As we all know, February is Black History Month, which, for some students, is a time to share their wonderful poetry with others. Recently, students have been writing poetry about “What Black history means to them”. While the poems are truly beautiful, ETHS students have an even greater goal.

“ My main goal is social revolution,” said senior Mykel Goodlow, “to open the mind’s eye of the listener, and get them to look at life differently, see through many different perspectives and essentially make people better and a better world with less bull. get people to look at society critically and see that we have the power to empower ourselves and change it so everyone can open their eyes, or at least get a glimpse.”

Many of Evanston’s talented writers hope to change the way we think. Senior Jonathan Senecal said “ The goal is to get an idea or feeling on the page, an emotional state, an important message, an honest confession, to acknowledge whatever the inspiration was and the thoughts that were triggered.”

These passionate goals come from a poet’s influences. Both Senecal and Goodlow, along with other artists, say that their influence is derived from the type of music they listen to and of course their role models.

“My influences are musicians and lyricists; The music I listen to,” said Senecal. Goodlow also added, “A lot influences me. I pull from societal issues and things I’ve seen, experienced or have read. Revolution itself and revolutionaries are a big influence on me, like Malcolm X, Che Guevara, Vladimir Lenin, pretty much anybody who is willing to speak openly and act upon the problems of society in the world. I respect that a lot.”

We witness a great many things throughout our lives that speak to us on a personal level, but some may not find value in expressing their feeling about it. “Since I was young, I’ve always been into rap, the kind that doesn’t suck and has meaning. It’s rhythm and poetry, the way you spit that makes it rap. So like, all the artists that I’ve listened to, and the ones I’ve watched on def jam on tv… It was an interest that I’ve had and really only began to apply to my life a year ago.”

As Black History Month comes to end, lets hope students find a way to grow into their future from their past, whether it’s through the written word or any other new passion.