DOWN Magazine was created in the Spring of 2015 to be a space for writers of color to generate and disseminate work of all genres, from long-form nonfiction narrative to fiction, poetry, art, investigative journalism, and more. It was, and continues to be, a much needed space online and on campus for writers of color…
On February 20th, 2020, I had the opportunity to attend the symposium and discussion: Redefining Blackness in America. Created by the wonderful Amara Mgbeike, this event featured speakers such as Rebecca Amonor, Cera Smith, and Dr. Carolyn Roberts. The event began with Dr. Roberts, a professor at Yale, recounting her experiences as a first…
In his collection of short stories “Dubliners,” James Joyce writes about a young boy infatuated with his friend’s older sister, Mangan. The boy spends his time curating happenstance such that he sees her nearly as often as he thinks of her. Their conversations are few and far between – rushed and inconsistent – until one…
Dear Professors, Stop assuming that I know things. In fact, assume that I don’t know anything at all. Assume that I only have two old brain cells left and they’re only enough to remember my name and birthday. When you feel yourself starting to say, “You should’ve learned this in high school…” remember that me…
You stand on College and Grove Street. Staring intently at the spotlight, you wait to cross the street in a group of twenty students all huddled together. Suddenly someone walks right past the group (most times, but not always, a man, and most times, but not always, white) and crosses the street without hesitation. The…