The annual Black History observance acts as a gauge of the prevailing political atmosphere, so in what ways can we modernize it?
This is Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it appears it’s time for a rethink. Over the years, an event that began as a commemorative event of history, culture and the connections between Black populations worldwide, has adopted a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass gatherings where African descendants are remunerated to address predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and active solidarity. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the enterprise of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has crested, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what promoting consciousness is for.
The Background of Black History Observance
First commemorated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was established in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with a week of commemoration and observance in the February's second week. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the North America in the second month, but also in October in the United Kingdom, Germany, Éire and the Holland.
The observance has transformed since those days, focusing less on the histories of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and increasingly on influential individuals of color in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the method the celebration is commemorated is a manifestation of the current political situation. How it develops is a valuable example in how appropriation leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the objective of it, which is to address systemic and institutional racism.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate how important it is to reconsider Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it falls this year. In the United Kingdom, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform political group is ahead in surveys. In the warmer months we observed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. a prominent political figure, the African descendant in charge of the Tory party, is a strong critic of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a position where a elected representative gains confidence to say that a lack of white people in specific city neighborhoods is a cause for alarm. Meanwhile, far-right parties are surging in the EU as a entirety.
In the United States, a massive attack against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been taken, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the highest courts of the nation. A campaign to scrub Black history and legacy from the records is under way. One of the political figure's early administrative commands targeted the museum of African American legacy, and the Smithsonian Institution, claiming they of a organized and extensive campaign to rewrite our Nation’s history” by depicting the United States “as inherently racist”.
Against this backdrop, the celebration represents how little it can be effective if it is restricted to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered celebrations of former accomplishments, rather than challenging the conditions of the contemporary world. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is disconnected from the broader ongoing work that is required. Denise Miller, a educator at University of Greenwich, expressed it perfectly when she expressed apprehension about the fleeting superficial actions of the celebration. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she commented, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month becomes a brief show rather than a agent of progress.”
Reevaluating, Not Abandoning
Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a challenging endeavor. There is a temptation to just discontinue events including Black History Month completely, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are remnants 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 campaigns for equality – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, 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 situation evolves (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a vital organism.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month look like? To begin with, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is spread out through the year (as certain organizations are already commencing), elements of its material (particularly around historic Black characters) included in school curriculums. It would also be a time that does not evade political issues, and provides room for citizens, particularly the younger generation, to air their fears and experiences. What use is mere awareness of the bygone era when it doesn’t reckon with the present reality of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the street? Institutions who mark it should not be comforted with the passive language of implicit prejudice and alertness to subtle slights, but faced with the risks that impact society if anti-racism is not approached earnestly. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, pressing, and responsive. Maybe an complete renaming is required – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
