Black History Month acts as a gauge of the political moment, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the Britain, and it feels like it’s time for a reassessment. As time has passed, an celebration that began as a festivity and recollection of the past, cultural identity and bonds between Black populations worldwide, has taken on a business-like atmosphere, broadening to incorporate gatherings where Black people are paid to talk to predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and supportive partnership. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s generated a rise in the business of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has reached its height, producing a diluted aftermath of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Origins of Black History Celebration
First commemorated in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with a week of celebration and reflection in the second week of February. Black History Month grew out of this movement and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the North America in winter, but also in October in the Britain, Deutschland, Éire and the Netherlands.
The period has developed since its inception, placing less emphasis on the narratives of the slave trade across the Atlantic and fights for racial justice, and greater focus 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 educational institutions where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with talks and cultural events. But the way the month is observed is a manifestation of the current political situation. How it evolves is a valuable example in how co-option leads to dismantling: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the purpose of it, which is to confront embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month better than the particular moment in which it takes place this year. In the Britain, a revitalized conservative movement in the form of the Reform organization is ahead in surveys. In the warmer months we saw the biggest extreme right demonstration in the history of Britain. the Conservative leader, the person of color at the helm of the Tory party, is a firm opponent of anti-racism activism, and we are in a situation where a member of parliament gains confidence to declare that the absence of Caucasian individuals in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. At the same time, far-right parties are growing in the EU as a whole.
In the United States, a colossal assault against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, frequently with success, to the top legal institutions of the country. A effort to erase African American heritage and narrative from the historical documents is in progress. One of Donald Trump's early administrative commands targeted the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the prestigious establishment, accusing them of a “concerted and widespread effort to alter the country's historical narrative” by representing the nation “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Given these circumstances, the observance illustrates how insufficiently it can be influential if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the conditions of the current era. It also shows how its short period means that it is separated from the more extensive continuous action that is necessary. A university professor, a prof at University of Greenwich, articulated it most accurately when she raised concerns about the short-term symbolic gestures of the celebration. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she commented, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to adapt, revise and extend initiatives for fair treatment and appreciation in such moments of dejection and worry is a challenging endeavor. There is a urge to just discontinue things like Black History Month completely, believing they are simply not fit for purpose, or are remnants of an time that has been ineffective.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and legacy of activism for racial justice – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – represent an framework that a considerable labor has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month look like? Firstly, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed throughout the annual calendar (as certain organizations are already starting to implement), elements of its material (particularly around historic Black characters) incorporated into educational programs. It would also be a era that does not evade politics, and provides room for citizens, particularly the younger generation, to express their concerns and stories. What use is simple recognition of the history when it doesn’t reckon with the current situation of far-right rallies in the public spaces? Organizations who observe it should not be pacified with the non-confrontational words of “unconscious bias” and awareness of minor insults, but faced with the dangers that affect everyone if opposition to discrimination is not approached earnestly. To summarize, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, critical, and adaptive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is required – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
