01/26/2021 Noon

A year ago today, the world stood in shock at the deaths of Kobe Bryant and his 13 years old daughter, Gianna Bryant. Their passing silenced the world as people stood in mourning of the life and legacy of The Black Mamba, and his prodigy daughter.

Kobe Bryant, affectionately known as "Bean", transformed the world of basketball forever. At just 17 years old and right out of high school, Bryant entered the NBA as the 13th overall pick with Charlotte Hornets before being traded and finding his home with the Los Angeles Lakers. After 20 showstopping seasons and a multitude of accolades within his career, one could only wonder how he did it. How did Kobe become...Kobe?! 

One of the best lessons to take from the Black Mamba is his "Mamba Mentality". Throughout his career, Kobe Bryant's attitude towards the game of basketball was a force all on its own. Of course, fans loved his high jump shots, quick stepbacks, and insane handles (no one could guard him), but it was his mentality that molded him. Bryant focused his attention to himself understanding that bettering himself was the only way he could be the best; no one else could or would do it for him. So, he became selfish; a very selfish yet dominating and inspiring player. Bryant was the first person in the gym before practice and the very last person to leave, at times coming in three hours before practice or leaving hours afterward. Kobe Bryant had an obsession with becoming the best version of himself and pushing himself to his limits, focusing on every detail within the game. Bryant's hand-eye coordination, quick feet, defense, were all mastered under the watch of no one but himself. That grind, drive, and extreme self-confidence over the course of many years turned Bryant into a powerhouse on the court that had never been seen before. 

Kobe Bryant's mentality showed in every game he played, whether injured or sick, and has been instilled in the new generation of basketball players. It is not the talent, opportunity, or fame that generates success, but the persistence and self-love that can only come from within. This mentality was mirrored most visibly in Bryant's second daughter, Gianna Bryant who also mirrored her father's techniques on the floor and was her own powerhouse. 

With their sudden and saddening deaths, Kobe and Gianna Bryant became a visual representation of what it means to have the Mamba Mentality, the self-confidence and persistence, and the importance of ingraining such mental strength into the next generation. In anything that you do in life, the Mamba Mentality can and should be applied. Thank you, Kobe & Gianna, for your love for basketball and for inspiring the whole world.

"Are you a different animal, and the same beast?" - Kobe Bryant

-Krystal Lacayo

01/24/2021 10 pm

In recent years, Shaun King has become one of the most vocal activists for Black rights in the political and social sector. His voice is what has driven many to applaud and criticize his stances and work; even so, King is able to get the conversation rolling about important issues and needed solutions.

Shaun King has many life experiences that define his reason to be as vocal as he is. In high school, he states that he was attacked by "self-described red-necks" because of his race; he attended the Morehouse College, one of the best Historically Black Colleges/Universities that produces our communities greatest leaders; he worked as a teacher, pastor, journalist, speaker, and more recently, an activist for the Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality and leader for those lost to the inhumane treatment of Black Americans at the hands of police.

These experiences and events have seemingly molded King to become a social media powerhouse, using his multiple platforms to spread his message of justice. From Instagram with 3.8 million followers, Facebook with over 2 million likes/shares, Twitter with 1.1million followers, and his own personal website, King is very direct, methodical, and uses his rhetoric to cause discussion and debate with a broad scope of people. On a personal note, some of King's stances and takes on situations are arguably surface level and at times, his words do not fully encapsulate the truth, though his arguments may have good intentions. It is important, in my opinion, to focus on his word choice, tone, and delivery. What better way for us to learn how to make an impact than learning how to speak to any audience and cause conversation? Shaun King has undoubtedly mastered this art; he garners followers and critics who all hear his thoughts. Along with his knowledge and experiences in life, King's voice and words are his greatest weapons; and they can be ours as well.

-Krystal Lacayo

Check out Shaun King's website: shaunking.org and his social media platforms.

In the wake of the 2020 Presidential Election, the state of Georgia did something new and out of the blue, literally.

 For the past 28 years, the state of Georgia conceded their electoral votes to the Republican Party Presidential nominee. This year, Stacey Abrams is accredited to changing that narrative. As a former candidate for governor of Georgia, Abrams saw first hand how voter suppression of minorities (especially Black voters) affected the outcome of elections (hers included) and set a path to finally overcome it after losing the election. Through many campaigns and organizations such as "The New Georgia Project", she meticulously worked in the grassroots sector to increase voter registration particularly for minorities. In addition, her behind the scene analytics of Georgia's demographics encouraged her fight to see true democracy in her state.

Her leadership, tenacity, moral compass, and restless spirit is leading the state of Georgia to become a new battleground state with full representation of its voters. Ms. Abrams may have lost the battle for governor, but that placed her in the right place and the right time to be used to win the war. Her efforts show that, "yes Black child, if you set out to change one person's life, you can change the world". A true Black queen. Thank you Stacey Abrams.

The impact that US Vice President Elect Kamala Harris will have on our generation of Black and Asian Americans will extend beyond her years in office. Though people are entitled to their opinions about her platform and policies, it cannot be disputed that her achievement as a Black and Asian American Woman to be the Vice President of the United States is one for the books! 

Personally, I admire her trailblazing and restless spirit to take a challenge and succeed. An amazing role model and representation of what America can and will be for coming generations. Let it be shown that no space is too big for us (especially Black women) and that it is our duty to take up space for our presence is essential for the wellbeing of anything and anyone we touch. I look forward to your work, Madam Vice President Harris.