Black history month is a month used to celebrate and remember black people and their accomplishments throughout history. 

Melina Olivas is a Loretto alumna who is very immersed in the fight for racial equality and ending global warming.

She along with many others sees that the fight for racial equality is still not done and that Black History Month is very important but in some ways is the bare minimum. 

Olivas said, “I think Black Indigenous and People of color (BIPOC), in general, deserve more than just a fraction of the year to be recognized for our shared trauma and beautiful cultures.” 

Throughout history Hispanics, Asians, Indigenous, and many more people of color have experienced massive amounts of prejudice and have fought alongside Black people for equal rights. 

Olivas said, “We (BIPOC) go through a struggle everyday and deserve more recognition than a short amount of time of being acknowledged. 

“Nobody celebrates Hispanic heritage month, Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month, or Native American heritage month, and that’s something that needs to change.” 

Bringing light to the people of color who are brushed to the side will hopefully light the spark in people’s minds that yes a lot has changed but there is more to be done. 

Olivas said, “There’s a lot of ways we could improve as a nation to end racial discrimination, but I think we need to start by closing privately owned prisons, ending the war on drugs, and dealing with the housing crisis.” 

While Olivas demands a change in our nation, the Loretto community strives to make a change by producing knowledgeable and determined women such as Miss. Olivas.