March 2010/May 2010

Jet Foundation
by: Edward Scott
On the first and third Saturday of every month, members from the Alliance for the Preservation of African Conscious-ness (APAC) at Cal State Fullerton and members of the Brother‟s Movement at Cal Poly Pomona come together to pro-vide mentoring and tutoring services through an organization called the JET Foundation. 



Founded by J. Eldridge Taylor, Jr. and his wife Natali Taylor, the JET Founda-tion through its Youth Leadership and Success Institute (YLSI) provides Gang Prevention through academic achieve-ment, self esteem building, and dream attainment. The program focuses on fi-nancial literacy, communication skill building and tutoring in core curriculum subjects for students. 


Parents are the encouragement and tool for empowering their children towards career and financial freedom. To accom-plish such a task, the program places a high emphasis on preparing their stu-dents to be college ready and astute. 

"It is very important to bet involved and become a mentor in some way. Life is just not about the well being of „me alone‟ but it is also about giving back to others and genuinely showing concern for their well being," said Max Barnes a member of APAC and liberal studies major. 

The JET Foundation was established as an alternative to the Prison Industrial Complex (PIC) and works with students ranging from third graders all the way to high school seniors. 


The Prison Industrial Complex PIC), a business organization, is responsible for determining the number of prisons that will be built based off the test scores of third graders. 


The eagerness of examining third grade test scores fuels the economic and po-litical interest of the PIC. Essentially this became the reason that the JET Foundation began its YLSI program at the third grade level, to prevent the PIC from preying upon any future third grade test scores. 


The program founders J Eldridge Tay-lor, Jr. (J.T.) and his wife Natali Taylor work together to bring about positive change in the areas of academic achieve-ment. 


As a business profes-sional J.T. has over 23 years of experi-ence in customer service and sales, in a position where he has overlooked and managed multi-million dollar budgets. In addition, J.T. is also an astute public speaker and gives seminars and profes-sional coaching advice to major corpo-rations and their employees on being more productive and efficient. 


Natali Taylor has had a career in law enforcement and business. She began her career in law enforcement as a Cali-fornia Highway Patrol officer and ended with the Redondo Police Depart-ment. Now she is a mid level manager for a GPS related tracking company. 


She has joined forces with her hus-band and various community or-ganizations to create educational and substantiates resources for the JET Foundation to provide scholar-ships. Students are given assignments in each session that are designed to broaden their educational outlook and their outlook on life in general with the mind set of Yes, I can live my dreams! 


"Mr J.T. and his wife (Natali) guided me when I was a student in their program," said Jourdan Hilaire, a member of APAC and human communications major. "Now as a college student at CSUF I am able to come back to be an example for another youngster." 


APAC and the Brother‟s Movement have committed to assisting the JET Foundation in a number of ways. In addition, to being mentors and tu-tors for the JET Foundation mem-bers of each organization have had to privilege of being roles models for these college bound students. 


A large number of the JET Founda-tion students are very bright indi-viduals who are either not working towards their full potential or have yet to receive the additional assis-tance they need to become better students. 


By working together with APAC and the Brother‟s Movement to lead the youth towards exploring their educational opportunities, the JET Foundation has established an alternative solution to the Prison Industrial Complex.

UC San Diego Cookout
by: Chauntel Riser
Can blatant racism be considered a freedom on speech? 

A group of UC San Diego students who are apart of or allegedly part of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. The ghetto-themed "Compton Cookout," on Mon-day, February 15, targeted at mocking Black History month. 


Students from the Black Student Union were outraged about the racially focused event. 

The invitation for the event was posted on Facebook and had a costumed themed dress code encouraging women to dress like "ghetto chicks" who usually have "gold teeth," wear cheap clothes, and start drama. 


The meal that was promised to the attendees was a racially stereotyped combination of watermelon, chicken, and malt liquor. 


The only racially labeled menu choice that was left out was the stereotyped Students from the Black Student Union were outraged about the racially focused event. The invitation for the event was posted on Facebook and had a costumed themed dress code encouraging women to dress like "ghetto chicks" who usually have "gold teeth," wear cheap clothes, and start drama. 


The meal that was promised to the attendees was a racially stereotyped combination of watermelon, chicken, and malt liquor. The only racially labeled menu choice that was left out was the stereotyped "Kool-Aid."


Who has been held accountable for this event?

Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity president Danny Widener released a statement saying that the fraternity did not en-dorse this event.

What action has been taken by the school to prevent future violence, unrest and racism between UCSD students?

Students say that the university is hiding behind the first constitutional right of freedom of speech.

The administrators at the university said that they are investigating whether the event has violated the university’s code of conduct. Their analysis will determine if disciplinary action will be taken against the students.


If racism is not a topic discussed in USCD’s code of conduct, does that make the act any less threatening? 


Action must be taken by school offi-cials to prevent future "parties" like this from occurring again in the name of the university. 


The black population at UCSD is only 2%, and many of the students were upset at such negative depictions of their culture.


A "teach-in" was held by the admini-stration the Wednesday following the controversial party. Approximately 3,000 students gathered in UCSD’s Student Union to address the situation.

After the "teach-in" had been underway for about an hour, two female students wearing black t-shirts inscribed with "Real Pain Real Action," both members of the Black Student Union, stood and yelled, "The university and our commu-nity will not be fixed by a two-hour teach-in."

The two female students led majority of the students present in the auditorium for the "teach-in" out, half of them were reported to be white stu-dents. Only about 100 to 150 people were left in the auditorium.

The students felt that the university was not doing enough to address the racial concerns that had been arising on cam-pus.

Chancellor Marye Anne Fox said that the university is stunned by the event, but that they cannot prevent events like this from happening again. How-ever she did address the concern that students must feel supported and respected.

What can be done to prevent student organizations from planning racially focused events?

How can we find racism and freedom of speech in the same context in today’s American society? Can we dismiss these problems, and sweep them under the rug like we did with slavery before the Civil War when our forefa-thers were Christian men who allowed for the selling of human beings on our soil?

Can we allow each other to disrespect and stereotype one another in a coun-try that is known as the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Can we continue allowing these types of acts to happen and turning our cheek to the possibility that this could be the beginning of a cruel and fearful ending in our institutions for higher learning?

No, action must be taken now.

Benefits of Graduate School
by: Angelica Krull Rivas
For some of us graduation maybe some years away, for others it is coming right around the corner. 


Either way, time goes by fast and it is time to start asking ourselves a few questions.


Should I go to graduate school? Is graduate school right for me? Does my career take more than a bache-lor’s degree? 


There are tons of questions that we have to ask ourselves when consid-ering enrolling into graduate school. Some students choose not to go to graduate school. Many students complain that they are tired of school, are ready to start their ca-reers, or think graduate school is too expensive or too hard.


"I don’t want to go to graduate school because it’s too expensive, and I don’t want to be in student debt," Bernadette, a communica-tions major said.


It is true that many have been in school since the age of five years old. However, after the 12 years of mandatory schooling and 4 years of undergraduate studies, what are 2 or 3 more years for your masters? 


What are 2 or 3 more years if it can increase your wealth, education, and even happiness in your future ca-reer? 


There are many benefits to graduate school. It will provide you with the opportunity to become an expert in the discipline that you are studying. 


Knowledge is power! Your advanced degree can assist you in obtaining the career you desire. 


"It has allowed me to teach at the university level and has given me the skills to do independent research, and I love doing both," Angeles San-cho-Velazquez liberal studies profes-sor said. 


Going to graduate school provides more confidence for the future. When you begin working in your ca-reer field you will be more confident knowing that you have a more ad-vanced degree. This will provide you with the motivation to strive for pro-motion in your workplace. 


"I want to go to graduate school be-cause it will make me feel more con-fident in my field knowing that I have a higher degree than my colleagues, and it will make me want to always put my knowledge on display," Yancy Valadez criminal justice major said. 


Going to graduate school also gives you the opportunity to meet new people while making new friends. 

Graduate school provides many benefits for the future it is much easier to find a job, you will earn a higher salary, you will have more chances for promotion, you will stand out, and most importantly it will give you the professional licens-ing to meet national and state re-quirements.

"The greatest thing I got out of the experience was amazing mentoring relationships with established, sen-ior faculty. Several faculty members really "took me under their wing"- they treated me as a colleague, they offered me access to their data for my thesis research, they chaired my thesis committee, guided me through the often intimidating world of statistics, and helped me find my voice and style as a teacher," Brooke Bain sociology professor said.

A master’s degree is only 30 units beyond a bache-lor’s degree and a PH.D is only 50 units beyond a bachelor’s degree.

Completing graduate school sets you above the crowd.

According to the Census data (2000), among people 25 and older: 21% of American’s had taken some college courses but never earned a degree, 15.5% had earned a bache-lor’s degree, but no higher and 8.9% earned graduate or professional de-grees.

Now ask yourself again, Is graduate school right for me?

Titan Expression
by Alexa Harris 

As college students, it is very important to find a voice to convey our expressions in a variety of ways. Whether it is through culture or through spoken word, we all capture a form of expression. 


On Wednesday, February 24, the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship hosted its 2nd Annual Poetry Slam in the Titan Theater, in honor of Black History Month. This year’s topic was, "How does spirituality affect black identity? 


Many were in attendance to support performers ranging from first-timers to veterans. CSUF’s Hip Hop and Dance team also performed. 


"This year’s slam went amazing. I thank God for bringing new faces, new talents, and new performers on stage," Julisa Wilson, event co-host, said. "The attendance doubled from last year!" 


Talented youth showed off their MC skills, like Julisa’s brother, Tony Tig. Tig has been rapping since he was five years old. " 


My next CD will drop March 13th." Tig said. 


At the end of the Poetry Slam, two winners were announced. First place went to Charity White, and second place went to Josh Brown. It was an honor to win first place and represent spirituality," White said.
 

A War for Your Soul
by Chauntel Riser 

After savoring a couple of sandwiches and a cookie, Cal State Fullerton stu-dents, faculty and staff looked at the projector screen displaying the docu-mentary A War for Your Soul in the TSU Pavillion AB, Thursday, Febru-ary 11. 

A War for Your Soul was hosted by Cal State Fullerton‟s Alliance for the Preservation of African Conscious-ness (APAC), as one of the premier black history month events. 

The documentary was viewed as a free event for students, faculty, and staff, as well as community members. 

They interacted with the film by sing-ing the music and gasping at the pho-tos as they remembered the legacy of those African Americans who had suffered for them to receive their cur-rent opportunities. 

"It was eye opening. It was about how the N word has had a big impact on all of us. We are degrading each other by using it," said kinesiology major Imani Brown. 

The filmmaker Reginald Bullock was contacted via telephone and email by APAC president Dorado Quick. Quick said that he and Bullock made preparations for the event via numer-ous telephone conversations, but had not had an official meeting until the day of the event. 

Bullock said the film was inspired by a conversation he had with his mother the night of the inauguration of Presi-dent Barack Obama. 

The film has been described as "The Film That Has Changed Black America," released almost a year ago on March 15, 2009 by Bullock‟s film company Erisai Films. 

"The film was created to inspire young black kids to remember their legacy, by remembering their
legacy it will put them in a position to try harder today," Bullock said. 

Quick said that Bullock graciously flew across the U.S. from Tennessee to present and host the discussion that followed the viewing of the film. 

"He has been a mentor and a strong source of encouragement for me to continue to do the work I do within the community," said business major and APAC president Dorado Quick. 

After showing the film Bullock described his experience with the hasty success in the distribution, reaching the eyes of so many Americans who are interested in the African American experience. Following his speech, Bullock held a discussion where the students, faculty, and staff were able to ask questions and comment about the film.



According to the A War for Your Soul website the film has already been viewed by over 3 million people over the internet, and has been shown on over 1,000 websites. The film has sparked the interest of many across America from the mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, Mayor Langford, who showed the film during a city council meeting, to Radio Talk Show Host Michael Baisden who encouraged his 10 million listeners to watch what Baisden called “Must See Film.” 


The film has not only been seen across America, but it has now reached countries such as Ghana, the UK, Israel and many of the Caribbean Islands.“I think it was great. We need films like this to remind us that we need a change. The change starts with us,” said Afro-Ethnic Studies major Whitney Sims.



After the presentation of the film Bullock gave a speech to the students, faculty, staff and community members 
encouraging them to get involved in helping their community.



“I think the message was that with all of the things that African Americans have been struggling with for centuries now, we need to grow together as one unit. It‟s time for us to come together like a family,” said communicative disorders major Jourdan Hilaire.



On the website Bullock expressed that the film should not be used to divide people and it should not be used to criticize all aspects of hip-hop. If used properly, it will allow our youth to see some of the horrific conditions that their ancestors fought through and some of the horrific conditions that they face today.





“His message is the little things count we don‟t need some big movement. We as individual can make a difference,” said communicative disorders major Jamine Blackman. 


Edward Scott, history and Afro-Ethnic studies major, asked Bullock a question during the discussion, surrounding the idea that yes there is a problem, but what is the solution. Bullock described that, that is this issue that he plans to describe in his next film, ways to make a change in your community.


For more information visit http://www.warforyoursoul.com/.


Why I Love Black Women
by: Dominique Williams 

Culminating Black History Month on Thursday, February 25, in the TSU pavilions, with the proverbial c


Complete with chivalry, live entertainment, soul food, and nothing but love, it left guests satisfied. The ceremony commenced with an exhibit of famous and accomplished black women. Women were escorted in by a gentleman. The sequence of events began with an opening address, followed by a prayer and then dinner. Guests were urged to be patient for their dinner to arrive, but they were not the least disappointed with the delicious selection of red beans and rice, barbeque chicken, and cornbread. Immediately fol-lowing the dinner was the most endearing part: the "Why I Love Black Women" documentary which included a host of male students from CSU Fullerton and Cal Poly Pomona. 


"We do this to [combat] negative stereotypes [and] uplift our community," said Dorado Quick, APAC president. 


This is precisely what was done during the awards segment as women who were found to be tremendous contributors in their communities received plaques and standing ovations. One such awarded was Mrs. Natali Taylor, a.k.a. Mrs. J.T., wife of J. Eldridge Taylor Jr., of the Los Angeles-based Jet Foundation. Mrs. Taylor was revered as dedicated to her direction in the Jet Foundation as well as being a positive role model. 


More applause was later due to the performers who served to edify and entertain the guests, namely Tanya (pronounced TAN- yuh) whose piece on image and the media was delightfully introspective and reassuring. The evening adjourned with light music playing in the background, socializing in the foreground, and positive energy in the air. herry on top was the third annual "Why I Love Black Women" Honorary Celebration and Ceremony.
 

Become an Effective Leader
by: Ali Ismail, SLI Coordinator 

For over 19 years, the Student Leadership Institute has helped individuals discover their own leadership styles, en-hance their communication and time man-agement skills, and become more effective agents in their community. 

"How can we lead people if we can’t lead our own lives? This program helps you open your eyes to become more informed about the world and people out-side of yourself. The workshops teach you to manage the best product you can give, you," Anthony Davis Jr., SLI Presentations Coordinator said. 

The Student Leadership Institute (SLI) is a national award-winning program under the Dean of Students that provides free leadership training and skill-building workshops to our community’s emerging leaders. "Leadership is giving a sense of authorship to an individual to help them write their story; that’s what SLI is all about," Jaina Bansil, SLI Promotions Coordinator said. 

In today’s competitive job market, our mission is to make Cal State Fullerton students as marketable as possible. By being an active participant in our pro-gram, you will have be able to select from of our 50 skill-building workshops, or complet-ing one (or perhaps more) of our eight lead-ership certificate tracks to obtain a nation-ally recognized certificate signed by the President of Cal State Fullerton and Vice-President of Student Affairs. 

I witnessed success and better readi-ness of Student Leadership Institute alumni for the great endeavors they pursued, I knew that the program was something I wanted to be a part of," Leezel Ramos, SLI Director said. 

Also, as an SLI participant, you will have access to many resources not offered anywhere else such as: various scholar-ships, exclusive mentoring, and networking opportunities with CSUF faculty, staff, and student leaders through our many year-round events. 

“With education comes great responsibility. When you have a degree it is your responsibility to make the world a better place,” Juanita R. Razo, Associate Dean of the Leadership and Multi-Development 

Program said. “This program helps you bring those abilities together to make such an impact.