Weekly Briefing: Black history is American history
This week we put together our annual Black History Month issue, which is one of our most important editions of the year. However, we tried to remember that while we celebrate black history in February, it should be remembered every day of the year.
In this edition staff writer Angel-Hope Watts attended the Juneteenth event hosted by Diversity Initiatives and wrote an article about it. Also in news, Editor Noelle Kriegel composed a list of five women making modern black history.
Lead reporter Emma Watts wrote a feature on USC Aiken’s new ombudsman, Dr. Melencia Johnson, who is also on faculty in the Sociology department. Staff writer Joseph Reeves also wrote a feature on Shaquan Jules, a star player on the men’s basketball team, along with covering the Friday game against Young Harris.
Arts and Entertainment Editor Erica Bennett covered the history of jazz, from which much of current music is originally derived, and some important musicians within that history.
Lifestyle Editor David Frantz put together galleries from photographs both taken by him and submitted by students, which are based on these popular twitter tags: #blackgirlmagic, #blacklove, #blackmensmiling and #blackoncampus. He also compiled a list of 15 ways to celebrate black history month.
The opinions section is full to the brim this week. One column, also by Editor Kriegel, covers a racially-charged micro-aggression she has witnessed time and time again in gymnastics.
Angelika Davis, an alumna of both USCA and Pacer Times, wrote a guest column about her experience with celebrating black history month in the field of education. Staff Writer Chi Nguyen wrote her opinion on why Michelle Obama is making black history.
I also contributed to the opinions section this week with a column titled “Love letter to my black husband,” which was inspired by a 2017 Huffpost article written by previous Diversity Initiatives coordinator, Taifha Alexander.
Finally, Business Manager Cole Maddox put together a list of culturally black movies that defined his childhood.
Once again, thank you for your readership, Pacers. Check out this issue and then we’ll see you next week.
Letters to the editor may be submitted by email to cmy@usca.edu and are subject to approval by the editor-in-chief. Story ideas may be emailed to pacertimes@usca.edu.
