🔗 Share this article Black History Month is a reflection of the prevailing political atmosphere, so how do we revamp it? We are in Black History Month in the United Kingdom, and it seems it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an observance that started out as a festivity and recollection of the past, cultural identity and bonds between global Black communities, has taken on a corporate feel, broadening to incorporate gatherings where African descendants are paid to address Caucasian groups about hidden biases and supportive partnership. The demonstrations for racial justice in the 2020s created a surge in the industry of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The tide has peaked, leaving a sort of hollowed out legacy of what raising awareness is for. The Background of Black History Month Initially celebrated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was created in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of celebration and reflection in the February's second week. Black History Month evolved from this initiative and was officially launched in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the US and Canada in the second month, but also in autumn in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Holland. The period has transformed since that time, placing less emphasis on the histories of the slave trade across the Atlantic and fights for racial justice, and increasingly on influential individuals of color in public life, creative fields, and advocacy, and widely honoring the impact Black people have made to mold society. It is in educational institutions where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with lectures and artistic activities. But the method the month is celebrated is a reflection of the contemporary political context. How it evolves is a valuable example in how co-option leads to dismantling: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the objective of it, which is to tackle systemic and institutional racism. A Disconcerting Period Few things illustrate how crucial it is to reconsider Black History Month as much as the particular moment in which it occurs this year. In the UK, a resurgent right in the form of the Reform political group is ahead in surveys. In the warmer months we witnessed the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. the Conservative leader, the person of color at the helm of the Tory party, is a staunch adversary of Black Lives Matter, and we are in a place where a legislator gains confidence to state that a lack of white people in parts of a city is a reason for concern. Simultaneously, ultra-nationalist movements are surging in Europe as a whole. In the US, a massive attack against DEI and affirmative action has been taken, frequently with success, to the supreme judicial bodies of the nation. A drive to remove African American heritage and narrative from the archives is under way. One of the political figure's initial presidential directives focused on the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, claiming they of a coordinated and broad attempt to alter the country's historical narrative” by representing the nation “as fundamentally prejudiced”. In this context, the month illustrates how insufficiently it can be effective if it is restricted to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or depoliticized commemorations of former accomplishments, rather than addressing the realities of the contemporary world. It also reveals how its short period means that it is separated from the more extensive continuous action that is required. Denise Miller, a professor at University of Greenwich, expressed it perfectly when she voiced worries about the temporary “tokenism” of the celebration. “The difficulty with taking a tokenistic approach”, she wrote, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month becomes a brief show rather than a driver of transformation.” Rethinking, But Not Jettisoning Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand efforts for racial equality and recognition in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just eliminate things like Black History Month entirely, assuming they are inadequate for current needs, or are vestiges of an era 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 – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – constitute an framework that a considerable labor has been invested in. It is there not just to decay as the situation evolves (and in fact, declines), but to be a living breathing thing. So what would a contemporary active Black History Month appear as? To begin with, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is dispersed through the year (as certain organizations are already starting to implement), sections of its curriculum (particularly around prominent figures of color) included in school curriculums. It would also be a time that does not avoid politics, and allows opportunity for people, particularly young people, to express their concerns and stories. What purpose serves simple recognition of the bygone era when it doesn’t reckon with the contemporary truth of extreme conservative demonstrations in the urban areas? Establishments who observe it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and sensitivity to minor insults, but challenged by the dangers that impact society if anti-racism is not taken seriously. Briefly stated, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, urgent, and adaptive. Maybe an complete renaming is in order – Black History is Now Month.