Black History Month is a reflection of the political moment, so what steps can we take to refresh it?
It's Black History Month in the UK, and it seems it’s time for a re-evaluation. Over the years, an observance that was initiated as a commemorative event of the past, cultural identity and bonds between international African diaspora communities, has taken on a corporate feel, growing to encompass gatherings where African descendants are remunerated to address predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and active solidarity. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. But even that moment has passed. The tide has peaked, producing a diluted aftermath of what raising awareness is for.
The History of Black History Month
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with a week of remembrance and recognition in the February's second week. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the North America in February, but also in October in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, Éire and the Netherlands.
The observance has transformed since those days, focusing less on the accounts of colonial slavery and fights for racial justice, and increasingly on influential individuals of color in politics, culture, and activism, and extensively acknowledging the input Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in schools where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with lectures and artistic activities. But the way the observance is commemorated is a indication of the political moment. How it develops is a good lesson in how assimilation leads to erosion: the restructuring of Black History Month has stymied the objective of it, which is to confront embedded and established prejudice.
A Jarring Moment
Little demonstrates how crucial it is to reevaluate Black History Month better than the current time in which it takes place this year. In the Britain, a revitalized conservative movement in the shape of the Reform organization is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we witnessed the largest far-right rally in British history. a prominent political figure, the African descendant in charge of the right-wing political group, is a staunch adversary of the racial justice movement, and we are in a situation where a elected representative gains confidence to state that the absence of Caucasian individuals in parts of a city is a reason for concern. Meanwhile, far-right parties are expanding in Europe as a whole.
In the America, a massive attack against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the highest courts of the state. A effort to remove Black history and legacy from the archives is ongoing. One of the former president's initial presidential directives focused on the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the renowned cultural organization, accusing them of a “concerted and widespread effort to change the national past” by portraying America “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Given these circumstances, the celebration illustrates how minimally it can be influential if it is restricted to either obligatory business commemorations, or depoliticized festivities of contributions in the past, rather than confronting the realities of the present. It also reveals how its restricted time span means that it is separated from the broader ongoing work that is needed. A university professor, a educator at University of Greenwich, put it best when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the celebration. “The issue with taking a tokenistic approach”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a agent of progress.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Determining how to adjust, modify and expand actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a difficult task. There is a urge to just discontinue things like Black History Month entirely, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an time that has not worked.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and heritage of campaigns for equality – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – form an foundation that a lot of work has gone into. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, declines), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month seem? Well, first, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is dispersed across all seasons (as some institutions are already starting to implement), parts of its content (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a period that does not avoid governmental matters, and leaves space for citizens, particularly young people, to express their concerns and stories. What use is mere awareness of the history when it ignores the current situation of extreme conservative demonstrations in the urban areas? Organizations who celebrate it should not be pacified with the neutral terminology of hidden discrimination and awareness of minor insults, but faced with the dangers that face all if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, pressing, and responsive. Perhaps an complete renaming is in order – Contemporary Black History Month.
