nubian message 20th anniversary edition
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20th Anniversary Special EditionTRANSCRIPT
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3To All My Nubian Brothers and Sisters
“What’s Up?”
Kierra LeggettCurrent Editor-in-Chief
Tony Williamson Founding Editor-in-Chief
Originally published
Nov. 30, 1992
By: Tony Williamson
I am proud to present to you the
first issue of the Nubian Message,
NCSU’s first African-American
newspaper. It’s been a long time coming,
but we’re finally here and yes, we’re here
to stay!
Despite the enthusiasm most of us
have regarding the newspaper, there are
many people, all different racial groups,
who either do not understand the purpose
of the newspaper, or are simply totally
against it. Realizing that we can’t please
everyone (nor will we ever attempt to), I
hope that I can reach some of these
people by explaining briefly the
reasons for
creating and the
purposes of the
Nubian Mes-
sage.
As many people
know, African American stu-
dents across the country have
been speaking out against what
we feel to be unfair conditions
on our campuses. At N.C. State,
one of our main concerns has
been unfair and unjust media
coverage of the African Ameri-
can community on this campus.
As hard as we have tried, our
cries for justice have not been
heard and our proposed
solutions to our media problems have not
been accepted thus far. Rather than sit
around and wait for some fair coverage by
that other paper on campus, the Nubian
Message has been created to represent the
African American com-
munity at NCSU totally,
truthfully, and faithfully.
In doing so, we shall cover
every aspect of African-
American life at NCSU.
The vision I have
for this news-
paper,
which is
shared by everyone involved with it, is am-
bitious, but not unrealistic. The Nubian
Message should and will be the media
voice for African –Americans at N.C. State.
It will be a publication in which people can
learn about different aspects of our culture,
as well as find useful information about
State’s campus. With the concentrated ef-
forts of our people, this vision can become
a reality very soon.
Finallly, it is important that
every one realize that this
newspaper is not a racist
publication. We are
not seeking supe-
riority, nor
segre-
gation; all we want is an equal voice on
this campus and with the Nubian
Message, the door is open for us
to have that voice.
I n 1992, Tony Williamson set
out to create a newspaper that
would provide Afrikan-American
students at N.C. State with an outlet to have their
voices heard. Twenty years later, I am proud to say that I
have had a stake in helping to keep both that outlet and Tony’s
legacy alive.
During the six months that I have spent as editor of this publica-
tion, the Nubian Message has managed to secure a special place in my
heart. Though there are many sleepless nights, stressful days and countless
hours spent preparing this paper each week, it remains for me, a labor of love.
In 1992, the greatest challenge surrounding Tony, the Nubian Message staff and
Afrikan-American students at N.C. State was proving to the rest of the campus that
there was a need for the Nubian Message, I think the greatest challenge now, lies in
proving not only to the greater campus but also the African-American students at
this university that there is still, very much a need for the Nubian Message.
When this newspaper was founded, it served as a uniting force for the Afrikan-
American students on this campus in their fight against inequality. However,
because we are not presented with blatant discrimination and disrespect the way previous Afrikan-American students
were, the current Afrikan-American student body of N.C. State has become apathetic toward the Nubian Message
and perhaps even worse, the idea of black unity on our campus.
Unlike Tony Williamson and black students on N.C. State’s campus during the early 90s,
we passively allow things to happen and when incidents do occur, much like the hate speech found
in the Free Expression Tunnel in October, we take a reactive stance, most of the time only expressing
our discontent on Facebook and Twitter.
Afrikan-American students have become so comfortable on this campus that the idea of the Nubian Message
being dissolved into only a weekly section of the Technician doesn’t even cause them to flinch.
To all of those students, I ask, had it not been for Tony Williamson and the founding Nubian Message staff would your
position on this campus be as comfortable?
By: Kierra Leggett
Multicultural Student Affairs would like to wish Nubian Message a very happy 20th Anniversary!
The Nubian Message
Look for the Symposium Edition on stands
1st Nubian Message issue August 22nd
Nubian Messagewww.thenubianmessage.com
919.515.2411
Best wishes on your continued success!
Only with the permission of our elders do we proudly produce each edition of the Nubian Message.Dr. Yosef ben-Yochannan: Dr. John Henrik Clark: Dr. Leonard Jeffries: The Black Panther Party: Mumia A.
Jamal: Geronimo Pratt: Tony Williamson: Dr. Lawrence Clark: Dr. Augustus McIver Witherspoon: Dr. Wandra P. Hill: Mr. Kyran Anderson: Dr. Lathan Turner: Dr. M. Iyailu Moses: Dokta Toni Thorpe and all those who
accompany us as we are STILL on the journey to true consciousness.
KIERRA LEGGETT EDITOR - IN - CHIEF
DEERRICKA GREENMANAGING EDITOR
STAFF WRITERS
RYAN BARNES TORISHIA DOZIER CHELSEA GARDNER TRAVIS GATLING AUSTIN GREEN RACHEL JORDAN
CHRISTOPHER LYNN SEHDIA MANSARAY ROBERT MARSHALL
DESTINY MCNEILSHAWN MURRAYDEJA WILLIAMS KALI SCURLOCK
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1953
1960
1967
1970
1988
1991
Nubian Message starts publication
1956
1957
1958
1962
1966
1969
1973
1974
1975
1990
Former enslaved African-American begins 50 year career at university
First African-American graduate students admi ed
First Afrcian-American undergraduate degree conferred
First African-American football player
African American Cultural CenterNC State fails to comply w ith Civil Rights Act of 1964
New African American Cultural center
NC State recognizes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
African-American Cultural Center opens
First African-American undergraduate students admi ed
First African-American graduate
First African-American academic sta� member
First-Americcan American faculty member
First female African-American undergraduates degree recipient
March to support African American employees
First African American Miss NCSU
First feamle African American Ph.D recipient
A� rmative Action plan acceptedNC State hires Dr, Law rence M, Clark
First African-American sorority
Students march against racism
Brain Nixon a acked
1992First African-American Dean
1995Student Center Annex named for Dr. Augustus Witherspoon1998
Students rally in support of A� rmative Action
2005Student chapter of NAACP re-forms
2006First African-American head basketball coach
2008Racist grafi i directed at Obama
2010Racial epithets painted in Freedom Exprerssion Tunnel
2012Nubian Message 20th Anniversary
Red ,
& BlackTour Map
to student protests alleging racial bias by the Technician. Tony Williamson served as the new
Williamson stated his intention to "totally, truthfully, and faithfully…cover every aspect of African
Nubian Message become "the media voice for African Americans at NC State…a publication
about State’s campus."
“
“YOU ARE HERETHE BRICKYARD
Red , White & BlackApp
Obama Got His Second Term, Now Give Me My 40 Acres and a Mule
Does President Obama Owe Black America?
With a second presidency
under his belt, some
Afrikan-Americans believe
Barack Obama owes his re-election to
them, rather than his own merit. With
about 16 million registered Afrikan-
American voters, and roughly 93 percent
of them voting Democratic, does he really
owe the Presidency to blacks?
Back in 2008, when Obama first got
elected, I was the first one jokingly saying,
"Now, give me my 40 acres and a mule
!" As a sixteen-year-old, non-registered
voter at the time, I did not have the right
to be peaking on reparations. While I no
longer feel this way, it seems some Black
Panther leaders do. According the New
Black Panther Party Chairman, Malik
Zulu Shabazz, the Panthers "delivered"
Obama into office and Obama "owes" the
Black Panthers "some favors."
Along with those great radical leaders
of the New Black
Panther Party is
Ricky Donnell Ross,
better known as
Freeway Rick Ross, a
former drug lord who
feels the same. With
his ears to the street,
Ross says that Obama
"energized the
streets to take part
in politics, leading
gang members, drug
dealers, and hip-hop
stars to turn out at the polls." With such a
great turn out, Ross wants to see more ac-
tion from Obama for Afrikan-Americans
in his second term.
Black America deserves to be a
primary focus in this term with targeted
social and economic programs in their
communities, though this is not to say the
President should solely focus on Afrikan-
Americans. Gary Younge of the Guard-
ian newspaper shares similar sentiment
saying, " Obama should do more for black
people – not because he is black but be-
cause black people are the citizens suffer-
ing most. Black people have every right to
make demands on Obama – not because
they’re black but because they gave him a
greater percentage of their votes than any
other group, and he owes his presidency
to them. Like any president, he should
be constantly pressured to put the issue
of racial injustice front and center and
if black people aren’t going to apply that
pressure then nobody else will."
Afrikan-Americans are not the only
minority group staking their claim in
Obama's win. There are many Latinos
who say their votes put Obama over the
top. More than 70 percent of the Hispanic
population voted Democratic in this elec-
tion. With more than 93 and 71 percent
support of groups that occupy 13 and
16 percent of Amerikkka respectively,
I'm not so sure Barack Obama owes us
anything. Sure 16 million Afrikan-Amer-
icans and 12 million Hispanics voted for
Obama, but 28 million does not equal the
60 million total votes he received.
President Obama made a staggeringly
accurate prediction during the presiden-
tial race saying, "Should I win a second
term...a big reason I will win a second
term is, because the Republican nominee
and the Republican Party have so alien-
ated the fastest-growing demographic
group in the country, the Latino commu-
nity." Many voters, in the Latino Deci-
sions poll, said the critical concerns in
this election were the economy and jobs.
35 percent of these voters specified im-
migration reform as their main concern.
Eliseo Medina, secretary-treasurer of the
Service Employees International Union,
said Latino voters had a message for
Obama, "We expect leadership on com-
prehensive immigration reform in 2013.
To both sides we say, 'No more excuses.'"
Instead of looking for what Obama
can do for us, we should also be asking
what can we, as Americans do for him?
Being first at anything is difficult. Though
we sarcastically say Bill Clinton was our
first black President, Barack Obama is our
actual first Black President, who faces im-
mense pressure on a regular basis. Being
first, carries the weight of everyone before
it. Obama is shouldering the aspirations
and dreams of all of our ancestors, who
fought and died for us. Not only that, he
took on the remnants of the Bush Admin-
istration, which left the economy in the
worst state since the Great Depression of
1929. More than 800,000 jobs were lost
during his presidency.
During Obama’s first year as President,
the American Recovery and Reinvest-
ment Act generated and stabilized 2.1
million jobs, boosting the economy by 3.5
percent. Also, in the 2008-09 academic
year, Pell Grant consumption was about
$18 billion; in 2011-12, Obama doubled
it to $36 billion. Sponsored by the U.S.
Department of Education, the Pell Grant
Program provides need-based financial
aid to college students.
With Obama saying recently that "we
need to seize the moment" and tackle
the issue of immigration, he is taking his
second term with full force.
With Afrikan-American undergradu-
ate enrollment percentages rising to 14
percent and Latino undergraduate enroll-
ment rising to 13 percent in 2010, as well
as Afrikan-American unemployment fall-
ing 1.4 percent and .7 percent for Latinos
from August to September, I think we
may owe Obama something.
So, you can keep your 40 acres and a
mule, I’ll take my second four years of the
presidential workhorse.
WEDNESDAY | NOVEMBER 12 | 2008
inside thisedition
Students discuss possi-ble action plans for in response to the Free Expression Tunnel in-
cident
NUBIAN MESSAGESENTINEL OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AT NC STATE SINCE 1992 ISSUE 9 WWW.NCSU.EDU/NUBIAN
Kishea Phillips | Editor-in-Chief
November 4th marked a monumental event in our nation’s history when Barack Obama became the first African-American elected into the presidential office. Although this feat alone made national head-lines, perhaps the greatest significance is the impact the win had on not just African-Americans, but mi-nority citizens of this country as a whole.
“It was breathtaking, I’m still stunned” said Jerry Bettis a senior in chemistry. “It’s all attainable. You
truly can be whatever you want to be ” he said. Even though there is no statement in our country’s
constitution that says otherwise, societal pressures and invisible racial boundaries existed, that kept any-one but Caucasian men from the presidential seat. Obama’s win signified that a system, that seemed to have been put in place to keep minorities from pros-pering in the U.S., is beginning to crumble, and our nation is uniting. Or is it?
Early Wednesday morning, words that threatened the president-elect’s life along with other racist and
threatening messages were found spray painted in black in the Free Expression Tunnel. The comments caused an outcry by students and staff on campus, blurring the lines of what is considered free speech, hate speech, and speech that is criminal. The mes-sages pushed the University to clarify the difference between the three without compromising the safety and respect of the student body. All over campus, students expressed their feelings about the incident, meeting formally in organized sessions, spontane-ously in brickyard debates or Atrium discussions over lunch.
Students found out Thursday that the four students responsible for the messages would not be charged and their names would not be released.
“It’s a hate crime, it’s messed up. The First Amend-ment isn’t exactly what it says; it has limits like every-thing else” said Charles Woelfel a senior in computer science.
“It makes you really think said Elana Turner, a freshman in philosophy. What are the cameras in the tunnel there for, if not for things like this?“ The prob-lem needs to be exposed. Whenever a black [person] commits a crime its widely viewed and this is the second time a hate crime has been reported and the culprits don’t face repercussions” said Jasmine Brown a freshman in political science.
“Something has to be done” said Genesis Atkins, a junior in accounting adding what she felt about the students’ words on the tunnel walls as well as other racially charged hate speech she’s heard. “They’re an-gry because they can’t continue to hold people down. People only react out of hate because of fear” she said.
Regardless of race, political views, classification, or any other divisive factor among the student body, the incident motivated students and staff alike to ask
Continued on Pg.2
Now is the Time for ChangeStudents face trumph and challenge after historic election
CHASS suffers budget cutsMallory Richardson | News Writer
The national economic crisis has now begun to affect our students more di-rectly now, due to several budget cuts requested by Governor Mike Easley. Interim Dean of the College of Hu-manities and Social Sciences, Jeffery Braden said, “Bad economic times for the nation and state exempt no one.” In light of the current issues with federal and state debt to the government and other key lending institutions, some outside the United States, all universi-ties operable by any state funding were asked to decrease their budgets by up to 5 percent less of the total appropri-ated funding for the entire academic year. According to Braden, CHASS
was asked to submit a reversion budget rather than merely cutting the funds in-definitely which gives them the oppor-tunity to re-earn the allotted amount for further use at a later date. As a result of the newly suggested budget, admin-istration has frozen new hire positions, current recruitment for position open-ings, the number of CHASS staff, and all faculty travel expenses. “We really have nothing else to cut,” says Dean Braden, when talking about potential other avenues to conserve funds.
The CHASS administration had be-gun asking the specific departments to aid in this effort by potentially cancel-ing their individual commencement exercises, and combine their efforts to just participate in the college’s ceremo-
ny. However, Braden is very doubtful that this request will be implemented by the department. “99.8 percent of the state appropriated money is allocated to personnel on campus, mostly instruc-tional,” said Braden. “Most institutions average between 80 and 90 percent of budgets for personnel,” says Braden, which is further indication that North Carolina’s and NC State’s strategies to retain optimal faculty and staff mem-bers within the university system. The design school has reported a $140,000 cut in funds, while CHASS, which is substantially larger, has had to endure a must larger cut in funds, although no direct figure has been tabulated. Braden said, “CHASS alone is the size of Wake Forest University,” which
shows the large numbers of students that attend N.C. State are humanities students. The urgency of re-budgeting the college’s funds, students, alumni, faculty and staff were not able to aid in an effort to raise money to help support the college; hopefully, CHASS will be more prepared if this happens next school year. “We pay money, to earn money back,” said Braden by focusing on the investment the university com-mits to each student, and their com-mitment to serving a larger community in the future.
Although, no courses have been cut to date, several sections of English and history courses have been removed from the spring course listing.
Continued on Pg.
Barack Obama spent half of his time at the Fair Grounds on Tuesday night answering questions from eager voters.Christopher LynnStaff Writer
Design by: Rachel Jordan
President Obama at NC Central 2007 | Archive Photo
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IT’S CRAZY LIKE
November 30,2012 11AM-9pmNC STATE BOOKSTORE
A PACK OF SEAGULLS GOING
AFTER AHALF EATENFRENCH FRY
H A R R E L SO N H A L L
Zoe Saldana, Black Enough to Play Nina Simone?
Singer, songwriter, musical visionary, regal,
radical, civil rights activist and Afrikan
American pioneer- all wrapped up into the
woman known fondly as the High Priestess of Soul,
Nina Simone.
Since 2005, talks of a film depicting Simone’s life
have been floating around Hollywood with a script
written by Cynthia Mort, the writer and producer of
such hit shows as Will & Grace and Roseanne.
In 2010, word spread that singer Mary J. Blige was
slated to portray Simone. While the public’s interest was
piqued with this choice, many critics were skeptical as
to whether Blige had the expertise and overall character
to play the dynamo. Alas, the public did not have to
wonder about that for long, as the production ran into
financial problems, forcing a delay in the project for
more than a year. Blige subsequently dropped out of the
film.
This left people to wonder who could play Simone;
bloggers and Simone fans campaigned for actresses
and entertainers that they felt would be more of an
appropriate fit for the role. Names such as Viola Davis,
India Arie, and especially Adepero Oduye, star of the
widely acclaimed film Pariah, were all thrown out as
logical choices.
However, feelings of confusion and outrage bubbled
to the surface when The Hollywood Reporter made the
announcement in August that Zoe Saldana had been
made Mary J. Blige’s replacement.
As cringe-worthy as it is to say that the public’s
backlash stems from the idea that Zoe Saldana is not
“black enough,” despite her Dominican background,
it is true that Simone’s looks were as relevant and
powerful to her influence as her music.
Born in North Carolina, Simone aspired to be
a concert pianist. As a young woman, her musical
dreams were briefly put on hold when she was denied
a scholarship to the prominent Curtis Institute of
Music in Philadelphia, despite an exceptional audition.
She was later told by someone working at Curtis that
she was rejected because she was black.
Simone later cited this as one of the incidents that
contributed to her eventual involvement in the Civil
Rights Movement, especially in her music.
She famously addressed the racial inequality in
America in the song “Mississippi Goddam” (1964),
her response to the murder of Medgar Evers and
the bombing of a church in Birmingham that killed
four black children. She also performed and spoke at
many Civil Rights meetings, such as at the Selma to
Montgomery marches. In contrast to Dr. Martin Luther
Kings non-violent approach, Simone advocated violent
insurgency during the civil rights period, and she
hoped that African-Americans could form a separate
state. Simone left the United States in the 1970’s,
making roots in Barbados, Liberia, Switzerland and
the Netherlands, before finally settling in France. She
suffered from breast cancer for a number of years (in
addition to being diagnosed with bipolar disorder),
before passing away in her sleep in 2003.
Despite her passing, Simone’s audacious character
and beauty have left a legacy that continues to resonate
with her fans, lifelong and new.
Besides her outspokenness and blatant “bump
society” attitude, Nina Simone’s name is synonymous
with her deep chocolate skin, full lips, wide nose and
tight fro. Throughout her career, Simone overcame
racist remarks and accusations that she did not have
the “right look” to be a star.
While we do live in a world where Ne-Yo claims to
have turned down the chance to play Dr. Martin Luther
King on the big screen because he refused to gain any
extra pounds before the release of a new album, is
it wrong for members of the black community to be
outraged that Hollywood wants to push a Nina Simone
that is fair-skinned, thin-lipped and narrow-nosed?
I guess if you look at Hollywood’s history of
casting black female roles, especially in biopics, this
controversy is not all
that surprising. With
a few exceptions-
Angela Bassett as
Tina Turner and
Halle Berry as
Dorothy Dandridge-
Hollywood has a long
standing history of
shafting the black community by casting white women
in the lead of films based on the lives of black women.
Yet, the Lifetime remake of Steel Magnolias caused
uproar. Alright Hollywood.
Since the announcement of Saldana as the lead in
Nina was made, a petition on Change.org has been
created, which demands that Saldana be replaced.
Supporters of the petition would rather that role go
to Adepero Oduye, India.Arie or Viola Davis. The
petition, however, has been met with criticism.
There are those who support Saldana, like artist
Jill Scott, who says that her “blackness” should not be
defined by the color of her skin or the straightness of
her hair. Scott said to Ebony that she felt “there should
be some work done [on Saldana’s appearance], like a
prosthetic nose…and definitely some darker makeup.”
Is that what a legend like Nina Simone deserves?
Someone of Simone’s influence and presence in the
black community should not have to settle for an
actress with a prosthetic nose and dark makeup. She
deserves an honorable tribute, not a game of dress up.
But the fact that Cynthia Mort initially wanted Mary
J. Blige to undertake the role, and it having been seen
that since Saldana’s replacement, the production’s
financial woes have been resolved, shows that one
thing is pretty clear about this production- the name is
more important than the accurate representation of the
legend.
DeErricka GreenManaging Editor
Simone fans upset with decision to cast Saldana in role
Zoe Saldana
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The Best Hugger in the World
It has been more than a decade since Toni Harris
Thorpe joined the N.C. State family as program co-
ordinator for the African American Cultural Center.
While her job description does not include it, on a daily
basis Thorpe, or “Mama Thorpe,” a nickname given to her
by students, gleefully greets familiar and unfamiliar faces.
She engulfs every student who walks through the door of
the African American Cultural Center in a genuine and
warm embrace.
Her mission is to ensure that every person feels at home
and welcome in her presence. Because of her sincerity and
compassion,Thorpe is one of the most respected figures
within the N.C State’s African-American community.
Thorpe wasn’t the first “mama” at N.C. State. Dr. Iyailu
Moses, her predecessor, was known as “Mama Ilu.” Before
Thorpe knew it, students began calling her Mama Thorpe.
“I am so honored to have that title,” Thorpe said.
Though the nickname originated in the African-Amer-
ican Cultural Center, Thorpe’s nickname has grown to ex-
tend beyond the walls of the Cultural Center. Not only do
current students call her Mama Thorpe and occasionally
Mother Thorpe, but also alumni, faculty, and staff.
Former Director of Multicultural Student Affairs Felicia
Broussard said, “I think it is pretty obvious that mama is
not a typical title for any faculty member. As a grad student
and employee, I never would’ve referred to anyone that
way. But it is very natural for people to call Toni Thorpe
that, because of her nurturing way. She plays a motherly
role for students and coworkers. There are very few people
that she passes each day and doesn’t hug. It’s symbolic of
who she is. It doesn’t matter if you are a freshman, tenured
faculty member, or grad student – everyone refers to her in
that manner.” According to Broussard, the title is a compli-
ment because it describes what Thorpe means to people.”
“She’s a campus nurturer… and she’s earned that
[title] for who she is,” she said.
Thorpe has impacted the lives of many people at N.C.
State through her mentoring. “I couldn’t be a Mama Thorpe
without [the students],” she said. Thorpe feels that many
people underestimate the power of positive energy. “Some-
times you just need a hug” she said, “and more than that,
I have a responsibility to the best of my ability to help stu-
dents see their leadership potential, the beauty in under-
standing culture and love for life, and an appreciation for
what others have done.”
Sophomore Alexandria Pitts, like many other students,
understands how vital and imperative Thorpe’s role is on
campus. “Mama Thorpe is the type of person that you want
to know as soon as you see her smile, or get a warm hug
from her. It’s something about her spirit that is so nurturing
and motherly. She has a connection with each person she
meets, and it’s a connection you want to always have.”
Senior Tsekai English agrees. As an out-of-state student
she instantly recognized the supportive and encouraging
nature of Thorpe. She said, “Being around Mama Thorpe
makes home seem not so far away…she reminds me of my
own family.” Though Thorpe admits that everyone isn’t
fond of the title and that her relationship with everyone is
not on a Mama Thorpe basis, she still embraces the reputa-
tion in order to empower people to be the best version of
themselves.
“When I think about N.C. State, I see this role as a
mature, nurturing support system. I, by no means, have the
expertise of a counselor. In the role of Mother Thorpe, I
want students to know that they are not successful by them-
selves nor do they fail by themselves. That’s an important
component of understanding how you belong to a com-
munity.”
Thorpe is progressively working to grow in her role as
the community mother. She understands that the role re-
quires selflessness with a balance. She said, “People may
forget what you’re teaching but they’ll never forget how you
treated them.”
Chelsea GardnerStaff Writer As a part of this year’s Homecoming festivities,
N.C. State’s National Pan-Hellenic Council
hosted a stroll off event that featured stepping
from members of Divine Nine Chapters at N.C. State and
the surrounding community. Though it is typically the
first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of a Di-
vine Nine Chapter, black Greek organizations do far more
than stroll and step.
On Monday, the Mu Omicron Chapter of Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority, Inc. hosted its annual Gift Wrapping Party,
with the gifts collected during the event going to the Gar-
ner Road Community Center. As one of the Greek orga-
nizations that makes up NPHC, this program was just one
of the many that Afrikan American Greek organizations
host as a part of their commitment to brotherhood and
sisterhood, scholarship, leadership, and service.
With N.C. State serving as home to seven active chap-
ters of the nine sororities and fraternities that make up
NPHC, Greek life has deep roots in its Afrikan American
community.
The Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Frater-
nity, Inc. was the first NPHC organization to charter on
N.C. State’s campus on April 7th, 1971. Daniel Stradford a
senior majoring in computer engineering is a member of
the Eta Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. Stradford is
a strong believer in the importance of Greek organizations
on campus. “I think Greek Life is the heart beat of the Af-
rican American community on campus. A lot of what is
expected of minority students is directly related to the
Greek community, and therefore we are held to a higher
standard,” said Stradford.
At N.C. State, 55 percent of Greek organization mem-
bers have a grade point average higher than the average
student body GPA. Ebony Baldwin, a senior majoring in
biochemistry, is a member of the Kappa Omicron Chapter
of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She feels her decision
to pledge AKA was one of the best she could have made.
“Personally since being involved in AKA I have grown
as individual,” said Baldwin. I learned how to be a bet-
ter sister, worker, and leader. I’ve learned that things go
beyond myself.”
While Greek life on campus is extremely important
she still feels that there is room for growth. “Overall I
think Greek life has a positive image on campus, however,
there is always room for improvements. People who are
involved in Greek life are leaders both on campus and in
the classroom,” said Baldwin.
“Work still needs to be done a s far as cohesion and
organization is concerned,” added Stradford, “but overall,
Greeks have shown flashes and more importantly, have
shown improvement towards reaching that full potential
I definitely feel more of a sense of unity between organi-
zations than in the past. It has become a goal for NPHC
organizations to move away from stereotypical norms and
work towards creating a unified bond.”
Deja WilliamsStaff Writer
Greek Life: Service, Scholarship and Strolling
Mrs. Toni Thorpe, Program Coordinator for the African American Cultural Center, gives out hugs at the MLK Service Challenge, which was held on the 24th of January 2009 in the Ballroom in Talley Student Center. | Demi Olubanwo
The Mu Omicron Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. strolling at the National Pan-Hellenic Stroll Off on Friday Nov. 2, 2012.| Jasmine Jack
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Nubian Message
Biggest Procrastinators
Most Likely to Dress Up for an eight
o’clock Class
Most Likely to Turn - Up
Chase Johnson &
Funniest Tweeters
Most Likely to be President
Lauryn Collier & Ryan Wilson
Paige Hardy & Joseph McRae
Sean Langston, Altarique Murphy, & Radiance Gibson
Most Likely to Be in D.H. Hill
Chase Johnson & Jewel Wright
Leesa Moore & Savannah Jordan
Qion Toney & Nadia Howard
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From phrases like “We in there
'doe” to “I'm finna go to work,”
vernacular is a staple in Afrikan
American culture. It defines who we are
whether we want it to or not. Our slang
gives us a certain swagger that can't be
copied, and those who have tried have
failed. We as a community should accept
all aspects of our background, including
the way we speak.
Over the years the Afrikan American
slang has drastically changed, and in
honor of our 20th anniversary, we put
together a list to show the evolution
of slang from 1992 to 2012. Each term
says something about our culture and
gives insight into the Afrikan American
perspective.
Shawn MurrayStaff Writer
90’s Term Definition Example 2012 Translation
Audi 500 A phrase used to signify when one was leaving a location
“I’m audi 5000, I’ll catch you on the flip side”
Outtie/Out
Cheese Money “No, I can’t go out tonight
I’m trying to stack my cheese.”
Racks
Da Bomb The best, simply outstand-ing; no comparison or greater value can be placed to another
of similar type of manner
“The dinner they serve at Case is da bomb.”
Dope
Dawg Close friend or homie “Oh you know Mr. Wuf? Thats my dawg too!” Bruh
Flava What makes a person stand out, their uniqueness
Yo! Sista over there by the atrium got mad flava dawg!” Swag
Sweating Calling, following, and/or obsessing over someone
“She keep paging me yo, why is she sweating me?” Thirsty
The Nubian Message—the Afri-
kan-American student newspa-
per, formed out of extreme frus-
tration and desire for change—has now
served as the voice of Afrikan-American
student life and culture at the University
for more than 20 years.
Much has changed since black
students rallied in the Brickyard in late
September of 1992 to call for the forma-
tion of a black newspaper.
The University has seen four differ-
ent chancellors, Centennial Campus has
exploded into one of the best research
campuses in the country and NCSU has
become the largest university in North
Carolina by more than 3,000 students.
When the first issue ran Nov. 30, 1992,
few on campus or off could have pre-
dicted the successes and failures that the
publication would have in the decade to
come.
Formation
The events surrounding the formation
of the Nubian Message are something that
students on campus at the time, whether
black or white, remember vividly. Early in
the school year at both NCSU and UNC-
Chapel Hill, Afrikan-American students
protested and lobbied for Administration
at both institutions to build ‘free-stand-
ing’ cultural centers that could expand
knowledge and understanding of Afrikan
American culture.
The Black Awareness Council, a
student group at UNC, led the charge
in Chapel Hill, calling for a permanent
stand alone building that could be used
for the study of Afrikan-American
culture. Students at NCSU did the same,
claiming that administration in Raleigh
had promised the building of a cultural
center in 1987, a fact which campus of-
ficials never disputed.
With these calls for cultural awareness
as the backdrop, the actual event that set
in motion the formation of the Nubian
Message came on Sept. 23, 1992 when the
Technician ran a controversial column by
Steve Crisp. In his column, Crisp called
the activists at UNC racist and bashed
the rally which had taken place in Chapel
Hill. The response to this statement by
black students in Raleigh was nothing
less remarkable.
The next day, Sept. 24, some 200 stu-
dents rallied in the Brickyard to protest
Crisp’s column, even burning copies of
the Technician. Greg Washington, a leader
of the Brickyard protest in 1992, summed
up his feelings about what should happen
within Student Media with a fairly simple
phrase.
“We need a black paper on this
campus that will give coverage to a black
perspective,” he said.
On Nov. 30, 1992, that “black perspec-
tive” was formed and the dreams of black
students were realized with the paper’s
first issue. In that first edition, editor-in-
chief, Tony Williamson, said the forma-
tion of the paper had been something
way over do at the University and also
spoke about the goals of the newspaper.
“The Nubian Message should and
will be the voice for Afrikan-Americans
at N.C. State,” he wrote. “It will be a
publication in which people can learn
about different aspects of our culture, as
well as find out useful information about
campus.”
The History of the Nubian Message
By: Derek Medlin
The Evolution of Why the “K” in Afrika ?
Most vernacular or traditional languages on the continent
spell Afrika with a K; therefore the use of K
is germane to us.
Reprinted from the Jan. 27, 1994 issue of the Nubian Message
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In celebration of Halloween, junior members of
the Duke Women’s Lacrosse team hosted a party
and costume contest at head coach Kerstin Kimel’s
house. The women decided to dress as characters from
The Little Rascals. This meant someone had to portray
Buckwheat, which of course meant, that someone had
to be in blackface. Junior, Taylor Virden donned the
costume for the night.
Photographs of the rascals were uploaded to the
Duke athletic website, but were taken down earlier this
month. The team and coaches have since apologized
for the photo, Kimel saying that some of the costume
choices were “insensitive and inappropriate.” She also
commented that, despite the party being hosted in her
home, the team members should have realized how the
pictures would be viewed.
Blackface is traced back to the white working-
class during the 1820s. The performers who blacked
their faces and mimicked Afrikan-American dance
and music, laughingly perpetuated grotesque and
dehumanizing stereotypes of the people. The beliefs
passed on through minstrel shows spread throughout
the world, and even had a place on N.C. State’s campus
until as late as the 1960s. A group of wives of N.C.
State students organized minstrel shows as members
of “State’s Mates.” They portrayed Afrikan -Americans
by dressing in blackface and depicting stereotypical
caricatures such as the “Mammy.” They also portrayed
Native Americans as the “Wolfpack Squaws.” According
to the State of History website, which serves as a
digital history of student life based on the materials
of the Special Collections
Research Center, these
minstrel shows were “a
playful opportunity to
represent oneself as ‘others’”
and earned these women
“the good wife diploma.”
Almost 60 years later,
society has, arguably, not
come too far from this
point. Whether it’s the
entertainment industry
trying to be sensational or
white fraternity/sorority
girls and boys playing dress
up for Halloween, blackface
has not disappeared. It
is still about presenting
stereotypical, exaggerated “black
behavior.” The blackface itself
by whites, no matter if the intent is joking or not, is a
mockery of Afrikan-Americans because it reduces them
to one critical feature: their skin.
“Culture costumes” refer to one-dimensional
caricatures that are not authentic. They represent a time
when minorities were considered the “exotic” and the
“other.” They take distinct traditions of people such as
Native Americans, Hispanics and Asians, without taking
into account the origins of those traditions, then turn
them into sources of entertainment. What does that
tell us about our society that amongst scary costumes
such as witches and vampires, racialized costumes have
become a staple? These choices normalize “whiteness,”
because who dresses up as a businessman or a soccer
mom? These costumes do nothing but reinforce
inaccurate ideas about cultural communities and
dehumanize the individuals they attempt to represent.
“I’m a concerned Native woman who simply wants
to educate,” Brittany Hammonds, a member of Alpha
Pi Omega Sorority, Inc., a historically Native American
organization, said in response to this issue. “I want
people to be aware that my history is not a joke and that
my culture is not a costume. I do understand that there
will always be ignorance in the world, but as a Native
American, I plan on doing all that I can to ensure that
some of that ignorance becomes eliminated and, more
importantly, [people become] educated.”
There are those who believe that blackface is so of-
fensive it should be erased from the cultural record. It is
said to be an example of history that is “best forgotten.”
But the truth is that no history is best forgotten. It’s fool-
ish, dangerous, and insulting to censor historical events
society is not comfortable remembering. You’ve made
your bed, Amerikkka. Now you have to lie in it.
Take these historical truths and use them to educate.
Lack of education is one of the reasons people have no
idea why critics are being so “sensitive.”
DeErricka GreenManaging Editor
“A group of wives of N.C. State students organized minstrel shows as
members of “State’s Mates.”
The NCSU African American Cultural Center congratulates the Nubian Message on 20 years of outstanding service to
the university and to the community.
November 1 - December 7, 2012http://oied.ncsu.edu/aacc/?page_id=696
Remember, the AACC Library is a great place to study and prepare for finals!
For more information about AACC programs, please visit our website http://oied.ncsu.edu/aacc/
The African American Cultural Center at North Carolina State University will present, An Evening with Iyanla Vanzant, Celebrating the Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 14, 2013 from 6PM to 8PM at the McKimmon Center on the campus of North Carolina State University. The event is part of the campus-wide commemoration of the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A ticket is required. Free to NCSU students, faculty and staff (with ID). $10 for public. All STUDENT TICKETS must be picked up at the McKimmon Center beginning at 4:30 on the day of the event. Must be picked up no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of the event.
Tickets are available at NCSU Ticket Central.
http://oied.ncsu.edu/aacc/?page_id=741
Upcoming Events
Donate necessities and play items for local Raleigh area children during this cold winter season.
Reproduction of a 1900 William H. West Minstrel Show Poster | Originally published by the Strobridge Litho Company
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The Haute Seat: 90s Faux-Pas
All 90s and late-80s babies have reminisced
on how great the 90s were, from the music,
television, movies and most importantly,
the fashion. All of these items blended together per-
fectly to create a cohesive look. The trends shown on
television and movies were all the same. Maybe this
was because most actors were rappers, or vice versa,
but nonetheless, the fashion was consistently great.
Well, for the most part.
Because of his role as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,
when thinking about great 90s fashion, Will Smith is
usually the first person who comes to mind. I must
admit, that at first glance Smith appears to be a good
candidate, but when you really look at his 90s style, it
is painfully obvious that he had some real hit or miss
moments. His collection of Jordans and snapbacks
make him a poster-child for good 90s fashions, but
those colorful prints on the other hand, don’t.
We all know the Fire Red and Metallic Jordan Vs
that Smith had were at the time fire, and still today
considered classic and iconic, but even they couldn’t
rectify the Zubaz Pants trend that he so willingly
embraced.
For those unfamiliar with Zubaz, they are tapered
pants, similar to “ Hammer Pants,” with the outer part
of the leg longer than the inner part. With an elastic
waistband which allowed for greater flexibility and
movement, Zubaz were almost always bright, flashy
and just downright gaudy. The pants were originally
created in a zebra print, but later began to be sold in
almost any print imaginable. With the already eclectic
style of his neon shirts and hats, Will Smith wearing
Zubaz pants often made him look like a Kaleidoscope
Pauper instead of a Fresh Prince.
Not to be outshadowed by the men, the women
of the 90s also held down their respective fashions.
Along with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Living Single
was a great staple show in the 90s. Another rap-
per turned actor, Queen Latifah, was noted for her
fashion. While Afrocentric clothing was a major hit
with the Queen, chunky heels unfortunately were
not. Chunky heels of the 90s were like the platforms
of the 70, need I say more as to why they were a style
faux-pas? Chunky heels were on everything: strapped
shoes, pumps, boots, sneakers. There was no escaping
them. With anything you wanted to wear, there was a
chunky heel for that occasion. Not to say these shoes
were limited to Living Single, but if I were to see a
“prospect” wear these shoes, I’d be sure to leave them
living single.
The Evolution of the R&B Diva
On Nov. 19, Rihanna released her 7th album,
Unapologetic. This project delves into the pop
star’s life, especially her highly publicized
relationship with Chris Brown. The album exemplifies
her unapologetic attitude, as shown in “Phresh Out The
Runway”, “Pour It Up”, and “Nobody’s Business”. Receiving
good reviews, Unapologetic met Madonna’s chart record
for female artist with the most consecutive number one
albums. Billboard dubbed Unapologetic as Rihanna’s “most
confident, emotionally resonant work since ‘Rated R’”,
highlighting “Stay” and “Nobody’s Business” as must hear
songs. CNN however, saw the album in a different light,
giving the CD a B+ grading overall. “The album is less
defiant than its title suggests, with many lovely moments by
the piano.”
Billboard projects Unapologetic to sell 260,000 records
by the end of Black Friday weekend. That amount of record
sells is pretty impressive given that former-Queen of Pop
Christina Aguilera’s newest album, Lotus, sold barely
79,000 copies. I find it interesting that such an iconic voice
who once ruled the nation with her high belted notes and
scandalous tracks, is now running behind a rookie in the
game.
This generation of musicians is considerably different
than that of twenty years ago. I will be the first to vouch
for Rihanna, but I can see the difference between her and
Whitney Houston. Twenty years ago, records like “I Will
Always Love You” made the world want to fall in love,
and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” immediately drew
listeners to the floor. Mariah Carey likewise, produced
meaningful hits like “Hero”, and backed up her messages
with impressive vocals.
The topics in the songs now and twenty years have not
drastically changed, but the way the message is conveyed
has. Now it is all about being bold, different and making
yourself the best person you can be as a brand. Twenty years
ago, vocal ability and relation to the everyday person was
important to ensure a rise to fame. Today is a different day
and different world than twenty years ago.
Destiny McNeil Staff Writer
Congratulations to the staff of the Congratulations to the staff of the Nubian MessageNubian MessageNubian MessageNubian MessagePast & Present Past & Present
hhHappy 20Happy 20thth AnniversaryAnniversaryBest Wishes for continued success!!Best Wishes for continued success!!ff“The most important thing to remember is this: “The most important thing to remember is this: To be ready at any moment to give up what youTo be ready at any moment to give up what youTo be ready at any moment to give up what you To be ready at any moment to give up what you
are for what you might become.”are for what you might become.”― W.E.B. Du Bois― W.E.B. Du Bois
Christopher LynnStaff Writer
Rihanna’s Top 5 Songs1. We Found Love
2. Umbrella
3. Disturbia
4. Take A Bow
5. Rude Boy
Whitney’s Top 5 Songs1. I Will Always Love You
2. I Wanna Dance With Somebody
3. Greatest Love of All
4. All the Man That I Need
5. I’m Your Baby Tonight
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CYPHER The N.C. State
Photo Courtesty of Andrew Weaver
Mike “Mic Live” Greene spends his days work-
ing at the Trader Joe’s on Wake Forest Road
in Raleigh, but every Monday at 11:30 p.m.
he can be found underneath the railroad tracks at the Free
Expression Tunnel.
The 27-year-old emcee, is one of many people who
congregates at the entrance of the tunnel on Monday
nights to showcase free style (improvised) raps at what
has come to be known as, the N.C. State Cypher.
The N.C. State Cypher was founded in 2010 by Mic
Live and his friends who call themselves Uno Cero.
Initially consisting of about 10 local rappers standing in a
circle and “spitting bars,” the N.C. State Cypher has grown
in proportion, with an average of 30-40 spectators and
rappers showing up, weekly.
“I like that everyone continually raises the bar, but at
the same time ain’t no real crazy sh*t popped off,” Mic
Live said.
Cyphering, a fundamental aspect of hip-hop and rap
culture, began as a way for rappers to lyrically battle one
another and discover whose poetic prowess was best. A
breeding ground for creativity, the cypher has often been
viewed and depicted by mainstream media as an incuba-
tor for rap beef and confrontation.
Despite the deviant stigma often associated with the
cypher and underground rap movement, the N.C. State
Cypher completely undermines this stereotype.
“it’s a judgment free zone. If you want to recite poetry, if
you want to rhyme, if you even just want to say some-
thing—we’re open to expression,” said Farouk Bseiso who
goes by the stage name Say So.
Since its humble beginnings in 2010, the N.C. State
Cypher has become a movement with the social net-
working site Twitter providing for it a lot of momentum.
Twitter is also where music industry executive and N.C.
State alumnus, Patrick Douthit learned about the N.C.
State Cypher.
Douthit, who goes by the stage name 9th Wonder and
attended Monday’s cypher, has produced
records for some of hip-hop’s finest including
Jay-Z, Nas, Drake, J.Cole and Ludacris.
“Before record deals, World Starr, BET or
anything that’s where it all started, is rapping
in the park,” said Douthit. “The cypher—em-
ceeing is one of the four elements of hip hop,
so it’s always important to keep that going
and make sure students know that’s where it
all came from,” said Douthit. “For students
to do that… it’s kind of refreshing to see. It
seems like the cypher is almost a lost art, but
N.C. State is bringing it back.”
Freddie “Skyy Walker” Staton, a junior
majoring in anthropology is one of the origi-
nal N.C. State students helping to revitalize
the art form.
“I heard about the cypher through word
of mouth, and I just started going maybe the
third or fourth time they had it. Back then
there were only like five people who would be
out there,” said Skyy Walker.
A rap artist with a strong local fan base, Skyy Walker
has had to put his musical aspirations to the side in order
to focus on his academics. During this time however,
the N.C. State Cypher has remained his musical outlet.
“I took a rest from [rapping] because of school, but the
cypher helps me keep my love of music and also it helps
keep me focused on what I’m really in school for.”
The N.C. State Cypher has inspired the creation of
organized cyphers on the campuses of North Carolina
A&T State University and North Carolina Central Univer-
sity. Those students and local emcees who pioneered the
movement hope that it continues to spread.
“The Cypher is a type of culture that we have here at N.C.
State and it’s becoming a big thing,” said Skyy Walker. “It’s
living up to what culture does. Culture lives outside of
you and me, and [as it spreads] it’s living outside of our
campus now.”
“...the cypher is almost a lost art, but N.C. State is bringing it
back.” -9th Wonder
Kierra LeggettEditor-in-Chief
#NCSTATECYPHER
Above: Local emcee Mike “Mic Live” Green at the N.C. State Cypher on Nov. 26, 2012. | Kierra Leggett
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On the night of March 2, 1991, Afrikan American male Rodney King, and two pas-
sengers were pulled over by four Los Angeles Police Department officers for speeding.
The officers used excessive force to arrest King, using a taser and giving him almost
56 blows to the head, ankles, knees, and wrists with batons. The confrontation was
recorded by a resident and went viral overnight. In April of 1992, the officers were
acquitted of the charges they faced for assaulting King. Following the acquittal, thou-
sands of people then rioted for six days throughout the city.
Rodney King and the LA Riots
“I realize I will always be the poster child for police brutality, but I can try to use that as a postive force
for healing and restraint.”– Rodney King; May 1, 1992
Top Five Moments in Nubian History
Founder of the Nubian Message, Tony Williamson, passed at age 23 due to
blood clots. Williamson was a true leader in the Afrikan American com-
munity at N.C. State. For an entire year, Williamson funded the Nubian
Message out of his own pocket to make sure that students received the
messages he felt were important. He would have graduated that same year.
His passing was a true tragedy for the Afrikan American community at
N.C. State.
Nubian Message Editor Tony Wiliamson Dies at 23, March 1994
“To us, he was more than the Editor- he was family. Always remember him, his
deeds, and especially his legacy, for it shall never perish. And through his
legacy, he shall live in our hearts from now on.”
– Jay Cornish; March 24, 1994 issue
The fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin by
George Zimmerman took place on the
night of February 26, 2012, in Florida.
Martin was an unarmed 17-year-old Af-
rikan American. Zimmerman was
the neighborhood watch coordinator for
the area in which Martin was temporarily
staying. When police arrived on the scene,
Zimmerman told them that Martin had
attacked him and that he had shot the teen
in self-defense. The circumstances sur-
rounding Martin’s death, the initial deci-
sion not to charge Zimmerman, and ques-
tions about Florida’s “Stand Your Ground”
law received controversial attention. Al-
legations of racist motivation for both the
shooting and police conduct contributed
to the public’s demand for Zimmerman’s
arrest. President Obama, speaking on the
case said, “When I think about this boy,
I think about my own kids, and I think
every parent in America should be able to
understand why it is absolutely imperative
that we investigate every aspect of this... If
I had a son, he would look like Trayvon.”
In October, Zimmerman’s trial was set for
June 10, 2013.
Trayvon Martin Shooting“You don’t need to be an Afrikan
American for your heart to go out to the family affected by this
heinous murder.” – Cordero Slash, March 21, 2012
issue
BSB/UAB Prepare for Pan Afrikan n 2
The Demonization of Trayvon Martin n 4
Interview with LifeKiT n 6
NUBIAN MESSAGETHE SENTINEL OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY AT N.C. STATE UNIVERSITY
RALEIGH, N.C. n VOL. X, ISSUE 17 n THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM n MARCH 28th, 2012
“We are Trayvon Martin”
“We Are TATE”
On Monday, many students wore hoodies around campus in support of 17 year old Trayvon Martin who was murdered last month in Sanford, Florida. The death of the teenager has sparked marches and rallies all around the
nation, and has reopened a big discussion about race in America. We have more coverage inside...
A Concert for Hurricane Relief was a celebrity benefit concert focusing on raising money, and providing
relief and awareness for those devastated by the events of Hurricane Katrina. The concert’s most notable
moment occurred when Kanye West was presenting on camera with Mike Myers. West swerved off script
and harshly criticized the government’s response to the crisis, stating, famously that “George Bush doesn’t
care about black people.” Bush later called the remarks “the worst moment in his presidency,” feeling he
was unjustly accused of racism. Reactions of the incident varied, most criticizers of the government’s
response to the hurricane feeling that West had no need to apologize.
“I hate the way they portray us in the me-dia. You see a black family, it says, ‘They’re
looting.’ You see a white family, it says, ‘They’re looking for food.’ And, you know,
it’s been five days [waiting for federal help] because most of the people are black.[…]With the way America is set up to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off, as slow as possible. […] George Bush doesn’t
care about black people.”-Kanye West, September 2, 2005
Kanye West Infamously Declares that “George Bush Doesn’t Care About Black People.”
In the summer of 1995, the AIDS epidemic was on a steady climb
upward. This was especially true on college campuses and within
the Afrikan American community. Young adults were becoming in-
fected because they were misinformed and uneducated about AIDS
and HIV. Eric Lynn Wright, a.k.a. rapper Eazy-E, died on March 26
from AIDS-related illness one month after being diagnosed and by
the end of the year, 500,000 cases of AIDS have been reported in the
U.S.
AIDS Epidemic“Aids is the leading killer of young adults in 79
cities, including Raleigh, NC.” – Tawana Myles, Summer 1995 issue