Black History Month Spirit Week: Everything You Need To Know
February 8, 2021
Monday: Express yourself through creative and visual art.
Looking for a list of some influential past and current Black pioneers and barrier breakers? Check out these sites.
The Undefeated – 44 Most Influential Black Americans in History
The GMA Inspiration List: Who’s making Black history in 2021?
Tuesday: Wear green, red, and black to represent the Pan-African Flag.
Commonly referred to as the Afro-American or Black Liberation Flag, the Pan-African flag is a symbol of African American resistance to oppression and unifies individuals of the African Diaspora. Each color of the flag contains a deeper meaning. Red symbolizes blood that connects individuals of African ancestry and shed by Africans who fought for liberation. Black stands for the African-American race. Finally, green is a symbol of African natural riches and growth.
Thursday: Sport your HBCU gear!
In a time when Black students were often denied from traditionally white institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) served as a vital structure for Black individuals wishing to pursue higher education. Today, the need for HBCUs in our world still exists. HBCUs continue to blaze trails in academics and are ranked highly in STEM categories. Howard University and Meharry Medical College produce 80% of African Americans receiving degrees in dentistry and medicine. Aside from their academic presence, HBCUs generate an inclusive and spirited community that attracts people from around the nation.
Friday: Wear all black.
We are asking students to wear all black to bring awareness to injustices against Black people that are rooted in systemic racism. Racism continues to reach its hands into institutions and legislations, plaguing our educational system, workforce, criminal justice system, healthcare, and many others. According to the 1998 book, “The Black-White Test Score Gap,” the greatest disparities in SAT performance have been documented between African Americans and White individuals, with the average Black student scoring below 70 to 80 percent of the White students of the same age. The difference is mainly attributed to the actual skills and training of the teachers who are teaching Black and White children. Additionally, racial disparities affect job opportunities for African Americans, as White applicants receive 36% more callbacks than African Americans with the same qualifications.
Together, we must work together to change these statistics. All it takes is one person, one teacher, one AGS!