The annual Black History observance is a reflection of the current political climate, so how do we revamp it?
It's Black History Month in the Britain, and it seems it’s time for a re-evaluation. Throughout its history, an celebration that started out as a commemorative event of the past, cultural identity and bonds between Black populations worldwide, has adopted a commercial tone, broadening to incorporate gatherings where Black people are paid to talk to Caucasian groups about hidden biases and “allyship”. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s generated a rise in the industry of showcasing anti-racist commitment. However, that period has concluded. The tide has reached its height, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins of Black History Celebration
Initially celebrated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of celebration and reflection in the second week of February. Black History Month grew out of this movement and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the North America in February, but also in the tenth month in the Britain, Deutschland, the Republic of Ireland and the Holland.
The period has transformed since that time, focusing less on the accounts of the slave trade across the Atlantic and fights for racial justice, and more on prominent Black figures in government, the arts, and social movements, and widely honoring the impact Black people have made to shape the country. It is in schools where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the way the observance is observed is a manifestation of the current political situation. How it progresses is a good lesson in how co-option leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the point of it, which is to tackle structural and organizational discrimination.
A Jarring Moment
Little demonstrates how important it is to reconsider Black History Month better than the current time in which it occurs this year. In the UK, a resurgent right in the form of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the recent season we observed the biggest extreme right demonstration in British history. the Conservative leader, the person of color at the helm of the right-wing political group, is a staunch adversary of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a position where a member of parliament gains confidence to say that “not seeing any white faces” in certain urban areas is a reason for concern. Meanwhile, far-right parties are surging in the European continent as a complete entity.
In the America, a massive attack against DEI and affirmative action has been carried, frequently with success, to the top legal institutions of the nation. A effort to erase Black history and legacy from the archives is ongoing. One of the political figure's initial presidential directives focused on the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the renowned cultural organization, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to alter the country's historical narrative” by depicting the United States “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Against this backdrop, the month illustrates how little it can be impactful if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or depoliticized festivities of historical achievements, rather than challenging the realities of the present. It also reveals how its restricted time span means that it is disconnected from the wider consistent effort that is needed. A university professor, a professor at an educational institution, put it best when she expressed apprehension about the fleeting superficial actions of the celebration. “The problem with taking a tokenistic approach”, she wrote, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month becomes a brief show rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand efforts for racial equality and recognition in such moments of dejection and worry is a treacherous thing. There is a urge to just eliminate events including Black History Month altogether, believing they are inadequate for current needs, or are remnants of an era that has been ineffective.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and legacy of activism for racial justice – local anti-racism groups, inclusion and equity efforts, and indeed, including corporate presentations – form an framework that a considerable labor has been invested in. It is there not just to decay as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, declines), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month look like? To begin with, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is distributed through the year (as various establishments are already starting to implement), parts of its content (particularly around prominent figures of color) included in academic syllabi. It would also be a period that does not shy away from politics, and provides room for people, particularly the younger generation, to air their fears and experiences. What purpose serves mere awareness of the bygone era when it ignores the contemporary truth of far-right rallies in the public spaces? Institutions who celebrate it should not be reassured with the non-confrontational words of implicit prejudice and awareness of “microaggressions”, but confronted with the dangers that affect everyone if opposition to discrimination is not approached earnestly. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, critical, and adaptive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is in order – Contemporary Black History Month.
