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See how March Madness can affect the lives of students, Page 8 March 17, 2010 | Wednesday
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Dyson delves into national issues
Joy Marie Hallare / The Collegian
Speaking publicly since he was 12 years old, Michael Eric Dyson spoke once again on a smorgasbord of topics in the Satellite Student Union.
By Aaron Warn The Collegian He was named by “Ebony Magazine� as one of the hundred most influential black Americans, is the author of 16 books, hosts his own radio show and on Sunday Georgetown University professor Michael Eric Dyson was at Fresno State speaking about the contemporary issues that
impact the African-American Community. Dyson, an ordained Baptist minister, spoke to a near-capacity crowd at the Satellite Student Union for almost two hours in his self-titled “State of the Nation� speech. From gay health care to hip-hop, Dyson touched on a wide variety of issues. One issue that Dyson touched on was the problems with the public education sys-
tem, which he said has more to do with the quality of the educators than with the system itself. “Let’s fix the problem at the root, so that the fruit can get better,� Dyson said. English professor James Walton, who helped to organize the event, said of Dyson, “He’s a very insightful person and uses his knowledge to relate to college-age students.� Dyson, a leading scholar on hip-hop music and selfproclaimed hip-hop fan, often broke out in rhyme. “He just has so much perspective,� Walton said. “He has spent time with the likes of Barack Obama and he’s spent time with the average man on the street. He’s just able to relate to everyone so well.� His latest book, “1968,� examines the life of the great civil rights leader. Prior to his tenure at Georgetown, Dyson was the Avalon Foundation Professor of the Humanities in the D e p a r t m e n t o f Re l i g i o u s Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He taught at
DePaul University, Chicago Theological Seminary, the University of North Carolina, Columbia and Brown universities. At the end of his speech, Dyson took questions from the audience and that was followed by a book signing session where many took the opportunity to shake hands and take a picture with Dyson. “He’s just the type of man that enjoys engaging himself with as many people as he can,� Walton said. “We are honored to have him as a guest speaker.� Walton said the event was funded by the International Re a d i n g A s s o c i at i o n a n d planned by the Mar tin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Committee. Last year, the committee was able to get Pulitzer Prize winner and editor of the Washington Post Eugene Robinson to come speak and Walton said he is looking into someone for next year. “We are looking for someone who can appeal to the campus community as well as the greater Fresno community,� Walton said.
The Big Read brings big names By Tara Albert The Collegian A symposium tribute to author Ray Bradbury will bring several best-selling and award-winning authors to Fresno State for a panel discussion on Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451. The two-day Ray Bradbury Tribute Symposium will feature presentations from science fiction artists, Bradbury’s biographer, Tim Hamilton, who adapted Fahrenheit 451 into a graphic novel, and a televised presentation from Bradbury himself. The event is a collaborative effort between the Henry Madden Library, the Ar ne Nixon Center for the Study of Children’s Literature and the Fresno County Public Library. The symposium is part of a national, monthlong event called the Big Read. The Big Read was created in 2006 to inspire Americans to read more, said Roberta Barton, the public information officer at Fresno County Library.
“The Big Read is intended to restore reading to the forefront of American culture,� Barton said. “The goal is to get everyone reading great American classic literature again.� Barton said Fahrenheit 451 was chosen because it appeals to a wide audience and its message is relevant today. “One of the reasons that Fahrenheit 451 was selected as this year’s Big Read book is that it appeals to both younger and older adults,� Barton said. “The book’s elements of science fiction, media saturation and suppression of individuality are all themes which have proven popular with students.� The graphic novel will be available for sale and a book signing. Carpenter said she is pleased the Fresno County Library worked with Fresno State when selecting an author to feature at the opening event. She said she decided to highlight Tim Hamilton’s graphic novel, because it would appeal
to a younger crowd. “I just thought his book would be a perfect match,� Carpenter said. Carpenter said the event is a great way to bring the community together. “I really like the idea of the whole community focusing on one book, it gives us all something in common,� Carpenter said. The symposium will conclude with a panel discussion and presentations from renowned authors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Fresno State Student Recreation Center. Hamilton will present at 2:20 p.m. at the symposium, and Bradbury will speak at 4 p.m. Attendees can come and go throughout the event. The moderator for Saturday’s event is Dr. Howard Hendrix, a local science fiction author and Fresno State English professor. Hendrix said the symposium highlights the necessity of litSee READ, Page 6
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Senator resigns By Thaddeus Miller The Collegian An Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) senator resigned earlier this month, and said it was because ASI is too passive. Jamie San Andres, senior anthropology and political science double major, served as the senator for the college of social sciences since June 1, 2009. Her resignation was official as of March 1, 2010. San Andres officially left ASI, because of work-schedule conflicts. However, she left on bad terms. “I don’t want to be a member of an association that leads by following,� San Andres said. San Andres said ASI is too afraid to step on toes, while students are making their voices heard with events like the rally on March 4. San Andres has been a vo c a l p ro p o Jamie San nent, and planAndres ner, of student action over the last year. She also stormed out of the Jan. 27 ASI meeting after an argument. She said ASI should have put out a statement of support for the day of action. “The masses have spoken, but the representatives have not,� San Andres said. S a n A n d re s ’ s c r i t i c i s m extended to representation. She said senators have no obligation to communicate with the students they represent. Alex Andreotti, ASI’s executive vice president, said she is never happy to see a senator leave the student government. The differences in opinion, she said, are what make ASI successful. “When Jamie asked the tough questions, and made her opinion known, it opened the eyes of our Senate to know why they were here and who they were here to represent,� Andreotti said. Andreotti disagreed with San Andres’s take on the March 4 day of action. She said though 300 students gathered in the Peace Garden, ASI represents 21,500 students. So, ASI must find the fine line between the two groups. “ASI, basically, has to find the balance between activism and being quiet,� Andreotti said. ASI does more of its work at the state level, Andreotti said. Though there is no official See ASI, Page 6 1RUWK &HGDU )UHVQR &$ ) /RFDWHG DFURVV IURP )UHVQR 6WDWH