A Letter from the Editor-In-Chief: Say their Names

By Brie Thompson-Bristol

I never forget that I’m a person of color, but I especially never forget that I am a black person. 

The police brutality against persons of color has never ceased. One of the police’s first purposes was to be a watchman for slaves. However, now they have evolved to the extreme. They have evolved to the point where it is “unnatural” for BiPOC people to drive or walk back alone from an event. 

Advocacy: Your new Neighborhood Watch Program

By: Brie Bristol

The public has no choice but to accept activists who march for the Black Lives Matter movement as their new neighborhood watchmen – who campaign for human rights when the government fails to. 

Trustee Woolridge: It’s Time for UMass to Live Up to Its Promise

By: UMass Amherst Racial Justice Coalition

Recently, Victor Woolridge, a member and former Chair of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees, wrote an article calling upon America to acknowledge its history of anti-black racism and take concrete steps to achieve racial justice. We, a group of UMass students advocating for racial justice, wish to comment on Woolridge’s message. One of the few Black members of the Board of Trustees, Woolridge is, to our knowledge, the only member of the Board to publicly write about the need for systemic change following the death of George Floyd. Overall, we commend Trustee Woolridge for acknowledging the need for systemic change for racial justice–yet, that he is the only member of UMass’ Board of Trustees to publicly do so indicates that the UMass system itself has much work to do.

A Letter from the Editor-In-Chief: There is no Excuse for Racism and Police Brutality

By Brie Thompson-Bristol

As I have continued to sit at home with family, counting the days of my life in quarantine, I can not help but weep. I am weeping for my community, I am weeping for my peers, and I am weeping for African Americans, Africans, and Black persons as we continue to battle against the hatred and bigotry that has threatened us since birth. I weep for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade who have been slaughtered by the United States police. I weep for the innocent protestors who scream in pain with us as we watch our black blood spread on the pavement all over broadcast news. 

But most of all, I weep for these victims’ families and friends whose lives are now changed forever.

New York City Rapper Pop Smoke Murdered During Home Invasion. How Will Rap Lovers React?

By: Brie Bristol & Elienishka Ramos Torres

On Feb. 19, rap fans worldwide were left in shock upon hearing the unexpected death of 20-year-old NYC rapper Pop Smoke. 

According to TMZ, an early morning emergency call was placed to Smoke’s Los Angeles rental home. Two gunmen broke into the house around 4:30 A.M PST firing multiple shots.