Black History 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 seems it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an celebration that was initiated as a festivity and recollection of history, culture and the connections between Black populations worldwide, has taken on a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass gatherings where African descendants are compensated to address predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and supportive partnership. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s sparked an increase in the enterprise of showcasing anti-racist commitment. However, that period has concluded. The tide has reached its height, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what increasing understanding is for.
The Background of Black History Month
Initially celebrated in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with a week of commemoration and observance in the second week of February. Black History Month grew out of this campaign and was publicly established in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the United States and Canada in winter, but also in the tenth month in the Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The observance has evolved since that time, placing less emphasis on the histories of colonial slavery and civil rights battles, and more on prominent Black figures in politics, culture, and activism, and widely honoring the impact Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with talks and cultural events. But the way the observance is observed is a manifestation of the political moment. How it develops is a good lesson in how appropriation leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has hindered the point of it, which is to confront structural and organizational discrimination.
A Jarring Moment
Few things illustrate how important it is to rethink Black History Month more than the specific period in which it takes place this year. In the United Kingdom, a reemerging right-wing in the form of the Reform political group is top in opinion ratings. In the recent season we witnessed the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. Kemi Badenoch, the African descendant in charge of the Conservative party, is a firm opponent of anti-racism activism, and we are in a situation where a elected representative feels emboldened to say that “not seeing any white faces” in specific city neighborhoods is a source of worry. At the same time, extreme conservative groups are expanding in the European continent as a complete entity.
In the America, a colossal assault against DEI and affirmative action has been taken, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the supreme judicial bodies of the country. A drive to scrub Black history and legacy from the archives is in progress. One of the former president's early administrative commands aimed at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to rewrite our Nation’s history” by representing the nation “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Against this backdrop, the celebration represents how little it can be impactful if it is confined to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or depoliticized celebrations of former accomplishments, rather than challenging the situation of the contemporary world. It also reveals how its limited duration means that it is separated from the wider consistent effort that is needed. An academic expert, a professor at a learning establishment, put it best when she expressed apprehension about the fleeting superficial actions of the month. “The issue with adopting a symbolic stance”, she commented, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month turns into a brief show rather than a catalyst for change.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Establishing how to alter, change and broaden initiatives for fair treatment and appreciation in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a challenging endeavor. There is a temptation to just eliminate events including Black History Month entirely, believing they are inadequate for current needs, or are relics of an time that has failed to deliver.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and tradition of campaigns for equality – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, inclusion and equity efforts, and certainly, even commercial engagements – constitute an infrastructure that a lot of work has gone into. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month look like? Well, first, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is spread out throughout the annual calendar (as some institutions are already commencing), elements of its material (particularly around notable African descendants) incorporated into school curriculums. It would also be a period that does not avoid political issues, and allows opportunity for citizens, particularly young people, to air their fears and experiences. What purpose serves mere awareness of the history when it ignores the contemporary truth of extreme conservative demonstrations in the public spaces? Organizations who mark it should not be reassured with the neutral terminology of hidden discrimination and sensitivity to minor insults, but faced with the risks that face all if anti-racism is not treated with importance. To summarize, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, critical, and reactive. Maybe an total re-identification is required – Contemporary Black History Month.
