BL ck Voices
Rikiesha
Pierce
Topping Scholar Talks: Being a
Student, Scholar and Big Rik
Locc
Black History
Month:
A 50 year Look Back.
Where we are now & what
the future holds?
Ask LV
Studnet
Features:
Jabree Webber,
Erice Burse, &
The Courtney
Bros
Opinion:
Am I Black
Enough or
Too Black?
United We
Stand, but
Divided
February
We Fall
BV
Inside This Issue...
Feature Story
Rikiesha Pierce: Topping Scholar Talks
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
50-Years, Black Hisotry Month: A Quick Look
Back & Moving Forward | 8
ADVICE
ASK LV | 6
SEASONAL
Valentine!s Day:
Black Relationships in 2012 | 15
12
OPINION/SOCIAL ISSUES
The Black Row | 5
Am I Black Enough or Too Black? | 10
What it!s Like to Have a Black Voice
and Not Be Black | 11
FEATURES
Eric Burse | 17
Jabree Webber | 18
The Courtney Brothers | 19
EVENTS
Black on Black Unity on Campus | 14
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Editor in Chief | &RXUWQH\0DQQLQJ
Managing Editor |(VVHQFHMR\(YDQJHOLVWD
Copy Editor | -DFTXHOLQH-DFNVRQ
Staff
Co-Art Directors |-HVV(YRUD5D\PRQG&RXUWQH\
Photographer | .RVLVR8JZXH]H
Director of Finance / Staff Writer | $UOHQH:DVKLQJWRQ
Relationship Columnist | /DYDVMDK:LOOLDPV
Opinion
THE BLACK ROW
Y
Troy University-troy.edu
ou can’t even imagine it, can you? But I bet you
can imagine that it wouldn’t look anything like
this if it existed. “We just want to party.” But it
seems like there’s always something keeping our
community from so-called “wildin’ out.” Is it
fear, concern, stereotypes, prejudice, or all of the
above? I think all.
It’s not fair that the university only
acknowledges majority fraternities and sororities,
giving them an entire street, complete with
mansion-type homes, food and cleaning services,
and alcohol budgets. At least that’s what I can see
from the outside.
Why is it that 28th street also known as “The Row”
seems to be adequately funded by the university,
yet most minority fraternities and sororities don’t
even have houses? Something about that just
doesn’t sit right with me. Maybe it’s because the
it’ll be “loud” and “ghetto” and “locals” might
attend—no, we can’t have that! God forbid. We’d
probably make major headlines.
Minority Greeks deserve to have the same
services, and “not being able to afford it” is not an
excuse, because the university’s budget is more
than able to make it happen. I don’t even think the
world is even ready for a Black Row at SC. What
do you think?
Black Voices | 5
Advice
ASK LV
LV,
I had my life all planned out before I came to college—I
was going to play basketball, get drafted by my junior
year, and go to the NBA after graduation, hopefully. But
it didn’t quite work out how I planned and now I’m not
even on the team anymore. I didn’t have a backup plan
so I wasn’t too focused on my schoolwork. I still want to
graduate but I’m not sure what I can do after. What should
I do? -Anonymous Male
Sorry things didn’t go as planned. But what are your
strengths? What are you interested in? What is your
major? What classes do you enjoy the most? Draw from
the answers to these questions. You should stop by your
DGYLVRU·VRIÀFHDQGOHWKLPKHUNQRZWKHVLWXDWLRQ:KDW
opportunities can she offer you? It’s time to get focused.
2012 is the year of ambition! Get motivated(: *LV
LV,
It seems like everyone around me is all boo’ed up. If
they’re not, they’re talking to a bunch of guys or hooking
up with people, and I’m not really at all. I want a boyfriend
but I’m not super forward so I don’t even know how to go
about things. I like my life but sometimes I want someone
to share it with too. What should I do?,
-Anonymous Female
Girlllll, trust, you are not the only female who feels this
way! I do not know the exact technique to get a man (lol),
EXW,GRNQRZWKDWLI\RXDUHWU\LQJWRÀQGVRPHRQHWREH
with, the best thing to do is just be yourself. If you have
a particular guy in mind, I would go with sending some
subtle signals. You could send him more texts to show your
interest, hang out more often, when walking on campus,
walk closer to him, even poke him on FB (lol)! I don’t
NQRZHYHU\RQHKDVKLVKHURZQOLWWOHVW\OH,I\RXZDQWWR
be direct, you could really just let him know straight up,
OLNH´,·PIHHOLQJ\RXµ:KDWHYHUÁRDWV\RXUERDW
*LV(:
Black Voices | 6
LV,
I used to be outgoing and hook up with a lot of guys but I
recently realized that that just wasn’t for me. I was living a
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VWXII:HOO,FDPHRXWQRWWKDWORQJDJR,·PJODGWRÀQDOO\
be honest about who I am and I have a wonderful partner,
but, I just wonder what’s it going to be like at school now
with everyone staring at me. What should I do?,
-Anonymous Female
One thing you should never do is worry about how other
people feel about you. If you are happy with your partner,
that is all that matters. Of course, people might be shocked
and you might get a few stares, but at the end of the day,
they will be seeing you with a smile on your face. To the
people who matter, you will remain the caring friend who
they loved. At least, you are now honest with yourself.
Whoever doesn’t respect your decision, can get the middle
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*LV(:
LV,
I’ve been with my girl for about two years now. It hasn’t
been great all throughout, but I love her and I know
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understand each other better and talk it out rather than
just let something pop off. I think I’m ready to pop the
question, I want to take our relationship to the next level,
but I don’t know if she’s ready. Do you think it’s too soon?
- Anonymous Male
Wow, I’m happy for you! If you feel that you have found the
person you want to spend the rest of your life with, go for it!
Just remember, marriage is a huge commitment and it takes
a lot of hard work and dedication. As you can see in the
media, marriages end in divorce left and right. According
to the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, 50% of
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to discourage you from popping the question, I just advise
you to fully evaluate the situation because that’s a major
move. At the end of the day, follow your heart, and you
will be making the right decision. *LV
Advice
LV,
I made a huge mistake. I was hooking up with this girl
last year for awhile but she got all clingy and wanted to be
together. At the time, I wasn’t feeling it or her anymore and
I just wanted to do my own thing and stay single—I didn’t
only want to be with her. But now, she has this boyfriend
and they look all happy but I realize I have feelings for her.
Should I tell her? Do you think there’s any chance she’s
still feeling me? - Anonymous Male
If your feelings for the girl are beating you up at night,
you must let her know. However, it is not appropriate to
play with someone’s feelings. If you are 100% serious
DERXWSXUVLQJKHUWKHQ\RXVKRXOGÀOOKHULQRQKRZ\RX
feel. Understand that she could be completely over you
and content with her new guy, indifferent still have wild
feelings for you and fall adoringly back in your arms.
Either way, the “back and forth” game is not a good look,
so basically make up your mind and follow your heart.
Love always prevails. *LV
LV,
I’ve been in a relationship for a couple of years now with
who I thought was the guy of my dreams. At the beginning,
it was great and it slowly started to go downhill. Now
we pretty much argue every single day and I feel like he
doesn’t put any effort into our relationship whatsoever;
it’s like I’m trying all by myself. I don’t even know him
anymore, he keeps everything from me because he says
it’s none of my business what he does, and it’s driving
me crazy. I still love him and want to be with him though.
What should I do? Is there hope?,
-Anonymous Female
To the left, to the left! In relationships, you have to value
your happiness. If your boyfriend is not making you
happy anymore, it is simply time to move on. It seems as
if you and your boyfriend are growing further and further
apart, which is not a good look. I know that after being
VRPHRQHIRUVRRRORQJLWFDQEHGLIÀFXOWWRHYHQLPDJLQH
life without him/her; however, you should not feel that
you are in a relationship by yourself. It takes two to make
it work, and since he clearly isn’t for it, to the left, to the
left! Find a man who knows how to treat his woman.
*LV(:
LV,
I’ve been at my current internship for almost a year but it
was only supposed to be for the summer. I’m on a contract
though so I can’t leave but it’s not in line with my career
goals and it’s really quite boring. Since I only work from
home now that I’m back in school, I don’t even get that
many hours. I really want to get another job or internship
that makes more use of my time but it seems like my
internship won’t let me go. What should I do?
-Anonymous Female
Now, this is complicated. Your answer depends on how
close you are to graduation. If you are a Junior/Senior,
\RXVKRXOGGHÀQLWHO\EHORRNLQJIRULQWHUQVKLSVPRUHLQ
tune with your career goals. You said that you don’t have
many hours, so maybe you could add another internship
that coincides with your life goals (although this will
give you a larger work load in general, make sure you
FDQKDQGOHLWUHPHPEHUVFKRROFRPHVÀUVW,I\RXDUH
D)UHVKPDQ6RSKRPRUHPD\EH\RXFRXOGÀQLVKWKH\HDU
with your current internship. Even though it’s tedious and
LVQ·W JLYLQJ \RX H[SHULHQFH LQ WKH ÀHOG \RX ZLVK WR JR
in, you are still building relationships, gaining experience
LQWKHZRUNZRUOGDQGOHDUQLQJ,I\RXÀQLVKVWURQJZLWK
your current internship, maybe your supervisor can even
write you a glowing recommendation for your next one,
PRUHVSHFLÀFWR\RXUFDUHHUJRDOV
*LV(:
LV,
I recently invited my new girl to a family function and
I was going to surprise my family, but it turns out they
surprised me. When we got there, my ex happened to come
along with my parents, who say she invited herself. I was
PRUWLÀHGDQGDOO,FRXOGGRZDVNHHSDSRORJL]LQJ,UHDOO\
care about this girl and I don’t want her to think that I
knew my ex was going to be there or that I even wanted
her there, because I didn’t. I’m sure she felt awkward I feel
so bad. I really want to tell my parents off but they didn’t
know. What should I do? I was going to ask her to be my
girlfriend that day too. Do you think it’ll still work out?
- Anonymous Male
My question to you: Why didn’t you ask her?! The past
is the past; asking her out would have been a great way
to show her your commitment to the relationship. The
bump-in was a complete misunderstanding, and even so,
essentially your ex is in the past and you want her to be
your future. Let her know how you feel, and there is no
reason why it wouldn’t work out. <3 *LV
Black Voices | 7
s
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50 Y
Black History Month
Black
History
Month
Jacqueline Jackson
$4XLFN/RRN%DFN
and Moving Forward
In 1926, Dr. G Woodson created “Negro
History Week” and in 1976, it became Black
History Month. His vision for the week was
to celebrate the changes in society that have
been made through the dedication and sacULÀFH RI $IULFDQ$PHULFDQ VFKRODUV DFWLYists, pioneers and revolutionaries. Today,
Black History Month is celebrated in public schools, on grand stages, by massive
corporations and throughout the country. It
is highlighted as a moment to commemoUDWH VLJQLÀFDQW DGYDQFHV LQ RXU ÀJKW IRU
equality and the hope for continuous opportunities to acquire the space to develop
into the greatness that we are as a people.
Black Voices | 8
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Black History Month
W
hen I think of Black history, I envision the Civil Rights
Movement. With restaurant sit-ins, boycotts of businesses and
moving speeches from leaders not afraid to speak up or hold
back. It is this very movement that lead to the deconstruction
of the educational barrier that limited blacks from entering
white institutions. It also, set the stage for African-American
poets and writers like Maya Angelou to be showcased.
people actively using ourselves as resources for the places in
which we came from and call home?
Our history is deep. It stretches to painful yet persevering
corners and today in 2012 Black History Month must not
only celebrate the past but also develop children in the
present to be our future leaders. All to often we focus on
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wasn’t only about the Dr. King movement. It was also president’s re-election it is imperative that we educate our
about The Black Power Movement and inspirationalists like youth about the strong line of perseverance and progress that
Malcom X, who created a fury in the streets, in print, and they come from. It is only then that will begin to formulate
throughout the world to help lead us into a revolution where an idea of where we need to go.
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for justice and equal rights. These rights were centered on For many youth throughout Los Angeles and other
our want to enter into white spaces. Spaces in which allowed neighborhoods not to far from our campus the names of our
us to learn, grow and develop as citizens of our country. legacy aren’t known. It is important to take the textbook
Looking at today, we have received the ability to vote, attend version of our history and make it real for children who may
public/private universities and frequent social places without RWKHUZLVHQRWFRPHLQFRQWDFWZLWKÀJXUHVZLWKLQRXUKLVWRU\
a white-only restriction.
who have paved the way for our country to move forward
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somehow seemed to remain steady. Within our communities
of Los Angeles, we have the highest dropout rates and
increasingly highest numbers of males and females in the
prison system. Although there is discussion about the prison
industrial complex, black masculinity and the black woman
stereotype, something’s missing. At what point are we as a
Where are we putting our resources and how are we making
sure that our young people today know not only who Dr.
Martin Luther King was, but how he came to be, who he
was, and how that same passion and drive can lead them to
living their dreams.
Black Voices | 9
Opinion
C
Am I Black ■ ◆ ■ ◆
Enough or Too
Black?
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H
What it’s Like to
Have a Black Voice
and not be Black
Feature
By Essencejoy Evangelista
ave you ever come across a person who “acted” like someone
they are not? As in a person who supposedly “acts,” or pretends
to be, black or whatever race projected. Maybe you sensed it
in the person’s personality, in the way he or she spoke, or in the choice of
friends. Coincidentally, I feel as though there are times when people I meet
place me in the same category as one who is pretending.
:KDWVRPHRQHZRQ·WJHWIURPWKHÀUVWLPSUHVVLRQXSRQPHHWLQJPHLV
that who I am is not an act. However, what some people are surprised to
learn about me is that I have been immersed in black culture from
childhood. The dad who raised me, my step-father, is black. My
closest childhood friends, with whom I spent every waking
minute with, were black. My high school best friend, who I
am so close to that she is like a sister to me, is African, and
my high school boyfriend is also black.
And because I share a level of comfort and
understanding with black people, I decided to join
Black Voices so that I could make new friends,
expand my knowledge of the black culture and
LPSURYHP\ZULWLQJ6RPHZRXOGÀQGLWHLWKHUYHU\
brave or very peculiar that I join an publication
WKDWH[SOLFLWO\VSHFLÀHVDUDFHKRZHYHU,GRQRW
think of my decision as being either of those
things. There is nothing wrong with reaching
out to another community, even if the race is
different from one’s own.
Reaching out, expressing a desire
to write and thus becoming a part of the
editorial board of Black Voices has provided
me with new insight into relations among
people. The most rewarding experience that
I have gained from writing for Black Voices
LVGHVSLWHZKDWHYHUGHWDLOVWKDWGHÀQHHDFK
member, we are able to put those differences
aside because we all have a common interest in
writing about and for the black community.
After spending six months with this
publication, I encourage all to come and learn
more about Black Voices, and the criteria is not
the color of your skin. It may be intimidating to
walk into a room full of people you may not know,
and it is probably even more intimidating if you are
not black, but being a part of an organization that
enables a person to have the chance to interact
with another who is completely different is crucial
LQ WRGD\·V GLYHUVLÀHG VRFLHW\ DQG LW LV WKLV LV WKH
W\SH RI LQWHUDFWLRQ WKDW \RX FDQ ÀQG LQ %/$&.
VOICES!
Black Voices | 11
Cover
■◆■◆
As a powerful educated Black woman
, Pierce
recognizes the power in staying humble and close to the memory of home. Her status
as a scholar hasn’t removed the wounds from her childhood or allowed her to become
passive about the need for more representations of black femininity and for many
young black women, Pierce gets it.
~Jacqueline Jackson
_________________
------------------------
Rikiesha Pierce
Topping Scholar Talks: Being a Student,
Scholar and Big Rik Locc
•
Whether you’ve come
across Rikiesha Pierce
at a Black Student Assembly meeting, in the
Norman Topping ScholDUVKLS2IÀFHRUULSSLQJ
the stage as Big Rik Locc at a local venue,
one things for sure, you are captivated by
her will to persevere and are excited for
what’s next. Pierce, however, isn’t just
about being an artist. Unlike most on the
road to stardom, she’s handling school
obligations simultaneously. As a Topping
Scholar, McNair Scholar and fellow of
Mellon Mayes, Pierce’s ongoing research
regarding comedy in the Black community
helps her understand the various ways in
which laughter is used to heal and hurt.
Yet, college isn’t a place she fell into, it is
a place she fought to be at. “I had gotten into Hampton University and I was
excited! Two weeks before I was supposed
to check into my classes, my mom told me
that she didn’t have the money to send me
WRFROOHJH,ZDVPRUWLÀHG,WZDVOLNHP\
world had ended right there,” says Pierce.
She had no idea how she was going to
continue on her path to college. But after
evaluating her situation, Pierce didn’t give
up, she found a way.
She decided to attend Mt. San Antonio
College in Pomona, CA and it was there
that she participated
Black Voices | 12
in EOPS, Bridge, Aspire and the Forensic
Speech and Debate Team. These organizations provided a key outlet for Pierce to
KDYHQRWRQO\ÀQDQFLDOVXSSRUWEXWFORVH
positive relationships that helped cultivate
her understanding of the power of education and networking.
“These people became my FAMILY--fed
me when I was hungry (literally), sheltered
me when I was homeless (again, literally).
That kind of love truly changed my life
and made me feel like I could do anything
I wanted in the world”
It was fostering true relationships that
came from places of love and respect that
got her threw college. Her network in
these programs helped her on the path to
applying to USC. She graduated San Antonio College with a 3.9 GPA and transferred
to USC in Fall 2010.
Since her arrival at USC, Pierce has taken
to the stage in Washington for her research
and across campus to perform as Big Rik
Locc, a performance that leaves many
speechless and yearning for more. However, even though the crowd loves it, many
miss the messages in her raps.
“I’ve never and still don’t think of myself
as a part of a music industry: I am a
contributor to the discussion of my society
and refuse to be left out of the conversation. The bottom line is this: the rap game
needs an unapologetic black woman.” She
said.
As a powerful educated Black woman,
Pierce recognizes the power in staying
humble and close to the memory of home.
Her status as a scholar hasn’t removed the
wounds from her childhood or allowed her
to become passive about the need for more
representations of black femininity and for
many young black women, Pierce gets it.
6KHLGHQWLÀHVZLWKWKHVWUXJJOHRIFRPing from love all while being surrounding
by pain. Most importantly though, Pierce
understands the importance of developing yourself and the power we possess as
women to shift the perception of who we
are and what we do.
It is her ability to understand this and
inform others, whether through music or
research, that will help lead us into a better tomorrow. Pierce says,”I fought every
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what it takes to be a gangsta. That’s what it
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college. That’s what it takes to be an activist for change. And that’s what is takes to
be a star.”
You can bet her budding rapping career
as Big Rik Locc and continued success
at USC with a 3.7 GPA and participation
in McNair and Mellon Mayes are just the
beginning.
Join the LoccSquad
line is this: the rap game needs an
“ The bottom
unapologetic black
woman.”
Opinion
United
we Stand
,but
we
fall.
Is
■◆■◆
divided
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Black Voices | 14
Seasonal
“Why is it that the most unoriginal
thing we can say to one another is still
the thing we long to hear?”
–Jeanne Winterson
“I love you.” Eight letters… only three syllables, but still
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“Love is the condition in which
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is essential to your own.”
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about taking that chance.
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versa.
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Black Voices | 15
CALLING ALL MODELS!
CALL ALL DESIGNERS!
Designer Call: March 9
Model Call: March 16
Eric Burse:
W
Feature
Leading Man
e’re pretty sure he’s friends with Obama.
You’ve probably seen him all around campus,
in USG, BSA, and in numerous community orgs
when you Google him. Not to mention he plays
a huge role in the Kentucky Derby each year.
Burse is a junior, double-major in Broadcast and
Digital Journalism and Political Science. He is a
multimedia journalist for USC’s Annenberg TV
News and of course, the director of the Black
Student Assembly here at ‘SC. But this is just
what he does at school. Burse also currently
interns at NBC News’ Burbank Bureau, is the
chair for the Southern California Black Student
Assembly Association, and is in author-in-themaking, with talks of a book about about youth
leadership with MSNBC’s Jeff Johnson.
The man literally does it all. Aside from all of
his editorial duties, Burse also is the president
and founder of BME Marketing, LLC, a
business focused on advertising to tweens
using new media and technology venues, and
founder of the Verizon Wireless Illumination
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annual Kentucky Derby. He’s worked at NBC
Universal, CSNBC, the Kentucky Center for
African-American Heritage, and has represented
university housing, USG, National Association
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campus orgs such as the Annenberg Black
Student Association. But that’s still not all.
Burse has had a perfect attendance record for
twelve consecutive years and has received
numerous awards, including the 2009 Kentucky
Chestnut Street YMCA Youth Achiever of the
Year and CNN’s Exceptional Student Award by
the NABJ. All in all, he’s kind of a big deal. And
all the while, the most humble accomplished
person I’ve known. Never once has Burse
boasted or belittled anyone, held his head high
or treated anyone differently than the next.
This is what makes him such an outstanding
scholar and person, and because of this, he
will succeed far beyond he can even imagine.
Black Voices | 17
Feature
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Black Voices | 18
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www.MACclothes.com
Founded
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0-1"#*117 Black Voices | 19