Black History Month serves as a mirror of the political moment, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. As time has passed, an celebration that was initiated as a festivity and recollection of the past, cultural identity and bonds between Black populations worldwide, has adopted a corporate feel, growing to encompass events where individuals of African heritage are paid to address Caucasian groups about “unconscious bias” and supportive partnership. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests generated a rise in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. However, that period has concluded. The tide has crested, producing a diluted aftermath of what increasing understanding is for.
The History of Black History Month
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month developed from this campaign and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the United States and Canada in the second month, but also in October in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, Éire and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The observance has evolved since that time, placing less emphasis on the narratives of the slave trade across the Atlantic and struggles for equality, and more on prominent Black figures in government, the arts, and social movements, and widely honoring the impact Black people have made to shape the country. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the observance is commemorated is a indication of the contemporary political context. How it progresses is a instructive case in how co-option leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the point of it, which is to tackle systemic and institutional racism.
A Jarring Moment
Little demonstrates how critical it is to reevaluate Black History Month better than the particular moment in which it falls this year. In the UK, a reemerging right-wing in the guise of the Reform party is ahead in surveys. In the warmer months we saw the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. a prominent political figure, the person of color at the helm of the Conservative party, is a strong critic of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a position where a legislator gains confidence to say that a lack of white people in certain urban areas is a reason for concern. Meanwhile, far-right parties are growing in the European continent as a complete entity.
In the US, a significant offensive against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the highest courts of the nation. A drive to erase Black history and narrative from the historical documents is under way. One of the former president's initial presidential directives focused on the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the renowned cultural organization, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to change the national past” by portraying America “as naturally discriminatory”.
Given these circumstances, the observance illustrates how insufficiently it can be influential if it is restricted to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered celebrations of historical achievements, rather than challenging the situation of the contemporary world. It also reveals how its short period means that it is disconnected from the wider consistent effort that is needed. Denise Miller, a educator at an educational institution, expressed it perfectly when she voiced worries about the short-term symbolic gestures of the month. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it often means that Black History Month evolves into a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Establishing how to alter, change and broaden actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a treacherous thing. There is a inclination to just do away with observances such as Black History Month completely, believing they are no longer suitable, or are vestiges of an era that has not worked.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and tradition of campaigns for equality – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, inclusion and equity efforts, and yes, even those talks to businesses – form an foundation that a significant effort has been dedicated to. It is there not just to decay as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, declines), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month seem? Firstly, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is spread out throughout the annual calendar (as some institutions are already beginning to do), parts of its content (particularly around prominent figures of color) included in academic syllabi. It would also be a era that does not shy away from politics, and allows opportunity for citizens, particularly the younger generation, to express their concerns and stories. What value has basic knowledge of the bygone era when it ignores the present reality of far-right rallies in the public spaces? Establishments who celebrate it should not be reassured with the non-confrontational words of implicit prejudice and alertness to minor insults, but challenged by the risks that face all if fight against prejudice is not approached earnestly. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, urgent, and responsive. It could be that an complete renaming is in order – Contemporary Black History Month.
