If you have noticed (like I have) the recent surge of people running around calling themselves “The Man,” then you are probably just as confused about it as I am.

I mean, it’s cool to have a mass of self-confidence and it’s OK if one is proud of one’s accomplishments.

However, it is still unclear to me how a person gets to be “The Man.”

Everyone has his own definition for what it means to be “The Man,” but which ones are right?

Who decides what it means to be “The Man?” And is the person who makes that decision really “The Man” himself?

As the recently proclaimed “The Man” at the Daily (only because Corey Moss has the other cool nickname) I think I have achieved the status to make a list and designate the proper way to distinguish who really is “The Man.”

This is not a list I made up just to prove that I am “The Man,” (actually, it is, but if I were to say that it was, then it wouldn’t be very professional, now would it?)

Instead, it is a list of ideas that make a lot of sense and should be a definite must-have for all you “Man” wannabes out there.

1. If you are proud of who you are and aren’t afraid to show it, you are definitely “The Man.”

2. If you have a bald head, or a nice fresh new haircut constantly, you gotta be “The Man.”

3. If you are a man that wears an earring in each ear because you know how cool it really is, then you absolutely are “The Man.”

4. If you have a weekly column in a prestigious daily college newspaper, then there is no doubt that you are “The Man.”

5. If you are on a first name basis with bartenders at Tazzles, you just might be “The Man.”

6. If you are against the changing of the name Catt Hall and aren’t hiding in the closet about it, then you positively are “The Man.”

7. If you are for changing the name of Catt Hall and you have voiced this opinion publicly, then you as well are “The Man.”

8. If your last name is Mitchell, then you must be “The Man.”

9. When people walk up to you on the street and tell you that they enjoy reading your work, you have just been affirmed as “The Man.”

10. If you are very secure in your sexual orientation, no matter what it might be, and have no problem with anyone who might orient himself differently, in my opinion, you are clearly “The Man.”

11. If you go to ISU — you know the answer.

12. If you think that I’m trying to be funny. (This means you are “The Man.”)

13. If you think I am funny. (This means I am “The Man.”)

14. If you know Milton McGriff on a first-name basis, you have got to be “The Man.” Because we all know that Milton doesn’t know anyone who isn’t “The Man.”

15. If you are a member of the establishment, it means that you are “The Man,” but not for long.

16. If your name is Martin Jischke, I have been told that you are “The Man.”

17. When two Cy-Ride drivers on two different busses on two different days tell you that they enjoy reading your column, you have absolutely, positively and indubitably have got to be “The Man.”

18. If you are scared of what the future may hold, but yet you tackle it like a linebacker, you are “The Man.”

19. Trying to do nothing but positive things with your life makes you “The Man.”

20. And finally, if you have your own mind, own convictions, own constitution and you live your life in your own way without hurting anyone or anything, then you have permission to call yourself “The Man.”

As you can see, being “The Man” takes a lot of work — only so many people can manage to hold such a position down.

But something that I have learned in my quest for the truth is that it’s hard to be “The Man,” and it’s even harder to try to be “The Man.”

In fact, it’s hard enough trying to be yourself without trying to be “The Man,” too.

I don’t know about you guys, but when I look at the life a lot of college students live, I have to give props to more than a few people.

Think about it: some of us go to class every day (or as close as possible to everyday); some have full-time or almost full-time jobs, as well.

Then there are those extra-curricular activities and extra-curricular people whom we have to deal with.

We study and we deal with professors, but we still find ways to get all kinds of things done and achieve academic success.

In my opinion, this is what it means to be “The Man.” We should all give ourselves pats on the back.

If you are one of the few who can achieve the things that he or she wants at any cost, you are “The Man.”

If you are one of the few who tries to do whatever, whenever he wants and choose not to let anything stand in your way, you are classified as “The Man.”

Keep on keepin’ on .

Holla if ya hear me … I’m out!

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Rhaason Mitchell is a senior in journalism and mass communication from Chicago. He is managing editor of the Daily.