Print_edition_March_3_2010 by N.C. Central University Campus Echo

MARCH 3, 2010

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VOLUME 101, ISSUE 10

Beyond

A&E

Campus Opinions

New home for Eagles

Tales of terror and loss, the Toyota-related tragedies

“Destination Fashion” set to take flight March 24

Fitts worries ‘is being different not being black’?

Historic Durham Bulls stadium welcomes NCCU baseball team

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Campus Echo Crawley gets life

Consortium audit looms BY CARLTON KOONCE ECHO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

A leaked memo has created a storm of controversy for N.C. Central University’s administration. The draft, obtained by

the News and Observer, alleges that three University employees mishandled funds appropriated for closing the state’s achievement gap for minorities. According to the News

and Observer, the draft alleges more than $200,000 was diverted away from the University’s Historically Minority Colleges and Consortium, an umbrella initiative that includes more than a

dozen programs at 12 public and private colleges and universities. The issue began after a consortium leader, Nan Coleman, was fired last fall and Chancellor Charlie Nelms ordered an inter-

nal audit of the consortium. According to a review of the draft audit obtained by the News and Observer, funds were directed to a

n See AUDIT Page 2

Shannon Elizabeth Crawley entering the courtroom. CORLISS PAULING / Echo staff photographer

BY ASHLEY ROQUE ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Before Shannon Elizabeth Crawley was sentenced to life in prison, Denita Smith’s mother had a few words for the former Guilford County 911 operator. “I may forgive you, but right now, I don’t,” Sharon Smith said. “I hope you burn in hell. You are vile and you don’t deserve to be a mother.” Crawley, 29, was convicted on Feb. 22 for the 2007 killing of Smith, 25, an N.C. Central University graduate student. Smith was shot in the head as she left her Campus Crossings apartment on Jan 4. Smith and Crawley were both dating Jemeir Stroud, a Greensboro police officer and NCCU alumnus who was engaged to Smith at the time of the killing. Crawley claimed Stroud, who she said killed Smith, forced her to accompany him to Campus Crossings previous to and on the day of the shooting. But Michael Hedgefield, a maintenance worker at the apartment complex who first identified Crawley’s burgundy Ford Explorer, said he only saw and spoke with a black woman near where Smith was killed on the day

n See TRIAL Page 2

NCCU graduate student Denita M. Smith was murdered on Jan. 2007 outside her Campus Crossings apartment. Echo file photo

Beulah “Gigi” Luvenia, 99, started a family tradition in 1928 when she enrolled in North Carolina College for Negroes, now NCCU. Echo file photo

Family affairs, NCCU shares BY ASHLEY GRIFFIN ECHO ASSISTANT EDITOR

Thinking of the “roaring 20s” conjures mental images of jazz legends like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong.

Centennial News

As the good times came to an end and the Great Depression loomed just around the corner, at the North Carolina College for

Negroes, a family tradition was being born. The Williams’ clan boasts eleven NCCU alumni including aunts, cousins, and great-aunts. The first of the clan was Beulah “Gigi” Luvenia Kearney-

Williams who arrived in 1928. She established a family tradition that continues to this day. Kearney-Williams, now 99, is one of N. C. Central University’s

n See TRADITION Page 2

Resurrecting black history John Hope Franklin’s ‘From Slavery to Freedom’ stirs once again BY CARLTON KOONCE ECHO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

As we come upon the one year anniversary of historian John Hope Fr a n k l i n’ s death, the r e c e n t release of the 9th edition of his Centennial News epic book “ F r o m Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans” continues to fascinate scholars. Completely revised and updated to include recent events such as the presidential election of Barack

Obama, the premiere resource of black American history was first written between 1943 and 1947 while Franklin was a history professor at N. C. Central University, then called North Carolina College for Negroes. The book was first published as “A History of Negro Americans.” Franklin’s son, John W. Franklin, said his father’s fields of study were 18th and 19th century Southern and American history. “He believed that everyone’s story is important, not just the stories of ‘important people,’” said John Franklin. “He was shocked by

what he learned of the inhuman treatment of Africans during the slave trade and in the Americas,” he said. John Franklin said that his father realized that the history of African Americans was missing, incomplete and incorrect. Since its release the book has been translated into German, Japanese, Chinese, French and Portuguese. It has sold more than 3 million copies to date. “It’s filled with all kinds of amazing stories John Hope Franklin (right) and former Chancellor Leroy T. Walker

n See FRANKLIN Page 2

enter B.N. Duke Auditorium for the 1986 Honors Convocation. Courtesy of NCCU archives

WNCU raises hope (and cash) for Haiti BY BRIAN MOULTON ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Volunteers Carrie Dobbs and Lou Rutledge, American Red Cross board member, on the phones at WNCU 90.7 FM DIANE VARNIE /Echo Staff Photographer

The American Red Cross partnered with WNCU and Hearts For Haiti to raise not only awareness, but also much needed funds for Haiti relief effort Thursday. Long after Haiti has left the news, and the celebrity attention wanes, help will still be needed in Haiti. Current relief efforts include emergency triage and basic necessities, but there will still be a great deal of work that will cost billions.

So far, the American Red Cross has raised over $300 million, but in the first response alone, it has spent or committed $80 million for initial expenses. “Everything is a long-term effort,” said Toby Barfield, chapter executive of the Central N.C. Chapter of the American Red Cross. “Haiti is a multi-year project. We will be in emergency response mode for another 11 months and then phase two, the rebuilding portion of the five-year plan begins.” “We’re all grabbing oars and

rowing together,” said Miles Wright, co-founder of Hearts for Haiti. Since 2001, Hearts for Haiti has supported three homes for homeless and special needs children. Two of their three homes were destroyed in the quake. Volunteers from the Red Cross manned the phones and accepted donations in four shifts for the duration of the 12-hour broadcast. Texting “HAITI” to 90999 donates $10 through your cell phone bill, and 100 percent of the revenue goes to Haiti relief.

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of the shooting. Prosecutors presented forensic evidence that placed Crawley at the scene and showed that Smith was killed with a gun that Crawley purchased. They also questioned Crawley’s ability to tell the truth, from a past unsubstantiated rape allegation against Stroud, to a claim that she never visited Durham but said she was with Stroud the day of the shooting. Crawley’s cell phone records placed her within a mile of Smith’s apartment the day before her death. Crawley claimed Stroud threatened the lives of her and her children if she didn’t go to Durham with him. “When you are in the cycle of abuse, you can't see the obvious solutions in front of you,” said Scott Holmes, Crawley’s attorney. Prosecutors did not fully determine whether Crawley or Stroud committed the murder, Holmes said. His closing arguments focused on the testimony of Durham Police homicide investigator Shawn Pate, who said “We can neither prove nor disprove that he [Stroud] did it.” Holmes added that detectives didn’t thoroughly investigate Stroud, questioning him “like a couple of officers at the bar.” But Stroud would have had plenty of opportunities to kill Smith, Assistant District Attorney David Saacks said. “Is this really the way Jemeir would have done it,” he said. “He could have lured Denita anytime anywhere. Why involve the defendant? Why would Jemeir involve someone he deemed mentally unstable?”

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Defense attorney Scott Holmes (top) and district attorney David Saaks. CORLISS PAULING/Echo staff photographer

“Crawley is the only one pointing at Stroud — everything else is pointing at her.” As an undergraduate, Smith was an Eagle Scholar, a member of Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society, a saxophonist with the Sound Machine and a member of the Worship and Praise Inspirational Mass Choir. As a reporter and photographer for the Campus Echo, Smith earned a fellowship to the New York Times Student Journalism Institute. Smith finished her undergraduate degree in 2004. As an English graduate student, Smith was working on her masters’ thesis about the expression of black identity in the works of Richard Wright and Tupac Shakur. She

became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. a month before she was killed. During a B.N. Duke Auditorium memorial after her funeral, Rev. Michael Page of Campus Ministry spoke about the university’s reaction to her death. “Our hearts are numb. And our minds are confused,” he said. Durham Superior Court Judge Ronald Stevens, who presided over the Crawley trial, shared the same sentiments. “This is perhaps one of the most tragic cases this court has ever tried,” he said. “Jemeir Stroud caused the perfect storm to happen and that was unfortunate for everyone.”

and includes all new biosketches and ‘window in time sections,’” said Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, the book’s co-author. Higginbotham is a professor of history and the chairperson of African American studies at Harvard University. Higginbotham said Franklin handed her the book to rewrite a few years after the 2000 revision because he was working on his autobiography. “He read the book in 2004 and said it was outdated,” said Higginbotham. “It was a challenge to fit new information into the old so I had to start with a clean slate.” Higginbotham said she started from scratch researching and incorporating information into the new edition. She said the scholarship in the book is about 80 percent updated. She said it was important that the book to have the same power and respect it had in 1947. “Little things like the section on Malcolm X have been revised and the African chapter is completely different,” said Higginbotham. “There was no chapter on the black power movement in the old editions and there is discussion of hiphop and its global expansion.” Higginbotham said black studies came out of the black power era and singers like Nina Simone and James Brown. The 9th edition pays more attention to black women and their contribution to history and black culture, including artists,

John Hope Franklin began writing his epic book while teaching at North Carolina College for Negroes. century.” “It was the first book of black history I had ever read,” he said. “The flowing prose and research taught me how to write narrative history. It taught us all, anyone who is a historian.” “It is a significant part of American history and African American history,” he said. “Other scholars had written black history but eventually Franklin’s book institutionalized African American history for high school and college textbooks.”

writers and musicians. “I looked back in history and asked ‘where are the women?’” she said. “They were there but you don’t see them because people didn’t ask.” “Because women were there, I tried to include more about them by providing big sections on their work in the era of selfhelp,” she said. Carlton Wilson, NCCU history department chair, said he first read the book during the summer of his sophomore year at NCCU . He described it as “one of the most essential books of the second half of the 20th

n See FRANKLIN Page 3

TRADITION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 oldest living alumni. She graduated 75 years ago with a degree in accounting. Tuition, room and board then cost $300. Born in 1910, KearneyWilliams grew up in the rural town of Franklinton, N.C. where she spent most of her childhood helping her father in the field with sharecropping. Her mother was the cook for white plantation owners. Although KearneyWilliams’ parents did not have an education, they had dreams for their children to attend college and receive a higher education. At the age of 18, KearneyWilliams arrived at North Carolina College for Negroes in Durham where she and her father were greeted by founder and president James E. Shepard. Kearney-Williams said she could remember Shepard’s approach as “kind and heart-warming.” “He was a nice looking man,” said Kearney-Williams. “He was a good man in many ways to me, the students and his faculty.” Once Kearney-Williams

told Shepard of her family’s financial situation, Shepard was able to provide her with jobs on campus to pay for her tuition, room and board. Some of those jobs consisted of washing dishes in the dining hall, ironing, cleaning residence halls and cleaning and catering for the Shepard home. Next in line to attend NCCU was her daughter Kaye Rogers. Kaye Rogers, KearneyWilliams’ youngest daughter was one of the first African American students to integrate Durham High School, now known as Durham School of the Arts. She came to NCCU to earn her master’s degree in education because it was convenient after her pregnancy and after her marriage. Rogers is a graduate of the 1975 class. “My mother influenced my decision to come to NCCU,” said Kaye Rogers. “The small campus, the small town atmosphere and the professors here are truly concerned with giving the students the best education,” she said. “My graduate school expe-

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Graduate student Jean Rogers (left) with her grandmother Beulah “Gigi” Kearney-Williams Courtesy of the Rogers family

rience was wonderful, the professor were inspiring and motivating to me, and I really enjoyed my experience there.” said Kaye Rogers. Although she praises NCCU on some subjects, she raises a few concerns about the campus today. Rogers said that she believes the administration

should focus more on students and less on “politics.” “ They must be reminded that they have jobs here because of these students,” said Kaye Rogers. “We need to focus on graduating more graduates from HBCUs. A lot of the time students get frustrated with all the extra things from the administration and they end

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up leaving.” Today Gigi’s granddaughter, Jean Rogers, is a graduate student at NCCU working on her master’s degree in speech pathology who transferred here after a year at Howard University. “When I arrived at Howard University, I was very unhappy,” said Rogers. “The people weren’t that

friendly. I decided to leave and come NCCU.” “Coming to NCCU meant a lot to me,” she said. “When I transferred here my grandmother was so happy with my choice. I had to leave to get an appreciation for it.” “My grandmother was smart and very good in math,” said Jean Rogers. “She spent a lot of time helping her father read documents and helped him with math so he wouldn’t get cheated by the white landowners,” she said. Another family member, Jean Rogers’ cousin, Amura Cameron, also joined the family tradition and graduated in 2007 with a B.A. She is currently working on her master’s degree in psychology and will graduate this year. “For me NCCU, has been a stepping stone and has branched together new friendships, cultural and social experiences that I would not have received anywhere else,” said Cameron. “There’s security in feeling like it is home because it is a familiar place.”

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2010

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Sharing diversity White students at NCCU discuss their HBCU experiences BY JAY JONES ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Blacks are known as a minority to the mainstream population, but at N.C. Central University, they are the majority, and whites are the minority. And without even trying, they stand out. So what is their experience like? “I feel like a part of NCCU. I’m an Eagle,” said education junior Josh Bradley. “I’m not any different than anybody else. If this were the 50s, I too would think that choosing to go to school here is strange,” he said. “This is 2010 though, and it shouldn’t be a big deal. I’m like everybody else — a young person trying to get an education to better myself.” Bradley, who is from Asheville, said he chose NCCU for its jazz studies program. He said he grew up in a predominately white neighborhood and that grants, scholarships and financial aid are paying for his education. Of NCCU’s 8,035 students, there are about 850 white students. About 1,000 students classified themselves as “other.” The number of white students has steadily been increasing at North Carolina HBCUs. For example, WinstonSalem State University had 448 white students 10 years ago. It now has about 700. Fayetteville State University had 848 white students in 2004, but now has over 1,000. Bradley said he doesn’t feel isolated but that he sometimes feels uncomfortable when people stare at him and his AfricanAmerican girlfriend.

Education junior Josh Bradley (top left); Athletic training freshman Karim Corringham (top right); Mass communication junior Brian Moulton (bottom left); Education junior Christi Wall (bottom right). JAY JONES/Echo staff photographer

Bradley said that sometimes he feels that other students prejudge him for attending NCCU. Despite this, he said he encourages friends to attend NCCU. Athletic training freshman Karim Corringham came to NCCU from Toronto, Canada on a full golf scholarship. Corringham comes from a mixed family and a raciallydiverse neighborhood. “Coming from a mixed family, I feel comfortable on campus,” said Corringham. Like Bradley, Corringham said he thinks some Eagles may prejudge him. “People that don’t know me ignore me until my friends ask them why they are doing that,” he said. “After they get to know me, it’s not a problem.” Corringham said he sometimes feels that professors treat him differently because he is white. “At times, I was chosen a lot more over other students in discussion, even when I hadn’t raised my hand,” said

Corringham. “It also seemed like ‘let’s hear what the Caucasian guy has to say about this,’ as if my view would be completely different.” Corringham said he likes participating in class but sometimes feels that he isn’t always being called upon “for the right reasons.” At other times, he explained, “I would just be overlooked time and time again since the beginning of class.” Corringham said he does feel isolated from time to time, but that this is probably because he is so far away from his home in Toronto. “You are just like every other student. Your personality, character and grades should determine how you are seen,” said Corringham. Mass communication junior Brian Moulton grew up in a predominately white suburb of Washington, D.C. He chose NCCU because it is close to where he now lives and for the grants and scholarships that are paying for

his education. “I was a little concerned about fitting in, and I felt some tension from students, but after we got to know each other, that disappeared,” said Moulton. Moulton said he feels that students prejudge him as well and sometimes gets asked why he didn’t go to UNC Chapel-Hill. Moulton, who works at AudioNet and the Campus Echo, said his involvement makes him feel like he belongs. “I am here to succeed and make things happen in my life,” said Moulton. Elementary education junior Christi Wall said she has attended some diverse schools and some not-sodiverse schools growing up in Findlay, Ohio. Wall, who is from Creedmoor, said grants and out-of-pocket money are paying for her education. “My first couple of weeks in class, I felt completely unnerved,” said Wall. She said an experience at Winston-Salem State University four years ago may have had something to do with it. “I was at WSSU four or five years ago, and there was not a great reception at all,” said Wall. “I was basically ignored for the most part. I took full classes. I pretty much sat in the back of all the classes and didn’t speak unless I was forced to.” “This school has been extremely welcoming,” she said. “From the students, all the way to the academic advisers, to everybody I’ve met––it’s a completely different experience,” said Wall. “Our differences are only skin deep,” she said.

Ground breaks for nurses BY BETHANY SNEED ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Last Wednesday marked a new beginning for all nursing students on N.C. Central University’s campus. Excited nursing students of all levels gathered inside the old Holy Cross Church on Alston Avenue to witness the groundbreaking ceremony for the new nursing building. The new state-of-the-art nursing facility will offer

65,000 square feet of space that will include a 250-seat auditorium, a large skills lab and three human patient simulation rooms. The project is said to cost approximately $25 million dollars. “We are excited about having a new facility that will provide much needed space and equipment for the nursing students and staff,” said Lorna Harris, nursing chairman.

The nursing school was stationed in the MillerMorgan building for about 20 years, and the space is becoming too compact. “I am excited for the new facility and the new equipment,” said nursing senior Rachel Lloyd. “I am sure that it will only enhance our learning at NCCU and prepare us for our future careers as registered nurses.” The anticipated comple-

tion date is set for July 2011. “We are on target for completion of the building, and I hope it continues to stay that way,” said Harris. According to the N.C. Center on Public Policy, North Carolina will face a shortage of 9,000 nurses in the next five years. The new nursing facility at NCCU will address the statewide shortage of nurses and increase diversity in the field.

FRANKLIN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 edition and co-author has added to its significance and the new edition continued the tradition. He said the new addition is more appealing and looks more like a textbook. “Even whites had a valid text to teach without using biased resources,” said Wilson. “It’s a universal work that surpasses time and place.” Wilson said he remembered a Fulbright study tour

to China back in the ‘90s in which he and his companions met with Chinese professors who were teaching African American history to their students. “We asked them what resources they were using to teach,” said Wilson. “They looked at us strangely and said ‘John Hope Franklin.’ It shows the reach of the book and Franklin as a scholar.” Higginbotham said Franklin saw about 15 of the

chapters before his death and called it “wonderful.” She said he said it was just what he wanted, “to make the book new.” Higginbotham knew Franklin all of her life and said he had a “generous spirit and always tried to help others.” She said while pursuing his research, Franklin endured all kinds of injustices, including having to sit in the back of libraries to

conduct his research. “He endured insults for later generations that could read history, love history and use it to demand equal rights.” Higgenbotham described Franklin as a “was a wonderful gift to black people and America.” “He used to say ‘there’s no greater gift America could give to the world then to solve its race problem’.”

the Campus Echo. In the same e-mail, Nelms expressed his confidence that the consortium, which operates with federal, state and private grants, “delivers much needed assistance to under-achieving students in the public schools of North Carolina.” According to Nelms’ email, the audit should be completed within the next three weeks. “We will not allow speed to get in the way of accuracy

JERRY ROGERS/Echo Staff Photographer

BY JAY JONES ECHO STAFF REPORTER

During the Civil Rights movement, black leaders and white politicians faced a dilemma. How could they work together to overcome this country’s racial divide? Black leaders could be accused by others as “collaborating” with whites, and white politicians could see their careers ended by their often racist electorate. This situation, according to a book authored by Artemesia Stanberry, an assistant professor of political science at NCCU, and Glen Browder, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, led to what the authors call “stealth politics.” It was politics in which moderate white politicians and black leaders worked together behind the scenes to solve seemingly unsolvable problems. This is explored in their book, “Stealth Reconstruction: An Untold Story of Racial Politics in Recent Southern History.” “Stealth Reconstruction” adds nuance to the common vision of how the Civil Rights movement played out in Southern politics. It was not simply a standoff between whites and blacks. In a January C-Span appearance, Browder, who is white, described stealth politics as “biracial politics practiced in the South between white southern politicians and black lead-

ers.” In the C-Span appearance, Browder spoke from first-hand experience. As Alabama’s secretary of state, he received a court mandate to hire black poll workers to ensure fair elections. Knowing the resistance that whites would have to the specific mandate to hire blacks, he downplayed that side of the mandate and publically argued that the state of Alabama needed clean, open and honest elections. To achieve this, he maintained, the state needed to increase its supply of workers. The “mandate” to hire more blacks was left under the wraps. Stanberry, who worked for Browder in 1996 while he served in Congress, said she has been interested in politics all of her adult life. “In 1984, when Jesse Jackson ran for President and Walter Mondale selected Geraldine Ferraro as his vice presidential candidate, it was the first time a female had been selected,” she said. “That stuck with me for some reason. That was an exciting year for me.” Stanberry and Browder collaborated on “Stealth Politics” for four years. Stanberry said that Browder contacted her about working together on the book while teaching at at Prairie View University. The book, published by NewSouth Books, was released in January.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 see field notes from the audit “…because some of the allegations are just mind boggling.” Nelms has asked Jeff Henderson, the assistant vice president for audit and financial reporting in the UNC General Administration, to come to NCCU to lead an internal review. “We will leave no stone unturned in our effort to get to the bottom of these allegations,” wrote Chancellor Charlie Nelms in a e-mail to

Artemesia Stanberry talked “stealth politics” recently on C-Span.

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AUDIT company Coleman had registered with the N. C. Secretary of State. In that News and Observer review the auditor is quoted as saying that fictitious payments were made “to increase the compensation of Ms. Coleman.” Nelms has since fired the unnamed individual who conducted the audit saying that it was “sloppy” and that he had little confidence in it. Nelms told the News and Observer that he wanted to

Stealth politics

nor thoroughness,” he wrote. The achievement gap between black and white students during the 2007-08 academic year, according to the Department of Public Instruction website, increased from the year before to 34.9 percentage points with 64.4 percent of elementary and middle grade white students scoring at grade level compared to 29.5 percent of black students.

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2010

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Two decades of carpentry Carpentry supervisor began working at NCCU in 1988 BY J EROME B ROWN J R . ECHO STAFF REPORTER|

Colleagues, friends and family convened on Friday for a retirement celebration in honor of N.C. Central University maintenance mechanic and carpentry supervisor James Abdullah. Abdullah started working at NCCU in 1988. Before coming to NCCU, he worked as a private contractor doing carpentry. During his 22-year career at NCCU, Abdullah served under 12 different facility directors and five different chancellors. He built cabinets, renovated buildings and converted classrooms into offices. One of the most notable projects he was involved in was the reconstruction of the Bell Tower on Campus Drive in 1989. “My job has been fulfilling, and I have accomplished a lot in my time here,” said Abdullah. His service to NCCU went beyond his craft as a carpenter. Abdullah was the first chair of the staff senate in 1998 and has helped current staff senate chair, Rebie Coleman, establish a scholarship fund for staff members. “He planted the seed for the staff senate and was

B Y K IERRA M OORE ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Retiring facilities carpentry superviser James Abdullah (right) with facilities director Phillip Powell. Adullah has worked at NCCU for 22 years. ‘NEKA JONES/Echo staff photographer

instrumental in helping it grow,” said Coleman. “It was awesome working with him,” said Coleman. Abdullah spoke passionately for 10 minutes about helping students and carrying on James E. Shepard’s legacy. “We must be ambassadors for NCCU,” he said.

At the retirement celebration, Phillip Powell, director of facilities services, presented Abdullah with a plaque and flowers in appreciation of his service to NCCU. The consensus among James Abdullah’s colleagues is that he has always been a source of

inspiration and guidance. Tony Hunter was hired four years ago by Abdullah and was taught a helpful lesson. “I was used to working by myself, but when I came here, Mr. Abdullah told me I had to learn how to work with others and interact with people.”

“He’s been an inspiration and he’s definitely a people person. We should celebrate great people in our lives,” said Walter Moore. Abdullah hasn’t ruled out working again, but he does have other tasks to complete. “I have a six-month ‘honey-do list’ waiting for me,” he said.

Get your body and spirit fit Friday class taught by instructor with lifelong passion for yoga BY ANDREA LEGGETTE ECHO STAFF REPORTER|

Ask Donna Fulcher about the meaning of yoga, and she will tell you it’s about a lot more than developing strength and flexibility. “There is a spiritual component to yoga,” she said. Using yoga requires one to recognize that “we are all a part of one divinity.” Fulcher teaches yoga on Fridays in the Walker Physical Education Complex at noon. The first class was this past Friday. The one-hour class is offered free of charge in room 101-A and open to walk-ins anytime. Fulcher described yoga as a means of strengthening the mind, body and soul. At the start of each class, Fulcher rallies her students into a circle, and they begin their exercises to the tune of woodwind instruments to set the ambiance. The Friday class has students from all walks of life, including a retired toxicolo-

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Each Friday at noon yoga instructor Donna Fulcher, here with Ganga Atukorala, offers class free of charge. ‘NEKA JONES/Echo staff photographer

gist and a football coach. Fulcher said she was introduced to yoga when she was 10 years old.

She said she and her sister would catch the train from the Bronx to Manhattan to take yoga

classes that she described as exciting. “As I grew older, I became active in athletics

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and the military,” she said. “I never forgot the roots of yoga and daily strengthening of my spirit and mind.” Fulcher said she learned from those who mentored her that it’s important to balance the mind, body and spirit. She also teaches yoga at Patanjali's Place Community Yoga Space in downtown Durham, the Senior Center for Living, the downtown branch of the YMCA and Treyburn Country Club. According to Fulcher, the word “yoga” is more accurately described by the Sanskrit word, “asana,” which refers to the practice of physical posture or poses. There are eight limbs of yoga, and Fulcher said she plans to introduce them all in the class. The three most often mentioned limbs are yama (focus, concentration and meditation), asana (physical poses) and samadhi (self-awareness).

The U.S. Peace Corps has sworn in its first African American director — Aaron S. Williams. Williams was sworn in as the 18th director of the Peace Corps on Aug. 24, 2009. Williams, who was born and raised in Chicago, began his career in the Peace Corps in 1967 as a volunteer serving in the Dominican Republic. Williams is only the fourth director in the history of the Peace Corps to have served as a Peace Corps volunteer. Upon completion of his service, Williams became a coordinator for minority recruitment and a project evaluation officer. When Williams visited N.C. Central University on Feb. 16 he had one goal in mind: to speak with students about the need for minority volunteers in the Peace Corps. “You receive a gift, it’s something that will change you forever,” said Williams about his experience as a Peace Corps volunteer. Peace Corps volunteers commit to 27 months of training and service. Students interested in serving should apply about a year before they are ready to begin service. Williams said that volunteering in the Peace Corps is an “investment in yourself.” Williams bemoaned the fact that a greater percentage of HBCU students don’t consider becoming Peace Corps volunteers. Of all minority groups, Asians have the highest participation rate. Williams believes a financial barrier is the major reason that many people do not consider joining the Peace Corps. According to Williams there are benefits in addition to the experience of living in another culture. While serving in another country, volunteers receive a living allowance, as well as medical and dental insurance. After serving, volunteers receive $6,000 in transition support. Additionally repayment on federal student loans is postponed and Perkins loans are eligible for a 15 percent cancellation for each year of service in the Peace Corps. According to Williams, joining the Peace Corps is a great way to impress that graduate school you may want to apply to. “Graduate schools look at it and respect it,” he said.

Beyond NCCU

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2010

Obama firm on health care BY SAM MAMUDI MARKET WATCH (MCT)

N E W Y O R K — President Obama used his weekly address Saturday to reiterate support for attempts to overhaul the U.S. health-care system. The remarks came at the end of a week that saw Obama unveil his blueprint for passing his proposed changes into law and host a televised meeting with Congressional leaders, dubbed the health-care summit. “I said at the end of Thursday’s summit that I am eager and willing to move forward with members of both parties on health care if the other side is serious about coming together to resolve our differences and get this done,” Obama said Saturday. “But I also believe that we cannot lose the opportunity to meet this challenge.” Obama stressed the urgency of the reform efforts, saying, “It is time for us to come together. It is time for us to act .... So let’s get this done.” Obama said that while he is willing to work with Republicans, “no final bill will include everything that everyone wants.” But he pointed to areas of broad agreement, such as addressing the rising cost of health care. “Many on both sides agreed that we should give small businesses and individuals the ability to participate in a new insurance marketplace — which members of Congress would also use — that would allow them to pool their purchasing power and get a better deal from insurance companies. And I heard some ideas from our Republican friends that I believe are very worthy of consideration,” said Obama. The Hill newspaper reported late Friday that Obama will announce the “path forward” for health-care overhaul this week. It quoted White House spokesman Robert Gibbs as saying Obama will include areas of agreement between the parties in an “updated proposal on how to move forward.”

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Tales of terror and loss in Toyota-related deaths BY STUART PFEIFER, CAROL WILLIAMS AND ROBERT FATURECHI LOS ANGELES TIMES (MCT)

LOS ANGELES — One car barreled through a stop sign, struck a tree and landed upside down in a Texas lake, drowning four people. Another tore across an Indiana street and crashed into a jewelry store. A third raced to an estimated 100 mph on a California street before striking a phone pole, killing the owner of a sushi restaurant. Most died while doing the mundane: returning to work after lunch, shopping, driving to the bank to make a deposit. The deaths occurred in big cities and small towns throughout the U.S., from Los Angeles to Auburn, N.Y., Tucson, Ariz., to Marietta, Ga. The stories are told in court filings, federal accident complaints and police reports. At least 56 people have died in U.S. traffic accidents in which sudden unintended acceleration of Toyota Motor Corp. vehicles has been alleged, according to a Los Angeles Times review of public records and interviews with authorities. In the last decade, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received complaints of 34 fatalities related to sudden acceleration of Toyota vehicles, far more than any other automaker. In addition, at least 22 more deaths related to Toyota acceleration problems have been alleged in lawsuits and police reports. The NHTSA database does not disclose whether the complaints were valid, and none of the allegations have been proven in court. Still, the growing number of people who blame Toyota vehicles for deaths and injuries comes at a difficult time for the world’s largest automaker, which has issued safety recalls on nearly 10 million vehicles worldwide. Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons declined to comment for this story, saying the company does not discuss cases in which litigation has been, or may be, filed. The company has said it is confident that all models that contain the potentially sticking pedals have been identified and that the recalls will address all problems. In the past week, Toyota has become the focus of a criminal investigation related to its handling of safety issues; its chairman apologized before a congressional committee; and an internal memo was released in which Toyota executives boasted about saving money by averting recalls. •Umni Suk Chung screamed, “No brakes! No brakes! No

brakes!” as her Lexus RX330 sped along the shoulder of the 10 Freeway in West Los Angeles on a deadly collision course. Chung’s luxury SUV was going nearly 80 mph when it smashed into a Mercedes sedan on an off-ramp. The Lexus overturned, killing Chung’s sister-in-law, Esook Synn, who was seated in the back seat. Chung and another passenger were badly injured. A woman who said she witnessed the accident said that she could see a “look of terror” in Chung’s face just moments before the Dec. 15, 2008, crash. “They looked like they lost control of the car. The car did not look like it was decelerating at all, as if the accelerator was stuck or something,” the woman wrote on the Los Angeles Fire Department Web site. Chung and Synn, both Torrance residents, had been returning to work at a real estate office after spending their lunch hour at a Korean restaurant. Synn, 69, was survived by her husband, Kyung, a son, Gordon, and a daughter, Aimee. “It’s heartbreaking for us to know how scared or terrified she must have been because of the way the accident happened. It breaks our heart,” Gordon Synn said. Synn’s relatives have retained an attorney, Larry Grassini, who said he believes an electronic system malfunction caused the vehicle to accelerate while rendering the brakes useless. The Lexus RX330 is not among the models recently recalled by Toyota for problems linked to unintended acceleration. Toyota officials analyzed data from the Lexus’ “black box” and determined it was traveling 78 mph at the time of the crash, according to a report by the California Highway Patrol. Eleven months after the crash, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged Chung with gross vehicular manslaughter without alcohol impairment as well as reckless driving causing injury, both felonies. Now 62, Chung faces up to six years in prison if convicted. Before the accident, she had a clean driving record, according to the CHP report. “This case got filed and investigated before anybody knew about the problems with these Toyotas,” said Richard Hutton, Chung’s criminal defense attorney. “It’s been hell for her,” he said. “She feels bad enough that people were hurt and a relative was killed. Hopefully this case will get thrown out.” • Paramedics found Juanita Grossman with both feet still

Noriko Uno was killed when her 2006 Camry crashed into a light pole at a high speed in Upland, California, on August 28, 2009. She was driving at about the 30 mph speed limit when her 2006 Toyota Camry suddenly sped up to nearly 100 mph. Witnesses reported seeing the 66-year-old woman tearing along the eastbound lane of the suburban roadway, gripping the steering wheel, her face frozen in terror, trying to steer out of traffic and away from pedestrians. The car struck a telephone pole. Emergency workers noted the hand brake had been pulled up in a last-ditch attempt to halt the speeding car. LOS ANGELES TIMES (MCT)

pressing the brake pedal. Alert but critically injured, she said her 2003 Toyota Camry had inexplicably accelerated March 16, 2004, as she left a drive-through pharmacy, raced across a busy street and slammed into a jewelry store in Evansville, Ind. “It was like a car on a sling shot. She was slung across the street into that building,” said her son, Bill. Grossman, 77, was alert when paramedics arrived, but died six days later at a local hospital. In the days before her death, she described a car with a mind of its own, racing forward as she sat helpless behind the wheel, her feet jamming the brakes without effect, her son said. “First thing she said was my accelerator stuck,” recalled her son. “She kept emphatically saying that the accelerator stuck on her.” Grossman is survived by two children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The Indiana woman worked for an accounting company and was active in church. Her son remembered

her as principled and thorough, making to-do lists and never forgetting a birthday or anniversary. The 2003 Toyota Camry is not among the models recently recalled by Toyota. After the accident, the family considered taking legal action against the company. They decided against it, worried the legal costs of going up against the world’s largest automaker would overwhelm them. “It would’ve been the giant versus the little guy,” Bill Grossman said. • On the day after Christmas 2009, Monty Hardy and three members of his church were proselytizing in a Dallas suburb, spreading their faith door to door. The four Jehovah’s Witnesses were traveling in Hardy’s 2008 Toyota Avalon about 30 mph on a residential street when the car suddenly accelerated, raced through a stop sign and left the road, crashing into a fence and tree and landing upside down in a small lake, according to a police report. All four drowned.

Hardy, 56, and his wife had recently received a recall notice from Toyota; it said the car’s floor mats had a propensity to cause the accelerator to stick. So the couple had diligently removed those mats and placed them in the trunk, said Randy Roberts, a Tyler, Texas, attorney who’s representing Linda Hardy in a planned lawsuit against the carmaker. The couple had also taken the car into a dealership to have problems with its acceleration system examined, Roberts said. Investigators removed the box that records speed data and gave it to Toyota for evaluation, Roberts said. The data showed the car was traveling at 47 mph when it hit the fence and at 45.5 mph when it hit the tree, the lawyer said. “It’s an engine throttling at a stuck speed,” Roberts said. “To me, it’s pretty obvious that this was your classic acceleration problem. The man had a perfect driving record. He’s out doing work for his church the morning after Christmas.”

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New media expert, Rahaf Harfoush, a strategist with President Obama’s presidential campaign, recently spoke about her experience with social media during the presidential campaign and how it is changing the way people and organizations communicate and do business with one another. The speech was given to the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce at their 2010 annual meeting on February 9. The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce is Durham County’s leading business organization, serving close to 1,000 businesses, government agencies and non-profit member firms. “I came to speak to the chamber to talk to them about how they could apply the use of social media tools to their advantage in this rapidly growing society,” said Harfoush. Since the campaign ended in 2008, Harfoush, a Canadian, has been speaking across the country about her experience with social media on the campaign. In her speech, Harfoush discussed her 2009 book, “Yes We Did: An Inside Look At How Social Media Built the Obama Brand.” “Yes We Did” explores the way social media was used during Obama’s presidential campaign. It also gives advice to businesses on branding and communicating with customers. One thing that Harfoush finds beneficial about the uses of social media is that it connects people to one another. “I love people. I use social media to help make the world a better place by doing the things that are necessary to affect change,” she said. Harfoush said that she

Rahaf Harfoush speaks to the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce in February about how social media was used by the Obama presidential campaign and how it can be used by businesses COURTESY NATHAN CLENDENIN PHOTOGRAPHY

joined the Obama campaign because she believes that “everyone should do their part to make this world a better place.” Harfoush added she could offer her expertise as a new media strategist to help the candidate make it to the White House. Harfoush spent three months as a volunteer with the Obama new media team in Chicago where she worked with Chris Hughes and Joel Rosenberg, the architects behind the new media team. “What I did was a small part. I was one of millions who wanted to see a positive change,” she said. Harfoush said the Obama’s campaign set standards for the web community which will be key for future elections, but that a foundation was set by the 2004 Howard Dean run in the Democratic primary. “If it was not for Howard Dean’s primary run in 2004,

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we would not be where we are today,” she said. According to Harfoush, the Obama campaign was able to fine tune what was started in by Dean’s 2004 campaign. “People will expect more as time progresses, they will expect politicians to continue to use the tools that are available,” she said. Harfoush said that the use of social media tools is just now finding its footing and will become more and more developed over the coming years. “The use of social media in 2008 was a big experiment which is evolving and becoming more sophisticated producing more useful tools,” she said. According to Harfoush, Americans are intense users of social media. “The United States puts more trust in its use of social media than other countries,” she said.

She said Americans spend more time on social networking sites than others and that they are more open with what they do on those sites. Even though Harfoush enjoys using social media, she believes some monitoring is necessary on the personal level, especially for students. “Students should monitor their use of social networks but still try to experiment with it,” Harfoush said. She also mentions that students should think of social media as a tool and come up with their own conclusion of the use of it. “In order to understand the tools that are available, you have to play, explore and discover what suits you.” She also recommended that students “keep a business hat on while they social media.”

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ANDTHE WINNER IS...

Campus Echo

1st - Best HBCU Student Newspaper 1st - Best HBCU Online Student Newspaper 1st – Best Headline Writing 1st – Best Individual Page Design 1st – Best Editorial Cartoon (Brandon Murphy) 2nd - Best Overall Design

2nd – Best Editorial Section (Britany Rooks) 2nd – Best Multimedia Package Honorable Mention – Best Photo Essay (Chi Brown)

As judged by news industry professionals & the Black College Communication Association 2010 HBCU EXCELLENCE

JOURNALISM AWARDS

From the NE Central Durham VOICE WE

8 The news stories below are written by N.C. Central University students in Lisa Paulin’s advanced reporting courses, and by Campus Echo staff reporters.

The stories are published in the Northeast Central Durham Community VOICE alongside stories written by community journalism students at UNCChapel Hill and stories written

by middle and high school students from Northeast Central Durham. The VOICE – which can be seen in its entirety at www.durhamvoice.org – is the

product of collaboration between the UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication and NCCU’s Department of English and Mass Communication.

The project’s many supporters include other UNC-Chapel Hill programs and departments, Durham city government and community organizations, the Z. Smith Reynolds

‘Let’s talk about that’

Nakia Jones in AudioNet production room at N.C. Central University DIANE VARNIE/NCCU staff photographer, Durham VOICE

BY JAMESE SLADE NCCU STAFF REPORTER, DURHAM VOICE

Joe’s Diner and Interet Cafe will soon be the first home of Nakia Jones’ brainchild — a community talk show. “Let’s Talk about That” will focus on what’s going on in people’s lives, the community, and businesses within it. Currently Jones is just taping her show and preparing it for cable TV. “I’m bidding for a time slot, but I need four hours of edited video or a large public interest,” said Jones. “There are young people that live in Durham and don’t know about Durham,” said Jones. “People are doing things that affect the world right here.” Jones is no newcomer to the entertainment industry. The Durham native was signed to a record label at 13, as a rap artist. After graduating from high school, she moved to New York and soon after California to pursue her dreams of stardom. She

worked a variety of jobs from acting to working behind the scenes as a wardrobe and hairstylist for “The Young and the Restless.” “I ended up working for Soul Life Records and later became the personal assistant for R&B artist Sunshine Anderson,” said Jones. “I have experience in the business.” The idea for hosting a talk show came in 2003 during a visit back to Durham. A local man, who was HIV positive, began telling her his story while sitting on the front porch of her grandmother’s house in NECD. Jones went in and got her grandma’s video camera, giving her the opportunity to record her first show. “The man with HIV and I sat on the step and I recorded the show,” said Jones. “That’s when I figured out what I wanted to do.” After continuing to go back and forth between L.A. and North Carolina, Jones decided to move back home to NECD permanently to “regroup” in 2007. Then

Jones began to focus on her new dream. “I’ve always wanted to host a show,” said Jones. “It seems that people just want to talk to me.” Jones, a mother, student, and teacher still finds time to be actively involved with the community, which helps her with her show. “I know what’s going on, I work in the school, I go to church, and my son does parks and recreation,” said Jones. “My involvement in the community made me want to do the show.” “The show would let people know that East Durham isn’t only taboo,” said Joseph Bushfan, the owner of Joe’s Diner. “East Durham gets a bad rep, but there are quality people here, and they need to be given a fair chance.” She said “Let’s Talk about That” will teach life lessons. “The viewers will learn how to live a better life from someone else’s mistakes or from something good someone did.” Jones goal is to redefine

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Foundation, and the The Daily Tar Heel A full accounting of the “good souls” behind the Northeast Central Durham VOICE is provided by Jock

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Lauterer in the online edition. Lauterer is director of the Carolina Community Media Project in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at UNC-

Chapel Hill and the VOICE’s co-adviser. We hope you enjoy learning more about Northeast Central Durham through these stories. If you are interested in par-

9 ticipating in this project, contact Dr. Lisa Paulin at lpaulin@nccu.edu or Dr. Bruce dePyssler at the Campus Echo or bdepyssler@nccu.edu.

Victory Temple Church strives for victories, great and small

No bull, just beer

Joe’s Diner and Internet Cafe will be home to community talk show what’s cool for young people. “I don’t want to pick a demographic,” said Jones. “Some days it can be for teenagers and other days it can be for adults, but the topics will be appropriate for any age.” If successful, Jones hopes the show will bridge the gap between young and old people, making a common ground. “At Joe’s café they want community things to go on in their place,” said Jones. “I took the opportunity to get my show going.” During her show the audience will be able to discuss things that are important to them. “She would raise the bar and help people’s selfesteem,” Bushfan said. “I’m about what the community wants to know. I’m not trying to force my point of view,” Jones said. “It’s not about me. I’m open to the message God wants me to give.” She has many goals for “Let’s Talk about That.” “I hope to always have topics that are relevant to what’s going on in the world,” said Jones. “I hope to have an interactive piece that lets people tell us what they want to talk about via Internet.” Some shows that viewers can expect to see on “Let’s Talk about That” are “Kids in Gangs,” “Specialty Stores in Durham,” and “Bridging the Gap for Women of all Age Groups.” Jones said that she is confident that the show will be broadcasted very soon with her first show featuring the man who was HIV positive. Her mission is to find his son and play the video for him. “I just want his son to know that he loved him,” said Jones. “My daddy died of AIDS,” said Jones. “I want his son to hear things from his daddy that I wish mine would have said to me.

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Home ownership the star at corner of Taylor and Alston BY BRIANA AGUILAR NCCU STAFF REPORTER, DURHAM VOICE

“The country celebrates our anniversary every year!” says Rick Tuft, co-owner and head brewer of Triangle Brewing Company. Indeed, the NECD-based brewery opened its doors on July 4, 2007. Tuft and his partner Andy Miller, co-owner and head of sales and marketing, built their business from the ground up, working almost 80-90 hours a week to make sure their micro-brewery is a success. “We were two navy brats,” says Tuft. Miller and Tuft became friends at school in Connecticut. Miller moved to North Carolina to attend graduate school at East Carolina University. Tuft soon followed and found a job working as a school psychologist for Durham Public Schools. When Tuft and Miller decided to become business partners and open a brewery, they chose Durham because they felt like it was an overlooked area when compared with neighbors Chapel Hill and Raleigh. “No one loves Durham like the people in Durham,” says Tuft. “We believe we’re ahead of the curve.” Tuft and Miller were the only two employees until September 2009. They brewed, kegged, and distributed everything themselves. With the addition of their first employee, Luke Studer, Tuft and Miller were able to cut their hours down from 80-90 hours a week to 60-65 hours a week. Studer had help getting his foot in the door at TBC since he graduated from the American Brewer Guild, an online program where Tuft also received a degree. Tuft allowed him to complete his six-week apprenticeship at TBC. Then he volunteered at TBC one year

before they finally hired him as an official employee. TBC likes to keep their beers simple by not using fancy names. “We are still trying to educate the community about the different kinds of beers,” says Tuft, who puts together all the recipes. Before beginning TBC, Tuft honed his brewing skills with home brewing kits. “The more comfortable I’ve gotten with it, the easier it has been to put it together,” says Tuft. TBC runs three beers year round: a Flag Ship Belgium Golden Ale that has eight percent alcohol content, Extra Pale Ale with four and a half percent alcohol content and a Belgium Style White Wheat Ale with a five percent alcohol content. TBC also has seasonal beers such as the Belgium Abbey Dubbel Ale which the brewery pours from September to February, a Winter Stout which pours from December to March (Saint Patrick’s Day) and a Bourbon Abbey Dubbel Ale from the Rufus Reserve Series. In December TBC introduced a winter warmer beer: the Habeñero Pale Ale. “It adds a nice spicy flavor, but it’s not too much; you can really taste it around your third sip,” says Tuft. TBC uses locally grown habeñero peppers from Needham’s Pepper Patch. The beer was also showcased with the third course at Alivia’s Durham Bistro Beer Dinner in January. TBC has something else that sets them apart from other breweries: Rufus, who they claim is their patron saint. Rufus is the name they gave to a decomposed body found during building renovations. He was hidden in clay, but his body was “preserved” in a trash bag.

A hard day’s work ahead of the Triangle Brewing Company’s only employeee, Luke Suder. BRIANA AGUILAR /NCCU staff reporter, Durham VOICE

After extensive research they were unable to tell Rufus’s race, age, or who he was because there were no dental records. They were; however, able to find information about the trash bags, which leads them to believe his body was tucked away in the clay in the mid 1940’s. “Rufus continues to haunt us today,” says Tuft. “Every now and again weird stuff will happen, so we’ll pour a little beer to keep him happy.” TBC has made a beer in his honor. Rufus means “red” in Latin, so Tuft and Miller decided to make a reserve Imperial Amber. They also made a casket where they actually pour beer from when they travel

to beer festivals and events. TBC beers can be located in over 50 restaurants, pubs, bars, and hotels with multiple tabs on draft in Durham, Orange, Wake, Cumberland and Chatham County, along with the cities of Greenville and the CharlotteMecklenburg area. TBC only produces draft beer, but are working on canning beer in the future. According to the owners, brewing beer isn’t a fast process. It takes eight hours to brew a batch. Once they’ve cracked the grain, it goes into the fermenter, then it ferments and conditions for two weeks. TBC wants to can their beers to make them “environmentally friendly and North Carolina friendly,”

says Tuft. “North Carolina is a place where you can swim in the ocean in the summer and ski in the winter. Glass is not always accepted everywhere.” Canned beer will have a longer shelf life and stay fresher. Bottled beers are exposed to 5-10 percent sunlight and oxygen which can change the taste of the beer. “Cans will prevent sunlight and oxygen from getting in,” says Tuft. TBC entered eight beers in the 2009 Carolina Championship of Beer competition and won six medals: three silver and three bronze. It was their first time entering a competition, and they plan on entering again this year. TBC is a part of a documentary called Beer Y’ALL where seven friends and some students from the UNC-Chapel Hill toured 27 microbreweries and brewpubs (breweries that have restaurants attached to them) in North Carolina. The documentary is available on DVD. TBC gives free tours every Saturday. Gates open at 1:00 and tours begin at 1:30pm. “We heard about it (Triangle Brewing Company) on a blog, talking about the best things to do in Durham,” says Lenea Bearding, a Durham resident; during a tour of brewery. “This is really good” says Kelsey Goebel, a California resident who was visiting. Both left with their bellies full and souvenirs in their hands. Although Tuft, Miller, and Studer put in long hours, they admit that it’s not all work. The ping pong tables, hacky sack and darts, located in the brewery, allow the boys to take a load off by playing a few games and enjoying a nice cold beer. “We make our very tough decisions playing over there sometimes,” says Tuft.

“Play more!” says Durham Parks and Recreation

Two young children at Victory Temple join in on the worship and praise. CORLISS PAULIN/NCCU Staff reporter, Durham VOICE

BY CORLISS PAULING NCCU STAFF REPORTER, DURHAM VOICE

Singing, clapping and listening to the Word is how members of Victory Temple Holy Church began their Valentine’s Day service last week. The church, located next to the M&M convenience store, at 2126 Angier Avenue began in 1996 and has been at its current location for 12 years. Co-Pastors Raymond Boney and Regina Boney felt that they were called upon by a higher power to open Victory Temple Holy Church after serving as youth pastors at another nearby church. They, along with founding members Cynthia Jones, Erica Loring Greaux, Annie Fulton and the late Michael Jones, say they wanted to create a place of worship that furthered the teachings of God and connected to the Northeast Central Durham community. “Since then the congregation has continued to grow,” said Reginald Boney, the son of Raymond and Regina. The church has around 300 members. Boney attributes this

progress to the growth of the surrounding community that has “embraced” and “welcomed” the congregation. He says that their uplifting and inspiring sermons also help. The pastors at Victory Temple Holy Church are proud to count people of all ages among their congregation. “Many of the students from N.C. Central University attend Sunday services and actively participate in our college ministry that focuses on building spiritual and social awareness,” said Boney. “They have a lot of young leaders which is a big factor for youth,” said Lee Jackson, a physical education sophomore at NCCU. “They also have lots of activities for the youth to do and the messages that are taught are ones that we can relate to.” It’s just an environment that makes you want to come and be a part of,” said Jackson. The church is also dedicated to serving the community. “Victory Temple Holy Church acts as a center of relief for the community,” said Boney. “We do a lot of outreach for the community that includes

Leader pursues justice

After school programs, athletic and cultural activities make NECD kids feel special

BY CHAVARIA WILLIAMS NCCU STAFF REPORTER, DURHAM VOICE

BY CARLTON KOONCE NCCU STAFF REPORTER, DURHAM VOICE

Durham Parks and Recreation wants people in Northeast Central Durham who find afternoons and weekends boring to get out and play more with their athletic or cultural activities. Its “Play More” motto encourages city youth to participate in one or more of the many activities it provides at various community centers including the Holton Center, located in the heart of NECD. “A lot of kids feel alone and we make them feel special,” said Rosalie BocelliHernandez, community relations coordinator for Durham Parks and Recreation. “When you get to the centers we are like a family. Everyone works well together and you can see it with the kids.” Bocelli-Hernandez said that DPR maintains a good relationship with the community and tries to keep programs diversified. There are many classes that promote culture as well as phys-

ical activity. “It’s a commitment,” she said. “DPR is trying to merge cultures by keeping a lot of cultural things involved. There are dance classes that teach Latin and Cuban-African dances and Caribbean music.” Bocelli-Hernandez also said that DPR leans toward more education for youth and they have after school programs to keep them academically prepared. “We try to prevent kids from getting into gangs,” she said. “We have Friday nights out where we view movies and have games. Most kids go to gangs because they have no one at home and they feel lonely.” “The community centers try to reach out,” she said. DPR’s “Play More” consists of a host of activities including basketball, racquetball, computer classes, self-defense, hiking, lifeguard classes and many others. The activities are tailored for all ages from the very young to senior citizens. “The basketball games are very popular,” said

Eastway Village replaced Few Gardens, one of Durham’s most troubled housing projects, in May 2006. ERICA SMITH/NCCU Staff reporter, Durham VOICE

Bocelli-Hernandez. “The aquatics classes are also really popular. They are provided by the Red Cross and are divided by ages from 0-3 years to adults.”

Bocelli-Hernandez said that there are also swimming lessons for autistic children and those diagnosed with Down Syndrome and other special needs. She

said special needs programs are also designed to develop teamwork and trust in participants. Bocelli-Hernandez also said the department accom-

modates people with special needs and has a host of volunteers to help out with everything from parking to serving meals for all events. Denique Prout is a gradu-

ate of N. C. Central University and has been working for DPR as a facility attendant and reservation specialist at the Lyon Park Community Center. She gives tours to people interested in reserving a center’s space. She said most of the centers try to offer the same activities but some centers can provide activities that others cannot. “Some of them have pools and tennis courts so they can offer different programs,” Prout said. “You can shop around and each center can give you info about another. We work as a team.” Prout said young people could enroll in Project Teen in which they will have the opportunity to go on field trips and participate in selfesteem programs. She also said they make their own music CDs. “We have open gym Friday nights between 6 and 11 for whomever,” she said. “In NECD the Holton Center has everything from computer and barber classes to game rooms and GED classes. Bocelli-Hernandez said DPR sends out surveys to

see what sort of initiatives the community would like to be introduced. “We ask them what they do and what they want to do on the surveys,” she said. “The unpopular ones [programs] are closed and we move on.” “Basketball was one request and we have cooking classes starting in April as another one,” she said. “There will be a variety of meals and chefs from various area restaurants that will teach those classes. If the public engages, we will continue to offer them.” DPR publishes a magazine four times a year that is inserted in the Durham Herald Sun. The magazines contain the locations of centers and the programs offered by DPR. Whatever the season or program, it can be found in the magazine. Contact and rental information is also included. Bocelli- Hernandez said that DPR is trying to lower prices to accommodate people in the current economy. She said by purchasing a Play More card from a center, people can save money. Prout said vouchers are available for people who fit

tutoring, vacation Bible school and summer camp,” said Pastor Barbara Williams who has been a member since 2000. Many of the members from the congregation come from an educational and teaching background. They tutor children from the community and the church. Sometimes they even arrange tutoring sessions for the students who cannot meet at the church. Victory Temple Holy Church classifies their ministry as “Pentecostal with a modern flare,” said Boney. This modern flare means, in part, that they are not strict about dress codes or individual worship styles, like other traditional Pentecostal churches. Members are free to shout, clap, run or move in any way when led by the spirit. “I really enjoy the atmosphere and the people,” said Tiara Wilson who attends service with her fiancé Darren Russel. Victory Temple Holy Church is a proud part of NECD where its members say they strive to live by their motto “Whether great or small, victory is still victory.”

the requirements but she said people just don’t take advantage of it. “Come to a center and play if you don’t have anything to do,” Prout said. “Our motto is play more, and kids grow up so fast they don’t get to enjoy childhood anymore.” Bocelli-Hernandez said there are sometimes carpools that can help people get to certain activities at the centers. Otherwise DPR only provides transportation for after school programs and summer camp. Both Bocelli- Hernandez and Prout would like to see the public learn more about DPR and Play More activities. “Durham is a unique place,” said Bocelli. “The people are so special. We want younger people to feel like kings and queens.” Prout said there is no excuse for young people anywhere in Durham to be bored. “These facilities are created for you,” she said. “Don’t be home pouting and saying there’s nothing to do. We’re here. Play more.”

Part of the NECD Leadership Council’s mission is “to be a catalyst for the development of economic and human capital in our historic community.” And Marion Lamberth is one of the council members out on the streets trying to turn the mission into a reality. Lamberth, a single-parent NECD homeowner, became a council member after serving as a PAC 5 (Partners against Crime) co-facilitator for three and a half years and as a member of the NECD Action Team. The Action Team, a precursor to the Leadership Council was charged with developing the original revitalization plan for NECD. “I have made a commitment to pursue environmental awareness, educational and economic justice in Northeast Central Durham,” says Lamberth. The council meets once a month for two-hour meetings, and subcommittees meet for an hour and a half. Council members meet with residents as part of their committee work. The council has 20 members who must

Mario Lamberth is a member of the NECD Leadership Council own a business or reside in NECD to be considered for membership. After council meetings, Lamberth shares information with neighbors. Lamberth appreciates the diversified group of people on the leadership council because she feels it better serves the residents of various backgrounds. The council aids needy families when it can, but mainly deals with economic development and requesting money from the Durham City Council to promote the com-

munity’s economic initiatives. “We go to the Police Department and request more police surveillance [in poorly protected areas of the city],” she says. “We realize it is imperative that the northeast central section of Durham becomes more attractive.” Lamberth feels that council could be considered the voice of the community. The council members believe that a whole is a sum of its parts and NECD reflects greatly on other parts of the city. “We try and are open to collaboration and cooperation with other Durham councils,” says Lamberth. “We make special efforts to reach out to El Centro, other PAC leaders and the Congregations Association and Neighborhoods (CAN).” “The future is promising because it is an untapped resource that hasn’t been fully utilized,” she said. “The future is bright and I see a wonderful prosperity for it.” The council hopes to restore the community back to the Durham it once was decades ago.

New home for Eagles N

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Photos and text by Mike DeWeese-Frank

The renovated façade of the historic Durham Athletic Park retains its historic look. The park is located at 500 West Corporation street.

he 2010 N.C. Central University baseball season started on a new home field — the newly renovated historic Durham Athletic Park. Renovations of the park were completed last sum mer, with the grand open ing on August 14, 2009. The goal of the renovation was to preserve the rich tradition of Durham baseball. Durham’s baseball team played at Durham Athletic Park for more than 45 years. In 1988, the film Bull Durham was shot at the Durham Athletic Park, making the Durham Bulls nationally known. In 1995; however, the Durham Bulls moved to the newer Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Until this season, Eagles baseball had been playing in the same stadium as the Durham Bulls. NCCU will be the primary tenant at the Durham Athletic Park, but the field will also continue to host various organizations and festivals, which have used the field in the past. In addition, Minor League Baseball will use the stadium as a training center. NCCU started out the season with the 2010 Eagles Baseball Classic, which involved games between NCCU, Iona, Delaware State, and Navy. The Eagles lost all three of its games: 4-2 against Iona, 26-2 against Delaware State, and 9-2 against Navy. The Eagles return to Durham Athletic Park on March 10 for a double header against Norfolk State.

Eagles’ gear.

View from the home dugout as the Eagles face the Iona College Gaels.

Eagles take the field for the first time at their new home--the historic Durham Athletic Park.

Students from the Central Park School for Children watch the Eagles start their 2010 season.

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Cultured jewels

Stylin’ delight NCCU textile and apparel students prepare for fashion show BY

DIANE VARNIE

ECHO A&E EDITOR

All the long days and nights of slave shifts in N.C. Central University’s Dent Human Sciences building will finally be paid off March 24. That’s when textile and apparel students will have their clothes modeled during the yearly fashion show, sponsored by the department’s student organization, Fashion Inc. Titled “Destination Fashion: Prepare for Flight,” this year’s show will take attendees on a voyage around the worldeach design at a time. “Destination Fashion” will be the 13th fashion competition, which also happens to be around the same time as NCCU’s sentential year. Last year’s designs were inspired by Hollywood movies. However, this year designers will take on a theme that is truly international. “Each student has chosen a country from which they will design their garment,” said Wadeeah Beyah, a human sciences teacher and fashion show advisor. “Their garments have been inspired from around the globe,” she said. It may seem fun to design clothes and have them modeled, but please know that it’s more than entertainment. “This is a requirement for our students… it’s an academic event,” said Beyah. “Our students have taken classes such as apparel construction. They begin to sew in manufacturer pattern and then learn how to make their own patterns.” The fashion show is so fierce that even minor mistakes can be cost more than the fabric brought to make the garments. “Because of this year’s broad theme, much emphasis will be given to the detail, which is our main objective,” said Carl Lindsey Mc Laurin, a textile and apparel senior and the show’s producer. Even though Laurin sits out of the competition this year, he’s glad to reflect

Caprice Cody (top) and Shandre’ Brimmage work on garments for the March 24, 13th Annual Textiles and Apparel Fashion Show. DIANE VARNIE/Echo

back to the days he was once in the designers shoes. “I welcomed the chance to take on responsibility for some of the show production,” he said. “ “Being that most of the designers are just design-

staff photographer

ing, it leaves so much to be done.” Despite the marvelous theme of the show, this year’s competition holds more changes, beneficial for non-designers. “We have a segment of the show called ‘Guest

Designers’, where the guest designers will compete in a category of their own,” said Beyah. The countries that the student designers chose are varied and sure to leave a fire trail after the model. With all the research students put into each line collection, one may not believe that all the student designers are American. “I think Greece is one of the most elegant countries when it comes to garments,” said Shandre’ Brimmage, a textile and apparel junior and business management minor. “My designs are pretty much Greece inspired. There will be a lot of draping and one shoulder garments.” Some designers didn’t shy away from what they know best. “The country I chose was quite simple- I chose the U.S.A. but my particular era and theme is the ‘Wild Wild West’,” said Dennell Warthen, a textile and apparel junior. One designer is inspired by the young eclectic street fashions of Tokyo, better known to the masses as Harajuku. “I like the vibrant colors and the individuality of the way people take their styles and make it their own,” said Shawn Sample, a textile and apparel senior. Of course the show wouldn’t be complete if the flight didn’t land in the motherland, better known as Africa. “There is so much beauty there… that’s where it all began,” said Shevonne Pearson, a textile and apparel senior. Pearson also plans to break all the stereotypes when it comes to African fashion. “Just because you choose an African country, doesn’t mean you have to use kente cloth,” she said. “There are different beauty and patterns period.” Tickets to board the flight are $6 in advance and $8 at the door. For more information, contact the NCCU ticket office at (919)-530-5170.

AudioNet provides new vibes Student radio offer new programming for spring 2010 BY CHRIS HESS ECHO STAFF REPORTER

N. C. Central University’s student radio station, AudioNet, has new shows hitting the air this semester. “It’s kind of a rebuilding stage,” said Jamal McCrea, a Junior Mass Communication major and on-air personality. “AudioNet has a fresh set of minds running the station, which is getting a lot of feedback.” Among the fresh set of minds stands Arssante “Fuego” Malone, who gives AudioNet their first reggae program, titled “De Session.” “I didn’t know I was the first person to have a reggae show on campus,” said Malone, a mass communication senior and on-air personality. “Reggae is just a genre that I’m passionate about. I’m passionate about the subject manner and how it promotes social consciousness, unity and more.” If you’re expected tunes from Serani and Mavado, this is not the reggae station for you. “I play old reggae, I don’t play any type of dancehall,” said Malone. “The majority of music I

Host Arrsante “Fuego” Malone (left) and Baka Ceesay jam to reggae during the “De Session” show. DIANE VARNIE/Echo

play has some type of relevance in bettering our community” he said. Along with the throwback reggae vibes, Malone also initiates conversations surrounding issues relevant to the mass black community. The show’s first topic was centered on black men in America and their status when it comes to image and society. “Everyone that I have spoken to about my radio show enjoys it and they love the subject manner,” said Malone.

staff photographer

“Just last week, this one sista’ called in and said that people were dancing in the pool hall, which really made me feel good to know that there are people out there listening.” Aside from pleasant listening, AudioNet TV now provides television program that are also available online. “We have TV programs that show different things occurring on campus,” said McCrea. “We’ve done a cribs show, and the next show

will be a reality show.” AudioNet is also a breeding ground for up and coming local artists, and campus based talent. “At AudioNet, the staff is like a family,” said Rashad Barrett, a mass communications junior. Barrett is also an on-air personality, cameraman and holds the title of Mr. AudioNet. To access AudioNet, simply click on the link at the bottom right corner of the NCCU website, or tune into Channel 9 on campus.

TOMMIA HAYES

ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Travel to countries such as Ghana, Egypt and Ivory Coast without stepping a foot out of Durham. The lust for authentic ethnic clothing, jewelry, instruments or artwork can be cured right here in the Bull City, at a downtown shop titled Exotique. The concept for the store was inspired by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 according to the founder Dr. Adeyemi Olutolabi. “After September 11, people were scared to travel abroad, so I wanted to bring culture to Durham,” said Olutolabi. When the store first opened in April 2006, the objective was to bring quality merchandise to Durham- but only imported from other countries. Olutolabi felt compelled to help local artists while charging a small commission. “Overall it’s a win, win situation,” said Olutolabi. “The artists get their work displayed, the store gets a small profit and customers get beautiful quali-

ty work.” Currently, 70 percent of the merchandise in the store comes from countries like: Bolivia, Peru, India, Guatemala and other countries. The other 30 is made up from local artists. Some of the best sellers in the store are the exotic materials, which can be used for clothing. Some of the cloths include batik, kente and mud cloth of all types of fabrics and techniques. The store also features an assortment of 24 carat gold jewelry including earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Other work in the store includes original artwork, original fused glass, djembe drums and handmade awale, an ancient board game. Prices range for these marvelous works range from $1 to $800. “The store is a wonderful place if you would like to give a present to a friend, loved one or yourself,” said Olutolabi. The store is located at 319 West Main Street. For more information, visit www.theexotique.com.

Customer browses African glitz and glam at Exotique. MITCHEL WEBSON/Echo

staff photographer

The queen wears blue 2nd annual pageant returns BY DAVID L. FITTS, JR. ECHO ONLINE EDITOR

It’s a brand “blue” way for tonight’s Miss Phi Beta Sigma Pageant. The event, which returned in 2009 after a 10 year hiatus, will take place today at 7:14 p.m. at the Farrison-Newton Communications Building Theatre. The fraternity’s Gamma Gamma chapter at N.C. Central University hopes this year’s event, titled “A Whole Blue World,” will increase morale and campus involvement among students. “In order to be Miss Phi Beta Sigma, we look for someone who is involved in the community and has inner and outer beauty,” said Brandon Chapman, a member of NCCU’s chapter. This year’s six contestants will compete for a $1,000 scholarship to be used towards education expenses and community service projects. Each participant, as well as attendees, are asked to bring unused medical supplies to donate to the earthquake victims in Haiti. Valerie Parker, an English and political science junior, is participating in the pageant because she never competed in one before.

“While being in the pageant, I hope to gain an overall cultural experience and a sense of accomplishment in completing something new,” she said. “I hope to have forums on campus where newly elected city officials can come and speak on what they are doing to improve Durham, including campus life for NCCU students.” Brittany Royall, a public health education junior, wants to improve on-campus student involvement. A member of NCCU’s Alpha Lambda Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Royall wants to implement programs that improve student health. “My goal is to target students, especially freshmen to help them get involved in campus life because they are the future of NCCU,” she said. “I want the campus to have a more family environment.” Chapman has high hopes for tonight’s event. “I hope to see the pageant sold out,” he said. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office located in the Pearson Cafeteria. Advance student tickets are $3; $5 at the door. General admission will be $5 in advance and $7 at the door.

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2010

Campus Echo Online www.campusecho.com

Sports Cheers or jeers

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY MARCH 3, 2010

Pay to play

HOW HAS NCCU FAIRED SINCE LEAVING THE CIAA?

Ever wonder where your $548 athletic fee goes? BY MATT BEATTY ECHO SPORTS REPORTER

NCCU running back Tony McCord dives across the pilon to score an Eagle touchdown against Central State University. ECHO/FILE

BY AARON SAUNDERS ECHO SPORTS REPORTER

Five years ago when N.C. Central University decided to make the jump from division II CIAA conference to division I in hopes of joining the MEAC, many thought the Eagles would never make it. But the athletic staff and student athletes rose to the challenge. The Eagles final year in the CIAA, 2006, arguably may be its most successful as several teams won the CIAA championship highlighted by the football team which was also voted as the Black College National Champions. The volleyball team won back to back CIAA titles in the 2005-06 season. “My freshmen and sophomore year were my most memorable experiences

here because we won back to back CIAA titles,” said senior football player Gabriel Manns. The community, students, athletes, and fans have had mixed reactions to the transition period. Some students said they feel that it is good to see NCCU play bigger names. Others said they would like to have seen the school stay in the CIAA and win more games. “The excitement of the CIAA games is what I miss because those games used to have so many people at them,” said women’s basketball player Latoya Bennett. Student-athletes have welcomed the challenge of transitioning from division II to division I and some teams had instant success which is uncommon among schools in

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transition. The volleyball team and football teams both accrued winning records in the fall of 2007. “We transitioned well,” said volleyball player Rachel Lloyd. “We lost a couple of players the past couple of seasons so we had to rely on a lot of younger players but we still have done well.” Other teams have had a tougher time of adjusting to the level of competition as they face better opponents than they would have faced if the University had remained in the CIAA. “Speed and size of the players at the division I level are better than the CIAA,” said Manns. “We play teams like Duke, App. State, and Liberty with great team speed,” said

Manns. NCCU was accepted into the MEAC this past November. If the school passes its final process and becomes a full fledge member of the MEAC, it will be allowed to compete for championships again. The original athletes that transitioned to division I should not be forgotten says some students. “To me it is more important to be a pioneer than winning conference championships because 20-30 years later I can say I helped start this,” said former NCCU basketball player and recent graduate Joshua Worthy. Worthy also said that the NCCU athletic department is handling the transition well and that the program is excelling in ways that no one would have imagined.

Each academic school year, students pay $548 in athletic fees at N.C. Central University. Some students pay this fee and have no clue what they are paying for. The athletic fee that students pay goes towards scholarships, recruiting, tutors, academic support and operating costs. The debate of whether students should have to pay or not pay is often asked. Sports management sophomore Hugh Hudson said he feels that the school should have to pay. “I came here to get an education. I pay for school not to play sports. The athletes should have to pay,” said Hudson. Every year the U.S. Department of Education produces the Equity in Athletics Data Analysis report (EADA) which breaks down each Institutions Expenses and Revenue for the academic year. The most recent report which was released to the public shows the academic year of 2008-2009. Child development junior Brandi Fulmore never heard of the report and didn’t know the specific data that was included in it. “I knew that every school has a budget, but I didn’t know that I could see the actual breakdown of every teams operating cost and how much we spend,” said Fulmore. Among HBCU’S in the state of North Carolina NCCU ranked fourth under the category of athletic related student aid. This aid refers to the scholarships, grants, or aid that was provided to athletes to participate in sports programs at

NCCU. Mass Communications junior Eric Covington doesn’t feel he should have to pay to help for the aid and operating cost of the sports programs. “When I attend games, I feel as though athletes aren’t as interested as they should be,” he said. “If they’re not interested, why should I pay?” “Money should come from government funding or alumni,” he added. NCCU sports teams grossed $4 million this past year. The report shows the operating expenses of each team on campus. NCCU’s basketball team spent the most in operating expenses. The basketball program spent $349,740 which included traveling, meals, lodging, equipment for staff and team and payment for officials. The total cost of operating expenses for all NCCU athletic programs was $1,008,299. NCCU spent a total of $1.7 million in athletically related student aid. Operating expenses consist of lodging and traveling. Expenses by team includes fundraising, salaries and benefits, recruiting expenses, promotional activities, supplies and any other expenses attributable to intercollegiate athletic activities. NCCU athletics grand total in expenses for the year was $6,236,537. This includes operating expenses and expenses by team in total. All information is opened to the public and can be found online at http://ope.ed.gov/athletics. NCCU students are encouraged to see this information and see how their university’s athletic programs are operating.

Lady Eagles have tough day NCCU softball team gets blitzed by Mounts 12-0 and 9-0 in doubleheader BY AARON SAUNDERS ECHO SPORTS EDITOR

After a long weekend in which the N.C. Central University softball team played six games in four days the Lady Eagles ran into a wall on Monday. The Lady Eagles lost both games of a double header 12-0 and 9-0 to the Mount St. Mary’s Mounts. In the first game the

Mounts scattered 12 hits and 12 runs over six innings to defeat the Lady Eagles by a score of 12-0. They were led by impressive hitting performances by freshman outfielder Kristen Collins, junior catcher Nicole Reeder and senior outfielder Katie Donovan each of whom had two hits. O n the mound sophomore pitcher Amanda Sadowl

went the distance holding the NCCU hitters to only five hits, two of which came from the bat of freshman outfielder Nadia Jeffries. The Lady Eagles used two pitchers to get them through the first game. Senior Michelle Ishida pitched 4 and 2/3 innings and gave up 6 runs on 6 hits. Senior pitcher Kristen Schooler entered the game

in relief and pitched 1 and 1/3 innings and gave up 6 runs on 6 hits. “Over the years I have noticed that I am more relaxed when I relieve but I don’t really think it matters as long as I know before,” said Schooler. In the second game the Lady Eagles were again held scoreless as Amanda Hanson only allowed three hits in five innings of work

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and pitched a complete game. The Mounts offense was paced by three hit performances from freshman outfielder Erin Leddy, and freshmen utility player Kelly Hickman. NCCU freshman pitcher Kayla McPeek was touched up for nine runs in three innings. The Lady Eagles scattered three hits between five innings. The only hits

of the game came from the bats of freshman utility player Shakemia Edwards, senior outfielder Desanbra Franklin and sophomore infielder Jessica Refojo. “We picked up the energy in the second game but we just could not string together hits,” said Ishida. The Lady Eagles 2-9 next opponent will be St. Paul College next Tuesday in Cary.

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Opinions

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Matter if you’re black or... hen I first came to NCCU, I expected people to get along and treat others fairly. Ever since I started my education here in August of 2006, I realized that I did not fit into the norm of what some of my peers considered being black, which made me start to wonder what it means to be black on a HBCU campus. David L. I have always had my own style Fitts Jr. or “swagger” which was not like most of my classmates. I received comments from people such as “you dress different,” “you’re very strange,” and my personal favorite which I now laugh at is “black people don’t like the things you’re into.” In the beginning I took offense to those comments because I thought people would have an open mind to other things outside their norm.

All I want is for people to stop being judgmental and start being receptive of others. It does not matter whether you are black or any other ethnicity.

For the people that know me, they know my interests in the genre of superhero comics and their spin offs in television and movies such as “Justice League,” “Smallville,” and “The Dark Knight.” They accept my interest in video games, science fiction movies and Japanese anime like “Star Wars” and “Dragon Ball Z.” Before I met those individuals I found it difficult to fit in on campus because there were not a lot of things that appealed to me. I thought about transferring to another school at the end of my first year but I knew NCCU was the right school for me. The hardest thing to take in during my freshman year was being told that I was different from others and that I don’t

seem black, I appear to be “acting white,” because I just seemed to only focus on doing my class work, did not go partying, clubbing or hang out on campus all the time. In 2007 I received a message in my Facebook Honesty Box from an anonymous person. Their comment made me question myself even though they said they had nothing against me for being different. “You’re really stand-offish, you dress very different, you talk strange, it doesn’t seem as if you try to fit in at all.” Hearing comments like that made me feel like I was not black enough to be at NCCU. I realized that just because I do what I need to do in order to get my education does not make me any less black. I’m

just being myself. I have had people ask me if I am mixed because I look like it and I tell them that I’m not. Some believe me and others do not. I believe that is another reason why people think I am the way I am. With the help of some of my friends, I have come to realize that you need to always be yourself and never try to be like everyone else. I feel that not everyone can be the same and have the same interests as others. All I want is for people to stop being judgmental and start being receptive of others. It does not matter whether you are black or any other ethnicity. Being black on a HBCU campus does not mean that everyone needs to act the same as their peers or how celebrities portray themselves in the media. I believe that we all should do what makes us happy as individuals. The only thing that matters is how you see yourself.

Family matters here are some new and old trends and situations that are very detrimental to the progress of us as a people. One particular problem I see is the breakdown of the black family. Take a moment and think about how many single parents you know or people that were raised in a single parTaurean ent home. Brown I was blessed to be raised in a two parent home and I grew up around other people my age that were raised in single parent homes; so I can personally discuss the advantages of having a two parent household. In these single family households, the father is usually the absentee member. When the father is absent, besides the obvious negatives, economical strain and more work put on the mother, there are various other issues that can arise.

Of course most people know the father by his “traditional” roles as the provider and protector, but a father also has a tremendous impact on his children, both sons and daughters. For a woman, her first encounter with a man is usually her father. He is the first man to love her, cherish her and show her worth. The daughter learns how to love from her father, and it is the father’s job to “date” his daughter because she will base her standard of men on how the father treats her. If you’re a woman, think for a second about the similarities between the men you date and your father. Now of course there is an exception to every rule, however there is an undeniable correlation between how a woman views men and how she views her father. Also there is a strong correlation between how the father treats the mother in the household, which the daughter will use as a real life example on relationships. An absent father could

N ORTH C AROLINA C ENTRAL U NIVERSITY

Campus Echo

cause the daughter to look for that fatherly love in the wrong places or have a negative view of men. Often today you hear several males proclaiming loudly “I’m a man,” without having a clear understanding of what it means to be a man. This understanding must be taught from a man. The father’s role is to teach his son how to be an even better man than himself. But the absence of the father leaves the son alone to try and figure out manhood on his own. This search for manhood can sometimes take a lifetime. A son learns several life skills and values from his father, not to mention everyday skills like changing a tire and learning to tie a tie. One of the most important things the son learns from the father is how to handle relationships with women. A lot of times men will mimic how the father treats the mother in the household. Similar to the daughter, the son will develop a lot of his views on women from his father.

So, why today do we deprive our children of this essential element that is so vital to their success? Why are single families becoming the majority in the black community? These days it seems the baby comes way before the ring, if that ring ever comes. This by no means is a diss to single parents nor is this saying that if you come from a single family home, you will have all of these problems. This is merely an attempt to describe how much easier it is when both parents are in the home or involved heavily in the child's upbringing. Father and mother figures can be found in some of the most unlikely places and are vital to our progress. My prayers for us as a people are that we think heavily about our present day decisions for they truly have a deep impact on our future. — Taurean Brown is a grad student studying fisheries and wildlife sciences at N.C. State University

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Question:

With SGA Elections coming up, which issues should the leaders of next year address? “Housing issues should be addressed and also the motivation of students as far as grades improving and having better involvement in our university” — Samuel Torain

“As a freshman here at NCCU, I would like to see SGA connect more with people outside of SGA.” — Briana Bennett

“They should address the issue of community service and making these opportunities more available to students, and advertising programs better.” —William Hopkins – Sound Off by Uyi Idahor