smfreder

Apr 18, 2018

A House Divided: Classism in the Black Community

Shawn Fredericks | Staff Writer Black people are divided. Although it is often seen as taboo to air out certain problems within the black community, these issues must be discussed and unpacked. One of the most pressing issues affecting the black community is classism, and it is alive and well on college campuses. America’s class divisions…

Apr 18, 2018

Black Men’s Privilege Within the Black Community

Shawn Fredericks | Staff Writer “Men are trash.” This sentiment has been expressed on my social media many times, causing heated discourse about toxic men—specifically black men. A significant number of black women have used this expression on social media when discussing their issues with black men. As a black man, after much spiritual meditation, I…

Apr 4, 2018

The Need for Healthy Attitudes Towards Sex at NC State

Shawn Fredericks | Staff Writer Sex positivity is a term that carries different connotations and definitions, making it difficult to accurately describe what sex positivity actually is. The Feminist Campus, the world’s largest pro-choice student network, defines sex positivity as “the belief that consensual sexual expression is both healthy and important in contributing to a…

Apr 4, 2018

Hookup Etiquette: The Do’s and Don’ts

Shawn Fredericks | Staff Writer Hookup culture is a term every college student who has not been hiding under a rock has heard.  Culturally-speaking, hooking up is more prevalent than ever, and the norms and pressures of hooking up constantly affect students. Hookups, as defined by researchers Justin R. Garcia, Chris Reiber, Sean G. Massey…

Feb 28, 2018

African American Cultural Center Celebrates Black Entrepreneurs

Sindy Huang/Staff Photographer Johnia Murray, a fourth year double majoring in psychology and French, looks at earrings from Mavazimazuri during Ujamaa Friday. Mavazimazura’s owner, Mapenzi Carroll, named the business after the Swahili word for “beautiful garment.” Shawn Fredericks | Staff Writer The African American Cultural Center (AACC) hosted the monthly event Ujamaa Fridays. This month’s theme,…

Feb 28, 2018

Every City Needs a T’Challa

Shawn Fredericks | Staff Writer WARNING: Spoilers for Black Panther follow. At the end of Black Panther, T’Challa (Black Panther) comes to Oakland and buys a whole block of condemned buildings within a predominantly African-American neighborhood. T’Challa plans to use these buildings for the first Wakandan international center that will do social outreach and facilitate…

Feb 14, 2018

Why You Need A Role Model In Your Life

Shawn Fredericks | Staff Writer Heroes are not bound to comic book pages, video games, movies or any other medium. Heroes are in workplaces, offices and most importantly, across the dinner table everyday, puttin’ in work. With “Black Panther” hitting theaters soon, it’s important to be aware of the importance of role models both on…

Feb 14, 2018

This Is for the Lovers: A Valentine’s Day Playlist

Shawn Fredericks | Staff Writer Valentine’s Day is here so I thought I would throw together a little playlist for the couples out there who’re navigating college and love. This playlist features mostly newer music with some oldies to spice up the flow a little bit. Please enjoy this mixture of vibes as all celebrate love…

Jan 31, 2018

Why hasn’t the #MeToo movement come to NC State?

Shawn Fredericks | Staff Writer #MeToo is a phenomenon that is taking over the globe, from #Yoweshi in China to the hills of Bollywood and Mollywood, where South Asian women are challenging the sexist practices of the film industry. The hashtag started in the U.S. in 2017 with actress Alyssa Milano. Milano called for survivors…

Jan 20, 2018

Why New Year Does Not Mean New You

Shawn Fredericks | Staff Writer Hello, happy new year and congratulations. You made it to, hopefully, a wonderful year filled with bountiful growth. If you are in that New Year, New You vibe, I have a reality check for you: there is no new you, you’re the same person from last year balling on the same…

Nov 29, 2017

Celebrating 25 Years of Black Excellence

Shawn Fredericks | Staff Writer It’s about that time ya’ll. The Nubian Message turns 25 years old, and you know how we rockin’. We’ve been spitting facts for 25 years and running, can ya dig it? Celebrating 25 years of black excellence, the Nubian has stood as the bastion of the black-student body voice on campus.…

Nov 29, 2017

Party Playlist: 25th Anniversary Edition

Shawn Fredericks | Staff Writer In honor of the 25th anniversary, I thought I would put together a little something for the culture. This playlist is about celebrating the different aspects and little nuances within the Nubian Message that cannot be articulated in an article. It includes party songs that emphasize the cool factor of…