Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Ms. Winfrey's Academy Her effect on the women of Spelman p. 2 I Got Your Back? How long can Tiny put up with T.I.? All That POWER p. 7 Kanye West's redemption song P-8 October 5, 2010 The S pelman — SPOTLIGHT lUillii ii i Volume 47, The Voice of African-American Womanhood Since 1957 Issue 4 This Mecca is not for Muslims Laini A. Davis Staff Writer September 11, was supposed to be a commemorative day for Atlanta’s Muslim community, as it marked the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Two Muslim music promoters, Morehouse alumnus Basheer Jones and partner Nardin Jihad, planned to host a concert at The Fox Theatre to celebrate the end of the fasting period, but were turned down by the popular venue due to their religious affiliation. What was meant to be an opportunity to put on an event to inspire the youth, turned into another example of this group’s battle for basic civil rights. Since 9/11, Muslim Americans have dealt with an onslaught of prejudices and consistent harassment; in the workplace, in train stations, and of course - in airports. After the incidents that occurred on that horrific day nine years ago, Muslim Americans across the country relinquished their basic rights in the name of the protection of the greater population. If asked to be searched by authorities, these citizens are forced to comply - or risk being treated as a terrorists. So, here we are, nine years later, and the “land of the free” still fails to provide the freedom promised to all. America has developed such a collective hatred toward Muslims that no one thinks twice about denying this group the right to celebrate in a private venue. While the Fox Theatre argues that a scheduling conflict is the real reason why Jones and Jihad could not host their event on September 11, the two are not convinced and have filed a lawsuit in a state court in Atlanta. A Job to Die For Faith Porter Staff Writer Firefighters, police officers and soldiers risk their lives everyday in order to provide a service to their communities. While the hazards associated with being a journalist are less commonly thought about, they are just as real and deadly. According to the official website of the International Press Institute, 54 journalists around the globe have lost their lives since January. Although 4 less journalists were killed in 2010 that 2009, this number is still disheartening. The IPI, a global organization dedicated to protecting free press, calculated that casualties in the Americas contributed most to this “Death Watch,” with 20 reported journalist deaths. Asia was named the second most deadly region for journalists, with six killed in Pakistan, three killed in the Unfortunately, when one considers the events that have taken place over the past few months; plans to burn the Qur’an, rallies against the building of a Mosque and Muslim center near the remains of the World Trade Center. It is hard to believe that the Fox Theatre rejected this event due to a scheduling conflict. Jessica Dinac, a junior, understands why some Americans believe it is unjust to expect society to immediately accept a group of individuals who had a devastating impact on Americans all over. “You don’t want to discriminate, but people don’t want to let their guards down,” Dinac said. Making my way through Atlanta’s airport security on my trip home for summer break, a young Muslim behind me in line, about 17 years old, was removed from the line and taken into a private room for a full body pat down. We both had one too many overstuffed bags, but our religious beliefs and ethnicity separated us, and the actions of individuals almost a decade ago - to whom she most likely has no relation whatsoever. While the reasons behind these cautions are fully understood, no one wishes to relive the horrors of 9/11. Perhaps, it is too much to ask Americans to simply allow Muslims to reenter this society on a leveled playing field. That purpose being to provide equality all across the board? So what message is America sending to its citizens when it fails to practice what it preaches? It appears that, America is gradually closing its doors on more people - moving further and further away from the model it originally Philippines, two killed in Afghanistan, and several other deaths documented in Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and India. The death of these innocent journalists, all of whom were simply attempting to report the truth, posed an important question: Why were their lives lost? Alison Bethel McKenzie, interim director of the IPI, made the following statement at an IPI meeting in Vienna: “Journalists continue to systematically lose their lives to conflict, militants, paid thugs, governments, drug dealers, corrupt politicians, unscrupulous security officers, and others.” In most cases, the more war or violence in the area, the greater the chances that a journalist will be killed in his/her efforts. One such example is the slaying of Luis Carlos Santiago, a Mexican photojournalsit and the wounding of his colleague, Carlos Manuel Sanchez in Ciudad Juarez. According The Fox Theatre, based in the heart of midtown Atlanta, is architecturally influenced by great mosques of the world. Yet, rejected a Muslim event supposedly due to “scheduling conflicts.” provided as the ideal home for all individuals; regardless of race, ethnicity or socioeconomic background. When the Fox Theatre closed its doors to Jones and Jihad, it only contributed to perpetuating the hatred some Americans have towards Muslims. It starts with one venue, and it catches fire until all the venues in the city, every city in the state and every state in the country has a closed door policy. If we’re lucky, this won’t be the case, but it is our job to ensure that every citizen in America is treated fairly. to Globe Newswire, Santiago was shot and killed on Thursday, September 16 in a mall parking lot. Santiago and Sanchez had just left a photography workshop and were on their lunch break. While the shooters’ identities and the exact motive for the crime remain unknown, it appears that the two journalists (both of the daily paper El Diario) were targeted as part of an “ongoing wave of violence,” started and perpetuated by rival drug cartels. These acts of violence have plagued the city since 2008, the year in which the first journalist was slain in Juarez. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, an excess of 30 journalists have been killed or disappeared in Mexico since 2006. Such chilling statistics pose a second question: What is being done to help? One form of aid is the IPI’s “Justice Denied” campaign. This crusade seeks to tell the stories of journalists who have been killed, injured, or wrongly imprisoned simply for doing their jobs. “Justice Denied” ensures that the public and key decision-makers stay continually informed about the cases of such journalists. It also pushes decision-makers at all levels of government to act on behalf of the journalists, and provides support for their family and friends.This campaign also charges individuals to act by publicizing cases through his/her own media outlet, speaking out against the wrongful imprisonment, injury or death of journalists, and donating to the campaign. MARTA Money Problems Affect Our Wallets Morgan Clark Staff Writer On Sunday, Oct. 3, MARTA increased their prices, and reduced bus and rail routes on Sept. 25 in order to make up for a $69.34 million budget deficit for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. MARTA increased the cost of most of their day passes. A one way ticket will still cost $2.00 and a one day pass will remain $8.00. However, 2,3,4,7, 30 day and mobility passes rates increased. MARTA has also enacted a 10.2% reduction in bus service and a 14.2% reduction in rail service. Out of the 131 routes that MARTA are currently operating, only 91 will remain active. MARTA is even eliminating 734 positions and laying off a minimum of 300 employees. All of this translates into even longer waiting times and lower customer service for those who ride the MARTA. Davida Pete, a student at Spelman, says, “Yes, I will be doing a lot less traveling on the MARTA,” when asked if this increase in fare price and time waiting for the bus will affect her traveling. However, often times it turns out that MARTA is the easiest or only way to commute to campus. Our AUC shuttle is great, but it only goes so far. Taxis are also a viable option for students, but they can be pricey, especially if you want to go a long distance. They also aren’t as useful if you are going out with a large group of friends. Yet, even with these increases and cuts, it seems that Marta is hemorrhaging money needlessly. 57 Marta laptops have seemingly disappeared, out of an original 316 and the two employees who were supposed to be overseeing them were fired. They are valued at $55,000 dollars at used value and $127,000 at new value. This summer Marta was forced to pay a $79,000 fine to the state because their vehicles went thru the G.A. 400 Cruise Card lane without paying the toll. While the total amount for regualar sized vehicles that went through the toll without paying only added up to $2,600 this year. The assistant to CEO Beverly Scott was fired in August due to alleged abuse of her MARTA issued company credit card. So all together, MARTA lost about $134,000 worth of money that could have contributed to decreasing the deficit. This lack of oversight and continued loss of money is coming out of the pockets of the customer. On the other hand, Monae White, a student at Spelman says that “I think that it is an understandable action considering their current position,” in response to MARTA increasing the cost of passes and cutting off services and routes. Harold Buckley, MARTA board member said, “I would say that 99.9 percent of our assets, I can absolutely unquestionably say that we can know where they are, we have control over those things.” Yet, the 1 percent of their assets that they can’t find cost them $134,000. With all these fare increases, who will be able to afford MARTA in the long run? marta's , price changes 2 Day Pass S11.00 3 Day Pa s ' $13.00 4 I) y Pa - SI 5.00 efficnvc 0a 7 !) . Pi: - $17.00 :«rr . 2 .' Mo.ml.7y $68,00 Mobilitv $115.00 for more information visit: itsmarta.com £