This commemorative month is a reflection of the current political climate, so in what ways can we modernize it?
It's Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a rethink. Throughout its history, an celebration that began as a commemorative event of history, culture and the connections between international African diaspora communities, has adopted a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass gatherings where individuals of African heritage are paid to talk to predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade generated a rise in the business of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The tide has reached its height, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins of Black History Month
First commemorated 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 multiple days of remembrance and recognition in the February's second week. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was publicly established in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the North America in February, but also in the tenth month in the Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The observance has evolved since its inception, giving reduced attention to the narratives of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and increasingly on prominent Black figures in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and widely honoring the contribution Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with talks and cultural events. But the manner the observance is commemorated is a indication of the contemporary political context. How it evolves is a instructive case in how co-option leads to weakening: the transformation of Black History Month has impeded the purpose of it, which is to confront structural and organizational discrimination.
A Jarring Moment
Few things illustrate how crucial it is to reconsider Black History Month as much as the particular moment in which it falls this year. In the UK, a revitalized conservative movement in the shape of the Reform political group is top in opinion ratings. In the recent season we saw the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in the history of Britain. a prominent political figure, the Black leader of the Tory party, is a firm opponent of anti-racism activism, and we are in a place where a legislator gains confidence to state that a lack of white people in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. At the same time, extreme conservative groups are growing in Europe as a complete entity.
In the US, a massive attack against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been carried, frequently with success, to the top legal institutions of the country. A campaign to erase African American heritage and experience from the archives is ongoing. One of the former president's first executive orders focused on the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to change the national past” by depicting the United States “as naturally discriminatory”.
In this context, the celebration symbolises how little it can be effective if it is restricted to either dutiful corporate observances, or politically neutered commemorations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the situation of the present. It also demonstrates how its limited duration means that it is separated from the broader ongoing work that is needed. Denise Miller, a professor at a learning establishment, expressed it perfectly when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the month. “The issue with adopting a symbolic stance”, she commented, “is that it often means that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a agent of progress.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand initiatives for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a treacherous thing. There is a inclination to just discontinue observances such as Black History Month altogether, thinking they are inadequate for current needs, or are remnants of an period that has failed to deliver.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and legacy of activism for racial justice – community-based BLM initiatives, DEI programs, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an framework that a lot of work has been dedicated to. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month look like? Well, first, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is distributed through the year (as certain organizations are already beginning to do), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into school curriculums. It would also be a period that does not shy away from politics, and provides room for people, particularly young people, to share their anxieties and narratives. What value has simple recognition of the past when it doesn’t reckon with the present reality of far-right rallies in the public spaces? Establishments who observe it should not be pacified with the passive language of “unconscious bias” and alertness to subtle slights, but confronted with the risks that affect everyone if opposition to discrimination is not treated with importance. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, pressing, and reactive. It could be that an complete renaming is necessary – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
