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 said Morehouse College information. and men of Morehouse. 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.