From Behind the Lens by Blu Canon

From Behind the Lens
By Kenneth Cummings aka Blu Canon

Imagine that I am behind a microphone as you read this.

I, Kenneth Michael Cummings am a member of the greatest organization on campus—The Meter. I, Kenneth Michael Cummings am a member of one of the Divine Nine or National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities—Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. I, Kenneth Michael Cummings am, most importantly, a man before any of the previous stated.

Last weeks issue of The Meter seems to have caused a lot of controversy—from the front page story about food services to the infamous pages six and seven. And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, I advice you to pick up last issue of The Meter or go online to www.tsumeter.com so that you won’t be in the dark about what is going on. What you are about to read are the thoughts of me: a photographer for The Meter, a man, a Sigma, and as a friend or foe (which ever you want me to be to you—and if you chose the latter, then that’s on you).

R-E-A-D. Those letters together spell read, and if you don’t read then you will or have missed out! It seems that everyone has a problem with the COMMENTARY that was written about SIGMA WEEK. It seems that everyone has a problem with the COMMENTARY that was written about SIGMA WEEK. No, that isn’t a type-o, I meant to type it twice so that you don’t mistake what I’m saying. The writer, who happens to be a good friend of mine, did her analysis of SIGMA WEEK. She DID NOT and I repeat DID NOT bash the men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Zeta Alpha Chapter as many of you may think. I got so tired of hearing the question,

“Kenny, why did The Meter talk bad about ya’ll (The Sigmas)?”

What do I say in return? I say that they need to read! I say that if you read to understand and read not just the surface you would see that the writer did not bash the Sigmas. Now, to my brothers, if you hate me for what I’m about to say in this editorial, then I ask you to tell me what “PHI” stands for. The Women’s Appreciation was whack! I didn’t like the way it was done. Yeah, I attended and I wish it had gone better—and honestly, I KNOW that WE can do better. No, I wasn’t the chair of the event, but I know that from my eyes, the women were not appreciated! I’ve seen photos of the chicken—it could have made someone sick! Like I told the brothers at the end of the event, I was so glad that the women that showed up were the only ones that showed up. And dare I say it?

Although I am not a member of B.L.A.C.K., Inc., I must say that B.L.A.C.K. does it better anyway! How can I say that? Well, I attended a B.L.A.C.K., Inc. event this past fall semester—“The Appetizer.” It was a small scale women’s appreciation, but if you compare the photos taken at B.L.A.C.K., Inc’s event from our event…I’m just saying.

Secondly, Miss Jasmine Washington, you stated in a comment left on tsumeter.com,

“You cannot blame PBS on the fight team that was not their doing that was either the promoters or the venue's call. PBS did not know that there were two different securities companies at the party.”

As I stated to you earlier, “Re-read the COMMENTARY and tell me WHERE you see that PBS was "BLAMED" for the fight. The writer said NOTHING about PBS. NOTHING my dear!”

And to the most recent comment or “editorial” written on Facebook about the writer of the editorial written last week by Mr. Doug Christopher, I ask, WHAT? If you get mad at this, I ask again, WHAT? I always ask people to respect other’s opinion and I respect yours. But did YOU read the article? Did YOU participate in Sigma Week events? Did YOU see what I saw? I don’t know. Maybe you did and maybe you didn’t. I know you did the fliers and I commend you on your work; however as I said about the previous person, WHERE was PHI BETA SIGMA BLAMED for the fight at the DNN Jam in the COMMENTARY?

And if either of you are going to talk about how she dressed, both of you can go to my public facebook album, search my 119 photo albums, go to SIGMA WEEK 2K8 ALBUM SEVEN!!!! (D@MN NE@R N@KED JAM 1 of 3) album, select picture number 47 of 60 (on the second row, third from the left) and tell me what she was wearing.

Do these quotes look familiar?

“How can you talk about what some had on at the DNN when you were also their revealing skin (NOT AS MUCH AS OTHER BUT STILL REVEALING).”--Jasmine B. Washington

“Next the infamous DNN Jam. I can not mentally envision what attire she adorned, but I am sure it was not a turtle neck and flannel leggings. So if she has such an adverse opinion about how other people present themselves in public, then she should stand up as a role model.”--Doug Christopher (from a his facebook note)

Last time I checked, when it’s hot, people don’t mind having their arms out.

The Probate: It was interesting and yes, I took photos of that event as well. I posted a disclaimer on the album on facebook, and I had to revise it when one of MY OWN fraternity brothers made some statements that I felt were truly disrespectful. I enjoy my frat, but all this childish mess is getting on my nerves. Yeah, I did what I did and said what I said about the Alphas during the whole homecoming step show incident, but my roommate opened my eyes and showed me that I was being childish as well. So, I stopped.

People always tell me that I shouldn’t respond to certain things and I understand that, but I don’t respond in mean ways, I state the truth. I’ve had to do this to two members of Alpha Phi Alpha, Mr. Keith Batts and Dr. Andre Bean. Don’t bash me about being the “first in line” and not being “accepted” when you don’t know the truth. Get Your Facts Straight! (I know ya’ll are tired of hearing that from me.) I learned that from working for The Meter. Oh, I have the original message, so don’t say you didn’t type it. Mr. Batts just deleted his before I could think about copying it. (I've already had my talk with Dr. Bean; he came and saw me man to man. Will you Mr. Batts?)

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, adults and children, Greeks and G.D.I.s, haters and lovers, friends and foes, these are my words. When you cross the line of coming at a friend of mine about information that you know NOTHING about, I don’t mind stepping in to speak my mind. I’m tired of keeping quiet. Oh trust me, the writer of the commentary last week can stand her own and she has done another commentary about Kappa week as well as Alpha Week later to come. (Although not published in the paper you can visit this link:
Kaptivating...not so much)

Get your facts straight! To my brothers of Zeta Alpha, as I talk to myself as well, let's not be mad…let's get better. Well, that can actually be stated for many of the orgs on campus.

Oh, and if you have an issue with me and what you read, don’t honesty box me…don’t leave a comment on tsumeter.com under an anonymous name. I’m a human just like you. If you get mad—cry me a river, build a bridge and get over it! Or you can come to me and we can talk...man to man/woman.