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This is Black History Month in the UK, and it appears it’s time for a rethink. As time has passed, an event that started out as a commemorative event of the past, cultural identity and bonds between international African diaspora communities, has adopted a corporate feel, expanding to include events where Black people are compensated to speak with predominantly white listeners about implicit prejudice and active solidarity. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the industry of showcasing anti-racist commitment. But even that moment has passed. The wave has reached its height, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for.

The Background of Black History Month

Originally observed in the US and Canada, Black History Month was established in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with a week of celebration and reflection in the middle of February. Black History Month grew out of this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the US and Canada in February, but also in autumn in the Britain, Deutschland, Éire and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The observance has developed since those days, placing less emphasis on the narratives of colonial slavery and civil rights battles, and greater focus on influential individuals of color in government, the arts, and social movements, and widely honoring the contribution Black people have made to influence the nation. It is in schools where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with lectures and artistic activities. But the way the observance is observed is a reflection of the contemporary political context. How it develops is a good lesson in how assimilation leads to erosion: the restructuring of Black History Month has hindered the objective of it, which is to address systemic and institutional racism.

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A Disconcerting Period

Few things illustrate how crucial it is to rethink Black History Month better than the particular moment in which it takes place this year. In the Britain, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform political group is leading the polls. In the recent season we observed the largest far-right rally in the UK's past. a prominent political figure, the African descendant in charge of the Conservative party, is a firm opponent of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a place where a legislator feels emboldened to state that a lack of white people in specific city neighborhoods is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, ultra-nationalist movements are expanding in Europe as a whole.

In the United States, a significant offensive against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been taken, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the highest courts of the state. A drive to remove Black history and experience from the historical documents is in progress. One of the political figure's initial presidential directives focused on the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, accusing them of a organized and extensive campaign to alter the country's historical narrative” by depicting the United States “as naturally discriminatory”.

In this context, the celebration represents how little it can be impactful if it is restricted to either dutiful corporate observances, or politically neutered celebrations of former accomplishments, rather than confronting the situation of the current era. It also reveals how its limited duration means that it is separated from the more extensive continuous action that is needed. Denise Miller, a prof at an educational institution, expressed it perfectly when she voiced worries about the short-term symbolic gestures of the observance. “The problem with taking a tokenistic approach”, she stated, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a agent of progress.”

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Reevaluating, Not Abandoning

Determining how to alter, change and broaden actions for racial equality and recognition in such moments of dejection and worry is a treacherous thing. There is a urge to just discontinue events including Black History Month entirely, thinking they are no longer suitable, or are relics of an period that has not worked.

But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the entire extended network and legacy of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and certainly, even commercial engagements – constitute an framework that a considerable labor has gone into. It is there not merely to decline as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, regresses), but to be a vital organism.

So what would a contemporary active Black History Month appear as? Well, first, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed throughout the annual calendar (as certain organizations are already commencing), elements of its material (particularly around notable African descendants) incorporated into educational programs. It would also be a period that does not evade political issues, and provides room for citizens, particularly the younger generation, to share their anxieties and narratives. What use is basic knowledge of the bygone era when it ignores the present reality of far-right rallies in the street? Establishments who mark it should not be reassured with the passive language of hidden discrimination and alertness to subtle slights, but confronted with the threats that impact society if fight against prejudice is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made current, urgent, and reactive. Maybe an complete renaming is required – Contemporary Black History Month.