AUGUST - SEPTEMBER In In the the records records of of West West African African history, history, “Griot” “Griot” (pronounced (pronounced greegreeoh) oh) was was the the honored honored name name bestowed bestowed upon upon wise wise and and knowledgeable knowledgeable story story tellers tellers entrusted entrusted with with the the task task of of documenting documenting tribal tribal histories histories and and genealogies. genealogies.
the
GRI T Ramapalooza Ice Cream Social Rocky Mountain Showdown
This issue covers:
Student Protests and more...
Letter Hello,
from the Editor
First of all, a huge warm greeting and welcome to all readers of the GRIOT. I am excited to serve as designer and editor of this publication for another year--my final year--at CSU. Although we are over a month into school, I still want to take the opportunity to greet first year students, whether it's your first year in college, or at CSU in general. I hope you all have had a smooth transition into CSU and hopefully the Black/African American Cultural Center as well. However frequently you choose to visit the Center, I hope it fosters positivity and comfortability for you, because at this predominantly white institute, we aren’t often given our own spaces of expression for people who look like us. Already within our first three weeks of school, there was an incident of blatant and offensive racism at our university. Four white students posted themselves in Blackface, a historically offensive expression of racism that includes darkening the face/skin and impersonating Black people, often to reflect us and our culture in a negative light. Blackface has historically, and presently, been used to ultimately mock and disrespect Black people, and at this university, it was no
exception. Despite the response from the university, or your peers, or leaders, I hope that you each took time for selfcare and self-reflection. As a community, both the negative and the positive influence growth and change within us. Despite the negativity, there have already been many opportunities for students to foster positive influence, whether it’s joining an organization or club, or going to any events put on by the university or B/AACC itself. Please continue to show up, show out, and be heard and seen. Part of Black History is showing up uninvited. Creating our own spaces and communities of engagement is our M.O. Sometimes, it can feel like change is slow, but please take comfort in knowing that as long as you have the drive to make a difference you’re already miles ahead. It brings me joy to see your faces, however you choose to show up. Black and Better Than Ever, Kerriana Tatum
Welcome: from Pro Staff What’s Up Y’all!!! The fall semester is rolling on and I am excited to be back for my year two to support, affirm, laugh at--I mean with--and be in community with you all. The word I offer for this year is perseverance. Already we have had to experience some things that are quite uncomfortable and don’t feel
good, but we must continue persevere. It gets hard, it gets tough, but we are strong, especially when we are together. Find community and find your strength. We may even stumble and fall, but I encourage you to get back up and give it another try. You all got this and we got you. With Life, Light, and Love – Adrian
Greetings!My name is Emerald Green and I currently serve as the Assistant Director for the Black/African American Cultural Center and I was born, raised, and uplifted in Oakland, California by a community of strong Black people who I stand on the shoulders of. I was called to this work in Student Affairs initially as a student leader during undergrad in as a member of the Black Student Union, as an Orientation Leader, a Peer Mentor, and being a current member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
While the semester started heavy…I hope you are finding time for yourselves and reasons to celebrate YOU and being a college student! Make the best out of your educational experience here at CSU. We have lots of opportunities for you to consider taking advantage of – cultural, academic enhancement, leadership as well as several mentoring opportunities as we aid you in growing, developing and preparing you for graduation and move onto “Adulting!”I would love to get to know those of you whom I do not know better so please stop in to say hello. -Ms. B These experiences shaped my commitment to higher education, not only for myself but also for students that look like and share similar identities of being First Generation and raised in low-income neighborhoods. One thing I am looking forward to this year is our collective community opportunities to heal together while promoting and encouraging Black joy, Black resistance, and Black excellence daily throughout the academic year.
Ice Cream Social The Black/African American Cultural Center hosted an Ice Cream Social on August 28th. Many students and staff enjoyed free ice cream, socialized with new people, and learned about amazing B/AACC-supported student organizations and how to get involved. Some of the present student organizations were the National Society of Black Engineers, Black Student Alliance, United Women of Color, United Men of Color, Africans United, and the sororities and fraternities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Most importantly, mentees came to meet their mentors--some of them for the first time--and other first Â
year and transfer students who were looking to find a supporting community on campus. The B/AACC community shares a mission to help folks who identify and/or are in exploration of the Black community be successful and find a home as they navigate college, and this event was only the beginning of beautiful connections between students, student staff and pro staff that will last and strengthen for the rest of the academic year and beyond. We were proud to share the enthusiastic voice of the black community at CSU with others as we embrace an upcoming year full of success, growth, and connection.
written by: Paula Mendoza
It's It's a a Carnival! Carnival! On August 22, 2019, CSU hosted its annual Ram Carnival in order to kick-off Ram Welcome. Many students, faculty and staff, and alumni gathered on the intramural fields to engage with the Class of 2023, showing them what it means to be a part of the “Ramily.” The Student Diversity Programs and Service (SDPS) offices orchestrated classic carnival games like ring toss and 11 & Under or 30 & Over. Lines for the inflatable obstacle courses stretched from end to end. Of course, CAM the Ram
made an appearance by assisting new students in completing one of the 70 Things to Do before graduating, which is to take a photo with him! The large gathering and infectious excitement from our fellow Rams set the tone for the fall semester. Once again, the Ram Carnival left first year students feeling pumped to be on our campus with just a taste of what it means to be Proud to Be, while current students and alumni returned to the fun and spirit on CSU’s campus.
written by: Ahjina Hopkins
Welcome Transfer Students! The Black/African American Cultural Center came together to support transfer students in their transition to Colorado State written by: Jaelin Jones University at the Transfer Student Mixer. Students were able to bond and share their transfer experiences while enjoying refreshments. Although attendance was lower than expected those who did attend appreciated that B/AACC has now made a space for students to not only connect through their transitions to CSU, but also
their blackness. Professional staff were also there to welcome students to the office and inform them of the different organizations that operate out of our office. B/AACC is a pioneer in the Student Diversity Programs and Services Offices in the fact that we now have included transfers in the Rites of Passage program and now have transfer mentors. We can’t wait to see B/AACC’s transfer community grow.
On September 4th, 2019 the Black/African American cultural held its annual Welcome B/AACC BBQ for Faculty, Staff, Students and new additions to the family to immerse themselves in some good food, music, and fun! Students indulged in some burgers, hotdogs, mac n’ cheese, and more. Fortunately, students were able to see some members from the Divine 9 stroll,
and they represented their chapters as the audience watched. Many 1st year students were given the chance to get acclimated by meeting current members of CSU in the Black/African American Cultural Center, as well as people who don’t usually frequent the center. The BAACC BBQ is most definitely an event to look forward to in the future!
BBQ? Don't Mind if I Do!
written by: Jaquikeyah Fields
RAMAPALOOZA
sirraH nahtE :yb nettirw
August 23rd was a busy day across CSU as the campus prepared for their evening fair, Ramapalooza! The day was especially exciting for the B/AACC office which hosted their Open House earlier that afternoon. Fresh faced first year and transfer students were invited to be in community with B/AACC office staff and current students in what could be best described as a welcoming celebration. From 2-4pm, the office was filled with music, laughter, and an infectious
The ‘We got your B/AACC’ Parent & Family lunch took place on Wednesday, August 21, 2019. Each year the Black/African American Cultural Center invites 1st year students, parents, staff, and alumni to learn a little about the history of the office and what our space looks like. We started off the afternoon in an informational meeting where Ms. B, Emerald, and Adrian explained how we acknowledge our predecessors and build from their previous efforts. Some alumni were in attendance, showing the closeness of the B/AACC family even after graduation. In the meeting, pro-staff mentioned some programs- Real Talk and the Homecoming Pageant & Parade- and student organizations affiliated with the Black/African American Cultural
energy that could be felt throughout all the surrounding spaces. Mentees were introduced to their mentors and relationships were cemented. The energy from the event led directly into Ramapalooza, where students roamed the Lory Student Center playing games, meeting new people, and enjoy a fun night in community with the rest of the student body. The fun filled day succeeded in alleviating stress and anxiety for new students and was a fantastic way to welcome them into the Ram family!
Center to include: AU, BSA, UMC, UWC, and COLORS. After the informational meeting, lunch was served in the B/AACC office. CSU catered mac-ncheese with bacon, salad, mini shrimp, lemonade, and kool-aid. Student staff were able to interact with students and family while eating. Peer mentors were able to meet some mentees and answer any questions from them and their families. The office was filled with food and music, a perfect way to chop it up with our newest additions to the B/AACC family! Students and parents enjoyed themselves and were able to see a glimpse of our space in room 335 of the Lory Student Center. written by: Alizayna Walton
Parent and Family Welcome
Rights of Passage Retreat This year’s Rites of Passage Retreat (9/13-9/15) welcomed yet another group of incoming freshman and provided them the opportunity to connect with not only other first-years, but other Black and African American students. The space was one full of love, laughter, and acceptance as we all bonded over the experiences that have made us into the Black Excellence we are today. From games that had us running about, to the sharing circles where we uplifted one another, we were in community as by: Journey Taylor written
as we ate and danced the night away. Students also participated in outdoor activities that ranged from horseback riding to crafts. Through the various activities over the course of the 3 days, we were able to connect to one another and back to our ancestors. The purpose of the retreat was to provide students with a space to be themselves, center in their Blackness, and to do so unapologetically. We returned to campus stronger, ready to be all of the great things that our ancestors wished us to be.
As Colorado State University celebrates their 150-year anniversary we start the year with renewed rivalry between the CSU rams and CU Boulder Buffalos. Unlike previous years in the past, this year the Rocky Mountain Showdown celebrates its last game at the Broncos Stadium @ Mile High on August 30, 2019. Since 1998, the Broncos Stadium @ Mile High has usually hosted this game at their facility, so with 21 years’ worth of fun memories under their belt both teams made it a mission to end off with a bang. Though the final chapter was written in
Black and Gold, CSU put on one of the greatest shows in years. With over 66,000 people to witness, this gritty, back-andforth game reminded many of us as to why we are so passionate about the in-state rivalry that has gone on for almost 126 years. As for CSU students, the jaw-dropping performance CSU football players showed its supporters reminded us why we are Proud to Be a CSU Ram. With the Canvas stadium hosting this glorious game next year, we hope to continue the traditions that this game has created.
RR OO CC KK YY MM OO UU NN TT AA II NN SS HH OO WW DD OO WW NN WRITTEN BY: MIA ADKINS
#N O T P R O U D
written by: Kerriana Tatum In the face of adversity, many students find themselves at a crossroads, having to choose between being a student, and being an advocate for their identities. Janaye Matthews had stated this to a group of over 200 students during the protest of September 19th that on that day, she’d chosen to be Black over being a student, and many students empathized with her position. Hundreds of students, compelled to stand against the constant racism and harassment on CSU’s campus, took to peaceful protest to make our presence known and heard during President Joyce McConnell’s Fall Address.
Organizers of this protest included Janaye Matthews, Micaela Parker, Haneen Badri, Jessica Mitchell, and Marcela Riddick. From the now-infamous, nationally widespread Blackface incident, to the racist and homophobic rhetoric from preachers on the Lory Student Center plaza, to the racist symbols and words graffitti’d onto resident halls and apartment buildings, and much, much more, students felt that CSU had inadequately responded to these various racist incidents. "NOT PROUD TO BE" continued...
T O
B E
"Racial battle fatigue is a psychological concept that was coined in 2003 as a theoretical framework to explain the social and psychological stress responses from being an African American... on a historically White campus." (wikipedia)
photo creds: Xavier Hadley (ig: @yldhx) frequent on campus, and-like in the incident of Blackface--even the very spaces we live in. Not only this, but we expect CSU administration to take more action to protect Black students and students of color, besides meaningless words and promises of diversity. The silent protest was a symbol of not only intolerance for racism, but hope for current and future students to see accountability for racist incidents on campus.
instagram: @notproudtobe gmail: nptb.csu@gmail.com
Out of this frustration came the “Not Proud to Be” initiative, bringing light to the racism that CSU should not be proud of, despite the “Proud to Be” slogan it boasts. The President’s Fall Address is an annual event that acknowledges alumni and donors, and usually celebrates CSU’s achievements. This was a perfect opportunity to let at least a portion of the CSU community know that the societal abuse that students of color experience in this world on a daily still affect us in an educational setting, where we
Time for Systematic Change
photo creds: Aaron Bonilla (ig: airruns_lens)
Institutional racism has plagued the US for centuries, bleeding into every fabric of our nation. Socially, educationally, legally, and professionally, there have been efforts to increase the marginalization people of color have endured for years. We have been left out and ostracized institutionally, with the intention of separation and hardship to prevent our successes. On September 18th, students challenged CSUs institutional bias. Racism on campus has been protected under language that does not consider the impacts racist hatred has on students at CSU. Many fed up students and Black ASCSU senators came together to create (and pass) a resolution, which would ensure that students who engage in Blackface and other discriminatory acts would indeed face consequences, and can no longer justify racism on campus with the First Amendment.
The Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) was occupied by many Black and allied students from not only CSU, but Greeley’s UNC, Pueblo’s CSU, CU Denver, and Metro’s UCCS. The gallery spoke for hours, with many Black students and students of color sharing their personal stories and experiences of discrimination on campus and off. Powerful words were spoken to push the proposition through. Although some melanin deficient gallery members heckled and prodded with racist comments and statistics, the true intent of the night shone through, with the hearing beginning at 6pm and ending at 2am. Students used strategic outrage to get to the source of institutional change at CSU and create at least a start to accountability. written by: Kerriana Tatum