Black History Month serves as a mirror of the political moment, so how do we revamp it?
We are in Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it feels like it’s time for a rethink. As time has passed, an observance that began as a celebration and reminder of history, culture and the connections between Black populations worldwide, has developed a commercial tone, growing to encompass functions where individuals of African heritage are remunerated to talk to predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and “allyship”. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade generated a rise in the business of showcasing anti-racist commitment. But even that moment has passed. The wave has reached its height, producing a diluted aftermath of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Background of Black History Celebration
First commemorated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with a week of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was publicly established in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the US and Canada in the second month, but also in October in the UK, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
The observance has evolved since its inception, giving reduced attention to the histories of the slave trade across the Atlantic and fights for racial justice, and greater focus on prominent Black figures in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and broadly celebrating the impact Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in schools where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the method the month is celebrated is a reflection of the current political situation. How it evolves is a instructive case in how appropriation leads to dismantling: the restructuring of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to confront structural and organizational discrimination.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month more than the particular moment in which it takes place this year. In the UK, a reemerging right-wing in the shape of the Reform political group is ahead in surveys. In the warmer months we witnessed the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in the UK's past. the Conservative leader, the African descendant in charge of the Conservative party, is a firm opponent 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 certain urban areas is a cause for alarm. Meanwhile, far-right parties are expanding in Europe as a complete entity.
In the United States, a significant offensive against DEI and affirmative action has been brought, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the country. A campaign to remove the history of people of color and legacy from the archives is in progress. One of the former president'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 portraying America “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Given these circumstances, the observance symbolises how insufficiently it can be effective if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or depoliticized commemorations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the conditions of the current era. It also shows how its limited duration means that it is separated from the broader ongoing work that is required. A university professor, a prof at an educational institution, put it best when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the month. “The issue with taking a tokenistic approach”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month evolves into a fleeting performance rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Establishing how to alter, change and broaden initiatives for equal rights and acknowledgment in such moments of dejection and worry is a treacherous thing. There is a urge to just discontinue observances such as Black History Month altogether, believing they are simply not fit for purpose, or are remnants of an period 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, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – form an foundation that a lot of work has been invested in. It is there not just to decay as the politics moves on (and in fact, declines), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month look like? Well, first, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is dispersed throughout the annual calendar (as certain organizations are already starting to implement), elements of its material (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into school curriculums. It would also be a period that does not evade political issues, and leaves space for people, particularly youth, to share their anxieties and narratives. What use is mere awareness of the history when it fails to address the current situation of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the street? Establishments who observe it should not be comforted with the passive language of hidden discrimination and sensitivity to subtle slights, but faced with the dangers that impact society if anti-racism is not treated with importance. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, pressing, and responsive. Maybe an complete renaming is necessary – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.