November 16, 2011

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VOLUME 103, ISSUE 6

Opinion

Special Section

Tommia chucks the deuces in her final rant as opinions editor

Composition II students reflect on life-changing events.

Sports

A&E

Men’s basketball team bakes the Wildcats of Johnson and Wales 115-41 in home opener.

NCCU Art Museum hosts photography exhibit on the African American resistance.

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Page 8

In the fold

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Campus Echo

Court to hear health care law

BY MICHAEL DOYLE & DAVID LIGHTMAN MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court said Monday it will consider a challenge to the Obama administration’s health care law next year, setting the stage for a legal and political blockbuster.

Surprising no one, but exciting many, justices agreed to hear the claim by Florida and 25 other states that the health care law vio-

lates the Constitution. An unusually long four-and-ahalf oral argument in the spring is likely to be followed by a decision in late June, in the heat of campaign season.

“It’s a very big deal,” said Gary Jacobson, professor of politics at the University of California at San Diego.

“Health care is the centerpiece of the Obama administration agenda.”

The court’s nine justices

followed their usual practice Monday, in not commenting upon their decision to hear the health care case.

At least four of the justices had to agree to hear the case, during a closed-door session held last Thursday.

The court did, though, specify that it will consider the primary question of whether Congress went beyond its constitutional authority when it included the “individual mandate” in

the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Under the individual mandate, nearly all individuals must either be covered by health insurance or pay a fee.

The court also said it would consider whether portions of the law might survive if the individual mandate is struck down.

Even if justices eventually

n See HEALTH CARE Page 5

Supreme Court Justices, Clarence Thomas, Sonia Sotomayor, Antonin Scalia, Stephen Breyer, Chief Justice John Roberts, Samuel Alito, Anthony Kennedy, Elena Kagan and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

ROGER L. WOLLENBERG/Abaca Press (MCT)

Issues take center stage NCCU students talk with chancellor and staff during fireside chat

Non-Christian and on campus New student clubs provide support and fellowship

BY APRIL SIMON ECHO STAFF REPORTER

When James Shepard founded the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua in 1910, his intention was to provide quality education for underrepresented members of society.

More than 100 years later, the school, now N.C. Central University, continues that tradition. Why, then, do some in the community feel like secondclass citizens?

NCCU Chancellor Charlie Nelms prepares to answer a question during the SGA’s annual fireside chat.

AARON SAUNDERS/Echo editor-in-chief

BY ALEXANDRIA SAMPSON ECHO STAFF REPORTER

N.C. Central University Chancellor Charlie Nelms has many character traits.

Tuesday night, in front of roughly 100 students, faculty, and staff, Nelms’ passion was on display during his annual “fireside chat.”

HBCUs not heard but SEEN

BY MATT PHILLIPS ECHO A&E EDITOR

Student mobilization for the 2012 presidential election has begun.

This past week students from N.C. Central University and other historically black colleges and universities held its inaugural conference for their recently formed voter empowerment network.

The Student Empowerment and Engagement Network —or SEEN—will be a resource for students concerning issues such as voter mobilization and community organizing.

SEEN is a statewide network of ten HBCUs.

“If you’re not passionate about life you better ask for forgiveness,” said Nelms.

The SGA-organized

event aimed to answer questions from the student body ranging from parking

n See CHAT Page 3

It all begins with a little book “Being a non-Christian on campus is not dissimilar to being a Christian on campus,” said Chris Knuckles, physics sophomore.

“But it does start to get perturbing when I’m requested to join a Bible study, or when I’m in a room full of praying students and faculty.”

From prayer and gospel choirs at convocations and lyceums to Christianthemed theatre productions, students are constantly surrounded by religious messages.

This can cause those with differing beliefs to feel like pariahs.

“Being a black nonbeliever anywhere is isolating,” said Candace Gorham, English education alumna.

“On an HBCU campus it is even worse.”

While the majority of students subscribe to Protestant theology, a growing non-Christian community is saying its voices should be heard.

“Although I do not use my Hijab (headscarf), I still let the people around me know that I am a Muslim,” says Rukayat Usman, pharmaceutical science sophomore.

Usman and others recently formed the Muslim Student Association to provide support for Muslim students at NCCU. “On our campus — probably because it is an HBCU — there is a level of familiarity with Muslims,” said Aliyyah Nubee, biology senior and MSA member.

“Almost everyone knows someone who is Muslim.”

Atheists and agnostics, on the other hand, are not quite as accepted in African-American communities.

“Unfortunately, when you’re a minority within a minority it’s hard to come out of the closet, so to speak, because of the high importance of staying loyal to the group,” said Gorham.

One new organization, Secular Students for Rational Inquiry, has

n See RELIGION Page 3

Take ownership of your life

Financial Scholar discusses the correlation between money and power

BY ZEVANDAH BARNES

Representatives from NCCU, Shaw University, North Carolina A&T and Livingstone College attended the conference.

According to Brett Stargell, a founding member, the organization settled on three immediate directives: drafting a position paper, reaching out to other student organizations and bringing the remainder of North Carolina’s HBCUs into the fold.

“We want to be a resource for the campuses to focus on issues that students are concerned about,” said Jarvis Hall.

Hall, a professor of polit-

Most people can obtain respect — but money and power are different animals.

“Wealth and power are created by owning things,” said Dr. Boyce Watkins, who spoke to students and faculty Tuesday as part of the University’s Lyceum program.

Watkins, a finance professor at Syracuse University, has been a guest on “The Wendy Williams Experience,” and has discussed finance and business on CNN, NBC, CBS, and Fox Business.

He also leads the Your Black World Coalition, a cit-

n See SEEN Page 2

n See WATKINS Page 2

ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Social commentator Boyce Watkins talking to NCCU students after a Lyceum program in H.M. Michaux Jr. School of Education.

GABRIEL ATKINS/Echo staff photographer

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WATKINS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 izens’ group concerned with issues facing African Americans.

Throughout his speech Watkins emphasized the importance of money.

“Money is powerful like a gun, drugs, or fire,” he said.

The Louisville, Ky. native said money can be used to help people or to destroy.

He told students that money is capital and capital should work for you.

“Find a way to be economically independent,” said Watkins.

“You’ll never get there thinking like a dumb rapper.”

Watkins emphasized that frivolous spending keeps people trapped in their current state of financial difficulty.

“I think breaking down

Watkins has appeared on multiple media outlets.

GABRIEL ATKINS/Echo staff photographer

finances like that is more relatable,” said Artemesia Stanberry, assistant professor of Political Science.

“I thought it was good.”

Kiotah Blalock, criminal justice freshman, said she

enjoyed Watkins’ speech.

“I have to learn how to budget my money before giving handouts to other people,” said Blalock.

Ebone’ Holloway, mathematics sophomore, said, “Money is not as important as every-

one makes it out to be, but as long as you manage it you will have it.

“Do everything else that’s right in your life and money will come,” she said.

Watkins believes that not giving up is critical.

“Successful people kept trying until they got it right,” he said.

Watkins said when he was growing up he did not consider himself college material, in part because he did not make a single “A” in high school.

Watkins eventually broke that cycle and obtained his B.A. and B.S. degrees as a triple major in finance, economics and business management.

He received his master’s in mathematical statistics

n See WATKINS Page 3

SEEN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ical science, is director of the Institute for Civic Engagement and Social Change at NCCU, which served as a catalyst for forming SEEN. NCCU political science sophomore Stefan Weathers attended the conference.

Weathers said many students are complacent when it comes to voting, both on the national and local levels.

“Students are one of the most powerful groups of people, but we don’t realize the power or influence we have,” said Weathers.

“It’s apathy. They don’t believe it [voting] makes a difference. We will try to combat that by engaging them.”

Rajheim Fulton, a theatre arts sophomore at Livingstone College, said voter empowerment is about

raising awareness.

“It’s making people aware that voting is real,” said Fulton.

“The policies you vote on reflect growth in your own community.”

The conference featured the Rev. Dr. William Barber, president of the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP. Barber addressed the public and members of SEEN Nov. 10.

“Say it with me: we must fight any attempt to suppress, segregate, isolate, or steal the power of our vote,” said Barber in his address.

Barber centered his address on the current North Carolina re-districting conflict.

He drew parallels between partisan politics at the statehouse and post-Civil War ‘Reconstruction’ and the

eventual conservative ‘Redemption.’

He listed four areas conservatives attack in their attempts to monopolize power: voting rights, tax revenue, public education and white and black progressives.

Barber called for youth voters to mobilize.

“There are a group of people in public policy that are looking at your generation and saying - ‘They will give it up,’” said Barber.

“Always believe that you have power ... We are going to challenge those who would take us backwards.”

Public administration freshman Myketa Mitchell was so moved by Barber’s speech that she decided to register to vote.

“What Rev. Barber was saying really touched me,” said Mitchell. “The cutting of

funds for public education, taxes, picture ID for voting—it’s up to our generation to be active to change things.”

The conference also featured a hip-hop and politics panel on Nov. 11.

NCCU adjunct professor and musician Pierce Freelon discussed hip-hop as a platform for social change with Dr. Maya Rockeymoore, a policy scholar and writer.

Rockeymoore called hiphop a viable platform for inspiring change.

“I can go anywhere in the world and hear hip-hop,” Rockeymoore said. “That is power. If you have a platform why not leverage it?”

Freelon implored students to seize control of the system.

“Don’t be passive consumers. Instead, be active participants,” said Freelon.

Education eases abuse

BY SHAWN TRIMBLE ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Every 9 seconds a woman in the United States is beaten or assaulted.

Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence every year.

“One out of four women will experience domestic violence and women primarily between the ages of 1824 will be the victims of a sexual assault,” said Krystal George, N.C. Central University sexual assault and domestic violence coordinator.

“Many of the women we see are women who have buried their experience and are ready to heal.”

In October, which was domestic violence awareness month, the center hosted several campus events to raise awareness about domestic violence.

“As the levels of awareness increase, more women are more comfortable coming forth,” said George.

“Though there may be a stigma attached to people feeling that the information is not kept confidential, we are here, and it is confidential.

There is someone on the campus to help.”

According to the National Coalition against Domestic Violence (NCADV), domestic violence includes willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, and sexual assault perpetrated by an intimate partner.

In North Carolina this year, at least 57 reported homicides in which incidents of domestic violence occurred.

The NCCU police department works to prevent the

occurrence or re-occurrence of violence in domestic incidents.

Though arrest offers the best potential for ending the cycle of violence, the police department also offers ongoing educational presentations to students to aid prevention.

“Both women and men are the targets of abuse,” said Captain Alphonsa White of the NCCU police department. He encourages both women and men to report abuse.

Studies from the National institute of Justice report that: Sexual assaults are most likely to occur in September through November, on weekends between midnight and 6:00 a.m.

Freshmen and sophomores are at greater risk for victimization than juniors and seniors.

It is estimated that for every 1,000 women attending a college or university, there are 35 rapes each academic year.

Less than 5 percent of rapes or attempted rapes against college women are reported to law enforcement.

In two-thirds of the incidents, the victim did tell another person, usually a friend, not family or school officials.

“We know that confidentiality is important,” said White.

“The Women’s Center and the police department are partners. If a crime has been committed, we want you to report it!”

More information on Women’s Center services is available at 919-530-6811.

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

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Too often misunderstood

Despite misconceptions, McCrimmon says SGA is working hard to advocate for students

BY JONATHAN ALEXANDER ECHO SPORTS EDITOR

When N.C. Central University students were asked about the SGA, many asked, “What is the SGA?” “What do you bring to campus for the students and school?” asked Shalonda Johnson, English literature senior.

Nursing freshman Don’El Bously asked similar questions.

“What do they entail? What are their intentions?” she said.

SGA, not to be mixed up with SAB (Student Activities Board), stands for Student Government Association.

SGA President Reggie McCrimmon’s response was simple.

“SGA takes the students’ needs and advocates for the students,” McCrimmon said.

“They make sure that there is student representation in major decisions that take place within the

SGA president Reggie McCrimmon University.”

McCrimmon said that if there were no Student Government Association, students wouldn’t have a voice in the administrative deci-

sions that affect them.

Among these decisions are tuition and fees.

“I don’t want any decision to be made on this campus without a student being involved,” said McCrimmon.

“That’s my main interest. And in doing so SGA, has to be visible.

“We have to be sure that we are proactive in everything that we do around the campus.”

There are few differences among student government associations at other universities, according to McCrimmon, but NCCU’s SGA has drawn praise.

“Your SGA is much larger than ours,” said Jayson Dawkins, Winston-Salem State’s junior class president.

“Y’all have more members.”

“There’s not really much of a noticeable difference, but I like the unity y’all showed,” Dawkins said.

“It seemed like the SGA was a family.

I got a silly vibe when I was there, that I felt like I was at home.”

McCrimmon insists that getting involved in the SGA is not difficult.

“I would say come to the office, but you don’t even have to do that.

“Tweet us @nccusga, say ‘I want to get involved.’

“DM me and put your number in there.

“I’ll pick up the phone and I’ll call you. We’ll follow up with you,” said McCrimmon.

The mission that the SGA will continue to take on this year is “Connect, Grow, and Serve.”

The organization’s goal is to connect the internal structures of the SGA so that they can grow as a student organization and be effective.

“I want students to remember that we are all tied into this together,” said McCrimmon.

Dress to impress = dress for success 16 students receive business attire from Belk as part of Styled for Success program

BY DAVID FITTS ECHO STAFF REPORTER

The day for fresh new business attire has finally arrived for 16 N.C. Central University students, as University Career Services’ new initiative, "Styled For Success," kicked off its pilot program.

"The purpose of the program is to increase employability to NCCU students who have financial constraints in their pursuit of obtaining appro-

priate professional attire," said Catrina Dosreis, associate director of University Career Services.

After attending three inperson professional seminars and becoming Professional Development Network (PDN) certified, 13 women and three men were chosen to receive business attire from Belk at Crabtree Valley Mall, through a monetary gift from Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor Susan B. Rosenthal.

Upon completing their

professional package, students said they feel empowered, grateful and ready to take on the business world.

"To know that the support and wishes of any Eagle to succeed are out there in our surrounding community only helps motivate me to know and believe that truth and service will get you far," said public health education junior LaQuesha Cannon.

The students were given gift cards of up to $250 to

purchase business suits.

At Belk, the students participated in a professional dress workshop, in which they learned about appropriate attire for an interview and for a business setting.

"It's not really just about the suit, it's about the total package," said Donna Hembrick, director of University Career Services.

Hembrick said that receiving the suits was an incentive, not the real motivation behind the pro-

gram.

The program was developed to help students improve themselves for their futures in the work world.

"I am glad that I was one of the students chosen for the Styled for Success program," said political science senior Shawn Swinnie.

“I can learn more about professionalism so that when I receive my degree in May, I can be ready for the big interviews and the workforce,” Swinnie said.

from the live feed: Why are you so dead set on University College when there are so many complaints?

In which the Chancellor replied this is not a popularity contest, and that students and faculty have to work together.

English and mass communication freshman Leah Montgomery agrees with Nelms.

“Students don’t take advantage of their opportunities,” she said.

Overall, the night

proved productive in bringing certain issues to the attention of administrators.

Nelms closed the event by encouraging students to work with staff to create an ideal learning environment and to make NCCU the best it could possibly be.

“I came to NCCU because I wanted to give back to the kind of institution that produced me,” said Nelms.

ple gain independence.

“I hope students walked away knowing how to live their lives with purpose and a commitment towards find-

ing out what it truly is to be financially independent,” said Watkins.

CHAT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 issues, going green, budgetary concerns, Title III funding and the regulation of police escort services.

“If students are continuously in fear when walking around campus then they need to rethink their reasoning for being here,” said Nelms.

While many questions arose, the one that received the most buzz came from of psychology junior Bridgette Elliott.

“Why is it that students have to move their cars out of the lots on game days?”

Elliott asked.

She pointed out the unfairness of students paying so much for parking decals but having to move their vehicles on game days just to bring in revenue.

Elliott’s inquiry was met with assenting hums from the crowd and even some applause.

She said the breaking point for her occurred during the Morgan State game.

“My car got towed out of the lot when nobody else was parked in the lots,”

she said.

She said the University should better handle the needs of its attendees rather than placing them second.

Though she is looking forward to seeing changes in parking requirements, Elliott said she is satisfied that the staff is at least looking into the issue.

In addition to written and oral questions, the event included a live feed via Twitter titled #CharlieChat.

Among the questions

WATKINS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 from The University of Kentucky, and his PhD in finance from Ohio State University in 2002.

That year he was the only

African American to receive a PhD in finance.

Watkins also encourages students to overcome the slave mentality.

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He said that African Americans received freedom but not independence, and that being aware of how money works can help peo-

RELIGION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 formed to provide fellowship among atheists, agnostics, skeptics and secularist students.

Both SSRI and MSA welcome all students, regardless of belief, to come to meetings and share in mutually respectful conversation.

Being in the religious minority on campus Most Christian holidays coincide with school vacations. However, people of other faiths often have to choose between faith and grades.

“When our Eid celebration falls on a weekday, I have to choose either to attend classes or go for Eid prayer,” said Usman.

It is contrary to constitutional law for state schools to use government funds for religious services, so gospel choirs and prayer leaders are often paid through student activity fees. Some students feel put out by this.

“Being that we have a constitutionally guaranteed right to the freedom of and from religion, this sort of thing couldn’t possibly be justifiable,” said Knuckles.

“As an atheist student, I don’t want my money going toward any sort of schoolsanctioned religious event, and I’m certainly not the only student who has similar convictions.”

“For non-believers, or people of any other religion, it is a lonely feeling, like you can’t fully be yourself,” said Gorham, an atheist who has researched and written extensively on black people who leave organized religion.

“It can be alienating for some students,” said Rachelle Gold, English professor. “Many of our students were not raised in the church,” Gold, who is Jewish, is faculty adviser for the Muslim Student Association.

She said students heard about her because she included the Qur’an in her world literature syllabus.

“They wanted someone to be an advocate for them, and to help secure a space on campus for them to meet,” Gold said.

Inclusion Some students say having a space on campus would make a big difference for Muslim students and faculty.

“Most of the Muslim students I have met do not live on campus, which means there is no place for us to perform our Solat till we get to our home,” said Usman.

“There was a day this semester I saw a Muslim professor praying on the stairway that leads to the back of Mary Townes Science Complex.”

Atheists, such as Knuckles and Gorham, are seeking to be recognized and respected.

“Black non-believers will need a tremendous amount of support from one another to feel truly comfortable in their own communities,” says Gorham.

“That’s why groups like SSRI are so important.”

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Eagles soaring all over the map

BY DWAYNA CLARK ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Traveling through different states tackling community issues, like homelessness, prostitution and critical illness, Soaring Service Leaders, a 15member student-run community service organization, at N.C Central University is aiming to make an impact.

This December, the organization plans to travel to Washington D.C., Baltimore and New York City. The trip , which will cost about $400 for each student, has the theme of “Healing for the Holidays.”

“Students will gain 30 community service hours, leadership skills, networking, life-long friends, engage with alumns, and they will learn the true meaning of service,” said Korey Mercer, a political science and Spanish junior who is a team leader in the organization.

Before embarking on the trip, some Soaring Service Leaders will volunteer at Durham’s Ronald McDonald House “Students will learn to interact with people that are different from them,” said Soaring Service Leaders president ,Alphonso McEntire.

McEntire says a Martin Luther King quote inspires him.

“The MLK quote that I love is, ‘Education is more than just a collection of classes.’”

Accoding to Mercer “It feels good to be a Soaring Service Leader.”

“A lot of students don’t have the opportunity to engage in these projects, it is a character-building organization.”

McEntire’s responsibility as the president of the organization is to oversee the organization and construct community service trips.

“The overall purpose of this organization is to promote community service and to engage not only on campus, but outside of campus,” said Mercer.

Vice president of the organization, family consumer science and child development senior Deidre Morgan, described the Soaring Service Leaders as a group that “brings awareness to different topics.”

The organization was founded in 2009 by individuals from the School of Education who sought out Kisha Daniels, a professor in the School of Education, as their adviser.

“This organization gives an opportunity that a book can’t teach as something you have to have hands on experience with,” said McEntire.

This year the organization had “A Way to Waste” at W.G Person Cafeteria and also “Habitat for Humanity.”

Donations to assist students with their travel expenses can be brought to Donald Barringer in Room 2081 of the H.M. Michaux, Jr. School of Education Building.

Barringer can be reached at 919-530-7292.

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

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Campus vets honored Program thanks service men for their service

Top row (L-R R) Henry McLaughlin Jr.,Terrell Snipes,Fredrick Harris Bottom Row (L-R R) David Taylor,Ken Moore,Paula Perez,Edwin Mickel,Justin Berry JULIAN MELTON/Echo staff reporter

Why not honor those who sacrifice for us? Why not give back to those who gave their lives for us? Why not serve those who served for us?

PAULA PEREZ INSTRUCTOR, NCCU HUMAN SCIENCES

BY JULIAN MELTON ECHO STAFF REPORTER

N.C. Central University has hundreds of veterans.

And on Veteran’s Day they got their recognition with a program honoring their service.

The program, held at the Alfonso Elder Student Union, was a collaboration between College Students for Military Families and a Dimensions of Learning class taught by Paula Perez, and Sophie King, instructors in Human Sciences.

“Why not honor those who sacrifice for us? Why not give back to those who gave their lives for us? Why not serve those who served for us?,” said Perez at the beginning of the program.

Perez started College Students for Military Families in 2009.

CSMF is designed to

acknowledge and support students and their families who are or have served in the armed forces.

“Life is not easy, but the military gave me the leadership skills that I need to succeed in life and is paying for my education,” said David Taylor, a fitness and wellness junior at NCCU. Taylor joined the National Guard in 2007 to support his daughter.

He was deployed to Iraq in 2009 before returning home to attend NCCU in 2010.

The injuries and casualities of U.S. soldiers at war not only affect those in service, but the families of soldiers who anxiously await their return.

In October, the Army had 172,800 soldiers, the Navy 30,000 sailors, the Marines 20,900 and the Air Force 31,500 deployed.

“In my classes, I have students who have family members, loved ones and friends who are in the armed forces,” said King.

“The students who participated in this program feel very connected.”

The program consisted of a reading of the CSFMF mission and purpose, a speech from NCCU student and Marine veteran, Steven McLaughlin Jr., and other NCCU Eagle veterans were recognized and honored.

McLaughlin is a political science senior at NCCU who served four years in the United States Marine Corps.

McLaughlin said that success in life depends on short and long-term goals, commitment, a positive attitude and drive.

“These three elements for success are yours forev-

er,” said McLaughlin.

“They can be used in all areas of life whether you are in combat or in the classroom. It is up to you.

Set your goals and commit yourself.”

CSFMF president Fredrick Harris, a criminal justice major and military veteran, stressed the need for continuous support for those who are deployed.

“My comrades have to go back,” he said.

“Those are the guys who will be boots on the sand in another year or so. I’m home, but our job is to give them the support they need so they can come home too.”

Deployment statistics from www.ufppc.org/us-aworld-news-mainmenu35/9235-background-us-hasdeployed-more-than2000000-troops-to-iraq-andafghanistan-since911.html

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Beyond NCCU

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

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Afghanistan to hold nat’l dialogue conference

HEALTH CARE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 strike down part of the law, which exceeded 2,400 pages when it passed Congress in 2009, other parts should remain intact, supporters say.

The court will also be considering a challenge to the law’s expansion of Medicaid coverage.

The court combined Florida’s challenge with a separate one filed by the National Federation of Independent Business, selecting the cases and arguments to be heard from among six petitions.

Five petitions were filed by opponents of the law and one was filed by the Obama administration. All agreed the court had to act.

“Time is of the essence,” attorney Paul Clement wrote in a legal brief for Florida and other states.

“States need to know whether they must adapt their policies to deal with the brave new world ushered in by the (law.)”

It’s also got the potential to be the centerpiece of the 2012 presidential and con-

gressional campaigns.

The 2010 health care law, passed after a prolonged, often ugly partisan struggle, became a symbol for all conservatives loathe about big, overreaching government, and a symbol for others of how much government could make a complex health care system more affordable and accessible.

The law has been in effect since March, 2010, and has dozens of provisions.

Many are already in operation, including federal help for community health centers, tax breaks for small businesses that offer employees health insurance and allowing dependent children up to age 26 to stay on their parent’s policies.

Funding is already being given to states to create the health care exchanges that will help consumers shop for coverage.

In August, the Department of Health and Human Services gave 13 states and the District of

Columbia $185 million to help their efforts.

Starting in 2014, the law’s individual mandate covers nearly everyone living in the United States except illegal immigrants, prisoners and some people with religious exemption. Those without insurance will pay a penalty on their tax return, pegged to their annual income.

“Health reform put an end to insurance company abuses and discrimination,” House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said recently.

The health care mandate alone will ensure that about 16 million additional U.S. residents will be covered by health insurance, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Opponents, though, say the requirement violates the Commerce Clause of the Constitution, which both empowers and constrains Congress.

The clause grants Congress the authority to “regulate commerce … among the several states.”

This also means, though, that the clause withholds power from Congress if something isn’t commerce.

The coming Supreme Court fight will revolve around which category the individual insurance mandate falls into.

“The (states) point out that by choosing not to purchase insurance, the uninsured are outside the stream of commerce,” the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals noted in an August 2011 ruling striking down the mandate.

But other courts, including a conservative-led panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals last week, have concluded that Congress was within its Commerce Clause rights.

“Congress determined that decisions about whether and when to purchase health insurance, and how to pay for health care services, are inherently economic,” Judge Laurence Silberman wrote for the D.C. Circuit.

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KABUL, Afghanistan — The Afghan government will hold a conference of national dialogue this week to discuss a partnership pact with the United States and proposed peace talks with the Taliban, officials said Saturday.

The traditional meeting of community leaders, known as "Loya Jirga," will start Nov. 16 and last for five days, a spokeswoman for the conference said.

"A total of 2,030 representatives from all provinces are set to participate in the Jirga and will vote over the strategic partnership with the United States and the peace talks with the Taliban," said Safia Siddiqia during a press conference.

Politicians, tribal elders, provincial officials, lawmakers and civil society, will attend the conference.

High on the agenda are negotiations between the United States and Afghanistan about a strate-

gic partnership agreement to be finalized ahead of the planned withdraw of NATO forces in 2014.

"The president of Afghanistan cannot decide by himself on these issues," she told reporters.

President Hamid Karzai’s office on Saturday said in a statement: "Although the talks on strategic partnership with the U.S. are not finalized, consulting the country’s representatives is an important step and therefore the traditional Jirga will take place ... on the date already assigned."

A U.S. Embassy spokesman said any agreement between the two countries would not be signed before the Bonn Conference next month in Germany when 90 countries will meet to discuss the future of Afghanistan.

The United Nations said in September that violence in Afghanistan was at its highest level since U.S.-led forces toppled the Taliban in 2001.

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James Edward Shepard and the History of North Carolina Central University, 1875-1947 AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.HLSUGGS.COM READ THE INTRODUCTION, CHAPTER 6 FOR FREE. CHAPTERS CAN BE PURCHASED INDIVIDUALLY. For more information contact Henry Lewis Suggs at Suggs314@aol.com

James E. Shepard In this tour de force and inspirational account you’ll read about the genealogy of the Shepard family, Shepard’s early years in Raleigh and at Shaw, his trip to Rome to attend the the International Sunday School Association’s international conference.

You’ll read about the birth of the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua and its development

into the National Training school in 1915, the Durham State Normal School for Negroes in 1925, N.C. College at Durham in 1947, and NCCU in 1967.

You’ll read about war years, Shepard’s role in Republican politics, and the role of area businesses, such as N.C. Mutual and the Scarborough Funeral Home, played in the growth of NCCU. And much, much more.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Chapter One ~ Genealogy Chapter Two ~The Prodigal Son, 1875-1907 Chapter Three ~ The National Religious Training School and Chautauqua, 1907-1912 Chapter Four ~ On a Fixed Road to Destiny: Education and Politics, 1912-1916 Chapter Five ~ War, Politics, and Race, 1916-1923 Chapter Six ~ The Rise of Durham State Normal and the Ascendancy of North Carolina College, 1923-1930 Chapter Seven ~ North Carolina College and the Great Depression, 1930-1940 Chapter Eight ~ World War II and Beyond, 1940-1947 Conclusion

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Henry Lewis Suggs Henry Lewis Suggs is a distinguished and published scholar of American history. His academic concentrations are the American South, African American history, and African American journalism.

He earned his Ph.D. in American history from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1976. At Virginia, he was awarded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Woodrow Wilson Fellowship. His first teaching assignment was at Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina. He was WCU's first African American faculty member. An academic scholarship was later named in his honor. He taught at Howard University, Washington, D.C., for a number of years, and was selected for the faculty of Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, in August 1983. In 1992 he became the second African American faculty member at Clemson to be promoted to the rank of full professor.

At Clemson, he taught American history, the American South, and African American history. In February 1994, he was selected as the first Dupont Endowed Visiting Chair at Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, Virginia. Also during his career at Clemson, he was selected for a twelve-week summer fellowship at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. In 1997 he was selected as a W.E.B. Du Bois Scholar at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dr. Suggs retired as Professor Emeritus of American History from Clemson University in 2003.

In August 2003, Chancellor James H. Ammons of North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina, appointed Dr. Suggs scholar in residence at NCCU. His assigned duty was to write the history of NCCU. Dr. Suggs has edited and authored numerous books on African American journalism, and his scholarly articles have appeared in journals such as The Harvard University Business Review, The Journal of Southern History, The American Historical Review, The Journal of Negro History, The Virginia Historical Review, and many others.

As You Like It 6

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Photography and story by Chi Brown he Hayti Heritage Center and the Durham Family Theatre presented a two-weekend showing of William Shakespeare’s comedic play “As You Like It.” The play, which featured several N.C. Central University Theatre students, tells

T

the story of the young heroine, Rosalind, played by NCCU sophomore Christine Allen.

Rosalind finds love after her and her cousin Celia, played by Sherena Siler, seek refuge from Duke Frederick played

by NCCU junior Chase Rivers.

Bradley WIlliams, a rising NCCU senior, plays Rosalind’s love interest, Orlando, who meets her in the Forest of Arden.

The play, which had its last showing this past Saturday, is one of Shakespeare’s most celebrated. Experts say it was probably written in 1599 or early 1600.

Orlando, played by Bradley Williams, helps Doug Roach as Adam to take a seat.

Steve Burham as Touchstone starts the show off with a song.

Christine Allen as Rosalind smiles and curtsy’s to the crowd.

Sherena Siler as Celia and Christine Allen as Roslind share a joyous moment.

Duke Frederick, played by, Chase Rivers, gives Rosalind, played by Christine Allen, a tongue lashing while Celia, played by Sherena Siler, tries to intervene.

Shantwanelle Dixon-DuBose, as Audrey, gives Steve Burham, as Touchstone, a dirty look.

Orlando, played by Bradley Williams, fends off Corin, played by Auntais Faulkner.

Doug Roach as Adam gives a harsh look to the crowd.

Sherena Siler as Celia sings to the heavens above.

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Resistance exposed Photographs document storied history of struggle

B Y M ATT P HILLIPS ECHO A&E EDITOR

Resistance is necessary.

It is the source of human discourse and many times the sole supplier of truth.

“Let Your Motto be Resistance,” a photography exhibit at the N.C. Central University Art Museum, features iconic images of African American resistance leaders.

On Nov. 10, a collaborative art event connected to the exhibit and spearheaded by NCCU and Duke University students — playfully titled “Double Exposure” — showcased the resistance exhibit.

“Double Exposure” also featured the African diaspora exhibit showing at the Nasher Museum of Art, “Becoming: Photographs from the Wedge Collection.”

Student jazz musicians from both schools performed at each museum.

The event offered a free shuttle service between campuses, as well as spoken word performances and a scavenger hunt.

“This is something we do not only for students but for the larger Durham community,” said Reshma Kalimi, co-chair of the Duke Student Advisory Board.

“One of the things that we are trying to get across is that these are internationallevel exhibitions that you get to see at your own campus for free, with a nice dinner and music and entertainment,” said Kalimi.

NCCU junior and art club president Quintin Neal worked with the Duke students to organize “Double Exposure.”

He plans to structure a similar student advisory board at NCCU.

“This is the first time we have done something like this since I’ve been here,” said Neal.

“It’s really exciting. For the first trial this has been an amazing event.”

The “Double Exposure” festivities served to spotlight the vast photographic array of “Let Your Motto be Resistance.”

The exhibit includes an image of Malcolm X selling copies of the Nation of Islam newspaper “Muhammad Speaks.”

In another image Joe Louis whirls his fists, steeling himself for a boxing match.

Uplifting portraits of artists and musicians such as Harry Belafonte, Langston Hughes, Louis Armstrong and others are contrasted with a gutwrenching image of Martin Luther King’s funeral service.

“Martin Luther King in his casket, and his children looking over,” said NCCU English education freshman Glynnis Hagins.

“It just — it hurt. It was a sad moment. You could see in the children’s faces that they were saying, ‘that’s my daddy in there.’”

NCCU art education freshman Deidra Hunter offered her interpretation of the exhibit.

“It shows how the past is connected to the present, in a way you see all these accomplishments and you see how we are still moving forward,” said Hunter.

“Becoming: Photographs from the Wedge Collection” shows at the Nasher Museum of Art until Jan. 8.

“Let Your Motto be Resistance” is on display at the NCCU Art Museum until Jan. 15.

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Drake

Take Care Young Money/Cash Money

5 out of 5 on the black hand side

Heads nod. Shoulders bounce. Hands clap.

Mouths drop. These are the only possible reactions to Drake’s sophomore album, “Take Care.”

Slated for release Nov. 15, the album was leaked eight days early.

The album’s 16 songs feature such artists as Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, Rihanna, The Weeknd and the legendary Stevie Wonder.

Don’t expect the songs to be similar.

The one thing you can expect is lyrical truth.

This album includes a good mixture of slow and fast songs.

Whatever the beat, you can always count on Drake to be honest in his lyrics.

He is not afraid to tell

“Angela Davis” by Stephen Shames Courtesy National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institute

“Joe Louis” by Underwood & Underwood Courtesy National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institute

his fans that he deals with the same problems they have dealt with.

Through his music, he reveals nothing but pure humility.

This is especially clear in the songs “We’ll Be Fine” and “Lord Knows.”

Some of Drake’s most popular topics are love, his past, his new and upcoming fame and of course his team, “Young Money.”

Drake’s songs are blunt and emotional.

His honesty makes him the talented rapper he is today.

He doesn’t need to rap about money, clothes, alcohol or drugs — the most popular topics among many rappers.

These differences makes Drake and his album phenomenal.

Drake’s drive is best said in his own words” “You ain’t the only one that’s trying to be the only one.”

— Myava Mitchell

Dorm turns studio

for Visit www.nccu.bkstr.com for additional buyback hours and locations.

T.J. Bah mixes down a track in his dorm room studio.

NCCU Bookstore |

JULIAN MELTON/Echo Staff Photographer

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December 13, 2011

B Y J ULIAN M ELTON ECHO STAFF REPORTER

N.C. Central University boasts a wealth of talented students.

Some are good actors, others are great dancers, but T.J. Bah -- also known as “Pyro the Producer”—is an experienced music producer who raps, plays piano and makes beats.

Bah grew up listening to all genres of music.

The business sophomore has been making beats, rapping, and mixing down tracks under the alias “Pyro the Producer” since eighth grade.

Bah says producers such as Kanye West and more recently J. Cole inspired him to become a producer.

J.Cole has been a major influence on Bah’s career because Cole not only raps and makes beats -- but he is a fellow North Carolinian.

“I am originally from New York, but I was raised in North Carolina because I moved to Charlotte when I

was four,” said Bah. Using “Fruity Loops,” a computer program for instrumental composing, Bah already had two years of beat-making experience by the end of his first year in high school.

Once Bah’s beats made the high school TV morning announcements, he became driven to become an established producer.

In 2010 Bah gained recognition for his talents and was nominated for producer of the year in the Carolina Music Awards.

Turning down acceptance letters and ignoring scholarships from other colleges was not hard for Bah. “The chance to meet and work with 9th Wonder and Christopher “Play” Martin is the reason I came to NCCU, but the year I got here was the year that they both left,” said Bah. Refusing to give up on his dream, the determined producer built a professional-quality studio in his dorm room.

With the help of Pro Tools professional audio recording software, Bah began producing for whoever wanted music mixed down.

Sports management sophomore Deonte Lipscomb met Bah at Piedmont Middle School in Charlotte when they were both in the seventh grade.

Lipscomb is an aspiring rapper who now records with Bah. “It’s not even about just me and Pyro, but artists on this campus as a whole,” said Lipscomb.

“I think that Central has a lot of talent that people don’t even know about.”

“I know there are other rappers and producers on campus and hopefully we all can get up,” he said.

“You never know … maybe something big could happen.”

More information about the studio is available through Bah, AKA Pyro the Producer, at (704) 733-7871.

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NCCU Trumpeter sounds off

B Y M ATT P HILLIPS ECHO A&E EDITOR

The tap-tap-tap of drums folds against the high walls. A smattering of bass inhabits the void. The soft plink of piano lofts into the air.

On the B.N. Duke Auditorium stage, a pianist, an upright bassist and a drummer hold down a jazz rhythm.

Out front, trumpeter, composer and N.C. Central University graduate student G.A. Kadir Muhammad blows the expressive notes of Dizzy Gillespie’s medley “I Can’t Get Started / ‘Round Midnight.�

On Nov. 13, Muhammad gave his graduate lecture, “On the Sunny Side.� He examined critical innovations in four solos originally performed by Gillespie. These compositions contributed to the development of the modern jazz movement. “Dizzy Gillespie wanted to push the envelope past the swing era,� said Muhammad. “Be-bop derived from a group of players that were academic.�

Muhammad presented analysis of “King Porter Stomp,� the first solo Gillespie ever recorded.

Muhammad also demonstrated other Gillespie innovations, including “A Night in Tunisia.� Originally a product of the swing and be-bop era, Gillespie fused jazz with AfroCuban music. He developed a signature sound that influenced modern musicians.

The second half of the lecture

B Y I IMANI M C K NIGHT ECHO STAFF REPORTER

G. A. Kadir Muhammad belts out notes on his trumpet during his lecture.

MATT PHILLIPS/Echo A&E editor

was a performance piece that featured three of Muhammad’s own compositions: “Shake and Blake(y),� “Midnight Lunch Break� and “A New Day.�

The social roots of jazz inform Muhammad’s playing and compositions.

“Bar none – live music will always trump electronic music,� he said.

Muhammad was accompanied on stage by NCCU jazz studies students, faculty and local musicians. “We have a program that gets at what the essence of jazz is,� said

Muhammad. “To play right you have to understand the lineage. “Jazz is a music that is built from expression. It’s built from interaction and communication and is relevant because it is based on dialogue, and dialogue is necessary because people are social beings.�

Campus Crossing’s queen crowned B Y C HATIQUA B ROWN ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Durham’s Campus Crossing residents have crowned their queen.

The Winner of the 2011 Miss Campus Crossing Pageant is Alexandria Smith.

Campus Crossing held its second annual Miss Campus Crossing Pageant on Oct. 21.

Smith is a criminal justice sophomore at N. C. Central University. “I was a bit shocked but so happy,� Smith said. “I’m an outgoing person, but not pageant-oriented. Most girls are bubbly and fun and dedicate their time to pageants, but it’s unexpected for me.�

Smith’s initiative is to provide more community events in which she and

others can get more involved and acquainted.

Smith said she had participated in the Miss Teen Essence Pageant, in which she was the first runner up. “You don’t have to be all dolled up, face full of makeup,� said Smith. “I’m the average girl.�

Along with her crown and sash, Smith received one month of rent, $500,

Are you 19-29 years of age and Living with Congenital Heart Disease?

You may be eligible to take part in a UNC research study that seeks to learn how adolescents and young adults manage everyday life with congenital heart disease.

Study participants will complete three forms and take part in an interview (during the interview, you will be asked to share your story about living with congenital heart disease). Completion of the forms and interview will take about 2 hours.

You may participate in this study if: • You are currently between the ages of 19 and 29. • You have been diagnosed with congenital heart disease. • You are able to speak, read, and understand English.

All data collected will be kept confidential.

Study participants will receive $25.00 to thank them for their time.

To take part in this research study or for more information, please call the Young Hearts Study at 919-914-3938 or send an email to: younghearts@unc.edu

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Dance group lives

and Campus Crossing gear.

She also participated in the NCCU Homecoming Parade and received nationwide Campus Crossing recognition. “I noticed that NCCU has a lot of Misses, and even though we are not a part of the University, I still wanted to be affiliated,� said Azalea Perkins-Chriss, Campus Crossing leasing

manager and pageant coordinator. “We will probably have another Miss Campus Crossings and also a Mr. Campus Crossings next year and hopefully have the winners be a part of the coronation,� said PerkinsChriss. “We’re excited for next year’s Miss Campus Crossing.�

Nov. 25 will mark the N.C. Central University Dance Group concert.

Since its beginnings in fall 1968, the NCCU Dance Group has grown in membership and advanced as an organization.

Nancy Pickney, assistant professor of physical education, recreation and dance, presently serves as director of the NCCU Dance Group. “We represent dance as an art form in conjunction with HBCUs all over the nation,� said Pickney.

Pickney has been a dance instructor for more than thirty years. “ The only way I can help others is to share, to train and to learn to dance,� said Pickney.

This year’s fall dance concert will consist of 10 to 15 performances conducted and choreographed by student dancers.

Aiming to reach the community through their leadership and devotion to dance as a vehicle for learning, the dance group will showcase “Old School Meets New School� on Nov. 20.

The NCCU Dance Group continues to perform choreographed works by students and guest instructors.

Each year the company arranges fall and spring concerts.

Student members dedicate three days a week to the practice and study of dance techniques.

The company’s mission is to increase the interest of dance within the NCCU student body.

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Not this time Duke-UNC alum game a no-go J ONATHAN A LEXANDER

BY

J EROME B ROWN J R .

ECHOASSISTANT EDITOR

ECHO SPORTS EDITOR

The “win every day” motto N.C. Central University coach LeVelle Moton patented rang true on Sunday.

After losing in the season opener against UNCCharlotte 73-57, the Eagles regrouped and came home to McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium to defeat Johnson & Wales University 115-41.

The game looked more like a scrimmage as the Eagles stormed out to a 12-0 lead after 3 minutes of play.

An array of dunks, threepoint shooting and stifling defense contributed to the lopsided Eagles’ 74-point victory.

The Eagles forced 23 turnovers and got out in transition to control the tempo of the game.

“We were quite successful with it,” said Moton.

“That’s just what we do; that’s a staple of North Carolina Central. “[When] you see us we’re going to get up and down the floor in a controlled way and try to create easy opportunities for ourselves.”

Landon Clement and Dominique Sutton ushered the scoring attack with 21 and 18 points respectively.

Sunday’s cakewalk gave the Eagles an opportunity to work out issues they displayed in their first loss.

“It gave us a chance to work on some things we could’ve done better versus Charlotte, said Sutton. “I feel like we accomplished a lot things.”

Sutton was an effective 88 from the field, with 14 of his 18 points coming off dunks. He also was 2-2 from the free-throw line following a dismal 1-11 performance in his first game as an Eagle.

“It was just mental,” said Sutton. “I was kind of frustrated because I got to missing free throws, but tonight I

When faculty and students read the Nov. 8 Herald-Sun, it seemed too good to be true.

A host of professional ball players — former UNCChapel Hill and Duke University stars — would play an exhibition game at N.C. Central University after the Nov. 17 Lady Eagles basketball game against Campbell University.

And now it appears that the story was in fact too good to be true. By Nov. 9 it appeared that the arrangement had fallen apart (or had never been in place to begin with).

On Nov. 8 the Herald-Sun reported that an agreement had been made the day before between N.C. Central University and Bleid Sports, a Kentucky-based event consultant group, to have former Duke and UNC players to play an alumni game in NCCU’s McDougaldMcLendon Gymnasium.

The game, which was to be titled the Kings of Tobacco Road alumni game, would have showcased some of the top players to come out of Duke and UNC: Kyrie Irving, Nolan Smith, Elton Brand, Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace and Vince Carter.

What went wrong isn’t exactly clear.

According to Director of Media Relations Kyle Serba, reports of the deal were just rumors.

“The report was done pretty hastily,” Serba told the Echo Nov. 8.

“The chances of us hosting the basketball game are pretty remote.”

“Because it was on such short notice [a week and a half before the event], we decided we couldn’t do it,” he said.

The game was planned to start at 8:30 p.m., after the NCCU women’s basketball game.

Senior Dominique Sutton dunks and stares down a defender in Sunday’s blowout vs. the Wildcats.

CHI BROWN/Echo photo editor

just let it come to me and played the game of basketball.”

All 12 Eagles scored, as NCCU’s bench outscored Johnson & Wales entire team 42-41.

Freshman forward Karamo Jawara scored 10 points and pulled down 9 rebounds. Senior guard

Tramar Beaman scored a career high 14 points to headline the Eagles reserves.

“It’s not about one,” Clement said. “It’s about five guys coming together out there helping each other, making the game a lot easier for everyone.”

The Eagles will take on

Wagner College in Staten Island, N.Y., today, and look to carry the momentum of the big victory with them in a tough road game.

“Just the power of seeing that ball go in the hole, man, just does something to you mentally,” said Moton.

“So we’ll see, hopefully it will carry over.”

“Our goal is to have everyone get there by 5 p.m. to sell out the women’s game,” CEO and Bleid Sports founder Rob Blair told the HeraldSun Nov. 8.

“I have the contract beside me, so as of now, the game will go on there,” Blair told the Echo on the morning of Nov. 9.

“I’ll have to say ‘no comment’ until everything is sorted out,” Blair said. “So you can contact me later today.”

Hours later, Blair declined to comment on the mix-up.

According to Jamaul Alexander, NCCU accountant technician and events coordinator, SJG-Greater NC Pro-Am was the third-party responsible for creating the whirlwind of confusion.

SJG has hosted Pro-Am basketball leagues for several summers at NCCU. “It’s not a Central decision,” said Alexander. “We were 100 percent committed but the third-party decided to pull out. I don’t know, I’m guessing they are going to have it at a later date.”

Alexander said Bleid Sports had only recently been informed that the tournament would not occur..

Bleid Sports host showcases of the top high school basketball teams as well as the top national players.

Reached Nov. 11, SJG was said that there had never been any confusion.

“There was no conflict,” said Donyell Bryant, commissioner of SJG. “The game will be postponed due to the NBA lockout.”

SJG will host the “Classic McDougald” at NCCU next month, according to Bryant.

Thirty-two of the top teams across the country will play in the tournament at the McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium on Dec. 16 and Dec. 17.

“As of now, [ the Tobacco Road Alumni Game] is a nogo,” said Alexander. “The story got out of hand from a general discussion.”

Eagles bitten by Rattlers 31-10 BY

A ARON SAUNDERS ECHO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Down 7-0, the N.C. Central University football team thought they would have prime field position when their defense came up with a huge stop, forcing the Rattlers of Florida A&M to punt from its own 2-yard line.

However, to the chagrin of the Eagle faithful, FAMU junior punter Branden Holdren changed the game with a booming 78-yard punt which forced the Eagles to start from their own 20-yard line.

“I think the turning point in the football game was that punt,” said head coach Henry Frazier.

“We were playing very well at that point,” said Frazier. “We kind of figured out what they were doing and we started playing and then when that happened it changed the whole

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field position and it changed the momentum of the game.”

Enter the sprinters; the track meet began as the Rattlers raced to three more touchdowns on two drives of 8 and one drive of 14 plays to head into the half with a 28-0 lead over the Eagles.

The Eagles logged their only points of the night in the fourth quarter on a misdirection rollout by senior quarterback Michael Johnson and a field goal by freshman kicker Oleg Parent.

“We ran a 74 zone,” said Johnson of his touchdown run.

“I pulled it out and it was wide open around the corner.”

Despite the defense forcing 3 turnovers, the Eagles could not muster enough offense to hang with the Rattler rushing attack led by senior tailback Eddie Rocker who bobbed and weaved his way to a season high 128 yards on 17 carries to defeat the Eagles 31-10 on senior day.

Heading into next Saturday’s rivalry game vs. N.C. A&T, NCCU opponents are averaging 177.9 yards per game on the ground and the Eagle defense has allowed 6 rushers to go over 100 yards this season.

This may spell doom for the Eagles as the 4-6 Aggies are led by senior running back Mike Mayhew, who ranks first in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in the MEAC. “He’s great. He’s a great football player, the game plan is to try to stop him, try to tackle him,” said Frazier.

Although A&T and NCCU both have new coaching staffs, the 2-8 Eagles may hold a psychological advantage as they have won four out of the last five match-ups.

“I would love to go out with a W over A&T. I would love to go out with a victory, period,” said senior linebacker Brandon Outlaw, who will be playing in his final Aggie-Eagle match-up.

Red-sshirt sophomore safety Tyriqe Williams tackles a FAMU running back in Saturday’s loss.

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

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Fitts bids adieu to NCCU F

itts, a name that has a long history with N.C. Central University, has transcended time over 35 years.

It has seen a successful basketball player block many shots on the court. It has seen careerdriven men and women obtain their degrees, taking them to new heights as Eagles should go.

David Now it has seen something new: a Fitts journalist.

In August 2006 when I first set foot on the cold cement sidewalk outside Farrison-Newton Communications Building, I never dreamed I would become the person I am today.

I began my collegiate career as an eager psychology student with

Maybe it was divine intervention or maybe even fate, because switching my major was the best decision I made for my educational and career path.

dreams of becoming a high school guidance counselor.

After two years of making Cs in my major courses, I knew it was time for a change.

In May 2008 I decided to become a mass communication major with a concentration in journalism.

Maybe it was divine intervention or maybe even fate, because switching my major was the best decision I made for my educational and career path.

In September 2008, my first article for the Campus Echo was published and as they say, the rest is history.

Thinking about my career choice as a journalist, I blame Dr. Lisa Paulin-Cid for suggesting I submit my first article to the Echo.

If it were not for her, I would not be where I am now, serving as Echo online editor since 2009, a job I cherish.

I want to say thank you, Dr.

So long, peeps C

ollege days swiftly pass, is what someone told me before I started school. Indeed these college days have swiftly passed.

As my final semester at N.C.Central University begins to wind down, I can’t help but think about how much I am going to miss this place.

When I first came to NCCU as a freshman in fall 2007, I was 18 years old and fresh out of high school.

College took a lot of time to get used to—I was away from home, with the most Belinda freedom I have ever had in my life.

Dunn I had to learn to manage my time wisely, get used to living with girls, and avoid being a statistic.

My sophomore year I declared my major as mass communication. That year I began working with the Campus Echo.

My first piece was on the Juicy Campus drama that took over the yard. I remember working on my first story for the Echo with then editor-in-chief Geoffrey Cooper.

I thought after that story that I was done writing for the Echo.

Never did I think I would take on writing pieces for the arts and entertainment section my junior and senior year, let alone becoming arts and entertainment editor.

Since this is my last piece for the Campus Echo I intended to have fun with this.

With that said, before I end my last piece I would like to shout out all of my favorite people who have been there for these four short years and those I leave behind at this great institution.

At this point in my life I can’t really complain about anything. I have worked hard and gained so much.

These memories are forever lasting and the memories that I carry from college will be some of my greatest.

I can finally scream, Momma, I made it.

Josh Spells, Jemil Rasheed, and Morgan Crutchfield (MY bffs for life).

Erik, Emerson, and Don (my little bros); KBRICK, Shemika, Mani, Bridge, Chantal, and Missy (my little sisters).

My good friends who have held me down: Jerrod Williams, Roland Reaves, Jus, Dave, Landon, Manley, Nigel Hood, Kalvin, Paw-Paw, Maria (my personal Kardashian and Chipotle queen), Drewski, Terrance Caldwell (thank you and I love you), Zack Means, Jerome, Aaron, Tommia, DP, Matt, Zev, Jonathan (The Campus Echo), and last but not least my golden girls: We all have finally made it out of here.

I apologize if I forgot anyone, but I love you all the same.

At this point in my life I can’t really complain about anything.

I have worked hard and gained so much.

These memories are forever lasting and the memories that I carry from college will be some of my greatest.

I can finally scream, “Momma,” I made it!”

Paulin, for seeing the talent in me as a writer-turned-journalist.

Your guidance helped shape me into the reporter I am now.

Over time, the skills I developed helped me earn an internship working as a student blogger with the Office of News and Communications at Duke University, which helped me grow into a better writer, reporter and person.

Secondly, I want to say thank you to all of the teachers who encouraged me to always do my best.

Lastly, a special message to the entire Echo family, past and present. You all have become a part of my family, and I want to say that if it was not for me spending time around people like Aaron, Koonce, Ashley, Tommia, Dr. Carl, and most importantly DP, I would not have emerged from my shell to

become the person you see everyday who greets you with my usual "Hey, guys."

Now that my name has changed to "Chancellor Fitts," thanks to Jerome, I feel I have come a long way from the days of LeaderShape, Eagle Ambassadors, and SFEMP. After five years, I realize that I have had my time and it is time to usher in a new generation to the Echo and NCCU. I am proud to call this place my home. I will be graduating, receiving my second B.A. in English, in a matter of weeks.

I will be capping off a year that seemed like an hour in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. This is not goodbye, it is simply see ya later.

Until then, I say adieu to you, NCCU. I will never forget you …

Nimbus!

Letters Course requirement changes would increase retention Dear Editor: A suggestion that may increase retention and graduation rates: I would like to suggest a change of curriculum for the incoming students.

My astronomy class had far too many students that did not possess at least junior high math skills. I believe that graduation and retention rates would be increased if every student's first semester held classes to bring the students up to high school level.

We should require basic math, physics, English, and critical thinking courses be taken before ANY other classes.

I used to think that class prerequisites were annoying, now I think there aren't enough of them.

To help the few students that don't need remedial classes, the students should be allowed to test out of them, without being charged for them.

I know there is placement testing of incoming

freshmen, but I do not think that it is enough to just tell the student what classes they need.

We should be requiring these classes FIRST.

You can't understand astronomy if you don't understand algebra. You can't understand sociology if you don't understand statistics.

You can't truly understand ANY science, if you don't understand logic.

I believe that adding the prerequisites of basic math (at least algebra level), basic physics, English (reading comprehension and writing), and critical thinking to EVERY class, we can increase retention.

Retention and graduation would be increased by preventing students from

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dropping a class because they are frustrated at not being able to understand the material.

Fewer dropped classes should decrease the amount of overall time spent on getting a degree.

It will also keep professors from having time taken away from the class subject to teach basic skills that should be known by all college-level students.

I do not know how to change the public high schools. I do not know if I could convince the powers that be that the bar should be raised for admission into NCCU. Adding prerequisites to every class would only add one more class (critical thinking) to what should already be in the general education requirements of every program.

My suggestion is more to change the order in which classes are taken, than adding many more hours to a student’s education.

Jeffrey Daum Daum is an NCCU technology support analyst with Information Technology Services

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Soaring out of NCCU

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n the past four and a half years I’ve been at N.C. Central University I’ve learned many things. I learned that I truly want to become a journalist and what I need to do to execute this plan. I also learned the meaning of Eagle pride.

Although I’ve seen NCCU improve a lot, I’ve also seen it Tommia change a little Hayes for the worse.

One example of the latter is campus parking.

When I came to the University in 2007, students were able to park anywhere after 5 p.m. without the risk of being ticketed or towed.

We were also allowed to park on Lawson Street and in front of the Mary Townes Science building at night.

As the years progressed, parking has become more scarce.

A university should not try to con students into buying a

Eagle pride is not something you’re born with—you earn it! You have to live in Baynes Hall or the other dorms to understand.

Go to the caf on a daily basis and walk across this hilly campus. Understand why we love the Aggie-Eagle classic and why N.C. A&T is second to us. parking decal for $450 when they already have bills and tuition to pay for.

I don’t like is how the school’s on-campus activities have diminished.

When I was a freshman and sophomore, we used to have pre-dawns left and right.

Now we barely have them.

What happened to the Black and White Affair???

With the bad came a lot of good. Our university became the No. 1 public HBCU in the nation.

Our landscaping is impeccable.

I love what Chancellor Nelms has done overall for the school, and the professors that were hired.

To mass communication department teachers, THANK YOU! Thank you for the hard and long assignments you gave and the tough lectures you taught.

Walking into this school I was a young girl with no drive.

I walk out a young lady with courage and determination.

I was originally a Wilson Tiger. Now I’m soaring as an NCCU Eagle.

I will truly miss my long nights at the Campus Echo, trying to make last-minute deadlines.

I will miss all my writers and fellow editors as well.

When I finally walk across that stage on Dec. 9, I will truly be happy I did not give up on

my education.

Eagle pride is not something you’re born with—you earn it!

You have to live in Baynes Hall or the other dorms to understand.

Go to the caf on a daily basis and walk across this hilly campus.

Understand why we love the Aggie-Eagle classic and why N.C. A&T is second to us.

Listen to tunes from the wonderful Sound Machine and understand why we play “the Riff,” “Talking out the side of your neck,” and “For the Black Folks.”

Knowing why our school motto is Truth and Service and get those community service hours.

At first I was planning to transfer, but God had other plans.

I was destined to graduate from this wonderful university.

Being the Opinions Editor was a wonderful experience and I am truly glad to finally pass the torch on to … you’ll see next semester.

Lastly I would like to thank my parents for everything they’ve done.

Freeze your face

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an the speaker get a moment of silence?

Apparently he or she may not.

I have been to several oncampus assemblies for class assignments, out of my own interest or to cover them for the Campus Echo.

Almost every time I go, a rowdy group of students is using their phones or Zevandah whispering.

This behavior Barnes is very disrespectful to the speaker.

Maybe all incoming freshmen should be required to take a public etiquette course so they know what behavior is expected of them.

Maybe students should have to pay to go to all functions.

Then they could appreciate the opportunities that are often available on campus for free.

Maybe that’s extreme — but you get the picture.

Whispering does excuse you

I have been to several on-campus assemblies for class assignments, out of my own interest, or to cover them for the Campus Echo.

Almost every time I go, a rowdy group of students is using their phones or whispering. for talking with the whole row of people in front of you, beside you, or behind you.

According to www.howstuffworks.com, an average conversation occurs at about 60 decibels.

A decibel measures the volume and intensity of a sound.

A whisper is about 15 decibels. If four people are whispering amongst themselves, they create the equivalent volume and intensity of a normal conversation.

About five or six of these whispered conversations could be going on at any time during a school assembly.

Fifteen people whispering

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Campus Echo Aaron Saunders, Editor-iin-C Chief

Jerome Brown Jr. Tommia Hayes Jonathan Alexander Matthew Phillips Belinda Dunn David Fitts Jr. Chioke Brown Uyi Idahor Morgan Crutchfield Neka Jones Ashley Gadsden Clinton Centry Christina Allison Wendy Wright April Simon Asia Quimby Julian Melton Zevandah Barnes Christa Watson Riyah Exum Shawn Trimble Chatiqua Brown Tahj Giles Tevin Neely Bobby Faison

Assistant Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor A&E Editor A&E Editor Online Editor Photo Editor Opinions Assistant Editor Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Copy Editor Copy Editor Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter A&E contributor A&E Reviews/Videography Cartoonist Cartoonist

Faculty Adviser - Dr. Bruce dePyssler Alumni Advisers - Mike Williams, Sheena Johnson

Letters & Editorials The Echo welcomes letters and editorials. Letters to the editor should be less than 350 words. Editorials should be about 575 words. Include contact information. The Echo reserves the right to edit contributions for clarity, vulgarity, typos and miscellaneous grammatical gaffs. Opinions published in the Echo do not necessarily reflect those of the Echo editorial staff.

E-mail: campusecho@nccu.edu Web address: www.campusecho.com Phone: 919 530 7116 Fax: 919 530 7991 © NCCU Campus Echo/All rights reserved The Denita Monique Smith Newsroom Room 348, Farrison-Newton Communications Bldg.

NCCU, Durham, NC 27707

is equivalent to a rock concert or a jet engine.

Students should be considerate of their classmates, the members of the press who are there to report what they have seen and heard, and the organizers of the event. You represent not only yourself but also N.C. Central University.

“I find [the noise at events] really frustrating,” said April Simon, Spanish/family consumer sciences senior. “I would rather them not come than to make all of us look bad.”

“It’s irritating, the talking, the texting, and the standing up,” said Crystal Cotton, mass communication junior.

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I agree with both of them.

“I took the time to come to campus. I want to actually get something from the program,” said Cotton.

Here are some suggestions for students who are going to attend an assembly.

If you know you are going to leave, please sit in the back.

If you are expecting a text message, please put your phone on silent and keep it in your hand.

If you must communicate, please whisper and keep it brief. If at all possible, maintain silence for the duration of the program.

Things happen; a student may have a number of reasons to use the phone or speak with someone nearby.

Just be mindful of your environment and your neighbors.

No one likes a noisy baby in the theatre. Don’t be a noisy baby at your own assemblies and functions.

I am sure the person sitting beside you and the speaker will appreciate it.

drawing by Rashaun Rucker

Question: Is NCCU preparing you for the future?

“Yes, because the professors actually take the time to push you and they stay on you to complete your work. ” —Sheilisha Fredrick

“Yes, NCCU is distributing the materials necessary to help me become a forensic scientist.”

—DaVon Todd

“Yes, NCCU is helping me build my character as a better student as well as providing opportunities in mass communication.”

—Gregory Gentry Sound Off By Uyi Idahor

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true stories from the lives of ten students

Strange voices almost erased my identity

Sex: Not all it’s cracked up to be

Stubborn unto death? Maybe I’ll reconsider

BY MAYANJA MORRIS

BY TASHA HUGHES

BY HENRY HENRY-AJUDUA

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ECHO STAFF REPORTER

ooking at the person I am today, no one can truly say they know who I am, that I was always happy or always sad. They can say that I was “normal” (whatever that means) for the first semester of my freshman year.

For the most part, I lived a typical teenage life. I was a star athlete and very popular -- outgoing, outspoken and confident. I never would have imagined my conceit and confidence would dwindle before my eyes.

“Mom, I can’t do this anymore. I just don’t want to live. You just don’t understand -- he scares me. He doesn’t like me.”

How do you even begin to explain to your mother that you’re afraid of a voice in your head? That you constantly hear

t was something of a tradition for the women in my family to lose their virginity in eighth grade. But here I was in the ninth with no chance in hell of losing mine.

I felt unwanted and lame because I wasn’t like all the other girls. I felt they were better than me because all the guys seemed to want them, not me.

If only I knew then what I know now: sex is not all that it’s cracked up to be.

Sex doesn’t mean love and acceptance, it doesn’t symbolize a guy’s love for you, and it damn sure doesn’t solve your insecurity or self-esteem problems.

In elementary school, a peck on the lips was something big. In middle school, a peck on the lips no longer did the trick.

It was all about using your tongue and fingers.

y mum told me when I was born the words stubborn, defiant and troublemaking were born into the world too. As a matter of fact, those words and I came out of the same belly at the same time.

She told me I came out head first, looked around, went back in and got my neck tangled in my umbilical cord. I know this sounds funny but it really isn’t, because my mum said the doctor told her most babies in this circumstance die within 10 minutes from suffocation.

My case was different. I was in there for another 50 minutes, and I’m here today.

One morning in October 2008, I was getting ready for school in Lagos, Nigeria, when I got a call from my sister Ifi in London. Nonchalantly, I took the

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A NEPHEW’S HERO DISAPPEARS His uncle disappears for three days. Slowly, the mystery unravels.

‘He is dead, Momma,’ I told my grandmother.

‘Don’t say that,’ she said, and ran in the house yelling, ‘Mommy!’

SayQwan Stabler NEKA JONES/Echo staff photographer

BY SAYQWAN STABLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

knew a man who was a retired Army paratrooper from the 82nd Airborne.

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When he retired, he helped other veterans get their benefits and financial support.

He was always there for us to talk with, laugh with and pray with.

He was like a rock, strong, faithful and true, guiding our family the right way. His great intentions and kind, giving heart kept our family strong and together.

He attended all the family cookouts and reunions, and took us kids to the state fair and the circus every year.

But if you are thinking he was a good man just because he had money, you are wrong: Money was purposeless to him.

Charles “Butch” Chavis was a son, a father, an uncle, a hero. He was everything you would imagine a god to be like.

Butch Chavis worked hard. He had his own trucking company.

TLC, with numerous employees.

TLC stood not for tender loving care, but for Tandra Lynn Chavis, his oldest daughter.

He made more than $10,000 a

week, and he always gave the church ten percent.

He spent every Wednesday and Friday at church for his own projects, returned Saturday for the children’s activities, and then be back at church at five in the morning for Sunday school, men’s fellowship, and church service.

Afterwards he would go to his fiancées house and have a nice meal and fellowship with family and friends.

And no matter what time it was when he left church, he would stop by his parents’ house and check on them.

June 2010, was the summer after my junior year of high

school. My cousin and I had just left the movie “The Wolfman” when I received a call from my uncle’s fiancée, asking when I had last spoken with my uncle.

I had watched his dogs the weekend before, and met him on Monday at the gas station near my house to return his house keys.

Monday was the last time she had spoken with him too.

I called everyone from my grandmother to my uncles’ secretary and no one had spoken to him since Monday.

When I heard this I didn’t think the worst, because my uncle liked to drive out of town without telling anyone other than my great-grandmother.

When I called my great-grandmother, she knew something was wrong. She asked me to go down to his house and look around.

It was 11 p.m. and his house was dark, but all his cars were there. I thought maybe he had gone out of town, and someone had dropped him off at the airport.

Over the phone, my great grandmother told me to come back the next morning.

I walked to the back yard to speak to the dogs, but before I could get there they started barking and acting crazy.

I turned on the light on my phone to check the dogs’ water and noticed the water was disgusting.

My uncle always kept the dog water clean. I went home, wondering what had happened.

The next morning my grandmother and great grandmother insisted on going with me to my uncle’s house.

We pulled in the driveway and everything looked fine, but the dogs were still acting funny.

The alarm wasn’t set. I checked the office and it looked fine. I checked the kitchen and it looked fine. I checked the living room and it looked fine.

I open the door to his downstairs bedroom. A man is lying on the floor, and there is a weird smell in the air.

The man’s head has hit his

briefcase on his way down so he has a big dent in his head, and he is lying in a puddle of blood. He is lying there as if he is asleep. He has his hand balled up into a fist.

He has used the bathroom on himself, which is what the smell was.

I blanked for a minute, thinking, the man who used to pick me up from elementary school every day is gone.

The man who used to take me out of town every other weekend is gone.

The father figure in my life is gone. I screamed his name: “UNCLE BUTCH, UNCLE BUTCH …”

When I didn’t get an answer, I shook him, trying to wake him up.

But, when I touched him it felt as if he’d just come out of the freezer.

I walked out the front door crying, forgetting about my greatgrandmother, waiting on the porch. When I looked up she had gone in already.

“He is dead, momma,” I told my grandmother.

“Don’t say that,” she said, and ran in the house yelling, “Mommy!”

Back in the house my great grandmother had exploded in tears.

After the funeral home came to receive my uncle’s body, I went downstairs, where I noticed a hole in the wall where he must have fallen backward while coming up the stairs.

Beside the bed were the remains of a dinner from the Barbeque Lodge: fried chicken, collard greens, macaroni, potato salad, and hush puppies.

My uncle was a diabetic and wasn’t supposed to eat fried foods.

Beside his bed was his cell phone with 200 missed calls, and his TV was paused three days ago.

He had been lying there for three days after suffering a heart attack.

Nowadays I wonder, “What if I had gone into his house the night before.

Could I have saved my uncle’s life?”

I’ll never know.

HENRY-AJUDUA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 call. “ What?”

“Hey, little brother, how are you?”

“Fine. What do you want?”

“I see you still crazy in the head.

Anyways my friend is coming back on Friday to Nigeria. I brought you a new phone and a PSP for [our brother] Ogom.”

I was so happy. Shouting, “Thank you!” to Ifi, I cut the phone before she even tried saying anything else, and off I went to her friend’s house, got my package, and took my new phone to my mum’s office to show it off.

Seeing my excitement, Mum said the phone was beautiful.

Then she put my brand new phone back in its box.

“What are you doing?”

“Son, it’s a beautiful phone but you can’t have it now.”

“Why can’t I get it now?”

“You’ve got a big exam coming up very soon, and this phone is going to be a big distraction. You are already a distraction to yourself as it is.”

“What the hell, ma. Have you lost your mind? Have you been drinking? How do you expect me to survive?”

“I survived in my time without those privileges.”

“Mum, you lived in the Stone Ages. This is the time of new and better things.”

But my tantrums were not working. I got the reality of the situation when I saw her put my new phone in her office safe.

I thought, the best thing to do is to act out, which will eventually get the people in her office involved.

Unfortunately for me, that was not effective either, so I thought, well we will be going home together. I have lots of chances.

I ran and stood in front of the car and said she was not going home until she gave me back my phone.

Before I could finish my statement, a 6 foot 8, 400-pound-man picked me up by my waist and tucked me into the car, then stood there and gave me a mean look.

I sat back in the car, looked at him and thought, “I guess I will just stick to fighting my mum at this point, because trying to be the David to this Goliath might just not be the best move right now.”

When we got home I started with my mum again. When she headed downstairs to the car, I followed her. I could see the tension in her face, but still I followed her, shouting, “Give me my property.”

While I was saying “my property,” she turned around and slapped my face so hard it knocked me to the ground 5 feet away from her; I couldn’t feel the right side of my face.

I sat on the ground thinking, did I just get knocked down by a woman?

While I was on the ground still speechless because she had just rearranged my vocal cords, she said, “You are sleeping outside tonight,” and walked inside.

I sat on the ground thinking, is my mum really ready for my worst behavior tonight? There is no way in hell any woman can take me all at once.

So I climbed the walls of my four-story house, got in through a little opening in the roof, and marched straight to my mum’s room, thinking, yeah, I’m back.

I didn’t know Mum had heard the metal plate covering the opening slam when I jumped in.

She jumped off her bed screaming, “I will kill you tonight. I

brought you into the world and I’m taking you out tonight. I’m totally tired of you.”

I was scared, but refusing to look like the loser, I shouted, “I want my property.”

When she got to me she slapped my left cheek, twice as hard as before. On my way to the ground she kicked my legs together so I couldn’t land properly and punched my nose, increasing my speed to the ground. I couldn’t imagine where she’d gotten those fighting skills.

I lay there crying with a tooth knocked out and blood pumping out my nose, thinking that once she saw me in that state she would stop.

Then I saw her reach for a glass soda bottle, slam the bottom of the bottle on the ground and walk to me with the broken other half, shouting, “I will kill you tonight.”

Seeing her approach me with that bottle and no pity, I knew my time was up. If I didn’t run, then she wouldn’t feel sorry for me until after I was dead.

I ran for my life, shouting, “I’m sorry, Mummy, I’m sorry, Mummy.”

She chased me down four flights of stairs shouting, “I will kill you today.”

I ran, praying, “Please lord don’t let me die this way. What would I say happened to me when I got to the gates of heaven?”

I locked myself outside, pleading, “Mummy please forgive me, don’t kill me, I’m not ready to die.”

Fortunately, my brothers and sister saw me speed past them with my mum right behind me. They pleaded with my mum for 30 minutes.

One said, “I know he deserves to die but please not this way. Kill him in his sleep -- that’s better.”

Finally she calmed down and

Henry Henry-Ajudua and his mother, Vivian.

NEKA JONES/Echo staff photographer

dropped the broken bottle.

After an hour she asked me to come inside, but I said I would rather sleep outside.

She said, “Fine,” and went to bed.

Scared out of my mind, I shook the whole night, still terrified, covered in blood.

I had almost made my mother commit murder. If my stubbornness could drive my own mother insane,

imagine what it would do to people outside my family.

I could get killed acting like this, and if I took it to college or any professional setting it would destroy my future.

From that moment I decided to stop my repugnant behavior and get my act together. My ugly attitude was going to bring me way more hurt than good.

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FEELING FAT AT 90 POUNDS A teenage miscarriage led Montrena Carter to a severely distorted view of her body

BY MONTRENA CARTER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

was always hungry, but I never ate. Looking in the mirror I no longer saw the beauty of myself and the person I was destined to be, I just saw “her.”

My collar-bones stuck out far more than they had a few months ago, and it seemed as if the scale was stuck permanently at 90 pounds. I was allowing this disorder to be my murderer.

“A sandwich here, a bag of chips there” was what I used to always tell myself that was enough to last for the rest of the week.

Through it all, my best friend still didn’t know. I was alone and nobody understood my pain. Why was it like this?

“Breakfast is ready, Lucy!” she yells from the kitchen. The aroma of bacon, eggs, and grits fills the air and makes my stomach make angry growling noises.

I sit down, and begin to pick over my plate. I am beyond starving, but I am convincing myself that I’m not hungry.

She was looking at me smiling, lend over gave me a kiss on my forehead while turning to walk out of the room.

How come she still hadn’t notice I was unhealthy? Why didn’t she put forth any effort to ask if I even okay.

I was battling this anorexic disorder head on, but yet it was still winning.

Stress had taken its toll on me.

I was unhappy with the way my body looked and there was nothing else that I could do about it.

I was weak all the time, and my body was barely able to do the functions it was set out to do.

I was losing all the motor skills that a normal person would have, all because I wasn’t getting the right nutrition for my body to stay healthy.

I

I was upset with what my body had turned into and for some reason I turned to this horrible disorder into my friend.

But it wasn’t. It was my enemy.

I no longer moved like the cheetah in the jungle, I was now the turtle in the swamp. Slow, and unsteady.

I had a fear of gaining weight and I didn’t look pretty enough whenever I looked in the mirror.

I was upset with what my body had turned into and for some reason I turned to this horrible disorder into my friend. But it wasn’t. It was my enemy.

People with anorexia disorder have a fear of gaining weight, and are unhappy with the way their bodies look.

This disorder is a common invader of some teenagers’ life.

They restrict the intake of food by dieting, fasting by excessive exercise.

My mother always told me that I was beautiful in every way, and that nothing and nobody should make me feel any different.

She was always my motivator whenever I was going through a tough time, no matter what the situation was she was always right by my side.

It was safe to say, that my mother was my rock. She always protected me from all hurt, harm and danger — like a bear protecting her cub from a hunter.

She was like my superhero and no one would ever replace her. Not only was she my mother, but she was also my best friend. She knew everything about me, but I still hesitated to tell her that I was sick.

Maybe that’s because I was waiting for her to notice.

But she never did.

When you have someone who you can always go to about problems, someone who never judged you, it should be easy for you to

talk to them.

But I was afraid that she wouldn’t be proud of me any longer.

With the fear of disappointing my mother always being thought about, I thought I would be able to change and overpower this disorder alone.

Instead I still was being defeated. I no longer knew what I was even going to do with myself, but I could see each day my young life slowly slipping away. Well, that’s what I believed anyway.

Living no longer seemed to be important after being pregnant at the age of seventeen and losing the baby two months into the pregnancy.

The image I saw while looking in the mirror only made me more disgusted and made blaming myself seem easier.

I didn’t think I was beautiful anymore. I no longer thought I had a reason to live.

In my eyes I was ugly, and my troubled pregnancy was my fault.

That’s what really drove me to have an eating disorder.

I had changed forever and this unwanted intruder was in my life for five long months.

When I no longer could take the pain of my stomach touching my back bone anymore, and of being weak and tired all the time, I realized that’s when I had to be strong and overcome this disease.

In April of 2011 I finally realized that I was unhealthy and I that I needed help.

But the only way I would get the help I needed would be by telling my mother the truth.

When you look at yourself in the mirror and you can no longer say you’re beautiful or that you are

Montrena Carter MORGAN CRUTCHFIELD/Echo staff photographer

proud of the person you are, that’s when you finally realize that something has to change and that somebody needs to know your story.

It was no longer fun being in a

dark room, and having no way out.

I was tired of going through this pain alone and not getting better.

Someone had to hear my silent cry.

A SECRET I DIDN’T DARE TELL Sexually abused at age 10 and fearing for her safety, Brandyn Pettiford told no one Even though I knew this was wrong, I couldn’t tell anyone because he had told me had told me not to and because I was scared of what he would do to me.

BY BRANDYN PETTIFORD CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ow do you keep a secret from the ones you love the most?

H

From birth to age 8 I lived with my paternal grandmother, Grandma Lucy, and her daughter, Aunt Nene.

My aunt, who I loved and admired, helped Grandma Lucy raise me while my mother went off to an ECPI School of Technology.

My mother came to visit or brought me to her house some weekends. My relationship with aunt and grandma could be described as motherly.

Aunt Nene and I would watch TV shows like “A Baby Story” and “A Wedding Story.”

We went to Disney World and Universal Studios, or just had fun doing ordinary things.

The only sad moment I recall is the day I left my grandma’s house and moved to Durham with my mother and her boyfriend when I was in second grade.

In the beginning it took some time to get used to my new surroundings, but I adjusted well.

After I moved to Durham, Aunt Nene got involved with a man who was no good for her but whom she later married and had three children with.

I knew he was shady (he had a violent past), but I gave him the benefit of doubt.

After my aunt married, she moved with her husband and Grandma Lucy to the country, which made visits to more rare.

One night when I was about 11, I was up late playing solitaire on the computer when my uncle-in-law came in, rubbing his private parts.

At first I simply wondered whether he was cold. Then he asked me to rub his private area for him, which I did, out of respect.

He was an adult and I always did what I was told.

While I was touching his private parts my mind was racing, wondering what was next. Just as I hoped

Brandyn Pettiford MORGAN CRUTCHFIELD/Echo staff photogrpaher

this would be the end, he told me to lie down on the couch and remove my shorts.

Once I got settled on the couch he told me to never tell anyone of what happened that night.

Then he began to touch me and use his mouth to violate my young, developing body.

I cried, squirmed, and silently prayed for it to be over.

It seemed that prayer didn’t reach heaven because as I got up to run away he grabbed my arm and tried to force himself on me, but I broke free and ran into the bathroom.

Even though I knew this was wrong, I couldn’t tell anyone because he had told me not to and because I was scared of what he

would do to me.

If he could hurt other people, he could hurt me.

It was years before anyone knew.

The secret had finally escaped through a text message left in my cell phone when I was 16.

My mother was devastated. She drove me to the grocery store to talk about what I wanted them to do.

I told her to do nothing and to tell no one, but she told both my paternal uncles and my father.

Neither of my paternal aunts nor my grandma was told, because I didn’t want them to feel different toward me.

I didn’t want anything to hurt my aunt’s marriage and I didn’t want to see her get hurt.

Little did I know that this image

would never go away and would haunt me and change my outlook on life.

After my uncle molested me, my self-confidence and attitude changed drastically.

I started not caring about school, and I began having sex.

These things happened because I thought of myself as ugly and unworthy.

I thought if an older man wanted me then there had to be something wrong with me. When I was 17 I told my mom all this.

She embraced me, telling me that the molestation wasn’t my fault.

This is one of the best moments I can remember between my mother and me.

Still, I felt ugly and unworthy of

love. Even though I had boyfriends, I could not understand why they wanted to be with me.

In the first semester of my senior year, my Grandma Lucy passed away.

Her passing cut me deep and made me think about my life. My grandma had raised five children and me while suffering with health problems.

My grandmother’s strength in the midst of her own sickness made me want to make her proud by making something of my life.

But I still felt bad because she died not knowing my secret. The day of my grandma’s funeral, my family met at my Uncle Stanley’s house.

There was my molester, in the same room as me. I felt both extremely uncomfortable and nothing at all. I didn’t want the rush of emotions related to what happened to overcome my grief.

During the week or so before her death I met a guy named Dorian. He was tall, brown-skinned, and very sweet. He played football. He was easy to talk to, caring and understanding — all the things I had been looking for.

He accepted the real me, flaws and all. In July 2010, Dorian and I became a couple. He is my heart and a big motivation in my life, just like my grandma.

They are the reasons I am at NCCU today. Through their love I have strived for better.

Even though my grandma is gone and my boyfriend is not here with me, I am trying my hardest to make college worthwhile and be the person I’ve always strived to be: Brandyn Asia Pettiford — not the weak victim, but a strong survivor!

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GONE BUT STILL GUIDING ME Her mother died young — but her legacy spurs Tia Willis to succeed When I get weary I often think about the song, “I Remember Mama,” and the verse, “The people are depending on you, Tia, don’t you let them down.”

BY TIA WILLIS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

he was a petite woman full of love. It seemed as if her favorite duty was to spoil and see after me.

She always took special care of me and made sure I was seen after.

I was such a happy person because she was simply amazing to me. This special woman is my mother, Libby Ann Willis. Her beautiful face lightens my world.

The last time w make her proud in all I do.

From that day, I have done just that. There’s no doubt in my mind that mom isn’t proud of me.

I graduated magnum cum laude from Dudley High school and am now attending North Carolina Central University.

When I walked across the stage at graduation my academy director whispered in my ear, “Momma is so proud of you.”

It was if mom was in the audience, but she had a better seat in heaven cheering her baby on.

Although my graduation day was filled with excitement, a part of me was still sad because I wanted my mommy there.

My auntie, who I was living with, had planned me a big graduation party.

The cards I received from friends and family had encourag-

S

ing messages in them telling me my mom is so proud of me.

The messages meant a lot but inside I really just wanted to cry because I kept thinking about her.

I often ask why did mom have to leave me so soon?

I just always feel so empty. My tears I can never seem to hide.

As I cried night and day after her death, my tears slowly were wiped away because I would get a comfortable feeling of knowing that she is near in spirit.

God saw a need to make me a strong woman in his image through my mom.

At this time in my life I could’ve easily gave up but I realized that wasn’t the plan God intended.

I believe this was the moment that structured me into the strong woman I am today. I consider myself as a strong woman because I kept going on in life instead of letting go.

When I get weary I often think about the song “I remember Mama,” and the verse “the people are depending on you, Tia, don't you let them down.”

This song was sung at my mother’s home going service and I still think about it every day.

It hurts living life without mom but it’s a sweet feeling I have that lets me knows she still lives in me.

As I walk this journey of life I know I’m highly favored because I have my personal guardian angel

Tia Willis MORGAN CRUTCHFIELD/Echo staff photographer

watching over me.

Thinking about the memories and love she left to cherish, I am able to better deal with her loss.

Memories of her I cherish include how she loved her children and family. Being surrounded by her loved ones was her favorite thing in the world.

One of my biggest memories of my mom was when she told a guy who claimed that he dated me,

“my daughter would never date no one like you.”

The guy was not my type at all and meant no good to me; so of course she wasn’t having that.

At the time I was like my mom is crazy, but I now realize that mom only wanted the best for me.

If I had a chance to spend with my mom I would tell her all about my accomplishments and how different life is without her.

My mother will always have a special place in my heart.

I love my mother so much and she is the reason I am the woman I am today. I would like to encourage everyone who has ever lost their mother to stay strong and do everything that makes her proud.

You may face many sad times but you can overcome them by thinking about the good times you shared with her.

Morris CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 I was too ashamed to explain that I had been distant because of a voice that only I heard. I wanted to escape — but where could I go when “Frank” was everywhere I went?

Mayanja Morris MORGAN CRUTCHFIELD/Echo staff photographer

an array of voices and sometimes feel like a different person? It’s impossible.

This was the beginning of the demise of the Mayanja Morris everyone knew and loved.

Ultimately, I completely lost touch with who I really was.

Soon, my life took a turn for the worse. I began smoking marijuana, drinking alcohol and getting into trouble. I was even almost kicked out of school and lost my on-campus housing.

I developed strange symptoms. I had trouble sleeping and concentrating in class. I had recurring nightmares about places I had never been before.

I didn’t understand what was going on — but I used marijuana to “fix” my problems. Of course, I was only worsening my situation.

In hindsight, I should have gotten help when my mother suggested it, but I was a college student, making my own decisions.

I started my fall semester at N. C. Central University just as I had finished my senior year at Thomas Dale High School. I was bubbly, talkative and conceited. I hung out with new people each day. College life was nothing but a big party.

I partied hard every Thursday and smoked every day. I did homework when it was convenient and

never turned down the opportunity to get “fucked up.”

My life was so fast-paced that I gave up joining the track team. By the end of fall semester, I had failed two classes and barely passed the rest.

Second semester, I noticed another strange change in my personality: I didn’t enjoy being around people anymore. I no longer trusted anyone.

I was too ashamed to explain that I had been distant because of a voice that only I heard. I wanted to escape—but where could I go when “Frank” was everywhere I went?

Frank became a frequent voice and my fear of him intensified. A prisoner of Frank’s thoughts, I shut myself off from the world.

Frank distracted me in class, making it impossible some days to concentrate. I began skipping class to stay in bed all day and cry. I pondered suicide and wondered if I was crazy like my grandmother.

Twenty years earlier my grandmother was diagnosed with major depression and bipolar disorder.

By the end of Spring semester I was hearing six voices. I was forced to attend both sessions of summer school because of my poor academic performance.

I thought things couldn’t get

worse. I was wrong. I now had eight personalities, I lived in constant fear and shame, and I felt so alone.

I started going to counseling and seeing the school psychiatrist. I was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (also known as multiple personality disorder).

I was headed down the right path — until I got a call that changed my life. My grandmother had died, and I had to get there quick.

I sat on the Greyhound bus certain I was going to miss my grandmother’s funeral. Why did the bus have to run late? Why couldn’t my sister find a bus station she drove past every day? Why did a highway accident have to back up traffic for miles?

My grandmother had recently told me she loved me for the first time. It felt so unfair; now a month later I’m dressed in black, preparing to cremate her. I wished I had called, visited and told her I loved her more.

In her casket, Nana looked terrible, nothing like the vibrant woman she was. I was floored, and couldn’t stop my tears.

I had always been very familyoriented, the first person everyone went to for comfort or advice. Now I was withdrawn, mourning on my

own. My father didn’t understand.

Unable to control his anger and hurt, he lashed out at me in front of everyone, accusing me of having an attitude and making me sit in the car by myself.

I didn’t talk or think—I barely blinked—I just cried. I was no longer in reality. People say everyone has their breaking point. I had reached mine.

After the post-funeral repast, my sister Vicky took me to her house.

When she couldn’t get me to stop crying, she passed me a bag of weed. Taking weed to mask my heartache felt all-too-familiar.

I relaxed, stopped crying and started talking.

In the shower, I suddenly felt tranquil and safe. Though I didn’t know it, I had experienced a personality split. Frank had come back, but he no longer scared me.

He heard my suicidal thoughts and told me he would take away all my worries if I let him be in control.

So I let him take over.

I called my mother and told her that “she” was fine and that “I” had “her.” I spoke in the third person, refusing to answer to Maya.

When my mother asked who she was talking to, I just laughed. I told her that my personalities were taking control.

The more I talked, the more

weary and crazy I began to feel, as if I was watching a movie of someone else’s life.

“Maya, you need to come home.”

“I can’t, Mom. Mommy, help me — I don’t understand what’s going on with me.”

Mom, panicking and worried, spoke calmly.

“OK baby, where is Vicky?”

“She left to go get her boyfriend.

She said she would be right back.”

I was beginning to calm down.

My mom arranged for me to spend the night at Vicky’s house.

That night I got very little sleep.

All the voices wanted to “come out” and see what it felt like to be in control.

All night I fought a silent battle with nine personalities. I knew if I lost this battle for my sanity I would end up at a mental hospital just like my grandmother.

I won. I woke up drained, as if I had physically fought a war by myself. I called my mom, and what she told me brought tears to my eyes.

“Maya, I called your psychiatrist. She thinks it may be a good idea to do a medical withdrawal from school and skip a semester to go to a hospital.”

Did she know how hard I had fought to stay out of that place?

She couldn’t have. I was pained by the thought of going to a mental hospital. After a long conversation, my mom agreed to let me decide for myself.

I decided to fight this battle on my own, every day if I had to. I decided to pursue my education so that I could achieve my dream of becoming a photographer and owning my own photography studio. I wouldn’t let a few voices stop me. I would live as if I had no symptoms and had never been diagnosed with DID. I continue to see my psychiatrist and continue to take my medication. Medication, meditation and prayer have changed my life. No longer a victim to my circumstance, I am living proof that you can overcome mental illness.

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MY SISTER’S SILENT KILLER Tilah McDowell’s sister Monique dies under surprising circumstances “No! Not my sister!” ... The moment was so unreal.

Speechless, I ran to my room, loocked my door, and cried in my bed for two hours.

Tilah McDowell NEKA JONES/Echo staff photographer

BY TILAH MCDOWELL CONTRIBUTING WRITER

remember November 16, 2008 like it was yesterday. I could not stop thinking about our soon-to-be president, Barack Obama.

I was so excited, watching the news on any network I could find.

Back then, my life focused on school and friends.

When the phone rang that evening, I said “Hello?” three or four times before I got a response.

It was my father. His voice was

I

a quiet mumble that I couldn’t understand, and I got scared.

Thinking he was hurt, I rushed to my mother’s room, scared out of my mind.

“Mama, wake up! Something is wrong with my dad … I think he’s hurt!”

Mama grabbed the phone.

“Robert, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” Ten seconds passed. Then she yelled, “Oh no….Robert, it’s going to be okay! I am so sorry Robert, please call me back.”

My stomach turned. My mom hung up and balled up in her bed,

crying.

“What happened, what happened mama, please tell me.”

Finally my mom uncovered her face.

“Baby, I think somebody killed Monique. Your father called from the Greensboro Police station.

Your sister has been missing for two days now.”

“No! Not my sister!!!”

Speechless, I ran to my room, locked my door, and cried for two hours. I did not want to see or talk to anyone.

Finally, I let Mama in to com-

fort me. As I cried in her arms, she kept telling me she loved me.

The next evening, the police found my sister’s body. The craziest feeling in the world was thinking that someone would murder my own sister.

I was wrong, though. Hers was a silent killer. Monique died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The police said they found Monique in a house in Greensboro. They also found her boyfriend in the house, deceased.

The strange thing was, no one in my family knew about the boyfriend. Her boyfriend had a wife and three children that my sister hadn’t known about.

Also, six months before her death, Monique had lost a son due to complications with her pregnancy.

Right before Thanksgiving, I went to see Monique’s body for the first and last time. I was terrified.

All I could do was pray to God on the way there and ask him to protect me and take the fear out of my heart.

As I stepped out of the car, I felt a protecting spirit surround me. I wasn’t afraid any longer.

When I entered the room, Monique was laid in a beautiful white casket.

But I was pissed off then and I still am today about what a bad job Gilmore Funeral Home did on my sister. Her hair and make-up was a mess; streaks of foundation ran down the side of her face. I could have done it better my damn self.

I almost didn’t recognize her, with her pale skin and her swollen face, probably a result of her two autopsies.

My mother told me that Monique didn’t look like herself

because her body was now a shell.

“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord,” she said.

Every day I think of Monique. I also think of her friend and his son and two daughters. His son is only two years younger than me.

It’s bad enough that I lost my sister, but he lost his father.

I think about reaching out to his family but feel I might get shut down, so I’ve never tried.

After my sister’s death I became angrier than ever. My therapist and psychiatrist diagnosed depression, and I was put on loads of medications that eventually stopped me from eating well.

Everything around me was falling apart. My social life went downhill and I felt I couldn’t trust anyone.

In 2010 my family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the landlord, heating company, and the owner of the heating company, alleging that the heating company and others failed to fix a furnace in the house, leading to my sister’s and her friend’s deaths.

His family also filed a lawsuit.

My sister came into this world November 14, 1981 and left on November 14, 2008.

If I had a chance to speak to Monique again, I would say, “Even though it is strange that you had to leave this world the exact day you entered, I know now your soul is at peace. I love you, sis.

You are my inspiration and everything to me.

“God was ready for you and I have to accept that. He does everything for a reason. I will miss you.

Rest in peace, Monique Latrice Carpenter.”

Hughes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 I felt cheated. My books described sex as spectacular. But here I was, feeling like it wasn’t worth a thing.

In high school, sex was “the thing to do” — nobody was a virgin anymore. It seemed all the girls who had lost their virginity had boyfriends and confidence for days.

For me, sex symbolized beauty and confidence, and was necessary for popularity. But sex was an uncomfortable topic for me, as one of the very few virgins left on the planet.

So instead of talking to people about it, I read erotica books.

Before I read those books, I had no idea what a penis looked like, much less what was done with it.

After reading descriptions in books, I considered myself a sex professional. I wanted to lose my virginity just to see if what the books so vividly described was accurate.

Still, I wanted my first time to be like a scene from a movie — flowers, music, and a gentle, loving man. Sadly, that’s not how it happened at all.

Halfway through my sophomore year, my mother died suddenly of heart disease.

After her death, I was bounced around between family members weekly, and everyone was too busy dealing with their own emotions to pay attention to mine.

That’s where “Little Bit” came into play. He was a childhood friend with whom I had played dryhumping and kissing games when we were younger.

Around the time my mother died we came back into contact. I wanted to feel loved so badly that I nearly handed him my virginity on a silver platter.

I lost my virginity to Little Bit 23 days after my mother died.

The whole experience was

Tasha Hughes NEKA JONES/Echo staff photographer

depressing. For starters, he pulled down his pants to reveal toddlersized equipment.

If that weren’t enough, he pounded into me as if I were a piece of meat and he hadn’t eaten in years.

To add to this grand experience, three days later he got back together with his on-and-off girlfriend of two years, someone I had known nothing about.

I didn’t feel the pleasure, pas-

sion or love that the books described; I felt dirty and used.

A month later, I had a fling with a friend from ninth grade. The topic of sex had come up between us back when I was a virgin.

Now that my virginity was gone, things were different. One day after school, we had sex at his house after his dad went to work.

While not as bad as my first, this experience was nowhere near good. I felt cheated. My books

described sex as spectacular. But here I was, feeling like it wasn’t worth a thing.

It finally dawned on me: there was no way a guy’s dick was going to change how I felt about myself. I would have to work that out on my own.

That’s when I started to read books like “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man” and “Souls of my Young Sisters,” which encouraged me to respect my body and know

my worth.

Looking back, I wish I had known then what I know now.

First, sex is a gift that should be earned, not given away. You’d be surprised how many women wish they could take back their virginity.

Second, sex comes with more responsibilities and emotions than you would ever know.

Last, take your time. Sex is not all it’s cracked up to be.

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I SURVIVED A BROKEN HEART When a girlfriend repays his loyalty with betrayal, Charles Gray discovers hearts do mend.

BY CHARLES GRAY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I was dating a beautiful girl last year. She was short,

Puerto Rican, and had skin so bright that it lightened the day. Her long hair blew in the breeze, and her smile that reached from one side

of her face to another. It is beautiful when you truly care about somebody, but it feels even better when you know someone cares about

you back.

I went go out of my way every day to drive her to and from school despite the strain it put on my car and on me. I would surprise her with a caramel frappachino from Gloria Jeans in Hanse Mall, since I knew she craved them. I wanted to help prove to her that not all guys are just out for sex and one-night stands.

One day, I was sitting in Spanish class, more bored and confused than usual, when I overheard a classmate say that my girlfriend had been trying to seduce some guy by text message. I didn’t believe it; I trusted my girlfriend not to do something as rude and trifling as that.

After Spanish class, a distant friend told me that my girlfriend was sexting another guy I have known since middle school. I started getting suspicious when I heard this from other people as well. So I respectfully confronted my girlfriend.

“You’re always so worried about what other people say,” she yelled. “You’re a bitch for that.”

I didn’t understand why she would retaliate so disrespectfully against a guy she claimed she deeply cared about, especially in front of my peers.

Weeks passed with frustration and anger. My girlfrien started not to show as much appreciation for the things I did for her. She even began to talk crap about me to my closest friends.

One day my girlfriend’s friend’s boyfriend told me she was hanging out with the guy people accused of her sexting. When I asked the guy about this, he tried to stand up to me as if he wanted to pick a fight. I tried to talk it out with him.

Later that night, the bas-

Charles Gray NEKA JONES/Echo staff photographer

tard called me and said my girlfriend wanted to have sex with him, but that of course he had told her no. I called my girlfriend, who claimed that this was a lie.

“You always believe what everybody else says about me,” she yelled. “Grow up!”

After two weeks of constant bullshit, I attended a basketball game with some buddies. I was enjoying the action when I saw my girlfriend walk in. Then, the guy who people accused of her sexting walked in right behind her, smiling and talking to her. She and the guy sat right across from me. I had never felt so disrespected in my life, especially with my friends sitting there making comments. When she made eye contact with me, she acted as if she didn’t know me.

Sometimes you feel there is no reason to do good unto

others because the favor is not returned.

After the game, my girlfriend and the guy rushed off together. A friend called to tell me he was standing outside the guy’s room, which he and my girlfriend had locked themselves into.

This news left me no choice but to break up with my girlfriend, to end the madness.

I beat myself down about this situation -- until I thought about how unworthy of anger this girl was.

There are many good girls in the world, and I refuse to change for anybody.

Many people expect commitment and trust, but then are not trustworthy.

Relationships are trial and error. When someone breaks your heart, take it as motivation to do what you can to prevent it from occurring again.