The annual Black History observance serves as a mirror of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the Britain, and it appears it’s time for a re-evaluation. Over the years, an observance that was initiated as a commemorative event of history, culture and the connections between global Black communities, has developed a commercial tone, expanding to include events where individuals of African heritage are remunerated to speak with white audiences about implicit prejudice and “allyship”. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests created a surge in the enterprise of showcasing anti-racist commitment. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has reached its height, producing a diluted aftermath of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Background of Black History Observance
Originally observed 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 seven days of celebration and reflection in the second week of February. Black History Month evolved from this campaign and was officially launched in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the United States and Canada in the second month, but also in October in the Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The month has developed since those days, focusing less on the accounts of the slave trade across the Atlantic and civil rights battles, 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 schools where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with lectures and artistic activities. But the manner the celebration is celebrated is a reflection of the political moment. How it evolves 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 address structural and organizational discrimination.
A Troubling Time
Hardly anything shows how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it occurs this year. In the UK, a revitalized conservative movement in the form of the Reform political group is top in opinion ratings. In the recent season we observed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. the Conservative leader, the person of color at the helm of the right-wing political group, is a staunch adversary of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a place where a elected representative feels empowered to state that a lack of white people in certain urban areas is a reason for concern. At the same time, ultra-nationalist movements are growing in the EU as a whole.
In the America, a colossal assault against DEI and affirmative action has been carried, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the country. A campaign to scrub Black history and narrative from the records is under way. One of Donald Trump's early administrative commands aimed at the museum of African American legacy, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to alter the country's historical narrative” by portraying America “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Given these circumstances, the month represents how insufficiently it can be influential if it is restricted to either dutiful corporate observances, or politically neutered commemorations of former accomplishments, rather than confronting the realities of the current era. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is separated from the broader ongoing work that is necessary. A university professor, a educator at University of Greenwich, expressed it perfectly when she expressed apprehension about the short-term symbolic gestures of the celebration. “The issue with adopting a symbolic stance”, she wrote, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a agent of progress.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Determining how to alter, change and broaden efforts for fair treatment and appreciation in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a treacherous thing. There is a temptation to just eliminate events including Black History Month entirely, believing they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an time that has been ineffective.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and legacy of racial movements – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and certainly, even commercial engagements – represent an foundation that a considerable labor has been dedicated to. It is there not merely to decline as the situation evolves (and in fact, declines), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month appear as? To begin with, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed throughout the annual calendar (as certain organizations are already beginning to do), elements of its material (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a period that does not avoid governmental matters, and allows opportunity for people, particularly the younger generation, to air their fears and experiences. What purpose serves basic knowledge of the bygone era when it ignores the contemporary truth of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the public spaces? Institutions who observe it should not be reassured with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and awareness of “microaggressions”, but challenged by the risks that impact society if fight against prejudice is not approached earnestly. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, critical, and reactive. Perhaps an total re-identification is in order – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
