T A Talk with `Going to See the King` Director

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0ME1VCMJY#VJMEJOHUPCF A Talk with ‘Going to See the
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King’ Director Jihad Kheperu
Kevin Mallory
Campus News Editor
kmallory@tigermail.morehouse.edu
J
ihad Kheperu is a junior economics major from Chicago. However, that didn’t
stop Kheperu from getting in touch with his
thespian side. Kheperu is the director of the
play, Going to See the King, which is being
performed for the second consecutive year in
King Chapel on Thursday Jan. 27 at 7 p.m.
We sat down with Kheperu to get some of his
thoughts about the play.
to offer. Things like the arts and crafts show
the expression and talent.
Q: What was the overall reception (students, faculty, and administration) of last
year’s shows?
A: I got great feedback from last year’s performance. Everyone I spoke to seemed to enjoy it
a lot. The main question was going to be ‘Was
this year going to be as good?’
Q: Can the audience who attended last
year’s performances expect any differences? If so, what type of differences?
Q: This is the second year of Going to See A: The story is different, but the general conthe King; talk about what this play means cept is the same. We have a lot of really good
to you?
acts this year, that’s not to say that we didn’t
A: I think that this play is really an expression have good acts last year, but this year has a lot
of the message that I would like to get across of talent that the school really needs to see.
to Black America. I think it’s a personal call to
action for us. I think it’s a really great expres- Q: How did last year’s experience help
sion of student creativity and our ability to do you in preparation for this year’s perforgood things.
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in knowing that you have done this before?
Q: With all of the celebration and idolatry A: Doing the work last year with Mike Fields
already generated toward Dr. King, why is (last year’s producer) really gave me a handsa play or a performance like this necessary? on experience. I didn’t really have the presPlans for 825 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (above) are to open a Walmart at the location formerly A: I think that it’s still necessary because sure, so it was like a tutorial. I’ve done it beoccupied by Publix.
people tend to forget this part of them. People fore, so the issue now was doing it on my own.
sometimes get wrapped up in the quest for getLance Dixon
will give them closer access
“Everything a college stu- ting the material things in life. We can go to
Associate News Editor
that many juniors and seniors dent needs is at Walmart and school and not really observe what school has See DIRECTOR, page 2
ldixon2012@gmail.com
had when Publix existed. Af- for those of us without cars
ter Publix closed, the closest it’s great to have something
n the winter of 2009 the grocery stores were a Kroger like that back in the AUC,”
AUC community was on Cascade Avenue and a Fortson said.
somewhat shocked and disap- Save-A-Lot at the West End
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pointed to learn that the Pub- Mall. Other than those op- the eyes of Reed and Brewer.
Lance Dixon
ship Sub-Committee chair- and universities and working
lix in a nearby plaza on Martin tions, many students would They both noted the imporAssociate News Editor
man Vincent Gumbs. Current- on better assisting disabled
Luther King, Jr. Drive would have to travel off campus to tance of the Vine City comldixon2012@gmail.com
ly the scholarship application students. Bell stressed that
be closed down. For nearly Target, Walmart or another munity, not only for its hisis available on Tigernet. Bell these kinds of changes take
a year, the building was dor- grocery outlet. Curtis Jack- tory but also for the amount
he Student Government also pointed out the introduc- time and cannot and will nevmant without much hope for son, a freshman English ma- RI WUDIÀF LQ WKH DUHD GXH WR
Association has made tion of the student grievance er be instant.
future use. That all changed jor at Morehouse, commented the large amount of students
numerous strides this school form as a major accomplish“The change we want to
when Atlanta Mayor Kasim on what the new store means in the AUC. Brandon Haryear to be more triumphant ment of the Senate so far.
see and make comes through
Reed and Rosalind G. Brew- to him.
rison, a senior English maand transparent. Through its
“[This form] allows for a detailed planning, consistent
er, Walmart Executive Vice
“I think it’s great because jor at Morehouse, laments
introduction of the Lux, new documented and streamlined meetings, discussions and nePresident, announced plans to now we don’t have to go out that the he won’t be able to
websites and the more fre- process for to be adequately gotiating with the school’s adopen a Walmart in the space of the way to buy the items take advantage of the store
quent use of social networks, represented by their Senator ministration,” Bell said.
formerly occupied by Publix. we need,” Jackson said. “We but also saw its addition as
The SGA has gotten a lot of and receive attention to any
The Senate has struggled
The announcement oc- also don’t have to pay an arm a positive.
attention under the leadership situation they have no mat- with a limited budget that
curred Dec. 13 and many and a leg like we do at the
“It’s nice to see an effort beof President Travis Randle ter how basic or severe,” Bell totaled at approximately
AUC students woke up to bookstore.”
ing made to provide a quality
and his staff. However, the said.
$28,000 after the SGA Exdiscover the news on social
Accessibility was key in grocery option for not just the
other branch of the SGA, the
The Senate has numer- ecutive Board received their
networking sites like Twit- the decision to place this AUC but the community as
Senate, is often not given as ous plans for the upcoming budget, which pales in comter and Facebook. A decent Walmart in Vine City, near well,” Harrison said.
much publicity. President semester which range from parison to former Senates
crowd gathered the day of the AUC. The area has seen a
No concrete plans have
of the Senate Tyler Bell and recognizing outstanding pro- with budgets that exceeded
the announcement, but the lot of development in real es- been laid for when construcPresident Pro Tempore Eric fessors and staff members to $100,000. Bell also noted that
amount of people that will be tate, and multiple new stores tion will start, but the city
Bennett are taking steps to securing a fall break and work there were only six senators
impacted goes far beyond that and businesses have opened. KRSHVWRVWDUWLQWKHÀUVWKDOI
change that stigma.
on the FLEX plan, which that had prior senatorial exgroup. Essentially, no fresh- However, many of the newer of this year. The Walmart will
One of the most notewor- was a hot button topic in perience, along with 20 new
men were even able to experi- developments are restau- expand further into the space
thy initiatives from the Sen- the spring election season in senators, so a steep learning
ence the Publix when it was rants, townhouses or other beyond where the Publix once
ate is the “Student Bucks” 2010. There are also numer- curve was natural. Bennett
present and sophomores in stores that address sundry sat to accommodate the space
bill which passed and allotted ous other general plans such spoke positively about this
the AUC only gained access needs and not grocery needs. needed for a supercenter. All
the Senate $10,000 to be used as: revitalizing the SGA Con- Senate when compared to
WRLWEULHÁ\
Daryl Fortson, a junior Eng- signs point to future success
for a scholarship fund for stu- stitution, restructuring the previous years.
For many students, the lish major at Spelman, noted for the store and for the condents. This was the brainchild Spring elections, collaboratopening of this Walmart is a the sensibility of a store like tinual improvement of the
of Bennett and the Scholar- ing with Atlanta area colleges See SENATE, page 2
major one because the store Walmart being opened.
community.
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News.....................1 World & Local......3 Business & Tech......4 Features.................6 Opinions..............8 A&E...................11 Sports..................12
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January 26 - February 1, 2011
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THE MAROON TIGER
DIRECTOR of play prepares new show
Nicolas B. Aziz ’12
&EJUPSJO$IJFG
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MANAGEMENT
Gerren K. Gaynor ’11
Managing Editor
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Jeffery Taylor II ’12
Chief Layout Editor
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Remington Jackson ’12
Photography Editor
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Terrence Campbell ’11
Co-Chief Copy Editor
tlcampbell89@gmail.com
Nicolette Tucker CAU ’11
Co-Chief Copy Editor
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Victoria Plummer SC ’11
Associate Copy Editor
vplummer@spelman.edu
EDITORS
Kevin Mallory ’11
Campus News Editor
Lance Dixon ’12
Associate Campus News Editor
Dannieka Wiggins SC ’13
World & Local Editor
Leonard Horne ’13
Associate World & Local Editor
Sescily Coney SC ’11
Business & Tech Editor
Reginald Williams ’12
Associate Bussiness & Tech Editor
Elizabeth Sawyer SC ’11
Features Editor
Sierra Stokes SC ’13
Associate Features Editor
Tre’vell Anderson ’13
Opinions Editor
Karen Bullock SC ’11
Associate Opinions Editor
Spencer Greene ’11
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Taylor Williams ’12
Associate A&E Editor
Jourdan Shepard ’12
Sports Editor
Charlie Williams IV ’12
Associate Sports Editor
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Spencer Greene ’11
Public Relations Director
sgreene.savvy@gmail.com
SENATE takes initiatives to
be effective and transparent
continued from front page
“I believe the Senate is
more visible this year,” Bennett said.“Efforts are being
made to let the student body
know who we are and what
we do.”
The President and President
Pro Tempore differ on the
success of Bennett’s claims.
The Senate has been active on
Facebook and created a Twitter account last semester in
addition to the general SGA
Twitter and Facebook accounts. Bell would still seem
to be less optimistic about the
success of these efforts due to
a lack of response from students.
“Last spring each candidate
Students rehearse for the Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired play “Going to See the King,” directed by vowed
to ‘clean the glass’ and
junior Jihand Kheperu. This year’s production is the second iteration of the play.
be more transparent with their
continued from front page
A: It was invigorating; I was constantly kept processes and decisions but
busy with something new to think of. At times, we can’t force out constituQ: What all went into the production of the it was trying because I was worrying if things ents to look,” Bell said.
Despite this apparent lack
play, how much time spent auditioning, re- were going to come out on time and if we’d
hearsing, and planning for the play?
get it done. It was really inspiring working of response from students
A: I can’t give you a number; there were with such a great cast because they got a lot
countless, countless man hours. It was a lot of of the work done. Directing is a lot more than
hard work, honestly.
simply directing. It was a lot more than being
on stage, so it was a learning experience.
4:HUHWKHUHDQ\GLIÀFXOWLHVWKDW\RXWKH
cast, and the crew had to overcome while Q: What do you hope that the audience
producing the play?
takes with them after viewing your play?
$7KHÀUVWGLIÀFXOW\ZDVWKHVQRZVWRUP,W A: I hope they see it as a call to action. I hope
really just shut down everything. It stopped a they go out and want to do better. If there’s
lot of people from coming here; people were change that needs to be made, go out there
falling while walking on the way to campus.
and make that change. Be the change that you
want to see. Go out there and affect the way
Q: What is it like directing and overseeing people live in a positive manner.
the production of a campus performance?
the Senate continues to keep
a pulse on student concerns
through social media websites and through their grievance forms. They hope to
work on two of the hot button
issues for students: the four
credit hour system and the introduction of a fall break. The
group also hopes to continue
to work on being visible and
FRQWLQXLQJWRGHÀQHKRZWKH\
differ from the SGA Executive Board but still ultimately
have the same goals as the
President and his staff. Both
Bell and Bennett are aware
that the Senate has work to
do but both remain relatively
hopeful for the future.
“I knew that last semester
would be more of a laying
of the foundation…and the
foundation is strong,” Bell
said. “We have an enormous
amount of room to grow and
an even bigger amount of
work to get done.”
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2011!
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MULTIMEDIA
O’koyea Huff Boone ’12
Webmaster
okoyeahb@gmail.com
Carl Ringgold ’11
New Media Director
carl.ringgold@gmail.com
Kenley Hargett ’12
Tiger TV Producer
kenleyhargett@gmail.com
ADVISER
Ron Thomas
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WORLD & LOCAL
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January 26 - February 1, 2011
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4IPPUJOHPG3FQ(JČPSETJO"SJ[POB
Dannieka Wiggins
World & Local Editor
dwiggin1@scmail.spelman.edu
A
ccording to WSBTV on Jan. 8 there was
a tragic shooting at a shopping center in
Tucson, Ariz. that left six people dead and Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords critically wounded. Fox News notes Giffords as suspect, Jared
Loughner’s target in the shooting. Loughner
is 22-years-old and was suspected to have had
an accomplice who escaped shortly after the
shooting.
State Sen. Linda Lopez reported to Fox News
that Giffords is suffering from a gunshot
wound to the temple, in which the bullet went through her head and fell
out of her forehead.
Currently, Giffords is in
intensive care at The Uni-
versity of Arizona Medical Center. According
to Fox News she had a serious surgery and CT
scan but the results were not released. However, surgeon, Dr. Peter Rhee told Fox News that
he is “very optimistic” about Giffords chances
to physically overcome her crucial state.
“He should get the jail time he deserves. He
should be penalized for attempted murder,”
says Chanterries Roberts, a sophomore, Political Science major at Spelman College.
Although Sheriff Clarence Dupnik links the
shooting to an “overheated political rhetoric,”
G e o rgia
Rep. Jack Kingston says his comments are irresponsible and there is no proof that the shooting was politically motivated. Kingston characterized Dupnik’s comment that the shooting
was initiated by politics as “irresponsible.”
“There is no evidence the shooting was politically motivated” Kingston told Fox News.
He attributes the shooting to the insane actions
of a random gunman.
Kingston insisted that Loughner’s behavior stemmed from his past record of reckless
crime. Yet, Fox News insists that the motive for
the crime has not yet been revealed.
Roberts begs to differ. “I don’t really think it
was a random incident, that’s the person
(Giffords) he (Loughner) was lookLQJIRUµ5REHUWVDIÀUPV
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Leonard Horne
Associate World & Local Editor
leonard.horne@gmail.com
Addison DeMoss
Contributing Writer
addisondemoss@yahoo.com
O
n a typical day, a breakfast stop at McDonald’s
may cost around $4 or $5, depending on the particular food selection. For Thomas Enwright, his breakfast
stop almost cost him $200. Enwright stopped at a McDonald’s
in Acworth in November, but because his truck was too big to park in
their parking space, he parked in a lot next to McDonald’s. This decision caused
Enwright to receive a boot on his car, which would cost $200 to be removed.
“I tried to use common sense with the guy, but people like that don’t care,” Enwright
told the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC). “They’re doing their job but not using common sense.”
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on a larger problem for Cherokee County.
According to the AJC, Cherokee commissioners will address the grounds businesses
have to put the parking boot on vehicles parked on private property in Feburary. The commissioners are strongly considering prohibiting or restricting the use of parking boots.
Booting companies counter against these ordinances, insisting that they offer a needed
service that is a cheaper alternative to towing. They also believe parking violators should
be punished for illegal or unauthorized parking rather than companies.
/W-D\%DNHUDVSRNHVPDQIRUWKH&KHURNHH&RXQW\6KHULII·V2IÀFHWROGWKH$-&WKDW
WKHUHKDYHEHHQÀYHFRPSODLQWVRYHUWKHSDVW\HDUUHODWHGWRERRWLQJ,QVRPHLQVWDQFHV
YLRODWRUVFDQEHÀQHGXSWR´3ULYDWHSURSHUW\RZQHUVKDYHWKHULJKWWRKLUHERRWing companies to help prevent cars from parking there for long periods of time,” Baker
explained.
Jaz Grant, a junior English major at Morehouse College, disagrees with commissioners
about prohibiting parking boots.
“I would rather have my car booted than towed. It usually costs less money to get a boot
off than getting it from a pound,” said Grant, who has had two boots on his car since he
came to Atlanta for school.
Grant disagrees that private businesses have the right to charge people for parking unauthorized parking.
“They [private owned businesses] may pay for the building most times but not for the
parking lot,” Grant argues.
“It will be a hassle [for Cherokee county] to probably get the parking ban boot to be
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A
ccording to the Southern Sudan Referendum,
conducted by the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) in Khartoum (Sudan’s capitol
‘wilayat’), almost 99 percent of southern Sudanese citizens
have voted for secession from northern Sudan. These citizens hope
to form their own independent country. The referendum is being conducted
in conjunction with the SSRC’s Juba subsidiary, the Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau
(SSRB).
The referendum was conducted between Jan. 9 to Jan. 15 of this year. The results of the
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SSRC/SSRB Data Centers in Khartoum and Juba. The process for tallying the results of
the referendum is very extensive, including time for appeals by competent courts. At the
current juncture, according to the SSRC, a whopping 98.6 percent of all votes tallied are
for secession leaving 1.4 percent for unity.
The referendum, mandated within the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, decides
whether the 10 states of Southern Sudan will remain united to Northern Sudan or will become independent. Though regionally the percentages for and against unity and secession
vary slightly. Despite the fact that all the results are not complete, the numbers point to
overwhelming favor secession for Southern Sudan. The SSRC results thus far have shown
that voters in practically every southern state chose independence by 99 percent. However,
data shows that Southern Sudanese living in northern Sudan were more ambivalent when
faced with the question of unity or secession; 42 percent opted for unity and 58 for secession. The New York Times said that many of these particular people believe that secession
would cause them to leave the north, despite the fact that citizenship has yet to be resolved.
7KH1HZ<RUN7LPHVKDVDOVRUHSRUWHGWKDWHOHFWLRQRIÀFLDOVKDYHVDLGWKDWWKHWXUQRXW
VRDUHGSDVWWKHSHUFHQWEULQNQHFHVVDU\IRUWKHUHIHUHQGXPWREHYDOLGWKHRIÀFLDOUHsults are due to be released on Feb. 14).
7KLVYRWHZLOOKDYHVLJQLÀFDQWUDPLÀFDWLRQVDQGZLOOSURYHWRKDYHFRPHDWDQHSRFKDO
point in time, as Sudan has been plagued by civil unrest partially for the twentieth and
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religious) disputes.
Recycle The Maroon Tiger
BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY
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January 26 - February 1, 2011
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7FSJ[POJ1IPOFJO'FC 4PDJBM/FUXPSLT
End of AT&T exclusivity signals important
shift in marketing of the iPhone
Social networks find new methods of being
innovative to appeal to the young
Reginauld Williams
Assoc. Bus & Tech Editor
rwilliamsbla@gmail.com
Kamille Shine
Staff Writer
kshine12@gmail.com
T
he much-awaited time
has come. Speculations
of the iPhone being available on Verizon Wireless
have been circulating since
WKH HQG RI WKH ÀYH\HDU$Sple exclusivity contract with
AT&T and the wait is over.
The Verizon iPhone will be
available February 10th,
2011. Some are thrilled at
what it means for cellphone
users, but others also have
their skepticisms in choosing
the Iphone for Verizon users.
AT&T may have a hard,
but manageable, time keeping up with Verizon customers, but the competition just
got stiffer. The one thing
Verizon has always had over
AT&T is its coverage. The
network covers a majority
of North America with some
roaming in Canada, and that
service is what keeps its customers happy. The relevantly
new world of 4G technology
is showing great progress,
but there are some reservations to made about Verizon
FXVWRPHUV ÀQDOO\ EHLQJ DEOH
to purchase the iPhone 4.
Since the inception of 3G
technology, AT&T customers
have been able to not only
had simultaneous voice and
data usage, but for Verizon
this is not the case. Verizon’s
3G network has great service
coverage, but is still just that3G. The new 4G LTE (Long
Term Evolution) was recently launched but is not yet
available for the iPhone 4,
and there has been no mention from Verizon that it will
be.
The main issue with Verizon’s CDMA (Code Division
Multiple Access) network
which has prevented the
iPhone and other products
being released is that it does
not use SIM cards, as with
T-Mobile and AT&T who
use GSM (Global System
for Mobile.) Without a SIM
card or CDMA a cell phone
will not be able to function,
and CDMA phones are not
as global friendly as GSM
but can hold their own in
some respects. At one point,
hacking, unlocking, and jail
breaking phones for updates
to allow access to different
features also kept customers
getting the most of the their
money, but soon they might
not need to.
Unlocking and jail break-
ing phones was once illegal
and risky, but now is mainstream and widely accepted
as an option for a person who
wants a phone, but may not
necessarily have the service
it comes with. The downsides
to this are that if the phone is
broken, the owner is liable
for the damage if it does not
work or if the phone does not
WDNH WKH QHZ PRGLÀFDWLRQV
Mall kiosks are available and
are also a feasible option to
beat the cell phone system,
with its ever-changing and
constantly upgraded technology.
One of the good things
about the iPhone’s availability on Verizon is that
now other providers can
also utilize this moment to
bring the iPhone to their
service, like another CDMA
user, Sprint. There has been
no mention of the iPhone
staying with AT&T and
now Verizon, but anything
can happen. For iPhone aspirants, if Verizon or AT&T
upgrades are in your future,
best of luck! Verizon has
stated for existing customers, the phones are available
for pre-order a week before
the release date.
C
ommunication has grown
over the years from normal telephone calls to the
dawn of email, texting, and
instant messaging. With the
emergence of social networking sites, people now have a
newer reason to be glued to
their cell phones and computers in class and at home. From
Myspace to Facebook and
Twitter to Tumblr they are all
competing to remain innovative and become the leaders
within their industry.
Blogging, posting updates
about every move made, and
checking in on friends and
their status and relationship
updates has become a sacred
part of many individual’s daily routines. When Myspace
swept the scene with colorful backgrounds, music,
fan pages, and writing on a
friend’s wall, Sconex became
old news and everyone fell
in love with the latest trend.
Now a days after failing to
innovate MySpace, once the
dominant Web site for social
networking, is preparing to
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proves how fragile social me-
dia is and with the changing
tastes of consumers sensations can be hot one day and
fade from public imagination
the next.
Michael J. Wolf, the former
president of Viacom’s MTV
Networks and managing partQHU DW PHGLD FRQVXOWLQJ ÀUP
Activate states, “MySpace
was like a big party, and then
the party moved on, and Facebook has become much more
of a utility and communications vehicle.” Facebook has
introduced applications to
make communication and
navigating around the site
much faster, easier, and convenient for users versus the
applications on Myspace.
Facebook allows connection
with real people, rather than
bands or celebrities. Applications on Facebook such as
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friends, constant instant messaging, and liking groups to
spark a person’s interests and
receive invitations to real
events, but can Facebook stay
relevant?
The rumor of Facebook to
shutdown on March 15 spread
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were panicking as to what
would come of their lives
without this website in their
lives. Although, this rumor
has been labeled as a falsehood by many reliable sources, people still have an uneasy
feeling in the back of their
minds about what will life be
like when social networking
sites become obsolete? Currently, new applications for
cell phones and computer users are now emerging which
are possibly threatening to be
the downfall of all social media websites.
Many cell phones and wireless providers have now developed applications with the
capability of these sites and so
much more. For instance, individuals will have the capability to run applications that
can be used for connecting
socially (Bbm, KiK), getting
news updates, and even posting work and school related
material. If Facebook is down
temporarily or permanently,
cell phone applications are a
reliable back up plan or permanent replacement. Now we
have to wonder are applications the new social frontier?
Although social media may
sometimes be more convenient and reliable, if you want
FODULÀFDWLRQ RQ VRPHWKLQJ
right away, a phone call might
be the way to go.
Two
names as
valuable
as our own
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without learning a few things. Like how to recognize and celebrate
colleagues with exceptional qualities. And the importance of training and
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two Morehouse students who will be joining us full-­time this summer.
Congratulations to them on all their success.
jpmorgan.com/careers
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Recycle The Maroon Tiger
Jordan Bell
Thaddaeus Hill
Recycle The Maroon Tiger
FEATURES
www.themaroontiger.com
January 26 - February 1, 2011
6
"$IBU8JUI.JTT.BSPPO8IJUF
Gerren K. Gaynor
Managing Editor
gerren.gaynor@gmail.com
Micki L. Jackson
Spelman College ’11
Fort Worth, Texas
M
iss Maroon & White (MMW)
is the female embodiment of
Morehouse College. She’s poise,
intelligent and an agent of communal uplift. Micki L. Jackson, the
2010-2011 Miss Maroon & White,
talked with The Maroon Tiger about
her experience thus far as the most
esteemed woman in the Morehouse
community.
MT: How has your experience
been as MMW thus far?
Micki: It’s been a great experience.
Meeting new people and representing Morehouse College has been
one of the best experiences ever.
It’s also been a learning experience.
It has its stressful moments, but I
FDQGHÀQLWHO\VD\LWKDVEHHQZRQderful.
MT: Can you explain the thought
or feeling you felt the night
they announced your name as
the 2010-2011 Miss Maroon &
White?
Micki: The thought was “Me? Really?! Yay!” I genuinely love Morehouse. Most of my close friends I
made [here] through the band and
Mahogany & Motion. My best
friend attends Morehouse. I actually
wrote “I will be your next MMW”
on my bathroom mirror and it’s still
there. It’s a reminder that it doesn’t
stop at the pageant. Everyday you
have to keep motivating yourself to a college experience at two schools
represent the school well. MMW is opposed to just one.
always MMW, even when she graduates. It’s a sisterhood like no other. MT: What’s the most challenging
part of being MMW?
MT: Is it intimidating or over- Micki: Keeping everything in perwhelming at times having 2,000+ spective and managing your time. It
Men of Morehouse knowing ex- would be really easy for me to just
actly who you are?
be a full-time queen; showing up to
Micki: It is. I make an effort to all the events and sitting on camknow everyone’s name and be cor- pus all day, but I have to remember
dial. But I don’t expect everyone to that I’m a student. It can get hard
know my name. You may have seen sometimes because everyone wants
me in a picture and may not recog- to have fun. There so many things
nize me in person, therefore I make to do [on campus], it gets hard to
it a point to introduce myself.
say “I’m going to lock myself in the
science center” and work on homeMT: How do you remain humble work, especially being a math maknowing that you’re kind of a ce- jor.
lebrity in this AUC sphere?
Micki: I don’t think I am a celebri- MT: How’s is your relationship
ty, I am a student just like everyone with your court members, Jaselse. We are all going to do great mine Sadat and Maya Smith?
things one day, and this is just one Micki: It’s great. They’re funny.
stop. This may be a position that is Getting to know them has been
highly celebrated but at the end of great. We had a chance to bond this
the day it’s not about me, it’s about year because we are no longer comMorehouse. It’s not about any of peting. We now have to work tothe queens because we are here to gether and commit to accomplishrepresent the Men of Morehouse.
ing our goals as a court.
MT: What is the best part about
being MMW?
Micki: I like it all, but feeling like
I’m really a part of the school is the
greatest experience; feeling like
I’m a part of their history. Even
if I haven’t necessarily met every student, they may look at their
class yearbook and say ‘that was
my Miss Maroon and White.’ You
become a part of the history and
bonded to Morehouse College. I
love Spelman and Morehouse. It’s
great to be able to feel like I had
MT: What are some upcoming
activities you have planned for
this semester?
Micki: My platform “Mentoring
For Life” focuses on college students mentoring young people in
our community. I’m having Big
Brothers Big Sisters (Atlanta) come
to [Morehouse’s] cafeteria Wednesdays, Jan. 26, Feb. 2, Feb. 23 and
Mar. 2. They will be taking applications. On dodgeball day, Feb. 26,
Big Brothers Big Sisters will be
here as well. The goal is to get at
least 250 applications for big brothers. There are at least 800 little
boys waiting for a big brother. We
all have a mentor that we can go
to for guidance, but some of these
kids don’t have that and it’s important for us to realize that. The money for that day will go to Forever
Family Atlanta. It’s a great program
that serves children of incarcerated
parents. Since my sophomore year
I have been going there once or
twice a week. I want to donate to
them because the money would reDOO\EHQHÀWWKHP
MT: Do Jasmine and Maya plan
to implement their platforms as
well?
Micki: Yes, we all want to do something good and I think it would be
great for all three of us to do something because we are not here to
only reign as your queens. We are
here to make a difference, while
utilizing the Men of Morehouse in
making that difference.
MT: So, you want to go into education?
Micki: Yes, or some form of a nonSURÀW WKDW KHOSV >VWXGHQWV@ JHW WR
higher education. I want to close
the educational gap among children. I want people to know that
it’s possible to achieve your dreams
and go to college. My cousin visited Morehouse his junior year of
high school, and I really wanted
him to come, but he said he wasn’t
smart enough. I want to help eradicate that mindset. Education is very
possible if you work for it and believe that you can do it. In the future maybe I’ll start my own pro-
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gram, and focus on kids getting the
help they’re not getting.
MT: What’s something we would
never know about Micki?
Micki: I like to play songs on repeat
(laughs).
MT: Everyone knows MMW is
the embodiment of Morehouse
College, but the Men of Morehouse really want to know if you
can cook?
Micki: Yes (laughs). Me and my
roommate have Sunday dinners
once or twice a month.
MT: What is some advance you
can give to MMW hopefuls who
ZLVKWRÀOO\RXUVKRHVVRPHGD\"
Micki: Be genuine in everything
you do. Use your own judgment
and don’t do anything to negatively
impact yourself in trying to become
MMW. The Men of Morehouse can
tell when you’re not being genuine.
Have fun with this experience. It
ZLOOGHÀQLWHO\EHDOHDUQLQJH[SHULence, a growing experience, and a
great networking opportunity.
MT: Is there any past MMW or
FRXUWPHPEHUWKDWKDVLQÁXHQFHG
you?
Micki: Honestly, I look up to every
MMW I’ve met. We’re an elite sisterhood. Every single one has given
me great advice because they have
all been in our shoes. Even the court
from 1960, whom we met, still can
relate to us. They have all become
DJUHDWVXSSRUWV\VWHP,GHÀQLWHO\
want to be a part of that support
system for the next queen.
explaining the facebook
pics of you and a goat, hard.
getting your vitamins, easy.
introducing...
connect
(caffeine + 8 key nutrients)
spark
(vitamin e + choline)
©2010 glacéau, glacéau®, vitaminwater®, bottle design and label are registered trademarks of glacéau.
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OPINIONS
www.themaroontiger.com
January 26 - February 1, 2011
8
ćF#8PSE8IP"SF:PV$BMMJOH"#
J.T. Banson
Contributing Writer
jbaileying2@yahoo.com
T
he B-word is one of the
most widely used misogynistic terms to date. Derived
in 1150 A.D. from the Old
English word ‘bicce,’ it was
ÀUVWXVHGWRGHVFULEHWKHVWDWH
in which a female dog, fox, or
wolf is ready for fertilization.
It wasn’t until the 14th century that the word was used in
a derogatory manner by men
to describe a woman they desired sexually.
Today, we have expanded
the term’s usage, particularly among Black men who
use the expression, b****a** nigga. While often used
to depict a lack of perceived
masculinity in another man
based on social constructs,
the subliminal implications
of this expression conclude
that being less masculine, and
therefore more feminine, is a
negative trait.
This lessens a woman’s social standing in comparison to
that of a man’s.
This standard of what a
man is supposed to be in our
VRFLHW\DQGPRUHVSHFLÀFDOO\
the Black race, leaves little
room for diversity. Anything
outside of this realm, which
we have deemed masculine
is subsequently deserving of
ridicule and unfair treatment.
Furthermore, women in our
community have seemingly
embraced the term in the
context of strength, assertiveness and vigor. We men seem
determined and unrelenting
even, however, to undervalue
the opposite sex with the same
term, which women choose to
uplift themselves.
Even if it is the recording
artist Too $hort’s “favorite
word,” it has no positive purpose in reference to any human being, and the harm it invokes makes it offensive and
debasing.
From derogatory rap lyrics
to colloquial speech, Black
men have been using the term
to exploit women for their
sexual attributes instead of
simply taking the time to get
to know them, to develop a
meaningful relationship. We
miss out on what is so valuable about our female counterparts because, truthfully,
ZHDUHVRÀ[DWHGRQÀOOLQJWKH
vacancies our own insecurities leave behind.
This forced me to question
the source of these vacancies
and caused me to revert back
to our largest commonality –
slavery.
The precedent set by the
circumstances our ancestors
endured has imbued us with a
standard of self-depreciation
among both sexes, now a societal norm. However, as Bell
Hooks explains in her novel
“Ain’t I a Woman?,” though
both Black men and Black
women were forced into slavery, their experiences differed
greatly.
In the 2007 movie, “The
Great Debaters,” Denzel
Washington’s character tells
the story of a letter written by
the vicious West Indies slave
owner Willie Lynch. His
methods of controlling slaves
were sought after when the
slave masters of the Virginia
colony were having trouble
with their slaves.
Washington’s character articulated the contents of the
letter addressed by Lynch to
these slave masters with one
resounding, daunting statement: “Keep the slave physically strong, but psychologically weak and dependant on
the slave master… Keep the
body, take the mind.”
Black men were nearly
beaten to death by the slave
masters, and often times beaten by other slaves in front of
their women and children.
This mental and physical
degradation over hundreds of
years has likely manifested
into this mindset of less-than
that we often carry with us.
We try to over-compensate
for such a mindset with the
insulting language we now
use amongst each other, such
as the B-word.
Conclusively, I denounce
this antiquated and vulgar
term for the negative qualities
it inherently carries and continues to demean us with as a
society and a people. Will you
join me?
"SF:PV")FUFSPTFYVBM3PCPUPO
Donald Gillis
Contributing Writer
donaldgillis3@gmail.com
S
agging pants, 2X t-shirts
and Polo boots - is this the
attire of a successful man, or
is suit and tie still the ideal?
There are a great deal of
IDFWRUV WKDW JR LQWR GHÀQLQJ
who a man is. Very few differ
in opinion on sexuality and
gender roles. Men are supposedly masculine or the protector. They are the leader of the
household.
,W·VDUDULW\WRÀQGVRPHRQH
ZKRGHÀQHVDKRPRVH[XDORU
same gender loving (SGL)
male as masculine. Instead,
they are considered the antithesis of who a man should be
according to society’s rules.
,I D PDQ ÀQGV KH LV DEOH WR
relate to a woman rather than
objectifying her, he is viewed
as radical and his ideals ludicrous.
There is a constructed idea
of who a man should be, based
on factors like religion, societal views, family, education
and even appearance. However, there should be more to
WKH GHÀQLWLRQ RI D PDQ WKDQ
his external features.
The perfect guise is not always the easiest way through
life.
As I sat in the “Facing Manhood: Expressions of Masculinities” panel discussion, I
was shown the non-variant
views of men that are held
throughout not only the country, but the world. The basic
“
There are people all over
the world, and no one is the
same as the next. But we
walk around with an air of
superiority when surrounded
by those who do not fit our
scheme. It’s high time that
we are able to accept our
brothers.
perspective was that a man
must be masculine, manly, or
any of the other overused adjectives is alarmingly tendentious.
Accepted societal norms
have warped minds across the
nation into believing there is
only one portrait of a man. If
\RX GRQ·W ÀW WKDW PROG \RX
are viewed as an outcast and
treated as such by all.
According to gay activist
Cleo Manago, who coined the
term SGL in the ‘90s, a panelist representing the Black
Men’s Xchange, “Many of us
are trained to be men …We
are heterosexual robotons.”
Manago’s assertion makes
sense. Our fathers show us
that we are to take care of our
homes. Because of them, we
learn to play sports, pick up
women, and get a job. We are
Recycle The Maroon Tiger
told that we must watch football, drink beer with the guys
and play poker on the weekends.
All too often, television
provides us with the AllAmerican scenario of working men and the serving
women. And if a man is to
take a submissive role, he is
deemed a punk or a weakOLQJ ,W LV VRFLHW\·V LQÁXHQFH
WKDWKDVGHÀQHGZKDWPDVFXlinity is.
The two-dimensional images we see on television
dictate who we are supposed
to be. If we don’t conform to
the norm, then our very existence is questioned, or even
obscured.
On this campus, we have a
serious issue with being able
to have our brother’s back as
VRRQ DV ZH ÀQG RXW WKDW RXU
brother has a different sexual
preference.
Daniel Edwards, a graduating Morehouse senior and
former president of the campus’ gay-straight alliance organization, Safe Space, was a
member of the panel as well.
“It is supposedly a sin
against God to live [a homosexual] life, but isn’t it also an
act against God for us to turn
away our neighbor?” Edwards
questioned the audience. “Are
we not taught to love all, and
treat others the way we want
to be treated?”
However, as a society, we
neglect to realize this.
There are people all over
the world, and no one is the
same as the next. But we walk
around with an air of superiority when surrounded by those
ZKRGRQRWÀWRXUVFKHPH,W·V
high time that we are able to
accept our brothers.
Who knew that being a man
meant neglecting others and
their feelings?
Last time I checked, I was
a man because when someone
needs me, I’m there, and neither society, nor anyone else,
will keep me from having my
brother’s back, in any situation.
Donald Gillis is a sophomore at Morehouse College.
From Pensacola, Fl, Gillis
majors in biology with a neuroscience minor. He currently
serves as a mentor at Raising
Expectations and a member
of the ARISE Step and Dance
Ministry.
OPINIONS
www.themaroontiger.com
January 26 - February 1, 2011
9
i)FZ#BCZ8IBUT:PVS4JHO w
Dionne Hopkins
Contributing Writer
dionne.hopkins@hotmail.com
T
here has been much chatter
about the change in zodiac
signs. For those that look to the
stars to explain personality traits,
love compatibility, or sexual ability, you may be a little confused.
People that thought they were true
Libras are now Virgos, those that
were Pisces are now Aquarius, and
the list of confusion goes on.
I guess the R&B artist Tyrese
didn’t know all the “signs of love
making” after all.
Some astrologers claim there is a
13th sign, Ophiuchus. It is referred
to as the forgotten constellation.
The recognition of this supposed
new sign shifts the other signs in
the zodiac by a month.
Astrologers believe that people
should refer to the stars for evidence of the change. They assert
that there is a strong correlation
between the lives of people and the
proportions of planets and stars.
Regardless of what caused the
supposed shift in signs, I take this
knowledge to be merely subjective. If one believes they are a
Scorpio, then they are.
The strength of personal convictions is mind boggling.
:KHQÀUVWOHDUQLQJWKDW,DGLHhard Cancer, am now a Gemini,
I denounced the entire thought. I
repeatedly read that the reason for
my sensitive, warm, loving, and
cautious nature is because I am a
Cancer. Not to say there is anything wrong with being a Gemini,
but I appreciate having one personality.
If in fact there is a forgotten
sign, how will it impact people’s
lives? Out of curiosity, what is the
SURÀOHRIDSHUVRQERUQXQGHUWKH
Ophiuchus constellation? What
traits would this person possess
that makes them different from
others? I wonder who will sing a
song about the zodiac and include
Ophiuchus. I don’t think anyone
would make a sultry song about
that; Ophiuchus doesn’t sound too
sexy.
At any rate, signs are all about
beliefs. So as a man thinks, he is.
If you still think you’re the sign
that represents you best, that’s all
that matters.
Yes Scorpios, you can still be
sexy. Leos, you still brighten up
a room. Sagittarians, you are still
the life of the party.
So the next time some corny
lame asks you, “Baby, what’s your
sign?” you may have to think hard
before you just suck your teeth
and walk away. But remember, it’s
up to you.
Dionne Hopkins is a sophomore at Clark Atlanta University.
Majoring in Political Science,
she was the Freshman Class representative for the CAU Political
Science Association and aims to
become a Political Science professor upon graduation. Hopkins
currently serves as CAU’s Miss
Political Science.
$BVUJPO#FIJOE.VTJD"SF#BE.FTTBHFT
Anthony McCool
Contributing Writer
mccooa37129@yahoo.com
A
great man once said,
“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the
mind and gives it rest, heals
the heart and makes it whole,
ÁRZV IURP KHDYHQ WR WKH
soul.”
Music is meant to uplift
those who are downtrodden
and instill balance that has
been lost as a result of life’s
pressures and struggles. But
have you ever taken the time
to notice that almost all of the
songs that people in the AUC
love and gravitate toward,
have a great deal of negative
connotations?
The fact that they listen,
sing and dance to it can only
mean two things - ignorance
truly is bliss or they are unaffected by the music and do
not really care or mind at all
what message(s) is being conveyed.
As long as the music does
the job of changing your
mood, that is all that matters,
right?
AUC students listen to
songs despite the messages
20
?
?
questions
?
1. What are you doing after graduation?
2. Will you even be walking across the stage
on May 15?
3. Are you a future SUPER SENIOR?
4. Where are the MOTY candidates?
5. Isn’t it safe to say that WHOEVER is on next
year’s MMW court will be better than this
year’s?
6. Who’s the favorite?
7. Did she really think it would be acceptable
to go to the informational in JEANS and
spelman paraphernalia?
8. DoeZ she think she is somehow a part of
their Chapter when she wears pink and
green?
9. So the Mothership has returned, huh?
10. Did you really get into Harvard?
11. Or do you not have the GPA?
?
they carry. Even if the bass
and catchy lyrics, the music that exists in today’s society degrades our culture,
demeans either gender and
distorts the image of black
people in the eyes of other
cultures.
It amazes me that no one
minds listening to “Booty
Meat,” complete a song about
his infatuation with the female buttocks.
Don’t forget about “Russian Roulette” by Rihanna.
Within this guitar driven ballad, she conveys the message
that when life gets too dif-
ÀFXOWWDNHDFKDQFHDQGSXOO
the trigger, literally.
Something needs to be done
about these songs. Children,
our little brothers and sisters,
are becoming exposed and accustomed to lecherous behavior, sexual habits and practices, depression and suicide.
Students of the AUC and
people in general should not
be so quick to immerse themselves into music that carries so much negativity and
cynicism. There are too many
other genres of music that can
be sampled and enjoyed on
a regular basis. Rock’n’roll,
electronic, rhythm and blues,
jazz, bebop, heavy metal and
techno are rarely ever heard
on any AUC campus.
Let’s try these perhaps more
positive genres.
But as we continue to listen to the same old songs,
men and women are becoming brainwashed by the lyrics they are being fed. We
as a society revere and love
this music so much that we
emulate it, singing to each,
calling each other out of their
name, being as violent as we
want to be toward friends,
family and strangers.
Let’s start listening to music that actually focuses on
teaching us something meaningful about life and takes our
mind out of the gutter. Music
should help us transcend into
a mindset that is appealing,
soothing and positively stimulating.
Anthony McCool is a junior at Morehouse College.
From Chicago, Il, McCool
majors in computer science
and serves as Vice President
of The National Catholic Student Coalition.
?
Betty Crocker
Miss Maroon and Black
mymomwasMMW@mississippistate.edu
?
12. Are we going to have a yearbook this year?
13. Or has the FLAME been extinguished
already?
14. Shouldn’t they maybe start putting it
together?
15. Was attempting to OUT him on twitter the
end of it?
16. Or will her RANTING continue?
17. How do students REALLY feel about bobby
frank’s performance?
18. Is 2013’s CEO actually backing out of the
race?
19. Or is this just a part of his STRATEGY?
20. Is anybody willing to pay $10 for a game in
our own arena?
?
?
Got questions?
Send them to mtiger20questions@gmail.com
Recycle The Maroon Tiger
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.
explaining the facebook
pics of you and a goat, hard.
getting your vitamins, easy.
introducing...
connect
(caffeine + 8 key nutrients)
spark
(vitamin e + choline)
©2010 glacéau, glacéau®, vitaminwater®, bottle design and label are registered trademarks of glacéau.
Recycle The Maroon Tiger
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
www.themaroontiger.com
January 26 - February 1, 2011
11
Image courtesy of AHMAD BARBER
Students Host Unique Sneaker ‘AUCtion’ $IFHH4QPOTPST'SFF
Spencer Greene
Arts & Entertainment Editor
sgreene.savvy@gmail.com
S
Bs, Dunks and more Jordans than you can think
of; what’s a better way for an
AUC sneakerhead to start off
spring semester than a Sneaker “AUCtion?” On Jan. 22,
Morehouse students: Jamaco
Brown, Taylor Brown, Corian Charles, Deandre Cherry
and Spelman graduate Kimberly Elliott, teamed up with
Morehouse NAACP to bring
the event held in Archer hall
to life.
The idea originally came
from sneaker lovers Charles,
Cherry, Jamaco and Brown.
Elliott sought out to help with
the event as a way to launch
her event-planning career.
The event consisted of a DJ
playing non-stop music while
people walked around, checking out the different vendors
and simply enjoying the atmosphere. Some of the vendors included: Sneakerboy,
Honor Roll Clothing, New
Era, Original State of Mind
and self-proclaimed sneakerheads who brought a variety of exclusive and vintage
sneakers to showcase and sell.
Entry into the event cost
$15 or $10 with a shoe donation. All of the donated
sneakers went to Soles4soul,
a Nashville based charity
that collects shoes from various sources to provide for
those in need.
Sneakers on display at the AUCtion held in Archer Hall. The event was held January 22.
The four hour event started
pretty slowly, but nevertheless
showed those in attendance a
good time. Morehouse student, Jordan Walker displayed
his artwork, which consisted
of a painting of a pair of Jordans and a portrait of rapper
MF DOOM.
Next to Walker’s table was
the Goodness Gang section,
which consisted of class of
2013 entrepreneurs: Original
State of Mind, Sci-Fli and
Those Delaluz. OSM displayed vintage sneakers and
OSM shirts while Delaluz
gave away buttons and sold
hats and crewnecks with corduroy patches on the elbows,
a cool piece to have for the remainder of the winter. Sci-Fli
brought their infamous pins,
showing their new designs, as
well as shirts and crewnecks.
Across from 2013 section
was Sole intentions, a guy
who simply went by the name
Jahrell and brought an extensive collection of Nikes. He
sold his exclusive sneakers
for various prices, negotiating
with anxious college students
on a budget. While sneaker
and clothing prices were negotiated all around the room
and the DJ blasted music that
kept everyone jamming, a
few people walked around the
room selling Snap Back caps
for as low as $20.
Towards the end of the evening, performances began to
take place. Performers con-
sisted of outside artist, Fat Kids
Brotha and Morehouse own
Lincoln “Sir Flash-a-lot” Carr
and Najee “Naj Murph” Murphy. After a few performances,
before Sir Flash-a-lot’s set,
0XUSKRSHQHGXSWKHÁRRUIRU
a rap cipher, which brought out
rappers from all over the room.
Everyone in the room showed
to be having a good time, as everyone involved in the cipher.
As the night wined down,
vendors shut down and sneaker
heads proceeded out of Archer
hall, NAACP members cleared
out and cleaned up the area. All
of the parties involved in making the event a success should
feel proud; they brought a vital
part of street wear culture to the
AUC and for a great cause.
-BVSZO)JMMUBLFT$FOUFS4UBHF
Joshua Moore
Staff Writer
j_moore20@yahoo.com
L
auryn Hill arrived, as expected, close to the midnight hour to melt the remaining Atlanta ice during her
live show at Center Stage. It
[EWLIV½VWXWLS[MR%XPERXE
in over a decade.
“Atlanta, you’re so special,
huh?” Hill asked as she graced
the stage to cheers and hollers from the crowd with the
DJ playing Mavado’s “I’m So
Special.”
To start the show, Hill, lead
the crowd in a high-spirited
rendition of Bob Marley’s
“Forever Loving Jah.” Her
voice would prove to be at
it’s clearest during his moment, before it turned to its
new raspy texture.
Afterwards, she told the
crowd that she would perform
some classics, but warned that
her and her band reworked
them to make them more exciting. Everyone in the front
nodded, cheered, and shouted in approval.
“Atlanta, I say it’s funny how
money changes situations,”
,MPP¾S[IHVETMHP]XSXLIRI[
sped-up “Lost Ones.” It was
a sharp contrast from Hill’s
“Unplugged” session as she
encouraged, to no one in
particular, making the sound
“bigger.” This reworking of
her classics wasn’t for everyone, but a true Lauryn Hill fan
would not be lost in the bigness of the band.
Hill infused the Fugee’s hit
“Manifest” into the “Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” track,
“When It Hurts So Bad.” She
led the sold-out show in a
heart-wrenching chorus all
singing to the sound of “ExFactor.” She even surprisingly
reworked the track, “Final
Hour,” but noticeably missing
were Hill’s staples such as “To
Zion,” and “Everything is Everything.”
After a slew of “Miseducation” hits, Hill asked if there
were any Fugees fans and
if she could take it back to
some of their hits. I responded, “How Many Mics!” She
looked at me and said, “Oh,
you know that one?” I nodded. She turned to her band,
smiled, wiped her forehead,
and said, “Maybe you can sing
along with me,” before she
launched into the song.
Hill then attached together
a string of Fugee’s hits, including
“Zealots,” “Fu-Gee-La”,
and “Ready or Not,” speeding
through them, eating, chewing, and then spitting out, both
Wyclef and Pras’s lines. She
ended the night with her encore songs, “Turn Your Lights
Down Low,” “Killing Me Softly”
and “Doo Wop (That Thing),
which the audience sung in
turns. If anyone was worried
about Lauryn, then rest assured,
they need not be. Hill was well
worth the wait. Clad in high
heels, long dazzling pants with
a belted shirt, she bounced
and punched in the air to an
excited Atlanta crowd before
graciously shaking hands, bowing, accepting gifts, and talking to
the front row.
During during a breakdown
of “Ready or Not,” she embraced the crowd and said,
“Atlanta, look at you. You
found me. And I know I wasn’t
around, but you still found
me.” Yes, Ms. Hill, we still
found you, and for a woman
who taught us all about love
on her debut solo album, she
loved the Atlanta crowd like
no other before.
.PEFTU$POWFSTBUJPO3FWJFX
Bianca D. Alston
Staff Writer
balston3@scmail.spelman.edu
M
orehouse
College
sophomore
Sherman Modeste is without a
doubt musically talented.
His soulful voice made his
2009 release “Modest Conversation” an easy listen.
Modeste, born and raised on
the island of St. Croix in the
United States Virgin Islands,
started singing as a child in
church and has long since
sung in renowned choirs
around the world, receiving
rave reviews and recognitions.
Bringing out the romantic
in even the naysaying listeners, “Modest Conversation” makes it impossible
not to relate to the personal
experiences Modeste shares
in his music. Varying from
falling in love to breaking
the cycle of lost potential in
the Black community, every word sung on the album
beautifully portrays the optimist in all of us. Modeste
is Inspired by well-known
soul and gospel artists like
The Clark Sisters, Musiq
Soulchild, Fantasia, Donald Lawrence and Jill Scott.
Modeste, who wrote and
produced all twelve tracks
on the album, seemed to
have evinced his musical
talent effortlessly. Favorites
on the album include “Curious,” “Soak in your Love,”
“Be the 1st” and the acapella “Residue.”
In “Curious,” Modeste
sings along an uptempo
beat wondering about his
paramour’s reaction when
he tells her “I love you.”
Every AUC student can
easily to relate to this track,
leading them to reminisce
about that first crush and
Recycle The Maroon Tiger
#JH#PJ$PODFSU
Taylor Williams
Associate Arts and Entertainment Editor
taylor_antonio_williams@
yahoo.com
A
fter an impromptu weeklong holiday, courtesy of
Snowpocalypse 2011, class
LV ÀQDOO\ EDFN LQ VHVVLRQ IRU
students in Atlanta. With students getting back into the
swing of things, popular book
retailer, Chegg, sponsored a
free concert featuring Grammy award winning hip-hop
icon Big Boi.
As a part of their “Textbooks and Tickets” tour,
Chegg has sponsored free
concerts for students across
the nation. Held at the popular
Midtown concert venue Center Stage, students from local
Atlanta colleges and universities were in attendance.
The concert opened up
with a DJ battle, the two DJ’s
mashed together many of today’s most popular songs
to get the crowd hype. After
the DJ battle, Vonnegutt was
brought out to open up for Big
Boi. Vonnegutt, a band signed
to Big Boi’s Purple Ribbon
Entertainment Label, whose
sound is unlike any other
group out now. Reminiscent
of the popular rap group The
Roots with more of a rock ‘n’
roll sound; Vonnegutt was a
fairly new act to most of the
audience. But after they began to play the crowd soon
fell in love.
They began their performance with a song entitled
“I think I’m in love,” which
consisted of an amazing guitar solo by Neil Garrard who
being nervous about
their reaction once
emotions were verbally exchanged. “Soak
in your love” starts
off smoother, immediately reminding listeners of classic ‘90s slow
jams, but infused with
a 21st century flair.
It’s refreshing to listen
to a song about one’s
physical attraction to
another without unnecessary vulgarities and
purely sexual imagery.
The groundbreaking
“Be the 1st” is about
how hard it is to break
the mold to be what
no one expects you to
be regardless of where you
have come from. Inspiring
to petty criminals and first
generation students alike,
Modeste inspires all to never give up and, like great
Mahatma Ghandi said, “be
the change you want to see
in the world.”
Ending the album with
“My Everything,” the religious Modeste sings his appreciation for the blessings
that God has provided him
and his family professing
“you are the shelter in the
time of storm / you’re my joy
/ you’re my peace/ you are
the greatest love I’ve ever
known… Jesus, you’re my
everything.” When anticipating to become a successful
also doubled as a very talented singer. The group’s front
man Kyle Lucas served as a
very talented lyricist. Vonnegutt closed with a cover of
popular Kilo Ali song “Love
in your mouth.” After their
performance it was time for
the main attraction, Big Boi.
Big Boi opened up with
“Bust,” a song off of Outkast’s Grammy Award winning double album “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.” Big
Boi then went into performing a plethora of hits he made
during his career. From “Atliens,” “Skew it on the Bar-B,”
“So Fresh, So Clean,” “Southernplayalisticadillacfunkymuzik,” “Playa’s Ball, “Elevators (Me and You),” and
“Ms. Jackson,” Big Boi took
us took us all back. Though it
was little hard watching these
songs being performed without the other half of Outkast,
Andre 3000, Big Boi made it
work.
The performance of his hit
songs took a fair amount of
effort from Big Boi, afterwards he took a break and had
his hype man C-Bone perform some of his own songs.
Big Boi returned to the stage
opening with songs from his
new solo album “Sir Lucious
Leftfoot: The Son of Chico
Dusty.” “Shine Blockas,”
“For Yo Sorrows,” “You ain’t
no DJ” and Grammy nominated track “Shutterbugg”
were just some of the songs
he performed.
Big Boi performed a little
under an hour for the students
of Atlanta. The best part about
the entire concert is that the
entire show was free.
MODESTE
artist like Modeste, it’s easy
to forget who helped you get
there. Whether this is family, forgotten friends or God,
Modeste hopes to remind us
to never lose who we are in
the process of becoming who
we want to be.
The inside cover of the album it reads “Modest Conversation is a collection of
songs inspired by love, personal struggle, life’s joys and
OHVVRQV OHDUQHG ,W·V D UHÁHFtion of me – heartfelt, soulful and colorful.” Indeed it
is. Support Sherman Modeste
by visiting his website shermanmodeste.com to listen to
his music and stay updated on
upcoming shows and listening parties.
SPORTS
www.themaroontiger.com
January 26 - February 1, 2011
12
The NBA All-Star Leftovers: Who Would You Choose?
Jourdan Shepard
Sports Editor
sportsfan807@comcast.net
W
ho deserves an NBA All-Star
nomination is a conversation that
is constantly changing, but never ends.
Yearly, there is always some uproar
JVSQ TPE]IVW GSEGLIW JVSRX SJ½GIW ERH
the fans about one or more players who
are snubbed from the rosters. Typically
the reason behind it is due to the casual
fan that has voted for a player(s) who
have remained relevant despite their undeserving play. In the past decade alone,
Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson, Vince
Carter, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming and a
few others have stolen more All Star apTIEVERGIWXLERETIVWSRLEW½RKIVWERH
toes.
Unfortunately, this may be the case
again as some individuals may have to
watch the Staples Center host the
world’s greatest basketball pickup game
from a couch. Over the next few weeks
as we get closer to the Feb. 20 All-Star
Game, we will examine deserving guards,
forwards and centers who could make
the trip to Los Angeles.
The NBA is a star-driven league that
is unquestionably led by the immense
talent at the guard position. It is pretty close to impossible to have a team
compete without a quality guard at the
helm. Well, just like any other year, there
is a surplus of guards desiring to make
the very limited roster spots of either
conference. Here are a few names that
should be at least in the conversation to
play in Los Angeles.
Raymond Felton, New York Knicks (17.7
ppg, 8.8 apg, 1.8 spg): Why not Raymond Felton? The Knicks are once again relevant for
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both Amar’e Stoudemire and Felton during this past summer. Many would say their
$100 million forward and early MVP candidate, Stoudemire, is the main reason for the
resurgence of popularity in the franchise.
But would the Knicks be where they are
with Chris Duhon, last year’s starting point
guard, leading the way? The combination of
Felton and Stoudemire is arguably the best,
and most exciting, pick-and-roll tandem in
the NBA. Currently, he is behind the talented
Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Jennings in
All-Star voting. However, Jennings has been
plagued by injuries while Felton has been
running the point.
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City ThunHIVTTK ETK WTK;IWXFVSSO
is in a similar situation as Felton since they
both have a Batman on their team and they
are playing the role of Robin. Kevin Durant is
once again in the MVP race and has elevated his status to become an NBA superstar.
However, Westbrook is the orchestrator on
the Oklahoma City Thunder and his play
shows it.
With a great blend of athleticism, instinct,
quickness and speed he is in a rare category of current point guards. Besides Derrick
Rose, Westbrook may be the best athlete in
a point guard’s body. Unfortunately, the statistics he puts up nightly may not be enough
since he is competing with a host of other
great guards in the Western Conference.
Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors (26
ppg, 5.7 apg, .387 3-point%): Playing in Oakland, Calif., is as close to playing in NBA obscurity as you can get and Ellis has been doMRKXLMWWMRGILMWVSSOMI]IEV½ZIWIEWSRWEKS
He is known to most fans as a scorer and a
highlight-reel dunker, but he has elevated his
game greatly over the past two seasons.
The Jackson, Miss., native currently ranks
third in the league in scoring (26 ppg), third
in steals (2.3 spg), averages 5.7 assists per
KEQI ERH MW ½VWX MR QMRYXIW TPE]IH mpg). He also has 10 games this season with
TSMRXW MRGPYHMRK X[S KEQIW SJ points against the Houston Rockets. Here is
a fun fact: how many players in the NBA are
EZIVEKMRKEXPIEWXTSMRXW ½ZIEWWMWXWERH
two steals this season? One. It’s Monta Ellis.
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0SW%RKIPIWFYXMR]SYVSTMRMSREVIXLI]EPPQSVIHIWIVZMRKXLERXLIEFSZIXLVII#+S:SXI
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Raymond Caldwell
Contributing Writer
raymondcaldwell2001@
hotmail.com
A
rguing against Matt Ryan’s success in the NFL
LV D GLIÀFXOW WDVN WR WDNH RQ
Despite being recently drafted in 2008, Ryan has assumed
the position of a star within
the Atlanta community after
leading the Atlanta Falcons
from the dark days of the Michael Vick era. Though the
2010 season ended with a disappointing loss to the Green
Bay Packers, the future in Atlanta is bright beyond belief.
The Falcons drafted Ryan
third overall out of Boston
College after earning the title
of a “can’t miss” prospect
during his senior season. In
four seasons, Ryan became
heralded as one of the best
quarterbacks in school history with career statistics of
9,310 passing yards and 56
touchdowns. During Ryan’s
evaluation, scouts believed
that he was not the most
skilled quarterback, but there
was a general consensus that
he had no weaknesses as well.
Scouts loved that he was a
winner, intelligent, poised
signal caller, and exerted all
his physical gifts well. Fortunately, Ryan fell to the Falcons after both the St. Louis
Rams and Miami Dolphins
passed on him for offensive
and defensive linemen.
Already during Ryan’s tenure in Georgia
he has posted a 71-percent regular season winning percentage since
his debut as a rookie,
helped the franchise
HDUQ LWV ÀUVW FRQVHFXtive winning seasons
in history and earned
the nickname of “Matty
Ice” for his clutch play.
Despite all of Ryan’s
impressive
achievements and regularseason statistics, questions have arisen about
whether he has earned
the title of one of the
best NFL quarterbacks.
´0DWW\ ,FHµ KDV RIÀFLDOly cooled off in the winter
games that matter since he is
now 0-2 in post-season play.
It is not only the losses that
hurt Ryan’s perception as a
winner, but also the fashion in
which he has lost the games.
Matt Ryan has earned a dismal 71.2 quarterback rating,
failed to throw over 200 yards
in either game and has lost to
teams the Falcons have been
favored against. The epitome
of the Falcons’ embarrassment was displayed in their
48-21 thrashing by the Green
Bay Packers at home earlier this month. Ryan lost the
game in the second quarter
when he locked onto Roddy
White and threw an interception that was returned for a
touchdown to Tramon Wil-
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Curtis Jackson
Staff Writer
delon_22_jackson@yahoo.com
W
6=%2
liams with eight seconds left
before halftime. Some may
want to blame the Falcons’
defense, but throughout the
season it has been illustrated
that quarterback play is the
key to any game.
Though Ryan’s play has
been highly criticized, onlookers must remember even
the greats struggled early in
their postseason careers. It
took Peyton Manning three
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win and a Super Bowl win to
earn a spot as one of the alltime greats. No matter what
is said though, legends are
not made in the regular season. Ask Joe Montana, Tom
Brady and Troy Aikman. If
Ryan wants to be mentioned
with the greats, he needs to
take his play to a higher level and elevate the Falcons to
greatness.
ith the college football
season at an end, most
programs are putting the 2010
season behind them to prepare
themselves for a new jourQH\ ÀOOHG ZLWK FKDPSLRQVKLS
hopes. In the beginning of this
journey, these programs must
once again learn to cope without the leadership and talent of
former players who are moving
on to the professional ranks.
Despite a possible NFL lockout looming, many athletes
are unafraid of what may happen to the league as long as
they have a chance to pursue a
dream they’ve longed for for a
number of years.
According to ESPN’s top 32
prospects, Clemson’s defensive
end Da’Quan Bowers is the top
prospect heading into the NFL
draft. Even though the 6’4,
280-pound defensive tackle
has not had much time under
the national spotlight, he does
deserve the praise he is currently receiving. The Bamberg,
SC, native manhandled ACC
offensive lines for 16 sacks
this season, including sacking
Heisman Trophy winner Cam
Newton in their third game.
National champion Nick
Fairley is regarded as the second-best prospect, however, he
LV SURMHFWHG WR JR ÀUVW RYHUDOO
to the ailing Carolina Panthers.
There was no doubt that Fairley, who was the workhorse
for the Auburn Tigers’ defense,
was going to leave school after
Recycle The Maroon Tiger
such a dominating performance against Oregon
in the Fiesta Bowl.
Although Fairley had
an incredible season,
his teammate, Newton,
proved to be one of the
most amazing players in
college football history.
Unfortunately, winning
both a Heisman and a
national championship
within the same season
only earned him 28th
best ranking out of all
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The 6-foot-6 quarterClemson defensive end Da’Quan back from College Park,
Bowers tackles Michael Dyer.
Ga., is a rare athlete and
person who has endured
a great deal of punishand has rushed for 3,261 yards
ment and criticism over the past and 42 touchdowns.
IHZ \HDUV WR ÀQDOO\ SURYH KLV
His talented teammate,
worth to the masses. Though he Jones, has been battling with
led his team to an unblemished fellow SEC student-athlete,
record, which included sev- A.J. Green, for the honor of best
eral come-from-behind wins, receiver in the college ranks
scouts are still iffy on his pro- this season. Despite being susfessional prospects.
SHQGHGIRUWKHÀUVWIRXUJDPHV
Despite accumulating 51 of the University of Georgia’s
total touchdowns this season, football season, Green has
scouts do not feel as if Newton managed to be ranked fourth
is the best quarterback in the on scouts’ lists.
draft. Blaine Gabbert of MisAs we approach the end of
souri and Jake Locker of Wash- the NFL season and get closer
ington are felt to have more of to April 28th, prospects are dilthe skills and intangibles that igently sharpening their skills
are needed to succeed in the and working out to prepare
NFL, but only time will tell.
themselves for the NFL draft.
Alabama juniors Mark In- Some are also trying to impress
gram and Julio Jones are skip- scouts as they prepare for postping their senior campaigns season all-star games such as
and a possible second national the East-West Shrine game and
championship for the NFL. the Senior Bowl. These playDuring his tenure in Alabama, ers are doing whatever it takes
Ingram won the Heisman Tro- ULJKW QRZ WR IXOÀOO WKHLU OLIH
phy in his sophomore season long dreams.