Melanistic Magazine - Vol.14

MELANISTIC LIF E I N B L A C K

CYBER SAFETY FOR KIDS

MUSHROOMS

FOR BETTER LIVING

OUR GIRLS

VOL.XIV · SPRING 2023

PROTECTING

Lands occupied, travelled, and cared for by many Indigenous peoples.

This place, amiskwacîwâskahikan, Edmonton is a traditional meeting ground, gathering place, and travelling route of the Nêhiyawak (Cree), Anishinaabe (Saulteaux), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Dene, and Nakota Sioux.

We thank the creator for providing to us this place upon which to share our experiences, languages, culture, heritage and stories.

-All my relations.

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MELANISTIC TABLE OF CONTENTS

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E D I TO R'S W ELC O ME

12

6

I N T HE KNOW

13-15

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

TOP 5 WAYS TO PROT E CT Y O U R KI DS O NLI N E

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FU NGI FO R A FU LLER LI FE

18-27

THE ADU LTI FI CATI O N O F BLACK GI R LS

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KI S KADEE GAR DENS

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DATI NG WHI LE BLACK

A RT S AND C U LT UR E

ME LAN IST IC M A GA Z I N E VOL.14 Publisher Greg Davis Editor Taneya Rogers Media/Sales Director Nigel Williams Artistic Director JoAnne Pearce Graphic Design Tinu Olabimtan Marketing Director NiLo

C ON TRI BU T O RS

Darren Hall, Stella Igweamaka, Merlin Uwalaka, Kyle Smith, NiLo, Dr. Melvia Agbeko Odemakpore Cover art: Kyle Smith melanisticmagazine@gmail.com www.melanisticmagazine.com

T H I S I SSU E M A DE PO S S IB LE BY

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F OR U S , BY U S

REIKI REMINDER

Vibes are REAL Intuition is REAL TD BANK

Book your healing session

ED IT O R ’S W E L C O ME

Taneya Rogers Melanistic is committed to telling the stories and experiences of the Black community. These stories, at times, are celebratory, recognizing our accomplishments and inspiring others to grow. Articles can also be heavy or shocking - these are the accounts that call us to task and raise our collective consciousness.

While this issue still captures our staple pieces like Health and Wellness, Dating While Black ,and Top 5s, you will note that there is a single feature article: The Adultification of Black Girls. We are proud to recognize Black Canadian Women in Action for having the foresight to sponsor this work. We are also pleased to have the findings of this critical research told in Melanistic and hope that it brings a new awareness to all our readers.

I give to my community. With Vancouver Foundation, my giving lasts forever.

Get started at vancouverfoundation.ca/give.

In the Know 2k23

BE IN THE KNOW

Spring has sprung! And as the weather gets hotter, so does the tea! Here’s what you should know to be in the know:

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Ruth E. Carter, Costume Designer for Black Panther becomes the first Black Woman to win 2 Oscars.

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Ketty Nivyabandi becomes the first Black Woman to serve as secretary General for Amnesty International Canada.

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Jazz pianist Oscar Peterson becomes the first Black Person to be featured on a commemorative coin by the Canadian Mint.

2

Missy Elliot Becomes the first Female Hip Hop Artist to be inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame .

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Kirk Diamond, Angelique Francis, and Dylan Sinclaire are among the many who won Junos during the celebration in Edmonton.

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IN THE KNOW

Heritage Festival presents

New Location

Edmonton EXPO Centre & Exhibition Grounds

Date

August 5–7, 2023

# ye g h e r i t a g e f e st

w w w . h e r i t a g e f e st . c a

5

top

ways to protect your kids online

In this digital age there are many ways for the outside world to influence your children without you even knowing. For those of us who have grown up in a time where your friends were outside, not online, it can be hard to navigate web safety for your children. This issue’s top five is dedicated to the top five ways you can protect your kids online.

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Make sure the security software and browsers are up to date on the technology they’re using. Often we give our kids older devices with outdated security features. This can make it easy for hackers to access the devices, including the camera.

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Talk to your child about risky behavior and conversations so they can recognize danger signs. Many perpetrators of violence are people who are known or familiar to the child, make sure they understand and can identify dangerous behaviors.

3

Connect with your children’s friends and exchange screen names on both social and gaming platforms so that your child’s contacts are all familiar to you.

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When your child is having longer screen time, check in regularly to make sure they are still watching the channels that you’ve approved and that the content in those channels are appropriate. There can be dangerous messaging disguised as children’s content.

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Have your children’s passcodes to their socials and to their phone if they have one, and monitor for safety. Screen messages even with online gaming as predators can access children through this platform.

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Outsiders Edge Media Where Impossible becomes Nothing

www.outsidersedge.ca

Artist Profile

A ROOTED VOICE

Timiro Mohammed

by Merlin Uwalaka

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imiro Mohammed is a Somali-Canadian poet with a healing, powerful voice. Timiro’s voice is rooted; in her heritage of Somali poetry and storytelling, and to the land on which she currently lives and stewards, Treaty 6. Her words connect and build bridges across space and time. Timiro’s voice has the depth, tone, clarity and richness to paint a full picture.

You can read some of these stories in her poetry collection, Incantations of Black Love. Her words transport you into an immersive experience of the unique and shared perspectives of Black and Muslim people. She wants her community to feel heard and affirmed in her art.

Timiro is inspired by and works with other artists and cocreators in a community that reflects her, and inspires her to use her voice. She knows that when Black and Muslim women come together to create and share stories, they can imagine and inspire a future of creativity and freedom for all peoples.

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Health & Wellness

stuck on your wellness journey?

DR. MELVIA AGBEKO ODEMAKPORE, ND www.viawellnesssolutions.com

Have you ever been confused or uncertain about which route to take to solve your health issues? Or, have you had a million questions about an issue but got as many suggestions to solve it? Does navigating health feel like a confusing maze?

Unfortunately, this is the reality for many people. When it comes to health, our thoughts and feelings are key to the process. Depending on our mindset, we may be moving closer or further away from the solution.

Health lives on a spectrum from disease to wellness. In the middle is where most people live - not feeling great but not having many symptoms either. There is a 13

difference between feeling well vs having no/few symptoms. The difference includes awareness, growth and education.

So let’s explore 3 mindsets that can keep us stuck on our journey to wellness.

1. I’m Ok: It’s a great affirmation, but it does little if there is an underlying cause of dis- ease to be addressed. Picture for a moment, an iceberg. While we easily see the tip, the biggest part of the iceberg is beneath the surface.

So it is with many health concerns. The real problem lies beneath the surface; the tip is only the symptom. For instance, skin issues, hair loss or migraines, might actually be symptoms of a gut or hormonal issue.

But thinking “I’m ok” might be preventing a person from searching for a long-term solution.

2. I can do this myself: These words can can keep us stuck. We are so blessed to live in a world where technology accelerates our access to information. But when it comes to health, it’s like swimming in a vast ocean with no real sense of where land is. In other words, one can become overwhelmed and confused in the process. Unfortunately, this 14 MELANISTIC

“While we easily see the tip, the biggest part of the iceberg is beneath the surface. So it is with many health concerns...”

can lead to feeling isolated which creates an extra layer of complexity to the equation. Being successful on our health and wellness journeys requires balance- between asking for help from the right sources and being personally informed. If not, we end up stressed and overwhelmed.

3. I’m not ready: This is the trickiest. This mindset can be subtle because it is actually backed by fear. Making a decision from a place of fear, shuts us off to possibilities and options that may be within close reach. Fear can trigger the sympathetic nervous system which makes us respond in 4 ways: fight, flee, freeze or fawn. It also reveals which of our basic needs is being triggered: belonging, love and security. Fear is the natural way our brains try to protect us from danger. But being in this state can keep us stuck as we navigate even simple decisions related to our health and well being.

Overall, the key to moving past stuck mindsets is to first be aware of where we are; ask for help (and be willing to receive it ); and be mindful of the state in which we make decisions. Above all, mindfully act and soon clarity will start to emerge from the chaos.

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FUNGI for a fuller life

BY NILO

Mushrooms seem to be the latest craze in health and culinary cuisine, from supplements to meat substitutes.

Distinguishing the differences may be a challenge, especially when it’s hard to get your head around eating a fungus.

Fungi is a whole Kingdom, like the plant and animal kingdoms - It’s made up of over 6 million different species. Mushrooms themselves are the fruit of a mycelium, a complex network below ground that makes carbon available through “decay” and helps trees and plants access nutrients in the soil.

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Here’s a gentle introduction to 5 different mushrooms that can improve your quality of life.

1. Lion’s Mane: Lion’s Mane is a fuzzy looking white mushroom that shreds easily and makes a phenomenal crab substitute in vegan crab cakes. As a supplement, Lion’s Mane helps with memory and mental functioning.

2. Cordyceps: Recently the star in the HBO series “The Last of Us” Cordyceps’ more mundane appearance is in mushroom coffee and workout supplements. Cordyceps increase the oxygen used in your system.

3. Chaga Mushrooms: These can be added to soups and stews or drunk as tea. It is an adaptogenic mushroom which helps to ease anxiety and combat the effects of stress on your body.

4. Reishi Mushrooms: This mushroom can also be consumed as a tea. Along with Chaga and Lion’s Mane, it helps to protect against neurodegeneration and boost memory, mood, and mental functioning.

5. Pink Oyster Mushrooms: Trying to skip the pork but love the flavor? Pink Oyster Musrooms are the answer; They taste like Bacon or ham when cooked. They’re not classified as medicinal mushrooms but they are rich in flavanoids and phenolics which help to reduce inflammation and reduce or prevent cell damage in your body.

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THE

ADULTIFICATION OF

BLACK

GIRLS Research by Stella Igweamaka & Nana Appah for Black Canadian Women in Action (BCW)

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“I once wore leggings to school and my teachers called me aside saying that it was inappropriate dressing. Meanwhile, all of my white friends always wear leggings and they have never called them aside. Mentally, it doesn’t feel right to be treated differently.

I am of the same age as my peers. I find it very unfair”.

-Black girl, 14 years old.

T

his was one of the heart wrenching stories ‘Titi’ shared with us as part of her experience with being adultified at school. We had all sorts of questions in our minds and wondered why a young Black girl would have to go through this. As we delved into the research on the Adultification of Black girls in Canada, we were overcome with a mix of emotions. Anger, frustration, and sadness were just a few of the emotions we experienced as we learned about the stark realities that Black girls face in their daily lives.

The Adultification of Black girls is a form of racial prejudice where children of minority groups, typically Black children, are perceived to be more mature and less innocent than their white counterparts. As a result of this, they are treated differently compared to their white counterparts, usually facing sterner punishments and discipline.

In May 2020, Michigan judge, Mary Ellen Brenan, made headlines when journalists revealed that she detained a 15-year-old Black girl, referred to as “Grace,” for not completing her online homework.

Grace joined nearly 25% of public-school students across the United States who had failed to complete

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their online homework during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Why then did she seem to be the only one that faced such extreme and unmerited consequences?

A ground-breaking study by Georgetown law center on poverty and inequality found that adults believe that Black girls need less nurturing, less protection, less support and less comfort. A related study revealed that Black girls are punished at a disproportionate rate compared to their counterparts in schools and the juvenile justice system. This notion is defined as “Adultification Bias.”

In Canada, we discovered that Black girls also faced similar treatments and there was limited quantitative research on this topic.

Black girls knew they were experiencing this but didn’t know the term for it. We launched a quantitative survey to 400 Canadians asking them about their perception of children in the 21st century.

The study revealed surprising results that showed that people tend to think that Black girls as young as 0-9 years old are more grownup than white girls of the same age. As a result, people expect Black girls to behave in a more adult-like way, which can be unfair.

As we took our investigation further, we had the privilege of speaking with 20 Black girls aged between 11 and 15. Through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, they shared their stories with us, and it was incredibly difficult not to feel their pain. It was heartbreaking to learn about the unequal and often cruel treatment they faced from schools and adults, which stood in sharp contrast to the experiences of their white peers.

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“When I was younger, adults frequently treated me as if I knew more than I actually did.

My white friend was crying in the corner because she got in trouble, and because I wasn’t crying with her, they assumed I was just more mature, but that wasn’t the case. I simply did not cry because there was no point in crying if I did nothing. Just because I wasn’t crying didn’t mean I was tough or had the mindset of an adult.

Adultification, in my opinion, is when you treat a younger child as if they should know the same things that adults do.

This is bad because children are meant to be children. They are supposed to be playful and not worry about things that adults are concerned about.”

-Black girl, 13 years old 21

RESEARCH FINDINGS

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Black girls are often treated as if they are older than they actually are and as a result, they do not receive the same level of care and protection from adults as other children do.

Adults often try to make Black girls behave in ways that are seen as “ladylike” according to traditional white norms of femininity. This can make Black girls feel like they have to hide who they truly are and conform to what society expects of them. This can be very stressful and can prevent them from expressing themselves freely.

Black girls are often held to a stricter standard of behavior than their white peers. This means that when they break rules, they may receive harsher punishments than their white peers, even if they committed the same offense. This can make it harder for Black girls to succeed and can contribute to feelings of unfairness and inequality.

Adults often try to make Black girls behave in ways that are seen as “ladylike” according to traditional white norms of femininity. This can make Black girls feel like they have to hide who they truly are and conform to what society expects of them. This can be very stressful and can prevent them from expressing themselves freely.

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Black girls may not feel safe expressing their emotions because they fear being judged or misunderstood by others. As a result, they may put up a tough exterior and try to mask their feelings instead of showing vulnerability. This can lead to emotional stress and can make it harder for them to form meaningful connections with others.

“I feel like I have to look really happy, like I am not angry or sad - not just in school, but any place outside. If I am sad about something, I try not to look it, so people don’t make assumptions or assume how I am feeling. People usually think that Black people are angry, or they just want to start something. I want to seem just more approachable. So, I just try and do that”. -Black girl, 13 years old

Gender stereotypes affect how Black girls are treated as well, with expectations for them to take on responsibilities traditionally associated with motherhood, such as doing household chores and taking care of younger siblings. This can make them grow up faster than their peers and may cause them to miss out on important aspects of childhood contributing to Adultification Bias “My mom asked me to clean her car and while I was cleaning it, my brother was in his room playing a game or something like that and I thought my mum would help me, but she didn’t. The next day she took my siblings out with the car and when they got back, the car was a mess and I felt like all the effort I put in to clean the car was wasted. I know I am the oldest and I should get to do some chores but sometimes it just feels a certain type of way.” -Black girl, 14 years old

It is undeniable that Adultification has a significant impact on the lives of Black girls in Canada, affecting how they are treated by teachers, authority figures, and the media. This reality is heartbreaking, and we can no longer afford to ignore it. Black girls face many challenges that can affect their emotional and psychological well-being, as well as their ability to succeed in society.

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RESEARCH FINDINGS

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HOW DO WE BETTER PROTECT

OUR GIRLS? What are some ways we can improve the protection of Black girls from Adultification bias? We now know that Black girls experience this bias, but the important question is How can we help them? We have the power to make a difference, and here are some solutions to consider:

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Educate yourself and others: Learn about Adultification bias, its impact on children, and how to recognize it. Share this knowledge with others, including educators, policymakers, and community leaders.

Challenge stereotypes: Avoid making assumptions about children’s behavior based on their race or ethnicity. Challenge stereotypes that perpetuate Adultification bias and promote positive images of children from diverse backgrounds.

Listen to children: Give Black girls the opportunity to express themselves and listen to their perspectives. Show respect for their opinions, regardless of their age or background.

Implement policies and practices: Implement policies and practices that address Adultification bias in schools, healthcare, and other institutions. This may include training for educators and staff, evaluation of disciplinary policies, and increased access to mental health services for children who may be affected by the bias.

Black Canadian Women In Action (BCW) promotes the empowerment of Black Canadian women, girls and families by building selfesteem, leadership and confidence. BCW is using this research on Adultification bias to develop toolkits and resources to support Black girls in overcoming this bias. It is essential that Black girls are treated with equity and fairness as they grow and develop. This research serves to raise awareness of the Adultification bias that Black girls face and offers solutions to help them navigate and overcome these challenges.

Stella Igweamaka and Nana Appah researched Adultification Bias of Black girls in Canada as part of the Canada winning entry for the 2022 ESOMAR Research Got Talent Competition. This research was done to support the NGO Black Canadian Women in Action in their vision in empowering Black girls and women across Canada. **pseudonyms have been used to protect the identity of Black girls who shared their story with us.

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K I SK ADEE GAR DEN

BY DAR REN HALL

Watch It Grow K

inship, Insight, Safe, Kindness, Astonished , Deep, Engaging, Everyone.

Yes, if you’re wondering, I have created an acronym to describe my

observations, lessons and feelings arond Kiskadee Garden. First off, shout out to everyone who has been a part of the Garden. I am not going to name drop but also shout out to the infamous angel who blessed me with some bountiful Swiss Chard.

When reflecting on my Community Garden experience, the choice of words flowed quite easily.

1.

Kinship: Each person who captured a bed/planter became part of a unit.

Each person showing up to help one another and facilitate learning on our gardening journey.

2.

Insight: The intelligence and wisdom transferred between fellow gardeners made this more than an exercise in digging holes and tossing seeds. Also, don’t forget, turn off outside water spouts and detach outside hoses from these spouts.

3.

Safe: Organizers and participants both contribute to creating a safe spot where one can be free to enjoy the outdoors and sink into moments of peace and relaxation while watering the plants and celebrating the progress. Safe also applies to the crops - grown naturally, with no chemical enhancements ensured that our produce was safe for consumption.

4.

Kindness: Throughout the gardening season we each had the opportunity to tend to another’s bed whenever they weren’t around. This type of comraderie goes a long way in our community.

5.

Astonished: I was astonished by the boost of confidence I discovered while growing my own vegetables. There is something about tapping into self-sustainability even on a small scale that organically improves morale.

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6.

Deep: In a raised gardening bed you can only go so deep.

Deciding on what you want to grow will either make or break your gardening experience. The same applies to our personal lives- we have to scan our environment to determine how deep we can go. Put differently, we must determine how well our environments can support our growth.

7.

Engaging: Observing a few gardeners who were intially hesitant and not too keen on managing a seeded bed become fully committed to this process speaks to the level of engagement.

8.

Everyone: Our Garden is inclusive which made it that much more enjoyable. Growth on all levels is celebrated.

What I have appreciated the most is the simple lessons in our Kiskadee Garden that can be applied to everyday life: plant a seed, water it, nurture it and watch it grow.

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FOR BY

US

A F RO C A R I B B E A N PATHWAY - C A R E E R FA I R TA N E YA R O G E R S

C

orporate citizenship is the practice of finding opportunities to give back and to build your community, even in a capatalist system. Shawn and Tricia of Flava Promotions are household names in Edmonton. They have built their reputation over the last 12 years executing some of Edmonton’s larger Reggae and Dancehall parties.

Recently however, you can find Flava Promotions and their team attached to a different brand of events.

The team was inspired to do more after seeing the struggles created by the pandemic and the impact of violence within the community. “I want to build a stronger community and if people are financially independent and mentally stable then it will reduce the levels of anger,” says Shawn. The recent mental health forum was quite a success although Shawn hopes to get even more people attending.

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To address financial security, Flava Promotions will be hosting a job fair: Afro-Caribbean Pathway: June 3rd, Norquest College, Main Campus — Rm 027 (2nd floor).

Tricia shares, “We have representatives from major trade unions in the oil and gas industries, others from IT and corporate backgrounds, and even entrepreneurs.”

Attendees can also take advantage of resume writing workshops and learning opportunities with NAIT. The youth are also included - Black Boys Code will be on site registering those between ages 12 - 18.

“Doing this work brings us a sense of fulfilment - Just knowing that you can change someone’s life.” ~ Shawn.

For more information about this event, visit the Instagram account @letstalkaboutit_yeg

15th Annual

A CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN CULTURE, FOOD & MUSIC

June 17th, 2023

Edmonton Expo Centre

In support of the Africa Centre Mental Health Counseling Clinic

@africacentreyeg

africacentre.ca/africa-day-gala