In honor of the last few days of Black History Month, I wanted to express and celebrate Black pride at Santiago by interviewing a few faculty members to get their perspectives on the significance of the month. Coach Ford, our basketball coach, and PE teacher, Mr. Samson, our Assistant Principal, Mr. Shaw, another assistant principal, Mr. San Angelo, a Social Studies teacher, and Mr. Solis, a digital photography teacher, were among those I chose to question.

I gave the Members the option of answering one of three questions.

Is there a significant historical Black woman who inspires/ Interests you? How about a Black woman from today?

What does Black History Month mean to you, and how important do you think it is?

Are there any Black prominent figures who have spoken out about mental health who have inspired you?

These were their responses

Our Very Own Coach Ford, Basketball coach, and Pe Teacher,
What does Black History Month mean to you, and how important do you think it is?

Black History Month is really important to me. Sometimes I get upset because it’s the shortest month, and then we are only recognized as a race for a short period of time instead of throughout the year. Sometimes I make sure to take time and reflect. I spend this time and reflect on my grandma because for it it is a reflection because see she was a part of the slave day but she never taught any of us to succumb to slavery or to prejudices towards other races. It’s a time of gratitude, it’s a time to realize that even though society may not understand this as important this month. It’s Important to help us not forget what our ancestors went through. And even though some people don’t wanna recognize slavery is real and that there were no reparations provided to the Black race. Overall I think it’s important to keep our legacy alive as Black people.

Is there a significant historical Black woman who inspires/ Interests you?

My Grandmother. Wilma Young, because she had the courage to leave Alabama at the age of fourteen to avoid all the racial tensions going on in the south, and without her, our family routes wouldn’t be in California. She taught us all to be strong, family-oriented, independent, compassionate, positive, she taught us how to overcome adversity, She taught the woman to be a woman and the man to be a man. She raised 13 children and at last count this was 110 grandkids and she took part in raising all of them.

Are there any Black prominent figures from today who inspirés you?

Muhammad Ali- Always. Muhammad Ali was the voice of the Black people. And he showed strength and let the world know that despite all the negative stuff that happened to Black people to African Americans, He was able to overcome it. He inspired a race, Black ace, and other races. He’s probably the most influential Black athlete ever. Muhammud taught me, Never to succumb to the negative pressures, and to always realize that hard work and straight, can’t nobody stop you from being successful

Keep hope alive-

Mr. Samson, our Assistant Principal answered,

Is there a significant historical Black woman who inspires/ Interests you?

Debbie Allen- because she broke tons of barriers with being a Black performer. She’s opened up a bunch of studios to help Black young dancers in the field become more prevalent in the arts community. She has one in Compton or somewhere in the LA area where she supports the community and really tries to uplift the next generation of Black performers. She was the one that tried to break the barriers of putting Black performers in ballet, and like having them push themselves into different dance cultures.

What does Black History Month mean to you, and how important do you think it is?

Black History Month is Important to me because the Black community has just been engrained with being “Secondary” and through America’s natural history of like slavery and such its important because theyŕe are so many prevalent people that did make an impact because of our natural history with America that they were overlooked for their contributions. SO it’s not something that “White america¨ Knows because it’s not something that was just not taught.

So is important and it’s important for us to understand biases and for us to be open to know what those are I love the opportunity to any kind of minority, whether it be Black Hispanic, LGBT, Islam, whatever it is because that was the whole point of America when it was founded so we have to make It upon us to make sure that everyone is featured and recognized for their contributions to make America what it is.

Are there any Black prominent figures who have spoken out about mental health who have inspired you?

I don’t know if it’s necessarily a particular person or if they’ve necessarily spoken about mental health, but one that comes to mind for me is Oprah and just all the things that she 1. Overcome as a Black woman in an industry that was difficult to navigate as a Black woman but Also all the things she’s done now like hosting book clubs and stuff. And when I think about all that stuff, it’s things that I align to. Having the ability to see someone that’s mainstream that’s prevalent in the community explodes outstanding qualities.

Mr. Shaw, another assistant principal said,

Is there a significant historical Black woman who inspires/ Interests you?

Maya Angelo- I’m an English teacher at heart and I love her works and her literature. I think she’s inspirational. I think her themes when she’s writing can really connect people of different cultures and backgrounds. I enjoy teaching her in my classrooms and I think that kids make good connections to her literature and her themes. I think she’s inspirational for kids today.

What does Black History Month mean to you, and how important do you think it is?

I think it’s important to celebrate the Black experience in America so we can foster a deeper connection so that we can learn from the mistakes of the past and not repeat them

Mr. San Angelo, a Social Studies teacher said,

Is there a significant historical Black woman who inspires/ Interests you?

Uh yea Tubman, Harriet Tubman, that was huge. What did she save 1000 lives or more? She was what helped get your ancestry to freedom. She’s a little brave tiny girl too. She has tenacity. That’s where sisters get it from. I’m pissed off because she’s not even 20 yet. Harriet Tubman is the goat.

What does Black History Month mean to you, and how important do you think it is?

I think you know growing up, and m 60 years old, Gowin up in Montana we didn’t have a lot of African Americans up there matter fact we had none. When I came to California in high school to play football, I became friends with Black people so I wasn’t taught racism. Racism is taught that nobody’s born racist. They taught we were different instead of the same. The importance of Black history month is because we learn that you cry, you bleed, you hurt, you love. It helps us know that we’re all the same.

Are there any Black prominent figures who have spoken out about mental health who have inspired you?

I was gonna say Michelle Obama because she’s the one that’s big in mental health. That’s a bad** woman. So I’ll go Michelle because she is the most prominent figure out there. There needs to be more, If Michelle Obama is the poster child, where are all the Black leaders that need to talk about Black mental health. I mean we talk about the mental health of the gay and LGBT community, we do suicide prevention but what about talking about things like trans-Black women’s rights. We don’t talk about the stress of the everyday Black person.

Mr. Solis, a digital photography teacher said,
Is there a significant historical Black woman who inspires/ Interests you?

Harriet Thumban because she left it all on the line because she risked everything and I don’t know if I would be able to do that Like it’s inspirational to me.

How about a Black woman from today?

Michelle Obama- I think she’s inspirational as well, she carries herself in such an elegant way but I think she’s a great role model as well

What does Black History Month mean to you, and how important do you think it is?

I think it’s really important because there’s a lot of their history that is also American history and as far as Black history month goes, it’s a chance to celebrate people of color

After interviewing these men I was glad to know that while society as a whole sometimes disagrees with black history and the importance of it, at least Black students at Santiago can be comforted in experiencing their Blackness at Santiago.