Nubian Message, Aug. 23, 2017 — Eclipse marks new beginnings

NUBIANMESSAGE NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM | wednesday, AUGUST 23, 2017

ECLIPSE MARKS NEW BEGINNINGS

wednesday, aUGUST 23, 2017 | 2

Letter from the editor Hey guys,

3 GERRYMANDERING

NC residents mad about maps

3 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

We’ve had a pretty incredible start to the year, with the first total solar eclipse to cross the United States in 99 years gracing our campus. That isn’t the only thing returning to State, though. After closing in 2013, the Gregg Museum is opening back up in a new location with a whole new collection for the public to enjoy. We got a sneak peak at the new building and art, and on page six, you’ll get to see a little of what the museum has to offer. I encourage everyone to take an afternoon and go get in a little culture for the week.

The student chapter of the NAACP at NC State is bouncing back this year. Now the chapter has had issues in the past maintaining a leadership board and the interest of the community. That simply can’t be the case anymore. There is too much happening in the world now for us to let our organizations fizzle out and die. So pay attention.

Go to events, go to a meeting and support the institutions put in place for YOU. Our Blackademics series is also back for the second year in a row. We kicked it off this year with Dr. Jamila Simpson, the superwoman of the College of Sciences. I’m very excited about this one, because this woman helped me figure my life out when I first arrived at State just by being her wonderful self. So if you find yourself needing a little extra push towards greatness, she’s a great place to start. Or, like she says, any of the other diversity directors, who you can find on page five with their offices listed.

Also coming back around are municipal elections! Remember that time the black community showed up and showed out and got a black president in the White House twice? Remember that time the black community showed up and showed out and voted for a referendum to improve our communities? Yeah, neither do I. Not to say it doesn’t happen, but understand that if we want to make changes, we have to be present, and we have to be active. On page three, you’ll find the information you need to make sure you’re registered and a bit about what’s on the ballot.

Lastly, I want to take a moment to address the situation in Charlottesville. I can’t begin to express my horror and anger. I wish I had a positive and uplifting message to give you all, but I’m still processing. And that’s okay. So if you’re in the same boat, make sure you take a moment for yourself to breathe and remind yourself that there is still some good in the world. Check up on the people in your life and don’t be afraid to seek out help if you need it. The Counseling Center is there for you if you need them, and so are the amazing folks at the Multicultural Student Affairs office.

With all that being said, continue to be your best self and help others to be theirs.

Remember that this too shall pass, and you’re never alone.

With love, Anahzsa

THISISSUE

cover photo by Samuel Griffin

The what, how, and when of voting

4 NAACP CHAPTER RETURNS The NAACP student chapter at NC State holds its first meeting

4 SOLAR ECLIPSE PARTY Celebration in the Brickyard

5 BLACKADEMICS

Why Dr. Simpson does what she does

6 GREGG MUSEUM The Gregg Museum reopens

The Sentinel of the African -American Community at N.C. State Since 1992.

Anahzsa Jones

Editor-in-Chief

Keilah Davis

Managing editor

Allona Wilkerson

LAYOUT DESIGNER

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.

news

WEDNESDAY, aUGUST 23, 2017 | 3

public critcizes Gerrymandering in nc CARL HINTZ CORRESPONDENT

On August 22, the North Carolina General Assembly held a public hearing on proposed electoral districts to replace the previous districts that were found by the Supreme Court to be unconstitutionally racially gerrymandered.

The hearing was held at the Legislative Office Building in Raleigh in conjunction with hearings at six different community colleges across the state. More than 200 people attended the hearing in Raleigh. About 140 people sat in a room on the 5th floor which was plagued by technical difficulties.

“For a meeting to be this important and the accommodations are poor to say the least,” said Braxton Foushee, who is from Carrboro, North Carolina. “We don’t hear half the stuff that some people are saying.”

In May 2017, the Supreme Court ruled that North Carolina’s racially gerrymandered districts were unconstitutional. Courts have previously upheld the legality of partisan gerrymandering, and that race can be used as a criteria to ensure that minority groups are able to elected.

However, districts drawn by the Republican-controlled legislature in 2011, using the 2010 U.S. census data, illegally diluted the power of black voters in North Carolina.

After pressure from the public and federal courts, the

NCGA proceeded to design new districts. The house and senate redistricting committees argued that by using partisan election data, but not racial data, they were following the court ruling. The criteria considered included incumbency protection, election data, equal population based on the 2010 census, contiguity, county groupings, compactness, minimization of split precincts and municipal boundaries.

The NCGA paid $50,000 to Dr. Tom Hofeller, the same map maker who designed the unconstitutional maps, to design the new districts. As of November 2016, the state of North Carolina spent $3.7 million to defend the racially gerrymandered districts.

“It is disheartening that we have to spend taxpayer’s money for the same guys who drew the illegal districts, are now drawing these maps,” Foushee said. “I expect the results to be the same.”

According to the News & Observer, the partisan lean of the proposed districts mean that Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat who won with 49 percent of the popular vote in the statewide election last year, would have won in only 18 of the 50 Senate districts and 47 of the 120 House districts.

In November 2016, a federal court demanded that

maps be drawn by March 2017 and elections with the corrected districts be held in November, but the Supreme Court favored redistricting in time for the 2018 midterm elections. The federal court ordered a September 1, 2017 deadline due to the perceived reluctance of the legislature to draw new maps.

After pressure from federal courts and the public, the NCGA proceeded to design new districts. The proposed house map was released on August 19, the proposed senate map on August 20 and the partisan information about the districts on August 21.

“It’s been ridiculously hasty when they’ve had ample time, months to share much more information with the public,” said Holly Russell, an attendee from Chapel Hill.

“The legislature has become deeply nondemocratic.”

Nancy Shoemaker, from Raleigh, said, “I think it’s disrespectful to the people to pretend you’re having a hearing when there’s really not that much we can do between now and September 1st.”

House Bill 200, which is equivalent to Senate Bill 209 and is currently in Select Committee on Elections, is a bipartisan bill that is intended to create a nonpartisan redistricting process. This bill appears to have broad base support but is still in committee.

wednesday, aUGUST 23, 2017 | 4

news

Don’t call it a comeback: NAACP renews at NC State shawn fredericks Correspondent The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Student Chapter at NC State is returning to campus after three years of inactivity. The chapter has had several cycles of inactivity since its inception in 1991.

Since 2014, the chapter has been inactive due to the lack of executive board positions being filled after the previous executive board left, according to Malasia McClendon, the current president.

Kyla Payne, secretary for the chapter, said, “The fact our chapter was not active was disturbing with no one having thoughts of restarting it after three years because of what’s going on with minority communities.”

The chapter is returning under the leadership of McClendon with Leah Young, assistant director of Multicultural Student Affairs, as the faculty advisor.

“I decided to reactivate this chapter because I believe that it is important that we as students of NC State work towards creating a community that feels welcoming for all,” McClendon said. “The only way that we can successfully achieve that is by educating individuals on diversity, effective advocacy, and activism.”

The NAACP at NC State hopes the presence of the organization can bridge the gaps between other organizations that have similar goals and foster a community that is supportive of each other’s efforts. The goal of the chapter is to educate and empower individuals to implement change on local, state and national levels.

Advocacy is another component of the NAACP at NC State. Their goal, according to McClendon, is “The equal political, educational, social, and economic opportunities for underrepresented groups on campus and within the community.”

The response to the reactivation of the NAACP at NC State is mostly optimistic with slight caution. Secretary of the Society of Afrikan American Culture, Jessica Stubbs said, “While it is inspiring, I feel like our generation is too soft for the fight of Civil Rights so I want to see what plans they want to implement.”

Other students were more hopeful. “I think it’s a good move the NAACP is on State’s campus,” said Malik Zeigler, the president of SAAC. “(The) NAACP is historically known for fighting for legal rights and having a connection to a national organization with those resources can further our mission of making (NC) State more inclusive and diverse.”

Dajon Lacey, a third-year student studying business administration, said, “Because of the deposition of a lot of minorities, I believe that having NAACP will reinforce civil rights on campus and reinforce our battle against systemic oppression.”

The NAACP at NC State held its first meeting of the year on August 21, in the Washington Sankofa Room of Witherspoon Student Center. During the meeting students broke into three committees to discuss ideas

concerning social media, community service and fundraising. Students shared that they would like to see a talent show, partnership with Urban Ministries, create care packages for disadvantaged students during academic breaks and have an event to bring multicultural students together for dialogue.

Students also expressed various reasons for attending the meeting. Donovan Wright, a second year student, said, “I’m a political science major looking to get more involved in the black community through service and not partying because social justice is the spirit of the time.”

Alexis Roston, president of Diversity Inclusion adVenture Experience , said, “I am very excited to have a NAACP chapter on campus and I think their arrival is timely. I am very excited to have an organization to bring together our campus community of people of color and the larger raleigh community” The meeting was concluded by Wyatt Russell, the vice president of the chapter, with a message of gratitude for students attending the meeting. The next meeting date is Monday, September 18, in the Washington Sankofa Room, Witherspoon 126.

Students interested in joining the NAACP at NC State can contact McClendon at mcmcclen@ncsu.edu. The organization can also be reached through their social media accounts Instagram: ncstate.naacp Twitter: NCState_NAACP.

BRICKYARD ECLIPSE PARTY DRAWS THOUSANDS keilah davis penny lawrence managing editor staff writer

Over 5,000 students, faculty, staff and community members gathered on Monday to view the solar eclipse in the Brickyard, where the College of Sciences hosted an Eclipse Day celebration. According to the Office of University Communications at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, about 50 eclipse viewing parties were held across North and South Carolina. This event was free and open to the public.

According to NASA, a solar eclipse is when the moon blocks out the light of the sun during its orbit. Raleigh experienced a partial solar eclipse where part of the sun remains visible. During the peak of the eclipse, the sky darkened and attendees experienced a slight drop in temperature, and crescent shadows. Eclipses happen every eighteen months around the world, but the one that happened this week was the first one to cross the United States from coast to coast in 99 years.

Eclipse glasses and simple pinhole projectors were available for viewing the sun. There was a limited supply of glasses and some of the attendees were angry that they ran out.

Yahssain Khan, a second-year student, came to get glasses an hour before the event. “The crowd control was not really great,” Khan said. Over 2,000 people were

crowded around the glasses distribution table by the time the event began at 12:30pm.

Jared Smith, a first-year student studying political science, also had a negative experience with the crowd. He arrived at a similar time to Khan and was one of the last people to get glasses.

However, by the peak of the eclipse, the glasses were passed around so that most everyone had the opportunity to view.

Serene Ahmad, a fourth-year student studying biochemistry, said, “It was nice to see how people devised a system to put the eclipse glasses on top of their camera lens to get the whole picture.”

In Raleigh, viewers began to see the moon pass in front of the sun at 1:16 pm. While Raleigh was not in the path of totality, or the region entirely in the moon’s shadow, viewers saw the eclipse peak at 93% at 2:44 pm. The moon was completely out of the path of the sun by 4:06 pm.

There were two educational stations under tents spread across the brickyard. At the science station, NC State’s Sounding Club, NCSU Libraries, and the Office of Public Science had tables with information about eclipses and citizen science projects. The resource station featured the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resourc-

es Department along with advisors from the College of Sciences and Life Sciences First Year Program.

One woman said that she appreciated the educational aspects of the viewing party. “I’ve learned a lot today,” she said. One boy and girl said that they wanted to be physicists in the future.

Among the event’s attendees were local families with children of all ages. One family said that they brought their two daughters to the Brickyard because both loved science and witnessing an eclipse was a rare opportunity.

Another family came prepared with cereal box pinhole projectors to view the sun.

Others also brought their own homemade viewing devices. Some were as simple as cardboard boxes while some were more complex and involved heavier hardware like wood and nails.

In addition to pinhole projectors and eclipse glasses, attendees could view the sun through a telescope with a solar filter stationed in center of the Brickyard.

At the peak of the eclipse, people filled the Brickyard from the stairs of D.H. Hill Library to Dabney Hall.

Some of the people on the stairs started the “WOLF” and “PACK” chant. There were people cheering, as one woman said, for science.

WEDNESDAY, aUGUST 23, 2017 | 5

features

BLACKADEMICS: Dr. Jamila Simpson ANAHzsA JONES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Dr. Jamila Simpson is the assistant dean for academic programs, student diversity and engagement for the College of Sciences. But before that, she earned a bachelor’s degree in meteorology and master’s and PhD in science education, all at NC State. She graduated as the first African American woman to receive a B.S. degree in meteorology at NC State.

Before she took the position, then called Director of Multicultural Affairs and Student Services in the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences in 2008, Simpson was working as a science education specialist at UNC Chapel Hill Planetarium and Science Center. Dr. Wandra Hill, Simpson’s previous mentor, was stepping down from the position at NC State. Because of her relationship with Hill, Simpson was familiar with the work and its importance.

It wasn’t without some misgivings that Simpson applied for the position. “I was not sure if I wanted to apply for the position since I knew Dr. Hill, and if you’ve ever met her, you know that she is a powerful force for change,” Simpson said. “The idea of possibly following her was overwhelming.”

She went on to say, however, “The position was my dream job description.”

The purpose of the position touched on Simpson’s graduate research, which focused on “creating an environment where science is relatable and accessible to all, especially underrepresented students.” So in spite of her nerves College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dr. Alexandria Graves Interim Director of CALS Office of Diversity and Inclusion Office: 104 Patterson Hall College of Design Tameka Whitaker Assistant Dean of Student and Academic Services Office: 222 Brooks Hall College of Education Dr. Regina Gavin Williams Director for Student Engagement and Diversity Coordinator Office: 504 Poe Hall College of Engineering Angelitha L. Daniel Director of Minority Engineering Programs Office: 237 Page Hall & Dr. Laura J. Bottomley Director of Women in Engineering Programs Office: 243 Page Hall

about following Hill and engaging college students, Simpson applied and was accepted. She said, “It has been the best decision and experience of my life.”

As the assistant dean for academic programs, student diversity and engagement for the College of Sciences, Simpson’s job is just as busy as it sounds. In her role, she creates programming and handles administrative processes that support the success and development of all students in the College of Sciences. That means doing things like schedules and withdrawals, as well as managing leadership programs like the Sciences Ambassadors and the Sciences Council.

It is also her job to create programming that aims to recruit, retain and graduate students from populations that are largely underrepresented in the sciences, which are African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander.

Student retention is a key component to Simpson’s work. “If they change their major, I want it to be because they found another subject they love, not because of stereotypes of who belongs in science,” Simpson said.

These stereotypes had an unfortunate roll in Simpson’s background. When recalling her days as a student at NC State, and how the lack of representation in the sciences and on campus impacted her, she said, “I did not have many role models that looked like me, only a few on television, and at times, that was difficult. It was impacting my view of myself, especially as a potential scientist. I

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dr. Juliana Nfah-Abbenyi Assistant Dean for Diversity Office: 212 Tompkins Hall & Joe Johnson Student Diversity Coordinator Office: 106Q Caldwell Hall Poole College of Management Tayah Butler Director of Diversity and Inclusion Office: Nelson Hall College of Natural Resources Thomas Easley Director of Community Diversity Office: 2022C Biltmore Hall (Robertson Wing) College of Sciences Dr. Jamila Simpson Assistant Dean for Diversity and Student Services Office: 2328 Broughton Hall (temporarily); 3211 Broughton Hall (permanent)

questioned myself so much and wondered if I could do it.

I don’t want students to feel like that.”

In spite of those feelings, Simpson still says that NC State is home for her. Another reason she applied for the position is because of how much the university and the College of Sciences impacted her. “NC State and the College of Sciences gave so much to me when I was a student,” she said. “It helped me discover who I was in the world as a scientist and a human being. I want to help students find that for themselves as well.”

To that end, and as part of her position, Simpson has been involved with numerous efforts to make sure the students in the College of Sciences feel supported. Some of these include creating the Wolfpack Weekend in 2011, which she runs in conjunction with the the College of Natural Resources, for high-school seniors. Another is the Senior Diversity Banquet, held every spring, which recognizes students from underrepresented populations who are graduating from the college.

With all that she does, it makes sense that the best part of her job is, “Working with students, hands down.

Whether that’s creating growth opportunities for them, connecting them to other resources on campus or just being there to let them know they can do it. That’s my favorite part.”

College of Textiles Delisha Smith Hinton Associate Director of Student Services Office: 2345 College of Textiles

“NC State is filled with people who want nothing but the best for you. Look for my amazing colleagues who do diversity work in the colleges. ”

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wednesday, aUGUST 23, 2017 | 6

features

THE gregg museum of With the Gregg Museum of Art & Design to reopen soon, the featured photos below show what is now on display in the remodeled museum.

Brandon Lang/Staff Photographer Nearly 8,500 square feet of the old Chancellor’s residence has been renovated for its new purpose, housing the Gregg Museum of Art & Design. The museum will reopen to the public Saturday, August 26, 2017.

Brandon Lang/Staff Photographer Patchwork quilts are one of many objects housed in the 35,000 piece collection of the Gregg Museum.

Brandon Lang/Staff Photographer The new home for the Gregg Museum of Art & Design features three gallery spaces, one of which is shown, that have great flexibility with each space able to house temporary walls and partitions to create differet spaces.

Brandon Lang/Staff Photographer Director of the Gregg Museum, Roger Manley, speaks to members of the press about the new gallery space.

The Gregg Museum of Art & Design will feature a gallery space entitled “Show & Tell,” a gallery collection that will constantly be changing every few months.

Brandon Lang/Staff Photographer The Gregg Museum of Art & Design, formerly held in Talley Student Union, has officially moved to the old Chancellor’s residence and its new addition on Hillsborough Street. The space is described by the architects of the building to be “inspired by patchwork-style quilting patterns that are represented within the museum’s collection.”

Brandon Lang/Staff Photographer The Gregg Museum of Art & Design features over 35,000 objects, including several pieces of Native American art.

features

WEDNESDAY, aUGUST 23, 2017 | 7

ART & DESIGN REOPENS cARL HINTZ CORRESPONDENT On Saturday, August 26th, the Gregg Museum of Art & Design will reopen to students and the public after two years of construction and remodeling.

The Gregg Museum, now located at 1903 Hillsborough Street, near the NC State bell tower, has more than 35,000 items in its collection, making it one of the larger museums in North Carolina.

“We exist mainly to support the curriculum of NC State,” said Roger Manley, the Gregg Museum director. According to Manley, it is relatively easy for students and researchers to arrange a time with museum staff where they can handle objects in the Gregg collection.

Zoe Starling, the curator of education for the Gregg Museum, said, “I try to work with professors on campus to have classes come visit the exhibitions and incorporate it into the curriculum as a part of their class.”

The location for the Gregg Museum was chosen based on factors including its proximity to NC State’s central campus.

“I think the location, because it’s more accessible, is really exciting for us,” Starling said. “We’ve never really had our own museum where we can control the hours. Before, we were in Talley Student Center.”

From 1928 to 2011, the original building at 1903 Hillsborough Street served as the NC State chancellor’s residence. In 2011, The Freelon Group was awarded the contract to design an addition to the Historic Chancellor’s Residence in order to house the Gregg Museum. Phil Freelon, an NC State alumnus is best known

for his role in designing the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. On opening day, Gregg Museum visitors will be greeted by three different exhibits including a diverse sample of pieces from the Gregg collection, a number of abstract paintings by Raleigh native Herb Jackson and a collection of Native American art, objects and artifacts.

The “Show & Tell” exhibit is intended to display the diversity of the pieces in the Gregg collection. A quilt depicting a skeleton on a horse catches the eye. The piece was created by Ben Venom with input from the “Friends of the Gregg,” an organization of people who have donated to the Gregg Museum and its endowment fund. The “Show & Tell” exhibit, on display through December 30th, draws from a range of genres including folk art, outsider art, and fine art as well as a wide range of mediums such as ceramics, glass and textiles.

A collection of Jackson’s paintings is on showcase from August 26 to January 28, 2018. The exhibit “A Door Is Not A Window” displays the paintings with backlighting to create a visual effect similar to light passing through a stained glass window. The paintings use a pigment that Jackson makes with a holographic type material so the colors in the painting shift as you walk past it.

The “Treasures of Native America” exhibit is displayed until April 29, 2018 in the old chancellor’s residence. The pieces represented are from many different groups including the Navajo, Hopi,

Apache and Pueblo people. The art was collected and donated by Dr. Norman Greenberg and Dr. Gilda Greenberg, who both worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in New Mexico.

The opening exhibits will be replaced by a display of kinetic sculpture, modernist furniture and art, and a photography collection of blues musicians, respectively.

“It’s all about keeping something new happening every few months. So that there’s many reasons to keep coming back to the Gregg,” Manley said.

The design of the building was inspired, in part, by some of the objects in the Gregg collection.

Derek Jones, who served as the project principle and oversaw the design team, said, “We settled on a metaphor of the quilts in the collection and the quilting together of galleries.”

“These galleries and the lobby itself and even the outdoor garden [are] these stitched together moments and experiences,” Jones said. Even the property itself is like different pieces of fabric in the sense that it is owned in part by NC State and in part by the city of Raleigh.

Kenneth Luker, the lead designer, said “The quilt on that back wall is probably endemic of that conceptualization, these swatches of old and new cloth or old and new spaces, so stitched together.”

The piece, which appears like a tapestry of different faces formed by curved lines, was made by Pedro De Clet who is a self taught painter who was raised in Connecticut.

The quilt on the back wall “is actually a painted carpet and it comes from the genre of outsider art,” said Mary Hauser, the Gregg Museum registrar. “Outsider [artists] are folks who had the need to make, but used whatever skill set they had available.”

In total, the project cost $9.5 million, $4 million of which came from the private donations of nearly 400 individuals.

The remaining $5.5 million was acquired from NC State student fees, NC State university funds, the city of Raleigh and from Wake County via the tourism tax.

Additionally, Wells Fargo donated to fund the lighting of the Herb Jackson exhibit, and Bayer CropScience provided a grant to support the construction of the pollinator garden, which was designed by students in the department of horticultural sciences. The building is designed with several environmental features including locally sourced materials.

The Gregg Museum is free of admission and is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10 am - 5 pm, Thursday 10 am - 9 pm and Sunday 1 pm - 5 pm and closed on Mondays. The Gregg Museum also has many events and programs throughout the year. On September 28 at 6 pm professor Anne Spafford will give a talk called The Bees’ Needs about designing gardens for pollinators. On October 14th from 2-4 pm there will be a drum session with Miska Waya, Native American student drumming group.