My Intro to African American Studies Padlet by

greerarykowski — 2025-04-06 20:47:20 UTC

This book by Dr. Baden discusses his efforts for racial justice through his job as a forensic pathologist. This book really gave me context as to how deep initial racism goes in our justice department. When we talk about police brutality I now feel we must also discuss all of the institutions that work with police such as the courts and medical examiners. For they too are complicit in the deaths caused by police brutality and a lack of justice those cases receive. It reminded me of the discussion we had in class about police brutality and how deeply embedded it is in the criminal justice system.

Defacement by Jean Michel

greerarykowski — 2025-04-06 21:06:24 UTC

This piece art was made after the verdict was handed down in the case of the death of Michael Stewart. I read about it in a book and felt the need to look it up. This image I think evokes a lot of feeling. We have a dark figure being around by figures in police uniforms beating the dark figure with batons. The police officers face looking almost monster like I think speaks a lot to how POC view police. As well as the dark figure having no distinguishing features adds to how police view POC.

Ratio of Black women’s earnings compared to those of White women, Black men, and White men.

greerarykowski — 2025-04-06 21:17:40 UTC

We see in the this graph that in the 1960s and 70s Black women’s wages increase relative to White women’s wages. I wondered why and it made think of the waves of feminism discussion in class. I thought of the fact that more black women were working compared to white women.

Photo from Baton Rouge Protest

greerarykowski — 2025-04-11 22:32:16 UTC

This is a photo from a Protest in Baton Rouge. This protest was staged due to the murder of Alton Sterling. This photo caught my eye because the serenity of the woman standing being surrounded by riot police gives a harsh contrast. This photo I think connects to the topic of resistance movements connected to BLM protests.

Mz. Icar

greerarykowski — 2025-04-11 22:42:46 UTC

This is a piece done by a anonymous collective of Black women/women aligned artists. This piece caught my eye because I loved the creativity of embroidering yarn onto paper to create hair. This made me think about the discussion in class we had about black hair. We discussed how often Black people are discriminated against for their hair styles. I think it is beautiful to see art that centers black clutre in empowering way.

Museum of Black Joy

greerarykowski — 2025-04-11 22:47:54 UTC

The museums of Black Joy's mission statement is to celebrate, cultivate. commemorate, and circulate stories that centers black joy. Scrolling through their website you can see some amazing work from black artists. In class we watched a video about black trans people in relationships. In the quiz question response I discussed how important spaces are for those communities. Websites like this apply to that stamenant. For a group of people that face so much hardship joy is extremely important.

Fearing the Black Body Book Cover

greerarykowski — 2025-04-11 22:55:43 UTC

This book discuses black bodies and their depiction in media sit pertains to fatphobia. The cover is an art image of Sarah Baartman who we discussed in class. I was recommended this book before ever taking this class but the cover itself I mixed feelings on one hand it is relevant to the topic discussed in the book. On the other hand I worry that the exaggerated image furthers misogynoir by using Sarah's image as a catchy cover to sell the book.

The Six Triple Eight Netflix

greerarykowski — 2025-04-11 23:06:46 UTC

This movie is a dramatic reenactment of the historical situation where a platoon of all black female soldiers were sent to sort out back logged mail in WWII. This movie also covers the discrimination and doubt these women faced, as well as their success. This got my attention because I had never heard this story be told before even though this was a historic event as they were the only female soldiers to go overseas in WWII.

BlackForager on Youtube

greerarykowski — 2025-04-11 23:14:12 UTC

This is one on favorite tiktokers Alexis. She makes content about foraging and goes by Black Forager. She also talks about the importance of foraging in black communities. She ties this to the history of foraging as it relates to Black peoples origins in the U.S., and uses the name Black forager because she feels her racial identity is relevant to the topic at hand.

Hidden Figures Trailer

greerarykowski — 2025-04-11 23:19:32 UTC

This movie goes over three black female mathematicians who worked at NASA during the space race. I have personally seen and enjoyed this movie. In class we discuss the topic of misogynoir and I feel the things these women go through very much apply to the concept. These women intersectional identity of being black and women affect their experience working for NASA.

13th Documentary trailer

greerarykowski — 2025-04-13 23:31:39 UTC

This film explores the mass incarceration of Black people in the U.S.. This film relates to the class discussion of institutionalized racism. We have more incarcerated black people today than we did slaves in the 1800s. This documentary speaks about the 13th amendment abolishing slavery. Slavery is still legal if the person is in prison.

High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America

greerarykowski — 2025-04-13 23:39:46 UTC

This film discusses African American cuisine and how it shaped American food as we know it today. This film makes me think a lot about food as it applies to cultural and racial identity. In class we discussed "soul food" and how it can be unhealthy at times. I think this documentary really gets you thinking about why that is and also gives some new perspective on African American cuisine.

Jewel's Catch One Trailer

greerarykowski — 2025-04-13 23:49:05 UTC

This films discusses the history of the Catch One night club and its founder Jewel. This club was created and opened in the 1970s. This films speaks a lot to intersectionality. The founder of the club is a black lesbian woman who raised in poverty. Her experience getting kicked out club for being a black lesbian woman led her to open this night club. Having spaces where black queer people can feel safe an expected is rare to find but extremely important.

"Smashed or Passed" Online treatment of Black Women in the Dating Scene

greerarykowski — 2025-04-13 23:54:32 UTC

This video discusses the concept of young white women getting asked on dates/getting engaged while young black women stand in lines for social media videos while men decide to "smash or pass them.". I myself have seen these videos in my fyp previously to this video showing up I had not realized that the women in these videos tend to be black women. The video discusses the racist idea and stereotype that black women are over sexual leads to them being thought of as not dating material.

Video of Young Black Girl going to Prom Goes Viral

greerarykowski — 2025-04-14 00:02:23 UTC

This video talks about a young black girl whose prom photos went viral. I saw this video only a few days after we had watched the film about Sarah Baartman in class. It was upsetting to see that black women's bodies are still to the day seen as something to gawk at and critique. The entire internet felt they had the right to comment on this young woman's appearance. This is an example of how misogynoir is still alive and well in today's society.

"Diamonds and Dirt"

greerarykowski — 2025-04-14 00:08:54 UTC

The creator stitches a video where a woman is saying she will teach her son that there is a difference between "diamond and dirt". The woman who stitches it has some excellent points. To add onto what the creator says at the beginning of the video I would say this idea very much so it plays into respectability politics. This idea that black women should act a certain way if they want to be treated well and with respect.

DEI Comedy

greerarykowski — 2025-04-14 00:13:07 UTC

This stand comedy video is a comedic take on DEI and its removal from the government. We have discussed DEI in class at length. I believe this comedic take is funny way to bring up the real issues with removing DEI. The world is not white and diversity is necessary for a functioning and successful company, business, or government.

Henrietta Lacks

greerarykowski — 2025-04-14 00:17:54 UTC

This video discusses "the immortal woman" Henrietta Lacks. Henrietta's cells are being used to this today without consent from her family. Henrietta's case speaks to racism in the medical field. The cells themselves were taken without her knowledge and permission. This was done because it was beloved that she was not qualified to make decisions on her own biological property due to her race.

Joy as a Form of Resistance

greerarykowski — 2025-04-14 00:23:40 UTC

This video discusses black joy as a form of resistance to the current presidential administration. I think it is great to see reminders to allow yourself to have joy in these current times. Especially for people for are being targeted.

Black People and Mental Health

greerarykowski — 2025-04-24 22:33:57 UTC

This graph shows how many black people reported having a mental illness in 2018. The large number shocked me and made me think about a discussion had in class. In class we discussed how thing lick cutting is more common among white people. The theory is to why is because black people may have better coping skills but I wonder how many black people don't seek help for mental illness due to a cultural idea that black people handle stress better.

Black population in the US and Black population in US prisons graph

greerarykowski — 2025-04-24 22:45:28 UTC

This graphs show the Black population of the US compared to the Black population in prisons. What really caught my attention here was the fact that Black people only make up about 14% of our population but almost half of the people serving/have served 10 years in prison. This large number leads me to think about discussions in class about mass incarnation and institutionalized racism. I wonder why when looking at these numbers people still deny Black people being wrongfully incarcerated on a large rate?

Black Lives Matter Graph

greerarykowski — 2025-05-02 00:01:58 UTC

For this graph people were asked what you had heard of Black Lives Matter is it a movement or a slogan? The majority of African Americans said movement while the rest of the respondents majority said slogan. We discussed the BLM movement in class. This graph got me thinking about how a movement is much more than a slogan. I wonder if white people would better understand BLM better if they looked at it as a movement instead of just a saying?

COVID 19th Deaths

greerarykowski — 2025-05-02 00:03:23 UTC

This graph looks at the African American population of states/cities and the deaths of COVID 19. I was surprised to see that in Louisiana Black people make up 32% of the population but 70% of the states COVID deaths. In class we once discussed Black Americans and health. We discussed how black people may not feel comfortable going to doctor due to discrimination and generational trauma. Numbers like these make me better understand why Black people may be wary of doctors/hospitals. It would be scary to walk into a place that a lot of Black people don't seem to walk out of.

2015 54% of new HIV diagnosis in the South Were Given to Black Americans

greerarykowski — 2025-05-02 00:18:03 UTC

This graph talks bout new HIV cases in the south stating that African Americans account for 54% of all new diagnoses in the region. I had no idea that HIV affected African Americans this much. One reason I thought this might be is that the south tends to be more religious and have less sex education leading to higher rates of HIV. Black Americans lack of access to testing and fear of discrimination may also add to the problem.

2014 Deaths by Gun Violence

greerarykowski — 2025-05-02 00:22:55 UTC

This graph shows Homicide rates by firearm in 2014. This graph shows that Black men are disproportionately affected by homicide by firearm. This brought me to the documentary we watched in class about BLM protest and the areas Black people live in. I thought about how black Americans through discriminatory housing process and lack of access to employment resources pigeon hole Black men into criminal and unsafe situations.

Welfare Recipients by Race

greerarykowski — 2025-05-02 00:34:45 UTC

This Graph shows welfare recipients by Race. It shows that white and Hispanic people use the majority of welfare. I find this interesting because there is a stereotype of Black Women in the media called "welfare queens" that we discussed in class. This stereotype lives on even when it's disproved by facts. I think this stereotype enduring is a good reason as to why we need to be aware of who is telling black stories.

Black Representation in Congress

greerarykowski — 2025-05-02 00:38:04 UTC

This graph shows the rising numbers of Black people elected to Congress. This made me think of conversations we had in class about the lack of representation of Black people in the government. It also made me think of the talks we had about Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. Overall I think it is a good sign that more Black voices are coming into Congress especially after years with no representation.

Racial Disparities in LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness

greerarykowski — 2025-05-02 00:49:12 UTC

This graph shows rates of homeless in Black and White youth as well as confinement. Unsurprising Black youth are disproportional homeless. Queer Black youth sit an an intersection of definiteness that open them up to further discrimination. There blackness and queerness but the at the center of discrimination in a society that systemically oppress Black people and looks down on queer people.

Jasmine Crockett

greerarykowski — 2025-05-02 01:41:40 UTC

This is Congress woman Jasmine Crockett's official picture. This image struck me because of her hair. In class we discussed protective styles often being called unprofessional. I think Jasmine wearing braids in her official picture for Congress is a great way to show young black woman and girls that their hair is perfectly acceptable and professional.

A Slave Named Peter, Baton rouge Louisiana ,April 2nd ,1863

greerarykowski — 2025-05-02 01:44:01 UTC

This is an image of an enslaved man named Peter and his scarred back. I sought out this image because I remembered it being in a text book when I first learned about slavery in school. I believe that was in 3rd or 4th grade. Seeing this image really cemented to younger me the severity of slavery and racism.

Marsha P. Johnson and Silvia Rivera

greerarykowski — 2025-05-02 01:54:03 UTC

This is an image of Sylvia Rivera and Marsh P. Johnson at a gay rights protest somewhere around 1969. We had many discussions about intersectionality in class. When I think of internationally I often think of Black trans women like Marsha. Black trans women experience the most violence in the queer community yet have pioneered most of the fight for gay rights.

Kendrick Lamar Superbowl

greerarykowski — 2025-05-02 01:57:25 UTC

This is an image of Kendrick Lamar performing at the Superbowl. We recently discussed AAVE in class. During that discussion we watched the music video for the song Kendrick performed at the Superbowl. I think seeing AAVE on such a large stage is important to help normalize it's use and not think of it as less than standard English.

1968 Civil Rights Protest

greerarykowski — 2025-05-02 02:05:02 UTC

This is an image of a civil rights protest from 1968 showing the National Guard blocking off the street. I chose this image because I feel like it parallels a lot of images we saw come out of BLM protests in 2014-2016. It makes me wonder why protests haven't changed much and if anything have gotten more violet on the side of police.

Madame C.J. Walker

greerarykowski — 2025-05-02 02:10:54 UTC

This is an image of Madame C.J. Walker in her brand new car. Madame C.J. Walker was the first female self made millionaire in the United States. I chose this picture because I feel we don't often see historic photos of black people that are not in poverty. While it is important to note all of the suffering of Black people, it is also important to celebrate their success thought history.

5 Ways to be a Better Anti-Racist

greerarykowski — 2025-05-04 20:36:08 UTC

This post goes over some great ways to be anti-racist. One of the things that is mentioned in the video is the misleading idea that just because you are a "good person" you can't be racist. In class we have often discussed peoples difficulty moving beyond just the idea of interpersonal racist and onto institutionalized racism. I think talking about how "good" people can participate in racism is a good way to start realizing that racism is larger than just hate between people.

Environmental Racism

greerarykowski — 2025-05-04 20:37:18 UTC

I think this video is a good summary of the concept of environmental racism. Environmental racism is something I was not aware of previous to our class discussions. This video also discusses Flit, Michigan and its water contamination problem. Something else the video emotions that I did not know was that 56% of Flits's population is Black. Institutionalized racism plays a large role in environmental racism with things like redlining, wealth disparity, and low fines for dumping waste in these areas.

Kathleen Cleaver

greerarykowski — 2025-05-04 20:57:21 UTC

This is a video of Kathleen Cleaver a former Black Panther Activist speaking about violence versus non violence. Now though I don't think violence is always the answer I think it is good to raise the question of how you communicate with a society that was founded on violence towards others. I think you see a lot of negative talk around Black people with ideas like Cleaver's due to respectability politics.

Paris is Burning Clip

greerarykowski — 2025-05-04 21:03:28 UTC

This clip from the documentary Paris is Burning. Today people enjoy the media like Ru paul's drag race and Pose. The origin of this media is the struggle of young Black queer and Transgender people. We enjoy this media yet black trans women are still the most at risk group of people due to their intersecting identities that put them at the bottom of the social hierarchy.

Podcast Clip Infertility in Black women

greerarykowski — 2025-05-04 21:07:28 UTC

This video is about infertility rates in Black women. In this clip the Doctor says she sees her Black patients 5-7 years later than she would like to. This leads to issues and more severe health problems that come from lack of treatment. Black people's lack of access to medical care, and generational trauma associated with receiving medical care is one of the reasons we see high rate of health issues in Black people.

Lack of Black Representation in Books

greerarykowski — 2025-05-04 21:13:49 UTC

This funny video of a Black woman getting taken out of the fantasy of reading a book. This video had thousands of likes and if so many people can relate to this I think it speaks to a larger issue of lack of Black representation in books. I as a white woman have never had a hard time inserting myself into the books I read because every character looks enough like me. If we have this much of a lack of Black representation in books that speaks to what stories are getting published and what stories are not.

“Black Best friend” Trope

greerarykowski — 2025-05-04 21:16:05 UTC

This video discusses the Black best friend trope in books and TV. I think this speaks to the idea that representation is a lot more than just having POC in your book. The Black people in your book need to be fleshed out characters. It also is about who is telling the stories we need more Black representation in media that is written by Black people.

Black Queer & Intersectional Collective

greerarykowski — 2025-05-04 22:44:44 UTC

The Black queer & Intersectional Collective is a grass roots community organization Ohio that works towards the liberation of Black, Queer, Trans, and Intersex people from all walks of life through direct action, community organizing, and education on our issues, and creating space to uplift our voices. Thought class and this bored we discussed intersectionality and how being Black and queer can be experiential difficult. I wanted to find a website that worked to better the issues that Black Queer people face.

NAACP

greerarykowski — 2025-05-04 22:47:38 UTC

The NAACP is the home of grassroots activism for civil rights and social justice. The NAACP is a 116 year old organization that has been working towards civil rights and Black liberation. This organization has been talked about in class videos we have watched. This long lasting organization has played a large part in the Black community.

Howard University

greerarykowski — 2025-05-04 22:51:24 UTC

Howard University is a historically Black institution and one of the top research universities in the country. I chose to add this to my padelt because I feel Black success is just as important to talk about. Though Black people are oppressed and held back due to institutional racism does not mean they don't accomplish great things.

Delta Sigma Theta

greerarykowski — 2025-05-04 22:53:08 UTC

Delta Sigma Theta is a sorority that is part of the Divine Nine, which is Nine Greek lettered fraternities and sororities that are historically Black. I have a good friend who is a Delta and in being friends with her I learned so much about the Divine Nine. Organizations like Delta Sigma Theta offer community, support, and shared racial identity for Black collage students. When historically higher education is more difficult for Black people to access having support and community in these institutions is vital.

Black Women for Wellness

greerarykowski — 2025-05-04 23:04:35 UTC

Black Women for Wellness is an organization that is committed to the health and wellness of Black girls and women through health education, empowerment, and advocacy. I have a lot of graphs on this board that speak about Black peoples health so when I was looking for websites this caught my eye. This organization matters because it has things such as resources for Black mothers who have a much higher maternal death rate than their non black counter parts.

Black Lives Matter

greerarykowski — 2025-05-04 23:07:07 UTC

Black Lives matter imagines a world where Black people across the diaspora thrive, experience joy, and are not defined by their struggles. Black Lives Matter funds organizations and individuals leading policy change and abolitionist efforts. Balk Lives matter matters because it is essential to have groups that work towards Black liberation and improvement in a country where the government refuse to work towards such things.

BlackPast.org

greerarykowski — 2025-05-04 23:14:31 UTC

BlackPast.org is compressive website of Black history. It is open to anyone who wishes to learn more about Black history. Websites like this matter because our textbooks lack a lot of Black history and current Black events. Learning about Black history is important because it is a vital part of this countries history that we tend to learn bout and to fully understand were we are as a country you need to understand Black history.

The CROWN Act

greerarykowski — 2025-05-04 23:15:27 UTC

The CROWN Act was created to ensure protection against discrimination based on race-based hairstyles. Websites like this matter for reasons we have discussed in class, like Black women not being able to access employment or education opportunities due to their hair styles. The website also has a lot statics on race-based hair discrimination of Black women and girls.