This commemorative month is a reflection of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it seems it’s time for a reassessment. Over the years, an observance that was initiated as a celebration and reminder of heritage, traditions and links between international African diaspora communities, has adopted a corporate feel, growing to encompass gatherings where African descendants are compensated to talk to white audiences about implicit prejudice and active solidarity. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. However, that period has concluded. The surge has crested, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what promoting consciousness is for.
The History of Black History Month
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month evolved from this initiative and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the US and Canada in February, but also in the tenth month in the UK, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The month has evolved since its inception, placing less emphasis on the narratives of the slave trade across the Atlantic and struggles for equality, and more on notable African descendants in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and widely honoring the impact Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with talks and cultural events. But the method the observance is observed is a reflection of the political moment. How it develops is a valuable example in how appropriation leads to erosion: the restructuring of Black History Month has stymied the point of it, which is to tackle structural and organizational discrimination.
A Jarring Moment
Few things illustrate how important it is to reevaluate Black History Month more than the current time in which it occurs this year. In the UK, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform organization is leading the polls. In the recent season we observed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. Kemi Badenoch, the Black leader of the Tory party, is a strong critic of the racial justice movement, and we are in a situation where a legislator gains confidence to say that “not seeing any white faces” in certain urban areas is a reason for concern. Meanwhile, far-right parties are surging in the EU as a whole.
In the United States, a significant offensive against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been carried, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the top legal institutions of the country. A effort to remove Black history and narrative from the archives is in progress. One of the political figure's early administrative commands aimed at the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the renowned cultural organization, accusing them of a “concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation’s history” by depicting the United States “as naturally discriminatory”.
Given these circumstances, the month illustrates how little it can be effective if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or depoliticized celebrations of historical achievements, rather than addressing the situation of the current era. It also shows how its limited duration means that it is separated from the broader ongoing work that is necessary. An academic expert, a professor at an educational institution, put it best when she raised concerns about the fleeting superficial actions of the month. “The issue with embracing a superficial method”, she commented, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a difficult task. There is a urge to just eliminate events including Black History Month completely, thinking they are no longer suitable, or are relics of an era that has not worked.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and heritage of activism for racial justice – local anti-racism groups, inclusion and equity efforts, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an foundation that a significant effort has gone into. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, declines), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month appear as? Well, first, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is dispersed across all seasons (as some institutions are already starting to implement), elements of its material (particularly around notable African descendants) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a period that does not avoid politics, and provides room for individuals, particularly the younger generation, to air their fears and experiences. What purpose serves simple recognition of the past when it fails to address the current situation of far-right rallies in the street? Establishments who observe it should not be comforted with the passive language of hidden discrimination and alertness to “microaggressions”, but confronted with the dangers that affect everyone if opposition to discrimination is not treated with importance. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, critical, and adaptive. Maybe an total re-identification is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
