Black History Month is a reflection of the prevailing political atmosphere, so how do we revamp it?
We are in Black History Month in the UK, and it appears it’s time for a rethink. Throughout its history, an observance that began as a festivity and recollection of heritage, traditions and links between Black populations worldwide, has developed a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass gatherings where Black people are paid to speak with predominantly white listeners about hidden biases 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 peaked, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Origins of Black History Observance
Initially celebrated in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of commemoration and observance in the middle of February. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States and Canada in winter, but also in October in the UK, the Federal Republic of Germany, Éire and the Netherlands.
The period has developed since that time, placing less emphasis on the histories of the slave trade across the Atlantic and struggles for equality, and greater focus on notable African descendants in government, the arts, and social movements, and broadly celebrating the input Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with talks and cultural events. But the method the month is observed is a reflection of the political moment. How it evolves is a instructive case in how assimilation leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to confront embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
Little demonstrates how critical it is to reevaluate Black History Month more than the specific period in which it occurs this year. In the Britain, a revitalized conservative movement in the form of the Reform political group is leading the polls. In the summer we observed the biggest extreme right demonstration in the history of Britain. the Conservative leader, the Black leader of the Tory party, is a firm opponent of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a situation where a member of parliament feels emboldened to say that a lack of white people in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. Meanwhile, far-right parties are expanding in the European continent as a complete entity.
In the US, a significant offensive against DEI and affirmative action has been brought, frequently with success, to the supreme judicial bodies of the state. A campaign to scrub the history of people of color and experience from the archives is under way. One of the former president's initial presidential directives focused on the museum of African American legacy, and the Smithsonian Institution, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to alter the country's historical narrative” by depicting the United States “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Against this backdrop, the observance represents how minimally it can be effective if it is confined to either dutiful corporate observances, or depoliticized commemorations of contributions in the past, rather than confronting the situation of the current era. It also shows how its restricted time span means that it is separated from the more extensive continuous action that is necessary. Denise Miller, a professor at an educational institution, expressed it perfectly when she raised concerns about the short-term symbolic gestures of the celebration. “The difficulty with adopting a symbolic stance”, she commented, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to alter, change and broaden actions for racial equality and recognition in such moments of dejection and worry is a treacherous thing. There is a temptation to just eliminate things like Black History Month completely, assuming they are inadequate for current needs, or are remnants of an time that has not worked.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and tradition of racial movements – community-based BLM initiatives, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – represent an infrastructure that a lot of work has been invested in. It is there not just to decay as the politics moves on (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month look like? Well, first, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed across all seasons (as some institutions are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) incorporated into school curriculums. It would also be a period that does not evade politics, and leaves space for individuals, particularly young people, to express their concerns and stories. What purpose serves mere awareness of the bygone era when it fails to address the contemporary truth of extreme conservative demonstrations in the urban areas? Organizations who mark it should not be pacified with the non-confrontational words of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to “microaggressions”, but confronted with the threats that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. In short, Black History Month should be made current, urgent, and reactive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
