2008-01-30T18:21:58Z tag:voices.washingtonpost.com,2008:/hs/dukeellington//287 Copyright (c) 2007, WashingtonPost.Newsweek Interactive 2008-01-30T18:21:58Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2007-04-15:/hs/dukeellington/2007/04/post.html

Candace Coley, left, and Chyna Allen take a moment to show off their sense of fashion. Cerstin Johnson / The Green Chair By Cerstin Johnson Chyna Allen and Candace Coley are known as two of the more daring dressers to walk the halls of Duke Ellington. Allen, a junior, and Coley, a sophomore, have built a reputation for having a unique dressing style that sets them apart from other Ellington students. When asked about what goes into their different fashion style, Allen and Coley sometimes come off as finishing each other's sentences, sharing smiles and a similar sense of style. Wearing multiple bracelets, long earrings and fashionable belts, the two Ellington students were eager to share what goes into the fashion thought process. "To be honest, I just throw things together," Coley said, waving her hand. "I take anything that no one else would wear, and just make it

Madia Brown 2007-06-28T07:00:00Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2007-04-15:/hs/dukeellington/2007/04/the_us_senate_defies_the_presi.html

By Cerstin Johnson Last month, the U.S. Senate barely approved a $122 billion war spending bill, which mandated that troops begin a withdrawal from Iraq as early as this summer. The bill called for a complete withdrawal from Iraq by March 31, 2008, with the exception of some soldiers remaining to instruct Iraqi forces on counterterrorism moves. President Bush threatened to veto the bill before its approval yet the Senate resisted with a 51-47 vote, with two Republicans supporting the cause. Bush responded with one of his most belligerent speeches yet. He violently accused the Senate saying that "the American people will know who to hold responsible", a bold assumption for any one individual to make yet alone George W. Bush. We all know the facts. President Bush's approval ratings have been below 50% in AP-Ipsos polls since December 2004. Doesn't it seem slightly ridiculous for a man so disliked

Madia Brown 2007-06-28T07:00:00Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2007-04-15:/hs/dukeellington/2007/04/imus_was_wrong_but.html

By Michelle Wheatley Yes, Don Imus was wrong. But that's the purpose of his radio show. He IS a shock jock. Everyone is talking, right? So that means more publicity, more buzz. Sure advertisers are dropping his show, but they'll be back. Fact is, Imus' show is one of the most listened-to shows on the air outside the Beltway. Advertisers know prime real estate when they hear it and the numbers add up. Imus' show is second to Oprah in book promotion. He has been a fixture on the radio for a number of years. An appropriate punishment for Imus would be an unpaid leave, a public apology to both listeners and the Rutger's women's basketball team, and a reconciliation and understanding meeting, also with the team. Imus' remarks and its backfire are simply a result of racial sensitivity. Often those of the older generation are more closely related to

Madia Brown 2007-06-28T07:00:00Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2007-03-28:/hs/dukeellington/2007/03/seniors_await_the_biggest_day.html

By Jolie Carr Okay, so you would think that the seniors of Duke Ellington School of the Arts would have graduation on their minds. In American society, becoming a senior is the best thing that could happen for any teenager. The dream starts with a big stage, cool cap and gown colors, an audience full of family and friends and then, names of the graduates are called to receive the ticket that holds the future. But in the Ellington hallways, there is a mysterious excitement about prom-- not graduation. Senior girls are looking for the perfect dress, while the guys are already planning the night excitement after prom. "I can't wait," said Rachelle Wheatley, a senior in the Visual Arts Department. Sure, everyone is working hard now to ensure they will walk across the stage, but one must remember that prom is the true last night of fun with the

Madia Brown 2007-06-28T07:00:00Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2007-03-28:/hs/dukeellington/2007/03/is_hip_hop_dead_1.html

By Michael Newby Hip-Hop is dead? No. I honestly think it's one of the most absurd things I've ever heard. Hip-Hop was just fine and dandy for everyone until Nas's latest album dropped. Now all of a sudden everybody holds a huge funeral for her. No disrespect to the god Nas, but his album only extends on how emcees aren't real anymore. The last time I checked Hip-Hop was more than emceeing. It was a culture that consists of the other three elements of dee-jaying, b-boying, and graffiti. Though these elements aren't at the peak of where they could possibly be, they still exist. As far as the state of emceeing is concerned, there are a large number of rappers that are rapping just because and are heavily saturated in watered down party lyrics and drug tales. But, instead of putting on a black armband for Hip-Hop, as a "real"

Madia Brown