"Black History Month" Assemblies
from Northeast High School's paper, The Megaphone
We don't know when an annual African American cultural assembly began but the 1976 event was the most controversial. The articles list what was included in each assembly and quotes some participants as well as the staff sponsor. We don't know if other cultural groups had assemblies.
Ms. Harrell and Ms. Pavalko (see interviews) told us about this "riot." They told us the origins of the "riot" were disputed. They said some people blamed it on relationship fights. They also told us the Philadelphia Mounted Police surrounded the school. They thought there was too much police response.
The article states the controversy was in response to a speech and the Black National Anthem. The Black Culture Society disagreed. They blamed it on "prejudiced attitudes of some whites in Northeast."
Ms. Harrell and Ms. Pavalko (see interviews) told us about this "riot." They told us the origins of the "riot" were disputed. They said some people blamed it on relationship fights. They also told us the Philadelphia Mounted Police surrounded the school. They thought there was too much police response.
The article states the controversy was in response to a speech and the Black National Anthem. The Black Culture Society disagreed. They blamed it on "prejudiced attitudes of some whites in Northeast."
April 1976
Race Riots? "Interracial fights" from the "Black Cultural Society's Black History week assembly blamed on a speech and standing or not standing for "Life Every Voice and Sing."
March 14, 1981
The coverage of the African American History Month assembly included other assemblies.
March 11, 1982
The article notes that "every Black student" stood for the singing of "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
March 25, 1983
Photo from "Black History Month" Assembly held March 25, 1983 (see article June 3, 1983)
Students were asked to stand for the Black National Anthem. According to the caption, "everyone stood." Obviously, based on the photo, most white students, and a few African American students, did not stand.
Though there isn't controversy described during the 1983 event (article below) , the photo (see above) "is worth a 1000 words."
Students were asked to stand for the Black National Anthem. According to the caption, "everyone stood." Obviously, based on the photo, most white students, and a few African American students, did not stand.
Though there isn't controversy described during the 1983 event (article below) , the photo (see above) "is worth a 1000 words."
March 14, 1985
"People are here physically, but their mental state are still the way they were before integration."