The annual Black History observance serves as a mirror of the prevailing political atmosphere, so how do we revamp it?
This is Black History Month in the Britain, and it appears it’s time for a rethink. Throughout its history, 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 commercial tone, broadening to incorporate events where individuals of African heritage are compensated to speak with white audiences about hidden biases and “allyship”. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s created a surge in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The tide has reached its height, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what increasing understanding is for.
The History of Black History Celebration
Initially celebrated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of commemoration and observance in the middle of February. Black History Month developed from this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the US and Canada in the second month, but also in the tenth month in the UK, the Federal Republic of Germany, Éire and the Holland.
The month has transformed since those days, placing less emphasis on the accounts of the slave trade across the Atlantic and fights for racial justice, and increasingly on prominent Black figures in government, the arts, and social movements, and broadly celebrating the impact Black people have made to mold society. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with lectures and artistic activities. But the method the month is celebrated is a reflection of the contemporary political context. How it progresses is a good lesson in how appropriation leads to dismantling: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to tackle systemic and institutional racism.
A Troubling Time
Hardly anything shows how critical 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 guise of the Reform political group is leading the polls. In the summer we observed the biggest extreme right demonstration in British history. a prominent political figure, the person of color at the helm of the Tory party, is a firm opponent of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a situation where a legislator gains confidence to state that a lack of white people in certain urban areas is a cause for alarm. Simultaneously, extreme conservative groups are expanding in the EU as a complete entity.
In the America, a significant offensive against DEI and affirmative action has been carried, often successfully, to the highest courts of the nation. A effort to scrub Black history and legacy from the records is under way. One of the political figure's first executive orders focused on the museum of African American legacy, and the prestigious establishment, accusing them of a coordinated and broad attempt to change the national past” by depicting the United States “as naturally discriminatory”.
Given these circumstances, the celebration symbolises how minimally it can be influential if it is limited to either dutiful corporate observances, or politically neutered festivities of former accomplishments, rather than addressing the realities of the contemporary world. It also shows how its short period means that it is separated from the wider consistent effort that is required. A university professor, a professor at a learning establishment, expressed it perfectly when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the celebration. “The issue with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Figuring out how to adapt, revise and extend actions for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a inclination to just do away with events including Black History Month altogether, assuming they are no longer suitable, or are remnants of an time that has been ineffective.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and tradition of campaigns for equality – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – form an infrastructure that a significant effort has been invested in. It is there not merely to decline as the situation evolves (and in fact, regresses), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month appear as? To begin with, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed across all seasons (as certain organizations are already beginning to do), elements of its material (particularly around notable African descendants) included in school curriculums. It would also be a time that does not avoid governmental matters, and leaves space for citizens, particularly youth, to express their concerns and stories. What purpose serves simple recognition of the history when it ignores the contemporary truth of extreme conservative demonstrations in the urban areas? Organizations who mark it should not be pacified with the neutral terminology of “unconscious bias” and alertness to “microaggressions”, but challenged by the threats that face all if opposition to discrimination is not treated with importance. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, pressing, and reactive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is in order – Contemporary Black History Month.
