Black History Month serves as a mirror of the prevailing political atmosphere, so what steps can we take to refresh it?
This is Black History Month in the UK, and it seems it’s time for a re-evaluation. Over the years, an observance that began as a commemorative event of the past, cultural identity and bonds between Black populations worldwide, has taken on a commercial tone, growing to encompass functions where individuals of African heritage are compensated to speak with Caucasian groups about implicit prejudice and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. But even that moment has passed. The wave has crested, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what increasing understanding is for.
The Origins of Black History Month
Initially celebrated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with a week of commemoration and observance in the February's second week. Black History Month grew out of this initiative and was officially launched in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the North America in winter, but also in the tenth month in the Britain, Deutschland, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
The period has transformed since that time, giving reduced attention to the narratives of colonial slavery and civil rights battles, and increasingly on notable African descendants 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 manner the observance is observed is a indication of the political moment. How it evolves is a good lesson in how co-option leads to weakening: the transformation of Black History Month has stymied the point of it, which is to confront structural and organizational discrimination.
A Jarring Moment
Little demonstrates how crucial it is to reevaluate Black History Month better than the current time in which it occurs this year. In the United Kingdom, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we saw the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in British history. the Conservative leader, the African descendant in charge of the Tory party, is a staunch adversary of the racial justice movement, and we are in a place where a elected representative gains confidence to declare that a lack of white people in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. At the same time, far-right parties are growing in Europe as a complete entity.
In the United States, a massive attack against DEI and affirmative action has been taken, frequently with success, to the supreme judicial bodies of the state. A effort to remove Black history and narrative from the records is in progress. One of the political figure's initial presidential directives focused on the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the renowned cultural organization, accusing them of a coordinated and broad attempt to alter the country's historical narrative” by portraying America “as inherently racist”.
Against this backdrop, the observance illustrates how little it can be impactful if it is confined to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or politically neutered celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than addressing the situation of the present. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is separated from the more extensive continuous action that is required. A university professor, a prof at an educational institution, put it best when she voiced worries about the short-term symbolic gestures of the month. “The problem with taking a tokenistic approach”, she wrote, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand efforts for racial equality and recognition in such moments of dejection and worry is a difficult task. There is a urge to just discontinue events including Black History Month altogether, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an era that has failed to deliver.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and heritage of racial movements – local anti-racism groups, DEI programs, and certainly, even commercial engagements – form an framework that a significant effort has gone into. It is there not just to decay as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, regresses), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month appear as? Firstly, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is spread out through the year (as certain organizations are already starting to implement), elements of its material (particularly around prominent figures of color) included in school curriculums. It would also be a era that does not avoid governmental matters, and provides room for citizens, particularly young people, to air their fears and experiences. What value has mere awareness of the history when it fails to address the contemporary truth of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the public spaces? Institutions who celebrate it should not be pacified with the neutral terminology of implicit prejudice and awareness of subtle slights, but faced with the threats that impact society if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, urgent, and responsive. Maybe an total re-identification is required – Black History is Now Month.
