By Tyanna Xavier – Social Media Editor

Black History Month has provided the students at Jonathan Law an opportunity to explain their knowledge of Black History Month and what it means to them.

From articles in The Advocate, to daily posts on The Advocate Twitter and Instagram, to daily announcements on Eagle Eye News, to lessons in history classes, and through a series of Advisory activities designed by Law’s Race & Equity Committee, Law has embraced the opportunity to celebrate black history and culture.

Senior Madison Jolley said she learned about the origins of Black History Month in school. In 1915, a historian Carter G. Woodson and minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. 

“This was done in order to bring awareness to the African American people who had made contributions to society,” Jolley said.

Senior Anthony Mendez said that it is important for students of all ages to know about these moments in history as they have created and shaped black culture today. 

“It is heart-wrenching to see what all of the black males and females had to do and the pain they had to endure while fighting for their rights,” Mendez said. “However, it is also empowering watching how ambitious they were.”

The goal of Black History Month is to appreciate the people who have fought for racial equality. Each year the Association for the Study of African American Life and History selects a theme to study.

Senior Kaleb Hart is excited for this year’s theme.

“This year the theme is The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity,” Hart said.

Hart said this theme will be very interesting in 2021 because it will show people all around the world what being raised in a black family was like in the past versus today.

Junior Solomon Mercado said that he learned the origins of Black History Month in his history class.

“The month of February was chosen for Black History Month because Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass both celebrated their birthdays in February,” Mercado said.

Freshman Ayden Sanchez said he was inspired by what he learned about Dr. Martin Luther KIng’s “I Have A Dream” speech.

“In Dr. Martin Luther King’s Speech ‘I Have a Dream,’ a part that really stood out to me was when he stated, ‘We are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.’ This is because he impacted people to be fearless and to not back down no matter the struggle,” Sanchez said.