The annual Black History observance serves as a mirror of the political moment, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the UK, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. As time has passed, an observance that began as a festivity and recollection of the past, cultural identity and bonds between global Black communities, has adopted a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass events where African descendants are paid to talk to predominantly white listeners about “unconscious bias” and active solidarity. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests created a surge in the enterprise of showcasing anti-racist commitment. But even that moment has passed. The surge has reached its height, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what increasing understanding is for.
The Origins of Black History Observance
Originally observed in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with a week of commemoration and observance in the second week of February. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the North America in February, but also in autumn in the UK, Germany, Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The period has developed since its inception, giving reduced attention to the narratives of the slave trade across the Atlantic and fights for racial justice, and increasingly on notable African descendants in government, the arts, and social movements, and extensively acknowledging the contribution 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 observed is a reflection of the current political situation. How it progresses is a good lesson in how assimilation leads to erosion: the restructuring of Black History Month has stymied the objective of it, which is to tackle structural and organizational discrimination.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate how critical it is to reevaluate Black History Month better than the current time in which it occurs this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the shape of the Reform political group is ahead in surveys. In the recent season we witnessed the largest far-right rally in British history. the Conservative leader, the Black leader of the Conservative party, is a firm opponent of anti-racism activism, and we are in a situation where a elected representative feels emboldened to say that the absence of Caucasian individuals in specific city neighborhoods is a source of worry. Meanwhile, extreme conservative groups are expanding in Europe as a whole.
In the United States, a significant offensive against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been taken, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the state. A effort to remove the history of people of color and legacy from the historical documents is ongoing. One of Donald Trump's early administrative commands targeted the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the prestigious establishment, claiming they of a coordinated and broad attempt to change the national past” by portraying America “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Given these circumstances, the observance symbolises how insufficiently it can be effective if it is restricted to either obligatory business commemorations, or stripped of political content commemorations of contributions in the past, rather than confronting the conditions of the present. It also reveals how its short period means that it is disconnected from the wider consistent effort that is needed. A university professor, a prof at a learning establishment, expressed it perfectly when she voiced worries about the short-term symbolic gestures of the observance. “The difficulty with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month turns into a transient display rather than a catalyst for change.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to adapt, revise and extend actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such moments of dejection and worry is a challenging endeavor. There is a urge to just discontinue things like Black History Month altogether, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an era that has been ineffective.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and tradition of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and certainly, even commercial engagements – constitute an foundation that a significant effort has gone into. It is there not just to decay 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 appear as? To begin with, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out across all seasons (as certain organizations are already beginning to do), sections of its curriculum (particularly around historic Black characters) included in educational programs. It would also be a period that does not shy away from politics, and allows opportunity for people, particularly youth, to express their concerns and stories. What use is simple recognition of the history when it fails to address the contemporary truth of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the street? Institutions who mark it should not be comforted with the neutral terminology of “unconscious bias” and sensitivity to minor insults, but confronted with the dangers that impact society if anti-racism is not treated with importance. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, critical, and responsive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is required – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
