The annual Black History observance acts as a gauge of the current political climate, so how do we revamp it?
It's Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it seems it’s time for a reassessment. Over the years, an celebration that started out as a commemorative event of history, culture and the connections between international African diaspora communities, has taken on a business-like atmosphere, broadening to incorporate functions where individuals of African heritage are remunerated to speak with white audiences about implicit prejudice and active solidarity. The 2020s Black Lives Matter protests generated a rise in the business of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The surge has crested, producing a diluted aftermath of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins of Black History Celebration
First commemorated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with a week of celebration and reflection in the middle of February. Black History Month grew out of this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the US and Canada in February, but also in the tenth month in the UK, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Holland.
The period has evolved since those days, placing less emphasis on the accounts of the slave trade across the Atlantic and fights for racial justice, and greater focus on influential individuals of color in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and broadly celebrating the input Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the month is observed is a manifestation of the political moment. How it evolves is a good lesson in how assimilation leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the objective of it, which is to address structural and organizational discrimination.
A Disconcerting Period
Few things illustrate how important it is to reevaluate Black History Month better than the specific period in which it falls this year. In the United Kingdom, a resurgent right in the form of the Reform organization is leading the polls. In the warmer months we saw the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in British history. Kemi Badenoch, the Black leader of the right-wing political group, is a staunch adversary of anti-racism activism, and we are in a position where a member of parliament feels empowered to state that the absence of Caucasian individuals in parts of a city is a cause for alarm. Simultaneously, extreme conservative groups are growing in the EU as a complete entity.
In the US, a massive attack against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been carried, frequently with success, to the highest courts of the country. A effort to scrub the history of people of color and narrative from the records is ongoing. One of Donald Trump's early administrative commands targeted the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to change the national past” by representing the nation “as naturally discriminatory”.
In this context, the celebration symbolises how little it can be impactful if it is limited to either dutiful corporate observances, or stripped of political content festivities of former accomplishments, rather than challenging the situation of the current era. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is separated from the wider consistent effort that is needed. A university professor, a professor at a learning establishment, articulated it most accurately when she voiced worries about the fleeting superficial actions of the observance. “The issue with taking a tokenistic approach”, she commented, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month evolves into a transient display rather than a driver of transformation.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand actions for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a treacherous thing. There is a inclination to just eliminate things like Black History Month altogether, thinking they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an time that has not worked.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and tradition of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – represent an foundation that a significant effort 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 fresh vibrant Black History Month look like? To begin with, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed throughout the annual calendar (as some institutions are already commencing), sections of its curriculum (particularly around historic Black characters) incorporated into educational programs. It would also be a period that does not shy away from governmental matters, and provides room for individuals, particularly young people, to express their concerns and stories. What use is simple recognition of the past when it fails to address the present reality of extreme conservative demonstrations in the urban areas? Establishments who mark it should not be reassured with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and awareness of subtle slights, but confronted with the threats that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not approached earnestly. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, pressing, and reactive. It could be that an entire name rebrand is necessary – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.