Come to URCAD this Wednesday to see Stephanie Castner's dance, Touched, which was presented in the fall 2014 First Works Dance Showcase.

"Through the creation of my piece, Touched, I was able to explore how to abandon traditional, stylistic conformity and integrate technique, partnering, and choreographic elements of both modern and jazz dance." - Stephanie Castner

Thursday, April 16th was UMBC’s 3rd Annual Take Back The Night speak-out and march. We had an amazing turn out and we couldn’t have done it without everyone’s hard work and support!

We had signs that were made by community members, staff, student organizations, and Greek life!

Jess and Megan setting up our TBTN Banner!

Setting up T-shirts for the mini Clothesline Project Display

Right before the Speak-Out

Staff member, Yoo-Jin Kang and Peer Health Educator, Kayla Smith, were the student emcees and march leaders this year!

Community listening to the Speak-Out

The march made a huge impact on campus.         We were even invited to march through the dining hall!

After the Speak-out, the community was invited to hang out together, craft for a cause, and enjoy some lemonade and cookies before leaving the event.

What an awesome night!

Just a reminder for those who might not have been able to attend, there are many resources available to you, both on and off campus.

Here are some links: 

Voices Against Violence

UMBC Counseling Center

UMBC’s Relationship Violence Response and Prevention Program (RVAP)

UMBC’s Title IX Coordinator and Info

Women’s Center at UMBC

Dominick DiMercurio will be presenting his research on Drosophila melanogaster to identify highly conserved genes important in cell migration. His presentation will be held in UC 310 at 2:15 p.m.

Kelsey Donnellan will be presenting her research at URCAD this year! She conducted a study with four different groups that either had contact with The Garden or did not and either received a nutrition guide or did not.

Her poster presentation at URCAD April 22 will be held in the UC Ballroom from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Come check it out!!!

"The inspiration behind Future Children can be traced to one simple question that I began to hear frequently, “What are you?”. After noticing that I, myself, have never asked a person this and that I was being asked this before being asked my name, I ventured deeper behind the underlying messages of the question."  - Emily Eaglin

A reflection written by Women’s Center student staff member Bria Hamlet

I’ve got a gap in my front teeth,
I make a mess when I eat,
I’m always late,
I’m hard to date,
I think Eminem is my soulmate

I rock an afro with piercings,
I exaggerate my feelings,
I watch YouTube instead of TV,
I choose to stray from normativity

You’ve just read my spin on Mary Lambert’s song “Secrets.” The melody has been stuck in my head for hours now. She sings about herself, throwing out the good, the obvious, the hidden, and the complicated. She tells us that she doesn’t care how the world perceives her and what they have to say about who she allegedly is.

Girl, I feel that.

I am really, really getting comfortable with no longer explaining myself to everyone. If I didn’t personally harm or wrong you, you get no explanation. I am giving myself permission to wear red lipstick to work, listen to Nickelback and then the Roots on the way, all while sporting a tailored skirt and Converse. Let me live.

As a Black American woman, I am subjected to harmful and negative stereotypes constantly. If someone isn’t policing my blackness, they’ve surely fixated on my hair. The next target is my complexion, followed by my clothing, and their personal favorite, my diction. I can’t just be Bria, I must be whoever you all think Bria is supposed to be. I am really tired of making everyone else comfortable. I don’t have to make “figuring me out” easy. I’m not easy.

And you, stop being lazy.

The Telling Our Stories project has given the members of the UMBC Women of Color Coalition (myself included) the opportunity to reclaim narratives that were written without them. It has challenged us to think critically about labels and microaggressions. We’ve discussed where these stereotypes come from and then participated in workshops to unearth the true natures of who we are. We are sisters, artists, intellectuals, comedians, introverts, extroverts, and progressives. We are ourselves.

I will now and forever continue to be unapologetically myself.