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Laverne Cox speaks empowerment despite struggle in Talley BallroomPhoto by: Jasmine Jack

Actress Laverne Cox visits

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | CHRIS [email protected]

@CHartWilliams

MANAGING EDITOR | NIA DOAKS@nia_kayee

Only with the permission of our elders do we proudly produce each edition of the Nubian Message.

Dr. Yosef ben-Yochannan: Dr. John Henrik Clark: Dr. Leonard Jeffries: The Black Pan-ther Party: Mumia A. Jamal: Geronimo Pratt: Tony Williamson: Dr. Lawrence Clark: Dr.

Augustus McIver Witherspoon: Dr. Wandra P. Hill: Mr. Kyran Anderson: Dr. Lathan Turner: Dr. M. Iyailu Moses: Dokta Toni Thorpe and all those who accompany us as we

are STILL on the journey to true consciousness.

theNubiaNMessage.coM

The Sentinel of the African American community at NC State since 1992

Nubian Message theNubianMessage.com Wednesday, November, 2014

WHAT’S INSIDE 3

4Thousands of students and fans packed Reynolds Coliseum to see

rap artist Big Sean with openers T-Pain and Jeremih at Thursday’s sold-out PackHowl homecoming concert.

8Different Greek organizations showcased their history and tal-

ents through strolling, saluting, stepping, and dance.

10 Sean “Big Sean” Anderson ended the show with a fast-paced and en-

ergetic set that left N.C. State students in a daze of euphoria and exhaustion.

11Ezekiel J. Walker, author of The Madea Factory, opens up about his cri-

tiques of film creator Tyler Perry and accurately portraying the Afri-can-American community.

6 Laverne Cox speaks empowerment COVER STORY

8

7Big Sean sells out Packhowl

Multicultural Greek Council first yard show

NPHC annual Stroll-Offcompetitionrecap

5

A few thousand students and fans packed Reynolds Coliseum to see rap artist Big Sean with openers T-Pain and Jeremih at Thursday’s sold-out PackHowl homecoming concert organized by the Union Activities Board.

This is the first year the annual homecom-ing concert has ever sold out, according to Wesley Grant Rhodes, the Union Activities Board vice president and a senior studying nutrition science.

Tickets for the concert sold out 72 hours prior to the show, topping the concert’s capacity at 3,700 people, according to Assistant Director of Student Involvement Jermisha Dodson.

Headliner Sean Anderson, better known by his stage name Big Sean, is considered one of the music industry’s most popular up-and-coming rappers. Following the show, the rapper answered questions about his choice not to attend college and about his journey to fame.

Anderson had college on his radar while in high school, but the 3.7-GPA student changed his mind.

“I had scholarships and everything,” An-derson said. “I was on my way to Michigan State. I had my roommate and my classes. At the last minute, I didn’t go. I decided that I’m doing what I want to do—whether I get paid for it or not.”

Though he didn’t choose college, he said he supports higher education.

“I have to pay a business manager, a lawyer, a whole bunch of people and an accountant,” Anderson said. “If I would have learned to do all that myself, I could just do all that myself. I really do encourage education.”

Anderson said the life he lives now is far different from his childhood in Detroit.

“I came from the bottom,” Anderson said. “I didn’t grow up in a good neighborhood.”

Anderson was raised in a small two-family flat with his mother and brother. His great-aunt lived above them on the second floor.

4

Big Sean ignites largest PackHowl crowd


NEWS

“Big Sean ended the show with a fast-paced and energetic set that left N.C. State students in a daze of euphoria and exhaustion. The G.O.O.D Music rapper, originally born in Santa Monica, Calif., but raised in Detroit, Mich. began his rapping career after graduating high school”Read more of Staff Writer Alfred Anderson’s article “His best is yet to come” page 10.

CHRIS HART-WILLIAMS | Editor-in-Chief


NEWS 5

“It made me who I am, and I appreciate it,” Anderson said. “Now, my life is a little bit different. I was able to achieve some level of success.”

His success is like nothing he’d imagined it would be.

“I’m still at the beginning of my career … The sky’s the limit for me and my team,” Anderson said.

Before Anderson was collab-orating and performing with Kanye West and other top names in the music industry, the rapper independently sold CDs of his own music while in high school.

“I was just trying to branch out and build a fan base,” said the for-mer starving artist.

Anderson also became heavily involved in rap-battle competitions at his hometown radio station in Detroit, and he soon developed close relationships with the station’s

DJs.As the victor of several rap battles,

Anderson was often given the op-portunity to rap on the air.

Pure persistence and notoriety at the radio station lead to Anderson performing for Kanye West during West’s visit to the station promoting a new album.

According to Anderson, his new album will drop soon and includes “high-level” and “intense” raps. He said he wants to continue to impact culture and do what he does better than anyone else.

“I want to be at the top of the rap game,” Anderson said. “I feel like I’m the best.”

He said ultimately he just has to prove it.

A version of this article appeared in the Monday issue of the Technician and theNubianMessage.com.

“I made it out of Detriot... I did the impossible considering where I’m from, I turned a lot of dreams into reality,” said Big Sean to the crowd at Reynolds Coliseum.

Singer-songwriter, rapper, and record producer T-Pain looks on at the audience during his opener

Emmy-nominated actress and LGBT advocate Laverne Cox was greeted by a standing ovation before speak-ing to a crowd of about 1,100 people at N.C. State on Tuesday. Sponsored by several organizations, including the GLBT Center, Cox gave her speech entitled “Ain’t I a Woman: My Journey to Womanhood” in Talley Ball-room. She addressed being a transgender woman and the importance of creating a safe space for all minority groups. She stands as a “proud, African-American trans-woman” today, but the journey wasn’t easy. Her transition from male to female took place about 16 years ago, but Cox remembers feeling like a girl at an early age. Growing up in Mobile, Al. was a place where Cox recalls “stuff going down.” The Deep South wasn’t the most inviting place for her to express herself the way she wanted. “I was taunted from preschool to high school,” Cox said. “I was called words like ‘sissy’ and the ‘f ’ word.

Her single mother thought she should defend herself from the teasing. “What are you doing to make the kids treat you this way?” she recalls her mother saying. “Why aren’t you fighting back?” In one story, Cox talks about a third grader teacher who was intimidated by her actions. The teacher sug-gested to Cox’s mother that Cox undergo therapy after imitating Scarlett O’Hara from “Gone with the Wind” in an effeminate manner. “Your son is going to be in New Orleans wearing a dress if you don’t get him into therapy,” Cox remembers her teacher saying. Cox experiences what she referred to as “gender policing.” She would often get asked if she knew the dif-ference between boys and girls and the roles they should conform to. Her reply: there is no difference. “I believe all of us have a little masculinity and femi-ninity in us and that’s okay,” she said. Cox’s journey became even more difficult once she

began to experience puberty in sixth grade, when she realized she was attracted to boys. These thoughts haunted her since she grew up in the church and thought she was doomed to hell. She lay in bed one night and had thoughts of her grandmother, who passed away when Cox was in sixth grade. While lying there, she imagined her grandmother looking down from heaven knowing the pain she en-dured. Cox tried committing suicide by taking an entire bottle of pills to hopefully end her thoughts. However, she woke up the next day with a stomach-ache. 41% of trans-people have attempted suicide, according to Cox’s speech. Cox was always interested in being put in a dance program since she was 5 years old. Applying to the Alabama School of Fine Arts would let her live out her dreams. She got to express herself by wearing clothes she bought from Goodwill and Salvation Army and tailored them to her liking. “It was my Salvation Armani,” Cox jokingly said. Though gender identity has been a struggle, Cox said attending ASFA was the first time she experienced shame of her racial and economic backgrounds. She said she was called a racial slur for the first time at the school. At ASFA, Cox studied ballet, even though her mother considered it to be “too gay.” Cox continued to focus on dance by attending Mary-mount Manhattan College. In the early 1990s, she made her way to New York City. “New York City represents a place of ultimate possi-bility where I could become more of myself,” Cox said. After she visited her doctor for her first hormone treatment, she began to surround herself around other transgender people. Cox still awaited the happiness her transgender counterparts had. Part of this came from experiencing a new type of discrimination. “In New York City, you’re ‘spooked’ when people can tell if you’re transgender,” Cox said. She shared her own experience of being spooked while walking the street, being called a ‘man’ in a hostile manner and being kicked. Cox credits any transgen-der person for being able to live their lives, despite the adversity they may face each day.

Continued on page 7

NEWS 6

Actress Laverne Cox speaks empowerment despite struggle AARON THOMAS | Staff Writer


Orange is the New Black’s Laverne Cox is the first transwoman of color to have a leading role on a mainstream television series,. She is an outspoken transgender advocate and the first transwoman to produce and star in her own television show, TRANSForm Me, appear on the cover of TIME magazine and be nominated for an EMMY.


NEWS 7

In the News... Durham native first Black Woman to serve as Attorney General

Saturday President Obama officially announced that Loretta Lynch, two-time United States Attor-ney for the Eastern District of New York will serve as U.S. Attorney General, replacing Eric Holder.

She will be the first black woman to hold the position.

Lynch was raised in Durham and went to Durham High school . She graduated in 1977 and would later attend Harvard L aw school.

Women’s Basketball player first athlete to win Leader of the Pack

Ashley Eli was declared leader of the Pack during Saturday’s homecoming game.

Eli is a sophomore studying Industrial Engineer-ing.

According to the Women’s Basketball website Eli has been on the Dean’s List two semesters and has played 49 games for the women’s bas-ketball team in her first two seasons.

Jessica Holmes elected Wake Commissioner

Education Attorney Jessica Holmes is one of the four Democrats to secure seats on the Wake County Board commission after the Nov. 4 elec-tion. Holmes was one of the editor’s candidate spotlights for the election issue and served as a panelist for the African American Cultural Cen-ter’s 60 years after Brown presentation in Sept.

Greeks compete for best stroll

DeVonte Kieth | Staff WriterThe Mu Omicron Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. members pose with their first place prize

NC State’s National Panhellenic Council hosted it’s annual Stroll-Off this Friday, Nov. 7 in Carmichael Gym. Sorority participants were the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Mu Omicron Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Xi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Eta Mu Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. from East Carolina University. Fraternity participants were Kappa Lambda Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., and Kappa Xi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Each organization performed

before a panel of judges who were also members of greek orga-nizations. Performances were split up into three rounds: Tra-ditional, Favorite TV show, and Freestyle. After a hard fought and entertaining battle, the Mu Omicron Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and the Kappa Xi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi both took home first place while the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha and the Kappa Lambda Chapter of Omega Psi Phi took second.

“Walking down the street is a courageous act for trans-people,” Cox said. Based on her experience of transphobia, racial dis-crimination, and misogyny, Cox gave great insight on how society should approach situations to prevent them from happening. “You have to create a safe space to get it wrong and make mistakes so eventually you can get it right,” Cox said by ending her speech. The audience was very receptive to the actress’s speech. Rachel Kemp, a master’s student who interns for the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity, was moved by Cox’s determination. “After all the struggles she’s been through, she contin-ues to stay positive and welcoming of empowerment and collaboration with everybody,” Kemp said. Jamal Moss shared similar sentiments. “I thought [her speech] was very inspirational,” the senior in biological sciences said. “I didn’t know much about the transgender community so I learned a lot.” Cox is notably known for her role as Sophia Burset, an incarcerated transgender prisoner in a women’s prison, on the popular Netflix series “Orange is the New Black.” She’s received numerous accolades, including being the

first openly transgender person on the cover of “Time” Magazine and the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy Award. “Glamour” Magazine named Cox as the 2014 ‘Woman of the Year.’

Laverne Cox speaking in Talley Ballroom | Jasmine Jack

LAVERNE COX CONT.

The Multicultural Greek Council held its first Yardshow in Wolf Plaza this past Monday. The Multicultural Greek Council is made up of twelve different Sororities and Fraternities specific to different cultures. Four are Native American-based, three are Latin American/ His-panic, two are Pan-Asian, one is Southeast Asian and one is a Multicultural organization. Throughout the show, different Greek orga-nizations showcased their history and talents through strolling, saluting, stepping, and dance. Each organization had a different style of perfor-mance that was specific to their group. Through these performances the students within the Multicultural Greek Council are able to express their organizations values, cultural diversity, and Greek unity. “We really wanted to branch out a little more like the other councils,” said Megan Jones, Pres-ident of the Multicultural Greek Council and a member of Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Incorporat-ed. “We want to showcase who we are as a coun-cil, what talents we can offer to the community, and to promote our organizations.”

Various organizations, including Mi Familia

and Omicron Nu Epsilon, had information tables set up at the show to discuss more about their organizations.Along with the Greek organizations, there were musical performances as well. Sube Ritmo, a Latin dance organization on N.C. State’s campus, performed during the show as well as “High G”, a local Spanish rapper. “I honestly didn’t know too much about the

Multicultural Greek Council before this event,” said Darius Anderson, a junior majoring in Psychology. “It was nice seeing them come out- they all have a sense of unity and togetherness that was great to watch.”

For more information about the Multicultural Greek Council, be sure to visit:

www.ncsu.edu/greeklife/mgc.php

NEWS 8

Multicultural Greek Council hosts first yard showNIA DOAKS | Managing Editor

Nubian Message thenubianmessage.com Wednesday, November, 2014

Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.

Photos by: CRISTINA WRIGHT

“We really wanted to branch out a little more like the other councils,”

said Megan Jones, Presi-dent of the Multicultural

Greek Council

Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.


NEWS 9

Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.

Sube RitmoPsi Sigma Phi Multicultural Fraternity, Inc.

The university’s homecoming concert featured an all-star line up of artists that included T-Pain and Jeremih as the opening acts and Big Sean as the headliner of the event.

Sean “Big Sean” Anderson ended the show with a fast-paced and energetic set that left N.C. State students in a daze of euphoria and exhaustion. The G.O.O.D Music rapper, originally born in Santa Monica, Calif., but raised in Detroit, Mich. began his rapping career after graduating high school with a 3.7 GPA. During this time, Anderson began to develop close rela-tionships with many of the radio DJs in Detroit. Subse-quently, the rapper would be repeatedly showcased in rap battle contests held by a local radio station, Hot 102.7. In 2005, after hearing that his favorite rapper and idol Kanye West would be appearing at the radio station, Anderson worked his way into the station and proceeded to perform freestyle for West and gave him a copy of his demo tape. A couple of years later, Kanye West signed Anderson to his music label, G.O.O.D Music. Following his alignment with Kanye West, Anderson released a string of

critically-acclaimed mixtapes that awarded him national media attention and an ever-growing fan base. These mixtapes featured some of his most popular songs, including “Get’cha Some,” “Supa Dupa,” “Million Dollars” and ‘”Made,” which features hip-hop sensation Drake, who was also emerging as a popular artist at the time. On June 28, 2011, Anderson released his debut studio album titled “Finally Famous” and included his three biggest singles to date: “My Last” featuring Chris Brown, “Marvin Gaye and Chardonnay” featuring Kanye West and “Dance (A$$),” which would eventually receive the remix treatment featuring Nicki Minaj. After his first taste of commercial success, Anderson continued to thrive, being featured on numerous songs with Kanye West and his other G.O.O.D Music label mates, ultimately culminating in a G.O.O.D Music Compilation Album. Anderson also released a follow-up to his album in the form of a mixtape called “Detroit,” consisting of all new music and features from rappers like J. Cole, French Mon-tana, Kendrick Lamar and Tyga. Upon the release of the tape, Anderson spawned another

hit, titled “Mula,” featuring French Montana. which helped to generate a buzz for his sophomore album, “Hall of Fame,” released August 27, 2013. With another slew of radio-friendly singles that included “Switch Up” featuring Common and “Beware” featuring Lil Wayne and Jhené Aiko, Anderson continued to be a contender in the world of hip-hop. In the following year, after a period of what seemed to be a musical drought for the Detroit rapper, Anderson re-emerged on September 12 with an announcement that while he is still aligned with G.O.O.D Music, he is now being managed by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and preceded to release 4 new songs. “Paradise”, “IDFWU”, “Jit/Juke” and “4th Quarter” seemingly took his career in a different direction. “Paradise” and “IDFWU” specifically have taken radio stations by storm, both receiving air play and music video treatment. With a new flame lit under his career, Anderson looks to continue his successful run in the music industry and if last Thursday was any indication, his best is yet to come.

FEATURES 10

Big Sean: His best is yet to come

ALFRED ANDERSON | Staff Writer


Big Sean’s debut studio album Finally Famous, was released June 28, 2011, and spawned three hit singles; “My Last”, “Marvin & Chardonnay” and “Dance (A$$).”


FEATURES 11

Ezekiel Walker has always been interested in film and social issues. However, Walker was initially unsure of how to express his concern for social consciousness. His first published work, a book called “Reminiscent of a Familiar Face,” examines

a broad range of topics that are regularly discussed in the African-American community, from income inequality to hip hop and the influence it has. “I found myself having several recurring conversations that people might have around kitchen tables or in bar-bershops,” saidWalker. He said that he wrote “Reminiscent of a Familiar Face” as a way to open the dialogue on a larger scale, believing that discussion about social issues should not have to wait until dinner time or when someone realizes they’re overdue for a shape-up.

Walker’s second published work, “The Madea Factory,” came as a result of his love for film. “I love going to the movies, I don’t like to be late, I don’t like to miss previews, I love the ambiance, all of it,” said Walker. The idea for “The Madea Factory” arose after a conversa-tion with colleagues caused Walker to think, “When was the last time I saw a really good black movie?” Walker’s friends discussed Spike Lee joints from the ‘90s and the likes of “Love Jones,” and “Brown Sugar.” Walker and his friends agreed that black movies in today’s era have become saturated. “The image of the black male has become one that has to be overly aggressive or cloaked in a dress to gain mainstream attention,” said Walker.

This conversation set Walker on a path of reading, researching, and watching films.

Walker noticed a disconnect, a juxtaposition, between the films that Spike Lee produced in the late 80’s and early 90’s and the films produced by Tyler Perry in the decade since.

He was aware of the versatility Spike Lee managed to pack into all of his films and the singular aspect of the character ‘Madea’ that all of Tyler Perry’s more successful works have revolved around.

Walker found that Perry had, indeed, produced works that did not involve Madea, but his more suc-cessful ones did-which contributed to his continuing to produce them.

Confrontations from pro-Perry friends and family members have left Walker with thoughts of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Walker admires Dr. King’s want to be judged by the content of his character rather than the color of his skin.

“We must ask ourselves, if we found out tomorrow that Tyler Perry was a figurehead for a white ghost writer, would we feel the same way about his movies?” Walker asked.

He answered negatively, “There would be riots and protests and walks against it.” While Walker agrees that Perry plays a large role in this, he does not take respon-sibility from the consumer; Perry has been making films for the past twelve years, and we’ve been buying them.

Walker also believes that direc-tors have an unmatched power, the true freedom of speech and expres-sion. With everyone so focused on being politically correct to save them from losing their jobs, “Directors have an uncanny way of relating to the viewer. They have the ability to cut through the B.S.”

Realism is something Walker val-ues and is looking for in a good movie.

“It took me a long time to really grasp how to confront things, how to talk about them...writing is not some-thing I’ve always been good at, but something I’ve always been interested in doing, so I just tried to hone my skills in it, and research a lot of the topics that I was thinking of covering and once I did that, it became a lot easier to have that voice for myself.”

NC author calls out filmmaker Tyler Perry

TAARI COLEMAN| Staff Writer

Walter a North Carolina native, grew up in Charlotte and graduated from Win-ston-Salem University in 2009 with a BA in psychology. | FACEBOOK

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Big Sean Ignites largest Packhowl crowd, p.4

PHOTO BY: CHRIS HART-WILLIAMS

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