News & Features
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Tuesday, March 30, 2010
"Flic Nows Argus Page 8
Celebrating continued from Page 1
Taylor is credited with building "Essence"
magazine into a world-wide brand.
As she approached the lectern Taylor with
assured those in attendance that her conversa
tion for the evening would remain candid.
"I'm looking in the mirror," Taylor said.
Taylor addressed the disparity of African-
American elementary school student's scholas
tic aptitude test scores below grade level and
called for an increased involvement in the wel
fare of students.
"They are our responsibility."
Taylor stressed the need for young people,
particularly women, to take an active role in
reshaping the world.
"Every generation needs to ask itself, 'what
am I doing here?'" Taylor said.
She said issues that society faces have the
potential to be resolved if the female population
exercised more authority.
"The world is out of balance...too much
testosterone in there."
The author's personal testimony highlighted
the theme for the evening.
From running a small family boutique in
Harlem, to surviving a failed marriage, Taylor
became one of the most successful women in
American journalism history.
At the age of 24, a college graduate and a
mother of one, she found herself financially
exhausted and in need of serious medical atten
tion. Taylor checked herself into the New York
City emergency room and was told her ailments
were caused by acute anxiety.
"Your life speaks to you in phenomenal
ways," Taylor said.
She explained that her walk home from the
emergency room prompted her to stop into a
church on Broadway.
Feeling broken and hopeless, Taylor said she
listened intently to the preacher.
That day, she recalled, was the day she found
her inspiration.
"You have the power and the responsibility to
create the life you want," Taylor said.
From then on, her life took a new direction.
Taylor's visit, hosted by the men of Phi Beta
Sigma Fraternity, appeared to have a positive
effect on all who were in attendance, including
Carlton A.G. Eversley a professor of African-
American Culture at WSSU.
"We should all look in the mirror and deal
with self-empowerment," Eversley said.
Rams Hope continued from Page 1
junior psychology major.
"I can't speak for everyone
else, but I will donate again,
but it's a nice feeling in know
ing that I helped out someone
who truly needs it."
Rams H.O.P.E. is one of the
many organizations at
Winston-Salem State that gives
back to the less fortunate.
"It's very wonderful to know
that this money will help so
many people begin to rebuild
their lives," said Chelii
Broussard, adviser for Campus
Life Marketing Committee and
the Ragin' Rams Pep Squad.
"Most of all, it lets them
know that WSSU cares."
Rams H.O.P.E. has collected
gift cards, clothes, and other
donations for the relief efforts.
"Everybody needs a helping
hand," said Nikki Norris, a
junior majoring in marketing
from Durham.
Norris also said that they are
planning fundraisers for other
major disasters, such as the
earthquakes in Chile and
Japan.
"I believe that it is important
for students to be aware of
things happening in the w^orld,
not just their communities,"
said Mi'Chelle Johnson, junior
nursing major from Charlotte.
"Rams H.O.P.E. keeps students
alert of international crises."
Rams H.O.P.E. was organ
ized in January by Broussard.
"We're new on campus and
the impact that we have had so
far is astounding," Broussard
said.
Rams H.O.P.E. is still
requesting donations of med
ical supplies and food that can
be dropped off at the SGA
office at 106 Thompson Center
or the Campus Life Office at
305 Thompson Center.
ENTERTWUIN6 CR\T\C\SIA
J. Cole gives WSSU intimate, killer performance
Marcus Cunningham
Copy Desk Chief
The bleachers and courts of Whitaker Gym at
Winston-Salem State were packed in anticipation of
a live performance from J. Cole during the "Ram
Battle 2010."
Cole did not disappoint.
Unlike other artists who may sing a song or two
during an event, Cole seemed eager to perform
song after song from his catalog. He even went as
far to rap verses from songs he was featured on,
including "A Star is Born" from Jay-Z's "Blueprint
3," "Gladiators" from B.o.B's "May 25th," and
"Beautiful Bliss" from Wale's "Attention Deficit."
Cole, a native of Fayetteville is the first artist
signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation record label. Even
with such success it was evident that Cole is
amazed at how far he has come. As the audience
members began to recite his lyrics word for word
Cole said it still amazes him to see people actually
rap his songs.
With Cole performing in a small venue like
Whitaker an intimate setting was created. As soon
as Cole began performing he immediately called
for the audience to come closer and closer. The
crowd certainly responded as they rushed towards
the stage getting within just a few short feet of Cole
and the stage.
In some instances Cole grabbed the hands of
audience members and rapped his songs to them.
In an almost show stealing moment Cole actually
pulled a crowd member on stage and let her sing
the chorus for his song "Dreams." What was most
impressive about this is that the more than will
ingly participant was actually a really talented
singer. The audience and Cole alike seemed aston
ished.
The red jacket that was once on Cole's back
found its place on the floor of the stage as the artist
covered in sweat began to hold nothing back in his
performance. As an intermission Cole auto
graphed magazines that he was featured on, and
handed them out to the most lively and animated
audience members.
It was a $5 well spent to see this killer perform
ance, whether it was songs from his mixtapes,
acapella verses or songs Cole is featured on, there
was a little bit of everything for everyone.
"Blood Done Sign My Name," successful film effort ofN.C.'s role during Civil Rights
Jaye Cole
Contributor
North Carolina's role in the Civil
Rights Movement continues to remain
prevalent with the release of the big
screen adaptation of Tim Tyson's
"Blood Done Sign My Name."
The film, written and directed by
Jeb Stuart, noted for his work on The
Fugitive and Die Hard, is based upon
the memoirs and life experiences as
the son of a radically left Methodist
preacher in rural Oxford.
Tyson recounts the racially charged
events that would eventually lead to
a march on Raleigh during the 1970's.
The story begins with the introduc
tion of the ^sons, a bubbly family of
five. Vernon, the patriarch is a pro
gressive, idealistic preacher played by
Ricky Schroder.
The Rev. Tyson takes the position as
the new pastor of Oxford Methodist
Church. Within its traditional congre
gation, the good reverend and his
family soon discover the gross invet
erate shadow of Jim Crow looming in
the segregated sections of the town
that they now call home.
The story initially unfolds through
the eyes of a child, Tim Tyson, played
by Gattlin Griffith.
Tim is friends with Gerald Teel,
whose family owns one of the local
grocery stores.
Between their dialogues, the darker
images of the movie can be seen as
Gerald constantly makes racial
remarks of bigotry at nearly every
person of color that they encounter.
Around the same time that the
Tysons arrive in town, a burgeoning
young man named Ben Chavis,
played by Nate Parker returns home
from college and takes a teaching job
at the local black high school. He is
determined to make a difference , and
he certainly has the intellect to do it.
As Stuart injects Chavis into the
equation, the movie's perspective
changes, somewhat twisting the plot,
and it becomes evident that this story
is about more than just a preacher's
family moving to a new town.
Drama continues to build within
the small town. Two examples
include: an invitation to Dr. Samuel
Proctor, a black preacher and presi
dent of NC A&T, to preach at Oxford
Methodist's all-white congregation
courtesy of the Rev. Tyson, and the
scene where Tyson takes his two sons
to see a Ku Klux Klan cross-burning.
Outrage bursts through the seams
as the blac^ community takes to the
streets rioting, vandalizing, and even
attempting to destroy all things
"white."
It wasn't until Chavis brought the
people together and called in
renowned political "stoker man" and
civil rights activist Golden Frinks
played by Afemo Omilami . Frinks
organizes and empowers black
Oxford residents to stage a March on
Raleigh.
Parker and Schroder give outstand
ing performances, despite the fact
that the script called for a "forked"
story line.
The balance was there, and one
actor did not outshine the other.
The release of this movie came in
February — Black History Month.
Tyson'fStuart and others^eserve a
round of applause for the accuracy,
competency, and quality of this work.
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