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Iota Chi: Fifty Years of Excellence

The founders of Delta Sigma Theta were devoted to promoting four main attributes as their organization's mission: sisterhood, scholarship, service and social action. Half a century later, these admirable aspects of what it means to be a Delta continue to be exemplified by chapters all over the world. For fifty years, the Iota Chi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta at USC has been second to none in their dedication to public service and outreach in Columbia and beyond. On February 17, 2023, USC's Delta Sigma Theta members found themselves in a position that very few fraternal organizations are ever offered: state recognition of the organization's commitment to service and the introduction of an official Iota Chi Day.

More than Rhythm: Columbia's Black music celebration

The rhythm of Black music pulsates through the second floor of the Columbia Museum of Art, where the flow of communal conversation and drums pulsate the air.

What These Letters Mean to Me

Editor's note: A previous version of this article neglected to include Delta Sigma Theta's involvement in the Taste of Culture Event.

The Uprooted Roots of Columbia

At the start of the 20th century, Columbia was a promising city. It was a textile manufacturing hub. It already housed the University of South Carolina, Allen University, Benedict College and Columbia Female College.  There was a sense of optimism in urban life. All over the country, people left the countryside to work in urban factories or mills.

Black Barbies

The overall idea of this style shoot was to highlight the idea of Black Barbies or Bratz. Growing up there was always limited access to dolls and Barbies that had darker skin. The typical blonde hair and blue eyes Barbie was the one everyone always got because that was considered to be the prettier one. Consequently, that was the doll that would get advertised to little girls the most. Black Barbies were never seen on shirts, in Barbie movies, or even advertised on TV. Which then causes little girls who have darker complexions to feel left out and think that they're not pretty, when in reality the lack of representation from early on causes such ideas to get created in little girls' heads. With this shoot, I wanted to dismiss this idea of the “perfect Barbie” having blonde hair and blue eyes. Instead, focusing on the importance of having the correct representation and showing that Black Barbie is just as beautiful. Along with the lack of darker complexion Barbies, there is a big lack of representation in male Barbie Dolls and on top of that darker, male Barbie dolls.

In Appreciation of Hip Hop Wednesday

      Every so often, the Greene Street section in front of Russell House has something going on. Tents are set up campaigning for signatures, off-campus apartment complexes come to convince freshmen they aren’t bad and students running for class government will inevitably try to throw thousands of koozies at potential voters. But around once every month, that space is transformed. Tables of community organizations line the perimeter of the road as the speakers of the DJ booth are plugged in, and a large crowd gathers to celebrate representation, culture and really good hip-hop music. This, as many know, is Hip-Hop Wednesday. 

Being Black Is Punk In Itself

The Rules of The Black Woman

I am forever grateful to be a Black woman, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t hard. 

The Future of "Male-Dominated" Industries

Walking into a lecture hall on the first day of classes is terrifying enough, but what about when you’re one of ten women in a room of 90 males? Your mind goes racing. Will you be taken seriously? Will you be included? Will you be treated fairly? Will you be spoken to? Female engineering, sport management, or computer science majors must get used to these classroom ratios, as they’re all at least 70% male-dominated. As intimidating as this may sound to a college-aged woman, there is much less to worry about than you might think.

Everybody's a Critic

I stare at the blank canvas in front of me with a glimmer of desperation in my eyes. It’s happening again. My body is frozen, trying to pull inspiration from thin air. My eyes scan the empty room. The paintbrush in my right hand feels like a dumbbell begging to be put down.  It’s been half an hour at this point and still nothing.

A University’s Push for Inclusivity

The University of South Carolina is no stranger to a prejudiced history as an educational institution. Fortunately, landmark initiatives, alumni and student groups have paved the way for the university to progressively change in becoming conscious of students of all backgrounds, races, religions and ethnicities. Garnet & Black Magazine sat down with UofSC’s Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, Julian Williams, to discuss his role and University efforts in changing the college culture.

Hair Story

Graphic Design by Dejon Johnson

Public Service Announcement: STOP SAYING THE N-WORD

When I began my college experience at USC, I thought white people (or any nonblack person) would know not to say the N-word, or at least realize that there is a social stigma with saying it. But, no. Many students believe it is OK to say it because we have 21 Savage or Rae Sremmurd performing at homecoming and the N-word is in their lyrics. NEWSFLASH! Those artists are black, and it’s not disrespectful when they repeat it. 

A Letter From Your Web Editor

It’s now the time of year when countdowns begin. For Gamecocks, it’s 18 days until classes begin in Columbia. For seniors, it’s 281 days until we walk across that stage. And for football fans, it’s only 26 days until the first kickoff in Williams-Brice Stadium.