The theme for Black History Month 2024 is “African Americans and the Arts,” which celebrates the contributions of the Black community in visual and performing arts. Black artists have revolutionized their craft through transformative techniques and styles, yet in the Western World, such contributions were minimized or appropriated. For the entire month of February, we celebrate these pioneers in Black art but also recognize that Black History Month goes beyond just February. We endeavor to recognize the contributions of the Black community not just around the world, but in the RV community as well.
Much of the music that is the most popular in America today has its roots in African American culture. Jazz, rock and roll, hip hop, R&B and blues music were all pioneered and popularized by African American musicians, yet the credit for these innovations are often given to white artists. While white directors like Quentin Tarantino receive praise for their portrayals of Black stories in their work, no Black director has ever won Best Director at the Oscars. This Black History Month, we are focusing on highlighting the innovations and achievements of Black people in the arts, specifically in America.
Following past years, RV plans to celebrate Black History Month by hosting a series of activities to include students and staff at RV. The Black Student Union’s (BSU) celebration provides an opportunity to participate in a welcoming community this coming February. The events include a spirit week, trivia, learning experiences, field trips for the BSU and lively competitions. Offering so much to look forward to, the people at RV are encouraged to participate in upcoming events that are fun, competitive, and engaging.
RV’s BSU will prepare for the upcoming month of excitement with hallway decorating to spread the spirit of the celebration of African-American culture. Following hallway decorating, the second week of February will contain a spirit week, also called Soul Week, in which everyone is welcome to participate.
Senior Peyton Couch, member of the Black Student Union, expresses her enthusiasm for Soul Week.
“Overall I’m really excited for like the Soul Week and how everybody embodies the themes of the day,” she said. “I’m really excited for natural hair day”
Not only does BSU plan on celebrating Black History Month, but other clubs anticipate joining the entertainment as well. RVTV, for example, also plans to share alluring information on getting involved.
Although the teaching of Black history is limited in many schools across the US, the BSU plans on commemorating the contributions of Black people throughout the month. On Wednesday, the film “Rustin” will be played after school, showing the story of an inspiring civil rights activist. Through numerous events and activities, spirit week will recognize Black people’s contributions in past and present society.
“It’s just important for Black culture and I feel like it’s important that as a school, you really celebrate it and like the way that we have, you know, developed it into this whole huge event,” said Couch.
With a field trip to the Smithsonian Museum of African-American History in Washington, DC, BSU members will learn about the history of Black people in America. This trip plans on spreading engagement about the past, and how African-American people are incorporated into the structure of society today.
“This year we have a number of really great events. We’re doing our trip to the Smithsonian Museum of African-American History, which is always a really awesome event,” sais Mrs. Sherman, advisor of the Black Student Union. “We’re also doing our Black arts night on February 22, which celebrates the contributions that Black men and women have made to the arts, so that’s really awesome. We’re also hoping to some more work with Folwell Elementary, and some of the community students in the area, and so we’re just excited to celebrate all of those things here at RV.”
All students at RV have the chance to participate in a night of observing Black Arts in the library, recognizing the artistic contributions of Black men and women.
Positively ending Black History Month, pizza will be shared in the cafeteria after school among Black Student Union members.
“Observing [Black History Month] one month does not do due diligence to becoming aware of those contributions,” said Sherman. “However, I do really like the notion of celebrating and learning, and educating ourselves about those contributions which hopefully will become much more paramount throughout the year.”
The BSU plans to contribute hard work to create a welcoming community among the students and staff at RV to celebrate the wide variety of contributions and culture of African Americans.
