The Vindicator - February 2020

Vindicator Cleveland State University’s Arts and Culture Magazine

50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION | FEB 2020

50 YEARS OF VINDICATOR CELEBRATING OUR HISTORY AND OUR TRANSITION

LEON BIBB AN ANCHOR OF OUR COMMUNITY

MAINTAINING OUR HISTORY THE CSU ARCHIVES

SECTION

5 | VINDICATOR

NOVEMBER 2019

THEVINDI.COM ­­ | 6

We specialize in high quality videography, photography and editing and we all have a passion for documenting special moments in people’s lives.

Starting out by taking photos for our friends and loved ones, we now want to bring the same feeling for other couples in Cleveland and Ohio.

blackvalveweddings.com

9

BY TYISHA BLADE

FEB Arts

50

what’s in this issue?

5

Check Us Out Online

6

Calendar

7

Letter from the Editor

8

Meet Our Contributors

25

years yearsof of Vindicator Vindicator

Megan Thee Stallion

by DOROTHY ZHAO

11

Keeping The Camaraderie Strong

Culture

by TYISHA BLADE

13

For the Culture: 50 for 50

by BRIANA ELISE

21

15

Kwanzaa History is Black History

by TYISHA BLADE

Beauty + Wellness 35

The Change of Today’s Pageant World

by IMANI STEPHENS

37

America’s Healthcare System is Failing Black People

by CLAUDIA UGBANA

Social

BY KYRA WELLS

39

19

We Are Here

by KIMBERLY STEELE

41

Poetry 43

Black Women in College

by ERYKAH BETTERSON

Lift Every Voice and Sing

by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON

45

To Be Determined

by BRIANA ELISE

Maintaining Our History

BY JESSICA LYNN NICHOLS

THEVINDI.COM ­­ | 4

CHECK US OUT ONLINE

THEVINDI.COM

Pushout the Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools. A photo gallery to contirube to showing the issue. —AMANDA LIGHT THEVINDI.COM

Shaw High School Marching Band: 20 years of Excellence. “Each year, organization Music Through the Streets hosts the Battle of the Bands as a community event showcasing the talents of marching bands both locally and out-of-state. High school marching bands compete to win trophies and bragging rights, of course.”— TYISHA BLADE

SeekingOut#OwnVoices. — JESSICA LYNN NICHOLS

#VindiAsks: What winter entertainment are you looking forward to?

37.5%% DAY SPENT AT THE MUSEUM

25%

@vindi_csu

ICE SKATING OUTDOORS

37.5%

FINDING A NEW COFFEE SHOP stay up-to-date with all things Vindi on Instagram

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Follow us on social media to participate in our next poll! @VINDI_CSU

w h a t’s h a p p e n i n g i n

F E B R UA RY 2/1 Tribe Fest

Cleveland Indians fans can join together to celebrate their love for the team by participating in fun baseball-related activities throughout the day.

2/ 7 Mix at CMA

MIX: CUPID 6:00–10:00 PM Bring a date, come solo, or meet a friend—this is your lowcommitment pre–Valentine’s Day night out!

2/8 The Lumineers

CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART

HUNTINGTON CONVENTION CENTER

2/6 Black History Month Celebration

Te Lumineers (Hall of Famers) and Opening act Mt. Joy take on Rocket Mortage Fieldhouse for an indoor winter concert.

ROCKET MORTAGE FIELDHOUSE

2/6 Donut Fest

Join us for an evening of celebration, conversation, and inspiration, as we move forward with our vision for a just society where all working people are valued, all people are respected, where all families and communities thrive, and where we leave a better and more equal world for generations to come.

SEIU, DISTRICT 1199 UNION HALL, 1771 E 30TH ST, CLEVELAND, OHIO 44114

From Obvious Coffee Company: Come join us for one of the coolest events of the year - Donut Fest! We’ll be serving samples (and full cups) of our great coffee alongside some amazing donuts.

9 AM- 2 PM RED SPACE 2400 SUPERIOR AVE THEVINDI.COM ­­ | 6

EDITOR’S LETTER

THE BIRTH

OF A NOTION

T

he Vindicator’s birthing room was volatile. Its background music crafted from a transformative mix of the assassination of Rev., Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Hough and Glenville riots, campus

unrest and an array of street demonstrations. Amid this

B

old. Beautiful. Black. From the cries of my ancestors to the whispers of my mind comes a connection.

Soul ties that have united a span of 50 years of amplifying voices across and beyond Cleveland

State University’s campus. Passionately powerful, the

firestorm, several Black students formed the Society of

strength that kept us unified as African Americans has

African American Unity (SAAU), influenced by Malcolm X’s

also been the driving force that binds us as artists. In 1970,

Organization of African American Unity. Cleveland State

beauty was born amidst dysfunction and disarray and

was a scant five years old and Black students wanted a voice.

the year 2020 marks the year of connection. Connecting

SAAU took 10 “demands” to President Harold Enarson, the

with our peers, connecting with our alumni and most

last being a desire to create a Black student newspaper.

importantly connecting with ourselves. As witnesses to

In January 1970, the Vindicator, so named to underscore

our time, we bear fruit destined to reap many bountiful

black students’ self-worth, was born. The masthead carried

harvests. In this issue you will find connections to past

the words “We wish to plead our own cause,” coined by

and present, queens of beauty, displays of Black art and

John Russwurm and Samuel Cornish, the New York City

more. Take a look as our spiritual bonds guide us and our

founders of Freedom’s Journal, the nation’s first African

many contributions to the publication nurture us. Happy

American weekly newspaper. That was our time. This is

Black History Month.

clearly yours.

RONALD E. KISNER VINDICATOR FOUNDER

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TYISHA BLADE EDITOR–IN–CHIEF

FEBRUARY 2020

Faculty Advisor Julie Burrell Web Specialist Daniel Lenhart

MEET OUR

CONTRIBUTORS STAFF HEADS Tyisha Blade Editor–in–Chief

Imani Stephens Managing Editor

Kevin Coleman Copy Editor

Alexia Carcelli Art Director

Kyra Wells Asst. Art Director

Max Torres Multimedia Manager

Vincent McIntosh Online Content Editor

Jillian VanDyke Asst. Online Content Editor

Joscelyn Ervin Arts Editor

Briana Oldham Culture Editor

Megan Baranuk Beauty Editor

Dorothy Zhao Social Editor

WRITERS Dorothy Zhao Tyisha Blade Briana Elise Kyra Wells Jessica Lynn Nichols

POETS

Brenda Castañeda Yupanqui Feature Editor

Katheryn Lewis Distrubution Coordinator

JUNIOR DESIGNERS Imani Stephens Claudia Ugbana Kimberly Steele Erykah Betterson

Maria Ahmad Stefany Belasic Erin Butkiewicz Asha McClendon

Alexandra Paquin Gia Paulovich Derek Prince Wilson

ARTISTS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Max Torres

Mikayla Colston

Briana Elise

Disclaimer The content of the Vindicator does not necessarily represent the opinions of Cleveland State University, its students, faculty, or staff: nor does it represent the members of the Vindicator staff or our advisors unless otherwise stated. The editor reserves the right to comment on any issue that affects the student body in general as well as the multicultural community at large. Letters to the editors and other submissions are accepted, however they must have the authors name, address, major if applicable, and telephone number. All submissions become property of the Vindicator and the Vindicator reserves the right to edit submissions as deemed necessary. Magazine and newspaper theft is a crime; limit one per person.

2121 Euclid Ave, MC 471, Cleveland, OH 44115 216–687–2118 THEVINDI.COM ­­ | 8

ARTS

MEGAN THEE

STALLION WRITTEN BY

Dorothy Zhao ILLUSTRATED BY

Asha McClendon

Hot Girl Season reaches a fever pitch as this Houston rapper takes the world by storm.

M

egan Thee Stallion is one of a kind. She reigns supreme in her empowerment of women, whether she does it intentionally or not. In early December of last year, her Tiny Desk Concert, a

video series of live concerts hosted by NPR Music, had a live audience as she performed with the band Phony Ppl. This intimate concert debut was what initially drew me in to listening to the artist and wanting to learn more about her. Megan and Phony Ppl truly seemed to enjoy themselves while connecting to their audience with such charisma. A mere 24 years of age, Megan is a Houston rapper who can pinpoint her success on a viral rap battle clip from 2013. She went on to release the EP “Tina Snow” in 2018 and to be the first woman rapper to sign with record label 300 Entertainment.

While listening to her debut mixtape “Fever,” I was both enthralled and educated. Whether it was becoming educated on her various accomplishments or learning how to be insanely confident, I felt my respect and admiration for Megan Thee Stallion growing. Her rhymes and lyrics paint a different picture for each song. My favorites included “Realer,” “W.A.B.,” “Simon Says (feat. Juicy J),” and “Money Good.” I love a song that is straightforward and clear in its words and intent,

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FEBRUARY 2020

just as much as I like an artist who is unapologetically unrivaled. Her music, much like how Megan feels about it personally, is very confident and freeing. When you listen to a Megan Thee Stallion song, you’re dancing in the mirror alone. You’re full of your own good energy, as she describes it. A secondary aspect of her success are the alter egos that range from Tina Snow, Megan Thee Stallion, and Hot Girl Meg. Tina Snow is “the pimp” while Megan Thee Stallion is the “real chill” one. Hot Girl Meg, the one on “Fever,” is the polished party girl who is also the turn-up queen. Just Megan, when she’s plain old Megan, however, is the student, daughter, granddaughter and friend. Of course, Megan Thee Stallion wants her audience to know she is not a character—what she is doing and rapping is natural to her, simply because she loves herself.

In an interview with VIBE Magazine senior editor Keith Murphy, Megan Thee Stallion recalls being in the recording studio at a young age watching her mother

“

and future manager, Holly-Wood, work on her music.

Her mother was the first female rapper she knew. Megan now attends the historically Black college and university,

—I want women to know [that] we don’t have to put limits on

“

PHOTO CREDIT GOOGLE IMAGES

ourselves.

Texas Southern University, for health administration. It

touch, as her mother and great grandmother passed away

was most impressive to me that she even schedules her

in March of 2019. Megan Thee Stallion addressed to her

shows around her Tuesday and Thursday classes—the

fans in a now-deleted Instagram video about how hard

combination of school and shows is not something most

it will be to spend the first Christmas alone without her

ordinary people can juggle. Her academic determination

family members. In this touching message, she concludes

shone through when she was tardy in attending the 2019

to “always try to be kind to others because you never

Billboard Women in Music. Megan Thee Stallion was

know what they’re going through.” Her mother, as

taking her final, and then in the next few hours, she

Megan describes her, was a strong woman, tough lady,

accepted the Powerhouse Award. She prioritizes both

and more of a “gangster” rapper while Megan herself

her coursework and her uncensored lyrical intentions,

is more sensual. Holly-Wood was Megan’s number one

which is something both students and fans can appre-

fan.

ciate. She even goes on Blackboard, the same learning

Despite Megan Thee Stallion’s songs being less than

management system that Cleveland State University

family friendly and certainly not safe for work, her explicit

students use. Megan mentions in her interview with

content serves a purpose—even she states it was “kind of

Vulture journalist Hunter Harris that she chose to study

an accident.” “Big Ole Freak” and “Freak Nasty” are two

health administration as a result of her grandmother

songs that can be viewed from a different lens other than

and great-grandmother experiencing the stress of

the perspective of being simply vulgar. Instead, her music

senior living. To give back to her Houston community,

is empowering. Her message summarizes how women

she wants to “put [healthcare] facilities” for especially

have been conditioned to be prim and proper while also

those in Black households.

being held to impossibly high standards. Megan Thee

The New York Times describes Megan Thee Stal-

Stallion wants to let loose and not be afraid of what she

lion’s rapping as “words [arriving] like jabs” that are

has to say. She is not a princess. The lyrics of her favorite

“confident, precise, disorientingly direct.” She captures

male rappers are “crazy [and] raw” to her, so a woman

the attention of her audience with her priority of clear,

should sound just as good when saying similarly raunchy

sparring rhymes. Last summer was a Hot Girl Summer,

things. A critic describes Megan’s appeal as the magic

the catchphrase declared by Megan Thee Stallion after

of feeling like you are “listening to the advice of your

she dropped her debut mixtape “Fever” in May. Being

most entertaining girlfriend” and being motivated by

a Hot Girl, as tweeted by the rapper, is about “being

a close friend to reach a form of success. She describes

unapologetically you, having fun, being confident, living

that she wants to be “as out there as I can be, because

your truth, [and] being the life of the party.” Releasing a

I want women to know [that] we don’t have to put any

song of the same catchphrase title featuring Nicki Minaj

limits on ourselves.” Megan Thee Stallion wants us to

and Ty Dolla $ign last summer, Megan Thee Stallion has

know if you want to go hard, go hard.

skyrocketed to fame in the past couple years. In 2019, among her many awards, she was named one of AP’s Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year.

This young artist’s success is not without a bittersweet THEVINDI.COM ­­ | 10

ARTS

KEEPING THE CAMARADERIE

STRONG WRITTEN BY

PHOTOGRAPHED BY

Tyisha Blade

Max Torres

Black Studies Vindicator Display in the Howard A. Mims Cultural Center.

T

he Black Studies program and The Vindicator magazine have roots at Cleveland State University dating back to 1969. Both organizations have

served as voices for underrepresented students at the university for decades. As engines that propel the student community toward success, the two have continuously encouraged students to confront challenges they may encounter and seek out educational, social and moral standings. They have not only provided support, but also an extended family that expands beyond the halls of Cleveland State and into the community of greater Cleveland.

To honor the connection between Black Studies program and The Vindicator, the program decorated its display cases with past and present issues of the publication. The program is currently under the direction of Thomas Bynam, Ph.D. The current program coordinator, Prester Pickett, M.F.A., came to Cleveland State as the assistant to the Director of Black Studies program in 1996. Originally located on the first floor of the building that is now the Student Center, Black Studies members would often run into Vindicator staff, as the publication’s offices were also located in the Student Center at the time. “It was very common for staff members to regularly visit the center to keep us informed of other activities on campus and allow us a chance to share information about our intended events and activities,” Pickett said. Pickett would like to see the bond between the program and the publication grow by ensuring that The Vindicator covers Black Studies’ events and, in turn, the program could host publication events such as honoring Black journalists.

“The thought is that if any campus publication is going to highlight our Black cultural program, the ideal recommendation would be that The Vindicator does that,” he added. “It would seem that the staff of The Vindicator is best positioned and empowered to have a cultural lens that can allow the people to see what needs to be vindicated in our community.”

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FEBRUARY 2020

THEVINDI.COM ­­ | 12

CULTURE

For the CULTURE:

5050 for

WRITTEN BY

Briana Elise

A blast from the past as the last five decades are discussed complete with colorful commentary.

T

hey say in order to know where you’re

umental events, controversial movements, and some

going, you must first know where you

of the more talked moments in time. I did not want to

come from. I wanted to delve deep into

leave out information that perhaps wasn’t common

what the last 50 years looked like in Af-

knowledge, so I included little-known gems as well.

rican American culture, almost to gauge

My hope is that this trip back down memory lane—

what the next 50 years may hold. When trying to un-

sung in my best Minnie Riperton voice—revives sto-

pack several decades of all things for us and by us, I

ries worth retelling and looks ahead to the future.

honestly didn’t know where to begin. During my research, I had the honor of learning more about mon13 | VINDICATOR

FEBRUARY 2020

1970s

when the officers were acquitted, citizens rioted for

Can’t kick off a discussion about the 70s without

three days straight, resulting in the murder of over

mentioning the blaxploitation era. This genre, as

50 people, with an estimated 2,000 injured and 8,000

indicated by the name, produced movies some say

arrested. Things started to look up the next few years

showed stereotypical Black characters and plots that

as Jocelyn M. Elders becomes the first woman, and the

many found inaccurate and offensive. Not everyone

first African American, to be appointed U.S. Surgeon

took issue with the content and, as a result, these

General, Margaret Dixon is appointed president of

fan favorites created a genre many went on to enjoy.

the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP),

Films such as “Shaft,” “Superfly,” “The Mack,” “Foxy

and Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins is elected as the first

Brown,” and “Black Samurai” became cult classics.

African American president of The National League

While there were mixed feelings about the blaxploi-

of Women Voters. Women helped to help clean up the

tation era, the time period helped launch the careers

image of what could be considered the not so nice 90s.

of actors and actresses we know and love today.

The 70s were also full of firsts. The first issues of

2000s

Essence and Black Enterprise magazines are published.

It was during the new millennium that we saw a

Charles Gordone was the first African American to

resurgence in the natural hair movement, neo-

win a Pulitzer Prize in Drama for the play, “No Place

soul music was back on the rise, and we welcomed

to Be Somebody.” In baseball, there were big things

our first Black president. These three separate but

popping locally and nationally as Leroy “Satchel”

equal millennium moments together in the pre-

Page was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame

vious sentence may be a bit of a stretch. However,

and became the first former Negro League player to

India Arie told us she was not her hair and we still

receive this honor. Right here in our own backyard

feel that today. Although I like them all, I can’t tell

was Frank Robinson. Robinson would become play-

the difference between Ella Mai, H.E.R., or the next

er-manager of the Cleveland Indians and go on to

light voice songstress. Furthermore, we all know the

become the first African American manager of any

world may never be ready for another brotha living

Major League Baseball team that next year. Closing

at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. I wish I had more space

out the 70s, which were full of residual feelings from

to devote to such a monumental occasion as having

the Civil Rights movement a short decade prior, I must

Barack Obama elected, but there aren’t nearly enough

give honorable mention to the television premiere

characters to explain how proud we were as a people

event of the miniseries “Roots.” This was the first

and what a dream come true that was.

Us (IFAU)

of slavery and went on to achieve the highest ratings

2010s

for a television program. It ran for eight consecutive

The beginning of this final decade should feel clos-

memory

nights.

er in memory than it does, yet the 2010s feel like 2000s, which is probably a reflection of my age, so

1980s

I digress. Last but not least, 2010-2019 was a time

Some of our most beloved contributions to the culture

reminiscent of decades past where music, television,

came during this decade. This era kicks off with the

movies, even social media, were unapologetically

launch of Black Entertainment Television (BET). I

Black. “Freedom” by Beyoncé, “Alright” by Kendrick

cannot think of anything more representative of

Lamar, “Black-ish,” “Grown-ish,” “Mixed-ish,” and

being Black than what this network pioneered over

“BlacKkKlansman,” immediately come to mind for

the years. There are also many developments that

me. These became etched in history as revolutionary

took place during this span of time which are lesser

works of art about where we are and where we have

known facts. Historical events that took place were

the potential to go. The sitcoms painted a picture

Guion S. Bluford, Jr. became the first African American

that made us feel like we were seen and heard for

astronaut to make a space flight, Gwendolyn Brooks

once and made it feel as though we all grew up the

became the first African American to be named the U.S.

same way but at various times. I would be remiss if

Poet Laureate, and the first Ph.D. in African American

I didn’t give a special shout out to Black Twitter. It

Studies is offered by Temple University. File all this

is not only uplifting and powerful, it is the funniest

in your Impressive Facts About Us (IFAU) memory

part of my day.

bank to be retrieved and shared among friends and family later.

As a culture, over the last fifty years and then some, Black people have persevered like no other.

1990s

There have been the best of times and the worst of

Let’s get political. Political... like the Olivia New-

times and, while we may not be exactly where we

ton-John classic but Black with different words. The

want to be in our personal lives, through our pretty

90s were off to a rocky start after the beating of Rodney

and sometimes painful past, we are still living our

King by police officers in Los Angeles. A year later,

ancestors’ wildest dreams.

File all this in your Impressive Facts About

bank to be retrieved and shared among friends and family later.

“

miniseries to offer a glimpse into the harsh reality

“

THEVINDI.COM ­­ | 14

CULTURE

KWANZAA HISTORY IS

BLACK

HISTORY WRITTEN BY

PHOTOGRAPHED BY

Tyisha Blade

William Coleman & Tyisha Blade

The Black Studies Program’s Annual Kuumba Arts Festival celebrates African-American history while commemorating Project 400.

Mr. Pickett

Andrea Coleman

Jeannine Gaskin

Djapo Cultural Arts Institute Dancers and Drummers

Bertha Pickett

Talise Campbell Silver Bee Winner

Kwanza Brewer

Djapo Cultural Arts Institute Dancers

Hue People

Djapo Cultural Arts Institute Drummers

WHAT IS KWANZAA? Kwanzaa is an annual seven-day event created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga to celebrate African American history while bringing together the community to cherish and embrace one another. Kwanzaa is centered around Nguzo Saba or the seven principles. During each of the seven days of Kwanzaa, a new principle is highlighted to educate the masses about African American history. Kwanzaa is marked by highlighting a new candle on the kinara, a seven-branched candelabra. Seven candles are placed in the kinara—three red on the left, three green on the right, and a single black candle in the center. The word kinara is a Swahili word that means candle holder.. These principles are unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (imani). The principles are originated from the Swahili language and the practices are tradition in the Black community.

Djapo Cultural Arts Institute Dancers and Drummers

Mr. Pickett

Djapo Cultural Arts Institute Dancers and Drummers

Talisa Campbell Silver Bee Award Recipient

Leon Hope

Dr. Bynum and Isaac Coleman

Djapo Cultural Arts Institute Dancers

Silver Bee

Isaac Coleman

KUUMBA ARTS FESTIVAL Each year, Cleveland State University’s Black Studies Program presents the Kuumba Arts festival to reflect on the harvest of African-American ancestors and the contributions of the present community as we push forth to continue to strengthen our solidarity. This school year’s celebration, Echoes From the Past, was directed by Prester Pickett, M.F.A., coordinator of the Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center. It served as the culminating event of the fall activities associated with Project 400, CSU’s year-long commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the first Africans arriving in the present-day United States. The event also used performance art to highlight traditions associated with efforts to abolish slavery, pronounce citizenship and secure suffrage.

Performances included acts from the Warrensville Heights choir in conjunction with the Heritage Chorale, African drumming and dance by members of the Djapo Cultural Arts Institute under the direction of Talise Campbell, music from the R&B group SweetEven, hip hop acts, poetry and more. This is just one of several initiatives of the Black Studies program that amplifies the voice of African-American people while giving praise to our ancestors.

Djapo Cultural Arts Institute Drummer

Djapo Cultural Arts Institute Dancer

Jeannine Gaskin

Djapo Cultural Arts Institute Dancer

Lake Erie Order of the Pythagorans

FEATURE

M A IN TA INING OUR HISTORY THE CLEVEL A ND STATE UNIVERSIT Y A RCHIVES

WRITTEN BY

Jessica Lynn Nichols PHOTO BY

Max Torres

A conversation with University Archivist William “Bill” Becker.

O

n the third floor of the Michael Schwartz Library, in RT 310, you will find the Cleveland State University Archives. You will notice the stacks, shelves upon shelves

of books, boxes and binders. On those shelves, you can find everything from yearbooks, to the minutes of Board of Trustees meetings, to original copies of student publications like The Vindicator.

Since the archives hold so much history for Cleveland State and our magazine, I visited the archives on January 7th . While there, I had the pleasure of discussing that history with Bill Becker, who has dedicated more than 40 years to his career as the university archivist. Our first topic was the archives themselves. “An archives is created to be a record storage center,” Becker explained. “So that people have access to the records.” But maintaining the university archives is not simply a matter of collecting all the existing documents from a time period, and then keeping them forever. As an archivist, Becker has to consider many factors regarding each record and its potential future use to university students and faculty.“There’s a document’s administrative value, its legal value, its fiscal value, and its historical value,” he said. “You make judgment calls.

‘Is this really important?’”

Becker was named the university archivist in 1980 after working as the assistant archivist for six years prior. He spent a brief period as a teacher’s assistant at West Technical High School in Cleveland, but soon reconsidered. “You get these questions [from relatives] like, ‘What are you gonna do with a history degree?’” Becker recalled with a laugh. But clearly, Becker’s studies were the foundation of a valuable, impactful career.

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FEBRUARY 2020

“

It was truly incredible to see that piece of history up close.

“

During our conversation, I was constantly amazed

for better representation by making lasting structural

by the depth of his knowledge about Cleveland State

changes to the curriculum. Even though I am not a

and its history. When I asked him what he enjoys most

student of history, my short time in the archives

about his work as an archivist, he considered the

uncovered topics of fascination. Any Cleveland State

question for a moment. “There’s no one component

student could find inspiration and resources for

[that is most rewarding],” he told me. “You’re doing a

rewarding research there.

service for the university. . . . You get satisfaction out

At the end of our interview, Becker invited me to

of it. And also, you become an expert in the history of

view an original print copy of the January 30, 1970

the university,” Becker continued. “You start putting

issue of The Vindicator — our very first issue. With

pieces together and asking, ‘Why did this happen?’”

care, he retrieved it and I took a look. In 1970, The

Becker holds a Master’s degree in history from

Vindicator was not yet published as a magazine,

Case Western Reserve University, including training

but as a newspaper. The front page was brittle, but

in archives and records. Before that, he was an un-

well-preserved; fully intact, and fully legible. I could

dergrad at Cleveland State. When our conversation

practically feel the energy of activism and new voices

turned to the history of The Vindicator, he offered

from the sight of still-bold ink against the paper. It

not only historical records, but also his firsthand

was truly incredible to see that piece of history up

recollections of the campus climate at the beginning

close. More than that, it impacted me as a current

of our publication’s history. “It goes back further than

Vindi writer, knowing that as I participate in this

the racist cartoon [printed in The Cauldron]. There

publication, I am connected to the trailblazers who

was a lot of feeling among the Black students here

contributed to that first issue. To experience the

that their needs weren’t being paid attention to,” he

years of Cleveland State history contained in the

remembered. “[The cartoon] was what ignited it.”

archives can be awe-inspiring.

Later in our interview, Becker recalled some ad-

After one morning spent in the archives, I am certain

ministrative changes made to degree requirements

that I have only scratched the surface of everything

while he was a student. As we talked, he stood from

on the shelves there. Though our interview focused

his chair and searched a nearby stack for the rele-

primarily on The Vindicator and the surrounding

vant records. Finding it, he quickly flipped through

culture of Cleveland State in the ‘60s and ‘70s, we

the pages and pointed out what he had been looking

also discussed topics such as the university’s or-

for. I had the opportunity to view an original copy of

igins as Fenn College — origins comprehensively

the degree catalog for 1972, including one important

documented in the archives. The archives also offer

update to the general education requirements. At

a glimpse at the history of Cleveland as a whole,

the time, general education courses were divided

including the way that our university has changed

into four numbered groups organized by subject,

its culture and its skyline over the years. The archive

similar to current divisions of natural sciences, arts

records are amazing in their depth and scope, and

and humanities, and so on. Group IV, introduced in

what Mr. Becker has done to care for them is deeply

1972, was a new category that incorporated “selected

meaningful for our university. I hope that stu-

courses in contemporary social problems” into general

dents will take the opportunity to visit the archives

education — not unlike the current catalog’s Social

and learn from our history.

Diversity requirement.

I found it intriguing and heartening to learn that, amid the student activism of the late 60s and early ‘70s, the university did respond to some of the need THEVINDI.COM ­­ | 6

FEATURE

LEON BIBB Anchor of Our Community 5 | |VINDICATOR 21 VINDICATOR

FEBRUARY MARCH 2019 2020

Kyra Wells Photos Courtesy of WKYC-TV and Cleveland.com

A conversation with Emmy-award winning broadcast journalist, reporter, author, Leon Bibb.

job was to get educated and to help pull along others behind

Being a reporter is a huge task. It’s a profession

Tenth.” … And we realized that’s what we were trying to do.

which should be held with as much regard as the

The jobs were beginning to open up. Integration was coming

most prestigious lawyers, doctors, and professors.

into the workplace so we had to be prepared to get those jobs

B

us and to help with the movement. And be part of what W.E.B. Dubois referred to in the early 20th century as “The Talented

What a task it is to take on delivering a message

when they opened up. When I started [working] in 1962, there

to the public that can be devastating, heart wrenching or

probably was not a lot of chance of getting a job on a major

inspiring, while striking a balance between composure and

newspaper, television station, or magazine but by 1966, four

empathy. The man who self-professed, “I am Cleveland,”

years later, the world had changed and they were looking for

Leon Bibb, has done just that. Some of our toughest times

folks like me, maybe they weren’t looking for a lot but they

and most heart-warming moments have been covered

were looking for some like me.

by him. During a career spanning over 40 years, Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist, reporter, author, and

Did ever experience any racism while at Bowling Green

Cleveland native, Leon Bibb continues to lead the way for

State University?

today’s African-American journalists. He was the first African

There was always something that took place but we kept going

American on prime time television news, coinciding with

and doing what we had to do. I remember once we stopped a

some of the most tumultuous times in the history of Ohio,

parade. It was a Greek fraternity that my fraternity was not

the nation and the world. As a reporter, Leon has bridged

involved with. We stopped the parade because there were

the gap between world turmoil and our television sets. He

people in blackface. Whites in blackface portraying supposed

upholds a responsibility to the public for accurate and fair

slaves. Not only blackface — Black legs, Black arms — their

reporting. I had the opportunity to sit down with Leon and

bodies were covered.

have several conversations about his career, experience and

We strung a line across the parade route on East Wooster

hopes for the future.

Street. It was an impromptu thing. We heard about it and we all ran out there and we stopped the parade until the

I read a quote that stated, “Good journalism is about

newspaper showed up to take pictures of us stopping the

curiosity.” I’d like to know what piques your curiosity?

parade. The pictures are actually in my college yearbook.

I guess I wanted to know why people did the things they did or what they were thinking about when they did them.

I wanted to have first-hand knowledge of what was going on in the world. I was a good writer. So, I wanted to know exactly what people were saying. So, I would write about that. I always loved to write.

I tell the kids in school that a journalist is a teller of the day’s events. What happened today? What’s in the news today? Why is it news today? That’s what a journalist does.

The word jour means “day” in french. So, a journalist is a chronicler of what happened today.

What did you write that got you noticed?

“

We understood these were changing times, and our job was to get educated and to help pull along others behind us and to help with the movement.

“

WRITTEN BY

I wrote the graduation play. It was about time travel. We kids, could enter a machine and we could either move ahead to the year 2000 or go back to 1776. We would get out and see how things were then. It was a big play. At the end, they introduced me as the author of the play. Mr. Taylor, put his

Why did you decide to spend your career in Cleveland?

hands on my eleven-year-old shoulders and said, “You have

This is a question I ask myself a lot. It got comfortable for

a gift.” He said, “You’re a journalist or a playwright, but

a while. I married, my children were in school. You want

you ought to write,” and from that moment on I knew what

stability in their lives. My parents were here and I cared for

I wanted to do. It was the mzoment that changed my life.

them until they died, so that had a lot to do with me staying in Cleveland. Things were comfortable and I stayed.

Tell me about going to college during the 60s.

Had I been born five years later, I would have been more of

I think there was a lot expected of us. We weren’t the first

the mindset to move on. Had I been born five years earlier,

Black people to go to Bowling Green [State University], but

I probably wouldn’t be doing television at all. I was the first.

we were among the first generations. At the time, Bowling

It was a lot of things I felt I needed to prove. Sometimes I

Green [State University] had a population of close to 10,000

have a regret. But if I had left I would not have been able to

students and 140 or so were Black. So you didn’t see a lot of

accomplish some of what I’ve accomplished here. We opened

Black people on campus. You were usually in classrooms by

the door for a lot of our folks to come into television, Black

yourself. We understood these were changing times, and our

folks especially. I opened the door.

THEVINDI.COM THEVINDI.COM­­ | ­­ |22 6

FEATURE

What was it like to open that door?

How do you detach yourself emotionally from the story?

I felt an amount of pressure to open that door. I felt an amount

It’s difficult because sometimes you are attached emotion-

of pressure to be good at what I do. To show up, get along

ally… I don’t really detach myself. I’m like a medical doctor

with everybody, cover the story and be good. Because you

in the emergency room. Doctors see patients come in, they

always start with an asterisk by your name. A lot of whites

are worried about them, but they have a job to do. So you’re

would say, “Well, he’s Black.” And you’ve got to prove yourself.

going to have a feeling for it but you have to cover the news. I

You’ve got to prove you can do the job. Statistics show that I

also cannot let it get to me where I cannot function. I have to

was the ninth primetime Black anchor in the United States.

put it in a certain category and still try to go to sleep at night.

There as an amount of pressure on me and I just wanted to

Sometimes I struggle to sleep because of what I have seen.

be good, so I worked at that. To this day, I don’t think I called in sick more than 30 days in 40 years.

What are the stories that you feel most passionate about and say to yourself, “This is why I do this”?

Was there ever a time when you doubted that this was

I think there are stories that get to the heart. I try to write

what you wanted to do?

for the heart, most of the time. Sometimes I can’t write for

No, I never doubted. There were days when I wouldn’t want

the heart if it’s a cut and dry story and it just is what it is.

to be at work, when the weather was bad or the story wasn’t

But I try to write for the heart. Take you to that place. Take

going well, but I never doubted. This is what I was born to do.

the viewer right there not only with words but with pictures

That’s discipline. You discipline yourself to get up every day

and not only with pictures but with the words. I try to get

and put the bread on the table. I have a wife, I have children

you to feel what I may be feeling or what people may be

and I have to put bread on the table.

feeling… To touch your heart. So I enjoy those stories that touch the heart and I try to write them that way. I think that there is something we all want in life and I try to tap into those things that we want to what it’s all about.

“

People look at me on the air or read what I write and they say, “I can’t tell if you’re a republican or a democrat.” I say, “Good.” Because that should not bleed over in my coverage of the news.

During the time of segregation were you concerned that people didn’t want to see African-Americans on TV? I’ve had people tell me that I don’t sound Black. I’ve always said, “What does B lack sound like?” I’ve had people challenge my blackness. They’ve said, “Are you certain you’re not Lebanse?” I say, “yes I’m positive.” It doesn’t happen often but it has happened. My language is pretty much General American English. This is the way I speak this is the way I am, this is the way my parents spoke. I don’t add anything, I don’t subtract anything. This is who I am.

“

When I walked into Channel 11 in Toledo in 1971 out of graduate school. I was the fourth or fifth Black person in the building.

I don’t mean in the news department, I mean in the building!

What responsibility do you feel a reporter should have?

You could see some people were wondering, “Who is this

Well, you want to get it right. It’s not just about getting it

kid?” But the cities were in riots and had rioted before and

fast. It doesn’t matter if you get it fast and it’s wrong. But

management wanted to make some inroads and needed to

you want to get it right and you want to be balanced. People

hire some qualified folks.

look at me on the air or read what I write and they say, “I can’t tell if you’re a republican or a democrat.” I say, good.

What can we do about racism?

Because that should not bleed over in my coverage of the

We keep on keeping on. Racism is going to be there. It will be

news. I just simply say what happened without trying to sway

there for a long time to come. It may be better but that’s how

your thought process one way or the other. I’ve interviewed

bad it was, now go back two generations, go back three and

many a person I did not like and perhaps they did not like me,

you’ll see how bad it was. You couldn’t even try on clothes

but I interviewed them because I thought they had a right

in a downtown department store or get a hotel in downtown

to be heard. And I’ve interviewed people that I did like and

Cleveland. Go back 50 or 60 years, you can’t buy a home

who liked me. The story is the main thing. Get the story, be

here. So we make inroads, every day we make inroads and

truthful in the story, get it right.”

we have to keep the fight going.

You interviewed President Barack Obama. What was that like?

Yes, I interviewed him in 2011. The White House called me and left a message on my voicemail at work. I listened to the voicemail saying that they would make the president available

5 | |VINDICATOR 23 VINDICATOR

FEBRUARY MARCH 2019 2020

for a one-on-one interview with me that would be exclusive

made alien to it. You are here and America just has to get

to the state of Ohio. They had selected me because of my

used to it because this is the way it is.

history in the city and Ohio. So I called them back and said, “Yes, we would like to do that.”

Leon Bibb, although retired, maintains a busy schedule contributing to Cleveland’s culture and community. He

We set our cameras up in there for the interview and that’s

currently works as a Senior reporter and commentator on

when the president came in… He asked “Are you all over

WKYC channel 3. He describes his next endeavor in writing

Lebron going to Miami?” At that time, Lebron was playing

as crafting a love story novel and memoir of his life. Leon

in Miami. I said, “Mr. President, we’re struggling with it.

We are trying to get over it but it’s hard.” He said, “I think Heat will win it all.” So we talked about that, laughed about that and then we did the interview.

He was very easy to talk to, very straightforward. For about 10 seconds we kind of just looked at each other and smiled.

I was giving him respect, I suppose, being the first Black president and maybe he was doing the same thing with me.

I don’t know, but he certainly knew who I was and he knew my background.

“

we kind of just looked at each other and smiled. I was giving him respect...being the first Black president and maybe he was doing the same thing with me.

“

you guys will be okay, but I do think Lebron and the Miami

What do you want your legacy to be?

I want people to say that I cared. Maybe you can carve that on my tombstone. “He cared.” That I cared about people

has also starred in local productions such as “Same Time

and that I tried to represent myself as well as I could. I want

Next Year,” “Love Letters,” “War of the Worlds,” “God’s

people to know that I tried to do the best I could, wherever

Trombone,” “Modern Warrior” and “A Soldier’s Play.” Leon

I was, whatever I was doing. Every story I cover, even to

Bibb’s contribution to broadcast television and journalism

this day, I cover it as if it is the last thing that I will ever do.

holds countless significance today. Thank you Leon Bibb

Because I don’t know when the end of my life is coming.

for sharing your stories and inspiring generations to come.

When the end of my life comes, I would think the television stations would maybe look back at the last story I did and say, “Yeah, that was Leon.”

What would you say to African-American college students at CSU? Study hard, get the knowledge, know that you stand on the shoulders of a whole lot of people who did a whole lot for you to get where you are and know that a generation coming behind you are standing on your shoulders. Do the best you can, you’re a part of this country. This is home. You have a right to be here. It is an inalienable right. You can not be

THEVINDI.COM THEVINDI.COM­­ | ­­ |24 6

50 years of Vindicator

Alumni share their experiences, hardships and successes while contributing to the publication.

WRITTEN BY

Tyisha Blade PHOTOGRAPHED BY

Max Torres

The Cleveland State Vindicator was founded as a Black student newspaper in January 1970.

FEATURE

27 | VINDICATOR

he Vindicator has been a

to create monthly content that reflected the Black student

student-run publication

voice on campus. They established a business with funds

amplifying the voice of the

for students and goals that are still in place to date. “I felt

student population since

that we were really starting to make a difference,” Kisner

1970. Originating as an

said. “But this was horse and buggy days,” Kisner said

all-Black newspaper, the

with a light chuckle. “It was like the dark ages compared

publication has taken many

to today. It was a laborious task, but it was a labor of love.”

forms over the years and is

Creating The Vindicator and creating his own opportu-

now Cleveland State Uni-

nities to gain experience in his desired profession, Kisner

versity’s only all-inclusive

added that The Vindicator has been able to set students

arts and cultural magazine. As the publication progressed

up for real-world experiences in journalism and the com-

to its current state, many individuals have contributed to

munications field in general. Because Cleveland State did

creating a unified resource for students to create content

not have a journalism major then, students who enjoyed

that can be shared and resourced for years to come. These

writing were often not able to display their passion. Kis-

individuals have shared a bold commitment to the pub-

ner considered transferring schools, but instead, he took

lication and to the university to continue a mission that

another route. Prior to creating The Vindicator, he worked

started 50 years ago.

with the Louis Stokes campaign through their initiative,

The year 1969 marked a time of discontent for Black

Students for Stokes. After coordinating with the campaign

students at Cleveland State. Many environmental, political

manager, he wrote articles on the campaign for the Call

and social changes were in occurrence, creating an uneasy

& Post. “The first article I wrote [for Call & Post] and saw

living for the Black community. For instance, Dr. Martin

my byline, I thought I was in heaven!” Kisner said. This

Luther King Jr. had just been assassinated and there were

experience was a leap into the journalism field teaching

many riots that took place, such as the Glenville Riots of

him a valuable lesson of gathering the appropriate facts

Cleveland and Trenton Riots of New Jersey, with most

and being able to communicate those facts with structure.

occurring in 1968. Members of the African American

A personal friend to Kisner and former Vindicator business

community, including the student community, were in

manager, David Alexander, contributed to the publication

need of change. According to the Cleveland State Minutes

from 1975 to 1976. Transitioning from Boston, Alexander

of Meeting of the Faculty Council of March 1969, Former

decided to remain in Cleveland for business opportunities

President Harold Enarson’s remarks made it clear that what

and to complete his education at the university with a degree

was needed was an institutional response to the issues

in Business Administration. Alexander kept the books and

raised by Black students. Professor Raymond C. Bowens,

ensured they had funds for film, camera, printing costs and

special assistant to the university president proposed a

other necessities to keep the publication running. “This

Task Force be appointed by the Steering Committee to

position helped pay for school and we got chances to talk

consider demands and take appropriate action. Accord-

about what was going on in Cleveland,” Alexander said.

ing to Ron Kisner, founder and former editor-in-chief of

Some of the content, during this time, included bussing,

The Vindicator, the student organization The Society of

conditions of the city, NAACP affairs, Nixon’s impeachment,

African-American Unity presented the demands to Pres-

concerts, the Black Panther movement and a wide variety

ident Enarson. “There was a whole desire to make sure

of issues involving the city of Cleveland. “The publication

that African-American people had a place and a voice in

impacted the student body because it provided unity,” he

Cleveland State,” said Kisner. “I was really proud of the way

said. “It was an organ that provided communication. Being

[students] approached it; to be young students, we were

a minority in a majority situation, people started to realize

very professional.” The students worked with Dr. Bowens

that you are there.” Alexander recalls being in rooms where

and the university to get their voices heard and proposals

he felt like no one noticed that he was there. He added

met. At the time, Kisner, in his junior year, had grown

that people may not have been doing this on purpose, but

an interest in writing and was adamant about starting

it did happen. “Sometimes you’re the only Black person

a Black newspaper. During the spring of 1969, voting to

in the room and people don’t know what that’s like,” he

approve funds for The Vindicator began. Unfortunately, at

said. He also recalls how dedicated the staff was and how

that time the Vindicator’s vote for funding did not pass.

they depended on each other to make deadlines. “We were

One vote short, Kisner, determined to get the publication

all learning how to do it while we were doing it so, it was

underway, decided to make a stronger and more focused

good,” he added. From experiences and opportunities

pitch in the fall semester of 1969. After re-opening the

gained, Alexander started a co-op at Cleveland State and

voting process, the funds were finally approved.After

began working with TRWAutomotive. He recommends that

approval, Kisner and a team of two other writers started

students go out and get co-op and internship experiences,

taking steps to publish their first issue. They contracted

adding that students may have their degree, but with no

with the Call & Post, which had its own printing press at

experience, employers won’t hire them.

the time. According to Kisner, the first Vindicator office was

The year 1975 also marked the start of KUWAIS A Vin-

located on the top floor Mather Mansion. While juggling

dicator Publication. This sub-publication was a smaller

student, professional and personal life, the team set out

magazine for poetry and short story telling. “Dinner Party”

FEBRUARY 2020

by Ifeanyl Menkiti was short and to the point.

minor changes such as fonts for the title, but continued

The sophistication of these faces in the crowd

to consistently producing an 8-page publication. In the

Elegance of pedestalled emptiness

early 90s, the publication began to, again, create twelve

Smiling a coconut smile

pages of content for the newspaper, and again, changed

The serenity of ashtrays and cancer

fonts. Issues published beginning in 1993, took on various

Other pieces in Kuwais such as “The Elevator” by Robert

forms as it began to transition from all-Black newspaper

Fleming introduced short story telling to the publication.

to an all-Black magazine. The newly-formed magazine

This short story narrated the lives of several employees of

varied from being from 6 pages to 8 pages and shared

the Hudson Wire and Telegraph Company. A few of these

long-form articles that still addressed issues in the Black

characters included a cheating and abusive husband, a

community. Adrienne Gosselin, Ph.D., associate professor

supervisor wanting to fire an employee because she was

of African American literature in the department of En-

Black, and a promiscuous young man that boasted that

glish primarily lectures on subjects such as Black Feminist

he could “go about three weeks and never have the same

Theory and Drama. She began teaching at the university

broad twice.” Incorporating real-life situations Fleming

in 1993 and became the faculty advisor for The Vindicator

addressed work-place dramas with an ending worth the

in 1996. She was asked by Jerry Holmes, former vice pres-

read. Kuwais was short lived, and according to University

ident of minority affairs, if she wanted to be the advisor;

Archivist, William “Bill” Becker, the publication only

she gladly accepted. With the first co-editors, Lawrence

survived one year of printing.

Caswell and Lisala Peery, they began to talk about the

In 1980, the publication continued to print as an 8-page

direction of the magazine. “I met them and they had a

all-Black newspaper. Frequencies were, at most, bi-monthly

new vision for The Vindicator,” Gosselin said. According

beginning late January and ending in early June. Content

to Gosselin, the group had a very interesting transition in

included a variety of topics pertaining to the Black com-

mind for the publication. They wanted to expand from a

munity including conspiracies against Black leaders, tax seminars, new laws for juveniles, former President Carter’s draft registration and more. Connections to Viking sports teams to were made. In his article printed Feb. 6, 1980, “Vikings on the Go,” KR Motley describes the basketball brawls at Cleveland State and then mentions the Vikettes (currently The Viking Dance Team) in his article. “The CSU Vikings are climbing the ladder,” he wrote. “The Vikes defeated Campbell 76-64 last Saturday, slaughtered Akron Tuesday, put Xavier in their place Thursday and let St. Francis know who the boss was this weekend.” With great photography and some cartoon images he went on writing about the Vikettes. “They truly jammed!!!!” he wrote. “Their smiles were sparkling very brightly… The line formation was superb… If you haven’t seen these beautiful young ladies move their bodies to every beat of the music...then you are missing one of the finer assets of CSU!” In 1981, publication began to vary between 8 and 12-page issues with content still heavily focused on the Black community.

There were many articles focused on academia and advice from faculty members. In an issue printed May 27, 1981, writer Pat Mitchell interviewed Howard A. Mims, Ph.D. Mims, at the time, was associate professor of speech and hearing. He was also former director of the Black Studies program from 1991-2001. Mims was heavily involved with the development of the Black Studies program and the Afro-American Cultural courses that dealt with the Black experience. In Mitchell’s article “Mims Gives Advice to CSU Students” Mims encouraged students to learn as much as they can and that the challenges of education costs and requirements would “weed the students out and only the students with fortitude and determination will be able to meet the challenge.”

Throughout the 80s, the publication persevered as an all-Black newspaper and continued to reach Black students as a voice and a home. The publication had some

Pictured: Ron Kisner, Founder of The Vindicator

Black publication to a minority student publication. Students of all backgrounds and ethnicities began to write for the publication. “They wrote and became editors to produce content from a minority perspective,” she said.

“It was all very interesting.” The group also wanted to produce content that aimed to provoke responses, such as in Michael Oatman’s ‘Hats and Slaps’ articles. These articles were popular in the publication at the time and gave praise or “haps” to notable members of the community while giving “slaps” to others who were deemed as making unwise choices in media, finance and other areas of society. They also wanted to remain connected to the community as reflected in Kwanza Brewer’s ‘Kwanza’s Corners’ articles. Brewer would report on community events happening at venues such as libraries, churches and non-profit organizations.

The publication, again, transitioned. This time, from a Black magazine to a multicultural magazine. RA Washington recalls former editor-in-chief, Sheba Marcus-Bey switching lanes and transforming the from the Black magazine to the multicultural magazine. During this transition, RA Washington started with The Vindicator in 1994 as a contributing writer, then became editor. As editor-in-chief, Washington also transitioned the publication from a 32-page magazine into a 72-page magazine.

“It was an interesting period of time at Cleveland State,” he said. “We would explore a topic and have a long format leaning closer to an academic essay about that topic. We had book reviews, opinion pieces and music reviews that connected around the topic.” He recalls wanting to push the Cleveland State community to be world citizens and for the students to view the university as good a school as any in the United States. He also urged for circulation outside the university. “You would see Vindicators everywhere, not just on campus,” he said. He sees the current journalism content being produced at Cleveland State comparable to other colleges or universities and mentions how important it is for alumni to understand the lens that you look through when you are looking back on something. “Of course, your era is going to feel like it was the best,” he said. “But that’s this nostalgic lens. It’s also important to be supportive, critical and objective as possible [to the students].” He believes that The Vindicator was a great place for people to find their writing voice in an urban university setting.

“It can be a great catalyst for change and a great place for critique,” he added. “It is really important for the students to take advantage of their opportunity to speak and develop that muscle as productive and critical citizens to one of the greatest countries in the world.” Washington continued to contribute to The Vindicator until 1999.

As transitions took place at the Vindicator, Lawrence Caswell and Lisala Peery, co-editors, began working together to produce content that continued to reflect more voices of the student population as well as the Cleveland community.

Peery became editor-in-chief of the Vindicator in 1996 after writing for the publication prior to. “The publication had become multicultural, but the perception and the content was always Black,” she said. “Larry [Caswell] and

“

FEBRUARY 2020

added. “We had no idea that the magazine would last past where we left it.”

It is really important for the students to take advantage of their opportunity to speak and develop that muscle as productive

Transitioning to editor-in-chief of The Vindicator while contributing to layout and design, Oatman contributed to the publication in the late 90s. He recalls his experiences with The Vindicator as great tools in learning how to write.

“I enrolled in school and took [a few] writing classes, then I heard there was a Black newspaper on campus,” said Oatman. “My grammar was terrible and I wanted to be better. So, I came to work for The Vindicator.” According to Oatman, their published content really pushed bound-

and critical citizens to one of the

aries and they aimed to add more color to the publication

greatest countries in the world.

satire, and at times, we got into some trouble.” He also

in terms of print, not race. “We added some humor and mentioned that this was a time when he wanted to take risks around issues they cared about as students. “We have

RA Washington Former Editor-In-Chief of The Vindicator

our whole lives to be conformant, this is the time where we can take some shots,” he said. “Let’s knock some walls down, tell some truths.

For Jimi Izrael, M.F.A, he was grateful for the transition but one could experiment with prose and reportage in a

I knew we went out of our way to be sure to involve other

magazine. A “fresh glow of what I call The Cosby Fiction -

communities and let people know what they were doing in

that college education, apart from hard work and focused

terms of writing, photographers and content.” They placed

ambition, was the golden ticket to upward mobility and

emphasis on multicultural aspects. She recalls having a

material wealth - was everywhere,” said Izrael in an email

disengaged staff of writers and photographers and hear-

interview. “Clinton-era optimism was the soup of the

ing negative talk of the publication in terms of relevancy

day,” he said. “Post-disco children of Civil Rights America,

and many grammatical errors. She also remembers loyal

recycling radics, making a go of it. Good times.” A current

readers giving feedback praising the publication as it had

journalist, author, screenwriter and professor at both

become a multicultural magazine publication. With both

Cleveland State and Cuyahoga Community College, Izrael

sides of opinion in mind, she wanted to re-engage passion

remembers the staff then as being ‘bout it. They were always

for the magazine in the Cleveland State community. The

reading and writing. They were woke and talented. “I used

team had meetings to keep communication open between

my [Vindicator] clips to get more jobs writing, nationally

editors and writers. If students could not make the meeting,

and internationally; if not for the [Vindicator], I might not

their content wasn’t published. “That structure wasn’t

have a career. Izrael served The Vindicator as a columnist,

in place before we were there,” Peery said. “I remember

managing editor and editor for four years and recalls his

saying that I want to set [rules] so that in 20 years when

most memorable events occurring on production days.

people walk into this office, they can get to work.” Peery

Shereda Finch graduated class of 1996 with a BA in

mentioned that she was very shocked at how diverse the

political science and in 1998 with an M.Ed. in community

magazine has become and she appreciates the current

health education. She served as the publication’s office

condition of the publication. “I’m really glad to see where

manager. She also contributed to writing articles and

it has grown to because that’s pretty much what we had

valued the number of good writers at the publication and

in mind,” she said.

that Cleveland State was expanding which was reflected

Starting out as the production design manager, Caswell

in the minority student population. Finch started with The

came to the publication intrigued by the zine culture. He

Vindicator as a work-study student. She joined because

wanted to figure out a way to incorporate this publication

she felt the publication had a voice on campus that was

style into The Vindicator in 1996. “We felt like the magazine

missing in other areas of the campus as well as in the

should be more than just then African American maga-

community. “The student community was growing, but

Founder; Adrienne

zine,” he said. “There were a lot of voices on campus that

there were still signs of a segregated-minded university,”

Gosselin, Former

weren’t being represented. I think we were successful in

she said in an email interview. She remembers that The

Faculty Advisor; David

establishing that that’s what The Vindicator was.” They

Vindicator staff members were all committed to producing

Alexander, Former

also wanted to distinguish themselves as a magazine with

a solid informed edition every time. The staff knew that

cultural commentary. Caswell mentions that the publi-

they had an obligation to tell their stories on campus and

cation was near being shut down and he wanted to do so

to be advocates at the same time. “I think many students,

much more with it. As co-editors, they changed much of

faculty and staff enjoyed reading,” she added. “Once again,

the magazine’s approach and stylistic measures, some of

the Vindicator provided another perspective on campus.”

Cynthia Phifer Former

which are still being used in the current publication. “It’s

Finch reminisced on memorable times and how the staff

Editor-in-Chief

so gratifying to hear from the current students,” Caswell

planned her a surprise birthday party and she called off

Pictured: Ron Kisner,

Business Manager; Liz Weems, Former Editor; Arbela Capas, Former Editor-in-Chief; Lisala Peery, Former Editor;

THEVINDI.COM ­­ | 30

that day. She also mentions that every moment with the

recalls the magazine as being a “fixer-upper” when he

staff was awesome. “I cherish the experiences and oppor-

started. “There was a lot of history that I felt like wasn’t

Art Director; Lisala Peery,

tunities that were provided while at The Vindicator,” she

being highlighted or used to make new [content],” said

Former Editor; Jimi Izreal,

said. “We had a lot of fun!”

Gatewood. “It was a challenge that we ended being able

Former Editor-in-Chief

In the early 2000s the publication grew to a 32-page

to turn into something really cool.” When Phifer initially

publication, wasn’t as popular a publication that it started

hired Gatewood, the idea was to highlight multicultural

out to be. Cynthia Phifer, former art director and edi-

aspects of the magazine and modernize the publication

tor-in-chief, came to The Vindicator in 2012. “When I came,

as much as possible. “We also wanted the magazine to

it was more like ‘What was The Vindicator’?” said Phifer.

look like a competing magazine, not a student magazine,”

“Nobody knew what it was.” Phifer recalls only two staff

he said. Gatewood mentioned that he admires where the

members working on the publication at that time, and

publication stands currently and would like to see distri-

that Student Life was ready to stop publication altogether.

bution outside the campus. “I can even think of four of

The Vindicator’s Web Specialist, Dan Lenhart, urged her

five art galleries and museums that should have the Vindi

to contribute to the magazine. She began to figure out

circulated in the lobbies, like MOCA or CMA,” he said. “We

what was needed to keep the magazine functioning. She

should definitely highlight what Cleveland State in doing

recalls a period where she was having an extremely hard

in the great Cleveland area.” Gatewood recalls his most

time with some personal issues. Standing outside the art

memorable event as being the farewell party that the staff

building, she asked a guy for a cigarette. He told her that

had for him and Phifer and the talent show that they held

she was too pretty to be smoking cigarettes. Furiously,

in the student center. For the talent show, they rented two

she exclaimed that just because her face looked a certain

stages, had performances and an art show. Gatewood also

way doesn’t mean that rose petals were being thrown at

spoke of the massive impact that the publication has on the

her feet. She then created a cover story for the following

student population. He mentioned it helping self-esteem

Vindicator issue called ‘Stereotyping.’ After designing,

and that when students see themselves in The Vindicator,

writing for and sending the issue to print in a week, the

they feel like they are on a runway in New York.

publication came out just in time to meet the requirements

Not only had The Vindicator expanded as a publication

for the university. “After saving the magazine from dying, I

with elements such as online content, it also developed

wanted to figure out how old we actually were. So, I started

content with on-air broadcasting in The Vindicator Hour,

doing some research.” She started her research and kept

which started in the spring of 2016. Elisabeth Weems,

the magazine going through her time as a contributor and

former Culture Editor and Host/Producer of The Vindicator

editor-in-chief. Her most memorable moments include

Hour, graduated the spring of 2017. Currently residing in

organizing concerts that were held to help gain more

Germany, she came to the publication intrigued by its

readership for the magazine.

legacy and focus on social justice. Enticed, she valued that

Robert Gatewood, graphic design major and former art

she was able to continue in her development as a young

director and former director of art and communications,

journalist and cultural critic. “[The publication] stood out

contributed to the publication from 2012 to 2014. Gatewood

to me in comparison to other Cleveland State publications

Pictured L to R: Robert Gatewood, Former

31 | VINDICATOR

FEBRUARY 2020

she studies Global Mass Communications. She recently traveled back to the United States for her tour “Liz Weems Mystique Mama” where she is a medicine musician, singer, guitarist and percussionist.

As the magazine continued to transition, the need for online representation had become apparent, evident with the many changes of the digital platforms in society.

While the publication had accounts on social media, there wasn’t much liveliness there. For Michella Dilworth, she didn’t know what she wanted to do when she first came to the publication in the fall of 2014. She came with Evan Prunty, former multi-media manager, and got involved.

She figured out that she wanted to develop social media content because no one was managing it at the time. “CJ [Phifer] graduated in December, and the new art director at the time, Becky [Rebekah Byron], really transformed my position into what it is now,” said Dilworth. “CJ [Phifer] was the reason I started and Becky was the reason that I was able to stay.” Dilworth mentioned that online content helped the publication because it added another element.

Students were familiarizing themselves with The Vindicator, but with the addition of the online component helped with as more inclusive, rebellious and willing to take risks,” Weems said. With her interest in multimedia storytelling, she felt that The Vindicator Hour was a perfect program to help enhance the publication. Former students Ellen Robinson and Benjamin Heacox helped conceptualize the radio program as an extension of the magazine. Presenting this element in the form of a talk show, the purpose was to offer a third channel, in addition to the magazine and blog, through which critical social and cultural issues could be discussed. “When I became producer, it transformed into a platform for panel discussion, featuring local artists, activists, musicians and young visionaries,” she said. “We held debates, live readings and interviews. Sometimes I spun records from around the world.” Magazine content produced that aired during The Vindicator Hour focused always on multiculturalism, inclusion and addressing a range of topics. Working with her assistant producer, Chau Tang and countless other team members, they worked to create weekly content, and had become a fully-functioning radio production team. Weems also greatly admires the reach and impact that The Vindicator Hour had on the Cleveland State student community. “The work we did felt impactful to the student body because The Vindicator Hour provided an outlet for young and creative minds, especially CSU students, to express themselves, connect with other conscious individuals and raise their voices,” Weems added. While working as a constituent of The Vindicator, she was taught many valuable lessons about giving and receiving constructive criticism, creatively storytelling with a critical edge, and collectively manifesting a tangible literary product that was the direct result of deliberation, negotiation, investigation, reflection and synthesis. “All of these skills are fundamental to writing any body of literary work, including a master’s thesis,” she said. Weems is currently studying Leipig Universität in Germany where

reaching out to different audiences. Before, she started, the magazine only had a couple hundred likes on Facebook.

When she left, the publication had over a thousand. “It really brought more of a presence in our circulation,” said Dilworth. She held her position until she graduated in May 2019.

Arbela Capas came to TheVindicator in 2016 as a contributing writer. Capas was familiar with the publication and she liked that the publication was highly focused on diversity. At the time, she was trying to decide between writing for The Cauldron or The Vindicator. “I liked both, but at the end of the day, I liked the artistic side of [The Vindicator],” said Capas. “I liked how it was very visual. I like how magazines tell the same stories as newspapers, but from a different perspective.” She began writing and helping with organizing features and interviews. From this, she became the features section editor. At the end of her sophomore year, she ran for the editor-in-chief position and won. After that, Capas recalls noticing several shifts in visual aspects through Prunty’s consistency as photographer. “People were actually asking us if they had to pay for the magazine,” she said. “That’s how great Evan and Becky were with the visuals.”

The team then decided to add an assistant art director and a design team for help with outside of the photography.

“We thought maybe layout and illustration would help convey a message better than a photo could,” she added.

She and former managing editor, Holly Bland, decided to also consider a bigger mission for the publication. They too wanted to focus on the background of The Vindicator in terms of its roots. “Holly and I started reading more and more about the history,” she said. “I’m elected and now I have to catch up. I knew about the day-to-day things like writing, editing and printing. But then, I needed to know what was the history was, why we were here and how do we define ourselves.” The two then started working at THEVINDI.COM ­­ | 32

“

FEATURE

editor, art director and copy editor would meet together at the end of every issue for the print meeting to see what it

We wish to plead our own cause.

looks like before sending it off to print. “I can distinctly

Too long has the public been

good time.” She attributes the team-working aspect to

deceived by misrepresentations on

different moving parts of the magazine, like being on

things which concern us dearly…

remember those meetings,” she said. “We really had a a lot of her growth as a professional. “Having so many the art team and having to collaborate with the editors and writers to make sure the design looks like with their vision is,” she said. “Sticking to deadlines and enforcing those also prepared me in real life with thinking things through as a student-run organization.” She mentioned

Our Mission Statement The Vindicator

learning how to operate independently and balancing everything else around her out aided in experiences post-graduation as well.

Starting out at the publication in September of 2016

33 | VINDICATOR

the mission statement honoring The Vindicator’s history.

as a contributing writer, Castañeda Yupanqui wrote her

“We also started looking back to recent issues and think-

first story, which was included in the culture section,

ing, there has not been enough diversity,” she said. “We

about immigration, her personal experience and the

looked through the magazine and remember seeing white

sociopolitical climate around immigration at the time.

staff, white staff, white staff. And as two white women,

Castañeda Yupanqui became culture editor December of

we decided that we needed to do what we can to bring in

2017 then editor-in-chief spring of 2018. After her election,

diversity. If we found a person that had a diverse story to

the publication took on a much-needed transition when

tell, we put that as a top priority.”

Castañeda Yupanqui noticed that there weren’t many Black

They also wanted to make requirements for the Black

students or students of color continuously involved with the

History Month issue to have a high content in Black history

Vindicator. “That was something that struck me as odd and,

and Black value. In her last year with the publication, after

to be quite frank, wrong,” she said in an email interview.

former editor-in-chief, Brenda Castañeda Yupanqui was

She interviewed Thomas Bynum Ph. D., the then-newly

elected, the two of them went and made a direct connection

appointed Director of the Black Studies program and her

with the Black Studies Program to keep the connection

article was featured for the spring 2018 cover story. She

that started 50 years ago between the publication and

mentioned to Bynum that she was an editor and he was

the program going. Capas recognized that the magazine

very interested in (re)forming a relationship between the

had become multicultural, but always wanted to produce

program and the publication. After setting up times to

content that showed where the magazine started from.

speak to Bynum’s classes, continuous involvement between

“The biggest strength that I believe the magazine has

the two organizations began to occur. “I think that there

is that diversity aspect,” she said. “It has [the] ability to

has been a lot more involvement from the Black Studies

tell stories that have [an] opinion and [a] strong stance

program as well Black writers in general, though truthfully

and show people’s strengths because those can be very,

not as much as I wish there was,” she added. Castañeda

very powerful.” She mentioned how The Vindicator has

Yupanqui also mentioned that through this connection,

given her the gift of finding her passion, writing, and

editors at the publication were able to recruit several new

that it has also shown her the importance of diversity in

contributors to the magazine, many of which now hold

journalism. “It’s so important to vindicate, visual and

staff positions. “I hoped, and still do, that by rebuilding

vocalize diversities,” she added. Capas held her position

this connection between the magazine and the Black

until she graduated in 2018.

Studies program, we can stay true and honor our history,

Andriana Akrap started with The Vindicator in 2016

as a publication,” Castañeda Yupanqui said. “I felt it was

as a junior designer. She was assistant art director then

necessary, especially because, before my time as editor, I

art director before she graduated. Akrap admits to being

only saw a handful of writers and editors of color working

unaware that The Vindicator started as an all-Black pub-

with the publication. It felt necessary to me to prioritize the

lication. Once she started working with the publication,

voices of Black students.” A current Cleveland State graduate

she started to learn more about what The Vindicator was.

student, Castañeda Yupanqui continues to contribute to the

Along with the other current staff members, they started

publication as its features section editor while multitasking

to transition the team from being predominantly white to

as a teacher’s assistant. She attributed much of being able

multicultural. “That was one of the biggest changes that

to balance such a hefty workload to skills gained while at

I started to see,” she said. “That, and we started to do

the magazine such as keeping deadlines, managing writers,

more tabling.” She also saw changes when the publication

managing an entire staff and working with all kinds of

re-involved themselves with the Black Studies program.

people. She encourages everyone to consider contributing

For her, she enjoyed it when the editor-in-chief, managing

and values the confidence that The Vindicator gifted her.

“I never thought of myself as a writer, I never sought it

said. As a scholar of African American literature, one of

out or found it easy,” she said. “But writing for the Vindi

the reasons she wanted be The Vindicator’s advisor was

Online Content Editor;

really allowed me to take ownership of my voice. I grew a

because she was attracted to The Vindicator’s roots in Black

Andriana Akrap,

lot thanks to this publication and I will forever be grateful

activism and the tradition of Black journalism. “I see the

Former Art Director

for the time I spent working here.” Castañeda Yupanqui

Vindi carrying on the tradition of publications such as The

feels that the publication is moving in the right direction

Chicago Defender, but with the stylishness and innovation

by not only opening its doors to other voices but by also

of Jet,” Burrell said. “As we see the closing of major Black

remembering why the publication exists. “I look forward

publishing outlets and the quashing of dissent on campuses,

to the future of The Vindicator, knowing that while it must

voices represented in The Vindicator are absolutely critical

move forward, it cannot forget its origins,” she said.

to counter the rising tide of white supremacist patriarchy

Julie Burrell Ph.D., Associate Professor of English and

we’re seeing right now.” Burrell continues to support the

Black Studies is the current faculty advisor for Vindicator

publication and believes the magazine reflects the best of

students. She has been advising the students since 2015

Cleveland State back to the students, as well as the staff,

and has always been deeply impressed by the student

faculty and community.

journalists and artists who work for the magazine. She

A multifaceted 48-page publication, the magazine

believes her role as advisor is “getting out of the way”

produces content that speaks volumes to different com-

and letting the students to do their best work while she

munities, nationalities, ethnicities and backgrounds

advocates from behind the scenes. She values the student

campus-wide. Though taking many forms over the past

publications for providing student writers and artists a

50 years, one concept remains the same: to vindicate. The

chance to receive pre-professional, high-impact internship

passion dedicated to the publication reflects voices of many

experiences. “It’s invaluable for our students preparing

underrepresented students and individuals in the Cleveland

to graduate and move into the professional world,” Bur-

State community. A voice to the voiceless, the publication

rell said. “Because it’s a design-forward magazine with

not only reaches students, but also faculty, staff, family and

multimedia components like video and photography, The

the surrounding community. The publication welcomes all

Vindicator trains students in [a] broad, interdisciplinary

writers and artists and is devoted to strong content that

approach that benefits them immeasurably when they

aids in journalistic and design practices while attempting

graduate.” She also admires that the staff has embraced an

to continue the mission set forth by our founders: “We

intersectional approach to marginalized identities. “They

wish to plead our own cause. Too long has the public been

see how race, gender, sexuality, class and ability must be

deceived by misrepresentations on things which concern

understood as a complex network; they can’t be separated

us dearly…”

Pictured L to R: Michella Dilworth, Former

into constituent parts if [we] are to achieve freedom,” she

THEVINDI.COM ­­ | 34

BEAUTY + WELLNESS

PAST TO PRESENT:

THE CHANGE OF TODAY’S

PAGEANT WORLD WRITTEN BY

Imani Stephens

Five women of color all becoming the world’s pageants holders all in one year.

B

is coming to fruition right in front of our very eyes.

You can see the diversity and different backgrounds

Beauty pageants have been around since the

of each of these women who may share the same

early 1900s. They symbolize beauty, brains,

race. Even previous Miss America contestants shared

personality, talent and so much more than

their sentiments with how far the pageant life has

meets the eye. The first Miss America pageant

progressed over the years, especially from their start

was created in 1921. Since then, there has been the

in the pageant world. This includes aspects from looks,

creation of many other pageants such as Miss USA,

talents performed or even social impact.

Miss Teen USA, Miss Universe and Miss World.

In the time where we see a Black woman, Meghan

Since the pageants creation in the early 1920s,

Markle marry a prince and be crowned, 2019 graced

Carole Anne-Marie Gist was the first Black woman

us with another year where five other women of color

to win a pageant in 1990, followed by Kenya Moore,

become carriers of beautiful crowns. To start the year

who won the competition in 1993. Even with the more

on a high note, Kaleigh Harris, Miss Teen USA won

than 60-year gap, there has never been a time where

her pageant on April 28. Miss USA, Cheslie Kryst, won

all of the contestants for such pageants were people

her pageant on May 2. Gracefully following the back

of color at the same time… until now. 2019 marked

end of the year in September, Nia Franklin brought

such a historic moment in history. Miss America, Miss

home the trophy for Miss America. This news went

USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss Universe and Miss World

viral and these three women saw covers of magazines

were all women of color.

such as Essence and the world watched as they met the

After decades of non-inclusion in the pageant

one and only, icon Oprah Winfrey. The lovely ladies

industry, the world has seen more milestones at

took the internet by storm, going viral and causing an

the turn each decade since the first woman of color.

uproar of Black women uplifting each other because

Changes are more present from inclusion to the change

they were all astonished by such an amazing feat.

of the dress in the shows. For example, the Miss

For the first time many girls of color began to feel

America pageant does not hold a swimsuit competition

seen as they were represented in all different shades and

anymore in order to be swapped out for other events.

career paths. These women are lawyers, opera singers

According to an article in USA Today, “For the second

and even teen activists. All Black and all showing the

year in a row, there will be no swimsuit or evening

world how multifaceted woman can be. According to

gown competitions,” with organizers stressing that

the article mentioned earlier from Essence, Miss USA

participants are not judged on outward physical

2019, Cheslie Kryst says, ”Pageants weren’t always

appearance. Those events were replaced by onstage

welcoming to women of color. It took decades of

interviews and opportunities for the women to discuss

persistence and courageous women showing the world

their personal achievements, life goals, talents and

a new kind of beauty.” The world is opening up its

a planned ‘social impact initiative’ as the 2020 Miss

arms to different standards of beauty and examples

America.” This is to stand in solidarity with social

of what everyday women look like and do. Miss Teen

movements that seek to respect woman and see them

USA Kaliegh Garris feels it's important for people to

for more than just their physical appearance. These

know she is biracial and that her world view isn't just

pageants may be perceived as being strictly about

one way. Winning the crown of Miss Teen USA on her

beauty, but if we dive deeper it can be seen that

natural curly hair, she also tells Essence, “Holding

these women are fighting for equality for women of

this title has made a difference in my life and the lives

all colors, economic backgrounds, etc.

of those around me, not only because I am a woman

The significance of these five women of color winning

35 | VINDICATOR

hope that the equality and justice we are fighting for

of color but also because I am biracial.”

these pageants at the same time shows the world how

After making history and inspiring the lives of so

far it has come from the early 1990s. One can only

many other girls across the world with Miss USA,

FEBRUARY 2020

Miss Teen USA, and Miss America all being Black title holders in 2019, history happened once again. Miss

Jennifer Paweensuda

Universe 2020 was a Black woman crowned Dec. 8, 2019. This occurrence was followed by Miss World winner, Toni-Ann Singh. This meant that all five title holders were women of color for the first time ever in pageant history all before the year was over. Zozibini Tunzi is the third woman from South Africa to win the title, and the first Black woman to take the title since Leila Lopes was crowned Miss Universe 2011.

When asked during Sunday's contest what is most important to teach young girls today, Tunzi answered, “I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me, with my kind of skin and my kind of hair, was never considered to be beautiful.”

Nia Franklin

In today’s society, inclusion is of utmost importance.

It can be heard in speeches from these lovely women or even in their interviews how important it is for people that look like them never had access to before.

“This crown is not mine but yours. It's for you to truly understand that no matter where you're from and the cards you're dealt in life - your dreams are valid. You have a purpose," Singh wrote on her Instagram. Just PHOTO CREDIT GOOGLE PHOTO

to think, women of color are winning pageants with millions of people around the country watching. This is completely different from what pageant life was like in the early 1900s. There are a multitude of changes in the world today from having our first Black princess to having five beautiful Black women as role models for women of color across the globe. The crowns that grace their heads signify change, diversity, inclusion and so much more. We can only be eager to see what other changes the world will have years from now.

Kaliegh Garris

“

They symbolize beauty, brains, personality, talent and so much more

“

them to use their platform to show up in spaces that

than what meets the eye.

Cheslie Kryst

Toni-Ann Singh

THEVINDI.COM ­­ | 36

BEAUTY + WELLNESS

AMERICA’S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IS FAILING BLACK PEOPLE WRITTEN BY

Claudia Ugbana ILLUSTRATED BY

Derek Prince Wilson

Kira Johnson, Serena Williams and Dr. Dana-Ain Davis tell us we need to do better in eradicating racial disparities within healthcare.

!

F

ollowing its usual Tuesday airtime, Fox’s “The Resident” aired a particularly interesting and frightening episode representing the reality of what we know as racial bias within our healthcare system. What I assumed to

be a fictional narrative of racial bias — that turned into the death of a new mother — ended up being a narrative of a real-life incident. In April 2016, Kira Johnson died on an operating table at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. It was reported that Johnson’s husband, Charles Johnson IV, repeatedly asked nurses and doctors to perform tests on his wife, who was described as “shaking vigorously, sensitive to touch and in and out of consciousness.” Hours after he continued to alert nurses and doctors of his wife’s worsening condition, Kira Johnson was pronounced dead on an operating table, her belly filled with blood.

When individuals ask what racism in the healthcare

37 | VINDICATOR

FEBRUARY 2020

industry means, I frequently reference the

was confined to her bed for several weeks after

story of Kira Johnson, who died merely 12 hours after

delivering her daughter.

she had given birth, simply because she

“

was Black.

Racial disparities continue to

The more prominent concern is to determine better ways to apprehend this rising epidemic. After

all,

In order to treat patients, physicians must acquire

42.8 in every 100,000 Black women die each year post-

a knowledge beyond the scope of what illness or

delivery, in the U.S. alone. As a significant amount of

disease they are hoping to treat. In order to properly

these deaths are preventable with the proper education,

care for those patients, a physician-patient bond

I asked Leslie Jaret, an incoming registered nurse,

must be formed — and transcend the usual routine

for details on her program’s curriculum in regards

of assessing every patient as though they are the

to racism within

same — in order to properly care for those patients.

healthcare.

This knowledge is simply not there.

Current incoming healthcare practitioners are not

“They don’t really go too deep into racism [in the registered nurse program],” Jaret said. Jaret’s

be a leading

informed about the differences of maternal risks posed

graduation date is set for this March, and she predicts

cause in

against Black mothers, and medical school does not

the program is well past the matter, and

teach about the mortality rates among Black men

has no more to offer her on racial disparities within

with diabetes. However, history informs us of the

healthcare.

mortality rates within our healthcare

“

system.

many experimental procedures carried out against the will of Black individuals for the greater good of

A Lack of Representation Within the System

science. The vaccine of smallpox originated from

Racial disparities continue to be a leading cause in

the beloved President Jefferson, who injected his

mortality rates within the healthcare system. Not

Black slaves with cowpox in order to determine its

just among the hospital beds, but also in the lack of

immunity. The first successful operation of vaginal

diversity among our doctors which breeds grounds

fistulas, a condition connecting a woman’s vagina to

for increased issues. Segregation ultimately affected

one of her abdominal organs, was performed by Dr.

the representation of Black doctors. In the 1800’s,

J. Marion Sims; an Alabama surgeon well known for

the U.S. healthcare system set Black doctors apart

his experimental procedures on Black slave women.

from White ones, limiting the amount of patients

America is well aware of its systemic injustices

they were able to treat. Over 100 years have passed,

against people of color. Current laws allow the privilege

and there is still record of a huge lack of diversity,

to request doctors who are not people of color, or

with only 6 percent of doctors employed in the U.S.

of a certain faith or religion. It’s systems protect

being Black, according to USNews. This means Black

doctors who make life or death decisions regarding

patients are at risk of not receiving the necessary

their patients based on the color of their skin. This

screenings and treatments needed to improve their

urges society to ask questions beyond why we have

quality of life. Research has linked improvement

all allowed this to happen, but to ask how history

in health outcomes among Black men directly to

has brought us to where we are now.

their treatments being facilitated by Black doctors.

Although it may be a hard pill to swallow, it appears

Not Enough Knowledge on the Matter

Black men and women are more likely to walk out

Professor and Director of the Center for the Study

of an emergency room alive after being treated by a

of Women and Society at the City Universit y of New

Black doctor than when treated by a white one.

York, Dana-Ain Davis, recently published a novel

Separate from the lack of representation, is the lack

on reproductive injustice within healthcare. Davis’

of trust within the system. Black individuals hold very

book focused primarily on the medical profession

little trust in healthcare workers, and do not trust

directing more efforts toward discrimination and less

that their White doctors have the intent to treat them

on equipping the system with knowledge regarding

with the highest capacity. As a result, Black men and

how to properly care for Black pregnant patients.

women are seen falling ill to easily treatable diseases.

Davis’work analyzed health disparities among

This lack of trust dates back to a broken system, one

wealthy and socially dominant Black women to

that has not yet taken responsibility for its

illustrate the idea that rich, cultured and educated

wrongdoings and mistakes.

Black women are equally likely to die from the

As Black History Month approaches, the takeaway

same medical issues that poor and uneducated

the Black community seeks from the public is to

women fall victim to. Ultimately, it did not matter

determine what can be done to improve the system.

that the individual didn’t have access to the same

As an end result, U.S. should see more Black doctors

healthcare options as Serena Williams, a pro athlete,

within our hospital rooms and lower mortality rates

or Shalon Irving, an epidemiologist for the Centers

amongst Black individuals.

for Disease Control and Prevention. Both women suffered high-risk pregnancies so brutal, that Irving died from complications after birth, and Williams THEVINDI.COM ­­ | 38

SECTION SOCIAL

Black Women of All Backgrounds:

WE ARE HERE Celebrating Bisexual Ladies of Color for Black History Month.

H

istory has not been kind to Black American women. The erasure of our accomplishments and gifts to the world are often glanced over. Contributions of

Black Women to the world are often limited to a few

B

essie Smith was a Black bisexual woman

WRITTEN BY

with an incredibly powerful and unique

Kimberly Steele

singing voice. She rose to fame in the 1920s recording blues and jazz with the likes of

other legends like her mentors Ma Rainey and Lou-

key historical figures like Harriet Tubman, Coretta

is Armstrong. She is known as the “Empress of the

Scott King, and Rosa Parks plus celebrities such as

Blues.” Before the Great Depression, Smith was the

Beyonce and Oprah — then left at that. For me, Black

highest-paid Black entertainer in the world, collect-

History Month should pay tribute to all Black people

ing as much as $2000 dollars a week. Her most not-

who have used their talents and/or beliefs to change

ed hits, “Nobody Knows you When You’re Down and

the world. So with that in mind, as a Black bisexual

Out,” “Empty Bed Blues,” and “Backwater Blues.”

woman, I would like to use Black History Month to

In 1996, the Bessie Smith Cultural Center was estab-

pay tribute to three women of color who left their

lished as part of The Chattanooga African American

marks on the bisexual movement.

Museum which was founded in 1983.

I first learned about Smith in a Jazz Survey course I took my first semester at Cleveland State in 2003. I

‘Tain’t nobody’s bizness if I do

BY BESSIE SMITH There ain’t nothing I can do, or nothing I can say That folks don’t criticize me But I’m goin’ to do just as I want to anyway And don’t care if they all despise me If I should take a notion To jump into the ocean ‘Tain’t nobody’s bizness if I do, do, do do If I go to church on Sunday Then just shimmy down on Monday Ain’t nobody’s bizness if I do, if I do If my friend ain’t got no money And I say “Take all mine, honey” ‘Tain’t nobody’s bizness if I do, do, do do If I give him my last nickel And it leaves me in a pickle ‘Tain’t nobody’s bizness if I do, if I do Well I’d rather my man would hit me Than to jump right up and quit me ‘Tain’t nobody’s bizness if I do, do, do do I swear I won’t call no copper If I’m beat up by my papa ‘Tain’t nobody’s bizness if I do, if I do

39 | VINDICATOR

admit, even though I found her voice interesting, I was drawn to her because she was Black and open about her romps with other women - even though she was on a man’s arm in public. I thought that was pretty bold for a woman of the time; whether they were famous or not. Most stories of LGBT individuals in that time were speculation, most not officially confirming their sexuality till years later when times changed.

Yet, Smith left no doubt in the publics’ mind about her sexual preferences as she often sang about them.

ILLUSTRATED BY

Stefany Belasic

FEBRUARY 2020

B

These poems

BY JUNE JORDAN

i, Poly, Switch—I’m not greedy, I know what I want.” Brenda Howard was a bisexual LGBT activist. She was born to a

These poems they are things that I do in the dark reaching for you whoever you are and are you ready?

Jewish family in the Bronx, New York. She

has been coined as the “Mother of Pride” for helping with organizing the very first LGBT Pride March. One month after the 1969 Stonewall Riots, she participated in a march commemorating the event. In 1970, she

These words they are stones in the water running away

organized the first Christopher Street Liberation Day March to mark Stonewall’s anniversary. The march was the first Pride parade in the world. Howard also

These skeletal lines they are desperate arms for my longing and love.

originated the week long series of events surrounding the Pride March that became the basis of how we currently celebrate Pride all of June.

I have been an active member in the LGBT community since 1999 when I officially came out of the closet to friends and family. I stepped into LGBT organizing a year later in 2000 and specifically bisexual community organizing around 2004. This was when I learned about bi-community pioneers like Howard. The continued tensions between gays and lesbians and the bisexual community is ridiculous, considering the fact that an openly bisexual, poly, BDSM practitioning woman of color started Pride.

When it comes to bi-community organizing, Howard is who I aspire to be like in order to be a role model for other bisexual people who need support or want to organize to provide that support.

J

une Jordan was a brilliant and influential Black bisexual woman, poet and writer. In 1967, after running poetry workshops for children in Harlem, Jordan began her teaching career

at the City College of New York (CUNY). She taught at Yale University and Sarah Lawrence College, and she became a professor of English at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where she directed The Poetry Center. In 1988, she was appointed professor of African American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where she founded the influential poetry program, Poetry For the People.

Jordan was the author of more than 25 major works of poetry, fiction and essays, as well as numerous children’s books.

I am a stranger learning to worship the strangers around me

“

All of us make history by inspiring others in the present.

”

S

whoever you are whoever I may become.

ince writing my first story in fourth grade, I knew I wanted to be a writer. I’ve spent the better part of 30 something years still trying to achieve this dream. I discovered

Jordan a few years ago by recommendation. It sounds cliche, but reading her work is recharging. I feel like I could have written everything she has written. As with the other two women, she was open about her bisexual orientation in her works. She wrote about sexual trauma and women’s empowerment. It makes me feel like I could be a legitimate successful writer as well since I write like someone famous like her.

I not only admire her work, but also the additional fruits of her writing labors are inspiring. The respect she’s collected, her awards received, her teaching opportunities, her poetry center management — she is everything I wish I could achieve.

These are just three women of color that have influ-

enced my personal world - as well as music, literature, and the social justice movement. There are millions of other Black Americans with great stories to be told. They don’t have to be the first Black person to do something or invent something or say something to make an impact on Black History Month. There are teachers, doctors, local news personalities, coaches, volunteers, organizers, judges, priests, soldiers - countless local as well as national heroes to honor this month. We all make history by inspiring others in the present. I hope that others use this Black History Month to not only pay tribute to those we usually pay tribute to, but also honor other Black Americans that have made their personal world an inspiring place to be.

THEVINDI.COM ­­ | 40

SOCIAL

BLACK WOMEN IN COLLEGE WRITTEN BY

Erykah Betterson

We don’t have it all together - and that’s ok.

C

ollege is a place of growth — in ed-

dicate that the education of more Black women is surely positive, but there are lingering problems that exist just beneath the surface. Much like their

ucation, self-awareness, leadership

peers, Black women are not exempt from the chal-

and work skills. The benefits of high-

lenges that await them on their campuses as they

er education have been lauded and

mature into adulthood or professionalism. The

encouraged in Western society for

stress of a new territory, challenging schoolwork,

centuries and the bettering of oneself through ac-

and accountability is a difficult shift for any student

ademia has positive repercussions for a person’s

– and higher education across the U.S. continues to

status. A group perhaps overlooked in the discus-

find ways to alleviate these burdens for students.

sion of problems among the college population is

Unfortunately, we seem to hold Black women to a

Black women. While Black women are outpacing

completely different standard – one of superhuman

other groups in college enrollment at 9.7 percent

strength.

(8.7 percent for Asian women, 7.1 percent for White

Black women simultaneously put too much pres-

women and 6.1 percent of White men), Black women

sure on themselves and absorb the insinuations

have an experience that is unique to that of other

that they must carry the world on their shoulders

students and endure a particularly difficult uphill

from our society. In light of mental health, educa-

battle (Osborne 2016).

tional success and professional fulfillment this is

A different standard

of higher education to function. This is evident in

We should not see a number like the one above and

their view that they must “be strong” and so hide

automatically assume that Black women must have

their need for help and support.

not a healthy way for women who chose the path

an advantage over their peers. The statistics in41 | VINDICATOR

FEBRUARY 2020

The Strong Black Woman

hard fact for this demographic when navigating the

In her article “Keeping Up Appearances, Getting

cultural and personal issues of romantic relation-

Fed Up: The Embodiment of Strength Among Af-

ships. Black women were found to be at greater risk

rican American Women”, author Michelle Beau-

for depression, anxiety, anger, guilt, shame and

boeuf-Lafontant discusses the lack of boundaries

despair when considering interracial dating in an

that exist for Black women, which impacts their

unfamiliar territory. Many of these feelings are un-

ability to adequately care for themselves first. She

founded but stem from Black women’s fear of rejec-

says, “Strong women… [are] raised to make and

tion from the White community and ostracization

maintain few boundaries between their needs and

of the Black community, thus creating a seemingly

those of others,” and “Encouraging strength is a

hopeless scenario.

way of preparing Black girls and young women for a

Though different from the discussion of strength,

life filled with adversity... However, when strength

this is yet another example of the impossibilities

is expected of women under all circumstances,

placed upon the shoulders of Black women in college.

Black women can be placed at risk of being subjected to situations that no one should have to endure.”

Solutions to the Dilemma

The purpose of becoming college educated is at-

While there are many problems that are experi-

tempting to free yourself of hardship, not to come

enced by African American women, there are also

to terms with its inevitability simply because of

plenty of solutions that college campuses can

who you are. If Black women are taught in school only setting themselves up for failure in the workplace and mounting the perfect storm for an eventual breakdown.

Strength at All Costs Beauboeuf-Lafontant explains the inner dialogue of Black women in this struggle to attain the super-human strength required of them. During her research of university women, she found that many do understand the impossibility of being strong in all circumstances and find different ways to cope. The coping mechanisms are unhealthy, unfortunately, as Black women feel they need to hide their vulnerabilities, fears and uncertainties. Often, healthier outlets are not afforded for them to process these feelings and they will resort to over-eating, abusing their children or otherwise harming themselves or others. One of the most profound ideas proposed by the article was that Black women often fight against “a gender role that refuses to allow Black women the experiences of “failure, nervous breakdowns, leisured existences, or anything else that would suggest that they are complex, feeling human beings.”

Black women in college are just as susceptible to the shortcomings of their peers, but when we con-

implement to promote change and support their

“

students. One of them is in the area of mentoring.

Studies have shown how impactful a mentor can be in your life and the same is especially true for Black

Black women can be placed at risk for

women.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Black women do not have nearly enough representation in those they are receiving instruction from. Black female full-time professors make up a national average of 2 percent of the profession (NCES 2019). There is a sore lack of Black female

being

faculty to serve in this role of mentorship, but even connections regardless of race prove to be benefi-

subjected to

cial to the well-being of Black women. Some profes-

situations

ing services that recognize the bond between Black

that no one should have to endure.

“

that they can bear more than their peers, they are

sionals in the field have proposed custom counselwomen and subsequently provide mental health services integrated into the crucial networks that they have organically created. General support and understanding for the unique challenges this demographic faces will undoubtedly go a long way.

By recognizing both the triumphs and deficiencies of their experience in college, we can provide a more well-rounded environment that continues to foster the success of Black women. We can remind Black women across college campuses that they are not required to “be strong” in all circumstances, and that it’s OK to not have it all together.

sider them to be stronger than the rest, we diminish their ability to not be OK, to ask for help and to breathe.

Relationships Perhaps on a more personal note (but equally relevant and important) is the impact that dating can have regarding Black women on college campuses.

In 2016, for example, there were 800,000 more Black women studying on college campuses than Black men, which researchers found to be a particularly THEVINDI.COM ­­ | 42

Lift Every Voice and Sing FEBRUARY 2020

Black National Anthem Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring Ring with the harmonies of Liberty Let our rejoicing rise High as the list’ning skies, let it resound loud as the rolling sea Sing a song full of faith that the dark past has tought us Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us Let us march on till victory is won Stony the road we trod Bitter the chast’ning rod Felt in the day that hope unborn had died Yet with a steady beat Have not our weary feet Come to the place on witch our fathers sighed We have come over a way that with tears has been watered We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our star is cast God of our weary years God of our silent tears Thou who has brought us thus far on the way Thou who has by thy might Led us into the light Keep us forever in the path, we pray Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee Shadowed beneath the hand May we forever stand True to our God True to our native land

THEVINDI.COM ­­ | 44

POETRY

TO BE DETERMINED WRITTEN BY

ILLUSTRATED BY

Briana Elise

Mikayla Colston

Left Eye told us dreams were hopeless aspirations In hopes of coming true I sang the song And rapped the lyrics Just like you I’m not sure I believe it now, Or how much I really understood it then But if people think this is what Dreams are made of, I know is very different from them To me, they are mental pictures That create visuals based on thoughts processed They are the answers to the questions You didn’t know you had The how, the why, and what’s next When life falls apart at the seams Or so it seems Like life has a tendency to do We are met with hopeful illusions during slumber That often make us wonder What’s real and what’s true Dr. Martin Luther King Told us about a dream Of a world he wanted But didn’t live to see His legacy continues today And the dream currently on display Is becoming the vision That was once a fantasy

45 | VINDICATOR

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