Jason Cameron - JOMC 220

Black Friday for Some; Just Another Day for Others

2009-12-01T15:21:00.000-08:00

Every year on the Friday following Thanksgiving, millions of people all across the nation flock to thousands of stores in hopes of catching the deal of a lifetime.

This particular Friday has been named Black Friday. Normally this day would be a shopper's paradise; however, this year many Americans were not able to take part in some of the most incredible deals due to the recession that has plagued our economy.

"Normally Black Friday is a big day for my family and me," said LaShonda Jones, a junior journalism and mass communications major from Washington, D.C. "However, this year, I wasn’t able to get anything because my family and I have been cutting back. We even cancelled our annual cruise to Jamaica to try and save."

According to an article from www.articlesbase.com , there have been 10 recessions since 1945. From the mid 1940s till 2007, the average recession lasted about 10 months. There are numerous factors that send an economy into a recession, but inflation is the main factor that contributes more towards the problem.

"This year I was able to get a few things," said Cedell Lyles, a sophomore education major from Winston-Salem, N.C.

"This year I think many stores gave even better deals due to the condition of the economy. Even though I wasn’t able to get as much as I normally get every Black Friday, I was still able to find some really good items at really great prices which didn’t really hurt in my pockets."

Various companies throughout the nation have come up with numerous ideas to draw in customers during the recession, especially since the holiday season has begun.

"This Black Friday was particularly better than previous years because companies really wanted shoppers to spend money and they knew they needed to give even better deals than before in order to really get shoppers to come out and spend their money," said Jones.

Ricardo Lawson, a junior journalism and mass communications major from Fayetteville, N.C., has worked in retail for over two years. "I've noticed that prices have fluctuated over the past years due to the unstableness of the economy. I've never seen deals like I’ve seen this Black Friday. I think that companies really took a smart approach because they knew they had to have incredible deals in order to really get people out shopping during this recession."

Slowly but surely the economy is rising out of the recession. Americans all over are finding creative ways to conserve and watch their spending. Companies all over are strategizing on ways to continue to bring in revenue while keeping customers happy. Companies and customers can only wait in anticipation to see how Black Friday will turn out next year, and years to come.

"Sitting Down so That the World Could Stand Up"

2009-11-17T20:35:00.000-08:00

On the morning of February 1, 1960, four young men from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University sparked a change in history by staging a sit-in at a restaurant that did not serve African Americans.

Ezell A. Blair, Jr. (now Jibreel Khazan), Franklin E. McCain, Joseph A. McNeil, and David L. Richmond acquired a great victory by standing up for what they believed in. By transforming the restaurant in which they sat in, F. W. Woolworth's, to a non-segregated establishment, these four young men inspired an entire generation to stand up and speak out against injustices and inequality.

"If it were not for the civil rights movement back in the 1960's, I would not have a voice today," said Albert Brown, a freshmen computer engineering major from Rockingham, NC. "The life that I enjoy today would be non-existent; shopping, eating out, or simply walking down the street would not be the same. I will be forever grateful for what the civil rights movement did for me and my future."

Civil rights are freedoms that protect individuals from superfluous government action and guarantee one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or subjugation. About 50 years ago racism was more than acknowledged, but it was an everyday reality.

Busses, lunch counters, schools, and even water fountains were subject to segregation, and often enforced by law. Thousands of people decided to take a stand in the 1960s, which gave birth to the civil rights movement. Laws were passed by the end of the 1960s that banned segregation and racial discrimination.

"As an African American woman I am more than grateful for what the movement has done for me and my future," said Jasmine Martin, a junior biology major from Fayetteville, NC. "From Rosa Parks to Condoleezza Rice, I know now that the opportunity for my success is endless."

The civil rights movement actually started very slowly before the 1960s, when President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981, which set in place equal treatment and opportunity for anyone in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin.

Brandon Wiley, a sophomore theater major from Greensboro, NC, feels as if a lot of African Americans living today do not fully appreciate what the civil rights movement has done for them. "The movement made it possible for African Americans to get a higher education, but we do not take advantage of this historic opportunity," said Wiley.

"Being late for class or just not going at all signifies our disrespect for our ancestors and their struggle. They weren’t allowed to attend college at all. Some African American's were arrested for sitting in the front of the bus, yet numerous African American people today run straight to the back of a bus the second they get on. I don’t think people realize how bad our ancestors were treated and how we take for granted little liberties we get to enjoy today because of what our ancestors fought and died for."

In February 2010, the original F. W. Woolworth's where the Greensboro Four staged their sit-in will be re-opening as a civil rights museum. The grand opening is expected to attract a huge crowd of people from all over the nation.

Gay Activist: Proposition 8 = Proposition Hate

2009-11-10T21:15:00.000-08:00

A little after midnight on October 7, 1998, a 21-year-old student who attended the University of Wyoming was tortured and murdered near Laramie, Wyoming.

Matthew Shepard was just one out of thousands of individuals who fall victim to hate crimes every year. Shepard was particularly targeted because of his sexual orientation. He was homosexual.

"There is an underlying issue in America that is gradually poisoning the Nation,” says senior psychology major and dedicated gay-rights activist Howard McQuirter, who attends Winston Salem State University. McQuirter came out of the closet his senior year in high school. "The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and its subsequent Amendments, and the Bill of Rights all provide fundamental freedoms for every individual under the citizenship of the United States of America. Why do some people feel as if some of the freedoms and civil rights mentioned within these historical documents do not apply to those of the Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender community?"

Proposition 8 was a ballot proposition passed in California in 2008 that added a new section to Article I of California's Constitution. The Proposition stated, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid." This proposition overturned the California Supreme Court's ruling that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Vermont, are states that legalize same-sex marriage.

Other states offer unions that grant rights similar to marriage or recognize a same-sex marriage that was legalized in another state. North Carolina does not recognize same-sex marriages or any other form of legal recognition of same sex-unions.

Joel Moore is a junior technical theater major who has been living a transgender life-style since her enrollment at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

"For years the LGBT community has been judged with a double-standard," said Moore. "Many arguments state that same-sex marriage disrupts the sanctity of marriage, but in my opinion, members of the heterosexual community have already disrupted it's sanctity by committing adultery, getting married five or six times, and handing out divorces like food stamps in the projects. As a member of the LGBT community, I feel as if we deserve the same rights as every other tax-paying American citizen. Attacking, discriminating against, and killing us will not get rid of the issue at hand."

"The younger generation has begun to be more open with it's homosexual relationships. More of the younger homosexuals today want to get married, adopt children, and/or utilize the route of surrogacy. However, discrimination that still exists in our society today impressions the younger homosexual population not to be motivated, but more so lazy and nonchalant as it relates to the gay rights issues that pertain to them," says McQuirter.

Some college campuses have implemented an organization called, “the Gay-Straight Alliance," which is an organization designed to have homosexual and heterosexual members dedicated to spreading tolerance and unity among both communities throughout their campuses.

Antonio Owens is a junior Nursing major attending North Carolina A&t and is currently one of the eight members in the Gay-Straight Alliance on his campus.

"The organization is still in the birth stages on our campus so the general student population has yet to feel the impact of the organization's efforts," said Owens. "So far this semester the organization has not held any forums that have fostered dialogue between the LGBT community and the straight community however we did hold a speed dating event. At the event the participants were 80% straight. This fact alone sets a benchmark for us that signaled tolerance even on one of the most basic levels, casual interaction."

"Young or old, we all have a voice and everyone needs to be heard," said McQuirter. "Until we all take a stand against discrimination, injustice, and flat out ignorance, change will remain a simple chant from President Barack Obama's presidential campaign, a mere dream, and not a way of life."

For more information on the Gay-Straight Alliance on A&T's campus, you may contact Antonio Owens at aowens@ncat.edu.

Homecoming Event Q&A: Fashion Show

2009-11-04T17:11:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, October 28, 2009, hundreds of people filled the Carolina Theater for what was expected to be one of the biggest homecoming fashion shows in years.

Calvin Johnson, a sophomore History Education major from Charlotte, North Carolina,modeled for one of the two modeling troupes represented at the fashion show. Johnson has been a member of his modeling troupe since he has been a student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

"This year's fashion show exceeded far beyond my expectations," stated Johnson. "I feel as if both modeling troupes really brought their best foot foward and the student body was well pleased with the entire show."

Each year both modeling troupes dedicate countless hours of hard-work and dedication towards putting together their homecoming shows. "Both organizations did an incredible job and I can not wait til next year's show," said Johnson.

Q&A

Jason Cameron: How long have you been modeling?

Calvin Johnson: Since my senior year in high school

JC: What made you join Couture Productions?

CJ:Because Couture was one of the reasons why I came to NC A&T SU, I knew they were the best, and as we see, they are.

JC: How do you think the homecoming fashion show went this year?

CJ:I think that the show was awesome and way over the top.

JC: Which modeling troupe do you feel did the best show overall?

CJ:I honestly believe that Couture Productions did the best show overall, and I dont say that just because im in Couture, but Couture's theme and the way the theme was presented was overall better than the other modeling troupe.

JC: Would you ever be interested in taking your modeling to the professional level, if so, what are some of the big labels you would love to work for?

CJ: I would love to take my modeling to a professional level,and one label in particular that I would definitely want to work for is Ralph Lauern.

JC: How do you think both modeling troupe's will approach the fashion show next year?

CJ:I think Couture will live up to its name and the history of putting on great productions and that the other modeling troupe will step their game up.

Homecoming Event Q&A: Gospel Choir Concert ft. James Fortune

2009-10-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, October 25, 2009 hundreds of people entered Harrison Auditorium for one of the most electrifying gospel choir concerts in all of homecoming history.

Natasha Saunders, a senior Fashion Merchandising and Design major from Roanoke, Virginia, is the current president over the award-winning North Carolina A&T Fellowship Gospel Choir. Saunders has been a member of the gospel choir for four and a half years.

“The choir has become an essential part of my life,” said Saunders. “I hope that students now and in the future will be able to take part in the life-changing experience that I had with the gospel choir.

Saunders plans to remain involved with the choir as much as she can once she leaves. Saunders will be graduating this Dec.

Q&A

After the gospel choir concert I had the humbling experience of interviewing Ms. Saunders and getting her take on the gospel choir and the concert.

Jason Cameron:How long have you had your position in the choir and what has driven you to take on such a position?

Natasha Saunders: I have had the position of president since the fall of 2009 school year began, and I wanted to take on this position because I wanted to have a positive impact on the organization and hopefully change it for the better.

JC:What is the process in which the leaders of the choir go through to get the different celebrity gospel artist to come and perform each year?

NS: We actually do not get the artist to come, that goes though the student government association here on campus. They may ask for our opinion, however, they mostly handle the logistics.

JC: How do you think the concert turned out this year?

NS: The concert was great. I think the guest artist that came did a fantastic job. The choir did what they were supposed to do as far as ministering and the outcome was awesome.

JC: Do you think that the gospel Choir concert is one of the biggest events during homecoming week?

NS: I didn’t use to, but every year it seems to be getting better and bigger. This year the show was sold out so it seems as if the gospel choir really has a great impact on campus.

JC: What is one thing you would like to see happen to the choir before you graduate?

NS: More unity. I would like to see the choir do more on campus besides singing, mainly to show our faces more and become more hands-on with the university. As gospel choir members, we have a duty to give back to our community really live what we sing about. It all comes down to truly walking the Christian walk.

JC: What is one of the main things you would like to leave with the choir for years to come?

NS: My spirit of giving and being supportive. We give cards to people who lost loved ones and we try to accommodate those who are less fortunate than others. If everyone had a giving, humble heart, then a lot of confusion and drama would be eliminated.

Miss SUAB Coronation

2009-10-21T21:49:00.000-07:00

An anxious crowd of people gathered outside of the memorial student union on Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 to witness this year's Miss Student Union Advisory Board Coronation.

Kache Funderbunk, a sophomore graphic design major from Raleigh, North Carolina, was this year's recipient of the Miss SUAB crown.

"From the moment the coronation began to the moment it ended, my eyes continually filled with tears,” stated Funderbunk. "Everything was so beautiful and the support from my family and friends was extremely overwhelming."

The student union advisory board is a group of elected individuals set in place to develope numerous programs and community service ideas for the student body as well as host numerous engagements and help plan the homecoming festivities each year. The Miss SUAB position is highly responsible for coming up with numerous tactics to keep the student union advisory board at their peak performance and provide community service opportunities for the board and student body as a whole.

"I feel as if the student union is a place for all students to come and just relax and escape from the worries of campus and class work," said Zack Smith, a junior sports science major from Danville, Virginia. "I think that Kache will do a great job in keeping the union a place of fun and excitement for all students to enjoy."

The Miss SUAB coronation's theme for this year was, "An Enchanting Evening in Nubian Style." The entire ballroom was decorated very extravagantly, with flower pedals on the floor and canopy tree's all around. African Dancers and a live band kept the audience entertained. Miss SUAB entered on the shoulders of four men, and was serenaded by members of couture word as she reached the stage and received her crown. The evening ended with a very elegant reception and presentations of speeches and gifts to the newly crowned queen.

Nicole Florence is the faculty advisor of the student union advisory board and is an expert when it comes to this event. "I think that the coronation went exceptionally well," said Florence. "The purpose of the coronation was not only to celebrate the newly-crowned queen, but to introduce the executive board of the student union advisory board. The event had a great turn out and I’m looking forward to doing it again next year."

A Vision for Tomorrow

2009-10-13T23:27:00.000-07:00

There once was a group of young men and women, new to college life and eager to be involved. Performing and entertaining had always been their passion and they all knew that they were more than ready to participate and be a part of organizations all over campus. The few clubs that were available just wasn't satisfying their itch to truly fulfill their passion of performing. However, a vision appeared in all of their heads one night. The organization in this vision didn’t just consist of one thing, but numerous talents and crafts used for entertaining purposes. On that very night in 2001, through that brilliant vision, Couture Productions was born.

Couture Productions was purposely designed to offer more to an audience than just your everyday, average show. The creators wanted to showcase more than one field of talents by incorporating numerous genres of art and entertainment into this organization. Cedell Lyles, a sophomore education major and a member of Couture's dance sector has truly enjoyed every second since he has been a member of the organization. "Together, all sectors provide a new age of entertainment to anyone who has had the opportunity to see a Couture Productions show," says Lyles, " and I'm so honored to finally be a part of one of the most talented organizations on campus."

"At first I was a little nervous to try-out for couture productions," said Morgan Rucker, a junior transfer student from Atlanta, Georgia. "Once I transferred here to A&T I knew I wanted to be involved, and the one organization that I constantly heard about over any other organization, even all the way in Atlanta, was Couture Productions."

Since the beginning, Couture Productions has blossomed from a mere vision to a full-fledged, award-winning, campus-dominating organization. Couture Productions is made up of numerous sectors, which include: modeling, dancing, spoken word, and staff. Whenever there is a major event on campus, Couture Productions is constantly called upon to provide some form of entertainment. Couture Productions is the second largest student organization on the campus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, second only to the universities marching band.

Numerous organizations across campus and from other universities call upon Couture Productions each and every day to sing at their pageants, or model in their fashion shows, or dance during intermission of their concerts.

Bryan Fingers is an expert on this topic because he is one of the few members still active in Couture that was around towards the beginning stages of creating the organization. Fingers is a poet who has been performing since the age of twelve. He has participated in numerous open mics and poetry slams here on campus, in the city of Greensboro, all across North Carolina, and back in his home state of Maryland. Bryan has been the coordinator over the spoken word sector of Couture for five consecutive years. "I've watched Couture grow from a small thought, to a thriving source of remarkable talent and art,” said Fingers. "Being a member of this organization really provided an outlet for me while here in college. Performing my poetry really allows me to grow and express myself in ways I never thought possible. I've had the privilege to even be coordinator over my sector and share all that I’ve learned with other members. I'll be graduating soon, and I hope that I have left a great impression on the organization, because it has definitely left a life-long impression on me."

Couture Productions still continues to entertain, inspire, and uplift students everywhere and organizations all over the world can be inspired by the talent and determination of one small group of students and their vision.

Q & A

2009-10-05T07:21:00.000-07:00

Mr. Freshmen 2009-2010 : Reginald N. Johnson Jr.
Ever Since the tender age of two, dance has inspired Reginald Johnson.

Now, a freshmen at North Carolina A&T State University, Johnson has used dance as a tool to propel him in life. Throughout the struggle of his childhood, dance was always there to provide an escape, and allow Johnson to express himself by releasing any type of stress or pain.

"Dance just makes since to me," says Johnson, "and I want to use my gift to inspire and change the world."

Johnson has traveled all over the United States competing and performing for various venues and has appeared on television more than once.

O&A:

I had the humble opportunity to sit down with Mr. Freshmen here at North Carolina A&T State University and discuss one of his very important passions in life, which is dance. Mr. Freshmen, Reginald Johnson Jr., has been dancing for well over 10 years and had a lot of insight to share with me.

Jason Cameron: How long has dance played an important role in your life?

Reginald Johnson: Ever since the age of two, I always knew that dance was something that i wanted to pursue, but not until the age of seven did i start to actually take classes and really make dance an important part of my everyday life.

JC: What is your inspiration?

RJ: My struggle. My past is filled with situations that I've learned from and used to help me get to where i am today. so many people in my family have been blessed with talents and have allowed them to go to waist. My number one goal is to make sure that i use my talents and gifts to the best of my ability and never let them go to waist.

JC: What would be your biggest passion if you did not dance?

RJ: I really don't know because dance is what makes since to me. When you think of Reginald, you think of dance. Nothing else could take the place of dance in my life.

JC: Who is your number one supporter?

RJ: When I come down to the last straw, I know that i can always depend on my mother to help me out and see me through. However, at the end of the day, I am my number one supporter. Jesus Christ, along with myself, make things happen in my life and keep myself motivated as I matriculate up the latter of success.

JC: How far would you like your passion of dance to take you?

RJ: I would like for my passion of dance to take me beyond anything that i can imagine. I want to go places not only have I not seen, but the world hasn't seen.

JC: How can you use the gift you've been given to change the world?

RJ: Dance is extremely inspirational and can truly change lives. One of my number one goals in life is to always share my gift with any and everyone else i come in contact with, in any way that i can. I would love to open a dance studio and allow kids from all ages and ethnicity's to come in and just set aside all of their worries and enjoy dancing. I hope to inspire and make a difference by providing that escape for them.

About Me

2009-08-31T08:22:00.000-07:00

My life has definitely been one exciting, ever-winding road, full of surprises and adventure. I have lived in numerous states and attended a number of schools. My family has a legacy of attending North Carolina A&T, and today I am continuing that Legend.

Music is my number one passion. I plan to use my Public Relations Major as a gateway into the entertainment industry, and hopefully it will get me where I need to be to fulfill my life-long dream of becoming a professional recording artist.

I love to be on stage, whether, acting, singing, or dancing. I also love to write and express myself through poetry. I feel as if my life is a very vivid piece of art in one of the most extravagant art galleries in the universe. Since I arrived at A&T I’ve tried my best to be involved as much as I can. I’ve done plays, joined the gospel choir, participated in a few other organizations, and even started my own organization.

Now, as I enter my junior year, I hope to obtain new heights of success. I have a terrible habit of procrastinating, and I plan to work on that the best I can. I’ve always considered my self to be extremely organized.

The book to my life has just began a new chapter. I’m out on my own now, with a new apartment and a new lease on life. My childhood was very difficult and filled with poverty, so it is very important to me as an adult to be successful in everything that I do and make sure I set up a great life for myself and my future.

I have a very big family, and we all try our best to stick together and uplift one another. I’m so proud of who I am and where I’ve come from. I love God. My grandmother is my hero. She has been a mother and a father to me. I love her with all my heart and without her I would not be where I am today.

I pray that God walks beside me every step of the way this school year so that my grades will rise, my attitude will rise, my determination will rise, and my life in general will rise. I look forward to see what happens next in my life.