11 minute read
A&E
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
The MarqueTTe Tribune Arts & eNtertAiNmeNt
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Keynote speaker discusses mental health at AMU
Doctor Dominique Pritchett spoke about burnout on Feb. 17
By Rashad Alexander
rashad.alexander@marquette.edu
Midterms are right around the corner, where students may deal with burnout as they push towards the middle of the semester. The American Psychology Association showed a consistent increase in stress levels among Gen Z adults. But students were able to learn how to handle burnout and their mental health at a keynote event in honor of Black History Month. The event featured a soul food dinner, including greens,
DR. DOMINIQUE PRITCHETT Therapist in Kenosha, Wisconsin
chicken, mac and cheese and more at the Alumni Memorial Union.
But the star of the keynote was Dr. Dominique Pritchett, a therapist based in Kenosha, Wisconsin, at her practice named “Beloved Wellness Center.” One of the things she spoke on was making sure people seek help when it comes to their mental health, especially within the Black community.
“People are talking about it (mental health) more. There are certain people who may not be in touch with mainstream media, so they might still be stuck on old-school stigma and not be talking about it,” Pritchett said. “I want people to not just talk about it, but to get the help that they need.”
Pritchett also spoke on her college experience being at a predominantly white institution, Carthage College, and the culture shock she dealt with. In fall 2021, Carthage Institutional Research showed undergraduate enrollment had 69.6% white students as compared to 5.8% Black students.
She offered advice for students of color who are in a similar situation at Marquette. In the fall of 2021, Marquette saw a 4.3% Black population, compared to the 68% population of white students.
“Even though it’s a predominentaly white institution, it is so important to get all of the experience possible, because they are a part of the bigger world which we now work in. In order to get that comfort, connect with the people you’re most comfortable with and build meaningful relationships so you have those go to people to hold you accountable and support you,” Pritchett said.
Pritchett closed out her keynote by asking the audience to “live Out loud.”
“Live out loud means to live the best life you can right now. Tomorrow ain’t promised. That means take healthy risks, that means get out of your comfort zone. So many amazing things happen when you are safely uncomfortable,” Pritchett said.
The keynote topics were important to Deziray Moore, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences, who said she learned a lot from Pritchett’s speech.
“My biggest takeaway would be to slow down and to put myself first,” Moore said. “I learned a lot of techniques on how to care for myself and setting boundaries and ensuring that the relationships around
Photo by Sarah Kuhns sarah.kuhns@marquette.edu Dr. Dominique Pritchett is a therapist located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, at “Beloved Wellness Center.”
me are effective for me and I’m effective for them.”
Moore also explained what Black History Month means to her as she takes part in campus events this month.
“I feel like February is the month of love and sharing compassion. Black History Month is when you share those stories and connect with your people and grow from things that may have held you back,” Moore said.
Sheena Carey, a professor in the College of Communication, said she feels that while it’s good that Marquette is doing these events for Black History Month, more could still be done.
“There’s usually a great effort to make certain that there’s more visibility,” Carey said. “I wish events like these weren’t necessarily confined to the month of February, that these are things that would be sporadic throughout the university’s academic calendar.”
Carey also feels that when it comes to celebrating and learning Black history, it shouldn’t be limited to the month of February.
“We only kind of get this concentration in one month and then we kind of move on to other things. I appreciate the attention, but I wish it wasn’t necessary,” Carey said.
Students can find more news on Black History Month Events on Marquette’s website. Students can also visit Pritchett’s website if they are interested in being a therapy client with her.
REVIEW: Celebrating BHM with a sweet tooth
MKE Black-owned businesses include Bougie Berries
By Jolan Kruse
jolan.kruse@marquette.edu
These past few weeks I’ve been thinking of ways I can show my support for Black History Month, both on a budget and with a craving for sweets. One way to celebrate Black History Month is by supporting local Black-owned bakeries.
MKE Black is an online organization where you can find Black-owned businesses in and around Milwaukee. Their site includes restaurants, shops, music and much more. They also have an option to donate. Their website says the money will be sent to local Black businesses through “grants, donations, and fundraisers.”
I used this website to find local Black-owned sweet shops like bakeries and other gourmet treats. One of them I found was Bougie Berries on Burleigh Avenue, which is known for its gourmet fruits and cupcakes.
Upon walking in, I was immediately drawn to the giant caramel apples. The shop had a warm, marshmallow sugar smell which matched the pink and white décor nicely. I also noticed the chocolate-covered strawberries, which are also customizable for special occasions. What really looked good were the strawberries which were coated in edible light pink glitter. The fruit looked delicious, but what I was aching to try were the cupcakes.
The two I got were Butterfinger and strawberry cheesecake. The Butterfinger was a yellow cake batter with vanilla whipped topping coated in crushed Butterfinger candy. I thought that one would be my favorite, but when I tried the strawberry cheesecake, I was pleasantly surprised. I tend to stay clear of strawberry-flavored things to avoid the fake syrupy flavor they usually contain, but it was by far the best cupcake I have ever had. It was a strawberry cake batter with cheesecake in the middle and a white whipped topping covered in some sort of strawberry crumble.
With tip, it was about $10 for the two cupcakes, putting it a little on the pricey side, but totally worth it.
I would go back just for those cupcakes. However, I would also love to try the caramel apples and chocolate-covered strawberries!
The owner, Caitlin Russell, was also very friendly. After purchasing my cupcakes, she attached a business card and a sticker that said: “Thank you for supporting my small business.” I’d highly recommend going to this bakery. The friendly atmosphere and sugary aroma make this place worth a visit.
Another Black-owned business I tried was Lush Popcorn, located on West Fond du Lac Avenue. Lush Popcorn is one of many smaller shops in this building, with food and other neighboring businesses. Their menu with sizes and flavors is displayed on the counter where you order. They have two different sized bags of gourmet popcorn available. I ordered the small which was about $8 with a tip.
They had plenty of mouthwatering flavors such as caramel apple and maple bourbon. I ordered the cookies and cream, which were both divinely unique. To be fair, I’m used to movie theater popcorn or kettle corn, so this was a luxury. The popcorn had little chunks of Oreos and the whole thing had a light glaze of what tasted like white chocolate, which was delicious. I would recommend trying this place out.
Paparazzi Ice Cream Shop on North Teutonia Avenue is one of few ice cream shops in Milwaukee that has rolled ice cream. They have specific kinds you can order, such as Oreo, or you can build your own. The creamy vanilla smell lingered around the shop, convincing me I needed to order something. They had a colorful menu written on a board on the wall, which added to the playful environment.
“The Selfie” is an option where you combine two toppings to be crushed up with your rolled ice cream and added on top along with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle. I ordered vanilla rolled ice cream with Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Oreo. You can even watch the ice cream be rolled right in front of you! With tip, it was about $8. They also have round tabled where customers can sit and enjoy their ice cream. I prefer a classic sundae, but it was still good. Even if you don’t like sweets, MKE Black has something appealing for anyone. Showing your support for local Blackowned businesses is great yearround, but especially during Black History Month. Photo by Josh Meitz joshua.meitz@marquette.edu Lush Popcorn is located on West Fond du Lac Avenue.
REVIEW: ‘King Richard’ is aces on the court and screen
Movie discusses lives of tennis stars Venus, Serena Williams
By Kim Cook
kimberly.cook@marquette.edu
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” This is a motto of Richard Williams, father of tennis phenoms Venus and Serena Williams and now the center of “King Richard,” a biopic movie about the dedication of a father to ensure the success of his two daughters.
The titular character in the film, “King Richard” Williams is played by six-time Academy Awardnominated actor Will Smith. From the beginning of the film, Williams is a man of humble means and dedication. He wants nothing more than to see his daughters become the best tennis players in the world, and he has a 78-page plan for exactly how it is going to happen.
Smith, who was recently nominated in the Best Actor category at the 2022 Academy Awards for his portrayal of the character, gives one of his best performances. His dialect and emotions through his lines, even just the delivery of every line, are almost perfect.
The character fits Smith all too well, and in some scenes, it was impossible for me to tell that he was acting. His emotion and care for Williams and the story that he was telling were on full display throughout the film. For example, Williams uses Disney’s “Cinderella” to teach his daughters a lesson on humility and never forgetting their roots.
The film takes place at the beginning of Venus and Serena Williams’ tennis careers and focuses on Venus’ journey to her first professional tennis tournament. From playing in juniors tournaments to taking a three-year break from matches to perfect her game before turning pro, her father was there every step of the way, following his plan. And for a viewer like myself, the film was just as much of a sports history lesson as it was a drama.
I never knew how the Williams sisters came to claim their thrones in the tennis world, all I knew was that Serena had won Wimbledon seven times, Venus being a fivetime winner herself. But watching this movie, I was enthralled by the dedication that Richard Williams had for his daughters. While he was controversial at times in how he handled his daughters’ careers, he never changed who he was, and never expected his daughters to compromise who they were, just to get ahead in the sport. And that amazed me.
The casting of this movie, overall, is some of the best that I have ever experienced. When the end credits began to roll and shots of home videos began to appear on the screen, I felt like I was still watching the film. Saniyya Sidney, the actress that portrayed a young Venus Williams, could almost be the tennis star’s twin at age 14. And the same can be said for Demi Singleton who is a spitting image of young Serena Williams.
Just from the casting choices alone, this movie was made with love and care in mind. But is more than just a tennis movie. Reinaldo Marcus Green, the director of the film, painted a picture of not only the upbringing of two of the biggest tennis players in the world but took great care to encapsulate the time period and events of early 1990s Compton, California that the Williams family may have been impacted by.
Depictions of police brutality on background television screens and the looks and questionable stares from white families at tennis matches show just how defiant the Williams had to be to succeed in a sport that until that point was dominated by white players.
“King Richard” is a definite must-see. Will Smith and the ensemble cast do an amazing job at depicting their characters to a tee. The story in and of itself is one that challenges viewers to never give up on their dreams, even if they seem impossible. If you have a goal, if you have a plan, it is achievable. Richard Williams never wavered on the thought that his daughters would be great, the best there ever was – in this movie that is crystal clear. For these reasons, I give “King Richard” a 9.5 out of 10.
At the Academy Awards Mar. 27, “King Richard” is nominated in six categories: Best Picture, Best Actor (Will Smith), Best Supporting Actress (Aunjanue Ellis), Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing and Best Original Song.
