Black History Month is a reflection of the political moment, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. Over the years, an observance that was initiated as a celebration and reminder of the past, cultural identity and bonds between international African diaspora communities, has adopted a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass events where individuals of African heritage are paid to speak with Caucasian groups about implicit prejudice and active solidarity. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s sparked an increase in the business of demonstrating racial awareness. However, that period has concluded. The surge has crested, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what increasing understanding is for.
The History of Black History Observance
Initially celebrated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with a week of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was publicly established in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the US and Canada in February, but also in October in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the Holland.
The observance has developed since that time, placing less emphasis on the histories of colonial slavery and struggles for equality, and more on notable African descendants in government, the arts, and social movements, and widely honoring the contribution Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with lectures and artistic activities. But the method the month is commemorated is a indication of the current political situation. How it develops is a instructive case in how co-option leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has hindered the point of it, which is to address embedded and established prejudice.
A Jarring Moment
Few things illustrate how important it is to reconsider Black History Month more than the particular moment in which it takes place this year. In the UK, a resurgent right in the form of the Reform political group is ahead in surveys. In the warmer months we witnessed the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in the history of Britain. a prominent political figure, the person of color at the helm of the right-wing political group, is a strong critic of the racial justice movement, and we are in a position where a member of parliament feels empowered to declare that a lack of white people in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. Meanwhile, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in Europe as a whole.
In the America, a colossal assault against DEI and affirmative action has been brought, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the top legal institutions of the state. A drive to scrub African American heritage and experience from the records is ongoing. One of the political figure's initial presidential directives aimed at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to rewrite our Nation’s history” by depicting the United States “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Against this backdrop, the observance represents how minimally it can be effective if it is restricted to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or stripped of political content festivities of former accomplishments, rather than confronting the situation of the contemporary world. It also reveals how its short period means that it is separated from the more extensive continuous action that is required. Denise Miller, a professor at an educational institution, articulated it most accurately when she expressed apprehension about the temporary “tokenism” of the observance. “The problem with embracing a superficial method”, she stated, “is that it often means that Black History Month evolves into a fleeting performance rather than a agent of progress.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Determining how to adjust, modify and expand initiatives for fair treatment and appreciation in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a difficult task. There is a urge to just do away with observances such as Black History Month entirely, assuming 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 legacy of campaigns for equality – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an foundation that a considerable labor has been dedicated to. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month appear as? Firstly, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out throughout the annual calendar (as certain organizations are already commencing), elements of its material (particularly around historic Black characters) included in educational programs. It would also be a time that does not avoid governmental matters, and leaves space for individuals, particularly young people, to share their anxieties and narratives. What purpose serves basic knowledge of the history when it fails to address the contemporary truth of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the public spaces? Establishments who celebrate it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and awareness of subtle slights, but confronted with the dangers that affect everyone if anti-racism is not treated with importance. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, urgent, and reactive. Maybe an complete renaming is necessary – Black History is Now Month.
