February is an important month for black history because it is a chance to learn about what has happened and what is still happening to African Americans.

People also celebrate black history month in different ways, mostly to educate everyone.

“I celebrate black history month by reeducating myself on my history and learning new things about it,” said senior Chloe Strong

Black lives matter is a movement that is involved with acknowledging black lives and everything that affects them. Oak Park students are involved in the movement for different reasons. “[I’m involved because] the fact that I’m black has a huge impact on how I feel towards black lives matter and Donald Trump. Unfortunately, prejudice and racism isn’t something new to me, said senior Kennedy Butler.

There are different ways to get the word out there and educate people that don’t know the real reason of the movement. “I try my best to educate others on the entire black lives matter movement through social media. I like to retweet and share different articles I find or just any other type of information that I feel is beneficial,” said Butler.

This year and last year we’ve gotten a new president, Donald Trump. His presidency could have an effect on how the movement progresses. “Trump’s presidency has definitely made it clear that racism is still very alive in America and I believe that his presidency is just going to move out country backwards, rather than forwards toward equality for all,” said Butler. “His presidency will affect this movement because just like how the movement has their supporters, Trump has his. They won’t ever agree with the movement and what it stands for,” said Strong.

The outcome of this movement gives a lot of people hope that their days will get better.

“I hope to see change. This racist mentality of western society is extremely archaic. It’s 2017, we shouldn’t have to be fighting for the same issues our grandparents fought for,” said Butler. “I would like to see the empowerment and uplifting of black people and for all people to acknowledge the importance of the black community,” said Strong.