This commemorative month is a reflection of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it feels like it’s time for a rethink. As time has passed, an observance that was initiated as a festivity and recollection of history, culture and the connections between Black populations worldwide, has adopted a corporate feel, broadening to incorporate events where individuals of African heritage are paid to address white audiences 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 tide has crested, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what raising awareness is for.
The Background of Black History Month
Originally observed in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of commemoration and observance in the second week of February. Black History Month grew out of this campaign and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the US and Canada in winter, but also in autumn in the Britain, Deutschland, Éire and the Netherlands.
The period has evolved since those days, placing less emphasis on the narratives of the slave trade across the Atlantic and civil rights battles, and more on prominent Black figures in government, the arts, and social movements, and broadly celebrating the impact Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with lectures and artistic activities. But the manner the month is commemorated is a manifestation of the contemporary political context. How it progresses is a valuable example in how co-option leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the point of it, which is to confront structural and organizational discrimination.
A Jarring Moment
Little demonstrates how important 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 guise of the Reform party is leading the polls. In the summer we witnessed the biggest extreme right demonstration in British history. Kemi Badenoch, the Black leader of the Tory party, is a firm opponent of anti-racism activism, and we are in a situation where a elected representative feels emboldened to declare that the absence of Caucasian individuals in parts of a city is a source of worry. At the same time, extreme conservative groups are expanding in the EU as a complete entity.
In the America, a significant offensive against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the supreme judicial bodies of the state. A drive to remove African American heritage and experience from the historical documents is ongoing. One of the former president's early administrative commands focused on the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution, accusing them of a organized and extensive campaign to rewrite our Nation’s history” by portraying America “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Against this backdrop, the observance represents how little it can be impactful if it is confined to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or depoliticized commemorations of contributions in the past, rather than confronting the situation of the current era. It also reveals how its restricted time span means that it is separated from the more extensive continuous action that is required. A university professor, a educator at University of Greenwich, articulated it most accurately when she raised concerns about the short-term symbolic gestures of the observance. “The problem with embracing a superficial method”, she stated, “is that it often means that Black History Month turns into a transient display rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Establishing how to adapt, revise and extend efforts for equal rights and acknowledgment in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a treacherous thing. There is a temptation to just discontinue things like Black History Month altogether, believing they are inadequate for current needs, or are vestiges of an era that has not worked.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and legacy of racial movements – community-based BLM initiatives, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – represent an foundation that a significant effort has been dedicated to. It is there not only to deteriorate as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month appear as? To begin with, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is spread out through the year (as various establishments are already commencing), parts of its content (particularly around historic Black characters) included in school curriculums. It would also be a period that does not avoid political issues, and leaves space for citizens, particularly youth, to air their fears and experiences. What value has simple recognition of the bygone era when it ignores the present reality of extreme conservative demonstrations in the street? Organizations who observe it should not be comforted with the neutral terminology of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to “microaggressions”, but challenged by the risks that impact society if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, pressing, and adaptive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is in order – Black History is Now Month.
