The annual Black History observance serves as a mirror of the current political climate, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an celebration that was initiated as a celebration and reminder of history, culture and the connections between international African diaspora communities, has adopted a commercial tone, broadening to incorporate events where Black people are paid to speak with predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and “allyship”. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the business of displaying cultural sensitivity. However, that period has concluded. The surge has peaked, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what increasing understanding is for.
The History of Black History Observance
Originally observed in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was established in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with a week of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month grew out of this campaign and was publicly established in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the US and Canada in February, but also in the tenth month in the UK, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The observance has transformed since that time, focusing less on the histories of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and greater focus on notable African descendants in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and widely honoring the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with talks and cultural events. But the manner the celebration is celebrated is a manifestation of the contemporary political context. How it evolves is a instructive case in how assimilation leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the objective of it, which is to confront embedded and established prejudice.
A Jarring Moment
Few things illustrate how crucial it is to reevaluate Black History Month more than the specific period in which it falls this year. In the UK, a reemerging right-wing in the guise of the Reform political group is ahead in surveys. In the summer we witnessed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. the Conservative leader, the person of color at the helm of the Tory party, is a staunch adversary of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a situation where a legislator feels emboldened to state that a lack of white people in parts of a city is a source of worry. Simultaneously, extreme conservative groups are expanding in Europe as a complete entity.
In the America, a significant offensive against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been taken, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the highest courts of the state. A effort to scrub Black history 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, claiming they of a organized and extensive campaign to change the national past” by representing the nation “as naturally discriminatory”.
Given these circumstances, the observance represents how little it can be impactful if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or stripped of political content celebrations of former accomplishments, rather than challenging the realities of the present. It also demonstrates how its limited duration means that it is disconnected from the wider consistent effort that is required. An academic expert, a educator at a learning establishment, articulated it most accurately when she raised concerns about the short-term symbolic gestures of the month. “The issue with adopting a symbolic stance”, she wrote, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month becomes a transient display rather than a catalyst for change.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to adjust, modify and expand initiatives for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a inclination to just discontinue events including Black History Month altogether, thinking they are no longer suitable, or are vestiges 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 racial movements – community-based BLM initiatives, DEI programs, and certainly, even commercial engagements – represent an framework that a significant effort has been dedicated to. It is there not just to decay as the situation evolves (and in fact, declines), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month seem? Firstly, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is distributed through the year (as various establishments are already commencing), elements of its material (particularly around notable African descendants) included in academic syllabi. It would also be a period that does not evade political issues, and provides room for people, particularly youth, to share their anxieties and narratives. What value has basic knowledge of the bygone era when it doesn’t reckon with the present reality of far-right rallies in the public spaces? Organizations who observe it should not be pacified with the non-confrontational words of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to minor insults, but confronted with the dangers that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not treated with importance. In short, Black History Month should be made contemporary, pressing, and reactive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is necessary – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
