This commemorative month serves as a mirror of the current political climate, so how do we revamp it?
This is Black History Month in the Britain, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. Throughout its history, an celebration that started out as a celebration and reminder of the past, cultural identity and bonds between international African diaspora communities, has adopted a corporate feel, broadening to incorporate gatherings where Black people are compensated to talk to predominantly white listeners about implicit prejudice and active solidarity. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s sparked an increase in the business of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The surge has crested, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The Background of Black History Month
Originally observed in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of commemoration and observance in the February's second week. Black History Month evolved from this campaign and was officially launched in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the US and Canada in winter, but also in the tenth month in the Britain, Deutschland, Éire and the Netherlands.
The observance has developed since that time, focusing less on the narratives of the slave trade across the Atlantic and struggles for equality, and increasingly on influential individuals of color in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the impact Black people have made to mold society. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with lectures and artistic activities. But the manner the celebration is observed is a manifestation of the political moment. How it progresses is a valuable example in how assimilation leads to weakening: the transformation of Black History Month has hindered the point of it, which is to tackle systemic and institutional racism.
A Jarring Moment
Few things illustrate how critical it is to reevaluate Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it takes place this year. In the UK, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform political group is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we witnessed the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. a prominent political figure, the African descendant in charge of the Tory party, is a firm opponent of the racial justice movement, and we are in a place where a elected representative feels emboldened to declare that a lack of white people in certain urban areas is a source of worry. Meanwhile, extreme conservative groups are expanding in Europe as a entirety.
In the United States, a colossal assault against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the highest courts of the country. A campaign to erase Black history and experience from the archives is under way. One of the political figure's early administrative commands aimed at the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the Smithsonian Institution, alleging that they of a “concerted and widespread effort to alter the country's historical narrative” by representing the nation “as inherently racist”.
Against this backdrop, the month represents how insufficiently it can be effective if it is restricted to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or depoliticized festivities of former accomplishments, rather than addressing the realities of the present. It also demonstrates how its limited duration means that it is separated from the more extensive continuous action that is required. Denise Miller, a educator at University of Greenwich, put it best when she voiced worries about the short-term symbolic gestures of the month. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Establishing how to adapt, revise and extend actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a inclination to just eliminate observances such as Black History Month entirely, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are remnants of an period that has not worked.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and tradition of campaigns for equality – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – represent an framework that a significant effort has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, declines), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month seem? Well, first, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out through the year (as certain organizations are already beginning to do), parts of its content (particularly around prominent figures of color) incorporated into educational programs. It would also be a period that does not shy away from political issues, and allows opportunity for citizens, particularly young people, to express their concerns and stories. What purpose serves mere awareness of the history when it fails to address the contemporary truth of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the urban areas? Establishments who observe it should not be reassured with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and awareness of “microaggressions”, but faced with the threats that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made contemporary, critical, and adaptive. Maybe an total re-identification is in order – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
