the Gazette VOL. 77, NO. 12 STUDENT VOICE OF LANGSTON UNIVERSITY THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015 Graduates prepare to walk the stage See Page 4 2 The Gazette | May 7, 2015 Voices The Gazette is produced What is beauty? within the Department of Communication at Langston University. It serves as a teaching tool Professor says it's 'in the eye of the beholder' and public relations vehicle. The newspaper is As a junior at Langston ciety today, ranging from solo album “The Miseduca- published bimonthly and University, I enrolled in the the color of our skin to our tion of Lauryn Hill” in order is dispersed across campus Black Authors in American physical weight to our own to acquire the self-love and every other Thursday, Literature course, in which value system. self-worth she lacks and to except during we read several different Pecola represents a butter- overcome the existential examinations, holidays and texts. fly pimped by the system— angst from which she is suf- extended school breaks. One particular text that a system that oppresses fering. had an impact on me was minorities of all kinds and Society dictates what Toni Morrison’s debut novel constantly tells us all that beauty is and is not. But Adviser/Manager “The Bluest Eye,” published we are not beautiful if we do beauty is a subjective ex- Nicole Turner in 1970. not have blonde hair or blue perience—that is, a mental I enjoyed reading this nov- eyes or even a skinny phy- phenomenon that differs Editor el because it explores themes Wright sique. from one person to another. Nehemiah Taylor of identity, black existential- This same system and all Novels like “The Bluest ism and suffering like no still prevalent in society to- its oppression also purports Eye” and albums like “To Sports Editor other, but what I found most day. We also find it in some the false reality that the lives Pimp a Butterfly” encourage Jarron Thompson compelling about it was the urban black music. For ex- of those not yet cultivated us all to be critical of a sys- self-love it promotes in the ample, in his third studio al- in the varied ways in which tem that dehumanizes those Opinions Editor end. bum “To Pimp a Butterfly,” it values do not matter. But not of the dominant culture Ashli Bell Set in the 1940s in Lorain, released this year, Kendrick black lives do matter and or ideology. They also invite Ohio, the novel tells the sto- Lamar further addresses the butterflies are beautiful. us all to determine for our- Photographer ry of one Pecola Breedlove, same themes found in “The Pecola succumbs to this selves what beauty can be, Austin Terry an eleven-year-old poor Bluest Eye.” type of oppression because because beauty is in the eye black girl with brown eyes, Both the novel and the al- of her visceral lack of self- of the beholder. Reporters who is grappling with her bum examine society, race, love and self-worth. Brittany Kendrick own identity in light of soci- class, love and the impor- One could argue that she, Dr. Ricco Wright is an assis- Trevon McNabb ety’s standards of beauty. tance of deconstructing the or someone like her, should tant professor of mathematics She rejects her own black societal perspective that listen to Lauryn Hill’s debut at Langston University. Staff Writers skin and brown eyes be- “white is right.” Diondra Ross cause whiteness is seen as “To Pimp a Butterfly” is superior to blackness. As a an album that promotes self- Contributing Writers result, she considers herself love, self-respect and lead- Dhiana Brame ugly and believes that she ership, while challenging Ricco Wright would be more accepted if what society values and per- only she had pale skin and petuates. It also sheds light Cover Designer blue eyes. on how we must be mindful Paul Pugh The kind of black existen- of the various institutions tialism found in the novel is under which we live in so- The Gazette Office Langston University Sanford Hall, Room 318 This is the final issue Ph. 405-466-3245 Send story ideas, comments of the Gazette and calendar events to [email protected]. Opinions expressed in for spring 2015. Voices are those of the writers whose names appear with the articles. We will resume Letters to the editor should be emailed to nkturner@langs- ton.edu. Please include your name and telephone number. publication in fall 2015. The newspaper retains the right to edit, accept and/or reject items deemed to be con- trary to the best interest of the publication, Langston Have a University and/or any of its governing bodies. great summer! News May 7, 2015 | The Gazette 3 Campus fails to dominate By Diondra Ross The tradition of Cam- Students were disap- Staff Writer pus Domination started in The final decision to cancel the event pointed that they won’t get spring 2006, and Harvey, “ to see Greeks come togeth- Campus Domination a member of Alpha Phi was due to a lack of participation by the er and compete, especially has been canceled for this Alpha Fraternity Inc., and those who have witnessed year’s spring week. Ariana Jones, member of Greek organizations. Campus Domination in “The final decision to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority ” previous years. cancel the event was due Inc., chaired the event. “I think it sucks, but I to a lack of participation by Traditionally, it is an op- — Desmond Harvey, hope next year we will the Greek organizations,” portunity for Greek orga- director of Student Life have the event because I said Desmond Harvey, di- nizations to show off their know we will be full of the rector of Student Life. style of stepping and pos- Greeks next year,” said Ty- Harvey also said that, sibly win prize money. The week 2015. Douglas also mentioned ler Bowler, junior broad- traditionally, the step show best sorority and fraternity “I feel it’s sad that they how some organizations cast journalism major. admission is $10. But, this step team receives $1,000. did not consider how the were practicing for months, Harvey said he under- year, only three step acts Like any other spring organizations doing it and, she said, it is very un- stands that some organiza- were scheduled to per- semester, members of or- felt,” said Lexus Douglas, organized of them to can- tions put time in for prac- form, which, Harvey said, ganizations, students and member of Tau Beta Sigma cel during the week of the tice, and he apologizes to was not necessarily worth alumni were expecting a National Honorary Band event without proper no- the organizations that com- the price. step show to end spring Sorority Inc. tice. mitted to the step show. Graduation Announcement Langston elects Langston University will hold commencement SGA candidates exercises May 16. In case of inclement weather, the commencement exercises will be moved from By Austin Terry Photographer an outside venue, the W.E. Anderson Stadium, to The SGA elections went an inside venue, the C.F. Gayles Field House. “ If the commencement exercises are moved Langston University held its yearly stu- quite well. I'm proud that indoors, there will be two ceremonies, which dent government elections April 28. will allow more family members and friends to Candidates campaigned around the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity attend the ceremonies. campus, persuading their peers that he was the right person for the position. Inc. can represent Langston The candidates were running cam- The first ceremony will be held at 10 a.m., May paigns unopposed, but they each still put University... It is officially an 16, for the following schools and programs: forth an effort to show why he was a le- gitimate choice for the position. Alpha University. • School of Nursing and Health Professions The candidates running were Shaquille ” Anderson for SGA president, Keilan • School of Education and Behavioral Sciences Armstrong for vice-president and Paul — Ricollis Jones, junior Pugh, hoping to be re-elected as activities computer science major • Master of Rehabilitation Counseling coordinator. All of these candidates pre- sented detailed platforms to the student • Master of Visual Rehabilitation body of what their vision is and what computer science major. “It is officially they plan to change for the next school an Alpha university." • Master of Education year. All three SGA elected officials are mem- Each of these candidates saw success bers of Alpha Phi Alpha. • School of Physical Therapy from their efforts. Anderson, junior busi- “I’m happy for them," said Hollie ness major, received 95 percent of the Nealy, freshman biology major. "I hope votes; Armstrong, sophomore accounting they do some great things for the LU. The second ceremony will be held at 2 p.m., major, received 89 percent; and, Pugh re- Paul did well as activities coordinator be- May 16, for the following schools and programs: ceived 94 percent. fore, so I’m sure he’ll keep it that way.” The men were officially announced to Some students, however, are ready to • School of Arts and Sciences the student body at the student leader- see something new at LU. ship awards. Students applauded and “I want to know what’s going to change • School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences seemed very excited with the new elects because I’m tired of the same thing each as far as what is to come next year. and every year,” said Darian Williams, • School of Business “The SGA elections went quite well. senior English major. I’m proud that Alpha Phi Alpha Inc.