This commemorative month is a reflection of the political moment, so how do we revamp it?
This is Black History Month in the UK, and it feels like it’s time for a rethink. Over the years, an celebration that was initiated as a commemorative event of heritage, traditions and links between international African diaspora communities, has developed a commercial tone, expanding to include gatherings where Black people are compensated to talk to predominantly white listeners about “unconscious bias” and “allyship”. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests sparked an increase in the business of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has reached its height, producing a diluted aftermath of what raising awareness is for.
The History of Black History Celebration
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with seven days of remembrance and recognition in the February's second week. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the US and Canada in the second month, but also in October in the UK, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Holland.
The month has evolved since its inception, placing less emphasis on the accounts of transatlantic enslavement and struggles for equality, and greater focus on influential individuals of color in government, the arts, and social movements, and extensively acknowledging the impact Black people have made to mold society. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with talks and cultural events. But the manner the celebration is celebrated is a reflection of the political moment. How it evolves is a good lesson in how assimilation leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to confront systemic and institutional racism.
A Jarring Moment
Hardly anything shows how important it is to reconsider Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it occurs this year. In the United Kingdom, a revitalized conservative movement in the shape of the Reform organization is top in opinion ratings. In the summer we saw the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. a prominent political figure, the African descendant in charge of the right-wing political group, is a strong critic of the racial justice movement, and we are in a position where a legislator feels emboldened to state that the absence of Caucasian individuals in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. Meanwhile, far-right parties are growing in the EU as a whole.
In the United States, a colossal assault against DEI and affirmative action has been brought, often successfully, to the highest courts of the country. A campaign to erase African American heritage and legacy from the archives is under way. One of Donald Trump's first executive orders aimed at the museum of African American legacy, and the prestigious establishment, 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 celebration illustrates how minimally it can be effective if it is limited to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or depoliticized celebrations of former accomplishments, rather than confronting 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 needed. An academic expert, a prof at University of Greenwich, expressed it perfectly when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the celebration. “The problem with taking a tokenistic approach”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month turns into a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Determining how to adjust, modify and expand efforts for fair treatment and appreciation in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a treacherous thing. There is a urge to just discontinue things like Black History Month completely, assuming they are inadequate for current needs, or are relics of an period that has been ineffective.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and heritage of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, DEI programs, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an infrastructure that a considerable labor has gone into. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, declines), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month appear as? To begin with, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed through the year (as certain organizations are already beginning to do), sections of its curriculum (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a period that does not avoid political issues, and allows opportunity for citizens, particularly young people, to express their concerns and stories. What purpose serves simple recognition of the bygone era when it doesn’t reckon with the current situation of far-right rallies in the urban areas? Establishments who observe it should not be comforted with the neutral terminology of “unconscious bias” and sensitivity to subtle slights, but challenged by the risks that impact society if anti-racism is not approached earnestly. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, urgent, and responsive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is required – Contemporary Black History Month.
