NUBIANMESSAGE NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM | Thursday, February 3, 2022
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Letter from the editor
Tim Havens Correspondant
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PHOTO GALLERY
Grand rising my Nubian brothers and sisters,
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MEDIA PAGE
Happy Black History month, one of the best months to be Black. Get your reparations all month long. Benefit from the guilt and take up space by being unapologetically Black everywhere.
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BLACKNESS IN ALL FORMS
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BLACK JOURNALISM
In this edition, we are highlighting Black history in many forms. We begin with the creation of our beloved publication and the environment of the campus community in September 1992. There are also a few opinion pieces about the importance of Black spaces.
Black art in many forms I am not your prize Black Culture has influenced all form of art Why Black journalism is important
Check out our media page where we have a poem by Elikem and a playlist for songs that were popular or released in 1992, the year our publication was founded. Also, check out the gallery that showcases Black art that Nubian has captured throughout the years.
NC State Library Archives
Cover art from Nov. 30, 1992 issue of Nubian Message.
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Spotify @nubianmessage. The Sentinel of the African-American Community at NC State Since 1992
Remember. All we have to do is stay Black and die. One love,
314 Witherspoon Student Center, NCSU Campus Box 7318, Raleigh, NC 27695
Andie
office 919-515-1468 advertising 919-515-2411 online thenubianmessage.com
Andrea/ Andie Alford (They/Them) Editor-in-Chief
nubian-editor@ncsu.edu Elikem Dodor (She/Her) Managing editor
nubian-managingeditor@ncsu.edu Arana Blake (She/They) Layout designer
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.
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Feature
The Conception of Nubian Message Elikem Dodor There were several Managing Editor events that led up to the
conception of Nubian Message. Before we proceed, I want to pay homage to the Black publications that came before us: The first was the Minority Affairs Adhoc (MAA) Newsletter in 1980. MAA was designed to address the needs of the African-American community on campus. Next came The Peer Mentor Newsletter. This newsletter was created to provide outreach to students who were dedicated to assisting first-year African-American students to adjust to life on a predominately white campus. In the late 80s/early 90s, four Society of African American Culture (SAAC) members took on the challenge of joining the Technician staff to write about issues prevalent to the African American community on campus. Lastly, Erudition In Black was created to serve as a medium of information within the African American community. These publications ceased to exist for various reasons. HERE IS A CONDENSED TIMELINE: When the African American Cultural Center (AACC) opened its doors in Jan. 1991, it was met with several complaints. On Feb. 8, 1992, Nathan Gay published a column in Technician asking “Why are three floors of the Student Center Annex allocated for an African American Cultural Center (AACC) when there is nothing of equal space for other races represented on campus? Isn’t there enough ‘hanging out’ space on this campus? And why is this huge room granted just for one race? Why can’t I ‘hang out’ there, too?” On Feb. 24, 1992, UNC-Chapel Hill students came together to advocate for several issues: the creation of a free-standing Black Cultural Center, the improvement of pay and working conditions for housekeeping staff on campus and an endowed faculty position. Several campus organizations such as Black Student Movement and Campus Y issued these demands to the Chancellor at the time, Paul Hardin. Black students from NC State joined the UNC-Chapel Hill students in their protest. On Mar. 17, 1992, Chancellor Hardin responded to the demands, expressing “sympathy” but not willing to meet any of the demands. Chancellor Hardin refused the creation of the cultural center in fear of “promoting segregation and separatism”
NC State Library Archives
saying “I do not agree with those of you who advocate for a free-standing Center.” Following this, there were a series of protests and demonstrations. These actions received national media attention and ignited conversations regarding race and separatism on several campuses, including NC State. On Sept. 22, 1992, several Black students at NCSU expressed their feelings regarding the management (or the lack thereof) of the AACC at a Student Government Forum. The students expressed their feelings saying “Your plans aren’t our plans for a cultural center.” Another student talked about the failed promise of a free-standing cultural center, “Five years ago, the students were told they would get a free-standing structure. But we got a Student Center Annex instead.” The administration denied this, claiming that there was never a promise of a free-standing cultural center. On Sept. 23, 1992, Technician published an opinion column by Steve Crisp entitled “Blatant Racism Behind BAC Rally.” In this column, Crisp referred to the members of the Black Awareness Council (BAC) (Black students at UNC-Chapel Hill who were protesting for a free-standing cultural center) as “Ku Klux Blacks.” Crisp detailed his article with the use of several racial slurs and racial euphemisms, asserting that “that [the BAC’s] views of Black people being systematically disadvantaged in society and throughout history are ‘bullsh*t!’” In this same issue, Technician writer Jeff Rom called the BAC “a bunch of terrorists.” Rom continued to say that their goal to create an African American Cultural
Center segregated cultural groups, saying “a cultural center only emphasizes that we are different.” On Sept. 25, 1992, about 200 students gathered in the Brickyard to burn Technician newspapers in response to the two racially-biased articles. The protest was led by Greg Washington and Chris Smith. The leaders gave a statement at the protest saying “The purpose of this protest is to make a general statement about the racist articles that have appeared in the Technician. . . These articles in Technician are nothing new. They are a part of an ongoing problem.” The two then continued to advocate for the need for a Black newspaper on NC State’s campus saying “We need a Black paper on this campus that will give coverage to give a Black perspective.” On Sept. 28, 1992, Tony Williamson, the soon-to-be Founder of Nubian Message, wrote to the Technician responding to the racist articles. In Williamson’s response, he talks about the need for a cultural center saying “An African American cultural center is a place where Blacks can showcase the achievements of their ancestors. It is a place where both Blacks and non-blacks can learn things about African heritage other than the negative images constantly portrayed by the media. Such a place ultimately helps to build the pride and selfesteem of African Americans.” Williamson continues to say that the articles comparing the BAC to Ku Klux Klan was not only an insult to the BAC but to Black people as a whole. “At no point in history has the BAC, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People,
Black Panthers Party or other Black activist organization practiced the unjust, terrorist acts that have become synonymous with the KKK.” Nov. 30, 1992, marked the first publication of Nubian Message. The first issue was printed with the support and equipment of North Carolina Central University. In the first issue, Williamson explaines the motivations behind the conception of Nubian Message: “At N.C. State, one of our main concerns has been unfair and unjust media coverage of the African American community on this campus. As hard as we have tried, our cries for justice have not been heard and our proposed solutions to our media problems have not been accepted thus far. Rather than sit around and wait for some fair coverage by that other paper on campus, The Nubian Message has been created to represent the African American community at NCSU totally, truthfully, and faithfully. In doing so, we shall cover every aspect of African-American life at NCSU.” 30 years later, Black students across the country continue to speak out against what we feel to be unfair conditions. Throughout all of this, Nubian Message has served as a medium to represent the Black community at NCSU. Within the past few years, we have released letters to the Chancellor, the Black Student Coalition’s petitions, letters regarding COVID concerns, covered various protests in Raleigh, and so much more. It was not until Mar. 7, 1994, that NC State Student Media accepted Nubian Message. This acceptance meant that the paper would be recognized as a permanent member of Student Media as well as receiving full funding and advisory support. On Mar. 12, 1994, a few months prior to his graduation, Tony Williamson unexpectedly passed away. The Mar. 24, 1994 issue of Nubian Message was filled with messages, poems, and stories commemorating the life of our Founder. Williamson envisioned Nubian Message being “the media voice for African – Americans at N.C. State. It will be a publication in which people can learn about different aspects of our culture, as well as find useful information about State’s campus.” Every day we strive to fulfill his vision and uplift his great legacy.
Full article on website.
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Feature
black art in many forms
Contributed by Angel Parpard-Jacke & Christina Pak Murashov Angel Parpard-Jacke, a fourth-year studying political science, poses surrounded by models wearing ensembles of her line, “Athlead.” Christiana Pak Murashov, a fourth-year studying business administration, created the photo shoot to help display Parpard-Jacke’s work.
TOP RIGHT: Elikem Dodor/ Archive Photo Uninhibited Praise Gospel Choir singing at the African American Cultural Center's annual Kwanzaa celebration on Dec. 4, 2019
BOTTOM left: Contributed By AACC
The African American Cultural Center hosts "Black Girl Maverick." an art gallery by Avery Bolden.
BOTTOM Right: Nick Faulkner /Archive Photo 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.
Opinion
Token
"1992" playlist by Nubian Message Staff
Throw back to 1992 Graphic by Kyle howe
Breakin' My Heart Remember the Time
Mint Condition Michael Jackson
End of the Road
Boyz II Men
Jump
Kris Kross
Too Legit to Quit What about Your Friends Baby Got Back I Will Always Love You My Lovin Real Love Weak
MC Hammer TLC Sir Mix-a-Lot
En Vogue Mary J. Blige SWV Jodeci
Diamonds & Pearls
Prince
Protect Ya Neck
I am Black 365 days out of the year Sometimes even 366. 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. In the classroom, In the car, In the office, In the gym, And In every single space in between. My Blackness extends beyond your 28 days so forgive me for not wanting to be your token I am not your prize To be tucked away until you’re ready to dust me off Pulling me out when it’s convenient to listen to my voice Showcasing me to the masses to “prove” that I exist Gag is I have always existed I was born Black and I will die Black And the time in between is something that you’ll never be able to take from me Because all I gotta do is stay Black and die.
Whitney Houston
Come and Talk to Me
If I Ever Fall In Love
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Shai Wu-Tang Clan
I am everything that these obronis want to be I am the blueprint, the original copy Often imitated but never successfully replicated Filled with proverbs and expressions Like the great philosopher, Flo Milli, once said “I like cash and my hair to my a**” And quite frankly that's all I’ve ever really wanted All I’ve ever wanted was to be carefree All I ever wanted was to be Black
-Elikem
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Opinion
Why Black History Month is Important from the nubian message staff The staff of the Nubian Message answers a very important question to all of us: not only why Black History Month is necessary, but why it’s especially important in today's climate. Nubian message staff “Black History month lets us showcase our Blackness and remember our history while looking at what we’re still fighting for now. It lets us show the world that all Black lives matter, including the queer and trans ones.”
–Andie Alford, Editor-in-chief
“Black History month is important because Black History is not really taught otherwise. Black History is rarely a main topic and is often subjected to “otherness.” Black History month allows for Blackness to be on the forefront for a change. To celebrate Blackness is to celebrate life.”
–Elikem Dodor, Managing Editor
“Black History month is important because Black people have been and still are the backbone of our society and they deserve a time when their stories and accomplishments are shared, recognized, and celebrated.”
“Black History month is important because it allows us to celebrate our blackness. It allows us to share our stories, our tragedies and triumphs. We are able to look to the future and learn from our past..”
“I think that Black History month is important because Black people face a lot of nonsense throughout the year and deserve a month (and more) to be recognized and respected.”
“Oftentimes history is written by the ones who view themselves as the successor. Black History month is a way for Black people who have been victimized by these oppressive systems to destroy the horrible narratives these “successors” ingrained by showcasing our stories, our cultures and our hearts.”
–Arana Blake, Layout Designer
–Milan Hall, Correspondent
–Austin Modlin, Correspondent
– Ugonna Ezuma-Igwe, Staff Writer
Blackness in All Forms All people are similar in the sense that we want to share ourselves in what we do. Everybody wants to share their experiences in a way that shows their beauty. This is where art comes in. You can’t go Austin Modlin anywhere without seeing Correspondent the influence of Black people in art. From your favorite TikTok to your favorite track, Black art has been there. Black culture is one of the most influential, multifaceted things that have been created. The Black experience in and of itself is a unique one, with the many barriers and struggles that come with being Black. One of the main issues that I have come across with existing while being Black is the constant feeling of suppression when it comes to expression. There are systems in place that are designed for the purpose of shrinking down Black people and the Black experience into one singular entity (which
is usually negative), to fit white narratives. Black art allows Black people to express all aspects of themselves in a way that furthers what being Black can be. I saw my first piece of Black art when I was 7. It was an Ernie Barnes painting called “Sugar Shack.” There was something in it that invoked some sense of pride. Black people were just dancing, nothing but pure joy in each face. This was something that I would see at family gatherings, school functions, but never in mainstream media. There was something about that painting that invoked a sense of pride, in my own identity, my own Blackness. I’ll never forget the first time I read “Static Shock.” It wasn’t the first time I’d seen a Black superhero, but it was the first time I read a Black superhero comic by a Black artist. The artwork and lines the characters said felt authentic, not what a white person thought a Black person should act like. The fact that it was a Black creator made it much more impactful. It showed me
that Black people could, at the very least, have control over our own narrative. We are more than what racist institutions have painted us as and tried to force us to believe we are. It’s one of the reasons I'm here today, it constantly inspires me to keep moving forward, to keep creating a new narrative of Blackness to inspire someone else.
“ The artwork and lines
the characters said felt authentic, not what a white person thought a Black person should act like. ” With Black art also comes the potential for Black unity. Black music is another art form that has transcended race, it’s
something that has reached out on a global scale. One of the most popular forms of Black music, hip hop, was created from Black people’s need for self-expression. Black art not only tells the many stories of Black people and the universal aspects of the Black experience, but it also allows for new perspectives and experiences to be born. It allows for the concept of Blackness and Black culture to expand. For Black people to be a constantly evolving group of people. You can’t go anywhere in the world today without Black art being seen or heard. Even modern, white-dominated genres like rock and roll originated from Black artists. Without Black art, many of the cultural norms that people enjoy today simply would not exist. Black art is one of the founders of today's modern mainstream media. Most, if not all of American culture is tied to or inspired by Black art and culture.
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Opinion
The Importance of Black Journalism Journalism is often called the voice of the people but how can that be so when the people reporting and creating the stories aren’t an accurate representation of the world? According to a study done by Ugonna the American Society Ezuma-Igwe Staff Writer of News Editors in 2018 about 7.22% of all newsroom employees, full-time and part-time, were Black while 78.22% were white. With only 6.45% of Newsroom leaders being Black there’s no surprise that the voices of Black people are continuously erased, forgotten and ignored. The lack of diversity in these newsrooms is what allows for reckless headlines like those created by the German newspaper, DIE RHEINPFALZ, that roughly translated to “The Virus from Africa is with us.” Not to mention the absolutely disgusting cartoon that the Spanish newspaper, Tribuna de Albacete, drew saying that Black South Africans are coming to Europe on a boat with the Omicron Covid-19 variant. Some dismiss these things as minor mistakes, but if people truly understand the power that news outlets possess then they would know how dangerous these socalled mistakes can be. It should have taken two seconds of critical thought and due diligence to do research and discover that the narrative created by these news outlets was wrong. It was later announced by Dutch health authorities that cases of the Omicron variant were actually found in the Netherlands before those identified in South Africa. I refuse to believe that if there were more Black individuals in significant and critical positions in the newsroom that this would have happened. The addition of Black journalists is necessary to force the change of acceptable rhetoric in journalism. The lack of Black journalists isn’t just an international issue as these issues are very present in US journalism. We don’t even have to look far to find it. Nubian Message was founded as a resistance to the unheard cries of the Black students on NC State’s campus. NC State’s very own Technician published an opinion column in 1992 by
Steve Crisp that referred to members of the Black Awareness Council (BAC) as “Ku Klux Blacks.” Nubian Message's existence is the perfect example of why Black Journalists are important. One point that has been brought up continuously is that by adding diversity to workplaces, these individuals will be biased toward the intersections they align to. While many jump to the defense of Black journalists and say we are professionals and can do our jobs, I beg to ask: why can’t we solely address the stories of our people? Oftentimes Black stories are left out of the media and when they are addressed they are inaccurately portrayed. In a study by Color of Change, it was shown that Black families are often portrayed by major news outlets as dependent and dysfunctional while white families are more likely to be depicted as socially stable. News outlets have helped shape and spread the narratives that Black families are “uniquely and irrevocably pathological and undeserving.” Oftentimes, race is used to measure the stability of a family instead of the functionality of the family unit. Black families are often judged and ridiculed more than their white counterparts. This can be seen through the portrayal of Donald Trump as a father. Donald Trump had 5 kids by 3 women. While there isn’t anything inherently wrong with that, imagine if this was true about Barack Obama. News media would have absolutely used it to try and obliterate his credibility as a worthy presidential candidate. News media have the power to shape what millions of people feel and believe. Yet the behavior of the world's current editorial staff have made news a burden, not a benefit, to society. Phillip Graham once said Journalism is the first rough draft of history. There are millions of Black people who have all lived lives that allow them to speak a unique perspective on the Black experience. All of these need to be heard. Let us not let Black stories and experiences be written out of history… AGAIN. Enough is enough!
Black History Month with the Nubian Why do we need a Black History Month? Whenever February hits, the same drawnout debate gets brought up, “why do we need a Black history month?” Milan Hall or “why not a white Correspondent history month?” Black History Month cast a spotlight on a group of people who have consistently been overlooked in every single regard. This month also gives an opportunity to learn the history of Black people that have been mistaught or completely ignored in schools. In his article published in the Nubian Message, Kenton’s Corner: In Defense of Black History Month, Kenton Gibbs says “America doesn’t need a white history month because we experience white history throughout every day of our lives.” Gibbs points out the inaccurate history taught in schools and why we should always try to educate ourselves on what was overlooked. The topic on how Black history is consistently overlooked is spoken about in the article What About White History Month? by Marlena Wilson. Wilson explains how Black history is really only available while pursuing higher education, “Throughout the American education system, European history dominates. That is basically the first type of history we learn. College is the only time one gets to branch out and choose classes that they feel will benefit them. Those who were not fortunate enough to receive a college education are slighted and never truly learn what they need to.” Information on Black history is not easily accessible or included in conversations surrounding history as a whole. The Importance of Black History Black people and culture have had a massive impact on American culture as a whole. For example, the music industry is dominated by Black artists and their influences can be seen everywhere. Cultural appropriation is rampant and yet there is no credit or praise given to the originators. In fact, it seems that the only praise
Black Americans seem to get is when they are contributing to America as a whole and even then that still leads to criticism. In the article Golden Ancestry by Deerricka Green, they discuss the importance of Black athletes in the Olympics, “Without the contribution of Black athletes, the U.S. would have suffered in one of its most successful areas — track and field. Black-Americans were a force to be reckoned with.” It is almost as if non-Black people see us as assets. Still Making Progress Black History is still being made today. There are still non-stop racist incidents in places that claim to be safe for Black people. In the article A Look Back at NC State’s History of Failing Black Students by Liya Tewelde you can see the blatant disregard of Black students throughout the history of NC State. So why not bring attention to this? These issues are not just in the past or “history,” people are still demanding change to this day. The widespread Black Lives Matter protest in 2020 will one day be considered history and yet despite everyone demanding change, very little came from it. There will always be changes to be made when it comes to how Black people are treated in America and the world as a whole. Pride In conclusion, Black History Month allows Black people to feel seen and view their past. This is a month where the spotlight is truly on Black people and no one else, a time where people cannot speak over us. To show off. However, Black History Month is every month. The article Why Is Black History Month So Important at a PWI? by former Editorin-Chief Anahzsa Jones features quotes from former members of the Nubian's Staff about the importance of Black History Month. In the article, a quote from former Editor-in-Chief Yesenia Jones sums up the importance of Black History Month, “Black History Month is the one time of the year when spaces are created where Black Excellence, creativity, love and culture are celebrated and put into the spotlight on a campus that is normally a sea of whiteness.”