samo CELEBRATES black history month
Kamerin Shakir / The Samohi
From left to right BSU members Marley Cortez (‘24), Zoe Alexander (‘24) , Aliyah Williams (‘24) , and Reign Snowden (‘24) sell Valentines Day grams during lunch in the Innovation Quad. assisted by one of the BSU advisors, Lewis Alexander.
Black History Month is a yearly celebration taking place in February that highlights the achievements of African-Americans and the significance of the roles played in American history. This year Samo's very own Black Student Union (BSU) holds many exciting events to commemorate this exciting month. The club aims to pay tribute to the cultural heritage, ascendancy and adversities that have a massive effect on our country's history.
BSU members, including Club Vice President Kara Best ('24), emphasized the importance of celebrating Black History month and what their celebrations stood for.
“It’s important to celebrate Black History Month because Black history is American history," Best said. "We helped build monuments… hip hop, rock n' roll and R&B: all are black founded and all hold such an influence on our world today. And those are small compared to the real sacrifices African-Americans have made to American history.”
Black History Month is a time to honor and celebrate the extraordinary achievements and contributions of Black individuals, whose resilience, courage and determination have shaped and enriched our world. BSU does just that as they are also holding a special culture event on Tuesday, Feb. 13 in the Innovation Quad. According to BSU Secretary Zoey Alexander ('24), BSU is also celebrating Black History Month with a spirit week from Feb. 12 to Feb. 16, where each day signifies a different achievement made by African-American individuals.
“Spirit week begins with Me Monday which represents being yourself," Alexander said. "Then Culture Day Tuesday which represents all Black cultures, White Lies Wednesday where people show up with a white t-shirt saying any appropriate lie, Throwback Thursday which represents throwbacks from all different black eras and Blackout Friday which represents Black pride.”
Traditional celebrations for Black History Month began in 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. Carter G. Woodson, the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History is known as the creator of Black History Month. Previously known as “Negro History Week,” by the late 1960s thanks to the part the Civil Rights movement and a growing awareness of Black identity, "Negro History Week" had evolved into Black History Month on many college campuses and eventually the country as a whole. The dedication and hard work of Woodson and many other Civil Rights activists toward the cause led us to a yearly, month-long celebration which is held every February.
As we reflect on the significance of Black History Month, let us continue to recognize, appreciate and amplify the voices, stories and legacies of Black individuals who have paved the way for a more inclusive and equitable future. Do your part in the celebration by showing up and showing out during spirit week and the other events held to celebrate this exciting month.