2 THE COMPASS - SPRING 2008
EDITORIAL
Editorial
Bj: Shomonic Williams
“Young Black Males Headed for
Extinction?” This was a headline featured
in the Washington Post, that I randomly
came across while browsing online. The
headline was taken from a statement made
bv Republican presidential hopeful John
McCain during a political forum last year.
It was definitely an attention grabber,
leaving me to wonder could this really be
true?
your background is the principle basis that
forms the person vou are.
Just recently, I had the opportunity to
interview Coach Herman Boone, the central
character played by Denzel Washington in
“Remember the Titans.”
Singer AliS9I Virginia’s Next Hottest R&B Artist
By: Shavon Dorsey
It is a fact that in the year 2007 black males
18-24 years old had the highest homicide
\ictimization rates. Their rates were more
than double the rates for black males age
25 and older, and almost 4 times the rates
for black males 14-17 years old. I have even
heard the statistic that there are more young
black men in prison than in college. To
witness black males imolved in such things
as gang activity, drugs, and violence is indeed
sad and unfortunate on its own. Ho\\ever, a
question rises: Should these men be labeled
as our modern day juvenile delinquents? Or
could we possibly label them as victims?
Having morals, and the knowledge of
what’s right and wrong is something that we
should all posses. However, considering our
individual upbringings and backgrounds is
also important. It is a fact that the majority
of young black males in the prison systems
were raised in fatherless homes, the inner
city, were physical or mental abuse \ ictims
or were raised in po\ erty. Therefore, never
fail to keep in mind and consider the fact that
During our interview, I asked his general
opinion about Mr. McCain’s statement
and his thoughts about the direction of
our African American vouth. Mr. Boone
brought up the point that yes, at times,
our young black males are often victimized
and harshly scrutinized by society. Yet on
the other hand, said they bring it upon
themselves. Boone says success is based on
choices you make, which leads me to this
point: One of my many philosophies on
life is knowing that we are not products of
only our environments. No one is owed by
anyone in this world, change is in our hands,
however, it is up to us to do our part. Yes
it is true that unfortunately too often we as
African Americans tend remain in this “I’m a
victim” mindset. I can’t necessarily speak for
that inner-citv, troubled, black male of mv
generation though.
For Mr. John McCain to sav that our “young
black males are headed for extinction”, is a
bit exaggerated and extreme in my opinion.
Nonetheless, the statement opened my eyes
and ga\e me something else to ponder and
think about. It forces us to trulv analyze our
lifestyles as a race and generation.
Letter From The Editor
By: Shomonic Williams
First and foremost, I \\ould like to thank
all of you wo have been supporti\ e of The
Compass despite our setbacks and hiatuses.
We appreciated all those who read our pub
lications and have gave us your hone.st feed
back and suggestions for improvement. It is
because of the support of you, our fellow Vi
kings, that «e are able to stay motivated.
Student Government Association elec
tions are almost underw av. Thev are of high
importance. With this in mind, be sure to get
in\'olved. Our \otes and participation will
determine our next leaders, those who will
guide us as a student body on our campus.
Speaking of elections, the U.S. presidential
race is still an issue that remains of constant
importance. We as young individuals are on
a need-to-know basis what each stands for,
and in v\ hat « avs they can benefit our coun
try. We atThe Compass will continue to keep
or eves w ith the latest on the race.
I knov\ we ha\e all heard the constant re
minders of how important it is to be a regis-
tered \oter. But have we actualK asked our
selves \\ hv is the issue of v oting constantly
being forced into our heads? It has almost
become somewhat of an overused, cliche
question. However, young people really do
understand its importance I’m sure. Our
votes will determine who inhabits the White
House. Let your voice be heard. Vote!
April is National Poetry Month, and in
celebration of the occasion, w e have chosen
to display original poetry, written by our fel
low Vikings in a special poetry section. By
doing so, are displaying the many talents and
skills among our student body.
As said before, we have received a vast
amount of feedback from vou all. With the
second issue up and running, vve will see
that this publication is a reflection of much
appreciated criticisms both good and bad.
We are constantly in search for improve
ment, so again, vve look forward to hearing
from you all.
Elizabeth City
ECSU
State University
Courtesy Photo
On April 9, Alisa Performed on BET, “106
and Park” Wild Out Wednesday, with artist
True City. On April 1 2, she will perform her
singles from her unreleased album “Undeni
able,’ at Viking Fest step show. “I’m excited
about performing for Viking Fest because
when I come to Elizabeth City I get a lot of
love and support,” she said.
The 17-year-old singer has been pursuing
her goal of stardom since she was 14. Alisa
has performed at, “The Bobby Jones Gos
pel,”“BlazeThe Stage Talent Show case,”“Soul
Music Beach Festival,”“The Black Family' Re
union, Afram Festival,”“Umoja Festival,”“Ju-
neteenth Festival,” and “The Black Reunion.”
She has also opened up for artists such as,
Chris Brown, Ruben Studdard and Fantasia.
“I’m me. I try to do different things. My
music is like a slow R&B, with a European
Feel,” Alisa said. Her album, “Undeniable,”
will debut in 2009. Alisa says her influences
are Donna Summer, Mariah Carey, and her
older sister Brianna Moreland. She writes
all of her tracks. Even though she is young
her songs are very mature. “I feel as though
the girl is talented and that she’ll make it,”
ECSU student Marlon Parker said.
Alisa’s parents, Reggie and Belinda Moi'e-
land, are her managers. Her promoter’s are
Summer Ecksord and Fly Ty. “Her perfor
mance is amazing and it’s .something differ
ent,” Fly Ty said. Alisa is featured on True
City’s single “Go,” which is gaining air play
in .Southern Virginia.
Alisa has worked with producers including
Starchild and Brian Turner. She would like
to work with in the near future The Runners
and Michael Cox. “I would like to be signed
to a record label where there is no other art
ist like me because I don’t want to be with a
label where all the artists are moving in the
same direction,” Alisa said. Her preference
of record labels is Columbia Records.
V
Courtesy rnoto
Talk To Me
Bv: Cecil Hester
Don Cheadle is probably one of the most
underrated actors of his generation, accom
plishing one phenomenal performance after
another, from Hotel Rwanda, to Crash, and
most recently as Petey Greene Jr. in “Talk to
Me”. Unlike Denzel Washington and Will
Smith Cheadle has the chameleon-esque
ability to disappear into his characters, which
makes him not only the most underrated ac
tors of his generation, but probably the great
est. “Talk To Me, .show cases Petey Greene’s
ascension to radio hierarchy. What’s most
amazing about Greene’s storv is he started
from less than humble beginnings.
At the start of the film, Greene is shown
as a disc jockey in a state prison. This is
where he first encounters Dew'ey Hughes,
a program director who is visiting his incar
cerated brother. After meeting his brother,
Hughes meets Greene, he inadvertently of
fers Greene a job at the station, never believ
ing Greene will get of prison. Meanwhile,
Greene uses his acerbic wit to talk down an
inmate from a towering rooftop much to
the w’arden s delight. The warden releases
Greene, and Greene goes off to see Hughes
about the job. Hughes is hesitant to use Petey
Greene, on the account that he’s loquacious,
volatile and unpredictable, not to mention
the fact that s he’s an ex-conv ict. However,
as the film progresses Hughes comes to real
ize, that Greene has a gilt, “to say the things,
he s afraid to say. Greene is also able to con
nect with the people of Wa.shington D.C.,
bv telling the truth without saccharine coat
ings. Ergo, Greene becomes the heart of
Washington D.C. After he dies, over 10,000
mourners attend his funeral, the largest for a
non-state official in Washington D.C.