This commemorative month is a reflection of the current political climate, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the UK, and it seems it’s time for a re-evaluation. Over the years, an event that started out as a commemorative event of history, culture and the connections between global Black communities, has taken on a corporate feel, growing to encompass events where individuals of African heritage are remunerated to speak with predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and “allyship”. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s sparked an increase in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. But even that moment has passed. The wave has crested, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what promoting consciousness is for.
The History of Black History Month
Originally observed in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was created in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage 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 movement and was officially launched in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the US and Canada in the second month, but also in the tenth month in the UK, Deutschland, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
The period has developed since its inception, placing less emphasis on the accounts of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and more on influential individuals of color in government, the arts, and social movements, and broadly celebrating the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the method the observance is celebrated is a indication of the contemporary political context. How it evolves is a good lesson in how assimilation leads to dismantling: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the point of it, which is to address structural and organizational discrimination.
A Jarring Moment
Hardly anything shows how critical it is to reevaluate Black History Month better than the specific period in which it takes place this year. In the UK, a revitalized conservative movement in the shape of the Reform political group is ahead in surveys. In the recent season we observed the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in the UK's past. Kemi Badenoch, the person of color at the helm of the Tory party, is a strong critic of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a situation where a elected representative feels empowered to state that the absence of Caucasian individuals in parts of a city is a source of worry. Meanwhile, extreme conservative groups are growing in the EU as a whole.
In the US, a colossal assault against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, frequently with success, to the top legal institutions of the state. A effort to scrub Black history and legacy from the historical documents is ongoing. One of the former president's early administrative commands targeted the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, alleging that they of a “concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation’s history” by representing the nation “as fundamentally prejudiced”.
In this context, the celebration represents how insufficiently it can be influential if it is confined to either dutiful corporate observances, or depoliticized celebrations of historical achievements, rather than confronting the realities of the contemporary world. It also demonstrates how its restricted time span means that it is disconnected from the wider consistent effort that is necessary. A university professor, a educator at a learning establishment, put it best when she voiced worries about the fleeting superficial actions of the celebration. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she commented, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month turns into a fleeting performance rather than a agent of progress.”
Reconsidering, Not Discarding
Figuring out how to adapt, revise and extend efforts for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a challenging endeavor. There is a inclination to just eliminate things like Black History Month altogether, believing they are simply not fit for purpose, or are remnants of an time that has not worked.
However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and tradition of activism for racial justice – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – constitute an foundation that a significant effort has been dedicated to. It is there not just to decay as the politics moves on (and in fact, regresses), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month seem? Well, first, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is dispersed across all seasons (as some institutions are already commencing), parts of its content (particularly around prominent figures of color) included in educational programs. It would also be a time that does not evade politics, and provides room for individuals, particularly the younger generation, to express their concerns and stories. What use is basic knowledge of the bygone era when it fails to address the contemporary truth of extreme conservative demonstrations in the street? Institutions who observe it should not be reassured with the non-confrontational words of “unconscious bias” and awareness of minor insults, but confronted with the dangers that affect everyone if opposition to discrimination is not approached earnestly. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, critical, and adaptive. Maybe an total re-identification is required – Contemporary Black History Month.
