The annual Black History observance acts as a gauge of the political moment, so what steps can we take to refresh it?

This is Black History Month in the Britain, and it feels like it’s time for a rethink. Over the years, an observance that was initiated as a festivity and recollection of heritage, traditions and links between international African diaspora communities, has developed a business-like atmosphere, growing to encompass events where Black people are paid to talk to predominantly white listeners about hidden biases and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade generated a rise in the enterprise 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 raising awareness is for.

The History of Black History Month

Initially celebrated in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by Black scholar Carter G. Woodson with a week of remembrance and recognition in the middle of February. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was publicly established in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the United States and Canada in the second month, but also in the tenth month in the Britain, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The observance has developed since its inception, focusing less on the histories of colonial slavery and struggles for equality, and greater focus on notable African descendants in politics, culture, and activism, and extensively acknowledging 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 way the observance is celebrated is a reflection of the political moment. How it develops is a good lesson in how appropriation leads to dismantling: the restructuring of Black History Month has impeded the objective of it, which is to tackle structural and organizational discrimination.

A Troubling Time

Few things illustrate how important it is to reconsider Black History Month more than the particular moment in which it occurs this year. In the Britain, a revitalized conservative movement in the shape of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we witnessed the biggest extreme right demonstration in British history. Kemi Badenoch, the person of color at the helm of the Tory party, is a strong critic of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a position where a member of parliament gains confidence to state that a lack of white people in specific city neighborhoods is a cause for alarm. Meanwhile, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in Europe as a complete entity.

In the United States, a colossal assault against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been brought, often successfully, to the highest courts of the nation. A campaign to remove African American heritage and experience from the records is in progress. One of the political figure's first executive orders aimed at the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the renowned cultural organization, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to alter the country's historical narrative” by portraying America “as naturally discriminatory”.

In this context, the observance represents how insufficiently it can be impactful if it is confined to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than addressing the situation of the current era. It also shows how its limited duration means that it is separated from the broader ongoing work that is required. A university professor, a professor at a learning establishment, put it best when she expressed apprehension about the temporary “tokenism” of the celebration. “The difficulty with taking a tokenistic approach”, she wrote, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month turns into a fleeting performance rather than a driver of transformation.”

Reconsidering, Not Discarding

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, thinking they are simply not fit for purpose, or are vestiges of an era that has failed to deliver.

Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and legacy of campaigns for equality – local anti-racism groups, DEI programs, and certainly, even commercial engagements – represent an foundation that a lot of work has gone into. It is there not merely to decline as the politics moves on (and in fact, declines), but to be a dynamic entity.

So what would a new dynamic Black History Month look like? To begin with, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed through the year (as some institutions are already beginning to do), elements of its material (particularly around historic Black characters) incorporated into academic syllabi. It would also be a period that does not shy away from political issues, and provides room for people, particularly youth, to express their concerns and stories. What value has mere awareness of the past when it fails to address the current situation of extreme conservative demonstrations in the street? Organizations who mark it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of implicit prejudice and sensitivity to subtle slights, but faced with the threats that affect everyone if fight against prejudice is not treated with importance. In short, Black History Month should be made current, urgent, and responsive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.