Zaida Smith: Empowering Black Voices during Black History Month

AVA PASSAERLLI & ANDREA DE JESUS

The BSA (Black Student Association) at St. Marcellinus is dedicated to amplifying black voices at the school all year round. For Black History Month, the association is organizing events and activities for the whole school, throughout the month. Spirit Times members Ava and Andrea conducted an interview with one of the presidents of the BSA, Zaida Smith, to learn more about the club!

Q: How are you doing? How is the new semester?

A: I’m good and it’s good! I actually prefer this semester to my last because I find the classes more interesting

Q: What is the BSA?

A: So the BSA basically aims to empower and uplift Black students at St. Marcellinus by sharing and encouraging all their aspirations and accomplishments. We also strive to build community within and strengthen the Black student body at the school through various community-building activities throughout the year. All in all, we’re just here to spread awareness and build a strong community and safe space for Black students and allies.

Q: Can you give us a sneak peek at your plans for the BSA throughout the rest of the year?

A: So in lieu of jam-packing Black History Month and not having any events for the rest of the year, we want to do an “Anti-Racism Week”. During this week we’d basically share resources and information about how to actively be anti-racist as an ally and help Black students and teachers expand their knowledge and vocabulary on the topic so that they’re better able to educate themselves and others. During this week, we want to bring in a speaker and/or a workshop as well and put out student-starring social media content based on the topic.

Some other little things include more community-building activities for our members such as “Afros & Art” which is a paint night and possibly a trip to a Black oriented museum. School wide, we plan on holding more fundraisers such as a bun and cheese sale during April (it’s a Jamaican Easter holiday treat) and hopefully a school dance in the gym for Caribbean heritage month.

Q: How does it feel being in Grade 11 and co-leading one of the school's most important clubs?

A: I’ve always been interested in leadership and activism-based activities. In middle school, I ran a Black Lives Matter protest as well as organizing the Black History Month assembly for my school at the time. This to say that when I got to Marcellinus I felt that our school needed a bit more representation and felt that I would be a good person to help make that happen.

Q: That's so fitting since the next question I was going to ask is that since you've been such a prominent figure in BLM since its peak in 2020, could you expand on what you did and how you achieved it at such a young age?

A: So the June after George Floyd’s death I had attended around 5 protests and the feeling of being in those crowds is incredible. After gaining some support and confidence from my friends and teacher at the time, I decided that I wanted to do more than just attend and so I started planning my own. In preparation, I created my team, once I had that I mapped our route and created the itinerary for the day. Once that was done, I contacted city officials, law enforcement, news outlets, performers and speakers and vendors for our t-shirts and food. We ended up with around 200 protesters and coverage by City News and Insauga as well as other local news radio stations. All in all, to this day I couldn’t be more proud and grateful for the support and outcome.

Q: How can we inspire/ uplift young black girls and children during black history month to lead and educate their communities?

A: Firstly, I think it’s important to introduce them to people who have overcome challenges and achieved success. Help them understand that anything is possible with hard work, determination, and the right support. Secondly, educating them about the power of community activism. Show them how people can come together to create positive change in their communities. Help them understand that they can make a difference, no matter how small. Also, stressing that education and developing their skills is key. Teach them that education is the most valuable tool to unlocking opportunities and achieving their goals. Encourage them to read books, explore new subjects, and develop their interests. Finally, for myself personally, I think it’s important to lead by example and provide support and advice when needed. I’m hyper-aware of how I carry myself in school and otherwise because I know that I’m seen as a leader within the school and I want to provide the best example I can for those who might want to do what I’m doing and even better in the future.

Q: What does Black History Month mean to you and the importance of educating others?

A: Black History is important to me and in general because it acknowledges the rich legacy of Black people across the diaspora, promotes social justice, and encourages people to celebrate our contributions to culture and society.

Q: But going along with black history month, how do you think celebrating it brings us closer to achieving equality?

A: I think that by acknowledging the struggles, hardships, and accomplishments of Black people in Canada and worldwide, we promote a greater understanding and respect for the culture and history. By recognizing and celebrating Black history, we work towards dismantling the institutionalized racism that has perpetuated inequality for generations. Through education, advocacy, and community involvement, we can build a more inclusive and equitable community. Celebrating not only helps to bridge the gap between different cultures within our diaspora but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for social justice and equality. It allows us to come together as a society and learn from the past to create a better future. By embracing and celebrating Black history, we can create a more inclusive and just world that recognizes and values the contributions of all people, regardless of their race or ethnicity.

Q: Well said, equality is definitely inclusivity. Who are you inspired by when it comes to advocating Black History?

A: This is a hard question. There are so many Black figures who I look up to and revere. I pull my inspiration from many different figures from many different fields. From Michelle Obama’s success and resiliency to Maya Angelou’s articulation to Nina Simone’s confidence. When it comes to my own personal experience with activism however, I like to pull from younger activists such as Amanda Gorman or Mari Copeny or Marley Dias. These are activists, some who are even younger than me, who have made immense contributions towards their cause. For me, knowing that these amazing people have made such strides at such a young age reinforces my desire and drive to make a difference.

Q: I agree, there are so many inspiring black figures that helped make a difference. Are there any specific examples we can take away and apply to our own lives?

A: All the figures I listed as well as any other influential Black figures possess at least one trait that people can benefit from adopting. Mari Copeny for example, one could benefit from adopting her resilience. Despite facing personal challenges, including experiencing the Flint water crisis firsthand, Mari remained resilient and focused on making a difference. She used her own experiences to bring attention to the struggles of her community and inspire others to take action. Or Amanda Gorman, one could gain from embracing her determination. She overcame a speech impediment and became the first Youth Poet Laureate of the United States. Her youth and representation of the next generation of leaders gave hope for a better future on the world stage during a turbulent time. I could go on and on, educating myself and reading about these figures has helped shape much of my personality and I think that they could absolutely be helpful to others in that same way.

Q: How can we acknowledge and prevent racism and instead show inclusivity in everyday life?

A: There are many ways to advocate and promote inclusion. Some that I think should take priority include:

1. Educating yourself and others about the history of racism and its effects on marginalized communities.

2. Listening to the experiences and perspectives of people from different backgrounds and cultures than your own.

3. Speaking out against racism and discrimination when you witness it, whether it's online or in person.

4. Supporting businesses, organizations, and communities that promote diversity and inclusivity.

5. Engaging in activities that expose you to different cultures and traditions, such as attending cultural festivals and events or trying new cuisines.

6. Challenging your own biases and stereotypes by examining your own beliefs and assumptions.

Q: Are there any closing remarks you’d like the school to be aware of regarding the BSA and Black History Month?

A: Not really! ...Follow our Instagram and Tiktok, both @smss.bsa for further information and updates because that’s where we post everything!

Co-President Zaida Smith (pictured far left)