Northeast high school celebrates Black History Month with African Symposium

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Lincoln Northeast high school held a special event Saturday to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the connection many Black Americans have to Africa.

14-year-old Karrin Harris is one of the poets at Northeast High whose poetry was featured at the African symposium. She spoke about the many misconceptions about Black people, and how those misconceptions affect her and her pears.

The Equity Inclusion and Diversity Director at the high school said because Lincoln has a small population of Black people, it’s important to remind people about the racism some routinely face.

“This is where we need it the most, because we have the least number of us, we take the most micro aggressions when you live in the Midwest,” said Kwame White. “If you live in the South, you tend to live around people that look like you. In the Midwest, you have to learn to adapt and grow. We want people in the Midwest to understand that they’re connected to Africa and just because you live in America, doesn’t mean you’re not connected to Africa.

The event also featured a step show, food, Black businesses and a live feed from Ghana so attendees could watch African dance.