Black History Month is a reflection of the political moment, so how do we revamp it?
This is Black History Month in the UK, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an celebration that started out as a celebration and reminder of heritage, traditions and links between global Black communities, has taken on a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass events where individuals of African heritage are remunerated to talk to predominantly white listeners about implicit prejudice and active solidarity. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The surge has crested, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The Background of Black History Observance
Initially celebrated in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with a week of commemoration and observance in the February's second week. Black History Month developed from this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States and Canada in February, but also in October in the Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the Holland.
The observance has transformed since its inception, focusing less on the histories of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and more on prominent Black figures in government, the arts, and social movements, and extensively acknowledging the impact Black people have made to mold society. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the method the month is celebrated is a indication of the political moment. How it develops is a instructive case in how assimilation leads to weakening: the restructuring of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to confront structural and organizational discrimination.
A Troubling Time
Hardly anything shows how crucial it is to rethink Black History Month more than the current time in which it occurs this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the shape of the Reform political group is ahead in surveys. 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 strong critic of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a place where a member of parliament feels emboldened to declare that a lack of white people in parts of a city is a cause for alarm. Meanwhile, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in the EU as a complete entity.
In the United States, a colossal assault against DEI and affirmative action has been taken, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the nation. A drive to scrub Black history and experience from the archives is ongoing. One of the former president's early administrative commands aimed at the museum of African American legacy, and the Smithsonian Institution, accusing them of a organized and extensive campaign to alter the country's historical narrative” by representing the nation “as naturally discriminatory”.
In this context, the month represents how minimally it can be influential if it is limited to either obligatory business commemorations, or depoliticized commemorations of former accomplishments, rather than confronting the conditions of the present. It also demonstrates how its limited duration means that it is detached from the wider consistent effort that is necessary. Denise Miller, a educator at a learning establishment, expressed it perfectly when she expressed apprehension about the fleeting superficial actions of the observance. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she commented, “is that it often means that Black History Month becomes a transient display rather than a agent of progress.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to alter, change and broaden actions for racial equality and recognition in such moments of dejection and worry is a difficult task. There is a urge to just do away with observances such as Black History Month completely, believing they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an time that has not worked.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and heritage of racial movements – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, DEI programs, and indeed, including corporate presentations – form an framework that a significant effort has been invested in. 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 look like? Firstly, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is dispersed throughout the annual calendar (as certain organizations are already commencing), parts of its content (particularly around historic Black characters) included in educational programs. It would also be a time that does not shy away from politics, and allows opportunity for citizens, particularly young people, to share their anxieties and narratives. What purpose serves simple recognition of the history when it fails to address the current situation of extreme conservative demonstrations in the public spaces? Establishments who mark it should not be comforted with the neutral terminology of “unconscious bias” and alertness to minor insults, but faced with the risks that affect everyone if anti-racism is not approached earnestly. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, critical, and reactive. It could be that an entire name rebrand is required – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
