IMARA Spring 2014

IMARA STRONGER THAN A DIAMOND AND JUST AS PRECIOUS

Spring 2014

C o r n e l l ’s M u l t i c u l t u r a l W o m e n ’s M a g a z i n e

The Feminine Ideal

The Strength in a Name:

what it means to be a strong-willed woman

&

a look at femininity and leadership for

why feminism is relevant for black women:

a Tribute to Sarah Baartman

Shy Girls Bossy Girls

Meet the Board

Co-Editor-In-Chief/Treasurer Kyeiwaa Amofa-Boachie

Co-Editor-In-Chief/Treasurer Theresa Anoje

Co-Layout Director Mytien Nguyen

Co-Layout Director Smruti Mahapatra

Treasurer Jada Murray

Creative Director Stacy Ndlovu

Managing Editor Chardae Varlack

Staff Editor/Event Coordinator Briana King

editor’s note To Our IMARA Readers:

Twenty fourteen marks the 10 year anniversary of IMARA Magazine’s conception. We have indeed come a long way since our premiere issue and our namechange to IMARA. The success of our magazine is due to its past and future readers and contributors, and we want to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

While some things have changed, many things have stayed the same. Now more than ever, there is a need to maintain an outlet for women of color to share stories and experiences that are otherwise untold on campus or in The Daily Sun. Many people are openly discussing race like never before and its impact for people of color. Harvard’s photo-campaign “I, Too, Am Harvard,” along with various social movements on other college campuses including our own, have also gained traction.

I’m happy that talk about racial life experiences and privilege is happening (for it is long overdue), but we must not forget women face similar and unique experiences of their own due to their gender. For example, one unique issue lies with color and beauty. According to our anonymous Feminine Ideal survey that was distributed to all genders and ethnicities on campus, white Caucasian women are still considered the most attractive group amongst all ethnicities surveyed, including African American blacks.

Though beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is femininity. Hopefully, this semester’s theme of The Feminine Ideal warrants you to observe the societal norms of femininity today. I hope you will take time to challenge the aspects of femininity that construct what we consider to be ideally feminine or otherwise.

Layout Editor Alison Soong

Staff Editor Therese Banks

Happy reading!

Kyeiwaa :)

Not Featured Secretary: Claudia Gisemba Advisor: Reneé Alexander

4 6 8 10 12 18

why feminism is relevant: baartman tribute make the difference survey on the feminine ideal strength in a name skin deep shy girls & bossy girls

SPOTLIGHT 7 9 20

eyecandy student spotlights SAMMUS interview

FEATURES 13 14 16 22 23

diva speaks quiz: how independent are you?

161 things awkward moments final thoughts

contents

FEMININE IDEAL

Why Feminism is Relevant for Black Women

StacyNdlovu

A Tribute to Sarah Baartman F

eminism, it appears, is for white women. After all, we do live in a world where mainstream feminists applaud a white woman – Miley Cyrus - for twerking on a black woman’s husband, while the same feminists criticize a black woman – Beyoncé - for twerking on her own husband! Miley’s actions were considered empowering, a true show of female sexual liberation, whereas Beyoncé is seen as the archetypal woman who is controlled by her husband. This is just one of the many examples of the segregation that still exists in the feminist movement. Feminism continues to be so segregated that iconic black women like Angela Davis have expanded feminism to include black women; Alice Walker decided to shun the term “feminist” altogether for the “womanist” ideology. The womanist ideology encompases a social change perspective based upon the everyday problems and experiences of black women and other women of color, as well as the pursuit of equality for all people. However, the lack of intersectionality in the feminist movement does not mean black women should remain silent. In fact, it is why we should embrace feminism.

I recently read that for the first time in the USA, the National Center of Education Statistics shows that Black women have surpassed every other group (based on race and gender) as the most educated. Quite an achievement. Yet when I did a little research to see if any renowned publications, say the New York Times, reported on this, I found nothing. What struck me was the topics they typically focused on in relation to black women: “Black, Female and Single” (Dec 10, 2011); “Why Black Women Are Fat” (May 5, 2012); or more recently “Wealthy Reality Stars Humanize Black Women” (Jan 16, 2014). The first line of the last article was, “Black women are a cash cow for cable networks.”

Apparently reality shows “humanize” black women, yet somehow they are called cash cows, a term that describes profitable business ventures. I can’t see how that humanizes black women at all!

The black female identity is mostly defined by everyone else, except Black women themselves.

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Black women are represented as being overly sexed, loud, uneducated, perpetually single, angry, and desperate women. Black women are news only when they are being ridiculed or hypersexualized--that is a problem. When mainstream feminists objectify Black women (e.g. Lily Allen, “Hard Out Here”), that is a problem. Finally, when black women self-objectify, that is the biggest problem of them all! Most of us love Olivia Pope. She is a strong, educated, intelligent, and might I add, incredibly well dressed Black woman. Yet, she is also the stereotypical perpetually single Black woman holding on to a thoroughly destructive relationship. That representation of Black women, by a Black female writer, is a problem. Objectification does not empower Black women: it suppresses and derides them.

man and Black women in entertainment, the only difference I see is that women today have begun to delude themselves that being overly sexualized is empowerment. But how can it appear that way when Black women are more famous for shaking their bottoms on a TV screen than for being well educated?

When black girls do not have their own version of “My Brother’s Keeper”? No one else is going to fight for the dignity, respect and prosperity of the Black woman unless the Black woman pushes for it first.

No one.

I am not saying that we have to all adopt the term “feminist’: you can be a womanist, a black feminist, a blacktivist, bleminist, whatever concoction of the term you feel is inclusive. Some Black women shun feminism because they don’t want to be called ‘angry’ Furthermore it shows ignorance about what Black or ‘pushy,’ but why not? We have every reason to be women have been through and how they have been angry! What I am saying is do not be ashamed to own treated as sub-human. One of the earliest Black up to the fact that you believe in the social, political, women to be publically objectified for entertainment and economic equality of all women, and the recogpurposes is believed to have been Sara Baartman. nition of the inherent dignity and worth of women Sara Baartman, who has been dubbed “the original of color. Be proud that you are willing to fight for it: music video vixen” by some, was a South African Sara Baartman never had that option. woman taken to England in 1810. At the time, carnivals showcasing “human oddities” were quite popular and this Black woman, with her dark skin, large buttocks and elongated labia, was a popular sight to see. Called the “Hottentot Venus” (Hottentot being the derogatory term the Europeans used to describe the Khoikhoi people of South Africa), her half naked body was displayed in a cage for Englishmen to see.

After 4 years, she was moved to France, where she was displayed in a cage next to a rhino and was the object of much scientific and sexual interest for years.

As if that wasn’t enough humiliation, the Europeans were so obsessed with her body that after her death in 1815, they cut out and preserved several parts of her body, including her vagina, her brain and her skeleton. These were on display at Paris’s Musée de l’Homme until 1974. Calls for her remains to be sent back to South Africa began in the 1940s and France only acquiesced to return her home in May of 2002 after Nelson Mandela had pushed hard for it !

Although I consider myself a born optimist, I want to say that the situation of Black women is better today than it was in 1815. When I think of Sara Baart-

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Make the

Difference

S

By Claudia Gisemba

ince the dawn of female indepenthis successful woman, trying to live life as dence, the role women play in socishe does or did, only to find out that one’s ety has been ever-changing. Women path does not match up to the successful are no longer expected to spend all their woman? It may be an authoritative, executime caring for the household. They now tive, or a curvaceous model on the runway. have the opportunity to Indeed, it is frustrating to venture into careers and live a life that one is not workplaces that were once cut out for. This is chiefly The jealousy that deemed masculine. They because one considers the often exists among have the duty to create successful woman’s lifewomen when they a balance between their style as the best way to satcompare themselves work life and social life. isfy one’s concept of what to one another often They have a voice that is it is to be perfect. acts as hindrances to being heard in most places.

This idea lingers in the They are expected to sucmind of many and leads to the success of women. ceed. needless comparisons and Consequently, the envy that only derails one’s modern woman has higher success. The ideal, one’s expectations from society. Juggling beconcept of what is perfect, is giving one’s tween the feminine ideal, often associated best in whatever they set out to undertake. with beauty and body shapes, and achievIt is being focused and concentrating all ing her life goals are daunting tasks in a energies to achieve a set end. It is making competitive world. However, greater than a difference by small actions of doing one’s these is the negative social conditioning part. As a result, there will be less comwhich plagues our society. The jealousy parison with others and more comparison that often exists among women when they with oneself. It will be the competition to compare themselves to one another often better oneself by careful analysis of one’s acts as hindrances to the success of women. actions and goals. In this way, one sets a

Nonetheless, I would like to draw atsuitable ideal for herself: an ideal that is tention to the successful woman. Imagine attainable and accommodating, an ideal someone you consider as successful. How that makes a difference. many times do you compare yourself to

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Eye Candy

Kenya Sheppard

Year: Sophomore Major: Fine Arts College: AAP Hometown: Mastic Beach, NY Height: 5’ 9” Extracurriculars: Music, DJ-ing (DJ name: SB), guitar, producing mixed media What do you look for in a girl?

She has to be self-driven, certainly, because she has to have her own goals and be willing to sacrifice for them. And cute. That’s pretty much it. I don’t have a lot of requirements—just basically girls who are self-determined.

Describe yourself in one word.

Determined. If there is something that I want, I’ll take the steps necessary, that I think, to make it happen, whether it is school, music, art… anything really.

When it comes to girls, are you also determined?

Yes. Tell us about your family.

My mom is a graduate of Princeton, and she’s now a professor of Sociology at Saint John’s in Queens. And my dad is an artist. He’s a graduate of Saint John’s. They met after college at a newspaper in the city, The Daily News, and my mom was a writer and my dad was a photographer. I have a brother who’s 17 now.

Who is your hero?

I’d have to say my dad, because we’re very similar and we butt head a lot but when it comes to what we want to do, we’ll make things happen. He has that creative power, and we collaborate a lot to make things happen. He taught me everything I know about drawing, photography, and graphic design.

College Prowler’s website rate Cornell girls as a B+. How would you rate Cornell girls?

I’d say a solid A minus. In my experience, Cornell girls are very friendly. It’s just that I love the diverse community. It’s kind of cliché to say that, but I really do. I’m not attracted to one specific group of girls, and I have no problem meeting and talking to a lot of different girls, and they are very attractive in general.

What is the most daring thing you’ve done?

The most daring thing I’ve done with a long-term consequence is change goals from being artist to a musician, and spending my whole summer just learning software to compose and produce music.

If you reach into your jean pocket right now, what would you find?

My phone, my wallet, and my keys. Maybe a USB drive with music.

On girls and makeup...

I think it depends—I’m chill with a certain degree as long as it’s not over the top.

What is the craziest thing you’ve done to get a girl?

I don’t do anything out of control, haha. If I care enough about her, then pretty much no boundaries. I’ll find a way.

Describe a romantic evening: For me, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Doesn’t have to be going out to eat. It can a basic night where the main thing we’re focusing on is each other. And maybe I cook a little bit, she cooks a little bit. And just helping each other out, so it’s not like one person does everything.

What would you bring to a relationship?

I would bring to the table a dynamic and fun atmosphere. I’d bring determination. I’m conscious of other people, so if I feel like she’s important to me, then I’m going to put in the work to make sure she’s happy.

If you have a documentary of your life, which actor would play you and what would be the soundtrack?

The actor, definitely Jamie Foxx. First, this dude can act. He can sing and he’s a comedian, and our goals are very similar. I’m actually very inspired by his work too. For soundtrack, I’d pick Soundtrack 2 My Life by Kid Cudi.

What are you looking to do with arts?

Originally, I wanted to be a graphic designer—to get a job or be a freelancer. But now, to be honest, my main career goal—and it sounds crazy knowing that I’m majoring in Art—is music. I’m trying to do music but also use art basically in conjunction with that, just to use music and art together to form a career that I want to do.

What are your future plans?

Try to be a famous musician, and a successful entrepreneur of my craft. Basically, not just a musician, but manage my own business and make my own artwork. Run myself and my company smoothly with a small group of people perhaps.

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The Feminine Ideal:

What Cornell REALLY Thinks This semester, IMARA was interested in finding out your thoughts on expectations on women in our society. We asked about preferences on body types, hair, race, career aspirations and more. We got results from men and women of all races, SES backgrounds, sexual orientiations, and all 7 Cornell colleges. Here are some of the highlights:

On Body Type:

• In terms of body weight, 100% of men in the survey chose an ideal over 120 lbs, with 8% choosing above 150 lbs.

• While there’s consensus across gender that C’s are the ideal size (chosen by 67% of men and 62% of women), all men in the survey chose C’s or smaller, while all women chose B’s or larger.

• Men clearly prefer “modelesque” types compared to women, with 83% of men choosing an ideal height of 5’6”-5’11” while only 46% of women did.

“It’s not easy being different in a society that is hostile to your brand of beauty but it takes a certain kind of woman to stare in the face of that dissent.”

-Black female respondent

“I don’t think [the ideal according to most guys] is as skinny as the entertainment industry and many other mediums of discussion on beauty tell us.”

-White male respondent

On Hair, Skin Tone & Appearance:

• The average “ideal skin tone” across all respondents, with 1=pale and 10= extremely dark skin, was 5.65 (medium/tan-skinned), with the black female respondent average being 1.5 points higher than the male average.

• Men’s average rating for the “ideal outfit” for women was 0.4 points higher (i.e. more revealing) than the average across all respondents.

• Wavy was the most preferred “ideal hair type” among all respondents. Kinky/coil hair was least preferred among all groups except black female respondents.

On Work/Life Balance:

• When asked how women should priorite their lives, 66% of male respondents chose either “Career” or a variation of “whatever she wants”.

• Of the 10% of respondents who chose “Childrearing” as the ideal woman’s top priority, 60% were men.

• 78% of all respondents, and 83% of men, believe housework and family care should be shared vs. women prioritizing these roles more than men.

“As long as what needs to be taken care of [in terms of finances and housework] is taken care of in a compromised and acceptable manner among both spouses, then anyone can do whatever!”

-Black female respondent

On the Existence of a “Feminine Ideal”: “I think body type is likely the most important [factor] in determining if a woman is “hot or not”. Being shaped like a coke bottle with large breasts, hips, a shapely butt, and a small waist would make a woman feminine regardless of her skin tone or hair type.”

“Most of [women’s tendencies that meet the ideal] are imposed by unchallenged norms of what it means to be beautiful.”

“Women [who fit these ideals] are just as insecure as the rest of us.”

“There are a ton of subtleties [...] which I feel are far more important to recognizing femininity. It’s in her voice, her decisions, her reactions, her movements, her smell, her expressions, her presence, her perception, [... it’s] all presentation.”

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Student Spotlights Alix Cantor

Year: Senior, Class of 2014 Major: Fiber Science and Apparel Design President of Cornell Fashion Collective, a student-run organization that provides members of the Cornell community with an outlet to express creativity in fashion and fashion management What advice or words of wisdom do you have for other students on how to make the most of the Cornell experience?

I think you should surround yourself with people and activities that make you happy! Cornell provides students with so many opportunities and you should definitely take advantage of every single opportunity presented to you!

As a women what inspires you and keeps you going?

I am inspired powerful women in the fashion industry such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Marigay McKee and Rachel Zoe. How would you describe the ideal woman?

Motivated, confident and smart.

Courtney Gullett

Year: Senior, Class of 2014 Major: Nutrion Science Cornell University Dietetic Association (Treasurer) Southern Tier Dietetic Association (Student Liaison) Cornell Cheerleading Team (Administrative Assistant) College of Human Ecology Ambassador

What advice or words of wisdom do you have for other students on how to make the most of the Cornell experience?

Take advantage of all of the opportunities here. Definitely get involved with research, go to conferences, and join other organizations around the community. Most importantly, get enough sleep. Enjoy college, and do not worry too much about grades. At the end of the day, your grade point average will not be on your diploma. Always remember to stay positive!

As a women what inspires you and keeps you going?

I would say that in being a woman, particularly a woman of color, I’m inspired by other women of color who have achieved success in their lives. If I had to pick one woman today that I idolize most, it would be Michelle Obama because of her dedication to promoting nutrition and exercise for children. Knowing that I have the potential to achieve something great in my lifetime keeps me going each day and helps me stay on track when I start to lose focus.

How would you describe the ideal woman?

There is no ideal woman. Regardless of the length of your hair or the size of your body, everyone is ideal. It is just important to exude confidence. Do not feel pressured to fit society’s description of the ideal woman.

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The Strength in a Name

By Kyeiwaa Amofa-Boachie

There is no principle worth the name if it is not wholly good. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

H

ave you ever felt that your name just fits you? Some girls look like Ashleys and others like Jessicas, but I’m definitely a Kyeiwaa. For those of you who don’t know, my name originates from the Ashanti Kingdom of Ghana, West Africa. The name is intended for a strong-willed woman who is a force to be reckoned with, for a woman with high status coming from the headstrong Ashanti people. In today’s time, it could be considered a very feminist name, but that is not the only reason why I wholeheartedly embrace it. I embrace its definition because I found myself to be headstrong in most areas of my life before I truly understood what my name meant. This characteristic of mine has led me to go against the grain and follow my own path. I was reminded of my resilience this semester when an individual from Cornell’s Health Career Evaluation Committee (known as the HCEC) attempted to halt my medical school application cycle from under the radar.

I received a phone call just before 6pm on a Tuesday and was told that there were complications in my file. HCEC would not be able to write me a supportive letter. I knew something had gone awry—I had submitted all the documents well before their deadlines and had been interviewed by their staff. The interviewer responsible for writing the first draft of the evaluation letter stated that she believed I had the potential to become a great doctor. I was told that getting accepted into another Ivy League might be difficult but I shouldn’t lose hope of getting accepted into another prestigious program. Over the coming months, I periodically checked-in with HCEC staff to find out about the status of my application and heard that everything was progressing on schedule. All I needed to do was to submit my primary applications and wait for HCEC to place me on the evaluation letter release queue.

However, things went awry somewhere in the process. I was told that HCEC would not release the letter because doing so would “ruin the credibility” of the organization. Immediately, I was worried; I had already submitted a few secondary applications and contemplated my next steps since the schools had yet to receive my evaluation letter. The letter should have been on the release queue, but the associate who called me informed me that he needed to withdraw the support of HCEC due to several complications.

He commented that I didn’t deserve a positive letter of evaluation because the “HCEC only writes letters for people who deserve to go.” When I inquired, he stated that I had a low GPA, lacked the appropriate clinical experience, and did not have the motivation, commitment, or maturity for medicine.

With every explanation I offered, I began to realize his mind was already made up. He had no interest in what I had to say; he called to tell me that I was going to have to either wait a year to apply and or fail miserably without the help of the HCEC. So I ended the call as politely as I could and sat alone in my dark room wondering, What the hell just happened?

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While I stared at my phone and replayed the conversation in my mind, I had to remember just who I was. I am Kyeiwaa: headstrong, resilient, and resourceful. I can only imagine how many students this individual called with crushing news about the status of their medical school evaluation letters over the years. When I decided to challenge his decision, I knew I was doing this in honor of past and future applicants who had their dreams crushed in a twenty minute phone call.

Regardless, I can’t attribute everything to my name. What allowed me to fight back against the injustice were my physical support system—my family and friends. A friend encouraged me to meet with Vice President Murphy and the Executive Director of HCEC. The Director informed me that what the associate did was wrong—the subjective ‘flaws’ were easily explained and my GPA was not as problematic as first believed. She believed, as did I, that the associate’s actions and behaviors were unprofessional. ‘Red flags,’ if there were any, would have been detected by other HCEC staff much earlier in the process. About a week later, I received a supportive evaluation letter.

Quite frankly, there were a lot of things said in the call that I don’t wish to rehash. I was informed that the HCEC has plans to implement changes to ensure that similar situations do not happen again.

While I appreciate the effort, I won’t be on campus to make sure that’s the case—which is where you come in.

I want my experiences to serve as resources for current and future pre-medical students of color to speak up if you need to. Even if your name isn’t Kyeiwaa, there’s a strong-willed individual in each of us—and that is the person who determines your future. If you find yourself in a similar situation, take a step back and evaluate the problem. Consult family or friends in order to gain perspective, and then re-evaluate. And if something still seems off, speak up and be heard. There’s always someone out there willing to help, you just need to find them.

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Skin Deep...

Does it matter what she looks like?

Simply because you think you want her Because you think you need her?

Yet, you accidentally neglect the woman under the surface Honest mistake. You forgot to look.

As much as the physicality matters I’ll tell you, it doesn’t

You didn’t realize there was more to the woman More than the outer appearances The core of her being

Just because she symbolizes femininity Does not mean she deserves to be objectified Or despised for her beliefs

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By Briana King

It was there before And still here now.

Who is the perfect woman?

One with a mind of her own?

Or one that follows the crowd unwilling to step out on her own

Deep down There lies a woman Complete, content, and competent

Is she quick witted and sharp Yet thoughtfully passionate?

Do you even see these qualities?

Take a moment .

Think.

What’s it like to have someone else decide you’re

worth?

You think you can.

In fact, you boast that you can.

You believe that you alone yield the key To unlock her heart and mind

Trust me.

You won’t like it.

And neither does she.

Diva Speaks Dear Diva Speaks,

I am about to graduate from Cornell and enter Corporate America. I cannot believe that I will soon be able to refer to myself as an Ivy League graduate that is officially a part of the workforce! However, as proud of my accomplishments as I am, I have been tossing and turning at night with worry in regards to the male dominated culture that I will soon be immersed in. I fear that I will not be respected as a young woman, nor will I be looked upon as someone that is equal in the workforce. I feel as though my education and work experience have prepared me to thrive in the work environment, but I am still worried. I consider myself a feminist because I believe in the equality of men and women, but not everyone feels the same as I do. My major source of concern stems from the fact that I will be looked down upon because I am a woman, regardless of my educational background, my newfound title, and my hardworking spirit. How can I build up my confidence and snap out of it?

madamenoire.com

Sincerely, Worry in the Workplace

Dear Worry in the Workplace,

Your concerns are justifiable. When you look at the number of men in fields within Corporate America, it does tend to dominate the statistics over women. However, you are a capable, intelligent woman that should not let statistics deter you from taking your workplace by storm! It is important to always remain professional in all aspects of work, which include in your speech, in your dress, and in your demeanor. You do not have to be covered up from head to toe, or constantly be on the defense. Rather, you should respect your workplace’s dress code, steer clear of harmful gossip, and always display the respect you would like to receive in return.

Most importantly, work hard and let your work always speak for itself. There will be times when you may feel uncomfortable or get nervous, but always stand your ground, maintain a positive attitude, and try your best. Even when it seems as though the odds may be against you, trust in your abilities as an educated woman, and success will result.

Sincerely, Diva Speaks

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PERSONALITY QUIZ:

How Independent Are You? 1. When do you feel your best?

A) In the morning B) During the afternoon and early evening C) Late at night 2. You usually walk...

A) fairly fast with long steps B) fairly fast with little steps C) not as fast with your head up, looking the world in the face D) not as fast with your head down E) very slowly 3. Which of the following colors do you like the most?

A) Red or orange B) Black C) Yellow or light blue D) Green E) Dark blue or purple F) White G) Brown or gray 4. When relaxing, you sit with...

A) your knees bent and your legs neatly side by side B) your legs crossed C) your legs stretched out or straight D) one leg curled under you 14

5. When something really amuses you, you react with...

A) a big, appreciated laugh B) a laugh - but not a loud one C) a quiet chuckle D) a sheepish smile 6. You're working very hard, but then you're interrupted. You...

A) welcome the break B) feel extremely irritated C) vary between these two extremes 7. When talking to people you...

A) stand with your arms folded B) have your hands clasped C) have one or both of your hands on your hips D) touch or push the person you are talking to E) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth down your hair 8. When you go to a party or social gathering you...

A) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you B) make a quiet entrance while looking around for someone you know C) make the quietest entrance while trying to remain unnoticed

9. While in bed at night, during those last few moments before you go to sleep you are...

A) stretched out on your back B) stretched out face down on your stomach C) on your side, slightly curled up D) with your head on one arm E) with your head under the covers

10. You often dream that you are...

A) falling B) fighting or struggling C) searching for something or someone D) flying or floating E) having a dreamless sleep F) having a pleasant dream

POINTS: Tally up your score!

1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6 2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1 3. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1 4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1 5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 6. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4 7. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6 8. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2 9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c)4 (d) 2 (e ) 1 10 (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Total: _____

OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should “handle with care.” You’re seen as vain, self-centered, and extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but they don’t always trust you. They also hesitate to become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as exciting, highly volatile, and impulsive. While you are a natural leader that is quick to make decisions, you do not always make the right ones. They see you as bold and adventurous, given that you will try anything once, take chances and enjoy the adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting. You are someone who’s constantly the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced, so it does not go to your head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding, and as someone who will always cheer them up and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful and practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who’s extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expects the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize that it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but at the same time, it takes you a long time to get over it if that trust is ever broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious and extremely careful. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsive, or “spur of the moment,” because they are expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive. You are someone who needs looking after, and who always wants someone else to make the decisions for them. They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don’t exist. Some people think you’re boring, but only those who know you well know that you aren’t.

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things to do

For Women of Color: Part VII

Cornell is brimming with sources of inspiration. Whether it’s a new course offered in or outside of your major that you’ve wanted to explore, a new club related to something you’ve always wanted to try out, a new professor, a new hobby, a new book, blog, or even a new friend, there is something on campus for everyone that can set them on a more fulfilling path. It just takes a little bit of digging and open-mindedness to get there. IMARA hopes that just one of our suggestions helps set you on that path. Enjoy!

#121

Consider using mindfulness meditation to reduce stress and increase focus.

Gannettoffers a Guided Meditation Series at locations across campus throughout the semester. For more info, visit www.gannett.cornell.edu/meditate

122. Take Professor Carole Boyce Davies’ course, “Black Women and Political Leadership,” to learn about how women of color around the world affected change in their communities and get inspired!

123. Get in touch with Dr. Renee Alexander at 626 Thurston. She is a huge resource in the multicultural community and she can help you to get in touch with alumni and other student groups, and help you to maneuver your Cornell experience.

124. Try your luck at acting by signing up for PMA 2800: Intro to Acting. Or, audition for a student-run production, like “The Vagina Monologues.”

Attend the Black History Month dinners in February, with cuisine ranging from soul food to African, Caribbean and Afro-Latino.

#125

126. Attend events in honor of Women’s History Month in March, like its kick-off event, “Color of Our Character,” or the International Women Day Leadership Award Luncheon.

127. Check out fashion trends from around the African continent at the Afrik! Fashion Show, during Africa Week (March 1st- March 8th).

128. See the work of aspiring designers in the Fiber Science and Apparel Design department at the Cornell Fashion Collective show held in April.

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129. Go to the Annual Men’s Appreciation Ball hosted by Les Femmes de Substance to honor the men of color making a difference in our community.

Fishbowls on Wednesdays at Level B. Enough said.

#130

131. Go to a charity concert at The Nines, and order deep-fried corn nuggets while you’re there.

132. Shamelessly have Insomnia Cookies delivered to your dorm or apartment - at least a dozen.

133. Set up a Tinder account, or another social dating site account - forget the shame. Then, immediately regret your decision and delete your account.

134. If you’re without February break plans, attend the PossePlus Retreat, which takes place every spring and brings together female students, faculty and administrators to discuss important social issues.

135. Help a friend raise money for an Alternative Spring Break trip by buying a box of Krispy Kreme donuts. The fundraiser occurs every Spring, with the proceeds going towards a worthy cause.

#136

Check out an independent movie at Cinemapolis, located in the Commons.

Recentfilms have included 12 Years a Slave, American Hustle, and Her.

137. Vote for your Student Assembly representatives! These students will stand up for your interests in University decision-making, so your choice matters.

138. Now that’s it’s been brought back for next year, take Corey Earle’s AMST 2100: The First American University. It’s a great opportunity to learn about Cornell’s history and develop of a sense of school spirit for your alma mater.

139. Check out the newly-renovated Cornell Dairy Bar for breakfast, lunch, coffee or a delicious treat from a variety of Cornell Dairy Bar’s ice cream flavors.

Go to Cornell’s celebration of Holi, an Indian festival of colors that happens on the Arts Quad every April, where attendees come together to share music and dance while being covered by all of the colors of the rainbow.

#140

If you missed the last 100, check out previous issues on http://issuu.com/imaramagazine!

17

Shy Girls Femininity

I

&

By Theresa Anoje

recently had the pleasure of walking through the “Women in the Big Picture” art exhibit in the Willard Straight Art Gallery. I walked around the room and saw a variety of Cornell alumnae with amazing accomplishments, ranging from professors and administrators to scientists and astronauts, top executives and leaders of major nonprofits, elected officials, renowned authors, actresses, musicians and artists, and journalists and media commentators (I won’t get into the shade I threw, as a Government major, at Ann Coulter and S.E. Cupp on the wall).

I couldn’t help but feel inspired by the women who came before me and had done so much with their Cornell education. That is, until I came across a very interesting part of the exhibit—a small mirror, about the size of the portrait of each alumna, mixed in amongst the portraits. I took a look at myself. I envisioned my future self, alongside these impressive women.

And I cringed.

Actually, to be more accurate: I contemplated this idea briefly before ducking away from my reflection muttering, “Nah...”

I can’t say I’m particularly proud of this moment, of having doubted my potential so quickly and easily. But if you look at the statistics on women in leadership posi-

“True leadership is not conditional, rarely asks for permission and, contrary to popular belief, knows no gender.”

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Bossy Girls Leadership

tions, it’s clear I’m not alone in my self-doubt. It should be no surprise that women make up a whopping 50% of the world population, but it may or may not be a surprise that less than 5% of Fortune 500 companies are led by women; only 21% of state parliaments (and 19% of the U.S. Congress) are occupied by women, and currently only 19 heads of state/government are female. Granted, there are a number of real, systemic barriers that continue to stop women with even substantial confidence and drive from breaking through the proverbial “glass ceiling” around the world. But by 2014 in the U.S., more than forty years after the peak of the Women’s Liberation Movement, after Roe vs. Wade and the dawn of birth control, and after the huge shift of women breaking from norms of early marriage, childbearing and homemaking to pursue their own careers, it seems the remaining obstacles to women entering and thriving in prominent positions are primarily cultural and small-scale. For many of us, we may be doing it to ourselves.

I would consider myself among those doing the limiting to themselves. I attend an Ivy League institution which, other than offering prestige, also equips me with a relatively progressive liberal education. As a Government major and Inequality Studies minor, I’ve become wellversed in the institutions and ideologies that inhibit or advance equality and power for anyone on either side of the line dividing privilege and disadvantage. I consider myself very passionate about social justice and, doubt aside, a feminist with a number of heroes and mentors to look to for inspiration. If anyone was going to break through whatever obstacles exist for women in leadership, I and almost any female on this campus is well-positioned to do so.

And yet, I never realized how little I had internalized and applied these lessons to myself. What I’ve always hidden behind when thinking of reasons to not rise up to my potential is that I make up, essentially, “the trifecta of inhibitors” to leadership: not only am I 1) female but I’m also 2) a person of color and *drumroll* 3) an introvert (and an anxious one, at that). Every step towards achievement and leadership I’ve ever taken has been with some consciousness of how those three factors may ultimately limit my

potential. However, due to having been a high-achieving student most of my life and pressure to live up to the image of being what my dad calls “Osoji” (i.e. of his tribe, i.e. an idealistic Nigerian go-getter), I’ve put myself in a number of leadership positions, challenging internships, and other spaces with the hope of shaping myself into the leader I was ‘supposed’ to be.

One such opportunity was an internship with a small business development center last winter, in which I participated in a focus group that specifically targeted introverted college-aged women. In the “Shy Girls” group, led by our client Val Nelson who works as life/business/ career coach specializing in (as she describes it) “helping introverted women and girls find their clarity, confidence, and natural flow” in their careers and lives, we discussed many of the biases that women face in classrooms, business, and other public spaces. An interesting idea from the discussion was the double-sided pressure for all women resulting from stigma towards being softer-spoken (taken as a sign ofweakness) alongside stigma towards being assertive (taken as being domineering or unfeminine).

Many outspoken feminist leaders have spoken about this recently, and in fact the catch-22 experienced by women in leadership is a hot topic right now. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s already viral TedTalk “We Should All be Feminists”, which speaks on cultural expectations on women to “shrink themselves” away from ambition or, otherwise, try and fail to meet male standards for assertiveness and power, has recently gotten even more popular after Beyoncé featured a segment of it in “Flawless.” Sheryl Sandberg, already leading the charge for women to assert themselves more in professional environments with her book Lean In, has recently launched a “Ban Bossy” campaign in an attempt to eradicate the stigma around the word bossy, which is disproportionately applied to girls for showing assertiveness compared to boys.

Studies have even shown that for women in contrast to men, success and assertiveness are negatively correlated with likability, meaning that the higher women climb professionally, the worse they’re received by men and women alike (if you need a real-world example, just look at Hillary Clinton). This is compounded even further for black and latino women, who already carry stereotypes of attitude, sassiness, and overall aggressiveness. The mixture of these different negative forces often hinders women from pursuing prominent roles: other studies have shown that on average, a woman considering to run for political office needs seven people to encourage her, versus a single supporter being enough to convince a man to run. With all the progress we’ve made towards gender equality, many women still meet and often shy away from resistance to

breaking out from typical molds of behavior for women.

At various times, I’ve oscillated between each end of the bossy/shy female leadership spectrum. It’s difficult now to absorb the fact that I was voted “Most Opinionated” in high school, and that bossy and aggressive were adjectives commonly associated with my name. But even then, my leadership style was rooted in a polite, submissive mentality. I waited my turn, avoided speaking over others, and only asserted my opinion when certain that no one else had something more valuable to say. My position on the debate team, leadership positions in extra-curriculars, and an over-belief in my own righteousness were outlets for my conditional version of ‘bossiness.’ Moreso than I’d like to admit, however, over the past four years I had let the conflicting pressures of femininity and leadership get the best of me. I’d put not looking aggressive, disagreeable, or wrong above speaking my mind. And in many instances, I put my own insecurities and doubts in my potential above accomplishing the things that were most important to me.

The problem with this, and what stopped me from looking myself in the mirror and believing in my own leadership potential, was that it was much too rooted in a need for other’s approval. What sets these women apart from lesser known Cornell grads and other women around the world is their willingness to define themselves and their paths outside of society’s expectations. The moment they each became leaders in their respective fields was not when they accepted whatever title to which they’d been appointed, or whatever accolade had been awarded to them. It happened the second they decided to disregard the criticism, the stigma, the more-than-occasional setbacks, and even their own nagging doubts that they were reaching too high or stepping out of their place. Understanding this helped me to realize that true leadership is not conditional, rarely asks for permission and, contrary to popular belief, knows no gender.

Since that day at the “Women in the Big Picture” exhibit, I’ve slowly started adjusting to the idea that I may someday join those women on the walls as a notable alumna in my own right. Or I may not—life happens, and fame and recognition aren’t huge driving forces for me.

But stopping myself from aspiring to such heights-- either by limiting myself to a set image of what a “leader” is supposed to look like, or not wanting to face the criticism that comes with the territory-- is no longer an option.

To learn more about Val Nelson and her services, visit http://www. valnelson.com/. To learn more about Sheryl Sandberg’s Ban Bossy Campaign, visit http://www.banbossy.com. Also be sure to check both Chimamanda Adichie’s full TedTalk “We Should All be Feminists” and Sherly Sandberg’s TedTalk “Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders”.

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Interview

with

Sammus

Featured on top music sites from MTV Iggy to HipHopDX, XXL and OkayPlayer, up-and-coming rapper and producer Sammus is making quite a name for herself in the male-dominated field of hip-hop. Even more impressive is how she’s accomplishing this all while pursuing a PhD full time here at Cornell, bringing new meaning to her title as the “20-credit rapper”. IMARA got a chance to talk to Sammus about her start in music, upcoming work, how she stacks up against the image of women in rap, and how her music is giving voice to “black girl geeks” everywhere.

How did you first get started with music, and when did you first get involved with making beats?

As a child, I developed certain musical sensibilities thanks to a short-lived enrollment in piano lessons, as well as informal guitar lessons I received from my older brother. I always had divergent musical tastes but for whatever reason I really began gravitating towards music that featured particular video game-like synths, in addition to music directly from video games. Based on a desire to produce this type of music (which I believed would later serve as the soundtrack for a cartoon and game I was trying to develop) I started recording some preliminary ideas on tape that I either sang or pieced together on the piano. It wasn’t until high school when I purchased MTV Music Generator, a Playstation game and music sequencing program, that I started to develop a taste for producing using a sequencer. Soon after that during the summer before my senior year my older brother taught me how to use the production software Reason and from then on I was completely hooked to making beats on the computer (although now I use Logic).

What do you think about the lack of women in the music production industry? What encouraged you in get involved in spite of that?

Obviously I would love to see more female producers.

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I’ve always lamented being the only female competitor at any beat battle in which I’ve participated. But I also think mainstream feminist media has regularly overlooked many of the amazing female producers who already are making big moves like TOKiMONSTA, Wondagurl, and Awkwafina among others. I’ve expressed frustration in the past over this issue and I’m hoping that through the presence of myself, those I already mentioned, and countless other female beatmakers we can push back against the narrative that there just aren’t that many women making bangers out there.

To answer the second part of your question, I have to admit that gender wasn’t something I thought a lot about initially. Perhaps it was the fact that my older brother was the person I followed the most closely as a child, or that I had parents who instilled in me a deep sense of possibility about myself and the world, or that I grew up with an exceptionally talented and creative peer group but I always believed that any knowledge set or skill set I desired to acquire was accessible to me if I could sit down and take the time to learn. By the time I first started to really think critically about the fact that my gender was a source of curiosity for some people, I had already been making beats for long enough that nothing they said could discourage me.

Who are your biggest inspirations lyrically & beat-wise? Who are you listening to right now?

Production-wise my inspirations are Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Ryan Leslie, MF Doom, Daft Punk, Chromeo, Masato Nakamura, Cornelius, Dam-Funk, and DJ Shadow. In terms of lyrics, I always enjoy artists who put words together in interesting ways, regardless of genre. I appreciate the lyricism of Open Mike Eagle, Björk, Thom Yorke, and Mos Def. Finally in terms of who I am listening to right now -- I really enjoy DC singer Kelela’s mixtape “CUT 4 ME.” She has an interesting voice, which she somehow integrates with a mixture of really wild, yet minimalist production. I’ve also been listening to LA-based art-rap collective, the Hellfyre Club, and Minneapolis-based rapper/singer Lizzo’s crazy good album “Bangers.”

How do you feel about the image of women in rap music, and how do you think you stand out against other female emcees (i.e. Nicki Minaj, Trina, Azealia Banks, etc.)?

I’m hesitant to speak on “the image of women in rap music” because a phrase like that implies that there is a singular lens through which all people view female rap artists. Obviously certain images often prevail in a mainstream context (thin noses, small waists, long hair, light skin, big boobs, big butt) but I think that for anybody with mild curiosity it’s easy to find a wide array of dope female artists who look and sound completely different than the usual suspects. I say that to say I feel really excited about the variety of female emcees that I see around me. From MIA to Jean Grae there are so many different cadences, sensibilities, shapes, sizes, colors, and backgrounds.

In terms of how I stand out from other female emcees (or emcees more generally), I think its a combination of life circumstances and intentional decisions. While growing up I felt like I was too African to be American and too American to be African, I’ve found that my background has allowed others who have felt a sense of displacement to connect with my story even if they don’t know what I talk about in my music. [...] The unique combination of identities that I happen to represent, helps me to stand out by allowing me to inhabit multiple spaces at one time and connect with many audiences. So when I make a song, it might pop up on Okayafrica, or it might pop up on DJBooth. But then there are other ways that I have intentionally carved out a niche to make myself stand out. I’m vocal in my music about my experiences as a black Ivy League alumna, a PhD candidate, and a Teach for America corps member in ways that I haven’t heard expressed by other emcees. Through simply being explicit in my music about inhabiting some of these unique spaces I’ve made a connection with college kids, struggling PhD candidates, and recent graduates trying to find their place in the world.

I’ll end by addressing the most obvious part of my identity that helps me to stand out, namely my deep love of all things nerdy and geeky that has come to characterize much of my existence as Sammus. When I dropped “M’other Brain” in 2012 I never imagined that it would be received as well as it was by so many self-identified nerds and geeks, because while

I did reference the games and cartoons that marked much of my childhood and adolescence, it was usually in the interest of making broader points about life as I see it. But once I realized that I was being given a platform to represent the experience of other brown girl geeks and nerds, I actively began to project more of my identity as a black girl geek through my image and persona. I often recall one night last year, when someone left a nice comment on my Facebook page informing me that his African American daughter is a bookworm, and a huge gamer and has become a big fan of mine. She is exactly the person to whom my music is designed to speak and I don’t think that anybody else, male or female, has done that in the way I’m trying to do it.

Tell us about your upcoming work.

I will soon be completing “Another-M,” a seven track Kickstarter funded EP based on the classic Nintendo game Metroid, in which my namesake, Samus, first appears. I will then be working to finish up collaborations with some of the other members of my NuBlack family, including one track with the legendary D Nilsz for an Indiegogo funded movie project called “Rodney: A Hip Hop Noir.” The film’s soundtrack will also feature music from YC the Cynic and Chance Fischer among others, so I’m pretty excited about that! Finally, this summer I will begin crafting production on album #3. I’m curious to see how nutty everything is going to sound once I get it on paper, particularly after this sleepless semester during the longest winter ever.

To learn more about Sammus and check out her music, visit http://sammusmusic.com/.

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AWKWARD moments

...

By Therese Banks “That awkward moment when your friend cancels lunch with you because they’re supposedly sick, and then you run into them fifteen minutes later, on their way out to lunch with other friends, laughing and completely healthy.”

“That awkward moment when your dad calls your new boyfriend by your ex-boyfriend’s name - Repeatedly.”

“That awkward moment when a person you’ve met multiple times does not recognize you at all when you wave to them on your way to class.”

“That awkward moment when someone thinks you’re staring at them, when you’re really just spacing out.”

“That awkward moment when you wish one of your closest friends a, “Happy Birthday,” because Facebook told you to, only to find out that it is not actually their birthday.”

“That awkward moment when you trip on the stairs in front of a whole crowd of students, pick yourself back up, and then trip again.”

“That awkward moment when you’re left alone to hang out with a friend’s friend, only to realize that you don’t know each other at all and don’t have anything to talk about. Cue the awkward silence that you’re both going to pretend is comfortable.”

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Final Thoughts “The kind of beauty I want most is the hard-to-get kind that comes from within: strength, courage, dignity.”

- Rudy Dee “Once we give up searching for approval we often find it easier to earn respect.”

- Gloria Steinem “A culture fixated on female thinness is not an obsession about female beauty, but an obsession about female obediance. Dieting is the most potent political sedative in women’s history; a quietly mad population is a tractable one.”

-Naomi Wolf “Becoming the new feminine ideal requires just the right combination of insecurity, bulimia, and surgery.”

- Garry Trudeau

“It’s in the reach of my arms The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips.

I’m a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That’s me.”

-Maya Angelou

“Where there is woman there is magic.”

-Ntozake Shange “Sometimes, I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It’s beyond me.”

-Zora Neale Hurston “Nature never repeats herself, and the possibilities of human soul will never be found in another.

-Elizabeth Cady Stanton “I have chosen to no longer be apologetic for my femaleness and my femininity. And I want to be respected in all of my femaleness because I deserve to be.”

-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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Special thanks to: Dr. ReneĂŠ Alexander, Sammus, SAFC,

and everybody else that helped to make our 10 th year in publication a success!

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

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IMARA Magazine is an independent student organization located at Cornell University. The content of this publication does not necessarily express or reflect the policies or opinions of IMARA Magazine, Cornell University, or its designated representatives.