The annual Black History observance acts as a gauge of the political moment, so in what ways can we modernize it?
It's Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it feels like it’s time for a reassessment. Over the years, an celebration that was initiated as a festivity and recollection of heritage, traditions and links between Black populations worldwide, has taken on a corporate feel, expanding to include functions where African descendants are remunerated to address white audiences about “unconscious bias” and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the industry of showcasing anti-racist commitment. But even that moment has passed. The surge has peaked, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Origins of Black History Month
Originally observed in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was established in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of remembrance and recognition in the February's second week. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the North America in winter, but also in autumn in the Britain, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The period has evolved since that time, placing less emphasis on the accounts of the slave trade across the Atlantic and struggles for equality, and greater focus on prominent Black figures in government, the arts, and social movements, and widely honoring the contribution Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the celebration is observed is a manifestation of the current political situation. How it progresses is a good lesson in how appropriation leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has hindered the objective of it, which is to address embedded and established prejudice.
A Disconcerting Period
Little demonstrates how crucial it is to rethink Black History Month more than the particular moment in which it takes place this year. In the Britain, a revitalized conservative movement in the guise of the Reform organization is leading the polls. In the recent season we witnessed the biggest extreme right demonstration in the UK's past. Kemi Badenoch, the Black leader of the right-wing political group, is a firm opponent of anti-racism activism, and we are in a place where a member of parliament feels empowered to declare that “not seeing any white faces” in parts of a city is a reason for concern. At the same time, extreme conservative groups are expanding in the EU as a whole.
In the America, a significant offensive against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been brought, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the country. A drive to erase African American heritage and experience from the archives is under way. One of the former president's initial presidential directives targeted the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that they of a organized and extensive campaign to change the national past” by portraying America “as inherently racist”.
Given these circumstances, the month symbolises how minimally it can be effective if it is limited to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or depoliticized celebrations of former accomplishments, rather than addressing the realities of the contemporary world. It also demonstrates how its limited duration means that it is detached from the broader ongoing work that is required. Denise Miller, a prof at University of Greenwich, put it best when she voiced worries about the temporary “tokenism” of the celebration. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she wrote, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month becomes a brief show rather than a agent of progress.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Determining how to adapt, revise and extend initiatives for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a challenging endeavor. There is a urge to just discontinue things like Black History Month completely, believing they are simply not fit for purpose, or are remnants of an era that has not worked.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and heritage of racial movements – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, DEI programs, and indeed, including corporate presentations – form an foundation that a lot of work has been invested in. It is there not merely to decline as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, regresses), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month appear as? Well, first, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out through the year (as various establishments are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a era that does not evade governmental matters, and provides room for individuals, particularly youth, to air their fears and experiences. What value has mere awareness of the bygone era when it doesn’t reckon with the contemporary truth of far-right rallies in the street? Organizations who observe it should not be reassured with the neutral terminology of hidden discrimination and alertness to minor insults, but confronted with the risks that face all if opposition to discrimination is not treated with importance. In short, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, pressing, and adaptive. It could be that an total re-identification is required – Black History is Now Month.
