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inside the spotlight Spelman Sisterhood The Spotlight takes a closer look at Spelman sisterhood, page 4 iUMMi The DMV’s Owns Wale Wale’s importance to his hometown fans, page 7 Black Monsters Do blacks have any chance of succeeding in enter tainment without being misrepresented? page 8 S A • : M 1 V/ 1 1 V1 VJI 1 1 Vol. 46, No. 2 Friday, February 12, 2010 The Voice of African-American Womanhood Students Respond to Fatal Haitian Earthquake By Rebecca Clayton Editor-in-Chief Gripping accounts of survival have emerged from Haiti as the poverty-stricken nation endures the af termath of a magnitude 7.0 earthquake. The massive earthquake that ravaged the small Caribbean country- on Jan. 12 uncovered the tales of resilient survivors that stirred a sense of urgency in the heart of the At lanta University Center. As a result, the community quickly responded to the Haiti relief efforts. Students played a prominent role in spearheading various events on campus. Many of their initiatives were successfully executed only a few days after the earthquake. With the support of the larger student body, faculty, and staff, AUC students were able to raise awareness and support for Haiti. The Spelman Spotlight highlighted three individuals and groups who brought together their talents and abilities in a special feature, “How I’ve Helped Haiti.” Crushed Pearls Crushed Pearls, a fashion company founded by Morehouse student Malcom Mitchell, specializes in hoodies, t-shirts, and hats. The company added a lim ited edition “I Helped Haiti” t-shirt to the 2010 spring collection on Jan. 20. The t-shirt design was inspired by Sean Comb’s “Vote or Die” campaign t-shirts. Crushed Pearls hopes to encourage activism and promote awareness through fashion. The shirts cost $25 and 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Yele Haiti. To place an order, please contact Suli- man Chillis at s.chillis@crushedpearls.com. Continued on page 2 PHOTO COURTESY OF BONNER OFFICE A young girl paints a star as part of the arts and crafts activities during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Plunge. Bonner Office Hosts “You Are What You Do” By Alexis Carter and Toni Cannady Staff Writers In commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy for ser vice, the Bonner Office of Com munity Service led a celebratory three days of service at Spelman College from Jan. 17 to Jan. 19. Spelman students and community members welcomed the challenge to be more like King, even if it was just for a few days. “This year’s theme ‘You Are What You Do,’ challenged indi viduals to change themselves and their communities through acts of service,” commented Stacie Bruce, community service coordi nator for the Bonner Office. The week’s events began in Sisters Chapel on Sunday. Dr. Al ton B. Pollard, III, dean and pro fessor of religion and culture at Howard University School of Di vinity gave the sermon. Pollard, known for his essay in such notable publications as The US News and World Report, reminded the con gregation of King’s compassion for civil rights and equal oppor tunity for all. He spoke candidly of the importance of community service to sustain interconnected communities. “Interconnected communities will build a better world for all of our people,” he said. Pollard charged the attend ees to emulate Martin Luther King Jr.’s compassion for humanity. “MLK Service Plunge” held on Monday morning and after noon, engaged volunteers from the Spelman community and Atlanta area in an array of service activi ties in the areas of health and well ness, environmental stability and education. The event, which took place in Upper Manley Concourse, at tracted over 600 volunteers. The youngest volunteers, from local area elementary schools, tried their best to stay within the lines as they painted artwork for poor Costa Rican hospitals. Volunteers also made “no-sew” blankets for the homeless and Valentine’s Day gift baskets for homebound se niors. Many of the young girls who attended also received tours of Spelman’s campus. Addition ally, Spelman provided free tours of the historical West End for visi tors. “My husband and I feel like it is important to begin to expose our children at a young age to the Little Rock Nine Member Debuts Book By Kelly Harper News Editor A living legend visited Spelman Col lege last semester to have an open dia logue and book-signing with students and members of the community. Car- ollta Walls LaNier recently finished her memoir, “A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Cen tral High School,” co-authored with Lisa Frazier Page, which chronicles her experience as the youngest member of the “Little Rock Nine.” The book de tails LaNier’s perspective on some of the most pivotal historical and private moments of her life while at Central, and the faith and courage she required to survive it all. Carlotta Walls LaNier began her journey into history as a freshman in high school. She was a part of nine stu dents chosen to integrate Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Ar kansas in 1957. When she began high school at Central, she had no idea that her simple desire for a quality education would have such a significant effect on American history and education. On Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 the Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incoro- prated, Eta Kappa Chapter welcomed Continued on page 2 India Arie Visits Spelman College By Kirstin Evans News Editor and Alexis Carter Staff Writer Musician, India Arie, shared words of inspira tion and the importance of her music with the Spelman community dur ing convocation on Jan. 21 in Sisters Chapel. After a powerful introduction, Arie took the stage and began to share her jour ney from feeling insecure to completely accepting herself through the help of God, poetry and music. Arie spoke about learn ing to understand herself and coping with her ex periences from a past that brought her sadness and lack of self confidence. Music became her outlet and she believed it was indeed her destiny in life. Arie soon realized that it was not her job to define her destiny. Instead, she allowed God to guide her path and define her des tiny through his eyes. So far, God has kept music a prominent part of India Arie’s path and she uses her talents to uplift her self and others. “It was always my intention and my prayer to make music that would actually be a positive contribution to the world,” Arie said. According to Arie, song writing allows us to evolve and see ourselves as beautiful. Arie’s hits such as, “I Am Not My Hair” and “Brown Skin,” both written by Arie, con tain powerful words that are inspirational for Af rican American females. These singles address the dogmatic views of who Continued on page 2