The Good, The Bad and The Ugly- College Experience 

College life is an experience we all will never forget the laughs, friendships, new beginnings and new relationships.  The long talks at night with friends, college parties, events and most of all the long nights of studying for an exam or final.

College is really what you make of it, like if you’re a boring person your experience will be boring I feel like if you come to college and plan on being something you must keep yourself involved and focus.  I’m a graduating senior now and I wish every freshman the best in life do something you wouldn’t ever thought you couldn’t do think outside the box just be “G.R.E.A.T”.  My experience of being a HBCU college student was amazing I am bless and humble to be able to be a part of “Lane College” FAMILY all the ups and downs college is really a struggle and I’m glad I made the right decision. Being here really change my life I've met many people and lost a lot of friends but through it all I'm getting what I came here for which is an Degree and making my family and friends proud after school I plan on doing a lot of traveling and networking to build up my career after Undergrad school. After graduating in April, I do plan on going to “GRAD” school to take up Journalism and Production my “GOAL” while being in a GRAD program I would like to keep myself focus, motivated and successful.  Even though College was a struggle I’m proud for pushing myself harder I thank my grandmother for giving me the knowledge and the encouragement. I also thank my mother and father for the guidance and the support and for teaching me how to be a man. Throughout the years of struggling I had to make life Decision like missing classes for a job I knew I needed so I won’t go broke or must ask my parents for money. Because I always Had this saying if they did it for you, then you can do for them and plus I like making my own money that's why I knew after high school what I wanted to do which is to become an adult, be successful, make my own money and be my own boss. Before even thinking about coming to school I had many people downing me saying hurtful things but that didn’t stop my dreams or goals I thank Lane College for an Experience to remember I am A Lane Man and I do have the power of potential.

   




  Social Media is the only result?




Social Media is the number one source to find news. As of for today’s facts Facebook is the number one place people go to meet new friends etc. Facebook is made to connect with family and friends but in this world people use social media for embarrassment of the black culture for example the black culture is more likely to post on twitter and Facebook more than other cultures  or race. Social media has been a part of my life since junior high school I believe that was the first time I had ever had  social media.  Do you remember Myspace, yes I said Myspace it was the first social media page I ever had and then that's when Facebook came.

 I believe that in this world at this point the only thing you need to live is social media or just media and of course food "lol" period  because all the social media shows for example “Love & Hip-Hop” TI & Tiny” and basketball Wives” oh and let’s not forget the real house wives of Atlanta

. Social media has control our young generations to that they don’t even want to get an education or learn. Media is dumbing down our children to the point that they want even sit in the classrooms.

I have a question do you think technology use to connect in the classroom well somewhat yes it started in the 2000s but when I was like in
 elementary school we didn’t have social media or reality shows. The only things as a child we could watch was cartoons my parents didn’t play about watching grown folks shows yeah grown folks show let’s call it how it is. Media is distraction reason of saying that is because some students, even when on their best behavior, can't concentrate on homework for more than two minutes without distracting themselves by using social media or writing an email.

Many people overestimate their ability to multitask, such as college students who thinks he/she can text and listen to a lecture simultaneously. Research states that Multitasking while doing academic work which is very, very common among young people it leads to spottier, shallower and less flexible learning,"

That’s like when we in class got our phones out testing while the professor talking or giving a lecture that’s disrespectful for one and that’s not cool because education should come first before a message from Twitter, Facebook or Snapchat. The main focus should be the one that giving the grade. That’s when I go back to social media is dumbing down our students and younger generation. Let’s put this to a stop!  

                                -All about Jazmine Sullivan  

Jazmine Sullivan one of my favorite R&B singers she was born April 9, 1987  in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania she’s 30 years of age she was raise by her single mother “Pam Sullivan” and has two siblings Jazmine” said without her mother being by her side and teaching her the ways of life she doesn’t know where she would be today and for that she’s humble, grateful and bless.” 

 My first time listening to Jazmine Sullivan was when I was in like the 8^th grade trying to figure out my feelings and how good of a singer she was. Jazmine First hit which was “I need u Bad” featuring Missy Elliott which reached #1 on billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs. Jazmine is no ordinary singer her voice is very soulful and mellow her second hit was “bust your windows “which we’re produced by Salaam Remi, she was peaked at #4.  Elements of R&B, Reggae, Dub, Pop, Jazz, Neo soul, and doo-wop all of those can be heard in her work. Jazmine Sullivan worked with numerous of people from legends she calls them “Cite singers and they are Brandy, Kim Burrell, Lauryn Hill, and let’s not forget the great Dorinda Clark-Cole. Jazmine Sullivan is not only a singer she a songwriter, actress Etc.  she’s not only one of my favorite R&B singer she’s like one of my inspirations I look up to her because one day I would like to meet her and maybe sing and create a hit together.  

Jazmine Sullivan been in the game since 2007 that’s 11 years and she’s still an amazing woman one of my role models. Before the fame she performed at the showtime at the Apollo when she was child. She co-wrote songs for Neo, Jennifer Hudson, Trey Songs Etc.  She was also Grammy Award-nominated for her two hits “I need U bad” and Bust Your window” her new album talks about where she’s been and where she’s moving on and forward the album name is The reality show she has hit like “Let it Burn” and “Masterpiece” Jazmine Sullivan is a very talented women I would be so honored to work with her and be so nervous to meet her and her music is so amazing gives me chills every time I hear a her voice she’s a beautiful phenomenal women. I bet people wondering what’s next for Ms. Sullivan maybe a movie or new album who knows who’s to say she always surprising and making me proud  and for that I’m forever her number #1 Fan.

                                      

                                Crying Out Loud


   

Crying out loud basically speaks for itself simply saying crying out loud really mean anything such as rape, getting bully, afraid , seeking for attention or even get child abuse and adult abusive relationships. But the moral of the story is everything you going through actually sit there and asks yourself would you let someone disrespect you as a person or even put their hands on you regardless of the situation male or female no matter who was right or wrong abusive can always end up deadly regardless of the sex. I feel as though when a women finally get a man that’s taking care of her showering her with gift etc. then after 6 months of a good relationship and good vibes the tables turns either because as a man he got jealous or he was cheating and just start using you because he knew he had you lock down. That many abusive relationship depends on the situation and if its male or female but there shouldn't be any abuse going on regardless that's not the way to handle things.


Seriously no matter what the situation could be as men we get jealous. A man duty for a women is to provide and take care of the kids and be a stay at home mom and secure herself as a women and also provide and take care the husband. Crying out loud as a young child I did things to get attention it was things that a 5 year old shouldn’t be doing just being hard headed, but let me tell it I wasn’t bad I only did things to get attention because I was hurting inside I was always pick on in school got called out my name such as “FAGGOTS”, gay, punk etc called bullying. I mean at that age who wants to go through pain and hurt at that age I didn’t know what GAY mean I was just being what God created me to be which is brave, smart, strong but most of all a leader regardless of what they say they talked about Jesus and he died for all of our sins that’s what my mama always told me. Never be afraid to be you forget what people say because god made how he wanted.

What a summer experience......... 

Why plan for Summer break I mean it never goes the way you want it to go it’s always something. We all had that one time when we did something that was gone benefit you and your life. Well last year I went to Baton Rouge for an internship and while attending that internship I met many new people I made many new lifelong friends while in Baton Rouge I always did service projects gave back to the community and fellowship as BBQ, Music, Dance etc.

 Over the summer I realized that this could be the place for me to start my career and a new name for myself such as networking, journalist, photographing and more the new station down south is very cool and lit I would love to be a part of the culture and experience making history with the City of Baton Rouge. The food is amazing it makes me feel like I’m at home in Memphis, TN  you can’t go to New Orleans without going on Bourbon Street that’s just not right you got to get the whole experience best time of your life.

 After undergrad I been thinking about maybe going to LSU or SU I haven’t made up my mind both schools is amazing but, I feel I should try something new because my 4 years being in college has been the best 4 of my life and no SHADE to any of my black college students I have to get out of the habit of the all black culture as like acting we the only ones that lives on earth it’s like this if you have work at a fast food restaurant anything necessary is possible. I even went to go see the capital so this summer I plan on finishing strong because when the fall gets here its go time graduate status than i'ma be saying what a college experience.

I feel like I have did my time of being a part of an HBCU I am proud to be graduating soon from a black college next up it’s a university remember I said we have to change up the culture of the world that’s what I mean I feel that where the money is at we as black students we should be lifting one another up instead of bringing one another down. am glad I had the opportunity of being a part of the Baton Rouge, LA experience it made me open to people better such as making conversation and participating in group projects etc. I guess you can  it brought me out my shell more I don’t know ever since I was little I had my guard up but since I been in college it made me become a better person.  

                          
March 9 1997- Biggie Smalls


In 1997, Gangsta rapper TheNotorious B.I.G. (Christopher
Wallace) was killed in a still-unsolved drive-by shooting in Los Angeles; he was 24, The 24-year-old rapper, who had earned rave reviews and big sales in giving voice to the violent edge of the streets, was declared dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at 1:15 a.m. His body was identified Sunday afternoon at the Los Angeles coroner's office by his ex-wife, singer Faith Evans, and his mother, who flew in from New York, officials said. Although more than 1,000 people were said to be at the party, police said they had few eyewitnesses and even fewer solid leads to the shooting at the intersection of Fairfax Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard.

At the time of the shooting, hundreds of industry executives and musicians were pouring out of the Petersen museum after organizers decided to shut the party down, apparently because of the overflow crowd, according to police. Many of the guests fled in panic as the shots rang out. Some detectives are worried about a repeat of the stalled investigation into the murder of Tupac Shakur. That rap star--a rival to Wallace--was fatally shot on the busy Las Vegas Strip in September, but police there have complained that witnesses refused to cooperate. The Shakur case remains unsolved.

Detectives said they are investigating whether Wallace's death is linked to bicoastal tensions within the rap world, but had nothing solid to go on.  Wallace, a 6-foot-3 man who weighed 380 pounds and also went by the name Biggie Smalls, lived in New Jersey and was in Los Angeles to record music and to attend Friday night's Soul Train Music Awards and related festivities. His next album was scheduled to come out in two weeks.

It's title was kind of grimly ironic:Mr. stated that "Life after Death. ‘til Death Do Us Part." Wallace had said in an interview with The Times last week that his injuries in a car accident a few months ago had convinced him to "slow down. and think about what you're gonna do with the rest of your life." But he remained stoic about his future, saying he had stopped believing that his stature in the rap industry could insulate him from its volatility. 

 "There's nothing that protects you from the inevitable. If it's going to happen, it's going to happen, no matter what you do," he said. "It doesn't matter if you clean up your life and present yourself differently, what goes around comes around, man. It's crazy for me to even think. That a rapper can't get killed just because he raps. I'm stupid for even thinking that it couldn't." An ex-crack dealer from Brooklyn who had several brushes with the law, Wallace often found himself at the center of speculation about a cross-continent feud between himself and West Coast rap players such as Shakur and industry mogul Marion "Suge" Knight.

                            

Nicki Vs Remy

                                                 

What’s the issue between two good female Rappers Nicki Minaj and Remy Ma is it because of some type of jealousness or is this beef personal beef? Hmmm….. You might heard that from the past few weeks Nicki Minaj was throwing shots towards anybody that feel like they can take the crown of queen of rap. Remy Ma drop a dis tape of Nicki Minaj talking about her life and how her body fake and how she will never be the queen of rap etc. Just slandering her name. 

Less than a week on Feb. 25 there was a release of Remy Ma’s “ShETHER,” a venomous track that digs into Minaj from literally every angle for almost seven minutes, came as a shocking to many, others saw this exact moment boiling up over the course of the past decade and then some. As the Bronx rapper spits each disrespectful bar over the same Ron Browz-produced “Ether” beat Nas used to annihilate Jay Z in 2001, the gravity of the arguably inevitable battle escalates to new heights, placing a newfound pressure for Minaj to fire back. When looking back on the unruly frenemy-style relationship between The Pink-Print rapper and the Plata O Plomo MC, it’s as clear as day that neither of the two have been willing to loosen their grasp on the crown nor let their vision stray far from the throne of being the best or queen of rap. 

Both have had their sights set on the title of Queen of Rap and tactfully make moves to secure their own respective kingdoms. This beef also brings us back to one of hip-hop’s oldest turf wars, the Bronx versus Queens. As we know at the time in which Remy was incarcerated in 2008, Nicki Minaj was first gaining momentum through hustling mixtapes and albums. When the Terror Squad MC was released from prison in 2014, she found herself stepping into a time where Minaj was already established as a household name. At the time, Minaj was enjoying the fruits of her labor following the release of her third studio album and began diving into the acting world. 

As Remy picked up where she left off, continuing to carve her own lane and work her way up to scoring a recent nominee, alongside Fat Joe, at the 2017 Grammy Awards, the looming beef between her and Minaj hasn’t soon disappeared. Although, at the time of this report, Minaj has not yet indulged in the temptation to tear into Remy Ma on wax and remains unbothered, their history reminds us that this is, after all, a game of chess, not checkers.

               Donald  Trump vs United States

Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States on November 9 2016, after defeating Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. He became the official president January 11, President Trump are making promises that he can't meet himself other than trying to move the immigrants out of the United States and building a wall in Mexico so people want inter into the United States.

If I was in his shoes I will probably focus on the most important things that people don't see like more jobs, getting gangs out of the community, education for college like free tuition, making more events for homosexuals etc. why say make America great again when you're not producing the things you promise the world. such as you made Hillary look like a joke and a liar, but in many cases she was a little bit shady towards Barack when she was running against him, so many things that President Trump said was true my thing is a lie don’t care who tell it you just have to be smart about what you saying.

 Donald Trump

Like when President Donald Trump  do things  like this but don’t nobody tries to  put this in the “NEWS” or slander him doing things like this when you have a position to uphold and you act like you high in mighty and don’t pay your taxes not that rich Prime Example “I’m not releasing the tax returns because as you know, they’re under audit,” he said. (Trump has not offered any evidence that he is in fact under audit.) Then he added: “You know, the only one that cares about my tax returns are the reporters, OK? They’re the only who ask.” He said he didn’t think the public was concerned: “No I don’t think so. I won, when I became president. No, I don’t think they care at all. I don’t think they care at all.”

Now, at some point in life we all lied about something which yes I can believe it, but at what point in life you tell the truth all the time I Feel Like she would’ve been a great President (Everybody lies), But now that he's in the White house he not making moves as Obama did when he did his 8 years regardless of what he said he was going to do to change the United States Obama did what he could to make a lot of people satisfied other than Black African Americans.

He made sure we all was cool no matter what color, race and where you come from most of the things we had done is because of Obama like gay rights Obama Care etc. even though everybody wasn't qualified for it he did what he could but now since people made the wrong decision of picking Donald Trump we all have to suffer for 4 years of him being president and a jack “ass.” But at this point in life we should all just humble ourselves and Work together all, I am Saying is that President Trump going to really have to do something to make the United States happy again if he want to Make America Great again.           

                                                               
                                                             

                                                             

Star: Slays again

Star is the new television show on fox 13 the next big thing people saying, it's been lit ever since they aired on Fox almost hotter than Empire most people say. This show interesting the likes of the LGBT and Queer in the black community because it speaks about black history and how as homosexuals are such afraid to be themselves do to how they was raise up. This show focus on how people go through regular day by day situation like how most police offers are against blacks and how they been killing our people and getting away with it. 

That's not right and healthy for the younger generation that's coming up this world is not what it was years ago. This show is basically an eye opening for the world to realize that this is reality just accept the real. Star is a girl who lost her mother at a young age because she was on drugs and was an unfit parent. Star lost her sister around the time of her mother’s death they both were separated. They both had to go to separate foster homes.

Star is the oldest of them she waited ‘til she turned 18 to leave her foster parents how to go find her sister, while doing so she walk in on Simone  foster dad on top of her. After that they both had to leave because Star stabbed him in the back and possibly trying to kill him. This show is about drama, music, homosexuality and black live matter Star wanted to get a girl group together to keep her and her sister safe and off the streets because they don't have nothing else to fall back on. Other than Simone's in school they came up with this girl group just like they mother and Ms. Carlotta had back in the day.

Ms. Carlotta is they mothers best friend she was looking for them ever since they was separated from one another. That's who they stay with now in Atlanta to keep them focus and out of trouble. And they formed a girls group like Simone and Star mother had with Ms. Carlotta as we all know most girls are hard to work with because they either up tight or solidity, Star is the hard headed one she never want to listen everything has to go her way her way or no way it also has to do with look as in black against white in many people cases if you not white you don't get the shot to be GREAT. 

Ms. Carlotta has a son who transformed into a women she is not happy or proud about his decision but no matter what that's her child and deep down I know she love him, reason most homosexuals have low self-esteem mainly because of how they parents feel about them and they sexuality and how they was bought up. 

It's like how I suppose to feel welcome when my own family is not accepting me for who I am or who I want to be. That's why people have suicides because the lack of the love from family and friends or mainly because how they are afraid and how they been treated as a person. 

There's a part when she tells the pastor that cotton is a man now who are you to spill that kind of tea to the pastor just because you’ll are talking or flirting doesn't mean everybody has to know. That's part of the reason why homosexuals doesn't even think about walking in a church because Christians are so judgmental when they don't have to be because it says in the bible don't judge the un-judged  it's a sin to judge.

Black National AIDS and HIV Awareness Month

As an apart of the LGBT and Queer  community don't be scare nor silent to talk to anyone about HIV OR AIDS us homosexual are most likely to be at risk to catch or contract the virus. I So let’s be one in get together and stop this virus or prevent it for happening to you or your either one of your family member it's OK to talk about it no matter what the situation might be.

Be Proud, Be BRAVE your life matter we are greater than HIV and AIDS speak up and speak out have a voice. Let’s stop HIV and AIDS it starts with in the LGBTQ community as one.

It is good to always practice safe sex male or female because just because they tell you they okay or it's OK we don't have to use a condom the devil is a liar be open minded that's not always the truth be smart and stay protected. There are facts about these virus of the risk of catching or having.

-HIV is the virus that causes HIV infection.

-AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.

-HIV is spread through contact with the blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, or breast milk of a person infected with HIV.

-In the United States, HIV is spread mainly by having anal or vaginal sex or sharing drug injection equipment with a person infected with HIV.

-The use of HIV medicines to treat HIV infection is called antiretroviral therapy (ART).

 -ART involves taking a combination of HIV medicines (called an HIV regimen) every day.

-ART can’t cure HIV infection, but it can help people infected with HIV live longer, healthier lives.

-HIV medicines can also reduce the risk of transmission of HIV. These are facts that can help you and that can help learn more about the virus of HIV or AIDS and always good to know the information of something because you can help out many people and save their lives by helping them learn how to keep themselves safe and protected. It is a must for homosexuals because they gays are more likely to catch it or give it to the next so it is good to keep yourself safe and be sure of your status. When in a committed relationship always practice consent because it makes the relationship strong and it keep you safe. Always practice safe sex regardless who it is seriously know your status together it shouldn't be an issue. 

Terry Dwayne Smith was born in Memphis, Tennessee on Aug 20, 1994 graduated from the best performance arts school in Memphis (Overton High School) with A 3.0 GPA. Terry Smith became popular in high school he did so many activities from band, choir and JROTC for 4 years he also was a part of the mass media program at Overton. Being in high school wasn’t always fun and games Terry was on the debate team and many other academic groups throughout he was number one in all state it’s a competition against all vocalist of high school students. Terry made many friends after leaving and graduating he went to college right away. Terry Smith first Job was sonic he worked there for like 2 years. After High school Mr. Smith made the chose to go to college after so many sleepless nights of trying to decide of what and where he wanted to go he was ready for the real world, grew up with 6 brothers and 5 sisters Terry will be the second in his family to graduate from college. 

Terry is a 23-year-old senior, majoring in Mass Communication at the best HBCU in the world “Lane College” since being at Lane for 5 years of ups and downs. Terry Is happy that he made a good decision of coming to College right away because he knew this was a big step in his Life, so he took the opportunity to become someone and somebody. Lane wasn’t my first choice it was my last and last-minute option and many of his family and friends went to Lane College, so he went to see what was all the talk about. It was a life Changing experience in his life. He plans to finish undergrad on April 28, 2018 with a strong 4.0 GPA, wants to master in communication and production in graduate school and plans to become a journalist.

Terry’s hobbies are watching Television, singing, band and dance and creating knew things on social media like brands, flyers, logos etc.   His long term and short-term goals to become a celebrity photojournalist and plans to travel the world to learn more about different cultures and to gain a better understanding of the aspects of life itself. Being at Lane College he Joined band and choir for 2,3 years and a member of Student Government Association (SGA). Mr. Smith is a proud Member of (M.O.D) which called Men of Distinc. an organization for the LGBTQ community our motto is making a D.I.S.T.I.N.C change through service. Someday in hopes of becoming a part of a Divine 9 organization.

Terry went to Baton Rouge, LA for a summer internship which he spent three months of learning and gaining information about the real world of being a journalist and social media life while Terry time in Baton Rouge, LA He gains numerous of friends and networking around the city. After Terry finishes undergrad he plans to move to down south which Baton Rouge, LA and his focus are school, work and make business ventures. Terry plans to be married a long time in plans to have at least two kids, also want to have his house built up from the grounds in Baton Rouge or either move to Dallas, Texas to probably network and to become a producer of his own company and hopes to help the new generation as they rise.