The annual Black History observance serves as a mirror of the prevailing political atmosphere, so how do we revamp it?
It's Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. As time has passed, an celebration that was initiated as a celebration and reminder of history, culture and the connections between international African diaspora communities, has developed a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass functions where individuals of African heritage are compensated to talk to Caucasian groups about hidden biases and “allyship”. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade generated a rise in the enterprise of demonstrating racial awareness. But even that moment has passed. The wave has crested, producing a diluted aftermath of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Background of Black History Month
Originally observed in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was established in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with a week of celebration and reflection in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this campaign and was publicly established in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the US and Canada in winter, but also in October in the Britain, Germany, Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The observance has evolved since that time, focusing less on the accounts of transatlantic enslavement and struggles for equality, and more on notable African descendants in politics, culture, and activism, and extensively acknowledging the impact Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with lectures and artistic activities. But the manner the observance is observed is a indication of the current political situation. How it develops is a valuable example in how assimilation leads to weakening: the transformation of Black History Month has hindered the purpose of it, which is to address embedded and established prejudice.
A Jarring Moment
Little demonstrates how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month better than the current time in which it takes place this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the form of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the summer we saw the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in the history of Britain. Kemi Badenoch, the person of color at the helm of the Tory party, is a strong critic of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a position where a member of parliament gains confidence to declare that the absence of Caucasian individuals in parts of a city is a source of worry. At the same time, extreme conservative groups are growing in the EU as a whole.
In the US, a significant offensive against DEI and affirmative action has been brought, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the state. A drive to remove African American heritage and narrative from the records is in progress. One of the former president's initial presidential directives focused on the museum of African American legacy, and the Smithsonian Institution, accusing them of a “concerted and widespread effort to alter the country's historical narrative” by representing the nation “as naturally discriminatory”.
Against this backdrop, the month illustrates how insufficiently it can be effective if it is confined to either dutiful corporate observances, or stripped of political content commemorations of historical achievements, rather than addressing the conditions of the present. It also reveals how its short period means that it is disconnected from the broader ongoing work that is necessary. A university professor, a professor at a learning establishment, articulated it most accurately when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the observance. “The issue 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 agent of progress.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to adapt, revise and extend initiatives for racial equality and recognition in such moments of dejection and worry is a treacherous thing. There is a temptation to just eliminate events including Black History Month entirely, assuming they are inadequate for current needs, or are remnants of an period that has failed to deliver.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and legacy of campaigns for equality – community-based BLM initiatives, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – form an infrastructure that a considerable labor has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, declines), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month appear as? To begin with, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is dispersed through the year (as various establishments are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a time that does not avoid governmental matters, and allows opportunity for individuals, particularly youth, to express their concerns and stories. What use is basic knowledge of the bygone era when it doesn’t reckon with the present reality of far-right rallies in the street? Institutions who celebrate it should not be reassured with the passive language of hidden discrimination and alertness to minor insults, but challenged by the threats that impact society if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, critical, and responsive. Perhaps an total re-identification is required – Contemporary Black History Month.
