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VOLUME 98, ISSUE 10

1801 FAYETTEVILLE STREET DURHAM, NC 27707

Campus . . . . . . . .

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Beyond NCCU . .

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A&E . . . . . . . . . . .

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919 530 7116/CAMPUSECHO@NCCU.EDU WWW.CAMPUSECHO.COM

Beyond

Campus

Sports

Feature

Can you do it? Can you live just just 4 days without any media at all?

Miss NCCU Amber Banks shares the secrets of her success.

The women closed out the CIAA in style.

Kai Christopher’s best from the CIAA Step Show and Showtime at the Apollo ...

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Page 11

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Campus Echo Jury says Libby guilty

Live NCCU Idol search Chancellor search committee seeks input from students and university community

BY KRISTEN HUNTER ECHO STAFF WRITER

Faces 3 year prison term

BY CAROL LEONNING AMY GOLDSTEIN

AND

WASHINGTON POST

WASHINGTON — A federal jury Tuesday convicted I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby of lying about his role in the leak of an undercover CIA officer's identity, culminating a fouryear legal saga that transfixed official Washington and revealed the inner workings of the White House and the media.

After 10 days of deliberations, the 11 jurors found Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff guilty of four felony counts of making false statements to the FBI, lying to a grand jury and obstructing a probe into the leak of undercover CIA officer Valerie Plame's identity.

The jury acquitted him of one count of lying to the FBI about his conversation with a Time magazine reporter.

Libby is the highest-ranking White House official to be convicted of a felony since the Iran-Contra scandal nearly two decades ago.

Under federal sentencing guidelines, Libby faces a possible prison term of 1 1/2 to three years, but U.S.

Members of the search committee for a new N.C. Central University chancellor met with about 50 students on Tuesday to find out what students want in the new chancellor.

Suggestions ranged from a chancellor who stressed retention over rapid growth to one who supported the

band.

Students stressed the importance of a chancellor who is an effective fundraiser, which would allow the University to funnel money into student activities, organizations, scholarships and school growth.

Students agreed that they wanted a chancellor who was accessible.

“I hope that the students’ voices will be heard tonight,” said Derek Pantiel, president of the N.C. Association of Student Government.

“It is important to get information about what the

students are looking for in new leadership.”

The 14-member committee is charged with finding a replacement for Chancellor James H. Ammons within five months.

Following this week of forums, the committee will “have advertisements published in higher education media outlets by March 15 and run for three weeks,” said Cressie H. Thigpen, search committee chair.

“As the applications start coming in the committee will review them and nar-

n See SEARCH Page 2

Marketing Spanish senior Tyesha Ellerbe comments on the qualities needed for the next chancellor as Diane Hill, chancellor search committee assistant, records her remarks.

KENALI BATTLE/Echo Staff Photographer

LADY EAGLES BID ADIEU WITH A CIAA VICTORY

n See LIBBY Page 2

Officials release Smith autopsy

BY GEOFFERY COOPER ECHO STAFF WRITER

Two months after the death of N. C. Central University graduate student Denita Monique Smith, autopsy results now show exactly how she died.

According to a report by N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Smith was shot in the back of the head by a handgun at “distance range.”

On January 4, Smith, 25, a native of Charlotte, NC, was discovered at the bottom of a stairwell at building 1100 at 1400 Campus Crossings Apartment Complex on E. Cornwallis Road.

According to the report, Smith’s roommate heard Smith leave the building at 8:18 a.m.

A couple minutes afterwards, the roommate and other occupants in the building heard “a loud noise, possibly a gunshot.”

Smith’s body wasn’t discovered until two hours later by a maintenance worker.

n See SMITH Page 2

Lady Eagles celebrate their 89-72 CIAA victory over Elizabeth City State March 3 in the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

ROBERT LAWSON /Courtesy of NCCU Office of Public Relations

MORE COVERAGE IN SPORTS PAGE 11

CIAA PHOTO FEATURE PAGE 8

Record level of U.S. poor 16 million Americans in severe poverty

BY TONY PUGH MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

Kyra Wharton shops at a thrift store for her family in Castle Rock, Colorado, on Nov. 20, 2006. Wharton makes about $13,000 as a night auditor in a hotel.

MATHEW STAVER /MCT

WASHINGTON — The percentage of poor Americans who are living in severe poverty has reached a 32-year high, millions of working Americans are falling closer to the poverty line and the gulf between the nation’s “haves” and “have-nots” continues to widen.

A McClatchy Newspapers analysis of the 2005 census figures, the latest available, found that nearly 16 million

Americans are living in deep or severe poverty. A family of four with two children and an annual income of less than $9,903 _ half the federal poverty line _ was considered severely poor in 2005. So were individuals who made less than $5,080 a year.

The McClatchy analysis found that the number of severely poor Americans grew by 26 percent from 2000 to 2005. That’s 56 percent faster than the overall poverty population grew in

the same period.

McClatchy’s review also found statistically significant increases in the percentage of the population in severe poverty in 65 of 215 large U.S. counties, and similar increases in 28 states.

The review also suggested that the rise in severely poor residents isn’t confined to large urban counties but extends to suburban and rural areas.

n See POVERTY Page 7

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SMITH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Shannon Elizabeth Crawley, 27, a Guilford County 911 dispatcher from Greensboro, NC, was arrested on Jan. 9 in connection with the murder .

According to a search warrant filed on Jan. 5, the maintenance worker saw a woman walking away from where Smith's body was found.

He claimed the woman was in tears and distressed when she got into a burgundy Ford Explorer.

The affidavit for the warrant stated, “The [maintenance worker] stopped the vehicle and asked the subject if everything was okay, and she just continued to cry ... he also asked if she had heard a gunshot, and she shook her head ‘yes’.”

According to various media reports Crawley had been stalking Jermeir Stroud, Smith’s fiancé, who is a Greensboro police officer.

Crawley is due to appear in court March 28.

SEARCH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 row down the candidates to interview.”

The committee will present UNC system President Erskine Bowles with three finalists who could be brought to campus for interviews.

However, “the decision on whether to bring the finalist to campus has not been made,” said Thigpen.

The Tuesday meeting is just one of five scheduled this week to help the search committee identify the qualities that the campus and the community want in a chancellor.

On Monday, committee members met with alumni to collect their input on the issue.

The committee will meet with community residents today at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria of the NC Mutual Life Insurance building in downtown Durham.

The committee also will meet with the NCCU employee senate on Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute auditorium, and with faculty on Friday at 2 p.m. in the LeRoy T. Walker Recreational Complex.

SUBMIT! The Ex Umbra is accepting original poems, stories, lyrics, art & photos.

Drop submissions at 303 Farrison-Newton Communication Bldg.

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2007

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Graffiti tags scar campus Vehicles, buildings defaced

BY GEOFFREY COOPER ECHO STAFF WRITER

It used to be just litter that trashed the N.C. Central University campus. Recently a new form of “trash” has been spreading across campus, and it really is criminal.

Graffiti “tags” have been appearing all over campus.

Beginning in late October, in front of the Central Receiving building, located at the intersection of Lincoln and George Street.

One afternoon, around 2 p.m., a white Dodge van used as a service vehicle for the Physical Plant was sprayed with black markings.

Another delivery van, similar to the Physical Plant van, was found vandalized behind the loading dock of the James E. Shepard Library.

And the NCCU community service bus was found tagged outside the Alexander-Dunn Academic Community Service Learning Building.

“It makes the school look bad,” Crime Prevention Officer Billy Boyd said of the tagging.

“I could have sworn this was a public university, not the New York subways.”

Boyd said his office is pursuing a single suspect who is possibly an NCCU student.

So far, the suspect has been identified only as a black male with dreadlocks and wearing an NCCU book bag.

Campus police have not identified the graffiti vandalism as a gang-related crime.

Biology sophomore Kashif Hall said the graffiti is bad for the reputation of NCCU.

Regina Stepney accepts her first place award from competition coordinator Donna-maria Harris.

SHELBIA BROWN/Echo Staff Photographer

Graffiti on a storage door in the Farrison-Newton Communication Building.

GRADE SCHOOL STUDENTS SPEAK ABOUT SOCIETY

BRUCE JOHNSON Echo Staff Photographer

“When I pay visits to other local universities, I don’t see any of their buildings being tagged up and down with graffiti,” said Hall.

“How can we want nice things, but can’t take care of what we already have?” Hall asked.

Graffiti has been found not only on vehicles but also in New Residence II elevators, in the men’s bathroom of the Alfonso Elder Student Union and on the back doors of the Fa r r i s o n - N e w t o n Communications Building.

“It started out in just one place, but now it’s continuing to spread,” said Boyd.

Boyd said he relies heavily on the students for their cooperation in this in getting to the bottom of the graffiti.

“Somebody knows who’s doing this,” Boyd said.

“It’s just a matter of time before the darkness will come to light.”

BY SHELBIA BROWN ECHO STAFF WRITER

What makes a great society? — that was the topic middle and high school students from around the state gathered to answer at B.N. Duke Auditorium Thursday.

High school winner Regina Stepney of Green Hope High School in Cary said it’s up to each and every individual.

“If we as individuals strive to make ourselves great people, unite to become a greater people, then we will build the structure for a great society,” she said.

Stepney was one of four middle school students and three high school students who competed in an oratorical competition in honor of Black History Month.

As the winner of the high school category, she won $1,000 for her speech.

“It was a great opportunity to further myself in public speaking,” said

Stepney, an officer of a student service organization called I.M.A.G.E., Innovated Minds Appointed for Goals of Excellence.

Over 745 applicants from over 90 North Carolina cities submitted their papers on February 9.

The preliminary judges met nine days later to select the top four students.

The students presented their three to four minute speeches to a panel of judges.

“Students have the opportunity to express themselves at a forum and get support and rewards for this venture,” said Donna-maria Harris, the host of the competition.

Harris is also the marketing director for television network CW 22 and the competition’s key organizer.

The second place high school winner, Kaitlyn Gray, won $500. Gray is home-schooled in Cary.

The third place winner, Caitlyn Reilly of Union Pines High School in Cameron, won $225.

Middle school student Mitchell Burgess of East Millbrook Magnet School in Raleigh won first place.

Home-schooled student Ali Iyoob won second place.

Martha Bruegge of Seventy-First Middle School in Fayetteville won third place, and Miguel Sanchez from Moore Square Magnet School in Raleigh won fourth place.

Their awards were respectively $1,000, $500, $225 and $100.

First place winners will have the opportunity to appear in a commercial that will air on television stations, My RDC channel 28 and CW 22.

The event was sponsored and funded by NCCU and CW 22/My RDC 28, N.C. Mutual Life Insurance Company, Durham Academy of Medicine and Poindexter and Associates.

President Bush, though neither testified at trial.

Fitzgerald set out to answer a central question in December 2003: Did anyone in the administration intentionally and illegally disclose Plame’s classified status during the late spring and early summer of that year?

At that time, several top officials were speaking to reporters, trying to rebut potent accusations from Plame's husband that the administration had twisted intelligence to justify war with Iraq.

Libby was not charged

with the leak but with lying repeatedly to the FBI and a grand jury about how he learned about Plame's identity and what he said about her to reporters that spring and summer.

Libby has said that he forgot he learned about Plame from Cheney in June 2003, and that he believed he heard of her for the first time a month later from NBC's Tim Russert. He said he then shared the information with other reporters.

Fitzgerald said he does not expect to bring any more charges unless new information comes to light.

LIBBY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 District Judge Reggie Walton has wide latitude in imposing his sentence on June 5. Defense attorneys said they would ask the presiding judge for a new trial or appeal the conviction.

The White House refused to comment on the possibility of a pardon.

“We believe, as we said at the time of his indictment, that he is totally innocent, totally innocent, and that he did not do anything wrong,'” said attorney Theodore Wells Jr. “And we intend to keep fighting to establish his innocence.”

Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald said on the courthouse steps that he felt “gratified” that the jury agreed with the government’s case.

“The results are actually sad,” he said. “It’s sad that we had a situation where a high-level official, a person who worked in the office of the vice president, obstructed justice and lied under oath. We wish that it had not happened, but it did.''

One juror, Denis Collins, said he and fellow jurors had little doubt after reviewing the weight of the evidence that Libby could

not have forgotten how he learned Plame’s identity — the core of the defense's argument.

“It just seemed very unlikely he would have forgotten that. There were just so many things,” said Collins, a writer who worked as a Washington Post reporter in the 1980s.

“That he could remember that fact on a Tuesday and forget it on a Thursday ... didn't make sense.''

Libby, 56, was the only person charged in an unprecedented leak investigation that led to the questioning of both Cheney and

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Campus

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2007

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NCCU hosts bad kid confab Community searches for solution to youth delinquency

BY TRAVIS D. RUFFIN ECHO STAFF WRITER

Barbara Lau and Brett Chambers (right) with students in the ‘Documenting Durham’s Black Wall Street’ course.

ERICKA HOLT/Echo Staff Photographer

Students study Bull City Duke, NCCU students document Durham’s Black Wall Street

BY LISA ROCHELLE ECHO STAFF WRITER

N.C. Central University and Duke University students are joining forces this semester to tell a forgotten story.

The Duke Center for Documentary Studies is piloting “Documenting Durham’s Black Wall Street” with both schools.

It is one of two courses bringing together NCCU, Duke and the community.

According to CDS instructor Barbara Lau, students work on a video project telling the story of Parrish Street. A four-block area in the center of downtown Durham, Parrish Street was considered the hub for African-American owned institutions in North Carolina from the 1900s to the 1960s.

The burgeoning development of Durham, including the construction of the Durham freeway, placed

Durham’s Black Wall Street in jeopardy.

Students meet, alternating between campuses each week, to learn about the Parrish Street businesses from that era still operating today. One of these is North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, founded by John Merrick in 1898.

“A course such as this can offer students a chance to develop academic and documentary skills while

exploring the history and roots of race relations in our community,” said Lau. Brett Chambers, NCCU mass communication instructor co-teaches the course. He said he hopes it will give NCCU students an opportunity to show off their skills.

The course has 12 students, nine from NCCU. Students say the course will build a better relationship between NCCU and Duke as they both learn about the city they share.

The number of juvenile delinquents in North Carolina continues to increase rapidly each year.

More and more black and Hispanic teenagers are dropping out of school and committing serious crimes.

In search of an answer to this problem, the Juvenile Justice Institute at N.C. Central University sponsored a conference entitled Disproportionate Minority Contact: Finding Solutions, on March 1-2 at the North Raleigh Hilton.

Lawyers, educators, social workers and ministers were among the professionals who participated .

Many served as panelists during the discussions; others conducted workshops.

Discussions focused on an array of topics, including gang violence, juvenile detention, probation violations and mental health issues in the black community.

“Instead of being in school, too many of our black kids are joining gangs and selling drugs,” said Arnold Dennis, executive director of the Juvenile Justice Institute at NCCU. “We need to find a way to keep them out of the juvenile court system. That is our main objective,” Dennis said.

Some of the people who attended the conference said that suspension from school is a big part of the problem.

Most agreed that alternative punishments need to be used in our school system.

“I do not agree with out-ofschool suspension. It doesn’t solve anything. It only makes matters worse,” said Dr. George Wilson, a criminal justice professor at NCCU. “Most of these delinquents actually prefer to be kicked out of school because it gives them the opportunity to hang out on the streets and get into serious trouble,” Wilson said. “We need to find a way to keep our kids in school instead of throwing them out.”

Conference attendees discussed factors that can increase a child’s chances of becoming a juvenile delinquent.

They concluded that most delinquents come from singleparent households. Also, most live in housing projects and tend to have a parent who is either an alcoholic or a drug abuser. As a result, many troubled kids do not have positive role models.

“I have noticed that there are very few African-American lawyers who are actually representing these delinquents in the juvenile courts,” said attorney Eric Zogry, a juvenile defender working for the state.

“Most of these kids come from broken homes,” Zogry said. They desperately need a role model. A successful black attorney could easily fill that void.

RMS re-boots 1st come 1st serve

BY NATALIE FARRER ECHO STAFF WRITER

This year, Residential Management Systems, a software program, will replace the housing lottery at N.C. Central University.

Director of residential life Jennifer Wilder said they will use the new software because students asked for a change.

“We met with student government representatives numerous times to find out what students wanted,” said Wilder.

“They said they didn’t like the lottery and would prefer that it would be on a first-come, first-serve basis.”

Students living on campus had to pay a $100 deposit and complete the FAFSA by Feb. 9 to qualify for the new process.

Residential Life emphasized that the deposit was nonrefundable.

Eagle Landing students had one day to retain their dorm rooms, starting at 10 a.m. Feb. 13. Students who

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Campus Programming

March 8 – MEAC Career Expo

Mon., March 19 – 7-9 pm, Resume & Cover Letters (in Student Union)

March 22 – NCCU Spring Fair

Tue., March 20 – 7-9 pm, Interviewing skills (in Student Union)

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Accounting sophomore Justin Maple said he liked knowing everyone had an equal chance for housing last year.

“You knew that you were in a lottery, you knew your chances,” he said. “It’s the middle of the second semester and I still don’t know my housing situation.”

Criminal justice professor George Wilson speaks at the Finding Solutions Conference KENALI BATTLE/Echo Staff Photographer

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signed up complained that the process seemed iffy.

“You got no confirmation,” political science and public administration sophomore JaMeese Mangum said about the new process.

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2007

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Banks writes a new chapter at NCCU Miss NCCU has overcome personal trials to become a first-class student leader and NCCU’s official ambassador

BY GABI CLAY-WHITE ECHO STAFF WRITER

When you think of all the success that Miss NCCU Amber Rachelle Banks has had, you might think she comes from a privileged background—but you would be wrong.

Banks, a business administration senior from Fort Washington, Md., grew up in a single-parent household.

Her mother raised her, her older sister and younger brother on $20,000 a year by teaching elementary school.

“My parents divorced when I was seven. My dad could have been in my life, but wasn’t,” said Banks.

According to Banks, life without her father was damaging.

She says that it led to drinking problems and abusive relationships with older men.

“I needed attention … I was missing a part of my identity,” she said.

But Banks still found ways to better herself.

“I can remember selling candy and bracelets in mid-

dle school because I wasn’t old enough to get a job. My siblings and I always found ways to make money,” she said.

Banks brought that entrepreneurial spirit to N.C. Central University her freshman year in 2003 when she ran into Minnie Forte, English instructor, at a Phi Beta Lambda cheesecake fundraiser.

Forte says she immediately recognized Banks’ potential and advised her to run for Miss NCCU in her junior year.

“I don’t even like cheesecakes, but it was Amber’s style and grace that made me buy that cheesecake,” said Forte, who added that Banks has set a high standard for future Miss NCCUs. Banks said that joining Every Nation Campus Ministries has helped her cope with the absence of her father.

“ENCM taught me who I am … outside of my physical appearance,” said Banks.

She said that finding God was “the beginning of every-

Amber Banks in front of the Hoey Administration Building MORINE ETIENNE/Echo Staff Photographer

thing … a new life.”

By her sophomore year, Banks had a strong sense of

pride.

Banks is president of the Gamma chapter of Alpha

Epsilon Omega.

In her junior year, she was awarded scholarships from Wachovia and Phi Beta Lambda.

Banks says that attending NCCU provided an atmosphere that encouraged freedom.

“My faith, attitude, words and my clothes were under Lordship but not to the media or influences from peers.”

With the support of Forte, friends and family, Banks began forming her team for the Miss NCCU campaign.

Twenty students helped with the campaign.

“I wanted student opinions in everything I did,” said Banks.

But the 2006 Spring elections were delayed for nearly two weeks over constitutional issues.

Banks said she didn’t find out she had won the title until a month after the campaign was over.

“I was really excited, happy and relieved,” she said.

“I was ready to get to

work.”

Since becoming Miss NCCU, Banks has traveled to local schools to encourage students to focus on their education and values.

“Many of those girls look up to me, but they need to realize that what I have is from God,” said Banks.

This year, Banks has completed community service projects including Stop Hunger Now, a Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration in which NCCU and Duke University collaborated.

“It was the ultimate power of unity,” Banks said.

Banks recently competed in the Miss CIAA competition in Charlotte.

With her reign coming to an end, Banks has words of wisdom to future Miss NCCUs: “Humility is the key,” she said.

“If she can keep sacrifice, humility and service at the forefront of her mind, all her goals will be accomplished.

You can’t be Miss NCCU by yourself.”

Study of black activists links involvement to well-being

BY LUTHER CLAY ECHO STAFF WRITER

If you are ever feeling down and out, here’s a suggestion: try changing the world. It just might help you feel better about yourself.

According to research presented by N.C. Central University psychology graduate student Rebekah Hines, social and political activism can be good for your psychological well-being and selfesteem — especially if you’re a black woman.

These findings, presented February 28 at the Alfonso Elder Student Union, was one of nearly 40 NCCU events scheduled in honor of Black History Month.

“Doing something for someone else brings us comfort,” said Hines, who worked on the project with four other NCCU graduate students. “It makes us feel better.”

Hines’ presentation reported on a research project being conducted by psy-

chology assistant professors Jonathan Livingstone and Sherry Eaton.

Their research is inspired by the activism of writer Sister Souljah. The presentation was titled “Sister Souljah: Understanding the Influence of Activism on Black Women’s Psychological Well-being.”

The researchers surveyed 113 black women recruited from the AfricanAmerican church community.

Of these 113 women, 64

percent described themselves as socially or politically engaged, but only 41 percent considered themselves activists. About 54 percent said they held leadership positions.

More than 60 percent of the women surveyed said they found being socially active very rewarding.

Hines noted that “the older African-American women had a more positive correlation between activism and psychological outlook.”

The respondents’ African-American identity also was factored into the research.

“Older women with a strong black identity were more outspoken and influential in their communities,” said Hines.

Hines said working on the project has been rewarding.

“Another asset has been learning how to do empirical research,” she said.

Researchers defined black activism as “efforts employed by individuals of

African descent to maintain and advance the Black collective and thwart or challenge encroachment, racism, domination and oppression.”

Hines said African Americans need to broaden their definitions of activism to extend beyond the politicial dimension.

“What we need to do is redefine what black activism is,” said Hines.

She said she wants the black activism to include positive social actions performed in the community.

Campus

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2007

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Spanish Club students perform a “caliente” dance number to a Latin song.

SIERRA JACKSON/Echo Staff Photographer

BY KESHA LEACH ECHO STAFF WRITER

While hip-hop culture is still popular, some N.C. Central University students have decided that it is time to get a taste of another culture.

Los Calientes, an NCCU Spanish Club dance group, put on their first performance of the semester, “Miel Para Ochun,” or “Honey for Ochun,” on February 28, in the Farrison-Newton Communications Auditorium.

The dance gives thanks to Ochun, a goddess of love that made love with the African god, Shango.

According to legend, Ochun and Shango created La Rumba.

The program was an extension of last year’s program, “Day of the Dead,” which is a celebration in Mexico of children and the

dead.

Twelve group members danced in couples. All of the members contributed to the choreography of the dance. They practiced twice a week since January to make sure they had the dance steps down.

“It’s not an easy dance … it’s pretty complicated,” said Joseph Diego Miller, vice president of the Spanish Club.

Diego, as well as other members of the dance group, started out early doing salsa.

Diego said he realized in the 10th grade that this was something that he wanted to get involved in.

Nursing junior Lamisha Banks, another member of the Los Calientes, has been doing salsa for four years.

She said at first she had some difficulty learning salsa, but discovered that it had moves like hip-hop.

“They both involve African beats; it’s all about moving your hips,” said Banks.

The Spanish Club, which was started by instructors Maria Mumford, Martha Espinel and Jose Agudelo, both instructors in the Department of Modern Foreign Languages, started the club in 2003.

This year the Spanish club has sponsored more programs then in the past.

Last semester they had two programs — the Afro Latino Festival and Day of the Dead.

Antonio Caldwell, president of the Spanish club, said it not easy getting people to join the club and that he hopes the programs might increase interest.

“It’s something different outside the American culture,” said Caldwell.

“It allows you to open your mind,” said Caldwell.

University of North Carolina Wilmington Cameron School of Business Master of Science in Accountancy

M

At UNCW, the MSA program prepares leaders for the changing business world.

This 10-month, full-time program begins August 2007.

Applications are due April 1.

For more information, visit www.csb.uncw.edu/msa or call 910.962.3903.

UNCW is an EEO/AA institution.

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6

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2007

Close to campus!

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NOW HIRING POLICE OFFICERS North Carolina Central University in partnership with the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department invites you to take the entrylevel examination for police officer Friday & Saturday, March 30 & 31, 2007 North Carolina Central University Whiting Criminal Justice Building, Room 201 Durham, NC 27707 (919) 530-5335

Test Times: 9 am & 1 p.m & 5 pm Orientation immediately following each test

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Social Security Card Birth Certificate Drivers License Naturalization Authorization if applicable Proof of 60 college credits (diploma or unofficial transcript)

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Beyond NCCU

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2007

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Could you make it without media for 4 days?

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POVERTY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Four days unplugged?

LOL ... RU crazy?

BY NICK PERRY THE SEATTLE TIMES (MCT)

SEATTLE – It’s tough tuning out in today’s world. Just ask a dozen communications students at Seattle University who recently attempted a 96-hour “media deprivation” experiment: No listening to iPods or car radios. No checking email. No chatting on cellphones. No surfing Web sites such as MySpace.com or Facebook.com. No watching “Desperate Housewives” or “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.”

The experiment originally was supposed to last a week, but it was scaled back when the students protested. But even four days was too much — each of the students cheated, some more than others.

Which perhaps proves professor Mara Adelman’s point: The art of alone time is increasingly lost in our hectic, frazzled, wired lives.

Adelman believes her new upper-level course “Restorative Solitude” is unique. It explores the importance of quiet time for clarity, creativity and spirituality, and touches on techniques ranging from longdistance running to meditation. It also explores the darker side of solitude: loneliness and isolation.

Students spend time in each class trying such meditative techniques a slow walking and focusing in on breathing, and they complete projects examining various aspects of solitude.

Seattle University, with its Jesuit underpinnings, offers a range of liberal-arts courses that attempt to mesh academics with spirituality and well-being.

Before attempting Adelman’s media diet, students kept a log of their consumption.

On a typical Thursday, junior Blaire Babcock, 21, found she checked her email five different times, turned on the TV three times, checked her phone messages twice, browsed

Facebook.com once, and once listened to her radio while jogging.

“After reviewing my media log I noticed that I compulsively check my email and phone messages for a fear that I will miss something. I found that I become anxious before I check my e-mail,” she wrote in a course paper.

“I turn on the TV as soon as I am up or return home. I enjoy the background noise but I rarely give it my full attention. I’m often multitasking.”

The diet came as a revelation to Babcock and the other students.

“The silence was deafening,” said junior Cheryl Lee, 20. “You have to get comfortable with just listening to yourself and your thoughts because there’s nothing to keep you distracted.”

Lee and the other students said they felt better able to concentrate and discovered they had more free time to spend reading and doing homework.

Lee also found one unexpected benefit. Because her CD player didn’t start blasting the moment she turned the key in her 2005 Toyota Corolla, for the first time she noticed an unusual rattling noise in the engine: “like there’s marbles inside a box and someone’s shaking the box.” She is planning to consult a mechanic.

Lee said her undoing came with her cellphone, which she switched to vibrate and mostly left at home, but which she couldn’t face turning off altogether.

“There’s some things that need to still be communicated via the cellphone,” she said.

Cecile Andrews, a guest lecturer and author of the book “Slow is Beautiful,” told the class recently that it seems people across the U.S. have ratcheted up the pace of their already crazybusy lives.

“It’s a bizarre way to live,” Andrews said. “It just doesn’t work.”

Campus Echo Online www.campusecho.com www.campusecho.com www.campusecho.com www.campusecho.com www.campusecho.com www.campusecho.com

MATTHEW STAVER/MCT

CHUCK KENNEDY/MCT

The plight of the severely poor is a distressing sidebar to an unusual economic expansion. Worker productivity has increased dramatically since the brief recession of 2001, but wages and job growth have lagged behind. At the same time, the share of national income going to corporate profits has dwarfed the amount going to wages and salaries. That helps explain why the median household income for working-age families, adjusted for inflation, has fallen for five straight years.

These and other factors have helped push 43 percent of the nation’s 37 million poor people into deep poverty — the highest rate since at least 1975.

The share of poor Americans in deep poverty has climbed slowly but steadily over the last three decades.

But since 2000, the number of severely poor has grown “more than any other segment of the population,” according to a recent study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

“That was the exact opposite of what we anticipated when we began,” said Dr. Steven Woolf of Virginia Commonwealth University, who coauthored the study. “We’re not seeing as much moderate poverty as a proportion of the population. What we’re

Who are the extremely poor?

Almost 16 million in the United States earn less than 50 percent of the federal poverty line.

Where they live Northeast 2.8 million

Midwest 3.1 million

West 3.5 million

South 6.5 million

How many?

For 2005, in millions

Total 15.9

Gender Male Female

6.8

Rate is growing Percent in extreme poverty

43.1%

40% 29.9%

9.1 30%

Age

’75 ’80 ’85 ’90 ’95 ’00 ’05

1.9

Under 5 5-17 years 65 and over

Income levels

3.7

18-64 years

9.4 0.9

Race, ethnicity White Black Hispanic*

6.9 4.3 3.7 *Any race

Asian .6 Other .4

People in extreme poverty earn half the U.S. Census thresholds for poverty; selected figures for 2006 Family size

Poverty Extreme threshold poverty $10,488

$5,244

$13,843 3 (1 child) 4 (2 children) $20,444

$10,222

1

$6,922

Source: U.S. Census Bureau © 2007 MCT Graphic: Lee Hulteng, Judy Treible

seeing is a dramatic growth of severe poverty.”

The growth, which leveled off in 2005, in part reflects how hard it is for low-skilled workers to earn their way out of poverty in an unstable job market that favors skilled and educated workers. It also suggests that social programs aren’t as effective as they

Presbyterian Campus Ministry for NCCU A Ministry of Head and Heart A Campus Ministry for All People

For more information, contact: Rev. Linda L. Parker, Campus Minister 919 667 9709 Jasmine Bethea, Student Contact 919 824 0155

Directions: Take a left onto Fayetteville from NCCU, turn right onto Pilot St. at the Food Lion. Go 3 blocks to E. Weaver and turn left. Covenant Presbyterian Church / Campus Ministry office is on the right.

Access Your Health Career Undecided about your major?

Want to become a health professional?

Want to attend health career seminars and workshops?

Want to meet recruiters from health professions schools?

Want to meet students pursuing health professions?

If so, find out about the N.C. Health Careers Access Program at NCCU.

Health Careers Center 521 Nelson Street Durham, NC 27707 919 530-7128 Barbara S. Moore, Director Alfreda D. Evans, Program Assistant

Volunteer Peter Bohling helps Kyra Wharton at the Douglas/Elbert County Task Force Thrift Store in Castle Rock, Colorado, on November 20, 2006. After being laid off from a $32,000 a year job in 2004, Wharton said she now makes nearly $13,000 working nights as an auditor at a budget hotel. Under current federal poverty guidelines, a single parent with five children is considered in deep poverty if they make less than $13,217 a year.

John Treece, 60, leaves the Bread for the City food pantry in the Anacostia section of Washington, DC, on Nov. 2, 2006.

The share of poor Americans living in deep poverty has reached a 32-year high, while millions of middle-income Americans have fallen closer to the poverty line due to what one researcher calls a "sinkhole effect" on income.

Washington, D.C., has the highest concentration of severely poor people among all states, 10.8 percent.

Ask us how you can become an officer in the U.S. Army U.S. Army Recruiting Station 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday-Friday Sgt. 1st Class Toomer, 490-6671

once were at catching those who fall into economic despair.

About one in three severely poor people are under 17, and nearly two out of three are female. Female-headed families with children account for a large share of the severely poor.

According to census data, nearly two of three people in severe poverty are white (10.3 million) and 6.9 million are non-Hispanic whites. Severely poor blacks (4.3 million) are more than three times as likely as nonHispanic whites to be in deep poverty, while extremely poor Hispanics of any race (3.7 million) are more than twice as likely.

Severe poverty is most pronounced near the Mexican border and in some areas of the South, where 6.5 million severely poor residents are struggling to find work as manufacturing jobs in the textile, apparel and furnituremaking industries disappear. The Midwestern Rust Belt and areas of the Northeast also have been hard hit as economic restructuring and foreign competition have forced numerous plant closings.

At the same time, low-skilled immigrants with impoverished family members are increasingly drawn to the South and Midwest to work in meatpacking, food processing and agriculture.

Events • 2nd Wednesday - 7 pm Bible Study (Student Union) • Samaritan Students in Service (community tutorial – pre-GED program) • A Helping Hand to Homelessness (outreach) • PCM Fellowship Meetings 2nd and 4th Tuesdays • Retreats/Conference • Community Service Opportunities • Worship at Covenant Church Sundays 11 am (less than 2 miles from NCCU). Transportation provided on request.

Feature

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One Last Time Photo Essay by Kai “The Renaissence Man” Christopher

T

his year marked

the 62nd CIAA Conference

Tournament, and for N.C. Central University, it is the last.

The Eagles will soon be sparring with the MEAC and flooding to Raleigh once tournament time arrives.

Almost in storybook fashion, NCCU Athletics went out on top and handled business in the fall to collect three conference championships.

The Lady Eagles were most impressive.

They ended the season with a bang at the Charlotte Convention Center to enjoy the other half of the Greatest Tournament on earth.

Slick Rick leads the crowd singing his classic “La di da di” from his second LP, “The Art of “Storytelling.”

Tomasi Larry blesses the crowd with his rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “My Cherie Amor.”

Top photo: Nathan Morris of Boyz II Men passes roses to the ladies as he sings “I’ll Make Love to You.” Above: Wanye Morris of Boyz II Men singing “On Bended Knee.”

Alpha Lambda Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, reigning back-to-back CIAA Stepshow Champions.

A&E

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CIAA brings Apollo Three NCCU students compete for a chance to go to NY 12345 1234 123 12

The Hip Hop Class Homecoming Triple Threat Fashion Show Chicken Wednesday

T R A S H

Sunshine Anderson Sunshine At Midnight Music World

out of on the 5 5 black hand side Sunshine Anderson is back with a new album, a new label and a new Sunshine.

“I’ve grown up in these last five years.

I have become a woman,” said Anderson.

She topped the R&B charts six years ago with “Something I Wanna Give,” the first single off her Shining Star debut album. Shining Star was a joint venture with Matthew Knowles’ label, Music World Music, and Universal.

Now I bet you’re wondering, “What took Sunshine so long?” A series of industry missteps followed by a battle with depression led

H. O. D. C. West City Traffic Vol. 2 Independent

out of on the 4 5 black hand side The highly anticipated album, “West City Traffic Vol. 2,” is finally here.

Hype Of Da City swept the yard two years ago with his mix-tape album entitled, “West City Traffic.”

Now he’s back, but with more punches and more titles under his belt.

Better known by his hometown alias, J-Face, the underground music world calls him H.O.D.C. which is short for Hype Of Da City.

He has finally blessed us with another 18 southern bounce party songs.

He makes his listeners “get crunk” with party hooks over synthesized 808 bumps.

10:40 Break Sunshine to a dark place.

“I had a dark period in my life,” said Anderson.

This influenced the title of her album, “Sunshine at Midnight.”

“Even at midnight, you can still have Sunshine,” said Anderson. The album’s 10 tracks feature Anderson’s signature raspy alto.

The albums also feature the production talents of Mike City, Raphael Saadiq, Warren Campbell, Walter Msilap, Nottz and Dr. Dre. One of the tracks on the album, “My Whole Life,” is about a woman who is ready to give up on a seven-year relationship.

On “Switch it Up,” Sunshine lets the ladies know that they should live their lives.

Listening to the album is like sitting down having a conversation with one of my girls. I give it a 5 out of 5 on the black hand side.

––– Janera Federick

Sophomore Jasmine Patrice sings for a tough crowd during “Coca Cola Presents Showtime at the Apollo” for CIAA week.

KAI CHRISTOPHER/Echo Staff Photographer

BY JOANNA HERNANDEZ ECHO A&E EDITOR

Anyone who has ever attended talent shows, coffee houses, and various showcases knows that N.C. Central University is overflowing with talent.

On Friday, Jan. 26 in the B. N. Duke Auditorium, auditions were held for “Coca-Cola Presents Showtime at the Apollo on Tour.”

Singers, dancers and comedians participated. Similar auditions were held at Johnson C. Smith University, Saint. Augustine, Virginia State University, Fayetteville State University, Shaw University, Virginia Union University and Bowie State University.

Psychology sophomore Jasmine Patrice, political science junior Tomasi Larry and mass communica-

In his sophomore album, H.O.D.C. has stepped his lyric game up beyond the average rappers’ hood and everyday problem vocabulary.

With lyrical blows to political issues, H.O.D.C. still has love for his country but an even bigger love for his city. Songs like “We On Da Map,” “Rep Da Cak,” and “Blankin” are just some of the songs dedicated to his hometown of Charlotte.

H.O.D.C. is determined to put North Carolina’s name in the music industry.

This album also contains classic collaborations with some of the lyrical underground heavy hitters in North Carolina like D-Mac, Young Troy, and QC AllStarz just to name a few.

This is the type of album you can put into your CD player and allow to play on repeat. No fast forwarding is needed.

For more information, go to myspace.com/thoedoff.

––– Jacquelyn Hall

tions sophomore Darius Burruss were all chosen as NCCU finalists.

Finalists were also chosen from the seven other participating colleges. Sixteen acts were chosen to compete at the CIAA “Coca-Cola Presents Showtime at the Apollo on Tour” Thursday in Charlotte.

Patrice said she was “anxious,” but not nervous before performing.

Her experiences in talent showcases around campus helped prepare her for this event.

“I got all the nervous energy out by singing in shows around campus —– that really helped prepare me for this experience,” said Patrice.

Patrice, Larry and Burruss faced a tough crowd filled with JCSU and St. Aug. students. There was little NCCU support.

“We should have brought a bus of Central students,” said Larry This made it difficult for the three talented Eagles to soar.“The crowd was biased toward certain acts; if you weren’t representing a particular school or if you were just terrible, you were getting booed,” said an audience member.

Patrice and Larry made it to the finals, but Tasha Williams and Charles Clark from St. Aug’s won.

“They were very talented, I wish them the best,” said Larry.

Winners won $1,000 from CocaCola, a trip to New York, a chance to sing on WCCB-Fox Charlotte and at the next NASCAR race.

“Overall, it was an amazing experience. I met so many people,” said Patrice.

The power of painting

BY BROOKE SELLARS ECHO STAFF WRITER

Beverly McIver’s “If you believe 2006”

People express their grief in numerous ways; some laugh, some cry but Beverly McIver uses art as her form of expression.

McIver, a native of Greensboro, has been painting for two decades. Her work, “Raising Renee and Other Themes” was featured in the N.C. CentralUniversity Art Museum.

Renee, McIver’s mentally disabled sister, is the priority of her life and the center of many of her oil on canvas portraits.

Through her work, McIver conveys the challenges she experienced after the death of her mother and as current caretaker of her sister.

Her mother, Ethel died of pancreatic cancer almost three years ago. She was 73 years old.

In a journal entry, McIver once wrote, “My paintings are about my grieving process–they are about my loss and change.”

“Mammy How I Love You,” one of her recent exhibits portrays the stereotypes of AfricanAmerican women she was

inspired to create.

Her mother, who was a household servant, was a big inspiration for this work.

In her career, McIver has had many solo exhibitions and group shows presented in galleries all over the country. She has been a recipient of the Artist of the Year Award from the Scottsdale Cultural Council in Arizona, a Louis Comfort Tiffany Award and Alumni Award from Pennsylvania State University.

The paintings in this current exhibit range from $1200 to $18,000.

In 1987, McIver graduated from NCCU and shortly after, completed her M.F.A at Pennsylvania State University.

Beverly McIver has explored nearly all dimensions of art from black and white face paintings, still life, self-portraits, to images of her sister Renee.

She has the ability to remind us of the past and share with us her personal struggles and triumphs.

The NCCU Art Museum is located on Lawson Street and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

MITCHELL WEBSON/Echo Staff Photographer

What to Look out for...

Who:

Who:

The Young Godz w/ Young FLaMez, Y-H, Loose Kannon, John Brown

Jerry Blackwell a.k.a. J Black

What: Working on mix tapes “strickly for the ladies 3” and their debut mixalbulm “Tha Young Godz”

What: Working on perfecting his craft, and coming from a christian perspective with his music

MEAC’S UNITED WE JAM

MARCH. 9

Raleigh’s Downtown Sheraton Who’s gonna be there: Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh Why go: Two Rooms, Two Vibes, Two legends, Once in a life time event! presented by 6Denterprises and Seven Productions

VAGINA MONOLOGUES

Words to live by:

MARCH. 23-24

Words to live by:

“It’s that new school groove, homie”

B.N. Duke Auditorium

“We do it for the community and you should too”

Worked with:

Opened for:

E. Jones, Jim Dino da Great, Nitemare squad.

Mike Jones, David Banner, Terror Squad

Influences:

Influences:

Sounds like:

Lil’ Wayne, Outkast , Snoop, Jay-Z

Sounds like: Southern Crunk, great showmanship

Jesus, Joe Budden, Fred Hammond Slick verses, very lyrical, and good freestylist.

Who’s gonna be there: V-Day Warriors of NCCU; Why go: Unless you went last year you’ve never heard anything like it

MIKE-E’S AFRO FLOW TOUR

MARCH. 30 Carolina Theatre

Who’s gonna be there: Kenny Watson, Hot Sauce, DJ Invisible, Sowandé Keita Why go: If you missed him at NCCU here’s you chance to see him again for FREE

10

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2007

Classifieds Camp Counselors Wanted YMCA Camp Kanata, Raleigh, NC. Looking for people who want more than a job — who want to make a difference. June 9-August 18. Receive full room and board plus competitive salary.

Visit www.campkanata.org for application or call 919.556.2661

Paid Research Studies Join the Duke Psychology Department’s online database and participate in paid studies at Duke (around $12/hour).

Must be over 18.

To register visit www.experimetrix.com/diisp

HAB Tech Needed FT & PT hrs available. Mental health/home care agency seeks reliable, reponsible person to work with CAP MR/DD consumer.

Applicants must have a minimum of 1 yr relative experience, high school diploma and valid driver’s license.

College students welcome. To fill out an application come by 1500 East Club Blvd., Durham, NC 27704

Auditions

PT Office Cleric Needed

Casting call for a non-paying stage play production coming to the Triangle area. Casting 5 AAF (17-24 or high school look, 3 singing roles), 5 AAM and 1 CM (17-24 or high school look, 2 singing roles), 1 AAM and 2AAF (25-30, singing roles).

Please RSVP your audition by March 9th.

Seeking student for PT office clerical position. Aprox 10-15 hours per week. Duties to include stuffing envelopes, post office and bank errands.

Must have own car. Email resume and class schedule to plane@monicawilsonlaw.com or fax 919.806.4903.

No phone calls please.

Contact Schelle Holloway at 3790886 or via email ahwfproductions@aol.com

Campus Echo

Meeting/banquet space

classifieds

Northgate Meeting & Banquet Facility has great space available for graduations parties, weddings, receptions meeting, etc.

To place 2” x 2” classified ad in the NCCU Campus Echo costs just $10 per issue.

Large Space $450.00 ( 200 people banquet style). Small Space $250.00 (60 people).

Space is still space available. Full Event Planning Services Available.

919 530 7116

To Reserve Your Space Contact Pamela or Silver @286.0555.

Delivery work with American Party Rentals Full time (or part time) delivery. Exercise your body and your brain while providing a first class product and service to great customers at classy venues. Delivery work (includes driving) in our trucks and vans. Part time available for university students with accommodating class schedules. 40 hour week includes Saturdays (+ overtime in busy season). Occasional night and Sunday work earns premium pay. Must have excellent MVA record.

Visit: www.AmericanPartyRentals.com to learn more about us and the job or call Laura at 544-1555.

NCCU WRITING STUDIO

You wouldn’t wait until the night before to practice for the big game . . .

Appointments and Walk-Ins Welcome Monday - Thursday from 9 am - 5 pm Friday 9 am - 2 pm Room 339 Farrison-Newton Communications Building

So why wait until the last minute to start your paper?

530-7554 writingcentergrad@nccu.edu Director Dr. Karen Keaton Jackson

Campus Echo Online w w w. c a m p u s e c h o . c o m w w w. c a m p u s e c h o . c o m w w w. c a m p u s e c h o . c o m w w w. c a m p u s e c h o . c o m w w w. c a m p u s e c h o . c o m w w w. c a m p u s e c h o . c o m w w w. c a m p u s e c h o . c o m

United Christian Campus Ministry 525 Nelson Street, NCCU Campus

NY Cosmos Pizza

See our menu and specials elsewhere in this newspaper.

919-680-8900

Sign up now for the National Baptist Student Union Retreat in Charlotte, March 22-24.

The theme is “Pressing on for Christ.”

Transportation provided.

Michael D. Page Campus Minister To sign up for the retreat call 530-6380 or 530-5263. The retreat will be at the Hilton Charlotte University Place.

Sports

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2007

11

Mission complete LADY EAGLES BRING IT HOME

The little team that could NCCU lacrosse finally here

BY LARISHA J. STONE ECHO SPORTS EDITOR

The buzz for the N.C. Central University Lacrosse Team has been building for two years now.

After a rocky start stumbling through delayed grants and funds to conflicting practice schedules, the NCCU Lacrosse Team has finally gotten its feet under it and gotten on track.

For Lyle Burnham, the team’s founder and captain, it has been an uphill battle.

The U.S. Lacrosse Association helped catalyze the process of receiving equipment for the players.

Senior Kevin Allen, vice president of the lacrosse team, is excited because he will get a chance to play before he graduates.

“I’m glad it’s started now,” he said.

Maize Hutchinson, sophomore team member, feels that the team is moving forward. “(Lyle) is trying so hard.

Playing together and learning the rules on our own has been helpful,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to playing my hardest — me and my teammates.”

“There’s no reason to not like lacrosse. It’s got the speed of basketball and the contact of football,” Burnham said.

The team’s first match will be April 4th against UNC-CH. They will then participate in the National Black Lacrosse College Championship where four teams from Howard, Norfolk State, and Morgan State will all be competing.

Lady Eagle LaQuanda Williams maneuvering her way to score against Tanika Hudgins.

KAI CHRISTOPHER/Echo Staff Photographer

BY ERICKA HOLT ECHO STAFF WRITER

A quest for victory is what the Lady Eagles wanted, and that is what they got. N.C. Central University women’s basketball team captured their second and last CIAA championship Saturday.

NCCU, the number one seed in the tournament, dominated every team they played this past week.

In the quarterfinals, the Lady Eagles faced the Lady Trojans of Virginia State University, smashing them by 34 points. They defeated the Lady Bulldogs of Bowie State University in the semifinals 76-65.

NCCU beat Elizabeth City State 89-72 in the CIAA tournament final. The last time the Lady Eagles captured a

CIAA championship was in 1984.

The Lady Eagles had a great start — seven minutes into the first half, NCCU was up by 14 points. The half ended with the lady eagles holding a 22 point lead 49-27.

“We came out strong and we knew we had to take it away in the first half,” said Head Coach Joli Robinson.

“The players believed that they could win the CIAA championship.”

NCCU came out in the second half the same way they did in the first — strong.

The Lady Eagles scored the first points of the second half and sophomore forward LaQuanda Williams scored a lay up nine seconds into play ECSU just could not make the plays and get the stops

that they needed to compete with NCCU. The Lady Eagles scored 29 points off of the Lady Vikings’ 22 turnovers. CIAA player of the year Celeste Trahan only played 6 minutes of the first half due to foul trouble, but she finished the game with 28 points and 8 rebounds.

Cassie King led the Lady Eagles in scoring with 25 points and was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Williams had 23 points and eight rebounds and was named the game’s MVP. “I am an energized person and I came crunk for the tournament and had fun,” said Williams.

The freshmen also played big for the Lady Eagles.

Jasmine Newkirk finished with 17 points and seven

assists, and CIAA Rookie of the year Jori Nwachuku had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

“It feels good to win a CIAA championship, and I made it my personal goal to make Cassie and Coach Robinson happy — to go out with a bang,” said Jasmine Newkirk.

Jasmine Newkirk, LaQuanda Williams, and Cassie King were all named to the all-tournament team.

NCCU earned themselves the number two seed in this weekend’s NCAA Regional playoffs at Clayton State University. The Lady Eagles will face Newberry College (24-6) South Atlantic Conference Champions in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Tip off is 3 p.m.

Friday, March 9.

Team Captain Lyle Burnham pictured here at a weekday practice.

KAI CHRISTOPHER/Echo

Photo Editor

Eagles fall short of victory

BY SHATOYA CANTRELL ECHO STAFF WRITER

Freshman guard Brandon Alston pushes it against VUU, but to no avail.

KAI CHRISTOPHER/Echo Staff Photographer

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N.C. Central University men’s basketball team’s season came to an end during the CIAA tournament on Thursday in Charlotte’s Bobcat Arena.

“I was disappointed that we didn’t succeed in our goal of winning the CIAA,” said Head Coach Henry Dickerson, “but they played well as a team, and they defended the court well.”

The Eagles faced three-time CIAA champs Virginia Union University in hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals on Friday. “When playing against Union, we knew what type of team they were,” said senior guard Drew Johnson, “but we still put forth the same amount of effort and attention as we would any other game because that’s what our coach taught us.”

During the first half, the

Eagles played their hardest to hold the Panthers on the scoreboard.

Sophomore point guard Bryan Ayala led the team with 18 points, two rebounds, five assists and four steals. Senior guard Chris Mayshack contributed 14 points, two assists and one steal, and senior center Jason Hervey added eight points, seven steals, one assist, two blocks and two steals.

Senior forward Chris Greene led VUU with 19 points, 5 rebounds, one assist and two steals. Sophomore forward Greg Thondique and freshman forward LaKeith Blanks added 13 points, and junior forward Brad Byerson contributed 12 points to take their team to victory.

The Eagles opened the tournament against St. Paul’s College Tigers on Wednesday.

The Eagles played a tough game against the Tigers, but eventually snatched a victory

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away from them with a score of 75-74. They maintained a lead through the first half and kept the Tigers behind.

Entering into the second half, the Tigers pushed on the court to lead over the Eagles in the second half. The Eagles struggled on the court and had a hard time catching up;.yet, they trailed the Tigers , remained persistent, and beat the Tigers with a last minute shot from Mayshack.

The Eagles’ close but final lead allowed them to advance to the quarterfinals. “When I made the shot, I was happy, but it was more of relief because we felt we should have won the game anyway,” said Mayshack.

The Eagles ended the season with a 13-15 overall record and a 9-13 record in the CIAA conference. Jason Hervey was the only Eagle to receive AllTournament Team honors.

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Opinions

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2007

IVER SITY

What would MLK say?

A version of this essay won the Annual Scholastic Fund Essay Contest hosted by the Supreme Light Chapter #110 of the Order of Eastern Star in Durham. The assignment was to assume the role of Martin Luther King, Jr. as if he was speaking to today’s society. Krystin McCauley is a senior at Hillside High. stand before you today as I did in April of 1968. The country was then in the twilight years of a violent civil rights era, and our brothers and sisters of color were slowly gaining respect and bridging the economic gap.

We have now come 39 years into America’s future.

Krystin Sadly, I McCauley must report that 39 years later, African Americans still are not free. We still are bound by staggering unemployment, menial jobs and sub-par wages.

Thirty-nine years later, the African American still suffers from an incarceration rate that is vastly disproportionate to that

I

Our society has not yet fulfilled its obligation to ensure that all Americans, black and white, have the same freedoms and opportunites. of our white brothers.

Thirty-nine years later, African Americans still live on lonely islands of poverty in the midst of an ocean of material prosperity.

Thirty-nine years later, little black boys and girls still suffer an educational divide and are labeled as low achievers.

Although we have made significant strides in politics, technology, education, medicine and many other areas, the report I must give you today is still quite bleak for African Americans.

Our society has not yet fulfilled its obligation to ensure that all Americans, black and white, have the same freedoms and opportunites. People have suffered and died for positive change for our future. However, our younger generation doesn’t understand the significance of the struggle. As more African Americans take advantage of economic opportunities, the history of how we got there has not been passed on.

As a result, we are not living out the dream I had for all African Americans. As I look around at America, as it is today, my eyes are tearing and my heart is heavy. Was my fight for you in vain?

In 1968, I came along with millions to Washington, DC. That day we rewrote our history.

Our struggle then was for respect. Yet today, we still have not overcome.

America is in the grip of war.

American paranoia is constantly fueled by an attitude of terrorism and fear.

Meanwhile, HIV/AIDS is taking the lives of our people from middle-aged to children. The disease has crossed into the heterosexual community.

Corporate greed and a lack of ethics is bankrupting companies, causing massive economic losses for employees who have worked many years.

Due to the structural breakdown of the family, our children are finding value in gangs. We

are killing each other in the streets, boosting gang pride.

Vulnerable young people are lured into debt through credit cards and student loans.

We are huge consumers of overpriced name brand products. Our primary financial goal is to have a Lexus or MercedesBenz. The legacy continues on the bad check that America has defaulted on. Yes, there is more home ownership; however, high interest rates and loan defaults plagues homeowners.

I see some of you have become successful, but what did you do with that success? Did you reach back to help your brother? How are you helping rewrite the negative statistical picture displayed in the media every day?

Influential African Americans, you have a moral obligation to pave a way for a brighter future for our youth. Don’t just sit idly by while our youth are labeled low achievers without dreams. Provide them with hope.

Hopelessness crept up like a thief in the night. What happened to the American Dream?

Today is a new day. Seize it.

Believe that 39 years later, triumph is still within our reach.

We must unite and dare to dream again.

Ignorance or ignored? hen you read Jamar Harris’s February 14 editorial “Pseudo black elitism’’ and Tarryn Leal Simmons’ “Eagle lands in trash,’’ ask yourself, are Central students ignored by the school or are they just ignorant?

Either way, the campus climate must change if NCCU students want to compete on Gautam the world Mohapatra stage and battle injustice in America.

The climate of ignorance must be replaced with a climate of proactivity, creativity, student activism and growth.

How many people on campus know the significance of February 7? February 7 was

W

Black AIDS day, a prime opportunity for NCCU administrators and students to raise awareness about a disease that is the number-one killer of young African Americans ages 25-44.

To my knowledge, nothing significant was done to commemorate the day. Who was responsible for this lack of action — the school or the student body?

Another example of the disconnect between the school and the student body is the new chancellor search committee.

What percentage of the committee is made up of students?

There needs to be significant student representation (15-20 percent) on the committee. This not only would help the school be more progressive but also would allow students to see how business is conducted on campus.

The administration must create an atmosphere in which students are allowed to stand and

N ORTH C AROLINA C ENTRAL U NIVERSITY

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be heard.

They need to take students out of their comfort zone and force them to grow as men and women of the world.

Students need to learn to say more words than n_gga and f_ck and speak about issues more relevant than the next party.

Students must speak out on issues like NCCU’s responsibility to global warming and the environment, student entrepreneurship, and their dissatisfaction with the University.

The quote, “That’s just how Central works” must be changed to, “How am I going to make Central better?”

An opportunity for studentUniversity cooperation will occur March 29-30, when NCCU will host the Second AfricanAmerican Male in Education conference.

Male students need to attend this conference so that they can give attendees first-hand knowledge of the problems they face

getting their education.

Ironically, though the conference is about the problems facing them, very few AfricanAmerican male students have helped plan it.

Another irony is that although NCCU has many more females than males, it has had two conferences about AfricanAmerican males and has yet to have one on African-American females.

Does the African-American female have a free ride? Are the males the only ones facing problems?

Students need to become more activist-oriented and take control of the school while the school needs to show its commitment to student activism by realizing its mission to educate the next generation of leaders, not pander to past ones.

For more information about the 2nd Annual African-American Male Conference call Mohapatra call 919-924-2556.

drawing by Rashaun Rucker

Question: What are your thoughts on the N-word being used in the academic setting?

“As long as it’s used to educate people and not descriminate it’s fine by me.”

— Rod Mack

“It’s inappropriate to use in the academic setting.”

— Candice Manning

“It’s OK if it used in a discussion, but if it’ s used in a derogatory way it’s not acceptable.”

— Brinton Hayes

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DAVID MORRIS