Black Family Day Testimonies
By Pamela Nonga
If you are in the NorCal area this Saturday, May 19, (or willing to make that drive) please join UC Davis in celebration Black families and Black people in their annual Black Family Day celebration. The event will feature booths, performances, vendors, a children’s fair, the amazing Goapele, and so much more.
For the 18 and up crowd there will be an afterparty hosted by the UC Davis NPHC at Luigi’s in downtown Davis from 9pm-2am. Don’t miss out!
(Source: davisblackbook)
By Pamela Nonga
Danielle Black
Freshman Year. What thoughts and emotions does the phrase evoke in you? Do you smile as a sense of nostalgia warms your soul, or do you cringe in regret?
It was a period of change and adjustment, one long uncertainty filled with highs and lows. It brought the best and the worst out of us, with the newfound freedom and autonomy revealing aspects of ourselves we never knew existed.
Whether you’re on the brink of completing your first year of college (congratulations!) or you’re a seasoned university student, there’s always room for reflection on the growth and evolution (or lack thereof) that took place during your freshman year.
Today, the Davis BlackBook staff will take part in this reflection process by answering a couple of questions on their freshman experience. I invite you to do the same.
Introducing the staff:
Pamela Nonga - Sophomore
Sasha Cotterell - Junior
Nnenna Amuchie - Senior
Jerome Wren - Senior
Barbara Bonaparte - Junior
Laura Chilaka - Junior
Christina Neal - Freshman
Nadra Widatalla - Junior
Zanee Bourgeois - Junior
Danae Jarrett - Senior
Kandis Terrell - Sophomore
(Source: davisblackbook)
By Laura Chilaka
Greetings,
The Capitol City, The District, Chocolate City, D.C.—I’ll admit when I first got here I didn’t know what to expect. I had never been to the East Coast, let alone that nation’s capitol. So let me start off by saying this: Washington DC is expensive! Since I have been here, two things have become quite clear:
1. If you stay in DC you will become an alcoholic
2. If you stay in DC you will go broke.
Happy Hour (which is just another name for drinking during the daytime) is everywhere and all the politicians and interns partake. Half price on all your favorite drinks is an offer most politicians can’t refuse, especially cheap college students. The buses, the subway, the taxis, (the 5 cent plastic bag tax that I was not aware when I first went grocery shopping), the food, and the nightlife all equate to unnecessarily spending money. Just the other day I paid a taxis driver 20 dollars to take me 1.5 miles!
But I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t having an amazing time.
DC is full of wonderful people and even more wonderful places! There are dozens of museums from the Symposium to the Holocaust—all free to the public. There are exquisite memorials from Lincoln to Martin Luther King. There are excellent restaurants from Ethiopian to Thai. And of course, from the White House to Capitol Hill, DC is where our three branches of government are located (I saw Nancy Pelosi give a press conference—I was amaze at how prettier she looks in person).
Nonetheless, the museums are by far my favorite thing about Washington (Howard University and the nightlife are tied for second). The National African Art Museum is full of unique and artistic works that have really sparked my creativity.
In regards to the UCDC program, I have been able to take classes that I probably could not take at Davis.
I am currently taking a Media Seminar and Political Theatre class; both are very interesting and resourceful. For my theatre class, I have the most bizarre and out-there dramatic arts professor who makes class extremely fun. My internship with the California New Service has allowed me to gain real life experience and hone my writing and interviewing skills.
DC has far exceeded my expectations and I recommend the UCDC program to everyone, regardless of your major.
There is something for everyone in Washington. By participating in the program, you will meet diverse people (my roommates are Asian and I love it) and travel throughout the East Coast. Heck, you might even make a love connection (speaking hypothetically).
Now for all the ladies, I have to say one more thing: Howard University is where it is at, I have never seen so many fine brothers.
Until next time,
Laura Chilaka
(Source: davisblackbook)
By Sasha Cotterell
Recently, two black former college football players, Nathaniel Claybrooks and Christopher Johnson, filed a lawsuit against ABC and The Bachelor franchise stating that they actively and knowingly discriminate against people of color. Both men went to an open casting call for The Bachelor in Nashville, Tennessee and claim that their interview process was rushed and that they were given much less attention than the white applicants auditioning. The men felt as if they were automatically dismissed and not given a fair chance to be considered a contestant.
Warner Horizon Television, one of the producers of the show, released a statement claiming, “We have had various participants of color throughout the series’ history, and the producers have been consistently – and publicly – vocal about seeking diverse candidates for both programs.” However, one has to question to what degree they have been seeking diverse candidates when in 10 years and 23 seasons of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, not one of the title roles has been given to a nonwhite person.
Reading the online comments regarding the issue on various news sources revealed that many people do not see this as problem, citing channels and TV shows that are directed to or about a specific race of people (BET, Flavor of Love, Jersey Shore, etc.). They believe that no one should complain about being underrepresented when they have other options or reality shows to participate in. Clearly, these people fail to realize that the reasons why certain channels or shows about a specific community of color exist is because they are otherwise neglected on major network television. One commenter wrote, “You already have black history month, what more do you want?” Though this conversation is old and tiring, it is obvious that our society needs to be more open and upfront about racial issues rather than sideline it as a thing of the past.
Although it is too early in the issue to know what changes this lawsuit may make, it serves to further highlight the inequalities within our society. Recent events such at the Trayvon Martin case and the murder of Shaima Alawadi, are yet another reminder that while we have come far, we still have much further to go.
Most of us, especially belonging to an underrepresented community, are very aware of the inequalities we face. However, a very public lawsuit may be the key to letting those who might not see the discrimination understand. Race remains to be one of the taboo subjects in our society, and it’s important that someone makes the issue real and shines a light on it.
Feature: Sango Beats
By Nadra Widatalla
From a distance, a girl moves delicately to the music, a silhouette darkened by a heavy screen of smoke. The strums and chords of the beat give her body life. Brick walls contain the scent of alcohol, weed, and light sweat. People in the room are entranced by the seductive ambiance, created by both the throbbing strums and hard-hitting notes. The vibe is controlled yet cozy. The lighting is low, interrupted every so often by the glow of the joint being passed around. Like puppets, heads nod to the bass line and snare produced by the game of tag Sango’s fingers play with the Ableton Performance Controller (APC). After a 20-minute chill session, the room is still and all that is heard is the echoey hum of Sango’s last note.
20-year-old Seattle native Sango spends his days and nights in his basement hovered over his APC and synthesizers, accompanied occasionally by the few friends who swing by to tune in to an unexpected session. When he’s not creating live music, he’s recording online remixes, reworks and covers to whatever or whoever inspires him. “I produce with the love from above,” says the creator. “My inspiration comes from anything and everything.”
The art of remixing is Sango’s means into the creative realm of his soul. From sampling music to reworking a track, the craft of remixing allows artists like Sango to delve into their ability to design innovative sounds. The Remix is a form of progressive music and no longer just the scrambling of a track or the addition of a few simple chords and loops. It is the act of tuning into a work’s musical potential, and being inspired to create. Channeling artists such as The Weeknd and Jamie XX, Sango feeds off their mastery, while creating his own identity through his produced sounds.
Sango’s recent release “More Balloons” is a remixed album of The Weeknd’s first mix-tape “House of Balloons.” A decade ago, a remixed extended play of a mix-tape would have been tossed aside as too diluted. Sango purposely named the EP ‘More Balloons’ to show that he’s not trying to recreate the album, but instead continue where the Weeknd left off. I got a chance to discuss Sango’s work with him in a recent interview. His thoughts are below along with a full stream of his recent EP, “More Balloons.” Enjoy.
(Source: davisblackbook)
By Isaiah Shelton
Tommy Hilfiger made one of the brightest decisions in designer history when he summoned R&B princess at the time, Aaliyah, as a model for the brand in the mid 90’s. The label would soon become the staple for trends infusing American-classic elements into the Hip-Hop radius during the period.
But when talking American-classic, one has to mention Ralph Lauren – the man and the brand that is arguably unmatched in anticipating a burgeoning appetite in the marketplace for classic American style. While many have borrowed from the pot in fashioning their own version of Americana – Hilfiger included - no one has had the longevity of Ralph Lauren.
I think this is true within the realm of Hip-Hop as well. Rarely did I see 7 For All Mankind or True Religion denim so prominently in the inner city before Fergie name-dropped the brands in “My Humps” back in ’05, and one can hardly deny Hip-Hop’s influence on people purchasing luxury items from the likes of Gucci and Louis Vuitton; but in the face of all these coming and going trends, Ralph Lauren has always remained relevant in the Rap game.
From back when they thought pink Polo’s would hurt the Roc” (à la Kanye West) to the current mentions of Ralph Lauren’s higher-end Purple Label by artists such as Wale, the éclat of the man on the horse in Hip-Hop culture is unmatched.
But what draws members of an often opposing league to the aesthetic of traditional Americanism? Brandon Martin, 22 from Los Angeles, says it’s partly satirical. “Those clothes weren’t made for ethnic people,” Martin claims. “So putting them on is basically a middle finger to the higher class. It’s a sign that ‘we’re here too’ and that we are part of this country rather they like it or not.”
(Source: davisblackbook)
By Nnenna Amuchie
Nnenna Amuchie
Five thousand four hundred and fifty six miles away, off to the country that once led its distressed people to turn their backs and hop on boats to the Americas. After 5 total hours of customs, a 10 hour flight, 20 hours of stuffing half my life in three suitcases and a backpack, I finally made it.I headed to my taxi and the taxi driver turns to me and asks, “Whereabouts are you from?” I thought to myself whereabouts? What the heck is a whereabout!
London, England, is an English speaking town but far different from the United States. London has transformed into a multicultural nation in the past 20 years. When I was in Washington DC, I left less optimistic about our country for the mere fact that the majority of people that I saw in what was once Chocolate City were white people. But in London there is everybody! Whites, Blacks, Indians, Asians, Spaniards, but in the same breath everyone considered themselves British. The most common name in London is Mohammed! Also, London has a housing policy for the LGBT community that allows them to pick housing first because they are often discriminated against. London has universal healthcare! London has a lot of things that America is still working to make better.
(Source: davisblackbook)
By Danae Jarrett
Darryl Daniels
Sistah to Sistah is a support group on campus for women of the African Diaspora facilitated by two wonderful and inspirational women, Dr. Kristee Haggins and Dr. Tameka Jackson. For years there have been various support groups for African Diaspora students led by different faculty and staff, so it’s not a new thing.
Being a part of this group offers healing on many levels. As African American/Black women there are daily issues that we face. These include attending a predominantly Caucasian and Asian institution, interacting with other black women and men, becoming involved in the black community, being a black student who is not included in the black community, dating, practicing religious and spiritual traditions, and socializing.
Positive and negative experiences arise within these contexts and are not always the most comfortable to discuss in detail with roommates, close friends or even family. You may need feedback from an outside source, someone who can analyze all aspects of the situation without bias intentions. Perhaps you just need an ear to listen or are seeking advice and encouragement from a woman who has encountered an identical situation. Maybe you want to be that listening ear or bracing shoulder. Whatever the case, each woman’s experience within this group is mutually beneficial.
(Source: davisblackbook)
By Sasha Cotterell
Exactly one month ago on February 26, 2012 in Sanford, Florida a young black boy, wearing a hoodie, is seen leaving a convenience store with a bag of skittles and an iced tea. According to the self-appointed neighborhood watch person, George Zimmerman, the boy looks suspicious. Zimmerman calls 911 to report suspicious activity, and despite the police dispatcher’s insistence not to follow the boy or take action, he ignores that directive and ultimately takes it upon himself to shoot him. Many neighbors call in that night with their accounts of what they heard and saw. When the police get there they announce the boy dead, take him to the morgue unidentified, and set Zimmerman free.
It isn’t until Martin’s parents each call 911 to report their son as missing that the young boy taken to the morgue is identified as 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Not only have these parents lost a son, but also they have yet to find justice. This is any parent’s worse nightmare. They go from thinking he was missing to discovering he is in fact dead.
By Pamela Nonga
Deonna Anderson
On March 16, 2012, the Nigerian Student Association and Nigerian Student Dance Group brought a little taste of Naija culture to the UC Davis campus through their 3rd Annual Nigerian Cultural Show. The event combined drama, dance, fashion, and food, and was both entertaining and informational.
The bulk of the event centered around the play, which followed the journey of a Nigerian-American athlete through his first year of college and his first love. The play, borrowing elements from the Nigerian film industry commonly referred to as Nollywood, used the perfect mix of humor, exaggerated gestures, and chuckle-inducing clichés that appealed to the audience. First year Ilse Mendoza says, “It was a great show. I loved the dancing and the food was delicious! And I loved how students embraced their culture. It gave off an amazing vibe!”
