February is known as Black History Month. Black History Month is a month where we take the time to honor our Black historical figures, helping shape America for what it is today and helping break the Jim Crow laws, so all races can be equal and together. 

In honor of Black History Month, I interviewed four POC students here at Liberty. I spoke strictly to POC students because I wanted their perspective. Seniors Charity Edney and Janet Musangali commented on a few topics

Edney said it’s good to celebrate Black History Month because, “It’s good to spread awareness of all the good things Black people have done in the past, and how it affects us today.” Musangali believes that “our history is too white washed” and history only tells you what they want you to know, meaning Black culture isn’t taught in schools. 

Black History Month is also a time to celebrate the greatness of the Black community, and all the things you don’t hear about. The second person I interviewed was senior Blake Cunningham. He says, “You need to show the importance of Black people through history, and this is a great month to show for it.” Cunningham’s great grandpa also had the first trucking business in Mississippi. The fourth person I interviewed was senior Dontrel Mitchell. He stated, “Black people’s history is overlooked in America, and isn’t talked about as nearly as enough as it should.”

I lastly asked if all four of them if they believe Black people are equal as everyone else. Edney and Musangali both said “no.”

Edney continued, “Even though they say they want to, we get less better treatment.”

Musangali also added, “The prison system, police system, racism is inherently ingrained in those systems.”

Cunningham further stated that while we’re still getting there as far as equality goes, he doesn’t know if Black people will be completely equal yet, “but as more and more years go by, we are showing more to become equal.”

Mitchell was more in agreeance with what Musangali was saying that the systems and projects are meant to keep Black people down. 

I think they all made valid points. I too, as a Black person, think our systems and the government is built on racism. I do think it can get better, but we all have to come together and try. Racism is a disease, like an epidemic, so much closeted racism is engraved in places.