Nov 16

www.thescsucollegian.com MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2009

OUR 96th YEAR

All Hail the Champs

ISSUE 6

Photo and caption courtesy The State S.C. State running back William Ford celebrates a first quarter touchdown while playing Morgan State. – Tracy Glantz/tglantz@thestate.com/

By Nkosi Kennedy Sports Editor The season isn’t over yet, but the Bulldogs can pop the champagne anyway.

With last weekend’s 37 – 13 win over the Morgan state Bears; South Carolina State clenches its second straight MEAC title.

Morgan was never really

competitive against the Bulldogs and besides, with a late forth quarter score, it was completely one sided. But instead of focusing on the game at hand, let’s focus on the “back to back champs.”

When most people think about championship caliber, they think about the stars of the team; and they’ve shown bight this year.

Long had a career year leading all quarterbacks this year in yards, completion percentage, and touchdowns.

Young leads the MEAC in receptions and is second in yards and touchdowns. Will Ford is third in rushing yards and second in touchdowns in the MEAC. Without these guys performing at a high level, we may not

be talking about the MEAC title again.

But let’s not forget, the stars aren’t the only part of the team. It’s not the five amazing plays that make a team; it’s the 40-60 others that truly define them.

The Bulldogs as a whole played consistently to bring pride to South Carolina State.

SEE CHAMPS PAGE 7

“

I am very excited about winning the game and even more about winning another MEAC Title,” said SC State coach Buddy Pough.

“I am very impressed with Tre’ Young’s play today.”

- Coach Buddy Pough after SC State defeated Morgan State

International Student Awarded for Service to the Community

By Jonathan White Managing Editor

LouAnne Wilkes is the international student of the year. The senior political science major and from Trinidad and Tobago was presented with the award during the opening ceremony for International Awareness Month on Nov. 5.

According to the release for the event, the International Student of the Year Award is presented to an international student who has gone beyond the call of duty in their contributions to the University and their host country, the United States. Business Professor David Jamison was also awarded the International Awareness Appreciation Award for “eagerly promoting international awareness at SC State.”

The Collegian was fortunate to speak with Wilkes who shared her experience with us.

Q : How do you feel about winning the International Student of the Year award?

A : I was surprised because a number of other international students also deserved this award.

I honestly didn’t consider myself in the running, because I didn’t think I did that much. It was only when I was asked to submit my resume that I actually sat and zeroed in on what I’ve done in the time that I’ve been here; a focus on activities geared towards the betterment of the community of Orangeburg and America as a whole. I never intended to be recognized for any of it, so this award was honestly a surprise and definitely a form of encouragement to continue doing whatever I can to help others Q: What is your favorite thing about SC State?

A. I love SC State for granting me the opportunity to further my education. I am also grateful that this institution believes in diversity and has given so many other students an opportunity to study here. I have gained friends from so many corners of America, and so many parts of the world that my experience here has been absolutely enriching.

Q. What is your least favorite thing about SC State?

A. Honestly, I wish more students here could appreciate the opportunity of gaining a good SEE AWARD PAGE 4

Inside >>> Academic Affairs VP is Positive about SC State’s Future Page 3

Voices Speak Russian?

International Student Profile: Alaksandr Malko Page 5

Connect with us

Send us a tweet@ twitter.com/SCSUCollegian or Join our Facebook group The Collegian 2009-2010

Photo by Charlotte Collins/Student Media Chief Photographer (L-R) Director of Multicultural Affairs, Carolyn Free presenting the award for international student of the year to senior political science major LouAnne Wilkes

Nobody is Happy About the Furlough

By Dervedia Thomas Editor in Chief

No one is happy about the furlough!

These are the words of Staff Senate President Kay Snider who summed up the feeling of SC State’s staff for The Collegian on Friday.

“It’s a temporary solution to a major problem [budget shortfall] and there’s no sense of [job] security,” she continued.

The 7-day furlough stemming from scholarships and waivers issued in excess of the budgeted amount, lower than projected student enrollment and a 4.04 percent reduction in state funds may seem as a minor relief in light of the 10 and 12 days discussed earlier in the semester, but it will still hit employees of the university hard given the tough economic times.

“Needless to say we are disappointed that we have to receive a salary reduction” said Faculty Senate President Evelyn Fields. “We are concerned about furloughs, because they are not a permanent solution to

this financial crisis. We are looking forward to a more permanent solution for budget shortcuts because we cannot continue to be furloughed from year to year.”

One furlough day saves the university $140,000 according to President George E. Cooper at his Oct 7 meeting with faculty and staff.

At that meeting, Cooper who underscored that furloughs were not his “favorite way of dealing with business,” said 12 days were a possibility.

Reactions from the faculty and staff gathered ranged from one professor saying he would have to leave the university, to another in tears.

Recommendations were and are still being made to the president to calculate furloughs as a percentage of pay, instead of giving the same number of furloughs days to nine month and 12 month employees.

Cooper is expected to submit to the Board of Trustees a proposal of

how he will close the gap on the 6 million dollar deficit in December.

The board has already been denied the president 1.5 million dollars in stimulus money and $300 000 from a contingency fund as a means of balancing the budget, leaving him to explore other alternatives to acquire the funds.

“

We are looking forward to a more permanent solution for budget shortcuts because we cannot continue to be furloughed from year to year.”

-Faculty Senate President,

Evelyn Fields

Other personnel options discussed by the Budget, Audit, Facilities and Grounds Committee during the semester include reduction in both FTE and P-13 Post-TERI/Regular SEE FURLOUGH PAGE 4

PAGE 2

The Collegian • MONDAY NOVEMBER 16 2009

Memorandum From President Cooper

Student Safety

I am writing this memorandum to you, the students of SC State University and your parents to assure you that your health, wellness, and safety are of the utmost importance to the University’s Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and most especially me. I have met with Dr. Charles N. Smith, Vice President for Student Affairs and Interim Police Chief Michael Bartley and we are implementing additional security measures on our campus.

It is important that you understand that we have had several serious incidents to occur on our campus. In each of these incidents the SC State campus police department responded immediately and took the necessary steps to handle these matters, without further incident.

In recent years, we have made several improvements to our campus to ensure that we have a safe and secure environment. They are: 1. Phase I of the lighting project provided additional lighting on campus and as additional funding is available, Phase II will begin and expand campus-wide.

2. The ‘Call-Boxes’ are installed and contractors are ensuring that they are functioning properly.

3. SC State’s Campus Police Officers have recently completed bicycle training. You will see uniformed police officers around campus on bicycles and walk patrol to ensure Photo courtesy thetandd.com your safety.

President George E. Cooper 4. Security cameras were installed in critical areas, in 2007, to assist in monitoring movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic to our campus. A security review is currently underway to ensure that they are operable and in the best locations.

5. A K-9 officer was brought to campus at the end of last semester (Spring 2009) to assist in monitoring possible drug use and traffic on our campus.

6. Vehicular traffic is restricted between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily. The only entrance open during those hours will be the “Wilkinson Boulevard Entrance” off of Chestnut Street (across from University Village Apartments).

7. “Meet the Chief ” meetings are scheduled periodically for students to discuss safety issues. Appropriate actions are implemented to improve campus safety.

8. Additional police officers from Orangeburg Public Safety Department, State Police, Orangeburg Sheriffs Department and other security forces assist on football game days to control traffic and increase safety for students and visitors.

9. We are reviewing efforts similar to “Neighborhood Watch” that will encourage students to report unusual incidents and individuals to Campus Security and a hotline (803-536-8200), has been installed to allow anonymous reporting of issues impacting security.

10. Police Patrols for campus are regular and random.

11. Identification checks are held regularly. Campus Police will be asking that you present your student identification cards, especially in evenings.

12. Report all incidents to residence hall advisors and the Campus Police immediately.

13. Two additional campus police officers were recently hired to increase the number of officers on campus.

14. Security Officers have been assigned to residence halls and are available to share information about security concerns.

15. The Crime Stopper telephone number is (803) 536-8200.

Please know that providing a safe and secure environment is a high priority at SC State University. Should you need assistance or want to report an incident, please call Campus Police at 803-536-7188.

CC:

Parents and Alumni Faculty and Staff

SC State Aquatics Program Campus Swimming Schedule

Time

Activity

Admission

Days

ROTC

5:30pm - 7:30pm

Training

With LT.

ROTC

2:00pm - 4:30pm

Training

With LT.

SCSU Athletes

4:00pm - 5:00pm Training Rehabilitation

T W MR WF MWR MWR MWR MW TR TR Saturday Saturday

Participants

Faculty/Staff

12:15pm - 1:15pm

Recreational Swim

See Director Univ. I.D.

Faculty/Staff

5:30pm - 6:30pm Water Aerobics Fall ‘09

$15.00 Bring Receipt

Alumni

5:30pm - 6:30pm Water Aerobics Fall ‘09

$10.00 Bring Receipt

Faculty/Staff

6:30pm - 7:25pm

Recreational Swim

Univ. I.D.

SCSU Students

7:30pm - 8:30pm

Recreational Swim

Univ. I.D.

SCSU Students

8:30pm - 9:30pm

Recreational Swim

Univ. I.D.

Faculty/Staff

7:30pm - 8:30pm

Swim Lessons Fall ‘09

$25.00 Bring Receipt

Faculty/Staff

10:00am - 11:00am

Recreational Swim

Univ. I.D.

Family of Faculty/ Staff

10:00am - 11:00am

Recreational Swim

$5.00 Bring Receipt

SCSU Students

11:05am - 12:05pm

Recreational Swim

Univ. I.D.

Saturday

Recreational Swim is for participants in ROTC program, SCSU students, faculty/staff, family, and alumni. Needed for entrance to the pool: SC State I.D. for faculty/staff and students, and/or proof of payment for some participants. Please make payment to the Cashier’s Office (Crawford Zimmerman Building) and bring receipt to Ms. Gloria Drayton (SHM Room 107). Pool schedule is will change to accommodate campus events and the weather. Please call ahead to confirm pool operation hours. For more information contact Ms. Gloria Drayton, Administrative Coordinator 803-536-8067 or Dr. Crystal Nixon, Aquatics Director 803-536-7054. Pool will be closed during Thanksgiving week.

3

CAMPUS NEWS The Collegian • MONDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2009

Academic Affairs VP Optimistic about the Future of SC State Dervedia Thomas Editor in Chief New Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Joyce Blackwell is optimistic about the future of SC State.

Coming out a three day Academic Affairs Institute funded by Title III grants, Blackwell spoke with The Collegian about the Institute, challenges she has faced since arriving at SC State and plans for maintaining academic excellence.

The institute’s theme: The ABC’s of Academic Success: Charting a New Direction in Academic Affairs at South Carolina State University, included presentations and workshops hosted by SC State faculty and staff.

According to Blackwell, the theme challenged deans, chairs and program directors to focus on broad aspects of quality, excellence and the university’s contributions to the community.

“Deans, chairs and program directors attended workshops that generated a great deal of thought and discussion,” she said.

“Discussions often led to recommendations, modifications and/or adjustments that needed to be made to existing academic programs to ensure that SC State’s students would remain competitive with their peers attending other institutions. More specifically, as a result of the Institute, I and the majority of the participants have a renewed focus on academic excellence, interaction with the community, and the quality of student experience we

provide.”

When asked about challenges that she has faced since taking up office at SC State, Blackwell explained that she has not encountered any “challenges” that are un-common to other universities.

“The challenges that we face at SC State are no different from challenges faced by faculty, students and administrators at other institutions across America,” she said.

“Therefore, I do not view them as challenges--just issues, events, etc. that sometimes occur-which requires that we not lose focus on our purpose for being here. Somehow we tend to believe that we are uniquely affected.

We are not. Like other institutions, we must focus our energies on how we all can, as a university, weather this storm in a way that will not compromise the quality of our academic programs and services for the students whom we serve.”

At the time of this interview, [before announcement of 7-day furlough] SC State faculty and staff were told that they could expect a possible 12-10 day furlough and further reductions in force (layoffs).

Despite this, Blackwell says she does not think that morale is low at the university.

“From where I sit and as a result of the many meetings that I have had with program directors, deans, chairs and individual faculty and staff, morale is not low,” she explained.

“Perhaps they [faculty and staff] are

Furloughs

Continued from front page Retirees, reduction in P-13/temporary employees with P-13’s being retained experiencing a 10% pay reduction.

President Cooper was not available for comment during the past week about whether the reduced

not as happy about the financial situation, but that is no measure of how high or low morale is. When I speak with faculty and staff on this campus, I find a clear majority actively engaged in research, the development of new and exciting academic programs and community outreach initiatives.

Our faculty and staff continue to be recognized for excellence by persons outside of the university and continue to ensure that South Carolina State University is engaged in cutting-edge research, can compete with the best in their respective fields for garnering millions of dollars in grants and continue to engage in effective teaching and learning. This has all occurred this academic year alone despite the budget issues.”

To maintain academic excellence, Blackwell says that they are actively reviewing low producing programs to determine their relevance, reviewing the general education curriculum, examining ways to provide access to the university for nontraditional students, improving current course offerings and services available by eventually making courses available at night, on weekends, in alternative formats, and at established sites in South Carolina as well as making improvements in the Office of Graduate Studies Program.

A center for Teaching and Learning will also be established as well as increased study abroad opportunities, more customer service training and an improved advising process are also on the agenda.

furloughs will contribute to increased reductions in force.

The faculty senate president however, is saying that while they [faculty] appreciates that the board did not accept the first recommendation that included 17 days made on Sept 24, she is hoping that the analysis done included some finding for additional money and that the reduced furlough days will not lead to a dramatic reduction in force.

Dr. Joyce Blackwell, vice president for Academic Affairs Retention which has been identified as a major issue at SC State, is now under the purview of Blackwell who explained that “the newly-revived Office of Student Success and Retention (SSRP)” has been restructured and its strategies will be unveiled at the December 2009 Board of Trustees meeting.

Unfortunately, even though the new VP says the introduction of new majors should be expected, she explained that no consideration has been given to re-introducing the Law School.

Blackwell indicated however that Academic Affairs is working closely with the Charleston Law School to allow their professors to teach Pre-Law courses at SC State.

“We hope that this will help us to determine the level of interest in the discipline for future planning. While no consideration has been given to the Law program, it does not prevent us from conducting a feasibility study for future planning.”

The furlough days will begin with three days during the Thanksgiving break, two during Christmas and two during Spring break 2010.

Deductions from paychecks will start with the January 15, 2010 paycheck and continue through the April 15, 2010 paycheck.

All employees will be affected regardless of funding source.

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4

CAMPUS LIFE

The Collegian • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2009

Farmers market to come to SC State’s campus The Collegian Staff

SC State University faculty, staff and students won’t have to travel too far to purchase fresh produce with a new initiative sprouting on campus, the Eat Fresh Farmers Market.

The market, sponsored by the 1890 Research & Extension Program, will be held on Nov. 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the front lawn of Staley Hall.

Though open to the public, exclusive shopping hours for the SC State family will take place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

“Members of the University family, as well as

those in the surrounding communities, will have greater access to fresh vegetables and other produce with the Eat Fresh Market located on campus,” said Edoe Agbodjan, senior extension director for small farm assistance and outreach program.

“The market will also serve as an alternative outlet for local farmers to build their consumer base and generate additional revenue,” he continued.

Consumers will be able to purchase collards, turnips, mustard greens, rutabagas, sweet potatoes, sugar

cane, pumpkins and pecans, all grown by some of the 1890 Extension producers, whose farm operations are located in Hampton and Orangeburg counties.

The idea of the market grew from suggestions proposed, coincidentally, this past spring to Agbodjan by an 1890 Extension farmer and SC State staff.

The farmer, who sells produce at the Medical University of South Carolina’s farmers market, thought a similar initiative at SC State would prove to be an ideal opportunity for 1890 Extension farmers, who

Award

Continued from front page college education. As an international student it was hard for me and I can not take this opportunity for granted.

Q. What campus activities are you involved in?

A. Well, I am currently working with SC State University/1890 Research and Extension - Project FLAVA (Families Linked Against Violent Activity) as an undergraduate Research Assistant.

The main goal of the program is to positively and holistically impact the development of a select group of youth who are at-risk for involvement in violent and other socially negative behavior. I have worked with our focus group since January 2007.

The program even extends to a few weeks in Summer, where the students participate in a The International Student of the Year LouAnne Wilkes Health and Wellness Camp.

Every summer since 2007 I have been a mentor and camp counselor with the program. It has been a pleasure working with the kids and seeing them literally grow up in the past two years.

In addition to my work with Project FLAVA, I have recently spent a semester interning on Capitol Hill in Washington DC (Spring 2009). I had the honor of working in the office of Congressman Donald M. Payne (NJ-10) via the SC Washington Semester Program. There, my duties entailed, but were not limited to, managing Capitol, White House.

That experience has made me appreciate my choice of concentrating on Public Administration even more and has been motivating me to continue making the best of my undergraduate experience here, so I can move on to greater things in the area of Public Service and International Development.

Additionally, I am a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and my sorors and I have been involved in numerous volunteer activities. Through Stork’s Nest we assist in providing pre-natal care and aid for mothers and their babies in need at SCDHEC. We also volunteer with SC Compassion in Action – an outreach ministry serving more than 150 families offering food, clothing and household items etc. We have also volunteered and raised funds for March of Dimes and Relay for life among many other things.

Currently, we are preparing to donate Thanksgiving goodies and other necessities to victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault who are housed by CASA (Citizens Assisting & Sheltering the Abused).

Some of my other activities include being a Student Orientation Leader during the Fall of 2007 and 2008 and volunteering at SC State Open Houses.

Q. Why is it important for students to get involved with campus activities?

A. Getting involved with activities on campus, or in the community as a whole, adds to developing an individual holistically. During service activities we have the opportunity to lead, follow, work as a team, realize inequalities that exist and gain fulfillment from simply helping to make the world a better place.

Helping others has made me not take life for granted. Having been involved in service activities years before starting college has actually helped me choose my major and aspire for a career in philanthropy and service.

It honestly does not take much - we have all heard that a penny goes a long way, but even when you are broke, I believe a minute is worth just as much or even more.

Q. What are your career goals?

A. I aspire to work in the non-profit sector in the field International Development or Public Administration. First, I have to get through grad school...(she laughs).

Q. What do you miss about your home country?

A. I definitely miss my family, friends and our cultural celebrations during Christmas, Carnival, and Divali [ Hindu festival of lights].I also miss the food a lot!

Q. How often will you be going home?

A. Since I’ve been here, I have been home for Christmas 2006, 2007, and just a few weeks in Summer 2008 and Summer 2009 after Project FLAVA Summer Camp was over. I spent last Christmas and part of this year’s summer in Brooklyn, NY, my home away from home.

often compete against corporation-style farms to earn revenue.

University staff made the recommendations out of need to encourage individuals to select and prepare healthier meals.

“The development of the Eat Fresh Farmers Market demonstrates 1890 Research & Extension’s on- going commitment to meet the needs of our clients.

Our programs and services must be relevant for our clientele. The best way to do that is to develop and implement initiatives designed to improve the quality of

Photo courtesy 1890 Research & Extension Program Willie Ulmer, who operates a farm in the Four Holes Community in Orangeburg County, will be among several 1890 Extension farmers to sell their produce at the Eat Fresh Farmers Market on Nov. 17 on the SC State campus. life of our clients,” said ket. Not only will they Delbert Foster, 1890 Ex- have the opportunity to tension administrator. cook more nutritious According to Agbod- meals with fresh goods, jan, if the market is fi- but their purchase helps nancially viable for the support local farmers,” farmers, organizers will noted Agbodjan. determine a permanent For more details on the operation schedule.

Eat Fresh Farmers Mar“We strongly encourage ket, contact Edoe Agbodconsumers to shop at the jan at (803) 533-3672 or Eat Fresh Farmers Mar-

SC State Professor’s “Voodoo” Article part of the Vatican Library’s Historical Collection

Dr. Robert Grenier, associate professor of music at SC State, was recently informed that his article “Werner Jaegerhuber’s Messe sur les airs Vodouesques: The Inculturation of Vodou (Voodoo) in a Catholic Mass,” will be included in the historical collection of the Vatican Library.

In 2007, Grenier submitted his article to the Black Music Research Journal, a bi-annual publication that features articles about the philosophy, aesthetics, history and analysis of black music. In 2008, Grenier was informed that his article would be published.

Upon receiving published copies of the article in May 2009, Grenier submitted copies to the Vatican Library and was informed later that his article would be included in the library’s collection.

Dr. Robert Grenier “You can imagine my surprise upon receiving the letter postmarked Vatican City,” exclaimed Grenier.

“The letter, written on official letterhead and featuring the coat of arms of the Pope, informed me of the reception of my article. It was signed by Cardinal Raffaele Farina, chief archivist and librarian at the Vatican Library,” continued Grenier.

Grenier’s article, which took a number of years to complete due to his extensive research and the necessity of reconstructuring the musical score of the mass from the surviving manuscripts, describes how Werner Jaegerhuber, a Haitian born composer of German extraction, selected elements of Haitian vodou (voodoo) and blended these with music inspired

by Gregorian chant to achieve an unprecedented coupling of two opposing faith traditions. This odd pairing was inspired by the fact that the mass was commissioned to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the founding of Haiti, the first black republic, in 1804.

In addition to his research and scholarly writing, Grenier spends a considerable amount of time composing music. Several of his compositions are currently being performed.

This fall, Ronald Davis, professor of tuba and euphonium at the University of South Carolina (USC) in Columbia, S.C., performed Grenier’s “Voodoo: Fantasy on Melodies from Haiti” for tuba and piano at USC and the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga. Davis will also perform this composition during the May 2010 International Tuba/Euphonium Conference held at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz.

In February 2010, James Ackley, associate professor of trumpet at USC will premier Grenier’s “Trumpet Sonata” in three movements at the final piece of his faculty recital.

Joseph Celmer, tuba player and artist scholar in residence at SC State will perform Grenier’s “Haydn”, the 4th movement from his “Tube Suite”, during a northeast concert tour of six universities in February 2010.

Further, Eddie Ellis, director of bands at SC State has commissioned an arrangement for wind ensemble of Grenier’s, “The Principalities, the seventh movement from “The Book of Angels”, which is a suite of nine compositions for organ, each dedicated to one of the nine choirs of angels.

For more information about Dr. Robert Greiner’s article or musical compositions call 803-536-8595 or email rgrenier@scsu.edu.

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5

NATION & WORLD The Collegian • MONDAY NOVEMBER 16 2009

International Student Profile: Alaksandr Malko

By Jonathan White Managing Editor

Name: Alaksandr Malko Major: Physical Education Country: Belarus, Russia Q. What made you want to come to SC State?

A. “I decided to come to the University because I have a full Tennis Scholarship.”

Q. What do you like about SC State?

A. “I like that SCSU gives us as international students a chance to better ourselves. For example, I play on the Men’s Tennis team and I have the chance to improve myself as a player. It’s also great that I have the opportunity to get a degree for free, because in Russia I would have to pay for it.”

Q. Do you like the South Carolina environment?

A. “Yes, because I get to play tennis outdoors in the winter, whereas in Russia, it would have to be indoors because it would be too cold.”

Q. What do you miss about your home country?

A. “I really miss the snow. I loved the snow in Russia, and it doesn’t snow in South Carolina.”

Photo by Jonathan White /The Collegian

International student Alaksandr Malko practicing on SC State tennis courts.

Q. Do you plan on playing Tennis professionally?

A. “No, but I really like the sport?”

Q. How different are the people here in contrast to where you’re from?

A. “It’s very different because we don’t have any African Americans in Russia.”

Blacks still drawn to Islam despite FBI raids

By JESSE WASHINGTON ASSOCIATED PRESS By now, Sekou Jackson is used to the questions: Why does he need to leave a work meeting to pray?

Don’t black Muslims convert to Islam in jail? Why would you even want to be Muslim?

“It’s kind of a double whammy to be African-American and Muslim,” said Jackson, who studies the Navy at the National Academy of Science in Washington. “You’re going to be judged.”

Jackson’s struggle may have gotten harder when the FBI on Wednesday raided a Detroit-area warehouse used by a Muslim group.

The FBI said the group’s leader preached hate against the government, trafficked in stolen goods and belonged to a radical group that wants to establish a Muslim state in America.

The imam of the group’s mosque, a black American named Luqman Ameen Abdullah, was killed in a shootout with agents.

Although the FBI was careful to say those arrested in Detroit were not mainstream Muslims, it has accused other black Muslims of similar crimes, most recently in May, when four men were charged

with plotting to blow up New York synagogues and shoot down a military plane.

Yet the Muslim faith continues to convert many average African-Americans, who say they are attracted by Islam’s emphasis on equality, discipline and family.

“The unique history African-Americans have faced, we’re primed for accepting Islam,” said Jackson, 31, who grew up in a secular home and converted to Islam when he was about 18.

“When someone comes to you with a message that everyone is equal, that the only difference is the deeds that they do, of course people who have been oppressed will embrace that message,” Jackson said.

“It’s a message of fairness.” It was a message of black pride in the face of dehumanizing prejudice that launched Islam in America in the 1930s.

Created by a mysterious man named Wallace Fard, the “Lost-Found Nation of Islam” strayed far from the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, but its mixture of self-reliance, black supremacy and white demonization resonated with many blacks. Some 30 years later, Malcolm X began the African-American movement toward traditional Islam when he left the Nation of Is-

lam, went on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and proclaimed that all whites were not evil.

In 1975, the Nation split into two factions: a larger group that embraced orthodox Sunni practices, and another, led by Louis Farrakhan, that maintained the Nation’s separatist ideology.

Today, it is difficult to determine the number of Muslims in America. A 2007 Pew survey estimated 2.35 million, of whom 35 percent were African-American. Lawrence Mamiya, a Vassar College professor of religion and Africana studies and an expert on American Islam, said Muslim organizations count about 6 million members, a third of them black.

Most African-American Muslims are orthodox Sunnis who worship in about 300 mosques across the country, Mamiya said. The second-largest group follows Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam, which has about 100 mosques in America, abroad and U.S. prisons, Mamiya said.

He said the third-largest group is the Ummah, founded

by Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, the black activist formerly known as H. Rap Brown.

The group has about 40 or 50 mosques. The organization targeted in the raid near De-

troit was part of the Ummah, the FBI said.

“The vast majority of African-American Muslims are using the religion to strengthen their spirituality,” said Mamiya, who has interviewed many black Muslim leaders and congregants. He said the number of black Muslims is growing, but not as fast as before the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Few white Americans convert to Islam “because the tendency is to view Islam as foreign,” he said. “For African-Americans, it’s part of their African heritage. There’s a long tradition (in Africa).

It moves them away from the Christianity they saw as a slave religion, as the religion that legitimized their slavery.”

Margari Hill was a California teenager seeking an antidote for nihilism and widespread disrespect of black women when she found Islam in 1993. A few years ago she began covering her hair with a hijab, or head scarf.

“I wanted to be thinking about humility and modesty,” said Hill, a 34-year-old teacher in Philadelphia. “I decided it would help me be a better Muslim and a better person.”

She also is attracted to Islam’s family values and the egalitarian message embodied by the prophet Muhammad’s “last

In this Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 photo, Sheikh and Executive Director for Quba Inc. Anwar Muhaimin poses for a photograph at the Quba Institute Mosque in Philadelphia. Muhaimin was born into a Muslim family after his parents embraced Islam in the 1950s. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

sermon,” which according to Muslim scriptures says that no Arab, white or black person is superior or inferior to members of another race.

Hill’s husband, Marc Manley, said that many blacks who have struggled with crime, drugs or alcohol are drawn to Islam’s regimented lifestyle, which includes prayers five times a day.

“Especially in the urban context, it provides a vehicle for African-Americans to deal with those ills,” he said.

“It provides a buffer or a barrier.”

At the Quba Institute in Philadelphia, a black Sunni mosque, the worshippers are a mix of blue-collar workers, young college graduates, professors, law enforcement officers, and “regular people who are just trying to worship God and live a decent life,” said the imam, Anwar Muhaimin.

Chinese-Americans see Obama’s trip in a unique light (AP) As President Barack Obama visits China seeking to balance a seesawing relationship, Chinese-Americans embody the challenges facing the giants of East and West.

They have as many different feelings about their ancestral home — hope, indifference, pride, pain — as there are characters in the Chinese language.

Yet many share a conviction that is both logical and personal: The destinies of China and America are inseparable.

“Each one is dependent on the other to make their economy strong,” said David Zhang, a New York City physician who immigrated to America at age 25. “The U.S. cannot leave China, and China cannot leave the U.S. It’s symbiotic, like an organism.”

The Great Recession has bound the two nations even tighter, and given China greater influence.

America borrowed unprecedented sums to resuscitate itself. China, which needs American consumers to fuel its growth, supplied much of that cash and is America’s largest foreign lender.

“It’s like that little brother you always used to pick on, and now he’s lending you money,” said Nanci Zhang (no relation to David), a 22-year-old Los Angeles resident. “But you can’t quite conceive of one brother without the other.”

Nanci Zhang was born in Beijing and moved with her parents to the United States when she was 3.

In her American schools, she remembers China’s long history being celebrated while its present was ignored. Now she sees her homeland coming to America’s economic rescue, and “it’s kind of validating.”

About three million U.S. residents are of Chinese descent, according to a 2008 Census estimate. About a third were born here, a third are naturalized citizens, and a third have arrived in the past few years, said Cheng Li, a China scholar at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. David Zhang came to America in 1985 looking for freedom and opportunity. “What I dream of here I couldn’t even dream of in China: cars, a house, a good, decent job. I could dream that here, and I realized it. Now in China, all these things we accomplished, they have accomplished.”

Yet many Chinese-Americans fear that China’s rise could create a backlash. They still have painful memories of Vincent Chin, the Chinese-American beaten to death in 1982 by two unemployed Detroit autoworkers as Japanese cars were beginning to decimate the American auto industry.

“That kind of hate crime, senseless hate crimes,

would happen if the countries’ relations are not very good. So on a personal level, Chinese-Americans are always very anxious,” said Min Zhou, a sociology professor at UCLA and author of “Contemporary Chinese America.” “ As China’s economy has grown, she said, “sometimes I would hear people say, even jokingly, ‘Oh, you’re taking our jobs away.’ When I hear this, I feel, ‘Who am I? I’m American.’”

Chinese-Americans also are acutely aware of China’s problems, such as pervasive pollution, widespread rural poverty and repression by the Communist government.

Those problems have been a longtime source of tension with America, especially with U.S. criticism of China’s record on human rights and Chinese retorts about American hypocrisy due to its racial problems. Now America’s first black president is forging a new image of inclusion, which could exert a subtle pressure on China to do the same.

“An African-American president, that itself speaks loud,” said Li, the Brookings scholar. He said a Chinese minister of foreign affairs was asked at a recent press conference if he could imagine a minority as president of China, but did not answer.

6

VOICES

The Collegian • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2009

The Psychology of a Server

By Anthony Brooking Staff Writer

Smiling faces are not always to your benefit. They can be deceptions of the facial muscles, deceiving you into warmness, caring, and compassion. I have experienced that at Ruby Tuesdays while employed as a server since May 18, 2009.

It has been a roller coaster at best. Do not be mistaken, I am one of, if not THE, best server employed there. I already have regulars, daily complements, and my name recognized by management for outstanding service because of the continual praise from customers that I have received. The only part about my job that I dislike is serving ignorance.

Unfortunately, Black people are proportionately the most irritating customers. It is always certain stereotypes that you can expect to be difficult: the 30-40 year old mother who acts younger that her 12-13 year old daughter; the teenage homosexual male; the middle aged male who for some reason sees it essential to play the tough guy role; the overweight obnoxious female, be it young or middle aged, who comes to the table with a preconceived attitude or tries

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her best to be a comedian with myself at the bitter end of her irritating jokes; or, the high school students with a superficial sense of power because they can now tell someone what to do.

All black people. All difficult.

I am not saying that all black people that I serve fit one of these classifications, most of them do not.

For example, I can have the best conversation with a SC State alumni at one table, while at the other I am forced to tolerate three older, stuck up Deltas, who for some reason think that they can talk to me any way they want to.

I love black people, my life has revolved around them, and my career will mimic the same, but I hate serving them.

Unnecessary ignorant flamboyance is the disease in which many Orangeburg, SC African Americans have been sadly diagnosed with.

Just because I am your server, doesn’t mean that I am your servant.

Men, Let’s Clean Ourselves Up

By Kenny Bunch Black College Wire Let me start this off by saying that since I’ve been at Jackson State University, the number of men dressing up and dressing decent has vastly improved.

Obviously more people have begun to realize that people are around looking at you, and always remember first impressions are the best impressions.

However, two weeks ago, I saw something very disturbing. While walking out of the Student Center, I saw a young man walking out of the bookstore, with a do-rag on his head and a pacifier in his mouth.

My mind went straight to his future, like, “does he look to obtain a job after college looking the way he did?” or “I hope he doesn’t show up to his job interview with the pacifier in his mouth.”

This is just one example of how we, as young black college men, should be making improvements in our decorum and dress. If a [company] representative walks on campus and sees a person with a baby’s chew toy in their mouth, what do you think their perception of the men on campus would be? Remember impressions.

And we like to complain when peo-

ple state that many of our AfricanAmerican men will end up dead or in jail.

It’s due to the fact that those first impressions are not ones of exemplary young men. There are ways to dress and ways to look on campus that would create the image that we are about our business.

There are several things young men should guard against doing as it relates to clothing on campus.

First, young men, please pull up your pants. I know it probably sounds repetitive, but it’s a continuous problem.

Honestly, it really doesn’t look cool.

And just a little insider: The quality females don’t like it either. I hear women say all the time, “If he would pull up his pants and put on a nice shirt, I’d give him a chance.”

It also shines a negative light on all black men in society when people see us out in the world with pants below our waists.

Secondly, there’s nothing wrong with wearing a shirt and tie, or polo and slacks at some point during the week.

Dress dignified, as if you’re anticipating a prospective employer to give you a job that day. I’m not trying to change anybody’s wardrobe, but I am letting you know that adding to your wardrobe would allow more

diversity in what you wear, which is always a great thing to have.

Third, don’t walk around campus with things in your mouth. That is very tacky. I mean nothing, suckers, straws, PACIFIERS. It makes us look like infants, little kids that can’t just go from one place to another without having something in between our lips.

Finally, whatever style you choose to wear, make sure it is presentable. If you want to wear jeans and a t-shirt, make sure the t-shirt isn’t dingy. If you wear a polo, make sure there aren’t food stains on your polo.

If you wear dress shoes, shine them.

And try to keep your hair looking presentable because that accentuates that style just that much more.

Men, we have to crush perception with good impressions.

Start proving standards wrong. Remember we are a valuable commodity, one that the world is beginning to notice more and more. We have to keep up with the standard that our U.S. President Barack Obama has created for us all. Let’s clean ourselves up.

Kenny Bunch writes for the Blue & White Flash, the Jackson State University student newspaper, which originally published this article.

Are HBCUs Too Black?

LIT TERAE THESARUM EST

ESTABLISHED IN 1914 The Collegian P O Box 8124, 300 College St. NE South Carolina State University Orangeburg, SC 29117 Newsroom: 803-536-7522

STAFF Editor-In-Chief/News Editor Dervedia Thomas Managing Editor Jonathan White Sports Editor Nkosi Kennedy Copy Editor Jessica Teasdale Circulation Manager William Champy Jr. Staff Writers Calhoun Cornwell, Lavantai Wynn, Moses O. Bell, Jonathan White, Jamika Harris, Anthony Brooking, Simona Falana, Marquita Chisolm, Elizabeth Watkins LaCreatcia Adams Contributors Janique Francis, LouAnne Wilkes, Kyle Williams SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY President Dr. George E. Cooper Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. Jackie Epps Director, University Relations and Marketing Erica S. Prioleau Adviser, Office of Student Media Rolondo Davis Associate Adviser, Office of Student Media Stephanie McDuffie

The Collegian is a student produced newspaper under the direction of University Relations and Marketing at South Carolina State University. The newspaper is distributed free to all students, faculty and staff members at various locations on campus.

Editorial views and letters submitted to the editor express the opinions of the respective writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of South Carolina State University nor those of The Collegian staff as a whole.

By Brook England Black College Wire In Miami, I never got the black experience. If you know anything about the city, you know about 60 percent of the area is of Latin descent, according to the 2000 Census Bureau report. In many parts of the city people don’t speak English.

In grade school, Miami-Dade students learn about black history primarily in February, learning only about Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X and Rosa Parks. It was easy to miss out on the “black experience.”

Students who chose to become Rattlers may have immediately had a culture shock. At FAMU, all students are required to take African-American Experience or African-American History.

In those classes students learn things they didn’t know like Africans doing trigonometry, traveling to other continents and practicing surgery. Here, many professors place an emphasis on the black experience.

After four years most [students] begin to adapt to the atmosphere. Many FAMU professors spend a lot of time lecturing about black culture. But over the years, some students have found it a bit much . Could it be possible to have too much black history at an HBCU? Recently, in a law class, a student confronted the instructor about his lectures being “pro-black.” The young

lady, who was black, insisted the instructor was biased for not exploring all cultures.

She suggested he should “let go of the past” and “move on with the present.” She said the constant emphasis on the culture was hindering her education and there was more to the world than “our” history.

Although some students feel uncomfortable, some professors think it’s important to teach.

Jeffery Earl Mills, history professor, said blacks need to “re-understand our” story.

“The African-American struggle was a beautiful struggle that brought unity, celebration, pride and faith,” Mills said.

So what should we expect at an HBCU? The misunderstanding may arise because our generation hasn’t experienced the difficulties our elders had, so the passion may not be as intense.

The black experience is a very special and unique one.

It’s vital that students absorb and understand the knowledge shared by professors. How else would “our” stories be passed down to generations to come?

Brook England is a student at Florida A&M University.

This article was originally published in The Famuan.

7

SPORTS

The Collegian • MONDAY NOVEMBER 16 2009

Women’s Basketball Opens with a 60-50 Victory over Savannah State

By SC State Sports Information For the first time since the 2005-06 season the SC State women’s basketball team won its season-opener as they defeated Savannah State, 60-50.

The non-conference matchup was contested in the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center on the campus of SC State University.

SC State (1-0) owned a 20 point lead over the Savannah State (1-1) late in the first

half and enjoyed a 17 point lead heading into the lockerrooms at the half, 38-21.

Savannah State began the second half on a 12-4 run to pull within nine, 42-33 and would cut the lead down to four, 48-44 midway through the second but could not get any closer.

The Lady Bulldogs increased its lead to 12 with a little over a minute remaining and would go on to defeat the Lady Ti-

gers by 10, 60-50 .

“It’s always good to open the season with a victory,” said second year head coach Doug Robertson. “We did some good things and I saw some things that we need to work on; but overall it was a good win.”

The Lady Bulldogs had three players to score in double-figures led by senior Sophilia Hipps with 18 (6-of-6 from the charity stripe). Junior Joi

Lady Bulldogs Finish Third At The SSU Fall Golf Invitational

By SC State Sports Information

SAVANNAH, GA—The South State women’s golf team finished third with a team score of 659 behind Bethune-Cookman and Hampton University who both finished at 626 Tuesday at the Savannah State Tiger Fall Invitational at the par-71 Henderson Golf Course.

The Lady Bulldogs carded a 322 in the first-round six strokes better than 328 the team shot earlier this season at Western Carolina, which set a then-school record. SC State shot a 337 in an 18-hole total in the second-round, behind leaders Bethune-Cookman 311, and Hampton 312 to finish with a combined score of 626.

Junior Honesty Biggers (82) (80) finished eighth overall with a 7-over par 80 to lead SC State in the final round. Biggers carded an overall score of 162. She was followed by senior Addi McLaren (79) (86) and freshJr., Honesty Biggers man Cabriel Duren (78) (87) tied for eleventh with a score of 165. Senior Geneva Mackey (83) (84) chipped in a score of 167.

Burris praised the effort of her team, which wraps up a challenging 5-match fall schedule with the event

Walker and freshman Paris Alston contributed 12 and 10 points respectively. Walker and freshman Tiana Hemphill led team in rebounding with eight.

Savannah State was led by Crissa Jackson with 13 points and Alisha Nelson with 10 rebounds in the loss.

The Lady Bulldogs don’t have much time to work on its weaknesses as they return to the court on Tuesday, Nov.

17 at 5:30 p.m. when they host the Bulldogs of UNC-Asheville. Admission to Tuesday’s contest will be played in S-HM and is free and open to the public.

Game Notes: Points in the Paint (SSU: 20-SC State: 34); Points off Turnovers (SSU: 19SC State: 22); Second Chance Points (SSU: 16-SC State: 13).

Champs

Continued from front page This year’s defense allowed less then 80 points in the conference making it the baddest in the land. The offensive and defensive lines made most teams look silly and most importantly made the stars look good.

Truly, the one thing that separated this year’s team from the last was attitude.

Jr’, Malcolm Long Attitude is what separates the good teams from the great ones. Last years Bulldogs were very good, but the feeling around campus was different.

This year’s Bulldogs were not only hoped to do well, but expected to. The entire team walks around with an aura of supreme confidence, expecting to defeat anything in their path. With this kind of feeling working for them, it’s no wonder there wasn’t any team that could stop this SC State squad.

There is no team out this conference better then these years’ Bulldogs.

They have won 15 straight conference games over the past two years with no signs of stopping. This year’s team has the chance to go farther then any team in SC State history.

In a year with so many negatives, this football team is our shining light.

This team has united the school under one common banner that everyone can get behind.

So raise your glasses across the midlands to OUR Bulldogs, the true team of our state.

Wells scores twice, Arizona rallies for 31-20 win

The Vorhees Massacre

By Calhoun Cornwell Staff Writer What a way to start a season! The SC State Bulldogs kicked off the season with a more then convincing win, beating Voorhees 109-63. Students showed up in numbers to support their Men’s Basketball team exhibition game.

South Carolina State was never tested in this game, building up a lead that grew to a 50 point advantage at one point.

Although this was just an exhibition game the SC State Bulldogs put forth a great team effort to begin the new season.

Junior Carrio Bennett went for 19 points and will be looked upon this year to improve from his last year average of 6.4 points per game. He also will be looked upon to control the Bulldogs game tempo, and decrease his turnover ratio from last year.

Junior transfer guard Darnell Porter proved to be a valuable asset by leading the bulldogs with 23 points. Westley Telfare poured in 15 points for the game, showing a sense of urgency to be more of a threat scoring the basketball this year.

Jason Flager started off his year with 10 points; he is a preseason All-Meac first team selection. The Bulldogs were pick to finish second in there conference, but if they play with this cohesiveness throughout the season they will surprise many fans and critics.

The Bulldogs regular season starts on Nov, 13th against Erskine College.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) throws a pass as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Bertrand Berry (92) gets blocked by Seahawks’ Sean Locklear in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (AP) GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona fans finally saw a semblance of the team they watched win the NFC championship last season.

It just took awhile on Sunday.

Rookie Beanie Wells had second-half touchdown runs of 10 and 13 yards and the Cardinals rallied from an early two-touchdown deficit to beat the Seahawks 31-20, just Arizona’s second home win in five tries.

Kurt Warner completed 29 of 38 for 340 yards and two touchdown passes for the Cardinals (6-3), who stayed two games up on San Francisco in the NFC West. In the process, Warner became the 29th player in NFL history to throw 200 touchdown passes. He had his 51st 300-yard passing game, tying Dan Fouts for fourth on the NFL career list.

With Julius Jones out early with a chest injury, second-year back Justin Forsett rushed for a career-high 123 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown run, for the Seahawks (3-6).

Matt Hasselbeck, who had been bothered by a sore shoulder, was 26 of 52 for 315 yards and a touchdown. He was picked off twice late in the game.

Wells gained a career-best 85 yards on 16 carries and caught two passes for 32 yards.

Arizona outscored the Seahawks 21-3 in the second half after two quarters of looking very much like the team that had struggled to a 1-3 record at home and nothing like the one that dominated at Seattle in a 27-3 win on Oct. 18.

Down 17-10, the Cardinals took the second-half kickoff and went 82 yards in 13 plays, Wells gaining redemption with his 10-yard scoring run on fourth-and-1, bouncing outside to the end zone, after his personal foul penalty pushed Arizona back from the 4 to the 19-yard line.

The Cardinals held when Seattle had first-and-goal at the 1, and the Seahawks had to settle for Olindo Mare’s 20-yard field goal to go ahead 20-17.

Arizona took the lead for good with a quick, four-play, 80-yard drive. Warner’s 27-yard pass to Anquan Boldin set up a spinning, 13-yard TD run by Wells and it was 24-20 with 11:20 to play.

The Cardinals added another score on Warner’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald.

Boldin, held out against his wishes in last week’s win at Chicago with a high ankle sprain, caught eight passes for 105 yards.

Arizona intercepted Hasselbeck twice late in the game. The most impressive came with the Seahawks on the Cardinals 3-yard line with two minutes to go. Hasselbeck attempted a shuffle pass that Adrian Wilson stepped in to pick off, sealing the victory.

Antrel Rolle also had an interception for the Cardinals, who have beaten Seattle four times in a row.

The Cardinals heard it from the crowd as they fell behind 14-0 early.

Arizona seemed on the verge of an early lead after a 46-yard pass interference penalty against Josh Wilson moved the ball to the Seattle 8-yard line. On second-and-goal from the 4, Warner’s pass was intercepted in the end zone by Marcus Trufant.

The Cardinals challenged the play and, after a review, officials ruled Trufant had not established himself in the end zone after stepping out of bounds. But two plays later, Tim Hightower was stopped by Trufant and Leroy Hill on fourth-and-goal at the 1.

It took Seattle no time to get out of the hole, Hasselbeck throwing 53 yards to T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who caught nine passes for 165 yards. A facemask penalty against Bryant McFadden added 15 yards to the play.

Forsett’s touchdown run made it 7-0 with 20 seconds left in the first quarter.

For the second touchdown, Hasselbeck faked a handoff on third-and-1 and threw to wide-open tight end John Carlson for a 31-yard touchdown and it was 14-0 with 8:29 to go in the half.

Clueless Girlfriends and Sports

By Jamika Harris Staff Writer You define yourself as a sports enthusiast. You are a full blooded man. You can run down the stats of your favorite team, tell me how your rival team is going brutally lose this season, and explain the intricate calls of the referee. Yet your girlfriend either looks at you crazy or regurgitate what you told her last time you explained it all to her.

She was your dream until the fifth time that you had to explain “A-Rod” is a true Yankee, “MJ” doesn’t just stand for Michael Jackson, Michael Vick isn’t just known for hurting poor little puppies.

You want it to work, but she thinks your 5 Giants jerseys is a little much and the fact you going out of state to a Spurs game will ruin her chances of getting a decent gift for Christmas. It’s time to get her to truly understand. So you tried playing video games with her, buy matching outfits, and going back to the basics, but still she falls asleep with drool leaking from her mouth. Maybe she is one of those free spirit types and a vegetarian; she thinks two men boxing is as brutal and barbaric as it gets.

My plan is simple take her to a pee-wee game. If she sees little kids working together her heart will melt especially if there is no over-bearing parent in the audience.

Next Karate lessons, this will teach her self defense, self control, and respect for other branches of fighting sports.

Hopefully, she won’t beat you up. Third play tag football with couples. She won’t be the only “girl” out there; you’re spending time with her, and its male bonding time.

You can change things but I promise you there are certain things that won’t work. She is not going to play mud wrestling in a bikini unless you’re in one. X’s and O’s mean nothing to her but hugs and kisses. Your little cousins beating each other up and breaking furniture is so not cool.

If this doesn’t work make sure you’re out the house or in separate rooms when your team is playing.

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

8

The Collegian • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2009

Is Chris Brown really sincere?

By Jonathan White Managing Editor

Is Chris Brown really sincere and apologetic about the incident that occurred with ex girlfriend on the night of February 8, 2009?

According to the pop singer in an interview on 106 and Park Thursday, he is.

“I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t feel sorry for my self and the mistake I made.” Brown said.

“I can’t make everybody love me, but at the end of the day I can just try.

I can honestly tell you that I’m sorry and I’ll look in the cameras and say I’m really apologetic for that.”

But it’s a little incongruous how Chris has “decided” to do the interview right after ex-girlfriend Rihanna did the 20/20 interview.

Was this retaliation or something that honestly came from the heart? I believe Chris Brown is apologetic for the all around incident and legally accepts responsibility, but I don’t believe that he truly cares for his past actions and “understands the extent for what he did,” as Rihanna said.

He had the chance to share his side of the story and feelings several times,

Chris Brown appears on BET’s “106 & Park” Thursday on interviews with Larry King, but he chose not to.

Instead he chose to remain silent about the incident and had many questioning the purpose of the interview.

Even when he decided to make a public apology, it seemed fake and read from a Teleprompter.

If you were really sorry for something you’d done, why would you have to read it? True words come from the heart, not from a screen.

Rihanna also agreed that she felt the apology seemed phony.

Brown even held a big pool party just three weeks after the initial incident.

Sister Souljah Challenges American Culture With ‘Midnight’

By Chuckeia Folley Black College Wire Sister Souljah did it again and this time took no prisoners with “Midnight” -- her follow up to bestseller “The Coldest Winter Ever”-- a long but good read.

This time the story of Midnight, a faithful partner to Winter’s father Ricky Santiaga, is unfolded.

Raised in a wealthy, influential Islamic African family, Midnight enjoys a life of comfort and protection provided by his father who never hides the truth about the strong challenges of the outside world.

When Santiaga’s empire is attacked, he sends Midnight with his mother and younger sister to America.

During this time, Midnight encounters many trials as he works on finding a new life for him and his family.

Souljah is very descriptive with the comparison between American culture and how it differs

from others concerning issues like infidelity and worship.

Midnight showcases Souljah’s strength telling creative and realistic stories that are written authentically as only she can.

Although it was well written and researched, it could be taken offensively.

Throughout the book Souljah made references to American women and how they carry themselves in a disrespectful and sometimes whorish manner.The book did become slightly difficult to enjoy because of the abrasive portrayal of American culture.

Overall, Souljah did a good job with displaying some of the things we as a culture need to work on. Next time she might try it in a less demeaning way.

Chuckeia Folley writes for The Meter, the Tennessee State University student newspaper, which originally published this article.

Can someone please tell Chris that actions speak louder than words!

As Chris Brown came on the 106 Park stage and proceeded to do his interview, fans screamed and cheered for the Grammy Award winning singer, a sound he doubted he would ever here again.

“During this process I was a little embarrassed, at a point, I didn’t know how my fans would perceive me. I just wanted to wear glasses, feeling nervous and embarrassed I didn’t want anyone to see me,” Brown said.

But yet, he was seen days later smiling and jet skiing like it was all good, so much for hiding out and feeling remorseful.

Chris Brown ended the interview by letting his fans know he will do everything in his power to be the best man I can be and hopefully be loved again.

Brown claims he is so sincere and will accept responsibility for what he has done, but yet he has released comments on facebook and twitter stating, “You’ll begin to see her true colors. Believe it!” As if it were Rihanna’s fault. Well we’ve already seen his true colors, what’s next? Will he ever finally come out and tell the truth and his version of the story?