Across the Mic with Julio Taku – Being a Black Woman at a PWI is Exhausting

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” - James Baldwin. That quote rings so true for me because of the world we live in today. Oftentimes, the truth is obscured or hidden from us for any number of reasons. This effectively blinds us from getting the full story. I see it as my duty to help clear the blind spots we tend to ignore whether it be in history, modern times or in the future. As a student journalist at Stony Brook University, I am working to contextualize modern events through relevant historical lenses. Nothing exists in isolation and it’s important to understand this when analyzing contemporary issues. This is especially true in matters of culture, race and gender. My work exists to diversify the narratives and stories in journalism. I currently serve as Culture editor at The Stony Brook Press where I do just that and amplify the voices of others. Twitter: @Julio_Taku Facebook: Julio Taku Jr. Instagram: @julio_taku