Organization of Black Students Calendar of Events
Have you attended a University of Chicago OBS event yet?
Here's what's coming up in February and March....
(click to enlarge)
Blacklight 09: Untitled
I am glowing and sunny
with a low viscosity and
and ear to a stereo.
He is glancing up and
I am forcing my head
lower and lower into
the deep crevices of my book.
Allen in South Africa: Harry Potter Brings out Society's Inner Witch?
Note: I do not like Harry Potter at all. I read the first two books and did not think they were that good. Supporters tell me that the series really gets going at book three; how am I suppose to be hooked at book three if books one and two are not that good? I digress...
Witchcraft. That elicits many different emotions often of Africanity, mysticism, sorcerers, and primitive beliefs characterized as taboo. Whatever the emotional and/or intellectual thoughts you
have, I am in conflict and frustration with myself. I view witchcraft as an increasingly complex system of lifestyle, more interestingly, that permeates throughout the globe throughout history and exists today. Recall that Asia dealt with spirits embodying people, compelling them to commit criminal acts. Europe (England in particular) fought problems of witchcraft throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries. Let’s not forget the power of the Salem Witch Trials in the United States. Arguably one of the modern witch hunts involved our obsession with Communism and the prevalence of McCarthy’s trials against potential communists. (By the way, the development of McCarthyism is one of the most underrated moments in 20th century history of the United States. It can be accurately equated to people in America being accused of acts endangering national security following the attacks of 9/11. Can you imagine being accused, with minimal evidence at best, to embodying a belief system that could lead you to jail? Fascinating! More people need to learn about this but this often gets over looked because it is not nearly as interesting compared to War -WWII, Korea, Cold War, Vietnam- and social movements, namely strengthening women’s rights and development of civil rights.) Witchcraft, however, functions as a particularly difficult thing to analyze because it is engrained in the functions of society and extends beyond the realm of simple logic. Being a rationalist (WHATEVER THAT MEANS), I need to explain my thoughts on the issues and discuss their limitations.
AquaMoon at the University of Chicago
On Monday, January, 27th at the University of Chicago's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, there was a presentation of "Love Does Not Hurt," the multi-media production about domestic violence written and directed by AquaMoon. The full version of the play (which was not able to be viewed in OMSA's community lounge) has a visual art component, music, dance and a number of other things to fulfill it's multimedia title. AquaMoon asserts that they based their writing on the "core poem" style, and compare it to Ntozake Shange's For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide When the Rainbow was Enuf... It is a production that seeks to define domestic violence in all its capacities and to inspire dialogues so that groups and communities can come to solutions.
Allen In South Africa: Why Americans Dont Like Soccer
Being in the Home of the World Cup, I believe it important to spend time considering why soccer is not very popular in the United States. I cannot say that I will bring a solely objective perspective to the table because enjoying sports extends beyond the realm of pure analytics. Sports must go through the “eye-test,” defined as things that appeal to the eye - in this case my eye. I hope to compare Soccer to the FIVE major sports in America (in order of popularity): Football, NASCAR, Basketball, Baseball, and Hockey. Allow my to justify this ranking because I expect to hear two claims: 1) NASCAR is not really a popular sport and 2) no one really cares about hockey, so keep it to four sports. Let me begin with NASCAR. No sport grew over the last decade like NASCAR, completing the Gordon Revolution and moving into mainstream attention - transforming into the largest growing sport of the 2000s. The Gordon Revolution is termed from the rise of Jeff Gordon, the California born Indiana raised driver who’s success transformed the image of NASCAR as a Southern, “red-neck” sport to a nationwide phenomenon attracting new sponsors (the shift from Winston Cigarettes to Sprint/Nextel), new drivers (most of which now come from the northern United States), and national acclaim among many different demographics (paraphernalia worn extensively by people - exceedingly so by black people; appearances on Saturday Night Live; New York-Chicago-LA media appeal, etc). The sheer numbers of people that flock to events prove NASCAR’s legitimacy going forward; NASCAR holds at least 15 of the top 20 spectator events held per year. Its prevalence back on ESPN/ABC is the final cherry on top for NASCAR’s rise to national fame.
Blacklight 09: Holding on
Blacklight 09: Deliverance
Allen in South Africa: Semantics Can Dictate the Future of South Africa
A Call For Submissions
Alas friends, it is that time again...the time for you to submit your short stories, poetry, prose, and even photography to Blacklight Literary Magazine. Accepted submissions will be in the 2010 physical publication of Blacklight and put on the website. In light of this amazing occasion, submissions from last years publication will be going up over the next few days; and don't forget you can always browse through the previous years' submissions in our fiction and poetry sections.
With that, I'll leave you with some words from our editor Aaron Rodriguez:
Dear Reader,
At its most basic, writing is a textual means to convey information from one party to another, but such a mundane definition does not reveal the complexity and majesty of the written word. From a scribbled note on a barroom napkin to the densest Russian existentialist tome, more comes out of the writer's pen than ink and words. The author does not merely imagine worlds, he creates them; the poet does not approximate emotions, she gives them life. Writing is more than mere catharsis for the tortured artist who clicks away at keys to force emotion from the heart to the page, it is the substantiation of the lives we lead and paths we walk.
Over the years attempts have been made to turn writing into some form of science. Cliched axioms abound in contemporary writing circles and everyday attempts are made to sterilize the heart and soul of the scribe. But as a great man once said, "Poetry is as precise as geometry," and it must noted that no word put on paper is devoid of value and meaning. Whether or not that paper finds its way to the top of the best seller list or the bottom of a rubbish bin is a matter for the fates, but when all is said and done, every piece of writing has an inextricable worth.
If you are interested in submitting, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ...
Allen in South Africa: "A Mountain...Oh Wow, That's What's Up!"
Friday night consisted of all the right things: my sobriety (an unbelievable feat in this day and age), my drunk friends (the most necessary component of any hilarious evening, alcohol (the glue to the operation), and music/dancing clubs. Our resident mentor, Jesse (who is the female, South African version of me), loves describing American dance music as “trashy and slutty…it’s wonderful.”
(BREAKING NEWS @ 10:17pm: Residents of the guesthouse pulled me away from this blog posting to give an analysis on a spider they thought was a Black Widow. Now of ALL the people in the world to do this, they chose me – notable author of a "cockroach darn near pee-ed my pants" post and resident I do not do spiders advocate. What did I do? I calmly got up, walked over to it, looked at it and told them it was not a Black Widow and walked away. OHHH, JUST DOMINATED THAT SITUATION! I watch lots of nature shows on National Geographic Explorer and can tell quite quickly. Also the secret that Black Widows do not exist in South Africa helps. I looked this up when I compiled the “Things That Could Kill Me List.”)
Our Beloved Sports Writer Allen Linton Has Gone to Cape Town
Many of you followed Brian Clarkes posts over the last couple months about his perusing through India, well Brian is back and now Allen is gone (you know how us college folk like to study abroad and what not). Allen will be in Cape Town, South Africa for the next few months and while he is gone he will hook us up with blogging about his adventures.
We'll miss you Allen, have fun and come back safe.
Misha Reflects on George Clooney's Up in the Air
George Clooney's Up in the Air is one of the Oscar favorites this year, and I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up cleaning up and winning much of what it is nominated for. I recently watched it and it is extremely well written, visually pleasing, and the acting is amazing. But how can one not reflect on his or her own life when watching a movie that is all about social attachment vs. detachment, societal expectations for our goals for different periods of life, inter-generational opinions about one another, and has a basis that directly reflects the hard economic times that America is facing right now. I'm going to do my best to do this reflection without giving away plot spoilers, it will be difficult, but if I focus on the feel the movie gave me then I should be able to be successful.
Chika Okafor's Superbowl Predictions
Superbowl Prediction
The NFL playoffs are on the horizon and are sure to be entertaining. But before I discuss the postseason, I would like to gloat about my preseason prediction. At the beginning of the year I predicted that the San Diego Chargers and the Minnesota Vikings would be at the top of their respective conferences and face-off in the Super Bowl. In addition, I chose the Cinncinati Bengals as the sleeper in the AFC and the Dallas Cowboys as the sleeper in the NFC. As it stands, my Superbowl picks have a relatively good chance of coming to fruition in the next few weeks and the Bengals and Cowboys have proved to be surprise contenders in their respective conference. I will boast about my correct or partially correct prophecies when they infrequently come along. Without further ado, I give you my prediction of the winner of the Superbowl XLIV.
From: Allen Linton To: Brian Clarke Re: NBA Decade Superlatives
“Big Fundamental” embodies the attributes of best player by being complete offensively, a defensive presence, revolutionizing his position, obtaining individual success, and winning championships. The two-time MVP led the only team to reach the playoffs in every season this decade (San Antonio Spurs) but produced against different levels of talent and remained the best player on his talented teams. With a winning percentage around .690, Duncan took the Spurs to continued success amid one of the most dominant duos in league history (Shaq and Kobe). Ten All-Star games, ten All NBA Teams, ten All Defensive Team selections, and ten years of dominance. With 21.2 points per game and 11.7 rebounds per game, Duncan faced the toughest player and emerged as a leader and winner of the league’s most dominant team. (I know that people will suggest this is my anti-Kobe sentiment, but Kobe is second best as he is moving to the most elite atmosphere in NBA history. They way he transformed himself from selfish, to tanking the Lakers/overcoming scandal, to winning a title and being liked it unreal. Similarly, the post game that he has developed is sickening. He continues to reinvent himself to stay ahead of the curve…Jordan-esque.)
Brian Clarke's NBA Decade Superlatives
Best Player: Kobe Bryant
In the midst of looking for the new “Mike”, many have come and many have been ruined by the burden (see Anfernee Hardaway and Grant Hill). Somehow Kobe has overcome a 7 foot shadow known as Shaquille O'Neal, a rape allegation, a $4 million ring and scrutiny of all to become to player of the decade. He participated in 5 finals in the decade and won 4 rings. He provided the league with plenty of memorable moments and headlines to last for decades. He went from not being mentioned in the 50 greatest players of all-time to being a candidate for top 10 player of all-time. Despite his perceived selfishness and cancerous reputation, Kobe reinvented himself during Phil Jackson's second run as Lakers coach as a leader. Not to mention he didn't average less than 24 ppg during the decade. Impressive. One more championship may begin an Oscar, MJ, Magic and Kobe discussion for greatest guard of all-time.
Best Team: 2008 Boston Celtics
Of any team in the decade, the Celtics had to defeat the most formidable opponent on their way to the championship. The 2008 Lakers looked just as poised to take the championship. However, the defensive dominance by the Celtics brought back memories of defense that once played in the 90's. Moreover, they won with a rookie point guard at the helm. They also made a mediocre coach in Doc Rivers look like a genius. Somehow Rivers was able to outsmart and outcoach the best coach in the history of the NBA. A close second would half to be the 2000 Lakers. Reliable Horace Grant, Shaq at his prime and scariest, Kobe coming into his own and sharpshooting Glen Rice helped to prove that Phil Jackson didn't need Michael Jordan to win a championship.
From: Allen Linton To: Brian Clarke Re: NFL Decade Superlatives
Best Player: Thomas Edward Brady
If you know anything about this league, you know that quarterback play matters and winning is the only thing that defines your career (unless you are Kyle “The Winner” Orton). Brady may not be the regular season machine Peyton Manning is, but Brady steps up when the lights are on and WINS THE BIG GAME! Brady’s Patriots are dynasty level because they’ve won three Super Bowls (should have been four) and led the most prolific offense of all time in 2007. Along with the beautiful rings, Brady has one MVP, two Super Bowl MVPs, and a 14-3 playoff record despite playing in 37 less games. Modern day Joe Montana? Oh yes. Without doubt, Manning is a statistical juggernaut but the full package of numbers and titles pushes Brady to player of the decade. 
Best Team: 2007 New England Patriots
Yes, I know they did not win the Super Bowl but their season was so far beyond amazing that it cannot help but be best. Why? They had to overcome the death of Marquise Hill , drop their leading rusher from 2006 (Corey Dillon - remember when he was the damn man), and the blown out of proportion Spygate. How did they respond...they beat the hell out of everyone, every weekend. Although the offense was sick (best ever), their defense was 4th best in the league. Defining moment: beating the Dolphins and Matt Cassell comes in and throws a INT and the Dolphins score (its like 35-7) and Belichick puts Brady back in to throw another TD pass. The team did not care about running up scores because everyone came at them the wrong way and they set them straight. That Super Bowl loss does hurt them, but I think the Pats pull that off 9 times out of 10. (that defense of their loss sucked...sorry 2007 Pats but that was a terrible loss). STILL, that team would've outscored the Rams, other Pats teams, blow away the Colts and Steelers. Not enough credit goes to them because they did not win the final game...but it was their only loss!
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