Young Voices: 28 Days of Remembrance

By Nneka Okonkwo
Arizona Daily Star Editorial. Published: 02.16.2007

February is Black History Month, and I am not aware of any events going on in my school — it’s just another month in the year. I feel like all the students are being cheated out of a piece of American history. I’m not being taught about what blacks have done to contribute to the modernization of civilization, or how they have paved the way for the civil rights of us all.

We need to ensure that our history is taught so that history doesn’t repeat itself. There is a class on African-American history at my school, but it’s only offered as an elective and not a mandatory credit, and because of this it is poorly attended.

In Tucson, I find that when there is an event put on by an African-American organization, few people attend. I get a sense that Tucson African-Americans either don’t know or don’t care about their history, because if they did, they would be more active in their community.

When I look for a unified young black community in my school, I see my peers focusing on more superficial things like the newest fashion trends or who they’re going to go out with next instead of putting an emphasis on education and getting involved. I think that black youths — more than anyone else — have the obligation to be vocal about what concerns us, because we are facing multiple epidemics, such as the high rate of HIV/AIDS, the rising incarceration rate and financial barriers to higher education.

If our history isn’t being taught at school, then we should take it upon ourselves to learn it at home. I’m one black youth who chooses to be involved in Tucson’s tiny black community. I’m involved in the Tucson Black Coalition, the Delta Gems — we give back to the community through service work and help black youths gain a positive self-image — and the Southern Arizona Black College Support Group, which encourages youths to pursue higher education.

My brother was involved with the Historically Black College/University Tour. His experience has inspired me to also go to an HBCU school where I can be a part of a black community where I’ll be around more people who have the same passion — to make the world a better place.

The only reason why the black community in Tucson is tiny is because we choose to be inactive. The African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” is so true — it is taking a village to raise my sister and me. We have a community of people here that really cares for us and would like to see us make something of ourselves, because they see something in us.