Sept. 18. 2006
The News Argus
OPINION
From the Editor:
Erin Perkins accepts position
as editor o/The News Argus
Erin C. Perkins
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
I am so excited about the
2006-2007 school year!
Not only
am 1 a
senior, but
1 am also
the Editor-
in-Chief of
The News
Argus. An
opportuni
ty that
brings me
much
plea,sure,
privilege and honor. I have
diligently written for The
News Argus for three ongo
ing years. I am doing what I
love and bringing my pas
sion to the students of
Winston-Salem State ^
University.
This year we have
upgraded from a monthly
publication to a bi-weekly
PERKINS
newspaper. Like many of
you, 1 am looking forward
to the paper becoming a
more timely publication.
We are considered a world-
class institution, so it is
only befitting to make
changes accordingly.
It is the shared goal of
the staff and myself to bring
WSSU’s students an appeal
ing, newsworthy and honor
able publication that best
represents the university.
I promise to do the best
that I can to continue to let
The News Argus reign as
the eyes and ears of the
campus.
If you have any ques
tions, comments or con
cerns, I am open to the
insights and feedback of our
readers. Letters can always
be sent letters to the editor
at The News Argus email
newzargus@yahoo.com.
Are miniskirts
appropriate for
the classroom?
By: Tamika Green
NEWS ARGUS STAFF REPORTER
This is college. There is no mandatory dress code, but
there is an unwritten one, one that mature collegiate adults
should learn to follow. You know that old saying: “There is
a time and a place for everything”? Well, that rule applies
to some of the fashions that can be seen around our cam
pus. Just because a certain article of clothing is “in” does
not mean that it is appropriate for all occasions.
The miniskirt, for example, is definitely a very cute item
that is appearing everywhere this season. However, I would
not recommend wearing it to class. I hate to sound like a
“killjoy”, but it does create a distraction. Plus, we are
going to class to learn, not going to the club to get our
party on.
But how short is too short? Let’s just say that if you have
to pull down your skirt with each step you take, it’s proba
bly a good idea to save that one for a night out with the
girls. So, you may be asking, “How can I wear this trendy
piece of clothing and still look appropriate for a classroom
setting?” Well, one thing you can do is pair it with a cute
pair of leggings, an item that also happens to have made a
comeback this fall.
In addition, you may want to evaluate the length of your
skirt before walking out of the door. Remember the “finger
tip test?” For those of you who need a memor>' jog, this is
when you place your arms straight down at your sides and
see where the bottom of your skirt falls in relation to your
fingertips. If the bottom of the skirt falls above your finger
tips, it might need to stay in the closet until the weekend.
This skirt shouldn’t be worn to class.
Believe me, no one is happier than I, to be free of dress
codes. However, there are just some things I feel are not
quite appropriate for the classroom atmosphere. Before you
walk out of the door in the morning, take a moment to
think about where you are going and what is appropriate
attire for that location.
Keep infor-me4 of
whgt s happening
on i^gyus
The News Argus
^ • *.
President George w. bush is interested in drilling for oil in the Arctic.
Photo courtesy of MCT
President Bush strikes again
Terri Day
NEWS ARGUS STAFF REPORTER
Once again the Bush
administration has said one
thing and done another.
Recently, the president
was involved in a tour of
“listening sessions”. The
apparent goal of the “ses
sions” was to “listen” to the
United States public about
its stance on environmental
laws.
However, when it comes
to actually listening to the
American public on issues
of environmental legislation
the president seems unwill
ing or unable to take a
stand that will protect our
rivers, forests and wildlife.
Of course, the “listening
sessions” can’t help but
draw comparisons to the
president’s infamous “town
hall meetings”.
Those meetings, which
were supposed to be an
objective look at the feel
ings of the public toward
the president, became noth
ing but gentle tongue
bathings. The “town hall”
that was supposed to repre
sent the rich tapestry of a
diverse America, was a
sham and it turned out to
be a meeting of Bush enthu
siasts, forced to sign sworn
“letters of support” to the
president, before they
would be allowed to enter.
The feeling that anyone
who does not agree with the
president on environmental
issues, will not be allowed
in, much less to speak with
the president, cannot be
easily shaken. However, if
the President wanted the
true feelings of average
Americans about the envi
ronment, his “listening ses
sions” would hardly be nec
essary.
He has weakened vital
environmental laws, includ
ing the National
Environmental Policy Act,
and has slashed renewable
energy funding that would
pave the way to lower emis
sions standards and cleaner
air.
Old growth forests are
being cut down, and liush is
eyeing the Arctic oil fields
like a St. Bernard on a
steak.
And of course, the public
is left watching as its leatier
does what he wants, with
little or no regard to the
repercussions, to the people
or the land.
Imagine that tlie “listen
ing sessions” will go as well
as his “town meetings” tlur-
ing the re-election cam
paign. And as long as he's in
office Bush will continue to
ignore the cries of the peo
ple and rim the coiuitry his
own way. No matter what
his constituents have to say
about it.
Entertainers ought to stick with what they know
By Harold Smith
NEWS ARGUS STAFF REPORTER
The entertainment indus
try has become a cash cow
for many entertainers, espe
cially those who are looking
to expand on their craft.
A popular trend which
has become frequent in the
past 15 years is rappers
appearing more and more in
movies.
This trend arises from
that when movie producers
are looking for a character
to have certain personalities
or mannerisms, such as a
“thug.” They know a certain
rapper can fill this role and
be convincing because they
do it everyday.
Many rappers are success
ful because they are por
traying the same character
they play everyday, the
names just changed.
Rappers like Will Smith,
Tupac Shakur, Queen
Latifah and a few others
have really earned a name
for themselves and gained
respect as actors.
However, many rappers
are given a hard time by
thespians and real actors
because they believe they
are stealing work from the
people who need it.
In a 2002 article on
Allhiphop.com, actor
Samuel L. Jackson explains
that as a classically trained
thespian, it is not his job to
lend credibility to rappers
by appearing in movies with
them.
Actors have also tried to
play their hand in the
career crossover but have
had no success.
Brian Green of the show
Beverly Hills 90210 released
an album in 1996 but failed
to make a dent in album
sales.
Jamie Foxx who has won
an Academy Award, has
found huge crossover suc
cess for not only possessing
the talent, but having the
necessary connections in
the music industry.
The problems that many
entertainers face when
“crossing over” is their lack
of credibility in that craft.
No one will respect a so-
called rapper if they can’t
freestyle or they have been
on any mix tapes by a popu
lar DJ or even have a eo sig
nature from a well-known
artist.
And an actor is not recog
nized as an actor until he
takes the proper classes and
is acknowledged by his
peers in that particular pro
fession as, a credible actor.
The bottom line any
entertainer needs to
remember is, respect the
craft and do it the right way
and you will be successful
at it.
m
Photo courtesy of
Rapper-turned-actress Eve is having success as a
crossover.
MCT
r.