This commemorative month serves as a mirror of the political moment, so what steps can we take to refresh it?
This is Black History Month in the Britain, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. Over the years, an celebration that began as a festivity and recollection of heritage, traditions and links between Black populations worldwide, has adopted a commercial tone, broadening to incorporate events where Black people are paid to talk to white audiences about hidden biases and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the business of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has reached its height, producing a diluted aftermath of what promoting consciousness is for.
The History of Black History Month
Initially celebrated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was established in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of celebration and reflection in the middle of February. Black History Month developed from this campaign and was officially launched in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the North America in February, but also in the tenth month in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the Holland.
The period has transformed since its inception, focusing less on the histories of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and increasingly on notable African descendants in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, 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 discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the observance is observed is a indication of the current political situation. How it progresses is a good lesson in how assimilation leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has hindered the objective of it, which is to address structural and organizational discrimination.
A Troubling Time
Little demonstrates how critical it is to rethink Black History Month as much as the current time in which it occurs this year. In the United Kingdom, a revitalized conservative movement in the guise of the Reform political group is leading the polls. In the warmer months we saw the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in British history. Kemi Badenoch, the African descendant in charge of the Conservative party, is a staunch adversary of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a situation where a legislator feels empowered to state that a lack of white people in parts of a city is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, extreme conservative groups are surging in the EU as a complete entity.
In the United States, a significant offensive against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been brought, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the country. A drive to remove the history of people of color and legacy from the archives is ongoing. One of the former president's first executive orders aimed at 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 portraying America “as naturally discriminatory”.
In this context, the month illustrates how minimally it can be effective if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or depoliticized celebrations of former accomplishments, rather than challenging the realities of the contemporary world. It also shows how its limited duration means that it is disconnected from the wider consistent effort that is necessary. Denise Miller, a professor at an educational institution, put it best when she raised concerns about the fleeting superficial actions of the month. “The difficulty with adopting a symbolic stance”, she commented, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month becomes a brief show rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to adapt, revise and extend initiatives for fair treatment and appreciation in such moments of dejection and worry is a treacherous thing. There is a inclination to just discontinue observances such as Black History Month altogether, believing they are simply not fit for purpose, or are remnants of an time that has failed to deliver.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and heritage of activism for racial justice – local anti-racism groups, inclusion and equity efforts, and yes, even those talks to businesses – represent an foundation that a lot of work has gone into. It is there not merely to decline as the politics moves on (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month appear as? To begin with, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed across all seasons (as some institutions are already commencing), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a time that does not evade political issues, and provides room for people, particularly young people, to air their fears and experiences. What value has mere awareness of the history when it ignores the contemporary truth of far-right rallies in the public spaces? Establishments who celebrate it should not be pacified with the non-confrontational words of “unconscious bias” and alertness to minor insults, but confronted with the threats that face all if fight against prejudice is not approached earnestly. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, urgent, and reactive. It could be that an complete renaming is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
