This commemorative month is a reflection of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
It's Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it seems it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an celebration that was initiated as a celebration and reminder of heritage, traditions and links between international African diaspora communities, has adopted a corporate feel, broadening to incorporate functions where Black people are paid to speak with Caucasian groups about hidden biases and “allyship”. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s generated a rise in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. But even that moment has passed. The surge has peaked, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what increasing understanding is for.
The History of Black History Celebration
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with a week of commemoration and observance in the February's second week. Black History Month grew out of this campaign and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the North America in the second month, but also in October in the UK, Deutschland, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The month has evolved since its inception, focusing less on the histories of colonial slavery and fights for racial justice, and greater focus on notable African descendants in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the contribution Black people have made to mold society. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the method the celebration is observed is a manifestation of the political moment. How it progresses is a instructive case in how appropriation leads to weakening: the transformation of Black History Month has hindered the objective of it, which is to confront systemic and institutional racism.
A Disconcerting Period
Little demonstrates how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month more than the specific period in which it falls this year. In the UK, a revitalized conservative movement in the guise of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the recent season we witnessed the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. Kemi Badenoch, the Black leader of the right-wing political group, is a firm opponent of the racial justice movement, and we are in a place where a legislator feels empowered to say that a lack of white people in specific city neighborhoods is a source of worry. At the same time, ultra-nationalist movements are growing in Europe as a complete entity.
In the America, a colossal assault against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been taken, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the highest courts of the nation. A drive to scrub Black history and legacy from the records is ongoing. One of Donald Trump's early administrative commands targeted the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution, alleging that they of a “concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation’s history” by portraying America “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Against this backdrop, the observance illustrates how insufficiently it can be effective if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or depoliticized celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the realities of the contemporary world. It also reveals how its short period means that it is disconnected from the broader ongoing work that is necessary. A university professor, a educator at a learning establishment, put it best when she raised concerns about the fleeting superficial actions of the month. “The difficulty with embracing a superficial method”, she stated, “is that it often means that Black History Month evolves into a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Establishing how to adapt, revise and extend efforts for equal rights and acknowledgment in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a challenging endeavor. There is a urge to just do away with observances such as Black History Month altogether, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are vestiges of an era that has not worked.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and legacy of campaigns for equality – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, inclusion and equity efforts, and indeed, including corporate presentations – form an infrastructure that a considerable labor has gone into. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, regresses), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month look like? Well, first, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out across all seasons (as some institutions are already commencing), elements of its material (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into school curriculums. It would also be a period that does not evade governmental matters, and allows opportunity for citizens, particularly young people, to air their fears and experiences. What purpose serves simple recognition of the bygone era when it fails to address the current situation of extreme conservative demonstrations in the street? Institutions who celebrate it should not be pacified with the passive language of “unconscious bias” and awareness of “microaggressions”, but challenged by the dangers that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not treated with importance. In short, Black History Month should be made contemporary, pressing, and responsive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is in order – Contemporary Black History Month.
