Clearly, Skormin found the image very humorous because he felt the need to post it on his personal Facebook account, for all his fellow “comedic” friends to see. But Skormin made a bad decision, even though he clearly felt free to do so.

Obviously offended, many students, staff and faculty have criticized Skormin’s actions. But this isn’t the first time Skormin has faced controversy. In March 2018, Skormin replied to an email regarding an event being held by The National Society of Black Engineers with a retort saying, “Please let me know about a dinner of the National Society of White Engineers. Thank you.” Although he did apologize for his comment, that doesn’t make it alright, especially since anyone with a basic level of intelligence would know how deeply ignorant a comment like that is.

Skormin says he just wants to see us laugh. But offensive pictures are not a good way to spread humor, and nor is bringing up the moot point of no one protesting women who wear ripped jeans, as Skormin did when he was called out on his racist behavior.

If he was seriously apologetic, he wouldn’t also say that people are entitled to wear whatever they feel like as long as it doesn’t offend others, even though all the clothes he wore in the photo are clearly offensive to multiple groups.

It’s a terrifying feeling knowing that professors at your school find topics like these comical. It upsets me to know that professors like Skormin can show their little racist — oh wait, I mean “comedic” — tendencies and still have a job; because not everyone deserves a second chance.

People of color at this school often feel excluded and ignored on this campus. Letting Skormin slide off his second offense feels like a slap to the face of those students, especially for students of color in engineering who are already in a field that lacks diversity. They have to sit in a class being taught by a man who finds humor in “REDNECK JEW” shirts and Confederate flag hats. Skormin himself is a racist and a joke for posting such a clearly offensive picture and then being surprised by the backlash. But maybe we are also jokes because we keep expecting better from a predominantly white institution that has clearly demonstrated it does not really care.

“GINGER” — BROCKHAMPTON

Favorite: “SUGAR”

The self-proclaimed hardest-working boyband is all grown up on this album, their fifth in three years. “GINGER” sounds like a therapy session for the already open and honest group as they deal with the events of 2018, when they kicked out a member of the group amid sexual misconduct allegations. Despite this, the album still has plenty of bangers, and it’s songs like the infectiously sweet “SUGAR” and the very raw “DEARLY DEPARTED” that stand out. In the end, the band’s ever-present chemistry shines through as usual to make this album one of the best of the summer.

“IGOR” — Tyler, The Creator

Favorite: “GONE, GONE / THANK YOU”

Tyler, The Creator is one of the few rappers who gets better with each release. Pair that with the fact that he has one of the most unique sounds and voices in rap, it was inevitable for him to put together an album like “IGOR.” “IGOR” sounds like the type of sound Tyler, The Creator has been building up to his whole career. An album that challenges the conventions of rap, he spends most of it singing, despite his high level of skill in the rapping territory, thereby showing off his true artistry. The album makes for one of the most emotionally resonant listening experiences you’ll have all year.

“Apollo XXI” — Steve Lacy

Favorite: “Like Me”

Fresh off The Internet’s last release, “Hive Mind,” Steve Lacy returns with his debut album, “Apollo XXI.” The album is a very interesting, yet laid-back experience. It’s the type of album to listen to on a nice, hazy summer day. Lacy is still trying new things, though: “Like Me,” is a nine-minute track that transitions from moods and topics with relative ease, which could be said about the album itself. Lacy impresses while still keeping intact the modern, creative thinking that he’s shown in his career so far.

“Angel’s Pulse” — Blood Orange

Favorite: “Tuesday Feeling (Choose To Stay)”

Blood Orange is somewhat of a recluse to the world — we know of his multiple talents, but don’t even know of the man himself. Despite this, his music feels personal and real. On his mixtape “Angel’s Pulse,” the follow-up to his striking 2018 album “Negro Swan,” he makes the soundtrack to your golden hour August day with a special someone or just your homies. It’s more laid-back than his aforementioned previous album, but it’s just the right vibe for your summer.

“85 to Africa” — Jidenna

Favorite: “The Other Half (feat. St. Beauty & Mereba)”

Jidenna is best known for his breakout single “Classic Man,” but since then has released his freshman album, “The Chief,” and an EP, “Boomerang,” in 2017. This summer Jidenna dropped his sophomore album, “85 to Africa. He said his aim was to make an album that took everyone back to their roots and combined both African and African American culture in a way that black and brown people could globally connect to. Between the afrobeats, bars and ballads that Jidenna drops in this album, there are also a lot of lessons and guidance with a hint of finesse.

“LEGACY! LEGACY!” — Jamila Woods

Favorite: “GIOVANNI”

“LEGACY! LEGACY!” is the R&B and soul artist’s sophomore album. Each track is named after a notable person of color, such as “EARTHA” for Eartha Kitt and “MILES” for Miles Davis, paying homage while still maintaining her own sound. The album is soulful, personal and poetic, making it a chill weekend vibe and a new addition to your study playlists. Woods’ sound on each track is unique and makes it one of the most calm album drops of the summer.

The Compton rapper has been on the rise in recent years, thanks to some well-received mixtapes that heightened his buzz. Things started to heat up for him when Eminem signed him to his label, Shady Records. On his previous tapes, Boogie was no stranger to introspection, but now he seems to be looking more inward on “Everything’s for Sale.” Don’t let this introspection fool you — Boogie is not your typical “conscious” rapper; there’s no special lesson or spiritual journey going on. It’s just Boogie and his often sullen thoughts about himself as an artist, as a partner and just as a person.

Boogie’s rapping isn’t the only thing that is put on display in the album. There are a couple of tracks where Boogie leans more on his melodies instead of his rapping capabilities. Standout tracks, such as the 6LACK-assisted “Skydive II,” show off Boogie’s raspy, yet soulful singing. 6LACK delivers on his feature, as does Eminem on “Rainy Days,” which has one of his better verses in a while, albeit some questionable lines. The production on the former track is beautiful and calm, as most of the album is, which is a nice contrast to Boogie’s more downer lyrics. The biggest example of this is the album closer, “Time,” with Snoh Aalegra. By casually listening, you wouldn’t realize it’s a song about a man confessing his lust and inability to actually be committed instead of just calling a woman for late-night hookups: “You tell me it ain’t right, though, I say it’s in your mind, but do it every time, though.” The sound is calming and somewhat endearing despite what he’s rapping about.

“Everything’s for Sale” never lets up its somewhat moody atmosphere and soulful, calming sound with a few exceptions, such as the aforementioned “Rainy Days.” Despite all this, Boogie is still very much the main draw for this album; his writing is charming and at times playful. He proves that he is versatile by offering a couple tracks where his singing takes center stage and shines. He covers his insecurities, fears and shortcomings without hesitation, which might be his best quality. Boogie has an endearing lack of concern for filtering the way he presents himself, and this album feels deeply personal and almost confessional. The title itself may suggest this as well: Everything’s for sale, meaning Boogie’s not holding back. He’s giving us all of it — the doubts, the pains, the failures.

In a current rap climate that seems to value honesty and authenticity less and less, Boogie stands out from the rest in his introduction to the big league of rap. I’ll give “Everything’s for Sale” a 7.5/10, a very solid debut that makes the listener want to come back for more. You can check it out on all music streaming platforms.

It’s quite fitting that Jenkins named his album the same title as that of a poet because his rapping reads more like poetry than bars. Heron has had a massive influence on hip-hop, referred to by many as “the godfather of rap.” Jenkins hails from Chicago and broke out around the same time as other rising Chicago artists such as Chance the Rapper, Noname and Saba, who are all a part of the recent wave of poetic, socially aware hip-hop in Chicago. On his last album, “The Healing Component,” Jenkins wanted to share the message of self-love and spreading love. On his tape that garnered recognition in the rap scene, “The Water[s],” Jenkins takes on multiple topics, but has the central theme of water and its therapeutic and healing qualities. This time, Jenkins has even more on his mind.

Jenkins covers many topics that relate to himself and society throughout this new album. On “Consensual Seduction,” Jenkins raps about the joys of having consensual sex, a timely and very interesting viewpoint for a rap song, especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement. “Never have to force facts, the vibe in the room as thick as a short stack / Still I don’t make a move until shorty endorse that,” Jenkins raps. He talks about religion (also a point of focus in his last album) as well in “Grace & Mercy,” where he thanks God for the blessings that were given to him: “Wake up thanking God for these brand new mercys / On my knees, said a prayer caught a blessing.”

A highlight on the album is the song “Ghost,” where he spends most of the track rapping about never really going out and being focused on his craft. “You never really see me out / I be on the road / Or I be in the crib / When I’m not on the road I’m workin’ on my penmanship,” Jenkins raps on the hook. The song (and most of the album) is backed by beautiful jazz production. The album does take some detours from that sound, like on the Kaytranada-produced “Understood,” where Jenkins shows off his rapping ability over a smooth, breezy, laid-back beat. Another highlight is “Gwendolynn’s Apprehension” (based off a poem by another black poet, Gwendolynn Brooks), where Jenkins spits over a bouncy, bubbly, dreamlike beat.

Mick Jenkins’ last album seemed to be focused on the world around him and how we love each other (or don’t), whereas this album feels more personal. Even the moments where he may make a statement about society, it’s anchored through an experience he’s had/having, such as the aforementioned song about consensual sex. On “Pieces of a Man,” Jenkins takes a deep look inside and creates one of his most well-rounded and cohesive projects in a while. I’d give it an 8/10, definitely worth a listen. You can find it on all streaming platforms.

The show was titled “Black Pearl: Quest of Hidden Glory.” It followed a story of a boy who, before leaving Africa, is given a pearl and is told to not forget his roots. He loses it, though, leading the boy to be taken back in time to when his ancestors were being shipped off as slaves. The story was shown in segments and in between those segments, the models and performers took to the stage. The costumes and stage were beautiful, with a vibrant display of colors. Models of all different sizes walked the stage, which helped to show unity as well.

A highlight of the show was toward the end when, after the boy is taken back in time, the models come on stage with their wrists being bonded. Then each model comes center stage and breaks the bond around their wrist. It is a beautiful moment that tied perfectly into the show’s theme and into what BSU aims to do. You can interpret this moment as a reclaiming of power. BSU described the show as a “celebration of our culture and heritage” and “the reclamation of the voyage on the Middle Passage.” Obviously, this is referring to the slave ships that brought Africans to this country. This event was always remembered as a low point. The slave ships were a living hell for the Africans on board: there was no bathroom, they weren’t really feed well or at all. We know that some even jumped ship to end the suffering.

Despite that, BSU chose to focus on the strength that our ancestors had through those times. It chose to focus on their endurance, their ability to overcome even in the face of the highest adversity. That moment when the models broke the bondage, it was more than just a fashion show, it was a statement. “No longer will this journey be called the Middle Passage, it shall be called The Golden Ship to show homage to the start of our journey.” They’re taking back what belongs to them. This all ties back to the black pearl given to the boy. The black pearl represents our roots, our heritage, the start of our journey. By going back in time to the ship, our protagonist is learning about his roots.

Meditation is helpful for keeping your mind calm and peaceful. Many of our problems are aggravated by stress, but through meditation, we won’t need an external thing to escape our stress; we’ll be able to do it on our own. The relaxation that comes with the meditation can lead to lower blood pressure, improved blood circulation, less anxiety, more feelings of well-being, less stress and even more benefits.

Erika Korzeniewski, a senior double-majoring in psychology and Spanish, teaches yoga in the East Gym and conducted research on mindfulness. She describes meditation as “the practice of focusing on one thing, whether that’s breathing, a mantra, or something else.” By meditating, you are disconnecting from all the stresses and thoughts that trouble you.

“Allowing space to get to know yourself when you remove all outside distractions is truly powerful,” Korzeniewski said.

One of the easiest ways to meditate is to focus on your breathing.

In order to do a simple breathing meditation, sit comfortably in a quiet space. You can sit in a cross-legged position or in any position that’s comfortable to you. You could sit in a chair, but just make sure your back is straight. This keeps your mind from becoming sluggish or sleepy. Keeping your eyes partially closed, you’ll then focus on breathing. You’re not changing the way you breathe, but instead you’re breathing naturally through the nostrils. You then pay attention to the sensation of breathing in and out through the nostrils, also noticing how your body moves to the breathing. By focusing on that, it becomes the object of your meditation, and you’ll also be excluding all the other external things. It would make it easier to start off by doing this for short periods of time, but as you get better at it, you could try doing it for longer.

While doing this, you’ll notice just how busy your mind really is. There’s a lot of thoughts that will go through your head.

“[Your mind] will wander off and that is normal,” Korzeniewski said. “You’re starting to get meditation when your mind wanders off and you notice enough to bring it back.”

After a while this will start to give you a sense of inner peace and relaxation. You’ll get a sense of contentment from being able to control your mind. You just have to bring your mind back to focusing on the breathing.

“Meditation has allowed me to take a step back and look at things rather than react on my initial emotions,” Korzeniewski said. “Meditation has allowed me to spend quality time with myself and become comfortable and confident in who I am.”

“In my sophomore year of high school, my friend first introduced me to dance music,” he said. “I’m like, ‘Oh God, this stuff is so amazing, I want to make this.’ So, I decided to make a project around it. It needed a name and, concurrently, our high school does this thing where everyone has a senior name. I could never find a nickname for Femi. My friend picked his to be Zach Morris because he didn’t have one either, so I was just going to pick one, Frank Pierce, because it has my initials.”

Ever since his was a kid, Popoola has had a love for music. He is a classically trained pianist and also plays the guitar, bass, drums and saxophone.

“Musicality has always been a huge part of who I am,” he said. “Whether it’s understanding how other instruments work — I know how to properly blow a trumpet. I don’t use it, but it’s something I like to have as a part of me. I just like being musical.”

When he’s working on music, Popoola said he assumes the persona of Frank Pierce.

“That way, it puts everything in focus,” he said. “I try to think of everything that I do, social media, music, personality-wise— is what I’m doing enhancing Frank Pierce as an entity, as a product?”

This plays into the interesting duality of Popoola, the student, and Frank, the artist. To him, they feed off each other, his education and his art.

“I approach school as an art and music as a science,” Popoola said. “In science, a lot of it is didactic, there’s a lot of learning, you need to understand stuff, so you must find creative ways to learn things. I try to engage my creative side that likes to do things. While on the art side, everyone wants to be expressive, but the good stuff is tactical. I’m talking about word choice, diction, syllable count.”

When it comes to managing the two sides of his life, Popoola said there is no balance.

“There isn’t a sweet spot,” he said. “You hope it works. Sometimes I put off a deadline to a record to study, and sometimes I put off prepping for a paper to work on a track and hope that I’ll have enough time. Basically, I use all my breaks to write my new content and when the semester hits, I’m in school mode. During that time, we polish and release the records.”

A quick look at Frank Pierce’s Spotify page will show you that since 2015, he’s amassed over half a million monthly listeners. His 2017 single, “Vibe” featuring Famba and Emily Bonabon, gained over 20 million plays in a little under a year. However, Frank Pierce isn’t Popoola’s only musical endeavor; he’s also a part of the musical duo, JUSCOVA.

“JUSCOVA is a joint project between me and my friend Samuel Vespone,” Popoola said. “It is a more urban/pop influenced project than ‘Frank Pierce.’ We started working together freshman year and we sort of clicked. We were in a session and after the session, I remember saying to myself ‘Yo … this guy could get me a Grammy.’”

Popoola said his biggest musical influences are fellow DJs such as Calvin Harris, Avicii, David Guetta and Zedd. In addition to DJing, Popoola is also a songwriter. He said he strives to be like Drake and superproducer Max Martin, who’s worked with Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd and more.

Digging into his Nigerian roots, Popoola wants to incorporate the Afro sound into his work.

“I want to make music my mom can dance to,” he said. “Coming from such a vibrant and lively culture, it kind of felt weird for me to [make music] and not do something that could impact my culture.”

Next up for Popoola: finals. Soon after, Frank Pierce will be hitting the stage and releasing some singles for the summer. Don’t be surprised if you frequently hear the name Frank Pierce in the near future

The biggest and most recent example of this awareness has been the hype surrounding Marvel Studios’ newest feature film, “Black Panther.” There’s a huge wave of excitement over the film, which has an almost exclusively black cast and crew. This isn’t the first time we’re seeing people of color star in superhero films; “Blade” and “Spawn” did it first. That there are people of color behind the camera and that the Marvel Studios brand is being attached to it makes this film even more special.

We saw this last year with the surprise box office hit, and highest-grossing debut for a writer-director based on an original screenplay, “Get Out.” The director, Jordan Peele of the show “Key & Peele,” became the first African American writer-director to earn over $100 million in their first film. The film is also up for best picture at this year’s Academy Awards, an award that went to “Moonlight,” another movie starring and created by people of color, last year.

In the last couple of years, we’ve seen shows like Donald Glover’s “Atlanta” and Issa Rae’s “Insecure” become critical and commercial successes. The former of the two earned Glover an Emmy and Golden Globe, while the latter launched Rae into stardom. Shows like “Black-ish,” and its spinoff, “Grown-ish,” both star and were made by people of color and have seen success. These shows are real and relatable to black people because they’re made by people who fully understand what it’s like to be black in the United States.

These shows don’t put us into the stereotypical roles we’re used to seeing, like the drug dealer or gang member. Additionally, these shows are still able to reach and mean something to people who aren’t black because they have characters that are real and complex, and writing that’s fresh and thought-provoking, that makes us want to come back the next week for more.

Black musical artists have been dominating popular culture for a while now, but it became official last year. According to Billboard, R&B and hip-hop music were the most-consumed musical genres in 2017. Artists like Drake, The Weeknd and Beyoncé have been doing numbers like their pop contemporaries for a while, but 2017 saw a lot of rappers reaching new heights. Kendrick Lamar’s critically acclaimed album “DAMN.” was the second highest-selling album of 2017. The album also won the Compton rapper five Grammys. Additionally, “Bad and Boujee” by Migos and Lil Uzi Vert peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 records list.

In the world of fine arts, painters like Kerry James Marshall have taken over. His paintings show what it’s like to be black in the United States. In an October article in The New York Times, he is lauded as becoming one of the great history painters of our time. Additionally, black artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald were chosen to paint the official portraits of former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. The paintings shunned the typically stuffy air of presidential portraits and displayed a refreshing exuberance that shook the core of American ideals.

Black art is the new mainstream. We were always ready, but now, the rest of the United States is catching up.