This commemorative month is a reflection of the current political climate, so what steps can we take to refresh it?
We are in Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an observance that started out as a festivity and recollection of history, culture and the connections between international African diaspora communities, has taken on a business-like atmosphere, broadening to incorporate events where African descendants are paid to talk to predominantly white listeners about “unconscious bias” and active solidarity. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. However, that period has concluded. The wave has peaked, producing a diluted aftermath of what increasing understanding is for.
The Origins of Black History Observance
Initially celebrated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was created 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 second week of February. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the United States and Canada in winter, but also in autumn in the Britain, Deutschland, Éire and the Netherlands.
The period has transformed since its inception, focusing less on the accounts of the slave trade across the Atlantic and fights for racial justice, and greater focus on influential individuals of color in politics, culture, and activism, and extensively acknowledging the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with talks and cultural events. But the method the celebration is observed is a reflection of the contemporary political context. How it progresses is a instructive case in how co-option leads to weakening: the transformation of Black History Month has stymied the objective of it, which is to address systemic and institutional racism.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month better than the specific period in which it falls this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the shape of the Reform organization is ahead in surveys. In the recent season we observed the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. Kemi Badenoch, the Black leader of the right-wing political group, is a strong critic of the racial justice movement, and we are in a position where a elected representative feels emboldened to say that “not seeing any white faces” in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, extreme conservative groups are expanding in the European continent as a whole.
In the America, a massive attack against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been carried, often successfully, to the highest courts of the state. A effort to remove Black history and legacy from the records is ongoing. One of the political figure's initial presidential directives focused on the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to change the national past” by representing the nation “as naturally discriminatory”.
Against this backdrop, the observance symbolises how insufficiently it can be effective if it is limited to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the realities of the contemporary world. It also reveals how its short period means that it is disconnected from the broader ongoing work that is required. A university professor, a professor at University of Greenwich, expressed it perfectly when she voiced worries about the fleeting superficial actions of the celebration. “The issue with adopting a symbolic stance”, she commented, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month evolves into a fleeting performance rather than a agent of progress.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand initiatives for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just eliminate things like Black History Month completely, thinking 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 legacy of campaigns for equality – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and certainly, even commercial engagements – form an foundation that a lot of work has been invested in. It is there not merely to decline as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month seem? To begin with, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is dispersed through the year (as certain organizations are already beginning to do), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a era that does not avoid political issues, and provides room for citizens, particularly young people, to express their concerns and stories. What value has basic knowledge of the bygone era when it fails to address the contemporary truth of far-right rallies in the public spaces? Organizations who observe it should not be reassured with the non-confrontational words of “unconscious bias” and alertness to minor insults, but faced with the dangers that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made contemporary, urgent, and responsive. Maybe an total re-identification is required – Black History is Now Month.
