Black History Month acts as a gauge of the prevailing political atmosphere, so how do we revamp it?
This is Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it feels like it’s time for a re-evaluation. Over the years, an celebration that began as a festivity and recollection of the past, cultural identity and bonds between international African diaspora communities, has taken on a corporate feel, expanding to include functions where individuals of African heritage are paid to speak with predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and active solidarity. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s sparked an increase in the business of showcasing anti-racist commitment. But even that moment has passed. The surge has reached its height, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The History of Black History Month
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this movement and was publicly established in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the US and Canada in February, but also in the tenth month in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
The observance has developed since its inception, focusing less on the histories of colonial slavery and fights for racial justice, and more on prominent Black figures in politics, culture, and activism, and widely honoring the input Black people have made to mold society. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with lectures and artistic activities. But the manner the month is observed is a manifestation of the current political situation. How it progresses is a good lesson in how co-option leads to dismantling: the restructuring of Black History Month has hindered the objective of it, which is to confront embedded and established prejudice.
A Disconcerting Period
Little demonstrates how important it is to reevaluate Black History Month better than the specific period in which it occurs this year. In the UK, a resurgent right in the shape of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we witnessed the biggest extreme right demonstration in the UK's past. a prominent political figure, the African descendant in charge of the Conservative party, is a firm opponent of the racial justice movement, and we are in a situation where a elected representative gains confidence to state that a lack of white people in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in the EU as a complete entity.
In the America, a colossal assault against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the supreme judicial bodies of the country. A campaign to erase African American heritage and narrative from the historical documents is ongoing. One of the former president's initial presidential directives 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 depicting the United States “as inherently racist”.
Against this backdrop, the observance illustrates how little it can be influential if it is restricted to either obligatory business commemorations, or depoliticized festivities of former accomplishments, rather than addressing the situation of the current era. It also demonstrates how its limited duration means that it is detached from the wider consistent effort that is needed. A university professor, a prof at University of Greenwich, expressed it perfectly when she voiced worries about the fleeting superficial actions of the observance. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month turns into a transient display rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Establishing how to alter, change and broaden actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such moments of dejection and worry is a treacherous thing. There is a temptation to just eliminate events including Black History Month altogether, thinking they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an period that has been ineffective.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and legacy of campaigns for equality – community-based BLM initiatives, inclusion and equity efforts, and certainly, even commercial engagements – form an foundation that a considerable labor has gone into. It is there not merely to decline as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, declines), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month look like? Firstly, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is spread out throughout the annual calendar (as certain organizations are already starting to implement), elements of its material (particularly around notable African descendants) included in school curriculums. It would also be a time that does not evade governmental matters, and leaves space for citizens, particularly youth, to share their anxieties and narratives. What purpose serves mere awareness of the history when it ignores the present reality of far-right rallies in the public spaces? Establishments who observe it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of “unconscious bias” and awareness of “microaggressions”, but faced with the threats that face all if fight against prejudice is not treated with importance. To summarize, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, urgent, and reactive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is required – Black History is Now Month.
