Exchange Student from Palestine Learns About Black History Month

In the United States, February is Black History Month. All around the country, schools and communities take this month to remember and celebrate important people and events in Black American history.

Sali, an exchange student from Palestine, joined her school’s Black Student Union to learn more about Black American History and to take part in her school’s Black History Month events! Here’s what she had to say about her experience:

“I’m a part of this amazing club called the Black Student Union I joined the club wanting to learn more about Black history and this past month I’ve learned so much since it is Black History Month. BSU is hosting an assembly at my school. From our rehearsals, I learned a lot about dancing, music, fashion, and much more. They are performing a tap dance at the assembly, and when I saw the dance, it was so powerful, it showed emotion, a strong voice, and a strong beat. It was so coordinated and it looked so neat. For the music part of the assembly, a few of my friends participated in it and it was really fun to hear them sing. You can really spot the talent they have. Not only are they singing, but they are also showing a history of great Black artists and signers and what they have achieved.

Now coming to Black fashion, this is the part of the assembly I participated in. It helped me learn a lot about Black fashion. While doing my research, I was amazed by the amazing accomplishments these fashion designers made. For example, Patrick Kelly. He was an African American fashion designer who came to fame in France. He was the first American to be admitted to the French Federation of Fashion and of Read-to-Wear Couturiers and Fashion Designers, the prestigious governing body for the French fashion industry. His designs were famous for their exuberance, humor, and reference to pop culture and Black folklore.

Overall, it was really fun to learn about Black history and exchange our cultures. This activity has helped me understand a lot of things I didn’t know about Black history and I think it was an awesome experience to be a part of something like this!!!”

Sali is a recipient of the prestigious Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program scholarship sponsored by the U.S. Department of State which provides high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations the opportunity to live and study for an academic year in the United States. YES students serve as “youth ambassadors” of their home country, promoting mutual understanding by forming lasting relationships with their host families and communities.

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This post was written by Morgan Tondreault