The Collegian Oct. 25 by SC State Student Media

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Monday, October 28, 2013

OUR 99th YEAR

ISSUE 3

Heartbreak Bulldog Country mourns the sudden loss of Darius Brown

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Opinion/Editorial

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The Collegian is the free weekly student newspaper at South Carolina State University. The content is produced by SC State students and contributing writers.

• OPINIONS/EDITORIALS • Monday, October 28, 2013

The Collegian

Black Like Me Dana Brooks, Editor-In-Chief

o be black in this America means living in a country that, in the same instance, belongs to and is not your own; it means being at home and a trespassing stranger in a foreign land at the same time. I do not know what it is like to age without ever hearing the warnings that I must be aware of myself at all times. I do not know what it is like to live a life where I am oblivious to the stares cast my way when I happen to wander down Main Street. I have only lived in this skin I am in. It is an interesting feeling being treated as if you are a danger; as if you’re a threat. I have never even been put in handcuffs. But the curious eyes cast on me that make my skin prickle with their distrust do not know that. Worse than that, they aren’t even taking the time to learn. I am a convict that has never committed a crime. I am a negligent unwed mother without a child. I am an uneducated burden to tax payers on my way to a college degree. But I guess it is hard to know that if you are only acknowledging my skin tone. To be black in America means learning how to bow, bend, crack, shutter and shake but not break. It means I may have to prematurely bury my brother, my son, my nephew and watch their murderer walk free. It means sharing the sidewalk with my oppressor and answering to an unworthy “master” while pledging allegiance to the country that sought to keep me enslaved. I would be remiss if I fail to acknowledge that being black in America means teaching your child to read and be strong at the same time. Instructing them about

wolves in the world and kissing away their tears when they cry in your arms unable to understand the hate in the world. And as you cradle the human embodiment of your love in your arms you’re forced to realize that you still don’t understand. I didn’t make a decision about some of the biggest impactors aspects of my life; my race, my gender, my family. But I have fought to defy the stereotypes. I have defied the odds and created a path different from the one I am supposed to be traveling. But I can’t ignore the fact that being a black woman in America means that one day I may become pregnant. I will spend my entire pregnancy cradling my angelic beloved just beneath my heart; protecting them. And then I will give birth to them and become utterly helpless to keep them safe. It means that I will have to teach my son to hold his head high as if he isn’t being treated like a threat, a convict, a danger to society. I will endeavor to teach my daughter to walk the fine and, at times, hardly visible line between being strong and being just another angry black woman. I will empathize with their warring emotions. I too love my country while also feeling disappointment. We will commiserate over our American pride and our American shame. Being black like me in a country like this means living with an eternal conflict with the bitter edge of fear; fear that I or someone I love will be the next Sean Bell or Trayvon Martin. It means knowing I may be paid less in the workforce, work hard without promotion and fight for an education despite trials and tribulations and still refusing to accept my circumstances. Most importantly, it means being born into a culture of unrelenting strength. And it means I will not only survive but thrive, no matter the climate, as a descendant of a proud people.

Give Biggie His Corner

Supporters fight to have street corner named after the Rap Icon Sy Leveque, Staff Writer

o there is talk about Members of Brooklyn’s Community Board No. 2 denying the campaign to have a street named after Christopher Wallace aka “Notorious B.I.G.” They say that his music was entirely too vulgar and he was too “fat.” Basically, he was anything but a role model. Local resident Leroy McCarthy is the one who created the petition to have St. James Place and Fulton Street renamed Christopher Wallace Way. The uproar right now is that the former Beastie Boy Adam Yauch known as “MCA” has a park named after him in his honor called the “Adam Yauch Park”. Now, it is true that Biggie did have some songs with vulgar language and crazy messages but he also had songs with positive messages as well. He was truly a story teller; he gave you stories with an uplifting message as well as not so uplifting messages. Biggie gave you stories of his life, how he was brought

up and his experiences. No, everyone in the world may not be able to relate to his messages but he did reach a lot of people in the world. The former Beastie Boy wasn’t always a “role model” himself. In some of their songs they spoke of underage sex and drugs. They had inappropriate models of girls on their stage sets when in concert as well as 20-foot inflatables of crude images. Yauch, unlike Wallace had the opportunity to make dramatic life changes and become a positive person and better himself as a man. Before the death of Biggie he was beginning to speak a more uplifting message through some of his songs like, “Sky is the Limit”. Yes, every song may not have been the most positive but every story is not everyone’s story. What may not speak to you may speak to others . I personally believe that Biggie should have that street corner named after him. He may not have your role model but he was a role model to the people in his community. If they want to give him a street corner I say why not. If you would like to help with the petition to see Christopher Wallace Way then go to the following website: www.change.org/petitions/ christopher-wallace-way

The Collegian P O Box 8124, 300 College St. NE South Carolina State University Orangeburg, SC 29117

LIT TERAE THESARUM EST ESTABLISHED IN 1914 The Collegian is a student produced newspaper under the direction of the Division External Affairs and Communications 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.

Editor-In-Chief Dana Brooks

Interim Managing Editor Angela Stroman

Staff Writers

Dieanna Benjamin Joshua Benjamin Delayna Brown Robert Blue Quietshone Howell Stephanie Lampkin Saheigh Leveque Perrion Manns Brianna Simmons Christopher Spell Stephen Wells

Photographers

Lauren Cummings Ricky Fields, Jr Eric Smith

Cirrculation

Collegian Staff

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY President

Thomas J. Elzey

Vice President, External Affairs and Communications Sonja A. Bennett

Director, Public Relations

Elizabeth Mosely-Hawkins

Adviser, Office of Student Media Rolondo Davis

Question of the Week

Do you think icons deserve to have things named after them even if they were not role models?

“Biggie should have a street named after him. Even though he wasn’t a very good role model. He did good with his music and he always mention where he was from. It would be an honor for his family and fans.”

“It depends on if they paved the way for others and good comes from it.”

-Nathanial Heyward, junior

“If the person worked hard to get where they’re at then yes they should be honored. But it all depends on what they’ve done.” -Deirdre Miles, senior

“It depends on how much good that person has done for that community. If they’ve done a lot then why not.” -Jarvis David, senior

-Brandi Clayton, sophomore

We want to hear from you. Respond to an article or write a letter to the editor/writers at thecollegian@scsu.edu

The Collegian

•

CAMPUS NEWS

• Monday, October 28, 2013

Heartbreak: Bulldog Country Remembers Darius “To know him was to love him.” Angela Stroman, Interim Managing Editor

tudents, family, and friends gathered to pay tribute in remembrance to their beloved fellow Bulldog and Hartsville native, Darius Brown who was killed in a car accident on Friday, Oct. 11, in a candlelight vigil held on the campus of South Carolina State University. From the steps of Dukes Gymnasium, Student Government Association (SGA) President Akeem Brown opened the ceremony by reading a statement from the Board of Trustees expressing their deepest sympathies to the Brown family. “The Board of Trustees at South Carolina State University wishes to convey to the family of Darius Brown, the South Carolina State community and to his circle of special friends, our shared sense of loss over his untimely passing. As a consequence of this tragedy, we are made aware that even the loss of a single member of our community means that we are some ways diminished by more than a factor of one,” read Brown from the statement. A prayer lead by James Coleman, sophomore class president followed. CEO of New America, Mr. Adolphus Johnson shared scriptures from books in the Bible: Ecclesiastes, St. John and Romans. Johnson used the scriptures as guides to offer words of healing to those attending the vigil. Tori Fulmore, one of the architects of the vigil, spoke fondly of Brown. She reminisced about him to the best of her ability before succumbing to her tears. “To know him was to love him… he was always smiling,” said Fulmore. For those of us who knew Darius personally, he was the nicest guy that

could ever walk the campus of SC State. I personally, never once saw him in a bad mood or even frown about anything. He always looked toward the positive sides of living and would bring this warm presence with him when he walked into the room. Representing the Brown family were Darius’ grandparents Ruth and Richard Brown. Overwhelmed with grief, Brown’s sister, Danielle was unable to address the crowd. Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr. Brown expressed his gratitude for the condolences and all who came out to the vigil to pay their respects. “Just to see you all here makes me feel better,” said Mr. Brown. During his speech he recounted the last conversation he had with his “favorite grandson” and attempted to describe his grief. He spoke of his pain and referenced having a “heavy heart” that was made to feel a little better by the crowd at the vigil. Brown’s grandmother, Ruth, also took the opportunity to thank the crowd. She urged the students to “keep on pushing” in the wake of the tragedy. Vigil attendants left their candles to burn on the steps of Dukes as they departed. Many of Darius’ close and personal friends were unable to disclose their emotions due to the suddenness of his passing. Darius’ girlfriend, Reyna, let out her emotions via Twitter by posting tweets such as, “The hardest thing is not talking to someone you used to talk to everyday,” and “When I look at my son all I see is Darius.” She posted a picture on Twitter captioned, “The best father and

boyfriend in the world, we will miss you VERY much, Rest in Peace. I love you!!” The picture was of Darius holding the couple’s newborn son, Dorian. She also blamed Darius’ death on the government shutdown, stating that “if the government was up and running Darius would still be here.” Darius was scheduled for his Unit Drill for the National Guard that weekend; instead he had nothing to do and decided to go visit his family. Members of the Bulldog Battalion wore their Battle Dress Uniform in support of their fallen comrade at the vigil. As the ceremony came to a close, they saluted the family and stood tall. In an interview with The Times and Democrat Darius’ mother, Desiree Brown described him as, “well loved among family and friends. He never met a stranger. He was always willing to help people.” She also said Darius was a “good person, a wonderful son, and a blessed child.” “I will always love him,” she said. “He is going to be missed, and he will never be forgotten.” Darius’ funeral was held in his hometown of Hartsville, South Carolina Saturday, Oct. 19 at noon in a National Guard Ceremony. The service was held at First Baptist Church. Darius leaves behind a twomonth old son Dorian Barnes, his loving mother Desiree Brown, sisters Danielle and Tiyonna, grandparents Richard and Ruth Brown, two greatgrandmothers, Louise Jackson and Rosa Lee Singleton, his loving girlfriend and mother of his son Reyna Barnes and a host of close family and friends that will cherish his memory.

A Closer Look at SC State’s Career Center Sy Leveque, Staff Writer

he Career Center, currently located on the second floor of Belcher Hall, was created in 1969 by Mrs. Daisy Dun-Johnson and is associated with the Student Affairs department. The purpose of the Career Center is to assist student’s transition from the classroom to the workforce. The Career Center boast their mission on their website. “Career Services at South Carolina State University is committed to helping students and alumni develop career and life-planning skills, acquire experience, m a s t e r job search strategies, and seek rewarding employment. The Career Center facilitates mutually beneficial relationships between employers, faculty and staff, students and alumni in order to meet the dynamic needs of today’s workplace.” The most recent event that the career center hosted was Career Day on Oct. 15 in the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. Different companies

and graduate schools came out to give information to the students and offer job opportunities. There will be an on-campus interview for The Nature Conservancy on Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Career Center in Belcher Hall, Suite 250. On Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013 “Get Ready for Success at Career Fairs” will be presented by Christopher Green from Bamberg Job Corps. It will be held at Belcher Hall, Suite 250. Also, on We d n e s d a y, Nov. 6, the “I Want to Be Ready” event will take place at 3 p.m in Belcher Hall, Suite 250. To see all upcoming events and activities you can go to the school website at www.scsu.edu, click on the Current Students tab and click the Career Center link. You can also contact the Career Center via email at CareerCenter@scsu. edu or visit the office at Belcher Hall second floor, suite 250.

You can purchase a copy of Mr. Champy’s book online on RoseDog Books, Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

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The Collegian

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Lifestyle

• Monday, October 28, 2013

He Loves

He is jealous for me, loves like a hurricane, I am a tree Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy When all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory And I realize just how beautiful You are And how great Your affections are for me And oh, how He loves us so Oh, how He loves us, how He loves us so! [David Crowder]

As I sang this song in church yesterday, a sense of peace and joy came over me. I began to think about the fact that I will go through struggles and trials in life, but my God still loves me. In John 16:33 it says: 16 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world. You see, in having a relationship with Christ I know that Romans 8:28 also says: 28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

Sexy or Slutty?

So within the hard times that life will bring, I know that God has got my back. I can trust that He is setting things up for my good because I love Him and He loves me!! As a college student who believes in Jesus, I would encourage you to take a moment and remember how much God loves you. Take the time and thank Him for the trials and struggles that you’ve had; our trials help to shape us into the men and women of God that we are called to be. But also thank Him for blessing you and loving you in spite of how much you’ve forgotten about Him. As a college student who doesn’t believe in Jesus or know what they believe, I would like to tell you that there is someone out there that loves you for who you are. He wants to take every hurt away from you and simply love you. I would encourage you to check out who Jesus is! Monet Heyward, Baptist Collegiate Ministry Azalae Building

MAC Fashion Show Dieanna Benjamin, Staff Writer

On Oct. 19 Men Against Cancer (MAC) presented the fourth Annual Pink and Black Affair with celebrity model Brad James, II from numerous Tyler Perry plays. Freshman male model Brandon Hamilton stated how much being a male model for MAC was a privilege and should be taken seriously. He also expressed how MAC is for good for the community and helps in so many ways. Freshman Deleah Morgan a member of the decoration committee explained that the decorations were centered around the “Pink and Black”. She stated how the process of the MAC Fashion show has been a learning experience to her and something she

enjoyed doing for the cause. This year’s Master of Ceremony was Dashan AxsonLawrence. The segments were: Urban Hopeful Hustlers, Ain’t Nobody Got Time 4 Cancer(Casual), Lock Out 4 Cancer(Dread Locks), Beach Boys 4 Boobies”(Swim wear) and Working on a Cure(Business). The intermission held a wonderful Tribute to Mrs. Candance Mack Fuller, a cancer survivor and the founder of Team Candy, a breast cancer awareness group. Again this year MAC has had a very successful show and plan to see what they have in the future.

Do you know the Difference? Deborah Bridgeford, Contributing Writer

“Never violate the sacredness of your individual self-respect.” -Theodore Parker Halloween costumes were traditionally worn to “scare off ghosts and demons” but today, costumes are worn because it makes the holiday more fun. It is a chance to dress up as something you are not and play pretend for a day. This is the holiday that allows you to be whatever you want to be without being judged or so they say. However, many young women have taken “sexy” to another level. It’s one thing to dress sexy. It’s another to have something on that screams sexually available. “If you’re comfortable enough to dress that way on Halloween, why not dress that way every other day of the week? Why wait?” said Princess Johnson, senior journalism major. There is a fine line that cannot be crossed just because it is the holiday season. Many people excuse the nudity and overly explicit costumes; while others feel that women are treating themselves as objects. There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to be sexy on Halloween. The issue is when women are portrayed as objects. This opens a door for some men as an invitation that you’re down for whatever. So ladies, please be wise with your choice of costume this year. You can be sexy without revealing EVERYTHING. Leave some things for the imagination.

Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village | Image

Eric Smith | Photos

Local Area Churches A Trinity United Methodist (803)- 534-7759

B Cornerstone Community 1481 Chestnut Street (803)- 539-3952

C Mount Pisgah Baptist 310 Green Street (803)- 536-1510

D Williams Chapel AME 1198 Glover Street (803)- 536-0600

E Greater Faith Baptist

203 Dorchester Street SE (803)- 536-5258

F Church of the Redeemer G Orangeburg Lutheran 610 Ellis Avenue (803)- 534-1192

H First Presbyterian

650 Summers Avenue (803)- 534-0088

I St. Paul’s United Methodist 1356 State Road S-38-70 (803)- 534-1071

J First Baptist

1240 Russell Street (803)- 536- 1545

Art &Entertainment

The Collegian

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• Monday, October 28, 2013

Crazy Sexy Cool:

“The Electric Lady” : Janelle Monaé Eric Smith, Contributing Writer

eeping in true form to her artistic calling, Monaé has finally given us the fifth and sixth installments of her suite music series; and for all you non-music majors out there, a suite of music is in groups of seven songs. Now I will not lie to you, I have always been a huge Monaé fan from the very beginning when I heard her giving her all on the soundtrack to Idlewild. I knew her career would go far, even if Diddy and his label Bad Boy was in the mix of it all. With the addition of the “The Electric Lady” to her growing list of major releases, Monaé pulls in an even bigger and more over the top collection of music. With the very first song we are once again on the streets of a metropolis in all its futuristic glory, the lead track Dance Apocalyptic is a show stopper with a hint of RockN-Roll smashed in with a lot of Pop and the same old Monaé AfroFunk. Hey, its got an island guitar in it so I’m game. The range of emotion that the song undertakes is well noted in the rise and fall between chorus and verse. Licks like “work that nine to five to pay your rent” play right

in to the theme of Monaé’s attraction to social issues that some artist just will not want to address in their music. The second track released the tag team of Monaé and Erykah Badu hits the industry on its ear. Funk at it very highest level, “Q.U.E.E.N.” is a subject that is talked about very well by both Monaé and Badu about being different. Monaé sings “ will he accept me in my black and white...,” playing hard to her sometimes criticized go to outfit of a classic tux and side saddled shoes. The most surprising track of the of the whole LP has to be the track “PrimeTime,” featuring Miguel. The raw and untapped emotion of the track is felt from the very beginning with Monaé belting out with full range vocals “when you’re down, and its hard, and you feel like you give your all, baby our love will always make it true...”, that is quickly followed up with Miguel laying out “bang bang I’m calling your name, you’re like a fire the world can’t tame...” In all, a fitting track for Monaé’s range and an artful pick in collaboration. With spots also filled by Prince and Esperanza Spalding “The Electric lady” is not one to miss.

The Review Princess Johnson, Contributing Writer

Urban Bridgez | Image

NPR | Photo

Danie Buchanan | Image

Ruben Studdard and Kendra Wilkinson Make Headlines

The American Idol alum and former playmate’s life changes draw public’s attention Brianna Simmons, Staff Writer

ecently in the news, Ruben Studdard, and Kendra Wilkinson are some of the celebrities making headlines. Ruben Studdard, an American Idol winner, recently joined the cast of this seasons “Biggest Loser.” But it was his fellow American Idol alumna, Jennifer Hudson, who spoke very of highly of Studdard’s choice to do this. Hudson, who has had her own personal struggles with weight, loosing over 80 pounds in the past couple of years, is surely a model for what Studdard can accomplish. “I’m so proud of Ruben, it’s one thing to lose weight, it’s another to keep it off. I do believe that if he’s Ace Showbiz | Photo gone this far to make Kendra Wilkinson married Hank Baskett 2009 and together they have a son, that commitment, he’ll in Hank Baskett IV. make it,” said Hudson at a recent red carpet event, when talking about her fellow American Idol cast mate.

Studdard is currently at the weight of 462 pounds and hopes to slim down to a much healthier weight, which should be easier with the positive support of those around him. Looks like E! and We T.V. reality star Kendra Wilkinson will be doing the opposite of Studdard by gaining the weight back. Wilkinson recently announced that she and her husband, NFL player Hank Baskett, were “trying” to have a second child. However “US Weekly” reported that Kendra is indeed pregnant with her second child right Perez Hilton | Photo now and that she is Ruben Studdard won season two of about 8 weeks along. “American Idol” and is now competing in Wilkinson has yet to season 15 of “The Biggest Loser.” confirm this news, however, she hinted on her reality show “Kendra on Top,” that they will document their decision to have a second child.

Name:________________________________

Types of Animals Bear Bat Cobra Dolphin Emu Goat Iguana Fish Newt Otter Penguin Quail Rabbit Snail Tiger Unicorn Vulture Wolf Xiaosaurus Yak Zebra

Date:_____________

Word List: ALLIGATOR DOLPHIN FISH NEWT RABBIT VULTURE ZEBRA

BEAR EMU KANGAROO OTTER SNAIL WOLF

BAT GOAT LION PENGUIN TIGER XIAOSAURUS

COBRA IGUANA MANATEE QUAIL UNICORN YAK

WORD SEARCH

Alligator

Types of Animals

Don’t call it a comeback, pay homage when it is due and that is what happened when millions across the nation tuned into VH1 to view the highly anticipated biopic in of honor of the bestselling girl group of all time TLC. The movie, “TLC- CrazySexyCool” was a compelling introduction to the group’s ups and downs and what almost caused their ultimate demise. The world had a chance to see firsthand how much of a mess the music industry truly is and how, if not careful, how easy it is to lose everything you’ve ever dreamed of before even obtaining it. Starring Keke Palmer as Rozanda “Chilli” Thomas, Drew Sidora as Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, and Niatia Kirkland, professionally known as “Lil Mama” starred as the late Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopes. This movie had a little something for everyone. There were many moments of both joy and tears and also plenty of jaw dropping moments leaving you yearning for more until the ending credits. The most anticipated yet dreaded part of the movie was the re-enactment of the last moments of Lisa Lopes. Her death shocked the world leaving many fans saddened and confused. I think it’s safe to say the biggest shock of the premiere night was how believable the actors were in relation to the real deal. It takes more than loud colors and crazy facial expressions to effectively play the role of people as powerful and influential as the original members of TLC. In my eyes, the overall production was a score and I am more than confident that if the question was polled I’d have more people to agree than to issue a challenge.

The Collegian

•

• Monday, October 28, 2013

Features

Campus Highlight: George “Spike” Nealy Vernon McGowan, Contributing Writer

t’s 5:30 in the morning on a Saturday. Typically, this would be a sleep-in day for most people after putting in a week’s worth of hard work but for the Marching 101, this is when the work starts to pay off. And for Assistant Band Director George “SPIKE” Nealy, no day of the week is more important than Saturday and he isn’t hesitant to let his band know. “We got a job to do, and we need to focus and make sure we do it,” he tells the South Carolina State University Marching 101. “You got people watching you who are your biggest fans and supporters. You got to go out there and give it all ya got,” he says to the listening musicians before he ends with his typical “have fun”. If you don’t know who Mr. Spike is, you’ve probably seen him if you’ve seen the movie “Drumline.” If you’ve only seen the beginning of the film, you’ve seen him and maybe even laughed at his scene. He was cast as the High School band director at the High School graduation conducting “I believe I can Fly.” That scene is fitting for Mr. Spike in part because it made people feel at ease and made people laugh. Arriving at SC State in 2004, along with Head Band Director Eddie Ellis, Mr., Spike has always been able to win and keep the respect of the members of his bands. ‘The sun is not a light bulb,’ I remember him saying a few years ago. ‘You can’t turn it off and on. When you can’t see it, someone else, somewhere else can,’ he said. “That was one of the many things that he said back in 2009 that made no sense to us but plenty of sense to him. But now, being under his guidance for four years, it makes plenty of sense,” said Leroy Jones, a senior music education major. Such statements could only come from someone like Spike or “Mr. Spike” (as he insist his band students call him) who likes to make his point to his students with bizarre story telling techniques and uncanny analogies. From comparing the marching 101’s potential to the greats of Michael Jackson to attempting to change the band’s mindset to that of what he called a ‘BAD ASS GORILLA’ destroying everything in sight to even motivating the band by implying that the planet earth’s mere survival depended upon the band’s next performance, Mr. Spike’s experiences all seem to tie in together some way or another. “I started with music way back when I was toddler; from pots and pans to tables and cans. I would beat on the same pots that my mom would use to make dinner with. That was a whooping there because I’d always pull them out and beat on them before dinner and it would delay dinner” he explains. Mr. Spike attributes his childhood actions as the path that led him to muck and bands. As a child he played the drum bought his own drum-set when he was 13. He recalled that he “ just always loved entertaining.” Mr. Spike just naturally seems to command the respect of his peers and students. “He’s the guy that will walk in the band room while we are practicing, won’t speak, won’t smile and will just stand there but just his presence alone just makes a few of us, if not all of us feel a little better about being at practice. He’s a fun but a no nonsense kind of guy,” said Christopher Henderson, another member of the Marching 101. Maybe he gets his fierce passion about practicing from playing alongside another who had a reputation for the same attitude while rigorously practicing for shows bigger than the football field for halftime. “My greatest experience ever in the world was being a percussionist for Mr. James Brown. That tops it all. That allowed me to see all the continents, all 7 seas, all the oceans, everywhere. You take a blindfold and blindfold yourself and spin a globe and point to anywhere on the globe; wherever you put your finger, we’ve probably been twice,” said Mr. Spike. “He never lets us forget that he’s been all over the world,” Jones explains. “Sometimes I think he does it to tease us.” Mr. Spike remembers growing up in Birmingham, Ala. in the Southtown Projects where “the street lights were the stage lights” for them. He recalls dreaming about being an entertainer on stage alongside other kids he grew up around who shared his dream of being in James Brown’s band or being a part of The Temptations or Jackson 5. “Finally one day after I went to an Easter concert in

Birmingham where James Brown was performing, I saw that band perform and told my mom, ‘Mom, one day, I’m going to be in that man’s band.’ That’s when I was nine.” After college Mr. Spike had the opportunity to perform with the S.O.S band but the band was put on hold due to the Gulf War. Instead, he traveled to Augusta, GA to visit friends with his drums in his car. “I parked in the loading zone. I went to use the bathroom and I came back and my drums were gone. After asking around to see if anybody saw who took them a guy told me “They’ve already taken your drums and set them up.” Confused, Mr. Spike recalls going into the auditorium and seeing his drums onstage where James Brown’s band was rehearsing. Originally, he decided to get his drums but seeing that no one was alerted by his presence he changed his mind so instead he began playing along “and still, nobody looked shocked” as they practiced about seven songs. “Soon after, James Brown walked in and shook everybody’s hand. After he shook hands with everybody, he realized I was a stranger in the house,” Spike deeply elaborated. “He asked, ‘Son who are you?’” Mr. Spike apologized telling Mr. Brown that he

Martha Cohen | Photo

didn’t set the drums up and he was sorry. Brown told him that it wasn’t a problem as long as he took the drums down and left as he was “trying to get ready for a world tour.” Spike said that he would but when Brown told the band to take a short break he seized the opportunity. Brown listened as he requested the opportunity to introduce himself and play for him before he told him that he didn’t have time. Spike persisted, asking for “about 30 seconds” and was again turned down. After asking for just 20 seconds Brown asked him “what part of leave” didn’t he understand. After nearly being removed by security Spike pleaded for 30 second to “prove” himself, promising that if it didn’t work he would leave and Brown would never see him again. The plea worked as he was allowed to play. Brown called off a number of songs that his band played to which a fanatic Spike knew all of. He remembered feeling like “this is the end of my life” and trying to leave before being stopped by Brown. Brown told him to have his passport on his desk in two weeks. Even hearing this an appreciative Spike attempted to leave again he remembers being stopped by Brown again who asked him where he was going. Brown informed him that he wasn’t allowed to leave as he was a part of the band and needed to stay for practice. “I was so happy,” Mr. Spike recalls, “we started practicing and I started playing my heart out and he stops practice. I’m thinking this is going to be the shortest hiring and firing ever. Mr. Brown approached me and said ‘remember when I said when I came back off tour, you had a job? Forget that. As of now, you’re my percussionist, and you will be my percussionist until I take my last breath.’” True to his word, Brown kept Mr. Spike as his percussionist until his death. It’s been almost seven

Upcoming Bulldog Match-Ups Oct. 26

Football at Bethune-Cookman 4 PM

Women’s Cross Country at MEAC Cross Country Championships TBA

Men’s Cross Country at MEAC Cross Country Championships TBA

years since James Brown passed away. After seven long years, Hollywood felt that it was about time to remember “The Godfather” of soul. Universal pictures recently announced that it will be releasing a James Brown biopic in Oct. 2014 entitled “Get On Up.” “I am very excited,” said Mr. Spike “I’m excited because it has taken so long for them to write a movie about a genius; even as of now we have an entire generation that never had the chance to see him or know who he was.” According to Mr. Spike, a James Brown biopic has been in the preliminary stages for quite some time. He remember Brown telling him ‘they always wanted me to do a movie’ but they wanted to “curve” the truth and that Brown always “wanted them to tell the truth.” Mr. Spike says. “There are two sides of show business; just like in theater, there is a happy face and a sad face. It’s the same way in entertainment. I’m just going to look for them to stick to the truth. Everyone knew about how hard he worked and about him being a perfectionist but off-stage, he was a gentlemen and a genius. He had over 6,000 songs and never wrote anything down. Everything he remembered, he remembered off the top of his head. He could remember a phone number like someone could remember to eat soup with a spoon.” Mr. Spike is a big advocate for achieving goals and excelling and he tries to pass this on to all of his band students. “At one point, the bands big goal was to make it to Honda Battle of the Bands,” said Henderson. “He always told us it was his dream for us to perform on bigger platforms than Honda. I remember him saying one year he wanted us to think about performing overseas somewhere. We were all thinking there’s no way. But that’s the type of person he is. He wants to be the best ever.” Mr. Spike admits that he feels he never left marching band, even while he performed with James Brown. He is proud of the fact that he did both, working in marching band on the side. He feels he was able to bring things he learned and saw of Brown back to his marching bands saying that everything Brown taught them onstage he is trying to teach the Marching 101. “How we look, being sharp, being clean cut, how we sound, everything is important. You never know who’s watching,” said Mr. Spike. He remembers people asking Brown about his best show and how he would tell them that he hadn’t done it yet. He feels this is something that he tries to teach the band, urging them to give their all at each show and “not even the sky is the limit” for them. Mr. Spike stresses the importance of all aspects of their look, including the way they dress. He checks that every part of their uniform is the way it is supposed to be “from having clean gloves to the perfect fitted pair of pants;” the same standard Brown held his band to. Mr. Spike recalled how a single wrinkle could cost them a $25 fine and another fine if that wrinkle led to another $25 fine if that wrinkle led to another wrinkle. Mr. Spike emphasized that Brown wanted people to see the show, “not dirty shoes or wrinkles.” “You perform for two types of people; the deaf and the blind. You’ve got to sound good for the blind and you’ve got to look good for the deaf,” said former Marching 101 member Monique McGowan. Mr. Spike uses that particular reference as it was one of his favorite memories touring with Brown. He recalls playing for a crowd of deaf people and how the visual performance had to be top notch and the way they turned up the bass for the people to have something to move to. He also recalls how they followed that performance by performing to a crowd of blind people and how the sound had to be perfect. All of the travel allowed Mr. Spike to be more appreciative of what he had. It also influenced his desire to encourage his students to see life. Often, Mr. Spike shares his own experiences with students to tell them “what they should do in life as opposed to what they shouldn’t.” That is what Mr. Spike meant by “when you can’t see the sun, someone else can”. He wants more than anything for everyone to get explore and see everything they possibly can. He wants for people to get to a place where they can see the sun shining when they cannot see it at home.

Sports If you would like to write for The Collegain as a sports writer stop by the Student Media office and speak with the Editor-in-Chief Dana Brooks or email thecollegian@scsu.edu with ‘Sports Writer’ as your subject line.

The Collegian

• LOCAL & WORLD NEWS • Monday, October 28, 2013

Rielle Hunter Apologizes John Edwards’ former mistress apologizes Dana Brooks, Editor-in-Chief

n an editorial for Huffington Post Rielle Hunter, the former mistress of former North Carolina senator John Edwards, apologized for her affair and her actions. In the article, Hunter admits that her behavior was wrong and that she knows she hurt people. She continues throughout the article to apologize for her hurtful behavior. Hunter admitted that she didn’t realize how badly she was behaving at the time. “I behaved badly. That may seem obvious to you but it’s taken me a long time to admit that, even to myself. For years I was so viciously attacked by the media and the world that I felt like a victim,” wrote Hunter in the article. Although she mentions the media coverage Hunter does not use it as an excuse. Instead she takes the opportunity to blatantly state that she was wrong. “I now realize that the attacks are actually beside the point. The point is: I behaved badly.” Hunter referred to her behavior as selfish in her apology and also admitted she did not “think about the scope of my actions.” Hunter also recalled how she failed to realize that “falling in love with John Edwards, and acting on that love” could cause so much pain. Hunter admitted that she hurt Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of the embattled politician who died Dec. 2010, and her children. She also wrote that her actions hurt Elizabeth and John’s families, people that knew

and loved Elizabeth from ne or afar. She also apologized to contributors to Edwards’ failed Democratic presidential campaign. The apology even spoke to people she believed she hurt who simply believed in marriage and were married

The Blaze | Photo

themselves. “Unfortunately, I was not thinking about anyone but myself. I was selfish. I fell in love with John Edwards and wanted to be with him and that desire trumped everything else,” wrote Hunter. When the news of her relationship with

Edwards began making news Hunter stayed silent without apologizing. Instead, she wrote a book, “What Really Happened: John Edwards, Our Daughter and Me.” Hunter is now admitting that writing the book caused her to make “more mistakes, ones I feel horrible about.” Citing her publisher as the inspiration, Hunter has released a new version of her book. “My publisher came up with the idea of me going through my book and annotating all of my regrets and mistakes. I liked that idea,” wrote Hunter. Before concluding her apology, Hunter admitted that she was the “product of infidelity” by stating that both her parents cheated on each other and that it “damaged” her in the process. She stops short of blaming her parents out right for her behavior but does say that she believes “history often repeats itself if you do not take responsibility and change it.” The new version of her book is titled “In Hindsight, What Really Happened: The Revised Edition: John Edwards, Our Daughter and Me” is currently on sale. “I am sincerely sorry for my bad behavior, and for hurting anyone. If I hurt you, I am sorry. It was not my intention, I was thoughtless and selfish, and I am sorry,” wrote Hunter. Hunter worked as Edwards’ campaign videographer during his presidential campaign. The pair have a five year old daughter, Francis Quinn.

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Ohio Man Gets 6 1/2 Years Sex Offender Who Fled After DUI Crash Confession Canada Going Back to Court Andrew Welsh-Huggins, Assoicated Press Legal Affairs Wrier

n Ohio man was sentenced Wednesday to six and a half years in prison for causing a fatal wrongway crash after a night of heavy drinking, which he had confessed to in an online video. Matthew Cordle, 22, had faced up to eight and a half years in prison. “Whatever my sentence may be, there’s no fair sentence when it comes to the loss of a life,” Cordle told the judge before the sentence was handed down. Franklin County Judge David Fais sentenced Cordle to six years for aggravated vehicular homicide and six months for driving under the influence of alcohol. He also revoked his driving privileges for life. Cordle apologized to the family of his victim, Vincent Canzani, who was killed in the June crash. “It should have been me that night, the guilty party, instead of an innocent man,” he said. His guilty plea last month came just a week after he was indicted in a speedy process absent of the numerous court filings that usually cause such cases to drag on for weeks or months. Canzani’s daughter asked Fais for the maximum sentence. “My father got a death sentence and did nothing wrong,” Angela Canzani told the judge. Vincent Canzani was a talented artist and photographer who enjoyed working out and spending time with friends and family, she said. She said her children and her sister’s children will never get to see their grandfather again. The judge also read a letter from Vincent Canzani’s ex-wife who said she believed Vincent Canzani would not have wanted a maximum sentence. She said she believes Cordle will keep his promise never to drink and drive again. Cordle’s father, Dave Cordle, told the judge he was “disappointed, disgusted and heartbroken” at the choices his son made that night. He did not ask for leniency and told Canzani’s family his heart was filled with sorrow at their loss and hopes someday they can forgive his son. In a three and a half minute video posted in early September, Cordle

Mike Barker and Rob Gillies, Assoicated Press

admitted he killed a man and said he “made a mistake” when he decided to drive that night. “My name is Matthew Cordle and on June 22, 2013, I hit and killed Vincent Canzani,” he says somberly. “This video will act as my confession.” Cordle acknowledged having a drinking problem after the crash and entered a treatment program as prosecutors gathered evidence against him. He told his attorneys early on that he wanted to plead guilty but made the video against their advice. Prosecutors say a heavily intoxicated Cordle denied causing an accident or killing anyone when he was first Mike Munden | APPhoto taken to a hospital after the crash, in which he suffered broken ribs and a fractured skull. His attorneys say he may have suffered a brain injury. Cordle, who lives in Powell, a Columbus suburb, told Fais last month that he had no recollection of the crash, how much he’d had to drink that night or whether he’d had anything to eat. “I drank so much I was blacked out,” Cordle said at the Sept. 18 hearing where he plead guilty. Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said he believed Cordle’s remorse in the video was genuine but he said any further interviews would be selfserving. He also disputed Cordle’s assertion in the confessional video that he could have fought the case against him, which O’Brien called “a slam dunk.” O’Brien sought the maximum sentence of eight and a half years; Cordle’s attorneys asked for a sentence that was fair. The video posted on YouTube has been viewed more than 2.3 million times. It begins with Cordle’s face blurred as he describes how he has struggled with depression and was simply trying to have a good time with friends going “from bar to bar” the night of the accident. He then describes how he ended up driving into oncoming traffic on Interstate 670. Cordle’s face becomes clear as he reveals his name and confesses to killing Canzani. He ends the video by pleading with viewers not to drink and drive.

ays after Canadian authorities decided not to extradite a violent sex offender who crossed into the U.S., the man is in custody, suspected of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy. Michael Sean Stanley will appear in a Seattle court on Wednesday, Oct. 30 after being jailed for investigation of harassment for an incident on Tuesday morning (Oct. 22). Authorities say Stanley is also being investigated for assault after Seattle police said he met a boy at a west Seattle grocery store, struck up a conversation and walked with him to an alley where he plied the teen with alcohol and attacked him. The boy pulled a knife and was able to escape, police said. Stanley had registered as a sex offender with the King County sheriff ’s office and listed his address as an intersection just a block away from Seattle’s Pike Place Market, a scenic destination for both tourists and locals. It’s also near a preschool, even though he had been ordered to stay away from children in Canada. Ilene Stark, executive director at Pike Market Child Care and Preschool, said the community felt threatened by Stanley’s arrival in the area. The preschool reviewed its lockdown plan, kept in constant contact with security in the area and provided images and descriptions of Stanley to teachers and parents. “It’s been intense,” Stark said. “It felt like there was a threat in our community and that we needed to be much more vigilant - more than in everyday life. It was disconcerting.” Stark said she was saddened that something horrible apparently had to happen before Stanley was collected by U.S. law enforcement. At the same time, she said her sadness was coupled with relief knowing that there is more legal control over Stanley’s whereabouts. Detectives believe the attack on the teen happened before police received several calls reporting noise in an alley and Stanley threatening someone who asked him to be quiet. When police arrived, Stanley became combative and said he had a knife. He appeared intoxicated, according to

authorities. He was arrested and jailed for investigation of harassment. Stanley was released from jail in Canada in April 2011 after completing a 32-month sentence for kidnapping two boys from a school playground, according to the Seattle Times. He also has a rape conviction for assaulting an 82-year-old disabled woman in Canada, according to the newspaper. He was being monitored by police under a peace bond, which Canadian authorities can get to impose conditions on individuals in the community. Stanley’s peace bond has 20 conditions, including one ordering him to stay away from children. Associated Press Photo Police in Canada issued a public alert earlier this month after Stanley cut off his electronic-monitoring bracelet. Officials described him as an untreated, violent offender who posed a significant risk. An American citizen, Stanley crossed the border and was located in the Seattle area last week. Canadian officials decided not to seek extradition. Before Tuesday (Oct. 22), there was no reason to arrest Stanley since Canada hadn’t pursued an extraditable warrant and he wasn’t wanted for any crimes in the United States, authorities said. Edmonton, Alberta, police spokesman Chad Orydzuk told The Associated Press that Stanley’s arrest in Seattle was “unfortunate but we can’t provide comment. It’s not our file.” “If he continues to break the law down south you can imagine how difficult it would be for us to comment if he broke the law in different jurisdictions in the States. For us to comment on that, we couldn’t keep up with that, if this was to continue,” he said. Orydzuk said when Stanley breached the monitoring conditions in Edmonton, officials searched for him and notified the public and other agencies. Unconfirmed sightings of Stanley led schools in several westcentral Saskatchewan communities to lock their doors and keep children inside.

Ice-T for the Better F

Perrion Manns, Staff Writer

ormer West Coast rapper and now actor Ice-T talked about how his life has changed since he has stopped the gangster rapping. Born Tracy Marrow in New Jersey, after the death of his parents, he was raised by his aunt in Los Angeles, CA. While growing up, Ice-T spent his days hanging out with the wrong group of people which influenced him to partake in the wrong activities. By 1983 he picked up the name Ice-T in honor a ghetto novelist/ poet Iceberg Slim. Ice-T was one of the earliest West Coast rappers to gain respect in the New York culture. During an interview from Rolling Stone’s Magazine’s Sowmya Krishnamurthy, Ice-T shared how his life is now. “I’m normal. I just had a different occupation for a while,” said Ice-T

He also stated how his life is kind of boring now. Ice-T said every night he has these dreams of him being shot and killed. “When you lived it, your paranoid,” said Ice-T. He thinks the most successful people are the most paranoid. Ice-T described how that is the type of life that he wouldn’t wish on anybody. He also mentioned how his music is a warning to people. “It might seem like I’m promoting it but I’m really warning you against it,” said Ice-T Krishnamurthy asked Ice-T if he regretted the life that success has brought him. “No. I’m so happy I’m not in that life. It’s a different way you have to operate. You have to embrace your evolution,” said Ice-T.