Commissioners Joy Carter, Nancy Metayer, and Vice Mayor Joshua Simmons. {City of Coral Springs}
By Bryan Boggiano
The city commission discussed the significance of Black History Month at Wednesday’s commission meeting, sharing its importance as a part of American history and the diversity of the community.
Commissioner Nancy Metayer, the city’s first Black female commissioner, said that while everyone’s experience is different, their struggle and perseverance are a testament to their strength.
“In commemorating Black History Month, we have the opportunity to acknowledge the beautiful and unique diversity within Black communities throughout Coral Springs, Broward County, Florida, and the United States,” said Commissioner Metayer.
While it is important to reflect on history, she said people should continue to advocate for fair treatment and justice of historically marginalized groups who continue to face injustice.
“Let’s pair our history with action and use this month to build positive and lasting change throughout our city, county, state, and nation.”
Vice Mayor Joshua Simmons, the city’s first-elected black commissioner, said that it is now more important than ever to think about what Black history means to America.
Simmons also discussed the importance of Black History Month with Coral Springs Talk in an editorial.
“Black History is American History,” he said.
Simmons explained that acknowledging and understanding the truth about Black history is important for the country, whether that history is good or bad.
“History is not always good, it’s not always happy, ” Simmons said. “There are some terrible, terrible things that have happened in history,” he said. “As a country, we have to embrace that.”
Simmons’ comments alluded to the national debate over race and racism in the school curriculum. He said that erasing or ignoring history does the country a disservice.
“It takes away from what we accomplished, what we’ve overcome,” he said. “It’s not always been beautiful, there have been some very ugly parts, but we have overcome a lot of things together…[But] we still have a lot of work to do.”
A proposed bill in Florida would restrict discussions about race and racism in schools and workplaces. The state already banned critical race theory and The 1619 Project from schools.
Simmons further suggested that everyone take the opportunity to learn something new about Black history and its historical figures.
“My story is Black history, it’s American history,” he said. “Coral Springs’s story is history, it’s Black history.”
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- Bryan has a degree in journalism from the University of Florida and earned his masters in geosciences from Florida International University, where he focused in atmospheric sciences. His interests include weather, entertainment, and municipal government.
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