BlackLine Magazine's Poetry Slam 2011

This year’s poetry slam was a great success. The turnout was better than expected. The event took place in Nordy's Place in the William Pitt Union last night. There were seven poets featured including Calvin Mack, Jay Oriola, Evan Walker, Erin Boyd, Erica Fernandez, Colin Byrd, and Shae Felicien. The host was Jeremiah Davis. Some of the highlights of the night were the satirical pieces done by Erin Boyd and Shae Felicien and the deeper poems of Erica Fernandez and Jay Oriola. More comical poems were performed by CMU Senior Calvin Mack and freshmen Colin Byrd. What had everyone ooing and awwing were the poems performed by Sophomore Evan Walker who discussed the crush he had on a girl in the third grade that he will always remember. Though the event was an hour and a half the memories of the creativeness of Pitt students will stick with me forever.

A Hair Journey: Grow it Girl

By: Anna Nwokelo

Grow It Girl is the first book written by Rhea Santangelo, a Pitt alumna and 2011 PharmD candidate. The book was mentioned in a previous article written about Santangelo, “Love and Basketball at Pitt” [Black Love/Black History 2011], but here is your chance to learn more about it!

What is Grow It Girl about, and what inspired you to write it?
Grow it Girl is the true story of how I learned to care for my hair after most of it broke off during my freshman year of college (and how I got it to grow to lengths it had never previously reached – halfway down my back!). I was inspired to write the book after people I hadn’t seen in awhile (including those who had doubted my methods when I started taking better care of my hair) began to ask me for advice on hair care. It occurred to me that the topic would probably be of interest to many people. I thought that the best way to capture and share all of the information I had gained was to write a book?
When did it dawn on you that you needed to take better care of your hair?
When I returned home from college after my freshman year with a head full of short, damaged hair, I knew it was time to take action. I did not want to cut all of my hair off and start over in my quest for healthy hair, so I had only one option – learn how to nurse it back to health through research, trial, and error.
How were you able to learn how to do this, even in the midst of the stresses of college?
I spent an entire summer reading books, forums, and product reviews regarding African American hair care. I tried a variety of methods to care for my hair throughout the summer until I figured out what I could make work for me during the school year.
What kinds of difficulties did you face?
Once I returned to college that fall, I faced many obstacles. Realistically, at first it was a challenge to fit good hair care into my busy schedule. Also, I encountered many doubters who tried to discourage me from continuing with my new, non-traditional hair regimen.
Is there any quick advice you can offer to girls looking to improve their hair health?
Learn to fit hair care into your normal schedule. For example – deep condition while you do some homework, or make it a habit to moisturize your hair nightly before bed.
Use common sense when it comes to hair care. Reducing the amount of heat exposure and the use harsh styling tools will result in stronger, healthier hair.
Read the book, which includes a complementary journal full of quick tips for healthier hair!
Where will we be able to get a copy of your book?
The book is currently available online, at: www.lulu.com/spotlight/grow_it_girl
Later this month, it will also be available in the campus bookstore (The Book Center), located at: 4000 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

GTL and Entertainment

By: Marcus Gaines-Cherry

Whether it is the music we listen to on our iPods, the TV shows that we watch, or the new weekly YouTube sensation, entertainment is a part of our daily lives. But how much does entertainment affect us, and are those effects negative or positive? As an example, in past years rap artists have used the entertainer status to promote a community awareness of political issues. Nowadays rap doesn’t seem to portray messages of community and responsibility, but ones of individualism and greed. Now before you flip the page to the next article because you think this is yet another history lesson on music, let me assure you it’s not. Music is just a prime example of how entertainment can affect us without notice.

I am not writing this to discern whether entertainment is negative or positive, because entertainment has its good and bad points. I just want you to realize that all entertainment whether good or bad causes us to change our lives, either in a progressive manner or stunting our growth. For example watching “Cops” which in my opinion is a negative show that depicts violence and stupidity, made me not want to be a criminal on that show; this negative entertainment caused a good outcome.
We as college students allow entertainment to affect the way we interact with each other, the way we dress, and even the amount of money we spend; all as a way to achieve what we see in entertainment. Many times fashion, as is the latest outfit a superstar decides to wear, is acceptable. With entertainment it is all about what sparks our soul and catches our eye. If we were to see Trey Songz or Paula Patton rocking the latest in “Save the Earth” and “Feed the Poor” t-shirts, maybe just maybe the world would be a more ecofriendly and socially conscious society.

Now don’t get me wrong, entertainment as well as entertainers have brought awareness to global issues, and caused many people to want to go out and do something for the world. For instance when we see artist like Wyclef Jean, taking political situations into their own hands, it inspires us as citizens to want to get out and join the fight. It does not matter whether the entertainment in your opinion is good or bad; it is all about what we choose to take away from the entertainment that provides us with encouragement for the negative or positive deeds.

Let us take the hit show Jersey Shore on MTV, we watch this either because we enjoy it or we want to see what foolishness is going to happen in the next show. Just in case you don’t know what the show is about, the basic premise are these Italians go to Jersey Shore to have as much fun as possible by getting Guidos and Guidettes , tanning, and relaxing on the beach. There are many messages that can be taken form this show but I see two messages that are more important that the rest. You can take away that life is a party and is all about having fun, and decide to live your life in this manner. Or you take away that each person has to maintain a job in order to stay in the house and live their life of “luxury”. It’s your choice, but like Jersey Shore, much of entertainment provides many messages that you can use as a guide for your life, but it’s your responsibility to pick the right one.

In closing, choose what entertains you wisely, but choose what you take away wiser, because what you take away from entertainment is what is ultimately going to affect you whether it be positively or negatively.

On the Come Up: Chyron

By: Kevin Murray
Kobbie “Chyron” Turkson is a freshman marketing major from Washington, D.C. Despite his knack for business, he is better known on campus for his musical ability.

Chyron is a rapper who has already achieved much success since arriving at
Pittsburgh. At the beginning of the first semester, he performed at Mr. Smalls Theatre, where he opened the show for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and the Wu Tang Clan. He also competed in WPTS’s Hip-Hop Battle for the opportunity to open the B.o.B. concert.

Chyron came in second place, despite being the crowd favorite. His diverse fan base can be easily attributed to his unique sound of music. He combines quick metaphors, subject-matter relevant to his everyday life, and stories/messages that we can all relate to with smooth beats, the majority of which he produces himself. Chyron’s ability to sing, play the piano, and play the drums (a self-taught skill) adds to his arsenal of musical talent. He uses these skills in his songs quite often, which is why he doesn’t consider himself a rapper. Instead he perceives himself as “a hip-hop musician with a different sound.” It is no wonder, then, that his influences are Lupe Fiasco, Drake, John Legend, and Musiq Soulchild.

This is very evident on his mixtape, The Chyronicles: Visions From Space. It is available to download for free on Hotnewhiphop.com, where it reached the position of number 23 among the up & coming artists section.

Chyron has a new mixtape on the way, and will be performing at several events on and off of campus, so be sure to be on the lookout for him!

Where did the name Chyron come from?
I had an alias before that but I didn’t really like it so I told my friends I brought to the studio I wanted a new one so we brained stormed for a little and then we found a greek name online that meant “wise poet” and I liked it and it ended up being my name with a few spelling modifications.
How did you first get started with music?
I’ve been singing since I was about 5 and when I was about 12 my dad set up the studio in the basement of my house to record his pastoral tapes. I took full advantage of the opportunity and started recording my own songs.
How did you get the great opportunity to open for Bone Thugs & Harmony?
When I came to Pitt my friend Ryan Zeh who lives on my floor introduced me to Danny Hickton, a young entrepreneur who started Ground Zero Records. He was the one who got me booked for the Bone Thugs Show.
What has been the best part of your rap career so far?
The amount of people that my music has reached at Pitt. I’m constantly approached by people who have heard my music but haven’t actually met me in person.
Do you enjoy singing or rapping more?
I was a singer before I knew I could rap but I don’t know which one I enjoy more now, as long as I’m getting to do my thing it’s all good with me. I wouldn’t classify myself as a rapper, I’m more of a hip-hop artist with an R&B foundation and I’m doing my best to integrate them. I can’t imagine having one without the other in my music.
What is your favorite thing about music?
My favorite thing is the about music is the fact that I can spend an entire day lost in the music of a project I’m working on. Music is my only way of escaping all the problems and worries of the world.
What are your goals?
My biggest goal is to really make something of myself and not just be another kid trying to make music. I feel like nowadays in hip-hop anybody can make a song and create a dance and become famous. I want my music to be recognized for because it is original, not cliché. I’m just trying to make music that has a purpose and make my momma proud.
So what’s next for Chyron?
I’m performing at Mr. Smalls lounge again for a hip-hop showcase on April 2nd. I’m also working on a new mixtape and I plan on finishing it this summer so look out for that because is gonna be something real!

Want to contact Chyron? Follow him on Twitter @ChyronKT

BAS Fashion Show

By: Jazz Mitchell

As I waited in line at the Wyndham Grand Hotel, I was filled with excitement and curiosity. As some of you know, the fashion show last year was cancelled due to the extraordinary three day “snowpocalypse.” Making this year twice as anticipated and doubling the pressure. However, when presented with the show my expectations were not met…they were exceeded!

The show opened with a theatrical representation of the deadly sin Wrath. Clothed in black, grey, and charcoal colored garments, the models walked down the runway with piercing stares strong enough to kill. I am sure I am not the only one who felt a chill up their spine watching the models. The designers of the scene did not allow the audience to get bored from the monochromatic color scheme. Each model was ornamented with gold, silver, or white accessories that ranged from headpieces to necklaces—all of which were brilliantly excessive. Reminiscent of Victoria’s Secret fashion shows, the scene closed with an innovative recreation of the company’s signature wings. A moment of awe and collective gasp rippled through the crowd as bundled branches and black balloons were joined forming a display similar to a peacock’s plumage. If we had any doubts about whether or not the show would deliver, they were extinguished.

Each scene in the fashion show was amazing in its own right. However, there were definitely ones that take the cake as memorable. Before the audience even knew what was happening, we suddenly were coming down with a fever—a fever that took hold during Lust’s entire scene. In a mix of burlesques and classic pin-up, the models teased the audience while also leaving little to the imagination. The audience, most notably the men in attendance, was not shy to voice their approval of the lace, garter belts, and corsets. Nevertheless, the women in the audience also received our fair share of eye candy.
Once the fever subsided, the show wasn’t finished with us yet. Unexpectedly, we were all becoming green with envy. Aside from the clothes, this was one of my favorite scenes. The use of people made it one of the most visually interesting scenes. Much like a busy day on the streets of a densely populated city, we watched the models move around the stage getting lost amongst each other. In the midst of the organized chaos, each model would appear from the sea of green. Clothed in wide range of forest to jewel greens, the models were not short on attitude as they took to the stage.

The show came to a close with some real eye candy. Gluttony was the final scene and showcased the models as some of our favorite sugary treats. Cotton candy dresses, candied bra, and cream puff headpieces catered to our sweet tooth. Once the show ended, I was very impressed with what my fellow students were able to accomplish. Congratulations to all member of the 2011 BAS Fashion Show on a fabulous job well done!

Budget Woes

By: Darah Patterson
“Oh…Oh…Oh my God! A lot of students will suffer because of this…the budget issues is something I never thought of until recently..”

You never really appreciate something until its gone. People tend to get involved and do their research when the action/bill/policy they don’t want to happen or pass is a wink away from being passed. We as students need to get more actively involved in what’s going on in our country because most of it directly affects us. We are adults now, whether you live at home with your parents, by yourself, or in the dorms. We must know our state representatives. Even if you aren’t a Pennsylvania resident because policies will affect you either directly or indirectly.
Nothing is set in stone yet, but the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Facilities has estimated that the cuts will increase tuition by 33%, may lead to staffing cuts, decrease in research funds, and more.
Seventy percent of the students I surveyed admitted that they didn’t feel adequately informed about the higher education cuts, 57% of the students surveyed didn’t know that the reason the fifty percent cut to higher education is a proposed solution to decreasing the $4 billion state deficit.
Most students also were unaware that Corbett refuses to tax gas industries, the state’s largest industries, because he feels that taxing these big gas giants would hinder the growth of the natural gas drilling in PA and prevent the state from becoming the national hub of the industry…Of course this has nothing to do with the $1 million campaign donations he received from the gas drilling industry.
Higher education isn’t the only thing that is getting cut though…if that makes you feel any better. Public school funding is also facing cuts. So the little five-year- old kindergartners, the elementary school kids, the middle school-ers, and the students that are looking college right in the eye, will all feel the sharp blade of Corbett’s budget plan. The state subsidized insurance program adultBasic has been thrown into the waste basket…
…but let us look on the bright side: $200 million in tax credits will be given to businesses if they choose to follow federal law on depreciation of equipment and assets. Which means big corporations will be able to write off 100% of equipment purchases…The $60 million state film tax credit, which attracts movie directors to Pittsburgh, won’t be cut….at all. Tom Corbett’s budget plan is based on his promise not to raise taxes…genius, a simply geeenniiuuss plan…lets cut funding for schools and give money to business…so we’re increasing the unemployment population and increasing businesses who will fall because no one can afford their products.

Corbett’s proposed 50% higher education cuts are the highest in the Nation. One of the lowest cuts is TN with a 1-2% cut, Missouri and Georgia face a 7% cut, 10% for Colorado and New York, 17% for Texas, from 16-26% for Maryland, and 18% for Califorinia.
Corbett says that he is “determined that Pennsylvania not lose this moment. We have the chance to get it right the first time, the chance to grow our way out of the hard days.” The smartest and most full proof investment that anyone can make is in education.
Student and Parent Suggestions
“Maybe states should demand the $3 billion a yaer in Military aid to Israel to go to US education”
“Dang I need to hurry up and graduate.”
Bintou Mariko, a Pitt Sophomore said, “Education is the primary resource to being succesfull in the US.”
An anonymous Pitt Junior wrote, “Dearest Corbett, do you want us to go to college? Because a lot of people won’t go if you do this!!!”
“Stop filling your pockets Republicans!!”

A SO Great!

This past weekend I had the fortune to attend African Student Organization’s Wazobia event in Alumni Hall. I was amazed and captivated by the elaborate clothing and the African inspired style. One theme was clear, unity. Many countries in Africa were highlighted and the song “We are Africans” represented that unity. The models were our own University of Pittsburgh students and were various nationalities. The event began with some delicious food which included a chicken dish and some tasty desserts. The evening had many funny parts with the banter between Junior Jay Oriola, and Senior Camille Gockowski. Also, the skits which involved a mother encouraging her son to have children with his wife also provided comic relief. Another treat were the performances by Ya’Baso dance team who just had their show a few weeks ago. The event was also used as a vehicle for raising money for clean water in Africa particularly in Tanzania. The clothing ranged from casual with the incorporation of denim, to elaborate and high fashion. Overall, I had a great time and learned a lot about the diversity and beauty of African people and the people of the Diaspora.