This commemorative month acts as a gauge of the political moment, so how do we revamp it?
It's Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it seems it’s time for a reassessment. As time has passed, an event that was initiated as a festivity and recollection of history, culture and the connections between global Black communities, has developed a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass events where Black people are remunerated to speak with Caucasian groups about hidden biases and active solidarity. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the enterprise of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The surge has peaked, producing a diluted aftermath of what raising awareness is for.
The History of Black History Month
Initially celebrated in the United States 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 a week of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was publicly established in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the US and Canada in winter, but also in the tenth month in the Britain, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The observance has evolved since its inception, giving reduced attention to the accounts of colonial slavery and struggles for equality, and greater focus on prominent Black figures in government, the arts, and social movements, and extensively acknowledging the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in schools where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with lectures and artistic activities. But the method the month is commemorated is a manifestation of the current political situation. How it progresses is a valuable example in how assimilation leads to erosion: the transformation of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to tackle systemic and institutional racism.
A Disconcerting Period
Hardly anything shows how important it is to reconsider Black History Month as much as the particular moment in which it falls this year. In the United Kingdom, a reemerging right-wing in the form of the Reform organization is leading the polls. In the summer we witnessed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. the Conservative leader, the Black leader of the right-wing political group, is a firm opponent of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a position where a elected representative feels emboldened to say that a lack of white people in parts of a city is a cause for alarm. Simultaneously, far-right parties are surging in Europe as a complete entity.
In the US, a significant offensive against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been taken, frequently with success, to the highest courts of the state. A effort to remove the history of people of color and narrative from the historical documents is in progress. One of the political figure's first executive orders focused on the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, accusing them of a organized and extensive campaign to rewrite our Nation’s history” by representing the nation “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
Given these circumstances, the observance symbolises how insufficiently it can be impactful if it is limited to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered festivities of contributions in the past, rather than confronting the realities of the present. It also demonstrates how its limited duration means that it is detached from the broader ongoing work that is necessary. An academic expert, a prof at a learning establishment, articulated it most accurately when she expressed apprehension about the temporary “tokenism” of the month. “The issue with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it often means that Black History Month turns into a fleeting performance rather than a agent of progress.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Establishing how to adapt, revise and extend actions for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a challenging endeavor. There is a urge to just do away with events including Black History Month entirely, thinking they are inadequate for current needs, or are remnants of an era that has been ineffective.
But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and tradition of racial movements – local anti-racism groups, inclusion and equity efforts, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an framework that a lot of work has been dedicated to. It is there not merely to decline as the situation evolves (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month look like? Well, first, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is dispersed through the year (as various establishments are already beginning to do), parts of its content (particularly around historic Black characters) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a time that does not evade governmental matters, and leaves space for citizens, particularly the younger generation, to air their fears and experiences. What use is simple recognition of the history when it fails to address the current situation of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the urban areas? Establishments who mark it should not be pacified with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and alertness to subtle slights, but confronted with the threats that face all if anti-racism is not approached earnestly. To summarize, Black History Month should be made current, critical, and reactive. It could be that an complete renaming is required – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
