The Hilltop, February 9, 2017, Volume 101, Issue 18 by Howard University's The Hilltop Newspaper

The Student Voice of Howard University Since 1924 Thursday, February 9, 2017

Volume 101, Issue 18

INSIDE

Washington, D.C.

Howard Students Show Solidarity in #HUAgainstHate Vigil, Rally

CAMPUS: Get To Know Your New HUSA Vice President Pg. 2/

By Daja E. Henry and Montana Couser Contributing Writers

NEWS:

Review of James Baldwin Documentary Pg. 6/

CULTURE: Howard Students Give Thoughts On New HBCU TV Series Pg. 10/

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n an event hosted by the Office of the Dean of the Chapel, Interfaith Fellows, the Howard University National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s (NAACP) College Chapter and the Muslim Student Association, students stood and marched in solidarity with the Islamic community. The #HUAgainstHate rally started with a gathering around the flagpole at 7 p.m. on The Yard, Tuesday, Jan. 31, and ended with a march to the Supreme Court later that night to protest President Donald Trump’s latest executive order, considered to be referred as a Muslim Ban. The executive order cites intentions on “protecting the nation from foreign terrorist entry into the United States.” It provides a

Photo Credit: Leaynet Sahilu, Staff Photograhper

list of seven countries in which “immigrant and nonimmigrant entry… would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and I hereby suspend entry into the United States, as immigrants and nonimmigrants, of such persons for 90 days from the date of this order.” These countries are Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia. They are all countries in which the religious majority is Muslim. The order has resulted in the detainment of at least 109 people, including a five-year-old boy. The #HUAgainstHate program opened with the crowd repeating a chant by Assata Shakur, an African-American activist who was a member of the former Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Army. The chant begins with, “It is our duty to fight for our freedom.” The crowd consisted of over 50 people in attendance with at least

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10 Muslim students and staff in attendance. Jacquelyn Grant, president of the Howard University NAACP College Chapter, reminded those affected by the ban that, “When Trump decides to shift his focal point of hatred to another group, when the news decides to move on and cover something else for shock value, when the cameras stop rolling and they leave you in the darkness that bigotry and ignorance has created… Howard University NAACP will stand with you, support you and fight for your humanity until the end.” Erick Powell, president of the HU Muslim Student Association, shared an original poem entitled “Revolutionary Suicide,” as well as a short speech that began with, “In the light of the election of this devil named Donald Trump, I think it’s easy for

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Profile: New HUSA VP Proves To Be Missing Piece

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By Acacia James Contributing Writer

rabella Okwara, 21, is a senior political science major, African-American studies minor from East Providence, Rhode Island. She is the current vice president of the Howard University Student Association’s 56th administration, and is also the president of the international pre-law fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta. Being in such a high position for more than one organization could be seen as stressful, but Okwara is making it work. Okwara was appointed HUSA’s VP by HUSA Executive President Allyson Carpenter this past fall. This appointment occurred after the unexpected resignation of former HUSA VP Jordan Roper. According to HUSA, Roper resigned due to the workload of being HUSA’s VP. “There was no constitutional protocol on how to fill a vacancy for HUSA executive, so I released an executive order,” Carpenter said. “Arabella shares our values, but brings a different approach that has proven to be effective. Okwara was already familiar with Carpenter when she worked with the HUSA Senate and her during an event called ElectHer, which was an event held to promote young women to run for public office. During their work together on these events, the two realized that they worked well together. “Because I had been dedicated to student government already, it was a kind of a natural fit,” Okwara says. Although she was somewhat hesitant in the beginning she accepted the offer to be HUSA Vice President “willfully and gratefully.” Okwara’s past experiences with student government and politics include being on HUSA Senate as a representative for Colleges and Arts and Science, where she later stepped up into the constitutional review committee chair position. This position entailed her looking over constitution proposals, and vetting policy board members ensuring that they were sound members. Okwara’s role as Vice President has been to position herself as a mediator between Senate, and Executives. She says a lot of her role has been attending meetings and working out issues that may come along. “Sometimes students will tweet Allyson with their issues, and we try to work to get them solved.” So far, Okwara has been working on a Transportation Alternatives Committee, “under that will fall the Bike Project, which students will receive more updates on in the future through HUSA’s mid-year report,” Okwara said. She is also focusing on putting an advisory committee together to work on different methods to improving Howard’s shuttle system, such as better shuttle stops and better times for the shuttle to

SOLIDARITY CONTINUED FROM COVER

Zora Neale Hurston (18911960), co-founder of The Hilltop Newspaper, is considered one of the preeminent writers of 20th century AfricanAmerican literature.

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a lot of people to lose hope. A lot of things are going on, a lot of executive orders, a lot of concern about the legislation, and things of that nature. But I think we lose hope when we start to frame our existence.” Zakiya Muhammad, a sophomore broadcast journalism major from Prince George’s County, Md., expressed that Trump’s new executive order and has emotionally affected both herself and her family.

Photo Credit: Brea Simons be running. Another facet of transportation she is looking into is getting students metrocards, and also partnering with an affordable ride sharing app for students. Luckily Okwara has not faced any challenges or adversity, and said, “I’m fortunately enough it’s been a very smooth transition.” Although she’s extremely dedicated to student government, Okwara’s political practices are taken beyond campus as well. She has interned with IMPACT, which is an organization dedicated to helping young Black politicians and professionals. She has also worked with the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, who she says does a lot of research and conventions for young political leaders as well. In the future, Okwara has hopes to strengthen and further her political career.

Muhammad said, “It really hurt me when I found out about the incidents in Quebec and how the mosque was being terrorized. I should be able to feel safe when I go pray or my brother should be able to feel safe when he prays.” In addition to the speakers, students lit candles for those affected and sang protest songs. Between speakers, students practiced chants to prepare for the march to the Supreme Court. “We have a duty to be the root of a new civilization,” Powell said. “Specifically, we must educate ourselves on

the topic so that we have a paradigm shift occur to think and act more globally. If we try to confine our struggles to these United States of America, we will not be successful.” As part of this challenge, Jessica Broaden, Howard University Chapel Assistants president reminded students of the Fannie Lou Hamer quote: “Nobody is free until everybody’s free.” The event culminated in a march from Howard to the Supreme Court, where students then joined other protesters.

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CAMPUS

CAMPUS SPEAK OUT

Name: Ashley White Classification: Junior Major: Computer Science Hometown: West Orange, New Jersey

Name: Skylar King Classification: Transfer Sophomore Major: Philosophy Hometown: Dallas, Texas

Name: Ivy Kerubo Classification: Freshman Major: Political Science Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya

1. “I feel like it is, but I also feel 1. “I feel like there’s some, but 1. “No. I feel like it’s vibrant in like people could be more active. Especially with the political climate going on now, I feel like students should be more active not just on campus, but offcampus.”

2. “I would love to see it prog-

ress, to get to a point where race wouldn’t be such a problem anymore. But at the same time, I know it’s almost unrealistic to think that issues of race will ever disappear.”

it’s not vibrant. When they plan stuff, it’s usually during people’s class hours.”

“Forward. To move forward…Let’s get our message more widespread. Find different platforms and bring more people to the fight.”

Name: De’onna Nixson Classification: Freshman Major: TV/Film major Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

1. “Yeah, I think in a sense.

Media-wise, throughout social media, but as far as going out and doing it? I wouldn’t say across campus.”

“Forward, I mean that’s the only direction. [We need to] fight back more and be on the same page.”

certain pockets [among] groups of people who think alike…I haven’t seen it across campus in a united front.”

2. “The black liberation move-

ment today needs to be more accepting of intersections. A common enemy should bring together other marginalized groups and intersections…Black people have almost ostracized white people. Voices of privilege have a platform that we don’t.”

1. Do you feel that student activism at Howard University is vibrant across campus? 2. In what direction would you like to see the black liberation movement go today? Interviews Conducted By: Chloe Pantophlet, Taiyler Mitchell, Tia Humphries, Zia Thompson

Name: Jazmyn Jackson Classification: Junior Major: English Hometown: Covington, Georgia

“I feel like the Howard community is very involved in activism. You see the sheer number of people who went to the Women’s March, who marched for Mike Brown. I don’t know anyone on Howard’s campus who wouldn’t consider themselves an activist.”

“Our movement has been scattered, especially with what’s going on. But I just want our movement to continue to build. We need to stay involved. We need to protest, we need to vote, we need to run for office. We need to continue to uplift our communities.” Name: Kaie Jarvis Classification: Freshman Major: Political Science and Philosophy Hometown: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

1. “Student activism is shifting

away from what it used to be… I feel like since I’ve been at Howard, there hasn’t been a strong presence of activism and unity on campus. There are some people who will protest, but the majority doesn’t.”

Name: Raina Henderson Classification: Freshman Major: Political Science and Philosophy Hometown Harlem, NY

1. “I think acknowledgement

of these issues is vibrant, but in terms of actual actions taking place, it’s not very vibrant unfortunately. I think this is the perfect place to cultivate a movement like that but people don’t know how to do it effectively and also I think that we are sadly maybe surrounded by people who are complacent to the severity of the issues.”

“More in a legislative approach. People are into organizing in emotional frustration, but what happens after? At this point, people need to actively infiltrate in terms of political change.”

“I believe that the black liberation movement needs to be more intersectional. The movement needs to include other issues, like black transgender people, queer people, women and immigrants.”

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Organization Spotlight: Bison Pre-Alumni Club By Jacinth Jones Staff Writer

he Bison Pre-Alumni Club (BPAC), established in May 2016, is a membership-driven and student-led organization dedicated towards developing future alumni leadership amongst Howard University’s current student population. In partnership with the Howard University Alumni Association (HUAA), BPAC is a membership driven student organization with a purpose to enforce and embrace Howard University traditions for students of the HU community and to provide support to the HUAA with special emphasis on the simulations of interests and participation of students in creating a culture of student philanthropy through programs and alumni engagement. “This give students Howard University Bison pride in addition to realizing this club can offer a plethora of things such as scholarships and providing students with a possibility of coming out of Howard and being successful,” said Jessica Jones, BPAC’s vice president of communications. In light of Howard’s sesquicentennial next month, BPAC has already begun initiating plans as confirmed by chair of operations Margaux Powell. “We are putting together an event that is both a privilege for members and a service for undergraduates,” said Powell. “The focus is going to revolve around networking so that undergraduates are able

to connect with alumni in the celebration of the type of people Howard creates.” “In essence of Howard’s 150th anniversary, we are trying to install financial literacy and philanthropy to show students why donating is important in addition to being more prominent on campus,” added Virgil Parker, president of BPAC. “It is about the financial scope of HBCUs. We are modelling practices to other universities like Spelman and Morehouse that have pre-alumni clubs to implement the significance of contributing to your alma mater”. President of HUAA and 2008 Howard graduate Nadia Pinto also shedded light as to why BPAC is essential for students to be apart of. “This organization gives HUAA a direct access to touch with students who are excited and want more from alumni. We are able to connect with them on multiple levels through mentor-mentee relationships and provide students with a support system as we build connections and other resources for students and Howard University.” “People create opportunities for you before you realize you even wanted these opportunities,” Pinto continued. “It helps shape and mold who you are. It’s a way to find someone within in the network and an opportunity to say what you want

to help your development into your career.” BPAC serves to create opportunities for current students to start understanding the scope and the why of becoming an active alumni. Jones expressed his gratitude of being an executive of BPAC and why the organization is important. “During my freshman year, a lot of my friends were going through the ‘purge’ and came to the realization that they were unable to afford returning or staying at Howard,” Jones said. “Many alumni don’t understand or grasp the concept of donating because they don’t see where their funds are going. I wanted to be apart of this because if you donate to BPAC, a student will be able to stay at Howard and have the best four years of their life. “We want to show alumni to give back to the school that continues to give to not those that graduated but are here.” Leon Field, chair of BPAC’s recruitment, said, “BPAC is a positive light that is not hidden. It’s not something you have to dig deep to find. People get connected with alumni and feel the bison pride. It has helped me as a student to be a positive person.” “If we come together and be really

By Raaziq Brown, Contributing Cartoonist

proud of Howard and what it’s done for us, we can make it better and further Howard’s longevity,” said Powell. BPAC has already displayed their presence on campus with various events, including collaborating with Howard University Homecoming Committee, Howard University Student Association Senate, and the College of Arts and Sciences ‘Limitless’ Student Council held last semester, in addition to a new monthly community and service initiative for this semester. Most events BPAC hosts will have membership openings without an application or selective process. There are currently almost 200 members and the club hopes to receive a further intake within the next few months by possibly having Alternative Spring Break participants automatically enrolled as BPAC members, along with a ‘first year free’ membership for freshmen.

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NEWS EyE on Africa 5 4

By Sophia Hussein Contributing Writer

In Opposition (SPLA-IO), accused the Egyptian Air Force of conducting bombing raids on its bases in the northern village of Kaka. In the statement, Deng called upon the African Union and the United Nations to investigate Egypt’s involvement in the ongoing civil war in South Sudan. Government officials from South Sudan and Egypt both deny any involvement on the part of the Egyptian military.

SOMALIA

On Feb. 2, police in the South African capital of Cape Town announced that three Somali nationals had been shot and killed. All three victims were shopkeepers in the neighborhood of Khayelitsha, just minutes apart from each other. According to the police report, nothing had been stolen from the shops, and the motives are still unclear.

SOUTH SUDAN

In a statement released on Feb. 3, Colonel William Gatjiath Deng, military spokesman for the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-

ANGOLA

Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, 74, confirmed on Friday that he will not run in the elections set to take place in August. Dos Santos came to power in 1979, and his 38 years in office will make him the second longest-serving African president. After his term ends, Dos Santos will remain president of the ruling party, the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA). As president of the MPLA, Dos Santos will still have the power to choose parliament candidates and appoint individuals to top positions in the army and police.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO Clashes between law enforcement and the political-religious group Bundu dia Knongo (BDK) took place on Friday are believed to have killed eight members of BDK. According to Jonas Lukok, provincial coordinator of the New Civil Society, members of BDK were making their way to the morgue in the southwestern town of Kimpese to recover the bodies of fellow members killed in protests last month. Lukok added that “there were 12 deaths, including three children.” However, other activists in Kimpese reported that at least eight unarmed BDK members had been killed. A police spokesman confirmed to Reuters that several people had been killed in the clashes in Kimpese, but did not provide any further details. Many blame President Joseph Kaliba’s failure to step down from the presidency as a catalyst for violent uprisings such as the one in Kimpese. Under the DRC’s constitution, Kaliba was supposed to have stepped down in December of 2016.

SOUTH AFRICA

On Feb. 2, South African President Jacob Zuma expressed his condolences to the families of the almost 100 psychiatric patients killed in the province of Gauteng last year. Gauteng is one of the most affluent provinces in the country and is home to the capital, Pretoria, as well as the city of Johannesburg. Many have voiced outrage and blamed the president for the deaths. Opponents have also called for the resignation of David Makhura, Premier of Gauteng Province, while the provinces top health official have already resigned. The report released by a health watchdog claimed that patients were transferred to nongovernmental facilities operating without valid licenses. The report also cites that some of the institutions were overcrowded and did not have sufficient food or staff. According to the report, only one of the 94 deaths came as a result of mental illness, while the other 93 patients died of dehydration, diarrhea or other preventable causes.

‘I Am Not Your Negro’ Exudes A Powerful, Relevant Film For The Times By Justin Cohen Staff Writer

arrated by Samuel L. Jackson and directed by Raoul Peck, I Am Not Your Negro tells the story of James Baldwin and his observations on American race relations. The documentary hit theaters on Feb. 3 and has since become an Oscar nominee. In partnership with Howard University, an advance screening of the film was held at Sankofa Books & Films, Thursday, Feb. 1. In 1979, James Baldwin wrote a letter to his agent detailing his next manuscript entitled, “Remember This House,” explaining that it would be a personal account of the lives of three of his close friends — Medgar Evers, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X — who all were assassinated. At the time of Baldwin’s death, he left the story only a third of the way completed. Through I Am Not Your Negro, Peck attempts to encapsulate the book that Baldwin never finished. “James Baldwin was one of the few authors that I could call ‘my own.’ Authors who were speaking of a world I knew, in which I was not just a footnote. They were telling stories describing history and defining structure and human

relationships which matched what I was seeing around me,” said Peck. The film tackles many issues facing Black Americans today and in the past. It deals with issues such as the Civil Rights Movement, #BlackLivesMatter, Black representation in Hollywood as well as in our daily lives. Through the examination of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and MLK, it attempts to paint a portrait of the contemporary Black landscape in America. The film pays a considerable amount of time detailing Baldwin’s self-imposed exodus to Paris. Peck explains his interpretation of Baldwin’s intentions as stepping back from the troubles of our country so that he could better see them objectively and come to a greater understanding of the problem at hand. In a memorable scene from the film, Baldwin remarks, “I could not have been a Black Muslim or a Black Panther for I did not believe white people were devils,” speaking to the entire theme of the film. Compared to Malcolm X, MLK’s

ideas were much more moderate; however, through their lives and by the end of them, both their ideologies became closer to each other’s. What the film illustrates is the differing viewpoints, ideas and ideologies that exist within the Black existence and contrast them with one another, while showing that the end goal of all the ideas presented is the betterment of the Black condition. If such disparate viewpoints exist among the Black community, then how can the concept of a singular “nigger” exist to diminish the difference? Baldwin saw the whole picture, concerning race relations in America, as evidenced by his famous line, “I’m not a nigger, I’m a man, but if you think I’m a nigger, it means you need it. If I’m not a nigger here and you invented him, then you’ve got to find out why.” The violence and discrimination Baldwin fought during his lifetime persists, the fight he perpetuated remains present, and his story remains relevant as seen in the documentary.

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COLUMN

Vaughn Rebellion and the Case Against Prisons By Juan McFarland Contributing Writer

n Feb. 1, prisoners at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna, Delaware organized an uprising, leaving one correctional officer dead and another vaguely injured. It was the 152nd anniversary of the 13th Amendment, which legalizes slavery as a punishment for crime. The siege began around 10:30 a.m., with four guards and several inmates being held captive inside the prison. At approximately 1:00 p.m., an unnamed inmate spoke with the Wilmington News Journal over the phone, outlining the cause of the rebellion and revealing the demands of the prisoners. “We know the institution is going to change for the worse [sic],” the man said, insisting that President Donald Trump will likely encourage harsher prison conditions. “We got demands that you need to pay attention to, that you need to listen to and you need to let them know. Education, we want education first and foremost. We want a rehabilitation program that works for everybody. We want the money to be allocated so we can know exactly what is going on in the prison, the budget.” According to Stephen Hampton, a civil rights attorney who has represented many of these inmates, complaints about treatment from guards, substandard medical care, and poor record-keeping had

increased within the last year, underscoring the violent and dehumanizing conditions that exist in many of America’s federal plantations. Ironically, the Vaughn Rebellion transpired just four months after the commencement of a nationwide prison strike that protested many of the same issues, and the release of Ava DuVernay’s documentary, 13th, which illuminates the horrifying realities of mass incarceration, enslavement, and the use of prison labor in this country. With the institution of incarceration gaining attention in the mainstream media, many liberals have pushed for prison reform in the U.S., believing that they are doing an actual justice to the oppressed, whose voices they have often contributed to silencing behind steel doors. However, more liberal reform of the prison industrial complex is not what is needed, but complete abolition of the entire institution itself. Think about it: What is the purpose of our prison system in America? Does it function to rehabilitate criminals? If so, then we should be funding more rehabilitation programs and centers that circumvent recidivism instead of funneling money into spaces that force inmates to provide cheap labor to large corporations like Whole Foods and Victoria’s Secret. Are prisons meant to reduce crime by taking

away the actors, leaving the factors that induce criminal activity, such as a poverty and mental illnesses, very much in place? The truth is, prisons are not for rehabilitating criminals or reducing crime — they are a means in which the state maintains its racist and classist social order, erasing those who engage in what the people in power view as “illegitimate” forms of capitalism. One cannot help, but be reminded of the infamous Attica rebellion of 1971 in upstate New York, where 1,281 prisoners held 39 correctional officers hostage for four days before being brutally executed in an indiscriminate hail of fire from submachine guns and tear gas. When the smoke cleared, and all the gunfire came to a halt, 10 hostages and 29 inmates had been killed, and 89 others were critically injured. The inmates in Attica were also calling for prison reform. The year is now 2017, and American citizens are still being haunted by the specters of Gestapo police forces, prison-based slavery, racism and classism. The people are resisting every day, and revolts are becoming much more normal. The only question that lies, both in the prisons and outside, is when the smoke clears again, in which direction will we veer? Reform or revolution?

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN CHAPEL? Want to invite the Howard Community to your next event or program? All colleges, schools, organizations, alumni, and community groups are welcome to have a “Call to Chapel.” All “Calls to Chapel” must be submitted no later than 10:00 A.M. Monday morning to be included in the Chapel service.

Email: Chapel@howard.edu

Members of the Howard University School of Divinity Community share a moment with Father Michael Pfleger, a Chicago Pastor and activist.

Interested in Alternative Spring Break? Join us this Sunday…. Cramton Auditorium – 11:00 A.M. For information on all things ASB, visit: http://www.huasb.com The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry Presiding Bishop and Primate The Episcopal Church Deeper in Faith – Wider in Community! New York, New York

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Office of Residence Life and University Housing

2017 - 2018 Housing Selection Pay Your RSVP Deposit online through February 24th, 2017 online or at the Cashier. Download the RSVP Information Packet online at www.howard.edu/residencelife

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE?

IMPORTANT DATES Deadline to make deposit: February 24 Housing Selection: February 27March 1

Office of Residence Life (202)-806-6131 www.howard.edu/residencelife NOTE: Continuing students who are recipients of th Presidential, Laureate, Capstone, Founders, Hartford, Upward Bound or Gates Millenium Scholarships are not required to submit a RSVP deposit, but must make an online housing selection.

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CULTURE

So please, come think with me relink with me and don’t you ever leave. It’s succinct that we re-ink the streets and teach black power to the delinquency. Now let me switch it up Now I still got what Jill Scott sought, so I ought to spit her spirit in my lyrics I know you hear it it’s sincere it’s just that... I don’t know how else to say it. I used the Old Soul Love to mold whole plugs into this poem you know them the 112, Biv DeVoe and Bell, Music Soulchild I used his whole style to tell you... that I want you badly. You said you want some Marvin Gaye some Luther Vandross well I’ll be happy to oblige. I play slow jamz that go ham and I can see it in your eyes. When I see you it’s a fantastic Fantasia you’re a drastic man changer Baby go ahead and free yourself you already walked out of

You are so beautiful teach me your love, there’s so many things I’ve got to tell you

By Kyana Harris Staff Writer

First, your skin, you know I love your brown skin, I can’t tell where yours begins, I can’t tell where mine ends...

I want to plant my roots I’m coming to Break You Off, get my cocoa butter, and make you soft you know I’m The Healer. I bow down to Badu Erykah found out and brought you back in the day. Your mind’s Gone Baby Gone Baby don’t be long. I have to give you a little Sumthin’ Sumthin’ before you reach your Maxwell.

20 years to Life

You have such Pretty Wings I remember candy store and uncut we can reach ascension. block party days You are a Phoenix. Englewood born and strategiAfter all, that’s the fire we cally raised … UP make, Exceeding the warden’s expectaand I’m getting hotter and tions of me hotter. My ambition got me out of jail Cell block marked UnfortunateBut it’s getting late. ly Reality If my floetry of poetry has you noticing you My deepest fear is failure want me to take you down So my only option was good with Jodescei in the backbehavior ground... If they let me out, then I can do All you gotta do is Say Yes it for my people Planting seeds, dropping jewels Even building a temple By Jamal Washington, To praise God for getting me Senior, through

Marketing Major, Laurel, MD.

See Your Poem or Artwork in The Hilltop! Contact: CULTURE@THEHILLTOPONLINE.COM for more details and guidelines.

Free physically, imprisoned mentally Reminiscing About how I exclaimed to the heavens the day I was set free All is well, and let your will be… Done.

By Pamela Mondane, Junior, Finance Major, Chicago, IL.

Courtesy Photo : Google

Oh baby, I remember the days before we met. My eyes strayed I tried ways to forget past follies the were never jolly I ‘ll probably never find my Eve. That frequency the sequency would frequently displease.

poetry

Old Soul Love

OPINION If It Isn’t Brotherly Love: An Ode of Appreciation to “New Edition”

heaven. I was on the Jagged Edge of a jagged ledge before I learned my lesson. And baby I Promise to find your Ginuwine Differences. From Drew Hall to Dru Hill I have seen your beauty.

n the age of Twitter beefs and Worldstar brutality, Black men aren’t always seen expressing brotherhood in the media. It’s cool to be savage, and not depend emotionally on anyone, especially not fellow brothers. This recurrent image of hypermasculinity pressures many men in the Black community to conform to it. However, BET’s highly anticipated New Edition biopic proved that not all Black men see each other as enemies or opponents. In fact, they grew with each other and rose from boys to men. Though it wasn’t an easy journey, and there were plenty of fights, no fight could take away from their bond of brotherhood. As young boys, they were just happy to blow up together. As they grew to be teens, some of the boys began maturing faster than others (Bobby Brown), which caused friction. A few went solo, a new trio was made, and egos kept them from being as close as they used to be. But the thread that held it all together was love. Family might not always like each other, but the love is still there. Seeing these talented Black men come together and speak their truth was powerful. Black men are strong, but they are not unbreakable. In fact, they are stronger when they stand together. We praise hood classics such as movies “Juice” or “Paid in Full” ‘being the man’ and being ‘savages’, but what messages are they really sending? Are we normalizing the idea of betraying lifelong friends and killing each other over money? Issues when Black men are only seen as these hypermasculine, aggressive types. They’re not shown as loving fathers who take care of their kids. It’s rare to see a Black man simply in love with a Black woman (unless the show is specifically geared toward a Black audience). While it is entertainment, as a community we have to be mindful of how we are portrayed. Hood classics are cool, but they are not and should not be a reality. Idolizing the life that demands this hypermasculinity only further perpetuates the problem. There aren’t enough shows or movies that show black men relating to each other in a positive way. As a Black woman and a viewer, I appreciated the depiction of New Edition as a community of men conquering their trials and tribulations with love, not violence.

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What Howard Students Really Think of BET’s “The Quad” By Montana Couser Contributing Writer

impressed with the story line.

he long awaited release of BET’s newest show, “The Quad”, premiered on Wednesday, Feb. 1. The setting is, of course, a Historically Black College and University, and focuses on student and faculty life at an HBCU. In the first episode, Dr. Eva Fletcher, played by actress Anika Noni Rose, is forced to resign from her job as the president of a liberal arts college because of an affair with a student. Fletcher faces marriage problems as well as an ongoing battle with her daughter. Later in the show Dr. Fletcher decided to take on the position as president of Georgia A&M University in hopes to save her career. Rashad Lee, a senior film major, from Los Angeles, California, had an ominous opinion on the show before watching. Since the show was premiering on BET and was about life at an HBCU, Lee assumed the show would include

(Photo Credit: BET.com)

bad acting and a horrible plot, but was surprised with the end results when he finally watched the show. “I didn’t know what this show was going to be about in the beginning,” Lee said. “I just thought, ‘Oh BET, probably another low budget show with unknown ac-

Claudia McNeil

Actress Claudia McNeil is best known for her role as Lena Younger in “Raisin in the Sun.” She was born in Baltimore in 1917 and was adopted by a Jewish family as a teenager. At the beginning of her entertainment career she was a dancer, touring South America with Katherine Dunham in 1951. She then performed as a singer in nightclubs until her acting debut in “The Crucible” in 1953. In 1957, McNeil’s performance in “Simply Heavenly” earned her a Tony nomination. In 1959, McNeil took on her famous role as Lena Younger. She maintained that role in 1961 for the screen adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry’s work, receiving critical acclaim for both her screen and stage performances. For the next twenty years, McNeil continued working. She performed in plays, movies, TV shows and operas for the remainder of her career. In 1983 she retired, and ten years later she died in the Actors’ Fund Nursing Home in Englewood, New Jersey.

tors.’ After I watched it, I was surprised. It was actually a good show and I might watch the next episode.” Salina Kamara, a junior public relations major, from San Francisco, California, thought the show was great. She was particularly

Blacks in the Arts: A MiniSeries By Chantè Russell Staff Writer

Kamara said, “I think this is a really good show. When I was watching, I was shocked that the president had an affair with a student. I really didn’t think all that would be going down on the first episode.” Desmond Andrews, a senior broadcast journalism major, from Los Angeles, California, had mixed feelings about the first episode. She thought it depicted HBCUs in a negative way and didn’t promote enough learning. Andrews said, “I liked it, but then I didn’t. It’s good to have a show with a juicy plot, but then again, the message that was being put across wasn’t that great. I just don’t want people to think all that happens at an HBCU is sex and I barely saw any classroom settings, or learning.” “The Quad” will be showing each Wednesday on BET at 10 p.m.

Ira Aldridge

Howard University’s Ira Aldridge theatre is named after actor Ira Aldridge, born in New York City in 1807. He began his career as an actor as teenager in the early 1820’s with the African Grove Theatre. In 1825, Aldridge took his talent to London where he starred in “The Revolt of Surinam,” but his performance was met with racist reviews. Aldridge continued to tour the United Kingdom playing Othello, Macbeth and other Shakespearean characters. In 1833, he returned to London to play Othello when Edmund Kean, who had been playing the role, died. In 1852, Aldridge went on his first major European tour which gained him his fame. He spent the rest of his life touring Europe and Russia and speaking out against slavery. He contributed financially to anti-slavery movements and incorporated songs of freedom into his productions. In 1867, Ira Aldridge died in Lodz, Poland while on tour.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017

THE HILLTOP

PAGE 11

SPORTS O

n Sunday, Feb. 5, football fans commenced around the world to watch Super Bowl LI. Competing were the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots. The game was far from your traditional Super Bowl game. Both teams failed to put points on the scoreboard during the first quarter, going into the second quarter 0-0. However, come the second quarter, the Falcons began to dominate the scoreboard, finishing the half 21-3 lead. In the second half, the dominating Falcons began to unravel, losing control of the field and the board. Both team scored a touchdown in the third quarter. At the start of the fourth, the score was 9-28 and the touchdown the Falcons scored in the third quarter would be their last. Despite having momentum and Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones catching the ball within the 30-yard line, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan struggled to find a man to pass the ball to, ultimately

getting sacked behind the 30-yard mark. From there, the Falcons went on to get a flag thrown against them, and they never recovered. Upon getting possession of the ball, Brady struggled to make successful passes to his teammates. Struggling to make a touchdown, Patriots kicker Stephen Gostowski put points on the board with a field goal, bringing the score 12-28. After this, the Patriots picked up a head of steam, scoring two touchdowns and two-point conversions, tying the game at 28-28. Having the final possession, the Falcons were unable to respond, forcing the game into overtime (this was the first Super Bowl game in history that went into overtime). The Patriots had the first and only possession in overtime, running first down after first down. Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady, put his trust in Patriots running back James White, who ran the ball to the Falcons’ 15-yard line. Brady then tried to pass

the ball to Martellus Bennett for a touchdown, but a pass-

Super Bowl LI: What Happened? By Brittany Webb Sports Editor

interference by the Falcons cause the pass to be unsuccessful. However, the penalty moved the Patriots to the 2-yard line. Brady tried to throw another pass to Bennett, but the

pass was blocked by Atlanta Falcon linebacker Vic Beasley Jr. The next play, White ran in the game-winning touchdown, managing to get the ball over the end zone line, despite the Falcons’ defense trying to push him away from the end zone. Some may say his knee was down before the ball was in the end zone, but officials counted the touchdown. “We knew we were in the game the whole time. We knew we weren’t playing as well as we wanted to that first half,” White said. “We went into halftime and just tried to get guys fire up. It’s going to be a long second half. Defense gets stops, offense just keeps putting points up and the lead will keep narrowing, and like I said we’ll be in the position to take that shot and win the game.” White was the breakout player of the game, breaking three personal and Super Bowl records. White scored 20 out of 34 of the Patriots’ points, no single player has