The month of February is Black History Month. It is a month dedicated to honor the achievements, struggles, and history of Black Americans. 

Chicago has a long history of honoring Black History Month. This year, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry and the Chicago History Museum hosted special exhibitions. Chicago Public Libraries (CPL) hosted film screenings and workshops. The University of Chicago hosted multiple lectures throughout February.

One way Black History Month is recognized at Northside each year is through the Black Student Union (BSU) Showcase.

Northside’s Black Student Union hosts a yearly showcase to commemorate Black culture. This year, the BSU Showcase was held on February 25 during Wednesday’s colloquium. The showcase incorporated spoken poems, dramatizations, singing duets, and a chorus of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” known as the Black National Anthem.

Tristann Coleman, one of BSU’s vice presidents and a Northside Junior, spoke about BSU’s message to the audience this year, saying, “We’re here to show that our experiences actually matter.”

The showcase highlighted four spoken poems: “Dinosaurs in The Hood,” “Emmett,” “White Privilege,” “How to Survive Being a Black Girl,” and “Black Boys Round Here,” as well as one dramatization based on the show Key & Peele.

Tristann said, “I’m really proud of our [performance.]” She also said that her favorite act was “Emmett,” a poem about the tragedy of Emmett Till. She said, “It was one of the best ones we’ve picked in the past three, four years.”

Student Excitement and Reflection on the BSU Showcase

In anticipation for the BSU Showcase, Sophomore Hildy Betzen said, “I heard they’re doing singing this year, and I remember last year I really liked that.” Hildy also added, “Last year, I really liked some of the lighting that they did…I felt like it elevated the poems a lot.” 

This year, BSU featured similar immersive lighting during the poems as last year, using lighting to feature certain students while keeping a dark background.

Sophomore Dom Wozniak said, “I’m excited to experience the Black culture at Northside…We have an amazing community of Black students.” The BSU community is significant at Northside.

BSU consists of 41 students and organizes yearly activities, such as a potluck, and, of course, the BSU showcase to celebrate Black History Month. 

Tristann Coleman suggests that to celebrate this year’s Black History Month all students should “just be kind…and be respectful.” 

Black History Month is an essential part of Northside culture and tradition. Thank you, Black Student Union for a rich display of Black culture.