Nobody Wins When the Family Feuds: Brown and Black Voices at Predominantly White Institutions

Written by Dezi Hall As a person of color moving within predominantly white institutions (PWIs), I’ve always stuck out like a sore thumb. My middle and high schools were majority white and taught me that I would not always be well-received, especially as an artist. Over the years I’ve encountered other students of color who […]

Blackout Bard: What Happened

Written by Maeve McKaig The majority of the freshman class is unaware of the racial tensions that culminated in an intentionally disruptive demonstration on November 18th, 2015: Blackout Bard. Many of the issues that were addressed at the walkout are still relevant today, including microaggressions on campus towards black and brown students, and a greater […]

Black Stories Matter: Storytelling as a form of Resilience Within the Black Community

Written by Funto Omojola At the age of four, Rachel Elaine Bailey “Beetle” remembers having their first manic episode. Twenty years later, when they checked themself into a psych ward after a nervous breakdown, they remained haunted by the same thoughts they had carried with them for most of their life: they were not good […]

An Introspection of my Immigrant Identity

Written by Najwa Jamal “Najwa? That’s such an exotic name!” “If you’re from Africa, then why are you white?” A line from Mean Girls? Yes. Something that has actually been said to me? Also yes. Exotic. Interesting. Cool. These are only the most popular responses I’ll receive upon introducing myself. A tight lipped smile and […]

“I do Feel Marked:” Conversations about Black Male Experiences at Bard College

Written by Funto Omojola Dr. Tommy J. Curry, professor of philosophy and Africana studies at Texas A&M University, was recently invited to speak at The Hannah Arendt Center’s Tough Talk Lecture Series at which he presented the work: “They Mistook a Backlash for a Movement: Black Men and the Doom of Western Civilization.” The talk […]

A Reflection on Activism: Why I did not Attend the Women’s March and Why I no Longer feel Guilty About it

Written by Funto Omojola As I woke up to a flood of images on my social media platforms featuring thousands of men and women clad in pink pussy hats with signs proclaiming fundamental women’s rights to challenging the presidency of Donald Trump, my immediate reaction was not one of pride and comfort, but one of […]

Latinos in Local Politics–Projecting the Unheard Voices of our Community

Written by Funto Omojola On Tuesday October 24, La Voz, LASO, The Student Labor Dialogue, Bard CCE, and the 100 days initiative at Bard co-sponsored a panel event entitled Latinos in Local Politics. Moderated by co-founder and managing editor of La Voz, Mariel Fiori, the event hosted politicians and activists from around the area: Francena […]