Black History Month acts as a gauge of the prevailing political atmosphere, so what steps can we take to refresh it?
This is Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it feels like it’s time for a re-evaluation. As time has passed, an celebration that began as a celebration and reminder of the past, cultural identity and bonds between Black populations worldwide, has developed a business-like atmosphere, expanding to include functions where Black people are paid to talk to predominantly white listeners about “unconscious bias” and “allyship”. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the enterprise of displaying cultural sensitivity. But even that moment has passed. The wave has peaked, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins 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 Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with seven days of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month grew out of this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the North America in winter, but also in October in the Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany, Éire and the Holland.
The observance has transformed since that time, focusing less on the accounts of transatlantic enslavement and struggles for equality, and greater focus on notable African descendants in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and extensively acknowledging the input Black people have made to shape the country. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with lectures and artistic activities. But the way the observance is celebrated is a reflection of the political moment. How it develops is a valuable example in how appropriation leads to weakening: the restructuring of Black History Month has stymied the objective of it, which is to address systemic and institutional racism.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate 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 reemerging right-wing in the form of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the summer we observed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. Kemi Badenoch, the Black leader of the Tory party, is a staunch adversary of anti-racism activism, and we are in a situation where a elected representative feels emboldened to declare that a lack of white people in parts of a city is a source of worry. Meanwhile, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in the EU as a complete entity.
In the United States, a massive attack against DEI and affirmative action has been taken, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the top legal institutions of the state. A campaign to erase Black history and narrative from the historical documents is in progress. One of the political figure's first executive orders focused on the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution, accusing them of a “concerted and widespread effort to alter the country's historical narrative” by representing the nation “as inherently racist”.
Given these circumstances, the observance represents how little it can be influential if it is restricted to either dutiful corporate observances, or politically neutered festivities of former accomplishments, rather than challenging the conditions of the contemporary world. It also shows how its limited duration means that it is separated from the wider consistent effort that is required. Denise Miller, a professor at a learning establishment, put it best when she expressed apprehension about the short-term symbolic gestures of the observance. “The issue with embracing a superficial method”, she commented, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand initiatives for fair treatment and appreciation in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just discontinue events including Black History Month altogether, thinking they are simply not fit for purpose, or are remnants of an era that has been ineffective.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and tradition of campaigns for equality – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, DEI programs, 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, regresses), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a contemporary active Black History Month look like? To begin with, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out across all seasons (as certain organizations are already starting to implement), elements of its material (particularly around historic Black characters) incorporated into educational programs. It would also be a era that does not avoid politics, and allows opportunity for people, particularly youth, to air their fears and experiences. What use is simple recognition of the bygone era when it ignores the contemporary truth of extreme conservative demonstrations in the street? Institutions who celebrate it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and sensitivity to “microaggressions”, but challenged by the dangers that impact society if anti-racism is not treated with importance. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, urgent, and responsive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is required – Black History is Now Month.
