The annual Black History observance is a reflection of the political moment, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the Britain, and it feels like it’s time for a re-evaluation. Over the years, an observance that was initiated as a festivity and recollection of history, culture and the connections between international African diaspora communities, has adopted a corporate feel, broadening to incorporate functions where Black people are compensated to speak with Caucasian groups about implicit prejudice and “allyship”. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s generated a rise in the industry of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The surge has reached its height, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what raising awareness is for.
The History of Black History Observance
Originally observed in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was created in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with a week of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the US and Canada in February, but also in October in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
The month has developed since its inception, focusing less on the accounts of colonial slavery and civil rights battles, and more on notable African descendants in government, the arts, and social movements, and extensively acknowledging the input Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the way the celebration is commemorated is a reflection of the current political situation. How it evolves is a good lesson in how appropriation leads to dismantling: the transformation of Black History Month has impeded the purpose of it, which is to address systemic and institutional racism.
A Jarring Moment
Hardly anything shows how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month more than the specific period in which it occurs this year. In the United Kingdom, a reemerging right-wing in the guise of the Reform organization is top in opinion ratings. In the recent season we saw the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. a prominent political figure, the African descendant in charge of the Conservative party, is a staunch adversary of anti-racism activism, and we are in a place where a legislator feels emboldened to say that the absence of Caucasian individuals in parts of a city is a source of worry. Simultaneously, extreme conservative groups are growing in Europe as a whole.
In the United States, a massive attack against DEI and affirmative action has been brought, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the supreme judicial bodies of the nation. A drive to scrub the history of people of color and experience from the records is ongoing. One of the former president's first executive orders aimed at the museum of African American legacy, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that they of a organized and extensive campaign to rewrite our Nation’s history” by representing the nation “as inherently racist”.
Given these circumstances, the observance illustrates how minimally it can be impactful if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or depoliticized commemorations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the conditions of the contemporary world. It also reveals how its short period means that it is separated from the wider consistent effort that is necessary. Denise Miller, a professor at University of Greenwich, put it best when she expressed apprehension about the fleeting superficial actions of the celebration. “The problem with embracing a superficial method”, she commented, “is that it often means that Black History Month turns into a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Determining how to alter, change and broaden actions for racial equality and recognition in such moments of dejection and worry is a difficult task. There is a inclination to just eliminate observances such as Black History Month altogether, assuming they are inadequate for current needs, or are remnants of an period that has not worked.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and tradition of activism for racial justice – local anti-racism groups, DEI programs, and yes, even those talks to businesses – form an framework that a considerable labor has gone into. It is there not just to decay as the politics moves on (and in fact, declines), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month look like? Firstly, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is distributed through the year (as certain organizations are already commencing), parts of its content (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into academic syllabi. It would also be a era that does not avoid political issues, and leaves space for citizens, particularly young people, to air their fears and experiences. What use is mere awareness of the history when it ignores the contemporary truth of extreme conservative demonstrations in the urban areas? Institutions who celebrate it should not be reassured with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and alertness to minor insults, but challenged by the dangers that face all if anti-racism is not taken seriously. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, critical, and adaptive. Perhaps an complete renaming is required – Contemporary Black History Month.
