Gold-Winninig Track Star: Man or Woman?

Gold-Winning Track Star: Man or Woman?

Caster Semenya was awarded a gold medal on Wednesday in the 800 meters in Berlin, Germany. The 18-year-old South African woman has been the center of dispute of whether she is a man or woman. The question of whether she should be able to keep her medal or not have been solely based on her stature and her domination of the sport. According to NY Times writers Christopher Clarey and Gina Kolata, Semenya will undergo testing in identifying her gender. The test is under investigation under the I.A.A.F, (International Association of Athletics Federations) and will take weeks to complete.

This unfortunate yet embarrassing act of randomness will have an impact on women who are dominating in their specific area of sports. It will affect our young women in our communities who enjoy playing sports. They now have to worry about being an overachiever in what they love to do because of the critical view point of others. Caster Semenya was criticized because of her stature. Her built came from her long years and dedication of the sport, but it was used against her in determining her gender. The media focus so much time of the negativity of African Americans with trying to tear our demeanor down with negativity comments. The focus can be on a successful African American woman on accusations of gender, but what about the many Caucasian women her are body builders. Some of these women who have even lost their feminine look from their face to their figure. These women seem to only be praised and uplifted for their abnormal and strong stamina.

So what is this buzz really about? Is it really is she a man or woman? Or is it a deeper issue of current racism today? African Americans will always be criticized for what we do, what we wear, or how we look, but we are the many famous lawyers, doctors, athletes, and beauticians.

rates are up!

Skyrocketing prices to reside in Morgan View are troubling issues affecting some residents. Morgan View considered at some point to be an affordable apartment syle living is now giving some residents no choice but to find cheaper apartments or even commute from home. According to Morgan View staff and Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Market, Gina Cowart, from the American Campus Communities, said the rent went up "only" 3%. Ms. Gina Cowart said via email, "The payment plan changed so that payments are now spread over 10 months versus 12 months unless students sign up for EZ Pay." For some who are not familiar with EZ Pay, it is one of the payment methods that can be used through your financial aid in paying for your cost to reside in Morgan View. This year total value for a four bedroom 12 month lease is $7044, which is $587 per person per month. For the 2009-2010 license term, the total contract value for ten month lease is $7260, this is $726 per person per month. Who knows how much the rent will go up the following year when decided in December 2010, according to Gina Cowart. Rent is determined by a committee made up of MSU representatives and ACC representatives.
Rent is going up while the question still remaining is y? Money will go towards increased utility costs, repair and upkeep of project such as gates and entrance doors and for upgrades of amenities. They will also upgrade the workout equipment and hopefully upgrading the computer lab this year, said Gina Cowart.
I spoke to roommates Lois Lawton and Jenai Davis who has reside in Morgan View for two years. They will not be returning in the fall, due to the high price. They feel as though their are cheaper apartments that they will consider moving in. Lois said, "The rooms are small and it is too expensive to live here." A friend of mine also mentioned that she had to take her finals earlier than other students, because she will be packing up to go back to New York, because the rent is too high. She also is considering finding an off campus apartment that is cheaper.
Gina Cowart answered a very important question that alot of MSU students been wanting to know. Is Morgan View really considered off campus or on campus? Well according to Montebello, they consider Morgan View to be off-campus, even saying that Morgan State does not affiliate on what goes on in Morgan View. You'll get this response when you call Morgan State with an issue you have in regards to Morgan View. Well Gina Cowart said, "It is generally considered on campus. We work very collaboratively with MSU to provide a positive student learning and living experience and MSU is actively involved in making decisions such as rental rates, policies, parking rates, etc." So is Morgan View according to Morgan State really "off campus?" because the elevators clearly read Morgan State University Student Housing.
Well the rates are up and some Morgan View residents are moving out. What will your next move be?

"Real Talk"

Good Morning everyone, this is “Real Talk” with Kiara Shamberger. Today is April 16, 2009, and on today’s show I will once again run down the top news. In news today, the head of Northwestern High School in Baltimore City special-ed department was arrested Wednesday on drug charges. While in National News, Obama vows to help Mexico with their drug issues. Obama will send hundreds of federal agents, high-tech surveillance gear and drug-sniffing dogs, to the Southwest to help Mexico fight drug cartels. However, while there are fighting drug cartels, Mexican gangs are forcing people to join. A mass narco-criminal cartels have engaged in murders, kidnappings, and assassinations, terrifying the Mexican population. Most of the murders and kidnappings are believed to be linked to the drug trade. So is everyone getting reality shows now,? What’s the deal with that. Child Star from the Cosby Show Keyshia Knight Pulliam is getting her own reality show which will air on Oxygen. Aside from entertainment did you know that Kevin Garnett ma miss the playoffs? Boston Celtics All Star is considering this due to a knee injury. Well that’s it for now, well be back after the commercial break.

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Newseum for media lovers

I had a wonderful time and it was a great learning experience at the Newseum. It was by far the best museum I have been to and actually enjoyed it. I began my trip at the Newseum by stopping through the Documentary Theater. The Documentary showed Martin Luther King and the March over the Bridge. The idea of the documentary was obviously not to just run back history but give an insight on the connectivity it has on media, particularly the first amendment. The first amendment states the freedom of speech, assemble, petition, religion, and press.
I viewed several exhibits in the Newseum. The Today’s Front Page was one interesting exhibit. There were numerous and numerous of electronically newspapers lined across the wall. It was papers from all over. The Charlotte Observer, The Plain Dealer (Ohio), The Oklahoman, and The Birmingham News, just to name a few. The worker of the exhibit explained that they change the front page of these papers daily. From 4 a.m. to 7a.m is when they arrive and then are printed to be hanged. One quote that lined the wall of the exhibit stated that “If a person goes to a country and finds their newspapers filled with nothing but good news, there are good men in jail (David P. Moynthan, U.S Senator).
My favorite exhibit was The News History. They had newspapers from the past until 2008. This exhibit provided information on accuracy and speed of news and what you can or can not say. One of the short paragraphs on the wall stated that “trying to be the first can be risky. Media mistakes often occur because journalists fail to remember the adage that while it’s good to be first, its better to be accurate.” It was explaining that speed is an important factor, but most important is to be accurate. I visited a couple other exhibits and I really learned a lot.
It was an exciting trip, for media is my passion. I left the Newseum still remembering my favorite quote throughout the Newseum by Rudyard Kipling. He stated, I quote, that “I keep six honest serving men (They taught me all I knew). Their names are What and Why and When and How and Where and Who).

"Real Talk" with Kiara Shamberger

Good morning and welcome to “Real Talk” with me, Kiara Shamberger. On today’s show, we are going to veer away from the usual interviews and focus more on what’s happening in the news today. In national news Somali Pirates capture the American Sea Captain, Richard Philips, for cash. West Baltimore hospital, Bon Secour asks the state for $5 million to keep the struggling hospital open.Today in international news Iran leaders will discuss their nuclear agenda today, the President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad open’s the countries first nuclear fuel production plant. In sport news, Morgan Alum star basketball player, Marvin Webster was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Well surprise surprise or is it really? Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade is having a baby. Stay tuned to Real Talk our broadcast will begin after these brief messages.

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inside the mind of Erin Hawkins

Today on"Real Talk," with me Kiara Shamberger, I interviewed basketball player for the Morgan State women's team, Erin Hawkins. Erin Hawkins, number 3 on the team played ball prior to coming to Morgan at the University of Richmond. She is currently from Washington, D.C. Interviewing Erin Hawkins was a great experience as I got the opportunity to speak with her out of her busy schedule.She briefly explained her experiences on the team as the attended the MEACS this year. Unfortunatley their lost was upsetting to a few, but Erin took it as a great opportunity to have come this far. She explained that she felt her lose was due to the laid back of teammates during the second quarter. She expressed that they all including herself did not play as hard during the second quarter. After getting her insight on the Meacs and other questions in regards to this season, I asked her ten most random questions. They are listed as:
1.nike or jordan
2.allen iverson or kobe
3.lakers or 76ers
4.sneakers or stilletos
5.spring or summer
6.basketball or football
7.soccer or volleynall
8.handbags or shoes
9.chinese or japanese food
10.manicure or pedicure
Erin had no problem in answering the questions in fact she was very comfortable and confident in answering them. Nevertheless, she stumbled on one question which was handbags or shoes. But you'll have to listen and find out the answer.

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interview with Christan Breedy

I interviewed Morgan State Junior, Christan Breedy. I asked her a series of questions pertaining to fashion and food. Her hesitation on some questions gives me a sense of idea of things that she likes. She is from New York so the sneaker question was difficult when asked Nike or Jordan. I also learned that she never tried Japanese food. The cheerful Christan laughed at majority of the questions expressing how she felt. When asked boots or sandals, she said, “Sandals but what am I suppose to do in the winter.” The interview was successful in getting to know Christan.

1. Japanese or Chinese Food
2. Bags or shoes
3. Nike or Jordan
4. Boots or Sandals
5. Tattoos or Piercings
6. Hawaii or Jamaica
7. Forever21 or H&M
8. Butterflies or Stars
9. For the Love of Ray J or I Love Money 2
10.Summer or Winter



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Becoming a Mentor to drug abuse families

Grandparents raising grandchildren are on the rise, and some of the reasoning is because of a drug addict family member. There are many different ways through organizations that we all as colleagues can get involved with. There is the Big Brother big sisters organization which is the largest and oldest youth mentoring organization in the United States. According to the National Research, Little Brother and sisters are:

More confident in their schoolwork performance

Able to get along better with their families

46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs

27% less likely to begin using alcohol

52% less likely to skip school

One interesting fact is that “Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteers had the greatest impact in the area of alcohol and substance abuse prevention. For every 100 youth between ages 10 and 16 who start using drugs, the study found, only 54 similar youth who are matched with a Big will start using drugs. Minority boys and girls were the most strongly influenced; they were 70 percent less likely than their peers to initiate drug use.”

Organizations here at Morgan through community service are: KUUMBA, which is a tutoring and mentoring program for adolescents ages 11 to 15. Brother to brother is a volunteer program dedicated to working with male high school students in Baltimore City.

These organizations are just to name a few. You can find out more about these organizations by visiting the Morgan website. Please GET INVOLVED.

sister soulja

Best selling author of the book the Coldest Winter Ever, Sister Soulja, was at Morgan State University bookstore on March 5. Arriving late to the book signing a cheerful Sister Soulja was invited to speak to Morgan students about her recent book, Midnight. This is the sequel to the book Coldest Winter Ever, which she mentioned durinig her speech. As she read Chapter one of Midnight, Sister Soulja left me and probably others with questions about the book and the connectivity it has to real life situations, though the book is fiction. She opened the floor to questions and gave us very detailed and insightful answers. One young lady asked why did Sister Soulja chose the picture of the character Midnight on the front cover. Her response was, "It is important to show African American images when it's not a disease....so poor don't even have no grass...images being bombarded on us." She also expressed that she designed everything in the book, such as the pictures, because that is what she wanted to see, previously telling the audience that she rejected many publishers. She mentioned that the greatest writer is one who has the greatest experiences and the greatest travelling experience, and that both of those things puts you in a better position to draw resources from. She spoke words of wisdom to the audience, especially to the women, saying that we are prime suspects for being exploited and manipulated. She left that saying, "We need to know who we are and what we believe in."

Joaquin phoenix on Letterman

Two time academy award winning Joaquin Phoenix was on the Letterman show. The mumbling yet nervous Phoenix was asked a series of questions from Letterman about his new movie "Two Lovers." Fidgeting and hiding behind dark shades and giving curt answers displayed a few of Phoenix awkward behavior. Phoenix said, "That's just a nervous tick, I think." Which explained his fidgeting. He did not find some of Letterman comments so humorous as much as the audience did when asked by Letterman,"What can you tell us about your days with the uni bomber?" When Letterman seen that their was no response to the joke he followed up saying, "It's just a little joke."When asked about continuing his acting career, Phoenix responded saying, " Never say never right? I don't know." When asked what he would do now,Joaquin said," I'm working on my music." His response left the audience laughing at the genre selection that he said he is working on, hip hop. At one time in the interview Phoenix seemed frustrated and impatient when asked about clips in the movie, saying that he haven't seen the movie. Even saying, " Are you fucking serious?" to the laughter of the audience about him not knowing the movie clips, having yet seen the movie. Chewing gum seemed to annoy Letterman, well it was just a joke when he told Phoenix I'll come to your house and chew gum. Phoenix didn't find that funny either, which showed when he placed the gum under the desk of which he was sitting beside. The interview ended with Letterman saying, "Joaquin I'm sorry you couldn't be here tonight." The audience and surprisingly Joaquin laughed in unison. So really what was his problem?

What would make me want to protest?

As many of us college students continue a higher education, many number one concerns is a JOB. As a Telecommunications major my number one concern is will I get a JOB. Telecommunications is a very broad but yet competitve career. You must be equipped with the knowledge of this career in order to be successful. Telecommunications is not just about sitting behind a desk we are mostly hands on whether its writing a script, directing, producing, camera crew, we are always on the run looking for news. Morgan Telecommunication department lacks resources and programs for us Telecom. majors. There is not enough cameras, not enough programs, not enough digital recorders. There is just not enough of anything in the department and some equipment just does not work at all. My protest would not be a general idea of one's from "back in the day," but something more current. Some telecom. colleagues own cameras we could all get together and come up with script ideas or material that we could be a part of and shoot it. As far as programs go, some students are more advanced than others, so a couple of students can offer sessions maybe even have retreats every know and then that are hands on. Everyone is here to learn and maintain a degree in the process, but let's not be selfish. In reality I know we all heard it before but its not always what you know but who you know. So let's get together and help one another in being successful.

When is it ok to play sound bites that may offend some?

Whether to display offensive sound bites is a problem that the media faces and experiences. This occurring problem can be offensive to listeners depending on the situation. Sound bites are a way to inform others about what is being said in the media to alarm us of the way someone is feeling. Sterotypical comments is an example of one sound bite that others will find offensive. Some may feel that it is irrelevant to air ignorant comments that will only upset others in the end. News is too inform listeners about what is going on around us whether it be good or bad. I think that it is okay to play sound bites whether it is offensive or not. Everyone wants to be in the "no" we all want to know whats going on around us and what is being said.