Black History Month was introduced to the UK in 1987, inspired by the US-founded African American Heritage Month in the 1970s.
During Black History Month, the entire month of October – February in the US – is dedicated to celebrating Black people who were left out of White-centric history.
And it has helped to inform and educate citizens about the contributions to society by people of African descent around the world.
But what was once welcomed by the Black community has in recent years caused debate on whether Black History Month is problematic – with some rejecting the event altogether.
Read on to find out the reasons for and against Black History Month.
NowThis: Why Do We Still Need Black History Month?
The popular whiskey Jack Daniels is just one reason listed in this NowThis video supporting Black History Month.
It was in fact Jack Daniel’s Black slave who created the infamous recipe, who for years went uncredited for concocting the successful beverage upon which Daniels built his empire.
It is argued that without Black History Month, Black history and Black accomplishments like this will continue to be shamefully downplayed, or even erased.
GB News: Nana Akua speaks out against Black History Month
If a Black person rejects Black History Month, does it make them a traitor to Black people?
GB News presenter Nana Akua, who is not in favour of Black History Month, believes that some in the community certainly think so.
She goes on to argue that Black history doesn’t just start with slavery, as children are taught in school.
Our homo sapiens ancestors were first discovered over 300,000 years ago in Africa, supporting the discourse that Black people have always been a part of human history.
And the DNA of Cheddar Man, the first discovered Brit, shows that early Britons had dark skin.
Nana believes that a month dedicated only to Black history is divisive, saying: “We were all Black once, so history should just be called history.”
Waitrose: Celebrating Black History Month – Proud To Be Ourselves
This year, supermarket giant Waitrose asked some of their Black partners what makes them proud and what Black History Month means to them.
Many expressed the opportunity to celebrate their heritage through food, culture, music, and history.
Although there was a collective sense of pride in being Black and British, Black History Month was seen as ‘just’ one month – with continuous efforts still needed to instil Black history into British culture.
PBS News: Why Not Everyone Supports Black History Month
PBS News reported on how some African-Americans now oppose the idea of dedicating a special month to Black history. It explores Shukree Tilghman’s 2012 documentary film, More Than A Month, which delves into African-American history.
Tilgham created the film when he became discouraged because he noticed that the same people were always being discussed during Black History Month.
He realised he wasn’t alone when he watched Morgan Freemen on 60 Minutes in 2005, who expressed his dislike for the month.
“I don’t want a Black history month. Black history is American history.” Morgan Freeman on 60 Minutes.
Increasing numbers of Black people oppose the idea of a Black history month:
Diversity and Parliament: why is it important to celebrate Black History Month?
In 2015, the British government explored Parliament’s role in the changing nature of racial representation in the United Kingdom.
MPs discussed the significance of Black History Month, including the importance of highlighting Black people’s contributions to a wider audience in Britain, and around the world.
Ultimately, the MPs viewed education as the key to abolishing racism in the multicultural UK.
Vice: Why Black History Month Shouldn’t Exist
Vice’s ‘Let Lee Explain’ argues that Black History Month in the US is not really about Black history, but rather the pacification of Black people.
He believes that it revolves around ‘feel-good stories’ of the Civil Rights Movement, and events that took place after slavery.
This is because Black history is not taught through a holistic lens, but rather taught how many white people ‘wish’ to remember it.
He also questions what Black History Month has concretely achieved to tangibly improve the lives of African-Americans – offended that the US has given the occasion the year’s shortest month.
Loose Women: Judi’s Powerful Speech About Black History Month Gets An Emotional Response
When Judi was asked by her white co-hosts what Black History Month meant to her, she spoke of her nervousness due to negative associations that come with the event.
Judi states that anything associated with Black lives within the media is associated with Black trauma and negative stereotypes.
And when films about slavery are aired during the dedicated month, she admits to experiencing secondary trauma because it’s a constant reminder of the challenges that her community still faces.
The talk show hosts highlight two perspectives: on the one hand, it’s a chance for non-Black people to be educated on Black history – as well as people of colour.
But on the other hand, it’s a reminder of the harsh realities that Black people endured in the past – and still very much so in the present.
The jury’s split
There are two clear sides to the debate when it comes to commemorating Black History Month.
While some have voiced the importance of education and their pride for the iconic month, others have expressed concern towards the trauma it can cause to members of their community.
What do you think?
Join us in this discussion: do you think Black History Month does more harm than good? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
