Black History Month serves as a mirror 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 seems it’s time for a rethink. Over the years, an observance that was initiated as a celebration and reminder of heritage, traditions and links between Black populations worldwide, has developed a commercial tone, expanding to include gatherings where Black people are remunerated to talk to white audiences about hidden biases and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the enterprise of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The surge has peaked, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Background of Black History Month
Originally observed in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with seven days of commemoration and observance in the middle of February. Black History Month evolved from this initiative and was publicly established in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States and Canada in February, but also in October in the UK, the Federal Republic of Germany, Éire and the Holland.
The month has evolved since those days, giving reduced attention to the narratives of the slave trade across the Atlantic and civil rights battles, and more on notable African descendants in politics, culture, and activism, and widely honoring the impact Black people have made to shape the country. 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 manifestation of the contemporary political context. How it progresses is a good lesson in how assimilation leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the purpose of it, which is to confront structural and organizational discrimination.
A Troubling Time
Hardly anything shows how important it is to reevaluate Black History Month better than the specific period in which it falls this year. In the United Kingdom, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform organization is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we observed 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 staunch adversary of the racial justice movement, and we are in a place where a member of parliament feels empowered to say that “not seeing any white faces” in parts of a city is a cause for alarm. At the same time, extreme conservative groups are expanding in the European continent as a whole.
In the America, a significant offensive against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been taken, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the supreme judicial bodies of the nation. A drive to remove the history of people of color and legacy from the records is in progress. One of Donald Trump's early administrative commands targeted the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to change the national past” by representing the nation “as naturally discriminatory”.
Against this backdrop, the observance symbolises how insufficiently it can be effective if it is limited to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or stripped of political content festivities of historical achievements, rather than confronting the conditions of the present. It also shows how its short period means that it is detached from the broader ongoing work that is necessary. An academic expert, a professor at an educational institution, put it best when she voiced worries about the fleeting superficial actions of the month. “The issue with taking a tokenistic approach”, she stated, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a catalyst for change.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Figuring out how to alter, change and broaden efforts for racial equality and recognition in such moments of dejection and worry is a treacherous thing. There is a inclination to just eliminate things like Black History Month completely, thinking they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an time that has not worked.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and heritage of racial movements – local anti-racism groups, inclusion and equity efforts, and certainly, even commercial engagements – represent an framework that a significant effort has gone into. 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 look like? Firstly, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is dispersed across all seasons (as various establishments are already commencing), elements of its material (particularly around notable African descendants) included in educational programs. It would also be a period that does not evade governmental matters, and allows opportunity for individuals, particularly the younger generation, to air their fears and experiences. What use is simple recognition of the bygone era when it ignores the current situation of far-right rallies in the street? Organizations who observe it should not be pacified with the neutral terminology of hidden discrimination and alertness to minor insults, but challenged by the threats that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not treated with importance. In short, Black History Month should be made current, urgent, and adaptive. Maybe an total re-identification is necessary – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
