Archive for November, 2008:
19 Nov
Have you seen the cultural and racial division within society lately? Unfortunately, it seems to be something that has entered our daily lives. Everyday people in this country attempt to bridge the gap between different cultures, values, talents and opinions, but the task can often be quite challenging. However, during African Awareness Week, the African Student Union (ASU) made the first step on Friday with the “Bridging the Gap Talent Show.” With a diverse line-up of talent, each member of the audience received a chance to watch dancers, singers, orators and other talented students of our campus community.
Chinyere Onuoha, a sophomore in biological engineering, and Isaac Owolabi, a senior in aerospace engineering, both members of the African Student Union, hosted this event. With friendly chemistry, they got along well and made the audience feel at ease. Dr. Tracey Ray, director of Multicultural Student Affairs, Harmony Fayomi, a senior in chemical engineering, and Candace Lee, a senior in business management, served as judges for this event.
Jamar Dawson, a senior in aerospace engineering and a member of Christian hip-hop duo, Evident Shift, opened the show, and it was clear that the judges would have a tough decision choosing a winner. Dawson began the show with a brief yet powerful spiritual rap. He rapped without a beat and maintained a fast pace. Following the opening act, dance group, Fusion, performed to a wide variety of songs. Opening with John Legend’s “Green Light,” Fusion kept the audience enthralled with their amazing dance moves, and most importantly, the diversity within their own group.
Brittany May’s eloquent spoken word challenged the audience to bridge the gap within our own community as well as with our own spiritual relationships. As May, a junior in Africana studies presented her spoken word, the audience made comments in agreement with her statements about the current state of this world. May spoke of the need to maintain a relationship with Jesus Christ and emphasized that the world can achieve more only through prayer. The audience consisted of a variety of races which helped to lend support to the theme, “Bridging the Gap.”
Following Brittany May’s spoken word, Uninhibited Praise sang, “How Excellent is Thy Name” and evoked beautiful emotions within the crowd. While the ten members of the group harmonized and sang, the audience simply watched in amazement and worshipped the Lord. The show continued with Kyle Alston, a senior in engineering, presenting his spoken word posing the question, “Are we Free?” and Danna Bradley, a junior in biological sciences, soulfully singing, “I Need Thee,” by Bishop Paul Morton. Both performances silenced the audience as they listened. Kyle Alston’s spoken word proposed that the audience answer a question and Danna Bradley’s singing entranced the audience. The audience consisted of some who knew about the program and others such as Kendra Jordon, a sophomore in biological sciences, who said, “We didn’t know about it. We heard about it in the brickyard. I’m really glad I came to this. It was something really awesome to be a part of.”
The talent presentation concluded with a poem about the true meaning of love and its misuse, performed by ASU’s, Iwalade Alabi, a sophomore in fashion and textile management, followed by an energy filled performance by the Kappa Lambda chapter of Omega Psi Phi. Food and refreshments were provided during the intermission and following the judging period, Danna Bradley and the members of the Kappa Lambda chapter of Omega Psi Phi received first place.
Overall, students really enjoyed the show. Michael A. Griffin II, a freshman in First Year College, said that “It was culturally enlightening when observing various aspects of African culture. Not only did the program bridge the gap between African Americans, it also invited other nationalities, which enhanced the diversity of the entire program. It was a great experience.” It seems as though many were impressed with the diversity at this event. Ashley Lowe, a freshman in psychology, said, “I thought it was well organized. They [ASU] had good talent. They had a diverse turnout. There wasn’t just one type of lineup.”
The African Student Union presented a variety of talent to a diverse audience willing to listen. While it takes many more events like this to “Bridge the Gap,” ASU receives high marks for helping the campus begin its journey to a more unified and tolerant one.
19 Nov
With the nation’s attention on the general election, many have overlooked the election of former nationwide athletes. These athletes come from different kinds of sports: football, basketball, baseball etc. As they have left a mark in their respective sport, they are trying to do the same thing now, only this time, in the world of politics.
Kevin Johnson, a former All-Star point guard for the Phoenix Suns, decided to run his platform based on changing the perception of his hometown during his campaign for mayor of Sacramento, California. The people of Sacramento elected him to office; however, not only was Johnson able to beat the incumbent mayor Heather Fargo, but in the process, he became the first black mayor of the city.
Heath Shuler, an ex-quarterback for the Washington Redskins and New Orleans Saints, won his re-election bid to Congress. Shuler, a North Carolina Democrat, defeated Republican, Carl Mumpower, for the seat in Congress. Baron Hill, a former basketball player at Furman University, also won a seat in Congress for the state of Indiana. Other former athletes that are joining Shuler and Hill in Congress are Norm Dicks, a former linebacker at the University of Washington, who won his re-election bid, and Jason Chaffetz, a former kicker for Brigham Young University, won the congressional seat in the state of Utah. In one case that surprised even me, there are former athletes in the Senate, too. Jim Bunning, a Hall of Fame pitcher, is a senator for the state of Kentucky and Herb Kohl, current owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, holds a senate seat for the state of Wisconsin.
The list of former athletes that have held or a currently hold a political position can go on and on. Athletes have felt for years that whatever goes on in politics affects them and by feeling this way, many have decided to get involved to help make a difference. So the next time you hear an athlete talk about politics and the way things are, watch out; they just might be the next Lynn Swann or Jesse Ventura.
19 Nov
Peter J. D’Adamo, a naturopathic doctor famous for his book, “Eat Right 4 Your type,” explores the connection between the history of the blood types in connection to their origins and how it may affect a person’s ability to eat and digest certain types of foods. Following this diet, you can decrease your susceptibility to cancer, diabetes and other illnesses, while also improving energy levels and the health of your body.
Blood Type A -The Vegetarian
4yourtype.com, an informative website on the blood type diet, claims that type A blood initially appeared in Asia or the Middle East between 25,000 and 15,000 B.C. in response to the rapidly dwindling supply of meat, leading to the cultivation of grains. Over time, the adaptations that produced Blood Type A needed to fully utilize nutrients from carbohydrate sources. These biological adaptations can be observed today in Type A’s digestive structure. Low levels of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and high intestinal disaccharide digestive enzyme levels allow a more efficient digestion of carbohydrates. Along with these, low levels of intestinal alkaline phosphotase make it difficult for Type As to digest and metabolize animal protein and fat.
Individuals with Type A blood thrive on a plant-based diet and should consume large amounts of vegetables, lentils, soy beans (and soy products), pinto beans, black beans and whole grains. Berries and plums are also beneficial. Occasional consumption of poultry and fermented dairy products is also well recommended.
Individuals with Type A blood should eliminate all meat products, whole fat dairy products, peppers, tomatoes, and tropical and citrus fruits from their diet.
Blood Type B-The Balanced Omnivore
Type B blood developed sometime between 10,000 and 15,000 B.C. in the area of present day Pakistan and India. In the migration from a hot climate to a colder one, blood type B may have initially mutated in response to climatic changes. The Mongolians swept northward, pursuing a culture dependent upon herding and domesticating animals, � as their diet of meat and cultured dairy products reflected.
The diet for individuals with Type B blood is more varied than the other blood type diets. If you have Type B blood, you are encouraged to eat seafood, beef, lamb, and dairy products. Oats and millet, green vegetables, and all fruits are beneficial as well.
Individuals with Type B blood are encouraged to avoid chicken, bacon, ham, and shellfish entirely. It is recommended that individuals with Type B blood limit consumption of beef, wheat, rye, tomatoes and corn.
Blood Type AB-The Moderator
Type AB blood is rare- it’s found in less than five percent of the population, and it is the newest of the blood types. Until ten or twelve centuries ago, there was no Type AB blood type. Type AB resulted from the intermingling of Type A with Type B. Thus, they share both the benefits and the challenges of both Type A and Type B blood types.
Individuals with Type AB blood are encouraged to eat lamb, turkey, cultured dairy products (yogurt and sour cream), eggs, rice, tofu, plums and cherries.
Individuals with Type AB blood must strictly avoid all smoked or cured meats and limit consumption of beef, wheat, corn, tropical fruits, oranges and bananas.
Blood Type O-The Carnivore
All humans initially shared type O. These early humans were skilled hunters, and thrived on a meat-based diet.
Individuals with Type O blood are encouraged to explore the importance of animal flesh and vegetables. It is recommended to eat lean beef, lamb, turkey, chicken, and seafood. In addition, azuki beans, pinto beans, kale, collard greens and all fruits are considered to be beneficial.
Individuals with Type O blood must strictly avoid eggs and dairy foods, breads and pastas made from wheat, cabbage and brussel sprouts, and corn.
For more information on foods that should or should not be eaten visit, http://www.drlam.com/blood_type_diet/, an online guide for naturopathic techniques.
19 Nov
When you look in the mirror, what do you see? The ladies of Women Empowering Society Together (WEST) and Helping Youth Prepare to Excel (HYPE) attempted to answer this question along with several others at their co-sponsored program on November 12, 2008, entitled,” Female Body Perception.” The goal of the program was to help women on campus find the “true definition of beauty and self-esteem within [them]selves,” and to teach women the tools to prevent them from feeling the need to conform to our society’s standard of beauty.
They began with an activity in which all guests were asked to walk around the classroom and choose an image taped on the wall of a woman they believe is beautiful. The pictures consisted of magazine cutouts of fashion models and celebrities of various ethnicities and sizes. When asked to explain why they chose their picture, the majority of women admitted to picking celebrities they either wanted to look like, as in body type, facial features, clothing style, or overall confidence exuded, or images of women they saw a piece of themselves in. Guests were asked to describe the positive characteristics of the women in the pictures followed by the negative. In a matter of seconds, hands shot up into the air with women eager to point out the poor outfit choices, odd facial expressions, and in one case “crooked toe,” of the women within the pictures, once again showing how meticulous women can to details when it comes to both their image and the images of other women. One of the women in the audience said she was unable to spot out a flaw in her model, leading to a discussion about the unrealistic images of women we see in the media and how these images create impractical standards for regular women.
Attendees talked about how the portrayal of beauty staring back at them through print media, television and movie screens is typically a young, fair skinned, skinny woman. However, this standard image fails to recognize that our differences are what make us beautiful. “What’s put in ads is an expectation of what beauty should be, not what it is. We have the power to change the media by not accepting what they give us to define true beauty,” said April Daley, a senior in political science and communication. Through discussion, true beauty was defined as “an inner spirit more than anything.” People spoke about how they can feel beautiful from the simple things in their lives, such as making an A on an exam, accomplishing all of their goals set for the week, or even being as comfortable and confident in sweatpants as if wearing a three-piece suit.
According to Wende Nichols, a senior in history and Africana studies, “We try so hard to distinguish between regular people and the super stars. No! They are regular people too. Don’t hold them on a pedestal.” The overall viewpoint of the audience was that women should stop allowing themselves to be persuaded by the images of beauty they are given, and take an active role in defining their individual beauty.
WEST and HYPE members stressed the need for high self-esteem in order to combat the images of the “ideal woman” seen on television daily. They said in order to gain self-esteem women must accept themselves for who they are and stop comparing themselves to others. The activity ended with a “declaration” of freedom from the beauty standards we have long known, with every woman tearing the picture she chose into pieces and throwing it in the trashcan.
The program concluded with audience members getting into groups in which everyone passed index cards with their name on it around a circle to group member, having each person write one thing they think is beautiful about individuals in the group. Eventually everyone’s card was returned to them, and they were able to read all of the compliments their group members gave them. The final words displaying on the projector screen as the program concluded read: “You’re beautiful.” It was evident that everyone left this event truly feeling good in their own skin.
19 Nov
African American Cultural Center along with the African Student Union hosted the opening reception of the International Print Portfolio: Artists’ Expressions of Universal Human Rights on Thursday, November 13, 2008. This reception was held in the Washington Sankofa room of the African American Cultural Center. The Human Rights exhibition will be on display from November 10 through December 5.
During the reception, students in the African Student Union performed a variety of dances. These dances incorporated modern music along with African beats. Lucy Muhirwa, a junior in biochemistry, recited an original poem entitled “I Choose.” This poem challenged everyone, faculty and students, to make the right choices in life because they will not only affect us individually, but also as a community. During her performance she asked the crowd to stand to their feet and recite “Choice is my right and my right is choice.”
Along with the performances there were a variety of foods from different places in Africa. Toni Thorpe, program coordinator for the African American Cultural Center, gave a brief description of each of the different kinds of food and what part of the country they came from, such as West Africa, Ethiopia, and the cake, “Well, that’s good ole American cake,” said Ms. Thorpe, as the crowd responded in laughter.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of International Human Rights Day. N.C. State will commemorate this event in several ways. Chancellor Oblinger will sign a proclamation declaring December 10th as Human Rights Day at N.C. State. This proclamation will be presented at half time of the Miami football game on November 29th by Dr. Jose Picart, who is the vice provost of Diversity and Inclusion. This presentation will be made to Jay Dawkins, student body president and junior in civil engineering and to professor Slater Newman, who represents the Human Rights Coalition of North Carolina.
To gain further information at the Human Rights Day at NC State you can visit the website at: http://www.ncsu.edu/diversity/HumanRightsDay2008.php
19 Nov
Many students have asked the question, “Will we have strong student leaders in the years to come?” This seemingly recurring topic leaves some upperclassmen and faculty to think the very same thing. Currently, within most of the organizations that fit under the African American Student Advisory Counsel (AASAC) umbrella, you notice the same faces at executive board meetings, facilitating general body discussions, and volunteering at the organizations’ programs. These practices give the impression that underclassmen may not take a genuine interest in the student groups that have held the black population together for over 50 years now. Think about it; Are the true leaders of the minority population graduating and leaving these organizations with a lack of determined leaders, who seek to expand and continue the ideals of the specific organization? I would think that with the prominent leaders being easily identifiable, students who want to hold student leadership positions would try to grow a working, mentoring relationship with a current campus leader to “learn the ropes” and become more knowledgeable about the position held by that student.
Now, I am not going to jump the gun per se and point the finger completely at the inactive or unmotivated underclassmen, but rather, ask a more in-depth question about the upperclassmen that do hold these prominent positions. Does the younger generation of students feel that they can inquire about these positions, and get positive and helpful feedback? I make no excuses for students who wish to implement leadership within this university and simply won’t, or those who actually are content with just the scholastic portion of college, the resources are there. Whether or not you are comfortable approaching student leaders, interested students can find most of these organizations keep an active record of their accomplishments, programming, and leadership on flyers, and within the reach of the adviser of each organization.
On the other hand, student leaders should make themselves readily available to future, potential students, because, after all, when one’s undergraduate experience is complete and their organization lives on, one should want the legacy of that organization to continue to grow and develop by continuing to change the campus dynamic, by increasing student awareness and abiding by the constitution and aims of that group. Leaders, I challenge you, the next time your group has a general body meeting or hosts a program, take notice of students who arrive early, volunteer with setup, and actively interact with the E-Board and other students during the function; these are great signs of ways to identify future leaders. Student leaders’jobs reach beyond what is written in the responsibilities summary within the organization’s preamble; they must actively seek out these students and act as a village in training them to be more productive within the group, ask for volunteers when a program is lacking support, and most of all, make them want to be student leaders by exemplifying the utmost of professional behavior within the organizations infrastructure and during social events outside of the organization. Nobody wants to approach people who turn off the leadership light switch after the meetings are over, and they feel their duties have been fulfilled; but as general students and leaders, someone is always watching and if they don’t like what they see, they are less interested in asking questions, showing interest, and much less, leadership.
Overall, a change in roles needs to be seen and soon! Upperclassmen are often very pushed for time: standardized test for furthering education, deadlines for applying to graduate schools, and all the while, mapping out life after undergraduate school. So, underclassmen help is definitely needed, and underclassmen are adults, just like upperclassmen; they are just a little more inexperienced within the framework of college and unfamiliar with how important their years in college actually are. In most cases, the behavior that you set forth in college will remain the trend with how productive and successful your life will be after this experience is over, and for some it will be bittersweet. According to Briankim.com, in the article, “The top 10 reasons college students can’t find jobs,” the number three reason is because of a lack in people skills or leadership abilities; this statement qualifies fourth in their article, “The top 10 career strategies for freshman and sophomores.” Companies view these activities as vital ways in which to “add value” to their organizations. If they feel their company can truly become more reputable with you on their payroll, they are more likely to offer you employment with their organization. I urge everyone to think twice about the behaviors they are currently demonstrating and ask yourself a few daily key questions, to evaluate the effectiveness of your leadership or lack thereof:
Have I “added value” to NC State?
Are my behaviors indicative of a true student leader?
Is inactivity a real option?
Who am I truly servicing with my leadership?
Why am I a leader; is it for resume building or personal growth and development?
None of these questions are meant to offend anyone, but rather, relay a message about the quality and potential assets that you as a student can bring to the campus. One thing we all have in common is our student status; this should lay the foundation for a great working relationship because we can all identify with the stresses of being full-time students. Encourage others to step into positions that best suit their strengths.
19 Nov
The Impact Movement, a campus Christian organization, hosted a Christian hip-hop concert called “Live Free or Die Hard” on November 7, which encompassed a variety of artists who performed and tore the roof off. The meaning behind the name for the concert, Live Free or Die Hard, comes from 1 Peter 2:16 which says, “As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” This free Christian hip-hop concert consisted of a variety of local artists as well as some from out of state. Not only did they have artists performing some of their original songs, but they had individuals such as Blake Burnette and Isaac who did spoken word. The Fam, Divine Unity, and Evident Shift are all Christian hip-hop groups that performed and moved the crowd with their up-tempo beats and free flowing lyrics. Danna Bradley, a junior in biological sciences, was the host of this event. She informed the crowd from the beginning of the concert of the one rule that was in place; “you gotta stay hype the whole night,” no matter what. This was an easy task considering the level of intensity that filled the Bragaw Activity Room throughout the night.
As the night progressed, the lounge began to overflow with people inside and bystanders that just ventured in to partake in the hip-hop concert. There were people standing outside who said they could hear the music from there and enjoyed listening to it from afar. The concert lasted for hours until the organization was literally told to end it. This concert was proof that there are faithful Christians on campus who are dedicated to spreading the word of God through song and praise.
The Impact Movement’s mission and vision is rooted in Matthew 28: 19-20, which states, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” They truly live up to the duties and teaching the word of God. Their vision is to “see the African American community fulfill its destiny as a reflection of the redemptive power of Jesus Christ.” The Impact Movement’s goal is to promote African-American leadership within the campus, in the community, and all over the world, and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations. They target the African-American student population; however, they are not exclusively comprised of African-Americans and are open to all others ethnicities and nationalities. The organization’s main focus is to make sure people are “aware of who Jesus Christ is and how we all can have a personal relationship with Him.” Not only do they want to ensure that people become closer to Christ, they also try to create a sense of unity and openness, where they can enjoy themselves, while “giving honor and glory to God.”
19 Nov
Everyday on the radio we listen to the hottest and freshest beats, but have you ever stopped to wonder what the lyrics really say, or what kind of subliminal messages may be hiding in today’s radio hits?Billboard.com’s Hot 100 chart lists the most popular up and coming artists in America. Here’s a breakdown of the five top songs heating the Hot 100 as of Friday, complete with a lyrical analysis provided by Songmeanings.net:
1. T.I. Featuring Rihanna, “Live Your Life”
The chart-topping T.I. teams up with Barbadian babe Rihanna to draft this pumping anthem about the importance of being true to yourself and, well, living your life. Don’t mind the “hatas”, T.I. advises, “Just live your life.” Does Rihanna’s backup croon sound familiar? The two sampled the track, “Dragostea Din Tei” by O-Zone, made famous from a YouTube video with a hilarious dancing boy in headphones. If anything, take this note from the song: “You’re gonna be a shinin’ star.”
2. T.I., “Whatever You Like”
T.I., being the gentleman that he is, offers to grant his lucky lady any gift to her heart’s content, whether it may be “big boy rides” or “big boy ice”. It’s nice for Candle Guy to cater to his girl; but big boy ice aside, he must know that ladies don’t need expensive gifts or material objects for a passage to their hearts. Money can’t buy love, T.I.
3. Katy Perry, “Hot N Cold”
Katy Perry, as adorable as she is, carps on her partner’s inability to commit. “Like a girl changes clothes,” his emotions fluctuate. Katy tires of the “love bipolar” rollercoaster ride, which may explain why she kissed a girl. However, “Hot N Cold” may be about something else entirely. Fan ChickenGoujons proposes, “I think this song is about the showers in the women’s prison.”
4. Kanye West, “Heartless”
“How could you be so Heartless?”, asks the famous college dropout. Do you figure he’s talking about George Bush a la Hurricane Katrina? Jokes aside, Kanye pours his raw heart out to his sweetheart, while she consults her friends about leaving him; “You run and tell your friends that you leavin’ me.” But it is evident that Kanye still loves her. “They don’t know what we been through,” he sings, “They don’t know ’bout me and you.” Despite the fights, Kanye knows his lover will regret her mistake. “You won’t find nobody better than me,” he professes.
5. Beyonce, “If I Were a Boy”
If she were a boy, she would be named Sasha Fierce. At least, that’s what her new stage name is, according to her new album title, I Am- Sasha Fierce. Similar to Ciara’s “Like a Boy,” Beyonce’s new single asserts that she would make a better lover as a boy than the current male population: “But you’re just a boy. You don’t understand how it feels to love a girl.” It’s a bitter song that decries men who mistreat women. However, not all men are the same, Beyonce. There are nice gentleman out there who treat women with respect and love-what we all, boys and girls alike, deserve.
19 Nov
After thinking about the many things that rub me the wrong way about people, particularly people on campus, I compiled a top three. I thought about all the issues as a whole and concluded that the root of the problem comes from our individualized driven society. People are so caught up in themselves that they can’t possibly consider the feelings of others, while going about their daily lives.
Number 1: Talking during class. I find this insanely rude and can’t think of one reason why adults find it necessary to talk while an instructor is teaching. Not only is it disrespectful, but it is robbery by a different name. High school is free to students. Yes, tax dollars fund high school, but students don’t pay out of pocket, per se. In college we are all making sacrifices in one form or another to pay for our education, and it is not fair to have to hear people talk about their weekend while a professor lectures on test material. If you don’t find the class interesting or don’t care enough to listen, you shouldn’t infringe on the rights of other students to learn and succeed.
Number 2: Talking loudly on your cell phone on the Wolfline. Riding the Wolfline can be a bittersweet experience; sometimes it’s crowded and there’s no room to get off, then there are times when there is no one riding but you and the driver. You can listen to your iPod or simply reflect on the day. I personally use it as a time to unwind or rev up from or for whatever tasks are ahead or behind me. I find it very disturbing when I have to hear one side of an argument between someone and their family member or significant other; not only is this rude to the people who have to listen, but it breeches your personal confidentiality and privacy.
Number 3: Listening to your iPod as loud as it can possibly go. iPods are arguably one of the greatest inventions; they are small, compact, and personal, but not everyone cares to listen to Tupac or Carrie Underwood while sitting next to you in the dining hall or five minutes before class starts. Listening to your music too loudly is rude.
In no way am I saying you should make your every move ever so slightly so that no one knows you exist, but I do believe you should put yourself in the place of those around you before you do certain things. College is a place of freedom and self-expression, but you shouldn’t infringe on the rights of others. These things may seem small and petty, but I know I am not alone in feeling this way. This university is great; but, I do believe we can make it better by implementing the small things that our mothers taught us as little children. So, the next time you get ready to talk loudly on your cell phone while riding the Wolfline or blast Lil’ Wayne, ask yourself didn’t my mother teach me better?
19 Nov
In this nation’s history, words have been used in various ways to describe various situations or circumstances. Some of these situations or circumstances have been positive, while others have been quite the opposite.
One word that I have chosen to focus on in particular is “picnic.” The original meaning of the word has been up for debate for years, and some issues need to be resolved. The etymology of the word is one thing. However, how this word has been used in the past is another. We need to understand the word in different social contexts, so that we can gain knowledge about why the word has been used the way it has.
According to the anthology, African American Communication & Identities, edited by Ronald L. Jackson II, “Historically, when white slave owners wanted to penalize the black male for acts of aggression or disobedience, they would perform one of two activities: emasculation or a “picnic” (p 201). Picnic would suggest an acronym: pic-a-nic (”nic” would be short for “nigger”). White families would gather around outside, enjoy food fit for a “picnic,” and watch while slaves were hung or humiliated in other ways.
As I said before, this issue is up for debate, but the facts are there. With this in mind, let us ever be so mindful about the history of words so we can careful about what we say.
According to the Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, a picnic is a social gathering at which participants bring food to be shared. The formation of a Picnic Society took place in London, England in the early 1800s by a group of fashionable people with the purpose of entertaining themselves in mind; it was especially considered to be for those of high class, as they would gather to discuss important matters in outdoor areas, mainly open parks. This social event would almost automatically exclude those who were not deemed competent in reading or writing by people with high class statuses.
However, there were some occasions where those of the lower class, which most likely included African-Americans, were invited to attend these gatherings. According to Andrew Hubbell, it was “a way for them to become what (it was imagined) they once were” (”How Wordsworth Invented Picnicking and Saved British Culture,” Romanticism, 2006, Vol. 12: Issue 1, pp.47). “By picnicking, the new consumer used his leisure and surplus income to improve himself and his community, recreating the primordial Britain of strength and proper relationships between self, community and land. Picnicking was thus a way for the newly enriched and leisured classes to perform their fitness to influence the social, political, and economic development of Britain.”
The word as we know it now encompasses every type of indoor and outdoor meal or festive event, including clambakes, barbecues (or “cookouts”), or fish fries. The custom of dining in this way is actually ancient, according to the Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. Greek men would hold symposia from time to time where the guests ate and discussed matters of significance.
Up for debate is the question of whether or not there is any connection between the term “picnic” and the lynching of African-Americans during the time of slavery in our nation’s history. Etymologists would argue no, the term has no ties to the lynching of African-Americans. According to reference.com, the first usage of the word “picnic” is traced to the 1692 edition of Origines de la Langue Francaise de M’nage. Therefore, it is safe to say the word has French roots. The term was used to signify cooperative dining in a restaurant in which the participants brought their own wine. The idea that “picnic” is actually based on the verb piquer, which means to “pick” or “peck” and the rhyming nique, which refers to “thing of little importance” is doubted. The Oxford English Dictionary makes it clear that the source of this interpretation of the word is unknown.
Words that have origins foreign to the United States have their original meanings and uses; but, we must not forget that the way words are used over time changes. This point is the key to understanding the word “picnic.” Is it possible that even though the term picque-nique (French spelling) first came on the scene at the end of the 17th century, the term could have been twisted around to reference a time of outdoor dining and entertainment that included the viewing of public hangings of African-Americans during a time of slavery and intense segregation? We use words all the time that have one meaning, but we use them in different ways based on context. Why is this not possible?
Once again, etymologists would maintain it is not reasonable to associate “picnic” with lynching. Michael Quinion a writer of issues concerning international English language from a British viewpoint, says in his World Wide Words website, “the association with an outdoor meal didn’t appear in English until about the middle of the nineteenth century. So there’s no truth in stories that attempt to link the origins of the words with slavery.” Many scholars disagree with this idea, and maintain that the word “picnic” does have some negative history behind it.
