In celebration of Black History Month, 30 Diamond Bar High School students attended a viewing of the award-winning documentary “My Life with Rosie,” produced by a former Brahma.

The president of the Black Student Union club, senior Melvin Houston, organized the trip to allow club members as well as other DBHS students to attend the film viewing.

The documentary highlights the life of one historically significant figure in civil rights activism: Rosa Parks. The film provides an in-depth view of the activist through the eyes of her cousin, Carolyn Green Williamson, who explains her relationship with Parks and offers glimpses of her life in the documentary.

According to producer and 1989 DBHS alumna Dr. Angela Sandler Williamson, her aim for this movie is for educators to present it in their curriculum, complementary to African American and women history.

“Rosa Parks’s contribution to our American history should not be forgotten, but celebrated for her continued struggle to protect our human rights,” Williamson said. “I want every person who watches this documentary to know that their personal struggles do not define who they are. It’s the journey through the struggle that makes everyone extraordinary.”

The event, which was held at Concordia University in Irvine on Feb. 27, featured the screening of the documentary and a brief foreword and afterword delivered by Williamson herself. The students were welcomed to participate in a discussion and question-and-answer period held after the viewing.

“The discussion was really productive and we got more insight on Rosa Parks and how the film was made,” senior Jeremiah Chukwudobe said.

Through every educational trip BSU takes, the club members have the opportunity to form closer bonds with each other. This trip allowed the students to gain more insight about Rosa Parks.

“The quality of the film itself was phenomenal,” Houston said. “The most memorable part was our club discussion afterwards.”

According to Houston, this trip was eye-opening because the film featured Rosa Parks’s life from people who had very personal connections with her.

“I learned of the personal past of Rosa Parks, not just the mediocre coverage in schools today,” Houston said.