No.3 April, 2012

AARC Newsletter AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE CENTER YORK COLLEGE OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK

New Black Studies Major approved by State, Begins 2012-3 school year – two new courses offered

Resulting from a two-year This course introduces the con- a new introductory level course process by an inter-disciplinary tributions of Africa and Africans taught by a veteran instructor for group of scholars, York College to the Columbian exchange-the both Cultural Diversity and the revised the African American global transfers of people, cul- African American Studies pro- Studies major. The new Black ture, plants, animals, and micro- gram. Dr. Sharada Devi, a psy- Studies major reflects changes bes that were initiated with the chologist focusing on psycholog- within the field based on new “discovery” of America. It ex- ical impacts of racism, is looking knowledge and perspectives in plores social and environmental forward to launching this course. the 21st Century, particularly tak- transformations set in motion ing into account the transforma- then are still unfolding, while This is a course about race and tions, connections and disloca- today’s appropriations and global racism in the Americas, with par- tions triggered by globalization, transfers of commons by transna- ticular emphasis on the Black the intervention of Black femin- tional corporations inspire new experience in the U.S. We will ists, and certainly the recent elec- forms of conflict and resistance. make use of several approaches – tion of the nation’s first Black including critical race theory, the president. As people, technolo- As the world is becoming more experiences of everyday people, gies, and ideas are moving across aware of globalization and envi- and the politics of popular cul- the globe, there is a greater un- ronmental issues, this course of- ture - to understand the institu- derstanding of Diaspora in gen- fers students the tools to under- tional and structural power of eral, the African Diaspora in par- stand how we got here and where racism, as well as the ways in ticular. The new name reflects we are going. The Columbian which ordinary people have arti- this greater inclusivity of people contact created the modern “New culated extraordinary resistance from Africa and the Caribbean, World” as we know it, including to the material, social, and psy- student populations that are large the U.S. and New York City. Un- chological effects of racism. and increasing at York. See page fortunately given European set- 9 for the mission and goals. tlers’ ethnocentric, even white Racism has very powerful im- supremacist, biases, the contribu- pacts on many individuals, from Two of the new courses will be tion of Africans has typically the psychological, symbolic, to rolled out in the Fall 2012 seme- been erased. Nonetheless African the material: economic and polit- ster. Black Studies 286: Africa peoples and cultures have played ical marginalization. Racism has and the Columbian Exchange an integral role in the Americas changed faces since the election will be offered as an online and the modern world system as of the first African American course. Dr. Jackie Southern, a we know it. president of the U.S., but it is still geographer who regularly takes impacting the vast majority of students on field trips to African Black Studies 102: The Unfor- York students, as members of heritage sites throughout the giving Mirror-Race and Rac- minority groups. City, will be teaching the course. ism in Contemporary Society is

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The African American Resource Center promotes the study of the history, culture, and society of Africa and the African Diaspora. The Center is a resource, community space, and forum for colloquy, presentations and discussion. The Center is available to facul- ty, students and community groups in service of this AARC mission.

Stevie Wonder Mini-Symposium Rocks the College Tom Zlabinger, Fine and Performing Arts

Photo (l to r): Profs. Martin Atangana, George White, LaForrest Cope, Tom Zlabinger, and Mychel Namphy.

I firmly believe that Stevie Wonder is currently the wanted to get involved. What was originally a night world’s greatest, living composer. His composi- of music became a week-long celebration simply tional contribution is immeasurable. He has incor- known as the Stevie Wonder Mini-Symposium. porated sophisticated harmonies with some of the grooviest rhythms. But if you also include his abili- To kick off the event, the York College Music Club ties as performer, the man becomes superhuman. hosted a screening of Stevie Wonder’s latest con- cert film Live at Last (2009) recorded in London at I had always wanted to do a tribute to Stevie Won- the O2 Arena (formerly the Millennium Dome) on der with the York College Big Band. But at a plan- Thursday, March 15th. Wonder performed all his ning meeting at the African American Resource classics spanning over five decades of hits with a Center I brought up the event and instantly others large band that was thinking and feeling with one

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spoke about poetry and Stevie Wonder. She examined Won- der’s lyrics and also related a story about meeting Wonder in Los Angeles and having dinner with him. She also read a very moving poem in honor of the recently departed Whitney Hou- ston, whose first hit song “You Give Good Love” was written by Prof. Cope. This poem is to be the epilogue in the novel that Cope workshopped in Fall 2011 as part of the Africana Collo- quium Series (see story, page 8). The panel opened the floor to questions that led to a lively, interdisciplinary discussion.

Photo: T.K. Blue performing with the York College Big Finally, the festivities closed Friday night, March Band, Tom Zlabinger conducting 23, with a performance by the York College Big Band featuring saxophonist T.K. Blue at the York mind and heart. Wonder even included jazz stan- College Performing Arts Center. The Big Band dards like Miles Davis’ “All Blues” (on harmonica) prepared an evening of music including such Stevie and Chick Corea’s “Spain.” Wonder hits as “Isn’t She Lovely,” “My Cherie Amour,” “Don’t You Worry About a Thing,” “Too On the following Monday evening, March 19th, I High,” and “Superstition.” The large auditorium had the honor to host a panel with four other York was filled with over five hundred audience mem- College faculty. The African American Resource bers. The evening concluded with a resounding ver- Center was literally standing room only with over sion of Wonder’s “Higher Ground.” A review of 85 people in attendance. We each spoke about a the performance in the Jamaica Examiner had only theme and how it related to Stevie Wonder. As one criticism of the performance: it was too short! moderator, I began the discussion on Stevie Won- der and jazz focusing on Wonder’s first album The Looking back on the festivities, I am thrilled to Jazz Soul of Little Stevie Wonder (1963). George have been able to open this small idea and have it White gave an inspired talk on hip-hop and Stevie embraced by the campus at large. I want to thank Wonder relating images in Wonder’s lyrics to those Ayush Prasad and the York College Music Club for of modern MCs. White also talked about Wonder’s hosting the concert film. I want to thank Mark challenging notions of black identity. Mychel Schuller and the African American Resource Cen- Namphy spoke next on rhythm and blues and Ste- ter for hosting the panel. And I want to thank the vie Wonder, specifically comparing two strikingly panel for taking an idea, investing their time and different versions of Wonder’s first single “I Call It talent in it, and creating some fantastic moments of Pretty Music But The Old People Call It The insight and discussion. And last, I want to thank Blues” (1962) that emphasized Wonder’s ability to T.K. Blue, the York College Big Band, the York dig deep into the rhythm and blues tradition. Martin College Performing Arts Center, and all who at- Atangana spoke next on Africa and Stevie Wonder, tended for literally taking the music of Stevie Won- emphasizing Wonder’s fight against apartheid and der to a higher ground. Music is a social activity his participation in USA for Africa (1984). Atanga- and it should not be done alone. We at York Col- na also pointed out how many African pop musi- lege not only celebrated the man and his music, cians used Wonder’s music and image as a source Stevie Wonder inspired us to come together and of inspiration. Finally, LaForrest Cope (a.k.a. LaLa) celebrate ourselves.

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Bad Friday: Rastafari after Coral Gardens Kelly Josephs, English

2012 marks the 50th anniversary ca who annually commemorate Violence: Embodied Citizenship of Jamaica’s independence. This the 1963 Coral Gardens “inci- in Transnational Jamaica, Mod- semester to prepare the African dent” popularly dubbed “Bad ern Blackness: Nationalism, American Resource Center has Friday.” This occurred just after Globalization, and The Politics planned two activities. The first, independence when the Jamaican of Culture in Jamaica. It was “Ode to the Downpressor,” is government rounded up, jailed during research for her most re- listed below (page 6). and tortured hundreds of Rastafa- cent book publication (Excep- rians. It chronicles the history of tional Violence) that she began On Thursday, May 3rd, the Afri- violence in Jamaica through the recording footage about “Bad can American Resource Center, eyes of its most iconic communi- Friday,” footage that she even- in conjunction with the Male In- ty, and shows how people use tually extended and to co- itiative Program, will present their recollections of past trau- produce the documentary film. Bad Friday: Rastafari after Cor- mas to imagine new possibilities Bad Friday had its official world al Gardens, a documentary pro- for the future. premiere in 2011 at the Bob Mar- duced and directed by Deborah ley Museum in Kingston, Jamai- Thomas and John Jackson, Jr., in York College has arranged for ca. Subsequently, the documenta- collaboration with Jamaican mu- one of the producers of Bad Fri- ry has been screened at various sicians Junior “Gabu” Wedder- day, Dr. Deborah Thomas, to film festivals in the Caribbean burn and Junior “Ista J” Man- attend the screening and partici- and North America. ning. The final film of the seme- pate in a special Q&A after the ster in the African Diaspora Film screening. Dr. Thomas is current- The York College screening of Series offered by the AARC, Bad ly Professor of Anthropology at Bad Friday will take place from Friday focuses on a community the University of Pennsylvania. 6-8pm, on May 3rd in the African of Rastafarians in western Jamai- She is the author of Exceptional American Resource Center. 4

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African Diaspora Film Series ending its Second Year Mychel Namphy, English

The AARC’s African Diaspora Over two evenings in the wake of Last fall Prof. Tom Zlabinger of Film Series is concluding with the 2010 earthquake in Haiti we the Department of Fine Arts the its second year with Bad Fri- screened Spike Lee’s 2-part Hur- hosted an evening of jazz on film day, noted above, following an ricane Katrina documentary with his screening of Texas Te- April 26 screening of Goran Ols- When the Levees Broke: A Re- nor: The Illinois Jacquet Strory son’s edgy 2011 documentary quiem in Four Acts (2006). Such (1992). And Prof. Andrew “Se- The Black Power Mixtape, 1967- films as Antwone Fisher (2002), kou” Jackson led a holiday film 1975. In his New York Times re- Dirty Pretty Things (2002), and event in December when he view of Olsson’s film, A. O. Conspiracy (2001), have chal- screened Molefe K. Asante, Jr.’s Scott asked “How did we get lenged us to wrestle with the 2008 documentary The Black from the America of Stokely most painful and, simultaneous- Candle: A Kwanzaa Celebration. Carmichael to the America of ly, the most redemptive aspects The series will continue during Barack Obama, who represents a of the experience of immigration the coming year with a possible very different kind of black pow- for people of color, the mentor- look at the work of young, er? To what extent is it the same ing of young African-American emerging African-American America?” These are the kinds of men, and the way the Nazis filmmakers like Dee Rees and questions this film series has ex- brought the theory and practice Rishaad Ernesto Green, and a plored over the past two years. of white supremacy to its highest group of films that deal with level during World War II. African-American soldiers in the Organized by Dr. Mychel Nam- U.S. Armed Forces. phy and the AARC Steering Dr. Namphy introduces each film Committee, we have invited the and then leads a post-show dis- The films are screened in the campus community to come to- cussion. He also attempts to work African American Resource Cen- gether three to four times each with faculty members to schedule ter, room 3B04. They are free semester on Thursday evenings films that are relevant to their and open to the entire campus to watch and discuss some of the courses. On several occasions community, and the Southeast most important and topical films other members of the AARC Queens community that York that deal with the experience of steering committee have selected College serves. being Black in the modern age. films and served as hosts.

Scholar and Civil Rights Pioneer, William Loren Katz, Speaks at York Andrew P. Jackson (Sekou Molefi Baako)

When the AARC committee be- tory, especially that of the Black gan putting its fall calendar to- West and the historical connec- gether we not only wanted to tion with African Americans and present research projects and lite- the Native American Nations. A rary projects faculty are involved popular lecturer, Professor Katz, in but guest speakers who would some of his books include Black add to the body of knowledge of Indians: A Hidden History, The our student body as well. One of Black West and Black Women of those presenters suggested by the Old West. Prof Jackson was William Loren Katz, a Manhattan based histo- On Tuesday, October 8th, Prof rian and author of 40 books fo- Katz spoke before an enthusiastic cuses on African American His- group of faculty and students on

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No.3 April, 2012 his years of historical research on Americans and Indians. Through and the impact of these unions. the indigenous peoples, African his power point presentation, Following the lecture, an engag- guides and translators of the co- students were given a visual lec- ing question and answer session lonial era, the Black West and ture learned of their rich history was held. especially the connected history that began before 1680, and grew and alliances between African during and after the Civil War

A Personal Reminiscence of a Day with Prof. William Loren Katz Mychel Namphy, English

One of the benefits of the events hosted by the AARC is that we structure them such that they allow stu- dents and faculty to have a more intimate, personal exposure to and connection with our guest scholars than would occur at many standard public lectures. I had the pleasure of personally hosting Prof. William Loren Katz throughout the day when he delivered a public lecture at York about the Black West last Oc- tober. A new, updated edition of Prof. Katz’s groundbreaking 1986 book, The Black Indians: A Hidden Heritage was coming out at the time and is now available, and this took me back to when I first read Dr. Katz’s work when I was an undergraduate student in the 1980s. Reading that book all those years ago was such a validating experience. These were still the early days of what has come to be known as Black or Africana studies in the American academy. Such words as postcolonialism or Afrocentricity were rarely used and even more poorly understood at the time, and I was at an infant-like beginning of my reading of anything that could genuinely be called Black or African-American scholarship. Prof. Katz’s Black In- dians book provided me with so much clarity and hope, not just because of its content, but also because of the kind of scholarship it represented. This was serious, scholarly work that was being written from our perspective, as a direct response to the centuries of invalidation people of African descent have expe- rienced. I asked Prof. Katz why he wrote that book, what he was thinking about when he did, and what he made of the various reactions to his book when it came out. I was particularly interested in how a white man grew into such a deep understanding of Black people, and such a critical understanding of the beha- vior of his own people. His responses wove a tale that took us through a childhood in Chicago, a deep appreciation of the music of Louis Armstrong and the Dixieland Jazz aesthetic, to an interest in African American history, particularly the history of African Americans and the American west, that serves as a model of fearless, activist scholarship in the anti-racist vein. Over many years I read Prof. Katz’s “Educa- tion and Books” columns that appeared in The New York Daily Challenge. There seems not to have been a single aspect of the debates swirling around education and race that Prof. Katz wasn’t analyzing in an academically rigorous, yet progressively partisan manner. As he presented his work to our students and colleagues, and as we spoke personally throughout the day, I felt as if I was walking through a living his- tory that was important to myself and to the struggle of the African-American people. Prof. Katz is one of our elders, truly in the African way. Asante Sana, Professor Katz, for all you are doing and have done, and for taking the time to pass the lessons of your experience on to me.

Deanne Bell touches a nerve with “Ode To the Downpressor” Ian Hansen, Behavioral Sciences

On Wednesday March 28, Dr. country: an honest public discus- to the downpressor: A psycho- Deanne Bell, a liberation psy- sion about classism, racism and logical portrait of racism, clas- chologist raised in Jamaica, middle class complicity in state sism, denial and possibilities for treated the York College com- violence. Dr. Bell, adjunct pro- social transformation in (post) munity to something she said fessor at College of New Ro- colonial Jamaica,” to a packed could not be had in her home chelle, delivered her talk, “Ode

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room at the African American outrage about the event at the maica’s disenfranchised and ca- Resources Center. Bell intro- time—it was seen as a prison sually murdered poor, and how duced herself as a “middle class condition issue rather than as an the consciousness of the down- Jamaican”, with a grandfather issue of race and class oppres- pressor might eventually be who helped fight for Jamaica’s sion. transformed. independence from Britain in 1962, and a father who had Bell noted pointedly that Jamaica Bell diagnoses the downpressor’s served as a minister in the demo- has the highest homicide rate in condition as “percepticide”—a cratic socialist government of the the world, with police murdering term invented to describe the 1970’s. Then Bell began to attack one out of five persons killed. moral and perceptual numbing the structures of privilege, vi- And almost all of those killed by that Diana Taylor identified in olence and de facto apartheid that police, she said, were poor black her study of Argentina’s “Dirty protect the safety of those with men. Issues like these led Bell to War.” Percepticide is the “the her racial and class background join Jamaicans for Justice, an annihilation of the perception and but treat the lives of poor black organization that monitors state understanding of atrocities.” One men and women in Jamaica as violence in Jamaica. Through her of the remedies Bell prescribes expendable at best. engagement with this organiza- for percepticide is a “renaissance tion, something she had pre- of the consciousness” though Framing her talk was a painting viously not given much thought perception-jostling media like by Charles Campbell called to became clear to her: “I had no surrealist art. According to Bell, “Lock Up”, an artistic critique of reason to fear transgressions like surrealist art can represent re- the October 22, 1992 lock up of the 100 men scooped up on the pressed emotions, ideas and over 100 people, mostly poor street or the 19 men held in the truths in unrestrained ways, and black men, by Kingston police cell for 40 hours, or the 3 who thus draw its audiences in and (image, above). None of the men died, because my social class and force them to uncover what they were charged with anything, but mixed race heritage (in Jamaica have repressed. 19 were put in a cell meant for 2 they’re intertwined) provide me people. After being beaten and protection.” Bell herself is currently compos- then detained in the badly- ing a work of surrealist art for ventilated cell for more than 40 It is the middle class bystand- this purpose—a reggae opera hours, 3 of the men died from er/oppressor that Bell refers to based on the music of Bob Mar- suffocation. Campbell’s painting when she uses reggae giant Peter ley and the Wailers. The goal of shows three pairs of feet packed Tosh’s term “downpressor.” Her the opera, Bell says, is to depict tightly together, with a floor plan Ph.D. dissertation was devoted to “downpressor passivity toward below the feet that reproduces investigating two related ques- state terror, denial, its effects, the floor plans from the Brookes tions: how the downpressor mid- and possibilities for radical social slave ship. Bell recalled that dle class of Jamaica can turn a change.” Bell chose Bob Mar- there was no public discussion or blind eye to the suffering of Ja- ley’s lyrics not only for their di- 7

No.3 April, 2012 rectness, but because Marley Bell finished her “imagines and articulates down- talk in half an hour, pressor transformation as free- but clearly it dom from psychic colonization.” touched a nerve as To illustrate what she meant, she the discussion went played a little-known song by on for over an hour Marley –Guiltiness--for the ri- afterwards, and veted audience: several audience members—many These are the big fish of them hailing Who always try to eat down from Jamaica al- The small fish so—noted that it Just the small fish was exciting to Woe to the downpressor finally talk about for more discussion of this kind They eat the bread of sorrow these issues in a public forum. in the future. To help further Woe to the downpressor The audience strongly enjoyed meet this need, Dr. Bell promised They eat the bread of sad tomor- the exploration and honest articu- to make York College one of the row lation of these issues, and there first venues of her opera when it was a palpable sense of hunger is completed.

THE AFRICANA COLLOQUIUM SERIES George White, History and Philosophy

The Africana Colloquium Series (or “ACS”) was ment, presented “Free From Jazz: The Jazz and founded by affiliated faculty members Dr. Kelly Improvised Music Scene in Vienna, 1971-2011.” Baker Josephs (English) and Dr. George White, Jr. Later in the semester, the group addressed an ex- (History & Philosophy). The ACS serves as a fo- cerpt from LaForrest Cope’s (English) novel Soul rum for the presentation of scholarly works-in- Shakers. progress by York faculty. The presenters are those scholars working on material related to Black Stu- Most recently, we reflected on a paper presented dies; all College faculty are invited to participate by Dr. Mark Schuller, entitled “Pa Manyem Fanm in the discussion of the works-in-progress. The Nan Konsa: Intersectionality, Structural Violence, purpose of the forum is to foster constructive criti- and Vulnerability Before and After the Earth- que and exchange between the presenter and facul- quake.” The next presenter will be Keisha Wiel, ty participants. The ACS is designed to serve as an who will be discussing a paper, “Critical Dis- incubator for scholarship, as we help presenters course on the Ideology behind Papiamentu’s hone their ideas into material that will be pub- Position within Education,” on Wednesday, lished in academic journals or by academic or May 2, from 2 – 3:30 p.m. Those who have at- commercial presses. tended ACS sessions – including occasional stu-

dents – have felt invigorated by the subject matter The ACS enjoyed another year of robust activity. and the high level of critical discussion amongst The Fall 2011 installment of the series opened in supportive colleagues. The continued success of extraordinary form with a discussion of Dr. Jo- the ACS is a tribute to the collegiality of the par- seph’s work “Displaced Subjects, Displacing Sex- ticipating faculty, the intellectual heft of the pre- uality: The Outsider as Corrupting Influence in the senters, and the level of academic talent connected Caribbean.” In November, Tom Zlabinger, a pro- to the York College Black Studies Program. fessor in the Performing and Fine Arts Depart- .

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More on the new Black Studies Major Mission The mission of the Black Studies Program is to provide an interdisciplinary intellectual arena in which students learn to critically examine, analyze, and interpret the African, African American, and Caribbean experiences. The Program offers a broad selection of courses addressing historical, cultural, sociological, political, economic, and psychological factors that affect the lives of African, African American, and Afro-Caribbean peoples. The curriculum stresses the skills necessary to think critically, write clearly, ar- gue persuasively, and problem-solve effectively. Students are exposed to theory and research in a variety of subject matter and are encouraged to engage in active service and research beyond the classroom. The Annual Student Research Day, a recently created initiative, is a college-wide conference that gives out- standing undergraduate students the opportunity to present their own research to a forum of peers, family, faculty, and friends. Faculty in the Black Studies Program expect that our students will participate regu- larly in this event. In addition, faculty and students will be heavily involved in promoting participation in the CUNY Pipeline Program, encouraging students of color to attend graduate school.

Goal The goal of the Black Studies Program is to prepare its majors and minors to take roles of effective agen- cy, participation, and leadership in the intellectual and research domains of professional and community life. The program’s curriculum will prepare students for the rigors of professional schools and graduate work in traditional disciplines or in interdisciplinary fields of study. Moreover, the program’s curriculum aims to enhance the cultural life of the College and surrounding communities in association with SEEK, the African American Studies Club, and other student and community organizations through joint cultural activities, adult education, lectures, and tutorials. We anticipate that Black Studies majors will matriculate into such diverse career arenas as higher education and administration, law, primary and secondary educa- tion and administration, social work, medicine, cultural and artistic institutions, law enforcement, and lo- cal/state/federal public service.

Black Studies learning objectives: Upon completing a Black Studies degree, graduates should: 1) Demonstrate an interdisciplinary understanding of the diversity of experiences within the African Diaspora 2) Understand the importance and distinction of various approaches to knowledge about Black peoples 3) Possess and apply skills necessary to think critically, write clearly, argue persuasively, and prob- lem-solve effectively 4) Sharpen critical citizenship skills: effective agency, participation, and leadership in the intellec- tual and research domains of professional and community life 5) Be ready for leadership in the community and post-graduate study

MAJORING IN BLACK STUDIES (30 credits) 1) 3 credits in a 100-level course 2) 9 credits in all foundation courses (section B): HIST 276, BLST 202, and HIST 272 3) 15 credits elective courses, from section C, D, and E (at least 6 credits at the 300-level) 4) 3 credits capstone course (section F): Seminar (401) or Independent Study (490)

MINORING IN BLACK STUDIES (15 credits) 1) 3 credits in a 100-level course 2) 6 credits in the foundation courses (section B): HIST 276, BLST 202, and HIST 272 3) 6 credits in elective courses, from section C, D, and E

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Looking at Haiti from Haiti First published in the Boston Globe January 15, 2012 By Francie Latour

Two years ago, in one of the strong New England worst natural disasters recorded contingent: Boston in the western hemisphere, a Haitian Reporter edi- 7.0-magnitude earthquake shook tor Manolia Charlotin, the island nation of Haiti, leve- Wesleyan sociologist ling the capital of Port-au- Alex Dupuy, BU Prince, taking more than a quar- School of Medicine ter-million lives, and leaving 1.5 professor Marshall million homeless. Fleurant, Brown Uni- versity Haitian lan- The wall-to-wall coverage of guage specialist Pa- destruction and death riveted the trick Sylvain, and world community and triggered Partners in Health a massive response, with bil- physicians Louise lions in pledged foreign aid and Ivers and David Wal- private donations. But as relief ton. turned to stalled recovery, Mark Schuller, a New York anthro- Through these eyes, a pologist who also teaches at the much more unsettling State University of Haiti in Port- narrative emerges— au-Prince, realized he was see- one of an aid commu- ing a pattern he had seen before: nity dominated by The voices shaping how the unwieldy, out-of- world saw Haiti were almost touch nongovernmen- exclusively Americans and oth- tal organizations, also called Schuller spoke to Ideas via er foreign outsiders. NGOs, and past foreign inter- Skype from Port-au-Prince. ventions that set the stage for The narrative in those accounts the quake’s epic death toll. It’s a IDEAS: What distinguishes was familiar: one of inept gov- narrative, the book argues, that “Tectonic Shifts” from other ernments, helpless victims, and is critical to understanding a books about the 2010 earth- an aid community doing all it country where some 500,000 quake? can to bypass the first in order people remain homeless. to save the second. In response, SCHULLER: Of the 46 chapters Schuller and Latin America “This is the first collective at- in this book, half of the chapters specialist Pablo Morales ga- tempt to open up a dialogue that were written by Haitians in Hai- thered 59 contributors who were has been for the most part shut ti and translated into English. either Haitian or knew the coun- out,” said Schuller, who teaches There are a couple serious try deeply and assembled a new, African American Studies and books that have come out, like wide-ranging anthology, “Tec- Anthropology at the City Uni- [Partners in Health founder and tonic Shifts: Haiti Since the versity of New York’s York UN Deputy Special Envoy for Earthquake.” College. “We need to listen Haiti] Paul Farmer’s book. But carefully to Haitian people and so far, very few of the voices Published last week [January 5, the articulation of their needs, that have been heard have been 2012], the book features analy- and I hope this book will be the from Haitians living in Haiti sis from leading scholars, jour- first step in that conversation.” before, during, and after the nalists, and activists. There’s a earthquake. 10

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IDEAS: Describe some of those IDEAS: Are there positive signs broken structures. of what the government can achieve? SCHULLER: Looking at Haiti before the earthquake, you had SCHULLER: Let’s look at the an ineffective system in place of cholera outbreak following the NGOs, a very top-heavy, top- earthquake....If we look at just down structure. With the earth- the prevention efforts, inside the quake, you essentially had bil- IDP [Internally Displaced lions of dollars being sent into People] camps, water and sani- that very broken, top-heavy tation services became critical structure, which was made far to cholera prevention. The only Schuller conducting research in an worse by this massive infusion institution that had any public IDP camp of many more NGOs. So you accountability to people in the have NGOs who can’t commu- camps to access those services IDEAS: How would you cha- nicate internally, because the was the Haitian government. racterize the conversation about decision-makers of these NGOs, But the NGOs were the ones Haiti post-earthquake? who are making decisions on a with all the funding, the billions UN military base and don’t of dollars to meet the needs of SCHULLER: If you look at the speak Haitian Creole, can’t the displaced. Where the NGOs news coverage of Haiti, it’s al- communicate with Haitian staff acted as camp management most singularly negative about in the field who know what the agencies, they did a good job of Haitian people, and singularly problems are, who know what’s getting services to the field— positive about foreign people working and what’s not work- but by August 2010, 40 percent and their intentions. That does ing. You have competition be- of camps did not have water. an extreme disservice to Haitian tween NGOs, and competition You had one toilet being shared people, who are analyzing the and suspicion between NGOs by 273 people, where the huma- situation and working to change and the government. nitarian standard is one toilet for the situation. every 20 people. IDEAS: The widespread percep- IDEAS: The first chapter, by tion, though, is that the Haitian Interestingly, where progress University of Haiti anthropolo- government is corrupt. was made was in [the poor gist Rachel Beauvoir- neighborhood of] Cité Soleil. Dominique, examines Hurricane SCHULLER: Well, it’s a very Why is that significant? Be- Jeanne in 2004, which killed binary kind of thinking. You cause the Haitian government, roughly 3,000 people in Haiti have to have good on one side both the national government and left 300,000 homeless. Why and bad on the other side. In a and the city halls, were empo- open a book about the earth- binary system, you don’t have wered to play a coordinating quake with a different natural room for a third actor, and that’s role working with the UN and disaster? the problem. So, people correct- NGOs. Rather than meet at the ly see the legacy of Duvalier- UN base, they met in city halls SCHULLER: To show that the ism, the legacy of Haiti’s mili- with the local government and problems that occurred after the tary elite and mercantile elite, representatives, and they made earthquake are not new. And and they think, OK, Haitians 100 percent coverage to camps they are structural. They’re not must be corrupt. When they see in Cité Soleil a priority, and about good people doing bad the Haitian government doing they succeeded. things, or bad people doing things they shouldn’t be doing, good things. They’re about they don’t think to question IDEAS: What do you say to structures that are broken. what the UN or the US or the accusations that the camps are World Bank might be doing to now home to so-called fakes, reproduce that.

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No.3 April, 2012 people who are not actually and deflects the attention away on the ground, with great rela- homeless? from the failures. tionships with Haitians on the ground, and they were working SCHULLER: Some 600,000 IDEAS: If a person texted $10 with, not around, the Haitian people left Port-au-Prince after to help Haiti, what happened to government. the earthquake because they his or her money? were afraid of the concrete. To the people who texted to They were afraid of the after- SCHULLER: I wish I could tell Wyclef [Jean, founder of Yele shocks, of the insecurity. So if you, and that’s part of the prob- Haiti] or the Red Cross or Ox- someone leaves and then walks lem—lack of accountability. fam GB, I’m sorry but I have no into a camp in April 2010, does There are some groups, like idea. But I’d say there are ques- that make them a fake victim? I Partners in Health, that did an tions one should really ask when think that’s extremely cynical, excellent job. They are a good donating to an NGO. and puts the blame on the victim case study: They were already

Urbanization through Students’ Eyes Jacquelyn Southern

In fall 2011, our class on urbanization— AAS285—considered ideas and questions useful for understanding the concentration of African Americans in cities and the many issues that con- front them there. Using a fairly conventional his- torical framework (industrial, postindustrial, and neoliberal cities) and concepts of urban form, we explored a wide range of topics, including migra- tion, immigration, and the modern diaspora, changing urban work and economies, forms of segregation north and south, impacts of urban renewal, ghettoization and suburbanization, pri- vate and public housing, urban culture, and urban politics. We grounded this exploration in three close studies: the two waves of the Great Migra- tion, the rise of hip-hop in the postindustrial city, and gentrification in present-day Harlem.

Although this was an online class, students parti- cipated very actively. Cities are a subject close to most New Yorkers’ hearts, and the students brought their own expertise in living in the city with them. The assigned books were “good reads” that held their interest, and their reading Photo: Angela Roachford, “From Brooklyn to Manhat- journals and participation in the discussion board tan” exceeded what was required of them. When they had a group project (on Jacob Lawrence’s Migra- But the heart of the class was their own research. tion Series), they threw themselves into it with Students had a choice of two projects. Most chose goodwill and enthusiasm. to conduct an oral history interview, with either a veteran of the Great Migration or an immigrant from Africa or the Caribbean. For most of the students, this was an opportunity to hear stories 12

No.3 April, 2012 directly from a grandparent, uncle, aunt, parent, are included here. Angela Roachford explored in-law, or family friend who had taken the plunge aspects of urban quality of life. Vianca Pujols and moved to New York. Whether this occurred investigated Occupy Wall Street and the issues it years ago—in the context of southern segrega- raised for African Americans living, working, tion, violence, and lack of opportunity—or more and attending school in the city. Alphanso Jack- recently, especially from abroad, the stories that son documented changes in Brooklyn as part of a the students recorded were rich and evocative. complex process that affects not only African They were able to connect them very clearly with American neighborhoods and opportunities, but the themes and concepts they had studied. the taken-for-granted evidence all around us of generations of history and culture. His essay A smaller number of students prepared photoes- showed both the incursions of new “develop- says on the contemporary city, for which they ment” and the creative responses of African chose their own open-ended questions and American communities to changing times. themes to pursue. Samples of some of their work

Photo: Alphanso Jackson. “Homelessness”

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Photos: Alphanso Jackson. Left, “Once the birthplace of baseball’s first interracial team, the Brooklyn Dodgers, the stadium that introduced the world to Jackie Robinson has now become known as Ebbets Field housing projects.” Right, “A symbol of righteousness, justice and power within the black communities.”

Drummers’ circle at Zuccotti Park. Photograph by Vianca Pujols.

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Nana Kimati Dinizulu Presents His Family History with West Afri- can Religion and Culture at the AARC by Andrew P. Jackson (Sekou Molefi Baako)

On Wednesday afternoon, March 7th, Nana Kimati Dinizu- lu, the leader of the Akan West African community gave a pres- entation on the history of his family to a packed audience in the African American Resource Center. Using online family photographs, Dinizulu shared his lineage from Harlem to Queens and Ghana, West Afri- ca. His family’s journey began with the early lives of his father, a former photographer and his mother, a NYC civil service employee, along with other fam- ily members, (who also worked traditional civil service jobs while becoming more and as the Omanhene and Okomfo- ries.” (Wikipedia) In addi- more involved in West African hene of Akans in America. tion, Kimati has studied with tradition and religion. His fa- Haitian master drummers, stu- ther, Nana Opare Dinizulu Nana Kimati Dinizulu, intro- died various forms of traditional I, was introduced to traditional duced to African percussion music from Brazil, African and African culture in his twenties, instruments in his youth, is now African American hand drum- become a master drummer and a master drummer like his fa- ming and many other forms. He learned the intricate history, ther. He told the audience his has conducted extensive re- practices and traditions of Akan father steered him to playing the search with the Maroons Ghanaian culture while his wife, drum to keep him off the streets of Jamaica, the Ewe of To- Alice Dinizulu, became and out of trouble that he go, the Orisha worshippers of a key dancer for Asada Dafora’s seemed to be getting into. Ki- Trinidad and Tobago, Rada ri- Dance Company-the first dance mati soon developed a passion tual musicians of Haiti and the company to put African dance for percussion and the drum and Ring Shouters of the Georgia and music on Broadway in the has studied his craft ever since, Sea Islands. He has worked with U.S. from the 1930’s to 1950’s. spending two years in Ghana, stateside and international cul- In time, Nana Yao Opare Dini- West Africa mastering his craft tural organizations; the Schom- zulu I established Bosum Dze- and learning the spiritual and burg Center for Research in mawodzi in New York out of religious connections of the Black Culture; Queens Library’s which came the famed Dinizulu drum. He has studied with per- Langston Hughes Community Drummers and Dancers, one of cussion masters on the African Library and Cultural Center and the most revered African dance continent and here in America. performed music and conducted troupes of that generation from “A major influence on his musi- traditional African drum and the late 1960’s. As a result of cal growth and creative energies libation rituals. his commitment and dedication was his involvement in Fanti’s to African religion and cul- Asafo (warrior) music, a tradi- Over the years, Kimati has pe- ture was given leadership status tion dating back many centu- formed with artists such as Ma-

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No.3 April, 2012 vis Staples, Buddy Guy, Mos son in her production “Divining”-Judith Jamison’s Def, Angelique Kidjo, many N’Orleans-A Storyville Musical. first ballet for the Alvin Ailey jazz artists, performed at Nelson He performed in Broadway’s American Dance Theater and at Mandela’s 70th Birthday Tri- Death and the King’s Horse- Radio City Music Hall in the bute, worked with Toni Morri- man; co-wrote the composition “Salute to the Blues”.

Langston’s Tribute to Gil Scott-Heron By Andrew P. Jackson (Sekou Molefi Baako) and Selena T. Rodgers 

l to r: Herb Boyd (activist/author/journalist), Tony Medina (Associate Professor of English of Creative Writ- ing/Howard University), Sonia Sanchez (author/poet/activist), Camilla Gilyard (Elementary School Teach- er/Daughter of Dr. Keith Gilyard), Nana Camille Yarbrough (musician/actress/poet/activist/television produc- er/author) and Atiba Kwabena-Wilson (musician/poet/storyteller/Djeli)  In celebration of National Tribute Series. Over the past cal pulse of America and Black Poetry Month, Executive two years, photo journal- America. Scott-Heron is a self- Director Andrew P. Jackson ist/filmmaker Gordon Parks, proclaimed “Bluesologist” (Sekou Molefi Baako) of the actor Frank Silvera and activist through his Afrocentric spoken Queens Library’s Langston playwright August Wilson were word and poetic lyrics, stage Hughes Community Library and featured. The tribute to Scott- presentation, blues-funk rooted Cultural Center hosted Good Heron (April 1, 1949 - May 27, music, political commentary, Vibrations…A Tribute to Gil 2011) began following his tran- comedic narration and charis- Scott-Heron on Saturday, April sition. Scott-Heron is a great matic style. In Jackson’s eyes, 7, 2012. Good Vibrations…is influence and favorite perform- Scott-Heron was a constant the fourth installment of Jack- ing artist of Jackson’s, who ad- thorn in the side of America son’s creation for the Langston mired Scott-Heron for having who engaged the mind, body Hughes Community Library’s his mind and hand on the politi- and spirit.

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The first hour of the day’s for the depth and strength of cultural warriors based in New events opened with the playing Professor Scott-Heron’s mind. York City’s Village of Harlem of a cross section of Scott- today. Wilson is an Africana Heron’s recordings from his The core of the day’s tribute historian, storyteller, vocalist, early albums, Pieces of A Man was an engaging panel musician (djembe drum, (1971), through his last discussion moderated by Herb harmonica, flute, picollo), recording I’m New Here (2010). Boyd, a Harlem based activist composer, lecturer and political In all, twenty-five recordings of journalist, on the life and activist. Ms. Camilla Gilyard, his work are now available. contributions of Gil Scott- a South Queens elemenary While the audience enjoyed Heron. The panel included: school teacher and daughter of listening to Scott-Heron, they Dr. Tony Medina, a product of Dr. Keith Gilyard, read her viewed the table display from and student activist at New father’s prepared comments and Jackson’s personal collection of York City College in his spoke to Scott-Heron’s legacy posters, vinyl albums, cds, dvds undergraduate years. A talented in her generation as usefulness and books from Scott-Heron’s poet, Profossor Medina in the teachings to engage her four-decade career. The published childrens’ poetry fifth grade students in their afternoon continued with the storybooks include Love to English lessons. Dr. Gilyard is a viewing of the walking tour Langston, Bob Marley and Professor of English at documentary of Washington, DeShawn Days, as well as Pennsylvania State University DC and the city’s black wax spoken word volumes, Bum and a published poet and author musuem—Black Wax Gil Scott- Rush the Page, with the late, of John Oliver Killens A Life of Heron (1982). Queens poet activist poet, Louis Reyes Literary Activism (2010). David Mills followed the film Rivera, and Roll Call: A Gilyard was a former Corona with a free flowing, five poem Generaltional Anthology of resident and friend of Scott- recition to Gil Scott-Heron’s Social and Political Black Herons before his rise to poems reflecting the turmoil in Literature and Art. Sister Sonia stardom. The event ended with the civil rights awareness years Sanchez, Poet, Mother, music by Atiba’s blues of America (The Revolution Educator/Temple University ensemble, The B fo’ quo’tet, Will Not Be Televised, Winter in (1977-1999) is one of with a guest horn player and the America, In The Bottle) and two America’s greatest activist poetry of David Mills and Tony that personalized the demons poet/scholars of the 20th Century Medina. within Scott-Heron, (Spirits with over 16 books; national Past and The Other Side I, II and international lecturer on Located at 100th Street and and III). Black Culture and Literature, Northern Boulevard in Corona, Women’s Liberation, Peace and the Queens Library’s Langston Next, Dr. Aldon Nielsen of Racial Justice; lectured in over Hughes Community Library and Pennsylvania State University, 500 colleges and universities; Cultural Center was founded by gave a PowerPoint presentation contributing editor Black activists from the Corona-East of his ongoing research on Scholar and The Journal of Elmhurst neighborhood as part Scott-Heron and his personal African Studies. Nana Camille of the Anti-Poverty programs of rememberances as a student of Yarbrough, Professor of Black the 1960’s. It is the first public Scott-Heron’s at Washington Studies Department at the City institution named for the “Poet D.C.’s Federal City College in College (CUNY), award Laureate of Harlem.” Visit: the early 1970’s. “My professor winning poet/author (Cornrows, www.queenslibrary.org and was but two years older then 1979), cultural activist and www.libraryactioncommittee. me, but had already had two performer from the Village of org. books published” said Dr. Harlem. Founder of Ancestor Nielsen (The Vulture (1970), House “It’s our story… more Tiffany Cudjoe thanked her The Nigger Factory (1972). In than 500 years of tradition.” mentor and poetess, Professor short order Professor Nielsen Djeli Atiba Kwabena-Wilson, Selena T. Rodgers for encourag- gained a high level of respect is one of the most multifacted ing her to attend the tribute to

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thor and activist. “My expe- CUNY Creative Arts/Project rience at the Langston Hughes Change, educating to inform Library was beyond amazing. I and empower high school and used my camera to capture par- college students about health ticipants’ tributes to Mr. Gil issues HIV/AIDS and obesity Scott-Heron. I also absorbed the through facilitation, drama, profound wisdom, poetry and mentorship, and advocacy. stories offered by Ms. Sonia Sanchez and other distinguished Her interests include graduate guests” stated Tiffany. studies as a Photo Essayist, combining her passion for re- Tiffany Cudjoe is a Cardinal search, photography, social Crew member and York College work and sociology with a Ambassador, helping to create a focus on social and health- student-friendly environment related issues impacting for incoming freshmen. Mr. Mi- people of African ancestry. chel Hodge, Executive Director She was a featured photo- l to r: Andrew P. Jackson (Sekou Molefi Baako) (Executive Director, of Enrollment Management at grapher in the March 2012 Langston Hughes Community York College is also the York Rochdale Village, Inc. Bulle- Library and Cultural Center/York Col- Cardinal Crew Director and a tin. The Newspaper is issued lege), Tiffany Cudjoe (York College Rising Star Honoree. Hosted by monthly to over 25,000 resi- Student) and Sonia Sanchez (author/poet/activist); Metropolitan Hospitality, Rising dents living in the world’s Star Awards are presented to second largest housing coop- Scott-Heron. Tiffany also ex- young professionals who exem- erative. plify outstanding leadership tended a heart-felt thank you to th Professor Andrew Jackson for skills. On January 26 , 2012, Tiffany Cudjoe, a Percy E. introducing her to Ms. Sanchez Mr. Hodge introduced Tiffany Sutton SEEK student, is gra- and Ms. Yarbrough as a rising to award winning domestic and duating in 2012 from York star at York College and for international photographer Mi- College of The City Universi- granting her permission to pho- chelle Kawka of Michelle’s ty of New York with her BA tograph the event. Dr. Rodgers High Heel Studio. Tiffany is in Sociology, Social Sciences and Tiffany had the tremendous currently interning with Ms. Program/School of Health and opportunity to engage in three- Kawka at the “Rising Star Behavioral Sciences. way dialogue with Ms. Sanchez Awards Ceremony”. Tiffany is about her journey as a poet, au- also a Change Agent Intern with Photo: Attendance at Langston Hughes Library and Cultural Center. Front row: : Dr. Aldon Lynn Nielsen (Department of Eng- lish/Pennsylvania State University) and Sister Sonia Sanchez (retired professor/Temple University)

Some of the new classes in the new major are: The Unforgiving Mirror: Race and Racism in Contem- porary Society; Intersections: Black Women in the Atlantic World; Contemporary Legacy of Slavery in the U.S.; Environmental Justice in North America; Africa and the Columbian Exchange; Heritage, Culture, and Memory; Race, Housing, and Com- munity; and Boys to Men: from Black Macho to Black Male Feminist

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CUNY political scientist speaks to York about Haiti’s elections Michael Sharpe, Behavioral Sciences

On October 18, 2011, Dr. Since Préval was the only presi- is in contradiction with the François Pierre-Louis, Associate dent in recent years to have wishes of the Haitian people. Professor of Political Science been elected twice to the presi- Queens College/CUNY gave a dency and successfully com- Prof. François talked about the presentation on “Haiti, Elec- pleted his two terms, he was election of Haiti’s new presi- tions, Cholera and the Interna- seen as the leader that would dent, singer Michel Martelly tional Community” at the Afri- usher Haiti into an era of stabili- a.k.a. “Sweet Micky,” who had can American Resource Center. ty and economic growth. In- recently spoke at York, the short The event was cosponsored by stead, the 2010 elections were lived candidacy of hip-hop artist the York College Political overwhelmingly rejected by the Wyclef Jean, and the events sur- Science program. In 2010, Pres- population and the country once rounding the cholera outbreak ident René Préval of Haiti reluc- more faced a long period of vi- that many think was inadver- tantly agreed to call for presi- olence and instability. In his tently brought to Haiti by Unit- dential and legislative elections talk, Pierre-Louis argued that ed Nations peacekeepers from to renew the members of par- the international community, Nepal. The event was attended liament and elect a new presi- through MINUSTAH and CA- by York students, faculty, as dent. RICOM, failed miserably in well as representatives of non- Haiti to support the transition to governmental organizations democracy because their agenda working in Haiti.

“A New Era of Social Justice and Civil Rights” By Selena T. Rodgers, Social Sciences

the 44th anniversary of trauma symptoms, and coping Civil Rights Leader Dr. strategies in a national sample of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s social workers. Social workers assassination and 38th encounter and respond to unprec- day after the killing of edented trauma-related expe- Trayvon Martin by co- riences, including youth vi- presenting at The Nation- olence, unconscionable killings al Association of Black of Black males—including Tray- Social Workers von Martin—and the pandemic (NABSW) 44th Annual of HIV/AIDS predominately af- Conference. The annual fecting Black women in metro- forum was hosted in At- politan areas. The presenters’ lanta, GA. Aligned with preliminary research findings the conference’s theme revealed the need for competent “A New Era of Social training of social workers in Justice and Civil Rights,” areas of trauma, using strength- On April 4th, 2012, Dr. Selena T. their presentation, “Rise based approaches. Rodgers (Assistant Professor of Up Social Workers: From Vica- Social Work at York Col- rious Trauma to Posttraumatic Approximately 700 participants lege/CUNY) and Tiffany Cudjoe Growth” focused on the prelimi- attended the NABSW national (student research assistant/York nary findings of past personal conference. Twelve students pre- College/CUNY) commemorated trauma, the presence of vicarious viously enrolled in the Social

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Research Methods for Social serve and honor “M.L.K.’s” NABSW New Orleans Chapter. Work course taught by Professor birthplace, work, worship, life The National Association of Rodgers at Medgar Evers Col- and legacy. The gravesite of Black Social Workers Inc. is lege of The City University of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Co- committed to enhancing the qual- New York along with Professor retta Scott King and statue of ity of life and empowering Elaine Reid (Social Work Pro- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi people of African ancestry gram/MEC) were present and “The Mahatma” (1869-1948) through advocacy, human servic- highly engaged in the workshop. were among the photographs tak- es delivery, and research Ms. Cudjoe, a first time presenter en by Tiffany. Her future plans www.nabsw.org/ at a national conference, received for “New Era of Social Justice positive feedback from attendees. and Civil Rights” include con- Tiffany was selected as a fea- necting her enthusiasm for re- tured speaker for the lunch ses- search, photography, social work sion at York College’s 3rd An- and sociology. nual Student Undergraduate Re- search Day on April 19th, 2012. While at the conference, Rodgers She engaged in a conversation talked at length with NABSW with her research advisor Dr. National Conference Co-Chair Selena T. Rodgers, highlighting Melissa Smith-Haley about the her research experience. Tiffany need for student, as well as aca- is grateful to SEEK and the Aca- demics/practitioners and student On April 9, 2012, Sharika Hol- demic Affairs office for her tra- joint presentations. Ms. Smith- loway, a baccalaureate social vel to the conference. Haley recalled the first time she work student at Medgar Evers presented as a student with her College, won the NABSW Office In remembrance of the civil father Dr. Fredrick E. Smith in of Student Affairs Secretary. rights leader, Tiffany and Dr. Houston at a NABSW confe- Sharika is member and President- Rodgers visited the Martin Luth- rence nearly 20 years ago—“That elect for the ABSW stu- er King, Jr. National Historic Site experience helped me tremend- dent chapter at MEC and a for- in Atlanta, GA on Thursday, ously in starting my career and mer research student of Dr. April 5, 2012. The historic site cementing my love for the organ- Rodgers. was established in 1980 to pre- ization” stated Ms. Smith-Haley,

Resource Center hosts graduate school discussions Michael Sharpe, Behavioral Sciences

October 3, 2011, the Political Duke, Georgetown, George tional development, and humani- Science Program and the African Washington, Tufts, Columbia, tarian assistance. American Resource Center cos- Harvard, Princeton, and Sciences ponsored an event entitled “A Po (France). The event was held Since 2009, the African Ameri- Talk about Graduate School in at the African American Re- can Resource Center has held at International Affairs”. The guest source Center. Ms. Sloane talked least one graduate school work- speaker was Ms. Leigh Morris graduate study in preparation for shop per semester. Since 2011, Sloane, Executive Director, the careers in international affairs. we partnered with the CUNY Association of Professional She spoke extensively about the Pipeline Program. This year, Schools of International Affairs process of applying to graduate Graduate Center Writing Fellows (APSIA). APSIA has some 60 schools of international affairs led workshops on writing per- full and affiliate member schools including personal essay, GPA, sonal statements. For information including the University of GRE, and internships. The event about the CUNY Pipeline pro- Maryland, University of Texas at was attended by students with gram, visit http://web.gc.cuny Austin, University of Pittsburgh, interests in diplomacy, interna- .edu/oeodp/pipeline.asp

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York Students go to Washington

Photo: Stephanie Semé, Sabine Bernard, Tracey Ulcena, Adlin Noël at Congressional Black Caucus Briefing.

On Tuesday, March 27, 2012, Black Caucus that discussed Hai- The next day, March 28, the stu- five York College students ac- ti’s Internally Displaced Persons dents presented their research at companied their professor, inte- (IDP) camps, the subject of the a panel of the Society for Ap- rim coordinator Mark Schuller, research they conducted with plied Anthropology, for which in a visit to Washington, DC in Prof. Schuller in the summer of Schuller chairs the Human Rights advance of the Society for Ap- 2011. Prof. Schuller and TransA- and Social Justice Committee. plied Anthropology meetings. frica Forum and Center for Eco- Anthropology and Psychology The students are Sabine Bernard nomic and Policy Research dis- student Vijaya Sarju also pre- (African American Studies and tilled policy solutions. sented at the conference on her Anthropology), Sandy Nelzy research on Domestic Violence (Nursing), Adlin Noël (Physi- Following this briefing, the stu- in the Caribbean community in cians’ Assistant), Stephanie dents met at the U.S. State De- Queens. Semé (Psychology), and Tracey partment, meeting with the two Ulcena (African American Stu- Deputy Haiti Coordinators, again Former York professor Elgin dies and Psychology). discussing their research findings Klugh at Coppin State University and potential solutions that the invited the five Haitian students On the invitation of Rep. Yvette U.S. government can take to en- and Dr. Schuller to present their Clarke (Brooklyn), whom they sure greater aid accountability research. Like York, Coppin is a met in the fall, York students led and respect for IDP rights. diverse student body with a large a panel for the Congressional

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African American and Caribbean households: average size went In March, three camps were set community. from 5.37 to 3.36. This was like- on fire, at least one by the police, ly because of policies from aid in order to force people to leave. Funded by a National Science agencies to distribute aid (food, Foundation grant and supported hygiene kits, tents, etc.) to heads This kind of on-the-ground re- by the CUNY Haiti Initiative, the of households. So following this search, and the students’ own students were paired with a stu- reward structure, many families lived experience and poise, is dent from the State University of decided to split up to maximize being sought out. Members of Haiti (where Schuller has taught their access to life-saving re- Congress and their legislative since 2003) and visited one IDP sources. But this has a downside: aides, the State Department, and camp every day for five weeks. Haiti’s extended family ties are Coppin students and faculty im- Students conducted direct obser- the first and last resort for soli- plored the students to publish vation, 100 household interviews darity, which explains how Hai- their research. They will, on (for a total of 791) with a 56- ti’s people can survive in very Schuller’s blog on Huffington question survey, and 10 semi- difficult times. Whether this rup- Post and submitting to the jour- structured audio-taped inter- ture in solidarity ties is repairable nal Practicing Anthropology, views. in future disasters remains uncer- published by the Society for Ap- tain. plied Anthropology. The study yielded some very timely results. For example, de- What is certain is the immediate The students so impressed Rep. spite the discourse about not be- need for this research: over two Clarke the first time they met that ing “real victims,” only there for years following the tragic earth- she hired alumna Sabine Bernard the free services, 92% of people quake, almost half a million as an intern. Bernard is organiz- preferred to leave the camps, and people still live in tents. Those ing a presentation for the Haitian only 3.5% came since the earth- who remain have fewer choices: community in Brooklyn, where quake. Also, on average, families in the summer of 2011, 80.5 per- Rep. Clarke will unveil policy lost .8 people in the earthquake, cent living in tents were renters solutions drafted with Schuller which would suggest that higher before the quake, and as of Janu- and his colleagues at TransAfrica estimates of Haiti’s official death ary 2012 when Schuller returned, Forum and Center for Economic toll are plausible. One of the 95 percent are. These people, and Policy Research. longest-lasting impacts of the aid with no other alternatives, are delivery is the fissuring of Haiti’s now being threatened with arson.

MEET OUR FACULTY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Mesfin Araya is Associate Professor of African American Studies at York, where he teaches intro to Africa, the Black Family, Black Revolutionary Thought, and Historiography in Black Studies. He produced numerous scholarly works on Ethiopia and Eritrea from a political science perspective; his next book analyzes Eritrean nationalism.

Martin Atangana holds a Ph. D. in History from the University of Paris 1-Sorbonne (France), a M.A. in History from the University of Paris X-Nanterre (France), and a B.A. from the University of Yaoundé (Cameroon). He is currently an Associate Professor of History at York and The Graduate Center (CUNY). His research interests focus on the relationship between West Africa and Europe with a special emphasis on Franco-Cameroonian relations. He is the author of The End of French Rule in Cameroon and Capitalisme et Nationalisme au Cameroun au lendemain de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale; French Investment in Colonial Cameroon; and articles published in Matériaux Pour l’Histoire de Notre Temps, African Studies Review, and The Canadian Journal of African Studies. In addition to doing research and teaching, Dr. Atangana is an accomplished musician who had worked with artists such as Paul Simon, Jean Luc Ponty, Many Dibango, and Ronald Shannon Jackson. He frequently performs with band “African Blue Note.” His solo albums include Oyenga Fam and Mot Songo.

Coleen Clay is Associate Professor of the Department of Teacher Education at York. Dr. Clay teaches courses in literacy development, child and adolescent development and teaching and learning in urban schools and supervises

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No.3 April, 2012 student teachers. From 1999- 2001 she was an Associate Professor of Education at CUNY Medgar Evers College. From 1994-1999 she was the Coordinator of Educational Programs and Research at the Caribbean Research Center, Medgar Evers College. Early in her career she was a member of the Faculty of Education and Educational Research at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, WI where she taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in child development and education. She is a member of the Editorial Board of WADABAGEI, a scholarly journal of the Caribbean and its Diaspora. In the 1990’s she served on the New York City and New York State Committees on Education of Caribbean Creole Students and the Bilingual Special Education Advisory Council.

As former Executive Director of the Center for Constitutional Rights and a veteran social and political activist, Ron Daniels an extensive familiarity with issues and policy affecting African Americans and other people of color. In addition, Daniels is conversant with First Amendment issues, the Patriot Act, torture, rendition and related issues. As former Deputy Campaign Manager for Rev. Jesse Jackson’s 1988 presidential campaign and a former independent candidate for President, Daniels regularly comments on electoral and political issues in weekly column Vantage Point and a WBAI show. His principal international work is Haiti via the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and the Haiti Support Project. Daniels is conversant with U.S. policy towards Haiti and political trends in Haiti.

Andrew P. Jackson (Sekou Molefi Baako) has been executive director of Queens Library’s Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center since August 1980. He is President of the Black Caucus of the National Library Association. He is also a Library Consultant and Advisor. A graduate of York College with a BS in Business Administration and Queens College’s Graduate School of Library and Information Studies with a Master of Library Science, Andrew is a published author, essayist, lecturer and adjunct professor at both of his alma maters. He is the author of Queens Notes: Facts About the Forgotten Borough of Queens, New York (2010), In Honor Of… Libraries Named for African Americans (2011). He wrote the Foreword to the 9th and 10th editions of the African American Almanac (2003 and 2007) and numerous articles on Africana history and culture. His most recently published work is The 21st Century Black Librarian in America: Issue and Challenges, by Scarecrow Press, Inc. April 2012.

Kelly Baker Josephs is an Assistant Professor of English at York College/CUNY, specializing in World Anglo- phone Literature with an emphasis on Caribbean Literature. She teaches courses in Anglophone Caribbean Litera- ture, Postcolonial Literature and Theory, Literatures of the African Diaspora, and Gender Studies. Her current book project, “Disturbers of the Peace: Representations of Insanity in Anglophone Caribbean Literature,” considers the ubiquity of madmen and madwomen in Caribbean literature between 1959 and 1980. Professor Josephs serves as Managing Editor of Small Axe: A Caribbean Journal of Criticism, published by Duke University Press, and sx sa- lon: a small axe literary platform (www.smallaxe.net/sxsalon). She also co-organizes the Caribbean Epistemologies Seminar at the CUNY Graduate Center, which involves managing The Caribbean Commons website.

For over a decade, Mychel J. Namphy has been lecturing, teaching, and writing about African American literature, culture, and politics, in such diverse venues as churches and mosques, police academies and drug treatment centers, Ivy League colleges, graduate schools, high schools, elementary schools, and prisons. His B.A. is from Columbia University, and he completed his Ph.D in English and African American literature at Princeton. Dr. Namphy cur- rently has a book manuscript, titled Malcolm’s Mood Indigo: A Theodicy of Literary Contests, being reviewed by various academic presses. This book is a study of Malcolm X as an aspect of contemporary history, and a close analysis of Malcolm’s collaboration with Alex Haley that in 1965 produced The Autobiography of Malcolm X, one of the most dynamic spiritual and political autobiographies of our time. Dr. Namphy has held teaching positions at Princeton University and at Rutgers University. At York College, he teaches courses on African American and Na- tive American literature, art, and music, and constantly encourages his students to explore the connections between our cultural practices and our struggle for freedom, justice, equality, and dignity.

Jonathan Quash is the director of the York College’s Men’s Center/ the Male Initiative, as well as an instructor in the Performing Arts (Music). Quash is the director and faculty advisor to the Gospel Choir at York. An accom- plished musician, Quash has several CDs and recordings with a range of artists, including Mark Adams and K. Joy. Quash graduated from York College and is completing his Ph.D.

Selena T. Rodgers is an Assistant Professor of Social Work and Director of Social Work Field Education. Professor Rodgers’ research focuses on posttraumatic growth and socio-cultural factors in multi-cultural and multi-ethnic groups living in refugee-like situations, child sexual abuse and secondary trauma. Her scholarly publications focus on areas of intimate partner violence, sexual abuse/violence and immigration experiences in the United States. Dr.

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No.3 April, 2012

Rodgers is an Associate Editor for an international journal. She is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 17 years of experience in the field, specializing in administration. Prior to her appointment at York College, Dr. Rodgers was the Associate Vice President for Safe Horizon’s Queens Community and Criminal Justice Programs. Dr. Rodgers is the recipient of the Eleventh Annual Fred Kuo, Jr. Memorial Award for fostering “respect and under- standing” in people, a National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Emerging Leader Honoree, New York City Chapter and is a former Hartman Child & Family Scholar. The Honorable Helen M. Marshall, President of the Bo- rough of Queens in the City of New York, declared Friday, March 30th, 2012 as “Dr. Selena T. Rodgers Day” in Queens in recognition of her research on Posttraumatic Growth and years of service to the social work profession.

Interim Coordinator of the African American Resource Center, Mark Schuller is Assistant Professor of Black Stu- dies and Anthropology and affiliate at the Faculté d’Ethnologie, l’Université d’État d’Haïti. Supported by the Na- tional Science Foundation and others, Schuller’s research on globalization, NGOs, gender, and disasters in Haiti has been published in twenty book chapters and peer-reviewed articles as well as public media, including a column in Huffington Post. He is the author of forthcoming Killing with Kindness: Haiti, International Aid, and NGOs (Rutg- ers, 2012) and co-editor of four volumes, including Tectonic Shifts: Haiti Since the Earthquake (Kumarian Press, 2012). He is co-director / co-producer of documentary Poto Mitan: Haitian Women, Pillars of the Global Economy (Documentary Educational Resources, 2009). He chairs the Society for Applied Anthropology’s Human Rights and Social Justice Committee and is active in many solidarity efforts.

Michael Sharpe is Assistant Professor of Political Science in the Department of Behavioral Sciences. His areas of specialization are comparative politics and international relations and his research interests include looking compa- ratively at globalization, the politics of international migration, immigrant political incorporation, and political transnationalism. The research has thus far been published in a journal, encyclopedias, and forthcoming chapters in books. Dr. Sharpe volunteered with Operation Crossroads Africa in Kajiado, Kenya when he was an undergraduate and remains interested in the African Diaspora all over the world. He is a board member of the United Nations affi- liated NGO, the International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR).

Dr. Jacquelyn Southern is a geographer who specializes in urban and cultural geography, with research interests concerning labor, environmental justice, nuclear power, and racialized landscapes. She also teaches at Trinity Col- lege in Hartford, Connecticut, and at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has worked in the labor and en- vironmental movements, and is former managing editor of Rethinking Marxism. She is currently revising her disser- tation as a book on organized labor’s part in creating what became the “mainstream” environmental movement.

Associate Professor of history, George White Jr. is both a lawyer and historian. His first book Holding the Line: Race, Racism, and American Foreign Policy Toward Africa, 1953-1961 was published in 2005. His second book will be an edited volume of the papers of a World War II Chaplain, entitled “On the Battlefield For My Lord: The Papers of Rev. Robert Boston Dokes in World War II.” In addition to his Ph.D., Dr. White also has a J.D. from Har- vard Law School and has taught courses or portions of courses on the impact of the American legal system on socie- ty. George White, Jr. is both a lawyer and historian. White has published his scholarly work in the fields of African American history and American diplomatic history, including his first monograph in 2005, Holding the Line: Race, Racism, and American Foreign Policy Toward Africa, 1953-1961. In addition, White has extensive experience working as a public policy consultant with an Atlanta-based law firm that specializes in creating and refining public contracting programs for women- and minority-owned business enterprises (W/MBEs). White was a Dodge Post- doctoral Fellow – funded by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation – at the Rutgers Institute on Ethnicity, Culture, and the Modern Experience. Dr. White was a member of the inaugural blogging team for the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations. His posts are archived at www.shafr.org.

Tom Zlabinger is a full-time lecturer of music at York College / CUNY and is the director of the York College Big Band and the York College Blue Notes & Summer Jazz Program. He is a professional bass player and an ethnomu- sicologist with a focus on jazz. He is finishing a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology at The Graduate Center / CUNY and his dissertation topic is the contemporary jazz and improvised music scene in Vienna, Austria. He has performed at 5C Cultural Center, ABC No Rio, Angel Orensanz Center, Austrian Cultural Forum, Bowery Poetry Club, The Brecht Forum, Carnegie Hall, Downtown Music Gallery, Goodbye Blue Monday, Gramercy Theatre (in the Off-Broadway R&B/soul review From My Hometown), I-Beam, Issue Project Room, Lincoln Center, The Living Theatre, Otto’s Shrunken Head, Smoke, and The Stone.

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