This commemorative month acts as a gauge of the political moment, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the Britain, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. Over the years, an celebration that started out as a commemorative event of history, culture and the connections between international African diaspora communities, has taken on a commercial tone, growing to encompass events where Black people are paid to talk to predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and supportive partnership. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s created a surge in the industry of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The tide has peaked, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what increasing understanding is for.
The History of Black History Month
Initially celebrated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was created in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with a week of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month grew out of this campaign and was publicly established in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States and Canada in the second month, but also in October in the United Kingdom, Deutschland, Éire and the Netherlands.
The observance has evolved since its inception, placing less emphasis on the accounts of colonial slavery and struggles for equality, and increasingly on influential individuals of color in politics, culture, and activism, and extensively acknowledging the input Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in schools where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with talks and cultural events. But the method the celebration is commemorated is a reflection of the current political situation. How it develops is a instructive case in how co-option leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to confront systemic and institutional racism.
A Disconcerting Period
Few things illustrate how important it is to rethink Black History Month as much as the current time in which it takes place this year. In the UK, a revitalized conservative movement in the form of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the recent season we saw the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. the Conservative leader, the person of color at the helm of the Conservative party, is a staunch adversary of anti-racism activism, and we are in a position where a legislator gains confidence to say that the absence of Caucasian individuals in parts of a city is a reason for concern. At the same time, ultra-nationalist movements are surging in Europe as a complete entity.
In the US, a colossal assault against DEI and affirmative action has been brought, often successfully, to the supreme judicial bodies of the state. A campaign to remove Black history and narrative from the records is ongoing. One of the political figure's first executive orders focused on the museum of African American legacy, and the Smithsonian Institution, claiming they of a organized and extensive campaign to change the national past” by portraying America “as naturally discriminatory”.
Given these circumstances, the observance illustrates how minimally it can be impactful if it is confined to either dutiful corporate observances, or stripped of political content commemorations of contributions in the past, rather than addressing the conditions of the contemporary world. It also shows how its short period means that it is separated from the broader ongoing work that is necessary. Denise Miller, a prof at an educational institution, articulated it most accurately when she voiced worries about the short-term symbolic gestures of the observance. “The issue with embracing a superficial method”, she commented, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month evolves into a transient display 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 moments of dejection and worry is a treacherous thing. There is a urge to just eliminate things like Black History Month completely, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are remnants of an period that has not worked.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and heritage of activism for racial justice – local anti-racism groups, inclusion and equity efforts, and certainly, even commercial engagements – constitute an framework that a lot of work has gone into. It is there not merely to decline as the politics moves on (and in fact, regresses), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month look like? To begin with, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out across all seasons (as various establishments are already commencing), parts of its content (particularly around notable African descendants) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a era that does not evade politics, and leaves space for people, particularly young people, to express their concerns and stories. What use is basic knowledge of the history when it doesn’t reckon with the contemporary truth of extreme conservative demonstrations in the urban areas? Establishments who observe it should not be reassured with the passive language of implicit prejudice and awareness of “microaggressions”, but confronted with the risks that face all if anti-racism is not approached earnestly. In short, Black History Month should be made contemporary, pressing, and responsive. Maybe an total re-identification is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
