Nubian Message

THE SENTINEL OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AT NC STATE UNIVERSITY

NUBIAN MESSAGE

RALEIGH, NC n VOL. XX, ISSUE 17 n THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM n MARCH 20, 2013

Could Greek-Letter Organizations ‘Kill Themselves’?

Dr. Ricky Jones addresses hazing in the 21st Century, at annual Lawrence M. Clark Lecture Kierra Leggett Editor-in- Chief

D

r. Ricky Jones delivered this year’s annual Dr. Lawrence M. Clark Lecture yesterday evening, on the subject of hazing within GreekLetter organizations. A member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

and the author of Black Haze: Violence, Sacrifice, and Manhood in Greek-Letter Fraternities, Jones focused his lecture on the hazing rituals that occur within black

Dr. Ricky Jones at annual Dr. Lawrence M. Clark Lecture | Jasmine Jack

male fraternities.

a highl level of literacy, in the Carver Homes Housing Projects of Atlanta, G.A. According to Jones, although the most common form of hazing that takes place in

After becoming the first person in his immediate family to complete high school, Jones

black Greek fraternities is in the physical variant, hazing comes in all different forms

enrolled in the United States Naval Academy. According to Jones, he enrolled so that he

and occurs in all types of groups. “I don’t want anyone to be confused,” said Jones.

could send money to his mother, who has long battled a crack cocaine addiction.

“Hazing is not relegated to black Greek-Letter fraternities. It shows up in other GreekLetter organizations, it shows up in the military, it shows up in gangs, it shows up in

It was during his time in the Naval Academy that he first experienced

hazing rituals. He would later encounter them again when he joined Kappa Alpha Psi

athletic teams, it shows up in all kinds of places.”

Fraternity, Inc. while pursuing his undergraduate degree at Morehouse College.

Born to a teen mother, Jones was reared by his grandmother who never achieved

Hazing continued page 2

SBP Nominees Share Plans for AASAC

What’s Inside This Issue

Kierra Leggett

Pg. 5| The Buzz is Back

Editor-in- Chief

T

he news of three African American candidates vying for the po-

sition of Student Body President has

Pg. 6|

The 10 Hottest MCs: Do you agree America Diagnosed With Missing White Woman Syndrome with MTV? Amanda McKnight

Pg. 8| Album

Review:

The 20/20

Experience

Terrilynn Monette, New Orlean’s school teacher missing since March 2, 2013.

Staff Writer

T

errilynn Monette is a young, beautiful, 26-year-old, second grade teacher in New Orleans that has been missing since March 2. Many people may not be aware of her disappearance, because

media attention for missing black women and other minorities is lacking, to say the least.

Reports from the Huffington Post and CBS News say that while out celebrating her nomination of “Teacher of the Year” at Parley’s Lounge, a bar in the Lakeview neighborhood of New Orleans, Monette was “cut off ” by the bartender. Her friends say that she then went to her car to sleep before

Missing continued page 4

created excitement among the entire campus community, especially among African American students.

While the candidates are proud to have made history with what is believed to be the first ballot for N.C. State Student Body President to contain only African American nominees, they know that because of the uniqueness of this year’s election, there may be a few extra hurdles ahead of them.

One of those potential hurdles is increased attention and scrutiny.

AASAC continued page 7

2 |March 20th, 2013

News

Nubian message

Ebony Magazine Says #ENOUGH Aaron Thomas Staff Writer

E

bony Magazine has had ENOUGH

Strides have been made to bring

with the rise in urban violence in

Chicago.

The city of Chicago, founded by John Baptiste Point du Sable, a Black man, should be noted for its ability to produce influential people of color throughout

Chicago—educational disparities,

awareness to hostility in the city,

unemployment, gang culture, mental

including youth anti-violence programs

health issues and others. The series

in churches and talks of stricter gun

will interview those who have lost

laws. Last Wednesday, Ebony made its

loved ones, while also exploring

own statement with the launch of the

other violent crimes taking place

ENOUGH Campaign series.

in Chicago that don’t gain the same level of attention as the city’s murder

our country. However, with roughly 60

“The city of Chicago, founded by John Baptiste Point du Sable, a Black man, should be noted for its ability to produce influential people of color.”

murders committed since January, the city is continuing its association with crime.

Violence in Chicago has been the subject of national news for over a year.

When the news broke that the total number of murders committed in the

The highly circulated magazine,

rate. It will share the stories of those who, like Jamilah Lemieux, News and Lifestyle Editor for Ebony, wish to change the reputation for Chicago.

“Chicago is not ‘Chi-raq’,” says Lemieux. “We can’t own or embrace

been obtained illegally. Some blame the

that. Our city is an epicenter of Black

crimes in Chicago on fatherlessness, poor

culture and Black life.” ENOUGH will

education or poverty that plagues the

also highlight activists who are working

area.

city had reached 506 in December 2012,

known for highlighting achievements

the nation was stunned. Since a record

within the black community, calls

970 killings in 1974, the murder rate

Chicago home and continues to offer a

This conversation on violence in

problem. There are many causes for these

had been slowly declining. 2012’s rate

great influence with each monthly issue.

Chicago has progressed throughout the

tragedies and many challenges facing the

was the highest since 2008. Three recent

Although each publication grants a sense

year. Gun control advocates highlight

city that campaigns like Ebony’s hope to

homicides raised eyebrows this year

of community and inspiration, Ebony is

the city as evidence that stricter laws

address. It is now time to say ENOUGH

alone: the death of six-month of Jonlyah

using its campaign to take a stand against

are needed to keep guns off the street.

and recognize that without making

Watkins, of 18-year old honor student

issues plaguing its birthplace.

Oppositely, gun rights activists argue

strides to improve all of the factors in this

that the state of Illinois has very firm

situation, solutions to the rise in urban

possession laws and that most of the

violence in Chicago will remain evasive.

Frances Colon, and of Hadiya Pendleton, a student killed days after performing in the 44th Presidential Inauguration.

Nubian Message

ENOUGH will examine the factors contributing to the crisis in

MANAGING EDITOR DEERRICKA GREEN NCSU.NUBIAN@GMAIL.COM 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.

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In reality, this is not a clear-cut

firearms used in these crimes have

Events for Nubian Brothers & Sisters March 20

Poole Council Application Deadline

Have an interest in student government and want to be a leader in the Poole College of Management next year? Consider running for an officer position. No experience needed.

Applications due in Nelson 2150 or online by 5:00 p.m.

March 21-28

Qlympus is Falling- Kappa Lambda Week 2013

Join the Kappa Lambda chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Inc. in celebrating 35 years of service with a week programs, including the Miss Omega Psi Phi Pageant.

For more information, check out @KL_Ques on Twitter.

March 23

Service Raleigh

Join the largest student-run service organization in the Triangle by participating in a city wide day of service.

Harris Field, 8:00 a.m.

April 6-14

Pan-Afrikan Week

Join UAB’s Black Students Board in the celebration of black heritage, legacy, and accomplishment. With events such as the AATS Fashion Show, the Blackout carnival, the Mr. and Mrs. Pan-Afrikan Scholarship Pageant and the NPHC Step Show, Pan Afrikan 2013 is sure to be one you won’t forget!

For more information, check out Facebook, Twitter or email ztwillia@ncsu.edu.

EDITOR - IN - CHIEF KIERRA LEGGETT Editor@ nubian.ncsu.edu

on solutions.

*Correction from 2/20/13-- Profiled: Student’s Shoes Laced With Controversy-- Justin Morrison spoke with David Rainer, the Associate Chancellor of Environmental Health and Public Safety, not Chancellor Randy Woodson.* COPYRIGHT 2013 BY NORTH CAROLINA STATE STUDENT MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

News

nubian message

March 20th, 2013| 3

Hazing continued from page 1 Jones began his work on trying to bring awareness and attention to the dangers of hazing during the 1990s, specifically tailoring his efforts to those groups taking part in the acts. However, due to what he described as responses of “anger,” “vehemence” and “emotional defensiveness,” he became more realistic in what he hoped to achieve through his work.

“I no longer go to campuses with the romantic idea that I can somehow turn the tide in Greek-Letter organizations or any organizations that have a deep seated or contemporary wedding to hazing,” said

happened to them, hazing does not occur.

“It’s just like racial profiling,” said Jones.

“You’ll talk to some folk who say they’ve never been racially profiled by the police, but does that mean it doesn’t happen?

If this hasn’t happened to you, good… but we’re dealing with things that are happening around the country.”

Jones ended his lecture by encouraging Greek-Letter organizations to focus on ways that they can be better leaders within the black community. “Outside of black Greek-Letter fraternities and

Jones. “I simply don’t think that’s beneficial,

sororities, there are no organizations in our

“If this hasn’t happened to you, good… but we’re dealing with things that are happening around the country.”

Jones. “We should be the leaders speaking

community that are more educated,” said to disproportionate incarceration…the leaders working to make sure that we never have a situation like my grandmother, a woman who worked herself to the bone and died without being able to read…but the biggest problem we’re dealing with in our

and I think it’s an unrealistic conversation to have.

organizations is hazing. That is a shame.”

Dr. Ricky Jones’s book Black Haze: Violence, Sacrifice, and manhood in Black Greek-Letter Fraternities

Instead, Jones began a conversation among parents, administrators and students interested in joining Greek-Letter organizations, that most are reluctant or afraid to—hazing within organizations on our own campus. During the conversation, he posed several fundamental questions.

“If you have organizations on your campus that have committed themselves to this activity [hazing], if they’re telling you— not through words, nobody is going to go in and sit with University Counsel or Students or a Provost and say ‘yeah we’re hazers… we’re going to beat the hell out of people’— but through their actions, what are you going to do about it?”

Students at Tuesday’s Lecture | jasmine Jack

Jones admitted that he was likely not going to convince members of Greek-Letter organizations at the program of “anything” but that he was not their enemy. “I’m not here to argue with you,” said Jones. “All I want to do is give you the landscape upon which we are functioning.”

The landscape provided by Jones, was not pretty. He reported that 90 percent of hazing incidents go unreported.

While the focus of his lecture was on hazing within black GreekLetter fraternities he shared that the most common form of hazing within Interfraternity Council is alcohol abuse and among white sororities, humiliation.

Jones said that many people have the false pretense that because it has never

Dr. Jones and Dr. Shelia Smith McKoy while being introduced | Jasmine jack

4 |March 20th, 2013

Perspectives

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Missing continued from page 1 driving home. Monette was seen talking to an unidentified man at 4 a.m. Police surveillance video then shows Monette was driving alone in her car around 5:15 a.m., heading towards the City Park area.

It is unclear where she was headed after a certain point and her car has not been found.

Monette’s story is a bit different from a lot of missing black women because she is actually beginning to make national news.

newsworthy.”

Wilson also commented that she does not believe the media coverage accurately reflects the number of minorities that are reported missing, and if victims are not “blonde haired with blue eyes, [their] stories are just not seen as sensational enough.”

It is difficult and can almost come across as petty to criticize the media for covering missing people. The issue is not the amount of coverage for one group but the lack of coverage for the

Though Monette is gathering some

others. All missing persons should

national attention and news coverage,

have billboards, public outcry, and

this is not the norm. As a whole, it seems

search parties until they are found. The

as though the media only supports

issue begins when media coverage is

and encourages non-stop searching for

obviously biased.

young white women who are missing, while minority women barely get a mention on local news.

According to the FBI, nearly 700,000 people are reported missing annually and 40 percent of these are people of color. By looking at TV you would assume they are all attractive white women in their mid 20’s. The American public is familiar with the cases of Elizabeth Smart, Natalee Hollaway, JonBenet Ramsey, and even Jennifer “Runaway Bride” Wilbanks. All of these women were white, and all of these women received national attention. The media attention white women receive is deserved, but minority women deserve the same attention.

This “wall-to-wall” coverage of white women that have been disappeared has been coined “Missing White Woman

This bias in media coverage is not only seen in race but also in gender.

The FBI also reports that in 2012 of the 661,593 reported missing persons 334,162, were men. Rarely does the media cover stories of missing men, no

Terrilynn Monette

matter their ethnicity.

As sick as it may sound, Terrilynn

Age: 26 Height: 5’8 Weight: 180lbs Hair Color: Brown

Monette, is lucky to be young, attractive, female with good standing in the community because otherwise her story could easily go the same way as Dominique Brown, Athena Joy Curry, Oscar Velasco Montano, and Lawrence Neal. All young. All minorities. All still missing. All not covered by the media.

To get more information about missing persons of color in your area visit blackandmissinginc.com.

Last Seen Wearing a pink and yellow sweater with blue jeans driving a 2012 black honda accord. Monette is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Syndrome (MWWS),” by associate professor at the University of Maryland, Sherri Parks.

A central aspect of this so-called syndrome is the idea that white women must be saved and protected; this belief is one that has origins in our nation’s history, especially highlighted by the Jim Crow South. The notion that white women are “damsels in distress” and must be protected no matter the cost is

Domonique Brown

Lawrence Neal

an archetype constantly revisited in both fiction and in real life.

CNN reporter Don Lemon recently discussed this issue Derrika Wilson, CEO of the Black and Missing Foundation. When asked about the obstacles she faced when investigating cases of missing African Americans Wilson said, “In some of the news media coverage, some of the decision makers are telling us our stories are just not

Oscar Velasco Montano

Athena Joy Curry

nubian message

Perspectives

Ratchet Humor and the Double Standard Vernon Holman Staff Writer

R

March 20th, 2013| 5

The Buzz is Back

Fans Speculate that Hornets Will Return to Queen City Alfred Anderson Staff Writer

named the Time Warner Cable Arena, opened in 2005 a couple of weeks before

atchet Humor has become

College, and Spelman College

a recent phrase used by

are renowned nationally for their

people who find things

academics. Yet, our own people act

the Charlotte Bobcats made their debut.

For the next eight years, the team

that can be seen in correlation to

mockingly toward their students

would struggle to consistently fill seats

“ratchetness” as funny.

and achievements for comic relief.

and win games. They appeared in the

Is that morally justified?

NBA Playoffs only once, during which

Usually people come to the conclusion that they aren’t ratchet

they were swept 4-0 against the Orlando I feel as though some members

Magic. In comparison to the early years

and don’t like “ratchetness” but

of our community have an attitude

of the NBA in Charlotte, the Bobcats

find the products of “ratchetness”

regarding those they consider

could not measure up. The Hornets,

humorous. When I thought about

“ratchet.” Some of us feel as though

with players like Larry Johnson, Alonzo

this, I immediately thought of

we are better than those who are

Mourning, and Muggsy Bogues were the

double standards. Remember when

“ratchet,’”and therefore would never want to associate ourselves with

on Twitter? Users were flooding

being “ratchet.” Yet, we find humor

timelines with tweets that HBCU

in watching videos on “World Star

I

heart of basketball in Charlotte. Before

“#HBCUMajors” was trending

Orleans Hornets from the NBA for $338

leading the NBA in attendance for many

majors were things such as “Physics

Hip Hop” which make fun of these

million.

years.

with a concentration in twerking,”

people.

“baby mama 101,” “crack dealing etiquette,” “advanced food stamps acquisitions” and so on. Others contested this by saying that HBCUs built the black middle class and were the institutes of learning for our civil rights activists.

“ Some of us feel as though we are better than those who are ‘ratchet,’”

the Carolina Panthers came to town, the

owner Tom Benson purchased the New

Hornets were the hottest ticket in the state,

Benson immediately shared his plans to Even though it makes fun of

Many Charlotte residents, including

change the team name to something that

myself, have been hopeful that the Hornets

these ratchet individuals, in the

would be more suitable for the city of New

would one day return to their rightful

same sense they are glorified for

Orleans. Less than a year later, on Jan.

place. With New Orleans’ change to the

their actions. I know people who

24, 2013, it was announced that the New

Pelicans, there is hope on the horizon.

watch reality shows such as “Bad

Orleans Hornets would be changing their

Girls Club” and “Basketball Wives.”

name to the New Orleans Pelicans (after

They will admit that if the show

Louisiana’s state bird, the Brown Pelican)

doesn’t have someone throwing

beginning the 2013-2014 season.

randomly selected individuals, about a

“Many Charlotte residents, including myself, have been hopeful that the Hornets would one day return to their rightful place.”

back to the Hornets. Although no official

drinks or fighting then they won’t watch it. You can argue that these same attributes are associated with being “ratchet.” We give people who enact “ratchet” behavior huge platforms for attention. Yet, if someone were to think that our

I felt these tweets were very

n April 2012, New Orleans Saints

Recently, the Bobcats have begun polling season ticket holders, along with possible name change from the Bobcats numbers have released, owner Michael Jordan reports that the results have been very mixed. However, with fan groups like “Bring Back the Buzz” and “We Beelieve!” it’s hard to ignore thousands of supporters that would like to see the Hornets return

race as a whole is “ratchet” because As a result, rumors began to develop

to Charlotte. There doesn’t seem to be any

platforms, we will get mad. The

concerning the possibility of the “Hornets”

groups lobbying for the Bobcats to remain

this subject tried to defend

black community gets angry if we

name returning to Charlotte, N.C.

the team’s name.

“#HBCUMajors” by saying

see black people only portrayed

they were only jokes in fun. I

as stereotypical gang members,

acknowledge that but in the same

violent or single mothers in movies,

sense if a person of another race,

yet we make people who are

especially a white person, would

“ratchet” popular by indulging in

have participated and tweeted

ratchet humor. Members of other

anything of that nature, they would

races and nationalities who have

be completely chastised. The fun

never been exposed to African

and games would be over and

Americans personally will only

majority of black people would

know us through what is being

have bashed this person, which

shown in the media- which largely

is a double standard. This only

falls under “ratchet” behavior and

goes to show that the tweets are

“ratchet humor.” It’s just something

offensive. So why keep distributing

to think about.

ignorant. Many of the people

these people have the biggest

who those that tweeted regarding

tweets about “twerkonomics?” Is it because it’s okay to mock a race as long as you are a part of it?

If you look at the achievements of African Americans in this country, HBCUs are one of the first aspects mentioned. Schools such as Howard University, Morehouse

In 2002, Charlotte Hornets owner

No official decisions have been made

George Shinn requested that the city of

regarding a potential name change for the

Charlotte build the team a brand new,

Charlotte Bobcats. Citizens of Charlotte

state of the art basketball arena. The city

will have to play the waiting game to

declined. Shinn then decided to relocate

see how this saga continues. The NBA

the team to New Orleans, Louisiana.

season ends on April 17. Perhaps then

Subsequently, the NBA granted Charlotte

the Charlotte Bobcats can begin to look

with a new team, the Bobcats, in time

toward their future and focus on building

for the 2004-2005 season. In addition, a

a consistently competitive franchise in the

brand new arena was built. The Charlotte

Queen City.

Bobcats Arena, which would later be

Perspectives

6 |March 20th, 2013

Nubian message

Good List, M.A.A.D. People MTV’s Hottest MCs List Stirs Controversy

Christopher Lynn Staff Writer

O

nce again, MTV has dropped its yearly list of the 10 Hottest MCs in the game.

Since 2007, MTV has put together a list of ten Hip-Hop and Rap considered to be

the “hottest” of that year. Although MTV has emphasized that their list is not intended to exhibit the greatest rappers of all time but the most entertaining and popular artists of the year, the Hottest MCs in the Game List is always laced with controversy.

Starting with number 10, Meek Mill seems to be the street-flavor of the Maybach Music Group. Dropping from last year’s number 7 spot, he took his label mate, the simpful, basic chick anthem maker, Wale’s spot this year. Though the sequel to his first MMG mixtape, “Dreamchasers 2” was critically acclaimed, I just cannot seem to get through 73 minutes of Meek Shrill, even though I can’t front on his lyricism. I really wish his number 10 spot correlated with the number of decibels he rapped in.

Number 9 on this list is none other than Future Vandross. Who would have known that the guy on the second verse of “Racks” would blow up this big? I bet YC, you know, the guy whose song it really was, is now begging for a feature from Future.

Picking up where T-Pain left off, Earth, Wind, and Future is flourishing in the lane that Roger Troutman made with autotune. With a slew of mixtapes, and his debut album Pluto, Future Beverly & Maze shows no signs of slowing down.

The 8 position this year is also held by a newcomer, A$AP Rocky. DAT PMF from Houston, no, wait...Harlem! This mellow spitter, rapping vicariously through codeine-sipping Houston artists, has been on the scene since his mixtape “Live. Love.

A$AP” dropped back in 2011. A$AP finally released his first album Long. Live. A$AP in January of this year, debuting at number 1 on the BillBoard 200 Charts. Other than his rapping style, A$AP is known for his fashion sense. Whether he’s wearing Raf Simons or Russell Simmons, A$AP is a trendsetter and will continue to be.

Anybody who knows me knows that I am slightly biased when it comes to the number 7 artist. Being on every list MTV has put out to this point, Kanye West has

Kendrick Lamar

debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Charts; making that the sixth time he has done so. There’s nothing I can say that Nas’ discography and career hasn’t already.

been killing the game since 2000 with his production. Since 2002, Kanye has proven that he is more than just a producer. 10 years later, and he’s still killing it. From his

No stranger to this list is Rick Ross, coming in at number 3. Consistently getting

early days, to his 808s singing days, to his high fashion days, it seems Yeezus can do

better since his debut album, Port of Miami in 2006, Rozay has cemented his boss

no wrong...musically. But this year was a quiet one for him, only releasing one solo

status in the rap game. Anyone that portrays a drug lord, yet overcomes photos sur-

single, “Cold.” Other than that, a 2 Chainz feature, and his G.O.O.D Music collabora-

facing of him looking like Carl Winslow in a correctional officer uniform has got to

tion album, West has been laying low in 2012. Well, sans the whole performing in a

have bars. Having four debut albums at number 1 on the Billboard Charts, the latest

Falkor mask in Atlantic City thing..

being God Forgives, I Don’t in 2012, Rick Ross has built an empire.

Landing one spot above his boss, Big Sean holds the number 6 position. Getting

This next man is no stranger to the number two, seeing as though he always has

a big break from Kanye back in 2007, Big Sean was signed to G.O.O.D Music. 2007

at least that number of chains on at any minute. Since changing his name to the more

was a big year, considering he already dropped his first mixtape and was ghostwriting

family friendly “2 Chainz”, the artist formerly named after mammary glands has had

for Kanye. I mean, who did you really think wrote those punch lines in “Good Life”?

much mainstream success. The third G.O.O.D Music member on this list, Kanye and

But it wasn’t until 2010 that Big Sean would become a household name because of his

Def Jam just seem to have a knack for signing talent. 2 Chainz might be the most

mixtape, “Finally Famous Vol. 3: BIG.” Releasing his debut album, Finally Famous, in

demographically known artist on this list. I can’t count how many times someone

the summer of 2011, Big Sean showed us that he indeed was finally famous. A Kanye

outside of my race and age group has either said “2 Chaaaaainz” or “TRUUU.”

co-sign doesn’t hurt either.

Last but not least is the number 1 artist of the year according to MTV. Claiming Rounding the top 5 is none other than the simp gawd himself, Aubrey Drake Gra-

this spot is Kendrick Llama. I can see their rationale behind this pick, with the criti-

ham. This is his fourth appearance on the 10 Hottest MCs list. In dancing that fine

cal acclaim behind his album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. Instead of ranting, I’m just

line between gangsta rap and saving females, no one else does it better than Drake.

going to leave you with this: GKMC sounds like a robot reading a run-on sentence

From “catching bodies” to having “bath water you can soak in.” Drake is known for

with elevator music in the background.

being the rapper that sings, or the singer that raps, or whatever. Whether he’s my cup of tea or not is irrelevant, but you know what is relevant? Drake.

Whether I agree or not, I can see why MTV chose these ten artists. This is probably the best order I have seen on the Hottest MCs list in a while. Thanks for not

God’s Son, Escobar, Nastradamus, Nasty Nas, or whatever you want to call him,

screwing this one up MTV. Take notes XXL.

ranks at number 4 this year. Nas has been in the game for a while now. Dropping Illmatic in ‘94, before some of you were even born, Nas was 19 when he got into the game. Surprisingly, this is his first appearance on this list. His last album, Life is Good

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Lifestyles

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March 20th, 2013| 7

AASAC continued from page 1 Just one day after Lauryn Collier, Dwayne O’Rear and

While he agrees that this year’s election is untradi-

preach diversity, we have an office for diversity but there

Matthew Williams officially began campaigning for the

tional, Williams believes this is one of its best qualities.

are students who are living a different experience on

office of Student Body President, it was reported that all

“We pride ourselves on being a diverse institution, and

campus, that is not welcoming and are facing problems

three candidates had committed campaign violations.

I think this truly shows it,” said Williams. “To look at

on campus that could easily be traced to a lack of cultural

Lauryn and Dwayne and see that we’re doing this thing,

competence,” said Collier.

O’Rear appealed charges made against him and was cleared of all violations. Williams also successfully appealed a charge that he was campaigning too close to University Dining Locations.

sage not only to N.C. State students, but North Carolina and the rest of the United States that [even though] we’re not a Historically Black College or University, minority students still have a voice on campus.”

According to O’Rear, he and the other candidates have “100 percent” been placed under a larger microscope than candidates in previous years. “The Election’s Commission is much stricter this year,” said O’Rear something he equates in part to the fact that this is “an untraditional political race.”

that we’re representing N.C. State, it’s a powerful mes-

Collier who has recognized several “underlying problems” at N.C. State believes that there is a lack of true understanding of diversity, throughout the campus. “We

AGE:20 FROM: #704

@misswulfpack INTERESTING FACT:

She is a Big Beyonce Fan.

can Community, the African American Student Advisory Council (AASAC), is an organization which all of the candidates have had interactions with during their time at N.C. State.

The current president of the Union Activities Board,

LAURYN COLLIER

A pillar of culture within N.C. State’s African Ameri-

Read below to find out how each candidate plans to enhance and help preserve AASAC and its comprising organizations:

“I have taken a frontseat in fighting for AASAC in a lot of things, and most recently with the Witherspoon renovations. I’ve always been the voice to say, ‘Have we thought about this?’ I would like to think that I constantly bring up those issues on behalf of the students. Also with black alumni, with the forum recently, I’m trying to make sure we have the same experiences they did back in the day when it was great to be black at N.C. State.”

MATTHEW WILLIAMS AGE:20 FROM: #919

@MattPACKman INTERESTING FACT:

His aunt, sherry williams, was the 1st black woman to run for ncsu sbp.

DWAYNE O’REAR AGE: 21 FROM: #704

@DORear_ INTERESTING FACT:

He has taken classes toward receiving his pilot license.

“One of the main things is communication and making sure that new students know about it. [Via a university-wide website] we would have a universal calendar, so all the meetings could be listed there. It is all about that communication.”

“Many organizations are merging [next year]. As Student Body President I could bring AASAC into that union.

With the union of these organizations it would effectively bring together the University more as one. I could be the mouthpiece for students that aren’t effectively represented on campus. I would try to bring to light those students’ needs and the group’s needs so that the University can be aware of that.”

Photos by: Kelly Darden

8 |March 20th, 2013

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40 Acres and a Mule: The Spike Lee Film Series

DeErricka Green Managing Editor

S

pike Lee is much more than that

the art of filmmaking in order to articulate

quirky courtside Knicks fan, always

issues of race, class and the disparaging

dressed head-to-toe in team colors.

conditions of the black population in

Lee has been classified by many as the

most important and controversial African American filmmaker in American history; ironically, though his political and social commentary is just as relevant today as it was in the 1980s, a startling fraction of our current generation is unaware of this, something a group of Durham educators is working to change.

America.

Guild will be sponsoring 40 Acres & a Mule, a film series that kicked off March 16 and will continue with weekly screenings of Spike Lee “joints” through April 13.

With guest speakers (including Dr. Mark Anthony Neal, a professor of African and African-American Studies at Duke University, @The BlackVoice’s Taurean R. Brown, and activist Lamont Lilly) the series will dissect such classics as School Daze and Do the Right Thing in order to celebrate Lee and examine race relations, colorism in the black community, the role of media in contemporary life, urban crime and poverty, and their enduring affects on black culture.

in the mid-1980s, Lee has capitalized on

Concordia University in Montreal, Canada in 2009, Lee

work followed more closely, he began to

criticized how some

use his public influence and status in order

individuals within

to become an agent for empowerment

the black community

amongst black people, ultimately becoming

wrongfully associate

a voice for the voiceless.

“intelligence with

Blues (1990), Lee was accused of antisemitism by critics. They criticized two characters within the film for stereotypical

acting white, and ignorance with acting black.”

Today, Lee is not

“Jewish” behavior. Lee denied the charge,

only regarded as

explaining that he devised those characters

the most important

in order to depict how black artists

African American

struggled against exploitation.

filmmaker, but

In 2005, Lee commented on the federal government’s response to Hurricane Katrina. Responding to a CNN anchor’s question as to whether the government intentionally ignored the predicaments of African Americans during the disaster, Lee said, “I don’t put anything past the United States government. I don’t find it too far-fetched that they tried to displace all the black people out of New Orleans.”

Lee also cited the government’s past

Since his first film She Gotta Have It

During a lecture at

As Lee became better known and his

After the release of Mo’ Better

The Liberty Arts and the Durham Art

the Negro Male.

atrocities against black people, including the Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in

definitely the most commercially successful. In addition to will celebrate the work of an innovator

awards, box office success and his own production company, Lee inspired a

who has, since his debut dedicated his life

movement of black film through the 1990s

to the empowerment of African Americans

and today. Without the influence of Lee’s

through film and cinematography. The

cinematography, artists like John Singleton

Lee films have analyzed for the larger

and the Hughes Brothers, classics like

historical, cultural, and social aspects of American society in a way that made

Menace II Society and Boyz n the Hood, would be non-existent.

a lasting impact on African American culture.

In hosting the 40 Acres & a Mule, Liberty Arts and the Durham Art Guild

Album Review: The 20/ 20 Experience Devonte Keith Staff Writer

A

merica first fell in love with Justin Timberlake as the curly-haired kid from N’SYNC with unfathomable amounts of rhythm. Now, after a

seven-year hiatus, he’s finally released some new music, making a statement with The 20/20 Experience.

Timberlake took a break from music in order to focus on his budding acting career. His earlier albums Justified and Futuresex/Lovesounds dealt more with the R&B and pop sound whereas The 20/20 Experience goes into a more grown-up sound that blends old school jazz as well as a new school sound, perhaps due to now being a married man.

Teaming up once again with producer and long-time friend Timbaland, 20/20 grips listeners right from the first track, “Pusher Love Girl”. The track has a simple but effective and unique beat that draws you in to listen to the whole album. The whole album is exceptional based off the flow of it alone; although the songs have the same theme, you almost forget that that the tracks are separated and you’re listening to a ten-track album.

TRACK LISTING: 1. PUSHER LOVE GIRL 2. SUIT & TIE FT. JAY-Z 3. DON’T HOLD THE WALL 4. STRAWBERRY BUBBLEGUM 5. TUNNEL VISION 6. SPACESHIP COUPE 7.THAT GIRL 8. LET THE GROOVE IN 9. MIRRORS 10. BLUE OCEAN FLOOR

Some fans may consider the short track list to be an upset, however but each song is roughly seven minutes of listening pleasure. It seems as though JT took something from his fans’ enjoyment from the hit “Lovestoned,” and followed it with the same concept; each track begins with a beat followed by a breakdown of the same particular beat.

Justin Timberlake’s admirable vocals and Timbaland’s consistently immaculate producing make this album a must listen.