Nubian Message Oct. 19, 2023, "Day in and Day Out"

NUBIANMESSAGE NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM | THURSDAY, october 19, 2023

day in and day out

THURSDAY, october 19, 2023 | 2

Letter from the editor Hey Y’all, How was everyone’s well-needed Fall break? I hope you all took the time to rest and have fun. Perhaps you took the time to catch up on work or study for midterms; nevertheless, any kind of break from class is a win to me.

THISISSUE 4

ARTSAKH

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STATE FAIR

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NC STATE HOUSING

Another win for me is getting to see this issue come to life. I hope you're ready for our opinion section. I think it has something for everyone. Our writers are airing out their grievances with NC State and possibly with some of the people reading this. What do I mean by that? Well, you're just going to have to read the issue.

I tried thinking of fun ways to wish everyone a happy Halloween but instead, I’m just going to leave you with a quote from a Halloween Classic:

“Callin' all the monsters Callin' all the monsters Callin' all, I'm callin' all I'm callin' all the monsters”

Being Armenian during the Artsakh conflict NC State Fair back in town Housing shrinks for upperclassmen

cover photo BY ony otiocha/Staff Photographer Lauren Clark, a fourth-year studying English, claps during Family Feud at Witherspoon Student Center on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. The event was a part of National Pan-Hellenic Council Week at NC State.

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

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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.

THURSDAY, october 19, 2023 | 3

news

Historic Flooding Soaks New York On Sept. 29, nadia hargett remnants from Staff Writer

Tropical Storm Ophelia bombarded New York with a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours, resulting in significant flooding in New York and surrounding regions. Due to these extreme weather conditions, New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, called a state of emergency for all five boroughs including Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx.

The Weather Prediction Center issued a warning for excessive rainfall and a flood watch for areas within New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The National Weather Service in New York City issued a flash flood warning for Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn as over four inches of rain fell throughout the area.

The state remained ill-prepared for the intense rainfall.

The flooding significantly impacted New York’s transportation systems. Numerous highways were closed off, including Cross Island Parkway and Grand Central Parkway. Every line on the New York City Subway was affected by suspensions.

Flights at the LaGuardia International Airport were disrupted, with officials eventually having to close Terminal A due to excessive flooding. Flights were also delayed at John F. Kennedy International Airport due to heavy rain totalling at 8.67 inches.

City officials advised residents to remain at home, but opted to keep schools in session, saying closures would result in disrupted learning.

“We have only a certain number of school days that we can utilize, and we must make sure we meet that,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. “We do not have any issues, dangerous issues, at our schools.”

However, over 250 schools were affected by the flooding. More than 150 schools across the state were overwhelmed by floodwaters and over 105 buses were delayed.

The effects of this storm are historic, with Sept. 29 being declared the wettest day on record in New York City since 1948.

More than 90% of the total rainfall fell in one day.

"There are some New Yorkers who've never seen the likes of which we

image from creative commons

Picture of tropical storm Ophelia

experienced yesterday. I mean in their entire lives. This event was historic. In some areas it was record-shattering," Gov. Hochul said. "All of the subways are operational. Metro-North below Southeast station, Long Island Rail Road, and the Paratransit services are all functioning this morning. But it's not just about our main focus, which is to protect the passengers.

We had to protect the infrastructure of our trains and subways, even as the floodwaters were pouring into the systems."

Experts cited the limitations of New York City’s drainage system as a major contributing factor to the intensity of the flooding. New York City’s 120-year-old drainage system can reportedly handle about 1.75 inches of rainfall per hour, but Tropical Storm Ophelia brought over two inches per hour. This resulted in the drainage system being overwhelmed and storm runoff pouring into the streets.

Gov. Hochul called this flooding a “new normal,” citing climate change as the cause, and told New Yorkers to expect similar events like this in the future.

The warm global temperature creates more heat in the atmosphere, therefore allowing the air to hold more moisture.

This creates heavier rainfall and more severe storms. Infrastructure in major cities, such as New York City, haven’t been updated to keep up with the temperatures and extreme weather events. With the abundance of water-resistant surfaces within cities, rainwater has nowhere to go, creating flooding that can pour into businesses and houses.

New York City’s Chief Climate Officer Rohit Aggarwala has shown concern about the lack of “permeable surfaces” in the city due to continuous paving over grass and lawns.

“What that means is that there's nowhere for the rainwater falling on that property to go," Aggarwala said.

Aggarwala is working to lead New York City to a greener future. He’s addressing these issues by developing pockets of wetland, installing “water gardens” on sidewalks, connecting storm sewers to natural bodies of water and various other

ventures that will decrease the impacts of flooding.

With most not having flood insurance on their properties, a lot of New Yorkers are ill-prepared for the increasing weather disasters, according to Steve Bown, chief science officer of global reinsurance broker, Gallagher Re. “I’m assuming that when we start to see some of the damage totals coming out of this, that a significant portion is just going to end up being uninsured,” Bowen said. “It’s just the latest data point that something’s gonna have to change.”

Many low-income and immigrant families reside in basement apartments, which, although illegal in New York, are the only affordable options for them as the cost of living continues to rise. However, these apartments are highly susceptible to flooding, which was emphasized during Hurricane Ida. New York City has attempted to better prepare residents of basement apartments for flooding, but the excessive rain from Sept. 29’s storm caused immense damage. Because these basement apartments aren’t considered legal, they can’t be regulated for safety and are at risk of being impacted by storm water.

State and city officials have emphasized the recent flood as a significant warning of the future threats of climate change. New Yorkers must start preparing to deal with the outcome as climate change outpaces infrastructure resilience. Commissioner of New York’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Jackie Bray, said, “There are some storms where you’re going to have a day’s notice or a day and a half ’s notice. There are some storms where you’re going to have a week’s notice. We have to be prepared for events that have a day’s notice or 12 hours’ notice or no notice.”

This flood isn’t the first or last to affect New York City or cities like it. Many climate scientists agreed that the pace of climate change is rapidly increasing. This calls for the U.S. government’s budget to be spent on waterproofing cities in an effort to prevent heavy rainfall from impacting communities around the country.

THURSDAY, october 19, 2023 | 4

features

An Armenian Scholar's Perspective on the Ongoing Tragedy in Artsakh When studying Vika Dzhobadze history, there's Correspondent

a belief that the subjects delved into belong to the distant past. However, for Gevorg Vardanyan, history is unfolding right at his doorstep.

"The forced deportation of Armenians in Artsakh is similar to the Armenian genocide that has occurred not too long ago," he said.

Gevorg Vardanyan is an NC State Ph.D. student who specializes in the memorialization of the Armenian genocide in America. He moved from Armenia to the United States to pursue studies in Public History, with a personal interest in genocide studies and Armenian history.

The events in Artsakh have affected him in two significant ways. "First, nationally Armenians have lost their ancestral land, where the presence of Armenians dates back at least two to three thousand years.

This is attested history," Vardanyan said.

"It's sad for me to see the Azerbaijani regime using xenophobic, racist ideology.

Making it a state policy and getting foreign support for the ethnic cleansing of Armenians in the 21st century," he said.

"I think this is history. This is somewhere in the past… but now while I was writing my thesis and following what was going on in Armenia… I see the same thing is happening right now."

Secondly, the tragedy is personal for Vardanyan. His wife is from Artsakh, and her family lost their home. "I can never see my home, the streets, the trees... All of it," his wife said. Vardanyan said, "We feel uprooted."

Vardanyan expressed frustration over limited news coverage of the ongoing ethnic cleansing in Artsakh. He believes the subject is not receiving the attention it deserves, especially when compared to crises like the one in Ukraine. "We see everyone was talking and continues to talk about Ukraine and the tragedy of people dying… but why are we more sympathetic, to what I call, Western sufferings? And yet we are almost silent about Armenian sufferings," he questions.

His understanding of why this happens comes down to international policies and geopolitical interests. "For example, oil deals struck with Azerbaijan as well as the

Image from creative commons

Photo of the Artsakh Mountains

tensions between America and Russia," he said. "But ultimately he says, 'it feels unfair… why does no one know about your suffering but in other cases globally it's not the same. You feel like your voices are silenced, especially here.'"

However, Armenian Americans were not silent. Vardanyan stated there are a lot of attempts by Armenian lobby organizations in DC and California. Vardanyan wrote letters to local congressmen and senators, but even then, "was feeling that these are just desperate attempts" to offer some form of support for the people of Artsakh.

With Vardanyan's position as an international student, there comes intense feelings about living in America while his people are suffering. "I first felt guilt three years ago during the war in 2020 when Artsakh land was first seized. We had a lot of victims. There was a young guy, nineteen years old and he’s way younger than me.

I couldn’t - cannot - understand how he became a soldier. I still remember his eyes.

He became one of the some 4,000 victims of this war." He said, "I felt guilty... That I

leave and this younger guy, way younger than me… died."

During COVID, Vardanyan tried to assist Armenians back home by taking part in a lot of efforts to support families as much as he could. Regardless of this, Vardanyan felt like his efforts meant nothing. His inability to do anything left him feeling "powerless." He didn’t want to spend much of the interview discussing how he helped those in the time of war, stating, "But I don’t want to talk about that; I think as a human, you should move to support and help someone."

Vardanyan is an expert on the first 50 years of post-Armenian genocide history.

He notes the similarities between the sources he read on people who escaped the first Armenian genocide and those now fleeing Artsakh.

When asked how his studies and major impacted his perspective on Artsakh, he stated that "with history, you have some tools and knowledge to understand the past, and you can better understand the current situation. When people were

optimistic after the war in 2020, as a historian, you can kind of see how the development would lead. And how this is not the end, but the beginning of the end.

Sometimes it hurts to better understand past events. Similar events like these happened over one hundred years ago."

He continues with, “you see these tragedies in the 21st century, and you become frustrated. How can this keep happening when it's meant to be history?

Humanity has achieved much, and yet we cannot solve this problem of ethnic prejudice.”

I asked Vardanyan how he felt supported on campus, and he expressed that some professors approached him regarding the situation, though they didn't know much.

When asked if he would appreciate acknowledgment of the tragedy of Artsakh on campus he said, "I wish we could see this kind of thing. Because we're in a community of different backgrounds, and we're together on our happy days and our sad days. There's ethnic cleansing in the 21st century, of course, I'd like to see more initiatives and more people talking about it on campus... But I understand there's no real community of Armenians together on campus. Ultimately I would like to see a commitment to share our pain on the side of the campus community."

Vardanyan continues to explain how the small Armenian population on campus is resulting in the lack of conversation on the topic.

Vardanyan is not optimistic about change, stating the regime in Azerbaijan has left no room for optimism in the deportation of Armenians in Artsakh.

He believed Armenians would not be able to return to their homes, and even if they did, they would not be guaranteed safety. "People are concerned about their families, and if you see a regime fostered in xenophobia… you can't imagine that they'll soon change."

However, Vardanyan did not want to end on a sad note. He clarified he wanted to be more realistic, and that "ultimately we are Armenians, and in our historical fate, we have seen a lot of tragic pages… and we are strong."

THURSDAY, october 19, 2023 | 5

opinion

The Parking Problem Sam chambers Correspondent

Throughout my five years at NC State, I have had many bones to pick with the NC State Department of Transportation.

I have personally received over 12 parking tickets AND a car boot from NC State’s transportation department.

This sounds and definitely feels like an abuse of power. I question the ethics of our university’s citation system. Most importantly, who has the audacity to place a boot on the car of a student who is simply trying to be a scholar and attend their classes? This question will likely resonate with a large community of students on and off campus. My own history with our transportation system has driven me past my breaking point and I need to find answers.

At the end of the 2023 Spring semester, I was very happy to see that I was not the only student concerned about the parking problem. Aidan Carlson, a correspondent for Technician, wrote an article titled, “Parking Ticket Money: Where Does It Go?” In this article, Carlson addresses the misconceptions of citation revenue and how NC State’s transportation division does not benefit from giving out parking citations. When reading Carlson’s article, I felt a slight change of heart as I came to find “the department is only allowed to keep 20% of the money [citation revenue], while the rest goes to the State Public School Fund.” This could, potentially, change how students perceive NC State transportation, especially for those who frequently receive parking citations.

The fact that parking violations could potentially contribute to the advancement of public schools is more comforting to hear than the idea that NC State is finding new ways to take student’s money. I was even more intrigued to find out that the Assistant Director of Finance for NC State Transportation, Holt Craven, stated the department “actually loses money by enforcing [parking].” This partially reignited the fire that I felt against this system. Although I understand that NC State has to enforce parking, it is still frustrating that students are forced to pay parking tickets because they parked in the wrong lot or overextended their stay by one

image from creative commons

Picture of a parking ticket

minute? Especially when they receive little to no benefit from doing so. According to Mr. Craven, parking is heavily enforced in an effort “to protect customers.”

Understandably so, students who pay for parking permits and passes throughout the semester should not have to face the same risks and consequences as those who do not. They should be protected. But to what extent should we penalize the students who don’t have passes?

This led me to think about the potential of many students not being able to afford parking permits, especially as the costs of parking permits steadily increases.

Our population at NC State has been growing immensely over the years.

We welcomed 5,601 first year students in this fall semester alone. University Communications reported that this is not only the largest first-year class in our university’s history, it is the most diverse first-year class. As our student population diversifies, there is a need to provide more available accommodations for students so

that all physical needs can be met. The pay lot system has provided a good alternative for commuters and visitors, but how can our transportation department work to provide better solutions for students who may not have the financial capabilities to purchase a semester parking permit?

Working towards more diverse solutions, such as having more parking decks that are closer to campus, would propel our university towards better protection for our student population. It would also be nice if students were protected from the inconveniences of parking citations, financial insecurities and additional stress that comes with the yellow boot. The last thing that we, as students, should worry about is losing access to our vehicles due to unpaid parking tickets. When my 2016 Kia Forte, KC, received her first ever boot in the North Hall “B” Area lot, I almost lost my will to live. After a long day, I came out of Caldwell Hall hoping to de-stress by treating myself to a Chick-fil-A spicy sandwich meal and a

large Oreo milkshake. Instead, I faced the dark reality of having my car booted and a large bright orange sticker on my driver’s window, as if the boot didn’t make my violations clear enough. That day, I received two tickets, and one of them was for backing into the parking space.

Absurd? I think so. I am perfectly okay with accepting accountability for my violation of parking in a permitted-lot but what are we accomplishing by penalizing our students to this extent?

NC State’s transportation department manages an inventory of about 20,000 parking spaces between both North and Centennial Campus. This sounds like plenty of space doesn’t it? It did initially, but then I had to consider the 38,000 students and 9,000 faculty and staff members that live and work at NC State.

Although not every affiliate with NC State needs a parking space, there is surely a need for regulation.

This is not an article advocating for the riddance of parking citations as a whole.

But rather, a call to adjust our regulations in order to assist our university’s faculty, staff and students. The growing population in Raleigh has a direct impact on campus resources. More specifically, it has direct implications for our campus transportation system as a whole. NC State transportation has provided easy and accessible benefits to campus life that we see everyday with the Wolfline. This bus system alone provides our community with easily accessible opportunities to navigate the lengths of Campus.

As a public university, federally subsidized by the state of North Carolina, it is of the utmost importance that we protect and serve our growing community.

We must reflect on the ways that we regulate this ‘Parking Problem’ to ensure that we protect our students from unnecessary hurdles.

THURSDAY, october 19, 2023 | 6

Don’t Miss Chancellor Woodson’s Live Red Chair Chat with NASA Astronaut Christina Koch

Arts & Culture

Monday, Oct. 23 Stafford Commons

Noon Wear Red, Get Fed Stafford Commons

1 p.m. Chancellor’s Fall Address

Monday, Oct. 23 1 p.m.

Live Red Chair Chat with NASA Astronaut Christina Koch

Talley Student Union, Stewart Theatre

Talley Student Union, Stewart Theatre

The chancellor’s fall address is your chance to check in with Chancellor Randy Woodson for an update on the state of NC State and to hear about all the amazing things happening here. This year, join Chancellor Woodson for a live Red Chair Chat as he sits down with NASA astronaut and NC State alumna Christina Koch — our moonbound, glass-ceiling-shattering superstar — who will become the first woman to travel around the moon and back as part of the Artemis II mission.

Our favorite week is here!

Get ready to celebrate everything you love about NC State.

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Red and White Week Kickoff

Tuesday, Oct. 24

Thursday, Oct. 26

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wellness Fest

Noon Wear Red, Get Fed

Harris Field

Noon Wear Red, Get Fed Stafford Commons

Stafford Commons

7 p.m. NC SYNC: Lip Sync Competition Stafford Commons

5:30 p.m. How Quick Can You Brick?

Scavenger Hunt Wolf Plaza

Wednesday, Oct. 25 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Pack Appreciation Day

Celebrate Generosity on

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Three locations to choose from!

Stafford Commons | The Corner at Centennial Campus Green Commons, CVM Main Administration Building

Stafford Commons The Corner at Centennial Campus Green Commons, CVM Main Administration Building

Noon Wear Red, Get Fed

Friday, Oct. 27 Noon Wear Red, Get Fed Stafford Commons

6 p.m. Red and White Week Pep Rally and Friday Night Floats North Hall Lot

Saturday, Oct. 28 TBD NC State vs. Clemson

Stafford Commons

Show your #PackAppreciation for the thousands of donors who support our Wolfpack community! Our donors give generously to the scholarships, programs, facilities and experiences that shape your time at NC State. Share your gratitude for their support and for everything you love about NC State during Red and White Week.

P.S. We’ll also have lots of great swag and snacks.

See you there!

Carter-Finley Stadium

Check out the full calendar at redwhiteweek.ncsu.edu for even more Red and White Week festivities!

Follow @NCState on social media, tag us and use #NCStateRedWhite for chances to win swag and be featured.

THURSDAY, october 19, 2023 | 7

Arts & Culture

halloween playlist by Nubian Message Staff

Here are some spooky songs for the Halloween season

this city is a graveyard

baby storme

thriller

michael jackson

vampire

Dominic Fike

Frankenstein

Rina Sawayama

creep

tlc

Tipsy

chlÖe x halle

Calling all the monsters

China anne mcclain

SPRING 2024 STUDENT PERMIT RENEWALS Renewals open at 10 AM on the first date and close at 5 PM on the last.

PERMIT TYPE

RENEWAL DATE

STUDENT CARPOOL

OCT 30 - NOV 18

CC, CD, CB

OCT 30 - NOV 9

DD, F, L2, V, W, AH, SL

NOV 1 - NOV 9

GV, RC, RDS, RE, RF RH, RS, RV, RW

NOV 3 - NOV 9

OPEN PERMIT SALES NOV 14

TRANSPORTATION

THURSDAY, october 19, 2023 | 8

opinion

NC State Fair: Back and Better?

Alianna kendallBrooks Staff Writer

Senait Richmond Correspondent

Every year, the North Carolina State Fair rolls into town and brings a kaleidoscope of colors, an air of excitement and the alluring aroma of deep-fried food. "Hey, you! You want to win a Prize?" "Girls always win!"

"Come right up." These are examples of remarks that beckon visitors to partake in the games of chance as they tour the largest 11-day event in North Carolina.

This year we embarked on our second visit to the North Carolina State Fair, and while the initial ‘first time’ rush of excitement had waned, the experience remained an enjoyable adventure.

Immediately, the most crucial task of the evening arised: filling our cravings for funnel cake and fried oreos. Although there were many food trucks, discernment became our guiding principle in determining the perfect balance between price and quality. Next, we moved on to rides and games. Unfortunately, without bae to win us prizes, we decided not to use our own money for the rigged festival games.

So, why do thousands of Carolinians flock to the North Carolina State Fair every year? From the dizzying rides to the unique food offerings and the hint of romance in the crisp October air, the North Carolina State Fair has something for everyone.

To dive into the heart of the tradition, we interviewed several attendees to hear their unique perspectives.

For Leo Cortez, a first-year Exploratory Studies student, this was his first time visiting the fair. While he admitted to being skeptical about the food, he was entranced by the fair’s magic. "The atmosphere and all the lights on the rides look cool and have a good vibe to them," Cortez said.

His sentiment was clear, he'd return for the sheer experience and the cool rides.

Taylor Snyder/Staff Photographer Fairgoers spin around on a ride at the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.

In contrast, Edmond Doe, a second-year Mechanical Engineer major, had a different tale to tell. He came for the fair's culinary delights, particularly the infamous funnel cakes. Conversely, rides did not earn his favor. Doe mentioned waiting in never ending lines. “Those lines are my least favorite part of the fair, one looked at least a 30 to 45 minute wait and I decided to just not go on,” said Doe. His most unforgettable memory was the aftermath of a spinning ride that induced motion sickness. "The height of some of the rides definitely surprised me," he said. “The purpose of the state fair is to just have fun, it comes here once a year. When it comes in October you just have the most fun you can and enjoy it.”

Joys Lutwangu, a second-year Political Science major, revealed that it was the allure of the fair that lured her back. She emphasized the vast array of food and the captivating rides, all while underlining the fair's appeal to both families and young people.“Every corner you turn there's food and fun rides from the ferris wheel to the zip line. I think this is good for families and young people,” Lutwangu said. Though the lines can be long and strenuous, Lutwangu

enjoyed the bonding element and said, "I feel like the line part is where you get to observe and see the fair for what it is and have long conversations with your friends about anything." She advised fairgoers to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the state fair, but be wary of buying unlimited ride passes on busy days because you won’t have the ability to ride as many rides as expected.

Xander Seacrest, a second-year Business Administration major, underlined the sense of community and atmosphere.

He mentioned that riding on the ferris wheel with his girlfriend was his most memorable moment, but he dreaded the prices, labeling them as "scams." His advice to newcomers was to pre-order tickets for a more budget-friendly experience. "The food, barbeque, pretty inclusive, and fun American Culture. USA!" Xander said enthusiastically.

The state fair brings together families, couples and friends, extending an open invitation to all. Yet, among the diverse experiences and opinions of these fairgoers, it is clear that one person's treasure may be another person's trash. While Cortez wouldn't touch the fair's food with a 9-foot pole, Doe eagerly awaited his annual

treats. Doe resented the long lines, while Lutwangu embraced them as a chance to bond with friends.

Beyond the carnival rides and joyful screams of fairgoers lies a crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of the State Fair; its rich agricultural heritage.

The fair's origin dates back to 1853 when the State Agricultural Society held the first State Fair to promote and celebrate North Carolina's agricultural heritage. The event was four days long and attracted over 4,000 attendees. Currently, the State Fair has evolved into the largest 11-day event in North Carolina and attracts over 800,000 attendees annually. However, even after 170 years, the fair still prides itself on creating opportunities for urban populations to learn about agriculture and the state’s rich history.

Every year, the fair highlights Farm Family of the Day and awards over $600,000 in prize money through competitive exhibits of livestock, horticulture, art and much more. As you walk through the fairgrounds, take a moment to appreciate the prize-winning livestock, the colorful displays of homegrown produce and the craftsmanship of agricultural exhibits. The North Carolina State Fair is not merely an amusement park that appears once a year, it's a reflection of the state's deeprooted connection to agriculture. It's a living testament to North Carolina's rural heritage and cultural history.

This year, the State Fair will be running from Oct. 12 - 22 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Each week, the fair hosts special event days and offers discounted ticket prices such as Prime Time with the Pack and Hunger Relief Day on Oct. 19.

The State Fair is a time-honored tradition that encapsulates the essence of North Carolina, both in its modern-day thrills and deep agricultural roots.

We reccomend you go at least once, for the experience of exhilarating rides, unforgettable fair food, jumbo prizes or the fair's agricultural side, soak in the lively atmosphere.

THURSDAY, october 19, 2023 | 9

opinion

40 Acres and a Lie One of the many things I did not realize growing up was how rigged the game we as Black people have been forced to play for a long time is.

I would listen to songs about some of my idols' rags and riches stories austin and buy into the belief modlin that with hard work and Staff Writer determination I, too, would make it out and be able to give my family the life they deserve.

Throughout my life, I was told I was different from other children in my neighborhood. I was always “the special one.” Something about that statement that never sat right with me. What would happen to my peers and neighbors? What made them so different from me? We grew up in the same neighborhood and went to the same school so, there was quite literally nothing that made me any better than them. I now realize that it is the difference in support from our indivual communities that made me special.

As the years have gone by, I have wrestled with the fact that the systematic oppression of Black people caused many issues. One of which is the concept of the Black elite, a small category of Black people who are well within the upper middle to upper class of Black people. One of the things that was always jarring to me was Black people in this category separating themselves from their people. It really begs the question, what does freedom mean to you?

The meaning of freedom has been something that I have struggled with for years. Many of my efforts felt like they weren't just for me growing up. I was simply living other people’s dreams for the sake of liberating my family. However, I realize now that I can still live my own dreams while ensuring that my family is liberated from the socioeconomic shackles that have dragged many of us down.

There have been many programs that have historically been said to help Black youth advance further in life while also barring some Black people from getting in.

One of which being the Black Diamonds, a social club for Black wealth stationed in New York. This social club has been

us in for generations? How can we pride ourselves on our community if the second we get in a better financial situation, we turn our backs on it?

“What I’m saying is that

once people increase their financial status, it doesn’t mean that you’ve become “better” than your community”

Image from creative commons

Photo of caged birds

historically known to be very exclusive and picky on what they deem to be “quality” members. What makes quality? Who is one to dictate what makes someone “quality?”

While it is an admirable feat to overcome a system which profits off of Black oppression, it’s another thing to bar other Black people from a better chance to improve their own lives and overcome said system. Which begs the question, is it truly freedom if you transform from the prisoner to the jail keeper? Either way, you’re still in the cage. You simply become the thing that you sought to overcome. All the concept of the Black elite does is simply allow us to become instruments in the very thing that we fight so hard to be free of. This is just another way to uphold standards of whiteness that we constantly work to attain.

It was so jarring seeing people that I loved listening to growing up become the first in their family to attain success and financial freedom while distancing themselves from the same community that they claimed to be avatars of. What

is freedom for Black people if it isn’t the destruction of the system that forces us to work for the “40 Acres and a Lie” that we have been indoctrinated to believe in?

Where does this leave us, when our own people are becoming part of the many barriers that stop our youth from thriving?

This fragmenting of our community and a lack of class consciousness will only lead to the continuation of our collective oppression.

While there are many arguments against why we shouldn’t have to shoulder the entirety of the Black community on a few individuals' shoulders, there isn’t any reason to say that it’s something that must be done. I’m not saying that this choice isn’t a challenge for Black people trying to become financially free. What I’m saying is that once people increase their financial status, it doesn’t mean that you’ve become “better” than your community. Is it such a challenge for people to understand that at some point, you can go back to the same impoverished station that America has kept

In my opinion, if we truly want to free ourselves from this system we must destroy it. We must also stop setting ridiculous standards for ourselves by joining some of these “elite” organizations. There must be a collective effort to uplift each other and allow us to give the same opportunities that we had to fight for, to our people, which not only includes our youth, but our peers.

We should not lock the door that we have had to kick open for years, but instead open it wide for our community while simultaneously creating new doors for our people.

I dream of a world where our own people are not stuck in the same oppressive system, but can look to each other for support during times of great struggle.

In order for that to happen, it starts with us making the active effort to break the system down. Whether that be giving Black people knowledge on the opportunities that will improve their lives or creating said opportunities. So I hope whoever’s reading this will be inspired to make that active change. We are not each other's competition. We need each other if we are going to survive in this world. A world which stops at nothing to ensure that we stay in the same cage that they’ve put us in.

So make that first step to true freedom.

THURSDAY, october 19, 2023 | 10

opinion

We Are Not your “Type” What’s your type?

Don’t be shy because when it comes to dating in college, everyone is in everyone else’s business.

As college students, we're expected to explore our sexuality, date around and possibly find the alianna one. Sounds easy, but kendallas we all know dating is brooks difficult, especially for Staff Writer people of color attending a predominantly white institution (PWI).

At a basic level, it's well-known that the lived experience of students of color is far different from their white counterparts. NC State proudly touts that underrepresented minorities make up 26.9% of the student population, conveniently forgetting to mention the flip side of the statistic: 73% of students are white. Student testimonies convey similar stories of struggling to assimilate in all-white classrooms and spaces on campus.

“When I first stepped into classes, it was a shock,” said Bomet Beke, a second-year Business administration major. “I asked myself ‘can I relate with these people’ and it was tough.” The unspoken truth is that these experiences are heavily mirrored in the dating scene, leaving many students of color feeling undesired, fetishized and ostracized.

During my freshman year, I attended my first and only white frat party at NC State. Within an hour, my friends and I found ourselves pushed against a fence beside people who were either making out or puking. A drunk girl approached us and said, “there’s so much color over hereeee!” Of course, we looked at her like she was crazy and left, but my experience is one of many and minor in comparison.

Over time, I realized the issue isn’t that I’m unattractive. Rather, people of color are often not the preference among the majority, and if we are, it's because we happen to be their “type.”

When I spoke to students of color about their experiences, this feeling was echoed.

“Dating at a PWI is extremely hard for people of color, and then even harder for queer people of color. It’s something you have to seek out and it's not something that happens spontaneously, like in movies,”

image from creative commons

Mural of a couple hugging

said Adam Womble, a second-year Civil engineering major. “I now realize that white people grew up feeling validated in themselves. Not having that, I struggled in college with not understanding that like, yeah Adam, you are an attractive person. You need to understand that before dating anybody else. When you do meet people, especially non-Black people, you ask yourself the question ‘are they for my people or am I going to have to worry that all of a sudden’, I’ll catch them saying an out-of-pocket comment.”

Interracial dating is a sticky topic because of the stigmas and expectations placed upon people of color, especially in the Black community. Questions about acceptance from partners and communities arise, leaving many feeling discouraged. Even when students of color seek relationships within their own communities, the on-campus dating pool is nearly nonexistent. According to Adrian Gibbs, a fifth year majoring in science, technology and society, “outsourcing should be the main objective, unless you don’t care who’s in your business.”

Outsourcing, as in visiting other campuses or online dating, is common for students who feel there are little to no options

available at NC State.

Many students who venture into interracial dating find it much easier to build connections and relationships. “I’m used to being in white spaces and I feel I have a lot of options. I know a lot of people have a very hard time because they want to date people of their race or ethnicity, but since I have no strong preferences either way it's nothing for me. Race and all that stuff doesn’t matter, it's about what's on the inside,” said Donavan Bullock, a third-year Communication major.

Interracial dating may be a breeze for some, but when it comes to men and women of color, there's a noticeable contrast, particularly for Black women.

Multiple studies have shown that Black women are often the least desired demographic in the dating game alongside Asian men. Osarabo Obasuyi, a second-year Biology and International studies major, says that if women of color are interested in dating outside their race, they have to make it known. “The one thing I realized about white guys is that if they do like you, or if they’re interested in Black girls, they won't say it outright because a lot of men have a fear of rejection. If you’re a Black girl they don’t know you like them

because most people don’t assume that you date outside your race,” Obasuyi said.

While women of color juggle the exhausting task of proving themselves both in love and life, white women at NC State are openly desired by all demographics.

The playing field is uneven, and I don’t mean this figuratively. Every student I interviewed brought up the well-known Black male athlete-to-white woman pipeline.

“Coming in my freshman year, it was very jarring to see how the Black male athletes decided to separate themselves from community building, and from engaging in the Black community. This is something that I and other Black women I am close with have had trials and tribulations with. In the space of a PWI, we are not considered the prize, we are not considered the preferred demographic to date. A lot of male athletes may have physical relations with Black women, but then they’ll pop out with a white girl, or propose to a white girl on the field. On the opposite end of the spectrum are Black male non-athletes who won't even give Black women the time of day. It's confusing to me how you’ve been raised by Black women but your preferred demographic does not look like your mom or your family,” said Adachi Amaram, a third-year Political Science major Now, what NC State won’t do is reveal how many Black students double as athletes. The sad reality is that Black male athletes are often not checking for Black women. As Womble said, “We laugh at it, we make fun of it, but what’s going on there? Are these real connections you’re choosing because you love that person, or are you choosing them because it benefits you socially?”

We often brush past these topics and joke about them because of the hard reality, and even harder change. As students of color at NC State, our communities are strong and close-knit but we often go the extra mile to build successful romantic relationships. Being labeled as undesirable by the majority, or even people within our own communities, has compounded the challenges of dating at a PWI. We are not a monolith. Our dating interests are diverse and we want to be desired because of who we are, just like everyone else.

opinion

Where will Upperclassmen Live?

On Sept. 25, NC State released a message regarding the impact of the state budget on the university. In this message, NC State spoke about several projects funded by the North Carolina General ross Assembly to help improve emelle facilities and support the Staff Writer university. NC State did not announce any new projects related to housing in this message.

I was surprised by this given that, as for 2022, NC State only has enough housing for one-third of its students.

NC State attempted to address this earlier this year when they announced they had acquired University Towers, which was previously an apartment complex, for $29.6 million. This move will increase the amount of available on-campus housing.

However, while these decisions increased on-campus housing space, it only helps a portion of the student body actually get housing. This decision, along with others, have put upperclassmen in a difficult position, with little signs of improvement.

This issue starts with the room selection process. Current undergraduate students living on campus with under 61 credit hours have top priority in selecting housing. Higher priority students are allowed to select where they would like to live. Housing is first-come, first-served, so being earlier makes it more likely for you to get housing.

Because of this, upperclassmen already have a disadvantage in securing housing.

This system is working with other factors to limit the ability of upperclassmen to find housing. One of these factors is the first-year live on-campus requirement.

NC State requires that all first-year students live on campus unless they have an exemption. The university states that this requirement is to ensure students' academic and social success. The university also says that the first-year requirement reduces the space available to non-first-year students.

I agree that living on campus in your first year can be a good thing. Research has shown that students who live on campus are more likely to graduate than those who don't. In my experience, living on campus allowed me to understand

campus resources and connect with other students easily.

However, upperclassmen need these experiences as well. Accessing resources and connecting with other students is important to every student, not just first-year students.

The number of first-year students living on campus was never a problem. According to Technician, 78% of first-year students lived on campus in 2016, the year before the requirement's creation. The overwhelming majority of first-year students already lived on campus. Given that priority is ranked by credit hours, most first-year students interested in living on campus would have been able to do so.

For four years in a row, NC State has broken its record for the largest first-year class. This has forced housing to move some first-year students away from central campus, which is where NC State prefers to place first-year students. This could lead to the university giving rooms initially meant for upperclassmen to first-year students.

With the addition of University Towers to University Housing, first-year students can now live in rooms previously reserved for upperclassmen. Without the freshman live-on requirement, upperclassmen would likely have more space. By requiring the vast majority of first-year students to live on campus, upperclassmen are forced off campus.

Living off-campus comes with its own problems. Even with Raleigh's rent prices dropping in the last year, this drop isn't affecting NC State students, with rent in the area rising.

Once you live off-campus, it becomes more challenging to return to on-campus housing. Off-campus students have the lowest priority in the housing application process. And with the size of each class increasing, competition to get a room increases.

I won't pretend to have a perfect solution for this issue. Colleges across the US are still looking for ways to house their student bodies. Something has to give though.

Whether it's changing the live on-campus requirement or increasing the number of dorms on campus, NC State needs to do something to address this problem before it gets more out of hand.

THURSDAY, october 19, 2023 | 11

JT, the Hood Alt Black Girl.

When JT said “hood b—h dressed like a weirdo” in her song, “No Bars,” she meant it and her campaign with Mowalola x Beats by Dre delivered nothing short of that.

On Sept. 18, JT, micah the other half of the oliphant infamous rap group “City Staff Writer Girls,” dropped a seven-slide Instagram post of some photos from the Mowalola x Beats by Dre campaign. The pictures showed JT in a multi-colored wig with cords hanging from her back, wearing the campaign headphones. The headphones were officially released Sept. 21 on the Mowalola website.

JT’s feature in the campaign shoot raised a lot of discourse online, with lots of people finding JT’s dive into fashion unfitting.

The entire discourse surrounding the campaign was ridiculous. Most fans were surprised at how JT was styled with the headphones for the shoot. Most notably, a photo of JT covering her eye with headphones caused a particular uproar.

Atlanta Black Star shared one and said, “The artistic look of the latter photo was lost on some fans, who commented that the look was weird. ‘The headphone covering your eye is kinda crazy when you think about it, ngl,’ wrote one person.”

JT not only posted about the backlash but went live on Instagram as well. After responding, in a now deleted post, on X, formerly known as Twitter, with “One thing about y’all porch n—gas y’all don’t let nobody have s—t noting is to y’all standard. You’ll never see a Hugo comte lens just like your beard will never connect”, JT went live to further share her two cents on people’s opinions.

On the live, JT talked about how “stepping out of her box opened up more opportunities for her. She also shared that she is working within fashion not only to appeal to the fashion world but to show her community that girls who “look like her” have spaces within haute couture as well.

While people claim the headphone over JT’s eye was disrespectful, the underlying intentions and meaning behind other comments bring up a valid conversation within the African American community and society itself.

Black people are no strangers to expressing their opinions on people

who express themselves through unconventional ways. 'Alternative' Black folk have always been shunned and misrepresented within the Black community. The lack of understanding and open-mindedness when it comes to creative expression has haunted the Black community for eons.

Society, as a whole, has had trouble seeing Black people, more specifically afro-centric Black people, in spaces proclaimed by their white counterparts.

Colorism is a huge factor contributing to the distaste of seeing darker-skinned women in fashion.

Not to mention, people are unable to view a woman as seperately from her music. JT does rap about sexually liberating topics and being a bad b—h however, that doesn’t mean every single facet of her life and artistic expression is going to resemble the same image her music conveys.

JT is a multifaceted individual but has never really expressed that. Now that she is beginning to experiment with fashion, change her style and take risks with art and creativity, she is being taken seriously by people within the fashion and entertainment industry.

Her audience has yet to accommodate this change and in turn, are projecting their insecurities onto her. Essence quoted JT on her live saying, “‘Y’all be wanting [sic] that y’all can easily duplicate so y’all can be like them." JT went on to say she’s not interested in being a cookie-cutter creation.

As a community, it’s inherently contradicting. We are so quick to complain about the lack of representation of Black people, more specifically darker-skinned women in media, especially in high fashion. Now that we have been provided an authentic “hood b—h” from the streets that's dark skin, with Afrocentric features and a deep urban-southern twang, it is being taken for granted.

JT’s dive into fashion goes beyond garments alone, but Black femininity as a whole. It’s liberating and refreshing to see someone who looks like you expressing themselves in these extensive ways. The need for more representation in all aspects of media and entertainment is crucial. Its campaigns featuring women like JT that remind the Black community that there is and will always be space for our beauty, creativity and art within media.

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