This commemorative month is a reflection of the current political climate, so how do we revamp it?
This is Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. As time has passed, an observance that started out as a celebration and reminder of the past, cultural identity and bonds between global Black communities, has developed a corporate feel, expanding to include functions where African descendants are remunerated to address predominantly white listeners about “unconscious bias” and active solidarity. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the business of showcasing anti-racist commitment. But even that moment has passed. The tide has crested, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins of Black History Month
Initially celebrated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with a week of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month grew out of this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the United States and Canada in February, but also in autumn in the Britain, Germany, Éire and the Holland.
The period has evolved since its inception, placing less emphasis on the narratives of colonial slavery and fights for racial justice, and greater focus on notable African descendants in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and widely honoring the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with lectures and artistic activities. But the manner the month is observed is a indication of the political moment. How it progresses is a valuable example in how assimilation leads to erosion: the restructuring of Black History Month has impeded the purpose of it, which is to confront structural and organizational discrimination.
A Troubling Time
Little demonstrates how crucial it is to rethink Black History Month more than the specific period in which it takes place this year. In the United Kingdom, a reemerging right-wing in the guise of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we witnessed the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. a prominent political figure, the Black leader of the Tory party, is a staunch adversary of anti-racism activism, and we are in a situation where a member of parliament feels empowered to state that the absence of Caucasian individuals in certain urban areas is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, extreme conservative groups are surging in the EU as a entirety.
In the America, a significant offensive against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, often successfully, to the supreme judicial bodies of the country. A effort to remove the history of people of color and narrative from the archives is under way. One of the political figure's first executive orders aimed at the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, accusing them of a organized and extensive campaign to rewrite our Nation’s history” by portraying America “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Against this backdrop, the month symbolises how minimally it can be influential if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered festivities of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the situation of the current era. It also shows how its restricted time span means that it is separated from the more extensive continuous action that is required. Denise Miller, a prof at an educational institution, expressed it perfectly when she voiced worries about the temporary “tokenism” of the celebration. “The difficulty with embracing a superficial method”, she commented, “is that it often means that Black History Month evolves into a transient display rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Figuring out how to alter, change and broaden initiatives for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a challenging endeavor. There is a inclination to just eliminate things like Black History Month entirely, believing they are inadequate for current needs, or are remnants of an era that has failed to deliver.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and heritage of racial movements – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – form an framework that a significant effort has been invested in. It is there not just to decay as the politics moves on (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month look like? Firstly, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is distributed through the year (as certain organizations are already starting to implement), parts of its content (particularly around historic Black characters) included in school curriculums. It would also be a time that does not evade governmental matters, and leaves space for people, particularly youth, to express their concerns and stories. What value has basic knowledge of the past when it doesn’t reckon with the current situation of far-right rallies in the street? Institutions who celebrate it should not be pacified with the neutral terminology of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to “microaggressions”, but confronted with the risks that affect everyone if anti-racism is not taken seriously. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, urgent, and responsive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is in order – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
