The 2008 race is more than about race
By ALLISON MILLS
Staff Reporter
MXA932@PSU.EDU
Olmsted parking lot at roughly 6:00
PM on Tuesday, March 18. This,
of all places, was the scene of my
latest disenchantment with the world.
After my last class I walked to my
car in an "I'm so sick of school"
daze, and I noticed the misplacement
of my Obama bumper magnet on the
back of my car.
My first thought was that my
Republican father's switch-a-roo
jokes weren't so funny anymore.
But then I noticed the scribbled black
permanent marker on my white
sticker. And then I read the racist
remarks that only a small-minded
and intolerant person would use to
destruct another's property.
How I would love to reveal the
words wielded by the rebel with a
Sharpie because I clearly feel very
passionately about this incident
but I personally find the notions
expressed inappropriate for print. So
instead of spending the rest of this
article ranting about the injustice
of racism in Central Pennsylvania
and the United States, I'm going to
Communications potential is endless
By MATTHEW MAHONEY
Columnist
MLMSO39@PSU.EDU
As a student in the Communica-
tions program I feel that our school
does an excellent job of combining
theory with practical application
in learning about, and developing
forms of media. Be they print, video
or audio our program has helped're
to learn necessary skills, and taught
me how to apply them. But there is
room for so much more.
Currently we have on this campus
our own video program, with its
The RIAA took my baby away
By BEN BRANSTETTER
Layout Editor
BBBSO34@PSU.EDU
Due to extensive lobbying and
their own dirty greed, the RIAA has
forced certain legislation into law
that places higher fees on internet
radio services. This means that
one of my favorite internet sites,
Pandora, will be forced to shut
For those of you that do not know
what Pandora is (or was, depending
on when you're reading this), here's
a brief explanation: Pandora is a
free internet radio service that helps
listeners find new music by asking
them what songs or artists they like
and playing music that is similar to
that song or artist. They define what
is "similar" by carefully analyzing
each and every song and breaking it
down into over 400 genes. It builds
your stations around the songs you
give, playing songs that share genes
with the song you entered or the
library of the artist you entered. It
really is both a beautiful idea and a
flawless service, playing all nature
of music with no critical judgment
and the world's most polite flash
application ("I'm sorry, but I
couldn't find the artist you were
looking for. If it's not too much
trouble, could you either check
your spelling or please try a new
search?")
Fighting the RIAA's decision
seems idiotic on the surface (like
those nuts that tried to argue Napster
was legal). However, on Pandora
(and others like it like Last.fm ), the
RIAA actually receives a unique
service. Pandora allows listeners to
listen to full songs, but they cannot
choose which songs they want to
hear (for example, if you wanted to
hear "Machinehead" by Bush, you
couldn't, but you could hear songs
like "Machinehead"). Pandora is
not attempting to let listener's hear
the same songs they love, but rather
introduce them to new artists and
songs. They offer links to buy the
spew some statistics and relate it all
to (you guessed it) Senator Barack
Obama's campaign.
In 2006, Opinion Research Corp.
conducted a survey for CNN on
racism and differences in perceptions
of it. Both whites and blacks were
interviewed, 703 of the former and
328 of the latter. No reds or yellows
were included.
When asked to classify racism
as a problem, 49 percent of blacks
and 18 percent of whites responded
that it is "very serious". Thirty-five
percent of blacks and 48% of whites
categorized racism as a "somewhat
serious" problem. I can't help but
interject my opinion here: Racism in
its very definition (the act of racial
discrimination and/or segregation)
and existence, no matter how
minimal, is a dangerous problem for
every society.
In the same survey, 43 percent of
whites and 48 percent of blacks said
they knew someone they judged
as racist, but only 13 percent of
whites and 12 percent of blacks
considered themselves "racially
biased". Jack Dovidio, a professor
at the University of Connecticut,
claims that up to 80 percent of white
own arsenal of equipment to create
professional work.
We have our own photo develop
ment lab. Within that lab we have
the capability to develop 35 mm
film, and perform a plethora of ac
tions with digital technology.
We have three seperate sound
recording booths that allow anyone
to record and create audio files from
any kind of source . . 'We even have a
turn table in there' "" H I
While I do not doubt the power
of our available technology, and
I do not doubt the ability of our
instructors to teach us how to cre-
songs on either Amazon or iTunes,
as well as a place to order the
physical CD itself.
This is free advertising for the
RIAA, and they're attempting to
shut it down. Pandora introduces
millions of people to quality artists
on RIAA labels. The normal
RIAA business model (that of
constant touring, plays on the
radio, and music videos) is stupid
in comparison. Here, Pandora is
allowing free advertisement for both
popular artists and obscure artists.
The RIAA is spending money on
obsessively-corporate advertising
when Pandora is reaching millions
of listeners for them for free.
Why would the RIAA do this?
Are they really that stupid that
they would deny themselves free
advertising?
Of course not.
The real problem the RIAA
has with services like Pandora is
something called EPT, or Equal
Playing Time. Corporate terrestrial
radio gives very little playing time
to independent artists. For example,
the radio station around my town,
105.7 The X , only gives two hours
a week to independent music on a
program called the Sunday News.
Every other time of the week, every
song they play (and I do mean
EVERY SONG) is owned by the
RIAA. The RIAA has a monopoly
on rock music for that market.
Services like Pandora, however,
replace the need for terrestrial
radio by offering listeners free
personalized stations. The only
problem is that they give EPT to
both independent and major labels.
This is a real threat to the monopoly
the RIAA has struggled to build. If
people hear as much independent
music as the major-label-music,
they might start buying independent
albums and going to independent
concerts, taking away business from
major labels. By forcing legislation
that shuts down these services, the
RIAA isn't protecting its own rights
It's protecting its own monopoly.
Americans possess discriminatory
feelings of which they are not even
aware. Being openly racist is no
longer acceptable in this society,
which I suppose helps to explain the
contrast in these statistics.
One final revealing statistic: Forty
percent of blacks believed "all"
or "many" whites disliked blacks
while 26 percent of whites chose
either "all" or "many". Likewise,
33 percent of blacks and 38 perecent
of whites responded that "all" or
"many" whites dislike blacks. What
exactly this data reveals is certainly
open to interpretation but surely it at
least suggests that not all is equal.
Racism, intolerance, discrimination,
or whatever the most current
euphemism may be is a largely
discussed topic, but never more so
than before this election year. Barack
Obama is a bi-racial man (half
black, half white) running for the
presidency. He has a good chance of
succeeding.
Even the most politically apathetic
have asked, been asked, responded
to, and heard the most popular
question concerning Obama.
"Is America ready for a black
president?" which can be translated
ate outstanding forms of media, I
do doubt the wisdom of having a
Digital Commons that is scattered
throughout the Olmsted building in
different rooms.
I have seen first hand the great
potential of what can happen when
students with specific areas of talent
and interest combine their efforts in
a unified goal..
Many of the clubs on this campus
have found that by diversifying the
talents of their members they can
succeed in areas of fund raising and
civil service that others have failed
in. This newspaper relies on the
talents of graphic artists, journalists,
and copy editors.
I am soon bound to graduate from
PSH, and as a parting student I can
only imagine the potential that lays
It's your money, use it
By KRISTIN GILLEAD
Guest Columnist
KBGSOI4@PSU.EDU
Hello fellow students! My name is
Kristin Gillead; I am the President
of the Black Student Union and
Community Liaison for the SGA.
Some of you may see me frequently
throughout the campus because
I am extremely active in school.
From plays, to choirs and dances to
forums, 1 have found our campus
very appealing in its ability to
satisfy my interests and willingness
to express myself in more ways
than my academics. Sadly, I will be
leaving next semester, with many
of my other fellow active peers and
the main thing that concerns me
is student participation. Did you
know our campus has over a 100
clubs? Even worse, did you know
more than half of these clubs are
considered inactive? Therefore, for
my debut as an opinion columnist,
I would like to share my opinion on
the lack of student participation on
this campus.
How many of you have heard or
' said these words, "There is nothing
to do on this campus"? Well, did
you know that there is a student
programming board, run through
Student Activities, which asks for
student participation to pick days
and activities for campus events? I
thought you didn't. When Student
Activities sent out information
for this board via email, NO ONE
applied or responded. As a result,
there was no student programming
board established. Hmmm...maybe
this is why so many think there is
nothing to d 0...
Have you ever heard of SAF, the
into, "Even if you do harbor racist
feelings, you'll never admit it and
it'd be rude of me to ask you to
do so. Instead I will inadvertently
ask your opinion on America's
preparedness for a black president."
To Senator Obama's credit, I don't
believe his campaign has overdone
the whole "first black president"
aspect of this election. It's used it to
their advantage and why not? But
the focus is on hope and change,
which covers so much more ground
than just another first in a history
book. In fact, if anything, his
campaign has almost tried to ignore
his skin color. And rightly so! With
enough credentials to run for the
presidency, gender, religion, and race
should be nonissues. Obviously,
they are not.
Another commonly asked question,
normally as a follow-up to the
previous, is whether Obama is
"black enough", whatever that
means. This issue was the guest
of honor at many media field days,
gathering speculation from all types
of intellectuals, broadcasters, and
media's village idiots (by whom I
am referring almost fully to Rush
Limbaugh and his "Halfrican
before communications students
to follow me. Imagine a working
radio station (a stretch for some, I
know), and this newspaper residing,
not only next to each other, but in
the same hallway as a video editing
studio, and a photography lab, and
an audo editing studio.
Perhaps what I call for may be
viewed as far too radical for some
of the staff. Maybe I sound too
commandeering asking for an entire
section of a hallway, but please heed
my words when I say I have no
vision of a communications domi
nated school. Rather, I have a vision
of a communications program that is
unlocked to its full potential.
There are many a professor here
that are worth their weight in gold.
They instruct, and they instruct
Student Activity Fund...or as I'd
like to call it FEE...BECAUSE ITS
BEING TAKEN OUT OF YOU
TUITION EVERY SEMESTER!!!
Yes, the SAF provides money for
ALL students...let me repeat ALL
students who would like to get
some other students to do things.
As a member of a club, or as an
individual, you can write a proposal
for anything from a Pajama Party
to a Fashion Show or camping trip.
But of course, no one knew about
this either right? Even though it is
posted on every email, flyer, table
tent etc. for which SAF sponsors....
This brings me to another
issue...DOES ANYBODY LOOK
AT FLYERS??? I can't even
begin to name all of the events,
conferences and forums that have
been advertised, this semester alone,
which have flopped because no one
showed up. I have read the police
sections in the Cap Times, I know
people like to party and have fun,
so why not show up to one that has
been LEGALLY established for you
enjoyment? I personally challenge
everyone who reads this article to
go to an event you see posted. DO
IT! Because guess what? If you
don't go, the venue who was paid to
be here STILL GETS PAID!!! Bus
trips to NY, plays, movie nights,
game shows, poets...lTS ALL
FREE... It is your right as a Penn
State student to take advantage
of these Opportunities and why
wouldn't you want to?
My final concern forces me to
revisit this club life issue. I don't
know what bothers me more, people
who are too absorbed in clubs and
can not fathom reality, or those
more absorbed in a misconstrued
American" comments). The
conclusion? Easily proven by
his success in the polls and his
delegate count, Obama is both
"black enough" and "white enough"
to make it to 1400 Pennsylvania
Avenue.
Racism is not going anywhere,
not if we cannot address it directly,
without the use of euphemisms,
without the fear of being '
politically incorrect. Prejudice and
discrimination aren't as apparent
as segregated buses and they aren't
always disrespectfully scrawled on
bumper stickers, but they certainly
exist today. Hate is ever present; it's
simply gone into hiding.
What can be done to stop it? I'm
certainly no expert, but applying
President George W. Bush's advise to
America on how to combat terrorism
certainly makes sense in combating
racism as well. "Americans are
asking: What is expected of us? I
ask you to live your lives, and hug
your children. I know many citizens
have fears tonight, and I ask you to
be calm and resolute, even in the
face of a continuing threat."
As for me, I bought another bumper
sticker.
well. Their students learn, and apply
that information. Greater than that
I say is the professor that not only
instructs his or her students, but
also allows students to learn from
eachother. A professor who can
instruct the lesson of the day, allow
the students to learn from eachother,
and in turn learn a lesson themselves
from those same students is worth
far more than ten times their weight
in gold.
I may be a little radical in my ap
proach, and my pleas out of place
for a student request. I don't know
the full extent of what politics and
money are involved, and for this I
am admittedly ignorant.
But far worse a crime is to not
acknowledge the untapped potential
that is available to our students.
reality who don't understand what
they can gain from working with
a club. Wait, I lied. It's definitely
the second. Regardless of your
major, hometown, hobbies etc.
clubs are good for you. I feel like
I'm trying to get a two year old to
eat vegetables when I tell people
the importance of being active
on campus. Clubs look good on
resumes, they show you can be
responsible; they inflict you with
excellent networking opportunities
and help you develop teamwork
abilities. I have found that being
in a club, well multiple clubs, has
made me a better student. I am
better in professional situations
and I have learned lots about the
importance of commitments and
responsibility.
Students, please become
more active. Next year, I and many
other fine student leaders are not
going to be here and I am honestly
concerned about this student body's
ability to become leaders. If you
haven't noticed, the high school
mentality has become an epidemic
on this campus. Yes, there is life
outside of Penn State Harrisburg,
but why let what so many students
fought for suffocate? A lot of us
have worked hard this year and
years prior to help bring life to this
campus; not to mention countless
staff and faculty. If you don't want
to join a club, attend their events.
If you don't like the events going
on, CREATE YOUR OWN...you
can, everyone can. There are no
excuses for not participating in even
the smallest fashion. After reading
this article, I hope you take it upon
yourself to be more active. If you
don't, who's to say anyone else will.
President's
Corner.
By SAHAR SAFAEE
SGA President
SVSSO33@PSU.EDU
Today we all start seeing the
light...the light that will shine on
the path that paves the way to our
success.... Today we all become
adults and understand that simple
pity battles with one another mean
very little in the grand scheme of
things; no matter how amusing these
battles may be. Today we see that
life is more then just drama and
who said what and did what or who
where. Its more than just gossip on
the side of the dirty street corner
today is the day you can stand up,
sitting down is fine too, and say you
want to make difference, something
that matters. Something that will
make a dent on the sidewalk we call
our life
The perfect event that will happen
two days from now, Rally at the
Rotunda! On April 2"" at 12:00 pm
meet by the SGA office and run
away with us to the Capital we will
take a magical ride on the magic
school bus to Candy Mountain, also
known as, the steps of the Capitol
building. You will have an excused
absence from your class but please
make sure to tell you professors that
you will be missing class to take this
magical bus ride. Also please email
Marty Santalucia, mfsso7s@psu.
edu with you emergency contact
information (e.g. your name, your
emergency contact's name and
phone number, and your PSU email
address).
PROCRASTINATORS all over
the campus gather around for the
most amusing time of your life.
The greatest invention known to
man has been finally created. A
small button at the top-left corner of
your Mozilla Firefox browser and
it is called STUMBLE. What?!?
You don't have it? Lalo has it that
means you need it too! (its just
the way the world works) You are
totally missing out on wasting
about two to seven hours of your
day but all for the greater good of
productive procrastination. What is
stumble well it is an awesome tool
that allows you to see awesome
websites, based on your likes, which
will change the way you think of
life. Ready l ...2...3....5TUM8LE!
Are you bored??? Are you
wondering is going on, on this
campus. Well, April is filled to the
brim; I mean the cup is literally
overflowing with liquid; it is almost
a flood with all the spillage. Starting
with the previously mentioned
event, Rally at the Rotunda on April
r".
April 6th 13 Ih , and 20th Latin Dance
lessons 3-spm in the CUB.
April B'h, The sth L performing at
9:3opm on Stacks Stage.
April 11th, ROCK FOR CHANGE
Charity Concert beginning at 2pm
on stacks stage with an Invisible
Children movie and then moving
to the Vartan Plaza with awesome
bands will be playing into the night
April 15'", Lion Ambassadors PSU
IDOL from 8-11 pm
April 17'h, SEE's Earth Day
April 18'h, BSU's Fashion Show
And of course the best week of your
life... all I can say is Giant Games!
From April 21" to April 24th RITES
OF SPRING so many events!
April 25th and 26' h , Godspell in the
auditorium
So please do not walk around
campus saying there is nothing
to do. There is totally a massive
amount of things to do on April so
enjoy what nature gave you and go
outside.