This commemorative month acts as a gauge of the political moment, so how do we revamp it?
It's Black History Month in the UK, and it feels like it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an celebration that was initiated as a festivity and recollection of history, culture and the connections between Black populations worldwide, has adopted a commercial tone, expanding to include gatherings where African descendants are remunerated to address predominantly white listeners about “unconscious bias” and “allyship”. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s generated a rise in the enterprise of showcasing anti-racist commitment. Yet, that phase is now over. The surge has peaked, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what promoting consciousness is for.
The History of Black History Observance
Originally observed in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with seven days of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this campaign and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the North America in February, but also in October in the UK, the Federal Republic of Germany, Éire and the Netherlands.
The month has transformed since its inception, giving reduced attention to the accounts of the slave trade across the Atlantic and fights for racial justice, and increasingly on notable African descendants in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and extensively acknowledging the contribution Black people have made to mold society. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with talks and cultural events. But the method the month is observed is a indication of the political moment. How it evolves is a valuable example in how assimilation leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has hindered the objective of it, which is to confront systemic and institutional racism.
A Jarring Moment
Few things illustrate how important it is to rethink Black History Month as much as the current time in which it falls this year. In the United Kingdom, a resurgent right in the form of the Reform political group is top in opinion ratings. In the recent season we saw the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. Kemi Badenoch, the Black leader of the Tory party, is a strong critic of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a position where a legislator feels empowered to say that a lack of white people in certain urban areas is a source of worry. Meanwhile, far-right parties are expanding in the European continent as a complete entity.
In the United States, a colossal assault against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been taken, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the supreme judicial bodies of the nation. A drive to remove the history of people of color and legacy from the historical documents is in progress. One of the political figure's initial presidential directives targeted the museum of African American legacy, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to rewrite our Nation’s history” by representing the nation “as inherently racist”.
Against this backdrop, the month symbolises how little it can be influential if it is confined to either dutiful corporate observances, or politically neutered festivities of former accomplishments, rather than confronting the situation of the current era. It also shows how its restricted time span means that it is disconnected from the broader ongoing work that is necessary. A university professor, a professor at a learning establishment, expressed it perfectly when she raised concerns about the short-term symbolic gestures of the month. “The difficulty with taking a tokenistic approach”, she stated, “is that it often means that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a catalyst for change.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to adjust, modify and expand efforts for fair treatment and appreciation in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a challenging endeavor. There is a inclination to just eliminate observances such as Black History Month altogether, believing they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an era that has failed to deliver.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and heritage of racial movements – community-based BLM initiatives, DEI programs, and indeed, including corporate presentations – represent an framework that a lot of work has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, regresses), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month appear as? To begin with, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is spread out through the year (as various establishments are already beginning to do), elements of its material (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a time that does not evade political issues, and provides room for citizens, particularly the younger generation, to express their concerns and stories. What use is simple recognition of the history when it fails to address the contemporary truth of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the street? Organizations who observe it should not be comforted with the neutral terminology of “unconscious bias” and alertness to subtle slights, but challenged by the dangers that impact society if opposition to discrimination is not approached earnestly. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made contemporary, urgent, and responsive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is required – Contemporary Black History Month.
