Melanated (Aug 2022)

Melanated THE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY ACTION FOR BLACK LIVES INITIATIVE NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2022

August Musings Hello there! We hope you’ve taken the

In the off chance you can’t identify the

summer to bask in the sun and

luxe in your life, you should know that

rejuvenate the way you truly deserve to.

you are also a luxury. Like fresh

Melanated has been thinking about

strawberries in winter are desirable and

what it means to live in luxe. If you

hard to find, you too can be a luxury. You

didn’t get the chance to enjoy the

have come this far and deserve to feel on

summer that you deserve, we hope you

top of the world.

take this moment to think about what luxury means to you.

Take every chance you get to enjoy the comforts around you. To be in great

Does luxury mean being able to go to a

comfort is to live in luxury, even if it’s

beautiful resort on an island? Or being

only for a moment, you deserve to

able to sleep in and then relax on your

experience luxe.

couch all day? Luxury can look different for every single person. From this

Please take more moments to feel the

perspective, thinking about the things

sun, the wind, and all the ways in which

we are grateful for, can help us see the

you live in luxury.

luxe in our life.

Sending you love and light ✨

Spotlight: Dr. Ovita Williams (She/Her)

BY QUENELL REDDEN (SHE/HER)

PHOTO CREDIT: Ovita Williams

Dr. Ovita Williams is the Executive

where students can expand their

Director of the Action Lab at Columbia

imagination radically about changing the

School of Social Work (CSSW). Dr. Williams

world they live in and have the resources to

is also Lecturer in Discipline at CSSW and

do that.

a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in intimate partner violence

Also, I would like the Action Lab to reach

and forensic social work.

beyond the University and extend to the greater Harlem community. I would also like

What is your vision for the Action Lab

to bring in more support and collaboration

this year?

with community members, faculty, staff, and

The Action Lab is entering its third year

students with a continued focus on social

and I want to be able to see that it

justice and anti-racist lenses. Furthermore, I

becomes a place where every student

would like for the Action Lab to build on the

regardless of background can build

core initiatives and work on creating new

community with each other. A place

ones.

As an educator, what do you find is most valuable in preparing upcoming Social Workers?

I believe it is how to be patient with yourself, goals, and passions. To be okay and accept that you are right where you need to be and as a student you have a lot to offer. This shouldn't be a top down system and you shouldn't be told what to do but instead, should be given ownership of your professional and personal awakenings.

Utilizing mentors is also an essential aspect.

You never know who you are going to meet and who is going to impact your life.

Students should use these years to network, be a part of change, and manage relationships.

What advice would you give to any of our Black Students who are grappling with how to prioritize their mental health and self care?

The desire to be seen and heard at an institution like this can contribute to and require a couple of things. Getting to know each other, and finding purpose and connection with others to build community are all a part of self care. Being able to connect with like minded folks, setting boundaries, and giving yourself a

How do you and your loved ones experience luxury together?

Appreciative being fortunate to afford the things that I can in life. The place I live in, my car, being able to go on the road to travel, those are all luxuries to me. Recently, going to Italy with my daughter felt luxurious and a source of independence. I also experience it by being able to enjoy the things that I enjoy like lovely meals and hiking. It is also important for me to save ahead for retirement so that I can continue to enjoy my Black Luxe lifestyle as I grow older.

Any tips for Black folks wanting to incorporate luxury into their lifestyle?

I am an avid tea drinker, and love delicious tea infused with chocolate. The smell alone is elegant and pleasant. I also enjoy candles with a glass of wine.

One sense of luxury we tend to overlook could be making a phone call to someone you haven't spoken to in a while. Being luxurious can be telling someone you are thinking about them, reading a good book, or making a delicious meal. Really, it is incorporating and relishing in your own peace.

break are a few of those required things.

There is so much pressure we place on ourselves and it is important to give yourself grace, make yourself a good meal, and then focus on getting back at it.

FUN FACTS Hometown: Brooklyn, NY Zodiac: Pisces Power Word: Independent

What does Black Luxe mean to you?

Next Vacation Spot: Greece or West Africa

The term Black Luxe is one that I have

Book Recommendation: Caste: The Origins

heard a lot of but not really explored. To

of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson

me, it means dressing up and I really love

Currently watching: Stranger Things, Ms.

jewelry. My Mom dresses up in jewelry,

Marvel

sparkles, and just oozes luxury. I also

Favorite quote/adage: "You cannot find

admire people who do not care what the

peace until you find all the pieces”

hell people say and feel beautiful inside and out.

What's Happening in the Lab

Action Lab Highlight: Ebony Tower

BY CHANTEL PLUMMER (SHE/HER)

What is the Action Lab? The Action Lab is a student-led center that stands for social justice and equity through community building, advocacy, and activism. Founding members, Dr. Desmond Patton, Dr. Susan Witte; and student leaders Natosha Dobbins and Caitlin Yee co-created a resource hub in response to the dual pandemic of COVID19 and the ongoing police brutality against Black and Brown bodies, highlighted by the murder of George Floyd. This initiative sparked crucial conversations around the pervasiveness of

Ebony Tower is a student-led initiative

racism and anti-Blackness that have

that explores the roles and

resulted in calls to action to foster change.

responsibilities of academia to social

The Action Lab continues to raise

justice and equity. Through this racial

awareness and address issues that impact

justice podcast, Columbia faculty, staff,

our community through the following

students, and community leaders engage

initiatives:

in a series of conversations about race

Action Lab Initiatives: Action for Black Lives | Disability Justice | Ebony Tower Podcast | Environmental Justice | Oral History | Reimagining Safety and Care | Reproductive Justice | Research and Writing | Social Media | The Lavender Collective | Umoja Circles Onboarding: The Action Lab has opportunities for students for field placement, volunteer, and work study positions. To learn more about the Action Lab and ways to support some of our initiatives, please email us at actionlab@columbia.edu.

Check out our website and follow on IG @csswaction for more updates!

and racism in academia and ways to combat these constructs while continuing to pave the way for racial equity and justice to be fully realized.

Listen to the most recent Ebony Tower discussion titled, "Disciplining Disciplines: Knowledge and Power Production in the Academy" here. This episode features Dr. Gary Okihiro, who is currently a visiting professor of American Studies at Yale University and Professor Emeritus of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University.

If you would like to learn more about Ebony Tower, please email Alyssa St. Franc at ans2223@columbia.edu.

Uplifting Student Artists at Columbia: Ana C. Martinez (She/Her/Ella) Changes

By Ana C. Martinez | MSW 2023 | Advanced Clinical

Let us walk together, to places where you are felt and are seen Places where you can be you, where you can feel free Places where you can re-write your history and honor that of your ancestors Let us walk, you lead, I will follow. I will hold your hand as you hold mine.

You’ll encourage me to look through your eyes, eyes which are beautiful but tarnished by sorrow.

I’ll encourage you to dig in the trenches, to find your hope, your light, a glimpse of a good tomorrow.

I will listen more, talk less. I will not presume to know your story, only what you tell me.

I will be your ally, your voice when you’re feeling voiceless. I’ll be the canvas, you the artist!

We’ll paint your blues and yellows and all your colors in between And when the world seems cold and has turned its back on you, I can raise awareness, demand, and negotiate changes, changes which you want to see.

Let us walk together, to places where you want to be!

Artistic Highlight: Kerby Jean-Raymond

What We're Currently Reading: Freedom Is A Constant Struggle by Quenell Redden

PHOTO CREDIT: FASHIONNETWORK.COM

Kerby Jean-Raymond is a fashion designer from Flatbush whose collections integrate "storytelling, activism, debate, theatre and social commentary". This designer aims to provoke dialogue and challenge mainstream narratives about Black Americans by integrating provocative symbols of the past, present and future of our collective truths.

Famous founder of the Pyer Moss label, Jean-Raymond put on a series of runway shows titled "American, Also". In his most recent line, titled "Sister", he spotlights Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Black woman who founded Rock 'N' Roll. In other shows he focuses on topics such as black family life and black cowboys. The artist stages his shows at historic sites that are meaningful to Black communities, like the Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn.

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON.COM

“Anyway I don't think we can rely on governments, regardless of who is in power, to do the work that only mass movements can do.”- Angela Davis Angela Davis' Freedom is a Constant Struggle encapsulates pivotal movements domestic and internationally that contribute to the fight towards freedom. Drawing on movements like Ferguson, Palestine, Black Panthers, and abolition Davis is able to present an understanding of essential components that are critical in the continuous struggle for freedom. This novel goes through a development of constructing the intersectionality of these movements and individual identities.

There is a lot of unpacking in this novel, but it certainly is one that you will not regret!

Job Opportunities Training Director | Fountain House

Social Worker | Innocence Project

(NYC Based)

(NYC Based)

(Master's Degree and 2-4+ years'

MSW or related degree and experience.

experience creating curriculum and

LMSW/LCSW preferred, but not

teaching at the undergraduate,

required. At least 5 years of systems

graduate, post graduate level, or an

full time experience working with

equivalent, required) Shoot your shot.

public benefits/entitlement programs.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the development and

The Innocence Project (IP) is hiring a

dissemination of training curricula for

Social Worker to provide holistic, trauma-

Fountain House, a national mental health

informed social work services to formerly

nonprofit. The candidate will work in

incarcerated clients who have been

tandem with other stakeholders from

exonerated or otherwise freed by IP

Fountain House to develop a strategic

attorneys. Such services help clients and

vision for the Training Team. The Training

their systems of support, navigate the

Director is also responsible for supervising

challenges of reentry. This will often

the other roles in the Training Team to

include: support with housing security,

ensure high quality training is maintained

navigating public benefits, and accessing

and community partnerships are

mental health services, etc. Apply here!

strengthened. Apply here!

"Aging in America", Inter-professional

Clinical Coordinator | Acacia Network

Student Fellowship on Aging |

(NYC Based)

Manhattan ($5,000 stipend) (LMSW/LCSW Required) Assist the Apply for this interprofessional

Program Director in management of the

opportunity that seeks to connect

day-to-day operation of the housing

providers of care for older adults by

program. Oversee the development and

teaming students from Columbia's social

implementation of service plans and the

work, dental medicine, nursing, and

clinical coordination of service. Facilitate

public health schools for the purpose of

interdisciplinary team meetings, provide

identifying, studying, and proposing plans

individual supervision, and participate in

to address biopsychosocial factors that unite and challenge them in providing care to underserved older people living in Northern Manhattan. Apply here!

case conferences. Ensure compliance with government contracts and regulations.

Apply here!

Reflections on Black Luxe I used to make excuses as to why I shouldn't splurge on myself, yet I wouldn't hesitate to do it for others. I learned that doing nice things for myself should not be just a reward after stressful times, but the way I "treat" myself should be the standard.

Wear that fancy outfit that you've been saving. And, wear it again and again because it's yours and makes you look and feel amazing!

We deserve to live comfortably and lavishly. I need to get out of survival mode and do something simply because it feels good.

I am my first priority and my most precious possession, and should treat myself as such.

Luxury does not have to be extravagant. It is whatever puts me at ease.

I do not have to feel guilty or bad about enjoying comforts in life.

I can also encourage and make way for others to experience luxury in the ways that feel right for them.

A Letter to My Younger Self: Dear Me, You Should Go

BY MISHAEL SIMS (SHE/HER)

Remember that time you almost went on a road trip But the road wasn’t calling you to drive Or that time when you wanted to go to the beach But the waves didn’t pull you in to dive Didn’t you want to see that show But weren’t inspired to see it live Remember when you planned an amazing trip But it was only in your mind The drive will be worth it The sun will make you glow The show will be amazing Dear me, you should go

Once you’re out and moving it’s easier to see That whatever you are doing makes you feel complete Like walking in the park or eating in the dark Lying in the grass, not letting life pass You can remember each moment as a luxury I want you to take this advice from me No fancy cars, or massive homes But peace and serenity when you’re out alone Go out and see the world, one step at a time But the first step is to step outside You should go to the movies You should go to the mall You should catch that cheap flight You shouldn’t worry at all Because when you look back, you’ll think to yourself “I should’ve gone” So, to past me, present me, and every future version of me, GO

Does Fancy Make Us Free?

BY KALEA WOODS Artist: Christina Animashaun

Ruth Wilson Gilmore, Black prison abolitionist and scholar, reminds us in Kenton Card's film, Geographies of Racial Capitalism, that modern capitalism necessitates a racial caste system, and that we cannot undo one without undoing the other. This truth exists parallel to the grave reality that comfort and happiness are entwined with capitalism. Our current system offers few paths to comfort aside from building wealth so that we have to play the game for some relief. Black people deserve to be comfortable and carefree. We deserve to go on vacation and to spend quality time with our families, to look our best and access the highest quality healthcare. This lifestyle is only accessible to us if we ourselves become capitalists, which empowers the system to further disenfranchise those in our communities without capital.

With the same zeal by which we take care of ourselves, we must nurture our hometowns and our people. “Lifting as we climb", as they say. We must also sustain a grudge against capitalism even when it benefits us because its functioning always was, and continues to be, contingent upon racialized violence. Sometimes we may have to sacrifice personal luxury for justice. We at Melanated believe in a multidimensional truth, and we encourage you to remain vigilant in your commitment to liberation. But also, book the flight; buy the bag. Luxe looks good on you (: Source: https://antipodeonline.org/geographies-of-racial-capitalism/

Production Team AUGUST 2022

Editorial & Design Team

Want to Contribute to Melanated?

Chantel Plummer (She/Her) Chief Editor

We're accepting short stories, poetry, art, photography, Op-Eds, and letters! All items should be

Kalea Woods (They/Them) Senior Editor Mishael Sims (She/Her) Senior Editor Quenell Redden (She/Her) Senior Editor

under 400 words. Written pieces should be submitted as a Word document; photos in JPEG or PNG format; and video and audio as Mp4s and Mp3s respectively.

We remain available to answer any questions you might have.

Please submit your artistry here!

Contributors Faculty Highlight Dr. Ovita Williams (She/Her) Action Lab for Social Justice What's Happening in the Action Lab Uplifting Student Artists at Columbia Ana C. Martinez (She/Her/Ella)