College- Is it an Instituion of Higher Learning

In the mist of the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement, Wartmouth T.Gibbs, President of North Carolina A&T said “We don’t teach are students what to think, but how to think.” Today our society has changed such concrete environment to the complete opposite; not only are students taught what to think, but also how to think about whatever issue maybe. Is College really an institution of higher learning or is it just an institution of regular training.

Could it be that our college educational system is suffering from a term called “group think”, a term used to describe a group unwilling to look over the overall consensus of the herd. In times it is out of the lack of drive or ambition to ask original questions to arrive at genuine answers. But more importantly and dangerously it is also an accordance that ponds from the fear of looking foolish in front of peers.

Today’s College Institutions relies heavily upon the country’s economic systems, especially concerning jobs. Many students are forced to face difficult decisions, of whether they should pursue their passion, or work within a major that pays a good amount of money so that the American Dream can be pursued.

Derek Lineberger, a freshman, English major said “if I had to make a decision I would pursue my passion; I rather work with my gift and make 10 to 20 thousand per year versus being stressed out and unsatisfied in a field that doesn’t inspire me, and make 40 to 50 thousand.”

Moreover, there is a state of pressure among this generation from past generations to achieve a level of higher learning so that one can get a good job and be deemed as successful.

“Our Educational system is made to train people to be a corporate slave; even if you do get a high paying job, your still making crumbs compared to the higher ups. The system doesn’t push and inspire self sustainability, instead it implements sustaining and upholding a system already in place”, said Chris Loney a freshman biological engineering major.

“What if all the top engineers at NC A&T received degrees, and grouped up to start their own firm instead of working for another company. Just imagine the influence we would have being that we can build up our own communities; and on top of that give jobs and internships to other engineering students."

Commemoration March for the 30th Anniversary of the Greensboro Massacre

On Nov. 3rd, 1979, the Communist Workers Party (CWP) held an anti-Klan rally in Greensboro, North Carolina.

During the rally the Ku Klux Klan drove through, and some CWP members started to beat on the cars with their sticks. The KKK responded by shooting at the CWP, Resulting in the shooting deaths of five CWP members t. The event became known as the "Greensboro Massacre."

November 4, 2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the Greensboro Massacre; Aggie Alum Wesley Morris, along with Terrance Muhammed and other community organizers from the beloved community center unite to unite the community for this special commemoration. See slide show

March Sound slide

Special Thanks to Britney Drakeford, Wesley Morris, Terrance Muhammed, Beloved Community Center Organizers, and all of those who participated in the march.

NC A&T Homecoming Coronation Sound Slide

NC A&T Homecoming Coronation Sound Slide

NC A&T Homecoming Coronation

The Homecoming Coronation last thursday was a night of history, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University witnessed the crowning of the first Mr. A&T, Austin James. Many were in attendance and were impressed at the decorations and performances. One in particular, Kelvon Barkley "Miss Aggie Economics Association" was honored to express what happened and how she felt about the event. This Q&A interview was conducted on November 3, 2009.

Giancarlo Spells: Were you involved in the coronation if so what was your role in the event?

Kelvon Barkley: Yes i was involved, I was Miss Aggie Economics Association one of the 52 represented organizations for the event. All of the organizations were involved in a small performance, we came in to the song "love of my life" the classical version by Erykah Badu featuring Common.


Giancarlo Spells: How was the scenery of the coronation?

Kelvon Barkley: It was decorated nicely; the coronation had the Mr. and misses of 52 on campus organizations. They had each organization sit alongside of both sides of the stage in a row leading from the royal court stage to the reserve stage for friends family and faculty. In addition there was a velvet red carpet going down the center of the isle connecting the royal court stage to the reserved stage. On all four corners of Corbet gymnasium were two huge columns that light up different colors. The royal court stage consisted of three rows and on the top row stood these beautiful white chairs with red cushioning, it was beautiful.

GS: Were there any performances if so how were they?

KB: The performances were great they were very unique and different, it had an afro centric style to it. It started out with African folk dancing and drumming, then it went on with a performance by a group of mimes who performed to “a change is going to come” by Sam Cooke. Followed by a small dance by the kings and Queens of the organizations, then the Mr. and Misses of the freshman, sophomore, junior classes; and then the royal court appointees. After everybody was settled Mr. A&T Austin James came out after the showing of a very inspiring speech along with a slide show; such great words received a standing ovation. Next came out Miss A&T with her beautiful white dress, crowned by last years Miss A&T Tanisha Fordham.

GS: How was the reception?

KB: The reception was amazing; it reminded me of a wedding it had a live band and some really good food. After we ate everybody started dancing from the royal court family friends to A&T students.

Special Thanks to Kelvon Barkley
By: Giancarlo Spells

practise sound slide

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