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Spelman College
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A SPELMAN SPOTLIGHT PUBLICATION
Vol. 1, No. 3
Intellectual Framework for the Freethinker
November/December 2013
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A Look at What’s Inside:
Why Moving More Matters
pg. 2
Spotlight on Spelman
Professor’s Novel in Honor
of Novel Month
pg- 3
Halloween Used as Excuse
for Insensitivity
pg.4
Saving at Spelman: Cheap
Local Restaurants Spotlight
pg- 5
The Art of Meditation
pg. 6
Tips on How to Eat Well
During the Holidays
pg. 6
21 & Up Alcoholic Drinks
pg- 6
YouTube Gurus: Beauty
Channels on the Rise
pg. 7
Infinitely Bene; A Spotlight
on Local Business Owners
pg- 7
Marijuana—The Student
Perspective
pg- 8
Spelman
ti a »
College^
Arts & Entertainment
Special Spotlight
The Real Story
Behind Spelman s
Music Policy
Presented by Dr. Cynthia Neal Spence
By: Analisa Wade C2016
Many students refer to the new music policy
enforced on Spelman’s campus, as another way
of confining the freedom of the student body.
If students are encouraged to embrace the
policy then they must be provided with the facts
surrounding the Anti-Misogyny Policy. Dr. Cynthia
Neal Spence, associate professor of sociology at
Spelman, and one of the supporters of the music
policy petition, explains the goals and overall
purpose of the music policy.
The petition was initiated in fall of 2013; it was
formed by students in the course called Violence
Against Women taught by Dr. Cynthia Neal Spence
C’78. The students became extremely engaged
with a particular reading entitled The Reality of
Linguistic Violence Against Women,by William Gay.
The reading sparked a conversation about violence
and derogatory messages in hip-hop music. The
students thought that they should create a petition
to ban such music in public spaces within the
Spelman community. They figured since Spelman
is a women’s institution, its students should not
support music that degrades women.
Spelman College is committed to the
intellectual and personal uplift of women. Thus,
allowing derogatory music on the campus is quite
contradictory to the values of the school. With this
type of music becoming increasingly popular on
campus, some student tour guides even admitted
to feeling uncomfortable when giving tours of
the campus, especially during events such as
Market Friday.
Most students argue that prohibiting
misogynistic music goes against the idea of being
a “free-thinking woman”, a concept widely-used
as a descriptor for the Spelman student body.
However, one aspect of being a free-thinking
woman means that students have to encourage
students to break out of boxes that define them as
promiscuous, vulnerable, and submissive.
Free-thinking women do not have to abide by
societal norms, especially when those norms do
not support the positive uplift of women. Free-
thinking women challenge the status quo. In this
case, the status quo is music that degrades rather
than uplifts women.
The new music policy enforced by Spelman
College allows all students to feel comfortable
on the campus. Students are free to listen to
the music of their choice in their own private
settings; however, within the public venues of
Spelman, music that negatively portrays women
or condones violence will not be tolerated. Dr.
Cynthia Neal Spence, associate professor of
sociology at Spelman, and one of the supporters
of the music policy petition, explains the goals and
overall purpose of the music policy in her letter to
the student body. continued on page 8...
Spotlight on Jessica Laine-Bass,
Olympic-Bound Boxer
By: Raquel Rainey C’2014
Defeat isn’t an option, especially for up-
incoming boxer Jessica Laine-Bass, a senior
Women’s Studies and English double major.
Growing up in Decatur, Georgia, Laine-Bass always
had a passion for modeling and sports but for
some reason, boxing stood out to her.
“[Boxing] looked fun,” Laine-Bass said.
“Not saying that I am a violent person or think that
fighting is fun-even though it
is. I was intrigued by it because
it was different.”
Her mentor DJ Nabs,
who has worked with music
artists such as Michael Jackson,
always instills in Laine-Bass the
importance of staying focused
and determined. She notes
his favorite quote, “Nothing
can be accomplished without
focus.” Laine-Bass’s work ethic
eventually led her to being
sponsored by legendary boxer
Evander Holyfield.
While Laine-Bass knows
the importance of practicing
and training, she notes that she
would not be in the position she
is in today without her trainer
Xavier Biggs. Biggs, who Laine-
Bass says is like a second father,
is an acclaimed boxing trainer.
He is a ranked trainer sponsored
by Men’s Health Magazine, and
his personal realms of boxing
helped his brother reach the
1984 Olympics. With Biggs’ help
in developing her skills, Laine-Bass will compete
in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil.
Having the opportunity to train with Xavier
Biggs led her to meeting and working out with R&B
singer Usher Raymond.
“I always looked up to him as a child,”
Laine-Bass said. “Never did I think he would train
with me, especially on a regular basis.” Laine-Bass
notes she and the R&B star have formed a close
relationship and he is a huge supporter of her and
the other fighters in their gym.
One of their favorite things to do is ab-work
and Laine-Bass actively seeks to battle him on
having a better six-pack.
“He taught me an ab routine he calls “Superman
Banana,” Laine-Bass said, “I always tell him he
better watch out, my six-pack will be better than
his before he knows it.”
Outside of boxing, the opportunities Laine-Bass
has received since transferring to Spelman last year
have been overwhelming. She is on the Board of
the Black Women’s Film Network of Atlanta, interns
at 11 Alive, holds membership in Phi Alpha Delta
Law Fraternity, Granddaughters’ Club, Beepers,
The National Society of
Leadership and Success,
and was crowned Ms.
1911 for Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity, Incorporated.
As the Student
Spotlight and Spokesmodel
for Spelman College’s
Wellness Center, Laine-
Bass embodies Dr. Beverly
Daniel-Tatum’s vision of
the Wellness Revolution:
eating better, moving
more and sleeping well.
However when it comes to
her Spelman sisters, she
feels as though students
aren’t taking the necessary
initiatives in bettering their
own health.
“A lot of students
aren’t really active in the
Wellness Revolution,”
Laine-Bass said. “I teach
boxing on Fridays and the
only students who come to
the class are my friends.
“You hear that African-
American women are leading in heart failure and
diabetes yet students aren’t involved. We are not
exempted from these numbers just because we’re
young. It is very important to stay fit.”
As far as her road to the 2016 Summer
Olympics, excitement and apprehension are
understatements but Laine-Bass knows that she
has the foundation and perseverance to come out
victorious.
She admits that sometimes the journey to
boxing success can be difficult but she strives to
uphold a quote by her favorite fighter, Muhammad
Ali:
“I hated every minute of training, but I
said, don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your
life as a champion.”
J
EDITORIAL
Letter From an Editor
By: Ayanna Runcie C’2015
Ayanna Runcie C’2015
Resilience and
perseverance have
facilitated The BluePrint
thus far and hopefully
will continue to be the
driving force behind
The BluePrint in many
years to come. I am
dedicated to producing
a news source that will
not only serve as a
journalistic outlet for Spelmanites but that
is reflective of the aptitude of the Spelman
College community. Aside from being a
driving force behind the paper, resilience and
perseverance are two words I aim to remain
steadfast to in every aspect of my life.
My name is Ayanna Runcie, hailing from
the windy city of Chicago, IL. I have been
passionate about the art of writing since I
was small child, from writing creative stories,
poems, and now journalistic articles. I am
currently the Managing EditorforThe BluePrint
and what I love most about journalism is that
it allows writers to inform and engage readers
about the world around them, essentially
shaping people’s worldview.
As an International Studies major, my
goal is to expand my knowledge about the
global arena, providing me with background
and understanding on the people and issues
I plan to write about. I want to navigate my
career from a global perspective and to do this
I must emerge myself into cultures outside of
the United States.
Therefore, next semester, I will broaden
my horizons as a global citizen through a
semester abroad in Shanghai, China. During
my semester abroad I will study at Fudan
University, work on developing proficiency
in Mandarin, and learn about a culture and
community much different from that of the
U.S.
While it is heart wrenching for me to no
longer physically be at Spelman working with
The BluePrint next semester, I plan to remain
an active member of the editorial staff in
doing all that I can to ensure that the paper
continues to progress towards greatness. I
am excited to take advantage of this amazing
opportunity to study abroad; and I charge you
to also become engaged in the global arena
and let resilience and perseverance drive you.