This commemorative month is a reflection of the prevailing political atmosphere, so how do we revamp it?

This is Black History Month in the Britain, and it appears it’s time for a rethink. As time has passed, an celebration that was initiated as a commemorative event of history, culture and the connections between global Black communities, has taken on a business-like atmosphere, broadening to incorporate gatherings where Black people are remunerated to talk to Caucasian groups about implicit prejudice 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 crested, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what raising awareness is for.

The History of Black History Celebration

Initially celebrated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this initiative and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States and Canada in winter, but also in the tenth month in the United Kingdom, Deutschland, Ireland and the Holland.

The observance has developed since its inception, placing less emphasis on the histories of transatlantic enslavement and fights for racial justice, and greater focus on prominent Black figures in politics, culture, and activism, and broadly celebrating the input Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most commonly celebrated, with talks and cultural events. But the way the month is commemorated is a indication of the contemporary political context. How it progresses is a good lesson in how co-option leads to dismantling: the restructuring of Black History Month has stymied the objective of it, which is to address structural and organizational discrimination.

A Disconcerting Period

Hardly anything shows how critical it is to reevaluate Black History Month more than the current time in which it falls this year. In the United Kingdom, a reemerging right-wing in the shape of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the warmer months we saw the biggest extreme right demonstration in the history of Britain. Kemi Badenoch, the Black leader of the Tory party, is a staunch adversary of the racial justice movement, and we are in a situation where a legislator gains confidence to say that “not seeing any white faces” in specific city neighborhoods is a cause for alarm. At the same time, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in the European continent as a complete entity.

In the United States, a massive attack against DEI and affirmative action has been carried, frequently with success, to the highest courts of the state. A drive to scrub Black history and experience from the records is ongoing. One of the political figure's early administrative commands targeted the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, claiming they of a coordinated and broad attempt to rewrite our Nation’s history” by depicting the United States “as fundamentally prejudiced”.

Given these circumstances, the month illustrates how minimally it can be impactful if it is limited to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or stripped of political content commemorations of historical achievements, rather than confronting the realities of the current era. It also reveals how its short period means that it is disconnected from the more extensive continuous action that is needed. An academic expert, a prof at an educational institution, expressed it perfectly when she voiced worries about the temporary “tokenism” of the observance. “The difficulty with taking a tokenistic approach”, she stated, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a catalyst for change.”

Reevaluating, Not Abandoning

Establishing how to alter, change and broaden initiatives for fair treatment and appreciation in such moments of dejection and worry is a challenging endeavor. There is a temptation to just do away with observances such as Black History Month completely, thinking they are no longer suitable, or are relics 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 tradition of racial movements – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and certainly, even commercial engagements – constitute an foundation that a lot of work has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, regresses), but to be a dynamic entity.

So what would a fresh vibrant Black History Month appear as? To begin with, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is dispersed through the year (as some institutions are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around notable African descendants) integrated into academic syllabi. It would also be a period that does not evade politics, and provides room for individuals, particularly young people, to air their fears and experiences. What purpose serves simple recognition of the history when it doesn’t reckon with the contemporary truth of far-right rallies in the urban areas? Organizations who mark it should not be reassured with the neutral terminology of hidden discrimination and sensitivity to subtle slights, but faced with the risks that face all if fight against prejudice is not approached earnestly. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, urgent, and responsive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is necessary – Contemporary Black History Month.