Nineteen Fifty-Six Vol. 3 Issue 1

FROM THE EDITOR
Love, sex and relationships. Three words
that hold so much power in today’s
culture. People either enjoy talking
about those three things or they absolutely hate
it. But important and nuanced conversations
around these things are needed now more than
ever.
This time last year, I was reading an edition
of Maroon Life, the Battalion at Texas A&M’s
special edition newspaper. This edition was
entitled “Let’s Talk About Sex.” As I was
reading, an idea popped into my head. The
stories of love, sex and relationships tend to
center on white people and their experiences.
What about Black people? What about their
experiences and how can I share their stories?
At the time, I did not know I would be named
editor-in-chief of Nineteen Fifty-Six just a
mere four months later. I just knew that these
stories needed to be heard. Once I was named,
I began to turn my vision into reality and now
present to you: Amour Noir.
I am a product of Black love. My parents were
my first visual of Black love. It is—like any other
kind of love—imperfect. There are highs and
lows. Peaks and valleys. But it is nevertheless
important that Black people of every color,
gender, sexuality and background experience
what it is like to love and to be loved.
It is important that Black people see accurate
depictions of love. Far too many times, Black
people in media are in broken homes, abusive
relationships or left alone with nothing but the
clothes on their back. I did not grow up that
way. My parents were always around and even
when it was not easy to love me, they did. My
brother did. My friends did.
Nineteen Fifty-Six is committed to giving a
voice to the voiceless. It was designed to bring
stories not always told to the forefront and
start meaningful discussions about was it really
means to be a Black person in the United States.
My staff and I have brought people from all
different genders, sexualities and backgrounds
to share just how powerful love, sex and
relationships can be.
These discussions are necessary, and I am more
than honored to give these people a platform
to share them. I hope that when you turn the
pages of the first issue of Vol. 3, you will feel the
love coming out.
ASHLEE WOODS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF