Black History Month serves as a mirror of the current political climate, so in what ways can we modernize it?

It's Black History Month in the UK, and it appears it’s time for a re-evaluation. As time has passed, an event that started out as a celebration and reminder of the past, cultural identity and bonds between Black populations worldwide, has developed a business-like atmosphere, broadening to incorporate events where African descendants are remunerated to speak with white audiences about hidden biases and active solidarity. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade generated a rise in the enterprise of displaying cultural sensitivity. But even that moment has passed. The tide has peaked, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.

The Origins of Black History Celebration

Originally observed in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was created in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with a week of celebration and reflection in the middle of February. Black History Month developed from this campaign and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the US and Canada in the second month, but also in the tenth month in the Britain, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.

The observance has developed since those days, placing less emphasis on the narratives of colonial slavery and fights for racial justice, and more on prominent Black figures in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the contribution Black people have made to mold society. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with talks and cultural events. But the method the month is celebrated is a indication of the political moment. How it develops is a instructive case in how assimilation leads to weakening: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to confront structural and organizational discrimination.

A Jarring Moment

Few things illustrate how critical it is to reevaluate Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it occurs this year. In the UK, a revitalized conservative movement in the shape of the Reform organization is leading the polls. In the warmer months we witnessed the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in the history of Britain. a prominent political figure, the person of color at the helm of the right-wing political group, is a staunch adversary of the racial justice movement, and we are in a situation where a elected representative feels empowered to state that “not seeing any white faces” in certain urban areas is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, extreme conservative groups are growing in the EU as a entirety.

In the United States, a massive attack against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, often successfully, to the supreme judicial bodies of the country. A campaign to erase African American heritage and experience from the archives is under way. One of the political figure's first executive orders 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 portraying America “as inherently racist”.

Given these circumstances, the celebration symbolises how little it can be impactful if it is restricted to either obligatory business commemorations, or stripped of political content festivities of contributions in the past, rather than challenging the conditions of the present. It also shows how its short period means that it is detached from the more extensive continuous action that is required. An academic expert, a educator at an educational institution, put it best when she voiced worries about the short-term symbolic gestures of the observance. “The difficulty with adopting a symbolic stance”, she commented, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a agent of progress.”

Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning

Figuring out how to adapt, revise and extend efforts for fair treatment and appreciation in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a treacherous thing. There is a urge to just eliminate things like Black History Month completely, assuming they are inadequate for current needs, or are remnants of an time that has not worked.

But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and tradition of campaigns for equality – community-based BLM initiatives, inclusion and equity efforts, and indeed, including corporate presentations – constitute an infrastructure that a lot of work has been dedicated to. It is there not only to deteriorate as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, declines), but to be a living breathing thing.

So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month look like? To begin with, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out through the year (as various establishments are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around notable African descendants) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a period that does not evade governmental matters, and leaves space for citizens, 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 current situation of extreme conservative demonstrations in the public spaces? Organizations who celebrate it should not be comforted with the passive language of “unconscious bias” and sensitivity to minor insults, 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. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is required – Contemporary Black History Month.