DOWN Magazine emerged out of the silences intentionally and unintentionally created by the overwhelming whiteness of Yale’s journalistic landscape. These gaping holes motivated us to create a publication that would not only enrich the communities in which it is grounded, but also create an outlet for the news, voices, and arts that have been pent…
#Blackout
On April 3rd, Tumblr users will once again be confronted with a mosaic of Black beauty curated using the hashtag #BlackOut. Without a doubt, organizing coming out of Ferguson was strengthened by the broad coalition of people of different races and backgrounds who came together to stand firmly in defense of black lives. I continue…
The Dangers of an Intersection: Blake Brockington’s Death and the Importance of Inclusivity
A. Black B. Black + Lesbian C. Black + Gay D. Black + Bisexual E. Black + Transgender If you had to choose one letter, which would you choose? Go ahead, pick your strife. But know that it wasn’t a fleeting decision for Blake Brockington, a powerful, 18-year-old Black trans activist from North Carolina who…
Hilton Als Visits Yale
As Hilton Als begins his master class on March 25, the classroom is hushed with expectation. Als is distinguished in the literary world for his memoirs, essays, and reviews, but as a queer black man in the literary world he often finds himself pigeonholed into discussions on race and sexuality. He sits before the classroom,…
Come Together: Yale Unites for Justice
Last Friday, Cross Campus reverberated with the cheers of hundreds of students mobilizing in a call for intersectional solidarity. Last Friday, a moving demonstration of student power and unification cemented a historical milestone for years to come. Last Friday, Unite Yale took place – a rally organized to affirm the tangible connections between the ongoing…