Dress Codes for College Students

Hampton University's school of business did it first. Now Morehouse College has done it, too. And, perhaps, colleges and universities across the country ought to follow suit. Both of these prestigious and historical colleges have implemented dress codes. I hear the tongues wagging already. Why do college students need a dress code, you may say? College students are, in every sense, preparing themselves to enter the professional world. Not only in the classroom, but via specially designed events, lectures and other college-oriented affairs --college students are being prepped and groomed by university faculty and officials to take on leadership roles in the business, community and social arenas.

Morehouse's dress code policy details 11 expectations of students, including:
* no caps, do-rags and/or hoods in classrooms, the cafeteria, or other indoor venues
* no sun glasses worn in class or at formal programs
* no jeans at major programs, as well as no sagging pants on campus
* no clothing with derogatory or lewd messages either in words or pictures
Students that violate the new rules risk academic suspension.

These restrictions are perfectly logical. I think a dress code is entirely appropriate, especially after watching college students for nearly a decade going to class and other functions dressed as if they are going to a night club, or worse dressed like ladies of the evening. There is no place on the college campus for breasts hanging out, drawers showing or clothes so tight that little is left to the imagination.

College officials have been debating the dress mores of diverse generations for decades. On one hand, we feel we shouldn't suppress students' right to freedom of expression in their dress . . . After all, students are citizens of the U.S. and they have a right to dress like they want. On the other hand, we are responsible for making sure that students receive high-quality academic instruction and that they are prepared for the professional world. Wall Street dress codes will not tolerate sagging pants, sun shades in the board room, graphic t-shirts, micro-minis, etc. As a matter of fact, many careers in the public sector won't tolerate this kind of dress either.

I remember having this same argument with my mother and fellow students when I decided to start wearing an Afro hair style. My mother said I was lazy and a fellow student told me that an Afro was not appropriate for church. Needless to say, I didn't listen to either of them. I still have issues with Hampton U's "no braids or locks" policy. But I understand what officials are trying convey to their students.

The professional world is no joke. Employers care about the bottom line -- not one's personal freedom of expression. The professional world is not a place where your personal expressions in your dress and hair style will be tolerated. I have experienced personal persecution because of my hair style choice, but I am not just starting a career. College students need to understand that corporate America will judge you by the way you look. I know it's unfair, but that's just how it is.

A note to my big-boned sistahs: Just because the manufacturer makes that cute little, short-sleeved dress in your size, does not mean you need to buy it for your wardrobe. My brothers: Belting your pants below your buttocks puts you in mortal danger, if the need arises where you have to run for your life. Take pride in who you are. Dress for the part you want in life.

Parents: Talk to your students. They need your guidance. In the words of Julia Roberts in the film Notting Hill, "This is important stuff." Many a career has been made by making a choice to invest in a really nice suit. Conversely, many a career has been broken over a bad choice in an outfit or when to dance (or not dance) at a corporate social function.

Students: College is a learning experience. Listen to your elders. They are not trying to control you. They are trying to school you in the ways of the world.

Safe Haven Laws

Two or three weeks ago a desperate family left their newborn in the atrium of DePaul Hospital in Norfolk, VA. Every state in this great nation of ours has adopted, what I think are called, Safe Haven laws which allow parents to leave an infant at a hospital, fire station or other medical facility that can render 24-hour emergency care. The person that left a baby at DePaul did the right thing and now authorities want to track them down on the pretense of seeing if the family is in trouble and in need of assistance. Yeah, right. If the parents are identified, they will be prosecuted for child endangerment and that is not the intent of the Save Haven laws. My heart aches for these parents, because I know it was a difficult decision -- to give up one's own flesh and blood. At the same time, I applaud the parents' selflessness for having the wherewithal to give up the child in a manner that kept him safe. I think the authorities should cease their investigation in this case. If the parents are identified and prosecuted, this could set a bad precedent in future cases. Even with the Safe Haven laws on the books, other parents in similar situations may be more reluctant to leave unwanted infants in hospitals or other facilities. The thought of what desperate parents can do to unwanted infants without the Safe Haven laws is disturbing. There are too many distressing news stories from all over the country about desperate parents and what they do to children they do not want. I believe the great state of Texas was one of the first to adopt Safe Haven laws -- BRAVO, Texas!

In the DePaul baby case -- leave the parents alone. They will inflict on themselves greater punishment than all the child protection laws on the books ever could. I usually pass DePaul Hospital in the mornings on my way to Boot Camp. I wish I had been passing that day the baby was left so that I could have taken him and raised him as a member of the my family. Yeah, I know that ain't right either. But that's another story. In the long term scheme of things, it is better to find a healthy, kicking and screaming newborn abandoned at at hospital than to find the same in a waste receptacle at a construction site. Think about it.

Whistle-Blowing and Snitching

My mama used to say that there's a time and place for everything. She was right. Sometimes we must step out of our comfort zone to address an injustice. Sometimes we must speak up for those who are unable to speak for themselves. Sometimes we must speak up and out when there's a conspiracy that may harm the innocent. Sometimes we must speak up when the public has a right to know -- so that they can act to protect lives and property. Then there are times when we need to address our grievances to the powers that be within an organization and not leak information to the media. There is a big difference between whistle blowing, as was the case with a municipality that was leaking toxins into the public water supply or the expose about chemicals being put into cigarettes, as opposed to the leaking of information to the media to discredit an organization -- because you are mad about a situation on the job. Employees everywhere ought to be encouraged to bring wrong-doing to the attention of the organization's leadership so that it can be rectified. By leaking an organization's wrong-doing, bad policies, mistakes, and/or other issues to the media without first bringing it to the attention of the leadership, does the leadership a great disservice. Management needs to know there is a problem if it is going to try to resolve issues and solve problems. Leaking a company's bad judgement and other frailties to the media is the lowest kind of snitching. It serves no purpose except to embarrass the organization and put it in a defensive mode. It can damage the company's reputation. A reputation is a hard thing to rebuild. The media, for their part, can only fly in like a helicopter, give the snitch's side of the story and fly right out -- leaving the carnage behind. The news story doesn't help change policy or operations. It only serves the immediate purpose of the tattle tale -- and that's to embarrass the organization and to fulfill a revenge threat . . . "You did this to me -- well I'll show you -- you can't do that to me."

Well, let me say this and I'll leave this dead horse alone for now. Each and everyone of us is accountable and responsible for everything that we do on and off the job. In most businesses usually only adults are hired -- not children -- therefore we are expected to behave as mature adults -- knowing right from wrong and showing loyalty to our employers.

That's enough preaching for today. I reserve the right to revisit this subject again.

It's All About the Attitude

Today, one my co-workers was given a beat down about something that was not her fault nor under her control. I felt bad. The whole division felt bad. We all felt bad for her. So our chief pulled the whole division together to give her a big shout out, a pat on the back and a thank you for a job well done (a job that was not in her actual job description). This woman tackles everything given to her without complaint, back talk, attitude, mood swings, or general bad attitude. I know she does this because she is a Christ-follower. Her attitude never waivers from the affirmative because her heart is focused on Christ. We can all learn so much from this woman. In 28 plus years of working with the public, I have seen some really nasty, evil, hateful people. Working in the public sector is tough. Tougher than working in the private sector, because tax-payers are quick to tell you who you really work for -- THEM.

Therefore, as public sector employees, under severe budget restrictions, no new people and less money to try and do more, we need to support and show loyalty to our colleagues and co-workers. We are all under duress. We are all tired. We all know that our jobs are at stake and we need help. We do not need the scorn of our colleagues. Nor do we need to see or experience the bad attitude of our co-workers. We need to celebrate the successes of each other -- big or small. Each and everyday we have something to celebrate. A job well done should be celebrated. A clean audit, a successful special event, a fundraising goal met, a public relations tactic that worked, a great news story in the local paper, a successful interview with a reporter -- these are all successes. We need to take time to pat each other back. Forget your individual hurt, pain, disappointment and celebrate the accomplishments of a colleague or co-worker. Step up and lend a hand where you can.

We are all in this together. We are all on a journey and we have a higher power to answer to than just the department head or boss. Follow this advice and you will have a happier work life.

President's Back to School Speech

I have seen some shocking things on the news. I once saw a decapitated body in a burned out car on CNN. That was tough to watch. But yesterday's news coverage of President Obama's back to school speech easily surpassed my horror of the decapitated body. I have never been so flabbergasted in my entire life! I watched in utter horror and shock as interview after interview and blog after blog and tweet after tweet talked about how awful it was that the President wanted to speak to school children. If a foreigner had been watching the news yesterday (9/08/09), he or she would have thought the President was conspiring with the children to overthrow the government of Japan. What a crock! One parent interviewed, who seemed very agitated, stated that she went to her daughter's school and snatched her out so that the child could not see the speech. What kind of mess is that. You didn't want your child to hear a speech encouraging her to stay in school? You didn't want your child to hear a speech about hanging tough and staying focused so that she can graduate? You didn't want your child to hear a speech about what a good education can do? Even the Secretary of Education said that President Obama's speech was not unprecedented. President Ronald Reagan did it and so did President George H.W. Bush. What is the problem here? What is wrong with this picture? CNN wouldn't say it. The local news affiliates wouldn't say it so I am going to say it. And, I'm sorry to tell my colleagues that it wasn't just politics that caused the American public to go berserk about the Obama back to school speech. It was something more deeply rooted and ingrained in this country's past. CNN reported that 99.9% of the feedback from the public concerning the President's back to school speech was negative. That's more than just politics as usual people. Although protests erupted along party lines when President Bush gave his school children address, it was nothing like the public outcry against President Obama.

Thank God President Obama had the wherewithal to know that many of the country's school children are under such pressures that they indeed needed a pep talk on the first day of school. All of yesterday's ruckus was distracting and took our focus off some of the real problems we need to be discussing. We need to talk about the alarming high school dropout rate in some of our communities. We need to talk about how the jailhouse is full of men and women who didn't finish high school and how we can save more children from this same fate. Wake up, people. Our children are in trouble. Not every parent is as attentive as might believe. Our children are dying everyday from sheer neglect. Send President Obama's back to school speech to every child you know. Read it to every child you know.

Our children need an encouraging word. Speak to them about the importance of staying in school and finding their talents and making a contribution in their communities and the world.

Health Care Reform, Now!

Okay, I am really tired of the heated town hall meetings and senior citizens carrying protests signs talking about death panels and working people with insurance fussing about losing coverage. And, small business owners complaining ab0ut the costs of providing health insurance to their employees. So, here is a real health care story that may help you make a decision about your vote. When I was 23 years old, I was between jobs and not in school. I had a severe asthma attack and wound up in the hospital. With no health care coverage, the bills began to pile up. I ended up checking myself out of the hospital after 2 days so that I wouldn't cause more burden to the tax payers of Hampton Roads, Against my doctors advise, I opted out of continued a continued hospital stay, which would have probably corrected the problem and cleared up the congestion in my lungs because of MONEY! Now, I have health coverage thr0ugh my employer. Prescription costs rose from $25 to $40 and the new insurance may not cover an asthma treatment that will significantly improve my quality of life. People, I want to be able to jog. Albeit a slog jog, I want to run. Without this treatment, I will be stuck with using the same old inhalants, pills and allergy shots. The experts predict that with0ut health care reform, our costs (out of pocket) will Folk, we are NOT going to be able to afford to pay our part of the premium for health care if we don't get the costs in check. I trust (some what) my health care providers to know what is best for me and my family. I trust my congressmen (some what) to do the best job they can for me and my family. Read the legislation on health care reform for yourself. Don't rely on television commercials and l0lobbyists to keep y0u informed on this important issue. Thank you for listening and reading.

Another Warning

Perhaps the residents of Hampton Roads will see the writing on the wall now -- after yesterday's storms dumped several feet of flood waters in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. Yeah, everybody was frustrated trying to get home, but can you image the chaos if a major hurricane hit the area and we had to evacuate. Each year our public safety officials and the weather guys remind us about hurricane season. Most of us never take the warnings seriously and I am afraid that we are all woefully unprepared if a major storm hit. As you are reminded that we are in hurricane season and of how quickly the weather can change in Hampton Roads, I urge each and everyone of you to be prepared. Find out where to get weather information, invest in a NOAA weather alert radio, stock up on storm provisions, keep cash on hand, keep prescription medication ready and keep the car ready to move at a moment's notice. Hurricanes are no joke. Flash flooding is no joke. Monitor the National Weather Service and local television news. When there is an alert -- pay attention. It could save your life.

Sad News Again

I just read a story about a local mayor who was fined by members of the city council for verbally abusing his assistant. I continually am amazed at the level to which human beings berate each other. Where is our compassion for each other. A good administrative and/or personal assistant is rare -- not to be abused, but celebrated and rewarded for the outstanding work they do. Assistants help keep the boss focused on the big picture by keeping the boss organized and on task. Assistants should be treated with respect and not like second class citizens. This mayor ought to know that. I feel so sorry that the assistant felt she had no other recourse. I am sorry she was made to feel less than worthy. I am sorry to see the local newspaper devoted space to the issue and I am sorry that many of the readers are just as inconsiderate as the mayor. This assistant is hurting. There are many assistants like her around the country. Sad, wounded, degraded and harassed. We should rally around her and her colleagues. All of us -- no matter what our positions -- are valuable members of our organizations. Management should recognize this fact.

A Tribute to Michael Jackson

Like most of the world, I am in mourning at the passing of Michael Jackson. Some irresistible force compelled me to watch MTV's tribute to Michael Jackson. MTV, which probably owes it very success to the King of Pop, ran his videos for more than 24 hours beginning Thursday, June 25. It was awesome to watch and sad, too. Some of MJ's videos I hadn't seen in more than a decade so it was nice to see them again. I jammed for awhile doing my pitiful moon walk and the worse imitation of the moves from the Thriller video. I was celebrating the life and genius of Michael Jackson. Some of the videos made me quite sad because I began to wonder if this man ever found any happiness in his short life. Remember, he has been working since he was five years old! I believe MJ did find some happiness -- in performing, his family and his children. Although his later life was strange, I believe that MJ's genius, talent and legacy overshadow all of that and we should remember that genius, talent, energy, professionalism and showmanship. The man was bad! I also believe that MJ did indeed look at the man in the mirror and tried to change the world in which we live. Rest in peace, Michael Jackson.

Racism, Hate Crimes and Legislation

Over the last few weeks, the newspapers and broadcast news have been filled with stories about "lone wolf" vigilante crimes, i.e. the shooting and killing at the Holocaust Museum and the murder of a doctor that performed abortions. America, wielding her right to bear arms boldly, has become one big Dodge City. As of this week, the CIA, FBI and other organizations that monitor this kind of thing, have reported that there are 926 hate groups in the U.S. That's a 56% increase since 2000. That's a lot of card-carrying members who probably have a lot of guns.

We still have so much to learn as a people. Many of us have deep-seeded issues regarding race, gender, national origin and other such foolishness. Imagine how much stronger this country would be if it had used the talents of all of its citizens in building America. Back in the day black people, women and Jewish people were denied admission to certain medical schools. The government spent tons of money building so-called separate, but equal facilities to keep the races apart. There are laws in some states TODAY that forbid interracial marriage.

How ridiculous we are -- fighting and killing over skin color, hair texture, gods, and where your ancestors were born. How ridiculous we are to continue to portray blacks as coons and buffoons. Wake up people! We are living in the 21st Century. The world is becoming smaller. Wake up and make a decision that you will not tolerate hatred. That you will stand up against bigotry and intolerance. Wake up. God is watching us.

Dropping Out - A Community Epidemic

Sunday's front page headline was quite disturbing. It said something about students starting the ninth grade and then finishing high school. Imagine that! They quit in the ninth grade. The story in Sunday's The Virginian-Pilot profiled several ninth graders at Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth. All of them had serious issues and one was even preparing to repeat the grade a third time. In talking to my teenage son recently about this, "School is no big deal attitude," he told me that some kids have accepted the idea that their futures are a dead end. This is quite disturbing to me. How can a teenager, with so much potential to change the world, be so hopeless? There are myriad of reasons, such as no real parental support and/or discipline, substance abuse issues, financial hardships, etc. I was taught that each and every day that you're breathing -- you can make a difference in your life. If a kid's family life is like a battlefield day-in and day-out, then I can understand the hopelessness. I still believe that the public school system has not done a good job of showing children the relationship between education and earning a buck. We parents have to remain diligent in showing our own children the importance of staying in school. But we have got to do more. We have got to find a way to help other children who have lost all hope of getting an education. I don't know what the answer is, but I will continue to nurture my own son, young cousins and kids within my sphere of influence. I will preach the benefits of education to anyone who will listen.

The Black Man Did It

Believe it or not, yet another -- "A Black Man Did It" story recently surfaced in the media. Have you gotten to the point that every time you hear a negative news story you ask the question, "Is he/she black?" Last week, yet another "A Black Man Did It" story was widely published in the media. This time a white mother from Philadelphia said two black men abducted her and her young daughter. The mother said the black men had thrown them into the trunk of a black Cadillac. Wonder why her story wasn't more thoroughly checked out before a national media blitz hit the air waves? Why are we all so quick to believe these kinds of accusations? It was all a hoax. This heifer was later found laid up in a luxury hotel at Disney World. Can you believe that! I am so sick and tired of black men being portrayed as violent, aggressive, angry, sex-crazed animals. Enough is enough! Black women go missing all the time and you never see the same media hoopla as when a white woman goes missing or says she was attacked by a crazed, big, bad black man. Remember the Susan Smith case back in 1994. She claimed a black man abducted her two young boys. When that story was unraveled, the police found that this heifer drove her car into a river with her two sleeping babies in the back seat. Think of the countless black men who were questioned and harassed during that case. Remember Charles Stuart from Boston, who in 1989 claimed a black man killed his wife? The Boston police arrested a black man in this case and coerced him to admit to the crime. Later, it was discovered that Stuart had murdered his wife for profit. I guess it was too much to hope for that the attitudes about black men would change with the historical election of the country's first black president. We really are slow to change, aren't we?

The iPhone Experience

Please do not take today's blog as bragging, but my husband bought me an iPhone for my birthday!!!!! I am loving it. A staff member on our information technology team helped me to get my Outlook contacts and calendar in to the iPhone and I'm in technology heaven. I even found an old purse and designated it as my technology bag. The bag stores my mini laptop, the iPhone, my electronic bible, assorted cables, ear buds, USB storage device, etc. Yeah, I'm packing. Back to the iPhone experience . . . it is lightening fast in connecting me to people (thanks A&T); and the iPhone's screen is big enough that I can see numbers, icons, names, etc. clearly. It comes with GPS, weather from around the globe, and of course my beloved iPod is in there too. The best feature . . . wireless access. I can download music from the iTunes store without hooking up to my computer. I love that feature. My son even downloaded an application that allows me to program Internet radio with my kind of music . . . inspirational, gospel and funk. I'm not sure how it really works, but it's too cool. I love my iPhone. Thanks, Leroy. You're the best!

You, Me & the Snoop Dog Story

While huffing and puffing on a treadmill at the gym, lo and behold, I looked up at the TV screen just in time to catch a news story of the "dumb-kind." It was a news story about a member of Snoop Dog's entourage being arrested in Norfolk. Snoop was in Norfolk for a concert. I will never understand why Channel 13 decided this news was "newsy" enough to be the lead story at 11 p.m. last night and again this morning. With all the "real" news happening all around them, they chose to make prominent Snoop Dog's story -- using video of him talking about, smoking and rapping about marijuana. I heard on the radio this morning that President Obama's former minister Rev. Jeremiah Wright was in Hampton Roads. That's news! What kind of image does the Snoop Dog story send to our young men and women. As a country, we are facing one of the worst economic downturns in our history. People are losing their homes and being turned out into the streets because they cannot pay their mortgages. Children go hungry right here in our region and people are dying every day because some idiot decides he or she can solve their problems with a gun. What happened to the hard-hitting, investigative, issues-oriented news gathering of Channel 13's past? Times are hard and people are hurting. We need news that keeps us informed -- not entertainment. We need news that helps us to make informed decisions. We need news that helps us to understand the complex issues faced by the government. We can get entertainment news from Entertainment Tonight or the Insider. I am so tired of black men being portrayed as villains in the media. With this kind of reporting, race relations will take another setback. There's an event coming up on Saturday -- the 12th Annual 200+ Scholars Breakfast. Each year, the Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men honors about 300 young black men who are graduating from high school with a 3.0 GPA or better. That's right, young black men are obtaining their goals via education. Not all of our children are gang bangers or thugs. I'm media savvy enough to know that the news can't be all sweet, homey and good. But I'm also savvy enough to know when a news story is hard news versus an attempt to be hard news. In the Snoop Dog story, Channel 13 served as a public relations agent, promoting yet another rapper. Sorry guys, you missed the mark on this one. Let's get back to covering the issues that really mean something to the community. Remember, we rely heavily on you guys in the media to interpret and capsulize the events of the day.

Dred Locked and Loving It

Let the record show that I am not a hair person. Never was. Probably will never be. For most of my adult life, I have been searching for an easy do. I was the first person in line at the beauty salon when the "geri curl" came out. When I grew tired of that, I joined the "bring a hairpiece" to lunch bunch. After decades of harsh perms, hairpieces, wigs and other assorted efforts, I decided to grow "dredlocks" after nearly a decade of wearing braids.

There are a lot of myths about dredlocks . . . and for the purpose of this blog . . . I will drop the dred and just refer to them as locks. First of all, locks are a reflection of an individual's lifestyle and sense of beauty. Dreds are not for everyone. It takes a certain amount of guts to wear locks and it is not the hair style of the timid. Secondly, dreds are not dirty or smelly. Many professional hairstylists are trained in the technique of maintaining beautiful locks. Proper maintenance is the key to healthy locks! Now, I know that Bob Marley's locks probably soured mainstream America on locks. But rest assured, most people who sport locks and hold down professional jobs would never wear Bob Marley locks in the work place.

For generations, black people have tussled with the issue of our hair. Remember the phrase, "oh she's got good hair?" Well, I maintain that all black people (and all of my brothers and sisters on the other side of the color line) have good hair. We can wear our hair in numerous styles, i.e., straight, blow-dried, curly, braided or locked and we are beautiful. Many of my colleagues have issues with my locked hair. Does wearing locks mean that I look "thuggish"? I don't think so. I'm one of the most girly girls I know. Men who lock are simply gorgeous! And sisters who can really experiment and style their locks are simply fabulous. I count myself in that number. My hair is clean, conditioned and more beautiful today than it was when I was perming the heck out it!

A colleague, who also wears locks, said that may be it's a generational thing. It's okay for young folks to wear locks, but for old professional fogies -- not so okay. When are we going to stop judging each other by the way we look? Aren't we mature enough to appreciate each other's differences? I love my locks. Thanks, Black Butterflies and Ms. Marquita for taking such good care of my long, luxurious, healthy and fabulous dred locks.

Talking About Mother's Day

Mothers are a special breed. Every woman does not, cannot and will not make a good mother. A woman who makes a conscious decision not to have children is a wise woman indeed. My mother was an absolute jewel. Our house was spotless and you could see your reflection in our highly-buffed wood floors. She would spend her entire weekends washing, starching and ironing our school clothes for the next week. She would leave us little surprises on Sunday mornings and would prepare the best Sunday morning breakfasts that included hot homemade rolls. Undoubtedly, she was a much better mother than I will ever be. Despite that fact, I work extremely hard at parenting and trying to ensure that my son will grow up to be a smart, strong, independent man with backbone. As mothers, and especially as black mothers, we tend to over protect our sons. We make our daughters learn how to cook, clean, sew, drive, bank, wash clothes, etc., but our sons are typically sheltered from these lessons and life's harsh realities. Young males need to understand that life is tough and that they will have to make difficult decisions. They need to understand that their decisions will come with consequences -- consequences they must be prepared to deal with. Parents should not be involved in the decisions of their grown sons and daughters. We should provide advice, if asked. I do not intend to allow myself or my husband to become "helicopter" parents. We will help our son navigate through life's difficulties teaching him basic life skills and how to solve problems. We must teach him responsibility so that when the time comes he can stand on his own two feet. We render a terrible disservice to our children when we allow them to become too dependent on us. So this mother's day -- I have been assured that I will have a day of rest -- I will use the time to reflect on my skills as a mother and strengthen my resolve to rear a strong, happy and successful man. Happy Mother's Day.

Dr. Paul Farmer Speaks at NSU

On Friday, May 15, Physicians for Peace will bring its biennial Global Health Forum to Norfolk State University. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Paul Farmer, founding director of Partners in Health and noted medical anthropologist and physician. Partners in Health is an international non-profit organization that provides direct health care services for people who are sick and living in poverty. What a noble cause -- using one's skills to help mankind. This work truly does transform lives and communities. The May 15 Global Health Forum will also feature panel discussions that range from building collaborative partnerships within existing programs to technology and training. We're expecting a full house at the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center on the NSU campus. There are many hurting people in the world and organizations like Physicians for Peace and Partners in Health do a lot to help ease the suffering globally. Reserve your seat today for the Physicians for Peace Global Health Forum. Perhaps you'll get some ideas on how you can help.

Get Screened for Diabetes

One of the hardest jobs I have ever had was trying to take care of my ailing parents. Mama had diabetes and it took a terrible toll on her body. She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in her 50s. I don't ever think she took having diabetes seriously. When a neighbor asked her once how she was coping with diabetes she told him, "It ain't bothering me and I ain't bothering it." And, she meant it. Most of the time, mama did not manage her diabetes, and left uncontrolled, diabetes will destroy the body one organ at a time. In her late 70s, mama began to have trouble with her eyes. By the time she turned 80, she was almost blind. She also developed kidney disease and was forced to go on dialysis. Her legs became useless because diabetes unchecked plays havoc with the circulatory system. Many black people with diabetes "wear" the disease like some badge of honor and will quickly tell you they are diabetic all the while stuffing their faces with fried chicken or filling a doggie bag from the family reunion with ribs and collard greens swimming in fatback grease. I'm telling you all this so that you can understand what diabetes can do. If you experience symptoms such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unexplained weight loss, or blurry vision -- get yourself checked out! Diabetes can be controlled with proper diet, exercise, insulin or other medication. Take charge of your health today. Don't let diabetes take you out!

NSU Athletics

NSU's athletics director Marty Miller is leading a remarkable community of dedicated athletes, coaches, trainers, staff, instructors, and supporters. At the recent NSU Athletic Awards Banquet, there were hundreds of NSU athletes, coaching staff, faculty, staff, and administrators present to witness the academic and athletic accomplishments of our talented scholar athletes. The Athletic Awards Banquet highlighted the academic successes among the athletes; some with GPA’s soaring to 3.95, which is a major accomplishment for such young and impressionable minds. I’m glad I sat with the athletes. I experienced and saw the pride on their faces as they were being praised for being smart and talented. The athletes were praised and rewarded for being the best among hundreds of competitors and for embracing the Spartan Pride. The coaches are special people with big hearts for nurturing the positive self-efficacy among their players. Mr. Miller and his team worked extremely hard for their recognition night and I was thrilled to be a part of it. I appreciate all that Mr. Miller and his team do to give students so many opportunities to fulfill their dreams, on the fields, courts, tracks, and lanes; and especially in the classroom. The Athletics Awards Banquet program was beautiful from beginning to the end. The food was delicious, music soothing, the MC (Chris Reckling, WAVY News 10) was exceptional, and Bruce Smith (keynote speaker) brought a fantastic message. Go Spartans!

Today's blog is written by Ms. Debra Cooper from NSU's Auxiliary Services department. Thanks for sharing this with the PR DVA and our readers.

Heeding Your Mother's Advice

Remember your mother's advice on staying healthy? My mother would always tell us, "Wash your hands and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze." Seems as though mothers were right in this advice (and probably most of the advice they gave us). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that there have been 68 confirmed cases of human swine flu infection in the United States as of April 28. As you already know, from stories in the media, human cases of swine flu infection have been reported internationally, too. The CDC is working closely with officials in states where the infection has been identified. They are also working with officials in Canada, Mexico and with the World Health Organization. Heed your mother's advice, wash your hands frequently, sanitize your telephones, door knobs, computer keyboards and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, please refrain from going out in public. For more information, check out the CDC's website at www.cdc.gov/swineflu/, or your local health department. Remember:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water; alcohol-based cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Avoid contact with infected people.
• If you get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home and limit contact with others.

Take care of yourself and remember your mother's advice.

Spring is in the air

The PRDVA car is yellow with tree pollen, my allergies are in overdrive and the dogwood blooms have come and gone -- Spring is here! Spring also ushers in the annual Tim Reid Celebrity All-Star Basketball game at Norfolk State University. This year's all-star basketball game will be held at Echols Hall on Saturday, May 16 at 6 p.m. If you purchase a ticket for the all-star game, which costs a mere $7 (general admission), you get free admission to a concert featuring gospel singer and rapper Tonex. This brother can throw down and you don't want to miss him. Also on the ticket that night will be gospel singer Minister Earl Bynum and the Trinity Faith Diamond Mime. Put this event on your calendar. The pre-game concert starts at 5 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Virginia Scholarship and Youth Development Foundation, founded by Tim and Daphne Reid. Help send a deserving student to college. Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, Farm Fresh markets, NSU, Macy's-Lynnhaven Mall and Ronnie's Professional Cuts. Call 757-393-4007 for more info.

NSU Receives NCAA Recertification

Don't you just love the "new" media. Now, we don't have to solely rely on reporters and editors in mainstream media to tell our various stories. We can do it ourselves. Point in case, Norfolk State University received its NCAA recertification last week. The story made the papers -- along with every other school that received recertification. Receiving the NCAA certification is no easy task. For that fact, accreditations throughout the academy require a great deal of work. And, these accrediting bodies are tough! NSU's news release read in part . . . "By achieving certification status, NSU is considered to be operating its athletics program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the NCAA’s Division I membership. This is a major accomplishment for Norfolk State University, because it reflects the overall efficiency of the leadership team at the University and its commitment to excellence,” said Athletics Director Marty Miller. Way to go! NSU.

Higher Standards

To my loyal two blog fans:
I'm back from a short break hanging out with my son during spring break. I'm sure you read all the news about the Norfolk State University students who have been arrested for allegedly committing armed robberies. Two of the students were athletes. In the NSU student newspaper -- The Spartan Echo, sports editor Joe Cook wrote . . ."Our student athletes have to remember, in-fact, it must be engrained in their minds that when they are on or off campus they represent not only themselves, but things that should mean something to them . . . such as their families, their university and their own reputations." Well said, Mr. Cook. And, this comes from one of their own peers. Young people often make bad decisions -- sometimes critical decisions that impact the rest of their lives. Student athletes are like celebrities. Everything they do, say or don't do, or say impacts them and those around them. They are held to a higher standard because they are positioned as role models. It is disappointing and hurtful to see these kinds of things on the news. Students and in particular, student athletes need to realize that one's reputation is a terrible thing to waste. It is a fragile thing and must be protected at all cost. Joe Cook was right on point. As an NSU family, we have to nip this kind of behaviour in the bud ASAP!

Happy Easter

Just a quick note today to say Happy Easter! I sincerely hope that your church experience today was as wonderful and as uplifting as it was at Point Harbor Community Church in Chesapeake.

Thoughts on the Michael Vick Case

I have given a great deal of thought to the Michael Vick case and have decided that I need to write about it in this blog. It seems to me that that the legal system is determined to make an example of this man -- we're going to show you a thing or two Mr. Black superstar. Yes, Mr. Vick has made some terrible mistakes, but I am not entirely sure that his punishment and subsequent torture is warranted. Among all the crimes that this young man could have committed -- running a dog fighting ring seems to be kind of trivial. With all due respect to PETA and animal lovers everywhere, Michael Vick played a minor role in the dogfighting operation (bankrolled) according to media reports. No, I am not taking his side, he did break the law; but he didn't kill a person, he wasn't selling drugs, he was not involved in selling child pornography, or involved child molestation, nor was he accused of beating up on his fiancee or anyone else. All of these crimes are worth everything and more that the law imposes on perpetrators. He is trying to put his life back together and the legal system is determined that that they are going to make it as difficult as possible for him to accomplish that task. I say a little prayer for Mr. Vick and his family all the time. Madoff bilked millions of dollars from investors with phony investment ventures. He's going to prison for the rest of his life (which is probably a short time). I just threw that note in to remind us all that we have BIGGER problems in this country. Mr. Vick may have blown his entire life and fortune away. I admire the fact that he continues to demonstrate the fortitude, strength and determination of a man that intends to do the right thing.

National Start! Walking Day Success

As you know, yesterday was National Start! Walking Day. The event at NSU was attended by more than 800 students, faculty and staff. It was a great event! DJ Vince was spinning tunes, the American Heart Association representative was on hand, NSU President Carolyn W. Meyers gave words of encouragement, the football team, and the NSU fitness center guys were all on hand to lend a support. It is my sincerest hope that yesterday's participants will get the real message -- and add walking to their lifestyles.

National Start! Walking Day

Today is National Start! Walking Day. Sponsored by the American Heart Association and scores of local organizations including Norfolk State University, the event is designed to get people moving and active so that they can prevent the complications of heart disease. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the U.S. and physical inactivity doubles the risk of heart disease. Walking is a great activity and almost anyone can do it and get great results! Start walking at work and start reducing your risk. Make this your first move toward adopting a heart-healthy work style and lifestyle. You could gain about two hours of life expectancy for every one hour of regular, vigorous exercise. So, lace up your sneakers and make a pledge to live a longer, healthier life. Join the NSU team today at William "Dick" Price Stadium at noon. Start walking and get fit for life.

NSU Students Win Olympiad - Again

Attending college offers students an array of opportunities for self-discovery, to learn how to think critically, networking, problem solving and reflection. Too bad so many potential students don't take getting a college degree seriously. Did you see the statistics on the number of high school dropouts in the Hampton Roads region last week. That's another blog. Last month, 14 NSU students attended the ARTSI Student Research Conference and the Spelman College Computer Science Olympiad held at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. Talking about a networking opportunity! This year, 20 teams from 12 different universities and colleges competed: Florida A&M University, Hampton University, Howard University, Jackson State University, Morehouse College, North Carolina A&T State University, Norfolk State University, Spelman College, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, University of D.C., Voorhees College, and Winston-Salem State University. The NSU teams were: Team Sparta - Benjamin Bond, David Oluwatimi, Amanda Webb, Kwame Martin and Team NSU - William Shellington, Michael Chase, Jasmine Berry, Tremaine Rawls.
With a 1st place win in Robotics, a 2nd place win in Hardware Design, a 3rd place win in Google Gadgets, and a higher overall score than any other team, Team NSU became the GRAND CHAMPIONS! College affords those who take advantage of the opportunity a chance to experience the world.

Social Workers in the News

Social workers have one of the toughest jobs in the world. They have to try and pick up the messed up pieces of people's lives and try to put them back together. In last week's news, there was a story about three social workers who had been charged with abuse and neglect of an incapacitated adult. Can you believe that? And, while you're chewing on that, did you know that a person can get a Ph.D. in social work at Norfolk Stat University? That's right -- one of the few universities in the state that offers the Ph.D. in social work is right in Norfolk.

NSU in the News

An athlete performing in their particular sport is a beautiful thing to watch. Watching two track stars on the news left me mesmerized by their skills. If you missed Channel 13's 6 p.m. newscast last night, check out the link in my blog for a really cool story on two Norfolk State University athletes on the track team. These guys are talented and powerful athletes -- best friends and competitors since their days in high school. I also noticed that the two track stars are sporting locks. Natural hair is the way to go especially when you workout as hard as these guys -- or not. (That's a note for my sisters with perms) smile. Have a great day!
http://www.wvec.com/video/

Driving Issues (Not My Golf Game)

Thank God nobody decided to play any April Fool's jokes on me . . . . or did they and I was just too brain-dead to notice. Happy Thursday blog fans! As you may have guessed from an earlier blog, I have driving issues. My 16-year-old is learning to drive and it's taking a toll on my nerves. Last Sunday, homey took us to church via interstate. It was his first time driving on the interstate. ALL I COULD DO WAS PRAY. He did a pretty good job. It's just nerve-wracking for me. This brings me to a program at Norfolk State University -- to prevent under age drinking. The purpose of the program is to create a campus watch group designed to mentor, monitor, and counsel students against binge and under age drinking. Talk to your teen about under age drinking and be sure he or she understands the consequences of getting behind the wheel of a car drunk. NSU is taking a proactive stance on this issue and preparing its students to take responsibility for their actions.

Scary News

The headlines in today's newspaper are kinda scary: "utility proposes boosting its rates" and "Portsmouth, Suffolk have two of highest dropout rates." It's also scary that Portsmouth proposes to raise their real estate property taxes by 8 cents. Have you ever noticed that when money starts to get tight, the people who collect it, want it sooner and more of it? I wish that the public schools could show children the correlation between education and the all-mighty dollar. I wish more parents would step up to their responsibilities and take an active role in their children's education. My advice: mentor a child; mentor somebody's child so that they can be shown the right path.

Gotta Love Public Relations

I am a bit overwhelmed today! Public relations is a fascinating and sometimes frustrating job. We can never ever say it is dull! Norfolk State University is hosting two major events within one day of each other. Wow! The White House Initiative on HBCUs is coming up April 26-28. Man, this event connects federal and private sector agencies with businesses and colleges and assists them with writing proposals, contracts and grants. We're expecting about 500 participants. For more information, check out the NSU website at http://www.nsu.edu/. If you're visiting the city of Norfolk, check out NSU's event calendar on the web, too. There is always something going on at Norfolk State University.

Boom followed by Radio Signal Disruption

Eerie things always happen at night or in the wee hours of the morning under the cover of darkness. As for the mysterious boom and lights in Sunday's night sky -- I am not entirely convinced that it was a meteor or space junk falling to the earth. As I was preparing to leave for boot camp, I experienced -- again -- radio signal disruption when I tried to unlock my car using the keyless entry remote. Now I'm wondering if whatever fell from the sky on Sunday night caused the radio signal disruption this morning. Things that go bump in the night can scare the living heck out of you!

2009 President's Gala

It's official sports fans -- the President and the entire leadership team at Norfolk State University have proclaimed the 2009 President's Gala a rip-roaring SUCCESS! So many people were involved in this event, but we all pulled together as a TEAM! THANKS to NSU's super hip and fly event planner, her event coordinator, our fearless leader for coordinating a show-stopper power point presentation, the student and staff volunteers who turned out in mass to do whatever was needed and to the entire University Advancement Division for pulling together this "friend-raiser" that raised funds for student scholarships during a most difficult time for our state and national economy. University Advancement rocks!

New Shoes for an Old Outfit

It's the Monday morning after the President's Gala, a Norfolk State University event to raise scholarship dollars, and I think it was a great success. More than 600 people attended and we even got media coverage. I bought new shoes to "fab up" an old outfit which was a big mistake. As a gala volunteer, I was on my feet for nearly two solid hours assisting with party favors, mingling with guests and ushering people to their tables. The shoes were cute, but the heel was a little higher than I normally wear. By the time I was ready to leave the ball, I could barely walk down the stairs. My back hurt, my feet definitely were hurting and my right leg felt as though someone had stretched it on one of those medieval torture racks. Wonder if I can sell those shoes?

A Return to Dodge City

I have been increasingly concerned and sometimes outraged over the number of people who believe that we live in a modern day Dodge City and that it's alright to just whip out your .38 and exact citizens' justice like Sheriff Matt Dillon. Earlier this week, a young man was killed here in Norfolk over a fender-bender in a parking garage. We all need to get a grip! Someone scratching your car or crashing into your car is not worth dying over. I know that we are all stressed out over the economy, the loss of jobs, the crashing stock market, 401(k) losses, retirement, and the astronomical rise in the costs of health care. Driving a car can be dangerous and many people use their cars as weapons on the road. I have been driving a long time and offer this advice to young and old alike:

• Take it easy on the highway.
• Speed limits are not a suggestion; adhere to them.
• Never drive when you're angry and for God's sake don't drive when you have been drinking.
• Leave on time. Trying to make up time on the road because you're late will only get you or someone else killed.
• If you need glasses, wear them.
• If you have been driving for more than 50 years, take a drivers' education refresher course.
• Use mass transit where feasible.
• And, leave your weapons at home!

Newspaper Editorial - NSU Gift

Finally, I got the opportunity to read my regular news sources. Yes, I admit it -- I am a news hound. In our business, public relations and communications, it is imperative that we read or at least scan diverse news sources every day. I wanted to take a moment to comment on an editorial from yesterday's local daily. Titled Generous support to Norfolk State, the editorial illustrates the significance of a $3.5 million gift to the university. This is my chance to thank the anonymous benefactor on a personal level. To the anonymous benefactor, I say: "Thank you for believing in higher education. Thank you for saying to NSU officials and the world -- your mission is sound and the education you provide is of a high-quality worthy of this investment. Thank you for your generosity."

The Passing of an American Hero

Duke historian, Dr. John Hope Franklin passed on Wednesday, March 25. His 1947 book titled From Slavery to Freedom has been credited for integrating black history into American history. He spoke to the 1957 graduating class of the Norfolk Division of Virginia State College, now Norfolk State University, about stepping up to the plate and making their mark in the world. He didn't pull any punches and admonished the students to write their own history with a standard of excellence and proficiency in their respective fields. Dr. Franklin was also the Norfolk State University commencement speaker in 1983. A toast to Dr. Franklin: Thank you for having the guts to stick to your convictions. We are all the better for it.