“Freedom is never given, it is won.”- Philip Randolph  

The month of February is a symbol of black history and is celebrated by many Americans each year.  With things being so “socially distant” lately, the month was not acknowledged within East.  

In February 2020, students used posters around the school to show their appreciation for Black History Month along with mini quizzes in the daily announcements.  With half of our students being in and half being out of school, it’s hard to display things for Black History Month.  

Many students from the Multicultural club, believe this year was truly not acknowledged and wish to have more discussion on the month.  “Black history is the one place I know the least about around myself, and I feel like I should be allowed to look more into it,” junior Logan Riley said.  

Considering East is a less diverse school, the urge to want to learn more about other races and cultures should be highly encouraged and shown within the school.  For kids who have only been around others that look like them, it would be great to introduce them to the history of people who don’t look like them.   

“Scheduling for the multicultural club has been a challenge this year with remote learning and the pandemic,” Youth Service Center Coordinator Erin White said. 

With students being on a hybrid schedule, it was hard to find ways to present Black History Month to everyone.  This does not mean that nothing should have been attempted to be shown for by people outside of the multicultural club.  

To have a better understanding of what African Americans have gone through and fought for, programs and classes should be added at East for all cultures and races.   

“If I were to return for a visit back to the school, I would want to see more art work such as self drawing the kids make to hang up around the school,” senior Jermaine Thompson said. “Many people don’t realize that change can be effective in schools where there are black kids who deal with racism or feel like outcasts in their school,” Thompson said.  

The more educated students are on people of color or people of other religion, the less ignorant incidents would happen.  Change can be made if everyone attempts to make one.  

“If I hear a person say something and they have been misinformed – I take the time to educate.  In education, we cause those teachable moments.  I believe that it is okay to address misinformed people; especially those who are willing to ask questions and truly want to change and learn,” teacher Fay Anderson said.   

“Black history month is a celebration of us. The things we’ve had to go through, overcome, and to honor our accomplishments and how strong, creative, powerful, and beautiful we are,” sophomore Jenascia Hargrove said.  “I would like to see the history classes teach the students about actual black history. The inventors, the scientist, the black panthers,  everything,”  Hargrove said.  

It is important that our educators take time out of their day to inform the less educated on subjects like these.  If we stick to basic criteria, nothing within the school can change. 

“I think it’s a great thing that we have a time dedicated to acknowledging black history makers. Ideally, black history will just be acknowledged as history, but until then I think it’s a good first step,” senior Hannah Woodson said.  

Seniors at East have not seen much in their four years in the school.It should have been shown more greatly throughout the years.  

“There needs to be lessons considering the school does not teach the actual weight of most things involving race,”  junior Sydney Higdon said.

So many students have finished their high school credits and have nothing more to do.  Incorporating black history and other races history classes will prepare students for interaction with others in the real world.  

“It’s important to educate yourself and not go off what your closed-minded peers and even parents have to say on topics that are very important to black history ,” Bekkah Mcmillin said.  

Little steps as in educating yourself and peers, makes huge changes like the decrease of racism.  

We, as a school, need to take bigger steps into understanding everyone and their cultures and backgrounds.