This commemorative month acts as a gauge of the prevailing political atmosphere, so what steps can we take to refresh it?
We are in Black History Month in the UK, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an celebration that began as a celebration and reminder of history, culture and the connections between Black populations worldwide, has taken on a commercial tone, broadening to incorporate gatherings where individuals of African heritage are remunerated to talk to Caucasian groups about implicit prejudice and active solidarity. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The surge has reached its height, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what increasing understanding is for.
The Origins of Black History Month
Initially celebrated in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of commemoration and observance in the February's second week. Black History Month developed from this campaign and was officially launched in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the United States and Canada in February, but also in autumn in the United Kingdom, Deutschland, the Republic of Ireland and the Holland.
The month has transformed since its inception, giving reduced attention to the narratives of colonial slavery and struggles for equality, and increasingly on influential individuals of color in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and widely honoring the input Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with lectures and artistic activities. But the way the observance is commemorated is a reflection of the contemporary political context. How it evolves is a instructive case in how assimilation leads to weakening: the restructuring of Black History Month has hindered the purpose of it, which is to confront embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month better than the particular moment in which it occurs this year. In the United Kingdom, a reemerging right-wing in the shape of the Reform organization is ahead in surveys. In the warmer months we saw the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. Kemi Badenoch, the person of color at the helm of the right-wing political group, is a firm opponent of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a place where a elected representative feels empowered to say that “not seeing any white faces” in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, far-right parties are expanding in Europe as a entirety.
In the America, a significant offensive against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been carried, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the highest courts of the nation. A campaign to erase African American heritage and narrative from the historical documents is under way. One of Donald Trump's early administrative commands targeted the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the renowned cultural organization, accusing them of a coordinated and broad attempt to rewrite our Nation’s history” by portraying America “as naturally discriminatory”.
Against this backdrop, the month symbolises how minimally it can be effective if it is restricted to either dutiful corporate observances, or politically neutered commemorations of historical achievements, rather than addressing the realities of the contemporary world. It also demonstrates how its restricted time span means that it is detached from the broader ongoing work that is required. Denise Miller, a educator at University of Greenwich, articulated it most accurately when she expressed apprehension about the temporary “tokenism” of the month. “The problem with embracing a superficial method”, she wrote, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month turns into a brief show rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Determining how to adapt, revise and extend efforts for racial equality and recognition in such moments of dejection and worry is a treacherous thing. There is a temptation to just discontinue observances such as Black History Month entirely, thinking they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an period 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, DEI programs, and yes, even those talks to businesses – form an framework that a lot of work has been dedicated to. It is there not merely to decline as the situation evolves (and in fact, declines), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month look like? Firstly, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is dispersed through the year (as various establishments are already starting to implement), elements of its material (particularly around prominent figures of color) included in educational programs. It would also be a era that does not shy away from governmental matters, and allows opportunity for people, particularly youth, to share their anxieties and narratives. What purpose serves mere awareness of the history when it ignores the present reality of extreme conservative demonstrations in the urban areas? Organizations who celebrate it should not be comforted with the passive language of “unconscious bias” and alertness to subtle slights, but challenged by the risks that face all if anti-racism is not treated with importance. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, critical, and responsive. It could be that an entire name rebrand is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
