This commemorative month is a reflection of the current political climate, so what steps can we take to refresh it?
This is Black History Month in the Britain, and it feels like it’s time for a re-evaluation. As time has passed, an celebration that began as a festivity and recollection of heritage, traditions and links between international African diaspora communities, has developed a corporate feel, growing to encompass events where individuals of African heritage are remunerated to speak with Caucasian groups about “unconscious bias” and supportive partnership. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests sparked an increase in the industry of showcasing anti-racist commitment. However, that period has concluded. The surge has peaked, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what raising awareness is for.
The History of Black History Month
Initially celebrated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of commemoration and observance in the February's second week. Black History Month grew out of this initiative and was officially launched in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the United States and Canada in winter, but also in the tenth month in the Britain, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The month has developed since its inception, focusing less on the histories of colonial slavery and fights for racial justice, and increasingly on prominent Black figures in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and widely honoring the impact Black people have made to mold society. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with lectures and artistic activities. But the manner the celebration is celebrated is a manifestation of the political moment. How it evolves is a good lesson in how appropriation leads to dismantling: the transformation of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to address embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
Little demonstrates how critical it is to rethink Black History Month more than the current time in which it takes place this year. In the UK, a reemerging right-wing in the guise of the Reform organization is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we saw the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. a prominent political figure, the African descendant in charge of the Tory party, is a strong critic of anti-racism activism, and we are in a place where a elected representative feels emboldened to say that a lack of white people in specific city neighborhoods is a cause for alarm. Simultaneously, far-right parties are surging in the European continent as a entirety.
In the US, a colossal assault against DEI and affirmative action has been taken, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the state. A effort to erase the history of people of color and experience from the records is under way. One of the political figure's initial presidential directives aimed at the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the prestigious establishment, claiming they of a “concerted and widespread effort to change the national past” by depicting the United States “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Given these circumstances, the celebration represents how little it can be impactful if it is restricted to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or stripped of political content festivities of historical achievements, rather than challenging the situation of the current era. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is separated from the wider consistent effort that is needed. Denise Miller, a prof at a learning establishment, put it best when she voiced worries about the short-term symbolic gestures of the month. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she commented, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month evolves into a fleeting performance rather than a agent of progress.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Figuring out how to adapt, revise and extend initiatives for racial equality and recognition in such moments of dejection and worry is a challenging endeavor. There is a inclination to just do away with events including Black History Month altogether, believing 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 whole broad system and legacy of activism for racial justice – community-based BLM initiatives, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an framework that a lot of work has been dedicated to. It is there not just to decay as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, declines), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month seem? Well, first, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is dispersed through the year (as various establishments are already beginning to do), elements of its material (particularly around prominent figures of color) incorporated into academic syllabi. It would also be a time that does not shy away from political issues, and leaves space for people, particularly youth, to air their fears and experiences. What use is mere awareness of the bygone era when it fails to address the contemporary truth of far-right rallies in the street? Institutions who celebrate it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of “unconscious bias” and alertness to “microaggressions”, but faced with the risks that affect everyone if anti-racism is not approached earnestly. In short, Black History Month should be made contemporary, critical, and adaptive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is in order – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
