On The Spots feature community members’ perspectives on relevant topics.
On The Spot: Students’ thoughts on Black History Month
Lauren Gardner, Staff Writer
Black History Month takes place in February. It celebrates the diaspora of African cultures and the many different cultures and subgroups of African descent across the world. At the high school, those of African descent shared their experiences and how they continue to evolve and recognize their cultural backgrounds.
Junior Jerusha Rose
“Both my parents are from Nigeria. My mom has always been there to educate me on our culture. All the foods my family eats are of African origins. If there is something happening at church we put on our best African attire and our Gele’s. My mom was a princess when she lived back in Nigeria. So sustaining our culture is very important to her and the same goes for my Dad.” ...
Junior Maison Callicutt
“I identify as black. I am one of the only black kids on the soccer team. You definitely learn how to handle some things. Like when kids ask to touch my hair. It makes me feel uncomfortable, but I have learned that it is a part of who I am and to embrace it.”
Sophomore Kidus Getenet
“I am Ethiopian. Being one of the few blacks I bring diversity to the school which I think is admirable. My parents are my role models because they work hard and have helped me grow into the black individual I am.”
Senior Abigail Omoghobie
“I am Nigerian. I don’t conform to them because I am still me and there is only one me and I am going to be the best person I can be. I am black and proud.”
Junior Austin Marshall
“I identify as African American. I have learned that people are going to try to offend me but no matter what happens to always keep going and ignore it.”
Sophomore Noah Naidoo
“I identify as Indian and African American. Obviously, I am going to be who I am regardless of my community. People might look at us a little differently, but that is just the way it is and how it is at this school. Sometimes they expect certain things out of you being an athlete but that is just the life of being the color you are.”
Sophomore Justin Lewis
“I am Afro-Caribbean and of Jamaican descent. I take pride in standing out and in the way I dress and the way I talk. I take pride in being different.”
Sophomore Daley Phillips
“I take pride in knowing that my experiences are different from theirs. I have more experience and perspective on diversity, and it often clashes because it is harder for them to understand because there not in your shoes and I have a different point of view, but it also has taught me a lot about life and how to adjust to certain areas and situations.”
Sophomore Gharron Sheffield
“I am Afro-Latino. I am El Salvadorian and Black. It feels weird here because everybody does not have the same skin tone as you and I come from South Oak Cliff where there were only a few white people. Coming from an inner-city people to coming to a high school where I am one of the few. I definitely have to change the way I act or what I say or how I behave because I don’t want to be stereotype...
Senior Ty Hall
“I identify as Black and African American. It’s definitely hard to be black at this school because all eyes are on you. We are constantly targeted, it feels like. I feel like because of our skin color we often are recognized more in a negative light. Everyone here tries to act a certain type of way instead of just treating me the same as everyone else. We are put on different spectrums of stere...
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