Nubian Message, Jan. 25, 2024, "High Hopes"

NUBIANMESSAGE NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM | THURSDAY, January 25, 2023

High Hopes

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023 | 2

Letter from the editor Welcome back everyone!

Are y’all ready for the Spring semester? It is my last semester here at NC State and to be honest… I’m so ready to go.

Moving on from me, it’s 2024! It’s election year and y’all, I am unsure how to feel about it. That brings us to this issue where we have an article talking about the election. We’re also bringing you the news about Havard’s first Black president resigning, Black professors and St. Augustine University.

THISISSUE 4

CLAUDINE GAY

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GALLERY

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2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

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FINANCIAL LITERACY

We have a feature from Martin Luther King Jr.’s commemoration week. As always, if you want some conversation starters, or possibly enders, check out our opinion section! Not in the mood to read? Well check out our gallery. Don’t forget to listen to our playlist to discover new songs and artists!

Well, that’s all I have for this issue. I wish you all the best for your Spring semester!

See you next time,

Harvards first black president resigns March Like Martin 2024 A go-to guide for voting in the 2024 election Financial literacy breeds success.

cover photo BY Hallie Walker/Staff Photographer First-year students participating in the walk pose for a photo before the March Like Martin event at Stafford Commons on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024. The student-led march honored Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and promoted activism and the organizing of communities.

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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, JANUARY 25, 2023 | 3

Nc state struggles to retain black faculty Jeanine Ikekhua On Jan. 12, the Executive Vice Managing Editor

Chancellor and Provost, Warwick Arden, announced the release of the “Black Faculty Retention and Success Task Force: Final Report, Spring 2023.”

Vice Chancellor Arden's email to students stated that the task force was created in Oct. 2022 to “make recommendations that support the retention, success and well-being of Black Faculty at NC State across all ranks and tracks.”

The task force is led by Vice Chancellor and Dean for the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, Doneka R. Scott, and Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Engagement, Jai Jackson. There were a lot of factors that went into the creation of this retention plan. Some of these factors include: the shared experiences of Black faculty at NC State, the recommendation from the 2013 Black Faculty Representation Working Group and innovative practices from higher education institutions around the U.S. In the report, members of the task force list strategies the university can undertake at the department, college and higher university level to recruit and retain Black faculty. These recommendations are intended to help NC State University move forward with its commitmrnt to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

The online report begins with addressing the lack of representation of Black faculty in higher education. “The underrepresentation of Black Faculty in American higher education has been a persistent problem for several years.

Despite some efforts to improve diversity and inclusion, the number of Black faculty remains significantly low.”

The report goes on to explain why this issue persists despite efforts to improve diversity on university campuses nationwide. “Retaining Black faculty in academics remains a challenge due to factors inducing institutional racism, lack of support and insufficient mentoring opportunities.” The task force’s research shows that these factors eventually lead Black faculty to experience higher rates of

workplace discrimination, isolation and racial microaggressions than their white counterparts.

In addition to these factors, Black faculty also face unique challenges in professional life, such as navigating racism and discrimination. Black faculty are unable to escape the grips of discrimination no matter how hard they try. The report explains that this constant battle of being a Black person in higher education “can contribute to lower job satisfaction and decreased sense of belonging on campus, leading to higher turnover rates.

“In addition to these

factors, Black faculty also face unique challenges in their professional life, such as navigating racism and discrimination. This means Black faculty are unable to escape the grips of discrimination no matter how hard they try.”

Black professors are also more likely to experience burnout and be less satisfied with their workspace because they experience bias in hiring, promotion and tenure decisions. After the task force’s recommendation, the factors causing these issues are summarized into four main points: workplace culture, lack of equity between professional-track and tenuretrack faculty, cluster hires and sense of belonging.

After focusing on Black faculty retention rates across the nation, the committee zoomed in on NC State University. This section of the report said, “Only 6% of full-time faculty at four year institutions in the United States were Black… even

though Black people comprise 13% of the United States population.” The disparity was seen in all U.S. universities, including NC State.

A current NC State Assistant Professor expressed their frustration with the system, “I kind of have a feeling that experiences are at the center of feelings that a lot of Black faculty have and what causes them to leave. Being disrespected when you’re Black is even harder to deal with...you try so hard to climb this mountain and you finally do, but you feel like I might as well have been a cashier for the level of respect I get, that cuts a little deeper as a Black faculty member, it’s just so hard to take.”

One of the biggest impacts of racism that Black faculty face is bias in hiring, promotion and tenure. The digital task force plan states that Black faculty members are often subjected to bias that affects their ability to climb ranks.

These biases come in the form of “lack of diversity on search committees, limited access to informal networks or a focus on research productivity at the expense of teaching and service.”

From 2022 to 2023, NC State hired only six African American/Black professors which brought the new hire Black professor population to 8%. On the other hand, eight African American/Black professors ceased their tenure at NC State. This means 18.4% of professors who left NC State were African American/Black.

Lack of representation of Black faculty not only affects faculty, but has bigger social implications because it negatively impacts Black students. “For example, it can create a sense of isolation and disengagement for Black students who may not see themselves represented in the faculty. The underrepresentation also perpetuates the marginalization of Black voices and perspectives in academia,” as mentioned in the report.

In response to this crisis, the task force listed four practices to best retain Black faculty at NC State and across American higher education. These practices are: developing inclusive hiring practices, providing institutional support, addressing microaggressions and promoting equity in hiring, promotion and tenure.

The task force on Black Faculty Retention Rates believes that “institutions can develop inclusive hiring practices by actively recruiting diverse candidates, using diverse search committees, and ensuring job postings emphasize the institution's commitment to diversity and inclusion.”

Additionally, the committee also recommends that institutions support Black faculty by providing them with “mentorship programs, professional development opportunities, and access to research funding and office space.”

The third recommendation is to address microaggressions by training faculty and staff on how to identify them, and establishing clear policies for reporting and addressing discrimination.

The final practice for retaining Black faculty is to promote equity by creating clear evaluation criteria, and making sure there is diversity on promotion and tenure committees. These recommendations are further broken down into specific suggestions such as compensation equity, equity for tenure track and profession track faculty and continuous data tracking for Black faculties progression at NC State. The task force hopes these recommendations will help improve the work environment for professors at NC State and in higher education.

The committee's plan was also submitted to an American Association for the Advancement of Science SEA Change Initiative, “signifying NC State’s commitment to including diversity, equity and inclusion as a core component of our institutional mission.” If NC State wins the award, they will be held accountable to report their progress on its action plan to the SEA Change.

Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Arden stated that NC State will update the university community on the implementation of task force recommendations. There are even plans to implement the recommendation in the next phase of NC State’s strategic plan, Wolfpack 2030: Powering the Extraordinarily.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023 | 4

news

Harvard President Resigns On Jan. 2, 2024, Harvard President Dr. Claudine Gay announced her resignation effective immediately. Gay resigned after facing controversy over her handling of student discipline during the Israel-Hamas war along with plagiarism allegations brought against her. Gay’s tenure at Harvard was the shortest in the school’s history.

Dr. Gay became became Harvard's president on Jul. 1, 2023. She was previously the Edgerley Family Dean of Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and a professor of Government and African and African American Studies. Gay was the university’s first Black president and the second woman to hold the position.

“It is with a heavy heart but a deep love for Harvard that I write to share that I will be stepping down as president,” Dr. Gay said in a statement on the Harvard website.

“This is not a decision I came to easily.

Indeed, it has been difficult beyond words because I have looked forward to working with so many of you to advance the commitment to academic excellence that has propelled this great university across centuries.”

The letter also mentioned attacks she received before her resignation. “Amidst all of this, it has been distressing to have doubt cast on my commitments to confronting hate and to upholding scholarly rigor—two bedrock values that are fundamental to who I am—and frightening to be subjected to personal attacks and threats fueled by racial animus,” she said.

Harvard received public attention on Oct. 7, 2023, when the Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee, along with 33 student groups, released a statement accusing Israel of being responsible for the current Israel-Hamas war. “We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence,” the letter said.

According to the Crimson, the Palestine Solidarity Commitee’s Instagram page initially posted the letter. The statement was widely criticized, with business leaders saying it attempted to justify Hamas’ actions, with some individuals saying the students who signed the letter should have their names revealed, an idea that also received criticism. Some student groups who signed later retracted their signature

Ross emelle Staff Writer

Image from Creative Commons

The Inauguration of Claudine Gay as the 30th President of Harvard University. following the backlash.

After the committee posted the letter, some students who signed it were doxxed and had their names posted on a truck billboard. Other students had their personal information posted online as well.

Dr. Gay released a statement on Oct. 10, 2023, writing, “As the events of recent days continue to reverberate, let there be no doubt that I condemn the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas.”

She said, “Such inhumanity is abhorrent, whatever one’s individual views of the origins of long standing conflicts in the region.”

Dr. Gay later said, “Let me also state, on this matter as on others, that while our students have the right to speak for themselves, no student group — not even 30 student groups — speaks for Harvard University or its leadership.”

On Oct. 13, 2023, Dr. Gay released a message on YouTube where she stated that Harvard is against hate, supports free expression, and said that applies “even towards views that many of us find objectionable, even outrageous.”

Harvard continued to deal with the controversy in the following weeks. The university was a subject of an United States Department of Education (DOE) investigation into antisemitism and islamophobia on college campuses.

Dr. Gay participated in a hearing with the DOE, along with leaders from University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She attracted criticism after answering a question from Republican House representative Elise Stefanik, “Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Harvard’s rules of bullying and harassment?”

“It can be, depending on the context,” Gay said in response. She later said that if it becomes harassment or bullying, then it would be actionable conduct. “When it crosses into conduct that amounts to bullying harassment intimidation - that is actionable conduct, and we do take action.”

Dr. Gay later released a statement through Harvard’s X, formly known as Twitter, account, stating, “There are some who have confused a right to free expression with the idea that Harvard will condone calls for violence against Jewish students. Let me be clear: calls for violence or genocide against the Jewish community, or any religious or ethnic group are vile, they have no place at Harvard, and those who threaten our Jewish students will be held to account.”

Dr. Gay later faced allegations of plagiarism. On Oct. 24, 2023. The New York Post asked Harvard about instances of Gay’s academic writing being similar to other works, leading to Dr. Gay requesting

an independent review of her academic works for plagiarism.

The review found evidence of improper citations but none that violated Harvard’s standards for research misconduct. Based on these findings, Dr. Gay requested corrections, but Harvard did not punish her.

Further plagiarism allegations came from the Washington Free Beacon, a conservative journalism website. Harvard would later report more evidence of improper citations in Dr. Gay’s dissertation and announced that Dr. Gray had requested further corrections.

Prior to the resignation announcement, students were torn about whether Dr. Gay should resign. A majority of the editorial board for the Crimson, Harvard’s student newspaper, wrote that they wanted Dr. Gay to stay at the school. Another opinion was posted to the Crimson, where staff who disagreed wrote that Dr. Gay should leave the school.

Outside of the school, there was also controversy regarding the plagiarism accusations. The New Yorker posted an article written by Emma Green, called “Why some Academics are Hesitant to Call Claudine Gay a Plagiarist.” In the article, Green interviewed Dr. Stephen Voss, a professor Dr. Gay had allegedly plagiarized from. Dr. Voss said that the incidents cited as plagiarism were trivial.

In an article from CBS News, Harvard professors claimed that the faculty overwhelmingly supported Dr. Gay, with one professor saying that the resignation was influenced by mob rule.

Other news outlets believed that Dr. Gay should leave. The New York Times posted an article titled “Why Claudine Gay Should Go,” in which the opinion writer, John McWhorter, wrote that the decision was a matter of academic integrity and that Gay should resign. The CBS article also found Harvard students who supported her exit and believed it was best for the school.

Dr. Alan Garber is succeeding Dr. Gay as interim president, effective immediately.

He has been Harvard's chief academic officer since 2011 and is a professor of economics, public policy, health policy and management. Gay will remain a member of Harvard’s faculty.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023 | 5

news

St. Augustine's Accreditation samUel chambers Less than five miles away Correspondent

from NC State's campus lies an historically Black college by the name of St. Augustine University (SAU). In Dec. 2023, St. Augustine's Board of Trustees fired the university's President Christine McPhail. Following this incident, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Colleges (SACSCOC) removed the university's accreditation. Although the SACSCOC, voted to strip the university of its accreditation, St. Aygustine remains accredited due to the appeal process. This causes concern for students and hinders the stability of the leadership within the university.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time this historically Black institution has been placed under probation. In 2016, SAU was placed under probation for financial instability lasting until 2018. Soon after, McPhail became their thirteenth president in February 2021. The following year, SAU was placed under probation once again, at risk of losing their accreditation.

The impact of losing accreditation will eventually strip federal financial aid from the student population, which surely will stimulate a number of negative effects.

Ultimately, this creates a bad reputation for the university which will affect their ability to attract new faculty, staff and students.

“The impact of losing

accreditation will eventually strip federal financial aid from the student population, which surely will stimulate a number of negative effects. ” SACSCOC issued the Disclosure Statement on Dec 5, 2023. SAU is in the process of appeal, which must be submitted by the university on Jan 21. The statement revealed the University’s failure to comply with seven different regulations and requirements, four being related to

iimage from creative commons

Image of a Bachelor of Arts degree.

financial matters. The university has since decided to appoint Dr. Marcus H. Burgess into the role of Interim President.

Beginning his fresh start at SAU, Burgess told WRAL News that he is, “committed to ushering in a new era of stability and growth for the university, ensuring its continued accreditation and fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration.”

Burgess is currently in a temporary role but hopes to pursue this position full-time. The question is, is he fit for the task?

It is a necessity for educational institutions to have stability to create sustainable and productive learning environments. Instability has been knocking on the doors of many Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in recent years. In fact, in 2023, there were more than 20 presidential vacancies among the nation’s 101 HBCUs. Turnover can close doors to those who are not suitable to lead communities and open up opportunities for new faces and fresh ideas with a better vision.

There has been a surging trend of presidential departures among America’s HBCUs. In Nov. 2023, 18 HBCUs lacked a

permanent president. Of those listed, two come from our home state: North Carolina A&T State University and Winston-Salem State University. These universities joined St. Augustine University recently, totalling three North Carolinian HBCUs with interim or temporary presidents.

This decline is observed at large in educational institutions regardless of whether they are historically Black or not. This fact, however, does not mitigate the high turnover rates that are more significantly observed in Black colleges.

There have been a growing number of studies on the absence of permanent leadership or decline in average tenure completion in our education system.

In the wake of Harvard President Claudine Gay's resignation, there has been a growing attention to presidential vacancies.

St. Augustine’s leadership has seemed to have a tension-filled relationship with their own Board of Trustees. Christine McPhail was not the first member to contest her removal. In October of last year, SAU also fired their head football coach, who is claiming it as an "unjust" decision. This

comes only four years after four former and high-ranking employees sued the institution for wrongful termination.

The most concerning aspect of this is not simply the amount of terminations, but the contentious relationship between SAU’s faculty and board.

There are certainly commonalities between universities across the nation, but the complexities of each situation make it difficult to define one concrete issue. Terrell Strayhorn, Director of Research at the Center for the Study of HBCUs at Virginia Union University, has made his studies on this matter public. He emphasizes that there is no simple answer as to why HBCU turnover has experienced such a spike. He includes “declining or shrinking enrollments, vacancies in key positions, inadequate facilities, fiscal issues, and Board tensions,” all as factors that impact turnover.

The underfunding of HBCUs has also long been a common topic discussed in relation to the problems that these institutions face. Interim President, Dr. Marcus Burgess, stated in an interview with WRAL News that “from a financial standpoint, it's some dire times right now.

We’re having to make some tough decisions on who we pay and how we pay them.”

Money is not the only issue that SAU is facing, but it is evident that financial struggles cause burdens on the institution as a whole.

Hiring new presidents is not the only solution for SAU or any HBCU facing high turnover rates. Framing a solution has to also consider those in the highest positions of power, who ultimately make decisions regarding the leadership at each university. Strayhorn advises the Boards to “promote professional development for your CEO, offer leadership coaching, career counseling, and empower them to be part of conversations about the future of the institution.”

Collaboration between the Boards and staff of these institutions is necessary.

Especially in creating a transparent atmosphere where communication is frequently valued. This collaboration will reflect well in the community and allow leaders to foster stable futures and relationships for students, faculty and staff.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023 | 6

Arts & Culture Left Hallie Walker/

Staff Photographer Lance Patterson, a second-year studying business administration, chants into the megaphone during the March Like Martin event at Harris Field on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024.

Patterson, a member of the Eta Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, helped lead the march.

The Alpha Phi Alpha's led the march to honor Martin Luther King Jr. as he was also a member of the fraternity.

March Like Martin

violet beesley/Staff Photographer Jasmin Azan, a first-year studying computer science, listens with Victoria Barret, a first-year student studying fashion development, during the March Like Martin event at Harris Field on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024. March like Martin was held by the African American Cultural Center with Multicultural Student Affairs.

Left: Hallie Walker/

Staff Photographer Ava Butler, a thirdyear studying political science, and Calise Coleman, a secondyear studying elementary education, hold signs and chant during the March Like Martin event from Stafford Commons to Harris Field on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024. The event held by African American Cultural Center and Multicultural Student Affairs honored Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.

Right Violet Beesley/

Hallie Walker /Staff Photographer

Henoc Dossou, a fourth-year studying computer science, walks with friends during the March Like Martin event from Stafford Commons to Harris Field on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024. The student-led march honored Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and promoted activism.

Staff Photographer Christian Ross Crews, a third-year studying business administration, and Amya Beard, a third-year studying human biology, march during the March Like Martin event from Stafford Commons to Harris Field on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024. March like Martin was held by the African American Cultural Center with Multicultural Student Affairs.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023 | 7

Arts & Culture

His Grief new year's resolutions playlist by Nubian Message Staff Songs that reflect Nubian staff's New Year's resolutions.

everywhere

ChlÖe x halle

God provides

tamela Mann

Small Reminders Anchor

tinashe Madison Ryann Ward

Dependable God

The burdened sky fell pale, His tears, held by leaves.

Had I heard them wail, or had the silence in my room ceased?

Only in the shadow of the sun, A Father sobs for his only son.

-Alianna Kendall-Brooks

Victor Thompson

Exposed

Queen Key

Cute Threat

vayda

IM THAT GIRL

Beyonce

Rose in the Dark

Cleo Sol

Praise Jah in the Moonlight

YG Marley

Billionaire

On Sunday, God cried, casting the ground with gloom.

Spindly sprouts grew shy, as buds stood taut for bloom.

travie mccoy, Bruno Mars

Somebody to Love

Abhi the Nomad

Just Fine

Mary j blige

golden

jill scott

snooze

sza

ROOM SELECTION APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 4 AT 5 P.M. Submit Your Application NOW go.ncsu.edu/room_selection

Please send questions to housing@ncsu.edu University Housing

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023 | 8

news

Student Scam Situation Micah Oliphant Staff Writer

“Phishing” is a form of cybercrime where scammers send people fraudulent emails claiming to be from a respectable company or business. In reality, hackers are attempting to steal personal information, such as credit card information and social security numbers. Since the 1990s, phishing has become a common concern and is said to be the most common form of a cybersercurity attack. The Abnormal Society reports that “the FBI IC3 recorded over 300,000 phishing incidents in 2022— more than five times the second most common type of cybercrime.”

“94% of organizations were victims of phishing attacks and 96% of those were negatively impacted by it,” says software company Egrees. Across the nation, cybercrimes like phishing are becoming an overwhelming concern and NC State has been no exception.

Every semester, students are sent phishing emails and documents. The NCSU Office of Information Technology (NCSU IT) put out the statemen, “Last year, there were 2,652 phishing reports addressed within the Google Alert Center and the NC State IT Service Portal.”

Phishing can occur in various means aside from emails and documents. Scammers can target NC State staff and faculty, not just students.

“There is a trend where phishers send fraudulent invoices to staff and faculty members who typically process invoices in hopes they will approve them before taking a closer look,” said NCSU IT. “The tricky part is that the invoices are sometimes generated by payment handlers like PayPal and Square and spoof specific supply vendors used by campus departments.”

By opening the invoice, the phishers gain access to all of your information on that website or the application itself. Scammers can compromise bank accounts, bank statements and information from people who have interacted with you on those websites.

The statement continued “Another scam is targeting faculty members who receive customized emails praising their research articles and urging them to look at shared documents related to it. Doing this not only

A Roadmap to Equity, Freedom, and Justice

On Jan. 16, a group of North puts the faculty’s work in jeopardy, but it Carolina State can tarnish the reputation of the faculty University scholars gathered for a keynote member targeted as well as the institution panel titled, "Persistence: A Roadmap to itself.”

Equity, Freedom, and Justice" for Martin “The most prominent phishing scam on Luther King Jr. commemoration week. campus last semester and into this new Dr. King’s words, "Every step toward the year is the job scam targeting students; the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, phishers pretend to be faculty members and struggle" is a guiding compass for who need to verify personal information to the future of equity, freedom and justice. confirm a work opportunity.” Job phishing can be tempting because of how promising During King's 1966 visit to Reynolds the opportunities may seem; however, that’s Coliseum at NC State, he delivered a powerful speech that roused the Ku Klux the point. NC State advises their students, Klan into a march of 1,800 people. This faculty and staff to “Be cautious of campus discovery was made by one of the panelists job scams with subject lines like ‘JOB OFFER: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH Dr. Miller through his research initiatives.

The theme of persistence set the tone POSITION.’ If an offer seems too good to for the discussion in the pursuit of equity, be true, it probably is.” freedom and justice. The panelists included: Many phishing scams use these ways Dr. W. Jason Miller, a distinguished to continue to make money off of you, communicating with students long enough professor in the College of Humanities to get hundreds of dollars from them. “After and Social Sciences. Dr. Keon McGuire, an they offer you the job, they'll push for your Associate Professor of Higher Education Opportunity, Equity, and Justice in the money and personal information. You'll College of Education. Dr. DeLeon Gray, get an invoice (it's fake) for equipment Associate Professor of Educational like a computer they'll order for you, but Psychology and Equity in the College of tell you to pay for… ” the Federal Trade Education and Chazzlyn Jackson, a Ph.D. Commision said. student studying Sociology in the College In a blog interview with Avast, college of Humanities and Social Sciences. student Bella Maurico shared a story This esteemed panel brought a where she explained her experience with multidisciplinary perspective to the email phishing. Maurico explained that table.

The discussion was moderated she received an enticing email about a

by Dr. Jameco McKenzie, Director of job offer during her junior year. She was Multicultural Student Affairs in the Office desperate for money and the email looked for Institutional Equity and Diversity. Dr. like a solution to her problems. “The email McKenzie presented a series of questions described how you could earn up to an to the panelists to dive deeper into their additional $300 a week by being a secret personal experiences regarding the theme shopper. I clicked on the link and it took of persistence in the pursuit of equity, me to a website. It asked me to fill in my: freedom and justice. email, first and last name, location, and Dr. Gray emphasized the significance types of stores I would want to go to, like of equity, speaking on the pivotal role clothes, electronics, or hardware.” Maurico played by professors who left a lasting followed the phisher's instructions and impact on him. These mentors refused to when she got to the store an employee informed her that the job offer was a scam. let him falter, going above and beyond to guarantee the success of every student, Her story is unique but also a testament to including those seemingly disengaged or how far a phishing scam could go. facing their most challenging moments. He As the issue of phishing increases, draws inspiration from those who dedicate students need to stay clear of these emails themselves to the betterment of the and protect themselves and their personal community, rather than the individual. information at all costs.

When growing up, Dr. McGuire noticed how freedom was discussed in a spiritual and religious context, but rarely a political one. From early on, he noticed how systems

Senait Richmond Staff Writer

of justice in the U.S. would not be readily available for support. He said, “resources that we have or fundamentally belong to us, we have to share them with those who may not have the same access to those resources.” Dr. McGuire describes freedom as living in a way that is not moved by fear.

Instead, it is a belief in self, humanity and a greater collective possibility. Quoting Nina Simone, he said, “Freedom is the absence of fear.”

Dr. Miller depicts justice as an evolving roadmap, constantly marked as "under construction." Initiating his discourse as a white scholar and researcher on these issues, he said, "I only deserve to be heard because I've listened first." Acknowledging his privilege within the spaces he navigates, he observed areas in need of improvement.

Dr. Miller advocates altering the narrative by actively participating in the pursuit of equity, freedom and justice through transformative curriculum adjustments.

Dr. Miller proposed a comprehensive three-year plan to revise the curriculum in the Department of English. The revision moves beyond the exclusive focus on renowned authors such as Whitman, Thoreau and Shakespeare, expanding to include the diverse perspectives of Morrison, Brooks, Baldwin and Hughes.

Dr. Miller seeks to reshape the foundational structure of education.

The panelists explored the concept of "the personal is political," weaving their own experiences into the fabric of the struggle. Dr. McGuire explored a new approach to raising a child and a man with softness and intuitive listening that he did not experience. Dr. Chazzlyn emphasized the importance of student involvement in decision-making processes. Dr. Gray emphasized the importance of a patient hustle, acknowledging that timing is crucial.

Looking towards the future, the panelists urged surrounding oneself with inspirational figures, maintaining radical self-care and permitting ourselves to dream. Acknowledging Ella Baker's words, “The struggle is eternal, somebody else carries on.”

While our roadmap is still in progress, these multidisciplinary scholars are dedicated to advancing equity, freedom and justice, both on this panel and in their daily lives.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023 | 9

features

New Year, New Election

Alianna Kendall-Brooks Staff Writer

In 2020, Joseph R. Biden Jr. defeated incumbent President Donald J. Trump in one of the most historic presidential elections in U.S. history. The election is marked as the highest voter turnout in more than a century, with a remarkable 50% of young people, ages 18-29, voting in the election. At the time, many college students were in high school and forced to sit at home awaiting the day they could finally vote.

Now, four years later, the presidential election is back in full swing with a rematch between the old rivals - current President Joseph Biden and former President Donald Trump. As we enter another election year, here is what new and experienced voters need to know.

The presidential campaign trail has been underway since last year beginning with 15 candidates – four Democrats, nine Republicans and two independents.

President Biden is expected to easily win the Democratic nomination in the primary elections, facing only nominal competition from author Marianne Williamson and Minnesota representative Dean Phillips.

As for the Republican or Grand Old Party (GOP), many candidates, such as Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie and Vivek Ramaswamy, have ended their White House bids and rallied behind the party’s leading nominees. Since the Republican primary elections began on Jan. 15, Donald Trump has been the frontrunner for the GOP's presidential nomination. He has also been leading in the popular vote among Republican voters during the primaries thus far. He is followed by former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.

Third-party candidates include Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, professor and activist Cornel West and physician and activist Jill Stein. Whether or not these candidates will appear on the general election ballot is unclear. Most states, including North Carolina, require independent candidates to collect upwards of 10,000 signatures by varying deadlines in order to appear on the ballot. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the only candidate who has met the requirements to appear on his first 2024 presidential election ballot in Utah.

Although several candidates are running

Image From creative commons

White House

for the 2024 presidency, all of them are hidden under the shadows of President Biden and former President Trump. On March 5, North Carolina will hold its primary election. North Carolina is a “partially closed” primary state in which voters affiliated with a political party may vote for candidates of their party only. For example, a registered Democrat can only vote using a Democratic primary ballot.

Unaffiliated voters can vote on any party’s ballot or a nonpartisan ballot. Although many voters only turnout for the general election, the primary ballot includes other important nominations such as state governor, lieutenant governor and more.

In North Carolina, long-time Governor Roy Cooper is unable to run for reelection after reaching the two-term limit.

This means North Carolina will have a new governor for the first time in almost eight years after Cooper's term expires.

Republican Lt. Governor Mark Robinson and Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein are expected to be the frontrunners for their party’s nominations in the 2024 North Carolina Governor’s race.

In 2020, Robinson became the first Black person elected to the office of Lt. Gov. of North Carolina and since entering office, has remained a vocal supporter of former President Trump. Attorney General Stein was elected in 2016 after serving in the state senate for seven years, then reelected in 2020. The two will run for their party’s

nomination in March and then for office in November, alongside the presidential candidates.

For many students, hearing or reading about elections can feel like information overload. With an ever-changing news cycle, it can be difficult to know your options. Nubian Message spoke with students at NC State to learn more about whether they plan to vote in the upcoming elections and why voting is important to them.

Clarence Clarke, a second-year student majoring in Industrial Engineering, says he plans to vote because of the resources at NC State and the diversity of Wake County.

“I actually plan on voting early because normally they have voting on campus. I'm doing it because one, I have waited so long to actually be able to vote and this will be my first presidential election. Also, in Wake County, I think my voice will actually matter compared to another county because of the diversity here.”

When asked about the importance of voting, Clarke said, “I think voting is important because it determines what happens, and while it matters at the presidential level, I think it matters even more so at the lower state government and local levels.”

Mariah Simmons, a second-year student majoring in Middle Grades Education, touched on the importance of voting as a student of color.

“I think voting is important because especially as minority students, we need to be aware of the things that the legislature is passing and be aware of the candidates that we're about to put in power because this is not only the future of today, but for generations to come. We have to make sure that we are advocating for voting because we have people who fought for us to have these rights,” Simmons said.

Muzumani Gausi, a second-year student majoring in Computer Science, spoke about the importance of voting and the common belief that one’s vote doesn’t count.“I plan on voting because I feel like if I don't vote, I can't complain about what happens. Even though people say their vote doesn't matter, every vote adds up so if millions of people say that they’re not going to vote, that changes the outcome of an election.”

For many NC State students, this year will be their first time voting in a presidential election. Luckily, NC State has several initiatives to help students stay informed and participate in the upcoming election.

One of these is Pack the Polls, “a campuswide coalition on voter engagement and education.” Every year, Pack the Polls ambassadors help students learn about the voting process and how to register as a college student. Visiting the coalition’s website allows first-time voters to find easy step-by-step guides on early voting and voting registration. Pack the Polls recommends students to visit Vote411 and the NCVoterGuide website to find nonpartisan information on candidates.

As Clarke mentioned, students don’t have to go any further than Talley Student Union to cast their ballot. Early voting for the primary elections will take place at Talley Student Union from Feb. 15 to March 2. This year, students can use their student IDs to vote, as well as a North Carolina driver’s license or a state-issued, non-driver ID. For students who were unable to vote in the 2020 election, this year is a chance to make their voice heard as President Biden and former president Trump face off once again for the presidency of the United States.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023 | 10

opinion

Your “Boycott Fatigue” Isn’t Real In light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a result of Israel’s blockade, several calls for boycotts by BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) National Committee have been made against companies Nadia supporting or associating Hargett with Israel. The most Staff Writer prominent of these companies are Starbucks, Disney and McDonald’s. While some have shown that they will adamantly oppose these companies, others have chosen to oppose the boycott instead.

These consumers have blamed this on “boycott fatigue,” an apparent phenomenon in which some consumers begin feeling exhausted and/or frustrated at being bombarded with calls to boycott certain brands or companies. They’ve also suggested that boycotting isn’t effective when that historically is not the case.

The practice of boycotting dates back to at least the late 18th century, and many notable instances of boycotting resulted in drastic social and political change. For example, Civil rights activists partook in boycotts, such as the Montgomery and Tallahassee Bus Boycotts, to protest against racial segregation and Jim Crow laws in the southern United States. These were crucial acts within the Civil Rights Movement that ultimately helped lead to desegregation.

There were also various protests during Apartheid in South Africa spanning for decades, with those opposed to Apartheid refraining from purchasing South African goods and services, ultimately aiding in the dissolution of the Apartheid as a whole.

Even going back to the 18th century, we can cite one of the most historically significant protests, the Boston Tea Party, as a form of successful boycotting in American history.

My overall point: boycotts do work and consistency is the key to getting them to work. When “boycott fatigue” is brought up, however, it somewhat gives people an excuse to ignore calls to boycott things that have been proven to be worth boycotting.

One of the prime targets of boycotting is consumerism, a social order in which people believe that consuming goods and services in large quantities will leave

communicate with the outside world. Every night when you sleep in whatever safe place you and your family find, you hear bombs go off and gunshots echoing through the air. You want this to end, but you don’t have a voice to let the world know that you need their help. Wouldn’t you want people with more power and privilege to take a stand for you and your family? How would you feel if the genocide of your people wasn’t motivation enough to stop others from eating a Big Mac? As a society, it seems that our political backbone has grown progressively weaker over time as the allure of consumerism grows stronger and stronger. For boycotts to work, we can’t grow tired and give up.

We can’t let the upset and outrage we initially feel die down, not until the issue we’re protesting has been resolved. You can do without your 10-piece McNugget meal, and do without your pumpkin spice lattes if it’s for a cause as big as demanding a ceasefire.

Image From Creative Commons

Protesters holding "Free Palestine" signs them better off. This has made the act of buying things just because you want it an overwhelmingly popularized ideal in capitalist societies, especially in the United States. When people are accustomed to buying the things they want, and they’re asked not to do that anymore, some tend to get uncomfortable or frustrated with the idea, despite not needing the goods they’re being asked to boycott in the first place.

A prime example of this would be McDonald’s, one of the main targets of pro-Palestinian boycotts due to Israeli franchises giving thousands of free meals to Israeli Defense Force soldiers occupying Gaza. Meanwhile, in Gaza, the food and water supply has been cut off by Israel, leading many to suffer from dehydration and malnutrition.

Despite vehement calls to boycott the fast-food chain, it’s clear that many have ignored these. Every time I’ve driven past a McDonald’s, the drive-thru has been filled to the brim with customers as if nothing has happened. Knowing other restaurant chains have shown that they’re ProPalestinian then continuing to see so many eat at a subpar restaurant that’s choosing to give free meals to soldiers who are actively cutting off the food supply to Palestinians

is infuriating.

The phenomenon of “boycott fatigue” is a privilege in itself. Being mentally drained and almost suffering from withdrawals from not buying things is something that the people of Palestine currently don’t have the luxury of experiencing. It should not be difficult to sacrifice something as futile as a McFlurry, or a Pink Drink, for the sake of your beliefs.

Many people on social media seem to hold this sentiment as well. On “X,” formerly known as “Twitter,” various users have shared posts criticizing “boycott fatigue.” “X” user, @stromsumm, posted, “You are deeply entrenched in the grips of capitalism if you suffer from ‘boycott fatigue.’ ” Another user, @supersofa1, posted, “Boycotting is literally the lowest effort form of activism. It’s wild to see people using the term “boycott fatigue,” and there are many more posts where that came from.

Imagine you and your family have constantly had to move from place to place, surrounded by the destruction of a city you once knew as home. You’ve lost your house, your food rations have spoiled and there’s no clean drinking water. You also have no Internet access and cannot properly

“As a society, it seems

that our political backbone has grown progressively weaker over time as the allure of consumerism grows stronger and stronger.”

Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed at the hands of Israel, with airstrikes taking out all of the hospitals in Gaza and houses being reduced to rubble and ash. Children have had to find the charred bodies of their entire family in the rubble of their homes. Thousands of innocent people have been displaced.

While the United States government sits by and aids in this genocide, we have the power to show Israel and President Biden just how much we want this to end, and claiming that “boycott fatigue” is preventing you from doing this is an inadequate, laughable excuse.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023 | 11

opinion

Financial Literacy

In America, the main four topics taught in schools are history, math, science and literature.Although these topics are very important, unless we choose them as our career choice, we do not Eleanor use most of them on a saunders daily basis. Financial Staff Writer literacy is a very important topic in our society, and yet Americans are left to teach themselves.

“Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including personal financial management, budgeting and investing,” said Jason Fernando, a professional investor and writer. Some of these skills are easier to learn than the others. Many, if not all, of these skills require consistency and determination.

Like many people, I grew up with an unhealthy relationship towards money.

In highschool, I worked at a fast food restaurant. Every time I got paid, I would spend my check, causing me to be broke again just three days after getting paid.

Now, I see my younger sister doing the same thing I did. This saddens me because I know this can create a bad habit with money.

According to a recent study from Junior Achievement USA, about one-third of teens have an unhealthy relationship with money. These same teens then seek guidance from parents who also struggle with money management. Financial literacy starts in the home, but when parents do not understand the concept themselves, their children tend to adapt the same bad habits.

The National Library of Medicine said that seeing parents argue about money and purchase items they don’t need instead of supporting the home can cause their children to form detrimental habits surrounding money. If these habits are not broken, these children will grow up to be adults practicing these same poor habits.

By observing their parents’ plight with money, children are more likely to struggle with money. This “lessens their confidence in the economic realm.”

Image From creative commons

Puzzle Pieces saying "Financial Literarcy" High-yield Savings Account Although some of us grew up with an unhealthy attachment to money, we still have time to set ourselves up for financial freedom in the future. One thing that we can do is create a high-yield savings account. CNBC said a “high-yield savings account stands out from traditional savings accounts in that they reward you with a higher interest rate, allowing your money to grow even faster as it sits in your account.”

This kind of account is better than the traditional savings account due to its interest rate, or annual percentage yield (APY). “The higher your APY on a particular savings account, the faster your money grows,” CNBC said.

For example, I have a high-yield savings account with Discover. My APY is 4.35%.

If I had opened a savings account with a traditional bank, like Bank of America, my APY would have been anywhere from 0.01% to 0.04%. That is a big difference in the banking world.

Other banks that offer a high yield savings account include American Express, Barclays and SoFi. These are all online banks, including Discover. NerdWallet said, “because online banks don’t have the expense of maintaining branches, they can offer high-interest savings paying many times higher than the national average of

0.47%.”

Opening a savings account can provide you with a safety net when unexpected life events happen. Bankrate said, “saving money and having an emergency fund can help you handle unplanned expenses and provide peace of mind – especially in uncertain times.” A high-yield savings account is a good way to help you with your short-term and long-term goals.

Once a high-yield savings account is opened, I recommend depositing anywhere between 10% to 33% of your paycheck or whatever number you are more comfortable with and can afford.

NerdWallet recommends having a minimum of three to six months of living expenses in your savings account.

Credit Card Account I believe getting a credit card is the next financial step that should be taken. I’m sure many of us were told to stay away from credit cards and heard horror stories about credit card debt. I know, it can be scary.

I recommend getting a credit card when you feel you are ready and able to make monthly payments.

A credit card is “issued by a bank or financial services company that allows cardholders to borrow funds with which to pay for goods and services with merchants that accept cards for payment. Credit cards impose the condition that cardholders

pay back the borrowed money, plus applicable interest, as well as any additional agreed-upon charges, either in full by the billing date or over time,” said Andrew Bloomenthal, a financial journalist and financial services marketing writer.

Having a credit card and using it responsibly is one of the best ways to build your credit score. “A credit score is a prediction of your credit behavior, such as how likely you are to pay a loan back on time, based on information from your credit reports,” said the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The higher your credit score, the more likely you are to get better rates on car insurance, qualify for lower credit card interest, get approved for higher credit limits, have more housing options and even look better to potential employers, according to Capital One. Students who practice discipline with their credit card will be able to obtain the advantages of a high credit score.

Discover has a great credit card option for college students. With the Discover it Student Cash Back credit card, students can earn 5% back on every purchase made with the card, “get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back earned at the end of the year” and “redeem rewards for cash at any time.” I recommend starting with this credit card.

Other good companies with credit card options include Chase, Wells Fargo and Capital One, recommended NerdWallet.

Other Ways to Be Financially Literate Owning a high-yield savings account and using a credit card responsibly are just two ways to learn, and achieve, financial literacy and security. I recommend researching Roth IRAs, 401(k) plans, cryptocurrency and brokerage accounts.

All of these accounts can help you gain financial literacy and financial freedom quickly.

We live in a world that runs on money and commerce. The best thing for us to do is set ourselves and the generations ahead of us up for success. Financial literacy is one of the most important ideologies to have today. Don’t be afraid to take control of your finances. Right now is the perfect time to start preparing for your future.