Nommo Fall 2010 by UCLA NOMMO

TABLE OF CONTENTS NOMMO FALL 2010

CAMPUS

COMMUNITY

CULTURE

This years Black Bruin Welcome Week was very succesful. With events reaching standing room only and succesful outreach to both Freshmen and Transfer students, BBW served its mission. pg. 6

In our Part 2 of “Getting Involved” our online issue coming out December 6th, read about Susan Burtan and a host of others who decided to “Get Involved” and change the lives of others. www.nommomagazine.com

The rapper, record label VP, and actor Shorty Mac sits down with Nommo and talks business, politics and his rap career. Some people would dream of his career, he is still hungry. pg. 11

Campus Affairs

Community Affiars

Arts & Entertainment

State of the Union Address

Governors Election

The Man With a Purpose

10 Things All Bruins Should Know

School Suspensions

In the News

Black Bruin Welcome Week

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Scholarships pg. 4

Press Play List of Events in LA pg. 11

Lets Talk About Sex

Backstage With...

pg. 9

pg. 11

Check out “Getting Involved” Part 2 online as Nommo features students who actually get involved! The Online Issue comes out December 20th!!! Don’t miss out! nommomagazine.com

About The “Get Involved” Issue...

The “Get Involved” issue encourages students to find a passion and get involved. We learn so much through experiences outside the classroom and it’s important that we give ourselves opportunities to step outside the box! The online issue comes out December 20th and highlights students that are involved in amazing things!

Robin Egbuniwe and Matthew Love show pride in their organizations.

Students sign up for events during Black Wednesday.

Photos by Osose Oboh

Letter From The Editor Editor-in-Chief Frances Harris Staff Randy Boykins Kelsea Mayfield Jason Muse Pearl Loehnig Sara Tsegaye Ashley Williams Contributing Writers Joelle Gamble Corey Matthews Kenyatta McLean Timothy Ojetunde Design & Layout, Online Manager Frances Harris Special Thanks to Amy Emmert Frieda Ferrier Michael O’Connor Osose Oboh Arvli Ward Afrikan Student Union at UCLA Harambee Council UCLA Black Student Association Vusisizwe Azania

nother school year has begun which means new opportunities for success and development for all students. Often times we as students find methods and habits that work for us and we stick with them… We find a professor we like, so we take their class any chance we get. We find a group of people that we feel comfortable with and they become our crew for the next four years. Generally speaking, sticking with what you know is not a bad thing, but often times it becomes very limiting. For example, when we decided to make this issue the “Get Involved” issue, staff members commented that it targeted freshmen and transfer students,

FrancesHarris ABOUT THE COVER

another club. We wonder how music artist can stay on tour for months going from city to city, but think about doing exactly what you love every single night. So this year I urge students to join a the Higher Education Conference committee, or even better start volunteering for Students Heightening Academic Performance through Education (S.H.A.P.E). It’s time to GET INVOLVED!

Editor-in-Chief

Nommo is published by support of the Campus Progress/Center for American Progress www.campusprogress.org

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which helps for recruiting new students. While Nommo always seeks to bring in all new students of Afrikan decent, the idea of “Get Involved” should be an idea that speaks to all students, new and old. Yes, we have committed ourselves to a certain Harambee Council Organization, or we work at a certain internship, but is that all? I am not encouraging anyone to spread themselves too thin but these four years as undergraduates are unlike anything we will ever experience. Why limit ourselves when the possibilities are endless? Find opportunities that feed to your passions so it doesn’t feel like work or just

A play on Time magazines 1966 controversial cover title “Is God Dead”, this cover seeks to get straight to the point to AFrikan students on campus: Are You Involved? The entire issue and especially the feature section encourage Afrikan students to find a way to leave their mark on UCLA’s campus. Although the question is not as contentious as Time’s the answer to the question can be just as crucial for the existence of future Afrikan students at UCLA. Getting involved not only helps us but it paves the way for future students. So the question remains: Are You Involved? By: Frances Harris

NOMMOMAGAZINE.COM

GLOSSARY Afrikan = Spelled with a K instead of a C (see website for explanation) ASP= Academic Supports Program ASU= Afrikan Student Union “The Hill”= Area on UCLA campus where dorms are located. BBWW= Black Bruin Welcome Week GBM= General Body Meeting held by ASU SAC= Student Activities Center located across from the Ashe Center and Ackerman. SHAPE = ASU access program Students Hightening Academic Performance through Edication

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Prop 209= Propostion 209 (see website for full definition)

TWITTER.COM/ UCLA NOMMO FIND US ON FACEBOOK UCLA NOMMO

USAC= Undergraduate Students Association Council

New website!!! NOMMOMAGAZINE.COM

Union= Afrikan Student Union at UCLA

VIPS= Vice Provost Initiative for PreCollege Scholars Program

CAMPUS AFFAIRS Student Issues//Student Life

Scholarships

Kelsea Mayfield & Pearl Loehnig // Staff writers

AICPA Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students www.aicpa.org Deadline: March 1 Amount: $1,500 - $3,000 Ron Brown Scholar Program hwww.ronbrown.org Deadline: January 9 Amount: $2,200/semester Ronald McDonald’s National Environmental Health Association www.neha.org/scholarship Deadline: February 1st, 2011. Amount: Varies Depending on the Need Ritchie Jennings Memorial Scholarship www.acfe.com Deadline: January 21, 2011 Amount: one $10,000 scholarship, two $5,000 scholarships, four $2,500 scholarships and twenty-three $1,000 scholarships. Bodie McDowell Scholarships

www.owaa.org/scholarships Deadline: March 1,2011 Amount: Range $1,000 to $5,000. Overseas Press Club Foundation

verseaspressclubfoundation.org

Deadline: December 1, 2010 Amount: $2,000 scholarship and Membership into the Overseas Press Club Foundation. NAMTA Foundation Visual Arts Major Scholarship namta.org Deadline: March 1, 2011 Amount: Varies

Balancing The Family ASU Chair Person Kenyatta McLean discusses the importance of support in her ASU State of the Union Address.

Kenyatta McLean// ASU Chair Person

Kenyatta McLean (left) and ASU students at Black Convocation. Photo by Osose Oboh.

efore you send your next text, hit send on you next email, tweet about the trending topic, stop and think; what does it mean to be Afrikan at UCLA? Every year this question means something different. If you are a freshmen and its fall 2006 it might mean feeling lost in the crowd since you were one of one 96 Afrikan people in the entering class. If its Winter 2010 it might mean a feeling of uncertainty and disbelief after finding out about nooses being hung on UC campuses. Different years, different people, different feelings, but the same two words can constantly affect how we answer this question of what it means to be Afrikan at UCLA: campus climate. Events last year on several different campuses reminded the union of how important continuing work to better campus climate is for our community and as a result part of the ASU agenda this year will be to continue working to solve harassment issues with UCPD and build a positive relationship with our police department on campus. Due in part to Proposition 209 there is a dramatic underrepresentation of the Afrikan community within the student body. Years after recognizing race as a real barrier to higher education was outlawed, our community is finally beginning to get back on track in terms of numbers. Though we still have a many more students we must give access to UCLA, I’m proud to say that this year is the first in a decade our campus has seen 1,000 underclass Afrikan students. Though we must continue to fight if is important we nourish our growing community on campus. With our new and improved four-digit attendance comes more work to make sure all these students are retained. The Academic Supports Program (ASP) will be focusing on reaching out to as many of these students as possible in order to ensure that all 1,000 students graduate from UCLA. Talking about our academic responsibilities

with our community is important because it allows us to hold one another to accountable, connect one another to resources and keep each other afloat when we feel like sinking, and ASP helps to navigate those dialogues and make UCLA smaller and easier to conquer for Afrikan students on campus. Our union is so diverse with different personalities, interests, majors and goals that sometimes we all forget to come together and support one another inside and also outside the classroom. As we know a huge community of Afrikan students on campus are athletes and artist and its important that we support student artist and student athletes whether it be attending games or events. The underground music world, though hard to make monetary success in is where artistic forms like Hip-Hop have been allowed to organically flourish and blossom with outside forces such as record label executives changing the original mission and intent of the art. To combat these issues ASU staff plans to mobilize the union on a campaign centered around Hip-Hop and understanding what is happening in a multi-million dollar industry that does not appear to give the community that created it anything but stereotypical music video images and artist restrained to say enough to make MTV audiences go wild. As we support our community on campus we cannot forget our staff and faculty who work hard everyday to make UCLA a more inviting and diverse space to work and go to school in. The Afro-American Studies program, though the first ethnic studies program, has yet to be departmentalized. Another issue that ASU can not let happen this year. As students it is important we stand behind our academic program and work toward making sure it is departmentalized. In short, our community has a lot to work on this year but we have made a lot of notable progress. This year is going to bring it challenges as every year does but we must work together as a union and family to overcome all and succeed.

“...its the first time in a decade our campus has seen 1,000 Afrikan underclassmen.”

CAMPUS AFFAIRS

10 Things Every Black Bruin Should Know... Tips to help navigate the UCLA hidden curriculum and ensure holistic success. Compiled by Pearl Loehnig and Frances Harris

The Center for Community Learning offers grants to students who do community service, located in Murphy A265.

The Student Activities Center (SAC) offers both free printing and a test bank. Also Peer counseling is available in the SAC via the Academic Supports Program.

Students can take a class Pass/No Pass instead of receiving a letter grade in courses such as General Elective. Students must declare P/NP by Friday of 6th Week.

Black Panthers Bunchey Carter and John Huggins were shot and killed in Campbell Hall in 1969 while students at UCLA in the High Potential program.

Want to see the 10 facts that didn’t make the list? Check it out on December 20th in Nommo’s first ever online issue! The Student UCLA Loans nommomagazine.com Retention Centers located in the Community Programs Office (SAC) host study hall M-R 7pm12am and they also provide rides to the dorms, South of Wilshire, and to Palms area!

Registered UCLA students who have paid for their Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) are eligible for all services offered by UCLA’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Visits to CAPS are prepaid by SHIP.

UCLA only serves Pepsi products because of a student ran Coke disinvestment campaign led by the Black Student Alliance now know as the Afrikan Student Union. The disinvestment campaing was ran in the eighties as a response to Coke-Cola’s investment and support of the apartheid in South Afrika.

If UCLA does not offer a major you are interested in there is an Individual Major Option where you can create your own major. “Individual Majors are for motivated students who find that no single major accommodates their specific interest in a given subject may propose designing their own major. Proposals are prepared with faculty guidance and sponsorship and are examined for cogency, completeness, and academic merit.”

Services offers emergency loans for up to $250 if you are ever in a bind and need monetary support. Also save money by buying things like movie tickets at the Central Ticket Office (CTO) for discounted prices. Students can retroactively drop up to 3 classes at any time, as long as you do not take the final. Students must file a petition.

feature: We’ve heard every excuse to why people don’t get involved. So Nommo wanted to help make everyones life a little easier. Listed below, all the Afrikan Student Unions Harambee Organizations along with the representative and contact information for each org. Now all you have to do is, decide and get active! Randy Boykins// Staff writer

etting around at UCLA during scholar’s day, orientation, and welcome week is both exciting and overwhelming. These University sponsored transition events intend to give each student a giant serving of all the resources, opportunities, and support at UCLA. It may feel like information overload trying to digest the greatness of UCLA. Four years later I understand that the presentations, business cards, and tours were in no way as impacting as conversations for informal networking as a result of being involved and active in the community. UCLA is a hub of talent for businesses, programs, projects, and research in any professional area. UCLA is a global attraction that is flooded with resources and infrastructure to support every individualized vision of the perfect college experience. Whether you want to take on a “Rebuild New Orleans” project or conduct a study of male/ female relationships in another country, UCLA can ensure that you are able to do it. But the most critical step to actualize your

Corey Matthews // Alumni

Organization

Contact

Contact Info

Afrikan Women Collective Black Christian Ministries Afrikan Men Collective BLAIDS HSA NOMMO Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Afrikan Arts Ensemble BlaQue BPHO Black Pre-Law Association IMHOME NPHC Kappa Alpha Psi Frat. Inc. 4-Real HOP Nigerian Student Association NSBE Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. BHP Afrikan Educaion Project Black Business Student Ass. Alpha Phi Alpha Frat. Inc.

Ashley Williams Assem Kelley Devon Miner Fanta Bayoh Filmon Mehanzel Frances Harris Jasmine Beard Christopher Grays Jason Smith Jeremy Laney Kyra Young Markeisha Jackson Marques Watson Miles Goodloe Mindy Velasco Nina Okoye Regan Patterson Rochelle Gunter Rodney Tripplett Ruth Tesfai Sharron St. John Willie Mincey

awcucla@gmail.com blindian791@gmail.com dminer@ucla.edu bpho.blaids@gmail.com fmehanzel@gmail.com nommo@media.ucla.edu michaelmonet@aim.com christophergrays@gmail.com jdarnellsmith@gmail.com jvl90245@yahoo.com kyra13@ucla.edu msjackson11@gmail.com marquesbwatson@gmail.com mrgoodloe4u@gmail.com mindy.velasco@ucla.edu cnokoye@ucla.edu reganfp@ucla.edu sorhorgunter@gmail.com sk8boardtee@gmail.com r.tesfai@ucla.edu sstjohn88@yahoo.com wmincey@gmail.com

Other Ways To Get Inolved Volunteer for Students Heightening Academic Performance through Education (S.H.A.P.E) ASU’s access program. (SAC 1st. Floor 105) Become a mentor through the Afrikan Support Program. (SAC 1st. Floor 105) All Black Student Conference will be at UCLA this year. Join a committee! The Afrikan Graduation planning has began. Join a committee! Join an Admit Weekend Committee! Help out with The Higher Education Conference . For more information email Jasmine Graves at asuvicechair@gmail.com For a detailed description of what each of these volunteer opportunities, and of what each of the Harambee Organizations do check out our ONLINE issue December 20th!

Photos by Osose Oboh

individual vision is to ask questions. Ask questions to anyone and everyone and began sharing your vision to build an advisory board of mentors to help fulfill the goals to ensure your UCLA experience is everything and more. Sometimes the people right next to us can provide the most resources—have you ever shared emailed opportunities with a friend that might be on one or two more list serves than you are? List serves and email communication are primary ways of transmitting information to students; flyers aren’t used much anymore because of sustainability but email blasts are effective and widely used! This is the quickest way to pass information to tons of students with similar interests. Faculty mentorship is an important area of opportunity to ensure that your UCLA experience is fully actualized. The faculty at UCLA simultaneously conducts several research projects while they are teaching and it may be worthwhile to use one or two office hours to talk learn about the work of your professors. Faculty are always looking for research assistants, participants, and general supporters—so

the next time that you decide to go into office hours be prepared for the entire conversation to shift once you begin talking to your faculty about their passions and interests. Lastly, your upper classmen mentors provide a rich network of dos and don’ts, a critical reflection of what they would have done differently, and a sharp approach to their own goals for your UCLA experience. They will point you in the direction of the Community Programs Office, the Academic Advancement program, cool professors, great student organization meetings, and sign you up to some of these heavily resourced list serves. It is critical to build community through the exchange of your UCLA vision and to understand that relationships that you want to work on your behalf require energy to cultivate and maintain. Dream of your ideal UCLA experience and begin to just ask around casually and next thing you know some email with something of the sort you were looking for will float through your inbox. Just be sure to have your spam email protection.

Photo by Osose Oboh

CAMPUS AFFAIRS We know that “in unity, there is strength” (Aesop) and this past Black Bruin Welcome Week exemplified just that. The entire week was a success for the Afrikan Student Union.

Black Bruins Come Together Joelle Gamble // Contributing writer

he correlation between unity and strength is one of the many things that the Afrikan Student Union strives to advance both on and off campus. Black Bruin Welcome Week exemplified that mission with events that entailed a diverse mixture of activities that incorporated past, current and new students alike.

First year students chat it up during Black Convocation. Photo by Osose Oboh

student. The week kicked off on Saturday October 2nd with a party in the Sunset Recreational Center, hosted by SHAPE (Students Heightening Academic Progress through Education). Sunday the Afrikan Student Union hosted a barbeque, in a very relaxed environment manner to balance the excitement of the SHAPE party. Monday’s State of the Union address had attendance higher than expected, outlined ASU’s goals for the year and introduced incoming first years and transfer students to the mission of ASU and the purpose of ASU at UCLA. Primarily given by ASU Chairperson, Kenyatta McLean, students left with a better understanding of the goals of ASU staff, Harambee Council Organizations and projects. The Harambee Council Organization Dinner may have been the highlight of the week for many students. A twist on Dinner for 12 Strangers, Jasmine Graves ASU Vice Chair, and Harambee Organizations provided dinner for students and talked to them about their organizations. The event reached its capacity with no seats left in the room by the end of the night. The Open Mic Night showcased the talent and passion of our Union. The creativity and consciousness of students was readily broadcasted at Kerckhoff Art Gallery where the event turned into a standing room only affair. The Afrikan Arts Ensemble opened with opened with a soulful rendition of “Can’t Give Up Now” while other students performed original spoken word pieces.

The strength and power exuded from being a part of a community of people who are connected both politically and socially shone throughout the week. “Everyone was friendly and I never felt left out and there were interactive activities that allowed me to meet and talk with people,” said NaNa Adjei-Frimpong, first-year UCLA

(Top left to right) Randy Boykins and Ashley Adams from SHAPE enjoy some delicious food. Matthew Love ,Jonathan Clark, and Dominic Hampton of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity pose for the camera at the Harambee Council Welcome event. Transfer student Montoya Robinson performs her poetry. Alexandria Richardson networks with ASU alumni. Phoros by Osose Oboh

The purpose of Black Convocation was to bring together students, alumni, staff and faculty in one event to kick off the school year and Thursday night in Covel Commons that is exactly what happened. Speakers under this year’s theme, “Academics is Key,” included Chancellor Block, USAC President Jasmine Hill and the UCLA Black Alumni Association President LaMonica Peters. “I am happy to know that the tradition of uniting all black organizations on campus in one evening is still being carried on. I was honored to be asked to be the Keynote Speaker and just looking out into the audience at current students let’s me know that the work we do at the UCLA Black Alumni Association through our Legacy Scholarship and Fair Share campaigns is not in vain” said President Peters. Finally, the week ended on Friday with a game night and social hosted by the Afrikan Women’s Collective and the Afrikan Men’s Collective. Students played UNO, Taboo and other games in what can be described as a very friendly “Battle of the Sexes.” Overall, the Black Bruin Welcome Week was successful. As always, there are many more Black Bruins on campus that can be brought into the ASU family and that is something that ASU will always strive to do. But after Welcome Week, its exciting to see new and old students, faculty, staff and alumni both socially and politically connected to the union to start off the year to help continue the rich legacy ofASU and serve Afrikan people.

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

“Zero Tolerance” Starting To Mean Zero Students Black and Latino suspension rates of American youth are leading to less students in the classroom and more students in prison. Jason Muse // Staff writer

everal recent studies confirm that African American and Latino school suspensions are disproportionally higher than their Caucasian counterparts. These studies have elicited strong criticisms from civil rights activists, social reformers, and public policy experts alike against the infamous “zero tolerance” policies which gained nation-wide media attention in the wake of the notorious Columbine shootings. And just what are “zero tolerance” policies? According to Lawyers.com, a site that explains policies and procedures, “zero tolerance policies make punishment swift and harsh for all kinds of misbehavior by student.” This misbehavior could encompass a range of misdeeds such as “Having a weapon, like a gun or knife, on school grounds, having or using drugs or alcohol on school grounds, or threatening other students or school staff with physical violence,” according to the site. Critics of the “zero tolerance” solution to America’s school violence and crime however, criticize the policies on the grounds that they often insight schools to punish minor infractions too harshly, punishments which are often detrimental to the educational development of predominantly minority students, given disproportional suspension rates. The Facts The nation-wide statistics are staggering. According to a recent Southern Poverty Law

Center study, which focused on 18 of the nation’s largest school districts, the average middle school suspension rate was 11.2; however, disaggregating the data by race and gender revealed the alarming fact that 28.3% of black males as well as 18% of black females were suspended by comparison to the 10% of white males and 4% of white females. These figures in conjunction with well documented statistics revealing the disproportional representation of minority males, in particular black and Latino males ages 25-29, in the American prison population, has many investigating a possible connection or correlation between the two. Are our schools effectively funneling America’s minority youth from schools to prisons? Wider Implications It has been claimed by many that “zero tolerance” policies in conjunction with state pressures on schools to keep test scores up, have effectively— though perhaps inadvertently— created and perpetuated what is known as the “school-to-prison pipeline”. And just what is the “school-to-prison pipeline”? According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), “The ‘school-to-prison pipeline’ refers to the policies and practices that push our nation’s schoolchildren, especially our most at-risk children, out of classrooms and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems. This pipeline reflects the prioritization of incarcera-

tion over education.” It is also widely documented that suspension or expulsion as disciplinary tactics can severely curtail the academic and social development of a given student when abused or misused. This coupled with the fact that “zero tolerance” policies have effectively rendered such disciplinary actions commonplace, provides legitimate grounds for concern regarding our American educational system. As schools must keep test scores up at the risk of losing vital school funding, this effectively creates incentives for simply ‘pushing out’ low-performing students, often by means of punishments such as suspension, expulsion, and even incarceration. Given that the federally mandated “zero tolerance” policies often mandate these forms of disciplinary actions—as first rather than last resorts—as well as given the disproportionally high suspension rates of black and Latino students compared to their white counterparts, the fairness and legitimacy of these policies must be called into question. According to the California State Department of Education, the purpose for zero tolerance policies is to send a ‘get tough’ message to the community that violent behavior, incidents, and crime would not be tolerated. The primary objective is to deter, by way of strict and harsh reprimands, things such as the possession, use, or furnishing of firearms and other “weapons,”

the distribution of controlled substances, on or near school grounds However, another criticism of zero tolerance policies is that they have several times resulted in either overly harsh punishment for minor fractions. Six-year old Zachary Christie was suspended for 45 days for carrying a camping utensil to school. Or the story of 11-yearold Phillip Hernandez who died after an asthma attack because “his school’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy [on drugs] barred him from carrying his inhaler”. What Does This Mean? More than a decade following the tragedy that took place on the campus of Columbine High School in 1999, it seems that the federal mandates on school districts nation-wide, intended to make our American schools safer for all, have in fact made them more unstable and even impalpable for certain minority groups. Is it mere coincidence that these trends of disproportionally high suspension rates for black and Latino middle school students mirror the trends of disproportionally high incarcerations rates of black and Latino males? What does the allowance of such statistically disproportionate disciplinary action, in both the prison and educational systems, say about our American establishment as a whole, as well as our educational system in particular? More importantly, what do we do to combat these issues?

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

California Got It Right? Rodney Tripplett// Contributing writer

T Sara Tsegaye // Staff writer

he 2010 gubernatorial elections on November 2, 2010 provided California with coverage about the issues going on in the state that are usually overpowered by the superficial glamorous lifestyle that Hollywood influences onto the people of California and the American nation. This year the two candidates fighting for the top spot were Republican Meg Whitman and Democrat Jerry Brown. The Loser Meg Whitman was the former CEO of eBay, online auction website, Whitman worked for the company for ten years and generated twice the amount on revenue when she left compared to when she began. Whitman ran her campaign by funding herself breaking the record for any candidate who self-funded and is roughly estimated to have spent 140 million dollars. Her spending became a big factor for many California’s whose main issue was the state deficit. Whitman opposed the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, or DREAM Act, a federal measure that provides undocumented youth eligibility for a 6 year long conditional citizenship that requires completion of a college degree or two years of military service. Throughout her campaign Whitman dealt with problems attacking her character. In late September the former executive for The Walt Disney Company was publicly criticized for her behavior to her housekeeper which may have lead to her losing Latino voters. Whitman’s housekeeper Diaz Santaillan was in the US illegally working for Whitman for 9 years and upon revealing her secret to Whitman Santaillan was immediately fired said Whitman when asked about the subject in public interviews. Whitman also opposed Prop 19 and was against marriage equality.

The Winner Brown was the youngest California governor during his first term serving in 1975 and will now be the oldest governor. Coming from a politically active family Brown followed in his father, Pat Brown’s footsteps who served in office as governor in 1959 for two terms. Jerry Brown serves currently as the 31st Attorney General for the state of California. Rather than using money as a fuel for his campaign Brown used his political networks and empowering words to lead him to the win. Jerry Brown heavily focused on education during his campaign. He believed in a new master plan for the state that included more affordable higher education. In addition Brown is a major supporter of the DREAM act promising to pass it, after governor Schwarzenegger vetoed the act twice. Brown emphasized on changing the school funding formula and creating a more creative and balanced school curriculum. Brown opposed Proposition 19 and proclaimed legalizing marijuana would lead to an increase in crime and drug cartels. The Reason We Agree Both candidates were known for negative campaigning during their race for governor. Jerry Brown defeated Whitman by earning 52.8% of the vote whereas Whitman only received 42.2%. California’s appealed to Brown’s experience and named him California’s new governor replacing governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on January 3, 2011 until 2015. As students of color who take on the struggles of all minority students voting for Brown was an obvious choice because he was such an advocator for the DREAM ACT. Although neither candidate was a perfect choice, Brown was by far the easiest choice, and really the only choice.

urn on the radio and listen to the latest songs, or tune into the latest TV show and chances are there will be some reference to sex. And as the cliche goes, sex sells, however safe sex isn’t being sold hardly enough. Young African-Americans face an increased risk of contracting STD’s at rates that are 20 times higher than those of Whies in the same age group. Sexual risk behaviors such as unprotected sex with multiple partners, or with a partner who has other sex partners, is a leading factor in this disparity. Many factors, such as the lack of awareness and inadequate access to quality health resources, also contribute. Sexual health is a taboo topic in many social groups, including college campuses. Many students find themselves not being able to express their sexual health concerns to their peers and health professionals. Likewise, the stigma of having an STD puts many African-American youth at risk. Many youth continue to engage and hide their high risk behaviors in fear of stigma, rather knowing their health status. With an increasing rate of STD cases in the African-American youth population, it is essential that we are educated on how to maintain sexually, healthier lifestyles to prevent the spread of STDs in the community. One of he simplest methods of STD prevention is the use of a condom during sex. On college campuses, condoms are in abundance and usually at no cost to students. Moreover, there should be no excuses on condom-size preference in males when engaging in sex, since studies have shown that normal and magnum sized condoms are essentially the same. Also, before engaging in sexual behavior, evaluate the power dynamics in the relationship. Negotiating condom use with your partner can have its benefits for your sexual health, as well as for your partner. It is simple steps like these, that can halt the dramatic spread of STDs in the African-American community. It is also important that you are open with your peers about maintaining a sexually, healthy lifestyle so that support systems are constructed rather than stigmas.

Want to read about more things going on in the Afrikan American community? nommomagazine.com

Arts & Entertainment Our Communication//Our Creativity//Our Culture

The Man With A Purpose A veteran to the entertainment industry, Shorty Mac shares about everything from music to education

TLC or Destiny’s Child? Find out Shorty Mac’s choice on that and more online!

nommomagazine.com

Frances Harris// Editor-in-chief

ingle parent homes, inequalities in education, and the importance of understanding the business aspect of the music industry took up most of the interview. The 29-year-old rapper confessed to Nommo his alternative career choice: “I’d be a motivational speaker,” said Shorty Mac. From his position as Vice President of Knock Out, a record label he and Ray j started when he was only 13, to acting on Moesha and Coach Carter, the rapper has seen enough and experienced enough to be just that. However, appearances from Shorty Mac on Brandy and Ray J’s VHI reality show, A Family Business, it’s evident that he is not ready to switch careers just yet. “I’m hungry for it. I hope I’m 90 years old and still hungry. You should never stop being hungry. That’s where your creativity comes from, the hunger,” said Shorty Mac. Unlike most artist that talk about their hungry for success in the music industry, Shorty Mac

at just 13 years old took matters in his own hands and joined forces with Ray J and together they started their own record label. As VP of Knock Out, Shorty Mac makes all the decisions for himself. “Being on the business side feels good because I have no one to blame. I have no one to get upset with but myself,” said Shorty Mac. The want to understand the business side of the music industry can be attributed to Shorty Macs upbringing. Living a “hood rich” lifestyle Shorty Mac describes his upbringing at one point having everything he ever wanted, to suddenly having it taken away. “Hood rich is a blessing because you know how to handle yourself when the money leaves, and then you know how to make sure that the money never leaves again,” said Shorty Mac. Growing up in a single parent home in the Valley, Shorty Mac said that one of the biggest issues that plague the black community is the need to “floss”. “People build up smoke mirrors. When you don’t have

anything you wanna look like you have a lot. And the people that have a whole bunch wanna act like you have nothing,” said Shorty Mac. Shorty Mac went on to discuss the how the economic inequalities in Afrikan American communities serve as the source for other issues such as educational inequalities and gang violence. In his song By Myself, Shorty Mac raps, ”I’m telling kids to go back to school/ I’m telling kids don’t be no fool, don’t be no high school dropout don’t follow my lead I was fortunate for the Knock Out.” His second album The Purp Man, set to be released in May 2011. “Purp”, not to be confused with urban jargon, is short for Purpose. “I knew I was hear for a purpose,” said Shorty Mac. And for Shorty Mac, that purpose means a lot but things, one of which is to provide music that balances negativity and motivate others. “I do it to change, to help make a change in a better way,” said Shorty Mac.

Pearl Loehnig// Staff writer

Concerts

Want more events? See our complete list of events online! nommomagazine.com

Acoustic Africa: Habib Koité, Oliver Mtukudzi & Afel Bocoum Sat, Mar 26, 2011 at 8:00 PM Royce Hall

Back To Me Tour Fantasia with Eric Benet & Kandi Wed, November 24, 2010, 7 PM Club Nokia

Sundays Live Sun., November 14, 6pm |free LACMA, Bing Theater

Natalie Cole Wed, December 08, 2010, 8PM Walt Disney Concert Hall

Alice Coltrane Tribute Sun, Dec 5, 2010 at 7PM Royce Hall

Brian McKnight Thu Decemeber,16 2010, 9PM Grove of Anaheim

Jon B. Fri, December 17, 2010, 8PM Key Club Boyz II Men Thu, Janurary 13 2011, 08:00 PM The Canyon Agoura Hills, CA Patti Labelle Fri, January 14 2011, 08:00 PM Morongo Casino Resort and Spa Cabazon, CA

Backstage With Jonathan Franklin UCLA running back shares with Nommo everything from favorite foods to pet peeves. Photo by uclabruins.com

Timothy Ojetunde // Contributing writer

NM: Besides football, what’s you favorite sport? JF: I love basketball and Tennis NM: Whats your favorite meal to eat? And whats your favorite meal to cook? JF: My favorite meal to eat has to be mac and cheese and pancakes, the best thing out there. My favorite thing to cook overall has to be breakfast food. NM: Who’s your favorite comedian? JF:Martin Lawrence NM: What do you like most about UCLA’s campus? JF:The diversity NM: What is your biggest pet peeve? JF: People that quit or that are afraid to push themselves pass their comfort zone. Jonathan Franklin continues to make an impact on field and off the field. His continuous dedication to the campus and to the game has become apparent to everyone and he proves to be a class act. With just two games left watch Franklin and the Bruins as they fight to make another bowl appearance.

In The News

Our News//Our Stories

Rescued Miners On October 9th, a rescue drill finally reached the underground chamber where 33 miners have been entombed since August 5th. The excruciating voyage underground lasted 65 days as this was reported as one of the most complicated rescue missions in recent years. It’s safe to say, this is definitely the light at the end of the tunnel.

Trouble In Haiti

First Black Mayor Slovenia has elected its first Black Mayor, an immigrant from Africa known as the “Obama of Piran.” His name is Peter Bossman, a 54 year-old Ghana born physician who won a runoff election in Piran with 51.4 percent of votes.

A rapidly spreading outbreak of Cholera in rural Haiti threatened to outpace aid groups as they increased efforts hoping to keep the disease from reaching the camps of earthquake survivors in Port-au-Prince. Sadly, health officials report that at least 208 people have died and over 2500 had been infected

What People Are Talking About In James The decision, News to the rescued miners, NomFrom the Lebron mo helps students keep up with what people are talking about! Brent McLeod and Randy Boykins // Staff writers

The Lebron Decision

Perhaps no athlete in the modern era has been denounced in mainstream circles as much as Lebron James since he televised his decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat over the summer. Lebron has hinted that there might be a racial tinge to the criticism he’s received. We’ll find out on Thursday Dec. 2nd when Lebron returns to Ohio for the first time as Miami visits Cleveland.

Freak Accident

Pirates

“Help ME Dude” were the surfer’s final words before disappearing under the waves. The 19 year old UC Santa Barbara student, Lucas Ransom, was taken down by a 18-20 foot shark that ripped off his leg and detached it from his pelvis. Ransom was a junior majoring in chemical engineering who planned to attend pharmacy school.

Pirates Seize Two Ships off of Kenya: Somali Pirates seized a German freight ship of the coast of Kenya on October 24th- the second commercial vessel to be overtaken in the region in as many days. One night before, pirates seized a liquefied gas tanker 105 miles off the coast of Kenya in the Somali Basin.