A Ventura Youth Correctional Facility contest held throughout Black Historical past Month in February yielded considerate essays exploring each the historical past and accomplishments of black People.
The essays positioned historic figures in a recent context, resembling social activism teams looking for equality and inclusion.
Profitable essay checked out observance’s evolution
First place essayist Divina received $100 for her essay, writing how the observance has advanced, increasing from every week to a month.
Davina’s essay appears to be like at well being and wellness for minorities, particularly when solid towards the pandemic.
“Yearly for Black Historical past Month there’s a totally different theme and with this 12 months’s being black well being and wellness, I really feel that it could assist to encourage folks of minority teams to get the COVID-19 vaccine. I’ve personally observed that numerous black and Latin People aren’t getting vaccines and I hope this 12 months’s theme helps these unvaccinated to embrace all alternative to raised their combat towards this COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Affiliation for the Research of African American Life and Historical past (ASALH), which was based in 1915 by Carter G. Woodson, is the committee that designates a brand new theme for Black Historical past Month every 12 months. The U.S. isn’t the one nation that celebrates Black Historical past Month. It’s come to my consideration that Canada celebrates it in February whereas the U.Okay. and Eire chooses to have a good time it in October.”
Second-place essay centered on inclusion
Second-place essayist was Kamryn, who obtained $75. Kamryn’s analysis revealed that Black Historical past is really a various examine that features everybody.
“Black Historical past Month and what’s been achieved beforehand, not solely celebrates African People but additionally truly celebrates the resilience and progress towards equal remedy by all individuals who as soon as had been handled ‘inferior.’ I additionally imagine that Black Historical past Month additionally celebrates the accomplishment of their supporters and companions.
“Think about Yuri Kochiyama as an example, who was a strong activist who advocated for civil rights and third world events. She was a really very shut buddy of Malcom X, and was of Asian nationality. She based Asian People for Motion and was additionally a member of Malcom X’s Afro-American Unity Group, getting her assist from many African People and ultimately grew to become a strong affect towards President Ronald Reagan’s signing of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.
“Though she was Asian, a lot of her accomplishments and actions had ties into Black Historical past, thus making her a acknowledged individual throughout Black Historical past Month. This alone reveals how Black Historical past month is essential for all folks and all races.”
Third-place linked successes to changing into mature
Third-place essayist Dejon took residence $50. The essay centered on the phrases of achieved African People to make the purpose that success is earned. Overcoming hardships, together with racial discrimination, is a part of maturity.
Dejon used a quote from African American classical vocalist Marian Anderson.
“When you’ve got a function in which you’ll imagine, there’s no finish to the quantity of issues you’ll be able to accomplish. It’s straightforward to look again self-indulgently, feeling pleasantly sorry for oneself and saying I didn’t have this and I didn’t have that. However it is just the grown ladies regretting the hardship of just a little woman who by no means thought they had been hardships in any respect. She had the issues that basically mattered.”
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