Wewe ni nani? {Who are you?}

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whoar eyou? { swahi l i }

Sp r i n g2 0 1 0

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know your sel f / iknow mysel f { swahi l i }

The

Spring 2010

Fahari-Libertad

THE FAMILY

Dignity, respect, a good reputation, derived from the language of KiSwahili.

Editor-in-Chief Shatera Gurganious

President Saki Rizwana

Fa-ha-ri: (noun)

Li-ber-tad: (noun)

Vice-President Faisal Awadallah

Spanish for FREEDOM! The Fahari-Libertad is committed to printing the political, social, and economic views and concerns regarding people of color here at SUNY New Paltz. It is published in the spirit of cultural unity as well as bringing about the spiritual unification of all people. The main goal of the Fahari-Libertad is to enrich and educate all with knowledge and enlightenment. We accept anyone who is truly committed to these goals to work with us.

Layout Editor Saki Rizwana Cover Design Terrell Coakley Inside Covers Faisal Awadallah Terrell Coakley

Mission: To seek knowledge, truth and unity with pride.

Staff Writers Shari Daniel Novlette Lee Roger Whitson

The Fahari-Libertad is currently seeking staff writers, copy editors, layout editors, and photo editors. A major/minor in Journalism/English is NOT a requirement. Please inquire via email at faharilibertad@gmail.com

The Fahari-Libertad SUNY New Paltz Student Union Building, Rm. 323 New Paltz, NY 12561 (845)257-3038 Email: faharilibertad@gmail.com faharilibertad.blogspot.com Copies of The Fahari-Libertad can be found in the SUB, the MLK Center, the Black Studies Department, the Lecture Center and in The Fahari Office - SUB 323, along with various residence halls.

Guest Writers / Contributors Tarun Behl Honey Brown Chris Gordon Sheena Henry Jamiles Lartey Krystal A. Miller A Confused Student Janea Thompson Jada Young

The Fahari-Libertad is sponsored by The Student Association of SUNY New Paltz. All authors and artists are responsible for their own submissions.

Special Thanks to: The Department of Black Studies,and all our brothers & sisters who submitted articles, toons, and poetry for showing the support needed to publish this magazine.

Alumni Contributors Carmen Mojica Regina “Reggie” Rivers

Inside this issue: FAHARI-LIBERTAD

My Hair Journey

... p. 06

Normalcy=Heterosexuality?

... p. 10

Biracial Identity: The “What are you?” Question

... p. 12

Invisible in America

... p. 21

Being Black and Proud

... p. 27

and, much, much more!

From the President’s Desk What does it mean to know someone? Is it enough to know their name? Do you know where they’re from?

Where they’re going? Do you know what kind of music they listen to? What types of food they like? Does being friends with someone on Facebook mean you really know them? What exactly does it take to know someone?

Now, let’s go further. What does it take to know oneself ? I mean, sure, you’ve been living inside your own head for years; you can even say your whole life; but does that mean you really know who you are? Personally, I didn’t realize who I was until I had been living with myself for almost 19 years! That’s NINETEEN years!

You might ask, “Saki, how the hell could you have not KNOWN yourself ?” Well, it’s not that I didn’t know myself. I mean, I knew that I liked my mother’s food better than anything else on Earth; I knew that I liked to be creative; I knew that I liked learning; I even knew that the best color in the whole world was blue! I was sure of those things! I knew them!

Surprisingly, or maybe not so surprisingly, going away to college taught me that even though Ma’s home cooked rice and lentil soup was amazing, it got dull after a while and there was nothing better than living for 2 months without it to make me realize just how great “dull” can be. I realized that I didn’t just like being creative; I liked to make connections between things, using my creative strengths to boost up my weaknesses and learn more holistically. I also realized that, for me, learning wasn’t enough. I needed to use what I learned and spread my knowledge, bring it back to my community and create some change. Knowledge for knowledge’s sake was surely not for me. I’ll take the regular kind of masturbation over the intellectual masturbation any day of the week. And, these days, purple seems to not be so bad for me.

See, what I’m trying to get at here is that you can never truly know yourself fully! We are products of our experiences, shaped by our environments, our cultures, our genetic makeup and so many other things; we’re always changing. And I hope no one takes this to be a reason to stop trying to know themselves better. It’s just that I don’t think we should be attempting to know everything all at once. Surprises are the fun part. Wouldn’t it be dull if we knew everything there was to know about something? So, keep discovering who you are; keep discovering those within your communities; keep growing from your experiences and allow yourself to be surprised every once in a while. You’ll see, there are so many great colors out there; don’t just stick to blue; purple’s pretty great every now and then too.

Khoda Hafez (Bengali) – Goodbye.

Phir Milenge (Hindi) – We will meet again.

Ma’as Salaam (Arabic) – I leave you in peace.

Adiós (Spanish) Bye. Ciao (Italian) – Bye. Kwa Herini (Kiswahili) – Goodbye.

Goodbye (English) – Goodbye.

Saki Rizwana President, Fahari Libertad Fahari 2

From the Editor-in-Chief’s Desk Life experiences make us who we are and we are all a combination of our families, heritage and surroundings.

Sometimes it’s necessary to draw into ourselves and away from our influences to see who we truly are and what we need to contribute to the world.

Who am I and what is my relation to this world? What is my purpose, how can I make a difference? Can I make a difference? What can I offer? These are all common questions that we ask ourselves on this journey called life. We’re all seeking to find our true selves. I’m definitely not there yet. In these short 20 years of my life I’ve seen a lot and have attempted to make the best out of it. My life experiences have made me who I am; however I am not a product of my environment. Where I live is just that, where I live, not who I am. But I do take into account the day to day struggles which contribute to how I relate to the world and it only makes me stronger.

I often say that every life experience, whether hurtful or not, leads to growth, learning and a better understanding of yourself. I’m on this continuous journey called life in search of my true identity. I have yet to reach the point of complete understanding and I know I have a long way to go. So my question to you is, where are you on your journey?

Peace and Blessings,

Shatera Gurganious Editor-in-Chief, Fahari Libertad

3 Libertad

From the Vice President’s Desk The theme of this issue, “sense of self/identity,” is a great idea because anyone can write about this and everyone can relate. Gaining self knowledge is what we all need in order to truly be ourselves and learn about the world.

I recently found a book in my father’s bookshelf titled “Self Knowledge” by Fadhlallah Haeri, and it is filled with words of wisdom that I found helpful. I learned we need to be aware of our actions while we do them.

The hurtful habits we don’t like must be acknowledged and corrected in order to change them so that we can become all we can be.

The author describes different kinds of “nafs” (self). I discovered I’m a “nafs al-Mulhama, the inspired nafs.” This “naf ” is musical, artistic and gushing out creativity left and right. But this “naf ” is supposedly a dangerous state to be in. While I have this open-mindedness, there isn’t anything to contain me, no vessel. For some reason you need containment for awakening? I’m not entirely sure what that last part means but I think I’ll be alright for now.

I’m really excited for this issue, we have great articles, stories and pictures for y’all to enjoy. Before I stop writing I want to ask you readers a couple of questions: What are you?

What are you becoming?

What do you want to be?

Faisal Awadallah Vice-President, Fahari Libertad

Fahari 4

Wewe ni nani? who are you? {swahili}

5 Libertad

My Hair Journey

By Shatera Gurganious, Editor-in-Chief

equal being fake, especially if I know who I am as a person. All of these experiences led up to my curiosity about going natural. After going six months without a relaxer, my hair was still manageable and noticing that made me consider going natural. I gave into a relaxer twice, but eventually I committed to it and I officially cut off all my processed hair in May of 2009.

Shatera with long hair after it has been relaxed.

Photo Courtesy of Shatera Gurganious

Now I don’t have to hide behind anything. What I am is exactly what you see, no guessing games. The most liberating thing about going natural was me realizing just how beautiful MY hair is. I’m no longer trapped into believing that my natural hair is hard to manage or that it looks better to have long straight hair. I know for a fact that the gorgeous coils on my head are a representation of me. I’m not faking the funk and giving into the hype of what society says

It wasn’t my choice to relax my hair initially. I was ten years old and my aunt decided that she no longer wanted to braid my hair; getting a relaxer was her solution. Initially, I was excited; I loved my new straight hair, it was like magic how it got so straight.

But as time went by, I got bored. Boredom led to damage and damage led to me cutting my hair short. At first I was terrified because I was so used to having long hair and I wanted it to get as long as it could. But once I noticed how fast it grew back, cutting it wasn’t an issue. It was at this time that I let go of the long hair ideal I clung so tight to and I realized that the length of my hair didn’t matter.

For prom and graduation I was determined to do something out of the ordinary. So I got a big curly weave.

I was completely out of my comfort zone because to me, having a weave was being dishonest. How could I walk around with something on my head that didn’t belong to me? It was just an absurd idea…but I did it anyway. I then realized that it’s only a hairstyle, not who I am. I’m not fake, so having fake hair does not Fahari 6

Shatera with a weave, ready to go to Prom!

Photo Courtesy of Shatera Gurganious

is right. I’m right, on my own terms. There’s nothing more liberating than flipping society the bird and I have been loving every single step of the way.

Shatera with a short hair cut.

Photo Courtesy of Shatera Gurganious

to do things differently, they give up altogether.

Time and time again I’ve run into older women and they all ask the same question, “Girl, what’d you do with all that pretty hair you had?” And my response is always the same, “Nothing, it’s prettier now actually.” It is a common misconception that African hair is rough, hard to manage and unpleasant to touch. Nothing can be farther from the truth! I have seen some of the most gorgeous hair in the many sisters I know that have decided to discontinue the practice of chemically altering their hair. Soft, beautiful curls that are exciting to look at and great to touch (if you ask first of course…we don’t want anyone to have a finger chopped off for unwanted coil molestation) come in different lengths, textures and colors. Natural hair is exciting. I now find straight hair to be boring, whereas natural hair is very versatile. If I want it straight, I can get it straight. If I want it wavy, I can make it wavy. And it will always go back to being curly, which is the most beautiful part about African hair, it can take any form! I truly love my hair now and I am so glad I decided to make a choice that has helped me get closer to my true self.

A lot of people claim that relaxed hair is easier to manage and it is too difficult to have to deal with nappy hair on a daily basis. The reality is far from this. Of course I’ve had my struggles but, for the most part, taking care of my hair is extremely simple. It isn’t any more work than when I had a perm. I don’t have to blow dry, flat iron or curl my hair. No more sitting under a dryer with intense heat for extended periods of time. No more bad perms, scabs or burns. Just beautiful coils.

The real issue is not that natural hair is hard to manage; the issue is that people don’t know how to take care of natural hair properly. If you attempt to go natural and continue to use the same methods as when your hair was straight, it will not be a fun or successful experience. One example is combing hair while it’s dry. I would have to be a crazy fool or desiring baldness to try to put a comb to my head and expect good results. People have a lack of understanding of how to properly take care of natural hair and instead of trying to learn how

Shatera with beautiful, natural hair.

Photo Courtesy of Shatera Gurganious 7 Libertad

artist’s statement

By Saki Rizwana, President I am many things.

I am a human being. I am a woman. I am Bengali.

I am an Africana Studies major. I am an artist/ designer. I am an art history enthusiast.

I am five feet tall. I am slightly dyslexic.

I am a hard worker. I am passionate. I am beautiful.

I am conflicted. I am confused.

I am so much more.

These are just a few things that inform my work.

My being is influenced by my experience as a young woman of two completely opposite cultures - the Bengali and the American. Growing up in the United States has been a long struggle. I had to lose an essential part of myself (the Bengali Saki) in order to become “American.” The past two years has been a struggle in reversing that process as I grappled with my identity as a person of two such differing cultures. I changed my ideals so they became more culturally relevant to me. I began with my ideal of beauty. Coming from a country full of people of darker skin, somehow my ideal of beauty had been light skin and straight hair. It had become the image of the Euro-American woman. I questioned the society that would raise me with ideals which I could never achieve. This affected my production as an artist. I shaved all of my hair off, recording the whole process from start to finish.

This was me giving the metaphoric middle finger to a society that would have me think I am not beautiful because of the color of my skin or the shape of my nose. It was the most liberating experience of my life thus far.

The real beauty in such pieces so full of self discovery is not simply that I have been able to recenter myself. It is in the effect I have had on those around me. It is in knowing that I made someone question the mold that society puts us Fahari 8

in. It is in knowing that I have possibly changed someone’s mind; maybe even made them love themselves a little bit more.

Now, this is me: beautiful daughter friend gracious kind dyslexic chubby sexy friendly compassionate driven spiritual impulsive designer

passionate sister lover caring conscious short confident smart thoughtful leader ambitious enthusiastic critical artist Photo Courtesy of Saki Rizwana

A Short Rant on Your Everday Nobody

By Faisal Awadallah, Vice-President

To everyone who wears a Northface Territory fleece: BE YOURSELF! I was smoking a cigarette and happened to notice a group of guys walking. There was something so disgustingly “normal” about all of them. They were all sporting a black jacket, blue jeans and white sneakers.

Excuse me if you don’t see anything wrong with this but I do. Why do people choose to be like everyone else? I’m not entirely sure but fitting in is something I’ve never tried to do.

To every girl who wears UGGS: BE YOURSELF! I remember in high school my girlfriend at the time, who was very trendy, would yell and insult anyone who was wearing the same shoes, pants, or shirt she once owned or wore, “OMG! I have those same flats. I hate that bitch.” I thought most girls

Photo Courtesy of Travel Gear Blog

were like this but why is every girl wearing leggings and tights? As my brother said “It’s a style without a style.” No uniqueness you’re looking like everyone else.

To every black person who is afraid to wear their hair natural: BE YOURSELF! I’m currently in a bet with a friend, seeing who can be a vegetarian the longest. If I lose I have to shave off my “beautiful” hair, if he loses he must grow out his hair for a year. I think all black people should let their hair grow. Imagine the fear white people would have if every black person they saw was rockin’ an Afro?

If people chose to be themselves for once, instead of fitting in, this world would be so colorful that your eyes would bleed rainbows. Instead, my eyes bleed from the infection of everyday monotony.

Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia 9 Libertad

Normalcy = Heterosexuality?

By Honey Brown, Guest Writer

Photo Courtesy of Tanya Chalkin

Photo Courtesy of Sergey Bidun

Photo Courtesy of Maui Matchmakers

We live in a society where the state of “normalcy” seems to be synonymous with “heterosexuality.” Why is that?

I mean, I understand how it got to be this way. It was the people that were in power when this society was created to be what it is today - these people were white, male, rich and heterosexual. As a result, our society became a reflection of them. So let me rephrase the question - “Why is it STILL the same case today?”

it that I have allowed society to pigeonhole me into this category of “heterosexual woman”?!?!

Because, truth be told, this isn’t the category I feel I belong in.

At the same time, I don’t want to associate myself as being “bisexual” because there are so many negative connotations connected with that word. I don’t want to be called “queer” for sure. For those that don’t know, the word “queer” means “strange; odd.” Look it up in the dictionary! Why would I willingly label myself this? What I am is NOT strange. It’s ME! The word “queer” already has a negative value judgment placed on it. Is this another word, like “bitch” and “negro,” that we’re

trying to take back and make our own? Do these words even need that? Is this even necessary?!

Why is it that, as a woman of color, in order for me to write this and put this information out there, I feel the need to do so under a pen name? Why is Fahari 10

At the end of the day, I’m attracted to personalities. I’m not necessarily attracted to a penis over a vagina or vice versa.

What attracts me is the passion, humor, drive, ambition and intelligence in people. Should I be ostracized because there are both men and women who have these qualities that I am so attracted to? Should I be an outsider because I don’t identify with either “homo-,” “hetero-” or “bi-” sexuals? Shouldn’t I be able to love who I want to without being judged? Or is that too much to ask for?

Are You A Straight-Acting Gay Who Feels Left Out of the Party?

Yeah, You’re A “Bromosexual.”

By AKA William Referred By Mosi Chachawi, Guest Writer

A new piece in the New York Observer, “The Bromosexuals,” examines the accelerating trend in gays who pass as straight and the troubles these bromosexuals face.

throws a weekly party at Beauty Bar, offers some much-needed insight, saying, “People have a hard time swallowing that life is less polarized than they think.

That queeny stuff is old. People

The entire system of gaydar, of course, relies on judgments of each other’s sexuality based on whatever cues and telltale signs someone wants to parse out of behavior. But what happens when those telltale

The term “bromosexual” was fittingly coined by James Franco’s character in Pineapple Express, and is now, apparently, being used to describe gays who easily “pass” for straight.

Bryan Brumbaugh, 23, says, “Gay men tend to think and act like 15-year-old girls more than as men.

The Sex and the City guys. It’s all clothes, catty, petty, he-said-hesaid relationship stuff. It’s just not interesting. It’s not me.”

Nathan McCormick, who works at an ad agency, echoes the break from the other gays, “I don’t want to say, ‘Hi, I’m Nate and I’m gay.’ That sounds like ‘I’m Nate and I’m an alcoholic.’ Besides, I don’t want to be defined by being gay.”

Sounds to me like these younguns need a little history lesson. Who says you are defined as gay if you tell people you’re gay? Saying you’re gay is the same thing as saying you have brown hair.

Tom Karl, 25, ex-bf of Rufus Wainwright and party promoter who

James Franco and Seth Rogen in “Pineapple Express” Photo Courtesy of International Movie Database

have been queens forever. So now I think you’re seeing the drag go from feminine to masculine.”

The article did hit on something that I found more intriguing than reading about gay guys who worry that they have it rough because they are too straight-acting, and it’s this:

signs become less telling?

Some of the old-school stereotypes about gays are fading and, with them, some of the the distinctions that have, for so long, made us recognizable to each other are receding. If we stop waving our gay flags, how will we find each other?

Ah, yes, the internet.

11 Libertad

BiracialIdentity: The “What are you?” Question

By Faisal Awadallah, Vice-President That is probably one of the most uncomfortable questions I was asked while growing up. I grew up calling myself Muslim. When someone asked me, “What are you?” my parents taught me to answer with, “Muslim.” When the interrogation got to “No, what RACE are you?” it was always uncomfortable to say my mother is Italian and my father is Black. Then, I would hear jokes about the “White part of me” or the “Black part of me” but little do they know, I am not split between Black and White but I am one whole being.

Now that I’m in college and no longer call myself Muslim, it’s become easy for me to identify myself as solely Black. After taking Black Studies courses and going to my first Black Solidarity Day, I was infused with Afrocentricity which blurred my perception of my own identity. I am Black but I am also just as White. I am biracial. I was hardly aware of my biracial identity until my RD (who is also biracial) interviewed me for her thesis on something related to “biracial students in higher education.” One of the questions she asked me was, “Do you ever identify as White?” I laughed and told her I would never call myself a White male but I will call myself Black.

The way I saw it was, since my skin is darker than white I’m naturally on the side of the oppressed and will never be able to call myself White. This made sense to me and still does but the interview got me thinking - “Who am I?” After the interview, I couldn’t stop thinking about all the questions I was asked. So I started to do some research, I found books and articles on mixed-race writers explaining how they’ve come to terms with being mixed. Many of the pieces I read were confessions about living with an interracial, whitewashed family who didn’t own up to their culture, leaving their child searching for a culture to call their own. These mixed-race writers grew Fahari 12

up in White communities which made it harder for them to find themselves. The emotions these writers had about their racial ambiguity made me feel like I wasn’t alone.

None of the authors I read called themselves White either; probably because they would hear the racist comments White people would say when they thought there weren’t any Black people around.

Although my upbringing didn’t let me acknowledge my biracial identity, I am grateful for being raised Muslim; Allah help me if I was raised in a whitewashed family.

Calling myself mixed or biracial lets me be my own person instead of being tied to the norms of either race. When the boundaries of race are gone, your identity is harder to control but also impossible to lose.

My identity is in a constant flux; it changes day to day. Everything changes - my face, speech, style, hair etc.; and I thank my RD for making me aware of who I am. Calling myself mixed or biracial is new to me and I’m still working it out but I wouldn’t change it.

Photo Courtesy of Faisal Awadallah

Bill of Rights for Racially Mixed People

By Maria P.P. Root (author of The Multiracial Experience: Racial Borders as the New Frontier)

Referred by Faisal Awadallah, Vice-President

I HAVE THE RIGHT...

-Not to justify my existence in this world.

-Not to keep the races separate within me.

-Not to be responsible for people's discomfort with my physical ambiguity.

-Not to justify my ethnic legitimacy.

I HAVE THE RIGHT...

-To identify myself differently than strangers expect me to identify.

-To identify myself differently from how my parents identify me.

-To identify myself differently from my brothers and sisters.

-To identify myself differently in different situations.

I HAVE THE RIGHT...

-To create a vocabulary to communicate about being multiracial.

-To change my identity over my lifetime -- and more than once.

-To have loyalties and identification with more than one group of people.

-To freely choose whom I befriend and love.

Support FAHARI-LIBERTAD! 13 Libertad

The Future of My Being

By Krystal A. Miller, Guest Writer

Before I came to New Paltz, I had a slight sense of who I was. I was Krystal Miller - born of Jamaican immigrant parents, 1st generation America in my family, the youngest of 4 (for my dad) and 2 (for my mom). That part was easy and if you actually knew me, you would know that part already. I also knew, kind of, how to identify myself. I’ve referred to myself as Jamerican, Jamaican-American, or just plain old Jamaican.

I was basically anything but American. I loved standing out and having that special part of my heritage in the forefront.

Then, I came to New Paltz and started to take some Black Studies classes. I mean, I’ve always known where humanity sprouted from (which was one of the only reasons why I was ok with being referred to as African-American). But, as I started asking questions I learned about the rich history that is in my family. My father’s side derived from Maroons – escaped slaves of the island who made their own settlements, commonly known now as Maroon towns. Being Black (a term that covers everyone within the African Diaspora) in my opinion, is one of the richest racial groups out there. We have spread so far and have encountered so much stress yet, our pride and culture have still stayed strong. And, unlike others who mention every drop of blood in their familial line, though I do appreciate and understand that there is a mixture somewhere far down my line, it is apparent today that the African blood overcame all and thus I refer to only being Black.

There is a big chance that my children will be of mixed ethnicity. I have gone through my periods where I have wanted only other Jamaicans, then other West Indians. Now, I am fine with my future husband/life partner being Black. Regardless Fahari 14

of where we were dropped off in the slave trade we are still connected. As of now, I still have a fear of my Caribbean culture being lost in the mix and I still have a superficial want of having my children being born in Jamaica. I have seen how culture can become so lost in America and how assimilation is the “in” thing and maybe I am a little closed minded when it comes to that.

Who knows, I may change my mind as I grow; I usually do as new things are presented to me.

But if my wish does not come true, I will make sure that my side, as well as his, will be open enough to teach my children their true history; not this bull that is taught to them. They need to be reminded that they have a beautiful history both in this country and abroad. I will teach them of Huey Newton and Marcus Garvey. They will know both the Jamaican national anthem as well as the Black national anthem. They will never have to worry about their identity, at least as far as their race is concerned.

They will be proud of who they are, whether they refer to themselves as Photo Courtesy of Afro-Caribbean like Krystal A. Miller their momma, AfroAmerican like their dad, or if they make their own unique combination of the two. Either way I know that I did my job in educating them about their beautiful history including those that have paved the way for them and to never be ashamed of attaching the word “African” to their ethnicity like this country wants them to be.

I just don’t get it!!!

By Shari Daniel, Guest Writer

We’ve all heard the saying: “Knowledge is key.”

Whether we grew up hearing it or it was read to us by teachers, that has been the foundation for a student’s education. However, in all actuality, self-knowledge is the basis of all knowledge. The foundation of Black Studies is self-knowledge, and without it there is only a quest for identity in terms of Black Studies. What I am getting at here is that the 2013 class seems to have no interest in Black Studies which in turn means they might not have an interest in self-knowledge.

I have just one question for the First Year students: “What’s wrong with Black Studies?” Now I’m not categorizing all First Years when I say this but I just want to know. Approaching students about why they dropped Black Studies courses or why they aren’t enrolled in any, the responses are always hushed and they don’t provide evidence as to why they are against it. What I don’t get is when students go around cussing each other out and using the “N” word toward one another but then get mad when someone who’s not “Black” uses it. (Just to break it to you, we are all Afrikan.

For those of you who didn’t know, the Human Race evolved from Afrika which means we are all of Afrikan descent). If you are willing to go to great lengths to defend the “N” word then why aren’t you being active in Black Studies courses? Why don’t you join organizations willing to promote change on this campus for students of color? But yet you want to complain about campus life and the lack of activities…

Ok, so you think you won’t be able to have a future with a Black Studies degree? Is that it?

Well let me break it down for you: Business: Yvette Moyo --B.A., African-American Studies, Eastern Illinois University --President and CEO of Resource Associates

International, Ltd Law: Tanya Greene --B.A., African American Studies, Wesleyan University, 1991 --J.D., Harvard University, 1995 -- Attorney in the Capital Defender Office, New York City, representing people charged with capital crimes --Received the 1999 Reebok International Human Rights Award for her work against the death penalty Science & Technology: Mae Jemison --B.A., African and African American Studies; --B.S., Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, 1977 --M.D., Cornell University School of Medicine, 1981 --Peace Corps Medical Officer for Sierra Leone and Liberia , West Africa TV Reporter/Producer: Haven Daley --B.A., African American Studies and Journalism, Pennsylvania State University , 1993 --M.A., Broadcast Journalism, Northwestern University --Member of the Native American Journalists Association; ex-official board member of the Radio and Television News Directors Association --Reporter/Producer at PBS TV39 State Leadership: Senator Carl Andrews --M.A., African-American Studies, State University of New York, Albany, NY --Democratic Senator and Majority Whip. Elected (2002) representing the 20th State Senatorial District, New York State.

Obtaining

a

Bachelors,

Masters

of

even

Continued on page 16 15 Libertad

Doctoral degree in Black Studies gives you a world of opportunities. My only word of advice to first years, even transfers and even those upperclassmen who still don’t understand this idea of Black Studies is this - TAKE A COURSE! Before you rule the major/minor out, take a class, see how you like it and you might even end up loving it like so many of us do.

Support Our Clubs and Organizations:

Black Studies Courses Offered at New Paltz: --BLK100 Introduction to Black Studies --BLK200 Introduction to Africa --BLK201 Black History I --BLK202 Black History II --BLK271 Black Sociology --BLK310 Blacks and the Media --BLK320 Contemporary Black Amercian Lit. --BLK330 Race and Racism in US History --BLK345 Black and Latino Leadership --BLK355 The Black Family “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity” -- Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

For further information visit: --http://www2.ku.edu/~afs/undergraduate/ whatcanido.shtml --http://www.newpaltz.edu/blackstudies/ --http://www.newpaltz.edu/blackstudies/ courses.cfm

Past issues of Fahari and FAHARI-LIBERTAD are available by contacting us faharilibertad@gmail.com

Fahari 16

African Student Union African Women’s Alliance Asaian Student Association Black Student Union Black Week Caribbash Caribbean Student Organization Community Roots Culture Shock First World Graduation JamAsia Latino Culture Center Latino Week Men of All Nations United SMP Advisory Board SHADES Step Team Voices of Unity

How ISLAM Shaped My Life...

By Saki Rizwana, President

I grew up believing I was Muslim. I was born into a Muslim family in a country where the majority of the population is also Muslim. I grew up in a school with only one student who wasn’t Muslim. My favorite memories from childhood revolve around Muslim holidays. And the worst revolved around having to learn to read Arabic so I could read the Qur’an (and when I say learn to read, I mean ONLY read so I didn’t actually understand the meaning of the words I was reading). My childhood was shaped in a huge way by this religion which I had neither signed up for nor understood the meaning of.

My move to the United States introduced to me to all kinds of people. They ranged from people who believed in established organized religions like Christianity and Judaism to people who didn’t really know where they stood to people who just didn’t believe in religion or spirituality. Growing up in such a different society opened my eyes. It made me question my religion. And the questions I asked weren’t ones that could be answered.

sin. The teacher told me that in drawing people and animals, the artist tries to mock Allah and Allah’s creation. As an artist, I would argue that drawing is my way of capturing the beauty around me that Allah has created. Also, are trees and plants not considered alive? Why does drawing a ficus not mock Allah but drawing my little cousin or a cat does?

This might be nit-picking but these two instances define huge parts of who I am - a woman and an artist. How do I live with a religion that tells me I can’t be these things? Shouldn’t religion and spirituality go hand-in-hand and shouldn’t they both be about a person’s connection to some higher power? I guess things get messed up when you institutionalize something, even if that something is religion.

For example, in Islam as I experienced it, a woman’s menstrual cycle is seen as “unclean.” You’re not allowed to fast and, more importantly, you’re not allowed to pray. If Allah created us all, men and women alike, why would Allah create women to be “dirty” for a week out of every month, 12 months out of the year for their WHOLE (post-puberty at least) LIVES?!?! Could this have anything to do with the fact that men have dominated society and through that, religion, and that this is their sexist interpretation of Islam?

Quite possibly.

Also, at the second and last meeting of Muslim Girls Youth Group I ever attended, I was told that drawing, more specifically drawing people and animals, is a

Photo Courtesy of Saki Rizwana 17 Libertad

Ever Had a 7 Flavor Cookie?

I like it. I think you would too.

Self love was hard for me. It was a lifetime in the making. One day someone told me, “There is no such thing as a JamaicanAsian. When you can show me one then I will believe it.” So I sat there and waited for a minute. Everyone else at the table said they did not know of a JamaicanAsian person but they have ‘heard’ of it as if it’s a legend or something. Then I

Photo Courtesy of Novlette Lee

pointed to myself and said “There. Now believe.” She broke out into an argument and everyone else asked me questions.

I went on to just use my name: Novlette Lee - Jamaican first name and Chinese last name. That usually gets me out of the main troubles of answering questions but my mixture is not as simple as my name Fahari 18

By Novlette Lee, Staff Writer

makes you think. I grew up as confused as the next one who has ‘never heard of a Jamaican-Asian.’ My true mix includes uneven amounts of Jamaican, Chinese, Indian, Cuban, Irish, Scottish and English.

To emphasize how confused I was growing up, let me add this small fact: I found out all of my mixes when I was eighteen years old from my Black-Asian grandmother.

I feel that the main reason it was so confusing for me is because despite all the different shades and textures that run in my family, my family is indeed one ‘culture,’ which is Jamaican. From my white grandmother to my Black-Asian grandmother, I was left in an unpleasant middle. I had a pretty oblivious childhood.

I grew up first in an Indian area then a Black area without missing a beat or asking questions.

I never questioned my ethnicity until someone questioned me in grade school. “Novlette, you have a weird name. And you look Chinese but we think you’re Black. We were wondering if you were Chinese like Bruce Lee. Since you have the same last name you could be related.” I did not answer because I did not know the answer.

I went home to ask my family and my apparently White grandmother just retorted to my questions with a scowl.

“You’re nothing but Black” says the ‘White’ woman. Okay.

So, as you can guess, my questions were not answered for a long time. But being at the point where I am now, I realize that even though I find it important to know where you come from it can also hinder you. I hate being put into a singular box and I realize that others are mixed [more than two cultures] besides me so I am not the only “grey area.”

I use the term “grey area” because most people do not know how to treat mixed children and sometimes we are left in this “grey area.” Maybe “mulatto” or Black and White children [I don’t like to use that term] are better accepted because people are more or less used to them by now. But when it comes to me, people are even more at a loss. One of my Junior High School teachers used an example of a mixed child [half and half] and explained what the child will have to handle while growing up. I raised my hand and I told him I am more mixed than that so how will I handle growing up? He responded that I am a “grey area” and that he cannot help me. He just doesn’t know. You can expect that I was jumping for joy at that one.

Even one of my boyfriends had a field day with the ‘many faces of me.’ If I did something stupid then I was White. If I ate ox tail then I was Jamaican. If I ate white rice as a meal then I was Chinese. If I wore scarves then I was Indian. And it went on and on in that direction. So, for the sake of my identity, I broke up with him and his ignorance and moved on. I was fully convinced that there would be no one for me because no one would understand me. I was young [late teens] at the time so I have grown to know different [I would love an Jamaican-Asian man]. And I usually try to be open with my cultures

before I accept any new man in my life so I won’t have a repeat of that fiasco.

Now, I mostly identify as a JamaicanAsian [including Chinese and Indian in my Asian ancestry]. I do this because those cultures had the most influence on my life growing up. People who know me know that I am Jamaican first because somehow Jamaica found all of these cultures and made it work together. One of the sayings in Jamaica that I love is “Out of many people there is one.” I understand it more now after learning more of my background. I am regretful only in the fact that I didn’t grow up with many identifiable role models. So I searched for them: Naomi Campbell, Tyson Bedford, Kimora Lee-Simmons.

I feel more complete knowing myself and I am proud to be who I am. People might not accept me nor understand me but I am here, whether you want me to be or not, with my head held high and my beautiful vast family (mixed and beautiful and all). I may not look like it fully but I am Ms. Lee. Hear meh rawr.

Big Ups to Ullzang, Guyaru, Desi girls, and Dancehall Queens everywhere.

JOIN THE FAHARI-LIBERTAD FAMILY! SPRING 2010 MEETINGS: THURSDAYS AT 9.30PM IN THE MLK CENTER FAHARI OFFICE STUDENT UNION BUILDING 323

19 Libertad

MISSING PIECES

By Shatera Gurganious, Editor-in-Chief

I truly believe that a girl’s relationship with her father will shape the way in which she interacts with men. This may not be the case for every situation, but it is in mine. My father was not perfect but he made sure that me and my sister were taken care of and that we knew we were loved.

Not a day went by where I didn’t get a hug or a kiss from my Daddy. He made it perfectly clear that we were his number one priority and the most important part of his life. It is because of this that I refuse to settle for less.

People think it’s crazy when I say that I’ve been single for 2 years…

Yes, I said 2 years.

And although that is a long time, I’m not too worried about it because I know it takes time and patience to get what you’re looking for. Not Photo Courtesy of that I’m against dating Shatera Gurganious or having frivolous experiences, I just haven’t had the opportunity to engage in such activities…and I’m not sure if I even want to. Why waste my time and energy on a situation headed nowhere? For fun? Possibly, but that’s not my kind of fun. Many women say that no man compares to their father. I partially agree.

I won’t settle for less because of the type of man he was and how he treated me. I would like someone similar to him, which is part of the reason why I don’t mind being single because I’m not going to run to just anybody for the love I need.

Fahari 20

I’m not looking for a part two of my father. But I won’t allow myself to get involved with someone if he doesn’t know how to treat me. It’s pretty simple, I’m not asking for money and gifts and all those insignificant things. Those aren’t important to me.

There are certain things I find attractive in men and it’s hard not to notice the connection to my father. He was the type of man to take care of the house. He cooked and cleaned and I expect that out of my future partner. I would also want a similar relationship to my mate as to what it was with my father. I could talk to him about anything. We had an open and honest relationship with one another and that is definitely part of the reason why that is what I require out of all my relationships in general, not just romantic. If we can’t sit and talk to sort through things, you are obviously not the one for me.

It’s possible that I’m missing out on life because I don’t get involved with anyone. I keep to myself and don’t go out much. When I do go out, I tend to meet guys interested in only one thing, which is definitely not the first thing on my mind. So instead of wasting my time, I avoid most social settings and by doing that, I have no experiences, thus my missing out on life.

I was blessed to have a great relationship with my father but somehow I feel like his death is hindering my ability to open up with others completely.

Perhaps I hold back and don’t allow myself to meet people and only use my “standards” as an excuse.

The reality is, I’m too scared to get close to anyone in fear of things going sour. But where does that lead me? Alone and missing pieces, without my father to give me a man’s love and without a man around to remind me that it’s ok to feel…

Invisible in America

By Sheena Henry, Guest Writer

The Tale of an Undocumented Immigrant Minor

Immigration recently became a hot topic, especially after 9/11. However, there are people who have been in this country for years who did not cross the border illegally or “jump any fences.” It’s referred to as being “undocumented” or “falling out of status.” Contrary to popular belief, not all immigrants come from Mexico. Nonetheless, immigrating is an expensive (I’m talking over $1000 to finish the whole process of just paperwork and mandatory tasks) and complicated procedure, especially for those who try to do it themselves. One mistake could lead to years of waiting, which is what happened to my family. I can’t imagine what people did who could not afford a lawyer to look over the paper work. Filing immigration papers yourself can be a daunting task, especially if English happens to be your second language.

However, that is a topic in itself and it’s not what my focus is here. Regardless of how an adult might have come to the United States, that is their choice; but a lot of the time, they bring their children. They neglect to think of the future (besides having to leave their country of origin) and that their child will grow up in a country that they consider their own, but doesn’t “accept” them because they don’t have a social security number or have the ability to apply for a license or to college (no financial aid) and not being able to work. Although I was not that child, I can identify with them. I have my own story and I, timidly, decided to share something I wrote while I was going through a similar situation. (I thought it was a nice change from the “scientific” me.)

P.S. Pass the DREAM Act for other unfortunate people, who are not as fortunate as me and still feel like this. http://dreamact.info/ http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

TuesdayJune 30, 2009

In my life my emotions have an everyday pass at six flags and generally reach a peak and plunge down quickly with barely any warning. Sometimes it takes me in circles. I’ve been around the roller coaster and my head can barely keep up. The vertigo is terrible. A lot of the time, I don’t even know how I feel in general and it could change by the hour. Maybe I’m mentally ill and need psychological help because this is definitely not normal. I feel like I don’t even know myself because I don’t have the freedom to search for it, yet. I’m not responsible for myself in anyway except for when I’m at school. Home is reminder of everything bad in my life. Just being in this house I feel a weight of everything fall on me as I walk through the doors. Home should be where the heart is, but I don’t even consider this home. My heart isn’t here. It’s been buried in the melanoma where I had everything that I can’t talk about or anything where the slight mention of it could bring me to tears. If my life were male, this problem would be the male genitalia and every blow or fondle around the issue could either bring me extreme pleasure or pain that holds the power to bring me to my knees. Enough to make me feel the need to pray to a “God” I don’t believe in or maybe I should believe in “him” and I would magically be lifted out of this predicament that I did not sign up for.

21 Libertad

Some Sad Facts:

By Honey Brown, Guest Writer

1. I’ve never been loved. Well, at least not the way I would like to be. You see I’ve loved people to the point where I’ve made them the center of my world. I let the love for them consume me. I lived my life for them. I don’t think anyone’s ever loved me like that.

A. My parents always loved my brother more than me. And when I say this, I mean that my mother once told me, in very clear and precise terms, that she loved me a lot but loved him so much more.

B. My grandmothers always loved my brother more because he was the first son in both sides of my family (mom’s and dad’s). Having a son where I come from is so much better than having a daughter!

I have to be loved completely and utterly.

He probably wants to but can’t because there are so many other things in his way. This isn’t just an excuse. It’s the sad truth. Our relationship is, shall I say, “tres” complicated. A part of me has always known that he can’t do this and another part of me will probably never stop hoping that he will one day.

2. I devote my life to work to get away from this horrible need to be loved. You see, your work isn’t something that can love you back or NOT love you back. I can devote my college career to writing for this magazine and the magazine itself has no say in it. Work is the one place where I don’t feel like this need consumes my every thought. So, I’ve become a bit of a workaholic.

C. Even though I make 3. This becoming a workaholic friends easily and have some has lately led to me not seeing really close friends, I don’t my friends and family as much really have a “clique” - you which means they can’t even know, those people you’re come close to fulfilling this always with that are more need. The only person I see on than family to you. This isn’t a relatively regular basis is the to say that my friends aren’t one man that will never be able family. They’re better than to come through on this. family because they’re the Photo Courtesy of Oasis family I got to handpick! It’s 4. I write about my feelings just that I don’t feel that constant devotion because I’m too scared to talk about them. from any of them.

Speaking about them seems to make them more real. Life’s a bitch right? But, as Nas D. I’ve given two years of my life to loving said, “god forbid the bitch divorce me” (from a man who can NEVER fill this one need “Affirmative Action”).

Fahari 22

Self Surgery

By Regina “Reggie” Rivers, Editor-in-Chief 2008-2009

I spent some time trying to figure out how to start this article. The only thing I could think of was a quote from the Dean of Liberal Arts at the December graduation reception.

“After studying four years in college, we hope that you have learned…that you don’t know anything.” It’s funny because one’s loan outstanding balance might say otherwise. As much as people laughed and as much as some students’ faces were cringing with confusion, he was telling the truth. It was at that time that I realized, even though I had plans A-J sorted out for after graduation, I didn’t know what I was going to do with myself. Whenever I had the time, I managed to find out more about myself and it showed in what I wrote.

I have been writing since about the first grade. I really didn’t take it that seriously at first because it was just an assignment that my teacher got us 7-year-olds into the habit of doing at that time, or so I thought. Then, I grew up and what was considered the dramas of real-life started to set in. I didn’t know how to approach the typical and abnormal shenanigans that I went through.

I learned a lot about life in my life, mainly the concept of free will. For example, when I hear teenagers argue with their parents and explode with a response, such as, “Well, I didn’t ask to be born…” This is true.

We didn’t ask to be born. In fact, our mothers could have aborted us, given us up for adoption, abandoned us, or even opt to engage in another sexual alternative and called it a night (Oops! Too much? I’m back). Back to the point at hand - we didn’t ask to be here but we are here! The next question is what are we going to do while we’re here? Where do we go from here?

Once again, life is about free will right? We have the option to do many things in this game of life. One can choose to do something productive with his or her life or remain broke, uneducated, and waste the potential to do some good in the world. While those go on this journey to make something of their lives, others watch and wonder why a person would have the types of goals that they have; to go on to school, attain wealth, improve spiritual health, etc. Before it is recognized, some oppressors start running their mouths as fast as an Olympic track runner. What are you gonna do?

Are you gonna let somebody who doesn’t even know you tell you that you can’t do something just because of your color, gender, appearance, opinions, etc.? They must hate themselves to be giving you a hard time. Are you the one giving someone a hard time? Is your life complete?

Or are you a person dealing with someone giving you a hard time? Is

it affecting your schoolwork or job?

It’s okay if it is or isn’t. If there is one thing I have appreciated about sociology, it’s how it brought me in full circle.

Sociology is the study of human interaction. According to Down to Earth Sociology by James Henslin, it is the structure of society, how its components are interrelated and how people in a society are selected for prevalence. Have you paid attention to how you interact with your friends?

When thinking about this, consider the networking policy with the people you live among and socialize with on a daily basis. The person you end up cursing out could be that same person who helps you unexpectedly.

Obviously, a lot of transitioning and developing has grown from the time I was 7 until now. Yet, it seems like yesterday that I started writing random thoughts into my journal. People have said positive and negative things about my writing. I’ve had my privacy violated because some nonsensical person who was hating himself read my journal. I’ve had people in my own family suggest that going to college to learn about people and write about it was a waste of time and money.

I cleaned out those wounds, stitched up the cuts, and covered them with tough skin. If I listened to what they said and took it in fully, would I still be writing?

23 Libertad

Spotlight on: Dr. Karanja Keita Carroll

By Faisal Awadallah, Vice-President

Dr. Karanja Keita Carroll, 33, is an Assistant Professor of Black Studies and the Interim Coordinator of the Department of Black Studies at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Dr. Carroll has a passion for teaching and is known for striking interests in his students with the subject matter he teaches. His teaching methods are unconventional. He’s not your everyday college professor and his courses aren’t your everyday college courses.

His philosophy of teaching is based on communalinterdependence where students are free to share their thoughts and learn not only from him but from each other. In all of his class the desks are aligned in a circle, music will be playing and it could be the underground hip-hop group “Dead Prez” or the Nu-Jazz group “Fertile Ground.” “It is easier for me to teach,” says Dr. Carroll.

Dr. Carroll teaches in a department that was birthed during the Black Liberation Movement in the sixties where students were fighting for Black Studies to be taught in American colleges and universities. “Black Fahari 24

Studies is important because it critiques the dominant definitions of knowledge, knowledge acquisition and knowledge production. I think the critique provides an avenue for the development of a critical consciousness but most importantly, the development of social change,” he says.

and Racism in the U.S., and Seminar in Black Studies.

Dr. Carroll is also currently teaching an Honors course called Race, Racism and the Social Sciences.

The way Dr. Carroll teaches is parallel to the very radical nature of Black Studies. He encourages all of his students to think critically because he believes in the value of critical thinking both in and out of college. According to him, “Critical thinking is the ability to question everything, no matter the consequences.”

He allows students to think in an alternative way to provide personal growth and interesting class discussions.

He says, “I believe students in college should already know how the world functions . . . but I can’t get angry because it’s not their fault they’ve been socialized in a way that does not allow them to understand how the world functions.”

He teaches every class with conviction and welcomes all of his students to question his knowledge. For example, while I was interviewing him, he would ask me why I asked the questions I asked.

“Question even the questions asked. Question as much as possible.”

Some of the courses he teaches are Education in the Black Community, Introduction to Black Studies, Introduction to African American Psychology, Race

“I like this course. I get to have great discussions with about fifteen students,” he says.

“We need to be conscious of what’s going on in the world today.”

In one class he decided to play Youtube videos of legendary Black poets, Amiri Baraka and Sonia Sanchez, whose poems gave the students another medium of thinking about the world.

Some students saw the video as controversial because Baraka spoke about Israeli workers in the World Trade Center who stayed home

on the day of September 11th. Although Baraka spoke of this, Dr. Carroll urged the class to see the bigger picture the poet was speaking about.

On his teaching style, he says, “I like to teach and still remember what it’s like to be a student.”

Also, Dr. Carroll invites students to critique him as well because he knows that no one is perfect. “I’m not afraid to use myself as an example of imperfection,” he says.

Black leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Elijah Muhammad, and Malcolm X. “I couldn’t name any of them,” he said with embarrassment.

He said if a child’s community, church and school are not maintained it can lead to confusion about their identity. Dr. Carroll doesn’t want any child to go through what he went through - growing up not valuing themselves and their culture.

At Montclair State University, Dr. Carroll earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in African American Studies and History. He later got his M.A. and Ph.D. in African American Studies from Temple University.

“I see education as transformative,” said Dr. Carroll.

Today, when he looks at the “Black Last Supper” painting he can name everyone in it.

As a Black child born in Teaneck, New Jersey, he experienced disruption of his culture while living in the White part of town. His neighborhood was White, but his church was Black and his high school was mixed.

“My next door neighbors were White and I thought their daughter was the most beautiful girl; I idolized her.

I even wished I was White,” said Dr. Carroll on growing up.

He added, “I would have different social values had I lived in a Black community.”

Once, when he was a teenager, Dr. Carroll was visiting the home of a reverend of the New Hope Baptist Church in Hackensack, NJ. This is where he saw a painting of “The Black Last Supper” only, instead of Jesus and the twelve apostles, it had historically significant

Dr. Karanja Keita Carroll at the Pre-Black Solidarity Day Vigil 2009 Photo Courtesy of Saki Rizwana 25 Libertad

Fahari 26

Being Black

and

Proud

By Jada Young, Guest Writer What does it mean to be black? That is a question that I have struggled with for my entire life. For as long as I can remember, my “blackness” had been questioned by those around me - to the point where I was often referred to as an “Oreo” growing up; that is, being black on the outside and white on the inside. This term may be inherently insulting to most, but to me, being called an “Oreo” made me feel better about myself. Now, let me explain: growing up, I hadn’t seen many positive images of black people in the world around me. Sure, my family consists of fairly positive role models.

But, besides that, the black people I saw around me were not what I would refer to as “stand-up citizens.” The children I grew up with had grown up in homes with one parent, more likely than not, just with their mother. They were all on welfare and what they aspired to be was nothing more than a rapper, basketball player or a drug dealer.

I would surround myself with likeminded people who liked the same music and books that I did, or I would just hang out with white people. This internalized itself within me until, I would say, senior year of high school. I joined the African Culture Club (only because my friends wanted me to) and learned more about the history of my people. I was also drawn to Obama and his presidential bid and eventual win, because I saw myself in Obama. In his articulate, mellow mannered personality, I saw what I hoped to be. More and more, I began to connect to my heritage.

I went to school with a high population of African immigrants and they would always be at war with “real black people.” I was hated, outcast and relentlessly teased by most of them. So, based on these experiences, I wanted to grow up to be the opposite of this. I knew that from a young age. I didn’t want to wind up in jail or pregnant and I wanted to stay in school and learn as much as my brain could absorb.

In the desire to be different and “better” than what it is that I saw, I became immediately drawn to what many would refer to as “white people” things: such as music, books, and people. While my classmates were listening to Ludacris and Nelly, I was more into Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys. My classmates knew this, and called me “Oreo” rather than Jada.

Instead of making me want to connect more with my blackness, this pulled me further away. This made me dislike not the black skin I was “cursed” with, but the associations that went along with it.

Photo Courtesy of Word Press

The real transformation began when I took Intro. to Black Studies with Dr. Karanja K. Carroll. The class taught me the beauty in my history. It taught me that I did not come from a line of slaves who became gang-bangers as they got their freedom.

It taught me that there are institutions in place that keep me from knowing my full history or giving me the power to change my position completely. The class completely transformed the way I think and view things and because of it I can now proudly say that I am BLACK AND CERTAINLY PROUD. 27 Libertad

Fahari 28

What the #@$%?! insert four letter expletive of your choice

29 Libertad

Safe winter walking By the State University of New York at New Paltz Referred By A Confused Student, Guest Writer

No matter how well snow and ice are removed from streets and sidewalks, employees will encounter slippery surfaces when walking outdoors in the winter. It is important to be continually aware of the dangers and to walk safely on ice and slippery surfaces. Also please call FOC at 3301 to report icy, slippery conditions encountered, this will help prevent injuries to employees, students and visitors on campus.

-Plan ahead. Give yourself sufficient time and plan your route. GO SLOW. -Wear shoes or boots that provide traction on snow and ice, such as rubber and neoprene composite.

Remember no shoe sole material is perfect under all conditions. Shoe soles made of smooth plastic or leather and high-heeled shoes are less than ideal, especially during inclement wet/snowy weather.

-Use special care when entering and exiting vehicles. Use the vehicle for support.

-Walk on designated walkways. Taking shortcuts over snow piles and areas where snow and ice removal is not feasible can be hazardous.

-Use handrails where available.

-Be alert.

Look ahead when you walk. A sidewalk completely covered with ice may require travel along its grassy edge for traction (Call FOC at 3301 to report the icy, snowy condition). When given no choice but to walk on ice, consider the following: -Take short steps or shuffle for stability.

-Bend slightly, walk flat-footed with your center of gravity directly over your feet. Be prepared to fall.

-If you fall, fall with sequential contacts at your thigh, hip and shoulder to avoid using your arms to protect against breakage.

-Contact HR for accident report if applicable.

Finally, when entering buildings, remove snow and water from footwear to prevent creating wet, slippery conditions indoors.

A few simple precautions can reduce your chances of being injured from a slip or fall inside our buildings.

-Use floor mats to remove moisture from the soles of your shoes upon entering a building.

-Don’t allow rain that has collected on your umbrella to be deposited on indoor walking surfaces.

-Be aware of your footing and any potential slip, trip or fall hazard that may be present.

-Report slip, trip and fall hazards to your supervisor. Call FOC at 3301 to report wet conditions in stairs and hallways inside of buildings.

Fahari 30

Seriously?!

By A Confused Student, Guest Writer

To all those able bodied students out there: So, I’m a college student in the fourth year of my college career and I need instructions on how to walk properly?!?! REALLY?!?! See, here’s what I think: if I’m in college and I still don’t know how the hell to walk properly…well, New Paltz must really be lowering their standards to let me in. (Please don’t take this as offensive if you are in some way handicapped and cannot walk. This is, in no way, meant to offend you. I am well aware that there are plenty of people out there who are wheel-chair bound and I mean no disrespect to you.) You see, I take this to mean that you think I don’t KNOW how to perform this particular task that children usually learn at about the age of 1. Is that really true? The people who were sent this email, do you guys really not know HOW to walk? It’s not an issue of whether you CAN or CANNOT; it’s a matter of whether or not you KNOW how to! I’m sure we all know this!

To top it all off, they actually say that you should “be prepared to fall.” Are you serious?!?! This sounds like the administration doesn’t want to be sued when students fall and break bones because they DID tell you to “be prepared to fall.” You know, I think I’d be ok with this whole email if the campus was cleaned properly, the sidewalks salted and the snow cleared. However, that’s not the case. The previous snow storm was supposed to be the worst one of this winter. There were weather advisories EVERYWHERE! Yet, the SUNY New Paltz administration didn’t think that it would be wise to salt the roads or sidewalks the night before. They didn’t put snow ploughs out early enough so we went through the first day of the storm being completely snowed in.

I slipped and slid on my way to get food and stock up for the weekend. I tried to keep my center of gravity right above me feet, shuffle and take smaller steps and they did nothing to prevent the eventual fall. This didn’t stop after the first day of the storm. On Friday morning, the snow on the walkway in front of my dorm building was up to my knees and part of that snow had become ice. The bridge that slopes at both ends in front of Hasbrouck Dinning Hall had a two inch layer of ice on top of it. I could barely climb up on one side and then slid sloppily down the other. The administration likes to cover their behinds by sending stupid instructions on how to walk and gets away with not cleaning up after themselves. What a wonderful system!

Oh yeah, if you DO fall and need to go the school health center, good luck getting serious medical care if you’re on the school’s health plan. They’ll most likely tell you to go to the hospital and then refuse to pay for the cost of you having to go to the emergency room. Isn’t college life grand?!?!

Sincerely, A Confused Student

31 Libertad

Sarah Palin for President!

By Jamiles Lartey, Guest Writer

“Sarah Palin for President” Usually this statement is greeted by a furrowed brow and a quizzical look. “You want Sarah Palin to be the Republican candidate for President in 2012?” Absolutely I do.

Odd as it may seem coming from someone who worked for Obama’s campaign in 2008, few things would make me happier. “Is it because you think she will be easy to beat?”

Absolutely not; it goes much deeper than that. As far as I am concerned, an election between Barack Obama and Sarah Palin is a referendum on American identity as we move into the uncertain future. Far beyond an ideological debate, a question of left-wing versus right-wing, what we have is two entirely different views of the world as it is and as it should be.

Sarah Palin and her vaguely racist teabagging* movement represent the final chapter in our nations’ slow and devastating crawl away from reason and intellect into a world of willful ignorance, jingoism and fear. As an example, a recent poll of tea-partiers* conducted by The New York Times/ CBS found that even though as a statement of demonstrable fact, 95% of Americans have had their taxes lowered since Obama took office, only 2% of those polled acknowledged such was true. The only explanation for such a finding is delusion; and this delusional bunch is the Sarah Palin constituency. This is the same delusion that allows birthers* to Fahari 32

believe Obama to be Kenyan born, or tea-partiers to misunderstand concepts like socialism, communism, and fascism so profoundly. After 8 years of anti-intellectualism in the

Photo Courtesy of Esquire Magazine

White House and all of its disastrous results, the GOP has decided, instead of reforming, to double-down.

The cable news pundits are continuously accusing President Obama of losing the “message war” to the Republicans. In short this amounts to not expressing complex and nuanced policy matters in monosyllabic talking points like “death-panel” or “drill baby drill.”

Barack Obama is not a perfect man, nor are his policies or administration above reproach. Nor is, perhaps more importantly, our American political system perfect. I would argue as a matter of fact that it is dysfunctional and in danger of becoming obsolete.

Barack Obama does however, represent the best that our system has to offer. This is a man firmly committed to post-partisanship, even with a Republican party pressing a seemingly monolithic platform of destroying him. He intends to do diligent research and fully understand issues before acting on them. He welcomes substantive debate, and insists on treating the American people like adults, a treatment we prove ourselves unworthy of on a daily basis.

Obama/Palin in 2012 would be the showdown of these divergent directions for America. Nuance, details, thoroughness and diligence or buzz-words, gut-instincts, and the relegation of anything intellectual to the confines of elitism. The appeal to our highest democratic aspirations, or to our most base instincts. A call to action, service, and sacrifice, or

the preservation of failing models to keep a false (and misunderstood) notion of American Exceptionalism intact. I personally look forward to this nation having the opportunity to evaluate who we want to be. *The term “tea-partier” (also called “tea-bagger”) refers to members of a national grassroots movement based primarily around promoting fiscal

conservatism. The name is derived from the Boston Tea Party rebellion of the American revolutionary period. *The term “birther” refers to a small, primarily conservative collection of Americans who believe that Barack Obama is not an American Citizen and therefore, not legally qualified for the office of President.

Source: “The Tea Party Movement.” CBS News. CBS News/New York Times Poll, 11 FEB 2010. Web. 16 Mar 2010.<http://www.cbsnews.com/ htdocs/pdf/poll_Tea_Party_021110. pdf?tag=contentMain;contentBo dy>.

“Shawty got Britney shaved her whole head up”

By Saki Rizwana, President Women are usually expected to shave - armpits, legs, thighs, knees and even their coochies! Hairless is the way to go…unless it’s the hair on your head. I shaved my head about 2 weeks before I turned 21 (November 15, 2009). This was highly shocking to some and I definitely received some crazy reactions. However, what was quite possibly the best reaction yet was said to me about a week ago.

I was speaking to a professor of mine about the experience. I didn’t know her prior to shaving my head and my hair’s grown in enough that it simply looks cut short. Basically, she didn’t know about the whole journey and didn’t expect something of this sort out of me. Her first reaction was “Oh wow! You did WHAT?!?! Wow!” And this was then quickly followed by, “Just like Britney!”

As a very dear Fahari-Libertad family member would say, “Hold the freakin’ bus!”

The whole point of shaving my head was to fight the stereotypical ideals of beauty placed on women

in this jacked-up society. And you’re going to compare me to BRITNEYFREAKIN’-SPEARS?!?! For those who have been living under a rock since the early 90s or don’t follow pop music or simply couldn’t care less, allow me to introduce to you Britney Spears - one of the most famous pop artists of her time (which unfortunately is still continuing today). She’s most well known for lip-synching, having done Justin Timberlake, a scandalous little kiss with Madonna and, oh yeah, for being the stereotypical, slutty Barbie doll figure for all young girls to look up to. With her unbelievably toned body and skimpy outfits that showed off every single centimeter allowed on regular cable channels, Britney Spears was the epitome (and still is) of the ideal of beauty which is so detrimental to young girls in this society.

Growing up in the late 90s, most of my friends and I secretly wished we looked like her. Of course, we’d mock all the perfectly proportioned, make-up wearing and overly

developed 5th and 6th grade girls in public; in secret though, we wished to be like them because they were the Britneys of elementary school.

They talked like her, looked like her and sometimes even dressed like her. Britney set the standard for all of us to follow and what a jackedup standard it was. And now she’s the one I’m following as I attempt to shed the years of being socialized into believing in this standard? Are you serious? Is there no way to get away from it?

Now, I don’t know what the reasons were for Britney shaving her head.

I’m sure it was liberating for her because it certainly was for me.

However, comparisons between my experience and hers can’t even be made. We might’ve done the same thing, yes. But I’m sure that our reasons couldn’t have been the same.

She is what I DON’T want to be.

She is what I’m fighting to NOT be.

Because I’m better than that!

So, just so we’re clear, Britney ain’t got shit on me.

33 Libertad

Love and War MasterPeace

By Shatera Gurganious, Editor-in-Chief

On March 2, 2010 Raheem DeVaughn released his third studio album, The Love and War MasterPeace. Being a devoted fan, I pre-ordered the deluxe version on

Hippie Neo-Soul RockStar aka Radio Raheem, has been called the Marvin Gaye of our time due to the way he goes back and forth singing about social issues and

Sadly, Soul/R&B music has come to a point of mediocrity and Raheem DeVaughn has released a CD that is refreshing compared to the stale music that is being put out. Like robots, many musicians make music according to the same formula, and listeners tend to get bored. But during these 28 tracks, there is no room for boredom. DeVaughn paints a picture of how gruesome our world is in America and other countries in “Bulletproof” featuring Ludacris. On the song “Black and Blue” he depicts a story of a woman being abused, describing how a man should not treat a woman, what love should not be. Of course he gets sexy on tracks such as “Bedroom,” “Secret Garden” and “Microphone.” He pleads for love on “Fragile” stating, “I know the heart requires TLC. So baby put all your faith in me, give me that heart of yours I promise I’ll be fragile.”

Cover of Raheem Devaughn’s Latest CD Photo Courtesy of Shatera Gurganious

I-Tunes a week before it was due to be released. And at 11:42 PM March 1st, I had the double disc, 28 track album in my possession. The release of this CD was long overdue.

Raheem DeVaughn, aka the R&B Fahari 34

DeVaughn has found a way to make music with a combination of love, sensuality, and awareness of social issue. With all the stories painted with such a beautiful voice.

sex so effectively. Like Gaye, you can listen to DeVaughn’s music, wanting to dim some lights and light candles one moment, then the next moment you’re nodding your head in agreement with a message about how fucked up this world is.

On the track “B.O.B.” Raheem tells a woman all the things her battery operated boyfriend cannot do; he can replace it and give her so much more. “My Wife” is about him being ready to commit and giving up on the single life. “The Greatness,” a song featuring Wale, is encouraging

women to love themselves the way they are which adds to Raheem’s signature songs appreciating women.

Heavily based off of lyrics, Raheem brings a refreshing spin on his record. One of the best collaborations I’ve heard in a while includes the artists Jill Scott, Dwele, Algebra Blessett, Ledisi, Chrisette Michele, Bilal, Anthony Hamilton, and Chico Debarge, on the track “Nobody Wins a War.” With so many great voices, and such a powerful message behind it, it is difficult not to love this anthem for ending all wars. Jill Scott’s spoken word piece at the end adds an extra spark to the song that will get you thinking.

Raheem DeVaughn is a representation of a true artist. He makes music we can all relate to, whether it is about love, sex or life lessons. His live performances are amazing and only add to his artistry. He’s approachable to his fans and down to earth.

DeVaughn is arguably the most slept on artist. Although he has been nominated for two Grammys and won two BET awards, the world has yet to fully recognize this man for his many great talents. The Love and War Masterpeace is his best project to date and I can only imagine what greatness is in store for this man.

When I say go out and get this CD it is not because I’m a devoted Raheem

DeVaughn fan, it is because as a music lover, I want to tell my fellow music lovers there is something good out there. If you like grown folk’s music and you’re tired of seeing little boys sing about grown men things and if you want to go on a journey from the beginning to end, this is for you. If you like a little bit more maturity than the “Lets get drunk while dancing in the club then go home and have meaningless sex with strangers” music, The Love and War Masterpeace is for you. Sex, love, domestic violence, self-love, and war fill up this album and make it into the masterpiece DeVaughn claims it to be. But don’t take my word for it, go listen for yourself….

Artist Raheem Devaughn Photo Courtesy of Shatera Gurganious 35 Libertad

Chemical Products and Reproduction Sex and Love or

By Sheena Henry, Guest Writer

“Hooked on the feeling, I’m high on believing” Blue Swede Is love just the product of different chemical reactions occurring in the body or is it as psychologically based as we perceive it to be? In new relationships, the excitement is high and the oxytocin is flowing. Oxytocin is the hormone that is linked to the development of interpersonal relationships, the ability to trust and the hormone released during the birthing process. It’s produced during that time when you just can’t get enough, when deciding to hang up the phone ignites a civil war between your head and heart.

Pheromones are airborne chemical messengers that travel between the same species. They hold detailed information about you such as your sexual desire and level of aggression and the attributes of your immune system. Apparently, they are whirling off our bodies all the time and we are simply oblivious. Pheromones could be responsible for the feelings of attraction that people are not able to pin point exactly where it’s coming from. Scientific research by M. Luisa Dematte in 2007 studied how “Olfactory Cues Modulate Facial Attractiveness.” The final results show that olfactory cues can influence a person’s perceived attractiveness.

Although there has been a significant amount of research in these fields, it’s nicer to believe in a fictitious version of love than the physiological aspect. Who wants to say on their anniversary, “We met at a coffee shop; his chemical signals fit with mine and a few Fahari 36

days later the oxytocin started flowing. He was productive and a good potential partner, so we married!” But what happens when all the glitz and glam wears off? The cheating?

The change of heart? The frequently occurring break up? Well there are factions of people which think real love is supposed to be forever and, therefore, there is no such thing as falling out of love. However, I believe love is just chemical reactions released in the body and the pheromones, as well as physical/mental attraction between certain people as opposed to others. Marriage is just a partnership. The merging of two people’s assets because they decided to accept and honor each other as a significant part of each other’s life, which is more than just having that feeling of “love,” all religions aside.

Therefore, love can’t just be about the warm fuzzy feelings that flow throughout your body. There needs to be substance and life compatibility. Life goals, money and education matter. Songs that have lyrics such as “we don’t have to fill up on groceries we can live on love alone” (Anthony HamiltonCool) seem pretty unrealistic. Although that ideology of love is pretty nice to believe, is it really true? It seems like ideals like those are enabling women/men to date unproductive people or be abused by their significant other, all in the name of love.

Sources: http://www.sexanddrugs.info/pheromonesandsex.htm http://chemse.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/bjm030v1

K UC F ?

Do you love me now that I can dance

By Shatera Gurganious, Editor-in-Chief

Sex is everywhere. You turn on the TV, pass a billboard, pick up a magazine, ride the bus and read ads – it’s there.

It’s hard to escape the constant bombardment of sexual images. What is even harder is our youth rejecting the idea that sex is necessary for a relationship. Sex is more than a mere physical act between two people. Few adults realize this so I’m pretty sure preteens and teenagers don’t have a clue just how serious it is. Yes, sex can be an important part of relationships when done right, but it shouldn’t be the basis of a relationship; especially when dealing with young people that barely understand the implications of it. Many adults don’t even get it right so it scares me to find out just how many of the youth are having sex at such a young age and thinking nothing of it. And for what? Because they think they should be? Because their friends claim to be doing it? Because it is what they see on TV. In movies, videos and magazines? Come on, we’ve got to do better.

else will,” or, “Well my girl Sheila started having sex with so and so and I don’t want to feel left out,” or my favorite one, “He says he loves me, I should show him I love him too.” It kills me when girls think like this. We are more than what we can offer a man sexually.

I can recall overhearing a story in the 8th grade that completely turned me off. This girl who was dating a guy whose birthday fell on December 26 was having a conversation with her friend and her comment went like this, “Well on Christmas I’m gonna give him a box of condoms and on his birthday you know what I’m gonna give him.” She said it with a smirk like it was a cute statement that she was proud of. I never forgot that because in the back of my head I was thinking, “What the hell is wrong with this girl?” I can’t deny the fact that I used to judge people when I found out they were having sex at a young age because to me it was pointless.

The reality isn’t that more teenagers are having sex than before, it is just more out in the open now. Older people claim that things weren’t this way in their day and that young people weren’t as sexual. This is obviously not true because if it was, there would be no teenage mothers or out-of-wedlock childbirths in our past. The difference is that things aren’t as hush-hush as they once used to be. Everyone’s having sex, and we all know it.

Looking back on that, people having sex in junior high is nothing new at all. It has been going on and it will continue to go on. So, instead of me judging people for their personal choices, I’ve decided to formulate my opinion based off of something else - maturity levels. That girl knew damn well that she should not have been having sex but it wasn’t because of her age. I doubt that the reason she wanted to have sex was anything different from, “Well if I don’t give it to him, someone

If I have to have sex with you to prove a point or keep you interested then you just might not be worth my time or energy…

On to the next one I go. But my issue is that younger girls or women that lack confidence in themselves tend to think they have to keep a man by opening their legs. There is more to offer than just that! Now of course if you want to enjoy yourself, there is nothing wrong with that as long as you are safe and sure that it is the choice you need to be making. There is no feeling uglier than regret and who wants to feel that? It is true that all experiences lead to growth and a lesson but why put yourself through the trouble if you end up losing?

I’m not trying to say that sex is bad and abstinence is the most important thing. Abstinence is not the solution, education is.

Sex is normal and natural… There’s nothing wrong with it.

But if you jump into it without fully understanding what you’re getting yourself into, it can be dangerous (STDs, pregnancy, emotional attachment to someone etc.). My main concern is those people that get involved with other people for the wrong reasons. But this can be applied to all people, not just teenagers.

There are many grown folks that make questionable choices in regards to sex. The beauty in it is that all experiences in life lead to learning some sort of lesson.

37 Libertad

Fahari 38

The Poetry Spot

39 Libertad

Of Being In a moment of passion, two became one and

one was begotten Of man ejaculating star dust, a nebula, an

entire galaxy of possibilities

By Carmen Mojica, Alumni Writer

We truly come from something unspeakable Of woman bearing witness to the portal of our

immortality in her womb, cradling civilizations,

societies, godbodies that speak hieroglyphs My intangibility is a mystery hidden in plain sight.

I am waking up and staring at blank ceilings,

asking the one question that remains

unanswerable...how did I get here?

A world without explanation in which I lay here,

dazed and trying to understand a labyrinth

of emotions pressed into this organ some

claim has a murmur; It just feels like an echo.

Fahari 40

And I am at times inclined to ask if anyone else

feels this, this magnum opus of a lifetime

contained in a body that feels this...

Your hand on my cheek, bitter cold winter mornings

that make it a daunting task to muster up the

desire to untangle myself from your warmth; Nights I spent intertwined with you, the crescendo of

midnight sky giving way to sunrises that leave

you contemplating in awe of being able to reason.

I sit here, existing in moments that have the lifespan

of wet paint’s transition to dried masterpieces; I study the gallery of this series of fortunate events I call

my unfolding reality, the one in which my first

breath became also my last the moment I cried

in announcement of my arrival to the world

Maybe when I’m old, tired and wrinkled, I’ll laugh at

this young, wild pretty little thing for her ability

to dance in silence, letting the river flow

through her like a serpent up a tree Settling into my rocking chair, this waning moon,

a sigh of contentment that

if nothing else....I lived.

Mirror Image

By Janea Thompson, Guest Writer

“Girl Before A Mirror”, Picasso 1932 Photo Courtesy of The Times

Alarm clock ringing inside my eardrum.

Showered, smelled good.

Sorry self, I don’t look right.

Clothes in my size, fitting just right.

It wasn’t that they were too tight.

This shit I have is a constant fight.

I did good I guess I smiled, but my interior is captivated by a frown.

I looked in the mirror trying to find something that I liked about myself, But all I could see was the excess.

I met a man today.

Resembling Dean Cain.

He was beautiful but there was no consideration about the situation Because I can’t look past my pain.

I don’t know if he’s interested.

Really don’t care.

Spending a while in the mirror trying to fix my hair, Hating that I’m this way I swear.

Totally fixated on my body can’t find anything to wear.

Instead I like to be bare, Not because I like my body but maybe if I stare Enough the pain will disappear.

My battle scars are invisible no one can see them, not even me.

Apparently They are there because I feel them everywhere.

I battle myself everyday – can anyone see?

Bench pressing negativity daily…

A process, but my guns are getting stronger.

MADAY!! MADAY!!

My mind went blank.

I’m left with nothing to say.

41 Libertad

A Moment Traveled paths crossed Eyes lifted from the ground I find myself burning in the heat

of her beauty Flames dancing behind jade windows

eager to consume me My mind no longer my own Lost in the blazing hills and valleys

of her body Her voice the soothing fingers that

pluck the strings of my heart

giving birth to a melody of passion A rhythm that burns in the blood Until hands yearn to play in time,

in love Two stars frame a smile that stops

hearts and clocks With lips that plant kisses like brands, Her skin, flawless diamond forged in

the womb of the inferno that

birthed her She leaves me Soul seared, heart yearning, Blood boiling, spirit lusting, A moment gained A moment lost In time, in love

By Chris Gordon, Guest Writer

Photo Courtesy of FFFFound Fahari 42

43 Libertad

Dwell Within Me I close my eyes and I feel you Nothing could inhabit me like you do You fill me completely You engulf me Take all I have to give I feel you completely I allow you to take control Give me what I’ve been missing I lose space and time An experience unparalleled to anything else Now all I can do is smile Music, you soothe my soul

By Shatera Gurganious, Editor-in-Chief

Fleeting

By Shatera Gurganious, Editor-in-Chief

Your spirit sings to mine I feel it within We’re intertwined Briefly Is this even worth it?

The lights come on, our connection dies Was it all just a dream?

It couldn’t have been a fantasy Your scent lingers My body aches It was real But it’s you that is fake Fahari 44

Painful Guilt

By Janea Thompson, Guest Writer

I often feel like I’m hurting, always in pain.

Sometimes I think it’s self-inflicting.

I know it’s a shame.

It is I the culprit, the one to blame.

I have an illness. Suffering from

a broken heart.

How do I fix it, when I’m the one

who broke it?

Watching something smash into

a trillion pieces, The original masterpiece becomes

unidentifiable.

That’s how my heart feels. It always

feels heavy.

The heaviness yearns, yearns for love.

What kind of love?

Real temporary or real permanent.

Any love good or bad Can make me feel happy or sad.

Those are my moods, a systematic see-saw.

Sometimes up sometimes down.

That’s how my heart feels.

Feelings are silent never making a sound, Until my heart hits the ground.

Pound! Pound!

Pound! Pound!

Heart breaks again.

The burdens are too heavy to carry.

My heart, my heart will it ever heal

in time to marry?

Now that’s traveling too far into the future.

I just want to get through tomorrow Filled with happiness, no sorrow.

I want to know what an unbroken

heart feels like, Even if I have to borrow.

Photo Courtesy of FFFFound 45 Libertad

Soneto para la Cantante People came to scoff but stayed to applaud and gave her a long standing ovation and she became the talk of the nation as scoffers relented and oohed and ahhed.

She was sure of herself and had no fear.

When she started to sing, angels took wing and flew to her and gave her their blessing.

Autumn for her was near so she sang clear.

Reddish maple leaves of fall were ablaze from heart of the hood to heartless Park Place.

She could sing anything from Sinatra’s hits to Bad Romance of Lady Gaga.

And though she was not the Fox critic’s choice, she came for award in silver Rolls Royce.

By Roger Whitson, Staff Writer

Photo Courtesy of Clasic Vintage Cars Fahari 46

I Wish

By Tarun Behl, Guest Writer

Everyday I stop myself from breaking down And thinking of things that remove my frowns I reminisce on those good days when we were just little kids No problems no conflicts we loved what we did Going down slides and wishing we were tall enough to be on Six Flag rides Girls my age walking by and I never thought they were sexy Cause I was young and afraid those cooties would infect me Asking my parents where do babies come from And they would reply the same place all life comes from God was instilled in me and showed me all the love So I knew I would be safe with someone watching from above  Im not going to the circus those clowns would scare me And my tooth came off so I would give it to the tooth fairy Nine o clock on Fridays so I would go to sleep soon Cause every Saturday I wanted to wake up to see those cartoons Every female friend would say Nsync was fly And i hated boy bands so I always say bye bye bye And the sky was the limit so I knew I can Spend weekends together watching Space Jam That was when R. Kelly proved the world wrong And showed people the truth in his songs I was trapped in school and waiting for it to end Cause I knew the Mister Softee truck would bring happiness to my friends and me Matter of fact when I went home The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was always on I always wanted to be Tommy cause he always won his fights And something about being the man who gets the girl always felt right Ever since day one I knew I was down I know God created me and this world is my playground I came out my motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s womb and God said Tarun go play now

47 Libertad

Silent Letter to a Friend I know that you can’t hear me, let alone know that I’m talking to you.

I know you are conscious of nothing and are officially cured from the Ills of this sick sad world, though you are deeply missed.

If you were still here, I would have to question what it was That led to our four-year fall of communication.

That is such a long time to be angry with a person, Let alone know and understand why the anger was there In the first place.

We were good. Things were fine.

Suddenly, the demon who held her hatred for me Within her own soul decided to drag you in the mix; Unconsciously you followed along.

I really wish you didn’t; it wasn’t your battle.

My oppressor had to take something away from me because I supposedly Had everything.

Even when I lost my father, my depressed state wasn’t enough for Her to feast on.

She hungered more for my sadness and demise like A man hungers for a woman’s power and sexual acts, Like a crooked politician hungering for tax dollars, Only to invest in Client No. 9.

So much time flew by before we talked again Like a Michael Jackson album, 4 years before he became Invincible, but for some unknown reason, we learned from his downfall that no one can escape death.

It came too soon for you.

All I can ask is…why?

Why you? Why did you have to go? Why did this demon destroy our friendship?

Why did he hurt you so much for so long and why wasn’t this Bastard demon caught yet?

As much as my fleshly side wants to commit inhumane acts against This coward, my spiritual side is persuading me to Forgive him for taking you from your mother, father, sisters, brothers, baby son, and friends who had to celebrate your 23rd birthday…without you.

It also tells me to pray Yahweh watches over him, whether he serves life in prison Or endure the Code of Hammurabi Demons don’t feel pain or care who they hurt It shows in the pain of those who have suffered relentlessly Like you and I If you were still here, I would say I’m glad we talked one last time And it was a good talk, as if nothing ever happened with those four years I read your message in my yearbook, “Congratulations on making it this far…don’t forget about me.”

How could I? Rest Peacefully, Shontel 1987-2010 [Remember memories have no expiration date-her family]

Fahari 48

Silent Letter to a Friend

By Regina “Reggie” Rivers, Editor-in-Chief 2008-2009

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know your sel f / iknow mysel f { swahi l i }