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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.