The

Specializing In Diversity Since 1986

RMR

itCouldHave BeenYou...

April 2012 Issue

TRAYVONMARTIN

Students Reflect on the

Trayvon Martin casePhotos Courtesy of Google Images

The Roddey-McMillan Record Specializing In Diversity Since 1986 P. 2 • April 2012

The Roddey-McMillan Record, now dubbed The RMR, has been a significant voice of the minority population of the Winthrop community since its creation by Gail Harris in April 1986.

Named for two prominent black women associated with the University, Dr. Cynthia P. Roddey and attorney Sheila McMillan, the newspaper has served a unique purpose since its establishment.

Roddey was the first black graduate of Winthrop in 1967 and McMillan was the first black to serve on the Winthrop Board of Trustees. She is a 1973 Winthrop graduate.

The RMR started out as the monthly minority newsletter, and has now evolved into the multicultural voice of the Winthrop community. The purpose of The RMR is to shine a light on the many diverse cultures at Winthrop. The RMR focuses on the issues, concerns and happenings of those who represent the multicultural community on campus. The RMR promotes awareness and understanding of issues concerning minorities with the betterment of the entire Winthrop community in mind.

History of The RMRThe Winthrop UniversityAssociation of Black Journalists (WUABJ) is open to students of all races and majors who want to see fair coverage of minorities in the media. WUABJ is the ONLY NABJ chapter in South Carolina.Interested in being a part of NABJ? Email President Johnathan McFadden at mcfaddenj3@winthrop.edu!

www.thermr.com Follow us on Twitter @thermr_ & Like us on facebook!

2The Celebration of

Women’s Achievement

CHECK US OUT ONLINE! Even more stories!

TABLE OF CONTENTSPage 3: Editorial Page 4: I’m Still Here: My Account of Being A Black Male in AmericaPage 5: Black AmericaPage 6: Lost But Not ForgottenPage 7: It Wasn’t MePage 8: Remembering Trayvon Martin and Emmett Till

Photo Courtesy of Google Images

Student HonoreesSydney Evans

Janna ReidWendy Adams

Allison HowardCecily Bigham

Carole RedaChelsea BrownLauren EnglishCecile GadsonMolly GravesAmber BrownSara Prosser

Kerin Nicole GibsonMelissa LavenderSamantha Smigel

Alicia HuffTina Williams

Rachel LawniczakSally Harvey

Iris Strzyzewski

Faculty and Staff Honorees

Justine GradillasCynthia GilmoreKelly Richardson

Kay StewartKaren Trunk

Dr. Jennifer JordanDr. Cheryl Fortner Wood

Pam VarrasoDr. April GordonPatrice Burleson

Dr. Diana DurbinGena Smith

Dr. Lynn DunnDr. Josephine Jo Koster

Evelyn CameronKinyata Adams

Dr. Ginger WilliamsDr. Laura Glasscock

Young Woman of Distinction Award Winner

Tori McLeanGale DiGiorgio Award Winner

Dr. Cheryl Fortner-Wood

The Roddey-McMillan Record wants you to be a part of our team!

We are looking for:• Writers

• Photographers• Illustrators• Reporters

• CopywritersContact us at roddeymac@winthrop.edu

Photo courtesy of Kinyata Adams

The Roddey-McMillan Record Specializing In Diversity Since 1986 P. 3 •April 2012

Interested in the joining The Roddey-McMillan Record, The Johnsonian or The

Anthology?

Contact Katra Cunningham at cunninghamk4@winthrop.edu to learn more about

The Student Publications Summer Workshop!

By Chelsea BrownEditor-in-Chief

Winthrop University students publish The Roddey-McMillan Record monthly during the academic year for students, faculty, staff and alumni.

A member of The Roddey-McMillan Record writes he staff editorial. Unsigned editorials reflect the opinions of the editorial staff. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the administration, faculty, staff or students. Signed columns and cartoons and letters to the editor reflect the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the staff.

Letters to the editor may be e-mailed to

roddeymac@winthrop.edu and must include

the author’s name, telephone number, e-mail

address and major or profession. The editor

reserves the right to edit letters.

Editorial Policy

Editor-in-Chief

Staff

Editors

Chelsea Brown

Katra Cunningham, Assistant Editor/ Page Layout Editor

Adrianna Bradley, CultureCrystal Booker, Fashion/StyleRudy Jefferson, Photographer

Erin Mitchell, Illustrator

Billie Jean Shaw,Life and Entertainment

Antonette Huell, Web content/Assist.Layout

Shaneequa EvansShamira McCray

Kendra WickerBrittaney Major

As the end of the school year approach-es, it’s easy to get side-tracked by the sunny weather and summer plans. Finish strong with stable grades and growth in maturity and understanding about the mishaps and achievements of this academic year. At Winthrop, we have experienced many changes and events this year. We now have a new basketball coach, a retiring President, and political analysts and presidential candi-dates on campus. I challenge you to ask the question, “What am I do-ing while the world around me is pro-gressing?” While the world is chang-

ing constantly, it’s easier to sit around and watch things happen. This summer, be apart of the change around you. Stand up for something that you believe in and go beyond the living room couch to better youself. Use the three months to not only catch up on the lat-est episodes of your favorite shows, but to find what your passion truly is. I am stepping down from my position and Katra Cunningham will be the newest editor-in-chief for the 2012-2013 aca-demic year. I have no doubt that Katra will help to continue to lead

the Roddey-McMillan Record to the direc-tion of an even stron-ger publication. I have truly enjoyed being a part of the success of the Roddey McMillan Record this semester. We have grown in more ways than one, through hard work, enthusiastic writers and a change in at-titude. I hope that the new-est writers/editors for the RMR continue to hold and continue the proud tradition that Dr. Cynthia P. Roddey and Sheila McMillan started.

3

Raven Mariah Gadsden, Poetry

Summer JOBS

Check out these resources and events for

the latest information about summer jobs!

Resources:The Center for Career and

Civic EngagementLinkedin

Collegegrad.comCollegeRecruiter.com

coolworks.com

SimplyHired.com

EMPLOYERS ON CAMPUS:

April 18:Northwestern Mutual Financial

Information Table11AM-1:30PM Digs Lobby

April 19:Verizon Wireless Information

Table10AM-2PM Digs Lobby

Connextions Information Table10AM-1PM Digs Lobby

Information courtesy of The Center for Career and Civic Engagment

Specializing In Diversity Since 1986

Chelsea Brown

The Roddey-McMillan Record Specializing In Diversity Since 1986 P. 4 • April 2012

4 I’M STILL HERE:

By: Brandon GrateSpecial to RMR

As far back as I can remember, I always knew that the color of my skin would be an issue with the world in which I coexist. The problem is that I never really wanted it to be something that would hold me back or stop others from seeing my full potential as a human being. You are automatically seen as a threat to others and are put into catego-ries, such as thugs and convicts. Even though you may be the exact opposite, it may still become an is-sue in your daily life. For me, being a black male is not a challenge, it’s an honor. Recently, the

Photo Courtesy of Brandon Grate

My Account Of Being A Black Male in Americatragic death of Trayvon Martin has taken the world by storm. It has brought attention to the fact that racism is still in existence. Martin, was a black teenage male who wrong-fully lost his life while be-ing discriminated against . Even though Trayvon Martin’s story is not one of a kind and many other black males have lost their lives in this same exact manner. The amount of media coverage he has received has made his case the one special enough to raise awareness of the acts of racism still visible in our country. Fortunately, against all odds I find myself still here, being able to prove that I can overcome the racial inequalities that present themselves. This is my account of being black in America. Being black in America

should not even matter. To me, I do not like to be la-beled or put into a category because I feel that my life, my accomplishments, what I stand for and believe in should vindicate me, not the color of my skin. However, some of so-ciety cannot look beyond that. As far back as I can remember, I have never really been discriminated against, and if I have been I was not fully aware of the fact. I believe that some-times ignorance is just in-evitable. No matter, where we go or what we do it will be there. For people that insist on being ignorant, you just have to let them be ignorant. In years past, I found that inequalities exist ev-erywhere. But you cannot fight fire with fire, but fight fire with water. Others can assume, doubt, and judge, but ultimately you are the

CULTURE

only one who knows the truth and can determine your fate. I am still here because I know who I am. I know that my skin color does not allow some idiot to belittle my self-worth or take away the concepts of my dreams and aspirations that I am working towards. At eighteen years old, wrapping up my first year of college at Winthrop University, I’m still here. Some may be plotting to break me down anyway that they can, but I could care less. Why should I

worry about something that fate will eventually take care of? My skin color will not define me as a human being, I will define myself as an individual, and then if I receive a little extra recognition because of the beautiful color of my skin, it will just be an added bonus. Being a black male in America is not a chal-lenge, it is an honor.

Why should I worry about something that fate will eventually take care of?

“

”

CULTURE 5

What most interests me about the case with Trayvon Martin is not so much the case itself; it is some friends I have that won’t mutter a word

My Trayvon Martin Experience:

Photo courtesy of Kendra Wicker

The Roddey-McMillan Record Specializing In Diversity Since 1986 P. 5• April 2012

By Kendra WickerStaff Writer

whenever I bring it up. What’s funny about it is that I don’t even give my opinion, I just state the facts. I really don’t know what the big problem is. A college campus is a place where you shouldn’t feel any pressure to share your opinions, even if they are unpopular. When one speaks out

against the majority it allows for another viewpoint to take center stage and it makes the discussion more interesting. It is human nature for people not to agree on everything regardless of what the topic is. I just see it as if I can speak for atheism (which is very unpopular and deem unnecessary by many people)

than why can’t some of my friends vocalize their opinions about an event that tells us some much about ourselves as a nation. When it comes to Trayvon Martin I am on the side of the majority, but I do like engaging in arguments because it gives me the opportunity to reevaluate my views.

About five years ago, I begun attending vocational bible school in the summer. The church in which it took place in was not my own, but at the time I felt like it would be a good experience to see how other people teach the word of God. Afterwards, a few of my

friends and I began playing a game outside along the lines of “Jump in, Jump Out.” Then one of the assistants of the program came over to us yelling that we were ig-norant, ghetto, children that would never amount to any-thing. The amount of disrespect, anger, and even more so, hurt that I felt at that moment in time was through the roof. I found myself thinking who does he think he is? He doesn’t even know me to make

such high accusations against me or any of my friends. Did I work my butt off in school everyday so that I could stay at the top of my graduating class just for someone to label me as he did? No I did not. We were KIDS for Christ sake of course we would be a little hyper! It’s a good thing that the preacher came and dispersed the situation before it got out of hand. That may have been one of the first times in my life that I was stereotyped in that way.

By Aaron FountainSpecial to the RMR

Not to make it a race thing, but in my opinion, the whole Tray-von Martin situation reeks of injustice. Trayvon, whether deserv-ing or not, he was gun down by a man with no reasoning or authority. A young man lost his life for simply “looking suspi-cious.” The levels of these crimes are literally stereotypical, and sadly take place around us everyday. I can only hope that one day Trayvon and those alike will get the justice they deserved.

The Roddey-McMillan Record Specializing In Diversity Since 1986 P. 6 • April 2012

6Compiled by Chelsea BrownEditor-In-Chief

Lost But Not ForgottenBlack youth that sparked a discussion about racial tensions and violence

Trayvon MartinTrayvon Martin, 17, was killed in February by a 28-year-old man, George Zimmerman, who claimed to be a part of the neighbor-hood watch in a Florida gated community.

The case is currently under investigation by federal and local authorities after a flood of

media attention called for the arrest of Zimmerman.

Oscar Grant IIIOscar Grant, III, 23, was pulled out of a San Francisco-area BART train by police on New Year’s Day. Several videos show Grant laying on the ground with police standing over him. One officer shot him in the back. The officer was found guilty of second degree manslaughter and sentenced to two years, minus time served.

Sean BellSean Bell, 23, was killed by the NYPD in 2006. Officers said they believed Bell and friends were armed when

they began shooting into their car. The officers involved were acquitted on all

charges.

Amadou DialloAmadou Diallo, 23, was a Guinean immigrant in who was shot and killed on February 4, 1999 by four New York City Police Department plain-clothed officers. Officers said they believed he had a gun when he reached for his wallet.

14-year-old girls Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson and Denise McNair (11) were killed in the bombing of Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church in 1963. The case was unsolved until 1977 when a 77-year-old man, Robert Chambliss, was found guilty and sentenced to life imprison-

ment.

Birmingham Girls

Yusuf Hawkins, 16, was fatally shot in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York by a white mob

in the summer of 1989. Hawkins and friends were chased and beaten with

baseball bats by a mob of 10-30 white teens.

Yusuf Hawkins

Information and photos courtesy of TheGrio.com

2012

2009

2006

1999

1989

1963

The Roddey-McMillan Record Specializing In Diversity Since 1986 P. 7 • April 2012

7 IT WAS NOT ME...

By Ciapha DennisSpecial to the RMR

African-American contributor writes about his experence with racial profiling as a child...

In our world and in the United States especially, it is unfortunate that often it takes a negative event to grab the attention of the people and to help shed light on an issue that might be ignored. With the recent Trayvon Martin incident, we are now back to discussing racism and discrimination which can be overlooked within our coun-try, or better yet, the world as a whole. Losing a loved one is never an easy thing to do and I can’t even fathom the pain and heartache that this young man’s family and friends are dealing with on a daily basis. It’s unfortunate that it has taken the price of someone’s precious life to be a wake-up call. Racism and discrimina-tion still exist in full effect. It may not become as severe as to the point where someone loses their life, but the issue is still present in everyday situa-tions nonetheless. I know this

from personal encounters as well. A few years ago, when I was about 12 or so, my brother and I, who was about 9 at the time went on a trip with our church to Carowinds. After leaving the amuse-ment park, the church took the whole group to a nearby mall. While walking around the mall, my brother and I decided to go and browse the Louis Vuitton store, not with intentions of buying anything but just to look. When we walked in, I noticed that the store had its own security guard who was standing in the corner of the store. We stayed in there and browsed for no longer than 10 minutes and left, naïve of the fact that we were two black teens who had just walked in and out of store where the lowest numbered price tag in the whole store was triple digits and the en-tire staff on duty was white. After we left the Louis store, we went into the nearby Ralph Lauren store. After we’d been there for about 10 minutes, I looked behind me and realized that the store clerk seemed to be staring at us and following us throughout the store. As we left and walked

out, we were greeted by two police officers, the security guard and the store clerk from the Louis Vuitton store. The police officer asked us our names and for our id’s, who we came to the mall with, and if we had just been in the Louis Vuitton store. We said yes and then the officer proceeded to explain that the clerk from the Louis Vuitton store reported a belt stolen and she led the officers to us because we seemed to be “suspicious”. They had also informed the Ralph Lauren clerk while we in there of the suspicions they had about us which was why he was following and spying upon us in that store as well. After they looked and realized we didn’t have the stolen belt that was “report-ed”, the store clerk who had accused us of stealing the belt seemingly said “Oh okay, well I thought they did” and all four of them walked away. I didn’t tell my mom what happened right then, but I eventually did on the way home. Of course she was furious when I told her, more so furious in the fact that I didn’t tell her right after it happened so she could’ve went to the store and address the situation and store clerk herself.

Obviously me being young and somewhat in-experienced, I didn’t know too much about how to de-fend myself in a situation such as that. If I could go back and handle it differently I defi-nitely would, the first thing being to ask the store clerk what made me and my brother look “suspicious”. Also I’d ask if she, the officers and the security guard had done the same procedure with every single person who had left the store as she had done with me and my brother, who were the only African Americans in the store at that time. This is only a small example of discrimina-tion that takes place every day and is only one of the numerous encounters that I’ve had with racism. It’s nowhere near the magni-tude of the Trayvon Martin

incident, but it’s a small inci-dent that represents a larger issue nonetheless. I just wish that we could learn from the small situations and correct them before someone has to be harmed due to our failure to address and fix something that’s been prevalent for centuries. When someone unright-fully and unjustly loses their life because of an “assump-tion” and the killer walks free, something is wrong with that. Another life loss is another incident in which we suffer the consequences of being too late.

The officer explained that the clerk from the Louis Vuitton store reported a belt stolen and she led the officers to us because we seemed to be “suspicious”.

Photo courtesy of Ciapha Dennis

“

”

The Roddey-McMillan Record Specializing In Diversity Since 1986 P. 8 • April 2012

Compiled By Katra CunninghamAssistant Editor

REMEMBERING....

By Dillon Ollivierre

I am Trayvon Martin I’m a victim of rac-ism I was judged because of who I am My appearance painted the wrong picture to those who judged who I am Why was my life taken?When will racism end?

I am Trayvon Martin However I refuse to sit silently and do nothing I’m speaking to the world

TRAYVON MARTIN

In 1955, Till, a fourteen-year-old from Chicago, for allegedly whistling at a white woman in Mis-sissippi, was murdered by white men who tied a gin mill fan around his neck and threw his body into the Tallahatchie River.

Every woman, man, boy and girl I’m speaking to those in authority He who does wrong must accept responsi-bility The system is not a protector for the wrong Neither is it a bully for the weak and poor, it’s not intended to intim-idate anyone

I’m Trayvon Martin You are Trayvon Mar-tin What if I was your son?What if I was your only one?Would you feel the pain my family and friends feel?Would you stand and express how you feel?Would you demand action be taken from those in authority? Or will you sit silently as the system protects those in authority? I’ve been discrimi-nated!

But I refuse to be in-timidated My hoodie is not a gun nor any weapon of mass destruction My skin does not make me a criminal neither does it give you the right to take my life, End the racial discrimination

I am Trayvon Martin and I will stand for my brothers and sisters I will not remain quiet as my family suffer My voice will spread like wildfire My voice will be heard, end the silence, save a life

I am Trayvon Martin And I will not be silent

FACT

EMMETT TILL

Information Courtesy of Caribbeannewsnow.comInformation Courtesy of americanpoems.com

I hear a whistling Through the water. Little Emmett Won’t be still. He keeps floating Round the darkness, Edging through The silent chill. Tell me, please, That bedtime story Of the fairy River Boy Who swims forever, Deep in treasures, Necklaced in A coral toy.

By James A. Emanuel

The injustice [is the same] in both situ-ations — Zimmer-man is still free and the killers of Emmett Till, they went free eventually...

-Tampabay.com/St. Petersburg Times

“

”

I AM TRAYVON MARTIN

EMMETT TILL