60.3 Spartan Echo

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The Voice of the Spartan Community SpartanEcho.org | 700 Park Avenue. Norfolk, Va. 23504 Spartan Echo 10.10.12 V OL. 60, I SSUE 3 SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: [email protected] In preparation for the upcom- ing election, the Democratic Party has focused much of its energy into bringing college students to the polls. In the months leading up to the elec- tion, the Obama campaign has focused strongly on visiting young, diverse and enthusiastic college towns such as Norfolk, Charlottesville and Boulder. According to Dr. Aberra Meshesha, professor and department head of the Po- litical Science department at NSU, the Democratic Party’s visitation choices make sense when compared with the history of the party. “Going back to the history of the two parties, the Democrats are known to be the party of the working class, while the Repub- licans are known to be the party of the rich,” said Dr. Meshesha. Dr. Meshesha explained that the Republican Party does less frequent college visits because COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE AN ASSET FOR DEMOCRATIC PARTY BY: ASHLEY CLARKE Last minute cramming for tests or papers may seem like a great idea but all-nighters negatively impact students’ grades and information reten- tion. The ill effects of sleep deprivation combined with a lack of brain power to down- load complex information in a short time period gives a stu- dent little chance for success. Senior English major and ENFL Writing Center tutor Maranda Hall said that during midterms and finals she works with the largest volume of stu- dents who waited until the last minute to study or write a paper. “Last semester I would say at least half of my students LAST MINUTE CRAMMING LIMITS LEARNING BY: ASHLEY CLARKE came in for last minute help,” said Hall. Students would come to her for help with an assignment due an hour later. Professor and Chair of the Biology Department, Howard B. Duncan, Ph.D, explained that the human brain func- tions best with repetition of information over a long period of time and cannot be expect- ed to remember information the first time it is introduced. “What you want to have is long term knowledge,” said Duncan. “That’s derived from repetitive development of facts that can be applied to any par- Continued on p. 2 Despite the economic growth following the American financial crisis, young adults are still struggling with a high unemployment rate. According to data collected by Generation Opportunity, a non-partisan organization, the youth unemployment rate, consisting of 18 to 29 year olds, was 12.7 percent in Aug. 2012. The same data shows that the unemployment rate of African- American youth was 22.4 percent, Hispanics 13.7 percent and women 12.6 percent. Senior business finance and accounting major Teanna Banks said that jobs are simply hard to come by these days. “I’m currently looking Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney gestures during a campaign rally at the Ringling Museum of Art Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012, in Sarasota, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) It was a historic event that a black man was becoming President of the United States...-Dr. Aberra Meshesha they do not have many prom- ising policies for students. “As Romney put it, kids can get money from their par- ents for their education,” said Read how the MEAC champions brush up their defense. See page 5. Photo credit: Keith Offutt|Spartan Echo Read about NSU’s soſtball team and their preparation for the spring season. See page 4. Photo credit: Keith Offutt|Spartan Echo Want to see what local arrtist is making head- lines? See page 6. Photo credit: facebook. com/illy.wil TOP STORIES I NSIDE Continued on p. 3 Continued on p. 3 YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINS STRUGGLE DESPITE ECONOMIC GROWTH BY: ASHLEY CLARKE

description

The Spartan Echo is the student newspaper of Norfolk State University.

Transcript of 60.3 Spartan Echo

Page 1: 60.3 Spartan Echo

The Voice of the Spartan CommunitySpartanEcho.org | 700 Park Avenue. Norfolk, Va. 23504

Spartan Echo10.10.12Vol. 60, Issue 3

SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: [email protected]

In preparation for the upcom-ing election, the Democratic Party has focused much of its energy into bringing college students to the polls. In the months leading up to the elec-tion, the Obama campaign has focused strongly on visiting young, diverse and enthusiastic college towns such as Norfolk, Charlottesville and Boulder.

According to Dr. Aberra Meshesha, professor and department head of the Po-litical Science department at NSU, the Democratic Party’s visitation choices make sense when compared with the history of the party.

“Going back to the history of the two parties, the Democrats are known to be the party of the working class, while the Repub-

licans are known to be the party of the rich,” said Dr. Meshesha.

Dr. Meshesha explained that the Republican Party does less frequent college visits because

College studentsare an asset fordemoCratiC Party

By: Ashley ClArke

Last minute cramming for tests or papers may seem like a great idea but all-nighters negatively impact students’ grades and information reten-tion. The ill effects of sleep deprivation combined with a lack of brain power to down-load complex information in a short time period gives a stu-dent little chance for success.

Senior English major and ENFL Writing Center tutor Maranda Hall said that during midterms and finals she works with the largest volume of stu-dents who waited until the last minute to study or write a paper.

“Last semester I would say at least half of my students

l a s t m i n u t ecramminglimits learning

By: Ashley ClArke

came in for last minute help,” said Hall. Students would come to her for help with an assignment due an hour later.

Professor and Chair of the Biology Department, Howard B. Duncan, Ph.D, explained that the human brain func-tions best with repetition of information over a long period of time and cannot be expect-ed to remember information the first time it is introduced.

“What you want to have is long term knowledge,” said Duncan. “That’s derived from repetitive development of facts that can be applied to any par-

■ Continued on p. 2

Despite the economic growth following the American financial crisis, young adults are still struggling with a high unemployment rate. According to data collected by Generation Opportunity, a non-partisan organization, the youth unemployment rate, consisting of 18 to 29 year olds, was 12.7 percent in Aug. 2012. The same data shows that the

unemployment rate of African-American youth was 22.4 percent, Hispanics 13.7 percent and women 12.6 percent.

Senior business finance and accounting major Teanna Banks said that jobs are simply hard to come by these days.

“I’m currently looking

Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney gestures during a campaign rally at the Ringling Museum of Art Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012, in Sarasota, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

“It was a historic event that a black

man was becoming President of the United States...”

-Dr. Aberra Meshesha

they do not have many prom-ising policies for students.

“As Romney put it, kids can get money from their par-ents for their education,” said

Read how the MEAC champions brush up their defense. See page 5. Photo credit: Keith Offutt|Spartan Echo

Read about NSU’s softball team and their preparation for the spring season. See page 4. Photo credit: Keith Offutt|Spartan Echo

Want to see what local arrtist is making head-lines? See page 6. Photo credit: facebook.com/illy.wil

TopSTorieSi n S i d e

■ Continued on p. 3■ Continued on p. 3

youthunemploymentremains struggleDespite economic growth

By: Ashley ClArke

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l a s t m i n u t ecramminglimits learning■Continued from front page

ticular situation. When you just cram, it’s short term learn-ing and this does not add to your largesse of knowledge.”

According to research per-formed by Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School and the Uni-versity of Pennsylvania, sleep

deprivation not only hinders the remembrance of what is being learned during the time sleep is being deprived but it also hinders the brain’s ability to retain informa-tion during the following day.

When asked what she would suggest to her fellow students

to avoid the hassle of cram-ming, Hall had a simple answer.

“You have to learn to pri-oritize,” said Hall. “Time management is a big thing too, but you definitely have to learn to prioritize.”

NSU student James Underwood demonstrates the stress of last minute cramming.Photo credit: Tony Batchler, Jr.|Spartan Echo

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310.10.12 Spartan News

SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: [email protected]

Collegestudentsare an assetfor demoCratiC Party

President Barack Obama speaks during a campain stop Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012 in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

■ Continued from front page

Dr. Meshesha. He explained that many college students do not support the Repub-lican Party for this reason.

Although support for Presi-dent Obama is prevalent, the Democratic Party fears that vot-er turnout may have a negative effect on the election results.

“The first time [President Obama was Presidential can-didate] was a historic event,” said Dr. Meshesha. He is concerned that voters may

be less voiced this presiden-tial election year than they were during the previous one.

“It was a historic even that a black man was becom-ing President of the United States,” said Dr. Meshesha.

During his speech at NSU and throughout his campaign tour, President Obama has con-stantly reminded his supporters to turn out in the same record numbers in November with the phrase, “Don’t boo, vote.”

Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, and informa-tion on how to register and where to vote can be found at http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/.

■ Continued from front page

for a job in my field. That’s the hard part about college. We need more connections. We have people who don’t have any experience when they leave; all they know is what someone taught them out of a book,” said Banks.

Banks hopes that her department will do more to help students connect with companies who need the skills they learned in college.

She sympathizes with other students who are finding other ways to supplement their income to remain financially stable in college.

According to Generation Opportunity’s study, the high unemployment rates have impacted the daily lives of 89 percent of the youth ages 18-29, with 32 percent of youth trying to find additional jobs, 38 percent driving less and 27 percent selling personal items or property to earn/save money.

There are options for students who feel they have not yet developed a skill set that will earn some extra cash. According to a research listing done by contributors at Yahoo, college students have been making money by selling typed notes to students who miss class and serving as designated drivers for off-campus events where alcohol is served.

According to the list, students can also make a few extra dollars by buying items in bulk and selling them individually and doing hair and nails at discounted prices. Selling books to freshmen and

completing online surveys are also ways to make a quick buck.

“At the end of the day, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to make ends meet. You’ve got people in college and they’ve got to pay tuition and the next bill that they get,” said Banks. “If I’ve got to start my own hair business and braid hair to make a hundred dollars every week, then I need to learn how to braid hair.”

I’m currently looking for a job in my field. That’s the hard part about college....

youthunemploymentremains struggleDespite economic growthBy: Ashley ClArke

-Teanna Banks

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410.10.12Spartan Sports

BEYOND THE BALLAJ ROGERSWITH

For junior softball play-er Nikki Jones, the start of school in the fall is when she must begin to embark on an-other journey for dominance in her sport. Jones is no stranger to balancing a busy school schedule with work-outs, practices and games.

Working out and practic-ing with the team uses up time that other students de-vote to school. Once she has a chance to work on assign-ments, her peers are social-izing. According to Jones, it comes with the territory.

“It takes time from my per-sonal life, but I am a student-athlete first. Whatever comes later comes after the student and athlete,” said Jones.

At least 18 hours a week are devoted to activities other than actually attending class.

“We do about eight hours of practice a week and I usu-ally try to study at least ten hours depending on if I have a test that week,” said Jones.

The time of year also plays a big role in Jones’ schedule.

“I focus more on my grades in the fall. I know I have more time rather than in the spring when I have to balance games and practices with school,” said Jones.

“During the fall season I seem to be more tired, but during the spring season, be-cause there are more games, I feel like I’m always hype,” said Jones.

Being on the go constantly takes a toll on her, but the love of the sport keeps her fueled.

“It makes it easier to cope with the fact that the school year is so strenuous and the fact that we lose a significant amount of our social life,” said Jones. “We [student-athletes] are following our passion.”

AJ Rogers, a Spartan Echocorrespondent and a forward on the NSU men’s basketball team, details NSU athletes’ lives once the clock stops.

SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: [email protected]

Unlike most other sports, the softball team takes part in a fall league against schools like College of the Albemar-le, Chesapeake College and Virginia Wesleyan. The fall league consists of a series of scrimmages. These games give the team a trial period to build chemistry, try new plays and sharpen their skills.

“We have five new girls so the fall league lets us get to know each other’s’ strengths and weaknesses,” said sophomore Alina Moriarty.

“It prepares us to play against other teams and play-ers instead of always play-ing against our own,” ex-plained sophomore Liz Riley.

Preseason is a big part of any sport. This is when the team comes together to start train-ing as one. Preseason helps prepare a team, but playing in a fall league gives a preview of how the season will go.

“We are off to a good start with the new girls,” said ju-nior Morgan Boyd. “We plan on going hard this spring and getting more doubles and triples. Since we have more girls on the team, we should have more girls on the bases.”

The team has strong goals

to accomplish during fall league and preseason training.

“We get the chance to be-come more of a family,” said Riley. Meshing all of their respective talents together al-lows for more fluidity and togetherness on the field.

“We try to work out things now so we won’t have to come spring time,” said Boyd. Participating in the fall league has given the girls in-sight to the team’s strengths for the 2013 spring season.

“This season we will have speed, power and pitching,” said Boyd. “Our new pitch-er is going to bring a lot of power to the mound.” The team is on the path to have a successful spring season.

“I am really excited and we should have a great season,” said Moriarty.

The girls are pumped up for the coming season and they are soliciting the sup-port of their fellow Spartans.

“It would be great if the team could get more stu-dent support,” said Boyd.

The Green vs. Gold game, which was held on Oct. 9, was the final look at the team’s progress be-fore the spring season starts.

NSU softball players demonstrate how they prepare for the upcoming spring season. Photo credit: Keith Offutt|Spartan Echo

Spartan Softballpartic ipateS in fall league

to prepare for Spring SeaSonBy: Mariah Goodrich

Women’s cross coun-try took fourth and fifth place overall in their first two meets at University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The team is young with only one senior, Kellen Rutto.

Lone freshman Rachel Webb was recruited by NSU after competing for only one year as a form of re-hab for a torn ACL she got while playing basketball.

Webb led all NSU run-ners finishing 18th in the UMES Lid-Lifter meet and finished second among all NSU runners in 28th place in the UMES Cappy Anderson Invitational. She is pulling her weight as the only fresh-men and credits her team-mates for helping her adjust and adapt to their system.

“My teammates helped me. They were nice when I came in and helped me so I could get on their level,” said Webb.

Sophomore transfer Tori Lewis-Johnson is from Bowie State University.

“The transition has not been too bad since I’m from Hampton,” said Lew-is-Johnson. “It was easy because I already knew a few people on the team.”

Lewis-Johnson’s deci-sion to transfer was based on complications at her pre-vious school. She was not progressing as she hoped.

“I knew that transfer-ring would get me back on the path that I have al-ways pushed myself to-wards,” said Lewis-Johnson.

Webb and Lewis-Johnson

agree that the UMES meets were helpful in measuring their level and ability to compete, but there is always room for improvement.

“The team did not run the best of times, but we got a feel for the season. We saw what we had to work on and now we are taking the necessary steps to progress to champion-ships,” said Lewis-Johnson.

Webb and Lewis-Johnson have come to their own realizations as they learn their roles on the team.

“I am not first anymore and there is a lot of experi-ence out there,” said Webb.

Lewis-Johnson wants to be one of the top four girls on the team and break-ing 20 minutes will put her on the path to do so.

“By the MEAC’s I want to be in the early 19s,” said Lewis-Johnson.

Workouts were initially challenging for both girls.

“Waking up early at 6 a.m. to run at 6:30 a.m. and then having another practice at 3 p.m. right af-ter class had me rushing to the track,” said Webb.

“Workouts have their ups and downs. Sometimes they are long and relaxing but oth-er times they are more upbeat and require more work and drive,” said Lewis-Johnson.

Working together on and off the trail is building co-hesion and keeping the vi-sion of winning the MEAC in their direct line of sight.

Women’s Cross CountryChampionship-readyWith tWo neW additions

By: Marian Brooks

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510.10.12 Spartan Sports

SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: [email protected]

Marcus Cooperwood (left) and Terrence Pugh (right) practice hard to prepare for upcoming games against other universities. Photo credit: Keith Offutt|Spartan Echo

Many college ath-letes must go through the transition between high school and collegiate sports. College football is on a much higher level than high school football and the time frame be-tween graduating and going away to camp is very short.

According to underclass-men Spartan football play-ers, Alex Killam, Mike Phillips and Conley Smith, the biggest difference be-tween high school and col-lege football is the speed of the game. The talent level is way more intense because they are competing with some of the best talent in the country, not just from the Hampton Roads area.

“Everyone is better and faster,” said sopho-more, Alex Killam.

To freshman Mike Phil-lips, the hardest part of the transition is dedicating all of your time to the sport. High school football teams practice after school and have game day on Friday.

College football is much more involved. The play-ers dedicate more of their time and energy to the game.

Spartan football’s de-fense has been consis-tently strong the last few seasons. This season they are defending with the te-nacity and relentlessness of a championship team.

They are led by three red-shirt seniors, Marcus Cooperwood, Jamal Gid-dens and Terrence Pugh, who all play a significant part in the defensive strat-egy and understand exactly what is expected of them.

Pugh and Giddens are both team captains. Giddens led the team with eight sacks last season, the third most in the conference. Pugh had 41 tackles last season and was fourth on the team in sacks.

“It is my job to make sure everybody is in line, es-pecially the younger play-ers,” said Pugh, “I have to bridge the gap helping the players’ transition from high school to college.”

Cooperwood led the cor-nerback position with 37 tackles and served as a key contributor on spe-cial teams last season.

“My role is to take away the pass and as a senior I have to be a role mod-el,” said Cooperwood.

Giddens highlighted the high expectations of the defensive line.

“We are aiming for a shut-out in every game and the goal is to be number one in every aspect and in every category,” said Giddens.

Spartan Football’S

Shaping up For the SeaSonBy: Marian Brooks

UnderclassmenFootball playerstransition intocollegiate sports

By: Mariah Goodrich

“Work hard for your position

because it won’t just be given to

you...”-Alex

Killam

“It is my job to make sure everybody is in line, especially

the younger players...”

-Terrence Pugh

They must schedule their classes around practice, study hall, games and other football-related activities.

The short span of time between high school gradu-ation and college foot-ball workouts may seem tough, but not to these three young athletes. They all agreed that it was pret-ty smooth since workouts started about the same time high school football starts.

The difference between high school and college football is not just about time to freshman Con-ley Smith. Playing foot-ball on the collegiate level is just more fun to him.

Sophomore Alex Killam describes his favorite part of college football in one word, “Championship.” He was a part of the team last year when they won the 2012 MEAC Championship.

The three underclassmen advise freshman football players to keep pushing.

“Don’t take the summer off,” said Smith. Even af-ter athletes reach the col-legiate level of football, Killam believes the hard work should not stop there.

“Work hard for your posi-tion because it won’t just be given to you,” said Killam.

These three Spartans prove that the transition between high school and college foot-ball, with much hard work and perseverance, can be quite smooth and enjoyable.

Although some players have aspirations to play in the NFL, the team’s collective

goal is to win another ring and win more in the playoffs.

“No one is playing self-ishly and we all do our part well as a unit,” said Pugh.

Beating Liberty Univer-sity was a huge win for the team, but it was fol-lowed by a devastating loss to Howard University.

“We have to work hard and realize that we are no lon-ger on the top and work our way up from the bottom,” said Giddens. In regard to beating Liberty, Giddens acknowledges that the team must not get big-headed.

“We like to look at every game the same. We’re not putting that game before any other game,” said Giddens.

The Spartans will con-tinue to practice hard and make every situation game-like while maintain-ing their competitive spirit.

Page 6: 60.3 Spartan Echo

610.10.12Spartan Student Life

Brown MeMoriAl HAll, potentially

THe nexT BuilDingTo geT A fAcelifTon norfolK STATe’S cAMPuS?

By: BrittAny elmore

SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: [email protected]

Brown Memorial Hall holds extreme historical sig-nificance to Norfolk State University, but the build-ing is at risk of destruction. It was the first permanent building at Norfolk State University, originally named Tidewater Hall, but was re-named Brown Memorial Hall after the late George William Clement Brown.

Since its construction in 1955, the building has lost some of its structural integrity and many stu-dents and faculty have complained about the condition of Brown Hall.

“Thirty-one percent of classes are held in this building during an aver-age week,” said President Tony Atwater in an email to alumni, faculty, staff and students on July 26, 2012.

The president also said that he has heard the con-cerns of students and faculty alike, and understands that

renovations need to be made. “Providing a teaching and

learning environment that is safe and secure is a top pri-ority,” stated President At-water. He also said he spoke to the family of Mr. Brown, and they support the ef-forts to rebuild the building.

Despite the need and the desire for the new build-ing, money is still an issue. Renovations and construc-tion of a new building al-together would cost the school an estimated $24 million, a price the presi-dent says is not justifiable.

So, what is the plan for Brown Hall? Right now there is no answer. After multiple attempts to speak with a representative from the Office of Communi-cations and Marketing went unanswered, propos-als for the fate of Brown Hall remain unknown.

NSU students Jazzmyn (left), Waltron Moody, Rachael Parker, and Tykhari Coles are some students in the dual enrollment program. Photo credit: Keith Offutt|Spartan Echo

Norfolk State University’s Mass Communication Department welcomed its new dual enrollment program with Newport News Public Schools Telecommunication Center this fall. High school students attending Newport News Telecommunication Center will now be able to take a television production course and graduate from high school with 3 university credits from Norfolk State University.

NSU officially welcomed the first dual enrollment students, Shaquille Branch, Brittany Chaneyfield, Tykari Coles, Waltron Moody, Rachael Parker and Jazzmyn Reid, Wednesday, Sept. 5, during the Mass Communication and Journalism department general meeting.

“Going to Woodside High School and attending telecommunications was the best decision I have ever made. This program makes you feel as if all your hard work wasn’t for nothing, and it actually benefits you when you’re heading

to college,” said Jazzmyn Reid, high school freshman.

“I can honestly say this program has benefited me and I would encourage anyone to do it. Having college credits transferred over not only helped me as a student but encouraged me to go further in my field. I’m truly thankful for the opportunity I was given,” said Rachael Parker, high school freshman.

Ray Price, Supervisor of Newport News Public School’s Telecommunication Center, was very pleased with the partnership and is looking forward to working with the department in the future.

“In considering dual enrollment, I was looking for a university that would give our students similar opportunities to increase their knowledge and work experience. I have always had a great working relationship with NSU staff and students, and I’m excited now to be part of the Green and Gold,” said Price.

NSU welcomeSdUal eNrollmeNt program

with Newport NewS high SchoolS

By: AmAndA ChAmBersLocal musician Will ‘Illy’

Armistead caught his big break in April 2012, when he signed with Ghetto Government Music. Rela-tively new to the scene, with only about a year per-forming experience, ‘Illy’ has high hopes for his fu-ture in the music industry.

The Virginia Beach na-tive began his career as a musician during his time at the University of Vir-ginia at Wise where he and his friends would record freestyles in a basement.

“I really just started get-ting serious with it about a year ago. I’ve entered competitions and per-formed open mics. I’m just trying to get myself out there,” said Armistead. He has performed at multiple venues in Virginia Beach, Florida and New York.

Since signing with Ghet-to Government Music on April 18, 2012, he has spent most of his time in the studio recording music.

LocaL artist catchesbig break

By: BrittAny elmore

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In October people who buy into the myths of this chron-ic disease can be educated on the facts of breast cancer.

One of the biggest mis-

Busting Breast cancer mythsBy: BrittAny elmore

■ Continued on p. 7

■ Continued on p. 7

conceptions is that it is a gender specific disease. Many men are also af-fected by breast cancer.

According to National-BreastCancer.org, “[Each year] it is estimated that ap-

proximately 1,700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 will die.”

Another misunderstanding is that antiperspirants and de-

Page 7: 60.3 Spartan Echo

710.10.12 Spartan Opinion

SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: [email protected]

e d i t o r s

Ashley ClarkeNews Editor

Marian Jones-BrooksSports Editor

DeVanique RileyGraphic Design/ Layout Editor

Krysta RicksEditor-in-Chief

Bethany CartwrightManaging Editor

Keith OffuttMultimedia Editor

Briaun RooksEntertain-ment Editor

Brittany ElmoreStudent Life Editor

Sometime between our great-grandparents’ genera-tion and ours, the majority of the African-American race gave up the fight for com-petitive intelligence with other races and settled for competitive ignorance with-in its own society. Slavery forced African-Americans into a state of ignorance, yet freedom alone could not eliminate this pitiful men-tal state. We transformed from a people which was denied intellectual freedom to a people who rejected the freedom we were given.

Our ancestors’ dream of equality and respect has been neglected because in-dividual blacks are too wor-ried about their images as a black man or woman. You have to be “black enough” these days. We have taken the slave owner’s defini-tions of black –unintelligent, obnoxious, irresponsible, violent, ignorant, overly sexual and quick tempered – and affirmed them and even taken pride in them.

Fortunately, many of us have made progress. Count-less blacks have decided that their image today must be sacrificed for their future success. Their peers call them “bougie” today but will know them as successful black Americans tomorrow. They are the pride, hope and future of the African-Amer-ican population. They take advantage of opportunities

to educate themselves. They work as many jobs as neces-sary to provide for them-selves and their families.

They do not believe the misconception that read-ing a book will change the pigmentation from their skin. They respect author-ity and handle business in a professional manner. They take our stereotypes and turn them into positive forces, writing rap lyrics that speak moral truths in-stead of sex and money, and raise their pet pit bulls to be outstanding canine citizens.

Unfortunately, for every individual taking steps for-ward for black America, there are countless others who are taking steps back-wards. They are the students at an HBCU such as Norfolk State who disrespect their professors because that is all they have ever seen a real “b*tch” or a real “n*gga” do. They are the men who take better care of their Jordans than they do their children because stereotypical black men just do not have time to take care of their kids.

For those who are work-ing hard, taking care of their children and making the most of life, it may seem to be a very lonely world right now. Give it some time. Get a good job and surround your-self with people that share the same mindset, that igno-rance is not bliss and it defi-nitely is not the new black.

I g N o R A N Tis not the NeWBlack

By: Ashley ClArke

LocaL artist catches big break

“I try to get in the studio as much as I can. I can’t imagine doing anything else right now,” said Armistead.

Armistead has two down-loadable tracks available on GhettoGovernmentMu-sic.com, and is currently working on a mix tape ten-tatively due to be released around Oct. 31, 2012.

He is currently touring with the Get Noticed Tour, a ten-show tour through six states, which will be making

stops in North Carolina, Ida-ho, Texas, New Mexico, Ar-izona and California. More information about this tour is also available at Ghet-toGovernmentMusic.com.

Armistead plans to continue his career in the music industry.

“I would love to be a producer or engineer. I just need to be creat-ing something or I will go crazy,” said Armistead.

BustingBreast cancer myths

■ Continued from page 6odorants cause breast cancer.

A representative of the National Cancer Institute said, “[They] are not aware of any conclusive evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodor-ants and the subsequent de-velopment of breast cancer.”

There are tests available now that can tell a person if they are predisposed to the disease. The breast cancer gene tests, however, are not a confirmation that a person will develop breast cancer. If one tests positive for the gene it only puts them at a higher risk for the disease, but, according to National-BreastCancer.org, only five to ten percent of patients actually have the mutation.

Cancer is caused by a ge-netic mutation in the body that causes cells to uncon-trollably reproduce. Certain risk factors put people at a higher risk to develop the disease, and, likewise, there are certain ways for a per-

son to reduce his or her risk factor. Alcohol consump-tion, family history and pro-longed use of oral contra-ceptives have been shown to increase one’s risk of devel-oping breast cancer. In con-trast, a few hours of exercise a week and a healthy diet can help lower one’s risk level.

Early detection is an important part of survival if one does develop breast cancer. Everyone should perform a self-exam once a month to monitor any changes in the breasts along with an annual physical by a medical professional. If you detect any chang-es in the breast tissue you should contact a physician.

“Eight out of ten breast lumps are benign, or not can-cerous,” said the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

More information about breast cancer and other cancers can be found at Cancer.gov.

■ Continued from page 6

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EcHo ReviewArtist: DJ Khaled

Album: “Kiss The ring”Release Date: August 21

DJ Khaled released his

new album, “Kiss The Ring,” on Aug. 21, 2012. “Kiss The Ring” debuted at number four on the Bill-board Hot 100. Critics say “Kiss The Ring” is one of DJ Khaled’s best albums; however, the album was not received well by his fans. Although artists such as Nikki Minaj, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne and Kanye West are featured on the album, its commercial performance has been poor. Khaled, a prominent disk jockey in the hip-hop community, has not had good commer-cial performance with any of his solo albums. How-ever, he is still the most sought after hip-hop DJ.

Artist: Brandy norwoodAlbum: “Two eleven”

Release Date: october 16

Ready for her comeback, singer-actress Brandy Nor-wood is set to release her sixth studio album, “Two Eleven.” The album was named for Norwood’s birth-day but it also signifies the day Whitney Houston died.

“Her leaving on that day was like her way of saying, ‘you know what you have to do’”, said Norwood during a True Exclusives interview.

“This project means so much to me. I’ve worked very hard on it. It’s just great to be back in mu-sic and do what I love to do consistently and full time,” said Norwood in a Post-Gazette interview.

“Two Eleven” first official single, “Put it Down” featuring Chris Brown, is currently #13 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart and has also been #1 on the 106 & Park countdown. The album features productions from Frank Ocean, Rico Love and Sean Garrett. Photo Credit: www.facebook.com/foreverbrandy| www.facebook.com/Official DJ KhaledPage

t.J. Holmes enligHtensblaCk ameriCa on bet

By: BriAun rooks

SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: [email protected]

SnooKi’S MeATBAll HAS ArriVeD

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, known for her outrageous antics on the “Jersey Shore,” gave birth to a baby boy, Lo-renzo Dominic LaValle, on Aug. 26, 2012. He weighed in at 6 pounds and 5 ounces. Polizzi’s son was born four days before the announce-ment of the last season of hit show, “Jersey Shore.”

"I am so in love with my

son, Lorenzo Dominic. He’s my world,” said Po-lizzi via Twitter. Though Polizzi is very outrageous and outspoken on the show, many people believe she will make a terrific mother.

"We couldn't be happier for Nicole and Jionni on the healthy delivery of their baby boy,” said an MTV representative. The final season of “Jersey Shore” will premier Oct. 4, with a much anticipated new guest.

Award-winning journalist and former CNN anchor, T.J. Holmes, made his debut on BET with a new late-night talk show, “Don’t Sleep.” Holmes tackles issues concerning the black community that mainstream media tends to ignore. The show’s goal is to enlighten, awaken and keep Black America in the know. His show will feature politicians, athletes, actors, actresses, musicians and important people that are relevant

to the black community. “We just want to highlight and show the best that black culture has to offer,” said Holmes in an interview with Eurweb. “Don’t Sleep” is a mix of news and entertainment. “It’s credibility with personality,” said Stephen Hill, president of music programming at BET. This show is targeted for anyone interested in black culture and will be airing four nights a week at 11 p.m.

In this July 15, 2011 photo, MTV cameras film Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi during the taping of a “Jersey Shore” episode on the Seaside Heights, N.J., boardwalk. A New Jersey assemblyman introduced a law on Monday, Sept. 24, 2012, that would le t towns regulate the filming of reality TV shows within their borders, including charging for the cost of extra police protection.(AP Photo/Wayne Parry)

@ms_convinced i love my school and all but can i get my refund check before next semester? #WhereIsMy-

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IsMyCheck

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@yellowbone_tone Dear nSu financial aid:

#WhereIsMy-Check?!

@_giannalove i hate reading my

nSu mail. because its never about

my refund check. #WhereIsMy-

Check?!