This commemorative month acts as a gauge of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
We are in Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a rethink. Over the years, an observance that began as a commemorative event of history, culture and the connections between Black populations worldwide, has developed a business-like atmosphere, broadening to incorporate events where Black people are compensated to address Caucasian groups about “unconscious bias” and active solidarity. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade generated a rise in the business of demonstrating racial awareness. But even that moment has passed. The wave has crested, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins of Black History Month
Originally observed in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with a week of commemoration and observance in the middle of February. Black History Month evolved from this campaign and was officially launched in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the North America in February, but also in the tenth month in the United Kingdom, Deutschland, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
The observance has developed since its inception, placing less emphasis on the narratives of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and greater focus on prominent Black figures in politics, culture, and activism, and extensively acknowledging the input Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments 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 contemporary political context. How it develops is a instructive case in how appropriation leads to erosion: the restructuring of Black History Month has hindered the objective of it, which is to confront embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
Little demonstrates how crucial it is to rethink Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it occurs this year. In the Britain, a reemerging right-wing in the shape of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the summer we witnessed the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in the history of Britain. a prominent political figure, the person of color at the helm of the right-wing political group, is a firm opponent of anti-racism activism, and we are in a place where a member of parliament feels empowered to declare that the absence of Caucasian individuals in specific city neighborhoods is a source of worry. Simultaneously, extreme conservative groups are expanding in Europe as a entirety.
In the United States, a colossal assault against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been carried, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the nation. A campaign to erase African American heritage and legacy from the archives is under way. One of Donald Trump's early administrative commands targeted the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, claiming they of a coordinated and broad attempt to rewrite our Nation’s history” by depicting the United States “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Given these circumstances, the observance symbolises how insufficiently it can be effective if it is restricted to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered commemorations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the realities of the contemporary world. It also shows how its limited duration means that it is separated from the broader ongoing work that is necessary. A university professor, a professor at University of Greenwich, articulated it most accurately when she voiced worries about the temporary “tokenism” of the celebration. “The issue with adopting a symbolic stance”, she wrote, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month turns into a fleeting performance rather than a catalyst for change.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to alter, change and broaden efforts for racial equality and recognition in such moments of dejection and worry is a difficult task. There is a inclination to just eliminate things like Black History Month completely, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are remnants of an era that has not worked.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and legacy of racial movements – local anti-racism groups, inclusion and equity efforts, and indeed, including corporate presentations – represent an infrastructure that a lot of work has been invested in. It is there not merely to decline as the situation evolves (and in fact, declines), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month seem? To begin with, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is spread out across all seasons (as various establishments are already beginning to do), elements of its material (particularly around prominent figures of color) included in school curriculums. It would also be a period that does not shy away from governmental matters, and allows opportunity for people, particularly youth, to air their fears and experiences. What use is mere awareness of the past when it ignores the current situation of far-right rallies in the urban areas? Institutions who observe it should not be comforted with the passive language of “unconscious bias” and alertness to minor insults, but faced with the dangers that affect everyone if anti-racism is not treated with importance. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, pressing, and responsive. Perhaps an complete renaming is in order – Contemporary Black History Month.
