This commemorative month is a reflection of the political moment, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the Britain, and it feels like it’s time for a rethink. Over the years, an observance that began as a commemorative event of the past, cultural identity and bonds between Black populations worldwide, has adopted a commercial tone, growing to encompass functions where African descendants are paid to talk to predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and “allyship”. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests created a surge in the industry of showcasing anti-racist commitment. However, that period has concluded. The surge has reached its height, producing a diluted aftermath of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Origins of Black History Observance
Originally observed in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was established in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with seven days of commemoration and observance in the second week of February. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the North America in the second month, but also in the tenth month in the United Kingdom, Germany, Éire and the Holland.
The period has evolved since its inception, giving reduced attention to the histories of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and greater focus on prominent Black figures in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the input 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 observance is observed is a indication of the political moment. How it evolves is a valuable example in how co-option leads to dismantling: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to confront embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
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 Britain, a resurgent right in the form of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the summer we observed the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. the Conservative leader, the person of color at the helm of the Tory party, is a strong critic of the racial justice movement, and we are in a place where a member of parliament feels emboldened to state that the absence of Caucasian individuals in parts of a city is a cause for alarm. Simultaneously, ultra-nationalist movements are surging in the EU as a whole.
In the United States, a colossal assault against DEI and affirmative action has been taken, frequently with success, to the supreme judicial bodies of the country. A drive to erase African American heritage and narrative from the historical documents is under way. One of the political figure's first executive orders targeted the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the renowned cultural organization, alleging that they of a “concerted and widespread effort to change the national past” by depicting the United States “as naturally discriminatory”.
Given these circumstances, the month represents how insufficiently it can be impactful if it is confined to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or politically neutered celebrations of historical achievements, rather than challenging the situation of the contemporary world. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is disconnected from the broader ongoing work that is needed. A university professor, a professor at University of Greenwich, expressed it perfectly when she expressed apprehension about the short-term symbolic gestures of the month. “The difficulty with taking a tokenistic approach”, she commented, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Determining how to adjust, modify and expand actions for equal rights and acknowledgment in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a urge to just discontinue observances such as Black History Month altogether, thinking they are inadequate for current needs, or are relics of an era that has failed to deliver.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and legacy of campaigns for equality – community-based BLM initiatives, inclusion and equity efforts, and certainly, even commercial engagements – constitute an framework that a considerable labor has been dedicated to. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month appear as? To begin with, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is spread out through the year (as certain organizations are already beginning to do), parts of its content (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a era that does not evade political issues, and provides room for people, particularly young people, to share their anxieties and narratives. What value has simple recognition of the history when it fails to address the current situation of extreme conservative demonstrations in the urban areas? Institutions who observe it should not be reassured with the neutral terminology of hidden discrimination and sensitivity to subtle slights, but confronted with the risks that affect everyone if anti-racism is not taken seriously. In short, Black History Month should be made current, pressing, and adaptive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
