Election Section

By Alexzenia Davis


With all of the hype and surprise surrounding this year’s presidential election, Smithites are more excited than ever to rock the vote.

Even with JCSU’s disappointing turnout during the primaries, students foresee a greater presence in collegiate voters on November 4th.

“I don’t know if it’s because we have a black man running for president, but having Obama in the election makes more people want to be involved,” said Lesley Freeman, a junior Communication Arts major.

Many students feel that the fact that they attend an HBCU has had a major impact on their level of involvement, noting that some of their coursework has given them a more in depth look into the candidates’ platforms.

“I am taking a Media Literacy class where we debate, look at newspapers, and really try to decipher the facts. We aren’t trying to be bias,” said Charmaine Fenner. “It’s gotten me more involved in politics. I can foresee major changes if Obama wins.”

“[My] reporting class has given me more information. It pushed me to watch the debates,” said Freeman, “Before I came here I knew I wanted to vote, but it wasn’t that important.”

Student organizations have shifted their focus to the election. Voter registration drives and workshops have caused many to realize the significance of their vote even more so than in previous years.

“I think the [magnitude] of this election is hyping everybody up. I’ve watched every debate. I always have the TV on to stay updated on what’s happening,” said Fenner.

With the faltering state of the economy, Leah Burney, a senior majoring in Spanish and English understands how this decision will directly affect herself as well as her peers. “The economy is bad; there is so much job loss. Companies are going bankrupt; the housing market is in trouble. This election is important. It will determine the next four years.”

Burney’s level of awareness on these issues is something that she hopes other Smithites will have before voting.

“I will say a select few know what’s going on. When broad based issues come about, students want to become more active. A lot of people only want to be involved when something big happens.”
So what will students be doing on election night?

“It’s a Tuesday so I guess homework. And of course I’ll have the TV on to see whose winning,” said Burney.

“I’m going home to vote,” said Freeman, “I will be watching CNN, MSNBC, and all of the news stations. I want to know everything that’s going on as it happens.”

“I will be tuned into CNN. I don’t care if I have a meeting. I will be in my room,” said Fenner.

“Well for one, I will vote,” said Junior Y’Nique Wright. ”Then I’ll be praying that Obama wins.”

Poetry Break: Once Again

By Alexzenia Davis

JCSU Student News: Lack of Motivation

By Alexzenia Davis


I am always interested in finding out the reason behind why people decide to continue their education after high school. Whether it is to ensure better job opportunities, exert independence and responsibility, or simply to expand their knowledge base, there is usually a driving factor. If not, you can most certainly count on the fact that there is definitely someone paying for their chance to do something that is awarded to us from birth-- learn.

So why would anybody take that for granted? Is there even a reason to enroll if just showing up to class was never on your agenda? The arguments presented to me fall somewhere along these lines: Some people have been brought up to value something other than education. Some have never been exposed to an environment where bettering themselves to better their people was encouraged. And the most common theory: some students lack the motivation to succeed, and it is everybody else’s responsibility to see that they do. In short, some students just don’t know any better; and when thrown into an environment where they’re expected to be something more than just a body they get lost.

Now of course I feel as though those who know better can do better, and those who can do better should help to uplift everyone else. After all, school is a community just like any other. But at the same time, self-will has to come into play somewhere. College students are supposed to be the ones that make the difference. So what happens when we don’t live up to our end of the bargain?

Let me not sugarcoat any longer, Johnson C. Smith University has too much to offer for anyone to be left behind. With access to the internet, free laptops, laboratories, Student Support Services, a technology center, a communication arts center, writing, language, math and science center, and a comprehensive library, we are surrounded by success. Not saying that we won’t stumble here and there, but to walk in failure would be a path created by our own straying footsteps.

I’m no psychologist, but I do have an opinion. Rather than just chalk this phenomena of poor scholarship up to laziness, I tried to search for a deeper meaning. Obviously there is one seeing as I’ve had this “civil debate” on countless occasions. I think a number of people use “lack of motivation” to avoid an issue that is much more severe—a lost sense of entitlement. It is a mentality that any oppressor would be happy to instill—we are not entitled and do not have a right to our own education. It would explain why some of our brightest and most creative students seem to wait for someone to reach out a hand and pull them up. They are just afraid that if they stand up to speak they will be knocked back down. They do not know if they are deserving of what is presented in front of them and have yet to garner enough courage to accomplish their goals without waiting for someone else’s approval. The irony in this is that while college should provide a secure space for us to grow and learn, we are supposed to take the information and run with it. What can be accomplished if we haven’t even begun to walk?

Mental healing and self-worth takes time. It is a serious situation, but college is not the arena to try to help teach someone to value themselves and their education. And if in fact this is what is plaguing our people, the situation needs to addressed before stepping foot on to a college campus.

I have another concern. I watched CNN’s Black in America, BET’s Hip Hop vs. America, read literature, and participated in conversation surrounding this heavy topic. I still cannot wrap my mind around why the “issue of” education is discussed in a manner so estranged from other problems that we are faced with in the black community. There is always a sense of separatism that begins to unfold. Those who have succeeded, at least internally, standing for self-help and individual motivation, seem to be categorized somewhat negatively as an “intellectual”. And God forbid you speak well. Those who continue to place the weight of their lost opportunities on those on the move toward theirs are in the second group. Finally, those who absolutely cannot help themselves for reasons beyond their control are sometimes overshadowed by those who can… but don’t.

So what is the solution? I have devised a few questions to put this situation in proper context. Case in point:

Why is it ideal for a man to step up to the plate and take care of his child even after a long familiar cycle of absentee fathers? Why is it considered favorable for a young lady to practice abstinence or opt for protection after seeing a host of struggling young mothers? Why is it considered within some realm of normalcy to stay clear of drugs or alcohol after growing up in a drug infested neighborhood? Why is it applauded when today’s high school graduate decides to go straight to work to support himself after never having had the example of a working parent? If bettering yourself in this sense is promoted then why is lack of motivation a valid excuse when it comes to the topic hand? Why can’t we hit the books, stop wasting precious tuition money, and actually educate ourselves? And why is it considered elitist or bourgeoisie to further your education because you want to?

If it doesn’t make dollars, then it doesn’t make sense. So, why are you here?

Sidebar: --Google--

So, I was on Google trying to be productive with my life and I decided to see what the response would be if I typed in my own name. I was not trying to be conceited or self-validating. There was a purpose, I promise. I really wanted to know what potential employers would find. So I Googled myself and the search returned 143 results. (Yes! High score) So I began to sift through the listings in complete and total happiness… then came the blow. Page 2, second result. Alexzenia Herbert from Brooklyn, New York. Excuse me? Now I’m sorry but I’m no Sarah, Julie, or Jane. I am Alexzenia. I walk in complete isolation. When it comes to the name game I am a unique specimen completely unheard of by the virgin ear. You don’t speak this name unless you know me. But here goes some nobody calling herself Alexzenia, spelling it the same way as I do. That’s a problem. Chick stole my name. Okay, so yes I was named after my great grandmother. But she died before I was born so as far as I’m concerned there is only room for one of us. As I continued through the pages I was appalled. There was no more Alexzenia Davis: journalist, Smithite, poet, Brooklynite… there were a whole bunch of other Alexzenia’s black, white, and beyond. There were blond Alexzenia’s and brunette Alexzenia’s. There were married Alexzenia’s and divorced Alexzenia’s. There were living Alexzenia’s, there were dead Alexzenia’s. And I just need to know: where the hell did you all come from?

JCSU Student News: Generation Y

By Alexzenia Davis
February 2008

It was Sunday afternoon and the fliers advertising a free screening of a new film, “Chicago 10” lured me to Northlake Mall. Filmmaker Brett Morgen’s documentary covered the Chicago Conspiracy Trial in which leaders of three major groups protesting the war in Vietnam were charged with provoking riots in Chicago. The event was hosted by GenerationEngage, an organization dedicated to getting young adults more involved; and when the film was over, we were all invited to stay and chat.

Our generation has been most commonly referred to as Generation Y or the Net generation – one that has infinite access to information and the world at its fingertips. Yet with our lap of luxury, we still seem to garner the reputation of being incredibly uninformed. But what is even worse than being considered ignorant about our surroundings and occurrences is the notion that we are indifferent. Somehow previous generations deem ours as passive with little desire to get involved.

Now I realize that some people choose to remain in the dark, but I was offended by the way my peers and I were being generalized in such a belittling manner. As I sat there and listened to audience members comment repeatedly: “Young people don’t understand” “These students don’t care,” These students don’t know,” my tolerance lowered. What gave these adults the right to hold such an arrogant position on the matter? We were not only ostracized for supposedly not caring about the War in Iraq but also for not standing against it in protest as the Yippies did in the film.

I put my personal frustration aside for the moment. Don’t get me wrong. I do feel a significant amount of disappointment when my peers are not as proactive or infuriated about certain injustices as I feel they should be. But at the same time, we live in a completely different era. We did not see our fathers, mothers, and grandparents protesting for their civil rights. We were not victims of an active draft as were the students in the 1960’s. We were not brought up around the spirit of activism, which was so prevalent in Morgen’s film. In fact, that spirit has been missing for the last few generations.




Before I continue, I would like to emphasize that this is not only a generalization, but a slight misconception as well. There are plenty of angry and assertive “young adults.” When a draft did seem probable in early 2003, thousands of high school and college students led a march in New York City; and on Feb. 15, 2003 there was a “No War in Iraq” march in which millions of people throughout 800 cities defended their position. But let’s face it, with so many military volunteers, the need to protest has not been as great.

While I sat and listened to a number of 30- and 40-year-olds discuss our lack of presence, I felt like interrogating them. Were they out reprimanding their equally “passive” counterparts for wanting to remain employed rather than protest the War in Iraq? Were they really willing to leave their families for months on end to fight for the freedom of six boys in Louisiana? And were they willing to do it for more than a weekend? If the raging spirit of activism is missing
from Generation Y, it is missing period.

In an attempt to provide an answer to why some of us are not as militant, I’ll offer this: fear and stability. The suggestion that we should remain within the perimeters rather than risk losing everything that our grand and great grandparents fought for is passed down, helping to shape our somewhat conservative culture.

Reflecting on the event, GenerationEngage’s effort to bridge the gap of communication between generations is an important goal. And as I sat and listened silently, I unknowingly let that opportunity slip through my fingertips -- just like they figured I would.

Poetry Break: What Melody A Music Makes

By Alexzenia Davis



93 song titles... Can you catch 'em?

Dinner & A Voice

By Alexzenia Davis

It is Saturday night and North Hollywood's Perk-U-Up Café is fuller than ever. But only one voice can be heard as everyone's attention is directed towards the stage where a small lady with a huge personality shares her life through song. Her name is Shaya.

Friends and strangers alike sit shoulder to shoulder as her voice fills the tiny café. Most already know the lyrics and many have already chosen their special song. And yes, this is hard to believe since CD's are only available for purchase after her shows. So, is this Shaya really that enticing?

Well if you ask anyone who has seen her live or heard her music, then yes, she is just that good. Shaya's music is a breath of fresh air in an industry so dependant on studio processing and commercially driven lyrics. Her CD 'Sweet Letters', combines Rhythm & Blues with a Latin flavored sound. Her emotion shines through on every track which makes each tune so much more believable.

For this particular show, Shaya performed five songs from Sweet Letters, including audience favorites 'Sweet Letters', 'My Eyes They Rain For You', and 'You Saved Me'. She also sang some of her older tunes including: 'Do You Think Of Me Daddy', 'Oop Stop', 'Simply A Love Thing' and 'Yeah'. To spice things up, Shaya made sure to include many comical anecdotes and self written poetry before almost every song. This made her transitions from upbeat easy going to slow tempo extremely deep songs seem effortless and added significantly to her performance skills.

Along with her band, Smooth, consisting of guitarist (Jerome Garrett), pianist (David Linz), and congo player (Spencer Polk), in one night Shaya proved to a full house, as well as a few passersby, that she is more than ready for the big stage. With a video and single on the way, there is no slowing down for this artist. And this can only be good news for a devoted group of fans who fill the café in North Hollywood for dinner and a voice.

Highly Recommended.

SOULDIERS

By Alexzenia Davis

It is 11:15 AM, Saturday morning and the 1st Baptist Church of North Hollywood California is already alive as filming for the gospel music video ‘I’m A Soldier’ gets underway.

It is a calm atmosphere on the church lawn as members of the production team, actors, and some members of the congregation wait patiently for filming to begin again.

Written by husband and wife duo Lawrence and Pam Droughn, ‘I’m A Soldier’ speaks of the spiritual battles we fight daily.

“[The song’s] about showing the world that being a soldier in the Lord’s army starts when we wake up in the morning,” Pam explains, “Reading his word for instruction… the video tells the world it’s a beautiful thing. We have to have our hearts right.”

The couple who both began singing at the ages of five in church share a love of ‘ministering the gospel through music.’

“We chose soldier because it’s a now type of song. We wanted to reach young adults who might be struggling in life,” Lawrence says.

Director and founder of Hollywood Kid Productions, Terry Wilkerson, and executive producer, Salenta Baisden, both developed the concept for the video.

“When I heard the song, I felt like it had a strong message. I felt like it was really something that needed to be portrayed. I didn’t think anyone else would be able to bring across the vision I had for it,” says Wilkerson.

The video follows Lawrence into his nightmare where he foresees the closing of the church and the eruption of crime. Immediately he decides to recruit people to fight in the name of the Lord. As the video progresses, we see a girl rescued by Pam and guys exchanging guns for Bibles.

“We want to capture the essence of their lyrics as well as exemplify their vision,” says Baisden, “To us that means soldiers in the army of the Lord, spiritual warfare, and everything necessary to get the attention of this generation and point them in the direction of their salvation through Jesus Christ.”

“They’re soldiers, they just have to go around telling people to get down with God,” Wilkerson adds.

The up tempo hip hop meets gospel song which makeup artist Zena Hernandez describes as ‘young and vibrant’ is sure to be a hit among people of all ages.

“This song is for everyone who’s doing the work of the Lord,” Lawrence says adding a reminder that, “We’re all soldiers trained to fight a good fight for the Lord.”

“This video is awesome and wonderful,” promises actor Billy Stoakley, “So glad I was given the opportunity to be a tool.”

“We’re hoping that this video will be a pleasing offering to God,” says Salenta Baisden.

Hollywood Kids Production and Almighty Entertainment would like to thank co-writer and producer of I'm A Soldier, Jason Floyd. They would also like to thank Pastor Michael Woodcock and the 1st Baptist Church of North Hollywood.

For more information on PamLawrence, visit Pamlawrence.com or CDBaby.com

Poetry Break: I DON'T LIKE THE GOVERNMENT

There's nothing like the spoken word. It's addictive.
Feel me?




I Don't Like the Government
By Alexzenia Davis

I don't like the government
Not because it's okay to feel it out
Not because it's my first amendment right to speak it aloud
Not because of the German and Irish men
That they made shack up like cattle in tenements
Not because of the riches they went to find
But instead returned from Africa with several slave lines
Not because of the Natives they pushed to the side
When they realized this new world was occupied
Not because they quarantined those innocent poorJapanese men during the **2ND WORLD** War
Not because they decided to look for oil
I mean weapons of mass destruction on Iraqi soil
Not because they tried to convince blacks of their significance
While leaving 399 black men infected with syphilis
Not because there rose a sea of brown
As hundreds of people in New Orleans drowned
Not because of the bullets that rang out like hell
When the cops fired 40 plus shots at Diallo and Bell
Not because those black boys labeled the Jena Six
Faced an original 100 years in prison because they just didn't mix
Not because of the lack of compensation
Not because this is a hypocritical nation
Not because Kanye West said that Bush doesn't like blacks
No, not because of NONE of that...
I just don't like the government

Focus on Fashion: From Braids to Fades

By Alexzenia Davis

Photo Courtesy of mpvintage.com
The RetroKids pose in 80s attire

Unique, trendsetting, evolving, yet classy-- hip hop is consistently the most popular and often controversial cultural movement. With music, language, and
fashion as its three defining elements, it
is easy to get caught up in at least one aspect of the urban lifestyle. Over the last few years fashion has boldly begun to push its way to the forefront-- finally breaking from the 'me in my white tee, baggy pants' saga to something more respectable. So everything else aside, its only right to take some time and focus on fashion.

In 2004 we witnessed the emergence of Kanye West and the sudden switch to button ups (and collars up) sparking a significant shift in hip hop style. However it was Jay-Z who surprised many, as we were actually able to see his transformation into a more sophisticated HOV. With the help of other notable artists, throwbacks became a distant memory. While some debated whether it was yet another passing fad or an actual sign of progression, many took it as a chance to step out of the box and diversify their look.

One of the most recent trends to receive attention is bringing fashion back... to another decade. Formed by a group of fashion conscientious teens, the Retro Kids, a crew of 8 from various sections of New York City are reverting urban wear to an 80s feel. They have showcased their wardrobe consisting of track jackets and acid washed jeans on a daily basis. The combination of colors and retro style speaks to the 'going against the grain' mentality that seems to have struck many hip hop heads, telling fans that what is in is to be completely different. Think Lupe Fiasco skateboarding, or the growing hip hop/rock collaborations. Fashion is following suit realizing that what is now more commonly accepted is generally what is most innovative.

So what about footwear? Well obviously vans have etched their sole print permanently on the face of hip hop. But as we found out, they were more than just a shoe that carried a hip hop song-- literally. They proved to be a nice break from sneakers and, depending on the occasion, a cool alternative to regular shoes. So when they entered the hip hop scene they were in high demand. Still, sometimes change is overrated as mostly everyone I checked with is content kickin' it with their Nikes.

Last but not least, we can't forget about the hair. For a while now there has been an increase in lock wearers. For some it's a display of black pride and for others it is the perfect option when looking for a natural way of hair care. Some recognizable figures have opted to chop it off completely. Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, and the Detroit Piston's Rip Hamilton have all gone from braids to fades this year. Other than that the hair scene has remained pretty tame.

While we always await change, that's what it’s like in fashion... for now.

OFF THE METER

By Alexzenia Davis


So imagine this… On Tuesday, while everyone is still trying to adjust to another routine week of work, you’re heading off to spend some quality time with Kelly Rowland. On Thursday, as everyone else begins to wind down for the week, you’re on your way to chill with Bow Wow and Omarion. And after the week’s worth of excitement, you need to get away, so it’s off to Mexico for the weekend.

Sounds good? Well it’s a dream that became a reality for Colin Gayle and Thomas Gibson who in 2006 successfully produced what was to become South Africa’s number one show- O Access. The idea was to create a ‘day in the life’/travel show which would bring a taste of American celebrity and worldwide culture into the homes of millions of Africans.

Gayle, a Jamaican born, now Los Angeles resident, got his start in the music industry managing artists such as Kenny Lattimore and Dru Hill, eventually making the shift into producer management. Gibson, originally from Illinois, began his career in 1993 as a music reviewer for YSB magazine. After receiving a position at BET, he was able to use his journalism background to produce several documentaries including a special on Mary J. Blige. Being able to utilize and combine all of their skills and connections has helped the duo, who were quick to realize the untapped potential of South African television.

“O Access came about by taking several trips to South Africa and realizing that the content that they were receiving was very generic and didn’t take them into consideration and include them,” Gayle explains. “O Access tries to connect the dots between Africans and African Americans on a new, personal level.”

Chris brown, Ne-yo, Akon, 50 cent, Omarion, Bow wow, and, T.I. are just some of the stars that have been featured on O Access to date. But it takes a good host to keep viewers coming back for more. Nonhle Thema was already a popular VJ for Channel O when her name was submitted along with several others for a chance to become the official host of O Access. She was exactly what they were looking for.


Video Courtesy of YouTube
O Access Promo

“She has definitely blossomed into, I think, the next face…basically Tyra Banks of her country. She’s going to have her own talk show. She can ad lib, she’s charming. She reels people in with her magnetism and that’s the reason why the show is a success,” says Gibson.

“It’s easy to get comfortable with your perception of who you are and where you are and it’s always refreshing to have someone else who comes in and is from a different cultural and moral background that is uniquely different from us,” adds Gayle. “Working with her has been an incredible experience because we were able to experience America through her eyes and experience Africa through her eyes.”

As mentioned, O Access also involves travel. The crew has filmed in the US, Mexico, Jamaica, Portugal, London, and several parts of Africa, always attempting to capture the liveliness and natural feel of each locale. In fact, when asked what has been their favorite show to produce thus far, both Gayle and Gibson chose shows involving travel.

“The Journey to Africa with Chris Brown,” says Gayle. “It gave me a chance to take someone to Africa who didn’t know much about the continent and I was able to show him a part of Africa that most young African Americans don’t know. It was exciting to see his eyes and his reaction.”

“[It would] probably have to be Beenie Man in Jamaica. He was shooting a video. It was just the experience of seeing Jamaica from a local perspective,” Gibson shares.

While the team is constantly working on various projects, they still feel a special sense of pride when it comes to O Access and producing a show for Africa.

As Gibson explains, “You have to put in a lot of work but I think the benefit is the response you get from the people because they don’t have a bunch of quality programming. And I think you do get more of a fulfillment of doing something meaningful rather than doing something here [in America] because we have a lot of programming to choose from whereas people in Africa don’t.”

And Gayle agrees, “There’s always a positive in being in Africa. There’s always a positive to being in a country where the majority of the people look like you and think like you. There’s a certain level of comfort that you get from that experience. We’re still somewhat foreigners [in Africa] but I feel more at home… my soul feels more at home. It’s more rewarding for me.”