This is an editorial – The “voice of the paper.” Editorials reflect the newspaper’s official positions on issues. (Sydnie Barrett)
This is an editorial – The “voice of the paper.” Editorials reflect the newspaper’s official positions on issues. (Sydnie Barrett)

Continue the legacy

February 28, 2022

Black History Month has been recognized in the US since 1976. Relegating the importance of Black Americans’ historical contributions to a single month is our nation’s pitiful attempt at making amends to the community. Black History Month has its roots in Negro History Week, the brainchild of Carter G. Woodson in 1926. His intent was to create a greater public knowledge of the Black American community’s rich history.

As we have grown up reading textbooks about the revolutionaries who fought for rights and freedoms for Black people, it’s easy to think that the fight against racism ended with the civil rights unit of our American history classes.

In reality, history is still being made as we speak. From political to artistic sectors, the Black community has thrived and excelled in the modern world and will continue to shape the future. Our generation has spearheaded many major social changes, and someday our descendants will be reading textbooks about people we walk these halls with everyday.

As a school newspaper, it is our job to tell the stories of our diverse community, and we strive to accurately represent that in every issue we publish. This month, we are taking the opportunity to honor the original vision of Black History Month by showcasing the stories of our own community’s Black history makers.

We understand that it is impossible to cover Black History Month without acknowledging that our country’s Black history started with violence, death, and subjugation and has been plagued by injustice ever since, with no end in sight. Despite this, Black people have continuously beat the odds by breaking through the glass ceiling and succeeding in all aspects of social, artistic, educational, throughout history.

We encourage everyone to educate themselves on all sides of history. Go beyond the lecture notes and test questions; find something new to challenge your perception of history, be mindful of the biases of your sources, check your own biases, and learn to celebrate the successes of our society while also recognizing inequality and continue standing up for what you believe in.

You are more than the epilogue of our ancestors’ story; there is still much more history to be made.

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