Equal or Not Equal? That Is the Question… Commentary by Ashley R. Jones

Commentary by Ashley R. Jones

We live in a country that can undisputedly be classified as one of the most powerful nations in the world. We live in a Democratic society where we are able to actively participate in our nation’s governing process by electing local, state, and federal leaders. We live in a country that was founded upon the belief that “all men are created equal.” Or do we? Even though the United States leads the world in practically every aspect of life, we fall behind in the struggle between race, class, age, ability, sexuality, and surprisingly our laws.

Although the United States is governed under the Constitution and its amendments, states have their own constitutions and laws. Now, how is this fair and equal for all? This means that the penalties for the same crime can vary depending on the state where the crime is committed. Consequently, a person can commit a crime in Florida and be sentenced to prison for 10 years, and another person can commit the same crime in California and receive probation or maybe nothing at all. For a better example, Plaxico Burress, former New York Giant, was recently tried for criminal possession of a handgun in the second degree after accidentally shooting himself in the right thigh in a New York nightclub last November. Plaxico eventually accepted a plea deal that would only imprison him for two years instead of the maximum punishment of the crime, fifteen years. In New York, criminal possession of a weapon is a serious offense that is classified in three degrees with the Second and Third Degrees classified as felonies, and the Fourth Degree a misdemeanor. Whereas in Georgia, the law for criminal possession states, “A person commits the offense of unlawful possession of firearms or weapons when he or she knowingly has in his or her possession any sawed-off shotgun, sawed-off rifle, machine gun, dangerous weapon, or silencer, and, upon conviction thereof, he or she shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of five years.” This means that a person may possess any other type of weapon or handgun that is not clearly stated in the law. Thus, meaning that if Plaxico would have committed this “crime” in Georgia, he would not be facing jail time nor would he have been released from the New York Giants. The harshest punishment he would have faced in Georgia would have been the ridicule of his teammates and associates.

Do not mistake the fact that the Constitution and its laws are the Supreme Law of the Land. The Supremacy Clause of the Constitution holds that all federal laws preempt state laws unless the federal law is unconstitutional. Therefore, the only way that the federal law will be applied to a criminal offense in a state is if the case is appealed to the Supreme Court or if the case goes straight to the Supreme Court for other reasons. So what are we to conclude? Are we truly living equally in the United States when states have differing laws? Would we progress to becoming a truly equal nation if the laws for every state were the same? Or would we just create more tension between the struggles of class, race, gender, and so on?

Aristotle once said, “Equality consists in the same treatment of similar persons.” Although we descend from different cultures and nationalities, believe in various religions, and vote with a particular political party, we are all still Americans, and we should live and practice the beliefs that our Founding Fathers established this country on; that all men are created equal.



References

“Georgia Firearms & Weapon Related Laws.” LegallyArmed.com. 2008. 30 Aug. 2009 .

Grace, Melissa, et al. “Former Giants star Plaxico Burress accepts surprise plea bargain, will spend two years in jail.” NYDailyNews.com 20 Aug. 2009. 30 Aug. 2009 .

Murray, Don. “Criminal Possession of a Weapon in New York.” Shalley & Murray. 2008. 30 Aug. 2009 .

Response by Gaybrielle LeAnn Gant
Equality or Interpretation by Gaybrielle LeAnn Gant



It is safe to concur that America is a nation built on the principles of "Freedom and Justice FOR ALL" as well as the notion that "Every man was created equal". Those assumptions feel good because as a thriving and powerful nation who seeks to capitalistically control every function and movement domestically and abroad, how could this country in anyway shape or form not preach the morals and ideals of equality amongst its people. That question may be heavy laden with the representation of America's history to exclude many people from their poetic and boastful claims of inclusions. This nation which was created as a safe haven for those fleeing abuse and corruption of totalitarian dictatorship and the Kings rule, inadvertently created a nation that significantly preached more than it was truly able to give. As the alluring shores of freedom beckoned all creeds and races, the founding Fathers were not "all inclusive" when they founded this nation. Their declaration of "WE THE PEOPLE" did not include all people who inhabited their newly acquired land, nor did it include those who they willingly forced into bondage. Africans, Native Americans, Savages, Creoles, Zambos, Mestizos, Lobos, Chinos and every other race that fell outside of European White descendant privilege was not included in the founding ideals of this nation. So justifiably the idea of the “pursuit of happiness and justice for all” accordingly applies to those in which the laws and creeds intended for them to apply to. As the constitution has been amended to be inclusive, we must not forget its original classification and definition of the freedoms that it details. Just as the constitution stood to exclude many and serve the power of few, the laws of the state replicate the constitutions power and privilege. The states use their laws to either exclude or include. The manipulation of power is unprecedented in the fact that "equal" states have more lenient or stricter laws. The laws of the states have been constructed to serve the needs of those in power and rule. They specifically seek out people to continually oppress and deny. So as different states impose different charges for the same crimes we unveil the notion that "equality” and "we the people" as well as "justice for all" is specifically contingent upon the actual interpretation of "equal" from those who hold power. Regardless if that interpretation is truly equal or fare, equality is defined by those who hold a high enough office to control and dictate the actual definition and inclusion of specific freedoms. In short, those who set the rules define the rules, those who assign the notion that something is equal or not, merely hold the power to allow that equality to be actualized.

Beyonce or No Beyonce?...

Although I can object to such comments made about Beyonce such as, "she is the most talented", or "she is the most beutiful" I must admit that she is VERY well- rounded. It seems that the disgust for Beyonce is not focusing on what her lyrics might say, but for her overall image in the media.Of course some people might idolize Beyonce more than they should, but you can't blame her for that; She is just doing her job.

And so what Beyonce is 27 still singing; And not neccessrily about the same thing she was singing about developing as a singer. I know that for a fact and you would too if you just paid attention to her albums growing up. And yea she is married,.. so what? She is not dancing in the videos to try and catch a man she already has. Again, choreography is just another part of her job, and I feel that she is very talented in that department. Too much attention is being put on her shaking her butt in a choreographed dance and being married, and not enough attention is being put on artist such as SNOOP DOG, who is too married but still chooses to have loose women dancing around him. Might I add that these women are not neccessarily dancing in a routine like manner either... which is usually what's considered acceptable in today's society.

Additionally, I don't belive that liking Beyonce as a singer makes me less of a person. I can and I DO like her, without depriving myself of self- respect. I also strongly feel that it all falls down on the audience who is watching these artists... and whether or not they can "think for themselves". And it's funny that India Arie, Alicia Keys, and Musiq were mentioned; cause I love all of them as singers as well. But that's the amazing thng about being able to take liking to different artist; they all have different characteristics that draw me to them.
BEYONCE DOES NOT MAKE ME; IT'S WHAT YOU MAKE OF BEYONCE!

Beyonce-itis: Global Epidemic by Raisa Tuzo

Is it me, or are the standards in today’s music industry greatly flawed? The other day my roommate and I were watching a TV One: Beyonce Special on television and to say the least I was not impressed with some of the comments being made about this girl.

One Journalist said, "She's the most beautiful, the most talented and she has the best guy." Another Journalist said, "If you don't like Beyonce, you don't like yourself." Really?! He stated it as if it we’re a fact... and it's not. The most talented? Who are we putting her up against exactly? Have any of these reporters ever heard of Michael Jackson? Whitney Houston? Luther Vandross? Patti LaBelle? Stevie Wonder? Karen Clark Sheard? Donny Hathaway? HELL... JAZMINE SULLIVAN?!?!

As far as people who don’t like Beyonce supposedly hating themselves...well, what a horrible thing to say. The same journalist said at the end "Beyonce represents everything that is pure and wonderful in the entertainment industry." REALLY?!?!!! Some of these comments are unbelievable to me because they make it SO obvious how blinded Beyonce has everyone. She is a great talent and has an amazing voice, yes. But I personally do not think she is everything the media makes her out to be. Beauty is relative in my opinion...so to label someone as the most beautiful is point blank, biased. Mind you, despite my disgust for her I can give her her props because the girl can perform like none other. Her shows are amazing, but when you really look at her behind the scenes, it’s a mess.

One, she is 27 singing about the same things she was singing about when she was 16. First negative. Two, you are married still shaking your behind in videos, (even though everybody knows that dance to single ladies lol). Three, her albums have consistently gotten worse with every new release. Critics and fans alike trashed “B’day” until “Irreplaceable” saved it. And this new CD, well I will just let the critics speak for me again...lol. Itunes has that averaging 3.5 stars...and it's steadily beginning it's fall on the charts...hmm. And four the girl is everywhere, it’s too much. Commercials, tv shows, music videos, movies… I mean REALLY??!

All everybody keeps saying is when you’re the best that's what happens. Beyonce to me is like a lyrical drug, not necessarily good but addictive. And the radios, ads and music channels are our suppliers. If we ingest it enough we eventually get addicted to it, and confuse this as liking it, when in reality were addicts. Now, for all Beyonce fans out there, once again I will admit that she can sing her tail off...but when you aren't SINGING ABOUT ANYTHING than I have a problem with you. When all you are making is bubblegum music, I can't live off of it because I am not being nourished anymore, I am simply tricking my stomach into thinking it's being fed when in reality it isn't.

When I listen to Jazmine Sullivan's cd I get fed. When I listen to Alicia Key's cd I get fed. When I listen to Musiq Soulchild, India Aria, JILL SCOTT I GET FED! Beyonce who??? She needs to sing about something real and than, and ONLY than will she get my respect. I love myself so that comment about not liking yourself if you don't like Beyonce is absurd... And for a reporter to say she is the best thing in the music industry I just don’t know anymore. If she represents everything that is PURE and WONDERFUL in the entertainment industry with her history of stealing other people's song, copyright infringement and lack of penmanship concerning actually writing songs, yet claiming she did...than I just don't know what has become of today's music industry. The only album that will move people 20, 30, 40+ years from now is Dangerously in Love and that's SAD for someone who has been in the music industry more than a decade... All I have to say is SAY NO TO DRUGS!!!! Just because something sells well doesn't mean it's good...

Please note, I do not expect everyone to love all of the same things that I like musically. I just want people to ask themselves is Beyonce really the best of this time? Maybe she is...and I just can't see it...or maybe in reality she isn't...

BLACK GREEKDOM

Is it me or has the importance or relevance of Black fraternities and sororities become more important than ever, especially in the AUC? Even more, has their influence and power at elite HBCUs like Morehouse, Spelman, Howard and Hampton changed what it means to a black college student? I think so; and interestingly enough, the one aspect that makes them important is their committment to service of mankind.

I am not Greek, but what I have seen is how much deferrence is given to Black greeks. For instance, SGA positions are filled with black and gold, pink and green, crimson and cream, purple and gold and blue and white. Why? There is something to be said of the correlation between being greek and being a student. Since most, if not all, fraternities and sororities seek to epitomize scholarship, committment to service, and the furthering of their respective founders' visions and missions, they in fact commit themselves to being professional, involved leaders on their campuses. That's why the "sphere of influence" continues to grow even to freshmen. Moreover, as a freshmen RA, I have had talks with freshmen who come to college with the idea of "crossing the burning sands into Greekdom." Why? They have seen an Omega hop or a Kappa shimmey? No, they aspire so early because they see the influence and relevance and wealth of opportunity with being greek.

I know some say being greek at HBCUs is counterproductive and in fact, the complete antithesis of brother and sisterhood due to its exclusive dynamic. Additionally, they opine that recent incidents of hazing on college campuses have tarnished the legacy and importance of greek fraternities and sororities. While I agree that the past "dark periods" in each organization's history go against their original purpose, their importance remains unchanged. In fact, their importance is increased to rebuild that which seemingly has been torn down. I see more Greeks doing community service, excelling in the classroom and going off after college with a network unlike any other moreso than non-greeks. They bequeath the traditional idea of black communal ties of family and cooperative self development.Thus, if the greater community benefits from the work of a brother or soror and one life is changed positively after encountering a greek, then the fraternity and sorority has served and fulfilled its goal.

While it goes without saying that not all greeks do well, for me the work I have seen them do with uplifting each other and the mission and vision of their respective founders' and institutions forces one to say: yes, Black Greekdom is more relevant than ever before.

So, will you be attending Spring '08 Rush?

Racism, Post Obama: Has Class Become the New Racism?

Commentary by Marquise
I was reading my friends about the President elect Barack Obama and the conversation
posed to me this entry. In my opinion, blatant racism is exists minimally amongst us. We as African Americans no do not have to worry about sitting in the back of the bus, or not being able to vote. One huge example of this land slide victory of president elect Barack Obama. Statistics show, although, African-American voters came out to vote in large numbers, many African Americans did not vote. Obama’s victory was because of white American voters who voted in the presidential election. However, even with the aforementioned, I believe racism exists in more passive ways and forms. For instance, an African-American well qualified advertising company gets turned down by a potential client for its white competitor because the client wanted they’re product to be appealing to everyone and not just minorities.

Today, class replaces race in being the top determinant of one’s socioeconomic
condition. Let’s take for example Will and Jada Smith’s children which of whom are
considered high class. They’re children are more likely to be more successful and better financially well off (independently from their parents) in any profession they choose than a white child whose father is janitor. Class is a big deals our society because it either offers or hinders networking opportunities, college options, career options and information in general. So while the African American boy from the projects of the Chicago can’t get a job, neither can the White boy from the trailer parks of the same city.

My President is Black...and I'm Proud!!!

I'm sure all of you are aware that last week on November 4th, Barack Obama was named Preseident-Elect. That whole night a group of friends and I watched as the state counts went up for both Obama and McCain. We were all so nervous because we voted for Obama and we wanted him to win. At 11:55pm, we all jumped up (in the restaurant we were in) and shouted for joy because we werso excited about Obama's victory. We couldn't believe that he had won finally!! The next day I recieved a chain email from one of the members at my church back home in California. It stated that Obama was a member of the anti-christ and that we as black people should be ashmed of ourselves if we voted for him. I was in shock to read this email, I couldn't believe that someone would actually say that about Obama. Wow. As I continued to read the email, the writer stated that because Obama supported gay rights, abortion, and supposedly silencing the truth, that he was against everything this country stands for. By having this statement, then it would be safe to say that the majority of political leaders are the anti-christ, because of their support. The writer obviously ignored all of the positive aspects Obama stands for and how he wants CHANGE within our country, specifically helping out the middle classes. I think this writer over analyzed Obama's postion to society. And although I am against those three things Obama supports, we cannot ignore all the positive things that Obama supports. I think Obama wants to be able to appeal and relate to everyone. He wants everyone in America to be happy. I can definetly say for certain that I am very happy that he is president, and I don't believe he is the anti-christ. P.S. MY PRESIDENT IS BLACK, AND I AM PROUD
-Whitnee Goins

Is No Child Really Not Left Behind? By Farrah Shelly

The No Child Left Behind Act is hurting more than helping. Sadly, NCLB doesn't care about strong relationships in the classroom; NCLB cannot measure smiles, teamwork, or the overcoming of adversity. It doesn't allow for creative and authentic assessments and engaging activities in the classroom. The only thing that seems to matter, from the state superintendent down to the district office and the school administration, are Standardized Testing and Reporting data. As a result of the federal government's industrial approach to education, certain schools must improve test scores in every major core class-math, history, science, English-and at increasingly high rates. Additionally, every student subgroup-including white, Hispanic/Latino, African-American, Asian, socially/economically disadvantaged, English language learners, special education students-must meet these yearly growth targets regardless of any obstacles. The tests must be taken by 95 percent or more of the students in each subgroup. If just one subgroup fails to meet the performance or test attendance standards of NCLB, the school is put into "program improvement." Moreover, these growth targets must be met or exceeded for consecutive years. .
NCLB is not only impacting certain minority populations; unattainable goals of NCLB are cutting across distinctions in class and race as more and more schools are being labeled as "failing schools." Additionally, in just five years all students in all schools in every state in the nation must pass their standardized tests at a "proficient level." That's right; 100 percent of all students must be proficient by 2014. No Child Left Behind has not been adjusted in any way to fit the reality of education. .
At the local level, we can do something even more important. Educators, administrators and parents can breathe life back into education. We can and must re-emphasize the joy of learning, the rewards of teamwork, the unique qualities of performance, animation, humor, role-playing, individual and group-based projects, and the overall life skills, relationships and memories that students and teachers are exposed to every day in a truly high-quality classroom within a school that cares. After all, students are still kids. They must have fun and they must want to learn in order to compete, collaborate and achieve beyond secondary and post-secondary education. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE!