“What will it take for us to stand up?” Susan Taylor, editorial director of Essence magazine asked a group of more than 150 Northwestern students, staff and Chicago-area residents Tuesday night.
Taylor, who also served as the fashion and beauty editor for the black women’s magazine, posed this question when criticizing the portrayal of women in music videos, saying these depictions make “it acceptable to call our women bitches.”
Speaking in the Ryan Family Auditorium, Taylor discussed the issues facing the black community, especially black women. Taylor said she wanted to share stories of activism and inspire the audience members.
“I always get very energetic when I write a speech,” an enthused Taylor said as she paced the stage. “I always just close my notes and I feel I want to speak from my heart to yours.”
Taylor, decked in four-inch boots and a sleek black dress, told the audience about her two favorite black female activists – former Illinois poet laureate Gwendolyn Brooks and Civil Rights activist Diane Nash. She described the two women’s experiences and their courage in the face of danger, urging listeners to remember their contributions.
“We need to know who we are, where we come from,” Taylor said. “There is a long, long line of people – not all black – who put themselves on the line for you. We need to remember how many generations it took to produce you.”
Outlining some of the problems facing black America, Taylor focused on the issues facing young adults. She said many black students attend underfunded inner-city schools and about half of black children live in poverty. The situation in New Orleans only revealed a small portion of the destitute living in the U.S., she said.
Because black NU students tend to come from more affluent African American families, they have a responsibility to become advocates for groups that can’t speak for themselves, Taylor said. They have to use their education to become spokespersons for specific issues within the African American community.
“I want to know what’s up with y’all,” she said. “How can we have all these issues and not have huge activism on college campuses?”
Taylor also said she understood all the pressures they face growing up today. Personal appearance, stress, friends, dating, being involved and attending classes all keep students from confronting racial issues, she said. She suggested students resolve their problems in a simple way – by loving themselves.
“Everything you need is inside of you. Love yourself.” she said, clutching her face. “Love your pimples, love your pitts, love all of you.”
Taylor was the first speaker in a new Black Women Writers Series that marks the beginning of the first major collaboration between College Feminists and For Members Only, the black student alliance.
Both student groups wanted to bring together a diverse audience in mutual appreciation, said Weinberg senior Rupal Vora, director of College Feminists.
FMO President Michael Collins said Tuesday’s event also emphasized FMO’s goal to work more with other student groups.
“Our focus is to make (FMO) more global and inclusive,” the Weinberg junior said.
Before she walked off stage, Taylor left audience members with a warning about the need to revitalize activism on campus and beyond.
“The Diane Nash days are behind us,” she said, referring to the Civil Rights Movement. “We need to breathe life into our communities because if we don’t – I can’t even finish this sentence.”
Reach Christina Alexander at [email protected].
