This semester is well anticipated for everyone. The greek life on GSU campus has slowly withered away these past couple of years. So many restrictions have been put on the pledging process that many greeks have either gotten in trouble or they had much work to get handled before they could properly hold a line and probate. It’s good to see GSU coming back to life.

Zetas Spring 2010 Probate

My friends and I saw Precious Friday night. I now understand why everyone from random bloggers to conscious hip-hop artist Common advised people to see the movie.

It alluded to some of the most prevalent issues in the Black community. It forced the audience into an underworld of societal invisibility and degradation. It showed the effects of socially unacceptable issues like incest and homosexual incest. It also tackled recurring problems like  (morbid) obesity, miseducation, poverty and vices.

Precious was an interesting juxtaposition. She was partially the invincible “strong black woman” stereotype. Who else could survive hellish captivity, but a modern day slave? Or a 1980s slave.

She was an abused child who suffered detrimental self-image. In a telling scene, Precious prepared for school and saw her reflection as a slim blonde. The contrast between her midnight skin and the cloudy face in the mirror showed a cultivation of self-hatred.

It was later revealed that Precious learned much of said behavior from her mother, who attempted strength by becoming her daughter’s biggest oppressor.

While her mother ate, watched television and recreationally abused Precious, Precious ate, sought education and continued a life of pain.

Precious never had a boyfriend for many reasons, but largely because of the inappropriate relationship that she had with her father.

Precious’ father raped her routinely. As a result, she had two of his children, whom her mother used as justification to verbally denigrate and physically/sexually abuse her. She accused Precious of stealing her man, as if she somehow summoned pedophilia.

Colorism was alluded to, as the positive characters in the movie were all fair skinned. This didn’t appear to be coincidence. Rather it came across as a social commentary on how “darkness” in still viewed in the world and especially within minority communities.

The movie highlighted levels of dysfunction and offered another criticism: the role of the Black man.

With the exception of Lenny Kravitz’ character, an amiable nurse, men were noticeably absent from the film. I am unsure if the statement being made was that Black men willingly left the community after doing their “damage” or if it was a result of welfare.

Precious’ mother was the epitome of the welfare queen. She was a shiftless predator who encouraged her daughter not to improve her literacy skills. She habitually instructed Precious to get on “the welfare.”

Perhaps, the movie attempted to convey that Black men often left for a multitude of reasons. It seemed to say that amongst women with narrow minds and lower socioeconomic status, Black men were forced/chose to make a way out of crumbling communities.

Interestingly enough, lack of positive male role models cause these communities to further corrode. The  rampant homosexuality in the movie appeared to be mostly from a lack of quality men.

All in all, Precious was one of the most powerful movies I have ever seen. It left me silent, saline stained, contemplative and grateful for my life.

As our wallet depth diminishes, our waistlines expand.

As the recession continues, broke Americans find that fresh, organic and less health risky foods cost more than quick fix carbohydrates and sugary satiation.

While occasional splurges and moderate “cheats” are to be expected, too many rely on garbage diets for sustenance. And our health declines accordingly.

Some communities are simply denied access to better foods.

As a result of myriad factors, nearly 70 percent of Americans are overweight, according to CNN Health. Surplus weight, particularly belly fat, is linked to diabetes, heart disease and other serious health conditions.

Becoming fit and mindful of our consumption is no longer an issue of solely aesthetic ideals. Sure weight loss and salads bring to mind svelte physiques and bikini strolls, but the issue of health is deeper than that.

It’s about being mobile, vibrant and able to help our loved ones.

In his book, Fat Land, Greg Critser offers an analysis of why Americans are so big, how many Americans are and he details the declined quality of life experienced because of it. Critser blames many of our body woes on high fructose corn syrup, the sweetener added to most American food.

It’s not an unwarranted concern.

Doctors see an increased numbers of children with Type 2 diabetes and adult ailments on young bodies. I’ve seen numerous young women and men who are so large that every day activities become complicated and alienating experiences.

While genetics play a role in predetermining some of our health issues and appearance concerns, much of it is the celebrated and expected lackadaisical lifestyle many associate with Americans.

Bill Maher has said that some view being fat and eating crappy food as the American way. We’re being stereotyped as technologically obsessed, sedentary, overweight gluttons.

The practices, not the perception, are killing us. I’m partial to carbohydrates and genetically predisposed to diabetes. It’s a fine line to walk, but awareness is a start.

I routinely make and break food adjustments. I find workout partners and stick to a regime and then allow life to take precedence over making my health a priority. But, I’m committed to picking the torch up every time my arm becomes weary.

I don’t want to become a statistic I have read about. And if I should develop health conditions along the way, I intend follow the example of my late grandfather and persevere in the pursuit of wellness.

Numerous studies convey that black people have high senses of self. While I love that about us, I can’t help but wonder how much of the perpetuation of invincible self-loving black folks, is an excuse to not walk around the block or push away from the table.

The page in and of itself wasn’t so problematic. The misogynist, vulgar, blatant nature of the page was. The page chronicled sexual stories and attached them as captions to photos of Grambling State students.

It was reminiscent of middle school slam books and the adolescent jesting that can quickly incite suicidal thoughts or physical rebellion.

I never added the page from fear of what I’d find. I did, however, look at it when a friend who befriended the page, clicked on it.

It is alarming that as college students, the supposed future of the world, some stoop low enough to denigrate their colleagues.

I won’t speculate on the gender or sexual preference of the page’s creator; however, I noticed the elation of specific groups of people when an opportunity to share in the gossip arose.

It is alarming how quickly people spread the venom and weighed in on the perceived validity of the character attacks.

I overheard Louisiana Tech students excitedly discussing the page.

Could we spread enlightenment as readily as rumor?

Everyone has a shadow. No amount of sunshine diminishes that, but …

You know what they say about crabs in a barrel.