November 2013 Homecoming Edition

November 2013

More than a Magazine

Learn the history behind this 44 year old publication

Meet MR. & Miss BSM 2013

HOMECOMING 2013

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Letters from the EDITORS Greetings fellow Tar Heels!

As we come together bonding over memories made and celebrating homecoming at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill let us not take for granted how blessed we are to have had the opportunity to call these uneven brick paths, yellow leafcovered quads home.

Whether you are a first-year or 50 year alum, being a part of this prestigious community is no small feat so I commend and thank you for adding to this colorful campus your irreplaceable heel print.

want once again to remind you that Black Ink is here for you.

As we celebrate our 44th year in print we thank you for your continued support and hope you keep up with us in the future.

As always be sure to find us on Instagram (@uncblackink), Facebook (Black Ink Magazine) and Twitter (@uncblackink).

Special thanks goes out to the Black Alumni Reunion, Mr. C. Hawkins, Mama Dip’s Kitchen, and A Better Image Printing for making this issue possible.

As you tailgate, cheer on our team to victory and make lasting memories with the people you love, remember to stay smart and keep safe.

Happy DHOE! Chantrel D. Reynolds Editor-In-Chief @CoCoChantrel

To alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends thank you for picking up this issue of Black Ink Magazine. In this issue we

Tar Heel family, Homecoming has finally arrived and before you know it campus will be filled with recent graduates and others more far removed from Chapel Hill’s campus.

It’s a much needed summit of happiness as the end of the semester looms in the near future.

Chapel Hill will be overflowing with cheer as old friends are reunited and new friendships are created.

From dinners and receptions to tailgates and the football games, there’s a little bit of fun for everyone. Black Ink is back to provide more fuel to the fun with another issue packed from cover to cover with great stories.

As we celebrate 46 years of the Black Student Movement’s presence at UNC, we also pay homage to Black Ink’s legacy with this issue’s cover story outlining the significance of

Black Ink

Black Ink’s legacy on this campus. Black Ink has been a trailblazer for the voice of the Black Student Movement and it will continue to be so for years to come.

While reading this Homecoming issue of Black Ink take some time to think of the legacy you wish to leave when your time on this campus comes to a close.

What kind of Heel print do you want to leave?

True to our goals, Black Ink is once again providing you with stories to both enjoy and contemplate. We have everything from the latest in entertainment to politics.

Take some time to get acquainted with the stories this issue has to offer. As always, feel free to send us feedback on our twitter account @uncblackink. Enjoy!

Until next time, Dillon O. Robinson Managing Editor @drobinson_xx

2013 BAR Homecoming Schedule SATURDAY, NOV. 9 BAR Shuttle Sheraton Chapel Hill/American Legion | First Departure - 9:15 a.m.

Bell Tower Climb Bell Tower | 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Milestone Class Photos South Building Steps | 10 a.m.

The following classes are invited to gather on the steps of South Building for their milestone class photo. It will be most helpful if you arrive 10 minutes prior to your class photo time. Below is the photo schedule: �Class of 1973 : 10 a.m.

�Class of 1978 : 10:15 a.m. �Class of 1983 : 10:30 a.m.

�Class of 1988 : 10:45 a.m. �Class of 1993 : 11 a.m.

�Class of 1998 : 11:15 a.m. �Class of 2003 : 11:30 a.m.

�Class of 2008 : 11:45 a.m.

Tailgate Party Bell Tower | 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

UNC vs. Virginia (sec 102 :: view seating chart) Kenan Stadium | 12:30 p.m.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Omega Iota Hospitality Room Sheraton Chapel Hill | 7 – 9 p.m.

No registration required.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Psi Delta Alumni Reception Sheraton Chapel Hill | 9 – 10:30 p.m.

No registration required.

Vintage Times Party and Comedy Show Sheraton Chapel Hill | 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Doors open at 8 p.m., comedy show at 9 p.m., party at 10:30 p.m.

Grand Finale Alumni Party Sheraton Chapel Hill | 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

SUNDAY, NOV. 10 Inspirational Service Sheraton Chapel Hill | 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Gospel Brunch Sheraton Chapel Hill | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

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Politics & World

Affordable Care Act

by Danielle Joe

A

lthough the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare,” has once again become a focal point of political debate with its role in the recent government shutdown, most Americans remain woefully uneducated on its details and how it will affect their lives individually.

There are a few main points that every American should know. First, the bill, which was signed into law in 2010, makes it mandatory for every American citizen to have some form of health insurance. It also ensures that insurance companies can no

longer drop or restrict patients because of illness, deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions or raise premiums without the consent of the government.

Obamacare also allows young people to remain on their parents’ insurance plans until the age of 26. Dec.14 is the cut-off date for plans to start on Jan. 1, 2014. Open enrollment runs through March 31.

For more information on Obamacare visit: www.healthcare.gov.

The Government Shutdown

by Trey Mangum

F

or the first sixteen days of last month, the government of the United States was shut down. Initial programs affected by the shutdown included things such as national parks and museums being shutdown.

Even our own Great Smoky Mountains National Park was closed because of the stalemate between some members of the legislature and President Obama.

“When I first saw the government was shutdown I saw it via Twitter so I initially thought that it was a joke,” said UNC-Chapel Hill junior Sequaia Bivens.

“I wasn’t afraid when the government was shutdown because I didn’t think it would last that long. I didn’t think it would have a long-lasting effect. “ However, as the shutdown went on, programs and services that our country crucially needs were suddenly at stake.

The shutdown went into effect at the beginning of the new fiscal year when members of the U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget delaying the mandates of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The last time the government was shut down was in December 1995. It lasted for 21 days.

Regardless of the debate about Obamacare, the shutdown was about to be detrimental to a good portion of the American public.

If the government shutdown had lasted through October, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, would not have authority to distribute benefits.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture also had no authority to continue

Black Ink

the supplemental program for Women, Infants and Children.

Although there are contingency funds available, they would not have lasted long.

Fortunately, the government re-opened and nothing drastic had to happen to these government programs. If something like this happens again, lawmakers should remember that just because they themselves do not feel a direct effect from their decisions, they can cause harm to others.

School to Prison Pipeline Tyler Rouse

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bout 250,000 youth in the U.S. are tried, arrested or incarcerated yearly.

African Americans, who represent only 17 percent of the youth population (under 18 years old) in the U.S., make up 26 percent of all juvenile arrests and 58 percent of youth in state prisons. That means that more than 140,000 of these inmates are Black. Let that figure marinate. Why do African Americans hold such a high percentage of prison cells at a young age?

There are many contributing factors, but one of the most prevalent is the school-to-prison pipeline. This ‘pipeline’ signifies policies and practices used to push at-risk students—mainly minorities and disabled students, out of schools and into the juvenile and criminal justice system. This pipeline consists of, but is not limited to: zero-tolerance policies, inadequately funded schools due to poverty, disciplinary alternative schools and resource officers with an increased role in enforcing disciplinary actions.

in the nation, aim to provide students with discipline and appropriate etiquette toward learning. Any student partaking in physical altercations, possessing weapons, alcohol, tobacco products and/or drug paraphernalia at school is subject to immediate suspension or expulsion with these zerotolerance policies in place. In recent years, these policies have been deemed ineffective and problematic for minorities and students with disabilities.

These policies elevate the dropout rates of minority students; criminalize minor infractions, which in turn, increase the rate of suspensions, repeatsuspensions and expulsions; and illustrate racial disproportionality.

Here at UNC, Project Uplift, Communiversity and the Black Student Movement serve as resources and encouragement for minority youth to stay in school and aspire for the best education they can get. So as Black students at UNC, help by getting involved with this effort to end the school-to-prison pipeline!

Zero-tolerance policies, adopted in nearly 75 percent of school districts

Guns on Campus Cierra “CB” Cotton

colleges and universities in the state. However, private institutions still have the authority to create their own firearm policy.

Those who see the new firearm provision as a benefit to North Carolina campuses say that the law increases campus security by aiding campus police in performing their job. Others are more skeptical.

Randy Young, spokesperson for the UNC Department of Public Safety, says that the new law creates potential ambiguity if a gun threat were to occur.

“Guns on campus can mitigate an effective police response to an active shooter on campus by creating ambiguity regarding who a perpetrator clearly is in a population of gun owners,” Young said.

T

hat’s right. The new state law implemented earlier this month permits concealed carry permit owners to bring handguns on public campuses under two conditions: the weapon must be stored in a closed compartment or container in a locked car, and the car must be in a public parking area.

The law, passed earlier this year by the N.C. General Assembly, serves to expand the rights of gun owners, but also raises the potential of more gun-related incidents. The new law is applicable to all public community

Young also added that college campuses are “havens” for maturing young adults who sometimes behave in “frivolous” or “perilous” activities, making guns a less than prudent addition to this complicated equation.

While the new law has taken effect, the likelihood of anyone noticing its impact is unlikely. Or at least that’s the hope.

Young said: “Though our department has expressed concerns regarding the new legislation, we also feel that it will have little impact on day-to-day operations of our department. The law is still fairly limiting, and the number of instances once illegal which are now legal according to the new law are few.”

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Picture: Cureton Johnson, The founder and first Editor-In-Chief of Black Ink

Black Ink

By Dillon Robinson

H

NIC – that is the title Cureton Johnson gave himself when he founded Black Ink Magazine in November 1969. In today’s milder climate, Johnson might have been viewed as radical, but he was setting the tone for a force to be reckoned with; a quiet storm that had gone unnoticed far too long on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Johnson built Black Ink to be bold and unforgettable because he understood that just like Black ink, even if it were to dissolve, the ink he left could never be removed from the pages of history.

As if Johnson had predicted it himself, Black Ink slowly began to sink into the background and fade to Black. That was until Kirstin Garriss decided to take matters into her own hands.

Running a magazine was something she had never done before, but it did not matter.

Keeping Black Ink alive needed to happen, “if not for me, for the future; for other students to know that we as the Black community at UNC had a voice and an opinion.”

Garriss took over as editor-in-chief in 2009 and immediately began the restoration of Black Ink. However, this was not going to be any ordinary return. This was to be the greatest comeback, the phoenix rising from the ashes.

“I remember wanting Black Ink’s return to campus to be memorable,” Garriss remarked. “I wanted it to make students stop and say, ‘where has this been and why haven’t we had this?’”

she needed to alert the rest of UNC’s campus that Black Ink would remain a stable publication of this university as long as she had a say so.

“I wanted everyone on campus to know,” she wrote, “that we were back with a vengeance and we weren’t going away.”

Just as Johnson paved the way for the Black voices to be heard, Garriss guaranteed that these same Black voices would not be overlooked.

“Everyone else had their say in print, so I made sure our voice in print would remain relevant and heard,” Garriss added.

The voice, and very pulse of the Black community at UNC, is too precious to be lost. However, this magazine provides more than just an outlet to voice the concerns, thoughts and desires of the Black community in any given moment of time.

Black Ink is also a never-ending link. Former Black Ink Editor-in-Chief Averi Harper put it this way: “Black Ink is a publication, but it also bridges generations of Black students at UNC and celebrates their achievements when others might overlook them.”

From Johnson, to Garriss, to Harper, to me, all those in between and those still to come, Black Ink is, and will continue to be a burning flame providing the revolutionary voice of UNC’s Black community year in and year out.

Garriss wasted no time beginning her work. First,

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Meet Mr. & Miss BSM by adreonna Simmons

At the 46th Annual Black Student Movement Coronation ball our 2013-2014 Mr. and Miss. Black Student Movement were crowned. Running to initiate change through their respective service project Mr. and Miss.

BSM are also running for Mr. and Miss. UNC. Here are your Mr. and Miss Black Student Movement!

Photo Credit La’mon Johnson

MISS Sharessa Royster

Mr. Mike Jones

F

M

rom Oxford, North Carolina, Sharessa Royster is a psychology major with a double minor in social and economic justice and social entrepreneurship. While concentrating on her studies Royster is also extremely passionate about her extra-curricular activities. Royster is the on-campus coordinator of the Minority Student Recruitment Committee which heads up programs such as Project Uplift and North Carolina Renaissance. She is the president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, a member of the Theta Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the resident advisor mentor for the Carmichael Community.

Her service project involves taking children with cancer that previously participated as co-captains with Dance Marathon and honoring them and their families at a Carolina sporting event. The second part of her service project focuses on a carnival for families to have a free day of fun.

The campus and community will pay a small admission fee to attend, which would help fund children’s cancer research and care. The carnival would have free food and games, followed by a showcase with different performance groups on campus. Families and patients would be able to see the support of the Carolina community. “Through BSM, I hope to establish a dance marathon team of dancers that can commit to raising the money and dedicate 24 hours to this mission,” Royster said, When asked why she chose this service project, Royster said, “It is important to show campus the impact BSM we can have outside of our community.

In this way, everyone can participate not just the [BSM ball] court.”

Right: Sharessa Royster and Mike Jones campaign in the pit for Mr. and Miss UNC.

Black Ink

photo credit: Chantrel Reynolds

ike Jones is a sociology major with double minors in social and economic justice and African American studies from Aulander, N.C. In addition to his academics, Jones is heavily involved on campus. He is president of the Xi Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, president of Gamma Sigma Alpha National Greek Academic Honor Society, resident advisor mentor for Granville Towers and the student coordinator for the North Carolina Renaissance Program.

Jones’ service project is entitled “Heel Prints Never Fade”. With his project, he hopes to create a mural or monument to honor our fallen fellow Tar Heels who did not get a chance to graduate. When asked about why he chose this, Jones said, “It’s a good way to bring the campus together.” While Jones says he is personally connected with fallen Tar Heel Faith Hedgepeth he knows of others just like him who have lost friends and love one’s and though they are no longer with us want their heelprint to be remembered.

entertainment

‘Crazy Sexy cool’

by Kendall Atkins

T

LC means tender, love and care right? Wrong!

In this case it means T-Boz, Left Eye and Chilli, the popular 90s girl group, notable for their colorful, baggy style and sexual lyrics.

To be expected, you probably started singing, “Don’t go chasing waterfalls,” or “No, I don’t want no scrub, a scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me,” as soon as this girl band was mentioned.

When anyone thinks of TLC, it is pretty safe to say that one of their popular singles, such as “Waterfalls,” “No Scrubs” or “Creep” comes to mind. After a near five-year hiatus, TLC is back, with a biographical film.

Actors Keke Palmer, far left, Drew sidora, middle, and lil’ mama, far right, portray TLC members Chili, T-boz and Left Eye respectively. source: concreteloop.com “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story,” written by Kate Lanier and directed by Charles Stone III, stars Keke Palmer as Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, Drew Sidora as Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Lil’ Mama as Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopes.

T-Boz and Chilli, the two surviving group members, helped develop the film from start to finish and served as executive producers. They assisted in everything from casting, producing the script and teaching the actresses their dance moves.

The film highlights both TLC’s triumphs and downfalls from their rise to fame. From T-Boz’s sickle cell anemia illness and Left Eye’s battle

with alcoholism to Chilli’s abortion the movie seems to tackle every hard point of the girl group. It also includes the group’s bankruptcy issue and the sudden death of Left Eye in 2002.

Still, TLC holds the title as the top-selling female band in U.S. history, and worldwide, TLC is second behind the Spice Girls. Their second album, “CrazySexyCool,” where the movie’s title derives, remains the topselling album by a girl group in the U.S. “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story” premiered Oct. 21, 2013 on VH1, telling the story of three girls who were meant to be.

‘love hate thanG’

hard” the whole audience became one. We swayed rhythmically to the sounds booming out of the speakers and rhymes from the rapper.

camera phone pictures, hugs, and handshakes he managed to maintain his flow. He demonstrated his versatility throughout the performance.

When Wale began walking to the stage the atmosphere changed. People stood up. They began to clap softly, then loudly, and as he stepped on stage the applause reached a fever pitch. All eyes were locked on the rapper with dreads and a blinding gold chain. He didn’t disappoint.

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As DJ 5’9 handled the beat, Wale spit poetic bars about love, life, and living in the moment.

The rapper worked the crowd, even walking off stage to speak to those who were farther away.

He broke down the customary distance between fans and the famous. When Wale stepped into the stands he filled those next to him with excitement, envy, and intrigue. Surprisingly, amidst incessant

He expressed his penchant for smoking and partying through a mix of singing and a relaxed rap style in “rotation”. He voiced the irony of love in an upbeat voice in “love hate thing”. He spoke aggressively over haunting beats in “ambition”. The enigmatic rapper concluded the set with the mega-hit “bad”. With little prodding, the disparate group of university students, mainly women, came together to sing the chorus.

by Micah Poulson

n November 2, 2013, Ace Hood opened up the Homecoming concert in Carmichael arena.

With monstrous bass and powerful snares, the rapper flowed energetically and confidently.

He covered a range of topics from black on black violence to his apparent expertise in the bedroom.

When Ace Hood performed “Bugatti” and “hustle

It was an incredible event that will surely be remembered for years to come

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#Hip Hop Awards

by dillon robinson

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tlanta, Georgia played host to the 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards, and all the heavy hitters and newcomers alike were in attendance.

Rapper Rick Ross shows off his body as he performs with DJ Kahled, right, and Future. source: ew.com

sports

Pay the players

Performers ranged from the usual artist like Future and Rick Ross, to artists trying to make some headway, like Rich Homie Quan.

Hip-Hop stars Drake and Kendrick Lamar found themselves behind the podium multiple times, each taking home five awards.

However, more important than the awards is the ongoing battle for the Hip-Hop crown between Drake and Lamar. Prior to the awards.

Lamar appeared on Big Sean’s song “Control”. In his verse Lamar tipped his hat in acknowledgment of his competition, including Drake, as he proceeded to forewarn them of his continuing choke hold on the rap game.

Drake seemed unfazed, dismissing Lamar as a threat to his position at the helm. Lamar kept the steam rolling during the highly anticipated cyphers. Maybe there’s a new rap beef on the horizon.

For Fresh Home Cooked Food make sure to visit

by Flare Brown

T

he ongoing conversation among college sports is whether or not student-athletes should be paid compensation for the millions of dollars prominent university teams bring in annually.

College players eat, breathe and sleep their sport and all of their efforts are cycled back into each individual school’s athletic program and especially into the pockets of National Collegiate Athletic Association owners.

However, according to NCAA President Marc Emmert, tension surrounding the debate is not anything new. Because of recent skyrocketing of revenue brought in by athletics, players want to know why they are not seeing any of it.

A supporter of paying players, Adrian Peterson, a former running back for the University of Oklahoma, thinks

Black Ink

college athletes, “should be paid a little more -- some sort of monthly payment. Increase the stipend by $1,500 or $1,600," Peterson, current NFL Minnesota Vikings running back, said. "Even more than that.

(College football programs) make so much money, why not? Give guys something to look forward to."

While at the same time, the NCAA president thinks paying college athletes any more than their scholarship already allots them money, will turn them into amateur professional players instead of the students that they are.

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letters from...

Do You ever think this “Carolina thing” is hard? Guess what, so does everyone that ever went here! often we feel that we are going thourgh our struggles alone, but in reality there are so many others that are experinecing the same feelings, insecurities and tests you are. here are a few words from some fellow Tar Heels.

Photo Credit cameron robert

Senior

Junior

Sophomore

Being a senior is weird, yo. It feels crazy being one of the old cats on the yard and not knowing hardly anyone in the Pit. At the same time, it’s an amazing feeling to have made it to my final year at this illustrious university.

In my opinion, there is nothing really that special about junior year. The course load is heavier as you start to get more into your major classes.The “what do you want to do when you graduate?” question also becomes more frequent.

A little while ago, I was thinking about the past two years and I asked myself: “What has made Carolina the most memorable?”

Then it hit me. I am apart of some amazing groups and organizations on this campus!

Amidst all the stuDYING, keeping up with organizations, to the stress of finding a job after graduation, I always work to find enough time to cherish these last days I have with some of my best friends. It feels like yesterday I moved into HOJO, and my parents tried to explain to me how the next four years were going to FLY by.

Well… they were right. I love being a senior and all, but if I could do it all over again, I WOULD.

If you’re like me and don’t know exactly what you want to do with yourself post-undergrad, it can start to get stressful. Although it has its lows, I wouldn’t want to attend school anywhere else. Carolina has a way of allowing you to find success even in your failures.

Coming to college, one of my main goals was to quickly become involved on campus. Whether it was volunteering, performing, or just having school spirit, I wanted to make the most of my Carolina experience. From Day One, I started to look for activities I’d be interested in.

If I had to give some words of advice to the underclassmen, I’d just say enjoy the time that you have here and don’t be afraid to try something new. You never know when something new could turn into something that you love. These are the best years of your life and you should make the most of it.

Narrowing my search definitely took longer than a hot second. However, without the amazing campus organizations I joined, my college experience wouldn’t have had such an incredible start. So, when you’re looking for a way to “pump up your UNC experience,” here’s one piece of advice - be active! You certainly will not regret it.

Oh, and a piece of advice for my people: Life’s short. Take risks.

College is said to be the best years of your life. So take advantage of them, enjoy them, but most of all, cherish them.

~Adreonna Simmons, c/o ‘15

~AJ Rowe, c/o ‘16

~La’Mon “The Captain” Johnson, c/o ‘14

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editorial staff Editor- In- Chief Chantrel Reynolds Managing Editor Dillon Robinson Associate Editors Mballa mendouga & Toyosi Oyelowo Copy Editors

Tyler Rouse & Trey Mangum Public Relations Director Nicole Wilkinson Photography Director La'Mon Johnson Writers Kendall atkins Jay Peterkin Cierra-Brooke Cotton Micah Poulson Flare Brown Dillon Robinson Danielle Joe Tyler Rouse La'Mon Johnson Andre rowe Trey Mangum Adreonna Simmons Photographer La'mon Johnson Cameron Robert Special Thanks to The Black Alumni Reunion, Mr. C. Hawkins, Mama Dip’s, and A Better Image Printing

Interested in joining Black Ink? Contact US at uncblackink@gmail.com for more information Our mission “If Blackness can be transformed into pictures and words, we intend to do so, by any means necessary.”

The Black Ink is a recognized publication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

This issue was paid for, in part, by student activity fees.

If you have questions or concerns about the Black Ink please email uncblackink@gmail.com