Black History Month is a reflection of the current political climate, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the Britain, and it feels like it’s time for a rethink. Throughout its history, an observance that began as a commemorative event of the past, cultural identity and bonds between Black populations worldwide, has adopted a commercial tone, expanding to include events where Black people are compensated to speak with white audiences about hidden biases and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the business of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The surge has crested, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Origins of Black History Observance
First commemorated in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the US and Canada in the second month, but also in the tenth month in the UK, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The observance has evolved since its inception, giving reduced attention to the narratives of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and greater focus on influential individuals of color in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the contribution Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in schools where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the month is observed is a indication of the contemporary political context. How it evolves is a good lesson in how assimilation leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has hindered the purpose of it, which is to address structural and organizational discrimination.
A Troubling Time
Hardly anything shows how important it is to rethink Black History Month as much as the current time in which it falls this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the form of the Reform party is leading the polls. In the recent season we saw the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in the history of Britain. Kemi Badenoch, the person of color at the helm of the Conservative party, is a staunch adversary of anti-racism activism, and we are in a position where a member of parliament feels emboldened to declare that the absence of Caucasian individuals in certain urban areas is a source of worry. Simultaneously, far-right parties are expanding in Europe as a whole.
In the America, a significant offensive against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been brought, frequently with success, to the top legal institutions of the country. A drive to scrub Black history and narrative from the records is in progress. One of the former president's early administrative commands focused on the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the Smithsonian Institution, accusing them of a coordinated and broad attempt to change the national past” by depicting the United States “as inherently racist”.
In this context, the celebration illustrates how little it can be impactful if it is restricted to either obligatory business commemorations, or stripped of political content celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the situation of the current era. It also reveals how its restricted time span means that it is disconnected from the wider consistent effort that is required. An academic expert, a prof at University of Greenwich, put it best when she expressed apprehension about the fleeting superficial actions of the celebration. “The issue with embracing a superficial method”, she commented, “is that it often means that Black History Month evolves into a fleeting performance rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Establishing how to adapt, revise and extend initiatives for fair treatment and appreciation in such moments of dejection and worry is a difficult task. There is a urge to just do away with things like Black History Month entirely, believing 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 whole broad system and heritage of racial movements – community-based BLM initiatives, inclusion and equity efforts, and yes, even those talks to businesses – form an infrastructure that a lot of work has gone into. It is there not merely to decline as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, regresses), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month appear as? Firstly, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed across all seasons (as various establishments are already beginning to do), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) included in school curriculums. It would also be a period that does not shy away from governmental matters, and allows opportunity for citizens, particularly youth, to air their fears and experiences. What purpose serves simple recognition of the history when it ignores the contemporary truth of far-right rallies in the street? Organizations who mark it should not be pacified with the non-confrontational words of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to minor insults, but confronted with the dangers that face all if fight against prejudice is not approached earnestly. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, critical, and adaptive. It could be that an entire name rebrand is in order – Black History is Now Month.
