Meet your 2024 Homecoming candidates
shared Kipping’s sentiment.
University of Mississippi students will have the chance to cast their ballots for the 2024 Ole Miss Homecoming Court on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
“(Homecoming elections are) more than a matter of winning and losing. It’s about us as a collective body having the power to choose who represents the institution and community we all love,” Associated Student Body Attorney General Alex Kipping said. Sophomore nursing major Emma Katherine Randall
“(Voting in homecoming elections) gives you a sense that you have something to do with what’s going on in school,” Randall said.
Here are the nominees for Miss Ole Miss, Mr. Ole Miss, Homecoming Queen and Homecoming King and their platforms.
Miss Ole Miss Candidates
Janelle Minor is an Oxford native and a multidisciplinary studies major. She is using her Miss Ole Miss campaign to promote “J.A.M.” — an acronym she created standing for joy, ac -
cess and Mississippi. Minor has partnered with 2nd Chance MS, a local nonprofit organization fundraising for and promoting adult education programs.
“(I am) dedicated to making our campus a place where everyone feels at home,” Minor said.
Madeline Mueller is a psychology major from Tulsa, Okla. Mueller has partnered with Special Olympics Mississippi, an organization dedicated to spreading compassion and awareness.
“The foundation of my campaign is recognizing and celebrat-
University of Mississippi Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Charlotte Fant Pegues was indicted last week on felony charges of animal cruelty.
According to the Grand Jury indictment, there are 20 counts against Pegues and her husband, Terry. Ten counts state that they “willfully unlawfully feloniously with intentionality starved to death a domesticated animal.” These counts are punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine not
Even though students continue to complain about the lack of parking on campus, the University of Mississippi Department of Parking and Transportation says it is working on ways to make students’ commutes to class smoother.
For students to park in any lot on campus, they must purchase a parking pass or pay for metered parking from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Parking passes are sold at a 2-to-
1 ratio of two parking spots per one passholder.
Even with a parking pass, some students are struggling to find a spot among the 11,584 available spots on campus.
Avery Landry, a sophomore law studies major, has a Commuter Red parking pass which enables her to park in 3,699 spots spread across 12 locations.
For as much money as I pay, this should not be as big of a problem as it is.”
Many, like junior finance major Reid Miller, echoed Landry’s sentiments.
“As a result (of the far away parking), on campus parking is almost entirely pointless for me. I take the bus, which does take around 30 minutes to get to school from my
“I have a Commuter Red parking pass,” Landry said. “Not only is there barely any parking, but if you’re able to find a spot, it’s a far walk. I stopped using my parking pass and started taking the bus because it takes me over 30 minutes to find a parking spot, then an additional 20 to walk to campus.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Charlotte Pegues
SOURCE: LAFAYETTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
OLIVIA CANGELOSI / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
continued from page 1
exceeding $5,000 dollars.
An additional five counts list charges of depriving an animal of food and water. The remaining five counts charge them with depriving animals of “adequate shelter.” These counts are punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine not exceeding $1,000 dollars.
The indictment details the conditions of individual animals found, including some dogs intentionally starved to death, one burned dog skeleton and one dog found dead in a blue barrel.
Charlotte Pegues turned herself into the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, Sept. 9 and was later released on a $75,000 bond.
“Ms. Pegues has been indicted and turned herself into my
office this morning where she was served the indictments and processed,” Lafayette County Sheriff Joey East told The Daily Mississippian on Monday.
“The university is aware of the indictment and the employee has been placed on leave. The alleged charges did not result from any actions taken at or for the university, and the university is not among the parties involved in the investigation by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department. The university will not provide further comment at this time,” University of Mississippi Director of News and Media Relations Jacob Batte said Monday in an email to The Daily Mississippian.
The Daily Mississippian subsequently reached out to the university asking for an update on the situation and had received no response as of Wednesday evening.
Despite the indictment
and the statement stating Pegues had been placed on leave, a letter was sent from the university to all members of the Fraternity and Sorority Life community at 5:31 p.m. Wednesday signed by Charlotte Fant Pegues as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and other university officials. The letter is titled “An open letter to our fraternity and sorority community” reminding students of the dangers of hazing, high-risk drinking, drug abuse and sexual violence.
Terry Pegues was arrested on 10 counts of animal cruelty on Aug. 7. The Daily Mississippian previously reported that Terry and Charlotte Pegues are listed on the deed for a property on 418 County Road, where the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department initially arrested Terry Pegues.
Graham P. Carner, Charlotte Pegues’ attorney, released a statement via email on
Sept. 9 on behalf of the client.
“Dr. Charlotte Pegues had dedicated her life to service to her community and the University of Mississippi. She has served with integrity and character, which are now unfairly called into question by a rushed indictment,” Carner said. “Dr. Pegues is not guilty, and we will aggressively defend against these charges. In order not to be a distraction to the University she loves and that has loved her, Dr. Pegues will be taking a period of personal leave. She has asked for privacy as she works to preserve her good name.”
Charlotte Pegues has been an employee of the University of Mississippi for more than 30 years, initially serving as the assistant provost in 1993, according to her LinkedIn account; over a decade of that time has been in the Division of Student Affairs. She has been the permanent
PARKING
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apartment and almost an hour to get back, but that’s better than walking two miles a day.”
Director of Parking and Transportation Sam Patterson
bility. One of those changes has already occurred this year.
“We’ve made one change from Commuter Red to Commuter Blue, and that’s the lot on Jeannette Phillips Drive,” Patterson said. “This lot has historically been Commuter (Red), and the change allows for more Commuter Blue spac-
“There is not a lack of spaces available but a lack of preferential parking near academic buildings or residence halls. There are still some lots on the campus perimeter with ample parking availability.”
- Sam Patterson director of parking and transportation
tion. Other potential solutions are mobile apps that display real-time parking availability as well as bolstering walking paths and bicycle lanes.”
Another concern among students involves the Jackson Avenue Center, which is included in the Commuter Red pass.
“My classes are at the Jackson Avenue Center, and never in my four years have I ever seen parking so messed up,” Robert Neal, a senior criminal justice major, said.
The Department of Parking and Transportation has acknowledged these problems with the growing traffic at the Jackson Avenue center and encourages students to use university-provided public transportation.
said that there is ample space available to students, but these spaces are not being utilized.
“There is not a lack of spaces available but a lack of preferential parking near academic buildings or residence halls,” Patterson said.
“There are still some lots on the campus perimeter with ample parking availability.”
Patterson also described some of the university’s efforts to remedy the problems regarding distance and mo-
es near the core of campus.”
There are also plans for expansions of the bus system and other methods of transportation.
“Plans are in place to maximize parking options including commuter lots and increasing bus routes from perimeter lots to the interior of campus,” Patterson said. “We are negotiating a supplemental transportation service to provide golf cart-type ride options to fill some gaps in bus transporta-
“This semester, we are seeing an increase in traffic at the Jackson Avenue Center both as commuters and residential overflow,” Patterson said. “We are still seeing available spaces at the South Lot. We are also encouraging students to use alternative transportation methods such as the free Oxford University Transit bus system and the new Bird e-bikes. In the long term, we are also looking forward to a new parking garage located near the existing residential parking garage. This will bring more than 1,300 parking spaces to campus and is scheduled to open fall ’26.”
Patterson noted that the early weeks of each semester tend to be more hectic and encouraged students to be patient during their frustrations.
vice chancellor for student affairs since August 2021.
On Sunday, Aug. 4, the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office responded to a possible animal cruelty case around County Road 418, according to a press release. The responders arrived at the location and saw several dogs that appeared malnourished as well as several dogs that were deceased yet still attached to their collars and chains.
At the time of the officers’ arrival, no one was home and investigators were called to the scene where a search warrant was applied for and granted. Investigators rescued 20 animals, which were taken to a local veterinarian office. During the search, however, 10 animals were found deceased, according to the sheriff’s office press release.
Ava Hefferon contributed reporting
“My classes are at the Jackson Avenue Center, and never in my four years have I ever seen parking so messed up.”
“The first few weeks of each semester typically see higher
parking demand as students adjust to their new schedules, however, this tends to
settle
down as the semester progresses,” Patterson said.
- Robert Neal senior criminal justice major
Cars fill the parking lot near Bishop Hall on Sept. 11.
ERIN FOLEY / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
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UPD, students unconcerned about No. 1 campus crime rate in Mississippi
The campus crime rate at the University of Mississippi has consistently rated the highest among seven universities surveyed in the state, according to a 2022 study conducted by the U.S. Department of Education’s Campus Safety and Security analysis.
According to the report, UM reported 311 crimes. The next highest is Mississippi State at 245, with the University of Southern Mississippi following at 95. Other universities surveyed include Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi University for Women and Mississippi Valley State University.
SafeHome.org conducted a similar study this year, which found that UM had the highest campus crime rate among Mississippi schools based on crime rate per 1,000 students.
SafeHome used the same U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education data in order to complete its study. They narrowed the search to schools with over 5,000 students to create a control group of 622 four-year non-profit colleges, community colleges and universities
This data for both of these reports comes from the Clery Report, an annual security report required by the Clery Act, which states that any university receiving federal funding is required by law to report campus crime data as public information. Although the information is required to be reported to the U.S. Department of Education, the crime data reported has not been subjected to independent verification.
The 2022 study categorized incidents by criminal offenses, including violence against women, arrests, disciplinary actions and “unfounded crimes.”
A vast majority of these crimes involved weapon, drug or liquor law violations –– some of which resulted in arrest and others in disciplinary action.
Liquor law violations are defined as “the violation of state or local laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale,
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purchase, transportation, possession or use of alcoholic beverages not including driving under the influence and drunkenness.”
The university reported 114 liquor-related crimes in 2022 — only four of which resulted in arrests.
UM has policies in place regarding student liquor consumption, including that students are not allowed to consume alcohol in or around residence halls and can only bring beer and light wine into football games, which cannot be sold or distributed to those under the age of 21. If a student is caught in violation of any policies, their parents are notified immediately.
For crimes falling under the Violence Against Women Act, including domestic and dating violence and stalking, UM reported 31 total cases –– more than Mississippi State University, the University of Southern Mississippi and Jackson State University combined.
UM also reported 119 drug abuse crimes, which cover violations of production, distribution and/or use of certain controlled substances along with the equipment or devices utilized in their preparation. Twenty-seven of these reported crimes resulted in arrests while 92 resulted in disciplinary action.
Danial Sanford, director of the university police and campus safety, said that though the university’s crime rate ranks No.
Mississippi’s large public universities are very low when compared to our peers nationwide. Our published crime
“Yeah, I feel pretty safe. People just seem friendly, and right now I can sit outside and no one’s going to come be malicious towards me.”
- Cameron Billy freshman pharmaceutical major
students, faculty and staff.”
Cameron Billy, a freshman pharmaceutical major, said that UM is, in fact, a safe environment.
“Yeah, I feel pretty safe. People just seem friendly, and right now I can sit outside and no one’s going to come be malicious towards me,” he said.
Freshman law studies major Payton Harris agreed: “I feel safe on this campus.”
SafeHome’s study supports this statement, demonstrating that Mississippi has the fourth lowest campus crime rate in the nation. North and South Dakota and South Carolina were the only states that had lower campus crime rates.
safety officers and work with security personnel to provide extra support to on- and off-campus student housing,” Sanford said. “UPD also conducts a wide array of crime prevention programming to aid members of the campus community in making informed decisions regarding their own personal safety.
Sanford stated that leadership at the university prioritizes safety by providing the resources necessary to assure safety on campus.
1 among Mississippi universities, university campus safety in Mississippi as a whole is among the highest in the country.
“The crime rates at all of
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statistics — which include the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson — reflect our commitment to providing a safe environment for our
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When asked what specific measures the university is taking to ensure safety, Sanford said that staffing is a focus for the department.
“We currently have 37 sworn officers and are in the process of hiring more. We employ campus
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“University (of Mississippi) leadership has prioritized the safety of the campus community and has supported our department’s public safety mission by providing us with the needed resources and support to do our jobs effectively,” Sanford said.
Emily O’Reilly contributed reporting.
2022 UM crime incidents breakdown by category
UM students react to Trump-Harris presidential debate
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump met in Philadelphia to face off in their first presidential debate on Tuesday night, eliciting mixed reactions from the University of Mississippi student body.
Pre-debate anticipation
Before watching the debate hosted by ABC, Sydney Robinson, a freshman forensic chemistry major, shared her anticipation and worries.
“It’s going to be an interesting debate that’s for sure. That’s the kind of interaction that a lot of people have been waiting for,” Robinson said.
“Part of me is worried that it is going to be less about policy and more about them fighting each other, so I feel like it is going to be very hard to get actual information about the plans that the candidates have.”
Jonea Carter, a freshman allied health studies major, shared similar worries about what could hap-
“Kamala
“I feel there is going to be a lot of arguing and a lot of personal shots from what
exceeded my expectations last night with a nearly flawless debate performance. With such little time to prepare after being thrown last minute into the top of the ballot, I was thoroughly impressed by how prepared, qualified, and confident she appeared on stage.”
- Calvin Wood field organizer for the Harris campaign
news and from the candidates’ tours,” Carter said.
Sophomore physics and history major Andrew Hopfer was eager to see what Harris would have to say, expecting chaos to emerge during the candidates’ discourse.
“I’m excited to see what Kamala has to say,” Hopfer said. “It’s going to be her first official debate against Trump, but I do think it’s probably going to be pretty messy.”
Post-debate reactions
After watching the debate, Cass Rutledge, a senior public policy leadership major and chairman of the Ole Miss College Republicans, said that Trump was the victor.
“President Trump obviously won the debate, easily defeating comrade Kamala and fake news ABC, who repeatedly covered Harris-Biden’s repeated failures,” Rutledge said.
Rutledge also shared criticism for Harris and hope for a second Trump presidency.
“Harris offered no explanation for the failing economy, the wide open border and the rampant crime that has all happened under her watch. Meanwhile, President Trump will restore American greatness
Calvin Wood, a field organizer with the New Hampshire Democratic Coordinated Harris Campaign and external VP
ter being thrown last minute into the top of the ballot, I was thoroughly impressed by how prepared, qualified, and confident she appeared on stage.”
Wood said that Harris offered clear policy plans.
“It was refreshing to see someone with concrete policy plans uplift the working class,” Wood said. “The former president was vain, distractible and emotionally unregulated, and the VP put (Trump’s) desperate need for personal validation on full display.”
Robinson shared criticisms for both candidates’ inaccurate claims during the debate.
“A lot of the points that they made weren’t based in truth, which was shown when the reporters had evidence to show the claims they made to be untrue,” Robinson said. “It seemed very unprofessional, and they didn’t seem to rely on particularly reputable sources for the information that they referenced in some of their points.”
Now what?
No plans for another presidential debate have been confirmed, however Vice Presi-
“President Trump obviously won the debate, easily defeating comrade Kamala and fake news ABC who repeatedly covered Harris-Biden’s repeated failures.”
-
Cass Rutledge chairman of
the
Ole Miss College Republicans
crats, shared his thoughts on Harris’ performance.
“Kamala exceeded my expectations last night with a nearly flawless debate performance,” Wood said. “With such little time to prepare af -
York City and hosted by CBS.
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dent Harris has invited former President Trump to a second debate. The vice presidential debate between Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will be held Oct. 1 in New
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ing the opportunities we have all around us,” Mueller said.
Sofia Rivero is a general business major from Atlanta. Rivero is using her Miss Ole Miss platform, “Shine with Sofia,” to promote giving back to the community and has partnered with LeapFrog, an organization that promotes children’s literacy.
“Every child should know that they matter and so does their education,” Rivero said.
Betsy Vise is an Arabic and international studies double major from Tuscaloosa, Ala. Her slogan, “Bet on Betsy,” reflects her mission to uplift the work of others and serve the university. She has partnered with the Community First Research Center for Wellbeing and Creative Achievement.
“My platform is trying to represent the opportunities and joys that I’ve got to experience over the past three years,”
Vise said. Part of that is trying to bring attention to the work being done at the CREW center.”
Mr. Ole Miss Candidates:
Lars Andersen is a journalism major from Eagan, Minn. He is using his Mr. Ole Miss campaign to advocate for mental health and wellness among students on the platform “better tomorrows start today” and has partnered with the Clinic for Outreach and Personal Enrichment (COPE), a university organization providing free counseling services to Mississippi communities, to advocate for accessible mental health resources.
“I love to represent (the university),” Andersen said. “I’m honored when the university decides that I am the best foot to put forward.”
Santino Rocchio is an accountancy major from San Francisco, Calif. He is using his Mr. Ole Miss campaign to spread his love of the university and all that it has to offer.
“I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by such an amaz-
ing community who shares my passion for Oxford, and now I run into friendly faces wherever I go. We are so fortunate to have the incredible Square, Grove and a unique community that enables us to meet and befriend individuals from all backgrounds,” Rocchio said in an Instagram post on Thursday, Sept. 5. “I want to share my love for Ole Miss with others, which is why I am running to be the next Mr. Ole Miss.”
Jakota White is an integrated marketing communications major from Gulfport, Miss. White is partnering with Love Packs, a nonprofit organization in Oxford that provides supplemental food to children in need.
“Love is one of the few things in this world that connects us all,” White said.
Homecoming Queen Candidates:
Vanessa Bonner is a forensic chemistry major from Houma, La. Her slogan is “You are My Sunshine.”
“I wanted to use this cam-
paign platform to really reflect on all of the wonderful students that I have met and wonderful memories that I have made so far,” Bonner said.
Madalyn Dudley is an integrated marketing communications and public policy double major from Somerset, Ky. Dudley is running for homecoming queen with the campaign message “You matter to Madalyn.”
“I just wanted to use this as a way to remind people that they matter to me and to Ole Miss, and that their presence here is really important and their place on this campus does matter,” Dudley said.
Abby Johnson is an integrated marketing communications and business major from New Orleans. Johnson is campaigning for homecoming queen on the platform of “lead the way.”
“Ole Miss has given me a community that loves, leads and serves each other every day,” Johnson said in a Thursday, Sept. 5 Instagram post. “I am so grateful for the support
and mentorship I’ve received, and I hope this campaign will honor the leaders who inspired me while encouraging future leaders of this campus!”
Homecoming King Candidates:
Caleb Ball is a political science major running for homecoming king on the platform of “Ball for All.” “No matter who you are or where you come from, everyone has a story to tell, and I personally can’t wait to hear them all,” Ball said.
James Ling is a political science major from Oxford. Ling’s homecoming king campaign emphasizes the uniqueness of the university and its students.
“This campaign is for the people that tried so hard to fit in during their grade school years but never could,” Ling said.
Students can cast their votes in MyOleMiss from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 17.
Upperclassmen navigate pressures of finding internships in a competitive market
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As students begin to surf the job market, the value of internships becomes increasingly important –– and finding one is only getting more competitive.
According to a National Association of Colleges and Employers 2022 Student Survey for four-year college students, paid interns received an average of 1.61 job offers, compared to 0.77 offers for non-interns.
“I know it’s the beginning of the year, but I guess you could say I’m stressed about finding one, just because I don’t have one on lockdown, but it shouldn’t be too difficult,”
Asheville native, “making sure that you’re prepped and looking over different companies was a stressful experience, especially with so many applicants, it was hard.”
Director of Career Services at the University of Mississippi Wesley Dickens spoke on the importance of internships.
“The importance of (internships) is to get real world experience,” Dickens said. “It’s also a way to test drive a career, find out what you like and don’t like, and you want to do that while you’re in school rather than when you graduate.”
Senior Elle Dirck, a finance and risk management double major, was a student intern at
“The importance of (internships) is to get real world experience. It’s also a way to test drive a career, find out what you like and don’t like, and you want to do that while you’re in school rather than when you graduate.”
- Wesley Dickens director of career services
you’re prepared — otherwise it’d be like throwing you in the deep end of a pool,.” Dirck said.
Kaitlyn Moody, a junior accounting major, tabled the National Association of Black Accountants, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated toward professional development and academic success of minorities.
“NABA not only provides a safe space for minorities to learn about the corporate world, but it allows them a chance to be connected with recruiters,” Moody said. “Most of the time, these internships lead to full time positions, and at internships you have the chance to continue to build your network and grow in fields you may be unfamiliar with.”
David Hamilton, recruiting coordinator for the Career Center, agreed with Moody and said that 75% of employers look for people with internships.
“It shows initiative, and it shows that you have some experience, and it really does set you apart from other applicants who don’t have internships,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton encouraged students to make visits to the Career Center to receive professional skills assistance.
Kaitlyn Moody
resources for students looking for internships through the Internship Outreach program, McKenna Williams, a graduate student for College Programs, said that many students still lack internships on their resume despite being a crucial step toward their careers. She said this could be attributed to confusion and mixed messages.
and Employers (NACE), 59% of internships taken by the college class of 2023 were paid.
“The thing I think people always find scary about internships is that you automatically think it’s going to be unpaid,” Burnett said. “I feel like that’s been where people are the most worrisome when they’re looking for internships.”
said Hunter Neely, a junior finance major from Nashville.
For senior risk management and insurance major Locke Davis, securing an internship last summer was no easy feat.
“I was looking around so long for all kinds of different positions, it was such a stressful time,” said the
Guy Carpenter, a global risk and reinsurance company. She said that undergraduate internships are vital to form the skills students will need as they go into their profession.
“You have to build those professional skills in undergraduate so that when you go into a professional setting,
“Most of the things we do –, workshops, presentations, and one- on- one interviews – are for professional etiquette,” Hamilton said. “There is absolutely a way of acting and behaving and presenting yourself that’s very important when you’re going in for an internship –, not only because you might not have that experience and you’re used to being around peers and people your age, but also because you’re trying to make a good impression at this internship.”
The university offers many
“I think they don’t know where to start,” Williams said.
“I think a lot of it stems from (students) being told a lot of different things from professors and their parents, so they don’t know where to start.”
According to Flair, an HR recruiting website, 39.2% of internships in the U.S are unpaid, while 60.8% are paid, Drew Burnett, an internship coordinator for the Career Center, said this may be a concern for many considering internships. According to the National Association of Colleges
Beyond internships, Dickens urges students to get involved in student and community-led organizations to build experience.
“Internships are one thing, but I would say student involvement, clubs, organizations, class projects and volunteering help you build that experience, too,” Dickens said. “Thinking about all the ways you can get out there and really learn the different jobs, the different industries and what your interests are can help you long term.”
PHOTO COURTESY: KAITLYN MOODY
From Walmart aisles to a debut album: Mason Ramsey makes a stop in Oxford
CLAIRE REYNOLDS thedmfeatures@gmail.com
Mason Ramsey will make Oxford the first of many stops on his “Falls Into Place Tour Pt. 2” on Thursday, Sept. 19. This tour is set to begin one day before the release of Ramsey’s debut album, “I’ll See You In My Dreams.”
“I am super excited to be kicking off the tour in Oxford. I haven’t been there in a long time, so I feel like it’s a great place to start my tour again,” Ramsey said. “We are putting out a new album on (Sept.) 20. I will be doing my new songs on the whole tour, so (the audience) doesn’t have to worry about me going and then just doing my old songs.”
Ramsey’s rise to stardom commenced when he sang “Lovesick Blues” by Hank Williams in a Harrisburg, Ill., Walmart. The “yodeling kid” has grown up, but his passion for singing has remained.
“If I had to put myself in his shoes again, I think he would just be doing what he was doing then. If the timing for everything didn’t work out, he’d probably still be doing what he did, going to nursing homes and singing at gas stations and Walmarts and wherever else he might have been sing-
ing at the time,” Ramsey said.
In addition to his event at the Lyric, Ramsey held a competition for a private concert among sororities at UM, and Alpha Delta Pi won.
“Our members are really excited,” Alpha Delta Pi Vice President of Marketing and junior journalism major Erika Fontana said. “I know they really want to hear him sing and get to take pictures with him, too.”
The chapter won by having the greatest number of members text Ole Miss’ name to a number he listed on an Instagram post and commenting their sorority’s username under the post.
“We had the most girls comment ‘@olemissadpi,’ and he posted an Instagram story saying we had won,” Fontana said. “... We only found out about it because girls in our chapter saw the post and started to tag us!”
Law student and Franklin, Texas, native Zoe Barnes, is a “super fan” of Ramsey. She has been following his musical journey since he began yodeling as a pre-teen.
“I comment on all of his TikToks. He’s replied to one and liked a couple of my other comments,” Barnes said. “He posted a TikTok of all of the tour dates he had for the fall, and I said, ‘Mason, you have to do the Hotty Toddy chant in Oxford,’ and he
replied and said, ‘Teach me.’”
The concert at The Lyric will not be Barnes’ first appearance at a Mason Ramsey show. Last spring, Barnes drove to, Starkville, Miss., to listen to Ramsey perform at Rick’s Cafe.
“I think (the concert in Oxford) will be different for sure,” Barnes said. “I feel like it’s gonna be really good energy because he’s dropping (his) new album at midnight. We’ll probably still be there, so I think it’ll be really good energy.”
Ramsey promises to deliver on Barnes’ expectations.
“I think (the audience) can expect a high energy performance. ... In person, I’m a calm human being, but on stage it’s like flipping a light switch,” Ramsey said. “Something shocks me, I guess, (and) I just pull out the energy.”
The Lyric’s doors will open at 7 p.m. for the concert with a performance by Halle Kearns at 8 p.m. before Ramsey takes the stage at 9 p.m.
“I want people to go in there and just forget about all their worries and whatever (and) just have a good time, just vibe, and we’re all there to have a good time and have fun,” Ramsey said.
Mason Ramsey
PHOTO COURTESY: ALEX CRAWFORD / MASON RAMSEY PRESS
glish department,” she said, “but then also with the great bookstores in the area.”
The Mississippi Book
‘I want them to be present:’ Jesmyn Ward shares overlooked stories of Mississippians
asking questions,” Ward said Ward hails from DeLisle, Miss., and emphasized that maintaining her relationship with the South is integral to
telling an authentic and clear story; this is a contrast to the pastoral romanticization often associated with traditional Southern novels such as “Gone with the Wind.”
“I wanted to write about the kind of people that I grew up with, the kind of people who are in my family and the kind of people that I was surrounded by in Mississippi in part because I didn’t really see those people in literature when I was growing up,” Ward said. “I wanted to write their stories because I wanted them to be present in the world of fiction and creative nonfiction.”
When asked about how living and growing up in the South impacts her writing, she emphasized how maintaining her relationship with the South is integral to telling a clear story of her community.
“I think one of the reasons that it’s important for me to nurture and maintain the roots that I have in Mississippi, both in my hometown and just around the state in general, is because I feel like maintaining those roots and those connections enables me to be more honest and clear eyed un my work,” Ward said. “I think if I didn’t maintain those roots and didn’t maintain those
Jesmyn Ward
connections, that it would be easier for me to sort of gloss over the realities of what it’s like to live in Mississippi.”
While her most recent
“Literature can make you feel a little bit less alone in whatever you’re living through. ... It can give you a blueprint, or key, to better understand and move through your own life.”
- Jesmyn Ward
2010-2011
John and Renée Grisham Writer in Residence
novel depicts the horrors of slavery, her previous novels, “Where the Line Bleeds,” “Salvage the Bones” and “Sing, Unburied, Sing,” detail experiences of growing up and residing in Mississippi. Ward writes on topics such as drug addiction, the Parchman Mississippi State Penitentiary and the devastation that followed Hurricane Katrina.
Ward says that she ultimately wants to have a hand in giving young Southerners a space in literary fiction.
“Literature can make you feel a little bit less alone in whatever you’re living through. ... It can give you a blueprint, or key, to better understand and move through your own life,” Ward said. “I hope that when students read my work ... it helps them navigate their own lives.”
PHOTO COURTESY: BEOWULF SHEEHAN
New campus organization to educate students about childhood literacy
RAEGAN SETTLE
thedmfeatures@gmail.com
The Children’s Literacy Project, a new registered student organization, plans to raise awareness about early childhood literacy in the University of Mississippi community.
The project, which is the first UM student organization dedicated to improving childhood literacy, will convene for its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. in room 113 at the Lott Leadership Institute. Members will receive an introduction into the mission and upcoming activities of the Children’s Literacy Project, as well as free pizza.
Cate Drane, a junior public policy leadership and public health major, founded the Children’s Literacy Project to give college students the opportunity to make handson contributions to improving literacy among children.
Drane moved frequently throughout her younger years, transitioning between public and private schools. A native of Natchez, Miss., where she attended a private middle and high school, Drane said she was not aware of literacy rates issues throughout Mississip-
pi until she began tutoring elementary students in reading.
Mississippi ranked No. 30 in the nation in education, according to the 2024 Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT Data Book. The state has improved from its rank of No. 48 in 2014, however, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that 69% of 4th grade students in Mississippi were not proficient in reading in 2022. In the same year, nearly four in ten (37%) 4th graders did not reach the basic reading standard.
While the state’s performance is steadily improving, literacy initiatives provide the groundwork to continue increasing students’ reading skills. As a former tutor at Quitman Elementary School in Lambert, Miss. through Mission Acceleration, Drane fell in love with teaching kids how to read.
“When I slowly had this one girl who was crying the first day because she didn’t understand a single sentence to being able to read chapter books by the end of the year, being able to see that change and how much work I put into it, I know that what I’m doing is actually making a difference,” Drane said.
The Children’s Literacy Project will offer resources for
members to learn about the science of reading and earn certifications. Drane hopes that by the end of the year, students will put certifications to use through volunteer experiences.
Drane says the Children’s Literacy Project will help students get involved in youth educational programs like Leap Frog and Mission Acceleration.
Leap Frog provides free after-school literacy programs for elementary students in the Lafayette-Oxford community. Helping children to become lifelong learners, the program offers daily lessons and enrichment programming for local youth.
Mission Acceleration is a statewide initiative helping to accelerate reading skills in students from Kindergarten to 5th grade. The administrative home for the program is located within the Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction (CELI) at UM.
Drane encouraged students interested in learning more about Leap Frog or Mission Acceleration to join the Children’s Literacy Project and meet others interested in improving literacy. Drane said the time commitment will be relaxed, offering students who are passionate about the activity fur-
ther chances for involvement.
HALLIE DAVIS thedmfeatures@gmail.com
The Disordered Eating and Eating Disorder Initiative (DEED) is a new organization that aims to support struggling students at the University of Mississippi.
DEED’s first meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 5 p.m. in Bryant Room 200.
“This initial meeting will be for any student, faculty or staff member interested in our mission, interested in learning more about our organization or coming to ask questions about getting involved or joining. In the future, DEED plans to host community luncheons, seminars, open community events and more,” DEED
Co-Founder Magan Perry, a senior psychology major, said. Perry, along with DEED
Co-Founder Autumn Robbins, a graduate student studying integrated marketing communications, started developing the organization following the dissolution of the Comprehensive Eating Disorder Program at the William Magee Center last Fall. Robbins and Perry were involved with the organization and saw a push toward healthy eating and nutrition by students after the program’s termination.
While receiving an undergraduate degree in public health, Robbins researched cognitive functions in college-age students and how this relates to disordered eating.
“I craved destigmatizing the thoughts around food and having an area of support for students around a topic that is very behind in terms of mental health normalcy, advocacy and destigmatization,” Robbins said.
A 2021 study from Regis College, titled “Eating Disorders in College Students: Effects on Mental Health,” states that 10-20% of female college students and 4-10% of male college students experience disordered eating. Regis also stated that 30-70% of college students seeking treatment for an eating disorder receive medical treatment for weight loss rather than mental health treatment for the disorder.
DEED’s organizers hope to create a supportive student environment centered on mental well-being.
“We are hoping to have guest speakers and support events to help bonding among those in the group, though we are open to any ideas and requests from our members as we want this organization to be what the members need and feel good and com-
NOTICE OF ENACTMENT OF UNIVERSITY PARKING RULES & REGULATIONS
The University of Mississippi Department of Parking & Transportation (DPT) in Oxford, Mississippi hereby gives notice of enactment of the University’s Traffic and Parking Regulations for the 2024-2025 academic year. These rules and regulations are enacted by the Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning, State of Mississippi, and are effective from and after July 1, 2023. The full text of such rules and regulations are available at www.olemiss.edu/parking the website of DPT.
The Children’s Literacy Project plans on hosting a fundraising event this fall to raise money for volunteer projects in the spring. After launching the organization at UM, Drane hopes to start additional branches at Jackson State University and Mississippi State University.
DEED Initiative supports those struggling with disordered eating
fortable doing,” Robbins said.
Perry has worked to highlight the importance of community for those struggling with disordered eating.
“This organization finds
“It’s not just policy, and it’s not just teaching kids how to read,” Drane said. “It’s not just certifications, and it’s not just volunteer planning. It’s the whole breadth of it.”
the students who are falling through the cracks or hiding in the shadows to show navigating college doesn’t have to be an individual battle,” Perry said.
Cate Drane PHOTO
Juice Wells displays talent in Ole Miss debut
HADDON MCLEOD thedmsports@gmail.com
Recruited in another off-season transfer portal move by head coach Lane Kiffin, wide receiver Juice Wells has been the key to igniting Kiffin’s offense.
The narrative after the 2023 season was that the Rebels wanted to upgrade the roster to become a national title contender. Ole Miss added some big names on defense including defensive tackle Walter Nolen and defensive end Princely Umanmielen. As for the offense, the Rebels felt they needed another crucial asset to their receiver room.
Former South Carolina wide receiver Juice Wells was one of the few proven players in the SEC who was transferring and available — despite dealing with injuries for the
majority of the 2023 season.
In 2021 and 2022, Wells racked in 151 catches for over 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns across one season at South Carolina and the other at James Madison.
Wells was sought after by many highly ranked teams including Texas and Oregon. Even with Wells slowly recovering during the portal season, Ole Miss trusted Wells would get himself back on the field.
Wells did just that during the off-season and looks healthy.
“It took from all of spring to fall camp,” Wells said in a post-game presser after the Rebels MTSU contest.
Wells has proven himself to be the perfect fit to the wide receiver room after the departure of Dayton Wade to the NFL Draft, and he has become a significant
part of the dynamic offense.
In Wells’ first catch as an Ole Miss Rebel against Furman, he brought in a 61-yard bomb on a post route from quarterback Jaxson Dart in the first quarter for the second score of the game. Wells finished the game with two receptions for 70 yards and one touchdown.
Wells had another impressive showing last Saturday against Middle Tennessee, hauling in another six catches for 78 yards and one touchdown in the 52-3 blowout victory.
One of the most telling things about the trajectory of the Ole Miss program is how highly all the transfers speak of the talent and opportunities in Oxford.
“I chose Ole Miss because I felt like Ole Miss was the best team in the SEC,” Wells said in a presser on Monday, Sept. 2.
SEC holds four of top five spots in AP rankings
TANNER SHAPIRO
thedmsports@gmail.com
For the first time in AP Poll history, the SEC has four of the top five spots in the college football rankings. After the top five, Missouri and Tennessee took up the Nos. 6 and 7 spots in the AP Poll rankings in week two, proving the SEC to be the most dominant conference so far this season.
will face the University of Texas at San Antonio this week.
A loss for Texas to an unranked UTSA could hurt the current ranking and drop the Longhorns out of the top five. A win would earn a bid for the No. 1 spot depending on Georgia’s weekend performance.
No. 4 Alabama
No. 1 Georgia
The Bulldogs took the No. 1 AP Poll ranking for the second week in a row. Georgia has remained perfect after wins over Tennessee Tech and an elite ACC team in Clemson. The Bulldogs will travel to Kentucky in their first SEC game of the season this weekend and are looking to start conference play strong.
If Georgia falls to the Wildcats, they will lose their No. 1 spot in the rankings, potentially falling out of the top five. A win over Kentucky would keep their record perfect and the Bulldogs sitting at No. 1.
No. 2 Texas
Texas was ranked No. 3 in week one. After the Longhorns manhandled defending national champions Michigan 31-12 in a week two road contest, they moved up one spot. In one of the most anticipated matchups between two 2024 playoff teams, Texas proved its dominance.
Texas’ defense forced three turnovers, and the offense looked sharp as well as it steamrolled the former champions. Texas
Under new head coach Kalen Deboer, Alabama took care of business in week one, shutting down Western Kentucky 63-0. The Tide began week two with a concerning start against USF. After a late rally, they delivered a 42-16 win to improve to 2-0. After a wake-up call for the Tide, they look to make a statement this week hitting the road to take on Wisconsin.
A win over Wisconsin could improve Alabama’s ranking, stealing the No. 3 spot from Ohio State. A loss to Wisconsin would hurt the Tide’s ranking, but they could remain in the top 10.
No. 5 Ole Miss
Ole Miss looks to be a consistent team in the top five, but will have to overcome difficult conference games to make this happen. Quarterback Jaxson Dart has broken records through two weeks as the QB1 for the Rebels and will continue to add to his impressive resume this season.
The Rebels have one of the most talented offenses in the nation, with strong receivers Jordan Watkins and Tre Harris and running backs Henry Parrish Jr. and Ulysses Bentley IV, not to mention a solid offensive line.
Ole Miss started the preseason at No. 6, the highest preseason ranking the Rebels have seen since their No. 5 ranking in 1970. With a win over Wake Forest this week in Winston-Salem, N.C., Ole Miss will likely stay at No. 5.
Antwane Wells Jr. runs the ball after making a catch during the first half against MTSU in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Sept. 7.
PHOTO COURTESY: RANDY J. WILLIAMS / AP PHOTO
Molly Rouse enters second season as Ole Miss coach
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Ole Miss Women’s Soccer Head Coach Molly Rouse is in her second season with the Rebels.
Following a 7-7-3 season last year, Rouse and the Rebels are hoping to secure a spot in the SEC Soccer Tournament this November in Pensacola, Fla.
Background
Rouse started her soccer career at the University of Minnesota from 2007-2010. As a Gopher, she appeared in 88 matches, scoring 18 goals and 17 assists. She had an assist in five straight games, tying the school record.
Rouse and the Golden Gophers would go on to win a program record 22 games in 2008, eventually making it to the third round of the NCAA Tournament for the
first time in program history.
Rouse was named a twotime All Big Ten selection and was appointed team captain her junior and senior seasons.
After her collegiate career, Rouse went on to play professionally for the Minnesota Kings and the Vancouver Whitecaps, later becoming the assistant coach at her alma mater, Minnesota.
Rouse led Minnesota to a program-defining victory over Auburn and took home the Big Ten Tournament title over No. 15 Penn State in 2018.
Coaching career
Prior to her arrival at Utah Tech, Rouse held other coaching positions at Iowa, Nebraska-Omaha, Buffalo and Alabama State. During her time at Utah Tech, Rouse guided the Trailblazers during their transition from a DII to DI program, earning the school’s first DI win
SUDOKU©
Puzzles by KrazyDad
against Chicago State in 2021.
Rouse also delivered Utah Tech’s first winning season as a DI program, going 10-6-2 in 2022. The Trailblazers landed the number four seed in the WAC Soccer Tournament — the highest in program history — before taking the job as head coach for the Rebels in 2023.
Last season, Rouse and the Rebels went 7-7-3, just barely missing out on the SEC Soccer Tournament.
So far this season Rouse and the Rebels are 4-3, with a 3-1 home record and a 1-2 away record.
What’s next?
The Rebels will play at home against Southern Mississippi today and against Lipscomb on Saturday, Sept. 14. Rouse and the Rebels then look to start conference play against Tennessee in Knoxville seven days later, on Sept. 19.
HOW TO PLAY
Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 with no repeats.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
ACROSS 1- ___-a-brac; 5- Mr. T’s former group; 10- Voodoo amulet; 14- “That smarts!”; 15- Tractor pioneer John; 16- Fusses; 17- Singer McEntire; 18- Comic DeGeneres; 19- Roster used to assign duties; 20- Commander in chief of a fleet; 22- Smokers receptacle; 24- Zero; 25- Sigh of satisfaction; 26- Chinese menu phrase; 29- Whopper; 32- Hired parker; 36- Out of port; 37- Colonize; 39- Former Bush spokesman Fleischer; 40- In spite of; 43- Tap output; 44- Sailor; 45- Cleveland’s lake; 46- Perfect Sleeper maker; 48- Hi-___; 49- Stair part; 50- Magician’s prop; 52- Simpson trial judge;
53- Leads on; 57- To-do lists; 61- Wall Street pessimist; 62- Flat contract; 64- Pressing need; 65- Liberal pursuits; 66- Minimum; 67- Area; 68- Baseball’s “Walking Man” Eddie; 69- Yoga posture; 70- Sporting blade; DOWN 1- Aboriginal rite site; 2- Felt sorry about; 3- SALT subject; 4- Woodcutter power tool; 5- Let’s Make ___; 6- Narrate; 7- Moray; 8- Length x width, for a rectangle; 9- The brainy bunch; 10- Stewart of home tips; 11- Smell or fragrance; 12- Spanish dance; 13- Anthem starter; 21- Tractor-trailer; 23- Refuge; 26- Grannies; 27- ___ Mio; 28- Unit just above a yard;
29- “The Merry Widow” composer; 30- “Who’s there?” reply; 31- Kett and James; 33- Dens; 34- Bert’s roomie; 35- Large cat; 37- Sault ___ Marie; 38- PC linkup; 41- Sir ___ Newton was an English mathematician; 42- Remove charged atoms; 47- Need for liquid;
49- Numbered rd.; 51- I cannot ___ lie; 52- ___ Kick Out of You; 53- Auction site; 54- Emperor after Claudius; 55- Makes lace; 56- Dates; 57- Org.; 58- Fall; 59- Top-flight; 60- Dagger of yore; 63- Battery size;
Ole Miss Soccer Head Coach Molly Rouse glances down the field during a game against Alabama on Oct. 20, 2023.
MARIA RAMIREZ / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
WEEK 3
Ole Miss @ Wake Forest 42-17
(Ian Sparks)
Following wins against Furman and Middle Tennessee State at home, the Rebels will challenge the Demon Deacons in their first road test of the season on Saturday, Sept. 14.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart has started the season with a purpose — completing 47 of 54 passes for 795 yards and eight touchdowns. Wake Forest is coming off a heartbreaking 3130 loss at home to Virginia after leading the Cavaliers 30-17 going into the fourth quarter.
Despite putting up 544 yards of offense against Virginia and 513 against North Carolina A&T the week before, Wake Forest will need a near-perfect game to upset the Rebels.
Even with rainy conditions forecast, Ole Miss should cruise to a 3-0 start. Not only are the Rebels more skilled, their sheer size up front makes them a matchup nightmare for just about anyone.
LSU @ South Carolina 35-28 (Lily Green)
With the disappearance of the east and west divisions in the SEC, the LSU Tigers will face off against the South Carolina Gamecocks for the first time since 2020.
While LSU sits at 1-1 due to a loss against the University of Southern California in week one of this season, South Carolina remains undefeated. The Gamecocks blew out the Ken -
Week 3 college football pick ‘em
tucky Wildcats 31-6 last week.
Both teams have notable quarterbacks who are portrayed as difference makers on the field.
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is already a hot commodity for the Tigers offense — recording 610 total passing yards, a 75% completion rate and eight touchdowns this season.
South Carolina true freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers has room for improvement. Sellers has put up 273 passing yards with a 43% completion rate, two touchdowns and one interception.
Though South Carolina is unranked, LSU is favored by a mere touchdown and will head into the game ranked No. 16.
Oregon @ Oregon St. 45-28
(Luke Dunavant)
The Oregon vs. Oregon State rivalry is one of the oldest in the sport, dating back to 1894. The game will look a little different this year after the Ducks left the Pac-12 Conference and joined the Big Ten during the offseason. Both teams are currently undefeated, and the Beavers are currently first in the Pac-12.
After lackluster performances in their first two games, the Ducks are looking to make a statement this week. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has played reasonably well but has yet to display the top-tier talent that made him one of the most highly touted transfers this past offseason.
Oregon State quarterback Gevani McCoy has 295 yards through two games and only
two touchdowns. Former Ole Miss running back Jam Griffin is the driving force behind the Beavers’ offense and has a strong influence on their chances of winning this weekend.
The Ducks opened up as 14-point favorites, and with a stronger offense on paper, they likely will find success this weekend.
Georgia @ Kentucky 42-10
(Charles Hausman )
Filling the No. 1 ranking, Georgia has started the season strong with a perfect 2-0 record. Kentucky sits at 1-1 after a 31-6 loss against South Carolina.
The Dawgs have been unstoppable with their air raid offense in full effect. The star of this offense, quarterback Carson Beck, has already accounted for 520 passing yards and seven touchdowns.
On defense, linebackers Jalon Walker and CJ Allen have been electric, both with nine tackles.
Kentucky struggled last week in its first conference game against South Carolina, putting up only six points in the first half on two field goals.
Quarterback Brock Vandagriff threw for three touchdowns in week one and had one interception in week two. Vandagriff will have to perform like he did in week one in order to make a statement against the Bulldogs.
Alabama @ Wisconsin 42-7
(Wilson Engeriser)
Alabama is off to a scorching start to the season after shutting out Western Ken -
tucky 63-0. While the score is impressive, none of Alabama’s starters were tested after starting quarterback Jalen Milroe had to throw the ball only nine times for over 200 passing yards.
The Tide currently sits at 2-0 after a win over South Florida at home last week.
Alabama earned the majority of its points in the fourth quarter, scoring 28 points to secure a 42-16 victory.
In contrast, Wisconsin had a very slow start to the season after beating Western Michigan 28-14 and South Dakota 27-13. The Badgers are looking better coming off their 4-8 season in 2023 and will have to put up a strong front against a talented Alabama team. Despite the away game disadvantage, Alabama is poised to defeat Wisconsin with a high-powered SEC offense that the Badgers cannot stop.
Ole Miss takes on Wake Forest in first away game of the season
and 1-7 in conference play.
LILY GREEN
thedmsports@gmail.com
Ole Miss will play Wake Forest for the first time since 2008 this Saturday for an ACC-SEC matchup in Winston-Salem, N.C. It will be the Rebels’ first road game of the 2024 season.
Wake Forest has come out on top in the previous two matchups against Ole Miss. The Rebels lost to the Demon Deacons 27-3 in 2006 and 30-28 in 2008.
The Rebels currently sit at 2-0 with wins over Furman University and Middle Tennessee State University. Wake Forest fell to 1-1 last week after a close 31-30 loss at home against the University of Virginia.
On the offense, Wake Forest has amassed 723 passing yards and 334 rushing yards over their first two games. Meanwhile, Ole Miss has 926 passing yards and 501 rushing yards.
While the Rebels are coming off their first 11-win season in program history, Wake Forest struggled as they finished last in the ACC last season.
The Demon Deacons ended 2023 with a 4-8 overall record
Despite Wake Forest’s poor performance last season, the Demon Deacons still will pose a challenge to the Rebels as they are a Power Four team.
Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart is the offensive threat the Wake Forest defense should fear. Against the Furman Paladins, Dart had 418 passing yards and six touchdowns in the 76-0 blowout. He had 377 passing yards and a touchdown against Middle Tennessee. Dart now leads the SEC in total passing yards with 795.
The Rebels rank No. 1 in college football for rush defense and No. 3 in tackles for loss. Ole Miss has given up only three points, from a field goal by Middle Tennessee, in their first two games.
Wake Forest quarterback Hank Bachmeier delivered an impressive performance in the Demon Deacons’ 45-13 victory over North Carolina A&T on Aug. 29. Bachmeier racked up 263 passing yards and threw for three touchdowns.
The Rebels are labeled as the 23-point favorite heading into this weekend. A victory
GRAPHIC: KAT MOORMAN / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Attacking the Mississippi voter
A’DAVION BUSH
thedmopinion@gmail.com
With the 2024 election a little over 50 days away, all of us are noticing an increase in politics in our day-to-day lives. Just this week, the internet exploded in reaction to the second presidential debate as the two candidates went back and forth on national television.
Although the visibility of politics during this time is undeniable, there is still a considerable amount of work to be done when it comes to actually addressing the issues that fill our timelines and newspapers.
Most importantly, the individual right to vote must be protected and promoted. Here in Mississippi, there have been a number of efforts that are not pro-voter by any means.
The history of voting rights in Mississippi has been fraught with systemic racism and actions to disenfranchise Black citizens with restrictions designed to maintain white supremacy. Despite federal interventions such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965, discriminatory barriers persisted well into the 20th century.
However, thanks to civil rights activists and some lawmakers, significant progress has been made in dismantling these practices. With the removal of obstacles such as literacy tests and poll taxes expanding democratic participation, Mississippians now enjoy greater access to the ballot box.
Even though some legal barriers to voting have seemingly been dismantled, more subtle forms of voter suppression continue to persist in Mississippi and other states.
Those in positions of authority are effectively stifling the voices of underprivileged populations in efforts to retain their hold on political power. It is critical to understand that no one party or ideology is responsible for the assault on voting rights in Mississippi. Republicans and Democrats have both been accused of erecting obstacles that suppress voting in order to win elections.
Voter laws and gerrymandering disproportionately impact minority communities and serve to maintain the status quo of white political power. In fact, according to a recent Supreme Court ruling, the Mississippi vote was manipulated due to an unrepresentative voting map. Even though nearly 40% of our state’s population was Black, our voting districts did not reflect that fact.
Mississippi has purged thousands of voters in accordance with House Bill 1310. While some instances of voting rolls being updated are justified, such as removing deceased persons’ names, other in-
Opinion Policies:
stances leave once-registered voters confused and incorrectly removed from their counties’ voting roll.
Mississippi’s restrictions on voting accessibility measures like early voting and absentee balloting further disenfranchise marginalized populations. In a time where technological advancements should make voting easier, Mississippi lags behind — the state is one of the seven states that does not permit online voter registration.
Even the most straightforward part of voting — filling out the ballot — can be fumbled. For instance, in the most recent gubernatorial election, one of the most populated precincts in our largest voting county ran out of ballots — a mistake that cost us thousands of votes in an election that will have an impact on our state for the next several years. Political officials looked to the secretary of state’s office and local election officials for answers and accountability regarding the mishap.
Despite these challenges, organizations and activists in Mississippi continue to fight for the right to vote and advocate for policies that expand access to the ballot box for all citizens. The struggle for voting rights in Mississippi is ongoing.
Grassroots organizations and advocacy groups continue to work to educate and mobilize disenfranchised communities, empowering them to exercise their right to vote and have a voice in shaping the future of Mississippi. As these groups began to once again pick up steam and impact elections, we saw the introduction of the 2023 voter purge law.
All Americans regardless of party membership must unite to oppose these attacks on the right to vote and guarantee that everyone has the opportunity to take part in free and fair elections.
Only 65% of eligible voters turned out to cast a ballot during our last presidential election, and the percentage continues to be considerably lower during midterm elections As a result, local elections come and go as an afterthought and can sometimes be uncompetitive, leaving us with officials who are not as focused or concerned with constituents as they maybe should be.
Remember, Democracy is a right that is guaranteed to all people — not just a select few. We must do all in our ability to protect it.
A’Davion Bush is an opinion contributor. He is a sophomore public policy major from Indianola, Miss. He is also an ASB senator at large.
Columns do not represent the views of The University of Mississippi or The Daily Mississippian. The Daily Mississippian welcomes letters to the editor, which should be emailed to thedmopinion@gmail.com. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. They may be edited for clarity, brevity and libel. Third-party letters and those with pseudonyms or no name will not be published. Letters are limited to one per individual per month. Letters should include contact information, including relationship to the university, if applicable.
