Saturday, April 23, 2016

Story of a Role Model


Slave Grandchildren Remember Project

Summary and Video of Constance Chapman (1932-)
Interviewer: Project historian Anntrell Sylvia-Brown
Recorded March 16, 2016
Remembering her great grandmother, Addie Bell (ca. 1889-1960)
Introduction
Dr. Constance Chapman is a professor at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. She originates from Detroit, Michigan. Her educational background includes Michigan State University, where she attended and received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. After graduation, she taught at a numerous amount of elementary schools for 10+ years. Eventually, she went back to school to pursue her Masters at Columbia State. She loved the surrounding area so much that she moved permanently. Right after receiving her Masters, she went on to complete a doctorate program with her alma mater (Columbia State). She left New York City in 1990 after receiving her doctorate looking for a change of environment (due to weather and opportunities). She looked for a more “cosmopolitan” way of living which led her to Atlanta, Georgia by a recommendation from her group of friends. Immediately after she settled into her new environment, she begin to look for job opportunities in the surrounding area. A job offer, as a professor, at Georgia State started her collegiate experience. She worked for 7+ years and applied for tenure at the school but was denied. She eventually left and taught at Clark Atlantafor a few more years and applied for tenure. She mentions her determination and sassy attitude may have prevented her with tenure opportunities at previous schools. She was denied and it led her to Atlanta Metropolitan State College where she now has tenure.
Transcript

“Of course I wasn’t a slave—my mother wasn’t a slave nor my father. But my grandmother’s mother, I think she said, was a slave. She said that the slave master was so very mean and one day he [slave master] put them on the back board of a truck. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen an old pickup truck but it was only a plank across. The slaves had to sit on the floor and my mother’s mother said that she was so angry that he treated them so badly. So she grabbed him by the balls, not letting go, and squeezed as hard as she could. She said that he never was any nicer then. There was another incident where her great-great grandfather went to town to the market to pick up supplies. She begged to come along with him and was finally allowed to go. She knew that something was going on because he would go into market to get tools and be gone all day and night so she believed she was up to no good. She tagged along one Saturday and got all the groceries needed. On the way home, the mule stopped in front of a particular house. Mules are very stubborn and if they do a certain routine they’ll do it all the time. Her mother got so upset that she beat him over the head. She didn’t understand why her mother was attacking her father.

Crowd Sourcing on Social Media

1.      Solomon Northup, aka “Platt” – I chose this character from 12 Years A Slave because he is the protagonist. He was originally a freedman and was kidnapped back into slavery. This shows his struggle to freedom and creates a wonderful success story.
2.       Abdulrahman Ibrahim Ibn Sori- a prince from West Africa who was enslaved until President Adams freed him.
3.       David George- a black man who fled a cruel slave master
4.       Gabriel Prosser- leader of Virginia slave revolt
5.        Nat Turner- led a revolt in Virginia


(1)
1. Anna j. Cooper: Anna Julia Cooper was born in 1858 into slavery and went on to become a celebrated American author educator and scholar. She also became for African-American women in history to taint a doctoral degree in 1924.
2. Toussaint Louvreture: Born as a slave in a plantation of Breda at Haut de Cap in Saint Domingue. Freed at age 33 he continue to work on the plantation as an employee. He was also the leader of the Haitian Revolution, his military prowess helped in the independence in Haiti and also set an example for the rest of the New World slaves.
3. Robert Smalls: Mr.Smalls guided his family and fellow escapees to the north from South Carolina where he was a wheel man aboard the confederate steamer CSS Planter in Charleston, South Carolina. When arrived to the north him and the escapees where hailed as heroes in the north, and their courage and cunning were held up as evidence that blacks could make good soldiers.
4. Sojourner Truth: considered as one of the great abolitionists, activities, speakers, and thinkers of all time. Born in the slavery in 1797 she possessed the gift of public speaking and fervently about abolishing slavery and about the needs of women's rights             
5. Denmark Vesey: was an African American slave, and later a freeman from South Carolina. After gaining his freedom, he planned what would have been one of the largest slave rebellions in the United States. But details of rebellion were leaked and he was executed.

(2)
 1. Harriet Tubman, as she helped free many slaves with the Underground Railroad.
2. Patsy from 12 years a slave for her strength and work ethic picking 500 pounds of cotton every day.
3. Nat Turner for having the courage to start a rebellion.
4. Solomon Northup for enduring 12 years of slavery and using his intelligence to escape slavery.
5. Gasper Yanga from Veracruz, Mexico who fought the Spanish colonist and in 1618 who a small settlement (Town Yanga) where he ruled.

(3)
1.) Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf: she is the 24th and current president of Liberia... many people have praised her for bringing stability back to Liberia after many years of civil war, and was awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize..
 2.) Patrice Lumumba: he founded the mainstream Movement National Congolais (MVC) party... he played a major role in campaigning for independence from Belgium...
 3.) Julius Nyerere: In 1964 he successfully negotiated the union of Zanzibar and Taganyika which is today's Tanzania...
 4.) Kwame Nkrumah: the leader of Ghana while known as the Gold Coast...the first prime minister of Ghana, he was one of the founding members of the organization which later became African Union...
 5.) Nelson Mandela: known best for his anti-apartheid movement.. inspired by Ghandi.. he directed a peaceful.. non-violent defiance against South African government and its racist policies.

(4)

(5)
1. Harriet Tubman: I chose Harriet Tubman because she was a very strong woman, she did what nobody else would do. She risked her life rescuing her family and other living in slavery.
2. Toni Morrison: I chose her because of her novel “Beloved” the book was about a woman named Sethe, who was born a slave and escaped to Ohio, but eighteen years later she is still not free.
3. Dred Scott: Dred Scott was a slave who attempted to sue for his freedom in the court case Scott v. Sandford (1857).
4. Toby Waller: Toby Waller also known as Kunta Kinte is a character in the novel/movie Roots. I like him because he never lost his connection within his African American heritage.
5. Madam C.J Walker: Madam C.J. Walker, who was born as Sarah Breedlove, created specialized hair products for African-American hair and was one of the first American women to become a self-made millionaire.

(6)
1. James Somersett. I like him because he was recaptured after he escaped.
2. Margaret Garner. I like her because she killed her 2 year old daughter with a butcher knife, rather than see her returned to slavery.
 3. Abram Petrovich Gannibal. I like him because he was a slave, then he became a general and a governor.
 4. Enrique of Malacca. I like him because he was not only a slave but an interpreter.
 5. Saint Patrick. I like him because six years after he was captured as a slave he escaped and became a monk.

(7)
1.      Frederick Douglass: Frederick Douglass was an African-American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. Douglass was born into slavery sometime around 1818 in Talbot County, Maryland. He became one of the most famous intellectuals of his time, advising presidents and lecturing to thousands on a range of causes, including women’s rights and Irish home rule.
2.      Booker T. Washington: Born a slave on a small farm in western Virginia. Growing up during Reconstruction and imbued with moral as opposed to intellectual training, he came to believe that postwar social uplift had begun at the wrong end: the acquisition of political and civil rights rather than economic self-determination. Washington was a pragmatist who engaged in deliberate ambiguity in order to sustain white recognition of his leadership.
3.      Nat Turner, born into slavery on October 2, 1800, on a Southampton County plantation, became a preacher who claimed he had been chosen by God to lead slaves from bondage. Turner He recruited several other slaves to join him in his rebellion. On August 21, 1831, Turner and his supporters began their revolt against white slave owners with the killing the Travis family. About 55 white men, women and children died during Turner's rebellion.
4.      Kunta Kinte: Kunta Kinte was one of 98 slaves brought to Annapolis, Maryland aboard the ship Lord Ligonier in 1767. Kunta Kinte's experience symbolizes the struggle of all ethnic groups to preserve their cultural heritage. He is well known from the book called "Roots"
5.      Toussaint L’Ouverture: Born into slavery on May 20, 1743 in the French colony of Saint Dominque, L’Ouverture was the eldest son of Gaou Guinon, an African prince who was captured by slavers. Inspired by French Revolutionary ideology and angered by generations of abuse at the hands of white planters, the initial slave uprising was quelled within several days, but ongoing fighting between the slaves, free blacks, and planters continued.

(8)
1.) Margaret Garner- Margaret showed great sacrifice by choosing to take the life of her 2 year old daughter to prevent her from being re enslaved.
 2.) Abraham Gannibal- General Gannibal was able to reach great heights as a slave. After being brought to Great Britain by Peter the Great he became major general, military engineer, and governor of Reval.
 3.) Nat Turner- Mr. Turner is very courageous in that he led a successful slave rebellion even when outnumbered by white opposing forces.
 4.) Frederick Douglas- Worked very hard to become proficient in English through bible reading and classic orations and listening to sermons of antislavery pastors. After he escaped enslavement he moved to New York and founded an abolition journal known as The North Star.
 5.) York- York is the 1st African-American to travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific across the North America continent. Our history books don't mention this but, he was actually the slave of William Clark. On the Lewis and Clark expedition he was a major factor to their survival in that he provided in medical services, and traded with Native American tribes for goods along the way.

(9)
1. Marcus Garvey, he was a proponent of the black nationalism and Pan- African movement inspiring the Nation of Islam and the Rastafarian movement I like the fact that he was self-educated and he was activist for his people.
2. Angela Davis, she was an American political right activist and academic scholar I like the fact that she advocates for the oppressed!
3. Arthur Ash, I like that he used his platform in the world of his own personal struggles to raise awareness of AIDS via blood infusions
4.Elizabeth Jennings Graham, she won a lawsuit against New York's _Third Avenue Railway Company she was ejected from a street car because of the color of her skin she challenged segregation on public transportation!
5. Wole Soyinta, he was a Nigerian playwright, poet, author, teacher and political activist who the recipient of the Nobel Prize for literature in 1986 I like that her dedicated his Nobel acceptance speech to Nelson Mandela!

(10)
1.      Robert Bryant (Georgia) - rice plantation; 19 year old man; single
2.      Dosia Harris (South Carolina) - cotton plantation; 60 year old woman; cares for numerous infants while their mothers and older siblings work in the fields.
3.      Carrie Davis (South Carolina) - cotton plantation – 4 year old girl.
4.      Will Sheets (Kentucky) – tobacco plantation; 9 year old boy.

5.      Susan McIntosh (North Carolina) – field hand; 7 year old girl

Trailblazers React to Cancelation of Trump Rally in Chicago

By Anntrell Sylvia-Brown
Photo Courtesy Jan. 2014
Students from Atlanta Metropolitan State College are shocked and disappointed in the prevention of violence and fights towards protesters that attend events at Donald Trump rallies.
Thousands of Trump supporters and protesters flocked to the event, at University of Illinois, to witness the candidate’s position on dire issues, such as Immigration. After going MIA (missing in action), chaos began to erupt and started fights that continued long into the night within the venue. Trump believes that although there is an abundance of violence that happens at these locations, he believes that he unifies the community and those that are a part of his events. The crowd that was packed into the venue begin to get rowdy once word spread that the event was cancelled. Previous rallies have shown that this is an everyday occurrence, even where the political candidate himself have encouraged the abuse. He allegedly requested that his supporters attack all protesters in exchange to pay for their fees.
“You are running to become the President of our country but if you instigate and spew hate from your mouth, how do manage to get in office then how will other nations take you seriously?” said Brandon Emory, a sophomore mass communications major at Atlanta Metro from Atlanta, Ga.
            Many students at Atlanta Metro are terrified at the idea of having a leader that would jeopardize the people’s well-being.  The lack of political experience, like his counterparts, make him least likely to run a society ethically and safely.
His economic background also shows that he once had gambling problems which resulted in him filing for bankruptcy. American people are wary of someone incapable of handling his own finances.
“The American government has no room to add to the deficit because of someone else’s recklessness” said Brinquavious Crawford, a sophomore general studies major at Atlanta Metro from Atlanta, Ga.
Supporters of the candidate feel that the rallies give them a chance to express how they feel. Some supporters say that he talks and speaks on issues that most people would be afraid of talking about without offending people.
Trump is a known for his businesses such as Trump Organization and popular television shows such as The Apprentice. People feel that he is charming and leaves a lasting impression with the general public.
“I feel that some people are voting for him because he is a popular household name and are some people are not looking at who he represents, Chicago is not one of those places where you can waltz in with hatred and ignorance” said Jay Craft, a sophomore mass communication major from Atlanta Metro from Chicago, Ill.
Originally, these protesters were involved to spread their thoughts peacefully but some people believe that is it useless.
The environment was already made to be chaotic and rowdy. The only reason someone has attended would be to start trouble or fight for what you believe in.
“When you go out into an unsafe environment where you are unwanted then you should notice the consequences that follow after” said Christopher Ruffin, card services director at Atlanta Metro from Baton Rouge, La.
Others believe that we have freedom of speech in our First Amendment. One should not be hurt or attacked because of their words.
Others believe that while it is your choice to speak out, it is also another person’s choice to eliminate or kick out people who create problems.
“I feel as someone who is trying to be a leader should be able to handle it properly and come together to answer all questions.” said Jamaal Smoot, a sophomore mass communication major at Atlanta Metro from Atlanta, Ga. “How will you control the people not on your side if you can’t control the main advocates of your philosophy?”
A video appeared on the Internet when President Obama ran back in 2007. He did everything he could to hear what the American people wanted and made it his mission to answer and resolve any doubts.
Candidates play an important role in politics and if applying for any position of the land, there are a multitude of responsibilities.
“Do what you believe in!” said Nancy Hernandez, nursing major at Atlanta Metro from Mexico City, Mexico “He says these rude things because the public allows it and what else will we allow him to do if we don’t speak up?”
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Graduation Rate Improvements

By Anntrell Sylvia-Brown

                                    Courtesy of Aquantis Williams
Aquantis Williams (cq), holding degree from Atlanta Metro

            Atlanta Metropolitan State College graduation rates are significantly lower versus other schools in the University System of Georgia but are working to achieve their yearly goals; these goals are based on factors such as retention rate, course success rate, and graduation rate.
Atlanta Metro updates student achievements yearly (semester to semester). This information is provided to the public so they are able to choose a school that fits their academic needs.
“I didn’t feel prepared when going to other universities here in Georgia,” said Tierra Sims, a sophomore computer science major from Atlanta. “Our school makes you feel welcome and provides amazing programs that make me want to stay to pursue more degrees here.”
The retention rates (the percentage or likeliness that freshman return for their sophomore year) are observed from the cohort group of 2012 versus the cohort group of 2013.  This shows that Atlanta Metro retention rates will equal or exceed those of the USG State College average.
To indicate whether or not your rates are good, you must look at whether 85 percent or more students came back for their sophomore year or second term. This shows that they were academically stable and happy.
“I’ve been here since 2013 completing my three-year degree and will be graduating soon,” said Benny Jones, a junior business major from Atlanta. “I feel pretty happy here and there are a load of activities to do on the campus so that doesn’t hurt.”
Progression rates or course success rates express how many credit hours will be completed during a student’s academic career at a school. Atlanta Metro says, “Students will earn at least 90 percent of credit hours attempted.”
Earning at least 90 percent of their credits makes sure that students have enough credits to graduate or transfer to other schools that offer advanced programs. Part-time students earn around 80.9 percent while full-time 83.7 percent in the fall 2014 group Part-time students earn 83.1 percent while full-time students 84.3 percent in the fall 2015 group. The school is making progress towards the goal of getting students to earn their credits for a degree.
“We have a database that shows how well our students are doing and we are around the 80 or better percentile,” said Michael Ringfield, data entry clerk from registrar’s office.
The 2010 cohort and 2011 cohort were compared in graduation rates versus other universities in Georgia. Students will have achieved graduation rates equal to or higher than those for the state college average. So far, Atlanta Metro has exceeded other universities schools by 10.2 percent versus the college average of 8.8 percent in 2011. The following year, it decreased by 0.9 percent but still exceeded the college average by 0.8 percent. In comparison to Georgia
“Georgia State has boosted its graduation rate by 22 points over the past decade, even though state spending per student has shrunk and the student population has grown poorer and more diverse,” said Risa Palm, vice president of Academic Affairs from Georgia State.
Georgia State is a popular choice by demand in the university system among Georgia college students in part to the fact it is in the center of the city. There are multiple spots for students to hang out.
Although it is a common choice, students feel as if there weren’t a lot of options to help stay on top of class work. A student from Georgia State mentions how she felt about the situation and what she was doing to resolve it.
“I haven’t been doing well in my classes because I wasn’t staying focus,” said Elizabeth Giron, a sophomore accounting major at Georgia State from Cartersville. “I will be transferring to Atlanta Metro to build up my GPA and graduate from there.”
The university has now found affordable ways to give students more one-on-one attention through tutoring programs in the cooperative learning laboratory. They are offering language and writing, math, and economic tutor locations to help.
 “I wish that we had more programs like other schools to help us stay on top of our work,” said Giron from Georgia State.
Atlanta Metro’s school motto is to Believe, Begin, and Become. They have done just that by including academic programs such as TRIO, Upward Bound, and Dual Enrollment.
Now schools are working to satisfy student’s needs by including academic programs to succeed along with tutors. The improvements after using these tools may be able to increase the school’s rates in the long run and keep students happy.
 “No matter where you intend to apply, whether it be from a traditional school or community school, look into factors that may determine if you are able to graduate and be successful,” said Gabrielle Cartwright, a sophomore nursing major from Atlanta.
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Technological Distractions Affect Student’s Grades

By Anntrell Sylvia-Brown

Photo Courtesy of Anntrell Sylvia-Brown
A student’s message inbox during class at Atlanta Metropolitan State College
Students at Atlanta Metropolitan State College are noticing that the use of technology and texting and prolonged Internet use affects their grades significantly and are causing them to lose focus in class lectures.
On an average day, you see students commuting to classes with friends and meeting up to eat before lectures. You also see student’s texting before getting to their designated locations and it also continues into their class times. There are rules and regulations to restrict texting in classrooms. On the syllabi for every class on campus it states, “All cell phones must be turned on silent (alarms and calendar notifications). Vibrating phones are not accepted in class, all phones must be out of the site of the instructor. No phones on your desk at any time. No IPods, video games, or other video or devices are allowed in class. Participations points will be deducted f instances of rule violations regarding cell phones and electronics.”
“I don’t appreciate the rules on the restrictions of phones in a college setting,” said Tierra Sims, a sophomore computer science major from Atlanta. “What if I have an emergency to attend to or have to pick up my children?”
Some students connect to the school Wi-Fi which allows them to complete assignments or access social media accounts like Facebook. Students often feel bored in some classes which lead them to be on their phone during unauthorized times.
Those who are distracted in courses also affect those around them. Students who are in the vicinity of others texting will most likely be focusing on what that person is doing. “I get really bored in class because the content is not interesting to me,” said Larmetria Trammell, a sophomore mass communication major from Atlanta. “We are in 2016 and we should not be limited to traditional teaching methods”
According to Harvard University it states, “Broadly, we are not wired to multitask well (e.g. Mayer and Moreno), and using cell phones during class is no exception. Several studies have compared students who texted during a lecture versus those who did not.  Those who texted frequently took lower quality notes, retained less information, and did worse on tests about the material (e.g. see Kuznekoff and Titsworth, and Rosen et al). Students themselves realize that cell phone usage does not promote learning; in one survey, 80 percent of students agreed that using a mobile phone in class decreases their ability to pay attention.”
Some students believe that they are old enough and will know when to pay attention in class. They have done it numerous times and are still balancing classes without failing.
“I am 30 years old and have children of my own,” said Kayla Gresham, a junior education major from Savannah. “I don’t like how I have to put up my phone and if I really want to focus in class then I will do so at my own discretion.”
Some students refuse to stop from disruptions from their phones no matter what the rules state. Some will get suspended or kicked out of class for the lack of attention in class on Atlanta Metro’s campus
Research proves that students who did less texting during class also tended to be those who had more self-control and reported paying more attention to the instructor. The kids with more self-control and who paid attention got better grades and felt they learned more in the class than those with less self-control (Health Day 2012)
Along with the cons are some pros to using your cell phone in class when it is used appropriately. This includes the use of interactive games, like Kahoot, in the classroom which help make lesson easier to learn and make it fun in the process.
More students would be willing to do better if they were not forced to use mediums like regular books and regular note-taking methods. With eBooks, it offers a more efficient and easier way to learn in class in relation to the student preference.
“We played a Kahoot game on psychological disorders in my psychology class,” said Earnita Jones, a sophomore education major from Atlanta. “I was able to comprehend the information being taught and made it really awesome to show how much I know.”

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Make-up Artist Aims to Beautify Campus

By Anntrell Sylvia-Brown

                                                                                                              Photo Courtesy of Laamajthegod
                                 Jamaal Smoot, aka Laamajthegod, sporting a makeup style with MAC cosmetics 
Jamaal Smoot, also known as Laamajthegod, is one of the most innovative make-up artists and aspiring radio personalities on the Atlanta Metropolitan State College campus and since arriving to the school, he has made women and men across the campus feel beautiful.
Smoot, a first-generation college student, attends school for mass communication and has plans of running his own radio station similar to the Rickey Smiley Morning Show or like the Breakfast Club. He has attended Atlanta Metro since he was a sophomore in high school through Dual Enrollment and Upward Bound programs and has progressed to finishing up his degree there. Our school mentions that the Dual Enrollment program at Atlanta Metro allows students to take college course credits which can applied toward both satisfying high school credits and towards a college degree.  Along with that, the school references Upward Bound as a tool to strengthen science and mathematical techniques to aid in the excelling of in college. The program serves those who are low-income families and who are first-generation college students. Those academic programs gave him the necessary drive to go above and beyond the norm.
“I feel like, Jamaal Smoot or as I know him, Laamaj is such a wonder person,” Chandria Freeman, Smoot’s classmate and friend who is a sophomore mass communication major from Atlanta. “He keeps me laughing and smiling even when he says a simple hello.”
Smoot is an extroverted person and loves for everyone to be happy and be a better version of their selves. He sets out a goal and achieves it academically and throughout his personal life. Our mass communication teacher coined the name “on the ball Jamaal” because of his strive for success. His stage name gives him the drive to be a powerhouse in the community of friends and throughout the night club scene.
He originates from Queens, N.Y., and is the youngest of five children on his parent’s side. While being the youngest of the family, he is also the most artistic on his family. During his school years, he actively participated in art clubs and several fashion clubs which developed his deep love of doing makeup
“He’s a go-getter that’s for sure,” said Tierra Sims, a friend of Smoot who is a sophomore computer science major from Atlanta. “If he doesn’t get it done then something is wrong.”
Smoot mentions that he never imagined doing makeup for a living but he has come to love it. As a child, he played with G.I. Joes and cut and design the toy’s clothing to mimic what he saw on TV or in fashion magazines such as Vogue. His deep curiosity for fashion aided him to become poised in his craft.
Two years ago in February he began to do his own makeup and tested what made him feel confident. He still had a lot to learn but his friends ran to him with the request of doing their very own makeup. The funniest highlights of his makeup journey included a night where he went to a night club and experimented with different shades and eyeshadows from his norm. He partied and went home with a hangover. The next day, his friends sent tweets and messages saying that he was on the popular gossip website MediaTakeOut where they dissed his makeup but said he had a wonderful personality. During that time, he shrugged off the hate and used that as a motivator to improve his techniques and step his game up in the nightclub scene. Every time his friends mention they want to learn how to do makeup, he lets them know that you have to try and if it’s bad then that’s fine. It has to be bad first to even get better and learn from your mistakes.
“You know how they say you never really master until you mess it up,” said Smoot who is a sophomore mass communication major from Queens, N.Y. “Well I remember I did my makeup and went out thinking I was slaying.”
He gets inspiration from 90’s high fashion and gathers makeup looks from Chanel 98. He feels that era is beautiful and had a variety of unique looks.
Along with makeup, Smoot plans on starting his own radio broadcasting station that will be entertaining and filled with humor. He wants to set himself apart from other radio personalities by being relatable and highly credible so he may build trust and gain fans in the process. He has been looking into internships that may give him the experience he needs and the upper hand in his job field.
“I have big plans for the future and I hope that you guys will never forget Lamaaj,”
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