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This is Black History Month in the UK, and it appears it’s time for a re-evaluation. As time has passed, an celebration that started out as a celebration and reminder of history, culture and the connections between global Black communities, has developed a business-like atmosphere, expanding to include events where individuals of African heritage are compensated to speak with Caucasian groups about implicit prejudice and supportive partnership. The anti-racism rallies of the last decade created a surge in the industry of demonstrating racial awareness. But even that moment has passed. The wave has crested, producing a diluted aftermath of what promoting consciousness is for.

The Origins of Black History Month

Initially celebrated in the America and its northern neighbor, Black History Month was created in 1962 as an observance of African American heritage by African American historian Carter G. Woodson with a week of remembrance and recognition in the second week of February. Black History Month evolved from this movement and was officially launched in 1970. Today it is observed not only in the United States and Canada in winter, but also in the tenth month in the Britain, Deutschland, Éire and the the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The observance has evolved since its inception, giving reduced attention to the histories of colonial slavery and struggles for equality, and increasingly on prominent Black figures in government, the arts, and social movements, and broadly celebrating the impact Black people have made to shape the country. It is in learning environments where Black History Month is most regularly observed, with discussions and heritage festivities. But the way the month is commemorated is a manifestation of the current political situation. How it evolves is a instructive case in how assimilation leads to weakening: the restructuring of Black History Month has stymied the point of it, which is to tackle systemic and institutional racism.

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A Jarring Moment

Hardly anything shows how important it is to reconsider Black History Month more than the current time in which it occurs this year. In the UK, a revitalized conservative movement in the form of the Reform party is leading the polls. In the warmer months we observed the largest far-right rally in the history of Britain. Kemi Badenoch, the person of color at the helm of the right-wing political group, is a staunch adversary of anti-racism activism, and we are in a position where a elected representative feels empowered to declare that “not seeing any white faces” in specific city neighborhoods is a cause for alarm. Meanwhile, extreme conservative groups are expanding in Europe as a whole.

In the US, a massive attack against inclusion programs and preferential policies has been taken, frequently with success, to the supreme judicial bodies of the nation. A drive to scrub African American heritage and narrative from the records is under way. One of Donald Trump's initial presidential directives focused on the museum of African American legacy, and the renowned cultural organization, alleging that they of a “concerted and widespread effort to change the national past” by depicting the United States “as inherently racist”.

In this context, the month represents how insufficiently it can be effective if it is restricted to either obligatory business commemorations, or depoliticized festivities of contributions in the past, rather than addressing the situation of the contemporary world. It also demonstrates how its short period means that it is disconnected from the more extensive continuous action that is required. Denise Miller, a educator at University of Greenwich, put it best when she expressed apprehension about the temporary “tokenism” of the month. “The issue with embracing a superficial method”, she commented, “is that it frequently results in that Black History Month evolves into a brief show rather than a catalyst for change.”

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Reconsidering, Not Discarding

Establishing 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 things like Black History Month completely, thinking they are inadequate for current needs, or are remnants of an era that has failed to deliver.

But despite everything, Black History Month, and in fact the complete comprehensive structure and heritage of activism for racial justice – grassroots Black Lives Matter organisations, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and yes, even those talks to businesses – constitute an framework that a considerable labor has been invested in. It is there not only to deteriorate as the situation evolves (and in fact, regresses), but to be a vital organism.

So what would a new dynamic Black History Month seem? To begin with, it would be extended beyond a brief observance: something that is distributed across all seasons (as certain organizations are already commencing), elements of its material (particularly around prominent figures of color) incorporated into academic syllabi. It would also be a period that does not shy away from political issues, and provides room for individuals, particularly youth, to share their anxieties and narratives. What value has basic knowledge of the past when it ignores the contemporary truth of ultra-nationalist gatherings in the street? Establishments who observe it should not be reassured with the passive language of “unconscious bias” and alertness to “microaggressions”, but confronted with the dangers that face all if fight against prejudice is not approached earnestly. To summarize, Black History Month should be made contemporary, urgent, and reactive. Maybe an total re-identification is required – Contemporary Black History Month.