FALL 2023/ WINTER 2024 ISSUE

LETTERS FROM THE EDITORS

B

lackBoard Magazine is coming back for the first time in over a year. For many Black students on campus, this will be the first time they see a magazine issue like this. That alone is a reason to celebrate.

This issue, like past and future issues alike, will be a labor of love for all artists involved. This past quarter presented unique challenges for our writers and designers. In a time where there is so much despair in the world it is hard to find reason to celebrate.

However, our staff members rose above and created beautiful work to celebrate a part of their Black culture. As the Print Editor-In-Chief, I have every reason to celebrate them, this work is only possible through them.

Our newest issue theme, “Black As F*ck” can be interpreted in many ways. When I think of the theme, I think of celebration. I think of Black students taking agency to define what their Blackness means to them, and being unapolagetically loud about it. Our writers chose many different avenues to express what it means for them to be Black. From fashion to entertainmnet, they employed their creative talents to demonstrate to the world what their Blackness means to them.

As you flip through and find joy in our staff members’ works, I want you to walk away with a feeling of pride in your cultre. As a new quarter begins and your rich complexion illuminates in rooms with few that look like you, don’t be afraid to be Black as f*ck.

It’s time to celebrate, BlackBoard is back!

W

hen I wrote my application to Northwestern during the winter break of my senior year of high school, I emphasized how important it was for me to find a place where I could unapologetically express myself. BlackBoard Magazine was this destined location I had in mind even before I set foot in Evanston. As I navigated my first few months at a predominately white institution for the first time in my life, I felt a void in my experience during the time since the publication was on hiatus. Even within the many multicultural spaces that aim to promote the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion, I have always felt the need to hold back from expressing the truest degree of my Blackness out of fear of making others uncomfortable.

It wasn’t until I immersed myself in the vibrant collective of Northwestern’s Black student life that I truly felt at home. From spending long hours in the “home-away-from-home” that is the Black House to attending lively events like the Black-to-School Cookout and Black Formal, the Black student body and faculty have created nurturing and welcoming environments for students to be themselves openly. This feeling is precisely why I jumped at the opportunity to join BlackBoard by the end of my first year and eventually emerged as the Online Editor-inChief.

Being surrounded by a staff of devoted visionaries who seek to give a voice to the Black student community has been one of the best experiences I’ve had as a Wildcat. We are all bonded by the countless intersectional struggles of being young Black people in America, but this also fuels a spirited culture ranging from inventive fashion to compelling pop culture to hilarious inside jokes. Through our publication, students have the opportunity to be unshrinkingly Black and are encouraged to extend that energy outside the bounds of BlackBoard meetings and into the world. This issue is called “Black As F*ck” because we want to uplift all of the vibrant, diverse, and underrated aspects of Blackness that inspire us most without any sense of inhibition. With this unapologetic energy, we want to uplift BlackBoard as an everlasting cornerstone of Northwestern’s Black student life and the broader scope of publications.

FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 STAFF

MASTHEA

Co-Editor In Chief: Devin Wilkes Co-Editor In Chief: Raven Williams Assistant Editors: Atarah Israel & Yasmin Mustefa Creative & Photo Director: Josephine White Managing & Finance Chairs: Melissa Kusi-Amponsah & Eden Moore Social Media Directors: Riley Morris, Hannah Ajobeje & Kineyshi Fils-Esperant

Writers: Emani Larkin, Madison Morgan, Noel Matthews, Devin Wilkes, Mariam Fofana, Taylor Hancock, Ariel Paul, Gena Jones , Journey Cole, Rachel Smith Designers: Tee Harrison, Ariana Mason, Aida Belay, Yazzy Mohammed, Kai Mohammed, Journey Cole, Taylor Hancock, Mariam Fofana, Breindel Cadja, Rachel Smith, Raven Williams, Josephine White

You Won’t Won’t Break Break You Her Soul Soul Her WRITTEN BY Devin Wilkes

It’s not the diamonds, it’s not the pearls– Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter has always been that girl.

The Houston-born singer, songwriter and business mogul will undoubtedly go down in history as a top-tier powerhouse in global pop culture. Her 2022 album, Renaissance, and its subsequent stadium world tour the following summer served as a reminder of the massive scale of Bey’s star power.

The dance album pays homage to her late Uncle Johnny, a queer Black man who introduced Beyoncé to house music. Renaissance is a living love letter to Harlem’s underground ballroom culture, interlaced with vocals from Black queer icons like Kevin JZ Prodigy and Ts Madison and production by DJ Honey Dijon.

The 16-song album is a sparkling soundtrack of bona fide celebration and rebirth, a vibe that saturated stadiums this past summer during the Renaissance World Tour. As Beyoncé took 56 stages across North America and Europe, venues became epicenters of effervescence and safe havens for self-expression. Whether you had front-row seats in Club Renaissance or your TikTok For You Page was flooded with videos of the “mute” challenge, the tour was nearly inescapable. According to Live Nation, the Renaissance World Tour earned $579 million at the box office, ranking the venture among the top 10 highest-grossing music tours.

With the Renaissance World Tour simultaneously paired with the overwhelming success of Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour, it fueled a fan-based conversation arguing over who is the best female popstar: Beyoncé or Taylor Swift.

On the one hand, comparing two female musical sensations with incredible talent and insurmountable fan bases is pointless. It’s an age-old misogynistic narrative that states that only one woman is worthy of being the most successful. Why pit women, both of whom have proven their friendship time and time again, against each other?

At the same time, the ongoing questioning of Queen 1

Bey’s reign is a harrowing example of a predominately white audience undermining Black women’s success. It contributes to the painfully familiar narrative that Black women have to work ten times harder than everyone else just to be seen. How many more records and stadium world tours does she have to sell, Grammys she has to win, Super Bowl halftime shows she has to perform, businesses she has to own, and films she has to star/direct in before the multihyphenate is credited as the most culturally defining artist of our time?

As a loyal enjoyer of both Swift and Knowles-Carter’s music, I gawk at the question of which artist is the better performer. I have always seen Beyoncé as the standard of pop stardom next to Michael Jackson, whose level of prominence is unfathomable, even posthumously. Without even being a certified member of the BeyHive, many Black people would agree that Beyoncé is the most remarkable talent alive simply because “she’s Beyoncé.” She’s a woman whose level of influence and royalty extends beyond words.

Taylor Swift is also incredibly talented and iconic, whose strength lies in her songwriting, but the video comparisons between the Rensiassance tour and the Eras tour alone speak for themselves.

Another example is her snub at the 65th Grammy Awards, where Renaissance lost the crown-jeweled Album of the Year award to Harry Styles. Sure, it was a monumental night for Beyoncé as she won for Best Dance/Electronic Album, breaking the record for the most Grammy-awarded person of all time. However, Beyoncé was snubbed for the top award of the night for the fourth time. Her groundbreaking albums I Am… Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé, and Lemonade lost in previous years. To witness Renaissance, an innovative album that honors and uplifts the nuanced intersection of Blackness and queerness, losing to Styles’ solid pop record

was utterly confusing.

It was even more complicated for me, a faithful fangirl of One Direction and Harry’s solo career since my preteen years, to watch him win over the Black female icon I’ve looked up to my whole life. If white institutions like the Recording Academy will humble Beyoncé, of all people, every time she gets too close to attaining all of the glory she deserves, what does it mean for every other Black woman?

It is easy to become jaded at the idea that America has a problem with Beyoncé in a similar fashion that America has a problem with Black women, period. This was further displayed on IMAX theater screens with her concert documentary, “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé”. For example, we witness the star being told that she can’t get a specific camera lens because it doesn’t exist, even though she did her own research and proved that it does exist.

says in the film, life as a serial people give a f--k.”

Nonetheless, by the end of the documentary, Beyoncé comes to an inspiring conclusion that affirms that despite all of the pushback she has endured in her 42 years of life, she has nothing to prove to anybody. As Beyoncé “I spent so much of my pleaser and, finally, I don’t

“I spent so much of my life as a serial people pleaser and, finally, I don’t give a ”

DESIGNED BY Yas’lyn Mohammed

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Black Girlhood WRITTEN BY Noel Matthews

When my best friend told me she cried like Jar Jar Binks when I wore braids. in the same way that the “feminist” every time she watched the Barbie movie, In middle school, non-Black boys movement often has–it places at its which she managed to do four times in a would say I’m “not Black enough” forefront issues that are central to white single week, I didn’t know what to say. I to have an issue with them saying women’s approach to feminism while didn’t leave my viewing of Barbie feeling the N-word. I have a plethora largely ignoring issues that uniquely extremely emotional or like I’d had this of stories from growing up in a marginalize Black women and other cosmically-altering,

wildly-spiritual predominantly white community as women of color. It’s not enough

experience. Maybe I’d missed the whole a Black person. And it seems like for Black women point of the movie, but as a Black woman, Barbie didn’t touch on any of these. movements I still couldn’t suppress that gut feeling that

chant

that

we must “dismantle

the

this movie wasn’t for me. This isn’t to say Maybe the Barbie movie wasn’t patriarchy.”

More

than

that the Barbie movie wasn’t empowering for me; maybe it wasn’t for Black this,

we

must

enough or that I didn’t pick up on what women. This fact would be dismantle

all

all of the corny

jokes were trying completely fine if only the narrative the

oppressive

o

f

structures

to put down.

But I can say around the Barbie movie weren’t that support the American society we

that the fact

that

Robbie

an

is

Margot that it is a champion of inclusivity and “ f u n c t i o n ” objectively diversity. The inclusion of Issa Rae u n d e r

(more so survive) today.

stunning, tall blonde bombshell and that I as “President Barbie” isn’t enough

There

am a 5-foot Black girl with a mess of curls to count as an incorporation of a re

v e r y

and a wide nose did lead to a *slight* Black feminism or Black narratives. few

spaces

feeling of disconnect from the narrative. It felt as if, once again, Blackness i n

t h e

Past physical differences, there were parts was meant to be represented

media

of my Black experience that seemed to through the use of a single Black a n d

p o p

be excluded from the story of childhood token character. Simply including

culture

and teenage growing pains that Barbie characters of color doesn’t entail

w h e re

illustrated.

Black

diversity–diversity

comes

from

giving these characters substance I’ve heard it all. I’ve been called an “Oreo” and doing justice to the complexities and had my hair compared to ramen that come with these cultures. noodles. People at a before-and-aftercare program I went to would say I looked The Barbie movie misses its mark

3

when feminist

women can find true, holistic

girl”? Of course, I watched all of

recognition and representation.

Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill

Lining your lips with brown liner

on Netflix when I was in middle

and then applying lip

school, but now any nostalgia

gloss was unheard of

I have towards those shows is

until

Bieber

clouded by the realization that I

popularized it. Gold

was not the audience their show

terrified of vulnerability because the

hoops are ghetto unless it’s a

was trying to reach or represent.

guard you put up was all you had.

white woman wearing them.

Watching Barbie left me with this

Black girlhood was learning how

The list of things that Black

same unsettled feeling in my skin

to float in a sea of beauty standards

women are criticized for while

of wanting more from the film.

that never applied to you but never

white women receive praise is

More of the girlhood that I know

learning how to swim in your own

seemingly endless. But a central

and grew up with.

beauty. Barbie didn’t portray any of

Hailey

theme of white idealization and Black

demonization

persists

throughout.

this.

Barbie

didn’t

Black girlhood was hating the

portray

my

s k i n on your elbows and

girlhood.

knees Because Black women often

i

t

don’t receive recognition or

because

was so much

For many Black women, Black

darker than the

girlhood was defined as trying to

representation, it is difficult for

rest of you.

Black girlhood

find a love for yourself that you

us to find relatability in works

was

scolded

for

scarcely see reflected by the world.

that don’t even attempt to speak

roughhousing or “acting like a

Looking past the runway models

to us. Sure, I’m familiar with the

boy” because your femininity was

and Hollywood stars, past the

heartbreak Taylor Swift sings

so fragile in the first place. Black

slim noses and blue eyes, past the

about, but does she know about

girlhood was latching on to the first

perfect beach waves or blowout,

being rejected because “Black

boy who looked your way, hoping

and creating your own recipe for

girls are too hard to

he could find something to love in

self-love without anyone’s help but

handle” or being told

yourself that you never could.

“You’re pretty for a Black

Black girlhood was being

being

your own.

DESIGNED BY Raven Williams

4

NCAAF

NFL

MLB

WINNING WHILE BLACK

Deion Sanders’ success and the demand for Black humility WRITTEN BY Gena Jones

If you’re looking for personality and culture in college football, it ain’t hard 2 find.

The Colorado Buffaloes kicked this year’s season off in a very public, magnetic and bold way. Between the celebrity of head coach Deion Sanders and the seemingly radical changes within their program, the Buffaloes became the team of the year to watch.

Being a serial bandwagoner myself, I couldn’t help but tune into their every move this fall. I, like thousands of others, became a big fan of Deion, his sons, and the team he had so audaciously commandeered.

Sanders’ success began to mean a lot to the Black community, who appreciated seeing his own pride in our culture. So, naturally, I was disappointed when I passed by the TV late September, only to see the Buffaloes down by a crushing 35 points from Oregon at halftime.

It was a let down, to say the least, for their much-awaited first conference game, but I still had faith in the team and their potential.

Doubt in the Buffaloes capability was there from the start, an ugly appendage to the attention attracted by their success.

In August, ESPN analyst Tom Luginbill said the Buffaloes had the worst roster in all of college football. Then, Colorado State head coach, Jay Norvell, took a dig at Sanders’ signature look: a cowboy hat and shades.

“When I talk to grown-ups, I take my hat and my glasses off.

That’s what my mother taught me,” Norvell said in a pre-game press conference.

On social media, many expressed distaste for Prime’s persona and doubt in the season’s viability as the coach and roster alike made their transition into a competitive PAC-12 lineup.

During their first loss, Oregon fans sent chants of “overrated’ echoing through the Ducks’ stadium, and head coach Dan Lanning told his team in a pre-game locker room speech that Colorado’s Cinderella story would soon be over; the Buffaloes were “rooted in flash” and “fighting for clicks.”

AI After the game, Sanders acknowledged those comments and HA Irritated by the comment, I tried to move on with my day. Losing doesn’t other public scrutiny that had become fueled by a widespread fly in college football, I know that. But I couldn’t shake those words, desire for him and his team to be humbled.

TO “needing to be humbled.” I’d seen them time and time again online FIN since December when Sanders’ move to Colorado brought him and his “People around the country would say, ‘This is what they “Good,” I remember a voice laughing from beside me. “Deion needed to be humbled.”

family to the center of the sports industry’s spotlight.

In what way did Coach Deion ‘Primetime’ Sanders, the two-time Super Bowl-winning, eight-time Pro-Bowler, Hall of Fame inductee who still leads record lists in the NFL as a playmaking defensive back and wide receiver, need to be humbled? They couldn’t be talking about the same Deion Sanders who is the only athlete in history to play in both the World Series and the Super Bowl.

What did he possibly have to be humble about?

After a trail of success with the Jackson State football program, the hype (and cameras) seemed to follow Coach Prime wherever he went.

And when it came to his move to Colorado, there seemed to be one more thing that followed him.

Haters.

5

needed to humble themselves,’” Sanders said. “We weren’t arrogant or whatever, we’re confident people. If our confidence offends your insecurity, that’s a problem with you, it’s not us.”

As a Black head coach and a team full of Black talent, both Prime and his Buffaloes became well acquainted with the heightened criticism that accompanied their spotlight.

Sophomore Travis Hunter, ESPN’s No. 2 overall recruit in 2022, showed himself to be a huge asset to the Buffaloes this season. After following Sanders from Jackson State, Hunter, called a “generational talent” by Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs, has been a game-changer on the Buffaloes roster as both a wide receiver and a defensive back. But seeing play time on both sides of the ball isn’t the only thing Hunter shares in common with Coach Prime.

After missing three games due to a lacerated liver from nasty hit during the Colorado State game, Hunter returned to the field versus Stanford in mid-October. He contributed greatly that night, though the Buffaloes ended up taking a loss 46-43. Following the first of Hunter’s two touchdowns during his much-awaited return, Hunter tossed the ball in the endzone, got on his knees, and prayed.

And the refs threw a flag for “unsportsmanlike conduct.”

Often called the hubris penalty, this NCAA and NFL punishment is supposed to discourage excessive celebrations on the field.

Since 2018, research by Andscape shows that 90% of these penalties called in the NFL were against Black players. It’s a trend of bias that is bound to have spilled over into the NCAA as well.

For a sport where 65.7% of players are people of color, the leadership and faculty roles in college football remain overwhelmingly white. The implications of that staunch disproportion follow student-athletes into their professional careers too, where 77% of sports reporters and columnists are white, and Black athletes are constantly faced with negative portrayals and bias in coverage.

IN’T ARD Coach Prime is a part of the cultural shift that needs to happen in the sport to change that representation O gap. Undoubtedly, working under a Black coach who ND. understands and has faced the same discrimination that

you face makes a difference for young Black athletes.

Without having some leadership in their program who looks like them, it’s inevitable that many players will develop a sense of disconnection with their coaching staff and even their culture.

Prime is putting an end to that in Colorado.

In a city with a 1.3% Black population, Sanders has been a true example of what it means to be proud of your Blackness out loud, no matter who’s watching. From filling Colorado’s sidelines with Black celebrities like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Offset, and Key Glock to having Lil’ Wayne do a pre-game performance of “Uproar” at Folsom Field in a custom Buffs jersey, Sanders has brought Black culture to Boulder in a way it’s probably never been seen before. Viewership in Black households hit a new high, and Black people everywhere have become fans of Sanders’ sermon-like speeches and parental approach as a coach.

University of Colorado Boulder home football stadium: Folsom Field

If nothing else, Coach Prime has turned all the attention of college football fans onto one of only 15 FBS programs with a Black head coach and constructed a one-of-a-kind team in the process. Black players are getting the attention they deserve under a mentor that looks like them without having to sacrifice pride in their culture. That, alone, is enough to make Sanders’ Colorado stand out to freshman recruits and transfers looking for a program to take their talent to. Brand deals, media attention, and the opportunity to play under a sports legend also make the Buffaloes an attractive option. The future of Colorado looks bright, though the haters online don’t seem to be going anywhere.

Now, I’m not trying to insinuate that Deion is the only college football coach to ever face some heat — fans are known to be overly critical of the decision makers responsible for their teams: we always know what’s best.

Recent losses of potential recruits and the midseason offensive coordinator switch are valid points of criticism for the first-year head coach. What’s different, though, is the overt call for the need to humble Sanders that many coaches, media professionals and fans have expressed this season.

To me, it’s rooted in the same racist ideology that labels Black women in leadership roles bossy and Black men as cocky and aggressive. It’s a way to tear down Black people and frame them as unworthy of their hard-earned accomplishments. Blackness and excellence should be able to coexist without being watered down for the comfort of white audiences and competitors. We deserve to have pride in our accomplishments and a sense of integrity when we fail.

6

NCAAF

NFL

MLB

Prime is showing his players how to do both.

Colorado’s current record (4-8, 1-8 PAC-12) is far from what fans were anticipating after the team’s early success. Despite missing the chance for a bowl game and finishing last in their conference, I think the Buffaloes and Sanders still have a season worth being proud of.

They caused a shift in college football — bringing culture and personality to the 2023 season, attention to some overlooked talent in the Southwestern Athletic Confrence, and a spotlight on the magic that can happen when Black athletes play under Black coaches.

To Black people who have dreams to rise to the top of their fields, I think we can all pull a play out of Coach Prime’s playbook when it comes to microaggressions, doubters and inevitable bouts of impostor syndrome.

Double down.

Be confident in yourself and don’t give into hate that’s rooted in racism and misogyny. Let the world know, in the now infamous wise words of Coach Prime, “Your opinion of me is not the opinion I have of myself.”

THE PRIME EFFECT at COLoRADO FEBRUARY 2023 In the two months following announcement of Sanders’ arrival, Buffaloes fan gear sales soared 505% higher than the previous year.

MARCH 2023 Luxury suites are sold out, season-ticket renewal reaches the highest in school history, and ticket sales increase by the millions. Social media followers across all platforms jump from 220,000 to over a million on Instagram alone.

APRIL 2023 39,000 tickets are sold to the Buffaloes spring game, and Colorado has the only spring game shown on ESPN this year.

SUMMER 2023 39,000 tickets are sold to the Buffaloes spring game, and Colorado has the only spring game shown on ESPN this year.

SEPTEMBER 2023 Home games at Folsom Field see unprecedented attendance that completely outshines last year’s 1-11 season. Colorado’s first three games reach NFL level viewership, most notably pulling in 9.3 million viewers for their double-overtime win over Colorado State that didn’t end until 2 A.M. EST.

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DESIGNED BY Breindel Cadja

Past, Present and Forever A review of must-see young joyful Black TV, featuring an added selection of a Palestinian show, and films that shed light on the Palestinian experience.

WRITTEN BY Journey Cole

We are currently living in a golden age of television. In years past, film was almost every actor, writer, and directors aspiration, but now? Now there are more prestige television shows than ever before. Some episodes of TV are practically the length of feature films, with stories just as rich and compelling. TV has become a favorite escape of people in the U.S. and around the world. Streaming has also allowed for a saturation of content when it comes to TV shows. With so much content conveniently available on just a handful of platforms that can be viewed in your bed or on the bus, it’s easier than ever to watch TV. All that said, my question is: Where are all the shows about young Black joy???

One might think they would be easy to find nowadays, but one would be wrong. There may be more shows telling stories of Black people, but they aren’t always joyful. It’s easier to sell a heavy hitting drama, or a more serious take on familiar IP (like Peacock’s Bel-Air). This is why I have done my due diligence as a film and TV student to find some of the best shows to watch when you just want to see Black people being unapologetically Black and happy, or just Black without so much central focus on the societal issues that come with living in our skin.

Disclaimer: Some of the platforms these shows are on are currently being boycotted in support of Palestine. If you are participating in boycotts, I am not saying you should break your stance just to watch these shows. Either wait on it, or find other means to watch them that do not give money to the networks/organizations.

Flatbush Misdemeanors - Status: COMPLETE: So many things I could say about how much I adore this show and how much everyone needs to watch it. In Flatbush Misdemeanors, we follow the lives of middle school best friends turned roommates, Kevin and Dan, after they find themselves in debt to a drug dealer. Yes, okay, Dan is a white guy, BUT DON’T LET THAT LEAD YOU ASTRAY!! This is a Black show first and foremost. This show perfectly balances heavier topics of family, incarceration, and job insecurity, with humor and joy. Also, Zayna gotta be one of my favorite TV characters hands down, if you watch it for nothing else, watch it to see a young Black girl be about her business!

Chewing Gum - Status: CANCELED: Michaela Coel cements herself as a comedic genius with Chewing Gum. The show follows Tracy, a girl in her early twenties trying to balance family, friends, devotion to her religion, and a desire to have sex as soon as possible. The show is raunchy, fun, and absolutely shameless. If you want to watch a show that will have you audibly cackling every episode, this is the one. Also, if you like Fleabag, I think Chewing Gum is the Black women’s Fleabag.

More accurately, Fleabag is the white women’s Chewing Gum, because Michaela Coel did it first, and in my opinion she did it better! (Don’t come for me with the fact that they’re two very different pieces of media blah blah just because they were both one woman shows doesn’t mean they’re comparable blah blah. Let me be a hater.)

Craig of the Creek - Status: COMPLETE: Now you may think Craig of the Creek is just a kids show but hear me out! It’s sweet, cute, funny, Past: Shows that have finished or been canceled and just lovely to watch if you want to indulge your inner child. This Too many shows in this section are canceled rather than show gives us a portrayal of a young Black boy who’s sensitive, nerdy, finished, but we keep it pushing! After all, the fact that they’re over and adventurous that’s healing for the soul. I be living vicariously means they’re that much more binge-watchable if that’s your style through Craig for real. He just has adventures in the creek and learns (it’s certainly mine). how to be a good person along the way. What’s not to love??

Betty - Status: COMPLETE: This one is really for the Black girls and gays. Betty follows Janay, Kirt, Camille, Honeybear, and Indigo as they navigate the male-dominated world of skateboarding in New York City. First of all, they all look cool as hell all the time.

If you were thinking of learning to skate, you’ll be shopping for a board after watching Betty. This show is such a nice view into alternative Black girlhood and exploring female friendships and sapphic relationships as young adults. Betty does touch on some heavier topics, but they always come back to center on strength, growth, and the joy in loving yourself and finding your people.

Grand Crew - Status: CANCELED: Another show that was canceled too soon. RIP. Grand Crew is about a group of friends in LA navigating relationships, careers, and everything life throws at them while still finding time to hang out at their favorite bar. Classic set up, fantastic execution. This show is funny af, and shows diverse portrayals of Black men and Black male friendships that I love to see. It also stars Nicole Byer, who I love, and they shout out Devilman Crybaby in the first five minutes, so that was all I needed to know to know this was my kind of show. Other treats from the first episode are the opening and closing bits done by Garrett Morris, who was a part of the original cast, and 8

Living Single: I had never seen Living Single before setting out to write this article and after having seen a couple episodes now I The Wonder Years - Status: CANCELED: This EATS! I’m so mad it’s can confirm, this is a must watch. Living Single is funny, easy, and canceled. The Wonder Years (2021) is a Black take on the classic timeless. The show also breaks some colorist stereotypes seen 1980s sitcom of the same name. It centers around a young Black boy in other 90’s classics such as Martin Lawrence’s Martin where growing up in the 60’s at the life-altering age of 12 years old. If you the dark-skinned woman is portrayed as being “ghetto” or less enjoy shows like Everybody Hates Chris, give this a watch! It’s funny, desirable. Maxine is a confident, independent lawyer who’s well sweet, and has good child actors (and I’m really picky about child respected and incredibly fine. It’s also never not going to be lovely actors). Plus, it’s narrated by Don Cheadle, who is infinitely cooler to see stories with Black women being best friends, silly, successthan Chris Rock. Of course, the show features period typical racism, fu, and supporting each other. but on a real note, it’s about a Black family living and thriving the best they can.

The Fresh Prince of Bel Air: I couldn’t NOT put this on the list.

Practically everybody, Black or not, knows the first verse to the Present: Shows currently airing or awaiting new seasons theme song, and that’s gotta count for something. The Fresh Y’all…I know this section is short but that’s the PROBLEM! Prince follows a fictional teenage version of Will Smith as he Everything I thought was gonna be ongoing, ended up having been adapts to posh life in Bel Air, mostly by striking up antics that recently canceled. And everything else that IS ongoing? Doesn’t annoy his rich cousins. I’mma be honest…I was not engaged in fit the parameters of being young or joyful or not focused solely on the pilot, but I’ll always give a pilot the benefit of the doubt. What racial issues. It’s a sad truth, but that’s why y’all need to watch and talk was hilarious throughout the entire first episode was that about these shows so they stop getting canceled before you can say Will Smith is so very clearly a grown man. He does not “stream”. look 16 at ALL. And yet, he’s in these outrageously neon “teen” clothes and it’s so ridiculous.

Survival of The Thickest - Status: AWAITING SEASON 2 CONFIR- Throw some Fresh Prince on the TV and MATION: This being a Netflix release, it makes sense how little noise transport yourself to that magical it’s making, Netflix is notorious for not giving promotion to their good time of the 90’s where Will Smith stuff. Trust me, this is good stuff. Michelle Buteau’s charming comewas a rapper first. dy series centers on Mavis Beaumont, a stylist who has just recently broken up with her boyfriend after discovering him cheating. If you Palestinian Selections: want a show that’s joyful, funny, fun, and not at all stressful to watch, Media is a powerful force that can connect people of difSurvival of the Thickest is the show for you. It’s smart, refreshing, and ferent experiences through empathy. That’s why it’s important and has multiple queer characters! Support a thick girl thriving and go enriching to watch media from all different kinds of cultures. Hey, watch Survival of the Thickest! (If only so Netflix won’t cancel it with it’s cheaper than traveling. As we witness the ongoing genocide of the quickness). the Palestinian people, it’s important to make sure we are not only aware of their pain, but also celebrating their culture and their art I’m a Virgo - Status: AWAITING SEASON 2 CONFIRMATION: as it has been made and is being made now. Here is a recommenI’m a Virgo is Sorry to Bother You creator Boots Riley’s TV debut. It’s dation to get you started. about Cootie, a 13-foot-tall Black teenager, finally breaking free from his sheltered home life and hanging out with a group of teenage politi- Mo - Status: ONGOING: Mo follows Mo Najjar, a Palestinian cal activists. I’ll be honest, this one didn’t really hook me in, but nothing refugee as he navigates the intersection of culture, work and living about it turned me off enough not to recommend it. BUT! What I’m undocumented in Houston, Texas, as he tries to gain U.S. citizena Virgo lacks in grabbing my attention, it makes up for in uniqueness. ship. This is a funny and down to earth show created by MohamThe magical realism aspect of Cootie’s existence, along with the med Amer and Ramy Youssef. It’s really cool to see Mo’s experiaesthetics of the world in which he lives, are really cool and intriguing. ence as a Palestinian and especially his interactions with people Don’t let my Tik-Tok rotted attention span stop you from giving this from other communities of color in the show. There’s a real sense original take on a coming-of-age story a try! of solidarity from the people surrounding Mo that’s refreshing to see, and the comedy makes an otherwise tough experience, a fun Forever: and eye-opening watch.

These are the classics! Well, not all the classics, but the classics I thought should be here. They’ll never get old, and why should they? Alas, I have not had the time to review the Palestinian films I That’s the beauty of a re-watch! wanted to put on this list, but if you’re interested in watching more, I highly recommend you check out the Palestinian Film Institute’s Everybody Hates Chris: If you don’t already know Everybody Hates website: “palestinianfilminstitute.org”. They’ve got hundreds of Chris, I don’t believe you. This iconic staple of Black television chron- films on there, some of which you can stream for free like James icles the life of Chris (based on the life of Chris Rock, who I will only Longley’s Gaza Strip (2002), which is a documentary following a give flowers to for this show, and the Madagascar franchise, and that’s 13 year old boy living in Gaza. Thanks for reading, and remember: IT.) growing up in 1980s Brooklyn. This show stays being hilarious and from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. relatable to this day! Some Black family experiences never change. the first Back man on SNL (don’t say I never taught you anything!).

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To Hear & Be Heard: WRITTEN BY Emani Larkin

The Role of Black Poetry in Fostering Social Change

The Legacy of the Chicago Black Renaissance Black art transcends the boundaries of space and time.

Point to any moment in history and there you will find it: Black hope, Black pain, and most of all, Black art.

Audre Lorde, self-proclaimed “Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet,” wrote poetry and prose during the mid to late twentieth century, as she fought for civil rights, critiqued white feminist movements, and contended for queer liberation. Yet, despite the differences in time between the 1960s and 2023, her words ring just as true for Black poets today as they did over half a century ago.

Northwestern is home to the Black Poetry Society, a community of Black students who write poetry together and hold different events on campus, such as open mic events and a large event in the spring where they invite poets from Chicago to perform. Cydney Brown (she/her), a sophomore and president of the Black Poetry Society, uses poetry to communicate complex social topics to broad audiences.

“I write because I am a warrior and my poetry is my primary weapon.”

- Audre Lorde -

“Something I like to do in my social justice poems is make the language accessible so you understand what’s going on. It’s like reading a news article, except I am telling you everything that you should know about the issues so you can do more research and understand it on your own,” Cydney said.

Cydney’s use of poetry as a catalyst for communication and social change aligns with the origins of Black poetry in the United States.

The rhythmic and musical cadence of Black poetry stems from the early twentieth-century Harlem Renaissance’s emphasis on Black expression in its rawest form.

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The Harlem Renaissance set the stage for Black poetry to emerge as a distinct art form during the Black Arts Movement, with the help of several renowned Black poets, such as Audre Lorde, Maya Angelou, Amirir Baraka, James Baldwin, and Nikki Giovani. The Black Arts Movement exploded into the hearts and homes of Black folk all over the country, eventually bleeding into our corner of the world here in Chicago.

From the 1930s to the 1950s, the Chicago Black Renaissance denoted a vibrant explosion of creativity and social mobilization on the South Side for the Black community. Although the Chicago Black Renaissance is not as well known as the Harlem Renaissance, the powerful artistic effects of the literary movement remain in Chicago today.

How can we bring people together? How can we make our voices heard? How do we love ourselves and each other in the face of persecution?

These were the questions at the forefront of the Black liberation movement, questions that Black poetry originated with the intention of answering. Black poets today are still hoping to find answers. Junior Elshadai Alberra (she/they) loves to write freeform poetry most of all because of the stylistic freedom and ease of communication.

“Talking about my identity can often feel like heavy conversation.

But, with poetry, as a Black person, a queer person, a person with so many other identities, it’s just nice to have a space to express yourself freely through poetry without norms,” Alberra said.

Black poetry has always and will always empower Black people to hear and be heard in spaces of both joy and suffering. Lorde’s poetry, along with the words of other profound Black poets echo in the minds of the new generation of Black poets today, whether they know it or not. They write because they are warriors and poetry is their primary weapon… and they are stronger together.

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What Affirmative Action means for Black NU Students WRITTEN BY Madison Morgan

In past years, applicants would be tasked to answer the infamous “Why Northwestern?”question. Now, the standards by which students are admitted have shifted. Applications focus on various parts of an applicant’s background.

According to Rob Brown, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Outreach, , this shift is intentional, providing an opportunity for applicants to share their unique stories and experiences shaping their potential careers.

“So I think it’s also kind of giving us an opportunity to think intentionally about how we create pathways for students to share those types of stories and experiences,” Brown explained.

a role in fostering an inclusive and equitable educational environment.

By seeking out diverse applicants and making sure that hiring procedures are inclusive and not biased, recruiters play a crucial role in recruitment and diversity initiatives. Their capacity to spot talent from a variety of backgrounds aids colleges and universities in creating a wider spectrum of viewpoints.

“The only way I found out about Northwestern actually is when a recruiter came to our campus. I knew it was a good school, but I never really heard of it,” Mallowah said.

President Michael Schill acknowledged the chal

lenges posed by the

recent ruling but

remained steadfast in Northwestern’s commitment to foster ing a diverse and

inclusive community.

“Representation not only influences social dynamics but also plays a role in fostering an inclusive and equitable educational environment.”

Northwestern’s new optional essay questions delve into campus life, interdisciplinary collaboration, community connections, diversity, and the unique appeal of its location. These reflect the university’s commitment to holistic admissions, valuing creativity, collaboration, and community.

“I think replacing it with the community essay actually might be somewhat beneficial because that speaks a lot more towards people’s unique experiences. But again, I guess it’s important to weed out who’s willing to put in the work and connect with the school,” Adi Mallowah, a third-year student at Northwestern said.

According to the Northwestern University admissions website, for the class of 2025, there were 12.1% Black students. This is about 250 students out of the over 2,000 size class. This demographic representation at Northwestern could raise questions about the broader impact of the affirmative action ban on campus diversity at a predominantly white institution.

“I didn’t consider any HBCUs, so race wasn’t a really huge factor. I just saw it as, regardless of where I go, I’ll be in the minority,” Adrian Morrison, a first-year student, said.

Diversity can shape daily experiences at Northwestern. Repre sentation not only influences

In response to the Supreme Court’s decision, a working group led

by Provost Kathleen Hagerty promptly initiated an examination of Northwestern’s practices. This proactive approach ensures that the University moves forward within the bounds of the law while steadfastly upholding its commitment to diversity.

The Supreme Court struck down affirmative action, a policy founded on the principles of diversity, inclusion, and equity. Developed during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, this significant ruling arrives at a crucial point in the pursuit of educational equity. This choice will have far-reaching effects that will impact the future.

However, this story goes beyond legal intricacies; It’s a narrative crafted from the voices of individuals, each contributing a unique chapter to the diverse and rich experiences found within universities.

Emerging in response to systemic discrimination faced by racial minorities and women in employment and educational opportunities, this executive order ensures equal opportunities for applicants.

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Many universities used affirmative action in their admissions procedures as a strategy to guarantee that underrepresented populations, such as Black students, have the chance to succeed. This policy has been met with proponents and opponents disputing its effectiveness and fairness.

In the aftermath of the removal of affirmative action, the impact on students has proven to be diverse and complex.

“There is a symbolic effect that is different for different students.

Some feel reassured, thinking their journey through higher education will be fairer. Others feel a chilling effect on the value of their presence at an institution like Northwestern,” saidt Brown.

Studies conducted in places where affirmative action has been abolished have consistently demonstrated a decrease in the amount of Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students admitted and enrolled, according to the Urban Institute. Notably, selective and elite institutions are the main targets of these cuts.

One of the most significant affirmative action cases in the United States was Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978), which set limits on the use of race-based quotas in admissions. In Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (2018), a group led by Edward Blum challenged Harvard’s admissions policies, alleging discrimination against Asian American applicants, in addition to similar claims against the University of North Carolina. These cases emphasize ongoing debates over race in college admissions and the goal for diversity in educational spaces.

In this changing legal landscape, individual perspectives at Northwestern contribute valuable insights, shedding light on the profound impact of affirmative action on educational policies and practices.

“I think it [affirmative action] helped a lot, to be honest. I don’t really think I’d be here without it,” Morrison said.

The policy has contributed to the development of a varied student body concerning backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences.

As a result, the school takes pride in fostering an inclusive environment.

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A Reflection on Sasha Obama’s Public Scrutiny WRITTEN BY Maddy Morgan

rivacy, in the age of increased social media use, is a rare luxury — especially if your last name is Obama.

P

University of Southern California, demonstrating her intelligence beyond her fashion choices.

Sasha Obama, the youngest daughter of the 44th president of the United States, has often been highlighted in the media. Headlines encompass a wide spectrum, dissecting her fashion choices, her cigarette habits, or even her trips to the grocery store.

Looking into how Sasha’s own decisions are frequently superseded by public opinion is crucial. My interpretation of a political slogan she could use is, “Sasha for Privacy.” With the upcoming election season in mind, the concept seeks to highlight the difference between private choices and the invasive nature that comes with being in the public eye.

As a young Black woman and the daughter of a prominent figure, Sasha Obama faces a variety of expectations in a culture where being a woman is frequently associated with unwarranted criticism.

I want to dive into the realm of imagination.

Picture this hypothetical scenario: Sasha, not merely a public figure but a presidential candidate, addressing issues that have influenced the real-world narratives shaping her public persona. This timely and fictional campaign provides a lens through which one can scrutinize and confront the intricacies of Sasha’s experiences, along with the broader societal expectations that define her presence.

Sasha has to grapple with the challenges of growing up in the internet era under the scrutiny of society, where everything she does, from her appearance in public to the clothes she wears, is examined. Beyond her appearance, Sasha holds a sociology degree from

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The constant focus the media has on her is made far more clear when examining the discrepancy that exists between Sasha’s family’s circumstances and official health recommendations, particularly about her cigarette consumption. The coverage of her smoking habits draws attention to an aspect of her public character and emphasizes the irony.

An interesting parallel arises when one thinks of the lives of children of politicians, such as George W. Bush’s daughters during his presidency. While there have been reports of them engaging in activities, such as underage drinking, it’s interesting to note that the media coverage around them may not have been as extensive as Obama’s daughters.

In the ever-shifting landscape of the media, individuals in the public eye become subjects of thoughts and debates.

The comments faced by people like George W. Bush’s daughters during his presidency are notably influenced by the evolving media landscape, particularly the surge of social media.

person’s development and potential contributions? I too hold myself accountable for idolizing public figures and dissecting their everyday lives, but we are all humans.

There is a need for a rethink on privacy, particularly in the age of intrusive social media.

From scrutinizing fashion choices to focusing on cigarette habits, Sasha faces unwarranted expectations as a young Black woman and daughter of a prominent figure. The hypothetical “Sasha for Privacy” campaign imagThis information is especially important when inatively highlights personal choices versus understanding how Sasha was scrutinized public scrutiny. more than usual during a candid moment at a Labor Day party in September. The public eagerly reported on the sighting, concentrating on her smoking a cigarette while wearing a maxi skirt and bikini top.

The internet continues to evolve, contributing to increased coverage of more recent children of presidents or former presidents, such as the Obamas. Acknowledging these changing dynamics in media involvement is vital for understanding their public perceptions.

She has had little room to go through the normal developmental process of learning, making decisions, and making mistakes. Some commentators have even speculated that Sasha and her sister Malia’s smoking habits may be connected to their father’s struggle with smoking, given her periodic sightings with a cigarette.

While analyzing Sasha’s experience, it’s important to think about the larger effects of the public’s interest in the private lives of political officials’ children. Do these stories foster irrational expectations or do they highlight each

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WRITTEN AND DESIGNED BY Taylor Hancock

WE CAN

BLACK WOMEN IN SPORTS

W N, TOO

Jonquel Jones. A 4x WNBA All-Star and 2021 league MVP who almost averaged a double-double this season. Erin Jackson.

An Olympic skater who became the first Black American woman to medal in speed skating during the 2022 Winter Olympics. Azzi Fudd. A junior basketball star at UConn who finished last season averaging 15.1 points despite missing half of the season with a knee injury. All three of these Black women are stars in their respective sports yet most would never hear of them in the same light as their white counterparts.

In sports media, Black women are often only reported on during Black History Month or when they achieve the impossible. Very rarely they’re celebrated for daily accomplishments and game performances. Instead news coverage focuses on their community work, personal lives and how much of an inspiration they are. During the 20-21 season, University of Arizona women’s basketball head coach, Adia Barnes had just given birth to her second child and majority of their team’s media coverage revolved around Barnes navigating her job and motherhood. Yet Arizona made it to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament that year.

Most importantly, the stories of the pioneers of Black women in sports have been lost in history.

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Two track-and-field athletes at the Tuskegee Institute (Now Tuskegee University),

Louis Stokes and Tidye Pickett were the first Black women to compete in the Olympics even after being disqualified in 1932 for their race. Four years later, they were permitted to represent the U.S. in Berlin. Although neither came away with the gold, a fellow Tuskegee student, Alice Coachman won in London, becoming the first Black woman to win Olympic gold.

Almost nine decades later, Black women in sports are still being overlooked.

In October 2023, Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston was unanimously voted the WNBA Rookie of The Year — becoming the fifth unanimous ROTY ever. Most news reports regarding Boston’s win simply reported on her unanimous vote and making WNBA history, but few outlets actually delve deeper into her gameplay. She led the entire league in field goal percentage at 57.2% – the first rookie to do so — while averaging 14.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.

have rarely been covered in mainstream media and require you to go out of the way to learn.

While there are many Black women trailblazing the sports media industry such as Malika Andrews, Taylor Rooks, Jemele Hill and Maria Taylor, it’s not their responsibility to change the narrative. Collectively, Black women should be celebrated and congratulated just as frequently as white athletes.

Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.

- WILMA RUDOLPH

With college basketball season approaching, there’s so much in the air for prevalent women’s players like Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson, Juju Watkins, Cotie McMahon and Rickea Jackson. After a record-breaking viewership of the NCAA final with 9.9 million watching Louisiana Yet that same week, the only news State University win the champicovering all major sports outonship, hopefully the media will lets was Taylor Swift watchcover athletes equally throughout ing Travis Kelce from the the season, without pinning womChief’s luxury suite. en against one another as they did Caitlyn Clark and Angel Prior to Boston’s professional career, she Reese in the 2022 NCAA was arguably the best college player for the Championship. last four years, even voted the best in 2022 being named the Naismith College Player Reese and Johnson led of the Year as well as winning the NCAA championship. All of these achievements

LSU to holding the trophy last season, but can they do it again? Will teams like Ohio State led by McMahon only improve? Will freshman Juju Watkins put University of Southern California women’s basketball on the map? Will Rickea Jackson be enough to help Tennessee beat a Top-Ten opponent?

As we watch the next legends and trailblazers of sports emerge, there’s so much hope and possibility for Black female athletes. It reminds us to give Black female athletes their flowers for more than just their community service, but their groundbreaking gameplay. They are more than inspiration off the court, they are winners on the court.

I play for me, but I also play and represent something much greater than me. I embrace that. I love that. I want that. Zina Garrison, Althea Gibson, Arthur Ashe, and Venus opened so many doors for me. I’m just opening the next door for the next person.

- SERENA WILLIAMS

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Unapologetically black in White SpAces Unapologetically black in whi White SpAces ti

Unapologetically Black @ Northwestern WRITTEN BY ARIEL PAUL

“I’m Black - they never let me forget it. I’m Black, all right - I’ll never lt them forget it.”

- Jack Johnson

In primarily white institutions, whether a university or workplace, Black people are familiar with navigating white spaces. For some, it is not unlike the environment they came from but for others, it is a completely new one.

From assimilation to unapologetic Blackness, students at Northwestern have found different ways to navigate white spaces.

In his book “Black in White Space,” Elijah Anderson describes white spaces as a place where Black people are either not expected or not present, and when present, are marginalized. Anderson describes culture associated with Black space, something that Black people can either try to shed, or something they try to embrace as a way of authentication.

“I think that there’s a shared culture that many Back people do have,” said Sean Dukes, a Northwestern senior studying Sociology and Global Health. “There are common things that we share in this school. But obviously, there’s different types of Blackness. Being Black is different for each person.”

Noel Mathews, a first-year majoring in Social Policy and Black studies, with a minor in legal studies, spoke about her experience attending a primarily white school before coming to Northwestern. She shared a quote by heavyweight

champion Jack Johnson that her father would tell her whenever she felt insecure in her background. “I’m Black - they never let me forget it.

I’m Black, all right - I’ll never let them forget it.”

Unapologetic Blackness is easier when you find kinship with others. In his book, Elijah Anderson mentioned that Black people often seek each other out. However, it can be hard in white spaces.

“What was important to me coming to Northwestern was building that mini HBCU here and becoming a part of the Black community,” Mathews said. “I feel like since the Black community here is so small, it’s also very, very tight knit and that was definitely something I was constantly thinking about and looking forward to.”

Dukes said that while he doesn’t seek out Black people in every space, he is a part of different Black organizations that provide that environment for him.

“I will seek out Black people sometimes but not all the time,” said Dukes. “I do seek out Black spaces like, the clubs I’m in are only black clubs like gospel choir and BMP as far as my exec roles— and Impact also, so those are only Black spaces.”

Within Northwestern, there are spaces such as classes and discussions where that allyship is not an option for Black students.

Cheyenne Clifton, a junior at Northwestern University majoring in English, said that in her

Unapologetically black in White SpAces Unapologetically black in 31

field, she does not see a lot of people who look like her.

own Blackness. Dukes finds that in gospel music.

“Initially, when I’m entering the space, then I will try to find someone who is Black, right, but in a lot of situations there isn’t someone who’s black,” Clifton said. “So I’ll try to find someone who has brown skin, and if not brown skin, then a person of color. But sometimes I’m in spaces where that’s not even an option.”

“That’s a very Black thing for the most part,” Dukes said. “There’s certain aspects of myself that I’ll hide from non-Black people, but I try to do better at not hiding it. It’s more like a choice for me.”

Anderson references how racial divide is a fact of life that Black people learn to deal with, and there’s a temptation to “filter” Blackness and keep the reality of Blackness separate from white folks.

“I realized that bringing up my Blackness or the things and tools I learned in SESP to talk about things, those are valuable,” Clifton said.

“The reason why I’m there is to be a voice; I’m not THE voice, but I am A voice, and I think that is helpful.”

While all the students held the belief that there is no one way to be Black, there are certain things they feel are central to their

For Northwestern students, to be unapologetically Black means to be unapologetically themselves. It can take a while to be comfortable enough to do that; for Dukes and Clifton, that came later in their academic career.

Tailored Black spaces for students to connect help freshmen like Mathews ease into that comfort earlier on.

“I feel like back home I didn’t have a lot of spaces where I would be surrounded by not only Black people but Black academics, and something that has been really important to me is the Black house,” Mathews said.

“You have this sort of link that is tied to empathy in the sense that, although we may be different, we have a black experience that is shared, and we can relate on that basis.”

“I think that there’s a shared culture that many black people do have. There are common things that we share in this school.”

- Sean Dukes “I feel like back home I didn’t have a lot of spaces where I would be surrounded by Black academics, and something that has been really important to me is the Black House.”

- Noel Mathews

“The reason why I’m there is to be a voice.”

- Cheyenne Clifton

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White SpAces Unapologetically black in White SpAces Unapologetical 32

RHYTHMS OF BELIEF WRITTEN BY Mariam Fofana

In the heart of New Orleans, where the sultry air held secrets and the jazz music flowed through the streets like an eternal river, a small, cozy kitchen exhaled the warm fragrance of a secret family gumbo. Nestled in the enticing home, the rhythmic hiss of simmering cayenne and the soft rustle of bay leaves whispered a history of generations past. It was a magical recipe, a hidden alchemy passed down through time—a potion said to unite not only flavors but hearts and minds. The seasoned pot sat on the stove, a trusted relic of countless gatherings, baptizing the air with a spicy, savory charm. In the warm glow of the kitchen’s gentle lighting, a single beam of sunlight reached through a gap in the curtain and gently brushed across the pot’s gleaming surface, casting playful reflections upon the worn countertops.

The gumbo was ready. Carefully ladling it into two bowls, the hands of a weathered mother that prepared it had been perfected by years of tradition. The aroma was a tantalizing blend of aromatics and a hint of thyme. The scene was set, and my doubts mirrored the trepidation in her eyes. We lowered ourselves into the chairs, the worn wooden seats still holding the essence of countless conversations, disputes, and silences. My mother’s smile held a glint of hope, a rare sight in a world where our bond had been strained by life’s unforgiving challenges. As we shared the gumbo, a dance of understanding began—a slow, graceful waltz that we had never quite mastered.

“Trust me,” she whispered, her voice carrying the weight of countless moments that had slipped through the cracks of our relationship. “It’s more than just food; it’s the link between us.” Her words, spoken with an air of both reverence and excitement, hung in the air like the haunting melody of a jazz trumpet. The room felt like a sacred space, a sanctuary where our bond would deepen. The gumbo, a silent witness, held the power to strengthen the connection between mother and daughter, a promise to overcome doubts and nurture belief.

Before I knew it, my mother’s hand dipped into her apron and ever so carefully pulled out two tickets to the Beyoncé Knowles’ Renaissance concert. My metal spoon plopped into my bowl in sheer shock and excitement. I leaped out of my seat and practically crushed two (or maybe three) ribs of my mother’s, as superhuman strength took over me.

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“Chile, let go of me before I fall over”, my mother said through stifled laughter and gritted teeth. I sat back down, a beaming smile plastered on my face all the while, suddenly infused with more purpose than I was before my mom presented me with the surprise. As I savored each spoonful, my doubts and fears began to melt away. The gumbo wrapped me in a comforting embrace, and I could feel the powerful connection that was being forged between us.

It was more than just food; it was a bridge to our souls, a means to understand each other on a level deeper than words. But beneath the shared meal and unspoken bond, our relationship was not without its complexities. The years had brought their share of conflicts and disagreements, creating a rift between us that was not easily mended. The gumbo, as magical as it was, couldn’t erase the history of strained interactions and missed opportunities for connection.

As we continued to share the secret gumbo, our telepathic connection deepened. Thoughts flowed between us, unspoken and yet profoundly understood. I could share my fears, my doubts about my dancing, and the weight of the looming talent show. In return, I could feel her thoughts, a gentle stream of reassurance, a testament to her unwavering support. `The telepathic connection was an extraordinary gift, allowing us to understand each other’s innermost thoughts and feelings. It was as if we had been given the power to read each other’s minds, to share our hopes and fears in a way that words could never express.

One evening, as the sun cast a warm golden glow across the room, I shared my struggles with her. “I don’t know, Mom,” I thought, feeling the weight of the upcoming talent show pressing down on me. “I’m just not good enough.

My dancing, my musicality, it’s all a mess.” Her response was a gentle reassurance that filled my heart. “Maya,” her thoughts flowed back to me, “You are more than good enough. You have a gift, a talent that is uniquely yours. Believe inyourself.” With each passing day, I could feel her belief in me growing stronger. Her thoughts danced in the room like whispers, urging me to embrace my talent and to have faith in my abilities. Her unwavering support was a source of strength, a foundation on which I could build my self-confidence. As I stood in the dance studio at school, my class-

mates swirling around me like a tornado conveyed by this fusion of past and future. I heard the laughter of of talent and energy, my insecurities seemed insurmountable. lovers in a virtual realm and the yearning of digital artists in search The drums and guitar strings rang, a rhythmic heartbeat, and I of inspiration. moved with a sense of determination. But as I approached a cruIn the midst of this digital performance, I opened my eyes cial four-count step, my feet tangled, and I stumbled, a cascade to find myself bathed in a surreal, iridescent light. It was as though of awkwardness and embarrassment. the cosmos had unveiled its brilliance to bless me with the wonders In that moment, as my classmates’ jeers and laughter of Black beauty. The music continued to flow through me, and I echoed in my ears, my connection with my mother, while a understood that I was not just a spectator, but a participant in this source of support, couldn’t shield me from the weight of humili- grand renaissance of the soul. The stadium dissolved into a dreamation. The insecurities I had carried for so long resurfaced, and I scape. I traversed landscapes that existed beyond the boundaries wished to vanish from the spotlight. of reality, danced at masquerades in virtual dimensions, and conMy mother’s thoughts flowed into my mind, a comfortversed with holographic philosophers and poets. I was a black girl ing presence amidst the storm of embarrassment. “Maya,” she of the 21st century, yet in that moment, I was also a visionary of the conveyed, her words a lifeline in my sea of doubt, “it’s just a future, a dreamer, a creator, and a seeker of the infinite possibilities stumble. You are strong, and you have the power to overcome of afro-futurism. this.” The connection I had with my mother, while a source of strength, could not erase the immediate embarrassment I felt.

As the final, lingering notes of the concert graced the air, I knew As the day of the concert with Beyoncé drew near, the that this experience was more than a mere performance. It was a memory of the embarrassing moment continued to haunt me. testament to the boundless potential of afro-futurism, a fusion of The weight of my doubts overshadowed the excitement I should the past, present, and future, where history and innovation cohave been feeling. My insecurities about my dancing abilities alesced to redefine our understanding of the human experience. still clung to me like a heavy shroud, even as the vibrant energy I left the concert hall that evening with a profound sense of wonder of New Orleans surrounded us. Amid the luminescent emand gratitude. I carried with me the memory of a transformative brace of a futuristic concert stadium, I embarked on a journey night, a night when the past and the future had converged, and I, that transcended the confines of time. Donned in a gown that a young Black girl, had found herself connected to the enduring blended sleek, ebony fabrics with shimmering metallic accents, beauty of the Renaissance, reimagined through the lens of BeyonI took my place within the stadium of wonders. The radiant glow cé. I knew that I would forever cherish the music that had allowed of holographic projections danced upon the walls, creating an me to transcend temporal constraints and embrace the boundless atmosphere that felt both ethereal and rooted in the future. The richness of human history. And so it began; hand in hand with my air was tinged with the scent of digital parchment, and the per- mother, I was filled with a newfound sense of confidence. Beyonformers, draped in garments that seamlessly merged tradition cé’s final words to me were a mantra I would carry in my heart with technology, were poised to usher us into a new dimension. forever: The musicians, their instruments created a harmonious blend of the classical and the avant-garde, took their positions. I marveled at the ethereal glow of the luminescent strings on the futuristic harp and the lute player’s nimble fingers manipulating a fusion of strings. The music they wove together was a symphony of the past and the future, resonating with the promise of a world yet to come. With every note that reverberated through the stadium, I closed my eyes and surrendered to the fusion of sound and technology. Each note, each lyric, was a portal to a world that defied temporal boundaries, inviting me to experience the Renaissance spirit through the lens of afro-futurism.

In my reverie, I saw a world where love was declared through holographic messages, where virtual gardens flourished with digital blooms, and where forbidden romances ignited within the immersive landscapes of cyberspace. The voices of the performers, both human and synthesized, whispered of a future where technology and humanity coexisted harmoniously, inviting me to bear witness to a new kind of Renaissance.

As the music swelled and enveloped me, I felt my spirit ascend to new heights, my heart resonating with the emotions conveyed by this fusion of past and future. I heard the laughter

“Believe in yourself.”

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Hip-Hop 50 Years of

Hip-hop is one of many music genres dominating today’s entertainment industry. But the genre is also so much more than just music. Hip-hop is a storytelling mechanism. Through high-quality production and lyricism, hip-hop has been used to educate, enlighten, and entertain. It has created thought-pieces, feel-good dance music, and cultural staples. With origins in 1970s New York, hip-hop has spread exponentially, becoming a global genre loved by many. In honor of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, BlackBoard Magazine has recreated the album covers from a selection of iconic artists.

To hip-hop: Thank you for an incredible 50-year run. Here’s to the next 50!

MODELED BY DARIUS DAUGHTRY AND JAYDEN PEAN

MODELED BY YAZZY MOHAMMED AND KAI MOHAMMED

Stankonia OutKast 2000

With how iconic the Stankonia album cover is, there was no doubt that this image would be recreated.

Stankonia is home to hits like “Ms. Jackson” and “So Fresh, So Clean.” Stankonia is an experimental album, blending a variety of sounds, rhythms, and genres. The Atlanta duo, OutKast, have left a defining mark on hip-hop, opening the door to more alternative styles of the genre. Track one, “Intro,” brings us into the world of Stankonia, stating Stankonia is “[T]he place from which all funky things come.” With Stankonia, OutKast was, sonically and literally, in their own world.

MODELED BY YAZZY MOHAMMED AND KAI MOHAMMED

MODELED BY TOSIN OKOH AND TY’SHEA WOODS

MODELED BY HORTENSE INEZ MUTAMBA

Straight Outta Compton NWA 1988

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Under Construction Missy Elliot 2002

Very Necessary Salt-N-Pepa 1993

MODELED BY DARIUS DAUGHTRY

Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial Roddy Ricch 2019

MODELED BY MATHEWS WONDWESEN

It was early 2020 and there was one song taking the world by storm. “The Box” is the massive hit single off Roddy Ricch’s debut album Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial. The album includes songs like “High Fashion” and features from Ty Dolla Sign, Meek Mill, Lil Durk, and Gunna.

MODELED BY KAI MOHAMMED

“The Box” has nearly two billion streams on Spotify. It also spent eleven weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, being one of only 44 songs that have stayed on the chart for over 10 weeks, according to Business Insider. The song even blocked pop icon Justin Bieber’s No. 2 hit “Yummy,” according to Billboard. Though most of 2020 was spent in isolation and solitude, “The Box” is reminiscent of an early 2020 spent in normalcy; the quiet before the storm.

To Pimp a Butterfly Kendrick Lamar 2015

2014 Forest Hills Drive J. Cole 2014

Culture II Migos 2018 MODELED BY KAI MOHAMMED, DARIUS DAUGHTRY AND CATHERINE NDOVU

Call Me If You Get Lost Tyler, The Creator 2021 MODELED BY YAZZY MOHAMMED AND KAI MOHAMMED

SremmLife Rae Sremmurd 2015 MODELED BY DARIUS DAUGHTRY

Damn.

Kendrick Lamar 2017

MODELED BY TOSIN OKOH, KAI MOHAMMED, YAZZY MOHAMMED, DARIUS DAUGHTRY, T’SHEA WOODS, JAYDEN PEAN, AND CATHERINE NDOVU

To Pimp a Butterfly is a highly regarded album, considered one of Kendrick’s best and a hiphop cornerstone. The album is a labyrinth of symbolism and rhetoric and it can take hours to explain all the intricate inner working Kendrick created. When looking at the album cover specifically, one sees men flaunting money. The White House’s overarching presence suggests the power institutions hold over or give to these men. This correlates with the album’s story, as Uncle Sam is mentioned as an authority figure. Money is a form of power and evil. Materialistic needs are represented by the album character Lucy, or Lucifer. The album cover itself is another piece of the To Pimp a Butterfly puzzle, further building on the relationship between money, power, and ordinary people.

To Pimp a Butterfly is a piece of art that offers an audience something new every listen. It creates conversations about institutions and industries dangling money over the heads of individuals. It reminds us that despite harsh adversities, we will be alright.

DESIGNED, WRITTEN, AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY Rachel Smith

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FALL 2023/WINTER 2024