Black History Month acts as a gauge of the current political climate, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the UK, and it appears it’s time for a rethink. As time has passed, an observance that began as a commemorative event of heritage, traditions and links between Black populations worldwide, has developed a commercial tone, broadening to incorporate functions where African descendants are remunerated to speak with Caucasian groups about implicit prejudice and active solidarity. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s generated a rise in the business of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The tide has crested, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what promoting consciousness is for.
The History of Black History Month
First commemorated in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of commemoration and observance in the February's second week. Black History Month grew out of this campaign and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the US and Canada in the second month, but also in the tenth month in the UK, Deutschland, Éire and the Netherlands.
The period has developed since its inception, focusing less on the accounts of colonial slavery and civil rights battles, and more on prominent Black figures in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the input Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with lectures and artistic activities. But the manner the observance is commemorated is a manifestation of the political moment. How it evolves is a valuable example in how appropriation leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the point of it, which is to tackle systemic and institutional racism.
A Disconcerting Period
Few things illustrate how critical it is to reevaluate Black History Month as much as the current time in which it occurs this year. In the United Kingdom, a resurgent right in the shape of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the summer we saw the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. a prominent political figure, the person of color at the helm of the Tory party, is a staunch adversary of anti-racism activism, and we are in a situation where a member of parliament feels empowered to state that a lack of white people in certain urban areas is a source of worry. Meanwhile, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in Europe as a entirety.
In the US, a colossal assault against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been brought, frequently with success, to the supreme judicial bodies of the state. A campaign to erase Black history and narrative from the records is in progress. One of the political figure's first executive orders focused on the museum of African American legacy, and the Smithsonian Institution, accusing them of a organized and extensive campaign to rewrite our Nation’s history” by portraying America “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Against this backdrop, the celebration symbolises how insufficiently it can be impactful if it is restricted to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than confronting the situation of the present. It also demonstrates how its limited duration means that it is separated from the wider consistent effort that is necessary. An academic expert, a prof at a learning establishment, expressed it perfectly when she raised concerns about the short-term symbolic gestures of the month. “The issue with embracing a superficial method”, she commented, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a agent of progress.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Figuring out how to adapt, revise and extend actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a urge to just do away with observances such as Black History Month altogether, assuming they are no longer suitable, or are relics of an time that has failed to deliver.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and tradition of campaigns for equality – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, DEI programs, and certainly, even commercial engagements – constitute an infrastructure that a significant effort has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month seem? Well, first, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out across all seasons (as certain organizations are already beginning to do), parts of its content (particularly around notable African descendants) included in educational programs. It would also be a time that does not evade governmental matters, and leaves space for citizens, particularly the younger generation, to air their fears and experiences. What purpose serves basic knowledge of the history when it doesn’t reckon with the current situation of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the urban areas? Establishments who mark it should not be pacified with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and alertness to “microaggressions”, but confronted with the risks that impact society if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, pressing, and adaptive. Maybe an total re-identification is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
