The annual Black History observance acts as a gauge of the current political climate, 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 re-evaluation. Throughout its history, an celebration that began as a festivity and recollection of the past, cultural identity and bonds between global Black communities, has developed a corporate feel, broadening to incorporate events where Black people are paid to talk to Caucasian groups about “unconscious bias” and supportive partnership. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests created a surge in the enterprise of demonstrating racial awareness. But even that moment has passed. The surge has crested, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what increasing understanding is for.
The History of Black History Month
Initially celebrated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of commemoration and observance in the second week of February. Black History Month grew out of this campaign and was publicly established in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the US and Canada in winter, but also in the tenth month in the Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The observance has developed since that time, focusing less on the histories of the slave trade across the Atlantic and fights for racial justice, and more on influential individuals of color in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and extensively acknowledging the input Black people have made to mold society. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the way the celebration is commemorated is a indication of the political moment. 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 systemic and institutional racism.
A Troubling Time
Little demonstrates how important it is to reevaluate Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it falls this year. In the United Kingdom, a revitalized conservative movement in the shape of the Reform party is ahead in surveys. In the summer we saw the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. Kemi Badenoch, the African descendant in charge of the Tory party, is a strong critic of anti-racism activism, and we are in a place where a elected representative feels emboldened to declare that the absence of Caucasian individuals in parts of a city is a source of worry. Meanwhile, far-right parties are growing in the EU as a entirety.
In the US, a significant offensive against DEI and affirmative action has been taken, frequently with success, to the highest courts of the state. A effort to scrub African American heritage and narrative from the archives is ongoing. One of Donald Trump's initial presidential directives focused on the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the renowned cultural organization, claiming they of a organized and extensive campaign to change the national past” by depicting the United States “as inherently racist”.
In this context, the celebration illustrates how little it can be impactful if it is limited to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or stripped of political content festivities of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the realities of the contemporary world. It also shows how its restricted time span means that it is separated from the more extensive continuous action that is needed. An academic expert, a educator at University of Greenwich, expressed it perfectly when she expressed apprehension about the short-term symbolic gestures of the celebration. “The issue with taking a tokenistic approach”, she wrote, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a agent of progress.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Determining how to alter, change and broaden actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just eliminate events including Black History Month altogether, believing they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an era that has not worked.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and legacy of racial movements – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – form an foundation that a significant effort has been dedicated to. It is there not just to decay as the situation evolves (and in fact, declines), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month appear as? Well, first, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is spread out across all seasons (as various establishments are already commencing), parts of its content (particularly around notable African descendants) integrated into school curriculums. It would also be a era that does not shy away from political issues, and leaves space for individuals, particularly youth, to air their fears and experiences. What use is basic knowledge of the bygone era when it fails to address the current situation of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the public spaces? Institutions who observe it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and sensitivity to minor insults, but faced with the dangers that affect everyone if opposition to discrimination is not treated with importance. To summarize, Black History Month should be made current, pressing, and reactive. Maybe an total re-identification is required – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
