November newsletter 2013

“Your home away from home”

The Ujima

Chronicles November “HealtH” editioN

Featured Artist Cover 1

Appendix 2

Health Issues Amongst Black People 3

Meet The Director 4

Mental Health Issues 6

Nutrition: Importance of Sweet Potatoes 8

IBC Featured Event: Bereolaesque 10

Featured Organization/Let’s Talk to PBM 12

Featured Student/Get Involved 14

Music/Get Involved in this Newsletter 16

Calendar of Events 18

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Page 2

Page 3

Health Month This month’s newsletter is about health issues and education amongst the Black community. According to the CDC, the top four causes of death amongst our population are heart disease,

cancer, strokes, and diabetes.

HIV/AIDS Awareness. African Americans account for about 44 percent of all new HIV infections. National

Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is on February 7th.

November 14th is World Diabetes Day.

African Americans are 1.8 times more likely to have diabetes as non Hispanic whites.

Cancer Awareness. African Americans are more likely than whites to be diagnosed at a later stage of cancer. This may be due to factors such as less knowledge about cancer symptoms and reduced access to cancer

screening services.

Ibc_uf ibcatuf IBC

Meet the Director

Greetings Gator Nation!

In May 2012, I was diagnosed with diabetes. This past year has been full of ups and downs as

I am gauging how to unlearn eating habits that I have been taught over the last 32 years of

my life. Like many African Americans growing up poor in the South, I come from family that

fed what they could afford to get their hands on. We never missed a meal, but also never ate

healthily. Living with diabetes has forced me to reexamine everything I thought I knew about

clean eating, proper dieting, and exercising.

This month’s issue, as well as programming in the IBC, is dedicated to Health in the Black/

African American community. I hope you take the time to read all the articles that several

students and staff have written. As a community, it is a must that we take better care of our-

selves! In the age of technology, we no longer have the excuse of miseducation- just google

what you do not know!

On November 16, we will showing the documentary “Soul Food Junkies.” Filmmaker Byron

Hurt looks at the past and future of soul food - from its roots in Western Africa, to its in-

carnation in the American South, to its contribution to modern health crises in communities

of color. Soul Food Junkies also looks at the socioeconomics of the modern American diet,

and how the food industry profits from making calories cheap, but healthy options expen-

sive and hard to find. Our development groups BMDI and BWII will also discuss topics

around men’s and women’s health,

In addition, I am extremely excited to feature best selling author Enitan Bereola on Novem-

ber 22! He is the author of one of my favorite books “Bereolaesque,” a guide book for ur-

ban, contemporary etiquette.

I hope you enjoy this newsletter and find your way to support the programs of the IBC as

this semester comes to a close. While we are speaking about health and our minds are drift-

ing to the crisp fall air and warm smells of Thanksgiving, be sure to take care of yourself and

those around you. Sometimes the quickest way to feel better is with positive vibes and a big

smile- start simple!

Harambe,

Vee Smith

Mental Health

Black people don’t go to therapy.

At least, not the majority of us.

According to blackpeopledont.org (yes there really is a site that exists like

that!), when asked why black people don’t go to therapy, the most common response

was:

“Because I don’t want people thinking that I’m crazy.”

Boom.

There it is. Within the black community, the connotation associated with ther-

apy is that you only go because “something ain’t right” with you. You’re insane in

the membrane. A detriment to society. Tore up from the floor up. Therapy isn’t for

regular folk with everyday problems.

There are so many other reasons that members of the Black community don’t

seek counseling and therapy, and I grew up hearing quite a few of these. For exam-

ple:

“I got Jesus! He’s all the doctor I need!”

“Why I gotta talk to a white person about my problems! They can’t relate!”

“Why pay to talk to someone when I can do that for free?”

“Therapy is for the weak. I can handle my own issues.”

“I ain’t got no worries!”(Made popular by Mr. Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter)

I grew up believing all of this was true. In fact, when I told my parents that I

was going to college to study psychology, they weren’t too pleased. Partially because

they’re Haitian, and partially because they didn’t fully understand, they didn’t want

me to study something useless and non-beneficial to society, when I could just as

easily pursue becoming a doctor, lawyer or engineer.

But now, currently in my third year, I don’t regret my decision because I be-

lieve psychology is useful, and therapy does work.

So, why is the black community an exception? And is there a way to reverse

the age-old mindset, change the stigma, and increase African-American/Black repre-

sentation in counseling and therapy? If you notice from the statements above, some

main reasons why it doesn’t work for blacks other than the fact that we believe it

doesn’t is because of: religion, racial barriers, and cultural mindsets. I would like to

address these reasons one by one, in an effort to find explanations to the age old

question: Why don’t black people go to therapy?”

By: Islande Resignac

Racial barriers

There is a mindset often encouraged by therapists called “colorblindness”, which basi-

cally means that therapists treat all clients equally, without regarding their race, culture or eth-

nicity. At first glance, this may seem like a great concept. Equality is a good thing, right?

Right…just not in this case. Using the colorblind method in therapy is an excuse for therapists

to ignore something that makes their multicultural client who they are. If someone is seeking

therapy, the last thing they’d want is to have a part of their identity ignored, especially if it is

a part of some of the issues they deal with on an everyday basis. Dr. Monica Williams argued

in an article for Psychology Today that “The need for colorblindness implies there is some-

thing shameful about the way God made me and the culture I was born into that we shouldn't

talk about. Thus, colorblindness has helped make race into a taboo topic that polite people

cannot openly discuss. And if you can't talk about it, you can't understand it, much less fix the

racial problems that plague our society.”

The fact that many therapists have this mindset makes it harder for those in the Black

community to seek therapy. After all, if they can’t openly talk about something that makes

them who they are, and feel comfortable about it, then what’s the point in going to therapy?

And although some try and fix this by seeking counsel from other black therapists, there’s an

overall low percentage of Black therapists represented (actual percentage unavailable).

Thus, a racial barrier is formed. Many therapists have become more culturally aware and

open, and are able to comfortably speak of race with their clients. But, it can still be challeng-

ing to convince members of the Black community to feel comfortable sharing with therapists

who may not be the same race or background as they are.

There is a site titled “blacktherapistnetwork.com” that allows people to find African-

American therapists in their location.

Cultural Mindsets

My mother once told me that she never understood why Americans went to therapy.

She’d joke that they loved talking about their problems, and since no one else close to them

wanted to listen, they’d just have to pay someone to. Because my mother was from the Carib-

bean, she grew up under the impression that you dealt with your problems yourself, or with

God, and not share them with strangers.

Many men are taught that therapy is for the weak, and it shows signs of fragility, not

strength. The concept of “sucking it up” is common in the Black community. Don’t let them

see you cry. Keep your head held high. Once you’re raised thinking one sort of way, it gets

difficult to change your overall mindset. This kind of mindset is apparent in the Black and

African-American community, and to be able to venture away from that requires the process

of re-educating the whole community. Sounds like a really long process, and a pretty tough

job.

And for those who do seek therapy, this is kept on the low. If you are going to therapy

or counseling, you keep that on the hush-hush, in order to avoid judgment, mocking, and be-

ing treated differently from people in your community. After all, no one wants to be seen as

“crazy”, and since therapy is for the insane, might as well keep this from being known to oth-

ers. Obviously, this is the wrong way to think about things. Because who knows, your testi-

mony of going to therapy could be the open door for others to seek help and counseling for

themselves

Nutrition Sweet Potatoes: What You May Not Know About

This Common Vegetable!

by Qwamel Hanks

November is National Sweet Potato

Awareness month, which is appropriate con-

sidering that Thanksgiving is approaching!

But what exactly is a sweet potato? Surpris-

ing to some, it is not a potato. A sweet potato and potato vary in color,

nutrients, harvesting, and handling. Sweet potatoes are also common-

ly referred to as yams, but they are actually two different species of

root vegetables. Native to Africa, yams (referred to as nyami in Afri-

ca) are typically larger, and have a dark, hairy skin. Conversely,

sweet potatoes are native to Central America, and tend to be smaller.

There are about 400 varieties of this vegetable, where the shades of

its skin can either have light, fleshy colors, or darker skin tones that

resemble yams. Slaves were introduced to sweet potatoes once in

America, and adopted the vegetable in their diet because it was simi-

lar to their unavailable, African yams. Strangely, most “yams” in

American markets are really just sweet potatoes that are simply la-

beled yams because of their dark orange appearance. True yams in

this country are typically found in international markets.

Sweet potatoes are recognized as one of the super foods for many

reasons. The familiar form of the vegetable is orange due to its high

content of beta carotene, a provitamin that can be converted to an

active form of vitamin A. Vitamin A is an important nutrient for the

black community because it can prevent disorders common to mi-

norities, such as preventing glaucoma, reducing side effects of HIV

by boosting the immune system, and improving blood sugar regula-

tion for people with diabetes. Studies have also shown that con-

suming sweet potatoes with a small amount of fat helps increase

the body’s absorption of vitamin A.

Many are probably familiar with sweet potatoes through dish-

es such as candied yams, sweet potato casserole, and of course,

sweet potato pie. Yet, there are many more and most importantly,

healthier ways to eat this vegetable. Replace a white potato with a

sweet potato to make mashed potatoes, using low-fat milk and cin-

namon for a sweet and filling side dish. Even simpler, cut a sweet

potato into slices and pop it in the oven for baked sweet potato

fries. Whatever method you use, adding sweet potato to your diet

will benefit both your taste buds and health!

Page 10 THE UJIMA CHRONICLES

BEREOLAESQUE

November 20th

2013

LAW school

6PM

Award-wining and best-selling author of Bereola-esque, Enitan Bereola is

coming to UF.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Page 11

There is something sexy about life. Not that sexy you see splashed across the pages of Playboy magazine – but those memorable

moments only captured by those truly availa-ble to receive them.

This is that sexy.

This is BEREOLAESQUE.

Page 12

Featured Student– Shaun

THE UJIMA CHRONICLES

Featured Organization –Progressive Black Men

Progressive Black Men, Inc. is a service organization whose purpose is to

promote positive images of Black/African-American men in today’s socie-

ty. Members of our organization represent men of integrity, humility, dis-

tinction, and charity. Since its inception November 27, 1989, the organiza-

tion has fostered young men eager to make a difference in the lives of their

peers, families, and communities. Aside from volunteering at local non-

profit organizations such as schools, retirement homes, and low-income

housing communities. Progressive Black Men, Inc. has been recognized for

several philanthropic, scholastic, and community endeavors and has

prompted its leadership to expand activities both on and off the University

of Florida’s campus. Under the principles of Communal Support, Academic

Excellence and Brotherly Fellowship, we strive to better our communities

Let’s hear what the Progressive Men have to say….

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Page 13

1) Why do black men tend to stray away from receiving assistance with mental health is-

sues?

As Black men in today's society, men are to be perceived as powerful, the head, and a leader

and having mental health issues will decline from that image. So many men don't receive assis-

tance for it

-Amreek Hector

2) How do you feel about the passing of the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care?)

The Affordable Care Act is genius....but there's always a price to pay.

Whether it is a higher debt ceiling or tax increases, that money is coming from somewhere. I

think it's a small price for society to pay in order for others to afford basic healthcare. Statistics

also show that black families are less likely to have health insurance. Whether it’s not wanting

to purchase it or not thinking it’s important, I do not think it’s absurd for the government to help

people get insured.

-Tousky Telus

3) Black men are 50% less likely to get vaccinations for the flu and pneumonia. Why do you think that is?

I believe it’s not just the lack of the level of awareness but also the fact that since health in gen-eral can be considered "expensive" it is given minimal attention until it poses to be life-endangering or an immediate health concern.

-Jephte Altidor

4) There is an increasing discrepancy in the mortality rate of specific diseases between black males and their white counterparts. Why do you think that is?

Early detection and prevention is key. Although genetics do play a role in many diseases, there are people in our community who cannot afford yearly checkups to find diseases in the early stage. Simple procedures such as a blood pressure check, a blood sample, or a colonoscopy for older gentlemen can decrease the cost of later hospital visits.

-Shaun Plunkett

Black men typically do not go to the doctor and get a check-up when they are older, perhaps for

fear of having something or thinking they can handle anything on their own.

-Amreek Hector

In our culture it is not deemed important to go to the hospital. Our history shows that we have

remedies to heal certain sicknesses like the common cold or a headache so over the counter

medication is not necessary.

-Aaron Beharie

NEWSLETTER TITLE Page 14

Shaun Plunkett is a 3rd

year Nutrition Science

major with a minor is

Health Disparities from

West Palm Beach, Flori-

da. He joined the Institute

of Black Culture as an

outlet to get involved with the youth in the Gainesville

community. Since joining the IBC, he has organized a

spaghetti night to raise funds for the Flossie B McLen-

don Drill team and plan working with the Porter House

community for Saturday tutoring and mentoring.

Shaun’s interest includes learning about different cul-

tures and religious practices as well as programing for

underprivileged youth. Shaun currently serves as the

project and programming coordinator for Progressive

Black Men Inc. and the Executive Director for the Stu-

dent Health Outreach Team. In the future, Shaun plans

on becoming a Pediatric Endocrinologist to work with

juvenile diabetes.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

Page 15

MUSIC Yo! My name is Terry. I am a Haitian-American born in Brooklyn, New York, schooled in Florida, and raised partially in both areas. My rap name is Teeph Rheto-ric. It is a play off my first initial and last name (which is Frederic). I have had an interest in rap music since I was very young and gave my first shot at it in elemen-tary school. My first actual written rhyme went something like this:

“Little T you know I do my thing thing/Fo shizzle dizzle, you know I got the ching ching/Fo bling bling, platinum phones go ring ring/You just another kid with a sen-sation for big things”.

After that I more or less stopped rhyming all through middle school. There was one summer, in New York, I was enrolled in the NYPD summer camp and almost got to perform a rap with some friends. Unfortunately though, that was the summer of that big black out and it never happened. It wasn’t until high school, after having a con-versation with a friend of mine and rapper at the time, that I started to look into real Hip-Hop music. The first Hip-Hop song I took the initiative to listen to was by Nas, and it was called “Hip-Hop is Dead”. That song opened up a whole other world for me—and ever since then Hip-Hop has become a part of my identity. I became a stu-dent and have been ever since. Long story short, I started rhyming seriously. I would rhyme with friends at the trash cans. I tried rap battling—though I wasn’t very good at it. I borrowed a micro-phone from that friend I mentioned earlier and started recording. His name is Alan Sadler. He and his friend Sebastian also helped quite a lot by teaching me the nuanc-es of recording and writing. I started a club for lyricists of all kinds. I graduated, went to college and got involved with the Hip Hop Collective. I kept recording and even put out a mixtape (which was well received!). I helped revive the Emcee divi-sion and also participated in Soul Cypher. Now I am here. I have been performing more lately. My music is conscious and catchy. I talk about things I experience and teach lessons I’ve learned.

You can check my music out here:

www.soundcloud.com/teephrhetoric

www.youtube.com/teephrhetoric

LIKE MY PAGE FOR UPDATES

www.facebook.com/teephrhetoric

Music Review

What's going on IBC readers?

Welcome to the first IBC Music Review

My name is Isaiah and I'll guiding you through the good, the classic, and the ratchet for you playlist.

Enough with the small talk. Let's get to it.

What a month!

There was so many different releases I honestly don't know where to start. But of course we should

get the big fish out the way.

October's very own Drizzy Drake.

Drake-"Nothing Was The Same"

If you haven't heard this album you been living under a rock. From the first track down I can honest-

ly say that it's good music. Tuscan Leather sets the tone as Noah "40" Shebib throws Drizzy an ally

oop for a beat. "Wu-Tang Forever" and "Own It" give the album a little more substance. While

"Pound Cake", assisted by Jay-Z, is a tag- team of hip-hop heavy weights. To date Nothing Was The

Same has sold over 991,000 units, numbers we have come to except from Drizzy.

IBC Final Review:

Never play this album when your around your home boys, in your feelings, or thinking about your

ex.

Other then that constant rotation.

2 Chainz- "B.O.A.T 2: Me Time"

2 CHAINZ!! Did you miss him? Assisted by Pharrell, the single "Feds Watching" gives a little moti-

vation to remain fresh at all times. The album gets a helping hand from a number of producers in-

cluding Mike Will Made it, Atlanta native Drumma Boy and even Mannie Fresh. "I Do It", featuring

Drake and Lil'Wayne, brings star power to the album, while "Employee Of the Month" is a heavy

hitter dance track. "Livin" is a Cali beat with a hook, but besides that this album is trash.

IBC Final Review:

If your looking for lyrics don't even bother. When it's time to TURN UP, this IS the theme music.

Isaiah Souffront

THE UJ IMA CHRONICLES Page 18

November

UF NPHC will be hosting “In Living Color” UF

Homecoming Step Show at 9pm tickets can be

purchased at ufnphc.org

Lambda Rho Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho So-

rority, Inc. we are having our fall mini week

called “The Golden Years” Nov 12-15th

Florida Death Row Exonerees to Speak in Gaines-ville at the library at St Augustine’s Catholic

Church and Student Center.

CaribSA FTS Sweet Dreams Fundraiser is at 5-8pm. The proceeds go to the Caribbean Return-

ing Nationals Foundation.

FTS Spades/Taboo Tournament. Sign Up Now

until Nov. 4th.

FACES presents Beauty in Media at 6p st Weimer AHA Lab.

2

4

12

6

5

9

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Page 19

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.: 91st Found-

ers’ Day Celebration at Turlington Plaza 10am

to 2pm.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. presents Girl

Code: Women Empowerment at La Casita 6-8pm

semi-formal attire.

Greater Service, Greater Progress” Community

Service at the Boys and Girls Club 2700 NW

51stst 3-5pm

BSU 5th General Body Meeting is 6pm at Little

Hall Room 101.

Fast & Furious: BSU & AASU Speed Friending.

IBC Cinema presents Soul Food Junkies at 12pm

and 7pm.

13

13

14

15

14

25

Movie Monday

Tournament Tuesday

Sandwich Wednesday

Taboo Thursday

IBC Friday

IBCinema

“Soulfood Junkies”

Nov. 13th

12:30 and 6pm

IBC

BWII

Nov. 19

6pm

IBC

BMDI

Nov. 5

6pm

IBC

Food for the Soul

Nov. 21

11am

IBC

Movie Mondays

Soulfood– Nov. 4

Funny Valentines– Nov. 18

Philadelphia– Nov 25

We are currently looking articles (opinion column, controversial or intellectual topics, and achievements) for each segment of our November Newsletter. If you like writing or you have something that you have written that is in, send us your topic for the segment you are interested first. Once approved, we will email you back to remind you of the following:

1. Submit a headshot

2. Provide a brief description of yourself: name,

major, and something interesting about you.

3. The write up must be a ½ -1 page long.

Contact us at [email protected]

If you would like to see your organization’s events in the newsletter, please submit the description, date, and location to the email address above before the last week of every moth for events for the next month. Therefore, if you have events for December, the deadline is November 20th.

This is for you...