Vibez SIM MAGAZINE
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B A T F O T N E T N O C
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THE SKIN COLOR GAME..............................................1 THE OTHER SIDE............................................................3 CHANGING THE GAME................................................9 HOW A BISHOP FOUND HIS QUEEN.....................15 ENTREES AND CHILL....................................................19 UNDERRATED BLACK HISTORY FIGURES............23 A POET YOU'LL REMEMBER......................................27 SUPPORT THE CULTURE.............................................29 BHM LOOKBOOKS........................................................31 CREDITS............................................................................34
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n February 6, 2018 EA released a patch for The Sims 4™ base game that featured several complimentary items in honor of the franchises’ 18th anniversary. Included among those - a snazzy new fro, brought to you by…cauliflower. The Black Simmer community’s prize jewels--10 brand new skins “along the cool and warm undertones” which were intended to add some long-awaited diversity to The Sims 4™ base game (queue ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhhs’). Now, if you were one of the good “folks” (shout out to @SimGuruDrake’s over usage of that word) who were immediately able to forgive EA’s tardiness on providing us with skins that didn’t make our sims look 5 minutes late for their cremation appointment, then you would eventually realize that the warm tingling in your belly at the thoughtful gift was only a precursor for the bubbling of the guts that would follow. Black Simmers all over the world loaded up their newly updated games, like kids on Christmas morning, expecting the magic of freshly baked Melanin to greet their hungry eyes. They were to be disappointed. The truth is this: EA had everybody f 'ed up with the release of these rosacea afflicted skins. As per the norm, little to no effort was put into ensuring the quality of the product they put out which resulted in us receiving pixelated, unrefined, and unwanted additions to our games. The community responded to this realization with a resounding: FOHWTBS.
teammates, while berating disappointed simmers for their less than forgiving review of the poorly constructed skins and hair, calling their comments “destructive.” Drake followed up Jessica’s soapbox speech by doing what most Hwight people do best: deflecting. Drake implied that the lack of representation in Sims 4 was due to its POC (People of Color) players not providing enough pictures and videos so that the team could better understand how to make CAS more ethnically diverse. At that point it became apparent that @SimguruDrake is either stupid ot just thinks we are. The disheartening controversy came to a head with notable POC simmers, such as SheSpeaksSimlish, announcing her departure from the modding community (later recanted), and rumors of an EA boycott, that has yet to be kick started. To further rub salt in the wound, EA has yet to fix the cheaply made skins which leads Black and NBPOC simmers alike to believe that EA truly does not care to ensure that ALL players feel properly represented in the SIMS—a game where the ability to create characters we can relate to means everything to the player. Luckily for the community Simmers like Motherofdeathclaws have stepped up to rectify the Maxis team’s unfortunate mistake with his skin redux project. A synopsis of SimGuruJessica and SimGuruDrake’s Tweets at SimsVIP
In the wake of the community’s Download the Project Skin Redux skins here. rightful indignation, Sim Gurus Jessica and Drake elected to add fuel to the fire by engaging netizens in a pointless and indefensible attack on the patch’s critics via Twitter. The Twitter fiasco began with @ SimGuruJessica, who’s twitter was suddenly and tragically deleted following the exchange, righteously defending her “hard working”
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he Other Side BY: MILLAHSIRHEA
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avage Sims (@savagesims) is another custom content creator who is changing the way Black Simmers play the game. She creates eclectic, alpha style clothing and accessories that adds realism. While persons of color, specifically Black people, are fighting for inclusion within the simming community, a lot of us are fighting for inclusion within our own community. Savage Sims’ designs aren’t what one would deem as typical and that is exactly why she is needed.
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How long have you been playing The Sims, and do you remember how it felt? I’ve been playing since The Sims 1. My friend introduced it to me when I spent the night at her house. I would literally beg her parents to let me borrow it like once a month, but that was years ago. It wasn’t until The Sims 2 that I owned my own copy of the game. I just remember it being so unique and individualized versus the other games that I played. I grew up on consoles, so The Sims was my first legit PC game and it was pretty awesome.
comment specifically talks about dark skin males and the limited hair options they have compared to non-POC Sims. Still, it’s a sentiment that can be understood from other [non-black] POC simmers playing the game as well. Don’t get me wrong, the gameplay was fun – in older games, not The Sims 4. However, I always felt I had to settle when it came to the create-a-sim process or just make something I knew would work [like] a white or racially ambiguous sim.
What was your initial reaction regarding the representation EA Have you always been provided? active in the simming Luckily, I don’t have to rely community? If not, when on EA for my representation did you start? in the game, since I know Nope. I started with The how to make custom content Sims 4 and I lurked during for my needs, however, The Sims 3 era. (laughs) I gaming companies shouldn’t wasn’t even aware of the have to rely on it’s CC community when I played [custom content] creators The Sims 1 and 2. and community to fill in the gaps. Things as basic as Being a person of color, skin color diversity is not how did playing The that hard to make or include. Sims make you feel? Honestly if they would just Here is a quote from my put in a color wheel, problem blog, which pretty much solved. There are a bunch of sums up my experience other things that bother me trying to make POC sims when it comes to diversity without custom content. with this game, hair textures “When you are making a being another big one for black, dark skinned male, and me, which is why I use 99% of the male hairs are for custom content – to get the Brad, Bob, Bruce, and Buck things I feel are missing and/ with ‘the good hair.’” The or simply want to have for
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fashion reasons. What was the one thing you felt was lacking the most from The Sims 4? Don’t even get me started, but if I had to choose ONE thing only for The Sims 4, give me a damn color wheel. Preferably one with opacity and saturation intensity. I want one in create-a-sim and build/buy mode. Chop chop! How long have you been creating content? Since The Sims 2. I started learning and creating custom content for things that I really wanted in my game. The process was slow since I knew 0% about modding games, but I’m glad I started and took on the challenge. Also, I didn’t share anything till The Sims 4. That’s when I started getting confident in my creating and decided that it was “good enough” to share. Why did you choose alpha specifically to focus on? I have no problem with having a cartoony art style for a game, but damn it, The Sims 4 is TOO cartoony/ playdoh for me, which is why I chose alpha. Though I will say I have a hint of maxis match in my creations, with a dash of cartoony. I don’t mind not having a 100% realistic game, but the ratio of cartoony vs realistic was
not doing it for me. Why do you feel the need to create? Cause I just can’t wait around and hope somebody makes what I want and need. (laughs) That’s probably the Aries talking though. Where do you draw inspiration from? What keeps you going? Life. Outside of sims I’m very into fashion and art myself, so I can’t pinpoint what inspires me because
it can literally come from anywhere. I could be looking at a cloud and be like, “Oh, I should make an afro.” I could be eating a beef patty and then suddenly want some Jamaican inspired items, which would then remind me of a song from 2010, which would make me watch the music video, which would then give me even more [inspiration]. My mind moves around like that too and sometimes I forget people aren’t following my logic.
(laughs) I’m glad you get me! The things that kept me going though, are of course my followers that leave amazing, encouraging, and funny comments. Ya girl did make some nice guap on the side too, and that money helped me through a very rough transition in my life, so, thank you Mermaids. How does creating content for POCs make you feel? It feels like I shouldn’t have to. However, if POCs don’t
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do it, nobody else is unless we beg for it. Then, we have to wait YEARS for it. (laughs) I’m not about that life. I’m tired of POCs being last in line bruh. Do you ever feel there will be a time when POC specific CC won’t be needed? It’s just a matter of companies getting out of their feels, listening, learning, taking constructive critiques, and then applying the new knowledge. Also, they need to WANT to do it. If the company is 95% non POC, chances are POC are always going to be an afterthought. How would you describe the style of CC you create? That’s a very good question (laughs). I know my brand, aesthetic, and vibe, but to put it into a few words… My style has been described as witchy, gorgon, futuristic, art hoe, baddie? I’m not even mad at that combination though. Your style isn’t what one may say is a “typical” way a POC would dress. How would you respond to that? (mimicking mocking Spongebob meme) “…isn’t a typical way a POC would dress.” I’ve always been fashion forward, even in my
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real life, so I just move along. I’m not losing sleep over someone who can’t grasp the concept that different people have different styles regardless of skin color. Do you feel your style of content is something that brings the Black simming community together? If so, in what way? I wouldn’t say it brings them together, but it does fill in a part of the Black simming community that isn’t always represented. I feel I’m more alternative with my creations.
What does representation mean to you and do you feel it’s important? In short it means, “I exist too bitch,” and that having differences is okay. This goes for POC, sexual identity, people with disabilities, etc. Do you feel it is important to have diversity within the Black simming community? YES. YES. YES. There isn’t ONE TYPE of Black person. We all come in different shapes, colors, and
have different ideals, styles and visions just like the rest of the people in the world.
do a simple Google search, I swear. (laughs) Yes, I am talking vaguely on a subject that is much deeper than this, but that’s just a start What would you like to say to the Black okay? Don’t come for me in my DMs. Simming Community specifically? This comment is for ALL in the simming CHECK OUT SAVAGE SIMS' community. Diversity isn’t just skin deep. CONTENT ON HER SITE HERE! It’s also a culture. Skin, shape, and culture come in many different forms. Just think about that next time you create your POC sims. If you’re Black, try making non-black sims – Indian, Native American, Asian, etc. If you’re white, try making non-white sims and go further than just making a “white” sim and then just changing the skin color. This goes for any other ethnicity and “race.” I say race in quotes, but that is a whole other conversation. By creating and expanding the diversity in your game, it will help you understand people of different backgrounds and get insight into some of the problems they face. When I create a sim of a different background, I go and look up references. It’s not hard. I usually end up researching the culture a bit because I want something accurate. I also get to learn and create at the same time. Some of y’all are too damn lazy to
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anging Game BY: MILLAHSIRHEA
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heSpeaksSimlish (@shespeakssimlish) is one creator who took it upon herself to make sure she, and other persons of color, are represented in The Sims. She started playing The Sims 2 in high school around her sophomore year, about 15 years ago. She remembered, “I definitely felt butterflies. My mom let me get The Sims 2 off eBay and it was a Thailand version. Getting everything installed and then playing was awesome. I had never played anything like it before.�
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Have you always been active in the simming community? If not, when did you become active? No, I didn’t even know about simblrs [Tumblr blogs dedicated to The Sims] until 2013. I became more active when The Sims 4 was released. What was it that made you become an active member of the community? Hmm. I think it was the live streams the Sims team had to show off the features of The Sims 4. A lot of people were talking about the art style and brought conversation. I hadn’t had much interaction with simblrs until then. Then, with its release, I started posting more. Your initial reaction to playing The Sims was that of the feeling of butterflies and being awesome. Being a person of color specifically, playing the sims, did any of those feelings change? [While] playing The Sims 2 and a bit of 3, I didn’t really care. It was still new to me and I was satisfied with everything. [I] even played on console and PSP, but when I started getting more into wanting to create my eyes started to open. How so? I noticed that there was only one braided style, two afros, and a shaved style. I let it go for a little bit because I didn’t know any other way but to accept it. I started to recolor some clothes to represent
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Nigerian (African) style. That satisfied me for some time, but the hair still nagged at me, so I started retexturing hair and it worked out. What was your initial reaction to the representation, or lack thereof, that EA provided? I honestly didn’t have much of a reaction to it. It was more like, ‘What can I do to fix it?’ It wasn’t until the lack continued that I started to feel disappointed. Is this why you felt the need to create? Yes. It felt like, ‘There’s none who would care more for us than our own.’ There was a time when people would ask some bigger creators to try curly hair, braids, etc and they were always met with some form of No. I wanted to correct this. What does representation mean to you? Do you feel it is important and why? It’s definitely important. It shouldn’t be considered ‘the norm’ to see only one group of people represented when the world is a great mix of so many different types. To bring this into game, we’re told we can create ourselves, friends, family – but we’re not given a way to do so. It’s sad. I think a lot of people share your point of view. What is one thing you feel or felt was lacking most? Hair and appropriate skin tones! As someone who franken
meshes, I take hair that’s already created and mesh them together. If I can do this with success, I don’t see how it can’t be done by The Sims team. Then, for skin tones, we have CC creators making beautiful skin tone sets for us, but The Sims team can’t do this. I understand they can’t make everything, but I think there isn’t even a desire to make these things. Where do you draw your inspiration? I draw inspiration from people I see while out and YouTube hair tutorials. I have natural hair, so a lot of my stuff will match that. The joy and knowledge that I’m making a difference in people’s games keeps me going. Your content is seen as important in the Black simming community and is appreciated by a lot of simmers. How does this make you feel and why do you think it is important? I feel happy because I can see what I’m doing is needed by a lot of people. It’s important because the people we hoped would do this for us aren’t, so we do it ourselves. Why do you choose maxis match as opposed to alpha? Mainly because it fits the game. I will download alpha pieces like clothing and skin, but it usually can pass for [maxis match].
Do you ever think there will be a time when people of color specific custom content won’t be needed? No. Not to say that there won’t be change, but because not everything can be done. There are going to be styles – hair, fashion, etc. – that we know won’t be found in game. So, for supplement, there will always be a need. Is there anything that you would like to say to the black community specifically? That we should continue to make our voices heard. And for the sims – close our wallets. (laughs) Since this interview SheSpeaksSimlish dropped a few new hairs, one being the freeform locs. This is the first hair she’s made from her own mesh, and yes, your sims need it. Grab it here!
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Two Sides of the Game T
How A Bishop Found His Queen
here’s nothing quite like Black Love, don’t you agree? But what is black love? It’s an unstoppable force. A journey that the rich in melanin have the ultimate privilege to experience. This unconditional love can build empires. And who better to shed light on Black Love this month other than our very own star couple Gemini James and Bishop Braxton? I met up with Gemini and Bishop at The Seaside Grill, an upscale seafood restaurant in wwwSan Myshuno’s Fashion District, to discuss love, relationship dynamics, and their highly anticipated wedding.
You guys have been together for quite some time now. What’s your secret to your strong BISHOP: Being with someone who you know always standing relationship? has your best interests at heart is very important GEMINI: We have been close friends since college and we know each other's ways very well. **laughs** But trust is a serious must in a relationship. We trust each other and always have the other's back
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GEMINI: We weren't always a couple. Things actually got serious for us after my husband Linxton passed away. I really was experiencing a lot and Bishop was one of my biggest supporters and he really
helped me through those touch times. BISHOP: Truth be told, I always loved Gigi, but the timing for a relationship never was right. We always had things going on...other people in our lives...But we grew so much closer as friends after her husband passed. He was a good guy and he was lucky to have her.
that keeps me laughing, he's romantic, but most of all, I love how he loves my daughter. He adores her and vise versa. **leans closer to Bishop**
BISHOP: **smiles at her lovingly** I love Gemini's strength. She always stands tall through whatever comes her way, even if she doesn't realize it herself. She's an amazing mother and sister. I love her I feel it. The most beautiful things can blossom gentleness, her style, her understanding, and her from hard times. How long have you guys been boldness. And I especially love her heart because it’s together? big, along with her beauty inside and out GEMINI: Officially…. a little over a year. Almost The love between you two really warms my two. heart. It’s always wonderful to see resilient Black Love between two people. It’s radiating Let’s talk about your engagement. How did the off you guys. Now…you two are always proposal happen? busy with the tours, album releases, and endorsements. How do you find quality time GEMINI: We had went on vacation to Jamaica and to spend together amidst all the craziness? were walking along the beach, and he surprised me with a romantic private dinner all set up. Afterwards GEMINI: **laughs** It's not easy, believe me. In fact, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Bishop's upcoming 22-city tour starts on February 14th, so he will be gone for a bit, but we always find BISHOP: She didn't say yes right away and I time for each other. We talk literally every day if one understood why. She had a lot of things to consider of us is out of town. We Skype, FaceTime, talk on the concerning her daughter, career, and other aspects phone. Whatever it takes, we do. We also follow each of her life....but I refused to give up on her. I wore other on social media. her down and she eventually said yes. **smiles** BISHOP: Whatever’s necessary, we make it work. By Persistence paid off. any means. GEMINI: I am glad and truly blessed that he didn't That’s really great to hear. I see constant communication give up. **giggles** is a strong dynamic in your relationship. And while we touch on that, does one of you have a certain quirk That is too sweet you guys. What values are that drives the other one crazy sometimes? **laughs** important to you as a couple? GEMINI: He's going to kill me for this, but yes. He GEMINI: Family is very important. And even though snores...loudly. **tries to hold back amusement** me and my two beautiful sisters, Aries and Libra, have not always seen eye to eye. We went through BISHOP: **looks at her feigning shock** Awww some serious issues before my late husband died, but man! Really Gigi? It’s like that? Well she’s complete we came together and resolved them with our faith a neat freak sooo... But she's right though I do snore that nothing is worth losing family. So for me the pretty loud. **chuckles** value of family and faith is very, very important That’s pretty funny! How did you know that BISHOP: Same with me. Family and Faith are your partner was the right one for you? When did it occur to you? essential. Without either, I really can't go on in life. I wholeheartedly agree. Family is everything GEMINI: It was simply because I fell in love with when you’re close knit. Speaking of close knit, my best friend. **squeezes his hand** I knew he was what are some of the things you love about especially for me. each other? BISHOP: She has always had my heart, as my friend GEMINI: I love Bishop's honesty. He tells me what and even when I realized it was more to it. I knew needs to be told, and not what I want to hear. He's deep down she was the one and she always has been. also kind and loving, he has a crazy sense of humor
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Now Gemini, you know I have to ask. Is there going to be a wedding special? I know the dress is to die for and I’m sure everyone is going to want to see it. GEMINI: Actually, we were asked by BET to do a reality show leading up to the wedding, but our schedules are just too packed. My album, Blossom, releases in March, and I have 2 perfumes out. So we're just not sure about a show/special as of right now. And yes, the dress is simply to die for. BISHOP: We appreciate everyone's love and support. Our fans are the best and we love them immensely. Save the date. May 6th, 2018, which is also my birthday. Wow, you guys have a lot on your plate right now. At least we can always count on the wedding pictures, which will be highly anticipated. Ok so…our readers really want to know…what would you consider the most challenging part of your relationship? GEMINI: Oh yes, there will definitely be pictures. And um…the most challenging part is just basically trying to keep everything fresh, new and exciting. We try to keep others out of our relationship as well. What is between us stays that way. We have the same career path so we try to not infringe on one another and do our own thing. BISHOP: I agree with Gigi. We basically try to stay private and keep it all together, but we also give each other space when we need it. This has been a real illuminating conversation you guys. Is there any advice you’d like to give our readers about making it work? GEMINI: Put God first, trust your heart and your partner. Stay strong through life's storms because after the sun shines again, a rose always blossoms. BISHOP: Hold on to your beliefs stay strong. Never let go, and stand together always. And there you have it people. Wise words from our star-studded couple. Conversations like these motivate me to venture out and find other couples that proudly embrace their Black Love to bring to the forefront to ensure our readers that even in the midst of the foolery around us, it does still exist. In the immortal words (in my opinion of course) of Kendrick Lamar and Ab-
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Soul: “You can have all my shine, I’ll give you the light.” - (Illuminate, Control System (2012)) (Translation: Allow me to enlighten you). Until next time guys! Stay up. Stay black. Stay Strong. Peace!
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t’s February, the month of Valentine’s Day shenanigans. The time of the year many lovebirds go out to either go out to normal eateries or to fancy restaurants for fine cuisine (not to mention it’s tax season but that’s some hot steaming shade for another day). But a lot of us aren’t with the packed restaurants, dinner rushes, couples arguing, and possible food disappointments, leaving your taste buds in withering distaste. So I took some time out of my schedule to get with my coworker and homegirl Parker Hill, the best cook on the east coast in my opinion, (although she’s a woman of many other talents), to prepare a fancy, at-home multicourse Valentine’s Day meal for you and that special person. So after a lengthy taping (for my WTBS media files) and a couple of bottles of wine later, we present you with Parker’s V-Day Surf & Turf Menu: (BTW: It’s delicious) Starter Chef Salad Ingredients: • 8 cups salad greens, washed and torn into bite sized pieces • 1 cup of ham, julienne strips • 1 cup of turkey, julienne strips • 1/2 cup of green onions, finely chopped • 1/2 cup of celery, finely chopped • 1 cup of cherry or grape tomatoes, halved • 1/2 cup of Swiss cheese, julienne strips
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• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, julienne strips • 2 eggs, hard boiled, peeled and sliced • 1/4 cup bacon bits, for garnish • 8 ounces salad dressing, of your choice Instructions: Prepare salad greens of your choice by washing and tearing them into bite sized pieces; place in a large bowl. Toss the greens with remaining ingredients, reserving some julienned pieces of meat, cheese, and egg slices for garnish. Just before serving, toss with a dressing of your choice and garnish with strips of meat, cheese, and hard cooked egg slices. Appetizer Shrimp cocktail Ingredients: • 6 cups of water • 1 small lemon, thinly sliced • 1 teaspoon of fresh minced garlic • 2 bay leaves • 1 tablespoon of seafood seasoning (Old Bay will do) • 5 black peppercorns • 3-4 sprigs of fresh Italian parsley • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt • 1 pound of medium to large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails left on) • Cocktail sauce Instructions: Stir water, lemon, garlic, bay leaves, seafood seasoning, peppercorns, salt, and parsley together in a large pot; bring to a simmer and cook until flavors blend, about 15 minutes. Bring poaching liquid to a rapid boil. Cook the shrimp in the boiling liquid until they are bright pink on the outside and the meat is no longer transparent in the center, about 5 minutes. Transfer shrimp to a bowl of ice water and immerse in ice water until cold; drain. Arrange cold shrimp on a platter and serve with chilled sauce. Bonus Cocktail Sauce Recipe: Combine the ketchup, lemon zest and juice, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl. Add hot sauce, if desired. Mix well, then refrigerate until ready to serve. Entree Surf and Turf Ingredients: • 2 lobster tails (5 oz each) • 2 lemon wedges • 2 T-bone steaks • Olive oil • Salt and freshly grounded pepper • Paprika • Melted Butter for dipping Instructions: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. A half-hour before cooking, remove steak from refrigerator. Heat a large skillet over high heat. Pat steak dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Add oil to hot skillet and when it begins to smoke add steak. Reduce heat slightly and cook steak until browned, about 4 minutes on each side. Transfer skillet to the oven. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted sideways into the steak registers 120 degrees F for medium-rare, about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 10 minutes. Cut steak from the bone and carve meat across the grain. Place lobster tails on a baking sheet. With a sharp knife or kitchen shears, carefully cut top side of lobster shells lengthwise. Pull apart shells slightly, and season meat with equal amounts butter, paprika, salt, and white pepper. Broil lobster tails until lightly browned and lobster meat is opaque, about 5 to 10 minutes. Garnish with lemon wedges to serve. Bacon wrapped asparagus:
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Ingredients: • 24 stalks of Asparagus (trimmed) • 12 slices of Bacon (center cut preferred) • 1 tsp of Olive oil, garlic salt, and black pepper Instructions: Preheat oven, if using, to 400 degrees F. Lightly coat asparagus spears in extra-virgin olive oil. Season the asparagus with black pepper. Take a quick count of the spear tips. Divide the total number by two. Gather that number of spears and use a slice of bacon to wrap the bundle and secure the spears together. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Bake for 10 minutes. Use tongs to turn over. Bake for 10-15 minutes more, until the bacon is almost crispy. Set the oven to broil, then place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to crisp up more. Loaded baked potatoes: Ingredients: • 6 large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean • 6 slices crispy of bacon, crumbled • 2 green onions, thinly sliced, white and green parts divided • 1/4 cup (57 g) of butter, softened • 1 cup (250 ml) of sour cream • 1 1/2 cups (150 g) of shredded cheddar cheese Instructions: Preheat oven to 400°. Prick potatoes all over with a fork or sharp knife and wrap tightly in foil. Bake until soft, about 1 hour. Unwrap potatoes and cut lengthwise slits in the top of each. Carefully scoop out flesh from center of each potato into a medium bowl, then add butter, sour cream, green onion whites, half the cheddar, and half the bacon. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon filling back into each potato, mounding it on top. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and return to oven until melted, about 5 minutes. Top with scallion greens and remaining bacon. Dessert Chocolate covered strawberries: Ingredients: • 1 package (16 ounces)of Driscoll's Long Stem Strawberries, if available • 6 oz. of semisweet chocolate (chips, chunks or chopped bar chocolate) (Have a piece of styrofoam handy) Instructions: In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture. Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries. Turn the strawberries upside down and insert the toothpick into styrofoam for the chocolate to cool. Tip: Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook it evenly, and make clean-up easier. Strawberry Shortcake: Ingredients: • 2/3 cup of sugar • 1/4 cup of shortening • 1 large egg • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract • 1/4 teaspoon of salt • 1-1/2 cups of all-purpose flour • 2 teaspoons of baking powder • 1/2 cup of milk • Whipped cream • 1-1/2 quarts of fresh or frozen strawberries, sliced Instructions: In a bowl, cream sugar and shortening. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Combine dry ingredients and add alternately with milk to the creamed mixture. Spread in a greased 9-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Cut into nine servings. Split each serving horizontally and fill with whipped cream and strawberries. Replace top of cake; garnish with more berries and a dollop of whipped cream. Serve immediately. By: Kida Valentine @WtbsOfficial
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UNDERRATED black history figures
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very February we celebrate Black History Month toremember those that have done over-the-top work for us as time went by. These people went through a lot just to make sure that our people had enough opened doors towards a better future. Black History Month is always filled with so much information about the people who has shed blood, work, and tears towards making life better for us today. We often hear about Martin Luther King Jr., Madam CJ Walker, Rosa Parks, etc. Have you ever wondered about the amazing people that aren’t listed as much? Who are these people that we never hear about but have done the same amount of work as the others? I am here today to present the names of some names and provide some insight on what they’re all about.
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“The only way to reduce ugliness in the world is to reduce it in yourself.” - Bayard Rustin
Civil Rights Activist (1912–1987)
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ayard Rustin, the man who helped Martin Luther King catch some chill, was the organizer of one of the most nonviolent marches in the United States in 1963. With Gandhi’s techniques on protesting, he helped mold Martin Luther King Jr into an international icon of peace and nonviolence. In 1956 Rustin arrived to assist with the nascent bus boycott where MLK had armed guards posted at his door with firearms inside. Rustin convinced everyone to lead in nonviolence and win with peace. During this time, the era of fierce homophobia, it was challenging for Rustin to be a leader and organizer while
homosexual. After many threats, arrests, being beaten and silence, imprisoned and fired from work he decided to to focus on activism for peace, racial equality, economic justice, and human rights. Rustin stands at the confluence of the struggles for civil, legal, and human rights by African-Americans and lesbian and gay Americans. This nation is still segregated with racial hatred and violence along with bigotry against homosexuals and divides against the rich and poor. Bayard Rustin’s voice, a gay man with major contributions towards ending official segregation, is needed.
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"You can best fight any existing evil from the inside."
- Hattie McDaniel
film actress (1893 –1952)
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attie McDaniel became the first African American to win an Oscar in 1940, for her supporting role as Mammy in ‘Gone With the Wind’. Along with acting, she was also into radio. By the mid 1920’s she became one of the first AfricanAmerican women to perform on radio. A lot of people didn’t agree with the roles Hattie was taking on because they felt like it was a bad stereotype against her race. Her prerogative was responded by making it clear she’ll take whichever roles were given to her. Characters like Mammy, to McDaniel, proved more to themselves than just being servants. Hattie McDaniel died in Los Angeles, California on October 26, 1952 once she lost her battle against cancer. She was rewarded after her death two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was featured into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1975.
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I knew then and I know now, when it comes to justice, there is no easy way to get it. -Claudette Colvin
Civil Rights Activist (1939 – )
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efore Rosa Parks, there was Claudette Colvin. At 15 she refused to move to the back of the bus and give her seat up to a white person nine months before Parks did that same exact thing. It was her story that ignited the path that led to Parks’ protest. ztFor many years, Montgomery's black leaders did not publicize Colvin's pioneering effort because she was a teenager who was reportedly impregnated. When asked why she wasn’t well known and why Rosa Parks only comes to mind she told everyone
the NAACP and all the other black organizations felt Parks would be a great icon because “she was an adult” and “they didn’t think teenagers were reliable”. She also made comments of Parks having the “right hair and the right look” which makes her “fit the profile of being associated with the middle class”. While her role in the fight to end segregation in Montgomery may not be widely recognized, Colvin helped advance civil rights efforts in the city.
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A Poet You'll Remember
by: Monique
We all know the empowering Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou and World Renowned by Langston Hughes. Today, I want to shine the light on a poet who is speaking for those of us who voices have yet to be heard. Aja Monet is a 30 Year Old poet from Brooklyn, Ny. A lyricist and an activist, known to be the youngest poet to become the Nuyorican Poets Cafe Grand Slam Champion at the age of 19. She is the last woman to win the title since. Aja Monet is heavily involved in the #Sayhername campaign and is working against police brutality amongst the black community. Aja is not letting her peers down, taking directly after her mother who was a freedom fighter. Continuing to shine light on issues some would be afraid to speak on, stating things like "WHITE FOLKS HAVE TO FACE WHO TRUMP IS!" and her controversial poem "The Emerging Woman After Aborting A Girl". Did I mention she was a Feminist as well? I could continue to go on about how amazing she is but I want to leave you all with a poem and a little piece of her.
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I am a woman carrying other women in my mouth behold a sister a daughter a mother dear friend spirits demystify on my tongue they gather to breath and exhale a dance with the death we know is not the end all these nameless bodies haunted by pellet wounds in their chests listen for them and the saying of a name you cannot pronounce black and woman is a sort of magic you cannot hash tag the mere weight of it too vast to be held we hold ourselves an inheritance felt between the hips womb of soft darkness portal of light watch them envy the revolution of our movement how we break open to give life flow while the terror of our tears the torment of our taste my rage is righteous my love is righteous my name be righteous here what I am not here to say we too have died we know we are dying too I am not here to say look at me how I died so brutal a death I deserve a name to fit all the horror in I am here to tell you how if they mentioned me in their protest and their rallies they would have to face their role in it too my beauty too
we who love just as loudly in the thunderous rain as when the Sun shines golden on our skin and the world kisses us unapologetically we be so beautiful when we be- how you gonna be free without me your freedom tied up with mine at the nappy edge of my soul singing for all my sisters watch them stretch their arms and my voice how they fly open chested toward your ear listen for Rekia Boyd, Tanisha Anderson Yvette Smith Aiyana Jones Caleb Moore Shelly Frey Miriam Carey Kendra James Alberto Spruill, Tarika Wilson, Shereese Francis Shantel Davis, Malissa Williams Darnisha Harris Michelle Cassell Pearlie Golden, Kathryn Johnston Eleanor Bumpers, Natasha McKenna Sheneque Proctor We we will not vanish and the baited breath of our brothers show me show me a man willing to fight beside me my hand in his the color of courage there is no mountaintop worth seeing without us meet me in the trenches where we lay our bodies down in the valley of a voice say her name
I have died many times before the blow to the body I have bled many months before the bullet to the flesh we know the body is not the end call it what you will but for all the handcuffed wrists of us the shackled ankles of us the bend over to make room for you of us how dare we speak anything less then I love you
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Support The Cultu
BLACK
Akata Warrior By: Nnedi Okorafor
This sequel to Akata Witch is about Sunny Nwazue, an American-born girl Nigerian girl. She was inducted into the secret Leopard Society after her powers emerged and she began to grow stronger. She teams up with her mentor, Sugar Cream, to unlock the secrets of her strange Nsibidi book.
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ure!
K LITER
ATURE
Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel By: Jesmyn Ward
Follows thirteen year old JoJo who is trying to understand what it means to be a man. It journeys through Mississippi’s past and present, examining the ugly truths at the heart of the American story and the power—and limitations—of family bonds.
City of Bones By: Kwame Dawes
If you like poetry, this is a book you will need in your life. Musical vibes and African drums dance in your ear as you read. Kwame Dawes takes us to the future and back with his poetry. Allow your soul to cry, laugh, groan, scream, and dance on this poetic emotional roller coaster.
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Look #1
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Look #2
MELANIN EARRINGS: $42 (XXMONIQUESIMSXX) NAGIDOBO CHOKER: $99 (JOMSIMS) KENTE SWIMSUIT: $237 (KIKOVANITYSIMMER) LEG WARMERS: $36 (COUPURELECTRIQUE).
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Vibez SIM MAGAZINE
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