This commemorative month is a reflection of the political moment, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the Britain, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. Over the years, an observance that began as a commemorative event of history, culture and the connections between global Black communities, has taken on a commercial tone, growing to encompass functions where individuals of African heritage are remunerated to speak with Caucasian groups about hidden biases and active solidarity. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the industry of showcasing anti-racist commitment. Yet, that phase is now over. The tide has crested, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what increasing understanding is for.
The Background of Black History Observance
First commemorated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was publicly established in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the United States and Canada in February, but also in the tenth month in the Britain, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Holland.
The observance has transformed since that time, focusing less on the histories of the slave trade across the Atlantic and fights for racial justice, and greater focus on influential individuals of color in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and extensively acknowledging the impact Black people have made to mold society. It is in schools where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with talks and cultural events. But the method the month is commemorated is a reflection of the political moment. How it evolves is a instructive case in how appropriation leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to address structural and organizational discrimination.
A Disconcerting Period
Few things illustrate how important it is to rethink Black History Month more than the current time in which it occurs this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform organization is top in opinion ratings. In the summer we witnessed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. Kemi Badenoch, the person of color at the helm of the Tory party, is a strong critic of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a place where a member of parliament feels emboldened to state that a lack of white people in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. At the same time, ultra-nationalist movements are growing in the EU as a whole.
In the America, a significant offensive against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been taken, frequently with success, to the top legal institutions of the nation. A effort to remove the history of people of color and narrative from the archives is in progress. One of the political figure's first executive orders focused on the museum of African American legacy, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that they of a organized and extensive campaign to change the national past” by depicting the United States “as naturally discriminatory”.
Given these circumstances, the observance represents how minimally it can be impactful if it is restricted to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or politically neutered celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the realities of the present. It also reveals how its short period means that it is detached from the broader ongoing work that is needed. Denise Miller, a professor at University of Greenwich, expressed it perfectly when she raised concerns about the fleeting superficial actions of the month. “The difficulty with embracing a superficial method”, she commented, “is that it often means that Black History Month evolves into a transient display rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Figuring out 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 urge to just eliminate observances such as Black History Month entirely, thinking they are simply not fit for purpose, or are remnants of an era that has not worked.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and heritage of racial movements – community-based BLM initiatives, DEI programs, and indeed, including corporate presentations – represent an framework that a significant effort has been dedicated to. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, regresses), 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 across all seasons (as various establishments are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a era that does not evade governmental matters, and provides room for individuals, particularly youth, to express their concerns and stories. What value has basic knowledge of the bygone era when it fails to address the present reality of extreme conservative demonstrations in the urban areas? Organizations who observe it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of implicit prejudice and alertness to minor insults, but faced with the threats that face all if anti-racism is not approached earnestly. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, urgent, and reactive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is in order – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
