Greetings Black Ink Family!
We are back at you again with another issue of Black Ink Magazine!
Welcome to our Women’s History Month issue! First and foremost let me take the time to offer my sincerest apologies for the delay on this issue. I know that y’all were expecting this in March because March is women’s history month, but due to some personal hindrances, I was unable to bring it to you when scheduled. I know the saying goes “better late than never,” but never late is always better. So for my failure to deliver on time, I apologize.
This month’s issue Black Ink is bringing you content obviously all about women (especially the black women we love so much). You can expect an ode to the women of BSM in this issue, in addition to a dedication to the wins that black women had this past award season and a thought-provoking feature video on black feminism.
This month’s cover story is going to be one to remember. Earlier in the semester one of our fellow Tarheels reached out to me asking for an opportunity to write for Black Ink so that she would be able to tell the story of her sexual assault. Out of respect for her anonymity, I won’t tell who she is, however, I will say that I am honored that she chose our platform to tell her story. Not only as the editor-in-chief of this publication but as a survivor of sexual assault I don’t want her story (or any of our stories) to fall on deaf ears. Every single day our girls, our black and brown girls are failed by a lack of protection and a lack of regard for our innocence and our autonomy. It takes a great deal of bravery, and an even greater deal of healing for any woman to be able to step out and tell her story. With that, I offer my solidarity and support to not only the woman who reached out to me, but also to Victoria Holtzclaw for her bravery in telling her story earlier this semester. These women, in addition to every other woman that continues to live and learn in an environment where they were ever made to feel unsafe, deserve to have their story told, and that is what Black Ink is here for. So whether or not you have found it within yourself to tell your story I want you to know you are seeing. I see you. I believe you. I support you, and most of all, I love you.
As always we at Black Ink hope that you are able to receive and appreciate our words because we receive and appreciate your audience. We are because you are. Thank you so much for endowing our voices, and please enjoy the Women’s History Month issue.
Uhuru ni Upinduzi,
Carla L. Beachem (‘20), Editor-in-Chief
