Archive for May, 2009:
01 May
I believe that this year at N.C. State was one of the most interesting and controversial school terms in a long time. When I look back over all of the events that have happened, I can not seem to pick that one moment which stood out the most. When I first came to this University I did not expect to encounter anything remotely intriguing. I am glad to say that I was wrong.
One incident that will stick out in the minds of many students is the situation involving the Free Expression Tunnel. This act of hate touched everyone of every race. Before this happened, I had not been a witness to public racial slurs and I did not really think I ever would. When I saw those messages across the Free Expression Tunnel it felt as if a piece of my heart had been chipped away. I know it sounds melodramatic, but I never thought someone on this campus would do something like that. With all of the diversity programs and community building we do at this University, I was saddened to see how it all fell short.
After the tunnel issue, I began to subconsciously wonder who my real friends were. When I sat next to someone in class or waved at a complete stranger I wondered if they hated me for the color of my skin. Internally, I began to question the friends I had since freshman year. I debated whether they were really my friends or if they we hanging with me out of habit. It was wrong of me to question those who I knew for years and those I had known in passing, but I could not help it. Before this incident, I never knew what it was like to feel targeted and ostracized.
After in-depth conversations with friends, I concluded that one should not base opinions on the ignorance of a few. I discovered that everyone felt hurt, not just black students, and this knowledge helped to restore my mind to its rightful place, open.
This school year cannot be talked about without the budget cuts. Even thought it did not affect us that much this year, next year a ton of classes we love will be gone. It is not fair to us, and it is most certainly not fair to the upcoming freshman class. Hopefully our education system will work something out. I know this is a research/science based university, but the humanities and social sciences are just as important. I feel as if the abstract thinkers at this institution are slighted the most by these budget cuts.
On a more positive note, I enjoyed all of the programs this year. The Back to School Jam, as well as Friday Fest, were equally enjoyable. Seeing Boyz II Men in concert basically made my year from the beginning! The special presentations put on by Multicultural Student Affairs were very informative and entertaining. My favorite cultural event would have to be the UAB’s BSB Pan Afrikan week. During this week many African and African-American programs were showcased to show history as well as talent. I was very impressed with the unity on campus. I was able to learn as well as have fun. I was proud of North Carolina State University for embracing diversity and not being scared of something a little different.
Lastly the major event that changed everyone�s lives forever was Barack Obama being elected to the presidency. This was the first time in history that a non-white individual was made president. The night of the election was unforgettable; people were happy and out in the streets celebrating equality and how far we had come as a country. This night was a time of love and change, which is something many of us had never experienced. I believe the election brought about feelings of hope and prosperity across campus, as well as, the world. We finally had someone in office that was not afraid of change and was willing to put in the work to get there. His presidency is a beacon of hope for minorities, the disabled, women, the GLBT community, the poor and anyone else who has ever been discriminated against.
The 2008-2009 school year has been quite a whirlwind. We have had our up and downs, but as usual, the good outshined the bad. We have grown and changed with each other this year. The African-American community was challenged and proved to be victorious over any threats. This year has been successful, and with the right ideals, so will the next.
01 May
Beautiful weather and a curious taste for ethnic food drew crowds to The Taste of N.C. State, a showcase of foods from cultural organizations across campus Friday afternoon. It was a good excuse for many students to get some fresh air and stroll along the grassy terrain of Harris Field. The event, sponsored by the Diversity Committee of the Union Activities Board and Campus Recreation, was advertised as the “biggest diversity event at N.C. State” by Paula Hagan, a junior in communication and the UAB Diversity chair.
True to its name, the event was wildly popular on Facebook and had a successful turnout; so successful, in fact, that most of the food was gone an hour after the event started. Masses lined up to the volunteers who were serving American staples like pizza, hot dogs and fried chicken, among a number of cultural foods.
“I [have] never had Ethiopian [food] before,” said Abby Rife, freshman in animal science, in between bites of soft spongy bread with meat filling. “The meat works really well with the spices.” Rife further noted that she has tried many dishes from other countries, including fried spicy dough from Pakistan.
The Asian Students Association handed out dumplings, while the Hmong Students Association served cups of a tapioca pearl drink, a delightful sweet concoction of coconut milk, mixed fruit, and tapioca beads that tasted like a cross between yogurt and a smoothie. The Latin dance team, Sube Ritmo, even provided a cake, though it was quickly depleted.
In addition to student organizations, city vendors set up stands to show their support for the pack. Moe’s Southwest Grill provided a wealth of chips and salsa, while vendors from Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant served trays of lasagna and pasta. Cueva de Lobos, a local Mexican eatery, provided quesadillas, chicken, and bacon wraps. The event provided a pleasing atmosphere for all students from all backgrounds and ideals to unite over sated stomachs.
While the food drew crowds, students stayed for the performances from a number of cultural groups. Sube Ritmo and Fusion Dance Team, the hip-hop cultural dance team, both had the audience fired up.
The C.I.A., or Comedy in Action improvisational comedy group, invited audience members to act out a sketch involving Italian sausage and a dating game show. One of the contestants made it clear he was the Hulk by implicating that his “idea of [a] perfect evening” consisted of “staying at home and not getting angry,” he huffed. Above the field, on the top level of Witherspoon Cultural Center, DJ Cutta spun the turntables and blasted hits from Beyoncé and T-Pain. Students were provided with constant entertainment that also included free henna tattoos and caricatures.
The African Student Union delivered one of the most engaging performances of the event. Members welcomed everyone to “celebrate the diversity and beauty of African-American culture” and recounted the origins behind gumboot dancing. Back when slaves worked the mines, the gumboot dancers explained, the poor drainage system made workers sick, but instead of repairing the system, the mine owners bought gum boots for all the workers. The slaves could not speak to each other, so they communicated by slapping and stomping their boots, and in their spare time they would make up dances. They continued to step in tune to the beat of their own rhythm.
Will Murphy, sophomore in English education, considered the gum boot dance his favorite part of The Taste of N.C. State. “I could better understand the reason behind stepping, and how it came to be integrated in African-American culture,” he said.
Students like Murphy were able to partake in a cultural experience that encompassed the breadth of the university. Food, fun, and diversity: this is what N.C. State is about.
01 May
With the end of the second semester right around the corner, many events are beginning to create excitement throughout our campus community. Also, with the end of the week approaching, this weekend’s new movie releases, Obsessed, The Soloist, and Fighting, are causing quite a buzz. Exams are coming up and everyone is going to need a break from studying and doing projects, so here are a few events and premieres to look forward to attending in the midst of all the school work.
Thursday, the 2009 Ebony Harlem Awards will take place at 5 p.m. in Witherspoon Student Center, room 126. The theme of this year’s awards is “A Journey to the Stars, a Reflection of Tomorrow.” The name fits appropriately, considering the nominees for the awards are exceptionally talented students who have displayed extraordinary achievements in areas such as literary, vocal, and more. We all should attend and support this function because it is such a great thing to see hard-working students rewarded for their success.
Also, on Thursday, the Art to Wear Fashion Show will be held in Stewart Theater. This show will feature designs from students in the College of Design and the College of Textiles. The doors to the event will open at 7 p.m.
Friday, April 24, the highly anticipated film, Obsessed, will be premiering, starring Beyonce Knowles. Everyone has been talking about the action-packed preview that has been featured on television for some time. Ali Larter plays the role of an obsessed temporary employee who will do anything to be with her boss, but when his wife notices Larter’s dangerous infatuation, she then takes on the mindset that she will do anything to save her family. Beyonce has yet to disappoint movie-goers with her performances to date because we have all heard about how she throws herself into her role and actually becomes her character.
The Soloist will also be premiering this Friday. Starring Jamie Foxx, this film about a talented, yet, homeless musician is based on a true story. The movie trailer itself is something of a tear-jerker, so I can only imagine the full-length feature being inspirational and delivered powerfully. Jamie Foxx never fails to give the best on-screen performances, as we have seen in movies such as Ray I predict award nominations for this one, as it will undoubtedly be a film to remember due to its true, inspirational quality and powerful leading actor.
Last but not least, Fighting, starring Terrence Howard, will be showing on Friday as well. Terrence Howard has made a name for himself, with big box office hits in the past few years. It is only right to assume that this will be another success for him. Howard’s character takes a street vendor under his wing and introduces him to the world of underground fighting. It will be interesting to see the plotline of the film, because it can not just be straight scenes of punching and bone-crunching. Could we have something of another Fight Club on our hands, or better?
Also on Thursday and Friday, the NCSU Dance Company will be having its Spring showcase in Stewart Theatre. The program is called “A Day in the life of Brain” and was created by the program directors. The event doors will open at 8 p.m. and the program will end at 9:30 p.m. Prices for the show are $5N.C. State students, $11 N.C. State faculty/staff, senior citizens, and non-N.C. State students and $13 general admission; for tickets call 919.515.1100 or visit www.ncsu.edu/arts.
These are just a few of the events on campus and premieres that are happening this week. For more information or more events, just check out the N.C. State calendar link on the home page, www.ncsu.edu. Get involved and support our campus events, or just go enjoy yourself at the movies; either way you can not go wrong as long as you’re taking a break from studying-right?
01 May
Every year is its own adventure for all students, but this past school year has been an especially interesting one for students here on campus. At the beginning of the year, the focus of the entire community on and off campus was brought together by the prospect of the historic election of our nation’s first African-American President. Students all over campus were involved on both sides of the election by organizing rallies, registering voters, and otherwise advocating for their party. President Obama’s election in November was an opportunity for many students to participate in both a major event in their lives (their first presidential election) and a major event in the country’s history.
Unfortunately, shortly after the election, the student body received a reminder of sentiments from the United States’ less than tolerant past. Racist graffiti with threats intended for the newly elected President Obama were painted on the free expression tunnel. The graffiti painted onto the Free Expression tunnel put the student body here into an unwanted spotlight.
The incident resulted in the involvement of the NAACP, which also resulted in a town hall meeting, where students were allowed to voice their concerns about their safety. It also resulted in the creation of a student task force, to focus on diversity that would produce suggestions about how to handle and prevent issues like these. However, for many people on campus and in the Raleigh community and surrounding areas, it also brought up discussions of the importance and rights to free speech on college campuses.
There were, thankfully, non-political things happening on campus for NCSU students this year. The homecoming festivities, and especially the Packhowl pep rally and concert headlined by N.E.R.D. and Common, were well attended, especially by the African-American community at NCSU and surrounding schools.
For some people, the tunnel incident may have put a damper on the day after the elections, but it did not seem to affect the celebration of the inauguration. Some NCSU student braved the frigid cold and record crowds to actually be a part of the inaugural moment in Washington, DC. Many others enjoyed the day on our campus during a somewhat unexpected snow day that kept us out of class.
The campus was also united by the death of our beloved women’s basketball coach, Kay Yow. Yow had coached at NCSU for 34 years, with a career long score compiling over seven hundred wins. Perhaps even more impressively, Yow had become an effective advocate for breast cancer research funding, and had helped bring women’s college basketball to the mainstream. Thousands of people paid their respects by wearing pink for breast cancer awareness, and painting the free expression tunnel pink. Thousands also attended a memorial service in honor of Yow and her many accomplishments in Reynolds Coliseum.
The year was capped off by another successful Pan Afrikan week which featured multiple excellent events, and was heightened by an exciting step and comedy show at the end of the week. The end of the year also saw another student government election, and the election of a new Student Body President, Jim Ceresnak.
The past year has been one to remember, with both historic highs and tragic lows. But no matter what one remembers, there is no doubt that everyone has learned or experienced something special this year. Whether it was the opportunity to learn from a life of giving and perseverance like Kay Yow’s, or to learn that things can truly change from a formerly impossible event, like the election of Barack Obama, the past year has had special lessons for all of us.
01 May
Virginia Tech suffered a devastating tragedy two years ago Apr. 16 2007. For those who don’t know, 32 people were killed and 21 more were injured on that Monday morning at Virginia Tech University, located in Blacksburg, Virginia. Many of the victims that were injured or killed were students in dorms or in classrooms. Due to the chaos and situation many people were found crouching down in order to find cover and to keep from getting hurt.
Many students may have known someone or may have been mournful at the time of the shooting but unfortunately because it didn’t occur in the proximity of home many people did not feel they were affected. When I asked a few students randomly, about the Virginia Tech anniversary, many were oblivious to the date at all, and a few had to be reminded of what the event was.
Terence Patterson a senior in sports management said “No. I wasn’t aware that it was the two year anniversary of the V. Tech shooting. The fear of school shooting happening has tremendously died down over time. When I think about it, it makes me wonder how someone could take the lives of innocent people like it’s nothing. I actually had the opportunity to visit V. Tech the summer after the shooting and I got to see the memorial and the building where the shooting occurred. It was a very scary feeling being on the site just months after the incident. I do feel people really don’t think about it as much anymore just because it’s been a while and other incidents like this haven’t occurred in a long time. It is a very sad thinking about how those young adults, the same age as myself, won’t have the opportunity to live out their dreams and it’s even more devastating thinking about how their families feel, I could only imagine. I send out my prayers to those families who had loved ones lost in the horrific shooting.”
Although some students were not aware of the tragic incident others were well aware of the shooting and had a few words to say about it as well.
Junior in business management, Tre McQueen said, “Yes I am aware of the anniversary. It still makes me feel for the families that lost loved ones that day. It makes me realize not to take life for granted.”
Freshman in math Toneka Walker, says ” I remember the V.Tech shooting and I feel that it is a shame that so many young people lost their lives. One guy was from my home town and it’s sad he had such a short lived life because he as well as the others had so much in store for them.”
Needless to say this event has touched many people and needs to be recognized. Innocent people who were the same ages as the students here on our campus were killed for no reason at all. Even though the anniversary has passed, please take the time out to remember those who have been lost and those who have lost loved ones. From the Wolf Pack family our condolences will always be with the students and faculty at Virginia Tech University.
01 May
The 100 Black Affair was truly a night of elegance. The Collegiate chapter of 100 Black Men of America Inc. in conjunction with Women Empowering Society Together (W.E.S.T.) sponsored their first annual 100 Black Affair: A Night of Elegance semi-formal. This event served as a fundraiser for both the 100 Black Men and W.E.S.T organizations. It was also a “chance to give students the opportunity to enjoy great food, entertainment and people right before dead week.” 100 Black Men along with W.E.S.T are both service based organizations, so the funds that were raised from this event will help N.C. State as well as the Raleigh community. The funds raised will help both organizations do more for the community at large which is their goal.
DJ Nominal from WKNC 88.1 was the guest DJ who provided the event with its up tempo sounds that kept someone on the dance floor at all times. DJ Nominal played songs that gave the crowd a mixture of old school music as well as new school. He had people doing such popular dances as the “Cupid Shuffle” and “Electric Slide,” not to mention the “Stanky Leg” and “The Roy.”
Warren Rhem, senior in agricultural business management and president of N.C. State’s 100 Black Men, said that the best part of the night was “During the middle of the event when the place was packed.” He also said, “As I walked through it made me feel good that so many people came out and supported our organizations.” As a graduating senior, Rhem hopes that the 100 Black Affair will become an annual event that students can look forward to year after year.
This night of elegance was filled with individuals who dressed semi-formal as well as formal. On the semi-formal end, the girls wore colorful sundresses, nice skirts and fitted blouses and short flirty dresses. Some of the semi-formal guys’ attire consisted of slacks and polo shirts some accompanied by a vest or sweater of some sort. On the other side of the spectrum, there were individuals who went the more formal route. Those individuals had on suits with bow ties and vest to match as well as full length formal prom gowns. Imani Brodie, junior in biological engineering with an environmental engineering concentration said, “I saw the semi-formal and the formal on the invite, so I said what the heck! I’m going formal.” Brodie had on a formal black and cream satin full length dress.
Antoinette Russell, senior in communication with a public relations concentration, was the photographer of the night. She roamed the crowd taking candid snapshots of people as they danced, ate and socialized.
This 100 Black Affair was truly a night to remember. There was great music, tasty food, and good socialization. Both organization, 100 Black Men and W.E.S.T. fulfilled their vision of providing a “night of elegance” that was a success.
Stephanie Sherer, sophomore psychology and Africana studies major as well as a member of W.E.S.T., said “it was a very sophisticated event. Everyone looked nice and seemed to be enjoying themselves, so overall the event was a great success!” The members of both organizations are excited about this becoming an annual event and they are glad that the way things turned out this year.
