The BluePrint. (None) 2013-????, November 30, 2013, Image 1

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■MMiiMMaa jjl Spelman College A Cktm* f» Ckmam- ike 'Vimtet A SPELMAN SPOTLIGHT PUBLICATION Vol. 1, No. 3 Intellectual Framework for the Freethinker November/December 2013 r 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.