February Musings
Black Love is the undeniable and insurmountable love that lives within our bodies and souls Black Love runs deep as it pulses through our veins, remembering our ancestral past Black Love is self-love, familial love, romantic love, platonic love. It permeates in a world that often views us as “less than” when we know that is far from the truth In spite of our treatment, we continue to spread Black Love and Black joy There is no doubt that Black Love is unique in its existence. Because of our experiences, we are constantly coping and adapting; yet, Black Love unites us through the understanding and acknowledgement of our struggles
and binds us together in an empowering way. Today, most of us are able to exercise our right to love whom we wish and we determine how we express that love without constraints We can celebrate our love and be our full selves while being immersed in a connection that honors and respects our being. The true test of Black Love allows you to be unabashedly yourself and confident in celebrating your blackness in all its pride and glory. Black Love accepts you in your entirety Now, allow yourself to be free to strive for, embrace, and promote Black Love
Melanated
T H E C O L U M B I A U N I V E R S I T Y A C T I O N F O R B L A C K L I V E S I N I T I A T I V E N E W S L E T T E R F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2
Sending you love and light ✨
Spotlight: Tiffani Hutton (She/Her)
BY MISHAEL SIMS (SHE/HER)
Tiffani Hutton,
from Dallas, Texas. An entrepreneur, mother to Calliope, age 3, and a people advocate, Tiffani came into the MSW program as an advanced standing student pursuing the Social Enterprise Administration (SEA) track While at Columbia, Tiffani was one of the founding members of the Association of Black Social WorkersColumbia University chapter and served as its first treasurer She was also instrumental in the PROP suffusion work that started last year under the direction of Dr. Susan Witte, and Tiffani is the founder of www.luhuvirtual.com! Melanated is excited to catch up with Tiffani, and hear her thoughts on romance
What do you think are the most obvious indicators that someone is in love? 1. Effortless communication (it should come easy) 2 Trust, (it's impossible to have a relationship without trust) 3 Friendship (your spouse isn't just your partner, but also your friend)
What are some indicators that someone is no longer in love? The opposite of the others: a lack of trust, lack of communication, and general apathy. Communication and trust can be worked on, but feeling apathetic can't be changed
What are your love languages? Acts of service is one of my love languages, like do you love me enough to do these things. I like to show love by gift-giving.
PHOTO CREDIT: TIFFANI HUTTON
MSW 21' hails
How has your knowledge of love languages been used in your relationship? I discussed it with my husband; we're opposites. His love languages are quality time and physical touch so I have to be intentional about how I'm showing him love I think it is important that whatever your love language is, you should be doing it consistently, and I personally think weekly is consistent Not just waiting for specific occasions or once in a while.
How would you describe love, in its simplest terms? Love takes effort It's a verb so you have to actively work for it; you must try for it every day
How would you describe Black love? I think of the show Grownish where one of the characters is dating someone White and someone asks why it's a big deal I think Black love is stronger than regular love The link from shared experiences and connection amplifies the beauty and power of love in a pure and organic way There is an understanding without any level of defensiveness about your experience.
What part of your relationship makes you feel most comfortable? Having a partner who is Black allows me to share certain experiences without having to explain them first. I would describe it as a comfortable safe space to be in
So, I had to shape Black love for myself because I was told "we don't see color" growing up, and I don't agree with that. My dad remarried, and my brothers are dating, but it's a painful experience to see my dad and brothers, Black men who shaped me and who I consider to be strong examples of Black men in my life, choose life partners that are not Black women
What makes love work for you? I don't think love can work for me without me actually doing the work Love is something my husband and I actively work towards It's like going to work and expecting to get paid. I put all the work in and should be getting something in return.
FUN FACTS
Favorite Seasoning: Anything spicy, so chili powder or red pepper flakes
Favorite Food: Tacos
Night Owl or Early Bird: Forced early bird, but a night owl at heart
Favorite Season: Winter; I work faster
Celebrity Crush: Idris Elba
Worst Date: The guy kept falling asleep during the date. He didn't just nod off once, but five or more times.
How has your idea of Black love impacted how you love? My parents had a horrible marriage and got divorced and we were all thankful for it
Best Date: My husband picked out my outfit and made reservations for our anniversary. He picked a great restaurant and it turned out to be the perfect day. It was unexpected and thoughtful.
What's Happening in the Lab
BY SEYI SEGUN (SHE/HER)
their studies We hope y'all will come through and grow your professional arsenal Click here to join the event
February 2022 Lab Debrief
It has been a month! The lab was privileged to hold many convening spaces this past month. We hosted an incredible Gender Affirming Clothing Swap (shoutout to Kalea Renee Woods) that drew CSSW students and brought out their best fashions. Thanks to everyone who participated!
Action Lab Open House
If you've been itching to join the Action Lab, your chance has come! On March 10th, 2022, the lab is hosting an open house event This is a great opportunity to hear about the lab's structure, its history, and learn about how you can get involved The event starts at 5 PM ET and will take place over Zoom We hope to see y'all there!
Interactive Resume Workshop with ABL
Your ABL fam is back at it again On Friday, March 4, at 12:30 PM ET, the ABL team will be hosting a career day with CSSW's Career Center. For all you graduating folx, we hope to see you there Graduation is around the corner, so we want to make sure y'all are equipped to succeed. This also goes for those who are starting the program or are already into
On February 25, 2022, ABL hosted "A Legacy of Control" celebrating the genius and icon that is Janet Jackson. To be in a space where people spoke so freely about sensuality was refreshing and liberating. It also drew current students and alumni who flooded the space with wisdom, rawness, and many laughs. All hail, Ms. Jackson! And, many thanks to ABL's leadership (Naomi Wright, Deidra Brooks, and Chantel Plummer) for an amazing event!
The Environmental Justice Initiative put on a fantastic panel discussion on the intersection of climate change, racial justice, and environmental justice The event drew a multitude of perspectives and voices, and Sofia Schachner and Rita Gonzalez brought the fire in their moderating!
And, we started the month with fun and games with ABSW-CU's trivia The trivia featured questions from the African diaspora and drew staff and universitywide students. You know who is for real about trivia when they play it in the middle of the day!
Uplifting Black Artists: Lucille Clifton
won't you celebrate with me
Lucille Clifton | African-American poet | 1936-2010
won ’t you celebrate with me what i have shaped into a kind of life? i had no model. born in babylon both nonwhite and woman what did i see to be except myself? i made it up here on this bridge between starshine and clay, my one hand holding tight my other hand; come celebrate with me that everyday something has tried to kill me and has failed.
Artistic Highlight: Nicole Mitchell
What We're Currently Reading: Kindred by Octavia Butler
Renowned flutist, composer, and poet, Nicole Mitchell, celebrates contemporary African-American culture through improvisation and a vast aesthetic range She seeks to "[create] visionary worlds through music that bridge the familiar with the unknown, " composing for ensembles of varied instrumentation and size. She also experiments with multidisciplinary creations and incorporates original video art into her compositions Mitchell's more recent work explores intercultural collaboration and draws from the genius of other acclaimed Black creatives
Mitchell issued her debut album with Black Earth Ensemble in 2001 Black Earth was featured this month in Carnegie Hall's Afrofuturism series, where they performed Xenogenesis Suite, a composition inspired by Octavia Butler's literary works Learn more about Carnegie Hall's Afrofuturist series here.
Kindred offers a unique perspective about slavery through the eyes of Dana, a modernday Black woman, who is pulled back and forth via time travel between antebellum Maryland and California in the 1970s. Each time a dizzy spell forces Dana into the past, she faces a new hurdle in trying to save Rufus and learns something new about her ancestors’ stories This novel will take you through a series of emotions as it explores themes such as familial ties, intergenerational trauma, interracial relationships, power, and privilege
We encourage you to explore this classic to gain a new appreciation for the genius who is Octavia Butler Also, keep a lookout for a Kindred series on FX slated to premiere this year
PHOTO CREDIT: LITERARY - ARTS ORG
PHOTO CREDIT: LE GUESS WHO ? | SOURCE: HTTPS : / / WWW NICOLEMITCHELL COM / ABOUT
Job Opportunities
Facilitator, Restorative Practices | Center for Court Innovation (NYC Based)
(No degree requirement mentioned; Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19). Shoot your shot The Bronx Community Justice Center is seeking a Facilitator, Restorative Practices to provide youth programming, conflict mediation services and restorative justice programming in school settings.Restorative Practices will provide school-based group programming, individual mentorship, and restorative justice interventions at middle and high schools in the Bronx The ideal candidate should have an understanding of trauma and trauma reactions in individuals Apply here!
Inside Sales Account Executive | Indeed (NYC Based)
(No degree requirement mentioned; Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19) Shoot your shot The selected candidate will create relationships with and advocate job search technology to leading companies across multiple regions In this role, the candidate will promote the power of the company ’ s products to make organizations more productive and mobile Apply here!
Outreach Specialist | Montefiore Medical Center (NYC Based)
(Bachelor's preferred; At least 1 year of experience in healthcare and/or care coordination and care management) Shoot your shot In this role, the selected candidate will convey the purpose and services of the Bronx Community Health Network (BCHN) with the goal of improving patient care and community health outcomes Responsibilities include conducting public education and outreach activities to raise awareness about health issues and facilitate access to BCHN health centers for primary care Apply here!
Licensed Clinical Social Work Fellowship Program | Boston Behavioral Medicine (Boston Based)
(MSW required; unpaid 12-month L.C.S.W training program; Apply by 3/7. Shoot your shot Boston Behavioral Medicine offers a behavioral medicine and integrative psychotherapy training program for post-licensure clinical social workers (“L C S W ”) in Massachusetts or equivalent in other states) that meets the requirements for independent licensure (“L.I.C.S.W.”). The training program emphasizes learning specialized behavioral medicine techniques while developing solid integrative psychotherapy skills Clinical supervision available Apply here!
Reflections on Love
Love does not require going through pain and suffering first.
Self-love is never selfish.
Love lives beyond life itself.
It enriches and it enhances
It is transformative.
Love is not easy, but that doesn't mean it should be harmful
Love is not abusive. Hear this again: love is not abusive.
Love does not come with strings attached.
The love you seek is within you. Until you understand it, you will chase shadows and give nothingness
Love and peace are kin folk.
A Letter to My Younger Self: You're Safe Now
BY MISHAEL SIMS (SHE/HER)
You Matter.
BY SEYI SEGUN (SHE/HER)
If I asked you: do you love yourself, would you be able to say yes immediately? I imagine some of us just paused, which is why I am writing this piece. Black people are consistently bombarded with images and comments alluding to their otherness: not being able to find your shade of makeup (pre-Fenty beauty), Black women being told that they are "statistically" the least desirable race of women to date, to having to hunt down salons that can do natural hair as our hair texture is a specialty. Such messages are pervasive, And they are harmful. That is why we have focused this Melanated edition on the concept of love.
Blackness on Black people is degraded Yet others perform it and profit from it immensely ! We have been taught to spend our lives trying to prove that we have value Be this through our jobs, degrees, where we schooled, where we live, to the partner we marry
There is nothing wrong with wanting to be fulfilled professionally, or desiring beautiful things Unfortunately, Black people are unlearning the insidious lesson of achieving worth instead of realizing that it is our birthright. This also adds to the tension that we experience as members of the African diaspora When you see yourself as immensely worthy and understand your power, it will be (and is) easier to see it in others and to amplify that power
Self-love is a process, fam. You don't simply achieve it by saying Black excellence. You must indelibly stamp a picture of worthiness in your mind. You must also be in spaces that allow you to bloom, so let your Melanated fam be a conception point: you matter, you are worthy, and you are loved.
Production Team
FEBRUARY 2022
Editorial & Design Team
Seyi Segun (She/Her)
Editor-at-Large
Chantel Plummer (She/Her)
Senior Editor
Kalea Woods (They/Them)
Senior Editor
Mishael Sims (She/Her)
Senior Editor
Want to Contribute to Melanated?
We're accepting short stories, poetry, art, photography, Op-Eds, and letters! All items should be 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
Alumni Highlight
Tiffani Hutton (She/Her)
Action Lab for Social Justice
What's Happening in the Action Lab
Uplifting Black Artists
Lucille Clifton
