StudentS d i Sappointed in L ack of B L ack H i Story e ngagement

by staffer Ben Place

Every February, students and staff celebrate Black History Month, a time for everyone to learn about and engage with the history and culture of Black people from a Black perspective.

Black History

Month helps to “bring awareness to things that are going wrong in the world, but also because even if things were perfect, it’s still, it’d be important to know where we came from and our roots,” said senior Khalil Henderson, vice president of the Black Student Union.

“Awareness definitely helps change things,” Henderson said. “I feel like a lot of racism is ignorance. But then when people learn, that’s going to change a lot.”

Tuwana Williams, sponsor of the

Diversity Council and Black Student Union, understands the importance of engaging with Black history.

“My grandfather went through racism,” Williams said.

“So have I, my mom, parents, grandparents were from the South. So I mean, it’s just a part of who I am.”

The BSU plans on holding trivia contests during AR every Wednesday of the month, as well as a spirit week, starting the last week of the month leading up to the culmination of Oak Park’s celebration, the annual Black history program. This program, planned for Friday, Feb. 24, during AR combines competition, dance, and education into a single jam-packed show. However, BSU president, senior Aida Bah said she has been disappointed in the student body’s past engagement in the celebration.

She cites North Kansas City High School’s celebration of Black history as one she wants OP to emulate.

“They have weekly events,” Bah said. “We have our Black History Assembly, and that is probably the most exciting part.”

Henderson shares Bah’s sentiment.

“I don’t know why at StuCo events, like the assembly, everybody will be there,” Henderson said. “It’ll be packed. And then we’ll have like the Black History Month Assembly, and it’s like crickets. They’re both assem- blies. They’re both supposed to be fun.”

Henderson wants students to understand their program isn’t just constantly quoting trivia.

“We try to have something engaging, while also bringing awareness,” Henderson said.

Henderson said he thinks school staff could step up and help promote Black history. He proposes teachers be more active in educating their students, Black and white, on the history of Black people.

WHat can oak park StudentS and Staff do to B etter engage WitH B L ack H i Story?

“I think just acknowledging the contributions that Blacks have done in the community in general just really respecting the fact that we have added major things, even small things like the traffic light. We just need to educate ourselves more on how we’re just not stereotypically angry or aggressive or things like that. We are regular old people that have done amazing things, as well as in the community. And I think celebrating those is always a good thing.”

H oW Ha S Learning B L ack H i Story impacted you?

“It’s definitely made me feel better about myself. When you grow up Black, sometimes, from the beginning, it’s pushing to your brain that you’re already worse than people. You’re dumber than all the white kids. You’re not going to be as good as them. But then when you learn about all the good things that people in the past have done, you’re like, No, I can be like them. I’m also good. I’m also smart. I think that it makes kids feel better about themselves. It definitely, made me feel uplifted. Because I feel like when you grow up as a minority, it’s really not easy. But then when you kind of get Black History Month awareness, then you have a group that supports you.”

WHy i S it important for aLL StudentS to engage WitH B L ack H i Story?

“I think it just leads us to a better future without ignorance. As idealistic as that is, the more we educate ourselves, the more we can understand other people’s experience, even though we’re not the ones living it. It also just makes our environment a safer place. A lot of people who might not come from minority backgrounds might not understand the feeling of not being safe in your environment and feeling like you’re ostracized and etc., but learning about that stuff is just one step to help us move forward.”