MONDAY, MAR. 2, 2015 | NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM
SBP Candidate Khari Cyrus
Embraces Inclusion ENDORSEMENT P. 10
Seven Candidates Share why they’re running P. 6 Photo by CHRIS HART-WILLIAMS
Blacks In Wax
African American Cultural Center hosts annual live museum P. 4
Camerian Williams a junior in psychology portrays 1920’s poet and social activist Langston Hughes during Blacks in Wax | CRISTINA WRIGHT
Visit theNubianMessage.com for more photos, search Blacks In Wax COVER PHOTO: Breanna Kristina Powell , a junior studying social work and Brayndon Stafford a junior in STEM Ed, pose as President and First lady Obama giving a speech just before one of many presentations for the 2015 Blacks in Wax live museum hosted by the NCSU African American Cultural Center. STORY on p. 4
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WHAT ’S INSIDE
theNubianMessage.com
Page 3 - Wednesday, February 11, 2015
“A leader is somebody who can inspire shared vision amongst the group and instill in them enough passions so that even when that person is removed from the situation there are still willing to go out and do what needs to be done.”
4 COVER STORY: Blacks In Wax 5 We are black history 7 Malcolm X’s daughter says her father would critique the rhetoric of today’s activists
SPOTLIGHT: The Nubian Message endorses the Cyrus-Bridgers ticket for Student Body President/Vice President. ‘Uniting the Pack’: Cyrus’ message supports diversity and pushes for inclusion P.10 Correction: The caption attributed to the photo of Desmond “Dez” Sellman on the cover of our previous issue (Feb. 25) cover was incorrect. Sellman is the president of the Eta Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
8 Fox News: Friends or foes? 9 The New Battlefield 10 Fox News: What do you think? 11 Drake Album Release: Are surprise albums the new normal?
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | CHRIS HART-WILLIAMS editor@nubian.ncsu.edu @CHartWilliams
MANAGING EDITOR | NIA DOAKS @nia_kayee
LAYOUT DESIGNER | LISA REDFEARN @_thefashlife
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
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NEWS theNubianMessage.com Page 4 - Wednesday, February 11, 2015 Blacks in Wax: students embody their history, everyones’ history CHRIS HART-WILLIAMS | Editor-in-Chief
Chelsea Gardner, a senior in communication acts as the late poet Maya Angelou, who would claim North Carolina as home in her later years and teach classes at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. | CRISTINA WRIGHT
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lacks in Wax gave participants an opportunity to experience history in a different way. Unlike lectures and out of touch textbooks, volunteers made up of students, and alumni portrayed history live. Jasmine Cannon, a junior in Women’s and Gender Studies, said to see the hundreds of faces and witness visitors learn something new is uplifting. Cannon portrayed civil and human rights activist Ella Baker, whom she admires. Baker attended Shaw University in Raleigh. In 1927 she graduated as class valedictorian at the age of 24. The African American Cultural Center hosted hundreds throughout last Saturday morning and afternoon on Feb. 21. One group alone contained more than 200 people, according to program director, Toni Thorpe. “We want to enhance the curriculum. We want to bring
some equality to the curriculum,” Thorpe told one group. “If you look at the history, books often many stories are omitted. You don’t see the stories of people that look like me, and if you do they are sometimes halfway told or incorrect.” Harriet Tubman was the first character visitors were introduced to. She spoke of enslavement and the underground railroad she helped conduct. The other characters, from President Barack Obama to Ray Charles spoke of being black in America, and highlighted their life’s struggles. “We get up and we go through our day , we walk into the classroom and sit any place we want and don’t remember those who came before us and were spat on,” said Thorpe. “The goal is to make you aware.” Both educating and entertaining, the museum encouraged participants to consider seeing themselves as global citizens despite identity.
There’s only one history said Thorpe. “There’s not an African-American history, Asian history, Native American history, and Eurocentric history, there’s one globe, so theres one history,” Thorpe said. “We all have to understand that we have a call to justice and a responsibility to see our self as global citizens.” Referring to the impact the day ‘s experience had on young visitors, such as the school-aged children, Cannon said that them just seeing someone who looks like them, around their age doing something great means a lot. “Instead of watching TV they came to a college campus and got to see student leaders exhibiting and showing how great their history is,” Cannon said. Saint Mary’s School, N.C. State’s SKEMA program and the NC-MSEN Pre-College Program were a few of the groups who visited the museum.
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NEWS
theNubianMessage.com
Page 5 - Wednesday, February 11, 2015
We are black history: Undergrad’s visual project aims to encourage today’s history makers
University launches scholarship to honor ‘Our Three Winners’
TAARI COLEMAN | Staff Writer
NIA DOAKS | Manging Editor While studying sustainable materials and technology in the College of Natural Resources, an innovative student is starting a new tradition to celebrate black history month on campus. Josh Moore, a senior, recently built a visual
board that depicts various black student leaders at NC State. The wooden, black structure has the words “Who am I? We are black history” in large letters along with the black leaders who are currently featured. The idea started with the notion that important achievements and milestones aren’t always limited to black leaders of the past. Moore said ambitious students and leaders of today are making their own history here and now. “I’m really into black history, our history – it’s a very rich history,” said Moore. “No offense to anyone who does black history programs. I’ve had a black history program before. I just felt like we needed something new.” According to Moore his inspiration for the board originally came from his childhood. “I know everyone who went to kindergarten remembers they used to have a Start Students board,” said Moore. “When I made it on the board I was pretty happy and it made me feel pretty good – that’s where the visual part came from.”
Our campuses board is almost at eye level and is located in Talley at the end of the ramp by Talley Market. In an Instagram post, Moore encourages students to view the board that “commemorates our fellow students who are striving to be strong, new leaders in our community”. “Whoever is on the board, first of all, congratulations. These students were all voted on by your fellow classmates,” said Moore. “It’s cool to know these leaders have a representation. When people are going around looking for clubs to join, they may be able to gravitate towards the leaders that they see on that board.” Along with the depiction of student leaders, the board also features a historical black figure quiz with answers visible on the reverse side of the poster. The board will stay in Talley Student Union for the next two weeks and then will be moved to Witherspoon Student Center. After being moved to Witherspoon, a new group of seven leaders will be displayed on the board, according to Moore. “I’m really happy with it. I want the board to last a long time. If it doesn’t stay in Witherspoon, it will definitely be back up next February,” said Moore. “This is a tradition that I would want to continue next year.” Moore offers his gratitude to Suzanne Pierce, who works in Talley and allowed him to display his work, Malik Simpson, a junior studying Biological Sciences, for assisting in the creation of the poster; and Ivana Mbullah, a junior studying Textile Technology, for assisting with the writing and conceptualization of the board. Moore hopes to have a few more students to depict over the next few weeks. “If you see yourself as a leader, please contact me. If you see yourself as a leader, I want to see you as a leader,” said Moore. “This makes leaders visible.” To contact Josh Moore, feel free to email him here jamoor10@ncsu.edu.
Just two weeks ago on a Thursday afternoon, thousands came together in remembrance of Deah Shaddy Barakat, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha and Razan Mohammad AbuSalha. The “Our Three Winners” scholarship which honors the three aims to provide annual support to students in NC State’s Poole College of Management, College of Sciences and College of Design, according to the university. The program is seeking donations from alumni and the community, and has already contributed funds to create the scholarship. Donations to the “Our Three Winners” Scholarship Fund can be made through the university’s website. It was Feb. 10 that the three were fatally shot inside their Chapel Hill apartment. Deah Shaddy Barakat and Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha were a newly wedded couple, and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, Yusor’s younger sister was a sophomore in the College of Design. Police arrested 46-year-old Craig Stephen Hicks and charged him for the shooting deaths. Hicks is charged with three counts of first-degree murder. He drove to Chatham County after the shootings and surrendered to officers in Pittsboro. Hicks had his first appearance in court on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at the Durham County Detention Center. Two days after the tragedy, Farris Barakat, brother of Deah Barakat, gave the prayer at the campus vigil. Before he began, he thanked the mass for their support and revealed that Yusor and Razan’s
brother would not be speaking-that he was very emotional over losing not one, but both of his sisters. He went on to say that in Islam, “death is not seen as a loss, but as a transition to the next realm.” Farris Barakat said take comfort in the fact that his brother and sisters-in-law had moved on when they were ready and not a moment before. After the prayer, Deah Shaddy Barakat’s sister approached the microphone. She did not give her name and said that she had not planned on speaking, but that remaining silent seemed, to her, to do Deah an injustice. The mood was quiet and somber. Before the call to prayer, Mohammad Abu-Salha, father of Yusor and Razan said a few words regarding the nature of the Islamic faith and its representation in American society. Abu-Salha indicated that the gathering of so many people from different walks of life and the peace that unites them is what Islam is about. Abu-Salha scorned the portrayal of Islam in the recent film American Sniper. Abu-Salha ended by calling on President Barack Obama to take action, “this act has ‘hate crime’ written all over it.” Later that same evening, students, professors, and Raleigh residents alike met in NC State’s Brickyard where green ribbons and hot chocolate were handed out and white candles passed around at a Candlelight Vigil hosted by NC State’s Muslim Student Association. The vigil began at 6pm. The wind and low temperatures kept many attendees standing shoulder to shoulder. NC State’s Chancellor Randy Woodson addressed the
populace with words of community and encouragement, and spoke highly of the character of the victims and the caliber of student that NC State produced. The University of North Carolina’s Dean of Students, Emily Gaspar who expressed thoughts of condolence and of the brightness of the Wolfpack. Grier Martin, North Carolina State Representative of District 34, spoke, NC State’s Dean of Textiles, David Hinks addressed the group. Hinks had the privilege and pleasure of having Razan Mohammad AbuSalha as a student. Hinks described Razan as eager to participate and contribute to discussion. He said she was bright, friendly, and had many ideas for the future-her main focus in architecture. Deah’s sister graduated from UNC, but before those huddled together in the Brickyard, she raised her hand high, her two middle fingers pinched before her palm with her thumb in the Wolfpack symbol. “Lift them high, guys. My brother was the biggest Wolfpack fan there is. And I graduated from UNC, but tonight, I’m a Wolfpack.” NC State partnered with the Islamic Association of Raleigh to host a funeral service for the three students, all of which, were members of the NC State Community. The service was open to the public and gathered individuals from the Muslim Community, the Wolfpack, and the Raleigh community as a whole.
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FEATURES
theNubianMessage.com
Community Candidates
Page 6 - Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Seven share why they’re running
STAFFORD
COFIELD
Brayndon Stafford, Stem Ed Student Senate Division of Academic and Student Affairs “I am running because being a part of student government is a great step into making a positive difference in our community. A lot of times our community doesn’t take the initiative of being informed on what’s going on and I’m the first say I haven’t done the best so I want to start making that change. I believe having underrepresented groups in these positions such as student government and student senate will allow us to be informed about what’s going on a larger scale, create a more diverse mindset in student government thus combating things like misunderstandings of our community and micro-aggressions, and empowering our community to continue to be in these positions to foster change for the future.” Bria Cofield, elementary education Student Senate College of Education “First and foremost, I am running because I believe that I have what it takes to represent and advocate for the needs of the students in the College of Education. We are a small College on the huge campus of NC State, but we are some of the most passionate, dedicated and determined individuals that I have ever met. I want to represent my peers
LYLES
CYRUS
in the College of Education and make sure that Student Government is doing everything possible to meet the needs of all students. Beyond just the needs of the students in the College of Education, I have other things I would like to accomplish as well if I were elected senator. I want to move beyond conversations of making campus an inclusive environment and make these conversations reality. I want these things to happen and be apart of our campus culture. In light of national and local tragedies, I want to make sure that everyone on this campus feels like they are apart of the family that is the Wolfpack.” Jonique Lyles, textile technology Student Senate College of Textiles “I am pursing the role of Student Senator due to my piqued interest from my growing engagement and student leadership on campus. It is often times very noticeable that student power and voice is very limited on the ground level. Even often times, access to those who can make a difference is very slim, especially when it comes to underrepresented students. I would like to become apart of the Student Senate to advocate for students to better help and serve their needs and concerns in a formal more impactful stance in student government and higher university adminis-
PARKER-SMITH
tration. I am open and willing to talk to those with concerns and I seek to create the best benefits for all in an easy and accessible way.” Khari Cyrus, biological sciences Student Body President “I’m running for Student Body President because I believe that I can serve as the best student representative on the board of trustees. From my experiences with multiple backgrounds, including Greek life, Park Scholarship, AASAC organizations, and Student Government, I know what students across the university need and I’m committed to making sure the administration hears our concerns. Finally, I want to take all steps necessary to Unite the Pack and change the climate on campus.” O’Licia Parker-Smith, communication Student Senate College of Humanities & Social Sciences, sophomore “I am running for this position to continue my career as a Senator in Student Government. I love being a voice of representation for diverse communities across campus. Morgan Davis, biological sciences Student Senate College of Sciences “I’m running for this position because there are many problems within
DAVIS
JONES
the college of science department that need improvement. It’s already hard to pursue a major in the sciences, but it’s especially hard when you don’t have many students in your classes you can relate to. I feel like I could be a strong voice for underrepresented groups on campus that face these daily challenges.” Renee Jones, psychology College of Humanities & Social Sciences, senior “I am running for a spot in the student senate to serve as a voice for my college, (CHASS) and also to communicate the issues, concerns, and ideas of the people within it. I would also like to develop, discuss, and consider ways that the Student Government can better address the needs of the student body as a whole. While embracing the principle of diversity, I plan to use my voice as a means to hopefully improve the many areas of interest on campus.
Student Government Spring 2015 Election VOTE From 8:00 p.m. Mon., Mar. 2 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Mar. 3 sg.students.ncsu.edu
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FEATURES
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50 Years Later: Malcolm X’s daughter says her father would critique the rhetoric of today’s activists JESSICA STUBBS | Staff Writer
50 years after the death of her father, Ilyasah Shabazz speculates about where Malcolm X might stand on issues affecting black Americans if he
accommodates the very goal of police brutality — to intimidate and immobilize black citizens, forcing them into a defenseless posture if they hope to survive. She goes on to say she believes her father would share her view of the iconic “hands up don’t shoot” chant, a staple in 2014’s anti-police brutality protests and the “black lives matter” movement. “He’d agree that “Black Lives Matter,” indeed — but also note that the uniformed police officers who disagree are not likely to be persuaded by a hashtag,” Shabazz said. Born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska; ElHajj Malik El-Shabazz, better known as Malcolm X was assassinated 50 years ago on February 21, 1965 at age 39. At a speaking event in Manhattan’s Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965, three gunmen charged Malcolm onstage. They shot him 15 times at close range. He was pronounced dead on arrival at New York’s Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. His assassins, Talmadge Hayer, Norman 3X Butler, and Thomas 15X Johnson, were convicted of first-degree murder in March of 1966. The three men were all members of the Nation of Islam. Family gathered at the Audubon Ballroom, now the Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz Memorial and Education Center, to honor the legacy of the late minister. The Name In 1953, Malcolm changed his name from Malcolm Little to Malcolm X because he considered “Little” a slave name and chose the “X” to signify his lost tribal name. In Malcolm received criticism for a comment he made regarding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. “[Kennedy] never foresaw that the chickens would come home to roost so soon,” said Malcolm. After the statement, Elijah Muhammad “silenced” (suspended) Malcolm for 90 days. In March 1964, Malcolm terminated his relationship with the Nation of Islam, a black supremacist organization. In the same year, Malcolm made a pilgrimage to Mecca, changing his name to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. There is no record of the meaning of the name, however there are many theories regarding its origin.
and there he encountered the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam. Muhammad’s thesis that the white man is the devil with whom blacks cannot live had a strong impact on Malcolm. Malcolm was appointed as a minister and national spokesman for the Nation of Islam. Elijah Muhammad also entrusted him with establishing new mosques in cities such as Detroit, Michigan, and Harlem. Malcolm was largely credited with increasing membership in the Nation from 500 in 1952 to 30,000 in 1963. After his return from Mecca in 1964, Malcolm said he had met “blonde-haired, blued-eyed men I could call my brothers.” He returned to the United States with a new outlook on integration and a new hope for the future. This time when Malcolm spoke, instead of just preaching to African-Americans, he had a message for all races. In March 1964, Malcolm terminated his relationship with the Nation. After Malcolm resigned from the Nation and renounced Elijah Muhammad, relations between the two had become increasingly strained. FBI informants working undercover in the Nation warned officials that Malcolm had been marked for assassination–one undercover officer had even been ordered to help plant a bomb in Malcolm’s car. After repeated attempts on his life, Malcolm rarely traveled anywhere without bodyguards. On February 14, 1965 the home where Malcolm, Betty, and their four daughters lived in East Elmhurst, New York was firebombed. The family escaped unharmed. One week later, Malcolm was assassinated in Manhattan’s Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965. The Legacy 50 years after his assassination, Malcolm is remembered by one of six daughters, Ilyasah Shabazz at the Audubon Ballroom, now the Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz Memorial and Education Center. Malcolm was honored in cities all over the United States through events sponsored from various groups to honor and remember the legacy of Malcolm X.
Ilyasah Shabazz reading at the 2014 National Book Festival | SLOWKING
were living today. What Would Malcolm X Think? is the name of her opinion piece published in the New York Times on Saturday. Shabazz claims X would be critical of today’s organizing efforts within the black U.S. community. “Of course, my father would be heartened by the youth-led movement taking place across the nation, and abroad, in response to institutional brutality,” Shabazz writes. ‘And he would appreciate the protesters’ fervor and skillful use of social media to rapidly organize, galvanize and educate. In a sense, his ability to boil down hard truths into strong statements and catchy phrases presaged our era of hashtag activism.” Shabazz said she believes her father would critique the activists’ rhetoric itself. “I imagine he would applaud the “Hands Up” gesture for its sheer dramatic effect, but also critique it as rank capitulation that ironically
The Life Malcolm was one of eight children. His father, Earl Little was an outspoken baptist minister who followed and supported the Black Nationalist leader Marcus Garvey. His mother, Louise Little was a homemaker busy with the children. Continued threats from the Black Legion, a splinter of the Ku-Klux Klan, forced the family to move to Lansing, Michigan. In 1929, their Lansing home was burned down. Two years later, Earl’s body was found lying across the town’s trolley tracks. Police ruled both incidents as accidents, but the Littles were certain that members of the Black Legion were responsible. Louise suffered emotional breakdown several years after her husband’s death and was admitted to a mental institution, while her children were split up among various foster homes and orphanages. After the eighth grade, Malcolm dropped out of school, headed for a life of crime. When twenty-one, he was sentenced to prison for burglary
Malcolm X in 1964 | LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
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OPINION
theNubianMessage.com
Page 8 - Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Fox News: Friends or foes? JILLIAN SMITH | Staff Writer Fox News, an affiliate owned by Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox media company, has a long-standing history of conservative right-wing opinions. Murdoch, born in Melbourne, Australia was raised in the United States, proudly achieving what some might consider “the American Dream.” In the years since, Murdoch created News Corp., his media conglomerate, and has since accrued a massive international network of print, broadcast and online media outlets and a personal net worth of $13.3 billion according to Forbes. Being the CEO and Chairman of a major international corporation certainly increases ones’ international influence. This influence puts Fox News, and all of Murdoch’s outlets, in a paramount position which he has used to spread strong rightwing messages. ¨I believe that most of the information that is shared [on Fox News] is educating an audience on what seems to solely be based on opinions and not actual data,” said Davante Falls, a senior in communication. “I’m a curious person who’s interested in the great issues of the day, and I’m not good at holding my tongue,” Murdoch admitted at the Leveson Inquiry on culture, practice and ethics of the press in 2012, reports Bloomberg Business. Along with a lack of self-control in his speech, Murdoch bolsters a lack of media censorship in the acceptation that he allows his outlets immense freedom in their pro-republican broadcasting as well as in their extreme anti-democratic attitudes. ¨Another problem that I see within the ethical realm is that they are very close-minded when it comes to hearing other opinions,” said Falls.
On many of their popular programs, such as “The Five” and “Fox and Friends,” Fox News reporters not only take an anti-democratic political stance, they also seem to be harshly critical of some of the major groups of Democratic constituents such as women, blacks and latinos. ¨Nine times out of 10, I feel offended by things on Fox News, one of the many reasons I don’t watch it as much,” said Falls, who identifies as a black male. Following the terror attack on Paris’ satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, Kennedy Montgomery, co-host of Fox’s “Outnumbered,” said on the topic of profiling “sometimes bad guys don’t look like bad guys.” Co-host Shannon Bream then amended her earlier suggestion of profiling to reduce terror attacks by saying that it may not work if the alleged suspects don’t “look like typical bad guys.”
To further their illegitimacy, Fox News has frequently been caught using manipulated images, graphs, video clips and other multimedia to distort the viewers’ perception and manipulate their opinion. Crystal Lu, a junior in International Studies and Communication agreed saying,”they use flawed studies and skewed stories to gain their audiences’ attention and support. They also seem very bigoted and ignorant when they interview people of different mindsets.¨ According to Pulitzer Prize winning PolitiFact, only 10 percent of Fox News claims could be proven true while 58 percent were proven mostly false or worse. This can be compared to rates like 80 percent of claims proven true for CNN and 44 percent proven mostly false or worse for NBC and MSNBC. This “news” is more like a source of conservative propaganda rather than honest, ethical journalism. ¨It seems that Fox News is not a news station, but just a platform to use as a political resource for certain subjects,” Lu said. Glen Beck, former headliner on the Fox network, once said “I could give a flying crap about the political process … We’re an entertainment company.” So, viewers beware.
What does the typical bad guy look like to a Fox News reporter? That fact that these “reporters” are informing people on how to profile the “typical bad guy” shows how illegitimate this source of “news” is, as well as how prone they are to making derogatory racist comments.
Rupert Murdoch speaking at the 2009 World Economics Forum Annual Meeting | WORLD ECONOMICS FORUM
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OPINION
theNubianMessage.com
Page 9 - Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Your Voice Considering ethics, integrity, objectivism and other basic standards of broadcast journalism, on a scale of 1-10, what would you rate Fox News and why?
¨I am not an avid news watcher, much less a Fox News watcher by any means, but of the things I’ve noticed when flipping past Fox News, there seems to be a common trend. Based on the common talk that I have heard from actual viewers, Fox lacks the integrity and credibility of other news stations based on their poor representation and consistent cloned choices of women they choose to serve as their broadcasters. Upon their superficial, onetrick-pony tendencies, I have decided to give Fox News a 4 on quality.¨ -Callie Yohn, Senior 2015, Communication Media
¨Fox News is not my primary source of news. It seems the more I watch it,the more subjective they seem to be. One topic that I find concerning seems to be on race relations not only in America but around the world. The Fox news hosts have viewpoints that are very unattached to what happens in the real world, very black & white. They don’t seem to explore any gray areas although its clear that the world is full of them. Fox news creates unappealing stigmas against anything they deem un-american. I would rate their news as a 1.5 and that is being generous.” -Rasoul Butler, Graduate 2015, Masters of Science in Textiles
I make a point to watch various news broadcasts including BBC, Al Jazeera, CNN, MSNBC, PBS, Fox News, and others. On Fox they show the news with less bias during the day and at night they have hosts that are paid to give their opinions. Fox caters to the American political right, otherwise known as the Republican Party. Given this fact, I find it misleading for them to carry the slogan, “Fair and Balanced.” The daytime shows do fairly well with objectivity, integrity, and ethics but the prime time series fall flat on all of these attributes. For that reason I will give it a 5 out of 10. -Maryam Robinson, Sophomore, Political Science
The new battlefield Combating thoughts & beliefs JILLIAN SMITH | Staff Writer Black news has encompassed a variety of matters within the past couple of years. In 2012, we lost Trayvon Martin and the man that killed him was acquitted. Voters’ rights legislation was an ongoing issue throughout 2013 as a limitation on the usable ID threatened to take away the rights of many Americans. A year later, 2014, was plagued by tragic losses, violent backlash and ever-increasing racial tensions, spilling over into the New Year. While the events mostly occurred on the eastern side of the nation, outrage rippled in waves throughout. Things like New York’s ¨stop and frisk law,¨ and Alabama’s stop and search law provided means through which racial profiling was essentially legalized. The most recent event, happening Feb. 20, a Sacramento, CA student was suspended for “willful defiance.¨ Dwayne Powe Jr., says he was just asking another student to borrow a pencil when the teacher told him to leave the class for disrupting.
We know the reasons behind racism, we know racism is not dead and will not die. It is so deeply ingrained in our nations past and present, we have been, until recently, fairly complacent with the progress that has been made so far. It’s written that we all have equal rights under the law, but equal treatment under these laws has yet to be seen. So all of this has happened to us, and we’ve reacted, and now we’re wondering: What’s next? Some of the issues we are facing are so similar to what black Americans had to deal with prior to the Civil Rights Movement. Officers being acquitted after blatantly committing murder, such as the case with Eric Garner, is nothing new to the black community. However, some issues are completely unique to our time, and those are the issues that obscure the message we want to send. There are no obvious laws or concrete words to target this time. What we are battling is an ideology. An ideology that includes stereotypes, prejudices and beliefs that
continue to keep black Americans living as second-class citizens. This is the new battlefield. Trying to combat thoughts and beliefs, however, is proving to be a challenge. We need to rally around the idea that now, after we have gained legal equality, we need to work on gaining social equality through changing the way we think and relate to each other. Have you ever looked at someone and assumed something about them (keep it 100!)? That’s what happens everyday to millions of black Americans. The first step in gaining social equality is admitting to and understanding that everyone makes snap judgments, casts someone in a stereotype or attributes some specific quality to them. What we need to do now is make sure that these judgments do not guide our decisions and actions. Actively encouraging yourself and others to do this can make a major difference in open mindedness and perspective on other cultures, religions and yes, races.
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SPOTLIGHT ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
theNubianMessage.com
‘Uniting the Pack’
Page 10 - Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Cyrus’ message supports diversity and pushes for inclusion
CHRIS HART-WILLIAMS | Editor-in-Chief
Cyrus, a junior studying biological sciences received the 2012-13 N.C. State Student Government ‘Outstanding New Student Senator of the Year Award’
Khari Cyrus said he’s had conversations with peers who’ve shared with him that they won’t be coming back the next semester, whether it’s because the university doesn’t carry their major, they simply can’t afford school or they don’t feel welcomed or comfortable at N.C. State. “This is something that has bothered me extremely and I wanted to run so that I could address theses issues, through my platform,” said Cyrus one of three candidates running for Student Body President. Cyrus’s platform addresses affordability, support and collaboration, and student life. He said he believes his platform and goals as president are all encompassing and inclusive of the entire student body. He identifies support and collaboration, and improving student life as top priorities. According to Cyrus, a goal of he and his running mate Nate Bridgers, candidate for vice president, is to instill a passion for improving life on campus and making everyone feel safe and comfortable. “Looking back at NC State’s history of student body presidents the last black president that we’ve had was Tony Caravano which was back in 2004-2005, and of course if elected I wont be the student body president
for black students on campus, I’ll be the student body president for all students on campus, but I also think its important to realize that all of my experiences will definitely help me be able to connect with people across campus on a more personal level” Cyrus said his experiences on campus as a student and leaders have made him confident that he can ensure that students feel comfortable and that there voices are being heard and someone is advocating for them to the board of trustees and administration. “Every year people talk about their concerns regarding a rise in student fees”, said Cyrus. “It’s our goal to make sure tuition and fees stay low as possible, but also recognizing student fees go to great things like the counseling center and the health center.” Cyrus said he would like to implement hosting town hall councils so students can come in and see where their fees are going. He said he and Bridgers would like to work with administration and communicate to them where students think funds needs to be going. Making it a more student involved process in determining how our money is being spent. Cyrus said financially ending support for some ini-
tiatives might be necessary in the future. His position is that programs that serve students the least should seek more money from outside resources so Student Government funds can be used for its other initiatives. “We’re really just trying to find a way to maximize the student dollar and take it as far as we can go and that includes maybe withdrawing a little Student Government support from programs and initiatives across campus and encouraging them explore other options, which is one thing they already do.” Cyrus and Bridgers are the most st Veteran Candidates in the Student Body President/Vice President Elections, according to their website. Cyrus has served as Student Government Leadership Development chair and Bridgers, Secretary of Tuition and Fees. Bridgers is a sophomore studying accounting. Cyrus currently studies biological sciences, but has added political science to his course load because he no longer has plans to become a doctor like he once did. “I got here and I realized there were so many other opportunities.” Cyrus said now his goal after graduation is to attend law school and practice law in N.C., he wants to focus on public health and public policy. “For me I’ve been involved with leadership positions
for a long time now, I’ve been fortunate enough to be in theses positions and have learned from leadership training and making mistakes.” Cryrus said as a student leader he’s developed skills, such as time management, delegating tasks and active listening. The Park scholar said serving as president of his fraternity the Kappa Lambda Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. has helped him grow as a leader and understand what students want. “There’s no point in hosting programs and initiatives just for the sake of hosting them and its something students have expressed to me before,” said Cyrus. He said one of the things he’s learned in his leadership positions is that you can’t have a leader without people behind them supporting them. “Something I like to say when I discuss leadership is a leader is somebody who can inspire shared vision amongst the group and instill in them enough passions so that even when that person is removed from the situation there are still willing to go out and do what needs to be done,” Cyrus said “Thats the approach I’m looking at Student Body President with.”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
11 theNubianMessage.com
Page 11 - Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Are surprise albums the new normal? ALFRED ANDERSON | Staff Writer
Grammy Award-winning recording artist Aubrey Graham, known around the world as Drake, set the Internet ablaze just before Valentines day weekend with the surprise release of his seventh solo LP entitled If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late. The 17 song LP came as a surprise to fans after rumors circulated for months that Graham would be releasing a new mix-tape during the first few months of 2015. Following a trend set by R&B singer Beyoncé in December 2013, the project came without warning but simply as an iTunes link posted via Graham’s official twitter page. Projected to sell over 500,000 digital copies of the album upon the first week of its release, Graham fell just short of that number at 495,000 digital copies sold during the first week of sales. Nonetheless, with If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late having the largest sales week among Hip-Hop and R&B albums since the surprise release of Beyoncé’s self entitled album (which sold 617,000 copies in its first week of sales), it’s safe to say that Graham has left a memorable impression with his third chart-topping LP, according to Billboard.com. The LP itself consists of 17 tracks that more than likely, did not make the final cut to appear on his upcoming album entitled Views from the 6 (inspired by the 416 area code of his birthplace of Toronto), which is slated to be released later this year. The most noteworthy tracks that are poised to make some noise on both the radio and club scene are, ‘Energy’, ’10 Bands’ ‘Know Yourself ’ and the Lil Wayne assisted ‘Used To”, which along with the rest of the songs on the LP act as odes to his hometown, his affinity for exotic dancers and the trials and tribulations of a Hip-Hop Superstar.
tled: “Now and Forever” seems to directly address his label situation, as Graham appears to be preparing himself to separate from Cash Money Records and not knowing what awaits for him afterwards. To add fuel to the fire, after it had been rumored that this project would be released as a free mixtape, many began to speculate that it was released as a album in order for Graham to complete his four album contract with Cash Money, potentially resulting in his release from the label and the release of Views from the 6 as his first project that is not under the Cash Money umbrella. Furthermore, Graham also takes the opportunity to address his conflicts with the likes of P. Diddy, Tyga and others that has found the Canadian artist in the wrong spotlight. In all, with the release of If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, Graham remains one of the most popular and controversial figures in the music industry today. With his ability to compile hit after hit and the bridge the gap between Hip-Hop and R&B, it will be interesting to see where Graham’s career goes from here- from his potential split with Cash Money Records to the release of his next album Views from the 6- Graham is poised to continue to top charts and headlines.
In addition, with the release of this LP, rumors about Graham’s status with his label, Cash Money, came to the forefront as his mentor, Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (also known as Lil Wayne) has been engaged in a lawsuit with Cash Money. He’s requesting unpaid royalties or a release from the same label. Graham was signed by Lil Wayne to Young Money, a subsidiary of Cash Money Records and ultimately the Universal Music Group. Lil Wayne, upset with being denied the ability to release his long awaited album, Tha Carter V, lashed out against Cash Money and his mentor Bryan ‘Birdman’ Williams, threatening to leave the label and take his Young Money label mates with him. Throughout, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, Graham makes numerous statements that seem to refer to his feelings toward the situation, with one song in particular, entiDrake performing in 2010 at the Cisco Ottowa Bluesfest | Brennan Schnell