12
Opinions
Campus Echo .
Thursday, October 28,1999
North Carolina Central University
Is NCCU rainbow-phobic?
KIM
ARRINGTON
Warning: Before you dye your hair,
dare to wear anything out of the norm,
get any unusual body parts pierced,
and worst of all,
defend a person’s
right to choose
what goes on in
their bedroom—
you’d better be
ready to accept
the consequences.
For God’s
sake, don’t you
dare have any
thing with a rain
bow—the symbol
for gay pride.
A societal phenomenon has found
its way into Central.
What is it you ask?
Well, it has to do with that touchy
subject of... shall we say ... sexual
preference.
We all know that the latest societal
taboo—the way to politically cripple a
person—is to catapult an accusation
that they are gay.
It was one thing when they “got”
Queen Latifah, but Maxwell—that
went too far.
Watch your back, the “outing”
police are everywhere—especially on
this campus.
But first ask yourself this: Who are
we to dictate what goes on in folks’
bedrooms?
Sit back, so I can tell you a little
story.
If you are—as I am—troubled by
homophobia, you’re suspect.
I was convicted, actually.
Convicted for having short hair, a
different sense of style, and being
open-minded.
I am not gay, yet as an African-
American female I know what dis
crimination tastes like.
For that rea
son alone, I find
it difficult to
diminish some
one else’s
humanity
because of their
sexual prefer-
ences.
Many at Central don’t see it that
way.
That’s okay, I believe it is your
right to have an opinion.
But—and this is a big but —does
this mean that gay people should be
treated as though they have leprosy?
I’ve even witnessed classes at
I am not gay, but as an
African-American female, I
know what discrimination
tastes like.
Central turn into regular anti-gay
demonstrations—even heard profes
sors get in an unexpected jab.
Is sensitivity dead
or is it alive? mmmmmmmmmmm
It’s fascinating
because traditionally
African Americans
are so politically lib
eral, yet so socially
conservative.
Good or bad? ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■
I know the argu
ment from biology that says that the
same sex can’t reproduce.
And I know the one in
the Bible that says it’s an
abomination to God.
Bet you can guess my
retort—that same book
also says that “thou shalt
not judge.”
Some of y’all needed
to be reminded of
that—I’ve even got to remind myself
of it sometimes.
I wouldn’t begin to pretend to fully
understand what it means to be gay or
lesbian, but I can only suppose that
they have feelings similar to the ones
that I would have for a man.
I think that if we were completely
??
Watch your back, the “out
ing” police are every
where—especially on this
campus.
honest with ourselves, we would
admit that for one reason or another
we are fascinated with people’s sexu
ality—probably too
much so.
Wouldn’t
NCCU be a better
place if we exercised
a bit more toler
ance? And isn’t uni
versity life all about
mmmmmmmmmmmmmm learning how to see
beyond our limited
perspectives?
I’m not telling people that they
have to accept this different lifestyle.
I am saying that rejecting this
lifestyle should not lead to rejecting
the person’s humanity. After all does
n’t our shared humanity mean some
thing?
So guys, how about dropping that
machismo routine a bit and realizing
that you’re not the target of every gay
man in the world.
Ladies, ditto that sentiment when
it comes to lesbians.
In other words, when it comes
down to it, we should be treated with
respect and dignity simply because
we are just that—human.
Ya Heard? •EVERYB0[>V PLAYS THE FAKE'
T he topic this week is
Alternative Motives.
In other words, something
someone does that may help him or
her get what they want.
We all do it,
and the best
fall for it.
Alternative
motives are
acted out by
people better
known as
fakes, phonies,
smacks, gumps,
bumpkins,
light-minds
and dopes.
For example, why does someone
who doesn’t like you smile in your
face?
It may be numerous things: you
could be their ride to work, they
may need to borrow a dollar, or they
may want your mate.
Hey, it happens.
You’re guilty for being nice to
him or her because they are the
only one in class who understands
the assignment that is due in 10
minutes. i
Yeah—he is an a—hole—but he is
21 and he can buy anything in the
We all do it,
and the best fall for it.
JOE
WRIGHT
alphabet (ABC) store he wants—give
him twenty bills and slide him a
Corona or two.
You phony.
In some cases, it comes down to
doing what
you need to ^ 5
do.
You real
ly don’t like
your profes
sor or their
teaching style, but when class ends
and it’s a one-on- one situation in
their office—you’re all smiles.
Your boss is anal as a probe, but
when you need those days off for
Black Bike Week they become your
best friends.
When the refund check line is
around the corner and the bank
closes in twenty minutes, start the
fake tears to get that check—damn
that!
In these cases when your back is
to the wall it’s swing or be stung!
In most cases, it stems from greed
or just plain a—holism.
Yeah she is a mud-duck, but she
works at Burger King and your
funds only support Quikstop meals,
smile at her and ask for extra pick
les with that.
What about that outfit you need
for A&T’s homecoming, sure he’s a
busta but his discount for working
at Eddie Bauer is fabulous.
“Do you have that in XL-Tall?”
You really don’t want
fgigggggggg, her to stay over, so you
smoke a cigar and play
Smashing Pumpkins until
she leaves with the rah-rah
face.
That’s one of my per-
■n
It may sound harsh, but so
are lies hidden under a
pretty smile—or a cute
face.
sonal favorites.
I know you
need a D.J for
your event, but I
also know you
haven’t spoken to
me since fall
1996, you’re
lucky if I beat-
box “One and
Million” at your wedding!
You fake.
At times, someone is hip to your
game and knows the science behind
your ill ways;
Let’s be honest, its not hard to
point out.
Ladies, you know he is talking a
good game, but he has looked at
every part of your body, but your
face during the conversation.
Fellas, she may have left you a
message on your machine, but she
also asked to use your car before
saying hello.
You know he or she is full of toi
let food, but it will come back to her,
right?
That’s all good and dandy, but I
say you stomp his or her plans
before it gets rolling.
We know you’re fake and you’re
doing what you do best—being fake!
Beat it before I add
■“■■■■■■■■■■ some extra dimples to
It may sound harsh,
but so are lies hidden
under a pretty smile—
or a cute face.
In conclusion, I say
kill them with kind
ness or blind them
with fists of fury.
One of those choices may be easi
er said then done.
One love to Ms. Hazel for the
advice, the Boys of summer, the
Heavy-Weights and my parole offi
cer for not coming by last week,
I owe you one.
Until the next time, keep a closed
heart and open mind!
Peace.
North Carolina Central University
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Letters
Echo music critic ripped to shreds
Date: Oct. 12,1999
Dear Campus Echo:
So the saying is true, anyone can be a
critic. After reading the October edition of
The Campus Echo, I was disgusted by the
poor display of criticism on the new releas
es by rappers 01’ Dirty Bastard and Eve of
the Ruff Ryders.
First of all the rating system that you
use confuse? me. Not only is it a weak ren
dition of the popular Source magazine, it is
also full of false statements.
The headphone system of five head
phones for a “classic” album and one head
phone for a “wack” album is good.
However, you display Eminent’s album
as five headphones, which is correct, and
the Beastie Boys’ album as four head
phones, which is totally ludicrous. The
Beastie Boys are terrible. No one listens to
them anymore.
In your article, there are two critiques
that I strongly disagree with. The first is 01’
Dirty Bastard and the second is Eve. I per
sonally own both of these albums and my
critique is completely opposite of yours.
I would like to know how you managed
to give Eve only two headphones and 01’
Dirty an entire three and one-half
The or Dirty album “Nigga Please” is
terrible. The struggling 40-minute CD is
not worth picking up.
This album appeared to be “banging” to
you?
I felt like taking a hammer and banging
it into tiny pieces. I admit 01’ Dirty has his
humorous hooks, but who wants to listen to
him scream and curse about nothing for 40
minutes?
He’s horrendous. I like ill lyrics and
banging beats, which “Nigga Please” lacks.
Lyrically acclaimed before her album.
Eve, on the other hand, already had listen
ers on the edge of their seats prior to the
release of her album. The anticipation
made her album go gold instantly with
500,000 record sales. Listening to her
album, I see maybe one or two flaws, but
you say it’s a total failure.
Not only is Eve sexy, she also has mas
sive lyrical skills and a great producer.
Swizz Beatz is one of the best producers
and beatmakers in the rap industry. His
beats never sound the same from “Banned
from TV,” on Noreaga’s album, to “Memph
Bleek is,” on Memphis Bleek’s album. All
of his beats are “banging.” Your comment
on his beats sounding like a “slamming
drum beat with your little sister banging a
toy xylophone in the background,” was
totally uncalled for.
This brings me back to my original
point, anyone can be a critic.
I understand what you’re trying to do,
but if you don’t know about real hip-hop,
then don’t try to critique it. Judge rock
music or something.
Name withheld by request
by RasHcutn Rucker
How does N.C. A&T's
komecomin0 ciffict
Necu's homecoming, the
fillowlng week?
Students have
sjsent uU tkeir
moneij atA&T
and now there is
no moneij for
ourshowv
—Quentin Davis
m
It means we
loose fonds that
couid 0o to our
school's
operations.
—Curiyn Smith
The activities are
better and our
students are
more pumped
for their show.
People say
"Eagie pride,"
but where is it
—Stephen
Sheppard
A&T's concerts
are aiwags bet
ter than ours,
and peopie
would rather
money
there.
-Ta-Ahela
Jefories
It makes atten-
dence bad when
peopie go to
other schools. It's
not good for the
school's moral.
—Courtney
Crowder
It makes it took
bad, because
nobody wants
to support it
They can t afford
to get better
people.
—Kimberly
Mangum