Members of Bellport High School’s Multicultural Student Association recently participated in a Bellport Historical Society Black History Month panel discussion and screening of the documentary “Race or Reason: The Bellport Dilemma,” as well as “El Kocay,” a follow-up to the film that featured recent Bellport High School graduates. 

Following the viewing of the films, the students heard from a panel of Bellport High School graduates who were students when the films were made in 1969-70. They spoke about racial tension that existed in the school and community during the time and organizational strategies employed through student activism to overcome racial tension. Current students then spoke about the progress that has been made as a school community. They emphasized the clubs, activities and classes now offered to students that bring unity and a sense of belonging among the student body. Multicultural Student Association president Alyssa Vargas closed the discussion by reminding the community, “We’ve come so far and we are only growing from here. We need to keep working and we will see the changes we want to see.”