West High celebrates Black History Month

Soul food scented the halls of West High School and sounds ranging from gospel harmonies to jazz rhythms rang through the gym during the Evolution of African American Culture celebration Saturday, Feb. 22.

The school’s Black Student Union, working with Ebony Expressions, an African-American cultural awareness project directed by West High School principal Ed Holmes, put on the event that ran from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Along with musical acts, the event showcased spoken-word poetry, a step-off competition between UW-Madison fraternities, and a sampling of soul food. West High School students and alumni as well as community members performed throughout the day.

Alumna Monica Davidson came back to West to perform with Generation Spoken, a poetry group that focuses on teaching people how to express themselves through spoken word. Members recited poems about their experience as African-Americans as well as issues relating to current events, such as the killing of Trayvon Martin. 

“Using spoken word to kind of communicate some of that information in history is a little bit different way than just telling people,” Davidson said. “It’s a more creative form of expression …. we’re also hoping that [information] has been presented in a different way, a way that [people] will remember it.”

In addition to this event, West High School recognizes black history throughout February. At West, forms of recognition involve a school Jeopardy game, TV monitors in the hall presenting African-American history, educational documentaries and the BSU’s annual soul food luncheon.

Holmes said people can recognize and understand African-American history through different types of events.

“I don’t think it always has to be a public demonstration,” Holmes said, “I think that sometimes it’s good to have a kind of individual experience and small-group experience.”

Junior Julius Morris, who serves on the BSU committee and worked at Saturday’s event, said he would like to see more African-American history in schools.

“Although it’s categorized as ‘African-American’ history, I just feel like it’s everybody’s history,” Morris said. “Civil rights activity … happened over the course of decades.”

According to BSU adviser Sean Gray, the group was founded in 2004 to help African-American students see themselves as leaders and thinkers in the community. Throughout the year, the group participates in activities such as volunteer work and an annual tour of historically black colleges and universities. Gray said this is the first time in five years West and the BSU have had a Black History Month event of this magnitude.

“I thought it would be important to do this type of event before I step down,” said Holmes, who will retire at the end of the year.