Wide Angle Youth Media & the Enoch Pratt Free Library present
THE SKIN WE’RE IN a zine by youth in the Baltimore Speaks Out program @ Orleans Library
Volume 1 Spring 2018
Wide Angle Angle Youth Youth Media Media && the the Enoch Enoch Pratt Pratt Free Free Library Library present present Wide
THE SKIN SKIN WE’RE WE’RE IN IN THE zine by by youth youth in in the the aa zine Baltimore Speaks Speaks Out Out program program @ @ Orleans Orleans Library Library Baltimore
We created created this this zine zine with with aa singular singular theme theme in in mind: mind: We Why Black Black Lives Lives Matter. Matter. The The work work featured featured in in our our Why articles serve serve as as examples examples of of what what makes makes Black Black articles people and and Black Black culture culture important important and and worthy worthy of of people praise. Each Each of of our our topics topics were were personal personal to to us us and and praise. we hope hope they they can can be be tools tools of of learning learning or or reminders. reminders. we Some of of our our favorite favorite parts parts of of the the process process include include Some learning to to how how critique critique our our peers, peers, working working in in the the learning Adobe program program InDesign, InDesign, and and researching researching our our Adobe topics. We We worked worked very very hard hard to to put put this this together together for for topics. you. We We hope hope you you enjoy enjoy our our zine! zine! you.
Letter from from the the Editors Editors Letter
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TABLE OF CONTENTS arts
Dancing with Queens Trinity Allen, Aniya Freeman. pg 3
Streets of Baltimore: Graffiti in the City Mercedes Freeman. pg 5
Fashion from the Past Blessen’s Ross, Trinity Allen. pg 7
history Mae Jemison: The First Black Woman Astronaut Ke’Asia Alston, Kaili Alston. pg 11
A Brief History of Black Abstraction Ka’Leah Turner. pg 9
opinion How We Recieve the News
credits
William Anthony, Mekhi Gasque, Rayner Little, III. pg 13
Meet the Artists pg 15
Thank You pg 18
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Dancing With Queens By Trinity Allen and Aniya Freeman African American dance is how Black people express their creativity and show others that they are important. It is a way to show what they have been through and their struggle. A lot of dancers get inspired by different types of dance like American Rhythm, Cha Cha, Salsa, Ballet, Bachata, Hip-Hop, or Modern dances. We are influenced by Hunter Johnson, Michael Jackson, Martha Graham, BeyoncĂŠ, and Misty Copeland. Learn some of our favorite moves!
Drop
You start with your index fingers pointed up, then point them down and move your fingers and your body at the same rhythm / pace.
Icky Vicky Challenge Clap 3
You start with pushing your fist into your hands and then go up and down until you feel like you’re done.
Shoot You start with your leg halfway in the air and hand in fist pumping position. Move your hand back and forth in the air, then stop and move your hand back.
Backpack Kid You start with your legs spread at your shoulder width and your arms out to one side. Then put your arms in and pop out your hip, then swing your arms and do the same on your opposite side.
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By Mercedes Freeman
Graffiti in the City What is Graffiti? Graffiti is a type of street art that can be made in many diffrent ways. Graffiti can be a writing or a drawing. It can be scribbled, scratched, or sprayed.
Can Graffiti be an example of Black culture? Graffiti and street art can be controversial, but it can also be a medium for voices of social change, protest, or expressions of community desire. I chose this topic because I feel that graffiti and street art can tell people a lot about the community and its culture.
Where are some places you can find graffiti in Baltimore City? - Graffiti Warehouse - Museums - Sides of buildings
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How was Graffiti developed? According to Al-Jazeera America, an artist named Carlos Mare created graffiti on the streets of New York in the 1970s and 1980s.
Is Graffiti illegal ? Yes, graffiti is illegal. Graffiti artists are not allowed to make art on public property, however there are spaces dedicated to displays and showings of graffiti.
Art by the Author
Graffiti is very personal to me because it helps me express myself when others don’t listen. It has always been a way for me to show my feelings because art speaks for me. I have not done graffiti in illegal spaces.
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Fashion from the Past By Trinity Allen and Blessen’s Ross The fashion for Black women depended on both geographic location as well as socioeconomic status.The clothing of the time featured ruffles, full sleeves, long feathers style skin, trim hats, and formal collars particulary for women in the south.
1900 1920
https://bit.ly/2HXwFSj
1930 1940
Clothing of the time featured shorter skirts, more professional attire, bandanas, and lighter colors.
https://bit.ly/2Huutkv
The fashion of this time period was remembered by many Black Americans as reclaiming a variety of African prints and styles. In contrast, this era is also marked by pastels, faux pearls, and stripes.
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1950 1960
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Clothing during this time period featured more natural hair styles than the past. Plus bright colors, fun patterns, flare pants, boots, and, big Sunday church hats.
1970 1980
https://bit.ly/2Hq9VgN
1990 2000
Clothing in these years included crop tops, fun colors, denim, and unique hairstyles.
https://bit.ly/2r0c6wv
We are really interested in seeing how events and history change the culture of how we dress. This timeline shows how the dress of Black women has evolved over a century. Things such as the the 70’s Hippie movement, and the the Black Black Power Power Movement Movement in in the the movement and 60s-70s 60’s-70’shas hasbeen beensignificant significantininhow howwe weadjust adjustour ourstyle. style.
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A Brief History of Black Abstraction By Ka’Leah Turner Abstract art is inspiring. People think of it as nothing, but abstract art is worth millions. It is beautiful and it makes people feel emotions, too. Some people don’t see the beauty in art but many do. The main characteristic of abstract art is that it has no recognizable subject. The Abstract Expressionism movement began in the 1940s in New York City after World War II. However, the first real abstract art was painted earlier by some Expressionists like Wassily Kandinsky in the early 1900s. I wanted to research Black abstract art because I wanted to talk about artists who look like me. Black abstract artists inspire people all around the world. They were very brave to show their art to the world because so many artists who receive praise are white. The paintings shown on the following page are
Score for Sustained Blackness Set 2 (2014) by Jennie C. Jones, Mater Dolorosa (1946) by Charles Wilbert White, and Shapes of Sounds (2010) by Betty Blayton Taylor.
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Jennie C. Jones
Jennie C. Jones was born in Cincinnati, OH in
artsy.net artsy.net
was born in Cincinnati, OHAmerican in 1968. She is an African 1968. She is an African American woman who does art today and woman doesand art today and inspireswho adults kids with inspires adults and withshows her beautiful art. kids Jennie her beautiful art. Jennie shows expression and feelings in her expression and feelings in her art. In December 2015, her art. In December 2015, her compilationwas was accepted at the compilation accepted at the Contemporary Arts Museum Contemporary Arts Museum in in Houston,Texas. Texas. Jennie won Houston, Jennie won a a $50,000 award. $50,000 award.
Charles Wilbert Wilbert White Charles White wasborn born in in 1918 1918 and was and died diedinin1972. 1972.Charles Charles was an African American artist and reminded was an African American artist and reminded people of how powerful art is. I admire him people of how powerful art is. I admire him for his work and dignity. I wish he was still for today his work and dignity. wish he wasart. still here to share more of Ihis beautiful
here today to share more of his beautiful art. artsy.net
artsy.net
Betty Blayton Taylor
Betty Blayton Taylor
was born in 1937 and died in 2016. Although had died that much work, was bornshe in hasn’t 1937 and in 2016. I still love her. Her art is so powerful and Although she hasn’t had that much work, it reminds people of how much work and I still love her. Her art is so powerful and effort she put into her artwork. bettyblayton.com
bettyblayton.com
it reminds people of how much work and effort she put into her artwork.
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Mae Jemison: The First African American Woman to go Into Outer Space By Kaili Alston and Ke’Asia Alston
FACT #1
Courtesy of NASA
Mae C. Jemison is an American engineer, physicist, and NASA astronaut. Mae became the first African-American woman to travel in outer space. She went into orbit aboard the Endeavour on September 12, 1992.
FACT #2
biography.com
Mae C. Jemison is a trained medical doctor, served as a Medical Officer in the Peace Corps, and currently runs Bio Sentient Corp. which is a medical technology company.
FACT #3
energy.gov
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Mae C. Jemison is a trained dancer and choreographer. She says being a dancer made her a better astronaut. “I wanted to be dancing because it was exhilarating. It was fun, it was another way of creativity,” she said. massivesci.com
We’ve always loved science. We learned about Mae C. Jemison in school and took this opportunity to do more research on her. We think she can inspire people to study science and learn more about black history. This is especially significant because Black history should be a part of everyone’s life.
From Her Journal* September 9, 1992 I leave for the moon soon. I’m going out to space in three days and I’m scared because it’s my first time. I feel like I’m about to be a survivor. I will be able to reach my dreams. I will be the first African American woman to go into outer space. I can be happy about this. I will be able to actually see how space looks. I can convey my research and what I see.
September 15, 1992 During the trip in outer space, I have begun to get to know my teamates but I still don’t know much about them. I’ve been working on projects that have been very difficult but I endure it thanks to my partners’ encouragement.
September 18, 1992 Space has been fun with my teammates and experiments. We’re nearly done with our trip in outer space because we go back to Earth in two more days. I can’t believe I was so worried about nothing because when I got on the rocket ship I was nervous that everyone would be mean and bossy but they’re not and that makes me happy. I feel like my work isn’t so hard if I keep doing the same work. *This is a fictional journal created by Wide Angle students
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How We Receive the News By William Anthony, Mekhi Gasque, and Rayner Little, III
Before radios were thought of, people sat and read the newspaper. Then, when the radio was made, families sat around the fire and listened to the news. When the TV was born, people would watch the news morning, noon, and evening. Cellphones have changed the way we watch the news. Now when people are on the internet, the news pops out of nowhere. This news could be good or bad.
Cellphones have changed the way we watch the news.
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Most of the news I see is about bad things that Black people did or what happened to them, including people being killed and shot. Some bad things that Black people did were riots, shootings, and killings of other Black people, but there are also many good things. Black people protest to stop shootings, for example the Ceasefire that was organized by Erricka Bridgeford that prevented homicides for three days.
I hate to see people suffer and go to funerals. It makes me sad to see people rob stores, people killed in their homes and on the street, good actors fired from their jobs, athletes suspended from their teams, and homeless people not allowed in restaurants. In my opinion, all races and people should come together.
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MEET THE Trinity Trinity is in the 6th grade at National Academy Foundation Middle School. She loves K Pop and has a really good relationship with her older brother and her family.
Kaili Kaili is in the 6th grade at Henderson Hopkins. She is a basketball player who goes to Henderson Hopkins. She loves to color, draw, and do math. She loves to make and accomplish goals throughout her life. She attends the Peabody Institute for Music in which she plays the flute in a band. She performed at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum last year.
Rayner Rayner is in the 6th grade and is homeschooled. In the future, he hopes to make a Youtube channel that people can watch all
William William is in the 7th grade at Commodore John Rogers. He is interested in learning math. He hopes to have a great future and to be a biologist.
Aniya
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Aniya is in the 6th grade at National Academy Foundation Middle School. She lives in Baltimore with her mother and three sisters. She is very influenced by young rappers like Lor Scoota, Peso Da Mafia, Lil Key, YBS Skola, Rich the Kid, and YMC Lonnie. She likes to play sports and be active. She dances and sings and wants to join a dance team in the future.
ARTISTS Mercedes Mercedes is in the 10th grade at National Academy Foundation High School. She enjoys drawing and she loves music. Mercedes also enjoys singing and learning more about her culture.
Mekhi Mekhi is in the 7th grade at Commodore John Rogers. He enjoys playing Call of Duty and basketball. He is interested in studying game design in the future.
Ke’Asia Ke’Asia is in the 8th grade at Henderson Hopkins. Her favorite subject is science. She is a funny girl once you get to know her and she is very shy. She wants to be a veterinarian and help animals. She loves quiet places, food, puzzles, soccer, and brain games. She will be attending Western High School after she graduates this year.
Blessen’s
Blessen’s is in the 6th grade at Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women. When she is home she likes to draw and read. When she grows up she wants to become a fashion designer.
Ka’Leah Ka’Leah is in the 5th grade at Henderson Hopkins. She has big dreams to be a choreographer and/or a YouTuber.
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THANK THANK Baltimore Speaks Program is an after school program TheThe Baltimore Speaks OutOut Program is an after school program of of Wide Angle Youth Media that operates in partnership with the Enoch Wide Angle Youth Media that operates in partnership with the Enoch Pratt Free Library provides youth ages 10-15 media Pratt Free Library andand provides youth ages 10-15 withwith freefree media education in their own community. education in their own community.
BSO Youth Producers BSO Youth Producers Trinity Allen Trinity Allen Kaila Alston Kaila Alston Ke’Asia Alston Ke’Asia Alston William Anthony William Anthony Aniya Freeman Aniya Freeman Mecedes Freeman Mecedes Freeman Mekhi Gasque Mekhi Gasque Rayner Little, Rayner Little, III III Blessen’s Ross Blessen’s Ross Ka’Leah Turner Ka’Leah Turner
Facilitators Facilitators Safiyah Cheatam, Lead Media Instructor Safiyah Cheatam, Lead Media Instructor Emma Bergman, Assistant Media Instructor Emma Bergman, Assistant Media Instructor
Guest Artist Guest Artist Bilphena Yahwon, Outreach Coordinator, Bilphena Yahwon, Outreach Coordinator, Restorative Response Baltimore Restorative Response Baltimore
Administrators Administrators Moira Fratantuono, Program Director, Wide Angle Youth Media Moira Fratantuono, Program Director, Wide Angle Youth Media Susan Malone, Executive Director, Wide Angle Youth Media Susan Malone, Executive Director, Wide Angle Youth Media Deb Taylor, School & Student Services Coordinator, Enoch Pratt Free Deb Taylor, School & Student Services Coordinator, Enoch Pratt Free Library Library
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YOU Special Thanks To Justin Switzer, Branch Manager, Enoch Pratt Free Library Tracey Cotay, Young Adult Librarian, Orleans Library Julius Williams, Special Officer, Orleans Library Carma Halterman, Carma’s Cafe
Funders The Henry and Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Foundation Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts, Creative Baltimore Fund The Charles Crane Family Foundation Betty Lee and Dudley P. Digges Memorial Fund Enoch Pratt Free Library France Merrick Foundation Golfers’ Charitable Foundation Harry L. Gladding Foundation The T. Rowe Price Foundation Wells Fargo Foundation Adobe Project 1324
wideanglemedia.org | (443) 759-6700
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wideanglemedia.org | (443) 759-6700