"Why the Nubian?"

"Why the Nubian?"

The Nubian Message, North Carolina State University's African American student newspaper, was first published on November 30, 1992. In this September 14, 1993, editorial, "Why the Nubian?", Assistant Editor Glenn French reiterated the necessity for an African American newspaper on campus. He argued that mainstream media networks did not adequately cover African American news because they did not recognize that African Americans had different perspectives and life experiences than white Americans. By presenting African American perspectives, however, The Nubian Message would highlight different points-of-view so that "we all can appreciate them."

Although writing nearly a year after the first Nubian Message appeared, French still felt the need to defend the paper's existence. This suggests that there was still opposition to the paper on campus at this time. The fact that the paper did not receive official status as a permanent, university-funded publication until March 1994 reinforces this interpretation.

Glenn French, Assistant Editor

Glenn French, "Why the Nubian?", The Nubian Message 2, no. 1 (September 14, 1993): 6. Digitized by the Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.

1993-09-14

Rose Buchanan

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Why the Nubian?

By Glenn French

Why do we need "The Nubian Message" in addition to the "Technician"? It's a matter of perspective. "The Nubian Message" is a newspaper that is from an Afrikan-American point of view. This perspective is reflected in everything from the stories to the advertisements to the cartoons. Too often this perspective is absent in the media. For example, in the news, those who control the media dictate to the masses what they believe is newsworthy. When these messages don't relate to your experience, their value is lessened.

Take for instance the "Baby Jessica" news story that got national headlines. News networks spotlighted a fight for custody of a baby girl. That's cool, but from my perspective, there are much more pressing issues which receive minimal, if any, news coverage. In many urban areas it's common knowledge where drugs are sold, and the police don't do anything. Isn't this newsworthy? If I controlled the media it seems that I could embarrass law enforcement agencies into doing their jobs. But the perspective of the group in power is leaving them unaware of the problem and this is how the Afrikan-American perspective is neglected.

Just recently movies are coming out that are finally putting the realities of living in urban America on the screen. Movies like Boyz in the Hood and Menace II Society are movies that I can relate to, and identify with as an Afrikan-American. It was a new feeling to identify so closely to a character in a film.

In general, different points-of-view aren't good or bad, just different. The only poor perspective is an ignorant one. My frame of mind as an Afrikan-American from the inner-city is going to be different in some aspects that a southern Caucasian's. "The Nubian Message" is a newspaper that reflects these differences so that we all can appreciate them.

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