Melanated (Oct 2021)

Melanated

October Musings

Health is a holistic concept According to the World Health Organization, health is "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity "

As we tread on through the school year, we want to remind you to take some time out to address your health in the multitude of ways you see fit. So book that annual physical, sign up for a consultation from that therapist whose page you ’ ve been lurking on, enjoy a nature walk to clear your mind.

The body, mind, and spirit are interconnected and once we nurture our whole selves, then will we attain or

come closer to achieving a beautiful, harmonious balance.

We challenge you to take inventory of your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Create a health and wellness checklist Set calendar reminders for appointments. Go ahead and develop an actionable plan to address your needs so that you can feel like your best self, ready to tackle what needs to be done in your daily life.

We are always rooting for you to take care of yourself first Click here for some student health and well-being resources on campus

Recognizing and Honoring Indigenous Peoples

BY CHANTEL PLUMMER

October 11, 2021, marks Indigenous Peoples’ Day across some states within the U S The designation of this holiday, which is shared with Italian Heritage Day, came about as an effort to make Columbus Day obsolete But, how can the same day that commemorates Indigenous peoples around the world who continue to fight back against land seizures and violence inflicted upon them be shared with a day that represents colonization and exertion of power over their being?

While we have a day in October and the month of November that officially acknowledges Indigenous people, let us look beyond just those particular days

and practice centering Indigenous stories, including those of AfroIndigenous people

Some things that we can do to decolonize and honor Indigenous peoples include the following:-

Learn about the land on which you sit

Debunk stereotypical narratives spread through our educational system

Center Indigenous voices around environmental justice

Amplify the voices of Indigenous creatives

Support the return of land to Indigenous communities

PHOTO CREDIT: Confederation of Canadian Unions

Spotlight: Marley (They/Them)

BY KALEA RENEE WOODS

Marley is a non-binary first-year dual Master's student at Columbia They are earning their Master's in both Social Work and Public Health

Why Columbia?

Because I got accepted. Columbia is at the top in Social Work and at the top in Public Health. Being perceived as a Black woman in American society means I need the Ivyleague label to prove myself

When did you know you wanted to pursue your dual degree?

I knew I wanted to learn about behavioral health when I was 12 after meeting someone from Child Protective Services who I felt very connected to To combat the distrust in the community around social workers, I want to use my education to be as informed as possible in helping people work through chronic illness and mental health issues

How is your final year going so far?

This first year I am doing Social Work It's pretty rocky, but I like that there's camaraderie in the struggle I feel a little disconnected from my cohort since I live on the medical campus instead of in Harlem.

How are you Practicing Self-Care?

I'm not! I don't think I'm practicing it, I think I am learning it I used to think self care was spending lots of money on myself, which isn't true because you can't take care of yourself if you run out of money! Now it's looking more like focusing on moving my body when I'm stressed out about school For me that's volleyball, latin dance and pole dancing (when I can afford it)

Any advice for a Black incoming student?

You need to focus on what YOU want and what YOUR dreams are People want to see you climb to the top of society at a place like Columbia but you don't need to be the champion of the American dream for your family. Columbia will try to tell you you're lucky to be here, but actually they're lucky to have YOU here Don't forget your worth

FUN FACTS

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Hometown: Nowhere, I have a military mom

Currently Reading: The Bible

Dream Occupation: Trauma Music Therapist

Favorite Food: Cranberry Sauce

Next Vacation Spot: South Korea

Favorite Pasttimes: Playing guitar, writing music and watching YouTube on the toilet

Favorite Author: James Patterson

Favorite Artists: BTS, Michael Jackson

Favorite Movie: Anything Marvel (I know...)

Favorite quote: "Life sucks and then you die "

Spooky October Tradition: Watching scary movies with the lights on, calling my mother.

What's Happening in the Lab

BY CHANTEL PLUMMER

able to decompress and connect with other Black folk at CSSW, family reunion style. Learn about how you can continue to be in community within Black organizations at CSSW and explore leadership opportunities as well

Don't forget to come with your 'A' game for the activities we have in store for you So brush up on your Black trivia and practice that Milly Rock. It may come in handy!

Spread the word, fam We look forward to seeing you there!

Action Lab Initiative Updates

Umoja Circles is continuing its outreach efforts for the upcoming cohort As the team expands its reach within NYC, please feel free to spread the word about Umoja Circles to anyone interested in joining this free, online group processing/emotional support space for the Black and African community Direct potential participants to the Intake Form

Action Lab Highlight: Welcome Black!!

ABSW-CU + ABL + Black Caucus + ODEI have teamed together to curate a special night of fun and learning among Black students, faculty, and staff.

We are excited to share this virtual space with you and hope that you are

Melanated is looking for Black students who would like to be interviewed and/or contribute to the newsletter through our letter’ s series or sharing their artistry (poetry, singing, photos, short stories, etc) If you are interested in submitting your work, please fill out the submission form

Uplifting Black Artists at Columbia: Seyi Segun (She/Her)

Step One

By Seyi Segun | MSW 2022 | Columbia School of Social Work | Editor-at-Large, Melanated

Today, I made the brave decision to choose me

I had put work, prestige, optics before my very health

For what?

So that people wouldn’t look down on me?

So that people would expect greatness from me?

So that my family would look good?

So that they wouldn’t be plagued with feelings of guilt?

Because I was struggling

And pushing through wasn ’t going to do it

Today, I made the brave decision to choose me

My health is more important than letters by my name

Than optics

Than making everyone else feel good

Feel comfortable in their guilt

About what I have gone through in life

Truly, I don’t know what the year entails

There is so much change, so much uncertainty

What will I do?

Where will I go?

How will I support myself?

Am I going to get better?

What does a stress-free

Anxiety-free Oluseyi look like?

I certainly don’t have the answers

But, finally, it is about me and no one else

Finally, I matter to myself.

Oh how long it took to realize this

Artistic Highlight: DJ Duo Tarryn X Clair

What We're Currently Reading: The Bennet Women by

Eden Appiah-Kubi

The dynamic sister duo, Tarryn and Clair (AKA TxC), have stepped onto the Amapiano music scene and are quickly becoming one of the most well-known DJs in this genre. Amapiano (“the pianos” in Zulu language) is Afro House music that emerged in South Africa which incorporates elements of house rhythms, percussions, and high-pitched piano sounds. Tarryn and Clair have garnered thousands of fans on their social media platforms due to their engaging vibe as they incorporate dance into their sets The producer and DJ duo are proclaimed by many as the “ new Black Coffee” .

Check out their joint IG page @ txc (links to individual IG handles in bio)

For all you hopeless romantics out there, this is the book for you. The Bennet Women by Eden Appiah-Kubi is a down-to-earth, funny, and quirky work of art Eden marries a multitude of voices in an organic but not tokenistic fashion There is a character that each of us can relate to; and, it's all about the love life of our Black femme protagonist, who has a badass brood of womxn cheering her on. The three central characters show us the challenges of managing school trying to figure out who they are, all the while navigating the dating world We'll be honest and tell you that the plot is anchored in an undergraduate setting. But, hey; it's all about the imagination, baby and we can learn something from anyone.

PHOTO CREDIT: WWW GOODREADS COM

PHOTO CREDIT: TARRYN X CLAIR

Job Opportunities

Veterans Benefits Coordinator | NYC Department of Veterans’ Services (NYC Based)

(Posted 5+ days ago; Bachelor Degree + 2 years’ experience) Shoot your shot Candidate is responsible for outreach with the veteran and military communities of the city to increase access to care to an array of veteran resources, services and opportunities for veterans and their families This role requires the ability to assess the needs of veterans, communicate the concerns of the veterans’ community to department leadership, and conduct community outreach Click here for more details.

Admissions Manager | Columbia University (NYC Based)

(Applications opened 10/28/21. Bachelors Required and at least 2 years' experience in admissions) Shoot your shot Candidate will review applications for all degree programs and make initial recommendations for admissions to the committee. Responsibility includes presenting on campus information sessions and meeting with prospective students and applicants as needed, including conducting interviews and follow-up Conduct recruitment events off campus such as regional information sessions and community college transfer fairs, and evaluate and record transfer credits Candidate will also be the primary recruiter for events in East Asia, requiring travel abroad Click here for more details

Associate Educator, Interpretation, Research and Digital Learning | Museum of Modern Art (NYC Based)

(Posted 2+ days ago on LinkedIn; Bachelors Required, Masters Preferred with 5+ years' experience working in museums or the cultural sector) Shoot your shot. Candidate will develop inclusive and accessible content that supports audience learning and engagement with modern and contemporary art, both on site and online Collaborate with curators, artists, educators, the Creative Team, and external partners to ensure audiences are centered in content development Click here for more details.

Human Resources Director | Postgraduate Center for Mental Health (NYC Based)

(Posted 3+ days ago on Indeed. Bachelors Degree or higher Required in Human Resources or a related field and minimum of 7 years of experience) Shoot your shot. Candidate is responsible for overall administration of human resources functions that include talent acquisition, employee relations, policy development and implementation, benefits administration, compensation and performance management, employee engagement, legal compliance and recordkeeping, and payroll processes Responsibilities also include supervising and developing HR team and enforcing agency-wide policies for staff Click here for more details

Mental Check-in

BY SEYI SEGUN

Fatigue is an interesting phenomenon. Initially, we attribute it to something physical. "Well, have I not been sleeping enough? Yeah, that must be it " "Oh, yeah My nutrition has been poor That must be it " "And let's not forget that I need more exercise " All of those things can be very true Sleep is important What you eat is pure fuel; and, exercise is a critical aspect The thing we forget is that all of those things work in concert with one another Unfortunately, we do not notice these things until our tank is almost empty and no gas station is in sight

Even in a school that touts self-care and self-love, we disrespect our bodies just for survival in that current moment. We aren't taught better, and, sincerely speaking, self-care is a phrase that we tout but do not often propel people to do We are penalized for rest Due to this, we push ourselves to a physical breaking point that is simultaneously damaging our psyches We become architects of ableism as, because someone else can do it, we should be able to do that, too.

Here is my message to you: rest is not something that is earned. It is a necessary part of self-preservation (literally and metaphorically) Honor what you can do at a specific time Someone finished all of their finals two weeks in advance, and you are doing yours the night before, so be it If you preserving your well-being means pacing yourself, then so be it. Lastly, you are the number one priority. This is something that most of us struggle with. Again, we push ourselves to the breaking point because we are chasing a timebound dream, not realizing that there is so much life to live.

We care for you, fam, and we hope that care extends to your expressions of self-love through rest

A Letter to My Younger Self: Outlook on Life

BY CHANTEL PLUMMER

Thinking back to the younger me,

I can almost hear the many negative thoughts racing in my head as Fear and anxiety held me in a chokehold

I thought so long and hard about what

I wanted my life to look like in my 20s, in my 30s

I started to ask myself what would make me feel happy and fulfilled

Yet, the answers were not so obvious

My vision for myself was heavily shaped by others’ views, their assent, their disapproval

I wanted so desperately to please and make others proud

But, what I have learned is

My vision is mine and not for anyone else

That is why they cannot see the things I see

And, there is beauty in those varying perceptions and perspectives

Life’ s journey is not linear and not meant to be the same as others

Wouldn’t it be boring if it was?

So, I say to my younger self,

Continue to follow your own path and do what is right for you

When you start to feel yourself being pulled in a direction that does not sit well with you,

Just recenter, rediscover, and redefine

Oh, and try new things! Trust me

You will soon discover that checkboxes cannot determine the trajectory of your life

You will learn to value your experiences because they made you who you are

And, your vision will become more clear than it has ever been because of it

Production Team

OCTOBER 2021

Editorial & Design Team

Seyi Segun Editor-at-Large

Want to Contribute to Melanated?

Chantel

Plummer Senior Editor

Kalea

Woods Senior Editor

Contributors

Student Highlight

Marley

Association of Black Social Workers-CU

What's Happening in the Action Lab

Seyi Segun

Uplifting Black Artists at Columbia

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!