The annual Black History observance acts as a gauge of the political moment, so in what ways can we modernize it?
It's Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it feels like it’s time for a rethink. Throughout its history, an event that began as a festivity and recollection of history, culture and the connections between Black populations worldwide, has taken on a commercial tone, broadening to incorporate gatherings where individuals of African heritage are remunerated to address white audiences about implicit prejudice and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the industry of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The surge has crested, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what raising awareness is for.
The History of Black History Celebration
Initially celebrated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month grew out of this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the North America in February, but also in October in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, Éire and the Holland.
The observance has evolved since that time, focusing less on the accounts of colonial slavery and fights for racial justice, and increasingly on notable African descendants in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the input Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with lectures and artistic activities. But the manner the observance is celebrated is a manifestation of the contemporary political context. How it progresses is a good lesson in how appropriation leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the purpose of it, which is to confront embedded and established prejudice.
A Jarring Moment
Few things illustrate how crucial it is to rethink Black History Month better than the current time in which it occurs this year. In the Britain, a reemerging right-wing in the shape of the Reform organization is ahead in surveys. In the recent season we observed the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. Kemi Badenoch, the African descendant in charge of the Tory party, is a staunch adversary of anti-racism activism, and we are in a position where a legislator feels emboldened to say that “not seeing any white faces” in specific city neighborhoods is a source of worry. At the same time, far-right parties are growing in the European continent as a complete entity.
In the America, a colossal assault against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been taken, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the supreme judicial bodies of the state. A drive to erase African American heritage and narrative from the records is in progress. One of Donald Trump's early administrative commands 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 representing the nation “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Against this backdrop, the observance illustrates how insufficiently it can be effective if it is restricted to either dutiful corporate observances, or stripped of political content commemorations of historical achievements, rather than confronting the realities of the current era. It also shows how its short period means that it is disconnected from the wider consistent effort that is necessary. An academic expert, a educator at an educational institution, articulated it most accurately when she raised concerns about the fleeting superficial actions of the month. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, 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
Establishing how to adapt, revise and extend efforts for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just eliminate observances such as Black History Month altogether, thinking they are no longer suitable, or are vestiges of an time that has failed to deliver.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and legacy of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, inclusion and equity efforts, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an foundation that a considerable labor has gone into. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, declines), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month look like? Well, first, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed across all seasons (as some institutions are already starting to implement), parts of its content (particularly around notable African descendants) integrated into academic syllabi. It would also be a period that does not avoid governmental matters, and leaves space for people, particularly the younger generation, to air their fears and experiences. What value has simple recognition of the past when it doesn’t reckon with the present reality of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the urban areas? Institutions who mark it should not be reassured with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and awareness of subtle slights, but confronted with the dangers that face all if anti-racism is not taken seriously. In short, Black History Month should be made current, urgent, and responsive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is in order – Black History is Now Month.
