This commemorative month acts as a gauge of the prevailing political atmosphere, so how do we revamp it?
This is Black History Month in the UK, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. Over the years, an event that was initiated as a festivity and recollection of heritage, traditions and links between international African diaspora communities, has developed a business-like atmosphere, broadening to incorporate gatherings where Black people are compensated to speak with predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and active solidarity. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests sparked an increase in the industry of demonstrating racial awareness. However, that period has concluded. The surge has reached its height, producing a diluted aftermath of what promoting consciousness is for.
The History of Black History Month
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with a week of commemoration and observance in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this movement and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Currently it is marked 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, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The month has evolved since its inception, placing less emphasis on the histories of the slave trade across the Atlantic and civil rights battles, and greater focus on notable African descendants in government, the arts, and social movements, and broadly celebrating the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with talks and cultural events. But the manner the celebration is celebrated is a manifestation of the political moment. How it progresses is a valuable example in how assimilation leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the point of it, which is to address structural and organizational discrimination.
A Jarring Moment
Little demonstrates how important it is to reevaluate Black History Month better than the current time in which it falls this year. In the United Kingdom, a reemerging right-wing in the form of the Reform political group is leading the polls. In the warmer months we witnessed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. a prominent political figure, the African descendant in charge of the Conservative party, is a firm opponent of anti-racism activism, and we are in a situation where a legislator feels emboldened to state that a lack of white people in parts of a city is a reason for concern. Meanwhile, extreme conservative groups are surging in the EU as a complete entity.
In the United States, a colossal assault against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been carried, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the top legal institutions of the nation. A campaign to remove Black history and experience from the archives is ongoing. One of the political figure's first executive orders aimed at the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the prestigious establishment, accusing them of a organized and extensive campaign to rewrite our Nation’s history” by portraying America “as naturally discriminatory”.
Against this backdrop, the month illustrates how little it can be impactful if it is limited to either obligatory business commemorations, or stripped of political content celebrations of historical achievements, rather than challenging the conditions of the present. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is separated from the more extensive continuous action that is needed. An academic expert, a professor at University of Greenwich, expressed it perfectly when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the celebration. “The difficulty with embracing a superficial method”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month turns into a transient display rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand efforts for equal rights and acknowledgment in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a challenging endeavor. There is a temptation to just discontinue observances such as Black History Month entirely, thinking they are no longer suitable, or are vestiges of an period that has been ineffective.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and tradition of activism for racial justice – community-based BLM initiatives, DEI programs, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an foundation that a significant effort has gone into. It is there not merely to decline as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, deteriorates), 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 distributed throughout the annual calendar (as various establishments are already starting to implement), parts of its content (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into school curriculums. It would also be a time that does not shy away from governmental matters, and provides room for individuals, particularly young people, to express their concerns and stories. What value has simple recognition of the history when it fails to address the current situation of extreme conservative demonstrations in the urban areas? Establishments who celebrate it should not be reassured with the passive language of “unconscious bias” and awareness of subtle slights, but challenged by the risks that impact society if anti-racism is not treated with importance. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, urgent, and adaptive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is in order – Contemporary Black History Month.
