09 Oct
Posted October 9, 2009 at 8:27 pm
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
09 Oct
Posted October 9, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Everyone knows that we all go to an incredible school, but despite of this, many of the students are suffering due to the economic crisis. However, I feel as if some of the changes, due to this crisis, are unnecessary.
For example, a few c-stores (university dining convenience stores) on campus have been remodeled and additionally prices have fluctuated, causing students to spend more board bucks than normal. Usually, around 300 board bucks would last me until the end of each semester, but from the way things are looking I may have to begin using my debit card in order to pay for the amount that I go over on meals. The change may have made the school’s stores look a little bit more attractive, but it was perfectly fine with the lower prices and descent stores.
At the beginning of the semester many students received emails from teachers telling each of their students that they had to print the syllabus for the class themselves. According to Vikki Hwang, a sophomore majoring in Biological Sciences, “I hate it when we have to print our own syllabi and pay extra money for online assignments. We are already paying a lot of money for college. Little things like this should be covered.” For many students this leaves the question of how exactly is our tuition being used? It is self-explanatory that we need food, room and board, and books, but where does the rest of it go? According to CFNC.org (College Foundation of North Carolina) “Out of state students pay an average of $16,158 for tuition alone and in state students pay an average of $3,860 for tuition alone (Moreover, the room and board costs an extra $7,892 average). On top of all that, tuition increased from last year, as it does every school year. These circumstances drive me to take a look at how many students are attending this school, and wonder where is all this money going? Possibly, to dishonest politicians and chancellors?
I personally think that the school collects money to spend on whatever they please, putting the needs and wants of the students last. For example, organizations and events are suffering due to the lack of funding. Last year during our Pack Howl Homecoming Concert we had top notch performers such as the band N.E.R.D. and rapper Common presented to us, but according to outside sources we no longer have the funds to bring famous bands and artists to perform this year, and maybe even the next. We may have to resort to local bands performing this year. We pay tuition so why can’t we have the performers that we want and desire? I strongly feel as if the freshmen are being cheated out of their college experiences due to this lack of funding. They will not get to see Boyz II Men like upperclassmen did at last year’s Friday Fest concert or other amazing performers this year, and it was those experiences that made myself and others fall in love with this school. I hear my fellow peers complaining about the events this year and saying they are going to attend other events at other schools because it will be a more exciting experience. As far as organizations are concerned students have to put in more money for fees, t-shirts, and other miscellaneous items that use to be free.
I admit that the economy has played a part in finances, but I really think that the school may be over exaggerating the effects of the economy because officials are saying we do not have enough money to do this and that, but yet we see a lot of unnecessary things being invested in.
09 Oct
Posted October 9, 2009 at 8:26 pm
We are all adults on this campus and it is a reality that adults have sex. If you listen to the band Kings of Leon you may have recognized the title of this article. Truth is that sex is, in fact, on fire. It is and has always been a hot topic in society. What does that mean for America’s young people? How is sex affecting minority communities? Is sex bad? These are a few of the many questions that pass through the minds of young adults and being on a college campus only intensifies these interests.
It seems to methat more people are starting to shy away from abstinence only sex education in public schools. I find this to be helpful, but a significant number of people would disagree. I believe that having proper sex education in school (that is not just focused on abstinence) will better prepare American youth for healthier and safer adult lives. Having helpful sex education can have a positive impact on how one conducts themselves in college. It is false to think that sex education is out to make youth have sex and engage in wild behavior. It is here to help make better choices about how to live their lives. In the fifth grade a “Grow and Changes” class was brought to our attention. At the time I was not in a very productive living environment so this class was the only way I could learn about how my body was changing. Not talking about sex hurts more than it helps.
As one moves on into the college years, I believe it is easy to have a warped sense of what sex is. Movies and television do a wonderful job of making sex look like the most pleasurable thing on the planet. Although entertainment’s main purpose is to fabricate and heighten sex, the entertainment industry does a horrible job of educating people about sex. I believe people come to college with all of these misconceptions when engaging in sexual activities. I may be wrong, but I do not believe sex is all about smooth jazz and never ending orgasms. From talking to different individuals I have heard that sex, especially the first time is awkward and a bit painful. Although in the movies everyone is a sex god. This is absolutely false.
The use of contraception may be old news, but it is definitely not bad news. I’m sure the “protect yourself” or “wrap it up” speeches are getting boring, but they are needed. If people were being smart about sex I don’t think we would still be talking about it as much. The truth is that STDs are real and any human who engages in a sexual act can get one. Plain and simple. Don’t kid yourself with the “It won’t happen to me” talk, you may get a rude awakening. Minority groups are especially at risk. Minority youth do not receive adequate sexual education and in return reach out to their friends and the media to learn about sex.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that the rate of Chlamydia among African Americans in the United States was more than eight times that among whites. This means that the rate of Chlamydia among black women was more than seven times higher than the rate among white women and more than 11 times higher for black men than that among white men. Approximately 70% of the total number of reported cases of gonorrhea occurred among African Americans. As far as Syphilis goes, the rate among black women was 14 times higher than that among white women. At the same time, the rate in black men has increased in recent years as rates of disease have increased. HIV positivity among persons tested for HIV was highest in black men who have sex with men. HIV positivity was 8% in blacks (who make up 13% of the population), and 5% in Hispanics. This is a major American problem.
African Americans need to wake up and realize that sex is a serious issue. If you have unprotected sex there could be consequences. I am in no way saying don’t have sex. I am saying be smart about how you do it and who you do it with. Also, do not think just because you are heterosexual you cannot get an STD. The LGBT community should not be stigmatized as disease ridden. It is not an issue of sexual orientation, but an issue of humanity. So before you have sex think about what you want out of it. Use the proper contraception (condoms, birth control pills etc.) and limit your sexual partners. Get to know who you are sleeping with and make sure you can trust them. If you have any questions or concerns that involve sex go to the Student Health Center. There are many informative pamphlets and people to talk to. Don’t put your life at risk for the sake of unprotected sex.
09 Oct
Posted October 9, 2009 at 8:24 pm
The brothers of the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, held their annual Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant on September 21, 2009, crowning Kateria Poe as the 2009 Miss Black and Gold. Contestants competed in 4 categories: swimsuit, talent, evening wear, and a question and answer session. The seven contestants included NCSU students Melissa Young, Jasmine Stockton, Kendra Obimah, Kateria Poe, Naomi Drake, Mia Andrews, and Shakaela Webb. The women, adorning silver dresses to match the show’s “Ice Angels” theme, introduced themselves to audience members while performing an opening dance routine to “Halo,” by Beyonce. “This is something that we do annually to provide both scholarship money and a venue for African American women on campus to show their intelligence, confidence, and beauty,” said Christopher Webley, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
The swim suit contest was the first portion of the show, and many of the contestants wore one piece suits in colors ranging from electric red to pure white. Contestants were able to showcase their creative side in the talent competition. Contestant one, Melissa Young, exhibited her vocal range by singing “Super Woman,” by Alicia Keys. Contestant two, Jasmine Stockton, performed a hip hop dance routine to “Radio” by Beyonce, which showed off her flexibility and versatility in rhythmic movement. Contestant three, Kendra Obimah, performed an African cultural dance in traditional African attire, gaining a large applause from the crowd with her “dutty wine.” Contestant four, Kateria Poe, brought the audience to its feet as she recited a powerful self-written poem entitled, “Strong Black Woman No Longer,” with the purpose of encouraging young black women to defy the stereotypes of a strong black woman and create new, more positive ones for themselves. Contestant four, Naomi Drake, demonstrated her passion for her marching band as she performed a very unique drum major routine, surprising the audience with a backbend all the way down to the floor. Wearing an all black leotard, contestant six, Mia Andrews, performed an emotional lyrical dance routine to Sara Bareille’s “Gravity.” Contestant seven, Shakaela Webb, remixed a favorite poem of many, Langston Hughes’ “Dream Deferred,” by letting the audience know about her dream to become a doctor.
Throughout the competition there were various student performances. Rakita Henry and Marquis McCullough wowed the crowded, opening the show with the singing of the Negro National Anthem. Janice Cooley delivered her poem, “Black Before I Knew It,” which discussed the struggles of being labeled as “Black” in America. A local up and coming artist known as M-Bass sang a self-written song dedicated to the beauty and strength of black women. An NCCU and former NCSU student, Heather Gavin, left the audience in awe of her vocal skills as she sang her rendition of “At Last,” by Etta James. In addition, NC State’s very own Black Finesse Modeling Troupe wrapped up the performances as they strutted around the room in all black attire, with a performance one could only describe as futuristic, grabbing the audience’s attention with triple spins and lifts on stage.
One of the major deciding factors in choosing the competition winner was the portion of the show when the contestants came out in their evening gowns and answered questions, which gave both judges and audience members a closer look at the enthusiasm, poise, and intelligence of the women. Questions ranged from ways in which the winner plans to benefit the African American community with her crown to the contestant’s opinion on universal healthcare. According to Judge Courtney Simpson, this is the portion of the show that helped determine her vote for Poe. “Overall, all the contestants did a wonderful job…One thing that stood out for me when judging Ms. Poe was the passion that she has for her school, her community, and herself,” said Simpson. “As Miss Black and Gold, her passion can help push the community to another level.”
Contestants waited anxiously as the results were read by hosts April Gaddy, crowned Miss Eta Omicron in 2008, and Kornelius Bascombe, a member of Eta Omicron. Naomi Drake was awarded the third place trophy and crowned “Miss 1971,” representing the year Eta Omicron was chartered. The runner-up position, given the title “Miss Eta Omicron,” was awarded to Mia Andrews, and the coveted “Miss Black and Gold” crown was presented to Kateria Poe.
“I was confident that I could positively represent Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated,” said Poe. In the future, she plans to use her crown to highlight obstacles she feels the black community faces at NC State University and worldwide by hosting her own program with the brothers of Eta Omicron. The next step for Poe is to compete in the Miss Black and Gold district competition held in Durham, NC, and she hopes to bring another crown back home. Poe states, “I look forward to competing, and until then, I will be perfecting my speech, talent, and overall stage presence.”
- Crystal Clark
09 Oct
Posted October 9, 2009 at 8:23 pm
What are you doing this weekend? Going to see a movie at the $1.50 theatre at Blue-ridge? Going out to the same club, with the same group of people, on the same night you went out last weekend? Grabbing your ‘Go Pass’ and taking the bus out to Crabtree Valley Mall for some free samples in the food court? Does this sound like your typical weekend? There is nothing wrong with the movies, mall, and the club, but many often find that these infamous three are the only options available to them on the weekends. Being born in Raleigh, I know all about the monotonous choices of activities that some people might experience, especially students that are from large booming cities like New York, Washington DC, or Denver, Colorado to name a few. But Raleigh does not have to be that way. For the most part you have to live here while you are in school, so why not make the most of it! Below, I have listed some alternative options that you might want to consider to spice up your weekend. Most of the activities are group friendly, so invite your friends for a really extraordinary evening! Some of these activities might require some transportation other than the ones offered at NCSU.
1) AFM (Bowling)
1827 Capital Blvd.
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 832-3747
Price: Generally $7-$12 a person
Even If you absolutely suck at bowling (like me) and have to use the gutter free rails (like me) you can still have a good time especially with a large group of friends. The AFM lanes charge an average admission of $ 5.50 a person per game and $4.25 for bowling shoes. For the more economic friends nights they have specials on Tuesday and Sunday nights starting at 9pm which include paying a $5 cover charge and receiving everything else (shoes/per game) only a $1 each. Their hours generally range from 12pm-2am on the weekends but can vary on the weekdays. They also offer a variety of American classics in the eatery including hot-dogs, pizza, and hamburgers for reasonable prices.
2) Marrakesh café lounge
2500 Hillsborough St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 341-1167
Price: $ 8 usually covers 2 people for 30 min of flavored tobacco
Marrakesh is a hookah bar located on Hillsborough Street. across the street from DH Hill Library. Similar to a coffee shop setting, the Marrakesh café offers a serene and calming environment to unwind after a long week of studies. For all of you that do not know, a hookah is a device that is used to inhale flavored tobacco through filtered water. This environment is not for everyone, because it includes smoke from tobacco, which has been known to have some negative side effects. Hookah has also been proven to be a safer alternative in some studies to the smoke produced in cigarettes. They café also serves an assortment of delicious pastries, hot tea’s, and coffees.
3) Pullen Park
Why not have a picnic with that special someone or race you friends…or the ducks in motor boats in Pullen Lake. Pullen Park offers a lot of recreational and CHEAP ways to have a relaxing weekend. It’s also located right on campus, so no public transportation is needed to indulge in this activity. Campus too noisy? Pullen makes a calming place to unwind and study for that upcoming test on Monday. Also ‘Theatre in the Park’ is also located in Pullen Park for all of you that enjoy the intricacies of a good drama.
4) Adventure Landing
3311 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27604
919-872-1688
Price: Generally $10-$15
Get in touch with the kid in you. Just because you are in college doesn’t mean you’re too cool for laser tag right, right? Adventure landing houses a variety of activities in just one location including laser tag, put-put, arcade games, and race car racing. You might remember doing these activities as a kid, but you’d be surprised at the amount of excitement generated from these elementary activities when you get a bunch of friends involved. They are generally open from 10am-12am on the weekends, offering a special on Saturdays including 30 tokens, unlimited laser-tag, and mini-golf for only $9 till noon. So get there early.
5) Outdoor adventures
Carmichael Recreational center
2611 Cates Avenue
Price: generally $35-$105
If you really want to do something really out of the ordinary one weekend why not go on an adventure? The Carmichael recreational center is offering trips in the fall and the spring semesters to various locations on the eastern coast including Virginia, Washington D.C, New York, and even here in the Carolinas. Backpacking across Virginia, white-water rafting , and sea kayaking in Staten island are some bold choices for the adventures but there are also more mellow trips such as ones offered in November where one has the opportunity to spend a day in Washington D.C enjoying the many historical sites. For the most part these are weekend long trips, often departing Friday morning and returning Sunday. The Majority of the costs are covered by NCSU which include food, equipment, and transportation. There is a fee for each trip that can range from $35-$105 depending on the trip and location which can be a little pricey for some, but out of the ordinary none the less. If this is something that might interest you here is the website http://www.ncsu.edu/campus_rec/ to check out the different outdoor adventures and directions on how to register.
Stephanie Spivey
09 Oct
Posted October 9, 2009 at 8:22 pm
This past Saturday, Sprite hosted the Sprite Step-Off qualifying Round right here in Raleigh at the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion; Raleigh was one of many qualifying rounds around the country. Hosted by Saint Augustine College, the competition is not only the largest step competition to hit the area, but is also the largest step competition in history with a pool prize packet that reaches $1.5 million dollars. Sprite will be traveling all over the country to find talented Greek step teams at various colleges that will first compete in numerous qualifying rounds that will take place in September and October, then the regional semifinals and regional finals in the months of October and November. The national finals will take place in Atlanta, Georgia on January 19, 2010; the overall winner will appear in Stomp the Yard 2. Saturday’s competition featured 5 teams, three fraternities and two sororities, from all over North Carolina, including the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc from NC State.
Even though it was gloomy day and the rain was coming and going as the day wore on, it did little to stop the people at the Sprite Step-Off from having fun. The “audition stage” show kicked off the festival; during this phase of the competition, the teams showed off their skills to judges in hopes of moving on to the next round. However, since there were only five teams and a total of eight teams (four fraternities and four sororities) qualify, all the teams were eligible to move on. The second round took place at the main stage; the first group to perform was the Delta Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc from Elizabeth City State University. They were followed by the Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc from NC A&T, whose performance theme was The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air that even included the “Carlton” dance; they concluded their performance by stepping blind-folded. Up next was the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc who drew a lot of cheers and support from the NC State students that were in attendance; they opened up their show, like in the Back 2 School Jam, by throwing money into the audience and were able to “revive” the crowd with their performance. The Gamma Xi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. from St. Augustine’s was next, and even though they only had two members perform, they were able to hold their own against the other teams. The Gamma Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., also from St. Aug. was the last act to hit the stage and ended the step competition on high and energetic note.
While the judges were busy tallying up the final scores, Sprite kept the crowd alive with other forms of entertainment. A local music group performed their hit “Million Dollar Man”, a song that is being played on the radio stations here in North Carolina. A group of high school steppers named Rho Alpha Gamma graced the stage next and showed their moves to the audience; the black modeling troupe from Saint Augustine College, BJMT, followed and showcased their modeling skills. The last two acts, Embrace and Beatnam Veterans (both hip-hop groups), performed songs that had people in the audience jamming along with them, especially two songs dedicated to the ladies that caught the attention of many women in the audience.
However, the judges were not quite done with the results so people decided to create their own fun. Lines were forming as people did the Cupid Shuffle and the Cha-Cha slide and jamming to some of their favorite songs like “Poison” by Bell Biv Devoe. There was even a battle between St. Augustine and NC State students to see who could get the most “hyped” in which NC State slightly edged out the St. Augustine students. Soon after, the results were ready; for the sororities, the Gamma Xi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. came in second place and the Delta Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. came in first place. For the fraternities, the Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. came in third place and won $1,500, the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. came in second place and won $3,000 and the Gamma Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. came in first and won $5,500. All teams, except the first place teams, will be competing in South Carolina on October 17th for the regional semi-finals. The first place teams get to go straight to the regional finals in Charlotte, to be joined by the winners of the semi-finals.
Following the revealing of the results, the DJ Battle took place, which was sponsored by McDonalds. Each DJ represented one of the three popular burgers of the popular food chain: DJ Prince was the double quarter pounder with cheese, DJ Scholar was the Big Mac, and DJ DY Nasty was the Angus Third Pounder. DJ Prince’s style was throwback hip-hop music that had many in the audience nodding their head from side to side. DJ Scholar’s style was current and past club hits and the recent dance songs that have swept the country in a dancing craze like “2-step” by DJ Unk. DJ DY Nasty had a style that was more laid back and even included a couple of the late Michael Jackson’s hits. The battle went on for three rounds and the audience had a chance to vote for their favorite DJ by sending a text to a specified number with the name of the DJ; DJ Prince won the battle and will be moving on to the next segment of the DJ competition.
Before the headliner act, Lupe Fiasco, came out, Vistoso Bosses, who currently have a song and video out entitled “Delirious”, treated the crowd to an eclectic performance. The group provided a rock/hip-hop tone to them that many people were able to vibe to. Finally, after a much anticipated wait, Lupe Fiasco came to the stage which immediately drew a large roar from the crowd. Lupe did not disappoint and rocked the crowd with songs like “Superstar”, “Go-Go Gadget Flow”, “Paris, Tokyo”, and even treated the audience to a song off his upcoming album. Mr. Fiasco, in a move to show love for his fans, gave a girl in the audience his bottle of water when she exclaimed that she was thirsty. Following the show, he took pictures with several of the Greek organizations and members of the media. Video cameras were on the scene to capture footage which will be aired on national television in an “American Idol” type television show so keep an eye out for the teams competing in the show because they will be popping up on your TV screens in the coming months. The Sprite Step-Off has successfully been kicked off and will only grow bigger from here. For more information go to: http://spritestepoff.com/
- Lauren Gayden
09 Oct
Posted October 9, 2009 at 8:21 pm
In an atmosphere that was filled with good spirits and the smell of home-cooked food, the sixth annual El Salsabor once again provided the NC State community with a glimpse inside the Latino culture. “The purpose of El Salsabor is to showcase the uniqueness and diversity within the Latino culture and kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Nicole Machado, a junior in Textile and Apparel Management and president of Mi Familia. Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15th through October 15th. The event, which was hosted by Mi Familia and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), attracted a diverse crowd that congregated in the Talley Ballroom. A quarter of the entrance fee went to support Stop Hunger Now, an organization that coordinates the distribution of food and other life-saving aid around the world.
There were several acts that gained the attention of the audience and kept them entertained throughout the entire event. The first act to come to the stage was Alex Joyce, who recited a poem about mothers; Anna Murillo, a senior in Biological Sciences and Ana Alvarado, a senior in Business Administration, performed a Mexican folkloric dance that included the presentation of the Mexican flag that drew applause and cheers from the audience. Afterwards, Sube Ritmo, a Latin dance group here at NC State, came to the stage and awed the crowd with their moves. Grande Gato, a Reggaeton artist and alumnus of the university (Class of 1994), laced everyone with his rhymes.
But perhaps the most anticipated part of the night was the dance lessons with instructions that were provided by Anthony Tuttle. The lessons required a partner, and even though there were more women than men at the event, people still managed to get a dance partner nonetheless even if they were of the same sex. Tuttle first started off with the basics and gradually went into more complicated dances to include salsa. Despite the difficult moves and the fast-paced dance lesson, that did little to faze the spectators like Elana Turner, a sophomore in Philosophy. “I’ve had a wonderful time experiencing the culture and felt that it was very festive, especially the dancing part.” Daisy Hurtado, a freshman in Textile and Apparel Management and a member of Mi Familia, loved the “willingness” of the people to learn about the culture, from the food to the music. The night concluded in a free-for-all dance marathon where people were showing off their freshly learned dance moves.
09 Oct
Posted October 9, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Malcolm X are all Civil Rights leaders who have had a profound effect on America. However they are not the only people who have braced America with their philosophical intellect. America got to its present place on the backs of many people. While some of these people have been honored with holidays, songs or just a presence in history books, there are many past and present leaders that have been forgotten by many.
On Thursday, September 17, 2009 in the Stewart Theatre, author, abolitionist, and activist Angela Davis came to give a profound message to the N.C. State community. To prepare for the arrival of Davis, student leaders in the Society of Afrikan American Culture held a program in the Witherspoon Student Center that informed students of who Angela Davis was. The students talked about her involvement with different organizations such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, which was founded on the campus of Shaw University. Every student in attendance left the SAAC program with a more profound understanding of the life of Angela Davis, which, was the goal of the coordinators of the program.
“I’m very interested in getting to know more about Angela Davis and hearing what she has to say, after learning about how strong her character is and all that she stands for,” said Jadrien Brown, a senior in industrial and systems engineering after attending the SAAC program. “Miss Angela Davis was revolutionary and she stood for what she believed in,” Brown added.
During her presentation Davis talked about a past, present and future that most have only read about. Her life which consisted of her continued fight for freedom in America for ignored subordinate groups inspired many members of the audience who interrupted parts of her speech with short bursts of applause. Davis spoke of a time when she was on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted List,” as she fought for freedom and social justice in around America, including North Carolina. While her speech took her in many directions one thing that she made sure the audience understood was that “we haven’t nearly come to achieve racial equality, there is still racism in America…and we have a long way to go,” said Davis.
While the reason for attendance varied between course extra credit, a learning opportunity or just broadening perspectives, the outcome was amazing. Angela Davis’ presence in the Stewart Theatre brought together a crowd that truly exemplified the diversity of the university. During the reception following her presentation students crowed around Davis to thank her for coming, get pictures, autographs, advice and copies of her book.
This event inspired many students such as Brittany Hardy, a senior in Biological Sciences and Africana Studies. “I think we should have more events like this so we can inspire a college aged generation to bring about social change on the social injustices that still exist today,” said Hardy.
One part of Davis’s presentation that resonated in the minds of many students during the reception was when she informed the audience that the “Promised Land” that Martin Luther King Jr. once spoke about was a place that only Martin Luther King Jr. would ever see. “We’ll never reach the promised land,” said David during her presentation. While this is a statement that would encourage some to give up the struggle and wave a white flag, students like Jessica Couch, a senior in fashion and textile management was encouraged by the words of Davis.
“I never through about it in that way, but it only makes sense. No matter how many problems we solve, people will always create more [problems]. There will always be some type of struggle, but we have to come together and see the need to conjugate so that we are aware that there are issues and we can begin the process of self educating ourselves,” said Couch.
While the arrival of Davis might have caused some turmoil for certain members of the NCSU student community, many students have shown gratitude for having the opportunity to meet the woman who aided in the process of making a campus community as diverse as N.C. State possible and they have shown support for events like this one to become for frequent.
- Antoinette Russell
09 Oct
Posted October 9, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Interracial relationships in the American culture are becoming accepted day by day, but it is still a sensitive topic to discuss. It becomes even more sensitive when that relationship involves a black man with a white woman. Even thought this is one of the most common types of interracial relationship, it is also considered one of the most controversial. The reason there is so much attention on this practical type of relationship is because both sides of the playing field, meaning white and black people, have strong feelings towards the combination of a black man with a white women.
Out of the two, interracial relationships are more so looked down on in the white community, for the simple fact of image. No white male wants to go tell his golfing buddies that his daughter brought home a black man. Like a lot of people they tend to live their lives in the eyes of what others think, and they feel that if their child did bring home a black boy they would become a laughing stock, as well as having to face the hardships that they feel is yet to come. They don’t want to discuss the qualities that the young man might have, because they are too distracted by the color of his skin. It is as if they rather have their daughter dating a white man they might treat her like trash, instead of a black man that might treat her like a queen. The reason behind that is because at least then they wouldn’t have to explain to their friends that their daughter is dating a black boy. Now I could go deep into the subject and talk about the racism this black and white couple may face but I am sure we are all aware that.
Now as hard as it is, we have to admit that black people pass judgment just as well, and it usually seems to be black women who are doing the judging. We tend to look down on black men and white women together, because we usually see a good looking brother in the arms of white women and we tend to start questioning it. There is only a hand full of good black men out there, and with white women getting their paws on them, that population is decreasing. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not by any means saying that white women are taking all the good black men, I am simply stating that the number is decreasing due to certain factors and one of those factors just so happen to be white women. So it’s not as if black women are just turning their heads at white women, but they are turning their heads at any factor that decreases that number, such as other black women or even men for that matter.
Whether you are black or white, nine times out of ten you have passed some kind of judgment on this type of interracial relationship, rather it be the stereotypical ones like “he’s only with her for the things she can do” or the more serious ones. People are going to talk and there is always going to be people that disapprove of this type of relationship, but if you are happy and satisfied why does it matter?
I hate it when black men are with white women try and walk away from them when they see black women coming in their direction. It makes you look real dumb, because nine times out of ten we saw you before you saw us. Additionally, you making yourself look like a jerk in front of your girl. So just be happy with what you have and don’t worry about what other people think of it.
09 Oct
Posted October 9, 2009 at 8:19 pm
The United States is basically a “melting pot”, a multi-ethnic society composed of various races, cultures, and religions. Thus, labels are imperative in establishing an identity to both individuals and groups. Specifically, Blacks/African-Americans take racial labeling to a different extent based on the past. The typical racial label for Blacks has altered throughout time from Colored to Negro to Black to Africa-American. The Black/African-American race has endured so much over the past century that defining ourselves through a label may be more difficult for some as opposed to others based on background, age, and personal beliefs. The many revisions to our racial label may be a result of us being unsatisfied with the amount of respect received by others races, notably whites, and our yearning for equality. No one desires to feel subordinate in a society that has deemed or deems them inferior.
North Carolina State University is a predominately white institution with few Black/African-American students. However, among this small group, are individuals with diverse perceptions on racial labeling. Many Blacks/African-American students would rather be labeled as African-Americans simply because Black is a color and not an ethnicity or race. When faced with the label of African-American versus the label of being a Black individual, one would question what is Black? Often times, people may associate skin color with race, and many can concur that just because your skin pigmentation is dark does not make you Black/African-American. Conversely, several individuals would rather be racially labeled as Black. Among countless reasons, they don’t know if they are of African descent. Some may argue that everyone is of African descent. If this is true then every American citizen should be racially labeled as African-American, not just the people that look the part.
Personally, I was born in the “melting pot”, America, and so were my parents. This does not make me African-American, Black, Colored, or Negro. It makes me an American; however, I candidly embrace my cultural heritage. Both labels, Black and African-American, symbolize strength, courage, determination, passion, rhythm, vitality, and confidence. Consequently, racial labels only sustain American inequality barriers, such as comparing people (Americans) to a majority and a minority, which we so avidly oppose. In order to encourage equality racial labels must be eliminated and only used in individual discretion. In reality, an individual cannot be an African citizen and an American citizen simultaneously. The “melting pot” must not call the kettle black or African-American, but American.
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