The annual Black History observance acts as a gauge of the prevailing political atmosphere, so how do we revamp it?
This is Black History Month in the Britain, and it appears it’s time for a re-evaluation. Throughout its history, an observance that started out as a celebration and reminder of history, culture and the connections between global Black communities, has adopted a commercial tone, broadening to incorporate events where African descendants are compensated to talk to predominantly white listeners about “unconscious bias” and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade generated a rise in the enterprise of showcasing anti-racist commitment. However, that period has concluded. The wave has reached its height, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The Background of Black History Month
Initially celebrated in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the North America in February, but also in October in the Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany, Éire and the Holland.
The month has evolved since that time, focusing less on the histories of transatlantic enslavement and struggles for equality, and greater focus on prominent Black figures in government, the arts, and social movements, and broadly celebrating the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with talks and cultural events. But the manner the observance is celebrated is a indication of the current political situation. How it progresses is a instructive case in how co-option leads to dismantling: the reshaping of Black History Month has hindered the point of it, which is to address embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate how critical it is to rethink Black History Month more than the current time in which it takes place this year. In the UK, a revitalized conservative movement in the guise of the Reform political group is leading the polls. In the summer we saw the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. Kemi Badenoch, the Black leader of the right-wing political group, is a firm opponent of the racial justice movement, and we are in a place where a legislator feels empowered to state that a lack of white people in certain urban areas is a cause for alarm. Meanwhile, far-right parties are growing in the European continent as a complete entity.
In the United States, a colossal assault against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, frequently with success, to the highest courts of the state. A effort to remove African American heritage and legacy from the records is under way. One of Donald Trump's first executive orders targeted the museum of African American legacy, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that they of a “concerted and widespread effort to alter the country's historical narrative” by portraying America “as naturally discriminatory”.
Given these circumstances, the celebration represents how insufficiently it can be effective if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered commemorations of former accomplishments, rather than challenging the realities of the current era. It also demonstrates how its restricted time span means that it is detached from the wider consistent effort that is needed. Denise Miller, a educator at University of Greenwich, articulated it most accurately when she voiced worries about the short-term symbolic gestures of the celebration. “The issue with embracing a superficial method”, she wrote, “is that it often means that Black History Month becomes a brief show rather than a agent of progress.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Establishing how to adapt, revise and extend efforts for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a treacherous thing. There is a temptation to just discontinue things like Black History Month completely, 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 campaigns for equality – community-based BLM initiatives, inclusion and equity efforts, and certainly, even commercial engagements – represent an foundation that a significant effort has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month appear as? Firstly, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is spread out across all seasons (as various establishments are already starting to implement), elements of its material (particularly around historic Black characters) incorporated into educational programs. It would also be a time that does not avoid politics, and leaves space for people, particularly youth, to air their fears and experiences. What use is simple recognition of the past when it doesn’t reckon with the current situation of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the public spaces? Institutions who celebrate it should not be reassured with the non-confrontational words of “unconscious bias” and alertness to subtle slights, but faced with the dangers that face all if opposition to discrimination is not treated with importance. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, urgent, and responsive. It could be that an total re-identification is in order – Contemporary Black History Month.
