Melanated (Oct 2022)

Melanated

October Musings

It’s the time of year where things seem to be piling up and the rhythm we thought we were in no longer seems to work for us. Have you found yourself constantly readjusting recently? Team Melanated wants you to think about how you have been coping whilst under stress As things change this season, we want you to recognize what’s been holding you back What cycles or patterns are in play right now that are keeping you from your potential?

Sometimes when we are stressed, we turn back to our old ways, What does that look like for you? How can you face your inner demons? This month we invite you

to reflect on how you ’ ve been coping with stress, Are you avoiding it? We’ve all been there, with a long list of to-dos and yet no motion towards one thing. What’s the one thing that will push you forward? We hope you take this time to not look at the mountain of things ahead, but instead pick one thing to focus on at a time.

Get started on that task and perhaps reward yourself with your favorite TV show, make a home cooked meal, then complete that project you ’ ve been avoiding Once you reflect and face your stressors head-on, things hopefully won’t seem so stressful after all

Spotlight: Alexis Davis (She/Her/Ella)

BY MISHAEL SIMS (SHE/HER)

Alexis Davis is a Two-Year Residential student at Columbia School of Social Work, currently specializing in Advanced Generalist Practice & Programming

How has your first two months at CSSW been?

Overall, it has been a very eye-opening experience I have been doing a lot of academic growth and also a lot of personal growth I’m finding that my own personal growth has been really important for me right now Something that is sticking with me the most is feeling like I can’t really help clients unless I have done my own work, and it has become very apparent to me that there are some things that I have to work through I have been learning a lot more about race and the

different social systems we ’ re all in and how that impacts us, and I'm able to have more thoughtful commentary on that. A big take away that I would like to help future clients with is liberation, freedom, and rest. What does that look like for me and what it looks like for me to authentically show up for myself? I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood so I did a lot of assimilating to be as White as possible I’m Black so there’s no way I can actually do that. Now I’m learning to shut off the perfectionism and ways of being that I thought would give me the kudos and acceptance Now I focus on, "What does it mean to just be me?” and let that be. That has been occurring for me most in this semester. The only bad thing is we had a racist student in one of my classes and that was interesting in terms of what the school stands for and knowing that those kinds of students still exist in these spaces Overall, it’s been a nice start to opening the gates to my personal journey, who I am and how I show up as a social worker

What are some challenges that have been most prevalent for you?

The ways in which I was socialized as a kid has recently come up for me since we never got into race and the deep feelings of it. Something that has been challenging for me is trying to dismantle my politeness and the way I approach race I noticed in my classes I want to tiptoe and not make the White students feel uncomfortable with what I say

PHOTO CREDIT: Alexis Davis

It’s hard when you ’ re raised a certain way, especially knowing the reason I behave that way is so I can continue to be accepted I am so afraid that if I let that go and say what I want to say, then I’m going to dismantle all of that work I did during childhood to be accepted. I’m finding it challenging to allow myself to fully grapple with these very complicated and difficult thoughts and give myself space for me having these feelings and letting go of the ways in which I was socialized Another challenge is balancing it all -- internship, school, classes, actual work, readings, having a job, and trying to make time for friends has been a lot

Have you learned something new about yourself since you started at CSSW as far as stressors?

Something that has been helpful is checking in with myself and having conversations with myself saying, “Stop, what is it that’s making you feel anxious?” When I realize what it is, I work through the thoughts I always come back to reminding myself that I always show up for myself and I always get it done I take lots of deep breaths and that’s what helps me calm down even in these moments when there is so much going on. I’m not going to stress over it because I know I’m going to do it, so why think “I’m going to fail” when I know I’m not going to let myself fail

What is your favorite way to cope during stressful times?

I like to stop and name the things that are stressful. But I’m a napper, so if I’m not ready to face the stress I will take a nap. I also like to eat sweets.

What motivates you to change?

If something needs to change, I remind myself that I’m allowed to take small steps. So, I break things down, and tell myself I need to do better I own up to it and also tell myself I don’t need to do everything because that’s only going to make it too much to do and I’m not going to do it I rely on small changes to do the things that I can do, and it builds up over time and makes me feel like I can check something off the list

How do you overcome your fears?

I replay in my head something a friend or a family member may have said to me, remembering what people think of me in terms of the positive things. They always say, “Alexis is going to do something really powerful”, and this reminds me that people see my ability to do something powerful and they believe in me So, I remember “believe in yourself, keep moving forward”. People see you have some innate ability to do something really transformative and don’t forget that about yourself, see that in yourself Talking to friends and getting the validation I need in real time if I can’t think up anything has also been helpful

FUN FACTS

Hometown: Southern California; Laverne & Rancho Cucamonga

Zodiac: Aquarius Sun, Aries Moon, Capricorn Rising

Hobby: Long walks, spending time in nature, meditation, and dancing

Currently watching: POSE, The Kardashians, The Great British Bake Off

What's Happening in the Lab

BY CHANTEL PLUMMER (SHE/HER)

Umoja Circles, an emotional processing space for members of the African diaspora, is currently accepting participants for their Nov. 10th to Dec. 12th cohort Please help spread the word and share the Intake Form with folks who may be interested in joining and can benefit from this much needed healing space

Welcome New Student Advisors!!

We are happy to announce that two of our talented colleagues have filled this position! Please join us in congratulating Action Lab members Neil Purohit and Khalid Tellis on their new roles as Student Advisors within the Lab We are excited about the passion and skills they will bring in this role and we look forward to continuing to learn and grow together Please feel free to drop Neil and Khalid a line as we give them a heartfelt welcome.

Action Lab Initiative Updates

The Lavender Collective introduces Bitchy Banter, a virtual vent space for Action Lab's LGBTQ+ community The first session was held on October 20, 2022 via Zoom To help choose the next discussion topic and to participate in the next session, please contact Alyssa St Franc at ans2223@columbia.edu.

This month, the Environmental Justice Initiative rolled out an exciting and informative newsletter edition titled, "Reclaiming Earth" This issue highlights various areas including, the disproportionate effects of plastic pollution, information about local environmental justice organizations, and some ways to get involved in activism and advocacy that centers marginalized groups To stay up to date, contact EJI at swejiactionlab@columbia.edu.

October 2022 Lab Debrief

On October 26, 2022, the Reproductive Justice Initiative team served up scrumptious treats for sale in CSSW's lobby to raise funds to support the Black Women's Blueprint organization Follow RJI to learn more about the initiative and to stay in the loop; IG: reprojustice cssw.

Pathways to the PhD Panel Discussion

On October 20, 2022, PhD candidates Ashley Cole, Jr., Kevonyah Edwards, Oscar Gilberto Jimenez-Solomon, Yi Sun and Dr. Heidi L. Allen, hosted a discussion on demystifying the PhD process. The panelists offered their perspectives on navigating the PhD journey, highlighting their experience as BIPOC and first generation students and faculty.

Excerpt: "dear white america"

by Danez Smith

you took one look at the river, plump with the body of boy after girl after sweet boi & ask why does it always have to be about race? because you made it that way! because you put an asterisk on my sister’s gorgeous face! call her pretty (for a black girl)! because black girls go missing without so much as a whisper of where?! because there are no amber alerts for amber-skinned girls! because Jordan boomed. because Emmett whistled. because Huey P spoke because Martin preached. because black boys can always be too loud to live. because it’s taken my papa’s & my grandma’s time, my father’s time, my mother’s time, my aunt’s time, my uncle’s time, my brother’s & my sister’s time how much time do you want for your progress? i’ve left Earth to find a place where my kin can be safe, where black people ain’t but people the same color as the good, wet earth, until that means something, until then i bid you well, i bid you war, i bid you our lives to gamble with no more i’ve left Earth & i am touching everything you beg your telescopes to show you i’m giving the stars their right names. & this life, this new story & history you cannot steal or sell or cast overboard or hang or beat or drown or own or redline or shackle or silence or cheat or choke or cover up or jail or shoot or jail or shoot or jail or shoot or ruin this, if only this one, is ours.

Snippet ofArtistic Work: Danez Smith

Photo Credit: David Hong

Artistic Highlight: Juliana Huxtable

What We're Currently Reading: Fledgling by Octavia Butler

Juliana Huxtable is an American visual artist, writer, performer and DJ. She studied art, gender studies and human rights at Bard College in New York. Huxtable's multimedia practice explores topics such as the internet, the body, history and text through a process that she refers to as "conditioning". Huxtable uses self-portraiture, text-based prints, performance, social media and electronic music to explore these topics Common motifs in her work include humancreature hybrids, saturated colors, Tumblrstyle aesthetics, visual references to the trans-Atlantic slave trade and her own nude body

Huxtable's talent as a DJ lands her gigs all around the world. Her sound is intense, expertly layered and simply spellbinding

SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW ARTSY NET/ARTIST/JULIANAHUXTABLE

Beloved sci-fi and horror author Octavia Butler published Fledgling as her final work before she died in 2006 Protagonist Shori is a 53-year old Black vampire with amnesia She wakes up in a dark cave with no memories and inside of a child's body. She makes her way through Washington State and then California, all the while reconstructing what happened in her past She belongs to the Ina species, who exist in a symbiotic relationship with humans The venom of the Ina extends the human life span, but if either species withdraws from the other they will die Shori must reckon with her body and with her power in her yearning for love and connection In a more existential sense, Butler examines racial anxiety, codependency, intimacy and power.

PHOTO CREDIT: ABEBOOKS COM

PHOTO CREDIT: METAL MAGAZINE

Job Opportunities

Senior Program Manager of Reentry Initiatives | NYC Mayor's Office (NYC Based)

(Bachelor's Degree required, Master's preferred with 4 years' full-time professional experience in criminal justice, social services, or related field; 3 years with city government or 2 with MOCJ) Shoot your shot Develop, implement, and oversee reentry programs aimed at providing necessary supports to prevent recidivism Assist in the development and implementation of a new restorative justice initiative, including working with experts to build program according to best practices and research Manage partnerships with community stakeholders Manage partnerships with institutions that provide access to higher education and job training for formerly incarcerated individuals. Apply here!

National Urban Fellow (Hybrid Optional/Washington DC)

(Bachelor's Degree required with 5+ years' of professional experience) Shoot your shot NUF Fellows are expected to apply their expertise and contribute their newly acquired leadership skills for the betterment of communities across the nation and around the world Fellows are expected to return to their former or new occupations more experienced in public policy decision-making and management, and better prepared to advance equity and social impact Apply here!

Chief of Staff | Girls for Gender Equality

(Hybrid Role Based in Brooklyn, NY)

(Experience in a senior leadership position within nonprofit organizations, philanthropic foundations, and/or government agencies) Shoot your shot

The COS will help the CEO maximize their time by focusing on those areas where they add the most value You will manage and develop a high-functioning administrative team within the CEO’s office, including the Executive Liaison and additional staff, leading with inclusivity, intentionality, and trust. You must think broadly and strategically about the organization's work, streamlining processes, implementing shared learning experiences, easing communication that unites the team and tracks its process Apply here!

Licensed Social Worker, Columbia University Health | Hybrid

(Master’s Degree in Social Work and New York State LCSW license, required. Minimum of 5 years’ related experience required with at least 3 years' acceptable clinical experience) Shoot your shot. Reporting to the Senior Social Worker, this position will promote the psychological well-being of the Columbia student body by performing consultation, liaison, case management, direct clinical services and other related functions to the general patient population of Counseling and Psychological Services. Apply here!

A Letter to My Younger Self

By Anonymous

It’s good to see you ’ ve made it to a place you never thought you’d be Those past doubts and fears seem miniscule in hindsight but finally, this is the life that you prayed for for you and me

Looking back, I can say that you ’ ve done well as you stayed true to who you are, despite the many many times you fell

Choosing to do what you enjoy by recognizing your gifts makes you find solace in the face of life’s inevitable shifts

Sticking to doing what you do in the service of others has deep meaning and significant impact in the lives of your sisters and brothers

So, keep striving for a world of happiness and express daily gratitude because you deserve nothing less...

Facing Fears

BY QUENELL REDDEN

One month out of the year, there is all this excitement around ghouls, goblins, and stories of monsters lurking under the bed But if we look beyond this eerie holiday, Halloween can teach us all a few lessons about facing our fears. Overcoming your fears is not always an easy feat to achieve but even trying can make all the difference For many of us, there is this overwhelming, looming, sense of fear around failure, successes, love, grief, authenticity, and so much more All of these can be valid in their own right, but if we let fear take a hold of us we may find ourselves missing out on the good, on joy, and on what is beautiful

As a Black person, navigating the world can be difficult, unfair, and even scary This can be more so with multiple identities you hold that society has marginalized. As someone living in a Black body, the reality is you may be constantly looking over your shoulder, you may feel like you are living a life that is not your own, or looking for love but afraid to open up and show the world who you truly are

Despite it all, we as a people have always maintained our sense of Black joy, Black excellence, and Black resilience. So yes, the days can be hard, frightening even, but one thing we can’t afford to do is let fear hold us back So, the Melanated team invites you to join us in the practice of celebrating our accomplishments, acknowledging our fears, and working on confronting them, whatever they may be

Production Team

OCTOBER 2022

Editorial & Design Team

Chantel Plummer (She/Her)

Chief Editor

Kalea Woods (They/Them)

Senior Editor

Mishael Sims (She/Her)

Senior Editor

Quenell Redden (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

Student Highlight

Alexis Davis

Action Lab for Social Justice

What's Happening in the Action Lab

Snippet of Artistic Work

Danez Smith