Howard University - Bison Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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Living The High Life Living the high life can be quite expensive yet many rely on such a lifestyle. Creativity is enhanced by a simple sniff of cocaine or a puff of the various hemp plant derivatives. The availability of these drugs has become increasingly high. Drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, and even alcohol are now the social drugs of the year. The use is so widespread and frequent that one tends to forget that the use of most is illegal. Marijuana, a depressant. catalyzes the creativity in such a way that individuals seek its use to achieve the affective mood. One never knows when or where they may be when the urge strikes, along with the fact that the use is so liberal, many students can be seen in the various discreet places on campus indulging in the recreation of the social high. Whiffs of smoke may be seen rising through the stairwell behind the Student Center or ashes falling from the balcony Marijuana is such a necessity for people that it can easily be attained While some seek to enjoy the pleasures of the hemp plants’ high, others seek the profit from its sell It can be found in dorms, on the streets, or just a passing classmate on their way to Accounting The myths of the contact around the corner in a dark alley are obsolete as students become more casual with their use. It seems that many stores entice you to indulge as they sell the paraphernalia necessary to fashionably get high. Head Shops are equipped with the latest in bongs, pipes, roachclips. and multicolored papers for one to get lifted. Yet as one walks around with their head to the sky. their brain cells are rapidly decreasing. It is a known fact that from one marijuana joint smoked, the THC is absorbed in the brain cells in which it takes seven days to oxidize out of the system. It is said to cause forgetfulness and an overall careless attitude of the user. Compared with alcohol, marijuana, in some instances, is not as bad. Alcoholic stupors cause an imbalance in the motor nerves subsequently causing the user's equilibrium to be off. Yet alcohol is oxidized within twenty-four hours of us use. Neither out weighing the other, use of alcohol has gone from abuse to a form of alcoholic disease. Washington, D C. has the highest rate of alcoholism in the nation. Alcohol is consumed at varying degrees. Students recreationally play various games involving alcohol in which there arc seldom any true winners Games such as Pass Out sold in stores everywhere actually encourages one to consume such high levels of alcohol until they arc no longer coherent. Beer and wine is sold in the Punchout to those over 18. This privilege was highly contested in the beginning unth the feelings that alcohol in any form has no place on campus. Yet. the protest was in vain as you see students buying pitchers of beer or glasses of wine during their in between classes break Students are now heard to say. ‘Come and join me for a drink. Do we have happy hours or study hours? The not so new, but recently accepted drug on the block is Cocaine. The cocaine high is said to be so good that you can't live without it. Just as women, thus cocaine gets Its name. Girl Some of the very same places marijuana can be purchased, one can easily obtain cocaine. The white powder is sniffed or smoked to a point where the user feels as if he can do no wrong Different from the marijuana high, cocaine is a stimulant. No more red eyes or smokey smell, one just enjoys the pleasure of bliss without signs of any indulging whatsoever. Class becomes a breeze as you are momentarily very attentive. Momentarily because although cocaine is one of the most expensive highs, its affects do not last very long. You find yourself taking “a toot after toot in order to maintain your desired level Keeping in mind that there are some positive assets of drugs such as the use of marijuana for glaucoma patients, the use of drugs will continue to persist. Today, students use the word moderation in describing their use of various drugs. However, no matter whether moderately used or heavily used, the individual is not himself while under the influence. This brings up a very Important question, while you’re living your high life, are you really living and is it really you? 16 Sludrni I.ili-

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A Way of Life for Howard Students Besides having unique beliefs and language. Rastafarians also spiritualize with each other in a somewhat different way Contrary to what outsiders believe. Rastas do not just get high like some other indivtduals do. Ganja or marijuana in its highest form is ca led 'Kali Rastafarians call it Kali after the Indian goddess in whose honor Ganja is smoked Rastas smoke the Ganja in what is called “spiffs’ Spliffs are cone shaped joints rolled with either brown bag paper, newspaper, or egarette package lining ‘ Passing the “joint” is not done by the Rastafarians. If there are three Rastas indulging in the spiritually uplifting of smoke Ganja. three spiffs will be smoked The chillum pipe is used when Rastas wish to share their Ganja with each other Smoking Ganja is a ceremonial and inspirational activity to the Rastafarians that is not to be taken lightly. Dreadlocks are an easily Identifiable physical sign of the Rastafari. They symbolize blackness, dignity and honor Dreads display outward expression of ones faith The longer the dreads are. the longer and stronger the spiritual devotion Rastas believe dreading the hair is the most natural way to wear the hair They believe that Dreadlocks signifies unholy people fear of the dreadful power of the holy” Hence the name dreadlocks. Dread meaning fear of reverence, locks mean ng hair. Dreadlocks are achieved by simply wash ng the hair and letting it dry naturally No combing, brushing or chemical treatment is done to the hair Only Black people can wear dreads The Rastas believe Dreads are very spiritual, whenever the Rastas are in public, most cover their Dreads with a knitted tarn The tarn is most likely the colors red fblood). black (earth), and green (life, growth). Rastafarians eat only natural food No meat, fish, poultry, or eggs These foods are said to be “dead foods ' Canned or chemically treated foods are also taboo to the Rastafarians Rasta food or Ita! food is organically grown by the Rastas Some Rastafar ans will not eat with utensils either, they choose to eat naturally with their fingers Female Rastafarians are identified by or re- ferred to as sister no matter what the relationship of the other Rasta speaking to her Sisters do not wear any type of pants and most of the time their heads are covered They are not permitted to enter a Rastafarian temple without covered heads. Sisters or daughters are not permitted to wear tight, form fitting, physique revealing clothes Their dress is long, floor length, or mid calf loose fitting garments No cosmetics are worn by Rasta women nor do they use chemical or unnatural birth control They do not engage in serious Ganja smoking either. Reggae music, the music of the Rastafarians, has been gaining popularity of the late, primarily due to the presence of the late Bob Marley. Marley is one of the most famous Rastafarians in the world. He has helped to spread the message of the Rastafari through his music With each beat of Regqae a spiritual and emotional message is being relayed to the people. Most jseoplc identify with Rastas through their music Rastafarians, the Dreaded people, are a fasci nating people. Their history. lifestyle, culture, and spiritualty is individual and distinct from any other peopes. Rastas are bonded, proud black people who help to make Howard University interesting and dynamic. — Kelly Marbury I 4, Yt A Ratiafcrw student hstens ntensely to one of the many lecture senes provided for students. Student Lite IS

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Drufiorebecofnnj » part of our daily ritual To wake up m the morning, to mellow through the day. and to relax in the evening We can't w m to ewape the omin«ce of the Hjgh Student 17