Black History Month is a reflection of the political moment, so how do we revamp it?
We are in Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it feels like it’s time for a rethink. As time has passed, an celebration that was initiated as a celebration and reminder of the past, cultural identity and bonds between international African diaspora communities, has taken on a business-like atmosphere, broadening to incorporate gatherings where African descendants are remunerated to speak with predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. But even that moment has passed. The wave has reached its height, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Origins of Black History Month
First commemorated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of celebration and reflection in the middle of February. Black History Month developed from this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the US and Canada in the second month, but also in October in the Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the Holland.
The period has developed since its inception, placing less emphasis on the narratives of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and increasingly on influential individuals of color in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and extensively acknowledging the contribution Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in schools where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the celebration is commemorated is a manifestation of the political moment. How it progresses is a valuable example in how appropriation leads to dismantling: the restructuring of Black History Month has impeded the point of it, which is to address embedded and established prejudice.
A Jarring Moment
Little demonstrates how crucial it is to rethink Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it takes place this year. In the UK, a revitalized conservative movement in the guise of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we witnessed the biggest extreme right demonstration in the UK's past. the Conservative leader, the Black leader of the Conservative party, is a staunch adversary of anti-racism activism, and we are in a position where a legislator feels emboldened to state that “not seeing any white faces” in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in the European continent as a complete entity.
In the US, a colossal assault against DEI and affirmative action has been brought, frequently with success, to the supreme judicial bodies of the country. A campaign to scrub the history of people of color and experience 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, accusing them of a coordinated and broad attempt to rewrite our Nation’s history” by depicting the United States “as inherently racist”.
In this context, the celebration symbolises how minimally it can be influential if it is restricted to either obligatory business commemorations, or depoliticized commemorations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the situation of the present. It also demonstrates how its limited duration means that it is detached from the wider consistent effort that is required. Denise Miller, a prof at a learning establishment, 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 becomes a brief show rather than a agent of progress.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Establishing how to alter, change and broaden efforts for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a challenging endeavor. There is a temptation to just do away with things like Black History Month completely, thinking they are inadequate for current needs, 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 racial movements – community-based BLM initiatives, DEI programs, and indeed, including corporate presentations – form an infrastructure that a considerable labor has been dedicated to. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, declines), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month appear as? Firstly, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out through the year (as certain organizations are already commencing), elements of its material (particularly around prominent figures of color) included in academic syllabi. It would also be a time that does not avoid political issues, and leaves space for individuals, particularly youth, to share their anxieties and narratives. What purpose serves basic knowledge of the bygone era when it fails to address the contemporary truth of extreme conservative demonstrations in the street? Institutions who observe it should not be pacified with the passive language of hidden discrimination and alertness to subtle slights, but challenged by the dangers that face all if opposition to discrimination is not taken seriously. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, pressing, and responsive. It could be that an complete renaming is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
