This commemorative month is a reflection of the political moment, so what steps can we take to refresh it?

We are in Black History Month in the UK, and it seems it’s time for a re-evaluation. Over the years, an observance that began as a celebration and reminder of history, culture and the connections between global Black communities, has taken on a corporate feel, expanding to include gatherings where African descendants are remunerated to address Caucasian groups about hidden biases and active solidarity. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s generated a rise in the industry of displaying cultural sensitivity. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has reached its height, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what promoting consciousness is for.

The History of Black History Month

Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of celebration and reflection in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was officially launched in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the United States and Canada in the second month, but also in October in the UK, Deutschland, Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The observance has developed since that time, giving reduced attention to the narratives of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and greater focus on prominent Black figures in government, the arts, and social movements, and widely honoring the contribution Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the manner the celebration is observed is a reflection of the political moment. How it develops is a good lesson in how appropriation leads to dismantling: the reshaping of Black History Month has hindered the purpose of it, which is to address structural and organizational discrimination.

A Jarring Moment

Few things illustrate how important it is to reevaluate Black History Month more than the particular moment in which it takes place this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform party is ahead in surveys. In the summer we saw the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. a prominent political figure, the person of color at the helm of the Conservative party, is a firm opponent of the racial justice movement, and we are in a position where a member of parliament feels emboldened to state that “not seeing any white faces” in certain urban areas is a cause for alarm. At the same time, extreme conservative groups are growing in Europe as a entirety.

In the US, a significant offensive against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been taken, frequently with success, to the highest courts of the country. A campaign to remove African American heritage and experience from the historical documents is under way. One of the political figure's early administrative commands targeted the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the prestigious establishment, claiming they of a organized and extensive campaign to alter the country's historical narrative” by depicting the United States “as fundamentally prejudiced”.

In this context, the month represents how insufficiently it can be impactful if it is limited to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or politically neutered commemorations of contributions in the past, rather than confronting the situation of the present. It also shows how its short period means that it is detached from the wider consistent effort that is needed. Denise Miller, a prof at a learning establishment, articulated it most accurately when she raised concerns about the short-term symbolic gestures of the observance. “The difficulty with embracing a superficial method”, she wrote, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month turns into a brief show rather than a agent of progress.”

Reconsidering, Not Discarding

Establishing how to adapt, revise and extend efforts for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just do away with observances such as Black History Month completely, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an era that has failed to deliver.

But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and tradition of racial movements – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, DEI programs, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an framework that a considerable labor has been dedicated to. It is there not merely to decline as the situation evolves (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a living breathing thing.

So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month appear as? Firstly, it would be not just one concentrated month: something that is distributed through the year (as certain organizations are already commencing), parts of its content (particularly around notable African descendants) incorporated into educational programs. It would also be a era that does not shy away from politics, and leaves space for people, particularly the younger generation, to share their anxieties and narratives. What value has mere awareness of the bygone era when it ignores the contemporary truth of extreme conservative demonstrations in the urban areas? Establishments who celebrate it should not be comforted with the neutral terminology of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to “microaggressions”, but confronted with the risks that affect everyone if opposition to discrimination is not taken seriously. In short, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, urgent, and responsive. Perhaps an total re-identification is in order – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.