Black History Month is a reflection of the political moment, so how do we revamp it?
This is Black History Month in the Britain, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. Throughout its history, an observance that started out as a commemorative event of the past, cultural identity and bonds between Black populations worldwide, has taken on a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass functions where Black people are compensated to speak with predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and active solidarity. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s sparked an increase in the business of displaying cultural sensitivity. However, that period has concluded. The wave has reached its height, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what promoting consciousness 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 a week dedicated to Negro history by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this movement and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the US and Canada in winter, but also in the tenth month in the UK, Deutschland, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The period has evolved since that time, giving reduced attention to the histories of colonial slavery and fights for racial justice, and greater focus on notable African descendants in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the input Black people have made to mold society. It is in schools where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with talks and cultural events. But the manner the month is commemorated is a indication of the political moment. How it progresses is a valuable example in how co-option leads to erosion: the restructuring of Black History Month has impeded the point of it, which is to tackle systemic and institutional racism.
A Jarring Moment
Little demonstrates how critical 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 political group is top in opinion ratings. In the recent season we observed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. the Conservative leader, the person of color at the helm of the Conservative party, is a staunch adversary of the racial justice movement, and we are in a place where a member of parliament feels empowered to declare that the absence of Caucasian individuals in parts of a city is a reason for concern. At the same time, ultra-nationalist movements are surging in the EU as a complete entity.
In the US, a significant offensive against DEI and affirmative action has been carried, often successfully, to the supreme judicial bodies of the nation. A effort to erase the history of people of color and narrative from the records is ongoing. One of the political figure's initial presidential directives targeted the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the renowned cultural organization, accusing them of a organized and extensive campaign to rewrite our Nation’s history” by depicting the United States “as inherently racist”.
Given these circumstances, the celebration symbolises how little it can be effective if it is limited to either dutiful corporate observances, or stripped of political content celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than addressing the situation of the present. It also shows how its restricted time span means that it is disconnected from the broader ongoing work that is required. An academic expert, a educator at University of Greenwich, expressed it perfectly when she expressed apprehension about the temporary “tokenism” of the month. “The problem with taking a tokenistic approach”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month becomes a transient display rather than a agent of progress.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Figuring out how to alter, change and broaden efforts for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just discontinue observances such as Black History Month completely, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are vestiges of an era that has not worked.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and tradition of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, inclusion and equity efforts, and yes, even those talks to businesses – represent an infrastructure that a significant effort has gone into. It is there not merely to decline as the politics moves on (and in fact, declines), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month seem? Firstly, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is dispersed through the year (as some institutions are already commencing), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) included in educational programs. It would also be a time that does not avoid politics, and provides room for individuals, particularly the younger generation, to share their anxieties and narratives. What use is basic knowledge of the history when it fails to address the current situation of far-right rallies in the street? Organizations who mark it should not be pacified with the passive language of hidden discrimination and awareness of “microaggressions”, but challenged by the risks that impact society if opposition to discrimination is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made contemporary, critical, and adaptive. Perhaps an total re-identification is in order – Contemporary Black History Month.