Black History Month serves as a mirror of the prevailing political atmosphere, so what steps can we take to refresh it?
It's Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a rethink. Throughout its history, an celebration that began as a celebration and reminder of heritage, traditions and links between international African diaspora communities, has taken on a commercial tone, growing to encompass functions where African descendants are remunerated to address Caucasian groups about implicit prejudice and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade generated a rise in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has crested, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what increasing understanding is for.
The Background of Black History Celebration
Originally observed in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was established in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month evolved from this initiative and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the US and Canada in the second month, but also in October in the UK, Deutschland, Éire and the Holland.
The month has evolved since that time, placing less emphasis on the accounts of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and increasingly on notable African descendants in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and widely honoring the input 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 observance is celebrated is a indication of the political moment. How it evolves is a instructive case in how appropriation leads to erosion: the restructuring of Black History Month has impeded the point of it, which is to address structural and organizational discrimination.
A Jarring Moment
Few things illustrate how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month more than the particular moment in which it falls this year. In the UK, a reemerging right-wing in the shape 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. a prominent political figure, the Black leader of the Conservative party, is a strong critic of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a situation where a member of parliament feels emboldened to say that the absence of Caucasian individuals in parts of a city is a source of worry. At the same time, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in the EU as a complete entity.
In the United States, a significant offensive against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, frequently with success, to the supreme judicial bodies of the country. A drive to remove African American heritage and legacy from the records is ongoing. One of the former president's initial presidential directives targeted the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, accusing them of a organized and extensive campaign to alter the country's historical narrative” by portraying America “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Against this backdrop, the month illustrates how minimally it can be effective if it is restricted to either dutiful corporate observances, or stripped of political content festivities of former accomplishments, rather than challenging the conditions of the contemporary world. It also reveals how its short period means that it is separated from the broader ongoing work that is needed. A university professor, a prof at an educational institution, articulated it most accurately when she expressed apprehension about the fleeting superficial actions of the month. “The issue with taking a tokenistic approach”, she wrote, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to alter, change and broaden actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such moments of dejection and worry is a treacherous thing. There is a temptation to just discontinue observances such as Black History Month completely, thinking they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an time that has failed to deliver.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and legacy of racial movements – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and certainly, even commercial engagements – represent an foundation that a significant effort has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, declines), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month seem? Well, first, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is spread out through the year (as certain organizations are already commencing), parts of its content (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a era that does not avoid political issues, and provides room for individuals, particularly youth, to share their anxieties and narratives. What use is mere awareness of the history when it doesn’t reckon with the present reality of far-right rallies in the public spaces? Organizations who observe it should not be pacified with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and sensitivity to “microaggressions”, but faced with the risks that affect everyone if anti-racism is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, critical, and reactive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is necessary – Black History is Now Month.
