February 2009 2008-2009 National Society of Black Engineers | MIT Chapter “The Torch” Created & Designed by the Research & Communications Committee Copyright © NSBE-MIT 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Building 5-225 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139

The Torch Staff In this Issue...

Quinnton Harris, Chief Editor and Designer Throwback Article (from J.J. Jackson, Torch: 1992 -Page 1 Speak Yo’ Mind (Wayne Hollman, ‘11) Kamil Gedeon, A Letter from the Programs Chairperson -Page 6- Jarrell D. Johnson, (Dylon Rockwell, ‘11) Wayne Hollman, -Page 2- Road to the Inauguration Dylon Rockwell, (Kamil Gedeon,. ‘11) Writers A Word from Our Chairperson -Page 9- (Jarrell D. Johnson, ‘09) -Page 3-

Throwback Article Original Document: J.J. Jackson, 1992 Dear NSBE-MIT Chapter Members, works to realize a mission that wraps its (3) We have recognized the need for more arms around NSBE’s mission like old efficient ways to identifying directories There’s something exciting in the friends in a warm greeting. Academic that you will find “user friendly” for air! Students in the freshman class seem excellence is what we’re after. OME and finding other students to contact about really “pumped up,” returning students’ NSBE stand on common ground in our different classes and “food for thought” eyes seem to reflect such optimism—I realization that academic achievements experiences. think it’s going to be a very good year! requires a holistic approach—there is more You are ready. We are ready, too, to help to good grades than going to class. (4) We have discussed ways to increase you plans unfold. direct involvement of OME’s Industrial As Co-Advisor to the MIT Advisory Council (IACME) in your day-to Chapter of NSBE, I am excited on both a (1) We have explored the importance of -day lives. You will hear more about personal and professional level. Through more meaningful contact—both formal and IACME seminars in the coming months. various discussions with NSBE officers informal—with MIT faculty. I hope it They will offer great opportunities for and other members, I have felt the strength pleased you to know that several faculty undergraduates to get critical exposure in and positive charge of individual students’ look forward to the same reality. Do you the academic and professional worlds. thinking. Your hopes and plans for the remember the literary meaning of the old Chapter’s agenda for this year clearly French word “salon?” We plan to have it I have enjoyed collaborating on exhibit your commitment to personal take on new meaning for you in your NSBE/OME plans regarding mutual goals. excellence and to the advancement of academic pursuits! The planning sessions have been Chapter goals. Your collective integrity, stimulating. However, it is our hope and focus, and drive will precipitate the hoped- (2) We have talked about the stimulation our intent—both OME’s and NSBE’s— for results you have planned so carefully. and encouragement that grows out of that the impact of the reality of will surpass For me, you are a source of personal pride. friendly competition. Watch for—and the fun of the planning! We are looking Professionally, the excitement I respond to—notices about fun quiz bowls forward to our ever-strengthening feel comes from the promise of real that will have you seeking and applying partnership. This is indeed going to be a collaborations between NSBE and the knowledge in more fun ways than you very good year. On behalf of the OME Office of Minority Education (OME). As might have imagined! staff, welcome! We’re all ready—let’s get an academic support office, OME’s staff busy!

1 A Letter from the Programs Chairperson Written by Dylon Rockwell

Hello NSBE-MIT,

Welcome back! I hope you had a restful and productive Independent Activities Period. NSBE-MIT has had a great first semester and we have much more in store for second semester. I know the National Conference in Las Vegas is on everyone's mind. To my disbelief we were able to find the funds for thirty five people to attend the National Convention this spring break (shout out to the exec board). Nationals will be an excellent professional networking opportunity where you will meet students, professionals, and company recruiters from all over the country. Since most of us can't enjoy the festivities on the strip of Sin City, we are staying at one of the coolest hotels on the strip the Stratosphere, which has the world's three highest thrill rides on top of the hotel. The next big event in April is the first ever PCI Zone Conference, and yes, MIT is hosting. There are several things on the agenda, such as: engineering design competitions like bridge building and model rocketry. Also there are sessions being led by members of the Programs committee about basic things the PCI students need to be thinking about when they're applying to college like scholarships and financial aid, or what majors should they consider since most high school students really have no clue what they want to do in college. Also there will be fun workshops like what is the latest fashion on college campuses, or how to pimp out your dorm room on a budget. If anyone is interested in hosting a workshop contact me at [email protected]. Some other things to look out for are the New England Alumni Extension Mixer and the March of Dimes. The Alumni Mixer will be at Draper Laboratories, this is a great opportunity to talk to some people that went to school in the area, and are actually working at some of our dream jobs. NSBE alumni are down to people and they know where all the soul food is in Boston (they got me hooked on chicken & waffles). For juniors and seniors, they are excellent people to discuss post graduation plans with, and you never know they might just know of an opening in their company. The March of Dimes March for Babies event is where NSBE-MIT Chapter walks to raise proceeds to help fund research to prevent premature births, birth defects and infant mortality. Every year, more than half a million babies are born prematurely and more than 120,000 are born with serious birth defects in the United States. This is the gist of the events NSBE MIT is having this semester. On a personal note, freshmen if you didn't know, you now have grades, so stay focused, go to office hours and use the Tutorial Services Room; it can be the difference between a 4.0 and a 5.0.

My President is Black,

Dylon Rockwell 2008-2009 Programs Chairperson, MIT Chapter National Society of Black Engineers

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A Word from Our Chairperson Written by Jarrell D. Johnson

As we start the spring semester, I ask goal of encouraging elementary and high the college application process, the benefits that everyone take the time to think about school students attend college and pursue of a more technical curriculum, and some of what got them to pursue a college education technical degrees. In reflecting on the MIT the nation’s technical developments. here at MIT. Before coming here we all Chapters’ involvement with PCI over the Our PCI Conference is currently knew that we were setting ourselves up for a past couple of years, I can’t help but feel scheduled on the calendar for April 11th, “rigorous” academic experience—whether like we aren’t doing all we can to uphold a 2009. Similar to NSBE 2000 Day—an all we believed it or not—and yet that didn’t more broader scope of the NSBE mission day event that the MIT Chapter used to hold stop us. If anything, the thought of the (especially since there are many kids in the for PCI students back in the 90’s—the PCI benefits that we could receive once we Boston area don’t even know about MIT or Conference will host several workshops and graduate from such an institution is what what we have to offer). activities that would be of interest to most guided us towards this place and yet is also For many of us, we would have never high school students. In moving forward the same thing the keeps most of us moving ever tried to even attend a place like MIT if with this conference, I only ask one thing: forward towards graduation day. we didn’t have someone pushing us in this for members to get involved. Its way to Now with some time to reflect on who direction. Before discovering this place, we frequent that NSBE sets out to do something (or what) opened the door to MIT for you, I probably used to ask the same ignorant which often ends up being executed by the ask that you examine your involvement with question that many of our peers often ask: Chapter’s leadership. This time around I a particular sector of the NSBE “Where is MIT? Is that in Michigan?” would like to see members host workshops, organization: the Pre-College Initiative. To get beyond the fact that MIT is not put together competitions, or simply come Admittedly, I have been more focused on well known in the greater Boston area and to hang out with students in between activities. the academic status of the chapter and have expose engineering and technology to those After all, it is partially our responsibility to been blinded from the other areas of focus PCI students who have expressed an provide activities to help students discover within the organization. Yet and still, I interest, the MIT Chapter is planning to firsthand how engineering and technology recognize that it is never too late to get have an extensive PCI Conference that will relate to the world around them and discover involved with PCI. not only introduce the field of engineering, the excitement of academic excellence, NSBE’s PCI program’s designed with a but will introduce the local PCI students to leadership, and teamwork.

Yes We Can…But are We? Written by Wayne Hollman

In this Post-Bush era, many individuals find jubilation in the 44th president of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama II and the hope that he brings to the somewhat dim future of this country. For some, Mr. shows truly how much this country has changed and how this country is making steps toward equality and leaps toward the future. But is that truly so? Please do not be misinformed by my last statement. President Barack Obama is an extraordinary leader and he has the mindset, the determination, and the drive to lead this country into better times, but the fact that many believe that his candidacy represent the end of discrimination, specifically racial discrimination, is where my discrepancy lies. Almost every time I hear about President Barack Obama the first topic of discussion is race and how he being black makes persons view African-Americans as more compete or how he being Afro-American is the one of the greatest things to happen to the United States. Few individuals talk about how he is taking on the presidency when this country is in shambles or his plan for the economic reform rivals (I think is better) than that of the New Deal, programs President Franklin D. Roosevelt initiated to improve the country. President Barack Obama’s competence is rarely a topic of discussion, it is his skin that seems to have so many individuals fascinated. One man may embody a culture or a race, but he is not it. Just because our President I black does not mean that now African-Americans are over discrimination, that African-Americans will not go to prison for pity crimes and coke addicts and cartel lords go free with a slap on the wrist, or that when an African-Americans walk in a store the security guard is right behind them watching their every move. This does not mean that. This means every that anything is possible that, that through hard work anyone can make it, and that through a purpose we all can be United. And that is what Barack Obama represents to me.

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Road to the Inauguration Written by Kamil Gedeon

On January 20th, 2009 I, along with my 6 Chocolate City 2011 class, witnessed the inauguration of the first black president, Mr. Barack Obama. Our journey did not start there however. The Friday before the inauguration, we left MIT around 6, to start what I would consider one of the most inspiring weekends of my life. Later that night we arrived in Baltimore at the house of one of my classmates. There, his parents welcomed us into their home and this became the so-called “hub of operations.” The next day, we were privileged enough to see the president-elect at the Baltimore stop of his whistle-stop tour. We left early that morning to enter downtown Baltimore, where Obama would be speaking in front of the War Memorial Plaza. The line to enter the Plaza was extraordinarily long as the Plaza was to hold 40,000 people. Luckily enough, we arrived early so that we were in the first 1000. For a couple of hours, we waited in the cold, but we ended up very close to the podium. I found his speech very inspiring; it really struck me that Obama did not bring race into the inauguration ceremony. He used it as a moment of unity for the American people. I believe this will be one of his major aims for the next four years. The speech in Baltimore was the first time I ever got to see him speak live, and it made me even more excited to attend the inauguration. On Sunday, we ventured into the National Mall to see the We Are One Concert, a tribute concert for the inauguration. The concert was amazing! The collaborations between artists of different genres played very well into Obama’s theme of unity. Surprisingly I enjoyed the music of Garth Brooks and Josh Groban. My favorite acts were Shakira, Usher, and Stevie Wonder. Once again I was able to hear president-elect Barack Obama speak. It was astonishing to see how many people showed up to the concert; the entire National Mall was filled with people. The following day was a very busy day; it was time for us to go pick up our tickets. We all had silver tickets; these designated us to the section that was right behind the reflection pool in front of the capitol. This put us about a football field away from where the inauguration ceremony would take place. It was entertaining to pick up the tickets from the senators office. The building was abuzz with the millions of people who came to D.C. for the inauguration. I got to visit the senior senator from New York, Charles Schumer’s office. For a split second I almost wanted to go into politics, but then I quickly realized that it was not for me. On our way back from the senator’s office building, we ran into Cornell West. He was taking pictures with people in the street, and some of us took the opportunity to get a picture with him. That moment added to the excitement that the weekend had to offer. That night, we all stayed in D.C. to be closer to the Capitol. Throughout the weekend, we had been warned that the metro was going to be filled with people; it was expected for 4 million people to be in D.C. for the inauguration. At 3 in the morning we all left for the inauguration so we could be in the front of our section. To avoid using the metro, we all filled in a cab and told the driver to get us as close to the Capitol as possible. The closer we got, I started to realize the amount of security that was being tapped into from around the country for this event. Be the time we had arrived to the line, we had seen snipers on almost every building surrounding the Capitol and police officers from different states. Now that we were on the line, we had to wait. In the cold. In single digit temperatures. After a few hours, we passed through the first checkpoint, and had to wait again. A little after sunrise, we passed through security and rushed to the front of our section. It paid off that we left so early because we ended up in the front. Once again we had to wait until the actual ceremony started. Finally the event started; I could hardly pay attention due to my excitement of being there. It was funny to hear the crowd boo certain politicians as they walked to their seats. At one time the crowd yelled “Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Hey Goodbye” as former President Bush entered the stage. After different performances and speeches, the crowd went wild for the swearing-in of vice-president Joe Biden. After his swearing-in, it was time that I, along with the world, had been waiting for: the swearing-in of President Barack Obama. Even with the wording mistake by Chief Justice Roberts, everyone around me was eager to welcome our new President. The speech that followed was one of the best speeches I have heard in my life. There was one statement that he made that really resonated with me: “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.” President Obama is willing to work to create a better world as long as there is a peaceful and mutual respect. It is time for the countries to start relating on our similarities instead of focusing on what separates us. It is refreshing to see that this administration is willing to work with groups that have been shunned in the past. After his speech, we all decided to leave to avoid the mass confusion there would be afterwards. Even with our pre-emptive measure, we still had to wait in D.C. for a couple of hours before the metro was clear enough for us to get back to Baltimore. Overall, that weekend will be one of the most memorable moments of my life. I was able to see President Barack Obama speak 3 times live. I was able see the swearing-in of the first black president. I was able to be a part of history. I am determined to share this story with my children, to let them know the struggles that black people have gone through, and what any person can accomplish if they put their mind to it.

4 Let be America Again A Poem by Langston A. Hughes

Let America be America again. In every brick and stone, in every furrow Let it be the dream it used to be. turned Let it be the pioneer on the plain That's made America the land it has be- Seeking a home where he himself is free. come. O, I'm the man who sailed those early seas (America never was America to me.) In search of what I meant to be my home-- For I'm the one who left dark Ireland's Let America be the dream the dreamers shore, dreamed-- And Poland's plain, and England's grassy Let it be that great strong land of love lea, Where never kings connive nor tyrants And torn from Black Africa's strand I came scheme To build a "homeland of the free." That any man be crushed by one above. The free? (It never was America to me.) Who said the free? Not me? O, let my land be a land where Liberty Surely not me? The millions on relief to- Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath, day? But opportunity is real, and life is free, The millions shot down when we strike? Equality is in the air we breathe. The millions who have nothing for our pay? For all the dreams we've dreamed (There's never been equality for me, And all the songs we've sung Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free.") And all the hopes we've held And all the flags we've hung, Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark? The millions who have nothing for our pay-- And who are you that draws your veil across the stars? Except the dream that's almost dead today.

I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart, O, let America be America again-- I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars. The land that never has been yet-- I am the red man driven from the land, And yet must be--the land where every man is free. I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek-- The land that's mine--the poor man's, Indian's, Negro's, ME-- And finding only the same old stupid plan Who made America, Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak. Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain, Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain, I am the young man, full of strength and hope, Must bring back our mighty dream again. Tangled in that ancient endless chain Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land! Sure, call me any ugly name you choose-- Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need! The steel of freedom does not stain. Of work the men! Of take the pay! From those who live like leeches on the people's lives, Of owning everything for one's own greed! We must take back our land again, America! I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil. I am the worker sold to the machine. O, yes, I am the Negro, servant to you all. I say it plain, I am the people, humble, hungry, mean-- America never was America to me, Hungry yet today despite the dream. And yet I swear this oath-- Beaten yet today--O, Pioneers! America will be! I am the man who never got ahead, Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death, The poorest worker bartered through the years. The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies, We, the people, must redeem Yet I'm the one who dreamt our basic dream The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers. In the Old World while still a serf of kings, The mountains and the endless plain-- Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true, All, all the stretch of these great green states-- That even yet its mighty daring sings And make America again!

5 BlUES Research Colloquium NSBE-MIT Elections Meeting When: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 When: Sunday, March 8, 2009 Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm Where: MIT Building 4-231 Where: BSU Lounge (50-100)

New England Alumni Extension Mixer 35th Annual National Convention When: Wednesday, March 4, 2009 When: March 25th – 29th, 2009 Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm Time: All Day!!! Where: Draper Laboratories Where: Las Vegas, Nevada

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