Melanated (Feb 2023)

Melanated THE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY ACTION FOR BLACK LIVES INITIATIVE NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2023

February Musings The 2023 theme for Black History

our love and support to one

Month is Black Resistance. Our

another within our communities.

resistance is expressed and is

Compliment that stranger, lend a

encompassed in a plethora of ways,

helping hand to your colleague,

the act of Black Love being one of

patronize Black-owned businesses,

them. Black Love in all of its forms,

and share resources that center

including self-love, familial love,

Black wellness. In a world that does

platonic love, and romantic love, is

not always love us, let us continue

nothing new and is a strong and pure

to show up for one another. Let us

act of resistance. Black Love is

breathe light and positivity into one

healing and leads to our collective

another. Let us embrace love and

liberation. As we uplift the idea of

spread it, too. Let us just love and

Black Love, let us remember to show

be loved.

Sending you love and light

Spotlight: CSSW Student (He/Him)

BY MISHAEL SIMS (SHE/HER)

Our interviewee was a bit camera shy, but still eager to share his insightful take on love, particularly Black Love How would you describe love in simplest terms?

Love is affection towards another, dedication to your partner’s happiness and well-being. Love is an intense desire to share and connect with that person.

Not so simple but neither is love!

I think the 5 love languages are a great way to explain how you want to give and receive love. And having this to talk about with your partner makes things

How would you describe Black love?

easier because we all have our own needs

Is there something different about it?

and desires. Once you know each others'

Black love is important and more

love language, you can connect in a more

common than we think. It is important to

meaningful way. Once you know their

recognize because it is not often

love language, show them! Surprise them

represented. It is strategically left out of

with an experience that is centered

most love stories or is shown as

around their love language.

unwanted. But we know it exists and is beautiful. It is worthy of protection. It is

What makes love work for you?

I think a balance of compromise is

worthy of being celebrated. It is worthy

needed and I like remembering the

of being uplifted in popular culture all

reasons why I fell in love in the first place,

the time and every time.

that really helps to make love work for

How has representation of Black love

me. When remembering some of the

influenced the way you love?

reasons my partner and I fell in love, like

I have had a mix of experiences with

having a sense of adventure and

Black Love, just like I have had mixed experiences with love in general. But so many Black couples have been positive and very core relationships in my life.

Some of my closest friends are strong Black couples. They have shown to be

playfulness, I try tapping into that playfulness. Going on new adventures What are your thoughts on the 5 love helps to keep the connection going.

Love languages (physical touch, words of works for me and my partner because affirmation, acts service, receiving while enjoying theof most delicious slice of gifts, and time)? pizza, I givequality my partner the last bite.

the ones that have received a lot of support growing up, whether that support was familial, financial, or through their community. Being Black in America comes with it’s own challenges that we must overcome every day. That kind of stress can impact a relationship and our ability to be present with one another and be able to focus on our partner’s needs.

FUN FACTS Hometown: New York, NY Zodiac: Taurus Favorite Food: Shrimp Currently Watching: Outlander New Year's Resolution: More self-care

Highlighting Black Owned Business: Chocolát Restaurant & Bar

BY MISHAEL SIMS (SHE/HER) AND QUENELL REDDEN (SHE/HER) History: Chocolát Restaurant & Bar, sitting on the corner of Frederick Douglass Boulevard and 120th Street set the tone for the now well-established neighborhood after opening its doors in 2010. Restaurant Owner, Leon Ellis, tells us how he had a vision of where this restaurant should go and even though he did not know what the neighborhood would look like 13 years in the future, it all came together.

What's on the Menu?

When asked, "What is ONE thing you would recommend for anyone to try when they come to Chocolát Restaurant & Bar?", Leon replied, "EVERYTHING".

Leon has had the same menu since opening day, it's tried and true and when he tried to change it, guests weren't happy about it. This is the kind of restaurant you walk into and already know what you want, because it hits the spot every time.

Leon shared that a crowd favorite is the fried chicken, which is made on the spot when ordered, so it's fresh and is considered the best fried chicken in New York City (by Leon himself). If you come on a busy night you will see fried chicken on every table. Chicken and waffles is a staple on the menu, something Leon expressed just had to be on there.

Featuring: Leon Ellis, Owner

2223 Frederick Douglas Blvd @120th St, Harlem, NY 10026

What's Happening in the Lab

BY CHANTEL PLUMMER (SHE/HER)

Action Lab Work Study Opportunity The lab is currently seeking two student research assistants (RA) to support with a research project focusing on cross-racial solidarity (CRS) building. If interested, click the "Apply Now" button below and enter 12366 in the Keyword(s) field.

Action Lab Debrief

Action Lab is excited to hold our second annual Action Lab Retreat on Friday, March 3rd from 6 pm to 9 pm EST and Saturday, March 4th from 10 am to 2 pm EST. We are going hybrid this time around and have an itinerary packed with meaningful and fun grounding activities and topics. We will host a few panels including opportunities to hear from and engage in conversations with our faculty and student founders and leaders, Executive Director, and alumni members. If you have not already, please follow this RSVP link to let us know that you will be joining in on the celebration as we come together to reflect and create a collective vision for the future of the Action Lab.

On February 1, 2023, members of the Research and Writing and Action for Black Lives initiatives co-facilitated the Prospective Alumni Survey Report Forum, Several students and faculty members, including CSSW Deans discussed the report findings, provided feedback, and talked about specific ways to better track and improve the experiences of minoritized and underrepresented students at CSSW. Lab members are looking forward to continued data collection about student experiences and open dialogues with CSSW faculty and staff with the goal of addressing the reported concerns.

But what Afrofuturism does, specifically, is dial into the idea of Blackness and race as a type of technology and uses that particular

Snippet of Artistic Work: John Jennings for The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Afrofuturism Exhibit

lens to move into the future or reimagine the past. My colleague, Lisa Yaszek, says that Afrofuturism is a reclamation of the history of the future. In the future that we’ve often seen, we don’t see people of color well represented. So, there is work to be done in fixing that particular past in order to move into a more positive future. That is the aspect of science fiction that gets me really excited.

- John Jennings

To access John Jennings' graphic novella Protocol and Response, from which the above image was sourced, alongside the Met's Art Bulletin for the Before Yesterday We Could Fly: An Afrofuturist Period Room, proceed here.

The rest of John Jennings' interview, from which the excerpt on the left was taken, can be found here.

Artistic Highlight: Afro Future Fest

What We're Currently Reading: Viral Justice by Ruha Benjamin

PHOTO CREDIT: TRAVELNOIRE.COM

The annual event popularly known as "Afrochella" has rebranded to "Afro Future Fest" for this year's festivities. Since its inception in 2017, Afrochella has been a unique opportunity for fest-goers to celebrate African music, art, fashion and culture. The festival's rebranding to "AfroFuture Fest" marks a new beginning for this beloved event, with an increasing focus on music and creating an interactive space for fest-goers.

This year's event will take place in Accra, Ghana. This December, guests of AfroFuture Fest will enjoy ten days of city tours, historical site visits, luxury resorts, live music and art installations. If you have an extra 4200 dollars laying around, this would be the absolute best way to spend it! Follow AfroFuture's Instagram for more updates.

PHOTO CREDIT: PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS

Viral Justice written by Ruha Benjamin discusses the duality of the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-Black police brutality. In this book, Benjamin draws us in to consider the everyday stressors and consequences of systemic racism that negatively impact Black people in America, leading to increased health risks. At the same time, Benjamin provokes compelling thoughts on reimagining a more just and equitable world that is transformed through small and collective action. Benjamin uses personal experiences and connects the voices of several community organizers to outline the negative ramifications of structural racism and concrete examples of potential solutions. This book serves as a call to dream and take action. Dive into a realm of possibility with Ruha Benjamin and formulate your own ideas of a just and equitable world.

This inspiring book of hope, change, restoration, and justice is one that you will not regret

HTTPS://TRAVELNOIRE.COM/AFROCHELLA-IS-NOT-ENDINGINSTEAD-REBRANDING-TO-AFRO-FUTURE-FEST?ITEM=1

reading.

Note to Self To Self: In order for me to think about the future of Black lives, I have to will myself to have hope that it will get better. At times I feel like we have come so far and at others, I feel like we have gotten nowhere. Thinking of the grand scheme of things gets overwhelming and that is why I have to remind myself to focus on myself and what I can control. It's easier said than done and I find myself in this constant battle between the past and the future. It is at these times that I am reminded of the word Sankofa - a symbol, an idea, a story.

So note to self, it is okay to look to the past and use it as a road map for the future. But looking to the past is not just about ideas or points in time. It's also about the people, both distant and proximal who are at risk of being erased, forgotten, unheard. It is also about the people, both distant and proximal whom I can turn to for joy, celebration, empowerment. These past couple of years have shown me that despite where we are, we have so much more to lose if we choose not to rock the boat. Every choice I make, every lesson I learn, and every move I make is not only for myself, it's for my people, to be a part of a collective. It can’t all be for nothing!

So another note to self, remember the words of Assata Shakur: "It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains."

With Love,

Quenell

Quenell Redden

What Do You Envision for Black Futures?

We asked and you answered...

Disrupting the structures that are designed to keep us suppressed and oppressed. (i.e., police) Dismantling of the PIC complex and the police structures we have in place. Also, more racial equality, more conversations about race, and how we can better uplift each other. Last, seeing more Black people succeed and creating generational wealth. - Maryah Thompson Access to all necessary resources - Anonymous Black children growing up in a world where they see themselves represented in ways that empower, uplift, and shows the strength, intelligence, and power Black people can hold. - M.S. Generational wealth, safe environment (climate and housing), cheaper education. - Blaize Healing from generational and systemic traumas SB

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Dreaming of Tomorrow

BY MISHAEL SIMS (SHE/HER)

There’s something about this time of year when the sun is starting to shine longer but the dread of winter lingers on. Did you wake up exhausted? We get it, we have to give ourselves some more time to let the sunshine in. After months of darkness, sometimes it’s hard to see that things are looking up, but I promise you the sun will rise and the light will break through. Sometimes it’s hard to see the light or know what you want the future to hold because we only live in the present. We want you to use this present moment to dream about what you want for the future. The great thing about dreaming, is that there are no limits to it. So, let’s dream.

Have you ever had a bad dream where you lost something and when you wake up you hold it tightly and cherish it more? This same thing applies to our futures. When asked, “What do you envision for the future?”, we try to conceptualize a world we haven’t seen yet. We like to dream about the future. Using what we know from the past, how we felt about things can help us dream big. When thinking of the future, or even tomorrow, think about what you’d want to change about today. What would make it better? Then even on a good day, what would make it best? We can achieve change by first hoping and believing something better is possible, dreaming up what is to come and then making those dreams a reality with the choices we make every day.

Don’t think about changing the whole world today, just think about those around you, what amazing qualities do they already possess? What can you do to strengthen those qualities?

When you dream big are you thinking of castles or mansions or are you dreaming of healing and unity and ways in which we can thrive in our community?

Melanated wants you to remember that you already possess the skills you need to live a better tomorrow, you just have to notice the powers within yourself to continue to grow and reach for what you want.

Production Team FEBRUARY 2023

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!

Jeffery Keys (He/Him) Senior Editor

Contributors Student Highlight CSSW Student (Anonymous) Action Lab for Social Justice What's Happening in the Action Lab Snippet of Artistic Work John Jennings