The annual Black History observance is a reflection of the current political climate, so what steps can we take to refresh it?
We are in Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. Throughout its history, an celebration that started out as a festivity and recollection of the past, cultural identity and bonds between Black populations worldwide, has adopted a corporate feel, growing to encompass gatherings where African descendants are paid to talk to white audiences about implicit prejudice and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the industry of demonstrating racial awareness. However, that period has concluded. The tide has peaked, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Origins of Black History Month
Initially celebrated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with seven days of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month grew out of this initiative and was publicly established in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the US and Canada in February, but also in autumn in the UK, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The period has evolved since those days, placing less emphasis on the narratives of the slave trade across the Atlantic and struggles for equality, and more on notable African descendants in government, the arts, and social movements, and extensively acknowledging the input Black people have made to mold society. It is in schools where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with talks and cultural events. But the method the celebration is observed is a manifestation of the current political situation. How it progresses is a valuable example in how co-option leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the point of it, which is to address embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
Hardly anything shows how critical it is to rethink Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it falls this year. In the Britain, a revitalized conservative movement in the shape of the Reform political group is top in opinion ratings. In the summer we witnessed the biggest extreme right demonstration in the history of Britain. a prominent political figure, the person of color at the helm of the right-wing political group, is a strong critic of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a situation where a member of parliament gains confidence to state that a lack of white people in parts of a city is a source of worry. Simultaneously, extreme conservative groups are expanding in the EU as a entirety.
In the United States, a significant offensive against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been taken, often successfully, to the highest courts of the nation. A drive to remove the history of people of color and legacy from the historical documents is in progress. One of the political figure's early administrative commands focused on the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that they of a organized and extensive campaign to alter the country's historical narrative” by depicting the United States “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
In this context, the observance represents how little it can be impactful if it is confined to either dutiful corporate observances, or politically neutered celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the situation of the contemporary world. It also reveals how its limited duration means that it is detached from the broader ongoing work that is needed. A university professor, a educator at a learning establishment, articulated it most accurately when she expressed apprehension about the short-term symbolic gestures of the observance. “The difficulty with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month becomes a brief show rather than a catalyst for change.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Establishing how to alter, change and broaden initiatives for equal rights and acknowledgment in such times of discouragement and concern is a treacherous thing. There is a urge to just eliminate observances such as Black History Month entirely, thinking they are simply not fit for purpose, or are vestiges of an time that has not worked.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and legacy of campaigns for equality – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – form an infrastructure that a lot of work has gone into. It is there not just to decay as the situation evolves (and in fact, declines), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month seem? Firstly, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is spread out through the year (as various establishments are already commencing), parts of its content (particularly around prominent figures of color) incorporated into academic syllabi. It would also be a time that does not avoid governmental matters, and leaves space for citizens, particularly youth, to share their anxieties and narratives. What value has basic knowledge of the past when it ignores the contemporary truth of extreme conservative demonstrations in the urban areas? Organizations who observe it should not be comforted with the passive language of implicit prejudice and awareness of minor insults, but challenged by the threats that affect everyone if anti-racism is not treated with importance. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, pressing, and reactive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is required – Contemporary Black History Month.
