Remembering the FALLEN
Black History Month has been a celebrated event ever since 1976, when Dr. Carter Woodson proposed a time to celebrate all of the African American figures and achievements in the past. This month is meant to appreciate and remember all of the people who fought for civil rights and what they believed in from the past to the present. Some students and staff at South have their own meaning of Black History Month. “It is a time for just us as people and not just a laughing stock anymore,” said Lauren Moore, freshman. Fighting for what people believe in got America to what it is today. People like Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks are the people that come to mind when talking about civil rights. Their stories will fall into the history books for all time and students will continue to read and be inspired by their stories. “I most look up to Rosa Parks. She proved that all people have rights and we are not just people on the side of the street,” said Moore. Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up her seat on a bus. A white man stepped on the bus and the white section was full, so the bus driver demanded that the four African Americans sitting behind the white section move so the man could sit. Parks quietly refused to give up her seat and was arrested for violating Jim Crow Laws. Parks had to spend the night in jail but had a lifetime of achievement. That summer the buses were boycotted. “Now we celebrate black history. I’ve never really thought what is means to me,” said Jacquez Carter, junior. Many students take time this month to ponder its meaning to them personally, also thinking about what they
take for granted and try not to forget the people that fought for the rights and freedoms that were fought for in the past. “I really look up to President Obama. He changed history being the first black president,” said Carter. Barack Obama is a active part of the African American Caucus or the A.A.C. The A.A.C. also hosts democratic campaigns and things of that nature. “A.A.C. is a group to empower young African American students in all aspects of life, academically and socially,” said Adrian Singletary, social studies, who spoke at the African American Caucus on the topic of discussion at the meetings. The African American Caucus is a community based organization, stretching all across the country. There are also organizations such as this for positions of power like congressman and other state legislation, as well as the clergy like the Rev. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and of course Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “I think that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision for the world to change is coming to fruition. More equality for any race and gender,” said Singletary. The A.A.C. is making their move into the White House with president Obama being a member. The A.A.C. is a influential part in many African American young people’s lives. Their first meeting at South was in late January “I went and they talked about not conforming to what people think and living up to our expectations,” said Moore. Black History Month brings up mixed emotions. Feelings of sadness and rejoicing for the people who stood up and fought for what they believed in. African American history is a subject that seems to be a subject in most history classes across the nation as those events had a hand in the shaping of America. —CODY MEADE