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Vol. 62, I ssue 1
03.06.15
Vol. 62, Issue 9
Top
Attorney Crump
Stories Inside
visits NSU
by Antonio Garland Dr. Wilbert Edgerton, the founding chair of the Mass Communication Dept. at Norfolk State University, passed away on Feb. 10, 2015.
NSU women’s basketball finally earns their respect with victory over HU
Pg. 4
Speed Snacks helps college and elementary school students
Pg. 3
From model search to NBA celebrity
Pg. 6
Pioneer of the Mass Communications and Journalism Department is laid to rest by Jason Gill
Dr. Wilbert Delano Edgerton, 81, passed away on Feb. 10. He is survived by his sister, Josephine Brown of Virginia Beach, along with a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Dr. Edgerton dedicated 32 years of service (1965-1997) to Norfolk State University as a professor of mass communications. Edgerton was the principal writer of the proposal to the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia (SCHEV) for the Mass Communications bachelor and Masters Degree Programs at NSU. He was also the inaugural chair of the Mass Communications Department and served for 10 years before going back to teaching full-time. “Were it not for him and his leadership, none of these things…would of hap-
pened,” said coordinator and professor of Mass Communications and Journalism Dr. Stan Tickton, who was good friends with Edgerton and worked alongside him nearly his entire career. “A lot was accomplished in a very short period of time between 1975 and 1980. Other long-standing departments no doubt were jealous of our department and rapid progress made during that time. We were incredibly successful because one way or another he accomplished and attained our goals. Two of his leadership sayings were: ‘Don’t make promises that you can’t keep,’ and ‘Only fight those battles you know you can win.’ His management style was participatory,
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Benjamin Lloyd Crump, lead attorney for the families of murder victims Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin, visited Norfolk State University to talk about the recent issues concerning the relationship between the public and the police. Crump feels the public has a long way to go to bridge the gap between the two. He feels police officers should protect and serve all communities equally, but in order for that to be accomplished, everyone has to work together within the community. “You got to remember we’re not a police state. We
don’t expect the police to be there [as] a judge, jury [or] executioner on the street,” Crump said. “Nobody wants that vigilante justice that we see over in the Middle East and other places in the world. What we want is the justice equally based on the Constitution of the United States, nothing more, nothing less.” Crump said people would be naïve to think race didn’t play a part in the situation and that there is a critical issue within the relationship between the African-American community and the police department. He said
Photo by Tykhari Coles - Benjamin Crump and the other attorneys who represented the families of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, gave their insights on the infamous cases and engaged in an interactive Q&A.
Continued on p. 2
SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: spartanecho@nsu.edu
spartan news
2 Attorney Crump visits NSU Continued from front page
people have to speak up when they notice an injustice. “You know, people fought and marched and died for us to be able to come to colleges and to get these fancy titles and these degrees. Now, those same people who sacrificed so much for us, for us to get where we’re at, we want to abandon them when they need us to speak up for them.” Crump feels the situation with the police is a social issue that affects everyone. “There’s injustice everywhere,” he said. “You got to remember, if people don’t feel that the system is fairly working for them, then at that point they will start trying to take the law into their own hands. That’s the worst thing we could ever want to see, just to say we’ve given up on the system. So that’s the real issue with injustice, because you don’t want people to become delusional. We can’t look the other way with
our children being killed and say it’s too controversial, we don’t want to get involved.” Crump’s hope is for children to grow into a world where the public and the police aren’t at odds. “We want every life to matter,” he said. “We want our children’s lives to matter. Their dreams, their aspirations, their hopes, their lives matter just like everybody else’s children’s lives matter. At the end of the day, you want a system that is fair, that gives them the opportunity to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and that’s all you want for your children, that and nothing more. And that’s why it’s so horrifying when you see these things happening.” Crump said the goal above all else is due process. “This whole notion that there is not just one party over another, it’s clearly everybody involved in the legal process.”
Photo by Tykhari Coles - Benjamin Crump, along with the other attorneys who represented the families of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, gave their insights on the infamous cases and engaged in an interactive Q&A.
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Pioneer of Mass Communications and Journalism Department is laid to rest Continued from front page
not dictatorial and because of that we all moved together in one giant force along with him and accomplished our goals through his leadership.” The Mass Communications Department was not the only part of NSU that was greatly impacted by Dr. Edgerton. He nearly single-handedly brought the radio station WNSB Hot 91.1 to NSU’s campus. “He was very instrumental in getting the radio station
on air,” said Grady James, another former professor who worked alongside Dr. Edgerton. “In fact, his license plate on his car was always WNSB. There is also a leadership award named after him that the Mass Communications Department gives a student every year. Most students don’t know who he is. Most students only know the name, even the award recipient doesn’t always know the background of it.” Dr. Edgerton built friend-
ships that went far beyond the workplace and those are some of the things people who knew him best will remember the most. “Soon after coming to NSU in 1974, Will Edgerton became my ‘big brother’,” said Dr. Tickton. “He was an integral part of my family, knew my parents and was involved in all of our family’s life cycle events.” Dr. Edgerton was laid to rest on Feb. 17 in Norfolk, Virginia.
Virginia21 shaping the future
By Antonio Garland
On Feb. 3, a dozen students, each one members of Virginia21, attended Lobby Day in Richmond to speak with state legislatures and discuss matters on state budget cuts and tuition costs. Currently, the organization is teaching students on campus leadership skills to solve future challenges, while giving them the tools to do so. Virginia21 is a statewide organization that engages students in the political process by sharing information, coordinating political actions and directing advocacy. The organization attended the event in Richmond and lobbied for mandatory reporting on sexual assault. It also analyzed bills and propositions that affect the lives of college students, such as guns on campus. The organization had been pushing state legisla-
tives to not touch higher education. As Virginia is one of the states with the highest tuition costs, increase in student fees and decrease in accessibility, for many people, takes away the option of going to college. Denzel Thomas, a freshman computer information technology major who is also outreach chair for Virginia21, spoke about the organization to encourage involvement and to get students to voice their opinions. “Students really have to be more active and make a change because it is all of us, we’re the next generation,” Thomas said. “If they don’t do it, then who is going to do it?” According to Thomas, for one to become a member of Virginia21, one must be a faithful and active member who is willing to bring ideas
to the table. Virginia21 wants students to come out and know what issues are going on and to express their opinions on current matters, which will challenge the administration on making different decisions. “The students have a voice and they need to express their voice,” said Thomas. “It allows them to say ‘I want to be able to do this or not do this’.” Thomas said Virginia21’s goals are to create a positive change, outcome and greater change for the student body, while ultimately creating a greater change for the economy. This starts with the people today, working together to state their opinions and change the minds of delegates in favor of the students and community.
SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: spartanecho@nsu.edu
03.06.15
spartan news
Speed Snacks helps college and elementary school students
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TurboVote assists voters in and outof-state By Antonio Garland
Photo by Reginald Thomas – Students on campus normally see Shammah Waller, a.k.a. the Speed Snacks Man, on his skateboard racing to his next customer. By Antonio Garland
Shammah Waller, a freshman marketing major, better known as Speed Snacks, is working to bring Norfolk State University students together to mentor the youth. He wants to ensure the future and use his personal business to create an efficient way to bring deliveries, such as food and classroom supplies, to students on campus. Waller runs his own organization called Speed Snacks LLC., which is finding ways to eliminate student’s troubles of going out at night and walking across campus. Currently, he is looking toward becoming a distributor for Thompson Hospitality to deliver food services to students. When he’s not running his business, Waller spends his time helping young students with their public speaking skills at Ingleside Elementary School. He spoke on the ad-
vantages of children having a college mentor. He noted they would have more confidence, better social skills, be in better learning positions and have job references for when they become older and pursue jobs. “They get to see someone who looks like them succeed in college instead of seeing what the media wants them to see, [such as] bad things on T.V.,” Waller said. He’s created a second organization called Speed Supremacy, which tries to get college students to tutor and mentor elementary school students. The organization will also assist college students with their professions, helping them develop along the way. “[I want to] show people if they all work together and use their resources the way that they need to use them and make goals and com-
plete them at high speed, [they] can accomplish anything they put their mind to,” he said. Waller said he plans to use Speed Snacks and Speed Supremacy to bring organizations together to host fundraisers and other charitable events to help those in need. He said it is important to teach elementary school students about ethics and how to decide right from wrong. Waller noted that helping a troubled child becomes more difficult as they become older and it is best to help them at an early age. According to Waller, enlisting college students to mentor children will help shape the future in a positive light and make the community better. “This will change the world, this will change the future,” Waller said.
Many who transfer from out-of-state are unaware they can register to vote in Virginia. Out-of-state voters are initially discouraged as they believe the voting process appears complicated. To make things easier, Virginia21, a government associated organization, is partnering with TurboVote to assist in the voting process. TurboVote is a voter registration tool which reminds voters to be present on Election Day and be at the ballot boxes to eliminate the need of paper ballots to make the process more convenient. With TurboVote, institutions can keep track of the number of students who have been registered as voters. A voter can also request an absentee ballot which allows voters outside their state or country to turn in to count as a vote, convenient for those in the military or on business trips out of the country. Although voting isn’t done online, one can use an absentee ballot to vote by mail. As most people have access to smart devices like iPhones, TurboVote makes use of online functions for a convenient way to register online. Signing up is free of charge and the information provided to TurboVote is confidential. If one would rather vote at a polling place, TurboVote will remind you of the date it’s held and provide ad-
vance warning to allow time to research on what information the ballots provide. While students can’t vote on campus, Virginia21 is assisting students by providing locations on where to cast their votes on Election Day. Though everyone is encouraged to vote, some view voting as non-important as they only get one vote and are discouraged when who they voted for isn’t elected. However, many believe voting is a way to select the best person to change the way people live for the better. “It’s only important to get involved if it’s important to you,” said Danielle Hogate, a sophomore English major. “I wouldn’t get involved if I didn’t have big feelings about it.” “Voting helps us to know where our future lies,” said Terrion Smith, a junior sociology major. “To help enhance our well-being.” “I think it’s really important to vote,” said Mark Hubbard, a junior accounting major. “That’s how you stay involved in the community, by voting in the elections.” If you would like to learn more about TurboVote, visit their site at www.turbovote. com.
SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: spartanecho@nsu.edu
spartan sports
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Former softball athlete takes home Joseph Echols Award by Kazahna Joyce
Norfolk State Sports Club granted former softball standout Morgan Boyd with the Joseph Echols Memorial Award for her remarkable performance with the Spartan softball team during the 2013-14 season. The Joseph Echols Memorial award is given to Norfolk State’s top senior student-athlete. Boyd helped lead her team to a 12-6 MEAC record, earning All-MEAC and firstteam All-State honors in her senior season with the Spartans. To cap off her season she was also named NSU’s Female Athlete of the Year by the athletic department at the athletics banquet. In Boyd’s four years at Norfolk State, she managed to compete in a total of 187 softball games and achieved
the honors of preseason All-MEAC second team, Virginia Sports Information Directors (VSID) All-State first team, a member of the MEAC All-Academic Team multiple times and was named the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar. During her senior season she was ranked second in the league and 17th in the nation with a batting average of .440. She also ran her way into the nation’s 23rd spot in stolen-bases-per-game, stealing 27-of-31 attempts for the season. Boyd’s presence will be missed this season as the Spartans look to win the MEAC under coach Cavallo’s direction.
NSU women's basketball finally earns their respect with victory over HU by Ricky Rogers and Kazahna Joyce
Photo from NSUSpartans.com – The Lady Spartans defeat Hampton University
Norfolk State indoor track season comes to an end by Kazahna Joyce
The Spartans seem to be on the right track toward success as they ended this year’s indoor track season ranked in the top-10 among their competitors. The men’s indoor track and field team capped off their 2014 season at the Christopher Newport Invitational winning a team title for their on-track performances. Two standouts in Norfolk State’s 122 point victory were redshirt senior Nathnael Meseret, who placed second in the mile and not far behind was redshirt sophomore Desmond Fogg, who placed third. On the field, freshmen
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Joseph Boyd and Romero Hines also achieved top-fives finishes for the Spartans with a first-place finish in the long jump (Hines), and a thirdplace finish in the high jump (Boyd). Other victories by NSU men’s indoor track came from freshman Xavier Collins, junior Steve Coles and freshman David Kibet at this years University of North Carolina Open. In women’s track there was much success this season as well. Although the women finished sixth overall at the Prince George Sports See Page 5.
Norfolk State women’s basketball ended their 17game losing streak to the rival Hampton University on Jan. 31, with a 71-66 victory. Prior to playing Hampton in the annual Battle of the Bay face-off, the Spartans were off to a surprising 5-3 (MEAC) start defeating North Carolina A&T in a heart-racing overtime battle along the way. Coming into the first game of two against the defending MEAC champs, Norfolk state was projected to lose. The critics seemed to be spot on with their predictions as the Pirates jumped out to an early 9-0 lead over the Spartans. However, the Lady Spartans managed to cut the deficit down to three by the half. Hampton came out of
halftime with two back-toback field goals; conversely the Lady Spartans went on a 14-2 run to take the lead. Much of the Spartans’ success came from Kayla Roberts, the freshman forward from Miami, Florida. Achieving a career night and making some history of her own, Roberts managed to dominate with 25 points and 26 rebounds to lead the Spartans to victory. She is the first Spartan to register 25 points and 25 rebounds since Stephani Palmer on Dec. 7, 1989. The largest deficit for either team in the final four minutes was two. Both teams had chances to win it at the end. The Pirates terminated NSU’s chance to win in regulation by blocking Rae Corbo’s jumper with 13 sec-
onds left in regulation. The Lady Spartans locked down and held Hampton to zero field goals in overtime. Thus giving them the 71-66 overtime victory and moving them into second place in the MEAC. With a much-needed win, NSU women’s basketball was able to create a name for themselves in front of the 2,496 fans in attendance that night. As the season progressed, the Lady Spartans managed to add on more wins and take a few losses. Ultimately, their goals are to continue to shock those who have doubted them and to put the team in good seeding position once the MEAC Tournament starts in March.
SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: spartanecho@nsu.edu
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13 recruits complete NSU football’s 2015 recruiting class by Davonte Smith
After being named Norfolk State University’s head football coach on Dec. 16, Latrell Scott had extensive work to do in recruiting players before national signing day. Late in January, Scott announced the 13 student-athletes whom completed his 2015 recruiting class. After
finishing 4-8 last season, and losing 19 players to graduation, Coach Scott signed six defensive players and seven offensive players including Norfolk native and Hampton Roads standout George Wahee. “Our main goal and objective was to address the needs of the program. I feel
that we signed 13 quality student-athletes who are a good fit for our program,” Scott said. Much of NSU’s success came from their unstoppable defense that possessed All-American linebacker Lynden Trail. In attempt to maintain the Spartans’ defensive dominance, Coach
Scott also made changes to his defensive staff by bringing along three coaches whom he worked with at Virginia State University. “Bringing these fine coaches to NSU allows us to keep continuity on a defense that had great success over the past two seasons,” said Scott. “We look forward to
having similar success here at NSU.” Although Norfolk State’s 2015 recruiting class is ranked ninth among the other HBCUs, the excitement around the program continues to grow as spring football approaches.
NSU Football 2015 Recruits:
Walter Brantley (DL) / Hampton,Va Jake O’Sullivan (OL)/ Chesapeake,Va Nigel Chavis (LB) / Richmond,Va Raynard Revels (LB)/ Richmond,Va Chung (RB) / Midlothian,Va Craig Rodwell (OL)/ Richmond,Va D.J. Cook (DB) / Richmond,Va Cornelius Tyler (DE)/ Richmond,Va Gerard Johnson (RB) / Richmond,Va George Wahee (WR)/Norfolk,Va Marcus Taylor (Ath) / Highland Springs,Va Wes Jones (OL) / Delaware Jeff Lee (DE) / Chesterfield,Va Continued from p. 4
Norfolk State indoor track season comes to an end by Kazahna Joyce
and Learning Complex meet, individual success was present among the team. Senior standout Tiara Davis finished first in the pole volt competition. Davis won her third straight MEAC pole volt title after clearing 10-feet, 11.5-inches. Other top five finishes came from senior Kaydianne Mckenzie (triple jump), juniors Kiara Howell (shot put
and weight throw) and Rachel Webb (5,000 meters). To top off the season for NSU track, 24 Spartans were named to the MEAC Indoor Track All-Academic Team. The athletes have about one month to recover from the indoor season before they begin the 2015 outdoor season at the Virginia Cup meet on March 21.
Photo from NSUSpartans.com - Both the male and female track & field teams are preparing for their outdoor season this month.
SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: spartanecho@nsu.edu
spartan lifestyle
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03.06.15
From model search to NBA celebrity
by Io Chaney
Norfolk State University senior business marketing major Kayla McCombs did not always dream of becoming a model. When she was younger she had a dream of becoming a business lawyer; however, when she turned 13, her ambitions began to change. People told McCombs that she should be a model. As a believer in prophecy, she had heard that she should become a model three other times and was convinced that it was a sign. Her modeling career began at a modeling conference at the Marriot Marque. Since the start of her modeling career, she has appeared in numerous fashion shows and done many photo shoots. Her first competition was the D’Wight Agnor New York Model Search. She was chosen as a finalist, but did not receive a call back.
“I knew I had potential when I [was chosen to be a] finalist and I jumped right into it,” - Kayla McCombs Like any other ambitious teen, she started going on the Internet and looking at some of the greatest models of her time. After taking modeling classes, McCombs realized that her modeling teachings would be deeply beneficial to her career. “The classes helped me understand that modeling is a business and there [is an] etiquette that goes with this -- things that you should and
should not say, what you need to do, and hygiene. Pretty much, you have to look like a mannequin at all times,” McCombs said. In 2013, McCombs was invited to the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game in Houston, Texas. On Feb. 13, she was invited back to the same event held in New York. McCombs has been able to stay persistent and successful in her modeling career because of her faith in God, the support of her family and her own words of wisdom. “Endure the small obstacles before the big ones. The higher you go, the more courage and push you need to be successful in everything you endure,” McCombs said. Photo by Rick Day - Fellow Spartan and recently discovered model, Kayla McCombs, will soon be traveling to New York to kick-start her modeling career.
Black Greek Letter Organizations have a historically divine impact by Malaun House
Some people believe that students who attend a historically black college or university (HBCU) receive many different experiences or opportunities that they would not otherwise receive while attending a traditional institution. An aspect of HBCUs that has been around for over 100 years is Historically Black Greek Letter Organizations. These organizations are often referred to as the “Divine Nine.”
“My father and mother are members of Greek organizations and I’ve grown to understand that their brother and sisterhoods help them to be better people. My mother does a lot of community service and my dad is always at a convention or meeting with his brothers,” mass communications major April Hampton said. Many students find that being a part of an organization will allow them to become more involved on campus.
Greek organizations, just as any other non-Greek organization, allow individuals to learn more about themselves, while stepping out of their social comfort zone. “I’m an only child so I’ve always been alone and never felt like I needed anybody, but becoming a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. forced me to come out of my shell. I love my brothers because our bond is so strong and they make me a better man,” computer sci-
ence major Trey Raynor Wilson said. For numerous years, Historically Black Greek Letter Organizations have been looked at as something that will better the community. African-American organizations have done many things such as fundraising, outreach and influencing people in the community to make a difference every day. “I don’t know too much about ‘Divine Nine’ organizations, but they have al-
ways been very interesting and influential because they give African-Americans the opportunity to demonstrate that we are more than just black-faced criminals on the news and paid actors in ghetto reality television shows. The organizations help portray positivity in the public eye,” a member of the Norfolk community Jonetta Anderson said.
SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: spartanecho@nsu.edu
03.06.15
spartan lifestyle
Goodbye winter, hello spring
editors Jason Gill Editor-inChief
by T’ney Stallings It is that time of the year again; spring break has finally arrived. Spring Break is one of the largest student events of the school year. Over 1.5 million students from across the U.S. travel to various destinations. According to www.studentcity.com, Cancun, Mexico is the number one spring break destination internationally. Cancun offers phenomenal beaches with beautiful blue water and the biggest beach parties. For the past two years, over 60,000 people have taken over the sandy beaches of Cancun. This spring break, the Inception Music Festival is back, bringing out the world’s top DJs and other artists. Panama City Beach is another popular spring break destination. It is located in Florida and is the number-one spring break destination in the U.S. On
March 10, DJ Diplo will be hosting the Sharky’s Beach Bash Music Fest bringing out some of the best DJs and artists to hit the stage. Sharky’s Beach Bash was named “Top beach party in the USA” by Rolling Stone Magazine. Gold and platinum party packages, along with single tickets for the Inception Music Festival, are available at www.Inceptionfest. com/cun/. For the Panama City Beach travelers, www. Eventbrite.com has the Sharky’s Beach Bash Music Fest tickets available now, along with the early bird admission. Spring break is a great time for students to get their minds off of the schoolwork and enjoy time with friends or family. Just be sure to make this spring break a safe one.
Photo by Tykhari Coles – As the flowers begin to bloom, so do the wild ideas of fun and relaxation for Spring Break.
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Photo courtesy of NSU African-American Association– NSU’s African-American Association spread the wealth of their organization on and off campus, with events such as their fashion show in late March.
What is your association?
Danielle Kirsh Online/ Managing Editor
Antonio Garland News Editor
by Io Chaney
The African Student Association (ASA) has grown and developed into a strong group of students, thriving with over 50 members this year. The purpose of the organization is to unite African students on campus and all who are interested in the African culture. “All the members interact on campus [and] outside of the meetings. We have a relationship deeper than a friendship; there is a family bond in this organization [because] it’s a brotherhood and a sisterhood. Unity and brother/sisterhood is a key component of the ASA.” President of ASA Obed Lartey said. The organization is open to all students, despite the idea that it is only for the African student body. Giving back to the community is something that is important within any college organization or club, but it is one of ASA’s major focuses. “We have gone to Bayside Health and Rehab Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia to interact with elderly peo-
ple in the Hampton Roads area,” sophomore nursing major Sarah Elionai said. ASA also organizes shows and holds discussion panels about the African culture. “The organization is still young; we are in a learning process and every year we are getting bigger. We have established relationships with Virginia Commonwealth University, Old Dominion University, and William & Mary College, [and we] are in the process of working together to do events with the African organizations on those campuses,” Lartey said. One upcoming event that ASA is working on is their spring Fashion Show, which will be held March 28 at 7p.m. in the New Student Center, Room 138 A-C. ASA is not just for African students; it is open to anyone willing to learn about the culture. For more information about joining the African Student Association, contact: o.lartey@ spartans.nsu.edu.
Malaun House Lifestyle Editor
Kazahna Joyce Sports Editor
Chantelle Polite Entertainment Editor
Tykhari Coles Multimedia Editor
Mario Lawrence Graphic Design/ Layout Editor
SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: spartanecho@nsu.edu
spartan entertainment
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NSU Theatre Company presents For Colored Girls
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FOX creates a new “Empire”
by Richelle Hammiel
Photo from NSU.edu – NSU Theatre tackled Ntozake Shange’s highly acclaimed Obie Award-winning Broadway play, For Colored Girls, with tremendous success. by Chantelle Polite
Feb. 12 was opening night for NSU Theatre Company’s outstanding production of the 1975 play For Colored Girls Who have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, written by Ntozake Shange. The play was made notable when Tyler Perry turned the production into a theatrical film adaptation in 2010 with the title being simply For Colored Girls. The play tells the story of seven women and their life experience of racism, discrimination and oppression in their society based on their race and their sexuality. The women reveal their experiences through monologues, song and dance and are each represented by color, having no names to identify them. Corasha Dent as the “Lady in Brown”, opened the show with an attention-grabbing
monologue. The silhouettes of the six other women then appeared on the stage and Meredith Johnson as “Lady in Red”, leads the cast into a moving performance of Nina Simone’s “Four Women”. Makala Jackson and Indya Jackson as “Lady in Yellow” and “Lady in Blue” join in after Johnson, harmonizing on their individual lines of the song which describe the conception of a mulatto child from a slave woman and slave master and the sexualization of a black girl with tan skin, both symbolizing the seemingly negative perceptions of black women. As the ladies serenaded the audience, images of prominent African-American women such as Rosa Parks, Whitney Houston, Etta James and Earth Kitt flashed onto the screens behind them. Leila Earl as
United once again to bring us the new hit on FOX, Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard star in the new series, “Empire.” Henson, also known as Cookie Lyon and Howard, also known as Lucious Lyon, were once married and dreamed of starting their own empire. Music was the central focus of that empire, but that focus was clouded by their decision to start off their company with “dirty money.” Consequently, obtaining that “dirty money” is what landed Cookie in prison for 17 years. While she served her sentence, Empire Enterprises was developed along with the drama in their lives. Cookie and Lucious’ three children had to grow up without having their mother around, being as she
didn’t want them seeing her in jail. 17 years later, Cookie was released and now she wants half of the company that she says she started and she wants to help manage their son Jamal with his singing career. Lucious, bothered by Cookie’s release, wants no part of having her involved with the business. The threat of her exposing where she got the $400,000 to start the business is hanging over his head at every moment. Despite issues within the business, Lucious has an illness that may eventually render him from being able to run the business. In that case, he needs one of his three sons to take over, but the choice of which one isn’t so simple. Even though all three children have the same mother
and father, they all gained three different personalities and aspirations. The youngest son, Hakeem, raps but can’t keep his attention off of the girls. The middle son, Jamal, sings but his family, most notably his father, is disappointed with his homosexuality. Lastly, the oldest son, Andre, is a businessman but his dad is afraid he lacks the communication skills he needs to take the reigns. The battle is on to see whether or not the Lyons will be able to keep up the high standard of Empire Enterprises. Even bigger, will Cookie bring the company down with her antics, or will she let one of her sons take the company to the top of the industry?
“Lady in Green” used her powerful vocals to bring the rest of the cast members in to end the song to which Dent proclaimed, “This piece is for colored girls who have considered suicide but moved to the ends of their own rainbows.” Makala Jackson as “Lady in Yellow” is wonderful with her innocent, coming-of-age monologue about losing her virginity on graduation night in the back of a black Buick. The use of Shange’s words
flows eloquently from not only “Lady in Yellow” but from each lady, all of them manifesting each poem into their own works of art. Asia Morris as “Lady in Purple” joined together with “Lady in Blue” and “Lady in Red” for an emotional monologue about rape, using the phrases “you must’ve wanted it” and “a woman raped in her own house by invitation,” all common phrases believed to be used in the event of an innocent
woman’s rape. Leila Earl was a knockout as “Lady in Green” with her indignant monologue on a lover who refused to love her right, as she repeats that the man “stole her stuff,” her “stuff” possessing a deeper meaning than any material items. Earl’s delivery clearly floored the audience as echoes of appraisal and agreement bounced from wall to wall with each line she spoke.
SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: spartanecho@nsu.edu