November 2007 The Voice of African-American Womenhood [email protected] SPELMAN M SPOTLIGHT

Clinton or Obama? Gender or Ethnicity? “I find myself torn between being obligated to The confusion of black women over who C women and being obligated to my race. I feel choose is a real problem, one that should no like I’m in a double jeopardy. Do I vote for the be present to begin with. The answer is quit black man or do I vote for the woman and simple: choose the better candidate. women’s rights?” said Afeisha Julien, a senior. “I don’t want the black man to forget that I am a It would be unwise for women to choos woman and I don’t want the white woman to Clinton solely based on her sex. It would b forget that I am black.” just as unwise for black people to choos Obama only because he is black. Simila “I’m not really torn between the two” said Jasmyn personal appearance does not equal out Wright, a sophomore. “Gender or race doesn’t standing service and representation. Man matter to me. What matters is effective leadership.” people rocus too closely on categories am not enough on the big picture. Nashawn Anderson What is the big picture? This choice is no These are the questions lingering in the minds of FRESHMEN OR FIRST YEAR? between the black man and the whit countless black women across the nation as the woman. Overall, the decision is to choos Democratic Presidential Primary draws closer. First year student Jessica nson the best suited leader for the country. Chicago, IL says, "1 like tfi New York Senator Hillary Clinton and Illinois because we are all fresh to the school and to the Choose a candidate based on the issues the Senator Barack Obama are competing head to experience of midterms... work for and not for superficial qualities. Fo head in hopes of becoming the Democratic presi­ the next four years, this candidate will repre dential nominee. Sophomore Justina Wells from Paradise Valley, sent you and what you stand for. It is thei However, the two leading candidates present a Arizona says, 1 use freshmen more than first stances and agendas that you will be votin problem in the worlds of many black women. A year because it is more common. into office. These same policies are the one double consciousness of being black and being a that will most likely be implemented. woman is introduced. Junior Adrienne Seagraves from Washington, D.C. says "[I prefer] freshmen because it Get informed on where each candidat For many black women it is the first time having sounds better. First year doesn't refer to fresh­ stands on different issues. If you know noth to deal with such an issue. A true split between men; it can be referring to a transfer student. ing about the candidate then you are doing loyalty to gender and loyalty to race. disservice to yourself. According to the Census Bureau Reports, sixty Senior Chrisheena Hill from Niagra Falls, New percent of black people whom were eligible to York says," Most of the time people correlate Sites to look at: vote voted in the 21)04 Presidential Elections. Out the terms. It's different because first year can BarackObama.com, HillaryClinton.com, of all citizens eligible to vote in the 2004 Presi­ also refer to transfer students who aren't fresh­ Ontheissues.org, Votesmart.org dential Election, the women turnout was higher men and are accustomed to college life, while than that of men. Sixty-five percent of eligible freshmen are not accustomed to college life.' women voted compared with sixty-two percent of Positions Available eligible men. Editor in Chief The facts show that black women make up a Business Manager significant portion of the black vote. With black Layout Manager women having an influential sway it is imperative that the choice made is true to each woman. News Editor Writers When asked if split between the two candi­ ------—------dates, Spelman women provided different For More Information views. Email Ms. Clark @ rclark3(S'spelman.edu INSIDE THE SPOTLIGHT SPORTS UJ Opinions 2 Marion Jones Admits to Steroid Use Q Sports 3 What’s Happening to Black Athletes? — Entertainment 3 Page 2 The Spelman Spotlight November 2007 Rape Wounds Begin To Heal ------A------Demetria Patton On September 20, enjoying an afternoon should have inquired more sophomore Steven Stancil. 2006, over 150 Spelman snack, Morehouse College information before respond­ As time continues to students and faculty mem­ sophomore Chad Saunders ing in a manner that could be heal hurt feelings and bruised bers, protested against the laments about the events interpreted as offensive” said egos, the alleged rapes and all alleged rape of two Spelman surrounding the alleged an anonymous Spelman Col­ of the events surrounding the College students on the rapes. lege senior. incidents, has brought much campus of Morehouse Col­ “It’s unfortunate With majority of the needed attention to the issue lege. While many women that a lot of the times in this information about the of rape on college campuses. wearing homemade t-shirts country, allegations about alleged rapes unknown by In collaboration, The During October, the with affirmations such as black men are accepted as students at the time, many Spelman College Chapter of month of rape awareness, “No Means No,” marched fact. However more unfor­ students questioned the FMLA and Spelman College Atlanta University Center and voiced their disgust of tunate, we now have to protest ana why FMLA, Administration continue to students and faculty mem­ the alleged rapes throughout worry about our sisters students, and Spelman develop the initiative: Sexual bers remember the alleged Morehouse’s campus, men of acting in the same manner,” faculty would take this type Assault Awareness, Preven­ : rape of two Spelman College Morehouse stood in the Saunders said. “If our sisters of approach to address the tion, and Advocacy students. With the one-year shadows looking on m had higher expectations of delicate situation? Resources. A few of the anniversary of the alleged disbelief and anger, us, they wouldn’t be so “Since the rape was initiatives in development rapes upon us, many Although the protest quick to act.” alleged I feel it was uncalled include: a Spelman sexual students recall a time of constructed and organized Many Atlanta Uni­ for. There were several other assault helpline, an available anguish and disappoint­ by the Spelman College versity Center students ways they could have handled sexual assault counselor, and a ment. This accusatory time Chapter of FMLA (Feminist share Saunders sentiments, the situation, besides coming Spelman sexual assault gave birth to events that Majority Leadership placing their contempt on over to our campus and inter­ resource website. forced the Atlanta Univer­ Alliance) was over a year the manner in which the rupting the school day. They To learn more about sity Center to address the ago, the incident is still an situation was handled. came at us as if all Morehouse these developing sexual issue of rape on their cam­ unpleasant topic for a “To date I still men were wrong. Basically assault initiatives visit puses and threatened to majority of Spelman and believe the response by get your facts straight before http://www.spelman.edu/stud destroy the unbreakable Morehouse students. FMLA on the alleged rapes you start pointing fingers” ents/sexualassault/ for further •bond between Spelmanites Sitting on a bench was hasty. I believe that they information. and men of Morehouse. said Morehouse College

I kAVe- a g-ood a-mJ kAVe. be-a-M bo^e-bke-r -par n.boub A hatch this issue out. My freshman year I had the same problem A-nJ k& kAS o-nfv cJ^e-abed o-m me- c-nc.e bvT; ke. oav& m ,TfcA. ffi-Pb tkaT with my roommate. We made the mistake of getting our parents K&«ps o-n orivi'Mr.Sa, -mow I Tki-Mg TkAT ke- is sTili wi Tkme- o-n£yt owb 0/ involved and it made the situation worst (you know how parents ^ gKixT. SkoWd I le-Me- kim? can be). I hated her. But, after we sat down and talked things out, we grew to actually be best friends. I love that girl. If you need help 'M-MwAnTed fri-pT with the situation, talk to your RD or your RA. They should be able to help you. Your RD is not gonna move her just because you have Dear Unwanted Gift, this issue, they are going to make you mediate the situation. This Run Forrest, run!!! Leave that man alone. Run like Kunta did is what adults do. Are you an adult or a child? And stop posting in “Roots” right before he said “au revoir” (that’s French) to his foot. personal issues on Facebook. First off, I am mad at the fact that you are making light of the issue of him cheating on you. Once is enough. Second of all, why are you tWr Miss. J) having relations with no condom? Girl, health services gives those things away to anyone with a pulse. Thirdly, (is that a word?) GlaxoS­ I Am A -pre skmA-M A-mJ mV -Mew BFF Took me To a ko-Mse pArTv mithKline makes a warehouse full of Valtrex, so you can at least still wkere Tkere we-re. more. g-iris TkA-M ^--MVS. As Tke -ni^kT we-MT o-m we live a positive and active lifestyle. Just remember it is your responsi­ we-re. Ja-mc-i-m^ a-mJ I kAd a -pew Too mA-MV drives. We we-MT To a room bility to protect yourself and others from this “gift”. Also, you are not To siT dow-M a-mJ ske Kissed me. I did-n'r stop ker. Am I <^a^-? the only one, and you are certainly not the last (though I wish we could all be “gift” free). Co-M-Pvsed

Oe-Ar Miss JA^-MAr, Dear Confused, MV roommATe is driving me exo-Wc. Ske is rude To mV ■pri&nds, The real question is, now that you are sober, would you still etfiTs mV -rood, a-mJ borrows mV Tki-M^-S wiTkrwT ASKi-ng-. I posted ker a let her kiss you. If the answer is yes you may be gay. In college we messAg-fc o-m ker wiM o-m Fa Ae dock Tel/i-M^ ker wkv Imui't sTa-mJ ker, are exposed to so many things that we have never experienced A-nd ske posted some mess Abo-ixT me -needi-M» To taJ?K To ker i-p I kAVe before so, we want to try them all. If we don’t like it we won’t do it A probie-w.. Ske is CTA^vlil I wa-mT ker oixT -hcwIHR^ again, if we do like it we will continue to do it. If you are gay, that’s your choice, who are we to judge. If you are not, swear your new RoommATe Issue bff to secrecy and tell her if she tells anyone you won’t sneak any more chicken wings out the café on Wednesdays for her. Be true Dear Roommate Issue, to yourself because in the end all you have is you. Oh and little Your roommate is not crazy, YOU ARI !! No, just kidding. Bi miss liquor lips, If you are not 21 your alcohol level should be why are you sending her messages on I when you two If NONE. in the same room? How rude is that? Then yoi ad the nerve to posl it on her wall were everyone can see it. Yoi ow Facebook hasl Send your lefters/questions at [email protected]. stalker vision now. You need to sit down with yot and II letters are extremely on the hush hush!!!! November 2007 The Spelman Spotlight Page 3 What’s Happening to Black Athletes? Lauren Harper Sports & Wellness Writer [email protected] It seems as if no one can turn on the news opportunities for themselves. without seeing another update on another black athlete’s recent run-in with the law. Perhaps the racially-charged slant that is put Marion Jones, Michael Vick, O.J. Simpson, on black athletes lies how they are portrayed and Isaiah Thomas all have made headlines through the media. In recent years, some have recently, and not for their prowess on the noticed the small number of black journalists track, held, or court. assigned to major sports, some of which have high percentages ofblack athletes. As Washin- There has been a long-running debate about gon wizards center Etan Thomas points out the condition of black athletes in today’s m a recent msnbc.com article, “You can tell in society. Whether it’s from ESPN pundits or their articles, the things they’re saying, how NAACP representatives, the topic of black they interpret certain situations, that they just athletes can usually be counted upon to draw don’t understand us,” the black center said. discussion. Should they be role models for “But it’s hard.” children? Is hip-hop culture negatively influ­ BET AWARDS encing sports? what’s up with Tiger Woods? Yes, black athletes are sometimes viewed Natasha Trotter differently than their racial counterparts. The most extreme of experts, such as John However, they also must be held accountable Downtown Atlanta was on a stand still as most of the area was Hoberman, author of the book Darwin’s for their actions, legal and moral. Athletes shut down Saturday October 13, 2007 because the world’s Athletes, believe that black people should coming of age within the last 40 years must distance themselves from sports as a protest know that they are more than just players; most famous hip hop stars and music moguls came to against the over-emphasis that the black they are business representatives, endorse­ celebrate the “Good Life” as Kanye West would say, at the community has placed on sports. However, ments, and role models to people all over the second Annual BET Awards. only a fraction of people make it to profes­ world. That knowledge and resulting action, sional status and many people, not just such as emergence ofmore black sports jour­ One of the most anticipated events of the season; the awards limited to blacks, have been afforded a nalists may be a solution to the supposed took place at the Atlanta Civic Center and were hosted by wealth of opportunities as a result. Placing plight of black athletes. Whatever the solution comedian Katt Williams. tunnel-vision significance on sports has may be, when it comes, if ever, it will no proven detrimental, but for blacks to remove doubt be a huge step towards the portrayal of Celebrities briskly walked the red carpet taking photos and themselves could sever an important, and black athletes, and in turn, black people every­ interviewing with what seemed like hundreds of reporters some say last, link that they have to better where. and television networks who all were vying for the attention of the biggest rap superstars. Hurri­ cane Chris shook his beaded head, as Souljah Boy Marion Jones Admits to Steroid Use superman’d his way into the limelight and LL Lauren Harper Sports & Wellness Writer Cool J licked his lips for the camera. Lharper 1 @spelman.edu But one mega rapper missed out on one of the Olympic runner Marion Jones recendy biggest and most historic nights of hip-hop: T.I. admitted to using steroids while training for Four hours before the awards show T.I was the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Jones pled arrested at a nearby Walgreens on Piedmont guilty to two counts of lying about drug use, Avenue for possession of three unregistered as well as an unrelated financial matter, and machine guns and two silencers, and possession awaits her sentencing set in January. of firearms by a convicted felon. Nonetheless, the show continued without him with a stellar open­ The International Olympic Committee ing performance by Kanye West. began investigating claims regarding Jones’ alleged steroid use in December 2004, allega­ Similar allegations arose against other profes­ Other show stopping performances included Lil' tions which Jones vehemently denied. How­ sional athletes, including Barry Bonds, after a Wayne, Nelly, Hurricane Chris, Lif Boosie, ever, Jones confessed in a letter detailing her 2003 federal raid on the Bay Area Laboratory Common, and Souljah Boy. The first award of the use of “the clear,” which her coach told her Co-Operative in Northern California night went to Common as he stated "This is my was flaxseed oil. Jones confessed using the brought illegal steroid use into the open. first time winning an award on a televised event." substance for two years, beginning in 1999, and continuing through her many triumphs Steroid use in female athletes is not as Despite T.I.’s absence, his planned performance at the 2000 Olympics. uncommon as most believe. In the 1970s with Wyclef Jean went on as host and comedian and 1980s, many female Olympic athletes Katt Williams pranced around stage dressed up as Some of the races that Jones’ won her gold from East Germany were given steroids with­ T.I. Alfamega and Busta Rhymes also performed medals were run with teammates, who at out their knowledge, leading to more than a T.I.'s third single "Hurt" without him. press time may still be required to return their hundred lawsuits against the German Olym­ medals as well. Two of Jones’ teammates, pic Committee. Many female swimmers Two of the young men from the Jena 6 were also Chryste Gaines and Torrie Edwards, have from USA Olympic teams have tested posi­ in attendance as they helped Katt Williams served their own doping suspensions since tive for drug use and have faced punish­ announce the lyricists of the year award. the 2000 Olympics. A third teammate, ments, including suspensions. * Passion Richardson, has publicly spoken out Kanye West won video of the year for his single in her own defense, claiming her own inno­ “I have been dishonest, and you have the "Stronger.” "I always wanted to win an award that cence. Richardson believes she should be right to be angry with me,” said Jones at a I felt I didn't deserve, to give it to the artist that allowed to keep her own medal, but pundits press conference, as reported by yahoo.com. deserved it." He then gave his trophy to Bun B of question not only Richardson’s innocence, “I have let (my family) down. I have let my UGK and Big Boi or Outkast for the "Player's but whether or not she knew of Jones’ activi­ country down, and I have let myself down.” Anthem" video. In which they returned the favor ties and, in turn, failed to speak up. by giving it back to him.