The knowledge of one’s background is important to know. Not just personally but of their peoples history. Unfortunately, for African American history, it has slowly over time been fading into the unknown and isn’t as prominently taught as much as it should be. So Wednesday, February 25th, many Ossining High School students personally helped increase the education between their peers of this subject by honoring Ruth Stafford, a woman who has preserved and constructed a vast amount of resources developing the history of African Americans over her 97 years on this earth. Mrs. Stafford’s work was displayed, and she was personally here to be welcomed by the many students and who were inspired by her story and life.

The rest of the day was filled with student based awareness on the topic of discrimination and the condition of black america as a whole. Slam poetry was performed by students, some of which were classics, and some were originals. It allowed a broad spectrum of ideas to be brought in, for the students to know what it was like back during eras like the Harlem Renaissance, and reflected some of the issues of today that aren’t being dealt with in a broad spectrum

The day continued on with a group discussion led by Mr. North and Ms. McCrae, two teachers who teach classes like SUNY Racism, Classism, Sexism, SUNY Crossing Borders, and other classes that deal with race issues in America. As a custom to the classes they teach, the discussion was filled with debate and thought provoking points. Of which the students left with, and will continue to rack their brains and keep provoking important discussion.

Some teachers knew that this would come of today, and thought it would be important for their students to know. Mr. Grey, a Social Studies teacher who brought his students to the library to be a part of the event said, “at what point do we as a people assume the responsibility thats necessary to move forward”. and that in a classroom setting, “at what point do black students and minority students realize that they have a role to play in this upward mobility”. The students need to create their own future, and by proving one can with the display of Mrs. Staffords work, we can create a better future of tolerance and education.

The goal was met, and the students who attended left with important knowledge, of which Mrs. Stafford would be proud of. The rich knowledge known by her, and known by others, will continue to survive in education, and will hopefully all become common knowledge to all.