The annual Black History observance serves as a mirror of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the UK, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. As time has passed, an celebration that started out 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 gatherings where Black people are paid to address white audiences about hidden biases and “allyship”. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s sparked an increase in the industry of showcasing anti-racist commitment. Yet, that phase is now over. The tide has peaked, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what promoting consciousness is for.
The History of Black History Month
First commemorated in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of commemoration and observance in the February's second week. Black History Month evolved from this initiative and was officially launched in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the North America in February, but also in the tenth month in the UK, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The month has developed since its inception, placing less emphasis on the accounts of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and more on influential individuals of color in government, the arts, and social movements, and extensively acknowledging the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in schools where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the celebration is observed is a reflection of the current political situation. How it progresses is a valuable example in how co-option leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to address embedded and established prejudice.
A Disconcerting Period
Little demonstrates how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month more than the current time in which it takes place this year. In the UK, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform political group is top in opinion ratings. In the recent season we witnessed the biggest extreme right demonstration in British history. a prominent political figure, the Black leader of the Conservative party, is a staunch adversary of the racial justice movement, and we are in a situation where a elected representative feels emboldened to say that “not seeing any white faces” in parts of a city is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, far-right parties are surging in the European continent as a whole.
In the US, a colossal assault against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been taken, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the country. A drive to scrub the history of people of color and experience from the records is under way. One of Donald Trump's early administrative commands focused on the museum of African American legacy, and the Smithsonian Institution, accusing them of a “concerted and widespread effort to change the national past” by representing the nation “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
In this context, the month illustrates how insufficiently it can be effective if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered commemorations of former accomplishments, rather than confronting the situation of the present. It also demonstrates how its restricted time span means that it is disconnected from the more extensive continuous action that is required. Denise Miller, a professor at University of Greenwich, articulated it most accurately when she expressed apprehension about the temporary “tokenism” of the observance. “The problem with taking a tokenistic approach”, she stated, “is that it often means that Black History Month turns into a brief show rather than a catalyst for change.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to adapt, revise and extend efforts for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just discontinue things like Black History Month altogether, believing they are no longer suitable, or are remnants of an era that has not worked.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and tradition of campaigns for equality – local anti-racism groups, DEI programs, and indeed, including corporate presentations – constitute an foundation that a significant effort has gone into. It is there not just to decay as the politics moves on (and in fact, regresses), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month seem? Well, first, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is spread out through the year (as various establishments are already commencing), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a period that does not avoid political issues, and leaves space for individuals, particularly youth, to air their fears and experiences. What value has mere awareness of the bygone era when it fails to address the contemporary truth of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the street? Institutions who observe it should not be reassured with the passive language of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to “microaggressions”, but challenged by the dangers that affect everyone if anti-racism is not treated with importance. In short, Black History Month should be made contemporary, urgent, and adaptive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is in order – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
