Winter’s Bright Spots

HEAR THEIR VO I C E S

BLACK HISTORY MONTH FROM A YOUTH PERSPECTIVE

Aniya Thompson

Age: 17

School: Senior at Normal Community High School

What does Black History Month mean to you?

It is a time to celebrate my ancestors and acknowledge the hardships they endured.

Name a notable black figure from history that you admire.

There are so many but to name a few: Ruby Bridges and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. immediately come to mind. People paving the way for whom I want to be.

Name a current black figure that inspires you.

My mom, Tamika Thompson. She encourages me and my six-year-old sister to speak our minds and attend protests. And she is always there if I need someone to talk to.

Do you believe racial harmony exists in Bloomington/Normal?

There is room for improvement. I have personally been a victim of racial profiling by being followed around in stores by security. We need to push for more change but we aren’t there yet.

Tell us a little about you.

I am a member of the NAACP with my mom. I have also participated in ACT-SO, which is like an Olympics of the mind for people of color. I have been doing that for two years. I won gold for Music Vocal Contemporary and was nationally qualified. I want to be a musical theatre major at Ball State or Western Michigan. My end goal is to be a teacher as there is a lack of black teachers.

How do you feel about Kamala Harris being inaugurated as our first black female vice president?

It is inspiring to have a woman of color be in this office. It shows that we are capable of doing these things even if for so many years people said we couldn’t.

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