By Kamarya Buckley, Staff Writer
Black History is everyone’s history; now we celebrate the attributes of Black Americans. The month of February is set to appreciate and recognize the people and things that have been underrated and concealed for years.
Black History month hasn’t always existed, it originated from Negro History week which started in 1926 in an effort to bring light to black lives and contributions. Then in 1976 it was expanded to a month. It was selected to be celebrated in February in honor of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays.
Frederick Douglass was a slave that escaped and taught himself how to read and write and became a renowned author with several books. An attribution goes to Abraham Lincoln because he issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which freed Slaves held under the confederacy.
All of their contributions and those of many other Black Amercians made a huge impact on our modern lives.
Some students in River Hill shared their thoughts on Black History month and how they felt.
Eliana London, a sophmore and also Historian of Black Leadership Union expressed, “I think black history month is a good month that brings back knowledge and information for the other races and for black people to learn about the history of black culture.”
Baraka Ndirtui, a sophmore articulates, “I think black history month is an amazing thing and people take it for granted, like people think about is MLK but there is a lot of people that have changed the world besides MlLK, people like Macus Garvey, people like that just don’t get as much credit as MLK and Malcom X.
Both these students felt recognized this month as it’s their culture being recognized.
Many people participated in the Black Out for spirit week in acknowledgement of appreciation for BHM, in which students should wear all black.
Diamond Jade, a sophmore participated and spoke on what motivated her voice, “I think that everyone should have participated in spirit day today because everyone has black in their closet so it shouldn’t have been hard. I wore black today because I wanted to show support and set an example”
Sophomore Timothy Kim wore black and remarked “I wore black because I support Black History Month and think it’s important.”
Many students stated they didn’t particularly celebrate black history month but more recognized it in appreciation.
As a black man learning about history and where he came from, Baraka vocalized, “I intend to educate myself on more of black history throughout the month.”
Black History month is a special commemoration for so many Black people. Wherever they are from and whatever their culture and background is.