Dear Canutillo Community,
February is Black History Month and the Canutillo Independent School District joins the rest of the country in celebrating the contributions, impact and stories that the African-American community have had on our school district, city, state and nation. Each year, during the month of February, many of us pause to reflect on the cultural and historic importance of black voices in our communities. It’s perhaps easy to relegate learning about figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass as we make well-meaning acknowledgements of Black History Month.
However, it is critical for us as Americans to delve deeper into the history of African-Americans in our country and do the work necessary to truly understand the full impact and depth of the Black experience in the United States. A new movement among African-American scholars is to promote the concept of Do The Work among Americans wishing to truly understand and celebrate Black History Month.
Do the Work invites people to learn the story behind important, but perhaps lesser known figures, events and places considered critical in Black history. Scholars and African-American advocates issue prompts on social media that followers can research easily on Google, Wikipedia or other search engines in order to learn more in depth about these topics. So far this month, the prompts have included: The Middle Passage, Igbo Landing and the Compensated Emancipation Act.
If you wish to follow along, search the hashtags #DiscoverOurGlory2023 and continue to celebrate Black History Month in a more significant and meaningful way.
Canutillo was in full celebration mode this week as one of its students made local, state and even national news. Canutillo High School senior and standout football player LJ Martin on Tuesday announced his decision to attend and play football at Brigham Young University in the coming fall.
His announcement was one of the most anticipated ones during the National Signing Day and CHS celebrated by having a great ceremony to honor this great accomplishment. LJ was one of the highest rated Division 1 recruits in Texas and he had offers from more than a dozen universities. His decision to head to BYU came as a surprise to many, and his announcement even made it to the Sports Illustrated website.
LJ is an outstanding young man not just because he’s a great football player. He is truly a great representative of the Canutillo Spirit. He’s a good student, a caring community member and a proud son and brother. On behalf of the entire Canutillo and El Paso community, I wish him good luck in Provo, Utah. We know he will make us all proud.
Have a great weekend, Canutillo!
Pedro Galaviz
Superintendent of Schools