Maintaining a Legacy

Crispus Attucks Students Talk School History

Imagine walking through a building where every wall and every corridor has something on display that truly inspires you. Imagine learning that this building has produced surgeons, teachers, scientists, politicians, world-class musicians, and hall of fame athletes. Then imagine being told that it is now up to you to carry on the traditions and add to its legacy. Google Crispus Attucks High School and you will begin to understand its historical significance and the cultural contributions that thousands of students who walked through its doors help forge for nearly a century. If you were a Crispus Attucks student, do you think living up to that kind of info could be stressful? We sat down with several current students and inquired about the stress of living up to a legacy.

Q. What do you know about Crispus Attucks history and its legacy?

I know a lot, especially hearing a lot even when I wasn’t attending the school. I know more about sports because I am a sports type of guy. Big names like Oscar Robinson, Hallie Bryant, and Nike Sibande etc… -Antonio J. 17

Crispus Attucks High School was built on the acts and feelings of hatred. Prior to Crispus Attucks being built there were very few black students going to the high schools in Indianapolis. But, when black people started moving to the north from the south the high schools in Indianapolis faced a problem. White people did not want black students in the same school as them. They claimed that black people had contagious diseases such as tuberculosis and more. So, they built a school just for black students. Contrary to the whites’ expectations, the school became prosperous. The students graduated with a great education and became successful and noble individuals. Crispus Attucks High School legacy is a perfect image of everlasting grit. -Faith 17

I know it was one of the first black schools, it was named after Crispus Attucks. Built during the time the KKK ran Indiana and it was designed to fail. -Antonio M. 18

Attucks was the first public African American school built in Indianapolis. Crispus Attucks High School is named after Crispus Attucks, a black man that was killed in the middle of the Boston Massacre. -Nakia 17

Q. What were your initial thoughts when you walked into the building as a first-year high school student?

My initial thoughts walking into Attucks was thinking about how big the school was compared to my last school. Walking the halls and gazing through all the pictures of the Alumni was amazing especially seeing family members. I also wondered how I was going to meet new people and play sports. -Antonio J. 17

I thought to myself “wow, this school is huge!” I noticed graduate classes that were dated back to before my mother and I were born. I had no idea about the history of the school when I got here. -Faith, 17 The first thing that caught my eye was the class photos of previous seniors, I was impressed by how far back they went. Another thing that I clearly remember is the vibe I got, all that history. -Antonio M. 18

I was nervous but honored to be a part of the history and legacy of Attucks. Seeing everyone’s pictures on the wall knowing the struggle they went through to go to school and knowing they walked the same halls as I have, makes me appreciate school more. -Nakia 17

Q. Can you describe the school spirit?

The school spirit is amazing! From the staff to students, everyone represents the school in their own way. We have a lot of activities where everyone can get involved and it feels like we are one big family. -Antonio J. 17

I believe the school spirit has declined compared to the past classes that graduated. When I watched the documentary on Attucks I saw how all the alumni were so excited to be Tigers. They went to games and supported one another. I can say for my class, we do not share the same amount of enthusiasm that the alumni had. I believe that school spirit and pride are important and vital to carrying on the Crispus Attucks legacy. -Faith 17

To me, Attucks pride is how we carry ourselves. The Attucks spirit is showing up to games and cheering as loud as we can. It’s also making sure our voices are heard in class and at school meetings. -Antonio M. 18

I believe the class of 2020 has the best school spirit. We all try to represent Attucks in the best way, inside and outside of school. We are proud to be a part of Attucks Tigers Legacy. -Nakia 17

Q. Tell us about famous alumni who graduated from Crispus Attucks. What do you know about them?

For me, that would be my aunt. She had a big influence on me and is an Attucks graduate along with my sister who is hardworking and very intelligent. The famous tigers I know about are Oscar Robertson, who was a great basketball legend and also Nike Sibande who has a big name in Attucks history. -Antonio J. 17

I’ve heard of Oscar Robertson: NBA star, Arthur L. Carter: Tuskegee Airmen, Harry W. Brooks, Jr.: Major General in the U.S. Army and David Baker: jazz musician. -Faith 17

I know the famous basketball player Oscar Roberson graduated from here, of course, Crispus Attucks the first man killed on the American Revolution is why the school got its name. -Antonio M. 18

I don’t know any famous alumni by name but I do know that when older graduates come back to visit Attucks, they feel at home. Seeing our generation sitting in the seats that they once had makes them proud. -Nakia 17

Q. What does it mean to be an Attucks of Tiger?

Being an Attucks Tiger means being a leader, all-around Scholar and representing the school in a great way. -Antonio J. 17

For me, it's being part of a legacy. I feel inspired when I walk through the halls to strive for greatness. I feel blessed to know how far we have come along as a school and nation. It feels great to know that I am being offered opportunities that older alumni were denied. When I have spoken with older alumni, I could tell that Attucks Tiger pride is really in their hearts. That’s a good feeling! -Faith 17

Being an Attucks Tiger means representing our alumni with the utmost respect, and maintain this historic building. It means we are responsible to keep this legacy intact and to make our past alumni proud. -Antonio M. 18

To be being an Attucks Tiger means representing this school wherever I go. I feel a need to represent Attucks because my auntie, grandma, and sister are proud graduates. Attucks has so much history, I am honored knowing that this is my school and my face will be on the wall along with my class when I graduate. -Nakia 17

Q. Do you feel any pressure or stress to live up to or maintain the legacy that the students before you built?

Not much. But listening and seeing how this school changed and how the school involved in this city is nice. -Antonio J. 17

Knowing the history of excellence of Attucks, yes. Learning how much the older alumni were denied is heartbreaking. Now that I have opportunities that they never had makes me want to go even harder. I want to be an example and show that their pain and hard work will not go in vain. -Faith 17

Definitely some! We want to make the older alumni proud. We want to maintain this school so future students can also be proud of Crispus Attucks. As I will, they can also look back at this school and say, "That's where I graduated from." -Antonio M. 18

Antonio J

No. Attucks alone has its history and every student in the building is building more history into the Attucks legacy. -Nakia 17

Nakia

Antonio M

Faith

Q. Let’s say using a time machine we were able to put every graduate since 1927 in a football stadium. It’s now your turn to walk to the podium and address the crowd as everyone looks at you. What would you say to the former students who established the Crispus Attucks legacy that you've had the opportunity to maintain during your time as a student?

Seeing everyone's face looking down at me, happy to see me succeed and accomplish great things, I would be lost for words. I might even shed a tear at how beautiful that moment would be. -Antonio J. 17

I would say, “Thank you for proving everyone wrong. Thank you for blessing me with a foundation to become somebody.” -Faith 17

I know I wouldn't be able to do this interview without the blood sweat and tears they put into this school. I would look around the stadium and say thank you! -Antonio M. 18

I would say thank you for creating this proud legacy that is now a part of my future. -Nakia 17

These students have a clear understanding of the history associated with their high school. One day their pictures will be added to the walls of class graduates, and they will become a part of the proud legacy of the great Crispus Attucks Tigers.

We would like to thank the following people for arranging the student interviews: Carrie Cline Black & Alpha Garrett (Indianapolis Public Schools Communications) and Lauren Franklin, Principal & Brittany Burnett, executive assistant at Crispus Attucks High School