NAACP’s ‘Be Revolutionary’ March in Photos

By: Tashanna Johnson

Photos are from the ‘Be Revolutionary’ march hosted by the UMass Amherst Chapter of the NAACP (National Association of the Advancement of Colored People) on Thursday, October 14 2021. This march took place after a series of racist incidents targeting Black students on campus occurred in September. Racist incidents on campus have been occurring for years.

Students stand at march. Signs read from second in on the left. “WE NEED CHANGE / ENOUGH IS ENOUGH” ; “HOLD UMASS ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALLOWING HATE” ; “BLACK STUDENTS MATTER”

 

“In years past on-campus newspaper have had places for black people…. people are putting their bodies and statements out there and their demands… This is how change happens. Change happens with dialogue and being present out here.”

Amilcar Shabazz
Afro-American Studies Professor

Students at march. White sign, written on it “HATE US CAUSE THEY AINT US!”

 “It was honestly all the black orgs together with the NAACP that’s how we were able to stay successful… We are so grateful that a lot of people showed up… It showed that they did really care about the community like that. This event needed to happen to show students that they have a support group. That they can always count on the black organizations on campus to stand for them, to fight for them, to advocate for them. Even when UMass isn’t doing it. We are so grateful that it was successful even though some of the vice-chancellors locked their doors, which was really disrespectful.”

Tina Noël
President of UMass Amherst Chapter of NAACP. Class of ’22, biology major.

Students at march. White sign reads “OVER IT.” . Brown sign reads “BLACK STUDENTS MATTER”

“No Justice No Peace”

“Black Students Matter”

“What do we want CHANGE! When do we want it NOW!”

Student chants

Students walking inside Whitmore Administrative Building. Students sign has graphic of raised fists, and megaphone. Sign reads in red text “WE NEED CHANGE!” and in black “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!’. Student is holding NAACP’s list of demands to UMass.

Students marching in Whitmore Administrative Building. Signs from far left: “BLACK STUDENTS MATTER / MEET OUR DEMANDS” ; “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”.

Students marching past South College. Sign reads “BLACK STUDENTS MATTER”.

For more information and to stay up to date, follow @ umassnaacp

Natural Hair Stories-Part Three

by Desire’ Jackson-Crosby and Cynthia Ntinunu

What is hair? Is it just a follicle on the top of one’s head? Or is it a piece of you that evokes certain feelings? The natural hair journey is a unique experience for anyone who goes through it. For some it’s a straightforward journey and for others there’s a lot to unpack.

This project allowed 11 people to relive and share their natural hair journeys-from their struggles to their triumphs. Below are the last three people for the natural hair stories series.

Lora-Kenie Deronville

One might suspect that the hair that grows from someone’s scalp is their responsibility. At a certain age, they’re the ones who are to care for it. For Umass student Lora-Kenie Deronville, her independence in this area was only recent. Until the age of 18, her mother was the one to care for and style Deronville’s hair.(Click the image above to read the full story)

Natural Hair Stories-Part Two

by Desire’ Jackson-Crosby and Cynthia Ntinunu

What is hair? Is it just a follicle on the top of one’s head? Or is it a piece of you that evokes certain feelings? The natural hair journey is a unique experience for anyone who goes through it. For some it’s a straightforward journey and for others there’s a lot to unpack.

This project allowed 11 people to relive and share their natural hair journeys-from their struggles to their triumphs. Below are the next three people for the natural hair stories series.

Yanni Cabrera

For senior Yanni Cabrera, natural hair is more than just a phase. It’s a part of her that has been straightened, cut, and growing alongside her while expanding her understanding of self. She refuses to change it to fit others’ standards of beauty. (Click the image above to read the full story)

LGBTQIA+ Art Showcase and Performance Open Mic-A Space of Expression and Support

by Cynthia Ntinunu

On Tuesday Mar. 20, the Stonewall Center of the University of Massachusetts Amherst hosted a LGBTQIA+ Art Showcase and Open Mic night. Held in Bartlett Hall, the event was broken up into two parts.

The night started off with snacks and a gallery walk. The gallery featured over 15 artists with art pieces ranging from paintings, embroidery, photography, knitting, and more. People were able to walk through and admire the work that artists created as a rotation of chill music, like Solange’s latest album When I Get Home, played in the background.

Embroidery pieces by Antonia Lynch(Cynthia Ntinunu/Rebirth Project)

Natural Hair Stories-Part One

by Desire’ Jackson-Crosby and Cynthia Ntinunu

What is hair? Is it just a follicle on the top of one’s head? Or is it a piece of you that evokes certain feelings? The natural hair journey is a unique experience for anyone who goes through it. For some it’s a straightforward journey and for others there’s a lot to unpack.

This project allowed 11 people to relive and share their natural hair journeys-from their struggles to their triumphs. Below is four of the 11 for part one of the natural hair stories series.

Uju Onochie

Uju Onochie went to a predominantly white school for part of her childhood and she hated it. Being one of the few black kids in class, she remembered seeing the white girls’ hair and she’d play with it. Thoughts of “why can’t my hair be like this?” would circle her head as her fingers brushed through the girls’ hair. (Click the image above to read her full story)