2 The Voice, For students, By Students 1 April 6, 2011 1 www.fsuvoice.com 1 send news tips to the editor; agarcial ©broncos.uncfsu.edu
Dress the part be the part
Society tells us that we should behave a
certain way, dress a certain way and think a
certain way.
I’ve never been someone to jifst go along
or do what’s expected. I don’t worry about
what others think. I don’t have to be the most
popular, the smartest or the center of atten
tion. I’m content to live doing what feels
right to me, whether it’s compatible with
what society thinks is ap
propriate or not.
I’m the go-to person
when things need to be
fixed or changed. It’s dif
ficult to strip away that
image of me being the
person who will come
through or who “can get it
done.” People come to me with expectations.
They don’t come to me because I dress in a
uniform socially acceptable way. They don’t
come to me because I say the right things or
behave the right way.
I have struggled this past year to shed those
expectations, and to just be free.
People come to me because over time and
throu^ experience they have come to realize
I can be an asset, because I’m capable. They
look past my pierced face. They look past the
myriad of very obvious tattoos. They even
look past the dark makeup and the purple
hair. They don’t decide because of my gen
der or sexual orientation.
I didn’t get my foot in the door by com
promising my integrity or myself I got my
foot in the door by my willingness to be
heard, and work hard.
I’m not saying be out of control and don’t
follow any rules, but some rules are meant •
to be challenged, if not broken. Don’t be
afraid to question the status quo. Don’t be
afraid to question traditions. Sometimes
things need to change.
I remember sitting in Dr. Twumasi-
Ankrah’s office one day early in the semes
ter and I asked him if he would have a prob
lem hiring me because of my appearance. He
didn’t hesitate or stop to think about my ques
tion. He told me “absolutely not,” Because
what is important are my capabilities and not
what I look like.
If someone I choose to work for can’t find
my appearance acceptable it is likely not a
place I would feel comfortable working. If I
can’t be myself, it is not the job for me.
Think about it. FSU has a reputation in
the community. Who we are we kidding? The
community doesn’t know all of the positive
things FSU contributes to the community.
They don’t know about the programs which
helps students have a competative edge in
thier chosen fields. All they know is that it’s
“on the March” and that people that come out
of FSU lack sophistication and seem glob
ally impaired. It’s the school where people go
when they can’t get in anywhere else. Why
, the community is
overlooWng all those ex-
, traordinary students that
will overcome the Image
and blaze their own trails,,
because they chose to be
different,”
should anyone take us seriously?
I have been asked more often than not why
I would choose to work for a paper that is as
sociated with FSU.
My take is that for all those squeaky wheels
that give FSU a bad name, the community is
overlooking all the extraordinary students
who will overcome the image and blaze their
own trails, because they chose to be different.
There is an obvious disconnect between
FSU and the community. In many ways it has
always been a self-imposed isolation. It’s im
portant to be proud that FSU is a Historically
Black University (HBCU), but don’t allow
that to become a liability instead of an as
set. Respect the culture and history, but grow
and evolve. It’s as important to learn to look
outside of ourselves and not just within our
comfort zones.
If the university wants to change its image
it needs to modernize, and realize that dress
ing people up in little suits, telling them what
to say and how to say it isn’t as important
and being able to look outside of the univer
sity, connecting with the community and the
world.
I have heard Chancellor Anderson mention
on several occasions that his goal is global
ized students.
Think about it. Earlier this year the career-
center held a workshop where students told
they should wear these outdated outfits. Im
age is important to a large degree, but the
wrong image can say just as much about you
as the right one.
I was always told to dress for the occasion.
I’m not going to wear a business suit to class,
or a cocktail dress to a barbecue. So why tell
students to wear stuffy ill fitting, outdated
outfits, stockings, and heals to interviews.
If it isn’t comfortable and doesn’t feel right,
it’s very likely not right. The employer will
notice.
Get a backbone, find yourself, be comfort
able in your own skin and people will notice
you for what you can do.
ALICIA
BAYAT
FINDING
MY VOICE
TRENDINGTOPICS
Out comes the sun
By Briana Muirell
Voice Staff Writer
The Spring Break of 2011, now just a
memory in our minds. No matter how enjoy
able or unexciting, it’s a thing of the past.
Class is back in session. March 20th marked
the first official day of spring. Daylight Sav
ings Time ushered in longer days and shorter
nights. Convertible owners are dropping their
tops, ice cream-«hops’ business is booming,
and flowers are blossoming, making their
well-awaited appearances.
It’s spring time! The season where “March
winds bring April showers to grow the May
flowers.” With the temperature slowly but
“... better fashion.”
surely rising day by day, Fayetteville State
Marquis Graham, Sophomore
“... more time outside and less time in
students express what this means to them.
your room.”
“... FUN!”
Shalise Sheppard, Graduate Student
#Warmer Weather means ...
Isong Idio, Sophomore
“... the pool opens and the fun begins.”
“... less clothes.”
Shakja Belcher, Freshman
“... lots of pollen!”
Tia Squires, Senior
Zach Johnson, Senior
"... ashy feet.”
“... booty shorts.”
Jeremy Dunlap, Sophomore
“...good times.”
Tyler Watson, Freshman
Jasalynn Nesbitt, Freshman
“... not going to class.”
Matthew Fields, Senior
"... no jackets.”
Michele Nixon, Sophomore
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