This commemorative month serves as a mirror of the current political climate, so how do we revamp it?
We are in Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. As time has passed, an event that began as a festivity and recollection of the past, cultural identity and bonds between Black populations worldwide, has developed a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass gatherings where African descendants are compensated to address predominantly white listeners about implicit prejudice and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has reached its height, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what increasing understanding is for.
The Background of Black History Observance
Initially celebrated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with seven days of remembrance and recognition in the February's second week. Black History Month developed from this campaign and was publicly established in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the United States and Canada in February, but also in the tenth month in the UK, Germany, Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The period has developed since those days, placing less emphasis on the accounts of the slave trade across the Atlantic and fights for racial justice, and increasingly on notable African descendants in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and extensively acknowledging the contribution Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the celebration is commemorated is a reflection of the current political situation. How it evolves is a valuable example in how appropriation leads to erosion: the restructuring of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to tackle embedded and established prejudice.
A Jarring Moment
Little demonstrates how crucial it is to rethink Black History Month better than the current time in which it takes place this year. In the Britain, a reemerging right-wing in the form of the Reform organization is ahead in surveys. In the recent season we witnessed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. the Conservative leader, the person of color at the helm of the Tory party, is a strong critic of the racial justice movement, and we are in a place where a legislator feels emboldened to declare that a lack of white people in parts of a city is a source of worry. At the same time, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in the European continent as a complete entity.
In the America, a significant offensive against DEI and affirmative action has been taken, frequently with success, to the supreme judicial bodies of the nation. A drive to erase the history of people of color and legacy from the records is in progress. One of the political figure's first executive orders targeted the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution, accusing them of a coordinated and broad attempt to alter the country's historical narrative” by portraying America “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
In this context, the month illustrates how little it can be impactful if it is restricted to either dutiful corporate observances, or stripped of political content celebrations of former accomplishments, rather than addressing the realities of the present. It also demonstrates how its limited duration means that it is separated from the broader ongoing work that is necessary. Denise Miller, a prof at an educational institution, articulated it most accurately when she voiced worries about the temporary “tokenism” of the observance. “The problem with embracing a superficial method”, she stated, “is that it often means that Black History Month turns into a brief show rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Establishing how to adjust, modify and expand efforts for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a treacherous thing. There is a inclination to just discontinue observances such as Black History Month completely, assuming they are no longer suitable, 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 tradition of activism for racial justice – community-based BLM initiatives, inclusion and equity efforts, and indeed, including corporate presentations – constitute an framework that a significant effort has been dedicated to. It is there not just to decay as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, declines), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month look like? Firstly, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is spread out throughout the annual calendar (as certain organizations are already beginning to do), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a time that does not shy away from governmental matters, and provides room for individuals, particularly the younger generation, to express their concerns and stories. What purpose serves mere awareness of the history when it doesn’t reckon with the current situation of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the public spaces? Institutions who mark it should not be comforted with the passive language of “unconscious bias” and alertness to subtle slights, but confronted with the threats that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not approached earnestly. To summarize, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, pressing, and reactive. Perhaps an total re-identification is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.
