🔗 Share this article Black History Month acts as a gauge of the prevailing political atmosphere, so how do we revamp it? This is Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it feels like it’s time for a rethink. Over the years, an observance that was initiated as a festivity and recollection of the past, cultural identity and bonds between international African diaspora communities, has taken on a corporate feel, expanding to include functions where African descendants are remunerated to address white audiences about implicit prejudice and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade generated a rise in the business of displaying cultural sensitivity. But even that moment has passed. The surge has peaked, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what raising awareness is for. The History of Black History Month Originally observed in the United States and Canada, Black History Month was created in 1962 as a week dedicated to Negro history by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with multiple days of commemoration and observance in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this campaign and was publicly established in 1970. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States and Canada in February, but also in autumn in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Holland. The month has transformed since its inception, placing less emphasis on the histories of the slave trade across the Atlantic and struggles for equality, and more on influential individuals of color in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and extensively acknowledging the impact Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most frequently marked, with talks and cultural events. But the manner the celebration is commemorated is a reflection of the political moment. How it develops is a valuable example in how appropriation leads to erosion: the restructuring of Black History Month has hindered the point of it, which is to address systemic and institutional racism. A Jarring Moment Little demonstrates how critical it is to rethink Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it occurs this year. In the United Kingdom, a reemerging right-wing in the guise of the Reform party is top in opinion ratings. In the recent season we saw the biggest extreme right demonstration in the UK's past. Kemi Badenoch, the Black leader of the right-wing political group, is a firm opponent of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a place where a member of parliament gains confidence to state that the absence of Caucasian individuals in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. At the same time, extreme conservative groups are growing in Europe as a entirety. In the America, a massive attack against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been carried, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the top legal institutions of the nation. A drive to remove Black history and legacy from the archives is in progress. One of the political figure's early administrative commands targeted the museum of African American legacy, and the prestigious establishment, accusing them of a “concerted and widespread effort to alter the country's historical narrative” by representing the nation “as naturally discriminatory”. Against this backdrop, the celebration represents how minimally it can be effective if it is limited to either dutiful corporate observances, or depoliticized festivities of historical achievements, rather than challenging the conditions of the present. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is detached from the more extensive continuous action that is needed. Denise Miller, a educator at University of Greenwich, expressed it perfectly when she raised concerns about the short-term symbolic gestures of the month. “The difficulty with embracing a superficial method”, she commented, “is that it often means that Black History Month becomes a fleeting performance rather than a agent of progress.” Reconsidering, Not Discarding Determining how to adapt, revise and extend actions for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a challenging endeavor. There is a urge to just do away with things like Black History Month altogether, thinking they are no longer suitable, or are relics of an period that has failed to deliver. But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and tradition of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – constitute an infrastructure that a significant effort has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, regresses), but to be a living breathing thing. So what would a contemporary active Black History Month appear as? Firstly, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is distributed throughout the annual calendar (as some institutions are already commencing), parts of its content (particularly around prominent figures of color) integrated into school curriculums. It would also be a era that does not avoid political issues, and allows opportunity for citizens, particularly youth, to express their concerns and stories. What purpose serves mere awareness of the history when it ignores the present reality of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the street? Establishments who celebrate it should not be comforted with the neutral terminology of hidden discrimination and sensitivity to minor insults, but confronted with the risks that face all if fight against prejudice is not treated with importance. To summarize, Black History Month should be made current, pressing, and responsive. Perhaps an total re-identification is in order – Present-Day African Heritage Celebration.