This commemorative month serves as a mirror of the current political climate, so what steps can we take to refresh it?
We are in Black History Month in the Britain, and it feels like it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an observance that was initiated as a festivity and recollection of heritage, traditions and links between global Black communities, has taken on a corporate feel, broadening to incorporate gatherings where African descendants are remunerated to talk to Caucasian groups about hidden biases and supportive partnership. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests generated a rise in the industry of showcasing anti-racist commitment. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has crested, producing a diluted aftermath of what promoting consciousness is for.
The History of Black History Month
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the US and Canada in February, but also in October in the UK, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Holland.
The period has developed since that time, focusing less on the histories of transatlantic enslavement and struggles for equality, and more on influential individuals of color in government, the arts, and social movements, and extensively acknowledging the input Black people have made to shape the country. It is in schools where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with talks and cultural events. But the way the celebration is observed is a reflection of the contemporary political context. How it develops is a valuable example in how assimilation leads to dismantling: the transformation of Black History Month has hindered the objective of it, which is to confront systemic and institutional racism.
A Jarring Moment
Hardly anything shows how crucial it is to rethink Black History Month better than the particular moment in which it occurs this year. In the UK, a reemerging right-wing in the shape of the Reform political group is leading the polls. In the recent season we observed the largest far-right rally in British history. a prominent political figure, the Black leader of the Conservative party, is a firm opponent of anti-racism activism, and we are in a situation where a member of parliament feels empowered to say that a lack of white people in specific city neighborhoods is a source of worry. Meanwhile, ultra-nationalist movements are growing in Europe as a entirety.
In the US, a significant offensive against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, frequently with success, to the top legal institutions of the state. A campaign to erase the history of people of color and experience from the records is ongoing. One of Donald Trump's early administrative commands aimed at the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the Smithsonian Institution, claiming they of a coordinated and broad attempt to alter the country's historical narrative” by representing the nation “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Given these circumstances, the observance represents how insufficiently it can be impactful if it is restricted to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or stripped of political content commemorations of historical achievements, rather than confronting the conditions of the contemporary world. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is detached from the wider consistent effort that is needed. A university professor, a prof at a learning establishment, put it best when she expressed apprehension about the temporary “tokenism” of the celebration. “The problem with taking a tokenistic approach”, she stated, “is that it often means that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Establishing how to alter, change and broaden initiatives for racial equality and recognition in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a challenging endeavor. There is a temptation to just eliminate things like Black History Month completely, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an era that has not worked.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and tradition of campaigns for equality – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – constitute an framework that a significant effort has been dedicated to. It is there not just to decay as the politics moves on (and in fact, regresses), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month look like? Well, first, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is dispersed across all seasons (as some institutions are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into school curriculums. It would also be a time that does not evade governmental matters, and provides room for citizens, particularly young people, to air their fears and experiences. What use is simple recognition of the past when it doesn’t reckon with the present reality of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the street? Institutions who observe it should not be reassured with the passive language of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to “microaggressions”, but faced with the risks that face all if opposition to discrimination is not treated with importance. In short, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, critical, and adaptive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is in order – Contemporary Black History Month.
