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The scene
Council races start to passing City take shape for Democrats Scuffle
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By Walt Shepperd Page 2
Exclusive: Interview with B Condom Founders ........Page 5 The Hall Monitor
There’s nothing to fear but fear itself (and Republicans) .....Page 3 Serving Upstate urban communities since 1989. In partnership with: EAGLE
Khalid Bey, Former 4th District Common Councilor Charles Anderson and Common Council President Van Robinson stand in downtown Syracuse.
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Published monthly by: URBAN CNY Send mail c/o Eagle Media 2501 James St., Suite 100 Syracuse, NY 13206 For advertising and editorial: (315) 422-7778 (315) 434-8883 -- Fax kjackson@urbancny.com Kenneth Jackson Editor and Publisher Doug Campbell Designer Walt Shepperd Senior Editor Printed by: Community Media Group LLC 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206 No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily the opinions of Community Media Group LLC or Eagle Newspapers.
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City Scuffle
By Walt Shepperd
The Scene Passing Honoring the spirit of Marjory Wilkins and Bill McDowell
With a “Jail Bush” button and a camera on her chest, Marjory Wilkins lay in state at Grace Church under a power point presentation alternating images of her with her images of the long gone Eastside community which have enshrined it as romantic local history. Although 15th Ward Reunion picnics at Thornden Park have tried to evoke the spirit of that community, on the viewing line, Marge Carter, Manny Breland, folks who had made Syracuse history based in that community brought the spirit to flesh. While mostly of color, the diversity of the viewers harkened the pulse of that community, and the presence of her grandfolks, achieving in New York and Las Vegas attested to its legacy. “I hate getting to see my old friends this way,” Helen Hudson reflected. But with Richard Ford, Mark Hoffmann, David Rezak, Rose Viviano and Charles Jackson attesting to the late photographer’s stature as an artist, the Ward—deferred, detoured, demolished from back in the day— was community again. It had been less than a week before that people from the various cycles of the life of Bill McDowell had packed the Fabius Christian Church to hear Hoffmann and Paul Fey strum and sing, Georgia Popoff poeticize, and Joe Leonard eloquently reminisce on the craftperson biker who liked to blow off fireworks, whom Colleen Ney recalled simply as the most even keel person she had ever met. The Rolling Stones’ Sympathy for the Devil on the sound system as folks filed out stood an appropriate irony, most appreciated by his fellow Pastafarians. There was a time for building up and a time for tearing down, Rev. Cindy Mapstone invoked, and so it had been for McDowell, tearing down suffocating cultural conventions and building up counter-cultural institutions, the most singular of which—the Dragons Emporium Westcott Nation beachhead—was actually an SU senior design project. His least remembered contribution to the development of that community came as a result of his setting up the first waterbed in Syracuse, in the basement of the Dragons, where officers walking the neighborhood police beat could stretch out for an afternoon snooze.
TOP: Marjory Wilkins and poet, author Jackie Warren-Moore. BOTTOM: Post Card from I witness: A Marjory Wilkins Retrospective.
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Opinion Is there a repairman for the broken news? By Ken Jackson I don’t understand how “breaking news” can be interpreted these days, as the people collecting and disseminating information as “news” corrupt the very institution they created. News has been replaced by opinions considered newsworthy, creating that “gotcha” moment when an institution or an individual crumbles before our very eyes. The news is broken and the term “breaking news” no longer lives up to billing of being new and immediate. Reporters stand pleading with emotion about a condition or situation and we the people are supposed to follow blindly. This push-the-story behavior was quite apparent during the recent run-up to the military situation in Libya. Information flowing from battles where reporter after reporter cried, “Something must be done! Something must be done! There will be a massacre if the outside world doesn’t intervene.” Once President Obama decided to establish and join a coalition, the knives came out. The journalists who were in tears over the whipping Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi’s army was unleashing on the protesters suddenly began to question the American government action. Uh, wasn’t that you (insert name) on cable news saying we had to act? “The news” is broken. If you want to know for sure, you can confirm your suspicions by watching same footage run over and over and over again, like episodes of “The Nanny” on Nickelodeon’s Nick-atNight lineup. This breaking news intrusion does not only occur in the national news, it’s infected what remains of our local news gathering. Old weather news airs when it’s snowing like heck outside. Or lazy “breaking news” when your own knowledge of the story beats anything you’ve read in print or saw on television. The entire landscape for what we once recognized as news has changed, for example, radio, the pioneer in bringing information to the masses, has been taken over by angry people drinking far too much tea. When I see the “breaking news” icon flashing on the television screen, I think out loud, “hmm, looks like my news is broken again!” Ken Jackson is the editor of Urban CNY and a weekly columnist for The Eagle. Reach him at kjackson@urbancny.com.
May 2011
There’s nothing to fear but fear itself (and Republicans) “There’s nothing to fear but fear rights, employment opportunities and itself” was once stated boldly by a Presi- the denial of basic Constitutional rights dent faced with global upheaval and na- were sanctioned by state governments tional economic depression. Programs even as a prosperous nation moved were put in place that guaranteed a reforward. sponsibility for the federal government African-Americans by the millions as statistics indicated moved out of the segregated that our collective South in search of opporliving conditions were tunity for a better life, not Jackson unlike those fleeing a terrorabysmal. Surplus food and staples were made ist regime. Laws were placed available at armories on the books that made or other distribution many acceptable practices points depending on of the past illegal: voting the locality. rights laws were enforced, educational Soldiers returning from war had the opportunities expanded for blacks and G.I. Bill and other supports that enabled Affirmative Action throughout the home ownership for many as America military created diversity in workforce expanded and dominated the manuthat became more representative of the facturing world. Social Security and nation we were. myriad other programs targeted the out Programs of the New Deal and the of work American by creating projects Great Society transformed a nation, that built parks and other infrastrucmade opportunity available to those ture. As we entered our golden era of who once were locked out. White production, we made everything here: women, the uneducated, and an aswashing machines, air conditioning; the sortment of “minorities” gained access. list would take pages. The uplifting of the American people Beneath the expanding nation were was like a tide, and “a rising tide lifts all remnants of bondage which denied opboats,” as they say. portunity available to most Americans Now, as our nation hurls through fisbased on race. “Jim Crow” and “sepacal calamity caused by fighting two wars rate but equal” were calls of the day. simultaneously and giving tax breaks Discrimination against blacks in voting to the wealthy, we’re broke. Busted.
Ken
The Hall Monitor
We have dust in our collective wallets. And the wealthy stand there like the poor orphan in the classic play “Oliver!” holding an empty bowl with their outstretched hands shouting, “more tax cuts please.” And now there are those in Congress, including our own Anne Marie Buerkle, voting to turn back the hands of time. Recent measures introduced by Republicans virtually destroy the safety net built on the blood and tears of millions. As someone who’ll be 54 in May, I’m one of those who’ll get a voucher for health care instead of Medicare. As a Republican, I’m embarrassed and ashamed of what’s become of the party of Lincoln, the party that was in front of Civil Rights before it became the back end of an elephant. If you agree with what’s about to happen to key elements of the New Deal and the Great Society, then sit at home and do nothing. In the not-too-distant future we’ll be standing next to each other in line at a Walmart-run health center trying to maximize our Health Care/Food Stamp-style coupon. The historic phrase should be rebranded: “There’s nothing to fear, but fear itself and today’s Republicans should be feared.”
Another Mom Jailed for Sending Child to Wrong School District
By Boyce Watkins, PhD
When Rev. Al Sharpton and I went to Ohio earlier this year to rally on behalf of Kelley Williams-Bolar, I thought I’d be done with cases like this for at least a little while. However, the Your Black World Coalition has been informed today that another mother in Connecticut has also been put in jail for enrolling her child in the wrong school district. Tonya McDowell, a homeless woman from Bridgeport, CT, has been charged with grand larceny and conspiracy to commit first degree
larceny after enrolling her son in Brookside Elementary, in Norwalk, CT. McDowell used the address of a friend, Ana Rebecca Marques, to get her 6-year old into the school. The district is accusing her of stealing $15,000 in services for her “deviant” behavior. Ms. Marques was evicted from the Norwalk Housing Authority projects for her role in the incident after a complaint was filed against Ms. McDowell. This led to an investigation, where See Mom Jailed, p. 6
May 2011
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Community News Keeping the Arts Alive
The arts have the power to transform communities. Within the various cultures we find much diversity, creativity and talents. Through the arts (music, dance, drama, and more), one can interact and appreciate each other in a positive manner. It, also builds self-esteem, empowers through values, By Dr. Joan entrepreneurship, discipline and lifeHillsman long learning skills. We cannot begin to Music adequately expound on the arts and its Educator impact on people of all ages. The artists who perform and give of their time, talent, expertise and performance skills are to be commended in many ways. We must invest in music and arts and be an advocate for “Keeping the Arts Alive”. The Syracuse Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America (SGMWA), Dr. Joan Hillsman, Chapter Representative, engaged in several Sing-Along activities at various nursing homes, churches and companies as an outreach activity during recent Cultural Diversity and Black History celebrations. They performed at St. Camillus Health and Rehabilitation, Knottingham Senior Living Center, TAP Festival-Bethany Baptist Church, Peoples AMEZ Church with Rochester GMWA Chapter, Lockheed Martin Cultural Diversity Program, and sang spirituals for Richard Breyer and Anand Kamalakar’s documentary Film, “ 300 Miles To Freedom” at the Syracuse Stage. The SGMWA will present a “Spring Pre-Mothers” Day Concert which will also feature dance, mime and poetry, Friday, May 6, 2011 at Hendricks Chapel, 7 o’clock PM, which is open to the public with free admission and parking. All are cordially invited. We are trying to engage the community in becoming a part of the SGMWA which will allow people of all ages and backgrounds to exhibit their talent. The community is invited to join us at our next rehearsal, Monday, April 25th, at All Saints Church, 1340 Lancaster Ave. Help us to keep the “Arts Alive”. Coming Soon! The Community Folk Arts Center (CFAC) in the Paul Robeson Building, recently announced its Partnership with Joan Hillsman’s Music Network (JHMN). There will be enrichment arts activities in music, dance, drama, sacred music ministry classes, piano, master classes, the Business of Music, and much more. Inquire and enrol now by calling CFAC. Stay tuned for the Grand Opening Celebration.
Remembering Marjory Wilkins: A Tender Record By Ken Jackson Marjory Wilkins passed away this past Friday April 1st in her home she was 81. The Syracuse community lost an artist and mentor who captured the true essence of African-American Syracuse through her series of photographs. Marjory Wilkins was in the middle of a renaissance, her work being recognized by new audiences as people reconnected with their 15 Ward roots which she captured in numerous photographs. Recent exhibitions have included, A Tender Record Marjory Wilkins: Early Black & White Photographs which was on display in May 2010 at ArtRage Gallery in addition in March 2011 Syracuse Stage presented a collection of Marjory Wilkins work surrounding their presentation of August Wilson’s Radio Golf a story which like Marjory Wilkins photographs provided a local cultural record, capturing African American life that existed in vibrant African- American communities throughout America before Urban Renewal made them memories. She will be missed but her work leaves us photographic memories, a tender record of a life well lived.
A photo from a Marjory Wilkins exhibition. Marjory’s photos provided a local cultural record throughout her life.
Mother’s day is May 8. Don’t forget her.
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May 2011
How to be an all-star freshman By Rebecca Saxon NY GEARUP Media Coordinator Graduating from high school is as exciting as it is stressful. You’re closing the door on one four-year experience while you anxiously wait yet another just around the corner. Many students in our cohort area going to be freshmen all over the country starting in the fall, and I sat down with a Syracuse University professor and PhD student, Rachael Shapiro, to get her insight on how to be the best underclassman you can be. Time management One of the biggest culture shocks about university life is the difference in scheduling. In high school, you were in one building all day and knew what to expect. As many of you gear up for your first few weeks of college at the end of the summer, it’s important to think about time management skills. This is especially important because for the first time, many of you are going to be choosing your own schedules independently. “Think about your personal rhythms,” Shapiro said. “For instance, a person who works well in the morning should be sure to attend to homework then, whereas night owls should block off later hours for work.” Unlike in high school, college students often have breaks in between classes that can last anywhere from 20 minutes to five or six hours. Take advantage of this time, but also be careful of the myth, “I’ll get it done on my break.” “Don’t put off large projects until you have large chunks of time to attend to them, since sometimes those never comes—instead, maintain a list of large
and small projects and use the 10, 15, or 20 minutes between engagements to get started on those items,” Shapiro advised. Study tactics Having roommates in the dorm room can make studying difficult for some, so it’s important to become familiar with your campus right away. Scouting out quiet locales is an important tactic for those who need to get work done undisturbed. “Explore spaces all over campus conducive to getting work done. If you work well with a low hum of voices, consider the library; for quieter space, many buildings have small study rooms as well,” Shapiro said. It’s cool to be smart Another huge culture shock that incoming freshmen experience is the difference in attitude about school and intelligence on college campuses. In high school, it might not have been “cool” to be engaged and proactive in class, but in college it’s totally different. Not only are you paying to be there, but you’re also actively pursuing your future careers. Shapiro said that freshmen owe it to themselves to challenge their own limits. “Investing in your classes is investing in yourself,” she said. It’s important to remember that people aren’t going to think you’re a “loser” for speaking up in class or for being smart. Not only will your peers respect you, so will your professors. Get involved Another important thing that Shapiro advises freshmen to do is step outside of their comfort zones. All college campuses have tons of clubs and activities that provide new opportunities to students. “Read every single bulletin board,
try a new activity per week in your first semester and from there make longer commitments—not only will this help you network and build your resume, you’ll also experience personal growth,” Shapiro said. Classrooms and professors College classrooms can be much different than in high school. Sometimes students will be in a lecture class with more than 200 other students listening to a professor speak, while other times they’ll be in smaller classes where group work may be the main focus. Regardless, it’s a lot more independence than they may be used to back home. Shapiro said that it’s important to remember that you are responsible for your own learning in college. You get out as much as you put in, so she advises new students to be proactive by assuming leadership positions in class and creating study groups. By organizing deadlines and meeting times, they are learning valuable skills that can be used later in the work place as well as to garner respect from their professors and letting their peers know they are taking the project seriously. Many new college students overlook their professors as resource. Building relationships with them not only makes the class more enjoyable, but it can directly result in boosting your performance in the course. Shapiro mentioned that if a professor knows more about you and what’s going on in your life, they are more likely to understand the work you produce. “The professors that you build relationships with can later vouch for you and help you with internships, scholarships, and employment opportunities,” said Shapiro. Every professor will hand out a sylla-
Rachael Shapiro bus on the first day of class. This syllabus will list all the readings; exams and topics scheduled for the class and will function as your bible for what’s going on any given day. When you get them, be sure to read through and ask any questions that you may have. It’s better to ask now and have them clarified than scrambling at the last minute before something’s due and being unsure. “By being as well informed as possible, you are not taking any unnecessary time from your professors or from your peers,” Shapiro says, which is much appreciated by both. College is much different than high school, but as mentioned before, it truly is what you make of it. With newfound independence comes newfound responsibility, and you truly have to take your education into your own hands. Some high school teachers would stay on students’ backs about doing work, but college professors rarely do. When asked what the best advice Shapiro can offer to incoming freshmen, she replied, “Familiarize yourself with the available resources and take advantage of them at opportune times—be aware of the writing center, counseling center and library services on your campus.”
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STAFF To live on campus, or not to live on campus Marissa Joy Mims Director
Caitlin Donnelly
Eagle Newspapers Editor
Rebecca Saxon
NY GEARUP Media Coordinator
Tedi Doychinova Reporters
Malea Perkins
NY GEARUP Office Coordinator
Luz Encarnacion
Outreach Coordinator
The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is the state agency that has been designated by the Governor’s office to administer the NY GEARUP Program. Funding for NY GEARUP is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. NY GEARUP at Syracuse University receives $567,000 in funding that is matched 100 percent by in-kind services for a total funding of $1,340,000. HESC helps people pay for college by providing a comprehensive range of financial aid services, including the Tuition Assistance Program, guaranteeing student loans, and administering the nationally recognized New York’s College Savings Plan. New York State is a leader in the national financial aid community, providing more grant money to college students than any other state.
By Rebecca Saxon NY GEARUP Media Coordinator Diamond Breland, a 2007 Henninger High School graduate, is in her final semester at Syracuse University. Since the central focus of this month’s newsletter is helping our seniors get ready for their freshman year at college, I sat down with Breland to ask her about her experience with choosing to live at home for the majority of her university experience. Breland will be graduating in May with a bachelor’s degree in biophysical science. She is still unsure of what she’s doing after graduation, and is currently focusing on getting through the end of the semester.
Why did you choose to live at home during college?
be my parents’ kid. Then on campus, I could be the adult. The advantage there depends on the person. Some people need other people or a social life to feel okay or important, but I never needed that.
Was it hard freshman year, when you were meeting people on campus and they lived in the dorms? Or did it not make a difference?
Meeting people on campus isn’t hard at all. I met my best friends working, actually. For me, living on or off campus doesn’t really affect friendships.
What advice do you have for students in the Syracuse City School District who are unsure about whether or not they want to live on campus or in the dorms?
I lived on campus my first year and I didn’t like it. Staying home was much better for me and I saved a lot of money. I didn’t like not being able to take a bath and I also didn’t like not living with anyone who was a part of my family.
Try living on campus, especially if you have a good financial aid package. Otherwise, stay home if you’re comfortable with it.
What was your experience like over the last four years, going to school in the same city you grew up in?
Being around my family and being able to just leave the campus. Campus life didn’t have to become all of my life.
It was really good, and I will miss it. Honestly, my school life and home life were totally separate.
How so?
When I was home, I was able to just
What was better about being home for you?
Over the course of the last four years, did you end up hanging out socially a lot on campus or off campus with friends? Did you hang out in the dorms?
What is NY GEARUP? NY GEARUP is based out of Syracuse University’s School of Education. NY GEARUP works in the Syracuse City School District with the class of 2011 at Corcoran, Fowler, Henninger, ITC and Nottingham high schools. GEARUP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. It’s a national initiative to create innovative programs with the goal of increasing college awareness for students and their families. GEARUP also helps students develop the skills necessary to pursue education after high school. To achieve its mission, NY GEARUP organizes college visits, tutoring and mentoring, college awareness and exploration activites, and educational planning and workshops.
Diamond Breland I did attend a good amount of activities on campus with friends. Freshman year I hung out in the dorms sometimes and as I became an upperclassmen, that gradually stopped. If you’re going to be a freshman this year and you have the option to live at home, it might not be the worst idea, as Breland proved in her situation. If money is tight, it could save you money and you can still find ways to be involved on campus. Best of luck to Breland as she pursues her career after college!
Contact us: NYGEARUP@syr.edu Phone 443.7848 Twitter: NYGEARUP Facebook: NYGEARUP@ Syracuse University Radio: StepIt UP! on Power620 AM, Hot 107.9
Interested in Writing? For those students in the NY GEARUP program that are graduating in 2011 and are interested in writing for Eagle Newspaper’s NY GEARUP edition, please contact Caitlin Donnelly at cdonnelly@eaglenewsonline.com.
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Staying healthy on campus How to avoid the dreaded ‘freshman 15’ By Rebecca Saxon NY GEARUP Media Coordinator Moving to a colle ge campus means being away from Mom’s home-cooked meals and your high school sports practice. How do you stay healthy and avoid gaining the notorious “freshman 15?” Anne Hogan, nurse practitioner, and Lisa Thomas, registered dietician at the Syracuse University Health Center, provide some useful advice on how to stay healthy away from home your freshman year. The major transitioning point is the dining halls and being exposed to junk food all the time without your parents reminding you to eat or providing you with adequate balanced meals. “It’s important to plan ahead and have a basic idea of what you need to be eating—a protein, a carbohydrate, a grain and a fruit or a vegetable,” Thomas said. In terms of exercise, there are lots of resources on all college campuses to stay active. Through Syracuse University Recreation Services there are exercise classes, multiple gyms and intramural sports available to students. “I have a lot of freshmen students that come to us feeling tired who were athletes in high school,” Hogan said. “They get here and they don’t do anything and so they don’t have any energy—the more you exercise the more energy you’ll have.” It’s important to pick an activity that you enjoy doing as well, Thomas pointed out. “If you have to drag yourself to the gym, don’t go to the gym—go out to Beaver Lake or Green Lakes and go for a hike, or go to the library and take out some workout DVDS and do them in your room,” Thomas suggested. It’s easy to feel too busy to exer-
cise on campus when you’re trying to balance a new social life and homework. Before you get down on yourself for not being active enough, think about how much walking you do on campus. Hogan and Thomas note that most students walk between 20 to 40 minutes a day. If you’re doing that briskly, you’re meeting the requirements for exercise that require 30 minutes a day most days of the week. Think small if you don’t have time—take the stairs or walk the long way; it all adds up. When you’re on-the-go in between classes, you don’t always have time to eat full meals, so again, planning ahead is key. Stocking up on snacks like fruit and granola bars make eating on-the-go much easier. “Make trail mix in bulk or always have food on you so you don’t get hungry and crash,” Thomas said. A common problem with freshmen’s eating habits is that they don’t eat breakfast or lunch and then they gorge at the dining halls at dinner. According to Hogan and Thomas, this is unhealthy because it slows your metabolism down and will promote long term weight gain because of the bingeing that happens at night. It’s much better to eat smaller meals throughout the day and to keep your metabolism in check. Coming into college is a time when eating disorders can also rear their heads. Students are constantly comparing themselves to their peers on campus and the established “norms,” and then resorting to unhealthy eating habits to “measure up.” Thomas indicated that a popular caloric intake with young females is 1500 calories for “diets.” She said this is unhealthy behavior because it slows their metabolisms down and puts their bodies into starvation mode. “Ninety-five percent of diets don’t work,” Thomas said. If you’re concerned about your figure and your own diet and exercise, visit her or another professional available on campus to find a plan that’s suited for your body.
Lisa Thomas, registered dietician, and Anne Hogan, nurse practitioner at SU Living in the dorms, surrounded by tons of people means not only peer pressure, but tons of germs. It’s a hotbed for sicknesses and many students have no experience with being sick away from home. “Students come in without knowing the basics for how to take care of themselves when they are sick, “ Hogan said. “Gargling salt water for a sore throat, drinking fluids and getting enough rest are all important things to know about how to take care of yourself.” The Health Center at Syracuse University also offers flu shots, which they highly recommend getting each year. The flu shots are free of charge. The most basic advice Hogan offered is obvious—wash your hands often, cough into your sleeve and carry antibacterial gels with you if you want to stave off illness. If you eat well and sleep well, your immune system will have the strength it needs to keep you healthy as well. Freshmen students are often excited and anxious about their new social lives and their workload so they rarely get enough sleep. “Students stay up all night because they can, or because they have to and then they get into a vicious cycle of having a no-sleep routine,” Hogan said.
The stereotypical college life— staying up all-night and sleeping all day—can be detrimental to your health and your studies since it’s unlikely that you’ll be as alert on an irregular sleep schedule. “Between six to nine hours is standard for what freshmen need,” Hogan said. “Making sleep a priority will help you stay healthy—napping is okay for 30 minute power naps, but 3 hour ones aren’t good.” Another important benefit of sleep is your ability to retain information. Staying up all night and cramming until right before an exam might seem like the easiest way to do it, but in reality you’re not retaining any information that way. Hogan pointed out that your brain needs time to process the information and if you sleep a few hours after studying, you’ll remember thinks much longer and clearer. Both Hogan and Thomas advise incoming freshmen to take advantage of all the resources their college has to offer, because there’s always many more than you think available, often for free. From workout classes to their college health center’s staff, there’s always someone to help you make healthy decisions.
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Confessions of an ‘RA’ By Rebecca Saxon NY GEARUP Media Coordinator For those of our seniors who are planning to live on-campus at the college of their choice this fall, members of the Office of Residence Life at Syracuse University have provided insight into what to expect those first few weeks of orientation. Becky Daniels, coordinator for communications at ORL, explained that the first few weeks in the dorms are all about trying to get to know each other. At SU and almost all other colleges, each residence hall floor has a mandatory floor meeting the first evening in order to meet everyone, as well as your Residence Adviser. Your RA is a student that will be living on the floor with you and is there to provide support, and maintain hall and university rules. Daniels said it is very important to vocalize your needs at floor meetings rather than staying quiet. The point of these meetings is to get a general consensus of what the halls’ needs are in order to establish rules that everyone has to follow. If you think you’d like it to be quiet after 11 p.m., let those at the meeting know and see if that’s a legitimate compromise. SU’s ORL staff goes above and beyond to provide activities catered to a variety of different people. “We try to provide activities for different types of people—we’ll coordinate mini-dance events in residence halls suited for extroverts, while also having events like board game nights for the more quiet types of students,” Daniels said. Unfortunately, there’s often a stigma associated with hall-centric activities on college campuses as being “un-cool,” but Daniels is trying to change that. “They are cool and they are fun to get involved with,” she said. It’s a great way to meet people and to find out what college life is all about. In addition to having an RA and a Residence Director, SU’s residence halls all have Community Councils that help to vote on important decisions made within your dorm. Getting involved as a freshman can be a great way to advocate for your floor and your hall. The newfound independence that comes with being away from home can be overwhelming for some students.
“A lot of students are not used to living with other people or sharing a room and the biggest problem seems to be that they feel they can’t advocate for themselves,” Daniels said. “Speak up, make roommate agreements, compromise and let people know if something is not okay with you.” If you can’t resolve a problem with your roommate between yourselves, a good resource is always your RA. “If you’re having roommate troubles or you’re feeling sad or homesick, RAs are a great resource to bounce ideas off of,” she advised. Dorms range in size across college campuses, but at SU Daniels explains that students can expect to have anywhere from 30 to 65 students living on their floor. For those of you who have been to visit college dorms, you know they aren’t huge. It’s more than enough space to live in, but some sacrifices might need to be made with what you bring. Daniels advises to coordinate beforehand with your roommate, find out what’s already provided for you and don’t bring a ton of stuff. “If possible, bring the bare necessities and then get the stuff you need once you’re here,” Daniels said. According to Daniels, the most important thing is getting involved and trying to stray away from the stigmas of what’s “cool” and what’s not. Freshman year is the year to get involved with anything and everything, and later on streamlining your interests. Calvin Iverson and Maireed Kiernan, both juniors at SU, have been Residence Advisors for two consecutive years on campus. When asked about what to expect freshman year and their first few weeks of orientation, they both said “expect to be busy.” “Everyone is very high energy, and there’s something to do literally every single night for the first six weeks,” Iverson explained. Like Daniels, these two RAs recommend getting as involved as possible in the beginning. It’s the best way to network and meet people who can become friends as well as important resources later on when you’re looking for a job. “The friends you make in the first six weeks of college are probably the friends you’ll have for the next four years,” Iverson said.
There are some common misconceptions associated with RAs, the main one being that their sole purpose is to punish students for breaking rules. “Students think that they can’t be friends with us, or that we are just out to get them,” Kiernan said. While Iverson admitted that a small part of their job is punitive and that RAs will document any behavior that goes against university policy, like underage drinking in dorm rooms, they are also there to help you get acclimated to college life. Iverson and Kiernan mentioned that students often push boundaries in the first few weeks of residence life. “It’s the first time Mom and Dad aren’t there to police you, so a lot of students push the boundaries with drinking,” Kiernan said. “Students get crazy, and it’s our job to make sure they aren’t going too hard.” “It’s understandable to want to experience that, but they need to be safe,” Calvin added. At SU, the Residence Halls take a judicial approach with an emphasis on education. “It’s not as punitive as people may think,” Iverson said. Once you’ve broken a rule, your RA will document it and then it leaves their hands and goes into the hands of the Residence Director. You then meet with them and explain your situation.
RAs are not out to get freshmen; in fact they really care about some of their residents. Not only will they provide support during crisis, but they can help you with your day-to-day life at school, whether it’s balancing work and fun, talking to professors, finding fun things to do, etc. “By connecting with your RAs, they can find you things you’re interested in on campus. If they can’t, they’ll show you someone who can,” Kiernan said. Since both Kiernan and Iverson are juniors, they’ve been on campus long enough to be able to give freshmen advice on how to excel, both socially and academically. Kiernan said the most important things about freshman year are to go to class, come in with an open mind and know that college is going to change their outlook on almost everything. Iverson advised to get involved right away and make connections with people., stressing the importance of networking while in school. “The more involved you are, the more successful you’ll be after college,” Iverson said.
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City Council Races Begin to Take Shape for Democrats By Ken Jackson It was just a month ago when Syracuse activist Helen Hunt was passed over for the designation to fill the “At-Large” seat on the Syracuse Common Council there were some political observers who thought the mayor’s mentioning her in the State of the City address was the kiss of death for the endorsement. Pamela Hunter was appointed instead and Hunt immediately announced her intentions to seek the democratic Committee’s endorsement. There are those who wondered if this was a mistake because of Hunts name recognition throughout the city due to her involvement with anti-gun violence activism and being a native. In her candidacy announcement Helen reiterated her local roots and commitment “As a lifelong resident of Syracuse, I have seen this city in the best of times and the worst of times. We need to put politics aside and deal directly with the serious issues facing this city. From gun violence to the financial crisis threatening to eliminate hundreds of teaching jobs in our community schools, the Common Council has an obligation to act swiftly to find solutions to these problems and I am the best candidate to lead that effort.” Soon after Hudson’s entry into the Councilor –At- Large race, Julius Edward’s former Director of the Onondaga County Human Rights Commission released a statement informing voters of his intentions to seek that same council seat. So far there are incumbents Kathleen Joy and Pan Hunter fending off the newly empowered local African American political activists Helen Hunt and Julius Edwards. 4th Council District In a move reminiscent of past political events with speakers and candidates and endorsers Khalid Bey has announced his candidacy for the 4th Council District seat previously held by Charles Anderson who was in attendance to introduce the candidate and give his full sup-
port to Mr. Bey. Bey, who recently was employed as a regional coordinator with the New York State Senate focused his remarks on articulating his vision for the district “Syracuse and particularly the 4th District have so many positive attributes. We have strong and committed neighborhoods. We have downtown on the upswing. Our district includes two of the areas’ largest employers in Central New York in Syracuse University, Upstate Medical University. Its home to small businesses, major businesses and banking industries. Ladies and gentlemen…Syracuse is the heart of New York and the 4th Council District is the heart of Syracuse.” He reminded the audience that “small business is the back bone of the American economy, employing 80% of our nations’ workforce.” Standing with Mr. Bey at his announcement was an array of community, business and political leaders including Former Onondaga County Legislator Clarence ‘Junie” Dunham, Neighborhood activist Charlie Pearce, National Action Network’s Walt Dixie, Councilor –At Large member Lance Deno and about 40 others listened and applauded while standing in the cool drizzle that began right before the event. So far only Jesse Hurt is the only other person to announce their intention to run for the position. These are just a small portion of those running. Usually republicans have left some districts without challengers as do democrats in some Onondaga County Legislature races. Voters will soon find out how the field of candidates will form and how redistricting may change everything. But for the City of Syracuse it appears as though there will not be a lack of candidates for the Common Council. Syracuse Driscoll Administration official Dennis Brogan has also entered the fray vying for the 3rd District seat being vacated by Ryan McMahon who’s seeking a Onondaga County legislature seat held by Bill Kinney who’s not seeking re-election.
May 2011
Memorial Day: Honoring World War II Minority Veterans
America’s “Minorities” or people of color have fought and died in wars since our nations’ birth. There are hundreds of thousands who fought in WWII and other conflicts and never were recognized for their service. Therefore the existence of the World War II Minority Veterans Wall of Honor is especially important as we celebrate Memorial Day. The monument at the OnCenter’s entrance on S. State Street consists of 245 names engraved on a black granite wall it includes blacks, American Indians, Latino Americans and Asian-Pacific Ken Jackson Photo Islander Americans of all World War II services, including the Merchant Marine. On the wall above the memorial are the photos of two men PFC Charles Latham, Buffalo Soldier & 489th Engineer Water Supply Division and Sergeant Albert A. Tarbell 82nd Airborne Division. These men are just representative of the diverse minority group members who served our country during World War II. So this Memorial Day between the barbeques and alcohol infused outings take time to remember those who sacrificed their barbeques, lives and futures for us. And for the minority service man and woman who came home to a separate but equal “Jim Crow” America, imagine the sense of betrayal and abandonment after being on the front lines for a country. The least we can do is consider their sacrifice this Memorial Day.
CFAC Teen art exhibit scheduled for May
The 2011 Annual Teenage Competitive Art Exhibition is scheduled for May 7 through May 21. The reception and awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2011 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Community Folk Art Center, 805 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, New York 13210.
Syracuse Parks and Rec May/June schedule May May 1 at 10 a.m.: Mountain Goat at Clinton Square/other parks May 14: Big Rig Day at Burnet Park May 21: Fishing Derby at Onondaga Park May 29: Memorial Day Concert at Palace Theater June June 3-4: Taste of Syracuse at Clinton Square, Hanover Square, Water St. June 4 at 9 a.m.: Paige’s Butterfly Run at Clinton Square, Leavenworth Park, Parks Department, Creekwalk June 10-12: Polish Festival at Clinton Square, Hanover Square, Water St. June 25: World Refugee Day at Clinton Square
May 2011
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African-Americans in the news
Dr. O Exclusive: Interview With B Condom Founders All my faithful readers know one very important bit of information about me. And that is: I attended the best institution for higher education – Morehouse College. Knowing that should bear no surprise when reading this hot topic. Three graduates of my prestigious alma mater are making news as entrepreneurs. Founder Jason Panda, and co-founders Elkhair Balla and Ashanti Dr. Dwight Johnson have created B Condoms, the Owens, MD first black owned condom company. Below, you will see an interview I conducted with them on their new product. Dr. O: Gentleman, thank you for taking the time to explain your new product! Please tell us how you got the inspiration for B Condom. Jason: The inspiration started with my mother. I called my mom and told her I wanted to do something larger than myself, while helping the community at the same time. Using her background in community health, my mom suggested I consider starting a condom company. She told me that HIV and Aids are wiping us [the black community] out. Statistics say that African Americans make up 13% of the population but we are 50% of the HIV/Aids community. That’s alarming. After researching the problem,
Mom Jailed
From p. 3
the mother filed an affidavit stating her son’s residence to be in the Roodner Court Public housing complex in Norwalk. Ms. McDowell told police that she’d been living in Bridgeport in a homeless shelter when her son was enrolled in school. She also said she has a friend in Norwalk who allowed her to stay there at night and leave during the day. Effectively, she and her son were rotating between the homeless shelter and staying with friends in order to survive. “This is the first time I have heard something like this where there has been an arrest. Other allegations like this have been handled by the central office,” said Norwalk Board of Education Chairman Jack Chiarmonte. Richard Moccia, the Mayor of Norwalk, had this to say: “This now sends a message to other
I set out to find a solution. I reached out to Elkhair Balla and Ashanti Johnson. Elkhair had a background in financing, nightlife and entertainment while Ashanti was working at Johnson and Johnson. They loved the idea and we just started working from there… Dr. O: That’s amazing. Now can you tell us what does your condom company provide that may be different from others? Elkhair: Our whole approach is socially conscious. We personally know our customers because we ARE our customers. We are young, black men. For example, Trojan’s way of connecting to African Americans is by hiring a rapper (Ludacris) to promote their product. We choose to go out into the community. We visit HBCU campuses with our sponsors like the Magic Johnson Foundation. We make it a personal relationship! Dr. O: Great point. Now, let me ask you. What is the “B” in B Condoms? Elkhair: B Condoms is more than a condom company – it’s a movement. We wanted it to be something inclusive. The “B” stands for anything you want to BE. For example, you can be loving, be romantic, be proud, be spiritual, be whatever, just be safe. B Condoms. Dr O: What is your company’s mission? What is the driving force behind B Condoms? Jason: B Condoms is cool, sexy, and chic. It is a premium condom line with a social purpose, and that is
parents that may have been living in other towns and registering their kids with phony addresses.” I’m still doing my research on Norwalk, CT, but it appears that the city is relatively affluent, with an average income of over $70,000 (according to 2007 Census data). But it’s hard to gauge at this point what the motivation might be to incarcerate Ms. McDowell for trying to get her son a proper education. Simple logic implies that whatever resources were saved from him not being enrolled in his home district (whatever that might be) could be applied to the secondary district. So putting parents in jail for sending their kids to schools outside their district is simply a legalized way of fencing out those that the community deems to be undesirable. The other interesting thing about this case is that one has to wonder exactly how it can be argued that a person without a home is outside their county of residence. Beating up on a homeless woman who is doing
to decrease the rate of HIV/AIDS with the most at risk. We partner with a lot of community organizations, like Morehouse, Florida A&M, the Red Pump Campaign, Magic Johnson Foundation, Google and more. A certain percentage of our profits gets invested rightback into our community sponsors. That’s how we’re different. If you buy our product, you’re making yourself safe and helping the community. It’s a win-win. Elkhair: Yes! And we offer our customers an experience. What we’re trying to do is make the condom industry huge. Make it larger than ourselves. The money goes back into the people. You’re helping everyone! Dr. O: What would you say to people who believe you should be sending messages of abstinence rather than “safe sex”? Jason: You have to meet people where they are. If people make the decision to have sex, tell them to do it safely. Let’s make this clear, we aren’t selling sex. We’re selling awareness and safety. We can’t ignore the stats! Let people make their decisions and provide them with a way to do it safely. Dr. O: What is the next step for B Condoms? What are you striving to do next? Jason: Our company is a lifestyle. In certain ways, our goal is to normalize the condom usage with people of color. Putting on a shirt, putting on shoes, etc – those See Dr. O, p. 7
all she can to get her child into school is a shameful microcosm of the kind of greed and selfishness our country has chosen to embrace. There was once a time when slaves were arrested for trying to learn how to read, and now poor mothers are being arrested for trying to send their children to the school of their choice. NAACP President Ben Jealous just released a statement in which he cited the fact that our nation continues to suffer by spending more to incarcerate than we are spending to educate. The NAACP statement becomes loud and clear in the case of Tonya McDowell, for it is downright shameful that this mother is being taken away from her son, when she’s probably all that he’s got. After being forced to grow up without the person who loves him the most, statistical data says that Ms. McDowell’s son will likely end up in the system, just like his mother. With a criminal record, Ms. McDowell’s future employment prospects will be crippled and her son’s lack of
education will likely impact his economic opportunities as well. I am hurt that our nation has now made a tradition out of maintaining the cycle of intergenerational marginalization. We’ve all got to come together to help Ms. McDowell. Please click here to sign a petition on her behalf and we will follow up with contact information to the mayor’s office so that we can make a concerted effort to fight on behalf of this mother who is being penalized for trying to give her son a better future. This situation is sad and sickening, and I am going to reach out to as many people as I can to let Norwalk officials know that this kind of behavior is both unAmerican and unacceptable. We will NOT allow this child’s future to be destroyed by ignorance. Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Syracuse University Professor and founder of the Your Black World Coalition.
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SECTION 1 - ADVERTISEMENT WORTH STREET SEWER AND DRAINAGE Village of East Syracuse - Onondaga County Separate Sealed Bids will be received by the Village Clerk at the office of the Village of East Syracuse Village Hall, 204 North Center Street, East Syracuse, New York 13057 until 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 and then at said office shall be publicly opened and read aloud. The project will take place on the west end of the Village of East Syracuse on Worth Street at the locations designated on the contract drawings or as designated by the engineer. This project will be divided in to two separate bids, Sanitary Sewer Replacement and Storm Sewer System. The Sanitary Sewer Replacement will consist of approximately 420 linear feet of sanitary sewer main, 270 linear feet 6” sewer laterals and re-paving Worth Street. The Storm Sewer System will consist of approximately 466 feet of 12” storm sewer along with 180 linear feet of 4” drainage lateral. A New York State Work Permit will be required when working within the West Manlius Street Right of Way. A Onondaga County Work Permit will be required when working within the James Street Right of Way. Copies of the Contract Documents may be obtained after 11:00 am on Monday, May 2, 2011 at the office of W-M Engineers, 111 Boxwood Lane, Syracuse, New York 13206; upon payment of $45.00 for each set. Mailing of Documents to prospective Bidders will cost $5.00 by separate check, which is not refundable. Any Bidder, upon returning the Contract Documents in good condition within thirty (30) days after the opening of Proposals will be returned his deposit. There will be NO REFUND for Non-Bidders. Refunds will be allowed to Contractors who return all Contract Documents in good condition, prior to the official Bid Opening. No Bidder may withdraw his Bid within forty-five (45) days after the actual date of the opening thereof. Each Proposal shall be accompanied by an acceptable form of Proposal Guaranty in an amount equal to at least five percent (5%) of the amount of the Proposal, payable to the Village of East Syracuse as a guaranty that if the Proposal is accepted, the Bidder will execute the Contract within (10) days after the Award of Contract. This project is funded in part by a grant from the Onondaga County Community Development Division. Bidders will be required to commit themselves to a goal for minority business participation in this Contract The contract specifications and drawings may be examined free of charge at the Community Development office at 1100 Civic Center, 421 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, New York 13202, (315) 435-3558. Bidders should not include in their Bid, sales and compensating use taxes on the cost of materials which are to be incorporated into the structure. OWNER’S RIGHTS RESERVED The Village Board of the Village of East Syracuse, hereinafter called the Owner, reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, and to waive any formality or technicality in any Proposal, in the interest of the Owner. Village of East Syracuse Patricia J. Derby, Village Clerk April 12, 2011
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steps have normalized themselves into our lives. We want to do this! Matching it with a lifestyle that already fits into our culture. The majority of people purchasing condoms are 16 to 24. We want them to start thinking of condom usage as automatic. So our goal is also to help young people understand the importance of condom usage. Dr. O: Thank you so much. Is there anything else you would like to add? Jason: Everyone, please follow us on
twitter, @bcondoms. Visit our website www.bcondoms.com And if anyone wants to be involved, wants to partner with us or distribute our product, please contact us. We need your help! Thank you! Kudos to my fellow Morehouse Men! Now we all now it’s spring time….and what happens when people start wearing less clothing. I can’t stress enough how important it is to protect yourself! So let’s have safe sex people and support these young men in their endeavor to help our community…and get tested.
[re]think your future From Workforce Development to Continuing Education, Onondaga offers programs that meet the needs of of employees and employers in Central New York.
Learn more at sunyocc.edu
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