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The Face He Showed To The World

Our Savior Jamaica in February 2012. Photo: Candia Vieira

It had been a beautiful, unseasonably warm day. Not necessarily unusual for the first day of February but mind boggling when one takes into account how cold the past few days prior were. What wasn’t out of place on a day such as that was the Rev. Robert “Bob” Fritch standing on the steps outside of the church, greeting the few who were entering it and the dozens of passersby hurrying home from work. The smile on his face betrayed the deep sorrow inside of him. The twinkle in his eyes hid the turmoil of the past week. At exactly 8 p.m. he smoothed down the front of the beige robe he wore and entered the church with an even brighter smile.

The Rev. Robert Fritch Preaching On Easter Sunday, 2011. Photo: Taken From The Church's Website, www.oursavorjamaica.org. All Photos Are Contributed.

The Face He Couldn’t Hide

Inside, he sat still as he waited for the moment he had been dreading to arrive. When it did, he rose and sighed. It had indeed been a tough week. He spoke of a conversation he had with one of the members on December 17, 2011. He’d told her how relieved he was that there had been no deaths that Christmas season in his church. As he wiped the sweat from his forehead, he looked at the congregation, the twinkle in his eyes gone. Apparently, there had been nine deaths since that day in December. As he spoke of each death and what it meant to him, his voice grew more solemn and tinged with regret.
Finally, he pointed towards a giant projection screen that had been stationed in front of the pulpit and told us that we would be listening to a sermon about death by Pastor Harry Schenkel, who was well known by the congregation. When the Reverand took a seat and lifted his head to the screen there was a slight sheen in his eyes. Moments later, there was hardly a dry eye in the room.

Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle has an ankle lock on fellow wrestler Mr.Anderson at a recent Impact Wrestling Live Event. Photo: Mark Hulser

What is TNA Wrestling?

 TNA wresting, known as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling was first created in 2002, right after World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) bought rival companies World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling. Even though WWE was the premiere brand of wrestling, TNA felt that over time it would be able to create a WCW style company. They have been able to find diamonds in the rough in professional wrestlers to work for them such as A.J. Styles and Robert Roode. The company’s expansion has also allowed them to scoop up talent from rival WWE and Independent Organizations like Ring of Honor. These names include some of the most well known wrestlers in the world, including Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle and former WCW Legend Sting. Yet the company, now into its 10th anniversary, has struggled to find its niche.

 The Changes

Hulk Hogan takes time to stop and sign autographs for some wrestling fans while promoting TNA wrestling. Photo: Mark Hulser

 The first seven years of the company had been ok, but even with top shelf talent in Kurt Angle, Sting, and Samoa Joe, the ratings were still not even close to what WWE was pulling in. There would also be live untelevised events that would only sell about half of the seats. A WWE event, regardless of it being untelevised always either sells out or is nearly sold out to this day. So on October 27^th 2009, TNA received a much needed boost. The legendary Hulk Hogan and former WCW Head Eric Bischoff were brought in to give TNA a makeover. Drastic changes were made throughout the company. Examples of those changes were turning the original six-sided ring into a standard four-sided ring and changing the entire focus of the company. New names were brought in and current stars were either given their walking papers or given a new gimmick. The biggest gamble was putting TNA Wrestling on the same time as WWE Monday Night Raw. Unfortunately, even with the help of Hogan and Bischoff, TNA has still not even made a dent in WWE’s ratings and at one point was forced to move their weekly show back to Thursday nights.

Why Are These Changes Not Working?

Wrestler Jeff Jarrett (White and Gold Trunks) has his counterpart Crimson in a headlock in front of a suspect crowd at a recent live event in Brooklyn. Photo: Mark Hulser

It is very hard to determine why these changes have not produced the expectations of TNA brass. Every few months, it seems as if more changes are made and the changes appear not to be the right moves. Whether it is shaking up the storylines, or bringing TNA on the road to other states besides Florida (which is where they are based), nothing seems to make an impact on ratings.  Recently, TNA decided to change the name of their wrestling program to Impact Wrestling. The reason for this change was because WWE decided to drop the wrestling name from their company all together and now consider themselves an entertainment industry. Their message is the right message, conveying that TNA is still a wrestling company so they can appease wrestling fans all over. Only time will tell if TNA can muster up something that can change their fortunes in years to come.

By Jodi-Ann Morris

The year was 1926. Carter G. Woodson was the son of former slaves. Within him sparked the idea of “Negro History Week.” After fifty

"I'm proud to be Black...."

years of celebrating this dynamic culture, in 1976 “Negro History Week” evolved and blossomed into Black History Month. Eighty years after “Negro History Week” sprouted into being, this flower of cultural appreciation has continued to grow into a worldwide celebration. Every February, the beauty, stains, blood and tears that have held and strengthen the African culture in America and other countries are revisited and symbolically honored.

Weeds in the garden

However, as the months and years after the Civil Rights era fade into the yellowing pages of history, the importance of this month has become less valuable to some members of this present generation. The echoes of personal upliftment and the drive to “emancipate yourself from mental slavery” (Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley) have fallen on deaf ears for some youths of my generation.

"De-weeding"

They are quicker to point and blame the system for their downfall than tapping into their own reservoir of strength and knowledge. Though, to some extent, one understands that some of the bitter images of history that have diffused into the reality of their world is the base for their sentiment.

Blooms of Hope

Then again, with much hope, all is not lost for those whose blood is innately crossed and tied with the African ancestry. That hope of creating more strength by building a more esteemed culture seems to have crossed the threshold.  There is a growing amount of young persons who are starting to become more aware and appreciative of their history. The works of men and women like Woodson, Martin Luther King and Angela Davis have charmed the spirit and hopefulness within them. That seed of desire to blame others and ignore their talents have dried up and has been replaced by a beautiful bloom of self-reliance and courage.

United by blood

All text and photographs by Jodi-Ann Morris.

The Theory

David Bowie

When we think of rock music, most of us think drugs, alcohol, dark lyrics and really loud music. Most people think of the likes of David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Kiss and Nirvana. We remember the ones who got caught up in the game of rock music and crashed like Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain who committed suicide at the age of 27.  We remember the intense makeup and wardrobe of Kiss and David Bowie.

The Inspiration

While it is true that rock music is full of loud sounds, dark lyrics, obsessions, and sometimes drugs and destructive behavior, there is more to the music than insanity.

"Escaping Insanity" Drawing by Marie

 To me and to most of the people who listen or sing rock music, whether it’s classic rock or punk- rock, it’s a way for us to express the intense emotions we feel or go through in our daily lives. Most of us do have a couple of demons we are trying to fight. However, singing and writing keep us sane.

The Truth

Kurt Cobain

It’s dangerous for a person to not have a way of dealing with life’s heartaches. It is necessary for a person to have a coping mechanism of one way or another. I do agree there are many rockers who end up greatly under the influence and suicidal.  However, there are still many people like Pink Floyd, Skillet, Green Day, and Evanescence who have been in the world of Rock N Roll and have come out victors over their demons.

A piece showcased in the late Alexander McQueen's fashion exhibition at the Met.

In a world where fashion magazines are widely read and influence many individuals, it is clear fashion plays an intricate part in society. Further, fashion today has transcended into another level where it is now considered as art and the fashion designers as artists. Fashion designers create unique, beautiful and sometimes over the top clothing that redefines what fashion is. Often times pushing the limits of the fashion world. One famous designer that comes to mind is the legendary Alexander McQueen, whose lifetime collection of work was showcased at the Metropolitan Museum of Art last summer.

A dress designed by the legendary fashion designer.

The McQueen Exhibition    

According to the official Met website, the exhibition was organized by The Costume Institute, and celebrated the late Alexander McQueen’s extraordinary contributions to fashion. The exhibition featured work from McQueen’s’ 1992 Central Saint Martins postgraduate collection to his final runway presentation. McQueen challenged and expanded the understanding of fashion beyond utility to a conceptual expression of culture, politics, and identity. His designs– considered as iconic — showcase the work of an artist who truly cares about the ways in which to express it. The exhibition featured approximately one hundred ensembles and seventy accessories from Mr. McQueen’s prolific nineteen-year career.

An example of McQueen challenging and expanding the idea of fashion.

  A Fashion Designer and an Artist

     When a fashion’s designer’s collection of almost his life’s work becomes an exhibition at an art museum that proves the level of significance or regard that fashion has on the world, and how fashion has become an art. In addition, I think fashion is an art in the way that both fashion designer and artists share several similarities. Both need to be inspired for them to create their own designs or works of art. Moreover, both fashion designer and artists obtain inspiration from the world around them, and perhaps from each other, such as a fashion designer being inspired by a painting or a photograph.

By Joanne Ganthier

Cluelessness

To declare myself a football fan would be baffling. To evidence myself making an effort in the use of any sports related jargon would simply ensue hilarity – albeit, since two weeks prior, I will gladly look to future Super Bowl events.

Now you may wonder, how did such an unbeliever suddenly become receptive to what once sounded like such babble?

Secret

Completely immersed in the game. Photo: Charm Lee

It wasn’t the Giant’s honed athletic abilities (sorry, fanatics), or the players’ amazing physical attributes (again, sorry), it was simply the sort of fellowship I was able to share with all of my friends under the unity of a common goal.

Sure, it may sound cliché, and even very blasé, but I truly believe I have discovered the secret behind the victimization of those to the utter passion of the Super bowl.

Recap

Giants paraphernalia. Photo: Charm Lee

The atmosphere of the gathering I was a part of screamed conformity from the very start – everyone had on a t-shirt bearing the Giants logo, and for the ignorant, like myself, we at least sported supportive colors to avoid feeling left out.  If that wasn’t enough, there were branded balloons and disposable utensils littering the house, and other such paraphernalia.

As we were seated and, watching the game, those who were most severely victim to the football fever were in front, unaware of anything else but what was on the TV field. If their heat was as a literal flame in that it was quickly spreading, those of us who were once indifferent were like flammable paint.

Super Bowl food. Photo: Charm Lee

Victory

When the Giants won, we all won. Regardless of how false the pride induced in us were, the very presence of an “us” was highly addictive and enjoyable. Not to mention that the food was awesome.