February 2nd, 2011 by NC State Student Media

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WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 2 | 2011

February 2, 2011

NUBIAN MESSAGE

ISSUE 13

SENTINEL OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AT NC STATE SINCE 1992

WWW.NCSU.EDU/NUBIAN

Wolfpack Basketball Progress Report CJ Guion

GRADE: CThe NC State Wolfpack Basketball team has found itself in the usual place that it has been located in the last several years residing at the bottom half of the ACC rankings. The team seems to be like the “Little Red Engine that could.” Just as soon as the team begins to push up over the hill it slides back down to the bottom. The team was projected to do well in the preseason rankings with the three incoming freshman (Ryan Harrow, C.J. Leslie, and Lorenzo Brown) which would make it a possible high contender in the ACC. That fate has yet to be seen as the Wolfpack is more than half way through the season with little hopes of receiving a bid into the NCAA Tournament unless a miracle falls from the sky and the teams wins the rest of its games. The Wolfpack began the season with a decent start in a subpar strength of schedule. The

team has had close games here and there but along the way they have suffered close losses with the addition of a couple of blowouts from the likes of Wisconsin, Duke, and Carolina. As it stands right now the team sits at 2-5 in the ACC, 12-9 overall. The team currently has a .44 Field Goal Pct., .34 3 point field goal pct., and averages 12.7 turnovers per game. The basketball team appears to be one that has only been able to play one-half games. In one game they are able to have an effective first half and in another game they are only capable of providing a good second half. They have not been able to be consistent throughout a 40 minute time span. This was evident in their game against Duke a couple of weeks ago when the Wolfpack had a miserable first half but were able to recharge and produce a run in the second half when it was too late. From watching a game it is very clear that the team has a lot of potential, but they can’t seem to find easy baskets and consistently commit silly turnovers. At the beginning of the season the team started off without the assistance of big man Tracy Smith who

was out with a knee injury, and was without the energetic freshman Ryan Harrow Saturday in their poor performance against rival North Carolina. It was evident that the team was severely missing the presence of one of its key players. Freshman Lorenzo Brown was able to take up some of the slack in the game without the starting point guard even though the team was unsuccessful in Chapel Hill. The team had so many open opportunities to capitalize against the Tarheels in the game on Saturday, but was never able to make a run and grab down defensive boards. It appeared that after the late second-half run by UNC, the team began to give up. In the previous game against Clemson, the pack let go of a 19 point lead. One issue is that the Wolfpack has not been able to find a consistent Point Guard to control the ball up and down the court. Some players are attempting to make long distance shots that should not be shooting from the perimeter. Leslie has had several decent games here and there, but has not appeared to live up to the hype. Maybe it’s just one of those times

BASKETBALL see page 7

this

edition

2011 Honda Battle of the Bands Yolanda Ray

Bringing

prosper-

ity back to the

United States Pg.3 Question of the Week: “What did you think

President Obama’s 2011 State of the Union Address?” Pg.8 of

At 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, approximately 60,000 anxious spectators filled the Georgia Dome in anticipation for the ninth annual Honda Battle of the Bands. The journey began months ago with 45 HBCUs from all regions of the nation, competing for a coveted spot in the annual showcase. Band directors, school presidents, and online fans were responsible for the selection process. In November 2010 eight of the nation’s top historically black college and university marching bands were selected to showcase their precise drills and beautiful compositions. This year’s line-up included Virginia State University’s “Marching Trojan Explosion,” South Carolina State University’s “Marching 101,” Albany State University’s “Marching Rams Show Band,” Jackson State University’s “Sonic Boom of the South,” Bethune Cookman University’s “Marching Wildcats,” Clark Atlanta University’s “Mighty Marching Panthers,” Winston- Salem State University’s “Red Sea of Sound,” and Tennessee State University “Aristocrat of Bands.” Each band had the opportunity to perform for 12 minutes, showcasing musicianship, dancing ability, and creativeness. Fans song along to tunes old and new including hits from Lloyd, Wale, and Chaka Kahn. This event satisfied the appetites of all people; young, old, black and white. Another highlight of the event was the special guest performance of Hip-hop artist and actor Bow Wow. Krystal Roberts, a junior in Business Administration, attended the 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands this past weekend for the very first time. The success of the event is evident as she reflected on her experience. Krystal stated, “I really enjoyed the visuals that each band presented on the field. However, I wish they would have in-

vited more bands.” The event was phenomenal and shed a positive light on the African American sense of pride, leadership, and comradeship. Although the name often time suggest that this is a competition, it is not. The Honda Battle of the Bands is nothing more than a showcase of young African Americans talent. Senior Manager, Office of Inclusion and Diversity for American Honda, Marc Burt affirmed that, "This event is about celebrating the abilities and brilliance of young people coming out of the nation's black colleges. The discipline and drive these student-musicians exhibit both on and off the field are phenomenal, and Honda is pleased to be able to contribute to the music education programs that help foster the artistic and academic growth of these students." The Honda Battle of the Bands showcase is very significant to the African American people and our heritage and culture. It is extremely important because it is the first and only national scholarship program that highlights music education in historically black colleges and universities. Each year Honda awards HBCUs music programs $205,000 in the form of scholarships. This year at the invitational showcase, every participating university was presented with $20,000 and an additional $1,000 for participating in the pre-qualifying celebration tour. In addition to grant monies, Honda’s exquisite program also includes an internship opportunity through the Fox Music Experience. This year a student musician was selected for a summer internship at Twentieth Century Fox studios in Los Angeles, California. The young man selected will be learning film and television music production. The Honda Battle of the Bands Recruitment Fair is also an excellent opportunity for young people to meet with musicians and admissions to discuss educational requirements and scholarship resources.

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February 2, 2011

Letters to the Editor I am writing in regards to the recent incident that took place at the Wolves Den a couple of weeks ago here on campus. I have seen various reports of the incident but am wondering why it is that the story has not been highly publicized on campus. It’s weird that we can see new stories on the front page of newspapers about students selling marijuana in a dorm on campus, but there’s little mention of a fight that took place at a public campus facility involving deadly weapons. Another weird part of the story is that charges were only brought against 2 of the 4 students reported in the fight. The ironic part of this story is that it has been rumored that the other participants in the fight were football players of NC State. I’m just wondering if that is the reason why this story has not been as publicized so that the school can dodge a lashing from media outlets calling action for football players to be accountable for actions that any other student would be punished for. I’m sure that we can all agree that if the other two participants in the fight had been regular non-athletic NC State students or even non-revenue gaining athletic students at State more action would have been taken. Last week I also saw that a former NC State student was arrested in Oklahoma on his way back to Raleigh in possession of marijuana. This student reportedly told cops that he sold over $250,000 worth of drugs around NC State’s campus yet we here no mention of this. It seems like we’re picking and choosing what we decide to report and what we decide to keep hidden. It ‘s just sad that we’re pushing along football and basketball players to believe that they are able to get away with anything when in a couple of years they will be hit with the reality that once they turn in their NC State jerseys they don’t matter anymore. We saw what happened a couple of months ago when former NC State basketball player Gavin Grant was arrested for breaking into houses in the Raleigh/Cary area. He got treated just as any other person would and the university pretty much wiped their hands of him. However, as long as money is being placed in the pockets of administrators from the revenue made from paraphanellia and ticket sales we are fine putting false beliefs in the minds of athletes, because we know that when they are sitting in a jail cell after they leave the school you will still continue to make money.

inspirational quote of the week

EDUCATION is the medium by which a people are prepared for the creation of their own particular civilization, and the advancement and glory of their own race. -MARCUS GARVEY Locations Avent Ferry Complex Brooks Hall Caldwell Hall Harrelson Hall Talley Student Center Witherspoon Student Center Wolf Village Apartments

MATE MASIE “what I hear, I keep”

A symbol of the wisdom, knowledge, and prudence. The implied meaning of the phrase “mate masie” is “I understand”. Understanding means wisdom and knowledge, but it also represents the prudence of taking into consideration what another person has said. http://www.adinkra.org/htmls/adinkra/mate.htm

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Sentinel of the African-American Community at North Carolina State University Mario R Terry | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Madavia Johnson OPINIONS EDITOR

Jasmine Harris | COPY EDITOR Shekiah Jones MIND, BODY, & SOUL EDITOR

372 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 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.

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Bringing Prosperity Back to the United States Roger Caldwell On Tuesday January 27, 2011, President Obama delivered his second “State of the Union” address, where he established his strategic economic and political plan for 2011 and beyond. His focus as everyone expected was on the resurgence of the recovering economy and the need for bipartisan cooperation in the 112th Congress. With the backdrop of the massacre at Tucson and attempted assassination of Representative Gifford, intense emotions and reflection was on the minds of all the politicians and other guest who attended the “State of the Union” address. The question that all Americans continue to ask themselves is: “How could this happen in the greatest country on the planet?” As a result of the massacre, there was an unprecedented seating arrangement between the two parties where they sat together and responded to the speech as a united body. Many in the media wrote this activity off as symbolic act, but to me it was the beginning of civility, communication, and respect for each other. For too long the Democrats and the Republicans act as if they are enemies and their goal is to create an environment of confrontation and anger. Instead of making laws to help all Americans, they are busy repealing laws that can improve the lives of all the residents. President Obama begins his speech with a teachable moment, where he explains that intense debate is a positive aspect of a robust and informative democracy. “It’s no secret that those of us here tonight have had our differences over the last two years. The debates have been contentious; we have fought fiercely for our beliefs. And that’s a good thing. That what a robust democracy demands. That what sets us apart.” President Obama makes it clear that freedom is what makes America great and there is a place for differences in opinions. But we are all part of the American family and the chal-

February 2, 2011

lenges that we face as a nation are larger than anyone party. He believes that as a country we have overcome one of the worst recessions and innovation and America’s competitive spirit will move our country forward. As an insightful leader and a visionary articulate teacher, President Obama in his speech continues to emphasize that our country must position itself to lead now, and in the future. “We measure progress by the success of our people, by the jobs they can find and the quality of life those jobs offer. But we have more work to do.” In this speech as in all of the president’s speeches, he takes time to inspire us and encourages us to be great. During this speech, he talks about change and how there is a revolution in technology, transportation, and communication. As leaders we have a responsibility to transform the world, which is our rightful place in the world. President Obama believes for two hundred years, Americans continue to re-invent themselves through innovation and our story is focused on success. Education is the key to our success as a country and the president and both parties have implemented the program “Race to the Top.” There are already success stories where entire schools were failing and now they are succeeding. The president realizes that we must rebuild the American infrastructure by developing a high speed rail system and a high speed internet. He wants to simplify the tax system, enhance his new Health Care Law, and make sure our children are not buried under a “mountain of debt. Our government must live within its means; therefore he is putting a freeze on annual domestic spending. In this presidential State of the Union address there were many promises and very aggressive plans. But as Americans, if we can visualize our president’s imagination, there is no reason our country can’t be prosperous and great.

This Week In Black History January 31st 1865 Congress passed the 13th amendment, abolishing slavery 1934 Etta Moten sings for President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt at a White House Dinner, she is the first African American actress performs to the White House February 1st 1926 Negro History Week, by Carter G. Woodson, was first celebrated. It became a month long celebration in 1976 1960 Four students form North Carolina A&T College started Sit-in movement at Greensboro, N.C. 1974 “Good Times” premieres on CBS. February 2nd 1839 Inventor Edmond Berger patented the spark plug. 1897 Alfred L. Cralle invented the ice cram scooper, Patent No. 576,395

Roger Caldwell, a contributing writer, writes for and owns ONPOINT MEDIA GROUP. He resides in Orlando, Florida and can be reached at jet38@bellsouth. net for further information.

February 3rd 1903 Jackson becomes the first Negro Heavyweight Champion February 4th 1794 France Abolishes Slavery

For more facts visit www. blackfacts.com

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February 2, 2011 September 2, 2009

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W ’ 1 DIFFERENCE hat s the st

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February 2, 2011

Spotlight on “O”

Image courtesy of: http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-oprah-winfrey-show/profile/oprah-winfrey.aspx

Kierra Leggett According to the Chinese calendar, 2011 is set to be the year of the rabbit. However, from the looks of things it seems that 2011 may very well become the year of the “Big O.” Little more than a month into the New Year, and already the legendary Oprah Winfrey has launched her very “own” television network (O.W.N.), celebrated 25 years of The Oprah Winfrey Show, her 57th birthday, oh and did I mention revealed to the world her long lost sister Patricia? Yes, in just a short amount of time the “Big O” herself, Oprah Winfrey has already begun leaving her stamp on the year 2011. In September of 1986, The Oprah Winfrey Show became nationally syndicated and Oprah Winfrey began claiming her spot as “The Queen of Daytime Television.” In a 25 year time span, Oprah interviewed guest including Michael Jackson and Sarah Palin, and

covered a variety of issues as diverse as racism to incest. In celebration of her 25 years of daytime talk show success Oprah flew her entire studio audience to the land down under (Australia) where they broke the world record for the most people (316) standing at the summit of the Sydney Harbor Bridge. In honor of her 25 years of success Oprah also gave away to an entire set of lucky audience members, the 2012 Volkswagen New Beetle, that isn’t set to be revealed until a few months down the road. Not one to let grass grow under her feet, Oprah has also started the year off right with the launching of the Oprah Winfrey Network. Already the chairwoman and CEO of Harpo Productions, Inc. Oprah decided to kick things up a notch by creating her own television network, OWN. Since its debut, OWN has managed to maintain a heavy viewership, which indicates a promising future for the network. OWN is home to the Dr. Phil show, Enough

Already! with Peter Walsh, and The Gayle King Show. Always one to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, Ms. Winfrey dropped the biggest bomb yet on the January 24th edition of her day time talk show—a long lost sister! For years Oprah’s mother had kept the birth and adoption her fourth child a secret, and no one, including Oprah knew about this child. On an emotionally charged episode, Oprah revealed to the world her younger half-sister, Patricia. The single mother of two, Patricia began the search to find her birth mother, the search ended in 2007 when she located and later learned that her birth mother was none other than Vernita Lee, also the mother of Oprah Winfrey. One never knows what to expect next from television mogul Ms. Oprah Winfrey, however if her past success is any reflection of her future, you can anticipate more greatness ahead.

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February 2, 2011

Adinkras

Symbols of West Africa

Photos: Events of the Week Collegiate 100 of 100 Black Men of American, Inc., Freshman Round Table

ADINKRAHENE “Chief of the Adinkra Symbols” symbol of greatness, charisma and leadership

FOFO “Yellow Flowered Plant” symbol of jealousy and envy

President of the Collegiate 100 of 100 Black Men of American, Inc., Keyuntae Ward (in center), a senior in communication media, facilitated the roundtable discussion to freshmen concerning the experiences of their first semester of college. The Collegiate 100 of 100 Black Men of American, Inc.'s strives to improve the quality of life within the African American communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans.

The tiny room was filled to capacity with freshmen and upperclassmen. Some of the popular topics of roundtable discussion were scholarships and social events.

Chase Johnson (in center), a sophomore in business administration, offers advice to freshmen and other underclassmen about academic excellence and the negative impact of social media.

Jeremiah Kilimanjaro (right), a junior in business marketing, discusses study abroad opportunities and the benefits of studying abroad.

Phi Beta Sigma Inc., Sleep Out for the Homeless

Michael Moore, a senior in business administration, makes sure that his shelter for the night is sturdy and coz

Maynard Jeannis, a sophomore in social work, armed with few amenities, prepares to sleep out for the night to help fight homelessness. The Xi Zeta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. also collected clothing and monetary donations that night to donate to the Raleigh Rescue Mission.

NKYINKYIM “Twisting” symbol of initiative, dynamism and versatility For more adinkras visit adinkra.org

Equipped only with tape and cardboard boxes, Justin Watkins, a senior in industrial design, and Meredith Bradshaw, a senior in zoology, builds a make-shift home for the night.

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Black History Month Word Search C F R H E OT UW N KWT I C S E D U CAT I O N Q S KY D YY L L S B F I S GYT R E L X R O E L RT H L N F P JV C C D OA BAT E I R RA H U G IA CTV R S RW MW K L R R L K R O STA I D P FTA E O K I NV H I FT JA UY SWW B NV G E R HA E R X C O OT I I I I B R P G EW S X R P H D R D N C Z L E GA CY E M Q H P H C RA M I B E GV C EV L OV E UV K G M B I SVV R ZA P M FT K K L L O U P GY FY Q EV S EV K SW O S I N BLACK CARVER CELEBRATE CIVIL CULTURE EDUCATION EMPOWER

February 2, 2011

GROWTH HARRIET HERITAGE HISTORY HOPE INNOVATION LEGACY

LIVE LOVE MARCH MLK RIGHTS ROSA

Adinkras

Symbols of West Africa

SANKOFA “Return and Get it”

BI NKA BI “No one should bite the other”

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Wolfpack Basketball Progress Report when the media boosts players before they have had the opportunity to showcase their skills on a college level basketball court. This is a very important season for Coach Sidney Lowe. For five years Lowe has been unable to produce a bid for the team into post-season play in the NCAA tournament. At this moment it seems that the only way that this will be possible is if the Wolfpack can go on a late season run which would include a lengthy run in the ACC Tournament. The team only has nine games left before post season play begins. There is only so long that one can boast about a NCAA Championship won in 1983. This is 2011. Duke and Carolina are household names but it seems that no one knows about NC State basketball outside the state of North Carolina. The team has big potential to make an ACC run and possible NCAA run in the future as the current freshmen gain experience. Again the team is very talented and they have to find a way to showcase the talent which they possess. The Wolfpack Nation is pushing for the team to be successful and will support the team all the way through; but there’s a time when it becomes uneasy being the team in last every year on the Tobacco Road.

DENKYEM “Crocodile” symbol of adaptability For more adinkras visit adinkra.org

February 2, 2011

Question of The Week

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What Did You Think of President Obama’s 2011 State of the Union Address?

Dominique Cuthbertson

(Sophomore majoring in Biology)

“I thought it was a positive message for the country as a whole and we should really try to achieve the goals he outlined in his speech.”

Russ Rose (Freshmen Majoring in Civic Engineering)

“I don’t feel like he really changed his position. I feel like he was trying to pass the same things and he was trying to convince Republicans to follow him.”

Elizabeth Great (Sophomore Majoring in Parks and Rec)

“It was a well spoken speech. I feel that he could have said a little more about the Healthcare bill.”

Tyler Dobbins (Freshmen Majoring in Mechanical Engineering)

“I thought it was a good speech because of course he’s a good speaker, and he appealed to the emotion of the audience. He showed that as American’s, we can achieve whatever we put our minds to.”