Afro-Asian

Audible Voices: A Chorus of Women It is the middle of June 1954, the excitement in the air is palpable, accosted by the sweltering southern heat the women begin to poor into the auditorium. An eager chatter can be heard above the three large industrial fans churning arduously sweeping the oppressive heat from one side of the room to the other. As I scan the room it fills quickly, I can’t help but notice the large banner on the south wall. My attention is quickly diverted from the beautifully…

As a young black woman living in America, I am constantly exposed to harmful imagery and situations that attack both my race and womanhood, two very important parts of my identity. The struggles that we face as a community include but are not limited to, dehumanization and general disregard for our lives (Aiyana Stanley Jones, Sandra Bland, Rekia Boyd, and the countless other black wo(men) who were victims of police brutality), Mysogenoir (ie. oversexualization of our bodies, the 'welfare queens…

The definition of a black film would seem to be an easy standard to mutually agree on. Films about the people and culture of the African diaspora would satisfy most definitions, but issues arrive when black people are poorly represented and stereotyped or when the definition excludes other cultures from discussing black culture when they could also give a fair and thoughtful representation in Black Cinema. Thomas Lott argues that it can be hard to identify what makes quality black films because…

As we grow up we come to a point in life were we struggle to find and own our identity. Most importantly, we come to a point were we wrestle with being ourselves and being what others want. That being said, race also has a big role in one finding and owning their identity. Although difficult to admit race and what others think come hand and hand. Resulting in sometimes letting others and race dictate our life choices. In Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, we are introduced to “Viveca…

narrative of Afro-American genre. It employed imagery and poetic intensity "dislodges the horrible from the category of the beautiful and places it into a category of the evil, the disgusting, the contemptible, and the decadent". (55) The black preacher is used as a stock character in drama. He is a trope and a master of "modes of eloquence". They were also used as a choral voice or a jester type character, as well as a warrior or communal voice. Overall, Traylor elaborates how the influence of…

In 1957, a historic event occurred that changed the racial demographics at The Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania: Dr. Viktor Lowenfeld hired the first African American faculty member in the history of the University in the newly created art education department. Her name is Mary Godfrey. Godfrey grew up in New York City; she attended Pratt Institute and Columbia University for Art Education. Prior to her tenure at Penn State, Godfrey became the first black assistant…

The environment I was raised in isn’t the place i’ll say shape me as a person but, I will say it made me think outside the box. I was raised in a small city in Mississippi. Probably never heard of it because we aren’t even on the map but I raised in a small city name Indianola and Moorehead. You can easily look it up online, look at picture, and/ or visit. You can easily look at that place and give me a quick glimpse and just know that the small city that you see didn’t completely shape as a…

The perception of normal in America has become a hindrance for African American women to express their unique beauty in today’s society. The ideal image that has been pushed through media is the Eurocentric beauty, causing Native American, Hispanics and African Americans to conform to look more American. African Americans have been working hard to mold themselves to what they feel is most acceptable in society for years now. Since post emancipation, the African American culture has two methods…

Today’s justice system completely saddens me. The system that is supposed to protect, provide justice, and interpret the laws of today, has turned its back on its people, particularly the African American population. As much as people love to brag that, we have made such progress because African Americans can vote, African Americans hold high-ranking positions, or because there are, laws built to protect African Americans that is just a step towards progression, not progress. Although I cannot…

Although the Declaration of Independence states, “all men are created equal,” it is not so that all men are treated equal. On May 11, 2015, five months ago, Time published on the front cover an Instagram photo captured by Devin Allen--the message intended was explicit. Indeed, the cover photo evokes a confrontational awareness to the most racial hot topic in today’s news feed. Time uses historic black and white contrast, scurry movements, and the no symbol as a call to action to those who…