Black History Month is a very cultural month that is celebrated during February. It’s a time to honor and remember the history of black individuals that sacrificed a lot to make very powerful changes in many ways. It also celebrates the achievements, politics, art, and so much more that is often overlooked. Here on Ridgeview campus they are doing a dress up week (2/2- 2/6) and on Friday, February the sixth there is a drum circle during lunch.
Kristen Hunter is YWEL/Best’s advisor here at Ridgeview High School. Hunter talks about how Black History Month is important in education because the African American community, as well as others, need to know the struggles that African Americans have gone through in the United States. “On our campus we’re bringing in a panel of the African American community here on campus.” Hunter explains how women, especially women of color are overlooked because of their gender and race, mentioning how it’s a double whammy, “You have to work twice as hard, so you can have a play.” Hunter talks about how, other than sports and entertainment,there are many other A.A’s that have achievements, like C.J Walker who was the first to bring hair products for African Americans. Two black leaders that Hunter looks up to are Malcom X and A.J Wilson. “I look up to A.J Wilson because she is a woman that has done phenomenal things in athletics, Malcolm X simply because he fought for equality.”
Faith Tappin-Meadows is a senior here at Ridgeview High School. Tappin-Meadows talks about how Black History Month is celebrated for black people and about how slavery ended. “I celebrate it by going to events and setting up events to honor our history.” Tappin-Meadows explains how segregation in schools was like it divided people into different places making sure no one got the same treatment as others. “Black History Month shows equality today by celebrating those breaking moments, like there is no more segregation, and bigger opportunities.” Tappin-Meadows explains how a modern women black leader she looks up to is Angela Davis, she says this because she wrote poems that inspired her a lot. One thing that she hopes people learn from this month is, “The hardships of what we have gone through and how appreciative we should be today.”
Ray’Sean Drummer is a student here at Ridgeview High School. Drummer says that Black History Month is a celebration for the African-Americans celebrating the past and what they’ve been through. “I celebrated it by being a part of any activities that are regarded within that perspective.” Drummer talks about how this month shows equality but allowing everybody to participate within the same activities, and getting outside their own culture. Two modern black leaders that Drummer talks about are Malcom X and Martin Luther King. “Malcom X drove for the quality of blacks, and Martin Luther King because he preached for equality and stood his ground on equal rights.” Drummer hopes one lesson everyone learns from this month is to treat people with respect and give them the same treatment that you want regardless of their ethnicity.
