Black History Month is a reflection of the prevailing political atmosphere, so what steps can we take to refresh it?

It's Black History Month in the Britain, and it feels like it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an celebration that started out as a festivity and recollection of history, culture and the connections between international African diaspora communities, has adopted a corporate feel, broadening to incorporate events where Black people are remunerated to talk to predominantly white listeners about “unconscious bias” and “allyship”. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade generated a rise in the enterprise of showcasing anti-racist commitment. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has reached its height, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what raising awareness is for.

The Origins of Black History Celebration

Initially celebrated in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by historian of African descent Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of commemoration and observance in the middle of February. Black History Month evolved from this initiative and was officially launched in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States and Canada in February, but also in October in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, Éire and the Holland.

The month has transformed since its inception, placing less emphasis on the accounts of colonial slavery and struggles for equality, and greater focus on influential individuals of color in government, the arts, and social movements, and extensively acknowledging the input Black people have made to mold society. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the method the celebration is celebrated is a reflection of the contemporary political context. How it develops is a valuable example in how assimilation leads to erosion: the reshaping of Black History Month has impeded the point of it, which is to confront embedded and established prejudice.

A Disconcerting Period

Hardly anything shows how important it is to reconsider Black History Month better than the current time in which it occurs this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the form of the Reform political group is top in opinion ratings. In the summer we witnessed the biggest extreme right demonstration in the UK's past. the Conservative leader, the person of color at the helm of the Tory party, is a firm opponent of the racial justice movement, and we are in a position where a elected representative feels empowered to say that the absence of Caucasian individuals in parts of a city is a source of worry. Meanwhile, far-right parties are growing in Europe as a entirety.

In the US, a massive attack against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been carried, often successfully, to the supreme judicial bodies of the nation. A campaign to erase African American heritage and narrative from the historical documents is under way. One of the political figure's early administrative commands targeted the institution dedicated to Black heritage, and the prestigious establishment, accusing them of a coordinated and broad attempt to change the national past” by representing the nation “as naturally discriminatory”.

Given these circumstances, the month illustrates how insufficiently it can be influential if it is limited to either obligatory business commemorations, or politically neutered celebrations of contributions in the past, rather than confronting the conditions of the contemporary world. It also reveals how its short period means that it is separated from the broader ongoing work that is required. A university professor, a educator at University of Greenwich, expressed it perfectly when she expressed apprehension about the temporary “tokenism” of the celebration. “The problem with adopting a symbolic stance”, she wrote, “is that it often means that Black History Month becomes a transient display rather than a catalyst for change.”

Reconsidering, Not Discarding

Figuring out how to alter, change and broaden actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just eliminate things like Black History Month altogether, thinking they are inadequate for current needs, or are vestiges of an era that has been ineffective.

However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and legacy of racial movements – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – form an framework that a lot of work has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the politics moves on (and in fact, declines), but to be a dynamic entity.

So what would a contemporary active Black History Month appear as? Firstly, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is dispersed through the year (as various establishments are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around historic Black characters) included in academic syllabi. It would also be a era that does not shy away from governmental matters, and leaves space for citizens, particularly the younger generation, to express their concerns and stories. What purpose serves mere awareness of the history when it fails to address 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 alertness to minor insults, but confronted with the dangers that face all if anti-racism is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, critical, and adaptive. It could be that an complete renaming is required – Black History is Now Month.