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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF NORTH CAROLINA A&T
A LOOK INTO ABUSE DURING NATIONAL DOMESTIC ABUSE MONTH
A&T preps for Ross inauguration KeLCIe C. MCCRAe Editor-in-Chief
For the first time in history, the University of North Carolina’s president has chosen N.C. A&T to host the inauguration. Tom Ross will officially be sworn in as the 17th president of the UNC system in his hometown of Greensboro on Thursday. The ceremony will take place at Corbett Sports Center. “This is a Ross first for us,” said Deborah Callaway, chair of the university planning committee for the inauguration. “He could have chosen any school in the 17 campuses, and he selected A&T.” In January, Ross began his duties as president after taking over for former UNC system president Erskine Bowles. Like Ross, Bowles is also from Greensboro and held his inauguration in the Gate City five years ago. Already nine months on the job, Ross has been kept busy trying to operate the country’s oldest public institution under harsh economic times. This summer alone he had to combat lawmakers when they cut state funding by $414 million for the system’s campuses. A&T alone had to manage a 15 percent budget cut which resulted in a reduction in faculty and staff positions, and the elimination of low-performing academic programs. Despite tough times, Ross has remained optimistic and has continued to stress the importance of the UNC system. “I think every one of our campuses has a very important role to play in the community in which they are located,” said Ross during a visit to A&T in the spring. “This university [A&T] employs 700 faculty and that’s a lot of jobs. If you break down a place like this it’s going to have a huge impact on the community.” Over 2,000 people are expected to flood A&T’s streets for this inaugural event. Starting at 9:30 a.m., guests will be met by sounds of the Blue & Gold Marching Machine which will lead a parade from the New Academic Building down to Corbett Sports Center. “This is going to be a very beautiful event for us,” said Callaway. “It’s an honor for us to have this opportunity to do this for the president and not only that, but to showcase A&T.”
‘A cry for help’
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MCT CAMPus
JeNeLLe MCMILLIoN & sYLVIA obeLL Register Staff
E
very nine seconds in the United States, a woman is assaulted or beaten. “Domestic violence touches the lives of Americans of all ages, leaving a devastating impact on women, men, and children of every background and circumstance,” said President Barack Obama while making October the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 2009. Domestic violence can be described as a dark shadow that looms over America. Although the issue has been openly addressed, too many of its victims walk around silent never telling anyone what happened. Many of those guilty of it are walking the streets unscathed and free. Based on reports from 10 countries, between 55 and 95 percent of women physically abused by their partners’ never contacted non-governmental organizations, shelters, or the police for help.
Many think domestic violence is limited to only a man and woman in a romantic relationship. In reality, it is broadly defined when partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, friends, or cohabitation act violently toward each other. Violence can be defined in various ways including physical aggression, sexual abuse and even emotional abuse. Whether we realize it or not victims of domestic abuse do surround us. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women—more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined. They are our mothers, sisters, cousins, and nieces. Aggieland is no exception. Plenty classmates, professors, co-workers, and friends are victims of these terrible acts but for a number of reasons decide not to share or seek help. Today two brave women are breaking their silence. Why? In hopes that others like them will follow suit and seek the assistance they need to heal fully and know that they are not alone.
me to him. Daisha Windham He told me to come into a room. I began to cry because I “It’s just the coldest feeling knew what was going to hapever. It makes winter feel hot. pen. It’s like your dying inside.” He said, ‘you know what to On the surface Daisha do’ so I took the position of layWindham is a bubbly, colorful, ing on my stomach and he mo21-year-old JOMC major from lested me.” Wilmington, N.C. However for At the age of five Windham most of her life, Daisha has kept didn’t really understand what a dark secret. While living with was going on. “I thought it was her aunt, at the age of 5 Daisha a form of punishment, like a was sexually abused by her spanking or beating. I thought aunt’s significant other. it happened to everyone when Windham recalls one par- they did something wrong.” ticular time when what started To Windham’s knowledge as an argument between her she was the only one who he was molesting. She was the youngest one in It’s just the coldest feeling the house and the least likely to tell or know any better. ever. It makes winter feel hot. The abuse didn’t stop until she moved at age six. “I moved to Norfolk to live It’s like your dying inside. with my grandparents. Then -Windham when my father got married I went to live with him in another North Carolina town.” She didn’t tell anyone what and her sister led to abuse. “Me happened for a long time. One and my sister used to play fight time while watching a Lifetime a lot. movie with her stepmom about One time it got really seri- a man who was molesting his ous and my sister, who was family members, a door of older than me, went to tell on communication was opened on
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the topic. “She told me that if anyone had done anything like that to me it was molestation and that was wrong. I still didn’t share with her right then though.” It wasn’t until Windham was in the 10th grade that she told her. She had a nightmare that night about her abuser and woke up crying. She then ran into her step mom’s room and told her everything. Even though she opened up to her step mom and a few other family members, she still decided against telling others. “I really didn’t want to tell my whole family because it was a secret that could tear up my family. I also don’t tell a lot of people because I never wanted anyone to judge me or pity me.” Windham admits that the abuse had other lasting effects. “I used to despise God, because why me. It took me a lot of time rebuild that relationship, myself esteem. I didn’t love me.” “I wasn’t very social. I kept to myself so it definitely affected me emotionally. I still have a hard time talking about how I See Abuse on Page 2
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