Journey Magazine - Fall 2010

Back Row (L to R): Jessica Noel, Kristen Swilley, Laura J. Downey, Bianca Flowers Front Row (L to R): Terrika Mitchell, Antonio Rosado, Anamarie Shreeves

Staff EDITOR-­IN-­CHIEF Antonio Rosado MANAGING EDITOR Terrika Mitchell ART DIRECTOR Anthony James PHOTO EDITOR Jessica Noel FEATURES EDITOR Kristen Swilley

STAFF EDITORS Sean Blackmon Wesley Martin Brandon Neasman PUBLIC RELATIONS Andy St. Hilaire PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM Keenan Doanes Alvin McBean Cory Williams

ONLINE EDITOR Anamarie Shreeves

ART TEAM Quintavious Shephard Leitoya Snelling Keith “Units” Woods

ASSISTANT ONLINE EDITOR Bianca Flowers

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Mike Walker

WEB DIRECTOR Keith “Units” Woods

FACULTY ADVISER Laura J. Downey

CONTRIBUTORS Marquis Akins Brittany Barriner Sammy Jo Evansen Ashley Finney Kai’Triana Gully Tommy Hawkins Alexia McKay Angie Meus Breea Mitchell Esther Spenser Janeen Talbott Denzel Willis SPECIAL THANKS Ulysses Franklin Wennifer Paul Robert A. Richardson

PRINTER Gandy Printers

EDITOR’S LETTER

T

his editor’s letter was supposed to be something profound. Something to rival the Milton’s and Plato’s of the world – afterall, this is the last time I will be writing for Journey. But after a semester of taking suggestions from seasoned staff members, professors and advisers, I’ve decided to be editor-in-chief my way, the Rosado way, and tell the story.

For those unfamiliar with the southern way, us country folk have a habit of turning a simple ‘yes or no answer’ into an epic tale. Maybe it’s my country roots and all of those Otis Redding and Betty Wright records I heard growing up, but I have a deep affinity for good stories.

I wish I could tell more, but I only had two issues, 32-pages each, to leave my mark—and I feel like I have. The Homecoming issue got a lot of love from students and alumni, but this time we wanted to dig a little deeper.

This issue has the stories of innovative success (p. 6) and a national crisis (p. 16). We gave voice to a victim of discrimination (p. 10) and a shoutout to Savannah’s Country Buffet (p. 8) for having the best $2 breakfast in Tallahassee (and for being on our side of town). And if you don’t have time to read every story, log on to journeymagonline.com because we have something tailored just for you.

What about my story you ask? Good question. As I finish up one phase, the next chapter of my life involves short sleeves and a flight to the Dominican Republic. Come January, while you kiddos are gearing up for another sporadic Tallahassee winter, I’ll be studying warm Caribbean climates, exotic honeys and cool umbrella drinks for my final collegiate semester. Although you can’t be there with me, you can still get a glimpse of my entire trip by logging on to journeymagonline.com and tuning into my biweekly video blog. Stay warm Rattlers, it’s been real.

ANTONIO ROSADO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

antoniodrosado@gmail.com

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contents CRAVINGS

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10 16 AFRICANISMs 14

16

DECADE IN

REVIEW

Signature Savoir-Faire

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On the Cover

FEATURED: THE CRISIS AT HOME PHOTO BY: MATTHEW POLUSCINI DESIGN BY: KEITH “UNITS” WOODS Copyright 2010 by Florida A&M University. All rights reserved. This issue of Journey magazine was produced by the student organization Journey with essential support from the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication. Journey is funded through student activity and service fees, as allocated by the Student Senate of Florida A&M University. For more information on Journey or the Magazine Program, contact the Division of Journalism, 510 Orr Drive Room 3078, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307 or call (850) 599-3502. )$// -2851(<0$*21/,1( &20

30

10 YEARS

DECADE IN

EVENTS

REVIEW

WORDS BY: ALEXIA MCKAY DESIGN BY: ANTHONY JAMES

It started with a crash that never happened and ended with a big spill, with two wars and a black president in between. Oh, how this decade changed the nation and impacted us here on the Hill. From things we’d rather forget to major milestones, Journey tips its hat to the moments that shaped the past 10 years.

December 31, 1999 The Y2K scare

Millions stocked up on duct tape, water, and any necessary supplies to fend off the “infamous” millennium bug that scientists warned would byte at the turn of the century. The transition from 1999 to 2000 was supposed to cause a worldwide computer crash that would render all digital information useless.

September 11, 2001 9/11

Nineteen al-Qaida members hijacked four passenger planes before committing one of the deadliest acts of terror on American soil in U.S. history.

The first two crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City, the third into the Pentagon and the fourth airplane crashed into a fi eld in rural Pennsylvania. The terrorist attack killed nearly 3,000 people and ignited the War in Iraq.

October 23, 2001 Invention of the iPod

A dream imagined by inventor, and later Apple independent contractor, Tony Fadell came true when he publicly announced his invention of the Walkman’s cool younger cousin, the iPod.

March 20, 2003 Operation Iraqi Freedom

Former President George W. Bush led the country’s response to the 9/11 attacks, and continued the U.S. invasion in Iraq.

December 4, 2006 Jena Six

Six black, teenage boys were charged with beating a white boy after seeing nooses hanging from their high school courtyard in Jena, La.

April 16, 2007 Virginia Tech Massacre

Senior college student, Seung-Hui Cho, killed 32 of his fellow classmates before committing suicide. It is termed the deadliest shooting by a single gunman in U.S. history, on or off campus.

January 20, 2009 Inauguration of Barack Obama

The 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama, became the country’s fi rst African-American president. Florida A&M University’s Marching 100 performed in the Inaugural Parade.

June 25, 2009 Death of Michael Jackson

The King of Pop died in his Los Angeles home. The 50-year-old pop icon had countless No. 1 hit singles and groundbreaking dance moves such as the Moonwalk.

November 18, 2003 Same-sex marriage

Massachusetts was the first state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex partners.

January 12, 2010 Haiti Earthquake

A 7.0 earthquake destroyed much of the island of Haiti, and killed more than half a million people.

February 4, 2004 Facebook Frenzy

Originally called thefacebook, Facebook was founded by Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg. A movie recapping the controversy surrounding its creation was later released in October 2010 titled The Social Network.

August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina

The category 5 hurricane devastated New Orleans and the surrounding gulf coast. The Bush administration faced heavy scrutiny for its handling of the crisis.

April 20, 2010 BP Oil Spill

The Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in a total clean-up cost of nearly $10 billion.

May 7, 2010 Mosque near Ground Zero

Plans were made to renovate a Muslim meeting space two blocks away from Ground Zero; however, the idea caused intense debates and mixed feelings among many including families of the 9/11 victims.

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CRAVINGS

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There is a young, fresh campus craze. Find out how two innovative students are turning social media into a franchise.

s the lights flip on and the music abruptly stops, Jasmine Harris peers up at the creeper she has been grinding on for a solid 20 minutes.

The combination of the gaffe of a guy who wants to “do that again sometime,” and the cranberry-vodka splattered across the only white portion of her color-blocked dress pronounces her level of intoxication – over the limit. Desperately fleeing the Tennessee strip, the rush of the cold air sweeps across her exposed legs and breathes life back into her extremities.

Jasmine attributes the pit in her stomach to her drunken desire to fill her liquored belly with large amounts of delectable and questionable food.

She fumbles around in her black clutch to find her phone. After a minute of misspelling “Twitter,” Jasmine holds her phone in the air triumphantly.

Her “drunkie” prayers have been answered. She has just tweeted an order for a red velvet waffle and orange soda, which will be ready by the time she strolls over to the night’s location of the Cravings Truck.

As Jasmine ambles to the truck window, Johnathon Sellers, co-owner of the mobile restaurant, delicately drizzles a sweet cream cheese glaze atop her waffle. She grabs her stomach in anticipation. Plunging into her handbag, her hand resurfaces revealing a debit card. Sellers chuckles at Jasmine’s apparent distress from not feeling any cash in her purse. He reaches out to take her debit card. Puzzled, Jasmine intently watches him slide her debit card through an attachment on his iPhone. It was not the blue long island affecting her vision; the technology savvy business mogul delivered a speedy order and completed the transaction using an iPhone.

Innovative technology has helped Sellers and business partner Kianta Key, both graduates of Florida A&M University, achieve their goals at a )$// -2851(<0$*21/,1( &20

pace otherwise unimaginable. The duo purchased their food truck in June with hopes to spread their love for food. In less than six months, the business partners have accumulated 1,152 followers on Twitter.

“Johnathon and I understood that to be successful we had to not only put our messages out there, but get input from our customers,” Key says.

“Through social networks, we have been able to reach our audiences in a way we probably wouldn’t have five years ago.”

It may be strange to think that fast food has evolved from driving around a building and shouting at a giant walkie-talkie, to Sellers and Key’s mobile restaurant. Cravings Truck travels around Tallahassee tweeting updates on its various locations. Patrons can call ahead or tweet their food orders, which is viable proof of the business industry’s initiatives to revamp its marketing strategies. These new techniques are allowing consumers to have greater influence on the business’ decision making.

“Lately, we’ve been tweeting with our customers about waffle creations they would like to see, and naming it (the waffles) after them,” Key says.

Henry Jenkins, director of the Comparative Media Studies program at MIT is calling this new consumer friendly approach to marketing “affective economics” – consumers making purchasing decisions based on their emotional connection to the product.

“New models of marketing seek to expand consumers’ emotional, social and intellectual investments, with the goal of shaping consumption patterns,” Jenkins explains in his book “Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide.”

An increase in social media usage has sparked an adoption of this new

WORDS BY: SAMMY JO EVANSEN

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JOHNATHON AND I UNDERSTOOD THAT TO BE SUCCESSFUL WE HAD TO NOT ONLY PUT OUR MESSAGES OUT THERE, BUT GET INPUT FROM OUR CUSTOMERS marketing strategy. By inviting consumers to “Become a Fan” on Facebook, or “tweet” their thoughts on a new product, companies are engaging customers to emotionally invest in their product. The online presence will grab the attention of larger markets, and the hope is that constant and direct communications will establish a more intimate relationship between consumer and producer.

The Huffington Post reported in June that an estimated 79 percent of Fortune 100 companies have an online presence and they are listening to consumer feedback through the main social platforms.

Bobby Davis, a professor in Florida A&M University’s School of Business and Industry, says he has attended conference sessions discussing social media and its influence in the global marketplace. He uses the information learned at these conferences to facilitate in depth learning in

PHOTOS BY: CORY WILLIAMS

DESIGN BY: QUINTAVIOUS SHEPHARD

his classroom. “In many of our courses, we are using cases, guest lecturers and other real-life examples to highlight the emergence of social media and how it is changing the way companies deliver their products and services to the marketplace,” Davis says.

The development and popularity of smart phones and advanced gadgets has allowed many businesses to capitalize on the reach of social networks.

Online transactions and communication have progressed from bulky pieces of machinery, which invade desk space to compact devices that neatly fit into business owners’ pockets.

A few minutes browsing database sites like craigslist.org, confirm the impact that computer literacy is having on the job marketplace. Twitter Jockey’s and other positions designated strictly for analyzing Web components are popping up in corporate businesses all over the country.

“It is important to give my students the competitive edge. Social media can increase a company’s customer service, sales and brand awareness.

The marketplace is littered with job titles for individuals specializing in social media. From Social Media Manager, Social Media Specialist, Twitter Jockey or Online Social Media Coordinator, the jobs are available,” Davis says.

Technology has enabled applications and attachments for phones that can read credit cards. Two different programs are Mophie Credit Card Reader for the iPhone, and Square. Mophie will cost $159.99 upfront. Seems like a large stipend, but compare it to the average amount credit card companies charge for using their services and the savings are undeniable. Square, however is free.

The attachment for the phone is free and there is no charge to download the program. Square only receives a small percentage of every transaction; the percentage deducted is agreed upon at the beginning of your contract.

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In the midst of the ongoing construction on Gaines Street, lies a group of unique establishments within walking distance of the Hill, waiting to be discovered. Find out where they are located and what they have to offer.

WORDS BY: JANEEN TALBOTT PHOTOS BY: ALVIN McBEAN DESIGN BY: KEITH “UNITS” WOODS

Sick B oy Vi nt age 439 W. Gaines St., Suite B (850) 222-SICK (7425) If you have a craving for the unconventional and your style repels all that is mundane, Sick Boy may have just what you need to make a bold statement. Clothing can be found from the ‘50s through the ‘80s within the tightly packed racks of gently used garments.

If a customer fi nds something they want to put their own spin on, they’re in luck. The instore seamstress makes custom vintage looks and alters ones that patrons put together.

Threads from the past are cherished in a store that is run by a young entrepreneur with an appreciation for quality clothing. Devon Pyles, a former FSU student, manages the establishment dedicated to selling the ‘sickest’ apparel of the past to the hippest customers of the present.

The dressing rooms are lined with old newspaper clippings and hippy era ads. An authentic refrigerator that lovingly stores accessories such as scarves and nylons, rests at the rear of the store. History is alive in every corner.

Become a fan of their page on Facebook and receive 15 percent off on your next purchase.

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S avan na h’s C ount r y Buf fet 437 W. Gaines St. (850) 224-7100 Hungry? Why spend your money at a fast-food joint? If you have $2, the egg, grits and toast breakfast special is on sale all day. Take a trip over to Savannah’s Country Buffet and get your fill for a few bucks.

The knickknacks on the windowsills are reminiscent of your grandmother’s kitchen with the Southern hospitality to match.

Patrons are encouraged soothe their appetites with menu items such as their B.L.T. for $2.99 or club sandwich for $4.59.

The down-home, relaxed environment and mouthwatering smells taunt the taste buds, which won’t be disappointed.

Macaroni and cheese, lima beans, fried chicken, biscuits and rice are a few of the everyday options on the lunch buffet.

What’s t he Poi nt? Pi erci ng Stu di o 516 W. Gaines St. (850) 681-9828 whatsthepointpiercing.net A sign painted on a storefront window explains what the owner expects from her customers: “No Food, No Drugs, No Children, No Alcohol, No Regrets.” Leopard-print carpet lines the small establishment, which is sandwiched between a tattoo parlor and a vintage shop.

What’s the Point? Piercing Studio’s environment is a healthy balance of morbid humor, spunk and individuality.

Kim Casey, owner and senior piercer, mirrors the ambience she’s created within the four walls. Her Cruella de Vil inspired two-tone hair, eclectic garments and sleek spectacles tell the world that she’s a woman who dares to be different. Her patrons are just as daring. They come to her studio to purchase exotic jewelry such as belly-rings and plugs. They also come to be pierced live in front of people who visit the store. Visit the store’s Facebook page for more information on deals, specials and sales.

University Cycles of Tallahassee 668 W. Gaines St. (850) 222-1665 facebook.com/University-Cycles

Euphori a Tatto os 508 W. Gaines St. (850) 224-3124 facebook.com/euphoria-tattoos myspace.com/euphoriatattoos For those who believe their body is a temple that should be adorned with the finest of artwork, Euphoria Tattoos is willing to call their bluff.

The establishment has a team of artists with the experience necessary to decorate customers with the permanent accessories they desire.

The large selection of artwork that the artists have to choose from far supersedes the availability of space within the four walls of the parlor.

Sketches line the walls and are stacked in binders. Everything else can be found on their customers and the store’s websites.

Euphoria Tattoos also specializes in custom work. While those with intentions of getting inked can choose from the aforementioned designs, they are also welcomed to bring in their own ideas.

For all of the naysayers, photos and videos of the tattooists at work are available online.

Av ant - G ar b Vintage 522 W. Gaines St. (850) 514-GARB (4272) facebook.com/avantgarb At Avant-Garb Vintage there’s something special to absorb in every section. From textures to text, the walls are filled with things to satisfy several of a customer’s senses. Splashes of color tease the eye, incense and old perfumes tickle the nostrils and the rich fabrics are like decadence for the fingertips.

For patrons who like wearable conversation starters, Avant-Garb is an eclectic place to purchase clothing that tells stories older than many of the customers who purchase them. From the gloves that have braved many a cold Tallahassee winters in the 1950s to the leather jacket that witnessed numerous concerts in the 1980s, if threads could talk they’d have lots to say.

The establishment is much like a time capsule for all of those who want to put an innovative spin on clothing from the past. Aside from apparel the colorful store sells vinyl records, authentic gentlemen’s magazines from the ‘60s and ‘70s, and housewares.

The large eyeglass selection is a customer favorite. It features large frames, intergalactic looking spectacles and ‘70s inspired shades for $10 and up. On lucky days, when the prices are marked down, patrons may be able to purchase them for less.

Like the selection of glasses, the clothing selection is varied. From leather to tweed, Avant-Garb has it all. There’s a little something for every style, one just has to have the patience and the eye to find these standout pieces.

Be honest: Gas ain’t cheap and when your funds are low, every penny counts. For those who want to keep a little extra money in their pockets or may just want a new workout regimen, riding a bike may be a cost-effective solution. There’s a store on Gaines Street with all a new or seasoned rider needs to stay in heavy rotation.

University Cycles has been serving Tallahassee with orderonly bikes for more than five years. The owners, uncannily both named John, also offer bike repairs. “We work on repairs on all types of bikes,” John Donohue says.

For new riders, they offer sales on the bikes that sell the most. Those bikes are trail bikes, which are good for both on and off campus riding. “These are usually best because Tallahassee isn’t too bike-friendly,” Donohue says. This makes them just right for cycling on the Hill.

The store also sells other biking equipment and accessories such as helmets, seat covers, chains and locks as well as reflectors and water bottles.

If in need of advice for the best type of bike or accessories to purchase, the workers at University Cycles are equipped with the knowledge and experience to pedal a biker in the right direction.

Pha z e O n e Sk ate Shop 439 W. Gaines St., Suite C (850) 681-8711 phazeoneskateshop.blogspot.com

The smell of metal and rubber may remind most of a car or auto-parts dealership. Phaze One Skate Shop has the same telltale fragrance but the store offers merchandise for those who desire a more innovative mode of transportation: skateboarding.

The store was established in 1992 by Orly Vasquez who asserts that he is dedicated to serving the members of the Tallahassee boarding community.

In this little slice of skateboard heaven, local skaters can be found perusing through the varied selection of kicks and apparel.

Vans, Converse and Nike are just a few of the brand-name shoes that brightly line the walls at the front of the store. Garments such as Ethnies hoodies and tees hang from racks waiting patiently for new owners to discover them near the rear of the store.

For those of you who have a love affair with the pavement or are interested in defying the laws of gravity, Phaze One Skate Shop is a place willing to fulfill all of your shopping needs.

Utre cht Ar t Suppli es 600 W. Gaines St. (850) 222-2061 utrecht.com

With the Railroad Square art haven right up the street from Gaines, many of the creative minds responsible for the one-of-a-kind pieces that decorate the art district may need a place to find the tools for their craft.

Luckily for them, Utrecht, a national art supply franchise, is now open.

Aspiring artists no longer have to make the trek across town to purchase the tools for their projects. A short walk down the highest of seven hills is all it takes to bring them to the doors of this new art supply store.

Paints, brushes, clay and framing are all available in one place. The smell of endless possibilities lines each aisle of the store. The establishment offers a wide assortment of products. From the 12-ounce blank canvas Converse shoes for those who want to customize their own kicks, to the modeling tools necessary for architecture projects, Utrecht has it all.

“Art is happening [here],” says Greg Mannheimer, a sales representative.

Utrecht wants to be a part of it.

For behind-the-scene store footage, visit to journeymagonline.com -2851(<

Islamophobia In post-September 11 America, most Muslims bear the burden of responsibility for terror around the country, forcing a divide between the land they love and the faith they follow.

WORDS BY: TERRIKA MITCHELL PHOTOS BY: JESSICA NOEL DESIGN BY: ANTHONY JAMES

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ajr Hassan, a second-year professional pharmacy student at Florida A&M University, is brown-eyed, brown-skinned and Southern-born like most students on campus. As the Atlanta native stood in line at a hometown supermarket, she was reminded of her differences. A middle-aged man who observed her attire commented on their religious differences rather than their racial similarities. He questioned if she was “one of those Muslims.”

Almost entertained, Fajr laughed and replied “yes.”

“You know they hate them nowadays!” she remembers the stranger snapping at her. People tend to doubt her race though, because she is Muslim and adheres to typical dress for American Muslim women. She is draped in a cloth wrapped around her head revealing only her face and “modest” attire that conceals her figure. Fajr says others do not acknowledge that her race and religion are separate.

“When people wear their hijabs like this, there’s very little to convince somebody that you’re black,” she says. “People don’t make the distinction.

There are a lot of African-Americans who are Muslim, maybe their style would have people think they’re from an African country or wanting to embrace the African culture.”

Still, she equally embraces her race as well as her belief in Islam.

“I don’t want people to think that Islam means a certain race or that you’re from a certain place in the world,” says Fajr, who is Sunni by sect (or denomination). “Race has absolutely nothing to do with the founding belief of Islam. You can be both.” Even in a city inhabited with so many African-Americans, Fajr feels she’s considered just one of “them”— an outcast. She is all too familiar with the obvious and disguised prejudice from non-Muslims.

“I’m used to every look and every glance,” she says. “I know who’s looking at me, how they’re looking at me and what they’re thinking across the room, and I’m not even looking at them.”

Decades ago some people may have been on defense against Fajr because of her race. Now, she feels it’s due to her religion, and the violent nature many Americans believe it manifests. Raised by parents who converted to Islam from Christianity after marrying, Fajr says she made the final decision to continue in the religion. “I’d say, maybe around 14 was the first time my dad asked me, ‘What do you want to do?’,” she recalls.

“And it’s a decision I make every day I wake up, so it didn’t stop then.”

Unfortunately, Fajr says her religious commitment left her rejected and shunned, even from members of her own community. “You have Arabs who look at African-American Muslims as being less than,” she says. “It’s really because most black Muslims don’t speak Arabic so they’ll (Arab Muslims) think they’re missing out on something. It’s important for me to stand up and let other Muslims know I’m African-American and true to my faith.” Fajr, though, fluently speaks English and Arabic, the official language of Islam.

But even as she battles scrutiny from fellow Muslims, Fajr seems to face more opposition from the rest of America. She says non-Muslims’ lack of understanding of Islam has resulted in a long-time separation in America.

The September 11 attacks only “brought it closer to home” for her.

“A lot of people think (Islamophobia) began with September 11,” she explains. “That kind of attitude was there way before Sept. 11. I know this because I was born way before Sept. 11 and I’ve still had that negative reaction. I’ve had people just outright come and say something nasty to me.” Fajr says she is not easily offended by other’s negative opinion of her religion. She is motivated by many aggressors to avoid stereotyping one person’s attitude on Islam to all Americans.

“It’s hard not to generalize sometimes but it’s something that you have to actively be aware of and be conscious of how you are approaching the world,” she says. “I can’t go around thinking that everyone is going to attack me so I have to get them first.”

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I can’t go around thinking that everyone is going to attack me so I have UP HFU UIFN mSTU

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According to islamophobia.org, “...irrational fear or prejudice toward Islam and Muslims” is Islamophobia. Despite Fajr’s run-ins, Islamophobic attitudes among non-Muslims in America may be on the decline based on an August 2010 Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life poll— “Public Remains Conflicted over Islam.”

The Pew Forum poll of more than 1,000 American adults showed that 30 percent were favorable in their opinion of Islam, while 38 percent of citizens admitted to an unfavorable viewpoint in the survey. However there was an almost 10 percent increase in participants who were unsure in their judgment of the religion compared to an August 2009 poll.

The Forum’s poll results also show that 42 percent of participants voted that Islam “does not encourage violence more” in comparison to other religions. Contrarily, 35 percent believe that it is “more likely than others to encourage violence.”

Attitudes surrounding recent controversies targeting America’s Muslim community may contribute to varied outlooks. Americans everywhere actively objected the Park51 renovation, slugged the ‘mosque near Ground Zero’, and the Rev. Terry Jones’ threat to burn a Quran as part of a 9/11 remembrance. The conflicts broadcast from these areas exposed the otherwise ignored anti-Muslim slant in this country.

U.S. citizens recall the Sept. 11 attacks as initiating the country’s active al-Qaida-centered War on Terrorism. Record amounts of U.S. troops journeyed the Middle East, while their civilian counterparts were up in arms as well.

Muslim extremists who have levied attacks on America “in the name of Allah” have become infamous poster-people for their religion. In response to September 11, experts like Susan M. Akram propose that most Americans may project an aggressive patriotism on the Muslim public.

Akram authored “The Aftermath of September 11, 2001: The Targeting of Arabs and Muslims in America” for Arab Studies Quarterly in 2002.

“Several types of anti-Arab racism and violence can be discerned,” Akram wrote. “The third is a form of jingoist hostility and violence usually associated with international crises involving U.S. citizens.” Arabs only make

up 25 percent of America’s Muslim population, according to a Faith Communities Today report. African-Americans ranked No. 2, making up 33 percent of the Muslim community in the states. Consequently, apparent black Muslims may be experiencing a high rate of prejudice throughout the country.

Aslam Abdullah, editor of The Muslim Observer— a newspaper established to offset corporate media’s coverage of Muslims— says Muslim Americans are attacked for their religious beliefs. However, he says the prejudices are not for valid reasons. “Islam is a religion and America is a country,” the 10-year editor says. “The tension is between Muslims and right-wing Christian evangelists. They believe that anyone who is not like them will end up in hell. They are creating hateful conditions.”

Abdullah argues that mainstream media coverage of Muslim opposition promotes irrational ideologies and groups like FSC. He says, “the media is playing up these groups and their accusations,” which intensifies uneasy relationships. “The media is not giving a fair chance to Muslims to explain their positions,” the editor says. “In the last 10 years, the media has projected and presented Islam as an uncivilized religion other than trying to develop an understanding. Muslims are as much opposed to terrorism as anybody.”

Abdullah says issues of domestic abuse, gay/lesbian/bisexual bashing, and unemployment due to outsourcing lack media coverage while corporate media sensationalize for ratings. The Florida Security Council is an anti-Muslim organization operating under the premise that Islam is a violent religion. They believe that under Shariah law, Muslim extremist “want to kill Americans.” Shariah law guides all aspects of Muslim life from daily routines, familial and religious obligations, and financial dealings. The “state-based, private non-profit organization” seeks to counter Muslim extremists, especially in America, by ending their ongoing conflict in Israel with Jewish extremists. Executive director Tom Trento argues, nonetheless, that the FCS operation is not based on religion but national security against those in compliance with the Muslim law. He says the law calls for total Islamic rule, but American Muslims “are more

lenient in their interpretation of the law.”

“Most Muslims in America do not comply with Shariah,” he says. “They tend to assimilate peacefully into American society and do not pose a threat to national security.”

Trento and Abdullah agree that the average American attitude of Islam is also a result of Muslim presence in the area. Abdullah says cities with a diverse population of Muslims generate increased religious tolerance.

Ultimately, he says this affects the interaction because residents are informed and understand the religion more.

“If they are in places like California, Las Vegas, New York or Detroit, where there is a mixed population and Muslims are in large numbers, the relationships are definitely much better than places where Muslims are in small numbers,” he says.

With a meager 0.6 percent of Americans being Muslim, according to the CIA’s World Factbook, their prominence is scarce in most U.S. cities.

In 2009 the U.S. Census Bureau reported an estimated population of more than 250,000 people in Leon County. With only two local mosques— one on Bragg Street near FAMU’s campus— Tallahassee’s moderate Muslim population is evident. Nonetheless, they cannot escape the brunt of religious attacks.

Several religious leaders throughout the city have unified to form interfaith ministries to combat issues like Islamic prejudices. Tallahassee Equality Action Ministry (TEAM) has a primary goal to eradicate religious as well as social injustices. Local ministries include Bethel AME, St. Eugene Catholic Church, Temple Israel and Unitarian Universalist Church according to TEAM’s website, teamtally.org.

“We are open to all congregations of 20 or more. We’re also welcoming of all faiths,” says the Rev. Robin Gray, Pastor of Unitarian Universalist Church of Tallahassee. She is also vice president of the ministry.

Gray notes that the group has not responded to any anti-Muslim aggression primarily because local mosques have not joined the organization. However, Imams, Muslim religious leaders, actively participate in the area-wide interfaith clergy.

“We are preparing for September 2011 to take a proactive rather than reactive approach against anti-Muslim prejudices because we suspect there will be some backlash,” Gray says.

She says strangers have approached her seeking her opinion on national news regarding Muslims. She is relatively unmoved by hostile approaches but says she welcomes any questions nonMuslims may have about the religion.

“I think the awareness started out by people wanting to know as much about their “enemy” as possible,” she says. “That’s what I love, when people are forced to understand. People are going to look. I wish they would just ask me questions.”

Legitimate questions hardly stand a chance considering recent comments made by public figures, such as Bill O’Reilly of FOX News and Juan Williams, a former news analyst for National Public Radio. Williams, who was fired by NPR for commenting on his unease at the sight of an “apparent Muslim in traditional robe” in the airport, was later hired by FOX News.

Fajr sympathizes with friends who endure harassment as a result of associating with her. She says, “they may not be as used to the attention” as she is.

“You know Bill O’Reilly said Muslims killed us in 9/11?” Fajr says, mim-2851(< icking a comment made to a friend of hers.

Fajr, though, is not discouraged and remains grounded in her faith. She encourages fellow followers of Islam to stand strong in their faith.

“It just makes me want to advocate even stronger for people to understand what Islam is and what it’s not,” she says. “I hope that other Muslims will feel the same way and not feel ashamed because Bill O’Reilly attacked you on TV.”

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“

“

We repeat sounds and phrases without even being conscious of it.

-­Tommy Hawkins/Repetition

Denzel Willis Names

D

AFRIC

ANISM

Trac e cultu s of West re Afric an p racti ces s till fo und in

toda y’s A fr

DESIGN BY: QUINTAVIOUS SHEPHARD PHOTOS BY: JESSICA NOEL and KEENAN DOANES

S

ican -Am erica n

on’t touch that Shaquandria!” Ever been grocery shopping and hear a woman shout the ghetto name she gave her child down the aisle? You don’t even bother to look back because you know they’re black. Yeah, I have it too.

The thought that many African-American names are linked to Africa is nothing but a misguided stereotype. Most names people consider ghetto or “black” are not African at all. In fact, what many have attained from the mainland is the dual name system or, tradition of nicknames.

In today’s society, many African-Americans are known by two names. This dual-name system originated from the Gullah people in concentrated areas of South Carolina and Georgia, who still hold on to African traditions here in the states. The system consisted of an American name given at birth and a more personal name that was used by family and close friends in the community.

According to Joseph Holloway’s “Africanisms in American Culture,” the personal names were known as “basket names” or “ day names,” now referred to as nicknames. These nicknames were given by the community to fit the child’s character, similar to what African-Americans do today in small towns and communities.

During slavery, even slaveholders recognized and acknowledged this dual name system. On runaway slave advertisements, both the “given” name and nickname of the slave would be listed on the poster.

So even though it seems that Pookie and Manman are just modern nicknames that we’ve recently started to give each other, the system of nicknames stems from a much older and more meaningful tradition.

For our Top 10 nicknames, go to journeymagonline.com

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Tommy Hawkins

Breea Mitchell

Repetition

Hair

As I push my all white Honda Accord down Wahnish Way at a breakneck pace, I turn my radio up as Plies’ South Florida jargon blares through the speakers. “Ay bruh, errbody wanna know bout dat, bruh bruh, what dat mean bruh, it dat when u coolin’ bruh, and u know u da sh*t, bruh bruh.” I whip into the parking garage by the café, I can’t seem to release the lyrics from the walls of my mind. I wonder why the celebrated rapper keeps repeating himself. Where does that come from and why is it so popular? This sort of repetition is more than just a blatant disregard for the English language. Today, repetition is not only used in the music we listen to, but also in our everyday speech. This practice originated in Africa.

We repeat sounds and phrases without even being conscious of it. When hearing news about someone from a friend, we often repeat the name back twice to make sure the right person is being discussed. You and a friend might know several mutual Mike’s, but if you ask if they’re referring to “Mike Mike,” it implies a specific Mike that the two of you have a special relationship with. According to Joseph E. Holloway’s “Africanisms in American Culture,” the “Wolof ” people were the largest group of Africans in early American colonies. They assimilated many cultural elements and language into early American speech. “Leegi” is a Wolof word for “now.” For example, “right now” in Wolof is “leegi leegi” or “right now.” The word is repeated so a feeling of urgency is expressed.

So the next time you’re at the club ordering another round of Patrón shots for your friends and “Bruh Bruh” comes on, remember that our ancestors once used repetition to emphasize a sense of urgency—forreal forreal.

It’s not an uncommon scene, especially at our illustrious university, to observe a young lady sporting a 14-inch, Indian Remy “patting her weave.” Various topics ranging from “net-check weaves” to “tacky lacefronts” bless the hallowed halls of our academy on a daily basis.

Hair extensions have become so ingrained in the black culture that many women pay hundreds of dollars for them. Some even neglect necessities like rent, books and food just to get the perfect “do.” Though many young women embrace their natural hair when enrolling in college, some sisters refuse to get off “track” when it comes to the weave revolution. According to Ayana Byrd, co-author of “Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America,” the hair is the most elevated part of the body and is therefore considered a portal for spirits to pass through to the soul. Knowing one’s physical appearance is closely associated with self-esteem, Europeans purposely caused a schism between Africans and their hair.

Once slavery ended, the standard for beauty was one of a European aesthetic. Hair that was long and straight was regarded as beautiful. Therefore, many blacks began to mimic the European culture, says Joseph Holloway, author of the novel, “Africanisms in American Culture.” Th is misconception of “good” hair still carries on today as many African-American women have a hard time accepting their hair in its natural state. Comedian Chris Rock’s documentary “Good Hair” followed the multimillion dollar black hair care industry. So, the next time you are about to get a 32-piece track sewn into your hair, consider the history and reach for your roots instead.

Angie Meus Dance

“We Jook! We Vibe! Ladies Clap Them Thighs!”

The moment DJ Kd lets the beat drop, all shapes and sizes of students squat and vigorously clap their inner thighs to the drum snares of the NMB Stunnaz hit record.

The popularity of unique dances, like “Clap Them Thighs” and “The Beenie Biggle Wiggle,” have gained a step or two on the mainstream “booty-shaking” seen in rap videos. “So You Think You Can Dance” has the entire nation integrating African-American dance culture into their routines. The African origins of these crazy-looking dances go much deeper than most Americans think.

According to Barbara Glass’ “When the Spirit Moves You” from the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, hand clapping, foot tapping, and body patting were also important percussive sounds formed enslaved Africans. In many cases drums and other percussion instruments dominate African music.

Improvisation, seen in dances like “krumping” and breakdancing, can be traced back to isolated regions in West Africa much, similar to “Crip Walking” in Los Angeles.

Popular dance has shifted from being a jovial spiritual action to social and territorial activities. Whatever its utilization, African-American’s aptitude for artistic creation has a direct relation with African culture.

No one stops slow grinding at the club to ponder the origin of their movement, but it’s worth contemplating. So the next time you step on the dance fl oor and see a group of people “Wu-Tang Wit It,” know that your kinsmen in Africa are doing the original version.

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As Operation Iraqi Freedom comes to an end, thousands of soldiers face a new enemy, homelessness.

With the national unemployment rate nearing 10 percent and a host of hidden problems, some young veterans find themselves sleeping on the streets they risked their lives to defend.

is still visible on his right shoulder.

During his last year in high school, an injury cost Ken Smith a full wrestling scholarship to Auburn University. With limited funds and average grades, his options were running out. Then, they showed up. Recruiters dressed in blue and gold promised a free education and a chance to see the world. At 17, he enlisted in the Navy. The cramped space he occupied with his fellow soldiers was not what he had in mind.

“I slept right under an aircraft carrier,” Smith says. The constant rumble of a jet engine plagued Smith’s life for six years, six months, two weeks, and two days. “Planes took off and landed over my head 24 hours a day. I wound up losing my hearing.”

He returned to the states with severely damaged hearing. He worked as a truck driver, but lost his job when his ailment kept him from passing the Department of Transportation’s physical.

His G.I. bill expired 10 years after his separation date. His parents even tried to step in to help, but Smith says the shame keeps him distant from any connection with his past.

“I’m too embarrassed to go home, too proud,” Smith says. “I have applied for all different types of jobs, but I can’t get hired. I used to work on planes and Toys “R” Us says I don’t know how to )$// -2851(<0$*21/,1( &20

put together a bicycle. I’m unhirable. I’m undesirable. I’m worthless. I’m nothing.”

At 53 years old, Smith is a homeless veteran with $13 in his pocket.

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans estimates that roughly one-third of all homeless people in the U.S. are veterans.

Of that one-third, 56 percent are African-American or Hispanic.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that about 1.5 million veterans are at risk of losing their homes due to overcrowded housing, poverty and a lack of support.

Smith returned from the service more than four decades ago; however, the issue of homelessness is resurfacing. As the national unemployment rate creeps past 9.6 percent, young veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are returning from combat and are quickly losing their homes as well.

Life on the streets was the furthest thing from George Brooker’s mind when he enlisted at 17. He says the army was a way for him to leave his rural hometown of Thomasville, Ga. and “get away from the country,” Brooker says with a tinged laugh. “That’s usually the way they get you.”

According to the NCHV, an estimated 142,000 soldiers have

returned to the U.S. since President Barack Obama’s Aug. 31 speech marked an end to the war in Iraq. The organization estimates that 3,700 veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan have become homeless so far.

According to the Department of Veteran Affairs’ website, mental illness, financial troubles and difficulty in finding affordable housing are generally accepted as the three primary causes of homelessness among veterans, and in the case of Iraq and Afghanistan.

The VA spends about $265 million annually on programs targeting homeless veterans, but the number of afflicted service members only appears to be growing due to high unemployment rates and issues associated with post traumatic stress disorder.

Observing dead bodies of his comrades became a common occurrence for Brooker during his time in the service. He says seeing that carnage made it difficult for him to readjust in society.

“One day you’re a 17-year-old kid out in the country, and in three or four months you’re in a foreign country and they hand you a gun saying, ‘Kill these people,” he says. “Your buddy next to you just got his face blown off… Nobody that age should have to see that.”

His time in the military left him with bad memories, and he developed an unhealthy habit. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, 80 percent of veterans develop some form dependency on drugs or alcohol. Brooker says he used the alcohol to curb the physical and mental pain from combat.

“When I got back, I started drinking heavy,” Brooker says. “It was really hard to focus on normal civilian life because I’m used to being so tense. I struggled. I never drank before, but in the army you’re expected to drink. I was stressed out, drinking to cover things up and try and make the feelings numb.”

Memories of traumatic events followed Brooker in his civilian life. Some of the memories of war still haunt him.

“Everyone sees them going off to war, but I saw the after-effects,” Brooker explains. “I remember looking at the faces of the dead bodies, watching them pile up as they brought them back from the frontlines.”

Back home from the service, his newfound liquid comfort led to him losing his job at a steel company and a bad breakup with his girlfriend, in April, left him homeless.

“It’s really hard to get back into normal society,” he says. “It’s a real transition that you have to go through. (The military) sucks your soul out and drops you back off. There is no good thing about war.”

Brooker found solace in the Tallahassee Veterans Village (TVV), where the facility’s regulations curbed the temptation of alcohol.

TVV is one of the 11 response centers in the state targeting homeless veterans. It is the only one catering to the estimated 800 veterans in North Florida. Property manager Shawn Noles says besides housing, many veterans need jobs and mental health services, including treatment for addictions. “They go over and war changes you when you have to fight and kill someone,” Noles says.

“People who have never seen this type of violence before, it makes them more isolated. In reality, they all have PTSD.” According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event where physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural disasters, accidents, or military combat.

PTSD in combat veterans ranges from 10 percent to 30 percent and higher rates have been found in minorities, according to the NIMH. This is attributed to the tendency for minorities to blame themselves and have less social support than their white counterparts. This is considered the result of increased exposure to combat at younger ages for minority groups.

Former army medic Mike Gaston served during the Vietnam War and worked at the psychiatric hospital. He recounts vividly the devastating effects combat places on a troubled soldier and their families.

“A lot of them (soldiers) can’t be around people. It’s really hard to get back into normal,” Gaston says. “I was on my lunch hour one day, and this guy’s wife was sitting on the bench crying. She said, ‘I just can’t deal with this anymore.’ He woke up and he was straddling the girl and choking her.”

Noles, who served six years as a medic in the Air Force during Operation Desert Storm, says the soldiers he sees coming in and out of his facility are getting younger and showing signs of posttraumatic stress disorder much sooner. The center offers counseling services and conducts mandatory biweekly meetings, but for some tenants these services are simply not enough.

There have been 15 people evicted from his facility, almost all for alcohol related issues. Smith was the 16th. A drink on his 53rd birthday sent him back to the streets with no clear future in sight.

He was given three days to vacate the premises and says he will likely end up on the streets again.

Smith says he feels worthless due to his lack of employment. As he prepares to return to the streets, he reflects on his time after the war and wishes the new generation of veterans luck.

“All I could say to them is, ‘I’m sorry.’ They served their country and they served it well. I wish them the best of luck. Being a veteran in America doesn’t mean anything. They could care less about us.”

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AROUND E B T ’ N A IDERS) C T BACK TO NORL O S ( M E R F TH O GE “A LOT O ’S REALLY HARD T ON MY LUNCH HOU N T PEOPLE. I TON SAYS. “I WAS FE WAS SITTING O T I ’ S MAL,” GA ND THIS GUY’S W ID, ‘I JUST CAN D A A ONE DAY, H CRYING. SHE S HE WOKE UP AN ” .’

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s he empa ted. Some emons. incarcera Noles say t ir inner d e e g th ms.” e g m n o li elter. S an’s proble ns batt r h a s r te e e te v e th v a r to r fo fo ack mmas. is no pill them go b sform teran dile s. “There e y v a “Most of s e s lv ise to tran le o s o m N re ro ” p t, to e e is e d h tr ma ental on eS prove” m Tennesse are being ake good im ts m r y o ll to ff a d e c e l ti g a d n ma bama ple Still, natio ould “dra said he w resident O P d n 9 a 2 s . v ir o a is budget Aff On N Veterans ent said h f id o s t re n e p e tm commitki, th the Depar years— a ric Shinse e E v fi y r t x ta e n re n. . e ec health aid Afghanista VA over th s Affairs S e d n n a th a r r q te a fo e Ir g V y prondin from Flanked b alth care rease in fu e returning c h s in n s n ir ra o a te li ff e il v A $25 b Veterans e needs of e said. calls for a fund our tested by th y e ll y 2013,” h b fu l b il t s s n w a t ju r a ’t te th n e t o v n d e 0 e 0 m nal 500,0 budget, w an additio e “With this v r e s to expand it gram, we Y N SWILLE Y: KRISTE WORDS B : JESSICA NOEL ODS Y PHOTOS B KEITH “UNITS” WO : Y B N DESIG

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The VA spends about $265 million annually on programs targeting homeless veterans.

According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, on any given night about 107k veterans are homeless.

The VA underestimated its budget to serve veterans by $3 billion in 2005.

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans estimates that roughly one-third of all homeless people are veterans.

Of that one-third, 56 percent of all homeless veterans are African-American or Hispanic.

The VA is short 10,000 beds needed to serve homeless veterans.

The VA organizes what it called “stand-downs” to provide short-term services to homeless veterans including counseling and substance abuse treatment.

“In war, there are no unwounded soldiers…”

José Narosky

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FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER I HAD FRIENDS FROM ALL

AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUSES

WORDS BY: BRANDON NEASMAN DESIGN BY: QUINTAVIOUS SHEPHARD

o pun intended, but the “New Class” of hip-hop artists is highly educated; literally. At 22, R&B/pop sensation Mike Posner has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry while also juggling an academic career.

This past summer, Posner, who’s signed to J Records, graduated from the prestigious Duke University with a 3.6 GPA. He attributes this to parents, who pushed him to get a good education. “My parents really sacrificed everything for me to have a good education,” Posner says of his parents. “I owe them a lot.”

The Michigan native grew up near Detroit in what he calls “one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Michigan.” This, he says, helped attribute to his taste in music.

“For as long as I can remember, I had friends from all different ethnicities and socioeconomic statuses,” Posner says. “As a result, I listened to all different types of music from a very young age. And that’s why my music sounds the way it does today. If you looked in my CD book from when I was a teenager on the school bus you would’ve found Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, next to Nas, Outkast, J Dilla, Kweli, Rage Against the Machine and all types of Led Zepplin.”

Posner, who recently released his debut album entitled 31 Minutes to Takeoff, got his start interning at popular Detroit radio station Hot 102.7 where he met a then unknown Detroit rapper Big Sean, who would later go on to get discovered by rap superstar Kanye West at that very station.

“Sean is one of my best friends,” Posner says of the emcee. “He used to go on the air and rap every Friday and freestyle. He heard that I had the beats, and he had the rhymes and we started working. For the longest time, I’ll be honest; I was just a member of Sean’s entourage. And I’m so thankful for that because I got to watch Sean go through being an artist for three years before anything started happening for me. All I wanted was to get a beat on Sean’s album; that’s it. I would’ve died to get a beat on Sean’s album. So by the time things started developing for me, I had learned how to act from him.”

Now, Posner has his own success. His smash single, “Cooler Than Me” burned up radio stations this summer and peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In his eyes, this is just the beginning. Not just for himself, but for something even bigger.

“I think it’s an exciting time for hip-hop and an exciting time for music in general,” Posner says. Words like hip-hop, R&B and pop—they mean less and less every day. There are more and more kids growing up today like I grew up 10 years ago that aren’t listening to music in a box. They’re not afraid to listen to different types of stuff.”

Posner sees this as an evolution of popular music, but also believes there’s something special about the talent that’s spearheading this change.

“One thing I can tell you that’s great about this new wave of artists is they’re all good people. From B.O.B to Sean, to Drake, to Cudi—Wale, they’re all great guys,” he says.

“I have nothing bad to say about any of them. I’ve met them all. And you do meet artists along the way who are assholes, but our generation, we’re just really not like that. I’m really proud of that and of all those guys for making it.

They’re all kind of making music that doesn’t sound like anybody else’s.

Like Cudi—he doesn’t really sound like anybody else, Drake doesn’t really sound like anybody else, Sean doesn’t really sound like anybody else and I don’t think I sound like anybody else either. So we’re all similar in the sense that we’re different. It’s an exciting time.”

Courtesy of Google Images

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Signature Savoir-Faire

Regardless of the scene, Journey models know how to put their stamp on any style PHOTOS BY: JESSICA NOEL

DESIGN BY: LEITOYA SNELLING

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Model | Bonita O’Banion

Model | Christin Haynes

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Model | Harmony Rutland

Model | Iman Smith

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Model | Wilnic Gideon

Back Row (L to R): Bink, Sean Blackmon, Bianca Flowers, Antonio Rosado, Anamarie Shreeves, Wesley Martin, Terrika Mitchell

Front Row (L to R): Caryn Wilson, Kristen Swilley, Andy St. Hilaire, Jessica Noel

FAREWELL FRIENDS They have taken Journey magazine with them to New Orleans and Miami, from New York City to South Africa. During their time on ‘the Hill,’ they have added William Randolph Hearst awards and many other accolades to Florida A&M University’s catalog of excellence. They have spent nights in the SJGC building (thanks for the bench Dean Hawkins), missed classes and holiday vacations for Journey magazine, so we have to give a special Journey Family CONGRATULATIONS to the fall 2010 - spring 2011 graduates.

Thanks for the years of dedication you all put into this publication.

PHOTOS BY: JESSICA NOEL and CORY WILLIAMS DESIGN BY: LEITOYA SNELLING

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Untitled Rant

It’s like I’m in love with someone who doesn’t exist Your smile, and your laugh I constantly miss But how is this?

Contemplating consecutive seconds of sequential ecstasy in every kiss Pure Bliss Yet as quickly as these thoughts arise, they are dismissed By the simple and obvious fact that you don’t exist - By Ashley E. Finney

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Her

Stuck in neutral when you’re around, cause the essence of your being is so profound. Adulation comes to mind, but you’re used to that so I remain like mimes. Amazed in a daze as you stop time. The God in you always seems to take place and shine. Your presence takes me over in your eyes I’m caught. Your smile is like the seamstress that suited my heart.

Yes, you…………

- By Andy “Prince” St. Hilaire

There are Blankets that Can Stop Darkness Only with my eyes closed can the light penetrate my darkness.

Here, I am bathed in a blanket of self-loathing. Why can’t I stop you? No matter my persistence they’re my Achilles’ heel and they will never leave.

Did you even see me leave?

I know that it is possible but can you? I provide for you but they’re always whispering sweet lullabies from the darkness.

My eyes close and then it stops.

You forget to tuck me in. I have no blanket.

The crumpled heap of blankets lay on the floor discarded as she leaves.

I turn on the timer for my pancakes. It stops.

No milk. I will have to use the can of soda. I sit alone in the kitchen darkness and talk and I imagine that you are there.

I lock the door behind me. There is no one to play with. I left my blanket.

But here I smile. There is no darkness I stop playing alone and try to slow the leaves from sliding down tree trunk cheeks, but I cannot.

The flow never slows or stops.

They may pretend to stay but will not stop moving. They try to deceive me and mostly, they’re successful. I whisper my life to you. Can you just stop and give me warmth? Blanket me with promises that won’t leave me as most have? Comfort me with days absent of darkness?

There have been many days when darkness was absent but then the laughter stops and happiness waves and smiles leave.

I blame them but it is not their fault. If I had only covered you in my blanket, maybe you could have fought that bottle, that can.

But now I can see that alcohol is your blanket.

It never leaves and no matter my protest, they’re so strong. So I stop, and find light in the darkness.

This Was Once a Respectable Profession “This was once a respectable profession.”

She said as she looked into a river of red that ran downhill through the grout.

A river, unlike the Nile, it did not bring forth life.

“This was once a respectable profession.”

She said as she closed her legs, gingerly because movement intensified the fire between her thighs.

“This was once a respectable profession.”

She cried as she tried to stand up straight, trying to remember the poise and grace she once walked with in past lives.

She yelled, “This was once a respectable profession!” as she tried to inhale life but instead breathed in stale smog of death and decay.

She stopped yelling, “This was once a respectable profession” because no one was listening, all alone in the room, alone in the world where she performed unrespectable acts for her profession. She was no longer a temple priestess giving offerings of herself to the DIVINE. She was no longer the village crone, initiating boys into manhood.

She was no longer a healer, releasing emotional and spiritual problems manifested in physical dysfunction. She was no longer a therapist, showing husbands how to please their wives.

She was no longer spiritual, teaching disciples how to connect and become God. She was just a John, for her Johns to release everything that they hated about themselves into.

But she took it gladly, believing she was giving something great, so greatness she would receive.

She received money, laughter, ecstasy, bliss, peace, but it was so wrapped up in shit that it was of no use to her.

It decayed and left her with nothing. She would not see it, but the universe had to make her aware. Although her eyes were swollen and bruised, she could see clearly now.

“This is not a respectable profession,” she said, washing the blood from her body, washing away the fog she lived in.

“This is not a respectable profession,” she cried, as she remembered all the times she looked into a man’s eye and did not see a reflection of God. “This is not a respectable profession!” she screamed, scrubbing away her old self, so a new one could surface.

“This is not a respectable profession,” she stated, as she let the water cleanse her.

“This is not a respectable profession.”

It was her baptismal oath.

She smiled, “This is not a respectable profession.”

She was reborn, Made anew by blood, cleansed by water, so she could be, once again, respectable.

- By Esther Spenser

- By Kai’Triana Gully

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