The annual Black History observance is a reflection of the political moment, so what steps can we take to refresh it?
It's Black History Month in the Britain, and it seems it’s time for a reassessment. Over the years, an celebration that started out as a commemorative event of heritage, traditions and links between Black populations worldwide, has taken on a corporate feel, expanding to include gatherings where Black people are compensated to address Caucasian groups about hidden biases and “allyship”. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade sparked an increase in the industry of showcasing anti-racist commitment. But even that moment has passed. The tide has reached its height, producing a diluted aftermath of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins of Black History Observance
Originally observed in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of celebration and reflection in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this campaign and was publicly established in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the North America in the second month, but also in October in the Britain, Germany, Éire and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The period has evolved since those days, focusing less on the histories of the slave trade across the Atlantic and civil rights battles, and increasingly on notable African descendants in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and broadly celebrating the impact 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 manner the observance is celebrated is a reflection of the current political situation. How it progresses is a good lesson in how co-option leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has hindered the objective of it, which is to confront embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
Hardly anything shows how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month more than the specific period in which it falls this year. In the United Kingdom, a resurgent right in the form of the Reform party is leading the polls. In the recent season we saw the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. Kemi Badenoch, the Black leader of the Conservative party, is a staunch adversary of the racial justice movement, and we are in a situation where a elected representative gains confidence to declare that the absence of Caucasian individuals in parts of a city is a source of worry. Meanwhile, ultra-nationalist movements are growing in the EU as a whole.
In the United States, a colossal assault against DEI and affirmative action has been brought, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the nation. A effort to erase the history of people of color and narrative from the archives is ongoing. One of the former president's early administrative commands targeted the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the prestigious establishment, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to alter the country's historical narrative” by portraying America “as naturally discriminatory”.
Against this backdrop, the observance represents how insufficiently it can be impactful if it is restricted to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or politically neutered celebrations of former accomplishments, rather than addressing the conditions of the current era. It also shows how its limited duration means that it is disconnected from the wider consistent effort that is required. A university professor, a prof at a learning establishment, put it best when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the observance. “The problem with taking a tokenistic approach”, she stated, “is that it often means that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to adjust, modify and expand efforts for racial equality and recognition in such moments of dejection and worry is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just eliminate observances such as Black History Month completely, thinking they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an time that has been ineffective.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and heritage of racial movements – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an framework that a lot of work has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a dynamic entity.
So what would a new dynamic Black History Month appear as? Well, first, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed across all seasons (as some institutions are already beginning to do), sections of its curriculum (particularly around historic Black characters) included in school curriculums. It would also be a period that does not shy away from political issues, and provides room for individuals, particularly the younger generation, to share their anxieties and narratives. What value has basic knowledge of the past when it doesn’t reckon with the current situation of far-right rallies in the urban areas? Establishments who mark it should not be comforted with the neutral terminology of “unconscious bias” and awareness of “microaggressions”, but faced with the risks that face all if opposition to discrimination is not taken seriously. To summarize, Black History Month should be made current, pressing, and reactive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is necessary – Black History is Now Month.
