A beloved international student of Professor Kathy Sucher's was brutally killed on Jan. 30 after being in the country for only six months. The irony of it all lies in the fact that Chung Ho Lee was so eager to come to the U.S. and to Santa Monica College that when his request for a visa was denied, he made a second attempt and with it wrote a letter-one that granted him his visa.

Starting his coaching career at Santa Monica College in February of 1984 as the linebacker coach, Coach Robert Taylor, fondly referred to as "Coach T" by those who trained under him, has now become one of the only 10 African American college football coaches in the United States.

"A lot of us here think that hip-hop is rap music!" said legendary hip-hop pioneer KRS One Tuesday to a crowd gathered in front of the SMC Clocktower. "But rap is something we do. Hip-hop is something we live."

For Professor Frank Dawson, teaching is more than just a job - it is a passion.

Angered by the Army recruiters' presence at Santa Monica College, students are getting together in an attempt to remove them indefinitely.

It's no wonder where Dr. Robert (Bobby) Adams, Santa Monica College's vice president and director of student affairs, gets the strength to direct a community college such as SMC. He says his inspiration came from the first African-American mayor of Los Angeles, Tom Bradley.

While proficiency in English has often been a darling of the media and politicians both incumbent and reform, English literacy is about much more than seeing Spot run or knowing when to use possessive pronouns.

Imagine you live alone, you own a nine-millimeter gun that you purchased for personal protection, you hear a loud noise, next thing you know an intruder is inside your house bent on wanton destruction.

Numerous students come to Santa Monica College in search of receiving a strong education along with personal growth that will allow them to reach their dreams.

Jeronimo Saldana, president of the Associated Students, launched a drive asking the city to remove the parking meters on Pearl Street.

"Only the educated are free" -Epictetus (55A-135AD)

Darrell Goode, director of TRIO/Pico Partnership student support services, was born in Tennessee, but relocated at a very young age of 3 to Venice, California.

Along with celebrating Black History Month, Santa Monica College celebrated artistic, genuine passion when Fayard Nicholas, one of the most talented African-American tap dancers who ever lived, gave a lecture last Tuesday on campus.

Anyone seeking insight into the often cutting edge of U.S. human rights history as represented by 20th century social activism in Los Angeles would have been well served by attending the free lecture given last Thursday in SMC's Concert Hall by Dr. Robert Gottlieb, co-author with three others of a new book entitled, "The Next Los Angeles: The Struggle for a Livable City.

As we conclude a month's celebration of the numerous accomplishments of African Americans around the world during Black History Month, we must remember to acknowledge and honor the African American community and its contributions to the growth of Santa Monica College.

PHI THETA KAPPA AWARDED A SCHOLARSHIP A $100 Pinnacle Silver Scholarship was awarded to the honor society Phi Theta Kappa by the Center for Excellence. The award recognizes the efforts the honor society puts into increasing their student membership and encourages chapters to enhance their methods of letting the students know of the benefits, honors and opportunities eligible to them through Phi Theta Kappa.

For everyone at Santa Monica College and in Los Angeles who loves hip-hop and thinks that hip-hop is more than the rap game, let us pray and give thanks that the Temple of Hip-Hop has arrived (or more specifically arrived at 5535 Hollywood Blvd). KRS-ONE, our preacher of hip-hop culture, leads us into the 21st century with a positive message exposing the "corporate battle" for rap, and establishing in Los Angeles a voice for the true message of hip-hop.

If I had a quarter for every time I heard the "N" word, I would be living large like the Williams sisters. Unfortunately, the "N" word has transformed into a term of endearment for popular culture. In today's popular culture society, Afro-Americans have turned the "N" word into a chess game of power and defeat.

With the smell of freshly cut grass and a slight chill in the air, it must mean softball season has begun. With a new coach and a number of new players, the Santa Monica College softball team kicked off a long- awaited season this past Monday after postponements due to the recent rain and a shortage of players.