The Return To Life Pre-Pandemic: Long-Overdue Or Done Too Soon?

By: Cory Utsey

It has been just over a year since the United States has dealt with COVID-19 and its associated adjustments. Among the changes made to lessen the spread of this illness have been mask mandates, lower capacities for businesses and in some cases, complete closures.

Living in the midst of a pandemic has ultimately become the “new normal”, but as the number of new cases have begun to shrink, and as more Americans have begun to receive vaccinations, a call for the return to life before the pandemic-- the “old normal”-- has become increasingly present. Although this call is completely understandable, there is still a chance that it has been made too soon.

According to the CDC, individuals who are fully vaccinated are permitted to engage in activities that were done before the pandemic-- such as small gatherings or eating in a restaurant-- without wearing a mask or maintaining a distance of 6-feet apart, unless these parameters are required by law or by a particular establishment. If fully-vaccinated individuals are exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they are not advised to stay away from others or get tested unless they begin to exhibit symptoms. 

In the states of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, many of the capacity limits in places such as hair salons, museums and movie theaters have been lifted as of May 19. In other states, such as Texas and Louisiana, statewide mask mandates have been lifted for most public establishments. And in the state of California, Governor Gavin Newsom is pushing for all schools to reopen for the fall.

Many people, including lawmakers, are fed up with COVID-19, and this is understandably so. Students are tired of logging onto virtual classrooms, businesses who have operated at lower capacities do not want to risk foreclosure, and people who once frequented parties and concerts miss that thrill. Adjusting to life in a pandemic has been far from easy, and many people want nothing more than to return to life as it was prior to March of 2020.

At the same time, though, to say that life pre-pandemic would function well in the current state of affairs would ignore a few key issues.

COVID-19 is no longer rising in the way that it was months ago, but it has not magically gone away. People are still contracting and dying from the illness, and for some, the symptoms last for months by way of long-term health conditions.

Additionally, there are still many people who are fueled by skepticism, distrust of the medical system or complete disregard for the ramifications of the pandemic; not only do these people continuously live their lives under unsafe conditions by attending large gatherings and refusing to wear a mask, but many of them also refuse to get vaccinated.

USA Facts reports that 48% of the population has received at least one dose of a vaccination, while 38% of the population is fully vaccinated. Many scientists have argued that the idea of “herd immunity” is neither viable nor likely, as it does not necessarily guarantee that populations will be exempt from new infections or variants.

However, when you have lifted restrictions, careless individuals and numbers of vaccinated people that are likely less than desirable, it is hard to really gauge whether or not the United States will fully get over COVID-19 any time soon.

Nevertheless, there is really no substantive way of understanding how each of these factors will influence the rest of the year. 

Restrictions and mandates or not, one can only hope that people will prioritize the health and safety of both themselves and their community. Neither the new normal nor the old normal are worth anything without it.

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Rise And Grind: Hustle Culture Is Not The Flex You Think It Is

By: Cory Utsey

There is something about the hustle that many people find enticing. 

Regardless of what exactly one’s hustle might be, many have subscribed to the idea that complete and total dedication to a specific craft is vital for success--regardless of how unorthodox or unhealthy some of these methods might be.

“Rise and grind” culture, which is also known as “hustle culture”, often stands at the forefront of this mindset. Defined as the belief that incessant work and work ethic are necessary to succeed, it ultimately implies that basic needs such as sleep, socializing and relaxation come second to one’s work.

The pressure to constantly be involved with some type of work or work-related project is understandable, as we are often conditioned to measure our self-worth and validity on how much we accomplish by tangible means; if an accomplishment cannot be touched or photographed, we are often led to believe that it might as well be nonexistent.

But right now more than ever, there is much to be proud of one’s self for.

Every time that you wake up, get out of bed and push through, you have accomplished something. And even on the days where the simplest of tasks seem impossible, the mere effort to complete them is an accomplishment.

The pandemic, along with many other injustices and inequalities that different communities face, has contributed to a world that is almost completely upside down right now. Therefore, any attempt at functioning in this world is something to be proud of. 

Additionally, it is important to remember that you have absolutely nothing to prove to anyone.

People will have their unsolicited opinions, project their insecurities onto you and upkeep ridiculous standards as they please, but this does not mean that you are obligated to prove them right or wrong.

Although we navigate the world with different people at our side and in our vicinity, we do not exist to please these people, nor do the beliefs of these people have any agency over our success. Working to impress them serves virtually no purpose in the long-run. 

But even with these factors aside, one must consider that it is nearly impossible to succeed at doing anything when the health of one’s body and mind are kicked to the curb.

Rest is necessary. Relaxation is necessary. Casual socialization is necessary. You cannot expect your brain and body to work for hours on end when you are continuously running on E.

The fact of the matter is that solace, peace and validation can be found outside of tasks that are done for profit. Hustle culture might be a temporary fix in finding fulfillment, but it is not the end-all-be-all solution. Work is necessary for many people to live, but this does not mean that one must live to work.

So revel in all accomplishments, whether big or small. Take a deep breath. Enjoy living.

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It's Time For Better Portrayals of Black People on Television and in the Media

By: Kwana Adams

The world so often tries to fit black people into one box, and quite frankly, some of us are guilty of stuffing each other into that box as well. Why do we do this? Why can’t black people be multifaceted and unique? 

We don’t have to be embarrassed or ashamed of having interests that don’t fit into the black stereotype. We’re not ‘Oreos’ because we like a certain genre of music or watch anime. We’re allowed to enjoy these things as much as anyone else. We can dress the way we want to too.

Personally, I’d love to see more people walking around in ballgowns and Victorian-era clothing. I’d love for the disco era to come back well.  Most of all, I just want to see black people being happy and being themselves without judgment. I also want to see black people building and creating together. 

As an avid reader and writer, I’m tired of black people not being represented enough in books and film or only being represented as gangsters, slaves, or in extreme poverty. One day we need to have a conversation about how Hollywood portrays the ‘hood’ but for now, let’s discuss how we can represent ourselves differently. 

I want to see us in chick flick-teenage drama movies and not just as the friend with one witty line. I want us to be fairies, superheroes, vampires, spies, etc. I want us to be the main characters. I know it’s a lot easier said than done, but we’re gonna get there. I know we’re well on our way with more tv shows with black casts are coming out. The effort is there, but we can still do better. Before we can do all of that, we need more black creatives. If we’re writing the scripts, directing, producing, etc., we can represent ourselves better than anyone. We can write ourselves in way more beautiful lights. 

We need to start investing in each other, creating our own studios, publishing houses, etc. No longer do we need to worry about getting a seat at the table. We need to start building our own homes brick by brick and making our own tables. It’s time. Creating generational wealth isn’t just about piling money away for your children but also about making something that you can leave for them and others in your community.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “it takes a village?” I know it applies to raising children, but I’m applying it to black-owned communities and creative enterprises. It takes a village to build something that will enable us to leave something behind for the next generation. I want to make sure my future children are all set, but I also want to instill in them the value of working together. I am tired of the ‘every man for himself’ mindset. It doesn’t help us at all. It might feel good to get everything on your own but working with others is so rewarding. The point is, you don’t have to do it alone when you can do it together. 

To wrap it up, I really want black people to feel comfortable enough in their own skin to be themselves. I’m talking about black women, black men, black LGBTQ+ people, black disabled people, etc. I’m talking about all of us. It’s okay for us to be ourselves, be silly, be imaginative. I also want for us to be represented this way in media. Trauma porn is played out, and to be honest; it’s really not even for us.

We already know slavery was gruesome and worse than what they taught us. We don’t need to keep being traumatized by black people being shot and brutalized by police or by black people being whipped or mistreated. We need comedy; we need romance; we need movies that make us laugh or just make us feel damn good! It’s about time we get that. This is the future that I’m striving for, so please don’t get in my way.

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Gatekeeping Black Culture: An Extreme Or Necessary Measure?

By: Cory Utsey

Black culture is a beautiful, layered delicacy.

For years upon years, Black people have used their pain, their strength and their resilience to create amazing things. 

Through stories, music, lingo, aesthetic and demeanor, Black people have proven that nothing could stop the outpouring of love and creativity from being shared with one another and with the world.

Black culture is the blueprint.

Therefore, when the culture is stolen and re-packaged to be palatable for non-Black audiences, outrage is more than warranted-- especially when credit is not given where it is due.

Watching Black hairstyles be renamed and worn by non-Black models in fashion fare, or seeing dances made by Black creators be watered down and performed by non-Black influencers on television breeds a sense of rage that words could never express.

So where do we draw the line? To what extent do we keep the culture in the community? Is that even possible?

To even attempt to answer these questions, we must first acknowledge that mainstream culture is Black culture.

The so-called “stan twitter language” or Internet slang is misused and overexaggerated AAVE, trends in everyday fashion tend to be inspired heavily by the Black community, and even in meme culture are many of the images and soundbites from Black people.

Black culture has provided many non-Black people with means of profit as their mannerisms, style and personality are entirely inspired-- or stolen-- from the culture. More often than not in these instances are Black people either left without credit, or gaslighted in their attempts to call these attempts at cultural appropriation out.

The fact of the matter is that any culture, regardless of its originators, should never be co-opted by groups who have no history or reason for interaction with it, especially when co-opting leads to brand sponsorships, business start-ups or careers in music and film.

But with Black culture--a culture that has continuously been ripped off of and redefined for non-Black majorities-- it becomes difficult for many to distinguish between something which is trendy and something which is appropriated.

The main difference between the two is that trends die down. Culture does not.

Baby hairs, bamboo earrings and long acrylics, durags, Air Force 1s and baggy pants-- these things are not new to the game. Black people were rocking these types of clothing, accessories and shoes long before your favorite influencer was around. 

Black culture is not something that you can look at it in 20 years and be embarrassed for engaging with-- unless we are talking about the God forsaken jheri curls. 

Black culture is long-lasting, ever-influential and never lacking in flavor. It transcends decades and state lines.

Therefore, the line is drawn when Black people are not credited for their contributions while their work is actively profited off of. The culture will always be in the community because as hard as people might try to imitate, they can never duplicate with that same level of genuinity. And while it is difficult to truly keep Black culture a Black thing, putting pressure on those who try to appropriate will always be a useful tool.

Gatekeeping the entirety of Black culture seems extreme in conception, but Black culture is a bloodline of its own; it is one of few connections that many have to their roots.

 Something with such delicacy can neither be taken for granted nor left unprotected; Black culture belongs to Black people, and it is within our right to defend and maintain its presence.

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Entrepreneurship vs 9-5s: Choosing A Lifestyle That Fits You

By: Kwana Adams

When it comes to making money, there really isn’t a wrong way to do it. Well, there is, but that’s another story. As long as you’re making your money honestly, who cares how you do it? Don’t ever feel ashamed about doing what you have to do to take care of yourself.

We keep having this same conversation when we should all be minding our business. I’m talking about the neverending argument between entrepreneurship and ‘9-5s.’ There are pros and cons to both, and one method is no better than the other. As someone who has been doing both for a while, I can tell you that they both have their advantages and disadvantages. Neither is easy, but both can be rewarding. 

Before we get into that, I just want to say: entrepreneurs, stop shaming people for working 9-5s. Not everyone is cut out for entrepreneurship, nor do they want to take that path, and that’s okay. There are plenty of jobs where you can punch a clock and make good money. There are also jobs where you can set your own hours and take plenty of vacations. 9-5s aren’t just retail, fast food, and call centers. However, they do make up most of the 9-5s, and there’s nothing wrong with having these types of jobs.

Not all people who work 9-5s are miserable. Some people actually get up every day and enjoy what they do. Some people also like the security that a 9-5 job offers them. They don’t have to worry about hiring employees or figuring out health insurance because their job takes care of all of that for them. They also don’t have to worry about the costs of running a business from the ground up. 

Entrepreneurship is expensive, and it can sometimes take years to start seeing a decent profit. You could spend a lot of your time just spending your own money before you begin to make some of it back. This is where having a 9-5 on the side comes in handy.

You have to make money to spend money when it comes to creating a business or a brand. It takes a lot of patience, dedication, and a lot of free time. Before you get to set your own hours, you have to put in a lot to get to where you want to be. It doesn’t happen overnight, especially if your heart isn’t in it.

If you’re just trying to get rich quick, it will show in your work, and you won’t get too far. With the trend of people getting social media famous, it seems like it’s so easy that anyone can do it, but it’s not. This honest truth is that some people simply got lucky. I know it’s a hard pill to swallow, but this is why following your own path and not someone else’s is so important. What worked for someone else might not work for you. 

Entrepreneurship is risky as well. You might put a lot of time and money into something and realize that it doesn’t work, or even worse, that you actually hate it. Another thing that goes into entrepreneurship is research, and I cannot say this enough. You absolutely must do your research before you jump headfirst into the deep waves of entrepreneurship.

You have to have some business knowledge, and you need to know how to market yourself and your business. Word of mouth is still a great way to gain interest in your business, but it comes second to marketing and social media presence. If you’re going to go down this path, these absolutely need to be included in your budget.

Whatever path you decide to choose, if it’s a 9-5 or entrepreneurship, or both, just make sure it’s the right path for you. Both are equally as important and couldn’t exist without the other. Not everyone wants to start a business, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Just don’t be afraid to look for newer and better opportunities when you can. Never settle for less and do what makes YOU happy.

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Make Racists Afraid Again: Army Sergeant Jonathan Pentland Charged With Assault

By: Kwana Adams

Our last two presidents have caused such a divide when it comes to race, but each in their own ways. People were so upset when Barack Obama was elected president, and those same people maintained a cult-like admiration for the next president Donald Trump. I call it cult-like because he did not even have to say things outright, yet his supporters would completely “understood” what he said and took it to extremes.

They liked him so much because he’s a great businessman (been bankrupt four times), and he “tells it like it is” (extremely offensive, downright rude, and disrespectful). I know that the general public likes to think the race line was drawn when Trump became president, but it was years before. Many horrid and racist things about Barack Obama were said, written, and drawn on poster boards because a black man dared to create history. Donald Trump led a whole campaign about the status of Obama’s birth certificate. He made his supporters feel bold enough to say what they want to say too. 

We started going out into the streets demanding our lives to matter, and they spoke over us with ‘All lives matter.’ Barack Obama brought them out of hiding, but Donald Trump made them bold; so bold that they would proudly spew hatred on social media with their full names and places of employment on display. They would proudly be caught on video spewing hatred, too… until it goes viral. Suddenly, they’re sorry, it’s not who they are, and they didn’t mean it.

Their lives shouldn’t be ruined because of a simple mistake. Aw, are we supposed to feel bad for them? I don’t. If you’re going to say racist, awful things, then say it with your whole chest. Stand ten toes on it. Don’t change it up now because you got caught in 4K. You meant what you said. Now you have to deal with the consequences.

My favorite thing is seeing racists lose their jobs, scholarships, and enrollment in colleges and high schools. Some people really believe that free speech means “freedom to say what you want and nothing happens.” Not anymore. You’re being held accountable. You’re losing your privileges, and sometimes you’re getting punched in the face. Freedom of speech does not mean you can say whatever you want and get away with it. 

I am so tired of seeing videos of white people verbally and physically assaulting black people. They’re triggering and, quite frankly, traumatizing. It physically hurts to see black people being shoved around, spit at, or called names just for simply existing. I do admit that video evidence is essential, but it rarely helps us, and when it does, it’s really refreshing.

A white man recently decided to intimidate and push around a much smaller black man because he was walking through the neighborhood. That man thought he was so tough until that video went viral. He got arrested, and black people showed up in droves outside of his house.

Jonathan Pentland, a US Army sergeant, was charged with assault for shoving that man whose only crime was minding his own damn business, and I feel great about it. The way he pushed around that man was despicable. It’s heartbreaking that we have to record interactions with white people so often because we could end up in a horrible situation.

We need racists to go back to being afraid. We need to keep holding them accountable, like Jonathan Pentland and Miya Ponsetto, so they don’t keep believing they can harm us and endanger our lives without repercussions. Make examples out of them and make racists afraid again.

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Daunte Wright And George Floyd Were Connected and Both Deserved Better

By: Cory Utsey

Sunday, April 11 marked the end of another Black man’s life. 

Daunte Wright was murdered by ex-officer Kim Potter, who is now being charged with second-degree manslaughter, during a traffic stop after she allegedly mistook her taser for her gun. He was only 20 years old.

This senseless act, which took place in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, is less than 15 miles from where George Floyd was murdered in May of 2020, but the interconnected nature of these two men extends past location and even past police brutality.

George Floyd’s girlfriend Courteney Ross was a former teacher of Daunte Wright.

Two men, two fathers, two human beings whose lives were stolen in a similar manner, one of which took place amidst the trial against the murderer of the other. 

The connection between Floyd and Wright is eerily reminiscent of the ties between US Army 2nd Lt. Caron Nazario-- who was pepper sprayed and thrown to the ground by two Virginia police officers in December-- and his uncle Eric Garner, who was killed by police in 2014.

Even further back in time lies the connection of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old Black boy who was lynched in 1955 Mississippi, and Fred Hampton, a prominent figure of the Black Panther party who was killed by the FBI in 1969 at the age of 21. Hampton’s mother babysat Till in his adolescence.

Nevertheless, the lives of Black people remain intertwined in violence and trauma that is inflicted by racist police, and reinforced by a system that values property more than Black lives. In the wake of Wright’s death, protestors have been met with curfews and the presence of the Minnesota National Guard; this response is much different than that of the storming of the Capitol, for instance, where actual agitators were given much more leeway.

The fact of the matter is, Daunte Wright deserved better. 

He was ultimately stopped because of expired license plates and for hanging an air freshener in his mirror. However, even if he was doing something “wrong”, guilt should not breed a death sentence.

George Floyd deserved better. It should not matter whether or not he potentially ingested carbon monoxide, or even if he had drugs in his system-- no one should have their neck knelt on for over eight minutes.

Emmett Till deserved better. Breonna Taylor deserved better.

Adam Toledo, the 13-year-old boy who was shot and killed by Chicago police in late March, deserved better, and so do the many others whose lives have been stolen.

Police brutality, gun violence, and the overall abuse of power should not be normalized, neither should negligent justice be expected. 

The value of Black lives should not have to be reiterated time and time again--the state of “matter” should be the minimum. And this cycle of trauma and death should not have to continue. 

Change is not an option, it is a necessity.

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Working Jobs You Don't Like: Choosing Between Morals and Money

By: Kwana Adams

Does it sometimes feel like we have to choose between standing up for ourselves or keeping it to ourselves to take care of ourselves? How do you handle a situation where it seems like you have to choose between your morals or your money?

I’ll be honest, I’ve quit jobs due to piss poor management or feeling like I’m being mistreated, disrespected, or put down. I have absolutely refused to stay in a situation where my superiors are accusing me of not working hard, slacking off, or being lazy. The easiest and fastest way to make me angry is to tell me I’m not a hard worker or that I’m not good enough when I know that I am.

I’ve had multiple positions where I’ve walked away and never looked back. But those situations have always left me struggling until I could find something else. I have also left feeling unsatisfied because I never spoke my mind or advocated for myself harder. Sometimes capitalism makes it hard to stick to your values and morals. Sometimes we just have to put our head down and take it until we can find something better. It’s not ideal, and it’s so damn hard, but our only other alternative is to starve.  

Now that I’m older, I can’t afford to leave myself in that situation, especially with covid and the uncertainty it causes. On the flip side of that, whatever is bothering me continues to eat away at me until I can’t take it anymore. I’m suddenly miserable, snapping at everyone, I never smile or laugh at a joke, and I feel like I’m losing my true self. This is the literal definition of ‘stuck between a rock and a hard place.’ I’ve always thought of myself as a person who would never compromise who I am and what I believe for money, but I know what it’s like to struggle. I know what it’s like to be in a hole that takes too long to dig back out of, and I never want to go back there again. 

I’m 27 years old, and I still haven’t figured out how to handle these situations. I feel disrespected and belittled by a superior, but I can’t afford to quit. I’ve always known from a young age that I don’t respect authority. I was also always told to use my voice and stick up for myself. “You ain’t anybody’s punk or follower.” However, I’ve also known from a young age that I need to have money to support myself. “Don’t let ever let a man take care of you or tell you everything you have is because of him.” I can’t go through life floating from job to job. I also can’t go through life stifling my voice or being stuck under someone’s metaphorical boot. 

If you’ve ever been in a similar situation or felt these same feelings, I’m sorry that I don’t have a solution for you, but just know that you’re not alone. I’m here too if you need advice or just an ear to vent to. I’m optimistic that we will see a world where we don’t have to make these decisions one day. I don’t agree with having to compromise your true self for money, but I’m also not unrealistic, and I realize we need money to survive. Until then, I’ll keep envisioning my perfect world where our whole lives are not just about surviving but about loving and enjoying life while we’re living it.

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The Performative Nature of “Cancel Culture” And It's Inconsistency

By: Cory Utsey

The public spectacle of withdrawing support from a famous person or brand is nothing new, as those who do questionable things in the limelight have always existed and received public scrutiny, or ostracization, for it. The main difference between this concept being applied in the past and in the present is the existence and the power of social media.

Referred to as “cancel culture”, what often happens is the following: a public figure or company will commit an act that has been deemed problematic, and social media users will either expose said act or shame it. Then, in the process of explaining why this action was wrong, people will call for the deplatforming of the brand or individual.

This phenomenon, which has worked hand in hand with movements such as #MeToo, has proven to be quite effective with the cancellation of some individuals, such as R. Kelly, Bill Cosby, and Harvey Weinstein. But with other individuals--such as the former president-- and even with certain companies, problematic behavior seems to be ignored and at times forgotten, with very little change in their level of power. 

The idea of being cancelled is often thrown into any conversation surrounding the troublesome behavior of someone or something in the limelight, but the performative act of engaging with cancel culture is just that-- it is performative.

The implications of controversial behavior are relative because controversy itself is relative; although there are many societal commonalities in what might be considered vile versus what might be considered virtuous, individual biases still play a key role in the way that people determine what is good and what is bad.

In many cases, biases will present themselves through forms of discrimination such as racism or misogyny, and they are so prominent that certain actions will only be considered “cancellable” if they are committed by certain people. Additionally, those on the receiving end of different types of discrimination are often taught to be complacent in the face of prejudiced activity; they are told that because these activities are “normal”, there is no reason to be upset over them.

Even if biases are not inherently discriminatory, every individual experiences life differently, meaning that every individual’s perception on what is acceptable is also different.

But even if an action has been collectively deemed as wrong by society, this does not necessarily mean that they will be deplatformed.

Everytime the user of a social media app watches the video of an influencer or streams the song of an artist, they are putting money in someone’s pockets-- it does not matter if that click comes from a place of outrage or a place of praise. In turn, if content from these public figures goes viral, then the number of clicks will greatly increase, and so will their revenue. 

When the inconsistent labeling of cancellable offenses is combined with the potential of profit, the vast majority of those who do “bad things” receive very little punishment. Their names are brought up in Twitter discourse, they might issue an ingenuine apology, and people move on. 

Cancel culture, in theory, is quite effective in ensuring that power is taken away from those who do terrible things, but in application, it simply serves as a spectacle.

At the end of the day, people deserve to be held accountable for their wrongdoings--regardless of what is labeled as. 

But biases should not take the place of morality.

If people truly want to engage with cancel culture, then they must be consistent with the parameters of cancellable offenses; one should not be excused from bad behavior because they make good music or create nice products. 

This consistency must also be applied to the ideas of redemption and growth. Some actions are certainly unredeemable, but once again, redemption should not be offered only to those who create nice things.

And in regards to the use of social media, Twitter threads and “Exposed Videos” should not be the start and endpoint of accountability; if someone is truly undeserving of a platform, then the energy should be put towards minimizing that platform as opposed to amplifying the reach of their offenses, especially if these offenses are triggering.

Cancel culture itself is not the problem; it is inconsistency, along with the desire to receive mass social media interaction, that serve as the main culprits.

But with some slight redirection, deplatforming might become much more viable.

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Abolishing the N-word: A Personal Experience

By: Kwana Adams

When I was a child, I was taught that the N-word was a swear word like bitch or fuck, and I wasn’t allowed to say it. I once heard a non-black little girl say to another little child, “at least I ain’t a n*gga like you are.” I remember hearing an adult tell her that n*gga meant an ignorant black person, and she shouldn’t be calling people that. What does it actually mean, though? Does it even have a meaning?

I didn’t know what it meant at that point; I just knew from the way the little girl said it that it was an insult. As I got older and learned what the word meant, I never felt the need to use it myself, but I didn’t check people for using it around me. White friends of other friends would say it in front of me, then immediately begin apologizing- “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you!” I remember stating that I wasn’t offended, but on the inside, I was uncomfortable.

Beyond high school, I started asking my non-black friends and acquaintances why they keep saying it. I got annoyed when someone said, “and?” and then proceeded to explain what the word meant after I questioned their reasoning for using it. This was a non-black person trying to explain to me, a black person, what the n-word means. Now that I reminisce about those moments, I think to myself: “why were these people so comfortable saying that?”

When I got to high school, our faculty and staff tried to push the “Abolish the N-word” campaign. They even had posters in the classroom. No one took it seriously, despite the signs and constant reminders. After high school, I went to a predominantly white university. That feeling of discomfort started to come back when a majority of white people surrounded me. They tried hard to advocate for their right to use that word.

To me, it sounded like children only wanting to do it because they felt left out. I realized I didn’t like them saying it. It felt wrong coming from their lips, no matter the context. Even if they were just singing along to a song with the word in it, it disgusted me. My ears and my brain automatically take it as disrespect when I hear that word come out of a non-black mouth, and quite honestly, I don’t like it escaping from black lips either. I know it sounds corny as hell, but I do wish we would abolish the N-word. I wish we would all stop saying it. 

I know that to some black people, it might feel powerful to reclaim a word and use it, so it doesn’t hurt anymore. I disagree with it, but I’m not one to tell black people how to feel. However, to me, it’s too close to the original word, and after learning that my grandparents were called that during their youth, I simply cannot allow anyone to call me that.

The term goes back so far, and it was created by white people to refer to our enslaved ancestors, so out of respect for them, I’ve opted out of adding it to my vocabulary. I now politely check people who use it around me, black and non-black. I let them know I’m not comfortable with them saying it around me.

Despite my discomfort with the word, I’m not trying to force any black person to stop using it. These are just my personal feelings on the word, and I am in no way judging any black person for continuing to use it. As for myself being referred to as a n*gga, I only have one thing to say: I am not a n*gga, and I am damn sure not YOUR n*gga. Thank you.

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Why Afrofuturism Is A Fierce Instrument Of Black Empowerment And Liberation

By: Cory Utsey

At the intersection of fantasy, technology, and Black liberation lies the thrilling idea of Afrofuturism.

Afrofuturism functions as a reimagining of what it means to be Black, as well as how this blackness might exist in the future, and it is one of the most innovative tools used by Black innovators to empower Black people.

The concept of Afrofuturism did not have a succinct name until 1994, when Mark Dery released an essay entitled “Black to the Future”. In this essay, he defined Afrofuturism as a form of speculative fiction, which is a broad genre of fiction that incorporates elements of fantasy and the supernatural. When these elements are combined with African-American centered themes and a  technologically advanced future, Afrofuturism is born.

Even though this loose ideology did not always have a name, it has been contributed to by a number of Black artists, scholars, and activists over the years. Whether it was exemplified by means of science-fiction novels from author Octavia Butler, or the unique, mythical sounds from composer Sun Ra, Afrofuturism has allowed Black people to construct worlds in which oppression and white supremacy have no agency over Black bodies-- where the potential and possibilities of Black existence has no bounds.

One of the most well-known imaginings of Afrofuturism is found in the 2018 Marvel movie Black Panther, specifically in the country of Wakanda. The mere existence of Wakanda, an African nation untouched by colonization, already serves as an immaculate conceptualization of how any culture within the African diaspora might exist had it been left to thrive on its own. But when this is combined with advanced technology and the fusion of traditional African dress with cyber-gothic clothing, the pure essence of Afrofuturism is employed.

HBO’s Lovecraft Country, especially in the seventh episode “I Am”,  also utilizes elements of Afrofuturism to drive the plot. Although the show does not eradicate racism and white supremacy, its emphasis on ancestral connection and self-realization are still important features for Black people to draw inspiration from.

Afrofuturism is also quite prominent in the music of many modern artists, with Janelle Monae being one of its best known proponents. Throughout her whole discography and its accompanying images, Monae cultivates a complex dystopia in which themes of female empowerment, sexual reclamation, and the re-possession of one’s power are framed as the gateways to liberation.

Solange’s visual album for “When I Get Home”, along with many of Chloe X Halle’s most recent videos and performances for “Ungodly Hour” are also known for their incorporation of futuristic dress and electronic sound.

Chloe x Halle - ‘Ungodly Hour’

Though some elements of Afrofuturism might seem intangible, the ideology empowers Black people to work towards a future full of tangible change. It breeds the conception of a society advanced by equity, lined with inclusivity, and void of oppression.

Afrofuturism inspires us to continue fighting. It breeds a sense of hope. And most of all, it enables us to shape our reality rather than let reality shape us.

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Black Lives Matter Is Raising Money But Where Is It Going?

By: Kwana Adams

Since its conception in 2013, Black Lives Matter has steadily risen to prominence. With the publicity, they’ve received a lot of money, and with that money came a lot of criticism. In 2020, the BLM Network foundation raised $90 million.

According to their impact report, they donated a quarter of it to BLM chapters and local organizations. There has been a lot of criticism surrounding the BLM Network and where the money they are earning is going. Samaria Rice, the mother of Tamir Rice, has accused BLM and activists of exploiting and profiting off her son’s death and other black people who were victims of police brutality.

She is joined by Lisa Simpson, Richard Risher’s mother, in slamming activists allegedly profiting off black death but not donating to the families affected. They are calling for the organization and other activists to step down and stop using their families’ names to gain recognition. They are also demanding some of the money that BLM has earned, claiming they never saw a penny of it.

Michael Brown Sr, whose son Michael Brown was shot by a police officer in 2014, is demanding $20 million of what BLM made. He received $500 from the BLM Network since 2014. Michael Brown’s case was a high-profile case in Ferguson, Missouri, after courts decided not to indict the police officer who shot him. The shooting itself caused months of protest in Ferguson,, and it was news all over the country.

Although Black Lives Matter was a response to what happened to Trayvon Martin, it was the Ferguson case that really brought it into the spotlight further. Michael Brown was only 18, and he was allegedly shot with his hands up, implying that he was surrendering while the officer was still shooting. This is still something that no one knows for sure is true, but the “Hands up, don’t shoot” slogan was birthed from it.

The biggest thing that upset me about this case and many others like it was that Michael Brown was unarmed, despite whether he actually had his hands up or not. The world began widely questioning why the police keep shooting unarmed black men with no repercussions. 

Michael Brown Sr and other Ferguson activists believe that BLM should donate some of the funding they received to him and the community. They hope to use the money for their “Chosen for Change” foundation, the Mike Brown community center, grants for Ferguson protests and activists, and more, including an annual commemoration of Mike Brown Jr’s death. This is the first year that the network has been open about their finances and Patrisse Cullors, BLM co-founder, says they plan to reinvest the money into their organization and chapters. 

There has been a lot of opinions from both sides on what BLM should do with the money. Some people believe they should be morally obligated to give more money to the families of the victims they gain prominence from. Others believe that they should be allowed to spend the money how they see fit. The whole platform and main purpose of Black Lives Matter is to “eradicate white supremacy, and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on black communities by the state and vigilantes.” No one can deny the work they have done in spreading awareness and organizing protests to demand change. We also can’t deny that the only reason they are able to do this work is because of the families who have lost their loved ones due to a police killing that went unpunished.

They keep their names amplified so that no one forgets them. However, when it comes to assisting these families, I believe they can do better. I personally think they should leave some space in their budget to give to those asking. A lot of these families are tirelessly working in their own communities trying to gain justice and spark change. They are not just simply asking for handouts. Should the BLM Network give some of their money to the families who ask for it or should it be their choice to give and decide the amount they want to give?

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Stop Asian Hate: Support a Cause Without Degrading Another

By: Kwana Adams

There has been a lot of Anti-Asian hate crimes happening all over the world. It’s been a thing since the pandemic started over a year ago, but it has gotten significantly worse over the recent months.

Recently, there was a mass shooting in Georgia that took the life of six out of 8 women of Asian descent. Although the gunman himself claimed the crime was not racially motivated, it’s hard to believe, seeing as though all the victims were of Asian descent and mostly women.

Older people of Asian descent have been the biggest victims of Anti-Asian hate crimes lately too, and it’s hard to ignore or deny the fact that Asian people are being targeted. This is a topic that deserves a lot more attention than it’s getting and people are trying to raise awareness.

However, I’ve noticed something off about the way some people are bringing awareness to this issue…Why is it that people are degrading the Black Lives Matter movement to uplift the Anti-Asian hate crime movement? You know these two issues can co-exist right? And each movement is equally as important. There have been numerous Tik Toks and tweets saying things along the lines of, “Y’all were loud for BLM so why aren’t you being loud for this?” or when a black person commits a crime against an Asian person, here come the “But BLM right?” comments. 

I want to see how passionately people (incl other POC) will stand up for Asians. Those of you who were so vocal w BLM, where are you on the 1900% increase in Asian-directed hate crimes? The violence that has taken many lives (yet we rarely see those stories covered in the media)

— Laura Huang (@LauraHuangLA) February 11, 2021

My question is, why does BLM need to be brought up at all? Why can’t one issue be brought up without trying to degrade another? If people did their research, they would know that the movement didn’t happen overnight.

Black Lives Matter was created in 2012 by three black queer women, Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi, and Patrisse Cullors. Regardless of what it’s become today, it originally began as a response to Trayvon Martin’s death and the injustice that followed it. It’s grown tremendously since 2012 and that is mostly due to the backlash that it’s received from people who don’t understand what it is.

It started off as a response to police brutality and how the police treat our black bodies. From there, it just grew and grew. Black people have been abused and ignored for so long, that no one could have anticipated this growing as big as it did. Making comments like “But BLM right,” is just anti-black and has no place in these conversations. 

Right girlie. pic.twitter.com/oY28QvrR7F

— Johnny (@garontherun) March 18, 2021

The point I’m trying to make is, it can take time for people to catch wind of important issues. It has nothing to do with people thinking one issue is more important than other. You don’t need to degrade and disrespect one movement to uplift another. And if you’re only bringing up the Anti-Asian hate crime movement, only to bring down the BLM movement, do you even care about that movement, or are you just trying to spew hate?

The other reason the BLM movement was so popular was because black people not only created it, but they refused to let it die. Every single time an injustice was done to a black person, the community rose up. They were in the streets protesting, they were boycotting, they were on social media spreading awareness. All of that contributed to the popularity of BLM.

Creating a movement and making so much noise that people can’t even pretend not to hear you, is why BLM is not going anywhere. Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor… and hundreds more names. There’s a pattern here. There’s a reason we all know their names and it’s because we made sure no one would forget them.

Activists for the Black Lives Matter movement have been jailed, gone missing, or been killed for this movement. It’s so much bigger than people think it is. So when people try to downgrade it, they’re not only disrespecting the movement, but they’re also disrespecting the people who lost their lives behind it. A lot of pain, injustice, and loss went into making BLM as big as it is. 

This may be a hard pill to swallow but the black community is not in charge of making all issues go viral. Stop trying to guilt people into joining a movement when you could be sharing information and raising awareness instead. Black Lives Matter or BLM is not some punchline or retort you can use when there is an issue that’s not getting enough media attention. The Anti-Asian hate crime movement deserves a lot more than that. It is an important issue that deserves a platform that’s not tied to someone else’s movement. Talk about it more.

Let people in your communities know about the hate crimes against the Asian population that’s been happening. Speak to your elected officials. Go out into the streets and protest to get their attention and the attention of the media. Most importantly, make your own movements.  

“Y’all were loud for BLM, but quiet for this,” is not the way to get people involved. Please do better.

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Disrespecting Black Women Is An Easy Way To Gain Social Media Clout

Disrespecting Black Women Is An Easy Way To Gain Social Media Clout

By: Kwana Adams

Have you been having trouble promoting yourself and your work on social media? Are you just not getting the clout that you feel you deserve? It’s difficult making yourself known when so many others are trying to do the same thing but there is a way to get around that. There’s a great way to boost your online presence and make you an overnight sensation!

If you want to gain clout quickly without ANY effort and hard work, just start talking shit about black women unprovoked! This method has been proven time and time again to be effective. Let’s take that recent video for example. You know the one I’m talking about so I don’t even need to link it here. A man with an unwashed ass and an opinion nobody asked for decided to make a Tik Tok where he claimed he’d rather go blind than date a black woman.

Black women really just be minding our business and here comes this.... pic.twitter.com/HvQmGsZHLC

— NaijaBabe🇳🇬 (@eberelovesyou) March 11, 2021

Of course, the video spread rapidly. Most videos of that nature usually do. Not only did this man have the absolute nerve to use a song sung by two talented, successful and beautiful black women to disrespect black women, he then created another video where he tried to explain the original. In this video, that again, NOBODY asked for, he claims that he wasn’t hating but he’d rather go blind than marry one of “your kind.” As he says this, he also acts out “vomiting” and whispers “disgust me”. What’s crazy is, he is one of “our kind.” No sir, YOU disgust ME. 

This brings me to my next tip on how to gain internet clout. If you are a black man, or a man of color, who is trying to gain internet clout, this method is definitely for you. Self hating black men and anti-black men are the most successful in gaining clout when they shit on black women. Make sure your opinion was unprovoked, and don’t forget to profess your love for “snow bunnies” and “spicy latinas” because we all know you can’t have a preference if you don’t talk about how much you hate Black women first! 

Now, I’ve personally seen ‘that’ video on my Twitter timeline multiple times in just a day so I imagine the Cinnamon stick from the Apple Jacks commercial must be seeing all of the comments, RTs and quote replies. Checking the comments, I discovered that this man is a tattoo artist and a musician. Suddenly, it all makes sense… This is probably what he wanted all along.

He made sure to record himself lying next to a white woman to really get the people talking. I’ve scrolled past this video and responses to it multiple times in less than an hour, so I’d say he executed the method very successfully. The fact that I’m even writing this article proves this as well! 

In all seriousness, stop using black women to gain clout. It’s old, it’s tired, and quite frankly, it’s very lazy. Black women are constantly just minding their business and having to be reminded that men, especially black men, are looking down on them. The same things that other races of women get praised for, black women get abused for.

You can have your preference without bringing up black women. It’s really that simple. The 15 minutes of fame you’re getting  are not worth disrespecting a group of people who didn’t do a damn thing to you. Let us exist in peace and keep us out of your mouth.

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Meghan Markle Is An Example Of Skin Color Remaining An Issue In Society

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry | CREDIT: CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY

By: Alexis Oatman

The former Duchess of Sussex, Megan Markle, and her husband Prince Harry recently sat down in an explosive interview with Oprah on CBS Sunday night accusing the royal family of not only racism, even going as far as asking about their son Archie’s skin tone, and ignoring calls for help from the constant barrage of negative and albeit racist media coverage.

Meghan Markle Is An Example Of Skin Color Remaining An Issue In Society

Still, Meghan as a fair-skinned, almost white-passing biracial woman, in today’s American culture due in part to cultural beauty standards, would more be more exotified.

Lighter-skinned biracial people have quite a bit of a representation in media and entertainment. I mean, there is an entire show dedicated to the plight of them called Mixed-ish.

Markle has been able to play a race chameleon somewhat, and it worked so far in the US, but once she got to the UK, things were very different. I don’t consider Meghan as Black; she is mixed and has not even outrightly claimed the title herself, and yet she admits she still experienced harsher treatment in the media still due in part to her race.

Let’s be clear, while colorism is what allowed Meghan to marry into the Royal Family, anti-blackness is what forced her out of it.

Among the many revelations revealed throughout the one-hour and 30-minute interview, the couple claims a royal family member asked how dark their son, Archie, would be.

So, yes, she was light enough for him to marry, but her being of mixed-race struck fear into the heart of the monarchy to have their future “superior” bloodline disrupted. This is what it means to benefit from colorism and suffer because of racism.

Unfortunately, to them, it doesn’t matter how fair-skinned you are, how much you straighten your hair either, or even if you have an entire white parent. For them, it is any connection to blackness—features, hair, color, etc.

While her proximity to whiteness with complexion got her in the door, it was still ultimately not enough. She was never entirely accepted by the Royals.

The endless and overtly hostile references to her race, the pathologizing of her move, and tiresome comparison to Kate. Meghan’s mother, a Black woman, adorned her beautiful locs and warm brown skin at their wedding. I wonder was it at that moment when they feared the worst. 

But are we surprised?

The British monarchy has built its wealth off white supremacy, classism, elitism, oppression, and slavery.

The major emphasis on her heritage by national media coverage meant that her humanity was now diminished to the point she was treated in the same capacity as a full Black woman. Her light skin/ proximity to whiteness privilege had been revoked by the UK.

I’m personally happy she and her husband decided to give up their titles and did what was best for them.

In a clip from the Oprah interview, Prince Harry admitted that he “feared history repeating itself.” After all, if his family didn’t protect his mother Diana, why would they protect a Meghan, a woman of color? I don’t know why we expected any different.

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Dr. Seuss Books Are Being Pulled Due To A History Of Racist Illustrations

By: Emily-Ann

It looks like Dr. Seuss is following suit with Quaker Oats and has halted the circulation of six of their books. The books make references to African culture and Asian stereotypes. 

The following books have been pulled out of circulation due to harmful imagery and illustrations in the books. This comes after the call for companies, organizations, and across the board to review how they do business and the people they hurt to make a profit. Dr. Seuss Enterprises has issued a statement that can be found on their website. 

Dr. Seuss wore blackface, acted in his own minstrel shows, and drew racist cartoons. They make sure we read his books in school though. pic.twitter.com/u8PZZQouqZ

— 247 Live Culture (@247LC) February 16, 2021

“We are committed to action.  To that end, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, working with a panel of experts, including educators, reviewed our catalog of titles and made the decision last year to cease publication and licensing of the following titles:  And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, If I Ran the Zoo, McElligot’s Pool, On Beyond Zebra!, Scrambled Eggs Super!, and The Cat’s Quizzer.  These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.

Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’s catalogue represents and supports all communities and families.”

This statement was issued on the birthday of Dr. Seuss and has made nationwide news and has got many people talking. It looks like this company’s values and concerns have shifted. Whether it is a genuine or a business move one thing is for sure, companies alike are changing the way do they business. I have heard websites like eBay, listing these books as $4,000 where they used to be $14.99 each. The exclusive copies of his work have increased sales and sale prices. 

Why are people still purchasing these books? I am sure we’ve had these books read to us as small children. Why would you want to hang on to a past? Hopefully, our fight for progress will continue to inspire change. This is just a constant reminder that this society still has work to do. Our voices are stronger and louder together!

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Women's History Month: 11 Prominent Black Women Making An Impact

Viola Davis - PHOTOGRAPH BY DARIO CALMESE

By: Kwana Adams

It’s a little comforting to know that right after Black History Month is Women’s History Month. As a black woman, both months are essential to me because they represent two pieces of my identity. They are the first things people will notice about me when they see me.

Being black and a woman means that I have to work so much harder to prove myself in a white and male-centered world. Tv shows and movies where black women are powerful, strong, and ruthless are some of my favorites, but I also love when black women can be soft and vulnerable.

Many of my favorite black women are actresses and writers because that’s what I aspire to be, but there are artists that I love because their music just speaks to me on a deep level. Here is a list of some of my favorite black women and women who inspire me. 

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Viola Davis

Viola Davis

As a fellow Rhode Island native, Viola is proof that I can also make it out of a state that some people mistake as part of New York. (Rhode Island is a state, guys!) As an aspiring actress, Viola is someone I look up to immensely. Before Covid, when I was able to walk the Rhode Island College campus, I would see her pictures on the walls and hope that it could be me someday. 

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Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson (Photo credit: Erik Umphery)

The first movie that I saw Taraji P Henson in was Tyler Perry’s ‘I Can Do Bad All By Myself.’ Her performance in that film shook me to my very core. The most memorable scenes are when she is crying about her mother passing away on a bus. I felt like I could feel the pain she felt, knowing that no one was there for her mom in her final moments.

The other powerful moment in that movie for me was after finding out that her man had tried to take advantage of her niece; she runs him a bath and almost electrocutes him. This scene gets to me because, at first, it looks as though she doesn’t believe her niece, but having gone through something similar at a young age, she was able to recognize who this man really was. Every movie I’ve seen Taraji in, she delivers 100%, and I love that about her. 

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Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington - (Kirk McKoy/Los Angeles Times)

I’m just going to say it: No one, and I mean NO ONE could ever be Olivia Pope better than Kerry Washington. She played Olivia so well that she made me wish I was a lawyer and a gladiator in a suit. I was hooked on Scandal the second I began watching. Olivia was so powerful and had everything handled with nary a hair out of place. I even did an Olivia Pope monologue for an acting course, and I could swear I felt her power with every word I spoke. 

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Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union - CREDIT: ALLEN BEREZOVSKY/GETTY

Gabrielle has been one of my favorite actresses since I was a little girl. Being Mary Jane was the best thing BET has ever done, and it’s a shame they didn’t keep it on the air long before canceling it. Despite the tired trope that black women can’t have a successful career and a happy relationship simultaneously, Being Mary Jane was a fantastic show. No one could have played Mary Jane better than Gabrielle. 

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Regina Hall

Regina Hall - CREDIT: EMMA MCINTYRE/GETTY IMAGES

Girls Trip and Little are two of my favorite Regina Hall films. I remember waiting months for Little to premiere in theaters and then excitedly watching it when it finally did. I enjoy Regina on and off the screen. She’s hilarious, and I just know she lights up any room she walks in. 

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Regina King

Regina King - FREDERIC J. BROWN - GETTY IMAGES

We all know and love her for the ‘pour baby oil on the bathroom floor and beat your man with a belt’ trick, but my favorite performances of hers are Poetic Justice and Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous. Her rap sheet is extensive, not just as an actress but as a director and voice actress. She’s incredibly talented, and she deserves her flowers. 

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SZA

SZA

CTRL came out in 2017, but I still listen to it endlessly to this day. It is one of the only albums that I can listen to nonstop for hours and study to. This album got me through a lot when it first came out. I do love the recent music that she has been dropping, but nothing will top CTRL in my eyes.

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Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou

I wrote a separate article about Maya, but this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning her. She’s my favorite writer and poet, and I wish I could have met her before she passed away; what I wouldn’t give to have had just one conversation with her.

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Angela Davis

Angela Davis

Angela Davis also got her own article, but it wouldn’t be right not to mention her here either. She is the most important black rights activist I’ve ever learned about. She has and still, to this day, makes it her mission to uplift and fight for black people. Black women tend to be overlooked in history, so I make sure to mention her as much as possible.

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Rico Nasty

Rico Nasty

I discovered Rico Nasty while watching my favorite show, Insecure. After that, I checked out more of her music, and the rest is history. I love the diversity and aggression in her music. I love her style of dress and the way she moves through the world so carefree. 

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Issa Rae

Issa Rae - Credit: JABARI JACOBS

Insecure was my first introduction to Issa Rae, and I was hooked immediately. After A Different World was removed from Netflix and many other majority-black shows were canceled or removed, it was hard for me to find something to watch that I could somewhat relate to. Insecure is funny but also touches on important issues. Issa Rae is a comedic genius, and I aspire to develop something that gets people talking as much as Insecure does.

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Workplace Discrimination Based On Your Name: So-Called 'Hood' Names

By: Kwana Adams

Every time I think we black people are making progress as a unit, something always pops up to disappoint me. There’s always an argument or hot topic going through Black Twitter that just makes me screw my face up.  Usually, it’s harmless yet ridiculous things like, “who gets their plate first? The kids or the husband?” or “Should your man pay for your friend’s dinner?” Why are we even discussing this, and why can we never agree?

This time I’m referring to a Tik Tok I saw where a black woman in HR admitted that HR professionals, including herself, judge us based on our ‘hood’ sounding names, and some will even throw our applications out. Reading this as someone with a ‘hood’ name, I was disappointed and angry as hell.

The Tik Tok is captioned “tips from the HR department’ so I know her heart was in the right place but, no. Nope. No, thank you. Get this sh*t out of my face. Respectfully. This is not right. I’m not down with this, and imma tell you why. 

Before I rip this thinking to pieces, here is the tweet that features the Tik Tok in question for you to listen for yourself before you continue: 

What do you think about this? 🤨 🤨 pic.twitter.com/EOZybmyLpk

— Revamped | Career Strategist (@RevampedCP) February 20, 2021

There are a few things I found uncomfortable with this video. First of all, why are you judging us? Ain’t you black too? Shouldn’t you be holding the door open for us instead of holding us back? In the video, she goes on to say, “let your experience speak for you.” How, when our applications aren’t even being looked at sometimes? You saw that someone’s name was Shaniqua or Tyshaun, and you tossed their application aside based on some bias that tells you all you need to know about them, apparently.

We already face discrimination from white-owned companies based on our names. Why would you, as a black person, further pile onto that? You found yourself in a position to change this, but you made it worse, and on top of that, you’re offering us advice like this? We already have to work twice as hard. This is not what we need to be hearing and internalizing. You’re part of the problem, ma’am. You’re not remedying it like you think you are. 

The other thing that made me screw my face up was the comments under the tweet where black people are saying things like, “this is why black people can’t have shit” or “this is why black people can’t get ahead” in response to people (rightfully) calling out the BS in this video. No, that’s not why black people can’t have shit or can’t get ahead. The reason ‘black people can’t have shit’ is because instead of paving the way for more black people to follow in your footsteps, you’re making videos like this, making people feel ashamed and embarrassed of their names.

I’m not sure why anyone would think this was good advice, but they do, and that’s none of my business. However, it is my business when you’re trying to talk down on other black people because they disagree with something. Queen Latifah said U.N.I.T.Y, and we need to really listen and come together because it’s upsetting how we tear each other down.

Some of our names are cultural or derived from a cultural name, but you’re too busy judging them to figure out where they came from. I wish respectability politics would release its hold on the black community. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but we don’t need a seat at any table that we have to change ourselves for. 

At the end of the video, she advises us to use our initials or middle names on applications to get our foot in the door. Remember up above where I said her heart was in the right place? I know she thinks she’s giving us good advice, but I’m gonna have to pass on it. Stop telling us to change our names and tell us how to spruce up our resumes. Tell us how to ace an interview with flying colors.

We need discrimination in the workplace to be a thing of the past, and it starts with people like this woman who are already at the table. Instead of looking at our ‘hood’ names and judging us, how about looking at our experience and cover letter? We shouldn’t have to change our names to get our foot in the door. If that’s what it takes, then we don’t need to work there. My name is Kwana- Shikwana, to be exact. No, I’m not using my initials or my less ‘hood’ middle name. No, you can’t use any nicknames you made up to address me. Learn to pronounce my name, call me what I want to be called, or don’t address me at all. I’m not changing a damn thing about myself for you to accept me. Instead of wasting your energy encouraging us to change our names, channel that energy into calling out the people and the system that discriminates against us. Please. 

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Aunt Jemima: Rebranding A Brand Built On Racial Stereotypes

By: Emily-Ann

In the spirit of Black History Month celebration, let’s talk about the Quaker Oats rebranding campaign with the Aunt Jemima line. I am so happy they removed the image. As a young child I remember watching A Different World tv show, Whitley brought out the dolls and the image of Aunt Jemima was put up for the full display for their showcase. It is still my favorite episode to this day!

In this episode, the conversational piece brought up mixed emotions and feelings and put a spotlight on the hate driven black face caricatures. Kimberly, a black medical student, was having a hard time because she was comparing her beauty to this false image of black women. Kimberly’s traumas of her childhood was due to the direct impact on how she viewed herself, self-worth, and beauty.

The Aunt Jemima image was on their products for decades. My question for Quaker Oats, “Why did it take so long for these racist images to be removed off of products and store shelves?” I remember this brand from my childhood and not being a fan of the box. I vowed that I would never purchase any of these products for this reason. I didn’t fully understand the magnitude of the black woman on the box but even as a child I knew it was wrong.

The pancake mix was developed in 1888-1989 by the Pearl Milling Company and advertised as the first ready pancake mix. The maple syrup was added later to the Aunt Jemima line. The woman on the box was a racially driven caricature that became popular in the south by white men. I’d like to give you some background on why this image is horrible and should have never been on any box in first place, never mind on store shelves. The figures were also over-sexualized, often depicted as black elderly obese, with deep skin tone, and dressed in the typical slave attire for the time period.

The company tried to modernize the image to make it more socially acceptable to hide the dark past of its origins. They removed her head scarf and removed the evident slave attire. The truth was always there and nothing could change the dark history that has been embedded in human history. The women who inspired this image were often referred to on the plantations as Mammies and forced to be wet nurses for white children, often neglecting their own children due to the demands of their white masters. 

The dehumanization of the black enslaved women continued throughout the south to the Jim Crow era. It perpetuated the stereotype that black women were happy being slaves to white families. It gave a false narrative that the enslaved women were not interested in caring for their own families or children. This is obviously false, black women were either enslaved or worked as domestic help (the only jobs they could get) during these eras. 

They encouraged the narrative of white men viewing women of color as sex objects and property. Often these black women were in danger of being raped by white men in the household or on the plantation. Women who were married were victims of this abuse, and the enslaved husbands of the enslaved wives couldn’t do anything to protect them. It was one of many ways they showed dominance and mental chess to keep power.

The children of these horrible crimes were the evidence of these actions and would infuriate the white’s mistresses of the households or plantation. Thus, the cycle of abuse by both master and mistress would continue for many enslaved black women, and they would often run away. Few incidents of consensual sexual relations have been recorded. However, enslaved black women were viewed and treated like property. 

The mammy caricature was also used to sell many things during the Jim Crow era like breakfast foods, detergents, planters, ashtrays, sewing accessories, and beverages. Why the obsession with these horrible items still baffles me. Why would anyone want to be forcibly taken away, stripped of your native tongue, culture, and be auctioned off ? On top of that, they turn around and make caricatures to glorify the evidence of their crimes. No one in their right mind would want to endure such a horrible experience committed so openly by the enslavers. Looking at these items reminds the survivors and the descendants of the traumatic experiences.  

Aunt Jemima was portrayed by a woman named Nancy Green. Nancy Green, a former slave who was born in Kentucky in 1834, portrayed the false Aunt Jemima until her death in 1923. Nancy Green played the role of Aunt Jemima for R.T Davis Company to continue the narrative, and portray false imagery of the happy enslaved women serving her white family. The company had her serving pancakes mix across the country, fairs, and flea-markets, telling false stories of happy days in the south between whites and blacks. The image and character she played would have her fighting her own personal battles. Feeding her family or portraying the false narrative that she knows personally isn’t true. Goodbye Aunt Jemima and it looks like Uncle Ben will also be getting a rebranding. Quaker Oats, it’s about time I guess it’s better late than never! 

        "I'se in town, honey."- Nancy Green, Aunt Jamima

The Aunt Jemima Model List

1. Nancy Green - 1923

2. Anna Robinson - 1933

3. Edith Wilson-1948 & 1966

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Celebrating Black History | The Life of Political Activist Angela Davis

By: Kwana Adams

I didn’t learn a thing about Angela Davis until well into my college years, and she immediately became one of my favorite people. I learned about her during a time when I was learning more about activism and black history. I was angry and tired, and I wanted people to look up to. My knowledge of prominent black women in activism was and still is severely lacking, and it’s disappointing. However, if I want to learn black history, I’ve come to terms that I have to teach myself.

That has been my mission ever since learning about Angela Davis. She, too, thought that black women were not being represented enough in history. The school system only taught me so much then sent me on my way. I can remember the few names of prominent black men I learned about, but I can’t remember learning about a single black woman. Black men are usually the face of activism and civil rights, but women were right along with them, fighting just as hard and being brutalized and treated just as horribly for being black. 

After being involved in a highly publicized murder case and her involvement in the Black Panther and an all-black Communist Party, Angela Davis became widely known. Most of her life was filled with racism and prejudice, so it’s no surprise that she became as radicalized as she did. As a child, she learned to live with the racial segregation that surrounded her, but she also learned that it would start with her and her generation if there were to be any change.

Birmingham, Alabama, where she was born, was a very infamous city for racial attacks, and it was hard for black people living there. Not only did she become an activist and influential political figure, but she is a fantastic author as well. A book by her is much more valuable to me than anything I learned as a student. She has so much more to offer me, as a black woman, than the school system has. 

With the life that she lived and is still living, it comes as a shock that it wasn’t part of any curriculum. She was on the FBI’s most-wanted list; she was imprisoned for 18 months of her life, she saw her friends die from bombs, and most of all, she lived to tell the tale. When asked if she approved of the use of violence by the Black Panthers, this was her response:

“You ask me whether I approve of violence? That just doesn’t make any sense at all. Whether I approve of guns? I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. Some very, very good friends of mine were killed by bombs- bombs that were planted by racists. I remember, from the time I was very small, the sounds of bombs exploding across the street and the house shaking… That’s why when someone asks me about violence, I find it incredible because it means the person asking that question has absolutely no idea what black people have gone through and experienced in this country from the time the first black person was kidnapped from the shores of Africa.”

I look up to Angela because she spent a lot of her life fighting and being knocked down, and she is still fighting. She is still working towards the future she’s been wanting to see since she began her fight. I love the drive and the determination, and the power she possesses. I’m embarrassed to admit I haven’t known her long, but I make up for it every day. It’s sad to say that her fight is not over, but we have come so far from where she started. Some progress is better than no progress, and I hope people don’t think the fight ends here because we aren’t going anywhere until we see results. Angela taught us.

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