Black History Month acts as a gauge of the current political climate, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a re-evaluation. Throughout its history, an event that started out as a commemorative event of the past, cultural identity and bonds between global Black communities, has adopted a commercial tone, broadening to incorporate events where Black people are remunerated to speak with Caucasian groups about hidden biases and supportive partnership. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests generated a rise in the industry of demonstrating racial awareness. But even that moment has passed. The surge has crested, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what increasing understanding is for.
The Origins of Black History Celebration
Originally observed in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of celebration and reflection in the second week of February. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was publicly established in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the United States and Canada in the second month, but also in the tenth month in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, Éire and the Holland.
The observance has developed since its inception, giving reduced attention to the histories of colonial slavery and fights for racial justice, and greater focus on influential individuals of color in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and widely honoring the input Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with lectures and artistic activities. But the way the celebration is celebrated is a reflection of the political moment. How it develops is a good lesson in how co-option leads to erosion: the transformation of Black History Month has impeded the purpose of it, which is to confront systemic and institutional racism.
A Troubling Time
Hardly anything shows how critical it is to rethink Black History Month more than the current time in which it falls this year. In the United Kingdom, a revitalized conservative movement in the form of the Reform political group is top in opinion ratings. In the summer we witnessed the biggest extreme right demonstration in the UK's past. Kemi Badenoch, the person of color at the helm of the Tory party, is a firm opponent of the racial justice movement, and we are in a place where a member of parliament gains confidence to state that a lack of white people in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. At the same time, far-right parties are surging in the EU as a entirety.
In the US, a colossal assault against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been carried, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the top legal institutions of the state. A effort to scrub African American heritage and experience from the historical documents is ongoing. One of Donald Trump's initial presidential directives aimed at the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the renowned cultural organization, claiming they of a coordinated and broad attempt to change the national past” by representing the nation “as inherently racist”.
In this context, the observance symbolises how minimally it can be impactful if it is limited to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or politically neutered commemorations of historical achievements, rather than challenging the situation of the contemporary world. It also demonstrates how its limited duration means that it is disconnected from the wider consistent effort that is necessary. A university professor, a educator at University of Greenwich, put it best when she voiced worries about the fleeting superficial actions of the observance. “The issue with embracing a superficial method”, she commented, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Determining how to alter, change and broaden initiatives for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a treacherous thing. There is a inclination to just discontinue observances such as Black History Month entirely, believing they are inadequate for current needs, or are remnants of an period that has been ineffective.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and heritage of activism for racial justice – local anti-racism groups, DEI programs, and yes, even those talks to businesses – form an infrastructure that a lot of work has been dedicated to. It is there not just to decay as the politics moves on (and in fact, declines), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month appear as? Well, first, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is spread out across all seasons (as various establishments are already starting to implement), elements of its material (particularly around notable African descendants) integrated into school curriculums. It would also be a period that does not avoid governmental matters, and provides room for individuals, particularly the younger generation, to share their anxieties and narratives. What purpose serves simple recognition of the past when it ignores the contemporary truth of extreme conservative demonstrations in the street? Establishments who celebrate it should not be pacified with the passive language of “unconscious bias” and awareness of “microaggressions”, but challenged by the risks that face all if opposition to discrimination is not taken seriously. In short, Black History Month should be made contemporary, pressing, and adaptive. Perhaps an complete renaming is required – Black History is Now Month.
