The annual Black History observance is a reflection of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the Britain, and it appears it’s time for a rethink. Over the years, an observance that began as a commemorative event of the past, cultural identity and bonds between global Black communities, has developed a commercial tone, expanding to include functions where individuals of African heritage are paid to speak with Caucasian groups about hidden biases and “allyship”. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade generated a rise in the industry of demonstrating racial awareness. However, that period has concluded. The tide has reached its height, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what raising awareness is for.
The Background of Black History Observance
Originally observed in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was created in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of celebration and reflection in the middle of February. Black History Month grew out of this initiative and was publicly established in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the North America in winter, but also in the tenth month in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, Éire and the Holland.
The observance has evolved since those days, giving reduced attention to the narratives of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and more on prominent Black figures in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and broadly celebrating the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with lectures and artistic activities. But the method the observance is celebrated is a manifestation of the contemporary political context. How it develops is a instructive case in how co-option leads to dismantling: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the purpose of it, which is to tackle embedded and established prejudice.
A Disconcerting Period
Few things illustrate how important it is to rethink Black History Month better than the current time in which it occurs this year. In the United Kingdom, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform political group is top in opinion ratings. In the summer we saw the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in the history of Britain. Kemi Badenoch, the person of color at the helm of the right-wing political group, is a strong critic of anti-racism activism, and we are in a position where a elected representative feels emboldened to say that a lack of white people in certain urban areas is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, ultra-nationalist movements are growing in the EU as a whole.
In the United States, a colossal assault against DEI and affirmative action has been carried, often successfully, to the supreme judicial bodies of the nation. A campaign to scrub African American heritage and legacy from the archives is in progress. One of the political figure's initial presidential directives aimed at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the renowned cultural organization, alleging that they of a “concerted and widespread effort to change the national past” by depicting the United States “as inherently racist”.
Against this backdrop, the observance represents how minimally it can be impactful if it is confined to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or depoliticized commemorations of historical achievements, rather than confronting the conditions of the current era. It also shows how its restricted time span means that it is disconnected from the more extensive continuous action that is necessary. An academic expert, a prof at a learning establishment, put it best when she raised concerns about the fleeting superficial actions of the month. “The difficulty with embracing a superficial method”, she wrote, “is that it often means that Black History Month evolves into a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand actions for racial equality and recognition in such moments of dejection and worry is a difficult task. There is a inclination to just do away with observances such as Black History Month entirely, believing they are no longer suitable, or are remnants of an period that has not worked.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and heritage of racial movements – community-based BLM initiatives, DEI programs, and indeed, including corporate presentations – form an infrastructure that a significant effort has gone into. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, regresses), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month appear as? To begin with, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is distributed through the year (as certain organizations are already beginning to do), sections of its curriculum (particularly around historic Black characters) included in educational programs. It would also be a period that does not evade governmental matters, and leaves space for citizens, particularly the younger generation, to express their concerns and stories. What use is mere awareness of the history when it doesn’t reckon with the present reality of far-right rallies in the urban areas? Organizations who mark it should not be comforted with the neutral terminology of implicit prejudice and awareness of minor insults, but challenged by the threats that face all if anti-racism is not treated with importance. In short, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, pressing, and responsive. Perhaps an total re-identification is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
