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It's Black History Month in the UK, and it appears it’s time for a reassessment. Throughout its history, an observance that was initiated as a celebration and reminder of history, culture and the connections between Black populations worldwide, has developed a commercial tone, expanding to include functions where Black people are remunerated to address white audiences about hidden biases and “allyship”. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the enterprise of displaying cultural sensitivity. However, that period has concluded. The surge has peaked, resulting in a somewhat empty inheritance of what increasing understanding is for.

The Background of Black History Observance

First commemorated in the US and Canada, Black History Month was conceived in 1962 as “Negro History Week” by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with seven days of remembrance and recognition in the February's second week. Black History Month developed from this movement and was formally inaugurated in 1970. Currently it is marked not only in the North America in the second month, but also in autumn in the Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany, Éire and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The period has transformed since those days, focusing less on the histories of transatlantic enslavement and civil rights battles, and more on notable African descendants in government, the arts, and social movements, and extensively acknowledging the impact Black people have made to mold society. It is in schools where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with talks and cultural events. But the manner the observance is observed is a manifestation of the contemporary political context. How it evolves is a valuable example in how appropriation leads to dismantling: the reshaping of Black History Month has stymied the point of it, which is to address systemic and institutional racism.

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A Jarring Moment

Few things illustrate how crucial it is to reconsider Black History Month as much as the specific period in which it takes place this year. In the UK, a revitalized conservative movement in the guise 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. Kemi Badenoch, 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 member of parliament feels emboldened to declare that a lack of white people in certain urban areas is a reason for concern. Meanwhile, extreme conservative groups are growing in the EU as a complete entity.

In the US, a significant offensive against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been carried, repeatedly with positive outcomes, to the supreme judicial bodies of the state. A campaign to scrub African American heritage and narrative from the records is ongoing. One of the political figure's early administrative commands aimed at the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, alleging that they of a coordinated and broad attempt to alter the country's historical narrative” by depicting the United States “as fundamentally prejudiced”.

Given these circumstances, the month illustrates how insufficiently it can be influential if it is restricted to either dutiful corporate observances, or stripped of political content festivities of historical achievements, rather than challenging the situation of the present. It also demonstrates how its restricted time span means that it is detached from the more extensive continuous action that is required. An academic expert, a educator at a learning establishment, put it best when she voiced worries about the fleeting superficial actions of the celebration. “The difficulty with embracing a superficial method”, she stated, “is that it typically leads to that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a catalyst for change.”

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Reevaluating, Not Abandoning

Figuring out how to adjust, modify and expand efforts for fair treatment and appreciation in such times of discouragement and concern is a difficult task. There is a temptation to just discontinue observances such as Black History Month completely, assuming they are simply not fit for purpose, or are relics of an period that has not worked.

But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and legacy of campaigns for equality – local anti-racism groups, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and indeed, including corporate presentations – form an foundation that a considerable labor has been dedicated to. 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 look like? Well, first, it would be more than a single focused period: something that is dispersed throughout the annual calendar (as certain organizations are already commencing), parts of its content (particularly around notable African descendants) incorporated into academic syllabi. It would also be a time that does not shy away from governmental matters, and provides room for citizens, particularly youth, to share their anxieties and narratives. What purpose serves simple recognition of the past when it doesn’t reckon with the current situation of extreme conservative demonstrations in the public spaces? Institutions who mark it should not be comforted with the passive language of hidden discrimination and alertness to “microaggressions”, but faced with the risks that impact society if opposition to discrimination is not treated with importance. In short, Black History Month should be made contemporary, critical, and adaptive. Perhaps an entire name rebrand is in order – Black History is Now Month.