Black History Month: Celebrating History

Black History Month is more than a yearly observance. For many students at the high school, it’s a reminder that history is made up of real people, whose experiences still shape life today. Throughout February, English and history classes shift their conversations toward the understanding of identity and equality.

While the high school’s population of people of color is extremely low, they still try to make a difference. One club at the high school that’s dedicated to making a difference is BoDEI, or the Board of Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion. They do a multitude of different activities geared towards “working with students to eradicate racism and promote inclusivity” as the leader of the club, senior Advith Radjkumar, puts it.

In the classroom, teachers attempt to put a spotlight on the month, and the stories it holds. An example being watching historical documentaries, or reading and conducting discussions on the topic. Since the population of people of color is so small, it’s important that we highlight all of their views, and opinions on the month. When asked “What does Black History Month mean to you?” junior Sage Zing stated, “It means to celebrate the powerful black women and men who fought for people like me to be allowed into spaces I wouldn’t have otherwise been accepted or acknowledged.” This statement is incredibly insightful, and truly puts an emphasis on the importance of fighting for what you believe.

However, not only is the historical significance important, the way we celebrate now is also extremely important. Many students at the high school have their own special ways of celebrating the month from a current perspective. Zing says, “Where I grew up [Texas], we would usually have a barbecue get together. I’ve also been to a few festivals that have [been] wonderful experiences.” Ultimately, Black History Month at the high school is vastly important, and it encourages students to listen, reflect, and start conversations on critical issues. The school hopes that students can leave the month of February with a clearer understanding of the history of the land that they grew up on.