Students prepare for annual Black History Month show
Presentation shares achievements, issues surrounding race
Senior Amaya Fokuo explains the plan for the Black History Month performance. Students can watch the show during 4th and 6th hour Feb. 28.
February 27, 2020
Preparing for his first Black History Month performance, Sophomore Ezra Hudson said that African American students don’t have enough advocacy in our school and he is proud to be participating.
“It’s important that we have a Black History Month show, as black students we aren’t always represented at the school so it’s an opportunity for us to get out there and represent ourselves in a positive way,” Hudson said.
Every year students perform their culture in front of the school during black history month. The purpose is to spread more cultural awareness throughout our community.
Grade level coordinator DJ Singer said the black history month performance allows students to experience new cultures is helping the students organize the show.
“It’s important is just not so much as a learning experience but just an opportunity to humble ourselves as a culture,” Singer said. “It’s important to experience and honor black excellence thus far and then also honor the past.”
Singer said he chose to get involved because black students can relate to him, they’ve experienced similar struggles.
“It’s important for someone to step in who understands the culture and the students, and will advocate for them and be a champion for them,” Singer said. “I know it’s hard. A lot of kids want to do things that are sort of stifled by administration.”
Hudson said sometimes he is singled out in advanced classes.
“Sometimes in advanced classes, I will be the only black kid in the whole classroom. There’s a bunch of white kids though,” Hudson said.
Senior Alycia Thomas felt after participating previously in the show she was empowered to do it again.
“It’s very empowering, The fact that connects with our students here to talk about my black history month,” Thomas said.
This year’s show will differ from previous years because it’s more performance based, according to Singer.
“There’s a lot less screen time, it’s more performance based,” Singer said.
Thomas is proud to know that she is getting her history out there, especially because it’s often overlooked in schools.
“It’s important to learn history. We don’t learn about it in our schools. So during the shortest month of the year, I think it’s very important to take time to learn about it,” Thomas said. “Even if it’s not your history.”
The black history month performance will be held on Feb. 28
