Students share importance of black history

By Amiyah M Rice

Entertainment editor

CMHS students have shared what black history means to them and why it matters.

Black History Month all began when Carter G Woodson, an African-American historian, publisher, educator, and scholar, created Negro History Week in 1926. Then later, in 1970, Negro History Week became Black History Month, as said by the NAACP and Regina S. Wright from the University of Delaware.

A Black History Month banner hangs in a classroom.

Sophomore Sarah Muehlberg thinks Black History matters so everyone can express their culture and others can celebrate.

“It gives people an opportunity to celebrate who they are,” Muehlberg said.

Muehlerg thinks the school should do more than host one assembly and put flags around the building.

Sophomore Jocelyn Chavez said that Black History is noticing African Americans’ struggles and uplifts.

“The school doesn’t do a good job of celebrating black history,” said Chavez.

Chavez said black history doesn’t affect her as much, but it does affect her friends, and they take pride in the month, so she does the same.

Junior Loni Cross said black history matters because you can celebrate achievements made by black people who aren’t recognized.

“Black history means representation and recognizing black culture,” Cross said.

Cross said she educates herself about people in black culture to celebrate black history.

According to Cross, the school had a ceremony about a year or two ago, and they did well. The school also discussed facts on the school news, but they don’t do much now to celebrate black history.

Cross continued to say that black history affects her because she uses “the traffic light, peanut butter, ironing board and at-home security system,” and they were all created by African Americans.

Students at Crete-Monee mostly think of Martin Luther King Jr when they think of Black History Month, but countless people in Black History are never discussed.

Sarah Boone was a dressmaker of the 19th century. She invented the modern portable ironing board. Daniel Hale Williams was one of the first physicians to perform open heart surgery in the US. He also founded The Provident Hospital, which is still open today and known as Provident Hospital of Cook County. Phillis Wheatly was the first African American to publish a book of poetry. Sarah Breedlove, known as Madam CJ Walker, created a haircare line and was the first self-made African American female to become a millionaire.