WWW.MOREHOl ¡SE.EDI /ìTIEMAROON TIGER Vol. LXXXI. Issue II THE MAROON TIGER Morehouse College . Atlanta, GA November 29 - December 6, 2006 The Organ of Student Expression Since 1925 New journalism program arrives at Morehouse Chad Sanders Contributing Writer Csander 1 @students. morehouse. edu orehouse Col lege has recently become the home of a new Journalism and MSports Program. Spike Lee, accompanied by a number of influential and powerful names in sports journalism, discussed the innovative program during a panel on Nov. 14 in the Bank of America Auditorium in the Leadership Center. Lee, one of the world’s renowned August 18, 2008 filmmakers of the era, and an avid sports spike Lee fan, led the panel in describing the intentions of the program and answering questions Morehouse college $325,000, from the audience. He explained that the Journalism & Sports Proofam J purpose of the program would be to train young black writers at Morehouse College Three Hundred Twenty fíne TnoMsnjggggfl Mg!». and cross-registered students from Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University in the trade of journalistic writing. The panel included David Cummings, a 1989 Morehouse College communications graduate and Senior Deputy Editor of ESPN 4i* i;0 i ¿ iOE »êbS Magazine, as well as, Reggie Roberts, Vice President of Football Communications for the Atlanta Falcons. Also included were Curtis Bunn, a sports writer for the Atlanta Spike Lee presents President Walter E. Massey with a check for the new Image: Philip McCollum Journal Constitution, Tara August of TNT JOURNALISM PROGRAM. Sports, and Ike Reese, a nine-year veteran of the NFL and currently a linebacker for program was necessary, as the prominence have this image restored would be to “train many white journalists cannot, because of the Atlanta Falcons. of black athletes in sports should be equally black sports journalists who would willing the drastic differences in backgrounds and The program was originally an idea represented in the coverage of sports. to interact with athletes and describe them interests; because of this closer relationship, ✓---------- ”2"--------- sparked between Lee and his close friend, the Explaining his dissatisfaction with as people.” black journalists can cover more about an late Ralph Wiley. Riley, former senior writer current media portrayal of black athletes as Cummings, who graduated with a degree athlete than simple statistics, or his or her for Sports Illustrated and an original Sports “one-dimensional, selfish, immature, and in communications, had several opinions negative actions. THE 2 journalist, was “a giant of journalism,” poor citizens,” Lee encouraged students to to offer on the state of blacks in the media “Athletes want [journalists] to be fair,” said Lee. When the two came up with the maintain a steady voice in the journalism and the black image created by the media. said Roberts, “With 72% of players in the idea in 1999, they took it to Morehouse field. “How athletes are perceived is not “One of the best parts about being a black NFL being black, we need more black WEATHER President, Dr. Walter Massey, who was generated by [African-Americans],..Too journalist is that you can communicate on a journalists.” originally skeptical of how the curriculum long we have been on the field, but not different level with black athletes.” Initially, the interdisciplinary program CHANNEL would fit into a liberal arts college. in charge of generating the images of our Cummings believes that blackjoumalists will be available solely to English majors v*—"—» y However, Lee assured Massey that such a can connect with black athletes, while athletes.” Lee explained that the best way to “Sports journalism program ” continued on puge 2 ► Robbery shocks Brazeal Hall students SGA reflects on fall Edward Mitchell semester World & Local News Editor Emitche2@students. morehouse. edu and other issues relating to AUC students. ast weekend, Brazeal Hall students Edward Mitchell Democrats and Republicans debated, the World & Local News Editor returning from Thanksgiving Break Emilche2(g}studenls morehouse. edu manager of Magic City strip club visited Lwere met with a jarring surprise. Their to discuss the portrayal of women in the dormitory had become the victim of a hroughout Fall 2006, much of the student media, and an AIDS walk was held. robbery by unknown individuals. Theft body’s attention has been focused on Corresponding Secretary Reed looked victims suspect that one or more people TSGA reactions to the 9/20 rape protest andback on other events, saying, “I’m especially used the November holiday as a prime the recent “2TO” secret society allegations. pleased with African-Awareness Week. That opportunity to steal belongings from However, as the student government nears was one of the best event weeks I’ve ever vacationing students. the end of its semester, officials are looking seen, honestly. It was really great.” Freshman Bryan Richardson described back at the year’s positive developments, For African-Awareness Week, the SGA’s the startling experience. “When I walked up and encourage students to get more involved premier event was a speech by Dr. Calvin to Brazeal and saw my window, I thought, next year. Butts, the New York pastor who some ‘They got me.’ But then I stepped back and To this end, the SGA recently released tout as a possible successor to outgoing saw all the [broken] windows, and I thought, a newsletter titled School Dayz. The eight- Morehouse President Walter Massey. The ‘They got everybody.’” page issue included messages from high- week also included visits from an author Apparently, robbers breached the ranking SGA officials, and summaries of who discussed misconceptions of Islam, dormitory by tearing down screens, and the Senate’s more significant work. panelists who focused on HIV/AIDS in the Brazeal Hall Image: Mark Williams forcing several windows open. They then Corresponding Secretary Elkanah Reed, black race, and another event discussing the proceeded to enter the building and rob who was also the editor-in-chief of School genocide in Darfur. the first floor, going from room to room. Richardson, who was vacationing during upset. [Security guards] always question Dayz, commented, “We’re very proud of In a letter to the student body, SGA Some of the stolen items are stereos, video the thefts, said, “I would hate to imagine people and ask for IDs, but when someone’s the things we worked on [this semester], President Marcus Edwards wrote, “This cameras, Air Force One tennis shoes, digital what would have happened if someone had stealing things, they don’t catch them. The and of course, we also want to improve on semester we have already done a great many cameras, and other possible valuables such been in their room [during the robbery].” some things.” things to raise the bar of student leadership as laptops. Preliminary reports indicate that Following the burglary, some students The SGA’s work began months ago with on this campus, and we have plans for more the perpetrators did not rob students on directed outrage at the campus police, citing New Student Orientation Week. Following milestones to come.” upper floors. the department’s failure to prevent the that, the association held a celebrity For the 2007 semester, the SGA plans The president of Brazeal Hall, Adam robbery. “It is shameful Morehouse could basketball game, a college block party, to continue with such politically themed Moore, said, “It’s a saddening situation. A be so negligent on something as important the Fall elections, a breast cancer walk, a topics, covering issues such as the Sudanese lot of people’s rooms were locked, but for as security,” said a victim of the theft. clothing drive, and of course, homecoming. genocide, while also discussing substance someone to just tear down a screen, open a Brazeal President Adam Moore also SGAofficials also hosted several political abuse, stress, sexuality and rape. Another window, and blatantly steal all that stuff is criticized Morehouse security, saying, events, including Political Empowerment major focus will be Spring Fest, but for unfortunate.” “There’s enough security [personnel], but Week and African-Awareness Week. the purpose of keeping the student body in No one was injured during the incident, they’re usually just walking around or riding Political Empowerment Week was marked suspense, SGA officials are closed-mouthed and eyewitnesses have yet to come forward. in their golf carts. A lot of people are very Image: Mark Williams by a series of election-themed forums, “SGA reflects ” continued on page 2 ► The Inside Track CONTENTS------ Would & Local Features Opinions Arts, Etc. “Kramer” Flips Out Let’s Talk About Sex The Audacity of Racism Color of the Cross Campus News 2 World & Local 4 In two short minutes on Nov. 18, comedian Sex, and all related topics, are guaranteed Michael Richards, the joke’s on you. More Color of the Cross is causing controversy Features 5 and former Seinfeld actor Michael Richards to get the attention of anyone with working than a week has passed, and we’re still in the religious community because not endangered his career, and sparked a hormones. The college students at the talking about Cosmo Kramer. We’re still only is it the first film to depict the biblical Opinions 6 nationally publicized controversy. institutions that make up the AUC are surprised by Michael Richards’s conniption figure of Jesus as African-American, but it Arts, Etc. 7 certainly no exception. fit at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, also suggests that the crucifixion may have CA. been racially motivated. Sports 8 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 ■ 1 W Recycle The Maroon Tiger II ■ li The Maroon Tiger 2 November 29- Dec ember 6, 2006 Campus News II ■ — SGA leaders deny wrongdoing as scandal deepens THE MAROON TIGER 830 Westview Drive, SW Box 40 Atlanta, GA 30314 would prevent anyone from ever tampering that secret societies (or any organization for Edward Mitchell with student funds or other resources.