The annual Black History observance acts as a gauge of the political moment, so how do we revamp it?
It's Black History Month in the UK, and it feels like it’s time for a rethink. Throughout its history, an event that began as a commemorative event of heritage, traditions and links between global Black communities, has developed a corporate feel, expanding to include functions where African descendants are remunerated to address white audiences about implicit prejudice and active solidarity. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests created a surge in the business of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has reached its height, producing a diluted aftermath of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Origins of Black History Observance
Originally observed in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of commemoration and observance in the second week of February. Black History Month evolved from this initiative and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the North America in February, but also in autumn in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
The period has developed since those days, focusing less on the histories of colonial slavery and civil rights battles, and more on notable African descendants in government, the arts, and social movements, and extensively acknowledging the impact Black people have made to shape the country. It is in schools where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with talks and cultural events. But the manner the observance is commemorated is a manifestation of the current political situation. How it progresses is a valuable example in how appropriation leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to address systemic and institutional racism.
A Disconcerting Period
Little demonstrates how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month better than the current time in which it falls this year. In the UK, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform political group is leading the polls. In the warmer months we observed the largest far-right rally in British history. Kemi Badenoch, the Black leader of the Conservative party, is a strong critic of anti-racism activism, and we are in a place where a member of parliament feels empowered to state that “not seeing any white faces” in specific city neighborhoods is a cause for alarm. Simultaneously, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in the European continent as a entirety.
In the America, a significant offensive against DEI and affirmative action has been taken, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the country. A effort to erase African American heritage and legacy from the archives is in progress. One of the political figure's first executive orders focused on the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the renowned cultural organization, claiming they of a organized and extensive campaign to change the national past” by portraying America “as inherently racist”.
Against this backdrop, the observance represents how little it can be impactful if it is limited to either obligatory business commemorations, or depoliticized festivities of contributions in the past, rather than addressing the situation of the contemporary world. It also shows how its restricted time span means that it is separated from the more extensive continuous action that is necessary. Denise Miller, a educator at an educational institution, put it best when she raised concerns about the short-term symbolic gestures of the celebration. “The problem with taking a tokenistic approach”, she wrote, “is that it often means that Black History Month turns into a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to adjust, modify and expand initiatives for equal rights and acknowledgment in such moments of dejection and worry is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just discontinue events including Black History Month altogether, assuming they are no longer suitable, or are vestiges of an period that has been ineffective.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and tradition of activism for racial justice – community-based BLM initiatives, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and certainly, even commercial engagements – represent an foundation that a lot of work has been dedicated to. It is there not merely to decline as the situation evolves (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month seem? Firstly, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is spread out through the year (as some institutions are already commencing), sections of its curriculum (particularly around notable African descendants) incorporated into academic syllabi. It would also be a era that does not evade politics, and leaves space for individuals, particularly young people, to air their fears and experiences. What use is basic knowledge of the bygone era when it doesn’t reckon with the present reality of extreme conservative demonstrations in the public spaces? Organizations who mark it should not be reassured with the passive language of hidden discrimination and sensitivity to “microaggressions”, but faced with the dangers that face all if opposition to discrimination is not approached earnestly. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, critical, and adaptive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
