This commemorative month 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 UK, and it appears it’s time for a rethink. Throughout its history, an event that began as a commemorative event of heritage, traditions and links between global Black communities, has taken on a business-like atmosphere, broadening to incorporate gatherings where Black people are remunerated to speak with Caucasian groups about “unconscious bias” and “allyship”. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the industry of demonstrating racial awareness. But even that moment has passed. The surge has reached its height, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins of Black History Celebration
Initially celebrated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with seven days of remembrance and recognition in the middle of February. Black History Month grew out of this movement and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the North America in February, but also in the tenth month in the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland and the Holland.
The month has transformed since its inception, placing less emphasis on the accounts of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and increasingly on notable African descendants in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the impact Black people have made to mold society. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with lectures and artistic activities. But the manner the celebration is observed is a reflection of the political moment. How it progresses is a valuable example in how appropriation leads to dismantling: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the point of it, which is to tackle embedded and established prejudice.
A Jarring Moment
Little demonstrates how important it is to reevaluate Black History Month as much as the particular moment in which it takes place this year. In the United Kingdom, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform party is ahead in surveys. In the summer we witnessed the largest far-right rally in British history. a prominent political figure, the person of color at the helm of the Tory party, is a strong critic of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a situation where a member of parliament gains confidence to say that the absence of Caucasian individuals in specific city neighborhoods is a cause for alarm. At the same time, extreme conservative groups are expanding in the European continent as a entirety.
In the United States, a massive attack against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, frequently with success, to the top legal institutions of the country. A campaign to remove African American heritage and experience from the historical documents is in progress. One of the former president's first executive orders targeted the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the Smithsonian Institution, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to rewrite our Nation’s history” by portraying America “as inherently racist”.
Given these circumstances, the celebration symbolises how insufficiently it can be influential if it is confined to either dutiful corporate observances, or stripped of political content celebrations of former accomplishments, rather than challenging the situation of the current era. It also demonstrates how its limited duration means that it is separated from the broader ongoing work that is needed. 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 issue with embracing a superficial method”, she commented, “is that it often means that Black History Month turns into a transient display rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Establishing how to adjust, modify and expand actions for racial equality and recognition in such moments of dejection and worry is a difficult task. There is a urge to just discontinue things like Black History Month completely, believing they are no longer suitable, or are remnants of an period that has failed to deliver.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and legacy of racial movements – community-based BLM initiatives, inclusion and equity efforts, and yes, even those talks to businesses – form an framework that a lot of work has been invested in. It is there not merely to decline as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, regresses), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month look like? To begin with, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is spread out throughout the annual calendar (as various establishments are already commencing), sections of its curriculum (particularly around notable African descendants) included in educational programs. It would also be a period that does not shy away from political issues, and allows opportunity for individuals, particularly youth, to express their concerns and stories. What use is mere awareness of the history when it doesn’t reckon with the present reality of extreme conservative demonstrations in the public spaces? Institutions who celebrate it should not be reassured with the neutral terminology of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to “microaggressions”, but challenged by the dangers that face all if anti-racism is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, critical, and reactive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is required – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
