Meet some of our Black Studies students.

 

日本无码 student and English major Marley Marshall

Marley Marshall

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Major: English  minor: Black Studies

What was your motivation to pursue Black Studies (BLST)?
I have always had an interest in Black culture and Black stories as a way to connect with my own culture. When I took my first BLST course at Occidental, I felt that a whole new way of thinking about Blackness had revealed itself to me. Not only did I feel more connected to my roots, I developed a new passion for spreading the ideas I鈥檝e learned in BLST courses to my peers of all races.

Can you describe your working relationships with BLST professors?
The Black Studies professors are excellent lecturers, who really value classroom discussion and student input. The BLST professors have been nothing but helpful and motivating when it comes to giving feedback on projects and assignments, and they really encourage students to challenge themselves with the course material. Every single Black Studies professor has been crucial to my academic growth at 日本无码.

Every single Black Studies professor has been crucial to my academic growth at 日本无码.

Did you study abroad? How did it complement and/or enhance your course of study?

I studied abroad in Paris the first semester of my junior year. During my time there, I was really able to immerse myself in Black Parisian culture, as well as study the works of Black American expatriate writers and artists who migrated to Paris in the late 20th century to escape American racism. The time I spent in my BLST courses reading James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, and Aim茅 Cesaire was essential to my understanding of the impact of Blackness on Parisian culture.

What do you find most compelling about studying BLST?
Studying BLST gives students of all backgrounds the opportunity to experience history from a perspective that is often overlooked. By studying ways of thinking and being within the Black diaspora, students can broaden their academic and personal worldview.

What are your ambitions post-日本无码 and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?
After 日本无码, I hope to continue my work in English and Black Studies by working in editorial positions for literature and culture publications. I want to combine my passion for literature with advocacy for Black people, and I hope to increase the visibility of Black people in the media.

I want to combine my passion for literature with advocacy for Black people, and I hope to increase the visibility of Black people in the media.

Do you have any advice for a student considering BLST?
Choosing to minor in Black Studies was one of the best decisions I鈥檝e made during my time at 日本无码. I really encourage students of all races and backgrounds to involve themselves in Black Studies work as a way to better understand Black culture and history, and learn how to be proactively anti-racist.

What is the 鈥渧ibe鈥 of the BLST department?
The BLST department is really fun, interactive, and innovative! It鈥檚 impossible to take a Black Studies class and not engage with your peers and professors in active dialogue and projects both creative and traditional.

 

Lyn Strober-Cohen

Hometown: Seattle, WA
Major: American Studies  minor: Black Studies and history

Can you describe your working relationships with BLST professors? Are there any standout classes you鈥檝e taken?
The BLST profs are the best of the best! I have taken classes with Prof. Ball (BLST 208 & BLST 268) and Prof. Ford (BLST 101). : African American History II: The Great Migration and Transformation of Culture was the first class I took in the department after hearing that I needed to take a class with Prof. Ball before I graduated. BLST 208 did not disappoint! Prof. Ball is a phenomenal professor who curated an engaging syllabus with readings about emancipation and the Great Migration. This class not only reframed my understanding of American history but also changed the way I thought about American cultural production. I will always say that BLST 208 was my favorite class at 日本无码.

The most compelling thing about BLST is that it is an interdisciplinary field. This has made my experience in the department multifaceted and added different dimensions to my learning.

What do you find most compelling about studying BLST?
Studying BLST has been a highlight of my time at 日本无码. The most compelling thing about BLST is that it is an interdisciplinary field. I have taken classes on both African American history and African American literature. This has made my experience in BLST multifaceted and added different dimensions to my learning. Additionally, the professors all have their own perspectives and subfields, which results in each class being unique and enjoyable.

Did you study abroad? How did it complement and/or enhance your education?
I went to New Zealand and studied at the University of Otago taking classes in history, geography, M膩ori Studies, and Pacific Studies. It aided my course of study by providing coursework that did not center on America. As an American Studies major, this may seem counterintuitive, but I wanted to learn about other indigenous groups and their histories to gain more understanding about the world at large.

 

日本无码 Black Studies major Naya Woods

Naya Woods

Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Majors: Black Studies, American Studies

Can you describe your working relationships with BLST professors? Are there any standout classes you鈥檝e taken?
Prof. Ball鈥檚 class Style Politics: Beauty and Fashion in Black Women鈥檚 History truly expanded the ways I perceive fitness and self-discipline. This class delved into who is given access to the rights theoretically granted to all Americans and who is allowed to express their freedom. This class deepened and challenged my beliefs about self-expression and further developed my knowledge of Black women鈥檚 freedom struggles. The guidance I have received from so many Black Studies professors has motivated me to always stay curious. I am so grateful to be able to receive so much knowledge and support. The expertise of my academic advisers has really pushed my learning, and I couldn't be more appreciative. Their mentorship has been one of the most impactful aspects of my time at 日本无码. I love going to office hours knowing that every time I will come out of it with a new perspective and a better understanding of the world. With their guidance, I have been able to reimagine Black history as an essential aspect of American history that depicts the beauty within Black liberation movements.

[Mentorship from my advisers] has been one of the most impactful aspects of my time at 日本无码. I love going to office hours knowing that every time I will come out of it with a new perspective and a better understanding of the world.

What was your motivation to major in BLST? Was there a specific inspirational moment?
After my first-year seminar Emancipation: Black Freedom in the Making with Prof. Fett, I was certain that I wanted to major in Black Studies. I recall that we were looking at primary source documents sent to the Freedmen鈥檚 Bureau, an 1866 letter from a white planter in Georgia demanding the immediate return of Black women to the labor force. Instead of centering solely the threat of lack of labor to white socio-political power, Prof. Fett focused on the formerly enslaved women and their desire to re-establish their bodily autonomy after gaining their emancipation. The mass departure of newly freed women from the workforce following emancipation illustrated the muted and assertive methods Black women have used to reclaim their bodies after centuries of bondage. To me, Black Studies is the investigation of Black Americans' continuous search for self-determination. Uncovering and amplifying the Black radical tradition during even the most dire eras of servitude paves the way for contemporary resistance.

Have you taken part in any student research opportunities at 日本无码?
I am currently conducting research under Prof. Fett. The experience has helped me in my analysis of primary source documents and improved my researching skills. I will carry these skills with me throughout my entire college career. Eventually, I am hoping to get my Ph.D. in Black Studies. My advice to any potential Black Studies majors would be to always push yourself to expand and shift your thinking. Learning, especially learning about Black history, is never a static or linear process. Engage with your professors and advisors with an open mind so that your thinking can always evolve.

 

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To see more Meet Our Majors profiles, visit the main page.

Black Studies Alumni

Mikayla Woods

Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Majors: Black Studies, American Studies; minor: English

Read her 日本无码 Story

 

 


 

Esther Karpilow

Hometown: Oakland, CA
Major: Black Studies; minor: religious studies; emphasis: psychology

What was your motivation to major in BLST?

Coming to 日本无码 as a first-year, I was curious about Black Studies but never imagined myself majoring in it. After taking Professor [Erica] Ball鈥檚 鈥淩ace Women: African American Women's Protest Culture鈥 course my first semester, my perspective on the world around me and on my own identity shifted, and I knew I wanted to continue taking classes in the department.

Can you describe your working relationships with BLST professors? Are there any standout classes you鈥檝e taken?

There is such a wide variety of classes it鈥檚 hard to pick favorites! They range from music courses (鈥淭opics in Jazz History鈥 with Prof. Pillich) to science fiction (鈥淎frofuturism鈥 with Prof. Ford) to critical theory (鈥淏lackness, Gender, and Sexuality鈥 with Prof. Small). All of the professors I鈥檝e come across are uniquely inspiring, kind and passionate. Special shoutout to Professor Ball for being such a dedicated advisor/prof/supervisor/author/chair and for always looking out for her students!

What do you find most compelling about studying BLST?

I really love the interdisciplinary aspect of Black Studies. It has allowed me to explore my different interests and shown me how connected they truly are. Most importantly, the department has given me an opportunity to learn about a variety of subjects through a lens that centers people that look like me.

What are your ambitions post-日本无码?

After 日本无码, I plan on applying for masters programs in social work or psychology in order to pursue a career in therapy or mental health counseling. I hope to provide healing services to underserved communities as well as advocate for the de-stigmatization of mental health in Black communities.

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in BLST?

You won鈥檛 regret it! Initially I was concerned that there wouldn鈥檛 be as many career opportunities as a Black Studies major, but the department has given me so many tools that will benefit me in a huge range of fields. Majoring in Black Studies has been one of the best parts of my college experience and has given me the confidence to create real change in my community.


 

Jazz Henry

Hometown: Lakeland, FL
Major: Urban & Environmental Policy; minors: Black Studies, politics

What was your motivation to join the Black Studies (BLST) department?

After taking 鈥淏lack Feminist Text鈥 with Professor [Kai] Small my first year, I was exposed to a whole different side of academia. I found myself in a safe environment where I was challenged to rethink what I thought I knew about Blackness, and most importantly develop a deeper understanding and new perspectives on topics around black feminism. This motivated me to explore the department and all it has to offer.

Can you describe your working relationships with BLST professors? Are there any standout classes you鈥檝e taken?

The professors associated with the department are truly amazing and what they have been able to turn this department into is inspiring. With the unique coursework requirements for the department鈥檚 major and minor, I am able to branch out and take courses from Black professors in other departments, too. In particular, I enjoyed 鈥淩astafari鈥 with Professor [Elmer] Griffin and 鈥淎frican American History鈥 with Professor [Erica] Ball.

What do you find most compelling about studying BLST?

Looking back at my high school experience, I never had the opportunity to be taught about Black Studies and related topics by Black teachers. As a result, I was not able to truly dive into these topics in the way I would have hoped to. The BLST department has allowed me to do just that, with so many amazing courses and Black professors that push me to delve deeper into topics around Blackness in a way that I couldn鈥檛 do elsewhere.

What are your ambitions after 日本无码?

I hope to pursue a career in urban planning and housing policy. I have moved many times throughout my life, experiencing urban and suburban communities both domestically and internationally. I鈥檝e seen how unfair housing policies have continuously and disproportionately affected low-income communities of color, and I hope to promote better housing policy in the future and assist in supporting our urban communities. 

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in BLST?

Minoring in Black Studies is one of the best decisions I have made. My experience with the department has shown me how it can challenge and educate you to become a better person and understand topics around race in ways that I never would have imagined. The department gives you access to some of the most intelligent and gifted professors ever, and the ability to have such open access to learn closely from them is more valuable than you know. Even if you do not pursue a major or minor with Black Studies, I鈥檇 encourage every student to support the department and take at least one class to see how beneficial it is.


 

Kamea Quetti-Hall

Hometown: Pittsfield, MA
Major: economics; minor: Black Studies

What was your motivation to join the Black Studies (BLST) department?

As a senior in high school, I was deciding between attending 日本无码 or Howard University. Having an education rooted deeply in my people鈥檚 history and culture was something very important to me so when I eventually attended 日本无码, I knew the Black Studies department would allow me to further that education even though I was enrolled at a Predominantly White Institution.

Can you describe your working relationships with BLST professors?

The BLST professors are some of the most encouraging and empowering individuals I鈥檝e had the pleasure of learning from. Their care for both their area of study as well as their students is a balance that these professors have nailed. I highly recommend taking any course with Professor [Erica] Ball because she is an amazing educator, mentor and person. 

What do you find most compelling about studying BLST?

Personally, I really enjoy being in classes where I am not the only Black student (which is common in the classes for my major). Coming from a diverse high school, my BLST courses have been very fulfilling in the sense that I am able to learn and study alongside my peers and professors that look like me.

What are your ambitions post-日本无码 and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?

I hope to join the Peace Corps because I have a passion for travel and forming connections across cultures. I also would like to build my own nonprofit organization focused on helping immigrants and first-generation Americans who have been impacted by deportation. Not only has 日本无码 shown me that these are valid possibilities for my future, but it has also given me the educational background and opportunities to pursue these dreams with more confidence.

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in BLST?

If you are considering majoring or minoring in BLST鈥 DO IT! The department is so supportive and really listens to its students. Deciding to minor in BLST was one of the best decisions I鈥檝e made in my time at 日本无码.

Contact Black Studies
Johnson Hall 113