(re)-viewing black history month: interview with south-african activist Andile Mngxitama

February has now come to be known as Black History Month  (BHM) in the US. Initially Negro History Week, since 1915 the celebration of black achievement pioneered by Carter G. Woodson has transformed into a month of activities. Before his death, Woodson himself had become weary of the commercial aspects of BHM. He advocated that the study of black history be a year-round movement. Although there are now BHM celebrations all over the Diaspora, it does not seem that black history has 365-day shift Woodson envisioned. The presence of BHM around the world is important because there has been in recent years a global push towards multiculturalism – an agenda which it’s likely that events such as BHM would boost. South Africa is one “multicultural” society where pockets of BHM celebrations can be found. This interview with Andile Mngxitama, South African author and activist, questions the value of current commemorations of BHM.