This commemorative month is a reflection of the current political climate, so what steps can we take to refresh it?
This is Black History Month in the UK, and it seems it’s time for a re-evaluation. Throughout its history, an observance that started out as a festivity and recollection of heritage, traditions and links between Black populations worldwide, has taken on a corporate feel, broadening to incorporate events where African descendants are compensated to talk to predominantly white listeners about “unconscious bias” and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the enterprise of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has crested, producing a diluted aftermath of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Origins of Black History Month
Initially celebrated 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 multiple days of remembrance and recognition in the middle of February. Black History Month grew out of this initiative and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States and Canada in winter, but also in autumn in the United Kingdom, Deutschland, Ireland and the Holland.
The period has developed since that time, giving reduced attention to the histories of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and greater focus on influential individuals of color in politics, culture, and activism, and extensively acknowledging the input Black people have made to mold society. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with talks and cultural events. But the way the celebration is celebrated is a indication of the political moment. How it develops is a good lesson in how assimilation leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the objective of it, which is to tackle structural and organizational discrimination.
A Troubling Time
Little demonstrates how critical it is to rethink Black History Month more than the current time in which it occurs this year. In the UK, a resurgent right in the form of the Reform organization is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we observed the biggest extreme right demonstration in the UK's past. a prominent political figure, the person of color at the helm of the Conservative party, is a staunch adversary of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a situation where a member of parliament feels emboldened to state that the absence of Caucasian individuals in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, ultra-nationalist movements are surging in the European continent as a complete entity.
In the America, a significant offensive against DEI and affirmative action has been taken, frequently with success, to the highest courts of the country. A drive to scrub Black history and narrative from the records is ongoing. One of Donald Trump's initial presidential directives targeted the museum of African American legacy, and the prestigious establishment, accusing them of a “concerted and widespread effort to alter the country's historical narrative” by portraying America “as inherently racist”.
Given these circumstances, the celebration represents how minimally it can be influential if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the situation of the current era. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is detached from the broader ongoing work that is required. Denise Miller, a professor at an educational institution, expressed it perfectly when she raised concerns about the short-term symbolic gestures of the month. “The issue with taking a tokenistic approach”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month becomes a brief show rather than a agent of progress.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to adjust, modify and expand initiatives for equal rights and acknowledgment in such times of discouragement and concern is a treacherous thing. There is a urge to just eliminate things like Black History Month altogether, believing they are no longer suitable, or are relics of an period that has failed to deliver.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and heritage of activism for racial justice – community-based BLM initiatives, inclusion and equity efforts, and indeed, including corporate presentations – represent an framework that a considerable labor has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, declines), but to be a vital organism.
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 distributed throughout the annual calendar (as some institutions are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around historic Black characters) included in school curriculums. It would also be a time 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 mere awareness of the history when it doesn’t reckon with the current situation of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the public spaces? Establishments who celebrate it should not be reassured with the non-confrontational words of “unconscious bias” and alertness to minor insults, but faced with the dangers that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not approached earnestly. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, urgent, and responsive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is in order – Contemporary Black History Month.
