to alter, change and broaden actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such moments of dejection and worry is a treacherous thing. There is a urge to just do away with things like Black History Month completely, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an time that has failed to deliver.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and legacy of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and certainly, even commercial engagements – constitute an infrastructure that a significant effort has gone into. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month look like? Well, first, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is spread out across all seasons (as certain organizations are already starting to implement), elements of its material (particularly around prominent figures of color) included in academic syllabi. It would also be a time that does not evade governmental matters, and allows opportunity for individuals, particularly young people, to express their concerns and stories. What value has basic knowledge of the bygone era when it fails to address the present reality of far-right rallies in the street? Organizations who observe it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of implicit prejudice and awareness of minor insults, but confronted with the risks that face all if anti-racism is not approached earnestly. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made contemporary, urgent, and adaptive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is required – Black History is Now Month.
