Since 1976, Black History Month in February has been acknowledged as a commemorative month that gives visibility to businesses, individuals, and more that are helping to diminish systemic racism. Our school honors Black History Month in a few ways, but there are certain changes to be made to increase awareness about the history of the month. History teachers honor the legacy of individuals who have paved the way for progress. Arcata High also has an active Black Student Union (BSU).
BSU officer Lela Broughton acknowledges that America systemically ignores history that paints our “founders” in a bad light. “We ignore the effects, the dark realities, and the severity of the impacts on the Black communities,” Broughton said.
At our school, “Black History Month provides an opportunity to highlight contributions, struggles, and achievements that might not always get enough attention in the standard curriculum. This can include analyzing primary sources, discussing key figures and movements, watching documentaries, and connecting historical events to modern issues. The goal is to foster critical thinking and a deeper understanding of history’s complexity,” Jeff Mielke, a history teacher at AHS, said.
After returning back to school post President’s Break, BSU will be presenting at an assembly for the whole school. Broughton gives the following advice to people who want to celebrate Black History Month, even if they don’t identify as Black: “Educate yourselves, hear stories from Black people, from their community, from the media, idolize people from movies. It’s important to look back on Black History because without our history, none of us would be here.”
The Black Student Union unveiled a mural last year dedicated to David Josiah Lawson, a University student whose murder case was inappropriately handled by the Arcata Police Department. The mural not only represented Lawson but was to showcase the love held by the small but strong Black community at Arcata High School. Although we have started doing important work, critical changes need to be made to continue it. Northern Humboldt Union School District (NHUSD) and the surrounding districts must be committed to growth and change.
“Strengthening student support systems, increasing resources for teachers, and ensuring curriculum inclusivity are always valuable goals. Open dialogue between staff, students, and administration can help identify specific areas for growth,” Mielke said.
