Why do Black people die early? Last year, the Marshall Project reported that Black Americans—at nearly every age—die at higher rates than their white counterparts. Lorraine Hansberry, 34. Martin Luther King Jr., 39. James Baldwin, 63. Google their names and so many of their pictures appear in black-and-white. Much of Blackness is prematurely historicized, but these…
Walking Into Love: Loren and Rahshemah’s Sweetheart Interview
Tell me the story of how you two met. Rahshemah Wise: We met on Tinder. I specifically remember seeing Loren on Tinder and thinking “God, they’re so hot.” They had their pronouns in their bio so I was like, it’s perfect, they’re hot and trans and Black. I swiped right, but we didn’t match. I…
The Value of Friendship: Chase Finney and Kelsey Tamakloe on Platonic Love
When did you realize you were friends? Chase Finney: Um, I have no idea. I can’t remember anything between camp Yale and the end of first semester. Like, it might’ve been after FroCo orientation, but I’m not sure. It doesn’t feel like it was that soon because I know I was friends with Ariana. We…
Our College Years: Love as a tool for Survival
The images in this photo essay chronicle the spring semester of 2021, the first semester back in person since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Though we faced many challenges during that time as well as today navigating the stresses of the pandemic, through cultivating home away from home with each other, we were able…
Love that Raises the Standard: Zaporah and Cassidy on their relationship and Black Love
How did you guys meet? Cassidy Arrington: We kind of knew of each other on campus. In May, Zaporah was having a b-day party. I asked my friend Kendall if I could come and my friend said that she didn’t know me. So I said “I’m Black what is she gonna do, kick me out?”…