FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY’S CAMPUS MAGAZINE
THE S CIAL MEDIA
ISSUE
the revolution will not be instagrammed
3 THE HARD WAY A look into the roles of 3 influential women on FAMU’s campus
more than mayor A look into the life of Andrew Gillum, Tallahassee’s next Mayor
EDITOR’S LETTER
This is definitely one of the hardest letters I’ve ever written because I feel all the pressure. I feel the pressure to write this letter better than all of the amazing editors-in-chief before me. I feel the pressure to live up to the solid “journalism reputation” that I’ve formed over the past four years and most importantly, I feel the pressure to not disappoint. I took this role knowing that I had enormous expectations to meet. But I’m going to be real, I initially thought, “How hard could it be?” It couldn’t be too hard to manage a magazine after working for news magazine shows since freshman year, right? Isn’t it just a matter of translating scripts into printed articles and forming teams of photographers, graphic designers and writers, like I’ve done countless times before with other productions? “It can’t be so bad,” I thought. Well, I couldn’t have been more WRONG. I quickly learned that it didn’t matter how many network internships I’d had with CNN and CBS, and it didn’t matter how many leadership awards I’d won. None of that eased the feeling of all the pressure I felt to be the best Journey magazine editor-in-chief ever –or at least just as good as those before me. Being editor-in-chief of Journey is so much more than trying to manage budgets without a tap of experience in business accounting and it’s much more than the countless hours spent in the office trying to make sure that everything meets deadline. Being editor-in-chief truly puts into practice the scripture, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” At times it’s been hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I knew it was there. Things rarely went as planned, but somehow I knew everything was going to get done. And while I could vent about all of the seemingly insurmountable woes that my team and I have been faced with during the production of this magazine, I won’t. That’s not my style. Instead, I’d much rather talk about how with this issue, Journey plans to take you beyond the next level of social media as you know it. I’d rather talk about why my younger brother has to be more “careful” because of the color of his skin (The Revolution will not be Instagrammed p. 18) or how you don’t need a paintbrush to be an artist anymore (#iAmArt p. 6). I want to discuss how I sat down with the next mayor of Tallahassee (Gillum p. 14) and talked about way more than just politics and how my team spoke with three influential women on Florida A&M’s campus (3 the Hard Way p. 23) on how exactly they save face (Saving Face p. 22). This Social Media Issue has without a doubt been one of the hardest projects I‘ve taken on, but make no mistake. With stories like these, this issue is hands down one of my most rewarding experiences, too. Thank you to my home team for always holding me down and thanks to my Journey and J-School FAMUly for keeping my spirits lifted up throughout this journey. Yours Truly,
LaCrai Mitchell EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
What do you think about this issue? Tell me on Twitter @LaCraiMitchell
18:87 PM8:07 PM RATTLERRATTLER
87%
of Contents TableTable of Contents
87%
@RobynMowatt
#iAmArt
page 6-7
@LeahWilson
“Diabeetus�
page 8
@SierraBrown
Do Meds Grow on Trees?
page 9
@AsiaJohnson
Choose a Zip Code
page 10
@TyLisaJohnson
Dear Mr. President, What Have You Done for the U.S. Lately?
page 12-13
@LaCraiMitchell
More Than Mayor
page 14-16
@VincentRoss
The Revolution will not be Instagrammed
page 18-20
@AsiaJohnson
Yes Means Yes
page 21
@EbonyGibbs
Saving Face: How to Preserve your Health & Beauty @TaylorBankston
page 22
@MarisaRichard
3 The Hard Way
page 23-24
@TerrieHookfin
Complementing Contradictions
page 26-27
@TravisMilton
Spotlight Advantage
page 28-29
Timelines
Notifications
Special Thanks to: Dean Ann W. Kimbrough, Genevieve McDaniel, Marva Ford-Jones, Wennifer Paul, Ashleigh Beverly, Kenneth Jones, Deana McAllister, BCBGMAXAZRIA Cover Design By: Dennis McMurray Cover Photo By: LaCrai Mitchell Cover Models: Marcus D. Yarber & Micah Baxter Table of Contents Design: Taylor Oates
Messages
Me
Copyright 2014 by Florida A&M University. All rights reserved. This issue of Journey magazine was produced by the student organization Journey with essential support from the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication. Journey is funded through the student activity and services fees, as allocated by the student senate of Florida A&M University. For more information on Journey or the Magazine Program, contact the Division of Journalism at 850-599-3379, 510 Orr Drive, Room 3078, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307.
1887 @lamitch1993
#EditorInChief #JourneyMag
1887 @nolandmccaskill #ManagingEditor #JourneyMag
1887 @sandmansigma13 #ArtDirector #JourneyMag
1887 @kambriaa #PhotoEditor #JourneyMag
Not Pictured: @chelseaadior #FemaleFashionStylist Adviser: Michael Douglas Art Team: Taylor Oates, Daniela St. Hilaire, Arnelia Waters Communications Team: Imani Bennett, Nadia Felder, Tien Holmes, Lissa Jules, Melissa Poux, Kiara Whitehead Deputy Copy Desk Chief: Sierra Brown Deputy Photo Editor: Monet Corbett Photography Team: Devante Jefferson, Daniela St. Hilaire, Darnica Hookfin, Deaudrick Williams 1887 @wolfganglebaron #MaleFashionStylist #JourneyMag
1887 @jetCetta #CommunicationsDirector #JourneyMag
1887 @lifesfascination_ #CopyDeskChief #JourneyMag
1887 @phimushu_13 #OnlineEditor #Jmagonline
1887 @travis_milton #OnlineEditor #Jmagonline
#i AM
ART
Written by: Robyn Mowatt | Design by: Dennis McMurray
Lena Waithe, 30 Los Angeles Twitter/IG: @HillmanGrad Twitter Followers: 4,815 Instagram Followers: 3,639
meet lena waithe
A
producer for the new film “Dear White People,” Lena Waithe has created an energetic political conversation with a film that explores the lives of four Black faces in a white space—the fictitious Winchester University, according to the original campaign on Indiegogo Inc.
Hailing from the Southside of Chicago, Waithe is a creator, writer and producer who uses her art and social media presence to create pieces that resonate authentic blackness. The “Hillman Grad” uses this particular Twitter handle to pay homage to the show that inspired her to create her art, “A Different World.” Hillman College was a fictional HBCU that served as the setting for the sitcom. Waithe credits “A Different World” with changing the course of her life and making her realize the world was bigger than her own backyard. “It was a groundbreaking show,” she said. “To me, I was very young—7 or 8—when I watched it. [I realized then that] whatever 06 • FALL 2014
that world was, I wanted to be a part of it.” A 2006 graduate from Columbia College in Chicago, Waithe studied writing and producing for television. Growing up, she deeply explored her identity and realized that she wanted to be a part of the television industry. Now, her work with “Dear White People” has created a film that received over one million views in June 2012, after a pilot was released on YouTube via Indiegogo Inc. In the same year, “Dear White People” raised $40,000 from crowdfunding and personalized outreach. The film received critically-acclaimed reviews after screening this year. Waithe tells stories that are pieces of her, stories that she believes are authentic because they are “actual stories” and “good art [that] have people being reflective after they watch it,” she said. Her other projects include: “Twenties” (Creator/Writer, Web Series) and “Hello Cupid” (Co-Creator, Web Series). Waithe said the biggest lesson she’s learned on her journey has been, “to be great” because there’s already enough mediocrity in the industry. “What matters most is your legacy and what people remember you by,” Waithe said. “You want to be remembered as someone who gave
Kyle Chattam, 25 Tallahassee Twitter/IG: @ChattamComplex @AlienAstronauts Twitter Followers: 987 Instagram Followers: 2,923
meet kyle chattam
C
reative geniuses in Tallahassee have created a name for themselves because of their distinct culture. Kyle Chattam, creative director of the brand Art Over Industry | Alien Astronauts, presents a refreshing perspective on what art means.
Chattam, originally from Stone Mountain, Georgia, created Art Over Industry with the following mission: “A collective of artists, Alien Astronauts is a revolutionary brand striving to raise awareness, entertain, and spread innovative ideas through art,” as stated on the website. Since he was a child, Chattam has been drawing and through the years he continued to express himself through art. Growing up, he used to sell his creations for ice cream money and throughout his life, he’s experimented with other drawing techniques. “I look at everything as art. My love for art is just my appreciation of life,” he said. In reference to art as a holistic piece of the world, Chattam describes art as a culture. “The culture is so distinct because a small subtlety in any of its aspects will affect all the others,” he said. Chattam is a self-titled “Renaissance Man,” who doesn’t believe in boxing himself within labels. Graphic art, illustrations, animations,
photography and film are some of the main avenues of expression that Alien Astronauts utilize. Chain Music Movie and Quarter Century Web Series are two recent film projects of Chattam and Alien Astronauts. Both are projects directed and written by the Florida A&M alumnus. In addition to local music and choreography videos with Tallahassee artists, the Alien Astronauts team is constantly working on collaborations. The pieces, which are graphic designs, include political figures such as Cornel West, Amiri Baraka, Eartha Kitt, and countless others. The art is usually posted on Twitter and Instagram, where it accumulates hundreds of likes and comments because of its uniqueness and attached quotes. The Second Annual Waffles & Brews Art Exhibit is the most recent project Alien Astronauts is conceptualizing. Chattam said, “We received a lot of great feedback from last year’s event and are pushing to take the experience to the next level in December.” To keep up with Alien Astronauts, visit alienastronauts.org and follow them on Twitter and Instagram. JOURNEY • 07 • 07 JOURNEY
"Diabeetus" Written by: Leah Wilson - Design by: Taylor Oates - Photo by: Monet Corbett
We’ve seen this before: It’s late, you’re watching TV, and in between your show, there’s a commercial about controlling your diabetes ‒ or as it is often called in the African-American community, “Diabeetus.” If you’re a college student, you ignore this message because you don’t think it applies to you. But on the contrary, you can be affected by this disease too. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in the sixth grade and I thought that my life was completely over. No sweets? Checking my sugar? Injections? Pills? It all happened very fast, and making the transition was a harsh reality that I had to face.
JOURNEY KETONE TEST
+ Do you experience frequent urination
(you find yourself running to the restroom every time you drink water, even through the night)?
+ Do you have an insatiable thirst (not to
be confused with “the THIRST”) throughout the day, even after having several cups of water?
+ Have you experienced sudden weight
loss?
+ Have you developed dark circles and
bags under your eyes, even though your sleep pattern is normal?
I went from eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, to counting carbs, considering the amount of sugar in food, checking my sugar levels and injecting insulin. Through my faith and discipline, I am living proof that there can be life after “diabeetus.” According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 29.1 million people in the United States are diagnosed with diabetes. Another 8.1 million people have the disease but have not been diagnosed. Ketone tests that check for traces of sugar in your urine can be used to determine whether you may have pre-diabetes but these are just surface symptoms. In addition to the ketone tests that can be purchased at your local pharmacy, Journey decided to make its own “ketone test” that you can take at home.
after the test
If you said yes to any of these questions, contact your primary care physician. The only way to get the most accurate results is to visit your doctor and the first step to healthy living is knowing whether you have the disease.
08 • FALL FALL 2013 08 2014
DO MEDS GROW ON M
J
Trees? WRITTEN BY: Sierra Brown DESIGN BY: DENNIS MCMURRAY
There was so much on the line Nov. 4. The midterm elections were just as highly anticipated as years before and one of this year’s hot topics of debate was the legalization of medicinal marijuana. According to BallotPedia.com, the Florida Right to Medical Marijuana Initiative was listed on the ballot as Amendment 2, allowing voters to choose whether to legalize medical marijuana. Two and a half years ago, California native Xavier Mann felt like he was losing his mind. Upon graduating from high school, it seemed like the walls of his life were closing in on him and the pressure was on. He didn’t know how to deal with the pressures and it seemed like every day was more stressful than the last. Living in Palmdale, Calif., where medical marijuana is legal, Mann was able to get a prescription. Mann’s stress subsided and things started to look up for him after using medical marijuana. Medical marijuana is used to treat a number of illnesses like glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, cancer, Crohn’s disease, pain and stress. Mann was diagnosed with stress-related alopecia, and prior to that diagnosis, he was developing bald spots. “I was losing my head,” Xavier said. “I just graduated high school, wasn’t working, and I had trouble in school. I was so stressed out. I was losing my hair and I was getting shots in all the bald spots to stimulate hair growth.”
A qualified physician evaluated Mann and gave him a prescription and certificate granting him permission to use medicinal marijuana in California. This also gave him the free reign to grow up to six plants of his own marijuana and to possess up to an ounce. So, is medicinal marijuana just a front for recreational use? Some people argue yes, such as third-year broadcast journalism student Shelinka Cunningham. Cunningham said patients prescribed to use medicinal marijuana should have more guidelines and restrictions.
“For so many people suffering from chronic diseases and stress, marijuana is a great substitute for a lot of things,” “People will just abuse this,” Cunningham said. “It’s already being abused. There are other options.” According to the Marijuana Policy Project, doctors in Florida are “required to complete and pass an eight-hour class following an exam on the medical applications of low-THC marijuana.” Once they pass, the doctors can register qualified patients to be part of the program that Gov. Rick Scott signed into effect in June. The program exempts a limited number of individuals with certain medical disorders from criminal penalties for using and possessing low-THC cannabis. “For so many people suffering from chronic diseases and stress, marijuana is a great substitute for a lot of things,” Mann said. “It’s a very good stress reliever and better than any pill or muscle relaxer.” Though Mann is just one person, there are several stories like his. Since being prescribed, Mann said his stress levels have declined and he keeps a steady job so he can move into his own place. “I don’t get stressed over the little things,” Mann said. “I just chill.” JOURNEY • 09
Written by: Asia Johnson | Design by: Daniela St. Hilaire
U
nfortunately when it comes down to eating in Tallahassee, it’s all about location, location, location. The heart of the capital city is lined with a large assortment of delivery fast food and casual dining restaurants, and an array of grocery stores. Take a drive to the south side of the city, or Frenchtown, and it’s another story. The south side of Tallahassee, where Florida A&M University is located, offers a small variety of options like McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, Wendy’s and small chains such as American Deli. There is a visible absence of casual fast food dining restaurants. There is one grocery store, Winn Dixie but beware because it can take a student up to 30 minutes to get there on foot. Health Magazine rates Panera Bread the No.1 fast food/casual dining restaurant and guess what? There is only one inside the city near Florida State University and two in more affluent areas on Blairstone Rd. and Thomasville Rd. Why are these options only found in certain areas of the city? The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines a food desert as an “urban or rural area without ready access to fresh, healthy and affordable food.” There are 23 million people living in these areas in the United States and more than half of them are in low-income families without access to a vehicle. There may be a correlation between the number of low-income families and the amount or types of fast food restaurants built in an area. Research shows that an unhealthy lifestyle can result in a higher chance of contracting heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure rates, which are higher among African-Americans.
10 •FALL 2014
Residents of Tallahassee find living in certain areas, such as the Southside, particularly difficult. Especially for college students. “I usually call up a friend [to give me a ride], but I don’t usually [want] to call because I don’t want to be a burden,” said Onyeka Ibe, a first-year pre-professional pharmacy student from Jacksonville, Florida. “It requires a lot. It would be easier if good [places to eat] were in walking distance.”
“When the option of eating healthy is not at your fingertips, getting creative becomes important.” When the option of eating healthy is not at your fingertips, getting creative becomes important. Amy Magnuson, a nutritionist at Florida State University, said that although it may seem like good options aren’t available, there are different ways to incorporate nutritional food into everyday life. “Even fast food establishments provide a variety of options, including fresh salads, fruit cups, yogurt and low-fat milk,” Magnuson said. “Incorporating these foods on a regular basis can help maintain a more balanced eating plan.”
JM
ONLINE CHECK
U S OUT @
WWW.JMA GONLIN E .C OM
JOURNEY • 11
Dear, mr. President what have you done for the u.s. lately?
Written by: TyLisa Johnson Design by: Dennis McMurray
W
Obama’s legacy.
ith President Barack Obama halfway through his second term, what better time to reflect on some of the landmark decisions of his presidency? Let’s take a minute to evaluate 6 major actions that will mark
1. Killing Osama Bin Laden On May 2, 2011, U.S. Special Forces killed Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. After years of living in fear of Al Qaeda, some feel that Obama restored a feeling of peace throughout the United States by executing the orders to kill Bin Laden. Seeing to the death of the man whose face is pinned to the 9/11 attacks on America, will go down as one of the biggest actions of Obama’s presidency.
2. Repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was the legislation that prohibited people with a homosexual orientation from going to war for our country. On Sep. 20, 2011, the legislation was officially repealed. This was a large win for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, 12 • FALL 2014
transexual, and queer communities, as they had been fighting for yearswith celebrities like Lady Gaga supporting them. On the one-year anniversary of the repeal, Obama issued a statement that said in part, “As Commander in Chief, I’ve seen that our national security has been strengthened because we are no longer denied the skills and talents of those patriotic Americans who happen to be gay or lesbian.”
3. Ending the War in Iraq One of Obama’s leading campaign platform points was to end the war in Iraq that was started by the Bush administration. The Obama administration had a plan of slow withdrawal of American troops and eight years after the beginning of the war, it officially ended on Dec. 21, 2011. All troops were officially out of Iraq.
4. 2013 Government Shutdown To some, the government shutdown of 2013 was one of
the most baffling situations during Obama’s presidency. The shut down was due to Congress’ failure to enact legislation that allocated funds for the 2014 fiscal year. After a 16-day shutdown, Obama signed the Continuing Appropriations Act, a bill that reopened the government and raised the debt ceiling.
5. Benghazi attack When the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya was attacked, four Americans were killed including the U.S. ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens. When news of the American deaths were publicized, White House officials gave differing explanations of the events surrounding the attack. It was initially announced that the attacks were acts of terrorism. However, information was later released criticizing the government for allegedly issuing stand-down orders to Special Forces that could have intervened. Painted with allegations of incompetence, there are endless theories of whether this situation was a conspiracy, cover-up or actual ignorance.
6. The ObamaCare Website Launch The launch of the ObamaCare, or Affordable Care Act, website was highly anticipated. In this age of technology, it seems that website creation should not have been a big issue; but on the day of the site’s launch, it experienced error messages, long load times, and crashes. Users were greeted by messages such as, “The System is down at the moment: We’re working to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Please try again later.” Most visitors were unable to create an account or register and the rocky site launch discouraged and distracted many people from registering. Journey has presented the case, now you be the judge of which of these actions are some of Obama’s best moves and which are some of his biggest busts.
JOURNEY • 13
14 • FALL 2014
FAMU experience, most of them end up going off and doing great things,” Gillum said.
FAMU DAZE To make your mark is to create significant change from where you are. Whether it’s the senate chambers of Florida A&M University or the fourth floor of City Hall, Mayor-elect Andrew Gillum began making his mark on Tallahassee a long time ago. At the age of 23, while still a student at Florida A&M University, Gillum became the youngest member elected into the Tallahassee City Commission. However, when Gillum wasn’t in board of trustees or city commission meetings, where was he? Who was he with? Gillum, like many before and after him, met life-long friends on the “Highest of Seven Hills.” “I met some of my closest friends today, hanging out on The Set and hanging out outside the dorm.” Some of the same classmates that Gillum partied with in college, continue to be a part of his circle of friends today—and get this, they’re just as successful as he is. Gillum said that his father always advised him to distance himself from people that didn’t have as much to lose as him. So, it’s no wonder that during his days on “The Hill,” Gillum developed friendships with a strong crew of people. As a matter of fact, he still keeps in touch with the “crew,” which is now composed of attorneys and the Chief of Staff for Congressman Cedric L. Richmond. “It’s a very FAMU thing to associate with these folks without having any knowledge about where any of us would end up and because of our
family
“R. Jai, I would say is everything,” said Gillum. “It’s truly been a real partnership in everything: in career, in love, in family. R. Jai is a perfect obtuse to me.” The eloquently-articulated expression of his love for Mrs. Gillum, is proof of the strong bond that the Gillums share. Throughout the interview, as he described Mrs. Gillum, I couldn’t help but notice how the mention of her name made his face light up. It’s hard to believe that even though both Gillums were on “The Hill” at the same time, they didn’t become friends until long after graduation. “When I was matriculating at Florida A& M, R. Jai and I were not friendly. Politically I was on a different side of the spectrum than she was,” said Gillum. “We actually didn’t get together until after college, when R. Jai had come back for graduate school at FAMU after being away for a number of years.” Gillum said that 10 years ago, he started a never-ending date with his life partner and now, they have two new additions. Although he and Mrs. Gillum aren’t getting much sleep these days, Gillum said being a dad to his twins—Caroline and Jackson—is an amazing experience because “they are a joy.” Their distinctly different personalities make them “the perfect opposites” because even at a young age, Gillum says they understand the importance of balance—a concept that Gillum thinks is going to be essential in their upbringing as “Tallahassee’s First Babies.” “I think our kids are going to have
“R. Jai, I would say is everything,” said Gillum. “R.Jai is a perfect obtuse to me.” JOURNEY • 15
a very healthy balance of what it means to have a public life but also what it means to have what is most important, which is love and family and chores, and responsibilities,” said Gillum.
politics
In February 2003, Gillum was elected to his role as City Commissioner. Now, almost 12 years later, he finds himself in a similar position with a new role—mayor of Tallahassee. Gillum is taking on this role at such a pivotal time in our nation’s history for African-American males. With the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Travyon Martin, Michael Brown, and many other young African-American males, Gillum said that he thinks it’s important that everyone, regardless of race, realizes the reality of the situation at hand. Gillum said that the outcome of the situations with these young men might have had a different fate if they were a different race. “The experience of a black male in this country is very different and almost disadvantaged than that of almost any other race,” Gillum said. “It’s just that way.” However Gillum remains hopeful for a brighter tomorrow, especially with initiatives like the president’s ‘My Brother’s Keeper.’ “He’s [Obama’s] taking this part of his presidency to evaluate ‘what are those lasting things that I can do recognizing the significance that I am the first black president.’ Part of that has to be the legacy that he leaves for young black men.”
16
FALL 2014
“The experience of a black male in this country is very different and almost disadvantaged than that of almost any other race,” Gillum said. “It’s just that way.”
MAGAZINE
SUPPORTS
LUPUS Awareness
In an effort to raise awareness and recognize important causes and social issues throughout our world, Journey has decided to begin a campaign called Journey Cares. This issue, we recognize Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects at least 1.5 million Americans. According to lupus.org, every year, more than 16,000 new cases of Lupus are reported and we at Journey would like to take the time to salute everyone that has been affected by this chronic disease.
To learn more information about Lupus, visit www.lupus.org. JOURNEY
17
THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE
Instagrammed
Written by: Vince Ross Design by: Dennis McMurray
A
nguish and frustration have been felt around the country due to violent police encounters that have left a number of black males dead. This is nothing new. The recurrence is seemingly a tragic, uncomfortable normality, like a bad wound unconsciously being split open again and again. A ProPublica study showed that 1,217 deadly police shootings involving males ages 15-19 occurred from 20102012. Of those numbers, white males were killed at a rate of 1.47 per million, while black males were killed at a much higher rate of 31.47 per million. The alarming rate of these incidents and their consequences, or lack thereof, draw parallels to a time when a lynch mob 18 V SPRING 2014
could string a black body on a tree and carelessly go on with their day. The lives of Trayvon Martin, Jonathan Ferrell, Michael Brown and Vonderrit Myers aren’t the only ones that have been lost to an erroneous system. We pick up picket signs and participate in “hands up” rallies, but the answer to how we can ensure and protect the value of black life is much more rigorous than we want to admit. Ja’mesha Horne, a fourth-year criminal justice student from Palm Beach, Florida, said she’s studying to become a homicide detective to help fight the problem from within and to ensure the protection of her 1-year-old son, Reginald.
“It starts at home and how each parent chooses to shape their child’s worldview,” Horne said. “But because you can’t change everyone’s heart and the way they perceive others, we have to be aware of our surroundings. We must know the law and we have to assume positions of power and authority that enable change to happen from within the system.” The theme throughout the deaths of Martin, Ferrell, Brown, Myers and so many others is that the shooters initiated contact with the victims under suspicious circumstances. The victims were ultimately, and perhaps wrongfully, perceived to be a threat in the minds of the men who took their lives. What’s worse is that this ideology has circumvented throughout society. The lack of immediate action taken against the shooters has facilitated a lack of accountability, and the perpetrators in these encounters seem to maintain a comfortable shield under the law. Officer Darren Wilson of Ferguson, Missouri still has not been charged for gunning down Brown in early August and the officer who shot Myers 17 times in nearby St. Louis, has not been identified. Officer Randall Kerrick was indicted for voluntary manslaughter after killing Ferrell, who was seeking assistance following a car crash. Although Kerrick used excessive force—firing at Ferrell 12 times—the first grand jury that reviewed the case requested that the charges be lessened. The handling of these cases raise serious questions concerning our judicial system. The lack of consequences for these offenders breeds violent incidents that rock communities such as Ferguson, Missouri and Sanford, Florida. Communities react swiftly with demonstrations that call for the firing and arrest of these individuals, but is that enough? Phillip Agnew, a Florida A&M alumnus and executive director and co-founder of the Dream Defenders, has been a driving force behind the effort to bring about change concerning these issues. Agnew said that arrests and convictions aren’t enough and that we must change our overall ideology as a society. “There’s a cultural shift that needs to happen,” Agnew said. “Just as it was unacceptable for women to not be able to vote or people of different races to drink at separate water fountains, it must be unacceptable to take and devalue a life.” Millions of people around the country put on black hoodies to bring attention to the injustice of Trayvon Martin’s death, but once the attention had been garnered, what was done to
alter the system that ultimately allowed the injustice to occur initially? A petition for the “Mike Brown Law” ‒ which would require all state, county and local police to wear cameras ‒ quickly reached hundreds of thousands of signatures. But as weeks passed, the effort seemingly died. The issue is deeper than making a quick decision to racially profile or use excessive force. It is the culmination of a society that has ills embedded into its very fabric of existence. The PBS special, “America After Ferguson: Defining Systems of Bias,” featured Agnew speaking about the systematic oppression that African-Americans continue to face in America. “The people that are killing the people in our community are very organized,” Agnew said during the interview with PBS.“So if you’re going to mount an ample resistance to those forces, then you must be organized. It’s knowing that it wasn’t just about Trayvon Martin but it’s about a system of police oppression, police harassment and racial profiling…” Simply acknowledging the systems of oppression that plague our communities is not enough. We must actively organize to change the balance of power. Ownership is the potential step that could translate into true economic power, which may be the key in influencing and controlling the public policy that all too often dictates the outcome of happenings within our communities. We have to do more than just vote every four years in the presidential election while neglecting our local and state elections. The answer to how we ensure and protect the value of black life is simple but the effort necessary to accomplish the goal is undoubtedly taxing. True change can’t come if advocacy is only illustrated in our ideology. It must also be integrated into our policy. If we want to prevent our youth from being the next victims of injustice, we must meet the challenge of self-empowerment head on.
“We pick up picket signs and participate in ‘hands up’ rallies but the answer to how we can ensure and protect the value of black life is much more rigorous than we want to admit.” JOURNEY • 19
the
fallen February 26, 2012: 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is shot and killed by neighborhood watch captain, George Zimmerman (Sanford, FL). November 23, 2012: 17-year-old Jordan Davis is shot and killed by Michael Dunn, for playing “loud music” in his car. Dunn opened fire on three of Davis’ friends, who were also in the car (Jacksonville, FL). July 13, 2013: George Zimmerman is found “not guilty” on charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter. September 14, 2013: Jonathan Ferrell is SHOT 10 times by Officer Randall Kerrick, while seeking assistance after his car crashed (Charlotte, NC). January 28, 2014: Officer Kerrick is indicted by a grand jury on the charges of voluntary manslaughter (He was originally arrested and charged by the CharlotteMecklenburg police department with voluntary manslaughter less than 24 hours after the shooting took place). February 15, 2014: Michael Dunn is found “guilty” on three counts of attempted second-degree murder (for shooting at JORDAN Davis’ friends in the car) but there’s a mistrial on the first-degree murder charge (for shooting and killing Jordan Davis). Dunn faces 60 years in prison. August 9, 2014: 18-year-old Michael Brown is shot and killed by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, MO. October 8, 2014: Vonderitt Myers was shot and killed by a police officer in St. Louis, after allegedly firing the first shot.
20 t• FALL 2014
YES YES MEANS
written by: Asia Johnson Designed by: Dennis McMurray
“Between 20 and 25 percent of women in college will be sexually assaulted.”
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tatistics on sexual assaults against women are alarming and women are disproportionately at risk for these types of crimes. The White House Council on Women and Girls reported that while one in five women will be assaulted in their lifetime, as little as one in 71 men will face a similar fate. Between 20 and 25 percent of women in college will be sexually assaulted. Kierra Stover, a fourth-year humanities student at Florida State University, said she believes the issue is with consent. “Somehow this concept escapes the comprehension of the majority of our society,” Stover said. “No only means no when you’re sober or no only means no if you say it at the beginning. It’s sometimes startling to hear otherwise good people define ‘rape.’ ” The Department of Education’s Office (DOE) of Civil Rights released a report this year on the Title IX investigations of an extensive list of colleges and universities. The list was based on the handling of sexual assault cases. If any school being investigated is found to be negligent in cases, state funding may be withdrawn. Universities such as Florida State, are responding to the DOE’s Title IX investigations by launching programs to educate students on sexual violence. In 2013, FSU quarterback Jameis Winston found himself thrust into the national spotlight for something other than sports. Winston was accused of sexually assaulting a young woman after a party. Winston has played in nearly every game since the alleged attack, leaving some wondering what the university’s top priority really is. Dolly Duffy, executive director of Notre Dame’s Alumni Association, expressed concern for the alleged victim. “Can you imagine being that young woman?” Duffy asked. “That would be a difficult spot to be in.” The state of California is making strides toward a more comprehensive sexual assault policy. In late September, Gov. Jerry Brown signed California’s “yes means yes” bill. The law requires university students to obtain direct consent from sexual partners, showing that agreement rather than resistance qualifies what sexual assault is. This paramount decision may prompt other states to follow suit.
JOURNEY JOURNEY V 21 • 21 JOURNEY
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SAVING FACE
Written by: Ebony Gibbs and Taylor Bankston Design by: Taylor Oates
Some say the well-known phrase, “Black don’t crack,” rings true within the African-American Community. The darker pigmentation of skin provides protection from harmful radiation and essentially, does not crack. If you’re wondering how to keep from “cracking,” it’s vital to know what works best for you in the areas of healthy eating, exercise, and self-esteem. These aspects promote the upkeep and health of African-Americans across the world.
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Here are some of Journey’s tips to maintaining healthy skin, a fit body, and voluminous hair:
1. It takes a lot of self-motivation to get fit. Start small by staying
away from fast and processed foods. Instead, incorporate more raw fruits and vegetables into your diet.
2.
Exercise at least twice a week and drink lots of water. Exercising improves your mood, boosts your energy, and aids in weight loss; while water hydrates us and keeps our skin looking refreshed.
3. It’s important to stay updated about certain risk factors for
diseases such as diabetes that greatly affect the health of the AfricanAmerican community. Knowing the risk factors can help prevent future health issues.
4. Rock natural hairstyles such as afros, twist outs, and Marley braids22 • FALL 2014
just to name a few—it can send a visual image to our world and the younger generation that says “it’s OK to embrace your natural beauty.”
3 U
THE HARD WAY
rban Dictionary defines “three the hard way” as an impossibility, something that’s very hard to achieve. We at Journey like to define it as regal, royal and presidential. We like to define it as being the first permanent female president of Florida A&M University. We define it as being the head of the student body and the voice for peers as a board of trustees member. We at Journey define “three the hard way” as being more than just a smile that walks and waves while serving as the “pretty face” of the university.
WRITTEN BY: Marisa Richard DESIGN BY: Arnelia Waters
President Elmira Mangum, student body President and BOT member Tonnette Graham and the 108th Miss Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, Dominique L. James, are three of FAMU’s most influential women, and Journey sat down with them to discuss the glamour, the undisclosed and the future of FAMU. It’s a beautiful Monday morning and the flags are waving high in front of Lee Hall. The elevator accelerates to the fourth floor and for the first time, Journey is standing
JOURNEY • 23
inside the office suite of the first permanent female president of FAMU. Mangum, Graham and James are elegantly-dressed—Mangum in a deep forest green suit with pumps to match, Graham in a camel-colored skirt suit with pearl jewelry, and James in a well-fitted black dress with black pumps and her beautiful sash draped perfectly across her shoulders. They laugh about how their hair is always laid and how their eyebrows “stay on fleek,” but we quickly learn that they are much more than pretty faces. Each of these women have different responsibilities to uphold, and they all handle them—gracefully.
Q: Who are your biggest female inspirations? A: “It would have to be my mother, Alice Mangum, and
have the opportunity to be in the front. Mangum said that in her new leadership role, FAMU will be a fully-restored, best-in-class university five years from now. She said we will be a quality institution of higher learning. “It’s about building a brand and a quality of education that is appealing to prospective students,” Mangum said. “We want quality and to expose that quality to the rest of the world.” There are visions and legacies that these three women want to achieve during their tenures. All of them, in their respective positions, plan to leave their mark on FAMU. Graham has a personal legacy goal. “I want my legacy to be that I was driven by the student body and at the latter of my tenure, that students will acknowledge that hopefully I left FAMU in a better position than when I found it,” she said. In her role as Miss FAMU, James is afforded the privilege of travelling to other HBCUs and meeting their campus queens. She attributes the queen that she is to the other 103 queens that she’s met. “We experience the same quarrels and issues, and it’s refreshing to know that I’m not the only one,” James said. “It’s very hard being the face of your entire university and after travelling, I can say that FAMU has the best student body and the best administration.”
other than that Barbara Jordan,” Mangum said. “My mother is the strongest woman I know.” James follows shortly after, “My female inspiration would have to be my five-year-old niece Maleah. There’s an innocence about her that’s undeniable. She inspires me to be better, so I can tell her to be better.” And Graham closes, “Mine is my godmother, who is also a FAMU alumna,” she said. “She’s just always challenged me to be great, and as a female strive to be the best and never Q: What are your favorite past-times, favorite rattler memosettle for mediocrity.” ries, and most importantly…what’s the secret to the “FAMU It’s a pivotal time for the university and there are so many flip”? women in decision-making positions. “I’m a firm believer A: As for hobbies, Mangum enjoys playing golf, skiing, and that women are the neck of anybody,” James said. “No playing with her Bull Boxer dog. matter if we’re in the front or behind, we turn the head in the Tonnette takes pride in being a third-generation rattler and appropriate direction. We have the final decision.” Mangum admits that as a Tallahassee native, FAMU homecoming is said the time has come for women to lead from in front. her fondest memory: “We’ve always led, but it’s always been from behind, so it’s “Coming to the games and anticipating the parade, convocation, pep rallies. Any Tallahassee native can tell you good to have the first seat,” Mangum said. when it’s homecoming it’s a week off from school,” Graham said. Women bring special strengths, skills and knowledge to any This past homecoming was highly anticipated and Graham position, so some would agree that it’s only fitting that we said bringing back the “traditional “ homecoming experience was truly rewarding. As for the FAMU flip, Dominique says, “Girl it’s no secret, you just need a comb a good flat iron and a silk pillowcase.” Believe it or not, the 108th Miss FAMU says, “The upkeep of my image is vital. I’ve always been a glamour girl, but I really hate putting on makeup everyday.” The inaugural convocation ceremony for Mangum has come and gone, the Graham-Mackey administration has delivered an unforgettable homecoming experience to the students, and James has been crowned, officially becoming Miss FAMU. It’s a new season for FAMU, and whether you know it or not, it’s driven by you. We will continue to DOMOnate as a best-in-class university, and it seems that this time around, three isn’t so hard.
24 • FALL 2014
MAGAZINE
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Written by: Terrie HookďŹ n | Design by: Dennis McMurray
Dear Hip Hop, we can't scream "murder, misogyny, lawlessness" in our music & then turn around and ask for equality & justice.
In the midst of all of the events surrounding the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, rapper Lecrae questioned the outpouring of anger and anguish from hip-hop artists. His tweet was met with both support and anger but perhaps Lecrae spoke the truth. Maybe it is too much to ask for the law to work on our behalf in one verse and then speak about breaking the law in the next. 26 • FALL 2014
What is hip-hop? Is it music, beats, breakdancing, graffiti, The Sugarhill Gang? The overwhelming response I received was, “It depends.” Baby boomer Shirley Frazier asked, “Are we talking about now or then?” One thing is clear: there is a distinction, an unsaid line drawn in the sand, between what hip-hop was and what hip-hop has become. Hip-hop used to be an outlet. It used to be a voice for the “voiceless” disenfranchised youth of impoverished areas. Hip-hop and the artists behind the music, were mirrors reflecting the social, economic, and political plight of listeners’ lives. But now it seems that the focus has shifted to the objectification of women, drug abuse, and the glorification of money. So have the powerful lyrics that once gave people voices, that pushed for social change and that enlightened an era, become just characterizations of the past? Has hip-hop lost its influence to create social change? Rapper Jay Macabee said it hasn’t. “Hip-hop is influential,” Macabee said. “Understand it’s a biased notion to assume that hip-hop isn’t influential. Hip-hop will always create social change, whether good or bad. That’s its purpose, to fuel a certain mindset within your mind.” Hip-hop is a multibillion dollar industry that influences everything from fashion and sports to television and mass media marketing. And while hip-hop is in a sphere of influence where it can lead this generation, most artists forgo that opportunity. Instead of lyrics of hopes, dreams, successes and goals, artists preach misogyny, pornography, lawlessness, and greed. For the hip-hop artists whose messages are opposite of mainstream artists, such as Common, Lupe Fiasco, Talib Kweli and Lecrae, they’re often seen as “soft,” “too conscious,” “controversial” or ”religious.” How can social change be created for the betterment of hip-hop’s listeners when the artists are constantly injecting poison over purpose into their lyrics? Poison such as rapper Rick Ross’ lyrics that condone rape in Rocko's song, "U.O.E.N.O.": "Put molly all in her champagne, she ain’t even know it / I took her home and I enjoyed that, she ain’t even know it" Poison such as when Eminem advocated violence against women and drug abuse in his song “Kill You”: “They ain't say I can't rap about coke no more / Slut, you think I won't choke no whore / ‘Til the vocal cords don't work in her throat no more?” If directly degrading women isn’t quite their style, some artists prefer to replace “women” with “b----es, hoes and tricks” in their lyrics because, according to Snoop Dogg, “B----es ain’t s--t but hoes and tricks.” The objectification of women in music videos has become a common visual tool displayed to largely, youth-filled audiences. Nelly’s “Tip Drill” video infamously displays women in bikinis dancing and simulating various sexual acts. In the video men throw money on women's breasts and buttocks while Nelly is swiping a credit card between
a woman’s buttocks. A study done by Kaiser Family Foundation found that of seventh to 12th graders who listen to recorded music, 65 percent listened to hip-hop. This age group is extremely impressionable and whether hip-hop artists recognize this or not, they are sometimes the only role models kids see. In the song “Just Like You,” Grammy award-winning hip-hop artist, Lecrae, explains how he used to look to rap artists for direction: “So now I’m looking at the media and following what they feed me / Rap stars, trap stars whoever wants to lead me / Even though they lie, they still tell me that they love me / They say I’m good at bad things, at least they proud of me” While some hip-hop artists are feeding us “thug life” ideals that lead to destruction, they're enjoying lavish lifestyles with their wives, children and mansions—a major contradiction. Hip-hop artists are creating music that most admit their own children aren’t allowed to partake in. They already have their white picket fences but don’t teach their listeners how to obtain their own “American dream.” Is it safe to say that hip-hop’s current condition is a direct contradiction of the very change our ancestors worked endlessly to create? A change we argue and debate over, a change that artists say they want but that our music culture contradicts? One could argue that the real injustice isn’t the death of young black males, police brutality or racism; the real injustice is complementing contradictions. Has hip-hop traded its power to create social change for pocket change?
“...Hip-hop will always create social change, whether good or bad. That’s its purpose, to fuel a certain mindset...” JOURNEY • 27
SPOTLIGHT
ADVANTAGE
Does society glamorize celebrity scandals? Written by: Travis Milton Design by: Taylor Oates Photo Credit :AP Exchange
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omestic violence, felony assault, and abuse of official capacity are just a few of the many charges pinned ondue some nation’s most beloved public figures. the average person to of thethe fact that they possess money and power.With Sgt.celebrities Hawkins such as ex-NFL running back Ray R&B artist Chris Brown, and long-standing Wesley Hawkins Sr. Rice, of theGrammy-award-winning Tallahassee Police Department explains it’s because sometimes politician Rick Perry in theyou spotlight forbetter recenttreatment “scandals,you ” it’s receive. no wonder everyone’s asking,that “Doifpublic figures the more money have the He used the analogy think they’re above thehas law?” person A gets shot and insurance, while person B gets shot and doesn’t have the same In some cases, it appears so. Public figures are seemingly deemed superior to the average person same luxury sometimes. because they have more money and power. Sergeant Wesley Hawkins Sr. of the Tallahassee Police Department said sometimes the more money you have, the better treatment you receive. community service, and subject herself to a rehabilitation center, rather than face jail time for reckless driving and providing false information to police. Instead of Bbeing Hemisdemeanor used the analogy that if person A gets shot and has insurance while person gets shot and treated as individuals who break the law and pay the price, oftentimes celebrities receive doesn’t have insurance, who gets treated first? Celebrities receive the same luxury sometimes. punishments similar to Lohan’s. 2013, Lohan a pleaiswhere shejunior was able to payStudent a fine, complete community service “IfInthey areLindsay penalized, thereceived punishment soft,” says Political Howard Ferguson. and admit herself to a rehabilitation center instead of facing jail time for misdemeanor However in the recent cases of Ray Rice, Chris Brown, and Rick Perry severe punishments reckless driving and providing false information police.“No. Oftentimes celebrities receive punishments were dealt, contradicting cases like that oftoLohan. In an idealistic world, no one is above similar to Lohan's instead of being treated and punished as individuals who break the law. the law,” says Pro Football Hall of Famer, Kellen Winslow Sr. Having capital and status does “If they are penalized,false, the other punishment soft,” said a junior statement is seemingly times itsisproven to beHoward true. “It’sFerguson, how society treats political them, science student. social status means everything,” states Hawkins.
28 • FALL 2014
However, in the recent cases of Rice, Brown, and Perry, severe punishments were dealt, contradicting cases like that of Lohan. “In an idealistic world, no one is above the law,” Pro Football Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow Sr said. Having capital and status doesn’t mean that well-known public figures are above the law and while sometimes this statement is seemingly false, other times it has proven to be true. “It’s how society treats them,” Hawkins said.
“Social status means everything.” The domestic violence case between Rice and his then-fiancée gained a lot of attention because this was a severe altercation caught on tape involving a beloved athlete. If this incident happened to a regular citizen in America, not many people would be as aware of it because it wouldn’t be as publicized through news and social media, as it has been in this case, simply because this person is not a household name.
figures stay existent in the news. Anything they do can spark attention. Winslow said it’s all about accountability, making better decisions and staying out of trouble. With social media being so prevalent, there is no escaping publicity when you wind up in a dilemma. Law enforcement reads the Miranda Rights to public figures as well as to common citizens the same way. Nowhere does it say, “Since you can afford a lawyer, one will not be appointed to represent you before any questioning.”
Domestic violence altercations happen every day. Hawkins said the media shows an interest in the ones who are in the public eye. Today, social media is just another tool to report and receive news. Social media finds all news—the good and the bad. It plays a role in how these
JOURNEY • 29 Photo cred: Google images
JOURNEY FASHION PREVIEW
BCBGeneration dress $98 Black dress with split BCBGeneration faux fur pelt $54 Zara stiletto heel $99.90
BCBG MAXAZRIA Jennifer Leather Jacket $588 (white leather jacket) BCBG MAXAZRIA “Tori” Dress $118
BCBG MAXAZRIA “Savannah” Dress $118
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MODELS PICTURED
Maranda Bannerman Maritza Bannerman Photos by: Monet Corbett
BCBGeneration “Brulee” leggings $118 BCBGENERATION Blazer $148
(left to right) BCBGeneration Black/Silver Blazer $158 BCBG MAXAZRIA “Maddex” leggings $138 Heels- Journey Closet
BCBG MAXAZRIA Jennifer Leather Jacket $588 (white leather jacket) BCBG MAXAZRIA “Tori” Dress $118
BCBG MAXAZRIA “Savannah” Dress $118
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