This commemorative month serves as a mirror of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the UK, and it appears it’s time for a re-evaluation. As time has passed, an observance that began as a festivity and recollection of heritage, traditions and links between global Black communities, has adopted a commercial tone, broadening to incorporate functions where Black people are compensated to speak with predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and “allyship”. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s sparked an increase in the business of displaying cultural sensitivity. But even that moment has passed. The surge has reached its height, producing a diluted aftermath of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins of Black History Observance
Initially celebrated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of commemoration and observance in the second week of February. Black History Month grew out of this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the US and Canada in February, but also in autumn in the UK, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The month has transformed since that time, giving reduced attention to the histories of colonial slavery and struggles for equality, and greater focus on prominent Black figures in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the input Black people have made to mold society. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with talks and cultural events. But the way the month is observed is a indication of the current political situation. How it develops is a instructive case in how assimilation leads to dismantling: the restructuring of Black History Month has hindered the objective of it, which is to tackle embedded and established prejudice.
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 reemerging right-wing in the guise of the Reform political group is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we saw the largest far-right rally in British history. Kemi Badenoch, the person of color at the helm of the right-wing political group, is a firm opponent of anti-racism activism, and we are in a situation where a member of parliament feels empowered to state that a lack of white people in parts of a city is a reason for concern. Meanwhile, extreme conservative groups are expanding in the European continent as a complete entity.
In the US, a significant offensive against DEI and affirmative action has been carried, frequently with success, to the top legal institutions of the country. A campaign to erase African American heritage and narrative from the archives is in progress. One of Donald Trump's early administrative commands aimed at the museum of African American legacy, and the prestigious establishment, claiming they of a organized and extensive campaign to alter the country's historical narrative” by portraying America “as inherently racist”.
In this context, the celebration symbolises how minimally it can be influential if it is limited to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered festivities of former accomplishments, rather than confronting the conditions of the current era. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is separated from the wider consistent effort that is necessary. An academic expert, a professor at a learning establishment, articulated it most accurately when she expressed apprehension about the short-term symbolic gestures of the observance. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Determining how to adjust, modify and expand efforts for fair treatment and appreciation in such moments of dejection and worry is a treacherous thing. There is a urge to just do away with events including Black History Month entirely, thinking they are no longer suitable, or are remnants of an period that has been ineffective.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and legacy of racial movements – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – form an infrastructure that a significant effort has gone into. It is there not merely to decline as the situation evolves (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month appear as? Well, first, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is distributed across all seasons (as certain organizations are already beginning to do), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) incorporated into school curriculums. It would also be a period that does not shy away from political issues, and provides room for citizens, particularly young people, to share their anxieties and narratives. What purpose serves mere awareness of the history when it doesn’t reckon with the current situation of far-right rallies in the street? Institutions who mark it should not be pacified with the neutral terminology of “unconscious bias” and alertness to “microaggressions”, but confronted with the threats that face all if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, critical, and responsive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is in order – Black History is Now Month.
