Wednesday, Feb. 10 - Tuesday, Feb. 16 Weekly Digital Edition
Vol. 107, Issue 14 www.thedailyaztec.com
San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
Row 1 (left to right): Stacey Abrams, voting rights activist, Alanie Abron, A.S. Diversity Commission Representative, Dr. Tonika Green, Charles Bell Scholar Row 2 (left to right): Kamala Harris, Vice President, Amanda Gorman, Youth Poet Laureate Row 3 (left to right): Dr. Angela Davis, civil rights activist, Aleah Jarin, President SDSU National Association of Black Journalists
Cover by Emily Burgess
You can’t dim my #BlackGirlMagic by
Aleah Jarin
STAFF WRITER
I am in awe of Black women and everything we encompass. Our power, our beauty, our resilience. Black women are capable of so many things and I’m constantly amazed at everything we have accomplished thus far. #BlackGirlMagic is more than just a hashtag on social media. It’s a movement that honors the essence of Black women and celebrates all the inspiring, creative and groundbreaking work we produce. One particular Black woman who has been fully embracing her magic, and inspiring me at the same time, is 22-year-old Chloe Bailey – one half of the R&B sister duo Chloe x
Halle. Up until last month, the duo shared an Instagram, however, the sisters now have their own separate accounts where they’ve been leaning into their individuality and sharing more of their authentic selves. While Bailey has simply been living her best life and sharing content that is representative of who she really is, people have interpreted these posts differently and claimed the 22-year-old is acting too “sensual” or too “sexy.” Bailey’s ‘Buss It’ challenge video, outfit posts showing off her curves and video of her in a t-shirt and underwear, simply listening to music and dancing in her room while lighting sage, has sparked quite the conversation on social media. As a 22-year-old Black
woman myself, I found it very inspiring and liberating to see Bailey showcasing her Black Girl Magic this way. However, as I read through comments and tweets, quite frankly, it was sad to see so many people shaming this woman for simply having self-confidence. Why must people comment on a young Black woman being unapologetically herself? Why can’t we let Black women be Black women? Bailey addressed these comments, while fighting back tears, in an Instagram live video and said, “I’ve been really insecure for a long time, and I’m finally at that place where I have self-confidence...and I’m really happy that I get to share that with you all.” “It’s really hard for me to
think of myself as a sexual being, or an attractive being quite frankly, so when I see all the uproar about my posts, I’m a bit confused because I’ve never seen myself in that way.” For far too long, Black women have been made to feel like they aren’t good enough, desirable or beautiful due to the Eurocentric beauty standards we are so used to seeing in media and entertainment. When a Black woman does step into her power and owns everything about herself, it should be a moment of uplifting and empowerment instead of hate and criticism. Black women are so universal and magical in their own unique way. If she wants to get cute for the day and show off her look, let her.
If she wants to dance and sing freely, let her. If she wants to post a fitness picture celebrating her body, let her. This should not be an invitation for unsolicited comments nor should it be an opportunity to sexualize a woman’s confidence, regardless of a woman’s race. In the wise words of Bailey, “For every woman out there, don’t change who you are to make society feel comfortable.” So to all my fellow Black women, keep continuing to do what makes you happy and love yourself to the fullest. You don’t need validation from anyone to know that you are a beautiful, powerful being who can take on the world. Keep shining and embracing your #BlackGirlMagic.
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News
The Daily Aztec
Feb. 10 - Feb. 16, 2021 Editor: Jadyn Brandt
Tubman to be the face of the $20 bill by
Trinity Bland
OPINION EDITOR
It’s only the beginning of 2021 and changes are already being made in America by the Biden administration. This includes the administration’s exploration into expediting the placement of Maryland native and abolitionist Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. This was an Obama-administration endeavor that was supposed to take place in 2020, but it was shelved during the Trump administration. On Jan. 25, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, “it’s important that our money ... reflect the history and diversity of
our country, and Harriet Tubman’s image gracing the new $20 note would certainly reflect that. So we’re exploring ways to speed up that effort.” Tubman, among others like activists Rosa Parks and Susan B. Anthony, and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, was one of the finalists in a campaign to put the face of a woman on the $20 bill by the group, Women On 20s. However, the unveiling of the redesigned $20 bill featuring Tubman, famous for her efforts spiriting slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad, had been timed by the Obama administration to coincide with the 100th anniversary of passage of the 19th
Amendment, giving women the right to vote. Instead, in May 2019, Trump administration Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced a delay in redesigning the $20 bill in order to first redesign the $10 and $50 bills to improve security features to prevent counterfeiters. President Trump has
called the move to feature Tubman “pure political correctness” and said she could be honored on the $2 bill. Under the schedule Mnuchin announced, the redesigned $20 bill would not have been issued until 2028, with final bill designs not announced until 2026. see
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STAFF WRITER
On Jan. 28, Gov. Gavin Newsom swore in Dr. Shirley Weber as California’s first Black secretary of state; leaving a vacant seat in California’s 79th Assembly district. Dr. Akilah Weber, Secretary Weber’s daughter, was in Sacramento watching her mother make history. “My grandfather was a sharecropper. Had a sixthgrade education. Couldn’t read, or vote,” Akilah Weber said. “To have my mother be appointed, confirmed
and sworn in as secretary of state has been huge.This moment has been absolutely historic for my family.” Akilah Weber serves on the La Mesa City Council and is a practicing obstetrician/gynecologist at Rady Children’s Hospital and University of California San Diego. Weber said she is running for State Assembly to restore the health of California. Providing access to quality healthcare, education, combating food insecurity and fighting for social justice are Weber’s see
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Photo courtesy of Dr. Akilah Weber
ASST. NEWS EDITOR Katelynn Robinson OPINION EDITOR Trinity Bland MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Noé Sandoval ASST. MUNDO AZTECA Karina Bazarte
SPORTS EDITOR Kyle Betz ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Luis Lopez SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Catlan Nguyen PHOTO EDITOR Alexa Oslowski ASST. PHOTO EDITOR Amanda Orozco Graphic by Shalika Oza
by
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NEWS EDITOR Jadyn Brandt
ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Devin Whatley
Keeping it in the family, The Black Family: Akilah Weber running to Representation, replace mother, Shirley Identity, and Diversity Weber, in State Assembly by Jayne
EDITOR IN CHIEF Brenden Tuccinardi
Katelynn Robinson
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity is the Black History Month theme for this year. The Black Resource Center at San Diego State coined their Black History Month theme as B.L.A.C.K. Power – which stands for beauty, legacy ancestors, community, and knowledge. Dr. Bonnie Reddick, director of San Diego State’s Black Resource Center said although February is dedicated to Black history it should be celebrated all year round. “What they said about this year’s theme...is that family is the foundation. It is the foundation for how we identify,” Reddick said. “Carter G. Woodson (founder of Black History Month) recognized the omission of Black people and in the teachings of history in national curriculum and so he proposed this celebration but he never
designed it to be limited to a week or a month,” Reddick said. “In fact he suggests it should be intricately integrated in the national curriculum and discourse and so when we celebrate in February we encourage everyone to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black people everyday.” “The theme is not developed to limit anyone’s ability to celebrate Black History Month in the way that they chose, but they offer a theme for those who are not sure how to celebrate,” Reddick said. Ahliyah Chambers, assistant director of the BRC said she invites and encourages students to come out to the BRC’s events and actively participate. “We want to invite everyone out to our events to celebrate this theme with us but to know that it doesn’t just stop in February,” Chambers said. “Last see
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VIDEO EDITOR Angela Kurysh ASST. VIDEO EDITOR Mackenzie Stafford GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR Emily Burgess SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Ryan Hardison STAFF WRITERS Patrick Doyle Jason Freund Aleah Jarin Gaby Jose Jessica Octavio Isabel Smith Jayne Yutig CONTRIBUTORS Kennedy Benjamin Sara Rott ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Bryan Diamond EDITORIAL editor@thedailyaztec.com ADVERTISING advertising@thedailyaztec.com PRINT The Daily Aztec publishes 5,000 copies of its weekly print edition every Wednesday thoughout the semester when we are not in a global pandemic. WEB Daily content is available at www.thedailyaztec.com SOCIAL MEDIA @thedailyaztec
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News
Feb. 10 - Feb. 16, 2021 Editor: Jadyn Brandt
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In June 2019, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan urged the Trump administration to immediately put Tubman on the $20 bill instead of prolonging this historic move for America. Hogan sent a letter to Mnuchin last year urging him to reconsider his decision to delay the release of the Tubman $20 bill. “Dorchester County, Maryland, is incredibly proud to be a steward of Harriet Tubman’s lasting legacy, but her influence reaches far beyond the borders of our great state,” Hogan wrote in 2019. “I hope that your department will reconsider its decision and instead join our efforts to promptly memorialize Tubman’s life and many achievements.” Andrew Jackson, who served as the nation’s seventh president, was revered for being the first “common man” to be elected president. The darker side of his legacy includes slave-owning and expelling thousands of Native Americans from their homes, forcing them on the walk now referred
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year we were grateful enough to have a leap year so you know last year we were Black 366 this year we are Black 365.” Reddick said the objective of the Black History program at SDSU is to educate the community. “The Black History program at San Diego State is designed one; to celebrate us but more importantly to educate,” Reddick said. “Not just white folks but Black people that have been indoctrinated with this master narrative that suggests that everything that is happening in this country is because of white people and totally omits the contributions, achievement, resilience, and strength of the Black community.” This year the Black Lives
to as “The Trail of Tears.” While Jackson owned slaves, Tubman’s life mission was to escape slavery and was responsible for successfully leading more than 300 others to freedom through the Underground Railroad, an elaborate network of safe houses. Replacing Jackson with Tubman on the bill means a lot for many people. In an April 2016 NPR interview, Lonnie Bunch, the founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, described the significance of putting a legendary conductor of the Underground Railroad on the country’s currency. “For me, having Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill really says, first of all, that America realizes that it’s not the same country that it once was – that it’s a place where diversity matters,” Bunch told All Things Considered. “And it allows us to make a hero out of someone like Harriet Tubman, who deserves to be a hero.” Tubman will become the first person of color and the first woman to grace a U.S. paper currency.
Matter movement was resuscitated after the death of George Floyd. Both Reddick and Chambers said the events that followed President Obama leaving office were not shocking. “This is a special time, especially with the heightened political climate that we’ve experienced that even what Dr. Reddick says when we look at history we shouldn’t be surprised but I think because we are living through it, especially the younger generation, a lot of folks are surprised,” Chambers said. “Especially after President Obama left office a lot of folks thought we were in this post-racial society and so it wasn’t until last year with the murder of George Floyd that you know America kind of awoke that it’s clear that see
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How local Black-owned businesses have made it through the pandemic by
Patrick Doyle
STAFF WRITER
All small businesses face challenges, but Blackowned businesses often face a unique set of roadblocks as they try and establish their place in a community. Furthermore, it is evident that the COVID-19 pandemic has made it even harder for these already struggling businesses to stay afloat. But in San Diego County, these Black-owned businesses are at the heart of everything we do, whether we realize it or not. Much of the local food we buy, the coffee we drink, or the clothing we purchase comes from Black-owned businesses which make up the soul of our community. Remarkably, many of these local businesses have actually found ways to thrive in this “new normal” we are becoming accustomed to. For example, take Monique Rousseau who owns and operates Blendees, a smoothie shop located in El Cajon. Her business was forced to shut down for two months due to the pandemic, but she believes it was one of the best things that could have happened to her. “(The pandemic) gave me the time to look at the business and see what was working and not working without being penalized for not being here during business hours,” she said. Rousseau believes that since every business was temporarily shut down during the pandemic, it also meant competition was reduced, giving her time to process things and think about the future of Blendees. In the end, she came back stronger, which she thanks in part to her presence on social media. “I gained a whole new respect for social media after the pandemic,” she said. “I
weigh heavily on word of mouth and the reputation I built over the years. But now it’s different; social media is the new word of mouth as far as I’m concerned.” Rousseau is not alone in this sentiment, either. Sabrina Thomas, the owner of an online boutique called Sew Forgiven, echoed the role social media has played in keeping her business thriving. “It’s been a tremendous help for me,” Thomas said. “It allows me to reach out to people and to share with people and not have to be face-to-face.” Thomas also believes the pandemic was a net benefit to her business. “With people being at home more, it gave me the opportunity to have more traffic come to my site and more exposure that way,” she said. “The connections that I made through my online store and word of mouth really helped me grow Sew Forgiven to where it is today.” At a time when many businesses are struggling to stay afloat, and Blackowned businesses are having an especially hard time breaking through, Thomas says she did not want to take advantage of government grants that were available. “I wanted it to go to someone else that really really needed it,” she said. “People with families, I really feel for them. They should be able to have the same relief as people in higher areas. Corporate would probably receive more money than the small business person, so I really believe that we need to kind of close up that gap a little bit or, a lot.” Rousseau felt a very similar way on this issue and suggested we change the way we think about who needs government aid the most.
“I think that when we say small businesses, we really need to separate small businesses from smaller businesses,” Rousseau said. “Small businesses are a very vast group. But then there are some smaller businesses that are definitely overlooked when it comes to those types of resources.” For some, the issue for small businesses goes much deeper than a lack of government grants. Israel Stanley, the owner of Sunnie’s Mexican Cuisine and Coffee in Ocean Beach, believes the problem lies in businesses being closed at all. “I think small businesses should be allowed to be open and not have to rely on any government funds,” Stanley said. “I’m 100% certain that all of these businesses would rather be open than have to ask anyone for money.” Stanley says he is lucky that he began working on his business’s online infrastructure just before the pandemic hit, as it allowed him to hit the ground running when the pandemic demanded such an online presence. “[The pandemic] has definitely impacted the business,” he said. “But luckily I had strong delivery, takeout, online orders. I’m a very blessed man; my doors are still open. A lot of people I know, their businesses are closed. So I’m a very lucky and blessed man to still have my doors open and thriving, especially in this environment when a lot of people are suffering.” Like Rousseau and Thomas, Stanley is grateful his business is still operational and attributes some of this to his efforts on social media which keep customers returning. But despite the obstacles that these business-ownsee
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Opinion
The Daily Aztec
Feb. 10 - Feb. 16, 2021 Editor: Trinity Bland
Chadwick Boseman as the Black Panther is irreplaceable by
Sara Rott
CONTRIBUTOR
When “Black Panther”came out in theaters back when it was safe to go, people stood in awe at the wonderful world known as Wakanda. The person who made it possible? Chadwick Boseman. He is the man that brought the character of T’Challa to life and the announcement of a sequel brought fans to rejoice at the news that the story wasn’t finished. Being a huge fan of all Marvel has to offer, I had no doubt that the sequel would be as fantastic as the first. How could it not? The beauty and graphics of Wakanda pulled me in and I was excited to return. However, the news soon came that beloved actor Boseman had passed. I was shocked. There was no previous news before
this report. I don’t remem- T’Challa the Black Panther ber ever seeing an article is iconic and transcends or headline about him be- iteration of the character ing sick. With the shocking in any other medium from news, everyone wondered Marvel’s past,” Feige said. how “Black Panther 2” was “We’re not going to have a going to turn out. Marvel CGI Chadwick and we’re had announced it months not recasting T’Challa.” before his passing, what Throughout his battle happens now? with colon cancer, Boseman Will T’Challe be recast? suffered in silence, while Will Disney create a CGI still working on “Black PanBoseman like they did for ther 2.” Not even the film’s Carrie Fisher in the recent director Ryan Coolger Star Wars installments? knew. With confusion and ruIf this doesn’t tell you he mors circling, Kevin Feige, was “The Black Panther”, I Marvel Studios president, don’t know what will. put them to rest at DisFeige was correct in sayney Investors Day. He an- ing Boseman’s portrayal of nounced that the charac- T’Challa is unparalleled and ter T’Challa would not be ubiquitous. I knew Boserecast and “Black Panther man as “The Black Panther” 2” would still release as and that’s how I refer to planned. him and many others do as “Chadwick Boseman was well. an immensely talented ac“Chadwick Boseman truly tor and an inspirational in- was Prince T’Challa,” jourdividual who affected all of nalism and media studies our lives professionally and junior Morgan Ray said. personally. His portrayal of “He embodied the role in
Graphic by Shalika Oza
so many ways and carried that regal grace off-screen too.” Marvel Studios has a large absence to fill, I only hope that they properly honor Boseman in the next phase. I hope they set the stage for the character of Shuri, T’Challa’s sister, played by Letitia Wright, to don the Black Panther’s mask like in the comics. It’s a possibility too. In the past Marvel Studios has taken inspiration from the original comics while putting a more mov-
ie-friendly spin on them. Boseman was more than just an actor playing a character. He took it a step further. There are so many that look up to him. He inspired people of all races, small children and Marvel fans like myself. Thank you, Chadwick Boseman for the lives you changed and for the people you have inspired. You are dearly missed and I hope in “Black Panther 2” your legacy is honored.Wakanda Forever.
Hank Aaron’s impact on baseball changed the world Trinity Bland & Ryan Hardison by
In his 1992 film, “A League of Their Own,” Tom Hanks famously said, “there is no crying in baseball,” but nearly 30 years later, he was proven wrong when on Jan. 22, the world lost one of the greatest baseball players of all time and one of America’s most prolific athletes. “Hammerin’” Hank Aaron, a man whose courage and persistence equaled his impressive accomplishments, died in his sleep at the age of 86. Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier as the first Black player and Frank Robinson was the game’s first Black manager, but Aaron was no less influential. Known as baseball’s former home run king, a first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the greatest sluggers to ever walk up to the plate, Aaron produced
a historic career. For a player defined by his greatness, it’s hard to choose a single moment that stands out above them all as the most iconic. But for Aaron, one special day bears in mind. It took only five days in the 1974 Major League Baseball season for Aaron to make history. After a long break where he experienced credible death threats and vile hatred heading into his age-40 season, Aaron stood one dinger short of Babe Ruth’s 714 career home runs. Though it took him 20
seasons to accumulate 713 four-baggers, it took only one at-bat in 1974 for Aaron to tie Ruth’s grand total. During his fourth game of the season playing against the Dodgers at home in Atlanta, Aaron’s day of elation finally came. Following a walk in his first at-bat, Aaron faced off against Al Downing with one runner on base and nobody out in the bottom of the 4th inning. A record-breaking crowd of 53,775, which included President Jimmy Carter (then Governor), Sammy Davis Jr. and Aaron’s mother,
Graphic by Emily Burgess
Estella, rose to their feet in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium to guide Aaron across the finish line. After taking Downing’s first pitch in the dirt, he saw the 1-0 and launched a moonshot 385 feet deep, landing in the bullpen behind the left-field fence. It usually takes less than 5 seconds from the crack of the bat until a baseball clears the fence but that home run was a lifetime in the making. This blast tied the game at three and marked his 715th home run, shattering Ruth’s 53-year reign as baseball’s home run champ. While Aaron rounded second base and headed to third, two 17-year-old fans came out of the stands to congratulate him as he crossed the bag. Though initially alarmed by the fans arriving at his side, it became clear that everyone witnessing Aaron’s personal triumph celebrated like their own biggest dreams just came true. This joyful
encounter created an iconic image of one of baseball’s all-time moments. More than just earning himself a prestigious record, Aaron’s dethroning of Ruth was one of the most significant moments of history. However, to even arrive at his greatest achievement, Aaron and his family had to experience an unfathomable level of hatred solely due to the color of his skin and the prejudice of America. The blossoming of a beautiful career Born Feb. 5, 1934, in a poor Mobile, Alabama neighborhood referred to as “Down the Bay,” Aaron had a tough upbringing. His family, which consisted of seven siblings (including his brother Tommie who also played in the MLB), could not afford to buy him baseball equipment, so Aaron practiced with whatever materials he could find. Besides having to overcome see
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Opinion
Feb. 10 - Feb. 16, 2021 Editor: Trinity Bland
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African American Vernacular English should be taught in schools by
Gaby Jose
STAFF WRITER
In 1996, the Oakland School Board passed a resolution that recognized African American Vernacular English (AAVE) as its own language as a way of catering educational methods to improve their struggling Black students. This forward-thinking resolution was similar in alignment to teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) as a way of translating their native tongue into the Standard Variety of English used in academia. The different dialects of English are a generally controversial concept due to the different standards they each respectively hold AAVE, Chicano English (CE) and Hawaiian Pidgin (HCE) are three prominent dialects in the United States that are
considered inferior to Standardized English. The hierarchy of language is classist in itself. Those in power – historically white males – are in positions of authority where they are able to create the hierarchy in the first place. This is what pressured
the repeal of the Oakland School Board’s resolution. Criticism of the school board’s AAVE resolution was heard all throughout the U.S. Oklahoma even called it to be a state of emergency in 1997 while also passing House Bill No. 1810, prohibiting
Graphic by Shalika Oza
the utilization of AAVE in schools. However, linguists acknowledge AAVE as its own complex language with its own set of grammatical rules and patterns. The American public education system is not designed to cater to students of varying ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, and racial identities, and this much is clear. It remains to uphold the ever-present pattern of white suppression and Black oppression. Not recognizing AAVE as its own entity supports this American narrative. The lack of diversity of educators also plays a role in the ongoing oppression of students of color. Diversity among educators creates a unique dynamic in the classroom that improves the quality of education. The understanding of the shared experiences between the students and
their teacher creates a safer atmosphere. In my history of K-12 schooling, I have only had three teachers of color. Though many of my white teachers and professors were generally decent people, the lack of willingness to understand the backgrounds of their students of color was another hurdle to cross. Many ignorant comments were made towards my peers and me from this lack of understanding, affecting the quality of our education and desire to learn from those respective teachers. For America to call itself a Western country that prides itself on freedom and liberty, it must dismantle the many preventable roadblocks. Teaching AAVE is a good first step to make education more diverse and accessible for everyone.
The distrust Black Americans have in medicine is warranted by Jessica
Octavio
STAFF WRITER
For centuries, science and medicine have been used as weapons against Black people, serving to both justify and perpetuate institutionalized racism. Researchers, healthcare professionals and medical and academic institutions of all backgrounds hold the joint responsibility of remediating the violation of trust against Black patients in the United States. Informed consent is an essential pillar in ethical medical research. It requires that all research participants are willing and able to make an informed, voluntary decision to participate in a clinical trial. Throughout U.S. history, scientists and clinicians have pushed the boundaries of medical innovation at the expense of Black people’s right to informed consent. From J. Marion Sims per-
fecting the vesicovaginal fistula repair on unwillingly Black women in the 19th century to a 2018 study showing that Black patients were overrepresented in clinical trials that were exempt from providing informed consent, the medical field and the non-Black patients it was designed to serve has time and time again shown itself to be a beneficiary of systemic racism. Research ethics committees like the Institutional Review Board need to be more stringent with the regulation of clinical investigations involving human subjects. Institutions and principal investigators who engage in unethical research practices must face consequences. In addition, tolerance for ethics breaches could be prevented early on by including diversity and ethics training for researchers affiliated with universities and government-funded programs.
Last fall semester, I took a research ethics class along with around twenty other students who did publicly-funded research on campus. We covered the topic of medical racism by reading and discussing Harriet Washington’s Medical Apartheid, as well as weaving the themes of that novel into our later class discussion ethics as it concerned our research projects as well as current ongoing clinical trials for COVID vaccines and therapeutics. As an undergraduate researcher, learning about the problem of racism in science and medicine alongside my peers who are on track to be the doctors and scientists of tomorrow was a formative experience other undergraduates and early-career scientists can greatly benefit from. Black people are more likely than people of other races to die from pregnancy-related causes and
preventable chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer, and many attribute these differences to racial discrimination.An impactful and commonly proposed solution to properly serving Black patients is to connect them to Black doctors. However, the burden of addressing institutionalized racism in medicine should not fall on Black people alone. There have been many influential Black doctors over the years who have made important contributions to the medical field
as a whole while staunchly advocating for the rights of Black patients: Patricia Era Bath, Marilyn Hughes Gaston, Louis Wade Sullivan, Charles R. Drew, Leonidas Harris Berry, just to name a few. Despite the contribution of Black professionals in healthcare throughout history, the approximately 45.5 thousand Black physicians in total in the United States are far too underrepresented in medicine to meet the demands of millions of patients who may see
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Graphic by Emily Burgess
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The Daily Aztec
Mundo Azteca
Feb. 10 - Feb. 16, 2021 Editor: Noé Sandoval
SDSU y el condado de San Diego ve un ligero descenso en los casos de COVID-19 by
Noé Sandoval
EDITOR DE MUNDO AZTECA
En sus actualizaciones, la Universidad Estatal de San Diego y el condado de San Diego están analizando una declinación sobre los casos positivos de COVID-19. Entrando el mes de febrero, SDSU ha mantenido los protocolos de seguridad contra COVID-19. Las clases presenciales fueron pospuestas para los primeros meses del semestre. Actualmente, todas las clases son dadas virtualmente y la universidad planea regresar instrucción presencial hasta el 3 de marzo. Por lo mientras, los estudiantes y la facultad deben continuar haciéndose la prueba de COVID-19 a través de la
Universidad. La universidad ha limitado las clases presenciales para clases que requieren manos de obras, como clases de laboratorios y talleres. Otras clases son en su mayoría virtuales. La universidad dio un aviso el 5 de febrero con los datos de los casos en el campus. Hay un total de 35 casos positivos entre los estudiantes viviendo en el campus. La tasa de positividad es 0.59% administrada por el departamento de de Servicios Estudiantiles de Salud. SDSU también pide a estudiantes y facultad de reportar cualquier nuevo caso o caso sospechado del virus, para ayudar con la monitorización del incidente de los casos Para mejorar los esfuerzos de la salud pública, la
universidad también creó una encuesta para que los estudiantes puedan compartir sus experiencias y reportar los efectos de la pandemia El condado de San Diego ha reportado un total de 247,262 casos con una tasa de positividad del 7% en la última semana. Las restricciones en negocios han regresado al nivel púrpura, quiere decir que muchos negocios pueden tener sus operaciones al aire libre.
Restaurantes, gimnasios, y otros negocios podrán tener sus servicios a capacidad limitada. Además de los casos, la distribución de la vacuna ya ha estado en acción en todo el condado. El condado ha abierto varios locales públicos como sitios de administración para la vacuna. En SDSU, la aprobación de la vacuna fue tomada la semana pasada y muchos ya podrán calificar para recibirla. La universidad
File photo
ha empezado a informar a estudiantes y facultad elegibles que hagan citas para ser vacunados. Aunque se ha visto una disminución en los casos, todavía hay posibilidades de un surgio en los meses que vienen. La introducción de la nueva cepa del virus puede ser un gran factor en contagiando más personas. La nueva cepa fue encontrada en Inglaterra y ya ha llegado a California. Otro factor es el evento reciente del Super Bowl, un partido de fútbol americano que tomó parte el 7 de febrero. Es probable que mucha gente se juntó para el partido, ya sea en restaurantes o en domicilios privados. Es recomendable que see
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La música latinoamericana contiene raíces africanas y trasciende mundialmente by
Noé Sandoval
EDITOR DE MUNDO AZTECA
En este Mes de Historia Negra, podemos aprender sobre la historia y cultura afroamericana no solamente en Los Estados Unidos pero también en Latinoamérica. La música es una gran representación de cómo una cultura se expresa al mundo, y es una reflexión de la sociedad y la vida cotidiana. La música de Latinoamérica es bastante variable pero ha tenido muchas influencias de ritmos africanos e indígenas. La mezcla de culturas se tomó a cabo por causa de la colonización y esclavatud que había en el comienzo de las naciones latinoamericanas. Entiendo que hay muchos géneros dentro de la música latinoamericana, pero yo creo que algunos géneros que de-
Photo courtesy of Getty Images La cantador Celia Cruz es un buena ejemplo de influencia afrolatina en la música latinoamericana.
stacan el origen del ritmo africano por todo el continente. Salsa Con sus raíces en Cuba, esta música realmente fue creada por inmigrantes cubanos en la Ciudad de Nueva York entre los años 1930-1940. Esta música ha evolucionado en una música de fiesta y baile. En la música, es los instrumentos de la batería, los bongos y las congas, que representan
las raíces africanas. Una artista que ha ayudado a destacar los ritmos de esta música es Celia Cruz, una cantante de Cuba que es reconocida por sus canciones de salsa. La voz también es un aspecto de la música africana que se ha trasladado a Latinoamérica. Yo viviré, por Celia Cruz Bemba Colorá, por Fania All-Stars y Celia Cruz Cumbia Los orígenes de este
género es difícil de reconocer pero se ha expandido por todo el continente. Algunos argumentan que su origen viene de los esclavos en Cartagena, Colombia. Por tanto, el ritmo y sonido de esta música varía en todo continente con el uso de diferentes instrumentos pero siempre mantiene el ritmo para bailar. Enfermera, por Los Hermanos Flores Oye, por La Sonora Dinamita Merengue El merengue tiene su origen en La República Dominicana y se ha popularizado en otros países latinoamericanos. Esta música tiene un ritmo rápido que lo mantiene a uno moviendo los pies y las caderas en su ritmo. Las músicas de merengue son muy prevalentes en bailes y fiestas. Kulikitaka, por Toño Ro-
sario La Vaca, por Mala Fe Bachata También originando en La República Dominicana, la bachata toma un paso más suave en su música. Asociado con ser romántico, esta música es excelente bailar en pareja. Aunque tiene influencias del bolero que viene de España, la bachata tomó su versión usando instrumentos como los bongos y la güira. Darte un Beso, por Prince Royce Samba/Bossa Nova Con su música en portugués, Brasil todavía es un país que hace parte de Latinoamérica. Samba y bossa nova son dos géneros que exponen la historia de este gran país. La samba tiene su ritmo energético y es asociado con las festividades famosee
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7 Sports Men’s basketball alumnus Trimaine Davis recognized during Super Bowl LV as honorary captain Feb. 10 - Feb. 16, 2021 Editor: Kyle Betz
by
The Daily Aztec
Kyle Betz
SPORTS EDITOR
Many know Trimaine Davis as a former San Diego State men’s basketball captain in 2005-06, but he was recognized as a different kind of captain on Feb. 7. Davis joined Marine Corps veteran James Martin and nurse manager Suzie Dorner as one of three honorary captains commended for exemplary work during the COVID-19 pandemic during Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida. Davis currently works as the retention coordinator for the VIP Scholars program at UCLA. Throughout the past 10 months, he utilized his resources to provide hotspots, laptops and tablets for students, as well as hosting workshops to help students get the most out of the technology. “All three of us who have been selected – myself, James and also Susie – share this common bond of service and stewardship,” Davis said. “And so for the fact that we’re able to highlight the importance of that, and it comes from everyday folk who are in the position to do this work to inspire others, I think is incredible and so I’m so honored to have that opportunity.” Amanda Gorman, who read a poem at Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration on Jan. 21, recited another during the Super Bowl LV pregame ceremony. Her poem honored Davis and the two other captains. Angela LaChica, who was a former student manager on the SDSU men’s basketball team and is currently the president/ CEO of LaChica Sports, Inc., advocated for Davis to be up for the honor. Working with the NFL Player’s Coalition, she
Courtesy of CBS Sports Trimaine Davis, an honorary captain during Super Bowl LV, waves to the camera while being honored during a pregame ceremony at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Fla. on Feb. 7, 2021.
reached out to Davis last June to get involved. “When the pandemic hit, the focus really came on really trying to figure things out in regards to the digital divide,” Davis said. “And so with the team Angela has, I was able to work with some folks around getting resources and information out there on certain areas across the country that has been the most impacted due to the digital divide.” Davis works directly with first-generation college students – most notably first-generation students of color. “I don’t think it’s a secret that folks who generally are first-generation college students are people who are coming from areas and communities where there isn’t a lot of resources that are poured into those communities,” Davis said. In addition to providing resources to lessen the digital divide, Davis has also hosted virtual events, including check-ins, movie nights, conversations about fashion, system and structural racism, voting and mental health. Davis has also spent time assisting CSU Northridge Black Male Initiative, the SDSU Student African American Brotherhood and SDSU Afrikan Student Union.
Former SDSU men’s basketball head coach Steve Fisher, who coached Davis from 2003-06, said Davis has taken advantage of his resources to be successful. “He never forgets what’s
happened to him and those who have helped him,” Fisher said. “Most importantly, Tremaine has helped himself. He’s very modest but he has taken that ball and run with it, and exceeded ex-
pectations of most, but not his own.” In order to have others fulfill their dreams, Davis said he reflects on those who have helped him along the way – like his former head coach. “I truly feel unworthy of this opportunity of this honor, and I think the thing I think about the most is about the folks who have invested time in me,” Davis said. “I’m hoping that now that I have this opportunity, I can now further pour into other folks who are coming behind me… I look at this as an opportunity for me to pass the torch on to the next generation, but also highlight the importance of knowledge-seeking in education at the same time.”
Courtesy of @NFL/Twitter Above is a photo of poet Amanda Gorman and the words she spoke during the Super Bowl LV pregame ceremony to honor Trimaine Davis and the two other honorary captains for their work during the pandemic.
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Sports
Feb. 10 - Feb. 16, 2021 Editor: Kyle Betz
Men’s tennis begins season, drops first matches against Cal Poly, Southern California by Jason
Freund
STAFF WRITER
After a long hiatus due to the pandemic, San Diego State men’s tennis opened up collegiate play this past weekend. The Aztecs dropped both weekend matches to Cal Poly on Feb. 4 at the Aztec Tennis Center and No. 1 USC on Feb. 7 in Los Angeles. The two matches were the first bout of action SDSU has had in nearly 11 months. Game 1 vs. Cal Poly (Feb. 4) Playing at home, the Aztecs fell to a veteran Cal Poly team 5-2. The Aztecs drop to 10-4 lifetime against the Mustangs and have suffered their fourth straight season-opening dual match defeat. Despite the loss, head coach Gene Carswell said he saw room for growth
Courtesy of Jacob Dye, Intercollegiate Tennis Association and Getty Images San Diego State men’s tennis freshman Judson Blair swings at a ball during the Oracle Intercollegiate Tennis Association Masters On Oct. 9-11, 2020 at the Barnes Tennis Court in San Diego.
among his team after the match. “It was a hard-fought match. We definitely showed some rust on the court after not playing as a unit for a while,” Carswell said. “We learned a lot about ourselves and we
learned how to improve moving forward.” Johannes Seeman, an SDSU sophomore transfer out of Fresno State, teamed up with senior Aaro Pollanen in doubles. However, the duo was unable to outlast the duo of
Cal Poly redshirt senior Antoine Noel and redshirt freshman Joe Leather, falling in the No.1 position 7-6 (5). SDSU graduate senior Rafael Gonzales Almazan and senior Ignacio Martinez met a similar fate, fall-
ing to redshirt sophomore Gary Vardanyan and freshman Noah Berry 6-1 on the second court. Making their collegiate debut was the SDSU freshmen tandem of Judson Blair and Roni Rikonnen. Despite putting up a strong effort, the redshirt junior team of Alex Stater and Roman Shenkiryk vanquished the upstart freshmen with a 6-3 victory. The two freshmen were unable to find victory in singles play as well. Slotted into the fifth position, Blair fell to Vardanyan 6-3, 6-1 while redshirt freshman Fernando Fonseca dispatched Rikonnen 6-4, 6-3 on the sixth court. Regarding Blair and Rikonnen, Carswell acknowledged their effort in their collegiate debuts but noted they had work to do in the future. see
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Men’s golf claims title in first competition of season the tournament at 10-overMULTIMEDIA EDITOR par 874 to beat Arizona State (+13) by three shots San Diego State men’s golf at the par-72, 6,992-yard. placed first in the SouthDespite the team’s rough western Invitational hosted start, head coach Ryan by Pepperdine University. Donovan said the team The victory marks an ex- was able to bounce back citing return to play seeing and take the win due to as this was the Aztecs’ first the team’s constant percompetition since their sistence and accountability. season was cut short due “The chemistry, I think it’s to the pandemic. very important in college During the three-day athletics,” Donovan said. event held at the North “When guys are supportRanch Country Club in ing each other and pushing Westlake Village, Califor- each other and working nia, the Aztecs had a rocky towards one common goal, start on day one due to good things happen. And factors like cold weather so far, we’re off to a good and gusty winds. None- start.” theless the team carded a Since it had been almost 6-over-par 294 on the par- a year since the Aztecs 72, 6,992-yard. By day two, competed in an event like they were tied for third this, Donovan was just as with Southern Method- excited to share the joy ist University after firing a and passion for the sport 1-under-par 287 Tuesday in as the players. the second round at the “I told the guys I felt like par-72, 6,992-yard. a kid at Christmas,” DonoOf the 12 teams that van said. “It was just like so competed, SDSU finished much joy and enthusiasm by
Angela Kurysh
and excitement. It was just a good feeling to be able to do what I love to do as a coach and see the excitement from the players which really made a nice couple days.” Junior Youssef Guezzale was the Aztecs’ top individual finisher, tying for third at even-par 216 after shooting a final round 3-over 75 on the final day of the event. Donovan said this was one of Guezzale’s best performances and his improvement from freshman year showed through this tournament. “His freshman year, he actually qualified for quite a few events and was just a little bit young and not used to the system,” Donovan said. “He’s really worked hard to break in taking this pandemic time to focus on himself mature, get his golf game back where it should be.” With more time to practice and prep during the
offseason due to the pandemic, Guezzale said he was ready and excited to be back on the green.
“We had a lot of time to work on our game to get things in shape,” Guezzale see
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Courtesy of Derrick Tuskan, SDSU Athletics San Diego State men’s golf senior Puwit Anupansuebsai swings his driver during the 2019-20 season.
Arts & Culture Quick Take: Artists draw inspiration from 2020 social justice movements Feb. 10 - Feb. 16, 2021 Editor: Devin Whatley
by
Ryan Hardison
SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Protesting and music have long overlapped in the United States, dating back to the days of 20th-century union strikes and Billie Holliday’s poetic rendition of “Strange Fruit.” Most notably when it comes to R&B, rock, and rap, there’s always been a roaring feeling of urgency in protest music. With the rise of Black Lives Matter, it’s been no different. Songs like “Hell you Talmbout” by Janelle Monae, Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” and Black Thought’s “Rest in Power” perfectly encapsulate long-held feelings of staunch disapproval towards America’s highest leadership. The BLM movement has existed since 2013, following the controversial
acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, and it has encompassed the pain, outrage, and determination of millions of African-Americans into collective action. Their actions have started conversations in favor of defunding and abolishing police departments, providing proper assistance to victims of systemic racism, and prosecuting police officers who abuse and murder civilians. Many songs released in 2020 were inspired by the surge of Black Lives Matter protests following the death of George Floyd. These songs contain strong political messaging and describe a brutal daily reality for Black people across the nation. In celebration of Black History Month, here are
several songs that embody Black pride and usher in a potent sign of the times. Beyoncé - “Black Parade” There’s no time for mourning on Beyoncé’s “Black Parade.” Released on Juneteenth as a nonprofit charity single, Beyoncé’s uplifting ode radiates pride for her home state of Texas and preaches unity while energetically chiding racist police officers. The song’s release was accompanied by the creation of Black Parade Route, a directory of Black and African-owned businesses spanning beauty, fashion, and agriculture. Like much of her music in the past decade, “Black Parade’’ is emphatically pro-Black and pays tribute to her past, while encouraging protesters to keep
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Graphic by Emily Burgess
marching on and remember the path laid before them. As a celebration of Black tradition, Beyoncé namedrops legendary Black musicians and revolutionaries along with current activists, proving their legacies have not been left behind. “Curtis Mayfield on the speaker (Woo) / Lil’ Malcolm, Martin mixed with mama Tina (Woo) / Need another march, lemme call Tamika (Woo) / Need peace and reparation for my people (Woo)”
It’s hard not to walk away from this song feeling at least a little bit exalted and proud, but the volatile power of Beyoncé’s music should come as no surprise. Lil Baby - “The Bigger Picture” “The Bigger Picture” sees Lil Baby drift into vivid, socially conscious territory. Though he’s previously rapped about social issues and his insecurities, the Atlanta rapper swings big in see
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Warner Bros. Studios hosts ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ roundtable by
Katelynn Robinson
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
Fred Hampton is a name some people would not recognize, but many should. He was the Chairman of the Black Panther Party chapter stationed in Illinois and was assassinated at 21 years old in a raid organized by the Cook County State Attorney in 1969. Director Shaka King’s new film, “Judas and the Black Messiah,” follows the story of Hampton (played by Daniel Kaluuya), through the eyes of William O’Neal (played by LaKeith Stanfield) and the story of his betrayal. O’Neal joined the Black Panther Party as an undercover informant for an FBI officer. “I can’t play this dude, no way! I hate this guy!” This was Stanfield’s initial response after discovering he would be portraying O’Neal when in fact he originally thought he would play Hampton.
“I had internal conflict the whole time,” Stanfield said. “With everything that the character was doing I was conflicted so I guess you can kind of see that working in the character as well.” The cast had a very unique experience with Fred Hampton Jr, Chair-
man of the Black Panther Cubs and Mother Akua, formerly known as Deborah Johnson, who sat down with the cast and asked each of them why they wanted to make the movie. Dominique Fishback, playing Deborah Johnson, said this conversation was about seven hours long.
“I met with Shaka (King) and the first thing I asked was ‘is the family involved?’ because I don’t want to do anything that hurts the legacy of the Black Panther Party,” Fishback said. Mother Akua said in a virtual summit, “When we were at this meeting, and one thing that we fought
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Studios (Top left to right) DARRELL BRITT-GIBSON as Bobby Rush, DANIEL KALUUYA as Chairman Fred Hampton and ASHTON SANDERS as Jimmy Palmer in Warner Bros. Pictures’ “JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release
for was that we have a say in this piece.” Kaluuya said Fred Hampton Jr told him if he was going to play the Chairman (Jr’s father) he wanted to see what he was made of. “I felt meeting the family was necessary...meeting the family and having them be a part of the process and having them enrich what we were doing...was imperative to me and to every one a part of the process,” Kaluuya said. During their initial meetup, Fred Hampton Jr. asked someone to look up what the “worst” neighborhood in Chicago was and he took the cast there. Kaluuya described the experience and said as he interacted with the community he thought “I don’t want to look at you, I want to look with you.” Both Stanfield and Fishback described the day the cast filmed the assassination scene and how real see
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Let’s Talk about the Mental Health of the Black Community by
Kennedy Benjamin
CONTRIBUTOR
During the past several years, the modern black community has gone through an unbelievable amount of trauma and upset, but the peak of this was seen during the past twelve months with the raging resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement. The death of George Floyd signaled not only a turning point, but a breaking point within the black community which was seen by the months of civil unrest that followed. Cities were engulfed in flames, cop cars destroyed and streets packed with protestors during the middle of a global pandemic. Though it was sweet to see the fight for justice unfold in front of our very eyes, it also came with a pain unimaginable to people outside of the community. Logging onto Instagram and clicking through posts of peers displaying videos of people of color getting beaten, stomped on, tear gassed and even warnings to be weary of the Ku Klux Klan in certain areas. To be a person of color on Instagram during that period of time was hard. Personally, I took a few weeks off of everything to unplug and try to put my mind at ease. But it wasn’t that easy, I had recurring nightmares of me and my family being chased by the KKK and lived in constant anxiety every time I passed a truck on the highway that sported a Make America Great Again sticker on it’s bumper. However, what made me feel a little better was knowing that there was no way I was the only person in America feeling like this. During this time, I made it a point to be very vocal that there were mental health resources available to the black community
and to hone in on the point that mental health should be a priority at this time. The sad fact is, the stigma against mental health in the black community is extremely damaging. Trauma has a legacy, and for us, it dates all the way back to the early 17th century when native Africans were ripped from their homes and brought over to America in slave ships. For hundreds of years, our depression and anxiety was tossed off to the side and regarded as only being tired and weak. Reasons like this made it extremely hard for people of color to understand that what they were feeling wasn’t only a result of physical exhaustion, but mental exhaustion. Slaves had to keep their senses heightened in fear of the master catching you taking a breather, claiming that they were slacking off only to later beat them and work them ten times harder. With the abolishment of slavery this didn’t go away, both literally and figuratively, the white man had made it his point to breathe down our necks, any false move could result in the end of a career or in some cases the end of a life. So, we’ve kept quiet, overworking ourselves and being told that when we’re tired it should be no obstacle, to keep pushing even when we can’t because that’s what’s expected of us. These expectations have created a narrative within the community such that every black woman has to be strong and independent, or that every black man should take everything with stride and bear the weight of negativity on his shoulder. They’re unrealistic, and the culture of trying to constantly reach and exceed those expectations is doing more harm than good. see
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Feb. 10 - Feb. 16, 2021 Editor: Devin Whatley
Africana Studies hosts Black Film Fridays to celebrate Black History Month by Isabel
Smith
STAFF WRITER
In celebration of Black History Month, San Diego State’s Department of Africana Studies is putting on Black Film Fridays to present films with an emphasis on Black men. The first film showcased on Feb. 5 was “The Black Fatherhood Project” which was followed by a Q&A with director and creator Jordan Thierry. Thierry is the founder and creative director of Dream Chase Media, a multimedia production company specializing in creating compelling stories that draw inspiration from cultures and communities around the world. Thierry has spent his career work-
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Studios
ing to dispel the myths of Black culture with his book titled “A KIDS BOOK ABOUT SYSTEMIC RACISM” which was selected by Oprah for her 2020 best holiday gifts collection and his first feature film “The Black Fatherhood Project”. Despite growing up with
a loving father,Thierry says most Black kids he saw growing up did not have an active father figure in their lives. Through the telling of his own story and the help of others, he traces the roots of the fatherless Black home revealing a hissee
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Students celebrate Black Pride in a different way in 2021 by
Aleah Jarin
STAFF WRITER
Though it’s officially recognized during the month of February, Black history is celebrated by the Black community every single day. However, when February rolls around each year, it allows us to take a special moment to reflect on Black history and rejoice in Black excellence. With the Black Lives Matter protests at its peak last summer, the Black community is continuing to speak out and share the importance of Black history. Although there’s been uncertainty with the pandemic, there’s one thing that is for certain: the resilience and immense feeling of pride shown by Black people during this time. Here’s how students are showing it. Kelechi Ndoh, senior international
business major “Black History Month gives us the opportunity to reflect on all Black excellence from the past and now. It’s important to have this yearly reminder and take a step back and remember all the great things Black people can do and what we can keep doing. “When the Black Lives Matter movement was at its height last year, I was at protests and I feel like that’s how I showed my Black pride. I feel like the Black Lives Matter movement has gone down and I wish we had that same energy now, but I feel like a lot more people are aware. “I think everyday I wear my Black pride. I’m a Black man and I’m proud to be one. I celebrate everyday, just by me being Black, my walk and my confidence.” see
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Photo courtesy of Kelechi Ndoh
Photo courtesy of Johvonne Roberts
Photo courtesy of Mohamed Buul