The annual Black History observance serves as a mirror of the prevailing political atmosphere, 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 reassessment. Over the years, an observance that was initiated as a commemorative event of heritage, traditions and links between international African diaspora communities, has taken on a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass gatherings where individuals of African heritage are paid to talk to predominantly white listeners about implicit prejudice and supportive partnership. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s generated a rise in the enterprise of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has reached its height, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what increasing understanding is for.
The Background of Black History Observance
First commemorated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of commemoration and observance in the February's second week. Black History Month evolved from this campaign and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States and Canada in the second month, but also in October in the UK, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Holland.
The month has developed since its inception, placing less emphasis on the accounts of transatlantic enslavement and struggles for equality, and more on notable African descendants in politics, culture, and activism, and widely honoring the contribution Black people have made to mold society. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the month is commemorated is a manifestation of the contemporary political context. How it develops is a good lesson in how appropriation leads to erosion: the transformation of Black History Month has stymied the objective of it, which is to tackle systemic and institutional racism.
A Troubling Time
Hardly anything shows how crucial it is to rethink Black History Month better than the current time in which it falls this year. In the United Kingdom, a resurgent right in the form of the Reform organization is ahead in surveys. In the warmer months we observed the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in British history. the Conservative leader, the person of color at the helm of the Conservative party, is a staunch adversary of the racial justice movement, and we are in a situation where a legislator gains confidence to state that “not seeing any white faces” in parts of a city is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in the EU as a whole.
In the US, a massive attack against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been taken, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the highest courts of the country. A effort to remove Black history and legacy from the archives is in progress. One of Donald Trump's initial presidential directives focused on the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that they of a “concerted and widespread effort to alter the country's historical narrative” by portraying America “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Given these circumstances, the celebration illustrates how insufficiently it can be influential if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or depoliticized festivities of historical achievements, rather than challenging the situation of the current era. It also reveals how its limited duration means that it is separated from the more extensive continuous action that is required. Denise Miller, a prof at University of Greenwich, put it best when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the observance. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she commented, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to adjust, modify and expand efforts for equal rights and acknowledgment in such moments of dejection and worry is a challenging endeavor. There is a temptation to just discontinue events including Black History Month entirely, thinking they are inadequate for current needs, or are vestiges of an era that has not worked.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and legacy of activism for racial justice – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and certainly, even commercial engagements – constitute an infrastructure that a significant effort has been dedicated to. It is there not just to decay as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, regresses), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month appear as? Firstly, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is spread out across all seasons (as some institutions are already beginning to do), elements of its material (particularly around prominent figures of color) included in educational programs. It would also be a time that does not evade politics, and leaves space for citizens, particularly young people, to air their fears and experiences. What purpose serves simple recognition of the bygone era when it ignores the present reality of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the street? Organizations who mark it should not be pacified with the passive language of “unconscious bias” and alertness to minor insults, but faced with the threats that affect everyone if anti-racism is not approached earnestly. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made contemporary, urgent, and adaptive. It could be that an total re-identification is in order – Contemporary Black History Month.
