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Full-Text Articles in African American Studies
Respiration: Breathing Between The Stacks, Jerome D. Clarke
Respiration: Breathing Between The Stacks, Jerome D. Clarke
SURGE
How rare are we, who brandish Black and Male identity, in Academia?
In the past two weeks, I have been reminded of my Black maleness in a multitude of ways. I sat alone, subordinate in number, in a dialogue about Internalized Oppression at Diaspora House. Strong women of color discuss this issue while I work to stay respectful and non-oppressive in this space. I sat alone, subordinate in number, in each of my classes, where I am often the only one of my race and class. My race-gender circumstance is a matter of fact to me. How does this Black …
The Dark Skin I Am In, Zakiya A. Brown
The Dark Skin I Am In, Zakiya A. Brown
SURGE
“You know, you’re pretty for a dark skinned girl, but I’m sure people tell that all the time”
“Can I honestly tell you, that you are the prettiest dark skinned girl I know?”
Throughout my life I have received comments such as these. I’ve heard them from my mother’s colleagues, strangers, and sometimes my friends. They provoked me to think that somehow I genetically lucked out to be physically attractive even though I was cursed to live within dark skin. [excerpt]