Important Health Topic

I’ve noticed and found that African Americans tend to not got to the doctor regularly and take notice to symptoms of disease and infection whether it is mental or physical. This is partially due to the fact that they do not trust doctors and feel that there is unfair treatment in their care compared to that of Caucasian patients. I’ve also noticed that in the mental health world that many African Americans with bipolar disorder either go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed as schizophrenic and they are put on medications for the wrong disorder. It has been shown by the professors at the University of Connecticut that people of color including Latinos have excessively been misdiagnosed. Their plan is to find out why so many have been improperly diagnosed.


"Patients suffering from depression or bipolar disorder who only receive medications for schizophrenia will continue to experience their original symptoms," he said, "and they will be at risk for very poor outcomes.(1) My opinion is simple that doctors need to treat all patients fairly. These statistics aren’t shown in patients with fair skin so I feel that there should be more initiative to diagnosing people of color. One factor about why this is an issue is because of health insurance and lack of as to the type of service that the patients receive. Most people of color have little to no health insurance and so they are going to free clinics or less qualified doctors to receive treatment, and because they can’t pay much the doctor doesn’t take much initiative in diagnosing them so they receive the wrong diagnosis, the wrong medication, and it leads to negative results.

Another reason for [what?] African Americans is that underestimate the impact of mental disorders. Many believe symptoms of mental illnesses, such as depression, are “just the blues.” Issues of distrust in the health care system and mental illness stigma frequently lead African Americans to initially seek mental health support from non-medical sources.(2) I have seen from personal experiences that African American specifically shrug things off and put it off as something minimal when it is really something more than that. I’ve had three family members diagnosed with bipolar disorder. They shrugged it off at first as something minimal as having the “blues” or just “being down”. It progressed and things got worse but they never went and got help for it. For one family member it became so bad that he became a danger to himself and others. He was committed to the Psychiatric ward of the hospital and it was then found that he suffered from bipolar disorder. It was then that we found out the other two showed the same symptoms and assumed it was bipolar disorder. Part of the reasons why my other two family members never went for help is that they grew up during the civil rights era and never trusted the doctors because they kept the mentality that doctors aren’t fair and they discriminate against people of color.

People of color, especially African Americans, should take more care of themselves whether it is the mental or physical aspect of health. I also believe that doctors should take more initiative and care when diagnosing people of color in concerns of a medical disorder. The original purpose for the free clinics were so that people with little or no health insurance had someplace to go and receive effective and efficient medical at a low cost. These principles should be forced upon these clinics to ensure the correct treatment of people of color specifically. In return we break the chain of misdiagnoses and improper treatment of people of color. This will, in reaction, encourage more people of color to regularly see a physician and maintain mental and physical health.



Sources Cited

1. "Bipolar Disorders and African Americans." Bipolar Disorder Research Study (2005): n. pag. Web. 17 Nov 2009. .

2. "African Americans." American Psychiatric Association. . 2009. AMA, Web. 17 Nov 2009. .

3. “African American Health.” 2009. NLH, Web. 17 Nov 2009.

Homecoming pt 2 [Fashion Show]

Greetings to my fellow eagles and all prospective! Today’s topic will consist of the Homecoming fashion show (which my modeling troupe won by the way.YAY!!!!!)




So first was the fashion show, and the theme was the “Fashion Massacre”. The days leading up to the show were very hectic and irritating making sure last minute props were done and appointments were set to do hair and little last minute task. The day of the show went pretty smooth which I wasn’t expecting considering the fact we had all night practice the previous night and I hadn’t had any sleep. I returned to campus at 7am on Thursday and had to immediately prepare for my first class of the day. I soon noticed how tired I really was and drank my last Amp (those have become my best friends in college). Feeling a little bit better I continued with my day without anymore interruptions. After my biology lab I raced back to my room so that I could finish the hem of the skirts I made for the show. At first I didn’t think it would take much time, and that is why I waited 3pm to do them. But as soon as I started I realized it was more work than I thought. Considering the fact I had to meet with my Academic Advisor that day at 4:30 and report to the B.N. Duke auditorium at 5, it seemed impossible to get them done. But thank goodness for roommates like mine. She helped a great deal and we finished with minutes to spare.



Finally it’s time for the show to start and backstage becomes hectic with models running from point A to B needing last minute touch ups on makeup and hair. We finish up and send them to do their opening act. In the opening, all troupes participated in a union entrance. Each troupes then presented a few representatives on stage to create a cluster and the rest went to the back. Then once each troupe presented the rest of the models that went to the back returned in lines in the aisles, and the presidents from each troupe appeared in the front for recognition. Then the show began. The lineup including the following modeling troupes: Blaque Mystique, Bon Vivant Fashion Society, Evalesco, Prestige, Team Paradyce. I was unable to watch the other troupe’s performances because the fashion show had sold out and there was no room left for the troupes to see the other performances. But our show was exceptionally different and truly embodied the meaning of a fashion massacre. Our scheme was the BVFS asylum and the three patients were admitted for their addiction to money, accessories, and shoes. During the first scene the patients are brought out and the head Nurse (our president Mercadees Gray) admitted them and listed the daily schedule. Then the curtains close after the girls are put under sedation and they open up to the girls waking up and realizing where they are then they jump out the chairs and begin the women’s routine. After that the creative runway scene occurs. Then the men’s routine and their runway are next. After that it is the union scene between the women and men it was set up as a seduction scene and for the women patients to seduce the males (the doctors) to get out of the asylum. The finale was the whole troupe on the stage and in the aisles. After we finished our set we then began the long wait for them to announce the winners. It seemed like FOREVER and then finally they announced BON VIVANT as the winners and we ran to the stage. It was so exciting especially this being my freshman year and the first time I participated in an organization as such. So I say Congrats to my Bon Vivant Family and to all the others. WE’RE THE BEST!!
 

HomeComing Part I

Recently we celebrated our Centennial Homecoming; it was quite interesting and important. This being our centennial it was an important one. But it tends to be complicated because NC A&T, and WSSU also had their homecomings at the same time. Even with that obstacle we had a pretty fun homecoming. The first part of home coming consisted of the Comedy show, the Pre-dawn and the Coronation. The comedy show was one of the highlights of homecoming we had Benji Brown, Corey Holcomb and Kevin Hart. It was exciting and I had so much fun laughing and crying at the jokes. First there was Benji Brown with his famous impressions of a female and her friends. He talked about the typical female clique and how the act one way in front of each other but when they separate they talk trash about the others. Everything he said was so true which made it SOO SOO much funnier because females tend to act like that a lot. Then Corey Holcomb came on the stage and told real life situations. To some these jokes offended them but these real life situations concerning abortion, and bodily anatomy. With Corey Holcomb we were taken “to school” and learned the real things that they don’t teach us in class. Ha-ha. The final act was Kevin Hart. He was absolutely funny. His material was original and new. I would love to talk about it but because he was doing an HBO show he asked that we not discuss it or record it before it aired on television. I will say that as usual he talked about his kids and how they acted. He also talked about daily life and his attitude and temperament. I enjoyed myself and seriously have never laughed so hard in my life. On Saturday there was the Pre-Dawn “Survival of the Fittest.” It was a concert/Party, and they booked Shawty Lo, an artist known for being in the group D4L and having singles such as “Foolish” and “Dunn Dunn.” Unfortunately I didn’t get to see him perform but I did enjoy myself hanging with my friends and some of the members from my organization. On Sunday the Coronation was held in the B.N. Duke auditorium. This was a ceremony in which the Mr. and Miss of all organizations were presented to the public. I did not attend but I was told that it was lovely and exciting.

Controversy

As college students, keeping up with the news and current events is imperative. So recently there was a story that broke the news about the French vogue. They released an issue including a controversial photo shoot in which a Caucasian model Lara Stone is portrayed as a woman of African Descent. Some may think that it is wrong because the French Vogue is known for being controversial or “racist” as some say. But some see it as artistic. In my opinion I believe it is creative but still disrespectful. In one sense you can’t blame them for it because it is just like Season 4 of America’s Next Top Model when they portrayed women of different cultures as a photo shoot challenge. But still because Africans and people of color have been so discriminated against and portrayed poorly it can also be criticized in that sense because French Vogue has been known for not having many models of color. It has only seemed to worsen in recent years in the New York Fashion Scene because they have been criticized for not including models of color in fashion and runway shows.



On a personal note I believe that technically the French Vogue cannot be criticized because the same type of photo shoot has been done previously. It may have not been thought of as wrong to many because it was Tyra Banks but to some it was. It may have been thought of as disrespectful. But because it is done by the French Vogue then it is SO wrong. I don’t believe that you should scold one and not the other. If you are going to scold those of the French Vogue and the Australian talent show for racist acts then you should scold them all or allow for the creative genius. In a Moral aspect I believe that what the French Vogue did was wrong. I believe that if the country is supposed to be as integrated as they claim then models of color should be included in the magazine.


To read the full article click the link http://en.afrik.com/article16334.html

Brittany - African American, Christina - East Indian, Kahlen - Hawaiian, Keenyah - Korean, Lluvy - Swedish, Michelle - Eskimo, Naima - Icelandic, Noelle - African, Rebecca - Italian, Tatiana - Biracial, Tiffany - Native American

Blogging on the RUN!!!

Hello my fellow eagles,



I feel like I’m neglecting you all and my duty to keep you up to date, but school has picked up and midterms grades and exams became a priority. SO let me fill you in on the past two weeks of my life. I went to the Aggie-Eagle Classic. Although we lost I cheered NCCU on and lost my voice. The game was so much fun and filled with excitement. As usual the NCCU Marching Sound Machine put on the show of a life time. The DOA “Death of Aggieland” added the special touch they needed to show out. And our football team fought long and hard. I was so proud to call myself an Eagle because we showed true spirit. Then dreadfully I caught the flu that has been going around so that put me out for a weekend. I can’t stress enough how Lysol is your best friend especially in college to keep you safe and germ free. Also make sure you receive a flu shot every year.


Then there are midterms. Even when you are passing and have a good grade its imperative that you study hard and make sure you do great on your midterm because it’s the determination of an A or a B or an D or a F. So as for my study plan I wrote words that I didn’t know three times along with key words to help me remember the words and their meanings. Another thing I tend to do with new words is write the annunciation of the word so I know how to pronounce it and write it correctly.


Along with all of that I have my numerous clubs that have taken up my time. First, with homecoming so close, Bon Vivant is taking a lot of my time. We practice every day for perfection as well as setup and prop completion. Then there’s book club….we have recently started reading the Steve Harvey book “Act like a Lady, Think like a Man”. The book is really great and I’m starting to learn some things about myself as a woman and ways to better myself. So that’s my spill, and until next time keep these words with you.


“You will realize your potential when you dream your biggest dream”-Me

Family Weekend Part II [Hill Harper]

On Sunday Hill Harper was featured in a Lyceum program held in the B.N. Duke Auditorium. And he had A LOT to say. Not just in general but there were so many inspiration messages that he left us with and I’d like to share those:

First we are the Active architects of our lives. We have the ability to design tour lives they way we want in order to succeed. This is done by four simple steps that can be used in Life, making decisions, and every aspect of life

    Blueprints-figure out what you want in life and plan it out. Write your blueprint whether its mental or written


    Foundation- as all buildings need foundation so do you, so build your foundation. Including your education, family ties, relationships,


    Wall frame- means choosing your options, making the right decisions.


    Doors- open your life to opportunities that may help you in achieving your goals.


Mr. Harper also stated that we shouldn’t survive we should Thrive. Because when you survive you are just getting by but when you thrive you open up more opportunities for yourself and are successful. So my weekend has pretty much been full and FUN…. Hope this encourages you to attend NCCU because not only do you receive and education you gain Family.

-NCCU College girl;))

For More information on Hill Harper visit his website [Manifest Your Destiny]

Family Weekend Part 1 (The Game)

We’ve recently finished our Family Weekend here at NCCU, and it was Exciting. The weekend started on Friday September 18th with the welcoming ceremony and varies activities for the parents and family members. Then Saturday there was breakfast with the #1 Eagle, Chancellor Nelms followed by a huge tailgate for our first home game. When Central Tailgates, We do it BIG! There was blowup slides and moon-walks for the children. Local Vendors with food were there including Fish Plates, Shrimp, Turkey Legs, Funnel cakes, and there was even a smoothie vendor that sold actual Pineapple drinks in the Pineapple. That was interesting to me. The Smoothies were good as well. The Pre-Game was the best! There was the Famous Eagle jumping around and hyping the crowd and dancing with the Team on the field warming up. There was the Marching Soul Machine blasting the soulful old school hits and pumping the crowd up. Plus it was just a good feeling to have everyone there supporting the Eagles… it was like one huge Family. The Game was Fun; everyone cheered and chanted for our football team. One of the most interesting parts were the 1st downs, every time the eagles got a first down the band would play a tune and the crowd would yell Eagle 1st down. I’m starting to find out the school traditions and I’m guessing that the 1st down chant is a tradition along with the N-C-C-UUUUUUUUUUUU tune that the band plays often to hype the crowd up. Although our mighty eagles fought hard, they lost 10-13 in double-overtime. Later that night was the talent showcase in which the students, family and faculty were able to showcase their talents in front of the student body.

For More Information about Family Weekend Click the Link Family Weekend Info