Dear Black Voice Family,

Happy New Year!

Although we are over 40 days into 2015, it is never too late to start fresh and make a change in your lifestyle for the better. Even if you have already given into those old 2014 habits, continue to push yourself to renew and redirect your energy to achieve all of the plans and goals you made for yourself, your family and your community this year.

Community.

If you are reading this, welcome to the Black Voice community and happy Black History Month. My name is Danielle Reed, and as Editor in Chief of this historical publication that was founded at SU in 1968, I invite you to fully indulge yourself and join our staff on a journey through time, history and culture as we celebrate and critique Black History Month, Black progress, and the Black experience in our next three issues this semester. Black History Month should not be treated as a passing holiday recognized only through trivial “soul food” dinners in dining halls and regurgitating the same tired facts. Celebrating and acknowledging the achievements of people from the African Diaspora from all over the world is a lifestyle that can only be demonstrated through the love and respect of Black people and our culture on a day-to-day basis.

The essence of Black History Month inspires me to challenge myself as a Black woman in America to be excellent, intelligent and successful while combating white supremacy at every social and economic level. I challenge you find out what your own takeaway during this time of remembrance and celebration. What does Black History Month bring out in you? How does Black History Month make you feel as a Black person or non-Black person? Why? I challenge you to self-reflect and self-critique. We can all learn from the mistakes and successes of others, no matter their race. Black history is American history at the end of the day. Do not let the textbooks lie to you.

The Movement.

There are some people who have asked why there was a movement to re-instate the Black Voice, a publication for Black students, faculty and staff to tell their stories and voice their opinions about the campus of Syracuse University and the world beyond it. I am sure the same question will arise when the community discovers that there is a movement to reinstate the former Recognized Student Organization, the Black Artists League. But instead of providing those persons with a defense of why we should exist, I will respond with this.

Turn the page.

Your sister always,

Danielle S. Reed