Nubian Message Nov. 16, 2023, "Focus on Us"

NUBIANMESSAGE NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM | THURSDAY, November 16, 2023

Focus on us

THURSDAY, november 16, 2023 | 2

Letter from the editor What’s crackalackin’ everyone, We are less than four full weeks away from the last day of class! I am so ready to go home for Thanksgiving break (despite my disdain for the holiday). My Thanksgiving break will be filled with projects, grad school applications, family and friends. But what should I do on the cramped train ride home? I guess I'll have to pack my new Nubian issue to keep me entertained.

THISISSUE 5

ASU’S MET GALA

A look at ASU’s student-led Met Gala

6

GALLERY

8

NATIVE AMERICAN FASHION

11

SURVEILLANCE

So, what will future me and current you read in this new issue? We’re bringing you news on how North Carolina seeks to improve the lives of homeless youth.

In our feature section, we’re telling you about ASU’s Met Gala and Native American Fashion.

You’re gonna want to check out our opinions covering the most local topics, like how CHASS is the forgotten child of NC State, or national topics, like how the American Government can’t seem to comprehend the phrase, “privacy rights.” Want to know more?

You’re just going to have to read to find out. Not much of a reader? Well, that’s what our gallery is for.

I hope you all enjoy the issue and your break!

Happenings at NC State A conversation about Native American Culture

Increased surveillance of Americans cover photo BY Lily McCabe/Staff Photographer Sarah Nguyen, a student from UNC Charlotte, performs with Tu Linh dance group during the VSA Charity Gala in Talley Student Union on Saturday, November 4, 2023.

The Sentinel of the African-American Community at N.C. State Since 1992.

314 Witherspoon Student Center, NCSU Campus Box 7318, Raleigh, NC 27695 office 919-515-1468 advertising 919-515-2411 online thenubianmessage.com

Peace out, Milan Hall

Editor-in-Chief

Photo editor

Staff Writers

Milan Hall nubian-editor@ncsu.edu

Kaela Belingon

Managing Editor

Layout designers

Jeanine Ikekhua nubian-managingeditor@ncsu.edu

Abigail Harris Leah Tierney

Austin Modlin Nadia Hargett Micah Oliphant Eleanor Saunders Alianna Kendall-Brooks Ross Emelle Senait Richmond Vika Dzhobadze

Communication Lead

Copy Editors

Shaere Delgiudice

Rebecca Hernández Sydney Bowman Arria Jones

Only with the permission of our elders do we proudly produce each edition of 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.

THURSDAY, november 16, 2023 | 3

news

New Plan For homeless youth On Oct. 21, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) released an action plan to help homeless youth. The plan focuses on helping homeless children and their families access underused resources and improve public awareness.

The proposal is known as the “Action Plan for an Early Childhood Homelessness Support System.” It has a list of goals such as building support for professionals working with young children, working with organizations to improve policies, collecting data on childhood homelessness and creating community-based systems for children and caregivers experiencing homelessness.

Dr. Mary E. Haskett, a psychology professor at NC State University and Marsha R. Basloe, the Child Care Services Association president, created this plan.

They proposed it to the NC DHHS when applying for a Federal Preschool Development grant. After receiving funding, the DHHS began creating the plan with NC State.

Dr. Haskett’s organization, Yay Babies, which works with children and their parents experiencing homelessness, is leading the development of the projects.

“We are a group of people from across the state who are really invested in trying to make these families more visible in their communities so that they receive the services,” Haskett said.

Assisting homeless youth is difficult, given that many of these children end up being unseen. “One of the things I have found and my colleagues have found is that the families that are experiencing homelessness with very young children tend to be invisible in our communities,” Haskett said.

This invisibility can be seen even in the Governor’s Council for Homeless Programs, which specifically focuses on issues relating to housing stability.

“These are a group of people who are very knowledgeable about homeless services in North Carolina, but most of them acknowledged that they'd never thought about babies and toddlers and preschoolers.”

There are many causes for this, including inconsistent and narrow definitions of homelessness. Unawareness about youth homelessness leads to these children being forgotten and under-prioritized

Ross EMELLe Correspondent

image from creative commons

Picture of North Carolina

within programs meant for people who are experiencing homelessness.

Not prioritizing these children can lead to a variety of overlooked consequences that are unique to homeless youth. An example of this is homeless shelters. “They avoid shelters, because shelters are not safe places for very young children. And, so they tend to be staying with other families doubled up, sometimes called couch surfing, or they will stay in hotels or motels for a short period of time when they can afford it,” Haskett said.

Stable housing is crucial in childhood development. Homeless children often end up in unstable housing situations, especially because they often can’t go to shelters. Unstable housing creates stress that can create tension within families.

This stress, which becomes toxic stress after an extended period of time, can lead to lifelong health problems, including heart disease and obesity. It can also affect long-term brain development, reducing the amount of neural connections in the brains of children when neural connections should be increasing.

Resources intended to help children dealing with developmental delays do exist.

“There's also early intervention, and that's a state program that provides developmental services for young children who are delayed,” Haskett said.

However, these services often fail to assist young homeless children. Haskett said, “But again, they tend to serve

very few children that are experiencing homelessness. So, a lot of the services that are available across the state just aren't reaching homeless families. And so this action plan was really to encourage the state to do a better job of finding these families and serving them in a way that is.”

Another issue these children face is childcare, mainly because of the difficulty in accessing resources. “In some locations, childcare is more expensive than college.

So families are struggling to afford it, and families that are homeless have even more difficulty getting their children in childcare,” Haskett said.

The price of childcare has become a major issue in North Carolina in recent years. According to ABC 11 Eyewitness News, daycare costs have become unaffordable in many years, in large part due to issues during COVID-19. In 2022, infant daycare costs about $9,480 a year.

This exceeded NC State’s tuition prices at the time, that being $9,130.

In recent years, the price of childcare hurts parents' ability to advance their careers. Even parents who continue working face situations that hurt career advancement, including leaving work early.

Often, parents are forced to leave their jobs to take care of their children, further reducing opportunities for economic growth.

“Children experiencing homelessness tend to be not on the radar of agencies that help families. So they are not having access

to childcare and of course, parents can't be employed and get their own housing if their young children aren’t in childcare,” Haskett said.

A major step in this process is finding “champions” in these communities to advocate for these families. When speaking with the Abstract, Haskett mentioned that these children struggle with finding advocates due to their previously mentioned “invisibility” in their communities.

They are looking for these advocates at different levels of the community, including educators, pediatricians and homelessness services. By raising awareness of homeless youth, these community leaders and peers can help advocate for them. These advocates will then work with the state to help ensure the plan’s success.

Finding these champions is a matter of spreading awareness of the issue. “The first step really is to increase awareness. The more people that are aware that babies and toddlers are experiencing homelessness in our state, the more likely we are to identify those champions. So one of the big tasks that I have ahead is getting this report distributed widely to people in the community,” Haskett said.

Haskett believes that the pandemic helped increase awareness regarding homeless children in our communities.

The action plan seeks to create awareness through public awareness materials. “So that's what we have to do, we have to educate. Educate the general population and also educate the experts.” Haskett said.

By creating this action plan, North Carolina seeks to reduce these consequences and help families experiencing homelessness easily access resources in early childhood. Even though the plan is complete, implementation will take several years.

You can find resources for housing insecurity on the city of Raleigh’s website under the resources for housing crises and homelessness page. NC State students suffering from food and housing insecurity can find resources on the NC State Department of Academic and Student Affairs website.

The action plan is available online through the NC DHHS Division of Childhood Development and Early Education website.

THURSDAY, november 16, 2023 | 4

Arts & Culture

NUBIAN SUGGESTIONS beyonce - "Renaissance" Nadia Hargett / Staff Writer In the summer of 2022, the larger-than-life iconic performer, Beyoncé, released her latest album “Renaissance.” It made waves throughout the music industry. The Critically acclaimed project carries an unapologetically Black and queer narrative that truly solidified Beyoncé’s status in the music world as a legend. The project was dedicated to her ‘uncle’ Johnny, her gay cousin who helped raise her until he passed away due to HIV complications, who exposed her to the music and culture that inspired “Renaissance.” It’s a clear celebration of post 1970s Black music, with samples from iconic songs such as the Studio 64 classic “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer, the 2014 bounce song “Explode” by Big Freedia, Robin S.’s “Show Me Love” and others. Renaissance is a rhapsodic blend of dance-pop, house, disco, bounce, R&B and a world of other genres. With star-studded features including Tems, Grace Jones, Beam and Kendrick Lamar, the album was destined to be a certified hit. Its numerous accolades being evidence of that. Listening to this album, no matter what time of Original Album Cover the year, will make you feel like you’re basking in the warm summer sun. So sit back and tune into the “Renaissance” experience as the iconic mother of the House of Renaissance, Beyonce Knowles-Carter, teleports you to a reality where all you wanna do is dance!

Rap Sh!t (2022) Alianna Kendall-Brooks/ Staff Writer “Rap Sh!t” is a comedy series that also reflects the real-life drama of trying to make it in the music industry. Created by Issa Rae, the show embodies the familiar warmness of Insecure, but in a completely different plot. The series starts off when Mia finds herself in need of a babysitter and she reaches out to her old high school friend Shawna. Both frustrated about their careers and love lives, the two reunite for a night of fun and record a video of them freestyling that goes viral overnight. Mia and Shawna seize the opportunity and begin a journey towards starting a duo rap career in Miami. Throughout the show, the two begin to bump heads with each other because Shawna wants to be a conscious rapper and avoid objectification, while Mia is much more free-spirited and willing to embody the City Girls lifestyle. Both on a journey of self discovery, Mia and Shawna have to learn how to compromise and support each other for the sake of their careers. The first season, released in July of 2022, is available on HBO Max. The second season is currently airing with a new episode being Original Show Poster released every week. In the second season, Shawna and Mia are taking their music nationwide and going on tour. While exciting, there will be more drama than ever as the two try to reach a new level of success.

The Internet- "Purple Naked Ladies" Micah Oliphant/ Staff Writer “Purple Naked Ladies” is the debut album by The Internet, the infamous contemporary R&B group devised as an extension from “Odd Future Wolf Gang, Kill Them All” formed by DJ Syd Tha Kid and Matt Martians. “Purple Naked Ladies” embodies the voice of The Internet, mixing electronic and disco-influenced production with silky smooth, rhythmic, neo-soul vocals. The album includes hard-hitting features, like Mike G and Coco O. Throughout every track, you can hear the potential and passion of The Internet, making the success of their later projects more than believable. The opening track, “Violet Nude Woman” braced listeners for the unique sounds the rest of the project has to offer. “Ode To A Dream,” featuring Kilo Kish and Coco O., is an upbeat track about seeing a love interest in your dreams and finding comfort in their fictional presence. “Love Song - 1” is The Internet’s unique take on a ballad, with Syd demonstrating her gentle, sentimental vocalities in this message to a lost lover who grew to not like her. “Lincoln” featuring Mike G is an arrogant track featuring production

by Left Eye, Syd and Matt Martians. “Visions,” featuring Coco O. talks about using substance abuse to block out certain memories but quickly realizing Original Album Cover that making new ones is now hard, mistaking these experiences with mere visions. Notable tracks like these and others throughout “Purple Naked Ladies” encompass the essence of The Internet, a group filled with innovative, brilliant and passionate minds that bring something exciting to such an unexceptional industry.

This is us (2016) Shaere Delgiudice / Staff Writer “This Is Us” is a story that is ultimately reflective of life itself. Beginning with soon-to-be parents of triplets, Jack and Rebecca Pearson, and branching out with a twist from there, this poignant and impactful series shows how different people’s stories can intertwine in ways we sometimes never see. It shows the complex nature of every type of relationship, whether it be between parents and children, romantic partners, siblings or friends. “This Is Us” portrays many of the struggles we all may experience in life, such as anxiety, grief, feeling lost or behind and more. It weaves a beautiful multi-generational story of different timelines with many major and minor characters, who all come together to make a show that feels real at its heart. Throughout the series, you’ll feel connected to and invested in the stories of these characters who feel more human than most we’ve seen on TV. People from all walks of life can see themselves in the narratives and characters in the show. As you get further into this emotional whirlwind of a series you might, as many viewers did, find Original Show Poster yourself reaching frequently for the tissue box. It’ll likely be a quick watch as you try to figure out how various characters, timelines and elements all end up tying together. Prepare to have a new favorite heartfelt drama once you start this critically acclaimed NBC show.

THURSDAY, november 16, 2023 | 5

features

ASU’s First Met Gala Alianna kenDall-Brooks Staff Writer

Step into a world where Afro beats set the rhythm, dance moves paint the night and fashion takes center stage. The first Met Gala hosted by NC State’s African Student Union (ASU) on Nov. 9 was a night of cultural extravagance. Hence the theme 'Young, Rich, and African.' From star-studded gowns to sleek suits and traditional African attire, students from across the diaspora and beyond graced the red carpet with a blend of style and heritage. As students entered the ballroom, the inviting scents of jollof rice and puff puff filled the air, and they knew it was going to be a night to remember.

ASU’s Met Gala celebrated African culture with captivating musical sets from NC State students and alumni, as well as dance performances by the EthiopianEritrean Student Association and Arab Student Association. The night began with a mesmerizing saxophone solo by Dylan Thomas, a second-year student majoring in Biochemistry.

Nubian Message: What inspired your performance for the Met Gala?

Dylan Thomas: I was told to pick an Afrobeats song and perform, and I'm a big fan of Tems. Free Mind was mellow, but it had a good upbeat feel at the same time.

With ‘Like I Do’ by Fireboy DML, that was more of like a ballad and I feel like it was kind of a good way to get the crowd moving.

NM: What is the importance of ASU at NC State?

DT: I think it really is a great way to like bring unity to Africans on campus because it's a big school and it is a PWI. So, people often have a hard time finding a community. So I think ASU provides an easy way to find a network of people that kind of have similar backgrounds to you.

In between musical sets like Thomas’, the Met Gala had lively dance competitions, fashion shows and sing-offs. Nubian Message got the chance to speak with attendees, such as sing-off winner Zania Sanders, a second-year student majoring in

Science, technology, and society.

NM: What brought you out to the Met Gala tonight and what was your favorite part?

Zania Sanders: What brought me out to the Met Gala was knowing that our Black community was going to get together and I had a chance to get dressed and be fashionably cute. My favorite part was the dancing because I love dancing a lot. And I plan to join ASU’s dance team.

NM: What is the importance of ASU? ZS: I think it educates and it brings together a lot of cultures…I'm pretty sure there are people who are from Africa, and they just don't know their ancestry but being in this environment and being cultured very much feels like you're at home or a part of a community Similar to Sanders, Annie Houser, a second-year majoring in Political science, shared how much she loved the dance performances at the Met Gala.

NM: What has been your experience at the Met Gala tonight and what was your favorite part of tonight?

Annie Houser: I got all dressed up to look pretty and other people came in their traditional clothing and it just looks beautiful. My favorite part was the dancing, I love the dancing! I loved the Dabke, that was incredible. The spin move they did like shook the floor and everything. It was crazy!

Along with attendees, Nubian Message also got the chance to speak with the organizers of the Met Gala such as ASU’s Social Media Manager, Bethel Chanyalew, a second-year student majoring in Social work.

NM: What was the planning process like for the Met Gala on the social media side?

Bethal Chanyalew: We started planning a couple of months back just making good announcement posts to get the momentum going. We had to make a lot of TikTok promotions so that we could

get people hyped. If you remember African Night last year, the TikToks are really what got a lot of attention. So we wanted that same energy for the Met Gala.

NM: What is the importance of ASU? BC: I think that since we go to a PWI, ASU is really important because it really brings together students – African students, Black students, people of color – it brings them all together. On a campus that is so big it can feel very isolated very quickly, so ASU brings you a sense of community, it brings you a sense of home.

“I think that since we go

to a PWI, ASU is really important because it really brings together students...”

-Bethal Chanyalew,

Second year studying Social work

Lead Event Coordinators, Joys Lutwangu, a second-year majoring in Political science, and Diarra Diagne, a second-year majoring in Political science, also spoke about the inspiration for the Met Gala and the importance of ASU. NM: What inspired the Met Gala and why is it important to have events like this?

Joys Lutwangu: I think it was really important that we hosted an event like this because honestly, at a PWI when you see a lot of the formal events going on, they don't cater to those of African descent or people of color. Every time I saw like a formal event going on, it was always my white counterparts like getting dressed up and going somewhere for like a fraternity or sorority, but you never really saw an event like that for like Black people where we could get dressed up and have a good time at a formal event. So, we liked the idea of incorporating a Met Gala with this year's events for ASU, and the inspiration

behind the theme was actually a TV show on Netflix, based in Nigeria, called Young, Rich, and African. It's a reality TV show that follows these very, like, elite, young, rich African Nigerians who go through their day-to-day doing what young rich Africans do.

NM: What was the coordination process like for the performances?

JL: We wanted the performances to be NC State centered so we looked into NC State alumni and NC State students with talents that we wanted to showcase. We also did want to mimic the actual Met Gala itself because a lot of people don't know this, but the Met Gala has an art show to it.

So you see the celebrities on the red carpet, but what you don't see is that they go look at a bunch of art. With our rendition of the Met Gala, we wanted to have an art show, but with actual students showcasing their art, whether it be through vocals, instruments, dance or anything else.

NM: What is the importance of ASU? Diarra Diagne: I feel like the importance of ASU for the population at NC State is just to expose the African culture as well as to unite different groups together. I know African is in the name, but we draw attention to all different kinds of people. ASU is about bringing everybody together and spreading the African culture while still being appropriate and understanding that there is a rich history.

JL: The importance of ASU is giving attention to the African diaspora and also just giving a safe space for African students, whether they’re first-gen, straight from Africa, or they know they have African ancestry, I think the African Student Union provides not only space, but an opportunity be better connected to your roots.

The Met Gala was not just an everyday event; it was a dynamic cultural celebration that created a sense of belonging in the heart of the university’s community. ASU emphasized that the Met Gala was just the beginning of what they have in store for the rest of the school year.

THURSDAY, november 16, 2023 | 6

Arts & Culture

People of The pack below

Lily McCabe/Staff Photographer

Lion dancers perform during the VSA Charity Gala in Talley Student Union on Saturday, November 4, 2023. The Charity Gala is an annual event hosted by the Vietnamese Student Association, which raises money for charity through a date auction.

Kaela Belingon/Photo Editor

Members of the Ethiopian-Eritrean Student Association perform at the African Student Union's Met Gala event in the Talley Ballroom on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. NC State's EESA performed a cultural dance and later invited audience members to join them after their performance.

Below

Emily Peedin/Photo Editor

Junior guard Saniya Rivers shoots the ball in the game against UNCCharlotte in Reynolds Coliseum on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Rivers made four rebounds and four assists. The Wolfpack won its season opener 84-43.

Ony Otiocha/Staff Photographer

(From left) Thorn Grove, a first-year studying engineering and Trinity Locklear, a third-year studying criminology, laugh at a joke during the Native American Heritage Month Chat n Chew at Talley Student Union on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. This event allowed students of Native American heritage to discuss their experiences on campus over dinner. Attendees spent time fellowshipping with one another and learned about each other’s experiences.

Kaela Belingon/Photo Editor

Monique Kibonge, owner of Monique African Boutique, poses on the stage at the African Student Union's Met Gala event in the Talley Ballroom on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. The event featured a night of food, fashion walks, performances, and competitions.

THURSDAY, november 16, 2023 | 7

Arts & Culture

Hit the books playlist by Nubian Message Staff Songs to listen to as we move into finals season

Holding in pLace Sampha’s Plea Love's Train

Naomi Sharon Stormzy ft. Sampha Silk Sonic

Dreamer Leaf

Marceline

Laufey Elle VArner Willow

Turn your passion for sustainable energy into a career at Hitachi Energy Energize your career right here on NC State’s Centennial Campus!

Explore our open jobs now.

THURSDAY, november 16, 2023 | 8

opinion

An Exploration of Native American Fashion With this month being Native American Heritage Month, non-native folk should take this opportunity to learn about Native Amerians' culture and lifestyle. Doing this allows us to gain a micah deeper understanding oliphant and appreciation for Staff Writer Native American people. Fashion is a key component of Native American culture, with lots of staple pieces and garments being unique to distinguished tribes and groups.

Native Americans are one of many groups that witness their heritage being appropriated as costumes for festivities.

This inherently disrespects the significance of their culture, creating an inaccurate perception of Native American culture and heritage. It’s important to understand the vast differences between cultures and identities, so we are equipped to appreciate, not appropriate, Native culture.

Nubian Message had a conversation with Kaylee Jacobs, a Native American of the Lumbee & Waccamaw Siouan tribes and a second-year student studying Fashion & textile management with a minor in Horticulture science, on her experience being on a predominately white campus.

They discussed how fashion and other unique native pieces are significant to her and her culture, as well as Native representation within the fashion industry.

Nubian asked Jacobs, “how does being Native American play a factor in your life?”

Jacobs said, “I would say everyday life, it's kind of being aware of my surroundings and the people around me because I didn't grow up in a tribal community or rural community. I grew up in Durham then I moved to Raleigh, so I've always been in a predominantly non-native area. In everyday life, one of the reasons I came to NC State was because of the Native community on campus. It's nice to know that even though in my classes or walking around I might be the only Native in the area, but I still have those people on campus to go to.”

In Jacobs' experience, her exposure to other Native Americans on campus has been influential to her comfort within these non-native spaces. Being able to be a

Kaela Belingon/Photo Editor Dancers in the Women's Red Dress Special wait to be judged during the 32nd Annual NC State Powwow in the Carmichael Gymnasium on Saturday, April 1, 2023. The attire worn by the dancers is called Regalia and is often spiritually significant.

part of the Native community has validated her reason for pursuing higher education at NC State, giving her a sense of belonging and understanding that she is not alone in this white space.

“My parents both came from small Native towns,” said Jacobs, “so we would go see their family a lot, especially when I was younger, we would go once or twice a month, and visit. Growing up, I was really involved in Powwows. I used to dance and my dad has always stayed in Powwows since he was in college, I've always been exposed that way. My mom used to dance as well. I was always exposed to Powwow culture and that kind of thing. I just didn't have the same as some of my peers who grew up in the tribal community. So I have some of it but not to the same extent, if that makes sense.”

While Jacobs' experience growing up Native is unique, her link to Native culture and heritage was provided by her family in Durham and the small native towns her parents grew up in. While Jacobs' native identity does not reach the same extent as her Native peers who grew up in a tribal community, her link to her Native heritage and culture is still very strong and continues to play a role in her life.

Nubian proceeded to ask Jacobs, “What are staples in Native American cultural fashion? What do they mean?”

Jacobs said, “A big thing for Native people kind of, regardless of tribe, is ribbon skirts for women.”

Ribbon Skirts are traditional, handmade full-length skirts worked by indigenous people. The skirts are made up of multiple ribbon colors and fabrics and work to represent indigenous pride.

Jacobs explained one skirt her mother made for her when she first got accepted into NC State, “one of mine that I have, my mom got me when I came to NC State.

It has big NC State red, black and white ribbons for the school. Then there are two wolves to represent the school but also symmetry and finding balance. I would say ribbon skirts are really a big one because they're very personal.”

Jacobs continues to talk about ribbon shirts, a more “gender neutral” alternative to ribbon skirts.

“Ribbon shirts are the same deal where the ribbons, embroidery or some kind of thing will have a meaning towards wear.”

Jacobs talked about regalia work at Powwows, a North American ceremony where they, according to Indiana

University, “share experiences, reconnect with old friends and make new ones” as well as “reflect on time-honored traditions while helping to educate future generations of dancers and singers.” Jacobs explained “Regalia in Powwows depends on the style of dance you're doing. I used to dance jingle, so that was like a full-length, dress, usually long sleeves. The same thing with beadwork and embroidery specific to the wearer. Jingle has metal, usually 10 cones, and when you move, they make a rhythmic, jingling sound, which is supposed to represent medicine and healing.”

Nubian Message asked Jacobs, “do you wish to see more Native American representation within the industry, whether that is shown through the garments themselves or the models?” she responded, “For me, a big reason that I chose my major is that I wanted to help native fashion designers, artists, etc. have more of a platform and more of a larger scale awareness. I feel like in recent years, it has been more popular for Native people to be models or actresses. So I feel like that has started to increase more but there is a lot more towards the West or North. We need to see more of a push of Southeast or just East Coast natives in general because there are differences. We don't all look the same, so having that southeast representation would be really nice.”

Nubian concluded by asking Jacob about the importance of others knowing Native American heritage.

“It's definitely important because there's so much history that goes ignored, or it's not really acknowledged. I think having an awareness of the people and knowing that we're still here. I always grew up telling people I was native, and they'd be like, ‘Oh! I didn't know y'all were still here.’ Or ‘I didn't know that there can be a native person in Durham.’ There are so many different tribes, regions, traditions and practices. It's good to have an awareness and to be willing to ask respectful questions. So yeah, it's definitely important.”

opinion

THURSDAY, november 16, 2023 | 9

Embracing the afro In the realm of Black hair, the afro has long been a symbol of political defiance and unapologetic pride. However, in a conversation with Jayden McLean, a second-year majoring in Criminology senait and Psychology, it richmond becomes evident that the Staff Writer narrative surrounding afros is evolving. Rather than just a political statement, the afro is transitioning into an everyday hairstyle.

McLean, who proudly wears her afro year-round, sheds light on the common perception of her hair as a political statement. "Absolutely. I get that all the time," she said, recounting instances where even her family associates her afro with iconic figures like Angela Davis.

The afro, once seen as a bold political declaration, is now becoming a routine choice for McLean.

The historical context of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement plays a crucial role in understanding the significance of the afro.

During this era, Black people embraced natural hairstyles, including the afro, as a symbol of resistance and pride.

When asked about the perceived "wow factor" of the afro and whether it should be reserved for special occasions, McLean challenges this notion. She emphasizes that, for her, the afro has become an everyday style due to its low-maintenance nature. She gets away from the idea that natural hairstyles should only be flaunted occasionally.

Navigating the landscape of PWIs, McLean reflects on the representation of natural hair. While locs, long loose curls and slicked-back styles are prevalent, afros are less common. This observation prompts a broader discussion about the expectations placed on Black women regarding our hair and its impact on notions of professionalism.

McLean points out how women are held to a higher grooming standard than men, "as a woman, you have to make sure that your hair looks good at all times and there's not a single hair out of place." This scrutiny extends to the professional realm, where natural hairstyles, including afros, often face unjust biases.

Diving into the influence of family dynamics, McLean highlights the generational impact on attitudes towards

natural hair. Older generations, having internalized the idea that conforming to Eurocentric standards is necessary for acceptance, passed down these beliefs to younger generations. This cycle perpetuates the idea that natural hair, including afros, needs to adhere to a certain standard to be deemed acceptable.

McLean also addresses the portrayal of afros in media, noting instances where they are treated either as a joke or a bold political statement. She spoke about a distinct memory from personal experience, "When I was younger, people would sing the Afro Circus song from Madagascar to me when I would wear my afro. So that obviously made me feel like people think I look like a clown or I look like a joke." This sentiment highlights the unfortunate reality that stereotypes about the beauty and legitimacy of the afro hairstyle persist.

Afros are undergoing a transformation in perception. Once confined to the realms of political activism, they are emerging as a symbol of everyday elegance. McLean's insights reflect a growing movement to destigmatize natural hairstyles, encouraging a shift in societal attitudes.

The afro, with its rich history, is not just a relic of the past but a beautiful, normal and natural look for the present.

In my favorite song of all time, Corinne Bailey Rae sings, “Don't you let those other boys fool you, gotta love that afro hairdo.”

This song and many others affirm positive feelings about natural hair.

As we celebrate these victories, it's crucial to acknowledge the complexities that continue to shape the narrative around afros. Historical context plays a profound role in understanding the trajectory of the afro's perception.

To comprehend the present, let's dive into the past. The evolution of the afro's perception can be traced through significant historical moments. During the Black Power movement of the 1960s, the afro emerged as a powerful symbol of identity and pride, challenging societal norms. In the 1970s, the disco era saw a mainstream acceptance of the afro as a fashionable choice, transcending its political roots. The 1980s witnessed a resurgence of natural hair, reinforcing the afro as an enduring emblem of cultural pride.

From a man's perspective, Dylan Gayle, a second-year majoring in Science, technology, and society, offers insights into the changing perceptions of the afro.

"I mean, some people still have a big Afro, but for the most part, it's gotten smaller," Gayle said. He acknowledges the simplicity of the afro as a style, saying, "My mom doesn’t like it. I think she thinks it’s messy."

Gayle also reflects on the gendered aspect of hair choices, stating, "Women have more options with their hair than men do. And I feel like guys don't have much if they just want to have it like naturally and not really put much work into it."

Delving into workplace dynamics, Muzamoni Gausi, a second-year Political science major, shares insights into societal perceptions. Gausi states, "Women seem to be more 'approachable' with Afros."

However, he highlights the challenges, saying, "The only problem is that it gets ruined really quickly. With shrinkage, it's hard to comb in the morning and it gets tangled." Gausi also comments on the perception of professionalism, noting, "I think they view it as more professional than they view twists and locks. But I wouldn't say they viewed it as professional because I don't think they view black styles as professional in general."

While the media has undeniably contributed to changing public attitudes, the journey is far from complete. Analyzing the evolution of Afro portrayal in movies, television and social media helps to uncover how these representations contribute to shaping societal norms.

Instances where the media has either perpetuated stereotypes or challenged them have a profound influence on the broader narrative.

The battles fought in legal arenas and workplaces underscore the challenges faced by individuals with afros. Although progress has been made in eliminating discrimination against black hairstyles in the media, some of the progress appears to be surface level. Only a year ago, the Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act was blocked by the Republican Senate majority from being passed in Congress.

The CROWN Act “prohibits race-based hair discrimination, which is the denial of employment and educational opportunities because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including braids, locs, twists or bantu knot.” Legislative changes and corporate policies that aim to eliminate discrimination based on hairstyle help recognize the importance of legal frameworks in shaping societal norms.

Education is a powerful catalyst for challenging stereotypes and fostering inclusivity. Having more representation with illustrations in children's books and films like "Hair Love" can educate educators and students about the diverse beauty of natural hair. It is within the halls of education that the foundations of inclusivity are laid, contributing to breaking down barriers and promoting a more inclusive understanding of afros.

To truly grasp the essence of the evolving narrative, personal stories become invaluable. More personal narratives from individuals with afros should be incorporated to showcase the diversity of hair. Community leaders, activists or influencers have played a pivotal role in changing societal attitudes toward afros.

While we celebrate present victories, an eye toward the future is essential.

Predicting future trends in natural hair acceptance and exploring potential challenges provides a forward looking perspective. The role of younger generations in shaping the future perception of afros and natural hairstyles becomes pivotal, considering how evolving societal norms may continue to impact these trends.

Like all societal changes, gradual exposure will normalize all Black hairstyles to become a part of American society. I hope to raise my kids in an environment where they don’t have to be conflicted about their hair but just wear it proudly without too much thought.

The length of my hair used to be a significant factor that made me hesitant to embrace my natural texture, especially when it came to wearing it down rather than in a high puff or bun.

In my childhood, societal expectations were reinforced by Pantene and Dove commercials on television, leading to the belief that a woman's beauty was tied to having long, flowing locks. However, the narrative has evolved, and today, diverse hair lengths are more widely celebrated by women of all backgrounds.

Embracing this shift, I've come to understand the importance of cherishing my hair at every stage of its growth journey.

Whether it's the tight coils of my afro or the versatility of a high puff, I've learned to appreciate the unique beauty each style brings to any outfit, any day.

THURSDAY, november 16, 2023 | 10

opinion

Critique on American Surveillance The United States of America has an extensive history of overstepping the privacy rights of its citizens.

This history shows a pattern of creating laws that allegedly protect American citizens when carmella in reality, they legalize holloway the country’s ample surveillance. Publicly and Staff Writer privately, the government has built a plethora of invasive surveillance tools to use at their disposal. There is speculation that these tools are being utilized to spy on protestors and pervert the constitutional right to assemble peacefully.

For a long time, the American government has fought against protestors and organizations who acted against oppressive conditions. Throughout the 1900s, citizens bore witness to the ceaseless targeting of civil rights groups and their members. Organizations such as the Black Panther Party and leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. were victims of government surveillance and harassment. In the 21st century, the struggle has persisted, shown by the heavily armed police presence at the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.

Throughout American history, governmental actions provided insight into the prioritization of its interests related to justice and the protection of human rights, both on a national and international scale. In recent decades, prompted by the emergence of new technologies like personal computers, the U.S. government has revolutionized its approach to human rights violations. Whilst framing every entity that has resisted the oppression deeply ingrained into America’s roots as villains, the government has expanded its means to monitor, surveil and control dissenting voices.

Over the past few decades, the U.S. has released some of its most advanced forms of privacy infiltration, most notably the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act. The act, commonly referred to as the Patriot Act, was officially passed to “deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools,” among other purposes. It revised the nation’s surveillance laws, expanding the

government’s authority in law enforcement and investigations against foreign and domestic targets deemed dangerous. The Patriot Act enacted new permissions and legal frameworks for the federal government under the guise of national security and protection. Provisions of the Patriot Act legalized various surveillance tactics, such as Sections 215 and 216.

Section 215 permitted federal investigators to obtain secret court orders requesting third parties access to view and collect “any tangible thing” if deemed relevant to international terrorism. Section 216 permits monitoring electronic communications and user data without probable cause.

In 2013, the National Security Agency (NSA) disclosed that it had been using Section 215 to indiscriminately collect bulk metadata of American phone calls through phone service provider Verizon, such as call duration, trunk identifiers and miscellaneous “session identifying information.” This information allows any holder to identify how an individual contacted another, who was involved and where. 10 years earlier, the NSA had been exposed for collecting domestic telephone, internet and email records from major Internet service providers.

Under the pretext of analyzing and identifying terrorist activities, federal investigators have nearly unrestricted and warrantless access to private citizen data, along with permission to treat every individual as a potential suspect. The rationale behind these permissions is the belief that individuals with nothing to hide should have nothing to worry about.

However, operating within the framework of a surveillance state with nearly limitless capabilities, the government can conclude any individual is a threat to national security and scrutinize an individual regardless of innocence.

Despite the Patriot Act expiring in March 2020 after failing to be renewed by Congress in 2020, federal law enforcement agencies continue to hold most of the authorities granted by the act. The surveillance infrastructure established by the act’s provisions still remains intact by other laws and provisions. Powers such as the ability to receive information from ISPs with a court order collect records from telecommunications providers, financial institutions and travel industries, among others. Also, federal agencies can request a warrant, which is routinely issued,

for electronic surveillance and physical searches under the context of national security.

The nature of these powers is inherently vague for the federal government to conduct investigations into the lives of Americans indiscriminately.

Government surveillance in recent years has highlighted its monitoring of protesters in both virtual and physical spaces. The scope of protest surveillance includes the comprehensive gathering, processing, generation, analysis, utilization and storage of information concerning individuals participating in protests, irrespective of any evidence of wrongdoing. This form of surveillance is undemocratic and violates fundamental rights guaranteed by the First Amendment, specifically infringing on the right to peacefully assemble. Technologies such as cameras, license plate readers and facial recognition softwares have been used to track, follow and intimidate protestors domestically within the last three years.

Although there are legal safeguards against certain modes of surveillance, these laws are underdeveloped and filled with loopholes. Laws created to protect the rights of protestors are incredibly vague and poorly established securities that protect the individual from first or third-party threats. For example, the 2018 Supreme Court decision of Carpenter v.

United States ruled that obtaining cell phone location information required a warrant due to its invasive nature.

However, law enforcement agencies have, at times, bypassed this requirement by obtaining cell phone data through third parties instead of cell phone companies.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court has failed to specify what other forms of surveillance count as invasive surveillance monitoring.

Recently, a federal agency has collaborated with a third-party data mining and media monitoring company to surveil protests and inevitably violate civil liberties.

The U.S. Marshals Service, a federal law enforcement agency “involved in virtually every federal law enforcement initiative,” has been implicated in receiving detailed information from social media monitoring company Dataminr about the precise time and location of reproductive rights demonstrations and rallies. In real-time, Dataminr processed rally-related social media posts as they were posted and relayed summarized information about the rally to the Marshals. This information

included photos of demonstrators and estimated numbers of attendees for the Marshal Service’s surveillance efforts. The scope of surveillance extended beyond immediate participants. It pulled data relating to any individual organizing, participating or even bystanders in the protests. The methods employed included analyzing data from social media platform X, personal emails and newsletters based on search terms requested by the federal agency.

This incident alone is a testament to the inadequacy of existing legal frameworks in protecting the rights and safety of individuals who openly speak out against the government or its legislation. Based on an algorithm and federal criteria, unwitting social media users were subjected to surveillance based on their involvement or proximity to constitutionally protected activity. To be targeted for engaging in constitutionally protected activities is absurd. Legislation must further prioritize a crackdown on government surveillance concerning Americans. The use of an algorithm to target individuals based on their online activities contextually recognizes the potential overreach and infringement on the right of free expression. Furthermore, relying on vague federal criteria without clear boundaries makes citizens vulnerable to unwarranted and unexpected scrutiny by federal entities.

The NSA has been reported to have direct access to the data of major US internet companies such as Facebook, Google and Apple. This data suggests that the NSA can collect data, enabling extensive surveillance of live communications and stored information.

This data collection is legalized through Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which the FBI used to surveil the racial justice demonstrations during the Summer of 2020.

Under these conditions, marginalized individuals face a heightened risk. This risk being targeted and labeled as national threats based on their involvement or even passive interest in civil rights related activities.

The irony of a nation that proudly upholds democratic ideals yet engages in practices that compromise those ideals reveals the need for a reevaluation of federal security tradeoffs. A balance that protects the citizens’ fundamental rights etched into the Constitution is crucial for maintaining liberty for its constituents.

THURSDAY, november 16, 2023 | 11

opinion

Where’s The Budget for CHASS? If you’re an NC State student, you’re likely well aware of how integral the STEM departments are to the university. The College of Engineering always has new additions, whether it be another building, classroom or nadia career fair. There are also hargett numerous additions to the Staff Writer science and mathematics programs. Every time there’s a new project on campus, it’s always connected to something STEM-related. It makes you wonder: Where does the College of Humanities and Social Science (CHASS) fit into all of this?

This year, NC State’s budget expanded due to an increase in North Carolina’s spending plan. This increase in funds is going toward various new projects, with most of it going toward projects related to engineering or natural sciences. Only a fraction of the funds will go toward CHASS, and that’s how it’s been for quite some time now. With the modern day emphasis on STEM as a good academic and career path, it’s no wonder that schools would allocate the most funding to those departments.

There’s been an ongoing myth that humanities and social science degrees are useless and STEM degrees should be what a student pursues regardless of the passion they have for humanities and social sciences. Educational policy-makers have gradually diminished the presence of the humanities in school curricula to make more room for STEM disciplines. The need for employees in the STEM workforce is growing, and as it grows, more people seek to take advantage of the demand.

Humanities and social sciences have slowly been pushed to the wayside, and because of this, they receive less and less attention.

This is very evident on the NC State campus, even when just observing the buildings for CHASS classes compared to the STEM buildings. The CHASS buildings, such as Tompkins, Winston and Caldwell Hall, seem largely outdated and have a very old-fashioned look to them. Meanwhile, not even half a mile away, there’s SAS Hall, a mathematics and statistics building that was built less than 20 years ago and is full of advanced classrooms, computer labs and tutorial centers. It is a visibly modernized building, but it doesn’t hold much of a

candle to the marvel that we call Centennial Campus.

Centennial Campus is home to the Wilson College of Textiles and, most notably, the College of Engineering. The College of Engineering is perhaps NC State’s most cherished institution, with a large portion of its budget going towards it. Centennial Campus is physical proof of this. It looks incredibly different from the main campus, so much so that you could believe it is a separate school. All of the buildings are quite modernized and very large.

The library on Centennial Campus, James B. Hunt Library, has a very contemporary design both internally and externally. It has numerous technological features and even received international recognition for its use of advanced technology. This library alone cost over $110 million to build.

The engineering buildings on Centennial Campus are impressive; they are hundreds of thousands of square feet in size. These buildings have extensive upscale finishings including wood paneling and glass, and various laboratories and classrooms. The overall feel of Centennial is vastly different from the main campus, especially the CHASS buildings. The difference is almost humorous.

Despite the counterproductive culture war between the humanities and STEM, both disciplines are vastly important to the progression of our society. STEM has practical, “real-world” applications that are necessary in our constantly evolving world.

Humanities and social sciences, on the other hand, preserve the human experience and enable people to express their thoughts creatively and grow their connections with each other. Having such a stark difference in the attention that these disciplines receive on a college campus creates feelings that STEM is more important and respected than CHASS. In reality, both should be treated equally, as they are both important fields of study in different ways.

I believe that both disciplines should be able to have advanced buildings, cool research spaces and equal exposure to opportunities for internship and career prospects. Because CHASS has the second largest student population at NC State, many students likely feel this way. I hope to see that in the future, CHASS receives contemporary buildings, more faculty members and a broader platform overall that makes CHASS students feel just as important as STEM students.

what's up with boycott fatigue?

Due to the recent Isreal-Palestine conflict, there has been a call to boycott companies such as Starbucks, McDonalds, Disney and Puma. But people online are claiming they have ‘boycott fatigue,’ meaning vika that after three weeks of dzhobadze boycotting, people have Staff Writer begun purchasing from these companies again due to what seems like a lack of instant gratification.

To that, I say…. What the f— is boycott fatigue? Am I meant to understand that people are growing tired of boycotting corporations that directly fund inhumane causes? What happened to rage against the machine? Taking down the man? Where did our political backbones go as a society?!

Just so everyone is on the same page, a boycott is a withdrawal from commercial or social relations (a country, organization or person) as a punishment or protest.

The main goal of a boycott is to not buy products from a specific company or country. This causes the company to financially suffer and eventually give into the demands of the people boycotting for the sake of returning to their normal profit.

Historically, boycotting has been effective. We can see this during the Civil Rights Movement with the Montgomery Bus Boycotts, where Black people refused to pay for transportation as a result of discrimination on the Montgomery Bus Transport System. This boycott was so well put together that Black neighborhoods began to organize carpool schedules to ensure that the boycott could make a longlasting impact.

There have also been studies that prove boycotts work! In a study by Monroe Friedman in 1985, 16 of the 21 boycotts studied were “successful in inflicting substantial financial loss on the target firms.” If that isn’t recent enough, we can also take a look at a boycott from 2022 where General Mills sold its stake in its joint venture in Israel as a result of a boycott initiated by The American Friends Service Committee. The selling of its stake was a huge win for the boycott.

Did we forget the very recent Bud Light boycott? Conservatives called for a boycott against the beer company for teaming up with Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender influencer, in ad campaigns. This boycott caused Bud Light to “ lose over 25% of its sales and fall from its position as the topselling beer in the world.” The CEO is now attempting to figure out a solution that appeases their consumers to better increase their revenue while trying to balance their appeal to conservatives and their newfound queer audiences.

We’ve lost our ability to come together for a cause. It shouldn’t be difficult to stop buying from companies for the sake of our beliefs. Corporate greed does not care about us on an individual level, but sadly we continue to fuel it for convenience. I think this might have something to do with how deeply rooted consumerism is within our society. It’s quick and easy to place an order for a drink or to watch your favorite childhood movie on streaming services. I just feel like our beliefs have to go beyond a simple Instagram infographic. We should be able to refrain from buying products from companies that don’t support what we believe in.

This doesn’t mean we should try to hurt workers when boycotting. A recent video on TikTok showed people mass ordering at Starbucks drive-thru windows and driving off before paying for their drinks. While this does cost the company money, they’re also hurting the minimum wage employees who are already dealing with 325 unfair labor practices. The workers are already attempting to unionize, and if you want to help in wasting the company’s money… just don’t buy from the company.

Either boycott these companies, or don’t, it’s not really up to me. I just think boycott fatigue as a concept is incomprehensible.

Saying you grew fatigued with this boycott is exactly what these large companies want from you. They’ll keep lowering prices and they’ll wait for you to come back after you’ve gotten tired of participating.

It’s okay to say "we got lost in corporate comfort" but I think in terms of boycotting, you’re either 100% there or you’re doing exactly what these rich executives want… funding their rich lifestyles and their beliefs.