Jaylen Pearson

Hip Hop Fundamentals: Teaching The Youth Through Dance

A dance studio can be a place of freedom for dancers to improve their craft. It also has some really great autistics, that make it ideal for having an interview. It is one of the things that made a recent sit-down between Hip Hop fundamentals and Hypefresh magazine so enjoyable. Founded back in 2012, Hip Hop fundamentals is run by Mark Wong, also known as Metal and Steve Lunger. Both men have been breakdancing long before the birth of their organization. Since 2004, they had been breaking as a
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From BlacKkKlansman to Black Panther: Here’s Why Hollywood’s Token White Ally Trope Needs To End.

From BlacKkKlansman to Black Panther: Here’s Why Hollywood’s Token White Ally Trope Needs To End. When Black Panther premiered on the big screen, black nerds from around the globe rejoiced. We had been waiting to see Wakanda since the beginning of the MCU. We finally got to see a black hero who was unapologetically proud of his culture. Black Panther delivered a tale where blackness was both centered and celebrated. However, even though the film focused on its majority black cast, the writers m
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Depression and Media: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

Depression is a common mental illness. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, over 300 million people suffer from the disorder, worldwide. Depression may seem like someone being sad for a little but it’s much more complex than that. The illness can manifest itself in depressives in various ways. For some it could be in the form of becoming withdrawn or having a lack of energy, whilst another may show no visible signs and ultimately appear perfectly fine whilst breaking down inside.

READ: Why is Hip Hop Criticized for Drugs?

In fact, some people have gone onto say that Hip-hop is the root of drug abuse. Yet, hip-hop does not reference drugs as much as other genres. In a recent study, researchers analyzed the mentioning of drugs across music genres. They found that hip-hop actually mentions narcotics the least out of them. The genre that actually mentions drugs the most is country music. So, why is it that hip-hop is demonized for its allusion to drugs while no one saying anything about country music doing the same t
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Netflix's "Luke Cage" Delivers a Solid Second Season

Sweet Christmas! Harlem’s favorite bulletproof hero has returned to Netflix. After the lackluster premieres of Jessica Jones season two and The Defenders miniseries, Luke Cage brings back the quality that attracted fans to Marvel Netflix in the first place. This time the show avoids the mistakes from its previous season and delivers an entertaining show, with its own unique vibe. Cage gives viewers a realistic look at the life of a bulletproof black man, while exploring black male masculinity a
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Jessica Jones Season 2 Review: New Season, Same Old Mistakes

When Jessica Jones first debuted on Netflix, it was well received by both critics and fans. The show managed to find a balance between its noir detective style and comic book elements. This gave it its own enjoyable and unique tone. What really made the show stand out though, was that it was a cast led by women and highlighted sexual assault and trauma. Between its depiction of abuse, post traumatic stress disorder, and its writing, the series became a hit. Jessica Jones fans were left wanting m
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Creators of the Week: Salim & Mara Brock Akil – Nerdy POC –

Get to know the couple behind The CW’s Black Lightning In a partnership uncommon in Hollywood, Salim and Mara Brock Akil show that collaboration is key to maintaining a relationship. Salim was born in Oakland, California in 1964, while Mara was born in Kansas City in 1970. The two first met on the set of Moesha in 1999, and were married not long after. Since then, they have become one of most influential black power couples in Hollywood. With Salim’s directing talents, and Mara’s writing talent

Woodcrest | Non-Fiction | Dashikis and War Paint

I watched as the greatest symbols and silhouettes of hope I’ve ever seen let glee drive them into a joyful madness. There were no politics, no malevolent motives, no need to build identity with the tattered remains of another; just movement, just dainty dances, just the need to enjoy the moment others. It was an Eden thousands of serpents could not taint. It was a place where there was no I, me, he, she, they, them, or us. There was only we, something so pure that the thought of its corruption

Woodcrest | Poetry | Justice Sees Color

Picture boys and girls, A continent divided into contours flesh like a color palette of history noses, a perfect sphere nappy hair like fingerprints of ancestors bleeding through time and heritage Shot in self-defense with their hands up gasping in the street surrounded by blue and badges laughing at all the black they painted red made into hashtags that fade into obscurity Little boys seeing more martyrs than role models Mothers looking to the sky as if trying to fi
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Beyond Lip Service and Allies: Why Colleges Still Need the 'Black Student Union'

Of all the clubs and organizations found in the social thickets of colleges and universities, one of the most unique is the Black Student Union. The first Black Student Union was founded at San Francisco State University during the mid-1960’s by Jimmy Garrett and Jerry Varnado; this was towards the end of the Civil Rights movement. This was a time when the portion of Black students in college was even tinier than now, and overt racism was at an all-time high. The Black Student Union was designed
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What Static Shock Meant To Me As a Young Black Boy – Nerdy POC –

Nostalgia aside, looking back on the 90’s and early 2000’s, it is easy to argue that it was a golden era for animated series, particularly for comic book fans. Some of the best comic book adapted cartoons ever produced came during this time. The D.C animated universe of the 90’s gave us Batman and Superman animated series, two of best written cartoons of the decade. Then it followed up with Justice League, a show which will always hold a special place in the hearts of fans. Although these shows
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Bojack Horseman: The Most Human Show All About Animals.

There are few shows which accurately display the complexity of human emotion,however, Bojack Horseman, a show about anthropomorphic animals, has come back with afourth season that does just that. The premise of a depressed and alcoholic horse’s adventure sounds absolutely ridiculous on the surface and I’ll be the first to admit that I thought this show was slapstick comedy without any depth before I watched it. The show has happily proved me wrong though. Bojack Horseman is a show which will mak
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