Black History Month acts as a gauge of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the UK, and it feels like it’s time for a rethink. As time has passed, an observance that began as a commemorative event of the past, cultural identity and bonds between international African diaspora communities, has taken on a commercial tone, growing to encompass events where Black people are remunerated to address Caucasian groups about hidden biases and active solidarity. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s created a surge in the enterprise of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has peaked, producing a diluted aftermath of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Background of Black History Observance
Originally observed in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was established in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with seven days of remembrance and recognition in the middle of February. Black History Month evolved from this initiative and was publicly established in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the North America in winter, but also in autumn in the UK, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the Holland.
The observance has developed since that time, placing less emphasis on the accounts of the slave trade across the Atlantic and struggles for equality, and greater focus on prominent Black figures in politics, culture, and activism, and extensively acknowledging 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 method the month is commemorated is a reflection of the political moment. How it evolves is a good lesson in how co-option leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has hindered the objective of it, which is to tackle systemic and institutional racism.
A Disconcerting Period
Little demonstrates how critical it is to reevaluate Black History Month more than the current time in which it occurs this year. In the Britain, a revitalized conservative movement in the form of the Reform organization is ahead in surveys. In the recent season we saw the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. Kemi Badenoch, the Black leader of the Conservative party, is a staunch adversary of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a position where a legislator feels empowered to state that a lack of white people in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. At the same time, far-right parties are expanding in the EU as a whole.
In the United States, a significant offensive against DEI and affirmative action has been taken, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the supreme judicial bodies of the country. A effort to remove the history of people of color and legacy from the records is under way. One of Donald Trump's initial presidential directives targeted the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, accusing them of a coordinated and broad attempt to rewrite our Nation’s history” by depicting the United States “as inherently racist”.
Given these circumstances, the celebration represents how little it can be influential if it is limited to either dutiful corporate observances, or stripped of political content festivities of contributions in the past, rather than addressing the conditions of the present. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is disconnected from the wider consistent effort that is needed. Denise Miller, a prof at an educational institution, articulated it most accurately when she expressed apprehension about the short-term symbolic gestures of the month. “The issue with adopting a symbolic stance”, she commented, “is that it often means that Black History Month turns into a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to adjust, modify and expand initiatives for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a challenging endeavor. There is a inclination to just discontinue events including Black History Month entirely, believing they are no longer suitable, or are vestiges of an time that has not worked.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and heritage of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, DEI programs, and certainly, even commercial engagements – constitute an infrastructure that a considerable labor has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, declines), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month seem? Firstly, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is distributed throughout the annual calendar (as certain organizations are already beginning to do), elements of its material (particularly around prominent figures of color) included in academic syllabi. It would also be a time that does not avoid politics, and provides room for citizens, particularly the younger generation, to express their concerns and stories. What use is basic knowledge of the bygone era when it doesn’t reckon with the contemporary truth of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the public spaces? Organizations who celebrate it should not be pacified with the non-confrontational words of “unconscious bias” and sensitivity to subtle slights, but challenged by the risks that impact society if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. To summarize, Black History Month should be made current, urgent, and adaptive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
