Black History Month is a reflection of the prevailing political atmosphere, so what steps can we take to refresh it?
This is Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. As time has passed, an observance that began as a commemorative event of history, culture and the connections between Black populations worldwide, has adopted a business-like atmosphere, expanding to include gatherings where Black people are compensated to talk to white audiences about implicit prejudice and supportive partnership. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s generated a rise in the business of demonstrating racial awareness. But even that moment has passed. The wave has peaked, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The Background of Black History Celebration
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with seven days of commemoration and observance in the second week of February. Black History Month grew out of this initiative and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the US and Canada in winter, but also in October in the United Kingdom, Deutschland, Éire and the Holland.
The observance has transformed since that time, focusing less on the accounts of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and more on prominent Black figures in politics, culture, and activism, and extensively acknowledging the input Black people have made to shape the country. It is in schools where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the celebration is celebrated is a indication of the current political situation. How it evolves is a valuable example in how appropriation leads to weakening: the restructuring of Black History Month has impeded the purpose of it, which is to confront structural and organizational discrimination.
A Troubling Time
Hardly anything shows how critical it is to reevaluate Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it occurs this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform political group is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we witnessed the biggest extreme right demonstration in British history. a prominent political figure, the person of color at the helm of the Tory party, is a strong critic of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a situation where a member of parliament feels emboldened to state that “not seeing any white faces” in parts of a city is a reason for concern. At the same time, extreme conservative groups are surging in Europe as a entirety.
In the United States, a massive attack against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been carried, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the country. A drive to remove African American heritage and experience from the records is ongoing. One of Donald Trump's first executive orders focused on the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the Smithsonian Institution, claiming they of a organized and extensive campaign to alter the country's historical narrative” by representing the nation “as naturally discriminatory”.
In this context, the month represents how little it can be effective if it is restricted to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or politically neutered festivities of contributions in the past, rather than addressing the realities of the current era. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is disconnected from the broader ongoing work that is required. Denise Miller, a educator at a learning establishment, put it best when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the observance. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she wrote, “is that it often means that Black History Month becomes a transient display rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Determining how to alter, change and broaden actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a challenging endeavor. There is a temptation to just eliminate observances such as Black History Month completely, believing they are inadequate for current needs, or are vestiges of an time that has been ineffective.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and tradition of campaigns for equality – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – form an framework that a considerable labor has been dedicated to. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a living breathing thing.
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 commencing), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) incorporated into educational programs. It would also be a period that does not shy away from politics, and provides room for people, particularly the younger generation, to air their fears and experiences. What value has basic knowledge of the bygone era when it ignores the current situation of extreme conservative demonstrations in the urban areas? Establishments who celebrate it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and alertness to subtle slights, but confronted with the risks that affect everyone if opposition to discrimination is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made contemporary, critical, and reactive. It could be that an complete renaming is necessary – Black History is Now Month.
