Black Voices

This section will give more representation to minority students on campus. While the goal of the Black Voices section is to uplift the voices of Black students, other students of color are welcome to contribute.

Sha'Carri Richardson runs and celebrates in the Women's 100-meter semifinal on day 2 of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Hayward Field on June 19, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. Richardson will not compete in the 100-meter dash at the Olympics due to a suspension from a positive marijuana test last week.

Black Voices: Sha’Carri Richardson’s suspension brings light to needed changes to Olympics policy

Jul 6, 2021 1:38 pm

Sha’Carri Richardson will no longer run in the 100-meter dash in the Olympics because of a positive marijuana test.

Simone Biles competes on the uneven bars prior to the Senior Women's competition of the U.S. Gymnastics Championships at Dickies Arena on Sunday, June 6, 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas. Biles will be competing for Team USA at the Olympics in Tokyo.

Black Voices: #BlackGirlMagic: Black excellence on Team USA

Jul 1, 2021 2:49 pm

Many Black women will be representing Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics, and their excellence is supported throughout the nation.

Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 and a half years for the murder of George Floyd

Jun 29, 2021 3:15 pm

22 ½ years, a time for joy but the fight continues.

Black Voices: Black Artists can tackle issues and challenge societal norms. Kara Walker does just that

Jun 25, 2021 9:15 pm

Through art, Walker withdraws emotions and challenges America’s racist history and its mission to conceal it.

A gavel is placed on its block in one of the courtrooms at the Cuyahoga County Court House, February 11, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Black Voices: IU graduates open desk for free expungement services

Jun 22, 2021 2:24 pm

Maurer School of Law graduates establish expungement desk with Indiana Legal Services to help low-income Hoosiers.

Black Voices: Despite increasing debate over critical race theory, Juneteenth became a federal holiday

Jun 19, 2021 11:16 am

Juneteenth, observed on June 19th, will become the 12th federal holiday.

A student opens the app TikTok on Sept. 20.

Black Voices: When's it time to forgive and forget?

Jun 17, 2021 9:42 pm

There's always talk of forgiveness, but who forgives and who forgets?

IU Maurer School of Law Professor Kevin D. Brown poses for a photo. Brown is working with a group of lawyers working on a caste discrimination case against Cisco Systems.

Black Voices: Cisco, caste discrimination and connections between Black and lower caste communities

Jun 15, 2021 1:23 pm

Maurer professor Kevin D. Brown is working to help get legal protections against caste discrimination.

A white rhino in South Africa's Kruger National Park on August 20, 2018. The last male northern white rhino died March 19, 2018.

Black Voices: Humans — the cause and solution to northern white rhino extinction

Jun 14, 2021 1:29 pm

Poaching methods impact the ecosystem and biodiversity in Africa.

Black Voices: Rosetta Tharpe was a trailblazer for rock ‘n’ roll

Jun 10, 2021 6:59 pm

Who knew rock ’n’ roll wouldn’t exist without a black, queer woman?

Naomi Osaka of Japan plays a forehand in her First Round match against Patricia Maria Tig of Romania during Day One of the 2021 French Open at Roland Garros on May 30, 2021 in Paris, France. Osaka withdrew from the French Open on May 31.

Black Voices: Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal raises concerns of mental health in tennis community

Jun 3, 2021 8:41 pm

Osaka withdrew from the French Open on May 31.

Black Voices: Meet Dominique Kemp, the first Black student to receive a Ph.D. in Mathematics at IU

Jun 1, 2021 6:56 pm

“It was a painful journey, but it is worth it in the long term.” Kemp said.

Black Voices: 'Is There More?' a poem by RJ Crawford

May 27, 2021 1:19 pm

There’s been a number of gloomy days recently, which brings some good and bad.

Black Voices: Fight for justice continues despite Chauvin outcome

May 3, 2021 5:21 pm

Addressing systemic racism needs more than performative activism.

Black Voices: Writing about Blackness in the face of whiteness

Apr 29, 2021 9:11 pm

I write for a Black audience, but there's always another crowd that reads as well.

Black Voices: ‘Not Another Body,’ a poem by Donyá Collins

Apr 29, 2021 9:10 pm

How many more will fall before it's over?

Trees line the walkways in Dunn's Woods.

Black Voices: Climate change is real. How might it affect Bloomington’s spring bloom?

Apr 28, 2021 4:53 pm

Climate change is affecting everyone and the blooming of trees in Bloomington are no exception

LeBron James prepares for a news conference in a classroom July 29, 2018, at the I PROMISE School in Akron, Ohio. James has faced backlash for a controversial tweet he posted targeting the police officer, Nicholas Reardon, who shot and killed 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant on April 20 in Columbus, Ohio.

Black Voices: Should sports stay out of politics?

Apr 28, 2021 4:48 pm

A recent tweet from Lebron James has caused uproar in the sports and political communities.

Participants of the IU "You Good?" event pose for a promotional photo. The "You Good?" initiative, created and launched in March in partnership with Counseling and Psychological Services, aims to facilitate a conversation regarding mental health with the Black men of IU and Bloomington in a more relaxed environment than formal counseling.

Black Voices: The question still remains — ‘You Good?’

Apr 27, 2021 2:44 pm

The ‘You Good?’ initiative continues to be a safe space for Black men.

Black Voices: Black history must be more valued in the education system

Apr 26, 2021 4:30 pm

After Trayvon Martin’s killer was found not guilty, I realized centuries-old racism lives on.

Solutions by The State News