THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
10
THINGS WE’RE TALKING ABOUT BY TANYA A. CHRISTIAN
1
MELANIN-FRIENDLY FASHION
@W WAGS
Muslim women across the globe can now don a hijab that matches their complexion. Skin, a new line of Islamic head coverings for women, includes four headdresses in a range of colors. Find out more at habibadasilva.com/shop.
ISSUES
FEBRUARY 2017 ESSENCE .COM 63
ISSUES : TRENDING TOPICS
”
—Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, discussing the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election on BBC’s Newsnight
3 PROTECTING OURSELVES
In sub-Saharan Africa, 58 percent of people living with HIV are women. In the U.S., Black women contract HIV at more than three times the rate of White women. A new vaginal ring aims to trim those numbers. The silicone insert, which regularly releases the anti-HIV drug dapivirine, has decreased the risk of infection by 75 percent for users who wore it regularly. It’s projected to be available in 2019.
CHANGING THE NARRATIVE
4 5
REPRESENTATION MATTERS
When writer Denene Millner became a mother, she noticed a lack of books for Black children in the marketplace. That’s when The New York Times best-selling author decided to create them. In March, Millner will launch her own line of children’s books under the Agate Bolden imprint. She describes this venture as “a love letter to children of color who deserve to see their beauty and humanity...in books.”
6 COMICS IN COLOR
On February 8, Image Comics, the thirdlargest comic book publisher, will honor Black History influencers with the new book Black History in Its Own Words. Artist Ronald Wimberly provides the visuals that accompany quotes from notables like Angela Davis, James Baldwin, Ice Cube and Spike Lee.
64 ESSENCE .COM FEBRUARY 2017
VISIONS OF OUR FORTY-FOURTH PRESIDENT To honor former President Obama, the Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater Cultural Arts Complex in Miami is showcasing busts of the beloved commander in chief by 44 Black artists. The exhibit, organized by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, runs through February.
8
RADIO’S NEW VOICE
When beloved radio host Diane Rehm announced her resignation from National Public Radio (NPR) last year, she touted her successor as “a fresh voice that addresses the wonderful diversity of our nation.” This January, Joshua Johnson took his seat at the microphone as host of 1A, named for the First Amendment. The daily two-hour program on WAMU (88.5 FM) broadcasts nationally and tackles important issues, including race, politics and pop culture.
9 ACCOUNTABILITY NOW
Last year, more than 1,000 people—200+ of whom were Black men and women—were shot and killed by the police. The Department of Justice announced that starting in 2017, it will collect data on the frequency of deadly police encounters. The federal agency hopes to use the information to help foster healthy discussions on community– police relations.
10
When we have been attacked, and when our ideals and fundamental values are being attacked, do we retreat or do we fight? I say we fight.
”
—Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), during her 2016 election night speech
For the latest news, follow ESSENCE Features Editor Lauren N. Williams on Twitter @LAURNWILLIAMS.
4 . KEN N E TH DOLIN . 6 . IMAG E COMIC S . 7. PAU L MORIGI/G E T T Y IMAG ES . 8 . STEPHAN VOSS .
The incarceration rate for Blacks is 5.1 times higher than the rate for Whites, but The Actors’ Gang Prison Project, a rehabilitation platform, seeks to reduce recidivism by engaging inmates in improv classes. A study found that the return rate dropped by almost 11 percent for inmates who had participated in the project. This month, director Sabra Williams is expanding the program to ten prisons throughout California.
7
”
“
If you’re a White man, you don’t get to define what racism is…. Racism is an objective reality and Donald Trump has inhabited that reality.
THINGS WE’RE TALKING ABOUT BY TANYA A. CHRISTIAN
1
MELANIN-FRIENDLY FASHION
@W WAGS
Muslim women across the globe can now don a hijab that matches their complexion. Skin, a new line of Islamic head coverings for women, includes four headdresses in a range of colors. Find out more at habibadasilva.com/shop.
ISSUES
FEBRUARY 2017 ESSENCE .COM 63
ISSUES : TRENDING TOPICS
”
—Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, discussing the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election on BBC’s Newsnight
3 PROTECTING OURSELVES
In sub-Saharan Africa, 58 percent of people living with HIV are women. In the U.S., Black women contract HIV at more than three times the rate of White women. A new vaginal ring aims to trim those numbers. The silicone insert, which regularly releases the anti-HIV drug dapivirine, has decreased the risk of infection by 75 percent for users who wore it regularly. It’s projected to be available in 2019.
CHANGING THE NARRATIVE
4 5
REPRESENTATION MATTERS
When writer Denene Millner became a mother, she noticed a lack of books for Black children in the marketplace. That’s when The New York Times best-selling author decided to create them. In March, Millner will launch her own line of children’s books under the Agate Bolden imprint. She describes this venture as “a love letter to children of color who deserve to see their beauty and humanity...in books.”
6 COMICS IN COLOR
On February 8, Image Comics, the thirdlargest comic book publisher, will honor Black History influencers with the new book Black History in Its Own Words. Artist Ronald Wimberly provides the visuals that accompany quotes from notables like Angela Davis, James Baldwin, Ice Cube and Spike Lee.
64 ESSENCE .COM FEBRUARY 2017
VISIONS OF OUR FORTY-FOURTH PRESIDENT To honor former President Obama, the Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater Cultural Arts Complex in Miami is showcasing busts of the beloved commander in chief by 44 Black artists. The exhibit, organized by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, runs through February.
8
RADIO’S NEW VOICE
When beloved radio host Diane Rehm announced her resignation from National Public Radio (NPR) last year, she touted her successor as “a fresh voice that addresses the wonderful diversity of our nation.” This January, Joshua Johnson took his seat at the microphone as host of 1A, named for the First Amendment. The daily two-hour program on WAMU (88.5 FM) broadcasts nationally and tackles important issues, including race, politics and pop culture.
9 ACCOUNTABILITY NOW
Last year, more than 1,000 people—200+ of whom were Black men and women—were shot and killed by the police. The Department of Justice announced that starting in 2017, it will collect data on the frequency of deadly police encounters. The federal agency hopes to use the information to help foster healthy discussions on community– police relations.
10
When we have been attacked, and when our ideals and fundamental values are being attacked, do we retreat or do we fight? I say we fight.
”
—Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), during her 2016 election night speech
For the latest news, follow ESSENCE Features Editor Lauren N. Williams on Twitter @LAURNWILLIAMS.
4 . KEN N E TH DOLIN . 6 . IMAG E COMIC S . 7. PAU L MORIGI/G E T T Y IMAG ES . 8 . STEPHAN VOSS .
The incarceration rate for Blacks is 5.1 times higher than the rate for Whites, but The Actors’ Gang Prison Project, a rehabilitation platform, seeks to reduce recidivism by engaging inmates in improv classes. A study found that the return rate dropped by almost 11 percent for inmates who had participated in the project. This month, director Sabra Williams is expanding the program to ten prisons throughout California.
7
”
“
If you’re a White man, you don’t get to define what racism is…. Racism is an objective reality and Donald Trump has inhabited that reality.
