The annual Black History observance is a reflection of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an observance that began as a celebration and reminder of the past, cultural identity and bonds between Black populations worldwide, has taken on a corporate feel, expanding to include functions where individuals of African heritage are compensated to speak with white audiences about “unconscious bias” and active solidarity. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. But even that moment has passed. The wave has crested, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins of Black History Observance
Originally observed in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month grew out of this initiative and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the US and Canada in February, but also in October in the UK, Deutschland, the Republic of Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The month has developed since those days, giving reduced attention to 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 input Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in schools where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with lectures and artistic activities. But the method the celebration is observed is a indication of the contemporary political context. How it develops is a good lesson in how co-option leads to dismantling: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the objective of it, which is to tackle embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate how crucial it is to reconsider Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it falls this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform political group is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we witnessed the biggest extreme right demonstration in the UK's past. the Conservative leader, the African descendant in charge of the Tory party, is a strong critic of anti-racism activism, and we are in a place where a member of parliament feels empowered to state that a lack of white people in certain urban areas is a source of worry. At the same time, far-right parties are expanding in the EU as a whole.
In the US, a significant offensive against DEI and affirmative action has been taken, often successfully, to the supreme judicial bodies of the state. A effort to scrub the history of people of color and narrative from the records is under way. One of the political figure's first executive orders focused on the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the Smithsonian Institution, accusing them of a coordinated and broad attempt to rewrite our Nation’s history” by depicting the United States “as naturally discriminatory”.
Against this backdrop, the month illustrates how little it can be influential if it is confined to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or politically neutered festivities of former accomplishments, rather than challenging the situation of the contemporary world. 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 an educational institution, put it best when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the observance. “The problem with taking a tokenistic approach”, she commented, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month becomes a transient display rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand initiatives for equal rights and acknowledgment in such moments of dejection and worry is a challenging endeavor. There is a urge to just do away with things like Black History Month entirely, believing they are inadequate for current needs, or are relics of an era that has failed to deliver.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and tradition of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, DEI programs, and certainly, even commercial engagements – represent an foundation that a significant effort has gone into. It is there not merely to decline as the politics moves on (and in fact, regresses), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month appear as? To begin with, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed across all seasons (as some institutions are already starting to implement), parts of its content (particularly around notable African descendants) included in school curriculums. It would also be a time that does not evade political issues, and provides room for people, particularly young people, to express their concerns and stories. What use is mere awareness of the history when it fails to address the contemporary truth of extreme conservative demonstrations in the urban areas? Establishments who celebrate it should not be pacified with the passive language of “unconscious bias” and awareness of subtle slights, but faced with the dangers that impact society if fight against prejudice 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.
