Say Yes to Drugs, Say No to Finan~ialAid Kerrita McClaughlyn "I didn't know anythingabout ii,"said Onyx Staff junior. criminal justice major, Cor1ez Bond. '1 don't think it's right that finan­ Many nor1heaS1emSIUdenlS filling o ut cial aid didn't disclose this. I don't think their federal financial aid fonmsthis mo nth it (drug convictions) has anything tod o may not be aware of a very impor1ant with getting financiala id." change,question28.AIIS1Udentsfi!Lingout Karim Evans, a middler criminaljus­ FAFSA's,mUS1 di sclose for thefirst time tice andpsychology major shares Bond's 'f whether ornotth ey've been convictedof concerns. "What do past records have drug possession or sale. This could bar to do,vith an individual's present goals," them from receiving financial aid. he asked. "Past records aren't relevant, A~rding to a Jan. 31 Boston Herald especially if the person has changed." article,th e measurewas d esignedto wilh­ At press time, Northeastem's Finan­ hold federalgrants, l oansand o ther money cial Aid office wasclo sed and we were from college slUdenlS,vith drug convic­ unable to ask them, if they had known tions and takeseffec t for the 2000-200I about and disclosed the facl thal ques­ school year,beginning JulyI . The regula­ tion 28 was on the FAFSA form. and JcmtaTillman perfonningat 1hcJohn o · ObryanlAfrican•American ln s1iruteUnity Ensemble tion wascontai ned in a 1998 bill that reau­ what that would mean for students. Choir concer1in the Curry S1udent Center Ballroom on January 2 1. thorized The Boston Herald (Pholo Credit:Kcni tu McClau hi ) highereducation spending. report s that Many srudents that we spoke to on financial aid office rs acros s 1he state deadline were nol aware of question are complaining about how 10 en­ Faith, Dance, and Praise 28 an d the potential costly co nse­ force the measure and are unsure quences for convicteddru g ofTenders. Kerri1a McClaughlyn clear e ndin g a nd "C han ged" led by 1------'S,.,e:,:e...,D=Rc,Uc,G,.,S"'--"'a"""e'-"Z Onyx S1afT lyeoka Okoawo which dr ew tears a nd a standing ovation from the audience. KeepingKids Safe on theHill The John D. O' Bryanl Afiican-Ameri­ "As the choir sang, I heard angels ring can lnstilUleU niiy Ensemble Gospel Choir praises to the Almighiy God," said Keno By Philip Kasiecki build. It was thiscynicism, as well aspres­ held their winier concertal 7 p.m. on Friday, Mullings,a Nor1heas1emalumni and current Onyx Staff sure from peoplewho initially fundedit, that January2 Ia l theCurryS1Uden1Cen1erBall­graduateslUdent,touched byth e performance. helped leadto MissionSAFE's evolution. room al Northeastern U niversi ty. The highlightof the concert was Silent In an agewhere childrenface many is­ After about a year, their funds werecut The even~riLled "A New Beginning."drew a Praise, a liturgical dancegro up fromBerea Sev­ sues andliv e in households,vhere bothpar­ and more pressurewas appliedt o the pro­ largeaudience . many of whom stoodt o see the enth DayAdventist Churchin Dorchester.Their ents work,after school programs have be­ gram, leadingCarrab ino and Flionisto seek perfonnance.The estimated250 peoplein atten­ min1edperformance come popular alternatives 10 leaving chil­ the help of area residents. Theygave dance werevery diverse . They includedstudenis to the songs'The Banle" resi­ fiom Johruionand Wales Univmity in Rhode and "'Thank You" brought standing ovations drenalone athom e for long periods oftime . denlS areal voice in deciding the furureof Island. members of the Berea Seventh Day from the audience. One such program is MissionSAFE. the program and alsotried tobuild relation­ AdventiS1Chun: h in Don:heS1er,members of the "I likedSi len I Praise. theywere really origi­ It got its name because of its location in ships,vith them. Boslon UniversityGospe l Choir and S1uden1S nal, I sat there transfixed," said Ilka Alcantara, Mission Hill. MissionSAPE grew out of "Wewould knock on doors andge l input and visitors of a ll races and ages. a freshmanBoston Universilyfilm major. a contract for renewal of the Mission fromresidenlS of the areaon what they need The concer1h ad a recwring theme of Adaeze lbenecke,so phomore computer Main area in 1996, led by AnneCarrabino and whatth eir vision was",Carrabino said holding onlo faith,w hich was professedby engineeringmajor at NU echoed her senti­ and Nikki Flionis. The last few years "We also tried to builda relationship,vi th manymembers of thech oir who spoke.The ments." It was excellent I loved the mime by have been a learning but rewarding ex­ people in thearea as well", Flionis added. president of the JDOBBAIUniiy Ensemb le Silent Praise. It was goodto see this worship." perience for both. The program has had When HUD evenrually cut contract Choir,Jeremiah Shepherd spoke about people Another lirurgical dance selection was to relocate several times and has had to money and the need for volunteers being ashamedto believe and gavea moving also fealUredon the program. Jenita Tillman face funding pressuresin addition to the arose. the relationships they built with tribute tohi s faith. performed two dance pieces and was ac­ issues that arise from running an residents became very impor1antand led "'Thereis a God, he's moving throughm e companied by her mother who read the afterschool program. to the creation of the MissionSAPE that rightnow ," Shepherd said"G od touched me. poem HDance." Carrabino and Flionis initially faced exists today. God told me, Jeremiah.I am real!" "I liked the varieiy in the concer1- the an uphill battlewi th residents in the area. The basic idea behind the program.was The choirs' performance was memo­ praise and dance made it lively," said Avril Many residents were very cynical about to havea place foryoung kidsto gather, be rable for songs that included; "E lijah Felix, a sophomore MJS/finance major.. the program al first and the ideaof people safe, and spend time,visely , as wellas to aid Rock," an accapella that had a crisp, working togetl1eras a communil)' was a their overall growth. While a parenttrain- See Praise, page 2 rather new, therefore trust was hard to See Keep ing, page 2 ? • Jan/Feb 2000, The Ony x Informer 2 The New State Of Young Black Boston

Alexandra Mitchner Boston. hosted a Black Power Brunch. Ac­ George"Chip"GreenidgeandV.Faith Menino on November 8, 1999. Onyx Staff cording 10 Faith Daniels, ''the turn out was Daniels are currently the co-chairs of " I think he knows that the world isn't exceUenL" Over I 00 peopleshowed their sup­ SYBB. Greenidgehas been profiled in colorblind, so we're jus t going to work Are you trying to find social events, par­ portduring the breakfast power meeting, which Essencemagazine for the workhe's done on him with that," says Greenidge.'The ties, and places to meet people? held various sess ions on Housing, Arts/ with SYBB and the organizationhas also organization is currently working on a Are you intere.,red in finding a Black Entertainment, Educat ion, Politics, and been profiled by The Bo ston Globe. status report outlining all of the action church that mee ts your needs? Technology. One of the results of this pro­ Greenidge,and Daniels. as well as steps that came out of the conference Are _1•011 ZO or over and th111kingabout gram, which came out of the Arts & En­ many other youngBostonians, cameto­ held last June , as well as preparing for relocating to ATL, N >'. DC. or VA? tertainment session, was a proposal for a gether in mutual frustration. They real­ their next upcoming conference, which , The S tale of Young Black Bo ston calendar of eve nts for various activities izedthat the needsof theirgeneration were once again, w ill be held in June . (SYBB). is an organization designed 10 im­ such theatre. museums, and clubs, which not being me, were not even beingrec­ "As we conquer one dragon. of course prove the quality of life for young Black wou ld cater lo minorit y preference s. ognized,and, as a resul, many wereleav­ there are still many others still to be slain," Bostonians.It addressedthe questions above, "Whatwe ' re trying10 do is get in the minds ing New England.In their first confer­ says Faith Daniels about the future of among others. duringthe ir fir..1co nferencein of the20-40 year olds and make them realize ence, the doors of communication SYBB. SYBB is not actively recruiting June 1999. n,e conference was a great suc­ that they're a crucial panin building this com­ opened . As a result of the accom­ members. but according to Daniels. they cess, furtherencow,iging SYBB 10 tight for munity", said George Greenidge,co-founder plishment s made by the June con­ welcome everyone with ..an idea, a mind. a more comfortable life for minorities. ofSYBB. "Boston's not such a bad place, we ference, SYBB got the opport unity or a mission", SYBB meetings are held at On January8. The Stale of;ow1g Black have a lot of strength s here," he said. to exp ress t heir concerns to Mayor Roxbury Community College, every first Monday of eve ry month . at 6:30pm . Silent Praise Keeping, from page 1 program called Neighbor to Neighbor MissionSAFE has also expanded its came out of MissionSAFE and some kids· view of the world . This has been parents who had been on welfareha ve accomplished with field trips,s tipend paid greatly benefited from tl1e program's internships for kids 100 young to have a services, the focus has been on young job, and the various contributions ofnearby kids aged 7 to 19. Early projects forthe universities suchas MassachusensCollege kids have included re-paintingareas hit of Art Sim.monsCoUege, Wentworth ln,ti­ by graffitiand similarcleanup projects that nue of Technology, and Nortl,eastem. help the community, and also help them Otherorganizations have alsocontributed in build relationships witl1one another. In variousways., and havebeen crucial in keeping the after school program, kids can get theprogram running. Northeastern 's partnership help with homework and engage in withMissionSAFE has includedseveral depan­ other learning act ivities in order to ments,such as SportIn Society. PublicSafety, spend their time productively. CommunityRelations, eth AthleticDepartmen~ and the Latino Student CulturalCenter. Students Flionis emphasizes that this is have volun1eeredin variousways. and the uni• important because of the poor state versity now has work-study jobs . which of education in schoo ls. "The Canabino and Flionis feel isa greatblessing . schools are not equipped 10 get kids Students provide thekids with role models ready for the real world", she said. since they are in college andget a chanceto " Kids have low reading levels and help in manyways depending on their ltaents. math scores are even worse. and "The student's presence tells the kids, thi s is the information Age ." · Hey, you can goto college, you can Many kids also do not have get somewhere in life'", F lion is said. motivational factors in their parents, As the program expandsand the respon­ some of whom did not finish school sibilities of volunteer students increase, and cannot provide an exam ple of MissionSAFE isattempting to becomemore valuing education. involved with Northeastern. ll1is includes possibly havingco-ops in the future.

Jenita Tillman perfonning at th Institute Unity Ensemble Choir c DRUGS , from page 1 Ballroom on January 21. (Photo how many students ,viii be affected. " I don' t believe that it is fair for a stu­ Under the new regulations,a person dent not to get financial aid because they Praise , from page 1 convicted ofdru g possession or sales can have a criminal record," said Maximillion losea id eligibility forone ortwo yearsor ShelI -Crawford, a junior comrnunicat ions indefiniteJy. Christine lkede. a sophomore com­ Conv ictions that were major. "I believe that everyone has a puter science said, "It was a really good right to get an education." concert. It's the firstone I've been 10.' Under the new regulations , Leopolde lviquel, a middler electrical Other membersoftl1eaudience, while en­ a person convicted of drug engineering major, is also angered by the new regulations." It's stupid! It means they joying themselves, had some concerns." l possession or sa les can really enjoyedmyselfbut I thought tl,ey should won't give someone a chance.There is no have had more songs from the choir. I'm lose aid eligibility for one or way for someone to better themselve.," looking forward10 theirs pringcancers" said two years or indefinitely. she said. fonnerchoirmernberand NU Alwnni, Dawn "The govern ment should be giving reversed, set aside, or removed from a Frasier. peop le a c hance 10 better themselves , criminal record do not coun~ nor do '111econcert waswonderful ," said the not pull them down for one mistake ." juvenile offenses. according 10 the President of Boston University's Gospel Angie Surpris is also vehemently op­ Herald. Stude nts may be able to Choir and Senior at BU, Lorraine posed to question 28 and its implications re-gaineligib ility if they complete anau­ DeBeatham. '·Gospel has the ability to tran­ for Black and Latino youths. The middler thori zed drug treatmentprogram . scend.The spirit liftsyou up and down." she mar~eting major said, "I don't think ih Many NU student s on stat e aid said fair because people trying 10 clean up should also be concer ned, be­ Shepherd said, " TI1anksto everyone th eir act don't hav e a c hance." cause many state aid program s that came out to support. The name of "How can tl1ey pay back their debt to operate under the same requ ire­ our concert wasa new beginning.I hope ii society and better themselves if society ments as the federal was for a lot of people." gove rnment. turn s its back on them," she said. Jan/Feb 2000, The Onyx Informer 3 Emerging Neo-Soul Inteme{Artist

By Kami-Leigh Agard Onyx StafT

The Onyx interview s Ryan Le slie. a neo class ical so ul artist hopin g to break into the indu stry on hi s ow n term s. He has relea sed his album, "A Song of My Own," on his website. The Harvard gra duate ha s a long of goo d thing s go ing for him and we hope that our audience would enjoy meeting him .

Onyx: How would you describe your Onyx: You attended Harvard at 16? music? Ryan Leslie:Yeah . I majored in government Ryan Leslie:R&B ? I don't knowt o tell I liked learning aboutorganiza tionals trucrure you 111etrut11 . Maybe.n eo-classical soul in society. It son of relatesto my relationship or futuristic.It 's more ofa collage of with music--to impact societals tructure music broughttoge ther. Someof my throughmusic as a universal meansof earlier stulfis reallysa mpled. It varies communicating. Speakingto soulsrather Ryan Lesliei s an emerging neo-soul artist and a Harvard graduate. between111 e melodylin es and songs' than minds. lfl ever become amusicaJ i con, (Photo Credit: Ryan Leslie) content I wou1dlike touse m yself tochange society Onyx: What inspired you to pursue in a positive way.Thi s is what track #6, Onyx : Did you study music? Ryan Lesli<>-Witl1spirituality, 111ere is a career in music? ''Blinded'' on mya lbum si about. Youcan RyanLeslie: No.I basically taughtmyself. always a human edge. No person canbe a RyanLeslie: I did not srudymusic . I am say it's my missions tatement. I learned lhe pianoon my own at age 11. perfect person.We all stumble and do fromwhat you couldcall a ''musical Onyx: What is your mission? Otl1erinstruments, I basically learned by immoralthings. I reflect111i s in 111ecore of fumily." My dad wasin a band in RyanLeslie: !fit is possible,I wouldlike to ear. I can sit down at drum set and just my music. Here listenerscan feel the Barbadosand when he came to the affectthe next generation ofmusicians . I start strummingout beats and get ideas. I spirirualityilia! is RyanLeslie. UnitedStates, he was a Jazz trumpet want parents to look up to me and to allow also usetechnology tocreate soundsand Onyx: Writer, producer; vocalist, what player in D.C. I was 16when I joined a their kids to be creativein whatever field effectsI want Witl1a keyboard, I could other interest do you punue? black maleaocape lo group in my 111eychoose. I write about111in gs ilia!I hope createall kinds of tracks. I even sold a RyanLeslie: W ell, I also havean Internet freshman yeara t HarvardUniversity. I appealto people's deepersense of emotion. couple tracks to major recordco mpanies. companycalled NEXTSELECTION. Its had my firstso lo debuta t Harvard's I don't mean to bejargony, butI really In track#3, I play111e trumpet and in track URL address is www.nextselection.com. gospel concert. There were over 700 believe musicis a universal language. I want #10, I play1hecomet (atype of trumpet). Peoplecan by myalbum atthis site online. peoplein attendanceand I receiveda my music to communicate withpeople 's Onyx: Are there any artists that you However, the site is alsoa new millenniwn standing ovation.It \\o'cli at that moment, souls and minds. look up to? record company.My associatesand I I realizediliat through music I could Onyx: Who produces your music? Ryan Leslie: MilesDavis, Stevie Wonder believeiliat111e driving force behind 111e touch people and causechange. From Ryan Leslie: I basically domy own and 111emore contemporaryD ' Angelo. music industryis going toshift into the that moment,I knew what my passion producing. Onyx: D' Angelo is definitely great handsof 111eartist Music distributions i was in life,music. performer. What attracts you tohis goingto happen online.Soon, music will no music? longer besold. Peopleare already RyanLeslie: When I was I6 or 17, recordingtracks whileon line . This is going D' Angelo was 19 and he was already to change111e future ofilie music industry. writing. Rememberth at track he wrote for Onyx: Who are your associates? 111eR&B group, Black Men United?I Ryan Leslie:It' s a 1eamof eightpeople, who thought hewas cool and he set something area combination ofgraduates from Harvard iliat I acrually111ought was attainable. I also like myself,Tufts and BostonUniver.;ity. We enjoyed his first albwn. His image is such havea stralegica dvisor who is a Ph.D. Voice candidateat Harvard Business School. ilia!h e simultaneously is true to himself and ThroughNEXfSELECOON, wealsowantto takes artistic liberties. I believe his image affect changein societyamong the youth.W e can be compared to Stevie Wonder's. want to increaseinformation 1echnology and our opinion! Onyx: I have heard some people writing literacy through technology and say you sound like Maxwell. What's music. We are going to target the next do you think? generation of music consumers. Ryan Leslie: I love Maxwell, but I don't Onyx : Do you work in music full really resonate with him. 1think time? D' Angelo is more of an inspiration for Ryan Leslie:No. I am 111eman ager of ilie me because he has more of an edge to Technology Center at111e Urban League his music. His music is grittier, real. In of EasternM assachusetts, located in real life, everything is riot just perfect. Dudley Square. Send letters to Life is not all romance. What I like Onyx: How does this job tie in with about Maxwell are the different moods your master plan? he sets in his music. I also try to do that. RyanLeslie: Th e Urban Leagueis 111e The Onyx Informer Onyx: What influences do you draw space where I want to be. I am always from in your music? surrounded by young.urban yout11 who are Ryan Leslie: Personalexperiences, I Like to alsotrying to affect changein their lives. write and producea track the same night I Onyx: Where can our readers pick up 430 CunyStudent Center experience something. Sometimes I go for your album? as longas sixhow, straigh~always to 111e RyanLeslie: On NEXlSELECTION's end. weOOiteW\VW.nextselection.com or at a Boston, MA92115 Onyx: What's your motivation? concert.On March 3rd and 4th, I am Ryan Leslie: I guess I am passionate . goingto beperfonning at Harvard's l start with nothing and then I get this BlacksArts Festival. beat in my head. I work until I get it Onyx: Is there anything else that you all out. It's almost like giving birth. would like to add? Music gives an artist almost a divine Ryan Leslie: wantI to affect changein power, normally reserved for God . I people's lives. Iwant my music10 help consider myself extremely spiritual. u,em 111roughU1eir relationships and to be Onyx: Could you expand on that'? inunonaliz.edin a positiveway, aslong as God's with it Peace. Jan/Feb 2000 , The Onyx Informer 4 WHAT'S HAPPENING N ortheastem February 17, (al 7 P.M. in 333 Curry February 29, @ 4P. M. in the Hynes February 10,@ 7 P.M. in the February 7,@ II :45 a.m. in 90 Snell Student Center Ballroom Convention Center. Library Lecture Room At Clap Stonny Monday Leclure Series fealUreS BESS: Presentation by Assistant Provost NationalEngineers Week Career Night, Library K. Howley discussing.. An unfinished GildaBarabinoon Minoritiesin Engineer­ 4PM-8PM, Hynes Convention Center A Leclure-Askia Toure, a pioneer of Task: Boston, Civil Rights and the ing at NU. (Professionaldress code is recommended; the Black Arts Movement, poet, civil Legacy of Tom Alkins" also an Archival besure to bringco pies of your resume; for rights activist and author . The Black Tour of the Muriel andO no Snowden February 18 infonnation, call DeborahR osencrans,6 I 7- Arts Movement- Black Art as Affirma­ and Elma Lewis Papers. For more info LASO/CSO: Ski Trip, contact Mariela 258-9J 59orcastor@miLedu., tion and a political voice. He will be call the department of African-Amcrica Espinoza at 377-1076 reading from his new book hot off the S1udies@6 17-373-3148 March 4 press, DAWNSONG. Booksigning and February 21,@ 11:45 A.M. in 315 BESS: Jazz Cabaret@ The Institute Reception to follow. February 8, @ 7 P.M. in th e Curry Shillman Hall Student Center Ballroom Stonny Monday Lecture Series fealllres March JI February 13 , @3 P.M. in Jewitt Oratory Competition presented by the S1udent Presentations. It fealureSth e BESS: GraduateSchool Fair in S1udent Auditorium African American Institute DeanRoland E. LathamOratory Compe­ Center Ballroom Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Memorial titionWmners. For more info call the Lecture-by Joan Morgan. Sheis a writer February 9,@ 7:00 P.M. in tbe Cabral department ofAfiican-America S1udies April 1 for EssenceMagazine, award winning Center @617-373-3148 AICHE: The Boston CityScience Fair journalist,HIPHOP feminist and author of Historythrough Pictures, fealUring nation­ is being held in Cabot Gym. "When ChickenheadsCome Home To ally renownedartist an d tenuredprofessor February 21, @ Blackman Audito­ Roost." Morganplwig es into heated, at Simmons College Dana Chandler with rium-$5.00 April 7,@ 9 P.M. in the Curry funky, often funny discussionsabout such slides and original art pi~ on slaveryand "A Night ofHip-Hop Culture and Student Center Ballroom SI hot-bottom issues as sexism in hip-hop,the the CivilRigh ts MovemenL Expression" FeaturingKRS I in associa­ Kappa Alpha Psi: Dollar Jam. relationship betweenBl ack men and. tion withCUP ! women. "chickenheads",and feminism. February II,@ 9 A.M. May 5,@ 9 P.M. at Harvard Univer­ Recently she was featuredon BET AJCHE: (AmericanInstitute of Chemical February 22 , @ 7 P.M. @ the sity Tonight,vith Tavis Smiley,alongside Sister Engineers) Therewill be aplant tour to John D. O'Bryant African-Ameri­ Kappa AlphaP si/OmegaP si Phi:2 nd Souljah, Rah Digga,EVE, and Jada Pinkett Chesterton in Groveland MA. Chesterton can Institute Annual Kappa& Omega Party Smith. Booksigning and Reception to makes pumpsand pump seals.They ,viii Quiz Bowl: Preliminary Match follow. be giving us atour of R&D and manufac­ February 24, @ 7 P.M. May6 turing. DepartingNU at 9 a.m. and Final Match Kappa Alpha Psi: Boat Cruise aboardth e February 15,@ S P.M. in the Library returningbe tween 3 and 4 inthe afternoon. "Spirit ofBoston," Cost:TBA Lecture Room at the Clap Library February 23, 7:00 P.M. @ the A Leclure by Rev. Wally Vaughn,author of February 12,@ 7 A.M, at the Curry Cabral Center May 13 "Reflections of our Pastor- Recollections Student Center "Town Meeting" discussing: What LASO:Cultural Show of Martin Luther King's Congregation al LASO presentsa semi-fonnal event in the changes would you like to see in this Dexter Avenue BaptistChurc h, I954- CurryS 1udentCenter witha night ofdinner University? Come to this Town Hall May 27 1960" Lectureon the Civil RightsMove­ from La Merenguc and music by DJ D. meeting to prepare to speak to the LASO/LSCC: Latino/a Senior Banquet ment and Dr.King Martinez.Fo r ticketssto p by the Latino/a President of the University in person. S1udentCu llUralCenter. Tickets are now February 18, @ 7 P.M. in Jewett $IO before2f/ /00 and $15 after.Any February 24,@ Jl:45 A.M. Auditorium questionscall373-2680 AICHE willbe hootingspeaker Geoges Harvard SisterSouljah, a politicalactivist, rapper and Melhcrnof ArthurD . Littledurin g lecturer. Souljah is also the author of February 14, @ 11:45 A.M. in 315 activities period Pizza andSoda ,viiibe March 3-4 "No Disrespectand The Coldest Wmter ShillmanHall provided, and roomh as yetto be deter­ The Third Annual Black Arts Festival will Ever." She is the executivedirector of Stonny MondayLecture Se ries fealllres mined be held at Harvard University. Events Daddy's HouseSoc ial Programs in NYC. Ruth Bastondiscussing .. A sequence of include a visual arts showcase, a spoken Souljah hasstirred htmdreds of audiences Historical Events."For more infocal l the February 24,@ 7 P.M. at the Egan word/poetry night, danceworks hops, a on the subjoct mattersof Racism, Black departmentof Afiican-AmericaS1udies@ Amphitheater. performing arts show anended by our male/femalerelaJion.ships,discrimination, 617-373-3148 BESS 25thAnniversary Ce lebration@ guests of honor, and a celebrity panel of HIPHOP and women's issues EganAmphitheater. Black artists. February IS ,@ 7 P.M. in tbe February 19, @7 P.M., Jewett African American Institute February 25 Auditorium Kappa AlphaP si: The Willie LYNCH BESS: NSBE Region One Spring Wellesley Dancing through the Diaspora. A Lener: "Lets Make A Slave" Guest Regional Conference in Buffalo, NY showcase of Black dance, featuring Speaker: Minister Don Muhammad. Djembe Safara, a Senegalese drum and February 12, @ 10 P.M. February 25, 6:30 P.M. @ the Cabral @ dance ensemble. February 16, @ 7:00 P.M. in the Center-$2? Wellesley's WC Keohane Sports Center Cabral Center "A Night ofB lack Theater and Music" February 26, @ 7:30 P.M. Jewett Arave@We UesleyCo "What's My Name"? Are you tiredof The John D. O'Bryant African-American llege from 10 p.m. Auditorium 104 a.m., YES 4AM! Two spots:one side being labeled? Are you aware ofthe lnstilute Unity EnsembleChoir and Ed Dance Pcrfonnance. De Arna Battle, the history of the Hip-Hopfealuring DJ Rampage, DJ AfricanDiaspora andhow Bullings Nu Nia Drama Grouppresent a Art ofBlack Dance andMusic Yanvalou. Londono andDJ Clue. The otherside. we came 10 be labeled Black Americans, richcombination ofso ulfulG0si,el and Fn:.."ityle. Wclle,,JeyCollege Dancers West Indians.and Hispanic? Black theaterDoors Open : 6:30 p.m .. Electronica(fechnoleaturing Venom, DJ Irene. Ale, Peace and Bani Bam420 Set, ShowStart>: 7: 00p.m., Dmner: 9:00 p.m. Februa') ' 27, 3 P.M., Collins Cinema and Neil Baxterfor more inlo c,l)J78 February 17, (al 11:45 A.M. in 240 I 283- Film-Cry TI1tBeloved Cowitry Egan Center February 28, @ II :45 A.M. 2678 AICHE: There will bean Outstanding Stom1y Monday Lecture Series For more infonnation on WcUesleyevents, February 8, (jiJ 8 P.M. nt the AlumniLwicheon during th e activities features Leonard Brown discussing contact Harambee House,(78 1) 283-2133 Harambee House periodin 240 Egan. Ifint erested,you will Edwardl

My palms sweat and I spend restless nights thinking , should I or shouldn't lend it. You see, we've had this long-term relation ship that is no longer working out for me. We started dating in September of 1998. It progre ssed slowly, and we had many happy moment s. Then in March of 1999 I decided to make a full-time commitment. It's now January2000 and I can't do it anymore. I'M LEAVING YOU! I have given everything of myself to this relation ship. I can' t focus on school and work because this relationship takes up so much of my time. I'm graduating June and I haven 'I eve n started looking for a job. You keep taking and taking more of me and 1 have to call it quits. Like Billie Holiday said, '"All of me. why not take all of me? Can i yo u see I ·m no good without you? the best, so why 1101tok e the rest? Baby! take all of me. " But then I know, she also said "Stormy weather, since my ma11and I ai11i together, I'm weary all the time.·• I know I'm going to miss you! I know l 'm going to spend many a nights regretting walking out on you. I just hope I can be strong and stay away. There is nothing like the appeal of the ex, one look at your black and white phy sique, one shared memory of the late nights we spent together and we're right back where we started. I've tried walking away so many times and l always come back. I can't do it anymore. You're like an obsession, my drug of choice. I have to look out for me , finally. You've given me a lot but you've taken so much. To quote an old cliche, somet,imes love just ain't enough. I'm leav ing in February. I don't want this to be hard on either ofus. I want us to end this relation ship on a good note. I hope you' II meet someo ne who has the time and is willing to share it with you. You need someone to take care of you. Spend late nights making sure you look you r best; making sure you're full and making sure you get to know new people. I know I' ll meet someo ne else too, but I' ll always treasure what we had. No one can take it away from us. I love you , but I am no longer in love with you. I can 'I give of all of me anymore.

P.S. I know Jamila feels the same way I do. We've share d you for so long and now we're both leav ing. We don 't mean to hurt you. We' ll try our best to find two people to replace us. It's hard . You're hard to fall in love with , but so easy to love once people get to know you. We want the people you end up with to care as much about you as we did . It's so hard to saygoo dbye.

P.S.S Jamila sends all her love too!! The Onyx Informer is looking for two Co-editors to replace Jamila Hill and Kerrita McClaughlyn when their tenure ends March 2000. If you are interested please give us a call at 617-373-2250 We would like to start training all interested candidates ASAP!!

WRITERS ADVERTISING A ll submissions mul!olinclude name. Nonheastern Univer sity Kami-LeighAgard, MauriceArc her, Kami-L

Northeastern is full of students making a difference at school, at home, and in their community . Recognizing this, The Onyx Informer will profile 10 students in Who's Who at NU , a special section appearing in The February issue ofThe Onyx. But to find them, we need your help. We need you to choose. To give you an idea of who we 're looking for, meet Alex . Alex is a fictional Northeastern student who embodies some of the .qualities of a Who's Who student. Name: Alex Jones Year: Middler GPA: 3.5 Major: Business Extra ~urricularActivies: Onyx, CSO, LASO, BESS, NBSA, SGA CurrentCo-op: John Hancock Volunteer: Volunteerswith the homeless at Pine Street Inn, and at an AIDS Hospice, mentors for the Tobin Scholars Program Your pick doesn 't hav e to do all of the things Alex does , but he must be committed to making a difference in the lives of others , in the community , at school , or at home .

To nominate a student you feel deserves to be in Who 's Who, please e-mail the student's name, contactinformation, and your reason for the nominationto [email protected]. We reserve the right to makeall finalchoices. Nominations must be accompaniedby a reasonor else it will be disqualifiedand your reason must include the activitiesthat qualify the student for Who's Who. And please, do not nominate yourself1!! ALL NOMINATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14. Jan/Feb 2000, The Onyx Informer 7

Maximize ...195-S) vour Explorer Hmsonbifailiit1Plbatlwd1rua bilpolarexplondion,, H..,... went with f admitums whichfiom man'searliesi and had his fim taste of the ice. It wu n illDrypaved the WI\Yfor civilizationby however, until eighteen years later Iha! I exposure! dding to it lmowleclgethat WU hitherto Pole was to be reached. At lasl, on April 6 attainable.R'emon's re.1 in rmching the 1909,the party made camp.All felt sure lio onh Pole holda a,bigbplace in lhe up of the distance they had covered that they eseadvenrumw. He pl1yed a leadingpan reachedthe Pole. Pea,y completelyworn ou n accomplishing what some of the finest went to sleep. Henson walked aroun Advertise in nd bravest men hadbeen striving for more outside to look things over. Lale!', when mea ban 2,000 yean . Henson was born of poor surcments were taken. it was discovered tha arents in Charles County, Maryland. As• Henson, during his walk bad been the fi The Onyx Informer ad, he showed the stuff of which he W85 mor1alto walk on the lop of the world. "As ado by shipping as a cabin boy on a ship stood at the top of1he world." says Henson ound for China. On the next voyage, and "thought of the hundreds of men wh 1owever~ he sailed as an able seamen. a had lost their lives in the effort to reac de usually reached only after four year's ii, I felt profoundly grateful that I. a pprcn1ke. At twen1y-onehe anracted the the personal attendant of the com Call 617-373-2250 ncntion of Robcr1E . Peary, then a nuvol mander. had 1he honor of representin ieu1t11anl,who engaged him as his personal my race in the historic achievement.· Or send us an e-mail at nendant. In 1891, when Peary star1td on [email protected] The Onyx wants you

TbT, from page 8 stressto Swizzthough. h ehandlinhis). 'Kiss Track 10: huuhhhhhhhhhh . I finally anthem "U Told Me", she has a talent Typical flows but it was nice to hear is nasty though. He has his own presence calmed down from killin the repeat I've never seen before . Swizz keeps his some new voices. I like Drag(-on) . He on this stereo banger. Speak in' of button. This sk it is the se cats makin · style alive with the horn heavy beats. has a nice flow too. The two guests made Premo...... (oh sh•~ Premoand the Lox?) fun of the record industry. It's like the They're all developing their own styles the who le song. Track 9: Yup. My ni&&a Preme saw Easy-E sh•t in the Dre day video. It's like not Sheek or kiss. For the Lox Track 18: The last track made me think the talent !yin' there yo. "Ruff-Ruff­ mad funny . It's mad real too though. repre sen tas. "damn, I had enough of Swizz". Another Ruff-Ruff-Ruff-R uff-RufT-Ruff, Ruff Listen to it and laugh hard. Track 14: Another suckin D•ck skit. typical street joint . Nothin special to end Rydas ...... Recog nize" That ni&&a Track II: Some rough sh•t. That 's all I Everybody got one. off the album. They could've ended it Premo ju st doesn 'I play. Scratch in' Eve hear from this track. "Y'a ll F•cked Up Track IS: Timberland makes a guest better. I give the ni&&as from the gut­ and Sheek. Ni&&as just step sh• t up Now" is a typical Lox joint. They just appearance with a tropical banger. I like ters of the Y-O(as they say) $11.99 out for Premier. ' IGss star1s it off exactly Jenin' out energy cause they on they own his beats yo. This one is just on some my pockets. There's enough good tracks how I wanted, "now I know y'all label and it sounds like they got some beef chillin out sh• t. "Ryde or Die. B• tch" out of the 18 to make it worth that trip couldn't wait to hear kiss over Premier". or some sh• t. doesn't give credit on the back cover to the record shop of y'all choice. Joints Premo kills ya ears with piano keys and Track 12: They Jenin' everyone know but Eve does the hook . I think they put that came out at the end of last year drums for f"ckin days. I could talk about how happy they are to be where they her name in the wrong spot fortrack 13. that 's worth mentionin ' are this track all day yo. I can't even begin wanna be on "Sc ream L.O.X.". Another This will be heard in the clubs. And in Nastradamus(three or four good tracks), to tell y'all all the phat sh•t about this Swizz beat after another to keep ya head the wips in the hood. Jay-z(I got the bootleg for the Premo song. All I can say is that all them cats going. I noticed that P-killer is Swizz 's Track 16: "Bri ng It On" is Swizz track}, and Akinyele. He made his own shined on "Recogni ze" lyrically and I brother and he's on all the credits of pro­ reachin • another level. This back ground movie soundtrack wit phat tracks that I was just feel in' their Jives throu gh the duction with Swizz. Interesting, it seems music he creates for cats to play wit is was happy to hear him back on but the flow of everything. That's what Premo to be a Swizz team that makes the beats. off the f"ckin hook . Everybody can feel movie is a porno, so you know what the and some hard workin' cats can achieve. Nothin' really special though. this flavorful mix of the ruff sty le and lyrics is dealin'wit. Yo. love is real word The best sh•t on here. Tell all ya dunns Track 13: The credits say Eve is on this so/1 thump s. yo. Don 't use that sh*t unless you mean about this masterpie ce. This joint has one but the female singin the hook sounds 1)rack 17: Here is when Swizz sh*t star1 it. A'ight, so this Lox joint was cool but everyt hing a real hip hop ni&&a would nothin like the ruff ryders first lady. If 1ql ge1 repetitive. "If You Know" got two other albums just came out that y'a ll want or need. it's really her singin on the future street r:frag and Eve but it got no newn ess. need to know about. Profile of a Great Black American Paul Laurence Dunbar Poet and Author Poe! and author Paul Laurence Dunhar his lines in this and other works often ,ing elected president of the school literary ing poem . Uespite deteriorating health was so talented and ,er.atile that he and S\\ ing along gloriously. When the society and editor of the school paper in from the tuberculosis he succumb.:d to succeeded in two worlds. He was so country's reigning literary critic, Willian, his ,emor year Even though he reached at age 34 in 1906. Dunbar produced four adept at \\riting verse in Black dialect Dean Howells reviewed Maiors and a point when publications competed for collections of shon stories and four nov­ that he became known as the "poet of Minors favorab ly, Dunbar became fa­ anything (poems, short stories, novels, els in a creative outpouring between his people." while also culti,ating a mous. And Howells'. introduction in prose. sketches, plays and musical lyr­ 1898and 1904. Hismostnotableshort­ white audience that appreciated the lyric of low~v L.ifc( 1896) helped make ics) that sprang from his fcr1ilc mind, story collections were Foiles From brilliance and ,alue of his work. Ma­ Dunbar the most popular African-Ameri­ Dunbar wrote for a living am\ had to Dixie and The Heart a/ Happy Hol­ r,on muJ Mi11m·s ( I 895). Dunbar's can writer in America at the time. Dunbar please popular reading tastes for the light, low, and his novels included The Fa­ second collection of verse. financed by had plenty of experience bridging racial romantic, and sentimental. But he did natics. a tale of political conflict involv­ several while friends, was a remark­ gaps. Despite being the only African­ publish a !cw pieces that spoke out gen­ ing two Civil War families, and The able work containing some of his best i\merican in his class at Centra l High tly against the lypical treatment of his Sport of the Gods, about injustices suf­ poems in both Black dialect and stan­ School in Dayton. Ohio, he waswell liked people. including "We Wear the Mask" fered by an innocent African-American dard Ensdish. Melodic and rhvthmical, by teacher s and classmates and was and "The Haunted Oak," an anti-lynch- family. Jan/Feb 2000, The Onyx Informer 8

ALBUM REVIEW Lox's We are the Streets

I guess Swizz thought they deserved a Premo produced "Next Level" from 1995) little while on the commercial for this second chance. We'll see what these cats For the females, keep ya head up and keep album. Damn, "Breathe Easy" is some from Yonkers, NY gotto say in a minute but strivin' for perfecrion(get you reala ni&&a). sh*t I didn't expect to hear from these let me build wit y 'all on some otherhip hop Stop lettin' bad innuences keep y'a ll down. cats. I breathed very easy after listening stop on the business first. Since the last T.8.T., a bunch Yanahmean?! A'ight, next to this track a coupleoflimes . Some new that got no attention, B(oston) train is, Yonkers. Maurice "Moe" Archer of albums came out producer named P-k iller killed this so those will be discussed at the end of this Onyx Staff sh*t. Everybody made me react to sb•t. Another thing, the Onyx will be dead Track 1: The first track is an intro . The their lyrics here . I'm feelin' dem Lo x A'ight my ni&&as! We made it, past all in the springbecause most of ourminoritie s sh*t is funny cause it 's some cats talkin ' ni&&as now. I can see it trul y was that )'2k bullsh•t(fornow). F"CK a y2k. There aren't real enoughto represent this sh•t and about how they hate the Lox. They ju st Puffholdin ' back their street credibility ain't nothin' different in myn eighborhood. plltsome articles in once amonth. We losin' got some cats to hate on them in a funny our voice-my people.lfwe do that, then we cause this beat is street and it make us Mad cats still strugglin' to get out of the way though . No beat, but city sounds is us in. won't get heard, cats will forget about proud to put tim 'son our feet. A little holes that being aminori ty has placed in the back . sh•t for the 20 though. This lookin ' out for us andpeople's identity will rhyme for the real ni&& as. No stressin' Track 2: "F*ck You" is aS,vizz Beatin ' month, it's all about the Lox. They finally be lost. I'll build on that inth e next(and last) Track 6: Here is where I get tired of to the cats that hate the Lo x. I can't escaped Puffy's clutches. so they started issue. For this month though, I got one more Swizz's shit. "Fe lony Niggas" is just any dge to drop before we front. they already got me listenin · hard . wilin' out and made a new album appropri­ piece of knowle old swizz joint but Sty les gets to shine hear from then ewest ruffryders. Ni&&as, I really like Swizz. I think that's all the ately titled "We are the Streets". I'm happy by himse lf. He's a'ight but he needs kiss acknowledge who's helpin g you through Lox needed. Somebody to give them phat to see s ome cats do what they actually to complement his style. Styles seems wanted to do in this hip-hop structure.1 this struggle we call life and who'sreal. for beats to spit on. For y'all that don't know, to be th e cat in the crew that been didn't feel themwhen the were wit Puff, but real. "Sellouts get no worth"-AG(from the I like Styles and "the kiss"(Jadakiss) the locked for real and he's happy to be out. most. I 'm not really feelin' Sheek. but I So he's tellin ' his tales ofbein' a con­ even felt him on this track. They started it vict. It's a o.k. track overall. I can en­ the right way. jo y it after hearin it a couple of times Track 3: Jay-Z made a track called more. "Can I Live " too. It 's a joint featuring Track 7: "Wild Out' ' is exac tly what some cat named Casino. Swizz gives they doin' . Going crazy cause they got you what sound s like a hypnotic xylo­ off Bad Boy. If you know the Lox, you phone and some cymbals over some know this song and video by now. I feel bass drums that only that ni&&a can that shit cause the beat is am pin ' a put together. The beat is nice but the ni&&a and I'm happy they got what track is a'ight overall. they wanted. "If you glad the L-o-x is Track 4: Another skit, but this time it's ruff rydin' now, WILD OUT!" the crew robin' some herb sound in ' cat. Track 8: They bena be happy they got Titled "Built for Bodies", I think they S,vizz. He makes sure that the lyrics are just tryin to show how hard they live. enjoyed. A phat title "Blood Pressure" is There 's a small OMX and Drag-on track Jadakiss shin in' alone like a lot of cats for a couple of seconds in the background were anticipating. A rugged a$$ beat by at the beginning of the son-in '. everyone's favorite beatmaker( except Track S: Yo, I had to take two more me, Premo will always be my ni&&a. no pulls and start the track over when I heard this one. This song is played for a SeeTbTpage7

.Track

D' Angelo "Voodoo" $13.99 lo have late nights, but I only had 10 Divine Styler It's finally out. A lot of cats been waiting give like 11. I like that, gettin' your 754 Huntington Avenue for this joint for about a year now. My money 's worth. man Premo dropped a joint on the Q-Tip "Amplified" $7.99 Boston, MA 02115 Belly soundtrack called Devil's Pie wit It took me a while to buy this album cause D'Ang that's # 2 on the album. He I didn 't like the tracks he chose for the 617-232-1380 makes perfect albums to chill out wit radio. In reality, halfoftlie tracks are good someone special and just max in the crib ti1oughand I'm startin to like ti1etwo joints on a winter night. Y'all feel me on that? he made videos for. He's a queens vet, HOURS: He';, my favorite cat when it comes to that's why I paid full price for it. If you're Tuesday - Friday 8am - 6pm se xin' mu sic. When I lirst threw thi s a true tribe fan, you 'II get this, I guess. I in my stereo. he blessed me wit like hated not hearin' Phife on the ntic and Wednesday 8am - 8pm 45 minutes. The sh• t was lov ely yo. I Shahecd's beats though. I hope he's happy hope y'a ll enjoyin that ni&&as music as wit this sh*t. rm a 'ig:ht. I guess. He still Saturday 7am - 3pm much as me and mines. The ill sh*t is that made the.jomts for the real ni&&as. As I said I would pay 13.99 cause this is a long as he does that, I can forgive him for necessity for minorities and they females surrenderin' to the IRdieschann.