The annual Black History observance serves as a mirror of the current political climate, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the UK, and it appears it’s time for a rethink. Over the years, an event that started out as a celebration and reminder of history, culture and the connections between international African diaspora communities, has adopted a commercial tone, expanding to include functions where individuals of African heritage are remunerated to speak with Caucasian groups 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, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins of Black History Month
First commemorated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was created in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of commemoration and observance in the middle of February. Black History Month grew out of this movement and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the United States and Canada in winter, but also in October in the UK, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Holland.
The observance has developed since that time, focusing less on the narratives of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and greater focus on prominent Black figures in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and extensively acknowledging the impact Black people have made to mold society. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the method the observance is observed is a reflection of the political moment. How it progresses is a good lesson in how appropriation leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the point of it, which is to tackle embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month as much as the current time in which it takes place this year. In the UK, a reemerging right-wing in the form of the Reform political group is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we observed the biggest extreme right demonstration in the UK's past. the Conservative leader, the African descendant in charge of the right-wing political group, is a staunch adversary of the racial justice movement, and we are in a place where a member of parliament feels empowered to state that the absence of Caucasian individuals in parts of a city is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, far-right parties are expanding in Europe as a entirety.
In the America, a colossal assault against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the top legal institutions of the nation. A drive to remove African American heritage and experience from the historical documents is ongoing. One of Donald Trump's first executive orders targeted the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the prestigious establishment, accusing them of a organized and extensive campaign to change the national past” by depicting the United States “as naturally discriminatory”.
Against this backdrop, the celebration illustrates how minimally it can be effective if it is restricted to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or politically neutered celebrations of former accomplishments, rather than confronting the realities of the contemporary world. It also shows how its short period means that it is disconnected from the more extensive continuous action that is needed. An academic expert, a prof at University of Greenwich, articulated it most accurately when she expressed apprehension about the fleeting superficial actions of the observance. “The issue with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a catalyst for change.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Figuring out how to adapt, revise and extend actions for equal rights and acknowledgment in such moments of dejection and worry is a treacherous thing. There is a inclination to just do away with things like Black History Month altogether, assuming they are inadequate for current needs, or are vestiges of an period that has not worked.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and heritage of racial movements – local anti-racism groups, DEI programs, and indeed, including corporate presentations – constitute an framework that a considerable labor has gone into. It is there not only to deteriorate as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, regresses), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month seem? Well, first, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is dispersed through the year (as various establishments are already commencing), parts of its content (particularly around prominent figures of color) included in academic syllabi. It would also be a period that does not shy away from politics, and leaves space for people, particularly youth, to air their fears and experiences. What use is basic knowledge of the history when it fails to address the present reality of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the urban areas? Organizations who observe it should not be reassured with the neutral terminology of hidden discrimination and sensitivity to subtle slights, but challenged by the risks that impact society if opposition to discrimination is not approached earnestly. In short, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, urgent, and reactive. It could be that an entire name rebrand is required – Black History is Now Month.
