Spring Break
Expressions magazine to release year's first issue
Student publication looks for student readers and contributors
Brittani McNeill
Issue date: 1/22/09 Section: Features
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The magazine strives to provide an alternative voice to address the special concerns and problems of minority groups on campus.
It was started in the 1950's but has been published under various names since that time.
The purpose of Expressions is to give a voice to minority groups on campus; however, they stress that the term minority is not limited to race.
According to their Web site, Expressions "define[s] 'minority' as any group of students that feels outside the norm or 'mainstream.'" It serves as a forum for poets, creative writers and artists to publish their work, and share their talent with the ECU community.
General manager Chaunte Rucker says the magazine is for the entire ECU community, and gives students a chance to address issues that may not be addressed through other areas of student media.
"For this year we just kind of want to get all students involved, and let them know that it's not just for students who consider themselves a minority," Rucker said. "It's for any topics or issues that people don't often see or read about."
The magazine has not released an issue during the current school year, and many students do not know it exists. Talented students contribute art and writing to the magazine and the staff puts in hours of work creating a professional product, but it is often overlooked.
"I've never heard of it," said Amika Kali, senior Elementary Education major. "As part of ECU's campaign for diversity I feel that the magazine should've been promoted more."
Kali is not only an ECU student but a poet and member of Spoken Serenity, a non-profit group that often hosts shows displaying poetry, music and other arts. In her fourth year at ECU, she was disappointed that she hadn't had the opportunity to read or contribute to the magazine.
"I would have loved that opportunity…I feel I've missed out on some opportunities that could have benefited me as well as others," she said. "It's a networking thing as well."
The first issue of Expressions for the current school year will be released this week.
"We had a launch party last Friday at Mendenhall," Rucker said. "We allowed people to preview the new issue. It's called 'Pop Culture.'"
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