By Tai Spears A recent series of scandals, and the backlash and public scrutiny that follow, has brought the issue of “blackface” to the forefront. Although it has become a trending topic of controversy, the use of blackface is nothing new in American culture. Its reemergence in the news, however, has reminded many of the…
When a Hairstyle Is … Sustenance
By Kyra Azore Cornrows have a rich history in the black community, a traditional hairstyle that traveled to America in the belly of the slave ship 400 years ago and can still be seen marching in the streets for freedom today. But cornrows have a more engrained purpose in the history of African Americans. It…
When a Hairstyle Is … Freedom
By Sabrina Shanghie What if I told you the trendy cornrow styles of 2019 once served as a gateway to freedom for enslaved African Americans hundreds of years ago? In the past decade, many cultures have embraced the beauty of cornrows, including some who don’t understand the deep history that the style holds. Braids may…
Betty Boop: Inspired by a Black Jazz Singer
By T’Keyah Hayes Betty Boop is widely recognized as one of the most notable cartoon characters and one of the first cartoonized American sex symbols. Her vocal trademark, “Boop Oop A Doop,” and her contoured figure in a form-fitting dress traces back to a black woman by the name of Esther Jones. Esther “Baby Esther”…
Valentine’s Day Is A Holiday Retailers Can Love
By Zadriuna Bridges Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, has become the day for love and all things that represent it. We spend our time planning the best dates and gifts, hoping to give our Valentine a perfect day. But how much did that perfect day cost us this year? According to Business Insider, $20.7 billion is…
Josephine Baker: The Original Queen B
By Sydney Stallworth You’ll be hard pressed to find anyone today who isn’t a fan of mega-star Beyonce. She is described as a musical genius, the best dancer in Hollywood, and the ultimate triple threat. But if you’re a fan of Queen Bey, you need to know the OG queen of performance. A woman who…
Claudette Colvin: Teen Paved the Way in Integrating Buses
February commemorates the annual celebration of Black History Month, which highlights the important contributions by people of African descent. Each year, however, we discover that there are many more black individuals and groups that significantly contributed to today’s world, yet remain unacknowledged in today’s history lessons. Black people have made (and continue to make) considerable…
Gladys Bentley: Testing the Limits in Entertainment
February commemorates the annual celebration of Black History Month, which highlights the important contributions by people of African descent. Each year, however, we discover that there are many more black individuals and groups that significantly contributed to today’s world, yet remain unacknowledged in today’s history lessons. Black people have made (and continue to make) considerable…
Dr. Vivien T. Thomas: Uncharted Black Medical Professional
February commemorates the annual celebration of Black History Month, which highlights the important contributions by people of African descent. Each year, however, we discover that there are many more black individuals and groups that significantly contributed to today’s world, yet remain unacknowledged in today’s history lessons. Black people have made (and continue to make) considerable…
2 Years In, Trump’s Promises on Immigration Are Mostly Unfilled
By Kamilah Tom In the closing days of the midterm campaign, President Trump promised to make it no longer possible for children whose parents are not citizens of the United States to be citizens themselves just because they were born here. “We’re the only country in the world where a person comes in, has a…