2. Collage Submission – Alyssa Vernon 3. Poem from Black History Month Opening Ceremony - Abena Beloved Green 5. Collage Submission – Alyssa Vernon 6. Mary Ann Camberton Shadd Carry – QBAS Black ICONS Profile 7. Collage Submission – Alyssa Vernon 8. Defining Curls – Makaila Astonglo 9. Soulful X Figures Submission – Temi Akintan 10. Hugh Gordon Cummins – QBAS Black ICONS Profile 11. Diary of a Black Kid – Danielle Hope Edwards1 5. Black Queer Icons – Joseph Oladimeji for CARED 16. Robert Sutherland – QBAS Black ICONS Profile 17. Collage Submission – Alyssa Vernon 18. Spend a Night Underneath the Stars – Monique Lee-Vassell 19. Believe It or Not – Monique Lee-Vassell 21. Would You Believe Me If I Told You – Monique Lee-Vassell 22. Poem Entry Author Profile’s 23. Josiah Henson – QBAS Black ICONS Profile 24. Black Joy – Joseph Oladimeji for CARED 25. Baked Mac & Cheese Recipe – Mukuma Kawesha 27. Jean Augustine – QBAS Black ICONS Profile 28. The Adultification of Black Children – Jessica Somersall 31. Credits
CONTENTS
1. Words to our Readers
As we reflect on Blackness and the revolutionary, creative, and nuanced initiatives that have taken place in history it is important to carry these with us beyond February. The efforts of Black people should not be limited to a highlight real in 28 days. Blackness is not just its history, however, about the shared experience of the Black community, how these experiences have shaped us, challenged us, and what can be achieved by us in the present and future. Nurturing a space where Black people can thrive academically, creatively and freely means recognizing that we are more than our history and set a precedent for our futures. The celebration of Blackness deserves more than a month.
Jade Leonard
Queen's Collage Collectives Alyssa Vernon
I miss seeing you on the street The way our eyes meet and chins tilt silent ‘I see yous’ I miss the nod. The situation’s got us distant from each other. But one day this summer a friend and I linked to learn about our hair. Newly natural, we shared in learning; Hands in, strategizing. It was that salon connection Protective style bondinglearning and building onto one another. This is one way, we exist. We do more than give the world fun music or delicious food. Although yes, we do that too. We are more than a history of discrimination We are African cities and inventions, Since before colonizers came. We are thriving on the Continent Celebrating great wins. We come from nations where languages have names. No, we don’t speak Ugandan, Ghanaian, or Chadian. We speak Tigrinya, Luganda, and Twi And within each of these are philosophies. Our wisdom will save our lives. We’ve arrived at 25 years of Black History Month in Canada Thank you, Ms. Jean Augustine! We celebrate against a background of forgotten or erased African Canadian legacies. Take Robert Sutherland the first Black student at Queen’s. He saved his alma matter with $12000, just the amount the university needed. This celebration is one way to repay the debt of student education. Black history is necessary learning for all Because Black history is Canadian.
THESE STORIES WILL SAVE OUR LIVES
Our stories will save our lives.
COMMUNITY WILL SAVE OUR LIVES
They begin at the knees of our elders: A Jamaican father viewing Caribbean nationhood through critical eyes asking, “How can we be better?” The Ms. Browns – Joyce and Judith Both with presence, warmth and fierce energy. Ms. Judith has shared her knowledge in Cataraqui for decades. Ms. Joyce would teach Black history school every Saturday. With the handouts and conviction, all on her own she’d teach the children about inventors, tradespeople and royals. She wanted every child to look deep inside. And imagine futures they never thought possible. Now everyone’s getting woke but Black folk have been awake to actions that have put lives at stake and hurdles in the way. Still, it’s no surprise we’ve seen positive change With leaders like Dr. Anita Jack-Davies Stephanie Simpson, Dr. Yolanda Chan and Aba Mortley. Black history is Sankofareturn to the roots of these trees. It’s facing colonialism and racism And connecting to ancestry Black History Month is standing in our successes While claiming responsibility. It is joy and remembering, It is upliftment and reflection. And so here we are gathered, From Stittsville to Kingston Toronto to Quinte. Black history is community and now, more than ever, community will save our lives.
Abena Beloved Green
Queen's Collage Collectives Alyssa Vernon
A N N A DD S A H S Y MA R A M ANN N N A S D D A H S M Mary Ann Camberton Shadd Cary, educator, publisher, abolitionist (born October 9th 1823 in Wilmington, Delaware; died June 5th 1893 in Washington, DC).The first Black female newspaper publisher in Canada, Shadd founded and edited The Provincial Freeman. She also established a racially integrated school for Black refugees in Windsor, Canada. In 1994, Shadd was designated a Person of National Historic Significance in Canada.
Queen's Collage Collectives Alyssa Vernon
defining
curls Makaila Atsonglo
Black hair has always been a symbol of pride, identity, and empowerment. As Black women, we have had our natural hair politicized, banned, and suppressed in every aspect of our lives -- whether in an academic setting, our workplace, the grocery store, or any part of our day-today lives. This symbol of pride is hidden in order to not be ostracized, this symbol of individuality and culture is altered in order to not be stereotyped. The reality of having to “tame” or “hide” our hair through damaging processes -- straightening, blow drying, or perming -- takes its toll on Black girls’ and women’s self-esteem. The connection between a Black woman’s hair and their identity is marked as a personal expression of beauty and authenticity. So, when the world refuses to accept the realities of Black hair, what space do Black women have to thrive? To love their natural selves? To simply just be? Black women, create that space for yourselves. Wherever you go, there you are. So, thrive, love, and be, not for anyone else, but for yourself. At the end of the day, you are under no obligation to make sense to the outside world because they. are. not. you.
Temi Akintan
DR. HUG GORDON HYLVEST CUMMIN S DR. HUG H GO Hugh Gordon Cummins, who graduated from the medical school in 1919, became the second premier of Barbados. He went to Queen’s during the time where the university made the unjust decision in 1918 to expel fifteen Black medical students, the majority from the Caribbean. The common reason that was given for this decision is that soldiers wounded during war did not want to be treated by Black students. However, recent research by Dr. Edward Thomas shows the underlying financial motivations. Dr. Cummins was among the Black students who resisted this pressure and was able to graduate from the Queen’s Medical School and later established a medical practice in Bridgetown, Barbados. In addition to helping establish Barbados’ Labour Party, Dr. Cummins had an important role in increasing the freedoms of the Barbadian people through political reform in late-colonial Barbados. “Most famously, he’s credited with abolishing the Located Labourers Act, which was a piece of legislation that tied farm workers to plantations and perpetuated generational indentured servitude” (Goulem, 2018). He served as premier of Barbados from 1958 to 1961.
Danielle Hope Edwards
Elementary Grades “I wish my hair was straight. Maybe then people would stop touching it. I’ve always been one of the only Black kids. I knew it, and was kinda okay with it until this one white boy told me Black people are stupid, but my mom told me that I’m a smart young one and that my skin colour is a blessing. Why did they call me “Blacker” at that last track meet? *sigh* Another store manager following me in the store again. I’m a valid person just like you. But why do some say the opposite? Why does the news say the opposite? I’m scared.” To the young Black person, you may have known from a young age, like I and many others have. My heart feels for you. You may have been told otherwise BUT... YOU have so much worth, so much beauty and so much excellence. Keep your head up. You can do anything. Believe in yourself and be the change you want to see. Stay Strong. I love you. - Your friendly neighbourhood Danni
Okay so I’m still one of the only Black kids. It’s cool. But what the heck is a racial microaggression anyway? -“So you play basketball right? Cause you’re Black. How can you be Black and not play basketball?” -“Black girls are so aggressive.” -“You’re the whitest Black person I’ve ever met.” -*gets a tan* “lol I’m pretty much darker than you.” -“...but you’re Black.” Oh... that. Yeah I heard those so many times. Kinda got sick of having to correct people or ignoring it all the time. So I became compliant: I made jokes too. About me and my Blackity Black Blackness. The jokes that actively tore us down. It was different when there was a shared understanding, such as with my family. Maybe if I act like it doesn’t bother me it won’t... right? Wrong. Why should I have to succumb to others to make them feel ‘comfortable’ when it’s hurting me inside? Young Black one, don’t let your crown fall for others to step on. Bask in your Black beauty, young one, and don’t let nobody tell you different. You can do anything!! Be the change you want to see. Stay Strong. I love you. - Your friendly neighbourhood Danni
High School Grades
So to Finish Off The discomfort has been with me for a long time. Maybe it’s been with you too. In the way you feel you have to “change” to fit in. Not the change you necessarily want to be. It’s the obligated change. Often for survival. The change of how you speak, how you act and how you react so you don’t come off as “aggressive.” Change your hair so it looks “presentable.” Change your mannerisms so you’re more “manageable.” The fact that some will still take one look at you and without even knowing you, determine that they know who you are based on a stereotype of your skin tone. For some that’s everyday life. I began to lose myself. My story may be a little different from yours as yours from mine. I feel you. In the midst of the anger and frustration and exhaustion, don’t forget about you. How you feel is so very valid, Black one. Don’t forget that you are worthy and need rest too. Don’t forget about the beauty in your soul, your mind, body and spirit. You are human too. I love you. I mean it. You are beautiful, Black one. You are excellent. You are a wonderful creation. The laughter from your soul, the texture of your hair, the shine of your melanin both deep and/or fair. But most importantly, you are wonderful for simply being here. Thank you for being here. Don’t give up. Walk with love in your fight and peace in your heart. You do you boo. I love you. - Your friendly neighbourhood Danni
CARED - Joseph Oladimeji
BLACK QUEER ICONS
R E B O R HERL T U S ERT B O R AND L R E H BERT O R R QBAS
Robert Sutherland, lawyer, benefactor (born c. 1830 in Jamaica; died June 2nd 1878 in Toronto, ON). Sutherland was Canada’s first Black university graduate, as well as its first Black lawyer. Upon his passing he endowed his estate to Queen’s University, saving the University from being annexed by the University of Toronto. His donation of his entire $12,000 estate to Queen’s was the largest that any one person had yet given to the University at that time. While at Queen's he won fourteen academic prizes, and was disguised for his skills as a debater. Despite his great contributions, it has mainly been through the action of Black students, alumni, faculty and community members that Robert Sutherland has received more recognition in more recent years for his contributions to Queen’s. One such example is the student-initiated motion which led to the naming of the Policy Studies Building in 2009 after Robet Sutherland.
Queen's Collage Collectives Alyssa Vernon
spend a night underneath the stars
oh but the most beautiful the most sublime things in the world are Black the night sky for one the cave of wonders the ocean at twilight the darkness behind the flame it highlights the way most of you take your coffee in the morning Black as night comforting like a hug so tight i’ll tell you and you’ll say i’m right that Black is the utmost wondrous sight we exist underneath one Black dome filled with everything there ever was some of which we see all of which we feel only a sliver of humanity believes it’s real Black as night hold me tight the brightest star i speak to every night would be nothing without the Black midnight what you see when you close your eyes the phantasms the moving particle show all brought to you by the Black unknown i know that Black is the most beautiful most sublime intellection the closest we can get to magic it’s right here beside you above you
Monique Lee-Vassell
Monique Lee-Vassell
believe it or not
there is nothing like the heart of a Black man who has been beaten down and toiled but is still capable of loving you there is nothing like the heart of a Black mother watching her child wade into the abysmal world knowing damn well that a life jacket simply isn’t enough there is nothing like the heart of a Black girl coming into her own a colossal force the world may never put a stop to or a label on or a chain around because one quarter of her power can move us all Black hearts swell with the weight of a thousand millenniums of oppression Black hearts bleed for those they’ve grown until they are nothing but flesh and bone Black hearts love in the name of unspoken benevolence it hurts but love leaves us raptured capable of everything we love because that’s what our hearts were made to do
i'm kinda Monique Lee-Vassell
i’m kinda tired being the only girl who can show my friends what it’s like to be a Black girl delineating the references doing up my hair but at the same time i’m the only girl who can show my friends what it’s like to be a Black girl i represent for all of us i share the struggles and the tears of discrimination the hurt in my body from a long night at work reiterating that it’s not the work that hurts but being spoken to like a worker like a Black girl waiting on old white men like that kind of worker but us Black girls we strong as hell because on top of the daily duties of existence we hurt on a different plane better to be tender we’re called by different names than to shut the world out in their heads in times of strife i remind myself don’t get me wrong i’m so proud to be the Black girl among my friends feel everything all at once we’re beautiful majestic creatures you don’t come by all the time when you question what this is i’m just a little tired is all and why you’re made this way some days in the hour of endless doubt remind yourself i’d like it to be one of the others one of my other Black girls feel everything all at once but alas in this predominantly white city they are going to hurt you at my predominantly white school whether they know it or not it’s just me in the midst of heartache remind yourself for now
tired feel everything all at once
because those feelings the anguish in your heart will amount to a tremendous hurricane it will wash away the misdoers of your soul only the kind will survive the art of feeling everything all at once can only be mastered by the pure of heart by those who have been broken but have the courage to remain tender
would you believe me if i told you would you believe me if i told you this was my first series of poems about being Black? it is, in fact and it is so monumentally liberating after existing in the year 2020 as a girl shedding layers by the hour i lost all belief in expectation i experienced a familiar pain i don’t recall ever feeling i woke up one morning and my chest was heavy closing in on itself it felt like and i cried i’m not pinpointing this as a singular experience because i know Black people felt vanquished the day George Floyd was murdered and months and months following and this particular morning a video was posted of a girl a girl younger than myself who got teargassed simply for being there for showing up for her people for existing in this era as a Black woman it desolated me my body was leaden and i couldn’t get up but amidst that destruction of feeling i knew that my light was not extinguished only dimmed Monique Lee-Vassell
i knew that we would rise again because that’s what we were put here to do centuries of slavery built us a ladder so that when we fall into the depths of sorrow we can rise again that morning my soul needed to stay down in my bed wet with teardrops so that the next morning i could rise again rejuvenated with power and ferocity to start climbing up the ladder several months have passed and we now exist in February of 2021 with a Black woman as the Vice President of the United States i now sit here writing my first series of poems about being Black climbing the ladder every day uncovering layers every hour the Black girl in me screams I RISE the poet in me mouths THANK YOU to all of you for partaking in my experience my beloved readers i thank you for allowing me and our Black community to eternally and unapologetically rise
about the author
Monique i would describe myself as a celestial being placed on earth with a purpose. whether that purpose be to write, to educate, to make art, to be art – it all makes people feel something, and that i believe is my purpose. my name is Monique and i’m twenty years old studying english here at Queen’s. i’ve just recently come into my own artistic musings, and if you know me you know i bring my sketchbook with me everywhere i go, drawing what i see, what’s inside my head, and constantly turning life into poetry. i’m actually in the midst of writing my first poetry book, and it’s been the most intense, passionate, invigorating experience of my creative journey thus far. i come from a long line of Spanish Jamaican Chinese women who intend to make their voices heard, and i’m just thankful to be here carrying on the legacy. for those of you who come around to reading this, i pass the creative torch onto you. go out into the world and make some art. in the way that you do best. and a big thank you to all of you that read my work and smile. you make this all possible. from me to you, with love.
JOSI A HENS H O JOSI N A N HENS H O N JOSI A H HE H QBAS
Born enslaved, Josiah Henson escaped to Canada in 1830. He founded the Dawn Settlement for American fugitives from enslavement. He and a group of associates organized a trade-labour school, the British-American Institute. He published his autobiography in 1849, and he was allegedly Harriet Beecher Stowe’s model for the lead caracter in her novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin 1852
CARED - Joseph Oladimeji
k c k a l c a B l B y o y J o J
BAKED
MAC & CHEESE VEGETARIAN
PREHEAT: 350*F
1-2 HOURS
INGREDIENTS FLOUR BUTTER WHOLE MILK GARLIC PASTA BREADCRUMBS PARMIGGIANO REGGIANO
MOZZARELLA CHEDDAR SALT BLACK PEPPER ITALIAN SEASONING CAYENNE GARLIC GRANULES
Regarding what the recipe symbolises to me, it definitely will always be related to friendship, comfort and vulnerability/risk. Reason being, on only the second occasion of ever making this final version of mac and cheese, I took it for a Friendsgiving dinner. It required comfort with(in) my friend group that even if it was trash we’d probably just laugh about it. Also, as alluded to earlier I lean towards methodical and (not risk-averse but) logical habits, so I typically go into situations confident on outcomes. Hence, it took a level of vulnerability to open up my (somewhat unorganized and personal) creative endeavour - I say hesitantly because in hindsight it wasn’t that deep - to possible criticism. - Mukuma Kawesha
INSTRUCTIONS Macaroni (easiest part): Pro tip - to figure out the perfect amount, pour dry/in cooked macaroni into the ceramic dish you’ll be using in the oven, fill it up to just above halfway to the top and that will be the right amount that won’t overflow in the oven. Boil that in well salted water I recommend adding some Italian seasoning to the water (I also added turmeric - it doesn’t alter the taste though). Cook pasta until just before al dente.
This is where the I’m really just going with taste + instinct - add more seasoning at this point and taste the sauce before you add anymore cheese or seasoning - go for getting a taste that you like - you can always add milk to make the mixture more runny or add cheese to make it thicker - I would say it’s a bit better to have the sauce slightly more runny than your ideal sauce consistency because it will thicken in the oven.
Once you’re happy with the sauce add the Béchamel/ Cheese sauce: Pre-heat oven at 350 degree F while you pre- macaroni to it and mix it so that every piece is coated - it should sound (yes I mean sound) like pare the cheese sauce. “Maccaroni in the pot” if you know you know. Place butter (about 1/3 to 1/2 a stick) (you could Add cheese, seasoning and milk as you desire add a bit of oil to prevent the butter from burn- at this stage to improve flavour and consistency ing, I use unsalted butter so I can control the if necessary. salt levels myself) in the pot on medium heat Add minced garlic (preference but I used about a tablespoon and a half). Make sure to stir so Pour Mac and Cheese into a ceramic dish you don’t burn the garlic. Add some seasoning leave about 1/2 an inch to 3/4 of an inch from (all the ones listed in the ingredients including the top, do not fill up the dish (rookie mistake). Salt) to the garlic butter mixture - no need to be To make the cheese crust - spread cheese libheavy handed at this point. erally start with cheddar or mozzarella (only Add flour (about 2 tablespoons) I should make a really need one or the other) and here mainly paste in the pot - mix this around to try cook out use the Parmesan. Try not to have any spaces the flour taste (I’d say you only need about 45 without cheese on top, then you can also add seconds, fir this because it will go in the oven) breadcrumbs (nowhere near as much as the Add whole milk incrementally (this is where cheese) also feel free to add any seasoning I whisk is helpful because to make make the (a small amount, but definitely not salt) to the paste + milk mix together to make the sauce) crust. Whisk until you get to a good sauce texture like Place pretty high up in the oven, mainly trying to a custard. make the crust golden. Keep in the oven for 15Turn off the heat on the stove plate, but leave 20 minutes until the cheese crust is a bit golden the pot on the same plate. Add grated cheese or as you like. Take out when done and enjoy! in incrementally (using your Cheddar and Mozzarella - adding Pecarino romana/ Parmesan to add glamour at this stage)
Mukuma Kawesha
A N A E T S U G U A AUG N A E A E J E N I T S G U A N A E J S QBAS
Jean Augustine is a trailblazing politician, social activist, and educator. She was the first African-Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons, the first African-Canadian woman to be appointed to the Federal Cabinet, and the first Fairness Commissioner of the Government of Ontario. In 1995, her proposed motion before Parliament to recognize February as Black History Month passed unanimously, thereby establishing a lasting tradition of celebrating the important contributions of Black Canadians to Canada’s history, culture, development, and heritage.
JESSICA SOMERSALL
E ON TH TI A
IC K TIF C N UL A E AD L D R L B I OF
CH
“She doesn’t look like a six-year-old, I thought she was 11”; “He’s a grown man in a little boy’s body”; “This boy is built like a tank; he must be 16.” There are so many comments and suggestive undertones that try to make Black children older than they are. As I write this, I can vividly remember having a lot of these comments hurled at me as a child or my little sister and brother. Why are Black children for some reason not allowed to be their age? There is always a questioning of "How can this Black child be 6? She must be lying." My little sister is three years younger than me, and from the age of 10 years old, she has gotten comments that her body didn’t look like a regular ten-year-old body, and how she looked 16. While that is clearly sexual harassment from older men and women, there is an innocence that seems to always be taken away from Black children. There is an identification of Black children that seems to take a toll on their childhood, mental health, and development. In the New York Times article ‘Why Won’t Society Let
Black Girls Be Children?’ adultification is explained, stating it “means that teachers, parents and law enforcement are less protective and more punitive with certain children” (Meadows-Fernandez, 2020). Attaching words such as manipulative, deceitful, intentionally disruptive, and malicious to Black children at a very young age stints their development and lessens their interest in school. No child is inherently bad, but attaching such negative words leads Black children into prejudiced stereotypes like "sassy," "ghetto," and "looking for trouble." All of those words allude to criminal stereotypes, which is setting up Black children for failure from a young age. These are all examples of the adultification of Black children because people assume that Black children are more guilty or capable of doing wrong (Meadows-Fernandez, 2020). An example of this is the wrongful conviction of the Central Park Five, which left young Black boys with social, mental, and physical damage, and did not see reparations until recently.
Central Park Five
Central Park Five A short recap of the Central Park Five: On April 19th, 1989, a white woman was jogging in Central Park at night. There had been a series of attacks in Central Park, and the woman was found by police after being raped and physically assaulted. The police falsely accused five young Black boys between the ages of 14 and 16, and sentenced them to prison. During their false investigation, the New York Police held and questioned these juveniles without their parents and coerced them into falsely confessing. Years later, the Central Park Five was acquitted and compensated for their wrongful conviction, but too much time had passed. Korey Wise was 16 at the time, tried as an adult, and sentenced to a male correctional facility for 13 years. The New York judi-
cial system put a 16-year-old boy, who was wrongful convicted, in prison with grown men because he looked older. This affected Mr. Wise because he was mentally and sexually abused by grown men, where he shouldn’t have been in the first place. The adultification of Black children is detrimental to the upbringing of their development because it affects how they see themselves. In cases like the Central Park Five, it can create mental and physical trauma that should not have been there in the first place. If you want to find out more about the Central Park Five, I recommended you watch the Netflix miniseries ‘When They See Us.’ A content warning is required though, as the show is graphic and displays mental and physical abuse which traumatized these boys.
Another example of the adultification of Black children was the wrongful killing of Tamir Rice. On November 22, 2014, 12-year-old Tamir Rice was killed by Cleveland police officer Timothy Loehmann (a white man). Officer Loehmann was responding to a 911 call that described that a Black man who was playing with a “probably fake gun” outside a recreation centre. The police officer showed up at the scene, saw the toy gun, assumed it was real, and fatally shot Tamir Rice, who died the next day. Assuming a Black child is older than what they are can cause a deadly narrative that has been repeated countless times. Sadly, Black children are having to prove their innocence, and because of this, they are growing up a lot faster. Why can’t Black children keep their innocence as long as white children? There is a lot that Black children have to be made aware of because of the world we live in. A Black 10-year girl is not considered the same as a white 10-year-old girl. There are completely different connotations that are attached to the 10-year-old Black child. Assuming that the “Black girl is more aggressive the white girl” is the adultification of the Black child. This unfair treatment and the adultification bias of Black children can expose them more to inappropriate advances made by anyone trying to take advantage. To further understand the difference in gesture, literature, and representation of Black children and white children, please watch this video that was created by George Law’s Center on Poverty and Inequality. How can we combat the adultification of Black children? It is simple: allow our children to be kids, so that they can hold on to their innocence. The world already makes it hard for Black people to survive or thrive, by objectifying Black children at a young age to stunt their development. I’ll leave you with two quotes to consider:
"Almost all the black girls and women we talked to said they’d experienced adultification bias as children." "They overwhelmingly agreed that it led teachers and other adults to treat them more harshly and hold them to higher standards than white girls."
(Georgetown Law, 2019).
ORGANIZERS MUSE
Ben Evans Duran Elana Yamanouchi Committee Against Racial and Ethnic Discrimination (CARED) Joseph Oladimeji Jade Leonard Queen’s Black Academic Society (QBAS) Catherine Haba LAYOUT Maya Kotsovolos
CONTRIBUTORS Makaila Atsonglo Danielle Hope Edwards Temi Akintan Mukuma Kawesha Monique Lee-Vassell Jessica Somersall Alyssa Vernon Queen’s Collage Collective