Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category:
17 Nov
Nicole Machado, a junior in Textile and Apparel Management, was honored as the 2009 female Leader of the Pack. Machado was one of three female finalists in the running for this prestigious award. On November 7, 2009, all finalists were invited to the NC State vs. Maryland Homecoming football game to find out the results of the competition. As she stood in the center of the field at Carter Finley Stadium, Machado was announced as the winner and recognized by Chancellor James Woodard.
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02 Nov
Reminiscent of ‘Why Did I Get Married’ the film by well-known film and play write Tyler Perry, “Couples Retreat” by Peter Billingsley tells the story of a couples retreat to Eden. After failing to conceive Jason (Jason Bateman) and Cynthia (Kristen Bell) are close to getting a divorce and in their last attempt to keep the flame of their relationship alive. They arrive at Eden, having pre-planned every spare moment of their time together. The other couples, Dave (Vince Vaughn) and Ronnie (Malin Akerman), Joey (Jon Favreau) and Lucy (Kristen Davis), and recently divorced Shane (Faizon Love) and his girlfriend Trudy (Kali Hawk), reluctantly agree to come along after they are guilt tripped and tricked into believing it will be a trip full of sun and fun. The trip is full of ups and downs and eventual insight into the dire straights of all of their relationships. As funny as the movie was with great actors and actresses the truth of the film hits a nerve raw from the Kappa Xi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated’s program on relationships. Why is it that often those who believe they have a good relationship have relationships that are lacking the most? Maybe the familiarity and comfort with that person causes us to lose the passion to keep the relationship going and allows us to be comfortable simply existing together. No matter what the cause, ‘Couples Retreat’ does a great job of showing people the true nature of relationships and what we all need to make it work. I recommend everyone go see the movie and watch and learn.
02 Nov
The first kind is sighting. The second is evidence of existence. The third is contact with the unknown, and the Fourth, abduction. This is the topic of the film, The Fourth Kind, by Olatunde Osunsanmi. In the trailer the main character, an actress Milla Jovovich, identifies herself and states that every scene that appears in the film can be backed up by film evidence. The movie tells the story of psychologist Dr. Abigail Tyler. In the film while treating her patients with a type of hypnosis called hypnotherapy, she stumbles upon her patients belief that they were abducted by aliens. Throughout the trailer there is the appearance of home videos as Dr. Tyler interrogates her patients. They seemed scared and as if something had indeed happened to them, adding to the idea that this movie could be real. This is indicated by in one scene, someone speaking in Samarian, the oldest known language on earth. There was a pre-screening here at N.C. State University of the the movie and Britné Hackett, a sophomore in biomedical engineering states, “The movie was not scary, but it was abnormal. It made you think that aliens could actually abduct you and nobody would know.” This leads into a bigger question, is there intelligent life outside of planet earth that has the ability to come abduct us and use us for experiments without the majority of the population ever knowing. Of course there is heated debate over the topic and I will not get into it, but there are people who believe both sides. I am very interested in the release of the film.
02 Nov
This past Thursday, the Black Students Board held a discussion about the state of the Black community here in the Student Senate Chambers. The discussion titled “Black in NC State” was inspired by the CNN special “Black in America”. The main goal was to get a feel of how African American students felt here at State. Several topics discussed were the state of the black community, student involvement, personal initiative, unity, and challenges. For the most part, most students felt that the African American community was strong for the most part, but with everything comes concerns.
One of the main concerns of students during the discussion was students in the African American community going to more entertainment related programs than educational ones. The general consensus was that when it comes to events such as comedy shows, parties, and concerts there is always a full house; however, when it comes to educational programs many seats are left unfilled. A similar comment associated with this topic was the notion that the African American community only seems to unite when they are targeted by hate or something that only affects African Americans. One example used to describe this situation was last year’s NAACP meeting following the racist remarks written in the Free Expression Tunnel. During this event, there was little to no standing room in the Washington Sankofa Room of the Witherspoon Student Center. Many students were able to unite for that one night to address their issues with NC State’s handling of the situation. However, when it comes to other issues that are on a more general basis, the African American community seems to be not be united. The belief is that the campus community as a whole, views it that most African Americans at State only speak out about issues in that directly affect them.
There was also a call for African American students to get involved on campus on a larger scale. Students believed that if people only do things with certain groups that will be the only people that will ever get to see what they can do. This was not saying that students should not do things with certain groups; more so that students should not limit what they do, because they are the only ones there that look like them. Also, some students felt that sometimes people tend to only participate in activities with their respective organizations. The feeling was that some people tend to not want to get involved in certain programs and events if it is not held by their organization. All in all, students believed that students should take personal initiative to go outside the box and do things that they don’t usually do.
The discussion was a way of the African American community to start talking and addresses some concerns on campus. Some may or may not agree with some of the concerns, but everyone can not always agree on everything.
02 Nov
Greek life at NCSU was something I thought I knew a little bit about, but after attending the NCSU Greek Award Ceremony, I realized that the magnitude is something I never imagined. The term “Greek” defines hundreds of students here who have decided to further their college experience by joining an organization which often prides itself on community service, brother or sisterhood, having fun, and presenting programs to better educate the student body. This Greek body is made up of four main groups according to the schools Greek life website, The Collaborative Greek Council, Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and The Panhellenic Association. As I entered Stewart Theatre, I saw many different fraternities and sororities finding their way to their seats. The award ceremony began with a speech by Howard Pickett, a graduate student and a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. As awards began to be distributed, I was surprised by the fact that although the National Pan-Hellenic Council was the smallest in numbers they were well represented. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated especially stood out in my mind because the organization won five different awards. Delisa Adams, a Delta Sigma Theta, won the award for Senior Diamond and Jadrien Brown, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, was inducted into the Order of Omega. This is a group that recognizes the top three percent of the campuses Greek community. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated won the campus leadership and involvement awards and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated won the Outstanding Fraternity Award. The ladies of pink and green, formally known as Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Incorporated and the ladies of Delta Zeta sorority, shared the title of Outstanding Sorority Award. As the award show was brought to a close, a buzz started across the audience as the announcement was made that the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated would be stepping. As they took the stage I was amused as other members of fraternities in the room poorly imitated the steppers. I look forward to this year as new members enter the world of Greek life. Let’s see what they can bring to our campus.
02 Nov
Although October is a month notorious for Halloween and personally my birthday, it is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Unfortunately, numerous women around the world are forced to face the devastating reality of being diagnosed with the sometimes fatal disease: breast cancer. Specifically, physicians are obligated to deliver the traumatic news to more African American women. African American women are not simply diagnosed at a higher rate than women of other races, but the disease is more fatal in African American women. These fatalities render disparities in family unity, as mothers, sisters, and daughters become victims of this terrible, but treatable disease.
Current research reveals a disturbing, but eye opening fact: many women diagnosed with breast cancer fail to receive healthcare, notably those of African American descendent. Research done in regards to breast cancer fatality rates in African American women suggest that the tumors that develop in African American women are more destructive and that African American women are less receptive to the vital treatment. Additionally, African American women do not have the various opportunities that allow them to continuously receive vital treatments, based on their income. For example, many African American mothers are single parents which may force them to face the constraints of poverty in a suffering economy. Consequently, these women become underprivileged and uninsured, resulting in a late diagnosis that causes their treatment to be ineffective.
Cancer is a disease where early detection is vital and is simply the best chance for any possible cure. Due to the various odds against African American women, like the inability to receive treatment based on socio-economic issues, African American are forced to begin treatment at the worst possible time, the advanced stage. This is probably why African American women have the lowest survival rates when compared with other races.
Given that African American women have the highest rate of fatality in regards to breast cancer, than women of any other race in the later years of their life it is vital that they initiate proper treatment. African American women should get mammograms, which are routine screenings that may detect any abnormality in the breasts, in the earlier years of life rather than their latter. Proactive attitudes towards breast cancer allows for the proper identification of any red flags, with respect to breast cancer, that must be taken into consideration at an premature date, which then allows these women to implement the necessary treatment and eventually obtain a cure for this unfortunate disease.
As I mentioned before there are some odds against African American women, which may prevent African American women from discovering breast cancer in its early stages. This leaves the question: How do I detect breast cancer in its earlier stages if I simply cannot afford to? Determination is imperative. There are many clinics that offer free mammograms and since it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month there may in fact be actual health care centers that offer mammograms for free. A common fallacy is the fear of being helped. Do not be afraid to ask for help.
Awareness can ensure that this disease does not become fatal, which is why awareness is the best weapon when combating this disease. All women, men, and children must be aware of what they can do to combat breast cancer, and more importantly be aware of their family tree. They must know who in their families were taken away by breast cancer, that way measures can be taken in order to catch it in its premature stages, such as genetic testing. Remember, this is not only the month when it begins to get chilly and you dress up in what scares you the most; but it is also the month of breast cancer awareness and the fatality rate is far more chilling and scary than those creatures and the weather.
02 Nov
As week five comes to a close and week six begins the semester seems like it’s slipping away. With multiple tests and assignments due and engagements to extracurricular activities, we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed or stressed. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, “two-thirds of office visits to family doctors are for stress-related symptoms.”
What is stress? According to ehealthMD.com, “stress is the emotional and physical strain caused by our response to pressure from the outside world”. This means that everyone’s personal response to a situation will differ from the next person’s. Stress can be very helpful in some ways causing you to rise to the occasion and effectively solve your problems, and in fact it may be argued that without stress our lives would be pointless or boring, but when one feels extremely stressed it can cause damage to your health. When you face a stressful event or find yourself in “overload” a lot of things are happening in your body.
MedicineNet.com gives a simple overview of the biological process saying, “[first] the hypothalamus releases a compound corticotrophin factor (CRF). The CRF then travels to the pituitary gland, where it triggers the release of a hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). ACTH is released into the bloodstream and causes the cortex of the adrenal gland to release the stress hormones, particularly cortisol. Cortisol increases the availability of the body’s fuel supply, which is needed to respond to stress. However, if cortisol levels remain elevated for too long muscle breaks down, there is a decreased inflammatory response, and suppression of the immune system occurs”. Not only is there a direct biological effect of stress but it also causes us to engage in unhealthy activities such as binge drinking, smoking, and comfort eating, which can cause harm to the rest of the body.
What causes stress? Because everyone’s outlook on life is different we all have different definitions of what a stressful event is. For example, some may be stressed about giving a speech in class and others may not have any feelings, or some may be stressed about starting a new job and others may be excited. Stress affects most of the nation’s college students. The National College Health Assessment, a research survey group that specializes in gathering information about college students, reports that out of 17,000 students that were surveyed 25% of them has felt so stressed it was difficult to function three to eight times in the past month. Some reasons that college students become stressed is the amount of schoolwork, wanting to fit in socially, or just the new environment.
Stress can be a very complex biological process, but on the contrary can be easily managed. Some things you can do to relieve stress are eat healthy, exercise regularly, or just talk to someone about the things you’re going through. Fortunately all of these things can be done here on campus. If you want to eat healthy instead of snacking on a Snickers Bar or guzzling three Red Bulls you can visit any of the three dining halls to get a well balanced meal, including dessert. If you don’t like dining hall food you can also walk to Carmichael Gymnasium for a light workout and even get a personal trainer. Don’t have the time to work out? University offered counselors, who can be found in the Student Health Services building, are always there to listen and can also help with academic concerns when you cannot meet with your advisor. During exam week clubs and organizations will offer services such as massages or just Krispy Kreme Donuts and coffee to minimize the stress on students. There are a lot of resources available to students that suffer from stress, but you have to recognize when you’re stressed
02 Nov
The beating has been called brutal, savage, and vicious. It has created a firestorm of controversy and criticism from the school system, to the city of Chicago, and even President Obama. The beating of sixteen year old honors student Derrion Albert, captured on a cell phone camera by a bystander has caught the attention of prominent figures around the United States. Albert was caught up in a brawl between dozens of students while walking to a bus stop after school. The fight was supposedly retaliation for a shooting that had happened at the school earlier that day. Albert was killed after being knocked unconscious by a strike from a board that one of the brawling teenagers was wielding, and then beaten to death by a group of five teenagers.
Derrion Albert’s death was without a doubt, tragic and brutal, but it is unfortunately not very uncommon in the city of Chicago. According to the police, 100 school age children were killed in Chicago last year. In the 2007-2008 school year, among high school students there were 34 deaths and 290 shootings. The Derrion Albert beating brings up the importance of an imperative overriding question in the fight against violence in Chicago and around the United States. Are African Americans truly more likely to be victims of violent crimes, and if they are what can be done about it?
The answer to the first question is clear to see when one looks at the information about causes of death for Americans in the year 2004. When compared to whites, the causes of death statistics for African Americans are both jaw dropping and depressing. For blacks between the ages of 15 and 34, homicide is the leading cause of death. It ranks no higher than third for white Americans in the same age group. For African Americans in Derrion Albert’s age group (15-19), the homicide rate for African Americans was six times higher than the homicide rate for white Americans. The rate for African Americans in the 20-24 year old age group was 55.9, compared to a 7.9 rate for white Americans.
Clearly, African Americans are much more likely to be victims of violence than white Americans. The answer to the problem has clearly eluded government and community officials because the issue continues to be a problem. It would be unfair to say that nothing has been done about the problem. The city of Chicago recently announced a $30 million project that identifies high risk youth that may become victims of gun violence and assigns them to full time mentors and part time jobs. Some of the $30 million also will pay for more security guards in gang troubled areas. However, the solution has to go deeper than simply a lack of funding or programs. According to the Washington Post, nearly 48 percent of African American children grow up without a father in the home. This is nearly double the rate of any other ethnic group. For a group of young men to think that it is okay to spend their time at school senselessly fighting each other there has to be lack of parental and community support that goes far beyond dollars and cents.
Derrion Albert’s tragic death is more than simply an isolated incident, it is another example of an all too familiar problem of violence in the African American community, and it is going to take more than money to solve it. It is going to take parents and community leaders stepping up and to taking control of their neighborhoods and households.
02 Nov
Are you a student who dreams of making it into the media and entertainment industry? Are you a current artist looking for a chance to get your work out to a larger scale audience? If so your chance just may come on November 21st at the Sheraton Hotel in Downtown Raleigh as Radio One Raleigh presents: The First Annual Media and Entertainment Conference.
This event will give participants a chance to meet and network with executives, producers, artists, and DJs from major companies such as Universal Music Group, Atlantic Records, Warner Music Group, BET, MTV, and Essence Magazine. Participants will have the opportunity to learn new tips and techniques from people who have already been there and done that. Several sessions will be held during the program, which will allow you to learn how to market yourself, land a job in the music industry, and possibly become the next hottest music DJ. Examples of this include: “The Art of Branding Yourself”, where experts will share successful practices in personal branding and “Break into the Music”, which will reveal secrets to breaking into the music industry.
At the very end of the session, it has been said that there will be an opportunity for conference participants to have a conversation with some of the industry’s top executives. Resumes and business casual dress is strongly recommended. This is an opportunity which does not come every day. For a limited time, this event is available to students for ten dollars up until October 21st. That is the same amount of money that is paid to get into the club for four hours. So why not spend it on something that you have pictured yourself possibly doing for the rest of your life. This program is for the masses whether you are a singer, rapper, writer, actor, marketer, etc.
More information for this event can be found at www.radioonemec.com or www. K975.com. Early bird prices for this event are slated to go up really soon, so don’t miss out on this chance of a lifetime. Make your dreams become a reality.
09 Oct
Dear Nubian Queen,
I used to have a part-time job, but this semester I’m taking 18 credit hours of classes, so all of my free time is devoted to studying. I have so much school work to do, and I don’t want a job that will mess up my focus. Are there things I can do around the campus area that don’t require me to spend my last 10 bucks?
Sincerely,
Broke as a Joke
Dear Broke as a Joke,
As a fellow poor college student, I feel your pain! I also admire that you see the importance of putting your school work before making money. Although a minimum wage part-time job might be enticing at the moment, graduating with a degree and a good GPA is what will get you the BIG BUCKS in the long run.
Having a lack of cash flow can be tough, but there is definitely always something you can do with an empty wallet. Free entertainment can be found almost every weekend at our very own Carter Finley Stadium! Believe it or not, there are some people who pay high dollar to get a good seat at a Wolfpack football game, but as a student, you have the luxury of sitting right in front of the field for free! Going to a Saturday game is a great way to spend a few hours hanging out with friends and showing your school spirit.
If you prefer something more active, visit Carmichael gym, where you have the option of taking classes in Yoga, Pilates, Absolution, cycling, weight training, rock climbing, you name it, all for free. The gym offers so many recreational options for students, and all you have to do is swipe your ID card.
If the arts are more your cup of tea, tour one of the many exhibits around campus, such as Talley Student Center or the African American Cultural Center. Once a year the College of Design and the College of Textiles has an outdoor fashion show in the Court of Carolina called “Art to Wear.” You’ll feel like a New York socialite sitting in the front row at this event, all for the cost of nothing.
There are always campus organizations hosting programs featuring guest speakers, interactive activities, and often times free prizes and food for audience members. These events are usually during the week, so if you need a quick break from studying, why not head over to a program for a couple of hours? A great resource for finding out about these events is the Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) listserv, Union Activities Board (UAB) listserv, as well as the Women’s Center and CSLEPS listservs. Simply visit their websites and register to receive this information.
If you’re looking free or very cheap entertainment, Witherspoon Campus Cinema charges less than two dollars for students to view a movie, and on many occasions, it offers free, exclusive screenings of new movies that haven’t even premiered in theaters yet! In addition, the North Carolina State Fair is right around the corner, and every year they have a free can night, in which you get into the fair free by simply donating a few cans. Yes, you will need money if you want to eat and go on rides, but at least you save a few bucks by not paying for admission. Also, downtown Raleigh is always hosting outdoor events for the public, and it houses the North Carolina Museums of History, Art, and Natural Science, which may sound kind of lame at first, but I promise, it can be A LOT of fun touring these exhibits if you bring a friend.
And let’s not forget about the free transportation. As an NCSU student, you have free access to Wolfline buses, the Raleigh CAT buses, and the Triangle Transit Association. Between these three lines, you should be able to get practically anywhere in Raleigh and surrounding areas such as Durham for free.
While it is difficult working and taking several classes, it’s definitely possible to do both. Two important words to remember: time management. If you know that Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days when you have your longest and most difficult classes, then you need to make sure you’re not scheduled to work on those days. If you know that you are better at doing homework during the day as opposed to at night, then find a job that allows you to only work in the evenings. In addition, there are several “cushy” on-campus jobs offered solely to students that often times allow students to do their homework while they’re working! The beginning of each semester is a great time to visit places such as campus libraries or offices and ask if they are in need of a student employee, and with this recession, they’re a lot more likely to hire students like you who are satisfied with minimum wage than a full-time employee. It’s important to think outside of the box when searching for ways to make money as a student (legally). Keep your eyes open for flyers around campus, because you can usually find a couple that offer to pay you money to take surveys or participate in focus groups.
Good luck with your classes, and if you do chose to pursue a job, always plan out a schedule with your boss that works around your school schedule, not over it. Remember, make the money, don’t let it make you!
Sincerely,
Nubian Queen
