On January 20th, 2014, Martin Luther King Day, an online magazine entitled Garage, published a photo of its Editor-in-chief, Dasha Zhukova, sitting on a chair made to resemble a half-naked Black woman. Miroslava Duma, the blog’s editor, posted the insensitive photo on Instagram, and further marketed the image as something of trending, fashionable, and contemporary art. In the image, the …
The Forum is Back!
On November 8, Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, along with dozens of local youth, added the final coat of red paint to the exterior of the Forum. The change in the arena’s color, from blue to red, signifies not only new ownership, but also new beginnings. “The Forum has been an icon in Southern California since it opened in 1967. …
Madiba Forever
Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom dynamically portrays Nelson Mandela’s and the country of South Afrika’s struggle to achieve liberation from the oppressive European (Afrikaner) regime from the 1940s to the end of apartheid in 1994. Directed by Justin Chadwick, the film aims to tell an often-untold story about Mandela and the experiences he, his wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, and the entire …
Just Slangin’: “Ratchet”
Admit it. You may have heard it occasionally amongst your circle of friends. You’ve probably even used it yourself in a social or party setting. In fact, you probably have been asked to describe its meaning and have found yourself jumbling between definitions. The word “ratchet” is finding its way into the society as a term often used by many …
FAME Church In Turmoil
In recent years, First African Methodist Episcopal (FAME) church has endured struggles regarding their now ex-pastor and incidences of financial mismanagement. FAME is the oldest church founded by Afrikan Americans in Los Angeles. It is widely known for its large church congregation and influential presence in the surrounding communities. After a dedicated 27 years of service, beloved Rev. Cecil …
You Better WERK!
Confidence is today’s latest fashion trend and almost everyone owns it. However, only the best dressed can wear it with the most stylish elegance and the perfect attitude. It is the most important accessory to any outfit, and you won’t find it at your local shopping mall or your nearest thrift store. The only way you’ll find it is if …
Natural or Not: A Discussion of Natural Hair vs. Weaves
The desire for long, beautiful hair leads women down many different routes. Some women choose to achieve locks of luxury naturally, while others prefer to use enhancements to achieve their desired look more quickly. The resurgence of the natural hair movement has revived discussion about what is natural. It has also brought into question whether hair enhancements like wigs, weaves …
Gabby Douglas and The Hair Dilemma
Douglas is the first Afrikan American gymnast in Olympic history to become the individual All-Around Champion, and the first American gymnast to win gold in both the individual All-Around and team competitions at the same Olympics. In addition, she is the first and only American All-Around Champion to win multiple gold medals, so far. Despite all of her accomplishments, however, …