IMARA Magazine Spring 2010 Issue

Page 1

STRONGER THAN A DIAMOND AND JUST AS PRECIOUS

April 2010

MAKE-UP FOR CHEAP:

Beauty Essentials for the College Budget

STAYING FIT FOR THE WINTER:

REAL TALK:

Rihanna Explains Her Side of the Story

Clara Ng-Quinn Ways to Stay Sexy and Fit

AN INDEPENDENT WOMAN Doing It for the Community

No. 3 December 2009


IMARA Magazine Editor and Chief

KRYSTAL WILLIAMS Co-Managing Editor Deborah Jack Co-Managing Editor Rosalind Usher Co- Creative Director Iffie Ikem Co- Creative Director Marie Fleury Executive Editor Jacsymine Nsubuga Assistant Executive Editor Alicia Adams Director of Finance Angelique Boyer Director of Publicity Chineze Ebo

STAFF WRITERS Meave Otieno Matilda Ceesay Mackenzie McIntosh Tommy Laymon Melissa Hewitt Desirree Pizarro Devaneke Crumpler Afua Adjei Nicole Bryant Chi Ebo Deborah Jack Alicia Adams Iffie Ikem LAYOUT EDITORS Rosalind Usher Malik Mack Marie Fleury Iffie Ikem Angelique Boyer PHOTOGRAPHY Tina Chou Erinn Cawthon Styling: Andrea Mayer

www.imaramagazine.wordpress.com


Editor’s Note

we are imara

This month, we are excited to bring to you our special Women of Distinction issue. We made stops all over campus looking to bring you the stories of some of the most influential women. These young women have reached their efflorescence in their respective fields. The role models captured on the pages of this month’s issue serve to inspire us to push ourselves to be all that we can be and show us that we all can make a difference. Proud to be hailed as the one stop shop for all things multicultural women, we are happy to bring you new stories of everything from love and relationships, entertainment, and even fitness and exercise. We left no stone unturned with this issue and hope that you enjoy every minute of our journey of strength and empowerment. Prepared to be inspired, awed, educated, and enabled. We are Imara, we are here for you. •

Krystal

Photo Credits: Tina Chou

Krystal Williams Editor in Chief

April 2010 | 3


Table of Contents

News and Ente

rtainment

pg 6 2009: “A Y pg 8 Real Talk ear in Review at Cornell” :“ Rihanna G

Health and Bea

ives Us H

uty

er Side”

pg 20 Shoppin pg 21 Minorit g in Ithaca: on a College Stude pg 22 Staying y Women and Universal Health nt’s Budget care pg 22 Fitness Fit During the Winter : Guideli

Love and Relat

nes to Gett

ing Starte

d

ionships

pg 5 Doing it f pg 10 Is Love or Yourself pg 26 What Y Blind: “They Don’t Call it a Ty ou Wante pe for n

Food for the Sou

d to Know , but Were

pg 18 Untitle pg 19 Requiemd f

l

or a Pinata

The Cornell Exp

/Battered

o Reason”

too Afraid

to Ask…

Women

erience

pg 11 Women pg 17 Eye Ca of Distinction: “Ladies Doing it Big at C ornell” pg 9 Great Blandy of the Month ck Women Who Atte pg 24 Wari Ho nded Corn ell: “Toni use Interv Morrison” iew pg 27 Reach


Doing it for Yourself | Love and Relationships

r o f t i g n Doi f l e s r u o Y

I

t’s like one of those moments when the world seems to just standstill, and time, literally, slows down , with one, long, sultry, exhale. And you can’t help but smile one of those “Damn this is a good ass cookie” type smiles as your eyes slowly gaze over the subtle beauties that surround you. For just one instant, you’re on top and in control of all that’s around you, and for one moment, that dude, that chick isn’t getting on the very last nerve you have in your body, just for right now your entire body slowly melts, drips, and glides like honey into the caressing arms of joy. But how often does this really happen? Juggling six classes, a few extracurricular activities, a job, a man, and a family who sometimes forgets just how much we need to do up here in the beautiful boonies of Cornell, who has time to sit back and smell the flowers, right? Wrong. For decades, we women have made

strides in obtaining the freedoms and rights to provide for ourselves and to maintain the same level of respect and independence as our male counterparts, but somewhere along the way we utterly forgot how to take care of ourselves, not economically or necessarily physically but psychologically. On our way to becoming big, important Ivy League graduates, we need to remember that taking the time to stop, take a breath, and notice ourselves, can potentially be more life fulfilling than the our degree. I definitely agree that making enough money to be able to sustain yourself and your family in the future is worth all of the hard work and stress we are going through presently. And I also understand how important it is, especially in the black community, where wealth is fairly limited, for each generation to both reach a level of success far above that of the previous generation and to establish a firm foundation for the next generation to do the same, but at what cost? When we devote ourselves so completely to the pursuit of financial success, we ignore the person we are doing it for, ourselves. Then years down the line, after we have, or haven’t obtained the level of success that we are reaching for, we are lead to ask “what was I fighting for.” After all what good is a degree, what good is all the money in the world, if you lose yourself in the process. •

“For jus t stant, yo one inu’ and in c re on top on that’s ar trol of all ound yo u...”

--Desirree Pizarro

April 2010 | 5


News and Entertainment | A Year in Review

2009

>>>Concerts/Shows

McFAB Trey Songz, Mario, & Fabolous Concert. Trey Songz and his fine self was at Cornell along with equally fine brothas, Mario & Fabolous. Like always, McFAB put it down! And the concert was great. If you missed it, make it a point to never miss a McFAB concert…well unless it’s for academic purposes or an infectious disease.

A Benefit Show for Breast Cancer The Devastating Divas of the Mu Gamma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta & the Oh So Lovely Poodles of the Lambda Omicron Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho hosted a Benefit Show for Breast Cancer awareness as part of the many events they hosted in support for breast cancer awareness. 6 | Imara Magazine

The benefit aided them in raising money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. As always, the ladies hosted a beautiful event for all to enjoy, and at the same time help out the community. Way to go!

>>> Movies

Good Hair Good hair—it’s a topic in most black women’s mind. Chris Rock travels around as he hosts a documentary on the theory of Good Hair. What is good hair? What does it take to get this supposed good hair? It’s Chris Rock, so it’s funny, it’s good, it’s real talk. Precious Precious. Box office hit. The movie is based on the book Push by Sapphire. The book was great, the movie is great. Worst Halloween mov-

A Year in Review at Cornell

ie?: Dawn of the Dead “…was it even scary?” No, it wasn’t scary. Just gross, and dumb.

deal with baby. The new season, on BET, could be exciting. For now though, we shall wait.

>>> TV Shows

Grey’s Anatomy/House/ ER/ Scrubs Wait, ER & Scrubs don’t have new seasons or episodes anymore, right? Favorite: Scrubs Everyone else’s favorite: Grey’s vs. House … what’s your pick? It seems that people who watch House enjoy House’s cynicism and the “cool” cases. Grey’s folk enjoy the drama of the characters’ everyday lives, the cases? Eh, not so much. ER, is just a classic, enough said. For all this show, the diversity of actors & actresses playing the roles are worth mentioning. There was a day when certain ethnicities were not given such roles,

At Cornell, do we even have time to indulge ourselves into following these TV shows? For those of us who make time, it does make life a little rough sometimes. Ode to Hulu and other online methods that aid in TV show watching. The Game So, The Game was canceled on the CW. Haters. Anyway, BET has decided that it may be picking up the show, which is great for all its ardent followers! The Black Tribune mentioned that Stacey Dash might possibly be joining the cast as Jason’s new distracter (*wink *wink), then there’s the whole


A Year in Review | News and Entertainment

especially as doctors.

>>> Books

Push by Sapphire If you haven’t read it? You should, it’s worth it.

cry when she cries, get pissed when she’s pissed, and smile when she’s happy… but overall you’ll feel the book, the story, and the issues it discloses…”

IMARA summary: A “Ms. Rain say write our story about a young Harfantasy of ourselves. lem raised girl, Precious, How we who grows “…I ain’ no white would up with a be if bitch. I life of rape life was and neglect understand that now. perfect. I from her I am not white bitch. tell you mother one thing and father. --Sapphire right Her father now, I gets her would pregnant twice, once at be light skinned, thereby 12, then at 16. However, treated right and loved by she’s given a second boyz. Light even more chance at an Alternative important than being school where she meets skinny; you see them a group of girls who will light-skinned girls that’s change her view about big an’ fat, they got boyherself and her world. friends. Boyz overlook a lot to be wif a white girl Ladies, and gentlemen or yellow girl…” - quote alike: “…You might from novel “Push” by

Sapphire “What is normal life? A life where you not ‘shamed of your mother. Where your friends come over after school and watch TV and do homework. Where your mother is normal looking and don’t hit you over the head wif iron skillet. I would wish for in my fantasy a second chance.” - quote from novel “Push” by Sapphire “…I ain’ no white bitch. I understand that now. I am not white bitch. I am not Janet Jackson or Madonna on the inside. I always thought I was someone different on the inside. That I was just fat and black and ugly to people on the OUTSIDE. And if they could see inside me they would see something lovely and not keep laughing at me…

that Mama and Daddy would recognize me… as…Precious! But I am not different on the inside. Inside I thought was so beautiful is a black girl too.” - quote from novel “Push” by Sapphire

>>> Music

The name’s Sloppy Joe. Mixtape out, by OUR one and only Sloppy Joe, better known as Joe Jackson, Cornell 2010. He has a facebook fan page, a facebook group, a myspace page, a twitter, and a blog. You have no excuse to not check him out, especially while wasting time on any of the above mentioned social networking websites. Enjoy. • --Meave Otieno

April 2010 | 7


News and Entertainment | Rhianna Gives Us Her Side...

Taking a look at Rihanna’s Side Many of us watched the YouTube video. Chris Brown’s apology? Who believes it truly came from his heart, unrehearsed, well-thought-out, and not a cop-out to save his career? Maybe some portion of it did, but overall it is hard to believe any of the above. When news was first released about Chris hitting Rihanna, it was difficult to fathom that that young, fine, lightskinned boy, Michael Jackson’s dance protégé, blessed with a fly voice could horrifically assault such a gorgeous, high achieving, beautiful young girl and leave such repulsive wounds on her face. I mean, fans all over country, and the world even went as far as to blame Rihanna for Chris’s actions! To make matters worse, Rihanna returned to Chris after the whole debacle, confusing fans even more. The media has followed this saga ever since that police call from worried bystander that possibly rescued Rihanna’s life. Rihanna’s ordeal reiterates that domestic violence is real and it can happen to anyone despite age, relationship status, socioeconomic status, or attractive status. She was 19 years old when she was beaten— physically and mentally scarred. Rihanna was one of us, a young very successful adult woman. She was an epitome of Neyo’s Miss Independent! Yet as strong as she is, beautiful as she is, powerful as she is, she was a victim of domestic violence. For Rihanna, this adversity has been a learning experience, a tough lesson she unfortunately did not learn from her mother, and the domestic violence present in her childhood. The fact that she is in the spotlight will definitely prevent her from making awful decisions as far as reengaging in abusive relationships. However, that cannot be said for all women—since we’re not all followed by paparazzi. Rihanna, though, will serve as an example for women in domestic relationships, letting them know, “if Rihanna can leave Chris Brown, young mama, you can leave your no-good woman-beater of a partner too.” With that said we college women can become victims of domestic abuse. In addition, it’s important to note that

8 | Imara Magazine

domestic abuse comes in many forms from full-out physical abuse, mental abuse, all the way to stalking. If anyone thinks that she is suffering from domestic abuse, get help! From friends, counselors, or family. No one should have to go through its repercussions alone. That is, abuse of any sort should never be hidden in a secret box away from others’ knowledge. The only way for real help is to break the silence, if not stop the silence. What about Chris Brown? How can we predict his future now that Rihanna has broken her silence? All I can say is that he will need some serious rehab and some intense change in his life. To better grasp what I’m asking for, he has to transition from Bobby Brown to Luther Vandross if he wants to gain back respect. His celebrity status should not excuse him from what he did, and who he is for as long as he is capable of beating another woman. I do not care that he was allegedly raised in an abusive household. Like Rihanna said in her interview, he has to grow up, face this adversity like a man, and realize that like Rihanna, he is a role model to young men everywhere.

--Meave Otieno


Spotlight | The Cornell Experience

Toni Morrison

T

by Chi Ebo

oni Morrison, originally

from Howard with a bachelor of arts

phasizes the importance of the “African

named Chloe Anthony

degree in English, Morrison went on

American experience� and enhances the

Wofford, was born in

to attend Cornell University, receiv-

importance of self . She has also com-

Lorain, Ohio in 1931. One of four

ing a master’s degree in English. Then,

posed a number of children novels, in-

children, she was brought up in a

in 1955, Morrison took up a teaching

cluding The Big Box (1999), The Book

working-class, religious family, and was

job at Texas Southern University, and

of Mean People (2002), and The Ant or

constantly exposed to the proud heritage

also returned back to Howard to teach.

the Grasshopper? (2003)2. Furthermore,

and storytelling of her family. Early in

She also became an editor for Random

her novel Beloved was noted to be one

her life, she showed particular interest

House company, helping to publish

of the of best novels of the past 25 years

in literature and reading and became

books for Black writers.

by New York Times Book Review in

motivated by authors of the books she

2006. Toni Morrison is an intelligent,

read. After her primary schooling, Mrs.

for her masterpiece entitled Beloved,

inspiring, and influential woman of

Morrison attended Howard University

which came out in 1987. For this piece

color, and should be acknowledged for

in 1949 to pursue her interest in Eng-

of work, she won the Nobel Prize for

all of her achievements. She has

lish. It was at this time that she changed

Literature in 1988, making her the first

been a hero for most, a leader to

her name to Toni because of the difficul-

African American woman to receive

others, and it is with immense

ties people had pronouncing her name

this award. She has also written many

honor that we recognize her as a

. Also, during her time at Howard, she

other works, including The Bluest Eye

great Black woman who attended

joined a theatre group that worked on

(1970), Sula (1973), Song of Solomon

Cornell University.

illustrating the lives and cultures of Af-

(1977), Jazz (1990), Paradise (1998),

rican American people. After graduating

and Love (2003). Most of her work em-

Toni Morrison is best known

April 2010 | 9


Love and Relationships | Is Love Blind

Is Love Blind?: They Don’t Call it a “Type” For No Reason

“I

don’t know why. It’s just something about him.” Think back to how many times you’ve heard this expression. Perhaps by your BFF? Your relative? Maybe it was you! We are all very familiar with the classic signs of emanating love and budding romance-the “LOL, smiley faces,” late night text conversations, mid-afternoon lunch dates at the Ivy Room. If you haven’t experienced these subtle expressions of prospective amor, you more than likely know someone who has (and it’s a probable chance that you’ll be there soon). But what does it all mean? For many of us, the feelings are definite. We are certain as to how we feel towards our significant other but don’t have the slightest clue as to why. Evidently, we chalk it up to chance or the random tomfooleries of that little blind fellow named Cupid. Yet, is love in fact random? Do we fall for the people that we do because we happen to be in proximity, and we happen to converse and we happen to enjoy each other’s company? If this were entirely the case, then it’s fair to argue that we may as well be in love with the Jade’s Garden delivery man who we happen to order from quite frequently. Fortunately, as luck should have it, this seldom ever appears to be the case. Being in proximity to another individual most certainly triggers those feelings of closeness associated with falling in love, but there seems to be more occurring, leading to the harsh reality for some romance aficionados that love is in not in fact blind. As several biological and psychological theories have proposed, the people who we are likely to fall in love with reflect our inner desires more than our conscious efforts. Before you jump on the defense, this isn’t to say that you are romantically attracted to your parents (e.g. Freud’s Oedipus and Electra Complexes). It is simply suggesting that the individuals we are usually attracted to and most likely to develop loving feelings toward is a reflection of our unique biological and psychological make-ups, most commonly unbeknown to ourselves.

“I don’t know why. It’s just something about him.”

To spare you of the scientific jargon but still provide sus-

10 | Imara Magazine

tentative insight into the argument that love is not blind, random and/or a product of chance, it is appropriate to analyze Hatfield & Walster’s Three Factor Theory of Love (1981). From this psychological perspective, love is the product of cultural exposure, physiological arousal and the finding of a suitable love object. Essentially Hatfield & Walster argue that while the three components of love may occur in isolated episodes, it is not until the proper combination of the three unite that we experience love and romance. Whether you choose to agree with Hatfield & Walster or cling to the fairy tale notion that love is ferocious and unbiased, just ask yourself do you have a “type.” Is there a particular kind of person, dress, or swag that gets your blood pumping? Be honest. If you answered yes, this is just a tip of the iceberg hinting that in terms of finding a “suitable love object,” we are a little on the subjective side. If love were truly blind then we could possibly fall in love with anyone, regardless of sex, gender, age, location, etc. This is far from the truth because all is not fair in love and there doesn’t appear to be such a thing as equal opportunity.

“...is love in fact random?”

Furthermore, for all of us who have taken some form of Intro Bio, we’ve heard the idea that as human beings we possess pheromones that attribute to our attraction to one another. Resultantly, our bodies are in pursuit for those individuals who possess the pheromones that trigger feedback systems in the mind which tell us we are in love. Before this argument is pressed any further, it is important to acknowledge that the people who we are both psychologically and biologically drawn to may not necessarily be the ones we form intimate relationships with nor may they be the ones we end up sharing our lives with. After all, whether love is blind or has 20/20 vision, we are ultimately the ones in control of our lives, right? Nonetheless, it is crucial to understand that when it comes to matters of the heart, you cannot exclude the mind and body. They all work together. So maybe now the next time you hear someone say “I don’t know why. It’s just something about him,” you can attribute that ‘something’ beyond Cupid or chance or a random sequence of events. And maybe next time you find yourself head over heels for the guy who looks, dress and acts exactly like your much despised ex you can stop and ask yourself: “Do I have a type” or “Is love blind?” --Devaneke Crumpler


Photo Credit: Tina Chou

Women of Distinction: Ladies Doing It Big At Cornell /

IMARA has the inside scoop on some of the most involved women

on campus. You want to know their gulty pleasures or what they think of the male species? Then you are in for a treat! From theatre to biology, we have brought you a diverse group of women who have made a name for themselves here. Enjoy! April 2010 | 11


The Cornell Experience | Women of Distinction

Clara Ng-Quinn Class: Senior, 2010 School CALS Major:English

Organizations: •Asians Pacific Americans for Action (Last year was President and this year is Vice President/ Senior Advisor •SKG •Asian and Asian American Center of the Task Force Committee •Cornell Lion Dance All Women of Distinction Photos Taken by: Tina Chou

Biggest accomplishment: Establishing the A3C-the Asian and Asian American Center, of which she’s been a part of since her sophomore year. “I’ve been working on it for a majority of my time here at Cornell and it has been a lot of work. And it has definitely a very emotional journey.” Ivy Room or Okenshields? : If it was Ivy Room with the music from Okenshields, I’d chose Ivy Room. One thing learned about the male species: “They’re dumb! No, I’m just kidding. They can still be cool-if their feminine. Males can be pretty too!” Most rewarding or life changing experience: One thing to accomplish before Just being at Cornell! “ I know I graduating: criticize Cornell a lot and I do like She wants all the issues that she to raise a lot of ruckus on campus has been advocating for, for A3C like rallying, but at the same time, and Students for Ken Glover, to I wouldn’t be doing all this stuff be achieved. “I definitely don’t if I didn’t love Cornell. I wouldn’t want to see Ken Glover move out. be trying to fix its problems if I Also, I would like there to be an didn’t care.” established long term vision for the A3C, in that Asian and Asian Biggest hurdle that was overAmerican community is more co- come: Learning how to be orgahesive and less fragmented.” nized and getting over her shyness. “I guess just overcoming Happiness in Ithaca is…: some shyness and learning how to The warm weather! use my awkward personality for good.” 12 | Imara Magazine

Biggest hurdle that was overcome: Learning how to be organized and getting over her shyness. “I guess just overcoming some shyness and learning how to use my awkward personality for good.” Advice offered to the women of 2013: “Get sleep. And I guess I would just say be really open too because you don’t know what’s going to happen, and you think you know what’s going to happen but you could be completely wrong when you get here.”


Women of Distinction | The Cornell Experience

Patricia “Patti” Green Class: Senior, 2010 School: CALS Major: Biology

“Toast bread-nutella.. yumm!”

If you were an animal, which would you be?: A fish because they can swim and she can’t therefore she Ithaca wouldn`t drown!

“Happiness in is…: Walking outside and admiring the beauty” Guilty Pleasure: Cheese! Organizations: •Mentorship program for Young Men and Women •Festival of the Black Gospel •Biology Scholars Program •Ujamaa Work Study

One thing learned about the male species: That you can actually have males who are just friends, contrary to popular belief.

Biggest hurdle that was overcome: Procrastination! A work still in progOne thing to accomplish ress, but she’s getting better at it! before graduating: To finish her senior thesis project and also develop Advice for 2013: “Have fun at Cornell, but make a relationship with the sure to do your work. It’s Southside community center in downtown Itha- important to find time durca. “After I leave, I want ing the week to do somea bond to still be there.” thing not related to school. Cornell is great!” Ivy Room or Okenshields? : Okenshields.

Jillian Greenaway

Class: Senior, 2010 School: Human Ecology Major: Human Development Organizations: •Co-President, Cornell Caribbean Student Association Dance Ensemble •Office of Minority and Educational Affairs Peer Mentor •Urban Environment Mentor •Cornell Tradition Fellow Biggest accomplishment: Surviving four years at Cornell/Ithaca and being able to graduate! Ivy Room or Okenshields? Ivy Room! Okenshields is horrible! If you were an animal, which would you be? “A cat—I love them. And

they have nine lives!” Guilty Pleasure: TV! Especially General hospital. One thing learned about the male species: That they are useless! Most rewarding or life changing experience: Volunteering for Alternative Breaks at Tangelo Park in Florida, working with children and helping them with assignments. Biggest hurdle that was overcome: Being away from 3 year old nephew and fearing that he would grow up not knowing her. Advice for women of 2013: “Stay focused. Don’t be discouraged by Cornell because it is a big transition. You were probably brilliant in high school and coming here, you are not the only brilliant person.” April 2010 | 13


The Cornell Experience | Women of Distinction

Tia Hicks

Class: Junior, 2011 School: AAP Major: Urban and Regional Studies, Architecture and Planning

“Ivy Room or Okenshields? Okenshields on a broke day!” Organizations: •Black Students Union, Executive Board Member •nto the Streets, Executive Board Member •Student for Ken Glover leader •Diversity Intern in Campus Life Biggest accomplishment: Getting into Cornell because she is one of the first people in her family to get into college. Guilty Pleasure: Watching MTV and BET.

One thing learned about the male species: That they are really ignorant. “They don’t have a clue as to how females feel about a situation. There’s good men out there though; not all of them are bad.” Biggest hurdle that was overcome: . “I’m always thinking of how others will perceive what I say or how people view me, so this year I have been working with that a lot.” Advice offered to the women of 2013: “I would say to just stay true to yourself. It may sound very cliché, but in Cornell, you tend to lose yourself in culture and what’s popular, or what people expect you to do. Stay firm in your beliefs, because sometimes you’ll go through a lot only to come back to what you already were.”

Amanda Idoko

nity and the environment. “Going downtown is fun, and Ithaca has a funky community.”

Organizations: •President of Schwartz Center Ambassadors— helps to market and promote the shows •Whistling Shrimp Member- Cornell improv comedy troupe •Actress in various plays in the Schwartz Center

One thing learned about the male species: “They’re fun to hang out and talk with when there is nothing else going on, like when you have a really cool friend, they are fun to talk to. But besides friendships, when you go into that relationship, it gets a little…you know. But guys are cool!”

Class: Senior, 2010 School: Arts and Sciences Major: Theatre Arts

Biggest accomplishment: She is proud that she left her “safe” pathway as a pre-med student to pursue something that she was truly passionate about. If you were an animal, which would you be?: A cheetah, because they are fast and fierce. Happiness in Ithaca is…: “The cool commu14 | Imara Magazine

Advice to the women of 2013: “Don’t get trapped into doing one thing. Take a lot of different classes and be involved with a lot of different things. And above all, do what you love to do; don’t hold yourself back or let anyone else hold you back.”


Women of Distinction | The Cornell Experience

Osarieme Evbuomwan

Class: Junior, 2011 School: Arts and Sciences Major: Sociology and Inequalities Studies

Guilty Pleasure: “Taking illegal road trips without telling her parents!” Organizations: •President of Nigerian Students Association •Vice President of Internal Operations, CUTonight •Office of Minority and Educational Affairs Peer Mentor •CCSADE Musical Technican One thing to accomplish before graduating: Wants to do more with Nigerian Students Association, such as a service project that will effect

change in Nigeria and the education/health system. Ivy Room or Okenshields? : Okenshields because of the fish and chicken sandwich. If you were an animal, which would you be?: A gazelle, because they are quick and glide. One thing learned about the male species: That not all guys are all about sex. Some guys have emotional sides and more to their personalities. Advice offered to the women of 2013: “Don’t be afraid to admit that you can’t do something. If you aren’t good at one thing, you have to take a step back and see what else you are good at. Life is not about regrets; it should be about learning from mistakes and growing.”

Melissa Hewitt

Class: Sophomore, 2012 School: Arts and Sciences Major: Sociology

want a guy whose honest with me at all times!”

Most rewarding or life changing experience: The fact that she is makOrganizations: ing her mother proud. •Cornell Track team “She talks about me so Biggest accomplishment: highly to others.” Winning the HEPS (Ivy Biggest hurdle that was League Championships) overcome: Adjusting to and breaking her old reeverything here. “It’s a cords. world of pressure here, One thing to accomplish always surrounded with drinking and things that before graduating: “I I try to avoid. It’s getwant to try and break as many records as possible, ting easier now, because not just in the Ivies. I want I know what I want and I won’t compromise that to go to the NCAA.” for anyone.” If you were an animal,which would you Advice offered to the be?: Cheetah-they’re fast, women of 2013: “Don’t put so much pressure fierce and feared. on yourself. You won’t One thing learned about always be liked by evthe male species: “Noth- eryone, and you won’t ing I didn’t know already. always do as well as you They don’t always turn out want, but it’s important to to be how they seem. I just have fun.” April 2010 | 15


The Cornell Experience | Women of Distinction

Alyson Intihar Class: Senior School: CALS Major: AEM

One thing learned about the male species: They can’t multitask. “They have a one-track mind set.”

Organizations: ·Captain of Softball team Most rewarding or life ·Co-President of Red changing experience: Key Honor Society She did a volunteer pro·Secretary of SAAC gram in Ecuador the ·Meinig Scholar summer between sophomore and junior year. She Biggest accomplishhelped the Quechua comment: munity, and was involved Winning the Ivy-Cham- in activities such as buildpionship last year . “The ing medicinal garden and shared experience [with teaching. “I enjoyed this teammates] was amazing experience because of the and created an unbreak- people and close interacable bond.” tion.” Ivy Room or Okenshields? : Okenshields—because Happy Dave is always happy!

Photo Credit: Andrew Intihar

Happiness in Ithaca is…: “Waking up in April and it not being -20 degrees.”

Advice offered to the women of 2013: “Natural ability in anything can only take you so far, but hard work and perseverance will take you the extra distance.”

16 | Imara Magazine

Emily Cohn

Class: Senior, 2010 School: Arts and Sciences Major: Communication

Guilty pleasure: “I’ll eat a tray of brownies and not feel guilty about it.”

Biggest hurdle that was Organizations: ·Editor in Chief of the overcome: Time management and Daily Sun learning to cope with not getting enough sleep. “I Biggest accomplishalso had to learn how ment: Getting involved with to be a better people the Sun early on. She person. Working at the started as sophomore re- Sun, I’m surrounded by porter, asking pressing students who are over questions and pissing worked, under slept and people off. “I’m proud in need of an upper, and of being able to press I had to learn how to be [for answers] where that upper.” needed.” Advice offered to the women of 2013: If you were an “Do not think about animal,which would graduation until it is you be?: Bird in order to see the there and value your world from a different time at Cornell. Despite perspective. “Birds seem the economy, you will get a job! Treasure the so care-free.” academic environment that is here.”


Eye Candy of the Month | The Cornell Experience What is your favorite feature in a female?: “Her smile; nice smiles can win over anyone. I also like a girl with nice eyes, or at least girls who can make good eye contact.” What do you think makes you appealing to women?: “I’m warm, fun-loving, and I have a solid belief system. I have morals and can put things into perspective. I can treat a women like a queen if I feel she deserves it.”

Ladies! Want to go on a date with our EYE CANDY of the Month....... head over to imaramagazine.wordpress.com for more infomation

Khaleel Ativyeh

Class: Senior, 2010 School: College of Arts and Sciences Major: Urban and Regional Studies Organizations: • MOAPP President • Morterboard National Honor Society (organizes last lecture, used to be secret society, philanthropy) • Meinig Family Cornell National Scholar • Starting a trendy, cultural fashion line Description: 6 foot 5 —brown eyes, athletic build; tall, dark, and handsome.

Photo Credits: Tina Chou

What’s the worst characteristic a female can have?: “I don’t like a girl with a bad attitude. Being pessimistic is a turn off; I don’t like to be around negative energy.”

What type of girl is ideal for you?: “Michelle Obama. A highly intellectual, compassionate, motivated female, who has your back. I want a girl with inner beauty.” What physical characteristics do you look for in a female?: “I’m a global citizen—I like all races. Looks aren’t that important to me though; I appreciate people for who they are, their inner beauty. I look more at character.” What catches your eye in a female?: “I like a stylish and well kempt female. Girls who carry themselves well is a plus.”

What is your ideal date?: “ Maybe going to the Boatyard Grill for dinner. Something real official, like her wearing a dress, and I’ll wear a blazer. It’d be a candlelight dinner on the lake. I like being spontaneous and romantic at the same time.” Are you currently involved with someone?: “No, I’m not in a committed relationship.” What is your guilty pleasure?: “Getting lost in the moment; just being random!” If you were an animal,which would you be?: “A lion, because I have a lot of Pan-African views. They have determinism and their at the top of the food chain.” One thing learned about the female species: “I feel like a lot of girls suffer from lack of male interest. But I feel like they just want to be appreciated. It’s hard though, because here, our multicultural community is really limited, so people become closeminded and miss out on a lot of good things.” Advice to 2013 men: “If you find a good girl, hold onto her. There’s a lot of high caliber people here.”

April 2010 | 17


Food for the Soul | Poetry Corner

I’m obliged to present to you the…<dramatic pause>…FEATURED POETRY section of Imara! Allow the words to let you ponder. In each issue we hope to showcase poetry written by women or about women’s issues. If you’d like to share some of your own poetry or have been inspired by a particular work of poetry that you’d like to see featured please contact me at nkb25@cornell.edu. For this issue I’d like to include an untitled poem written by Afua Adjei and one of my own devising called “Requiem for a Piñata/ Battered Woman. Until then, allow the words to let you ponder. Indulge your poetic senses. Hmm… and don’t be afraid to dip your pen into the ink too - Nicole Bryant Untitled By Afua Adjei Sixteen girls and I ­ sit on my grandmother’s brown couch in matching pink puffed dresses. My legs itch from the wires wrapped around my calf. I am the last one to put on my black shoes. She stares at me embarrassed. I sat in front and fell asleep. So she grabs my wrist as if to dismember it from the rest of me. She pulls me into a damp room of 200 complacent black faces. Each of them a proud lamb. No one is shocked. The girl from the fatherless tribe is being dragged against the cement ground. I look for her but my grandmother’s head is bowed. There are tears on the blue skin of her new testament. She gives me back my hand once she sees the sun. Blood trails around my ankles, sweat is swimming through the thick rolls that surround her neck. She says and repeats; legs.legs.legs. When she realizes I do not understand, she kneels in front me, grabs my knees and presses them together. I am left to stand outside. And I watch my skin blacken like a man gradually losing his sight.

18 | Imara Magazine


Poetry Corner | Food for the Soul

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onth Last m ms bulged a my se e weight h t h wit ps mdro s. u g f o llipop and lo orged with g So en decadence y sugar ities — av c ham! that ) W d e t ba ( incu omb le w outh. s tous y in m Word ractured m f in in my down t n m i a h h c th d I drew at his pen I ben up my too or boards g o pullin ck thrills rewards. ers to pick wooden fl ce. t i e s f fa u h a u for q tantaneo the r and t y broken sh bin, m o r s f m n ra and i ng myself catch into the t k plastic i d t. e ac String g— Heav nto the bl th sawdus d out n a n i i n ti I swu I mel ears mix w t d n a as my out in and e z his ga —of

April 2010 | 19


Shoppi ng in I On a C thaca: ollege S tudent’ s Budget

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ith classes, work study, extracurricular activities and trying to maintain a social life. Most Cornellians look for shopping outlets outside of Ithaca. In addition to the lack of time, most stores in Ithaca are not worth the bus ride. The Cornell woman needs easy, efficient and most importantly cheap (we all know that times are hard) ways to get all her beauty and fashion supplies. The Internet has two hidden secrets that will help satisfy all your beauty needs—one is called eyeslipsface.com and the other is called amiclubwear.com. Eyeslipsface(Elf) is the place to get all your makeup and beauty supplies and you can find clothes and shoes on Amiclubwear. Eyeslipsface is a website that sells quality makeup starting at $1 each. The products on this site are starting to get noticed by everyone. It is being talked about in major magazines from InStyle to Seventeen to Elle. All the makeup is very pigmented and applies beautifully to the skin. Elf has three lines of make including: their regular line, studio line(professional line) and mineral line. All items in regular line are $1. The items on

20 | Imara Magazine

the regular line are cheaper and better quality than the makeup you find at your local store, so save yourself the trip! Most items in the studio line are $3 each.The studio line is made to knock off profession makeup lines like NARS and MAC and at very good deal, considering the price. Items in the mineral collection range from $3 per item to $20 for a complete face kit. These items hold their own when compared to any other mineral makeup on the

“Most

Cornellians look for shopping outlets outside of Ithaca.” market right now. Best of all, shipping is set at $6.95 no matter how much you order and free shipping for orders over $75. Now you will never have to sacrifice beauty for budget! We all know you can’t walk around with just makeup on, thus its now time to learn where to get clothes and shoes for a great price! On Amiclubwear.com, one can find great deals on clothes and shoes. Cute dresses and tops can be found starting at $9.99. Sweater dresses for the Ithaca weather starting at $12.99. With Ithaca weather everyone needs

boots, which are usually very expensive. Amiclubwear has quality winter boots starting at $12.99 and rainboots starting at $22.99. Regular shoes and sandals can be found starting $1.99. Shipping is free for orders over $50. Grab a friend or two and send in an order together to get free shipping! Bonus information time! For reading to the end of this article I have a gift for you! Both websites offer coupons so you can get discounts on the already ridiculous cheap products. Eyes lips face always has several coupons going on at the same time, from free shipping to item discounts. Examples of coupons in the past include 75% off mineral makeup, 50% the regular line and buy one get 75% off the studio line. Coupon codes can be found by simply googling coupon codes for elf or Amiclubwear. Amiclubwear also has coupons but they usually only have one coupon going at a time. None the less, in October 2009 they had a coupon for an extra 30% off the total order. --Matilda Ceesay


Health and Beauty

en m o ty W i r o n Mi and re a c h t al e H l ersa v i n U

On

Saturday, November 7th, 2009, the House of Representatives passed a historic bill, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which would be the first step in acquiring universal health care in America. Many are skeptical as to how this act will affect Americans financially. Of course, certain taxes will be put in place in order to afford this new form of health care. However, it will be providing a great benefit to a greater number of Americans. Minority women in particular will be greatly affected by this new health care reform in many positive ways. The fact of the matter is that women of color in America are often underrepresented and ignored. Many women of color, including African American and Latino women, who represent a large portion of the lower class or upper lower class, are unable to receive the health care that they need due to their socioeconomic status, often allotting any funds that they have to their family’s health care instead of their own. The passing of this bill in both the House and Congress will provide more affordable services and preventive care to women’s health issues such as breast cancer, HIV/ AIDS, and hypertension, which

is killing more and more minority women every year. These are diseases that, with the availability of quality care, can be prevented and treated for a healthier America. When interviewing students on campus about this change in health care, some Cornell women had this to say: “It’s a good thing because it’s ridiculous that 47 million Americans are without health insurance and contrary to popular belief these are people who actually work. They are playing with life and death. Hopefully now the whole medical industry will move from reactive to proactive.” -Shannon Edwards ’10

erybody should have equal access to health care if they need it.” -Imani Day ’11 “Well in terms of black women's health issues, I think the increased access to health insurance will have a positive affect on black women's health. The fact that insurance will be more widely available and easily accessible will encourage black women to visit the doctor more often.(Almost) all barriers will be removed.” -Anonymous

It is clear that many students feel that universal health care will be a benefit to all women of color. I will help alleviate financial issues, providing quality care, and removing social barriers that could “I think it’s gonna help Black be preventing women from visiting their physicians. Although it seems like this reform was created by the Obama administration to help mitigate the growing economical issues of the American people, it is important to take into consideration many of the cons as well, including government controlled health care and a possible raise in taxes for middle and upper middle class Americans. As citizens and beneficiaries of this health care reform we need to know as much information as provided so that we, the women because it’s gonna help people, can make sure that the right with the whole demographic of decisions are being made for us. lower class and upper lower middle class. A lot of times black people For more information on the Affall into this category. It will help fordable Health Care for Ameralleviate financial issues concern- ica Act please visit this website: ing health insurance and taxes.” h t t p : / / w w w . t h o m a s . g o v / -Alumni Morgan James ’09 --Makenzie McIntosh “I feel like everyone should have it regardless of who they are. Ev- April 2010 | 21


Staying Fit During The Winter Getting exercise when the weather is nice, is easy for anyone to do. But once that Ithaca winter rolls around and lasts for about 6 months, we stop walking to class, stop jogging, and try to spend as little time outside as possible. We would rather take the bus and be warm then walk to central campus and freeze. By taking the bus, we are depriving our bodies of vital cardiovascular exercise that is needed to stay fit. However, there are some exercises you can do in your room to stay fit and stay sexy in the winter time. NOTE: Here are some additional options to staying fit during the winter! -Buy a rubber band resistance kit and following workouts (around $10) -Watch pilate and abdominal workouts on youtube and follow along -Get a Cornell Fitness Centers gym membership (about $90 per semester or $145 for the year)

I

EASY WINTER TIME WORKOUT: Focus on these three areas and attempt to do 3 sets of 15 reps for each exercise -Abdominal Workouts Crunches Plank Sit-Ups -Leg Workouts Squats Lunges -Upper Body Workout Push-Ups **For more information about safe ways to do these exercises, please head over to imaramagazine.wordpress.com --Tommy Laymon

f you are one of those people you find yourself unable to run who is thinking about adding as fast or as long as your friends physical activity to your life and who have been running for a is unsure of where to start, this Guidelines to Getting Started long time. The most effective to article is for you! The first step way to start and stick to an exermay be the hardest one to make. cise regimen is to do something But once you’ve made the leap, have a car on campus you won’t that works best for you. Here are everything else comes naturally. even think about making the 10 some simple guidelines for the full Running is the most popular form of minute walk from collegetown to time couch potato looking to ofphysical activity for non athletes, al- the commons, even if it means sit- ficially abandon his/her old ways: though there are many other ways ting in traffic); you can even try a 1. Figure out what is holding you to get and stay fit: biking (when the kick boxing or dancing class! The back and get rid of it! If it’s time you weather is good – everyone knows possibilities are (virtually) endless. don’t have, you can start out by beIthaca has only two seasons: winter If you find yourself wanting to run ing active for 10 minutes a day for and July); walking instead of driving (you know it’s only because you feel a couple days a week. If that’s still (come on, we all know that if you left out because everyone else is too much, you can always resort doing it) do not feel discouraged if 22 | Imara Magazine

FITNESS:


Fitness: Guidelines to Getting Started | Health and Beauty

watching The Office on a Thursday night, do some sit ups or pushups in front of the TV. If you feel like that takes away from the Laugh Out Loud experience, that’s fine, you can do it during the commercials. 3. Last but not least, with all this physical activity, your body will need fuel. This means you will have to eat more food – not the bad kind, but the good kind (yes, cheesecake is bad. Just because it has cheese does not mean it counts toward your daily intake of dairy products). Whatever you decide to do, make sure it is something you enjoy. That way you do not get bored easily. Remember, life is short. MOVE IT!

TOP 5 ABDOMINAL EXERCISES: PT. 1 Bicycle Exercise 1. Lie face up on the floor and lace your fingers behind your head. 2. Bring the knees in towards the chest and lift the shoulder blades off the ground without pulling on the neck. 3. Straighten the left leg out while simultaneously turning the upper body to the right, bringing the

Photo Credits: Tina Chou

to rummaging through your pile of junk and find the Britney Spears or Backstreet Boys CD’s (guys, stop shaking your heads – you know you owned one of the two at some time or another). What better than blasting your stereo and dancing the night away to “Oops I Did It Again” while burning calories at the same time? It all adds up. 2. Another easy way to get fit is to incorporate little workouts into your daily routine. When you’re at home

grab hold of a stationary object for balance with one hand and use the opposite hand to grasp the leg around the ankle, lifting it toward your buttocks. Be sure to keep your back straight and not allow the knee left elbow towards the right knee. to drift forward ahead of the stance 4. Switch sides, bringing the right leg. Also, try not to slouch forward. elbow towards the left knee. This negates the stretch’s effective5. Continue alternating sides in a ness. An even more effective way to ‘pedaling’ motion for 15-20 reps. do this exercise is to position yourSTRETCHING TIPS self on the edge of a bench with Why is Stretching Important? one leg on the floor (knee bent, 1. Improves range of motion leg relaxed) with the other behind 2. Reduces muscle soreness you resting on the bench. On the 3. Improves circulation leg resting on the bench, grasp 4. Decreases muscle tension the ankle to pull your foot toward …just to name a few your buttocks. Hold the stretch on STRETCH OF THE each leg for about 10 seconds and MONTH repeat as many times as needed. Quads --Melissa Hewitt The quadriceps (quads) is the muscle in the front of the thigh. To do this exercise while standing, simply April 2010 | 23


The Cornell Experience | Wari House Interview

WANAWAKE WA WARI HOUSE INTERVIEW WITH KRISTINA WEEMS, FRANCINE MITTO, AND CYRE GUADALUPE

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estled along the street of Dearborn Road, a house stands with the number 208 in bold black numbers. To many others that are simply walking down the road, this house holds no history or significance. Yet as I entered and talked with the residents, I was able to unearth a history of activism, community service, and compassion for the multicultural community. Founded in 1968, during the times of racial tension among Cornell’s campus, Wari House offered the Black community a way to simply get away from the misunderstanding and animosity from the white community. And still standing today, Wari house has grown and progressed beyond measure. And the members have remained glued to their ideal purpose of bettering the condition of Black women on campus, in the community, and around the world.

Deborah Jack: How did Wari House get started? What is the history behind it? Kristina: the House was founded in 1968 amongst racial tensions on campus. There was one student named, Alicia Scott, and basically she was living in Balch and she had a very hard time adjusting there because the white women in Balch were very nasty and they just really misunderstood her. They accused of her , and some other black girls, of smoking weed , or marijuana the politically correct term, when the only thing they were doing was hot-combing their hair. There was just a lot of incidents like that, cultural misunderstandings, and it just led her to feel really ostracized in the Balch community and she was actually taken to a hospital for being “mentally unstable” when it was just a lot of emotional issues for her because she felt misunderstood. So Irene Smalls, which was one of our founders, and some other black women on campus actually fought for a space that could be created where black women could feel comfortable and that they express their cultural heritage without misunderstanding. It’s just a positive environment, overall to feel safe and be ourselves and celebrate who we are and all that greatness. So yea, we’re 41 years old. And Wari, we started being called Wari House, which is a Swahili term for “?” but now our official name is Wanawake Wa Wari and that was changed later on. It basically means “Young Women Preparing for the World”. DJ: Was Wari started during the Willard Straight Takeover? Kristina and Francine:It was before Kristina: Willard Straight Takeover was ’69 actually we’ve been told, that some of the meetings were actually held here to talk about and to plan the takeover. We predated Uj about 4 years so this was like the black club on campus. DJ:What are the ideals of Wari House? And are they still alive today? Kristina: Uh, basically our house has always done culturally centered programs specifically about the plight of black women not only at Cornell and the Ithaca community but also nationally and globally. Our house has always had a very strong tie to education in the black community. It provides another environment where

24 | Imara Magazine

black women can come and have a home as well as other people of African descent, which is why we have an affiliation with Ujamaa. Their actually like our “brother.” Seeing Cyre leafing through a red book, I asked her what it was. Cyre: This is, for the 25th anniversary, the ladies of the house compiled all the different documents and letters that they wrote out to get this house established and all the things that Kristina was saying is in here. Newspaper articles, likes it’s very very important. Francine: In the back of it, they have short essays and poems, that they feel embodied the spirit of Wari that they included. DJ: What Community Service do you do? Francine: Well, typically we go to Lansing which is a detention facility for young women. And we do a group mentoring session so we talk to them about whatever they want to talk about, self esteem, body image, you know, getting their GEDs, looking to go to college. Things of that sort. Last year, we did just a fun thing. They had a talent show and we taught them a step. And we brought people from Phenom .So just going down there and building a relationship with them. That’s what we do as a house. But we typically like individuals in the house volunteer. DJ: I heard that you guys also do you fund for a student in Ghana? Francine: Ohhhh yea. We also have a scholarship that sends a girl to secondary school because typically girls have to stay home and help the families so they lose out by having the daughter go to school. So this [scholarship] helps support the family while the daughter goes to school. We do have one student, who’s currently in secondary school, and we’re raising funds to send


Wari House Interview | The Cornell Experience another girl to secondary school. Kristina: We wanted it to be annual but given the economic hard times I think we’re gonna make it every two years. Because its $800 for four years.And that’s a lotta fundraising.Information about the scholarship and the girl’s profile is all on the website. DJ: So you fund for a new student evey two years? Kristina and Francine: Yeah Kristina:Our first scholarship went out last year. DJ: Oh , your first scholarship ever? Kristina:Yea.So we just created it. And we partnered with the Ghana Health and Educatoin Initiative. They actually make sure our funds actually go to a girl that fits our criteria because girls have no problem passing school. But its what Francine was mentioning, girls have housework to do and boys don’t so boys typically have more time to devote to school so they get higher grades when it comes to take the tests to makes sure you can get into secondary school. So when girls actually do pass the tests to get into secondary school they’re confronted with that financial barrier becase they’re from a small village, Humjimbre Village in Ghana. And the secondary school is usually miles and miles away. So that money helps out with room and board and that educational cost for 4 years. Cyre: Also I wanted to add about the community service. We’re looking into doing other community service projects in the area like maybe volunteering at Bridges. We’re trying to do Into the Streets this year. DJ:How did you guys get interested in the scholarship?

Kristina: One of our members went to Ghana through Cover Africa and she just saw, even though they were there for like malaria and this health focus, she just saw this disparity in education and how it was just really unfortunate for some girls who really wanted to go to school but either couldn’t afford it if they passed the test to get into secondary school. We were just talking about possibly contributing to it in some capacity to GHEI because they do try to fund to help cover the cost for children who can’t go.And we thought it be a good idea to create a scholarship for it because we’re all about education and women empowerment, especially women of African descent. So it just went well with the ideals of the house so we just contacted with them and made sure that the money goes specifically to a girl.

Kristina: Well, especially like, also Uj. Helps out a lot. They give us shout outs like every week at Unity Hour particularly because the first Unity Hour is about the assessment of Uj and the Willard Straight Takeover and Wari is very central to all of that. They do mention us and we always send representatives to Unity Hour every week. So even they do mention Wari people can connect our house and our history to current faces. And like, we have so many advocates in the community like Ken Glover, Professor Turner, Dr. Renee Alexander, they really put it out there for other students that we probably don’t reach.

DJ: I also wanted to ask how do you think the community views you?

Kristina and Francine:Yea Cyre: I’m a junior. Francine: we currently have two sophomores, two juniors, and 6 seniors. But for the past two years that I lived here, that’s how the numbers have been. And every year we have an influx of applications and I think that people love living in Wari and you kno, it’s a very friendly atmosphere and in addition to that, its like the best deal for campus housing. There’s no better place on campus to live. Kristina: Once you get into the house you can stay here until you graduate. So that’s why we have such a high number of seniors most of the time. I know I got here my sophomore year and I never left. And other people do the same thing. They might come sophomore year and junior year and stay. So we tend to have more upperclassmen depending on those numbers. In the future I just see more awareness and more connection to the black community and all the communities of color as well.

Kristina: Um, I don’t know. I think its definitely changing, I can tell you that much.From a, I would say, I don’t wanna misjudge previous years , but I would say that it was more so that the people who knew about the house were the people who lived in the house and their friends. And not necessarily a wider range of people in the black community but I feel like because every single member here for the most part is really out there and whatever fields they might be in is here. In addition to our friends, we also have affiliations with different organizations and sometimes those organizations come here, like Phenom held their meeting here and NSBE has had their meetings here…. Cyre: Les Femmes de Substance Kristina: Les Femmes uh…BWSN has had their meetings here. It just increases awareness of our house and we just really been trying to do that through co-programming and just inviting other black organizations here to get the word out. But I would definitely say that people, I don’t know. Cyre’: well you can even tell with just the increase in applications for Wari. So much more females on campus know more about Wari as opposed to my freshmen year. Francine: I agree. I didn’t know about Wari for a very long time. Until last year, right before I applied. So I think that awareness about the house is the thing that is changing the most.

DJ: My last question was what is the future for Wari House? Are you all seniors?

--Reported by Deborah Jack For more information about the Wanawake Wa Wari, you may visit http:// www.rso.cornell.edu/wari/index.html

April 2010 | 25


For the Imara Woman | Advice

What you wanted to know, but were too afraid to ask.... advice from auntie i

Dear Auntie I, I am West Indian and I have been looking for someone for a while. Recently, a white guy has now been trying to talk to me. I have never actually considered dating out of my race before but I feel as if things could go somewhere with him. The only problem is I am not sure how my parents or friends here at school would react or feel about the situation. I was going to pose this question on the BWSN listerv but was not sure the reactions I would get. What should I do?" -Loveless in Ithaca

Dear Loveless, Okay girl, as far as I am concerned, love is blind. The question you should be asking yourself right should be whether or not you could see yourself with this guy and not how your friends are going to react. You’re not going to be dating this boy for your friends now are you? If you think this guy can really make you happy, then I would tell you to go for it. Dating out of your race can be hard for some people, but what’s important is not the color of a person’s skin but their personality, and how they make you feel. Hey you never know he might do it better than all of your exes! --Auntie I*

To anonymously ask your questions, go to imaramagazine.wordpress.com for more infomation!

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t u O

Reach Out | The Cornell Experience

H C EA And Lend A Hand

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If you are ever looking for a way to volunteer your time, tutoring is a great way to do this. The achievement gap is one of the most frequently discussed issues in American education. The term achievement gap refers to the disparities in aspects of education such as standardized test scores, grade point average, drop out rates, and college enrollment among students of different race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. According to Gloria Billings, author of the 2006 article from the Education Researcher, “From the Achievement Gap to the Education Debt,” the achievement gap is a matter of race and class. The vast majority of students that suffer from the achievement gap are from urban or metropolitan areas. According to Billings, in 2005 the Education Commission of the States reported that the gap between black and Latino fourth graders and their white counterparts in reading scores was more than 26 points. In mathematics, the gap was more than 20 points. Some historical factors that have affected the gap include the fact that education was forbidden during enslavement. After the emancipation, freedmen’s schools were formed with the purpose of maintaining a servant class. During the legal apartheid, black students were given old text books and materials f r o m white

schools. Black students in the South who had to work on farms did not experience universal

served in a leadership capacity at sites around Cornell to create curriculum and coordinate the efforts of tutors. According to Barbara Wasik, author of the 1998 review “Volunteer Tutoring Programs in Reading,” from the Reading Research Quarterly, one-on-one tutoring can be an extremely effective form of instruction. The primary drawback is the high cost of providing these services to children. They cannot afford to pay for extra help. Although REACH tutors can choose to be paid for their services through work study, the students they tutor do not have to pay because the program is funded by AmeriCorps. Children should not "You don’t have to be be denied educational opportunities of historical or socioeconomic a teacher; all you have because factors. These factors may also have a to do is help motivate psychological impact on a child’s will to kids by showing them succeed. Their motivation is weakened that they can succeed" because of their external environment. Efficacy is low, meaning that they have secondary education until around lower expectations about the rewards 1968. Economic factors play an even from graduation. Tutors can help alter larger role in the achievement gap. these attitudes. You don’t have to be Urban areas have less money to provide a teacher; all you have to do is help to their school districts because the motivate kids by showing them that residents’ incomes are not as high as they can succeed. Sometimes people those residents in rural areas. This in college can relate to these students means that there are less tax dollars better than their teachers and parents being allocated toward education. can. REACH can expand with you help. --Alicia Adams To make training and motivating tutors easier, the Public Service Center began the REACH fellowship initiative in 2000. This program would enhance and add structure to the already existing programs. The purpose of the REACH Fellowship is to recruit, mentor, coordinate and unify a diverse group of tutors, so they have the necessary resources and peer support to make the program effective. During the spring semester of 2000, seven REACH volunteers

April 2010 | 27


And Lets Not Forget... We Would Like To Thank

Slope Media Cornell Design League Dr. Renee Alexander Kenneth Glover Matilda Ceesay Tina Chou Erin Arnette Malik Mack Makenzie McIntosh Professor N'Dri T. Assire-Lumumba And everyboy else that helped to make this issue a sucess!

The IMARA woman is... Cosmopolitan by nature She is modern by choice She is a queen by birthright She holds the puissance of Cleopatra The confidence of Nefertiti The allure of Aphrodite She embodies the Agape Theon She is the progeny of Isis She is fervent and resolute She is stronger than the strongest diamond And just as precious She is flirty, fun and fleeting She is a scholar, an athlete and a leader She excels, she succeeds, she overachieves She is the personification of IMARA Do you have what it takes for IMARA?

Want To Be Part of Something Great? Than IMARA needs YOU! We need photographers, writers, reporters, make up artists, designers, If your interested in working on IMARA at all, email imaramag@gmail.com for more info, or contact any of the eboard members today!

IMARA is an independent student organization located at Cornell University, produced, and is responsible for the content of, this publication. This publication was not reviewed or approved by, nor does it necessarily express or reflect the policies or opinions of, Cornell University or its designated representatives.


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