STUDENTS WRITE ABOUT BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Jimmy Hart
February 24, 1998
Jackson Sun
Students write about Black History Month
LEXINGTON — Jo Ann Beal no longer teaches
at Caywood Elementary School. As today's Living centerpiece says, cancer
prevents it.
But when asked why it's important to celebrate Black History Month, Beal,
45, gave the answer of a teacher: "To educate," she said.
She's be proud of what's going on at her former school. Caywood recently
head an essay contest in celebration of Black History Month. Of 63 essays, 12
received awards in the first round of judging.
Bright future
Below are some excerpts from some of those essays (minus a few grammar
slips). The future may not be so bad after all
- Kandi Hayes, fifth grade, on Black History Month:
"Black History Month is very important because you can learn about your past
and what may come in the future. I like this month just because I get to know
about what my ancestors did to other people, or what my ancestors did to help
other people."
"Many people feel sorry for their past because of what things have happened to
their ancestors ... I say to be proud of black people and respect them for who
they are."
- Jennifer Milam, seventh grade, on actor James Earl
Jones:
"Besides being a great actor, he is a great man. He has chosen roles that are a
symbol for peace, intelligence and productive relations between the various
races America has become."
- Anna Choate, third grade, on Rosa Parks:
"Rosa Lee Parks is a black woman who refused to give up her seat to a white
passenger in a bus in Montgomery, Ala. (in 1955) ... Her courage has been an
example to all people ever since."
- Melissa Pace, third grade, on Martin Luther King
Jr.:
"He didn't fight with weapons. He fought with words and ideas. He helped change
the history of this country ... We will never forget how brave Martin Luther
King Jr. was."
- Seth Porter, fifth grade, on Martin Luther King Jr.:
"He helped black people all over the country rise and stand up for their pride.
Although (he) was arrested, he rose and would not stop until all blacks were
free from jail and they would not be made fun (of)."
- Shayna Walker, fifth grade, on Black History Month:
"Black History Month is a month for everybody to represent the blacks for what
they have done for us. A lot of blacks are special just like us."
Other winners include: Megan McKeen, fifth grade; Landon Carter, eighth
grade; Jamie Brown, eighth grade; Molly Beecham, fifth grade; Jennifer Pearson,
fifth grade; Jesse Box, fourth grade.
