PROPER by The Maroon Tiger

NOVEMBER 2015

proper FALL LIFESTYLE ISSUE

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Editor-in-Chief Jayson Overby, Jr. Managing Editor Jerrel Floyd Deputy Managing Editor Annick Laurent Business Manager Amber Johnson Executive Producer Jason Perry Creative Direction Dominick Jackson Concept Drivers Annisah Medinah Reginald Green Jalen Law Matthew Garret Writing Contributors DeJah Ault Kendall Evans Jalen Law Matthew Garret Stylists Alex Woods Darrell Williams Photographers

Jayson Overby, Jr. Ahmad Barber Layout & Design Jayson Overby, Jr.

Copy Edit Irayah Cooper

The Maroon Tiger Student Media Group The Organ of Student Expression Since 1925

STEREOTYPE VS. DISTRACTION By Jalen Law

A number of young black men and women in America are judged and discriminated against for what seems to be their appearance. This discrimination is often geared toward people who fall within a specific stereotype. Also within this discrimination includes racial profiling, opportunities being limited and the idea of someone being perceived less favorably. As a counter measure to this stereotype, many young black millennials have called for a retelling of the black male image, or the “New Stereotype” in order to redefine the mainstream black male image. This “New Stereotype” seeks to gravitate away from urban street culture, i.e. sweats, hoodies and Jordan’s, to a more “refined” or “respectable” look that is geared towards traditional European silhouettes, synonymous with the tailored suit look. While this change in dress appears to be something that can help the black male image and put an end to discrimination, it is a problematic one-dimensional approach that does not even begin to help solve the problem that lies beneath the threads we wear. The Oxford dictionary defines the word stereotype as, “A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.” Even if the suit and tie became synonymous with the black male image, it would still be an oversimplified representation of a very diverse group of people similar to the image of the stereotypical urban look. This “New Stereotype” and its implications are eerily reminiscent of the Bill Cosby and Don Lemon’s plea to young black men that to pull up their pants and straighten their neck ties in order to earn the respect of others. The “New Stereotype” trivially focuses on the Black male aesthetic rather than the character and becomes another distraction. Much of the discrimination that the Black community faces is not

based on what they wear, it is rather a hatred centered on the black body itself. As hard as it is to admit, the clothing worn throughout the black community does not shield them from any kind of discrimination or even from being killed. “If you look nice, then you are taken seriously,” Morehouse College senior Seifuddin Saafir said. “But isn’t that a problem in it self?” While turning away from the trope of the stereotypical black man look of jeans, hoodies and Jordan’s toward oxfords, chalk stripe trousers and brown leather double strap shoes, there is a risk of giving in to respectability politics and adding further division among black men. Being well dressed should not be a prerequisite for being well respected or deemed a contributor to society. A good way to break the already established stereotype is to show through actions and deeds, the strength, diversity, tenacity and creativity that black men inherently possess. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying do not wear a suit and tie. However, we must acknowledge that suit does not automatically propel us beyond the next man who is wearing sweats. “Suits aren’t bullet proof, and you shouldn’t have to dress a certain way for people to respect you,” Morehouse senior Parker Williams said. Rather than trying to create ANOTHER stereotype and distraction, the focus should be on educating the world about the genius and creativity that lies within the black man whether he is wearing a tattoo and a hoodie or a suit and tie; we should focus our efforts on redirecting the outside gaze away from our clothes toward our minds and hearts. Black Men and Women should not have to dress formal, well or dapper as a survival tactic or be taken seriously.

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Listening and Expanding Your Music Pallete A Curated Music Selection From Our Music Editor. By Kendall Evans The other night I was scrolling through my friend’s MacBook and I opened his iTunes. His musical selection consisted solely of Boosie and Meek Mill, and it was then that I decided I needed to help him broaden his tastes. I curated a selection of music for him, as well as for everyone, to enjoy. Some of the songs are old, some new and some songs you may have heard of. Hopefully you enjoy.

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1. Travis Scott - “Impossible” 2. RNDYSVGE - “freak no mas” 3. CHINAH - “away from me” 4. Empress Of - “To Get By” 5. Diddy - “MMM (Feat. Future and King Los) 6. WINTERTIMEZI - “You Can Go” 7. Amir Obè - “Say No More” 8. A.CHAL - “ROUND WHIPPIN” 9. FridayNite - “Easy (Feat. WINTERTIME ZI)” 10. Amir Obè - “I’m Good (Feat. PARTYNEXTDOOR)” 11. Jeremih - “Chillin’” 12. CHINAH - “We Go Back” 13. Bryson Tiller - “Exchange” 14. Alina Baraz & Galimatias - “Fantasy” 15. Asaad - “Rule #1” 16. Tory Lanez - “In For It” 17. The Firm - “Firm Biz (Feat. Dawn Robinson)” 18. Grizzly Bear - “Will Calls” 19. Janine and the Mixtape - “Hold Me” 20. James Fauntleroy - “Mid-Air”

Yours Truly One woman’s letter to her brothers about loving themselves, understanding their ability, being an advocate for Black women, and her love for black men. The relationship you melanin kissed, Black and brown brothers have with the world easily ought to be one of appreciation. However, reality is a testament that what ought to be often is not. In our country we find your bodies in a hospice of tension and turmoil as if your blackness is a terminal illness. There is a system in place where mangling and imprisoning Black bodies is normative fair game. There is a constant torment to your existence from socio-political structures, which devalue your bodies as if Black and brown boys don’t bleed the same as other people do. Black men you have been conditioned to believe that you are a problem before you are a person. Don’t believe it! This past October, miles of men and women memorialized the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March in A “Justice or Else” campaign. Tears were brought to my eyes by the extremity of the palate and power of Black people’s excellence. The conversation for a plan of action amongst men was so important, and the presence of woman standing in solidarity was imperative. Black women and men ought to move as one body. Farrakhan eloquently outlined the importance of the Black female and male relationship; stating that the woman is both man and God’s second self and that men find their dominion in the womb of women. To me there is no robbery in that. I understood the message that our revolution and resilience lies in self-love, and lies in self-affirmation. In loving and affirming myself as a Black woman, I therefore affirm and love you.. Black man. When I say I love you it’s important that we establish what that means. In ”All About Love,” Bell Hooks asserts that, “Love is willingness to extend oneself to nurture the spiritual growth of the Black man”. As a representative of women I challenge us to extend ourselves as vessels for the holistic spiritual growth of another. However, when writing this letter I questioned whether or not our men as a collective would affirm and support black women with the same urgency and expectation that is required of us women. Love requires accountability, responsibility and reciprocity. In this moment of Black on Black love, I challenge you all black men to show the same type of love you need to your most important advocates, Black women. There is no one who knows the difficulties of your path and appreciates your strides more than we do. At this time when your oppression is the focal point, affirm us in the fact that we are struggling

By Dejah Ault

with intersectional oppression. Your support, listening ear and divorcement of your patriarchal privilege is essential in order for us as a people to become a powerhouse. This is not the time for oppression Olympics, jumping through hoops trying to figure out who has it worst. We have to eliminate that unhealthy competition between black men and women, and understand we are not opposite sexes but rather complimentary. Femininity and masculinity are more so principles rather than gender assignments. The Feminine principle is that of receiving and the masculine principle is one of giving. Women receive and produce something greater because they offer parts of themselves in the production process. These principles are interchangeable and aren’t indefinitely assigned masculine to man, feminine to woman. It should not be that one principle is more important than the other. The masculine and feminine are simply two halves of a whole and find optimal success in reciprocal collaborations. Understanding that reciprocity plays an important role in complimenting, we should love and help each other in this oppressive time in space. Love is where liberation lies. We appreciate, acknowledge and respect your presence. I love each one of you. I love you for your bravery and courage to pursue happiness and sustainability in the face of bold opposition. I love you for your ability to learn, and your tenacity in being here. I love you for your variations of brown, because when looking at your beauty I can also see my own. I love you for your strength and will power. I love you for your hunger and your finesse to continue to be fed mentally, spiritually and emotionally. I love you when you don’t feel as strong. I love you on your best and worst

days because I know you all, as a collective, are destined for greatness. I pray for your holistic growth. I pray for your wellbeing. I pray for your safety. I affirm your worth. I affirm that you are wanted. I affirm that your efforts to propel yourself and inevitability our people is appreciated. I appreciate you. I love you in all your existence. Your existence matters. Your life matters. You have always mattered.

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ESSENTIALS

PHOTOGRAPHY: Jayson Overby, Jr. MODEL: Armani Owens

ESSENTIALs

ESSENTIALS

PROPER By Kendall Evans

BEST FOR MEN There are watches that’ll break the rules, break your bank, and even make you feel good; however, finding that watch isn’t easy. Finding the perfect watch, and by perfect we mean one that suits you, your budget, and your needs, is an ardent, excruciating task. If you’re true to yourself, and your wrist, you’ll impress yourself by buying a watch that exhibits the best you. A watch should make you feel good, confident, and above all, as if you’ve invested in a fine piece of jewelry. With technology playing an ever-increasing role in our society, the significance of the watch has decreased drastically. While the newly released Apple Watch is a great piece, don’t loose sight of fine jewelry you can have for years to come that require only new batteries – not updates. Here’s a list of affordable – and not so affordable – watches you can choose from: 1. Rolex Submariner ($7,000), 2. Victorinox Maverick ($495) 3. Citizen ($175) 4. Bulova ($84) 5. Shinola Brakeman ($825)

“I have less patience with someone who doesn’t wear a watch than with anyone else, for this type is not time-conscious. In all our deeds, the proper value and respect for time determines success or failure.” – Malcolm x

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MODERN MAN

PHOTOGRAPHY: Ahmad Barber MODEL: Jason Perry

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FASHION SPREAD BY AHMAD BARBER

PHOTOGRAPHY: Ahmad Barber MODEL: Jason Perry

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Photography AHMAD BARBER MODELS: Jason Perry, Monte Prillaman, Marlo Bolles, Justin Carter, Dimone Long, II

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Unapoligetically, You.

You have permission. Take your pick. Stay in the bed. Don’t even bother removing the covers shielding you from the relentless world. Allow your thoughts and glory to be blanketed. Don’t even look. Don’t make any observations, they just might inspire you. Don’t listen to any audio books; don’t even peek at the books collecting debris, ash, and cup prints. Allow your urges, and spontaneous thoughts to control your fingers. Finally, you’ve conformed. Then again, you could be wearing a suit and tie, filing papers for a major corporation, or packaging someone else’s dietary supplements. You would rather sit, sit and politic about how the world would be. Why are there so many options? How could someone come to this conclusion without first-hand knowledge? Does she think I’m cool? Reflection. You’re genuinely obsessed with the past–present. Can you believe this just happened? How can you progress with purposefully and effectively without a purpose or steadfast position? What about the nearest future? Have you conformed? Are you directly influenced by values, status quo, definitions and categories? Or, have you beaten the systemic and institutional delegates that still find a way to discredit and disenfranchise you? What, exactly, are you out to “beat?” Is it a past action, or a failed relationship, money, or ego that you must redeem? Is it a stereotype that you must counter? Should your time and energy be utilized in that direction and purpose? Do you care about the cause you so amicably vouch for? Why do your activities deserve your time and energy? Does your bed not deserve you? Only the spirit can answer your deepest and most superficial questions. Only the objects that you invest time in will grow. The relationships that you cultivate will mature. The situations and actions that you breed will bear outcrop, whether good or bad. Your time, alone, is matchless because of who you are, who you know, and what your capable of accomplishing. Your energy, complementing time is a threshold or possibilities, only, vacant to the deliberate and diligent aggressive student of life. Your bed cannot begin to fathom the amount of energy place on it’s quilts. There is a metaphorical suicide that takes place between 10:00pm to 1:00pm, in terms of energy, specifically for the millennial generation. Inventions, innovations, and ventures are lost and dismissed like wet dreams, but are as pure and organic as your declared major. The herringbone stitch on your tweed blazer symbolizes every woven element adding depth to your life and spirit. As organic as the personal style that you stick to. You try not to stray from your “color palette,” but you’re interested in upping the stakes and venturing out. You soon realize you, aren’t who you thought you were this entire time. Even! Right; Now! You’ve shifted. This many times your mind constructed every allusion, syllable, allegory and literary principle to critique this reading. Be mindful. There is no legacy of your own, yet; but you’re still creating that. Breathe! Who else is better to control the future? We have generations to feed!

PHOTOGRAPHY: Ahmad Barber MODEL: Dimone Lomg

By Matthew Garrett

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GROOMING “ I’m not sure standing in line and not receiving the sneakers made me upset, but rather sending my friend a text saying I hadn’t received the sneakers is what was the fucked up part. All of this to say, I received another text twenty minutes later worded,” If you don’t mind run up to Xhibition on your way home today and put a ticket for a size 8.”

By Jayson Overby, Jr. Photography by Jayson Overby, Jr. In a neighborhood overpopulated with barbershops – more than eight within a one-mile radius – there’s only one that has been recognized as a leader in grooming. Housed in the Atlanta University Circle community, Statz Barbershop caters to not only students of Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University, but also to the neighboring communities of Atlanta. While the task of choosing a new barber is overwhelming, the online grooming source Bevel has made the search for the perfect barber and barbershop easier. Along with nine other Atlanta barbershops, Statz was selected as one of the best barbershops in the city. With the list spanning across eight U.S. major cities and 57 barbershops, being chosen to represent the barber culture in Atlanta wasn’t just a chance of luck Untraditional in both their style and philosophy, the environment of Statz isn’t one of the traditional barbershops in your local neighborhood. On the wall, there are portraits of influential leaders of the black community – Barack Obama, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King.

It’s Deeper Than a Haircut Inside the Bevel approved barbershop, Statz, with one barber who treats barbering as more than a hustle. We spoke with Cortez “Flash” Tarver about his experience as a barber and makeshift counselor to the guys who sit in his chair.

Left, Cortez “Tez” Tarver cutting hair, right, Tarver snapping shots of a finished cut. Bottom, Gerald Jones, a long time customer seated after recieving a haircut from Tarver.

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For Cortez “Tez” Tarver, being recognized by Bevel for his craft means a lot in a game where many of the barbers aren’t respecting their craft. Undeniably, these new schools of barbers aren’t approaching the game as artists, but rather just hustlers. “If all I can give you is a haircut, I’m the wrong barber,” Tarver said, on his relationship with his clients. “I want to give you something more than a haircut.” Attending an institution such as Morehouse, which emphasizes the intellectual and character development of its students, learning isn’t restricted to academics and being present in the classroom. Both the barbers and barbershop assumes the responsibility of teaching culture, history and assisting in the mission of Morehouse to prepare men who are ready to change the world. Although students primarily relocated to Atlanta for academics, Tarver notes that he’s the other part of the student’s college experience – more than a barber. Considering the influx of barbers in the West End neighborhood and nationally, many have lost the true art in being barbers. Choosing a barber is more than select and pick, it’s a full experience. There’s a lot in allowing and entrusting someone to handle a sharp object to your head, you have to trust them. The initial exchange of service between barber and client is a transaction, nothing more and nothing less. It takes both time and good customer service to build a respectable rapport with a barber. The way that clients choose their barbers – barbers choose their clients. Both parties are investing in their experience, both in time and financially. There are some barbers who even fulfill the role as make shift counselors, advising students when their wrong or right. Seeing that Tarver is also a parent, his view on the barber-client relationship is more than just a friendship. Particularly for the clients who are young enough to be

Statz Barbershop

830 West View Dr., Atlanta, GA 30314

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his children, Tarver notes that he has to be able to tell them when they’re wrong or right, rather than not saying anything at all. Offering a birds eye view, one filled with experience and knowledge of how things operate, Tarver knows a few things about life that his younger clients don’t. Being on the sacred grounds of Morehouse and the lineage of such a respectable institution, one can’t help but to continue contributing to the legacy and heritage. Apart of the everyday rotation of a student, Tarver holds firm that he loves motivating and grooming students. After becoming a barber eight years ago, there was no turning back and dropping the clippers. With the suggestion from friends, Tarver joined the barber business with the mindset of a hustler strictly focused on the financial gain, but since then it has changed. “I came in thinking it was a hustle, but this is a business,” he said. “A business I love.” The Other Experience For one student, Tarver has been apart of his experience upon arrival to Morehouse in the fall of 2012 during new student orientation. There’s a kind of consistence with going to your barber, developing that relationship and making the experience and haircut better. “He takes his craft as an art, and he’s serious about what he does,” Morehouse College senior Gerald Jones said. “A lot of guys don’t treat barbering that seriously.” Jones has been coming to Statz since his arrival at Morehouse; however, one student’s search of finding a good barber was different. 2014 Morehouse graduate Niles Parham has been coming to Tarver for five years. In those five years, Parham developed an organic relationship with Tarver and appreciates how he is serious about setting a time and sticking to it. “I like to think I’m busy and I take my time seriously,” Parham said. “A lot of barbers like to play the shuffle game, I respect barbers who respect my time.”

A one of a kind guide to the best barbershops in eight metropolitan cities, Bevel curated a list of barbershops across the country fit to be included as leading craftsmen in the barbering arena.

“If all I can give you is a haircut, I’m the wrong barber. I want to give you something more than a haircut.”

57 Spanning over eight cities, there were 57 barbershops chosen as leading innovators and influencers. The cities include New York, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Chicago, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Dallas, and Atlanta.

Above, client Niles Parham at barbershop recieving a haircut by Tarver in Stazts barbershop.

Along with nine other barbershops in Atlanta chosen to be Bevel approved includes The Executive Grooming Suite, The S.W.A.G. Shop, Allure Hair Studio Of Buckhead, and more.

Monday: 10:00 am - 11:00 pm Wednesday: 10:00 am - 11:00 pm Friday: 10:00 am - 11:00 pm Sunday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm Tuesday: 10:00 am - 11:00 pm Thursday: 10:00 am - 11:00 pm Saturwday: 10:00 am - 11:00 pm

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Left, a customer looks in the mirror midway through his haircut. Right, the back of the head of the same customer. Don’t lose your pretense masculinity pondering too much about, or trying to stray away from your grooming and appearance, it’s your crowning glory—guard it. If you ever know anything to be true, understand that the hair adorned on your hair tells more about you than think. Whether it’s a skin fade, Afro, taper fade, locks or cornrows, understand the importance of grooming. In all honesty, barbers are our guardians—hair guardians.

Their chairs resemble the throne of a king in which we take our place to rule the kingdom and guide those with hair woes. Therefore, you’ll resemble a knight rather than a king if you’re aimlessly letting any barber cut your crown. If you’re looking for the royal treatment in Atlanta, look no further than Statz’s Barbershop in Atlanta, GA, a barbershop of cultural and historical importance.

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THE report Photography by JAYSON OVERBY, JR. Model ANNISAH MEDINAH

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CELEBRATING 90 YEARS

THE ORGAN OF STUDENT EXPRESSION S INCE 1925