February 24, 2016
The African American Experience at Meredith College M’Beyanna Robinson, Staff Writer
As an African American student at Meredith College, you stand out in the classroom and on campus. Sometimes you might get so overjoyed to see another person of color, just to know you’re not alone. With hair that defies gravity and a persona so radiant, it’s hard to ignore us. Also, not to mention it’s stressful feeling like you always have to prove your worth. We always feel obligated to answer a question in class about race relations or have the best presentation, because somehow we’ve been elected as the spokesperson for African Americans nationwide. You have to constantly argue the idea that you can be an intellectual and also use colloquial euphemisms to express yourself. Also, the annoying pain caused by explaining to your peers that your name is not “ghetto,” it’s authentic. These are just some of the things included in the experience of being a black woman. The pressure to be successful can be overwhelming when you know what others before you had to overcome, just so you can sit in a classroom. Most of us would go to the ends of the Earth to meet Gwendolyn Hilliard, the first African American to graduate
from Meredith in 1971, because to us she’s legendary. However, the most amazing part about the Meredith experience is what that means to each student, professor and staff member. Here’s what a few people had to say about diversity over the years: Deborah Davis, Food Services 18 years employed at Meredith College “There are definitely more international students! Also, Meredith students have the opportunity to study abroad is definitely a good thing. Mainly because studying abroad helps broaden their outlook on life and how they view people. That is very important, especially during this time!” Del Crudup, Food Services, 15 years “When I first started working, there was not many minorities attending the college. The college feels more comfortable now and the school has more spirit. The few minorities that attend, I believe they feel more comfortable now.” Lahoma Smith, Food Services 13 years “I have seen a development in leadership in a positive way.” Dr. Wetonah Parker, 23 years “The faculty in the Department of
Education hope to continue to recruit a more diverse student population in education. Our schools are becoming more diverse and need a more diverse population to teach them!” Dr. Cameron Johnson, 8 years “The biggest thing for me is the college is more stable as far as the faculty and the leadership. Also, I think there is push for more international students and diversity within the school. The recognition Meredith is getting on a regional and national level has been great over the years too.” Mary Massenburg, Food Services 45 years “When I first started working here at Meredith, the girls would go through the kitchen and get separate bowls for the food. Only 8 girls could sit at a table and one girl would serve all the food. On Sunday back then the dining hall closed at 5 and we would the girls bag lunches. Sometimes they would have an apple, sandwich and a bag of chips and that was dinner! Also, when I started there was only one black girl and her name was Gwendolyn. She was very friendly! We talked all the time and I would ask her about her day and just her experience here. She told me the girls were very nice to her
for the most part, she had one or two problems with other girls but that was it! I just really love what I do and I love the girls!” Raven Gregory, Class of 2016 “You definitely stand out and it’s difficult because college is a time where you’re trying to get to know yourself and figure out what you want to do with your future. So, it’s hard to be surrounded by things that you fail to identify with, but it forces you to go and find those things that you’re missing. Mainly because it’s not a part of your everyday Meredith College experience. It kind of empowers you because with us being such a small population here, we represent African Americans to our peers. I think it’s a big responsibility and I don’t feel like I meet up to those expectations. Especially when you think all the great African Americans in the media, like The President and his wife, Oprah and Shonda Rhimes! We are their black impression. So, we have to know ourselves and we have to carry ourselves well, so essentially we can educate them.”
many unjust police brutalities against the black community. However, it is unfair to claim that the police force as a whole is a problem in our nation. More than likely, the #BlackLivesMatter movement never wanted to make these two particular populations feel like they were being targeted, but that is what has happened. Just like the hesitancy towards Black Power in the late 60’s, not much has changed within our nation. However, it is important to recognize the foundation of why something exists in the first place. The problem with Black Power is not Black Power itself, but rather the ignorance that other groups tend to confuse it with. At our small college, we encourage and embrace diversity, and we recognize the importance of understanding one another. Sania Laraib, ’19, says that, “Being an ethnic minority myself, I stand to represent the Black Power movement. I believe Meredith College to be culturally diverse in every aspect and that we should definitely continue expanding our mindsets.” By doing that, we all must stand together to fight social injustice, no matter who we are or where we have come from. The #BlackLivesMatter movement may be making some people uncomfortable, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Whether one agrees with the movement or not,
it is difficult to ignore that there is a problem, and that’s improvement and a step in the right direction. While this movement particularly highlights the black community, people of all races and backgrounds are beginning to join the cause, especially other minorities. Amanda Lee Oakes-Foalima, ’18, states that she thinks that “empowering our black community is very beneficial to the school,” and she is appreciative that the Meredith College Black Student Union is “inclusive of all students and supportive of all students.” Lisa Jones, ’16, recognizes the importance of accepting the social problems that we have in our nation, and she emphasizes the need for our country to continue improving. “It is important to recognize the wrongdoings that the black community is experiencing,” Jones says, “but other minorities have experienced some terrible things too, so I think that in order to progress as a society, we need to recognize that people of all race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. need to be treated equally while still embracing our differences that make us all unique.” Dielle McMillan, ’17, agrees, and says that “You do not always have to agree with someone -- just respect who they are and what they represent.”
The “Problem” with Black Power Brooke Mayo, Staff Writer An excerpt from “’Black Power’ Philosophy Explained, Discussed Here” by Jeannie Sams on October 26, 1967. “Dr. Hedgeman was making Meredith students think. They were misinformed, as are most whites, of the meaning of black power. ‘Black power is not something to be afraid of; black power,’ as Dr. Hedgeman says, ‘is pushing America towards her best self. Three hundred some years is a lot of free labor. It’s a great debt this country owes.’ ‘What do Negroes want?’ she is often asked. Her reply, ‘We want everything – The things Americans want. When? Yesterday.’ There is no doubt that she provoked thought. ‘Black power isn’t something to be afraid of, though it does make us feel little guilty. What we must do is get on in the task of freeing ourselves, getting man back into the center of things, whether he be Negro, poor white, or Oriental.’” One would have to be living under a rock to not know about the revolution that has occurred within the black community these last couple of years, and it is arguable that the #BlackLivesMatter movement is stronger than it has ever been. Here at Meredith College, we have had a Diversity Week and an Awareness Week to highlight minorities at our
institution this year alone. Our idols, including “Queen” Beyoncé, are making political statements every time they enter the spotlight. However, why is this movement still causing so much controversy? Some may argue that the problem with the #BlackLivesMatter movement is that it only highlights one race, and that it’s not fair to the other races. In fact, it could cause anybody outside of the black community to feel a bit uncomfortable. The alternative #AllLivesMatter movement was formed as a rebuttal, as it expresses the Humanitarian principle that no race is more important than another. However, the #BlackLivesMatter movement was never formed to make the black population the superior race, nor was it formed to discriminate against others. Rather, it was created to recognize the injustice that this particular race tends to feel and experience in the United States. One of the main problem that arises is when other populations feel that they are being targeted through the uplifting of another group. The white community may feel like the finger is being pointed at them and that they’re at fault for the circumstances that the black community endures. Or, rather, what about the police community? The #BlackLivesMatter movement was formed as a direct result of too
STAFF
Rachel Pratl, Editor in Chief. Emily Chilton, Assistant / A&E Editor. Cheyenne Williams, Op-Ed Editor. Laura Douglass, News Editor. Faith Rogers, Layout Designer. Olivia McElvaney, Online Editor. Instagram Manager, Sarah Kiser. Twitter Manager, Valerie Bobola. Sarah Haseeb, Website Designer. Staff Writers: Katrina Thomas, Brooke Mayo, Caroline Garrett, Niki Bell, Kat Bonner, Kayla Kushner, Alexa Ianuale, Sarah Kiser, M’Beyanna Robinson, Katie Murphy, Baileigh Jones
News Forward with Faith, Remembering Our Three Winners Seung Pang, Staff Writer
Al-Iman, a private elementary school in Raleigh, is where they all met. After they drifted apart to attend different college, Zineb and Miriam reunited with Razan through United Muslim Relief organization, which they participated in Project Downtown to feed homeless people at Moore Square in downtown Raleigh. “Razan always thought of better ways to help these people. She had an idea of taking videos of them to get to know their names and stories.” said Zineb. That Saturday of the week of the tragedy, UMR members were going to implement Razan’s idea. Razan didn’t settle for helping people just around her. Two years ago when domestic issues were heating up in Palestine, Razan and UMR members collected money for donation. “Not only people in this community, but also those in overseas were all touched by her.” said Zineb.
On the day of Razan’s funeral, so many people showed up that they moved to across the street to see the funeral. Family, friends, reporters, and the whole community were there. Her father gave a speech. “He described her as a breeze. I couldn’t have described her any better.” said Miriam. “She was soft-spoken, yet passionate. And she was by far one of the most caring and considerable people I’ve ever known.” After the funeral, Zineb recognized changes in the community. She saw the growing support of the community; so many people helped UMR by donating and volunteering. “Deah, Yusor, and Razan were all very involved in the community. And after the funeral, our community became more connected and grew stronger.” said Zineb. In early February, local schools in the Triangle held the memorials to
remember the legacy of Our Three Winners. “The vigil at NC State reminded me of the vigil at UNC the day after the shooting last year; it was cold, we were heartbroken, and the community united to support each other.” said Miriam. The Light House Project was created by Deah’s brother Farris to keep Our Three Winner’s legacy alive, and contribute in leaving legacies of our own by increasing beneficial acts. #ForwardWithFaith is the Light House Project’s movement calling on all to embody values of dignity, unity, and resilience. “At the memorial, I turned around and saw the community behind me. They were not only Muslims, but everyone who knew Deah, Yusor, and Razan. It had so much diversity.” Zineb said. “We lost three lives but the whole community became closer.”
that were written about her feelings. In turn, there were also participants that did not go to Meredith; for example, Ronin Riz. He is a musician and a songwriter, and he sang his own songs. Throughout the talent show there were quite a few breaks. The first break consisted of two members from the audience participating in a round of trivia. These questions were about famous African – American people in the United States. The final break consisted of a lip – sync battle between two other audience members. One person performed the song “Single
Ladies” by Beyonce and “Hotline Bling” by Drake. The talent show was the farthest thing from competitive. For example, for the lip sync battle there was no designated winner. This was more of just an event to show off the many talented individuals rather than a competition. Everyone who participated was honored and his or her talents were noticed. After the talent show was over, the audience members had a chance to sing and dance together. Everyone here seemed to really enjoy each other’s company.
To my surprise, there was not an overall winner for the talent show either. This shows that this event, and this organization are not fond of designated winners or losers. The talent show was merely a fun event for everyone to go to. Bernadette Gonzales, a student at Meredith says “I really enjoyed the talent show. It was a nice break to de-stress for an hour or so.” Given the show’s title, I was shocked to see that there was nobody to whip or nae – nae as his or her performance for the talent show.
For over a decade, we have seen the Middle East torn by war. While the United States has been mostly viewing the region with a counter-terrorism lens, the Israelis and Palestinians have been at war. BBC News reported that in 1947, Israel was created out of land that belonged to Palestine. The political science department brought two activists from the Coalition of Peace and Justice to Meredith College. The political science department brought these two activists in to tell their stories and was very excited to expose students to this topic, saying “We have been engaged in the middle east since most of [our students] have
been born, so this topic has [relates] to that experience and relative policy. I think it’s something they need to be aware of, keep themselves abreast of and engage in.” The audience heard two stories. The first was from Eran Efrati. He was a solider for the Israeli Army. He told the story of his background with one grandmother who was the only survivor from the holocaust, and his father who had lived in Jerusalem for many years. He was one of the original Arab Jews in the city. He joined the Army and quickly realized that the Israelis were destroying the lives of the Palestine civilians. He compared the conflict to
ethnic cleansing and apartheid. He has made it his life mission to get the word out to Americans. When asked about the goal he said, “The two-state plan is dead.” He believes the two countries should be united again as one. The second speaker was Maya Wind. She organized a movement not to go into the draft after high school. On her draft date she went to the military base and explained she wasn’t going to participate and went to jail. She currently is getting her degree at New York University. She inquired of the audience why peace wasn’t considered an option more often.
Dr. Dan Fountain, department head of History and Political Science, discussed why these types of events are so important for students, saying that “One of the goals of a Meredith College education is to be globally aware, this event clearly talks about a global issue that impacts both international and national policy. Having them exposed to thinkers and doers from across the globe is very vital to their education.” He hopes that students attend these events when they see them in the future. For more information on this topic visit www.cpwj.org
Women of MC
Katie Murphy and Baileigh Jones, Staff Writers
Zineb and Razan. Photo Credit: Zineb Baali
Feb 10, 2016 marks the one year anniversary of the tragic loss of “Our Three Winners” Deah, Yusor, and Razan. Three innocent, young Muslim Americans were killed at Chapel Hill shooting, right when anti-Muslim sentiment was growing in the country. . Zineb Baali and Miriam Zouhri of Muslim Student Association, who had a special friendship with Razan, shared their memories of her.
#WatchMe… Whip? Kat Bonner, Staff Writer
Meredith College’s Black Student Union presented a talent show called “Watch Me.” This event took place on February 19th at 7:00 pm in Kresge Auditorium. Since February is Black History Month, the BSU has put on this talent show as a part of Black Empowerment week at Meredith College. There were a lot of people who came to support their friends show off their talents. At this event, there was a variety of talent presented by these Meredith Students: singing, dancing, even writing poems. Jessica Boyd, a Meredith Angel, recited her own poems
Peaceful Politics Laura Licata, News Editor
“Meredith College has given me so many opportunities to shine and show the world just how STRONG I am. I express my love of Communication and Dance everyday through on campus jobs and volunteering. There is nothing that I can’t do here. I have embraced my love of planning events through Fire and Water and now CORN! I love Wonderland and all that it has to offer!” -Sierra Smith
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Arts & Entertainment
Waiting for Godot: Review and Summary Sarah Kiser, Staff Writer
Photo Credit: Meredith.edu
Essentially nothing happened and then intermission came. I turned to my friend and said “That was the most fascinating thing I’ve ever witnessed.” On February 16-21 the Meredith Ensemble Theatre performed Samuel Beckett’s absurdist play Waiting for Godot. The entire play is centered on Vladimir and Estragon waiting by a tree for Godot. They don’t know him or when he’s coming. The only thing they can do is wait. Every night since who knows how long he sends a boy to tell Vladimir that he is not coming tonight but will surely come the following night. The boy is always
fearful and like many of the other characters cannot remember from one night (or day) to the next. While they wait, Pozzo comes by with Lucky, who has a rope around his neck. Much is said, nothing accomplished and they leave. The next day Pozzo and Lucky return. This time Pozzo is blind and Lucky is mute. Then the boy returns, night falls, Estragon suddenly snoozes as Vladimir questions his existence one more time, and it is implied that the very same thing will occur the next sunrise. The square theatre was set with chairs on three sides. Audiences faced a plywood screen with a projector whirling WWII newsreels. The ambiance of the theatre places the audience in what Steven Roten writes in his Director’s Note as a “derelict drive-in,” with the audience seated above the actresses’ realm. The set remained constant through both acts with an old car seat in the center of the floor, and a desolate tree in the rear right. Downstage to the right mounted was a playground horse. Fences in the rear separated the waiting land from something else unidentifiable.
Sarah Koop, a Meredith junior, who portrays Estragon stomps on stage into the darkness. When lights come up, Estragon is vainly attempting to yank off his boots while desperately balancing on the playground horse. Sophomore Theatre Education major, Victoria Mitchell as the character Vladimir enters and immediately the two begin an enthralling repartee. Their exchanges are loquacious yet terse, for they always interrupt each other. Koop and Mitchell are clearly seasoned actresses. They performed the entire play with high energy and personal humor that aided Beckett’s theme of questioning. Even with their backs turned, their speech was clear, interesting, and natural without yelling. Estragon - or “Gogo,” as Vladimir calls him - often falls asleep and can’t remember people met or recent events. Koop skillfully performs him as an interesting, pitiable, affectionate and fearful man who lives everyday like it’s the only day. Gogo spends the entire first act wearing one or no shoes, which makes it easy to distinguish between the two as they both wear torn,
horribly-fitting suits and dirty bowler hats. The entire cast is dressed in this bedraggled style, which contributes to the point that no matter how we carry ourselves, on the wrong end of a rope like the long-winded and exasperated Lucky or demanding and oblivious like Pozzo, we are all the same: dirty and damned. Victoria Mitchell excellently portrayed Vladimir - or “Didi,” as Estragon calls him - as a man who is trying to grab on to something else. Mitchell’s Didi was contemplative, theological, and was cursed with remembering the previous day. Vladimir had the most purposeful actions and his interaction with other characters was my favorite part. Much of the dialogue that speaks to the theme of the show comes from Vladimir. Perhaps Beckett used Vladimir to put his own voice into the play. If so, Mitchell surely did the role justice. For a review of the entire cast and/or if you would like to question your own existence, read the full story at www.meredithherald.wordpress. com.
Cate Center Art Exhibit Features Works by Alums Janet Link and Sherry DiFilipo Alexa Ianuale, Staff Writer
Photo Credit: Meredith Art Department
In honor of Meredith College’s 125th anniversary, artists Janet Link and Sherry DiFilipo, both alumnae of Meredith, will be showcasing select pieces of art. The name of the exhibit, Divided by Decades – Bound by Tradition, comes from the relationship between not only Link and DiFilipo but the relationship between the artists and traditional thought and techniques. Their works are currently displayed in the Cate Center lobby on Meredith’s campus, but attending the opening reception on Thursday, Feb. 25 from 4-6 pm is a highly recommended experience.
Iowa native Janet Link, who received a BA in Studio Art from Meredith College and an MFA in Painting and Drawing at Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge, has spent most of her life in Raleigh. Link has studied drawing and painting in Paris alongside American painter Ben Long and has had works displayed in exhibits across the nation as well as in Ontario. “My studio practice is driven by an exploration of the relationship between people and objects,” Link says in her artist statement which is evident in the six works she has contributed to the exhibit. Link’s subjects are, “Primarily still life and portraiture in the realist tradition and her pictures are overtly concerned with composition,” as stated in her biography. Janet Link not only attended Meredith as a student, she returned to the private women’s college as a Professor of Art. Currently living in Raleigh, Sherry DiFilipo received her Baccalaureate in Arts Education from Meredith College
and went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts from the New York Academy of Art located in New York City. DiFilipo works with many different mediums and techniques and says she does not work “traditionally or conventionally”. In her artist statement DiFilipo says that art was always therapeutic to her and helped her, “find meaning and beauty in an adverse experience that I was not able to share.” Conveyed in each of the seven works DiFilipo has displayed in the exhibit there is a source of light in a rather dark place. In her mid-twenties she decided to attend Meredith College for an art education where she was introduced to traditional techniques. Being divided by decades and bound by tradition is an emphasis on the difference in age and education between the two artists and the similarities because of universal traditional technique. While both artists graduated from Meredith College Janet Link was one of Sherry
DiFilipo’s professors. In DiFilipo’s artist statement, after touching on her initial lack of desire to pursue an academic art career she goes on to say, “I have been greatly influenced by the professors and artists who exposed me to traditional techniques and thought.” While Link studied traditional techniques and thought abroad with other traditional artists she was able to pass on the same knowledge to her students such as DiFilipo. While there is an emphasis on the relationship between artist and traditional technique, many major traditions at Meredith College are an attempt to create bonds among those on campus. Celebrating the works of two very talented graduates of Meredith College, while also displaying a relationship between student and teacher, is a great aspect to highlight for Meredith College’s 125th anniversary. This exhibit will be open until March 24.
his job has been advising/mentoring students, and his favorite class has been cell biology because it allows him to reach out to folks who are close to declaring a major. His advice to his future students? Communicate with him well and often before big problems arise, and be prepared to work hard outside of class. It seems he’s taken some good advice himself, because he’s been given the honor of getting to do a Distinguished Faculty Member Lecture. “Less Land, More Food, and No Fights” will take place on March 15 at 7 PM and is about balancing the desires of environmentalists with the needs of farmers. As someone who came from a developing country and got his PhD in plant biochemistry, Dr. Aghoram is full of insights and
opinions on environmental issues as they pertain to food production. As an example, many students who have had class with may remember that one of his favorite mantras seems to be that “natural” doesn’t always mean “good for you and “unnatural” doesn’t always mean “bad for you.”
Faculty Spotlight: The ExCELLent Dr. Aghoram Katrina Thomas, Staff Writer
Photo Credit: Meredith Art Department
As everyone is running around and stressing out trying to get ready for midterms, it may be comforting to remember the encouraging message of someone who said that Meredith students tend to know more than they think. This sweet sentiment came from none other than beloved biology professor Dr. Aghoram, who
was recently interviewed for a faculty profile. This man’s passions for both teaching and science have been standing strong for a fairly long time. Originally from India, Dr. Aghoram came to the US twenty-three years ago to pursue a doctorate at Florida State, where one of his favorite experiences was being a teaching assistant. Afterwards, he went to NCSU to be a post-doctoral research associate. However, he found himself begging to guest lecture whenever he could because he missed teaching. Dr. Aghoram was drawn to Meredith because it was close to home and offered the chance to be in a teachingheavy job, and he says he loves working at this school. During his time here, one of his favorite parts of
When he’s not lecturing or advising, Dr. Aghoram enjoys cooking, gardening, and watching football. If he wasn’t a professor, he says he’d probably be a biotechnology research scientist but would like to be an NFL quarterback. For now, though, teaching at ‘Home Sweet Meredith’ is a great fit for him, and he’s clearly made an impact during his time here!
Editorials Interracial Couples Robin Person, Contributing Writer
Growing up my family was seen as a normal middle class American family. The only thing that made our family stand out from the neighbors next door was that my father is black and my mother is white. I am the product of an interracial relationship. When I was a young child I never thought that I was different than any of the other kids at my majority White school. It wasn’t until I was in the 5th grade that another kid at school asked me if I was adopted. I was really confused by the question because I
couldn’t understand why they would think that. Looking at it from a larger picture I never really was treated any different than any of the other kids. As I grew up and started to date I always dated whomever I was interested in no matter what their skin color was. My first boyfriend was when I was 15 and he was black. He was a really nice boy, we just didn’t work out. I never experienced any type of discrimination in any of my relationships but I’m not sure if that was different from the guy’s point of
view. Today, I am engaged to a white man. The only person that has discriminated against us is my father. I find it ironic that the most racist person that I know is my own father. Now granted, my parents are divorced but it has nothing to do with race but everything to do with his alcoholism. I’m not sure if his racism is a character defect cause by his disease but because of how he has treated my fiance we decided to not invite him to our wedding. It was not a hard decision for me because I
cannot trust that he can be respectful and my wedding day is so important. In conclusion, I had to learn to accept that he is who he is and believes what he believes. To me skin color does not define someone and does not decide who you should be or be with. When my fiance and I one day have children we plan on installing the principles of love and acceptance. We want to be examples for our children who just like me will be product of an interracial relationship.
Why we should get in “Formation” with Beyonce Dielle McMillian, Contributing Writer
Photo Credits Inquisitir
Beyonce performed one of the most controversial songs in the past five years and shook up the internet. Facebook arguments, retweets, meme pictures; everyone had something to say about it. Why did this create such a stir? She has three strikes against her:
her performance empowered the Black Lives Matter Movement, it was misinterpreted, and it took place at the Super Bowl with millions of people watching. She’s OUT! How DARE she perform a song that included lyrics such as “You mix that negro, with that creole, make that texas Bama; I like my baby hair and baby hair in afros, I like my Negro nose with Jackson 5 nostrils,” and movements that included the “hands up, don’t shoot” symbol, and of course, the Black Panthers attire. But hey, it’s okay. It is okay for her to support her heritage, and to flaunt the unique aspects of her African American ethnicity including hair textures and facial features. It’s okay to use references from the injustices
regarding police brutality and say to the millions of Super Bowl watchers “enough is enough.” It’s okay to show off the attire worn by a black activist group that is not as violent as everyone thinks and definitely not as violent as white supremacy group. More importantly a black activist group that protected African Americans living in constant fear of their lives, surviving as second class citizens with zero support on how to be productive in society that didn’t want them there to begin with. It’s okay to take a stand for who you are and be proud of it. And if you have a fanbase and audience worth millions, why not shout it to the world? And a lot of people are right; there is a time and place for everything. But she used the right time. In our America, in this lifetime, we are full of Donald
Trumps, Sandra Blands, Kim Davis’, residents of Flint, Michigan, and college students from Mizzou. We are full of hate, injustice, misunderstanding, misrepresentation and just flat out disrespect right here in the land of the free. We need celebrities, performers, and presidential candidates to step into the light and educate their huge fanbase on these in our country and in my opinion, Beyonce did it tastefully and exceptionally well. By the way, if you think Beyonce crossed the line, check out Kendrick Lamar’s performance of “The Blacker the Berry” and “Alright” at the Grammy’s, performed this past Sunday. It follows right behind Beyonce’s Formation performance, and you know what, it’s all okay to celebrate your heritage and point out that America isn’t as fair we think.
assignments and their due dates have been carefully noted; planners are covered in pen ink and full of sticky notes and daily reminders. This busy schedule leads to numerous late nights. It also means that you’re generally pretty stressed too. You don’t want to seem anti-social, but you know that you have a lot to accomplish. You get a sinking feeling in your stomach when you hear that your friends are going out without you. Again. When Snapchats start popping up of their fun night out, you can’t help but wish you didn’t care as much as you do about schoolwork. You envy the girls that don’t seem to have the course load
that you do, and you wish that you hadn’t decided to get quite so involved on campus. You start feeling like you’re missing out on more and more activities. There is a constant struggle trying to distinguish between what is a necessary part of your day and what isn’t. You start asking yourself, “Do I really have time to go to Cookout at 1 a.m.?” Multitasking has become far too natural, and if you could bring your textbooks in the shower with you, you likely would. But don’t forget, there’s such a thing as spreading yourself too thin. Don’t forget to take time for yourself too! While it’s wonderful to be studious
and organized, don’t forget to have a little fun along the way! College is supposed to be filled with memories to look back on for years to come. It’s important to know when to say “no” and when to say “yes” to a night out. Is the assignment due tomorrow… or is it due next week and you’re just trying to get a head start? Balance is key! Don’t do too much or too little of any one thing. Try and determine what you spend the most time doing and ask yourself if you’re happy with the answer.
parents don’t understand that we’re already stressed out about school. So, anything added on to that stress will most likely drive us crazy. Just know that you’re parents want the best for you and sometimes they have a weird way of letting you know that. Continue looking for a job and focus on your studies, because honestly those grades gotta be on point! #DeansList2016 I know everything will work out homegirls! You just gotta put your best stiletto forward and you can
do anything!
likes a lecture! NOBODY! Sometimes we just need somebody to listen while we vent about our problems. A good idea for you would be to try and fix the problem before you go talk to your Mom. I think it would make you look really mature. I mean the whole point of adulthood is looking like you have your life together right?! I think showing her you can responsible and take care of your own problems will change her tone. Try it out and let me know how it goes!
To the Student Who Works Too Hard Niki Bell, Staff Writer
Odds are, a nap sounds pretty good right now. You have been struggling to keep your eyes open in class, and you can’t decide if you should sleep or do more homework. You’re hoping that if you were to fall asleep with a notebook resting on your head…your brain would somehow absorb the necessary information just in time for your next test. We have all thought to ourselves, “It sure would be nice to go out this weekend.” Unfortunately, that is not as easy as it once was. Between juggling assignments, extracurriculars, and a job, it is a miracle there’s any time left in a day to breathe. Our homework
Ask Angel
Dear Angel, I recently lost my job and I’m a commuter. My parents have been nagging me about my finances and paying for school for weeks now. I know they want what’s best for me, but it’s really stressing me out and I hate being at home and constantly hearing about my mistakes. Any advice? Well, I want to let you know it’s not the end of the world. Sometimes
Dear Angel, I want to have a better relationship with my mom, but she makes it very difficult to talk to her about my problems. Everytime I go to her with a problem it ends in a fight or a lecture.. Any advice? Isn’t it weird how Moms are always worried all the time? Heaven forbid you miss a phone call… Also, nobody