Nubian Message, March. 9, 2023 — Women of the World

NUBIANMESSAGE

women of the world

THIS ISSUE Letter from the editor

Hey, hi and hello, Good job pushing through the week! There’s one more day until spring break and eight weeks until the end of the semester. We got this!

In this issue we talk about everything from menstruation to #Aliyahcore. If you want to impress your professor with some current events, check out our articles on the MSU shooting or Nord Stream pipeline explosion. We also have articles about the Ohio train derailment, Black feminism and Spain’s new menstrual leave legislation.

If you want to get a different perspective on things, check out our article about South Africa. If you’re in the mood for fashion, check out our articles on body diversity, the Flex your Fit event and African American accessories. For amazing recommendations on music, TV shows and more, check out our Media Suggestions page.

I hope you enjoy this paper!

Love, Jaz

4 BODY DIVERSITY AT FASHION WEEK

Fashion runways return to singular body type

7 BANNED AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES

The politics of Florida's AP course ban

9 OHIO TRAIN DERAILMENT

The release of chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio

11 FASHION EVENT FEATURE

A review of the Flex your Fit event put on by the BAC

cover photo BY JEREMY NOIR / Staff Photographer

Brionna Johnson, the interim library coordinator for the African American Culture Center reads a poem during the gallery opening for Black Euphoria: Love Letters to a Black Life at the Witherspoon Student Center on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. The event praised euphoria in black lives and accomplishments; it showcased scrapbooks that students and staff made to document and reflect views of Black euphoria.

The Sentinel of the African-American Community at N.C. State Since 1992.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

314 Witherspoon Student Center, NCSU Campus Box 7318, Raleigh, NC 27695 office 919-515-1468 advertising 919-515-2411 online thenubianmessage.com

Jaz Bryant

nubian-editor@ncsu.edu

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor

Ugonna Ezuma-Igwe nubian-managingeditor@ncsu.edu

Social Media

Alianna Kendell-Brooks

Milan Hall

Copy Editor

Milan Hall

Jeanine Ikekhua

Jo Miller

CoMM. Lead Layout designers

Isaac Davis Ugonna Ezuma-Igwe

Abigal Harris

Milan Hall

Staff writers

Austin Modlin

Nadia Hargett

Jeanine Ikekhua

Micah Oliphant

Eleanor Saunders

Only with the permission of our elders do we proudly produce each edition of Nubian Message: Dr. Yosef ben-Yochannan, Dr. John Henrik Clark, Dr. Leonard Jeffries, The Black Panther Party, Mumia A. Jamal, Geronimo Pratt, Tony Williamson, Dr. Lawrence Clark, Dr. Augustus McIver Witherspoon, Dr. Wandra P. Hill, Mr. Kyran Anderson, Dr. Lathan Turner, Dr. M. Iyailu Moses, Dokta Toni Thorpe and all those who accompany us as we are still on the journey to true consciousness.

“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.”

the tennis racket

Three Dead and five injured after mass shooting at Michigan State University

Nadia hargett Staff Writer

Professionalism. It’s something that athletes are universally expected to have, no matter what their mood is and no matter how their opponent plays. That’s why when a player falters and has an outburst, they are scrutinized. However, it seems that that scrutiny is pointed at some more than others.

Take Alexander Bublik for instance. In February of this year, Bublik lost to an unranked opponent named Grégoire Barrère at Open Sud de France. This caused Bublik to fail to defend his French tournament title, which made him understandable upset. However, because of his loss, he proceeded to break not one, not two, but three tennis rackets. Right in front of the crowd of people watching him. This isn’t the first time Bublik has done this. In fact, he was fined $14,000 in September 2022 for a similar outburst at the United States Open.

Now take the time to ask yourself if you’d heard of this man’s outbursts. I know I hadn’t. In fact, I learned about it from one of my colleagues. It begs the question, why hasn’t this been visible in the news? After all, Serena Williams’ outburst was plastered all over the media. Even I, someone whose never followed sports, would see articles about her on social media. The answer is clear when you look at the distinct differences between Bublik and Williams; Bublik is a man, and Williams is a woman. Gender inequality has always been prevalent in the sports world, and this is a clear example. Alexander Bublik is able to break three rackets and still finish his game, and his tantrum isn’t nearly as infamous as Serena Williams’ back from 2018.

Some may argue Williams incident was discussed more because her name is known more amongst people than Bublik’s, but her gender does play a clear role in this.

Williams herself that Carlos Ramos, the chair umpire who made the rulings for her violations at the time, was being sexist”because she has witnessed male players calling umpires "several things," but they were not penalized. Williams also said that “For me to say 'thief' and for him to take a game, it made me feel like it was a sexist remark," and added, “He's never taken a game from a man because they said 'thief.’ For me it blows my mind. But I'm going to continue to fight for women."

Williams’ had no choice but to forfeit her whole match because of the violations Ramos claimed she’d made, but Bublik’s tirade didn’t cause his chair umpire to make him forfeit a game. In fact, he finished it after destroying the tennis rackets, and while smashing them, the crowd reportedly cheered loudly for him.

It’s also important to acknowledge the racial difference between Bublik and Williams. Bublik is white, and white privilege in sports is very much a real thing. Non-white athletes have faced barriers and dealt with microaggressions for decades, particularly African American athletes.

In society, it has long been a stereotype that Black people are more aggressive and volatile, despite showing the same amount of emotion as their white counterparts. This stereotype bleeds into sports as well: Williams being a Black woman and having an incident during a match like that was clear ammunition for the media to label her as an aggressive person. Even racist caricature art was made of her following that incident, and displayed her as a big, hulking baby throwing a massive tantrum and stomping on her tennis racquet.

Alexander Bublik and Serena Williams should both be expected to remain professionals when it comes to playing tennis, but it is clear to me they both falter and seem to garner differing levels of criticism rather than equal criticism, which isn’t new in sports or media. The expectations of male athletes and female athletes and white athletes and Black athletes are clearly different, even in 2023, and it's clear that a lot of progress still needs to be made.

Rebecca HernÁndez Correspondent

On Feb. 13, 2023, 43-year-old Anthony Dwayne McRae opened fire on Michigan State University’s campus killing three students and injuring five more. McRae, who had no connection with the school, first opened fire at MSU’s Berkey Hall before moving to the Michigan State Student Union, the central hub of MSU’s student life. McRae was later found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, just miles away from MSU’s campus. McRae’s motives for the shooting still remain unknown.

Arielle Anderson, 19 and a junior, was in class when she was shot dead by the shooter. Alexandria Verner, 20, was a junior at MSU majoring in biology. Brian Fraser, 20, was a sophomore studying business and served as the president of the Michigan Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta. All three were the students of Michigan State University who tragically lost their lives last month, at the hands of McRae.

Guadalupe Huapilla-Pérez, a junior and one of the survivor’s of the shooting, “sustained two bullet wounds, one of which impacted five major organs.” Perez is still in the hospital recovering from her injuries. Troy Forbush, another MSU student and survivor, has been released from the hospital after being shot in the chest.

Another student survivor has also been released from the hospital but has not been identified by the media. Additionally, there are two other students along with Perez who are still recovering from their injuries in the shooting.

Michigan State University, much like North Carolina State University, is a public research university in the United States with over 38,000 undergraduate students. Both universities are the largest higher education institutions in their respective states.

Much like public universities across the country, both MSU and NC State are open campuses meaning, “invites general public visitors as well as the campus community to come and go as they please from the property.” This is how McRae was able to access MSU’s campus without being a student, staff or faculty member.

Although open campuses have been a thing for most institutions, MSU and other public universities may be moving to change or adapt this. Michigan State is taking action to change its security protocols in lieu of everything that has happened. Some of these protocols include

expanding the school’s network of cameras, requiring key card access into buildings after business hours, installing a new lock system in classrooms and requiring active violence training to all faculty, staff and students.

In 2019, McRae had previously been charged with carrying a concealed weapon but later pleaded down to “possession of a loaded firearm in or upon a vehicle,” a misdemeanor instead. At first, his case was brought up on felony charges which had he been convicted for would have prevented him from being able to obtain a legal firearm. McRae was found by the police with two firearms that he had legally purchased. However, it is still unclear where he legally purchased the firearm he used in the shooting according to the police.

Gun violence has been becoming a bigger and more pressing issue in the United States, since the end of the 20th century. The Gun Violence Archive estimated 647 mass shootings in 2022, 690 mass shootings in 2021 and 96 mass shootings in 2023 this far.

Gun violence is also the number one leading cause of death in children in the United States, surpassing automobile accidents and cancer. According to Insider, “Americans are 25 times more likely to die from gun violence than people in higher income nations.”

An entire generation of people in the US are now affected by gun violence. Jackie Matthews, a 21-year-old senior and survivor of the Michigan State shooting, also lived through the horror of the Sandy Hook shooting in Connecticut just ten years ago when she was 10. In the one minute and seventeen second video that Matthews posted on her TikTok account, she recounts the trauma she endured on Dec. 14, 2012 and again just a few weeks ago. Matthews represents a generation of students who have gone through school their entire lives filled with fear due to gun violence.

As mass shootings continue, people become fearful, sorrowful and angry, demanding change and reform. All we are met with from our officials is “thoughts and prayers.” Nothing has been done on the State or Federal level to prevent tragedies like Sandy Hook and Michigan State from happening, causing this cycle to repeat itself over and over again.

“

Bublik is white and white privilege in the sports is very much a real thing. Non-White athletes have faced barriers and have dealt with microaggressions for decades... ”

US Involved in Nord Stream Pipeline Explosion

Fashion Runways Return to the Mandate of Skinny

eleanor saunders Staff Writer

On Sep. 26, 2022, the United States Navy, in alliance with the Norwegian government, used C4 explosives to detonate part of the Nord Stream Pipelines, according to investigative journalist Seymour Hersh. President Joe Biden saw the pipelines “as a vehicle for Vladmir Putin to weaponize natural gas for his political and territorial ambitions.” For this reason, President Biden ordered the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), to devise a plan to sabotage Russia’s main source of natural gas. This is an act of international terrorism.

The Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, located in the Baltic Sea, run side by side for 750 miles. The pipelines start in Vyborg, Russia and end in Lubmin, Germany. They are able to carry 55 billion cubic meters of gas, an equivalent to about 20 billion tons of gas, in one year.

Once the pipelines were completed in 2012, cheap gas was able to be transported from Russia to Germany and the majority of Western Europe. This gas fueled factories, homes and businesses. Although it caused an economic boom in Germany, the direct route bypassed Ukraine, leaving the country out of the mix.

With the majority of Western Europe depending on Russia for their oil supply, anticommunist countries, like the U.S. and the Kingdom of Norway, sought to destroy the pipelines.

So, what was President Biden’s plan? Biden employed professional divers from The U.S. Navy’s Diving and Salvage Center, located in Panama City, Florida and partnered with Norway. According to Hersh, Biden chose these divers for a “vital bureaucratic reason.” The divers employed were a part of the U.S. Navy, and not of America’s Special Operations Command. Members of this command must report their covert operations to Congress.

Before the plan was put into motion, the U.S. military expanded its presence in Norway. Millions of dollars were used to “upgrade and expand American Navy and Air Force facilities in Norway.” The Norwegian government also took further steps to push their agenda.

According to the U.S. The Department of State, the U.S. and Norway negotiated the Supplementary Defense Cooperation Agreement (SDCA). This agreement “establishes a framework to advance our (U.S.

and Norwegian governments) capabilities… [SDCA] provides the necessary authorities of U.S. forces to access specific Norwegian facilities and conduct activities for our mutual defense.”

In March 2022, “a hand-picked team of CIA and National Security Agency (NSA) operatives flew to the country [Norway] to discuss the operation with the Norwegian Secret Service and the Navy.” At this meeting, the U.S. and the Norwegian Secret Service chose the part of the pipelines where the C4 explosives were to be placed.

The Norwegian government suggested the Nord Stream pipelines that run through the Baltic Sea. In this area, the waters are very shallow and are only a few miles off Denmark’s Bornholm Island. The pipelines were only 260 feet below the water, making it easier for the U.S. Navy divers to reach them.

The next obstacle for the U.S. Navy and Norwegian government was deciding when to specifically place the C4 explosives.

According to the U.S. Naval Forces, the 51st Baltic Operations (BALTOPS22) took place in June of 2022. During this 13-day exercise, 47 ships, 89 aircrafts and 7000 personnel from 16 NATO Ally countries, including the United States and the Kingdom of Norway, were in the Baltic Sea. BALTOPS22 is where these allied countries participated “alongside one another to test the flexibility, adaptability, and capabilities of maritime and amphibious forces.” The U.S. Navy and Norwegian government covered their operation with this exercise.

The original plan was to place the C4 explosives with a 48-hour timer attached to them by the end of BALTOPS22. President Biden then second-guessed himself, worrying that a 2-day window will point directly to the U.S. This resulted in a Norwegian Navy P8 surveillance plane dropping a sonar buoy into the Baltic Sea under the cover of a routine flight in late September 2022. This buoy triggered the C4 explosive devices that were planted in early June of that same year.

According to the U.S. Department of State, this was a “tremendous opportunity to once and for all remove the dependence on Russian energy and thus to take away from Vladimir Putin the weaponization of energy as a means of advancing his imperial designs.”

Shaere delgiudice Correspondent

In the midst of fashion week, many are left with a particularly worrying theme: the runway once again seems to be lacking in body diversity.

Speaking in regard to Jason Wu’s recent runway show, Chief Fashion Critic at the New York Times, Vannessa Friedman, said in a tweet, “even I am distracted by the extreme skinniness of many of the models.” Further into the tweet thread, Friedman called the discussion of size inclusivity in fashion “more lip-service than actual.”

To those who have not been paying attention, the seeming return to the model look of the ‘90s, when "Heroin Chic" ruled the runways, may not be all that surprising. In a TikTok, model Jourdan Daniels said “I’ve been seeing videos of people saying ‘skinny is back” which she calls “terrifying for all of us.”

So, after what seemed to be a continuous movement towards more body diversity on the runways, why do they seem to be backsliding now?

Depending on who you ask you could get a wide range of answers. However, as Rosalind Jana at Dazed writes, "many lay blame at the feet of the current 00s revival." The return of fashion trends such as low-rise skirts and jeans, ‘whale tails’, crop tops and the ‘ultra mini’ mini skirt, which show off more of a person’s figure, are often made without inclusive sizing.

The high fashion brand Miu Miu’s mini skirt, for example, gained almost instant virality and was seen on the likes of actress Nicole Kidamn for Vanity Fair’s 28th annual Hollywood Issue, actress Zendaya for the cover of Interview Magazine and model Emily Ratajkowski. While plus-size model Paloma Elsesser was seen on the cover of i-D in the skirt as well, as Yahoo notes, her skirt was a custom one, and the brand doesn’t actually make the set in her size.

Additionally, while curves, Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBL) and the aim for a 'perfect hourglass' figure were seemingly all the rage in recent years, they seem to be out once again with the resurgence of all things 2000s.

While the look of many runways this season seemed to reflect these shifts, with noticeably fewer plus-sized or curvy

models, not all of the Fashion Week runways have been missing the mark in terms of body diversity. Sinead O’Dwyer’s show had multiple plus-size models, in addition to a model in a wheelchair, another kind of body diversity we rarely see featured or discussed in the fashion industry, and even featured a visibly pregnant model.

In addition, O’Dwyer’s show was very diverse in terms of model’s race and complexions. Designer Di Pesta’s show featured many curvier models as well, and designer Karoline Vitto "built her collection with bigger bodies in mind.”

This is all important because the fashion industry, its trends and what it presents as ‘in’ and ‘stylish’ trickles down, impacting everyday consumers. As Mikayala Rooney at Daily Collegian states, “the runway provides a starting point for what retail clothing will look like.” If runways cast plus-size models aside again with non inclusive sizing or designs, this could very well affect the clothing and clothing options that we all see in stores. With the average American woman being between a size 16 and 18, having sizes that they can actually wear in styles that are comfortable for them is crucial.

The ideals and cyclical body trends, perpetuated in part by the fashion industry, may negatively impact the young women the industry so heavily aims at. It could cause them to think their bodies are not fashionable or that they need to change to fit into other standards. Joan Jacobs Brumberg, author of “The Body Project” a book that explores the experience over time of life in a young woman's body, Joan Jacobs Brumberg, discusses this idea. She says “with store-bought clothes, the body had to fit instantaneously into standard sizes that were constructed from a pattern representing a norm. When clothing failed to fit… young women were apt to perceive that there was something wrong with their bodies.”

Going forward, hopefully more designers will realize as O’Dwyer, Pesta and Vitto do, that aesthetics and fashion trends should be and are for everyone, regardless of their bodies, and therefore should be accessible for, and shown on all.

NUBIAN SUGGESTIONS

Harlem (2023)

Jaz Bryant / Editor-In-Chief

Legend Series: @aliyahsinterlude1

Original Series Poster

“Harlem” follows the lives of four Black best friends living in – you guessed it – Harlem, New York City, New York. Camille is an anthropology professor at New York University, Quinn is an heiress and business owner, Angie is a struggling artist and Tye is a queer tech mogul. The four support each other as they navigate careers, family and romantic relationships. This show has a range of Black people from across the diaspora, showing that Black is indeed not a monolith. “Harlem,” streaming on Amazon Prime, is a feel good show about the joy, pain, love and much more that comes with living in your truth.

Crush Ep by Ravyn Lenae (2018)

Micah Oliphant /Staff Writer

Red-haired, Chicago native, 19-year-old Ravyn Lenae captivated the hearts of alternative Black people everywhere with the release of her 2018 debut EP, Crush. Her airy melodies, groovy instrumentals and soft girl aesthetic collide in this five song masterpiece, enchanting her audience and showing off her effortless talent through every song. She partners with Steve Lacy to tell a story of longing for romance, affection and a desire to be with someone, in “Computer Luv”and “4 Leaf Clover.”

Aliyah Bah, commonly known throughout social media as @aliyahsinterlude1, is a Black influencer taking the digital world by storm.

Aliyah started off her career showing off her creative, alternative fashion taste and style while also speaking on relatable opinions. Aliyah has become a social media socialite, creating her own aesthetic, and getting invited to highfashion events. Aaliyah’s career may have just begun, but her influence in her short time in the social spotlight is iconic. She is short of becoming a celebrity and, eventually, a legend.

“TikTok needs to stop commending it.”

With videos like @diaboliestlestum’s trying to trivialize the impact #aliyahcore has had, Aliyah herself made a video on Jan. 9 further explaining what #aliyahcore is and what it represents. In the video, she responded to a comment that a fan of her’s left under another creator's video, stating that what the other creator was wearing was considered #aliyahcore, when it was in fact just a miniskirt and platform Demonia shoes.

Aliyah stated that it’s not okay to try and discredit #aliyahcore as a whole.

Original Album Cover

“The Night Song” is a funky, groovy, rhythmic tune all about feeling your flyest self. The Crush EP is truly a fantastic piece and an easy listen.

The Vertical Interrogation of Strangers by bhanu kapil (2001)

Leila Ganim / Correspondent

Original Book Cover

“The Vertical Integration of Strangers” is a poetry book with quite the unique format. Written by Bhanu Kapil, the book follows a question and answer structure. Each question asks for in-depth reflections about the Indian female experience, shying away from a one sided perspective of this group of women. Reading it reminded me of the process of painting. While painting there are many strokes of the brush that layer into an intended shape. All the strokes of nothing blend together to make something. The book as a whole reflects a beautifully diverse portrait of experience.

North Carolina Theatre’s production of Dreamgirls (2023) Shaere Delgiudice / Correspondent

Throughout the Summer of 2022, Aliyah frequently posted on TikTok, showing off her unique outfits in every video. It was then when she began experimenting more with accessories and the practicality of fashion when people started taking notice. You watched as her style evolved more and more as she posted. Her page grew immensely in a matter of months, and the attention that she desired and manifested in her videos finally came to fruition.

With her outfits, Aliyah would often pair a single garner on her thigh, faux fur accessories, fishnets, platform shoes and lots of layers. Through these modifications, her fans dubbed her style #aliyahcore and the aestheticized movement was created.

“I understand that I'm not the first alternatively dressing Black woman, like, when did I ever say that,” she begins, “But what is revolutionary and new about #aliyahcore is that I take things from many different subsets of fashion and I make it into one simple genre or one simple aesthetic.”

She then went on to describe the different aesthetics she takes inspiration from, such as Japanese Harajuku fashion, Y2K fashion, etc. She continues that #aliyahcore is about “loving yourself out loud and being able to wear what you want without the fear of being perceived.”

So, while @diaboliestlestum was right about #aliyahcore’s inspiration, they failed to understand the true meaning behind #aliyahcore. They failed to recognize how Aliyah was able to take all of these niche aesthetics and turn them into one cohesive style that anyone can take part in.

Original Play Scene

The North Carolina Theatre’s production of “Dreamgirls” was a joy to watch. Iris Ponce Lloyd's costuming was brilliant and eye-catching along with Charlie Morrison's lighting design worked hand in hand to help highlight the intricate beading and sequin work. Saint Aubyn rocked the house with each song performance as James Thunder Early, making viewers feel as though they were the true audience Early was performing for. As for the Dreamgirls themselves, Tamara Jade, Joy Woods and Nya delivered spectacular emotional performances in addition to their stunningly great vocals, and were helped by the show's choreography, done masterfully, by Christopher D. Betts.

While #aliyahcore was met with lots of positivity, with over 136.9M views under the hashtag, some were bound to be upset. Earlier this year, Aliyah was bombarded with criticism on how she was trying to coin a style that has already been around for decades. Some people felt as if Aaliyah was doing a disservice to individuals who previously popularized the style. These people were often shunned for wearing this kind of clothing and felt that she should not get credit for her aesthetic

A TikTok creator, by the username @diaboliestlestum, stated in a video “Aaliyah core is just a mix of Y2K and the old scene and emo style from 2009” and

Aliyah's influence and social media presence has already granted her amazing career opportunities. During Fall Fashion Week 2023, which occurred from Feb. 10 - Feb. 15, Aliyah attended several big named events; this included the Concept Korea show and also closing for Mowalola’s Fall ‘23 ready-to-wear collection show as well.

Aliyah’s impact is taking her far. This is truly just the beginning of her career. Aliyah is easily one of the most remarkable fashion icons that TikTok has produced and her impact on her audience and people worldwide is just now beginning. With a following of 2.5 million, there’s no telling where Aliyah’s influence will take her, but I’ll be there watching the entire time.

micah oliphant Staff Writer

time to celebrate

a fresh point of view

playlist by Nubian Message Staff Songs that change your perspective on something

black woman Danielle Brooks

I gotta finD peace of mind Ms Lauryn Hill

weary solanGe Knowles

A boy is a gun Tyler, the creator

let's go crazy prince and the revolution

just a stranger kali uchis ft. Steve lacy

another story burna boy ft. M. anifest

it is what it is adekunle Gold

man down rihanna closer goapele

There's hope indiaarie people libianca

estamos bein bad bunny

high for hours j. cole

Somebody else's world sun ra

Versace Prew/Staff Photographer

(from left to right) Dr. Courtney Hinton, the Medical Director of Campus Health and Jenn Wilder, the Associate Director of Operations for Campus Health, express themselves at the Black History Month Black State of Wellness Roundtable Discussion event in the African American Culture on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023.

Kaela Belingon/Staff Photographer Students toss yellow powder in each other's faces during the Holi Celebration on Stafford Commons on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The NC State Holi Celebration was hosted by Ektaa, NC State Global, and Maitiri-Igsa to celebrate the Hindu tradition of Holi.

the politicization of black history

Republican Gov. Ron Desantis rejects African American Advanced Placement (AP) courses pressuring the College Board to strip down curriculum. The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) claims the course “significantly lacks educational value." Changes in the Feb. 1st rollout discarded crucial nuances in African American studies.

According to the New York Times, they "purged the names of many Black writers and scholars associated with critical race theory, the queer experience, and Black feminism." In the formal curriculum, they left out the Black Lives Matter movement and other “politically fraught topics.”

Gov. Desantis has previously passed legislation limiting public conversation around progressive racial concepts. Banning Critical Race Theory (CRT), enacting the Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act (Stop W.O.K.E Act), and prohibiting African American AP courses from public high schools in Florida are only a few examples that could lead to dangerous control over education.

Democratic Sen. Bobby Powell describes this ban as discriminatory and berates its legitimacy for going against Florida law. He recalls, “Almost 30 years ago, Florida lawmakers passed a law that requires public school students to be taught the history of African Americans, including slavery, abolition, and the contributions of Blacks to society.”

He further argues “banning this advanced placement course that incorporates these very issues not only whitewashes history but tramples a lauded state law that guided our state into the 21st century… our governor’s racial bias on full display.”

Furthermore, this ban by Gov. Desantis was only the beginning of his political agenda aimed towards morphing higher education by eliminating what he called “ideological conformity.” The passage of his proposed Individual Freedoms bill ensures the absence of white guilt, cementing a notion of misdirected oppression. Desantis declares, “No one should be instructed to feel as if they are not equal or shamed because of their race…In Florida, we will not let the far-left woke agenda take over our schools and workplaces. There is no place for indoctrination or discrimination in Florida.”

Ironically, the word indoctrinate, as defined by Britannica Dictionary means "to

teach (someone) to fully accept the ideas, opinions, and beliefs of a particular group and to not consider other ideas, opinions, and beliefs."

The Stop W.O.K.E Act, was signed into law last year. The law uses a play on words with the slang African American Vernacular English (AAVE) term ‘woke.’ Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes the term as “aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).” The repressive bill design is perceived as a mockery of the ‘woke’ title, as it excludes diversity and inclusion discussions in school or the workplace.

Sen. Bobby Powell explains in a press release that it “essentially prohibits instruction on race relations or diversity that imply a person’s status as either privileged or oppressed is necessarily determined by his or her race, color, national origin, or sex.”

The Stop W.O.K.E Act is used interchangeably with the Individual Freedoms Act (IFA) to reaffirm conservative beliefs concerning the erasure of unwanted social conversations discussing privilege and oppression while attempting to dilute the language that describes obstacles tied to the Black community.

Gov. Desantis' approach to eradicating white guilt perpetuates white fragility. President of the Florida Education Association, Fedrick Ingram, says “History sometimes involves the good, the bad, and the ugly of what has happened. But we deserve honest history.”

Following the controversy, the head of the College Board, David Coleman, announced, “At the College Board, we can’t look at statements of political leaders,” arguing that the changes came from “the input of professors” and “long-standing A.P. principles.”

Several scholars including a Yale

Professor of American History, David Blight, strongly disagreed with stripping down the program. When asked why he withdrew a requested endorsement from the College Board, Dr. Blight replied, “I withdrew it because I want to know when and how they made these decisions to excise these people” saying this was “an attack on their academic freedom.”

Other organizations and professors mirrored these concerns. Senior manager at PEN America (a non-profit org. dedicated to defending the freedom of expression and human rights) Jeremy C. Young raised concerns that it “risked sending the message that political threats against the teaching of particular types of content can succeed in silencing that content.”

After deliberation, on Feb.11, 2023, the College Board published a statement admitting that they “made mistakes in the rollout” and “deeply regret not immediately denouncing the Florida Department of Education’s slander magnified by the DeSantis administration’s subsequent comments, that African American Studies “lacks educational value.”

They explain material concerning mass incarceration, Black Lives Matter and reparations, were not taken out and instead became optional. “Our lack of clarity allowed the narrative to arise that political forces had “downgraded” the role of these contemporary movements and debates in the AP class.”

In addition, the College Board remarks they have not been in correspondence with the FDOE. Changes to the curriculum were designed months in advance without FDOE input. They believe this is a PR stunt to exploit them for their “political agenda.”

The College Board further explained that the reduction and removal of buzzwords, like intersectionality and systemically marginalized, were broken down and made more palatable due to the politicization,

misrepresentation, and misunderstanding of these words. They reiterate, “Florida is attempting to claim a political victory by taking credit retroactively for changes we ourselves made but that they never suggested to us.”

In a most recent letter by the FDOE, they disparage African American studies by labeling them as “historically fictional.” This rhetoric delegitimizes the painful history of African Americans. Because of this, “The College Board condemns this uninformed caricature of African American Studies and the harm it does to scholars and students.”

While the message appeared sincere, many scholars were displeased by the new framework and not completely convinced it was uninfluenced by Gov. Desantis.

Feb. 15, 2023 African American Studies Faculty in higher education created a petition signed by over one thousand professors from universities across the United States. The petition expresses discontent with the excised and censored content and provides four measures of suggested action to restore integrity.

The African American Studies Faculty in Higher Education wrote, "it is evident from the same statement that the Board’s initial comments regarding private exchanges between the CB and FDOE were misleading and incomplete." They further explained that "this allowed FDOE and the DeSantis administration to claim a victory in censoring the course." Instead of reorganizing the curriculum to enhance its efficiency or make it more mainstream, they argue, "It has been scrubbed of much of its critical and contemporary content.”

The African American Studies Faculty in Higher Education advises making a "clear stand against so-called “anti woke” legislation." Altering African American history curriculum based on political criticism is destructive and can lead to detrimental consequences, such as authoritarian control over education and the erasure of critical thinking through restricted education.

Jeremy C. Young states that College Board’s political influence “risked sending the message that political threats against the teaching of particular types of content can succeed in silencing that content.”

Warning that allowing political criticism to alter education in African-American history could be a segue to authoritarian education.

Senait richmond Correspondent

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Menstrual Reform around the World

leila ganim Correspondent

Spain became the first Western European country to pass legislation giving access to paid menstrual leave early in February. The push for reform began in the progressive Catalan region, an autonomous community in Spain. Within the city of Girona, conversations about allowing individuals to take paid menstrual leave began popping up; this led to a discussion about the fight for menstrual rights in Spain.

Irene Montero, the Equality Minister, played a massive role in the push for reform. Montero is a part of the “Unidas Podemos” Party. Due to Spain’s multiparty system, the “Unidas Podemos” is an organization composed of 14 different national and regional left-wing political parties.

There were 190 votes in favor of the new menstrual leave legislation, with 154 against it and were deemed abstentions. The close vote led to the decision going to the State level of government.

The new legislation examined the idea of dysmenorrhea, which the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists define as “Pain associated with menstruation is called dysmenorrhea. More than half of women who menstruate have some pain for 1 to 2 days each month. Usually, the pain is mild. But for some women, the pain is so severe that it keeps them from doing their normal activities for several days a month.”

A dysmenorrhea diagnosis allows individuals to exercise the rights found in the new legislation. Individuals are required to attend monthly doctor visits. Once they feel that a person fits under the dysmenorrhea umbrella, they can be granted paid menstrual leave. The paid leave begins with three-days time, and further investigation could lead to a full five days of paid leave. The change in legislation benefits the Spanish workforce as many of them are individuals who menstruate. According to La Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado, 96 percent of Spain’s domestic workers identify as women.

A study conducted by the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health found that on average 15-25 percent of individuals who menstruate report experiencing aggressive pain associated with their menstrual cycle. Furthermore, the study reports ten to 15 percent of the surveyed people explained that

nonsteroidal antinflammatory drugs, such as Aspirin, do not help alleviate the pain.

This legislative change also brings up the discussion of abortion rights and access to adequate care. NPR reports, “more than 80% of termination procedures in Spain are carried out in private clinics due to a high number of doctors in the public system who refuse to perform them — with many citing religious reasons.” The changes in the law address these issues by allowing abortions in all state run hospitals. Doctors who have registered to not perform abortions will not be required to do so. NPR further reports the new legislation allows 16 and 17-year-olds access to abortions without parental consent. Additionally, menstruation products will be freely available in schools and prisons. In state-run health clinics, birth control, including hormonal contraceptives and the morning after pill, will also be freely available. Found within the newly formed legislation there is clear intent on improving access to contraceptives for the younger generation in Spain.

There has been political push back following the implementation of these new laws. The popular right-wing party challenged the new abortion law. They were specifically against allowing abortions up to the 14th week of pregnancy. However, these claims were rejected by Spain’s constitutional court.

The United States has a lack of attention to menstruation laws. However, a digital media company located in Los Angeles named Chani allows for “Unlimited menstrual leave for people with uteruses.” Similarly, Nuvento Inc, a software company based in the United States, adopted a single day menstrual leave for people with uteruses. Individual companies have taken the responsibility, but federal and local US governments have yet to take action regarding paid menstrual leave.

In 1947, Japan released a law explaining any individual suffering severe period pains cannot be forced to work. Article 68 of the labor law details the specifics of accessing paid leave. The 1928 Tokyo Municipal Bus Company female conductor strikes led to the implementation of Article 68. After World War II, women entering the workforce did not have adequate sanitary products, thus leading to the passing of the law.

In 1948, Indonesia legislatively introduced the notion of menstrual leave. However by 2003, it led to “...female workers experiencing menstrual pain [not being obliged] to work on the first two days of their cycle.” This expressed desire for change, but had some drawbacks. Specifically, the changes to the legislation enacted in 2003 ended up weakening access to menstrual care as a workplace right.

In 1994, Vietnam created a labor code in

their legislation that aided in the fight for menstrual leave. Instead of allowing full days off, the law gives 30 minute breaks to those menstruating during that week long cycle. However, in 2020, the code was reformed so workers only have three days of menstrual leave.

In 2012, Korean legislation known as the Labor Standards Act was created. Under article 73, expressions of a “physiologic leave” exist on a monthly basis for female workers. An anecdote of an airline official restricting his female employees from exercising their right to “physiologic leave” was resolved with him facing a fine for $1,790.

In 2019, Zambia produced The Employment Code Act. This legislation brought the discussion of a new approach to paid leave in the workplace. The term used is known as “Mother’s Day.” This is the idea that individuals identifying as women are allowed one day a month for paid leave. They do not need to provide any specific medical documentation for the leave.

In 2021, an Australian based company, Modibod, created a policy for a full ten days of paid menstrual leave, issues relating to menopause, and miscarriage. These days are offered annually versus a monthly basis.

In 2022, Taiwan created legislation known as the Act of Gender Equality in Employment. Specifically, found in Article 14, the act explains individuals who identify as women can request to take one day off with a pay cut of half their normal wage. However, if someone needed more time off they would have to request non paid sick leave.

This discussion on menstrual rights sheds light on the perspective of menstruating people in the workforce. Some argue implementation of this legislation will only further the injustice in present systems by further ingraining the established gender binary. Further investigation into the effects of menstrual rights and legislation is needed to address its efficacy. The dream and goal is to create an equal playing field and of equalizing treatment amongst genders within the workforce. There is a hope for equality but time will tell how the legislation will truly affect menstruating people in the workforce.

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Understanding the Ohio Train Derailment

Did you know that more than 100 million marine animals die yearly from mismanaged waste dumped into our oceans? From 205 million gallon oil spills to untreated sewage, human activity is responsible for our marine ecosystem’s degradation. The United States alone averages about one chemical accident every two days. In the first seven weeks of 2023 alone, the Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters recorded more than 30 incidents! Chemical disasters are very common, still, none gained more recent notoriety than the Ohio Train Derailment.

isAac davis Correspondent

used in plastic production, with short-term exposure causing dizziness and migraines. As a known carcinogen, chronic exposure to vinyl chloride can cause a rare liver cancer, angiosarcoma. When burned, vinyl chloride decomposes into hydrogen chloride, which corrodes any human tissue with which it comes in contact.

exposed to air and water. Experts cannot predict how this environmental cataclysm will affect us in the coming years. You can find a comprehensive timeline of the derailment here, provided by ABC News.

In February 2023, a train operated by Norfolk Southern (NS) derailed, carrying an array of highly volatile chemicals into the air, water and soil of East Palestine, Ohio. With 20,200 employees, NS is North America's fifth largest railway company. NS maintains and operates 21,300 miles of railroad across 22 eastern states and D.C.

On Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, about fifty NS freight train cars derailed in flames in the small town of East Palestine, Ohio. Shortly after the derailment, several cars caught fire, releasing dozens of harmful chemicals into the air, water and soil. Residents within one mile of the derailment were quickly evacuated. NS also promised $1,000 "inconvenience checks" to those living in the evacuation zone. Twenty derailed cars carried hazardous materials. One of the twenty hazardous materials included volatile, colorless gas vinyl chloride. Vinyl chloride is commonly

East Palestine residents reported trouble breathing and migraines, with some experiencing seizures. Independent organizations have reported high levels of volatile compounds are lingering in residential areas. In stark contrast, joint tests conducted by Norfolk Southern and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have routinely come up clean. East Palestine residents are rightfully anxious to return to their homes and workplaces, fighting to ration their inconvenience checks to their absolute limits.

The following Monday, Feb. 6, Norfolk Southern conducted a controlled burn where they released plumes of smoke to prevent the highly flammable vinyl chloride from exploding. The EPA ordered NS to clean up all resulting contamination and pay all costs. Within the next week, an estimated 7.5 miles of river water became saturated with vinyl chloride, resulting in a massive fish kill of over 5,000 freshwater fish.

But, it is not air and water pollution that scientists are afraid of. Rather, it is soil pollution that significantly concerns public health and safety. Most of the Ohio train compounds evaporate within a couple of days when

Labor unions speculate precision scheduled railroading (PSR) is a major cause of the Ohio derailment catastrophe. Norfolk Southern adopted PSR in 2019, promising efficient freight movement and simpler routing networks. Rail workers, however, describe PSR as a "slash-and-burn" of expenses and headcount, resulting in massive layouts. Former NS engineer, Scott Wilcox, told VICE News that before PSR workers were given 10 minutes to inspect each train car for problems. Wilcox continued, explaining how NS slashed inspection time to a startling 30 seconds to save on labor costs. Safety was no longer their priority, and there was increased pressure to deliver products and cut margins.

This dedication to profit endangers our working class and puts thousands of lives at risk. Corporate greed is a terrifying beast, and unions are vital to mitigating damage. America has an extensive history of union busting, and no industry is more notorious than the railroad industry. We cannot truly know if precision railroading caused the Ohio train derailment; but is it that far of a leap to assume its implementation plays a role? I implore you to explore this history on your own and make connections between anti-union policies, the health of American citizens and environmental degradation.

Celebrating African American Accessorization

carmella holloway Correspondent

Innovative. Passionate. Creative. Fashion holds a long and beautiful history of change and adaptation across the African diaspora. For millennia fashion has operated as a form of empowerment and expression, remaining integral to Black culture to this day.

Black creativity has revolutionized and revamped style as we know it. Specifically within the realm of accessories. In the United States, African-American fashion takes inspiration from earlier generations, repurposing and reviving itself to suit new aesthetics and movements. With influence spanning centuries, African-American accessories consist of miraculous twists and takes on classic looks.

Headwraps have remained a statement piece for all people across the African diaspora. The versatility of its design have brought generations to the headwrap, and its offshoots. Headwraps can come in any fabric, design and color, allowing users unlimited style opportunities. They are an essential piece allowing the wearer expression of identity and style.

Originating in Sub-Saharan African cultures, headwraps

mix fashion with functionality. Their dynamic patterns adorned wearers while the material protects them from the heat of the sun.

With the emergence of the mammy caricature during the Jim Crow era, Black Americans began to reject the headwrap. The mammy caricature acted to spread rhetoric that Black women were content, and belonged in positions of servitude; appy and completely loyal to her white employers, she cared for and loved them as a family, intentionally centering them in her life.

In the 1970s, Black Americans began to embrace the headwrap and its other forms such as the durag. These headpieces were turned into a symbol of resistance as well as expression and pride in the Afrocentric aesthetic. Over the years, the adornment's appreciation only increased.

The 1990s and 2000s saw prominent Black female artists such as Erykah Badu, India.Arie and Lauryn Hill bring colorful headwraps into the mainstream. Through them, the headwrap became loved by a new generation.

Different styles of jewelry have emerged across the diaspora, reflecting each respective culture’s rich history. Although younger than other cultures within the diaspora, Black American culture still has much to show for itself

through its use of jewelry. The classic hoop earring, dating back centuries ago in modern-day Sudan, has influenced Black American culture for decades.

In the 1970s, large thin hoop earrings were pushed into the mainstream after being seen on the likes of Donna Summer and Diana Ross. Within the 1980s and 1990s, bold statement jewelry became popularized due to a new generation of Black American athletes and entertainers with new styles and aesthetics.

Bamboo earrings, a modern twist on the historical piece of jewelry, became popular during this era. Bamboo earrings are earrings with a Bamboo-like texture, typically coming in gold or silver. This versatile piece has been popularized because of fashionable figures like Salt-N-Pepa and Rixabbe Shante sporting them within their aesthetic.

Within African American history, accessorization is a method of self-expression, breaking away from oppression that has destroyed centuries of cultural identity and existence. Accessorization plays an integral part in Black power and pride and acts as a form of resistance for the duration of African American history.

Where would South Africa be Today?

Many can say that Africa was robbed of its potential. Colonialism is a plague that infected Africa, and many of its symptoms are felt today.

South Africa, a country whose history with colonialism, apartheid and racism (still even today) was engraved with the arrival of the Europeans. These were the factors that sent the country into political, social and economic restraint.

The legal apartheid that started in 1948 has stunted South Africa’s progression. During the apartheid, there were three categories of racial identification: Africans as either Bantu or Black, mixed race individuals as coloured and white. This racial division allowed for the legalization and enforcement of many immoral laws. Separating the country politically, economically, socially and culturally, further withholding the country’s development. South Africa, compared to the rest of the continent, was already 50 years behind in progress due to the country being split unequally.

South Africa’s apartheid would not be as globally recognized and disapproved of as it is had it not been for Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid activist and president. Being the first black president of the country, Mandela was already breaking barriers, but his incarceration aided the resilience of the apartheid. His 18-year sentence served as a reminder both nationally and internationally reminder of the injustice taking place and his resilience is a continued legacy.

It is important to note that almost 80 percent of the South African population are Black Africans. Due to colonization, the white Africans lead and are still leading most if not all of the country’s political affairs hence why racial discrimination is still being swept under the rug.

Now that we know some background of South Africa and its history of colonialism, apartheid and racism, this begs the question: where would South Africa be today? Though most of the rest of Africa is still enduring colonialistic systems, South Africa is by far suffering the most. In regards to the country's political progress, though the apartheid has ended, the

battle for racial justice and equality is still ongoing and will continue as the country's political voice is only valued when the partisans are white.

Despite the white South Africans only making up 10 percent of the population, their voice speaks for the entire country. In many ways the political progression of South Africa is in the hands of those that believe South Africa is for the whites. And when the power is in the hand of those that only want personal gains and interest, progression is too big of an ask.

From an economic standpoint, South Africa produces 10 percent of the world’s gold. If South Africa had the opportunity to partake in the global production and disturbance of its gold, its economy would skyrocket. Furthermore, the country’s rich resources are not distributed to more than 90 percent of the population, so even if the country was economically advantaged on a global scale, the Black South African and other South Africans civilians would be living in stumbles.

The country is also rich in diversity, with the voices of Black South Africans and other marginalized minorities in South Africa amplified, the country’s social and cultural progression would have been much farther ahead than they are today. The lack of access to education has caused a disproportionate income rate between white South Africans and Black and other South Africans. It is no surprise that a country whose progress has been stunted also has an increased crime raes and declined quality of life.

South Africa, like the rest of Africa, could have achieved so much more on so many levels. It is truly a disservice to the world how much potential South Africa was robbed and put on a pause because of colonialism, racism and the apartheid.

What They Don’t Tell You About the Feminist Movement

Feminism, defined by the International Women’s Development Agency as the “equal rights and opportunities” for all genders, has a dark past that is otherwise sugar coated in our schools. We were taught that feminists, such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, wanted equal rights for all men and women.

However, this often only included white men and women. What about Black men and women? According to Ferris State University, Fredrick Douglas worked hand in hand with Stanton. Douglas supported the feminist movement while Stanton supported the abolitionist movement, the movement organized to end the practice of slavery.

Unfortunately, the tables turned when the 15th Amendment passed in Congress on Feb. 26, 1869. The 15th Amendment gave African American males the right to vote. However, white women were not allowed to vote until the passage of the 19th Amendment, almost fifty years later. Women of color gained this right even later.

The passage of the 15th Amendment enraged Stanton. According to Ferris State University, when asked is she were “willing to have the colored man enfranchised before the white woman,” Stanton replied “no; I would not trust him with all my rights; degraded, oppressed himself, he would be more despotic with the governing power than even our Saxon rulers are.”

Stanton was not the only feminist of her time that didn’t want African American men to have the power to vote. According to Time Magazine, Susan B. Anthony opposed the idea of Black men being able to vote before white women and in general. Anthony only supported a “predominantly-white history of voting rights.”

Meanwhile, African American women were completely left out of the picture. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) African American women were not invited to the Seneca Falls Convention, the first major convention for women’s rights. In attendance at the Seneca Falls Convention were 200-300 white men and women. Only one African American was invited to the convention and that was Fredrick Douglas.

Stanton was not the only white woman to abuse her position of power. Prominent African American women have been targeted by white women for fighting against the injustices done against Black people. Ida B. Wells and Sojourner Truth were Black critical activists who fought for their right to vote as African American women. Powerful white women tried to silence their voices, according to NPR and the ACLU.

Frances E. Willard, the president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Movement from 1879 to 1898, was one of these women. In her quest for justice for her African American counterparts, Ida B. Wells decided protest and self-defense were the best way to address the matter. Willard did not approve of Wells’ message and sought to ruin her image. Willard stated that “it is not fair that a plantation Negro who can neither read or write should be entrusted with the ballot.” This statement caused some U.S. publications, such as the “Memphis Commercial” to slander Wells’ name. The “Commercial” called her a “harlot” and said her statements were “foul and slanderous.”

Sojourner Truth was also a victim of white female suffragists. In 1851, Truth spoke at a women’s rights convention in Akron, Ohio. As part of her speech, Truth allegedly bore her bosom and asked, “Ain’t I a woman?” However, according to historian Nell Painter, Truth didn’t commit this act. Painter believes this was a story made up by Frances Dana Gage and other white feminists who wanted to control Truth’s voice.

The feminist movement was an amazing time in women’s history, but at the expense of African Americans? This narrative is full of injustice.

eleanor saunders Staff Writer

“

South Africa, compared to the rest of the continent, was already 50 years behind in progress due to the country being split unequally."

“ Ida B. Wells and Sojourner Truth were Black critical activists who fought for their right to vote as African American women. ”

fatima oumar Correspondent

the Black Artist Coalitions Flex Your Fit!

On Feb. 23, the Black Artist Coalition intertwined two of my favorite things, Black people and fashion to create an evening full of creativity and glam. The Flex Your Fit event was hosted by the President and Vice President of the organization, Kierstan Hicks and Laila Monadi. It featured Black individuals across campus who desired to show off their style in a chance to win prizes.

The Flex Your Fit was an intimate event, with a crowd of no more than 30 people in attendance. The hosts began by introducing themselves and running down how the night was going to flow. The hosts explained the event was curated for Black, Indigenous and people of color, to show off their styles, celebrate fashion and express themselves within a safe space. The audience would then vote for superlatives of each contestant and for the “Outfit of the Night” award the top three winners would win prizes. Shortly after, the show began.

The first contestant was Nchuo Fuh, a first year student studying Engineering. They came in wearing a vibrant, yellow, floral patterned dress, yellow socks and Mary Jane heels. Their hair was in pigtails, revealing a pair of lemon slice earrings. Their aesthetic reminded me of Lemon Meringue, the beloved character from the “Strawberry Shortcake” franchise. Fuh’s personality radiated as they walked, with them spinning around, throwing up peace signs and smiling while on stage. They were a great start to the event.

The second contestant was Anya Tadisina, a third-year student studying Psychology. Tadisina’s entire presence was nothing short of intimidating. Her demeanor while on stage made the audience go absolutely crazy. Tadisina’s outfit, an all-over print blazer, a black bikini top, a gray, flowy maxi skirt and a pair of black platform wedges, seemed to embody her personality. Her hair was slicked back together, tying the gender nonconforming outfit. Tadisina had a way of enchanting you with their presence, making it hard to look away from the stage. Her outfit showed their dominance and truly made their performance a pleasure to observe.

The third contestant was Vice President Laila Monadi, a third-year student studying biochemistry. She wore a stonewashed black denim jacket, an eclectic beige graphic tee, baggy cargo jeans and

white “Adidas Superstars,” accessorizing with chains on their jeans and two pairs of their own hand-made earrings. Her stage presence was delightful, allowing the audience to see much of Monadi with the way they danced and moved around on stage. You were able to get a better understanding of who Laila was as an individual through their outfit and stage presence, filling the room with nothing but good vibes.

The fourth contestant was Matthew Jones, a second-year engineering student. Jones came onto the stage wearing a durag bedazzled with flowers, a crop top, black mesh pants and black dress shoes. Jones’ outfit was very interesting and aesthetically pleasing to look at. From his use of masculine pieces like the durag and men’s dress shoes to the touch of femininity with the crop top, I truly loved how well he executed merging the two gendernormative behaviors, creating his own aesthetic with it.

Not to mention, his stage presence while performing was outstanding. The way he performed to the crowd, lip-synching and using the entirety of the stage, was a pleasure to watch. Nubian Message asked Matthew how he felt about being in the show

Matthew Jones: “I really enjoyed it, I enjoyed seeing so much Black creativity. I just enjoyed being with the performers. I was nervous at first but then the other performers were so interesting, creative and

fun, it made me less nervous.”

Matthew also went on to explain their fashion taste, saying how they take inspiration from nature and wanted to experiment with combining hypermasculinity into his outfit. That, he executed effortlessly.

The fifth contestant, Shaniya Woolridge, a fourth-year studying Anthropology, wore a green knitted dress. Layered it with white lace leg-warmers and a black corset, which they paired with black platforms and a black and leather choker with chains. Woolridge’s outfit collided bohemian aesthetics with romantic goth to create their own cohesive style. Woolridge’s dances were very carefree and flowy, and I enjoyed their stage presence a lot.

The sixth contestant was Sharonda Daniels, a third-year student studying Applied Education Studies and Computer Programming. Daniels wore a white top with a pink, plaid shirt and white heels. She paired it with pink headphones with cat ears at the top and a thin, brown, knitted shawl. Daniels briefly performed on stage before walking her way through the crowd, giving us an unexpected performance by breaking the fourth wall. Daniel’s performance was powerful, from the music choice to the way she strutted through the crowd.

The seventh and final performance was none other than Mona Abraham, a third year studying Art & Design. Abraham’s outfit was captivating, to say the least.

Abraham’s outfit was something out of an afro-futuristic Pinterest mood board. Their locs were up in a high ponytail, and they wore a hot pink velvet blazer with the shoulders pointed out and the back cut out. A black lingerie-lace top, a black skirt with the same pointed design as their blazer and white, snake-skin boots. Abraham’s accessories were unfathomable, bold and impossible to describe.

Abraham’s entire appearance and performance made it seem like the audience wasn’t even there. Watching Abraham gave me a sense of comfort and nostalgia and was absolutely enchanting. The performance was memorable and an outstanding closing to the event, landing Abraham first place for Outfit of the Night. Nubian Message asked Abrahamhow she felt about the event and winning first place.

Mona Abraham: “I’m happy to be in a space with like-minded people where I am welcomed and appreciated. I’m very happy to be recognized for something I’m passionate about.”

The Flex Your Fit event was unforgettable. It allowed me to forget that Black people fill less than 10% of the student body at State because, in this space, we were the majority. It was comforting seeing so many creatives enjoy themselves and show off their taste. It allowed me to bathe in its good vibes, and I truly look forward to another event put on by the Black Artist Coalition.

micah Oliphant Staff Writer

Micah Oliphant/Staff Photographer

Anya Tadisina dancing on stage

Micah Oliphant/Staff Photographer Sharonda Daniels dancing on stage

Micah Oliphant/Staff Photographer Matthew Jones looking to the side while performing

NC State’s fifth annual Day of Giving takes place on March 22. From scholarships to programs to campus enhancements, Day of Giving donors help make your experience extraordinary.

Show up to either Stafford Commons or The Corner at Centennial between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on March 22 to see how alumni, family, friends and fellow students of the Pack are strengthening our university.

Plus you can:

• Participate in fun activities

• Enjoy free food

• Score some exclusive NC State swag

• Help your favorite area win bonus funds

• And so much more!

This Day of Giving, we’re giving forward and #GivingPack. Learn more at dayofgiving.ncsu.edu

Graphic by Abby Harris