What does Black History Month mean to you? Who is a black standout that you admire?

Freshman: Daniela Nava

“This month means to me a lot of special and historical things, it means the voice of liberty for all people, it means equality and the same opportunities to everyone and the most important justice for every single one of us. I admire Martin Luther King because he always fought for equality for the rights of people and demonstrated that no matter how we look we are all the same so we should all of us have the same opportunities in all the ways and all the people should have the same rights and respect them.”

Sophomore: Jayne Nowak

“To me, Black History Month is an important time to pay tribute and show respect to African Americans who struggled with adversity then, and even currently to achieve rights that I believe should be given freely. It is a time that we should recognize their struggle for freedom and equality and show our support for them as part of our community. All people should be treated equally and we should never discriminate based on anything. One black standout who stood up for her right to an equal life was Ella Baker. She was an African-American civil rights human activist. She was a true hero who inspired and guided emerging leaders. I read a quote once from her that said, “The major job was getting people to understand that they had something within their power that they could use, and it could only be used if they understood what was happening and how group action could counter violence…” and I think this shows that she believed that to achieve equality she had to get others around her to believe they deserved it, which they certainly do. Like her, we can ignite change by helping unlock the power in each person to strengthen communities and help African-Americans along with everyone else achieve equality and the respect they deserve.”

Junior: Lara Enriquez

“To me it means it’s a month where I can learn more about the injustices and struggles African-Americans went through. It helps me become more educated in this topic. Someone who I admire would be Beyonce. She always preached about how to help with the Black Lives Matter Movement and used her fame to help others that can’t use their voices.”

Senior: Christie Moreck

“To me, Black History Month means giving African-Americans a sort of platform to speak out about their past struggles and all of their accomplishments and also their goals for the future, and giving them the platform so everybody around them can shine a light on them, and we can listen to them wholeheartedly. Someone that I admire, is definitely Khalid mostly because he makes music, which inspires people, and unites everybody globally, and he is also a really important figure for El Paso. I know he was super involved especially after the shooting. And he is an inspirational figure and of course I love his music!

Senior: Isabela Baca (Class Sections Editor)

“To me, Black History Month signifies “remembrance”. This is because I believe it allows us to understand that we now live in a country where rights should be respected and taken as equal for every single human being. It also allows me to remember the accomplishments made throughout history in order to diminish racism. I believe that we are now living in an era where people should understand that equality has to be practiced everywhere. A black standout that I admire is Kamala Harris. This is because she has marked history in our country as the first female, African-American, and Asian-American vice-president in the United States. Me being a female, I admire everything that she has done in order to have that position, and how she inspires others to no matter your race or gender one is capable and free of leadership.”