Black History Month is a reflection of the current political climate, so what steps can we take to refresh it?
This is Black History Month in the Britain, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. Over the years, an observance that was initiated as a celebration and reminder of history, culture and the connections between international African diaspora communities, has developed a commercial tone, expanding to include gatherings where individuals of African heritage are compensated to talk to predominantly white listeners about implicit prejudice and active solidarity. 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 crested, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what raising awareness is for.
The Origins of Black History Month
Originally observed in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with a week of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month evolved from this initiative and was officially launched in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the North America in February, but also in autumn in the UK, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The period has developed since that time, giving reduced attention to the histories of the slave trade across the Atlantic and fights for racial justice, and more on prominent Black figures in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and broadly celebrating the impact Black people have made to mold society. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with lectures and artistic activities. But the way the month is commemorated is a manifestation of the current political situation. How it evolves is a instructive case in how appropriation leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the point of it, which is to tackle embedded and established prejudice.
A Troubling Time
Few things illustrate how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month better than the specific period in which it occurs this year. In the Britain, a revitalized conservative movement in the shape of the Reform party is ahead in surveys. In the recent season we saw the most significant ultra-conservative gathering in the history of Britain. a prominent political figure, the African descendant in charge of the Conservative party, is a strong critic of the racial justice movement, and we are in a situation where a legislator feels emboldened to declare that a lack of white people in specific city neighborhoods is a cause for alarm. At the same time, extreme conservative groups are growing in Europe as a complete entity.
In the US, a massive attack against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been brought, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the highest courts of the nation. A campaign to remove Black history and experience from the historical documents is in progress. One of the former president's initial presidential directives aimed at the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the Smithsonian Institution, alleging that they of a “concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation’s history” by depicting the United States “as naturally discriminatory”.
Given these circumstances, the month represents how little it can be influential if it is restricted to either obligatory business commemorations, or stripped of political content festivities of contributions in the past, rather than confronting the situation of the current era. It also demonstrates how its restricted time span means that it is separated from the broader ongoing work that is necessary. Denise Miller, a prof at a learning establishment, put it best when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the observance. “The difficulty with embracing a superficial method”, she commented, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month becomes a transient display rather than a driver of transformation.”
Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning
Determining how to alter, change and broaden initiatives for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a challenging endeavor. There is a inclination to just eliminate observances such as Black History Month entirely, thinking they are no longer suitable, or are vestiges of an time that has failed to deliver.
Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and heritage of activism for racial justice – local anti-racism groups, inclusion and equity efforts, and indeed, including corporate presentations – constitute an foundation that a significant effort has been invested in. It is there not just to decay as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a living breathing thing.
So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month seem? To begin with, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is spread out through the year (as some institutions are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into school curriculums. It would also be a era that does not shy away from politics, and leaves space for individuals, particularly youth, to express their concerns and stories. What purpose serves mere awareness of the bygone era when it fails to address the current situation of extreme conservative demonstrations in the street? Establishments who observe it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and sensitivity to “microaggressions”, but confronted with the dangers that impact society if anti-racism is not taken seriously. In short, Black History Month should be made contemporary, urgent, and responsive. It could be that an complete renaming is in order – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.
