Print_edition_October_20_2010

N

OCTOBER 20, 2010

O R T H

C

A R O L I N A

C

E N T R A L

UN

I V E R S I T Y

VOLUME 102, ISSUE 4 919 530 7116/CAMPUSECHO@NCCU.EDU WWW.CAMPUSECHO.COM

1801 FAYETTEVILLE STREET DURHAM, NC 27707

Campus . . . . . . . . . .

1-5 5

Beyond . . . . . . . . . .

6-7 7

NECD . . . . . . . . . . . .

8-9 9

Feature . . . . . . . . . .

10

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

11

Sports . . . . . . . . . . .

12

Opinion . . . . . . . . . .

13-1 14

Campus

A&E

Sports

Feature

Ever wonder who is behind the campus telephone directory?

Duck Down records celebrates 15th anniversary tour in Carrboro

Need a new workout?

Check out Pilates on campus.

Promoting breast cancer awareness in the Triangle

Page 2

Page 11

Page 12

Pages 10

Campus Echo

Tea party -b brew of gaffs

Black vote may be key House, Senate outcome may ride on turnout

BY WILLIAM DOUGLAS MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS (MCT)

WASHINGTON – African-American voters could have a major impact on the outcome of 20 House of Representatives races and 14 Senate contests if they can reverse a pattern of low turnout in nonpresidential election years, according to a report that the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies released Thursday.

Improved African-American turnout by the Democratic Party's most loyal voting bloc is no guarantee against Republicans winning the 40 seats they need to regain control of the House, the report says, but it could help Democrats "significantly reduce their potential losses."

"There's no getting around it: It's

n See BLACK VOTE Page 7

Steve Wayte, a member of the Central Valley Tea Party, points to the Fire Pelosi bus on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 in Fresno, California. The GOP's "Fire Pelosi 2010 Bus Tour" is in its third week of roaming the country, stopping for rallies in key congressional districts.

GARY KAZANJIAN/Fresno Bee/MCT

BY MATEA GOLD TRIBUNE-WASHINGTON BUREAU (MCT)

WASHINGTON – On the spectrum of political mistakes, being photographed in a Nazi uniform may top the list.

That's the error that threatens to engulf the

upstart campaign of Ohio Republican House candidate Rich Iott, whose past participation in a World War II re-enactment group was reported Friday by The Atlantic, complete with photos of a grinning Iott dressed as a member of a German SS division.

Iott is not the only insur-

gent candidate trying to clamber back onto safe ground: In New York, Republican gubernatorial nominee Carl Paladino insisted he is not anti-gay after telling an Orthodox Jewish congregation that children should not be "brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is

an equally valid and successful option." The fact that his remarks came right after New York police arrested members of a gang accused of torturing men they thought were gay has not helped his cause.

The predicaments of both men spotlight a side effect

of this year's anti-incumbency fever, which has produced a new class of untested nominees, many backed by the "tea party," with positions and backgrounds out of the mainstream.

In Nevada, GOP Senate

n See TEA PARTY Page 6

Rison era ends abruptly After three years at the helm head football coach gets reassigned

BY AARON SAUNDERS ECHO SPORTS EDITOR

Coach Mose Rison looks at the scoreboard during last season’s overtime 23-1 17 loss to N.C. A&T. Echo file photo

After four years as head football coach of N.C. Central University and a less-than-stellar 16-22 winloss record, Mose Rison was reassigned to other duties within the athletic department. On Monday the Rison era officially ended.

The head coach was informed of his replacement in a meeting Monday morning with Athletic Director Ingrid WickerMcCree and Associate Athletic Director George “Bulldog” Smith.

In an interview with the Durham Herald Sun,

Rison said, “She brought me in and never really gave me a reason why, other than she wanted to go in a different direction with the football program.”

Rison was hired in spring 2007 after serving as interim head coach when former head coach Rod Broadway accepted a coaching job at Grambling State University.

During the 2006 season, which saw the Eagles crowned as the black college national champions, Rison was offensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

“The difference between Broadway and

Rison was their leadership style,” said former NCCU long snapper Oliver Jenkins. “Everybody loved Broadway. People felt like he wasn’t trying to make a name for himself. He was trying to make a name for the team.”

There were stirrings of a possible coaching change after back-to-back 4-7 seasons including a 23-17 overtime loss last season to arch-rival N.C. A&T. Recently NCCU students formed a Facebook group entitled “Fire Mose Rison.”

Still some students were

n See RISON Page 12

NCCU alum, supporter to speak on Founder’s Day Peggy Ward no stranger to Homecoming ... she’s missed just one since her graduation

BY ZEVANDAH BARNES ECHO STAFF REPORTER

This year’s Founder’s Day speaker will be a fellow Eagle returning home.

Peggy Ward, a 1974 alumna, will speak at the Founder’s Day program on Friday, Oct. 29.

Ward graduated as a business major with a concentration in financial management.

She became a successful

Peggy Ward

insurance agent for the New York Life Insurance Company and has b e e n employed with them

for 30 years.

Ward has received a National Sales Achievement award,

National Quality award, and Underwriter of the Year while being in the top five percent of insurance agents worldwide for her exemplary work.

“My plan is to honor Dr. Shepard as well as pay tribute to the many graduates and alumni who encouraged my continued involvement with NCCU,” said Ward.

She added that she is

“very humbled and very honored” to be the speaker.

Ward said she enjoys NCCU homecomings and has only missed one since she graduated.

“It gives alumni and friends an opportunity to see how Dr. Shepard’s legacy has multiplied in so many ways,” said Ward.

Earlier this year Ward received the Shepard Medallion.

The medallion is awarded to individuals who have participated with the University in their communities, or in their line of work in an outstanding manner while providing “Truth and Service” — the NCCU motto.

Ward was chosen by Chancellor Nelms to receive this medal.

Ward said she supports the Chancellor and his

efforts to improve the GPA of students at NCCU. “Our students must have the desire to excell beyond their predecessors,” she said.

Ward has remained involved at her alma mater, serving as president of NCCU’s National Alumni Association, chair of fundraising for the NCCU

n See WARD Page 3

2 N

O R T H

-6100 is here to help

C

Campus A R O L I N A

C

CORLISS PAULING/Staff Photographer

BY JAMESE SLADE ECHO OPINIONS EDITOR

When dialing 530-6100, you hear the familiar phrases, “North Carolina Central University, this is Marie speaking?” or “North Carolina Central University, this is Sa’id, how may I help you?”

You might wonder about these all-too-familiar voices.

What do they look like?

Do they like their jobs?

Where are they?

For such a big job Marie and Sa’id don’t have a very big work space. The campus directory office is on the third floor of the School of Education in a small, windowless, 15 foot by 8 foot room.

Marie Allen, a graduate of Durham Business College, began working at the campus directory in April 2005.

“I came here from Durham County Board of Elections,” she said.

“I lived in Cincinnati for eight years and worked for the University of Cincinnati.”

In Durham she has worked at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Y.E. Smith Elementary School, doing administrative work.

Sa’id Abdul-Salaam, an alumnus of the class of 1959, began working here in 2006.

He has 40 years of medical research experience and is a retired biologist and physiologist.

“I worked at the school of Aerospace Medicine in San Antonio, Texas, and I retired from the Environmental Protection Agency in 2000,” he said.

Before Abdul-Salaam came, Allen was by herself.

“I alone was taking 1,500 to 1,600 calls per week so I requested another person,” Allen said.

She said this year has been busier than most years.

“The phones usually sing like birds,” she said. “There is no particular day that is busier unless there is an event.”

The most hectic times for Adul-Salaam and Allen are registration, summer school sessions, Homecoming and graduations.

She said that with the growth of the campus over the last few years, the number of calls has increased.

“There were 7,308 calls during the second session, July through August, and

August through September there were 7,728 answered calls,” Allen said.

She recalls that the most calls ever received in a single month was more than 9,000.

Allen and Abdul-Salaam said they get calls nationwide and worldwide.

They said that they aren’t surprised when they get calls from as far away as the U.K., Germany, Ghana or Australia.

“We get calls from all over the world wanting to know about the University,” AbdulSalaam said.

“We have to know everything possible about the University to be able to direct them to the sources they are seeking.”

One customer sticks out in Abdul-Salaam’s mind.

“A soldier in Iraq was interested in continuing his education, and I helped him out,” he said.

“When he came back, he came up to see me and thanked me for helping him continue his education.”

Abul-Salaam said that because of this job he has become friends with many people over the phone.

“There are people who call and you know their names and it’s just like you’re friends,” he said.

“I was in a restaurant and students in the restaurant said hello to me, because they knew who I was by the sound of my voice,” said Abdul-Salaam.

“They said, ‘thank you’ and I’ve helped them so much.’”

Allen and Abdul-Salaam can tell you which professors students often turn to to solve problems: “Dr. Evans, Dr. Williams, Dr. Livingston, Dr. Andrews, and Dr. Hall.”

“There are a lot of calls for the deans,” said Allen. “A lot.”

Both said that helping people is fulfilling for them.

“I try to listen to the customer to make sure they are connected to the right person,” said Allen.

“We try to make sure their journey of educating themselves is a positive one.”

“My purpose when I come to work in the morning is to help as many people as I can, and that’s how I receive blessings. That’s my pay,” said Abdul-Salaam.

“I’m here for the love of the University not for the money because they don’t pay me much money.”

Glamorize Beauty Clinic

Specializing in Blessing Hair Master Stylist ~ Christine Williams

• Located nearby in Heritage Square at 401 Lakewood Ave. • Walk Ins Welcome • Open Tuesday thru Saturday from 9 am to 9 pm.

919.806.9809

50% Off Grand Opening Special for all NCCU students, staff and faculty. Thru Dec. 31.

IVERSITY

Infrastructure woes at UNC UNC System buildings are in need of major repairs

BY ALISHA BYRD ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Sa'id Abdul-S Salaam and Marie Allen, public information assistants, take phone calls during an afternoon session.

UN

E N T R A L

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010

Leaking roofs, broken locks and a periodic lack of hot water in some dorms are just a few of the many issues going on in the older buildings around campus.

And N.C. Central University isn’t the only school in the UNC system with these problems.

Back in 2000, a 10-year building campaign was approved in an election day referendum.

It allowed the UNC system to have a $3.1 billion bond to renovate older buildings, build new buildings and improve building technology.

The bond allowed for many campuses to begin reconstruction, but there still wasn’t enough money for every school to have everything repaired.

In total the UNC System needed at least $7 billion to complete all renovations and repairs.

NCCU received $122 million of the bond for 23 projects and the maintenance back log stands at $85 million.

Many wonder what the money went to.

According to Zack Abegunrin, associate vice chancellor of facilities management, the money went toward the Mary Townes Science Complex, Ruffin Hall, the cafeteria and other newly renovated buildings on campus.

With new buildings going up such as the parking deck and new Chidley-North Resident Hall, students are beginning to wonder why fixing older buildings is not top priority.

What students are not aware of is that only 1/3 of

the bond money went towards new buildings and the money didn’t include the new parking deck or Chidley Hall.

“It just seems weird to see all of these new buildings going up, when more than half of the older buildings still have serious issues going on in them,” said Yakira Chavis, computer information systems freshman.

According to recent construction plans, it is not necessarily cheaper to renovate older buildings than it is to build more. The function of the building has a lot to do with whether to continue to build or just fix issues.

Sometimes if the building is needed for a new purpose there is no other choice but to rebuild.

“Sometimes you have to find new ways to accommodate all students,” said Abegunrin.

Since the economy has gotten far worse since 2000, getting more money for renovations may not be as easy this time around, even with the increase of students.

Two years ago, NCCU sent in their 6 – year plan for $76 million to the Facility Condition Assessment Program but it is completely up to the state if and when the University will receive the funds.

NCCU does attempt to make repairs with any leftover funds they have. Last year, they were able to make many health and life-safety repairs.

“Normal wear and tear is expected, we hope that Eagles will take pride in our facilities and not damage or vandalize the buildings,” said Timothy McMullen, University architect and director of Design and Construction Services.

STEP OFF IN HONOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated — Regina Glover, Brianna Hargrove and Tiffanie Williams — participate in off. This is one of five events commemorating Domestic Violence Awareness Month NCCU’s Break the Silence Stop the Violence Step-o sponsored by the Women Center. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The National Institute of Justice, one in every four women has experienced domestic violence in her lifetime.

CHI BROWN/Echo staff photographer

Transmission Rapair and Service • Brakes • Exhaust and Mufflers • Shocks, Struts and Suspension Service • Cooling System and Radiator Service • Air Conditining • Maintenance Tune-ups • Factory Recommended Maintenance

AAMCO RTP The Complete Car Care Experts 5116 S. Hwy 55, Durham, NC

919-493-2300

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010

N

OR T H

C

Campus A R O L I N A

C

E N TR A L

Honda-ready

Despite Rose Parade invite, the band still wants Honda

UN

3 IVERSITY

Battle of the brains NCCU preps for Honda Campus All-Star Challenge

The Sound Machine in the Georgia Dome during last week’s game against the Georgia State Panthers.

CHIEF RICHARDS/Echo staff photographer

BY TONDEA KING ECHO STAFF REPORTER

For the past nine years Honda Motor Company has brought together some of the best bands in the land to compete for prize money and bragging rights.

Despite all the praise the N.C. Central University Marching Sound Machine has received for its selection to the 2011 Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the band still needs Eagle votes to attend the 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta.

The HBOB was created to celebrate, support and recognize the excellence of Black College marching bands.

Honda annually awards more than $200,000 in grants to participating marching bands during the program period.

The schools are selected in a three-part process which consists of online voting polls open to the public.

In the second stage, band directors or presidents also vote.

The selection is broken into five conferences that vary in number.

Only eight bands are eligible to attend.

One school is then selected from each of the four conferences, plus an independent program for a total of five bands to premier in the HBOB showcase.

“I hope that we will get another chance to attend,” said Tremaine Vass, psychology senior and assistant head drum major.

“We’ve been the past six years and it will be a great way to recruit and to view the different styles of

bands,” said Vass.

Last year the Sound Machine participated in the invitational along with Clark-Atlanta, Virginia State, Prairie View A&M, Southern University, Albany State, Tuskegee University and Florida A&M University.

The Sound Machine took the audience on a ride through time with music selections from Bell Biv Devoe, Jay-Z and an audience favorite, Michael Jackson.

“If we are selected to go to HBOB, we would be honored,” said former band member and current drum major adviser Ronnie Chalmers.

NCCU students, faculty and staff can vote at w w w. h o n d a b a t t l e o f t h e bands.com.

Voting ends October 29.

WARD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Foundation, and as chair and a member of the Board of Trustees.

Ward has also been on the Board of Trustees for UNC-TV. While there, Ward served as chair for the Advancement Committee.

Ward also makes time to help out at a men’s shelter through her church in Charlotte.

Ward said NCCU has advanced dramatically since she graduated.

Her advice to students looking for employment during this economy is to do plenty of networking

while at NCCU. “Excell in your major, pursue internship as early as your freshman year and ‘camp out’ in the placement center,” she said. “All will help students find the job they are looking for.”

Ward also added that students should plan on giving back to the University after they graduate.

Ward’s speech will be one of the many events going on during Homecoming.

Students, faculty and alumni can look forward to the Miss NCCU Coronation, choir ball,

lyceum, a comedy show, a fashion show, a step show, a concert and of course the big game, just to name a few things.

Many of these events are free.

There is a package deal for $40 that will grant entry into many of the Homecoming main events.

Come out and celebrate with the Eagles during this festive period and put on your maroon and grey.

Make sure to stop by McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium on Oct. 29 to hear Peggy Ward deliver her Founder’s Day speech.

History senior Susan Creary, psychology freshman Dyrell Carr, and theater senior Jeffrey Muller wait for the next challenge question during last Thursday’s competition.

CORLISS PAULING/Echo staff photographer

BY GABRIEL AIKENS ECHO STAFF REPORTER

During which two centuries did Shakespeare write his plays?

Which infamous rapper interrupted which country singer’s acceptance speech at the 2009 VMAs? What death-causing genetic disorder can be cured 73 percent of the time with a risky and expensive total bone marrow transplant?

This is just a small taste of the type of questions students will face during this spring’s Honda Campus All-Star Challenge.

In all, students from 48 HBCUs will participate in the challenge, held each year in Orlando.

Last Thursday interested students got a taste of what to expect at the Honda Challenge at a trial campus challenge.

“I have fun competing with my friends,” said computer science senior Daniel Clark, who participated in Thursday’s campus event and has represented N.C. Central University in the national challenge.

“My goal is to win first in nationals this year.”

According to NCCU challenge coordina-

tor Clayton Mack, the purpose of Thursday’s event was to begin selecting candidates for a four-person varsity squad which will compete in Orlando.

Every year students compete for the first-place prize of $50,000. The runner-up receives $25,000 and the semi-finalist receives $15,000.

Last spring the NCCU challenge team won $17,000 as a semi-finalist in the nationals.

In that competition, Prairie View A&M took first place and Mississippi Valley State University took second.

Each year the final four winning teams will be announced in a full-page ad in USA Today.

Honda Motor Company pays for the team, coaches, airfare and hotel, but team winnings and support from the Office of Student Affairs also helps cover the team expenses.

The challenge started in 1989 when Honda Motor Co. approached the College Bowl and asked them to create a special version of their game for undergraduates at HBCUs. Since then, Honda has awarded more than $6 million worth of grants to participating HBCUs.

NCCU has participated in the Honda Challenge for the past 20 years.

According to Mack, NCCU has won $166,000 in awards since 1990.

“I love seeing all the schools together at the competition,” said Chris Graves, who has been coaching NCCU’s team for the past seven years.

“You get to learn about different HBCUs.” It’s great!”

Once selected, the varsity team practices two to three times a week using sample questions from the Honda Challenge.

The team is mainly comprised of seniors from a variety of majors, although students can join no matter what their classification or major.

“I love to win,” said team member Susan Creary, a history senior who competed in Orlando last spring.

“I was invited by Daniel Clark two years ago,” Creary said.

“I came to a couple of practices and liked the challenge.”

Students interested in joining the team should contact campus coordinator Clayton Mack at cmack@nccu.edu or 919.530.7620 for more information.

Campus Echo Online No kidding: Free classified ads for anyone with an @nccu e-m mail account.

www.campusecho.com/classifieds

The Church of the Abiding Savior, Lutheran Your Outreach Minister to the NCCU campus is Rhonda Royal Hatton

JOIN US

LIVING WORDS ~ AN EVENING OF OPEN MIC AND SPOKEN WORD POETRY FEATURE POET/AUTHOR: POETIC MIKE NOVEMBER 11, 2010 7 PM ~ FREE AND DINNER WILL BE SERVED TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE, JUST GIVE US A CALL AT THE CHURCH OF ABIDING SAVIOR, LUTHERAN 1625 S. ALSTON

Contact Rhonda Royal Hatton by e-mail at rhondahatton@gmail.com or by cell phone 919.698.3648

mail account.

Campus Echo Online classifieds = free. Just use an nccu e-m campusecho.com/classifieds

Church of the Abiding Savior, Lutheran Rev. Gordon Myers, Pastor 1625 S. Alston Avenue Durham, NC 919.682.7497

Campus

4 N

O R TH

C

A R O L I N A

C

E N TR A L

UN

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010

IVER SITY

‘It’s a million local fights.’

Melissa Harris-Perry examines health of African-American civic engagement

BY CARLTON KOONCE ECHO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

From left: NCCU history professor Blair Kelley, Melissa Harris-P Perry, and political science student Anabel Hernandez-C Cortes.

WILLIE PACE/Echo staff photographer

3208 Guess Road Gail Woods McNeill ~ 919.471.5584 Kandi Brown ~ 919.423.0344 Deborah Thomas ~ 919.479.9818 Ana Pena ~ 919.479.6036

& Pedicures & Manicures

As election season sweeps the country again, students got the chance to hear from one of the nation’s brightest political minds.

Melissa Harris-Perry, a professor of politics and African American studies at Princeton, spoke to a packed H.M. Michaeux School of Education auditorium Friday morning about “African-American Civic Engagement Post Obama.”

At Princeton, Perry teaches courses such as, “Introduction to African American Politics,” “African-American Political Thought” and “Hurricane Katrina and American Politics.”

She can often be seen on MSNBC’s “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” and the “Rachel Maddow Show.”

She is also a contributing writer for the “The Nation,” a weekly liberal magazine.

Her speech discussed black political and civic engagement accomplishments but also its shortcomings.

Perry explained she was glad to be “home” and felt connected to the Triangle because of her degrees at area universities.

She obtained her undergraduate degree in English from Wake Forest University, where Maya Angelou was her adviser, and her doctorate in political science at Duke.

Perry, herself, taught political science at N.C. Central University the 1996-97 academic year.

“NCCU was the first place I taught after college,” said Perry. “I was 22 or 23 at the time and taught World Civilizations to 1500.

It was some of the hardest and most rewarding teaching I’ve done.”

Perry has taught students from grade school to graduate school and said she was inspired to teach by her parents.

Her father was the dean of African-American Affairs at the University of Virginia and her mother was a lifelong educator.

Perry kept the audience engaged and explained why racial barriers truly did not fall with the election of Obama and still remained.

“The election was a healing of double consciousness,” said Perry. “After Obama was elected African Americans became a solution instead of a problem.”

“It healed double consciousness, the two warring selves, and at that moment we felt like citizens. My President and First Lady have hair like me,” she said.

Perry explained that black leaders, like mayors, were elected in cities that were going through structural changes such as a reduction in the tax base, the flight capital, and an increase in poverty.

She said this environment — an environment that has led to high unemployment — has made the election of Obama “a hollow prize” for the nation’s first black president.

Perry said that Obama, like Lyndon B. Johnson during the civil rights movement, needs support and pressure from below.

During the civil rights movement Martin Luther King, Jr. played this role to President Johnson.

“Civic engagement matters,” said Perry. “Pressure must come from the bottom.

Without that pressure presidents can’t act.”

“Presidents need Kings.

Who will be Obama’s MLK ... ?” she asked. “We have to lead ourselves. It’s a million local fights.”

In a response from an audience question, Perry said that public bigotry rears up like it has every 10 years or so. She said that “all of the noise we hear is the death rattle of American racism.”

“We must assume the fact that they’re pushing back proves we’re winning,” she said.

Perry finished off a week of political lectures, that included a meeting with N.C. Fourth District Congressman David Price (Dem.).

The lecture was hosted by the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the Institute for Civic and Social Change, and the NCCU chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society.

Perry is the author of the award-winning book, “Barbershops, Bibles, and BET: Everyday Talk and Black Political Thought.”

Her newest book, “Sister Citizen: A Text for Colored Girls Who’ve Considered Politics When Being Strong Wasn't Enough,” will be published by Yale University Press in August.

Perry said that she had hoped that more young African Americans would get into politics since Obama’s election but that it hasn’t yet happened.

“It may be that the Obama backlash may have discouraged others from running,” said Perry.

“How do we encourage the best and brightest to go into office?”

Perry said that she is in politics but not a candidate because she never really liked public policy and wanted to find “big answers to big problems.” She said that her first political campaign was with John Edwards and that her husband once ran for mayor of New Orleans.

“I can say whatever I believe to be true because I’m not running for office,” she said.

“Politics is about raising money and it’s not exciting to spend all your time fundraising.”

Perry said that if she could sum up the modern African American experience it would be “doubleness.”

“We’ve accomplished even more but there are still challenges,” she said. “We’re still meeting resistance but nothing is impossible.”

This is not a joke.

Campus Echo Online classifieds are free when you use any @nccu e-m mail account.

2917 Guess Road Karen Moore ~ 919.479.0230 Tamika ~ 919.599.0714 Mr. Randy ~ 919.471.3230 Lisa Weaver ~ 919.479.0230

www.campusecho.com/classifieds

Health Careers Center N.C. Central University 521 Nelson Street Durham, NC 27707

United Christian Campus Ministry 525 Nelson Street, NCCU Campus

919 530-7128

• Boston University Early Medical School Selection Program • Clinical Health Summer Program NCCU/Duke University Medical Center • North Carolina Access, Retention and Completion Initiative in the Allied Health Sciences (NC-ARC) Course Number BIOL2030. This course gives students an overview of allied health professions and facilitates acceptance into the School of Allied Health Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

More Opportunities are available. Contact us.

Charles E. McClinton, Ph.D., Director Alfreda D. Evans, Student Services Coordinator

For more than 35 years NCCU’s Health Careers Center staff has been developing pre-health professional students into viable candidates for health and medical careers by providing: • Advocacy • Counseling • Enrichment Activities • Health Career Network Access • Health Career Recruitment • Information • Internships & Shadowing Experiences • Standardized Test Prep Workshops • Other services and activities

We are pleased to announce the addition of primary care provider LATICIA THARRINGTON, CNP to our clinic.

Ministry Fair

Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm

Find out more about our Special Programs

Now receive PRIMARY CARE at Southpoint Medicine and Women’s Health Associates.

Michael D. Page Campus Minister

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE “Come get your praise and worship on!”

Minister Ryan Brooks 7 pm ~ Friday, Oct. 22 (call for location).

Meet local faith community and pastors for worship opportunties.

Refreshments, music.

Tuesday, Oct. 21 5:30 - 7:30 PM Join us on the patio located on George Street behind the Wachovia ATM, adjacent Baynes.

Call for event details. To get involved in Campus Ministries contact Rev. Michael Page at 530-5263 or by e-mail at mpage@nccu.edu

Ms. Tharrington is board certified in Adult and Family medicine and will see male patients and husbands or partners of our established patients.

Dr. Sheila Allison • general gynecology • abnormal PAPs • emergency contraception • hormone imbalance • bioidentical hormones

A UNC graduate with a master’s in nursing and a postmaster’s science degree, Tharrington has been a primary care provider since 2005.

• in office procedure • menstrual irregularities • in office procedure for sterilization & heavy periods

6216 Fayetteville Road, Suite 105 Durham, N.C. 27713 919.405.7000 ~ Fax: 919.405.7006

Campus

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010

N

OR TH

C

Will you vote?

As elections approach, many students ill-informed, apathetic

BY ASHLEY ROQUE

C

E N T R A L

Art Today.com

lion jobs in two years?” said Sneed.

“In comparison to our previous president we are definitely in a better position. I am going to vote to help continue this change,” she said.

Some students say they feel it’s their responsibility to advance progressivism.

Physics senior, Deshawn Spears has been following politics closely since he was in high school.

Spears said he has been very pessimistic about politics until Obama’s campaign.

“I am going to vote because I still believe in the change we saw last election,” said Spears.

“I have never witnessed anything like Obama’s campaign and I don’t think that spirit of progress evaporated.

We still need to make the best of our situation and promote a better America with our vote.”

“There is so much that is at stake in this election and if we don’t try to stop the Republicans from taking over the House we are definitely going to be in trouble,” he said.

Early childhood education sophomore Alana Shekel said that she is voting and she knows which local candidates she is voting for.

“I think that my vote has more significance in local elections than in bigger national ones so I always make sure to vote in the midterms,” said Shekel.

“The decisions that local politicians make affect me more immediately than the ones made on the national stage,” she said.

“I am voting to support Ellie Kinnaird in Chapel Hill, because we need more people like her in office.”

Campbell said that she had only heard about one N.C. candidate and was not too sure about his credentials.

English education senior Ivorie Sangutei said that students have to take responsibility about who the state and nation’s future leaders will be.

“I am definitely going to vote,” said Sangutei.

“You can’t really expect Obama to do everything. He can’t change the world with a speech. We really have to go out there and take full responsibility to ensure that our future is in the right hands,” she said.

IVER SITY

Group forms NCCU chapter of mental health alliance

ECHO STAFF REPORTERS

The donkey symbolizes the Democratic party and the elephant, the Republicans. The parties will square off for control of the Senate and House on Nov. 2.

UN

TLC for the stressed

BY BETHANY SNEED AND SHUNTERRY MILLER

ECHO ASSISTANT EDITOR

As the November midterms approach, not all students appear informed or excited about heading to the polls.

And the voter turnout statistics for midterms reflect that fact: While about 50 percent of youth voters voted in the 2008 presidential election, about half of that are expected to vote in November’s midterms.

“I didn’t even know it was time for elections again,” said Kana Elliot, physical education junior.

“Politics is too much to keep up with. It just feels like one big he-said-she-said argument on a playground.”

Some N.C. Central University students said that the immaturity of candidates and their attack ads turn them off.

English literature senior Ashley Campbell said that she is not sure of what the candidates stand for.

“I may not vote this year because I don’t know these people,” said Campbell. “I don’t want to vote blindly.”

“I’ve only heard about Randall and he said that the BP oil spill was a conspiracy,” she said, adding that when she does hear something from the candidates, “it’s all negative.”

Crystal Watkins, an English junior, also said that she was not informed enough to vote.

“I don’t know the issues and candidates,” said Watkins. “I’m always on the move and don’t have time to dig-up the information.”

Watkins said that she doesn’t feel that elections matter that much if you aren’t rich.

“I feel uninfluenced by elections,” said Watkins.

“If I were to hit the lottery tomorrow it would affect me because it would make me pay more attention.”

“In the meantime I’m still going to be a struggling, single black mother that is also a college student,” she said.

Mass communications senior Andrea Leggett, a native of Ohio, said she voted in 2008 for Obama and also said she feels uninformed.

“If people came on campus and drilled up attention like Obama did, we would be more informed,” said Leggett.

“I see signs everywhere, but I’m not voting because of a name. I would support them if they came and talked to us.”

But other students are determined to have their ballot counted.

“I think voting is just as important this year as it was two years ago,” said mass communications senior Bethany Sneed.

“A quick fix doesn’t work.

Obama did all he could do in his short time in office. What do people expect — a 100 mil-

A R O L I N A

5

Statistics show that mental illness can affect one out of every four students during their college career.

According to the American College Health Association, 76 percent of college students will feel “overwhelmed” at some point during their college career and just over seven out of every 100,000 college students will commit suicide.

That totals to over 1,000 college-age suicides each year, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“There is hope and support,” said Yusador Gaye, president of the recently established NCCU Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

After many steps and multiple meetings, including a meeting with NAMI of Raleigh, the group became registered this year.

The NCCU campus NAMI club began after NCCU professor Cassandra D. Caldwell challenged her public administration graduate class to establish a perpetual community project.

President of the NCCU club, Yusador Gaye, was inspired to begin a NAMI campus club because her son suffered from a mental illness soon after beginning college.

“We brainstormed organizations and Yusador brought NAMI to our attention,” said the group’s vice president, Garion Bunn.

NAMI was founded in 1979 as a nonprofit, grassroots support organization.

Members include people living with mental illness, their families and friends.

The campus alliance aims to educate and increase awareness of mental health issues, promote early detection and intervention, and provide information about available mental health resources.

“We are trying to let students know that mental illness is a disease just like any other and that there is help out there,” said Gaye.

Gaye said that the club is close to her heart.

“I want to get students involved so that the NCCU NAMI alliance will

continue to be in existence long after the initial club creators have graduated,” she said.

The NCCU alliance’s founding members consist of President Yusador Gaye, Vice President Garion Bunn, Secretary Tiffany Wadddell, Assistant Secretary LaFonda General, and Treasurer Wilma Evans.

NAMI held their first interest meeting last night in the Criminal Justice Building.

Undecided about your major?

Is your major undeclared?

Why not become a teacher and give back to the community?

One-Stop Teacher Education Shop Saturday November 13, 2010 Schedule 8:30 a.m. ~ Registration 9:00 a.m. ~ Opening Session 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m ~ Meet with program advisors and financial aid officers.

Bring official transcripts. Application fees will be waived.

The One-Stop Teacher Education Shop is for: High School Seniors ~ Undecided/Undeclared Students ~ Second Degree Students ~ Licensure-Only Candidates ~ Add-On Licensure Candidates ~Transfer Students ~ Lateral Entry Teachers ~ Prospective Graduate Students

For more information call 919.530.7990 or email twilson@nccu.edu.

North Carolina Central University H.M. Michaux, Jr. School of Education 712 Cecil Street, Durham, NC 27707 Register online at www.nccu.edu

Services for Students and Alums • Resume and cover letter consultation • Career planning and counseling • Campus interviews • Career Fairs • Mock interviews • Career workshops

703 A 9th St. 919.286.6777 snarksgames@gmail.com

Career Counseling

Join us on

• Address plans for career success • Identify career interests and goals • gift cards • workshops

NEKA JONES/Echo staff photographer

What’s Popping at Career Services?

Sun-Thurs 12-9 Fri-Sat 11-11 Mon closed

• birthday parties • tournaments

NAMI officers (from left): Wilma Evans, Garion Bunn, Yusador Gaye, and Khristy Horne.

• Xbox, Wii titles • room rentals

FREE membership - Double your time when you sign up. $3=1/2 hr $5=1 hr $13=3 hrs $20=5 hrs Reserve a room now! • Birthday parties • Goodies made locally!

• Overcome obstacles to career develop ment • Career assessments/inventories to assist with academic decision making

Career Resource Center • Career literature • EagleTRAK - Job Search Database • Optimal Resume Builder • Interview Prep- Interactive Mock Interviews

University Career Services Call us: 919.530.6337 ~ Drop by: William Jones Bldg., lower level Send us an e-m mail: nccucareerservices@nccu.edu See us on the Web: www.nccu/careerservices

Beyond NCCU

6 N

O R TH

C

A R O L I N A

C

U.S. texters rudeness pros

BY VIKKI ORTIZ HEALY CHICAGO TRIBUNE (MCT)

CHICAGO — Next time your significant other reads a text message while sitting with you at a restaurant, tell him he’s rude. And tell him he’s like a typical American.

Those statements would likely be true, given the results of a recent Marquette University study that compared the texting habits of cell phone users in the world’s two largest democracies — the U.S. and India.

In monitoring text messages from 137 college students in both countries, the study showed that India appeared to have better “textiquette.”

Researchers found that 52 percent of the Americans in the study read text messages while in public social settings such as restaurants, shops and movie theaters, compared to only 5 percent of Indian participants who read texts while out.

Most Indians (41 per-

cent) read texts while at home or at a friend’s home.

Americans were also seven times more likely than Indians to send texts from social settings (42 percent vs. 6 percent); and almost eight times as likely to text while in the middle of a conversation (31 percent vs. 4 percent).

Still, Robert Shuter, the Marquette communication studies professor who led the study, cautioned not to be too down on American texters.

“The truth is, neither Indians nor Americans excused themselves or took leave when they read or sent a message.

“They’re both at fault,” he said, adding that the point of the study was to emphasize how different cultural factors must be considered when developing universal texting rules.

Maybe he’s right.

Indians did rudely rank 10 percentage points higher than Americans in using swear words in texts.

Campus Echo Online No kidding.

Free classified ads for anyone with an @nccu email account. www.campusecho.com/classifieds

E N TR A L

UN

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010

IVER SITY

TEA PARTY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “The one thing you can’t ever buy in politics is intensity, and right now the Republicans have that ... people are upset and they’re looking forward to voting.”

SCOTT REED REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST

nominee Sharron Angle has raised the prospect of “Second Amendment remedies” and talked about young rape victims making “a lemon situation into lemonade.”

Christine O’Donnell, the Republican Senate candidate in Delaware, opened her first ad by declaring, “I am not a witch,” in an effort to put to rest stories about her past admission that she “dabbled into witchcraft” in high school.

Colorado’s Republican gubernatorial nominee, Dan Maes, called Denver’s bike-swap program a United Nations plot and lost support from party leaders after the Denver Post revealed that he embellished his role as a young police officer in K a n s a s .

And Rand Paul, the GOP Senate nominee in

Kentucky, caused a furor this spring when he questioned whether the federal government should force private businesses to follow civil rights laws. (He later issued a statement saying he backs the 1964 Civil Rights Act.) Republicans don’t have a monopoly on off-the-wall candidates, of course. Alvin Greene, the surprise Democratic nominee for Senate in South Carolina, is unemployed and facing pornography charges. Alan Grayson, the outspoken Democratic congressman from Florida, has been sharply criticized for running a campaign commercial in which he dubbed his opponent “Taliban Dan” because of his conservative views about marriage.

But the spate of headsnapping GOP nominees in this year’s elections wor-

ries some Republican strategists, who fear their unorthodox rhetoric and ideological extremism could turn off voters.

“All revolutions have their wack jobs,” said Mark McKinnon, a former adviser to President George W. Bush who is supporting a new effort to promote moderate candidates.

“Paladino happens to be the GOP’s latest.”

In trying to harness the burgeoning tea party movement, the GOP must contend with political novices, he noted.

“Hopefully, most of the real problems, like Paladino, will lose their general elections. If not, it really poses a long-term brand problem for Republicans.”

The challenge posed by such candidates was evident in the tepid statement released Monday by Ed Cox, New York’s Republican Party chairman, after Paladino deplored gay pride parades with “people in bikini-type outfits grinding at each other.”

“Our Republican gubernatorial candidate, Carl Paladino, is more than capable of speaking for himself on the matters he addressed on air this morning and to Orthodox Jewish leaders on Sunday,” Cox said. “We condemn any

Department of Criminal Justice Fall 2010 Lecture Series Elaine O’Neal Bushfan Chief District Court Judge “The Social Reality of Children and Youth and its Impact on Community Life: A Call to Action” Wed., Oct. 27 ~ 6 pm, Rm. 201 Whiting Criminal Justice O’Neal Bushfan, an NCCU alumna, is the Chief District Court Judge of the 14th Judicial District, Durham County. She is a recipient of the President’s NAACP Award.

remarks that can be construed as homophobic.”

Meanwhile, GOP leaders such as House Minority Whip Eric Cantor have distanced themselves from Iott, a Toledo businessman and first-time candidate, who said he participated in a Nazi re-enactment group out of historical interest, not sympathy for their cause.

Republican strategist Scott Reed said he did not think such flaps would have resonance outside of their districts, noting that the tea party has imbued the GOP with newfound energy.

“The one thing you can’t ever buy in politics is intensity, and right now the Republicans have that,” Reed said. “People are upset and they’re looking forward to voting.”

Alan Abramowitz, a political science professor at Emory University who studies party realignment, said Republicans have learned they need to appeal to the tea party movement rather than try to circumvent it.

“Look at what happened in Delaware, where the party came in and tried desperately to influence the primary there and it didn’t work,” he said. “I think it’s very hard to control once that genie is out of the bottle.”

Please Recycle

Beyond NCCU

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010

N

O R TH

C

A R O L I N A

C

E N TR A L

UN

Silent majority: Disgusted, frustrated, voters

IVER SITY

Many Americans say politicians not looking out for them

Ann and John Quinn of Middletown, Penn., haven't agreed on anything political in 15 years of marriage.

If they can figure out how to make it work, they wonder, why can't politicians in Washington, D.C.?

SCOTT LEWIS/Los Angeles Times (MCT)

BY FAYE FIORE & MARK Z. BARABAK LOS ANGELES TIMES (MCT)

Middletown, Pa — Ann Quinn is in her red camp chair watching her 10-year-old son at Friday afternoon soccer practice. There’s a bin of blue and gold hats in the back of her SUV and a big flag. When she isn’t working full time at the local Navy base, she is cubmaster for her son’s pack and classroom volunteer at his school.

If all that isn’t enough, there is an election coming up next month and her husband, John, comes home most nights all spun up about what a lousy job President Barack Obama and the Democrats are doing. She likes Obama and the Democrats. But she’s tired from juggling work, parenting, cooking and voting in these dispiriting times seems like just one more chore.

Ann feels like she’s stuck at a ping-pong match. Wasn’t it only yesterday the Democrats were promising to shake things up in Washington? Now it’s the Republicans, and it looks like control of the House and maybe the Senate is about to change hands.

When she looks at Washington, this is what she sees: Nobody compromises.

Nobody watches out for people like her, people too busy working, selling Cub Scout popcorn and pulling coupons off the Internet to go around yelling about which party did what to ruin America.

“I try to be informed, but there’s no one out there I love. They can throw stones at the other guy, and as long as they win, they are happy.

Nobody wants to govern,” she says, one eye on Patrick running around the field. “It’s just been so disappointing.”

For all the sound and fury of the “tea party” movement, the chorus of marchers descending on the Capitol and the nightly racket on cable TV, there are untold millions of Americans who are not angry so much as frustrated, anxious and resigned that, whatever happens Nov. 2, little the politicians say or do will change their stressed-out, stretchedthin lives.

Call them, in the old phrase, the silent majority: voters like Ann Quinn, disgusted with Washington, nervous about the future but so busy getting by day-to-day that the election is almost an afterthought.

A survey published last month in Newsweek found that self-described angry voters — the ones grabbing all the attention — make up

about 23 percent of the electorate. Most of them are Republicans.

As for the rest, many of them are not terribly partisan, though they may lean toward one party over the other. Immigration, earmarks, same-sex marriage — those things that exercise activists — are of little interest. Mainly, what they want is for lawmakers to stop bickering and address the problems they deal with on a daily basis, “putting food on the table, gas in their car and ... getting the kids through college,” said Democratic pollster Margie Omero.

“They feel they’re living on another planet in D.C.,” said Alex Bratty, a Republican pollster who partnered with Omero on a series of focus groups with women around the country they dubbed “Wal-Mart” moms to capture their straitened circumstances. “The way they see it is a lot of partisanship, not getting anything done. They ask, ‘Why can’t they compromise?’ “ The Quinns live in Middletown, a pretty suburb of broad lawns and quiet culde-sacs just over the South Bridge from Harrisburg. Ann, 55, grew up here in the shadow of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in a houseful of Democrats. John, 56, grew up here, too, in a houseful of Republicans.

In 15 years of marriage they have never agreed on anything political. When she put a John Kerry sign on the lawn in 2004, he ran out and got a George W. Bush sign to plant right next to it. But when it comes to the important things — Patrick, improvements to their twostory Dutch colonial house, which car to buy — they put their differences aside and did what needed to be done.

If they can figure out how to make it work, why can’t Washington?

“Nobody seems to be capable of saying what we should do to solve the country’s problems,” Ann says. “I feel they have all been bought off.

Who is the lobbyist for the American people?”

The election is less than three weeks away and John can’t wait to vote. That’s why Democrats are in such peril.

Many of the party faithful are disinterested, if not disenchanted. The Democrats’ foes — whether Republicans like John, independents, tea party followers or people just plain ticked-off — can’t wait to vent.

“I’m scared to death of taxes. All the social problems the Democrats want to remedy with taxes,” John says, waving a letter from that day’s mail notifying him that

his property tax bill is going up because he had the good sense to fix his leaky basement. Government with its hands in his pockets again.

When Ann considers the ballot choices for Pennsylvania’s open U.S. Senate seat, she gets discouraged. Pat Toomey, the Republican and tea party favorite vs. Joe Sestak, the renegade Democrat who’s promised to change the way Washington works. She’s heard that one before.

“Toomey’s a nutcase,” she says, turned off by his strongly conservative stance on abortion, same-sex marriage and other social issues. “And Sestak. Am I crazy about Sestak? No.” But neither is she sure she wants to hand the reins back to the GOP, who she believes led the country into two wars, a vast, unpaid-for expansion of Medicare and a neardepression without a word or worry about deficit spending.

Suddenly, it seems Republicans have rediscovered the horror of red ink and believe cut, cut, cut is the only way to balance the budget. But at the same time, they won’t force the rich to shoulder a bigger share of the burden.

“Taxes in and of themselves are not an evil thing.

They pay for things like highways and education and services we all use,” Ann says, out of earshot of the other soccer parents.

“You have to watch who you talk politics with around here,” she whispers, but she’s rolling now. “If I hear one more thing about government waste, I’m going to scream. Government isn’t evil. I work for the government.”

Ann is a civilian operations research analyst for the Navy base in nearby Mechanicsburg; her job is to figure out what parts the Navy needs to buy and repair for its ships and submarines.

So far, the Quinns have been lucky. Apart from laying off census workers, the federal government has not shed jobs the way state and local governments have. And the window manufacturing company where John is a sales team leader is holding on.

Practice is over. She packs the camp chairs in the back of the spotless, fully paid-for 2007 Toyota RAV4 she plans to keep for 10 years.

It’s dinner time. Patrick is starving. The Quinns take a table at a little Italian place with ESPN. They live carefully, but comfortably. Dinner out now and then. A vacation once a year. Center balcony seats for “The Lion King.”

7

The election comes up. If you don’t vote, you can’t complain. That’s Ann’s motto. So she will, but not with the passion of six years ago when the war made her so mad she worked a phone bank for Kerry, her first campaign ever. When he lost, she cried.

She wondered if it was menopause.

By the time Obama came along, her aging parents needed her and she was too busy to volunteer. But when he won, she was thrilled. He was smart. She didn’t expect him to save the world, just find the middle. Now look.

Back to ping-pong. There is no middle. She doesn’t blame him.

“People want to pin Obama to the wall. Give him a chance,” she says. “Today it’s ‘You don’t get it. Boom.

Change.’ So we put the Republicans back in and then go back to the Democrats? Where are we going?”

John doesn’t have any problem blaming Obama, though, now that he thinks of it, he’s not all that crazy about Bush anymore either.

“We’ve had two lousy presidents in a row,” he says, twirling a forkful of linguine.

One thing they know for sure, whoever gets elected to Congress will spend millions doing it, and then half their time in office raising money so they can do it again.

They’ll make sure their big donors get what they want.

And the American people?

“They’ll get the crumbs,” Ann says, passing John the bread basket.

On that, they agree.

BLACK VOTE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 going to be a bad year for the Democrats,” said David Bositis, the center’s senior political analyst.

“How tough a year it’s going to be for the Democrats will very much depend upon their base, and there’s no part of their base that is more important than the African-American vote.”

The study identifies 20 competitive House contests — 15 of them in the South — in districts with African-American voting populations of 10 percent or more.

They include three districts in Virginia, three in Ohio, two in Louisiana and two in Arkansas.

“If Democrats retain half of these seats, it would be difficult for the GOP to gain the 40 seats necessary to regain the majority in the U.S. House,” the report says.

Among the 20 House races, two of the districts are held by Republicans: Anh “Joseph” Cao in New Orleans and Patrick Tiberi, whose district includes Columbus, Ohio.

There’s also a GOP seat in Delaware that became open after Rep. Michael Castle tried and failed to win the party’s nomination for a U.S. Senate seat.

He lost to tea partybacked Christine O’Donnell.

Seven of those 20 seats are held by fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, and some political analysts think that could pose a problem in generating AfricanAmerican enthusiasm at the polls.

Several Blue Dogs voted against the health

care bill, a measure that had strong support among African-Americans.

Locked in tough reelection battles, some are touting their differences with President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, DCalif., in order to woo conservative votes.

At least two incumbent Democrats — Reps. Bobby Bright of Alabama and Jim Marshall of Georgia — have signaled that they won’t vote for Pelosi to be speaker again if Democrats keep the House.

In fact, the Alabama Democratic Conference, a black political organization, recently endorsed Bright in spite of his voting record largely to help Democrats retain the House.

“That was the only reason,” said Jerome Gray, a former field director for the group.

On the Senate side, the report says that AfricanAmericans could make a difference in several key races, including the matchup between Democratic incumbent Sen. Barbara Boxer and Republican Carly Fiorina in California; tea partybacked Republican Rand Paul’s race against Democrat Jack Conway in Kentucky; Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak’s bid against Republican Pat Toomey in Pennsylvania; and Florida’s contest among Democratic Rep. Kendrick Meek, Republican Marco Rubio and Gov. Charlie Crist, a Republican turned independent.

From the NE Central Durham VOICE WE

N

8 The news stories below are written by N.C. Central University students in Lisa Paulin’s advanced reporting

course, and by Campus Echo staff reporters.

The stories were first published with stories written by

AIDS alliance eases burden

Jock Lauterer’s community journalism students at UNCChapel Hill.

They were recently published

alongside stories written by middle and high school students in a new online community newspaper, the Northeast

O RTH

Central Durham VOICE. More VOICE stories will be published in future Campus Echo online and print editions

C

D N E S D A Y

, OCTO

AR O LIN A

C

The VOICE – which can be seen in its entirety at http://durhamvoice.org – is the product of collaboration

BE R

20, 2010

EN TRAL

UN

IVERSI T Y

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

R. Kelly Bryant bridge opens $2.2 million bridge connects community split by Durham Freeway

BY JAY JONES NCCU STAFF REPORTER, DURHAM VOICE

Danielle Gary-M Myers, Prevention Dept., and Alicia Andrews, Prevention Case Management Coordinator, work at the Alliance.

CLINTON CENTRY/NCCU Staff reporter, Durham VOICE

BY CLINTON CENTRY ECHO STAFF REPORTER/ DURHAM VOICE

An extra bill is just what most people do not need these days. With snowballing financial obligations, some people may feel like there is no solution to it all. Just imagine what it is like for a person living with HIV or AIDS, who has no health coverage,but needs to cover the price of medication to combat the illness.

The AASC, Alliance of AIDS Services Carolina, a nonprofit organization located in NECD, assists such individuals with occasional rent payments, utilities payments and prescription copays.

HIV/AIDS medications can range anywhere from $263 to $1,117 per prescription each month for people without insurance, while people with insurance typically have co-pays of $15-$30 per month.

The Alliance, located at the corner of N. Hyde Park Avenue and Main Street, will make arrangements with an individual’s rental property management or utility providers, such as Duke Energy, to have these bills paid to free up spendable income to get medications.

“The AASC embraces everybody regardless of culture, though some individuals may be undocumented and not qualify for such government assistance,” says Carmencita Archila, clinic receptionist at Durham County Health Department.

Funds are not given directly to the individual.

Recipients of Alliance services need not prove any financial need, except a past due bill or late rent notice.

People with health coverage may still find it difficult to maintain a household or utilities because of costly copays.

The Alliance can help them save the money they may need for gas or groceries

Mass Communication.

The project’s many supporters include other UNC-Chapel Hill programs and depart-

by offering free disbursement of their medication or full coverage of their co-pays.

“The Alliance is federally and stated funded,” says Sebastian Battle, patient advocator at Durham County Health Department. “It is delegated to disburse funds within nine counties in central eastern North Carolina.”

Sometimes AASC may not be there for individuals in their times of need since funds are depleted at times.

“We have had to turn people away,” says Alicia Andrews, prevention case management coordinator.

“They begin to abuse the services and come here every month. If they are behind on their rent and it gets paid, we expect them to utilize their remaining income for medications.”

The Alliance can only disperse what it has been given by the state. So, in order to keep the funds circulating within the organization, the staff has come up with unique ways to raise money specifically for those living with HIV/AIDS. The Aids Walk and Ride is a fundraising event in which AASC employees, various churches, and corporate entities such as Duke, come together in downtown Raleigh to walk or bike to raise money.

Works of Heart is a showcase of local artists and their pieces whose works are auctioned to raise money. The event is held at the Progress Energy Center in downtown Raleigh.

An Evening with Friends gathers Alliance employees or citizens affiliated with the organization, to personally raise money through hosting parties or cooking dinners.

They also host Drag Bingo every month at the Durham Armory incorporating themes such as favorite “superhero” or “TV mom.”

Community members and recipients of AASC services dress up to show their support while others play Bingo.

A huge crowd gathered on a beautiful, sunny afternoon at the end of Lakeland Avenue last Thursday along with Durham Mayor Bill Bell, NC Board of Transportation member Charles Watts Jr., City Councilman J. Michael Woodard and R. Kelly Bryant Jr, to christen the opening of Durham’s “Gateway Bridge,” the R. Kelly Bryant, Jr. Pedestrian Bridge.

“It’s going to bring connectivity to two neighborhoods when there was none when the bridge was closed,” said Mayor Bell.

The original pedestrian bridge, built in 1973, connected communities that were divided by the paving of the Durham Freeway in 1965.

In an effort to ensure the safety of pedestrians, the original bridge was constructed with tall metal sides so that the little kids crossing the bridge on their way to school wouldn’t be scared.

The bridge, which became a hub for crime and vandalism, was closed in 1995.

“The design results say ‘Durham,’ from the brick and industrial symbols at both entrances to the big arches that frame the bridge itself,” said Charles Watts, Board of Transportation member.

“It clearly will promote bicycle, pedestrian and transit modes of transportation, it will serve as a key connection for the growing trails and greenway systems of our city.”

“This is a part of history; it’s something that connects communities,” said Mayor Bell during the dedication ceremony.

“More importantly, it’s named after a person that is very dear to this community and has a lot of history with it. R. Kelly Bryant is Durham, when you talk about Durham you talk about Kelly Bryant.”

R. Kelly Bryant moved to Durham in 1941 and immedi-

Top: The R. Kelly Bryant Pedestrian Bridge by night Above: Residents dedicated R. Kelly Bryant pedestrian bridge stroll across the newly-d in North East Central Durham.

JAY JONES/NCCU Staff reporter, Durham VOICE

ately began fighting for equal job opportunities in downtown Durham, public housing problems, unequal representation on boards, and education.

One successful campaign included a selective boycott and Black Christmas parade.

He is a lifelong member of the NAACP, a 37-year scout master and a board member of the Durham Business and Professional Chain.

“A lot of folks were disappointed when the bridge was removed. We are happy to see it reestablished and sitting here. Let’s take pride in this bridge and use it. Let us be proud of this bridge and the

trail it connects. This bridge is a beautiful bridge,” said Mr. Bryant.

“This bridge is ‘Durham’s New Gateway,’ it provides easier access to businesses, churches, the flea market, trails to downtown and Golden Belt,” remarked City Councilman J. Michael Woodard.

The removal of the old bridge and construction of the new bridge cost $2.2 million with 80 percent of the funding coming from the N.C. Department of Transportation and the remaining 20 percent coming from the city of Durham.

Construction began in May of 2009 and finished in August of this year.

“I absolutely love it, I think it’s wonderful. It’s now part of my daily routine to cross the bridge when I walk my dog,” said Mark Ingram, a resident of Pettigrew Street.

“I think it’s a good thing to have open. I walked across it once and got scared; it was too high for me,” said Iris Hicks who lives on Lakeland Avenue.

At night, the bridge is hard to miss as it is illuminated by blue light on the outside and bright yellow lights on the inside. The R. Kelly Bryant Bridge is located between the Alston Avenue exit and the Briggs Avenue exit of the Durham Freeway.

Women Build for Durham

Habitat for Humanity organization begins building its fifth house in Durham

BY TAMARA EDWARDS NCCU STAFF REPORTER, DURHAM VOICE

Women Build is an International Habitat for Humanity program that trains women to make a difference by building homes and communities. It began construction of Durham’s fifth Women Build home on Sat., Oct. 2.

The organization, founded in 1998 with a mission to “empower women to take action against poverty and housing conditions,” has built more than 1,400 homes to date.

Roxanne Little, associate development director of Durham’s chapter, believes the most beneficial aspect of the program is “to see women come together and learning and teaching together to make a difference.”

According to recent statistics, 40 percent of the 1.37 million total homeless populations in the U.S. are families with children. Although the Triangle has the highest

Donesha Thompson, Habitat site supervisor and Lucy Stokes, Women Build leader, outside a construction site.

Photo courtesy of Women Build

per-capita income and most expensive rental market in North Carolina and the

region’s lowest home ownership rate.

The Women Build program

strives to address the housing crisis facing women and children and improve the quality

of life for all families.

“Owning a home is the kind of stability my family has always craved,” said Kim Rives, 2010 Women Build homebuyer.

Women Build does not promote feminist issues and provides housing for both males and females.

Organizers say both men and women appreciate the housing and male homebuyers often work with the women volunteers. Men also provide training programs or work as subcontractors.

Development Director Mitizi Viola describes Women Build as a “great equalizer.”

Women do not need any construction experience to participate in the program and volunteers do not have to work on the construction site.

They may also help with training, travel or office support.

Previous recipients of homes such as Marsha Ham, the 2009 Women Build homeowner, often come to help out and are excited to give back.

On Sept. 16, a Women Build pre-build pep rally was held in the fellowship hall at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3639 Chapel Hill Rd. At this rally 50 women and a few men gathered to learn more about the 2010 Women Build event.

“The people we build homes with are so happy, but the volunteers helping them build the homes get so much more,” said volunteer Pam Meredith.

Construction of Kim Rives new home began on Oct. 2 at 106 Young Ave. in Northeast Central Durham and volunteers will meet every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday to work in two shifts from 8:30 a.m. –12:15 p.m. and 12:45 p.m. – 4 p.m.

“When people work together great things happen,” said Rives.

For more information contact Women Build volunteer coordinator, Jennifer McFarland at: durhamwomenbuild@gmail.com or by phone at (919) 247-8254.

9 ments, Durham city government and community organizations, and the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

A full accounting of the “good souls” behind the Northeast Central Durham VOICE is provided in Jock

Lauterer’s acknowledgments.

Lauterer is director of the Carolina Community Media Project in the School of

Journalism and Mass Communication at UNCChapel Hill and the VOICE’s coadviser.

C.A.N. make a difference Children’s initiative aims to get kids from birth to college

BY MARK MITCHELL NCCU STAFF REPORTER, DURHAM VOICE

NECD bustles with new renovations, projects and support efforts, all aimed at making the community better for its residents. Durham C.A.N. (Congregations, Associations, and Neighborhoods), a community outreach group that fights social, racial and political injustices, first in Durham, then in the state, has been helping NECD for years.

Durham C.A.N was founded in 2000 by Gerald Taylor and Ivan Parra, who saw the need for the residents of Durham to have a voice loud enough for people of power and authority to listen.

That’s when they got the idea to use protest and community outreach as their platform to reach not only Durham residents, but politicians and lawmaker’s statewide.

They claim to be the oldest and largest congregationbased, community organizing network in the United States.

Durham C.A.N.’s main office is located in the heart of NECD on 1928 Holloway St. The staff is modest; with two lead community organizers in the office, a secretary, and some interns (depending on the time of year and budgeting).

The organization uses an innovative approach to decide which issues to tackle. Community meetings are held weekly where people

Members of Durham C.A.N. rally in Raleigh to fight for an increase in veteran’s benefits.

Photos courtesy of Durham C.A.N.

talk about current events, reforms, and economic problems that pose challenges to Durham and its residents.

After these meetings, Durham C.A.N. creates plat-

forms and plans of action.

Parra has been instrumental in helping Durham C.A.N achieve its vision of making NECD and beyond a better community for its residents.

“The biggest relief effort I believe we’ve made was raising over $1 million private and public dollars in just eight weeks to help 600 children and provide daycare service for them so their parents wouldn’t have to go without,” says Parra.

“That just goes to show how much we can do if everyone can get on the same page and work towards a common goal.

“We use a lot of tactics that were common during the Civil Rights movement as well. We aren’t radical, we just believe we have to make people listen because if we don’t speak out against injustice, who will?”

Community organizer Gregory K. Moss has been working with Durham C.A.N for almost two years and is ecstatic about the progress he has seen in such a short period of time.

“It started off with Gerald, Ivan, and myself, but I quickly saw how strong NECD can be when given direction, and a plan of action,” says Moss.

“My first rally made me really care about the issues affecting this community and I’m not even from this area.”

Moss, a senior at N.C. Central University, feels that new voter registration and immigration reform are among the most pressing issues now.

To learn more about Durham C.A.N. or how you “C.A.N” contribute, call Durham C.A.N at (919)2251673, or visit their website at www. durhamcan.org.

Grant funds cutting-edge after school program at Orange Grove Missionary Church Science, math, advocacy, reading and technology, or SMART, program draws on Education City and Second Step education models

BY ISHA JACKSON NCCU STAFF REPORTER, DURHAM VOICE

Priscilla Ross, Orange Grove member, and Deloris Harris, math tutor, prepare for grand opening of the after school program.

AARON SAUNDERS/NCCU Staff reporter, Durham VOICE

Keeping hope alive is a goal of many churches in Northeast Central Durham.

Orange Grove Missionary Baptist Church on Angier Avenue is counting on making big changes, now that it has received a half million dollar grant for its afterschool ministry.

The 21st Century Community Learning Center SMART Program, launched on Oct. 4, will be a far cry from the traditional snack, playtime, and nap routine.

SMART stands for: science, math, advocacy, reading, and technology.

The purpose of the program is to increase academic skills of students attending schools with high poverty levels.

The program also aims to serve and provide significant expanded learning opportunities for students and their families.

The grant, called 21st Century Community Centers from the N.C. Department of Instruction, will run for four years. Funding will be $159,000 the first two years.

It will decrease 20 percent the third year and 40 percent, from the initial amount, the fourth year.

Laurell Malone, Barbrah Coatney, and Dietrich Danner co-wrote the grant.

“The money is funded to get your program going, but you’ll have to find ways to sustain the program after the money is gone,” says Malone, associate professor at N.C. Central University’s School of Education.

“We should be able to do that through partnerships and other grants or sponsorships provided by companies or businesses or even the church itself can continue to be a sponsor for the program.”

“It is a very competitive grant,” says Malone. “We were one of eight to receive the grant for this year.”

Each co-writer brought their unique expertise to the grant writing process. Malone made it clear that they are just

church members with expertise.

Orange Grove students in third to fifth grade are the target. The church has four targeted elementary schools: Bethesda Elementary, Burton Elementary, Spring Valley Elementary, and Y.E. Smith Elementary.

They have also invited R.N. Harris and Fayetteville Street Lab Elementary Schools to participate.

Though these are the targeted schools, the program is open to students from public and private schools, home schools, or charter schools in the Durham area.

The program can serve up to 80 students who have not met state proficiency stan-

dards, have scored at levels I and II on the state assessment, and currently attend low-performing schools.

“Part of what we do and will keep doing as professors is to lend our expertise to the community,” says Malone.

“NCCU’s Chancellor Charlie Nelms said we should not have any school in a two mile radius that is failing or low performing — there really is a need for a program like the SMART Program.”

Teachers in the program must be licensed. The program will include two science teachers, two math teachers, two literacy/reading teachers and one technology teacher.

Four teachers have already been hired.

“My hope is that as I’m working with the principals at the schools that have been targeted that we could get at least one teacher from each school,” says Malone.

“That will help us be a liaison between the church and the school, so we can get the data that the students have like the end of grade test scores and report cards, and so we can continue to be working on our student’s area of weakness.”

The SMART Program will employ two existing educational models: Second Step and Education City.

According to the Education City website, this program is inspiring, engaging and award-winning.

Education City provides fun games for children aged between three and 12 years old, as well as for older children in special education.

The website’s resources, activities and games cover the core subjects of language arts, math, science and math in Spanish.

According to the website, the SECOND STEP program for Grades 1–5 can help students develop strong bonds to school, solve problems without anger, and treat others with compassion.

These social skills support academics and form the foundation for happy, healthy kids who succeed.

The SMART Program is looking for volunteers for the

advocacy element of the SMART program. Advocacy is the new term for mentoring.

The program needs volunteers willing to be on a 1-4 ratio with the kids. The job of the advocate is to spend at least one day with the kids, call them, and check on them.

“Kids respond to someone who asks how their test went.

The main thing is to build a relationship with that student and for the student to know someone has high expectations for them,” says Malone.

“Sometimes kids don’t want to tell their parents they got a bad grade, sometimes they had a bad day and just want to cry. An advocate will work with their four students and be there as a supporter, a

listener, and encourager.” The SMART Program asks the advocate to commit at least one year.

“Kids don’t do well with change,” says Malone.

“Honestly, they will steal your heart and you’ll probably want to follow them to college.”

Volunteering with the program has been listed with the community service department at NCCU, allowing students there to complete their university-mandated community service hours.

The program will run 25 weeks throughout the school year and the calendar is aligned with the Durham Public School System calendar.

The SMART Program provides transportation in cooperation with the DPS buses.

Students will meet Monday through Thursday, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

“The whole idea is to help them meet and succeed the NC education standards,” says Malone.

“Not a lot of schools have the resources for an after school program. I love that Orange Grove Missionary Baptist will be a community learning center for the kids in this area.”

To learn more or find out how to become a volunteer, call 919.685.5676 or visit Orange Grove Missionary Baptist Church at 505 East End Ave., off Angier Avenue.

Think Pink

10 N

O R TH

C

A R O L I N A

C

E N T R A L

UN

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010

IVERSITY

Story and photos by ‘Neka Jones

Elissa Burgess and son support the cause by dressing in pink.

“We fight ... cancer,” say signs posted around the Triangle.

Instructor Jennifer Agee of Martinsville, Va., shows off her moves at the 1st Annual Zumba and Hip Hop benefit last Saturday.

A

long with the excitement of trips to pumpkin patches and creative costumes, October now means more than Hallowe’en.

Orange has been replaced with pink to support and to inform that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Over the course of three days, I traveled around the Triangle to events supporting breast cancer victims and survivors.

According to Breastcancer.org, about one out of eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer

during her lifetime.

Statistics state that about 39,840 women will die from this disease in 2010.

Fifth-ggrader Will Gamble’s grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Will, a member of the the Pop Warner North Raleigh Bulldogs football team, approached his mother with the idea of having the teams wear pink socks, shoelaces and ribbons.

New Balance donated the pink shoelaces.

At the Zumba and Hip Hop benefit in

Brier Creek, I watched as women of all ages and races danced and sweated together to raise money for the cause.

Although the number of deaths is overwhelming, I learned that there are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

Doctors strongly recommend regular physicals and self examinations.

It is also important for all of us to work together and support each other in the fight against this disease.

This month, pick up a ribbon and “Think Pink.”

Coldwell Banker real estate in Chapel Hill celebrated by decorating their lawn with pink pumpkins and scarecrows. According to Breastcancer.org about 70 percent to 80 percent of women who get breast cancer have no family history of the disease. Of all cancers diagnosed in women, more than one in four are breast cancer.

Players and coaches of the North Raleigh Bulldogs Pop Warner League are proud to support the cause by wearing pink.

A&E

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010

N

O R T H

C

A R O L I N A

C

E N T R A L

11 UN

IVER SITY

The legend of Foster A lost legend leaves behind supreme legacy

Twitter Trending Topic

12345 1234 123 12

#FTW (For The Win) #WTF (What The ...) #FAIL

TRASH

Bruno Mars

Doo-W W ops & Hooligans Atlantic Records out of on the 5 5 black hand side

Drum majors Zach Torrens, Donald Parker III, Roy L. Ector II, Tremain Vass and Adam Sobers perform animiated 90-d degree knee lifts degree horn swing dance move established by Foster. and the 45-d O. JUAN RICHARDSON/Echo staff photographer

BY JALISA SUTTON ECHO STAFF REPORTER

It’s been more than two months since historically black college and university marching bands lost their “godfather.”

Dr. William P. Foster, founder and former band director of Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University Marching 100, died August 28.

Foster created what USA Today claims to be “the best known college band in the USA.” Born in Kansas City on August 25, 1919, his music career began at age 12 when he learned how to play the clarinet. Foster graduated from the University of Kansas in 1941, received his masters degree from Wayne State University in 1950 and his doctorate from Teachers College at Columbia University.

Foster animated the high knee lift and incorporated the forty-degree horn swing. He was also an accomplished composer, a musical arranger, publisher, and a writer for many major publications.

Over the years, Florida’s Marching 100 has grown to more than 400 band members, marching high in their green and orange uniforms. Foster cleared a path that has led the Marching 100 to a great legacy.

“The movement towards playing popular music and student-oriented music was spearheaded by his leadership,” said Jorim Reid, graduate of Florida A&M and N.C. Central University Marching Sound Machine director of bands.

This innovation evolved into a dance routine. The New York Times says that Florida A&M has the “most imitated of marching bands.”

Many members of the Marching 100 have performed in the Super Bowl, the Olympics, and the inaugurations of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

Reid said he had the honor and privilege of studying under Dr. Foster.

“My experience was a once in a lifetime,” said Foster. “He was like another dad.”

Dr. Julian White, current director of bands at Florida A&M, called Foster an “icon to be honored.”

When he was in high school, White admired Foster’s works and became Foster’s understudy in college. He later worked beside him as a colleague.

“Dr. Foster was second to none. He surpasses our lifetime,” said White.

White said he has been blessed with a committed band staff and talented students.

Today, many black college band leaders, includ-

ing Reid and White, are trying to walk in his footsteps and uphold Foster’s legacy, .

“Many people are just now seeing all of Reid’s hard work and dedication from the past ten years, not realizing how intelligent and motivated he has been,” says Alexis Tyler, Miss 1919 of Zeta Sigma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity Inc. Tyler is a member of the Marching Sound Machine drumline, D.O.A. “But I’m anxious to see what he has in store for the next ten more.”

Reid will lead the Marching Sound Machine to the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Ca. in January.

This is the first time that a historically black university has participated in this event. Let’s see how the Foster inheritance will be reflected during this event.

After being featured on B.O.B.’s “Nothin’ On You,” and Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire,” Bruno Mars hits us with his debut album, “Doo-Wops & Hooligans.”

The album is a building success, peaking at number three on the Billboard 200.

“Doo-Wops & Hooligans” consists of records that both men and women can relate to.

“Doo-Wop” refers to the ladies and “hooligans” to men.

The lead single, “Just The Way You Are” is about loving unconditionally.

It sold more than 1.7 million copies, topping the Billboard 100 for three consecutive weeks.

The biggest attentiongrabber on the album is “Liquor Store Blues,” featuring Damian Marley.

The track gives off a reggae jukebox melody.

The lyrics cite an addiction to liquor in an amusing way.

A cameo from Marley makes the song even catchier.

“Our First Time” is another catchy track with a slow reggae flow.

“The Lazy Song” is a comical tune about being sluggish over a ’60s beach pop production.

Mars’ comical lyrics flow over to “Marry You,” which embodies an uptempo 50’s feel.

His mesmerizing vocals are revealed on this song.

“Runway Baby,” another up-tempo song, is a modernday revision of the ’50s R&B doo-wop, which certainly complements the album title.

This album is cooler than a polar bear’s toenails.

It’s filled with haunting pop tunes that all deserve radio spins and MTV air time.

It’s seasoned with soul, funk, blues, and reggae.

Overall this album is sturdy and an instant classic that is predicted to win honors.

— Belinda Dunn

PARADYCE enters real world Alumnus’ clothing line moves beyond acrylics to screen prints and embroidery

BY TAHJ GILES ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Sharvonta Alston works PARADYCE print tee in last semester’s DMV block party.

COURTESY OF NANA ATAKORA

After enjoying some fame on campus for his acrylic painted palm trees, alumnus Pierre Batchler is advancing and taking a different approach with his PARADYCE clothing company.

Some 65 percent of his sales come from N.C. Central University students and alumni.

As well as having a great month, making $8,000, Batchler has a lot in store for consumers and future buyers of his company.

PARADYCE clothing will introduce screen prints and

embroidery. T-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, cardigans, snapback hats, belts, and letterman jackets will now be produced.

According to Batchler, the production screen print and embroidery will be slightly more expensive than his previous acrlyic work.

T-shirts and hoodies will cost between fifteen and twenty dollars more than the acrylic shirts.

Established in 2003, the PARADYCE look is easily recognized by its electrifying colors.

Its signature palm tree and globe represent relaxation of the mind and thinking outside the box.

All clothing has been handmade by Batchler.

“The paint process was time-consuming, so now it’s time to evolve,” said Batchler, a history major who graduated in 2006.

Due to high demand and the growth of his company in major cities such as Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Charlotte, Batchler felt the change was necessary.

“The quality is much better and it’s not as experimental,” he said. “The apparel is cleaner and more structured.”

To purchase PARADYCE clothing, contact Pier Batchler by e-mail: pierrebatchler1217@yahoo.com.

Duck Down Records 15th anniversary tour

BY DIANE VARNIE ECHO A&E EDITOR

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to witness hip-hop at its finest — underground and hardcore.

Enough to give my Redman and Methodman experience a run for its money, this was one of the best hip-hop shows I’ve been to, hands down. And I’m glad I attended.

Duck Down Records stopped

by Carrboro’s Cat’s Cradle to celebrate its 15th anniversary as a part of its 14-city-run.

The East Coast tour, which runs through October 24, features performances by Pharoache Monch, Boom Camp Clik artists Buckshot, Sean Price & Smif N Wessun, along with Skyzoo and music by DJ

Evil Dee. During this N.C. stop, Chicago duo Kidz N The Hall was absent, replaced by locals and new signees The Away Team.

The venue was draped with crowds of hip-hop heads and regular attendees such as Little Brother’s Rapper Big Pooh, Joe Scudda and 9th Wonder.

The show was like the result of what would happen if Marvell Comics™ made hip-hop super heroes with lyrical powers illuminated over dope beats.

Despite being one of the handfuls of women in attendance, I blended in with the fellas and broke my neck (figuratively speaking) in continuous head nodding.

9th Wonder took to the stage to welcome his artist Skyzoo, who

ripped the stage with my homie DJ Prince on the ones and twos.

Following was Pharoache Monch who took to the stage with his two backup singers, one in particular who reminiscent of K-Ci from Jodeci.

Pharoache performed familiar tracks all hip-hop kids should know, such as Mos Def ’s “Oh No” and “Simon Says (Get The F**k Up),” which caused the crowd to go bonkers.

He also had the crowd in unison as he performed his new jam “Clap,” off his upcoming album, “W.A.R. (We Are Renegades).”

The transition into Boot Camp Clik’s set was smooth.

Kicking off things with Smif N Wessun, they performed throwbacks, as well as new joints from

their recent project with Pete Rock, “Monumental.”

Next was Sean Price, who welcomed himself to the stage with no introduction and a microphone in his hand.

He also went in with crowd favorites, such as “Onion Head” off his 2005 LP, “Monkey Barz.”

Last to ease out to the stage was front-man Buckshot, opening with

greatness such as Black Moon’s “I Got Cha Open.”

Before moving into his 9th Wonder-produced track, “No Comparison,” Buckshot gave a big praise to 9th Wonder and his growing success.

It was past 2 a.m. and the music was still pumping.

The show finally wrapped up with Black Moon’s “Who Got Da Props?” which was backed up by Buckshot’s fellow Boot Camp brothers.

You can see the love for hip-hop in these brothers as they took the stage to celebrate the label’s 15th anniversary. This event definitely adds cool points to my hip-hop resume.

Next up: Ghostface Killah and Sheek Louch.

Sports

12

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010

Eagles swing for victory Freshman golfers expected to lead NCCU into the MEAC BY

A ARON SAUNDERS ECHO SPORTS EDITOR

Seven out of 13 MidEastern Athletic Conference schools have a sport that often flies under the radar at their schools and in the community.

Golf is a very expensive sport; you can spend $2,00 0 on a set of clubs and $100 on a round of golf.

N.C. Central University is one of seven that has a golf team and currently competing in its first season as a member of the MEAC. “We aren’t eligible to win a MEAC title in 2012 but in ensuing years we hope to be able to win a conference championship and hopefully get a bid to the NCAA tournament,” said head coach Paul Perry.

Unlike football and basketball, golf is not a highrevenue sport for colleges and universities.

Therefore, funds can get a little tight.

As the University makes the transition, recruiting has become a big issue for many sports, and golf is no exception.

Freshman Spencer Jones takes a swing in the Black College Invitational Championship held in Atlanta.

Courtesy of NCCU Sports Information

“It’s a little different recruiting,” said Perry.

“We are restricted to younger players because students have 10 semesters to play a sport once you step foot on a campus;

but we are doing well considering we don’t have that many scholarships.”

One of the players Perry was able to recruit was English freshman Spencer Jones from

Shelby, North Carolina.

Perry believes Jones and his freshmen counterparts in the future will lead the team to a MEAC championship.

Out of two events this

season, the Eagles have finished in 8th place.

Jones has recorded the three lowest round scores with a 72, 77, and 79.

“The season has been going pretty well.

“I have had some good rounds and I feel like I am getting better,” said Jones.

In 2010 Jones was awarded the chance to play at Pebble Beach, Ca. golf course at the First Tee Open.

The Open is sponsored by the First Tee program which is designed to teach positive life lessons to youth through golf.

Jones, who was paired with pro golfer John Cook, won the tournament, earning $15,000.

“Playing at Pebble Beach was an amazing experience. It is the mecca of all golf courses,” said Jones.

The team is working toward its biggest tournament of the season: the PGA Minority Golf Championship played in Port St. Lucie, Fla. in May. “Our swing coach, Karl Kimball, has been working very diligently to get our guys’ swings where they need to be,” said Perry.

Pilates takes flight at NCCU Pilates class exercises your body while relaxing your mind BY

A ARON SAUNDERS ECHO SPORTS EDITOR

In pop culture you see wonderful bodies and fantastic physiques in tabloids, on magazine covers, and in music videos.

Many of the most famous stars from Jennifer Aniston to Haley Berry, participate in the 20th-century version of physical fitness.

N.C. Central has followed the lead of Hollywood and offers Pilates classes Monday, 7:15 p.m. and Thursday, 5:30 p.m.

The classes are led by political science and Spanish senior Charellitta Lewis.

“I grew up taking Pilates classes three times a week.

I am in the process of getting certified now, and I have been instructing since August 1,” said Lewis.

Pilates, which was developed by Joseph Pilates in Germany in the early 20th century, teaches students to use the mind to control the muscles.

Pilates was originally developed for rehabilitation and injury prevention for dancers.

“A lot of dancers rely on Pilates to keep them in

“I think Pilates is better than lifting weights. It creates long, lean muscles, which is better for women so they don’t look bulky like men.”

JACQUELINE SMITH ENGLISH SENIOR

Senior Charellitta Lewis instructs the Pilates class held twice a week in the LeRoy Walker Complex. Lewis has been taking Pilates since she was three.

AARON SAUNDERS/Echo staff photographer

“Passionate about the law and dedicated to the clients we serve" • Traffic Cases (Speeding Tickets/DUI/DWI) • Criminal Misdemeanors • Personal Injury • Child Support/Child Custody • Absolute Divorces • Wills & Estate Planning 807 E. Main Street, Suite 4-137, Durham, NC 27701

w w w. by a r s d av i s l aw. c o m

919.937.9931 ~ info@byarsdavislaw.com

Campus Echo Talk to us about joining the Echo staff

shape because it works on the core, power house, basically everything that needs to be strong,” said Lewis.

The discipline has become the new big thing in the United States.

As of 2005, more than 11 million people were practicing Pilates with 14,000 instructors in the United States.

“I think Pilates is better than lifting weights.

“It creates long, lean muscles, which is better for women so they don’t look bulky like men,” said English senior Jacqueline Smith.

Pilates is good for people of all sizes because it uses light weights and stretches that enable people to become more flexible.

“I like Pilates because it’s relaxing but challenging; sometimes you want to quit but you just keep working through it.”

The classes are open to students through their Walker Complex fees, to all NCCU staff and to individuals in the community who purchase a membership.

“I know we have the class but I have never been,” said mass communication senior Ebone Pruitt.

EAGLELAND

RISON CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 shocked at the abrupt change in the middle of the season.

“I was shocked at when it happened, but not shocked that it happened,” said sports management sophomore Joseph Watkins.

“Usually coaches are fired at the end of the season … for him to get fired mid-season it means he did a horrible job,” Watkins said. “Basically it means this season meant nothing to them.”

This is the second time in school history that a football coach has been replaced in the middle of the season. Robert “Stone Wall” Jackson took over for Willie Smith for the last two games of the 1977 season.

“Most of us were caught off guard by the timing, but I have all the faith in the world in Dr. Wicker and Dr. Nelms,” said Dennis Ellis, vice president of the Durham chapter of the Alumni Association. “I wish coach Bullock the best of luck.”

In an e-mail sent to WRAL-TV, Rison expressed his sentiments about his time at NCCU. “I leave NCCU football with the personal satisfaction that despite tall challenges in terms of infrastructure, budget and facilities, I was blessed to lead important progress with a great group of coaches and players over the past three and a half years,” the e-mail read.

The former coach also listed his accomplishments, including, he said, running a squeaky-clean program that raised the cumulative team GPA from 1.9 to 2.4 as well as impressive records against rival A&T (3-1) and homecoming opponents (3-0).

NCCU Athletic Director Ingrid Wicker-McCree released a statement Monday about the replacement.

“While we appreciate the passion and commitment that Coach Rison has shown, we feel at this time that a change in the leadership and command of our football program is needed,” her statement read.

The new direction will be set by former offensive line coach Darryl Bullock, who was announced as the interim head coach Monday.

Bullock wasted no time making changes, announcing via email yesterday that wide receiver coach Kwame Dixon also would assume quarterback coaching duties.

“We are going to practice fast.

This should get our guys more reps and should make us more prepared for games,” said Bullock during the weekly MEAC Teleconference.

There also were changes on the defensive side of the ball as outside linebacker coach Gilbert Wiggins was promoted to defensive coordinator. Former coordinator and defensive back coach Jake Cabell was assigned to handle defensive back duties only.

According to Wicker-McCree, the process to hire the next football coach will begin immediately.

“I would like to be considered for the permanent job,” said Bullock. “This is a five-game audition for me and the team.”

On Saturday, the Eagles will take on Bethune-Cookman University, a team that is currently undefeated after defeating two-time defending MEAC.

Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can use your major and help people?

T-shirts sweats polo shirts decals license tags tote bags license frames baseball caps buttons mugs caps car flags pens pencils pennants pom poms bags ceramic eagles towels NCCU framed print, and much more.

Residential Services is currently looking for Direct Support Professionals to work in our group homes for children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Serving N.C. Central University

Entry-level positions available, no experience necessary! Gain valuable experience beyond the classroom and make a difference in the lives of others. Part-time ($10.10/hr.) and full-time positions ($10.20/hr.) available.

If we don’t have it, we will get it.

If we can’t get it, it’s probably not worth having!

We have the best prices on Earth.

We do custom orders.

And we deliver on occasion!

Marvin Bass, Owner 2501 Fayetteville St. Durham, NC 27707

919 956-5393 www.eaglelandonline.com

Apply online at www.rsi-nc.org

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010

NO

R TH

C

Opinions A R O L I N A

C

E N TR A L

UN

13 IVER SITY

Letters It’s more complicated than just setting ‘expectations’ Dear Campus Echo: As a senior at NCCU, with aspirations to attend graduate school and enter academia as a professor, I am troubled by the presumptive bias in the quotations of university administrators and professors, whose advanced research degrees are an indication of their solid training in the fundamentals of causality and reasoning, in the article “Step up or Get Out: GPA of less than 2.0 won’t suffice” [Campus Echo Volume 102 Issue 3 October 6, 2010].

The tone of the article, specifically, the notion that students here at NCCU are “content” with grades lower than a “C” average is remarkably unfair and perpetuates the stereotype that HBCU’s, in particular, the demographic makeup of the students, lack strong work ethic and self-motivation.

The implications of this assertion are precisely what keep employers and graduate/professional school admissions committees from wanting to employ and train our graduates.

Understandably, the

premise of having a “cutoff ” of 2.0 GPA is noble; however, if the primary function of the university is to prepare our students to think critically and complexly, doesn’t the university faculty and administration have an obligation

to understand the casual reasoning behind why our student body as a whole isn’t as organically engaged intellectually as our peer institutions (which would in turn, result in higher aggregate GPA, retention rates, 5 year graduation rates etc.)?

To chop it up as a “high correlation between expectations and results” is devoid of the historical disenfranchisement and “life issues” (as Mr. Alphonso McEntire so eloquently noted) — albeit downplayed significantly

in the article) that students here face on an

hourly basis.

Since a percentage comparison to UNC was made in the article, how many of those same 80 percent of incoming freshman students at UNC who graduated at the top 10 percent of their class come from under-performing high school districts with unenthusiastic teachers who’ve FAILED to adequately prepare them for the rigors of university education?

How many students at UNC have to work full or part time in order to pay

their tuition and cost-ofliving expenses?

How many students at UNC lack the structure and support of a family and community who’ve invested and nurtured their intellectual growth and development since — well —birth?

How many students at UNC have been told on a daily basis by “teachers” or various adults in their lives that they are inferior with low “expectations” as a consequence of their race (or in some cases, gender or socio-economic status)?

I am sure the percentage answers to these questions are categorically low in comparison to NCCU. The issue of academic standards and “expectations” at NCCU needs to be realistically addressed with attention to psychological and socio-economic factors, depths of historical prejudices and racism presented in the questions asked above.

In short, the glaze of a culture of “mediocrity” cannot begin to cover it all.

Also, the “expectations” of university professors to adequately teach (and actually believe that students want to learn even if it means adapting their own teaching styles/methods), of administrators to help provide resources to professors and students in the enrichment of academic growth, as well as of student leadership to effectively voice and challenge policies which are not in the best interest of the student body have to elevate in a manner which permeates throughout the entire campus.

I would be more than willing to join a group of student input in the crafting of a strategic “expectations” plan for our univer-

sity.

Speaking from someone with teaching experience, I am a firm believer that every student fundamentally desires to be the best they can be — scholastic self-motivation in our students needs to continue to foster with the aid of all actors in the NCCU system. That is the ONLY way we all will continue to “soar like an Eagle.”

Veatasha H. Dorsey Dorsey is a dual major in Political Science and Environmental Science at North Carolina Central University. She is also a Ronald E. McNair Research Scholar at the University of North Carolina at ChapelHill.

FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM

“an NCCU alumnus you can count on to serve your legal needs”

Johnson Law Office, PLLC ATTORNEY MATHEW JOHNSON

919.648.7575 cell 919.313.2731 office 2004 SOUTH MIAMI BLVD DURHAM, NC 27703

• TRAFFIC • DUI

• INCORPORATION • CONTRACTS

• PERSONAL INJURY • RENTAL DISPUTES

www.johnsonlawofficepllc.com

Join the Campus Echo Talk to us about working with NCCU’s awardwinning student newspaper.

PREPARING FOR THE GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT? ATTEND A STRATEGY SESSION WITH THE PRINCETON REVIEW

SATURDAY, October 23, 2010 THE MARY TOWNES SCIENCE COMPLEX CORNER OF CONCORD & LAWSON STREETS NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY

Seating is Limited COST: Free!

Registration is Required GMAT, GRE and MCAT participants will meet on Saturday, October 23, 2010, 10 am – 12 noon, in the Mary Townes Science Complex.

Please take the practice test at Review.com and print and bring the scoring report to the strategy session with you LSAT participants are asked to make a two day commitment. This includes a practice LSAT on Sunday, October 17, 2010 at 2 pm (call or email for location), and a two-hour session on Saturday, October 23, 2010, 10 am – 12 noon in the Mary Townes Science Complex ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST PRE-REGISTER BY Friday, October 15, 2010 in Room 3209, Mary Townes Science Complex FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Leon B. Hardy, Test Prep Program 3209 Mary Townes Science Complex, NCCU, Durham, NC 27707 (919) 530-5109, lhardy@nccu.edu Sponsored by the Test Prep Program, NCCU, a Title III Activity

Pregnant? Certain?

Need to talk?

• Free & confidential pregnancy tests • Limited STD testing • Limited ultrasound • Community resources

To schedule an appointment call 919.490.0203 or 919.942.7319

14 N

O R TH

C

Opinions A R O L I N A

C

E N T RAL

UN

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010

IVERSITY

Parents need to step up A

ccording to the 2003 U.S. Census Bureau, there are 3.1 million single black mothers in comparison to the 353,000 single black fathers in America.

The lack Jahara of fathers in our Davis social structure is becoming more apparent every day.

Many children, such as me, have been blessed to have a caring, loving and strong father — not just a sperm donor.

However, others have another song to sing.

I’ve never understood why it is so hard for someone who calls himself a man to step up and take ownership of his responsibilities.

O

Several of my male peers have a child or two, and I honestly can say most of them take care of their children, rather than just being statistics.

What others fail to realize is that a child support check and a scheduled visit is not a substitution for taking care of your child.

It is not that simple and it is not supposed to be.

In the eyes of a child, the man is intended to be a provider, strong post, and make dreams come true.

Men help shape their children’s lives, personalities, and overall outlooks on life.

What you do as a parent is your child’s example of what to do and what not to do as he or she grows up.

How do you expect to teach or discipline when your child does not respect you?

Believe it or not a child may just want your time, because the simplest things in life are the most cherished.

No kid is going to listen to someone who did not contribute to their upbringing.

Instead, you put it in the hands of their mother, grandmother or aunt, rather than saying, “Yes! I helped bring you in this world, so I should do my part.”

Some men are not all to blame.

Of course the mother of the child plays some part in the role of an absent father.

Couples sometimes either break up or they just had a buddy relationship and no longer want to be intimate.

Often, because of a broken heart, the mother will use the child as bait

to trap a man who does not want to be with her.

As a matter of fact, women, stop trying to use your child to get the attention of a man.

You are hurting not just yourself, but your child as well.

Some men who want to be in their child’s life cannot because the mother may threaten to take the child away if the father does not conform to her demands.

Not everything is about you!

When the baby is born or when the mother finds out she is pregnant, it is about the child and no longer about the parents’ relationship.

But men, do not use

the mother’s actions as an excuse not to take responsibility.

Do what you have to do to be the father your child needs.

The worst feeling is when your child is calling another man daddy because you refused to step up to the plate.

You may not have wanted a child, but the mistake was in the act, not in the reproduction.

My final advice is to put your selfish ways aside and help by being a father and not a sperm donor.

Contribute to your child’s life and make their dreams into a memorable reality.

Believe me, your child just wants your time, because the simplest things in life are the most cherished.

Be a man and a father.

Be a woman and a mother.

V.I.V. = Voting Is Vital

ne of my greatest concerns is that some youth have no interest in voting.

I always remembered what my father’s late coworker would say when people asked why you should vote.

He would respond Martha abruptly, Butler “I don’t know, but if it was NOT IMPORTANT, they would not have KILLED my people behind it.”

His quote stays in the forefront of my mind.

Historically, African Americans have been disenfranchised.

But now that we can vote, some of us still do not.

According to a story in McClatchy Newspapers, African American voters could have a major impact on

the outcome of this midterm election.

In fact, their vote could detemine if the House and Senate stay Democrat-controlled or become Republican-controlled.

It is amazing how much of an impact the youth vote had in the 2008 presidential election.

Can we keep this momentum going?

The way we were so amped in that election is the same way we should be in all elections, whether it is at the local, state or national level.

One thing I’ve always tried to stress is that the local and state elections are just as important as the national election, if not more important.

OK, let’s think about this: Where you live and the concerns that you have about your neighborhood or community are issues that you can address to your local politician.

Theoretically, how

He would respond abruptly, “I don’t know but if it was NOT IMPORTANT, they would not have KILLED my people behind it.” many of us can call up or speak to President Obama about issues going on in our residential areas?

Not to be funny, but he has bigger fish to fry.

This is why we have mayors, council members, governors, etc.

People you can direct your concerns to. But how many of us actually do that?

The reason is that many of us — especially youth — have no particular interest in the local electoral process.

Some youth say it is too much to keep up with or they simply do not know what political candidates to vote for.

The fact is that we live in the “age of infor-

N ORTH C AROLINA C ENTRAL U NIVERSITY

Campus Echo Ashley Griffin- Editor-iin-C Chief Ashley Roque - Assistant Editor

Carlton Koonce Jamese Slade Aaron Saunders Diane Varnie David Fitts Corliss Pauling Jes’Neka Jones Uyi Idahor Erica McRae Brian Moulton Divine Munyengeterwa Willie Pace Chioke Brown Mike DeWeese-F Frank Ashley Gadsden Stan Chambers Tommia Hayes Matthew Beatty Tondea King Chris Hess Danita Williams Bethany Sneed Kayla Scott Allisha Byrd Delores Hayes Sheneka Quinitchette

Assistant to the Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor A&E Editor Online Editor Photo Editor Photo Editor Opinions Assistant Editor A&E Reporter Multimedia Editor Multimedia Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Copy Editor Reporting Coach Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter

mation,” there is no excuse.

It’s simple: Go to Google and type in the words “voter guide” and “Durham.” You’ll find conservative and liberal voter guides from people whose politiccal views you share.

For example, if you consider yourself a progressive you get the Independent Weekly’s Take-Along Voting Guide.

I commonly hear some young people say, “Ain’t nothing gonna change. Things will always be the same.”

I would have to say things will always be the same as long as you continue to make such statements.

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

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

campusecho.com

Letters & Editorials

campusecho.com

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

campusecho.com

campusecho.com

campusecho.com campusecho.com

E-mail: campusecho@nccu.edu Web address: www.campusecho.com Phone: 919 530 7116 Fax: 919 530 7991

campusecho.com

© NCCU Campus Echo/All rights reserved The Denita Monique Smith Newsroom Room 348, Farrison-Newton Communications Bldg.

NCCU, Durham, NC 27707

campusecho.com

campusecho.com

Do you think things are going to change if you do nothing?

Always remember: the people who have been elected are elected by us — the American people.

If it were not for citizens, there would not be these elected politicians in office. They need us.

It is our responsibility to hold them accountable for everything — the policies they set and how they spend our tax dollars.

Let us keep going forward, not backward. We do not want to be disenfranchised again, do we?

Please note: Every vote does count if you demand it too and be ACTIVE in whatever community you are in, even if it is not your hometown.

With that being said, come out Thurs., Oct. 21 during 10:40 a.m. break to the One-Stop Early Vote Rally on Brant Street, between Ruffin Hall and Eagle Landing.

drawing by Rashaun Rucker

Question: What homecoming event are you looking most forward to this year?

“I am looking forward the most to the fashion show.Every year it’s exciting and I have not been disappointed yet.”

— Tommia

Hayes

“The comedy show performance. I love to laugh and enjoy life.

Laughing is good for the soul.”

—Jamal McCrea

“The Fashion show, because fashion is my passion. I also want to see the clothes the models wear on the runway.”

—Andrea Cochran

Sound Off By Uyi Idahor