theWORD
THE A&T
REGISTER Zila Sanchez is theWord Zila Sanchez is the editor. Reach her ather Word editor. Reach zsanchez@aggies.ncat. at zsanchez@aggies. edu ncat.edu
The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, November 15, 2017
The A&T Register is the student newspaper of N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University. The opinions reflected are those of the student editorial staff and not those of university administrators, faculty or staff. We, the staff, are students.
Is chivalry dead? PATRICK BATTLE Editor In Chief
Does chivalry still exist in 2017? That’s a question that often comes up in conversations today. Chivalry is defined as courteous behavior performed by a man towards a woman. Opinions on chivalry are often expressed on social media, specifically on the world’s digital diary, Twitter. Many are familiar with the famous phrase, “chivalry is dead.” Acts of chivalry include opening the door for a woman, taking her out to dinner and showing her you care through simple actions and gestures. There could be many reasons why chivalry is limited in the present. With rap songs defaming women and the image being portrayed by females on television being degrading, it can be argued that chivalry does not exist anymore. “Chivalry is no longer taught because there are so many fatherless upbringings or young men come to college to conform to those that don’t exercise it. Personally, I support chivalry and the acts thereof,” said senior Tony Jackson II, sports science and fitness Management student. Chivalry isn’t necessarily dead, but it‘s not being taught anymore. You might ask yourself, “Who should be held responsible for teaching a grown man how to be a gentleman to the woman he loves or cares for?” The answer is all of us. His friends are definitely responsible for teaching him. Pride is a big factor in the childish
5
What happens to people in legal states with non-violent marijuana offenses?
habits that some of us men have, although we are afraid to admit it. In addition, we are not limited to being friends with the same gender. Women who have male friends should definitely voice how men who don’t exercise chivalry affects them. “I wouldn’t say that [chivalry] is completely dead, but it’s definitely not a trend that most men want to follow. It’s the little things that men can do but they don’t. For example, give up their seat for a female if it’s no more seats or even holding the door open,” said junior child development student, April. In a society that’s heavily impacted by what’s “cool,” it can be noted that chivalry should be promoted as the right thing to do. Our generation has the tendency to adopt the morals and values of public figures we admire. These public figures are definitely our favorite artists that we constantly listen to. We have seen Drake and J. Cole showcase chivalry in their music while Beyoncé and Jhené Aiko have demanded respect. It’s possible for chivalry to have more of a presence in today’s society if both men and women work for it. Men have to realize that being a respectful leader is perceived as better than being a disrespectful follower. Women have to realize that taking control and demanding a respectful leader can change the whole perception of a man’s approach. Keep chivalry alive.
It’s time to decriminalize weed GABRIELLE COOKE Contributor
Everyone has heard the misinformation that ignorant people spread about weed, “It’s a gateway drug,” “It kills your brain cells,” or “It’s addictive.” Those statements are all false and taken out of context. The fact is, the United States government has done little to no research on the effects marijuana has on the body, and they have only recently begun exploring marijuana beyond its stereotypes. There is no evidence that support the statements “Marijuana is a gateway drug” or “Marijuana is addictive.” Now that more research is being done, it is proven that marijuana has many benefits and can help treat diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy, as sited on the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. Furthermore, after the brain fully develops around age 25, marijuana has virtually no effect on the brain’s development. It’s reasons like these that led Colorado to legalize recreational marijuana in 2013 for those 21 and older. After seeing the billiondollar industry that recreational weed has become, states like California, Washington, Oregon and Maine soon followed. However, through all the talk about legalizing the fugitive that is “Mary Jane,” there is one question that is not getting a
Graphic by Devon James platform or any answers: What will happen to the people in jail for non-violent marijuana offenses? Keep in mind that on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Drug Schedule, cannabis is ranked as a schedule one, alongside ecstasy, LSD, and heroin; below that, in Schedule Two, is cocaine and methamphetamine. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, 52% of drug related arrests in 2010 were for marijuana. Add this to the fact that African Americans are nearly four times more likely to be arrested than whites and you have a systemic problem that needs a systemic answer. It is great that states are becoming more progressive in their legislation and law making, but the conversation about decriminalization can’t happen without speaking on prison reform. In states like Iowa, D.C., and Illinois, where black people are up to eight times more likely to be arrested for just having weed, it is important to have the conversation on criminal justice reform and decriminalization in the same room. According to the criminal justice system, if you do the crime, you pay the time; however, there is always a better way to enforce it. Even though marijuana was illegal, now that it is being decriminalized, the option for appeal and reduced sentences should definitely be on the table.
What does it mean to be Native American in the United States?
co-government practice. The Congress of American Indians reported, During Nov., American -Aggravated assault among Indian and Alaska Native Heritage month, American Indians and Alaska Natives is about twice that of it is important to the country. remember the Native -One of 10 American Americans’ ongoing fight for human rights. Indians age 12 and older becomes a victim of violent According to the crime annually. United States Census -Only 59 percent of tribes Bureau, the first have a tribal judicial system. American Indian Day -Native people die at higher was celebrated in May rates than other Americans 1916. In 1990, President from tuberculosis, alcoholism, George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution diabetes, vehicle crashes, designating Nov. as “National injuries and suicide. -American Indian youth have American Indian Heritage the highest rate of suicide Month.” among all ethnic groups in the Like all people, Native US and is the second-leading Americans are entitled to cause of death for Native youth inalienable, fundamental aged 15 to 24. human rights. Additionally, -Only five percent of tribes have fundamental American Indians and Alaska collective human rights. Natives have received graduate According to the Native or professional degrees, and American Rights Fund, only nine percent of American the United States has only Indians have earned bachelor’s recently allowed tribes the degrees (compared to 19 right and ability to govern percent for the US population). the education of their tribe -The number of American members in tribal and federal ZILA SANCHEZ Word Editor
Indian and Alaska Native students enrolled in colleges and universities has more than doubled in the past 30 years. -Native Americans are becoming homeowners at an increasing rate, 39 percent more from 1997 to 2001. -Tribal wind can provide 14 percent of the nation’s energy need and solar energy potential can provide about 4.5 times the nation’s energy need. This Nov., it is important to remember the original members of this society and provide unique protections for Native collective rights, traditions, culture, and property. The Native culture is truly unique to this country, and it must be respected. They are a proud people with traditions older than this nation, and they deserve the rights granted to us, too.
Photo courtesy of Tribune News Service
