February is the one month out of the year where Black History and the contributions African Americans have made are recognized.
This month spreads awareness and teaches others about the impact that the African American community has and continues to make in society.
“African Americans have played a tremendous role in today’s society as far as many inventions, just our culture has just influenced so many different things in today’s society,” dean of students Deontevius Shazier said.
This month also, acknowledges trends and styles that the African American community have started such as hip-hop, wearing track suites, and so much more.
“When you just look around and just kind of study our dynamics of our history so many things that started with us is becoming trends in so many different areasmusic, style, clothing, cooking and just so many different things that started with the Black community is just transcending everywhere,” Shazier stated.
In addition, this month instills power and courage in many. Teaching others that anything is possible and to continue to persevere through anything.
“We have come a long way, but we still have a long journey yet to travel. So, for me it means pride and being proud of who I am, being proud of where my family has come from being proud of the accomplishments Afro-American females and males have made through generations and throughout the years up to 2024,” 10th grade English teacher Dr. Joanne Craig addressed.
Activists such Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Fredrick Douglas, Ruby Bridges and many others are considered inspirations worldwide due to their efforts in civil rights, desegregation, and labor rights.
“For me I think back to Martin Luther King that one day he said that ‘We won’t see color, a man won’t look at us about the color of our skin. I believe we will have equal justice. It may not happen while I am here but somewhere through the generations of my grandchildren, their children hopefully that will happen I do believe it will’” Craig said.
To celebrate Black History Month history teacher Mr. Craig Richman is having students create projects regarding Afro-Americans in different forms like portraits, drawings, and research on different people in the African American community.
“I have my students working on some projects for Black History Month with an area of different formats and options weather they are physically drawn, a portrait of a famous African Americans scholar, actor sports star or civil activists,” Richman said. they also have opportunities to create timelines that are interactive that actually explain what that person contributed to society then present that to the class and this is something I have been wanting to do for a long time and I feel like it is something that the students appreciate whether they tell me or not.”
Students, including, sophomore Dashana Edmond are excited about the project as she enjoys music and has choose to have other classmates listen to music created by African Americans and then ask them questions about it.
“I am doing the listen to all black music where I have Jazz and Blues and I play songs from this type of music and ask student’s questions about it. A reason why I decided to do this format is because I enjoy music. But I believe the purpose of this project is to learn more about black activists that we didn’t know who were before our time and to get to know them, and to also see what they have done in the past that affected us in a way,” Edmond stated.
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