This commemorative month acts as a gauge of the prevailing political atmosphere, so how do we revamp it?

It's Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it seems it’s time for a rethink. As time has passed, an event that was initiated as a commemorative event of the past, cultural identity and bonds between global Black communities, has adopted a corporate feel, growing to encompass functions where Black people are paid to speak with predominantly white listeners about implicit prejudice and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the business of showcasing anti-racist commitment. But even that moment has passed. The surge has crested, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what increasing understanding is for.

The Origins of Black History Month

First commemorated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with a week of commemoration and observance in the middle of February. Black History Month grew out of this initiative and was publicly established in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the US and Canada in February, but also in the tenth month in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the Holland.

The month has developed since its inception, placing less emphasis on the histories of transatlantic enslavement and struggles for equality, and more on influential individuals of color in government, the arts, and social movements, and extensively acknowledging the input Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with lectures and artistic activities. But the manner the observance is observed is a reflection of the current political situation. How it develops is a valuable example in how assimilation leads to erosion: the restructuring of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to confront structural and organizational discrimination.

A Disconcerting Period

Hardly anything shows how critical it is to reconsider Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it occurs this year. In the United Kingdom, a resurgent right in the shape of the Reform organization is ahead in surveys. In the warmer months we witnessed the biggest extreme right demonstration in the history of Britain. Kemi Badenoch, the Black leader of the Tory party, is a firm opponent of anti-racism activism, and we are in a place where a member of parliament feels emboldened to declare that a lack of white people in certain urban areas is a cause for alarm. At the same time, far-right parties are expanding in the European continent as a whole.

In the US, a massive attack against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been taken, frequently with success, to the top legal institutions of the state. A campaign to scrub Black history and legacy from the historical documents is in progress. One of the former president's early administrative commands focused on the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the Smithsonian Institution, accusing them of a coordinated and broad attempt to change the national past” by depicting the United States “as fundamentally prejudiced”.

In this context, the month illustrates how minimally it can be effective if it is limited to either dutiful corporate observances, or depoliticized celebrations of historical achievements, rather than challenging the conditions of the contemporary world. It also reveals how its short period means that it is separated from the wider consistent effort that is needed. A university professor, a professor at University of Greenwich, articulated it most accurately when she raised concerns about the temporary “tokenism” of the month. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she stated, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a catalyst for change.”

Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning

Determining how to adapt, revise and extend actions for racial equality and recognition in such periods of dismay and anxiety is a difficult task. There is a urge to just discontinue events including Black History Month completely, thinking they are no longer suitable, or are vestiges of an period that has failed to deliver.

Yet, in spite of all this, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and tradition of campaigns for equality – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – represent an foundation that a considerable labor has gone into. It is there not merely to decline as the politics moves on (and in fact, regresses), but to be a living breathing thing.

So what would a new dynamic Black History Month appear as? Firstly, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is spread out through the year (as various establishments are already commencing), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) included in academic syllabi. It would also be a time that does not avoid politics, and provides room for citizens, particularly young people, to air their fears and experiences. What value has simple recognition of the bygone era when it ignores the present reality of far-right rallies in the public spaces? Institutions who observe it should not be reassured with the neutral terminology of “unconscious bias” and awareness of subtle slights, but confronted with the dangers that affect everyone if anti-racism is not approached earnestly. To summarize, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, urgent, and responsive. Maybe an entire name rebrand is necessary – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.