Friday, October 8, 2010

THINK IT OVER

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il5hwpdJMcg&feature=player_embedded


Christopher Columbus did a lot of damage to our indigenous Taino indians that were first settled on the island Hispaniola (Now known as the Dominican Republic) LEARN THE WHOLE STORY.

THE BLACK WAY



Chanel Iman, Jeneil Williams, Joan Smalls, Jourdan Dunn, and more Rock Paris Fashion Week! by Claire


From Lanvin’s all brown final walk, to black models opening and closing Jean Charles de Castelbajac’s show…Paris did very well in terms of diversity. We compiled the above collage with some of the top girls: Ataui Deng, Joan Smalls, Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn, and Jeneill Williams. Newcomer Melodie Monrose and standouts like Lyndsey Scott and Rose Cordero also had their moments. This season saw them walking for Christian Dior, John Galliano, Louis Vuitton, Sonia Rykiel, Hermès, Yves Saint Laurent, and many, many more.

THE RESULTS


Clintons Apologize for Tuskegee Experiment and Syphillis to Guatemalans

Published October 4, 2010 by Shamontiel L. Vaughn


With the assistance of Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of State Hillary Clintonissued a public apology for an NIH study completed from 1946 to 1948 to see if penicillin could cure sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Given to prisoners and mental institution patients in Guatemala, the unknowing patients ended up with gonorrhea and syphilis, and the tests came back with no useful results.

"We are outraged that such reprehensible research could have occurred under the guise of public health," they said, according to a 
Yahoo! News report via Associated Press. "The sexually transmitted disease inoculation study conducted from 1946-1948 in Guatemala was clearly unethical. Although these events occurred more than 64 years ago, we are outraged that such reprehensible research could have occurred under the guise of public health. We deeply regret that it happened, and we apologize to all the individuals who were affected by such abhorrent research practices."
AP reported that Clinton called Alvaro Colom, Guatemala's president, on Thurs., Sept. 30, and Pres. Obama called on Friday to apologize as well.

Although time has passed, the wounds from the apology remind U.S. citizens of another study, the Tuskegee experiment, which was another study from unknowing patients. According to 
PBS, the study went on from 1932 to 1972. There were 399 men with syphilis, and a control group of 201 men without the disease, but the 399 men didn't know what they had. They were told they were being treated for "bad blood." Signs were posted about help for "bad blood," but it didn't specify what the medicine would be a cure for, only that it was free, according to PBS. Black men signed up in hopes of improving their health without knowing this medicine would make it worse.

In 1974, a $10 million 
lawsuit was won to compensate eight survivors from the experiment being run in Washington, but an apology was also requested. Almost two decades later, they got that apology.

Friday, October 1, 2010

SOAD MEETING NOTES: 09/30/2010

23 Students in Attendance
1 Faculty, 1 Staff

Thank You, again, to Brandice for hosting the meeting.
Below are the notes taken by Thabisa and myself (Jazzi)
If anyone who was not in attendance or had to leave early would like elaboration on any of the notes, please feel free to shoot us an email.

5:20 meeting was called into order 
(with that said, for THURSDAY meetings, we will begin at 5:30; Wednesdays will remain at 5pm)

Hot & Colds of the school year thus far:

-Brandice experiencing difficulty having white students go "on the record" with statements about diversity
-Kim addressed some issues regarding concerns over "confidentiality" and picture/caption in paper of her article
-Jazz is having a difficult time with administration/law enforcement over a harassment dispute
      --- advice given to speak with an administrator who actually responds to students needs/requests (Maureen)
      --- SOAD proposed a petition to not only back our support of Jazz, but to also bring these issues to light (in reference          to students on campus who struggle to have their problems properly addressed).
      --- awaiting follow-up

Social Justice Committee/LGBT Safe Zone Training:

-Brandice introduced the role of the social justice committee/how it came about
-Monique Nri (Director of International Student Services, Staff Member of Social Justice Committee) introduced the Safe Zone Training of which we are co-sponsoring along with Student Services, and Students for Social Justice; extended her support of SOAD and encouraged students to apply for a position on the Committee

Proposal for Fall Semester (which was created by the Organization Committee on 09/20/2010) discussion:

October: 10/28/2010
Day of the Dead
SOAD would like to celebrate Latino Heritage Month with a celebration of the Day of the Dead.  Along with catering, there would be the selling of oils and scents for SOAD’s fundraiser.  The event would be accompanied with a candlelight observation and an open mic, where people of the university will have the opportunity give thanks to those who have passed in their lives.

November:
11/09/2010
Study Abroad Symposium with Student of the African Diaspora sharing their experiences abroad, where it’s taken them and how beneficial it is, coming out of such racial climates we all are accustomed to.

11/20/2010
Reclaiming Thanksgiving
The idea around this theme is to serve as a gateway for SOAD and grade students to interact.  We found that Thanksgiving is the perfect time to make this connection, as many students grow up believing the false representations of the facts that are often given of this holiday.  We propose to work alongside children of either IUE and/or Space Office and engage in this dialogue along with a hefty portion of food.

December:
Stress Release Class (Yushemepree Spencer & Ernest Baker II)?
SOAD would like to acknowledge the fact that students of color at this university are amongst the highest (statistically) to be more stressed during finals month.  In light of this, we would like to host a dance improv class, with additional water and snacks for afterwards.

January
WEEK OF 01-26-2010
Must be proposed, given that it proceeds the next deadline for Spring Proposal
SOAD would like to bring the year anniversary of Haiti’s deadly Earthquake to light at the beginning of the semester.  
Each day (Monday through Thursday) would commemorate a different aspect of the culture, and open dialogue for possibilities of progress in the country, as well as shed light for those who may want to participate in the proposed gathering of SOAD and Haitian students in the later months of Spring Semester.

Monday, the 26th would be a day of recognition, with a candlelight ceremony
Tuesday, the 27th would host a panel of speakers in Theresa Lang
Wednesday, the 28th would serve as time for a movie on the subject
Thursday, the 29th is slated for the celebration, along with a RaRa Band
All days would host Haiti shirts (which were sold at the school last year along with Yoodee) as a fundraiser for Haiti

Thoughts & Suggestions

-Continue to alternate every two week meetings between Wednesday at 5pm and Thursdays at 5:30pm
-Yushemepree would like to extend a place for the new West African Dance Teacher at SOAD, as well as attempt to rally behind her so that her class may be in both Fall and Spring Semesters
-Follow-Up on the Proposed Funding for the Semester

6:07pm Meeting Adjourned

Forever Forward,
Jazzi and Akeema

Eyes of the Diaspora: Image

Uploaded by Jazzi Johnson