The annual Black History observance acts as a gauge of the prevailing political atmosphere, 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 rethink. Throughout its history, an celebration that was initiated as a festivity and recollection of heritage, traditions and links between Black populations worldwide, has developed a business-like atmosphere, broadening to incorporate events where African descendants are compensated to talk to predominantly white listeners about implicit prejudice and supportive partnership. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s generated a rise in the enterprise of showcasing anti-racist commitment. However, that period has concluded. The tide has reached its height, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The Background of Black History Observance
First commemorated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was established in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with a week of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month grew out of this movement and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the North America in February, but also in October in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The period has developed since its inception, focusing less on the accounts of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and increasingly on prominent Black figures in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and broadly celebrating the impact Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the way the month is observed is a indication of the political moment. How it progresses is a good lesson in how co-option leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the point of it, which is to address systemic and institutional racism.
A Jarring Moment
Few things illustrate how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month better than the current time in which it occurs this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform political group is leading the polls. In the warmer months we witnessed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. the Conservative leader, the African descendant in charge of the right-wing political group, is a staunch adversary of the racial justice movement, and we are in a place where a legislator gains confidence to say that “not seeing any white faces” in parts of a city is a source of worry. Simultaneously, far-right parties are growing in the European continent as a complete entity.
In the America, a colossal assault against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been taken, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the state. A drive to remove African American heritage and experience from the archives is in progress. One of the political figure's initial presidential directives focused on the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to rewrite our Nation’s history” by depicting the United States “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Given these circumstances, the observance illustrates how insufficiently it can be effective if it is restricted to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or politically neutered festivities of contributions in the past, rather than addressing the conditions of the contemporary world. It also shows how its short period means that it is detached from the broader ongoing work that is necessary. A university professor, a prof at University of Greenwich, articulated it most accurately when she expressed apprehension about the temporary “tokenism” of the celebration. “The issue with adopting a symbolic stance”, she wrote, “is that it often means that Black History Month evolves into a transient display rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Establishing how to adapt, revise and extend initiatives for racial equality and recognition in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a treacherous thing. There is a inclination to just do away with events including Black History Month entirely, thinking they are simply not fit for purpose, or are remnants of an time that has failed to deliver.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and tradition of racial movements – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, DEI programs, and yes, even those talks to businesses – represent an foundation that a significant effort has gone into. It is there not merely to decline as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month look like? To begin with, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out across all seasons (as some institutions are already starting to implement), parts of its content (particularly around notable African descendants) included in educational programs. It would also be a time that does not evade politics, and leaves space for citizens, particularly the younger generation, to express their concerns and stories. What use is basic knowledge of the history when it fails to address the current situation of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the urban areas? Organizations who mark it should not be reassured with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and alertness to subtle slights, but challenged by the dangers that impact society if anti-racism is not treated with importance. In short, Black History Month should be made current, urgent, and adaptive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is required – Contemporary Black History Month.
