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March 30, 2011 A student paints in The Free Expression Tunnel, a place that allows students to exercise their First Amendment right.

Cindy Lam, a freshman in communications performed “Someone Like You,” by singer Adele. Lam is fluent in three languages including both Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese and English. Lam also dances for Fusion Dance team.

The aftermath of the race riots of Black Wall Street in Oklahoma

courtesy www.cchronicle.com

WEDNESDAY | MARCH 30 | 2011

NUBIAN MESSAGE ISSUE 19

In this edition Black Wall Street Pg. 2 Chris Brown: F.A.M.E. Monster? Pg. 4 Japan Club Organization Spotlight Pg. 6

SENTINEL OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AT NC STATE SINCE 1992

The Dark Tunnel of Oppression Leads to Enlightenment Alexis Teasdell | Staff Writer “The Tunnel Of Oppression” was a three day event hosted by the Multicultural Student Affairs in the Carmichael Recreation Center Playzone. The event was co-sponsored with University Housing, Union Activities Board, the Counseling Center and others organizations on campus. The Tunnel of Oppression is an award winning interactive tour which originated in 1993 at Western Illinois University. The Tunnel of Oppression gives students, faculty and community members the opportunity to witness multiple types of oppression which are prevalent in our society. In an effort to create awareness of various forms of oppression, participants were guided through different rooms to witness the effects of oppression on our society and the campus community as well. Students and faculty were welcomed to the “Tunnel of Oppression” with a slide-show that placed an emphasis on major forms of oppression. Participants were then led through various skits acted out by fellow students which focused on subjects of body image, homosexuality, rape, and racism. The Women’s Center presented a skit which focused on rape and sexual assault. The theme was, “Rape and Sexual Assault is Never the Victim’s Fault.” The skit portrayed a scene of a girl confessing that she

was raped at a party the previous night. The Women’s Center shared an approach one might take when confronting a friend who has experienced rape and suggested locations which offer assistance. A backdrop listed responses which victims of rape may receive from others, such as “She flirted with him all night,” or “She led him on.”

Oppression continued on pg. 2

Image courtsey studentnetworkgroups.blogspot.com

Dialogue on Diversity Jasmine Harris | Managing Editor

Obama and Libya Pg. 5

WWW.NCSU.EDU/NUBIAN

Each semester the Office of Diversity and Inclusion puts together a “Dialogue on Diversity,” in which a distinguished speaker comes to lead a thought-provoking discussion with members of the campus community. This semester’s dialogue was a part of the campus’ first Howl for Diversity Week, and was entitled “Confronting Hate: Understanding the Current Status and History of Federal Hate Crime Legislation,” featuring guest speaker Jacqueline Barnett. Ms. Barnett is currently the Director for Institutional Equity at Tulane University in New

Orleans, LA, and has practiced law for over 20 years. She graduated from Marywood College in Scranton, PA, and the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle. She also recently served as the Associate Chief Counsel to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). The term “hate crime” came about in the 1980’s following the first hate crime incidents. The term is more accurately described as a “biasedbased crime,” because these crimes are motivated by a person being different and belonging to the protected classes, one being race, which is the motive behind 50% of all hate crimes.

On October 28, 2009, this protection was extended legislatively to crimes motivated by actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity and disability, when President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This Act also overruled the previous law that the victim must be engaging in federal activity in order for it to be a hate crime. Back in 1998, an incident which also had major influence on the latest legislation, was the murder of Matthew Shepard, a student of the University of Wyoming.

Diversity continued on Pg. 7

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March 30, 2011

Black Wall Street Kim Faison | Staff Writer On June 21st, 1921, the district Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma was bombed from the air and burned to the ground by a mob of whites leaving nearly 3,000 African Americans dead and over 600 successful black owned businesses lost. After the Civil War many African Americans settled in Oklahoma, because of employment opportunities from the oil fields. Around 1908, the community of Greenwood was established. Greenwood became one of the most prosperous all Black communities in America during the early 1900’s. The town was given the name “Black Wall Street,” because it was home to 600 successful black-owned businesses. It was said to have been the golden door of the black community during this time period, and proved that African Americans had a successful infrastructure. During this era, physicians owned medical schools, there were pawn shops, jewelry stores, 21 churches, 21 restaurants and two movie theaters all owned by blacks. At the time there were two airports in the state of Oklahoma, however, six blacks owned their own planes. What made Black Wall Street so unusual was its location. At the time, Oklahoma was set aside to be a black and Native American state with over 28 black townships and one-third of its population who traveled in the terrifying “Trail

of Tears,” along-side Native American between 1830 to 1842. The citizens of the township proposed that the Native American and black state choose a black governor, a treasurer from Kansas named McDade. However, the Klu Klux Klan announced that if he assumed office, they would kill him within 48 hours. A lot of blacks owned farmland, and many of ventured into the oil business. The community was so tight and wealthy because they traded dollars hand-to-hand, and because they were dependent upon one another as a result of the Jim Crow laws. In the documentary “Black Wall Street: A Black Holocaust in America,” survivors share stories of commencement of the tragedy which began the night of May 31, 1921, when a white female elevator operator accused a black man of assault. He was arrested but never charged for the crime which stirred up anger amongst the whites and led to a series of confrontations between white mobs and the African American community of Greenwood. Whites rioted throughout the town, setting fire to homes and churches. One survivor stated that he remembers Whites barg-

Image courtesy of www.sfbayview.com

ing into their home, setting fire to the curtains as he and his sister hid under the bed. Approximately 4,300 African Americans were left homeless, and the town they once called home was left in ashes. This tragedy was the largest massacre of non-military Americans in the history of this country. Many survivors who were interviewed think that this act of violence was planned because while their town was being burned to the ground, White families stood around the borders of the town and watched the tragedy unfold. Following the destruction of Greenwood, businesses were rebuilt, churches and schools were reestablished; however, Greenwood never regained its prominence as the Black Wall Street. Source: http://www.blackwallstreet.freeservers.com/The%20Story.htm

inspirational quote of the week “In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.”

Albert Schweitzer, Philospher

Oppression continued from pg. 1

The Women’s Center stressed that sexual assault is “NEVER” the victim’s fault and that they are there for students who may need to talk. The next room addressed body image. It portrayed a skit of a male and a female who were disappointed in their body image. The girl explained in her diary that she felt overweight and constantly monitored her eating habits to the point that she became obsessed with losing weight. The male struggled with another problem. He utilized unhealthy tactics to gain muscle mass. A slide show of statistics was displayed to the audience. It was shown that an alarming rate of girls fear being fat and a large amount have struggled with food eating disorders. Most had never viewed depicting other’s body image as a form of oppression. The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Center put on a skit that analyzed sexual orientation oppression. A male found out that his roommate was homosexual and wished to move out of the dorm. The audience wit-

nessed several responses one might receive in disagreement to the lifestyle such as: “The bible says no to homosexuality,” and “You’ve changed in The Freedom of Expression Tunnel on campus where in the last few years several racial charged incidents have occured | Darius Dawson front of her. She could have been looking.” Afterwards, YouTube.com entitled as, “UCLA Girl's Asian participants were shocked to realize that the Rant.” The student felt that Asians were too skit performed was a real life experience that loud in the library. This can be extremely occurred on campus. powerful because many students watch and The hate room presented images of make YouTube videos, and oppression is not hate speech that was discovered around always visible. campus. There were posters and videos of After leaving the tunnel, faculty, various forms of racial oppression. There was students and staff were able to discuss what one poster found on campus that implied, they saw in the tunnel. There were large “It’s a great day to be out” in which someone sheets of paper where people were able to crossed off the word “out” and replaced it write what they would do to stop oppreswith “shot.” This form of oppression has the sion and name a form of oppression that they tendency to make members of some groups know of. It was an opportunity for students question the measures in place to prevent to witness the ways in which many groups this type of behavior.One video featured a are oppressed. The “Tunnel of Oppression” college student complaining about Asians may become an annual event on campus. in the library. The video can be found on

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March 30, 2011

This Week In Black History

Road To Extraordinary

Alexis Teasdell

March 27 1861 - The Fight For a Ride

Black demonstrators in Charleston staged ride-ins on streetcars. On May 1, the Charleston City Railway Company adopted a resolution guaranteeing the right of all persons to ride in streetcars. Image courtesy www.picasaweb.google.com

The Difference between the ordinary and the extraordinary is doubt. Thoughts of the extraordinary never go unheard. It’s a matter of hearing yet not listening, contact without absorption. The words of the wise falling on the deaf ears of those sheltered from their own light in which they possess. Yet, the difference between extraordinary thoughts and the ordinary is that of persistence, which evolves from hope. The extraordinary knows the life of the ordinary for they have walked that path and worn out the soles of the ordinary shoe that never fit. Only for the knowledge of a persistent extraordinary to fall and open the once deafened ears to produce another chain in the link to release the chains that increase a fear. A fear of extraordinary,being able to attain extraordinary, obtain extraordinary and travel to extraordinary heights.. alone. But when that fear is overcome, and the extraordinary replace the wool over the formally ordinarys’ eyes with their wing teaching how to fly. Then and only then have the thoughts of the extraordinary finally been heard.

Obama into Libya: Bad move! Sampson | Staff Writer Last week, President Barack Obama ordered a U.S. military intervention into the Libyan revolution. The president announced that the United States would send no ground troops to Libyan soil, and thus far, the U.S. had only been engaging in air assaults. According to the U.S and N.A.T.O, the International intervention in Libya, seeks to prevent Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi from killing innocent civilians. Despite President Barack Obama’s justification to intervene in Libya, he may have made a hypocritical move when he ordered a U.S. strike into Libya. In this case, the President has inherited two wars and a bad U.S. economy and now intervened into a foreign war. During the Iraq war, the president critically denounced President Bush for wrongly waging war against Saddam Hussein. Of course, there are many arguments that could be made showing the differences between the two wars. Politically, the war in Libya could go wrong. If it goes wrong, President Barack Obama could definitely lose the 2012 presidential election because he would have no argument and many arguments could be made against him. Since the Libyan crisis began the game of politics has been constantly played among U.S. politicians. At first, the president did not immediately come out and take side or interferes. President Obama took his own time to analyze the Libyan situation. The president was criticized in all directions of the U.S. world of

politics. Republicans said that the president was weak and was disgracing the U.S. by not supporting the Libyan people’s fight for freedom or leading the International anti-Gaddafi campaign. After the president ordered the U.S. intervention he is still being criticized. Liberals are mad that he is taking the U.S. into a war and it appears Conservatives are upset the United States is not at the fore front of the International campaign against the Libyan dictator. In fact, the Republican’s leading argument at this moment is that the president is not clearly telling the people the U.S. role in Libya and that he went into Libya without Congress’ approval and against the Constitution. Fox News and some Republicans are finding it pleasurable to compare the President to George Bush while others are saying that Obama is worse than Bush because Bush sought congress’ approval to go into Iraq while Obama did not. However, at the same time, President Barack Obama did not declare war against a foreign country; he ordered U.S. participation in a United Nation backed international campaign, while Bush moved against the U.N. and the world without a legitimate reason for war. The president is on the hot seat, as he has both the Iraq and the Afghan war on his plate. Again, the Libyan war could go completely wrong for any plans the president has for reelection. Let’s not forget that the president promised to pull United States troops out of Iraq this year and the 2012 presidential election is around the corner.

March 28 1966 - Bill Russell Named Head Coach of Boston Celtics

Bill Russell named head coach of the Boston Celtics, becoming the first African American to coach an NBA team.

March 29 1898 - W.J. Ballow patents Hatrack/Table Ballow, W. J. Combined hatrack and table Mar. 29, 1898 Patent No. 601,422

March 30 1870 - The 15th Amendment

On March 30, 1870, the ratification of the 15th Amendment secured voting rights for all male U.S. citizens.

March 31 1988 - Toni Morrison Wins Pulitzer

Toni Morrison wins the Pulitzer Prize for her novel Beloved

April 1 1929 - Atlanta University

Morehouse College, Spelman College and Atlanta University affiliated, creating a new Atlanta University. John Hope of Morehouse College, was named president.

April 2 1865 - The Twenty-Fifth Corps Black soldiers of the Twenty-Fifth Corps were among the first Union soldiers to enter Petersburg.

For more facts visit www. blackfacts.com

The Deterioration of Pop Culture

They just don’t make them like they use to.

March 30, 2011

Chris Brown: F.A.M.E. Monster? Kierra Leggett | Opinions Writer

CJ Guion | Staff Writer If you turn on the television or the radio today, you might find two women fighting in a bar or a song with lyrics censored throughout the majority of the track. As a kid it was easy to find a balance of positive shows that meshed with the negativity. Even though there were songs in the 90’s that were equally as thoughtless and sex driven as ones today, there was self conscious content that created a balance. There were shows like “A Different World” and “The Cosby Show,” which portrayed African Americans in a particularly positive spotlight. There were songs that actually had a meaning and artists created works of art from the heart and not just for the money. Today, it almost seems that we have become so consumed in reality television that we wouldn’t know a good show if it slapped us in the face. This season, BET started a Tuesday night block which featured original scripted shows with the revived sitcom “The Game” and “Let’s Stay Together.” “The Game” already had a solid fan base from its previous stint on the CW network, but viewers simply were not too fond of “Let’s Stay Together.” The first season of the show may not win an Emmy Award, but it is indeed a show that provides a different perspective of African Americans. The main characters juggle marriage and careers as doctors and lawyers. However, since they aren’t cussing every five seconds and acting like a fool, nobody wants to tune in as they would rather watch a celebrity past her prime and a bunch of bickering women in Atlanta and women trying to mooch off the fame of their ex-basketball boyfriends who couldn’t even manage to make it down the aisle. Is this what Black America truly wants or is this what Black America accepts? The fact that a bunch of fans were able to join together and bring a television show back from the dead shows that fans have power. However, sometimes fans are like the woman who does not realize that she holds more power in a relationship than she knows. You only get what you give into. In most cases men can’t get anything that a woman doesn’t give him on her free will. TV and radio works the exact same way. They will not air programs and songs that you are not listening to. However, if you just accept the fact that nothing better is on television to watch and tune in to make the time go by, then nothing will ever change. In order to get more positive shows and music on the air, we have to support them. Even if there are aspects which we don’t joy, as long as we are tuned in, executives will get the message and deliver more shows which peak our interest. Until we realize this, trash will continue to consume the airways.

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Two years ago, R&B heart throb Chris Brown was charged with felony assault after he attacked Grammy Award winning songstress, and then girlfriend, Rihanna. As a result of his actions, along with a restraining order, Brown was formally sentenced to five years probation, more than 1,400 hours of “labor-oriented service,” and a yearlong domestic violence course. With the 52 week course finally behind him, Brown appears to be making strides at repairing his tarnished image, and moving on from the highly publicized happenings between him and Rihanna. Following the incident, not only did Brown post a video to YouTube in which he apologized to his fans and Rihanna for letting them down, but he also sat down for several candid interviews, most noteworthy those with Larry King and Robin Roberts. During both interviews, Brown addressed (in a respectable amount of detail) what took place between him and Rihanna, always expressing his remorse and also the steps he was going to take in order to become a better person, man, and role model for his fans. Since 2009, Brown has embarked on a (figuratively speaking) road to redemption, beginning with his heartfelt tribute to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson at the 2010 BET Awards, a role in the box office hit Tak-

ers (2010), a popular mixtape (Fan of a Fan), and now, with the release of his sixth studio album, F.A.M.E., which is projected to sale 250,000-275,000 copies within its first week. Brown spent the previous week promoting the album by making appearances on various media outlets however, his appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America has garnered the most buzz; just not for the right reasons. During his March 22, image courtsey www.geneluke.blogspot.com 2011 appearance on Good Morning America Supposedly, Brown re(GMA), GMA host Robin Roberts treated backstage to his dressing sat down with Brown to chat room enraged, tyrannical, and so and proceeded to ask him sevupset at the fact that Roberts had eral questions about the current blind sighted him with questions standing of things between him about Rihanna, that he threw a and Rihanna. With each question cooler (in some reports a chair) that Roberts directed toward breaking the window inside of Brown pertaining to his and the dressing room. Brown exited Rihanna’s estranged relationthe GMA studio shirtless, into ship, Brown evaded the question, the early morning nippy winds of instead refocusing on his new New York City. Immediately news album. Following the brief, and media outlets and social networks obviously awkward interview, such as Twitter became abuzz Brown took to the stage perform- with people pitting Chris Brown ing his single, “Yeah 3X.” While out to be an over aggressive Brown’s amazing performance psychopath with serious anger was definitely a jaw dropper, it management issues. was his actions following the performance that has everyone’s Chris Brown continued on pg 5 eyebrows raised.

Another Earth Quake Japan gets rocked again Sampson Bloh | Staff Writer On Sunday morning Japan was hit by an earth quake of a magnitude of 6.5. The tremor occurred not too far from the epicenter of the March 11 earth quake which damaged a nuclear power plant. Since the first earth quake, the damaged power plant has been experiencing radiation lick. After the Sunday earthquake, Japanese officials declared a tsunami alert but later on called it off. This is very disturbing for Japan. The country is already going through an economic decline. A tragedy like this, just days after the first earth quake could be painful for any country, and the Japanese will need courage to defy the odds. The radiation level around the area of the damaged nuclear power plant is said to be

about 1,850 times higher than normal level. So far, since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, it is said that more than 10,000 people have died and thousands have been reported as missing. Emotions are running high throughout the country as many are mourning loved ones and it has been said that temperature is rising in one of the damaged nuclear power plant. But despite all this, many Japanese citizens are returning to their homes. The Japanese are going to need any assistance they can receive in this time of sorrow.

Letters toto the Editor? Letters the Editor? ncsu.nubian@gmail.com

nubian message Revolution in Syria and Bahrain: Should the U.S. Intervene? Sampson Bloh | Staff Writer The Arab revolution started in North Africa and is now in the Middle East. Currently, the governments of Syria and Bahrain are experiencing the wrath of angry civilians demanding freedom. It has been said that there is a large volume of Human Rights violations occurring in the two countries even though it is not on the same level as that which been reported in Libya. Many are saying that the U.S. should intervene into Syria and force the sitting government out or support the people of Syria. Some are using the argument that Syria is a friend of Iran, an U.S. enemy. As for Bahrain, many said that it is a United States allies and that the United States should not disturb the country. This is is nothing more than mere hypocrisy. If you claim that you stand for freedom and two countries are harshly treating their citizens who are protesting for freedom, it is your responsibility to intervene in both countries or make them both stop. Freedom should be about freedom and never double standard. If the United States decides to intervene in Syria and not Bahrain, that may be viewed as a double standard.This would also be the oil relationship between the U.S. and Bahrain. It should be interesting to see what

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occurs when the U.S. interferes in one country’s affair while choosing oil over freedom in another country. Of course many would say that Libya has oil and that the U.S. is supporting the people. Well, lets say that Muammah Gaddafi is a man who the United States and the West have been trying to get rid of for a long time now. So, the current Libyan unrest is a reason and opportunity for them to get rid of Gaddafi. In fact, the United Nation, the United States, NATO, and others are intervening in the Libyan affair. Why are they not doing the same thing in Syria and Bahrian? It should be mentioned that the situation in Ivory Coast is not even discussed about any more. In comparison with what is going on in Libya and elsewhere in the world today, when the Liberian Civil War was going on, we called on our big brother, the United States and others to intervene. It was said that Liberian and African affairs sat back and watched hundreds of thousands of people die. So, by intervening in Libya and not intervening in Bahrain or Syria is a double standard and a stand against freedom. The support of Freedom should never be an oil-relationship or the dismissal of someone who you disagree with. Strategic and economic significance should not be used as a way to accept or denounce a country.

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Roberts spoke out, claiming that Brown was well aware that he would be questioned about Rihanna, as it is custom that all guest on GMA be briefed before hand on the focus of their interview. This only helped in adding fuel to the already blazing fire of people out to roast Brown’s career— once and for all. While I am by no means excusing Brown for his beastly actions of 2009, I do feel that it is time for America to stop harping on the same issues and allow the past to be the past. With a major purpose of the American penal system being to reform criminals, why is it that this young, 21 year old man, (he was 19 at the time of his assault on Rihanna), is continually being raked over the coals, when it is obvious that both he and Rihanna are no longer dwelling on the ghosts of their pasts? I am sure that each of us can sit back and reflect on a time when we were young (or old) that we did or said something that we are not proud of. However, the only way to move on and be better is to make mistakes, and learn from them. It is not as if Brown made a mistake, was not punished for, or did not accept responsibility for it. He has done his time; he has talked about his mistake with great candor, he has paid his dues. Obviously Rihanna feels that he has done what he needs to do, as she removed her restraining order against him and since their 2009 domestic dispute she has rarely addressed the issue. As for Roberts’ defense that Brown had been made aware that there would be questions about Rihanna, I take that with a grain of salt. Why on earth would Brown agree to subject himself to the negative publicity and sentiments that would obviously be rekindled by questions about Rihanna in the wake of his album release? Some like to argue that no publicity is bad publicity, but in this instance that is not the case. Brown is trying to sell as many records to his audience (which is largely comprised of teen to young adult women that equally enjoy the music of Rihanna) as he can, so why would he want to continuously remind them that he assaulted a woman? It doesn’t make sense—at all. I respect Robin Roberts and the work she does, but ultimately I feel that she was attempting to direct the interview between her and Brown on March 22, 2011 into a negative direction, despite Brown’s desperate attempts to turn it back into the right direction. I am 100% #teambreezy, and I only hope that Brown will be able to reclaim his spot at the top of the music charts. He seems not only determined to be successful, but also legitimately passionate about creating good music that his fans can enjoy. Brown said it best with, “My Fans. Are. My. Everything.”

Representatives to Make English the Official Language of North Carolina CJ Guion | Staff Writer North Carolina representatives are set to bring forth Bill 475 in the North Carolina General Assembly which calls for an amendment to the state constitution, that would make English the official language of the state. However, English is already the official language of the state and has been since 1987. Twenty four years ago, a statute was passed declaring English the official language of the state and is still present in the books, according to the state Legislative Library. The new amendment has left several groups bewildered as to why Representatives feel the need to bring such a bill to the General Assembly when other issues such as the economy, education, and housing are more prevalent. A Latino advocacy group, El Pueblo plans to speak out against the bill. Pablo Escobar spoke with news reporters on Monday, and said he believes that such a law would send a signal to people who speak other languages “that your heritage and the language you speak in your homes is not important.” However, Representatives plan to continue with their agenda.

Section 1 of Bill 475 reads as follows: Article XIV of the North Carolina Constitution is amended by adding a new section to read: Sec. 6. English is the official language of North Carolina. (1) English is the common language of the people of the United States of America and the state of North Carolina. This section is intended to preserve, protect, and strengthen the English language and not supersede any of the rights guaranteed to the people by the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of North Carolina. One of the sponsors of the bill, Rep. Kelly Hastings told reporters on Monday that he wants to see the language receive protection in the State constitution. Hastings also made sure to make it known that the bill has no intent to discriminate against other languages and people. The United States has seen an influx of Hispanic and Asian immigration to the country over the past years and many adjustments have been made to cater to language barriers that may persist once certain minorities

groups reach the country. According to the 2000 US Census, eight percent of the North Carolina population was reported speaking other languages in the home. Four percent were reported to not speak English very well. According to the Fall enrollment report, there are 2,691 International students, 1,008 unknown, 1,065 Hispanic students, and 1,640 Asian students. There were no statistics present which detail the percentages of students which reported that they speak other languages in the home. By making English the official language of the state in the constitution, this could potentially mean that official documents would only be required to be printed in a single language. Election ballots may only be required to be printed in English and translators might not be required in court cases which might be grounds of violating several amendments in the constitution such as equal protection and due process. In order for the bill to be passed, a referendum will be required to be taken up by voters in the November 2012 elections. The outcome of this bill could have a tremendous impact on many populations present in the state as well as students on this campus.

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Can Republicans in Congress Realistically Shrink the Government? Roger Caldwell | Contributing Writer ORLANDO, Fla. Everywhere you go in the United States, you hear people talking about making the federal government smaller. Many conservatives are considering revolting against the federal government and making the states more powerful. Even in the state of Florida, our governor is refusing money from the federal government to build high speed rail. Our governor believes that our state could end up owing the entire $2.4 billion back to the government, if there are problems with the construction and the project is not completed. Based on his studies, there are too many “ifs and maybes” to risk the taxpayer’s hard earned money and resources. Many governors in Wisconsin, New Jersey, Ohio, and Florida have decided that they will solve their own problems with limited interference from the federal government. Many of these states are controlled by conservative legislatures and governors, and they want to limit union intervention, and collective bargaining. They believe that they have a mandate from the people, and the same philosophy is prevalent with Republicans in the federal Congress.

These Republicans in the Congress are conservative, and believe that they were sent to Washington with a mission. Their goal is to cut spending and help to shrink the federal government. Even though the budget was $3.1 trillion when Bush was president, they want to turn back the hands of time. The Republicans argue with the Democrats, and the Democrats argue with the Republicans over $100 billion in cuts. Both parties know that $100 billion is a small percentage of the budget, and they are fighting over peanuts. When the proposed budget for 2012 is $3.7 trillion, and the deficit is $1.3 trillion, there are other fundamental problems with balancing our federal budget. Our country continues to fight one major war that is costing on the average, $9 billion a month and we are also dumping around $5 billion a month in Iraq, and there is no telling what the expense to keep bases around the world. It is obvious fighting wars that we can not win is a terrible strategy, and a drain on our resources and funds. Somewhere in President Obama campaign and the reality of Washington, our country is caught between a rock and a hard place. Cutting social programs for the poor, minorities, women, children and the elderly is no way to run the richest country on earth. Our politi-

cians are looking in the wrong places to cut expenses. President Obama was right when he stated that the rich 2% of our population needs to pay more taxes, because of our deficits, and they can afford it. By the same token, our international corporations and conglomerates can afford to pay more taxes. The middle class, the poor, and the small businesses should receive a break on taxes. It is time for the president to take a position and establish his leadership role in the Congress, and with the conservative governors around the country. The president must take the initiative and establish where the right places to make the cuts in his budget. Shutting down some of the military bases around the world could save our country billions. Our country could save billions by stopping policing the world and stop financing corrupt governments who we want to be our friends. Finally, we should stop fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq and redirect the savings to balance our budget, and improve our infrastructure. Many of the cuts that Republicans and the Democrats are making are for show. If they are serious about balancing our budget, they will help end the wars, and tax the people and the corporations in the country who can afford to pay.

Organization Spotlight: Japan Club Kareem Williams | Staff Writer The Japan Club which was re-founded in August 2007 is dedicated to the promotion of Japanese culture. Under the president Meredith Bradshaw or more commonly known as “Aoi”, the Japan Club has become very active in providing assistance to aid for Japan’s recent Disaster. On March 11, 2011 Japan was hit by an earthquake of an 8.9-9.0 magnitude, which led to the tsunami that devastated the north- Image courtsey of www.earthquake-report.com east Japan. This was the 5th highest recorded earthquake well as to raise awareness for Japan. The Japan club is also promoting and damages caused by the disaster are estimated to be around $300 a T-shirt campaign funded by CSLEPS, Hope 3-11-11, which is NCSU’s billion dollars. The tsunami and earthquake has also led to damages Japan disaster relief shirt. The Japan club will be present at the candle on Japan’s nuclear reactors. The crippled nuclear plants have released light vigil service on April 15th at the Court of Carolinas. The service radiation into the surrounding environment and now Japan is faced will be from 5-9 p.m. and will be for the victims of the Japan disaster with a three-point disaster. In an effort to help with aid for Japan, the as well as an opportunity to gather donations from the public for aid. Japan club is involved with the Origami crane tables beside the Book- Everyone is wanted and welcome to come to the candle light vigil and store, which is where the Origami Wishes Campaign creates origami any future events to help out with Japan. for monetary donations in support of aid for Japan. The Japan club was also involved in Diversity week with events such as the Fashion Talent show, in an effort to show the campus the diversity of Japan as

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Diversity

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Shepard was beaten brutally by two of his peers who disliked him because he was homosexual. He was tied to a fence left to die in a rural area for thirteen hours until he was found and airlifted to a Colorado hospital where he later died. Shepard suffered from brain damage and injuries that were too severe for doctors to operate. Ms. Barnett stated, “Hate crimes are becoming apart of our culture, and sadly the culture of higher education.” By mentioning this, she was also referring to the recent hate crime that drove Tyler Clementi, a student at Rutgers University to commit suicide. With the recent hike in hate crimes generally, also came the increase of hate crimes on college campuses, especially those dealing with hate speech and expression. Her point was that college campus’ are places of acceptance and diversity, but hate crimes have begun to dwell even in those environments. The presentation continued with perhaps the most influential hate crime cases in history up to the point of the most recent legislation. Perhaps the most traumatic crime mentioned was the story of a middle-aged African American male named James Byrd Jr. Byrd was walking home one day, when he was offered a ride by three Caucasian men on a pickup truck. After beating him brutally, urinating on

him and slitting his throat, the men tied Byrd by the ankles to the back of the truck with a chain, dragging his body for over a mile. Byrd was still alive during the dragging until he was decapitated by hitting a culvert. I believe this spring’s dialogue really opened the eyes of students to what hate crimes are defined as, gave them the consciousness that these crimes do actually exist, and the progress we’ve made towards justice. Many of my peers are not aware what classifies as a hate crime, and Ms. Barnett’s presentation definitely informed those that attended of the importance of understanding the past and present hate crime laws. It is also important to continue to make our university an environment that welcomes everyone and to directly acknowledge these issues within our campus and entire world instead of acting as if they do not happen. Anyone, no matter who they are or what they look like, can be a victim of a hate crime. In 2007, there was a total of 9500 hate crimes, which is equal to one hate crime happening per hour and as something we have seen within our own community, it is an issue that we need to continue to respond to through education and awareness.

Usman Siddique, a sophomore in political science, performed a medley of Bollywood songs and a popular Pakistani song.

Juice Box Stereo, a group of young talented men, performed a selection of songs spiced with island vibes. Juice Box Stereo is affiliated with the Caribbean Student Association. Carizma Thomas, a junior in communications performed an original spoken word, titled “My Hair.” The Diversity Talent and Fashion Show raised money for Japan by selling various handmade origami pieces.

PEACE Choir opened the night singing a selection of gospel melodies. The Diversity Talent and Fashion Show was part of Diversity Week’s promotion of diversity and cultural awareness.

The Diversity Talent and Fashion show showcased talent and clothing from various cultures around the world. The Japanese Club modeled kimonos, an elegant and traditional piece of Japanese clothing. Kimonos are still worn today in Japan at cultural events such as tea parties, festivals, and various ceremonies. Photos by Melvin Moore

March 30, 2011

nubian message

Brain Twisters and Teasers These words can all have a letter added and then be rearranged to make a new 5-letter word. The letters added spell a 9-letter word. What are the new words?

HERB BANG KEEN SUIT QUAD WHEY CELL TOIL WILD

Locations Avent Ferry Complex Brooks Hall Caldwell Hall Harrelson Hall Talley Student Center Witherspoon Student Center Wolf Village Apartments

MATE MASIE “what I hear, I keep”

A symbol of the wisdom, knowledge, and prudence. The implied meaning of the phrase “mate masie” is “I understand”. Understanding means wisdom and knowledge, but it also represents the prudence of taking into consideration what another person has said. http://www.adinkra.org/htmls/adinkra/mate.htm

Read each line aloud without making any mistakes. If you make a mistake you MUST start again without going any further.

This is this puzzle This is is puzzle This is how puzzle This is to puzzle This is keep puzzle This is an puzzle This is idiot puzzle This is busy puzzle This is for puzzle This is forty puzzle This is seconds! puzzle

Nubian Message Sentinel of the African-American Community at North Carolina State University

Mario Terry | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Darius Dawson | LAYOUT EDITOR

Jasmine Harris | COPY EDITOR Jasmine Chadmon | COPY EDITOR

372 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 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.