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The BluePrint %•
8 Nov/Dec 2013 SpelmanPaper@gmail.com
OPINIONS
The Spelman Brand
By: Sarah Brokenborough C2016
We are a community of intelligent and sophisticated
black women. The Spelman Brand refers to the fact that
Spelman has consistently produced poised and skilled
women who are confident in their intellect and in their
abilities to be successful. The institution as a whole is
dedicated to nurturing black women’s curiosity and
potential. When you tell someone that you go to Spelman,
they instantly know that you are a smart and talented
woman. They understand that you are efficient and fully
capable of working ethically and professionally.
All of these descriptions of a Spelman woman
positively counter the myth of black women being
the welfare queen, the Jezebel, and other countless
stereotypes. Spelman has successfully created an
environment where black women can thrive and be taken
seriously without the fear of racism, sexism, and/or other
prejudices.
But even this illustrious institution isn’t exempt
from shortcomings. There are social and religious
norms often associated with the institution, which can
be discouraging to the student. For example, a Spelman
woman is presumed to be heterosexual, which leads to
the idealized and often romanticized “SpelHouse couple.”
For the most part, a Spelman Woman is the feminine,
heterosexual, Christian, black woman. However, this is
not always the case (thankfully).
In reality, this idealized version of the moral black
woman full of ideas and forever eager to partake in “A
Choice to Change the World” is misleading. This mental
picture of a Spelman woman isn’t an accurate reflection of
the institution’s diversity in opinions, sexual orientation,
personalities, aspirations, religious affiliations, etc. There
are no two Spelmanites alike; likewise, no two Spelman
experiences are the same. We all share a campus and
are given an opportunity to excel—but that is where the
similarities for the majority of us end.
We all know what it means to go to Spelman. We
know the opportunity Spelman creates for us. However, I
believe that you are a representative of yourself first, and
your institution second.
How was your Homecoming Experience?
By: Jordan Daniels C’2016
The Sparkhouse 2013 Homecoming ended last
month; Spelman College, Morehouse College, and
Clark Atlanta University came together to celebrate
homecoming for the first time in decades. The Step Show
was hosted by Morehouse College; the Kickoff Jam and
the Neo- Soul concert were hosted by Spelman College;
the Hip Hop concert and the Fashion show were hosted
by Clark Atlanta University; and the Coronation Ball was
a Spelhouse only event.
There was an abundance of Homecoming
controversy this year with speculation on whether there
would even be a Hip Hop concert or if Tailgate was
actually going to be alcohol-free. But with the pre and
post Homecoming drama, students were still able to
have an enjoyable Homecoming experience.
“Homecoming was fun and interesting this year. I
had a great experience and it was a much needed stress
reliever,” said Charslyn Wilder C’2016.
Morehouse College sophomore Patrick English
agreed, “Homecoming 2013 wasn’t as fun as last year
but I still really enjoyed it.”
Junior Kiara Hinton and Freshman Naomie Delva
had different opinions on Homecoming.
“I didn’t really take advantage of all the Homecoming
activities because I’m a junior and they’re pretty much
the same every year,” explained Hinton.
“I feel as if Homecoming was only for people who
party or drink,” stated Delva.
Spelman students also shared what could have
made homecoming better for them.
“If I could change anything,” said Treshae Dimes
C’2017, “it would be the Hip Hop concert. It was hectic,
unorganized, and overcrowded. The artists weren’t really
performers people knew or were looking forward to
seeing.”
“Homecoming would have been better if there were
more free events for students to just meet people, hang
out, and have fun," stated Takasha Nutall.
“It would have been better if there was more school
spirit," said Hinton. “No one really goes to the football
game to cheer the team on.”
A Reflection on Thanksgiving Day
By: Imani E. Love
With the passing of time, the real meaning behind
Thanksgiving is nearly forgotten. Often, the only settings
where there are discussions about the history behind
Thanksgiving, though pretty vague, are in daycare, and
elementary schools.
In the early 2000s, Rhaven Holmes, C’2016,
remembers sitting in class, tracing her hand to create the
body for a turkey. She recalls standing up to announce to
her 1st grade class for what as well as for whom she was
most thankful for in her life. As the Thanksgiving holiday
approached, her teacher, Mrs. Henriquez, began explaining
the meaning and origin of Thanksgiving.
The Pilgrims were in search of a place to settle after
breaking away from the Church of England and landed
in Plymouth. Out of the kindness of their hearts, the
neighboring Native Americans, one in particular named
Squanto, assisted the Pilgrims by teaching them how
to cultivate crops and how to fish. Soon afterwards, the
Pilgrims set out looking for food and came into contact with
the Native Americans who again helped them and decided
to peacefully join together to partake in a feast. After further
digging, however, I found this to be partially true.
According to the National Review Online, Squanto, who
had been the interpreter between the Pilgrims and Native
Americans, had picked up his English speaking skills when
he was abducted by an English explorer, Thomas Hunt.
Hunt forced Squanto into slavery where he was exposed
to English speaking cultures. After making his way back
about five years later, he discovered that his village people
had been completely wiped out due to sickness and so he
decided to assimilate with the Wampanoag tribe.
After the Pilgrims began establishing themselves
in 1620, the Wampanoag negotiated a treaty between
themselves and the Pilgrims and as a result Squanto
assisted them with cultivating corn and fish. With the
successful instruction of Squanto the Pilgrims were
successful with harvest and as a result decided to celebrate
with the Native Americans. Another interesting fact that I
found while watching CBS historian Kenneth C. Davis was
that the original date of Thanksgiving took place in October
of 1621. It was 1863 when Abraham Lincoln decided to
make Thanksgiving a national holiday to be celebrated on
the last Thursday of the month of November.
Fast forwarding 12 years later, there are still some
similarities such as gathering and the sharing of food, but
the change of scenery and circumstances have changed
dramatically. Holmes’s story doesn’t relate too much of
what took place in the 1600s, but it still empathizes what
Thanksgiving means.
“Thanksgiving is always at my dad’s house in Virginia.
Our neighbors from our circle also come to our dinner.
Nobody in my family has to really travel because we live in
or near VA Beach.” said Holmes.
Thanks to Mrs. Henriquez, Holmes doesn’t forget what
Thanksgiving ultimately means to her even as a second
year college student, “A time for reflecting on the things
I’m grateful for—-also family time and amazing food!”
Black Hair: Our Roots Are Our Problem
By: Karimah Noble PED Scholar C’2015
India Arie said it best when she serenaded the
world with, “Good hair means curls and waves/
Bad hair means you look like a slave/At the turn of
the century/lt’s time for us to redefine who we be.”
Truer words have never been spoken, and whether
one chooses to acknowledge it or not, India hit the
nail on the head.
It has long been time for us to redefine “who
we be.” What exactly is “good” hair anyway? Who
authored this verbiage to begin with, and why
have we been so willing to adopt it as a part of our
vocabulary?
Does the texture of my hair provide any
insight into my character? Have you ever met a
woman, taken one look at her hair, and surmised
that she has a brilliant mind or beautiful spirit?
That’s doubtful. So why, then, is hair such a big
deal among black folk?
At the risk of sounding like one of those blame-
it-on-the-man-constantly-bringing-up-the-past-
pro-black chicks, I am just going to put it out there.
Slavery. There, I said it.
Now, I’m not naive enough to believe that
every reader will agree with my point of view, but
it is certainly worthy of consideration. So indulge
me. In the same way that skin hue was used as
a divisive means during slavery (i.e. house/field
‘N’ word), so too is hair today—only we have
voluntarily switched places with the slave master.
Yes, we, as in black women, have perpetuated the
same type of divisiveness amongst ourselves by
feeding into and allowing this concept of “good”
hair to even exist.
Perhaps a brief definition of the terminology
is warranted so as to put my bold assertion into
perspective. I am sure most will nod in agreement
(if they are being honest with themselves) and
some will not; however, truth be told, “good” hair
is commonly associated with “as close to white” as
possible, which, by default, means any other hair is
the opposite—Harriet Tubman, Kunta Kinte.. .you
get the picture. Like it or not, that is the truth.
The underlying idea becomes this: if one’s hair
looks, feels, or remotely resembles that of a white
person’s, it is “good”. How exactly, then, does this
idea translate if one’s hair does not? I dare not
attempt to answer that question for you. However,
what I will say is this: as long as we continue to
buy into the notion that hair is somehow “good” if
a comb can glide effortlessly through it and “bad”
if fhree deep conditioners and a hot oil treatment
could not yield the same results, we are to blame.
Once we completely reject the idea of “good”
hair and fully embrace our uniqueness as black
women, then and only then, will we begin to
break down those superficial barriers that divide
us. Until such time, we cannot—I repeat—cannot
blame “the man”.
ARTS& Entertainment
...continuedfrom page 1
A Letter to the Student Body
Dear Spelman Sisters,
I, along with several other faculty
members, have spent considerable energy
over the past several years supporting the
active resistance of Spelman College women
to the dominance of misogyny evidenced
in music, music videos and other forms of
popular culture. When identifying music
lyrics as misogynistic, Spelman women have
been particularly concerned
with the sometimes hateful,
degrading, objectifying, and
in many cases, violent lyrics
describing women and actions
directed at women.
Many of you may be aware
of the national attention
Spelman College received in
2004 when students enrolled
in a Women’s Studies course,
taught by Dr. Beverly Guy-
Sheffall, pressured the College to reject
the invitation of rapper Nelly to come
to campus to host a bone marrow drive.
The students, led by then President of the
Student Government Association (SGA),
Asha Jennings, asserted that the only way
Nelly should be allowed to come to campus
would be if he would be willing to respond
to their concerns about his most recent rap
video Tip Drill. Nelly rejected the condition
and his proposed appearance on our campus
was cancelled. Most recently students in
the Violence Against Women course, some
Cynthia Neal Spence, Ph.D
of whom were simultaneously enrolled in
women’s studies classes, organized to once
again challenge the Spelman community to
recognize and reject the misogynistic lyrics
of selected rap music. The students in the
class developed a petition protesting the
misogynistic music being played in public
places on campus, including Market Friday.
In both cases, students merged
their intellectual engagement with
course readings and materials with their
commitment to social advocacy. Both of
these cases demonstrate the capacity of
intellectual engagement and bonding to
form alliances that can indeed
challenge and change the status
quo. I am very proud of the
history of Spelman women who
have been brave enough to step
out of their comfort zones to
challenge normative structures
that marginalize women and
girls. These students, though
separated by class years,
share a commitment to truly
change the world and make it
a better place for women and girls and all
persons who do not embrace patriarchal
heterosexual norms.
These students elected to “change their
Spelman world” and I am proud of them.
In sisterhood,
Cynthia Neal Spence, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Sociology/
Director, UNCF/Mellon Programs
And Faculty Lead, Spelman College
Social Justice Fellows Program
Marijuana—The Student Perspective
By: Jasmine Moody C’2017
Known by the names of Mary Jane, weed, pot,
and ganja, Marijuana is among one of the most abused
illegal drugs in the world. This drug is commonly used for
both recreational and medicinal purposes.
There has been quite a bit of controversy around the
use of marijuana, especially around the legalization of it
in the United States. According to CNN, a study shows
that 4 out of 5 high school students do not consider
marijuana harmful. This is almost two times higher than
two decades ago. This is in direct correlation with the
increase of recreational use on college campuses.
The lingering question remains: why do people
smoke?
According to the Higher Education Center for
Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention, nearly one-third
of all Americans have tried marijuana at some point in
their lives. An informal survey was conducted regarding
marijuana in the Atlanta University Center to obtain
some answers to many of the questions people have
about the uses of marijuana. The survey included
questions regarding an individual’s habits, history and
thoughts about the uses of marijuana. The following
was identified from the survey:
• Almost all participants had an encounter with
marijuana at least once.
• Many of them had begun using marijuana as early
as high school, and some as early as 13 years old.
• Some started using marijuana in college.
Those that have only been using marijuana since
college smoke socially and only on occasion. Those
who began smoking before college usually smoke two to
three times a week or even daily. The use of marijuana
among college students is usually recreational. Peer-
pressure is the number one reason why the students
surveyed began smoking marijuana. The second most
common reason was stress.
The Pros-and Cons of Marijuana
Marijuana is a psychoactive drug, meaning that it
contains chemicals that cross the blood-brain barrier.
Therefore it directly influences the central nervous
system, affecting brain function. It alters perception,
consciousness, mood, and behavior. Those who use
the drug for recreational purposes use it as a stimulant
or depressant because some find that relieves stress. It
causes a heightened sense of relaxation and happiness.
As a result, the use of marijuana comes with a host
of short and long-term negative effects. Some short
term effects include: memory loss, redness of the eyes,
decrease in intra-ocular pressure, dry mouth, increased
heart rate, and relaxation of muscles to name a few.
Long-term effects include a high risk in the development
in respiratory diseases.
It can also result in the delay of sexual development
in both males and females who are still in developmental
stages, which is relevant to high school students.
Studies show that in women it can cause a decrease
in ovulation and the disruption of menstruation which is
vital to reproduction. Although there has been a great
deal of ground-breaking research regarding marijuana
usages, especially for medicinal purposes, much of
society still has a conservative point of view on any uses
of marijuana.
Due to the fact that marijuana is an illegal substance,
the use, possession, or sale of it can result in criminal
conviction. This can be detrimental to a permanent
record and therefore negatively impact career goals in
life. The use of marijuana can also have inhibitory effects
on rational thinking. Smoking marijuana can potentially
become more than just a social habit, but a complete
distraction from goals and aspirations.
The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other
Drug Prevention identified the following as the overall
impact on students:
Grades
Students who smoke pot are more likely to spend
more time partying and less time studying. According
to the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other
Drug Prevention, students who use marijuana carry a
“B” average and study less than two hours per day.
Risky Behavior
The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other
Drug Prevention reports that nine out of ten college-
aged marijuana users also drink alcohol and smoke
cigarettes. This makes them more likely to engage in
risky sexual behaviors that put them at increased risk
for sexually transmitted diseases. Most students don't
associate driving under the influence with marijuana.
However, driving under the influence of pot puts students
at greater risk for being involved in automobile accidents.
Health
Habitual marijuana smokers are subject to I
developing respiratory diseases such as bronchitis
and emphysema. According to the Higher Education
Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention, “College
students who are still in the developmental stages also
face delays in sexual development and a decrease in
sperm production. Pot smoking can disrupt menstrual
cycles and lead to a decrease in ovulation. Marijuana
use damages the immune system, leaving students at j
higher risk of developing infection and having slower I
healing rates from common illnesses like the cold or flu.” I
Personality Changes
The THC chemicals in marijuana increases the I
heart rate, causes dry mouth and blood shot eyes. This I
results in slowed speech and listening, and changes in I
commitment to completing class work and engaging in I
social relationships.