The fact that we are here…is an attempt to break that silence and bridge some of those differences between us, for it is not difference which immobilizes us, but silence. And there are so many silences to be broken. ~ Audre Lorde, Sister Outsider[1] In her chapter, “The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action,” […]
Read more "From Silence to Action"In her book, Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America, Professor Melissa Harris-Perry discussed a psychological study that involved placing research subjects in a crooked room and observing their responses. When subjects were placed in a crooked room, they were asked to align themselves vertically while also sitting in a crooked chair. The […]
Read more "The Beautiful Project: Combating the Crooked Room"Sometimes it feels like our family name can take on a life of its own and define us before we have a chance to define ourselves. A major theme in Brown Girl Dreaming, a memoir of author Jacqueline Woodson’s childhood, is how her family’s surname and the responsibilities that came with it have shaped her […]
Read more "The Significance of Being a Woodson"In 1937, New York City teacher and songwriter Abel Meeropol composed the anti-lynching poem, “Strange Fruit.” The poem stemmed from Abel’s shock and disbelief at the reality of racial discrimination, in particular the lynching of Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith in 1930. The poem was published under the pseudonym Lewis Allan and was set to […]
Read more "Strange Fruit, Bitter Reality"First produced in 1959, Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun takes its name from Langston Hughes’ poem “Harlem.” Hughes’ poem reflects the disillusionment many African Americans felt after World War II. Despite the sense of optimism following the end of the Great Depression and the war, continued discrimination prevented African Americans from achieving […]
Read more "From “Harlem” to A Raisin in the Sun: The Pursuit of the Deferred Dream"By the time President Reagan spoke the word “AIDS” in 1985, over 12,000 Americans had already died of the virus. [1] Government silence during the AIDS epidemic directly resulted in the death of thousands of AIDS victims. In response, the rally cry of AIDS activists became “Silence = Death.”[2] To combat the silence, individuals with […]
Read more "AIDS Is Not Over"Housing is a human right. No person should have to live without adequate shelter that meets their needs. It’s no secret, however, that proper housing is not afforded to many people in the United States. For people with disabilities, the relationship with housing is much more complicated, as it is often wrapped up with care […]
Read more "A Voice through Film"What is the role of art in resolving human issues and conflicts? Throughout history, artists have documented the human condition—atrocities, as well as the beauty of humanity. By extension, museums serve as agents of social dialogue and have the potential to challenge existing paradigms. Arts institutions can be platforms to create a shared sense of […]
Read more "When the Personal Becomes the Political"Imagine not being able to hear the world around you. Now imagine being ostracized from society because you can’t hear. For centuries, people who were affected by a hearing impairment were barred from society and treated poorly. The stigmatization of people with disabilities, in general, has been prevalent throughout history. However, over the last two […]
Read more "Barrier-free Access to Education?"Since the early 2000s, discussions of the LGBTQ+ community have become less taboo and more accessible to people who are questioning their place within heteronormative society. The community also holds a tentative place in mainstream media. Nevertheless, heteronormative culture often considers Queer people and the place that they hold in society up for debate. From […]
Read more "Transgender"