History Months



Written by Moyin Ekundayo 

Hello again, thank you for not getting bored of me yet.

This one is going to be very short.

So hopefully, by the time this comes out, Black history month is almost over because the next couple of statements might make no sense. Black History Month is over, so what now? Guess we go back to 'normality, right? I mean, it is only fitting to ask the proposed question. 

Someone might be reading this and ask, "but when is white history month? Why can you be happy with having a month" and my reply to that will be, well, white history month is every month. 

See, I have always had an issue with 'token months' in some form or another. You can boil my problem with the tokenistic celebrations down to what happens after the month, day, or week is over? What happens after you have taken a flag down or stopped serving foods from different countries? These fail to provide fair and innovative learning, mainly because surface-level interactions are being promoted as multiculturalism and diversity. I want to clarify that on many occasions, these are unintended circumstances. 

Some might think or call me out and ask, okay, what is my alternative? Well diversifying/decolonising the curriculum. The origins of Black history month in the UK date back to the 1980s, where the local community aimed to challenge racism and educate themselves and others about the British history that was not taught in schools. 

History is not a passive subject. It is indicative of the people who form the curriculum we learn today and how they have framed issues of class, race and other injustices as something foreign. Black people have been in Britain and part of British history for longer than previously thought. 

However, due to the lack of representation, it has fed a warped view that sadly many hold, that black people can not be British or English; see David Lammy challenges caller who tells him he's "not English". Diversifying/decolonising the curriculum aims to solve this by challenging the process in which we think, frame and construct the curriculum and research that preserve the Europe-centred, colonial lens. Challenging the institutional hierarchy and monopoly on knowledge, moving out of a western framework.

Whilst diversifying in education aims to create a just learning environment, recognising, fostering and developing sensitivity to the needs of people in various identity categories are primary aims of educational diversity.

In short, many ideologies from the past were based on strong racial and sexist ideologies that shaped society and the education system we have today.

Developing social awareness through diversity, especially in the classroom, can help appreciate different perspectives and draw solid conclusions. 

What better way to teach children to consider different perspectives and how to interact with different peers on a social level whilst equipping them with the skills they will use for the rest of their lives.

Corporations and businesses have been celebrating black history month and other months for a while now. However, it has become routine for many corporations, that time of the year where you can slap Rasta colours on your company logos. 

In many ways, my point and perspective about the education system apply to how companies should look at black history month. It is about constantly including and initiating diversity in the workplace, internal and external recognition and celebration throughout the year. 

Instead, during black history month, we sometimes get performative actions instead of transformative ones, A corporate, commodified Black History Month is taking hold. We can't let it. Whilst the article is from an American perspective, we have the same examples here in England from Radio and TV stations hosting more black content this month than they would normally. Let me try and clarify. I like that this is being done. However, it should not only be
done because it is black history month. It should be integrated more. You do not have to be colourblind for 11 months just learn about a struggle or issue for a month, then go back to 'normality. 

To somehow finalise, I understand the need for black history month. I support and appreciate it; however, I have some issues with how we seem to "celebrate" it at the same point every year. There is more than can be done. I hope you have understood some points I brought up. 

To conclude, Black history month must be celebrated, but it is also crucial that Women's History Month, LGBTQ Pride Month and other months are celebrated, drawing on the points I have made above, and remembering we have overlapping interconnected social categorisations. 



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