Vindicator Cleveland State University’s Arts and Culture Magazine
FEB 2017
THE BLACK HISTORY ISSUE
FEB 2 Letter from the Editor 3 Contributors 4 Online 5 Calendar ARTS 7 2016 in Gaming 9 Her: Movie Review CULTURE 11 F inding Comfort on Campus 13 H ough, the Phoenix of Cleveland 15 Love Has No Boundaries 17 D on’t Forget the Soul in Soul Food FEATURE 19 B lack Lives Matter in Cleveland 21 Battle of the Bans 23 The Rebirth of Black Power 27 The Real Black History SOCIAL 33 Black & White 35 The Reality of Being Sad 37 Celebrating Diverse Books POETRY 39 Watercolors 40 Deeply Rooted Love 41 I nnocent Kissing Between Smalls with Wings 42 Illusions of Love
27 Black History
Analyzed and de-whitewashed
EDITOR’S LETTER
SHIFTING HISTORY
W
hen looking back on history, we like to look at the things that seem definite and accuratethe things that we are promised to be true. But sometimes we need to look at history and understand what is being talked about and what isn’t. This is especially true for the history of black americans in this country, and the stories that are being overlooked in certain spaces in our society. It’s more clear than ever, that history can and will repeat itself unless we thoroughly understand it and actively work to combat it. This is why it’s important to keep a dialogue moving forward through discussions, analysis and expression. Dwayne Castleberry’s cover story for this month is an in-depth piece outlining the side of Black history you might not have known about, including
reasons as to why that is. Chau Tang discusses the importance about acceptance of all types of love in her article about interracial relationships. Our culture editor, Elisabeth Weems, shares her perspective on being biracial in her personal piece, Black and White. Additionally we have stories about soul food by Joe Schmittgen and a detailed overview of Black Power and how it came to be, why it’s important and where it’s going, by Kelton Latson. All of the above pieces, including others, help reflect on the history we’ve left behind and help notice the shift in history that is happening at this very moment in time. I hope you all enjoy the first issue of the Spring Semester and the first issue of a new era. I hope it makes you think and even motivates you. Whether it’s through our writing, our studying, our art or organizing-one thing is clear: there is a lot of work to be done.
ARBELA CAPAS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF FEBRUARY 2017 | VINDICATOR 2
Faculty Advisor Julie Burrell Media Specialist Daniel Lenhart
CONTRIBUTORS Editor-in-Chief Arbela Capas Art Director Nicole Zollos Managing Editor Holly Bland Multimedia Manager Evan Prunty Culture Editor Elisabeth Weems Arts Editor Benjamin Heacox Feature Editor Alana Whelan Online Editor/Junior Designer Michella Dilworth Assistant Art Director Andriana Akrap Junior Designer Alyssa Miller Contributing Writer Greg Elek Contributing Writer Jakob Brenkus Contributing Writer Joe Schmittgen Contributing Writer Chau Tang Contributing Writer Caitlin Cole Contributing Writer Kelton Latson Contributing Writer Dwayne Castleberry Contributing Writer Sage Mack Contributing Writer Holly Bland Contributing Writer Elisabeth Weems Contributing Writer Dorothy Zhao Contributing Writer Alana Whelan Contributing Poets Joy McKinney, Ar’yana Allen, Chau Tang Poem Designers Jessika Williams, Rebecca Petro, Mikayla Colston
Disclaimer Magazine theft/fraud is a crime. Single issues of the vindicator are free, to obtain copies contact the Vindicator or student life. The content of the Vindicator does not necessarily represent the opinions of Cleveland State University, its students, faculty, or staff: nor does it represent the members of the Vindicator staff or our advisors unless otherwise stated. The editor reserves the right to comment on any issue that affects the student body in general as well as the multicultural community at large. Letters to the editors and other submissions are accepted, however they must have the authors name, address, major if applicable, and telephone number. All submissions become property of the Vindicator and the Vindicator reserves the right to edit submissions as deemed necessary. 2121 Euclid Ave, MC 471, Cleveland, OH 44115 216 687 2118
3 VINDICATOR | FEBUARY 2017
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DECEMBER 2017 | VINDICATOR 4
what’s happening in...
1
FEBRUARY 10
Running all month long, blackand-white photographs from the Center for Documentary Expression and Art show works of nine photographers from the Southern Freedom Movement documenting the experiences of people who stood up to change America—unmasking the battle against race-based disenfranchisement. Displayed at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, from 11am- 5pm everyday. Students get in for $10! February 1-26
9
11AM-5PM, 2929 RICHMOND RD
Repairing a Nation at Karamu House Running on weekends, Karamu House is putting on “Repairing a Nation.” It’s 2001 in Tulsa, Oklahoma—and the Davis family are seeking reparations for the Tulsa Race Riots that devastated the family 80 years ago. Ticket prices vary, but students under 25 with an ID purchase tickets for $15! February 9-26
7:30PM FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS, 3PM ON SUNDAYS, 2355 EAST 89TH STREET
Homesafe / Life Lessons / Chase Huglin at Mahall’s 20 Lanes The rock band Homesafe from Oak Lawn, IL will headline the show at Mahall’s. Accompanied by the touring pop-punk band Life Lessons from Oklahoma City and acousticindie artist Chase Huglin from Fort Wayne, IN—the new up-and-coming alternative rock Cleveland-local band Up to Nothing are also on the lineup. A medley of genres to enjoy! Bowl and jam-out. All ages are welcome, tickets starting at $10 on ticketfly. February 10
6 PM, 13200 MADISON AVE
12
Cleveland’s First Donut Fest at Redspace Chicago-based baker Bobalky & Gnocchi, LLC, will be the hosts of Cleveland’s first ever donut fest. Similar to ones in Chicago and New York are known to sell out in hours! Local restaurants will bring what they’ve got to the table competing for the title of “Best Donut in Cleveland.” So far local participants include Brewnuts, Becker’s Donuts, Jubilee Donuts, and more! Sounds like it’ll be pretty sweet. February 12
WWW.DONUTFEST.COM, 2400 SUPERIOR AVE 5 VINDICATOR | FEBRUARY 2017
17
The Hungry Games: Battle of the Districts The 10th annual Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week is running February 17 through the 26th. Downtown Restaurant Week will have over 50 participating patrons in the downtown area, all offering meals between $15, $30, and $40 lunch and dinner specials. Restaurant Week goers will vote in four categories, awarding restaurants with “Judge’s Choice,” “Best New Restaurant,” “Restaurant of the Year,” and “Best Dining District.” February 17
#DTCLERESTAURANTWEEK
22
Accelerate 2017: Citizens Make Change at Global Center for Health Innovation An annual event put on by CLC gives an opportunity for every individual in Cleveland to share and act on a personal vision to change our region. Submit a pitch in one of five broad categories: 1. Quality of Life 2. Economic Development 3. Educating for Tomorrow 4. Community Change 5. Transformative Arts and Culture. Pitches go through a number of panels and judges—the winner to receive seed funding to help bring their vision to reality! Do you have a vision to help make Cleveland better? February 22
5:30-8PM, 1 ST CLAIR AVENUE NE
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Dragon’s Dogma Dark Arisen
2016 IN GAMING 2016 brought the industry a few steps forward, while still making major flops. // Jacob Brenkus
I
t seemed like most of the games that
research facility on Mars where someone
This installment in the Dark Souls franchise
were expected to disappoint this year
has opened a portal to hell. Your goal is to
managed to take many familiar cues from
turned out great and many of the hyped
close the portal and send the demons back
the first one and improve on them in many
games turned out poorly. These are some
to where they came. The real strong suit
ways. One surprising improvement was the
games I found really noteworthy this year
is the gameplay. The original DOOM helped
combat. This game managed to make the
that stood out for me and affected my views
create the first person shooter (FPS) genre
best combat system in role playing games
on gaming and its consumer culture.
and was also controversially violent, thus,
even better by adding more depth to the
the 4th installment in the franchise has a
mechanics and fixing some bugs that were
lot to ride on. Thankfully, it delivers and
present in previous installments. It also
The original DOOM from 1993 holds a
delivers well. Gameplay is a mix of fast
developed a lot more world building and
special place in my heart, being one of my
frantic movement while shooting large
brought more light to stories and characters
favorite games of all time. Although I was
hordes of demon foes with no penalty to
from the first game while also developing a
born 3 years after its release, I have fond
your accuracy while moving, and coming in
world of its own.
memories of playing browser ports of the
for a close quarters kill with a chainsaw or
The game also recently received an ex-
game I found in the 6th grade. Since then,
using your hands to rip a demon to shreds.
pansion, Ashes of Ariandel, which I have yet
I’ve played the game countless times
The violence in the game is off-the-wall,
to finish. The expansion is phenomenal so
but the challenge makes it oh-so-reward-
far, and brings some very disturbing imag-
tial E3 reveal of the new DOOM, or really
ing. At a first glance, some may say there is
ery to the already frightening, yet beautiful,
DOOM 4. I was completely ready for full
unnecessary gore or overbearing amounts
world found in Dark Souls. I look forward
on disappointment and prepared to see a
of violence, yet the game makes combat
to the second expansion that will conclude
classic franchise butchered. The 20 second,
so challenging that achieving the more
the entire series. This game is highly rec-
gameplay disrupting, killing animations and
gruesome kill animations are essentially a
ommended, but only if you’ve ever played
boring, slow pacing with hardly any im-
reward for managing to be good at the game
at least the first installment in the fran-
pressive enemies or variation shown at E3
and it all honestly looks and feels stunning
chise, as the second is mostly ignored when
were completely different from the quick,
when playing at a high skill level. This
it comes to story elements.
fast paced, and challenging game we ended
game collects the best of both old school fps
up getting. Nothing about this new DOOM
games and modern ones into a phenome-
Dragon’s Dogma Dark Arisen: Best PC Port
game shown at E3 resembled the classic
nal package. Even if you’ve never played
Oh PC gaming. While many people have
series, yet once I saw reviews pour in and
a DOOM game before, I highly recommend
machines that can make games look visually
witnessed the violent, intense gameplay I
this one.
stunning and run much better than on con-
DOOM: The Biggest Surprise of 2016
I was hesitant when I saw the ini-
knew I had to get this game. DOOM is pretty light on the story side
soles, such as the PS4, they are often given Dark Souls III: Best RGB of 2016
the short end of the stick when games get
of things, which is honestly very refresh-
Another favorite this year. I was highly
moved over to PC at a later date from the
ing. In a nutshell, you are trapped in a
anticipating this one, and boy did it deliver.
console release, or even the same date. This
7 VINDICATOR | FEBRUARY 2017
configurations which, when not accounted for, can lead to horrible framerates, graphical glitches, and crashing. Dragon’s Dogma was a game released to great reception for PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2012. While the game may not be the prettiest by today’s standards the PC port is a great example of what can be done. The game runs very well and has mod support, which is essential for PC gaming. Overwatch: Best Multiplayer Experience Multiplayer oriented shooters often don’t have much to offer visually as the focus is mainly on an experience to get players competing against one another. With the rise of popularity in e-sports, there is an oversaturation of games trying so hard to be the next “big thing” competitively.
“
an art style similar to a Pixar film and gives to play as. Each of these heroes has different abilities, weapons, skills, and play styles. Unlike similar games, it discourages sticking with and getting good at one hero as there is a heavy teamwork dynamic that makes for flexibility in play styles. In one match you might be helping the whole team
such as multiplayer, factions, air animals,
2017 looks promising already, but we won’t know until it hits, until then be optimistic...
Overwatch managed to stand out with the players on the team themed “heroes”
and how the developers lied about features
“
is due to the many possibilities found in PC
on the amount of planets - planets which felt empty and unmemorable, aside from
the first one a player will start on. After a while, the wildlife and types of planets start to repeat and all become a mish mash of the same thing. After the game’s release, it was hard to avoid the disappointment around it
water animals, and many more. This game served as a perfect example of how hype culture and pre-orders begin to ruin the art of making games, making them more of a commodity than art. Overall, 2016 had its ups and downs in games that were released. Some other games that released this year that are worth note are Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, Furi, Hitman Season 1, Civilization VI, Superhot, Enter the Gungeon, & XCOM2, as well as many other releases that have gotten praise. It’s also worth noting that VR headsets have finally made a major push into the market this year, although it seems the novelty may be fading already. Overall this year was certainly an interesting one, with many twists and turns and great advancements. This year was certainly much better than the past few years and it seems a lot of developers are learning what not to do in regards of design and consumer relations, with incidents such as No Man’s Sky being an even bigger push into hopefully the right direction on video game hype culture. 2017 looks promising already, but we won’t know until it hits, until then be optimistic but don’t jump on the hype train just yet.
by healing them and the next you could be racking up the most kills around a checkpoint. This unpredictable variety keeps matches fresh and requires you to stay on your toes. I highly recommend this for anyone that wants to get into multiplayer shooters but doesn’t care for the military themes many are going for. No Man’s Sky: Biggest Disappointment Talk about disappointing. I didn’t get to play this game due to the ludicrous $60 price tag that it carried for the amount of content. Still, this game was hard to avoid hearing about for the larger part of 2016. The hype around it was insane. People were expecting the best game ever made, and the vague interviews with developers and falsified trailers didn’t prepare anyone for what was about to happen. The game was initially going to be an open-ended space PHOTOS BY JACOB BRENKUS
exploration simulator with an endless number of planets for players to discover and an endless combination of animals and biomes on said planets. This was to be done with an algorithm that randomly generated these planets and their features. However, the game really only delivered
Overwatch
MARCH 2016 | VINDICATOR 19
HER
WHAT MAKES A MOVIE GREAT An open review of the movie Her, including spoilers. // Greg Elek
H
undreds of movies come out
shots to look cool, or have a very blurry
ing I just assumed it was about Theodore’s
each year, and the majority of
background because it makes lights look
operating system turned love interest,
them will be forgotten with-
pretty, but Spike Jonze doesn’t go for the
Samantha (Scarlett Johansson)—but there’s
in months, but sometimes a
easy shots or something looking cool for the
actually a lot more to it than that. While at
movie will come around that
sake of it looking cool, he goes for meaning
its core the movie is about a man’s struggle
never leaves. There’s a reason film schools
in every frame—which is rare. There are
to connect and find love, we are constantly
are still showing the nearly 75 years old
far more ways he accomplished this like
getting reminded of him not being so great
Citizen Kane even though some would argue
use of color, when he decides to flashback,
with the women in his life. Right off the bat
that it’s vastly overrated. It’s because it did
what all of the extras are doing—but we’d
he calls a phone sex line and the women
be here all day if we went over all of the
(Kristen Wiig) that he gets connected with
well-done techniques.
is a little bizarre to say the least. Later
when he’s setting up his operating system
There Will Be Blood, and it’s important that we understand why not only from a filmmaking perspective, but also from a societal perspective. Before we get into anything too heavy, let’s look at a few very basic things director Spike Jonze did right from a basic filmmaking perspective. Her follows Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) a rather lonely introvert who’s having a difficult time getting over his divorce. To help show his disconnect whenever we see him talking to another couple, they’re always framed together and Theodore is in a separate shot from them. Another minor but significant technique Spike Jonze takes advantage of is the depth of field, which is how blurry everything that isn’t in focus appears. When
“
he’s asked about his relationship with his
The biggest thing that will keep a movie around is its’ impact on the viewer.
“
so much right. Her is the best movie since
mother, he starts to criticize her before getting interrupted. Later on he has a blind date (Olivia Wilde,) but when he suggests they cut the night short she lashes out at him and calls him creepy. Later on we see that Theodore has Samantha pick out a gift for his goddaughter’s birthday. Late in the film we see Samantha get in contact with a surrogate (Portia Doubleday) so Theodore can have some kind of physicality in their relationship, but it doesn’t work out. Those are the minor ones. The three major ones are Samantha, Amy (Amy Adams,) and Catherine (Rooney Mara.) With Samantha we see Theodore’s struggle to maintain
Theodore is progressing in his life and
One way to get your movie to stick around
what seems like a good relationship, with
growing the background isn’t blurry, but
is how much is in there for us to think
Amy we see Theodore’s struggle to main-
the majority of the movie in the background
about, and for me the name of the movie
tain what seems like a good friendship, and
is very blurry, to show his disconnect with
does that. Her, simple yet telling, but who
with Catherine we see Theodore struggle
the world. A lot of filmmakers will frame
is the title referring to? On my first view-
with what seemed like a good marriage and
9 VINDICATOR | FEBRUARY 2017
not being able to maintain a good relation-
is clearly autobiographical. Fast-forward
lets us look at society. Is it bad that we’re
ship with his ex-wife. The only person that
ten years later to 2013 and we have Her, a
becoming so reliant on technology in our
Theodore seems to get along with no issues
movie about a lonely man who can’t seem
day to day lives to the point where people
during the entire movie is his work buddy
to get over his divorce. Both movies have
might form friendships or even relationship
Paul (Chris Pratt,) and if you couldn’t tell
several shots of their main characters star-
with their operating systems? The movie
from his name—he’s a man. I just went on
ing out windows looking at huge cities, as
never really gives us much of an opinion,
a tangent about the name of this movie and
if their longing for something, or someone.
it knows the viewers are smart enough to
that’s why something as simple as that is
Her ends with Theodore looking out at the
interpret and think about things on their
so important—it’s just one more thing to
city writing a letter to his ex-wife where he
own. The only thing that I think the movie
think about. I don’t hear anyone intrigued
discusses why he’ll always care for her, as
really wants you to take away from it is
with what Dude Where’s My Car really
if it was Spike Jonze’s final goodbye to Sofia
that you shouldn’t criticize people for being
means.
Coppola. An entire article could be written
with who makes them happy, or doing what
on how these two movies are connected,
makes them happy.
Her has some engrossing real life lore surrounding it. This doesn’t make a movie
and I definitely think it’s worth looking into
better, but it does help its lifespan and can
if you’re even a slight fan of either of these
Really hard. Making a masterpiece is its
make them seem more iconic when there
movies—it really adds something.
own beast entirely. To not only write, but
PHOTO FROM GOOGLE IMAGES
is depth behind the making of them. The
The biggest thing that will keep a mov-
Making a movie, good or bad, is hard.
to masterfully shot a movie that can make
aforementioned Citizen Kane has several
ie around is its impact on the viewer. Her
us feel every emotion and think about our
books about the making of that movie. It
admittedly had a slight advantage going in.
own lives is something to be celebrated. The
seems like you can’t mention Jaws to a film
A romance following a lonely protagonist
only way this can be done is attention to
buff without them mentioning everything
is something we all can relate to, but it has
detail and making sure every single thing
that went wrong on set. Her doesn’t really
so much more to say. First off by Theodore
in the movie has a purpose. In my opinion
have any interesting on set stories that I’m
being in a relationship with his Operating
Spike Jonze went above and beyond with
aware of, but it does have an extremely
System as opposed to another human allows
Her. It’s important that when looking at
interesting connection to Sofia Coppola’s
us to follow him completely so we can re-
classic movies—where you agree with their
Lost in Translation. Sofia Coppola and Spike
late and feel to him completely as opposed
status as classics—that we look at why
Jonze were married in the late 90’s going
to other romantic movies were we might
they’re considered that way not only from a
into the early 2000’s. Lost in Translation
be inclined to pick sides. The relationship
filmmaking standpoint, but from a societal
came out in 2003. It follows a young woman
isn’t the main goal of our protagonist, his
standpoint. I can’t wait to see what master-
(coincidentally played by Scarlett Johans-
desire to live a better more fulfilling life
piece we get on the big screen next.
son) who has a very lonely trip to Japan
is. This is what separates a lot of good and
because her big hot shot husband doesn’t
bad romance movies, but then we go a step
seem to have much time for her. This movie
farther. The aspect of the operating system FEBRUARY 2017 | VINDICATOR 10
FINDING COMFORT ON CAMPUS Cleveland State has made big changes to give sexual assault victims better on-campus resources and support. // Caitlin Cole
about what it would be like to graduate high school and move away to college. I was told that college was
supposed to be a time for young people to expand their knowledge of the world and discover things about themselves. I got to college and it was more than I thought it would be. Between classes, making friends and taking on new responsibilities, college has been (and definitely still is) a challenge for me. In the midst of learning to balance all of that, I experienced something that I had never expected—I was raped. The emotional and physical damage affected everything in my life. This experience has led me to be passionate about making sure victims are aware of and offered the resources they need on college campuses. Our very own Cleveland State University is working harder than others to help students who have experienced this. In December it received 100 percent on improvements to sexual assault prevention and victim services, from Ohio’s Department of Higher Education. CSU has made big
“
CSU has made big changes in the past few years in response to high rape statistics on college campuses.
changes in the past few years in response to high rape statistics on college campuses. According to the Rape Abuse & Incest
These alarming statistics put the state
“
F
or most of my youth, I had dreamed
or rape. It is three times more likely for a
of Ohio’s Department of Higher Education (ODHE) into action and the “Changing Campus Culture: Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence” plan was created and launched in late 2015. Since then, over 70 Ohio college campuses have joined the movement and the types of campuses range from community and private colleges to technical colleges. Cleveland State was recognized for meeting all five of ODHE’S criteria; the use of data analysis, empowerment of students, faculty and staff, effective communication techniques and response to planning and survivor–centered resource. The campus went from seventeen reported forcible sexual offenses from 2011 to 2012 to five from 2013 to 2014, according to Cleveland State’s Annual Security Report. So how did CSU make such a drastic decrease in these numbers, before the “Changing Campus Culture” plan was even released? The answer lies within the advances in prevention training by the Title IX office and the university’s early relationship development with the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. Mariah Butler Vogelgesang is CSU’s
National Network (RAINN), 23 percent of
female college student to be sexually as-
Title IX coordinator, within the Office for
undergraduate, female college students
saulted than other women of that age and
Institutional Equity, and has been at the
and 5.4 percent of undergraduate, male
every four women out of five do not report
university since October, 2013. Vogelgesang
students will experience sexual assault
these incidents.
said that each year new faculty and chair
11 VINDICATOR | FEBRUARY 2017
members receive in person Title IX train-
any other parts of the legal process after
university with a liberal motto, but the
ing. The office extends services to part-
an assault.
staff doesn’t always reflect that,” said
time employees, providing live training
French. “A female that was assaulted by a
to the entire campus and also specialized
campus, with flexible hours and programs
male athlete for example would most likely
training to individual departments.
are offered to educate the campus commu-
be thrown under the table.” Most students
nity. Programs include specialized classes
are unclear on how to report an incident
community with information on victim
for fraternities, dorm resident assistants,
and where to go for help or they don’t feel
blaming, the definition of consent and how
police officers and any individual with a
comfortable reporting it.
to support a friend who has experienced
professional role.
Online training provides the campus
sexual assault. “Our training programs
CRCC is addressing the issue of un-
Patricia Concepcion, a senior education major at Cleveland State, thinks that
are a continuous conversation and we are
reported assaults by doing more to make
similarly to Miami, CSU students are not
always looking to improve and strengthen
its services known to all students. “The
well informed. “I think many students are
our messaging,” said Vogelgesang.
goal is to advocate available services more
unaware of the correct process to report
by appearing at events like Magnus Fest
or often feel afraid,” she said. “I would not
of unreported incidents by finding ways
and buying more signage,” said Leslie.
say this is due to negligence on CSU’s part
to reach out to more students and make
The center has had the most success with
because, or at least my impression is, The
services more known. “OIE seeks to reach
advocating its services by “word of mouth,
Office of Institutional Equity wants every-
the CSU community through a number of
student-to-student referrals and one on
one to know they are there as a resource.”
avenues including: live presentations on
one interactions with students,” he said. He
Concepcion said she would be confident
campus; in-person and online trainings,
encourages students to refer friends, attend
in reporting an incident to CSU police and
such as Campus Clarity in the University
training and join groups on campus like
that on-campus jobs have provided her
Life course, tabling at events on campus,
the peer education program.
with needed informational sessions
The Title IX office addresses the issue
the OIE website and the Title IX website,” said Vogelgesang. Another way of showing the support
According to Vogelgesang, Cleveland State funds these programs through OIE,
from OIE. As a Cleveland State Student, I am very
the Provost’s Office through the Sexual
proud of my school’s efforts to improve
CSU has for victims of sexual assault is the
Violence Prevention (SVP) Council, the Uni-
campus safety and resources.
“Creating a Safer U” publicity campaign.
versity Compliance Office, an ODHE grant,
Vogelgesang said the campaign’s purpose
student affairs and State funding through
is “to educate students on how to create
CRCC.
a safe and inclusive campus for all.” The
“Changing Campus Culture” plan have
working closely with Student Affairs, the
made great progress, which is shown by
Police Department and the academic units.
the assessments released by ODHE, but not
One part of the “Changing Campus
all have advanced as quickly as CSU.
Culture” plan is to create a partnership
Alex French, a senior at Miami University,
between a college and the area’s local crisis
feels that Miami has made progress but
center. Cleveland State’s Counseling Center
there is still work to be done to improve
had a partnership with CRCC in advance,
education. “I believe they need to do more
before Ohio Higher Ed released any of
with the sexual assault issue and make it
its plans. This agreement has broadened
more apparent of how common it is, even
services tremendously for student victims
on our campus,” said French. “Beyond
and it gives even more educational and
preventative emails and stuff, they don’t
volunteer opportunities for the university’s
do as much with anybody above freshman
entire community.
status.” French is involved in a research group
CRCC for more than 10 years and said CSU
that holds events to educate students on
and CRCC made an official agreement in
sexual assault prevention, the frequency of
February of 2016. “The crisis center con-
sexual assault on campus and victim ser-
sists of four main goals: therapy, advocacy,
vices. Attendance is low, even though the
outreach and programs,” he said.
university requires that frats and sororities
The center works to make sure stu-
need to attend a certain amount of these
dents feel comfortable reaching out for
presentation’s events. “The ones who did
help, by tailoring these goals to an individ-
come were changed by what we presented
ual’s situation. Therapy is offered either on
to them because we gave a clear definition
campus or off campus to protect student
of what assault is, what can institute it and
privacy. CRCC staff assist students with
setting boundaries,” said French.
filing police reports, going to hearings and
RESOURCES FOR HELP
The other colleges involved with the
Title IX office has made these advances by
Alexander Leslie has been a part of
PHOTO BY KAREN TUBB
Outreach specialists have offices on
“Miami is generally a conservative
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center 216-619-6192 CRCC offers support to victims of rape and sexual violence, as well as fighting to decrease the rates of violence.
CSU Maryjoyce Green Women’s Center 216-687-4674 The Women’s Center provides students with an array of services to fit their needs by connecting them with on-and-off-campus resources.
National Sexual Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE RAINN is a hotline service that provides victims with immediate support and information. For more resources, visit our blog at www.thevindi.com
FEBRUARY 2017 | VINDICATOR 12
HOUGH
The Phoenix of Cleveland The story of the birth, downfall, and rebirth of the Hough neighborhood of Cleveland. // Dwayne Castleberry & Chau Tang
H
ough, one of Cleveland’s oldest
The neighborhood took an ugly turn
ed guns at the crowd, inciting a historic
neighborhoods was settled in
as white citizens pulled their resources.
1799 by Oliver and Eliza Hough.
Businesses left and racial violence plagued
The city became a hub for the
Hough. In 1966, the United States Commis-
the neighborhood’s buildings. After police
wealthiest citizens in Northeast Ohio and
sion of Civil Rights publicly declared that
set up a post in the E. 73 area, the gunfights
was incorporated into the City of Cleveland
Hough was plagued with racism and police
began. Citizens destroyed police cars and
in 1873. The Hough neighborhood is located
brutality. The unemployment rate for Black
seized a fire truck. The uprising was only
within the blocks of E. 55 and E. 105, be-
males in Cleveland reached 68 percent.
quelled by a midnight thunderstorm, which
tween Euclid Avenue and Superior Avenue.
Many expected that racial tensions would
forced protesters inside. The Ohio National
lead to something worse.
guard was called in for the first time to stop
houses and top-rated private schools, including the Laurel School for girls. The beauty of Hough was compared to the fancy streets of France. The neighborhood was known as “Little Hollywood” and was a key section of Euclid’s “Millionaires Row,” which used to be home to some of the nation’s most influential people. It was considered to be the “Showplace of America” by Baedecker’s Travel Guide. The Fall of Little Hollywood In 1910, Cleveland was the sixth largest city in the nation and much of the population was centralized in the Hough area. As the population grew, the infrastructured of Hough was not maintained. Buildings became overcrowded by European immigrants who had lower incomes and couldn’t maintain the lavish buildings. The Great
“
Black citizens unleashed their pain on
a civil uprising caused by racism. In the end, around 50 people were injured and four
Businesses left and racial violence plagued Hough.
“
It was initially populated with extravagant
uprising.
The Hough Uprising
were killed. All of the victims were Black including Benoris Toney, who was shot by a white mob that was later captured and arrested by police but soonafter released. The heavy rains of Cleveland ensued, keeping people inside. The National Guard proceeded to withdraw in the weeks following July 26. Mayor Richard Locher blamed the incident on Black Nationalism and Communism but Major General Erwin C. Hostetler of the National Guard said that “there [was] nothing to substantiate [Locher’s] statement.” According to WKYC, Cleveland residents Bennie Jean Johnson and Elaine Jones lived in Hough as teenagers when the uprising happened. Johnson remembers the anxiety of traveling with the threat of
Depression of the 1930s devastated the
The uprising began at the Seventy-Niners
being shot. Both women still remember the
neighborhood as European immigrants
Café, owned by the Feigenbaum brothers.
“dark days and long nights” as frustrated
fled the neighborhood and displaced Af-
It took place from July 18 to July 23, 1966.
citizens rebelled against the city. Johnson
rican Americans moved in. Urban renewal
The Feigenbaum’s were witnessed arguing
remembers when the army trucks arrived
and freeway construction in the 1950s
with several Black patrons the day of the
and people realized it was time to get inside
helped gentrify the Central neighborhood to
riot including a man whom they refused to
of their houses. During an intense encoun-
the west, forcing Blacks to flee to aban-
give water to. The restaurant owners put
ter, Johnson’s hearing-impaired 5-year-old
doned neighborhoods. The Black population
up a sign reading “No water for niggers”
brother randomly ran down a street until
of Hough rose greatly from 14 percent in
on the front door. An angry crowd gathered
a police officer secured him. Bennie recalls
1950 to 75 percent in 1960.
in front of the store. The brothers point-
the officer being intent on helping them.
13 VINDICATOR | FEBRUARY 2017
Johnson’s home is one of the few remaining
land to create the Vineyards and Biocellar
houses left from the uprising. Even though
of Chateau Hough. The vineyard consists of
it has been 50 years since the incident, the
294 vines organized into 14 rows, residing
memories of the hatred and racism still
next to a dilapidated building representing
hurt her and other residents.
the decades of decay and the renewed vigor of the residents who are grinding daily to
The Phoenix Awakens
refurbish the neighborhood.
As many tried to redevelop the area, polit-
In a stroke of ingenuity, Frazier con-
ical red tape hindered the process. Robert
verted an abandoned house connected to
Weaver, secretary of the United States
the vineyard into a biocellar which will
Department of Housing and Urban Develop-
grow mushrooms. He plans to repurpose
ment refused to rebuild the area. According
more abandoned properties to create jobs
to Jeffrey Adler, author of Cleveland Mayors,
because he said that poverty creates crime.
Weaver “withdrew a previously committed
Many view Hough as the place that
grant of $10 million, and he rejected an
rioted, but Frazier said he wishes to change
application for Model Cities money because
that trope. Just the mention of the word
it was incomplete.” Attempts to redevelop
“riot” aroused Frazier as he boldly declared
Hough didn’t occur until Carl Stokes was
it an uprising of the people.
elected mayor in 1967, the same year the
On November 10, 2016, The America
Hough Area Development Corporation was
Scores Poetry Slam was hosted at Cleve-
formed. The decrease in the tax base led to
land State University. The Elementary
federal funding cuts for organizations and
school competition was won by Wade Park
projects.
Elementary, located in the Hough neigh-
Hough was also hit by President Rich-
borhood. The students performed with a
ard Nixon’s “War On Drugs.” The one-sided
political ferver, beyond their years, dis-
war created tough-on-crime drug policies
playing a passion for making their home a
that disproportionately affect Black males.
better place. 10-year-old Madison Reid won
President Ronald Reagan intensified the
the individual contest with audience capti-
nation’s focus on Black males in the 80s,
vating pieces. She ended the night with an
leading to mass incarcerations unrivaled in
surprisingly deep poem that talked about
modern history. The Black communities of
her dark side. She reassured the audience
Cleveland were devastated.
with a cute but courageous quip, “I will
The Hough Community Development
never let you [darkside] show out, I will
Corporation (HCDC) was formed in 2013
always keep you inside.” Her showman-
after many organizations’ unsuccessful
ship and confidence was reminiscent of a
attempts to rebuild the neighborhood. The
young Shirley Temple with a bit more soul.
HCDC came under scrutiny in 2015 for not
Madison started performing with America
sharing how it spent its funds. According to
Scores 3 years ago and has helped Wade
News Channel 5, City Hall Councilman TJ
Park keep their dominance of the poetry
Dow, who presides over the Hough area, has
competitions. Although Cleveland can be
not offered details on finances. Dow insists
depressing sometimes, there is hope in
that the money is being spent wisely.
witnessing the excellence of future leaders like Madison.
MIDDLE PHOTO TAKEN BY ANDRIANA AKRAP
The Phoenix Rises
With the development of Cleveland’s
Mansfield Frazier, a Hough resident, has
downtown area and its surrounding neigh-
taken it upon himself to help build Hough.
borhoods, Hough seems prime for a resur-
An activist and journalist, Frazier has used
gence. The building of the Euclid Corridor
his voice to reach students and people
has broadened access to the neighborhood.
re-entering society after prison terms. Fra-
The City Club of Cleveland has partnered
zier himself served time in prison where he
with Cleveland State University’s Maxine
founded a writing group. He compiled his
Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs
writings in his publication, “From Behind
to provide a Hough Neighborhood Trolley
Walls.” He has turned his experience into
Tour. Although the city’s poverty and crime
a tool to help others, serving as a prisoner
still plague the neighborhood, its future is
reentry counselor.
in the hands of some very capable citizens
In May of 2010, Frazier led a group of community volunteers to clear a plot of
both young and old.
Historical photos courtesy of Cleveland Memory Project FEBRUARY 2017 | VINDICATOR 14
LOVE HAS NO BOUNDARIES L It is unfair to judge love by race and sexuality, however in families within certain cultures, this judgement remains a problem. // Chau Tang ove can be heartbreakingly beau-
100 percent Asian so they don’t lose sight
ship with someone because of who they are
tiful. Love to me is about having
of their roots. It seems as if we always try
and I wouldn’t want to say, “Oh, I like you
someone to care for, love, and a
to abide by our parents rules because they
but I can’t date you because of your race.”
friend indeed. It’s about two souls
are our parents after all and in the Asian
That’s disrespectful and I would rather date
intertwining and that also com-
culture, we, as the children should always
whomever I please. Some of my relatives
pliments each other. I say it can be heart-
listen to them and if we don’t then we’d be
can be old fashioned when it comes to love
breakingly beautiful because sometimes
seen as disrespectful kids but what about
meaning that since I’m Chinese-Vietnam-
people fall in and out of love, they can break
our vision as young adults?
ese, they expect me to be in a relationship
up while the other person might feel pain or
I just learned that my father is against
with either a Chinese American or Vietnam-
are just not compatible with each other and
me dating anyone outside of my race but he
ese American as long as either one of those
may not realize that until years later. The
doesn’t mind if his nieces or nephews date
are of Vietnamese and Chinese descent. I
idea of having a partner for the rest of our
someone out of their race so that to me is so
think it would be alright if I was with some-
lives is ideal for many people while others
hypocritical. Then I asked my mother why
one outside of my race but I don’t think
may just want to date around. A relation-
because she was the one who told me this
they would be full blown excited but more
ship simply won’t work if one person is
and she said that it was because they would
of a subtle, “Ok, as long as you find a nice
invested in it more than the other person. It
want their grandkids to be 100% of Asian
person.” Now, my dad would probably be
takes two for it to work. I say that because
descent. Even if I did date or even mar-
going a bit mad at the idea of me being with
there are some who haven’t experienced
ry someone out of my race, I don’t think
someone outside of my race but I hope that
love yet, but there people who fall in love
the kids would be less Asian if they were
one day I could persuade him to have more
without meaning to. In life, nothing is ever
mixed of another race. So, that confuses me
of an open mind but I suppose time will tell.
guaranteed so we live each day like it’s our
because would the kids be less of a certain
last. We make friends, we laugh and we cry,
race than the other if they were mixed? I
would want to be portrayed but there is a
and those are some of the moments that we
don’t think so! This angers me because it
line between trying to be respectful and
live for. So why should love be restricted by
feels like they are restricting me to be in a
controlling when it comes to someone’s life.
whom we choose?
relationship with someone outside my race,
As kids, we would always hear our par-
“
“
Love isn’t about needing to marry a person’s “own kind,” it’s about who the person is, regardless of their race. There are some families out there, and
Being disrespectful is not how anyone
ents telling us to do chores and of course, I would hope we would obey but having our parents demand us to do chores and who our hearts choose are completely different boundaries. Even though Asian parents would want their grandchildren to be one hundred percent Asian, our hearts may not always lie with who is the same race as us. Hearing parent’s say that you should be
I mean, you can’t help who you fall for so
with someone from your own kind and if
I’m not speaking from the viewpoint of
it’s kind of sad that I would have to obey
not then the parents would disown us or
all Asian families, but there are some who
them or they could potentially move away
love us less. That is not ok to hear because
disapprove of an Asian marrying or even
from me because of that. I want to be re-
so what if a person loves another from a
dating another outside of their culture. I
spectful but at the same time, I would want
different race? So what if our hearts lie with
understand that some Asian families want
to date someone that’s kind, considerate
someone who our parents disapprove of
their child to see another person from their
and it wouldn’t matter to me what race
because of their race? The race shouldn’t
culture so their children will be able to be
they are. I would like to be in a relation-
even matter because we are all humans. We
15 VINDICATOR | FEBRUARY 2017
all have feelings so why can’t parents and
feel as if it is wrong to feel that way and
their order because of the homophobic
families just open their mind and hearts
they should be ashamed. But why should
baker. Even though these are all actors and
to see what kind of a person they are? Say
they be ashamed of having romantic feel-
I’ve never seen anyone stand up for anyone
that there is someone who is in love with
ings for another human being? People can
before, it was nice to know that there are
someone from a different culture, if they
fall in love without understanding how or
some people who would stand up for love.
agree that they want children then the child
why it happened. When you tell another
No one should have to be in a situation
will have a mixture of race in their blood
person that they should be ashamed of how
where they are belittled for whom they love
and that is ok because we all live in a world
they feel or that they are going to hell for
since love is love and it has no gender.
where different cultures come together so
it, you are restricting the person to be who
that we can learn from one another. This
they are and they may feel trapped, like
out as gay, or bi, or transgender, but they
can only be benefited since couples can
they should be the person that someone
have been shunned by their family mem-
learn and understand each other’s culture.
else wants them to be. Making someone
bers because how ashamed they were of
feel bad for how they feel is not ok. Let me
their kid. They were ashamed because the
legalize interracial marriages. There was
ask you this. Why do you have feelings for
family members didn’t see their kid as an
a study on December 5th, 2015 that stated
your spouse, lover, or crush? It’s because
equal but as different. While other families
there was an 8.4% of marriages were inter-
you love them, is it not? Everyone wants
do not mind their sexuality and still love
racial from breitbart.com. This just shows
someone to spend his or her life with and
them anyways.
how love has evolved from having the
shouldn’t everyone get that chance? People
mindset of needing to marry someone of
deserve to be with someone whom they
why bother living a life that parents and
their own race to marrying other races. Love
truly love without having to have their skin
families have painted for you? Life has a
isn’t about needing to marry a person’s
color in mind. Everyone just wants someone
mind of its own on where it will lead you.
“own kind,” it’s about who the person is,
to grow old with and wants a friend that
You can’t expect to fall for another that a
regardless of their race.
will be around until the end of time.
parent or society expects you to be with.
In 2000, Alabama was the last state to
PHOTO BY ALYSSA MILLER
It’s not just some families such as in
This reminds me of a scenario I
I’ve seen stories of people who’ve come
Everyone lives and everyone dies. So
Human beings are not born so they can
the Asian culture but in the LGBT as well.
watched on a tv show called What Would
be controlled. If they were, they would’ve
Feelings are not something that we can
You Do? The scenario was 2 lesbian lovers
come with a remote. The way I see it, we
control easily. So what if a person is in love
wanted a wedding cake but the bakery
are born to follow our dreams and live a life
with another that happens to be the same
refused to prepare a cake for them sim-
surrounded with people who care about us
gender? There are people in the LGBT
ply because they are lovers of the same
and lift us up. Our parents, family members,
community that are shunned and being
sex. They are actors but their acting was
and friends may be supportive of our future,
disrespected not only by family members
realistic enough to have customers who
so when it comes to love, why should it be
but by society as well. Those family
witnessed the situation get angry. Most of
any different?
members, society, and even friends may
the customers said that they want to cancel FEBRUARY 2017 | VINDICATOR 16
time, and it’s no secret why: It’s the years of practice; the years this dish has been passed down from generation to generation. This recipe of poultry, dredged in buttermilk and bathed in hot oil is ingrained in the culture. Whenever I would look in the fridge in the morning and see pig feet or turkey legs on one of the shelves, I had no doubt what was coming later that day. Great green leaves known as “collards” are thrown into a big pot along with these proteins and enough red pepper and Louisiana hot sauce to clear your sinuses for the next month. Who knew that pig feet, ham hocks and maws could make such a contribution. Of course you can’t forget the dish that gets your grandpa or grandma excited. Cleaned and prepared intestines of the pig are slowly cooked and eaten. As an Afri-
DON’T FORGET
THE SOUL IN SOUL FOOD Sometimes you can learn so much from those who had very little. // Joe Schmittgen
“chitlins” is almost like a rite of passage, and you need a great amount of hot sauce and vinegar to make it through. Last, but not least: grits. A food made from ground corn into a meal which is then boiled. Even though some eat it plain, I highly recommend adding other ingredients. You can use cheese, bacon, bacon fat and more animal fat to add flavor. To indulge in such a meal, you may think you’d need to go to a restaraunt. To cook such a dish takes a proven chef with training and experience. However, these master chefs are known as mothers and grandmothers. Cooking and food culture have always been important to me. As Black History Month has arrived, I try to think about how Black history has affected me as a Black male. Some of the best memories I’ve had were in my grandfather’s little brick house in the southside of Chicago, connecting with family members I hadn’t seen in months over a hot plate of soul
T
food. Because of such entities like fast food,
cooks that never use timers or measure-
ty much based around food. It brings us
ments, because they’re doing it based off of
together to reconnect with each other and
feel and heart. They’ve been cooking this
share why we are thankful for one another.
dish for years and it’s that connection to
Through food, we can also look into our
the food that makes it easy for them to tell
history and see where we came from. The
when it’s time to flip and take the chicken
importance of maize/corn in Latin Amer-
out of the pan. It’s perfectly cooked every
ican food is so evident in it’s Ancient me-
sssssst,” is the sound chicken
I understand that we as Americans don’t
makes when it hits the oil in a
always see the value in food past its utili-
hot pan. You can tell a lot about
tarian use for survival, but food is so much
a person from what they eat and
more. It brings us together.
how they cook. I’ve always admired the
17 VINDICATOR | FEBRUARY 2017
can American, to eat this dish known as
Thanksgiving is a holiday that is pret-
soamerican history. The creation of pizza
large parties where the whole town would
whether the “soul” is in it, whether the
reflects a history of worldwide contribution
come together to feast.
heart is in it. When you can taste that love
and trade. Yams in Nigerian culture (seen
and heart in the food, that’s the difference.
in the book, “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua
of these recipes spread as African Ameri-
Television shows sometimes give the illu-
Achebe) reflect how well a family is put
cans migrated throughout the nation. Some
sion that the culinary scene is this elitist
together. You are well-respected among the
cite the Great Migration as the root for the
clique of individuals who are the experts
village if you can grow yams correctly. But
broadest spread of this food. We can see
of all kinds of food who recommend these
as children of diaspora, what is soul food?
the results of the Great Migration of soul
posh places to dine. On the contrary, the
Where does it come from and what does it
food in restaurants like Sylvia’s Restaurant
best places where I’ve eaten soul food were
say about us as African Americans?
of Harlem, possibly the most famous soul
in people’s homes and small restaurants in
food restaurant in the country whose roots
small towns in North Carolina, cooked by
come from the south.
normal people with big hearts.
“
When you can taste that love and heart in the food, that’s the difference.
“
The term “soul food” was coined in
LEFT PHOTO GOOGLE IMAGES, RIGHT PHOTO FLICKR
After slavery was be abolished, many
What I find so interesting about this is
to take from this moving forward is to
where today in the modern culinary scene,
remember where we came from and how
and are almost trendy. Everyone is doing
far we’ve progressed, but it can be this
it, not just African Americans. However
attachment to the past that humbles and
this once culinary art that was developed
inspire us to strive in whatever we do. As
based off of cheap, unwanted ingredients
Latson said, slaves made something out of
is now sold at expensive prices. You can go
nothing. So when we as African Americans
to restaurants like the Oak Barrel in Valley
find ourselves in some down situations, we
View, Ohio where the Amish Chicken and
need to remember that just like our slave
Waffles is offered at a price of $16-20. You
ancestors did, we can do the same: Make
can go to Hodges Restaurant on Euclid Ave.
the best of what we have.
and East 6th St. in Cleveland to order crispy chicken and polenta (grits) for $22. What does this mean now that this once inexpensive way of cooking has become so profitable? There are positives and negatives: On one hand, it can be seen as sort of an acceptance of our culture to be enjoyed and celebrated by all as it has made it to the world of fine dining. Yet on the oth-
the mid-1960s. The word “soul” at this
er hand, as these new renditions of these
time was a common term used to describe
dishes are made and sold at more expen-
African American culture. So as the food
sive prices, one poses the question as to
became more popular during this time, it
whether the spirit of soul food has survived
became categorized as “soul food.” Even
throughout time. I’m definitely in no way
though the name was birthed during this
doubting the taste of these dishes at these
time, the recipes and the origins of the
restaurants because I’ve eaten these menu
food dig much deeper and can be traced
items at these establishments before and
all the way back to Africa, the motherland.
support local Cleveland businesses. At the
The use of rice, okra and yams were cooked
same time, as this is a part of my culture, I
during the times before European contact.
do not want soul food to lose what makes it
After having contact with Europeans and
what it is.
during slavery, slave owners would often
Kel Latson, Black Studies major at
feed the slaves the cheapest foods, or the
Cleveland State University, described Soul
parts of the animal that were unwant-
food the best way possible. “Soul food
ed. This is where we see the introduction
to me is the food that helps fill the soul
of collards, oxtail, ham hocks and the
of black folks,” Latson said. “It’s part of
intestines of the pig, and the dishes we see
our tradition. During slavery, it was food
today were developed. The common tech-
that lifted slaves’ spirits up. Slaves would
niques in cooking soul food were developed
be handed scraps and then they made
during this period, like pan-frying. In the
something out of nothing, and that’s what
Carolinas, smoked whole hog is king. The
makes it special.”
original pit masters were the slaves who would spark these fires and cook the pig at
What we as African Americans need
that soul food dishes are virtually every-
Ultimately it isn’t the price that decides whether something’s good, but it’s
MARCH 2016 | VINDICATOR 19
BLACK LIVES MATTER IN CLEVELAND Herstory of activism and the BLM movement in Cleveland. // Sage Mack
O
n a rainy night in a residential
for it. You can be killed for looking like you
book. “It was a response to the anti-Black
community of Sanford, Fla.,
don’t belong where you are; for the crime of
racism that permeates our society and also,
black 17-year-old Trayvon Mar-
being black, punishable by death. This case
unfortunately, our movements.”
tin was walking home from the
showed much of America that racism is not
corner store when he was stalked and mur-
over and that there is still a lot we have to
dered by neighborhood watchman George
do to gain racial equality in this country.
Zimmerman. When Zimmerman was
Like many great movements today
Activism in Cleveland Cleveland, a large industrial city that has grown into a diverse community of folk
put on trial for Martin’s murder, he was
including the Natural Hair movement and
from every walk of life, has a history of
acquitted of all charges on the grounds of
#BlackGirlMagic the phrase “black lives
racial injustice and violence. The decline of
self-defense. This case changed American
matter” originated from social media. It
the steel industry in Cleveland during the
history as it sparked a large public outcry
was posted via Facebook status after the
1950s resulted in higher unemployment
from not only the African American com-
jury decided that Zimmerman was not
rates and the rise of African American
munity, but all peoples around the country
guilty. “I created #BlackLivesMatter with
residents moving from the central area of
who demanded justice for Martin. It wasn’t
Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi, two of
Cleveland to the outer regions of Cleveland.
just a case of a black teen getting killed,
my sisters, as a call to action for Black peo-
Many white inner-city residents moved out
but a clear portrayal of the lack of concern,
ple after 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was
of their neighborhoods and into suburban
care, acceptance and general respect for
post-humously placed on trial for his own
homes. Neighborhoods like Glenville on
black lives. As an African American, you
murder and the killer, George Zimmerman,
the east side went from a predominant-
can be doing something as innocent as get-
was not held accountable for the crime he
ly Jewish middle class neighborhood and
ting an Arizona sweet tea and Skittles from
committed,” Alicia Garza, a Black female
quickly turned into an impoverished Black
the corner store and get killed in cold blood
who started the hashtag, posted on Face-
neighborhood.
19 VINDICATOR | FEBRUARY 2017
to accomplish such an injustice. Tamir
change on every level. In November, BLM
as the school district tried to address racial
Rice was a 12-year-old African American
Cleveland held a post-election strategizing
segregation by busing African American
boy against whom police committed a
meet and greet to see what we can do as a
children to predominantly white schools
drive-by shooting under the gazebo of the
community to stay safe, and to protect and
and integrating. Parents in neighborhoods
Cordell Recreation Center on November 22,
uplift ourselves through this harrowing
like Little Italy were so upset by this that
2014. Tanisha Anderson was a mental ill
presidency. BLM Cleveland also organized a
they rioted and refused the entry of any
37-year-old African American woman who
successful Black Future Month in February
African American children to their white
was killed by Cleveland police officers after
of 2016, which was a series of weekly work-
schools and jumped or beat any Black per-
they used forceful tactics, slamming her
shops held at Cleveland State University
son that entered their neighborhood.
so hard into the concrete ground that she
to introduce themselves to the commu-
During the mid-1960s, Cleveland
died from a severe head injury. There are
nity and really help organize change and
introduced Carl Stokes, the first African
many other cases of Cleveland police kill-
awareness of the injustices that marginal-
American mayor in the nation. During this
ing innocent unarmed black civilians. This
ized groups face.
time, Black Power groups in Cleveland
has led to an uproar of protest and activist
formed, like the Black Nationalists of New Libya (BNNL), which gave hope to the poor Black neighborhoods. They disagreed with many of the police tactics carried out by racist Cleveland police officers. On the night of July 23, 1968, a shootout occurred between the police and members of BNNL after a brief encounter between the two during a BNNL meeting. This shootout lasted until the next day and resulted in the death of three members of the group, three police officers and one bystander, while wounding others. As the shootout was happening, hundreds of residents came out of their homes and took to the streets. Police vehicles were set aflame as well as other vehicles driving down the streets of Glenville. Soon stores were looted and a full riot was ensue. At 8:30 a.m. on July 24, Mayor Carl Stokes met with 100 African American civic leaders at City Hall to discuss ways to pre-
“
groups growing in Cleveland.
The Glenville Riots were a marker in Cleveland’s history. The explosion of not only racial tension but also tension be-
injustices happen in his city. He has spent time organizing meetings and trying to
Cleveland has a rich history of racial injustice enacted by the police.
vent the violence from flaring up again.
Nafi said he joined Black Lives Matter after he was tired of sitting by watching
“
Racial tensions escalated in Cleveland
The Black Lives Matter group of
enact change towards racial equality in Cleveland. During his work in the community, Nafi and other BLM leaders have been working on the consent decree, a way of reducing excessive force that CPD has practiced. Protest in Cleveland As someone who has attended a protest for justice for Tamir Rice, there is a beautiful feeling when watching humans from all walks of life—various races, ethnicities and genders—come together and fight for what is right. In December, 2014, a group of almost 100 people—including myself and my little sister—marched through downtown Cleveland from around 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. The march ended at a vigil at Cordell Rec Center, the site of his killing. During the protest, Cleveland Police came in full force. It seemed as if for every protester, there were almost 2 police cars.
tween poor African Americans and Cleve-
Cleveland has four leading members and 15
Policemen on horses followed us where po-
land police officers left Glenville unable to
other members, according to Abdul Kareem
lice cars couldn’t fit and there were officers
completely recover from its detriments and
Nafi, a BLM leader. It is also led by Latonya
among us during the protest.
property loss. It also pushed the Cleveland
Goldsby, prominent community activist
Police Department (CPD) to be more racial-
and cousin to the late Rice.
ly inclusive when policing African American neighborhoods such as Glenville.
Black Lives Matter is trying to address
When it was time to attend Tamir Rice’s vigil at Cordell Rec Center, we were welcomed to a beautiful scene: a group of
issues in Cleveland such as Cleveland police
about 50 people, all holding candles or ted-
arrest tactics, getting body cameras on
dy bears to place under the gazebo. After
officers, Black administrative involvement
a beautiful prayer from a family member
Cleveland has a rich history of racial
in Cleveland’s local government, mass in-
of Rice, we all conversed until it was time
injustice enacted by the police which has
carceration of Cleveland’s black youth and
to go. There was a selection of vegan food
been recognized by the U.S. Department
getting Cleveland’s marginalized groups
and groups of people gave away bread for
of Justice as CPD underwent investiga-
mobilized to enact change.
protesters to bring home to their families.
Black Lives Matter of Cleveland
tion for their excessive violent practices.
This organization has made huge
Cleveland is a great city, and though
According to mappingpoliceviolence.org,
strides towards equality, BLM Cleveland
we have a lot of work to do toward equality
CPD killed exclusively black people in
organizes protests and attends community
of all peoples, there are people here work-
2015, one of 14 major cities in the nation
wellness meetings, making sure to enact
ing toward that goal.
FEBRUARY 2017 | VINDICATOR 20
f o e l t t Ba s n a B e th The uphill battle of abortion bans and access in Ohio // Holly Bland
T
wo little blue lines faintly appear
Since Governor Kasich has taken office
include counseling, free pregnancy tests,
on cold, white plastic. This isn’t
in 2011, he has enacted 17 anti-choice pro-
ultrasounds, adoption services and other
what you were expecting—the
visions that have severely affected access
free or low-cost services. In reality, the
outcome is potentially life-chang-
to reproductive health care throughout
pregnancy tests they offer are usually over-
ing. “But—how? Me? I took all of the pre-
the state, according to NARAL Pro-Choice
the-counter at-home tests. Meanwhile,
cautions, this can’t happen to me—at least
Ohio Foundation’s State of Choice Execu-
other services are conducted by untrained
not now.” Scenarios flash through your
tive Summary of 2016. As we witnessed in
volunteers which may inaccurately portray
mind while searching for answers—damn
December, Kasich allowed that number to
the development of the fetus (NARAL.)
do the roadblocks seem endless—but it’s
reach 18 anti-choice provisions, as he ush-
The adoption services they claim to offer
only just begun.
ered in the 20-week abortion ban.
typically consist of a list of phone numbers
While receiving medical care in the U.S.
rather than actual adoption counseling or
typically only has the annoying lags in the
On the Outside
information about the adoption process.
waiting room, a patient seeking an abortion
Before someone even steps into an abortion
needs to go through a battle of bans in or-
provider’s office, it’s likely they have to do
formation on abortion—shaming, confusing
der to even get close to the doctor’s office—
some research to find a location. Ohio is
and delaying those considering terminating
not to mention the way their treatment is
currently down to just nine abortion clinics,
their pregnancy. In conjunction, misleading
regulated by law rather than medically ap-
leaving 91% of counties without access to
an individual seeking information about
propriate. Wanting an abortion immediately
one (NARAL.)
abortion services can be harmful—the cost
puts you in a separate group in America—a
In addition to this, there is an influx of
CPCs often delay access to accurate in-
of abortion increases while entering later
group of patients that aren’t guaranteed to
Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs.) CPCs are
stages in pregnancy, sometimes even by
have fair health care.
often run by, or are affiliated with, reli-
hundreds of dollars, preventing some from
gious institutions that disguise themselves
accessing the procedure they would have
sion of Roe v. Wade in 1973, the legality of
in phone books and online as abortion care
chosen (NARAL.)
an individual’s right to have an abortion
providers. They do not provide abortion
Ohio provides $500,000 annually to
under the Fourteenth amendment has been
services or other medical services they
CPCs (NARAL)—a lot of these funds coming
affirmed—but the right to have an abortion
claim to offer, usually obtaining no licensed
from TANF, money that is supposed to go to
doesn’t guarantee access to one.
medical professionals at all.
helping mothers and children—money that
Ever since the Supreme Court deci-
Ohio is notorious for unnecessary
It’s common for CPCs to target loca-
is seemingly spent doing neither.
abortion bans, and has been under the
tions in a radius of college campuses, or
There are other roadblocks many do
spotlight more than ever with the passing
even close to legitimate abortion clinics.
not consider—including protesters. Pro-
of the 6-week abortion ban known as the
These locations further disguise themselves
tected by the First amendment, free speech
“heartbeat bill” through both the house and
as legitimate resources for anyone seek-
includes the right to protest. Streets, side-
the senate. The bill, which would ban abor-
ing an abortion service, or any alternative
walks, parks—you name it. No matter the
tion before most people knew they were
pregnancy and parenting services for that
controversy, you have the right to exercise
pregnant, has been vetoed by Governor John
matter.
your free speech and opinions as you see fit.
Kasich. 21 VINDICATOR | FEBRUARY 2017
CPCs also advertise that their services
Unfortunately, even at the cost of another
person’s privacy. Signed into law by the Clinton ad-
ten transfer agreement with a local pri-
legal abortion does not drive down abortion
vate hospital, but doesn’t mandate that a
rates, it just forces patients into desperate
ministration in 1994 was the Freedom of
hospital accept such agreements (NARAL.)
circumstances that may include illegal or
Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) “making
This is designed to “protect” patients in
unsafe methods of abortion.
it a federal crime to use force, the threat
case full hospital services are needed in a
of force, or physical obstruction to prevent
hurry. However, with a complication rate of
sich show his anti-choice agenda. The 20-
individuals from obtaining or providing
<0.05% (Guttmacher,) abortion is among
week ban prohibits abortion past the 20-
reproductive health services.” Additional-
one of the safest medical procedures.
week period—a time when various testing
ly, some local clinics have enacted “buffer
Recent bans enacted by Governor Ka-
To further prove the point of futility,
can be done to detect any fetal anomalies or
zones” to protect patients and workers
public hospitals are banned from signing
threat to the person carrying the pregnancy.
from protesters like in Columbus, Ohio at
transfer agreements, and an abortion pro-
It also has no exception for rape or incest,
Planned Parenthood.
vider cannot operate without an agreement
and is otherwise unconstitutional.
Although it may seem many an-
—we know most private hospitals to be
ti-choice protesters are just exercising their
anti-choice and very unlikely to enter such
right to free speech given they disagree
agreements, or simply “not wanting to take
with abortion, the clinics they end up protesting are clinics that not only provide abortion services, but other reproductive healthcare services that a large amount of the community depends on. As someone who has also had an abortion herself—who has spent time vol-
Planned Parenthood (PP) for the second
Accessing Abortion in 2017
time in his administration. Defunding
You must wait 24 hours between your initial appointment with a provider, and the day you have your procedure
funds for life-saving preventive care.
unteering and working with numerous prochoice organizations, as well as with a local abortion provider in Cleveland—I have first hand experience with these aggressions. A lot of protester’s language outside of the clinic are racially charged—even going as far as claiming that abortion is “Black genocide,” and other wordy phrases that are not appropriate to print in a campus magazine. Not only are there harsh words thrown at patients as they enter a clinic, but signs and graphic photos—that aren’t representative of science and reality— are often plastered alongside protesters and con-
planned parenthood blocked one of our most-trusted healthcare providers from House Bill 294 that was passed by the Ohio General Assembly takes funding used by PP health and education programs and
An ultrasound is mandatory, even if medically unnecessary. You also must be asked if you want to view/keep a copy of the ultrasound A doctor is required by law to give you medically inaccurate information Private insurance can’t cover it, even if your health is at risk. Medicaid can’t cover your costs, even if your health is at risk Courtesy of ohioabortionfacts.org
suming the front of clinics. These tactics
instead redistributes it among potentially hundreds of other providers. These are funds that any city or county health department that works with an independent abortion provider or contracts with a hospital that performs a single abortion in which the pregnancy is not due to rape or incest, or does not endanger the person that is pregnant’s life would be blocked from these funds: The Violence Against Women Act, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act, the Infertility Prevention Project, the Minority HIV/AIDS initiative, Infant Mortality Reduction or Infant Vitality Initiatives, and the Personal Responsibility
haven’t been proven to be effective in
sides.” We are seeing this situation in To-
discouraging abortion.
ledo, where ProMedica did not want to sign a transfer agreement with its last abortion
TRAP Laws and Bans
Defunding Abortion Providers In February of 2016, John Kasich defunded
Education Program. What Now?
clinic, which would have forced patients to
Abortion is legal but not accessible—and
In an attempt to push the anti-choice agen-
travel to places like Michigan if it were to
it doesn’t look like it’s going to get any
da and make abortion access unachievable,
close (NARAL.)
better. All of these roadblocks, along with
Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers
Anti-choice organizations and pol-
so many more, are just another attempt to
(TRAP) Laws are implemented to impose
iticians claim that TRAP laws protect
control women’s bodies. They single out
unnecessary and burdensome regulations
women’s health and safety, but these are
groups beyond the binary that also need
on abortion providers (NARAL.) These regu-
actually dangerous for reproductive health
access to reproductive health care and is
lations are not imposed onto other health-
care. These limitations prevent access to
further restrictive to them and groups that
care providers and professionals, further
many lifesaving cancer screenings, family
are disproportionately affected by abortion
proving it as an attempt to make abortion
planning, and sexually transmitted infec-
bans and access to health care in general.
unattainable and to drive doctors out of the
tion testing and treatment—all at the cost
People that need an abortion need access on
practice.
of politically motivated regulations.
demand and without apology—it’s not just
Aside from TRAP laws being designed
A majority of the country have no
to overregulate abortion providers with
abortion provider (NARAL) and TRAP reg-
medically unnecessary restrictions, Ohio
ulations are geared to make it even worse
mandates that each clinic have a writ-
and obsolete. Cutting access to safe and
a “women’s issue.” It’s proper reproductive health care, a basic human right. *Information mentioned was pulled from NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio and Guttmacher Institute
FEBRUARY 2017 | VINDICATOR 22
THE
REBIRTH OF
BL ACK POWER
Check out the extended story on our blog, thevindi.com // Kelton Latson
F
ifty years ago, Kwame Ture
Black and brown people to take back what
power to control and dictate life; and lastly,
made the call for Black Power
is rightfully ours, which is our humani-
the system of racism, which reflects the
in a speech he gave in Green-
ty. The steps to doing so require learning
thinking of the so-called founding fathers
wood, Miss. after the shooting
about Black culture in its true light and to
of this nation. That thinking, supported by
of James Meredith during the
embrace it.
the Constitution and laws, is that this na-
March Against Fear. Around this time, a lot
tion is to only benefit white people and that
of the younger black youth were no longer
Patriarchy and Capitalism For centuries, we have allowed White
stance on being nonviolent. Ture said in his
America to tell us what our culture is and
speech, “This is the twenty-seventh time I
that their idea of culture is more acceptable.
Along with learning about our culture
have been arrested and I ain’t going to jail
Our culture is vital to our people and must
comes our history. History will tell us why
be protected at all cost, because without
we are in the conditions that we’re in and
white men from whoppin’ us is to take over. What we gonna start sayin’ now is ‘Black Power!’” Black Power emphasis. We as Black and brown people must make collective decisions about which changes we need to make politically. We can’t have Black Power by depending on a system that goes against us and politicians who work for that system. The Black Power Movement ended in the 1970s and consisted of mostly young high school and college students. They no longer wanted to follow in the footsteps of the older generation who led the Civil Rights Movement because it was deemed as too passive and not progressive toward
“
ting rid of those conditions. We must learn about true Black history so that we can bet-
We must learn to accept who we are...
Black liberation. The Black Power Movement was considered as militant and gained
Black History & Lack of Education
will help us move toward solutions to get-
“
no more! The only way we gonna stop them
ter understand our true selves. Our history did not start with us being slaves to white people, even though that is what is taught in our history books. Before we started speaking the English language and taking English names, we had our own language. We even had our own religious practices before the white man came and “civilized” us with Christianity, which was used to instill the belief that white people are the closest thing on Earth to God. The education system teaches us to have an inferior mindset. If we are convinced that all we ever were was somebody’s slave and that we have never accomplished anything, we’ll
a negative perception from white society,
culture we are a lost group of people look-
never be motivated. We definitely won’t
and also from some within our own com-
ing to fit into something where we do not
be motivated to do anything about our
munity due to miseducation. During this
belong. Black Power requires Black people
oppression if we are being taught to be in-
movement, Black liberation organizations
to decolonize our minds of the concepts
ferior. They teach us about the leaders who
such as the Black Panther Party of Self-De-
that White America deems acceptable. We
believed in reform and nonviolence, but not
fense—a grassroots organization formed in
must decolonize our minds from Western
the leaders who believed in dismantling the
the inner city Oakland, Calif. area by Huey
civilization, because it is simply code for
system. Why? Because if we continue to be
Newton and Bobby Seale—were formed to
white domination. One of the key elements
nonviolent towards our oppressor, they can
protect Black residents from law enforce-
of it is Capitalism, a bloodthirsty system
continue oppressing us without fear of a
ment and to educate the Black community
that has exploited and capitalized off the
revolt. They won’t teach us about our more
on laws and their rights. The Republic of
labor of poor people, and nobody has been
radical leaders, let alone the truth about
New Afrika was formed to fight for the
more exploited than Black and brown peo-
them. The words “radical” and “militant”
reparations owed from the U.S. govern-
ple. Slavery here in America was an early
are associated with dangerous, scary, and
ment and to build a nation within a nation.
example of the capitalist system, which has
destructive, and they want us to think of
Many other grassroots organizations also
made billions on the backs of Blacks since
our more radically thinking brothers and
emerged. It also produced politically con-
then.
sisters as counterproductive and figures we
scious leaders such as Huey P. Newton, Fred
PHOTO FROM GOOGLE IMAGES
all non-white people are to bear the burden.
willing to settle with Martin Luther King’s
Another system that has build up
should stay away from.
Hampton, Assata Shakur, Kathleen Cleaver,
Western civilization is patriarchy, the belief
Mark Clark, Angela Davis, and numerous
that only men should have power. Tradi-
that we don’t need reform. Reforming is not
other leaders seeking to advance Black
tional African principles proposed the equal
the way to Black liberation, only revolution
people.”
balance of power between men and wom-
is, and history supports that. The Mau Mau
an. Western societies are a combination of
drove Britain out of Kenya by force when
slogan because with Black Power, there
anti-Black systems. They are a combination
they grew tired of being oppressed. The
are Black actions. This means to actively
of Capitalism, which helps keep the wealth
Haitian Revolution was the most success-
do things for the betterment of the Black
lopsided and into the hands of whites; pa-
ful revolt that happen here in the West.
struggle, Black people, and for the indi-
triarchy, which that makes sure that more
Haitians were willing to shed blood in order
vidual. The movement made the call for all
specifically, it is white men who have the
to get rid of the French. France was also
‘Black Power’ is more than just a
The truth that we need to understand is
FEBRUARY 2017 | VINDICATOR 24
forced out of Algeria in 1962. The National
was the governor of California, he signed
of reverse racism. White supremacy has a
Liberation Front got the Algerian men and
the Mulford Act, which prevented carrying
way of conditioning us to think that Black
women to come together and fight for their
loaded firearms in public. This is because of
people teaching each other about having
liberation, by force. We should even look at
the sightings of the Black Panthers pa-
pride in, love for, and acceptance of our-
America’s history, because when America
trolling Black neighborhoods, making sure
selves is a form of “Black supremacy.” If
wanted independence, it didn’t fight for a
that police officers weren’t overstepping
Blwack people refuse to assimilate to White
reform or scream that their lives matter in
boundaries, and was also to prevent Black
America, we are looked at as segregationist.
the streets. They fought what we now know
people from being armed anywhere at any
Black Power doesn’t mean we are superior
as the American Revolution.
time. That law was passed because the sys-
to anybody. Being pro-Black means to be
tem was scared of Black Power.
willing to stand up against the oppression
Self-Defense One of the controversial ideas during the
of Black and brown people, to tell the truth Economics
about white supremacy to its face, to be
Black Power Movement was the idea of
One of the most important elements that
proud of your blackness and to embrace
self-defense. Bearing arms and self-defense
shows Black Power is the control of the
it socially and culturally without the fear
is very important because it is a form of
Black dollar. We must control the resources
of worrying about what white people may
resistance, and when we as Black people all
in our communities and we must control
think about you.
resist brutality, it shows a sign of power.
the economics. In the bloodsucking sys-
The reason why the idea of self-defense
tem of Capitalism, we are consumers, but
eralism have resurrected something that
during the Civil Rights Movement was
are at the bottom of the economic scale.
should have never been buried. We have to
controversial is due to the fact that many
Black and brown people spend 95 percent
drop being identified as liberals and start
believe Martin Luther King Jr.’s stance of
of our dollars outside of our own com-
identifying as revolutionaries. Neo-Liber-
practicing nonviolence was a way of bring-
munities, according to Atlanta Black Star
alism is the same as Neo-Colonialism. The
ing change without having to experience
News. Even within our communities we
system of white supremacy takes a black-
any form of pain or suffering. Many Black
still don’t support our own. We let peo-
face and puts it in the right place in order to
people who identify as Christian believe
ple from outside of our community build
fool Black and brown people into thinking
in this concept because nonviolence is a
stores, restaurants, and other businesses
that we are progressing. Liberalism wants
teaching of the New Testament. This is also
and then take the money elsewhere. We
to reform the system so that it can fit into
why White America loves and paints Martin
have been conditioned to strive for what is
it. Revolutionaries want to dismantle the
Luther King as the face of the Civil Rights
called the “American Dream,” which means
system so that we can create a system that
Movement and as black people’s greatest
to have possession of expensive materials.
is truly just.
leader: he preached a doctrine that kept
The American dream is to be able to afford
Black and brown people from standing up
nice houses, cars, clothes and so on. We
must understand that we are fighting for
and fighting back. Once again, white su-
are constantly continuing to help build up
all Black and brown people globally. You
premacy does not want to plant a seed of a
a nation that does not value us by giving it
can say that this is similar to Pan-African-
rebellion in the mind of Black America.
our dollars. Black Power calls for Black and
ism, but both are actually one in the same.
brown people to invest in things that will
The word “Black’ is inclusive. When we say
X, younger black people grew tired of
help advance our people such as our own
“Black Power” or “power to the people,”
the nonviolent doctrine because it sent a
grocery stores, banks, schools and busi-
we mean power to every single Black and
message that we are submissive. Ture once
nesses. We must also control the politics in
brown human being who walks this Earth,
said, “In order for nonviolence to work,
our community by endorsing officials such
just like Pan-Africanism is for the global
your opponent must have a conscience. The
as councilmen and mayors that have Black
unification of all Africans. We can’t afford
United States has none.” It is a criminal
Power emphasis. We as Black and brown
to be divided by factions. When we spend
tactic to preach nonviolence to Black and
people must make collective decisions about
time worrying about bits and pieces that
brown people while at the same time not
which changes we need to make politically.
make us different, we lose sight of our
preaching nonviolence to white people. Law
We can’t have Black Power by depending on
common goal and who the enemy is. We
enforcement is our enemy; it is designed to
a system that goes against us and politi-
must realize that the one thing we do have
help feed the prison industrial complex and
cians who work for that system.
in common is that we are people of color,
In 1965, after the death of Malcolm
people. The Thirteenth Amendment and law
When fighting for Black Power, one
we want to be liberated, and that we have Education
the same oppressor who is keeping us from
enforcement help carry that idea out. With
The number one component to Black Power
our liberation. White supremacy doesn’t
the understanding of why law enforcement
is knowledge. White supremacy has been in
care what else we identify as. If you’re a
exists, and why it is heavily pushed in Black
place for long as it has because we as Black
person of color, you’re going to catch the
communities, it is up to us to keep them
people have lacked knowledge and un-
same hell that every other person of color
safe. We must patrol our own communities
derstanding of ourselves and our struggle.
is catching. In the year of 2017, we as black
because only we have the best interest for
We have been tricked into thinking that
and brown people need to start saying
our community. This is a form of power.
Black Power is the same as White Power.
‘Black Power’ again.and brown people need
When former President Ronald Reagan
We’ve been told that Black Power is a form
to start saying ‘Black Power’ again.
25 VINDICATOR | FEBRUARY 2017
BOTTOM PHOTO BY EVAN PRUNTY TOP PHOTO FROM GOOGLE IMAGES
to make legal slaves out of Black and brown
These last few years under Neo-lib-
“
We can’t have Black Power by depending on a system that goes against us, and politicians who work for that system.
1975
2016
“
1966 hough, clev eland, ohio
Dr. Charles Drew
A
American psychologist Erik
memory, poem, and song. The enslaved Af-
start here in America nor did their accolades.
Erikson once said, “In the so-
ricans did an amazing job of preserving their
For every story of pain and oppression there
cial jungle of human existence,
culture as cultural rites and passages have
is a story of triumph and creativity. The
there is no feeling of being alive
been partially maintained albeit centuries of
enslavement of Black people is but a small
without a sense of identity.”
separation. Although the enslaved Africans
span of time on the calendar. This isn’t the
Identity is the strength of the people and
fought hard to keep their identity, ultimately
platform for a exhaustive study so I will try
without it they are defenseless against the
they weren’t much of a match for the brute
to highlight some key points to de-mystify
many wilds of the world. Erikson theorized
force and criminality of the colonial powers
the so-called African American.
8 stages of human development noting that
of Europe. Many African cultural elements
the pass/fail results of each stage will effect
may be gone forever.
the preceding stage, i.e., what happens to
The origins of so called Black people
Origin Most major human origin stories trace cre-
you as a child will shape your mentality as
is filled with controversy and isn’t covered
ation or existence to the landmass of Africa.
an adult. A person who grew up with the
often in mainstream academics. There are
The Genesis story of the Bible mentions that
comforting embrace of wealth is more likely
200 Black Studies disciplines in the U.S.
the African rivers, Euphrates and Tigris,
to possess a positive worldview than a per-
Historically, the lack of coverage originates
were located in the Garden of Eden. Modern
son who grew up with the weighty despair of
from the system of racism and modern
science traces the origin of modern man to
poverty. Knowledge of the triumphs of your
poverty. Lack of corporate resources and
eastern Africa around 200,000 years ago. A
ancestors leads to a special pride shared
political representation continue to stifle the
few scientists believe that life started in the
with others like you. On the other hand
progression of Black studies.
Middle East. The Middle East is a modern
there tends to be a shame with carrying the
Lack of interest is also a difficulty. Ac-
concept and in antiquity was considered
knowledge of a negative past. Some people
ademia’s over-emphasis on the slave-trade
Northern Africa. No one knows for sure how
convert the knowledge into strength while
has left many Black students disinterested.
long we have been here, but some scien-
others are either, corrupted or overcome by
This omission of Black accolades has robbed
tists date the planet to around 4.6 billion
it.
countless history classes of precious tales
years old. According to Scientific America,
and glorious heroes. These omitted artifacts
evolutionary geneticist William Amos, evo-
the stages of development for many African
stand as puzzle pieces that may never find
lutionary biologist Dr. Andrea Manica and
Americans. Stage 4 of Erikson’s theory states
its place. This journey may not complete
their colleagues at University of Cambridge
that during the early school years children
your puzzle but hopefully it will get you
in England conducted a study on 4,666
start to become aware of their competence.
closer to the finish.
male skulls from various places around the
The institution of Racism has altered
During this stage, people learn about being
On a more personal note, I have lived
world. The team found a connection between
superior and inferior in skills and accom-
most of my life in the Slavic Village neigh-
genetic diversity and physical variation
plishments. Public schools teach very little
borhood. The whole neighborhood was en-
depending on the distance from Africa, i.e.,
about Black history during this stage which
riched in culture. The atmosphere reflected
the further people lived from Africa, the
may lead to a feeling of inferiority due to
multiple decades of Polish culture including
less genetically diverse they were. Manica
lack of historic role models. Self-awareness
the stores, building designs, and festivals.
states, “We have combined our genetic data
grows and leads to the next stage which
What was missing for me was that there was
with new measurements of a large sample
is “identity versus role confusion.” This is
no place like this in Cleveland for Black peo-
of skulls to show definitively that modern
the stage where people build their identity.
ple. Gentrification and Racism led the Black
humans originated from a single area.”
People tend to build their identity from the
community to live a semi-nomadic lifestyle,
One of the issues of understanding
traits of those around them, mostly from
building neighborhoods from the scraps left
Black history is identity. African Americans
their culture. Black people have historically
by their fleeing White counterparts.
are a collection of people that originate
been given a choice to embrace their culture
Black communities began to solidify
or submit to the colonial powers. Embrace-
in Cleveland the 60’s and 70’s. Areas like
group is their common ancestry. Common
ment of Black culture has either meant
Union-Miles, Hough, and East Cleveland be-
ancestry can be a difficult measure because
danger or death for Black people in Amer-
gan to build despite lack of funding from the
of the timespan that many people have been
ica. Rejecting Black culture and embracing
local government. Political institutions like
separated from their distant relatives. An-
colonial powers gave many hope and helped
the Drug War that began in 1971 helped fuel
other binding agent is the cultural practices
many escape some problems that Blacks face
the destruction of many of these communi-
handed down through generations. These
often. Unfortunately converting to colonial
ties. During the 1990’s crime was rampant
measures can be difficult also because colo-
powers did not protect from the danger and
throughout the poverty stricken city. Police
nial powers have altered and banned many
death of Racism.
patrolled Black neighborhoods in similar
of these practices. Skin shade is another and
fashion to the Nazi raids of the Jewish Ho-
probably the most prominent element in
atically forced to forget their past. Banned
locaust. The currently active U.S. Drug War
the identity of Black people. The issue with
from academia and social life, African
which targets Americans of color, stands as
skin color and other features is that Africans
Americans had to build a new subculture of
the longest war in U.S. history at 46 years.
contain the DNA for every physical feature
African with looming oppression, little to no
The Vietnam War stands second at 19 years.
on the planet including light skin, blue eyes
For centuries Blacks have been system-
resources and knowledge passed down from
The displacement of Black people didn’t
from many places. One factor that binds the
and blond hair. Many Black Americans ap-
FEBRUARY 2017 | VINDICATOR 28
pear visually to be Caucasian mostly through
vs Negro. Some within the Black community
of Nubian history because there is evidence
mixed-race mating, but there are some that
felt that Negro was not accurate and was
that it may have been part of the oldest and
just have similar features related to ancestral
connected with slavery. Others continued
largest nation that ever existed. The Nu-
background. Another issue with identifying
to use both titles with a change in meaning.
bians of the kingdom of Kush predate Kemet
African-Americans is that the people we
According to Lerone Bennett Jr., author of
and are believed by some scholars to be the
know as Africans didn’t only inhabit Africa,
Before the Mayflower: A History of Black
connected to the indigenous people of the
but every known corner of the world.
America, Black Power advocates “adopted a
Americas and Asia.
In order to clarify this identity enigma,
new vocabulary in which the word ‘black’ is
let’s look at actually ethnic titles. Ameri-
reserved for ‘black brothers and sisters who
can communities seems to be at odds with
are emancipating themselves,’ and the word
The expanse of human diversity is often
what to call African Americans. Most people
‘Negro’ is used contemptuously for Negroes
characterized into identifying factors that
outside of the Black community can find part
‘who are still in Whitey’s bag and who still
we classify as culture, e.g., the French in
of their identity attached to a land mass.
think of themselves and speak of themselves
their art, the British in their military might
Irish Americans look to Ireland just like
as Negroes.’”
and the Germans in their science. If the
The land mass doesn’t only regulate identity but it also serves as a economic and cultural bank to ensure the empowerment of certain groups of people, regardless of their location. The distinction with African Americans is that most identify with their colonizers rather than Africa. Many have been convinced that Africa is an uncivilized dark continent and are filled with repudiation at the mention of the name Africa. Most psychologists would probably agree that identity is important to mental health. Identity is a big issue with modern African Americans, but what did their enslaved ancestors—who were closer connected with their native culture—identify themselves as. Evidence shows that Africans considered themselves Black. Various areas including Egypt, were called ‘land of the Blacks’. During the early 19th century
In 1988, several African American
Africans are the oldest known civilization,
leaders, including Jesse Jackson, met in
why aren’t they famous for anything other
Chicago to discuss an agenda for the Black
than being enslaved? A quick survey of pop-
“
ular academia in America is most likely to produce history of the colonial powers who
Many within the Black community began to separate themselves...
American colonial powers began to send free Africans back to Africa. In order to escape deportation many began using the title
“
German-Americans identify with Germany.
Misunderstandings
conquered the world through warfare with people of color serving as a side note. Colonial history followed a script that only James Cameron can direct. History—the perfect Hollywood story of the dashing European protagonist who saves the world from the darkies. Revised history may be the biggest culprit in the separation of Nubians and their history. Africa was called the “dark continent” by Europeans. Dark didn’t refer to skin shade, but rather the negative connotations that arose from ignorance. Fear and ignorance fueled a primitive view of the unknown continent. European colonial powers began to rewrite history according to their racist views. Colonists believed that Africans were not human, but were merely part of the native
“coloured” or “free person of colour.” Many
community. Jackson declared that the race
wildlife so they refused to acknowledge their
within the Black community began to sepa-
prefers to be called African American instead
achievements. Accolades of Africans began
rate themselves from their African identity
of Black. Jackson claimed that the identify-
to be buried into oblivion or attributed to
even to the point of removing the word Af-
ing term African American would give Black
other groups. Influential areas of Africa
rica from their institutions. There was even
people an ethnic pride like that of their
such as Egypt and the Middle East began to
momentum to the ideal of an official title of
Caucasian counterparts.
be viewed as non-African as many of the
“oppressed Americans.” The resistance to the title Negro appears
Many African Americans deal with iden-
natives were dispersed through wars and
tity issues due to slavery and colonization.
invasions. As Rome rose, it claimed many of
to have been active since the beginning of
Just the mention of Black or African will
the technologies of Africa as its own.
the slave trade. Through examination of
send many African Americans into a frenzied
writings of the enslaved, it appears they
tirade. Some reject these terms in hopes to
mostly called themselves Black or African.
separate themselves from the culture. Others
Most Americans have heard of Christopher
Bennett states that, “the first institutions
reject the terms because they feel Black is
Columbus and his so—called discovery of
organized by Americans of African descent
a negative political title. Black people have
the Americas. The popular story states that
were designated “African,” viz., The Free
went as far as physically deforming them-
Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain
African Society,” “the African Methodist
selves to appear more European. Many
sent Columbus on a valiant journey in 1492
Episcopal Church,” “The African Baptist
Black people currently identify themselves
to prove that the Earth wasn’t round and
Church.”
as Nubian, in reference to the kingdoms of
that led him to the discovery of the New
Kush and Kemet. Kemet is a prominent part
World. The story has seemingly religious
The 1960’s hosted the debate of Black
29 VINDICATOR | FEBRUARY 2017
Columbus Lost in the West
This philosophy is seen in modern Pan-Africanism movements like Black Lives Matter and the new Black Power Movement.
U.N.I.A. Universal Negro Improvement Association
Led directly to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s.
“
Show me the race or the nation without a flag, and I will show you a race of people
INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN FLAG Garvey also created the PanAfrican flag, also known as the Black Liberation Flag, or Bendera Ya Taifa.
MASS MEDIA
“
SELF LOVE
Colonial culture of the early 1900’s used to spread the negative image of Black people so the movement aimed to counter the psychological damage done.
MARCUS GARVEY
2 MILLION
without any pride.
W.E.B. DUBOIS
The rise of Pan-Africanism in the 1990s can be attribute d to these key leaders.
Members were estimated to be in the Universal Negro Improvement Association, in 1919, created by Marcus Garvey.
looking at Nubian people. Northern Africa was considered West India to some Euro-
cans weren’t civilized because they didn’t
synonymous for Nubian/Black people.
have a writing system. This was a remnant
lumbus is looked at as the father of America. A deeper look at the story reveals the tale of a brutal colonial criminal, lost at sea, who traveled the world terrorizing Nubian people. Leif Eriksson actually landed in North America five centuries earlier. By 1492 most influential scholars accepted the “round Earth” theory because Nubians taught that the world was round centuries before Spain existed. The Greeks, who were taught by Nubians, also taught that the Earth was round—debunking the “flat Earth” motive. Columbus located the Americas by mistake, as he miscalculated the size of Earth, and was only saved by crashing into one of the islands of Haiti. This is important because of the people he had seen in the Americas. Popular theory states that the indigenous people of America were all lightskinned Asiatic people. This is reinforced by popular media such as the classic TV show, “The Lone Ranger,” which gave us Tonto. A deeper look shows that early America had different ethnicities—with the earliest people being more connected to the Nubians of Africa. Columbus, who was eventually jailed and considered a tyrant, called the native people of Haiti, Indians. In modernity, Indian means either a person from the region of India or it is used as a racial term for the Indigenous people of the Americas. The term “Indian” was used for the original “Americans” because Columbus thought he was 31 VINDICATOR | FEBRUARY 2017
of outdated history and confused me because
that the Indigenous people of America may
I wondered about the hieroglyphs from
have either been ascendants, descendants,
Egypt. Even though the movies always por-
or an extended part of Africa. There are more
tray Egyptians as Caucasian, if you look at a
pyramids in the Americas than there is in
map it is definitely in Africa. I didn’t think
Africa, they also appear to be made using
that was an issue until I learned that many
the same methods. The cultural clothing of
of my friends and colleagues didn’t believe
the Native Americans mimicked that of the
that Egypt is African.
Egyptians and other African cultures. Also
tones for many modern Americans as Co-
I was taught in history class that Afri-
peans. “West Indian” was a ancient term New discoveries in the Americas show
Lewis Lattimer
ish scientists.
The name Egypt itself is Greek. A more
early paintings of the Natives display many
proper name is Kemet or Khemet. Kemet lit-
dark-skinned natives that could easily be
erally means “land of the black people” and
mistaken for a Zulu warrior. Political, reli-
some translate it as “the black land.” Kemet
gious and technological advances all seem to
had over 30 known names including “Ta
point to a common culture between Indig-
Meru” which means “the beloved land” and
enous Americans and Africans. During the
“Ta Seti” which means “land of the bow.”
Colonial era, Europeans created the theory
Some researchers believe that the “black”
of race, separating people based on features,
in Kemet doesn’t refer to the people, but
primarily the shade of their skin. The darker
rather the rich soil of the Nile. Others believe
skinned natives were grouped with the
the name more likely symbolizes the people
kidnapped Africans and are now considered
similar to nearby areas with the same name
African Americans.
in a different languages. The kingdom of
The evidence actually shows that Africans may have traveled to the Amer-
Kush, south of Kemet, was called Ethiopia or “the land of the black people” by the Greeks.
icas regularly thousands of years before Columbus. Columbus himself wrote that
Black Inventors Who Shaped History
“Black-skinned people had come from the
The great Nubian inventors aren’t just an
South East in boats, trading in gold-tipped
element of ancient times, although enslaved
spears.” The false theory of Africa as a dark
and oppressed Black people continued to be
or simple-minded place has led many to
innovative. Black inventions are a part of
think that Africans didn’t have the intel-
daily life for Americans. Great inventors like
ligence or technology to sail to America.
Lewis Lattimer allow us to light our
This false view of Nubians doesn’t stand up
homes--he created. Lattimer created the
to history. The Greek historian Herodotus
filament that allows light bulbs that illumi-
documented in 445 B.C. of how the Egyptian
nated brightly.
Pharaohs had great seafaring skills. King
Dr. Charles Drew created the blood bank
Ramses III sailed to America in 1292 B.C. and
which has saved countless lives and elevated
in 1311 A.D. King Abubakari II, ruler of the
the medical field significantly.
Kingdom of Mali, sent 200 ships of men, and 200 ships of African goods.
Cleveland’s own Garrett Morgan’s impact on traffic safety is unheralded. Morgan, who is credited as the first African American
The Myth of a Non-African Egypt
in Cleveland to own a automobile, created
Europeans knew little about Africa until
his traffic device after witnessing a serious
the 19th century. During the 1800’s Africa
accident. He moved to Cleveland in 1895,
was systematically conquered and dissect-
where he worked in a sewing and shoe shop.
ed. American academia focused strictly on
Morgan also began making hair care prod-
the colonial history of Africa and either
ucts, including a hair straightener and dye.
dismissed or altered anything beforehand.
Morgan created an effective safety hood that
The effects of this systematic focus still
could prevent people from breathing in toxic
influences some areas of academia and the
smoke caused by fires. The device utilized
perception of many. The Civil Rights move-
a wet sponge to filter the air and tubes that
ment coincided with an influx of interest in
ran to the floor to gather safer air. His device
African history and artifacts by American
would eventually be reformed into the gas
scholars in an attempt to keep up with Brit-
mask which is now standard equipment with
tor, but he was also a hero. Using his safety hood, Morgan walked heroically into tunnel under Lake Erie to rescue victims of a explosion. . His deeds went unrecognized by local media and politicians because they didn’t want to recognize a Black man as a hero. The African Aesthetic A key part of African culture has always been music and art. The creativity of the African, often called the African aesthetic has always been celebrated. The African aesthetic consists of the rhythmic nature present in multiple areas of life including fashion and linguistics. The rhythmic linguistics of Africans, often mistaken as slang, may sound informal or incorrect to other cultures but in
“
The new Black Power Movement is about knowledge, health, and power.
“
the military. Not only was Morgan an inven-
reality is another form of English similar to the relationship between Spanish and Latin. The African Aesthetic is often called
negative and demeaning music. Songs like
“soul” or “flavor.” During slavery, Afri-
“I’m in Love” by LL Cool J, were replaced
cans were given undesirable food, but their
in the charts by songs like U.E.N.O. which
creativity transformed garbage into many
features Rick Ross rapping about drugging
famous delicacies. Slave owners wouldn’t let
and raping a woman.
them have instruments, so Nubians would
rate the forms of hip-hop to distinguish the
make music. (sidebar)
popular music from what some call real or and lecturer, Akala, compares pop culture
messages of freedom, but also methods.
hip-hop to institutions of the past stating,
These stories of heartache, tribulations, and
“Hip-Hop is a modern day minstrel show.”
triumph led to the creation of Jazz, Rock
Big corporations capitalize off of popular
and Roll, Hip Hop and many other genres of
stereotypes, changing the landscape of the
music. Whether it is a religious tribute or
genre.
chains of slavery, others have been here as longs as history can tell. Africans in the Americas have been given or taken many different cultural names but they are from similar backgrounds. The difference between a Haitian and a Black Clevelander may be a boat stop. The purpose of this journey was not to compare Africans with any cultural background in a better or worse sense, but it is dedicated to be a supplement for antiquity malnutrition caused by colonial history. Black history is world history so it must be treated as such. If we are to break the chains of the system of Racism then we must embrace our true history. This article is partially about race, but let me destroy my own story by saying that race doesn’t exist. We all come from a common ancestry regardless of our modern ethnicity, so show some love to your family.
Although pop culture hip-hop is mar-
art to carry the essence of the people. Every
keted everywhere, conscious hip-hop still
movement of Nubians in modern history
lives. The hip-hop culture isn’t just about
correlates with the rise of a Black art. The
music and has taught more about police
Garvey Movement’s message was partially
brutality and oppression than maybe the
spread using great hymns of freedom, just as
most elite university. Many new generations
Jazz, Funk, Rock and Soul became the voice
learn keys parts of world history through
of the Black Power Movement of the 70’s.
songs from artists like Immortal Technique
The Black Power movement gave birth
some came to America through the brutal
conscience rap. International Hip-hop artist
the realm of slavery, relating not just
legendary tale, Africans have always used
people of many humble backgrounds. While
The Black community began to sepa-
clap their hands and stomp their feet to Many motivation songs echoed through
but they were also hunters, farmers, and
and Lupe Fiasco.
to hip-hop which has been very influential in the last 40 years. Hip-hop arose during
In Closing
the early 70’s as Nubian youth needed a
With all that said, hip-hop culture isn’t new,
way to express themselves. The spread of
nor is it synonymous with hip-hop. It is a
hip-hop became a networking tool allowing
sub-group of a mass of people that come
many isolated Nubians to connect emo-
from amazing origins. The people called
tionally and spiritually with others. Many
Black, African, and Nubian have a histo-
political leaders were strategically depow-
ry bigger than many imaginations. If the
ered, leading the youth to the leadership
evidence wasn’t chiseled in stone, written in
of hip-hop. As hip-hop culture began to
books, told through songs and other forms
solidify, the ownership and creative control
of art, then racism may have destroyed
began to leave the Black community. Positive
the Nubian identity forever. The so-called
hip-hop was defunded and replaced with
African Americans were Pharaohs, scholars and legendary travelers of great import,
Garrett Morgan
BLACK &WHITE My struggle to understand my identity, despite the inadequate labels by which I am forced to define myself. // Elisabeth Weems
M
y story is that of a biracial,
and how people are treated. The strug-
I would have been sold into bondage and
American woman. It is that
gle continues, and similarly, my struggle
my beauty would have condemned me to
of a conscious, brown-
continues. Despite the progress that we
being raped by my slave master and forced
skinned girl who grew up in
have made and that which we proclaim, I
to bear his children. If I were born 100 years
a predominantly white sub-
know that when people first see me, they
ago, I would have been prohibited from
urb with an Italian mother and an absent
see me as an anomaly; a brown-skinned
cross-cultural love and barred from being
Black father. It is that of the descendent of
woman with European features. I don’t
treated with dignity; or if I were born in
both the oppressor and the oppressed; the
make sense to them. I know that people
Italy, I would have lived under Benito Mus-
European and African. It is that of a woman
have preconceived notions of my abilities. I
solini’s fascist reign. I speak about the past,
robbed of her African history, who is dis-
know that when people tell me I’m eloquent
but I am conscious of the fact that I con-
connected from both her Black and Italian
and well-spoken, it’s often that they’re
tinue to face oppression, that we continue
sides. This is my story, but it is yours too.
surprised by my articulation because they
to face subjugation and exploitation—we
are convinced that my brown skin means I
Blacks, we Italians, we people.
If our ultimate goal as a society is to overcome racism, we must speak openly about it. We cannot buy into the self-delu-
am uneducated. If I were born 400 years ago, I would
According to my legal documents, I am Black/ African American. What does it
sion that the Civil Rights Movement of the
have been kidnapped by deranged men
mean to be an African American? It means
1960s abolished racist institutions and ide-
who traversed the Atlantic Ocean to find
that I am an orphan, stolen from the womb
ologies. We cannot pretend that anti-immi-
free labor, and I may not have survived the
of my mother Africa. It means that I don’t
grant sentiment isn’t still a problem—the
voyage—but my ancestors did and now I
know the first thing about my African roots.
struggle continues. Today, we cannot fool
must carry on their legacy. If I were born
I don’t know where I come from. I embrace
ourselves into thinking that race is no lon-
200 years ago, I could have been killed for
my heritage boldly, however my lineage is
ger a factor in how our society is organized
owning a book. If I were born 150 years ago,
scarred by the horrors of slavery. Every time
33 VINDICATOR | FEBRUARY 2017
citizen of the globe. It is to be historically
photographs of my people being lynched
oppressed.
and laughed at while they hang from trees
“So you’re black and white, right?”
with ropes around their necks. I cannot
people ask me. “You’re so exotic!” they
describe what it feels like to envision being
say. “No really, like where are you from?”
in chains, being ripped from my family,
“Cleveland,” I tell them. But then I ex-
from my continent. I cannot describe what
plain that I am from Africa. I explain that
it feels like to be the only Black person in
my roots are in Italy. I tell them that I am
my neighborhood grocery store, and to
from the stars, as are they. I am human, as
have white men and women overlook me as
are they, and though I openly embrace my
though I’m invisible because they hate what
heritage, I refuse to be defined by precon-
I embody. I do not fit their mold of what it
ceived notions of people who, quite frankly,
means to be Black, and I will never fit into
have no idea what it’s like to be Black and
white America. I do not wish to.
biracial in America—and a woman at that. I grew up disconnected from my Italian
I cannot describe what it feels like to be robbed of my history. I know that my Black
roots because nearly my entire family on
ancestors have roots in Georgia, but before
my mother’s side resides in Italy. Until
that, their ancestors were kidnapped from
I was 16 and took my first voyage to my
Africa and sold into bondage. This lega-
motherland, I hadn’t been exposed to the
cy has left an entire population of people
er’s attempts to teach me Italian as a child, our Christmas (Natale) tradition of making tortellini by hand, and our annual trips to the Feast of Assumption on Murray Hill in Little Italy. When I visited four years ago, and again this past summer, I was referred to as “the American.” Few people saw past my brown skin and openly accepted me as a fellow Italian, especially because of my unfamiliarity with the language and customs. I struggled to find myself fitting into the culture, and while I was growing up, I found myself rejecting it altogether. I’ve never fit in as a Black girl, nor an Italian girl, nor an American girl.
“
without an understanding of where we
This is my story, but it is your story too.
But what was more difficult was my I have to fill out any document that asks me
inability to relate to my Black roots. I was
to indicate my race or ethnicity, I shudder.
not raised by my biological father, and in
come from. We are orphans, and our adop-
I feel like I’m lying. I check “other” and
his place has been my mother’s partner, a
tive parent, America, has committed horri-
even that doesn’t feel right, but it feels like
six-foot-four Black man with roots in the
ble atrocities against us. We must continue
protest. It feels like I’m rejecting a system
south. He and my older brother embody the
to tell our stories. We must tell children the
that tries to put me in a box, but then it also
long-standing depiction of America’s fears;
truth about Black history, and we must stop
feels like I’m rejecting my duality. It feels
strong, tall, muscular black men who are
pretending that racism doesn’t still exist.
like I’m claiming neither my Blacks roots
conscious of oppression. My mother used
We must stop depicting Christopher Co-
nor my Italian.
to tell my brother that he had a target on
lumbus as anything other than a genocidal
his back, and always emphasized how he
maniac, and we must stop pretending that
and my father is a Black American. It baffles
needed to be careful when walking on the
Abraham Lincoln freed Black people from
me every single time I am forced to simplify
street or when in the presence of police. I
slavery. I will not accept being labeled as
my complex heredity by checking boxes
never truly understood the oppression that
“Black” and “white.” I am more than that.
that couldn’t even begin to define who I am.
we face as Blacks because I was isolated
I refuse to accept the labels that have been
“Black” and “white” are titles, not defin-
from it growing up. There are no Black
imposed upon me. I refuse to accept that I
ing, concrete categorizations. Black and
cultural centers in Brook Park, my home-
am just an American and that I don’t have a
white are colors, not kinds of people, and
town, which has a Black population of 3
rich, dualistic heritage. I am not Black, and
race is a socially constructed concept based
percent. I couldn’t understand the culture
I am not white. I just am, and I set myself
primarily on physical appearance, which is
of the ‘hood, or police brutality, or system-
free from the labels that enslave me. I want
based primarily on the sun and geographic
ic racism. I never learned about true Black
people to see me, and for people to see oth-
location. But to be Black is more than just to
history until I studied it in college. It is an
ers, for who they are, not for who society
be dark-skinned. It is to be a second-class
indescribable feeling to see for the first time
tells them to be.
My mother was born in Bologna, Italy
PHOTO BY ELISABETH WEEMS
“
culture or language; except for my moth-
FEBRUARY 2017 | VINDICATOR 34
THE REALITY OF BEING SAD
Seasonal Affective Disorder Understanding how Seasonal Affective Disorder impacts individuals, explained by someone who experiences it firsthand. // Alana Whelan
A
re the days of winter sunshine just as sad for you, too? When it is misty, in the evenings, and I am out walking by myself, it seems to me that the
rain is falling through my heart and causing it to crumble into ruins.” -Gustave Flaubert When I was younger, I never really understood the reason I felt gloomy on cloudy, cold days. Until I lived through multiple winters and summers, and saw a difference in the way I felt and even how productive I was, I didn’t know that having seasonal depression could be the cause. Though I personally haven’t been specifically diagnosed with SAD, I have experienced similar symptoms to those affected by seasonal depression. When my mom told me she had seasonal depression, I became more aware of how prevalent the disorder is, especially in places with typically longer winters, like Ohio. According to the Journal of Psychiatry, seasonal depression becomes more common as latitude increases. So, it is more likely that someone living in New Hampshire will become depressed during the fall and
18 VINDICATOR | MARCH 2016
winter than it is that someone living in
children, but it is much more rare. Though
Florida will become depressed during the same time. Most people can agree that clouds and rain have a correlation with depression, which can be really scary for those
one would probably think seasonal de-
Symptoms Apathic attitude
who experience SAD in the colder months
Appetite changes
of the year. It is common to dread the few
Difficulty concentrating
months after Christmas, when there doesn’t
actually the opposite. More suicides happen during the late spring and early summer than any other time of the year. However, the correlation between suicide rates and
Feelings of hopelessness
season is not always reliable. Experts point
seem to be much to look forward to, and
Increased irritability
out that there is more of a link between the
hardly any sun shines, but for those with
Declining energy
amount of sunshine and suicide rates, than
seasonal depression, the feeling of dread can be a much more severe feeling. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD,
Increased oversleeping Oversensitivity to rejection
is a sub-type of Clinical Depression that is
though it can also occur in the summer.
Treatments Medication
pression, many of the symptoms exhibited
Psychotherapy
different from those with Clinical Depression. Some symptoms of Seasonal Affective
any time of the year, and seasonal depres-
understand how hard it is to get over feeling
While it is extremely similar to Clinical Deby people with SAD are consistent, which is
this, suicide is still a very pressing issue at
Anyone who has been depressed can
The majority of people experience SAD around November through March or April,
the temperature and suicide rates. Despite
sion can often play a role.
most common during the winter months.
Change habits Cognitive behavioral therapy
sad, unworthy or unmotivated. Even though it can be extremely difficult, there are still many ways to combat it, and it starts with the individual’s desire to get better. Distractions are usually the most helpful way to feel well. Rather than just waiting for time to pass and hoping that the weather
Disorder include oversleeping, apathy,
will change, being able to find activities to
overeating and irritability. Though all of
distract oneself is important for people with
these symptoms can be experienced by peo-
seasonal depression. However, it is often
ple with Clinical Depression, the symptoms
difficult to find those activities that will
people with Clinical Depression have can also include insomnia, under eating and weight loss. It can be extremely difficult for people with any type of depressive disorder to overcome their depression, especially because it is caused by something mostly out of their control. Because Seasonal Affective Disorder is consistent throughout a particular time of year, it doesn’t just come and go like normal sadness. It is an unexplainable feeling caused by various factors that don’t always add up. The most difficult part for people with seasonal depression, as well as with other types of depressive disorders, is that they usually do not know exactly why they feel that way. It is normal to feel down
Tips to Feel Better
be distracting enough to help. Sometimes it can be hard to convince the brain not to
Use light therapy: There are lamps specifically made for seasonal depression.
overthink everything that is happening,
Exercise: Running on a treadmill, going on a walk,or going to the gym are ways to get blood flowing and endorpins rushing.
are struggling. Some such forms of therapy
Make a healthy meal: Food plays a big part in how we feel, eating a healthy meal can give the body the vitamins and energy it needs.
and to focus on something else. For that reason, various other forms of therapy and medication are available to help people who include light therapy, which is the use of an artificial light to mock the light one would normally be getting from the sun, and cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on changing the patient’s perception of the world or themselves. If no other form of therapy is making a difference, antidepressant medication is usually recommended. Seasonal Depression is a very real illness that is experienced by many peo-
because of a bad grade or a dispute at work,
ple. It can affect quality of life and bring
but that does not always mean the person
on suicidal thoughts, so it is not an illness
experiencing it is depressed.
that should be looked at lightly. Though it
Many people who are affected by
can be very difficult to deal with, there are
seasonal depression experience it every time the weather changes for the season. According to Psychology Today, seasonal depression affects around 10 million PHOTO BY ALYSSA MILLER
pression correlates with suicide rates, it is
many ways to fight it. Because more people
More Ideas
seem to becoming aware of how prevalent
Try writing
those who are dealing with it. No matter if
it is, it is much easier to find ways to help
Americans every year, and it is usually
Listen to music
it is seasonal depression, major depression,
more prevalent in women than it is in men.
Take a hot bath
or any other form of mental illness, it is
Most people begin to experience it around
Read a good book
extremely important to be aware of how it
the age of 20 and continue to later on in
Create something
affects us, as well as the people around us,
life. Seasonal depression can affect
Get coffee with a friend
and what we can do to help.
FEBRUARY 2017 | VINDICATOR 36
CELEBRATING DIVERSE BOOKS The Anisfield-Wolf Awards recognize books that have made important contributions to the understanding of racism and human diversity, books such as Beloved by Toni Morrison. // Dorothy Zhao
T
he Anisfield-Wolf awards, established by Cleveland philanthropist and poet Edith Anisfield Wolf in honor of her father and husband in
1935, stand out as the only American book prize that focuses on works emphasizing diversity and challenging racism. Amidst the turmoil of recent years, and during the celebration of Black History month, it is especially pertinent to shine a spotlight on the Anisfield-Wolf awards. It is also worth noting that since 1963, the Cleveland Foundation has been sponsoring and administering the prize. By recognizing books that give readers a better understanding of differences in society, these locally-based awards directly encourage authors to utilize their voices for elucidation, for justice, and for change. From nonfiction to poetry to biographies, the Anisfield-Wolf awardwinning books span a myriad of genres, as well as discussing diversity and the authors themselves. Topics ranging from the LGBTQ community, Civil Rights Era, and Apartheid exemplify how these awards promote diversity and honor every unique experience. Winners in the past include both relatively unknown to better-known authors, such as Maxine Hong Kingston, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Martin Luther King Jr., and Toni Morrison. Last year’s Anisfield-Wolf awards ceremony took place conveniently on September 15, 2016, at Playhouse Square. Cleveland State freshmen in the Mandel Honors College received the extraordinary chance to attend the gala event. Cassidy Reaser, one of the attendees, enjoyed the experience and said “hearing the author’s stories and inspirations made their narratives come to life.” The “importance of diversity,” and how this subject applied to “our own lives” was noted by Reaser as the main theme of the gala.
37 VINDICATOR | FEBRUARY 2017
Beloved Book Review
is one of tragedy, love, and slavery. Sethe,
Published in 1987, Beloved is an Anis-
the novel’s protagonist, tells the audience,
field-Wolf award-winning novel written
who is initially unaware of the repudious
by Toni Morrison. Most interestingly, the
act of infanticide, of both past and current
major event the novel foreshadows is based
events. Other characters -- such as Den-
on a true experience. The facts that a slave
ver, Sethe’s living daughter, and Paul D, a
named Margaret Garner genuinely did
former slave -- add their perspectives as
choose to kill her own daughter rather than
well. An extremely ambiguous character,
send her back into slavery, that Toni Mor-
Beloved, is a young woman who suddenly
rison herself is a black author, and that the
appears in Sethe’s life nearly two decades
Anisfield-Wolf awards has recognized many
after her escape from slavery. These four
books about being African American since
main characters lend differing perspectives
the twentieth century means that Beloved is
of the supernatural, symbolic, and slavery
a fitting book to analyze for Black History
components in Beloved.
month. The story that unfolds in Beloved
Reading Beloved by Toni Morrison
2016 Winners changed my perspective on just how horrif-
Sethe? Is she Sethe’s dead daughter come
ic slavery was and how slaves, former and
back to life, as much of the book suggests?
freed, were so negatively affected. There
Additionally, I would ask Morrison what
are no simple explanations for what slaves
she personally would have done in Sethe’s
suffered at the hands of their masters, and
case. It is challenging to put oneself in
as much as I understood that slavery was
such a situation, but one would be more
“bad,” I did not fully comprehend the depth
understanding in casting judgment. Since
of torture and imprisonment of every aspect
Morrison herself has two children, Morrison
of a slave’s life until reading “Beloved.” If
could relate to Sethe’s actions as a loving
Sethe was more willing to end her chil-
mother. Because the author also researched
dren’s lives than see them live their lives
Margaret Garner and emphasized the psy-
as slaves, then slavery must truly be worse
chological impact of slavery and the original
than death. When both Sethe and Paul D
true story of a slave who escaped slavery,
recall their punishments and daily life as
Morrison would be able to come to a deci-
slaves, graphic and harrowing images are
sion, however difficult.
conjured in the reader’s mind. Slavery is deplorable and reprehensible, and the novel centers on how the treatment of slaves led
Both the book Beloved and the Anis-
to a lack of identity for every slave. The loss
field-Wolf awards leave behind empowering
of self in Beloved is so accurately depicted
legacies. When Toni Morrison remarked
that, as a result, Morrison’s audience is
there was “no place you or I can go, to think
able to grasp that slavery had long-lasting,
about or not think about, to summon the
incredibly detrimental consequences for
presences of, or recollect the absences of
both the enslaved and communities of freed
slaves . . . there’s [not even a] small bench
and escaped.
by the road,” scholars created the “Bench
This novel also changed my view on a
have been placed in South Carolina, Paris,
ain’t. Thin love ain’t love at all” to Paul D
France, George Washington University, and
when he accuses her of loving “too thick”
Oberlin College. The nineteenth bench is
by attempting to murder her own children.
conveniently close by -- in University Cir-
Her words resonated with me, because I
cle! This particular bench marks the history
never seriously thought of how a mother
of the Underground Railroad and serves as
shows her love to her children. It may be
a memorial to freedom seekers who passed
harsh, tough love, it may be overly- protec-
through Cleveland and the Clevelanders
tive love, and it may be deadly love in the
who helped them. Beyond bench-building, the Anis-
inely is no such thing as love too thick or
field-Wolf awards will only continue en-
thin. Like being and existence, love simply
lightening a myriad of audiences in the near
is, or isn’t. One is, or isn’t. Sethe did not
and distant future. As one contemplates
wish to sacrifice her beloved children to the
Beloved, it must be noted that its publica-
scarring scythe of slavery, so instead she
tion gave Morrison many an accolade and
chose the woodshed to end their lives. It is
significant acclaim. In addition to the award
difficult to view the concept of loving and
discussed in the article, Beloved also re-
her decision objectively, because human
ceived the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1988.
emotions are invoked throughout the entire
This accomplished piece of African-Ameri-
novel. Ultimately, however, one can argue
can literature goes in accordance to Morri-
whether love is able to be laid on too thickly
son’s other novels: set in an isolated black
or thinly and debate if Sethe’s actions were
community, active beliefs and practices not
understandable to an extent.
marginalized by a white culture are forces
If I could interview Toni Morrison
The winner of the Anisfield-Wolf 2016’s award for fiction. This tale takes place in the Prohibition-era--a time of jazz, gangsters, and heated race relations. A thrilling story that gives a look into history.
The Gay Revolution By Lillian Faderman The winner of the non-fiction category for the 2016 Anisfield-Wolf Awards. Faderman is a renowned scholar of LGBT history and in her book she discusses the noteworthy issues of the movement through 150 interviews.
that shape said community. In doing so,
about Beloved, I would inquire just who
Morrison ensures a focus on specific his-
Beloved represented. Even if Morrison does
torical events and black history as a whole.
not give me a straight answer and encour-
Ultimately, the recognition of diversity in
ages my own interpretation, the author’s
literature and blackness in Morrison’s nov-
explanation would be very reassuring. Is
els are quintessential and beneficial aspects
Beloved genuinely a ghost or a random
for a society observing Black History Month.
person who just happened to stumble upon
by Marry Moris
by the Road Project” in 2006. Benches
mother’s love. Sethe explains “love is or it
case of Sethe’s children, but there genu-
PHOTO BY TIMOTHY GREENFIELD-SANDERS
Legacy of Anisfield-Wolf and Beloved
The Jazz Palace
Heaven by Rowan Richard Philips The winner of the 2016 Anisfield-Wolf poetry category. Phillips, who is a translator and multilingual author, wrote 38 poems for this book that discuss a multitude of topics, from George Zimmerman to Wu Tang Clan.
Water Colors By Joy Yayoie McKinney
ART BY JESSIKA RIANE
The clear color Above Green, Yellow, Pink, White, And Silver Reflecting Birds flying around And the moon behind the cloud. Reflecting colors, but shining With whichever color To be on.
Deeply Rooted Love Written by Ar’yana Allen
Marching through the parades Boycotting the bullshit Love that never tires Hands up for Black love Doesn’t kill to keep the numbers happy I want that Black love Love that goes deeper Than penetration Caresses my soul and leaves me tingling Black love That two parent household type of love Raising the kids together With morals and respect Black love Light, Brown, Black Color blind Black Love I want that type of love.
ART BY MIKAYLA COLSTON
I want that Black love. You hear me? Black love. That Will and Jada love, Started from the bottom, now we at the top Black love. That soul quenching, heart wrenching love I want the love that shares history Shackled up and planning an escape love Love that runs so deep it cracks my heels As I glance up at the sky and look for my Freedom love Love so real I’ll sleep with my Massa So my love can live I want that Black love Fighting against discrimination together So my kids will never have to live with segregation That integrated Black love Thick lips and full kisses I want that Black love with the Nappy hair and tough roots
MARCH 2016 | VINDICATOR 19
Innocent Kissing Between Smalls with Wings Written by Joy Yayoie McKinney Imagine innocent kissing between two human children like creatures and describe the situation by writing your own creative works or creating your own art by drawing, painting, or creating objects after reading a poem, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Innocent Kissing Between Smalls With Wingsâ&#x20AC;?.
ART BY MIKAYLA COLSTON
Just feeling for love By kissing Feeling the existence each other. By feeling the existence, The sense of happiness Comes up. Just feeling peaceful With innocent minds Feeling the heart each other No matter where Two small innocent minded Fly around.
Illusions of Love By Chau Tang
ILLUSTRATION BY REBECCA PETRO
Forbidden love, that’s what it was Hoping I would catch the early worm to fall in love But I see now, it wasn’t worth my pain Cause every time I see you, my heart breaks. Hoping you would feel the same but you’ve changed. I guess I have too but I tried my best to see you smile Seeing you with another one by your side. What we have left is a story to be told I remember we would sneak out half past dawn to dance until sunrise. We were two fools who couldn’t stop smiling But those smiles are fading when our families kept tearing us apart. No, please don’t go, my love. We will get through this together, I love you, do you still love me? But she said no, at first. So we went our separate ways, hoping the feeling of our love remains until the next time we see each other again
At 12:21, 10 years later we have met again in this little café where we first laid eyes on each other. This time, you had a child right by your side. I should’ve known, should’ve seen this coming She said I apologize but I couldn’t wait. I hope that you find another one that will wait, I just couldn’t cause, I had so much love to give. I couldn’t wait any longer, but the feelings for you still remain. Sorry, but I should leave. She said, please stop waiting for me. With those words, she left. My eyes filled with tears as it streamed down my face. Another heartache by the one that I adored My eyes were watching her walk away. How could this be? I thought that she would wait. Now you’ve left me in so much pain. I ran home and screamed, tore those pictures of us. Maybe, one day, I’ll find someone to love One who’ll wait for me, the way I’d wait for her.