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ALSO INSIDE: EGYPTIAN PROTEST AND BLACK HISTORY GW PROFESSOR & PAST PRES. ANDREW JACKSON REVIEW : ALPHA PHI ALPHA STEPSHOW
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EDITORS’ NOTE 3
Co-Editors In Chief Kwasi Agyeman Samuel Collins, Jr. thenewace@gmail.com
POLITICS 4 THE DOROTHY IRENE HEIGHT MEMORIAL BLACK STATE OF THE UNION BUSINESS 4 THE TRAP OF DEBT CULTURE 5 BLACK HISTORY MONTH: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU? EGYPTIAN PROTEST AND BLACK HISTORY FEATURE 9 BHC INTRO/CALENDAR DEFINITION OF MARKED IN SOCIAL MEDIA PROFESSOR JAMES AND ANDREW JACKSON ALPHA PHI ALPHA STEPSHOW AMERICA’S NEXT CHAPTER OPINION 16 SEX & RELATIONSHIPS OUR BLACK STATE OF THE UNION: GWU MUSIC 18 WHITE INFLUENCE IN HIP-HOP SPORTS 20 FROM BREAKING BARRIERS TO BECOMING A BRAND FASHION 22 TIMELINE OF BLACK HAIRSTYLES THE STORY OF NATURAL HAIR AT GW CREATIVE WRITING 26 TORN UNSOUND AND SURROUND BLEACH MY SKIN
Assistant Editors In Chief Imani Bentham ibentham@gwmail.gwu.edu Maya Frazier myfraz@gwmail.gwu.edu Politics Samuel Collins sam.collins.89@gmail.com Business Josh Joseph josh.joseph11@gmail.com Culture Abike Kamson akamson@gwmail.gwu.edu Music Eric Peavy epeavy@gwmail.gwu.edu Fashion Erin Levy levye@gwmail.gwu.edu Sports Nkwa Asonye nia22442@gwmail.gwu.edu Creative Writing Patrice Laquinte pl71290@gwmail.gwu.edu Layout Angel Veliz sdotfly@gmail.com Kelcey Abney kelcey33@gmail.com Copy Editor Amelia Concepcion ameliamc@gwmail.gwu.edu
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Email us at thenewace@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter @theacemag
Photography Josh Joseph Caroline Adegun cadegun716@hotmail.com
EDITORS’ NOTE In our last issue, “Kid Cudi Coming to GW?” we followed a slowly growing movement based off social media to bring rising hip – hop artist, Kid Cudi, to GW for Fall Fest 2011. While it is not certain whether he will grace our campus next fall, because of the Ace, students are now more aware of this movement and administrators have an idea of who students want. In commemoration of Black History Celebration 2011, The Ace Magazine went back to the root of what made it a popular magazine on this campus. Sit back and relax as we take you through this year’s theme ‘Marked’ and its relevance to the current black experience. We celebrate the past and present day accomplishments of black people but we push the envelope with articles about the popular trend of natural black hair, white influence in the hip – hop industry, and the interesting make up of the 112th Congress among other salient topics. As a special treat, enjoy a great introspective piece from one of GW’s favorite Africana Studies professors, Jennifer James. The Ace Magazine staff dedicates a substantial amount of time and energy to consistently create quality products for the people of the GW community. Please take the time to read each and every article as we build the bridge towards a common understanding. Hold on to this issue and we’ll see you in April as we kick off our second annual ‘Style Madness’ profiling the Ace Magazine’s editors’ pick of the ‘GW Top 20 Best Dressed.”
The Staff at The Ace Magazine Release Event at Fishbowl !!
Youngest In Charge Kwasi Agyeman Five Star Journalist Samuel Collins, Jr. Next in Line Imani Bentham The Visionary Maya Frazier
The Ace Magazine Mission
The Ace Magazine is a publication that connects the multicultural community to the university at large with contributions from student writers and faculty members. Going into its third year as the premier magazine of The George Washington University, The Ace Magazine continues to spark discussion between campus groups furthering our belief that “we all have similar issues no matter our color.” Want to write / work at the Ace Magazine? email thenewace@gmail.com www.acemagazine.org
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THE DOROTHY IRENE HEIGHT MEMORIAL By Lindsey McClain
Dr.
Dorothy Irene Height was more than a leader during the Civil Rights Movement—she was a champion. As one of the only female voices of her era, Dr. Height fought for equality and human rights with irrefutable eloquence. She charged our community to reignite our passion and recognize our strength, because she believed that “we hold in our hands the power once again to shape not only our own but the nation’s future -- a future that is based on developing an agenda that radically challenges limitations in our economic development, educational achievement and political empowerment. ”As students at The George Washington University, we can draw from her insight, as we work toward developing our personal and collective agendas. Dr. Height was not only a model of a truely selfless leader; she was also a visionary with a mission that has inspired thousands.
“She personified the grace, grit and wisdom of our elders. She was one of the foundation stones upon which the modern civil rights movement rested. Replaced? Never. Remembered? Forever. Dignified is the word that comes to mind—dignified, not dainty… She knew what she knew. And Dorothy Height knew America.” –Colbert I King
In her 98 years, Dorothy Height worked tirelessly, achieving more than some could even imagine. Among her many accomplishments, she was appointed leader of the United Christian Youth Movement of North America during the New Deal era in 1933. She was on the staff of the National Board of the YWCA of the USA (1944 - 1977), elected President of the National Council of Negro Women for over 40 years (1957-1998), and she received the NAACP Spingarn Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Bill Clinton, and the Congressional Gold Medal, which is the highest civilian and most distinguished award presented by the U.S. Congress. Dr. Height was also the 10th National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., leading the sisterhood in some of its most dynamic and transformative years. Dorothy Height was a heroine, and while her death on April 20, 2010 broke the hearts of many, her spirit and her mission will continue to thrive through the public service and human rights advocacy of young people like ourselves.
Dr. Height has touched our campus in many ways. Not only has she acted as a model for GW students, Dr. Height even visited campus at the 35 Anniversary for Dr.King’s March on Washington. On March 24th, 2011, what would have been her 99th birthday, The George Washington University will dedicate a bench, a tree, and a plaque in honor of Dr. Height’s leadership, serving as a memorial and eternal reminder of her beauty, courage and wisdom. There will also be a scholarship created in her name for incoming students who have shown and demonstrated commitment to public policy, public service, civil rights and academic excellence. In all that she gave the world, Dr. Height asked for one thing back—she wanted to “ be remembered as someone who used herself and anything she could touch to work for justice and freedom...to be remembered as one who tried.” Dorothy Irene Height has more than achieved that goal. Please support the legacy of this amazing woman.
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BLACK STATE OF THE UNION By Josh Garcia
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lthough the 112th Congress, which convened last month, holds the smallest number of Democrats to sit on Capitol Hill since the New Deal, it welcomed the addition of seven new African-American legislators. Historically, the black vote has lopsidedly belonged to the Democratic Party. Because of this, most African-Americans in Congress have been liberal. This is still the case, as there are 42 total African-Americans in the national legislature, and only six black Republicans have been elected to Congress since the early 1970s. Also, of the seven AfricanAmericans elected in 2010, five are Democrats. Consequently with only five of seven belonging to the Democratic Party two of the African-Americans elected last November ran under a different party. These two candidates, Tim Scott (SC) and Allen West (FL), won as Republicans in the districts of two states from the Deep South, which has a history of staunchly conservative. According to CNN, Scott was elected in a conservative South Carolina district, earning 65 percent of the vote, while West defeated a Florida Democratic incumbent with 56 percent. The election of these two black conservatives reveals a compelling message; it is one that conveys the national tide swinging from left to right, but also adds to the legacy of African-Americans in Congress. First, it is difficult to find an African-American Republican, especially in the legislature. Second, these two men are the first black Republicans to be elected to Congress since 1995. It is also interesting to see that West defeated a Caucasian male, while Scott ran against an African-American male, indicating, in a Southern state, a black man can win an election as a Republican and he can also defeat a white man. Considering the history of African-Americans in the South, these wins can be considered a monumental achievement; Scott is the first black Republican elected to the House of Representatives from South Carolina since 1898, and West is the first from Florida since the 1870s.
‘..black or white, Democrat or Republican, there is no doubt that diversity within the legislature is a victory for democracy..’ The outcomes of the 2010 Congressional elections may have fragmented the Democratic majority into fragmented pieces, it may have divided the government and it may have set the stage for intense political gridlock, but it is clear is the legacy that will be left behind. Whether black or white, Democrat or Republican, there is no doubt that diversity within the legislature is a victory for democracy, as well as the American people, and the 112th Congress has certainly made strides toward a more representative government.
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THE TRAP OF DEBT By Josh Joseph
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emember when Jermaine Dupri said, “…money ain’t a thing”? He lied. Today, the rate of African-American debt is increasing faster than African-American income. In other words, blacks are spending money faster than they can make it. The problem starts at a young age. When most teens turn 18, acquiring a credit card is one of, if not the most important things on the to-do-list. Credit card companies smile at the prospect of profiting off of another poorly informed young individual. The card is in the mailbox in as little as 24 hours. As soon as the signature is made on the back validating the freshly unwrapped plastic square, the deal is done. 84% of the people that just signed that card have just begun their slow, painful road on the way to financial failure. The purchase history starts small, and as young buyers gain confidence, they begin to push the limits. Statistics show that the individual that maintains a constant debt of $100 at age 19 will exponentially increase by a factor of three. In other words, consistently owing $100 in debt beginning at age 19 theoretically correlates to owing an average of $1,000,000 over the course of a lifetime. Recall that on average, graduates of fouryear accredited institutions make $1,000,000 more than their counterparts without the college degree. In this scenario, by failing to keep up with debts and not paying off credit card bills in full and on time, a young individual can end up owing back all the money they had the advantage of earning by finishing college before ever seeing a dime. Furthermore when you factor in loans to pay for books and tuition, those college students can quite easily find themselves in a worse financial situation than the student who never graduated However, its important to note that debt, as bad as it may be when not handled correctly, is a machine that has its benefits. Many successful companies purposely issue debt in the form of stocks and bonds to raise money to fund new projects that generate income for the firm. But, the financing of a multi-million dollar corporation and a young soon-to-be college grad are not one in the same. If you take on too much debt, you won’t be able to pay back those college loans. Say good-bye to that new car you wanted to buy before you turned 30. The bank will deem you too much of a risk to give you a loan so you’re family can own a home. Your girlfriend (or boyfriend) will probably leave you because you can’t afford to take her out to dinner or buy her that expensive frozen yogurt she loves so dearly. Debt is dangerous, but fear not! It’s never too late to learn about debt and how to avoid being in it.
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The following simple steps have been battle tested and can help even the least knowledgeable financeisseur get on top of the money.
1. Never Spend A Dollar You Can’t See - You owe yourself a little something nice every now and then. But be weary of spending when you don’t know where your next dollar is coming from. 2. Pay Your Bills Early - Paying your bills on time is good, but paying them early is ideal. You should check your statements often enough to know about when your bills are to be paid. Try to pay them off a week in advance. 3. The Fewer The Cards, The Better - The average American right now has eight different credit cards in his or her wallet right now. The less you have to worry about, the easier it is to manage. 4. Never Max Out - Keep your bill at or below 2/3 of your credit limit. 5. Check Your Balance’s Often - Know what it is you’re spending. Spending blind is a problem waiting to happen.
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BLACK HISTORY MONTH WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU? By Abike Kamson
Omar Smiley (Senior)
“For me, Martin Luther King, Jr. day is a day to reflect on the accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr. and so many others in the civil rights movement, but also to understand at the same time that we have a long ways to go to fully achieving total equality in this country.” Johnathan Williams (Junior) “Black History Month means perseverance and dedication. Our history is full of a lot of negative events, but we’ve made a lot of progress despite the hardship. Our progress shows that we are dedicated to bettering ourselves.” Mayowa Adeyemi (Sophomore) “Black History Month is a month that acknowledges the presence of black people’s contribution to American history. It cannot be denied, but celebrated.” Bistiat Alemu (Sophomore) “Black history month to me is the understanding of a blessing. Although my roots are not in the centuries long lineage of African Americans in America, it is through those honored in black history month that I am accepted as African American today and able to succeed as one as well.” Uchenna Nwokike (Sophomore) “Black History Month to me means honoring our past to recognize our future. Honoring our past meaning acknowledging our history, the history of our Afro-American culture and influence, and paying attention to how we apply it in our lives now and how we will in the future.” Deeza-Mae Smith (Senior) “Before coming to GW I had never really celebrated Black History Month. It has become a month where I get to learn a lot about the history of African Americans and actually appreciate it a lot more as a time to make progressive steps to the future, but for me, its also a time of learning.”
Amber Henderson (Senior) “Black History Month is a month designated to celebrating the accomplishments of past and present blacks. It is a way to show homage and give thanks to all blacks for the barriers that they have broken through and continue to break through.” Charles Basden (Community Leader) “The Martin Luther King, Jr. day of service really is a humbling experience and an opportunity for the GW community to display its strong affinity for service to the greater DC community. Overall the day of service is the extension of Martin Luther King’s dream through selfless acts of paying it forward to others.” Patrick Mamudu (Freshman) “Black History, I feel is too lush to be contained in one month. AfricanAmericans, throughout history, have accomplished countless things, especially fighting for our freedoms and equality. The fact that we have an African-American president now and I was able to actually witness the inauguration in the blistering cold shows how far our people have come. What I’m hoping for in the future is an even better scenario for my offspring.” Deidre Okeke (Senior) “Martin Luther King, Jr. day is a day of evaluation. One should particularly seek to serve others in commemoration and remembrance of the one who spent the majority of his life serving an entire race; an act which didn’t stop the day after.
Mia Marshall (Sophomore) “For me, Black history month is a time to reflect on the influence of the social and political history of African Americans in my life today and show appreciation for the individuals who fought, and are still fighting, for equality for African Americans.” Jesse Glicker (Sophomore) “In middle school, there was always a special lesson or songs to be sung in celebration of Black History Month. In high school, we usually had speakers come in to talk about the history of African Americans. And now in college, I almost feel unaffected; institutionally, I don’t think I have picked up anything.”
Jeff Peden (Grad Student) “Black History Month is not only a chance for all Americans to celebrate an aspect of American identity, but it is also an opportunity to reflect on the diversity that makes our country great.” Lindsay Plante (Sophomore) “Black History Month is one of those times that gives everyone a huge amount of opportunities to explore in terms of speakers, events going on in DC, etc., but you either choose to be or choose not to be involved and bettered by these experiences. You can choose to have it be February or you can choose to have it be Black history month.” Arielle Nicole (Freshman) “I would say that to me black history month is a time to acknowledge and celebrate the history of our people that is often overlooked. Black history is scarcely touched on in history classes in schools, so to me black history month is a reminder that the impact that blacks have had on this country cannot be forgotten and needs to be studied. To me black history month is a time for the positive celebration of the diverse cultures and heritages that comprise the black community that which I am proud to be a part.” Andrea Bradley (Senior) “Black History month is a month where we should be more observant in our history and share both our history and experiences with the rest of our community and our country.” Matt Francolino (Senior) “When I was in Atlanta for alternative spring break, I visited Martin Luther King, Jr.’s house and the church where he preached. It was very interesting and it reminded me to remember what our country looks like now because of civil rights, but also the steps needed to go. Martin Luther King, Jr. said ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’ and his legacy will always be very important to students.” Jenn Chuang (Freshman) “It is a time to reflect and give back to the community and to celebrate everything Martin Luther King, Jr. stood for in his life.”
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EGYPTIAN PROTEST AND BLACK HISTORY By Abike Kamson
‘Egyptians chose... to designate this historic day as the “Million Man March”’
F
ebruary 1, 2011 marked the first day of Black History Month as well as the seventh day of protests taking place to oust President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt. Given the term “Million Man March”, the Egyptian protest has evoked memories of African-Americans’ own “Million Man March” that took place in October of 1995. On this day, AfricanAmericans from across the United States congregated in Washington, D.C. marching to address the issues of social and economic disparities exceedingly apparent in the African-American community as well as to heighten AfricanAmerican voter registration. In doing so, it brought the attention of politicians to urban and minority issues. In the same regard, the revolution in Egypt to revamp the democratic government in its entirety is calling for social, economic, and political reforms; most importantly, the departure of Hosni Mubarak. These demands stem from 30 years of political suppression that have left opposition parties weak and divided, media propaganda continuously infiltrate state-run television, other various mediums, along with extreme corruption among the wealthy and political elite. No wonder then, Egypt chose, albeit wisely, to designate this historic day as the “Million Man March,” serving as a commemorative display to the original and influential movement in America. This is not the first time that the Arab world in the face of social upheaval and political suppression has looked to the African Diaspora in America and its achievements to gather inspiration for their own endeavors. For an example, the Black Panthers in Israel that got their name from The Black Panther Party in America that fought against antiracism sentiments, most notably concerning police brutality. African-Americans have shown to be a model example for
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many, if not all, subjugated groups in the Middle East that are fighting for better rights and freedoms. With movements such as the “Million Man March” and the Civil Rights Movement and prominent African-American figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, and Rosa Parks, efforts of African-Americans can truly be viewed as a beacon of hope for citizens of oppressive governments and systems globally. It would be too grandiose, however, and also negligent to speak only to African-American accomplishments and their positive impact abroad. It becomes important then to keep in mind the numerous steps still required of African-Americans to truly erase prejudice and injustice in the United States. It is to say, while in one year America elected its first African-American president, Barack Hussein Obama, in that same year, one of the most notorious hate-crimes received, initially, little media coverage only later garnering nation-wide support under the name of “The Jena 6.” America is not quite perfect yet, but the month of February cements for all Americans a true recognition of both the plight and accomplishments of African-Americans. This month we celebrate people in our own history that have fought successfully, and continue to do so, for equality and freedoms and we also support efforts of those around the world, such as those protesting in Egypt, actively seeking their human and democratic rights.
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upcoming events february 18th
7 PM NAACP’s Soul Revue: 106 & Park is on! Marvin Center 304
february 19th
3 PM Edwin P. Henderson Classic Lerner Healther & Wellness Center, 3rd fl
february 22nd
7 PM The Root of Beauty Marvin Center Grand Ballroom
february 23rd
8 PM Wacky Wednesday: Understanding African Dance Mount Vernon Campus West Hall
february 24th
6:30 PM “Blackademics” Game Show Marvin Center Continental Ballroom
february 26th
9 PM Boat Cruise: “We have Arrived!” Southwest Waterfront Ticket Prices TBA
february 27th
4 PM The History of Soul Food Alumni House (19th and F)
february 28th
7 PM REAL Conversations: The Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
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DEFINITION OF MARKED IN SOCIAL MEDIA By Kasandra Moultrie
The
idea of being MARKED is one that transcends racial and ethnic lines; in being marked whether positively or negatively, it is our responsibility to embrace the positive markings and to denounce the negative labels. In Donald Bogle’s Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks: an interpretive history of Blacks in American Films, the idea of “Marked” was found to be a fitting concept to further explicate upon. In the context of The George Washington University’s Black Heritage Celebration for 2011, “Marked” is indicative of “the historical and contemporary aspects contained in the singling out, targeting and thus “Marking” of individuals of color.” Using this as a point of interest, the events in the 2011 Black Heritage Celebration seek to answer what it is to be “Marked” across varying groups in ‘We thrive on the African Diaspora. communication that Some areas we found of much interest are spans from face to the emphasis on being face...contact, and now of a fairer skin tone more than ever rely within some Caribbean communities, the upon text messaging, development of the wall posts, and tweets.’ educational system and its effect on black youth, the evolution of the black female, the state of the multicultural student community at The George Washington University, and stereotypes associated with black men and criminal activity. In this article, however the goal is to examine how far labels have come via various medias such as the internet, social websites, and magazines.
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Our generation is consumed by social medias; in plain sight we have been marked the generation of “disconnection”, “un-social ability”, and “the internet.” We thrive on communication that spans from face to face, or voice to voice contact, and now more than ever, we rely upon text messaging, wall posts, and tweets. Within this disconnected environment people are left to associate others with labels: on Facebook people who have commonalities request each other as friends, those on twitter follow people with catchy names and interesting view points, and stored cell phone numbers delineate people by location along with name because they know too many people. People have negatively utilized social media for cyber bullying, threats and criminal activity; an increase self-abuse has been linked to the negative psychological effects of such comments.
It is more appealing, according to the theory of Racial Media Bias, for those of multicultural backgrounds, particularly blacks, to be denigrated in television and other medias because of the ”white agenda.” In these visual medias, blacks are rarely highlighted except those who are being poorly reported upon; Michael Vick continues to be a mockery in popular media as a dog killer, Tiger Woods as the poorly thought out multi-millionaire who cheated on his white former-model wife, and Congressman Charles Rangel as a swindler of the people of New York after extorting thousands from his congressional campaign. These markings that are placed upon people by others can be useful in finding a new friend, but our generation has taken advantage of this and fueled an environment of marks and little connect. While the emersion of social media into our present generation seems overwhelmingly negative, it has its positives. These labels have also aided in allowing people to define and redefine themselves repeatedly. Individuals adjust their account names on varying social medias to reinvent other people’s perception of them. The ability to change aspects about who you are, where you live, your experiences and your life in general to the world within in seconds allows much room for positivity, as our generation is able to track their changes in life and the advancements of others. It allows for people to speak freely in manners they may not otherwise been accessible to and reveal things about themselves that may have otherwise remained hidden, from sexuality to accomplishments. In magazines, television and film, blacks have been allowed a new forum for expression; there are increased amounts of actors and actresses, and more prominent intellectual minds than before. These people have taken advantage of new social medias, using such places to promote their messages and emphasize positive social change. The negatives of social media in labeling people when contrasted with the positives of social media is an area that deserves further discussion. Will our generation and generations following ours be able to push beyond the disconnect that exists and negative markings that social media has bread? As our generation continues to be heavily dependent upon social medias, it will be a challenge as to how to acknowledge trends in technology, to encourage positive markings, and refute negative markings.
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MAKING A MARK, OR, THINKING ABOUT PRESIDENT’S DAY DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH By Professor Jennifer James
My
great, great, great, great, great grandmother Hannah is one of the first slaves Andrew Jackson owned. By most accounts, she was only eight years old when he acquired her, although where, how, and from whom remains unclear. It was 1804, some three years after a bloody revolution had transformed the French slave colony Saint Domingue into Haiti, the first free black republic in the western Hemisphere. 1804 was also four years before the United States would prohibit U.S. participation the transatlantic slave trade. The “slight African accent” a reporter later claimed to hear in her voice could place her among the last wave of Africans brought into the country legally. Jackson chose her, historians speculate, as a “companion” for his childless wife Rachel, who had grown weary of the long periods he spent away from Tennessee trying to build his financial fortunes. Perhaps Rachel was delighted to receive this “present” from her husband. Perhaps her husband was equally delighted to have given his wife such pleasure. Hannah’s own feelings would have been beside the point, of course. She was a child and a slave; she was black and a woman. To whom could she have protested? Where would she have registered her dissent? The vast prohibitions against slave literacy have assured that we will always know much more about what slaves did than what they felt. During the forty-one years Hannah was owned by Jackson, she did a bit of everything: amused his wife, raised his chickens, picked insects from his hair, carried him raw egg and milk for breakfast, tended to his wide array of illnesses. She supervised the other slaves at his growing plantation. She traveled with him to Washington after he was elected to congress. She comforted him when his wife died a month before he took office as President. One famous nineteenth century Jackson biographer decided that this labor meant that Hannah was a “faithful servant,” a vexing terminology which utterly fails to capture the complex behaviors and dependencies coerced in the enslaved. Perhaps Hannah had hoped that a meticulous display of obedience would be rewarded with freedom. If so, she was terribly, terribly mistaken. When Jackson rewrote his will shortly before his death in 1845, he bequeathed this “faithful” slave to his daughter-in-law:
…to my beloved and affectionate daughter Sarah Jackson, wife of my adopted well beloved son, A. Jackson, Jr., I hereby recognize by this bequeath the gift I made her on her marriage of the negro girl, Gracy, which I bought her for her and gave her to my daughter Sarah, as her maid and seamstress with her increase, with my house servant Hannah, and her two daughters, namely Charlotte and Mary, to her and her heirs forever.
Forever, as it turns out, meant eighteen more years. When Hannah got word of the Emancipation Proclamation, she fled her owners, taking a daughter and three grandchildren with her. She promptly set up house in nearby Nashville where she worked as a midwife and sold other services. Her husband of nearly forty years, Aaron, hung around the plantation to make “mischief,” as one Jackson relative fretted: “We are completely in their power here, I meant servants…for if we attempt to cross or correct them, they are off—and always take the best horse, mule, or any thing else they want.” “Faithful” indeed. Hannah enjoyed a minor celebrity status in Nashville. For at least fifty years after Jackson’s death, white newspapers and magazine editors from across the country ran stories featuring or mentioning this fabled slave. But in their hands, the sharp woman observers had described as fluent and intelligent quickly exploded into a full-blown plantation stereotype; her “African accent” distorted into the stammering dialect of the “Negro” minstrel stage. By 1890, a major photography studio was peddling stylized photographs of “Aunt Hannah.” She was ninety-five years old and still for sale. But that photograph represents an astonishingly perverse irony: the fact that Hannah was once the legal property of a U.S. President is the sole reason that she has been saved from complete historical obliteration, unlike so many other nameless, faceless slaves and free people of color. Her bondage is why she still appears periodically before the American public, most recently in a Pulitzer-Prize winning study of Jackson’s years in the White House. To most historians, Hannah is merely an anecdote, a footnote, a name for an index. At other times, she is evidence for an argument--proof that Jackson was either a benevolent slaveholder or a brutal tyrant. To my family, she is flesh and blood, a black human being who had the will and wits to survive enslavement. We owe our existence to hers. Perhaps that profound sense of obligation drives my belief that the documentation of forgotten black lives--whether ordinary or extraordinary---should always constitute the core of the black historical project. We can help them make their mark. Permanently.
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ALPHA PHI ALPHA STEPSHOW PACKS LISNER By Kwasi Agyeman
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his year the 14th Annual Step Your Game Up Charity Step Show had it all. They were little kids stepping with adults, step teams from across the nation and unfortunately a subpar emcee for the night. However the Nu Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc was able to bounce back strongly and deliver a higher quality step show than last year’s event. Meshach Cisero, a GW Member of Alpha Phi Alpha, said, “The biggest challenge with coordinating any large show is sticking to a strict timelines. There are a lot of behind the scenes deadlines that need to be met months before our step show even begins.”
All the nine-featured teams brought a lot of high action and energy to such a highly anticipated show. The show started with a mini-army of high schoolers known as the ‘Herndon Hornets’ from Herndon High School in Virginia. The teen steppers, clad in bright red shirts, approached the stage with a high a level of tenacity and went on to set the bar for their collegiate counterparts to follow. They left the show amongst a roar of excited college students. “The high school steppers stole the whole show. They were amazing and I was really impressed, “ said GW Junior, Janel Coleman. The stage lights dimmed and up next were the women of Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority Inc., a sorority that touts itself as the first multicultural Greek organization. They started off dazzling viewers with a series of smooth dance transitions into step routines. A few minutes later, their routines appeared mundane and a few of their members were off-step. Their performance however stood as a strong foot forward for their organization, which recently established a chapter at our school last year. Out of nowhere, several men began walking down the aisle carrying coffins. Though it was not the usual step show entrance, it definitely got the crowd rejuvenated after a decent start by the steppers from Mu Sigma Upsilon. The coffins were lifted unto the stage to reveal colored boxes. The boxes were colored in red, black and purple which were meant to represent the other black fraternities. The men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., riled up a storm with several high-flying acrobatic moves, which kept the crowd involved. They were very precise and easily a crowd favorite to win the grand prize of $1,500. The Sigma’s show reached new heights when a child that looked around 9 years old appeared on stage and did a full step routine with the team. The crowd went wild! Not only did this young boy step his heart out, he attacked it with a finely tuned level of precision and stamina. The Sigmas walked off stage feeling as if they had won the competition already.
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Whereas the Sigmas had traveled from afar to compete in the show, the next team, the women of, was a hometown favorite. The step team composed of women from The George Washington University, Georgetown University George Mason University and American University. This super group of young women saw a unification of chapters that had not collaborated before. Rachel McKenley, a GW Senior and GW member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, said, “Having stepped together and working together definitely opened up opportunities for us to strengthen the sisterly bond and do more events in the future.” Their step team used an old-school Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation theme that saw them outfitted in curvaceous military uniforms. While their show had
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signs of a first-time step team, they took the stage ablaze when they paid homages to the other fraternities. The team had a lot of home crowd support even at one time, a person yelled, “I love you Allison.” Allison Prince was one of the steppers on the AKA team from Georgetown University. The show was heading towards the end and a few more acts had come to take the top title. Next were the men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc, this step team had traveled from NY and went by the name “The Dream Team.” Which such a name they had a lot to live up to. They approached the stage with confidence and a brush of swagger. They had the lights, the songs, and a good combination of steps. They also had the crowd in their hands and then casually things began to fall apart. The Kappas accidently dropped their canes while mid-routine. The canes are wooden colored sticks, similar to candy canes that are used to perform step routines. Not only did they drop a cane, they dropped another, another and one more time for good measure. Most people in the crowd soon wrote them as poor performers. However in a true gentlemen fashion, they took off their gleaming white suits and pressed on. They continued to wow the crowd and tied in their show with an amazing theme based of the movie Takers. After the Kappas went on, the show was stagnant for next the few performances. They included the women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and the women of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. Both groups had good intentions for the presentation of their routines however both groups were not well received by the crowd. Arielle Ford, GW Freshman said, “ I felt the [Sigma Gamma Rho] had a good show, but the crowd was disrespectful.” The women of Zeta Phi Beta had a karate step routine that seem confuse most viewers, however some liked their performance. “ I felt like they were the only
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group that had a well thought out plan for the whole show,” said GW Freshman Simi Ojuri. The show had dragged on for a bit longer than most had expected, however a step team of Alpha Phi Alpha had arrived from Syracuse and were planning to deliver as the headliners. Though they were not as flashy as the past Alphas that won last year’s event, they had a great overall show that aimed to entertain the crowd. The based their theme on a collegiate graduation, where the lead presenter had an African accent that delighted the crowd. As the show was going on, there was an awkward pause as what seemed to be a trudging line of potential members dressed in all black midshow. After that, the Alphas ended the show and the tallies where being counted. There was a slow drumroll and the winners were announced. The men of Kappa Alpha Psi had done it. They had won the step show, though many were surprised. Philip Reynolds, a GW Junior and GW member of Kappa Alpha Psi said, “I thought the Kappas that performed at the Step Show were good. In all honesty I did not expect them to win because they did mess up a couple times, but all in all they were a solid team.” The Kappa team rushed the stage and proceeded to dance and celebrate. The host chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha presented the team with the grand prize money of $1,500. The host chapter went along to present a donation of $1000 to the Martin Luther King National Memorial Fund and along with two academic grants called the Black Genesis Scholarship Essay for high school seniors. All stepshow photos were exclusively taken by Josh Joseph of Fresh Perspective. josh.freshperspective@gmail.com http://freshperspective.viewbook.com
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AMERICA’S NEXT CHAPTER: A PANEL DISCUSSION ON RESTORING AMERICA’S GREATNESS By Sydney Green
The
economy, war, education, immigration, racism, and unemployment were only a few topics discussed on January 13th, 2011 at Tavis Smiley’s panel discussion, America’s Next Chapter. GW’s Lisner Auditorium reached capacity as the discussion was broadcasted live on C-SPAN at 6 p.m. The crowd was uncontrollably excited as each panelist took their place. The panelists included several noted dignitaries: Cornel West, Princeton University professor and author; David Frum, speechwriter for President George W. Bush; John S. Chen, chairman of Committee of 100; Maria Bartiromo, anchor of CNBC’s Closing Bell; Arianna Huffington, founder of the Huffington Post, Dana Milbank, political columnist for The Washington Post; David Brody, CBN News White House correspondent; and Maria Teresa Kumar, executive director and co-founder of Voto Latino. The first topic discussed was the restoration of America’s greatness. West explained to the panel and to the crowd that “greatness has to do with how the poor and working class are doing...our nation needs to try to become greater.” Studies have shown that approximately 50% of Americans believe that our best days are behind us. Smiley described this grim statistic, which reveals the helpless and hopeless attitudes of Americans. According to Huffington, we are slipping into a “third-world America”. Two million people have lost their homes, jobs, and the American Dream. Huffington stated, “100 million people are worse off than their parents were, and the middle class has become the new poor.” All of the panelists agreed that Americans are more informed than ever, but are currently at a great disadvantage in comparison to the rest of the world. This statement turned the panel’s attention over to another leading issue within our nation, America’s dysfunctional political system. Maria Bartiromo expressed that Americans utilize a shortterm mentality; our presidents only plan for elections every four years, while China is planning for the next 100 years. A political World War erupted as Obama pushed toward healthcare reform, but Germany has had universal healthcare since 1884. West supplemented this argument and agreed that Americans stress the need for change and oftentimes do not want to support and commit to necessary changes. He expressed that only with “great courage, great love, and great commitment to public interest” can any real change be made. The idea that America has become submissive to other world powers thrived throughout the panel discussion. John Chen eagerly professed that where he is from (Hong Kong, China), failure is not an option. “China is hungrier”, Chen stated. With China’s steadily increasing population, children have no
asserted that here in America, “the ‘No Child Left Behind’ act left every child behind.” Although the graduation rate of students has increased over years, recent studies have shown that Black students are twice as likely to drop out of high school than White students. Just last year, the number of white students to graduate from high school quadrupled the number of black students that graduated. Aside from the racial differences, American students have become conditioned to work less and play more. Chen revealed that America should not solely fear China’s progression, but every country’s progression. Maria Teresa Kumar stated, “the Hispanic community lives under the worst conditions, but are the most hopeful.” Kumar went on to explain that immigrants come to America to fulfill their dreams. Americans take opportunities for granted and the moment Americans can utilize these opportunities and see the greatness within America, we will prosper as a nation. Bartiromo added that we as a country, need to better care for all levels on income. America can not continue to ignore immigrants and those who live in poverty because they are in fact part of our nation. David Frum expressed that in Congress, “people are better and results are worse”. We are more educated than ever before and therefore have potential to be the best, but Americans are self-interested and therefore less productive as a nation. America constantly hears great news from Wall Street and bad news from Main Street. West agreed that Wall Street and Main Street have always been connected, but one always gets the priority. Hard workers have been ignored for centuries and “the people who strive to keep Martin Luther King’s legacy alive are made invisible,” West stated. Smiley concluded that the progression America saw after the Great Depression is expected after this “Great Recession”. All of the panelists agreed that “America’s Next Chapter” could be promising with a few minor adjustments in the attitudes and mentalities of young America. Tavis Smiley and Cornel West agreed that America is and always has been the epitome of greatness, not we must strive to be greater. The two men also attended GW’s 2011 Martin Luther King Jr. Award Ceremony earlier that day, thus marking an excellent kick-off to the week-long celebration of Dr. King’s legacy and leading to this year’s Black History Celebration.
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OUR BLACK STATE OF UNION : GWU
By Imani Bentham
On
February 7, 2011, GWU’s Black Student Union and NAACP held the “Black State of the Union”. It was advertised as “a discussion led by panelists examining the topics of Greek life, the black male presence on college campuses, relationships, religion, community, lack of passion and the race divide”. Many students came to the School of Media and Public Affairs in anticipation for the discussion. Before the dialogue began, people enjoyed light refreshments provided by Popeye’s.
A large portion of the discussion was dedicated to the alleged divide between the greek and non-greek community at GWU. Students, both greek and non-greek, conveyed their opinions. Members of the greek community explained that because of the exclusivity of their organizations, it can make people outside the organizations feel uncomfortable around them. Yet, they stated, “It is important to take the time to get to know the people behind the letters”. Lenworth James, Polemarch of the Kappa Chi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., said that Andre Lamar Smith, Co-President of the Black Student Union, members of the greek community have to be concious of the and Destiney Bishop, president of the GWU chapter of NAACP, intentions that people have approaching them since they are were the moderators of the event. They began with an informal members of a greek organization. James said, “Being a minorintroduction expressing that it would be a forum for students ity of a minority makes us a public figure.” Meshach Cisero, to discuss issues we find important to us so that we can take President of GWU’s Multicultural Greek Council and Membersteps to rectify these issues. Mr. Michael Tapscott, Director of ship Director of Nu Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity the Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC), initiated the Inc., explained the reason for the exclusivity saying that it was conversation by explaining to the students his concern about the important to him to protect the integrity of his organization lack of diversity within the Student Association. Many people in and his brotherhood. Junior Cynthia Nkem Nwafor supported the room raised their hands when he asked if anyone would like the arguments by some of the non-greek members saying that to be involved with the SA. He closed his remarks saying that ‘if you are a leader in the black community, you should extend Rob Maxim, current Executive Vice-President of the SA, would your hand in the black community.” attend the event to provide more information. The two-hour discourse came to a close with a brief talk about As a follow-up to Mr. Tapscott’s concern, Sam Collins, a senior the African-American males at GWU. Few people participated in the School of Media and Public Affairs, conveyed that the in the discussion about men in the black community and some lack of participation by the African-American community was of the crowd left. At the end, the various organizations in prevalent throughout multicultural organizations such as Black the crowd were able to make announcements regarding their Men’s Initiative and the ACE Magazine. Collins, who is an acupcoming events. tive participant in many multicultural organizations and former co-president of the Black Student Union told the crowd about In my opinion, BSU and the NAACP’s Black State of the Union his frustrations with what he described as “the peanut gallery”, was not a success. It was not an accurate representation of the He defined “the peanut gallery” as though who like to complain intelligence within the black community. The statements made about the problems within the organizations instead of makwere far from profound and the topics that we discussed were ing an effort towards improvement. Sophomore Dannie Moore, superficial and immature. Cliques and separation between responded by saying that, in her opinion, people had to be part greeks and non-greeks are issues within every community on of a particular group such as “the MSSC crew” to get involved. the George Washington University’s campus. As minorities, we Her comment ignited conversation as there were mixed sentiface more consequential problems specific to our community ments about the topic. Some people staunchly defended the that need to be addressed. Ultimately, we are all students and MSSC saying it was a place for all people to socialize and others the social environment in the black community should take a disagreed saying it was uncomfortable for people who do not back seat to issues such as the lack of job opportunities after visit the MSSC often. graduation, how legislatures is affecting us as black students, racial profiling by the University Police Department, and the After many comments, Destiney Bishop then took control of glass ceiling African-American women face in the workplace. the conversation by saying “People have placed themselves in I felt as though it made an important statement about the certain groups and which has contributed to the negativity that relevance of Black Student Union and the NAACP’s presence we see in such a small community. Why are such cliques made at The George Washington University. These organizations within this community?” The heated discourse continued as should have a larger presence on campus. Although Popeye’s students again disagreed on the matter. Junior Anthony Bellwas a treat for many students, in my opinion, to serve fried mon and Sophomore Ariana Parchue proposed the “Just Say Hi” chicken and biscuits at an event hosted by the Black Student campaign, in which the entire black community would make an Union and the NAACP is stereotypical and somewhat of a effort to say hello to everyone they see within in the community. mockery of our culture. We have to be concerned with the Others disagreed with the campaign saying that it was unneces- perceptions of these organizations as they are representations sary to greet people just because of their skin color. Some said of the black community and we are a minority. I respect the it was a matter of personalities—everyone will not get along comments about the lack of leadership in the black community and it is a fact that should be accepted. Junior Andrew Liu, a and how students should take the initiative to step up and get minority in the crowd, took offense to the comments being made involved. However, as bright and talented0 students at GWU, as he said “I’m not black so does that mean I shouldn’t be here? we have to do better. Sometimes you can feel as though you are an outsider to a community. People are different and we have to recognize that. We must want to learn about different people”.
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SEX, LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS By Lenworth James & Lauren Tateosian
Have any questions about your sex life/ relationships? Ask our experts, send an email to thenewace@gmail.com. If it’s good, we’ll publish it. Hi Lauren & Len, Where can I find attractive black guys on campus??!! It seems like they are either taken, promiscuous or not interested in women. Help me! - Another GW girl
Hi Len, My girlfriend acts really weird around my black friends. She always tries to rap songs and makes weird jokes. I don’t know what to do. I really like her, but she won’t stop after I told her. Any ideas? - My Girlfriend Thinks She’s Drake Well it’s best to just be honest and tell her how you feel. Interracial relationships are hard because both parties are outside of their cultural comfort zone. You need to understand that she is just trying to assimilate or relate to you and your friends but it doesn’t feel natural to her. Tell her that is feels uncomfortable to you and she should just be herself because that’s why you like her and your friends will like her too. Hi Lauren, I really want to get to know a guy from a different race. However I’m shy and a bit nervous, I don’t know how to get in the other world. Any advice on how to approach the guy I really like in my History class? - Looking for Mr. Right It is natural to be shy when you have a crush but you need to make sure that you are aware of what’s actually making you nervous. If you are nervous because this guy has perfect teeth and always has something intelligent to say, then that is just part of the game. However, if you are nervous because you have different skin tones, you should make sure you are looking past that before you decide to approach him. The “other world” is not a mythical place for black people to do black people things. It’s the same world you live in, so make sure you’re interested in him for genuine reasons because that’s what you would want. I don’t care if his complexion is the smoothest, chocolatey goodness ever bestowed upon mankind, if his personality sucks it’s never going to work anyways. Approach him with confidence and you’ll be set.
Lauren: I ask myself that question all the time!!!! In all seriousness though, there are a very small number of black men on this campus when you compare it to the rest of the school. It may seem like you have no options but there are plenty of places to meet people. Try going to more black events (and no I don’t mean Marvin Center parties) where you will get a chance to get to know some of your black peers. Keep in mind, that everybody at this school is receiving a college education from a very prestigious university, so while you may have heard rumors about somebody, make sure you get to know the people around you. You might find a good catch was right under your nose the entire time. Len: E Street Room 801A Hi Lauren & Len, It seems I have the best sexual experiences with men outside my race. My family isn’t very comfortable with me dating people outside my race. I don’t know what to do. I really like white men! However I’m scared of what will happen after college. I think my family would want me to end up with a black man, but they don’t do it for me. I’m concerned. - Conflicted Lauren: I just want to put this out there. If you are having good sex, there is nothing to be afraid of. I don’t think there is a racial component to good sex as far as the actual mechanics goes, but if you feel particular chemistry with some people over others, then the sex is just going to be better. If you have your mind set on a black man in the future, make sure you are waiting to find somebody that you do feel that chemistry with. You have to give him the chance to turn you on, but if you don’t feel it, then you can’t force it. My biggest piece of advice is to make sure you’re not settling for a mediocre sex life when there are many options out there. Len: You’re young but your sexual experiences cannot dictate your love life. Sex is a very small part of a relationship in the grand scheme of things. As far as who you are attracted to, go with what you like. It’s better to end up with a man that you bond with than with someone you just settled with because you are the same race.
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I N F L U E N
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By Malcolm Bouzi
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H I P - H O P
What is the state of hip-hop? Since its creation
in the 1970s, hip-hop has always been a genre of music in which people have argued about who was the best. Whether it be on the mic or with the beat, rappers as well as producers have to strived to make their own distinguished sounds within this art form. Old songs are even sampled and remixed in efforts to best past efforts. Hip-hop record sales as high as ever in 2010 with releases like Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Eminem’s Recovery. Even so, there are those that still believe that rap is in a decline. Legendary artists like Nas have even gone far as to say that the art form was dead. Does he have a point? During the 50s and 60s, soul music controlled the airwaves. Black owned record labels like Motown found success with amazingly talented artists such as Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. This was a golden age in black music. Many listened to these artists for a long time to come, whether it be from a record player or iPod. Soon enough white owned labels caught on to the rising popularity of these black artists and began to buy out these black owned labels one by one. Since then, black owned companies in music have not found nearly as much success on such a wide level. These events from all those decades ago have had a large affect on black music today. Hip-hop sales are consumed predominantly by white audiences, with them commanding 70 percent. It has had a reflection on who have been the most successful artists, in terms of sales. Hip-hop for much of its history has been about artists rhyming about their experiences growing as minorities and what they have gone through because of their background. Artists like the Wu Tang Clan and Ice Cube found success because audiences found their tales of gang life, drugs and violence to be entertaining. Hip-hop fans, especially those in the white community, found this genre particularly compelling because their lifestyles were so different from these artists. When Eminem came around, the white audience finally had an artist in hip-hop they could actually connect to, in terms of appearance. Eminem has benefitted tremendously from this demographic and has sold millions. Other labels saw this trend and tried to get their own “token” white artist through signing people like Paul Wall and Bubba Sparks. Although greatly talented, even Eminem has admitted that the only reason he has been so successful was because he was white. His recent album Recovery, which was seen as somewhat of a disappointment by Eminem fans, was able to get him 11 Grammy nominations this year. He is definitely not complaining.
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A recent trend in hip-hop has seen rappers protest about the way that major record labels treat artists. These days, it is all about the money and label executives only want to record what they think will make them money. Because it is now all about trends, hip-hop no longer has that aura of longevity like black music used to. Those Motown records are still played today and get sampled regularly in hip-hop to bring them to new audiences. These white owned labels have gone as far as to try to control what is being created by artists. Big Boi’s critically acclaimed album Sir Lucius Left Foot was delayed two years because executives at his former label thought it wasn’t “radio friendly” enough. Emcees are beginning to start their own labels and join independent ones as a ‘Hip-hop for much of preference over signing to its history has been big companies. about artists rhyming With this new era in about their experiences technology, it growing as minorities..’ is easier for an artist to get their music out. An increase in black owned labels will hopefully bring the creative edge back to hip-hop as a whole, and keep that pulse going strong in the genre.
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FROM BREAKING BARRIERS
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S TO BECOMING A BRAND By Nkwa Asonye
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century ago, the Super Bowl didn’t exist, cars didn’t cruise the streets, and the Internet was not even a myth. The early 20th century saw the rise of athletes in the public spotlight. Baseball was becoming America’s pastime, Ivy League schools made college football a must-see sporting event, and basketball was literally in its infancy (with final scores like 13-8). As the times continue to evolve, both the role and America’s viewpoint of the black athlete has continued to evolve as well. Despite the fact that civil rights were, at the time, only a dream for African-Americans, these athletes also gained national notoriety for their feats – and encouraged much debate about whether blacks and whites could physically compete in the same arena. For instance, in the 1920s the Major League All-Stars faced off against their counterparts from the Negro Baseball League on numerous occasions.Players like Babe Ruth and Bob Feller got a chance to face off against Negro League Legends like the speedy Cool Papa Bell, the hard-throwing Satchel Paige, and the powerful catcher Josh Gibson. Although the results of those games are disputed, it has been said that these games were extremely competitive. More importantly, it gave the Major League players that participated a new respect for their African-American opponents. In 1947, Jackie Robinson famously broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers. A year later, President Truman passed a series of executive orders desegregating the Armed Forces. These two events initiated the rise in public attention of the civil rights movement. Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe later joined Robinson in Brooklyn to become the first set of black teammates in Major League Baseball. They famously held their tongues and kept their composure as they faced death threats, racial slurs, and public disdain… ven though, they played at All-Star levels for years. Their solidarity paved the way for leaders such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. – who years later credited them for making it easier for him to do his work. In 1950, the NBA had its first set of black “firsts”: Chuck Cooper was the first black draft pick by the Boston Celtics, Nat Clifton was the first black player to sign a contract with the New York Knicks, and Earl Lloyd played for the Washington Capitols to become the first black player to play in a game. Bill Russell, arguably the most heralded defensive player in NBA history – who also marched with Martin Luther King during his career – became the first African-American coach in professional sports history in 1966. Meanwhile, college football had its first black Heisman winner back in 1961 with Syracuse University running back Ernie Davis.
By this time, black athletes had gained much more respect in the public eye. Before, they were people who weren’t allowed to sit at restaurants, but by now they sold out stadiums at the mere mention of their names. They were seen as innovators and symbols of the struggle especially within their communities. Today, however, the black athlete is particularly thought of with one thing in mind: money. This doesn’t go unwarranted, however; professional sports after time have made certain athletes more replaceable with contract clauses that determine whether a team retains them, injuries changing playing styles and any behavioral problems with coaches or the front office. However, even if an athlete has a decent career, marketing campaigns by teams and company PR agencies have made these men and women some of the wealthiest and most well-known individuals on the planet. Michael Jordan was one of the first ‘..the extra black athletes to be exposure gives heavily marketed to the public. It was black athletes his Nike contract the opportunity that begat the everfamous “Air Jordan” to give back to sneaker line which their communities, eventually evolved into its own division whether discreetly of Nike and has or publicly.’ since then signed numerous famous athletes like Derek Jeter, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony. Jordan’s heavy marketing furthered the use of professional athletes in anything from movies to television shows and even political campaigns. The extra exposure goes to certain players’ heads and they tend make foolish fiscal and behavioral decisions in total disrespect to those who have gone before them. On the other hand, the extra exposure gives black athletes the opportunity to give back to their communities, whether discreetly or publicly. Athletes also make choices to live their lives to advance any cause—be it a religion or a political movement. Today, LeBron James is on billboards from city to city because the athletes that came before broke political, racial, and socially unjust barriers. It allows Derek Jeter to be arguably the most recognized baseball player in the world today. When one of our athletes succeeds, with thanks to those that went before us, we all succeed. Besides, in the words of ESPN analyst and former head coach Herm Edwards, “You play to win the game!”
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BLACK HAIR TIMELINE By Erin Levy
Turn of the Century: Born Sarah Breedlove McWilliams Walker, Madam CJ Walker revolutionized the female African American haircare industry by creating products to combat hair loss. She began selling Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower, a scalp healing and conditioning formula, and expanded her company, creating meaningful job opportunities for over 3,000 individuals. Her Walker System and Walker Schools, combined with impressive marketing strategies, made Madam CJ Walker the first African American female self-made millionaire.
1980’s: Jheri curl
Named for Jheri Redding, the Jheri curl was a perm that loosened the curls or “kinks.” Downside: prone to being rather greasy
1970s : The Afro
Beginning in the 60’s and leaking into the following decade, the afro started with the Civil Rights Movement and the newfound appreciation for African beauty and aesthetics. It signified progressiveness and a rejection of the old, stiff order, and was a statement of self-esteem among blacks. In the 1970’s with the dawn of disco, the ‘fro lost its political edge, and started to grow in circumference. It became more of a fashion statement and a dance floor staple.
1970s : Dreads 1930s - 1960s : The Conk
“Conking,” popular among men at the time, involved chemically relaxing the hair—sometimes with pure lye—to remove the “kinks.” Sometimes worn in large pompadours, or sometimes just slicked back, the conk required a considerable amount of upkeep to ensure that the hair’s natural appearance would not return prematurely.
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Originating in Rastafarian culture, dreadlocks are essentially matted coils of hair that start close to the head and hang down. With a rise in the popularity of reggae music and entertainers like Bob Marley, “dreads” became more mainstream in the ‘70s, and are still considerably prevalent today.
1980’s: Hi-top fade
A symbol of hip-hop culture at the time, the high-top fade involved cutting the sides low, but keeping the hair on top long, with the hair culminating in a flat top
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1990’s: “Sisters Love the Weave” – Essence, August 1990 Finally! Woman can have all the hair they want—just as long as they’re willing to pay for it. Also referred to as extensions, methods include bonding, tracking, fusion, netting, and clip-ins.
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In the spring of 2007, radio host Don Imus commented on Rutgers University’s women’s basketball team, referring to them as “rough girls” with many tattoos, and “some nappy headed hoes.” Imus was promptly torn apart by the media, and the cancellation of Imus in the Morning went into effect shortly thereafter. Imus’ racist and sexist remarks exemplified how appearance and race are still areas that our nation is still sensitive to.
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Chris Rock’s 2009 film “Good Hair” thoroughly shed light on the topic of African American haircare and styling, and its development throughout history. As of 2006, black haircare is a billion dollar industry, from chemicals and weaves, to styling and care.
2000’s: Now
Diversity is key. Some opt for the Rihanna-esque shorter styles that can be edgy or cute, depending on your mood. Others still like to keep their tresses long. Also “in” are natural styles; braids, and dreadlocks have become quite popular.
Today, it comes down to doing what works for you: There are still debates as to whether chemically treated hair is an insult to our roots (no pun intended) or just a choice people should be free to make without being judged. Some men prefer their women to have long hair versus short hair. Many alter their hairstyles to fit their lifestyle and for manageability. The topic of hair in the black community is bound to be a hot one for a while. Creative minds are constantly experimenting with new ‘dos looking to start the next trend. Just in the same way that we wear what we want as a mode of self-expression, hair styling should be no different.
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THE STORY OF NATURAL HAIR AT GW By Shelbie Atkins & Janel Coleman
This
academic school year at GW, there has been an influx of women wearing natural hairstyles on campus. Of the 85 GW women who participated in a poll, 62.4% (53) consider themselves natural. And even now, there is a growing number of women who are transitioning to become natural. This increase in women wearing their hair in its natural state is not exclusive to GW, but has spread nationally. Natural hair is defined as hair that no longer has any type of chemical treatment to alter its natural texture. But to some people, having natural hair means more than this. “If it’s colored it’s not as natural,” says Uche Nwokike. Regardless of the specificities of what natural hair truly is, it is apparent that more and more women are doing away with their relaxers. While some of these women rely on “big chopping” (cutting off all your chemically treated hair at once) their hair in order to become natural, transitioning (growing out one’s relaxer) for a longer period of time, while gradually trimming processed ends, is a great way to embark on your natural hair journey without dramatically changing your appearance. In response to growing numbers of women on campus wearing shorter, kinkier hair styles, some may question if these changes in appearance are the result of a growing fad. “I don’t necessarily think it’s a fad. I feel like we are at the age where we are finally taking care of our own hair and realizing that having a relaxer or perm doesn’t necessarily mean it’s helping your hair grow and stay healthy,” says student Rebekah Gibson. Others believe, like clothing trends, natural hair isn’t always for everyone. Nwokike proclaims, “If it works [for the girl] it works. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. Girls should do whatever works for them. Natural hair is not for everyone.” Women go natural for many reasons. Some opt for natural hairstyles in order to distance themselves from European ideals of beauty associated with straight hair. Others go natural due to sensitive scalp; the harsh chemicals in relaxers adversely affect them. Lastly, some women wear their hair in its natural state because they simply prefer their natural texture.
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Regardless of whether one’s hair is relaxed or natural, healthy hair seems to be the primary characteristic that men and women alike value. Alix Montes states,” I don’t have a preference for relaxed or natural hair. I have a preference for healthy hair that looks good. Natural hair looks great if you know how to take care of it. But I think a lot of girls don’t like to or don’t know how to take care of it.” Similarly, Sam Collins says, “It’s all about presentation. I don’t have a preference, but I like anything but a weave. That’s the last thing. If you have weave you better have a good personality.” Although these men seem to be open to women with natural hair, other instances prove that some men and women are not. Gibson and Sadjada Wilson agree that in their experiences having natural hair decreases the male attention that they receive.
In the media, arguments of whether or not natural hair is acceptable in the professional world have been brought up. “Natural hair wouldn’t be what you go for because it’s not the norm. Most girls straighten their hair before interview. A girl’s natural hair would have to be highly presentable,” says Kasandra Moultrie. While it is true that some women stray away from their kinks when presenting themselves in a professional environment, it is not completely necessary. Just as women with relaxed hair or extensions need to be presentable in business settings, so do those with natural hair. Some styles are more suited for certain occasions then others. It is important to use ones better judgment in picking appropriate styles. Wearing a super big, blown out afro on a job interview would not be the best idea. One would be better off saving that style for a different occasion and instead make the choice to be more demure. Since there are so many opinions about natural hair, embarking on a natural hair journey takes a lot of courage. For some, there is an extended awkward phase of learning how to take care of your natural texture and learning what looks good on you. Once you continue to learn more about managing your hair, your confidence will increase. Wilson states that, “Going through my transition, I hated it. My hair was short and I couldn’t do anything. I looked like a boy. Now that it’s full and curly I like it.” Having natural hair comes with perks as well as complications. As college students, having enough time and money are both major concerns we face. Natural hair products do not have to be (and shouldn’t be) expensive. A lot can be found at your local drugstore and grocery store. The time spent styling natural hair can vary due to length, texture, financial resources, occasion, and simply personal preference. A great perk of having natural hair is that you become your own stylist. You are no longer dependent on a professional hair stylist or your family members. Everything can be done on YOUR own time. There is a beauty and simplicity to that.
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Top 5 Don’t’s for Natural Hair 1. Don’t: Be afraid of adding water to your hair or scalp. Remember that water is your best friend! Use it as a styling aid, a moisturizer, and a detangler. 2. Don’t: Be afraid to use your creativity. Try different styles and products even if you do not think you have enough length or do not think they will work on your hair. 3. Don’t: Detangle your hair dry. Use either conditioners or oils in order to provide a necessary amount of slip. Slip is used to describe how slippery a product is. The more slip it has, the more effectively it will coat the hair to aid in detangling. 4. Don’t: Think that cutting or trimming your hair makes it grow faster. You hair grows from your scalp not the ends. Trim to get rid of split ends that will hinder your length retention. 5. Don’t: Get discouraged. Your hair will grow! Time, patience, and proper care are musts for successfully reaching new hair lengths. Highly textured hair can grow long! Focus more on length retention (preserving ends and decreasing breakage), than the actual growth. Remember: On average you hair grows at a rate of about .5 inches a month or 6 inches in a year!
Top 5 Do’s for Natural Hair 1. Do: Listen to what your hair likes. Try not to compare your hair to anyone else’s. What works for one person (be it a style or a product) may not work on you. 2. Do: Feel comfortable straightening your hair, but remember to take the proper precautions when applying heat to your hair and do so sparingly. 3. Do: Be cautious of your detangling practices. Use wider toothcombs and be gentle with your hair. 4. Do: Purchase a microfiber towel, terry cloth towel or turbie twist to dry your hair. Regular towels can harm your delicate strands. You can also use a (clean) t-shirt. Squeeze and dab the water out of your hair instead of rubbing it dry. 5. Do: Ask us any additional questions on our Formspring! http://www.formspring.me/Jayshel13
Top 10 + 1 Products and Tools 1. Bobby Pins 2. Wide toothed comb 3. Water Based Moisturizer (e.g. hair milk, hair lotion, hair cream) 4. Gel (Olive Oil Eco Styler!) 5. Sulfate-free Shampoo (e.g. Giovanni, Sheamoisture, Organix, Burt’s Bees) 6. Leave in Conditioner (e.g. Giovanni Direct Leave In) 7. Deep Conditioner 8. Rinse Out Conditioner (e.g. Aussie Moist, Herbal Essence Hello Hydration) 9. Head Scarf or Satin Pillow Case 10. Butter or oil mixture to seal in moisture (e.g. olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter) 11. Water! (Used for drinking and as a product)
Top 5 Natural Hair Bloggers and Vloggers 1. Curly Nikki—www.curlynikki.com 2. Kimmaytube— http://www.youtube.com/user/kimmaytube 3. College Curlies—www.collegecurlies.blogspot.com 4. Moptop Maven—www.moptopmaven.blogspot.com 5. African Export----http://www.youtube.com/user/AFRICANEXPORT
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CREATIVE WRITING TORN
Ryan Mitchell
26
How do I reconcile the two worlds that birthed me? Why should a bright future and present success cause past friends to hurt me? I’m torn between trying not to be another product of my surroundings while trying to shoot for the stars without losing my grounding. Seems like Darwin had more faith in animals than black people have in each other; A monkey can adapt to its environment but we fall victim to ours, damaged products of single mothers. The drug game was never an option, my jumpshot wasn’t good enough to take me to the league. I could never be a rapper, I’m too bougie for BET I have big dreams at night, sometimes I’m a Doctor or Lawyer... Too bad in the hood an education means you’re whitewashed like Tom Sawyer. Sometimes I feel like Joseph from the Bible, I wanna share my Dream with my brothers, so we can all grab hold of it, Then I remember Dr. King was killed for his dreams, and Joseph’s brothers buried him and his dreams in a pit. Sometimes I feel like Tarzan, born for something more, raised by something less, Lost, alone, in a jungle...but I digress. Living a nightmare in a land founded by dreamers, it’s like I could never understand; You’re demonized if you play the cards Fate dealt you, but ostracized if you try to change your hand. Damned if I do, damned if I don’t, so frankly, please excuse me if I just don’t give a damn About you and your opinions, I’m still torn on what it means to be (African) American Broken homes make broken people, While deliberate socioeconomic lines keep us separate, but not equal. Society looks down on me if I don’t choose to venture out in spite of myself and try to make it on my own But what’s success when striving for it means turning your back on the only home you’ve ever known? I’d rather make changes than make excuses, but with change comes growing pains, My biggest fear is looking into the eyes of an old friend and hearing him say “You’ve changed.” But if staying the same means settling for the status quo, then I guess thats not good enough, is it? So I’ll endure all the side eyes, and the “Oh, it’s this guy” whenever I come back to visit My mind struggles to wrap itself around the concept of a “Happy medium”, a place where both worlds accept and coexist Where there’s no difference between the Ryan the scholar and Ryan the baller; Where it’s ok to be dude from the block AND to want to be a scientist. Maybe I’m mistaken and this is just the way it’s gotta be. My Black life’s simply an enigma, wrapped in a dichotomy.
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UNSOUND AND SURROUNDED Aleks Marciniak
Wrought iron fences with the city: aiming at urban rind, at uniformed three-deckers stained tooth color and canned-string-bean-green, at gritty bricks stacked skywards -
erected
like middle fingers, like permanent exclamations in the cities
gaping mouth.
Bleach my skin (Our Forgotten Past) Patrice Laquinte
Lost in the color of my skin I have forgotten what is within. I have forgotten that we are the product and evidence of sin. I am proof of a robbed people who were made submissive, as we believed we were inferior based on our exterior. I have forgotten the nappy hair and replaced it with straight simply because other people care. We have forgotten our own brothers and their victimized mothers. We would rather judge and point the finger than console each other. We have failed in protecting our sisters while they are abused by certain misters. We no longer challenge each other, but worry about what we will be wearing depending on the weather. HaHa you are fools… and I am fool too. We are like fools simply because our wisdom of racial security has now become insecurity. “Pull up your pants young man. Give your brothers a helping hand my princess of African descent! My queens are well deserving of that sweet love we store and share in unity as we caress and make love in matrimony. This sweet love is so precious and embeds our inner grace. We have been has blessed as a soulful race. No bastard shall be damned and his or her mother’s womb shall not be plagued. We have forgotten the dream of Martin and the voice of Malcolm. We have fallen onto a path, which is characterized by distorted images that tell a story of fear and amnesia. Fear in a sense that we are scared of the commitment to strive for greatness. We have forgotten the sacrifices of those who came before us and rose to the occasion. My brothers and sisters, If we are free then why do we fall as victims of our own destruction? Bleach your skin and hope to blend in.
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