This commemorative month serves as a mirror of the political moment, so how do we revamp it?
We are in Black History Month in the Britain, and it seems it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an event that was initiated as a celebration and reminder of history, culture and the connections between Black populations worldwide, has developed a corporate feel, expanding to include events where African descendants are paid to talk to Caucasian groups about “unconscious bias” and supportive partnership. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s generated a rise in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. However, that period has concluded. The tide has reached its height, producing a diluted aftermath of what raising awareness is for.
The History of Black History Celebration
Originally observed in the US 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 celebration and reflection in the middle of February. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the United States and Canada in winter, but also in October in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, Éire and the Holland.
The period has evolved since its inception, focusing less on the accounts of colonial slavery and civil rights battles, and greater focus on notable African descendants in government, the arts, and social movements, and widely honoring the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with lectures and artistic activities. But the manner the month is celebrated is a manifestation of the political moment. How it develops is a good lesson in how appropriation leads to dismantling: the restructuring of Black History Month has impeded the purpose of it, which is to address structural and organizational discrimination.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate how crucial it is to rethink Black History Month as much as the current time in which it takes place this year. In the United Kingdom, a reemerging right-wing in the shape of the Reform organization is leading the polls. In the warmer months we saw the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. the Conservative leader, the person of color at the helm of the right-wing political group, is a staunch adversary of anti-racism activism, and we are in a place where a elected representative feels empowered to declare that a lack of white people in parts of a city is a source of worry. Meanwhile, far-right parties are growing in Europe as a complete entity.
In the America, a massive attack against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been carried, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the highest courts of the country. A drive to erase African American heritage and legacy from the records is under way. One of Donald Trump's early administrative commands targeted the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the Smithsonian Institution, alleging that they of a organized and extensive campaign to rewrite our Nation’s history” by depicting the United States “as naturally discriminatory”.
Given these circumstances, the observance illustrates how minimally it can be influential if it is restricted to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or depoliticized celebrations of historical achievements, rather than addressing the realities of the present. It also shows how its limited duration means that it is disconnected from the wider consistent effort that is needed. Denise Miller, a prof at a learning establishment, put it best when she voiced worries about the short-term symbolic gestures of the celebration. “The difficulty with taking a tokenistic approach”, she wrote, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month evolves into a transient display rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Determining how to adapt, revise and extend actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just eliminate things like Black History Month altogether, thinking they are inadequate for current needs, or are remnants of an time that has not worked.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and legacy of racial movements – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – form an infrastructure that a considerable labor has been invested in. 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 new dynamic Black History Month look like? Well, first, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed throughout the annual calendar (as certain organizations are already commencing), parts of its content (particularly around notable African descendants) integrated into academic syllabi. It would also be a period that does not shy away from political issues, and provides room for citizens, particularly youth, to express their concerns and stories. What purpose serves simple recognition of the bygone era when it ignores the current situation of extreme conservative demonstrations in the street? Institutions who mark it should not be reassured with the neutral terminology of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to “microaggressions”, but confronted with the threats that face all if opposition to discrimination is not treated with importance. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, pressing, and adaptive. Perhaps an complete renaming is in order – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
