NUBIAN MESSAGE
THE SENTINEL OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AT NC STATE UNIVERSITY
RALEIGH, NC n VOL. XIII, ISSUE 15 n THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM n FEBRUARY 20, 2013
Black Power Issue
PROFILED? Student’s Shoes Laced With Controversy
Freshman Justin Morrison was detained in the Atrium by Campus Police on Feb. 6 when another student reported he was wearing stolen sneakers. | Kelly Darden
Freshman accuses Campus Police of Racial Profiling Kierra Leggett Editor-in-Chief
J
ustin Morrison, a freshman majoring in civil
cooperated with campus police, and placed his hands
engineering, has accused Campus Police of racial
behind his back. According to Morrison, when he
profiling, after they detained him in the Atrium
asked the police why he was being detained, one of the
on Feb. 6 because of the $130 sneakers he was wearing. “I was in the Atrium with a few of my friends and
Confused, Morrison told his friends “Don’t worry
of nowhere two [white] cops came up, put their hands
about it, because I know I didn’t do anything. I’ll talk
on my back and told me to put my hands behind
to y’all soon.”
stopped what they were doing and stared.”
2012 at a retail price of $130. | Kelly Darden
right now.”
we were eating lunch, nothing was going on, when out
my back,” said Morrison. “Everyone in the Atrium
Morrison’s “Gym Red” Air Jordan Retro One Sneakers were released for sale on Dec. 31,
officers replied, “The pair of shoes that you have on
Morrison, who said he was “humiliated,”
He was handcuffed by police inside of the Atrium and then escorted outside to a police car, where he was frisked. While being escorted to the car, Morrison
Profiled continued page 3
2 |February 20th, 2013
Letter From The Editor
Upcoming Events Feb. 20 |
Nubian message
The Power of Your Black Hand
MOnetary KOntrol
Join the ladies of the Kappa Omicron chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. and the Mu Omicron chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. as they discuss investment tips and saving plans for college students. Business Casual attire preferred. 7:08pm, Riddick 315 Feb. 20 |
Wild-Out Wed. Viewing Party
Come out and support NCSU’s own A.B.R. as they perform on BET’s 106 & Park Wild-Out Wednesday. Refreshments included. 6:00-7:30pm, Talley Blue Room Feb. 23 | Blacks in Wax Live Museum Join us as we remember and honor those who fought for equality and justice. 10:00-1:00pm, Witherspoon Student Center
T
o All My Nubian Brothers and Sisters,
that for centuries, black people have been
have decided to focus this paper on power,
What’s Up?
powerful enough to overcome.
more specifically Black Power.
My junior year of college has been a
The color of my skin is a reminder of
Each article in this week’s paper analyzes
year full of self-discovery and a deeper
the oppressive laws and practices that for
the relationship between African Americans
connection, love and sense of pride in the
centuries, black people have been powerful
and various forms of power, whether it is
fact that I am black.
enough to overthrow.
the struggle to obtain power, the power of
Obviously, the fact that I am black is not
26th Annual African American Quiz Bowl
Cash prize, raffles and door prizes! 1:30pm, Sankofa Room
knowing ones history, or the ways in which our power is jeopardized.
something that’s new to me, however the
the struggle for equality that for centuries,
appreciation I feel for the color of my skin
black people have been powerful enough to
is.
fight for, and continue to fight for on a daily
is not to claim superiority of African
basis.
Americans over other races, nor is it to bash
Though I’ve never been ashamed of being black, up until now, I’ve also never really been excited about it. While many would consider the color of
Feb. 23 |
The color of my skin is a reminder of
my skin to be a crippling factor in today’s society, I don’t. Instead, for me, the color of my skin is a reminder of the second-class treatment
The color of my skin is a reminder that I come from a race of powerful people and as cliché as it may sound, it is a reminder that I have the power and responsibility to be
The purpose of this week’s Nubian
other racial groups. Its purpose is to elicit conversation and critical thinking about the various interactions of power among black people.
powerful too.
The purpose of this week’s paper is to
That is why in this week’s issue of the Nubian Message, as we continue with our
remind you of the power of your black hand.
celebration of Black History Month, we
-Kierra Leggett
Nubian Message
Sentinel of the African-American Community at North Carolina State University KIERRA LEGGETT | EDITOR - IN - CHIEF DEERRICKA GREEN | MANAGING EDITOR STAFF WRITERS: CHRISTOPHER LYNN CHELSEA GARDNER SHAWN MURRAY AMANDA MCKNIGHT AARON THOMAS DEVONTE KEITH ALFRED ANDERSON TRAVIS GATLING KELLY DARDEN Only with the permission of our elders do we proudly produce each edition of the Nubian Message. Dr. Yosef ben-Yochannan: Dr. John Henrik Clark: Dr. Leonard Jeffries: The Black Panther Party: Mumia A. Jamal: Geronimo Pratt: Tony Williamson: Dr. Lawrence Clark: Dr. Augustus McIver Witherspoon: Dr. Wandra P. Hill: Mr. Kyran Anderson: Dr. Lathan Turner: Dr. M. Iyailu Moses: Dokta Toni Thorpe and all those who accompany us as we are STILL on the journey to true consciousness. COPYRIGHT 2011 BY NORTH CAROLINA STATE STUDENT MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Locations Avent Ferry Complex Caldwell Hall DH HILL LIBRARY
engineering building ii
Harrelson Hall Witherspoon Student Center Wolf Village Apartments
325 Witherspoon Student Center Box 7138 NC State University Raleigh, NC 27695-371 PHONE NUMBER: 919.515.1468 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: ncsu.nubian@gmail.com TWITTER: @NUBIANMESSAGE Facebook.com/NubianMessage
News
nubian message
February 20th, 2013| 3
Profiled continued from page 1
Composite sketch of suspect in Dec. 3, 2012 Avent Ferry Complex armed robbery. Morrison revisits the exact place in the Atrium where he was detained on Feb. 6. | Kelly Darden
said he continually asked for further
about who I hang out with and talk to,
clarification about why he was being
even after they saw that I actually paid
biology class as a result of his
of what makes this right, and how your
detained. According to Morrison the
for the shoes.”
detention, said that after searching his
institution justifies that your handling
room, officers left without filing any
of my innocent son was right.”
officers responded, “We don’t really know all the details.” After being frisked, he said he was transported to the Campus Police Station where he was interrogated. “They took me to the interrogation
Lt. David Kelly, the Public Relations Officer for Campus Police, offered an explanation for why Morrison was detained. “It stemmed from an incident that occurred on Dec. 3, in which a student
room, and the first thing they asked
in Avent Ferry was robbed,” said Kelly.
me was about the shoes I had on and if
According to Kelly, among the items
they had anyone else’s DNA on them,”
stolen from the student was a “very
said Morrison.
unique pair of tennis shoes,” which the
Morrison said he wasn’t sure how to answer that question because you can get DNA from just walking around, so he asked the officer what he meant
victim noticed Morrison wearing in the atrium on Feb.6, thus prompting him to notify Campus Police. “I normally buy sneakers that are
by that question. “The officer told
really different,” said Morrison. “Those
me it was a ‘yes or no question,’” said
sneakers were real different, they were
Morrison, “But, I didn’t really answer
all red, and I’ve never seen anyone
it because if I answered ‘no’ and they
with them.” According to Morrison
found DNA on it, I’d get in trouble, but
the victim of the Dec. 3 robbery said
if I said ‘yes,’ they’d say ‘Oh well we got
similar things regarding the novelty of
the guy.’’’
the shoes.
Morrison said that after further
Morrison’s sneakers were not
questioning him about where he got his
released for sale until Dec. 31, 2012,
shoes, Campus Police questioned him
which has led him to develop his own
about an armed robbery that occurred
theory as to why the victim reported
at Avent Ferry Residence Hall on Dec.
him to Campus Police. “Those sneakers
3, 2012. The victim of the robbery
didn’t come out until 28 days after the
reported having an expensive pair of
robbery happened,” said Morrison. “My
sneakers stolen.
friends and I think he just wanted the
Morrison, who ordered his sneakers online, retrieved his e-receipt from his
shoes.” Morrison said once they concluded
smartphone, proving to Campus Police
with their interrogation, Campus
that his size 11, “Gym Red” Air Jordan
Police asked for permission to search
Retro One sneakers were not stolen.
his room, which he granted them.
“I ordered the shoes when they
Kelly would not elaborate on
came out, so I had the confirmation
why Morrison’s room was searched,
number in my e-mail” said Morrison.
saying those details were “part of the
“I showed that to them [Campus
investigation.”
Police] and they still questioned me
Morrison, who missed an afternoon
charges. It was then that he telephoned his parents to let them know what happened.
justice in this? We need an explanation
Woodson has responded to Deborah Morrison’s e-mail, by reaching out directly to Justin, one week after
“My parents were mad about the
his detention. “The Chancellor told me
way [Campus Police] went about doing
that he was sorry it happened and that
[detaining me],” said Morrison. “They
there wasn’t really anything they could
should have asked me off to the side
do about it,” said Morrison. According
instead of putting me in handcuffs in
to Morrison, Woodson also told him
front of everybody and embarrassing
that the incident was “unfortunate.”
me. They’ve now put a name over my head as like a criminal. The people in the Atrium who I didn’t know are going to think I’m a criminal. People are still asking me ‘Aren’t you that guy who got arrested in the Atrium?’ and I have to respond, falsely arrested.”
“Those sneakers didn’t come out until 28 days after the robbery happened. My friends and I think he just wanted the shoes.”
- Justin Morrison Despite Morrison’s qualms with the way the situation was handled, Kelly said that Campus Police was “within protocol to place the subject in handcuffs” considering that he was at the time being detained under suspicions of involvement with an armed robbery, and Campus Police didn’t know if “he had a firearm.” In an e-mail sent to Chancellor Randy Woodson, Morrison’s mother Deborah wrote, “ My son did not choose to go to N.C. State… to be stereotyped and humiliated because he is black, has a thin mustache, and wears expensive shoes. Where is the
Though he appreciates the Chancellor’s gesture, 19-year-old Morrison feels more could have been done to appease him. “It didn’t really satisfy me, because I felt like [the incident] was downplayed,” said Morrison. “It just seemed like he didn’t think it was that big of a deal.” The Chancellor was unavailable for comment on this story by press deadline. While racial profiling against African American males is something that Morrison, who has no criminal record, has heard about, the Eagle Scout and honor student said his recent encounter with Campus Police has opened his eyes to the ugly truth surrounding the problem. “I’ve definitely heard about it, and that incident—it definitely solidified it and made it more real.” Kelly would not comment on Morrison’s accusations against Campus Police, nor would he provide a comment on whether or not NCSU students should be concerned that they could be racially profiled by Campus Police.
4 |February 20th, 2013
Lifestyles
Nubian message
From Black Panther, to Howling Wolf NCSU Professor Tells of His Radical Past
Dr. Rupert Nacoste giving a speech at the N.C. State Wake Up! It’s Serious Rally against racism on Nov. 17, 2010. | Technician Archives
Amanda McKnight Staff Writer
D
r. Rupert Nacoste is a former
in my neighborhood I’m not going to turn
his teachers on their teaching style,
of the Civil Rights Movement in many
member of the Black Panther
the other cheek, we will defend ourselves.”
after reading a book given to him by his
ways,” said Nacoste.
Party for Self Defense (BPP).
According to Nacoste, the BPP was
brother.
A tenured professor who has been at
created in response to all of the tragedy
N.C. State for more than 25 years, Nacoste
happening in America and abroad. “At
brought me back a book by Eldridge
joined the BPP, which was co-founded by
the time everything was going on,” said
Cleaver, member of the Black Panthers,
Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in 1966,
Nacoste. “The Civil Rights Movement, the
called Soul on Ice,” said Nacoste. “My
during his teenage years. These years in
Voting Rights Act [1965] and James Brown
friend remembers me challenging the nuns
Nacsote’s life coincided with a time when
saying ‘I’m Black and I’m proud.’”
in school and asking why they weren’t
the nation was in a tailspin with race issues, war, and class struggle. As he likes to tells his student’s, “It was a hell of a time.” According to the FBI, the Black
Nacoste was reared in Opelousas, Louisiana the heart of the Jim Crow Deep
“My brother who was in the Navy
teaching the history the way it was.” Nacoste, who attended Catholic school,
South. Opelousas is also where he first
was the first person at his school to sport
joined the BPP. When Nacoste joined the
an afro. “The nuns were not happy,” said
Party, for him “it was all about getting
Nacoste, “and these were black nuns.”
Panther Party (BPP) “is a black extremist
connected, being apart [of the Party] and
organization” but obviously, to those who
having the information.”
As with any sort of political movement,
Nacoste’s father was a local politician and had filed to be on the ballot the day after the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The BBP dissolved in the early 1980s as a result of internal disagreements. While a major focus of the BPP was to promote self defense among blacks, Nacoste has concentrated his efforts on promoting neo-diversity, something he has done with the release of his book, Howl of the Wolf. A self-published collection of papers from Nacoste’s “Interpersonal Race and Relations” class offered every semester,
many young people involved with the
the stories are weaved together and speak
BPP had to deal with their parent’s
to the experiences that students have had
dues, Nacoste began receiving The Black
often dissenting opinions about their
dealing with race, gender, ethnicity, etc. on
Panther, the official newspaper of the
involvement with the Party. Nacoste on the
N.C. State’s campus.
some sort of group that was all about hate
party. During its peak The Black Panther
other hand faced no opposition from his
but it wasn’t, it was about self-defense,”
had a circulation of 250,000 copies.
family.
lived the movement, it was not viewed that way. “People think the Black Panthers were
said Nacoste. “Most [BBP members] believed in Dr. King’s message and what he fought for, [but] they did not believe in the same strategy or tactic. It was if you come
After turning in his membership
Like many of the Party’s members,
Nacoste said his parents said, “Hmm…
Nacoste said, “I may have been a bit of
okay,” when at age 15 or 16 he used the
a radical.” Perhaps a testament to his
money he earned from his own job to join
radical youth, Nacsote recalls questioning
the BPP. “My father had already been part
Nacoste’s book will be featured at this year’s Spring Diversity Dialogue on Wed. Feb. 27, from 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. in Talley Balllroom.
Follow the Nubian Message on Twitter @nubianmessage
nubian message
Lifestyles
February 20th, 2013| 5
Black Panther’s Ten-Point Program *All Panthers had to follow the Ten-Point Program, as well as have the points memorized.*
1. We want freedom. We want power to determine the destiny of our black Community. 2. We want full employment for our people. 3. We want an end to the robbery by the white man of our black Community. 4. We want decent housing, fit for shelter of human beings.
The Significance of the Fist
5. We want education for our people that exposes the true nature of this decadent American society. We want education that teaches us our true history and our role in the present-day society.
Often referred to as the “Black Power Salute,� the raised fist is a symbol of solidarity and support.
6. We want all black men to be exempt from military service. 7. We want an immediate end to POLICE BRUTALITY and MURDER of black people. 8. We want freedom for all black men held in federal, state, county and city prisons and jails. 9. We want all black people, when brought to trial, to be tried in court by a jury of their peer group or people from their black communities, as defined by the Constitution of the United States.
Spring Diversity Dialogue Spring Diversity Dialogue featuring “Howl of the Wolf� Wednesday, February 27, 2013 3:00 PM-4:30 PM Talley Student Center Ballroom This interactive student-to-student dialogue will share stories of NC State students from their “Interpersonal Relationships and Race Course.� While describing awareness and interactions with a broad range of diverse thoughts, ideas and people, the dialogue will
10. We want land, bread, housing, education, clothing, justice and peace. And as our major political objective, a United Nationssupervised plebiscite to be held throughout the black colony in which only black colonial subjects will be allowed to participate for the purpose of determining the will of black people as to their national destiny.
explore the question, are our students prepared to be 21st century leaders in global communities? Offering valuable insight on current thought and ideology from this generation of students, this is an of the book, “Howl of the Wolf.�
Wake Up It’s Serious: A Campaign for Change, University Scholars Program, and the Poole College of Management
6 |February 20th, 2013
Perspectives
Nubian message
The Miseducation of the Caucasian Not all “Caucasians” are Caucasian
DeErricka Green Managing Editor
T
he common idea that “Caucasian” functions
the ideal model for all white
as a true synonym for “white” is false.
people, based solely on
Sorry to burst your bubble, America.
A mathematical principle goes that squares are always rectangles, yet rectangles are not necessarily squares.
facial appearance. “The Caucasian variety,” he wrote in Natural Variety, “I have taken the name of this variety from Mount
The same principle can be applied to white Americans: Caucasians can be white, but because someone is white, it does not mean they are Caucasian. This widespread ideology is one reflection of the critical mis-education that has occurred in our society for centuries, and continues to this day. Nell Irvin Painter, author and historian, is just one scholar that has spoken out on this subject. In her essay “Why Are White People Called ‘Caucasian?’” presented at the Yale University Gilder Lehrman Center conference in Nov. 2003, Painter unearthed the roots of this terminology back to the 19th century. The concept of a “Caucasian race” was first developed around 1800 by Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, a German scientist and anthropologist. Blumenbach named the people after the original inhabitants of the south Caucasus region, the land separating the Black and Caspian seas. Including more than 50 ethnic groups, such as the Georgians, Turks, and Armenians, the Caucasus region is situated between Russia, Turkey and Iran.
Caucasus, both because its neighborhood produces the most beautiful race of men, I mean the Georgian; and because all physiological reasons converge to this, that in that region, if
The star represents the middle of the Caucasus Region, where Caucasians orginate from.
anywhere, it seems we ought with the greatest probability to place the autochthones (birth place) of mankind.” The term “Caucasian” became used as a collective representation of all individuals Blumenbach and his colleagues regarded as good looking, including the demographic of white people with features such as thin, narrow nasal passages, small mouths, pointed facial appearance, and minimal jaw protrusion. As a result of these criteria, Jews, Slavs and Africans
white, but because someone is white, it does not mean they are Caucasian.” Anthropologists like Blumenbach classified the 50 ethnic groups into three main categories: Caucasian, Indo-European, and Altaic. Blumenbach and his colleagues considered the Altaic peoples an embodiment of ugliness, as mentioned in his book On the Natural Variety of Mankind (1795). However, those falling under the category of Caucasian people, especially Georgians, Blumenbach praised for their beauty; he believed them
along with the geographical incongruity of using that term to describe all white people are two main reasons the use of the term is false. Use of “Caucasian” to apply to all white people is also ironic. Members of the “Caucasian race” for centuries promoted racial typology by imposing titles like “Negro” and “Indian” upon ethnic groups; they tried to control the identities of these people by being inclusive towards some individuals, while exclusive to others,
were considered less attractive, a practice that has since
ultimately in efforts to diminish movements aimed at
evolved as Western culture developed and advanced.
achieving self-determination for people of color and
With the creation of this term, Blumenbach critically helped to establish the superiority of true Caucasians. Since, then the term has floated away
“Caucasians can be
The superior connotations of the term “Caucasian”
from its geographical origin, as most Americans that
other bigoted gain. Suppressing and manipulating the identities of these groups worked to limit knowledge of the power they possessed for a time. We have since fought to regain power lost.
identify as “Caucasian” do not trace their ancestry to
Today, society thinks of people of color as left with
the implied region. But the idea of the “the Caucasian
fragmented senses of culture and history because of the
race” has lived on, as has its claims of racial superiority
efforts of those that promoted racial superiority, like
and beauty.
Blumenbach and his “Caucasian race”. However, it is
Today, because “Caucasian” has become interchangeable with any number of “white” populations, the indication that these populations exhibit the idealized physical appearance while others are the epitome of ugliness is still being disseminated. The logic that white people present the best physical appearance, as well as Blumenbach’s assumption that because of this “beauty” humans ought to assert the Caucasus region the birthplace of mankind is not only absurd (considering scientific study reveals that our species first appeared in Afrika), but inherently racist.
ironic that the group that tried to control the identities of our ancestors also left their members with a false sense of identity because they continue to call their entire population “Caucasian.” For generations, members of the “Caucasian race” maintained that without a sense of ancestral identity, other ethnic groups were powerless to combat racial typology. By this thinking, it seems that not only did someone pull the plug on “Caucasians” centuries ago, but that minorities are not the only groups being miseducated.
Perspectives
nubian message
Power in Numbers
I Am Not Chris Dorner, Please Don’t Shoot
Chelsea Gardner Staff Writer
I
never imagined I would feel
behalf of every African American.
singled out in college, especially
Moreover, I feel like I am constantly
at one with approximately 34,000
put on the spot to explain my race. I
students. However, I now realize
feel like I have to have a rebuttal for
this experience can and will occur
anything anyone says about African
no matter the size, diversity in
Americans, because if I don’t – who
students, or other various factors. On
else will?
numerous occasions, I have been the only African American in my class. Growing up, I was the only African American female in majority of the advanced courses. At first, I was bothered by the predicament because most of my African American peers seemed to let the possibility of failure stand in the way of taking challenging courses. As time went by, I grew accustomed to the situation because I knew that I wanted to be at the top academically and this was the only way to get there. I knew as soon as I got to college, I would never have to face this classroom experience again. This was an obvious fallacy, as I have yet again stepped into the role of being the “only one.” It was not until recently that this “only one” experience made me feel uncomfortable. During a class discussion, regarding race, several students provided feedback on the n-word and things “blacks” get away with saying to each other that other races cannot say to “blacks.” Yes, the term “blacks” was used as the description and, I personally felt like there was some bite behind it. During the discussion, I couldn’t help but think, if someone is not an African American, how can they possibly tell me what I should and should not be offended by? You have never walked in my shoes. Nevertheless, this was the first time I experienced what many minorities have expressed feeling in their classes. At that moment, I literally felt like I had a stamp on my forehead that said, “you must constantly defend, explain and represent your entire race.” When this situation occurred in class, I felt like everyone suddenly realized that I was the only African American. Before this, I don’t even think they had any regard that the ratio was as
February 20th, 2013| 7
As many of you may know, it is a daunting task because some people say things that could be deemed inappropriate or just out-right irrelevant and pointless. However, unlike them, I don’t get a choice to not speak…I have to. It is a conflicting situation because I don’t want the responsibility but I owe it to myself to speak. If I don’t speak, I will walk around all day wondering what I could have said to feel at peace with myself. On the other hand, if I decide to say something and become passionate
Christopher Lynn Staff Writer
T
he Los Angeles Police Department is looking for a man 6’0, 270lbs, light
This legacy of corruption has trickled down to present day LAPD enforcement.
brown complexion, black hair and brown
This corruption is not only expressed to
eyes. Should I be scared that I fit this
civilians, but also within the department.
description? Though I am Christopher Lynn, I am not Christopher Dorner. The LAPD, known for their “shoot
Sgt. Wayne K. Guillary, a member of the LAPD, placed a letter of “personal appeal” on the Los Angeles Urban
while speaking, people start to think
first” mentality, shot and wounded three
Policy Roundtable website. Guillary
I’m too sensitive or everything offends
innocent people in their quest for Chris
expressed his growing concerns about
me. There is no happy medium.
Dorner. Instead of routine traffic stops,
racism in the department saying,“There’s
the LAPD opened fire at anybody driving
still much work to be done. Some may
a pickup truck resembling Dorner’s.
say that nothing has changed with the
While Dorner drove a blue Nissan Titan,
leadership in the LAPD. Trust me I have
someone driving a blue Toyota Tacoma
been in the fight with the organization
and a black Honda pickup were shot at.
regarding social and racial injustice
The LAPD offered a $1 million for the
within the LAPD. Currently, I am the
apprehension of Dorner alive, while they
only outspoken African American within
shot at every moving pickup truck.
the organization that possesses the moral
Since this experience, I have wondered how I would be able to deal with more situations like this in class. I cannot rely on power in numbers because I am the only number. The numbers will not always be there. You can look in the classroom and see this, solely based on the number of African American students and faculty. As
Those familiar with the history of
the “only one,” you have to empower
the LAPD knows that their recent antics
yourself to make the right choice for
involving Dorner are nothing new. The
you.
LAPD’s most renowned leader, William
Ultimately, I do have a choice and I should not be singled out even if it is unintentional. If I want to express myself on my own behalf, then I will. No teacher or student should practically beg me to respond because of my race or ethnicity. Therefore,
H. Parker, has been called, “Los Angeles’ greatest and most controversial chief of
courage to confront and ask questions unflinchingly about race, racism and discrimination in the LAPD. Yet still, I have paid a humiliating price inside the LAPD for preserving and believing in the importance of ‘I have a Dream.’”
police.” Parker began his role as police
Joe Jones, a former LAPD officer,
chief on Aug. 9, 1950, revolutionizing
constructed a “manifesto,” similar to
the LAPD into the most infamous law
that of Dorner, reinforcing allegations
enforcement agency in the world.
of racism, saying “I understand why he
Los Angeles, unlike the South, didn’t
snapped.”
before I speak I have to remind myself
have the absolute de jure segregation
that I am an individual and everyone
(separation by law), but it did enforce
experience at the department. In the early
is entitled to his or her own opinions.
strict racial policies that banned African
1990s, just getting off-duty, he walked to
Sometimes the ratio is not fair, but it
Americans and other minorities from
his car in West Hollywood. It was parked
comes with the territory of being the
renting and buying in specific areas years
near a red curb when a sheriff ’s deputy
“only one.”
after the Supreme Court ruled them illegal
approached him. He pulled out his LAPD
in 1948.
ID to signify, “I’m not an issue for you,”
The catchphrase “getting caught on the wrong side of town” originated in Los Angeles because of this. Parker’s eagerness
Jones told a story of his worst
but the deputy’s reply was to “prone me out” at gunpoint. With such racial injustice programmed
to carry out traditional racial borders
into its procedures, even within its own
that prohibited African Americans from
department, the LAPD is doomed to
going too far out of their neighborhood,
implode. As the old saying goes, a house is
in a class of approximately 40 or more
superseded his desire to carryout the
only as strong as its foundation.
students and race is being discussed,
actual laws of the land.
such. When I am literally the only one
I instantly feel compelled to speak on
8 |February 20th, 2013
Nubian message
The Power of the Patriarch
Not Just Planting Seeds, But Watching Them Grow Devonte Keith Staff Writer
O Vonte, age 3 with his father Richard Keith
ne of the prominent
In our music and media, we see
There are so many important lessons
themes in black fami-
that a lot of people grew up in single
I learned from my father that I prob-
lies is the absence of the
parent homes. Although there are
ably wouldn’t have learned from my
father. We hear in the media as well
people that have made the best out of
mother, or even listened to for that
as in music how black children have
the situation, there are also those who
matter. My father taught me how to
to grow up without fathers and the
found a negative role model or a nega-
tie a tie, coordinate my outfit colors,
struggles black mothers encounter
tive means of filling the void of not
maintain good hygiene and basi-
raising their children alone. Many
having a father in their lives. Many
cally shaped me into a bright young
times we think of our mothers as the
rap artists including J. Cole discuss
man. I’m not saying that my mother
anchor, as well as the push that keeps
their lives growing up without a father
couldn’t teach me the same things,
us going, but where exactly does that
in their lyrics. As you follow their sto-
but there are certain lessons that have
leave our fathers?
rylines, sometimes you may see that
to be taught by men, and some by
they made the best of the situation,
women.
Contrary to the popular belief
but the road to the top was not always
In the society we live in now, the
society has developed, I grew up with
an easy one. In fact, shows such as
power of the patriarch is slowly dying
both my mother and father, and con-
the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air depicted
out because of fear of responsibility.
tinue to have both equally involved
scenes of Will growing up, content
This strengthens the stereotype that
in my life. When I was younger, I
without a father in his life. However,
black children grow up in broken
honestly believed all families were like
later on we see how much anger and
homes, which may lead to destruc-
mine: a mother, a father, and maybe
sadness he felt when he began to feel
tive behaviors and more negative
even some siblings, but as I grew older
that his father didn’t want anything to
black statistics. I couldn’t imagine life
I began to realize that not all families
do with him.
without
were. My father told me that his father
The power of the black patriarch
my father and I don’t
even want to think about it. The
raised him to be a man that not only
is sometimes overshadowed by the
lessons he taught me will be taught
started a family, but also took it upon
power of the black matriarch due to
to my children, and my children’s
himself to make sure the family was
the simple fact that no one can ever
children as a way to keep the power of
taken care of by no one but himself.
take a mother’s place. However nei-
the patriarch strong within the black
ther is more important than the other.
community.
Vonte and his father at his highschool graduation
HOUSING SELECTION close to everyth
ing
al
ic p y t m o r f far
RESERVE
RESERVE FEB YOUR SPACE! CURRENT RESIDENTS
Apply February 11-15 during Housing Selection.
OFF-CAMPUS STUDENTS Apply now! Submit a Housing Application via My Pack Portal. Select the Wolf Ridge living option.
11-28
YOUR SPACE ON CAMPUS!
Get all the details at: NCSU.EDU/HOUSING