Black History Month is a reflection of the political moment, so how do we revamp 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 history, culture and the connections between international African diaspora communities, has taken on a commercial tone, growing to encompass functions where Black people are remunerated to address predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and active solidarity. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the enterprise of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The tide has peaked, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what promoting consciousness is for.
The History of Black History Month
First commemorated in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with seven days of commemoration and observance in the second week of February. Black History Month grew out of this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States and Canada in winter, but also in autumn in the Britain, Deutschland, Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The period has transformed since that time, placing less emphasis on the histories of colonial slavery and civil rights battles, and greater focus on influential individuals of color in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and extensively acknowledging the contribution Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in schools where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the month is commemorated is a manifestation of the political moment. How it progresses is a valuable example in how assimilation leads to dismantling: the restructuring of Black History Month has hindered the objective of it, which is to confront embedded and established prejudice.
A Disconcerting Period
Few things illustrate how crucial it is to rethink Black History Month better than the specific period in which it takes place this year. In the Britain, a reemerging right-wing in the guise of the Reform party is ahead in surveys. In the warmer months we witnessed the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in the UK's past. a prominent political figure, the Black leader of the right-wing political group, is a staunch adversary of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a position where a member of parliament feels emboldened to state that “not seeing any white faces” in parts of a city is a reason for concern. Meanwhile, extreme conservative groups are surging in Europe as a whole.
In the America, a massive attack against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, frequently with success, to the top legal institutions of the country. A drive to scrub the history of people of color and narrative from the historical documents is under way. One of the political figure's early administrative commands focused on the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that 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 symbolises how insufficiently it can be influential if it is limited to either dutiful corporate observances, or depoliticized commemorations of former accomplishments, rather than confronting the conditions of the present. It also demonstrates how its limited duration means that it is detached from the more extensive continuous action that is necessary. An academic expert, a prof at University of Greenwich, articulated it most accurately when she voiced worries about the temporary “tokenism” of the observance. “The difficulty with adopting a symbolic stance”, she commented, “is that it often means that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a catalyst for change.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to adjust, modify and expand efforts 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, thinking they are simply not fit for purpose, or are remnants of an period that has not worked.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and legacy of campaigns for equality – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, DEI programs, and yes, even those talks to businesses – represent an framework that a significant effort has been dedicated to. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, declines), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month seem? Firstly, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out across all seasons (as various establishments are already starting to implement), elements of its material (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into academic syllabi. It would also be a period that does not shy away from governmental matters, and leaves space for individuals, particularly the younger generation, to express their concerns and stories. What use is basic knowledge of the bygone era when it doesn’t reckon with the current situation of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the public spaces? Organizations who mark it should not be pacified with the passive language of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to subtle slights, but confronted with the threats that face all if opposition to discrimination is not taken seriously. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, urgent, and reactive. It could be that an complete renaming is in order – Contemporary Black History Month.
