The annual Black History observance is a reflection of the current political climate, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the UK, and it feels like it’s time for a reassessment. Over the years, an observance that started out as a commemorative event of the past, cultural identity and bonds between global Black communities, has developed a corporate feel, growing to encompass gatherings where African descendants are remunerated to talk to Caucasian groups about “unconscious bias” and active solidarity. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s generated a rise in the industry of showcasing anti-racist commitment. But even that moment has passed. The surge has crested, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what increasing understanding is for.
The Origins of Black History Celebration
First commemorated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with seven days of remembrance and recognition in the February's second week. Black History Month grew out of this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the US and Canada in the second month, but also in October in the UK, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Holland.
The period has transformed since that time, focusing less on the narratives of the slave trade across the Atlantic and struggles for equality, and greater focus on influential individuals of color in government, the arts, and social movements, and broadly celebrating the input Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with lectures and artistic activities. But the manner the observance is celebrated is a manifestation of the current political situation. How it develops is a instructive case in how appropriation leads to dismantling: the reshaping of Black History Month has hindered the objective of it, which is to tackle structural and organizational discrimination.
A Disconcerting Period
Few things illustrate how critical it is to rethink Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it falls this year. In the UK, a resurgent right in the shape of the Reform party is ahead in surveys. In the warmer months we observed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. the Conservative leader, the person of color at the helm of the Conservative party, is a firm opponent of anti-racism activism, and we are in a position where a legislator feels emboldened to state that “not seeing any white faces” in certain urban areas is a cause for alarm. At the same time, far-right parties are growing in the EU as a whole.
In the US, a colossal assault against DEI and affirmative action has been brought, frequently with success, to the supreme judicial bodies of the nation. A drive to remove African American heritage and narrative from the archives is in progress. One of the political figure's initial presidential directives focused on the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the prestigious establishment, accusing them of a organized and extensive campaign to rewrite our Nation’s history” by depicting the United States “as inherently racist”.
Given these circumstances, the observance represents how little it can be effective if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or stripped of political content festivities of contributions in the past, rather than confronting the situation of the present. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is disconnected from the more extensive continuous action that is required. A university professor, a professor at a learning establishment, put it best when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the observance. “The issue with embracing a superficial method”, she wrote, “is that it often means that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a agent of progress.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand efforts for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a urge to just eliminate observances such as Black History Month altogether, believing they are no longer suitable, or are vestiges of an time that has not worked.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and heritage of campaigns for equality – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and certainly, even commercial engagements – constitute an framework that a significant effort has gone into. It is there not merely to decline as the situation evolves (and in fact, declines), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month appear as? To begin with, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out throughout the annual calendar (as certain organizations are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into academic syllabi. It would also be a period that does not avoid political issues, and provides room for people, particularly young people, to air their fears and experiences. What value has mere awareness of the past when it fails to address the current situation of extreme conservative demonstrations in the street? Establishments who observe it should not be pacified with the passive language of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to subtle slights, but challenged by the dangers that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, urgent, and responsive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
