Black History Month serves as a mirror of the current political climate, so what steps can we take to refresh it?
This is Black History Month in the Britain, and it appears it’s time for a re-evaluation. As time has passed, an observance that began as a celebration and reminder of history, culture and the connections between global Black communities, has adopted a business-like atmosphere, expanding to include functions where African descendants are remunerated to speak with predominantly white listeners about “unconscious bias” and active solidarity. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests created a surge in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The surge has crested, producing a diluted aftermath of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Origins of Black History Celebration
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with a week of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month evolved from this campaign and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the North America in February, but also in the tenth month in the United Kingdom, Germany, Éire and the Holland.
The period has evolved since that time, giving reduced attention to the narratives of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and increasingly on notable African descendants in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and broadly celebrating the input Black people have made to mold society. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with lectures and artistic activities. But the manner the observance is commemorated is a indication of the contemporary political context. How it evolves is a valuable example in how co-option leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the objective of it, which is to confront structural and organizational discrimination.
A Jarring Moment
Few things illustrate how important it is to reconsider Black History Month more than the particular moment in which it occurs this year. In the United Kingdom, a resurgent right in the shape of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we observed the biggest extreme right demonstration in British history. the Conservative leader, the Black leader of the right-wing political group, is a strong critic of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a place where a legislator feels emboldened to say that “not seeing any white faces” in certain urban areas is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, ultra-nationalist movements are growing in the EU as a whole.
In the US, a massive attack against DEI and affirmative action has been brought, frequently with success, to the highest courts of the country. A effort to remove African American heritage and legacy from the archives is ongoing. One of Donald Trump's first executive orders targeted the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the Smithsonian Institution, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to rewrite our Nation’s history” by depicting the United States “as inherently racist”.
Against this backdrop, the observance represents how minimally it can be impactful if it is restricted to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or politically neutered celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the situation of the contemporary world. It also reveals how its restricted time span means that it is disconnected from the more extensive continuous action that is needed. Denise Miller, a educator at University of Greenwich, articulated it most accurately when she voiced worries about the short-term symbolic gestures of the celebration. “The problem with taking a tokenistic approach”, she commented, “is that it often means that Black History Month evolves into a transient display rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Establishing how to alter, change and broaden actions for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a challenging endeavor. There is a temptation to just discontinue things like Black History Month completely, thinking they are inadequate for current needs, or are remnants of an period that has not worked.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and legacy of campaigns for equality – local anti-racism groups, DEI programs, and yes, even those talks to businesses – form an framework that a considerable labor has been invested in. It is there not merely to decline as the situation evolves (and in fact, regresses), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month look like? To begin with, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is dispersed across all seasons (as some institutions are already starting to implement), parts of its content (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a period that does not shy away from governmental matters, and allows opportunity for citizens, particularly the younger generation, to air their fears and experiences. What use is basic knowledge of the history when it fails to address the current situation of far-right rallies in the street? Institutions who mark it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and alertness to “microaggressions”, but challenged by the threats that impact society if opposition to discrimination is not approached earnestly. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, urgent, and responsive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is required – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
