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This is Black History Month in the UK, and it seems it’s time for a reassessment. As time has passed, an celebration that began as a festivity and recollection of the past, cultural identity and bonds between international African diaspora communities, has developed a business-like atmosphere, broadening to incorporate gatherings where individuals of African heritage are remunerated to talk to Caucasian groups about implicit prejudice and “allyship”. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the industry of demonstrating racial awareness. Yet, that phase is now over. The wave has crested, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what raising awareness is for.

The Background of Black History Month

Originally observed in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was established in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with a week of celebration and reflection in the second week of February. Black History Month developed from this campaign and was publicly established in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the US and Canada in winter, but also in the tenth month in the Britain, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The period has transformed since that time, giving reduced attention to the histories of the slave trade across the Atlantic and civil rights battles, and more on prominent Black figures 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 discussions and heritage festivities. But the way the celebration is commemorated is a manifestation of the contemporary political context. How it develops is a valuable example in how assimilation leads to weakening: the restructuring of Black History Month has stymied the purpose of it, which is to confront embedded and established prejudice.

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A Jarring Moment

Few things illustrate how crucial it is to reconsider Black History Month as much as the particular moment in which it falls this year. In the UK, a resurgent right in the guise of the Reform organization is ahead in surveys. In the summer we witnessed the biggest extreme right demonstration in the UK's past. a prominent political figure, the African descendant in charge of the Tory party, is a strong critic of the racial justice movement, and we are in a place where a elected representative feels emboldened to state that “not seeing any white faces” in parts of a city is a source of worry. Simultaneously, ultra-nationalist movements are surging in Europe as a complete entity.

In the US, a colossal assault against diversity initiatives and positive discrimination has been brought, often successfully, to the top legal institutions of the nation. A effort to remove the history of people of color and experience from the archives is ongoing. One of the former president's first executive orders focused on the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, accusing them of a organized and extensive campaign to rewrite our Nation’s history” by portraying America “as fundamentally prejudiced”.

In this context, the observance represents how little it can be impactful if it is limited to either routine organizational acknowledgments, or politically neutered celebrations of historical achievements, rather than addressing the conditions of the present. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is separated from the more extensive continuous action that is required. Denise Miller, a educator at University of Greenwich, expressed it perfectly when she expressed apprehension about the fleeting superficial actions of the celebration. “The issue with adopting a symbolic stance”, she wrote, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month becomes a transient display rather than a catalyst for change.”

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Reevaluating, Not Abandoning

Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand actions for equal rights and acknowledgment in such moments of dejection and worry is a difficult task. There is a urge to just eliminate things like Black History Month entirely, assuming they are inadequate for current needs, or are relics of an era that has not worked.

However, regardless of the situation, Black History Month, and in fact the whole broad system and legacy of campaigns for equality – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and certainly, even commercial engagements – represent an foundation that a significant effort has been dedicated to. It is there not just to decay as the political landscape shifts (and in fact, deteriorates), but to be a living breathing thing.

So what would a new dynamic Black History Month look like? Well, first, 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 prominent figures of color) integrated into educational programs. It would also be a time that does not shy away from governmental matters, and allows opportunity for individuals, particularly youth, to air their fears and experiences. What value has simple recognition of the history when it fails to address the contemporary truth of far-right rallies in the street? Organizations who mark it should not be comforted with the non-confrontational words of hidden discrimination and alertness to minor insults, but faced with the risks that affect everyone if opposition to discrimination is not treated with importance. In short, Black History Month should be made up-to-date, pressing, and responsive. It could be that an entire name rebrand is necessary – Black History is Now Month.