Students at an Alabama highschool are taking a stand towards directors allegedly making an attempt to whitewash their establishment’s Black History Month program.
An Administrator Allegedly ‘Felt Uncomfortable’ About Slavery & Civil Rights Being Included
ABC 33/40 stories that the scenario unfolded earlier this week at Hillcrest High School over in Tuscaloosa, as over 200 college students participated in a walkout. Notably, the protest went down in response to high school directors allegedly asking the scholars to chop main occasions from their Black History Month program.
STUDENTS PROTEST AT HILLCREST HIGH SCHOOL: More than 200 college students in Tuscaloosa County participated in a stroll out protest at Hillcrest High college after an issue about Black History Month. pic.twitter.com/fI5GElJFX8
— Tim reid (@TimReidReporter) February 8, 2023
J’Niyah Suttles, a highschool senior, particularly famous, “We were told we couldn’t talk about slavery and civil rights because one of our administrators felt uncomfortable.”
Students React To BHM Program Censorship: ‘Why Can’t I Talk About It?’
In response, J’Niyah shared that she discovered the matter “very disturbing.”
“My protector from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., for you to tell me I can’t talk about something that is dealing with my culture is very disturbing, it’s very confusing.”
Jada Holt, one other scholar at Hillcrest High School, reacted to the information by noting that historical past “can’t be erased.”
“Why am I being censored about my culture something that is rooted in me? Why can’t I talk about it? History is history and it’s already been made, and it can’t be erased.”
Ultimately, Jamiyah Brown—a senior who choreographed the Black History Month program—organized the walkout. Powerfully, she defined her motivation by proclaiming, “Without our history, we are nothing.”
“Without our history, we are nothing. Without teaching our youth where we come from, how can we move forward?”
There are so many issues about this nation that disgust me. Most of these issues are one way or the other linked to the GOP. https://t.co/nzEShUhtdd
— Jimmy Malone,liberal @malonespeaking in all places (@malonespeaking) February 10, 2023
The Superintendent Pledges To ‘Ensure All Students Know That They Are Valued’
Lisa Young, the president of the NAACP’s Tuscaloosa Branch, was additionally vocal in her opposition to the matter. In reality, she straight-up mentioned, “I don’t know how you can talk about Black history in this country without talking about slavery or the civil rights movement.”
She additionally famous that she is “angry” over the scenario and needs to “make their school a safe place.”
“I’m angry and part of me feels like we failed our students. We want to see what we can do to assist them, and make their school a safe place.”
Dr. Keri Johnson, the superintendent of the Tuscaloosa County School System, additionally reportedly issued an announcement on the matter. Notably, she mentioned that they’re “putting together a plan to make sure [the] students feel heard.”
“The Tuscaloosa County School System supports our students’ right to peacefully demonstrate. A number of our Hillcrest High students have concerns about the culture within their school. We care deeply about our students, and it is important that their concerns are heard. We are putting together a plan to make sure our students feel heard, so that we know the right steps to put in place to ensure all students know that they are valued.”
What do you consider the general scenario over at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama?