DAVIS BLACKBOOK

To be YOUNG and BLACK at UC Davis...What does it mean? Davis BlackBook answers the question through photography, text, and shared experiences.

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A New Push For Campus Climate Reform

By Pamela Nonga 

The Problem

Being the victim of a hate or bias incident can be an isolating experience, especially on a college campus the size of UC Davis, where you’re one among thirty thousand.  Sometimes the hate is recurring to the point where you grudgingly accept it as a part of life. Other times it happens so fast you can barely process it. Either way, you’re left with the question of, “What do I do now?” For many students, this question has no answer, because they feel they have nowhere to turn.  Or, when they do seek help, the follow-up is nonexistent or dissatisfactory. They are bereft of closure.

In an effort to address these problems, UC Davis administration and Student Judicial Affairs (SJA) have launched a revamped reporting process for students to utilize which will be accompanied by a mass marketing campaign and continued forums. The new and improved reporting system for hate and bias incidents was revealed in a campus climate dialogue held on February 13, 2014 at the Student Community Center. Among those in attendance were Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Life Milton Lang, Student Judicial Affairs, staff from the CCC, WRRC, SRRC and other community resource centers, the UC Davis Police Department, and representatives from ASUCD as well as concerned students and community members.

“The students needed this,” said Dr. Lang. The dialogue and updated system are just the first step of administration’s promised re-commitment to increasing accountability, communication, and safety in regards to campus climate.

What’s new?

While the official campus policy regarding hate and bias incidents hasn’t changed, the new system is easier to navigate and addresses some of the concerns raised by students about their past experiences. When reporting online, students can provide their name or do so anonymously. If they choose to identify themselves, they will get a notice that their report has been received. The notice is in direct response to student complaints that they previously had no way of knowing if someone had read their report and if anything was being done about it. ASUCD Senator Mariah Watson suggested that a number be assigned to those who report anonymously so that they too can receive a status on their report. Submitted reports are received by SJA staff and may be sent to other relevant departments such as the Cross Cultural Center. The website also identifies 9 locations where students can file a formal report in person.

The new system may be a step in the right direction, but it’s useless if students don’t know about it. Student Judicial Affairs currently receives about 50-60 grievances per year, and a majority of those are about grade issues and roommate disputes. That’s where the marketing campaign comes in. Nefretiri Cooley-Boughton, director of Student Affairs Marketing, unveiled an informational pamphlet that will be distributed throughout campus. It includes definitions of hate/bias incidents and hate/bias crimes, a list of resources available, and information on the reporting system. Freshmen will especially be targeted in this marketing effort so that they know from the outset where to turn as victims or witnesses of hateful acts.

Lingering Issues

Administration and Student Judicial Affairs recognized that a new website and pamphlet will not be enough to solve all campus climate issues. A continued point of conversation is what constitutes a hate or bias incident and which parties have the authority to make that distinction. Don Dudley, the director of Student Judicial Affairs said that speech can be “reprehensible and offensive” and still be protected under free speech.  Determining when speech has crossed the line remains a gray area.

Another issue is classroom climate and diversity training for faculty and staff. Students find it difficult to speak out against faculty who discriminate in the classroom or create an uncomfortable environment because of the power imbalance between students and professors. The fear of being punished academically for speaking out is real and valid. The Office of Campus Community Relations is taking a preventative approach to addressing this concern through faculty diversity training. Faculty members are currently provided with 18 courses, some of which deal with cultural competency. There is also a 2 day intensive diversity workshop provided for staff.  However, these courses are not mandatory.

“There is a whole series of workshops available…[The] challenge is in encouraging more faculty to take advantage…Some faculty do it, some don’t,” said Rahim Reed, the Associate Executive Vice Chancellor for Campus Community Relations. The OCCR is looking at ways to incentivize diversity training through methods such as special recognition and evaluations. In Fall 2014, the office will make publicly available diversity profiles on every faculty member which will provide, among other information, which faculty members have participated in diversity training.

Continued Dialogue

The conversation doesn’t end here. Administration plans on hosting future forums to maintain communication with students on campus climate issues they are experiencing, so be on the lookout for those in the upcoming weeks and months if you want your voice to be heard. Additionally, feedback, suggestions, and collaboration with student groups on actions taken and programs implemented by administration are all welcome.

Remember, this is your student experience and your university. Every student deserves to feel welcome and safe as they pursue their higher education.

Links/Resources

File A Report: http://studentaffairs.ucdavis.edu/reportit/index.html

What is a Hate/Bias Incident or Crime?: http://studentaffairs.ucdavis.edu/reportit/definition.html

Student Judicial Affairs FAQ: http://sja.ucdavis.edu/faq.html

Office of Campus Community Relations: http://occr.ucdavis.edu/

CAPS: http://shcs.ucdavis.edu/

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Martin Luther King Jr. - A Man With a Dream

By Pamela Nonga 

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." - Martin Luther King Jr. 

We are nothing without the ones who came before us. The ones who dreamt for us, who fought for us, and who sacrificed for us, when all we were was a picture in their heads of a people who deserved a better world. Live today for something bigger than yourself so that your life impacts tomorrow long after you are gone.

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Taking A Stand Against AIDS in America

By Chantel McCall

AIDS is one of the most lethal diseases that one can acquire. “More than 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV infection, and almost 1 in 5 (18.1%) are unaware of their infection” explains the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in their entry HIV in the United States: At A Glance. HIV is a form of the AIDS virus that first attacks the immune system, and if not treated, will eventually develop into the deadly disease. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, and it is the last stage of HIV, human immunodeficiency virus. HIV can affect all of us if we don’t take precautionary measures, because it has become such a widespread disease.

No one is safe and the moment you think “It won’t happen to me,” it can.

Unfortunately, AIDS has reached great numbers in the young adult community. High schools and college campuses are where the virus is spreading dramatically and where it needs to stop. The young adults of each generation are the ones who hold the power to eradicate this disease from spreading to other generations to come. It all begins with AIDS awareness and prevention. If people are not educated on this disease, its cause, symptoms, treatment, and how it’s spread, the epidemic will continue to increase. Not all young people have the virus of course, but large numbers of them do and I propose that education can help solve this problem. I personally don’t have HIV, nor do I know anyone who does, but I don’t want to get it. Although we as young adults are not the only group contracting and spreading the virus, hopefully protecting ourselves from it will create a trickle-down effect that could possibly save lives. This article will attempt to encourage you to educate yourself and others on the disease, get tested, and spread awareness.

Stigma and Facts on AIDS:

The common belief is that AIDS exists only in Africa, and that only African Americans are prone to the disease in the U.S.. Although the numbers do illuminate a chilling finding by the CDC that blacks account for only “12% of the United States population”, and oddly make up “44% of new HIV infections in 2010”; AIDS is not only contracted by African Americans. Hispanics are also affected in large numbers, they account for “16% of the population” but embodied “21% of new HIV infections in 2010”. Another belief is that AIDS is only developed and spread through homosexual behavior. The number of carriers of the disease is highest among white homosexual men who make up of “4% of the population” but account for “78% of new HIV infections among males and 63% of all new infections” Center for Disease Control. However, anyone can become affected, regardless of race or sexual preference.

Adolescents and young adults are at high risk for getting the AIDS virus. Perhaps it’s the lapse in judgment when sexually active, the social stigma presented earlier, or the “not me” syndrome. Regardless of the reason, we are catching the disease in high numbers. According to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation on HIV and AIDS “those under 35 accounted for 56% of new HIV infections in 2010” and the youth from ages 13-24 represent 26% of those infected. These numbers are immense among young people who may not take the risks of unprotected sex as seriously as they should.

Get Tested:

Being tested for HIV and AIDS has been a social stigma in the United States since the disease was first recognized in 1981. Before, people had to go sit in clinics specialized in AIDS testing which was embarrassing for most. As a result, people stopped getting tested. However, now getting tested is extremely easy. The government has issued at home testing materials so that people can test themselves and get the results in a matter of minutes. Planned Parenthood also offers free tests that produce results in only seven minutes. The excuse can no longer be embarrassment or extensive wait time for results. Our age group is not taking getting tested as seriously as they should and that’s conveyed in the numbers mentioned under Stigma and Facts. Just get tested. It can save your life or someone else’s.

Get Involved:

One local organization that is creating awareness among the youth in Sacramento is the Capital City AIDS Fund. This group started campaigning for AIDS awareness in 2005 and is still expanding. The organization had designed “condom dispensers” in which anyone could walk by and get free condoms. This effort has become so popular that other HIV and AIDS programs across the world like in India and Africa, are adopting these dispensers. The CCAF distributes over 12,000 free condoms each month to local bars, restaurants, and other places according to their website. They mention that in doing this, preventing one person from getting AIDS could save that individual $20,000 each year for treatment. “A 7-cent condom can prevent an infection and make a difference”, CCAF. Their website also offers information on donating money to help disperse condoms and awareness posters. This fund although designed to help prevent AIDS among any group, is targeted at the youth because of how detrimental the virus is among us.

Who Cares?

Human beings should care. Our well-being is under attack by something that can be prevented. The youth, leaders of the next generation, should care because we are getting the disease in terrifying numbers. AIDS is not a black problem, or a homosexual problem, but a worldwide problem that affects all of us. As young adults, there needs to be an example set for the next generation. The excuse for our parents’ generation was the stigma of AIDS, the lack of testing sites, and the extensive period for getting results. This is no longer a problem. We as a community have what’s needed to stop this epidemic, which is education. It starts with teaching one another about safe practices, protecting ourselves, and caring about it begin with. No one is immune or safe from this disease, so it’s time to spread awareness so we can survive.

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From Hair Loss to Breakage - Black Hair Problems

By Chantel McCall

Black hair has been a struggle since the beginning of time for black women. From weaves to curly sista locks, black women have attempted to find what works for them. However, the results can be damaging and irreversible.

What inspired this article was a disturbing court case I saw on television. A woman was suing her hair stylist because a month after she got her hair done it started to fall out. By the time the woman went to court, only five patches of hair remained on her damaged scalp. The premise of the case was that she paid her stylist to sew in a weave but the stylist glued it in instead. When the woman took the weave out, her hair followed.

Nowadays most women have tried a weave and hair extensions. I tried a weave in my hair for senior prom. I had the weave sewn in and I kept it in for only a month.  When I took the weave out, the breakage of my hair was tremendous; so that was my first and only weave. Not all women have bad experiences with weaves, but the toll it can take on our hair can be problematic. “Black hair” is different than that of most races because of the texture. In addition, pulling it does not present positive results. In fact, when pulling the hair in an attempt to braid, unbraid, or take out a weave, “inflammation of the hair follicle” may occur according to Rolling Out Magazine, When Weaves and Braids Go Bad.

Alopecia, or hair loss, is common among both black men and women, and can result in some people undergoing “hair transplants”. The epidemic is so widespread that an astonishing one in seven girls in Africa is suffering from “traction alopecia” or hair loss due to extreme pulling, says Rolling Out. Not all black women suffer from alopecia and most people will still rock weaves or braids after reading the research. However, be aware that major damage can be done. I got braids my freshman year at Davis, and when it was time to take them out, my hair was extremely tangled and matted. After combing it a great deal of my hair had broken off. Neither braids nor weaves worked for me, but what works for my hair doesn’t work for everyone.

Press and curls can also be harmful to black hair because of the excessive amounts of heat. Yet, this is what I do to my hair. In the past, I have suffered from bad experiences with stylists burning my hair out, so be careful when going to get your hair done at the salon. What I decided to do instead of going to a salon was to wash, blow-dry and flat iron my hair myself. I apply a heat protectant and I wear it straight one week and in a ponytail the next week to restrain from putting too much heat on it.

While the natural style is beautiful and probably much healthier than the chemicals, needles, thread, and the heat we put on our hair, I am not recommending that all black women go natural as a solution to our hair problems. Going natural sounds a lot easier than it is, although it’s a great option. I am proposing that you find what works for you. Weaves, braids, and press and curls can all be potentially damaging for any individual person’s hair. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. The idea here is that we are all individuals and different things work for different people.

Discover what you like and flaunt it, dare to be different, express your personality, and be you!

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The "Lily Allen Privilege"

By Yeni Belachew

Have you seen Lily Allen’s new video for her recent single “Hard Out Here”? If not, check it out because it is a must-watch...for all the wrong reasons. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0CazRHB0so

I was previously a fan of Allen’s spunky, unique and somewhat empowering style until I watched the “Hard Out Here” video. Lily Allen claims it is a critique of the sexual objectification, racism, and degradation of womyn in our current music industry. I didn’t get that vibe at all; I actually found it quite offensive and infuriating for a couple of reasons:

1) The satirical message was lost when the womyn dressed in black leather bikini leotards, covered in foam, and licking champagne bottles were almost exclusively African American. It brought flashbacks of Miley Cyrus’s recent vulgar music video “We Can’t Stop,” which also displays black womyn as sexual props.

2) The repeated usage of the word “bitch” as a substitute for “girl”, “female”, and/or “womyn”, which came off as a failed attempt to exaggerate the degradation of womyn in popular media. 

3) By trying to dispel multiple stereotypes, she actually invoked many of them. Her provocative usage of the black female body as a sexual prop and her specific critique of hip hop's objectification of womyn of color only produce the idea that her Caucasian fans should stand in solidarity for femininity.

This idea of battling stereotypes by exaggerating them to raise awareness of the issue is, simply put, nonsensical. This is “The Lilly Allen Privilege” as explained by Huffington Post contributor Ernest Owens in this piece. I could not say it any better. 

We are all aware of the sexist rap videos that display practically naked womyn provocatively sauntering around, such as “Make It Nasty” by popular artist Tyga. While everyone has their individual opinion on the representation of womym in media, it's the 21st century: there should be a general consensus as to what constitutes a lack of respect for womyn in mass media.

Allen’s “Hard Out Here” video sparked an interesting conversation between myself a friend—which I am sure many others shared along the same lines—where we came to the conclusion that we, as a society, contribute to the perpetuation of these types of images by consuming them. We have the power of changing the game by rejecting oppressive portrayals distributed by radio, television, magazines, etc. At the end of the day, corporations within the entertainment industry would make no profit if there was no demand for the supply.

My friend and I also noted that African American artists contribute massive amounts of the sexism in media through music videos and lyrics to songs such as “Ass” by C.F.O.P.A: “It must be yo ass cuz it ain’t yo face you need to come up ova here and clap it in my face”. Yes, we all love the beats to songs such as these and can turn up to them, but we subconsciously internalize the words and dirty our minds with the foul ideology of womyn presented. Why not make songs with dope beats that don’t reduce womyn (a majority of whom are womyn of color) to one-dimensional sex objects?

We have to speak up against degradation, sexism, and racism in mass media, and we must promote positive, empowering, and affirming representations of womyn if we wish to progress to a society containing gender equality.

Allen’s response to the mass criticism of her video, published via Twitter was:

1. If anyone thinks for a second that I requested specific ethnicities for the video, they're wrong.

2. If anyone thinks that after asking the girls to audition, I was going to send any of them away because of the colour of their skin, they're wrong.

3. The message is clear. Whilst I don’t want to offend anyone. I do strive to provoke thought and conversation. The video is meant to be a lighthearted satirical video that deals with objectification of women within modern pop culture. It has nothing to do with race, at all.

4. If I could dance like the ladies can, it would have been my arse on your screens; I actually rehearsed for two weeks trying to perfect my twerk, but failed miserably. If I was a little braver, I would have been wearing a bikini too, but I do not and I have chronic cellulite, which nobody wants to see. What I’m trying to say is that me being covered up has nothing to do with me wanting to disassociate myself from the girls, it has more to do with my own insecurities and I just wanted to feel as comfortable as possible on the shoot day.

5. I'm not going to apologise because I think that would imply that I’m guilty of something, but I promise you this, in no way do I feel superior to anyone, except paedophiles, rapists murderers etc., and I would not only be surprised but deeply saddened if I thought anyone came away from that video feeling taken advantage of, or compromised in any way.”

  As I said before, it is each individual’s right to interpret the idea that fueled her “satirical” video as they wish. However, to me, the image it relayed rendered the message completely misconstrued.

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Cuffing Season: To Cuff or Not?

By Chantel McCall

Do you have your special someone for cuffing season? If not, you still have time but not much because the season is upon us. Cold weather, extensive nights, and stressful days make it extremely tempting to go home and lay in the arms of someone special. However, cuffing season may not be for everyone depending on what you like. Ponder the benefits and drawbacks of being cuffed before you decide.

Have you ever wanted to dance with someone at a party, but weren’t sure if you should because you were in a committed relationship?  Being single eliminates that issue, along with other baggage of relational rules. When single, you don’t have to call or text your significant other every few hours or dedicate time to anyone. You aren’t required to buy gifts, please your partner in more ways than one, or attend family gatherings. There are less obligations, less stress, and a broad range of freedoms that comes along with not being tied anyone.

I have been single for almost four years, so I know better than anyone the benefits of being alone. Going out and meeting new people without thinking about a guy back home has allowed me to branch out and to explore what I would want my partner to be like. However, I have done enough of that and I am ready to finally be loved by someone. Loneliness is the downfall.

It feels good to have someone to snuggle up with, especially this time of year. Being in a relationship provides a sense of fulfillment, security, and friendship. “A romantic relationship involves someone being there when you need them most and having a bond on an emotional level that other people don’t quite understand,” explained a friend of mine who has been happily taken for over two years. Being in a relationship isn’t all about sex but the intimacy that grows between partners. Compromise and understanding are key to a successful relationship. If you can’t dedicate those two things then being single might be your best bet.

Collectively, freshmen seem to enjoy being single because most have left home and are ready to start a new life. “It’s my time to finally do me, no man involved,” stated a freshman at UC Davis. However, by senior year, people are more likely to want to settle down. When people are graduating, they focus less on the moment and more on the future. It’s a time when students look for a potential soul mate. “I am looking to wife somebody, I am no longer just in it for the night only,” adds a fifth year.

In college, most people are not ready to settle down and grow with another person, but growing is a process and it doesn’t have to mean forever. When in a relationship, you learn a lot about yourself and how you relate to others. Single life is fun and definitely what most people in our age group want. Eventually, that gets old and at one point or another you will want to have someone there who connects with you on a deeper level. Just as Drake put it in his song, Girl’s Love Beyonce, “I need someone I leave through front door with, ‘Cause we don’t wanna hide no more."

Considering the pros and cons, the choice is yours: to cuff or not?

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Opinion: I’m Black, So UC Berkeley Is Fosho Not For Me

By Yeni Belachew

I was surfing through articles online and came across an interesting article discussing the reasons high achieving black students chose not to attend the University of California, Berkeley. There were the more common reasons: “They won’t accept me so there is no point in trying” or the “it’s too close to home”. Additionally, it is the discomfort and disrespect that the African American student body on campus feels that steers perspective black Cal students away.  

Being from Berkeley myself, I reflected on what I truly felt when applying to UC Berkeley. I attended Berkeley High School and frequently visited the Cal campus, always joking with my friends about how we'd see one black person per week and that they usually turned out to be a high school student like us. This definitely had a huge impact on my feelings towards applying to UCB. When I received my rejection letter and many of my white and Asian classmates were overjoyed with their admittance letters, I suddenly felt cheated and disheartened. I had heard many statistics of how Cal was now accepting more African-Americans in order to be able to be a “diverse” community. Unfortunately, the percentage of African-Americans as advertised by CAL in magazines, articles, and throughout the schools banners is not reflected in classrooms (especially in science and technology).

In 1997, the year after California voters approved Proposition 209, which prohibited the consideration of race or ethnicity in the operation of state institutions, black students made up 8% of UC Berkeley's freshmen enrollment — roughly the same percentage of African Americans living in the state. The following year, the percentage of black freshmen at Cal plummeted by more than half and has hovered at or below 4% ever since. It averaged 3.6% in the five-year period between 2006 and 2010.

However, there is a lesser-known trend contributing to the low number of African Americans at Cal. Between 2006 and 2010, 885 out of 1,539 or 58% of admitted black students chose to go elsewhere. Why would they turn down this “progressive”, “diverse”, top university?

It is plain and simple: we are getting no love on campus. Due to underrepresentation, students are choosing to attend historically black colleges instead. There is no inherent problem in attending an HBCU, but the choice shouldn't be the outcome of feeling unwelcome elsewhere.

This issue is prevalent UC wide and urgently needs to be addressed with solutions that will benefit African-American students wellness in attending the California public universities. Student activists and university officials believe one solution is to create a “critical mass” of black presence on campus that would make UCs a friendlier choice for black students. In the case of UC Berkeley, it would take double the amount of African-American students on campus in order to reach the proposed critical mass.  

Another solution is to give more financial aid to students who are qualified to come to Berkeley but can't afford tuition, specifically targeting underrepresented students. The scholar program would give money in Cal Grants and other resources by $3,000-4,000 a year for 50 to 100 students.

Others believe that established organizations such as the African American Student Development Office (AASD) and the Black Recruitment and Retention Center (BRRC) need additional funding.  The AASD is a room big enough to fit eight people--what kind of office for development is that? This is supposed to be the “home” for all African-American students on campus? Shame. There is only one professional staff member to talk with students about topics ranging from academics to health and wellness.  Hiring additional staff members would effectively help both enrolled and prospective students.

The BRRC is a student-run program, which, through additional support, could directly increase African-American student population. The program is constantly highlighting black students’ contributions to the university outside of athletics. They also outreach to schools for whom the idea of attending Cal has long gone. However, these tactics are useless unless Cal partners with the schools to ensure students’ eligibility to attend the UC.

We must continue advocating for a more successful, diverse, and representative campus community of African Americans in order to effect change for future generations. Why did our ancestors fight for the desegregation of education if we are willing to just accept the discomfort created by other majorities in schools? Education is universal, regardless of skin color or socioeconomic background.

It is not a question of whether the UC system should take action but rather of when will they begin implementing the solutions to better welcome our community on campus. 

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Bottles For Poverty: Using Recyclables to Build Schools in Ethiopia

By Selam Bekele

This week, I had the pleasure of chatting with UCD alumnus and founder of Bottles for Poverty, Robel Hakim Haile. While Haile was a UC Davis undergrad studying International Relations and Managerial Economics, he created one of the most creative and successful non-profits currently on campus. 

He explains being largely inspired by Dr. Rick Hodes’ commencement speech in 2011. Dr. Hodes has done a great deal of work for impoverished children in Ethiopia and has raised funds to build over 200 wells and 20 schools.

"After learning about all the work he has done, I just thought maybe I should do my part," says Haile.

The following school year, Haile began reaching out to other students and organizations and finally established Bottles for Poverty in February 2012. He explains that the organization's rapid growth was largely due to how simple the idea is:

“Literally it’s as easy it gets. We‘re just asking for your garbage.” 

Bottles for Poverty collects glass bottles, cans, and anything with a CRV (California Redemptions Value).  The money raised will go towards building a school in Gondar, Ethiopia.  They accept bags of recyclables at any time of the day and have recently moved to a new location in North Davis (688 Bianco Court). 

"I would wake up some mornings with piles of bags of recyclables at my doorstep," says Haile, describing the program’s success.

Bottles for Poverty is a very convenient way for students to give back. The eco-friendly community at UC Davis has donated over 4 tons of recyclables. Haile began with hope, ambition, and a goal of $24K. Due to the enthusiastic support from students, he is only 10% away from his goal and will reach it “by the end of this month. “ Haile says they “will start building the school right away."

Bottles for Poverty is having a fundraiser this Saturday at the International House to promote the cause and wrap up their first project. Entrance is free and will include an Ethiopian culture show where attendees can view beautiful fashions, learn fun traditional dances, and participate in an elaborate coffee ceremony that is unique to Ethiopian culture. Queen Sheba restaurant will be serving authentic Ethiopian cuisine for just $15 a plate at the event.

Have dinner with friends, experience a timeless culture, and support a great cause this Saturday at the International House! Doors open at 5pm and the show begins at 5:30

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How To Survive at UC Davis Tip #5: Get items for cheap at the Dollar Tree! Located at 1800 E. 8th Street.

more tips

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African-Diaspora Cultivating Education’s (A.C.E.) 28th Annual BLACK Leadership Retreat

By Yeni Belachew

This past weekend I went on a leadership retreat with a portion of my beautiful UC Davis black community.  The Black Leadership Retreat (BLR) has been a successful tradition held by the African-Diaspora Cultivating Education (A.C.E.) for UC Davis African-Americans and community allies for an outstanding 28 years. The 2013 BLR retreat served as a wonderful bonding experience for our community. Ranging from engaging leadership workshops to relatable and inspirational keynote speakers, I would say it was a time well spent and priceless memories were created. 

The A.C.E. staff created an agenda fused with team building activities between workshops and speakers, such as energizers that involved everyone. The first keynote address was Dr. Milton Lang, who was recently appointed Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs. Dr. Lang presented his personal path to success and opened the door to the students for networking, academic resources, and psychological support. His story of development was inspirational and motivational for all, freshmen and super seniors alike.

(A.C.E. Staff and Chukweubuka Newke, left to right: Ryan Vernon, Ashley Westbrooks, Brittany Jenkins, Newke, Cecilia Ajoku, Mikaela Ausbon, and De’Von Walker)

The second speaker was Chukwuebuka Nweke, an incredibly ambitious and humble alumnus of UC Davis. Newke has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from UCD and a Masters in Civil (Geotechnical) Engineering from Berkeley, which he completed earlier this year. He is now in the process of completing his Doctorate Degree at Cal for Civil Engineering. Nweke is passionate about motivating students to reach for goals they deem inaccessible. His speech contained various inspirational statements such as:

“Your mindset is dependent on your environment, therefore YOU have to make decisions to do well for yourself, regardless of your background.”

“Think of life as food. Your entre is the journey that is a combination of developing and asking people for help.  The desert is your attainable goal, as long as you follow the footsteps of your entre and pull others up with you.”

Both Newke and Dr. Lang offered themselves as academic or friendly resources to the community.

The gender caucuses were particularly interesting. Students were split into male and female workshops lead by Dr. Kiburi and Dr. Palmer. I sat in the female caucus where we openly discussed a range of topics pertaining to women on campus and nationwide. Dr.Kiburi masterfully facilitated a comfortable conversation through questions on interracial dating, the presentation of women in media, and patriarchy.

We discussed how African Americans make up 2% of the campus population with women making up the majority of that 2%. At times this causes us to feel helpless in the “mating” and “dating” game. However, Dr. Kiburi emphasized that it’s okay to explore ethnic groups outside of our own. We shared stories and ideas that left us all with lighter hearts and hope.  

Everyone agreed that the Financial Fitness workshop lead by Steven Baissa was one of the most informative workshops of the weekend. Steven taught us how to understand our financial situation and where to begin with banking. He presented us with resources and websites to use when handling our finances in order to avoid what students fear the most: debt.

The social aspect of the Black Leadership Retreat was where I was revived with vibrant personalities and connected with my community the most. We comfortably mingled and created new relationships with each other. We bonded over hardships, such as battling overwhelmingly negative stereotypes and celebrated common successes, such as breaking these stereotypes by attending UC Davis. At times, BLR felt like a large family get together rather than an academic program. We created skits and chants that truly showcased the creativity and talent within our community. Everyone opened up to at least one person outside of their group of friends and showed love to our allies who bravely accompanied us on the retreat.

All in all, the 2013 Black Leadership Retreat was an exceptional, educational, and empowering experience which will continue to thrive far into the future. 

Q&A Reflections from Students

Latrice Puckett

1st year

Animal Science and Management Major

Q: Why did you apply for the Black Leadership Retreat?

A: I was hoping to meet more people in my community, so that college would feel more like home.

Q: What did you expect to gain from BLR?

A: I expected to get to know more people and just have fun embracing black culture and learning more about it.

Q: Which activity did you gain the most out of/ enjoy the most from the weekend?

A:  I enjoyed all of the workshops, but I think the financial fitness was the most helpful and informative because there I learned NOT to use the Aggie credit card!

Q: Would you recommend the BLR to other students?

A: Of course! I would recommend it to all people from any background. It isn’t just about black people on campus; it is about learning black history and building a stronger community. Everyone needs that!

---

Esther Priscilla Ebuehi

Second-Year

Human Development & Economics Double Major

Q: Why did you apply to the BLR retreat?

A: I applied to BLR this year because I remembered how much I got out of it as a freshman last year. It created a great platform for me to meet fellow students of the African Diaspora. I found myself inspired by student leaders on campus who were actively involved with the community, and I met peers who I ended up seeing all throughout the year. (It's always nice to see a friendly, familiar face in a school this big.)

Q: What did you expect to gain from BLR?

A:  Attending BLR was a bit different this year because, as a second-year who's pretty familiar with the campus, I'm already aware of the many campus resources available to me. It was nice to see that workshops at this year's BLR focused more on professionalism and individual traits of a leader, because those kinds of skills are necessary to succeed.

Q: Which activity did you gain the most out of/ enjoy the most from the weekend?

A:  Aside from Steven Baissa's workshop on Financial Responsibility, I thoroughly enjoyed the energizers and skits that we took part in. Both reminded me of how fearless, talented, and creative members of our Community can be.

Q: Would you recommend the BLR to other students?

A: The location and facilities this year was much better than last year's, which made for a really comfortable environment. We also had a pretty good amount of faculty representation again this year, which is always nice to see, especially since our Community is often underrepresented in such academic spaces on campus.

[davisblackbook-blog]

The Strong Black Student

By Pamela Nonga 

A lot has been written and said about The Strong Black Woman. In fact, a friend of mine recently shared with me a post from Buzzfeed on the representation of black women in television called, It’s Time to Say Goodbye to TV’s Strong Black Woman.

Who is the Strong Black Woman? It’s the woman who carries the weight of the world on her shoulders, the woman who puts others’ needs before her own, the woman whose face and spirit remain impenetrable when confronting oppression, injustice, and misogyny. She never sheds a tear, never complains, and serves as the voice of reason to those around her. As the Buzzfeed post elaborates,

“The Strong Black Woman is supposed to be positive, a counterpoint to the negative representations of black women that permeate American culture. Examples range from Harriet Tubman to Michelle Obama. Being called a Strong Black Woman is meant to be a compliment. It indicates that despite challenges, black women are superhuman — but it’s a stereotype that’s just as dangerous as those it’s intended to replace.”

As I reflected on this stereotype, I found that there were parallels between the expectations of the black woman and my experiences, but as a black student, rather than as a black woman. I realized that being African/African American at a predominantly white university comes with a code of conduct that manifests itself as The Strong Black Student.

Who is the Strong Black Student?

The Strong Black Student is a role model, a positive representation of black youth whose narrative is often limited to portrayals of violence, overt sexuality, and lack of discipline. They are the future leader of Black America. 

The Strong Black Student is the student who made it and should be grateful. They attend a top notch university. The education they receive doubles or triples their income potential and helps diminish social barriers. Most young people of their race have not been granted the same privilege. So the Strong Black Student doesn’t complain about the discomfort of being The Only One or One of A Few, because the Strong Black Student is grateful to just be there.

The Strong Black Student is the student who smiles and laughs through awkwardly racist social encounters. They smile when the professor praises their effort with more enthusiasm than warranted [and a hint of surprise], or, dismisses their opinion. They take being pointed out at the party as The Black Girl/The Black Guy in stride, because there are drinks, and there is music, but someone needs to provide the swag. Someone being them, of course.

The Strong Black Student is the student who doesn’t ask for help because they are just as good as everyone else [and needs to prove it over and over again]. Maybe their high school didn't prepare them for college courses, but they're not allowed to let that slow them down. If they really deserve to be here, then they need to keep up.

The Strong Black Student is the student in the school brochures and on the school website. They fulfill the diversity quota with images of their bright, smiling faces even as their university diverts resources and funding from programs and departments that benefit people like them.

The Strong Black Student is the student who doesn't mess up. They are the face of a brand and it's public relations ambassador. The Strong Black Student's triumphs and mistakes are not their own, but belong to an entire community and race.

Just as the Strong Black Woman stereotype hinders the advancement of black women, the Strong Black Student ideal denies students the ability to acknowledge and address the various ways they are oppressed on their college campuses through their identity. 

It's neither realistic nor healthy to impose a standard of perfection in the name of "the black cause" on a group that already deals with the issues of simply being young and in college. We need to know that it's okay to fail and it's okay to be uncomfortable and it's okay to ask for the things we need to succeed.

Our stories and our struggles are not figments of our imaginations or truths to be buried under the surface. They are as real as we are. 

[davisblackbook-blog]

4 Questions (and Answers) from the Freshman Mixer Q&A

By Pamela Nonga

On October 4, 2013 student leaders, upperclassmen, and freshmen descended onto Campbell 2, the African/African American themed floor in the Tercero dorms for an evening of games, food, and some real talk.

The program was put on by the Cross Cultural Center and Student Housing and included a Q&A session at the end. Here are 4 questions freshmen dared to ask, and the answers they received.

1) How Do I Plan My Schedule?

For student athletes, make sure to take a lighter load (12-13 units) during the quarter that your sport is in season. For everyone, meet with your major advisor to map out your 4 year plan. Major departments also offer peer advising. A peer advisor is a student of upperclassman standing in your major who can provide you with "insider" tips such as which professor is more or less strict. Another great resource are upperclassmen in your major and the Student Academic Success Center (SASC, pronounced sassy).

2) Where Are The Parties At?

The most accessible parties for first years are "Frat Row", which constitutes the fraternity houses along Russell Avenue (between B Street and Anderson) and the ones across the street from the ARC. However, the best way to get information on (poppin') off-campus parties is to meet upperclassmen and ask them.

3) Where Are The Churches At?

Those looking for a religious/spiritual community in Davis have plenty of options to choose from. Some on campus fellowships include Black Campus Ministries, Davis Christian Fellowship, and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. Conveniently located across from the Segundo dorms is the Islamic Center on 539 Russell Blvd. Davis Christian Fellowship gives free rides to its partner church Davis Christian Assembly. Meet at the DCF house every Sunday at 10:15 am at 312 A Street (Across the street from the "Death Star"). True Life Ministries is a welcoming church located in the Sacramento area and affiliated with Black Campus Ministries.

4) How Do I Get Scholarships?

UC Davis offers yearly scholarships to students with a 3.25 GPA or higher. The application is open the school year before the funds are awarded. For example, applications are currently out for the 2014-2015 scholarship. If you are a freshman, your college application also serves as your scholarship application. Check out more info and find the application form here.

Another UC Davis scholarship is the ASUCD scholarship, open to all undergraduate students, regardless of year or citizenship status. There is no stringent GPA requirement either. If you've made an impact on campus and/or demonstrate need, you have a fair shot. The funds are awarded by the ASUCD Scholarship committee, consisting of various leaders in student government and the association's business manager. Check out more information here.

[davisblackbook-blog]

How To Survive At UC Davis Tip #4: Avoid Biking Around Campus The First 2 Weeks of School.

more tips

[davisblackbook-blog]

Feature: Alcian Lindo, Musician

By Sasha Cotterell

 Alcian performing at Black Family Day 2012

Meet Alcian Lindo, a fourth year English major and Music minor from Oakland, CA. You may have seen her performing at Soul Speaks this past Winter Quarter or you may know her personally. In this interview I ask her about her beginnings in music and her future goals with singing.

When did you first get into music?

I've always loved music. I've been singing forever. I started singing in church when I was very young and I joined my first official choir in 1st grade. 

Were you always willing to share your talent with others?

I've always loved performing and sharing my talent with others, but it took me a while to work up the courage to perform alone. In the past I would perform with a choir or in a musical so I was never really onstage by myself. I really had to force myself to go out and sing on my own and now I love it.

What inspires you to sing and play the guitar?

I don't have anything in particular that inspires me to sing or play. I do it because it feels necessary to me. For me, singing is in the same category as eating, sleeping and breathing; I have to do it or I will not survive.

Do you play any other instruments?

The first instrument I ever learned to play was piano. I've been playing that since I was 9. Then when I was, I think 11 or 12 I began playing violin. I also played drums briefly in high school for the orchestra and choir. I actually didn't start playing guitar until my freshman year here at Davis.

Is music more of a hobby for you or would you like to pursue it professionally?

I would love to sing professionally. Dedicating my entire life to music would be amazing but the music industry is tough. Talent doesn't always mean success but that hasn't stopped me from working towards a professional career. I've been focusing a lot on building my performance skills and writing new music. I believe that having a successful professional career depends a lot on your ability to keep the audience engaged and to give them a good story. Hopefully I'm right! Regardless of whether it becomes a full time career or not, I'm always going to be making music.

[davisblackbook-blog]

The Black Mamba Has Gone Viral

By Laura Chilaka

Black Mamba, Kobs, Vino, Bryant, Number 24—what ever you chose to call him, the is no denying the fact that Kobe Bryant is one— if not the most—  recognized sports figure of our generation. And with drama surrounding this Lakers season, Kobe Bryant has turned to the world of Twitter to voice his opinion, giving the once seemingly inhuman basketball player a sense of vulnerability and authenticity that has only increased his popularity.

Like millions of other people, I have Kobe Mania. I am convinced that if I met Kobe Bryant, I would probably cry like a crazed fan. To me, Kobe Bryant is the epitome of what it means to be a Laker. What Kobe represents is far greater than just a NBA player; he is a brand. His entrance into the Twitter world legitimizes just how influential he is: after his first tweet (a mere five words long), “The antisocial has become social”—270,000 people began to follow him (including me). While LeBron James has the most Twitter followers of any NBA player with 6.8 million followers, it is only a matter of time before Kobe Bryant catches up.

The Black Mamba’s tweets are refreshing, giving fans a long-awaited access into his world. His tweets reveal the man behind the mirror: a rather funny, charming, driven, and down-to-earth individual. In fact, Vino’s twitter profile picture, a picture of him as a little boy smiling at the camera as if he is posing for a little league picture, further reveals his how normal he is. He retweets fans, communicates with famous figures, and post pictures to his account—all which are viewable by the public. This allows people such as myself to feel a part of his life (which is all a crazed fan could ask for).

Perhaps the most exciting part to Kobe’s entrance into Twitter is his commentary before, after, and during Laker games. Whether he’s congratulating the other team or expressing his frustration, Kobe’s tweets are intriguing. In an interview with the Associated Press, the Laker guard admits that the few days of taking over Nike’s Twitter account made him consider getting his own account because he enjoyed connecting with fans without filters.  

That is exactly what fans feel when Kobe Bryant tweets: a connection. However, this uncensored connection hasn’t been without scrutiny, especially during the playoffs, where Kobe has been sidelined due to injury to his Achilles heel. Complaints that his tweets during the game where distracting caused the Lakers player to take a momentary hiatus from Twitter. Nonetheless, we are eager to see @kobebryant’s navigation through the world of Twitter. If it is anything like this season, it is sure to be analyzed and watched very closely.

[davisblackbook-blog]

Food For The Soul: A Community Connecting Event

By Mariah Watson

On Sunday, April 14th, the Leaders of Tomorrow (L.O.T.) in conjunction with Black Student Union, Beyond Tolerance, Student Assistants to the Chancellor, and the African Continuum hosted an amazing event where food, fun, and an opportunity to address some of the crucial issues facing the community was served.

The Multi-Purpose Room of the SCC was packed with 150 faces of students, community members, staff, and faculty. If the sound of laughter and good times being had didn't draw you in, then it definitely was the mouth-watering smell of a fantastic home cooked meal prepared by some of our very own students.

However, it wasn't just the food that kept you smiling throughout the event. As soon as you walked into the room, your mood was immediately lifted. Each table was filled with people catching up and sharing memories. It was a beautiful showcase of love, happiness, and community empowerment.

Esther Ebuehi, a first year says, "I love the family vibe the event gave off...the whole event was very chill, like cold sweet tea on a sunny day."

After plates were emptied and bellies were filled, there was a moment for reflection and education. The Leaders of Tomorrow called for each table to come up with three positive characteristics about the black community on campus as well as a negative aspect and a path to correcting that issue. Attendees described our community as powerful, strong, resilient, everlasting, fun, and --my favorite-- diverse.

As for the negative aspects, things such as gossip, messiness, and lack of connection were mentioned. Members of L.O.T. had definitely shared this concern and it was one of the driving forces behind the event.

Wael Yehdego, a first year and member of L.O.T. hopes that "we can all contribute to another event where everyone can bond closer and dig deeper into making our community better."

[davisblackbook-blog]

The "Pioneering" of Organic Chemistry

By Pamela Nonga

Saturday, April 20th marked one of the most anticipated events of the year: Picnic Day. Outside the Memorial Union, a diverse crowd of past and present UC Davis students and friends was gathered. The people received stickers with a distinct logo: a simple blue outline of a water drop with a black interior against a white background. The logo also appeared on tanks, beanies, and T-shirts worn by various people in the crowd.

It belonged to the brand Organic Chemistry, the brainchild of UC Davis senior Michael Garrick who wanted an alternative to overpriced, basic clothing. Garrick, along with team members Sam Ngeru, Carlyle Garrick, Folabi Ajayi and new recruit Andre Allen have created a laid-back, inclusive brand and clothing line that has already generated buzz across college campuses.

In fact, the Picnic Day scene was very much representative of the philosophy behind the brand, which centers on it's inclusiveness and general appeal.

"Organic Chemistry is a brand that appeals to everyone. Our clothing isn’t designated for rich, poor, hipster, urban, black, white, purple, green, or orange people. We want everyone to enjoy our clothing," says Sam Ngeru. "Many brands create stigma for the people who do not wear or cannot afford that specific brand of clothing...Whoever purchases our clothing becomes part of a movement that anyone and everyone can and should join."

The young men have incorporated their college experience and identities into all aspects of their business, from the design, to their promotional efforts to the name.

"We have learned from our experiences in college that simplicity goes a long way...For this reason, our logo is very simple and eye catching…When people see an article of our clothing they will know immediately that it was made by Organic Chemistry," says Ngeru.

While the brand is not affiliated with the same-name academic series, the association students make between the two helps with marketing and promotion. "This gives us the chance to explain why we've chosen the name Organic Chemistry," says Michael Garrick.

So why the name Organic Chemistry and the motto Pioneers of a New Nation?

The name celebrates both individual uniqueness ("organic") and collaborative greatness ("chemistry"). Similarly to chemistry lab experiments, Garrick says the guys put their "thoughts and ideas into the flask mix it up to create something unforgettable" for their line.

The motto "Pioneers of a New Nation" pays tribute to those who forge their own path and dare to be different, something that the guys have done themselves with the creation of the line.

They have put immense resources and time into something that isn't guaranteed to be successful. They've had to learn how to balance being students and entrepreneurs (school always comes first) and how to form boundaries between friendship and business.

They say the experience has taught them two things: to believe and to be honest with themselves. Garrick says,

"Starting a business will never be easy, especially if you are backing yourself, like Organic Chemistry, but we have learned that the belief in yourself and your business can take you further than you think."

Check out Organic Chemistry at: http://ochemclothing.com/