Recycle The Maroon Tiger
Transcription
Recycle The Maroon Tiger
The Organ of Student Expression Since 1925 The MAROON TIGER Morehouse College • Atlanta, GA November 9 - 15, 2011 Volume LXXXVI, issue 8 Maroon Tiger staff photo/AHMAD BARBER SGA Restructuring Shakes Up Political Landscape Kelly Harper Staff Writer knharper08@yahoo.com A fter decades of the typical President-Vice President-Secretary-Treasurer SGA format, the Morehouse SGA has undergone a structural shakeup designed to alter the future of the organization and its impact. Under the direction of twoterm SGA president, Travis Randle, the Morehouse SGA structure has shifted from the traditional SGA format to one that corresponds with the administrative departments related to campus oversight. Randle was the initiator of the new appointed positions; each secretary is appointed by Randle and voted on by the Morehouse Senate. “There were several systemic changes that needed to happen in SGA in order for us to become a highly-effective, impactful, and accomplished entity,” Randle said. “It was a glorified high school student government structure—you had the president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, corresponding secretary, and so forth.” Student advocacy was a primary motivator in Randle’s proposal to restructure the SGA, and since his first term in office, he has largely focused on ensuring that this systematic change would occur before he leaves Morehouse in the spring of 2012. Randle stresses that the new structure will allow the SGA to enhance student advocacy as well as provide a permanent, designated liaison for SGA to work with administration as well as provide students with the ultimate Morehouse experience. “It was hard to find a point person for specific issues such as academic affairs, alumni affairs, institutional advance- ment, and other vital arenas concerning student life at Morehouse,” Randle said. Although there were numerous supporters of the change, Randle’s proposal was not met without opposition and concern. “Last year, there was immense opposition,” Randle said. “I submitted it to the Senate and it was returned to me a completely altered bill. The appointed positions would not have been officers. I think it was a pretty flawed and nonsensical distinction; some people thought the plan was a way for me to abuse my power.” Secretary of Academic Affairs: Awaiting selection from SGA President • • Secretary of Business & Finance: In conjunction with SGA Treasurer: Colin Beckford • Liaison for Vice President of Finance • Internal finances Secretary of Campus Operations: Ja-Mes Watson Secretary of Student Services & Enrollment Management: Malcolm D. Meredith Secretary of Information Technology: Tre’von McKay • Liaison to Office of Information & Technology Overseeing the SGA mobile application development Major concerns: campus policy, maintenance, environmental stability, upkeep of grounds, capital improvement, community revitalization, telecommunications, bookstore Secretary of Institutional Advancement: Michael Cox • Students interested in learning more about SGA and their initiatives and events are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Life. Campus Sees New Technology and Furniture Tre’vell Anderson Campus News Editor anderson.trevell@yahoo.com N ineteenth century classrooms and old, gum-ridden desks are no more on the campus of Morehouse College. Recently, academic buildings that were once lacking technological capabilities have been equipped with a computer, projector, or television screen and a podium to house the computer. These developments were done as a result of comments by students and faculty alike. “Students,” Michael Hodge, chair of the sociology department, answered when asked the cause of the improvements. “It’s all about you guys.” Hodge also mentioned the distraction old or outdated technology became to the academic process, a concern voiced by the faculty. According to Eric Richards, the director of multimedia services for Morehouse, all classrooms now have updated or new equipment in hopes of improving the learning and teaching environment for students and professors. Students have responded positively to these developments. Students with classes in Wheeler Hall, however, have had concerns regarding the new desks. “I didn’t see what was wrong with the older desks,” Jordan Gleaves, freshmen sociology major from Augusta, said. “Even though the other desks were old, why switch to something that is newer and less efficient.” The downgrade in efficiency Gleaves speaks of is in regard to the newer desks being smaller in size. The tabletop portion is now signifi- cantly smaller. Vice President for Campus Operations, André Bertrand, and Hodge said the new chairs were an action taken after talking to teachers. “We seek input from the users of the room before making any decision,” Bertrand stated. “We had requests from faculty wanting flexibility in the classroom.” “Teachers said that the previous desks made it difficult to make circles [which would add to the learning experience],” Hodge said. Students also have concerns in regards to where the funds for these improvements came from. According to Bertrand, funds for the upgrades, in technology and furniture, came from Title III funding. “Title III involves funds allotted by the Department of Education,” Alana Veal, director of strategic planning and Title III, said. “Funds we receive are a part of the ‘Strengthening HBCUs’ program in which all eligible HBCUs receive appropriations based on the amount of students who receive Pell Grants, the number of graduates, and the number of graduates who progress to graduate institutions.” The Title III website states that funds allotted through this program can be directed to the “purchase, rental or lease of scientific or laboratory equipment for educational purposes…construction, maintenance, renovation and improvement in classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and other instructional facilities…” Hodge and Bertrand believe that such new developments will benefit students. Further improvements to the campus are constantly being made, with students at the forefront of the goals. inside track News.....................1 World & Local......3 Business & Tech......4 Features.................6 Opinions..............7 A&E...................10 Sports..................12 Black Girls Rock! Hypocrisy at Spelman Top 20 Mixtapes p. 6 p. 9 p. 10 on the web www.themaroontiger.com www.twitter.com/themaroontiger Recycle The Maroon Tiger friday 57° 32° saturday 64º 37º sunday 68º 44º 2 NEWS www.themaroontiger.com November 9 - 15, 2011 THE MAROON TIGER Nicolas B. Aziz ’12 Editor-in-Chief nickbaziz@yahoo.com MANAGEMENT Lance Dixon ’12 Managing Editor ldixon2012@gmail.com Jeffery Taylor II ’12 Chief Layout Editor jefferydtaylor@gmail.com Ahmad Barber ’13 Photography Editor ahmad.barber@gmail.com Jourdan Shepard ’12 Chief Copy Editor jourdancshepard@gmail.com Charlie Williams IV ’12 Associate Copy Editor cwmsiv@gmail.com Sierra Stokes SC ’13 Associate Copy Editor sstokes6@scmail.spelman.edu EDITORS Tre’vell Anderson ’13 Campus News Editor Jordon Nesmith ’12 Associate Campus News Editor Dannieka Wiggins SC ’13 World & Local Editor Nicholas Bacon ’13 Associate World & Local Editor O’Koyea Huff-Boone ’12 Business & Tech Editor John Yates ’14 Associate Bussiness & Tech Editor Darryl Hawkins ’12 Features Editor Kobi Ansong ’12 Associate Features Editor Christian Saint-Vil ’14 Opinions Editor James Williams ’12 Associate Opinions Editor Taylor Williams ’12 Arts & Entertainment Editor Katryna Mahoney SC ’14 Associate A&E Editor Curtis Jackson ’14 Sports Editor Max Tyler ’13 Associate Sports Editor MULTIMEDIA O’koyea Huff Boone ’12 Webmaster okoyeahb@gmail.com Spencer Greene ’12 New Media Director sgreene.savvy@gmail.com Jihad Kheperu ’12 Tiger TV Producer jihad_kheperu@yahoo.com ADVISER Ron Thomas Support for Herman Cain ’68 Virtually Nonexistent Tre’vell Anderson is outside mainstream Black Campus News Editor America, but Cain’s [presianderson.trevell@yahoo.com dential] run does away with all these stereotypes,” De’Von he White House could Weatherspoon, a sophopossibly be painted ma- more economics major from roon and white this upcom- Detroit and member of the ing election season if Repub- Morehouse College Republican candidate Herman Cain licans said to the AJC. “He ’68 has anything to do with was born in the South, went it. This Morehouse Man has to Mother Morehouse, had a made numerous headlines for successful career in business, his extremely candid com- and is still very much so conments, allegations against him nected to Black America.” regarding sexual harassment, Michelle Domingue II, a seas well as his choice in not nior psychology and African capitalizing on his Morehouse American studies major and alum status. domestic exchange student Some students believe that from Dartmouth College, Cain is an accurate repre- originally from Plaquemine, sentation of the Morehouse LA, believes differently. brand, while others feel he “Not all Morehouse Men tarnishes the college’s image. embody the ‘Morehouse Mys“So often we’re given this tique,” Domingue said. “Not media stereotype of a Black all of them have the best inRepublican as someone who terest of the Black community T in mind, although they may think they do.” To Domingue, Herman Cain is one such person. Prior to running for the republican presidential candidacy, Cain served on the Morehouse College Board of Trustees. He resigned earlier this year. According to Matt Martini, assistant vice president for communication for the Cain campaign, Cain “knew he wouldn’t be able to attend meetings and meet his obligations because he would be devoting time to travelling around the country.” His former position on the Board stirred other members of the Board. Perhaps the most vocal was Shelton “Spike” Lee ’79. On October 18, he tweeted his opinions through his Twitter account, @SpikeLee. Phallus Chronicles: A Viewer’s Response Cydney Fisher Staff Writer cydney.fisher@gmail.com O n Friday, Nov. 4, the Phallus Chronicles II (2 Phallus 2 Furious) took place in Sale Hall. According to audience members, the entire production was well worth the anticipation. It was an empowering tale of what men go through not only on a daily basis, but throughout their entire lives. Throughout the play, the true definition of a man and how he forms himself in society was shown. The play was an enlightening experience for the audience. The actors gave the audience comical everyday scenarios of the male and the thoughts and ideas that plague him. Many pieces stood out including the four “sexcapades”: “Same Girl,” “I’m Having a Daughter,” “Rush,” and the “Measuring Stick (Parts I and II).” These skits as well as others gave an in-depth view of the male world. Showing that the male mind is full of complexities, yet simplicity allowed for this pro- duction to be so inspirational. For instance, in “I’m Having a Daughter,” the actor’s monologue entailed all of the joys and woes of a man anticipating the birth of his daughter. While watching this, a question played upon the minds of the male viewers. “Are you the man you hope your daughter brings home?” Another question asked was, “Do you embody the Five Wells of Morehouse within society?” In “A Last Request,” the piece was a charge to the men in the audience to become better than what came before them. The piece clearly stated that a life full of wealth and materialistic things is not worth one full of love and peace. Many of the young men in the audience were given a chance to self-evaluate and aspire to become better men. The Phallus Chronicles II allowed the Men of Morehouse to see that the male mind is complex. Although there were parts that portrayed the simplistic male mind, the entire show was an uplifting experience for men and women. Five women from Clark Atlanta University participated in this production and told the audience that it was an experience of a lifetime. “Men say what they really mean,” the ladies mentioned during the question and answer period. “There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Guys keep it real and I respect them for that, even if it is explicit.” Seeing how the male depicts the female was both comical and realistic. This was shown during the skits “Rush,” “I Am your Conscience,” and “UnHoly Grail.” They showed men in their most natural element when thinking of the opposite sex. This one night only event was a spectacular insight into the mentality of a phallicminded male. It was an entertaining event and made the audience contemplate what the definition of a true man is. If you missed this show, be on the lookout in spring 2012 for the Phallus Chronicles 2.5, which plans to be more empowering and enticing than the last. A Message From President Robert Franklin Dear Men of Morehouse: Thanks to each of you who attended the President’s Town Hall on Thursday, November 3. It was a stimulating and inspiring opportunity to hear from you and learn more about your most pressing concerns. I appreciate the questions about the College’s business model; operating budget; special challenges faced by off-campus and transfer students; late night study opportunities; and the need for greater communication and outreach to students from individual departments within the College. The senior administrative team had ready answers to some of your questions, and I am pleased to offer them in this forum. • The work-study pay schedule will convert from monthly to bi-weekly effective January 2012. • Beginning the fall semester of the 2012-2013 academic year, we plan to make flex cards (food) operable in the Chivers Dining Hall, Jazzman’s, and Papa John’s/Freshen. We aim to make the flex card operable in the residence halls and the library in the future. • During a recent pilot period in which the library was open on a 24/7 schedule, it was determined that such hours are not cost effective. Mrs. Loretta Parham, director of the Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center, has pledged, however, to call a meeting with student leaders to discuss their desires for scheduling. You will be notified as soon as a final decision has been made. • Necessary repairs in residence halls and other campus buildings will be addressed during the holi- day break. In the meantime, please continue to report facilities issues as they arise. They will be handled as expeditiously as possible. “WAKE UP,” the tweet reads. “I was shocked to know GOP Candidate Mr. Herman Cain went to MOREHOUSE. He may be my Morehouse Brother but I can’t support him. HELL NO.” Apparently the “ties more brotherly” the hymn “Dear Old Morehouse” speaks of wither away in the realm of politics. Many Men of Morehouse and Morehouse Men alike have expressed they will not vote for Cain, solely on the basis that he is their Morehouse brother. In fact, Kevin Johnson ‘96, pastor of Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA commented on Cain’s presidential bid in his sermon preached on campus in the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel to close out homecoming this year. Sustainability Corner Jordon Nesmith Associate Campus News Editor jnesmith17@gmail.com I n the past months, mother Morehouse has been making changes around campus in hope of leading a more sustainable lifestyle and decreasing her carbon footprint. Clark Atlanta University graduate student, Martin Hill, worked closely with Morehouse for 10 weeks during the summer to champion the cause of cutting the college’s energy costs. Serving as the Morehouse Climate Corps Public Sector fellow, a position created by the college in conjunction with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Hill helped assess how Morehouse could best reduce energy use and identify additional conservation tactics. Because these efforts are not always as noticeable as the advent of a recycling bin in the hallway, it is important to be knowledgeable about these significant changes to the school and the impact made on the lives of the students, the college, and the community it all belongs to. Some of these changes include the following: • Energy-efficient foam roofs on Gloster Hall, Wheel- discount will be determined by the staff in the Office of Financial Aid. that has been earmarked for book scholarships. • Similarly, please inform the appropriate College vice president or associate vice president if you experience less than acceptable customer service or if your needs are not handled efficiently. We expect you, as student leaders, to do your part to ensure that the College’s employees’ performance meet the Morehouse standard. In short, if you see something, say something. • Your administration is working diligently to implement a new card swipe system for Crown Forum, and we tested a system during the President’s Town Hall. We apologize that an insufficient number of devices were in use to accommodate the volume of students present and regret the inconvenience this may have caused you. We continue to work to ensure that attendancetaking process for Crown Forum is as efficient as possible. • Each year, the College has shared the operating budget during the Town Hall. In consultation with the Board, the College will determine if there are more effective, responsible, and appropriate ways of sharing institutional budget information. Our intent is to do this before the close of the academic year. • In partnership with the Student Government Association, the Office of Financial Aid is working to expand fee waivers for the Graduate Record Examination to include not only Pell-eligible students, but also those who can demonstrate a need for assistance. The amount of the • We are pleased to enhance the funding that is available to assist students with text books through a collaborative partnership with your Student Government Association. We commend SGA leadership and are grateful to them for contributing half of $20,000 Recycle The Maroon Tiger He mentioned that he would not be supporting Cain and everyone under his voice shouldn’t either. Domingue agrees with the underlying sentiments of Johnson’s message. “It’s like voting for [Barack] Obama just because he’s Black,” Domingue commented. “You shouldn’t vote for a candidate unless he is a representative of views that will uplift the American community and, more so, the Black community. As Renaissance Men with a social conscience, I don’t feel as if he embodies that.” Cain currently leads as one of the top three candidates for the Republican presidential nomination. Without the support of his brothers, succession to Obama may end as only a dream. While it was not possible to address all of your questions during the scope of the hour, you have my commitment that the senior administrative team, in partnership with the appropriate departments, will provide thorough answers to the remaining concerns in the near future. As I noted, Crown Forum is an opportunity to model our understanding of how effective leadership occurs. We are not perfect, but we er Hall, and Douglass Hall • A new HVAC system in Wheeler Hall with energy-efficient equipment • Energy-efficient, waterconservative restrooms with motion sensors in Robert Hall • Energy-efficient, waterconservative restrooms in Brazeal Hall • All hallway and room lights in Robert Hall and Brazeal Hall were replaced with energy-efficient T8 light bulbs Additional efforts made on the part of the college to conserve are as follows: • From January to July, Chivers Dining Hall composted 17.58 tons of food waste • Morehouse recycled 715 ink/toner cartridges (381 more than last year) from June 2010 to July 2011 • Morehouse recycled 8.44 tons of used vegetable oil from June 2010 to July 2011 in conjunction with a program that converts the oil into fuel This information has been provided by Ms. Sandra Van Travis, Morehouse’s Environmental Health and Safety Officer with Campus Operations. Any additional innovative ways to save energy can be sent to mhgoinggreen@ morehouse.edu. THINK GREEN! are striving to serve and be responsive to the Men of Morehouse. I encourage you to continue providing feedback through various tools, including the customer service survey that will be administered before the end of each academic year. Finally, I was pleased that the opening documentary stirred interest from the student body. We will call on you to assist us in telling our story more effectively and in generating more resources to help us achieve our institutional dreams. Again, I thank you for your presence and candor as we strive to realize the full potential of this College and her students. Sincerely, Robert M. Franklin ’75 3 WORLD & LOCAL www.themaroontiger.com Need a Job? 700 Positions Are Open at Home Depot Ta’tiana Miles Staff Writer tnm92@yahoo.com A s a result of the downturn in the economy, the national and the state of Georgia unemployment rates have reached 9.1-percent and 10.3-percent, respectively. It has been projected that by the beginning of 2012, the Georgia unemployment rate should lessen with the creation of jobs. Next year, Home Depot is planning to open a new customer support call center in Cobb County that could create as many as 700 jobs. The new facility will be based out of the Chastain Meadows commercial office park in Kennesaw, north of the Town Center Mall. The call center will open with 400 jobs in late 2012, and expand to 700 jobs by 2015. The average yearly salary for the new customer service representatives will be an estimated $30,000 according to Blair Lewis, a senior official with the state’s Economic Development Department. The Home Depot Company has 90 stores in Georgia and has employed 20,000 people. Cobb County’s Chamber of Commerce is working with its economic development partners on 19 active projects with potential to create more than 10,000 new jobs, as well as $853.5 million worth of potential new investments. Many state and local officials have commented on the project by praising the project’s economic development benefits. “It is encouraging to see one of Georgia’s pioneering Fortune 500 companies take full advantage of our competitive business advantages to expand here in our state. This is great news for Georgia and the metro Atlanta region,” Gov. Nathan Deal said. Deal also referred to Home Depot as a “Georgia success story.” The spokesman for Home Depot, Stephen Holmes, spoke about how the several different locations across the country were considered for the center’s placement. The company settled on Kennesaw because of its proximity to higher education centers like Kennesaw State University and the strong employment base. The new call center is a part of Home Depot’s push to boost its online business and consolidate and expand its customer support service around the country. The Palestinian Search for Statehood Nicholas Bacon Associate World & Local Editor nickabacon@gmail.com O n Mon. Oct. 31, Palestine became the 195th member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, also known as UNESCO. The admittance of Palestine to this United Nations body brought forth a cessation of $60 million in U.S. aid payment that serves as approximately 22 percent of the UNESCO budget. According to the New York Times, the Palestinian foreign minister, Riad al-Malki, praised the organization saying, “This vote will help erase a tiny part of the injustice done to the Palestinian people.” Legislation from 1990 and 1994 mandates a complete cutoff of American financing to any United Nations agency that accepts the Palestinians as a full member. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his country to freeze payments to UNESCO on Nov. 3, as well as an additional 3 percent cut in funding. Israel is withholding its contributions because accepting the Palestinians is detrimental to potential peace talks. A key issue between Palestine and Israeli is whether the international community should be able to recognize Palestine or whether the formation of a state must be done through bilateral negotiations. According to CNN, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “Such steps will not advance peace; they will only push it further away.The only way to reach peace is through direct negotiations without preconditions.” Though the State Department said it wants to continue to work with UNESCO, even as it cuts funding, it’s difficult to see how such a partnership will work. The Obama administration is expected to reach out to Congress to find a way both to continue funding UNESCO, and give the U.S. government flexibility if Palestine is recognized as a member by other, more important United Nation organizations. With the overwhelming 107 in favor, 14 against, and 52 abstentions votes, recognition of Palestine by United Nation groups such as the International Atomic Energy Agency could be terrible for U.S. national security in regards to sanctions on potential threats such as Iran. Lack of U.S. funding could also isolate the United States from the international community. In a statement before the State Department announced it was cutting funding, Ros-Lehtinen, Republican Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said, “Today’s reckless action by UNESCO is antiIsrael and anti-peace. It rewards the Palestinian leadership’s dangerous scheme to bypass negotiations with Israel and seek recognition of a self-declared ‘Palestinian state, and takes us further from peace in the Middle East.” Foreign policy and support, whether for Palestine or Israel, will be a major issue in the upcoming 2012 presidential election. November 9 - 15, 2011 Atlanta Street Renamed: How Much Does Public Opinion Really Matter in City Officials’ Decisions? Dannieka Wiggins World & Local Editor dwiggin1@scmail.spelman.edu H ow do you measure how much city officials care about you as a citizen? Do you think your opinion really matters when city council is making decisions about your environment? On Wednesday, Nov. 2, city officials held a ceremony in downtown Atlanta for the renaming of Harris Street, next to Centennial Olympic Park, to “John Portman Boulevard.” However, they were criticized shortly after for the process of renaming the street, which evoked questions about the citizens’ role in making decisions for the city of Atlanta. When asked if Atlanta city council considered college students’ opinions when making decisions about the city, Laurin Williams, a sophomore at Georgia State University, said. “I personally would say no because I haven’t seen anything where a college student’s input is requested.” “Honestly, no I don’t think they take into consideration college students opinions, because they don’t think that college students have a voice and that our opinions matter. They do whatever they wanna do because they’re officials,” Alfonzo Dixon, a sophomore communications major at Clark Atlanta University, said. Portman’s resume illustrates a man who is worthy of acclaim and recognition, considering his immense dedication and skill as an entrepreneur, businessman, and leader. The AJC stated that Portman helped build Peachtree Center in the city’s central business district, developed AmericasMart, and is a leading designer of atrium-style hotels throughout the United States, India, Malaysia, China, Singapore and other unnamed places. When asked why they don’t seek the in- Recycle The Maroon Tiger put of students Williams said, “It could be a lot of things, one thing is not considering the college population, because of maturity. I think it would be necessary to include them, but I think [they’re] possibly just not seeing the value of the college students’ opinions in a lot of stuff.” “I would say they probably don’t particularly in the AUC, because so many of the students are from other places of the country that they’re viewed as place holders rather than true residents of the city, because so many of us go back and forth between here and our home cities,” Chris Fortson-Gaines, a junior political science major at Morehouse College, said. “The city of Atlanta forgets that we spend the majority of our year here.” Although the AJC claims 300 citizens hailed Portman on Nov. 2 for being honored as a “developer who helped shape Atlanta’s skyline,” many citizens and Atlanta residents, like the college students, expressed feelings of exclusion when considering the process city council follows when making decisions about Atlanta. “I think what got people exercised was the idea that the city council could get together with a few powerful business leaders and do whatever they want to do,” Attorney W. Wright Mitchell said. Initially, the renaming of Harris Street influenced a major lawsuit after a 2003 law, which deemed it necessary to include the public in city decisions, characterized city council’s process for renaming the street illegal. However, according to the AJC, critics believe the city council completely circumvented the law by ultimately renaming Harris Street anyway. The controversy eventually led to what officials thought was a compromised name of “John Portman Boulevard, at the historic Harris Street.” 4 www.themaroontiger.com BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY November 9 - 15, 2011 STOCK MARKET REPORT AS OF CLOSING ON NOVEMBER 9, 2011 Market Indices DOW 11,780.94 -‐389.24 -‐3.20% S&P 500 1,229.10 -‐46.82 -‐3.67% NASDAQ 2,621.65 -‐105.84 -‐3.88% TR US Index 111.67 -‐4.36 -‐3.76% Currencies STOCK MARKET REPORT EUR/USD 1.3531 -‐0.07% GBP/USD 1.5919 +0.03% USD/JPY 77.760 -‐0.05% AS OF CLOSING ON NOVEMBER 9, 2011 Commodities Gold 1,769.00 -‐22.60 -‐1.28% Oil 95.55 -‐0.19 -‐0.20% Corn 656.00 -‐4.50 -‐0.69% Disney and YouTube Partner to Create Online Channel O’Koyea Huff-Boone Business & Technology Editor okoyeahb@gmail.com D isney is looking to strengthen ties with YouTube by forming a video partnership. In this new deal, the two companies will devote a combined $10 million to $15 million to create co-branded videos to be featured on Disney’s website and YouTube starting Fall 2012. This announcement came abruptly, but poses many benefits for each company. Disney Interactive has been losing money over the last four quarters, and is experiencing an alarming drop in web traffic. YouTube will finally have the chance to gain credibility among parents, who normally criticize the platform due to objectionable content. Under the terms of the deal, Disney will handle production, which will be around 8 original series at a time. Disney will also sell advertising, and split the revenue with YouTube. The channel will also feature amateur video and some content from Disney’s cable network. Co-President of Disney Interactive, James A. Pitaro, is looking forward to this partnership. “It is imperative that we go to where our audience is,” he also added that the aim is to, “bring Disney’s legacy of storytelling to a new generation of families and Disney enthusiasts on the platforms that they prefer.” This Disney-YouTube partnership comes as part of YouTube’s announcement last month to introduce a number of co-branded channels featuring musicians, comedians, athletes, other entertainers, and large media partners. It remains to be seen if this major partnership will be able to inspire other companies and create a new trend. Starbucks’s Newest Initiative John Yates Associate Business and Technology Editor john.yates92@gmail.com O n Tuesday, Nov. 1, Starbucks unveiled its newest program to give back to the community. This new program called Create Jobs for America will pool donations from employees, customers, college students or any students will to make a contribution to the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN). Everyone who donates at least five dollars will get a red, white, and blue “indivisible” bracelet symbolizing the unity Starbucks hopes to create throughout the country by helping our communities out. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz stated that he is tired of seeing corporations sit by and watch our econ- omy suffer without doing anything about it so this initiative is hopefully a jumpstart for other major industry giants to follow suit. For every $5 donated to this fund, the OFN should be able to loan out $35 to small businesses, non-profits, microenterprises and affordable housing in the local communities. It has a network consisting of over 180 partnerships with companies throughout the country who are already willing to act. Based on conservative estimates, the OFN projects that a new job will be created for every $3,000 in donation – translating to $21,000 it will loan out. As students of Morehouse, we have a reputation of making change in the community so let’s embrace this opportunity and take action by contributing in any way we possibly can, even if we can only spare the bare minimum. Recycle The Maroon Tiger explaining the facebook pics of you and a goat, hard. getting your vitamins, easy. introducing... connect (caffeine + 8 key nutrients) spark (vitamin e + choline) Recycle The Maroon Tiger ©2010 glacéau, glacéau®, vitaminwater®, bottle design and label are registered trademarks of glacéau. 6 FEATURES www.themaroontiger.com November 9 - 15, 2011 Reverse BET, the Lynch Curse L NAACP Host Black Girls Rock! Ariannah Hood Contributing Writer ahood3@scmail.spelman.edu Devin Hursey Contributing Writer dvn_hursey@yahoo.com L ast night at 7:00 p.m. in Sale Hall chapel, actor, author, and community activist Tommy Ford hosted a panel discussion called “Reverse the Lynch Curse.” The infamous “Willie Lynch Letter” is a supposed speech given by plantation owner, Willie Lynch, in the 1700s that provides instruction on how to perpetuate slave oppression. Many consider the letter to be the root of past and ongoing struggles for social and civil liberty within the African-American community. It is easy to draw the comparison between unhealthy racial patterns afflicting today’s society with the behaviors and identity associated with slaves, which are believed to have been influenced by the “Willie Lynch Letter.” Tommy Ford played the part of Lamar Collins on “A Different World”, and is best known for his role as Tommy on the popular sitcom “Martin.” He has also appeared in roles and appearances in “Law and Order,” “Living Single,” “The Jamie Foxx Show,” “Harlem Nights,” and “House.” “When you watch Martin they always say that Tommy doesn’t have a job,” Ford said. “But Tommy does have a job. My job is to be about my father’s business.” Ford expresses a deep sentiment for the African-American community and hopes to inspire change in society. “No one holds a letter in their hand saying this is the official letter written by Willie Lynch,” Ford said. “However, we see results of the Willie Lynch syndrome every day. Our communities are plagued by fear, distrust, and envy. It is time for us to reverse that curse.” These discussions are also being held in open town hall meetings across the country which are being filmed for a documentary. The campaign has a strong presence on Facebook and Twitter, as well as the web site: http://reversethelynchcurse.com/. ast Friday, Black Girls Rock held a celebratory and learning event in Spelman College’s Science Center Auditorium hosted by host Hope Harris, a Spelman senior. The positive energy could be immediately felt in the room as all of the attendees cheered as the event began. Everyone knew they would be in for a great event, because of the wonderful women being celebrated. The BET and NAACP sponsored event then proceeded to a spoken word talent about the beauty of being a black woman. Afterwards, the audi- ence watched a video of different students in the AUC saying why they thought black girls “rocked.” Harris then announced the first honoree, Dr. Belinda White. Honored because of her tremendous dedication to Morehouse College, Dr. White designed and teaches the Leadership and Professional Development (LPD) course and serves as the chair of the College Faculty Development Committee. Before the honoring the next woman, a group by the name “Four Women” gave a beautiful singing performance to the audience that was followed by Sisters Keeping It Real Through Service (SKIRTS) making a generous donation to Black Girls Rock. The audience settled as the next honoree Dr. Georgianne Thomas, a respected professor at Clark Atlanta University, was called. As a breast cancer survivor, she inspired the audience by stating, “You are going to make lemonade out of the lemons they think they gave you!” One of the highlights of the event was the question portion. The questions were on issues facing black women in society and in the AUC. One of the questions was, “How do you feel about black women and reality television?” The questions were answered with exceptional answers from the panelists and the audience. Most opinions Patch who? PatchU Carl Alexander Contributing Writer carl.a.alexander@hotmail.com P atch. No not the thing you put on your jacket. It’s also not the thing you do when you have a hole in your tire. However, this Patch may be able to patch together some gaps and holes in the surrounding communities. Patch.com is a communityspecific news, information, and engagement platform dedicated to providing comprehensive and trusted local coverage by the people, for the people. Owned by AOL, this grass roots program engaged the Men of Morehouse last Wednesday and informed them of opportunities available through their summer editorial internship program. “We’re looking for people who have the passion, creativity and chops to engage their local community through incisive reporting, professional editing, and thoughtful content creation,” Andi Morrison, a Patch.com representative, said. “We need people who can also leverage an array of new technology, tools and social media.” She continued to say that potential candidates should be smart, enthusiastic students with a passion for local journalism. “You should be a self-starter, able to learn quickly and work independently,” Morrison said. “That means free spirits and straight shooters.” Morrison also stated that potential candidates should be “nerds with nerve. People who love the Internet, but can see its crack and its future, too.” Patch.com is particularly looking for juniors, seniors, graduate students, and recent graduates who desire an opportunity to be immersed in a universal culture. One focus of the Patch community is being “interactive.” The editor of Atlanta’s own Virginia Highland-Druid Hills Patch site, Jaclyn Hirsch, said, “The whole process of working for Patch is truly a communication. Our environment is more communal instead of hierarchy based included examples from reality televisions shows like “Basketball Wives,” “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” and “Love and Hip-Hop.” One panelist highlighted the fact that the women on these shows were never famous because of their own success, but only because of the man’s success. A panelist also brought up the fact that these women play into negative stereotypes about black women. As the evening moved on, the organization also honored Taylor Allen, a senior English Pre-Law major at Spelman, and Erica L. Knight, who formerly served as Spelman’s overseer of graduate relations and raised $3.5 million in tu- ition assistance for students. Closing remarks included a beautiful spoken word poem. After the event attendees socialized and mingled in the lobby, one attendee Sierra Stokes, a Spelman junior, expressed what she thought of the program. “The event was inspiring and uplifting,” Stokes said. “It made me want to further explore how I can change the world as a black woman.” Black Girls Rock is an amazing organization that uplifts the spirits of black girls of every shade. The young women of Spelman and CAU came to show their support for the black woman’s struggle to achieve equality. and there is a lot of room for creativity and innovation.” With branches in 22 different states, Patch makes itself more accessible to local and rural areas. Many students, like junior Christopher McArthur, saw this as a great opportunity. “I enjoy the fact that with Patch, though it is a fairly new company, at its foundation it offers many locations to students from California to New York,” McArthur said. “Being able to work and write about my local community is just an added plus.” Although it is an editorial internship, it is not just for Journalism and Sports Program minors or English majors. Patch has sectors for business operations, marketing, design, engineering, and human resources. “Whether you’re pursuing journalism, business or public relations, it’s never too soon to start building your portfolio,” Morrison said. “Blogging, freelance work, internships, university club, organization, and Patch involvement are a great start.” If you are interested in this opportunity or would like more information feel free to contact a representative via: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ pages/PatchU (search PatchU in the search engine) Twitter: www.twitter.com/ PatchU Website: www.patch.com Or Email: PatchU@patch.com King Center Intern Studies Historical Letters Darryl Hawkins Features Editor mr_hawkins18@yahoo.com B eing able to work with the famous King papers and letters is a rare opportunity that some scholars can only imagine. Being able to even have a glimpse at Dr. Martin Luther King’s intellectual writing is a gift in itself. Undergraduate students like Maya Moore understand that this is an extraordinary opportunity and are working tirelessly to make these documents accessible. Moore first learned about this internship last sum- mer by frequently checking her emails from The Career Placement Office at Spelman College. The Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change was looking for enthusiastic students with strong attention to detail to participate in their Digitalization Imaging Project. The initiative was to find students who study his works from a philosophical perspective. The project is funded by JP Morgan and students are responsible for taking the King papers that are here in Atlanta at the King Center and capturing pictures of them and uploading on websites for global access. The focus is to make the letters accessible to everyone. Securing this internship was not an easy task. Initially they were looking for history majors but they could make exceptions. The email asked for students interested to submit a cover letter, resume, and a recommendation. If they were considered for the internship would be contacted by a representative from JP Morgan. Within a week Moore was selected for a phone interview. “They asked ‘What do you know about the civil rights movement in detail?” Moore said. “They were just general www.TheMaroonTiger.com questions.” What really secured her spot as an intern was her experience in archiving and cleaning the basement of the Spelman museum. The fact that she is an Art History major was a bonus. Not all the interns are students from the AUC; some are from Georgia State and Kennesaw State Universities as well as able veterans from the military. The process of uploading the documents is tedious. The documents have to go through a process called indexing where the interns search for multiple summaries of similar letters. They then have to input the date in which the letter was written. They then proceed to organize the letters into boxes and folders. “One of the most alarming things I’ve read are the hate letters” Moore said. “People were wishing harm upon him even when he was in jail.” She continued to say that the papers are something that everyone needs to see. “To get the most experience I recommend you go to the King Center because your experience in reading the letters may be different from mine and can contribute something new,” Moore said. Now featuring: •Online articles •Archives •Advertising information Recycle The Maroon Tiger Recycle The Maroon Tiger 8 OPINIONS www.themaroontiger.com November 9 - 15, 2011 The Other Face of Renaissance: What Morehouse Means to the Non-Black Student J. Taylor Jones Staff Writer Jtaylor.jones92@gmail.com F or many students, being at Morehouse has been the first time they have been considered part of the majority. For even more students, Morehouse College is simply a demographic reflection of their own communities, comprised mostly of black people. But what about our Morehouse brothers who do not share in the same racial culture as their educational culture? To some extent, Morehouse is racially or colorfully neutral. Sleeping in a bed, going to class, writing papers, and eating in the cafeteria are all things that have no identity attached to them. In the same breath, so much of what makes Morehouse are the people who work, teach, and study there. The reality is that we seldom get to hear what Morehouse means for those who are not black. It is obvious, most of the time, to identify who is and who is not black, but we allow what that means to simply go unnoticed. To truly be all-inclusive and brotherly, each student should be asked what it means to be a member and brother in the Morehouse community. In a feeble attempt to understand the experience of my nonblack brother, I interviewed Jay Saper, a junior, domestic exchange student from Middlebury College, and Aaron Wiekum, freshman philosophy major from Minneapolis. Both are white. For Wiekum, distinguished Morehouse alumni and the concept of the Renaissance Man were particularly alluring, regardless of the fact that the school is historically black. His decision to enroll at Morehouse was not that different from most students at the college. “Scholarships are a major consideration and I applied to elite colleges and universities all over the country and this is one of the few that gave me a scholarship,” Wiekum said. Wiekum’s reasoning stems from the essence of what the College strives to accomplish. “The mission statement. It’s always been my dream to become a Renaissance man, literally. It may just be talk in some sense but it’s really something that I try to become.” Coming from the inner city of North Minneapolis, Wiekum has been exposed to diversity all of his life. “I don’t have any particular loyalties to any particular group. I’m just a person.” When it comes to identity, Wiekum takes his for what it is. “In the literal, most superficial sense, I stick out in a crowd, because I’m giant and I’m a white person, but I don’t think it’s a major factor in anybody’s decision making about who I am.” Wiekum has enjoyed his experience at Morehouse and views his decision to be at Morehouse based on the culture that the school itself is trying to instill. For him, All in the Name of the Résumé Christian L. Saint-Vil Opinions Editor csaintvil03@yahoo.com F resh out of the barbershop, he puts on a crisp powder blue checkered Tommy Hilfiger button up, adorns it with a golden yellow paisley full Windsor, ties the laces of his freshly polished Cole Haans, and walks into a little Polo Ralph Lauren #9. A gentleman amongst all gentleman, embodying the five wells, he prepares to deliver the most eloquently delivered load of crap man has ever heard. He is no stranger to you and I. We have all met him time and time again at our interviews, lectures, and MBA interest meetings. Whenever an event calls for a wellcrafted résumé he’ll be present. His name, for the sake of not being “messy” is the “grinder.” On paper, and arguably in person, he is a force to be reckoned with. His taste alone for the finer things in life should attest to his character. Right! His resume, gently tucked in his soft sell Gucci briefcase, is seemingly immaculate. His character, however, or lack thereof, is in dire need of repair. He saunters down Brown Street selling himself, this tactfully crafted product that we all know is worth far less than a puff of Black and Mild at Chevron. We, as well as this merchant of lies, are well aware of the way this merchant came into his rath- er impressive GPA and these positions he boast of in his lengthy resume. But, if you haven’t caught on, and if I’m not being blunt enough for you, I’m speaking of those of us who get positions and do nothing with them, and those who would rather cheat and be handed an ‘A’ then to fail honorably. I’m speaking of and to the fraud that is the “grinder.” There is nothing wrong with being ambitious, but one should never bite off more than one can chew. When a person submits an application for whatever the cause may be, if that application is favored, a person has the ethical responsibility to carry out the deeds requested of the position they have now acquired. To apply for a position that you know you are either unfit for or un-wanting of makes very little sense. Despite your notion that you must apply for every position on campus because you are the only one capable of upholding the name of Morehouse, there is always undoubtedly a more fit candidate. A candidate who actually takes the time to prepare for his exams rather than preparing cheat sheets, a candidate whose dedication goes further than his experience (and truly yours for that matter), a candidate who genuinely seeks the friendship of others and not their contacts. If you know you are going to be a laissez-faire leader, then you should not accept any position you are given. You may think you are creating a sound resume in garnering all these “career builders,” but truly you are creating a résumé full of dead ends. If it’s all in the name of the résumé for you, I want you to think of references. An employer or whoever may receive your résumé should be able to point to any one of your professional experiences in your résumé, pick up the phone and contact either your colleagues or boss. The feedback they get is all contingent on your performance in the positions you have “acquired.” Who can you truly contact, besides your “homeboys” who can attest to your participation in these organizations? Other than the sake of putting it on your résumé, did you have any honest reason for applying? Better question: is the name you are creating for yourself worth wasting money to put on a business card? Then, if it’s not, please omit the Morehouse logo because a Man of Morehouse is not only steadfast, he is honest and true to old Morehouse and her ideals and in ALL things that he does! If you are the grinder, go into the interview as such; leave the paisley behind and be honest. Your employer would rather throw out your application at the interview than throw you out after two weeks of “work.” Either way you choose, the “grinder” will not make it if everything is all in the name of the résumé for him. “[Morehouse] is building men here in the truest sense, and it’s good to be a part of that regardless of skin color.” Saper makes a conscious effort to break out of the normal systemic culture that he found so rigid at Middlebury, a private college located in Vermont, the state with the second-highest percentage of white residents in America. “It’s impossible to be objective and we must recognize the entering of as many differing views and perspectives as possible to stay open and to learn,” Saper said. “It’s invaluable to learn from black professors and my fellow black students…And that is something that is not overlooked here. [Morehouse] often emphasizes that this is a rarity to be in a classroom with all black men.” Saper, a sociology major, has enjoyed and learned so much from his experience within the one semester that he has been at Morehouse. He finds his domestic exchange just as, if not more, worthwhile than a study abroad because, “I think what is scary is that we don’t look back into ourselves and look in our own societies because stories are being told of all different people…” Saper, in the time that he has been here, has found diversity in an entirely new light as he finds himself not feeling the need to cling to those physically like him. Unlike many of the experiences of black students at PWIs, Saper’s sites more commonalities between him and another Morehouse student then any white person that might happen to live in the city of Atlanta. Saper is enthusiastic about his time at Morehouse and willingly invites the differences that come with being at an HBCU. “I want to study here because I believe that we, here at Middlebury, represent such a narrow strain of society that we grow up in. Who are we, who are we affected by, what do we know about the inequality in this country, and whose voice [is] marginalized on Middlebury’s campus?” Saper returns to Middlebury in the spring, but has gained unparalleled insight into what it means to share someone’s story. Being an African-American in a predominantly AfricanAmerican setting has created a culture that many take for granted. As Saper said of Middlebury and PWIs, the same goes for being accustomed to a predominately black environment. “It’s too easy for many in this country to be educated in environments where they are surrounded by all whites,” he said. “It’s a notion that needs to be challenged. Identity matters, race matters, how you experience your lived reality matters. And therefore each person, based on the complex ways in which they view the world, also reflects that in the way they approach knowledge.” Let Morehouse be committed to true knowledge. Have an OPINION? To become a opinions staff writer, stop by The Maroon Tiger Office in Archer Hall or contact one of the opinions editors. Recycle The Maroon Tiger OPINIONS www.themaroontiger.com Hypocrisy at Spelman Over Music and Portrayals of Women Rokhaya Fall Staff Writer rfall@scmail.spelman.edu H ypocrisy is the practice of professing standards and beliefs contrary to one’s real character or actual behavior, especially the pretense of virtue and piety. I love my institution, Spelman College, but there surely are some aspects of the college that I disagree with. It is a well-known fact that in the past few years, a lot of rap artists have been banned from performing at Spelman. This is the result of their bla- tant disrespect of women in rap music. As a high school student, I remember seeing Spelmanites on Oprah standing up against rappers and their disrespect for women. I was proud of my Spelman sisters for having enough courage to stand up against the powerful music industry. As a feminist, I completely agree that society has gone way too far with song lyrics. The only topics used in songs are those that describe sexual acts that men want women to perform for them. To make matters worse, the songs are degrading and treat women as if they are supposed to be some type of sex slave. These songs are notorious for using demeaning words that are not complimentary to women. It is disrespectful, but many of us still support it anyway. The hypocrisy comes in when these songs are played publicly, everywhere on campus at least once a week. The cafeteria is notorious for hosting miniature parties where these songs by banned artists are played at maximum volume. Occasionally, there are dancers who practice their “club moves” in the cafeteria accompanied by these songs. What is the difference between having these artists physically perform here, and playing their music all the time but never inviting them to our institution? I believe that there is no difference between the two. Either way, we are supporting these artists. If we are going to play their music despite the ban, we could just as easily get rid of the ban and welcome these artists back. I have a hard time understanding how there can be church in Sister’s Chapel on Sundays, but a place of par- Appreciating A Woman’s Beauty Garrett Ransom Staff Writer g2ransom@aol.com H ave you ever been on a social network website and have seen a female’s picture with a long list of her female friends commenting, “You’re gorgeous,” or, “You’re beautiful?” Sometimes, the compliment seems justified, and other times the compliment seems “fake” because of what we believe beauty to be. I have found myself labeling a friend as being “fake” for calling her friend beautiful, and I am sure that many other people reading have had similar feelings. But one day, I had an epiphany that completely changed my whole outlook on the subject. Mainstream society has molded and shaped our outlook of what beauty is. What exactly is beauty? Is it the video vixen in the rap video or the hard working female college student? Does beauty has a visual representation or is it an aura that comes from within? To many of us, beauty is simply a word to represent an individual’s physical attributes. Rarely do we associate a person’s internal qualities with the word beauty. In the real world, the video vixen is awed over and the hard working female student is just appreciated. What type of effect does the word “beautiful” have on a woman? To call a woman beautiful gives them a foundation of respect, entitlement, and confidence. All three traits essentially make a “real woman.” When a woman calls another woman beautiful, she is not lying; she is empowering her. Who is to say that any woman does not deserve to feel beautiful or attractive? This empowerment, however, poses a threat to men, and also women who feel they are more attractive than the rest. Many people feel as if women who are not mainstream beautiful should not have as much confidence. Why not? 9 November 9 - 15, 2011 There is a domino effect that comes along with a sea of women who consider themselves beautiful. An insecure woman is often more easily manipulated by men. If every woman believes that they are beautiful and entitled to better treatment, then men will have to change how they approach these “beautiful women.” Does society truly want every woman to feel as if they were beautiful? The answer to that question is that it is doubtful. Society has enough issues with allowing each ethnicity to feel beautiful. Avoid the brown paper bag! The world thrives off of women’s insecurities. What would the make-up industry do if every woman felt that they did not need makeup? A whole industry would crumble. How many women have tried ridiculous diets and workout regiments, not to be healthier, but to look better in a bikini? Too many too count! Many individuals in society become submerged in the typical appearance of beauty, and rarely veer away from it. Many people also have forgotten the power that the word “beautiful” has. We often proclaim women beautiful who need to hear that they are beautiful least, and leave many other women deprived of the beneficial manifestations of the word. We have set up a world in which many women perpetually reach toward an unattainable plateau of physical perfection that just internally illuminates more personal insecurities. Maybe this is a plan to develop monetary gain by someone much bigger than us, and they have evidently succeeded. This article is not made for change of thought, but food for thought. Often times in our judgment of others, we find insecurities in ourselves. Take time to think about why she is not beautiful without thinking about what society has shaped you to think. Be the pilot of your own plane, and allow her to feel beautiful. Recycle The Maroon Tiger tying on the weekdays. These songs banned by our institution are played too often in Sister’s Chapel and people dance to them as they would at clubs. While I am not a religious individual, I find it to be hypocritical and disrespectful to the chapel. During SpelHouse homecoming this year, Miguel performed as the neo-soul artist in King Chapel. In one of his songs, he sang the lyrics, “That p**** is mine.” Women everywhere went crazy. It’s unbelievable to me that respectable college women were entertained by a man talking about their body parts in such a manner. Needless to say, we as women sometimes welcome the disrespect from musicians and men in general; therefore, I do not solely blame rappers for the way they treat, talk to and about women. I think it is pointless to ban these artists from campus, because they are all around us anyway. In addition, the ones that we agree to welcome on campus are no different than those we banned. So I say, get rid of the ban and let us enjoy “ratchet” performances for recreational purposes! follow the maroon tiger on twitter! @themaroontiger The Maroon Tiger is published weekly during the academic year at Morehouse College. Our goal is to maintain an independent editorial policy. Opinions expressed in The Maroon Tiger are solely the views of its staff and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Morehouse College, its administration, or The Maroon Tiger advisors. Commentaries solely represent the views of the author and are not necessarily the opinion of The Maroon Tiger. We believe all advertising to be correct but cannot guarantee its accuracy or be responsible for its outcome. The Maroon Tiger welcomes your views on any public issue. We routinely edit letters for space and correct errors in spelling and punctuation. Letters as well as commentaries must be 300 words or less, typed, signed and should include a full address and telephone number. 10 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT November 9 - 15, 2011 www.themaroontiger.com TOP 20 MIXTAPES OF THE PAST 10 YEARS Taylor Williams Arts and Entertainment Editor Twilli26@gmail.com One of the biggest parts of hip-hop in the last ten years is the “mixtape.” A compilation of original songs, remixes, and freestyles, the mixtape allows artists to make and release music without the backing of a record label. Over the past 10 years, artists have used mixtapes as a way to get record deals or to gain new fans. I assembled a group of hip-hop heads to discuss and compile a list of the top 20 mixtapes of the past 10 years The Panel : Robert Lavergne ’11, Katryna Mahoney ’14 (SC), Charlie Williams IV ’12, Matt Millen ’12, Taara Avery ’12 (SC), Janaye Taylor ’12 (SC) and Taylor Williams ‘12 1. Lil’ Wayne - Drought 3 (2007) With over 10 mixtapes, this is pinnacle for Lil’ Wayne, because it helped propel him into super stardom. With a total of 29 tracks, the “Drought 3” showed the world Wayne was here. This mixtape also introduced the world to Nicki Minaj. Notable tracks : “The Sky is the Limit,” “Dough is What I got,” and “ Upgrade” 2. Drake - So Far Gone (2008) Drake arguably changed the way artists made mixtapes with this release. Sounding more like an album than a mixtape, Drake experienced great success with the release of “So Far Gone.” Two Grammy nominations, two videos, and a retail re-release, which has sold over 500,000 copies to date, summarizes how great of a mixtape it was. Notable tracks : “Uptown,” “ Successful,” “ Best I Ever Had,” and “ Lust For Life” 3. 50 Cent & G-Unit (Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo) - 50 Cent is the Future (2002) The mixtape that led to 50 Cent inking a deal with Shady/ Aftermath records...the rest is history. Notable tracks : “G-Unit Soldiers,” “ Surrounded By..,” and “ Banks Workout” 4. The Diplomats (Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, Freeky Zeeky, and Cam’Ron) – Diplomats Vol. 1 (2001) Hosted by DJ Kay Slay, this mixtape introduced the world to The Diplomats. The beginning of what would be a very successful run for Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, and Cam’Ron. Notable tracks : “Oh Boy,” “ Rocafella Get Money,” and “Blueprint (Momma Loves Me) Freestyle” 5. Young Jeezy - Trap or Die (2005) In 2005, the “Crunk/Snap” movement was slowly dying and Atlanta was searching for its next big movement in hiphop. With the release of “Trap of Die,” Jeezy birthed a new sub-genre of hip-hop, “Coke Rap.” Traces of his style and content can be seen in many of Atlanta’s rappers to this very day. Notable tracks : “Grey Goose,” “ Get Ya Mind Right,” “ Icey,” and “Trap or Die” 6. Lupe Fiasco – Fahrenheit 1/15 Part II: Revenge of the Nerds (2006) At a time in hip-hop when the more “gangsta” one was determined their popularity, this mixtape changed that notion as it showed the world it was cool to be a nerd. Notable tracks : “Switch,” “ Much More,” and “ Lupe the Killer” 7. Re-Up Gang (Clipse, Sandman, and Ab-liva) - We Got it 4 Cheap Vol. 2 (2005) This is the second installment in their “We Got it 4 Cheap” series. This mixtape brought the Clipse back to prominence after a long delay between album releases. “We Got it 4 Cheap Vol. 2” was ranked 130 on Pitchfork magazine’s list of Top 200 albums of the 2000s. Notable tracks : “Re-Up Intro,” “ I’m a Hustla,” and “ What’s Up” 8. Lil’ Wayne - Dedication I & II (2006) Both hosted by DJ Drama, Lil’ Wayne showed hints of him growing into a phenomenal rapper. Notable tracks : “U Gon Love Me,” “Down & Out,” “ Cannon,” and “ Lovin’ It” 9. Wiz Khalifa & Curren$y How Fly (2009) The mixtape that re-introduced the world to Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y also led to both artists signing deals with major labels. The Jets and the Taylor Gang. Notable tracks : “Car Service,” “ The Checkpoint,” and “ Rolling Up” 10. Kendrick Lamar - Overly Dedicated (2010) Compton M.C. Kendrick Lamar wowed the hip-hop world with the release of “Overly Dedicated.” This mixtape earned a co-sign from producer Dr. Dre, launching Lamar’s career. Notable tracks : “The Heart Pt. 2,” “ P&P 1.5,” “ Michael Jordan,” and “ She Needs Me” 11. 50 Cent & G-Unit – (Lloyd Banks & Tony Yayo) No Mercy, No Fear (2002) Before it was on The 8 Mile soundtrack or “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” “Wanksta” made its first appearance on this mixtape. Notable tracks : “Wanksta,” “ Soldier,” and “Say What You Want” 12. Wiz Khalifa - Kush & OJ (2010) This mixtape made Wiz Khalifa a household name. On the day of its release, “Kush & OJ” became the most popular search on Google and the #1 Trending Topic on the popular social network, Twitter. Notable tracks: “The Kid Frankie,” “Never Been,” and “Mezmorized” 13. Joe Budden – Mood Muzik 2 (2006) The second installment in the “Mood Muzik” series, Budden’s brutal honesty and astounding wordplay made this a special mixtape. Notable tracks: “Are You In That Mood Yet” and “6 Minutes of Death” 14. J. Cole – The Warm Up (2009) The mixtape that introduced the world to J. Cole, the first artist signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label, had a solid release that sounded more like an album than a mixtape. Notable tracks: “Lights Please,” “Can I Live,” and “Last Call” 15. Young Jeezy - Can’t Ban the Snowman (2006) This 27-track mixtape was one of the South’s best. Notable tracks: “I’m Back,” “Jeezy The Snowman,” and “ Burning Up” 16. Big K.R.I.T - K.R.I.T Was Here (2010) This mixtape, produced and written entirely by K.R.I.T, caught the attention of many record label execs as it eventually led to him inking a deal with Def Jam records. Notable tracks: “Return of 4eva,” “Country S***,” “Moon & Stars,” and “Glass House” 17. Kid Cudi - A Kid Named Cudi (2008) The first mixtape by the Cleveland native, spawned his biggest single to date, “Day ‘n’ Nite” Notable tracks: “Day ‘n’ Nite,” “Cudi Get,” “Man on the Moon” 18. Wale - Mixtape About Nothing (2008) This is the fourth mixtape by Washington, D.C. native, Wale. Inspired by his favorite show “Seinfeld,” this is arguably his best project. Notable tracks: “The Perfect Plan,” “The Crazy,” and “The Vacation from Ourselves”” 19. Lupe Fiasco - Enemy of the State : A Love Story (2010) After being left off MTV’s Hottest MCs list, Lupe released this mixtape to show the world that he could still rap with the best of them. Notable tracks: “Fireman,” “Say Somethin’,” and “Popular Demand” 20. Dom Kennedy - From the West Side with Love (2010) Los Angeles native Dom Kennedy put the entire West Coast on his back with the release of “From the Westside with Love.” This mixtape has a very West Coast sound, but appealed to all regions. Notable tracks: “1997,” “Locals Only,” and “The 4 Heartbeats” Honorable Mentions Gucci Mane – Chicken Talk Slim Thug – Welcome 2 Texas Theophilus London – I Want You Pharrell – In My Mind (The Prequel) Recycle The Maroon Tiger 11 SPORTS www.themaroontiger.com November 9 - 15, 2011 NFL MID-SEASON AWARDS Xaundrae Tingling Staff Writer xaundraet@gmail.com W ith eight weeks already in the history books, the NFL season just passed its midway point. Though the season is nowhere close to being finished, it is never too early to recognize players who are having spectacular seasons so far. Here are The Maroon Tiger’s NFL mid-season awards: MVP: Green Bay Packers Quarterback, Aaron Rodgers - There can be no arguing that Rodgers has been the MVP for the first half of the season. Rodgers has thrown a league high 20 touchdowns as opposed to only three interceptions. His 125.7 quarterback rating is 20 points higher than his closest rival; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. More importantly, the Packers boast a perfect 8-0 record, and look well on their way to winning this year’s Super Bowl. Honorable Mentions: Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) and Brady. Defensive Player of the Year: Dallas Cowboys Linebacker/Defensive End, Demarcus Ware - Although the Dallas Cowboys have not lived up to expectations so far, Ware has consistently played at a Pro Bowl level. Ware already has 12 sacks, a half sack behind Vikings defensive end Jared Allen. Though Ware only has 36 tackles and one forced fumble, his constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks has been the key to the Cowboys defense. Honorable Mentions: Lamarr Woodley (Pittsburgh Steelers), Eric Weddle (San Diego Chargers). Offensive Rookie of the Year: Carolina Panthers Quarterback, Cam Newton - Going into this year’s NFL draft, there were many football experts who had doubts about Newton’s accuracy and his ability to quickly grasp an NFL playbook. Newton has greatly surpassed these expectations, and, so far, is playing up to the expected level of a number one overall pick. Newton’s 2,393 passing yards is second behind the 2010 Super Bowl MVP, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and he leads all rookies in total touchdowns with 11 passing and seven rushing. Honorable Mentions: Andy Dalton and A.J. Green (Cincinnati Bengals) Biggest Surprise: San Francisco 49ers - What a difference a coach makes. Jim Harbaugh has completely turned the team around and has the 49ers with a 7-1 record; the only loss in overtime to the Dallas Cowboys. Harbaugh’s most impressive turnaround has been his starting quarterback, Alex Smith. Smith, the 1st overall pick in 2005, has been steady all year throwing for seven touchdowns and only one interception. Along with a healthy Frank Gore, look for the 49ers to continue their good form throughout the rest of the season. Biggest Disappointment: Tennessee Titans Running Back, Chris Johnson - After securing a new contract from the Tennessee Titans, Johnson has been struggling all season to find his groove. This year, Johnson has only averaged 2.8 yards per carry and has rushed for 308 yards. To put that into perspective, Johnson is tied with the Kansas City Chiefs’ backup running back, Jackie Battle, and the Miami Dolphins’ Daniel Thomas for 34th in total rushing yards. Johnson’s drop in production is especially alarming given that only two seasons ago Johnson became only the sixth man in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. Scrutiny of Tebow Unfair? Not So Fast COLUMN Dante Miles Staff Writer miles.dante@yahoo.com O ver the past four weeks, no quarterback in the NFL has been scrutinized more than Denver Broncos starting quarterback, Tim Tebow. From his abnormally long delivery, his happy feet in the pocket, and his ability, or lack thereof, to read defenses, everything Tebow does is dissected for all to see. As the weeks pass, more and more Tebow supporters have appeared and said the treatment Tebow has received is unfair. Many people have pointed to Tebow’s strong religious beliefs as a reason why critics root against him and wait for him to slip up. After writing an article questioning the fanfare surrounding Denver’s quarterback, I found myself accused of being one of those critics. I received several calls and texts from friends accusing me of being a “Tebow hater” and demanding an explanation of my views. Once I replied to all the messages, I sat back and thought about the article I had written. Was I being biased? Had the lack of opportunities for black quarterbacks jaded my views on Tebow? Honestly, yes, but with good reason. My dilemma with this entire sit- uation has more to do with the popular thought that Tebow “deserves a chance,” and all that disagree are simply out to get him. When I hear people argue for Tebow, I can’t help but think back to the treatment of the Carolina Panthers starting quarterback Cam Newton before the 2011 draft. We all witnessed as Newton led the Auburn Tigers to a perfect record, a national title, and a Heisman Trophy on his way to becoming a pro. However, as the draft neared, there were many that feared Newton would not be able to make the transition to a pro-style offense. Before the draft, the Cleveland Plain Dealer printed an article based on quotes from Pro Football Weekly’s Nolan Nawrocki trashing Newton. Nawrocki called the eventual overall number one pick a “fraud,” “narcissist,” and even a “con-artist.” One particular quote that shocked me said, “Newton does not command respect from teammates, and always will struggle to win a locker room. Only a one-year producer. Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness—is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example. Immature and has had issues with authority. Not dependable.” After the report was released, there were few people who came to NewThroughout the process, Newton ton’s defense, despite all the positive things he had done to change his life remained the consummate profesaround after his dismissal from the sional who vowed to work hard to University of Florida football pro- improve before the draft. The point of questioning Tebow’s gram. Got a PASSION for ? play is simple; this type of treatment has become common for black quarterbacks around the NFL. People who criticize Tebow do it not to belittle his faith, but because there are sports Recycle The Maroon Tiger many aspects of his game that usually do not translate well in the NFL, and it will take more than a prayer to correct them. To become a writer for The Maroon Tiger, stop by our office in Archer Hall or contact the editor of the section you’re interested in. It’s that easy! 12 SPORTS www.themaroontiger.com November 9 - 15, 2011 Students’ Opinions on the NBA Lockout Arshon Howard Staff writer arshonh@yahoo.com T he NBA lockout is in its fifth month, and with signs of an agreement not being reached, Morehouse students and other fans of the game aren’t optimistic that there will be a season. On Nov. 1, NBA fans were supposed to see the Dallas Mavericks host the Chicago Bulls on TNT, but instead fans were forced to watch other programs because the lockout has yet to end. Fans are now left searching the television listings nightly and hoping for a shortened season, but some people feel that at this rate there might not even be a season at all. “I just want to watch basketball,” New Jersey native Wynton LeGrand said. “When the lockout first started, I didn’t think that it would last this long, and if it did last I thought I would be okay without watching basketball, but that isn’t the case at all. I feel deprived like something is missing, and the fact that they canceled games for November is causing me to give up hope of watching any NBA basketball at all.” The thought of not having an entire 2011-2012 season seems likely as this point, as some NBA players are considering an appeal to the National Labor Relations Board for decertification of the players union. If the players decide to take such an extreme legal step, it could take months to sort out and would threaten the entire NBA season according to Yahoo!. With both sides seeming reluctant to give ground it leaves outsiders asking, “Who is really to blame for the lockout?” “I blame the owners,” Delaware resident Ivan Shockley said. “You really can’t fault the players for owners wanting to pay them money even if they aren’t playing up to their expectations. The owners need to stop paying low class players so much money, and then get mad when they don’t perform. It just doesn’t make sense to me at all. They’re just being greedy if you ask me.” The argument about who is to blame for the lockout, MOREHOUSE COLLEGE MAROON TIGERS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE 2011-2012 November 11, 2011 8:00 p.m. University of West Georgia - Atlanta, Ga November 12, 2011 8:00 p.m. University of North Alabama – Atlanta, GA November 29, 2011 7:30 p.m. Stillman College – Atlanta, GA December 1, 2011 7:30 p.m. Claflin University – Orangeburg, SC or if there will even be a season at all, is the topic of discussion amongst fans as a way to get through the dry months of not being able to watch their favorite NBA team or player play. It is an argument that is debated just as much as the LeBron vs. Kobe argument, but once the issue gets resolved everything will hopefully be back to normal. December 3, 2011 3:00 p.m. Miles College – Atlanta, GA January 2, 2012 7:30 p.m. Paine College – Atlanta, GA January 7, 2012 3:00 p.m. Miles College – Fairfield, AL January 9, 2012 7:30 p.m. LeMoyne-Owen College –Memphis, TN Morehouse Basketball Preview January 12, 2012 7:30 p.m. Kentucky State University – Atlanta, GA January 14, 2012 3:00 p.m. Lane College – Atlanta, GA January 17, 2012 7:30 p.m. Paine College – Augusta, GA January 19, 2012 7:30 p.m. Stillman College – Tuscaloosa, AL Quincy Young Staff writer qyoung2@tigermail.morehouse.edu T he energy around the Morehouse College basketball team is electric as it prepares to embark upon a historic 2011-2012 season. Before the opening regular season game’s tip-off, the Maroon Tigers have played some tough competition already in the exhibition season by playing Division I powerhouses, the University of Georgia and the University of Kentucky. “These are big games because, Morehouse has never played a team ranked number two in the country,” head coach Grady Brewer said. These exhibition games symbolize the growth of Morehouse athletics, because never in Morehouse’s 142year history has it played a nationally ranked team. In their first contest against one of the SEC schools, Georgia defeated the Maroon Tigers 74-50 on Nov. 4 at Stegeman Coliseum, the Bulldog’s new home arena. Morehouse followed that game with a Monday matchup against a dominant Kentucky Wildcats team that is coming off an SEC conference championship and a Final Four appearance from last season. “That game provides an experience for our team to play at a high level and get some exposure. A lot of us have aspirations to play at the next level and that game could open the door,” team captain Jon Tassin said. “But our main goal this year is to win the SIAC.” The coaches of the SIAC have the Maroon Tigers projected to finish fifth in their conference this year. Last season, the team finished 14-11 in the conference with a home record of 8-3. The Maroon Tigers’ season ended in the second round of the SIAC tournament, when they lost to the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers. The team only added only five new players this year, one being a transfer from Howard University, Charles De- Costa. “I’m not thinking about last year. I’m going to fight tooth and nail, as warriors to win each and every game this year. Whatever my team needs me to do for us to be successful I’m going to get it done,” DeCosta said. “Experience is the best teacher, and this year I have an experienced group of guys who can go out there and get it done,” Brewer said. Junior Daniyal Faquir was voted to the Preseason All-SIAC First Team, while senior Jonathan Tassin was voted to the second team. “I don’t have any individual aspirations, this is about my team, because we strive to win every game as a team,” Faquir said. “Every team we play is beatable if everybody buys into our system we will come out on the winning end.” Following exhibition and non-conference play, the team opens conference play against Stillman College, Nov. 29 at Forbes Arena. Missed our general body meeting? Don’t worry! Our editors’ contact information is listed in The Maroon Tiger every week. Contact the editor of a section you’re interested in for information on how to become part of our staff. Recycle The Maroon Tiger January 21, 2012 7:30 p.m. Tuskegee University – Tuskegee, AL January 26, 2012 7:30 Clark Atlanta University – Atlanta, GA January 28, 2012 3:00 p.m. Albany State University – Atlanta, GA January 31, 2012 8:00 p.m. Fort Valley State University – Fort Valley , AL February 2, 2012 7:30 p.m. Benedict College – Columbia, SC February 4, 2012 3:30 p.m. Claflin University – Atlanta, GA February 7, 2012 7:00 p.m. Fort Valley State University – Atlanta, GA February 11, 2012 7:00 p.m. Clark Atlanta University – Atlanta, GA February 13, 2012 7:30 p.m. Tuskegee University – Atlanta, GA February 15, 2012 7:30 p.m. LeMoyne-Owen College – Atlanta, GA February 20, 2012 7:30 p.m. Benedict College – Atlanta, GA February 23, 2012 5:30 p.m. Lane College – Atlanta, GA February 25, 2012 3:30 p.m. Kentucky State University – Frankforty, KY