Colonie High School Students Hope for More Recognition on Black History Month

By D. Jones

February 14, 2023

(Colonie, NY) On Wednesday, February 1, Black History Month began; this kicked off the 47th year of the month being federally recognized. Despite efforts of the Black Student Union, around Colonie High School, students and faculty wish more was done within the school to celebrate this month.

Colonie’s Black Student Union is holding weekly meetings during February to discuss what the month means to them and to brainstorm ideas to present to the school on plans for future Black History Months.

Mrs. Richardson, Colonie High’s history teacher and advisor for the Black Student Union, expressed that in previous years the BSU has decorated display cases and made morning announcements. These announcements contained quotes to educate peers on African American achievements during the month of February. This year, the BSU has offered the school a decorated display case dedicated to important black figures.

However, students like Ujoylyn Gause still do not believe actions taken this year are enough.

“Black history month is a big deal nowadays, especially with racism still going on, so they need to recognize that,” Gause said.

Gause transferred to Colonie High school from Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School. At Ravena-Coeyman-Selkirk, Gause recalled dressing up as historical black figures during the month of February.

Sony Kaleel, a senior who attends Colonie High School, could not recount anything Colonie has done for Black History Month.

“I wish they did more here, that we didn’t have to do ourselves, or have to beg them to do,” Kaleel says.

Like Gause, Kaleel has also transferred to Colonie from a previous school. At Kaleel’s old school, Lincoln High School in Jersey City, they celebrated Black History Month by listening to their principal rap during the morning announcements.

Naomi Kayemba, president of the BSU, hopes to speak with administration with ideas for the future of Black History Months at Colonie.

“I think it is very much needed to appreciate black people in all aspects of our lives,” Kayemba says.

“It means honoring and understanding where black people have come from and what we have been through, it doesn’t have to always be negative because we have a lot of successes in our past as well,” Kaleel said when asked what Black History Month means to her.

Richardson expressed her opinion by stating departments other than history should celebrate and educate about black history month. Students attend school to learn, so teachers are the ones who should educate and show appreciation to black culture while also teaching their students.

“I feel like as a history teacher I’m also teaching American history, which includes black history, so I feel like it’s a year long thing for me,” Richardson said.

Kaleel also has her own ideas for teachers to celebrate Black History Month. She gave an example of how English teachers could add a black author into their curriculum during the month of February.

Consequently, not showing appreciation to the month has its own effects. Students could begin to feel isolated and unappreciated, potentially making the kids unmotivated to attend school because they feel that they do not matter in that environment.

Nationwide, Black History Month is recognized and celebrated. Through the efforts and plans of the Black Student Union, they hope to spread more awareness and celebrations through the school.