Editor-in-Chief Shout Out “In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.” -Bill Cosby
Hello ScOpers! We are back again... year 2! We had a great first year with many ups and downs, but one thing that cannot be denied is the love and support from every one of you. You all keep the Scope’s mission alive and keep us motivated to keep moving forward. For those who are unfamiliar with Scope Magazine, we are a new freelance, multicultural publication on campus. Our mission is to provide a platform that primarily represents the students commonly referred to as the underrepresented population of Illinois State University by holding a metaphorical microscope up to the presence of different cultures on our campus and surrounding communities. Our core purpose is to entertain and enlighten while celebrating diversity through the art of journalism.
Our administrative team and staff work EXTREMELY hard planning and putting the magazine and events that Scope hosts together… their work is remarkable and commendable. It requires a lot of time, effort, and creativity to compose Scope, but we apologize for the wait. It certainly takes time to look this good! We are always looking for more contributors to the magazine in the areas of writing, graphic design, editing, photography, web design, and videography. If you possess any of those skills and believe in our mission, we want you on our team! Happy Holidays and happy reading! Shaunda Brooks Senior, News-Editorial Journalism & Psychology Founder/ Editor-in-Chief
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CHIRAQ No More!
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By: Shaquan Leverston, Staff Reporter Chicago has officially been declared the “Murder Capital” of the United States, passing previously declared New York. Being that Chicago isn’t even the largest city in the country, it is sad to say that a city where so many ISU students call home is being declared the city with the most murders. I personally know people, some that I have attended high school with, that constantly use the term “Chiraq” or calls our city “Chiraq, Drillanois.” If there is one thing I want you to take from this article is it that we need to ban those two phrases that I just mentioned. I mean those words need to be eliminated from all vocabulary of people who call Chicago home. We should not be embracing the fact that we are the murder capital and that isn’t something that anyone should be proud of. Terms like those are terms that keep us as people down because it shows that whoever uses those terms lacks what we need to
improve as people. In the year 2011, approximately 430 people were murdered and the following year a total of 510 people were killed. So far this year we have a reported 350 people who were murdered. Although this number is lower than the previous years, the year isn’t over, and at this rate people are going to continue to be senselessly killed. We have to be better people. We can’t go around embracing the fact that we have the most murders in the country, but bringing awareness to the nonsensical reality of what we need to do to stop these muders from happening. Having multiple people that I knew killed for just being at a particular place in the city, and I’m sure many students here may have known people, we have to make sure our beautiful city stays safe.
Photo Credits: Plywoodpeople.com
Photo Credits: Davidpakman.com
Photo Credits: Vitesse.com
Photo Credits: Todaysgardencenter.com
Photo Credits: Lovingseries.com
Staying in the Know: The Affordable Care Act By: Shauda Brooks, Editor-in-Chief Whether you refer to it as Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act, this new wave of everything health care in the news has impacted Americans greatly. Since its debut on Oct. 1, the ACA has both stirred up controversy with the whole government shutdown, as well as created hope for Americans to afford health insurance even during struggling, economic times. The Affordable Care Act offers an alternative way to obtain health insurance at an affordable cost, regardless of the medical condition. Coverage ranges from a variety of levels starting with Catastrophic, which is most popular for Americans under the age of 30, and ending with Platinum care, for those who are more medically dependent. People can purchase the plan for as low as $50 a month. There is a positive outlook for the near future as far as ACA’s impact on college-age, young adults. According to the Commonwealth Fund article, “Young, Uninsured, and in Debt: Why Young Adults Lack Health Insurance and How the Affordable Care Act Is Helping”, two of five young adults, between
the ages of 19-25 were without health insurance in 2012. Since then, hundreds of thousands of young adults have signed up since it the application became available. It will cover everything from a broken leg to contraception. Although the plan does not go into effect until January 1, 2014, this plan has encouraged many of people without health insurance to apply. Both the benefits of having the insurance and the consequences of not having it in the years to come is encouragement enough for anyone to sign up. Being without coverage will Photo Credits: Wmal.com lead to very high-costing fees. Regardless of what insurance you obtain, the demand for it is at an all-time high and it is very important for us as college students, and as Americans, to stay in the know of the opportunities we have. For more information and instructions on how to apply, visit healthcare.gov.
To Write Love On Her Arms
By Shaquan Leverston -Staff Writer & SMC
T.W.L.O.H.A. (To Write Love on Her Arms) is a new RSO on ISU’s campus and it has already begun to make its mark. This RSO stands to bring awareness to suicide and self- hurt prevention and also be the help to some people that may be going through this. They recently threw their official event titled “Hope N’ Mic Night” which turned out to be a huge success for the organization. The event started off with the president, Leah Rolando, introducing herself to the crowd and reading a quote from a speech that the founder of the national organization had given. She then introduced a slideshow created by one of the members that showed different pictures from the different events that happened throughout Suicide Prevention Week, which they helped sponsor. The slideshow also highlighted different students and faculty here at ISU, showing them holding up inspirational quotes of who they believe they are. After, they had a multitude of guest speakers throughout the night, some being students and some being people that knew members of the RSO, to share their own personal stories. Another guest speak, Chuck Roper, one of the members on the Board of Illinois’ Chapter for the Association for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), sharing how he had became active in this research after his twenty-seven year old had committed suicide. Furthermore, other stories such as Kelli’s, a student on the Executive Board of the RSO, talked about attempting suicide because of rough pasts with family; student Andrew Berryman talked about how he died briefly from an overdose and how he loves life that much more now. He provided inspiration to many students that could potentially be having troubles. Last but not least, the event also had performers, including student Ellie Painter, who made almost everyone in the audience tear up. Overall, the event touched many people and TWLOHA-ISU is an RSO to look out for in future events.
By Jasia Young – Staff Writer
A new registered student organization has emerged on ISU’s campus. COLORS, started by Jeremy Johnson and Angelo Edwards, was established in hopes to create a community for students to get together to meet and socialize with one another, regardless of racial background. This organization wants students to step outside their social group boundaries while avoiding negative perceptions of others in our college community. COLORS strives to eliminate racist attitudes around social gatherings to properly bring about a more welcomed atmosphere at Illinois State University. “The reason why me and my partner Angelo Edwards started COLORS was to promote diversity, eliminate negative stereotypes that people perceive about each race, and to expose one another to every culture,” said COLORS co-founder, Jeremy Johnson. “We feel that ISU is segregated and most people only interact with their race and we just want to give everyone the opportunity to go outside their comfort zone.” COLORS has a few programs coming up at the end of the fall semester, but next spring should be packed with many events. “We hope that everyone will come out and enjoy their experiences with COLORS,” said Johnson. To stay connected with COLORS, follow them on Twitter @COLORS_of_ISU.
By Heather Hanney – Staff Reporter & Public Relations
On October 24, the Association of Latin American Students held a Professional Development event with the uniform company, CINTAS. Kyle, a representative of the company, presented to ALAS and their constituents about CINTAS’ mission statement and what the company looks for in future employees. His goal was to help the attendees fix their resumes, prepare for interviews and search for internships. Kyle also provided background information on his college career and his discovery of CINTAS. Originally, he was a Finance major and did not expect to work for a company such as CINTAS. His story illustrated that your degree can take you in a variety of directions. He provided great advice about interviews from what to wear, to how to answer questions. He even asked the crowd many practice questions to show them how to correctly answer them when in an interview. Although many expected this event to be very lecture-like, it turned out to be completely interactive and allowed students to get their questions answered that were specifically important to them. ALAS developed a strong relationship with CINTAS and plan to bring them back to campus to further professional development amongst the students. For more information on ALAS, they meet every Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Student Services Building, room 375. Visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/ALAS_atILSTU and follow them on Twitter @ALAS_atISU.
By Brenee Coleman – Staff Reporter
Blood, sweat and tears are three things that Interdenominational Youth Choir (IYC) put into their “Underconstruction Restoration” workshop weekend, which was held Oct. 18-20. When asked how did IYC prepare spiritually, mentally and emotionally for their weekend, the president of the organization, Taylor Irons, said, “We had extra rehearsals to prepare for the singing itself, but we participated in fasting and praying in order to get ourselves prepared spiritually and mentally. Emotionally we just tried to remain positive, even though many thought we couldn’t do it, we never let that stop us from going forward with our event.” For those who are not familiar with IYC workshop weekend, it consists of choirs from different schools coming together and participating in a gospel competition, while also obtaining spiritual growth. Schools who were in attendance were Northern Illinois University (NIU), DePaul University, Lewis University, Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville (SIUe) and Northeastern University. IYC member, Jetaun Morris, explained what she got out of the eventful weekend. “I got a lot from this weekend,” said Morris. “I was able to take situations I’m going through in my life and seek closure and make new life decisions.” Not only did IYC impress the audience with their vocal skills, but you can see that this choir is not just a choir, but a family, who not only sings together, but spiritually grows together. To find out more information on IYC, follow them on Twitter @IYC_ISU.
By: Samuel Geralds – Staff Reporter
Collars and Cufflinks was an impactful event presented last month by Black and Latino Male Movement, a registered student organization (RSO) geared towards minority men at Illinois State University. I had the opportunity to sit down with Carl Hunter, the president of the organization, in regards to the event. Sam: What was “Collars and Cufflinks” essentially about? Carl: “Collars and Cufflinks” was an event about dressing for success. It was a GQ tutorial on how to dress in different professional settings. S: What was the goal of the event? C: Our goal was just to inform men of the importance of being dressed for those professional occasions and what to do and what not to do. It was really to make these gentlemen more aware of what their clothes say about them. S: Who was your target audience? C: My target audience was African American and Latino Males, but all were welcomed to attend. S: Why do you feel like this event was necessary to bring to campus? C: It was essential to bring an event like this to campus because very soon we will be in the professional world and we will need to know these things. We are ignorant to what we don’t know. S: Were you happy with the turn out? C: I thought the event was a great success for it to be our first program of the school year! Everyone talked about how they enjoyed themselves. S: What upcoming events does your organization have planned, if any? C: We have an event every month. We will be doing a community service project in November with Home Sweet Home Ministries and we will be having a Collars and Cufflinks part two and an etiquette dinner on December 4 at 6pm in Old Main of the Bone Student Center.
By Maya Glover - Secretary On September 15, registered student organization, IMPACT Movement had a bowling social to welcome freshman and new members, strengthen bonds and to just have a good time outside of classes. IMPACT is a Christian ministry on campus geared towards African American students and minorities to make them spiritually focused, financially responsible, and morally fit. They also teach how to survive being a college student and have weekly bible study. Before the bowling social, a small group meetings were held in Schroeder consisting of two separate gender based groups where the men and women can talk about anything they either felt uncomfortable sharing with the opposite sex or just wanted to relate to people who could more understand their concerns. With about 30 plus people in attendance to the bowling event, the conversations were flowing and the air was filled with laughter and joy as people sent their balls down the lanes. IMPACT President, Robert Campbell, is quoted saying, “It was a great time! It was good to see a lot of people come out.” IMPACT member Sean Vinson said, “I got a chance to meet new faces and see some people I hadn’t yet seen in an intimate setting on campus; it was a good social environment to be around [other] believers in a not so serious matter so I hope they keep it up.” With other events coming soon, the IMPACT Movement is sure to bring a good time to whoever chooses to participate so do not miss out! To find out more about IMPACT, contact Robert Campbell at racampb@ilstu.edu.
By Shaunda Brooks, Editor-in-Chief
On October 15, Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC) held a screening of the documentary, “Vincent Who?” This socially and emotionally engrossing documentary was about a man named Vincent Chin, a 27-year-old Chinese-American who was beaten to death with a baseball bat by two Detroit autoworkers, who had mistakenly thought that he was Japanese. In their minds, Chin was responsible for the loss of jobs in the U.S. auto industry. It was very eye-opening to see how not too long ago there were hate crimes going on and how they were going unpunished and neglected. It showed how America is still to this day, not a color-blind society. Discrimination goes on in our everyday lives regardless of what ethnicity you are and through the tragic event concerning Vincent Chin, it inspired the Asian-American community to come together to fight the social injustices that oppress them. It is a fight that will continue to be fought. This was a very inspiring and thoughtprovoking documentary that I would recommend to anyone. Attendees also had the pleasure of meeting Curtis Chin, one of the co-directors of "Vincent Who?” who came in to talk more about his film in-depth. He also hosted a Q&A session after the viewing of his documentary, which led to a great discussion and allowed people to give their input on the film. It was a very insightful film and inspired togetherness amongst the people in attendance, regardless if you could relate to the film or not. For more information on APAC and their events, follow them on Twitter @APAC_ilstu.
S.A.S.S.I.
EPSILON CHI CHAPTER OF PHI BETA SIGMA
By: Kiarra Hill – Staff Reporter
The week of October 7-12 marked Alpha Phi Alpha week. The men of the Eta Tau chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. prepared events throughout the week for ISU students to take part in and enjoy. Some events for the week included a movie night, “Stroll like an Alpha”, some community service, Women's appreciation night, so on and so forth. The ever-so-infamous 3rd annual “Stroll like an Alpha” competition was the week’s highlighted event. It presented 4 teams of girls who practiced hard for weeks to show out for the campus for that one night. The coaches of the teams included members of the organization: Ita Adebayo, Wendall Lytle, Christian Baker and even their chapter president, Travis McPhee. In the end, HomICEide took the crown as champs of “Stroll like an Alpha 2013”. Wendall Lytle, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, couldn't pick a specific favorite and said that all the events were his favorite. “They were all quality events," he stated. In his opinion, the week went well but it could have been better. "There is always room for improvement," he said. Instead of throwing a party, Alpha week concluded with a BBQ at their house, intended for friends to indulge in delicious BBQ, simmer down and converse with one another.
Breast Cancer Awareness By: Maridsa Choute, Staff Writer
  October is the month when people dread midterms but anticipate Halloween. This month also highlights Breast Cancer Awareness. You’ve probably seen someone walking around with a pink ribbon or guys in pink tights carrying cans to collect change for cancer research. How much do you know about breast cancer? Here are five facts about this form of cancer. 1) Breast cancer not only affects women, but also men. According to nationalbreastcancer.org, it is rare for men to develop breast cancer; less than one percent of breast cancer cases form in men. 2) According to the same site, one in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. 3) Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in African American women and is the second leading cause of cancer death in African American women. 4) Although it does not prevent cancer, research shows that daily exercise for at least 30 minutes reduces the risk of developing cancer along with maintaining a healthy diet. 5) Women typically do not need to start getting regular mammograms until the age of 40, but cancer.org states that women in their 20s should start doing self-breast examinations once a month and have clinical breast examinations every three years.
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Gluten Free Photo Credit: GlutenFreeHelp.Info
By: Shelbee Candreva, Staff Writer In the world of trendy diets, the latest catch phrase is “gluten free.” This strict diet is essential for those diagnosed with celiac disease. It is also good for those intolerant to the gluten protein and is even becoming a rising diet for people without the allergy. Does this diet have positive affects for people without this disease? Dr. Daniel Leffler, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School said, “Yes. It’s a popular diet of the moment, but it really does seem to provide some improvement in gastrointestinal problems for a segment of the population.” The Gluten Effect Gluten is the protein element found in wheat, and related grains of barley and rye. This component is best described as the factor that makes dough elastic and gives shape to its texture and chewiness. According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 0.5-1.0 percent of Americans are sensitive to gluten due
to celiac disease. This intolerance, when exposed to even the slightest amount of gluten, causes not only gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, headache, trouble concentrating, and fatigue, but also weight loss and malnutrition (due to an inability to absorb vitamins and minerals). The Diet A Gluten-Free diet not only improves digestion but also manages weight. The basic formula for losing weight is to eat fewer calories than those burned. Here are some tips for building a gluten-free diet: 1. Eat like a King for Breakfast Breakfast should be the largest meal of the day to ensure energy throughout day. Packing a breakfast high in protein and fiber keeps the body fuller, longer. Gluten free options for breakfast include eggs, quinoa hot cereal, and Greek yogurt with fruit topping. 2. Snack Wisely
Dieting should include smaller meals for lunch and dinner, which means eating snacks throughout the day to insure fullness. These constant meals can produce a faster metabolism. When considering
snack items, fruits and vegetables with the skin contain important vitamins and fiber to keep the body full and the brain focused. 3. Record Keeping One of the biggest tools in dieting should be writing down food portions and nutrition content. This visual allows for accountability. When dieting, an important tip is to not do it alone. Record keeping with a friend could be texting one another
whenever you eat a meal. Letting a friend know your food choice, for example choosing a salad with fat free dressing, could inspire them to select a healthy meal as well because eating mashed potatoes and chicken with gravy sounds unhealthy in comparison. 4. Allow for Indulgences Depriving from sweets and cravings inspires dieters to fall off the bandwagon easier. Allow a day in the week for a “cheat day,� which gives an opportunity to eat foods that are not included in the diet. This allows for a diet to become a lifestyle. When considering any change in diet it is important to meet with a physician or dietitian to insure all nutrient, vitamin and mineral levels are met.
  These cookies are delicious! I first tasted them during my nutrition internship over the summer and loved them. They are gluten and nut free. These mini cookies are chewy and taste a lot like regular cookies. They come in a variety of flavors that allow for an indulgence as well as still staying in terms of a gluten free diet.
By Shelbee Candreva, Staff Writer Being on my fourth year at Illinois State University, I am all too aware of the need to stretch a dollar. With a list of payments like rent, college loans and a car, it is hard to prioritize groceries on this budget. The stereotypical dinner for a college student is Ramen Noodles, and unfortunately it’s true. But these meals don’t have to be on our everyday menu. It is important to stay away from premade and convenience foods at the grocery store. These items limit the amount of meals per shopping trip and also cost a lot of money in comparison to fresh produce. Buying produce when in season is also healthier and can be utilized in multiple dishes. When constructing a grocery list, do not limit yourself to brand names. Store brands are known to have the same content and flavor in comparison and also cost less. Couponing is another tool that allows for every dollar to be stretched. This activity also promotes stock piling which can diminish the amount of food needed to be purchased every trip. Combining all of these ideas creates a recipe that is filling on not only your stomach, but also your wallet. Here’s a recipe that utilizes all of these tools:
Ramen and Chicken Stir Fry Serves 2 Approx. 20 min 1 package ramen instant noodle (cooked) ½ cup frozen vegetable mix ¼ cup sugar 1 cup water ¼ cup soy sauce 2 thawed chicken breasts
Cut chicken into cubes and marinate in soy sauce Cook frozen vegetables in small skillet Mix sugar and water together and add to sautéed vegetables with noodles In separate skillet, cook chicken Add chicken to noodle mixture with remaining soy sauce Cook for another 2 minutes to infuse flavor Serve hot with chopsticks
By: Shelbee Candreva, Staff Writer
With the fall semester in full swing, schedules have become full and time set aside for exercise and activity have diminished. These easy workouts focus on the glutes and can be done at home in as little as 20 minutes, so no need for those excuses anymore. (a)
(b)
(a) Stand with feet shoulder width apart (a) Stand with feet shoulder width apart and parallel to each other (b) Lower your body as if sitting in a chair with knees at a 90° angle. Hold for 5 seconds then return to position (a) Do 3 sets of 10
(b) Take a step forward dipping back knee down to floor (do not touch knee to floor) Return to position (a) Alternate sides and repeat 20 times Tip: Take longer step for more intense exercise
Tip: Keep shoulders up with an arched back. Keep knees behind toes
(a) Lay on back with feet flat on the floor (b) Lift hips towards the ceiling and hold for 5 seconds. Lower back to (a) Do 3 sets of 10 Tip: Don’t let bottom touch floor between reps. For more intense workout, lift one foot as shown by picture.
Album Review By: Danielle Alexander, Staff Writer
It seems that everything in music industry has changed, or at least for artist Drake is has. According to him “Nothing was the same”. Drake’s third studio album “NWTS” was released on September 24, 2013. The album consisted of collaborations with 2 Chainz, Jay-Z, Big Sean, Jhene Aiko and list of other features that made this album fly off the shelves. The album
Nothing Was The Same
This album is full of epiphanies, insight, and the truthful side of life that Drake always brings into his music. This album is not a “traditional” album with only hard beats, and catchy rhymes that usually find their way stuck in our memories. This album brings a fair contrast of Rap with R and B, and a tone that only Drake can bring. The singles “Started from the Bot-
Photo Credit: Idolator.com debuted number 1 on the Billboard 200 within its first week. During the week of release the album sold a number of 658,000 copies. Outside of the United States NWTS placed in the top two positions in Canada, Australia, Denmark, and United Kingdom. Drake displayed a more intimate and personal side of himself within his new album.
tom” and “All Me” set the tone for the album. “Hold on We’re Going Home” and “Wu-Tang Forever” left us all wondering how Drake manages to create a sound that only he compels. Overall, Drakes album received rave reviews and this review is not here to disrupt that tone. NWTS is an amazing album and I encourage everyone to take a listen.
Miley Cyrus
WARNING EXTREME BIAS ENTER AT OWN RISK !
Photo Credit: Fanpop.com
By: Yewumi Awolola, Staff Writer
Pro: She is embracing her young adulthood. Con: She is doing too much. There is no need to twerk around, or shall I say her semblance of twerking, everywhere she goes. She does not need to have her tongue out or wear next to nothing to get noticed. Or try to destroy her childhood image.
Photo Credit: Fanpop.com
Pro: Her heart was broken she deserves to let loose. Con: Many celebrities have gone through break ups and I have not seen them on a wrecking ball naked or licking a sledge hammer. There are many ways she can distribute her feelings rather than acting like she is crazy and offending an entire race. Pro: She is just trying to have fun and reinvent herself.
Photo Credit: Spicycurlyblog.com
Con: Her haircut is atrocious. Her fashion sense, although I enjoy it sometimes, is out of control. Her new found obsession with young black men is questionable. Who doesn’t miss “Party in the USA” Miley Cyrus? And we all thought that video was raunchy. Her videos are making me more and more uncomfortable. Pro: She can twerk.
Photo Credit: Moejackson.com
Con: MILEY CYRUS CANNOT TWERK. She does not have the keen asset involved in the dance of twerking. I feel like we don’t need to address what that something is.
Living Life in By Bryan Snow, Staff Writer
“Luxury Kids have no set genre. We make Luxury Rap.”
Chicago is full of talent these days. The city is brewing with many different types of artists just waiting and working for a chance to shine. This year at the 2nd Annual “Cloud Music Festival”, hosted by the Cloud Arts and Entertainment Committee (CAEC) of Scope, there were many acts from many places. Childhood friends Statik Shock and former ISU student Key Luxe make up the dynamic duo by the name of Luxury Kids, and the name suits them. They were dressed in tie-dye shirts and leather pants that they designed themselves. After the Chicago-based duo rocked the stage at the Music Festival with their latest single titled “OML”, I was lucky enough to get a quick interview with them. They were both charismatic yet humble. It was kind of weird because we have mutual friends and did not know it, but they were as excited to receive a formal interview as I was to give one. Bryan: Tell me a bit about yourselves. Key Luxe: I am a rapper and a designer for Luxury Kids, or Le’ Luxe Lenfant clothing brand. I am also co-founder. Statik Shock: I do the same as Key Luxe and I also do graphic design. We work with SaveMoney, NuTriiibe, and O$G, all Chicagobased groups of people. B: That’s cool, I know a few people from O$G. KL: Yeah those are the bros. We went to high school with a lot of them. It’s crazy, the buzz they’re getting.
B: Yeah it is. I’m proud of them. How did you two meet though? SS: We went to high school together, Kenwood Academy. B: That explains how you know O$G so well. KL: Yeah man, we basically grew up with them. B: So what came first for Luxury Kids, music or the fashion? Both: Music. SS: I make beats and produce and things of that nature. I didn’t rap a lot because everyone was, but I could always spit a bit. KL: I always rapped and having a best friend that can produce always helped to develop me as an artist. B: Where do you guys get the inspiration for the music? KL: Real sh*t. We only talk about where we or our close friends live. We like to focus on innovative things. We get inspiration from artists like Kanye. We aren’t afraid to say exactly what’s on our mind. Luxury Kids have no set genre. We make Luxury Rap. SS: We just set out to make good music. We want to be innovative and inspire people. Luxury rap. We aim to be the best and keep people guessing. B: Have you heard of Lucki Eck$? Alternative Trap? Both: Yeah that’s our little man. B: So do you consider Luxury Rap a subgenre similar to as he does? KL: Definitely. It’s a way of life. This is what we see, do, and live every day.
B: That’s super interesting how you guys have known each other for some time and both created different styles of music and life.
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SS: Yeah Chicago is full of talent at this time and Luxury Kids are right there trying to be innovative and help keep the movement alive. Because if we don’t, no one will.
Instagram: @LuxuryKidz_
You can find Luxury Kids’ music on websites such as YouTube and AudioMack as well as blogs such as FakeShoreDrive and Four Star Chicago. Their clothing line is rumored to be featured in the fashion show here at ISU next semester. Be on the lookout for a mixtape, release date unknown, called TIT.
Twitter: @Key_Luxe @StatikShock_
The Student Image Introducing the new RSO that will be covering our fashion column for future issues; read on for more information about this group. Meet The Team:
China Hawkins: Founder & Lead Wardrobe Stylist @stylerepublik Teiara Hayslett: Wardrobe Stylist @monaebird Cameron Wiggins: Wardrobe Stylist @quaterlygent Cameron Wilson: Wardrobe Stylist @nstacam
Social Media: ISU_The Student Image ISU_The Student Image The Image of ISU ISU_The Student Image (Fashion) Fades Vs (Style) Is Innate ISU The Student Image ISU The Student Image If you are interested in joining the group or have any other inquiries you can contact them at thestudentimageilstu@gmail.com
The Student Image’s Mission: •To Promote Diversity •To Inform Our Student Population and/ or Faculty/Staff on How to Dress in Everyday Settings. •To Assist Our Student Population and/or Faculty/Staff with finding their attributes, incorporating those attributes into there own personal branding & creating a new images •To Entertain Our Student Population and/or Faculty/Staff with Season Trends, Personal Styling & Grooming Tips, Hair Cuts & Facial Hair (for Men) Hair & Makeup (for Women) Speech & Public Relations Services.
How would you describe your style? Eccentric… bringing a bunch of ideas together.
What inspires your style? I’m just a big fan of clothes! I like to look good. I like clothes and picking them out. Who is your fashion icon? I honestly don’t have a style icon because I feel like anything I do is from within me. BUT I do like the way and admire the way Pharrell Williams dresses and I like Ryan Gossling and Beyonce’s style. What do you think about when you pick your outfit for the day? I don’t care about the weather. If I want to wear something, I’m gonna wear it. I’m going to wear a thick sweater even if it’s summer. I just pull out what I think looks nice. Follow him on Twitter @CamOhDam!
Jasmine Turner Senior Communication Studies
How would you describe your style? My style has been described as "hipster"; but I think my style is modern and comfortable… a natural style full of neutral colors and red lipstick. What inspires your style? Tumblr. Whenever I want inspiration, I go to Tumblr. Also, my size inspires my style. I see skinny women in the media wearing oversized shirts with simple accessories and elaborate makeup. It's feminine, cute, and simple. Who would you consider your "fashion icon" to be? Solange, Dawn Richards, Kelly Rowland… Those are the famous icons. Regular people on the street are more iconic to me than the celebrities. What do you think about when you pick your outfit for the day? 1. The weather. I'm not one of those people who walk out of the house wearing anything just because it's cute. I like to be warm in the winter and cool in the summer. 2. What am I doing and where am I going. I hate over dressing for events that don't call for a dressy outfit. Simple and comfortable is what I go for. I'm not trying to get chosen. I'm just trying to look like I'm not homeless or ratchet. 3. Did I wear this last week? I have enough clothes to wear something different every day for two weeks. But I tend to gravitate towards my favorite outfits. 4. Do I plan on posting a picture on Instagram? Sometimes… it be that real.
Follow her on Twitter @ImNotAladdin!
“Stay Woke” /stā wōk/: (verb) Remain alert. Be attentive. Keep your eyes open. Hi! My name is Sequoya Brown and I am a 2nd year transfer student here at ISU and I'm a Sociology major. The Stay Woke movement is something that I am passionate about because I feel that our generation has the resources yet lacks the hunger for knowledge. With all that's going on, it's important to always have our eyes and ears open for anything that has potential to affect us, which is everything. A wise man once said, "Be the Change You Want To See…" And with that said... Here's my shot: Stay Woke.
To “Stay Woke”, to me, means to keep your eyes on the prize. There’s so much going on in the world today, so much so that we become so easily distracted by all the miniscule and material things and we lose sight of the important things. So, here, the prize is progress. In the midst of all the things portrayed in the media, be informed, and in the midst of ignorance, Stay woke. Another aspect of “Staying Woke” is applying the knowledge that you’ve learned via experience and research to the collective progression of minorities. But of course, you have to be awake to stay awake, so this segment of the Scope highlight and inform you about current social and political issues as well as your (submitted) opinions about current events. If you have
suggestions or a contribution to the section, feel free to email me at Sequoya.TheScope@gmail.com
Intruder Alert Once again, we are given a stark reminder of the true definition of “Stand Your Ground” and the conditions under which it is okay to murder black children out of “self-defense”. According to various media outlets, it was about 1:30AM on November 2nd when 19-year-old Renisha McBride got into a car accident while driving in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Shortly after the accident, McBride, left with a dead cell phone, wandered into a suburban subdivision in search of help. After knocking on a homeowner’s door requesting help, Renisha McBride was shot in the face. McBride was unarmed. Photo Credit: The Huffington Post
The police handling the situation still have not named the homeowner, but statements have been released from the homeowner’s lawyers claiming that the man believed McBride was an Intruder and that the shooting was the result of an accidental gun discharge. This story is consistent across many news and media outlets, but a few have not refuted the “gun discharge” story, but instead claim that the homeowner was “justified” in his actions under the Stand Your Ground law. If you follow the news, this may seem like Déjà vu. Trayvon Martin, 17-year-old Miami resident, was fatally shot by George Zimmerman in February of 2012. After his story reached many social media sites, the story gained more attention, and caused the trial of George Zimmerman. In July of 2013, he was acquitted (under the Stand Ground Law). Photo Credit: The Huffington Post
Stories like these, and the countless others that you don’t hear about on the news make you question the current state of social (racial) affairs in the United States. Sure, we have come a long way from segregation, but it’s hard to deny that all of these new-age “coincidental” shootings look like the new lynching system.
Photo Credit: The Huffington Post
The story of Jonathan Ferrell is similar. He was a student in North Carolina who survived a car accident, only to be shot 12 times by police responding to “a suspected robbery” (the resident called the police because she saw an “intruder”) . Ferrell, like McBride, was only knocking for help. He, too, was unarmed. Not quite sure when intruders started knocking… but my condolences and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of McBride and Ferrell.
The Government Shutdown From October 1-16, the United States Government shut down for the first time since 1995. The shutdown in 95’ lasted 21 days, just 5 more than this year’s. Although many people Photo Credit: 1www.jrn.com
were aware of the shutdown
and could conclude that it was a big deal based off the media’s abundant coverage, not many people know why it happened or how it affected us. For so long, Politics and all works of the government seemed like a “grown-up” issue. Now that we (college students) have grown up, it’s time we take a deeper look into the way the government (and its many dysfunctions) impacts our daily lives. The government shutdown left several departments that depend on federal funding either partially or completely closed. Departments such as the beloved Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Education, Department of Interior, and The Department of Homeland Security were all partially shutdown due to the battle of the budget. National Parks were not open to the public (tourism profits), and even federal audits and the processing of non-electric tax returns were halted.
The shutdown was due to failure to comprise in a budget proposal. A projected $24 billion hit to the economy was taken during the 16-day deliberation process. $24 Billion is quite a pretty penny for a little over 2 weeks of negotiation, but it is true that time is money. Luckily, government employees were able to return to their normal lives. Although we wish it never had to come to the point of a shutdown, it is fortunate that it didn’t last as long as or longer than the last one. Politics is always boring, until it hits your pockets. Ironically, every item you purchase has taxes attached to it, which goes to the government, so there is importance in being aware of where your money is going. Stay woke.
Spotlight: is-REAL On October 14, the birth of a new, muchneeded movement occurred as the men of “is-REAL” presented a powerful spoken word piece entitled “Traffic Jam (WAKE UP)”. Is-REAL, composed of Joshua Brown (@josh_thePlanes), Kadeem Kamal (@KadeemAli) , Samuel Geralds (@DjUnstab1e), Sean Vinson (@Reck308) , Robert Campbell (@RobbieReach) and Nathaniel Aikens, Jr. (@TheSkateNate), is a group of articulate poets with a potent message: Stay Woke. The 11-minute piece highlighted social issues stemming from racism and the adversity that comes with being a young black man in America. The piece also covers relatable, typical college student issues, such as stress, temptation, self-esteem issues, materialism, the role media plays in our socialization, and how it is essential not to fall into the traps of distraction.
The men of is-REAL so beautifully orchestrated the piece on one of the busiest open house days on campus during a popular passing time for students on the quad, a perfect time on a beautiful day to wake the campus up. At least a hundred students gathered at the premiere of the poem, with greater attendance for two encores. If you missed it, don’t worry. The “Wake Up” movement is still in full effect. The men of is-REAL have prepared a second piece entitled “Bank Job” to be performed in the near future with three additional members, Dorian Williams, Jordan King, and Jarobe Powell. Thank you to the men of is-REAL for the inspirational speech and the opportunity to cover such an amazing work of art in my first article for the Scope. Best wishes in all of your future endeavors… That’s all, folks…#StayWoke.
By Ashley Blain, Staff Writer
Registered Student Organizations (RSO) make the campus of Illinois State University go round’. Illinois State has over 300 RSOs, each created to promote individuality and self-expression while networking and building life-long friendships. Our RSOs give students the opportunity to find a place on campus where they feel most comfortable. These organizations develop skills that are capable of being used outside of college, in our careers as well as our everyday lives. On this campus, it seems as if the original essence of student organizations has diminished and what was once used to bring our students together, is now driving our students apart. There used to be a time where we supported one another in the things that we accomplished. Now, it seems as if we only care about the organizations that we are directly a part of. Organizations are purposely throwing events to try and compete with another organization. The question I would like to ask is, why? Why is there no longer a connection among our student organizations? Some people will argue that it has always been this way, while others will say it has become a popularity contest or more about finances than it used to be. We have to promote unity and cohesiveness amongst our organizations. We have to remember why these organizations were started to begin with. When we start RSOs, it is about finding “your crowd”, getting involved and bringing your own creativity to campus in hopes of finding others that share your same vision. Once we remember that this is what RSOs are intended for, then we will stand a better chance at being united on our campus. Illinois State is home to a lot of students from all over the country and even the world and our RSOs are what bring us together. We have a plethora of RSOs; there is at least one that fits each student’s wants and needs and if it does not, students can create their own. We have to learn to support our fellow students in everything that they do. After all, you would want them to support you, right?
Don’t Call it a Comeback
By: Joe Green, Staff Writer
“D. Rose back, D. Rose back! Got them crazy Chi fans screaming, ‘D. Rose back!’” No storyline is better in this upcoming NBA season than the Return of Derrick Rose as he attempts to make it back to his MVP form of the 2011 season. Rose returns alongside a new wingman in the backcourt, Jimmy Butler, who arguably may have benefited the most from Roses’ absence. And with the return of key players like Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich, the Bulls are a serious contender for a Championship if they can stay healthy. But as things come together in Chicago, there are other powers at work striving for a similar goal. No one can ignore the huge moves Russian billionaire and majority owner of the Brooklyn Nets, Mikhail Prokhorov, made by acquiring Kevin Garnett, Jason Terry and Paul Pierce from the Boston Celtics. In addition, the saga of Jason Kidd begins as he tries to mold Deron Williams into the player he should be as a first year head coach. Prokhorov may have bought the best starting five in the league by making such moves, but can Jason Kidd make it all work? The Pacers also look better than ever. They boast a return of their own as all-star forward, Danny Granger, returns to the starting lineup alongside new all-star, Paul George. Throw in a new and improved bench featuring Luis Scola and ex-Bull, C.J. Watson, and you have another powerhouse in the mix. The Miami Heat are still good, maybe a little better than last year. Although the Heat lost key player and
Photo Credits: Zimbio.com lights out shooter, Mike Miller, they replace him with the troublesome but talented small forward, Michael Beasley. Beasley can score in a number of ways and his minimal signing will be motivation to come off the bench and prove himself every night. The Heat also decided to give former number one overall pick, Greg Oden, his last chance to play at this level. Any production at all would be a huge bonus. The west is littered with juicy storylines of its own dripping with curiosity and suspense. I begin with the ever so promising, yet so seemingly disappointing Oklahoma City Thunder. Durant is sure to continue
also rub off on Blake Griffin. Doc instantly shook up the roster adding players tailored to his expectations with high basketball IQ players such as Jared Dudley and J. J. Reddick. Plus, there is no better mentor to the strong-headed Chris Paul. The experiment of Dwight Howard as the next great center in Los Angeles is over as he makes the intelligent but cowardly move to the Houston Rockets. Howard gladly got out of dodge and broke free of the expectations of a franchise too big for even his broad shoulders and joins perhaps the new best shooting guard in the league, James Harden. The two could become the next big dynamic duo and take this team to heights it has not seen in a while. Having an exceptional supporting cast does not hurt either as savvy forward, Chandler Parsons, defensive juggernaut, Photo Credits: ClippersBlog.com Omer Asik and Linsanity round out the starting five. top form as he carries the team through the regular Other teams to look out for are the run and gun Warseason but that will not be enough in May. With the riors, the old and persistent Spurs and even the young recovery of point guard Superstar, Russell Westbrook, and reckless Cavaliers. delayed, the Thunder are hoping to see the develop The storylines are as good as ever this year for the ment of young shooting guard Jeremy Lamb come to National Basketball Association and I cannot wait to light as the replacement to James Harden. They would also like Serge Ibaka to continue guarding the rim like see how they play out. With so many changes and additions made to some of the top teams, its hard to he is Tarzan. determine how this season will end and that is the best The Clippers have certainly arrived. Now that part about it. former Coach of the Year, Doc Rivers, is running the show, the Clippers are serious contenders for a championship. The Clippers style of play is sure to reflect his gritty attitude and flair. His strong mindset should
Game Review
By: Sam Geralds, Staff Writer
Rating: 8/10
Always one of the more highly anticipated sports games of the year, NBA 2k14 once again did not disappoint. From the crisp graphics, to the flawless and real feeling game play, the engineers of NBA 2k14 are always looking for ways to incorporate something new. This year, they have introduced the “Path to Greatness” mode featuring Lebron James. Game Radar described the game mode as “...an interesting but flawed combination of traditional franchise and single-player modes.” NBA 2K14 does bring back popular games modes, like the fan favorite My Player mode, but with little to no change. The game play has also greatly improved, introducing a new, more realistic defensive system. In particular, defense is more interesting because of the ability to play the ball more effectively; well-timed reach-ins result in knock-aways more than fouls and the fact that you can block a ball as a trailing defender is a welcome addition.
Although the game play has greatly improved, the overall dress up of the game has diminished, with still no historic game mode, the inconvenience of relearning new controls and the “Path of Greatness” mode being too scripted. Although the positives out-weigh the negatives, there was more that could have been done to make this game a masterpiece. The game is still indeed as solid as previous years, I just feel an opportunity to do more was missed. Photo Credits: Hypebeast.com
Poetry Corner Change By Jasia Young Changing day to day, year after year, time after time… just to grow into a better you. To grow into what you were made to be. To be made into something everyone can’t see Sometimes we don’t even know our own true potential, diving in head first, not knowing what’s coming next, hoping we come out better than the rest. Of course we all wanna be the best! But what’s life without the struggles and tests? Without the storm, how can you see your strength? Without the storm, how do you know what you’re meant…, to become. How do you know what you’re able to overcome? Changes are like little bookmarks in life You can’t mark a point and expect to move on while holding on to all the hurt and strife. We change to guide us away from the past. We change to keep us on the right track. We change to love better, We change to become better, We change to live better! No one can get us to the best us without us! Because looking around and around for a helping hand, will leave you in the same spot as a founded piece of land. Be the best you! Start a new trend! Don’t live life regretting things you could have pushed past. Don’t let your opportunity to change go, leaving you ripped away like dead grass. Take the world piece by piece and show them what you got! Show them what you’ve learned; show them what you’re not Let your sweat, tears, pride, and hard work show in the end. Show the world you had a story from the time you began.