BEREA COLLEGE • BLACK CULTURAL CENTER STUDENT NEWSLETTER 3R]\8LI

Volume 5 Number 1 Spring 2003

The Legacy of Slave Women

PAGE 3 AIDS and black women

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Students attend Spike Lee lecture ColorsColors ofof PAGE 10 Plus… Poetry, News and more! SSISTERHOODISTERHOOD THE ONYX2 SPRING 2003 8LI '311)28EDITOR’S 3R]\ Go on, girl!

I dedicate this semester’s Onyx to all women, past, present and future. We have struggled and now we are succeeding. Let’s continue! This issue of The Onyx illustrates many experiences of African American students Volume 5 Number 1 on campus, from travelling abroad to everyday life. Spring 2003 DANIELLE SAUNDERS, Editor

A Student Publication of the Black Cultural Center I once had a dream Berea College CPO 2127, Berea, KY 40404 I once had a dream where black men were standing up to life www.berea.edu/bcc/website/ Tearing down the walls filled with stereotypes Doing what black women knew all along they could do Realizing their potential, stepping outside their crew (859) 985-3797 I once had a dream where women were being treated right (859) 985-3913 Men were recognizing their strengths and making them their wife FAX Receiving props for their mind and not their body, wouldn’t that be nice Being pampered every now and then and not mistaken for dice I once had a dream that our children were not to blame For mistakes and breakups created while playing games Having two wonderful parents and being taken care of Given the ability to grow, not afraid to demonstrate love I once had a dream where men were able to share their heart Knowing that any relationship that lacks trust eventually grows apart All this fighting and arguing has to depart Paula McGhee Danielle Saunders Listen and pay attention, that would be a great start. Editor-in-Chief Editor I once had a dream where I was in a great position La’Quita Middleton, Deona Albright, I was sharing my love not just moaning and kissing Christina Caul, George Webb, Not getting mad when all she wanted was for me to listen Melenia Jackson, Tiffany Davis, Making the best of my time, the clock never stops ticking. Nazarene Adams I once had a dream where sisters and brothers were shooting one another Contributing Writers With bullets of knowledge encouraging our youth to go to college With motivating phrases like keep your head high, reach for the sky Never limit yourself, strive for the pie If you shall fall, remember to land on your back Because if you can look up, you can get up Now you’re back on track Forget about them girls, education comes first Picture knowledge as water, without it you can die of thirst Everyone has dreams, they hope to pursue This is my dream maybe one day it’ll come true. GEORGE WEBB THE ONYX3 SPRING 2003 6)*0)'8-32FACULTY

The Legacy of Slave Women

By PAULA McGHEE differed from white women in their dress, Parasols, mint juleps, and hoop skirts. work, recreation, and autonomy. Bandanas, cotton fields, and whips. These Often, slave women worked together in items describe elements of life for southern groups. Whether in assigned duties of women associated with the institution of housekeeping, cooking, or fieldwork, slave slavery. The difference in the identification women rarely worked alone. These women of these items with specific groups of also banded together to help with women generally revolves around the racial childbearing and childrearing, as well as in background of particular southern females. worship and relaxation. Because of this Primarily, the finer elements associated with companionship, slave women learned to femininity applied only to white women of rely upon each other as members of a the antebellum South, while the rougher specifically unique community of women. elements functioned as identifiers for black This community would grow as young girls slave women who labored without pay in reached womanhood and would decrease as order to provide the quality of life that older women died. The community would wealthy white women enjoyed. Still, black also expand and contract as slave women female slaves expressed a unique were sold or hired out to other slaveholding understanding of womanhood that locations. These women confided in one borrowed from and excluded many of the another, cried for one another, and learned notions of womanhood that applied to from one another how to simply survive the white women of the antebellum South. brutalities of slavery. Because black women could not meet It is important that African American the standards of what womanhood meant as women today appreciate the legacy of our applied to white women, black slave women foremothers who experienced not only redefined the meaning of womanhood, just slavery, but segregation as well. We must as other segments of slave communities draw upon their models of assertiveness and redefined ideas of family and religion. The discretion, their abilities to “make do” and uncertainties of slavery, as improvise, and their capacities to love and well as the creativity required be loved. We have an important duty to to survive such a brutal life the women who have gone before us and system, led female slaves to paved the way for our success. We must be define womanhood by women who are not ashamed of, nor will establishing a unique community make ashamed, the memory of our of women which emphasized, beautiful female role models. among other things, the importance of motherhood and the unique Paula McGhee is Director of the Black Cultural expressions of femininity that Center at Berea College. THE ONYX4 SPRING 2003 &-8)7NEWS '362)6POET’S

Con-Grad-ulations! Good luck and congratulations to our graduating seniors! Victory TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRIAL ARTS What if blacks were white and whites were black Kelin Lovick Ricardo McCants Can you picture that, listen as I take you back Xavier McKinzie Brooke Robertson White people are born baptized in the lake of opportunity Willie Sandifer Everywhere they go they are able to find unity Walking through malls saying “daddy buy me that” ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS Narada Felder Freda Johnson Pushing Lexus Jeeps ’cause they got it like that Shunquita Rollins Vernon Johnson Able to go anywhere they want; even the pigs got they back Mbatha Thulani Tapiwa Machaka But instead they act foolish and try to sell crack Tiffany Smith-Clayborne While all they have to do is sit back and relax Chill, have fun and watch the money stack NURSING Now lets reverse it and think about if whites were black Cynethia Bethel Pamela Parks Born to a society where opportunity lacks They wouldn’t even walk outside, EDUCATION STUDIES Waahida Tolbert George Hill Rather go in disguise Scared to even open their eyes HISTORY Hear gunshots, Andrew Franklin Dead bodies in the dirt where they lie Running from lies BIOLOGY Out of breath it’s hard to survive LaShaundra Thedford Yves Dumas With hate in your eyes Munyaradzi Masawi Israel Habtamu Somewhere around the corner trying to hide Looking up at the sky, they begin to cry CHEMISTRY Kekeli Ekoue Afraid to face reality cause it hurts inside Hoping that they would make it just one more day SOCIOLOGY Feeling that life is not fair so they decide to pray Jakira Harper Sarah Watswa Asking God to release the pain, I’m sorry, but this game don’t change ENGLISH AND THEATRE I know without being on top it’s kind of hard to maintain Cherie Timmons Ya’ll so used to the sun, can’t handle the rain Me and my people been going through this s--- for years CHILD AND FAMILY STUDIES Michelle Cureton Shalamar Stokely And things are still the same Kader Traore With a small amount of money, no fancy car Ya’ll wonder why things are the way they are POLITICAL SCIENCE Watching all our people be placed behind bars Kenyetta Knight The only dream our kids have is being a star No matter what we do we just got to do our best PSYCHOLOGY Take care of our responsibilities and we’ll be a success Bonita Mannings The time is now; lets start watching over the youth, they’re our future My people, in Heaven we’ll discover the truth PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH Erica Peterson Where does our future start? Read the Bible and stop living for survival MATHEMATICS Success comes from within our heart Benjamin Harris Michael Samuel That’s where it starts! GEORGE WEBB THE ONYX5 SPRING 2003

B A

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A Comedy Show, February 19 B Ice Skating trip C Speaker John Gray at Carter G. Woodson Convocation D “My Nigga” forum E BCC Unity Banquet, February 14 THE ONYX6 SPRING 2003 783COV

■ SISTERHOOD: UNITY

the potential of Sisters, declare other sisters- your unity! commonly referred to as hating. All Colors sisters need “Sister, you been on my mind. Oh, sister, we’re motivation to two of a kind. Oh, Sister!” accomplish their —The Color Purple goals, whether they are short term or By LA’QUITA MIDDLETON long term. When After seeing theatrical productions such as for women under cut ISTERH colored girls who have considered suicide when the the potential of S rainbow is enuf, the Vagina Monologues, and various other sisters, they other events, it is evident that it is necessary for are not only damaging themselves individually within our gend sisters to stand together in complete unity. There’s (because they are also female), but also collectively. and ultimately c so much power in being unified and creating this Instead, women should practice MICE-Motivating, On the oppo sisterhood—as the title of this article suggests. Inspiring, Congratulating, and Educating know you have m What are some of the steps that are fellow sisters. If we fail to become Woman! and exp necessary for sisters across the entire unified within the sisterhood, and put forth th spectrum to gain unity? women cannot hope to become way you desire fo One way sisters can obtain unified throughout the what tomorrow sisterhood is by first realizing the world. Like Mama always bridges; we neve need for unity, as well as said, “You must always bridge and it’s ne understanding the positive begin at home.” Lastly, when effects it could have on sisters Another principle I in life, don’t for as a whole. Being of one have learned since being help others get t accord shows that women are at Berea College is the God gave you th mature and intelligent enough BAW! principle: Be a away. There are to lay aside their prejudices Woman! There’s nothing get to where you against one another in order to like being a woman, but if down and lift u elevate their gender to the highest you are holding a grudge against need. Sisters, I h possible level of success. Women, as a another sister, Be a Woman! and let realize the neces whole, have been undermined as it go. Women won’t be able to progress if have been suppr insignificant and inferior throughout history and they continue to hold onto the negative situations divided...our jou the first way women could dispel those negative of the past. Learn from it and continue with your gender brings u myths is to attempt to exhibit true sisterhood at all life! On your next friendship, just learn to keep “Sister, you’v times. your guard up and be careful of who you lend There are a number of ways women can achieve your heart to. There are a lot of sisters who are not La’Quita Middleto sisterhood. First, women should cease undermining concerned about uplifting other sisters, but unity Berea College. THE ONYX7 SPRING 2003 36=VER

■ SISTERHOOD: PERSONAL EXPERIENCES s of Journey to Paris By CHRISTINA CAUL This short term I went on a trip sponsored by Mylene Watkins and Jeanne Hoch to study the history of Paris. Paris was my first international experience, so I was overjoyed and anxious. We left Berea on January 7 to embark on a 23-day excursion to Paris and HOOD surrounding areas. I also visited Versailles, Nice, Monte Carlo and Chartes. While in Paris I stayed at the der can begin inside of one sister Pension, which is the equivalent of a change the mindset of the world. residence hall. The culture in Paris is one osite end of the spectrum, if you that is full of differences that cannot be mistreated a fellow sister, Be a categorized. Each day I would go on a press your apologies for the situation voyage and return to the Pension by 6 e effort to treat your fellow sisters the to eat dinner with the class. After for them to treat you. We don’t know dinner we would go to operas, ballets brings, so we should never burn or just venture around Paris to partake r know if we’ll have to re-cross that of its nightlife. The class was very intensive because ever good to get caught in midair. of its pre and post requirements. On a normal day, n God allows you to obtain success I would visit four or five sites and then browse get to return the favor in order to through shops, parks, etc. I really enjoyed browsing to that point. Just as quickly as around the city and finding little boutiques. hose blessings, He can take them My favorite place was the Louvre because it had a lot of sisters who are trying to some of the best art exhibits. Being in Paris was a u are and it’s important to reach learning experience. I had never ridden in the p a fellow sister in their time of subway before so I was fascinated with the people hope you open your minds to and ‘free’ entertainment. Paris is a city engrained ssity for unity among females. We with so many cultural and educational activities. ressed for too long for us to be Paris was a blessing in disguise. Going abroad urney is not over...unity within our opens your eyes to so many things that exist s closer to our Promised Land... globally. Traveling abroad while at Berea is one of ve been on my mind...Oh, sister!” the college’s best assets. I would encourage everyone to study abroad. on is a Junior Black Studies major at Christina Caul is a Junior Sociology major at Berea College. THE ONYX8 SPRING 2003

■ SISTERHOOD: HEALTH

The HIV/AIDS virus is claiming and destroying millions of lives. It is a serious epidemic in the black community, having raged attack on young black women between the Black Women and ages of 25 and 44. The AIDS infection rate among Black women is about three times higher than that of female Latinos and 18 times higher than among white women. Today half the women who have died from AIDS are African American. African Americans alone make up 13 percent of the population and account for 41 percent of the AIDS population in the United States. Many have believed that AIDS is a gay male’s disease, but that is not true. Any one of any race, sex or gender can acquire HIV/AIDS. Studies show that the most common transmission mode Tellingamong it African like American women it is through is heterosexual sex. This AIDStransmission is even greater than intravenous drug use! You ask, “What Is HIV/AIDS”? HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome). HIV attacks the body’s immune system which normally produces white blood cells and Sure, you’ve heard antibodies that basically fight viruses and bacteria that enter the body. Therefore, people do not die from AIDS. They actually die from an it’s bad, but just infection that the body wasn’t able to fight because of the lowered how widespread ability of its immune response. So what can we do? The most important way to prevent the is AIDS among spread of HIV/AIDS or any STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) is abstinence, but if one does choose to engage in any sexual activity, black women? make sure that you practice safer sex. Condoms and other forms of barrier protection are available at Berea College Health Services. You heard it, now prevent it! The answers may Sources cited: abc.net, blackwomenshealth.com, urbancure.org and shock you. bwwla.com. THE ONYX9 SPRING 2003 '362)6POET’S ;36(THE

Question: What do you admire most about black women?

“As a black woman I The Right Thing admire our strength and wisdom.” La’Tara Clayton To Do Sophomore Pre-Med Biology

What is the right thing to do? “I admire their attitude When overcome with infatuation because it’s a challenge. With desire so strong The fact that they like to With the need to belong be independent shows With an ache for even the slightest taste how strong they are.” Of forbidden fruit Tony Sutton Freshman What is the right thing to do? Business When late at night the phone rings And your heart sings “I admire the black For tonight you will do things woman’s perseverance Some only fantasize and dream and endurance to overcome obstacles that What is the right thing to do? stand in their way.” When your conscience sets in Dena Burress When you want to do right Junior And your feelings you fight Finance But you just can’t bring yourself to let go “I admire the high level of What is the right thing to do? respect black women have When reality sets in for themselves. Black And your head starts to spin women carry themselves When you realize that you can never win in a respectful fashion.” And you will always just be the other woman. Armand Roberts NAZARENE ADAMS Sophomore Undeclared

“I admire our ability to effectively assess, plan, implement, and evaluate!” Pamela Parks Senior Nursing THE ONYX10 SPRING 2003 Bamboozled? Opinionated filmmaker Spike Lee shares his beliefs to diverse area crowd

By MELENIA JACKSON is going to make it to the pros.” Period. With that Spike Lee came to the University of Kentucky on honest statement, he shared statistics of big schools such Friday, April 4. I do not know if the students realized as UK and their graduation rate of African American how much of a big deal that was, but for him to come athletes. Some schools only had 38 percent of their to Kentucky was a huge deal. I heard about it in my 12 African American male athletes graduating after six o’clock class and by my 4 o’clock class, I had a ride for years. I could not believe it! The graduation rates for two friends and myself. Two cars of Berea students the athletes were low in general, but significantly lower attended his lecture. for African American males. These males are also being It seemed to me that he gave an honest depiction of persuaded to take up majors that are easier for them to his beliefs to the diverse crowd. He talked about the balance with sports, instead of studying a subject they war and everything involved with it; he briefly discussed enjoy. Because their sport takes up as much time, rap and hip-hop, BET, and rappers like 50 Cents. energy, and effort as a job and because they generate an However, he talked mostly of Division I athletes and enormous amount of money for colleges, Lee stressed African American ball players in particular. Lee revealed that Division I athletes should be paid. that rappers in general are not what concern him, but Spike Lee talked for about an hour. Of course he the image and message they project to the already shared his story of how he “made it” and so on. Then misguided and miseducated black American youth. For he opened the floor for questions. I was dissatisfied with me, he insinuated that such “black entertainment” this segment of the program because, not only were promotes the same stereotypes already embedded in this some of the questions unnecessary and redundant, but society that we, as black people, have been they were not pertinent nor topical to the lecture. trying to move beyond for decades. Also, People asked questions like “Can I have your this entertainment has created a mindset autograph?” which hindered other people like of limitation for African American myself from asking questions of sustenance. youth, because the expectation of being Overall, it was a great experience and I am glad nothing more than a criminal in a that some Berea College students were able to crime-ridden community by mainstream attend. I wish more could have gone. Despite the America is confirmed by their role fact that only two questioners were Berea College models like 50 Cents in their lyrics. Had students, the audience and Spike Lee definitely I watched his movie, Bamboozled, before knew who we [Berea College students] this talk, I would have known that he were before we left. was indirectly asking —“have African Americans been bamboozled?” Melenia Jackson is a Sophomore The falsehood created by Women’s Studies major at Berea mainstream culture is also College. perpetuated with athletes. Lee’s main point was, “Not everyone Left: Spike Lee THE ONYX11 SPRING 2003 '362)6POET’S &-8)7NEWS

2003 Unity Banquet Awards Congratulations to the winners of the annual Unity Banquet Awards.

OUTSTANDING STUDENTS Anthony Sutton, Freshman Moriah Washington, Sophomore Leah Johnson, Junior Rashaad Abdur-Rahman, Senior

OUTSTANDING STAFF/FACULTY Andrew Baskin, Black Studies

OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY MEMBER Truly Free Hasan Davis Hey! Remember when I was younger That God has ordained you told me that I could be anything All I feel is pain OUTSTANDING STUDENT GROUP that I wanted to be and that life was full Unwanted sorrow Women Uniting for PEACE of promises and the world full of And tomorrow opportunities? Will probably be the same OUTSTANDING COLLEGE And I’ll try to put the blame DEPARTMENT You forgot to mention that when I On John Doe or either Jane Campus Activities smile the world will try to make me But in reality frown and when I try to rise there will It’s all on me always be someone there trying to hold me down. I went to church I think last week searching for some insight I remember when life seemed to be so In hope that I might, fulfilling but now it seems to be killing Relieve the stress me softly, slowly, but surely. That I feel in my chest Feel the spirit I remember the lectures you gave about Let it take control loving myself and telling me that my And see a change come forth body was a temple and to keep it holy and pure. I felt it for a minute Said a prayer and cleared my tear ducts I’m sure But f---, That my temple is slightly tarnished. It’s so easy to slip back into your old Notable The other day I sat in my room high frame of mind Trying not to cry But in time Quotable Wondering how I lost control of my life. I will get it down and learn Stressed out by the unnecessary strife, Or I will burn “I could work as much and eat as That seems to find me wherever I go, Eternally much as a man when I could get it And never know what it feels like to be and bear the lash as well! And ain’t I I don’t understand TRULY FREE a woman? The plan TIFFANY DAVIS —Sojourner Truth MISSION Campus Outreach Opportunity League 78%8)1)28 a “Cool”

The Black Cultural Center first opened its doors in July 1983.The Center was established and based on the premise that true integration and equality cannot be achieved without experience a general awareness and understanding of black culture.The Black Cultural Center provides programs and services that foster cross-cultural exchanges and intentional social By DEONA ALBRIGHT talked about what it is like to be intercourse. The mission of the Black Cultural Center is to: I thought the Campus homeless. Then she sang a • assist Berea College in maintaining an environment that Outreach Opportunity League gospel song acappella and it acknowledges, respects, and enhances diversity and (COOL) Conference was an almost brought me to tears. promotes multicultural educational opportunities; • assist the College in its effort to recruit, retain, and incredible experience. I got a lot Overall, the entire conference graduate students of color; out of it. A few of the sessions I was wonderful. It made me want • assist students of color in developing a greater understanding of his/her own culture and heritage went to were about topics that I to strive to help my community. • provide support services, program, and activities that had not thought much about The session I went to on the promote the intellectual career, social, moral, and before. I attended a session that influence of spoken word inspired personal development of students of color and assist them in achieving their highest educational potential; and talked about why it is “politically me to write a short poem that • assist Berea College in recruiting and retaining faculty of incorrect” to ask for a kiss; kind of sums up how I felt while color. another session talked about the I was at the conference: difference in social and economic class, and another session talked To the group I want to say, ANCESTOR about how to use spoken word Freedom is… and other forms of expression to Acceptance, address serious issues. A state of mind, ,-+,0-+,8 I think the session that A life where one can do what affected me most was the one makes them happy, about homelessness. We actually Where consequences are clear. Florence Griffith Joyner got to listen to homeless people Freedom is… 1959-1998 talk about how they became Well it should be homeless, and what it was like to A part of everyone’s life One of the most unforgettable moments of the 20th century was when Florence Griffith Joyner became an live that way. The part that Olympic track and field champion during the 1988 Seoul really hit home for me was when Deona Albright is a Freshman Games. It was then that the phenomenon this 11-year-old girl stood up and Pre-Law major at Berea College. known as “Flo Jo” transpired.With her ostentatious one-legged running outfits, long hair, and vibrantly painted fingernails, she captured four medals and the attention of the world with her speed, grace, and charm.Athletically, Flo Jo elevated women’s Joyner track to a higher level as she broke world records in the 100 and 200-meter events. This achievement earned her the title “World’s Fastest Woman.” Perhaps as astonishing was Flo Jo’s array of talents outside the track and field realm. She excelled in the areas of fashion design, acting, writing, sports casting, as well as being a wife and mother. One of her most remarkable achievements was her appointment as co- chair of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. She was an eloquent spokeswoman who shared her expertise and enthusiasm for fitness with the nation.