Newspaper Page Text
The Maroon Tiger
Sunday, May 19, 2002
Perspectives
ii
Morehouse is extremely
student friendly
Shaun King
Senior Columnist
sking@maroontiger.com
Most Morehouse brothers
have absolutely no idea how stu
dent friendly our college truly is. □
I often hear disgruntled students
with an axe to grind fuss about the
rights and privileges of brothers
on and off campus, but I have
found that the students that com
plain the most are students that
have not taken advantage of the
countless opportunities open to
any and every brother on campus. □
Although I have not at
tended any institution other than
Morehouse, I have attended con
ferences at many colleges, net
worked with college students
from around the world, and even
read comparative studies about
offices of student services across
the country. □ The sum total of my
college experiences makes me
think that
Morehouse
is amongst
the most stu
dent friendly
institutions
of higher
learning in
the world.□
Below are 10
factors that
influenced
this conclu
sion.
1.
Out of the
1000s of col
leges and
universities
across the
country,
Morehouse
is the ONLY
institution to
have three
(3) students
with full
membership
on the Board of Trustees. □ These
brothers are expected to be active
contributors and sit right along
side the likes of men like Maynard
Jackson and Lerone Bennett in pri
vate meetings and conferences. □
Rather or not these three students
make a significant impact changes
from year to year, but this is a huge
opportunity.
2. Morehouse students
have excellent access to high-rank
ing administrators. DAny student
on campus could meet with any /
every campus official if a meeting
is properly scheduled. □ Every
Morehouse brother has at least
one or two administrators that
they have developed a working
relationship with. This just doesn't
happen very many places. □ Even
Dr. Massey has open office hours
on a regular basis, but the reality
is that most students simply don't
take advantage of the chance to
chat with him.
3. The budgets for the SGA,
The Maroon Tiger, and the Torch
Yearbook are above average for an
institution our size'. □ Considering
the fact that our school has such a
modest endowment it is amazing
that these budgets are as high as
they are. □ Our SGAmdget dwarfs
the other AUC SGA budgets and
rivals the budget of Emory and
other wealthier institutions. □
4. The SGA is given almost
absolute autonomy with how it
uses its budget. DAlthough the
SGA may be questioned or hassled
by the likes of Dean Blackburn or
Dean Phifer about how the money
is spent, the brothers almost al
ways get their way. □ Furthermost,
brothers gain invaluable leader
ship experience that few students
in the country ever receive.
5. Respected students other
than the trustees are almost al
ways included in on policy level
meetings, caucuses, and discus
sions that determine and influence
the future of the college. □ I know
brothers on
some of these
important
college com
mittees and I
serve on
some of them
myself.
6.
Morehouse
listens to the
concerns of
students
more than
most broth
ers think. □ It
may take
time, but
Morehouse
normally re
sponds to
student com
plaints and
concerns.□
When I ar
rived at
Morehouse,
brothers wanted a new and im
proved cafeteria - it was built. □
Brothers lobbied for a parking a
deck - it is being built. □ Brothers
lobbied for improved customer
service and the college has made
great strides toward providing
this.Q Five years ago the rogistra-
tion process stunk, but brothers
lobbied for improvements and
they were definitely made.D
Morehouse may not address every
concern, but if you are persistent
and present your case things will
happen.
7. The Maroon Tiger (and the
Torch Yearbook) are given a journal
istic freedom that surpasses any
college publication I have ever
seen or heard of. □ W are always
allowed and even encouraged to
voice our opinions - no matter
how controversial they may be. □ In
spite of feathers being ruffled by
our writers issue after issue, the
most we ever get is an important
See FRIENDLY Page 14
I often hear
disgruntledstudents
with an axe to grind,
but I havefound that
the students that
complain the most
are students that
have not taken
advantage of the
countless
opportunities.
Letter to the Editor
Dear Ms. Davenport:
In Volume 16, number 7 of the Spelman Spotlight, you wrote an excellent piece on your opinions on
Apex Magazine.
As Apex's Senior Editor, I feel it necessary that I write you back and answer some of the interesting
claims that you laid on Apex.
First, thanks for the disclaimer about "not to attack the publication, but to question..." Far too often,
we as African Americans are not critical enough of each other, and more often than not we bristle at any
criticism that comes our way, so thank you. We needed that. The points of views we've heard from indi
viduals like yourself, working journalists and others have been positive, so it was time for something
negative, or rather more critical.
However, I question you on a few points. Never, that I'm aware of at any time did you question any
of us about Apex. Never did you ask us our points of view on the magazine, its direction, its inception, or
anything. Very carelessly you naturally assumed a number of things. I do understand that you wrote an
opinion piece, but it must be said that opinion pieces are weak if they are at least not backed up by some
background information and research. Either way, before you publish something in a college publication,
at least have the journalistic integrity to do some fact checking. That's advice. Now, if you just wrote to
write, still, always check your facts.
I agree with you, we went over the top. We did it that way though because at Morehouse, we are
taught not to be sheltered by limits set for us by society. I'm sorry, but I will not apologize for my penchant
for Brooks Brothers clothes, Aramis, or the warm feel of my peacoat. And Ms. Davenport, African Ameri
cans of all socio-economic levels have been playing golf for several decades now, so please don't be so
hidebound in your thinking to write off one's passion for golf as an attempt at doing something "white."
As aforementioned, we went over the top, because we were having fun. We did it not with your
money, but the money given to us by Morehouse College. If you don't like it, you don't have to read it. It's
not yours anyway.
Yes, it was made for men in mind. We are a campus of men. So, we made our magazine with men in
mind after such great models as Esquire, Code, Details and Gentlemen's Quarterly. And thanks for realizing
that it does take a tremendous amount of effort to make a magazine, because Ms. Davenport, it does. It took
the hard work and efforts of many Morehouse men, and the advice and efforts of Spelman women to
produce our first issue.
Now, it is opinion that we want to be like Larry Graham's Our Kind of People. Not only is it your
opinion, but it is quite unfounded. What in our pages reflects the pages of Mr. Graham's work?
The point your missing is that we were having fun. We weren't nearly as serious as you are taking us.
And that means that on some level we spoke to you about something inside of you. Now, what that is, I
don't know, but remember, we were having fun.
Every man should read a book, and that's why towards the back of the issue, there were book re
views by Roger Humphrey and Dave Yamall. You may never know the feeling of wearing a great men's
suit, but Ms. Davenport, when wearing one at the right time and moment in life, it's worth it. One's suit, in
business is almost as important as what one is saying or projecting. No, we're not saying that these items
will add up to a perfect life for you, but they damn sure will make you feel better. Who doesn't want to
dress nice, smell nice and feel warm? Relax. There is a key to success in knowing where to shop. For a
successful man pays for quality, not just the label or the image of what it is he's buying. And the things
written about in "Might We Suggest'' are quality products that will last.
Now, "Every Man Should" was merely a caricature of itself. There are people who will never be able
to witness die activity of Central Park. It is sad but true. We're simply saying that we feel every man should
be able to. If one is inclined to play golf, which in business is an unspoken requirement, then a perfect tee
shot says as much about you being an athlete and being committed to excellence as the business deal being
discussed on the course in the first place. Aperfect tee shot is the epitome of practicing at something over
and over again until it's gotten right, not unlike a free throw or a serve in tennis. We chose a tee-shot
because golf is more of a universally appealing sport in the world of business. Don't limit what Black men
should do simply because you feel they shouldn't do something. Running a tab was a joke. Basically it
represented having a good time and buying drinks for everyone. And, Ms. Davenport, I don't expect you
to know the warm feeling, the ecstasy filled moment of experience, when the right woman refers to you in
the loving way that would connote the term, "baby." However, if s enough to make your knees shake, your
heart melt and your mind go to mush, especially if it's because of a Black woman.
In reference to other pieces like "Afrotrash" and "My Favorite lie," those were simply jokes or hom
ages to certain things we see. When Raj wrote "Afrotrash," he was comically looking at a part of society
that he feels needed some sort of critical analysis. He didn't intend to hurt anyone, and if you had asked
him about it, you would've known that he wasn't looking down on those who use oils and incense, but
merely poking fun, like so many others do. It's called satire, and I'm sure you're well-versed in the Swiftian
model, so there's no need to explain further.
"My Favorite Tie," written by yours truly, was homage to what I've seen in countless fashion maga
zines: a 300-word story on one article of clothing. I did it. It was full of pretense, but decidedly so. It was full
of airs, but on purpose. It was supposed to make you laugh and think. But, no self-respecting man can tell
you that he doesn't own at least one tie that makes him feel invincible. You always have favorites.
Now, in reference to Abercrombie and The Gap, that, like everything else, is your opinion. However,
there are an overwhelming number of college students wearing Abercrombie and Fitch's clothing, just like
they do with Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Sean John, Rocawear, J. Crew, Nautica, Calvin Klein, etc. We
chose to highlight Abercrombie...once again, if s our magazine.
The culture we're trying to create is one without barriers. The culture we're trying to create is one
with out the preconceived notions that are woven beautifully within your opinion piece. The culture we're
trying to create understands humor and satire and has a keen sense of self to the point that we can laugh at
ourselves. The culture we're trying to create doesn't think one way. It doesn't use the word, can't. The
culture we're trying to create is full of individuals who know that if they want a $125,000 car, then they can
work their tails off and afford it one day. The culture we're trying to create may not include you, or those
who think like you; we're not recruiting, we're creating.
And I implore you to continue to create. I implore and applaud you for being critical of us. I implore
you to keep asking questions, and seeking truth and knowledge, someday our paths might cross; our
culture and your opinions, and we'll all be the better for it.
Sincerely,
Joseph S. Carlos
Senior Editor
Apex Magazine