Across the world, February is regarded as Black History Month. 28 or 29 days were Black history becomes the forefront of the relatively Eurocentric American Education system. At a school like Smoky Hill, Black history isn’t something that is secluded to one month. Black students and educators alike grace the halls of Smoky Hill daily, their stories are intertwined with the larger narrative of Smoky Hill. 

Brandy Nalyanya, a current senior, felt that the school administration wasn’t doing enough to honor Black History Month. Nalyanya claims, “What originally inspired us to do Black History Spirit Week was just the need to do something bigger for Black History month than we did in the past.” With door decorations and daily activities such as trivia, Nalyanya gave students the opportunity to focus on Black History without the white savior complex associated with the month.

Considering the events of the past year, a Black History Spirit Week was a necessity. A summer focused on Black pain requires a school year of healing and acceptance for Black people and empathy from Non-Black people. Generally, being a Black person is another level of exhausting, so we wanted to put on any type of celebration that we could.

As Black History Spirit Week has withstood a second year and a summer of social justice, its status as a hallmark is cemented. Though the validity of this year is up in the air considering the virtual environment, the Smoky Hill community will continue celebrating Black History Spirit Week for many years to come. “I think we’ll end up seeing different iterations continue at Smoky and other schools as well… At least I really hope so!”