Nubian Message Sept. 10

NUBIAN MESSAGE NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY n RALEIGH, NC n THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM n 9 | 10 | 14

BLACK IN THE CLASSROOM AACC ANNOUNCES THEME FOR THE YEAR, BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION: 60 YEARS LATER FERGUSON: A PACK DIVIDED, P. 2 YOUNG, BLACK & QUEER, P. 8

School Children of N.C. State’s Department of 4-H Youth Development in 1970 | NCSU Libraries Special Collections

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News • SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com

WHAT’S INSIDE News Hillsborough Street Committee 3 Leader of the Pack | MSA New Interim Director 4 NC State Views Ferguson 5 Features Harambee Recap 6 Black in the Classroom 7 Perspectives Intersections: Young, Black and Queer 8

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.

Search for Leader of the Pack underway Aaron Thomas | Staff Writer The Leader of the Pack scholarship program

next fall semester. A $250 reward from the

recognizes students who have made significant

N.C. State Bookstores will be given to the final-

contributions to the university based on lead-

ist with the highest grade point average.

ership, scholarship, and community service.

Beginning in 2002, the university started the

Applications are now open until 5 p.m. on Sep.

program as an alternative to the traditional

30.

Homecoming king and queen. Both a male and

Austin Bath, last year’s winner of the scholar-

female were able to win the award until 2012.

ship, likes the way the program is set up.

Student Body President Rusty Mau is also a

“It’s N.C. State’s version of Homecoming king

recipient of the scholarship, winning in 2012.

and queen, but instead focuses on leadership,

“Winning was a surreal and humbling experi-

scholarship, and service rather than populari-

ence,” Mau said. He considers the semifinalists

ty,” Bath said.

and finalists incredible people that he looks up

In order to be considered eligible for the schol-

to.

arship, applicants must have completed two

With a student body representing many differ-

semesters at N.C. State at the time of applica-

ent backgrounds and cultures, both Bath and

tion and have a cumulative grade point average

Mau hope this year’s winner is someone who

of 3.25 or higher. Applicants must also be free

embodies the true meaning of the Leader of the

from academic integrity probation and any

Pack.

previous or current disciplinary probation.

“They should represent the university as a

A diverse panel of N.C. State faculty, staff, and

whole since there are people from all different

student leaders will review the applications and

walks of life,” said Bath.

select 12 semifinalists. Each semifinalist will go

“It’s difficult because we are so big, but [the

through an interview process.

winner] should excel in a number of areas and

Six finalists will be selected based on grade

be able to bring students together,” said Mau.

point average, student involvement and written

Mau also encourages students to not take the

essays describing their leadership and service

application for granted and take advantage of

experience. A student-body vote of the six

the opportunity.

finalists will also be taken into consideration.

“Many student leaders don’t recognize the

A senior in human biology, Bath was fortunate

strength of their leadership,” he said.

to be one of the six finalists awarded the top

Interested applicants can apply for the Leader

honor.

of the Pack Scholarship online.

“It was pretty exciting when I found out I won,” Bath said. “[No one] tells you beforehand.”

Finalists have the opportunity to participate in the Homecoming parade and attend the Homecoming football game the day after. The Leader of the Pack will be recognized on the field during halftime.

The winner will receive a $2,000 scholarship

See Harambee P. 6

News

News

SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com • 3

New student committee to help plan Hillsborough Street’s future Nia Doaks | Managing Editor

S

tudent leaders and Hillsbor-

student’s perspectives on possible

ough Street developers are

changes and improvements.

merging with one another to

“We want to build a very fluid

create a committee of students who

communications environment

will help plan the historic street’s

where we’re partners and people

future this year and beyond.

feel like they have a vested stake

“The goal of forming this com-

in the future of the community,”

mittee is to give students a chance

said Murison. “Adding a student

to give their input on [decisions]

perspective was a deliberate effort

involving the street,” said Senior

by the board to ensure that students

Class President Molly Basdeo. “I’m

have a voice as we move forward.”

sure you’ve heard people say ‘I wish

Last year, the board discussed

Hillsborough Street was this or that’.

issues in terms of spending, reno-

This really gives students the chance

vation, and attracting customers. In

to have a voice.”

2009 and 2010, the board discussed

During the summer, student lead-

spending in order to renovate sec-

ers from various organizations were

tions of the street.

invited to attend the first of many

The ultimate goal is to have a

meetings for the Hillsborough

diverse group of students with a

Street Committee.

variety of thoughts and opinions on

In attendance were Molly Basdeo,

Hillsborough Street | Chris Hart-Williams

what can be changed or improved

ty, and doing event promotions to create foot traffic.”

with Hillsborough Street.

nior Class Council representative Chris Becton.

The board currently has 13 members and seven additional

“This is still really early in the planning stages for us,” said

During the first meeting, the group discussed general goals,

non-voting members. One seat on the board is designated

Basdeo. “We hope to increase attendance at our next meeting,

a timeline of what they wanted to see happen, and tentative

for a student government leader from either N.C. State or

which will be scheduled for the third week in September.”

dates for the next meeting.

Meredith College.

For more information on how to get involved with the com-

The discussion for the formation of this committee began after

Last year, Rachel Dame, an N.C. State student and former

mittee, contact Molly Basdeo at seniorclasspresident@ncsu.

a meeting with the Executive Director of the Hillsborough

Senior Class President, sat on the board. She provided the sole

edu.

Street Community Service Corporation, Jeff Murison, who

student perspective on various issues.

works with the Hillsborough Street Board.

“Rachel had a really good relationship with the board,” said

The board is made up of a range of stakeholders, including

Basdeo. “They wanted more representation and input from

those in city government, merchants, residents, and other var-

students, so that’s what we’re working on. The hope is that the

ious groups. The Hillsborough Street Board is separate from

next student representative that sits on the board will also be a

the student committee that is being formed.

member of the student committee.”

“The Board is responsible for a range of things that are to

The relationship between the student organization and the

make Hillsborough a more vibrant, economically sustainable

board will serve as a two-way communication channel—it will

and attractive business destination,” said Jeff Murison. ”This

allow students to have an understanding of what is happen-

includes cleaning sidewalks, improving the presence of securi-

ing with the street, and it will allow board members to hear

IRC President Chris Becker, and Se-

4

News • SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com

For New MSA Director, It’s Back to the Pack Eboni Bryson Staff Writer

Dr. Brown: Being an alum, I came from a small town and I

stuff everyday about their cultures that I wasn’t aware of. I’m

lived with family, so that’s all I saw. Everyday I saw people

getting some new skills and I’m loving it.

who looked like me. So, I felt like a fish in a big pond when I got here. What’s important here, [which] my parents have

NM: MSA is currently looking for a new permanent director.

always instilled in me, is the importance of family. I want my

What steps is MSA taking to find this new director? In your

students here to see this office as their family. So when you do

duration, what do you hope to accomplish with MSA?

have a stressful day, and you just need someone to vent to, you

F

ollowing the sudden resignation of the former Director Mr. Rod Bradley, Multicultural Student Affairs quickly hired a new director to ensure students are well-served during this academic year. The Nubian Message sat down with the

bubbly interim director Dr. Jennifer Brown to discuss her role and aspirations for the year.

NM: The sudden resignation of Mr. Bradley during the summer left many shocked and wondering about who would be able to fill his place. What attracted you to such a prominent position? How long will you be serving as the Interim Director?

Dr. Brown: I was actually recruited by Dr. Ray. With it being so close to a new academic year, they wanted to make sure the position was filled immediately. To me, they may have looked to me for this position because I have been working 20+ years in higher education. I [also] have been very successful at my previous institution of working with students and having student success, I’m an NC State alum, and am experienced with working in the UNC System. In terms of my appointment, I will be here for the full academic year-- so until June 30th.

NM: MSA primarily serves minority students. These students often go MSA for refuge, as most are often perplexed with the stressors of being a minority at NC State. How do you plan to help students become comfortable here at State?

can come here and get that. If you’re just having a hard time

Dr.Brown: What I’ve been told is that the office will conduct

and trying to work through some issues- whatever you need,

a national search, advertise and the whole nine yards. One of

I want this office to be somewhere where they can come. I

the things I will say is that we have an assistant director for

want students to feel like they have family here whether [they

African American Student Affairs, Native American Student

are] Latino, African American, or Native American. It doesn’t

Affairs and Hispanic/Latino Student Affairs. What I’ve noticed

matter; if you need somebody, you can come here because you

is that they are very supportive of each other, but I also notice

can get the support you need.

that they sometimes get in their own silos. I want to see us work even more as a team and and pull things together rather

NM: Each member of the MSA staff has a unique diversity

than separate them. Also, there seems to be a lot of turnover

oriented story that explains why they currently work for MSA.

, so I’d like to bring some stability. Not just for the staff but

What did you do prior to taking the position as the Interim

for the students. [Turnover] is not good, because you’ll never

Director of MSA? Do you have a unique diversity story? If so,

get that sense of family if you have to deal with change all

what?

of the time. So I would like to bring some stability and to continue to maintain the awesome reputation that this office

Dr. Brown: Previously, I worked at Western Carolina De-

has on campus because they have a long history of programs

partment of Athletics, and I started out as the Director of

that they have been doing. They’ve been very successful with

Academic Support for Athletics; so I created the Academic

students, such as [with] the Peer Mentor Program and Sympo-

Support Program for student athletes. I know about academic

sium and I want to continue that. I want to work with the as-

success and what it takes to be successful on a college campus.

sistant directors to make them even better because they were

I then moved up into Athletic Administration where I started

great when I was here and making sure that we are meeting

to create policies that would [positively] impact our student

students needs because the students now are different from

athletes at Western. So coming here, I’m working with a differ-

when I was in school. We want to make sure that we’re giving

ent student population. I was dealing with [ethnic minority]

students the resources and programs that THEY want.

students who were student athletes-- it was a similar type of student, but a different population with the same issues

WHAT’S NEXT

as those students. What I’m bringing here, coming from an athletic background, is that I see [it as] having team. When I

According to Dr. Tracey Ray, Interim Director of the African

speak of team, I also speak of family; thats how my students

American Cultural Center, MSA will start its national search

up there [ at Western] felt, so down here that’s how I want

in the spring for candidates to fill the permanent position of

my students to feel as well-- as if we are all a team, we’re all

the Director of MSA. The entire hiring process will include re-

working together as one. We’re all working together to serve

cruitment led by N.C. State’s Department of Human Resourc-

you as a student. I’ve always been an advocate for students and

es, along with phone and on-campus interviews conducted by

I think that’s what I was looking for in the position. I wanted

a panel of students and faculty. While all of this is soon to be

a position that would allow me to learn, to teach and to be an

underway, Dr. Brown is excited for her 11-month term. She

advocate for students. The assistant directors are teaching me

welcomes students to her office at 1107 Pullen Hall.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com • 5

News

Ferguson: A Pack Divided

Nia Doaks | Managing Editor Aaliyah Singleton | Staff Writer

P

ack Poll, an N.C. State

portrayal of this case.

police personnel most reported to have been

student polling entity,

The main consensus

treated fair during past interactions with

recently polled students on

that the group came

police. However, race again played a hand

their feelings concerning

to is that, regardless

in this as there was an observable difference

the events in Ferguson.

of race, a crime was

between the 87 percent of white students

The findings served as a source of insight

still committed.

who reported being treated fairly and the

into the Pack’s perspective on an issue that

“Anybody dying

78 percent of black students who said they

continues to divide the nation.

unjustly is an issue,”

received fair treatment.

The survey was conducted on a random

said Alexis Teas-

This statistic was an unexpected surprise,

sample of 3,500 N.C. State undergraduates

dell, the 2012-2013

considering the number of negative interac-

with an oversample of 300 additional black

African American

tions between law enforcement and black cit-

students in order make more reliable com-

Advisory Board

izens this summer alone; however, research-

parisons based on students’ race.

Chair, during the

ers were quick to offer a possible explanation

“Anybody dying unjustly is an issue,” said

discussion.

into the matter.

Alexis Teasdell, a recent graduate of N.C.

The Pack Poll, as stat-

According to Pack Poll advisor Dr. Michael

State, during the discussion.

ed previously, yielded

D. Cobbs, “By and large, N.C. State students

The findings show that N.C. State students #DontShoot event in Daniels Hall, students discussing Ferguson and Race in wake of 18 year- interesting results in

have very similar socioeconomic back-

are very much aware of the events in Fergu-

the demographics

grounds which could account for the over-

that believe race

whelmingly positive interactions with the

old Michael Brown’s death

son, with 79 percent of students reporting that they are following the events in Ferguson at least ”a little bit.” 44 percent reported following the events either “fairly closely” or “very closely.”

Race plays a major role in determining opinions on Ferguson, according to researchers, “students’ race is the predictor of opinions about Ferguson.” Indeed across a number of issues the data appears to draw upon racial divides. In particular, questions that concern the presence of racial aspects to Ferguson, as well as police and protester behavior seem to be high areas of contention for Black and white students.

While no one reported the police being stricter on white people, 91 percent of black and 45 percent of white students believed the police to be stricted in regards to black people.

In regards to the racial aspects of Ferguson, Black students little more than doubled the

percentage of white students who felt that Ferguson raises important questions about race with 88 percent in agreement with the statement. Only 43 percent of white students agreed while over 56 percent of white students believed that Ferguson was getting more attention than it rightfully deserved. A similar conclusion was drawn from opinions on police and protesters behavior.

On Thursday, August 28, The Kappa Lambda Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated collaborated to put on an event to discuss the recent events in Ferguson, Missouri surrounding the death of Mike Brown. “#Don’tShoot” served as an open forum to discuss the events in Ferguson. One of the first and most important questions that were asked was: should race be an issue [in this case] or is justice the issue?

What followed was an emotional discussion about the part that race is playing with the

played a big part in this case.

police. The lack of socioeconomic diversity

The events in Ferguson bring about a clear

lends itself to fairly comparable experiences

racial divide in terms of how students per-

and expectations for interactions with law

ceive the issue.

enforcement agents..”

“I don’t think that it is anything malicious—I

Another area of agreement concerned with

just don’t think that white people know what

race was who the police seemed to be tough-

it’s like to be black,” said Desmond Sellman,

er on. While no one reported the police being

a senior in communication. “It’s not that they

stricter on white people, 91 percent of black

agree with what’s going on or they think that

and 45 percent of white students believed

it’s okay. They just don’t know.”

the police to be stricted in regards to black

This is a major point that was touched on

people.

during the event on Thursday.

Recent polls conducted by the Pew Research

“It’s hard for people to connect to something

Center and YouGov, an online panel, have

that they don’t know,” said Rashad Hamilton,

found stark racial divides on both the events

a senior in political science. “It’s hard for

in Ferguson themselves as well as questions

them to understand issues of being profiled

that the events and the protest have raised.

when they have never experienced [it]. When

Pack Poll’s research confirms these findings,

they hear the same old labeled story about us

and illustrates that students--like the rest of

being profiled, it’s alien to them.”

the nation--are sharply divided by race on

According to the Poll, one area of agreement

how they view Ferguson and some of the

is in regards to personal experiences with

questions that the event has raised.

6

Features • SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com

M

Recap: Harambee 2014

embers of the N.C. State community new and old gathered under the sound of the djembe to celebrate unity within the Wolfpack at the annual Harambee program hosted by the NCSU African American Cultural Center. Checkout the recap video on our website!

Photos by: Jeffery Matthews

Brayndon Stafford, AYA Ambassador and AACC Assistant Director Darryl Lester pour Libation

Uninhibited Praise Gospel Choir singing Created to Worship

Let us come together.

Jordyne Blaise, Esq. Assistant Equal Opportunity Officer speaking about the Civil rights Act of 1964 Interim AACC Director Dr. Tracey Ray honoring alumni

Features

SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com • 7

Black In the Classroom

I

Caslee Sims | Correspondent

t all began in 1954 with the infamous Brown v. Board of Education decision and a subsequent case that would force schools in the United States to desegregate with “a deliberate speed”. Of course, the implementation of this ruling was not one that had been culturally accepted in America; there were still battles to be won, especially in the Deep South. The African American Cultural Center announced that the theme this year is Brown v. Board of Education: 60 Years Later--Educational Empowerment: Replicating the Systematic Practices that Work. The Center will host a panel discussion entitled Brown v. Board: 60 Years Later in the Washington Sankofa Room on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Top events surrounding the desegregation of schools in the U.S. Post-Brown v. Board: February 7, 1956: The first black student to enroll at the University of Alabama, Autherine Lucy, is suspended after three days of violent protest.

She had been poorly protected from white mobs that were against her enrollment.

The ‘Little Rock Nine’ were the center of national attention on September 4, 1957 as they attempted to attend all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Arkansas National Guardsmen (who halted their entrance) met the students. It was not until President Dwight Eisenhower intervened and protected the students that they were able to enter the school on September 24, 1957.

On December 14, 1960, six-year old Ruby Bridges became the first black student to enroll at all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana. Bridges, too, did not find her journey a peaceful one as white segregationists stood in her way and tried to impede her entrance.

With 500 National Guardsmen backing him, James Meredith became the first black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi on October 1, 1962. Meredith graduated less than a year later on August 18th, 1963 with a degree in Political Science.

Governor George C. Wallace, who spoke the words “Segregation now, Segregation forever” in his inaugural speech in 1963, stood in the way of students Vivian Malone and James Hood while they try to enter the doors of the University of Alabama on June 11, 1963.

51 years to the day on September 10, 1963, twenty black students entered public schools in Alabama at the end of a standoff between federal authorities and Alabama governor George C. Wallace.

In North Carolina, the Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education case of 1970-1971 stated that the busing of black students to all-white schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County area was an effective remedy to integrate schools; the solution was deemed constitutional.

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• SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com

Intersections: Young, Black and Queer at N.C. State Qasima Wideman | Correspondent

T

he following article is written based on the premise that we are experts in [only] our own experiences. The perspectives expressed below are based on my experiences and those shared by two other queer and Black members of NC State’s GBLT-CA (Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian, Transgender Community Alliance); and are not intended to reflect the experiences or opinions of the entire queer community of color at N.C. State. It is my hope that this article will be the beginning of a much deeper and broader dialogue within communities of color, which allows queer people of color to speak on our experiences, desires, and struggles in our own names.

says Ethan. “I feel this sense that if there’s somebody else of color in that classroom with me, that we have to get along.

Like, we gotta stick together because we’re the only minorities here, basically. I feel like there’s always that sense of community that’s really strong, especially with people who are from the South and are Black. I feel that, in my experiences, it seems to trump all other things. Even if someone doesn’t necessarily believe that it’s okay to be gay, I feel like they can put their own beliefs aside to be courteous, and a good friend.” For Mercer, community is equally important. “I could take the dive, the plunge to just be out, and deal with the consequences; but it’s

For Black queers at NC State, carving out the space to be whole is a particularly daunting task. When being in LGBT spaces results in bombardment with attitudes like “gay is the new Black,” and being in Black spaces means being afraid to freely express our genders and sexualities, we are constantly reminded of the assumed impossibility of our existence.

Living as a queer person of African descent involves a particular experience of racism and homophobia as forces that cannot function separately in our lives by virtue of the fact that we are both queer and Black all the time. Queer, trans, and gender nonconforming people of color account for 70% of murders of LGBT people, according to data released by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Coalitions. Young queer and trans people of color are also more likely to experience homelessness, incarceration, and school pushout than their white, straight, and cisgender counterparts. The fact that we have made it to our late teen and early adult years alive, let alone gained admission into an institution of higher learning, makes us a privileged and unlikely few. It’s of particular importance for us to build and maintain community with other queer and trans youth of color who have not been afforded the same opportunities we have.

For those of us living precariously in the intersection of racism and homophobia here at State, embracing not only the validity, but also the possibility, of our own identities is often a triumph in progress. “It’s hard being black and queer,” confided Avery Mercer (alias), a senior and a queer Black man. “It’s hard to reconcile those two identities. Sometimes I ultimately feel like I can’t be both black and queer, even though my queer identity is very sacred to me.” Ethan Drake, a junior in Mechanical Engineering and a biracial gay man, says he struggled to realize that he could be both gay and a person of color in part due to erasure of queer people of color in the media. “Even in TV shows and stuff,” he noted, “when there’s a gay character they’re white.”

really important to me that I don’t alienate my community, black folks especially.”

Being both Black and queer at a PWI presents a peculiar kind of isolation that is conducive to both alienation and an intensity of connection to community. “At N.C. State especially, it just happens that we could be in a class of like, all white people,”

For all people of color at State, a desk in a classroom where we’re the only brown dot on the horizon can feel like a desert island. The need for community, support, and shared understanding and experiences is something we have all felt

/NubianMessage

deeply; but for queer Black folks, that need is experienced to the power of two. Ethan expressed the importance of having access to spaces with other queer people of color as resources for emotional support. “The things that we’ve experienced, they aren’t understandable by people who are white and queer.

So if I needed to go and talk to somebody, I personally don’t know that I would be comfortable talking to somebody who was white and queer, or someone who was Black and straight.

Because they haven’t experienced something like this.”

Avery’s experiences with hip-hop ideals of “hypermasculine machismo” in the broader Black community make him apprehensive about the ways his queer identity would be perceived by the Black student body at NC State. “The extent of homophobia in the [Black] community is just surprising, given what we’ve had to deal with. But it makes sense because we’re so invested in having to prove ourselves to others- especially white people. We’re afraid of being associated with such a stigmatized group.” Ethan expressed similar discomfort with being around straight Black men. “I’ve found that Black girls tend to be more comfortable around me than Black guys.

It seems like with Black guys, there’s like, the whole ‘brother’ thing- that like, masculinity is a very important thing. So a lot of times, I’ve been made uncomfortable when people will say that I’m like one of the girls or whatever. And I’m like, well I identify as a guy, so… Don’t say that. I don’t identify as female so please don’t say like, ‘girl,’ and stuff to me. And then people will be like, ‘Oh, I didn’t mean it like that, I was just trying to- you know how gay guys say like, ‘girl’ to each other?’ And I’m like, nah. Please, just don’t do it anymore. And like, just because I’m gay, am I seen as not as masculine as other guys who aren’t gay?”

Also interesting was the fact that there are very few queer Black folks who are female-assigned-at-birth in GBLT-CA, and the only Black women who responded to my request for interviews identified as “allies,” or straight women who act in solidarity with the LGBT community. That conspicuous absence seems a testament to the ways in which homophobia, racism, and misogyny interact to isolate and silence queer and trans women of color. As a gender-nonconforming Black dyke, my most profound experience of the internalization of all three of these power structures occurred during my high school years, when I was dating a white queer person whose family was significantly more well-off, financially, than my own. Going over to their house consistently felt like trespassing. The fact that they weren’t open with their parents about our relationship felt less like a result of their shame over their own identity than it did like shame over who I was. I felt like I must be something extraordinarily grotesque, to feel desire at all, and especially to feel deviant desire for someone who was my “better,” as a white person from a “good” family...

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