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The Compass
December 12,2003
THE OPINION PAGE
Editorial: Knowledge is power over AIDS
Does everyone know what
AIDS is? No.. .I’m sure that they
don’t. AIDS is a disease that stands
for Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome and HIV, which stands
for Human Immunodeficiency
Virus, is what causes it. HFV kills
important blood cells that defend
the body against all kinds of in
fections. Without these cells, the
body can’t fight off infection,
eventually causing death.
Can I contract AIDS from
kissing? In some areas of past re
search, the answer may have been
no, but it depends on what type of
kissing you are engaging in. Accord
ing to recent research, one can con
tract HTV from French (open mouth)
kissing. This can happen if an in
fected person’s sahva comes in con
tact with a break in the skin of a
person’s mouth, since the virus
can live in saliva. If there is fre
quent French kissing, the skin of
the mouth, gum, or lips, can be
damaged and if someone is in
fected, there is a possibility of a
transmission of the virus, even
though it is the most risk-free, and
least contagious.
Of course, kissing is not the
only way to contract the virus, it
just hasn’t been publicized as
much as others. HIV can still be
contracted from sexual inter
course. Infected blood, semen,
and vaginal/cervical fluids can
enter an open area of the skin, as
small as a paper cut, and enter into
the bloodstream. If you are sexu
ally active and that includes en
gaging in oral sex (the flow of flu
ids from the vagina and semen are
a part of this process), you must
protect yourself in the form of a
latex condom or dental dam. Dur
ing oral sex infected fluid could
get in the mouth and then to the
bloodstream by way of sores, or
bleeding gums. Though this
method of contracting AIDS is
rare, it is still possible, so there
fore it is beneficial to know. The
method of using latex condoms or
a dental dam is still not a 100%
guarantee that you won’t contract
the virus.
Even though it may seem im
possible to do, abstinence or remain
ing celibate, is the best method of
prevention, especially if you are not
married. And, if you are contem
plating marriage, it would be safety
conscious for you and your partner
to get tested before getting married,
and continue to do so throughout
your marriage. Marriage mates have
been known to cheat on their part
ners, and bring the virus back to
them. Also, one may not be aware
that they have the virus because it
can incubate inside your body for 10
years or more. The time period is
different for each individual since
everyone’s immune system differs.
Some people may have symptoms
appear within 3-6 months. Sjonp-
toms come in the form of a fever,
weight loss, skin rashes, heavy
sweating, and intense tiredness. If
this is the case, some people get
married and then in later years,
find out that they have been af
fected, passing it on to their part
ners as well as their children.
The virus can also be transmit
ted through the sharing of needles
during drug use. Therefore, not only
can the drug kill them, but they put
themselves in serious danger with
AIDS as well. The virus can be
contracted through breast milk,
blood transfiisions, and the admin
istering of tattoos and piercings.
On the other hand, never be
afraid to smile, converse, shake
hands, hug or even love someone
who has HIV or AIDS. They are
still human beings who have feelings,
but know your limits, never jeopar
dizing your own health.
There is much more to HIV and
AIDS than what I have mentioned.
Become knowledgeable of HIV
and AIDS. Don’t be afraid to in
form yourself, read as much as
possible, and GET TESTED! The
Elizabeth City State University
Student Health Services has free
testing, and if you want more pri
vacy, don’t hesitate to make an ap
pointment with a local clinic. If
your results come back HIV posi
tive, there is counseling available,
and even though there is no cure,
but it is always better to know.
Just as life changes, so does
this disease. Complacency has no
grasp on it, and hasn’t since it was
discovered in 1984.
Never think you are invin
cible; it only takes one incident,
and BAM! you could have con
tracted the virus. AIDS does not
discriminate on the basis of
ethnicity, gender, or social class.
Its only intentions are to weaken
and destroy human life.
DeTraL. Stith
Editorial: Support the ECSU football team
While speaking witin some mem
bers of the Elizabeth City State Uni
versity football team, I have heard the
effects of what losing a game can do
to a player. They get discouraged and
feel they are not receiving the respect
needed as athletes on campus. These
young men, mainly juniors and se
niors, have been playing for ECSU for
3 or more years and have yet to have
a winning streak, let alone go unde-
of •ECSU
Do you think that the death
penalty is too harsh for
John Allen Muhammad?
I
. “No , I don’t
think that it is too
harsh, but I
disagree with
having trials in
different states
for which penalty
holds precedent
over another”
Antoine Rascoe, Senior
Washington D.C.
“No, it’s not too
harsh; he took
the lives of a lot
of people, so the
punishment
seems just.”
Carla Chambers, Junior
Statesville, NC
Felica Felton
Marketing
Communications Coordinator
“I don’t believe
in the dealth
penalty, so I
don’t think it Is
right. Two
wrongs don’t
make a right.
I’d rather for
someone to
suffer than die
an easy death.”
“I agree with the
death penalty
because when
you have no
respect for
human life and
you shoot
innocent people,
especially
children, you
deserve what
you get.”
David Lynch,
Freshman
Durham, NC
Complied by DeTra Stith
feated.
When I first arrived on campus
in fall of 2002, I thought maybe they
were having a bad year Then I found
out that the losing streak for the ECSU
Viking Football Team is nothing new.
They have been losing for so long that
to win would be like buying a new car,
really exciting!
Many students blame the
coaches, while others blame the team
members. What is the reason behind
this losing streak? I honestly do not
know who can answer that question.
I do know that the firing of assistant
coaches, like Coach Henry, and plac
ing curfews on the players have not
helped win more games.
So, what do Vikings need to do?
Keep supporting your football team.
The lack Of support here at ECSU
does not encourage them to do bet
ter. Many students, faculty, staff mem
bers, and administration are not at the
games to see the hard work and ef
fort these members exhibit.
All the hours and months prior
to the start of the season, which are
put into practice by the team and its
coaches, are remarkable. I have per
sonally seen the team working hard
on plays, speed, and basic strategies
of winning. Yet, we still lose; not just
the game but our pride as well.
I believe the start of a winning
football season will begin when Viking
Pride is truly shown by all the stu
dents, faculty, and staff who come to
support their team at the games. Un
til this day comes ECSU will be known
for a football team that has a constant
losing streak.
Leandrea Hill
The
Compass Staff
would like to express
our wishes for you to
have joyous filled
holidays and a
'dL Happy ^
New
Year
Ditty-bopptnv
T®
Baggy Jeans, do-rag and braids
Is that what truly defines me
You’re so qurck to Judge
However, have you ever taken the time
To get to know the real me
The person on the inside looking out
You think you know
But you don't know what I am about
Therefore, you make assumptions
To feed your curiosity
Yeah I might wear baggy Jeans
And 1 might talk with a slang
But no one can stop me
From doing my thing
I live the way I want to live
And I do what I want to do
But what difference does it make
As long as I’m not bothering you
So next time you see me
Don’t get caught second-guessing
And let the curiosity kill you
Pop the question...
Editor-in- Chief. Kymber Lee Taylor
Co-ordinating Editor Susan Correll-Hankinson
Copy Editor. DeTra Stith
Assistant News Editors Jamica Ashley, Margaret
Fisher
Photographers Rich Harvey, Susan Correll-
Hankinson, DeTra Stith, Jennifer Pride, Kymber Lee Taylor
Graphic Designers Kymber Taylor, Susan
Correll-Hankinson, DeTre Stith, Jamica Ashley, Sue Wang
Advisers Dr. John Luton and Dr. Joseph
Lisowski
Financial Advisor. Mr. Stephen March
The Compass is published by Elizabeth City State University students under the
direction of the Department of Language, Literature and Communication, Dr.
Emmanuel Ngwainmbi, Chairperson, and Dr. John Luton, staff adviser. The editors
would like to recognize the Journalism class for its contributions.
V9K!) V9K9NQ
Dear ECSU Students and Staff,
It’s that time of year again. Our heaters are getting a workout, we have pulled
our sweaters out of the attic, and, oh yeah, our pocketbooks are empty.
Sitting in class, I have heard several people pondering aloud how to affordably
give gifts to all of their fnends and family members. When choosing a gift, keep in
mind that some of the most thoughtful and appreciated gifts are those you put your
time into. Using your time instead of your money may mean even more to the recipi
ent.
Consider shoveling snow or cleaning out gutters for someone. If outdoor
labor isn’t your style maybe you could make the Christmas meal. If you are an artist,
draw and frame something that fits the decor of the loved one.
If you would rather go the route of buying something, consider buying some
thing inexpensive that may have some personal meaning. Remember that Christmas
is a time to enjoy your friends and family and chances are, they don’t care about the
gifts as much as they care about spending time with you. So, think about the person,
the history you share with them, and what reminds you of them. Then, be selective
and the right gift will be found.
Also, be safe this season. Christmas parties are abundant and with that comes
alcohol Drink responsibly, take care, and “have yoi^self a merry little Christinas.”
Happy Holidays,
Letter To The Editor
At long last the issue of teacher’s lateness has been brought to the fore
front. Last semester was myfirst year attending ECSU, and I was appalled at the
lack of professionalism shown in attendance and lateness by several of
my instructors. Not that most were not good at what they taught, but just arro
gant in getting to class on time or even being there. Of the 6 classes I was
taking, three had a lateness issue, but only one of the three abused the system,
from where I was sitting. I went to three people before I found the person I
needed to actually talk to about the situation. After confiding in me that the
information / gave out about the teachers would be held in strict confidence, I
knew the day this one instructor was talked to, because from that time forth she
totally ignored me. She was not ready to put forth her best and her students
suffered as a result.
I am a non-traditional student, paying my own way with no financial help
from anyone. I am not here to get a degree to better my chances at getting a
better paying job; in fact, lam retired, so I am here to learn. Was I cheated last
semester? Unequivocally yes, and so were many other students. I only knew of
one other student that took action in reporting this instructor and that is because
I told her to stop complaining to me and report it to the right person. The issue of
lateness and absence will never be a priority until all ECSU faculty make it a
priority. Only a few abuse the system and those few make the issue of lateness at
the University look bad as a whole.
Thank you for the beautiful article you wrote, it was an interesting ar
ticle and most professional.
Dorothy