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THEY SAID IT “Half of the American people never read a newspaper. Half never voted forg _ president. One hopes it is the same half.”™ Page 6 j * . GOREVIDAL Monday, August 30, 2004 writer By MARIA CHARLES THE GAMECOCK Rapper, actor, fashion designer, producer, media mogul and now political activist Sean “P. Diddy” Combs recently launched “Citizen Change” a non-profit organization that seeks to empower and mobilize America’s more than 42 million youth and minority voters. Plans include outreach programs in seven target cities, mail drives and door-to-door solicitation. Education, health care and jobs are the key issues “Citizen Change” focuses on. Names linked to “Citizen Change” include Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige and Queen Latifah. Spreading the “Vote or Die!” T-shirts bearing the slogan are available from Combs’ clothing line Sean John as well as other popular hip-hop lines, Phat Farm and • Rocawear. Combs is not the only person in the music industry responding to the presidential campaign. In fact, voting seems to have become en vogue. Christina Aguilera and Andre 3000 both posed for “Declare Yourself,” another campaign targeting voter registration. Matchbox Twenty, Maroon 5, Michelle Branch and the Beastie Boys all promote “Rock The Vote” with links on their respective Web sites. But while Combs and others remain non-partisan, some are focusing their efforts on removing George W. Bush from office. Moveon.org, a Web site that seeks campaign contributions for candidates “who embrace moderate to progressive principles of national government,” established the Vote For Change Tour. Putting on 40 shows in 30 cities over 10 days, the tour promotes itself as “a loose coalition of musicians brought together by a single idea — the need to make a change in the direction of our country,” (moveon.org). The artists participating include The Dave Matthews Band, Babyface, Pearl Jam, John Mellencamp, the Dixie Chicks, REM, Bonnie Raitt, Death Cab for Cutie and Bruce Springsteen. These artists will play on separate bills on the same night in different cities located in “battleground states.” All proceeds from the shows go to support “America Coming Together” an initiative that hopes to “derail the right-wing Republican agenda by defeating George W. Bush and electing Democrats up and down the ticket,” (actforvictory. org). The punk rock world is taking a stand, too. The “Rock Against Bush Tour” kicks off Sept. 18, featuring Anti-Flag, Midtown, Expoxies and Strike Anywhere. Two volumes of “Rock Against Bush” CDs are available as well. The Foo Fighters, Green Day, Sugarcult, Yellowcard and Bad Religion contributed songs. Proceeds from the sales help the “Punk Voter” project aimed at registering youth voters. But is celebrity endorsement and involvement in campaigning enough to inspire voters? Fourth-year political science and Spanish student Mandy Wilkerson does not think so. “I would vote anyway whether (musicians) told me to or not,” she said. Their status as celebrities carries no weight with Wilkerson. “Although they are celebrities, they are people like us. I’m intelligent enough to form my own opinion. But, I appreciate them trying to get people to vote,” she said. Second-year journalism student George Stevens agrees. “They’re musicians. Who cares about their political viewpoint?” he said. Stevens feels it is better to be informed than influenced. “Keep in mind you need to njake your own opinions. I strongly advise anyone basing their vote on the advice of certain celebrities to analyze and keep in mind their qualifications. You have to take these opinions in stride,” Stevens said. Whether as a PR move, publicity stunt, or out of genuine concern for America, the effects of musicians’ involvement in politics cannot be ignored. Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons claims that the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network registered almost one million voters at events featuring artists such as Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Jay Z, Snoop Dogg, Eminem and others. “Musicians are public figures. We like to be entertained. Entertainers know that, they are not stupid. I know they are going to influence people who don’t care enough to get into the newspapers and research for themselves,” Stevens said. Whether influenced by celebrity opinions or not, the popular sentiment this election seems to be to exercise the American right to vote. “I want young people to know that your vote can change your life,” Combs has said. Come Nov. 2; expect the polls to be packed with musicians on a mission. | Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm.sc. edu ! Musicians get vocal about the need for young people to be politically involved PHOTO COURTESY OF KRT CAMPUS Sean Combs attends the Democratic National Convention. He is one of many entertainers hoping to influence young people to vote. ILLUSTRATIONS SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK JBk •- * A_ RUSSELL HOUSE Bookstore strives to put focus on shoppers By JULIA SELLERS THE GAMECOCK Upon entering the Russell House Bookstore to pick up textbooks and school supplies this semester, students were greeted with new merchandise and an improved setup. A year after a complete renovation, which included becoming part of the Barnes & Noble chain, the bookstore is trying to cater to student’s needs. “Last fall there was a scramble to finish renovations,” store manager Andy Schaffer said. “This spring and summer we could focus on what the students wanted.” Part of improving the store’s image included placing more products that appealed to students’ ever-changing tastes. This included talking to customers to see what type of gear they wanted to see and then using those ideas when it came time to meet with buyers. Another way the bookstore was able to bring in new items is by acting as a test store for new and different products. “We took huge risks this semester that were • very successful with brown hoodies and lavender shirts. They were outside the box for Gamecock retail,” Schaffer said. Other new products introduced to the bookstore this semester included dorm essentials such as curtains, bedspreads and lanterns, the Happy Bunny collection of products that feature a sarcastic cartoon character and flip-flops in new designs. Schaffer said he believed the experience of coming to a bookstore “truly isn’t about text books anymore.” While the bookstore has become a place where students shop for more than just textbooks and snacks, the need for books at the beginning of each semester still brings in the biggest crowds. “We’re trying to find ways to get these lines down. But it is especially hard to do this time of year because everyone gets out of class around the same time and rush in the same time,” Schaffer said. Even with all the improvements, getting textbooks on time still remains a problem. “I pre-ordered my books, but they still don’t have all the text books P need,” second-year liberal arts student Michael Bailey said. But students still said they felt the bookstore has made vast improvements. Customers drop by to do homework, read or just hang out. Students also know they can stop by and pick up a few snacks to get them through the day if nothing else; “The bookstore is so much better than before renovations. I like the books selection better now, but I still mostly shop for snacks,” fourth-year psychology student Tonisha Fuller said. Having students want to be in the bookstore more than once or twice a semester was what Schaffer and his staff were shooting for. By carrying the Barnes and Noble name, the bookstore can “help bring a sense of prestige and great product for the store,” Schaffer said. “I am all about the service. If we provide a great experience, a great shopping atmosphere, if we have the right product, the right service, then our sales will follow,” Schaffer said. “It is about the complete experience and learning about your customers.” Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures®gJvm.sc. edu JASON STEELMAN/THE GAMECOCK New merchandise such as f^enneth Cole bags at the University Boq^store at the Russel j,.House are being featured in an effort to appeidse a growing demand for higher quality product lines. ?