Magazine: Black History Month Edition

design by Naomi Diaz and Alanna Stein

The celebration of Black History Month will keep young adults informed of Black history in the US as schools start to ban the teaching of such topics. The debate of teaching critical race theory is being tackled in state legislatures. Discussions of CRT are crucial to understand the reasoning for President Ford’s creation of black history month, as topics discuss the history of racism and prejudice in the US. While 3 of 4 US citizens agree with the sentiment that CRT should be taught in schools, 18 states —as of January 2023— have enacted some amount of legislation limiting discussions of race in history classrooms.

In the state of Alabama, teachings of critical race theory are banned altogether in K-12 schools.

Phillip Ensler, former teacher and speaker present at the Alabama B.O.E decision meeting, it best when he says, “Teaching systemic racism here will not make Black children feel inferior … Nor will it make all white people feel at fault. And the way knowing my history empowers me, it will empower them.”

By withholding teachings of critical race theory, students are not provided with the broader context of racism that still exists in America.

HISTORY OF PERSECUTION IN THE U.S

Based on a 2019 Pew Research Center Poll, “More than eightin-ten black adults say the legacy of slavery affects the position of black people in America today”.

This statistic porves that a base level understanding of persecution must be formed to recognize historical persecution of African Americans in the U.S— something the celebration of Black History Month seeks to inform of. Since its existence in 1976, the dedicated month of African American histiory has achieved success in its purpose of informing historical persecution through use of campaigns. Just one campaign in specific is named “Inheritance: Black Life and American History”, run by The Atlanic. The project highlights stories of resilience of Black Americans through their suffrage. A multitude of personal stories are written within the page accounting firsthand events, providing a platform for others to listen and learn . Campaigns such as these are simply one example of how AfricanAmericans conttinue to share their personal experiences of persecution that would not have been provided without the platform of Black Hitsory Month.

By celebrating Black History Month not only are you providing exposure and education to those less knowledgeable about African American history and persecution, you are also helping to push back racism that still exists today.

Systemic racism, an invisible form of racism culturally embedded into the institutions of the United States, still threatens many black opportunities and lives. The flawed criminal justice system, environmental injustice, and injust financial differences are clear indicators of this.

While slavery, federal segregation, and lynching has concluded, death of black minorities due to racism has not. According to PNAS, “Over the life course, about 1 in every 1,000 black men can expect to be killed by police.”

The Black Lives Matter movement, popularized after the brutal murder of George Floyd, among suppressing white supremacy and racial injustice worldwide, values local power to combat the evils of racism. Use your voice to continue BLM’s statement!

Black History Month serves as a yearly reminder to shine light on systemic racism. By celebrating — sharing the statistics, promoting black individuals and movements, and educating yourself— America becomes one step closer to pushing back.

design by Maya Dunkelman

design by Mahawa Bangoura

The History Of

By Naomi Diaz

Ahhh yes; our beloved era of the 90s’, the realest of them all. It was a time where an abundance of powerful, beautiful culture was put into the spotlight of the media, becoming the iconic, unforgettable trend of the century. e baggy clothing, name-embezzled chains, blinding grillz, hoop, and bamboo earrings with nails that go for miles that everyone loved to rock way-back-when are massive products of Black, African American, and Latino culture. Now, let’s backpedal; where did all of this exactly come from?

Hip-hop is the cultural movement that attained widespread popularity in the 1980s and ’90s; the backing music for rap, the musical style incorporating rhythmic and/or rhyming speech that became the movement’s most lasting and in uential art form.

Allow me to break it down; let’s take a look at the actual words: “hip-hop.” e rst word, “hip,” originates from the Senegalese language known as Wolof, stemming from the word, “hipi.” is term directly translates “to open one’s eyes and see,” and it is typically used as a term of enlightenment.

e second word, “hop,” originates from the English language, signifying movement. We bundle all of these components together, thus producing the term, “hip-hop,” essentially meaning “intelligent movement.”

ere are 5 essential pillars to hip-hop, cra ed by their founding fathers in New York City: deejaying, or “turntabling”; rapping, also known as “MCing” (pronounced“em-ceeing”) meaning “master of ceremony”. Rhyme; correspondence of sound between words or the endings of words, especially when these are used at the ends of lines of poetry. Gra ti painting, also known as “graf” or “writing.” Break dancing, or “B-boying,” which encompasses hip-hop dance, style, and attitude, along with the sort of virile body language. And lastly, “knowledge of self/consciousness.”

Of course, we can never truly appreciate what we presently know without tuning into the deep history of hip-hop: the godparents. e beginnings of the dancing, rapping, and deejaying components of hip-hop were bound together by the shared environment in which these art forms evolved.

DJ Kool Herc and other pioneering hip-hop deejays such as Grand Wizard eodore, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash isolated and extended the break beat, con-

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juring a revolution that would extend beyond imaginable. Flourishing in an instant, hip-hop culture came into the media with a boom; it quickly became a stunning image in the wake of the 80s’. Hip-hop artists from places other than New York City began to make their mark.

Later on in the 90s, lyricists on the come up found their spotlight to bathe in and mics to split amplifying revelations of rapid re. Never failing to taint the stage oor with their in uence, their titles always remain iconic on the tongues of the children of the generations. Not to mention the unforgettable hip-hop groups that took form in in uence of the paradigmatic soloists that roamed before them. is tradition of evolution in the art embedded in the art as a whole symbolizes unity in which hip-hop perpetuates, particularly applied to communities of color.

As the century turned, the music industry began to weaken and entered a crisis. Hip-hop su ered at least as severely as or worse than other genres, with sales tumbling down throughout the decade. Along with this setback, the industry experienced a new level of hate and backlash. Su ering with the perpetuated negative stereotypes from society, hip-hop came face-to-face with the pop industry, competing to reserve its place in a spotlight. It was a trivial process to attempt to plow through this su ocating turmoil; however, simultaneously, it eventually solidi ed its standing as the dominant in uence on global pop and youth culture. With all of the pressures of accessibility the intricacy and subversive nature of earlier MCs had largely been pushed to the “alternative”/“underground” scene upside-down. Regardless of hip-hop’s own internal struggles, the music’s global impact constantly continued to expand. In the wake of the early 2000s’, tons of new lyricists emerged into the genre that we know of today. e revolutionary contributions of these legends gi ed the later generations this unforgettable culture. is is a gi , allowing us the ability to identify multitudes of aspects categorized under this culture in the present. Although hip-hop now will never– and I repeat NEVER– emulate how it used to be back-in-theday, this long history will extend onward, lacing this era with descendants that continue to carry out this beautiful blessing on the planet.

African American History Should Be Required At Eastern

On February 1st, 2023,

The Black Excellence of Eastern

Black History Month; a month of remembrance, honor, and justice for the black community. In honoring the past we must also represent the present, and in this time the Voyager has chosen to represent the black excellence of Eastern; the students. Music, the arts, theater, sports, academics, and even community service is a great way to excel in life all while serving the community and being a great student here at Eastern. So let’s start with what Eastern wouldn’t be Eastern without: sports.

Who would be better to represent the Black players within our own community than Eastern’s Silas Davis

His position in football is linebacker and running back while running track in the spring. He started playing football at the age of six because his dad grew up playing, so he saw a future for all of his sons playing as well. Silas’s older brother, Amiel Davis, plays football and is currently at Penn State and is one of his biggest role models. He wants to follow in his brother’s footsteps, so Silas has done the same by applying to Penn State and has o cially been accepted! Along with being accepted into university already, Silas has won the First Team All Conference Linebacker Award. Along with this, he received the Odin Scholarship this year for showing adversity and never giving up, and on top of that a ve hundred dollar scholarship. It’s clear to see everything Silas has achieved in his successes and we can’t wait to see where that takes him!

Johnay Stilley is a senior who runs track here at Eastern competing in the 100 hurdles and 55 hurdles. She started showing an interest in the sport during middle school but began taking it seriously just last year. She stated that because of the isolation from covid she found herself very distant from life and wanted something to keep her going. at’s where track came into mind. Something that continues to motivate Johnay would be breaking her current running times and getting accepted into her dream school, University of Maryland. Because Johnay is such an amazing runner, she has won an Olympic award, an MVP award, and is pronounced as the top hurdler in the state of New Jersey. And to top that o , she’s going to nationals in March! Because of track, Johnay feels as if she has become a better and happier person. It has also brought on a lot of con dence and taught her to always be on her A-game. As a Black woman, she believes being a great runner just proves that Black people can do anything they put their minds to. Even when coming from a not so great background, she can still rise above darkness. If Johnay has learned anything from running track it would be “winners make adjustments, losers make excuses”.

e next sport to be discussed is cheer in the black community. Olivia Capers, a senior at Eastern, cheers at an All Star Competitive cheer group. She started her journey at age ve being inspired by her mom who was a cheer coach. Her mother along with God are her number one supporters and Olivia said she wouldn’t be where she is now without them. Her mom told her “when one door closes, another one opens”. And those words have always been important to Olivia especially during tough challenges, and for Olivia, racial challenges was one of them. Olivia has always felt like the black girl who stood out on the team, and has su ered from some instances where she has felt like prejudices were made against her. However, a motivation to keep her going is to place top three at the cheerleading worlds ESPN in Disney World! And as long as Olivia keeps putting her best foot forward, she will achieve her goals!

To move onto the authors of Eastern, the Voyager’s Co-Editor-in-Chief, Mahawa Bangoura. Mahawa wrote her rst story in rst grade but storytelling is how she got into writing. Since Mahawa is from Guinea, her mom used to tell her stories from American culture helping her to assimilate into society. Because of this exposure to reading in her life, Mahawa found herself wanting to create stories of her own, and eventually that would lead her to publishing her rst book! Writing, for Mahawa, gives her a voice that a lot of people don’t have, and allows her to separate herself from others as well. “When you see my writing you know it’s me”, Mahawa stated during the interview. Authors that inspired her to be great would include Nic Stone, Angie omas, and Jason Reynolds. She nds that even though not everyone enjoys writing, it comes fairly easy to her, and that’s why Mahawa plans to have a career in law and become a speech writer! A er graduation, Mahawa hopes to attend her top choice; Howard University majoring in political science. It’s evident to see that Mahawa will be a future inspiration to the youth of the black community!

Aniyah Wilson started her journey in hair at thirteen. She mostly works with clients of color because she feels it connects them and provides a level of comfort between her, her clients, and her mentors. Seeing both of her parents as hair stylists, it inspired her to do the same. “I like to think it’s in my blood”, Aniyah stated. When she first started out, she viewed it as a simple way to make money, but slowly that turned into passion. Aniyah would say that she gets her hard working characteristic from her mom, Rae Model. A motivation for Aniyah would be graduating high school and getting into cosmetology school! Aniyah believes that not only does she make her clients look beautiful, but she provides them with a sense of confidence. Aniyah would say to someone just starting out would be to be open minded and that practice makes perfect! So if you want that ethereal beauty and charming confidence, Aniyah is the woman to do it!

As there are arts such as drawing and beauty, another form of art is one that everyone loves, music. And here at Eastern the most well known music artist would be Makko Red, otherwise known as Jesse Ola. Starting at age four when he began to play piano, he found that he loved music, so in middle school he began writing his own. For Jesse, writing music is a form of escapism and when he does so he feels as if he’s in his own world, like he can create his own vibe. Because both of his parents have musical backgrounds, Jesse stated, “I like to think I get most of my talents from both of them.” Along with being inspired by his parents, Makko looks up to The Weeknd and Kid Cudi as musical role models that allow him to find his own voice in music. Makko just recently in December, received an award for the Most Improved Artist of the Year and has a new single coming out February 24th! After graduating from Eastern, Jesse plans to move out of New Jersey and live in Atlanta or New York to continue with his music career!

Delize Patterson is a senior here at Eastern who puts her grades and her community first. Along with dedicating her time to community service, Delize is one of the many students at our school who is a part of the honors society! Some challenges she has struggled with are people not expecting her to even be in these AP classes and generalizing her. As her good friend stated during the interview, “An unconscious bias was used against her in a predominantly white space.” While this stereotype was pushed onto Delize, she stands at having five APs. To keep motivation after hearing comments like this Delize relies on not only herself but her parents. And speaking of her parents, the reason she started community service was because of her mother. Her mom was in charge of events, and was president of a community service group, so she has always been a part of it and eventually it grew on her. Recently for MLK day, she went to middle schools and five other different high schools in Camden to help out. Being a black woman doing this she feels that she gets to give back to the community and be an inspiration for others. A lesson that she has learned would be to always advocate for yourself, when doing so, you’ll ultimately achieve your goals!

And to finish off our Black Excellence journey, we should end with Eva Littrean. Eva is a senior here at Eastern and an animal technician! Eva first started showing interest in animals in first grade, but she recently started working with them in October. She wanted to help animals because growing up she was constantly around them and unfortunately has seen a lot of sick animals in her life. Eva feels that as a black woman she’s making a big impact because she sees that there aren’t many black people in Veterinarian careers. Eva said that not only working with animals helps others, but it also helps herself: she finds that working with animals helps her with her anxiety. After graduating from Eastern, Eva plans to attend a four year college studying biology and eventually going to Vet school! And a lesson Eva has learned is that animals have their own comfort zone and also deal with mental health, so they handle things differently than humans. So it’s safe to say Eva is making history in the animal medical field!

Eastern is full of black excellence, and, with these students, it was just the tip of the iceberg in discovering the many talents within our school! The Voyager has been honored in representing great students within our school and our community. We are very excited to see the impact that these black students will have in the future and the inspiration that they will be to the youth of the black community.

design by Destiny Robinson and Lee Buckingham

Schools Made by The People, For The People

By Madison Jolley

The history, the culture, the homecomings, the marching bands, the dancers, the food, the hangouts, and ALLLLL THE BLACK EXCELLENCE! For years, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been doing it for the culture as they have given African Americans access to higher education and endless possibilities.

It is important to mention that HBCUs have also survived historical challenges: Jim Crow, inadequate funding, deferred maintenance and accreditation issues.

In the 1800s, anti-literacy laws prevented enslaved and free African Americans from obtaining education. Owners and anti-abolitionists feared that literate slaves would lead to revolts and their economy would collapse. In 1837, Richard Humphrey founded the Institute for Colored Youth in Cheyney, Pennsylvania (now known as Cheyney University). The institute was created for formerly enslaved African Americans to learn basic skills like reading, writing, and mathematics.

In 1850, three more HBCUs were founded: Miner Normal School in D.C., Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, and Wilberforce in Ohio. In 1867, two years after the emancipation proclamation, 9 more HBCUs were founded: Alabama State University, Barber-Scotia College, Fayetteville State University, Howard University, Johnson C. Smith University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, Saint Augustine’s University and Talladega College.

Today, there are a total of 101 HBCUs in the country; 89% are located in the south while others are found in Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

As much as an impact these schools had in the past, they still stand true today as they have produced some great leaders and celebrity personalities. Vice President Kamala Harris attended Howard University and had this to say about her alma mater: “When you’re at an HBCU, and especially one with the size and with the history of Howard University -- and also in the context of also being in D.C., which was known forever as being ‘Chocolate City’ -- it just becomes about you understanding that there is a whole world of peo

ple who are like you.”

HBCUs have also made a life changing impact even in some of our Eastern Alumni. Myles Lynch graduated in the class of 2021, and he is now a sophomore finance major at Howard University. Lynch shared his favorite thing about his HBCU by saying: “During the springtime, the yard at Howard turns into “Black wonderland”. You have pop up shops, maybe a food truck or two, and enjoyment of the weather and your friends. Most people bring a blanket to the yard and just chill, do some homework, or read a book. It’s really a small event that can really change someone’s entire perspective.”

Lynch also shared this about what people may not know about Howard and other HBCUs: “What is something that people may not know about your hbcu?: “Something that people may not know about my HBCU, is that it is the number 1 coeducational historically black college and university. Many discredit Howard because it’s not a Harvard, Rutgers, or Penn State education, but in actuality, Howard students are more prepared for their careers after college than ever. My advice to any student looking into Howard University or any HBCU, I suggest going and enjoying every bit of it. Regardless of what school you attend, step on your campus with your feet running, because 4 years will fly by.”

Time and time again, HBCUs have proven that they are schools made to unite, educate, and experience African Americans of all walks of life!

design

by Madison Jolley

A Day in the Life Through Black-Owned Businesses!

Good morning! Welcome to your very own Black-owned business itinerary. Throughout the day, you will be visiting four local businesses. Check out your four locations for the day below!

Ida’s Bookshop

Collingswood, NJ

What better way to start off your day than at the bookshop! Ida’s Bookshop, named after civil rights leader Ida B. Wells, highlights women authors and activists. This bookstore has a sister shop called Harriet’s Bookshop in Fishtown! The owner of both these shops is Jeannine A. Cook, an influential social justice activist. The next time you are in Collingswood or Philly and searching for your next book fix, make sure to stop by one of Cook’s shops!

Eephee’s Kitchen

Voorhees, NJ

Serving authentic Nigerian cuisine, Eephee’s Kitchen is a fantastic, local black owned business found in the Echelon Mall. Their large menu provides options for every kind of eater. In all varieites, traditional rice, stew, and soups are just a few items on the menu. Not only does Eephee’s Kitchen supply meals for small groups, but they cater as well. Make sure to give this restaurant a try the next time you’re in the mall!

Emmalyn Love Boutique

Cherry Hill, NJ

pm - 1:30 pm 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Next, work off your delicious lunch by heading to Emmalyn Love Boutique! Founded by a Liberian-born fashion blogger named Emmalyn, this brand is committed to empowering women through clothing. The boutique displays unique and sophisticated styles that compliment women of all body types and skin color. Whether you choose to shop in-store or online, you will certainly find the perfect date night outfit to elevate your wardrobe, making you feel confident as you strut the streets!

Denise’s Delicacies

Philadelphia, PA

After a long, busy day, you’ll probably need to satisfy your sweet tooth, and Denise Gause has your back! Gause is a self-taught, Black baker and founder of Denise’s Delicacies. You can taste her overflowing passion for homestyle desserts through her customizable cakes, buttery pastries, gourmet cookies, and rich cheesecake. Her storefront is located in Philadelphia, but the 45-minute ride is totally worth it for these mouthwatering treats!

design by Alanna Stein and Sydney Steiner

Influential Black Figures

Born in 1892, Bessie Coleman made history as being the first licensed Black pilot in the world. Having originally gone to school to earn a college degree to be a manicurist, Bessie was informed by her brother that women in France could learn to fly planes. After studying at Caudron Brothers’ School of Aviation in Le Crotoy, France, she became a very successful pilot. Unfortunately, Bessie’s time came to an end in 1926 when she experienced a horrible plane accident.

Nicknames of Bessie included “Brave

The Stonewall riots erupted when the Stonewall Inn, a bar many gay men frequented, was raided by the police and many customers were arrested.

Marsha P. Johnson was a Black transgender woman who paved the way for many members of the LGBTQ+ community. She was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey in 1945 to a family of 9. Upon finishing highschool, Marsha moved to New York City and changed her name to Marsha P. Johnson. She found herself very involved with the Stonewall riots in 1969, and soon became a very important and respected figure to the queer community and allies alike. Cofounder of the STAR organization, Marsha helped give transgender youth homes if they were in need. Today, Marsha is remembered for her galvanizing efforts in fighting for LGBTQ+ rights.

Henry Highland Garnet was born into slavery in 1815. His family was able to escape their owner in Maryland and made it to New York City. Alongside being a minister, Garnet also gave many speeches about slavery. He is most known for his “Call to Rebellion” speech, where he urged slaves to revolt against their owners. Garnet was given an incredible opportunity when President Abraham Lincoln invited him to give a sermon before the House of Representatives–the first black man to ever do so.

Garnet was a Presbyterian Minister and studied at the Onedia Institute, a school that was very active in the abolitionist movement.

design by Jordan Kramer

Bessie” and “Queen Bess”

The Women Forgotten by the Movement

By Naomi Diaz

One of the great things about America is how scarily diverse the citizens are on the aspects of race, ethnicity, gender, religions, cultures, and so much more. It’s just so great… right?

Unfortunately, in America, simple and quite beautiful things that make us unique are a double-edged sword. They simultaneously have the ability to determine our likelihood to life, Liberty, and pursuit of happiness as “promised” to us in our Constitution. (Ahem, and by “us,” I mean men.)

Although our differences can act as separators, further widening the gap from unison, it is of great importance that we acknowledge them so we can understand each other, and one of the many gateways that will lead Americans on the right path of enlightenment is feminism.

As we know, to be a woman in America is no easy task. Socioeconomic and prejudice setbacks have always piled more & more weight onto the backs of women since the founding of our country. When thrown into the melting pot, the ugly and quite disgusting goop of systemic misogyny is what you’re bound to receive.

Although beautiful, the problem is that modern-day feminism has never really included all women, as we’ve been repeatedly promised (and by “we,” I mean women of color).

To be in America is to walk upon the land of the free(ish). The incorporation of feminism into society sent the country on a humongous and much needed 360 degree flip. It was great, don’t get me wrong! On the earliest come-ups of reform, however, what was harmful about the movement was the intentional exclusion of women of color.

This is an issue that should be concerning everyone, and ‘Hood Feminism’ never fails to raise the commotion. Written by activist Mikki Kendall, the novel highlights the urgent flaws found in today’s feminist movement. Modern feminism’s most “potent and electrifying critique,” has volumes packed into the margins that makes it almost impossible to ignore.

A memoir to the many women of color that have

design by Rylee Pearlman

been ignored in the past, this book reminds us that we truly are not alone. It brings to light issues including gun violence, poverty, and homelessness while also acknowledging the aspects of human life often taken for granted like healthcare, safe neighborhoods, relationships, food supply, and education, and demonstrates how they leave their stinging marks on the community.

This novel is the much-needed wake-up-call that anyone with a brain could benefit from and shares hidden jewels that can apply to almost anyone, not just women.

Hood Feminism, however, is quite the heavy read. As Kendall writes in the beginning, “That’s the point of this book. It’s not going to be a comfortable read, but it is going to be an opportunity to learn for those willing to do the hard work” (xvii).

This novel encourages the readers to liberate themselves from the sidelines, leaving the toxicity of the bystanding mindset. The work then enters the playing field. Remaining open-minded and willing your ego to accept the jabs of criticism is honestly no easy task, but it all takes time. Understand that Kendall ain’t asking y’all to be perfect either -- nobody is.

Kendall’s goal is achieved once readers begin to feel critiqued and they are hit with a tsunami of realization. Allow yourself to express vulnerability; don’t be afraid to be wrong or ask questions. It’s okay to be absolutely lost, as long as you are determined to find the right path.

Eastern’s Black Student Union