Human Relations celebrate black history in Atlanta

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CREATING NEW MINDS: Human Relations members gather together in front of Morehouse
Mural created by muralist Occasional Superstar. The mission of Morehouse College is to
continue to develop men with disciplined minds who will lead lives of leadership and service.
Photo courtesy of Thewander Houston

By : Sonaiya Brown

Bright smiles and cheers roar as African Americans celebrate Black History Month with lively dance performances, participate in diversity events and most importantly spread awareness to others about their history. Students are motivated by their peers to take initiative on teaching themselves the beauty of African American influence worldwide.

Human Relations members paired with Everglades High School students to traverse throughout Alabama and Georgia exploring historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) and institutions that disclose undocumented African American history to educate students. Taking place from Feb. 2-5, students participated in HBCU tours and educational centers in Atlanta, interpretive centers in Selma and visited recreational museums in Montgomery. The field trip enlightened students to take action by discussing unspoken African American history to deepen the understanding of black influence in America and encourage civil rights action in youth.

“It was inspiring to learn the upsetting experiences that African Americans had to endure, and the atmosphere of our group made the trip 10 times better. Some parts will make your heart heavy, but I think it was something necessary to experience and express gratitude for things we take for granted,” said president Kalia Duncombe.

**EXPERIENCING HATRED**: (left to right) Luna Martinez, Kaela West, Raphaelle Smith-Chinoy and Maya Harris participate in a simulation to fathom the terrifying experience of a sit-in protest at the National Center for Human Rights. Encouraging students to comprehend the uncomfortable truth of African American history ushers necessary awareness to understand American history. *Photo by Sonaiya Brown*

The objective of the field trip was to teach students how widespread African American experiences shaped America today. Students visited Morehouse and Spelman colleges in Atlanta to gain insight on their historical upbringing and fascinating infrastructures to consider attending in the future. They visited the National Center for Civil and Human Rights Institution in Atlanta, toured Lowndes County Interpretive Center and walked the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, and visited the Legacy Museum in Montgomery. The trip ended with the HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta to witness extraordinary performances.

Going to the Legacy Museum, we saw the soils of lynching victims and you would believe that those lynchings happened 30 years ago, but it happened recently. We are just now overcoming adversity in our culture and hearing personal accounts made me understand the importance of appreciating the rights we have,” said junior Kaela West. As students and sponsors participated in the activities, they gained knowledge about African American history that left a deep-rooted impact on their view of the world today. Listening to recorded stories from Bloody Sunday victims at the Lowndes County Interpretive Center was an eye-opening experience that illustrates the ruthless violence that day. In 1965, in Selma, Alabama, 600 protestors were assaulted on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. It is famously named “Bloody Sunday” as law enforcement officers gruesomely attacked unarmed black protestors by beating them with billy clubs and sprayed them with tear gas. They learned how the different aspects of African American culture had impacted society because the numerous civil rights movements that took place allowed students to appreciate the rights they have today.

**FLYING COLORS:** North Carolina A&T State University Blue & Gold Marching Machine’s color guard synchronizes their colorful flags with their orchestra. The HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands was an event where six hearty HBCU marching bands represented their homegrown talent. *Photo by Sonaiya Brown*

“My ancestors fought for their freedom and they lost their lives for it. What we have today is a right and we should not abuse it. If it were not for the lives that were lost, we would not be here today inside a school where we have white, black, Hispanic, Asian, and any race and made us live in a sense of harmony,” said junior Kaela West.

Acknowledging and celebrating African American history year-round is important to show students the bold figures who were able to create an everlasting effect on the infrastructure of America. Equally important, the field trip allowed the students to understand the horrors of the past African American experiences and gave students an opportunity to use the information to change the world for the better for the people who fought for their freedom. Students were able to appreciate African American history and show immense support for each other as the trip closed. Appreciating the different perspectives of unforgettable African American contributions that affected American history should be recognized to continue building a cohesive community. “This trip will make you feel emotions that you may never show, you might even shed a tear like I did, but it will push you to become stronger, smarter and outspoken Do not take your freedom, education and family for granted. Black history will unfold right before your eyes,” said previous HR member in 2020 Jade McCoy.