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Mars @sensit iveblack p
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there’s anything that this current administration has taught us, it is that today there are few things more powerful than 140 characters. Together the sharing of words and images through social media have demonstrated a positive correlation between social media and activism. While social media is characterized as lessening the active, through keen organizational and creative skill some socially woke youths are working to make retweets, likes, and shares a symbolic way of taking a stand. Mars (@sensitiveblackperson), a genderfluid 19-year-old, co-founder of the movement @arthoecollective, offers a platform of visual culture and creativity. She uses this social space to questions and in many ways shatters archaic social constructs of sexuality, gender and race. Mars is initiating a counteract to the historic inequality of black people’s access to art cultivation. Amongst Mars’ collaboration page are submissions of poems, films, photography and music which create a dialogue artistically formatted with themes of comfort and the harmonious relationship between
multidimensionality and the natural world. Her range of content varies from advocating the validation of love across all dimensions to the celebration and autonomy of the black culture and identity. @theslumflower also known as Chidera Eggerue, is a South-London native who writes in response to the dehumanization of black people. Fueled by experiences of prospering to be beautiful amongst and despite environments advocating the opposite, Eggerue credits using diverse
Written by: Ayo’Chinue U. Blakeney | Designed by: Malkia Peterson
ue er r gg we a E flo er id lum Ch hes @t outlets to, “highlight misrepresentation and cultural stifling.” Her post titled, “Saggy Boobs Matter” illustrates the issues surrounding self-hate, lack of representation, and universal ownership of the female body as well as the rejection of what is deemed “socially acceptable.” Another peice, “How to Rainbow Pants,” checks those who actively or ignorantly use their privilege as grounds for reducing blacks to objects subject to their mistreatment and disrespect. Creative visual and written works are no stranger to social media, but the use of academia as a revolutionary often falls under the radar. Dr. Eve Ewing, @wikipediabrown, flawlessly mixes the concise, direct language of Twitter with research-based evidence. She cleanly matches her content with a quickwitted, unapologetic delivery that adds a certain bite to her storytelling. As an
educational sociologist by trade, her books, research and tweets call out the racism and social inequality that plagues the American education system. Identity holds a major, if not central, place in the fight for social justice. Whether it be of racial, gender, or even political context, to have them recognized and respected is the universal goal. In the wake of the communication evolution, those committed to change are not letting this fight get lost in transition. Social media, as evidenced in the names highlighted, can prove vital to social activity within the U.S and abroad. The words of Carlos Motta in the Journal of Visual Culture reign true of our society, “visuality is the center of the power struggle.” In this contemporary landscape what it means to revolt has evolved. Words and pictures are more powerful than ever especially when translated as intimately as through your smartphone.
“ IN THE WAKE OF THE
COMMUNICATION
ng Ewi wn Eve diabro Dr, kipe @wi
EVOLUTION, THOSE COMMITTED TO CHANGE ARE NOT LETTING THIS FIGHT GET LOST IN
TRANSITION”
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Written by: JonMichael Francis Designed by: Malkia Peterson
LEADERS OF THE N E W SCHOOL SCHOOL NEW hiny computer screens illuminate student’s faces as they scroll the World Wide Web. The pitter-patter of fingers gliding over the keyboard echoes the room. “Come on!” encourages Professor Bettye Grable as she paces the lecture hall, “You all are Millennials!! Find the answers!” Shortly after, student’s eyes widen and hands are shot up in the air- the question gets answered.
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The Millennial generation is making their mark on higher education. This plugged-in age group has different learning methods and expectations than previous classmates, thus inverting today’s classroom environment. Most notably, students now are challenging conventional teaching styles and practices, causing educational institutions to adapt.
Millennials are rapidly expanding the traditional college curriculum and have different educational and professional outcomes than their predecessors. Many courses now offer an online component to further communicate the educational objective. Technology has allowed for more students to obtain an education via online learning solutions, and many have reaped the benefits of distance learning. Within the traditional classroom, technology is now coupled with lectures and projects. Professors incorporate multimedia into their presentations, captivating student and allowing for more discussion and collaboration. Meri Culp, a professor at Tallahassee Community College, has taken advantage of this. In her English composition classes, she encourages students
to see text as more than just written material. “Poetry, videos, music, and other forms of media allow for students to respond to the material more analytically and creatively” she states, “text has become more than just print or word.” As technology has advanced in the classroom, libraries have seen the impact as well. Search engines have changed the way people find information, conduct research and connect with others. Long are the days of searching books through the Dewey Decimal System or the card catalog and thumbing through texts. SJGC librarian Karen Southwell has seen the improvements technology has made in regards to research. “Journal articles have been revolutionized by technology,” she stated. “When I first started as a librarian I lived inside my head, and now I live in other peoples head. I am trying to figure out what they want before they know they want it.” The ability to access information outside of set library hours or restrictions to reserved texts, has allowed Millennials to explore more articles quickly and efficiently, thus creating a more forward thinking student. The word Google itself became a word in the Oxford English Dictionary in 2006 (which was found with a quick Google search) and has become a platform for engaging students anytime, anywhere and on any device. Instant gratification of search engines feed inquiring minds, but often with a caveat. SJGC Associate Professor Valerie White has seen the rise of search engines first hand. “Google has become a powerful tool,” she states, but “as journalists we have to have a sixth sense, and be equipped to do enough digging and research of our own to avoid presenting a skewed message.” Another trend that higher education has started to notice with the Millennial generation is the ushering of a more educated student. Many students aren’t too keen on marrying early; rather they are more focused on furthering their education and socioeconomic status. With opportunities in the current job market slowly on the rise, many Millennials are opting to stay in school for longer periods of time, noticing the correlation of education and
income level. Many don’t see the need to settle down as quickly as their parents and fear being confined and constrained in a single job market. Graduating senior: Bex Hunter, has used the experiences that she has had over the years of higher education to help narrow down her interests. “In high school you are confined in a bubble, but the longer that you are in school, the bigger view of the world you have.” In relation to the job market, she sees how Millennials have been challenging the status quo of typical careers. The use of social media, and the ability to sponsor individuals and connect worldwide, shatters the typical nine to five job. “You can find something that interests you and you can go and do it!” she stated. The notion that the Millennial generation is a group of 20 something’s aimlessly floating through life couldn’t be further from the truth. Millennials are simply motivated to work on things that interest them, and see little value in doing something for the sake of doing something. This revelation has challenged the traditional busy work previously placed upon students in the classroom. The demand of students having high expectations to feel fulfilled professionally and academically in the classroom has leveraged higher education to change traditional teaching styles.
THE NOTION THAT MI L L E N N I A L THE MILLENNIAL G e n e r a t i o n IS GENERATION A GROUP OF 2 0SOMETHING’S Something’s 20 AIMLESSLY FLOATING THROUGH LIFE COULDN’T BE FURTHER FROM TRUTH THE TRUTH. 10
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s college students, we have entered into an era where it’s not uncommon to see “Owner” or “LLC” on a resume. That’s because when you’re in college, especially at Florida A&M University, everyone has a “side hustle” or service to make some quick, extra cash. Sometimes, that hustle turns into a business, like it did for Senior Philosophy FAMU student Castillo Mitchell. The brand Flex My Complexion, often seen on t-shirts around campus or at Set-Fridays, began as a shirt Mitchell designed for his sister’s make-up line focusing on women with darker skin tones. In spring of 2016, Mitchell launched Flex My Complexion LLC. His inspiration for this solo venture into the fashion industry stemmed from a sentiment many young people have about joining the labor force–they don’t want to work for anyone else. Mainly, Mitchell wanted to create something that contributed to the black community and promoted black artistry of all forms. Flex My Complexion is a clothing line specializing in t-shirts, tanks tops, crop tops, and outerwear. The original design of the t-shirt was inspired by the graphics from “The Martin Show.” Mitchell continued to formulate his logo with the air of black excellence the was prevalent in the 1990s. “Everything was pro-black,” said Mitchell. “Everybody wanted to be black, black people
were extremely successful, black people were in the forefront, black pride was in. It was like a ‘Black renaissance.’” With Flexin My Complexion she hoped to bring back that same feeling, saying “I want us to go back to those days of being unapologetically black. It’s not just a trend anymore black culture is an environment, it is a movement, a community that makes us a culture.” Like Mitchell, Sophomore Graphic Design student Bob Abraham is on the fast track to being featured on the 30 under 30 list. Abraham is the owner of Architect Studios, self-described as an apparel line, “for all creatives.” Architect Studios is a t-shirt line using designs influenced by high end streetwear brands. Hailing from Ft. Lauderdale,
Fla., Abraham has been designing since the 6th grade. “I developed a love for creating things,” said Abraham. As he develops a deeper knowledge and comprehension of graphics through his coursework, he hopes Architect Studios will become a brand that will represent creative people. Architect Studios’ recent Spring/Summer collection echoes the aesthetic or popular hypebeast brands like Thrasher and Palace with an hip-hop edge. College campuses are hubs of creativity and young people are capitalizing on that now more than ever. “I’ve never been the one to take orders, I hate it, having my own business allows me to have, my own voice. Entrepreneurship brings change,” said Abraham. He hopes his brand will represent artists and creative visionaries who are using their business insights to pursue careers that will capitalize on their full creative potential. The new wave of young entrepreneurs like Mitchell and Abraham are ahead of the game, and they’re playing to win. FAMU Theatre Professor Christopher Berry just happens to be on of their biggest fans. He has kind, yet charged words for the next generation of business owners. “I believe you all will do great things, and this will be the generation that will take down those giant corporations,” he said. Millennial entrepreneurs are using their businesses platforms to voice change within the business world and to shift the culture away from traditional work methods. They are taking business into their own hands. Literally. No doubt, this generation of youngsters is hungry for the hustle.
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Although he may have all the makings of one, Justin Bruno is far from your stereotypical student body president. This might surprise you, but in many ways he is quite average. His favorite sports teams is the Miami Heat–he also favors the Golden State Warriors but rejects the bandwagon title. Blaze Pizza is his spot, his favorite colors are blue and green, he’s a gamer, 2K to be exact, and disclaimer: like many of this generation, he’s not super into politics, he just genuinely likes helping people. But despite these seemingly “standardâ€? qualities for a 22 year-old male Florida A&M student, there are layers to this guy. Interestingly enough, XQFRYHULQJ WKRVH OD\HUV LV QRW DV GLĎŤFXOW DV WKLV VWXGHQW ERG\ KDV FRPH WR assume. As one would guess, this past year has put Bruno through it, yet he makes it clear that he has not come out on the other side a fundamentally changed man. “Obviously I feel like I’m the same person, obviously I look a OLWWOH ELW GLĎąHUHQW EHFDXVH P\ KDLU ZDVQ¡W DV ORQJ , FDQ¡W say that the events that happened with the whole court ϧDVFR DQG HYHU\WKLQJ GLGQ¡W KDYH DQ LPSDFW EXW , don’t think it had as much of an impact as people would assume,â€? said Bruno. He continued, “I could imagine someone saying “he got caught up in all that VWXĎą DQG LW SXVKHG KLP RYHU WKH edge,â€? but that’s not what happened. Obviously it was a traumatic situation. I don’t know how any 21 year-old could handle going to court against an entire
institution...That experience put me in a place where I had to learn where my strength comes from.� From “election scandals� to managing his mental wellness, Justin Bruno has battled it all and come out on the other side stronger and more connected to God than ever before.
Before the SGA debacle, Bruno was on a rapid trajectory to leadership at FAMU, serving on the Student Senate during his freshman and sophomore year and then later becoming the student body vice-president. Yet, the blow of gaining the SGA presidency in 2015 and quickly having it taken away was an upset he wasn’t prepared to cope with. Fortunately, out of the experience came an enhanced self-awareness that was unforeseeable.
“What that did was for me was help me turn my attention to God. If that was where I was supposed to be, He would have me there anyway. When that happened I started to pay more attention to Him and His will for my life,� Bruno continued.
Words: Karlyn Sykes Design: Meishara Jaghai
Same Justin: not broken, but rather more spiritually connected and free than ever before. In spring of 2016, Bruno and his running mate Devin +DUULVRQ ϧQDOO\ FODLPHG WKHLU VHDW DW WKH KHDG RI VWXGHQW ERG\ LI E\ divinity. He then also reclaimed his status as one of the most elusive and talked about students on this campus. Sure he’s SGA president but who is this guy with the groomed afro riding a bike through the quad with a tennis racket on his back? The answer is the same: it’s Justin Bruno, just with bigger hair.
“I’ve always been an advocate for natural hair when it comes to young women. I feel like it’s what God gave you. It’s what naturally happens to your body so I appreciate when you can take what He gave you and make it work. But I had never taken that script for myself,â€? said Bruno. “I didn’t start just growing my hair out to ‘let myself go,’ that situation put me in a place where I could focus on God more than I have been before.â€? His decision to sport the Michael Jackson-esque ‘fro was a conscious one PDGH IROORZLQJ WKH SHULRG RI VHOI UHĎŠHFWLRQ WKDW HQVXHG DIWHU DQ LQWHQVH time in his life. He rides a bike not because it matches his aesthetic as a born-again hippie, but because it’s economical and increases his physical DFWLYLW\ /LNHZLVH LQ DQ HPSRZHULQJ HĎąRUW WR LPSURYH KLV ZHOO EHLQJ KH cut pork out of his diet, removed “all-nighterâ€? from his vocabulary and now sports cornrows, a protective measure for his tresses. He’s a lot like most of us, learning more and more about himself everyday and taking the steps to live a cleaner and more intentional life. :KLOH WKH SK\VLFDO FKDQJHV LQ KLV DSSHDUDQFH PD\ RXWZDUGO\ UHĎŠHFW D certain growth, it’s important for Bruno to address the fact that he did not leave this challenging phase of his life unscathed. “If I take a look through someone else’s perspective, he's elusive, he’s EHHQ WKURXJK DOO WKLV VWXĎą QRERG\ NQRZV ZKHUH KH LV LW PDNHV VHQVH WKDW someone might assume, ‘yeah he must be depressed,’â€? said Bruno. 7KRXJK KHVLWDQW DW ϧUVW WR UHYHDO VXFK D SHUVRQDO PDWWHU IRU %UXQR WKRVH presumptions do in fact hit closer to home. “I deal with and have dealt with clinical depression‌ but it doesn’t rule my life. I’ve dealt with it by the grace of God and with help of my loved ones, my family and my friends.â€? Mental health, in the African-American community especially, is among the most misunderstood issues of our time. As an educated black man, he, too, struggles with the admission and the weight it carries. Yet again, he surprises us. His genuine concern for others supersedes doubt and reveals that he cares far too much about others to conceal a truth that could potentially save another’s life.
In his own right, Bruno is a rebel. One against respectability politics, following the status quo and of course conforming to the image of a PDQLFXUHG XQĎŠDZHG OHDGHU “Before I think about being a rebel I think about God. I think about the way he wants me to look and what He wants to my life. I’m a strong believer in being what God wants you to be not America, nor society, nor your surroundings.â€? :KLOH KLV WLPH RQ ´7KH +LOOÂľ UHĎŠHFWV KLV GHHS LQYROYHPHQW LQ WKH SROLWLFDO landscape of FAMU, Bruno is quick to remind people that he too is part RI KLV JHQHUDWLRQ RI \RXQJ SHRSOH ϧJKWLQJ IRU WKH IXWXUHV RI RWKHU \RXQJ people. “I’m a rebel against complacency, I’m a rebel against contradiction and I am a rebel against respectability politics because none of that has to do with service.â€? ,W WRRN PH WZR ZHHNV VHYHUDO '0V H[FKDQJHG ZLWK KLV FKLHI RI VWDĎą RQ Instagram, six messages and three phone calls to track down the most interesting man on campus. Upon settling in for the phone interview at D P RQ D :HGQHVGD\ PRUQLQJ , ZDV SUHSDUHG WR ϧQDOO\ VHSDUDWH IDFW IURP ϧFWLRQ RQ WKLV P\VWHULRXV FKDUDFWHU ,Q WKH HQG , ZDV DZHG E\ how collected, and self-assuring the illusory Justin Bruno really was. Though admittedly indecisive and “long-windedâ€?, at the core he is a KLJKO\ VSLULWXDO FROOHJH NLG MXVW WU\LQJ WR ϧJXUH LW RXW OLNH WKH UHVW RI XV When asked the million dollar question, “what’s next after SGA president?â€? he was slow to respond and maybe even a bit stuck for a moment. A relatable feeling we’ve all once experience when battered with questions of the future come holiday season. His answer, of course, relays back to his faith, “I want to leave my heart open to whatever God has next in my life. And that’s not just some FDUHOHVV ZD\ WR VD\ ,¡P JRLQJ WR JR ZLWK WKH ĎŠRZ Âľ Justin, too, is on the search for his own purpose and passion. He’s come further than most in his last year alone, but his journey is far from over.
Nevertheless, Bruno wants to make one point abundantly clear about his mental health journey. “My appearance, the things that have changed over time are not attached to depression. I want to draw that line and make that clear. The things you have seen that have changed have come from a change of spirit,� he said. He entered FAMU in the fall of 2013 as a clean cut Engineering scholar from Orlando with the world in his hands and intends to leave in spring of 2019 with an information technology degree, a minor business administration and an even tighter grasp on the world.
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“ This journey has given me an overall sense of enlightenment and inner peace, to me that is the most important beneet. I feel more connected to those around me and life in general.” Ancestral worship isn’t unique to West Africa in the same manner that other spiritual practices, like meditation is used in many religious traditions around the world. Even without a religious identity, meditation is a universal tool used for spiritual wellness to promote holistic living. Junius English, an African-American history professor at Florida A&M University, deenes spirituality as an energetic technology used inside and outside of religion. English, who has his own meditation school and 7000 followers in his Facebook group, believes when using meditation you have a more observable impact and making a person more open to peace.
“When you're spiritual, you're at peace. Open to love for humanity and experiencing joy,” he said. “When you are at peace in your spi spiritual life you are less reactive to bad attitudes and irritations.” 24
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DICTIONARY
Language is a ‘major key’ in characterizing the social climate and values of the time. The way people communicate varies by geography, socioeconomic status and of course from generation to generation. Millennials are no exception. In an era of remixing and reinvention, these 20-somethings have taken the Webster’s Dictionary and completely turned it on its head. The Journey staff pooled their brain power to create the ultimate millennial dictionary to keep you in the know. Design By: Jade Fryer
A
awf Awf- Used to hype someone or something up. Ex. “Okay I see you! Go Awf!”
B
bye felicia Exclamation used when a person announces they are leaving, but other people in the area don't care; adapted from 2005 film Friday starring Chris Tucker and Ice Cube. Person 1: “I don't have time for this. I’m leaving.” Person 2: “Bye, Felicia.”
C
cancel Like the fate of most VH1 shows. Used when something is no longer trendy, in style or relevant. Often used to dismiss problematic celebrities. “Kodak Black said he doesn’t like dark skin girls? Oh, he’s cancelled!” cash me outside Let’s go fight. Outside. Right now. Made famous by some culture appropriating teenager on Dr. Phil “You got a problem ‘cuz? Cash me outside.” chill The act of being relaxed. “Just chill, I got this.”
F
facts Confirmation of a statement. Person 1: “FAMU is the best HBCU ever.” Person 2: “Facts, my guy.” fade Getting beat up until you pass out. “If this girl keep playing with me, she gone’ catch this fade.” frick A term of expression to describe a moment of intense feeling. This word is usually used by people who don't curse around people. "WHAT THE FRICK, I just dropped my phone."
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glow up When someone drastically changes their appearance in a positive way resulting in a transformation. “If you don’t want me now, don’t hit me up when I glow up!” go eric benét To cheat on your extremely attractive partner. Refers to neo-soul singer Eric Benét who cheated on his now ex-wife, actress Halle Berry. Coined by Jay-Z on his 4:44 album. “Man, don’t ever go Eric Benét!”
H
hoe-tation Literally a rotation of hoes. A list or roster of three or more persons that you have romantic involvement with, including but not limited to: cuddling, conversation, and sex.; Not to be confused with polygamy, as one does not have a full relationship with any participating parties, although intense feelings may develop as time passes. “If he plays his card right I just might have to add him to the hoe-tation.”
I
issa Derived from rapper 21 Savage, the slang version of "it's a". Not to be confused with Issa Rae, creator of the hit HBO sitcom Insecure. “Issa celebration!” “Issa no for me dawg.”
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