The annual Black History observance is a reflection of the political moment, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the Britain, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. As time has passed, an event that began as a festivity and recollection of heritage, traditions and links between Black populations worldwide, has taken on a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass events where Black people are remunerated to address white audiences about “unconscious bias” and supportive partnership. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s sparked an increase in the industry of showcasing anti-racist commitment. But even that moment has passed. The wave has crested, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The History of Black History Month
Originally observed in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was publicly established in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the United States and Canada in winter, but also in the tenth month in the UK, Germany, Éire and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The observance has developed since that time, placing less emphasis on the accounts of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and greater focus on notable African descendants in government, the arts, and social movements, and widely honoring the impact Black people have made to shape the country. It is in schools where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the celebration is observed is a manifestation of the political moment. How it evolves is a instructive case in how co-option leads to weakening: the transformation of Black History Month has impeded the purpose of it, which is to tackle systemic and institutional racism.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate how important it is to reconsider Black History Month more than the specific period in which it occurs this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the shape of the Reform organization is ahead in surveys. In the warmer months we witnessed the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in the history of Britain. the Conservative leader, the Black leader of the Conservative party, is a strong critic of anti-racism activism, and we are in a position where a member of parliament feels empowered to say that a lack of white people in certain urban areas is a reason for concern. Meanwhile, extreme conservative groups are growing in Europe as a whole.
In the US, a colossal assault against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been taken, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the top legal institutions of the nation. A effort to remove Black history and experience from the records is ongoing. One of the former president's first executive orders targeted the museum of African American legacy, and the prestigious establishment, claiming they of a coordinated and broad attempt to rewrite our Nation’s history” by depicting the United States “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
In this context, the celebration symbolises how little it can be effective if it is restricted to either dutiful corporate observances, or stripped of political content festivities of former accomplishments, rather than addressing the situation of the current era. It also reveals how its restricted time span means that it is separated from the more extensive continuous action that is required. A university professor, a professor at an educational institution, expressed it perfectly when she raised concerns about the short-term symbolic gestures of the month. “The issue with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it often means that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Establishing how to alter, change and broaden initiatives for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a urge to just eliminate observances such as Black History Month altogether, assuming they are inadequate for current needs, or are relics of an time that has not worked.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and legacy of racial movements – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, DEI programs, and certainly, even commercial engagements – form an foundation that a considerable labor has gone into. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month seem? To begin with, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is dispersed across all seasons (as certain organizations are already commencing), elements of its material (particularly around historic Black characters) incorporated into academic syllabi. It would also be a time that does not avoid governmental matters, and provides room for individuals, particularly young people, to share their anxieties and narratives. What purpose serves mere awareness of the bygone era when it fails to address the contemporary truth of far-right rallies in the urban areas? Institutions who celebrate it should not be comforted with the passive language of “unconscious bias” and alertness to “microaggressions”, but faced with the risks that impact society if anti-racism is not approached earnestly. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, urgent, and adaptive. It could be that an entire name rebrand is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
