Archive for the ‘Lifestyles’ Category

Upon entering the Fulkerson Center, the faint patter of 6-inch heels could be heard in the distance. It was April 20th, and the Annual Missouri Western Drag Show was well underway.
Sponsored by Western Activities Council, SGA, Shaft Nightclub, and The Pride Alliance, the two hour long extravaganza featured a cast of six area performers: Sparkle Iman, Victoria DePaula, Melinda Ryder, Juanita Moon, Regina Loree, L’Oreal. Each queen showcased their own variation of female impersonation, ranging from Lady Gaga to a remix of popular Broadway tunes. Each song was coupled with entriquite costuming, covered in rhinestones, beads, and lace.

This year’s event was the brainchild of Tyler Rhoad, who is the President of Missouri Western’s chapter of The Pride Alliance. Though extremely hard work, Rhoad acknowledges the importance that the show has on campus.

“I began preparations for the drag show months in advance,” Rhoad said. “Not many people understand the hard work that goes into planning something like this.”

“This year, we held it in the Fulkerson Center, which holds a much larger crowd than we’ve ever had before. It’s important to bring diversity to this campus, and it’s by far worth all the work that we put into it.”

One of these students, Sophomore Lindsey Stubbs, was surprised at the turnout, but felt that it added to the excitement of the event.

“It was completely packed,” Stubbs said. “Having all of those people crowded around the tables, and sitting on the floor, really added to the energy of the room. It was really interesting to be in a room filled with people who united over such a unique cause.”

The event raised $800 for Western’s Pride Alliance, all of which came in the form of dollar tips to the entertainers as they performed. Private donations were also made, the amounts and donors of which are to remain private.

This amount towers over fundraisers from years past. Emcee of the event, Victoria DePaula, who is a former Miss Gay America 2009, was surprised at the generosity of the students and faculty, and felt that that spirit lead to the show’s huge success.

“Being proud of who you are is important, regardless,” DePaula said. “But, when you’re in a room full of college students and professors who are proud to be at a drag show of all things, that’s something special.”

“It was great to see such a diverse crowd, who genuinely came for a good time. I don’t care if you’re gay, straight, or green – there’s always a place for you at a Pride event. We enjoy having a great time, and raising some money in the process.”

Along with the evening’s drag show, Pride welcomed Saint Joseph’s Free Clinic, who sponsored HIV testing, done in a private location, free to anyone attending the event.

The clinic also brought a collection of literature on sexually transmitted diseases, along with free female and male condoms.

When the event came to a close, attendees exited the ballroom with mixed expressions of enjoyment and impression, many of them leaving with the same daydream: A statuesque and perfectly poised woman turns the corner, and your eyes catch on the thousands of Swarovski crystals embedded in her lace corset.

With a swift flip of her long, perfectly quaffed locks, and batting of her long eyelashes, she disappears, slowly rocking her hips to the thumping rhythm of the sound system against the runway.

She is a master of illusion, and a succubus to all men. You shake your head quickly is disbelief, because you realize that she, isn’t really a “she” at all.

“Wrap up in four comforters with frost bitten soul. Can nobody tell me this world aint cold, but there a lil boy who walks in silence.” These are the words of and inspirational MWSU Poet and Senior Grant Williams. As an Economics major Williams has used poetry to express and cope with many different issues and adversities.

Williams is from St. Louis and started attending MWSU in 2004. He chose to come to MWSU because he needed to get away from his hometown.

“I wanted to get away from St. Louis but I didn’t want to be to far away from my family,” Williams said.

He had an unfortunate set back, discovering that he had type 1 diabetes which made way to Williams leaving Western until he was able to gain more strength. He has since gained control over diabetes and found his true talent of poetry.

“It was very depressing at first and I had to lighten my class schedule.” Williams said. “I started using poetry as an outlet to deal with my stress.” Williams said.

Williams is 24 years old and has been expressing himself through poetry for approximately two and a half years. Williams is part of a four-member poetry group called Souls of Redemption. (S.O.R.). Williams original poet name was “Mindz 3y3z” but he changed it to “His Stori3” because he feels it better describes his style of poetry.

“I like to tell stories and paint portraits with my poetry,” Williams said. “I’m just trying to give people a little insight into my mind and the world and hopefully make a difference while doing it.”

Williams has a Facebook page containing approximately 30 poems. In addition to these poems, he has written over 120 poems.

“My poems tell about my life and different experiences. It’s not about money,” Williams said, “Poetry is the means to the truth.”

Friend of Williams and president of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Michael Bennett, thinks that Williams has evolved as a poet and likes the style he has.

“He is one of the best that I’ve ever heard,” Bennett said, “ That dude is awesome.”

S.O.R. consists of Grant Williams (His Stori3), Greg Harris (Greg The Poet), Michael Bennett (Abissblyss), and Stacey Davis (Madern Prophet).

S.O.R. travels all over to attend poetry readings. They read at Fosters in downtown St. Joseph and recently took first place in a poetry competition held at Northwest Missouri State University. (NWMSU).

“We’re all aspiring artists trying to work on our craft” Williams said.

Marketing Major and member of S.O.R., Greg Harris AKA Greg the poet, reveals that Williams has a raw talent for the spoken word.

“Grant is a real humble and social person that gets along with everyone,” Harris said. Williams had his first poetry reading in Spratt Hall in 2008. Next semester, S.O.R. will be trying to combine poetry with theatre. The project is called poetry for play.

“We’re going to be writing scripts,” Williams said, “It’s a new writing experience for us. I really want to get recognized and become a renowned poet.”

Remember when 911 occurred and how numerous people believed in a “conspiracy theory” involving the government planning the entire event? Or how about the conspiracy theory that the landing on the moon never happened? We have all mostly heard of these theories. Our society has made movies about it and our professors have even lectured and criticized such theories. One major “conspiracy theory” that has suddenly sparked campus interest is a term called “illuminati,” which Urban Dictionary defines as a “secret organization of the most powerful and influential elite in the world.” Sounds rather boring doesn’t it; what’s so interesting about it? Well, did you know that numerous celebrities within the hip-hop culture have not only accepted this theory but are even implying their affiliation with it in their song lyrics? Maybe campus should be well aware of what their favorite artists are saying in some of their songs.

“Illuminati-want my mind, soul, and body.” These lyrics are the beginning of Jay’z song entitled “D’Evils.” With songs titled “D’Evils,” “Lucifer,” the “Take Over,” and “Empire State of Mind,” one can only wonder who Jay-Z feels is the leader of the world, especially as he refers to himself as “J-Hova,” meaning the “God” of rap according to Urban Dictionary. Yet, how are these findings related to illuminati? Western English Professor Dana Andrews clarifies the definition of illuminati and the research he has gathered from studying it.

“The idea is that those who are in power are apart of a much larger organization of people,” Andrews said. “Illuminati is a term that encompasses all of those who are in power. The theory is that there is some sort of puppet master. The master pulls the strings for everything that goes on in the world in order to keep the elite in power. Though it is unlikely that Jay-Z is apart of the illuminati, he could possibly be used as an instrument to control the masses.”

Student rumors have also associated “illuminati” with devil worshiping and satanic ritual. Andrews responds to these associations.

“You can’t just reduce [illuminati] down to devil worshiping,” Andrews said. “It has less to do with God and the devil. [However], there are theories that their practice is ritual and that they have ritualistic meetings. Are they taping the forces of the universe for bad? Maybe they are.”

Andrews then gives his own personal belief when dealing with this conspiracy theory.

“There are a lot of elements within the illuminati including BilderBergers, Tri-lateral Commission and Free Masonry,” Andrews said. “The illuminati are all apart of the ruling class. Do I believe in all of this, not necessarily. I believe that the world is run by corporate interests. Politics serves that.”

Western Sociology Professor Dr. DJ Champagne also adds input to the illuminati theory.

“Illuminati” is the term for a European enlightenment era ‘secret society’ and now a New World Order ‘conspiracy’,” Champagne said. “It is both fact and fiction that business, industry and government are purposely working to influence the downfall of certain governments or perhaps all governments.”

Champagne also added an interesting perspective.

“I am a Catholic,” Champagne said. “Historically there is Jesuit influenced thinking connection with ‘illuminati’ society development and a connection of recruitment among Freemasons
groups.

Wordnet defines freemasonary as “a member of a widespread secret fraternal order pledged to mutual assistance and brotherly love.” Though illuminati has been related to members believing in themselves as a higher power, maybe they simply are a brotherhood waiting to achieve more power and wealth. This aspect seems seemingly innocent as we all want some sort of power and money.

History Professor Daniel Trifan also gives input and addresses why illuminati is a term usually guided away from the church.

“The illuminati tended to resist Church influence on the government,” Trifan said.

Looking at the student side, music lyrics have had substantial evidence of artists being their own leader and wanting to take extreme control with a growing fan base and a growing income. After researching the Internet about hip-hops artists associating themselves with “illuminati,” Western Freshman Caresse Owens gives her reaction.

“I think it shocked a lot of students to draw back from music; especially music from Jay-Z,” Owens said. “But people can also be looking into it too much. You can’t believe everything you hear and see on Youtube.”

Whether illuminati is merely a mythical theory or something very real in society, it has certainly sparked Western with numerous students writing about it on Facebook, watching Youtube videos and debating about it in their classes. Regardless of fact of fiction, illuminati just might allow a student to truly evaluate what they listen to, what they believe and who they represent.

“People are easily influenced,” Owens said. “This is why what you hear everyday or what’s in your Ipod is really important.”