This commemorative month is a reflection of the current political climate, so how do we revamp it?
We are in Black History Month in the Britain, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. Throughout its history, an celebration that began as a celebration and reminder of history, culture and the connections between international African diaspora communities, has adopted a business-like atmosphere, expanding to include events where Black people are compensated 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 tide has reached its height, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins of Black History Celebration
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of remembrance and recognition in the middle of February. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was officially launched in 1970. Today it is observed 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, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
The month has developed since that time, giving reduced attention to the histories of colonial slavery and struggles for equality, and greater focus on notable African descendants in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the input Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with lectures and artistic activities. But the way the observance is celebrated is a manifestation of the political moment. How it develops is a valuable example in how assimilation leads to dismantling: the restructuring of Black History Month has hindered the purpose of it, which is to confront embedded and established prejudice.
A Disconcerting Period
Hardly anything shows how important it is to rethink Black History Month more than the current time in which it takes place this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform party is leading the polls. In the recent season we saw the largest far-right rally in British history. a prominent political figure, the person of color at the helm of the right-wing political group, is a strong critic of anti-racism activism, and we are in a place where a legislator feels empowered to say that “not seeing any white faces” in certain urban areas is a reason for concern. Meanwhile, far-right parties are expanding in the European continent as a complete entity.
In the America, a significant offensive against DEI and affirmative action has been taken, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the highest courts of the nation. A drive to remove Black history and narrative from the records is ongoing. One of Donald Trump's first executive orders focused on the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution, claiming they of a “concerted and widespread effort to change the national past” by portraying America “as naturally discriminatory”.
Against this backdrop, the month represents how insufficiently it can be impactful if it is restricted to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or stripped of political content commemorations of former accomplishments, rather than confronting the situation of the contemporary world. It also reveals how its limited duration means that it is disconnected from the broader ongoing work that is necessary. An academic expert, a professor at an educational institution, expressed it perfectly when she raised concerns about the short-term symbolic gestures of the month. “The problem with taking a tokenistic approach”, she commented, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month evolves into a fleeting performance rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Figuring out how to adapt, revise and extend efforts for equal rights and acknowledgment in such moments of dejection and worry is a difficult task. There is a urge to just discontinue events including Black History Month altogether, assuming they are no longer suitable, or are vestiges of an period that has failed to deliver.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and heritage of racial movements – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – form an infrastructure that a considerable labor has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, declines), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month appear as? Firstly, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed through the year (as certain organizations are already commencing), elements of its material (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a time that does not shy away from governmental matters, and leaves space for individuals, particularly young people, to air their fears and experiences. What use is simple recognition of the history when it doesn’t reckon with the current situation of extreme conservative demonstrations in the street? Institutions who celebrate it should not be comforted with the passive language of “unconscious bias” and awareness of minor insults, but confronted with the risks that face all if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made contemporary, critical, and adaptive. Maybe an complete renaming is required – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
