LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Lauren Cavazos,

(Laredo, Texas)-Since the 1970s, the month of February has been a time for the Black community to commemorate all things, Black. The NAACP came out with a list of ways our communities can celebrate, and one of the many suggestions from the NAACP is to read a book by a black author that tells their stories.

This idea resonated with our campus because reading books written by Black authors is something we have been doing since the beginning of the school year, and it is something we continue to do throughout the school year. While we want to spotlight Black History month, we also want to make sure we weave these stories into our everyday narratives throughout the year.

Students need to see accurate representations of Black culture in enthralling and powerful ways, and literature is the perfect vehicle to impart that. The books we have read and are reading allow them to have conversations about issues that our country still endures.

We find that these stories challenge the listeners (our students) to consider what it means to be an American, a citizen, and, most importantly, a human being. These books allow our students to question inequalities and whether they exist, critically think about history and where we are now, and reflect on how personal experiences influence our moral dilemmas.

In September during the Fall semester, the first book we read in Mrs. Damaris Terrazas’ Creative Writing class of 90 students was Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. Reynolds tells a story that takes place over a mere 60 seconds but leaves an impression for a long time after it is over. Long Way Down opens our eyes to a new perspective on the discussion of gun violence.

The story takes place in an elevator as Will, the main character, rides down to avenge his brother Shawn’s murder. As Will takes this long way down the elevator, the elevator stops on each floor, and at each stop, someone connected to his brother gets in to give him a piece to a bigger story than the one he thinks he knows. While this is a story, it is also a reality that might never know an end. When Will gets to the bottom floor he is faced with the decision of staying in the elevator or getting off. As students soon realize, Will is left with the choice to perpetuate or break a cycle that has a long history in his community.

This Spring semester, ELA teachers – Mrs. Stephanie Vela, Mrs. Rebecca Sepulveda, and Ms. Daniela Prado are reading Dear Martin by Nic Stone. This is the story of a young Black male, Justyce, who looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers as he questions race relations. Nic Stone boldly takes on the topics of police brutality, racism, and the justice system.

In February, our Amplify Black Voices initiative will be giving away books written by Black authors to students. Through a donation, the campus was able to purchase some Young Adult books written by Black Authors to give away to some of our most fervent participants in class discussions (as books come in, teachers will be making home visits to give them to students).

Also, we promoted Black History Month through the Fierce Reads sweepstakes. They are currently giving away a set of inspiring books about Black culture! Students over the age of 14 years of age are eligible to enter for a chance to win 5 books by Black authors.