At Rooted School Indianapolis, these students look ahead to a new vision of what Black History Month could be.
The Indianapolis Recorder caught up with several students from Rooted to talk about what they believe the future of Black History Month should be.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Name: Caleb Harris
Grade: 12
Black history inspirations: The Black Panther Party, Malcolm X, Huey P. Newton
“I didn’t know the (Black Panthers) were one of the main powers behind free breakfast for every child. They’re the reason why we have free breakfast for children today. They were behind a lot of different things that we have today that people don’t know.”
The future of Black History Month:
“I would like to learn more about the earlier time of Black history in Africa before people came here. People only know that we were first brought as slaves. Our history is very erased. (There’s) really no history between what we accomplished. I feel like there shouldn’t just be Black History Month. I feel like there should be more to celebrate or remember.”
Caleb’s wish list:
- Learn Black history every day.
- Visit different locations like the homes of enslaved people to connect with people more.
- Give people hands-on experiences and sit down with people who lived through important moments in Black history.
Name: Yazmin Fleming
Grade: 9
Black history inspirations: Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Barack Obama, Tupac
The future of Black History Month:
“I would want (to learn) more. I just want to understand our history and want to be able to know so if I do have to go through things like that, I’ll know how to react.”
Yazmin’s wish list:
- Going on field trips for hands-on experiences such as visiting Black history museums.
Name: Nascere Coffey (not pictured)
Grade: 12
Black history inspirations: Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Nascere’s wish list:
- People should show more support in teaching and learning Black history.
- Black history should be taught multiple times each school year.
Name: Zhoie Woods
Grade: 7
Black history inspirations: Her mother and father
What she learned from her parents:
“They taught me to always be kind to other people because you don’t know what they’re going through. And if you’re hardworking, God will bless you, and you will have a better life.”
The future of Black History Month:
“(It should not be) just one month. If we did it throughout the year, that would be better.”
Zhoie’s wish list:
- Learn about different historical figures, not the same people they learn about every year.
- Learning Black history all year long.
Name: Aaron Williams
Grade: 11
Black history inspirations: Chadwick Boseman, Malcolm X
“(Malcolm X) showed us that through all the trials and tribulation that we can stand up as a people.”
The future of Black History Month:
“We could try visiting sites that represent Black History Month, where events went down. For example, I went to the Crispus Attucks Museum. They show a lot of Black history there. They show how Black people were really treated and how it’s watered down and how slavery really was.”
Why learning Black history still matters:
“I’m always taught the reason we even learn about history is so it doesn’t repeat itself. So, I think it’s important for everyone to learn about Black history, and we can learn about our legacy and what we really went through to reach the point where we are right now.”
Aaron’s wish list:
- Visiting museums that highlight Black history.
Rooted is a charter school housed within the east side campus of Eastern Star Church in Indianapolis. The school serves students in grades seven through 12. Learn more about Rooted at rootedschoolindy.org.
Contact Editor-in-Chief Camike Jones at camikej@indyrecorder.com or 317-762-7850.
Camike Jones is the Editor-in-Chief of the Indianapolis Recorder. Born and raised in Indianapolis, Jones has a lifelong commitment to advocacy and telling stories that represent the community.
