Homecoming 2012
OPINIONS Friday, November 9, 2012
A letter to Zoe
Cornell Wedge Correspondent Dear Zoe Saldana, I know lately you have received many letters. In this day and age, you’ve probably received more emails. But I just wanted to write you a letter from a man’s perspective, one who has enjoyed you in many roles, exploring your comedic side in “Guess Who” as well as your alternative side as Uhura in “Star Trek.” However, I wanted to address the news of your recent role playing Nina Simone in an upcoming film. Have you seen a Popeyes commercial lately? I know you do not eat there because of your nice and slim frame, but you cannot escape its commercials. A central character is Annie the Chicken Queen. I know AfricanAmerican women love to be recognized as queens, but this is not the queen AfricanAmericans want. They have been trying to wash away the stereotypes of African-American women for years, but Annie just opens up the floodgates once again. The attitude and wording of the commercial is unrealistic. Annie said, “I work my fanny off making this chicken perfect, and they practically give it away.” But Annie is not making that chicken. Underpaid college students and Popeye’s employees are. No one speaks those phrases anymore, but Popeye’s said that Annie “expresses the heart and soul of the Popeye’s brand.” I thought we moved away from the Aunt Jemima characters. Zaldana, you have African-Americans retreating from your portrayal of Simone. I know how the movie industry works and that there are far too few movie roles for AfricanAmericans, but this is one you could have skipped. A biopic is supposed to be as true as possible. You have watched Will Smith play the role of Muhammad Ali and Denzel Washington play the role of Malcolm X. You should have known this is not the role for you. Billie Holiday would suit you better. I cannot put all of the blame on you, though. Director Cynthia Mort had the final say. But I just want you to know, as a black man, I am not happy. You are stunning to look at, but this will not be the stunning performance I am looking forward to viewing. It is ironic that the same cause Simone fought for her entire life is what you are portraying. What a world we live in.
Bridging the gap Omar Stewart Correspondent Let’s build a bridge. Florida A&M’s Student Government Association is a bridge that leads to nowhere. Our SGA and student body have much in common. They are mostly African-American students who want to achieve success. So why is there a gap between the two? Are SGA members more focused on being elitists than being a vessel of the student body? A percentage of FAMU’s student body believes that SGA models a conservative behavior toward the students and that information regarding SGA positions is not publicized. An imbalance of anything, even if its results are deemed good, is counterproductive. Being concerned with your social status on campus rather than the prestige to be a voice and service to FAMU’s student body is backward thinking. If this is
the reason a gap exists between SGA and the student body, then there are selfish behaviors that need to be addressed. Communication seems to be the main issue in the gap between SGA and students. Some students think that communication should be addressed but that the blame should not solely be aimed at SGA. “Communication is a two-way street,” said Maurice Jackson, a third-year accounting student from Miami and SGA member. “SGA does publicize what they have to offer to the student body.” Jackson said, however, the student body fails to attend what SGA offers. “SGA can improve their communication with the student body,” he said. “But it is students that have to be attentive and engage with SGA more.” Stephen Gordon, a thirdyear business administration student from Chicago, also feels that communication is a two-way street, but he said it is not only publicizing events and meetings. “SGA should do a better job of keeping the student body aware of the different meetings they hold,” Gordon said. “But
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SGA has been very effective in communicating with the student body by opening the chamber.” Communication is how people conduct themselves and their demeanor. “There are certain SGA members that live up to negative connotations about SGA,” said Ernest Hooker, a senior business administration student from Miami Gardens. “Some members could branch out more to the student body.” The things in life that are seen as issues can only remain problematic if they are never challenged. If students do not address the flaws of SGA, then who will? The separation between SGA and the student body exists because of the lack of effort between the two sides. If a percentage of students want to be engaged in the politics of the university, they have to become active. The students have to be accountable for the change they desire. SGA should continue to create more effective ways to engage the student body to present a more family-oriented SGA. If SGA and the student body are determined to work together, then they will create an amazing university and be a voice of reason later on in life.
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Credit: Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News After a long, grueling campaign season, America has chosen its winner. Many are now experiencing a “voter’s hangover.” In the absence of negative campaign commercials, door-todoor political activists and pamphlets on getting “souls to the polls,” some are breathing a sigh of relief now that the dog-fight is over.
The disease of racism Purhnel Meek Correspondent When most people think of racism, they think black and white. However, the boundaries of racism extend much further than those solid colors. While many would love to support the notion that racism is dead, this is not the case. Modern day bigots are usually frowned upon due to our societal standards and eclectic cultural climate, therefore, those who spread hate tend to do so in a manner that will not deem their acts as “unconstitutional.” One way in which hate is spread is through tradition. The discrimination disease is one that is passed down through each generation and embeds itself within the mentality of the sick. The disease does not have to be passed through
verbal resentment. It can be spread through subtleties, such as disassociating oneself from particular races. Segregation is among the worst kinds of discrimination because those who were initially free subconsciously become introduced to the virus. The side effects do not seem prevalent, yet after infected, one begins to justify the separation and view it as natural behavior. There is a subconscious spirit of segregation here in Tallahassee in where the color lines are literally drawn by railroad tracks. As one stands downtown – which is known as Florida State University’s side – and says “the other side of the tracks,” it is a reference to Florida A&M. As homecoming neared, many FSU students prepared their vacation so that it would coincide with escaping Tallahassee for “urban week.” “I know a lot of people jumping at the chance to leave during FAMU’s homecoming,” said Ariadna Castillo, an engineering student at FSU. “It’s not so much about racism. I’ve just heard my friends complain about getting ‘hit on’ a little
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more than they would like.” Racism is not confined to regular situations. Just look at the disparity in the number of whites and minorities behind bars. Yes, criminals should be punished, but at what cost? Although minorities make up 33 percent of the U.S. population, more than 60 percent of those incarcerated are minorities, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. Constitutional rights are continually denied as minority children are funneled out of public schools and into juvenile and criminal justice systems. In many cases, children are penalized for minor school infractions such as dress code violations. This type of injustice may not strike one as racist, but it does force one to reevaluate the policies of judges and law enforment officials. It is imperative to remain impartial. We do not live in the colonial era. Times are changing. Apartheid has ended. Vagrancy laws are not in effect. Jim Crow is history. American slavery is dead, but racism is still alive, and the discrimination disease continues to infect too many minds.
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The Famuan, an Associated Collegiate Press 2003 Pacemaker Finalist, is published Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall and spring semesters. The opinions do not reflect the administration, faculty, or staff of the University. The editorials are the expressed opinions of the staff and columnists. The Famuan is funded partially by activities and services fees.