Black History Month acts as a gauge of the current political climate, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the Britain, and it feels like it’s time for a re-evaluation. As time has passed, an celebration that was initiated as a festivity and recollection of history, culture and the connections between Black populations worldwide, has developed a business-like atmosphere, expanding to include functions where African descendants are compensated to talk to predominantly white listeners about implicit prejudice and active solidarity. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the enterprise of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The surge has reached its height, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Background of Black History Observance
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with seven days of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month evolved from 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 United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
The month has developed since its inception, giving reduced attention to the accounts of the slave trade across the Atlantic and struggles for equality, and more on influential individuals of color in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and broadly celebrating the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with lectures and artistic activities. But the method the month is observed is a indication of the contemporary political context. How it evolves is a good lesson in how assimilation leads to weakening: the restructuring of Black History Month has hindered the objective of it, which is to address embedded and established prejudice.
A Disconcerting Period
Little demonstrates how critical it is to rethink Black History Month as much as the particular moment in which it falls this year. In the UK, a resurgent right in the form of the Reform party is ahead in surveys. In the recent season we saw the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. Kemi Badenoch, the person of color at the helm of the Conservative party, is a strong critic of anti-racism activism, and we are in a position where a elected representative gains confidence to declare that a lack of white people in certain urban areas is a reason for concern. Meanwhile, far-right parties are surging in the European continent as a whole.
In the United States, a massive attack against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been carried, often successfully, to the supreme judicial bodies of the country. A campaign to remove the history of people of color and narrative from the records is under way. One of the political figure's early administrative commands targeted the museum of African American legacy, and the prestigious establishment, claiming they of a coordinated and broad attempt to change the national past” by portraying America “as inherently racist”.
Given these circumstances, the month represents how insufficiently it can be influential if it is confined to either dutiful corporate observances, or stripped of political content festivities of former accomplishments, rather than addressing the situation of the present. It also demonstrates how its limited duration means that it is disconnected from the more extensive continuous action that is required. A university professor, a professor at an educational institution, articulated it most accurately when she voiced worries 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 adapt, revise and extend initiatives for racial equality and recognition in such moments of dejection and worry is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just eliminate events including Black History Month altogether, believing they are simply not fit for purpose, or are remnants of an era that has not worked.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and tradition of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, DEI programs, and yes, even those talks to businesses – represent an framework that a lot of work has gone into. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (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 dispersed across all seasons (as various establishments are already commencing), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) incorporated into academic syllabi. It would also be a time that does not evade politics, and allows opportunity for citizens, particularly youth, to express their concerns and stories. What use is simple recognition of the bygone era when it ignores the present reality of far-right rallies in the urban areas? Establishments who celebrate it should not be comforted with the passive language of hidden discrimination and awareness of minor insults, but faced with the risks that face all if opposition to discrimination is not treated with importance. To summarize, Black History Month should be made current, urgent, and reactive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is required – Contemporary Black History Month.
