THE BLUEPRINT:
A S P E L M A N S P O T L I G H T P U B L I C AT I O N A Look at What’s Inside: College Shootings or Campus Safety – p.2 Letter from the Editors – p.2 Young Democrats Host Watch Party – p.3 Spelman Students SPEAK OUT! – p.3 Kicking it off with a Bang: Homecoming 2015 – p.3 Not Just a Teacher: the English Department Explores Possibilities – p.4
Intellectual Framework for the Freethinker
October/November 2015
Spelman Students Support 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March By: Melanie J. Ferdinand-King C’2018 and Danyelle R. Carter C’2016
On Saturday, October 10, 2015, 42 Spelman students were sponsored by Student Government Association, Student Life and Engagement, Spelman’s Women’s Research and Resource Center and Education department to attend the 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March. The event, titled “Justice or Else” took place in Washington, D.C. The historic political protest was a commemoration of the Million Man March, originally held on October 16, 1995. Minister Louis Farrakhan, leader of the religious group, Nation of Islam, called upon one million black men to assemble. Boston University used crowd-counting science, developed in the 1960s, to estimate 837,000 black men and women gathered at the D.C. Reuters
Photo courtesy of Maya Conyers
Vol. 3, No. 1
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Before Shonda Rhimes, There was Mara Brock Akil By: Tyler Stephens C’2019
Russian Dissident Ludmilla Alexeeva Awarded Human Rights Prize from Council of Europe – p.5
Homecoming convocation took place on Oct. 22 in Sisters Chapel, featuring guest speaker, Mara Brock Akil. Creator and producer of Girlfriends, The Game and Being Mary Jane, Brock Akil is a game changer and leader in the entertainment industry who has dedicated career to painting a picture different picture onher television. of the lives of black women.
Review: “August Wilson’s Seven Guitars” – p.5 Atlanta Cares: AIDS Walk
Photo courtesy of Tyler Stephens
Atlanta & 5K Run 2015 – p.6 Black Girls Can and Do Box: Spelman Professor Launches Boxing Community for Black Women and Girls – p.6
http://thetailife.com – conducted the conversation with Brock Akil. Brock Akil touched on a range of topics, including the image of black women in the media, the importance of sisterhood, her career and future plans. While black women are now on prime time shows like Scandal and Empire, she admits to being one of the few to “write about black women when it wasn’t cool,” starting with her show Girlfriends. Brock Akil doesn’t create characters that answer negative images. Her characters are never perfect, because she sees that “positive images are just as damaging because it’s not human. It’s a prison of our freedom.” Our “story has been placed in the right hands” to where the women are real people who reflect our friends, family and community. “My life is all over my work … you have to be okay with telling your story.
Longtime former Photo courtesy of Tylerfriend Stephens and coworker Traci Blackwell introduced Brock Akil. Blackwell is the current CW network Vice President and class of 1990 alumna. Tai Beauchamp - journalist, correspondent, and founder of
Tell the truth if you’re a storyteller.” Recently signing a deal with Warner Bros., Brock Akil has a lot more in store for her audiences. She expressed an interest in writing science fiction after being inspired by her son. “I want to be more epic with out stories. I want our themes to have a different canvas.” One area she sees that still needs significant growth is within the audience. “The audience needs to be open to nuanced versions of themselves ... open the palette to receive more stories.” Brock Akil shared that despite her current success, her mother initially discouraged her from entering Hollywood out of fear of the unknown. Taking this into account, she advised the audience to “set your life to be happy,” and learn to pray for those who are draining your energy and let them go. Though Brock Akil humbly admitted to “standing on the shoulders of many”, it’s undeniable the impact she has had on the current landscape of television. As Blackwell said, “[Brock Akil] is a truth seeker and teller”, prepared to expand our reality and paint a different picture on television.
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CURRENT EVENTS By: Leah Proctor C’2018
Photo courtesy of the Associated Press
On the morning of Thursday, October 1, law enforcement in Roseburg Oregon, responded to a report of an armed intruder on the campus of Umpqua Community College (UCC). Within minutes of arriving on the scene, a call into dispatch confirmed what the surrounding community and nation feared most— students were shot on campus. It was the second day of the semester for the students of UCC. Rather than receiving the anticipated lecture, however, the UCC and Roseburg community came face-to-face with the gruesome reality of gun violence in the
United States. Nine lives were lost, and nine more were recovering from injuries. The tragedy has reinforced the need for active security measures at college campuses across the nation. “It’s a challenge,” said Deputy Chief Chambliss of Spelman’s Public Safety. “It’s like trying to secure your house. You put in an alarm system in, you lock the door and yet there’s always the chance that crime will find its way in”. Nonetheless, Chambliss and the Public Safety Department strive daily to protect and prevent Spelman students from harm. “Truly, the best thing that you can do is to know your environment, know the people in your space and employ a neighborhood watch. If something doesn’t fit or feel right, trust your instinct and call it in” he said. Chambliss also stresses the importance of a student’s knowledge of safety and procedures. The recently
Letter from the Editors To our Spelman Sisters and Community,
ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT: Chief Editors
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Courtnee Brinker, Co Editor-In-Chief Ashlea Brown, Co Editor-In-Chief
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We are so honored to have the opportunity to serve as your Co-Editors-In-Chief for the 2015-2016 school year. We believe there is a story in each of us, and we are dedicated to telling as many of those stories as possible. We want to embrace all the unique voices of the women on this campus. Spelman is so vibrant and filled with passionate, innovative and inspirational women who continue to set the bar for excellence. As a freshman, Ashlea’s journey has just begun. She looks forward to growing with her class over the next four years. Courtnee, a graduating senior, encourages the class of 2016 to remember that this is our time. Together we hope to create a living platform to showcase the best of Spelman women. May we cherish every moment, make memories, and fearlessly report our stories.
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law enforcement official • Each individual should take whatever actions are necessary to protect his or her own life. Despite the ongoing violence, Chambliss remains optimistic. “There’s always hope. The focus in the future should be on community, and looking out for one another at all times. That’s when we’ll find our peace and serenity.” For more information on Spelman’s safety policies and protocol visit http://www. spelman.edu/student-life/public-safety
Photo courtesy of the Associated Press
College Shootings or Campus Safety
updated Emergency Response Procedures Manual can be found on Spelman’s website and addresses how students can protect themselves in case of an armed intruder. • Call Public Safety at (404) 525-6401, 0r extension 4911. • If it is possible to flee the area safely and avoid danger, do so • If flight is impossible, lock (or barricade) all doors and secure yourself in a safe area • Remain in place until an “all clear” is given by an authorized person or
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It is the mission of The BluePrint to serve as a profound forum that fortifies understanding, unity, and advocacy throughout the Spelman and greater AUC community. The BluePrint strives to produce innovative, fair, and creative journalism that helps its readers understand the nation and world through the lens of AfricanAmerican and Black women.
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CURRENT EVENTS Young Democrats Host Watch Party By: Tyler Stephens C’2019
and foreign policy were the main issues covered. Little time was given to women’s
Spelman Students SPEAK OUT!
Kicking it off with a Bang: Homecoming 2015
Kicking it off with a Bang: Homecoming 2015 Tyler Stephens
By: Savannah Charles C’2019, Ashlea Brown C’2019 and Courtnee Brinker C’2016
By: Tyler Stephens C’2019
or not Beyoncé is a feminist. Beyoncé’s feminism (or lack thereof) created the biggest division amongst attendees. No one could answer the question, “What is a feminist?” Because everyone was stumped, Beyoncé was deemed a feminist by her own definition. SPEAK OUT! allowed students to gain different perspectives on many of the current events going on around them. Photo credit: AUC Camfor (instagram auccam) Programming a Unique and
Photo courtesy of Savannah Charles
To conclude the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (FMLA) week, the organization hosted an event called SPEAK OUT! This function allowed students to vocalize political concerns affecting on and off campus life. The event was held Oct.16 in front of Cosby Academic Center on Spelman’s campus. There were no shy voices when it came time to express opinions or concerns. The discussion began with students speaking on popular issues like abortion, women’s rights and the black lives matter movement. This event occurred the day after the Democratic debate allowing students to air frustration with candidates who did not address important student concerns. There were mixed emotions towards the candidates running in the presidential election and their stances on women’s rights, an issue seldom mentioned during the debate. The conversation began to shift toward Spelman College traditions. For example, the heteronormativity of the brother/sister ceremony was of great debate amongst attendees. The argument raised the question of whether or not these traditions are still valid. The next topic was about whether
reproductive rights as well as the recent Planned Parenthood discussion.
The watch party encouraged some to take an interest in the political race. “I was originally going to watch the debate in the room, but it was better to hear other people’s opinions. It helps with the debate and who you’re going to vote for,” said Sophomore Candice Croft. There was no clear favorite among the Morehouse and Spelman spectators, who listened attentively and critiqued the candidates amongst themselves throughout the night. “Bernie’s views match a lot of my views, I feel if he’s in office he’ll get a lot done. I also like that he’s a socialist and brings a different perspective to the White House,” said freshman Asha Jones. Depending on your state and county, voting in the primaries may be an option for you. Visit fairvote.org to find a map of all the open, closed, and semiclosed primary states.
AUC Cam (instagram auccam)
The Young Democrats of America Spelman and Morehouse chapters hosted a Democratic 2016 Primary Debate watch party in Lower Manley on Oct. 13. Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton garnered the most attention, both of whom are the frontrunners of the Democratic Party. Martin O’Malley and Jim Webb, already lagging significantly in the polls, did little to sway the student body or the country. Webb has since withdrawn his bid for presidential candidacy for the Democratic Party. The biggest reaction from the crowd came from Drake student Sterling Arthur Wilkins, who asked, “Do black lives matter, or do all lives matter?” While questions of Baltimore’s police brutality and summer protests were addressed by Martin O’Malley, little time outside of Wilkins’ question was devoted to the recent issues in the black community. Gun control, income inequality,
Hall of Spelman, along with LLC and Graves of Morehouse put on an exciting Lively Spelman Experience (PULSE) and Programming for a Unique and Lively Spelman Experience (PULSE) and Campus Alliance show the for way the crowd. Campus Student Activities for StudentAlliance Activitiesfor (CASA) kicked off homecoming the AUC does best – with “It’s a lot of practice, a Off lot of hard kicked off 18 homecoming theMorehouse way a(CASA) party. On October students from and Spelman attended the Kick Jam on Spelman big blow up balls thetheAUC doesoval. bestDJ– Myles with aP food party.stands, On andwork and time. Butprovided it’s all worth it when entertainment night. The night ended a surprise fireworks show. youwith perform in front of the whole AUC October 18 throughout students the from Morehouse all yourI enjoyed friends the andmusic, peersdancing, cheering andwasSpelman attended Kick Offwith with “It a great way to start offthe homecoming my friends. you on,” said Ivy Watkins, member of Jam on the Spelman oval. DJ Myles and the fireworks were a very nice touch,” said freshman Natalie Hodges. LLC1 stroll team. P, food stands, and big blow up balls The party began with freshman halls strolling. Howard-Harreld Hall of provided entertainment throughout the LLC1 andThe 2015 homecoming theme Spelman, along with LLC and Graves of Morehouse put on an exciting show the was groovy seventies. forSparkhouse night. The night ended with a surprise crowd. fireworks show. (Spelman, Morehouse and Clark Atlanta) forwhen another successful “It ofwas a great to work startand offtime.came “It’s a lot practice, a lot way of hard But it’stogether all worth it you perform in front of the whole AUC all your friends andhomecoming. peers cheering you said Ivy homecoming with my with friends. I enjoyed Theon,” week was full of Watkins, member of LLC1 the music, dancing, andstroll theteam. fireworks entertainment ranging from surprise guests at the Hip Hop Show to a fun were a very nice touch,” said first year The 2015 homecoming theme was groovy seventies. Sparkhouse (Spelman, Morehouse afternoon tailgating.The week was full of Natalie and ClarkHodges. Atlanta) came together for another successful homecoming. The party began with freshman entertainment ranging from surprise guests at the Hip Hop Show to a fun afternoon tailgating. halls strolling. LLC1 and Howard-Harreld
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CURRENT EVENTS Not Just a Teacher: the English Department Explores Possibilities By: Courtnee Brinker C’2016 and Tyler Stephens C’2019
Monday, Oct. 5, the English Department along with the English Club hosted a career night for majors and nonmajors in Cosby’s lower level. The career night featured seven panelists from a range of professions. Attorneys Kimberly Haynes and Shermea Mitchell served as panelist in addition to the youngest judge in Atlanta’s circuit court, JaDawnya Butler. Also in attendance were teachers, professors, and business professionals.
When asked what inspired them each day, answers varied from motivation from those they work with to a sense of duty to their community. Each panelist expressed a love and passion for her job. During the discussion Knight said, “Your voice and narrative are important; you can serve as a voice for the voiceless.” The English Career Night has taken place for the last 15 years with the goal of helping students understand how an English major can assist in their postgraduate plans. “Our goal is making sure our students are prepared when they leave here,” said Tarshia Stanley, Chair of the English Department. After the panel, both majors and non-majors were able to network with panelists, attending professors, and other students. The department provided hors d’oeuvres for attendees.
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Freshman Skylar Mitchell was swayed to consider an English major after the panel. “As a first year I’m going through options for my major. Right now I’m an economics major, but I’m in an English class with a professor who I really enjoy and who encouraged me to come out tonight,” said Mitchell. Spelman student Achaia Moore attended the panel and now plans to join the English Club. The English Club has recently been revamped by co-presidents Tiffany Pennamon and Janelle McGregory, who have worked to create engaging events. “You really can do anything when you graduate with an English major, and that’s what we’ve been learning and trying to give back to the rest of the members,” said Janelle McGregory, CoPresident of the English Club. The English Club meets every other
...continued from page 1 reported that the Justice or Else rally was “far smaller,” because attendance was in the thousands. In the 1995 march, Minister Farrakhan encouraged the black community not to spend money on that day to show the United States the importance of black dollars to the national economy. In addition, he promoted hope, peace and change within the black community. During the 20th anniversary march, the Nation of Islam leader called for the end to police brutality and for justice after a series of deaths of black Americans being killed by police officers. Young attendees were sporting flags, holding signs, and wearing shirts that read ‘black lives matter’. They were praised by Farrakhan. He called them “the next leaders of the civil rights movement” and called on older leaders to support them. “We got some fine young men that we aren’t training. I’m 82 — I don’t know how long I got but I’m not worried cause I got a torch lit with the wisdom of good,” Farrakhan said. During the five-hour rally, speakers emphasized the need for a conscious effort and individual commitment to racial equality in order to achieve justice. Spelman sophomore Jillian Lea said, “The Million Man March was a true testament of resilience and peace. The atmosphere of the movement was one of strength,
7. Erica Knight 4. JaDawnya Butler 9. Melissa Landman
10. Alina Mitchell 6. Kimberly Haynes 11. Lisa Niles
Wednesday. The next meeting will be Oct. 28 in Cosby 330. The club also plans to host a book club panel in November. For more information on the happenings in the English department, ‘like’ the Spelman College English Department page on Facebook.
power, frustration, but also resolve. That resolve being: as African Americans we’re tired of iniquitous injustice and we’ve made our mind up that we will lay down no more.” Marleca E. Higgs, a junior English major said while she enjoyed the march, she felt that there was a bigger issue with Farrakhan’s speech, calling it “extremely vague... without changes in the system on which this country was built, nothing will change,” Higgs said. For some Spelmanites, participating in the event connected the past to the present. Freshman Maya Conyers grew up seeing a picture of the 1999 march on her dad’s wall and she hoped to one day follow in her father’s footsteps and attend the event. Of the march, Conyers said, “It was a great experience. I was excited because my father went to the first one. [This march] was fighting for the rights of women, Latinos, and black people. Conyers notes that, “Even though it’s the Million Man March, Spelman women have always been involved: beyond the Spelman education, students are involved socially too.” Upon conclusion of the rally, students made the 11-hour bus trip back to Atlanta to discuss ways to implement speech into action following their attendance at the historic event.
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CURRENT EVENTS Russian Dissident Ludmilla Alexeeva Awarded Human Rights Prize from Council of Europe attention and respect that made it hard to look away. The frail octogenarian who stood with her back straightened and her head held high was none other than veteran Russian human rights defender Ludmilla Alexeeva. She had stood up against human rights abuses against Stalin, the Soviet Communist Party and continues to stand for justice as a founding member of the Moscow Helsinki Group. As such, she was surely going to stand up as her name was called as a finalist for the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize. Because she was listening to a translation of events through a headset, Alexeeva was unaware for the first Photo courtesy of Dru Spiller
Sitting inconspicuously on the edge of the first row was a small, frail, woman with a pouf of white hair. One only started to take notice of her as she struggled
to raise herself from her seat, and then only after a select few had started the applause. Though she shook and had to be assisted, she commanded an air of
few moments that she had won the prize. But, once the realization hit her she clutched her chest in surprise and started to cry along with the majority of the room. The Václav Havel Prize has been awarded by the Council of Europe once a year since 2013 to outstanding individuals and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who conduct activities promoting human rights, democracy, and rule of law in difficult conditions and maintain a strong commitment to solidarity. In her speech, Alexeeva went through a brief history of the climate of civil society in Russia and the problems she and her fellow civil society advocates, are fighting against now. Alexeeva admits that advocating for equality and respect of human rights in modern day Russia is rough, but nowhere near as tough as it was during the Soviet era. Though the Russian government no longer throws advocates into psychiatric wards and Soviet Gulags (labor camps during Stalin’s leadership) they have
Photo courtesy of Dru Spiller
By: Dru Spiller C’2017
enacted laws to ensure that defenders of human rights are labeled as agents of foreign states, essentially Western spies, and create inane fines that most agencies cannot pay. Though the climate for civil society in Russia seems dim now Alexeeva ended her speech on a high note saying, “I don’t believe in the rapid improvement of the civil society climate in my country. But, Russia is European in religion, geography, and history. Therefore, we will necessarily become a democratic state with rule of law. I believe that with all of my heart.” Ludmilla Alexeeva has inspired activism for generations and continues to inspire and lead a nation of human rights advocates in Russia and beyond.
ARTS & Entertainment
Review: “August Wilson’s Seven Guitars”
Photo courtesy of Ashlea Brown
In American music, the blues captured the melancholy feelings of hope, sorrow and dreams deferred of African Americans during the early 20th century. In Seven Guitars, playwright August Wilson uses the blues as a metaphorical backdrop to explore the disparate lives
of seven characters living in a housing tenement in Pittsburgh. The play which opened on Spelman College’s campus on Oct. 1, after months of preparation tells the story of the seven characters and their hardships. Directed by Spelman College professor Keith Bolden, the play was also free and open to the public. Darrell Larome, a transfer sophomore at Morehouse College, played the lead role Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton. “This was my first play in over 9 years” said Larome. Larome also explained how the play is about Floyd Barton wanting to pursue his dreams, passion and career by any means necessary. He has a drive to reach his goals, but the decisions he makes effects the people around him. The play also highlights social injustice and exhibits how the world was during World War II.
Wilson uses many analogies throughout the play: The cast consisted of seven people, which represented the seven guitars or seven options in life Character Floyd Barton is faced with seven options for making a decision on what to do with musical dreams and moving to Chicago. The monologue he delivers during the play’s climax speaks about the seven different ways he can go. Ultimately, Barton chooses one path, which is the wrong decision and results in his death. Wilson ultimately teaches many lessons throughout the play. “August Wilson’s Seven Guitars,” showcased by Spelman College was very successful drawing large audiences each night. The biggest nights were opening night and Sunday night, which was the last showing of the play. Students do not have to be theatre majors to be in the plays the drama
Photo courtesy of Spelman College Department of Drama and Dance
By: Ashlea Brown C’2019
department presents. Just come ready to audition. Anyone interested in theater and drama is advised to check out Spelman College’s department of drama and dance productions under the direction of Professor Keith Bolden.
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HEALTH & Wellness Atlanta Cares: AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run 2015 AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run hosted and celebrated its 25th anniversary on Sunday, Oct.18 in Piedmont Park. Spelmanites participated in and helped raise money for the cause, which raises over $500,000 every year. This year’s walk generated over $614,000 and counting toward the 2015 goal of $1.25 million. The AIDS Walk is the largest AIDS related fundraising event in all of the Southeastern United States. Annually over 10,000 runners and walkers sign up individually or in groups wearing t-shirts and other paraphernalia in remembrance of loved ones who have died from the disease. If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS which is the final stage
of the HIV infection. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over 1.2 million people are living with the disease and one in eight are unaware of the infection. Furthermore, African Americans ranging from 13-24 years of age are the leading group of HIV/AIDS diagnosis. The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta reports that while African-Americans make up 29 percent of Georgia’s population, they represent 77 percent of new AIDS cases in Georgia. Georgia currently ranks as the 5th state with the highest rate of HIV/AIDS cases in all of the United States. Atlanta AIDS Walk provides information on treatment, medications, prevention education,
Photo courtesy of Shaquette Spencer
By: Shaquette Spencer C’2017
meals, mental health services, child care, substance abuse counseling, pastoral care, and clinical research to help thousands of individuals affected by, at risk or simply seeking information about HIV/AIDS in the metro Atlanta. All donations remain in the city of Atlanta to support the organizations that educate and treat Atlanta residents with HIV/AIDS. The three-mile event
kicked off at The Meadow of Piedmont Park and took a scenic route through the city before heading back into the park’s finish line. Throughout the event participants were cheered on from the sideline by volunteers and vendors who offered water and snacks to keep the attendants nourished while racing for a good cause.
Black Girls Can and Do Box: Spelman Professor Launches Boxing Community for Black Women and Girls
In April 2015, Makeba ReedJohnson founded Black Girls Box. ReedJohnson, a Spelman College professor, is a fitness coordinator/coach and mental health advocate. Coach Reed-Johnson’s purpose for launching Black Girls Box was to develop a community that exposes Black women and girls to boxing and educates them on mental and physical benefits.
After competing in the boxing amateur circuit in 2005, she met women who shared that boxing was a form of therapy. “There is a sisterhood among women boxers that is independent of race, sexuality, gender and socioeconomic status. The one thing that women boxers have in common is that we all realize the mind-body connect that boxing forces you to have,” said Reed-Johnson. When Reed-Johnson met with fellow female boxers, they agreed that depression and anxiety are conversations absent in the Black community, which helped her foster Black Girls Box to help those dealing with depression, anxiety and other mental health disparities. According to a 2004 study by NAMI Multicultural Action Center, in the last 15 years suicide rates in African-Americans increased 233 percent between age 10 to 14 compared to a 120 percent increase in Caucasians in
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that same age group. Unlike other types of exercises, you can never daydream or zone out while training. Boxing forces individuals to be present with their feelings and address those feelings, which can be difficult when battling depression or anxiety. When Reed-Johnson began teaching boxing classes, students often told her it helped them alleviate anxiety, stress and anger. “It became a safe channel for physical aggression,” Reed-Johnson said. “Through Black Girls Box students are allowed to address their fight against depression, negative body image, or poor self-esteem; or their fight for happiness, self-acceptance, or a sick relative.” Coach Reed-Johnson said, “Getting on a treadmill for an hour cannot compare to being able to wrap your hands, gloving up and training with other women. Boxing is a great tool for Black women because
getting into shape is residual. Women boxers train in sweats, hoodies, baggy clothes and long shorts, allowing women to focus on their training and to begin to break the preoccupation with self-criticism and constantly analyzing their bodies.” Reed-Johnson says often times students are reluctant, and recalls a student who voiced that she didn’t feel “tough enough.” Reed-Johnson convinced her to bring her “troubles” to the gym and then “work them out” on the pads or punching pads. Since then the student has been boxing for over a year. Black Girls Box meets Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Spelman’s Health and Wellness Center. Students can enroll in individual sessions. To learn more about Black Girls Box, visit blackgirlsbox.com and connect on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at BlackGirlsBox.