The annual Black History observance serves as a mirror of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it feels like it’s time for a rethink. Over the years, an celebration that began as a celebration and reminder of the past, cultural identity and bonds between international African diaspora communities, has developed a business-like atmosphere, expanding to include functions where individuals of African heritage are remunerated to talk to predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade generated a rise in the business of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The tide has crested, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Background of Black History Month
Initially celebrated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with seven days of commemoration and observance in the February's second week. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was publicly established in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States and Canada in the second month, but also in autumn in the United Kingdom, Deutschland, the Republic of Ireland and the Holland.
The period has evolved since those days, placing less emphasis on the narratives of the slave trade across the Atlantic and fights for racial justice, and more on notable African descendants in government, the arts, and social movements, and extensively acknowledging the impact 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 celebration is celebrated is a indication of the current political situation. How it progresses is a good lesson in how co-option leads to weakening: the restructuring of Black History Month has impeded the purpose of it, which is to address embedded and established prejudice.
A Disconcerting Period
Little demonstrates how important it is to rethink Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it takes place this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the form of the Reform party is ahead in surveys. In the recent season we saw the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in the UK's past. Kemi Badenoch, the person of color at the helm of the Tory party, is a strong critic of anti-racism activism, and we are in a situation where a member of parliament feels emboldened to declare that the absence of Caucasian individuals in certain urban areas is a source of worry. At the same time, ultra-nationalist movements are surging in Europe as a whole.
In the US, a significant offensive against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been taken, often successfully, to the supreme judicial bodies of the state. A campaign to scrub Black history and experience from the historical documents is under way. One of Donald Trump's initial presidential directives aimed at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the renowned cultural organization, accusing them of a coordinated and broad attempt to rewrite our Nation’s history” by portraying America “as inherently racist”.
Against this backdrop, the celebration symbolises how minimally it can be effective if it is limited to either dutiful corporate observances, or stripped of political content festivities of contributions in the past, rather than addressing the situation of the present. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is detached from the more extensive continuous action that is needed. Denise Miller, a educator at a learning establishment, expressed it perfectly when she raised concerns about the short-term symbolic gestures of the observance. “The problem with taking a tokenistic approach”, she stated, “is that it often means that Black History Month turns into a fleeting performance rather than a agent of progress.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Establishing how to adapt, revise and extend actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just do away with observances such as Black History Month completely, believing they are no longer suitable, or are remnants of an time that has not worked.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and heritage of racial movements – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, DEI programs, and certainly, even commercial engagements – form an foundation that a significant effort has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, declines), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month look like? To begin with, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is distributed across all seasons (as various establishments are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around historic Black characters) included in academic syllabi. It would also be a time that does not shy away from political issues, and leaves space for citizens, particularly young people, to express their concerns and stories. What use is simple recognition of the bygone era when it fails to address the current situation of far-right rallies in the urban areas? Institutions who mark it should not be comforted with the passive language of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to minor insults, but faced with the threats that face all if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. To summarize, Black History Month should be made current, critical, and responsive. Perhaps an total re-identification is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
