Oct. 2. 2006
The News Argus
5
Dpininns fe Fditnrials
From the Editor:
Race should not be an
issue in reality shows
Erin Perkins
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Perkins
CBS' popular reality show, "Survivor", recently
announced that the cast of the 13th season, set in the
Cook Islands, will divide teams by race.
It's true. The producers have separated
the 20 participants into four tribes,and
have decided to name them the White
Tribe, the African-American Tribe, the
Asian-American Tribe and the Hispanic
Tribe.
If at this point you are scowling,
stunned, perplexed and even insulted,
you are by far not alone. Perhaps this
sudden twisted and offensive theme
should not come as a surprise, given the
show's longevity; it has tried relentlessly
to avoid becoming dry. Producer Mark Burnett and his
team have previously divided teams according to gender
and age — older men, older women, younger men, and
younger women.
Put simply, this season's theme is a crass idea, tasteless
and inconsiderate to the past hurts of racial oppression. I
am aware that "Survivor" is simply a game; however, I
am conscious that racial division is a sensitive issue for
many, and with good reason.
Before you can blink an eye or bat a lash, the racially
divided tribes on "Survivor" could easily progress into
racially divided contestants on game shows and before
society realizes, it will be back to racially segregated bath
rooms and public places. This is not a concept blown out
of proportion, because there are still professions and
areas of life in which many minorities have failed to see
success.
It seems that when a few minorities, such as Oprah,
Tiger Woods, Connie Chung and Condoleezza Rice, have
matched the success of the wealthy upper class majority,
it suddenly becomes okay to take for granted that
wounds are healed, and liberties are then exercised to
push racial boundaries.
It is a shame that TV executives have to resort to such
an offensive and insensitive theme just to increase declin
ing ratings and add flavor to "Survivor's" increasing stal
eness.
It would not be a surprise if the efforts to raise ratings
failed immensely because racially divided teams would
only strengthen stereotypes.
TTiis silly attempt to make "news" and raise ratings
only makes it easier to unfairly label ethnicihes and races.
Five individuals from the White Tribe, African-American
Tribe, Asian Tribe and Hispanic Tribe carmot accurately
reflect the characteristics and qualities of the entire race.
That is where the problem lies.
Contrary to the cliche, ignorance is not always a bless
ing, but knowledge always is, because knowledge is
power.
And obviously, "Survivor" producers are not exercising
that power. If they were, it would be evident that this
racially-charged controversy does not just raise eyebrows,
but intense concerns, past hurts, and "unfair stereo
types," as well.
With a little common sense,
you can look good all over
Tamika Green
COPY EDITOR
Shoes have the power to
complete any outfit. They
add the finishing touch to
the final product.
Everyone has seen some
one with the hottest outfit,
but when you look to their
feet, you are left wonder
ing, "What were they
thinking?"
Here are some tips to
help you avoid becoming a
victim of "wrong shoes
syndrome."
First and foremost,
get the size for you, not
the size you think is for
you. Nothing looks worse
than shoes that do not fit.
This goes for both
extremes: too small Eind
too large. If your toes
are hanging over the
front of your shoes and
scraping the sidewalk
with each step, you should
have gotten a larger size.
And you wonder why you
have pebbles in between
your toes at the end of the
day.
The same goes for shoes
with heels hanging off the
back. That is so unattrac
tive. Next time get a bigger
size to accommodate the
actual, not the perceived,
size of your foot.
Ladies, if you are wear
ing pumps, there should
not be a huge gap between
your heel
and the
back of the
shoe. Close
that gap by
purchasing
a smaller
size next
time. Leave
the flip-
flopping
solely to
your flip-
flops, not
your stilet
to pumps.
Bedroom
shoes are
for, you guessed it: the
bedroom. If you are going
for comfort over style, it
takes all of two seconds to
throw on some flip-flops
or tennis shoes and still
look good. This goes for
males and females alike.
Here is a hint: If your feet
Busted shoes
decrease the
overall effect of
a fly ensemble.
look like stuffed animals
are attacking them, change
shoes. Leave the fuzzy
bunnies in the room where
they belong.
Beauty supply store
flip-flops are out. There
is no reason a gigantic
fabric flower
should
be in
between
your toes.
Why not opt
for some
comfy plain
flip-flops
sans the flo
ral arrange
ments?
Some
shoes
should
just be left
in the past.
Avoid shoe
one-hit wonders such as
"Ma-no-nos," Melissas,
and sneaker pumps.When
in doubt, a classic pump or
pair of cute sneakers or
flats will complement your
outfit much better.
Prom shoes are for
the prom, and other formal
occasions. Do not wear
them around campus. You
are not Cinderella. A regu
lar shoe will do just fine.
If your shoes look
brown, but they were
white when you bought
them, it's time for a
new pair. Busted shoes
decrease the overall effect
of a fly ensemble. Last,
but not least, color is
crucial. If you have on
shoes that do not match
any of the other items
you are wearing (i.e. top,
accessories, etc.) you
may want to reconsider
wearing those shoes
with that particular
outfit. For example, if you
have on red shoes, and
there is no trace of red in
anything you are wearing,
put them to the side for a
red day.
So, what have we
learned? Before making
your shoe choice for the
day, remember the afore
mentioned tips. Pay atten
tion to color, size, appear
ance and style. Your feet
will thank you, and so will
everyone else.
Couple may have trouble with
trust and basic communication
Ask La'Chelle
La’Chelle Lewis
COLUMNIST
Q; I think my girl
friend is
cheating
on me
because I
got her
Facebook
password
and I saw
messages
that
showed
up with
her giving her phone
numbers to random guys
who asked for it; what
should I do?
A. Communication is the
La’Chelle
key to this situation. If
this problem is bothering
you so much, you should
confront your girlfriend
by asking her, not accusing
her, about her relationship
with other males, especial
ly those on Facebook.
com. Maybe she can
justify about why she
gave her numbers to
those particular males.
On the other hand, she
may be very upset that
you violated her privacy
and got her password to
look at these messages.
You both have to commu
nicate in some way about
how much you trust one
another; because if you
trust one another
Facebook.com should not
become an issue.
Q: I really have a prob
lem with my foreign
roommate, who has strong
beliefs in not wearing
deodorant and believes
that the natural smell of
the human body should
be accepted. What should
I do?
A. Your foreign room
mate has simply brought
about change in your life.
College is about diversity
and exposure to new and
exciting things. The lack of
deodorant is somewhat a
problem to you; but maybe
you may have certain
things that are a problem
to them. You were raised
in a society where you
were taught to wear
deodorant and they were
raised opposite; who is to
say which way is right?
Instead of focusing on the
negative, maybe you
should try to find common
interest in the both of you.
Maybe you can teach and
leam things from each
other. Although body
smells are not always the
most pleasant to deal with,
you should try to accept
and respect your room
mate's culture.
The fun and pageantry of Homecoming
has special meaning to WSSU students
Sharrod Patterson
PHOTO EDITOR
The HBCU Homecoming is an event rich
in tradition and culture. Homecoming is
often considered a rite of passage for HBCU stu
dents. For some, the days leading up to
the Homecoming game is what brought
them to an HBCU. A typical HBCU home
coming starts on Sunday and ends on
Sunday, seven days of fun and pageantry.
Students at WSSU teU what they enjoy
the most about Homecoming.
LaMuriel McMvuray, senior.
Business
"My favorite part is watching
the band, and since
I am a cheerleader I love to
cheer."
Homecoming."
Sasha Long, sophomore.
Business Administration
"Seeing all the people
from other schools and
looking cute at the game
in my new outfit"
Keith Parker, freshman.
Computer Science
"Playing in the game in
front of a lot of people,
going
to the concert, and the
women, but especially playing
then winning."
Long
McMurray
Antonia Logan, junior.
Business Marketing
"The events and all the people
who I haven't seen in awhile
because everyone comes to
Kizzie
Parker
Omar Kizzie, freshman.
Biology
"Me being a football player,
I love the game, but being a
student I love the week
coming up and all the
parties."
The News Argus
putting the pieces together so
that you get the whole picture
Logan
Correction
In the September 18, 2006, issue of The News Argus, Mary Y. Smith was
incorrectly identified as the Director of Housing. Her correct title is Assistant
Director of Housing and Residence Life.