SEAWANHAKA-02-23-12

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MABEL MARTINEZ

Editor-In-Chief

In recent months, we’ve all been forced to think about the definition of the term occupy. As a new generation comes of age in a turblent period of protest around the world, from New York and London to Athens and Cairo, history – for better or worse – is being made each day.

The same is true here at the Brooklyn Campus where history, on this Black History Month, abounds. Currently occupying the ground floor of the LLC Building is the work of the notable photographer Alix Dejean. Breathtaking in scale and scope, the collection features never-before-seen images of colorful figures ranging from the activists Coretta Scott King and Stokely Carmichael to entertainers Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin. And while these images could just as easily be showcased inside any one the city’s many famed museums, Dejean preferred for them to be made accessible to the community. And where better for that to happen than inside an academic institution?

As I watched Dejean, who is a friend, painstakingly sift through the negatives from his massive archive for the LIU exhibit, I began to reflect on those who are helping to influence our world today. The result, in short, is the special ARTS-themed issue of Seawanhaka that you’re holding now. It’s possible to see history as a distant experience with little connection to your own life in the here and now. But yesterday was once today. And those who have shaped our world today don’t always have to be retrieved from a textbook, but can also be found inside the very same classroom or hallway space that you’re occupying at this very moment. History lives – ever complex, insightful and revealing – every day.

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NANCY UWOGHIREN

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LINDSEY WALKER

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SHARI STRAKER

Arts & Entertainment

MICHAEL GARCIA

Sports Editor

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SEAWANHAKA PRESS SWHKPRESSLIUBK

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LIUSEAWANHAKA

Page 3- Attika J. Torrence Page 4- Internships, the New Must-Have Page 5- Till Marriage I’ll Wait Page 5- Campus Camera Page 6- How To Be A Boss Page 7- Rosalynde LeBlanc Loo Page 8- Bryonn Bain

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Staff Writers

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Opinions expressed on these pages do not necessarily reflect those of the staff.

Unsigned editorials are the consensus of the editorial staff members. Opinions expressed in articles with bylines are those of the writers. Letters to the editor must include the writer’s full name and contact information. Seawanhaka reserves the right to edit submissions for length and style. Seawanhaka is published by the students of Long Island University Brooklyn Campus.

CONTENT

Page 9- Advocacy Day Page 10- Heart Tumors Awareness Month Page 14- Remembering The Brooklyn Boheme Page 14- The Rider Is Back Page 15- Poetry Out Loud Page 15- Entertainment Weekly Page 16- Gucci Mane: Trap Back Mixtape Page 16: Marni for H&M

Justin Ellis Brittany Ganter Shanel Gilbert Keeley Ibrahim Malcolm Jackson Anthony Louis Karen Miller Chase Melvin Desiree Rucker Ryan Sahadeo Zelika Shillingford John Tolis

Staff Photographer Nik Conklin Kristoffer Francisco Michelle Lawton

Page 17: Maino: I Am Who I Am Page 18- Senior, Gaines Shine, Breaks Rcords Page 19- Lacrosse Ties One in Preseason Tourney Page 20- Baseball Swept at No. 21 UCF Page 21- Softball in Winner’s Circle Page 22- Women’s Basketball Sweeps Battle Page 23- Juniors Provide Victorious Senior Night

THE BUZZ...

Black History Month Spotlight: Attika J. Torrence BY: JADA DANTZLER

films. Recently he directed an episode of Sesame Street called F is for Father in which his daughter was an actor.

Campus Events

Torernce returned to LIU, not only to attain his MBA, but to give current students what he felt was missing from the campus when he was an undergrad.

“I found it interesting as a student that we lacked working industry professionals in the media arts field,” Torrence said. “So one of the things that I wanted to do was to bring active working professional [to LIU].”

Sweet treats for the sweet weather we are having. The LIU Gospel Choir will be having a pre R.I.O.T. Bake Sale Thursday February 23, 2012. The bake sale will be held in the Health Science Lobby from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The proceeds will help to support the LIU Gospel Choir.

The warm weather brings about the latest spring fashions. The hottest trends from the mother land. The African Students Association Club presents their annual fashion show “A look at Africa” on February 29, 2012.

The show will take place at the Kumble Theater at 7 p.m.

There will be poetry, dancing, drumming, and much more.

The event is free but you will need a ticket. Call the Kumble Theater at (718) 488-1624 or contact Abi at (917) 683-5425.

Correction: In the February 9 issue of Seawanhaka, it was reported: “Jell-O shots and alcoholic beverages are provided for those of age.” In response, Student Life and Leadership Development notes that alcoholic beverages are not sold nor sold in The Avena Lounge.

By Nancy Uwoghiren

SO NOW YOU KNOW

Photo Above: Attika J. Torrence

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great presence bends forward peering at the shelves of VHS tapes stacked across the wall in the small editing room. The former general manager of the LIU-TV station observes the four shelves of his own work and reminisces on how far he has come since he graduated 13 years ago.

Attika J. Torrence is a filmmaker, writer, director, actor, and producer from the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn.

He began his journey at Long Island University in 1996 as a transfer student at the age of twenty-four.

He certainly did this with a project called IFNY monologue slam, an acting competition hosted by actor Malik Yoba at the Kumble Theater. A course entitled The Working Actor was also a contribution of Torrence. He often brings working professionals to screen their films in the Spike Lee Theater in which students are welcomed. Torrence is also trying to create additional courses to benefit journalism students.

“I think as a student if you don’t have the practical sense of what you do, you will graduate and be leaps and bounds behind your competition,” he

said. “I think from the perspective of experience, if we can bridge the gap then we would be doing a huge service to the students at LIU.” When asked who inspires him there was no one answer. “I’m inspired by people who continue to do for others as others have done for them,” he said. “I’m inspired by seeing people who would not take no for an answer. Everything in life inspires me.”

Many people have been inspired by Torrence as well. Rodney Hurley, the managing director of the Kumble Theater, considers himself a fan of things Torrence has done.

“Attika is one of the many life uplifting people LIU has produced because he had a lot of raw talent,” Hurley said. “And he’s always looking out for the university and he’s always helping someone.”

“Once you mortgage your education as people do homes …you want to come out making your education work for you,” Torrence said. “You are not paying for an education you’re investing in yourself and the key term is invest.”

“My mother always wanted me to go back to school,” Torrence said. “I came down to meet with the advisor and that advisor happened to be Rodney Hurley and he made the deal kind of sweet so I became a media arts major.”

Torrence, whose name was inspired by the memory of the historic elements that occurred during the Attica prison riots in 1971, was born to do great things.

Upon graduating he wrote, directed, and produced his first film entitled Brotherly Love. He has acted in a number of films including Coalition, Mooz-lum, Psyche and numerous other

Attika Torrence with Kerwin Devonish on set for BET Lens on Talent reality show, Scene Stealers

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Internships, the New Must-Have!

Photo Credit: www.39thandbroadway.com

Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port from “The Hills” intern at Teen Vogue

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at MyCareerKey on LIU’s website, according to Stephanie Steinberg, assistant dean of Career Services and Senior Year Advising.

According to a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 93% of responding employers reported plans to hire interns during 2010-11.

Because MyCareerKey caters exclusively to LIU students, each student, after registering, can expect to receive his or her own counselor. In addition to helping students find internships, the online tool leads to assistance in locating part-time and full-time jobs, as well as career events to register for.

s LIU’s Renee Dixon, 22, sits alongside on-air personality Cherry Martinez from N.Y.’s radio station Power 105.1, the senior understands the vital role this internship will play in helping her to snag a job after graduation.

Dixon, a Journalism major who finds celebrity gossip topics for Martinez to discuss on air and blogs on her website, took advantaged of her connection at WLIU Radio to secure the lucrative internship.

“I’ve been trying to intern with Power 105 for so long. It’s not easy to get an internship at a radio station,” admits Dixon. “I’m really glad to have been a part of LIU Radio.”

Regardless of major and year of study, perplexed students not knowing where or how to start their internship search should begin with registering

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Steinberg urges students to come into the career services office located on the 5th floor of the Pratt building and meet with their counselor. Once there, students can anticipate a personal plan geared towards their career goals, coupled with extensive help with their resume and cover letter.

Steinberg, a strong proponent of the allimportant cover letter, sees the cover letter as “an opportunity for the student to match his or her skills to those being sought by the employer.” An outstanding cover letter sets a student’s resume apart from the rest and increases the student chances of getting a call-back from that desired internship, Steinberg explains.

And in turn, internship experience

BY: JANICE MACK increases a student’s chances of getting we encourage employers who we have a job. a relationship with to offer at least a stipend.”

“It is essential for all college students to have several internships—in fact, Whether paid or not, Steinberg says, employers expect that,” says Steinberg.

“Having multiple internships give a person a portfolio of work that can LIU junior Karen Miller, 23, an editorial be shared with potential employers,” intern at “Downtown Magazine,” and interning should be seen as an researches, perform fact checks, take “investment in one’s self,” rather than a pictures and writes online for the burden. publication. And she cannot agree more with Steinberg.

So how many internships should a student take with him down the aisle “I plan on doing a lot more internships— on graduation day? Well, depending five or six in total,” says Miller. She on a student’s major, having at least one suggests that her fellow schoolmates do internship is required for graduation. at least one internship at any cost. “It’s “Our recommendation is beyond very good to intern. Make the sacrifice that,” says Steinberg. “Students should because if you don’t and you graduate, invest in themselves as much as you wasted your time.” possible. Internships are a great way to secure references, expand skills, After a LIU student has taken the meet professionals, and even explore a aforementioned steps to finding an different path,” adds Steinberg. internship, paid or unpaid, the student is well on one’s way to ending up with Students can take courage knowing that one that is relevant to one’s discipline. the networking, resume-building power of the internship is the greatest chance While most students would love to of landing a job. Last year, NACE obtain a paid internship, the reality is reported that 42.3% of seniors who had that more and more unpaid internships internship experience received at least are springing up each year. Some experts one job offer. believe that anywhere from 25% to 50% of internships are not paid.

But to those still not won on accepting an internship, paid or not, take it from “We do recognize an unpaid internship Miller, “At the end of the day I’m going can be a hardship,” said Steinberg, “So to get paid later on in life!”

Photo Credit: www.power1051fm.com

Till Marriage I’ll Wait

BY: RYAN SAHADEO AND LINDSEY WALKER alentine’s Day is a day to always cherish. Couples get together, enjoy each others company, give gifts and most of all show each other just how much the other cares.

This Valentine’s Day was no different – except for the campaign that is soon to sweep the campus by storm.

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Started by Sean Isaiah James, President of the LIU Gospel Choir, Till Marriage I’ll Wait or TMIW has slowly been captivating couples on campus. It is a campaign to promote sexual abstinence, on Valentines Day, those in favor raised their voices on a too-often hushed up subject.

With three tables set up in the Metcalfe Lobby, Health Sciences Lobby, and the Library Learning Center Lobby, TMIW got over 80 pledges of students willing to wait until marriage to have sex.

Team Leader Sean James Signs pledge

When asked about the successful launch of the campaign, James stated, “It was delightful to see so many people come out to show their support of abstinence in general.” He went on to say, “We live in a world plagued with sexual images and peer pressure and the TMIW campaign is all about showing students

Team Leader Raymond Blackwell at Till Marriage I’ll Wait in Health Sciences Lobby that remaining abstinent is a virtue, not a sin.”

Emily Kakuska, a junior Psychology major and member of LIU women’s softball team, pledged her name to the cause. “I joined TMIW to make it aware to others that if ever being pressured into an uncomfortable situation, you can stand up for yourself and say no,” she said, “being independent and confident enough to have control over such a decision shows your character

and that is what most important.”

Upon signing the pledges, students are included in a community on campus uniting others with the same goal – remaining abstinent until marriage.

As a further incentive, there will be a TMIW banquet and LIU Abstinence Awareness Day, along with a summer singles retreat. Hoping for this cause to be an annual event, Sean and the other team leaders are thankful for all the students who signed up and encourage others to do the same.

Campus Camera: Are you following the Presidential Election?

BY: NANCY UWOGHIREN

Bradley Joseph, Junior, Sports Science “A lot of pressure and blame has been put on Obama, this country can’t be rebuilt in four years. Whoever the next president is, this country needs to focus on the middle-class families who the backbone of America.”

Stephanie Persaud, Junior, Business Marketing

Nickolei Mehlung, Senior, Finance

Scott Cureton, Science

Junior,

Political

“As of right now I don’t follow the presidential campaign to the full extent because I feel that the president is more of a figurehead than someone who hold a lot of power.”

“Obama is more for the middle-class, equal opportunity, and job creation.

The opposing party wants to have a flat rate for taxes, which doesn’t benefit the unfortunate.”

“Obama is going to win the presidential election. The Republicans are like a house divided that cannot stand on it’s own.”

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New Speaker Series at LIU Highlights How To Be A BOSS

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s part of Black History Month, the Student Government Association, in collaboration with the Black Student Union (BSU), had its second week of the “I’m a BOSS” conversation series. “BOSS” is an acronym for “Building Opportunities for Students Success.” It’s part of an ongoing lecture series that SGA and BSU are co-sponsoring at the Brooklyn Campus that features successful African Americans in New York City.

On February 15, the student organizations played host to Demetria Lucas, a contributing writer at Essence magazine and author of “A Belle In Brooklyn: Your Go-to Girl for Advice on Living Your Best Single Life.” At the event, Lucas was a powerful speaker who exuded confidence and immediately drew the attention of her audience. She’s a relationship guru, life coach and, most importantly, her own boss.

Lucas began her address by describing her journey. Born in Washington D.C., she’s a graduate from the University of Maryland, College Park with a degree in English and a Master’s degree in journalism from New York University.

Lucas has interned at several media publications including VIBE magazine and One World magazine, has worked for ESPN as a fact-checker, and freelanced for People magazine. She never wanted to stay at one place for too long. “I always thought about moving up and I wanted to be versatile,” she explained. And that’s exactly what she has done throughout her career.

Lucas worked as an assistant for BET Books, where she edited romance novels before moving on to Harlequin Books. Between freelance writing assignments, she continued to write about relationships on her Myspace blog. During her Brooklyn Campus visit, Lucas stressed the importance of networking. It was at a media industry event where Lucas had met the editor of Honey magazine. And it wasn’t long before Lucas managed to have

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BY: MABEL MARTINEZ her relationship blog featured on the attention to many of the students popular Honey magazine website – who attended. For Quioni Phillips, a where it received a lot of hits. Through journalism major and president of the Honey magazine, the editor of Essence Black Student Union, the time with their magazine reached out to Lucas for a position as a relationship editor. Lucas accepted the position at Essence where she worked for four years.

invited guest was well spent. “Demetria Lucas is essentially a boss,” she said.

“She is an amazing example of a young success [story] on her own terms.”

Throughout her address, it was clear that many of the listeners were connecting to her words of advice.

Robert Clinton Hampton, a journalism major, was among them. “Her speech was engaging,” he said. “It made me feel like we were having a one-on-one conversation, when it actually wasn’t.”

In addition to reporting for Essence, Lucas was featured on VH1 and found plenty of material for her blog after being set up on a series of blind dates by everyone from her boss and her mother to her best friend.

After VH1, Lucas landed a book deal with Simon and Schuster. As a result, her calendar gradually filled up with speaking engagements. While inspirational, Lucas was also realistic about the challenges that can arise from being your own boss. “Working for yourself, either the work gets done or it doesn’t,” she said. “You have to find a level of discipline.”

Photo Above: Demetria Lucas author of “A Belle In Brooklyn: Your Go-To Girl for Advice on Living Your Best Single Life”

Lucas also used most of her address to provide practical career advice for students – including tips on staying relevant. “Quality speaks for itself,” she said. “When your presenting things consistently [and] doing something well, people tell other people and more people [take notice].” Tenyse Williams, a journalism major and Vice President of BSU, was clearly inspired by that particular piece of advice. “Since she is self-employed, she looks for different outlets such as speaking engagements, blogging etc.,” she said. “That was very inspirational to me because I want to start my own business in the media related fields.”

When Lucas’ speech wrapped up, she gladly signed autographs of her book “A Belle In Brooklyn” and gave personal

LIU students Tenyse Williams (left) and Quioni Phillips (right) chat with Demetria Lucas

Black History Month Spotlight: Rosalynde LeBlanc Loo small sub-culture of Creoles there. The paternal side of her family accounts for the French side whom came down from Canada mixed with African and Native American. On her maternal side there is African and Native American ancestry also as well as European decent. As far back as Loo knows, her family has always been a light-skinned African, European-American melting pot. It is the residue of race and slavery in America, she admits.

There is visible disappointment in Loo’s face as she explains her family’s longstanding beliefs. Disappointment, not necessarily in her family, but in the outdated belief that black blood in its purest form is bad for any race.

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Back in the days of slavery, especially in the southern states of America, light-skinned people did not want to mix with Blacks. Loo says that one of her grandmother’s criticisms was that mixing themselves with Blacks was “bringing our people down.” A belief that Loo does not share but instead understands that it stems from slavery.

Quite reserved as a child, Loo, a dance professor at LIU for two years and an adjunct for five, says that it was music that broke her out of her shell and eventually into the world of dance.

As a Black-American, Loo understands “how much [Americans] are still struggling to get out underneath the institution of slavery. It’s a myth,” she says, “that it’s over. Slavery effects are so far-reaching and it’s unfortunate that the brokenness of the U.S. is resting on this foundation of slavery.”

Rosalynde LeBlanc Loo Photo Credit: Santos Loo n dance, there are no distinctions between races, and skin tone has no meaning. But, almond-toned and French Creole dancer, Rosalynde Loo, has the absolute freedom to move her limbs through the air in a way that only dance can afford her.

“I’ve always loved to dance. It’s musical regardless of whether there’s actual music playing,” said Loo, “It really is the beauty of dance. It can be done in silence.”

She recalls how the hand movements of her grade-school conductor ignited in her a spark. But she felt conducting wasn’t quite enough moving, certainly not for her dancer’s frame. “Your body shouldn’t make tempo, it should reveal the tempo,” she explains.

Loo, whose maiden is LeBlanc, is French Creole and hails from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where there is a

BY: JANICE MACK dancer and the way that I am and how I teach my students,” saids Loo. From 1999-2002, Loo was also a member of Miklhai Baryshnikov’s White Oak Dance Project--Baryshnikov is arguably one of the greatest ballet dancer of the last century.

Loo, a graduate from SUNY Purchase with a bachelor in Fine Arts, can be found in the Emmy-award winning dance documentary Free To Dance, a short film Roc, and a 2005 film titled Romance and Cigarettes, which starred James Gandolfini and Susan Sarandon.

In terms of artistic inspiration, Loo admits that usually things and not people inspire her. “I don’t really need heroes. I’ve always been inspired by the little things in life.”

But a handful of artists have managed to influence Loo. Trisha Brown, a

dancer who Loo has worked with at one time, “has found a way to harness energy” when she dances. And painter Caravaggio moves Loo with his vivid paintings. “I often think of my own [work] having that type of richness,” says Loo. She also talks of her dream to one day take a course with Henry Louis Gates at Harvard.

Well-rounded in the realm of dance, Loo teaches three courses here at LIU: Improvisation, Modern Technique and a honors course. And with all that she has going on professionally, it is hard to imagine a personal life that is as smooth as any one of her dancing acts. But it is. She is a mother of two, both children under the age of three. And although “teaching and [being] a mother take up my entire life,” Loo admits, “eventually as the kids get older, I’ll branch off into larger venues.”

As far as foundation goes, perfectly positioned feet standing firmly on an unshakeable one is what’s needed to perform one of Loo’s dance number.

Lately, she’s been choreographing her own work in a discipline where, thankfully, there is no color barrier.

Also, in the past, Loo has performed dance ensembles all over; from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City to various countries abroad. She has spent the bulk of her career touring with Bill T. Jones, who she credits for her rigorous work ethic. “He’s had a huge influence on my work ethic, my approach; what it means to be a

Rosalynde Loo with Mikhail Baryshnikov and the Photo Credit: David Bazemore

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Bryonn Bain: On Pedagogy of Politics and Poetry at LIU BY: MALCOLM JACKSON

While performing this compelling story, Bryonn is accompanied by a live band and visual artist on stage, which brings audience members into very surreal backdrop of a very real American experience. The show is now showing at The Schomberg Center in Harlem, and has received national and international accolades.

This Brooklyn native has been working in prisons since the 1980s, and is the founder of The Blackout Arts Collective (BAC). It’s a grassroots coalition of artists, activists, and educators. It’s yet another example of how his work seeks to empower communities of color through arts.

Bryonn Bain performing.

Photo Credit: Lee Wexler/ Images for Innovation

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IU professor Bryonn Bain – who teaches a course on hip-hop and spoken word – is spreading the gift of his gospel to students and raising the level of consciousness here at the Brooklyn Campus.

Many may recall him for his work at the Kumble Theater, where he performed his show “Lyrics on Lockdown.”

Meanwhile, Bain continues to address other issues, including the criminal justice system by mentoring young men at Boys Town New York, which helps troubled chidren and families. At Boys Town, Bain supports young students by encouraging their well-being and offering messages of hope, healing and inspiration.

Bain has traveled the world through his one-man show “Lyrics on Lockdown.”

The show is an astonishing journey about a Harvard Law student wrongfully incarcerated for a crime that he did not commit. It’s an experience that Bain knows well. As a Harvard Law school student nearly a decade ago, he was arrested and briefly detained after being falsely accused.

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In addition to his work as a poet, professor, and activist, Bain was featured this past summer at the Summer Literary Festival in Fort Greene Park, where he introduced and performed excerpts of his latest book “The Prophet Returns.” The work is a remix of the legendary story “The Prophet” by the late Khalil Gibran.

Along with instructing young aspiring “prophets” – spoken word artists – in the Hip Hop and Spoken Word courses here at LIU, Bain has been using his law degree in an unconventional way.

Philosopher Paulo Freire’s classic “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” is among the scholarly works that have been referenced in much of Bain’s studies and incorporated into his classes.

with community activism and politics.

Another course is titled after his show “Lyrics from Lockdown.”

The focus of the course is to teach students how politics and politics are related as well as an examination into the impact of mass incarceration in the United States. “Students will be using the verse of our time to explore the dynamics of power within the criminal justice system,” said Bain. “I want students to analyze the prison industrial complex and we will work towards the creation of a collaborative learning community.”

As part of the “collaborative learning community,” students work with young people at Boys Town New York.

“Bryonn’s course is one of the most important classes [that] I’ve taken at LIU,” said Quioni Philips, a journalism major. “Not only is he knowledgeable, but I feel that he is very passionate about his work. He puts a lot of care into his class, he goes beyond the curriculum, and puts his own spin on things. I love how the students get very involved.”

Other students agree. “The course captures everything – the past and the present. It’s always an engaging experience whenever we come to class.

We’re always coming up with new ideas and doing things creatively,” said Khafre Evelyn, a journalism major. “Even though there’s mad work to do for the class, you just have to be focused. It’s great work and it helps students.”

Students are beginning to develop workshops based on responses to preliminary surveys of youth at Boys Town New York.

Bain urges students on campus to get involved, as there is still opportunity to do so. “Students will be utilizing hip-hop and spoken word poetry, as well as other media including theater, video and film,” he explained. Legends are in the making here at LIU. And by encouraging their development, while giving them a chance to give back and get involved in community activism, Bain is clearly offering a blessing in every lesson.

Bain’s students are clearly impressed.

“One of the only classes that utilizes art education and integrates political awareness social justice, and education at the same time,” said Kyle De Ocera, a grad student who is pursuing a degree in creative writing. “It’s different because as an aspiring artist it’s good to see a professor of color that is dedicated to helping the community out and raising awareness.”

Bain is currently teaching two classes at LIU this semester. One is titled “Power and Politics,” with a strong focus on the late activist Malcolm X and his work

Photo Credit: Lee Wexler/ Images for Innovation

Advocacy Day: State Legislation Debate to Cut College Funds BY: ANTHONY LOUIS

LIU Student Anthony Louis on Advocacy Day. Photo Credit Sound Yearbook

“Long Island University VOTES” Photo Credit: Sound Yearbook

enators, students, and advocates of higher education converged at the New York State Capital in Albany to discuss and deliberate over the future of college funding.

to find the “diamonds in the rough” and reveal the greatness that is hidden in even the most economically and academically crippled students.

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It was an invigorating event where students were able to actually get up on stage and share their struggling story in support of several higher education opportunity programs; i.e. HEOP, TAP, C-STEP, and other discerning organizations that assist students in various responsibilities, such as funding college, tutoring, mentoring, job placement, etc.

What was truly amazing is the passion and dedication these students showed to the legislators and the public; stories about overcoming personal obstacles and how programs like HEOP play an indispensable role in education.

I personally had the opportunity to deliver a speech on behalf of myself and fellow dream seekers.

These programs serve as limbs to the body of education and cutting off only

one would leave so many students limping. The entire structure of education would collapse.

In times of economic uncertainty, we need to stop investing in new ventures and buildings; we need to invest in people. These organizations and programs should be funded even more so, rather than being reduced.

HEOP is a phenomenal program that employs over 5,000 undergraduates a year—which is partly because it doesn’t receive adequate funding to service more—and has graduated over 48,000 students.

What is unique about The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) is that is serves students who would not normally meet the criteria for their respective colleges.

From matriculation, HEOP works with those students on extracting their potential and helping them articulate their true skills and talents. The faculties of this program lie truly in its ability

Moreover, there are similar programs like C-STEP, and its high school counterpart, STEP. STEP and C-STEP work with students at the high school and undergraduate level in the fields of science and health professions. They focus on increasing the enrollment and retention of underrepresented students who aren’t exposed to a professional and inspiring environment.

These two programs, even though young, are already stationed at over 50 colleges and universities and aides over 5,000 children annually.

Why would the government even debate over something as ridiculous and damaging as cutting state funding for programs like these? They need to take austere measures with matters that would prove less damaging to the public and our country as well.

It is to my knowledge that the government is contemplating on whether or not it should fund its TAP program through means of reducing, and possibly abolishing, our grace period on student loans.

Why give us an eye for a leg? These “decisions” should be no-brainers. That is why it is our responsibility as the students to press the brakes on decisions like these and get more involved.

This has to be the most historic and critical moments in political and American history. An economic tempest is swaying over our heads and if we do not do something, we will get devoured.

Get involved, think for yourselves, and make decisions! I encourage everyone who isn’t registered to vote to do so.

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L.I.U. Heart Tumors Awareness Month!

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tumor is any type of abnormal growth, whether cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). Tumors that originate in the heart are called primary tumors. They may develop in any of the heart tissues and may be cancerous or noncancerous.

Primary heart tumors are rare, occurring in fewer than 1 of 2,000 people. In adults, the most common type of noncancerous primary heart tumor is a myxoma, which accounts for about 50% of such tumors. Myxomas usually develop in the heart’s left upper chamber. They may develop from embryonic cells located in the inner layer of the heart’s wall.

Rhabdomyomas, which typically occur in groups, usually grow within the heart wall and develop directly from the heart’s muscle cells. Tumors that originate in some other part of the body usually the lung, breast, blood, or skin

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and then spread (metastasize) to the heart are called secondary tumors. They are always cancerous. Secondary heart tumors of the heart are 30 to 40 times more common than primary heart tumors but are still uncommon. About 10% of people who have lung or breast cancer two of the most common cancers and about 75% of people with malignant melanoma have metastases to the heart.

Symptoms: Heart tumors may cause no symptoms, minor symptoms, or symptoms of life-threatening heart malfunction, which resemble those of other heart disease but which develop suddenly.

For example, tumors may cause heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms or a decrease in blood pressure caused by bleeding into the pericardium, the sac that envelops the heart. Heart murmurs develop in about half of the people

who have tumors that develop near or on a heart valve because blood does not flow through the valve normally.

Noncancerous tumors can be as deadly as cancerous ones if they interfere with the function of the heart.

Diagnosis: Primary heart tumors are difficult to diagnose because they are relatively uncommon and because their symptoms resemble those of many other disorders.

Doctor may suspect a primary heart tumor in people who have heart murmurs, abnormal heart rhythms, unexplained symptoms of heart failure rhythms, unexplained symptoms of heart failure, or unexplained fever.

Secondary heart tumors are suspected when people who have cancer elsewhere in the body come to a doctor with symptoms of heart malfunction. If a

Space is limited to confirm attendance contact: Menachem “Mendy” Dubovick, Social Work Intern, Mental Health Awareness Program 718-246-6456

BY: MS. RALPHNIE EDMOND tumor is suspected, a MRI or CT scan can provide additional information.

Treatment: For noncancerous primary heart tumor can be surgically removed, usually resulting in a cure. If a large noncancerous primary tumor is significantly reducing blood flow through the heart, removal of the part of the tumor that does not grow into the heart wall may improve heart function.

However, if a large part of the heart wall is involved, surgery may be impossible.

Also, we recommend to stop smoking if you do and follow up with your Primary Care Physician (PCP).

Step into Summer

Accounting Art Biology Business CDC Field Experience Chemistry Communications Criminal Justice • Accelerate your degree.

Economics Education • Fullfill a requirement.

English Earth Science • Lighten your Fall course load.

French Lots of Online choices!

History Human Services IND Field Experience Two Convenient & Affordable Summer Sessions: ISP Writing II May 17 – June 28 Library July 5 – August 15 Math Music It’s Easy to Register now!

Philosophy Psychology 1-800-724-0833 Sign Language reginfo@sunyulster.edu Sociology Spanish Only $142 per credit Theater Visa, Mastercard and Discover accepted.

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sunyulster.edu/Summer

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Ll Univ. Brooklyn Campus

Check Out Career Services’ Great Upcoming Events!

Every Day is Earth Day

Student Life and Leadership Development welcomes all students to an exciting Spring 2012 semester.

We are encouraging all freshmen to join one or two of the various clubs and organizations that we have on campus. It is such an exciting thing to be a part of vibrant organizations centered around a specific mission, and to make friendships that could last a lifetime.

We are also encouraging all students to participant in the activities, events and programs below:

R.I.O.T. Phase II– February 24, 2012

The Christian Fellowship Club, Long Island University Television, and LIU Gospel Choir, present a gospel presentation with highlights for Black History Month. Come celebrate with guests JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise, Champion, Andy Mineo FKA C-lite, Sir Musiq, and enjoy the LIU Gospel and featured LIU student soloist, Ricky. This event also features the dramatic talents of the Christian Fellowship club, the charismatic leadership of CFC President, Mr. Ulysses, and the video production of LIU-TV. If you thought R.I.O.T. was off the hook, you don’t want to miss Phase II. positions come with up to 75% tuition remission and housingFor more information on any or all of these activities please contact (718)488-1216, or stop by our office in M-311.

ASGA CONFERENCE - March 3, 2012 (All Day) H.S. Building LIU Brooklyn will host the national conference of the American Student Government Association this spring. If you are at all interested in being active in Student Government this is the conference for you. You will get the opportunity to meet Student Government leaders from across the nation, and attend a variety of concurrent workshops. Please stop by M-311 for more information and/or visit www.asgaonline.com .

MULTICULTURAL DAY – March 8, 2012 Kumble Theater Come and enjoy a series of Cultural Performances and taste finger-foods from around the world. For more information contact Milka Yemane at (718)488-1216

ON CAMPUS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT (Elected Position) Student Government Association Officers The Office of Student Life and Leadership Development is now accepting petitions for candidacy in the upcoming Student Government Association elections. The Student Government Association is seeking fulltime students who want to work to enhance the total educational experience of Brooklyn Campus students. If you are interested in service please consider running for electoral office. Positions are available as follows: Executive President, Executive Vice-President, Executive Treasurer, Executive Secretary, 5 Graduate Council Seats, 4 Senior Council Seats, 3 Junior Council Seats and 4 Sophomore Council Seats. Note that some of these positions come with up to 75% tuition remission and housing.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY The academy is designed to increase effective student leadership skills; facilitate better yearly transitioning within the Student Government Association and within other student organization; enhance communication between students and administration; augment the students’ academic education in order to facilitate their future careers; and to help students discover, know intricately, and enhance their own leadership skills.

The Spring sessions of the Student Leadership Academy are about to start and you still have time to register. Applications are available online at http://www2.brooklyn.liu. edu/bbut10/studentactivities/office.html or you can stop by M-311 for an application.

For more information on any or all of these activities please contact (718)4881216, or stop by our office in M-311.

Remembering The Brooklyn Boheme BY: MALCOLM JACKSON

The Brooklyn Boheme Photo Credit: www.cencom.org

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n February 7 Brooklynites filled the Kumble Theater at LIU to see the exclusive documentary that brought audience members behind the scenes of a prolific neighborhood in Brooklyn.

Nelson George film maker, historian and author; who himself lives in the neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn gave a first hand account of his experience and 20 plus years of living in the area. Fort Greene is described to be a place where the arts inspired a movement of evolution and forward thinking that still transpires today.

The stories of the Brookyln Boheme have been receiving national attention, and have won several awards since first premiering at the annual Urban World Film Festival in 2011. Brooklyn Boheme is a captivating story of an art movement in Brooklyn that transcended race and gender issues that often occur throughout the country.

This film collectively shows the aristocratic culture and afro centrism of Brooklyn. George also referred to the voices of the prominent artist who began their journey within the community of Fort Greene. Rosie Perez, Erykah Badu, Common, Spike Lee, Chris Rock, Mos Def, Saul Williams and many more tell what exactly happened in the mid 8090s.

The film accounted of several places in the local area that were central meeting places and memorable time periods.

Fort Greene, Brooklyn seems as though it were a maturing eclipse in time when looking back at the origins of what the community developed into.

3) We Are Young fun, feat. Janelle Monae We Are Young

Comedian Chris Rock, shares his opinion on Brooklyn Boheme and the place he grew up, “This is a place that helped me develop a sense that success isn’t just the goal, the goal is to do work that gets judged as art and not just black art.” People sat in awe and amazement from the nostalgia that was recreated in the documentary. Giving insight to the rich culture that progressed from the 1930s, when Richard Wright composed Native Son on a bench in Fort Greene Park.

6) We Found Love RIhanna feat. Calvin Harris

Rider: Spirit of Vengeance was released in theaters on February 17.

Man/Iron Man 2, The Hulk, Thor etc.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance lacks the moral fiber of a traditional Marvel movie.

In the film, author and activist Kevin Powell reminisces about seeing Wesley Snipes using a pay phone there, and Mos Def used to freestyle on the street corner. The infamous spoken word artist Saul Williams recounts running into a young Erykah Badu and her singing the beginnings of what would become “Bag Lady,” one of the top singles from her album “Mama’s Gun”.

The Rider Is Back!

BY: RYAN SAHADEO

It has been several years since making a deal with the Devil and Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage), living in self-imposed isolation, finds himself as the only person who can help save 10-year-old Danny and ultimately the world. Thanks to his unwanted and uncontrollable power; which is his ability to transform into the hell-on-wheels monster known as The Ghost Rider.

Photo Credit: Google Images

G

host Rider: Spirit of Vengeance is a 3D superhero film based on the Marvel Comics anti-hero Ghost Rider. It is the sequel to the 2007

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film Ghost Rider and features Nicolas Cage returning to his starring role as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider.

It is also the second film to be released under the Marvel Knights banner after 2008’s Punisher: War Zone. Ghost

Though a sequel to the original film, many movie review websites, such as Rotten Tomatoes, have bashed Spirit of Vengeance – comparing it to trash. In my personal opinion, Nicholas Cage is a fabulous actor with a lot of talent and skill.

However, compared to other films based on heroes from Marvel Comics - Iron

Top 10 Albums 1) Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill) Kelly Clarkson 2) Set Fire To The Rain Adele

4) Sexy And I Know It LMFAO 5) Good Feeling Flo Rida

7) I Will Always Love You Whitney Houston The Bodyguard Soundtrack 8) Turn Me On David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj 9) Rack City Tyga 10) Give Me All Your Luvin’ Madonna feat. M.I.A. & Nicki Minaj

According to a CBS interview with Nicholas Cage, he wanted the Ghost Rider character to be “like a bad dream” – something we couldn’t forget.

Unlike the CGI effects in the first movie, Ghost Rider 2 is the first time that Cage has played the character and brought a lot of thought into the body language.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance is a movie that is surely to keep you entertained or drive you in the direction of another movie. Holding true to his nature, Nicholas Cage brings a lot of personal charisma to this sequel and it is sure to pick up in ratings, as all of his movies have done.

Poetry Out Loud at the Kumble Theatre

High School Student Reciting Poetry

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or the first time ever, Long Island University’s own Kumble Theatre for Performing Arts hosted the, “Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest.” On February 15, eighteen high school students competed for the chance to compete for the Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest Regional.

Poetry Out Loud is a yearly program where young students throughout New York State learn about poetry through memorization and recitation.

This program encourages individuals to practice public speaking skills while also building self-confidence. Many

students compete starting with inner school competitions. Following the individual school competitions is the contest that narrows down the best of each high school into two contestants that will compete at regionals.

Basketball player, cross-country and track runner, Ryan Chand is a junior from W.C. Mepham High School interested in attending New York University as a business major upon graduation.

According to some of the students, the Kumble Theatre has been the best competition space they performed in. The Knox School senior Breanna Dickerson, who has a “strong like and desire to recite poetry”, admired the atmosphere of the Kumble Theatre. The Kumble allowed the Dickerson to be comfortable while reciting her poems.

The intense awkward feeling of people staring at her was absent in the Kumble Theatre.

With his athletic school activities, it is surprising that Chand finds escape in reciting poetry. Chand describes reciting poetry as a hobby that he prepares for by reading out loud and connecting with the emotions of the poem simultaneously. His key to successful poetry reading is, “confidence, coolness, and calmness.” Chand’s performance commanded attention. He displayed his own personality and he appeared very comfortable. His voice was very animated as he spoke.

The theatre was lit in the audience with dim lighting on the performance stage.

The back curtain on the stage was black with a red lighting peaking at the top of the curtains. The host, Katie Issel Pitre, who made light jokes and had a bright upbeat personality, sat behind a podium on the left side of the stage. A microphone stand was positioned in the center of the stage where each student came to perform after stating their name, school, and poem choice.

James Moran, West Babylon High School 9th grader wore a suit and tie to what was a very important occasion for him. Moran intended on moving to the next round like the other contestants of the evening. Like others, he was very confident. His strategy in memorizing his poems was to memorize a stanza each day. He would also go over any stanza he memorized the previous days. Like Chand, reciting poetry is a hobby and he is interested in a more

BY: MICHELLE LAWTON “intellectual career.” However, he finds pleasure in reading, riding bikes, video games, and playing the trumpet.

Dickerson’s strategy in reciting her poems is to treat it like acting. She puts herself into the character and recites the poems. While reciting “I Am Learning to Abandon the World,” by Linda Pastan, Dickerson’s voice captivated the crowd into believing the poem was one of her own. Her most resounding line was, “I’m learning to abandon the world before it can abandon me.”

While there were two winners, Meenakshi Krishna and Taylour Dickerson, all of the contestants received recognition for making it to the final round before the regionals.

Taylour Dickerson and Breanna Dickerson are sisters that both did very well. Breanna wished her sister all the best prior to the announcement of the winners. The Poetry Out Loud contest was an intimate group filled with parents, students, friends and family.

The support for all the contestants was apparent throughout the entire contest. At the end of the event, smiles and hugs were exchanged as personal conversations evolved to conclude the night.

The Death of Whitney Houston & Photos of Blue Ivy BY: SHARI STRAKER

O

n February 11, the music world came to a complete stop. That was the day that our very own beloved Whitney Houston, 48 died.

Houston was found in the bathroom of her Beverly Hills Hotel room. The cause of death is unknown and is pending due to results of a toxicologist report which will several weeks.

High E above middle C. Now there’s only one singer in the music industry who can hit that heavenly note.

Whitney Houston will forever be one of the greatest singers of all time. Her untimely, unfortunate and shocking death has riddled and stunned her fans and her family. The fans who have loved Whitney consistently throughout her career, from her record breaking single

“I Will Always Love You” to stealing our hearts in movies such as The Body Guard and Waiting to Exhale; there is one apparent fact. There will never be another Whitney Houston. To say that her fans are broken hearted is an understatement. More than one generation has grown up listening to her infectious voice. She touched people with her music in ways that she may not have known.

She had a successful career almost overnight and was also the first person to have seven consecutive singles hit the number one spot on Billboards’ Top 100.

The Soundtrack to the movie The Body Guard is also the best selling soundtrack of all time in the United States and worldwide. Her most infamous and unforgettable performance to date is

when she sang the National Anthem for Super Bowl twenty five. During a time of war, her performance made everyone feel a sense of hope, security and pride for the United States. Numerous singers such as Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson and Mariah Carey have regarded her as their idol. Her home going service, as her family called it was intimate and heartfelt. Celebrities such as Tyler Perry, Kevin Costner, Bebe and Cece Winans and her mentor Clive Davis remembered the singer by sharing stories and memories of the Whitey that they all knew and fell in love with.

Though her death has left a hole in our hearts, she leaves behind her music to celebrate her life.

We Will Always Love You, Whitney Houston…

Singer Beyonce and Rapper Jay-Z have surprisingly released pictures of their newborn Blue Ivy Carter. The fiercely private couple, who has never released or sold pictures of their wedding, has released pictures of their daughter by setting up a tumblr page. Unlike other celebrities who have sold pictures of their children for millions. They reportedly set up the page on February 10. The page has five pictures of Blue Ivy with her parents along with a note from the Carter family which says, “We welcome you to share in our joy. Thank you for respecting our privacy during this beautiful time in our lives.”

Fans can view the pictures of adorable baby Blue Ivy by going to www. helloblueivycarter.tumblr.com

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Gucci Mane: Trap Back Mixtape

Marni for H&M

BY: JUSTIN ELLIS

The model in the lookbook is shown wearing a silk scarf with the same print as the cardigan. And it’s paired with wooden-soled platforms for $99 and chunky bracelets in white and orange.

The silk cardigan can easily be worn to work with a pencil skirt and pointed shoes. Another piece in the collection is a silk dress with a polka dot pattern that is priced at $80. The halter dress can be worn on a warm spring day with tights or the striped leggings for $40. For an evening look, pair the silk dress with a blazer and add a statement accessory – like the multi-colored Lucite petals necklace in the collection.

week this album sold 61,450 copies. It seemed as if he were becoming lazy after a little success. You would hope that he would use his mixtape’s as an attempt to improve his craft but maybe that’s just asking for too much.

Photo Credit: www.killerhiphop.com

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apper Gucci Mane has been known for only three things. His hit song “Lemonade”, having an ice cream cone tattooed on his face and finally being able to use the word “Burr” in a sentence. After listening to his new mixtape “Trap Back” those three accomplishments are still the only ones he has.

This mix tape was terrible in every sense of the word. It contained no meaning and it was lazily done. It should have been obvious that this mixtape had no chance by looking at the lack of featured artists. 2 Chainz was nice enough to collaborate with Gucci Mane on a couple of tracks but then again there isn’t a song that he wouldn’t want to be featured on. “Trap Back” should have never been made because it’s just one of those projects that makes people frown on present day rap music.

When Gucci Mane released the single “Lemonade” on his second album “The State Vs. Radric Davis” he seemed to potentially be another good southern rapper. His second album (“The State Vs Radric Davis”) sold 90,000 copies in its first week. This album really got the Gucci Mane train started. His third and most recent album “The Appeal: Georgia’s Most Wanted” showed regression and the sales showed this.

According to Billboards 200 in the first

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“Trap Back” is a disturbingly bad collection of songs, but one of them was just jaw dropping. His song “Sometimes” conveyed an overall message of stupidity to the highest degree. Gucci is rapping about the positives and negatives of his life. Such terrible lines such as, “I feel good, I be in the hood I just ride by sometimes I be in the hood feeling bad might do a drive by” make this song hard to listen to. It’s hard to believe that those in the studio hearing this song being made didn’t say anything. Who in their right mind on a bad day thinks to themselves “hey let me go take a trip out to the hood and do a drive by”?

Hopefully there will never be a song made like this again.

Another song on this mixtape “Face Card” that was not only horrible lyrically, it was bragging. Gucci considers himself to be so popular that he doesn’t need to pay for anything. To him showing his face will get him free material items but in actuality he isn’t that great. First off, when Gucci Mane shows his face in public the only thing people should do, is point and laugh because of how immature he is.

If Jay-Z or Kanye would have made this song, the bragging would still need to end but at least those two have a claim to fame that is respectable amongst others.

Gucci needs to slow down because songs like this are why he is declining.

With his new found wealth he can’t really connect to his past lifestyle of being broke or in jail which is why he related better to listeners.

The world already has some terrible rappers and at this point Gucci is not far away from that group. But as music has always been, just one good album can make you a star or make a dimming star shine again.

BY: MABEL MARTINEZ

Photo Credit: www.29secrets.com

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he fashion industry has been full of collaborations, these days, from the likes of Karl Lagerfield, Jason Wu, Donatella Versace, Doo-Ri Chung, Alber Elbaz, and more. Now Italian designer Consuelo Castiglioni is next to join in the mix. Consuelo Castiglioni is collaborating with none other than H&M for the Marni collection, which launches in stores on March 8.

Castiglioni launched the Italian label in 1994 while her husband was in the fur business. Since then, she’s made a name for herself in the fashion industry.

With her bold prints, mixed patterns of polka dots and florals, Castiglioni stays true to her signature in H&M for Marni collection.

Marni is a popular label among celebrities including Julia Roberts, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Drew Barrymore, to name a few. After debuting the promotional film done by Sofia Coppola, everyone is excited to finally see the spring collection in stores.

H&M for Marni features women’s wear, men’s wear and accessories all priced for under $149. The collection has mixand-match pieces, tribal print, fun color combinations, and chunky accessories.

One of the pieces in the collection is a polka dot silk cardigan for $80.

Marni for H&M also features outerwear, such as the black polka dot coat for $129 – which can be worn from day to night.

Another piece from the collection is an electric blue polka-dot jacket for $99; it’s a very ladylike item that can be worn with a pencil skirt or trousers for a chic ensemble.

For men’s wear, the collection features classic staples that every man can wear.

Some of the items in the collection are the utilitarian parkas, Bermuda shorts, and sandals for the spring weather.

Men can also find blazers for $99 in the collection, along with shirts for $50.

And to complete the look, a stylish tie for $20. The color combinations in men’s wear are deep blues, black, red and some orange. This is definitely a color palette that is proving popular in many spring collections.

Consuelo Castiglioni added a number of fun accessories to the collection. For example, sequined shirt collars for $20, a crimson red belt for $10, and black sunglasses for $20. The chunky bracelets and necklaces are statement accessories for any ensemble; and they come in a variety of colors such as reds, olive greens, and orange.

Marni for H&M is an eclectic collection that is fun, sophisticated and classic.

Bold prints, patterns and colors are sure to be seen this spring. With all the buzz surrounding this collection it seems like Marni for H&M will have customers lined up outside H&M before it debuts.

Maino: I Am Who I Am

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aino a Brooklyn native, has been a star in music throughout his career with numerous mix tapes; is now currently working on his second album. But for now his new mix tape “I Am Who I Am” is a wonderfully done project that deserves high praise.

This mix tape is in fact good enough to be an album and listening to it you will find yourself hanging on every lyric.

There are also many artists featured

BY: JUSTIN ELLIS such as T.I, Meek Mills, Jim Jones and success.

Wale. These successful artists only add to the already fine presentation of “I Am Maino, like many other rappers, grew Who I Am”. In the past Brooklyn natives up poor and was forced to commit have always been well represented and crimes to get by. The song “Last of the that continues to happen.

Mohicans” is a touching work that looks back at the life he used to live. More Before Maino’s musical career began often Rappers decide to speak on their he served ten years in prison. Once current lifestyle because they want he was released, he tried to sign with to forget about who they used to be. an assortment of record companies Sadly they do not understand that there and finally found a home at Atlantic struggle is what makes them inspiring.

Records. With his career being You could almost visualize some of the established he knew that he needed to situations Maino found himself in. One make a big splash and his first single “Hi line shows just how hard Maino’s life Hater” was born. Not only did it make a was. “I’m about to do anything for that splash it caused a tidal wave. When that bread. I’d shoot a ni**a in the Fu**ing song was first released you couldn’t go head” it’s is powerful statement that anywhere in New York without hearing actually proves why violence in the hood that song being blasted in cars, clubs or is so high and why some are forced to from apartment buildings. keep this mentality. This song will force you to remember that no matter how With the hype starting to mount, he hard your life may be, there is always released his debut album “If Tomorrow someone else whose life is worse than Comes”, which was a well executed yours. album. Billboard 200 had it ranked at twenty-five and at its release on the In another song “Pac and Big” he Billboard’s Hip-Hop charts listed the gives a three-minute shout out to all album at number one. That was a great the rappers who have made money in way to start a successful career and music, but who are in fact artists who Maino has maintained his eagerness for Maino thinks aren’t credible or talented.

(Soulja Boy for instance). The song sends the message that if Biggie and 2Pac were alive they would force other rappers to be at their best. It’s a fact that if any rapper that lacked talent even attempted to make music either Big or Pac would verbally (In 2Pac’s case maybe physically) abuse them. Maino being a New York native understands that Biggie and Pac represents Hip-Hop at its peak and after their deaths music has been on a slow decline. It’s about time a rapper takes notice of this because it’s a problem that many choose to overlook.

Music may not ever be as good as it was, but that doesn’t give people the excuse not to try to make it better.

Maino’s music is a sign of hope whenever a rapper does a great job on a mix tape. It always shows consideration for the craft of music since they will not gain album sales but only free downloads. This mix tape can only raise expectations for his new album which is called “The Day After Tomorrow” and will debut on February 28. The New Year has yet to see a highly promoted Hip-Hop album be released, so Maino has a chance to start this year off right and possibly make 2012 his year.

Best of Brooklyn Collegiate Job/Internship Fair Meet employers recruiting for internships, part-time, full-time and summer employment opportunities in a variety of disciplines.

Date: Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Location: LIU-Brooklyn, Metcalfe Gymnasium See a counselor to have your resume reviewed during office hours, Pratt 510 Attend a Career Fair Prep Session.

See MyCareerKey for dates, list of employers, and to register. www.liu.edu/brooklyn/mycareerkey/student

To be admitted to the fair, you must: Wear business attire | Present your Student I.D. Bring copies of your resume

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BY: MICHAEL GARCIA

Photo: LIU Athletics

Photo: LIU Athletics

Seniors, Gaines Shine, Break Records

Just Do It:The men and women’s indoor teams recorded record breaking finishes while Gaines (right) shatters her own perosnal mark of last year.

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he Long Island University men’s and women’s track teams met on Feb 11 & 12 for the Northeast Conference Indoor Championships and teams had an impressive finish to the tournament. The men were tied for third and the women finished second in the tournament.

The star of the men’s and women’s track teams was senior Jesse Gaines. The track star was named MVP for the fourth time in her career and obtained her third straight most valuable field performer title.

Every year, Gaines just keeps on getting better and better. The speedster broke her own record that she set in 2011 for the 60-meter dash; she clocked in a speedy time of 7.51. Gaines also won

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her third gold of Sunday came in the triple jump, where she leapt to a mark of 12.22 meters. Saunders was fifth in the event with a leap of 11.44 meters, and sophomore Camille Thomas was ninth with a mark of 11.00 meters.

LIU’s Shakia Williams secured NEC’s most outstanding rookie in the tournament as she was the best in the women’s 500-meter with a time of 1:15.61. The rookie comes from Western Branch High School in Virginia, the same school Gaines came from.

Charlene Fuller was second with a time of 7.64, while junior Amber Mitchell was fourth with a time of 7.71. Senior Torrie Saunders rounded out the point scorers in the event with a fifth place finish and a time of 7.73.

In the 4x400 meter relay, the Blackbirds squad came up with 142 points (only one behind the Champions Monmouth Hawks) while Sacred Heart finished third. The 4x400 meter squad for LIU consisted of Kadisha Wickham, Jazmin Waller, Charlene Fuller, and Williams.

The Men’s track team also had an impressive performance in the NEC indoor championships. They tied for third with Central Connecticut State University, scoring 108 points. Sacred Heart placed second with 116, and Monmouth took the number one spot with and outstanding 170 points.

Junior Nickolei Mahlung was the best runner in the men’s 60-meter dash, finishing in 6.84. Senior Jarenn Stewart was fourth, earning a time of 6.95.

In the men’s 5,000-meter run, junior

Rogers Kipruto was sixth with a time of 15:02.07.

Robert Barnes grabbed gold in the 500-meter dash, completing it in the time of 1:04.61. Junior Chris Welch was fourth with a time of 1:06.33 while junior Kenneth Wallace Whitfield and freshman Andi Augustin also competed in the final.

In the men’s 4x400-meter relay, Nickolei Mahlung, Brian Roberts, Mikhail Williamson and Barnes partnered for a second place finish with a time of 3:19.76.

If the Blackbirds keep this momentum, maybe the men’s and women’s track teams could finish number one on Feb 25 in the Fast Track Last Chance Meet at the Armory in New York, NY.

Lacrosse Drops Two, Ties One in Preseason Tourney

Photo: LIU Athletics

Photo: LIU Athletics

BY: ALANA WOHLERS

Dynamic Duo: Sophomores Kim Kovar and Katie Williams look to guide a talented sophomore class to extend the end of last season’s success.

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omen’s lacrosse kicked off their season at Columbia with a close three game scrimmage tournament.

The Blackbirds picked up a tie and two losses on Saturday falling short to sister school C.W. Post and Columbia but tying NYAK. First up was host team Columbia Lions, the Blackbirds only lost 7-5 giving the Lions a tough game.

Next up for the Blackbirds was C.W. Post only losing by one to them with a score of 8-7. The last and final game of the tournament turned out to be the best for the Blackbirds ending in a tie to NYAK with a score of 6-6.

Holmes and Brittany Rader. Sophomore Kim Kovar contributed key assists at all three games, along with solid defense by Trisha Yeoell and Jesenia Cantres that helped the Blackbirds stay in it.

The Blackbirds had few goals scored on them due to outstanding goalkeeping by both goaltenders, sophomores Gina Haber and Jackie Simonian. The weekend was an overall good start for the lady Blackbirds.

Saturday, February 25, the ladies head out to Washington D.C. to take on George Washington in their first official game of the season.

There were several Blackbirds with multiple goals and assists. Scoring for the LIU were sophomores Ashley Delaney, Katie Williams and Shakoya Smith.

Junior Caitlin Farrell also contributed goals along with freshmen Colleen

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Baseball Swept at No. 21 UCF

BY: JOHN TOLIS

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Photo: Bryan Saffelle

he Blackbirds didn’t really start the 2012 season as expected as they were swept by No. 21 UCF (3-0) over the weekend. Long Island dropped the first game 13-7 and dropped both games in the double header with a score of 9-1.

Long Island University (0-3) was down by five runs heading into the sixth inning, but changed the momentum when they tied the game 7-7. LIU didn’t have enough time to take the lead as the Knights took advantage of the Blackbirds’ pitching errors in the bottom of the seventh inning. LIU freshman right hander Rafael Guerrero came out of the bullpen for his debut, but got rattled as he allowed two walks with the bases loaded giving UCF a 9-7 advantage.

Later, freshman Chance Fugistahler came in the game in attempt to not allow any more runs, but UCF knocked in three runs with a double by Ronnie Richardson and took away LIU Brooklyn’s chances of coming back in the game.

UCF got the bats swinging quickly and jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning. LIU Brooklyn junior Chris Franzese was hoping for a better start to the season, but only lasted just 3 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs (five earned) on four hits, ten walks and two strike outs.

Senior Tyler Jones gave his club two more runs as he hit a monster homerun in the top of the fifth to make the game 7-4. LIU tied the 7-7 when UCF walked Tito Marrero with the bases loaded and Chris Untereiner drove in two more runs with a single.

UCF reliever Bryan Brown picked up the win with two innings of work, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks. UCF starter Brian Adkins threw five innings, giving up four runs on seven hits and a walk. He struck out five.

It was all about UCF in the second day as

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Swinging for the Fences: Senior catcher Tyler Jones and sophomore outfielder Pete Leonello paced an impressive offensive barrage against the University of Central Florida. they had all the momentum in the final two games of the series. The Knights got the best of LIU junior starter Matt McCormick as he allowed one run in the first and four in the second. The game was 5-0 and LIU had to bring its bats alive.

innings of three-hit ball. Lively allowed one run and three walks. He struck out four.

The Blackbirds finally got on the board in the top of the fourth when leftfielder Julian Castro brought in Jones to make the game 6-1, but that was the only time the Blackbirds would find home plate.

UCF put the game in its hand scoring single runs in the fourth, fifth and eighth.

Long Island sophomore Pete Leonello hit a double in the top of the first that helped motivate the club. Leonello moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by second basemen Brad Greve. LIU was first to get on the scoreboard when Jones hit a groundout that allowed Leonello to score.

McCormick (0-1) gave up eight runs (seven earned) in four-plus innings.

He gave up 12 hits and walked three while striking out one. Knights’ starter Ben Lively picked up the win with five

The Blackbirds didn’t have much time to celebrate the lead as UCF tied it up in the bottom of the first and added five more in the second.

It was the same story for the Blackbirds in the nightcap as again their pitching was the issue and lost 9-1.

UCF’s D.J Hicks was a nightmare for LIU starter Brad Reimer as he hit two solo home runs in the first and second innings.

Reimer (0-1) was tagged for six runs on seven hits and two walks. Chris Matulis earned the win for the Knights, going six innings and allowing just one run on four hits and walk. He struck out five.

The Blackbirds will return to action with a three-day, four-game neutral-site series in Kannapolis, N.C., beginning on Friday, Feb. 24. LIU will take on Youngstown State at noon before playing a doubleheader with Fairfield on Feb. 25, also at noon. The series will conclude with another game against Youngstown State on Feb. 26 at 2:00 p.m.

Softball in Winner’s Circle Behind Reynold’s Complete Game

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espite a surprisingly slow start, the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds secured their first victory of the young 2012 campaign Sunday afternoon, posting a 7-2 win over Florida Atlantic University in the final game of the FAU Kick-Off Classic in Boca Raton, FL. The win was senior pitcher Sarah Reynold’s first of the season, a complete game performance.

BY: MICHAEL GARCIA

Photo: LIU Athletics

Long Island’s lineup would score the first tally of the game in the opening stanza behind sophomore outfielder Madison Zymkowitz’s double that plated senior Sterling Hoham, however, FAU answered back with what would be their only two runs of the game in the bottom of the inning.

Junior outfielder Karina Cervantes would open the scoreless second inning with a double, but a third inning six run surge would inevitably secure the victory for Long Island. With two out in the inning, a walk to Zymkowitz and an FAU error gave the Blackbirds a 3-2 lead. Junior Brooklyn York would load the bases on a hit-by-pitch and classmate Megan Sheaf would deliver a single to plate another run.

Freshman Madison Green would record her first collegiate hit in her first collegiate start plating another two runs for the Blackbirds. A timely error

by FAU would cap the scoring and inevitably secure the victory for Long Island as Reynolds retired the final 13 FAU batters.

The Blackbirds would suffer a pair of losses Saturday, the first game to No. 22 Kentucky 2-1 after remaining tied at one through four innings. The back side of the contests featured an extra inning battle against Wright State who inevitably took the victory 8-4 in ten innings.

Hoham belted her first homerun of the season against Kentucky while Reynolds delivered an outstanding pitching performance despite suffering the loss.

Put it on the Board: Head Coach Roy Kortmann and the Blackbirds secured the first victory of 2012 behind stellar offensive and pitching performances.

Sophomore Cassie Vondrak made her third start of the season against Wright State while four Blackbirds, Toven, Sheaf, Cervantes and Zymkowitz contributed two hits a piece in a valiant effort against Wright State. Freshman Nicole Archer would come in relief for the Blackbirds and inevitably suffer the loss at the hands of a critical Wright State 10th inning barrage.

Friday’s contests against the University

of Maryland and No. 11 Michigan ended in 3-1 and 4-1 losses respectively.

Freshman Nicole Archer plated the lone run for the Blackbirds in the sixth with her first collegiate homerun that cleared the left field fence, but Long Island could not overcome a three run first inning for Maryland.

Vondrak got the start for the Blackbirds against No. 11 Michigan later in the

day, and despite allowing only three hits, the offense did not capitalize on Emily Kakuska’s two hits as Long Island was shut out in the loss.

The Blackbirds return to Palm Springs, CA to compete in the annual Cathedral City Classic. Long Island opens the tournament, Friday the 24th against No. 9 Stanford, and will face New Mexico State to cap the day.

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Women’s Basketball Sweeps Battle of Brooklyn BY: SHANEL GILBERT

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he Long Island University Women’s Basketball team captures the title for the “Battle of Brooklyn” after defeating St. Francis (NY.) back-to-back on Feb. 12th and 15th each time led by senior Ashley Palmer.

Photo: LIU Athletics

On the first day of the contest the Blackbirds saw an early deficit, and allowed St. Francis to maintain its control of the competition before LIU went on a 6-0 run that was sparked by sophomore Cleandra Roberts. The basket put Long Island in the lead 11-10.

Both team would go on to trade baskets and the lead switched multiple times before Roberts closed the half for LIU with a layup that put the team on top to close the period 20-29.

Back from the intermission, the Blackbirds hit the court with a new found energy that helped them to build their largest lead of the half with 12 points in just 5 minutes of second half action. A successful layup by Terrier Stefanie Bingham followed by foul shots from teammate Jasmin Robinson ended the point drought for St. Francis (NY.) and put them back within single digits.

“We knew we had to come together as a team, so that’s what we did,” said junior Ebony Davis.

In response Long Island would increase its lead to as much as 20 points with just over five minutes left of game play.

St. Francis (NY.) fought to destroy the deficit and worked hard at drawing fouls but was unsuccessful in their attempts.

The Blackbirds closed out the night 6653, led by Palmer with 22 points followed

by Roberts who added a career-high of 16 points. Long Island out rebounded the Terriers 26-23.

Day two of the contest, ended much like the first with a 60-53 win for the Blackbirds on St. Francis (NY.)’s home court. The Blackbirds started the half

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War Veteran: Sophomore Cleandra Roberts has made a significant impact from the field and looks to contribute throughout the course of the NEC tournament. aggressively and built its lead up to double digits before the Terriers could even make ten points.

With seven minutes left in the half, Long Island managed to increase its lead by as much as 14 points, the Terriers struggling to keep up with the Blackbirds pace. LIU closed out the half with a jumper by Palmer and headed to the break up 32-20.

The Blackbirds maintained control for majority of the closing half but slowly lost control of the contest which allowed the Terriers to get back within single digits. With 2:27 left on the clock St. Francis had chiseled away at the lead and were now within just one basket.

However, Long Island responded by

holding its opponent to just 3 points to end the night.

“We’ve been working on coming out and playing every game hard,” said Marika Sprow.

But unfortunately for the Blackbirds, Saturday’s game against Quinnipiac did not go as smoothly as hoped. Despite Palmers best efforts to keep her team on top, Long Island fell at home to QU in over time.

Palmer had a game-high 29 points, also knocking down a trey with just over two minutes left to give the Blackbirds a one-point lead but Quinnipiac’s Felicia Barron hit a jumper, and hit two free throws to give Quinnipiac a 54-51 win

over LIU. Over time play turned into what came across as a highly aggressive five minutes in which both teams were reluctant to give up the team traded basket after basket each one refusing to back down.

Palmer knocked out her first trey of the night to get the Blackbirds up by one, but Bobcat Felicia Barron hit a jumper and shortly after she was sent to the free throw line where she sank both to pull the QU lead to 3 points. Desperate to stay win Palmer attempted two treys but was unrewarded in her efforts as the time in the period expired sending the Blackbirds to the locker room with a home loss.

Juniors Provide Victorious Senior Night For Men’s Hoops

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ed by junior CJ Garner and classmate Julian Boyd, the Long Island University men’s basketball team came away with a 99-89 win over Quinnipiac, on Senior Day at the Wellness, Recreation and Athletic Center, on Saturday. The victory added the 23rd win to the team’s streak.

BY: SHANEL GILBERT

Photo: LIU Athletics

“This was a big game for us, and Senior Night, said sophomore Jason Brickman, “This is our last home game, before we hit the road so it was an important win for us.”

During the first half, the Blackbirds trailed by seven points with just under 12 minutes left in the period. After being held to just two basket for over three minutes, junior Kenny Onyechi sparked a short spurt by going two for two from the free-throw line followed by a threepointer by classmate Julian Boyd that put the Blackbirds within three-points.

However, Quinnipiac responded with a trey of their own, pushing its lead back up to six at 20-26.

Still the Blackbirds refused to back down, and remained within arms reach of the Bobcats, before taking the lead 37-36 when Garner went two for two from the line. The lead changed a total of five times before Long Island went on a three-minute long run that put the team up 47-43.

“A game is full of runs,” said Garner, “it comes down to which team is able to sustain it the longest.”

Opening up the scoring in the second half for Quinnipiac, Zaid Hearst hit a layup that brought his team back within striking distance at 47-45 but Long Island managed to stay on top cashing in on three treys, two from senior Michal Culpo and one from Brickman that put the Blackbirds up by 12.

Garner stated that getting junior Jamal Olasewere back into the second half greatly increased the Blackbirds chances of staying in control of the competition.

Superman: junior Jamal Olasewere and Brandon Thompson are significant threats both close and away from the basket.

“You know he’s [Olasewere] a major contributor to the team. We got him back, he brought his energy and we said as a team we need to come out and go for a run.”

A dunk by Boyd at the 11:31 mark increased to Blackbird lead to the largest of the night at 16 points. Quinnipiac would take full advantage of a late charge that helped the team get within single digits but three back-to-back treys from Culpo brought the LIU lead back into double digits. Long Island kept its control for the remainder of the contest as four starters closed the night out from the free-throw line.

Boyd hit his 12th double-double of the season with ten rebounds and 25 points.

Garner also added 25 points followed

by Culpo with 17. Brickman dished out a career-high of 16 assists, one assist shy of LIU’s single-game record.

The sophomore also added 10 points respectively.

The win marks the seventh in the

Blackbirds streak and improves LIU 21-7 overall and 15-1 in the NEC. The game also marked the final regularseason home appearance for the Culpo and classmates Arnold Mayorga and Kurt Joseph.

Previously the Blackbirds pulled away from Sacred Heart in over Time action that ended in favor of the LIU 10391. Long Island held the lead after the intermission only to see the Pioneers make use of a 17-3 run. The Blackbirds would go on to pull away increasing its lead to as much as six points in the second half but the Pioneers would not give up and made use of a short run that tied the game 81-81.

Using a 10-0 run the Blackbirds increased their lead to 91-81 with 3:25 left in OT to finally run away with from the competition to close the night up 103-91.

Olasewere led the Blackbirds with 27 points and added 11 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season.

Boyd finished with 20 points, while Garner ended with 17 points.

The Blackbirds came into the contest after staking claim to the “Battle of Brooklyn” trophy by downing the St. Francis Terriers back-to-back at Madison Square garden and the Wellness center.

“Its hard enough to do it twice in a season, but playing them back-to-back makes it even harder because the losing team has more of a fire to come back and win,” said Boyd.

The first night of the contest ended with an 86-77 win that saw four players for LIU in double figures and both Boyd and Olasewere marked a double-double.

The second part of the contest would be much closer, ending at 81-78. Olasewere hit a new career-high of 32-points, which earned him MVP honors. Boyd added another double-double to his collection.

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FULFILLING JOURNEY GOALS