Archive for the ‘Mind, Body & Soul’ Category:
09 Oct
Have you ever heard the saying “You Snooze You Lose”? If you are a young adult, you have probably heard this from parents advising you on academics or from siblings just joking around. This statement is very true in some aspects of our lives; from career opportunities to our love interest. Although this common saying is true in everything we do socially, it is false when it comes to our brains and the way we store information.
During grade school, most of us figure out the best methods that help us remember the concepts we are taught. Some of the methods that we use include repetition such as reading material over and over; or, if you are a visual learner you tend to think that looking at the material continuously will work. These study methods have gotten us to where we are now but most students know this does not work for learning when taking college- level courses.
Research shows that the best method to improve memory is sleep. Yes, you read that right. According to the ScienceDaily article titled “Study Shows How Sleep Improves Memory”, which summarizes the research done by the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the study consisted of twelve college students that were taught a sequence of finger movements, such as playing a guitar. After a period of sleep, the students’ brains were measured using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine, which measures blood oxygenation in the brain, to show the actual parts that were active when performing the sequence of finger movements.
The frontal lobe is the most active part of the brain when it comes to short-term memory and making logical decisions. When we receive new information, we process it and then later the information is moved to the cerebellum via neural connections. After looking at the measurements, it was evident that during sleep, the brain had transferred the recently gained knowledge to different parts of the brain, therefore enhancing it. ScienceDaily quotes Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School saying that because of this transfer of information to different areas the memory tasks can be completed faster with better accuracy.
Knowing that sleep is the best method to improve memory, it is important that you begin “cramming” for exams earlier so that your brains can transfer the information to the cerebellum for enhancement, and in turn make your exams seem much smoother. Because there is no way that we can deprive our brain of sleep and still learn effectively, and, sleep on it.
09 Oct
The most pervasive and omnipresent debate in the United States today is without a doubt the debate on healthcare reform. The push by the Obama administration to change much of the basic fabric of healthcare in the United States has resulted in some of the most over the top political theatre in recent history. People shouting down their legislative representatives, teary diatribes against a supposed Marxist revolution, and even gun toting protesters have all become commonplace at the town halls where healthcare reform is being “debated.”
With all of the political posturing, it can be easy to forget the realities of current healthcare situation in the United States, and the especially tenuous situation in the African -American community. According to a study done by the Commonwealth Fund, a charitable foundation that advocates for increased health coverage for Americans, African- Americans and Hispanics are by far the most commonly uninsured racial demographics in the United States. The Commonwealth Fund’s study found that about a third of the African- American population had been uninsured at some point in the past year, and a whopping 62% percent of the Hispanic American population had been uninsured at some point.
Poor health coverage would seems to also result in an unhealthy African-American community. According to a report from the Center for Disease Control African Americans are more likely to die from heart disease, cancer especially colon and prostate cancer. HIV/AIDS have also been a larger problem for the African-American community than any other racial community in the United States. Nearly half of the people suffering from HIV/AIDS in the United States are African-American.
For any of these disturbing statistics to change, the African American community has to look as healthcare as not just a political issue, but a personal one. While African Americans may in fact be genetically predisposed to have certain diseases, not all health issues are out of the control of the individual.
First of all, if you don’t have health coverage, you need to do everything you can to get it. Obviously, the chances of you getting seriously ill are slim, but if you get seriously ill and need health care, the chance of you being able to get coverage after you become ill is slim to none. The chances of you being able to pay out of pocket for treatments for serious illnesses is even more remote unless you just won the lottery or were born with a multi-million dollar trust fund.
Past just getting health insurance, African Americans and America as a nation has to look at healthcare as prevention just as much as it looks at it as treatment. Risk factors for things like diabetes and heart disease are heavily affected by the diet and lifestyle of potential victims. If you want to be healthy into middle age and later life, proper diet and exercise are not optional, they are required. The same viewpoint has to be taken with sexual health as well, no form of contraception is perfect, but the risk of catching many STDs is greatly reduced by using protection.
Healthcare for African-Americans is certainly a confounding issue in many ways, but the best way that most people can positively affect it right now is to take personal steps towards being healthier and secure in their personal life. Get insured, eat healthy, and exercise regularly. No matter what happens with the healthcare debate in Washington, DC, your health should always be a personal priority in everything you do.
09 Oct
The school year is just beginning and freshmen are enjoying the freedom away from home. Partying, meeting new friends, joining various school activities and gaining the unexpected weight. The freshman 15 as we all call it, but for some 20, 25, 30 can be depressing and is in fact a reality. This article will help guide the new as well as the old into tips on how to avoid gaining the weight, taken from someone who has “been there before”.
As a senior in college, I reminisce on the freshmen days where I used to eat at Cook Out at three in the morning, binge on the medium five dollar pizza special at Papa Johns and dwell in the greasy, aromatic lo mein from Shanghei. Trust me as I tell you, it all and I do mean all, catches back to you gradually over time. Now this article is not meant to scare you into not eating these calorie filled cuisines but you have to remember that these should be eaten in moderation, and not consumed every Friday and Saturday night while hanging out with your friends.
There are some healthy choices while eating on campus. Between Taco Bell, Chick-Fil-A and Lil Dino’s, I recommend Lil’ Dino’s 4 inch subs with a bag of baked chips and preferably water to drink as the healthiest option of the 3. Skip the French fries or onion rings as fried foods do pack on calories and fat and skip the sodas as they contain sugar which can directly cause weight gain. According to greendoc.com, a health and weight loss website, soda contains about 20 tablespoons of sugar per can.
The dining hall can be a healthy option, but just remember that while it is an all you can eat buffet type of place, try sticking to one plate and a salad for a healthy option.
The C-store does sell healthy options: trail mix, baked chips, soups, salads, spring rolls and more. You can ask the available employees about healthy options, and I am pretty sure they will be glad to assist you.
There are resources on campus that will help you chose healthy options. According to NCSU dining webpage, Lisa Eberhart “has 17 years of experience as a registered and licensed dietician and has been providing dietary consultation to University Dining since 1995”. You can make an appointment with her by calling the student health appointment desk at 515-7107 or use the student health online scheduler.
Available on the university dining webpage, is a link to finding out the nutrition value of dining hall menu items, which can become resourceful if you are not sure how many calories are in a certain food item. There are also several other links such as: calorie information and counters, information for eating out, general nutrition information and a guide to campus cooking.
There is a free gym! Take advantage of it now while you can, if not then when you leave the university you will be paying for it later. According to the Balleys’ total fitness website, you will most likely be paying $29.99 per month for gym access. There are two gyms, one located at the D building of Wolf Village, and the other at Carmichael Gym. Not only does Carmichael gym have a gym, but there are several scheduled fitness exercises: yoga, pilates, zumba and so forth.
As you embark on this new school year just remember that there are healthy options available on campus as well as many resources that are made available. Eat healthy and engage in exercises and you will not have to worry about gaining weight throughout the four or five years of your undergraduate career. And remember, don’t eat it just because its there.
02 Apr
In light of recent events surrounding the two young, attractive musical sensations Chris Brown and Rihanna, I decided that it was time for a real discussion about domestic violence-an issue that is constantly overlooked and under acknowledged: That is, of course, until the entertainment industry becomes involved.
I thought that on the day major television networks, such as BET, and major television gurus, such as Oprah, openly addressed domestic violence, I would be ecstatic about the strides our society was making in relation to issues that are still, quite often, considered to be taboo or unworthy of discussion. However, is it really progress when the only reason it is being brought to light is a very public, violent, and wrongly portrayed domestic violence situation involving two young stars that many of us find ourselves admiring?
As a trained advocate for ending domestic violence and a founding member of The Movement, an advocacy organization dedicated to changing campus culture and promoting bystander intervention, the thing that bothers me the most is the way the media portrayed this situation, and the responses received from the public that were sure signs of their minds being poisoned by societal perpetuation of negative stereotypes and misconceptions.
Not only was Rihanna blamed for her own attack due to allegations of throwing the keys of Brown’s Lamborghini or infecting him with a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), but also, many people posted links to YouTube videos humorously portraying the incident. But what can we expect when we live in a society that refers to tank-tops as “wife-beaters” and uses rape playfully as a term of dominance?
Brown has spoken out against domestic violence after observing his own mother’s abuse by his stepfather. Though this may be seen as hypocrisy, studies show that a person is more likely to become an abuser after witnessing it as a child, or living in a household in which there were traditional gender roles. However, the majority of people who observe or experience that abuse do NOT abuse others, and there is nothing that justifies his behavior or makes this Rihanna’s fault. Abuse is about maintaining power and control over another person-nothing else!
There has been speculation that Rihanna hit Brown as well. I have yet to be able to confirm this, but, in the rare case that it is true, it is not okay simply because she is a woman, and I do not want anyone to feel that I would be justifying that behavior either, however 95 percent of incidents reported are committed by males.
Many accused Rihanna of being stupid or naive when it was reported that she wanted to continue the relationship. It is pure myth to say that it is easy to break up with an abusive partner due to a vast amount of reasons, and this shifts the blame back onto the person being abused. Not only does a woman attempt to leave, on average, 13 times, but also, the risk of violence and danger increases by 70 percent.
While it is difficult to come out of an abusive relationship, there are common signs of what one may look like in the early stages. If your partner tends to be overly jealous, embarrass you in front of family or friends, use guilt or intimidation as control tactics, hit walls or throw things, hurt your pet, accuse you of infidelity, blame you for their actions or emotions, or threaten suicide if you end the relationship, then seeking help before things escalate to physical violence is a wise decision. However, these are not the ONLY signs, and if other things cause you to fear that this is the direction, in which your relationship is headed, seek professional help to confirm or deny your feelings. You or someone you know confronting the potential abuser is not a safe idea, and only puts you in the way of more potential danger.
Contrary to popular belief, there are positive and healthy relationships as well. Signs of these are equality, trust, communication, and feeling safe. Domestic violence is prevalent among college-aged people, and it is a very real issue. The 20 percent of college men and women that reported being involved in a physically violent and intimate relationship while in college can attest to this fact.
This article was not written with the intentions of bashing Chris Brown, Rihanna, or their families for how the situation was handled. I need the students on our campus to know about and understand the seriousness of this issue, and how changing the culture of rape and violence will, in turn, change the domestic violence rates. If you or someone you know has survived, or are currently involved in a relationship in which someone is being abused, please do not hesitate to contact myself, or the N.C State University Women’s Center for further help and support. You are not alone.
For more information about these issues, please contact Adrianna at anharre@ncsu.edu.
01 Apr
Chlorella is a green super food that shows promise to in becoming a popular health supplement and potential cancer preventative. Popular in Japanese culture, according to diagnose-me.com, a website aiding in the diagnosis of various symptoms, approximately five million Japanese people consume this single-celled green algae every day. Chlorella is researched by Japanese scientists for its effectiveness in treating and preventing diseases. Having the potential to treat various problems, why is this supplement rarely spoken of?
Chlorella itself is a powerful detoxifier that aids in expelling heavy metals and other toxic substances out of the body. Healingdaily.com, a website promoting detoxifying and healing diets, says that because of the “composition of chlorella’s fibrous cell wall and nutrients, it had been proven to bind to heavy metals that accumulate in our bodies.”
Not only is chlorella useful in detoxifying our body, but it also aids in the elimination of our bowels. The organism has the highest chlorophyll content and helps in improving foul-smelling bowels.
Chlorella is a food product and therefore not considered a vitamin, medicine or a health agent that usually has a dosage limit. It is recommended, however, to start off with 3 grams of chlorella and over time you can increase your intake up the amount that you feel comfortable with. Chlorella’s detoxifying ability may produce uncomfortable symptoms like nausea, sluggishness or diarrhea, so you may have to start at a lower dose or a dose that you are comfortable with.
According to the chlorellafactor.com, an online free book advertising the benefits of both chlorella and spirulina, “chlorella provides twelve times more digestible protein than beef.”
This supplement is beneficial for those on a vegetarian diet who may be concerned with their protein intake. Other benefits according to the chlorella factor are that it has been demonstrated to “reverse cancer in the human body, rebuild nerve damage in those suffering from Alzheimer’s [and] Parkinson’s. They also help diminish cravings for carbohydrates and processed foods and work to help you lose weight.”
Chlorella contains a long list of nutrients: it is 58% protein, contains all the B vitamins including B12, Vitamin C,E, macrominerals (calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, etc), trace minerals, omega 3-fatty acids, mucopolysaccharides, beta-carotene, nucleic acids and chlorophyll. Of course there are people like my botany teacher who claims that we should probably just consume a lot of spinach; however, it would take a lot of spinach in order to achieve greater benefits than those from chlorella.
When choosing a chlorella supplement, it is recommended to choose a brand that states that the chlorella has a broken cell wall. A broken cell wall ensures that you are going to receive many benefits.
Whether you take the powder or the tablet form of chlorella, one of the reasons why I believe chlorella is not popular on the market is because, unfortunately, it does have a fishy, grassy smell. The taste itself is not that pleasing to the taste buds but there are ways to overcome these obstacles. I personally like to add a few grams of chlorella to a diluted Bolthouse Farms Green Goodness drink or a Naked Green Machine drink. These drinks already include several milligrams of chlorella and spirulina as well. This shows that there is some fact that these super foods are beneficial to the body.
In conclusion, I am not a certified physician but I do believe that research is very important before starting a supplement or anything that you are adding to your diet to achieve a healthy well-being. If you are currently taking any medication please consult a doctor if you have any concerns. I also do believe that there is a benefit in taking green super foods. Even though doctors may say that they are not necessary for your health, I take them because there is always an opportunity to improve it.
29 Mar
With exam week coming up in a month, students are looking forward to escaping the stressful environment of college and enjoying summer. In preparation for the warm summer months, there are steps to take to ensure that the break is fun and safe.
Stay Protected
The months of summer are the hottest months of the year. With tank tops, shorts, and shades comes the risk of overexposure from the sun. While searching Discovery online, I found that the sun is approximately 1.4 million miles away from Earth, but can still cause severe damage to your skin. We have all had that pesky sun burn, the kind of burn that prevents us from moving, along with the suffocating smell of aloe vera to try and soothe it. Why suffer through all of that on vacation? Whether you’re hitting the beach or out and about in your hometown, stay protected from the sun’s UV rays by wearing sunscreen. Wearing at least SPF 15 can provide your skin with the protection that it needs to prevent burns as well as deeper damage that can cause skin problems in the future.
Keep the Hair at Bay
Whether you shave, wax, pluck, or pull out your unwanted hairs, keeping them at bay during the summer months can make you, and especially others, happier during vacation. No one likes to see a woman on the beach in a bikini with unruly hair in places where it should not be. Waxing will yield longer results, but for those ladies just not into the cost, shaving is a simple and easy way to look neat and clean all summer long. Also, whether you wear your hair natural, relaxed, permed, or in braids, keeping your hair protected from the sun with moisture can keep your hair manageable during the busy days of summer. I know that for my hair, keeping it moisturized during the warm months keeps it healthy and prevents it from drying out.
Get the Beach Body
Working out before summer has been a tradition for me and my friends since I can remember. The need to fit into the perfect swimsuit serves as the ultimate motivation; however, having the same workout routine can get boring. To add variety and enjoyment, try a fitness class. The recreation center has classes Monday through Friday and Sunday that can suit the needs of anyone. For those wanting to focus more on abs, there is a class called AB solutions. For those wanting to focus on a total body workout, BOSU Burn and Raise the Bar are the classes for you. I personally tried the BOSU Burn class with a group of my friends. It’s a total body, intense workout. I was sore for a few days, but “no pain no gain.”
Be Safe
The last step to take I would say is the most important. Be and stay safe. If you are traveling somewhere else for summer break, be aware of your surroundings. Know where you are and where the nearest emergency services are located. Also, never walk or go anywhere alone. Staying with a group of friends can help to keep you safe. Limit the information you give to people you do not know and never hesitate to report suspicious behavior. I am sure we all would appreciate all of our NCSU family returning to the university safe and sound in the fall.
18 Mar
Weight rooms are places to find dumbbells, machines, mats and males in search of the perfect body. But, rarely are women found. Why?
Strength training in women yields benefits that are equal to or greater than those in men. Benefits that can improve the quality of life as well as self esteem. Most of the benefits are unknown and not taught.
According to Medical Health Online, “strength training is defined as the use of resistance and weights to build the strength, anaerobic endurance and size of skeletal muscles.” Strength training can be doing exercises with free weights as well as the use of weightlifting machines.
Women in this day and age seem to be more concerned with their weight and personal appearance than ever before. Almost every magazine targeted to women is filled with beauty and weight management tips. This concern with personal appearance has turned to an obsession: an obsession over topics like hair, skin and working out.
Women center their workout routine on cardiovascular exercises to lose weight. Strength training can increase metabolism, which aids in weight loss and improves the use of muscles. Through studies performed by the American College of Sports Medicine and from my personal experience, I have found that a workout routine which incorporates both cardiovascular exercises as well as strength training yields more results.
For women, strength training can have even more substantial increase and improvements. The National Osteoporosis Foundation defines the illness as a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. Osteoporosis is caused by a lack of bone strength or bone density. The National Osteoporosis Foundation also states that strength training can increase bone density, which can help prevent osteoporosis. By adding strength training, osteoporosis can be slowed or even prevented. This can, as a result, increase a woman’s lifespan.
Osteoporosis degenerates and deteriorates the bodies of millions of women and it can be prevented or slowed. Strength training can improve posture, muscle symmetry, and rehabilitation after injury. Rehabilitation after injury can be applied to women specifically in terms of pregnancy and the birthing process. Mayo clinic online states that “a woman who participates in strength training can recover from childbirth as well as accidents like falls or slips quicker because of the increase in strength and flexibility.”
Besides the medical benefits, strength training can also produce psychological benefits. Strength training can be a very practical and enjoyable stress relief mechanism, as well as a self esteem booster for women. Women account for more incidences of severe stress and have overall higher levels of stress. Stress can lead to common health problems like obesity and high blood pressure and mental health problems like depression and suicide. Stress can even lead to a shorter life span and can increase the visual and mental rate of aging. Lifting weights releases chemicals that can help with relaxation and the exertion of muscles can aid in releasing bottled up stress.
From personal experience, when I am feeling stressed out, lifting weights feels like a release on all of my negative energy.
Also, with the quicker results and increased muscles tone, women are becoming happier with their physical appearances. Feeling good and looking better is essential to enjoying every other aspect of life.
Most women enjoy going to buy clothing and it look great on their bodies or wearing a swim suit on the beach. Personally, I can say that strength training has improved my overall appearance and has built a great sense of confidence within me. The feeling is wonderful and more women should experience it. Hopefully in the future, more women will utilize the weight room as a source for physical and mental development, prolonging rich and enjoyable lives for women.
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.
22 Feb
As a writer for the Mind Body and Soul section of the Nubian Message, my motive is to encourage the African-American community to engage in research to understand the natural world. These are the reasons why I have written on several topics such as the raw food diet, detoxification of the body, super foods, etc. African-Americans are dying at increasing rates due to complications of high blood pressure, cancer and various other afflictions as compared to their counterparts. According to a pamphlet from Americanheart.org, a Website that provides information on heart disease for minorities, “Blacks are 1.5 times more likely to die from heart disease and 1.8 times more likely to experience a fatal stroke than whites.” It is a duty for the black community to research and find ways to prevent these fatal diseases and help their conditions in order to hopefully prolong the lives of many people. We as a people rely too much on our doctors who sometimes may not have our best interests at hand. I also believe that a portion of African-Americans simply do not care about their health they exemplify apathy in health care because they believe the conditions are hereditary and inevitable. With attitudes like these, no wonder African-Americans are the majority ethnic group stricken with these illnesses. There are some cases of illnesses like cancer, obesity, and heart disease that are genetic and that the possibilities of preventing these diseases that occur later in life are slim to none.
High cholesterol and high blood pressure are very serious problems which can lead to diseases like atherosclerosis, coronary heart failure, and death. I wonder why some doctors are quick to write a prescription for drugs such as Lipitor when there are many different ways to combat these problems. According to fishoil4health.com, fish oil is has been found to help decrease high cholesterol, which aids in preventing heart problems.
Not only am I concerned about the potentially fatal diseases, but I am also worried about the nonfatal diseases that effect members of the African-American community. Treatments for the skin disorder eczema can be costly. As a person who does have eczema, I cannot tell you how many times I have gone to see the dermatologist in order to ask for various prescriptions to relieve the severity of the itching. Not once did my dermatologist whom I have gone to for years recommend that I increase my intake of Omega 3-fatty acids. Incidentally, taking flax seed oil has astoundingly decreased my eczema outbreaks as well as helped with other symptoms like menstrual cramps. If I would have known this a long time ago, I would have saved all the amounts of money spent on various cortisone creams and doctor prescribed ointments.
However, sometimes it is not the doctors’ fault for prescribing us so many medications to treat our various illnesses. A person who is suffering from high cholesterol or diabetes sometimes may continue to eat things like macaroni and cheese, deep fried chicken or overly sweetened yams until a near death experience causes them to wake up from their unhealthy lifestyle. When I walk through stores such as Whole Foods or The Health Economists, I sometimes have to wonder why the majority of the people you see shopping are Caucasians. Obviously Caucasians know something that many of us African-Americans do not. One time I did see a very fit black woman who seemed to be in her late 40’s or early 50’s and in her basket contained several cases of wheat grass. I’d bet a lot of African-Americans probably do not even know what wheat grass is, much less its benefits or how it even tastes. It is also very rare to find a black male or female jogging in order to stay fit. When I do find one jogging, it almost always shocks me. When will there be a day when we are not shocked to find a black male or female jogger? This should be a common occurrence. When will there be a day when I walk into a health store and find many people like myself curious of the organic products and health supplements? I do not know when that day will come, but I do hope it will come soon.
12 Feb
Platanos & Collard Greens is an Off Broadway hit play that came to Stewart Theatre here on campus. The Union Activities Board Diversity Committee hosted this dynamic event on Tuesday, Feb. 3 and there was a considerable amount of students, staff and faculty, and general public attendees. This romantic comedic play told the story of Freeman, an African-American man, and Angelita, a Latino woman. During this play, both Freeman and Angelita were forced to confront and overcome cultural and racial prejudices. Many of the stereotypical views that individuals have about Latinos and African-Americans were addressed in this play. In defending their bond for family and friendships, Freeman and Angelita both had to go against all the adversity that was thrown their way. Platanos & Collard Greens is a play that should, without a doubt, remind everyone of their own family, their true love, and their life as a whole. Not only did Platanos & Collard Greens entertain the audience in Stewart Theatre it provided many moments that were fill with laughter. Many parts of this play are intended to inspire individuals as well as to make them evaluate their own personal lives and think, let alone entertain.
Platanos & Collard Greens is a “thought-provoking romantic comedy that tactfully addresses stereotypes, prejudices and urban myths that exist between African-Americans and Latinos, within the context of Hip-Hop, humor, and satire.” Platanos & Collard Greens forces its audience stereotypes that exist all the while challenging them throughout the play. The actors or performers in the play humorously display these ordinary, yet shameful, viewpoints while rebutting them in a poetic manner which exposes them as misrepresented facts of reality. Although the audience laughed loudly, is likely that they were questioning the attitudes held about themselves and other individuals that they may know.
The Platanos & Collard Greens play has travel from west coast to east coast premiering at over 100 colleges and universities, with that number now including N.C. State. This play has traveled to more than 10 major cities and 17 states around the country to perform. On a much larger scale, Platanos & Collard Greens has captivated audiences of over 40,000 on Off Broadway in New York City.
Upon leaving, many people were reciting lines that they heard throughout the play. The Unions Activities Board generally hosts several events, many in which are cultural surrounded, that will be held throughout the remainder of the semester. You can visit their website to see a calendar with a listing of upcoming events.For more information you can visit: http://www.platanosandcollardgreens.com/
