Black History Month

BRIGID BYRNES ‘24

Every February, the United States recognizes Black History Month, which aims to uplift Black voices past and present and honor the struggles and legacies of African Americans by their works in Civil Rights, social justice, the arts, athletics, and scientific advancements. These are some of the pillars that we as a nation celebrate annually during Black History Month.

Black History Month has been officially recognized since 1976 by President Gerald Ford when he called on Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” However even before this recognition, “Negro History Week,” created by Black historian and author, Dr. Carter G.Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, had been celebrated since 1926 in the second week of February to coincide with Frederick Douglass’ and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays. Each year, a specific theme is chosen by the sitting President in order to highlight specialized struggles and triumphs of Black Americans. The 2023 theme is “Black Resistance,” which aims to bring awareness to the ways in which African Americans have fought back against violence, discrimination and oppression throughout American history.

A number of meaningful events took place at Ursuline to celebrate the month. Notably, Ms. Syntyché Francella guided the 9th, 10th and 11th grades in a conversation through movement titled “Rest as Revolution, ‘’ which emphasized the importance of rest as empowerment and as a necessary tool in our functioning as changemakers. Our Black Essence Club was at the center of the school-wide celebration by planning events and activities for the whole school community to participate in. Every morning we heard from club members on the morning announcements as they read a brief bio of an influential Black woman. To highlight the literary works of Black writers and poets, Black Essence Club displayed a plethora of poems and writings throughout the school with bios on each person, written by NEHS writing tutors. To celebrate Black culture through food, our cafeteria offered a special menu on February 15th, serving an original Jamaican dish, jerk chicken with coconut rice and peas. All of these events enthusiastically brought our school community together to learn about, honor and celebrate Black History!