Acceptance Without Exception
With fear in his eyes and sweat dripping down his face, Sirus, a freed slave, scurried around a large tree, trying to hide from a lynch-mob that knew about his secret relationship with a British man. In spite of his attempt to camouflage himself, Sirus…
Electrified on the West Side
As festival season approaches, the same names tend to appear on lineup announcements across the country. Most musicians are selected by popular demand, attracting “trap queens” and EDM fans who will pack the stadiums and lawns. But the rare music festival that exceeds the audience’s…
No Exceptions
Just when Americans thought the country had rid itself of involuntary servitude, the prison-industrial complex was born. Since colonial slavery was abolished in 1865, many people are still unaware that language in the U.S. Constitution’s 13th Amendment allows slavery to continue. The Amendment declares that…
Black Feminism Takes Center Stage
Since she was 14 years old, Ryan Pearson has had a play in the back of her mind and hoped that one day she would get to direct it. Her high school drama teacher gave Pearson a monologue from a feminist choreopoem titled “For Colored…
It’s Bigger Than Santa Cruz
The Atrium provided the perfect intimate setting for artists and audience members alike to connect over their mutual love of hip-hop, when dead prez returned to the Catalyst last Friday. Commonly known for their song “It’s Bigger Than Hip Hop, ” and a household name…