Black Student Union Appearance at the Township Council Meeting | Feb. 7, 2023
Juline Maignan
"Hello everyone. I am Juline Maignan and I am a senior at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School and president of the Black Student Union. I am here today with the event coordinators of the Black Student Union.
Within the club, we strive to create a safe place for our peers to share thoughts and feelings regarding race with all its aspects. Black History Month is a time for us to reflect on the rich cultural heritage and countless contributions made by African Americans to our society. Black History Month is a celebration of the resilience, creativity, and strength of a community that has overcome adversity and discrimination to make a lasting impact on the world.”
Sara Fevrier
“In his speech on the March on Washington in 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. modifies a familiar phrase from the Gettysburg Address. He said, "Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation."
Three scores later, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Dr. King had a dream, "that the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. Where [we] will not be judged by the color of [our] skin but by the content of [our] character." In 2023, there is still a lot of work to be done to achieve his dream, but acknowledging the contributions of Black individuals during this magnificent month of February is a start. I am part of a future generation that will continue to help "guarantee the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" for all people who live in the United States of America.
Bianca Evans
“This month serves as a reminder that the history of Black people is integral to the story of our nation and the world. From the civil rights movement to arts, sports and the sciences, the contributions of Black Americans have shaped the course of history and continue to inspire young minds. February is not the only month to acknowledge Black history but a month to refresh and keep our eyes open to the contributions of Black students, business members, and entrepreneurs within Scotch Plains and Fanwood.
Our dream is that one day Black history will not just be Black history, but a shared and familiar history incorporated into everyday life and classrooms. Black history, along with the stories of every race, color, religion, sex or national origin is American history, and should be shared and celebrated not just for one day, but every day.”