September 2007

Slow Your Role: Hip Hop Gets Humble in the Tsu  
    On Nov. 8, 2007, Cal State Fullerton’s Hip Hop Congress presented their second annual “Slow Your Role” event in Pavilion A of the TSU.The program showcased hip hop, fine art and spoken word together allowing students to take a breath and enjoy  a dose of urban culture while promoting the importance of passion over image in the world of hip hop.Splashes of color and culture laced with break beats and soulful rhythms offered people a chance to come together for one reason: to celebrate honesty and creativity in its purest form. The event was headlined by Hill and included a performance by socially-conscious rapper Brother D’VooA. Tamara Blue, a featured artist on the fifth season of Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry Jam on HBO, hosted the event and performed spoken word throughout the evening. The spirit and creativity of the music was reflected in the art work that lined the walls of the main hallway in the TSU. The Hip Hop Congress along with the help of artist and CSUF student “Brick Master Pat” summoned a talented group of CSUF art majors and local artists to liven up the piercing white thoroughfare with a variety of eye-catching paintings, drawings and assemblage art that ranged in subject matter from psychedelic multicolored frogs to a portrait of rapper Ice Cube to bold 2-D designs  made into refrigerator magnets. True to the theme of the evening, Hill took her crowd by the reins and injected a seductive combination of beauty, humility and humor to young women. Hill wasn’t afraid to engage the audience with truthful rants about female body image including her own with humor and honesty in between songs.  She had the crowd on a string, with a display of sweet falsettos mixed with powerful hooks on songs like “Right Now” and “Nutshell” from her 2006 album Pharaoh’s Daughter released on her own record label One Brave Indian records. Students huddled close to the flood light on stage and allowed Blue to release a  magnetic intensity with her boldly delivered original poems “I Wanna Be a Poet” and “Thick Chicks” that channeled the strength of her experiences as an artist, a black woman and a humble mentor. Brother D’VooA (aka Leon Clayborne), a college student at Cal State Dominguez Hills, is a theater major by day and a rapper by night. His rhymes weaved together elements of his life story as a rapper from the Inland Empire aspiring to be positive while retaining his passion, emcee skills and sense of humor. Many of the tracks he unleashed from his latest album Display Vol.1, gave the crowd a chance to have fun with old school hip hop enthusiasm combined with new school swagger. For members of the Hip Hop Congress and many of those who attended, the event was a great success in an effort to continually boost the group’s profile on campus.




Racism has survived in America far beyond the civil rights movement. The Sixth Amendment to the Constitution promises a fair and speedy trial; “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the
right to a speedy and public trial.” However, in December 2006, in Jena, Louisiana, this constitutional amendment was broken. In our perfect America land of the free and home of the brave six black student’s Robert Bailey, age 17, Theo Shaw, age 17, Carwin Jones, age 18, Bryant Purvis, age 17, Mychal Bell, age 16, and an unidentified minor, were IMPRISONED for ALMOST A YEAR WITHOUT A TRIAL, under allogations of attempting to kill their white classmate, Justin Barker. Unfortunately, these minors were prosecuted by an all white jury with an unbelievably high bail sentence of $70,000 to $138,000. In spite of their unsuccessful attempts to release their sons, the parents of the six black boys have plummeted into dept, and now almost a year later, Mychal Bell, the oldest of the Jena 6, is still imprisoned.Nine months after imprisonment, Bell is the only individual, in the Jenaa Six, to receive a trial. Originally Bell was convicted as an adult. “Many black students are being discriminated against because of their color, and it is evident that the law is giving them unfair treatment,” black Cal State Fullerton student Tyrone
Ledford said. On September 21, 2007,  Bell was tried after being charged with aggravated second-degree battery, and was denied his request to be released on bail. Black students at California State University Fullerton silently protested against the treatment of the Jena Six by wearing all black in a silent protest the day of Bell’s trial.“It affects me dramatically,” said Cal State Fullerton student Charmaine Chiterfield. “I aspire to be a lawyer and this event inspires me to become a lawyer even more because of my love to protect my rights and the rights of others. My prayers go out to the Jena Six as well as their families.” Last August, there was explicit racism at Jena High School, in Jena, Louisiana. Jena High has a student population of about 80%white students. Two days after two Black students sat under the commonly known “white tree” at Jena High, two or three nooses were hanged under the tree, two representing school colors, black and gold.  The same week of the arrest of the Jena Six, in Jena, Louisiana , a group of white students jumped a black student at a party. The Chicago Tribune noted that after wrestling with the man to and gaining the shotgun the black
students ran way. The white man received no charges for possessing the fire arm. Instead, the black students
were arrested for “stealing” the gun that the white man had threatened them with. “This has caused the black community as well as the entire student population to be aware that blatant racism still exists in America,” said an unidentified CSUF minority student.  “Even after all that we have achieved, there are still people that want to glorify the acts of hate and racism of the past.” The principal of Jena High recommended that the white students be expelled. However, Superintendent Roy Breithaupt did not consider this an act of racism; instead, he only regarded it as a “prank.”  In a statement published in the Chicago Tribune, Breithaupt was quoted
saying:  “Adolescents play pranks. I don't think it was a threat against anybody."“It just downs us that we, as blacks, have to work and fight harder because many people do not believe in us,” Cal State Fullerton Student Vanessa R. Brown said.  “It also shows that we have to look out for each other because no else will.”


Nooses Spark Campus Discussion
By: Nathan Jackson

Students, faculty, and administrators descended on the TSU for the Speak Out Loud forum discussion regarding the five nooses hanged in the central quad the morning of the Nov.7 “Rally Against
Hate”. Multicultural Leadership Center (MLC) Coordinator, Yen Ling Shek, facilitated a panel of leaders from the Association for Inter-Cultural Awareness (AICA), Sumanah Mithani and Abrahim Appel . They were joined by student organizer Trenelle Lyiscott and Dr. Robert Palmer,Vice President of student affairs. The purpose of bringing the panel together with a student body audience was to give people a chance to voice their opinion in a “safe zone” on the controversial noose hangings that gave everyone equal opportunity to speak. Pavillion B in the Titan Student Union is normally quiet as a church on Wednesday nights.  But on Nov. 14, a congregation of Cal State Fullerton students, faculty and The discussion kicked off around 7p.m.
Shek opened with a basic recap of what had occurred on campus the morning of the AICA-sponsored Rally Against Hate. The day before, members of AICA had hung a close-line with T-shirts containing anti-hate slogans. The next morning, the students arrived in the quad to find that some of the shirts were taken down or moved over and replaced with five nooses spray painted orange. Though everyone on the panel collectively denounced the hanging of the nooses on a designated area set aside for the rally, each panelist gave their personal view on what had transpired. “It angered me,” said Lyiscott, “ people don’t realize the power of the noose, we must all realize that racism is around  us…what’s important now is that we should try to make a change on campus while we’re still here.” Anger about the lack of coverage by the media also fueled criticism by the panelists and spurred talks of future action. “The only way to help our neighborhood is not this conversation, it is action to secure the black voice,” AICA Vice President Abrahim Appel said. Dr. Palmer shared his desire to combat racism through education that comes from testing student’s values and assumptions in order to learn and appreciate a diverse, safe environment. Students were given the opportunity
during the open forum to address the audience and the panel about their view on the noose incident.  Many posed the challenge to their fellow students to make an effort to be more proactive in forming supportive communities against prejudice. Some offered alternative, philosophical motives for why the nooses were hanged.  Even leaders and representatives of campus organizations like the Pan-Hellenic Counsel, the African American Faculty and Staff Association and Alliance for the Preservation of African Consciousness (APAC) were present and gave support. Student leaders from campuses all over the state, including Cal State Los Angeles and Cal State San Marcos also extended sincere pledges to aid CSUF and the students in any way possible. One of the highlights was a spirited address to the students given by lecturer Ernie Bridges that had the galvanizing force of a dynamic Sunday church sermon as he pleaded for students to be aware of their
power to unite and make a difference as leaders in their communities on and off campus. “Leadership is a lonesome position,” Bridges said, “But if you don’t want that [position] then you might as well tear up your degree right now… Revolution comes from the young people, if you don’t understand that then y’all need to
take my class”.




Land Developers Threaten the Only Black City In Cal.

Allensworth Township’s success proved that “colored citizens” had the power and wisdom to develop a progressive town in a peaceful setting. The city Allensworth, in northern California, was
created to provide the Black community with a town that was free from discrimination. This small town was founded with emphasis on a community governed, financed, and operated by Black Americans, and it is located only four hours, driving distance, from San Francisco.  Following the reconstruction of the United States in the late 1800s, many blacks migrated to the Los Angeles area where they faced discrimination that they thought had been left behind. Colonel Allensworth, a former slave, fueled many successful black Americans who migrated to California, in the early 1900’s. These successful Black Americans were commended as the first blacks in America to hold official positions. Soon after, Colonel Allensworth retired
from military service he moved to Los Angeles (near 30th and Hoover). Discussions to build a town arose, and as they became more definite the Colonel became president of the newly developed California Colony and Home Promoting Association.  On August 3, 1908, the official filling with Tulare County took place.
Colonel Allensworth was a well known spokesperson who had a great reputation. The hope of Black Americans to have true freedom, along with their faith in the Colonel, encourage black citizens to purchase pieces of property. This hope stemmed from faith because at that point the Allensworth Township was a “sight unseen,” not readily in existence.  In addition to Colonel Allensworth, there were many critical individuals that contributed to shaping and developing the growth of Allensworth Township include:  Professor William Payne, John W. Palmer (miner) , William Peck (minister from First A.M.E.) and Harry Mitchell (real estate professional).  From a glance Allensworth looks like a rural development, but it has a few homes scattered here and there. The township sits on approximately 20,000 acres; the founders had a vision, and wanted to sustain the perspective of the possibility of growth. Allensworth tangibly outgrew its resources and lacked the supplies to continue growth an prosperity including water and other vital resources. At one point Allensworth was home to more than 300 families. After the Colonel’s death Allensworth began to significantly suffer. Many people left Allensworth in the 1920’s. Gradually Allensworth transformed into a migration community throughout the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. Throughout the second half of the century Allensworth became known as “The Town that Refuses to Die.” In the 1970’s California state spent millions of dollars to restore and reproduce 23 buildings, they made these Allensworth a 240-acre state park. This partpreserves what is perhaps the most important piece of Black history west of the Mississippi. Approximately 70,000 visitors travel to Allensworth every year.  Today, Allensworth is being threatened by land developers! These land developers want to build two huge dairy forms that will span 320 acres and will houseabout 9,000 cows.  The parks supporters fear that the tons of manure, warms of flies, dust, and stench produced  by the neighboring operation will detour visitors way from this historical location. The local neighborhood and lawyers from the Center for Race Poverty and the Environment, have raised concerns of groundwater contamination, resulting in an abundance of health hazards for children'with allergies and asthma.
Urge the Tulare County Board of Supervisors Not to approve the plan to build dairy farms near Allensoworth. (Speak with them politely and respectfully as to not offend them so that they will listen and address our concerns.)


African Americans in Science Organization Launches at Cal State Fullerton
By: Nathan Jackson
    For many college students, a science class can be one of the most intimidating places on earth.  With its numerous areas of study and heavy course load, the science field is a difficult academic major to pursue. However, believe it or not, there are some students out there that love it, even thrive on it.  Look no further than one of Cal State Fullerton’s newest clubs to find proof. The 2007 fall semester at CSUF marks the beginning of the African Americans in Science organization here on campus.  The mission of the organization is to provide a forum for discussion and study for African American students pursuing a major
or a minor in any of the scientific fields.  The current academic makeup of the group ranges from psychology majors to physics majors, creating a diverse group students. Dr. Julie Stokes, Chair of the Afro Ethnic studies department, and Rochelle Woods, Assistant Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics are the organization’s faculty advisors. The AAS hosts regular study sessions in the African American resource center (H-222) and also holds weekly meetings with occasional guest speakers. The group recently had Afro-Ethnic studies/sociology professor Dr. Ron Hughes come and speak about CSUF’s South Africa study
abroad program. Currently, the AAS is preparing for a “Snack and Study” event taking place during finals week.  Students are welcome to come to the TSU between 4-8pm to snack on free food and study
with students in the organization. If you have a science test to study for and you need some tutoring or even
just a little encouragement, this is the place to be. The AAS is also planning a tour of graduate schools for its members throughout all of Calif.  The schools on the list include San Francisco State, UC Santa Barbara, UCLA, USC and UC San Diego. Lily Assefa, junior biology major, is responsible for getting the program up
and running this semester.  Assefa said that meeting science majors at different social events was a big part
of her recruiting process. “Luckily, there was a Discover-fest and a black [social] mixer early in the semester which allowed us to recruit students into the organization.” For Assefa, the start of the AAS organization has been a long time coming. She has been planning on creating this organization since her freshman year, keeping in touch with nearly all the fellow science majors she has met on campus. Mikella Melendez, the organization’s historian, was one of the first to join the organization and is active in planning
events and capturing their progress with photos. “Since it’s our first year, it’s really important to have a good foundation and take all the pictures we can”, Melendez said.  “Future members should be able to see the progress the organization has made over the years.” Though the AAS has finally come to fruition with a dedicated team of students, Assefa admits that low number of males in the organization is something that could be improved upon. “Sadly to say, [the lack of male group members] can also be true about black males in the science field in general”, Assefa said. “Science is a very challenging major but it all depends on the
individual’s interest in science to devote their education to learning it.” Despite any obstacles the AAS organization faces, those who pioneered its creation are determined help the organization grow to become a well known haven for. African American science majors for years to come.


Euro American Finds New Life in Afro Ethnic Studies
By: Ape Appel
   I know that as a European American I am a rare site in the Afro-Ethnic and American Indian studies department.  I understand the doubt and mistrust I see in some African-Americans eyes before I speak. Throughout history, the lack of genuine concern, honest study and open contributions from Euro Americans about Afro Ethnic and American Indian issues are all too common. Euro-Americans often show little interest and feel so uncomfortable concerning the truths African Americans force them to see, that it is the European-Americans usual response to scapegoat the issues rather than look the genocide in the face. Even
though Afro-Ethnic studies can free the EuroAmerican from the imprisonment of ignorance, we are hesitant to understandthat which scares us.I must admit, my first AfroEthnic studies class was something terrible. It
was disturbing, painful,challenging and discomforting. It was 16 weeks of facing my own incredible ignorance's about everything.  But even as it pricked atmy heart, even as I argued and questioned,the class began to tear down the false realities and half truths I hadused to protect myself from seeing through the
veil. Slowly, Afro-EthnicStudies began opening more of the world to me as it tore apart theveil of ignorant perceptions that clouded mythinking. The end result though, hasbeen gaining knowledge that allows me to be a more complete human living in a more complete world. It was as if all of a sudden, humanity was not divided but was instead connected by one divine string.But Afro-Ethnic studies do not simply reveal the story of the African American, but also theEuro-American. In studying the unrecognized genocide of the West African people and the American Indian, I end up tracing that genocide through four centuries of pain until the genocide stares back at me from the mirror and calls out to me from under my feet. I have been honored by many great friendships, compliments and honest criticisms throughout my studies in the Afro-Ethnic and American Indian Department. If I have done anything right it is to realize that I am not here to speak for American Indians or African Americans. I am here to be taught, listen, understand and appreciate. If any European American wants to succeed in this study, I would advise nothing more than this.


On November the 24th, the Ghanaian Association, Mfantsaman Kuw of California held its’ forth annual
Thanksgiving banquet dinner dance. Unlike previous years, this event will celebrate Ghana’s fiftieth year
of independence. The dinner dance took place from 7pm to 1am, at the Shilo Hilltop Banquet Hall in
Pomona, Calif. Before the event Galsei said, “we want to fill up some of the time with at least two performances. We have a list of people that we will contact. We would prefer to have someone who will perform at the dinner dance at a reasonable rate,” said association secretary Joseph Gaisei. The event typically has two live performances. The association, Mfantseman Kuw of Califoria, has been in existence for four years. It was founded by Ester, Jojo Mensa-Wood and Isaac Arhin and provides a networking system for its members in the Ghanaian community. It also provides its members with a forum to discuss issues faced by Ghanaians and gives its members the resources to solve issues. In an effort to provide a remedy for Cape Coast’s crumbling infrastructure, the association collaborated with the Global Project Development Foundation and the Consortium of US Corporations on projects that will build the region’s development.
The association anticipated success with this year’s annual Thanksgiving dinner dance. The association
welcomed members of the general public to celebrate Ghana’s independence. For the admission of sixty five dollars, attendees enjoyed a live performance by a cultural group, ate dinner and danced the night away.
The Dinner Dance was held at 3101 Temple Avenue, Pomona, California. On October 10, 2007, Sister Talk, a female discussion group, hosted their Bi-Annual Open Discussion. Cal State Fullerton students facilitated the dialogue. Men were invited to join the ladies of Sister Talk to discuss topics pertaining
to the African American community. The topic of the night was “Look Who’s Talkin”;the students discussed issues in relationships, dating and sex. Trishae Johnson, president and facilitator of Sister Talk was very pleased with the turn out of the event. “I love that we are able to talk about issues affecting African Americans,” said Johnson.“We get everyone’s different perspectives without being afraid to speak our minds.”At times the dialogue got heated as males and females argued about the expectations of relationships.
Issues like the hidden dating rules and differences between dating and talking stirred everyone up. In case you missed it, Sister Talk had its Bi-Annual Men and Women’s Dialogue. Unlike the Open Discussion, it was
be structured with a facilitator and include free food. This semester’s topic was “A Culture in Reverse”. A forum was created to discuss the disturbing issues, like Jena 6 and vote purging which have been affecting the African American community. The Men and Women’s dialogue was held at the Titan Student Union, Ontiveros ABC at 7pm on November 15, 2007. On November the 24th, the Ghanaian Association, Mfantsaman Kuw of California held its’ forth annual Thanksgiving banquet dinner dance. Unlike previous
years, this event will celebrate Ghana’s fiftieth year of independence. The dinner dance took place from 7pm to 1am, at the Shilo Hilltop Banquet Hall in Pomona, Calif. Before the event Galsei said, “we want to fill up
some of the time with at least two performances. We have a list of people that we will contact. We would prefer to have someone who will perform at the dinner dance at a reasonable rate,” said association secretary Joseph Gaisei. The event typically has two live performances. The association, Mfantseman Kuw of Califoria, has been in existence for four years. It was founded by Ester, Jojo Mensa-Wood and Isaac Arhin and provides a networking system for its members in the Ghanaian community. It also provides its members
with a forum to discuss issues faced by Ghanaians and gives its members the resources to solve issues. In an effort to provide a remedy for Cape Coast’s crumbling infrastructure, the association collaborated with the Global Project Development Foundation and the Consortium of US Corporations on projects that will build the region’s development. The association anticipated success with this year’s annual Thanksgiving dinner dance. The association welcomed members of the general public to celebrate Ghana’s independence. For the admission of sixty five dollars, attendees enjoyed a live performance by a cultural group, ate dinner and danced the night away. The Dinner Dance was held at 3101 Temple Avenue, Pomona, California.


Ghana's History of Independence
Ghana, the nation with a precolonial, colonial and postcolonial history, continues to enjoy
freedom which contrasts that of the past. Ghana, a word that means “warrior king,” has a history
that goes back to the third century AD. Formally, the Ashantis and Fanties Kingdomsruled over the land of Ghana. The history the of colonial rule began in 1482 when the Portuguese landed at Elmina. They built Elmina Castle and traded in Ivory and gold. With the passing of the next century, the Dutch gained control over Ghana by building forts in Komenda and Kormandtsi in 1598. By the seventeenth century up
until the nineteenth century the coastal edge of Ghana became dotted with forts built by the Danish, the Swedish, and the English. The English became the last power to dominate Ghana. As the English begin to leave the country, the Ghanaian nation initiates decolonization programs. Ghana’s independence has a special
significance because it became the first Sub-Saharan nation to gain independence from a colonial power. In 1957, Kwame Nkrumah became the founder and the first president of Ghana. He felt inspired by W.E.B. De Bois and Marcus Garvey’s “Back to Africa Movement;” as a result, he started the Pan African movement.
In 2007, the president of the association, Mfantseman Kuw, Jojo Mensa, explains that “Ghanaians have dedicated this whole year to the celebration of independence; however, they gained independence from the British on the 6th of March 1957.” He also said that, “This even combines our annual dinner dance with the Golden Jubilee of Ghana’s independence.”