Nubian Message 2/20/13

NUBIAN MESSAGE

THE SENTINEL OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AT NC STATE UNIVERSITY

RALEIGH, NC n VOL. XIII, ISSUE 15 n THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM n FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Black Power Issue

PROFILED? Student’s Shoes Laced With Controversy

Freshman Justin Morrison was detained in the Atrium by Campus Police on Feb. 6 when another student reported he was wearing stolen sneakers. | Kelly Darden

Freshman accuses Campus Police of Racial Profiling Kierra Leggett Editor-in-Chief

J

ustin Morrison, a freshman majoring in civil

cooperated with campus police, and placed his hands

engineering, has accused Campus Police of racial

behind his back. According to Morrison, when he

profiling, after they detained him in the Atrium

asked the police why he was being detained, one of the

on Feb. 6 because of the $130 sneakers he was wearing.

“I was in the Atrium with a few of my friends and

Confused, Morrison told his friends “Don’t worry

of nowhere two [white] cops came up, put their hands

about it, because I know I didn’t do anything. I’ll talk

on my back and told me to put my hands behind

to y’all soon.”

stopped what they were doing and stared.”

2012 at a retail price of $130. | Kelly Darden

right now.”

we were eating lunch, nothing was going on, when out

my back,” said Morrison. “Everyone in the Atrium

Morrison’s “Gym Red” Air Jordan Retro One Sneakers were released for sale on Dec. 31,

officers replied, “The pair of shoes that you have on

Morrison, who said he was “humiliated,”

He was handcuffed by police inside of the Atrium and then escorted outside to a police car, where he was frisked. While being escorted to the car, Morrison

Profiled continued page 3

2 |February 20th, 2013

Letter From The Editor

Upcoming Events Feb. 20 |

Nubian message

The Power of Your Black Hand

MOnetary KOntrol

Join the ladies of the Kappa Omicron chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. and the Mu Omicron chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. as they discuss investment tips and saving plans for college students.

Business Casual attire preferred.

7:08pm, Riddick 315 Feb. 20 |

Wild-Out Wed. Viewing Party

Come out and support NCSU’s own A.B.R. as they perform on BET’s 106 & Park Wild-Out Wednesday.

Refreshments included.

6:00-7:30pm, Talley Blue Room Feb. 23 | Blacks in Wax Live

Museum Join us as we remember and honor those who fought for equality and justice.

10:00-1:00pm, Witherspoon Student Center

T

o All My Nubian Brothers and Sisters,

that for centuries, black people have been

have decided to focus this paper on power,

What’s Up?

powerful enough to overcome.

more specifically Black Power.

My junior year of college has been a

The color of my skin is a reminder of

Each article in this week’s paper analyzes

year full of self-discovery and a deeper

the oppressive laws and practices that for

the relationship between African Americans

connection, love and sense of pride in the

centuries, black people have been powerful

and various forms of power, whether it is

fact that I am black.

enough to overthrow.

the struggle to obtain power, the power of

Obviously, the fact that I am black is not

26th Annual African American Quiz Bowl

Cash prize, raffles and door prizes!

1:30pm, Sankofa Room

knowing ones history, or the ways in which our power is jeopardized.

something that’s new to me, however the

the struggle for equality that for centuries,

appreciation I feel for the color of my skin

black people have been powerful enough to

is.

fight for, and continue to fight for on a daily

is not to claim superiority of African

basis.

Americans over other races, nor is it to bash

Though I’ve never been ashamed of being black, up until now, I’ve also never really been excited about it.

While many would consider the color of

Feb. 23 |

The color of my skin is a reminder of

my skin to be a crippling factor in today’s society, I don’t.

Instead, for me, the color of my skin is a reminder of the second-class treatment

The color of my skin is a reminder that I come from a race of powerful people and as cliché as it may sound, it is a reminder that I have the power and responsibility to be

The purpose of this week’s Nubian

other racial groups. Its purpose is to elicit conversation and critical thinking about the various interactions of power among black people.

powerful too.

The purpose of this week’s paper is to

That is why in this week’s issue of the Nubian Message, as we continue with our

remind you of the power of your black hand.

celebration of Black History Month, we

-Kierra Leggett

Nubian Message

Sentinel of the African-American Community at North Carolina State University KIERRA LEGGETT | EDITOR - IN - CHIEF DEERRICKA GREEN | MANAGING EDITOR STAFF WRITERS: CHRISTOPHER LYNN CHELSEA GARDNER SHAWN MURRAY AMANDA MCKNIGHT AARON THOMAS DEVONTE KEITH ALFRED ANDERSON TRAVIS GATLING KELLY DARDEN Only with the permission of our elders do we proudly produce each edition of the Nubian Message.

Dr. Yosef ben-Yochannan: Dr. John Henrik Clark: Dr. Leonard Jeffries: The Black Panther Party: Mumia A. Jamal: Geronimo Pratt: Tony Williamson: Dr. Lawrence Clark: Dr. Augustus McIver Witherspoon: Dr. Wandra P. Hill: Mr. Kyran Anderson: Dr. Lathan Turner: Dr. M. Iyailu Moses: Dokta Toni Thorpe and all those who accompany us as we are STILL on the journey to true consciousness.

COPYRIGHT 2011 BY NORTH CAROLINA STATE STUDENT MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Locations Avent Ferry Complex Caldwell Hall DH HILL LIBRARY

engineering building ii

Harrelson Hall Witherspoon Student Center Wolf Village Apartments

325 Witherspoon Student Center Box 7138 NC State University Raleigh, NC 27695-371 PHONE NUMBER: 919.515.1468 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: ncsu.nubian@gmail.com TWITTER: @NUBIANMESSAGE Facebook.com/NubianMessage

News

nubian message

February 20th, 2013| 3

Profiled continued from page 1

Composite sketch of suspect in Dec. 3, 2012 Avent Ferry Complex armed robbery.

Morrison revisits the exact place in the Atrium where he was detained on Feb. 6. | Kelly Darden

said he continually asked for further

about who I hang out with and talk to,

clarification about why he was being

even after they saw that I actually paid

biology class as a result of his

of what makes this right, and how your

detained. According to Morrison the

for the shoes.”

detention, said that after searching his

institution justifies that your handling

room, officers left without filing any

of my innocent son was right.”

officers responded, “We don’t really know all the details.”

After being frisked, he said he was transported to the Campus Police Station where he was interrogated.

“They took me to the interrogation

Lt. David Kelly, the Public Relations Officer for Campus Police, offered an explanation for why Morrison was detained.

“It stemmed from an incident that occurred on Dec. 3, in which a student

room, and the first thing they asked

in Avent Ferry was robbed,” said Kelly.

me was about the shoes I had on and if

According to Kelly, among the items

they had anyone else’s DNA on them,”

stolen from the student was a “very

said Morrison.

unique pair of tennis shoes,” which the

Morrison said he wasn’t sure how to answer that question because you can get DNA from just walking around, so he asked the officer what he meant

victim noticed Morrison wearing in the atrium on Feb.6, thus prompting him to notify Campus Police.

“I normally buy sneakers that are

by that question. “The officer told

really different,” said Morrison. “Those

me it was a ‘yes or no question,’” said

sneakers were real different, they were

Morrison, “But, I didn’t really answer

all red, and I’ve never seen anyone

it because if I answered ‘no’ and they

with them.” According to Morrison

found DNA on it, I’d get in trouble, but

the victim of the Dec. 3 robbery said

if I said ‘yes,’ they’d say ‘Oh well we got

similar things regarding the novelty of

the guy.’’’

the shoes.

Morrison said that after further

Morrison’s sneakers were not

questioning him about where he got his

released for sale until Dec. 31, 2012,

shoes, Campus Police questioned him

which has led him to develop his own

about an armed robbery that occurred

theory as to why the victim reported

at Avent Ferry Residence Hall on Dec.

him to Campus Police. “Those sneakers

3, 2012. The victim of the robbery

didn’t come out until 28 days after the

reported having an expensive pair of

robbery happened,” said Morrison. “My

sneakers stolen.

friends and I think he just wanted the

Morrison, who ordered his sneakers online, retrieved his e-receipt from his

shoes.”

Morrison said once they concluded

smartphone, proving to Campus Police

with their interrogation, Campus

that his size 11, “Gym Red” Air Jordan

Police asked for permission to search

Retro One sneakers were not stolen.

his room, which he granted them.

“I ordered the shoes when they

Kelly would not elaborate on

came out, so I had the confirmation

why Morrison’s room was searched,

number in my e-mail” said Morrison.

saying those details were “part of the

“I showed that to them [Campus

investigation.”

Police] and they still questioned me

Morrison, who missed an afternoon

charges. It was then that he telephoned his parents to let them know what happened.

justice in this? We need an explanation

Woodson has responded to Deborah Morrison’s e-mail, by reaching out directly to Justin, one week after

“My parents were mad about the

his detention. “The Chancellor told me

way [Campus Police] went about doing

that he was sorry it happened and that

[detaining me],” said Morrison. “They

there wasn’t really anything they could

should have asked me off to the side

do about it,” said Morrison. According

instead of putting me in handcuffs in

to Morrison, Woodson also told him

front of everybody and embarrassing

that the incident was “unfortunate.”

me. They’ve now put a name over my head as like a criminal. The people in the Atrium who I didn’t know are going to think I’m a criminal. People are still asking me ‘Aren’t you that guy who got arrested in the Atrium?’ and I have to respond, falsely arrested.”

“Those sneakers didn’t come out until 28 days after the robbery happened. My friends and I think he just wanted the shoes.”

- Justin Morrison Despite Morrison’s qualms with the way the situation was handled, Kelly said that Campus Police was “within protocol to place the subject in handcuffs” considering that he was at the time being detained under suspicions of involvement with an armed robbery, and Campus Police didn’t know if “he had a firearm.”

In an e-mail sent to Chancellor Randy Woodson, Morrison’s mother Deborah wrote, “ My son did not choose to go to N.C. State… to be stereotyped and humiliated because he is black, has a thin mustache, and wears expensive shoes. Where is the

Though he appreciates the Chancellor’s gesture, 19-year-old Morrison feels more could have been done to appease him. “It didn’t really satisfy me, because I felt like [the incident] was downplayed,” said Morrison. “It just seemed like he didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”

The Chancellor was unavailable for comment on this story by press deadline.

While racial profiling against African American males is something that Morrison, who has no criminal record, has heard about, the Eagle Scout and honor student said his recent encounter with Campus Police has opened his eyes to the ugly truth surrounding the problem. “I’ve definitely heard about it, and that incident—it definitely solidified it and made it more real.”

Kelly would not comment on Morrison’s accusations against Campus Police, nor would he provide a comment on whether or not NCSU students should be concerned that they could be racially profiled by Campus Police.

4 |February 20th, 2013

Lifestyles

Nubian message

From Black Panther, to Howling Wolf NCSU Professor Tells of His Radical Past

Dr. Rupert Nacoste giving a speech at the N.C. State Wake Up! It’s Serious Rally against racism on Nov. 17, 2010. | Technician Archives

Amanda McKnight Staff Writer

D

r. Rupert Nacoste is a former

in my neighborhood I’m not going to turn

his teachers on their teaching style,

of the Civil Rights Movement in many

member of the Black Panther

the other cheek, we will defend ourselves.”

after reading a book given to him by his

ways,” said Nacoste.

Party for Self Defense (BPP).

According to Nacoste, the BPP was

brother.

A tenured professor who has been at

created in response to all of the tragedy

N.C. State for more than 25 years, Nacoste

happening in America and abroad. “At

brought me back a book by Eldridge

joined the BPP, which was co-founded by

the time everything was going on,” said

Cleaver, member of the Black Panthers,

Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in 1966,

Nacoste. “The Civil Rights Movement, the

called Soul on Ice,” said Nacoste. “My

during his teenage years. These years in

Voting Rights Act [1965] and James Brown

friend remembers me challenging the nuns

Nacsote’s life coincided with a time when

saying ‘I’m Black and I’m proud.’”

in school and asking why they weren’t

the nation was in a tailspin with race issues, war, and class struggle. As he likes to tells his student’s, “It was a hell of a time.”

According to the FBI, the Black

Nacoste was reared in Opelousas, Louisiana the heart of the Jim Crow Deep

“My brother who was in the Navy

teaching the history the way it was.”

Nacoste, who attended Catholic school,

South. Opelousas is also where he first

was the first person at his school to sport

joined the BPP. When Nacoste joined the

an afro. “The nuns were not happy,” said

Party, for him “it was all about getting

Nacoste, “and these were black nuns.”

Panther Party (BPP) “is a black extremist

connected, being apart [of the Party] and

organization” but obviously, to those who

having the information.”

As with any sort of political movement,

Nacoste’s father was a local politician and had filed to be on the ballot the day after the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The BBP dissolved in the early 1980s as a result of internal disagreements. While a major focus of the BPP was to promote self defense among blacks, Nacoste has concentrated his efforts on promoting neo-diversity, something he has done with the release of his book, Howl of the Wolf.

A self-published collection of papers from Nacoste’s “Interpersonal Race and Relations” class offered every semester,

many young people involved with the

the stories are weaved together and speak

BPP had to deal with their parent’s

to the experiences that students have had

dues, Nacoste began receiving The Black

often dissenting opinions about their

dealing with race, gender, ethnicity, etc. on

Panther, the official newspaper of the

involvement with the Party. Nacoste on the

N.C. State’s campus.

some sort of group that was all about hate

party. During its peak The Black Panther

other hand faced no opposition from his

but it wasn’t, it was about self-defense,”

had a circulation of 250,000 copies.

family.

lived the movement, it was not viewed that way.

“People think the Black Panthers were

said Nacoste. “Most [BBP members] believed in Dr. King’s message and what he fought for, [but] they did not believe in the same strategy or tactic. It was if you come

After turning in his membership

Like many of the Party’s members,

Nacoste said his parents said, “Hmm…

Nacoste said, “I may have been a bit of

okay,” when at age 15 or 16 he used the

a radical.” Perhaps a testament to his

money he earned from his own job to join

radical youth, Nacsote recalls questioning

the BPP. “My father had already been part

Nacoste’s book will be featured at this year’s Spring Diversity Dialogue on Wed. Feb. 27, from 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. in Talley Balllroom.

Follow the Nubian Message on Twitter @nubianmessage

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Lifestyles

February 20th, 2013| 5

Black Panther’s Ten-Point Program *All Panthers had to follow the Ten-Point Program, as well as have the points memorized.*

1. We want freedom. We want power to determine the destiny of our black Community.

2. We want full employment for our people.

3. We want an end to the robbery by the white man of our black Community.

4. We want decent housing, fit for shelter of human beings.

The Significance of the Fist

5. We want education for our people that exposes the true nature of this decadent American society. We want education that teaches us our true history and our role in the present-day society.

Often referred to as the “Black Power Salute,� the raised fist is a symbol of solidarity and support.

6. We want all black men to be exempt from military service.

7. We want an immediate end to POLICE BRUTALITY and MURDER of black people.

8. We want freedom for all black men held in federal, state, county and city prisons and jails.

9. We want all black people, when brought to trial, to be tried in court by a jury of their peer group or people from their black communities, as defined by the Constitution of the United States.

Spring Diversity Dialogue Spring Diversity Dialogue featuring “Howl of the Wolf�

Wednesday, February 27, 2013 3:00 PM-4:30 PM Talley Student Center Ballroom This interactive student-to-student dialogue will share stories of NC State students from their “Interpersonal Relationships and Race Course.� While describing awareness and interactions with a broad range of diverse thoughts, ideas and people, the dialogue will

10. We want land, bread, housing, education, clothing, justice and peace. And as our major political objective, a United Nationssupervised plebiscite to be held throughout the black colony in which only black colonial subjects will be allowed to participate for the purpose of determining the will of black people as to their national destiny.

explore the question, are our students prepared to be 21st century leaders in global communities? Offering valuable insight on current thought and ideology from this generation of students, this is an

of the book, “Howl of the Wolf.�

Wake Up It’s Serious: A Campaign for Change, University Scholars Program, and the Poole College of Management

6 |February 20th, 2013

Perspectives

Nubian message

The Miseducation of the Caucasian Not all “Caucasians” are Caucasian

DeErricka Green Managing Editor

T

he common idea that “Caucasian” functions

the ideal model for all white

as a true synonym for “white” is false.

people, based solely on

Sorry to burst your bubble, America.

A mathematical principle goes that squares are always rectangles, yet rectangles are not necessarily squares.

facial appearance.

“The Caucasian variety,” he wrote in Natural Variety, “I have taken the name of this variety from Mount

The same principle can be applied to white Americans: Caucasians can be white, but because someone is white, it does not mean they are Caucasian.

This widespread ideology is one reflection of the critical mis-education that has occurred in our society for centuries, and continues to this day.

Nell Irvin Painter, author and historian, is just one scholar that has spoken out on this subject. In her essay “Why Are White People Called ‘Caucasian?’” presented at the Yale University Gilder Lehrman Center conference in Nov. 2003, Painter unearthed the roots of this terminology back to the 19th century.

The concept of a “Caucasian race” was first developed around 1800 by Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, a German scientist and anthropologist.

Blumenbach named the people after the original inhabitants of the south Caucasus region, the land separating the Black and Caspian seas. Including more than 50 ethnic groups, such as the Georgians, Turks, and Armenians, the Caucasus region is situated between Russia, Turkey and Iran.

Caucasus, both because its neighborhood produces the most beautiful race of men, I mean the Georgian; and because all physiological reasons converge to this, that in that region, if

The star represents the middle of the Caucasus Region, where Caucasians orginate from.

anywhere, it seems we ought with the greatest probability to place the autochthones (birth place) of mankind.”

The term “Caucasian” became used as a collective representation of all individuals Blumenbach and his colleagues regarded as good looking, including the demographic of white people with features such as thin, narrow nasal passages, small mouths, pointed facial appearance, and minimal jaw protrusion.

As a result of these criteria, Jews, Slavs and Africans

white, but because someone is white, it does not mean they are Caucasian.”

Anthropologists like Blumenbach classified the 50 ethnic groups into three main categories: Caucasian, Indo-European, and Altaic.

Blumenbach and his colleagues considered the Altaic peoples an embodiment of ugliness, as mentioned in his book On the Natural Variety of Mankind (1795). However, those falling under the category of Caucasian people, especially Georgians, Blumenbach praised for their beauty; he believed them

along with the geographical incongruity of using that term to describe all white people are two main reasons the use of the term is false. Use of “Caucasian” to apply to all white people is also ironic.

Members of the “Caucasian race” for centuries promoted racial typology by imposing titles like “Negro” and “Indian” upon ethnic groups; they tried to control the identities of these people by being inclusive towards some individuals, while exclusive to others,

were considered less attractive, a practice that has since

ultimately in efforts to diminish movements aimed at

evolved as Western culture developed and advanced.

achieving self-determination for people of color and

With the creation of this term, Blumenbach critically helped to establish the superiority of true Caucasians. Since, then the term has floated away

“Caucasians can be

The superior connotations of the term “Caucasian”

from its geographical origin, as most Americans that

other bigoted gain. Suppressing and manipulating the identities of these groups worked to limit knowledge of the power they possessed for a time. We have since fought to regain power lost.

identify as “Caucasian” do not trace their ancestry to

Today, society thinks of people of color as left with

the implied region. But the idea of the “the Caucasian

fragmented senses of culture and history because of the

race” has lived on, as has its claims of racial superiority

efforts of those that promoted racial superiority, like

and beauty.

Blumenbach and his “Caucasian race”. However, it is

Today, because “Caucasian” has become interchangeable with any number of “white” populations, the indication that these populations exhibit the idealized physical appearance while others are the epitome of ugliness is still being disseminated.

The logic that white people present the best physical appearance, as well as Blumenbach’s assumption that because of this “beauty” humans ought to assert the Caucasus region the birthplace of mankind is not only absurd (considering scientific study reveals that our species first appeared in Afrika), but inherently racist.

ironic that the group that tried to control the identities of our ancestors also left their members with a false sense of identity because they continue to call their entire population “Caucasian.”

For generations, members of the “Caucasian race” maintained that without a sense of ancestral identity, other ethnic groups were powerless to combat racial typology. By this thinking, it seems that not only did someone pull the plug on “Caucasians” centuries ago, but that minorities are not the only groups being miseducated.

Perspectives

nubian message

Power in Numbers

I Am Not Chris Dorner, Please Don’t Shoot

Chelsea Gardner Staff Writer

I

never imagined I would feel

behalf of every African American.

singled out in college, especially

Moreover, I feel like I am constantly

at one with approximately 34,000

put on the spot to explain my race. I

students. However, I now realize

feel like I have to have a rebuttal for

this experience can and will occur

anything anyone says about African

no matter the size, diversity in

Americans, because if I don’t – who

students, or other various factors. On

else will?

numerous occasions, I have been the only African American in my class.

Growing up, I was the only African American female in majority of the advanced courses. At first, I was bothered by the predicament because most of my African American peers seemed to let the possibility of failure stand in the way of taking challenging courses. As time went by, I grew accustomed to the situation because I knew that I wanted to be at the top academically and this was the only way to get there. I knew as soon as I got to college, I would never have to face this classroom experience again.

This was an obvious fallacy, as I have yet again stepped into the role of being the “only one.”

It was not until recently that this “only one” experience made me feel uncomfortable. During a class discussion, regarding race, several students provided feedback on the n-word and things “blacks” get away with saying to each other that other races cannot say to “blacks.” Yes, the term “blacks” was used as the description and, I personally felt like there was some bite behind it. During the discussion, I couldn’t help but think, if someone is not an African American, how can they possibly tell me what I should and should not be offended by? You have never walked in my shoes. Nevertheless, this was the first time I experienced what many minorities have expressed feeling in their classes.

At that moment, I literally felt like I had a stamp on my forehead that said, “you must constantly defend, explain and represent your entire race.” When this situation occurred in class, I felt like everyone suddenly realized that I was the only African American.

Before this, I don’t even think they had any regard that the ratio was as

February 20th, 2013| 7

As many of you may know, it is a daunting task because some people say things that could be deemed inappropriate or just out-right irrelevant and pointless. However, unlike them, I don’t get a choice to not speak…I have to. It is a conflicting situation because I don’t want the responsibility but I owe it to myself to speak. If I don’t speak, I will walk around all day wondering what I could have said to feel at peace with myself.

On the other hand, if I decide to say something and become passionate

Christopher Lynn Staff Writer

T

he Los Angeles Police Department is looking for a man 6’0, 270lbs, light

This legacy of corruption has trickled down to present day LAPD enforcement.

brown complexion, black hair and brown

This corruption is not only expressed to

eyes. Should I be scared that I fit this

civilians, but also within the department.

description? Though I am Christopher Lynn, I am not Christopher Dorner.

The LAPD, known for their “shoot

Sgt. Wayne K. Guillary, a member of the LAPD, placed a letter of “personal appeal” on the Los Angeles Urban

while speaking, people start to think

first” mentality, shot and wounded three

Policy Roundtable website. Guillary

I’m too sensitive or everything offends

innocent people in their quest for Chris

expressed his growing concerns about

me. There is no happy medium.

Dorner. Instead of routine traffic stops,

racism in the department saying,“There’s

the LAPD opened fire at anybody driving

still much work to be done. Some may

a pickup truck resembling Dorner’s.

say that nothing has changed with the

While Dorner drove a blue Nissan Titan,

leadership in the LAPD. Trust me I have

someone driving a blue Toyota Tacoma

been in the fight with the organization

and a black Honda pickup were shot at.

regarding social and racial injustice

The LAPD offered a $1 million for the

within the LAPD. Currently, I am the

apprehension of Dorner alive, while they

only outspoken African American within

shot at every moving pickup truck.

the organization that possesses the moral

Since this experience, I have wondered how I would be able to deal with more situations like this in class.

I cannot rely on power in numbers because I am the only number. The numbers will not always be there. You can look in the classroom and see this, solely based on the number of African American students and faculty. As

Those familiar with the history of

the “only one,” you have to empower

the LAPD knows that their recent antics

yourself to make the right choice for

involving Dorner are nothing new. The

you.

LAPD’s most renowned leader, William

Ultimately, I do have a choice and I should not be singled out even if it is unintentional. If I want to express myself on my own behalf, then I will. No teacher or student should practically beg me to respond because of my race or ethnicity. Therefore,

H. Parker, has been called, “Los Angeles’ greatest and most controversial chief of

courage to confront and ask questions unflinchingly about race, racism and discrimination in the LAPD. Yet still, I have paid a humiliating price inside the LAPD for preserving and believing in the importance of ‘I have a Dream.’”

police.” Parker began his role as police

Joe Jones, a former LAPD officer,

chief on Aug. 9, 1950, revolutionizing

constructed a “manifesto,” similar to

the LAPD into the most infamous law

that of Dorner, reinforcing allegations

enforcement agency in the world.

of racism, saying “I understand why he

Los Angeles, unlike the South, didn’t

snapped.”

before I speak I have to remind myself

have the absolute de jure segregation

that I am an individual and everyone

(separation by law), but it did enforce

experience at the department. In the early

is entitled to his or her own opinions.

strict racial policies that banned African

1990s, just getting off-duty, he walked to

Sometimes the ratio is not fair, but it

Americans and other minorities from

his car in West Hollywood. It was parked

comes with the territory of being the

renting and buying in specific areas years

near a red curb when a sheriff ’s deputy

“only one.”

after the Supreme Court ruled them illegal

approached him. He pulled out his LAPD

in 1948.

ID to signify, “I’m not an issue for you,”

The catchphrase “getting caught on the wrong side of town” originated in Los Angeles because of this. Parker’s eagerness

Jones told a story of his worst

but the deputy’s reply was to “prone me out” at gunpoint.

With such racial injustice programmed

to carry out traditional racial borders

into its procedures, even within its own

that prohibited African Americans from

department, the LAPD is doomed to

going too far out of their neighborhood,

implode. As the old saying goes, a house is

in a class of approximately 40 or more

superseded his desire to carryout the

only as strong as its foundation.

students and race is being discussed,

actual laws of the land.

such.

When I am literally the only one

I instantly feel compelled to speak on

8 |February 20th, 2013

Nubian message

The Power of the Patriarch

Not Just Planting Seeds, But Watching Them Grow Devonte Keith Staff Writer

O Vonte, age 3 with his father Richard Keith

ne of the prominent

In our music and media, we see

There are so many important lessons

themes in black fami-

that a lot of people grew up in single

I learned from my father that I prob-

lies is the absence of the

parent homes. Although there are

ably wouldn’t have learned from my

father. We hear in the media as well

people that have made the best out of

mother, or even listened to for that

as in music how black children have

the situation, there are also those who

matter. My father taught me how to

to grow up without fathers and the

found a negative role model or a nega-

tie a tie, coordinate my outfit colors,

struggles black mothers encounter

tive means of filling the void of not

maintain good hygiene and basi-

raising their children alone. Many

having a father in their lives. Many

cally shaped me into a bright young

times we think of our mothers as the

rap artists including J. Cole discuss

man. I’m not saying that my mother

anchor, as well as the push that keeps

their lives growing up without a father

couldn’t teach me the same things,

us going, but where exactly does that

in their lyrics. As you follow their sto-

but there are certain lessons that have

leave our fathers?

rylines, sometimes you may see that

to be taught by men, and some by

they made the best of the situation,

women.

Contrary to the popular belief

but the road to the top was not always

In the society we live in now, the

society has developed, I grew up with

an easy one. In fact, shows such as

power of the patriarch is slowly dying

both my mother and father, and con-

the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air depicted

out because of fear of responsibility.

tinue to have both equally involved

scenes of Will growing up, content

This strengthens the stereotype that

in my life. When I was younger, I

without a father in his life. However,

black children grow up in broken

honestly believed all families were like

later on we see how much anger and

homes, which may lead to destruc-

mine: a mother, a father, and maybe

sadness he felt when he began to feel

tive behaviors and more negative

even some siblings, but as I grew older

that his father didn’t want anything to

black statistics. I couldn’t imagine life

I began to realize that not all families

do with him.

without

were. My father told me that his father

The power of the black patriarch

my father and I don’t

even want to think about it. The

raised him to be a man that not only

is sometimes overshadowed by the

lessons he taught me will be taught

started a family, but also took it upon

power of the black matriarch due to

to my children, and my children’s

himself to make sure the family was

the simple fact that no one can ever

children as a way to keep the power of

taken care of by no one but himself.

take a mother’s place. However nei-

the patriarch strong within the black

ther is more important than the other.

community.

Vonte and his father at his highschool graduation

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