Black History Month serves as a mirror of the current political climate, so how do we revamp it?
It's Black History Month in the UK, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. As time has passed, an celebration that was initiated as a festivity and recollection of history, culture and the connections between global Black communities, has taken on a commercial tone, growing to encompass events where individuals of African heritage are paid to talk to predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the enterprise of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has crested, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The History of Black History Observance
Initially celebrated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with seven days of celebration and reflection in the second week of February. Black History Month evolved from this initiative and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the US and Canada in February, but also in the tenth month in the Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The period has developed since those days, focusing less on the histories of colonial slavery and struggles for equality, and more on notable African descendants in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the impact Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in schools where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with talks and cultural events. But the method the month is celebrated is a manifestation of the current political situation. How it develops is a good lesson in how assimilation leads to dismantling: the restructuring of Black History Month has impeded the purpose of it, which is to address structural and organizational discrimination.
A Troubling Time
Little demonstrates how critical it is to rethink Black History Month better than the specific period in which it falls this year. In the UK, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform organization is top in opinion ratings. In the recent season we witnessed the largest far-right rally in British history. a prominent political figure, the Black leader of the Tory party, is a strong critic of anti-racism activism, and we are in a place where a legislator feels empowered to state that the absence of Caucasian individuals in certain urban areas is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, extreme conservative groups are surging in Europe as a entirety.
In the United States, a colossal assault against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the top legal institutions of the nation. A campaign to erase the history of people of color and legacy from the records is ongoing. One of the former president's early administrative commands aimed at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution, claiming they of a coordinated and broad attempt to rewrite our Nation’s history” by portraying America “as naturally discriminatory”.
In this context, the month symbolises how insufficiently it can be influential if it is limited to either dutiful corporate observances, or depoliticized commemorations of former accomplishments, rather than challenging the realities of the current era. It also shows how its limited duration means that it is separated from the more extensive continuous action that is required. A university professor, a educator at University of Greenwich, expressed it perfectly when she expressed apprehension about the fleeting superficial actions of the observance. “The issue with adopting a symbolic stance”, she wrote, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month evolves into a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a challenging endeavor. There is a inclination to just do away with observances such as Black History Month entirely, thinking they are no longer suitable, or are vestiges of an time that has been ineffective.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and legacy of campaigns for equality – local anti-racism groups, inclusion and equity efforts, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an infrastructure that a lot of work has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, regresses), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month appear as? Well, first, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is distributed across all seasons (as certain organizations are already beginning to do), sections of its curriculum (particularly around historic Black characters) included in academic syllabi. It would also be a time that does not shy away from politics, and provides room for individuals, particularly youth, to air their fears and experiences. What use is basic knowledge of the bygone era when it doesn’t reckon with the contemporary truth of far-right rallies in the street? Organizations who mark it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and awareness of subtle slights, but confronted with the dangers that face all if anti-racism is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made contemporary, pressing, and adaptive. It could be that an entire name rebrand is in order – Black History is Now Month.
