The annual Black History observance serves as a mirror of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the UK, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an event that was initiated as a festivity and recollection of heritage, traditions and links between international African diaspora communities, has developed a corporate feel, expanding to include functions where African descendants are compensated to address Caucasian groups about hidden biases and “allyship”. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests sparked an increase in the business of displaying cultural sensitivity. But even that moment has passed. The wave has crested, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Background of Black History Celebration
First commemorated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of celebration and reflection in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the North America in the second month, but also in autumn in the Britain, Deutschland, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
The observance has evolved since that time, focusing less on the accounts of the slave trade across the Atlantic and civil rights battles, and more on notable African descendants in politics, culture, and activism, and extensively acknowledging the impact Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the month is commemorated is a reflection of the current political situation. How it evolves is a valuable example in how co-option leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the point of it, which is to address systemic and institutional racism.
A Troubling Time
Little demonstrates how critical it is to rethink Black History Month better than the current time in which it takes place this year. In the United Kingdom, a revitalized conservative movement in the guise of the Reform political group is leading the polls. In the summer we saw the biggest extreme right demonstration in the UK's past. a prominent political figure, the person of color at the helm of the right-wing political group, is a strong critic of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a place where a elected representative feels empowered to declare that “not seeing any white faces” in specific city neighborhoods is a cause for alarm. Simultaneously, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in the EU as a entirety.
In the US, a massive attack against DEI and affirmative action has been brought, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the top legal institutions of the country. A campaign to erase African American heritage and narrative from the archives is under way. One of Donald Trump's early administrative commands targeted the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the prestigious establishment, accusing them of a “concerted and widespread effort to alter the country's historical narrative” by portraying America “as naturally discriminatory”.
In this context, the month symbolises how minimally it can be effective if it is confined to either dutiful corporate observances, or politically neutered festivities of historical achievements, rather than confronting the situation of the contemporary world. It also reveals how its limited duration means that it is disconnected from the wider consistent effort that is necessary. An academic expert, a educator at University of Greenwich, expressed it perfectly when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the observance. “The problem with taking a tokenistic approach”, she stated, “is that it often means that Black History Month becomes a brief show rather than a catalyst for change.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Establishing how to alter, change and broaden efforts for racial equality and recognition in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a challenging endeavor. There is a inclination to just discontinue things like Black History Month completely, thinking they are no longer suitable, or are remnants of an period that has been ineffective.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and legacy of campaigns for equality – community-based BLM initiatives, inclusion and equity efforts, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an infrastructure that a lot of work has gone into. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, declines), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month seem? Well, first, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is spread out through the year (as certain organizations are already beginning to do), parts of its content (particularly around notable African descendants) included in school curriculums. It would also be a period that does not evade political issues, and leaves space for people, particularly the younger generation, to air their fears and experiences. What use is mere awareness of the history when it fails to address the current situation of far-right rallies in the street? Institutions who celebrate it should not be reassured with the passive language of hidden discrimination and alertness to minor insults, but challenged by the risks that impact society if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. In short, Black History Month should be made contemporary, critical, and reactive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is required – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
