NUBIANMESSAGE NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM | THURSDAY, February 27, 2020
black art in all forms
THURSDAY, February 27, 2020 | 2
Letter from the editor Hello Everyone, I hope you all are having a great week. Spring break is coming soon and mercury retrograde is over on March 10. If you’re having a bad week keep pushing, because good things are coming. In this issue, we have a few good articles for you. On page three there is a news piece on the recent Blacks in Wax Museum. This museum has occurred annually for years. This year’s museum featured influential figures such as FloJo, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Simone Biles and Malcolm X. The event brought old and young alike to campus to admire #BlackExcellence. On page four, there is another news piece on an exhibit held in the Women’s Center. The exhibit entitled “Existence and Resistance” featured Black students dressed in Afrofuturistic garments.
THISISSUE 4
ART EXHIBIT
5
TOP NOTCH ENTERTAINMENT INTERVIEW
6
LOVE POEM
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BLACK LOVE STORY
Black expression through art. NCSU black excellence interview. A poem for my love. A review of the film “The Photograph.”
cover photo BY Nick Faulkner/Nubian Message Fourth-year Aysia Slade portrays Sarah, and sings “Your Daddy’s Son” to her baby in the attic of the New Rochelle house in which she resides. The dress rehearsal for Ragtime occurred Feb. 17 in Stewart Theater.
The Sentinel of the African-American Community at N.C. State Since 1992.
On page five, there is a feature on a student-owned business, Top Notch Entertainment. If you don’t know who they are, they are the guys who are always throwing parties around campus. Read the article to find out more about how they started their business and how they hope to build upon it for the future. On six there is a love poem written by our very own Elikem thee Poet. And on seven there is a review of the recent showing for University Theater’s “Ragtime” and a review of Issa Rae’s newest film “The Photograph”.
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Yesenia Jones
Editor-in-Chief
We hope you enjoy this issue. Have a great week :)
nubian-editor@ncsu.edu Jalen Rose
Managing editor
nubian-managingeditor@ncsu.edu Elikem Dodor Ugonna Ezuma-Igwe Aaliyah Bailey Layout designers
Elikem Dodor
Social Media Manager
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.
news
THURSDAY, February 27, 2020 | 3
Blacks in Wax Museum: Portraying the Ones Who Stood Before Us On Feb. 22, the African American Cultural Center (AACC) put on its annual Black Wax Museum.The event covered all three floors of Witherspoon as students, alumni and guests went in groups to look at all the different exhibits. The museum featured many African American figures, ranging from Malcolm X, Shirley Chisholm, Mae Jemison, Simone Biles, Arthur Ashe and many more. Figures gave a short background of their character then went on to ask the group to guess who they were. Zion Ackee, a second-year studying political science, played the role of Shirley Chisholm. “As a child, I was especially skilled in the art of debate and I’ll take those skills to go into American politics, where I will become the second African American in the New York State legislature,” Ackee shared. “I would then become the first Black woman to be elected to congress. And only four years later, I would become the first majorparty candidate to run for president.” Meoshia Wallace, a second-year studying biological sciences played the role of Lorraine Hansberry. “In 1953, I published my greatest piece of work, “A Raisin in the Sun”, which is about a Black family in South Chicago after their father died,” said Wallace. “I’m the first African American female to have a play produced on Broadway and I was the youngest American to win the New York’s drama-produced circle award for best plays.” “I decided to use my time to be an astronaut,” said Solteria Ross, a third-year studying aerospace engineering, while portraying Mae Jemison. “And I applied, and I was able to slip in out of 2,000 applicants, 1 of 15 in a NASA astronaut group of 12 and I was the mission specialist and I was the first woman of color in space. I logged over 190 hours in space...I decided that the greater power then was to encourage young people to travel space and enjoy STEM...I founded my own company, encouraging women of color to go into STEM fields.” Kaelah Avery, a third-year studying psychology and sociology, was Simone Biles. “I’m proud to say that I’m the most oluwajoba ojun Staff Writer
Marissa McHugh/Staff Photogrpher Reece Phillips, a third year in communication media, speaks to students about the history of Miles Davis at the Blacks in Wax event on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020 at Witherspoon Student Center. The event exposed atendees to the history of influencial Black people.
decorated American gymnast and the world’s third most decorated,” said Avery. “I’ve earned 30 Olympic and world champion medals...I’m thankful to have become the seventh American woman and the first African American woman to be the world’s all-round talent.” Joshua Wilson, a third-year studying human biology embodied his character of Arthur Ashe. “I then became the first Black man in history to be selected to play in the US open team and I’m the only Black man in history to have the title win at Wimbledon, US Open, and the Australian Open,” said Wilson. “This was not without my hardships. As many times, I was called many racial slurs by my opponents and my fans in the middle of my matches. I was blocked from playing the South African opening because of apartheid laws, which led me to become an activist to fight against apartheid and help Haitian refugees.” The museum also had a Memoriam, paying tribute to the lives lost due to gun violence, bombings and hate crimes in the 1960s. Emmitt Till, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, the four Birmingham girls in the church bombing and the nine victims of the Charleston AME shooting in 2015 were among those in the Memoriam.
They also shed light on the ongoing problem of white police and their strong disapproval of Black men through a video that vocalized the message of Black Lives Matter and to continue fighting for justice for African Americans. Mariah Wilder, a third-year studying chemistry, expressed the importance of having this event on NC State grounds. “I think it’s important that we be able to tell our stories, show our stories and let people know our contributions to America because they don’t go foreseen,” said Wilder. “I think it’s also important to show the community around us that NC State is diverse and hope to show it in events like this, especially put on by the AACC.” Amanat Bashoren, a graduate student studying international studies said the following about the event. “I think this event is extremely important,” said Bashoren. “Because one, it emulates Black excellence, Black progressive ー just things that encompass ‘Hey. We’re Black and we’re here’ and these are people that have done great things and fought for equity, social justice and us paying homage to this and recognizing this is extremely important.” Jessica Washington, a second-year studying paper science and chemical
engineering discussed her favorite statue and how she was inspired to learn about a female Black chemist. “Overall it’s such an inspiration seeing a Black woman who’s a chemist that has gone that far,” said Washington. “And I just really appreciated what she had to give and what she had to say. It kind of inspired me, me being a Black woman in chemical engineering in a predominately white institution.” Cameron Nowak, a second-year studying history talked about the importance for people to know their history. “I feel like history is important for people to know,” Nowack said. “I’m a history major and I still have no idea who some of these people were. So I feel like it’s important for people to know what came before us, know these people’s struggles, their lives and their success.” John Robinson IV, the program coordinator of the AACC expressed his thoughts on his vision of the Black Wax Museum and the inspiration from past coordinators. “I think we’re really shifting up what people think of history and that they’re current people that are doing amazing work,” Robinson said. “What does it mean to have somebody that you can read in a history book and that you can currently look up on YouTube? It’s really kind of building on what my predecessor left, but also really understanding what honest reflection looks like. Unless we are recognizing the intersections of our struggle then we’re not recognizing our Blackness.” He continues his idea on what he thinks the future will hold for Black culture, Black excellence and Black Americans. “If I were to try to project what Blackness would like, I could never,” said Robinson. “That’s the beauty about the imagination that is Blackness, about the literal expansiveness, the creativity that is Blackness is literally- I could project something and it would be completely different...I don’t know, and that is what excites me because I know it’s gonna grow, I know it’s gonna big, I know it’s gonna be better, I know it’s gonna be unapologetic. I get to work with college students who are currently portraying history and they’re portraying their own future. So it is very real that in 10 years if they’re still Blacks in Wax, the future students will be portraying the current students now.”
THURSDAY, February 27, 2020 | 4
news
The women’s center displays black excellence through art Ugonna Ezuma-Igwe Correspondent
On Feb. 22, the Women’s Center debuted an exhibit titled “Existence as Resistance: the Magic in Blackness,” which was hosted in the African American Cultural Center Art Gallery on the second floor of Witherspoon Student Center. The exhibit was a collection of NC State students, staff, faculty and community members who were photographed. This event was curated by Angela Gay, the assistant director of the NC State Women’s Center and a doctoral student in Educational Leadership, Policy and Human Development. “I believe we have to start with ourselves and move it outwards to be able to truly express and see who we are,” said Gay. With this concept in mind, she asked each person in the exhibit to decorate their photo with a lens of Afrofuturism and to answer the question of what their Black future looked like. The photography was the work of Jacqueline Perry who works for the Institutional Equity and Diversity’s communications team. Perry was chosen to capture Black people in all of their essence. The night started off with an opening ceremony consisting of beautiful performances, visuals and speeches. John Robinson Miller IV opened the ceremony and led the audience through affirmations and libations. A short film created by Jerrica Jones, a fourth-year majoring in Social Work, was shown. It was created to be a virtual journey that showed the many ways that Black people curate unapologetic liberation. In the film, the word RESISTANCE was an acronym for (R)ights, (E)ducation, (S) cience, (I)nnovation, (S)trength, (T)ruth telling, (A)rt, (N)obility and (C)ontinuing (E)xcellence. With each letter, Black people who exemplify the word were displayed. The film included royalty such as Queen Nefertiti and Queen Sheba, movements such as the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, civil rights and artists such as Kehinde Wiley. Throughout the film, the audience sang aloud with the different artists shown, awed at the inventors forgotten and smiled at the overwhelming display of Black excellence. There was a Beautiful and powerful live performance of “Stand Up” by Cynthia
Erivo from the movie “Harriet’’ by Rasheedah Fletcher, a graduate student. Chaniqua Simpson, a Ph.D student in Sociology, delivered a very emotional essay filled with tears and laughter. Simpson talked about how she is a queer Black woman who refuses to let the negativity and struggles of her past influence the potential of her future. Her story exemplified the essence of the event. Simpson persisted and triumphed despite the negativity and now lives in her Blackness. After a heartfelt and emotional opening ceremony, the room was anxious to see the exhibit. Josi Ocran, a third-year majoring in social work, talked about her thought process while creating her piece in the exhibit. “I really just wanted to get as much of me as I thought possible on the page,” said Ocran. “The biggest part of my identity is being African so I definitely wanted a lot of African prints on there. Another thing I really care about was growth so that’s most expressed by flowers. I’ve never really been in a photo shoot so I was a little nervous I’m not gon’ lie. But being around Angela and a few of the other people in the room was really nice because they were so comforting.” Breyana Willliams, a third-year majoring in Biology, talked about how she felt as a viewer of the exhibit. “It’s very diverse and I saw some pieces that were less expressive and more simple and some that were really colorful and bright but I feel like they all represented who each person was,” said Williams. “The people that I did know, I could see them reflected in their artwork so I think people really expressed themselves in the best way they knew how.” Talya Rayel, a second-year in fashion textile management, shared what she learned and gained from the exhibit. “The fact that they were able to take their pictures and make it something new and really incorporate themselves into the art is something beautiful,” said Rayel. “I kinda thought it was gonna be like art galleries you see in a museum but it was way more personal and I like that” The exhibit will be open in the African American Cultural Center Art Gallery in Witherspoon Student Center until April 17.
Swathi Karthik /Staff Photographer Rasheedah Fletcher, a 2nd year masters student in school counseling, looks at art on display at the Existence as Resistance: The Magic in Blackness exhibit. The exhibit opened on Feb. 18, 2020 in the African American Cultural Center Art Gallery.
Swathi Karthik/Staff Photographer Maria Tudela looks at art on display at the Existence as Resistance: The Magic in Blackness exhibit. The exhibit opened on Feb. 18, 2020 in the African American Cultural Center Art Gallery.
features
THURSDAY, February 27, 2020 | 5
top notch entertainment: think and do Elikem Dodor Top Notch Entertainment is a BlackStaff Writer owned event/market-
ing group based out of the Raleigh-Durham Area, specifically out of NC State’s campus. Almost every Black NCSU student has attended a TopNotch party or event but not many know about the startup process and behind the scenes. The Nubian Message’s own Elikem Dodor was able to ask the CEO, Jaypee France, a fourth-year in Communications and the Co-CEO, Charleston High, a fourth-year in Civil Engineering, about their motivations, struggles and future plans for the business.
NM: When and how did you decide to start Top Notch Entertainment? What was your motivation?
TN: We’re seniors now, but we started throwing parties our freshman year! We all had this “lit” perception of how campus was going to be but after the first three months, we realized that our dreams of college would not be a reality unless we did something about it ourselves.
NM: How many people are part of Top Notch?
TN: We have two divisions, A UNC and NCSU one. In the NCSU branch, we have around 20 members. In the UNC one, we’re at around 10. So 30 in all.
NM: What obstacles did you face trying to get this up and running?
TN: We’ve had parties in the past where we were the only ones that showed up. It took a lot of ambition to go from situations like that and have the courage to tell people to come to the next one. It was a period of trial and error but we eventually found our way and we don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.
NM: Do you hope to continue this post-graduation? Is there a passing down process?
TN: We plan to expand to the local 21+ crowd and start throwing some Celebrity/ Artist events when we graduate. As for our college parties, we would like to keep the momentum going and give the torch to the next generation.
NM: What do you think the impact of Top Notch is on the
Photo Contributed by Jaypee France
greater NCSU community?
TN: Over the past 2 years, we’ve had numerous people come up and tell us how some of our events have helped create some of their most fun memories while attending NCSU. Also, this year we have experienced an influx of people migrating from different colleges and cities to attend our parties. So people are starting to look at NCSU with a more positive light when it comes to having fun.
NM: How did you get the business beyond NCSU and into the greater triangle area?
TN: Networking!! It can be difficult to find the time, considering NCSU isn’t an easy school by any means. But we make sure to spend every weekend connecting with people from different territories. You never know what connection you’ll make when you put yourself out there. Lastly, we are always looking for more orgs and people to collaborate with. Don’t hesitate to hit our line!
NM: Do you consider yourselves the creators of a movement?
TN: Parties wouldn’t be parties if a lot of people didn’t attend them. With that being said we would consider everyone who ever attended one of our events as the creators of a movement. When we promote an event, it’s one thing. When people get inspired to send the flyer to a friend, it becomes a whole nother experience. It becomes a movement.
NM: What is the most fun part about running Top Notch?
TN: Trying something new! Too many times in this industry, people want to play it safe. We love experimenting with different themes and ideas to spice things up. There’s nothing more satisfying than taking a risk and seeing it payback tenfold.
NM: What advice do you have for future Black NCSU students that may be
interested in starting their own entertainment group?
TN: Whatever you do, don’t give up! They say on average, it takes 18 months for a business to make any profit. You can come in with high goals, just don’t be discouraged when it doesn’t happen overnight. You gotta plant the seeds and wait for them to grow. And make sure you cut off any doubters from your team; let them watch from the bleachers.
NM: When is yall’s next event?
TN: We don’t want to spill the beans just yet, but just know it’s going to be another level. We always look to top our previous event.
As you can see, TopNotch is one of many examples of how Black NCSU exemplifies the school’s motto, “Think and Do.” Feel free to check them out on Instagram and Twitter: @Topnotchent919, @djjaypee919, @ charleston_high.
THURSDAY, February 27, 2020 | 6
opinion
My Love and My Peace I truly believe good things come in threes Like the trifecta or Holy Trinity So here are three examples of how you’ve been my peace: Peace The immediate, instantaneous feeling that rushes through my body whenever you utter your favorite phrase “you know I got you” It was terrifying in the beginning Despite all my attempts to hide it and push you away, you persisted I don’t even know what to do with all these feelings Nor do I have the words to properly express Because honestly, I’ve never felt or seen such intentional love A love that was determined A love that was comforting and steadfast
A love that allowed me to be free A love that required nothing but me being my full, authentic, Black self
Pep talks and gassing my head You’ve never folded Always making time even when it seemed damn near impossible
commitment to your friends Your ability to remain levelheaded Your patience and understanding You see, them other Your dedication to n*ggas were all talk Peace building a sustainable But you... you were bout The immediate, future that action instantaneous feeling Your drive and ability to that rushes through my always get sh*t done, Peace body whenever I look correctly and damn near The immediate, into your eyes effortlessly instantaneous feeling Your existence, your Your impeccable music that rushes through my entire being taste body whenever you You’re the most beautiful Your smooth and warm plant your lovely cheek, thing I’ve ever seen back forehead, cheek, nose, I’m certain God took Her Your soothing voice chin combo time crafting you I thank God for you It’s always been the little The way your eyes light And I will forever be things up when you talk about grateful that I got to Somehow you always things that you love experience you knew what to do The way you smell So, my love: The glances The way you continue I hope that you never Random singing sessions to persist despite all of forget that you are Breathing exercises the odds being stacked appreciated Late night conversations against you But in case you do, I Endless yet effortless Those deep and wrote this just for you attempts to see my smile extremely thought out Oh how I love you Suffocating hugs on the life plans bad days Your selflessness and -Elikem thee Poet
opinion
THURSDAY, February 27, 2020 | 7
The Photograph: An Honest Review Black love is back in theatres with The Photograph, released on Feb. 14, impeccable timing. The film, led by Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield, is a serviceable romance film whose execution on its story concepts leaves shawn much more to be desired. It is not a bad film but it fredericks could have been better. Staff Writer The story centers on two couples, one being in present-day the other taking place in the past. One story is more interesting than the other and it is not the one featuring Issa and Lakeith. The plot is split into two different timelines which flash back and forth between the couples. As confusing as this could be, it was easy to follow the sequence of events. However, the execution of this idea was lacking because of the dissonance between the stories being told and the actual
interplay between them. The movie starts with Michael, Lakeith’s character which we will just call Lakeith because nobody is going to remember his name. Lakeith is a journalist (points from me as I can relate to the struggle of journalism). He is doing a feature on Issa’s mother’s ex-boyfriend. Lakeith comes to discover that Issa’s mother was an amazing photographer, hence “The Photograph,” this kicks things off as Lakeith’s character contacts Issa’s character, Mae, which of course sparks a romance between the two. The plot goes through familiar tropes atypical of a romance movie, well at least for the present storyline. The past storyline features a more interesting story, a story of love, sacrifice and secrets. It is this plot where The Photograph shines as the dynamic between the characters Christina Eames (Issa’s character’s mother) and her lover Issac Jefferson. Issac wants to marry Christina and make a “simple” life with her but she rejects this.
While she does love him, she wants more for herself, she wants to be a photographer and decides to move to New York. The film goes back and forth between the present dynamic and the past. It is attempting to tell a generational story with Issa’s character which is an interesting premise, however, it does not hold up as the main couple lacks significant conflict, the movie just ends and the credits roll without many resolutions. “The Photograph” is a well-shot film and quality movie although the acting can be emotionally muted. There is enjoyable humor as well that is not distracting to the overall story. It must be noted that the soundtrack for this movie is exceptional featuring artists Al Green, The Internet, H.E.R and much more. The music is very fitting to the themes of the movie. This tale is very intentional and fulfills the director’s vision of a positive romance. Romance stories have not been kind to Black love representation. There is usually
an abundant focus on trauma instead of triumph. It is commendable that a Black story can unfold without the need for exaggerated levels of trauma and tragedy. It is this aspect that makes “The Photograph” worth seeing purely for the experience of a Black romance that won’t make people cry in sadness. So while it can be said it is not a perfect movie (few films are), it is Black love with an overdue representation. “The Photograph” in its totality does not deliver a great romance. It is a movie with a particular mission of focusing on positive Black love that comes at the cost of a more interesting tale. Not more interesting because of trauma, more interesting in delivering nuance and depth to a modern Black love story, however it is still worth the watch.
Ragtime! ragtime! read all about it On the week of Feb. 17, the University Theater Department performed a production of the famous musical, “Ragtime.” The University Theatre department describes the musical as “Historical figures like Emma jalen Goldman, Booker T. rose Washington and Evelyn Managing Editor Nesbitt intersect with three groups of New Yorkers – the upper crust of New Rochelle, the African Americans of Harlem and the Eastern European immigrants living on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.” “Ragtime,” tells the complex story of America in the early 20th century by showing each character’s different experience in the country. The play also simultaneously deals with the many issues each group was forced to face. A wealthy white family from New Rochelle seems to have the perfect life. But once the play digs beyond the surface level,
the audience begins to notice the shroud of domesticity suffocating the Mother and the domestic disputes between the Mother and Father. An immigrant father, Tateh, and his daughter travel to America in search of a better life. Tateh assures his daughter of achieving the American Dream through hard work and determination. It doesn’t take long for them to realize that success doesn’t come as easily as they might have hoped. An African American man, Coalhouse Walker, is a famous Ragtime pianist who has fallen in love with a woman named Sarah. Their love story follows tragedy that was often bestowed upon Black couples back in the early 1900s. From the first musical number of the production, it was evident that there was a lot of work put into the show. From the actors’ charisma, to the historical costumes, to the set design, to the orchestra’s music floating through the auditorium, everything aligned perfectly. Throughout the play, this level of commitment never faltered. The energy stayed
consistent and everyone involved in the production was able to keep the audience engaged and invested. It was no secret that the production wasn’t scared of tackling the controversial issues that have often plagued America. One of the main critiques of early age America is the assumed role society placed on women. The women of the play are expected to be domesticated housewives. Taking care of the children while the husband is away. The wife from the wealthy white family struggles with this role as more time passes. Eventually, she decides to not feel guilty for making her own decisions without her husband’s input. Another critique the play utilized was the toxicity of capitalism. Back then, working conditions were way worse than they are now and most workplaces didn’t provide rights for their employees. Throughout the play, multiple anti-capitalism rallies are held (often led by Emma Goldman.) This distrust of capitalism takes rise the more Tateh, the immigrant father, realizes how difficult it is for an immigrant to gain success in the land of the free.
The third main critique of early age America is the racist ideals that afflicted the African American community. The Black characters of the play face hate crimes and blatant discrimination. The play took note of the fact that even when Black Americans attempt to use the system to seek justice, the system will often fail them. Each character’s hardship intersected with the others at one point or another. These troubles were to show what needs to be fixed in order for America to be the country it claims to be. The most interesting aspect of this play is the fact that each of these issues can be observed in modern times. Sexism, xenophobia and racism are all struggles that millions of Americans face every day. “Ragtime” had a lot to say and the cast and crew did an incredible job of telling these stories. The people involved in this production should be proud of what they achieved.