Gentrification takes hold of some American neighborhoods, strangling its residents A few years ago, I went back home to the Bay Area. I was excited to visit; I was going to see a lot of my old friends, go to my favorite restaurants, and spend time with family I hadn’t seen in awhile. But when […]
Author: hayesroan
The Roundup: Musicals Edition
21 Chump Street Follow high school senior Justin Laboy as his life rapidly goes downhill when he falls in love with an undercover cop in this 15-minute documentary musical based on a true story. The musical starts with narrator Lin Manuel-Miranda introducing Laboy, who has a plan called Operation D-Minus which takes place at his […]
Former Black Panther shares past experience
When I lived in the Bay Area, I heard a lot about the Black Panthers, which was started by Dr. Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in West Oakland on October 15th, 1966. The Panthers provided frequent patrol of neighborhoods to protect the residents of the neighborhood. Also, they provided breakfast programs, after-school program, youth […]
I’m just as valid as my culture
One time when I was in elementary school, my mom cornrowed my hair just before school started. I was livid. I hated the way the braids looked on my head, and I swore they made me look like a boy. My mom didn’t care. She said, “I’m not taking those braids out. You’re going to […]