In light of recent events in the United States, it is clear that our education system has failed us in teaching about black history and culture in America. We are usually taught the basis of black history--that black people came as slaves, got freedom in the Civil War, and reached equality after the Civil Rights Movement. We seldom go deep into the underlying issues that still affect black people today or the deep and diverse culture black people have brought to the United States. While we even have entire class on European history, we don't have any on African history(or even Hispanic or Asian History).

Not only that, but in our classes, we hardly read black authors. In all four years of my time at Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School, I can think of less than five black authors I have read from. If we truly want to show the student's in our community the full picture of America, we need more diverse voices in our schools.

Finally, there needs to be more of a celebration of Black history and culture. During my time at MASH, Black History Month was seldom celebrated. In my junior year, I even had to ask the administration to have something to celebrate Black History month.

There are many black students at MASH. Please sign this petition to get Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School to tell their story.