Archive for February, 2009:
27 Feb
“We must come together and grow as one, regardless of race or gender. Expressions. Both Sides of the Mirror.”
Cierra Pearson, senior in Spanish and interpersonal communications spoke these motivational words during her “Who Am I?” introduction of Expressions. This event, which was an exploration and restoration of race, gender and class, was held last Thursday, by the Black Students Board and co-sponsor, the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Hosted by senior in biochemistry, and president of Eta Omicron, Lamar Crawford, this event consisted of nine incredible performances by students, followed by a marvelous performance by Jazz artists Galen Razzaq and Band. Before the performances identical twins Michelle Alvarez, a sophomore in microbiology and Leslie Alvarez, a sophomore in communication came together hand and hand, as looking into both sides of the mirror, to define the Expressions.
The initial performance was by sophomore in mathematics education, April Gaddy and sophomore in the first-year college Telesha Heilig, of the hymn “Amazing Grace,” originally written by former slave-ship captain John Newton. Following, junior in communication John Craig presented an original poem entitled “Love,” which expressed deeply what the joy and pain of love truly is, through the eyes of everyone and provided a better understanding of love through a sense of different sexualities. Rikkia Miles, freshman in biological sciences expressed her desire to spread the awareness of poverty within youth by performing a dance to “Stand Up For Love” by Destiny’s Child.
A poem called “Black Before I Knew It,” which provided feelings and expressions of what it is like to be black, and how blacks are placed into a social class by their skin color, was performed by freshman Janiece Cooley, major in biological sciences along with interpretive dance by freshman in biochemistry Aki Asressahegn and freshman in biological sciences Keandra McNeil. Sophomore in communication, Keyuntae Ward, along with Heather Gavin, performed an original song called “Just Fine.” The song represented realistic issues many people have with relationships, in which despite the problems people may have in a relationship, they still love each other and want to be with each other for a lifetime.
The sixth presentation was the speech “Ain’t I A Woman?” by abolitionist Harriet Tubman, which was well addressed by freshman and major in electrical engineering, Shanequa Winstead. The speech was about the treatment of women and blacks, back around the times of the American Civil War and the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Subsequently, junior in business administration Candace Payne and sophomore in electrical engineering Zack Credle danced spiritually to the inspirational song by gospel recording artist Byron Cage, “Broken, But I’m Healed.” This performance was quite emotional to the audience, and the aim was that we can make it out of our struggles and through our obstacles with faith and strength. “Lyfe” presented a spoken word called “Was It Me?” in which he said “the struggle of African-Americans is shown through the epitome of the single black mother.” It was written for his own mother, who passed away from a stroke, as well as being a representation for all the single mothers who strive in order to make sure their children make it into the right direction in life. And finally, to wrap up the student expressions, Issac Owolabi II, senior in aerospace engineering flawlessly cited Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s sermon, “Drum Major Instinct.” Dr. King delivered this incredible speech at Ebenezer Baptist Church of Atlanta, two months before his assassination.
For the second part of Expressions, one of the most popular artists for performing at campuses and universities, jazz musicians Galen Razzaq and Band, performed for the audience, as well as giving the audience a touch history on jazz music and composers. The turnout for this event was ecstatic. There were more than 230 people at Expressions, and the seating ran out within ten minutes before the show actually started. Freshman in communication Jason Cooper said, “I am so surprised to see how many African-Americans are supporting this event and Black History Month…finally!” Cooper is right when he says this, because it is important that African-Americans come together to acknowledge their roots and the reason that they all stand today, as well as staying informed on where they come from. Freshman in business administration and marketing,
Marcus Pollard, a freshman in the transition program mentioned, “There are a lot of African-American people here as well as other races, together for one cause; people of different races, genders and classes, all here to express themselves.” Expressions definitely turned out to be a very successful and enjoyable affair.
27 Feb
Professor Dayna Matthew was this year’s Clark Lecture guest speaker. Matthew is the associate dean for academic affairs and professor of law at the University of Colorado-Boulder and specializes in evidence, health law. Her resume extends to the universities of Kentucky and Virginia instructing tort courses that focused on civil procedure, products liability and public health sections that were primarily devoted to bioethics and medical malpractice procedures. Professor Matthew has written articles on health and antitrust law topics which have appeared in the Virginia Law Review, Houston Law Review and the Wake Forest Law Review the Indiana Law Journal, the Kentucky Law Journal and the St. Louis University Law Journal, as well as the American Journal of Law and Medicine according to her biography on the University of Colorado Law site. Matthew has also written a number of articles to educate people about her plans to regulate America’s discriminatory health care system. This plan seeks to provide minority groups, in many cases underrepresented African-American populations, within the health care system by providing the patient with quality care at an affordable price.
The presentation outline consisted of the implementation of the fiduciary medicine policies. Fiduciary medicine is a way of combining law practices with health care policies to create a means for underrepresented groups to have the same access to quality health care as other non-minority groups. In some ways socialized medical practices have been the norm but this model suggests that regardless of socio-economic status and affordability of quality care, all Americans should have equally accessible treatment and prescriptions regardless of financial determinants. In Matthew’s model she addressed concerns for morality issues within the health care industry tackling the pharmaceutical and insurance providers and discussed the lack of awareness within these communities. Her model holds these institutions responsible for good faith attempts while serving these populations, the best efforts to provide skill applications and holding medical providers accountable for risk management concerns.
Additionally, Matthew stressed the importance of the trustee, beneficiary relationship as it relates to medical care.
The beneficiary is a legal term that is defined as the recipient of goods or services, and the trustee is the providing entity of that good, service or care. In this case, the trustee acts as the medical physician and the beneficiary is the patient, receiving the care.
“It is important to recall legal practices as it relates to health practices,” said Matthew. She also said, “We entrust our most valuable possessions with attorneys in legal issues, and we do the same as is relates to our health.”
Her methods seek to mirror the goals of the Hippocratic Oath, that practicing doctors adhere to during their tenure and recite during their white coat ceremony, which swears them into the medical profession as capable yet moral practitioners.
“Medical malpractice does not address discrimination,” said Matthew. Warren Rhem II, senior in agriculture business management asked Matthew about how patients could seek legal counsel pertaining to malpractice if unable to afford lawyer’s fees. Her response was merely advocating that we need to “put bad doctors out of business, we don’t want to preserve them.” She also pointed out that students need to become lawyers and reach back out into these communities and “become advocates.” When Marquis McCullough asked about the models ability to address insurance companies that deny claims, Matthew admitted that her “model falls short in that regard,” but she can fix it.
“The insurance industry is financially driven,” said Matthew. “The 46 million people that are working, in many cases still don’t have health care, and that’s a problem. Our government has an obligation to return these services to its country men and women. Annually, this event is held to honor the Dr. Lawrence Clark, a former associate provost and mathematics instructor of N.C. State. Dr. Clark was a 20-year tenure employee for the University and created the African-American Advisory committee. He was also instrumental in the development of the African American Cultural Center.
“It is always exciting to be presented with a new aspect of some topic that you had not previously thought about. Coincidently, I am taking business law so I was able to draw from her lecture some things we talk about in class. It gave me a better understanding of what she was speaking about, I may even want to be a lawyer now,” said Kadeem Myrick, junior in business management when asked about the importance of the lecture. Antoinette Russell, junior in communication-public relations said, “She made it very clear that there were several injustices in the medical system even in 2009 that people don’t always recognize because it is not as obvious as the racist practices were in the 60s and 70s. However, applying fiduciary law to the medical field is not the solution to the problem. Its goals were impractical and unacomplishable. I do admire the time and effort that went into her solution, and it is comforting to know that there are people working hard to ensure that my rights are protect you can make it sound better if you want.”
27 Feb
November 5, 2008 will stay in the minds of N.C. State students as being a dark day in campus life. The hurtful messages that were displayed on the Free Expression Tunnel pulled at our heart strings and caused an uncomfortable feeling around campus. People got angry. Others began to question who their friends really were and their intentions. Who really are our friends and how do our classmates truly feel about us?
To ease the tension around campus the Campus Culture Task Force was created. The group consists of faculty, administration and students that have taken it upon themselves to evaluate student conduct and potentially create guidelines for the Free Expression Tunnel. The report that the task force issued is open to all N.C. State students to comment on, but there seems to be a lack of response. Even though it seems that things were heated around campus and there were various opinions thrown back and forth, few of them made it to the task force. When great displays of hate are made one would think that everybody would be lined up at the door to speak their mind on the matter. In a way it surprises me that students have not responded. On the other hand, the lack of response isn’t that outrageous to fathom.
First of all, I feel as if the survey was a very impersonal way to reach people. We answer surveys all the time (i.e. class evaluations) and it gets rather routine and boring after a while. Granted, what was sent out concerning the task force was of the upmost importance although it wasn’t very appealing. It is hard to reach a large population of people in a short amount of time if the surveys are not sent through e-mail. I am just making a point that because of this it is easy to just not pay attention to it.
I believe that there was a lack of response because students feel as if nothing is going to be done about it. Yes, we can talk all we want, but what is going to come of it? You can compare this to people not voting in national elections. They have lost faith in the national government just as N.C. State students have lost faith in our university administration. This is in no way the students fault. One cannot blame someone for ignoring something they feel will have no effect.
There was also the question of the chancellor taking the matter seriously. We have all known or heard of people in power just sweeping things under the rug and hoping that it will go away. I am sure he is a much more concerned than people think he is. This type of situation could, if handled improperly, be damaging in the long run.
I feel that the chancellor does have our best interest at heart and that he was also offended by such messages. Although, since he is a man of power and prestige he has a reputation to uphold. If he went too radical on the issue then how would others see him? The student body would probably appreciate a radical outburst from him, but higher authorities might not. So I feel as if he is going through a dilemma and has yet to come to a decision.
On the other hand, some students believe the Task Force to be a step in the right direction. One student who wished to be quoted was Rene Norman a junior in psychology. She says, “I think the task force has a positive impact on the University. It’s reinforcing the stance that the University has taken against the hate speech on campus. If the suggestions of the task force are implemented, I think they will be well received since the task force isn’t just made up of administrative personnel, but students as well.”
Overall, I believe the Task Force will only be effective with more student comments and input on the issue. All of the technicalities of it may not be the most exciting pieces of information, but it will help students now and in the long run. I am under the impression that the majority of students would be sad to see the Free Expression tunnel be done away with. It is one of the symbols that the student voice does matter and I could not imagine the University without it. So, get involved so this problem can be resolved.
27 Feb
People should take time out to look at the world around us and how divided it is. There are many divisions in the world such as class, race, and gender, but I would like to focus on the main division that has always had America in chaos: race. Think about it, when you walk into the Atrium you see people sitting with their ethnic group. This is something that I call “self-segregation,” because we tend to separate ourselves from others who look different than we do, choosing instead to sit with people who look just like us. It is not such a big deal to most people I guess because it comes so natural, but yet we are not taking advantage of the dream and hope of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other equal rights activists. I know that we feel more comfortable talking to people who we believe can relate to our situation, but in reality we all have the same problems. Everyone is so much alike the only difference is our skin color and personality. We should not let these differences keep us divided, because deep down we all go through the same problems, such as exams, relationships, schedules, and classes.
From my observation self-segregation still exists in college, but not as much as it did in high school. In high school a person could walk into a cafeteria or classroom and if the seat were not assigned, then the self-segregation is very obvious. You will see the white people in a section, the black people in a section, etc. and this is because people enjoy sitting with their friends. The problem is we choose to only be associates, as in not very close, until situations occur where different races are forced to come together.
For example, in college you may be roomed with someone who is not the same as you, but you are forced to get to know that person and the things they like and dislike. Then you find out that you have something in common with that person. That is how the world needs to be, excluding not having to be forced, it should come naturally.
We need to get out of our comfort zone and try and do different things. America is known for being a “melting pot” meaning that everyone and everything is united. However, if I had to describe America I would call it a toss salad. Given that when you look at a toss salad you can see the different things that it is made of, but if you want you can sort it out. That is what we are doing on a daily basis whenever we self-segregate ourselves. We are taking the tomatoes putting them together; taking the cucumbers and putting them together, but we all fail to notice that they all have something in common: the dressing.
America is diverse, but has issues with promoting diversity. No matter how hard people have fought or made speeches the solution lies within the people and the decisions they make. All of those things that were spoken by equal rights advocates in our past were words of encouragement and wisdom. It is the choice of the people to come together. Yes, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream, that one day all black and white children would walk down the streets hand in hand. We do associate with people of different ethnic backgrounds, but not to the point where we need to be as people.
People need to forgive, but never forget the past. We all need to progress because we can not change our past, but it is never too late to change the future. We need to get rid of the stereotypes, and get to know different people for ourselves, but I guess that is not the American way.
27 Feb
In light of reactive responses to discrimination, lack of resources, and hate speech issues that occur on campus from year to year, people are beginning to wonder whether or not the infrastructure of this campus’ minority population are creating an uproar only after major events take place, rather than prior to its occurrence.
Take for instance the hate speech incident in November 2008 when students wrote hate filled slurs across the Free Expression Tunnel. Students on the Campus Culture Task Force committees have actively sought to make the proper recommendations to avoid crude instances of this behavior on public-campus property. However, when students have written racial slurs and stereotyped students based on their sexual preferences, we didn’t raise these issues until they directly affected our population. Even when the noose was hung from a campus facility complex we rallied, complained and demanded action from administration to rectify the situation and console the students scarred by the evoking of a painful, historic past. In response, we got the same results, media coverage, on and off campus, public forums including campus officials and still we have the same problems to reflect upon.
Has anything really changed? Are we taking the possible preventative measures to ensure that future students won’t have to advocate as much for the same exact problems that continue to reoccur. Why must someone be hurt to implement change?
The reactive behavior that continues to plague this campus is what is going to eventually lose its steam. People get tired of the same few people fighting a fight for many. This goes back to prior stories I have written to discuss whether or not our leaders are truly leading and whether or not we are self-serving or serving a greater entity, the entire minority population. We must continue to make our voices heard, but we have to exhaust all of our options. The current student leaders are worn out over worked and in some cases only meeting minimal expectations because of the mental overload they tend to endure, because other students aren’t aiding in the success of these organization or this community. People must realize that it takes an extreme amount of time and effort on behalf of the committees that are formed, and administration that is sought out to implement the change we desire, but it starts with us, not some, but all.
For example, in the last issue, I talked about task force committee updates. It saddened me to only report that fewer than 100 N.C. State students had responded to the link provided by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and campus leaders who read each of the responses to the tunnel incident. The majority of those concerns were addressed to the tunnel’s further use rather than the true issue, the poor regard for civility amongst a campus of diverse students.
Task force updates were written by the Technician and the Nubian Message, which doesn’t limit the opportunity for students to respond with their suggestions to change the campus legislation to further prevent these acts on campus not simply talk about them. The phrase “talk is cheap” is true in this respect. Many of the same students who submitted bills to punish these students are some of the same students who don’t attend the forum meetings scheduled, respond to the outreach task force site, or even educate themselves on the polities that restrict any punishment deemed by campus administrators. I ask you to be the judge and really think about whether we are truly reactive or proactive in reference to campus-wide issues.
27 Feb
This past Saturday, the Society of Afrikan-American Culture hosted the second annual Live Black Wax Museum. Students from the African-American community here at N.C. State portrayed prominent African-American figures that had contributed not only to black society, but also to society as a whole.
Middle school students participating in the Saturday Program for Academic and Cultural Education (SPACE) went around to the different “wax” figures, pressed down on the button located in front of the individual, and the person would “come to life” giving the students a brief history lesson about who they are and what they had accomplished.
Dante Ray, a freshman in political science, portrayed Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first black person elected to the U.S. Senate. Dante feels that the Live Black Wax Museum is a very informative event that will help educate the younger generation about the individuals who made a difference in society.
Another participant in the museum, Alonza Martin, a freshman in computer engineering who portrayed Booker T. Washington, hopes that the museum will spark a resurgence of cultural awareness for the middle school students and that they will leave the museum with a good sense of knowledge about African-American history.
The event, which lasted a little more than an hour, was a success to not only those who participated as figures in the wax museum, but to those who attended as well.
Toni Thorpe, the program coordinator for the African American Cultural Center, says that this is the perfect example of the passion and dedication the students here at N.C. State have for educating others about the important role African-Americans have played in the history of this country.
However the key purpose of the museum was to inform the children about our heritage according to Deidra Dunn, a sophomore in chemical engineering and the person in charge of coordinating the museum this year.
The true success of the event, she stated, is having the students obtain new knowledge about our history that they did not know before.
This knowledge, ladies and gentleman, is hopefully something these young students will pass on to others for years to come. In doing so, our history will truly be kept alive for generations to come.
27 Feb
Spring break is right around the corner and most students have already booked flights, planned road trips, or scheduled cruises. However, all students are not financially equipped to spend hundreds of dollars on trips to places such as New York, Florida, California and other nice vacation areas. Who would not love to enjoy the bright sunny weather that Florida and California has to offer or the great shopping venues in New York? As we all know, money is not at a surplus and instead of spending your last dime on “keeping up with the Jones’ ” how about plan a few days of fund activities with a group of friends who are also trying to save money by reducing traveling cost for spring break.
Who said college students had to be all about the books all the time? Frankie’s Fun Park is a place where everyone can go enjoy and release their inner kid. Frankie’s Fun Park, 11190 Fun Park Drive, Raleigh, N.C., has a lot to offer for every one of all ages. It is filled with rides, go-karts, miniature golf, bumper boats, laser tag, arcade area, batting cage, and much more. Frankie’s Fun Park is a placed “sized up for little kids, big kids and those who still think they’re kids.” There is no admission fee to get into the park and you just pay as you play. So for those of us who are on a budget, you can set aside a specific amount of money to spend and once that’s gone there is still tons of fun you can have if you are with a group of friends. The games at Frankie’s Fun Park range from $2 to $8. They also have group rates available and this is another way to cut back on the cost if you are visiting with a group of ten or more friends. The most expensive group package is $25 per person but this $25 will be well worth it because it will be jammed packed with fun as long as you stay.
Another fun and inexpensive activity that you and a group of your friends could enjoy could be paintballing. Gotcha Paintball is Raleigh’s largest paintball complex located 3029-103 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh, N.C. Yes I know, it sounds a little dangerous but who does not like living on the wild side at times? You and four of your friends can go to Gotcha Paintball and get an all day pass for a group rate of $60 meaning that each person only pays $12. Gotcha Paintball has many obstacle courses set up that will be fun and exciting to maneuver around as you and your friends aim at hitting each other.
Ice skating is also a fun social outing that is cheap but tons of fun. In my opinion, it is not about how well you can ice skate but rather how well one can recover from the many falls. The Cary Ice House is a public ice skating rink that is located at 1410 Buck Jones Road here in Raleigh. The deterrence fee is $6.50 and the skate rental is $3.50. This is an activity that has to be done with plenty of friends because it adds to the laughter and excitement.
The most important thing is to take lots and lots of pictures! This will be an easy way to capture all of the fun and exciting moments during this year’s spring break. Even though you may be on a budget you do not have to miss out on all of the memorable moments that are shared between you and your friends. No one every catches the same picture so this is a way to swap pictures with friends and have some in your own collection.
27 Feb
Madea, Madea, Madea.
Coming back with a vengeance is the large and in charge Mabel Simmons in Madea Goes to Jail. This Georgia or “Georgier” peach is from the streets and will not let you sleep on her for a second. You just have to keep your eye on her, the police as well, and should keep your ears open just so you won’t miss that advice that will benefit you in the long run as well. This movie debut on February 20th and is well worth actually going to the theaters to see.
For those who don’t know about the “Madea”, it is a sight to see. Madea has been through it all and is remorseful for nothing. She backs up her talk and has a heart of gold, but she will without a doubt put you in your place if you do wrong. With her daughter, the sweet and very religious, Cora, does her best to try to keep her mother out of trouble. Mr. Leroy Brown, Madea’s “husband” and Cora’s father, is as religious as he is confused. This man is always mispronouncing something and placing something within a religious context. The only thing louder than his mouth when it comes to religion is his choice of clothing. Both being colorful and tight, Mr. Brown tries to keep Madea down, but realizes that she is a lost cause at times.
Now creative genius, Tyler Perry, did not use much of Madea in the last movie Meet the Browns but she comes back full-force into this movie with legal troubles galore, as usual. With a rap sheet that could chalk up the entire brickyard, Madea actually goes to jail after flipping a car. It’s there where she meets “Candace Washington” who is well recognized as Keshia Knight Pulliam, or little “Rudy Huxtable” from The Cosby Show. Candace is a street walker and addict that ended up far from where she was supposed to be as an event from her past haunts and lead her to a life that isn’t worth living. It also haunts “Joshua Hardaway” played by Derek Luke. Luke, who has been in films such as: Antwone Fisher, Friday Night Lights, and most recently Notorious, seems to have it all. He’s about to be married and is an Assistant District Attorney who wants to help his old friend that he has felt that he has let down before.
Madea Goes to Jail is a constant back and forth between serious drama and hilarious comedy. There is a lot of crying moments, whether it is out of the seriousness of the moment or the laughter. There is deceit and treachery unlike what we have seen in Perry’s movies. The notion of class differences and who/what you are supposed to do and be becomes an underlying theme in the movie that should receive the attention that it does. With religion always being referenced in his movies, you begin to take a look into your own life and how you interact with people. One stretch of the movie includes Madea talking about being a victim and forgiveness. In typical Madea style, she comes funny but direct and will just tell you how it is.
Of course people will go see this movie for the comedy. Tyler Perry delivers with Madea and Joe, her brother with their comedy. The always colorfully stylish, Leroy Brown, and the always holy Cora, are back and try to keep Madea in line and in the church. I do agree with Madea in that WWJD can stand for “What’s Wrong with Jermaine Dupri?”, some moments with Madea will just make you say, “That ain’t right.” The real reason to see this movie is to learn. You will be reached by this movie. You just might make a change in how you deal with yourself and other people.
The movie is great in that it leaves you wanting more and it’s very recommended that you actually see it. It’ll make you laugh and cry and it is very well-worth the view. With the interesting cast of characters and surprises around each turn, you will be on the edge of your seat throughout. Now as Leroy says, go study that “Chemi-stry” now.
27 Feb
It was the “Crime of the Century,” a tale of two intelligent, young millionaires who commit an act of murder as an intellectual test. It begs the question: Can two well-respected members of society literally “get away with murder”? The courtroom drama, penned by John Logan, portrays two cheeky men whom equate the decision to murder with whether or not to eat pie for dessert. Richard Loeb, played by George Kaiser, and Nathan Leopold, played by Russell Gentry, think they are supermen and presume themselves to be above the law. On a 1924 Chicago spring evening, the two decide to kidnap Bobby Franks, a 14-year-old boy, and stow his remains-never to be discovered. However, even the best of supermen can be caught by the slightest mistakes. Never the Sinner tells the story of Loeb and Leopold, despised and swooned by the law and teenage girls, and their motivations behind such a virulent act.
The most innovative scene of the play is when Loeb and Leopold slay little Bobby Franks. The two mime the whole scene by killing an imaginary child with a made-up chisel. It is pivotal that the play does not have an actor to play the child, because such would only minimize the dramatics of the brilliant young actors, Gentry and Kaiser. Loeb laughs manically after the murder, while Leopold hyperventilates. “I-I tasted blood,” retches Leopold, and even though no sort of fluid was visible, one can almost taste it with him. If it is ever possible to mime a murder scene with as much suspense and horror as a bloody thriller, these actors have achieved it. It is a startling genius, a work of art made out of the simplicity of swatting a fly.
Clarence Darrow, the attorney who defends the boy’s case, snaps his suspenders and carries the courtroom in silent contempt. As “Wily o’ Clarence” wipes his worries with his handkerchief, he faces a moral dilemma in representing guilty murderers. Yet, with skill and severity, he declares, “I can see the sin and I can just as well hate that sin-but never the sinner,” and suddenly Loeb and Leopold do not appear any more heartless than misguided little boys. What Darrow evokes in the courtroom, and in us, is sympathy. Leopold would not have committed the crime without the encouraging of Loeb, and Loeb, in return, would not have been provoked into the act of crime without the support of Leopold. Yet, Leopold is so enraptured by Loeb, he cannot bear to deny his acquisitions. “He’s like a gem,” Leopold extols Loeb’s beauty in his eyes, “How can I ever hope to escape the blinding light that makes me beautiful?” Even in prison life, Leopold, in his ghastly pallor, would rather be hanged than be split from his confidant. “How’s your cell?” asks Loeb. Leopold glances in a saddening pout, “Too far from yours.”
But Loeb takes advantage of Leopold’s devotion, and urges him to take sole responsibility for the crime. “I just think it might be easier on my mom if she thinks you did it,” justifies Loeb, who is the mastermind of the whole scheme. Motivated by tales of the famous Al Capone, he fantasizes about killing for the sake of killing, but his fantasies soon begin to distort his sense of reality. “As you know, Teddy,” Loeb whispers to his imaginary companion about the thrills of crime. Intellect soon becomes flaw of the young billionaires rather than a virtue.
Although Leopold and Loeb seem to be best friends and accomplices in crime, there is something in their manner that suggests something more. It might be the way Leopold offers Loeb to call him “Babe,” or Loeb’s strokes Leopold’s chin gently as he indulges in wild visions of grandeur. Either way, one feels the emotional connection. The “shocking” kiss between the men is actually well expected.
In the end, justice prevails, though not in law. The men are sentenced to life in prison, despite public outcry for hanging. Instead, Loeb and Leopold are split up and lead separate lives, never to speak to one another ever again. The two fail their philosophical exercise and fall down as supermen. Danielle Batin, a freshman in psychology, remarks that Never the Sinner’s subject material was rather groundbreaking. “Plays like these are not often shown [at universities] for their candor,” she explains. “It’s real mature material,” adds Jeffrey Finnell, a student at Wake Technical Community College, “but I think it’s important.” Anything less would be a crime.
27 Feb
Math. Many consider this one of the most sensible and reliable subjects. Since elementary school, we have been conditioned to never question fractions, multiplication, or even the most complex equations that we may not understand. As a writer, there are not too many equations that make sense to me. However, recently I’ve stumbled upon some numbers some of N.C. State’s brightest engineers should find quite disturbing.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), in 2005, blacks made up 13 percent of the population. It may blow your mind to find that blacks also made up 49 percent of people who contract HIV/AIDS. Adding insult to injury, this vast majority of the population faces shorter life spans. HIV/AIDS is one of the leading causes of death due to poverty, sexually transmitted infections, and unnecessary stigmas. These things place blacks at another disadvantage because we are more heavily affected by sexually transmitted infections and negative stereotypes than any other minority group. About 25 percent of all blacks live in poverty-stricken conditions.
Before being presented with the numerical data, Tyrik Hicks, a sophomore in chemical engineering, felt that he was “very aware of this epidemic.” However, he was outraged at the actual data.
“Wow. I knew the percentage was large, but nearly 50%? That’s extreme and something needs to be done!”
AIDS/HIV is affecting an entire population. So what can we really do? Well, the CDC gives these tips, in a very small nutshell. Use your ABC’s. A=Abstinence, B=Be faithful, C=Condoms. While these methods are wonderful in theory, they are things that we’ve all heard since being old enough to discuss sex. Yet, the rates of contracting HIV/AIDS have increased. African-Americans have been proven to begin having sex at a younger age than other ethnic groups.
It is sometimes difficult to imagine an entire population, so let’s bring this issue closer to home by thinking specifically about college-aged people. Both Kelly Cosper and Terrence Patterson agreed that college-aged youth put themselves at a greater risk for contracting the disease.
“HIV/AIDS is a scary reality for college students. There seems to be higher rates of unprotected sex and even rapes in the college environment. I am sure HIV/AIDS is not uncommon, but then again, we tend not to speak about it, so I really have no idea,” said Cosper, a junior in communication.
Patterson, a senior in parks and recreation, and tourism-sports management, thought that the issue of HIV/AIDS is not taken as seriously as it should be at this age because “those of college age tend to be more careless and have multiple partners without knowing their status [of sexual health] [due to] this sense of invincibility.”
Regardless of race, major, or classification, each of these students realized the importance of getting tested and maintaining knowledge and awareness. Each of them were also at a loss for how to realistically prevent this disease overall.
It is more than unfortunate that, like the very same ones we’ve trusted our entire lives, the numbers relating pertaining to HIV/AIDS within the African-American and college communities, don’t lie. This is one instance in which many wish that they did.
For more information and details concerning this topic, please visit www.cdc.gov.
