Civil rights activists speak for Barnum Hall

In honor of Black History Month, Samo’s Black Student Union (BSU) collaborated with Samo college counselor Ernesto Flores and Principal Antonio Shelton, to invite speakers Attorney Clarence B. Jones, Cesar Chavez’s grandson Andres Chavez, Los Angeles Urban League of Young Professionals president Danielle King and playwright Rain Wilson on Feb. 28 to share their experiences with Samo students and inspire the youth the actively participate in shaping their future.  Jones and the other speaker’s work as parts of the Gateway Educational Foundation which organizes presentations by iconic historical figures through their “Passing the Torch to America's Youth.” They hoped to empower Samo students and students from three other area high schools, Legacy High School, Environmental Charter High School, and Hawthorne High School, and shed light on the importance of honoring history’s accomplished predecessors.  The assembly began with an introductory video portraying the opinions of various professionals and individuals alive to witness the Civil Rights Movement piloted by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Even before the special guests began their speeches, students were exposed to the importance of celebrating Black History Month and had the opportunity to be put into the situation to give context to ideas that would be explained later.  The first speaker, Wilson, performed an original spoken word poetry piece titled “I Feed You Defiance.” Wilson is a female, African-American playwright and artist. This composition included both a musical and visual aspect. A continuous drumline beat as Samo students Carmen Casillas (’19), Crystal Lewis (’19), Sophie Glasser (’19) and Natalia Jovovich (´20) portrayed their interpretations of the lyrics through dance.  As the assembly continued, Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s (MLK) speech writer and personal attorney Attorney Clarence Jones began his speech. Throughout his speech, Jones emphasized the importance of the youth’s voice in government and power that one must possess to instigate change in America. He reflected on his experiences and multitude of encounters with his personal friend MLK. Jones was one of only two people granted to visit MLK during his days in Birmingham Jail when MLK was arrested for protesting the treatment of African Americans in Birmingham, Ala. Jones smuggled MLK pencils and paper to write his famous letter, “The Negro is Your Brother,” better known as “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” in April of 1963. Jones also wrote the first seven paragraphs of one of history’s most popular and monumental speeches, MLK’s “I Have a Dream.”  After Jones preached for hard work and unity, Andres Chavez took the stage. Andres Chavez is a Latino activist, Caesar Chavez’s grandson and president of The Cesar E. Chavez nonprofit organization. He lead the audience in the “Union Clap,” a clapping sequence where the group continuously gains speed and enthusiasm while chanting “ĺSí Se Puede!”  Following the two speakers was an open panel Q&A with Jones, Chavez and King. Two students asked questions, one of which sparked controversy throughout the audience and among Samo students for days after the assembly. The student questioned the rationale for a Black History Month and not a White History Month. He wanted to know why, from Jones’ point of view, there is justification for not celebrating our significant white ancestors and heroes. Clarence explained how based on his upbringing and experiences throughout life as a lawyer, he claims that “no matter how well intended, every white person in America is presumed to be racist until proven otherwise.” Samo Principal Dr. Antonio Shelton who had been screening the questions before he handed the microphone to students expressed disappointment that the student asked a question that had not been approved. “I do not want to devalue anyone’s opinions or their questions, but I did not think it (the question) was appropriate for the setting for the event that was occurring and for the majority of the audience that was there. We had three schools that participated and it was a beautiful opportunity to celebrate and not debate,” Shelton said.Despite the conflict at the end, many students reported leaving the assembly feeling empowered . ¨I think hearing from someone that not only knew MLK personally, but also made great strides in the fight for civil rights himself, really put the history of our nation into perspective. It was incredible to hear from someone that was a part of such a defining moment in history and hear about his thought process and the struggles he faced and I believe that is something every student could benefit from hearing about,” BSU President Dahlia Michael (’19) said.