Black History Month serves as a mirror of the political moment, so how do we revamp it?
This is Black History Month in the UK, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. As time has passed, an observance that started out as a celebration and reminder of heritage, traditions and links between global Black communities, has taken on a commercial tone, broadening to incorporate gatherings where individuals of African heritage are paid to address predominantly white listeners about “unconscious bias” and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the enterprise of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The tide has crested, producing a diluted aftermath of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Origins of Black History Month
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with seven days of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month grew out of this initiative and was publicly established in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the North America in the second month, but also in October in the Britain, Deutschland, Éire and the Holland.
The period has transformed since its inception, placing less emphasis on the narratives of colonial slavery and struggles for equality, and more on notable African descendants in government, the arts, and social movements, and widely honoring the input Black people have made to shape the country. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the observance is observed is a reflection of the political moment. How it progresses is a instructive case in how appropriation leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the point of it, which is to confront structural and organizational discrimination.
A Disconcerting Period
Hardly anything shows how important it is to rethink Black History Month more than the particular moment in which it occurs this year. In the UK, a resurgent right in the form of the Reform organization is leading the polls. In the warmer months we observed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. Kemi Badenoch, the African descendant in charge of the Tory party, is a firm opponent of the racial justice movement, and we are in a place where a legislator feels emboldened to say that “not seeing any white faces” in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, far-right parties are expanding in the European continent as a complete entity.
In the America, a colossal assault against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, frequently with success, to the supreme judicial bodies of the nation. A effort to erase Black history and narrative from the historical documents is under way. One of the former president's first executive orders targeted the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the prestigious establishment, accusing them of a organized and extensive campaign to rewrite our Nation’s history” by representing the nation “as inherently racist”.
In this context, the observance illustrates how little it can be effective if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered festivities of historical achievements, rather than challenging the conditions of the contemporary world. It also demonstrates how its limited duration means that it is detached from the wider consistent effort that is required. Denise Miller, a professor at an educational institution, put it best when she voiced worries about the temporary “tokenism” of the month. “The problem with embracing a superficial method”, she commented, “is that it often means that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Determining how to adjust, modify and expand initiatives for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just discontinue things like Black History Month entirely, assuming they are no longer suitable, or are remnants of an period that has been ineffective.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and heritage of racial movements – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – represent an framework that a lot of work has been dedicated to. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, regresses), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month look like? Well, first, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is dispersed throughout the annual calendar (as certain organizations are already commencing), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) incorporated into academic syllabi. It would also be a time that does not avoid political issues, and allows opportunity for people, particularly the younger generation, to express their concerns and stories. What value has basic knowledge of the history when it doesn’t reckon with the present reality of far-right rallies in the urban areas? Organizations who observe it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to subtle slights, but faced with the dangers that impact society if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. In short, Black History Month should be made contemporary, critical, and adaptive. Maybe an complete renaming is required – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
