Black History Month serves as a mirror of the political moment, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an celebration that began as a commemorative event of history, culture and the connections between Black populations worldwide, has developed a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass gatherings where African descendants are paid to speak with predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and “allyship”. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests sparked an increase in the industry of showcasing anti-racist commitment. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has reached its height, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The Background of Black History Celebration
Initially celebrated in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with a week of commemoration and observance in the February's second week. Black History Month grew out of this initiative and was publicly established in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the North America in winter, but also in the tenth month in the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The month has transformed since its inception, giving reduced attention to the histories of the slave trade across the Atlantic and struggles for equality, and greater focus on prominent Black figures in politics, culture, and activism, and extensively acknowledging the contribution Black people have made to mold society. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with talks and cultural events. But the manner the month is commemorated is a reflection of the political moment. How it progresses is a valuable example in how assimilation leads to erosion: the restructuring of Black History Month has stymied the point of it, which is to tackle structural and organizational discrimination.
A Disconcerting Period
Few things illustrate how important it is to rethink Black History Month more than the particular moment in which it occurs this year. In the United Kingdom, a reemerging right-wing in the form of the Reform political group is top in opinion ratings. In the summer we saw the most significant ultra-conservative gathering 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 member of parliament feels emboldened to declare that “not seeing any white faces” in certain urban areas is a source of worry. Simultaneously, far-right parties are growing in the European continent as a whole.
In the America, a colossal assault against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the supreme judicial bodies of the nation. A campaign to scrub African American heritage and experience from the records is under way. One of the former president's early administrative commands focused on the museum of African American legacy, and the Smithsonian Institution, alleging that they of a “concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation’s history” by representing the nation “as inherently racist”.
In this context, the observance symbolises how minimally it can be impactful if it is confined to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or depoliticized commemorations of historical achievements, rather than addressing the realities of the present. It also shows how its restricted time span means that it is detached from the more extensive continuous action that is needed. A university professor, a professor at a learning establishment, articulated it most accurately when she expressed apprehension about the temporary “tokenism” of the month. “The issue with embracing a superficial method”, she stated, “is that it often means that Black History Month evolves into a transient display rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Determining how to adapt, revise and extend efforts for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a treacherous thing. There is a urge to just eliminate events including Black History Month altogether, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are vestiges of an era that has been ineffective.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and heritage of racial movements – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – form an foundation that a considerable labor has been invested in. It is there not just to decay as the politics moves on (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month seem? To begin with, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out through the year (as certain organizations are already commencing), elements of its material (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into school curriculums. It would also be a period that does not evade governmental matters, and allows opportunity for citizens, particularly youth, to express their concerns and stories. What purpose serves mere awareness of the history when it fails to address the present reality of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the public spaces? Establishments who mark it should not be pacified with the neutral terminology of implicit prejudice and awareness of minor insults, but confronted with the risks that impact society if fight against prejudice is not treated with importance. In short, Black History Month should be made current, critical, and adaptive. Maybe an complete renaming is required – Contemporary Black History Month.
