National Black History Month Q&A with Jalen Riven
Jalen Riven is a senior at Central Catholic High School (Class of 2021). Jalen is involved in Spiritual Commission, Student Senate, Glee Club, IrishTHON Committee & Sideline Spirit, as well as being a member of the football & track teams. In addition, Jalen is in his first year participating in the African American Club.
If you could pick any figure central to Black History to have dinner with who would it be?
If I had the opportunity to have dinner with someone who has played a huge role in our history, I would love for it to be Malcolm X. I would like to learn why he was so passionate about his beliefs and to know more in depth of what the end goal would’ve been in his eyes. I feel that he was misunderstood, and I have a strong desire to understand him more.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month means a lot to me, but it doesn’t satisfy me. I feel as though it was like a sense of pity in making this an annual thing, to appease black people. However, I plan to do a lot within this month and to make the most of it. I want to keep all of the things that were starting in the African American Club going on throughout the school even beyond this month.
What do you love about Central Catholic High School?
I love how I can grow to know everyone and their backgrounds. I enjoy being exposed to new cultures that previously weren’t brought to my attention. I’m very much a people person, so I can thrive while being at CCHS.
Where would you like to see our city, state & country go from here in regards to Black History Month?
I would like to see our country go from a scared, contradictory-filled nation to one that is unified. For my state and city, I expect for us to make these changes now. We don’t have time to waste and it’s past time. This month, after the past year we’ve had, should change people for the better and even the months after. We need this.