Over the month of February, the District took part in many exciting events for Black History Month. These events include the Anti-Racism Youth Summit, Black History pro-D sessions, presentations with the African Descent Society and Black history lessons with District resource teacher, Raman Gill.
In addition to these events, another inspiring student-led initiative was launched by the District's alternative education program, Total Education. These students formed a Black student union (BSU) to celebrate the Black community. The group was formed on February 1 to mark the first day of Black History Month and includes three very passionate Grade 12 girls. Throughout the month, the trio strongly encouraged students in Total Education to join the BSU, and not just for the month of February and the BSU hopes to continue their work with the Black community, throughout the school year.
Thanks to the BSU, the school has done so much to celebrate Black History Month. Check out our interview with them for details:
What is the Black Student Union at Total Education all about?
We are a union. We are a family that stands as a strong force within Total Education to make sure our history is being told and our people's voices are being heard. We come together and reflect on our peoples, our ancestors and our family's hardships and accomplishments. We create events within the school to educate the uneducated. We are becoming more vocal than ever, preaching our culture and elaborating on topics such as "the n word" or how our fluffy hair works. We show a strong sense of unity as we walk the halls and hang our people's words on the wall, and that's why we are a union.
- Olivia, Grade 12
Why did you decide to join the Black History Month student union?
It was more of a natural thing to create and join BSU. We are women of colour with open minds, knowledge of self and strong voices that see each other's potential to make a change. Our school is small and full of open ears. We are the future. It's so important for our voices to be heard and so our voices you will hear.
- Antonia, Grade 12
How is the BSU celebrating Black History Month?
Total Education is celebrating Black History Month by having Black educators and artists come into the school, such as Chantal Gibson and Parker Johnson. We have them tell their story and how they are currently making a trademark in Black history. They have done hands-on activities and have opened minds of the students in so many different ways. We recognize Black artists, civil rights leaders, poets, dancers, politicians, actors and so on by placing their picture on the wall. Random Fun facts of significant Black people in history along with some of their quotes are found through our halls. We have done an intro assembly to Black History Month as we will be doing an outro to our 'Black Out Week' fighting against police brutality on February 28, 2020. In our classes, we have noticed that some of the teachers have naturally adapted to Black History Month and include activities having to do with Black leaders and afro art.
- Amina, Grade 12
What do you know about Black History Month?
Black History Month is a month in which we remember the history of our people... the inventions, the struggle, the amazing people who fought for us, the racism, and the remembrance of simply where we came from. We never have got a single day through the last 11-12 years of school to learn about who and where we come from. So, I guess we will take the shortest month of the year to celebrate, teach and learn from each other and with each other. We are Black every month of the year. And a month is never enough, but we have just these 29 days to scream it loud and proud and we will be seen.
- Antonia, Grade 12
Why do you think Black History is an important topic?
Black people have always been unheard for as far as history goes back. We came from royalty until the Europeans came and looked at us as a joke. We became Unheard... Muted... invisible.... irrelevant. Our history has been blurred and rearranged. The white men contradict themselves as we don't give them credit for our freedom, because in reality we were never really free. We speak for our ancestors who couldn't, we speak for those who didn't know how to, we speak for those who were beat to death if spoken a word, we speak for us, for our future and for the knowledge of the children amongst us.
- Antonia, Grade 12
Can you name a Black historical figure that inspires you?
Malcolm X has inspired all of us. There was no holding back for him and he would do anything it took for his voice to be heard. His skin wasn't a crime and he preached that. He survived a rough childhood & took the ignorance he dealt with and created a powerhouse. From the beginning of time Black people were forced to just accept the hate. Our colour was something to be ashamed of and there was nothing we would do about it, because if we did it would be another Black man dead or a Black woman raped. Malcolm fought through the pain. He bled an open wound and spoke his truth, not only for him but for his people. He was a man that moved mountains and think about what history would be without him.
- Olivia, Grade 12
