The Resistance Issue Facing the aftermath of Trump’s travel ban Activists at UT start more than just a movement Students start small businesses and spark big ideas A new creative platform for women of color Gateway racism in greek life
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The Resistance Issue
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How We Resist UT Students’ Experiences with Resistance at a PWI
Words by Imani Sebri Photo by Mary Pistorius
“ Resist” has become a buzzword in recent months with the election of President Donald Trump. It’s not hard to find articles of clothing or accessories that have been adorned with a trendy #resist. But what does it mean, and what does it look like to resist?
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The meaning and manifestations of resistance
telling the truth about the white supremacy that has
differs depending on the person, their experiences
existed in this country since its inception.”
and their capabilities. However, for people of color existing within predominantly white institutions, or
When western colonial perspectives are pushed as
PWIs, resistance is necessary for everyday survival.
the status quo, dissenting points of view are often
“Attending a PWI like the University of Texas at Austin
cast aside and delegitimized. Students find it hard to
is just a process,” Middle Eastern studies sophomore
see their experiences and struggles reflected and dis-
Sammy Homsi says. “You have to take it a day at a
cussed in academia.
time and surround yourself with the best people to avoid feeling alienation and disillusionment.” “Most
That’s one way resistance manifests itself— in the form
of the time I just navigate the space with caution. I
of resisting a framework that pushes these one-sided
have to be critical knowing that a lot of the information
narratives. “A colonized education means the silencing
I’m absorbing is coming from a white, western lens.”
of voices of those oppressed by the making of Eurocentric ideology and history,” Kurati says. “It’s important to
“It’s important to amplify the voices of
amplify the voices of marginalized groups and be very
marginalized groups and be very critical
critical of what and how we’re taught. I think that’s how
of what and how we’re taught.
I decolonize my learning,” she adds.
But, among students of color, there is nuance in their
Identity can be another aspect of resistance, spe-
experiences at PWIs. “As an Asian American, I feel that
cifically when that identity is marginalized through
I have internalized the [Asian-American] community’s
oppressive systems. Students search for and find
perceived socioeconomic proximity to whiteness to
comfort and strength in their culture. It provides them
the extent that it often seems like I am not adversely
a sense of familiarity and at times an alternate means
affected by the PWI environment,” Biochemistry soph-
of education. “I incorporate my culture through pol-
omore Chaitra Kurati says. “But when I see whiteness
itics, knowing that in the current political climate
where Asian presence and perspectives belong, such
my existence, as an Arab under Trump, is inherently
as white professors teaching Asian studies courses, I
political,” Homsi says.
realize how far from the truth that is.” In examining student resistance movements, espeThe extent of colonization is commonly thought to
cially from people of color, it’s apparent that
be the physical violence and erasure of indigenous
resistance comes in different forms that span across
ideologies, cultures and perspectives and while that
the spectrum- from organizing and attending protests
is true, the white, western lense that shape just about
to something as simple as engaging with your culture.
every institution, including our own education, is a form
While the notion of what it means to resist will remain
of colonialism. “To me a ‘colonized education’ is being
dynamic, there’s no question of the presence of resis-
taught everything through a settler colonial frame-
tance. As long as large scale oppressive institutions
work,” Homsi says. “It is the existence of an Israeli studies
exist, resistance can be found and no matter how big
department, which is itself a settler colonial state similar
or small the movement, the spirit remains.
to America. It is calling Black slaves ‘workers’ rather than
QUIZ
What signature Austin cocktail are you? Words by Jasmine Valencia Illustration by Sonia Margolin
The Realist
The Adrenaline Junkie
The Explorer
The Romantic
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The Realist
Cucumber Jalapeno Rita You’re the one everyone is comfortable to be around, whether it’s first impressions or life-long friends, you bring everyone down- to- earth with your infectious attitude. Like this refreshing cucumber cocktail that leaves an exciting kick at the end, you both are impossible to forget. JACK ALLEN’S
The Explorer
The French 75 Call off Indiana Jones, you’re the real adventurer here. Whether it’s a nighttime prowl through the catacombs of Paris or hiking up Machu Picchu, you’re sure to be up for anything. This simple gin cocktail comes bubbly, because we know you like a bit of excitement in your life. PECHE
The Romantic
Watermelon-Elderflower Martini Rose colored glasses? No problem. For you, life is charming and everything is better with a little bit of flair. This fresh cocktail has a sweet, light taste and a summery feel. Just like you, this cocktail has a fun blend of simplicity and uniqueness. LA CONDESA
The Adrenaline Junkie
El Diablo
Habanero-infused Milagro Silver tequila and lime juice make up this cocktail, which is the perfect drink for an adrenaline junkie like you. You like the exciting things in life -- for you, it’s not a good time unless it gets your heart pumping and your palms sweating. STAY GOLD
MORE THAN A # Words by Jacqueline Briddell Photos by Mary Pistorius
In the 60-year span that black students have been allowed to enroll at the University of Texas at Austin, their population has never exceeded 4.9 percent of the entire student body, according to the Office of Institutional Reporting, Research and Information Systems. After integration, the first 90 African American undergraduate students, now known as the Precursors, made up less than 1 percent of the student body in 1956. Their brave initiatives were expected to pave the way for an influx of thousands of black undergraduates at this institution. However, fast forward to today and black students still only make up 3.9 percent of 51,000 enrolled students. These nearly 2,000 black students often refer to themselves as “The 4 Percent.” Although the number of black students at UT is grossly lacking, each of these individuals embody more than just this statistic. They must support and reaffirm one another’s existence in a space that lacks black representation.
Intersectionality plays a major role in the black
other black students. “I really don’t consider myself
community, seeing as many students encompass
part of ‘Black UT,’” George says.
multiple identities. Among the group of intersectional black undergraduates is government first-year
George explains that “Black UT” is a colloquial term,
Violla George. Born and
raised in South Sudan,
not to be confused with “The 4 Percent.” The term
George moved to America with no friends and little
is attributed to a tight-knit, almost exclusive com-
knowledge of the English language at the age of six.
munity of black students who, to people that aren’t
Her family spent eight years living in Kansas City,
a part of the group, are seen as the overrepresented
Missouri and later moved to Austin when she was a
face of the black community. She says “Black UT” is
sophomore in high school. George is not only one of
composed of “cool black kids who can dance and
the 2,000 black undergraduate students at UT, but
dress nice,” which makes her feel very disconnected
also she is a Muslim.
from them. “We don’t have much in common other than that we’re black. That’s how I see it,” George
In many instances, George says she feels uncom-
says. “Besides, if you don’t come in knowing people
fortable in both black and Muslim environments on
already, or if you aren’t a part of ‘Black UT’ from the
account of her race and her religion. When George
beginning, it’s very hard to integrate later on.”
began her first semester at UT, she was too focused on her academics and adjusting to college life to
Aside from her absence in the black community,
attend many of the events held by black organiza-
George says she doesn’t consider herself to be a
tions. She thinks that might have caused her to miss
part of the Muslim community on campus either.
out on being involved and forming friendships with
She notes that many Muslim student organizations,
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including the Muslim Student Association, are mostly
being Muslim and does not wear a hijab. She under-
composed of people of South Asian and Middle
stands that the overrepresentation of Arab Muslims
Eastern descent, with the exception of a handful of
causes many people to forget that the religion is
black students. Although they share the same faith,
associated with people of all racial and ethnic back-
George recognizes that there is an undertone of dis-
grounds. While brown Muslims make up a significant
comfort because their different ethnicities lead to a
percentage of the Islamic community and are often
difference in their experiences as Muslims. “People
considered “the face of the religion,” there are many
are always saying that we need to be Muslims before
people of the Islamic faith who are black, white, East
we are ourselves. They say we are one Muslim body,
Asian, Latinx and more.
but honestly, we’re not,” George says. She describes several instances in which non-black Muslims have
As an Afro-Latina, Nicolle Walters can relate all too
mistaken her for a tourist in her home country or
well to George’s double-identity dilemma. Both of
when she goes to a mosque to pray. This has lead her
her parents were born in the Dominican Republic,
to adopt a “black first” mentality in which her racial
and although she was raised in a predominantly
identity outweighs her faith due to the lack of accep-
black area in Houston, her family still upholds and
tance she has experienced among other Muslims.
celebrates many of their Dominican customs. She describes that her childhood consisted of eating lots
George prioritizes her black identity over her faith
of rice and beans, listening to Hispanic music, such as
because she says that is the forefront of her exis-
Merengue, Bachata and Salsa and speaking Spanish
tence. The color of her skin overpowers her affiliation
at home. However, she does not feel like these expe-
with Islam, especially because she is not vocal about
riences detract from her blackness.
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Walters explains that the concept of her ethnicity
On the contrary, Jacob Hood, an English and sociol-
is confusing to some because it is hard for them to
ogy freshman, does not hesitate to vocalize his
understand that Afro-Latinx are Hispanic people
identity as a queer black man. Hood was born and
whose race just happens to be black. “When people
raised in Lubbock, a predominantly white city in
discover that I am Hispanic, I always get questions
northwestern Texas that is known for being ranked
like, ‘Are you mixed black and Mexican?’ as if that’s
one of the most conservative and LGBT-unfriendly
the only possibility, but an Afro Latina is really just a
cities in the nation.
Hispanic woman whose race is black. It’s that simple,” Walters says.
Hood says he is comfortable with his sexuality now but he did not always feel this way. In his 18 years of
Similar to George’s experience in the Muslim com-
living in Lubbock, he only ever knew one openly gay
munity, Walters says that she resents having to prove
person, which discouraged him from ever coming out
her Latina identity to others while justifying that she
to the people in his hometown. In high school, he was
is also black. Walters explains that other black people
so fearful of being kicked out by his parents or being
have even excluded her from conversations because
physically and emotionally harmed by others that he
they felt as though she wasn’t “black enough” to
repressed his sexuality until he arrived in Austin.
relate to their experiences, but when it comes to interacting with other Latinx people, she also faces
Hood adds that Austin’s stance on LGBT rights and
isolation and discrimination. “Some [Latinx] are very
the city’s reputation as the “gay capital of Texas”
anti-black. They’ll meet an Afro Latina and be dis-
inspired him to start his coming out process. He went
gusted that a black woman is speaking Spanish to
on to proudly describe his experience of first coming
them,” Walters says.
out to his close friends, his mother and eventually becoming comfortable enough to announce his sexu-
Although Walters has not experienced this kind of
ality to just about anyone. “Now I don’t shut up about
discrimination on campus, she admits that there have
being gay,” Hood says with a huge grin on his face.
been multiple instances in her life in which others
“I think I’m definitely in the right place to be after
have shunned her for the color of her skin, especially
coming from where I did. I’m very proud of myself.”
older generations. Even as these divides between the black and Hispanic communities forced Walters to
Since arriving at UT, Hood has come closer to
question her identity, she now says that her heritage
accepting his queer identity as a black man, but he
does not take away from her ability to be a part of the
still tends to stray away from “Black UT” because he
black population on campus. She admits that since
feels that his sexual orientation is not welcomed in
arriving at the university last fall, she has felt “more
the community. “I’m gay, I’m not into sports, I’m in
welcomed by Black UT than Hispanic UT.”
a liberal arts major that has a bunch of non-black people in it,” Hood says. “I didn’t grow up with a lot
“‘Black UT’ is just small community of black kids who
of black people either, so I was never really exposed
walk around every day thinking about how they are
to the black community at all. And I know it’s like that
the only black kids in their class,” Walters says. “At
for a lot of other students, too, who don’t feel like
the end of the day, they just want to hang out with
they fit into a specific mold of what a black student is
people who are like them.”
supposed to be.”
Although she cherishes her place within “Black UT,”
Hood believes that his lack of exposure to large
and feels welcomed and comfortable, she avoids
groups of black people in his hometown has con-
bringing up her Hispanic heritage unless it’s abso-
tributed to his distance from other black students.
lutely necessary. She says that for the most part,
He also says that generally, any queer-identifying
she just identifies herself as black to other students
individuals are frowned upon in black spaces, even
until a certain situation might give away that she
at UT. Although he has not received any direct back-
is a Latina. “I might be talking on the phone with a
lash from other black students about his sexual
family member in Spanish or somebody will ask me
orientation, he has witnessed homophobic comments
for directions and I will answer them in Spanish and
made in “Black UT” group chats, which makes him
they’ll be like ‘What? You’re Hispanic?’ but usually
feel uncomfortable and unaccepted. “Especially in
I don’t bring it up until it just comes out somehow,”
the black community, being gay or having a type of
Walters says.
queer identity is very hard. You can feel very excluded
because there is a lot of homophobia and transphobia still present,” Hood says. To address these issues, Hood argues that the black community should focus on being more inclusive of all forms of blackness, including queer identities. He says that while he does celebrate and support many black liberation movements, their goals often do not include queer people of color in their conversations.
“I remember when same-sex marriage became the law of the land, and a lot of people in the community thought, ‘Oh, it’s over. We won. Everything is great now,’ but especially for a lot of gay people of color, it’s not,” Hood says. “Homeless rates for LGBT youth of color are insane, rates of HIV for people of color in the gay community are still extremely high and people didn’t really want to confront the fact that race can be intertwined with sexuality and that’s something that cannot be separated.” Hood has turned his passion into a career path, and he is now a public policy intern at Equality Texas, an advocacy group for LGBT rights. His duties include conducting research and finding witnesses and sources who oppose bills discriminating against queer communities. Most recently, he has written an amendment for SB-522, a bill that would allow county clerks to refuse to issue licenses to same-sex couples on the basis of religion. If the bill passes, his amendment would require them to notify both the commissioners court and the applications of the reasoning of their refusal, leaving a paper trail and forcing them to be more accountable for their actions. Hood hopes that his involvement with the foundation will help make big changes in both legislation and in his immediate surroundings. Similarly, George want to become a defense lawyer and hopes to one day become Secretary of State. Walters, a Physics major, hopes to increase the number of black students in fields of science, technology, engineering and math by mentoring younger black students. She is interested in pursuing a career in aerospace engineering or radiation physics.
Black students at UT have come a long way since 1956, and their contributions to this university continue to make an important and direct impact on their lives and the lives of those around them. However, in order for all black students to feel welcomed and included, the black community must focus on addressing prominent anti-intersectional issues and start advocating for all black identities. “We can’t change unless we see other people’s perspectives. One black person isn’t the same as another black person,” George affirms. George, Walters and Hood agree that acceptance and inclusion of all forms of blackness are the key to making black spaces accessible to all black people. Whether they may consider themselves to be a part of “Black UT” or not, all three of these individuals and their experiences as black students make up an important part of the entire black body. It may be small in numbers, but black talent and ambition is greater than any statistic. Black students at the University of Texas at Austin are more than just 3.9 percent of the student population. They are unique. They are beautiful. And they are intersectional. They are The 4 Percent.
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As a young girl in Ukraine, Nina Hawkins watched runway shows on FashionTV and dreamt of the day when she would be a successful fashion designer.
Words by Kristina Nguyen Photos by Rohan Mirchandani
BEAUTIFUL FIGURES in shiny makeup pose their distorted bodies beneath a flood of dark, smoky light. Models bite into pearls and baubles and chains between their teeth, standing next to boys surrounded by ennui and cotton candy girls. Animated colors and patterns flash and wiggle their way off of the screen. These fantastical images live between the pages of Nina Hawkins’ portfolio. Creating works of art with the click of her camera, the Austin-based photographer and model has enjoyed an illustrious career that spans three continents and almost two decades. As a self-taught photographer and videographer, it’s hard to believe that Hawkins has managed to develop an expansive portfolio full of edgy fashion films, editorials, lookbooks and commercial work that have been featured in publications across the globe. “Fashion is always pushing people to their limits to do
photography professionally. Her first professional experience was at Elle Magazine in Vietnam, where she was hired after they noticed her in a photograph wearing Jeffrey Campbell shoes at a fashion show. There, she gained insight into working on full-scale fashion productions. Born to a Vietnamese mother and Russian father, Hawkins says she’s had the best of both worlds. “Being from different countries, moving from place to place, it gives me more perspective, a little bit more experience,” Hawkins says. “Being half-Asian and half-white helps me to see both of those worlds, and I kind of can bring that understanding and knowledge into my photography.”
“Fashion is always pushing people to
better and better,” Hawkins says. “It teaches you how
their limits to do better and better.
to be tough.” Hawkins has embodied this philosophy
It teaches you how to be tough.”
throughout her career, always seeking out adventures in her assignments. “I always try to push myself out of
Hawkins sometimes incorporates the maximalism
my comfort zone as much as possible,” Hawkins says.
of Russian and Vietnamese fashion into her work,
As a young girl growing up in Ukraine, Hawkins
tographers in Austin who prefer more minimal and
watched runway shows on FashionTV and dreamed of the day when she would be a successful fashion designer. “I was styling all my friends like, ‘One day you’ll see me on FashionTV,’” Hawkins says. Although she never made it onto the big screen, she eventually got her start in the industry after finishing high school in her hometown of Moscow, Russia, and entering modeling school. She was later accepted into an agency founded by Russian designer Yegor Zaitsev, where she learned the inner-workings of the industry and developed a passion for pursuing
which she says separates her from many of the phosimple layouts. “I try to have some work like [that] too, but sometimes I like to add everything in the shoot,” Hawkins says, explaining that she doesn’t shy away from indulging in excessive lighting, styling and makeup. Her larger-than-life creations show her tendency toward the bold and experimental. Hawkins’ edgy, futuristic style is self-described as “Rick Owens marrying Y-3 and adopting HBA, Creepy Crown Asia Dolls, Weirdo Nerd Chic and Princess Bubblegum.” In her work, she “always seek[s] to
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“Being from different countries, moving from place to place, it gives me more perspective, a little bit more experience. Being half-Asian and half-white helps me to see both of those worlds, and I kind of can bring that understanding and knowledge into my photography.” an edge and a quirk,” which has attracted the eye
through her experiences, traveling to different coun-
of publications such as HUF USA, Kaltblut Germany
tries and working for top fashion brands. Despite her
and Vanity Teen UK. Recently, she’s ventured into
claims that she fears change, she says that always
the world of 3D virtual staging, where she creates
leaves room for unexpected things to happen.
online interior designs. No matter which project she’s working on, she makes sure that it’s something beau-
Since moving to the United States, Hawkins says she’s
tiful. “I think I just like beauty,” Hawkins says. “I like to
begun to slow down to do other projects, but hopes
surround myself with beautiful people and beautiful
to eventually focus more on fashion work. In addition
clothes and beautiful makeup.”
to the two editorials she’s had published this year, she has three upcoming music videos and various
As the fashion scene in Austin continues to develop,
commercial photoshoots lined up. She also looks to
Hawkins says she has found her place among the
experiment with her image-making style and incorpo-
creative greats, having worked with local fashion
rate artwork into her photography.
week events, boutiques and even some of the University of Texas at Austin’s productions. She says that
Although there are busy months ahead, Hawkins
meeting other people in the industry has allowed her
hopes to see herself signed to a top agency and
to progress her style even further, citing her friend
shooting for big brands like Alexander Wang and
Kaidon Ho, an Austin-based artist who works as a
Kenzo within the next 10 years. Her move to Austin
stylist, as a specific influence. “[My style] had some
has taken her a step closer to that dream, allowing
kind of potential, but I didn’t know where to grow,”
her more freedom to pursue her passion for beauty
Hawkins says. “After meeting Kaidon, it kind of devel-
and out-of-the-box style. “I thought, ‘America has a
oped better, it became more full.” She now has more
lot of good opportunities to grow,’ so it’s been a hard
knowledge on how to achieve her styling goals. She
journey, but it’s paying off,” Hawkins says, adding that
also cites Essential Studios as integral to progressing
she’s become happy with her portfolio’s growth. “It’s
her art and helping her work become “more weird.”
only going to get better, I hope.”
Hawkin’s “never say never” attitude has carried
DROPPING JUNE 2017
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