The annual Black History observance serves as a mirror of the current political climate, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it feels like it’s time for a rethink. Over the years, an celebration that started out as a commemorative event of history, culture and the connections between global Black communities, has adopted a corporate feel, expanding to include gatherings where African descendants are remunerated to talk to Caucasian groups about “unconscious bias” and supportive partnership. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests created a surge in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The tide has crested, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins of Black History Observance
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of commemoration and observance in the middle of February. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was officially launched in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the US and Canada in winter, but also in October in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
The period has transformed since its inception, giving reduced attention to the accounts of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and greater focus on influential individuals of color in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and broadly celebrating the input Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with lectures and artistic activities. But the manner the observance is observed is a manifestation of the political moment. How it develops is a good lesson in how co-option leads to dismantling: the restructuring of Black History Month has stymied the objective of it, which is to address embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
Hardly anything shows how important it is to rethink Black History Month more than the current time in which it falls this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform organization is ahead in surveys. In the recent season we saw the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. the Conservative leader, the person of color at the helm of the Conservative party, is a staunch adversary of anti-racism activism, and we are in a position where a elected representative gains confidence to say that the absence of Caucasian individuals in specific city neighborhoods is a cause for alarm. Simultaneously, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in the European continent as a whole.
In the America, a colossal assault against DEI and affirmative action has been brought, often successfully, to the supreme judicial bodies of the state. A effort to scrub African American heritage and narrative from the historical documents is in progress. One of the political figure's first executive orders focused on the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the renowned cultural organization, claiming they of a “concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation’s history” by representing the nation “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Against this backdrop, the celebration represents how little it can be effective if it is restricted to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered festivities of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the conditions of the present. It also demonstrates how its restricted time span means that it is separated from the wider consistent effort that is required. A university professor, a professor at a learning establishment, articulated it most accurately when she voiced worries about the temporary “tokenism” of the month. “The problem with taking a tokenistic approach”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in 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 actions for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a treacherous thing. There is a temptation to just do away with observances such as Black History Month completely, believing they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an time that has not worked.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and legacy of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, DEI programs, and certainly, even commercial engagements – form an framework that a considerable labor has gone into. It is there not just to decay as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month seem? Firstly, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out across all seasons (as some institutions are already beginning to do), sections of its curriculum (particularly around notable African descendants) incorporated into school curriculums. It would also be a period that does not evade governmental matters, and allows opportunity for individuals, particularly the younger generation, to express their concerns and stories. What value has mere awareness of the history when it ignores the contemporary truth of far-right rallies in the urban areas? Establishments who observe it should not be reassured with the non-confrontational words of implicit prejudice and alertness to subtle slights, but challenged by the threats that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not treated with importance. In short, Black History Month should be made contemporary, pressing, and reactive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is in order – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
