February’s Black History Month is also celebrated in Canada and during October in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The first Black History Month in the United States was officially recognized in February of 1976 by President Gerald Ford. Because of this, some of those on campus take the time to celebrate the month, a poster being set up in the quad to serve as a reminder for those on campus of the importance of Black heritage. Especially those who are among their peers and faculty.
On campus, this month is acknowledged by Principal Charles Park. While the Associated Student Body (ASB) is in charge of setting up most events on campus, Christine Vo was not available at this time.
“ASB and our leadership, they are going to do recognition. In terms of recognition, our students were making posters, there’s announcements,” Park said.
Former ASB Commissioner of Events, senior Branden Scott Lee had been in charge of the events for Black History Month before being removed for a separate incident.
“From what we had planned for Black History Month event, we were gonna have cream puffs that we were gonna pass out for Black History Month. We’re also gonna have the jazz band for Mr. O, the jazz band ensemble. They’re gonna come onto a circle stage and do a little performance,” Lee said.
As a Black teacher on campus, Autumn Ramos has her own beliefs as to what the month dedicated to her people means to her, emphasizing it as being a reminder for how far things have improved.
“It’s dedicated to… remembering Black history and just how far we’ve come and the growth that’s happened and also just a time to really embrace the culture… having time to appreciate it and think about it more because I feel like on the day-to-day, you kind of forget about it as time goes on. But it’s a month where you really sit and ponder and you’re grateful for how much has changed,” Ramos said.
(Ruth Hernandez)
The number of Black students on campus is minute in comparison to other race groups. As of 2023 to 2024, the California Department of Education (CDE) had reported that the percentage of African-American students on campus to be a total of 1.7%.
Some Black students honor Black History Month off campus and in their own ways.
“I take time to appreciate my family more, our culture, soul food, for instance, that’s something that’s kind of rooted through slavery, but it kind of reminds us that we’ve overcome this hardship,” sophomore Kendall Hunter said.
Park has wanted to open the floor for student feedback for references to improve future Black History Month celebrations on campus.
“I think that’s a good idea to ask students, what do you think about the celebration? What are the things that we can do to improve it?” Park said.
