WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN 2024?

words by charles brooks 

In 2024, Black History Month continues to highlight the accomplishments and contributions of Black people to a nation shaped and influenced by an unforgiving legacy of racism. With Black folk today struggling with their daily economy, their political conditions, Black history ought to be used in a way that makes sense of the current moment to prepare for what coming ahead.

Historian Dr. John H. Clarke interrogates the meaning of history in his seminal essay, “Why Africana History,” where he writes, “History is a clock that people use to tell their political time of day. It is a compass that they use to find themselves on the map of human geography. It also tells them where they are, and what they are. Most importantly, an understanding of history tells a people where they still must go, and what they still must be.”

Dr. Clarke’s words inform our understanding of the relentless assault on Black history and Black studies by the state and the corporate class that is both historical and political. An assault that’s waged on several fronts by the same hostile forces who look to chronicle and showcase the Black experience in America for public consumption.

Fifty-three years ago, Dr. W.E.B Dubois wrote about Black people taking a more self-determined approach towards what was then called, Negro History Week.  Dr. Dubois wrote an essay, “Negro History Week,” where he outlined the achievements of Black folk in areas such as  politics, science, literature, religion, art, and Nobel prize winners. But Dubois also makes a compelling argument about the purpose and practice of Negro History Week, where he wrote, “…There comes however today a question of the deeper meaning in all of this and of future aims…”

For example, in this 1951 essay, Dubois asks two critical questions that remains relevant today, “What now does Negro History Week stand for?” and he goes on to ask, “Shall American Negroes continue to learn to be ‘proud’ of themselves, or is there a higher broader aim for their research and study?”

Dubois presses forward with his contention that Black folk should redirect their attention from anti-social behaviors towards the important current events of the day.  He argues for more of an emphasis placed on the fundamental role that racism occupies in the broad global reach of capitalism and imperialism. Dubois also makes a point about reading and suggests Paul Robeson, Howard Fast and other radical literature because, “…American Negros are not yet aware of the economic basis of race prejudice and of the methods by which American wealth today is erecting and investment imperialism in Africa and Asia, in the West Indies, and Central and South America. Indeed, further than that, the lack of fundamental economic teaching in America which Big Business today plays in human relationships. Here is a field for Negro History Week.”

Dubois ends his essay with, “…Above all, from the horrible experience of two world wars and the present policies of military masters, it will become a series of centers set on eternal opposition against the white and the colored peoples of the earth. It will teach Negro youth that no matter who wins such a war will mean the degradation of the American Negro. Let the Negro History Week of the future start with slogan; Peace, no more War!”

In 2024, the geo-political landscape witnesses a public display of imperialism and militarism. American dollars feeding military and economic aid to the military conflict in Ukraine. Feeding the genocidal/military occupation of Palestine. There’s the ongoing military conflicts in the Congo and the Sudan. The fears of a pending military intervention in Haiti. The self-determining activities in the Sahel region. And, the tentacles of American military bases along with AFRICOM feeding instability in Africa compels attention.

During these troubled times, we’re reminded of the traditional position of peace, Black people have taken versus war. And, of the traditional engagement Black people has had with the global community beyond the role of soldiers as organizers, activists and revolutionaries.

Meanwhile, Black History Month can clarify the current moment by shedding light on Harlem rent strikes, Freedom Schools, Citizen schools, the significance of the Black Studies movement, as well as the Black Student movement. Highlighting the practice of independent politics during the 19^th and early 20^th century that grappled with racial capitalism, fascism, imperialism, socialism, Marxism, and communism, etc.,

But despite the on-going attacks on Black history and Black studies, new stories of Black life will continue to emerge with many more waiting to be unearthed. The future relevance of Black History month lies in the self-determining opportunities to tell these stories. Our stories.

 

Additional Reading:

The Political Origins of Black History Month

The Long War on Black Studies, Robin D.G. Kelley

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