The annual Black History observance acts as a gauge of the current political climate, so in what ways can we modernize it?
It's Black History Month in the UK, and it seems it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an observance that started out as a festivity and recollection of history, culture and the connections between international African diaspora communities, has developed a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass gatherings where Black people are compensated to talk to Caucasian groups about implicit prejudice and “allyship”. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the business of showcasing anti-racist commitment. But even that moment has passed. The wave has reached its height, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins of Black History Observance
Originally observed in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was created in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of remembrance and recognition in the February's second week. Black History Month evolved from this campaign and was officially launched in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the United States and Canada in winter, but also in autumn in the UK, Germany, Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The month has transformed since those days, placing less emphasis on the accounts of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and greater focus on notable African descendants in politics, culture, and activism, and widely honoring the impact Black people have made to shape the country. It is in schools where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with lectures and artistic activities. But the way the observance is celebrated is a manifestation of the political moment. How it progresses is a valuable example in how assimilation leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the point of it, which is to address embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate how critical it is to reevaluate Black History Month better than the particular moment in which it occurs this year. In the Britain, a reemerging right-wing in the guise of the Reform political group is leading the polls. In the recent season we witnessed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. Kemi Badenoch, 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 position where a legislator feels empowered to state that a lack of white people in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. Meanwhile, extreme conservative groups are expanding in Europe as a whole.
In the US, a colossal assault against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been taken, frequently with success, to the highest courts of the nation. A drive to remove African American heritage and narrative from the archives is under way. One of the former president's early administrative commands focused on the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the renowned cultural organization, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to alter the country's historical narrative” by depicting the United States “as naturally discriminatory”.
Given these circumstances, the observance symbolises how insufficiently it can be influential if it is limited to either dutiful corporate observances, or politically neutered festivities of former accomplishments, rather than confronting the situation of the present. It also shows how its short period means that it is detached from the more extensive continuous action that is required. A university professor, a professor at University of Greenwich, articulated it most accurately when she expressed apprehension about the temporary “tokenism” of the celebration. “The issue with adopting a symbolic stance”, she wrote, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month evolves into a fleeting performance rather than a catalyst for change.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to alter, change and broaden actions for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a treacherous thing. There is a inclination to just eliminate things like Black History Month entirely, believing they are inadequate for current needs, or are relics of an time that has been ineffective.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and tradition of campaigns for equality – local anti-racism groups, inclusion and equity efforts, and certainly, even commercial engagements – constitute an infrastructure that a considerable labor has been dedicated to. It is there not just to decay as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month look like? To begin with, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is spread out across all seasons (as some institutions are already commencing), elements of its material (particularly around notable African descendants) incorporated into educational programs. It would also be a period that does not avoid political issues, and leaves space for individuals, particularly the younger generation, to express their concerns and stories. What value has simple recognition of the history when it ignores the current situation of far-right rallies in the urban areas? Institutions who celebrate it should not be pacified with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and awareness of subtle slights, but confronted with the threats that face all if fight against prejudice is not approached earnestly. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, critical, and responsive. It could be that an entire name rebrand is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
