Thursday, March 28, 2024
South Carolina

These Bricks Are Merely A Symbol of America

We recently wrapped up an interesting 2019 Black History Month, and as we slowly dive in to what will be a hot political season, it is always a meaningful act when we can stop and remember what we are fighting for. The hot topic right now is Reparations and which candidates are willing to sit down and discuss this important item, which is a part of the agenda for many blacks. When we discuss reparations, we remember the millions who were forced to work, with no pay, and many with little hope. This is why the discovery of 200-year-old bricks on the Rose Hill Plantation, that have the fingerprints of enslaved ancestors left there by accident, is a solemn reminder of the sweat, blood and tears that have been invested in America – with no return on that investment.

On their Facebook post, South Carolina State Park officials revealed the photo of one brick found approximately 65-miles from northwest of Columbia, S.C. on the Rose Hill Plantation. The park/plantation manager, Nate Johnson, told the Charlotte Observer they have found bricks in several locations throughout the plantation. More of these types of bricks with fingerprints of the slaves who made them, were also found in the plantation garden wall, and another brick was found buried in the garden. The garden itself dates back to to the year 1850. Bricks with prints were found in the chimneys, the foundation, and also the walls throughout the plantation.

South Carolina State Park Services stated:

“During the early 1800s, bricks were handmade, often by enslaved people. Occasionally, their fingerprints were imprinted in the clay as they pulled it from the mold….A solemn, lasting reminder of the people who made their lives at Rose Hill.”

The Proof Is in The Fingerprint

Slaves not only made their lives at Rose Hill – they basically MADE Rose Hill Plantation. Slaves not only made their lives in America – they basically BUILT America. The irony of historians making such an important find, at a time like this in our country’s history is not a coincidence. Their fingerprints and handprints are such an important reminder of the impact African ancestors had on the the actual building of America. These bricks are a literal testament, a firm reminder that without the free labor from enslaved Africans we wouldn’t even have many of the historic structures that we still see today, including the White House.

So as we go into another political season, and the topics of a black agenda, reparations, mass incarceration, education, and anything that is of importance to people of color brought up; I want all African Americans to remember these bricks. Remember these hand prints, and the forced labor that was literally placed on the backs of your families. Then remember that your ancestors gave their lives for this country, and were paid – nothing.

Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion

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#PoolsidePaula

The woman seen assaulting a teenager at a Summerville, South Carolina pool has been arrested and is facing third-degree assault charges. Stephenie Sebby-Strempel, also knows as #PoolsidePaula decided that a young black teen and his friend “didn’t belong” at the pool, and demanded that they leave. As the teens began to leave, #PoolsidePaula started calling them “punks” and slinging racial slurs, according to the Dorchester County police report.

Luckily, the victims recorded the attack and handed the video over to a family member who posted the footage on Facebook where it went viral. In the video, you could see Stephenie Sebby-Strempel hitting and assaulting the person that was recording her, and following them as they left the pool area.

According to Live 5 News, the teen was staying at his friend’s house. The father of his friend explained that they have a family friend that lives in the Reminisce Community, and had invited the teens to go swimming.

After the video went viral, Dorchester County police issued a warrant for the arrest of Stephenie Sebby-Strempel and went to her house to serve her the arrest warrant. Sebby-Strempel allegedly pushed one of the detectives into a wall and bit the other detective, breaking his skin.

#PoolsidePaula survived her altercation with police, and her bond hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, 3:00 pm.

Source: Live 5 News, Facebook

Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion

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Students across the country are speaking out and taking action in regards to their safety and their rights to protect themselves against potential gun violence throughout American schools. For weeks, students have been staging walkouts demanding lawmakers to take action and take a closer look at the gun laws that need to be changed. High schools across the country have been punishing students for walkouts and peaceful protest. Aurora high school students are facing detention, and will possibly be barred from school activities for walking out of school. This has parent upset; many high-schoolers across the country are now concerned if peaceful protest will affect their applications and disciplinary records when trying to apply to college. This has prompted colleges around the country to issue statements in support of these students and their American right to peacefully protest.

The University of South Carolina took to twitter to assure students that the home of Gamecocks will still welcome them, and supports them speaking out against gun violence.

“Any applicants or admitted students subject to disciplinary action solely for exercising their constitutional rights for by participating in peaceful, lawful protests should not worry about how it might impact their admissions decision.”

The Carolinian Creed is central to who we are and what we do, including when standing up for one’s beliefs in a peaceable, civil and lawful way.#UofSCapplicants and admitted students, you should not be concerned about how it might impact your admission.pic.twitter.com/IrN3TuFNfz

According to TheDepartment of Student Affairs and Academic Support, the Carolinian Creed is to “oppose intolerance by promoting integrity within our campus community. Our common values are formed upon the foundation of our creed, which emphasizes openness and civility.”

Most high school students are not old enough to vote, therefore the only way to voice their concerns is to put into practice the core element of Martin Luther’s mission: Nonviolent resistance and Civil disobedience. Glad to see University’s are standing in support of these future college students.

Source: University of South Carolina

Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion

#LowCountryExcellence

In case you haven’t heard by now, we have another South Carolina native making us proud! The hair and beauty industry, combined with the growth of the internet, social media, and social influencers has helped to create moguls from everyday people we’ve enjoyed watching on Facebook, Periscope, Twitter and Youtube. One of these influencers, Pamela Booker, is a Beaufort, South Carolina native that we’ve watched on the social app, Periscope for some time. Her love for natural hair and natural beauty, her love for giving us valuable and fun content, and the passion she shows in regards to her Lowcountry roots, has made her a Periscope fave. Her brand Koils By Nature, according to her website cosigns the love she has for natural hair and the Lowcountry; her site states:

“We love to see people living their dreams, building their brands, and becoming successful entrepreneurs; but the joy you feel when you see someone from your neck of the woods, the Lowcountry, a Gullah Pamela Booker, Coils By Nature will be in Target Stores January 28th! This is an amazing move.”

In her announcement via Periscope, Booker shared that her “Koils By Nature” brand will be in 49 stores nationwide, and by May 2018, the brand will be rolled out in 100 Target stores! She explained her excitement on Periscope:

“Its like when when a person hears they’re song on radio, I can’t wait to see my stuff in stores, on shelves, with the skew number – I am going to lose my mind!”

Although as of today, out of the 100 stores whereKoils By Nature will be sold, these will not include stores in South Carolina or Florida, the hope is that the demand will be so great Target will continue to roll out Booker’s products in all Targets across the country. But for now, 100 stores isn’t too shabby! From California to New York, Pamela Booker and Koils By Nature is now a national brand!

Words Of Encouragement & Honoring Her Lowcountry Ancestors

In her announcement on Periscope, Pamela shared with the viewers her struggle with fear, and how she had a fear of success, because of where she is from. She stated that fear of success crippled her for a while; but she was able to conquer it. She spoke about why knowing your “WHY” is so important in business. Your “WHY” is the reason you are choosing to embark on your particular business, andyour WHY cannot be money!She advised viewers to make certain to know what is our “WHY”. She went on to discuss her “WHY”; it is a beautiful and significant testament, especially for those of us from the lowcountry:

“My WHY is my ancestors. John Wright, Jackie Jenkins, they were born slaves in South Carolina. And Diana, who was brought over here on a slave ship; she is my fifth generation grandmother, the furthest I could go back. And its honoring them. It is because of them that I am here. It is because of Jackie Jenkins that I am still here. It is because of John Wright that we still have land in our family that he purchased. Twenty-Two acres, so many years ago. He lived to be 78 years old; he was born a slave and lived to be 78 years old. My great-great grandfather, Alfred Jenkins was his son. And then, my grandmother, Rebecca Wright Jenkins, was his daughter. So, I honored them – that is my WHY.”

She also went further to discuss that her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are a part of her “WHY”; Booker explains that she wants to build a legacy for them. Booker added, “If my fourth generation grandfather could leave me, and a lot of my cousins 22 acres of land, then I can leave my family something greater!”

Her entrepreneur, fourth generation grandfather was able to pass down a legacy and be inspiration to Booker. That is not only inspiring for Booker, but it gives hope to so many of us who are from the Lowcountry and are watching Pamela Booker build a brand that will be known from the east to west coasts.

Pamela Booker also explained that she is excited to share the store shelves with other successful, hair mavens that are already in stores. She also gratefully shared that those same friends have been rooting her on.

Although the brand isn’t in Lowcountry stores just yet, the Lowcountry still has to get behind Pamela. We can (1) Log on to Koilsbynature.com and purchase some of her amazing products, (2) Tweet / Facebook Target and let them know we need to have this brand on shelves in our South Carolina stores!

Catch her entire announcement on Periscope before it expires; click here! Thank you Pamela Booker for being an inspiration to so many in the hair and beauty industry, to all of the women watching you work, and to those of us here in the the Lowcountry; we wish Koils By Nature much success!

Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion

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By Michael LeSeney, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist

Tropical Depression 2 is located about 225 miles to the south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and is tracking to the northwest at 14 mph. The storm is being steered to the northwest around the periphery of an area of high pressure located to just north of Bermuda. An upper-level trough of low pressure to the east of Florida continues to create unfavorable wind shear over the depression. However, the storm is tracking over warm Gulf Stream waters and some slow strengthening will occur today, perhaps developing into Tropical Storm Bonnie by tonight.

High pressure will continue to steer the system on a northwestward track today and tonight, nearing the South Carolina coast early on Sunday morning. The storm may make landfall near Charleston, South Carolina, after daybreak on Sunday. Once inland, the storm will then turn to the northeast and move parallel to the South and North Carolina coasts on Sunday and Monday.

The main impacts for the Carolina coastal areas this weekend will be heavy rainfall, rough surf, beach erosion and deadly rip currents. Heavy rain will become a concern on Monday farther north through the mid-Atlantic states and is likely to affect the I-95 corridor into southern New England on Monday.

Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion

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