What Black History Month Means to Me: Zach Reed
2/24/2021 9:08:00 AM | General
EDITOR'S NOTE: In the continued celebration of Black History Month, the Cal Poly Athletics Department is featuring reflective written pieces from staff members and student-athletes. Academic advisor Zach Reed joined the Mustang Success Center in 2018 and oversees advising for Cal Poly's swimming and diving, cross country, track and field and women's soccer programs.
Black History Month is about discovery, connection, beauty and opportunity. I believe February serves as a dedicated time to learn and embrace pieces of history that should not be forgotten, could be intentionally omitted, or often times simply uncomfortable. For this reason, I'd like to assert that Black history is American history. No one enjoys talking about slavery or the after effects of the Emancipation Proclamation. No one is thankful that Dr. King had to be assassinated for large swaths of our country to speak out. No one wants to see a riot in their hometown any more than they would like to spend 8:46 with their face pinned to the concrete. These all, however, are or will be events we learn about when we look at Black history … American history.
My perspective on this month is somewhat grounded having grown up in a small Midwestern town. I feel that my experience represents what Black History Month is for many, but also informs of the opportunity of what it could be for others. I spent most of my childhood and some of my adulthood being the only. The only one who gets to really feel it when we read To Kill a Mockingbird. Or maybe the only coach in the community who the next only can identify with. Two extremes to show a bit of trauma, but an absolute duty to learn and lead. Perhaps the only dressing up as Diana Ross or doing his best MLK impression, to bring those figures into the spotlight. An abrupt realization that this cannot be escaped or ignored, no matter how comfortable or safe one may feel. A challenge to close that gap. That is what Black History Month is to me: an opportunity to connect, share, learn and feel. A time to celebrate each triumph and sorrow.
This time and celebration of Black history is important to me because it serves a dedicated time frame to do the service learning of this history. A reminder: Black history is American history. The America that we live in and have grown to love does not exist without the exploitation, collaboration, perseverance and, ultimately, legislated acceptance of African Americans. Some of these topics are rare to find. Sure, everyone knows a couple key names and events, but I'm constantly learning about new figures and events in history through conversation, documentaries and reading. There is an entire archive out there to be discovered. This year in particular, I've been reading "Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019" and concentrating on the time frames for which I lack knowledge. There truly is beauty in every step of the way and we all know that beauty contains some struggle too. The absolute undeniable endurance is awesome. We all need to learn about the love needed for us to get here today.
The emotions I feel during February are mostly pride and hope, though I do embrace the tough emotions that come with a handful of intense memories and experiences. I tend to refocus on the importance that it is all of our history and it is happening every day. We are literally making history – today and in our current living generations. Whether the topic is race, religion, gender, orientation or another, we're all contributing to the future of American history. How will the millions of protestors be portrayed in history? Will those killed be remembered for their crime or their tragedy? These are the gripping questions that students will talk about in a future February.
While I'm sad for things I've endured and fearful for more deprivation of our history, I'm thankful for our ability to contribute (and learn) and proud of the overall growth I sense in dialogue.
I hope you have taken on the challenge to learn and celebrate something or someone new to you this Black History Month. If not, you have the rest of the year ahead of you. Make a commitment and make a difference.
Zach Reed
Academic Advisor, Mustang Success Center
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Black History Month is about discovery, connection, beauty and opportunity. I believe February serves as a dedicated time to learn and embrace pieces of history that should not be forgotten, could be intentionally omitted, or often times simply uncomfortable. For this reason, I'd like to assert that Black history is American history. No one enjoys talking about slavery or the after effects of the Emancipation Proclamation. No one is thankful that Dr. King had to be assassinated for large swaths of our country to speak out. No one wants to see a riot in their hometown any more than they would like to spend 8:46 with their face pinned to the concrete. These all, however, are or will be events we learn about when we look at Black history … American history.
My perspective on this month is somewhat grounded having grown up in a small Midwestern town. I feel that my experience represents what Black History Month is for many, but also informs of the opportunity of what it could be for others. I spent most of my childhood and some of my adulthood being the only. The only one who gets to really feel it when we read To Kill a Mockingbird. Or maybe the only coach in the community who the next only can identify with. Two extremes to show a bit of trauma, but an absolute duty to learn and lead. Perhaps the only dressing up as Diana Ross or doing his best MLK impression, to bring those figures into the spotlight. An abrupt realization that this cannot be escaped or ignored, no matter how comfortable or safe one may feel. A challenge to close that gap. That is what Black History Month is to me: an opportunity to connect, share, learn and feel. A time to celebrate each triumph and sorrow.
This time and celebration of Black history is important to me because it serves a dedicated time frame to do the service learning of this history. A reminder: Black history is American history. The America that we live in and have grown to love does not exist without the exploitation, collaboration, perseverance and, ultimately, legislated acceptance of African Americans. Some of these topics are rare to find. Sure, everyone knows a couple key names and events, but I'm constantly learning about new figures and events in history through conversation, documentaries and reading. There is an entire archive out there to be discovered. This year in particular, I've been reading "Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019" and concentrating on the time frames for which I lack knowledge. There truly is beauty in every step of the way and we all know that beauty contains some struggle too. The absolute undeniable endurance is awesome. We all need to learn about the love needed for us to get here today.
The emotions I feel during February are mostly pride and hope, though I do embrace the tough emotions that come with a handful of intense memories and experiences. I tend to refocus on the importance that it is all of our history and it is happening every day. We are literally making history – today and in our current living generations. Whether the topic is race, religion, gender, orientation or another, we're all contributing to the future of American history. How will the millions of protestors be portrayed in history? Will those killed be remembered for their crime or their tragedy? These are the gripping questions that students will talk about in a future February.
While I'm sad for things I've endured and fearful for more deprivation of our history, I'm thankful for our ability to contribute (and learn) and proud of the overall growth I sense in dialogue.
I hope you have taken on the challenge to learn and celebrate something or someone new to you this Black History Month. If not, you have the rest of the year ahead of you. Make a commitment and make a difference.
Zach Reed
Academic Advisor, Mustang Success Center
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