This commemorative month is a reflection of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the UK, and it seems it’s time for a re-evaluation. Over the years, an celebration that began as a commemorative event of heritage, traditions and links between Black populations worldwide, has taken on a corporate feel, broadening to incorporate events where Black people are compensated to speak with white audiences about “unconscious bias” and “allyship”. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests generated a rise in the business of displaying cultural sensitivity. However, that period has concluded. The tide has peaked, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Background of Black History Observance
Initially celebrated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with a week of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States and Canada in February, but also in October in the Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
The month has evolved since its inception, focusing less on the accounts of transatlantic enslavement and struggles for equality, and more on notable African descendants in politics, culture, and activism, and widely honoring the contribution 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 way the month is commemorated is a reflection of the current political situation. How it evolves is a valuable example in how assimilation leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has hindered the purpose of it, which is to tackle embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate how crucial it is to rethink Black History Month as much as the current time in which it takes place this year. In the Britain, a revitalized conservative movement in the form of the Reform organization is top in opinion ratings. In the summer we saw the biggest extreme right demonstration in the history of Britain. a prominent political figure, the African descendant in charge of the right-wing political group, is a firm opponent of anti-racism activism, and we are in a place where a legislator feels empowered to say that a lack of white people in certain urban areas is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, far-right parties are surging in Europe as a whole.
In the United States, a significant offensive against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the country. A drive to scrub Black history and narrative from the records is in progress. One of Donald Trump's first executive orders aimed at the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, accusing them of a “concerted and widespread effort to alter the country's historical narrative” by representing the nation “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
In this context, the month symbolises how minimally it can be effective if it is confined to either dutiful corporate observances, or stripped of political content celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the conditions of the present. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is detached from the more extensive continuous action that is necessary. Denise Miller, a prof at a learning establishment, articulated it most accurately when she expressed apprehension about the short-term symbolic gestures of the month. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she wrote, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Establishing how to alter, change and broaden initiatives for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a urge to just eliminate observances such as Black History Month completely, assuming they are no longer suitable, or are vestiges of an time that has failed to deliver.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and heritage of racial movements – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – form an framework that a lot of work has gone into. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month appear as? To begin with, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out through the year (as various establishments are already starting to implement), parts of its content (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into academic syllabi. It would also be a time that does not avoid political issues, and provides room for citizens, particularly youth, to air their fears and experiences. What purpose serves mere awareness of the bygone era when it fails to address the contemporary truth of far-right rallies in the public spaces? Establishments who celebrate it should not be pacified with the non-confrontational words of “unconscious bias” and alertness to minor insults, but confronted with the threats that affect everyone if opposition to discrimination is not approached earnestly. In short, Black History Month should be made current, critical, and responsive. It could be that an entire name rebrand is required – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
