The annual Black History observance is a reflection of the current political climate, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the UK, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. Throughout its history, an observance that began as a commemorative event of history, culture and the connections between international African diaspora communities, has adopted a corporate feel, expanding to include functions where African descendants are remunerated to address Caucasian groups about implicit prejudice and active solidarity. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s generated a rise in the enterprise of demonstrating racial awareness. However, that period has concluded. The tide has crested, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what increasing understanding is for.
The Origins of Black History Celebration
Initially celebrated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with seven days of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was publicly established in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the North America in winter, but also in the tenth month in the UK, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the Holland.
The month has evolved since that time, giving reduced attention to the histories of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and more on influential individuals of color in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the impact Black people have made to shape the country. It is in schools where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the method the celebration is observed is a reflection of the contemporary political context. How it evolves is a good lesson in how appropriation leads to weakening: the transformation 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 specific period in which it takes place this year. In the United Kingdom, a revitalized conservative movement in the form of the Reform party is leading the polls. In the summer we observed the biggest extreme right demonstration in the UK's past. the Conservative leader, the African descendant in charge of the Conservative party, is a firm opponent of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a situation where a legislator feels empowered to declare that a lack of white people in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. At the same time, extreme conservative groups are growing in Europe as a complete entity.
In the US, a massive attack against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been taken, frequently with success, to the top legal institutions of the state. A effort to scrub the history of people of color and legacy from the records is under way. One of Donald Trump's first executive orders aimed at the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the prestigious establishment, claiming they of a “concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation’s history” by portraying America “as naturally discriminatory”.
Given these circumstances, the month illustrates how minimally it can be impactful if it is restricted to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or depoliticized celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the conditions of the current era. It also shows how its restricted time span means that it is detached from the broader ongoing work that is required. Denise Miller, a prof at a learning establishment, articulated it most accurately when she voiced worries about the fleeting superficial actions of the observance. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to adjust, modify and expand initiatives for equal rights and acknowledgment in such times of discouragement and concern is a challenging endeavor. There is a urge to just discontinue things like Black History Month altogether, assuming they are inadequate for current needs, or are vestiges of an time that has been ineffective.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and tradition of campaigns for equality – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, inclusion and equity efforts, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an infrastructure that a lot of work has been dedicated to. It is there not merely to decline as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, declines), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month seem? To begin with, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out throughout the annual calendar (as certain organizations are already starting to implement), elements of its material (particularly around historic Black characters) included in academic syllabi. It would also be a era that does not evade political issues, and leaves space for citizens, particularly young people, to air their fears and experiences. What use is mere awareness of the bygone era when it ignores the current situation of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the street? Organizations who celebrate it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to minor insults, but challenged by the risks that face all if fight against prejudice is not approached earnestly. In short, Black History Month should be made current, urgent, and adaptive. It could be that an entire name rebrand is required – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
