Student Gov’t Leaders Debate Black History Month, & The “N” Word

by Allan Appel | February 1, 2007 7:52 AM | | Comments (22)

IMG_0786.JPG“I think Black History Month is ridiculous and we should think hard about it. Doesn’t it divide people by saying look at me? Not everyone has their own month. There will always be some racism, but there are other things we can do and ways that will bring us more together.”

That was the opinion of Chevonne Diamond (pictured), vice president of the student government at High School in the Community, one voice in a forthright and talented chorus who gathered for the monthly citywide student council meeting of all New Haven’s high school government leaders at Wilbur Cross High School on Wednesday afternoon. For anyone who might occasionally experience the teensiest bit of despair about the civic spirit, creativity, and potential of our public high school students, attending these meetings is a tonic.

IMG_0787.JPGAs the custom for each meeting is for the host school to make a themed presentation, Wilbur Cross’s Rollesia Hurd-Rosa and other Cross leaders, such as Torrese Ouelette (pictured), a junior, talked about the work of Maya Angelou and the importance of communication in leadership. It was in response to this that the role of Black History Month emerged.

Oulette threw the Black History Month gauntlet down farther and even harder than Diamond.

“I would go a step further and say Black History Month is even destructive, setting us apart. It perpetuates an us-versus-them mentality. And then you drop black history for the rest of the year. That’s not good.”

Several other students debated Oulette. They said that if you look carefully at Black History Month, it also celebrates others, like abolitionists, many of whom were white. But the preponderance of opinion seemed to be that African-American history, like women’s history and achievements, and all the others should be integrated throughout the year and the curriculum.

IMG_0790.JPGA contrary opinion was expressed by Sarah-Jaana Nodeli, secretary of the student council at High School in the Community. “Hey, we’re kids,” she said. “We’re busy, we forget, and I think setting aside these months in a way does help to remind us of things we otherwise might not notice.”

And the “N” word? Here’s a sampling of that debate:

Hurd-Rosa: “I’m first generation in this country, and when I heard it for the first time, I really didn’t know what it meant. I thought it might be something cool.”

Raina Hall: “I feel that if it’s racist for white people to use the word, it should be wrong for black people to use the word too. It should be bad for all people.”

Rebekah Moore: “I understand generations ago it really hurt, but things change.”

As the students broke into their subcommittees one could hear the inevitable topic of youth violence come up as well. Hurd-Rosa said, “I just noticed my grandmother is using a bolt lock for the first time, and two others. There’s a lot more violence out there. In Canada, where I come from, there’s nothing like that.”

IMG_0792.JPGAnd Paris Frost, of Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School, asked, “Why are people so trigger-happy? It’s ridiculous how much we have to worry.” In her leadership subcommittee they began discussing how they can move the subject to some action. “I think most of us feel that the curfew,” she said, “is some kind of start but ultimately it won’t be beneficial because the violence will just move to a different time slot. Excuse me, we’re going to talk about it now in the subcommittee.”

IMG_0781.JPGHosted by a different school every month, the citywide student council is a training experience for the participating student leaders like this group from Metropolitan Business High School “” (pictured clockwise) seniors Alex Telford and Chris Langley; their social studies teacher Ann Brilliante; and juniors Jackie Cooper and Korallys Diaz. At the beginning of the school year, they go on a leadership retreat that includes a ropes course, strategizing, and public speaking. During the meetings throughout the school year that follow, the student leaders come together each month, breaking into subcommittees on, for example, school climate or atmosphere. Their year culminates in a conference and presentation of the wisdom they have garnered for rising eighth graders about to enter high school.

Langley, who expects to study political science and criminology at Wagner College in New York City next year, said, “This program really helped me learn to speak in front of different groups, taught me leadership, and how important it is to work according to a schedule.” Langley addressed a local Rotary Club Meeting last week.

Before the general discussion Wednesday, each high school was asked to have a representative rise and tell his or her assembled colleagues one good thing and one bad that has happened in school since the last meeting.

IMG_0785.JPG“What’s good,” said Chris Mrozek, a student council leader from the Sound School, “is that we got the highest scores in the entire city on our CAPTs [a required test for sophomores]. What’s bad is that the school isn’t able to offer any SAT prep at all.”

IMG_0783.JPG“The good thing this month at Hillhouse,” said Rebekah Moore (on the left in the photo with her student council executive board colleagues Raina Hall beside her and across from her Shaniece Conyers, the president), “is that we finally got our bathrooms fixed, with doors on the stalls. Plus in some of them the teachers place some flowers and lotions and that kind of thing that you sometimes need. The bad thing we noticed is that we have more kids taking the A.P. courses than there are books; we have five kids having to share one book.”

IMG_0784.JPGOrchestrating this sharing of news was Rollesia Hurd-Rosa, the president of the host school, Wilbur Cross’s student council. When several other schools complained about the high price of student lunches, Hurd-Rosa said they were having discussions with the food providers to the system, so as to, in this instance, have system-wide response.

Although teachers, librarians, and administrators, such as Charles Williams, the director of instruction for high schools, looked on and shared lunch with the kids, this exercise in democracy, public speaking, leadership, and follow-up, was entirely student run.

Williams summed up: “This was an excellent dialogue, and I want to remind you to translate the words into actions. Last year, at the final conference, you did a great thing for the eighth graders, showing them the importance of making right choices and self-responsibility when they come in to school, taking some of the peer pressure off them. I urge you to take the kinds of things you discussed today, Black History Month, diversity, and within those kinds of parameters begin to think of the theme for the culminating conference.”

IMG_0782.JPGOther people had other issues they wanted aired. “At our school, Metropolitan,” Alex Telford said to a departing reporter, “we are really concerned with the ban on dances.”

Due to recent violence, apparently all school dances, except formal proms, have been suspended, as well as fundraisers.

“That’s a particular hardship for us, at a small school, with only 200 kids, for us to raise money without the dances,” said Telford. “With such a small number of kids, something like a student store doesn’t work. Dances will. We’re going to find a way to talk to [schools superintendent] Dr. Mayo about this.”

There’s no doubt he will, at next month’s meeting of the citywide student council, or before.

Comments

Posted by: jon | February 1, 2007 11:20 AM

I do not understand how anyone can complain about the cost of school lunches and then sit there as they are in the picture with SUBWAY sandwiches!!!!!!! It doesn't make sense!!!!!!

Posted by: Christopher Langley | February 1, 2007 1:09 PM

We were just simply discussing the outrageous prices there is for school lunch. We did not buy the subway, the city has a budget for our meetings and the our food supply is included in that budget.

Posted by: Ralph Rechtenberg | February 1, 2007 4:44 PM

“I think Black History Month is ridiculous and we should think hard about it."

This is a wonderful and perceptive comment. There is no intrinsic value in skin color, black or white, or in ethnicity, for that matter. The unhealthy emphasis upon either detracts from the equal worth of every individual.

Posted by: Cedar Hill Resident | February 1, 2007 4:58 PM

Please you kids do not need to explain anything, thank you for being who you are and participating in a meeting like this, it was great of the city to give lunch to you kids during such an important gathering.

Black History Month was to educate all people. Not to separate, but to show everyone what you kids seem to already know, there is no difference. It was to give people a place in the history books. Which did not include the history of all Americans for a very long time.

One of the most wonderful things ever said to me was a few years back... one of my children's teachers said "you have raised the most color blind children I have ever met, they have know idea of the diffences " and with the comments above I think a lot of this new generation is the same way. They know were are just all people. And it warms my heart to see that . Spread your knowledge kids.

and the word kids I don't care how you look at it that is not a cool word. I don't care there is no excuse to ever use it. It was a word to discribe a people to be less than! And should not ever (out of respect for your ansestors) never be used in any way shape or form ever no matter what color you are.

And I am glad you are discusing the things your schools are lacking in. Sometimes when they here it from the kids they may listen more

So BRAVO to all of you that were there!!

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | February 2, 2007 6:21 AM

So One Student Feels That Black History Month Is Ridiculous And The Other Student Feels That Black
History Month Is Destructive.Thank God For The Founder Of Black History Month Dr.Carter G Woodson
And His Book The Mis Education Of The Negro, Beacuse These Two Students Are Misdirect About What Black History Month Is.Then I Could Be Wrong
About These Two Students Because Maybe They Are Being Groom To Be The Next Condoleezza Rice And Clarence Thomas!!!

Posted by: Ralph Rechtenberg | February 2, 2007 8:41 AM

Three Fifths,

What is the added benefit to the nation of Rice and Thomas's skin color?

Ralph

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | February 2, 2007 9:23 AM

Ralph
I Do Not Understand You Posting I Said That These
Two Students Maybe Are Being Groom To Be The Next
Condoleezza Rice And Clarence Thomas, At No Time
Did I Mention Skin Color. So What Is Your Point.

Posted by: Cedar Hill Resident | February 2, 2007 9:49 AM

THREEFIFTHS I love all your comments I have learned from you on this site. You impress me.

I would like to hope that it is not a Mis Education that has happened to these children but that the lines of race are starting to disappear. (at least that is what I see through my rose colored glasses).
I just think there generation is benefiting from what people have fought for in the past. I at least can dream that.

It is important for kids to know the history of there people know matter who they are. It is important for people to know the history of the country ALL OF IT.

When I read there comments I took them to mean who they are as a person should be the main deciding factor in there lives. (which is the hopes and dreams of people past and present) I don't think they were shunning there history.

I also think that there are several schools in New Haven that have different teaching approaches
they focus on Education is who you are. What you do in this world to make a difference and improve it is who you are. The values of the generations are changing. Plus you also need to consider other factors. I have friends from Hati, Africa and all other parts of the world because I live in New Haven. I think that our global diversity in this city also plays a factor into how our children view things to.
What a beautiful world it would be if when looking at someone you saw a person.

I can keep going on but I hope that the comments that were made where because they were proud of who there where as individuals.

We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.
Kofi Annan

Posted by: moegardner [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 2, 2007 11:38 AM

my daughter goes to a parochial school that is not particulary diverse (suprise, surprise). she's in 4th grade and has to do a report on a "famous black american" for black history month. when the assignment was sent home, i have to admit it made me squirm a bit and i've been trying to work through what that feeling is about. and i think it's about the separateness it engenders. if black (and latino, and female and gay, and every "minority") achievements were fairly and consistently represented in our educational system, our media, our history, our CULTURE, the concept of a single month to celebrate black history would be outrageous and distasteful. but what do we do when the achievements of so many are ignored or undermined? i don't have an answer, but perhaps these bright young kids in our city's schools do!

Posted by: Ralph Rechtenberg | February 2, 2007 11:53 AM

Three Fifths,

I think you are being facetious. Your point is the young black people can aspire to be successful black people, like Rice and Thomas. My point is that young people can be successful Americans, regardless of color.

What would you think of White History Month, taught in the schools?

Ralph

Posted by: Gina | February 2, 2007 11:55 AM

I am a former teacher of both Chevonne Diamond and Torrese Ouelette. I commend them both for formulating and sharing strong opinions in a mature and meaningful arena. I know they have both demonstrated themselves to be outstanding, capable, and extremely well educated individuals.
I think both of these students are looking critically at the traditions and practices of US social culture and examining the value of certain traditions closely. Sounds to me like they were educated extremely well.
Perhaps what these two students are responding to is the country's need to stop with the temporary pedastals--a month here, a month there mentality. The language these students used was strong--and it got your attention enough to respond.
I continue to be incredibly defensive of students who speak their minds meaningfully and powerfully, and as a result are able to spark meaningful and powerful dialogues that prove to be incredibly important to our national and personal identities.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | February 2, 2007 2:22 PM

Ralph
First Let Me Say That I am Not Being Facetious And
Second I Would Not Have A Problem With Whites Or Any Other Ethnic Group Have A History Month.If You Would Research The Fonder Dr.Carter G. Woods You Will Find That Because The Educational System
Due to Racism Exclude Black Peoples Achievements From the History Books Of This Country!!! Also Google A Man By The Name Of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg And This Will Also Help You To Understand Why Black History Month Is Very Important For African American People. Also I Hope
That Young Black People Never Aspire to Be Like Condoleezza Rice Or Clarence Thomas, I Hope That They Aspire To Be Like Paul Robeson,W.E.B. Dubois
Or A Harriet Tubman, Fannie Lou Hamer Who Fought
For The Rights For Black People As A Hole Body,Not
Like Rice And Thomas Who Are For Themselves!!! This Is Way Black History Month Is Important Because If Young People Know There History Then
They Would Not Be Geting In To Trouble!!

Posted by: Torrese Ouellette | February 2, 2007 3:03 PM

I believe that racism—both in New Haven, CT as well as in the United States in its entirety—is continually propagated because of people’s inability to critically analyze our nation’s history and let antiquated systems of animosity dissipate. In this allegedly free society, the issue of racism should have died out long ago; yet there is a deceitful solidarity that can be found in mistrusting those who are unlike oneself. There is security in validating racial stereotypes, and there is solidarity in bitter closed-mindedness. The double edged-blade of racial discrimination will continue to lacerate this nation unless we as a nation are willing to rise above the bigoted divisiveness of yesteryear and accept the commonality we all share in our humanity.


Oh, yeah--and Ms. Coggio, your remarks of support and encouragement are greatly appreciated. I take pride in the education I have received, and want to thank you for the role you have played in assisting my journey through life.

Posted by: Ralph Rechtenberg | February 3, 2007 3:32 PM

Three Fifths,

That is not a believable sentiment. You would be up in arms if White History Month were to be celebrated in the schools.

If you choose to focus the subject of celebration on blacks, are you opposed to all black public schools?

Ralph

Posted by: cedar hill resident | February 4, 2007 1:48 PM

Ok I am about to be a little off focus here.
I just finished watching "Freedom Writers". I beg everyone to watch this movie.

It should be manditory for anyone that is makeing any chooses with what is happening in schools or the city youth programs!!! And for everyone that has commented on this artical.

I am still crying and will be for weeks to come!!

The lines of seperation need to be taken away. But the stories of seperation should never be forgotten because we learn how to be better people from them.

I beg everyone to find the time to see this film!!! And the schools should play it for there teachers and students.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | February 4, 2007 6:12 PM

Ralph
You Ask Me The Question,What Would You Think Of White History Month Being Taught In The Schools.
And My Answer To You Was I Would Not Have A Problem With Whites Or Any Other Ethnic Group Having A History Month And I Stand By My Answer To
You That I Donot Have A Problem With This, The Problem That I Do Have Is When You Make The Statement That My Answer To You Is That What I Said Is Not a Believable Sentiment And If White History Month Was Celebrated In The Schools I Would Be Up In Arms.Rember You Ask Me This Question, So Donot Put Words In My Mouth!!! Second
If Whites And Other Ethnic Groups Want a History
Month Than Who Is Stoping Them, Maybe You Should
Fight To Get White History Celebrated In The Schools.As Far As Being Opposed To All Black Public School, I Would Be On The Grounds That It
Is Aganist The Law Due To The Fact That This Is a Public School In Which Public Schools Are Surported By Tax Dollars. Now If It Is a Private
Black School That Is Run By Private Donations And
School Tuition, Than I Donot Have a Problem And
That Goes For Whites And Other Ethnic Groups Who Want There Own Schools.

Posted by: Ralph Rechtenberg | February 4, 2007 7:04 PM

Three Fifths,

Then you would be an advocate of segregation. You would move race relations backwards.

Ralph

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | February 5, 2007 5:57 AM

Ralph
Again You are Puting Words In My Mouth, Read My Post!!!! So I Will Ask You Do You Have A Problem
With White History Month Or Any Other Ethnic Group
Have A History Month. Please Focus On This Question. Second American Is Still segated, There
Is A Book Out About How Child In School At Lunch Time Eat Lunch With There Own Ethnic Group, Also Most Immigrants Stay with There Own Groups When Than Come To This Counrty, and The Most Segated Place In American Is The Churchs On Sunday. Do You Have A Problem With Private Schools Run for People Of Other Ethnic Groups.

Posted by: Gina | February 5, 2007 9:48 AM

Three Fifths & Ralph:
I know the book you're talking about. It's called "Why Do All the Black Kids Sit Together in the Cafeteria?" by Beverly Tatum. I read it for an education class in graduate school. What I took from it was not the idea of segretation but the search for comfort among a group of people who have had similar experiences--based on background, language, etc.
I think finding solidarity among a group of people who have had similar experiences as yourself does not mean that you are advocating segregation. I think it becomes segregation when someone ELSE says you have to go with these other people who look like you/talk like you because the someone ELSE thinks it's better "for all involved." When personal choice is involved, is it called segregation?

Posted by: Ralph Rechtenberg | February 5, 2007 1:08 PM

Three Fifths,

I've read your posts carefully. I certainly do have a problem with any organization and any person who recommends the teaching that skin color is somehow valuable in itself. You are one of those people.

Ditto for those who claim that certain skin colors make a person less worthy than his neighbor.

There is, in fact, no difference between the two mindsets, yours included. Either we see past the illusion of race -- which has never been succinctly, adequately or accurately defined, medically, legally or ethical -- or we continue to perpetuate it.

Just because many people are mesmerized by what appears to be our differences does not mean that they should be perpetuated.

Ralph

Posted by: TTHREEFIFTHS | February 5, 2007 5:54 PM

Ralph
Are you Saying That Black History Month Is Teaching That Skin Color Is Some How Valuable in Itself. What Would You Say About Enthnic Groups Who Have Parades About There Culture, Do You Think That These Enthnic Groups Parades Are Based
On Skin Color Or Culture, I See Nothing In Black History Month That Focus On Skin Color, I See Black History Month Being About The Contribution
That African American Have Made To This Country.
That Have Been Left Out Of The History Books Due
To The Color Of There Skin And Racism. Look How
Black History Was Made at The Superbowl. Would You
Not Call That History.Here Is a Website I Would Recomed WWW.LITTLEAFRICA.COM Click On Black Inventors And Ask Your Self How Come You Never Hear About These Invertors.P.S. I Guess You Also
Have A Problem With Kwanzaa?

Posted by: Ralph Rechtenberg | February 6, 2007 9:39 AM

Three Fifths,

May I ask you, please, to refrain from capitalizing just about every word?

You wrote: "I See Nothing In Black History Month That Focus On Skin Color."

Why is it called "Black" history month, then? Would you please explain that?

Ralph

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