Black History Month acts as a gauge of the political moment, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the Britain, and it seems it’s time for a re-evaluation. As time has passed, an event that was initiated as a festivity and recollection of the past, cultural identity and bonds between international African diaspora communities, has adopted a business-like atmosphere, broadening to incorporate gatherings where African descendants are paid to address white audiences about hidden biases and active solidarity. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s created a surge in the enterprise of showcasing anti-racist commitment. However, that period has concluded. The wave has reached its height, producing a diluted aftermath of what increasing understanding is for.
The History of Black History Month
First commemorated 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 a week of celebration and reflection in the middle of February. Black History Month grew out of this movement and was publicly established in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the North America in February, but also in autumn in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The observance has evolved since its inception, giving reduced attention to the accounts of colonial slavery and civil rights battles, and greater focus on influential individuals of color in government, the arts, and social movements, and widely honoring the impact Black people have made to shape the country. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the way the celebration is observed is a reflection of the political moment. How it progresses is a instructive case in how appropriation leads to erosion: the transformation of Black History Month has hindered the purpose of it, which is to confront systemic and institutional racism.
A Troubling Time
Little demonstrates how critical it is to reevaluate Black History Month better than the current time in which it falls this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the form of the Reform political group is leading the polls. In the warmer months 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 position where a member of parliament feels emboldened to say that a lack of white people in parts of a city is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, far-right parties are growing in Europe 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 campaign to erase the history of people of color and narrative from the historical documents is under way. One of the political figure's first executive orders focused on the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the renowned cultural organization, accusing them of a coordinated and broad attempt to alter the country's historical narrative” by portraying America “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
In this context, the month represents how little it can be impactful if it is limited to either dutiful corporate observances, or depoliticized celebrations of former accomplishments, rather than confronting the conditions of the present. It also reveals how its short period means that it is separated from the broader ongoing work that is required. An academic expert, a professor at University of Greenwich, articulated it most accurately when she expressed apprehension about the short-term symbolic gestures of the celebration. “The issue with taking a tokenistic approach”, she wrote, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Establishing how to adjust, modify and expand initiatives for racial equality and recognition in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a challenging endeavor. There is a urge to just do away with things like Black History Month completely, thinking they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an period that has not worked.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and tradition of campaigns for equality – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an framework that a lot of work has been invested in. It is there not just to decay as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month seem? To begin with, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is dispersed throughout the annual calendar (as certain organizations are already commencing), parts of its content (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a period that does not evade political issues, and leaves space for citizens, particularly young people, to air their fears and experiences. What value has mere awareness of the past when it doesn’t reckon with the present reality of extreme conservative demonstrations in the public spaces? Institutions who observe it should not be reassured with the neutral terminology of hidden discrimination and alertness to minor insults, but confronted with the risks that impact society if fight against prejudice is not treated with importance. To summarize, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, critical, and reactive. It could be that an entire name rebrand is in order – Contemporary Black History Month.
