This commemorative month acts as a gauge of the political moment, so how do we revamp it?
We are in Black History Month in the UK, and it seems it’s time for a reassessment. Over the years, an observance that was initiated as a commemorative event of heritage, traditions and links between Black populations worldwide, has taken on a commercial tone, growing to encompass events where Black people are compensated to talk to predominantly white listeners about “unconscious bias” and active solidarity. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has reached its height, producing a diluted aftermath of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins of Black History Celebration
Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with seven days of celebration and reflection in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this campaign and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the North America in February, but also in autumn in the Britain, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
The period has transformed since that time, giving reduced attention to the accounts of the slave trade across the Atlantic and struggles for equality, and increasingly on notable African descendants in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and broadly celebrating the contribution Black people have made to mold society. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the method the celebration is observed is a reflection of the current political situation. How it evolves is a good lesson in how assimilation leads to erosion: the transformation of Black History Month has impeded the objective of it, which is to confront embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
Hardly anything shows how critical it is to reevaluate Black History Month better than the current time in which it falls this year. In the Britain, a reemerging right-wing in the shape of the Reform organization is leading the polls. In the summer we witnessed the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in British history. Kemi Badenoch, the person of color at the helm of the right-wing political group, is a firm opponent of anti-racism activism, and we are in a situation where a legislator gains confidence to declare that a lack of white people in certain urban areas is a cause for alarm. Meanwhile, extreme conservative groups are growing in Europe as a complete entity.
In the United States, a significant offensive against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the country. A drive to remove Black history and legacy from the records is in progress. One of the former president's early administrative commands targeted the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the renowned cultural organization, claiming they of a coordinated and broad attempt to alter the country's historical narrative” by portraying America “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Against this backdrop, the celebration represents how minimally it can be impactful if it is limited to either obligatory business commemorations, or stripped of political content celebrations of historical achievements, rather than confronting the situation of the contemporary world. It also shows how its restricted time span means that it is disconnected from the broader ongoing work that is necessary. An academic expert, a prof at University of Greenwich, articulated it most accurately when she raised concerns about the short-term symbolic gestures of the month. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a agent of progress.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Determining how to alter, change and broaden initiatives for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a challenging endeavor. There is a temptation to just discontinue observances such as Black History Month altogether, believing they are inadequate for current needs, or are remnants of an time that has been ineffective.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and heritage of campaigns for equality – local anti-racism groups, inclusion and equity efforts, and certainly, even commercial engagements – form an infrastructure that a lot of work has gone into. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, regresses), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month seem? Well, first, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is dispersed throughout the annual calendar (as various establishments are already beginning to do), elements of its material (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a time that does not evade politics, and allows opportunity for citizens, particularly the younger generation, to express their concerns and stories. What purpose serves basic knowledge of the bygone era when it doesn’t reckon with the current situation of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the street? Organizations who celebrate it should not be reassured with the non-confrontational words of “unconscious bias” and sensitivity to minor insults, but faced with the threats that face all if fight against prejudice is not approached earnestly. In short, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, urgent, and responsive. Perhaps an total re-identification is required – Contemporary Black History Month.
