During the month of February, Black History is celebrated throughout the United States. At Clarke Central High School, Black history and culture is celebrated every day through a variety of clubs and student experiences. Illustration by Suncana Pavlic
Black Culture Club President Jurnee Louder shares her experiences with BCC and its importance for Clarke Central High School students.
For the majority of my life, I have lived a lie.
For as long as I can remember, I thought I was superior to everyone in my own race. I thought that I was smarter. More poised. More eloquent. And frankly, I thought that I was more likely to lead a successful life than the Black people around me.
But for some reason, I truly thought that I was proud to be Black and strong in my sense of self.
It’s shocking, right? Not only is it shocking, but it’s tragic — to see how someone can internalize racism so much, that they don’t even realize how twisted and vitriolic their identity is.
I don’t know how I got these ideas. It’s not like anyone ever directly said to me that I was “doing” Black better than anyone else. But as a young kid, I noticed how people, especially White people, reacted to me.
They seemed less tense and more trusting towards me. That was all the affirmation I needed. I didn‘t realize then that the covert racism that I faced — and instigated — was their problem and not mine.
I felt secure in my blackness and that’s all that mattered.
But, there is a difference between truly loving yourself and loving yourself because White people do.
After years of self-reflection, I came to understand that and have made efforts to fix it. But, I know that there are many more Black people who are struggling on their journey of finding their identity.
Beauty in Black culture has many forms, but it will be a long, hard and often times lonely, road before every Black person arrives to that destination. However, I knew that I needed to do something about it. So, I, Serena Rhym, Kanyla Thomas and Zipporah Daniels started the Black Culture Club.
I understood how important healthy environments can be informing one’s identity. I knew that Black kids needed an outlet to discuss their fears, their doubts, their desires, their goals, their dreams and everything in between with others who understood.
At Black Culture Club, black kids — and anyone who would like to join — discuss all aspects of Black Culture, work on SAT and ACT preparation, volunteer in our community and whatever else the members feel should happen. BCC is a space for everyone to carve their path.
BCC and Black Student Union are both needed at Clarke Central High School. In a world where kids who feel like I felt in the past is way too common, many people have to be willing to inspire the change.
