This commemorative month is a reflection of the political moment, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the UK, and it seems it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an celebration that began as a celebration and reminder of heritage, traditions and links between global Black communities, has adopted a business-like atmosphere, expanding to include functions where individuals of African heritage are remunerated to talk to predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and active solidarity. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests generated a rise in the enterprise of demonstrating racial awareness. However, that period has concluded. The tide has reached its height, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what increasing understanding is for.
The Origins of Black History Observance
Originally observed in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was created in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of celebration and reflection in the second week of February. Black History Month grew out of this campaign and was officially launched in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the US and Canada in the second month, but also in the tenth month in the UK, the Federal Republic of Germany, Éire and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The observance has evolved since those days, placing less emphasis on the narratives of the slave trade across the Atlantic and fights for racial justice, and more on prominent Black figures in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and widely honoring the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the celebration is commemorated is a manifestation of the contemporary political context. How it develops is a good lesson in how assimilation leads to erosion: the restructuring of Black History Month has hindered the purpose of it, which is to tackle structural and organizational discrimination.
A Disconcerting Period
Few things illustrate how important it is to reconsider Black History Month more than the particular moment in which it falls this year. In the Britain, a reemerging right-wing in the guise of the Reform party is ahead in surveys. In the summer 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 Tory party, is a staunch adversary of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a situation where a elected representative gains confidence to state that “not seeing any white faces” in certain urban areas is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, far-right parties are growing in the European continent as a whole.
In the America, a colossal assault against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been taken, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the top legal institutions of the state. A drive to remove African American heritage and legacy from the archives is under way. One of the former president's early administrative commands aimed at the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that they of a “concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation’s history” by portraying America “as naturally discriminatory”.
Given these circumstances, the month illustrates how little it can be effective if it is limited to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or politically neutered festivities of historical achievements, rather than confronting the situation of the current era. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is detached from the wider consistent effort that is necessary. A university professor, a educator at a learning establishment, put it best when she expressed apprehension about the temporary “tokenism” of the celebration. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Establishing how to alter, change and broaden initiatives for fair treatment and appreciation in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a challenging endeavor. There is a temptation to just eliminate observances such as Black History Month altogether, thinking they are simply not fit for purpose, or are vestiges of an period that has not worked.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and legacy of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – represent an foundation that a significant effort has been dedicated to. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, declines), but to be a living breathing thing.
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 dispersed across all seasons (as various establishments are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around historic Black characters) included in school curriculums. It would also be a era that does not evade governmental matters, and leaves space for individuals, particularly young people, to share their anxieties and narratives. What value has basic knowledge of the past when it fails to address the present reality of far-right rallies in the urban areas? Establishments who celebrate it should not be comforted with the neutral terminology of hidden discrimination and sensitivity to minor insults, but faced with the risks that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, critical, and reactive. Maybe an complete renaming is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
