The annual Black History observance serves as a mirror of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the UK, and it feels like it’s time for a rethink. Throughout its history, an observance that started out as a festivity and recollection of history, culture and the connections between international African diaspora communities, has taken on a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass gatherings where Black people are compensated to speak with predominantly white listeners about implicit prejudice and “allyship”. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests sparked an increase in the enterprise of showcasing anti-racist commitment. Yet, that phase is now over. The tide has peaked, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The History of Black History Observance
Initially celebrated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was established in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month grew out of this campaign and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States and Canada in winter, but also in the tenth month in the UK, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
The observance has transformed since its inception, giving reduced attention to the histories of colonial slavery and fights for racial justice, and greater focus on prominent Black figures in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and extensively acknowledging the contribution Black people have made to mold society. It is in schools where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the observance is commemorated is a manifestation of the contemporary political context. How it progresses is a good lesson in how co-option leads to dismantling: the restructuring of Black History Month has hindered the purpose of it, which is to tackle structural and organizational discrimination.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate how important it is to reconsider Black History Month as much as the current time in which it takes place this year. In the UK, a resurgent right in the form of the Reform organization is leading the polls. In the recent season 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 Black Lives Matter, and we are in a situation where a member of parliament feels emboldened to state that “not seeing any white faces” in specific city neighborhoods is a source of worry. Meanwhile, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in the EU as a entirety.
In the United States, a massive attack against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been carried, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the nation. A drive to remove Black history and legacy from the archives is under way. One of the former president's initial presidential directives aimed at the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to change the national past” by depicting the United States “as naturally discriminatory”.
Against this backdrop, the month represents how little it can be effective if it is confined to either dutiful corporate observances, or depoliticized celebrations of historical achievements, rather than addressing the conditions of the current era. It also reveals how its restricted time span means that it is separated from the broader ongoing work that is needed. An academic expert, a professor at a learning establishment, articulated it most accurately when she raised concerns about the short-term symbolic gestures of the celebration. “The issue with taking a tokenistic approach”, she wrote, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month turns into a transient display rather than a agent of progress.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Figuring out how to adapt, revise and extend efforts for racial equality and recognition in such moments of dejection and worry is a difficult task. There is a inclination to just eliminate things like Black History Month completely, assuming 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 heritage of racial movements – community-based BLM initiatives, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and certainly, even commercial engagements – constitute an foundation that a lot of work has gone into. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, regresses), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month seem? Firstly, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is distributed across all seasons (as various establishments are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around historic Black characters) incorporated into academic syllabi. It would also be a time that does not evade governmental matters, and provides room for people, particularly young people, to share their anxieties and narratives. What use is simple recognition of the bygone era when it fails to address the current situation of far-right rallies in the street? Institutions who observe it should not be pacified with the non-confrontational words of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to “microaggressions”, but confronted with the risks that face all if anti-racism is not treated with importance. To summarize, Black History Month should be made current, urgent, and responsive. Maybe an total re-identification is necessary – Black History is Now Month.
