The Blue & White Flash January 26, 2023

www.sites.jsums.edu/jsufl

SGA Town Hall Meeting addresses housing, infrastructure and campus safety

Tatyana Ross

Editor-in-Chief

Upcoming projects and the status of campus improvement efforts were discussed during a Jackson State University SGA Town Hall meeting held on Jan. 18, 2023.

University representatives addressed student concerns with top three priorities like housing, campus sustainability, and campus safety during the meeting.

Madison Cathey, SGA President served as the moderator of the event.

The top priority discussed was Jackson State’s plans to build a new residence hall after requesting $50 million from the state legislator.

If approved, the new residence hall is expected to be a 600-bed design with a suite/apartment style of living which would increase JSU’s

ability to attract and house more potential students.

Da’Maje Russell, a freshman chemistry major from Memphis, Tenn., thinks that building a new residence hall is long overdue but the University should be more concerned with the upkeep of the present facilities.

“I do think it is necessary for Jackson State to build new dorms because some people don’t have housing every year,” Russell said. “My main concern (however) is that we are sleeping in rooms with no heat while it is 50 degrees outside.”

Russell also said he is outraged that housing does not permit students to have heaters but fans are allowed.

“A fan can help us when it’s hot but what are we supposed to do when it’s cold, risk getting a fine or just lay under three different covers? It’s unhealthy,” Russell said.

Priority number two dealt with Jackson State’s sustainability and infrastructure issues as it relates to power and the most recent water issues. The project proposal to help with these issues would incorporate alternative power and water sources to improve campus facilities.

The upgrades would also include solving issues with plumbing, mechanical equipment, electrical equipment, and utility service modifications with drain improvements. Students have raised several concerns about these upgrades but many of these issues must be corrected by the City of Jackson with infrastructure upgrades and are beyond to scope of the university.

Aria Chinn, a junior elementary childhood education from Milwaukee, Wis., is disheartened by the constant water issues and feels

that students should receive some type accommodation.

“It sucks that I’m paying out of pocket to stay in a school that doesn’t have clean water. We haven’t been given any financial accommodations for our housing either,” Chinn said “I don’t expect to live here for free, but I don’t think it’s far-fetched to expect a small credit towards housing for the inconvenience.”

The third priority raised was the Campus Safety Project which is supposed to focus on the development of implementing life safety improvements to protect students, faculty, and staff.

Several students on-campus have raised concerns about feeling safe on campus due to a lack of consistency with campus safety protocols. Russell thinks campus police should be more attentive.

“I think JSU should have better

safety protocols, such as making sure students are actually students and not letting just anybody come on campus and if they had security who is more attentive to students, we would feel much safer,” Russell said.

Chinn agreed with Russell but said she feels campus police needs to be more proactive rather than reactive in situations regarding campus safety.

“The school seems so ill prepared for any and every situation. Though some things you cannot predict, the things they can predict aren’t being handled well either,” Chinn said.

Jackson State requested over $12.2 million from the state legislature to aid in their efforts to improve campus safety.

A total over $79.2 million has been requested from the state legislature.

Jackson State students express concerns about safety on campus

Alivia Welch & Tatyana Ross

Flash Editors

Recent occurrences on the campus of Jackson State University, including the shooting death of Flynn Brown in Dixon Hall, has led some students to have safety concerns on campus.

According to JSU Police Department (JSUPD) Captain Eric Stanton, increased patrols as well as cooperation with other campus departments to identify potential areas of concern are some of the steps being implemented to keep students safe.

“We want to ensure that we can identify if we don’t have things like proper lighting and access to the building’s security,” Stanton said. “(This means) having conversations with other stakeholders on campus to ensure we aren’t overlooking something.”

He added, “We believe it takes all of us as a campus community to ensure the safety of all the faculty, students and visitors who come to Jackson State.”

Stanton suggests students group up with a friend or peer and/or contact the JSUPD for a police escort if they have safety concerns while navigating the campus. They can be reached at (601) 979-2580.

Stanton also said that JSUPD reaches out to local, state and federal agencies for assistance.

Although officials are working diligently to try and resolve and identify problems, students that reside on campus still have safety concerns.

Elijah Karriem, a senior journalism and media studies major from Columbus, Miss., has resided on campus since his freshman year during the fall of 2020. He said that crime on campus and surrounding areas has become an issue for him and his peers that public safety measures need to increase.

“As a resident of the university, staying safe is my top priority. With recent events, I believe JSU safety officials should aim towards more safety plans for the betterment of the student body and visitors,” said Karriem.

Karriem also said that his former roommate stays in fear of retaliation after he was involved in an armed robbery incident on campus. Karriem expressed he remains thankful his roommate was not harmed but he’s left questioning how someone was allowed on campus with a firearm.

“The key to protecting students and reassuring their parents that their children are safe is to have

strong communication skills with the student body and sadly our school lacks that,” he said.

Some students, like Kaiden Ivey, offered suggestions on how safety at JSU could be improved.

“I would love for the campus to be more monitored and enclosed,” said Ivey, a freshman accounting major from Tulsa Oklahoma.

Jackson State wants to actively provide security to its students, faculty and staff and as a result the university released access to the JSU Safe App. The app was created for students to have 24-hour access to campus police.

Students can share their location with campus police on the GPS that is available within the app. Karriem explained that the JSU Safe App is a good resource tool, however the inadequacy of security and structure around the campus needs more work.

“The JSU Safe App is helpful in some ways but the lack of lighting and fencing around campus makes the app a waste of time because of the delay in notifications we receive from the school,” he said.

Contrary to his peers’ experiences, Thomas Beard, another journalism and media studies major from Chicago Heights, Ill., commutes to campus and his concerns are somewhat different.

“One thing that bothers me is how

easy it is for unauthorized persons to access the campus. Certain areas like the Walter Payton Center and the library need to be more securitydetailed in my opinion,” Beard said.

He also expressed that he would like better communication from campus officials regarding issues on campus before arriving at campus to be turned around.

“I would like better updates from campus officials when incidents occur on campus that could affect students,

especially us that commute. The updates they send out are very vague and are not helpful in my opinion,” he added.

It should be noted that on the official Jackson State website, JSU Police is required to post crimes reported on campus under the Public Safety’s Crime Log.

To view the log and access other information on JSUPD, visit https:// www.jsums.edu/campuspolice/

Photo by Monica McGhee

Tiger Events

Individuals control decision to receive or not receive vaccines

3. AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine

4. Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine

5. Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline’s COVID-19 vaccine

It is not a government mandate to get the vaccine, so the option is left to each individual person to choose whether or not they want the vaccine. I wholeheartedly believe it is in our rights as American citizens to make our own decisions when it comes to personal health concerns.

Tatyana Ross Editor-in-Chief

The COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly impacted the way we live today. Since the beginning of the pandemic in early 2019, the FDA has released five different vaccines to help combat the battle of COVID in the U.S.

vaccine

I am not a supporter of the vaccine because I have witnessed close relatives experience health concerns that were not an issue before receiving the vaccine. I feel like this was due to doctors not viewing prior medical histories to inform patients whether or not this vaccine would be the right choice for them.

This further increased my skepticism of the vaccine as a whole and I developed even more distrust in it.

According to the National Governors

Association, in 2021 there were several states offering different incentives to take the vaccine.

In my home state of Alabama, the Talladega Superspeedway was offering people aged 16 and older who chose to be tested and/or vaccinated the thrill of driving their car or truck on the 2.66mile track. Drivers and their riders could take two laps behind a pace car at highway speed, including the 33-degree-high banks. Another incentive was offered by Alabama Department of Public Health in sponsoring a TikTok Contest for people aged 13-29 who posted a video of themselves getting vaccinated. The four winners were awarded a $250 Visa gift card. Personally, it further raised my concerns of getting the vaccine, validated my thoughts of the vaccine being unnecessary, and caused me to wonder what is in each of the vaccines since there was a need to further entice more people to take

it. Due to my concerns about the vaccine, I don’t plan on getting vaccinated at all. Unfortunately, this has proven to be an issue in many ways. There are several jobs that will not allow employees to work if they do not have proof of their vaccination status. I have experienced it first-hand after being offered opportunities where I had to decline because of my stance against receiving the vaccination. However, I don’t think it is fair and I find it discriminatory against people who think differently. I understand there are concerns for some people in the workplace who worry that anti-vaxxers will potentially spread the illness to others but if the government isn’t mandating it, jobs shouldn’t either.

Bloomberg Law review of cases in 2022 reported that there were at least 66 lawsuits against private employers in Sept. 2021 for refusing to grant exemptions, or for providing allegedly insufficient

accommodations to employees. I do believe anti-vaxxers should be aware of the risks we maintain but it has not been proven that the vaccine makes much of a difference. According to the CDC, people who are vaccinated can still become sick with COVID because no vaccine is 100 percent effective. I think this shows more than enough evidence for all jobs to get rid of their mandate on the vaccine in the workplace. People shouldn’t feel like their career is on the line because of the pressure to get vaccinated. I believe that is my right to choose what enters and exits my body. My favorite quote is “If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything” by Malcom X and I stand by my decision regardless of how others feel.

The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.

“Do you think the COVID vaccine/boosters should be mandatory? Why or Why not?”

Compiled by: Shakell James

Mikayla Stokes Freshman Biology/Pre- Medicine Chicago, Ill.

“Honestly, no because people got way more sick when they were getting it. I never got it and I’m ok.”

Lauren Miranda Sophomore Social Work Milwaukee, Wis.

“Your chances of getting it are greater. The flu shot isn’t mandatory, so the Covid vaccine shouldn’t be either.”

Lee Payton Senior Graphic Design Jackson, Miss.

“No, because it’s new and we don’t understand the long-term effects. If you get the vaccine and still get it, it’s pointless.”

Armila

Mullen Freshman Sociology Battle Creek, Mich.

“I do think they should be mandatory.It’s being considerate of your family and peers.”

Nichoulous Flouncy Freshman Biology Pre- Medicine Valdosta, Ga.

“Everyone is subject to their own actions, so therefore getting the vaccine shouldn’t mandatory.”

Breanna Webb Senior

Elementary Education Jackson, Miss.

“If it’s not needed, then the vaccine shouldn’t be mandatory.”

Alexis Cook Senior Biology/Pre- Medicine New Orleans, La.

“No, because I know people that got the vaccine and still caught Covid. It’s not 100 percent guaranteed.”

Vee Harrington Junior Elementary Education Charlotte, N.C.

“Yes, because my immune system is weak. You have others around you, so it’s a common courtesy.”

Justin Love Sophomore Political Science Canton, Miss.

“Yes, we just went through a whole pandemic. At one point, you had to get it for school and work, which should be continued.”

Dominic Hines Freshman Journalism & Media Studies Hattiesburg, Miss.

“Yes, but at the same time I’m not judging anyone who doesn’t.

Nahveyah Graham Junior Biology/Pre- Medicine Jackson, Miss.

“I believe vaccines should not be mandatory because we have free will, including our bodies.”

1. Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine

2. Moderna’s COVID-19

LaParis Harper Senior Studio Art Jackson, Miss.

“My parents made me get it. They keep making new vaccines, so we never know what works.”

Graphic by Tatyana Ross COMMENTARY

Classified documents found at former and current

politicians homes

Biden’s classified documents, many Trump supporters and Republicans are asking for fair treatment as Biden’s home was not raided nor is the FBI involved.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, a U.S. Representative for Georgia and Donald Trump, Jr. have both called for the impeachment for President Biden.

Political Science Professor Ray Mikell gave his thoughts on why Biden is being treated differently than Trump for committing the same offense.

to speak on Biden’s classified documents and his “unfair” treatment for the same offense.

“When is the FBI going to raid the many homes of Joe Biden, perhaps even the White House? These documents were definitely not declassified,” said Trump in the rant.

Many students believe that Trump is treated differently due to his track record and past.

Many Americans are questioning national security of important information after classified documents have now been found in former President Donald Trump’s home, President Joe Biden’s home and now former Vice President Mike Pence’s home.

According to CNN, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ) raided former president Donald Trump’s home in Mar-

a-Largo, Fa. on Aug. 8 and found several boxes of classified documents that they had been trying to retrieve from the former president for months.

Now, several classified documents from President Biden’s time as vice president were found in his private office.

According to the CNN Report, Biden’s attorneys stated that the White House was cooperating with the National Archives and the Department of Justice on the discovery of what appear to be Obama-Biden Administration records,

Just three days after the

initial discovery, more classified documents were found in Biden’s garage at his Delaware estate. Pence has now joined the unpopular list of former and current government officials who have mishandled classified document.

According to CNN, on Jan. 24, a lawyer for Pence notified the FBI that approximately 12 documents marked as classified had been found at his Indiana home. He has since turned these documents over to the FBI.

After the discovery of

“Biden’s team has been cooperative,” said Mikell. “That’s the big difference. Trump was not cooperative and he had people from the national archives writing to him that there were documents missing. That’s when they went to the Department of Justice (DOJ).”

Mikell also believes that the amount of documents discovered has also made a difference in the treatment and handling of the situation.

“Trump kept referring to it as a raid when it was really a search,” said Mikell. “The sheer number of documents in Trump’s home is a huge difference. There were boxes and boxes of documents whereas there were only a few papers for Biden.”

According to CNN, Trump took to his Truth Social account

Jayla Jones, a freshman political science and English major said, “I believe that the FBI had to raid Trump’s place because he would not willingly give up the classified documents to the federal government.”

Jones also expressed how she feels the media plays an important role in politics.

“I also believe that the media is showing lack of coverage on Joe Biden because Biden is not nearly as controversial as Donald Trump,” said Jones.

Ashton Willis, a freshman marketing major from Mobile, Ala., stated that Trump has been treated differently because he cannot be trusted.

“I believe Trump is untrustworthy, so the Government sprang into action when the news came out about his classified documents,” said Willis. “The government raided Trump’s home because they knew that he was not going to give them up willingly,” said Willis.

Flash editor Alivia Welch selected as HBCU Journalism fellow

Kyle Kidd JSU Public Relations

Jackson State University (JSU) senior Alivia Welch was recently selected as one of six student fellows from historically Black colleges and universities across the country to be part of the first class of the new Open Campus HBCU Student Journalism Network. Through the paid reporting fellowship, these students will cover their campuses for regional and national audiences while exploring the trends affecting the entire sector. They also will participate in professional training and networking.

“I’m extremely excited for this upcoming semester because this fellowship is all about exposure and sharpening my skills by engaging me in the field of journalism,” said Welch. “This is how we invite people into the world of HBCUs and provide a different perspective to the rest of the country on what goes on at our universities.”

A native of Terry, Welch views the fellowship as an opportunity to level the playing

field by emphasizing the unique skill sets and industry knowledge attained at HBCUs – showing corporate companies and those alike that top talent often lies in the overlooked and historically underserved spaces.

“I believe that this will bring a lot of opportunities to universities, but HBCUs in particular, we are often underfunded and not adequately televised, so it is important that black communication practitioners speak on these topics and be a voice in these spaces in order to tell our own story,” she said.

The fellows will report on all aspects of historically Black colleges and universities. Among the topics they said they are most excited to cover are funding and enrollment trends, campus arts and sports cultures, and students’ and colleges’ roles in social justice.

As part of the fellowship kickoff, Open Campus will be hosting a free public webinar to discuss key issues and trends facing Historically Black colleges and universities with college leaders, education experts, and

national journalists serving as guest panelists. Additionally, the inaugural class of fellows will also contribute greatly to

the webinar underlying the misconceptions of HBCUs and exploring the on-the-ground realities on their campuses.

“Historically Black colleges play critical roles in students’ lives and in American society, but few journalists focus on how well these important players are fulfilling their public missions,” said Sara Hebel, co-founder and editorin-chief of Open Campus. “We’re excited to work with student fellows to provide knowing, on-the-ground coverage that can help inform and advance the national conversation.”

Open Campus is partnering with Jarrett Carter Sr., a veteran journalist and the founder of HBCU Digest, to create the HBCU Student Journalism Network. He serves as the network’s editorial director. Wesley Wright, assistant director of student media at Florida Atlantic University and a former education journalist, is the assistant editor.

The project is supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and the Scripps Howard Fund.

U.S. News & World Report ranks JSU among best online programs

JSU Public Relations

Jackson State University has been ranked among the 2023 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs by U.S. News & World Report. JSUOnline offers undergraduate programs in business administration, history, childcare and family education, criminal justice, healthcare administration, professional interdisciplinary studies, and technology with a concentration in emergency management.

“It is an honor to have the Jackson State University online bachelor’s programs recognized by U.S. News and World Report,” said President Thomas K. Hudson, J.D. “This elevated position speaks to the hard work of our faculty and administrators who provide engaging course offerings that resonate with our students who want to obtain their degree anytime, anywhere through our JSU online offerings.”

JSU rose dramatically in the rankings to appear as No. 113, its highest position in the category to date. U.S. News assessed more than 350 schools in the online bachelor’s category based on a variety of objective factors, such as student engagement, faculty credentials, and services and technologies.

There are also several graduate, specialist, and certificate programs available for students seeking

advanced training opportunities in a remote environment. Interim

Director Keith Riley, Ed.D. says JSUOnline offers several programs and courses where students can engage in a flexible schedule.

“The course design and the engagement within the courses allows students to learn material that will enhance real-life skills,” said Riley. “Faculty and staff members work closely together to ensure that quality courses are developed so that objectives and outcomes are understood. The

student-centered programs allow unique learning experiences along with strong student support for successful academic learning.”

Designed for individuals looking to complete or further their education, this year’s edition evaluates more than 1,800 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The Best Online Programs include rankings of bachelor’s programs as well as the following master’s-level disciplines: MBA, business (nonMBA), computer information

technology (including computer science), criminal justice/ criminology, education, engineering, and nursing. While the methodologies are different for each discipline, they all incorporate metrics specific to online learning. The rankings only include degree-granting programs that are offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.

“Most of the undergraduate programs in the Best Online Programs rankings are degree completion programs, meaning

the vast majority of their students already have some college credit,” said Liana Loewus, managing editor of Education at U.S. News. “The methodologies are developed with those students in mind, setting these rankings apart from those that are focused on recent high school graduates pursuing higher education for the first time.”

Prospective students can see how JSU compares to other institutions and how the rankings are calculated on USNews.com.

Photo provided by Alivia Welch

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Elizabeth Duncan Staff Writer Flash Managing Editor Alivia Welch

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Photos (1-5) taken by Sports Editor Cameron Adams during the Jackson State University Men’s basketball win against Bethune-Cookman University at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center.

Photos (6-14) taken by Photography Editor Monica McGhee during the Women’s basketball win against Florida A&M University in the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center.

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Wednesday series on Netflix soars to over a billion streams

Staff Writer

SPOILER ALERT

Netflix’s scores a hit with “Wednesday” mystery. The series has already racked up a whopping 1.2 billion streams according to techcrunch.com, and numbers continue to grow.

“Wednesday” tells the story of the daughter of the Addams clan who has just enrolled in Nevermore Academy. While adjusting to her new school and roommate, her classmate is murdered and Wednesday discovers that like her mom, she has psychic abilities. This leads to her being privy to clues to find the school murderer. The story is told in 8

episodes but with the immense popularity of the series, a second season is sure to follow. The series stars Jenna Ortega (Wednesday), who phenomenally portrays the modern version of the Addams kid with the utmost respect from Christine Ricci, the 90’s version of the character.

The gothic teen manages to make a few friends along the way and love interests as well.

Brittany Scott, a freshman accounting major from Pine Bluff, Ark., finds Wednesday to be relatable.

“She was in her own lane and she didn’t care what people thought. I also loved how the series kept you on the edge of your seat,” said Scott.

JaMya Bates, a freshman criminal justice major from Woodville, Miss. liked how Wednesday’s character developed during the series stating that Wednesday began reserved but began to open up.

According to imbd.com, the show has received several nominations, including two Golden Globe nominations for Best Television SeriesMusical or Comedy and Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series . Other nominations are from Costume Designers Guild Awards, Directors Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, and Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards. This consists

of CDG Award for Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Television, DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series, and the Artisan nomination.

Ortega was very serious about her portrayal of Wednesday. She learned how to play cello, took fencing, archery, canoeing, boxing lessons, and German to prepare for the role.

According to consequence. net, Ortega stated that the Kubrick stare was unintentional. She said that she and director Tim Burton established very early on that Wednesday doesn’t blink. In order to do this, she

relaxes all muscles on her face. Other costars in the series include: Emma Myers (Enid), Hunter Doogan (Tyler), and Percy Hynes White (Xavier) enjoyed it.

This short series is current rated number 4 on Netflix’s Top 10 and has graced the top 10 for over eight weeks. Wednesday has everything from comedy to horror. Overall, the show has 72 percent on Rotten Tomatoes with an 8.2/10.

If you enjoy modern supernatural endeavors and mysteries, “Wednesday” is the show for you to watch. Season 2 is not yet confirmed, but most viewers are hoping that Netflix does not once again cancel another show.

GloRilla, Meg the Stallion and more top current trending topics

led her audience to purchase the product and test it out on TikTok. Although this boosted sales and brand awareness, the consumers who this product was curated for, black women and men, were having a difficult time finding the product on shelves. It was sold out.

This was a both a rise and downfall for the brand Mielle Organics as we know it. Once it gained this brief popularity, Procter & Gamble bought Mielle Organics. Many black women saw this coming. Now the products have increased in price, the formula has changed, and black women have been excluded from the brand image. Can you say culture vulture.

What’s in the Pink Sauce?

Kelsei Scott Staff Writer

This week in She Said

So...Periodt!

The GloRilla Takeover

Gloria Halleluja Woods, better known as GloRilla Pimp, is a breakout rap star from Memphis, Tenn. GloRilla was born in Frayser, Tenn. near the Mississippi River on the northside of Memphis. This fresh rapper gained traction when her hit song “F.N.F (Let’s Go)” was released in 2022. The hit song was quickly dubbed the song of the summer and GloRilla developed a growing fanbase during this time.

This debut single hit billboard charts and earned her a BET Hip Hop Awards nomination for Song of the Year along with a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song. Glo has been working to achieve a thriving career as a rapper since 2016 and is now collaborating with other rappers like Moneybagg Yo and Yo Gotti, both also from Memphis, Tenn. Since releasing “F.N.F.”,

GloRilla has released more singles, albums, and Eps containing more bops like “Tomorrow 2” featuring Cardi B and “Blessed”. She has already started the year off strong releasing “On What U On” featuring Moneybagg Yo. Look for more great hits from this breakout rapper.

Meg Victorious in Court

In July of 2020, rapper Megan Pete, professionally known as Megan Thee Stallion, accused R&B singer Daystar Peterson aka Tory Lanez of shooting her in the foot. Megan Thee Stallion is a well-known rapper from Houston, Texas. The two entertainers had a close friendship leading up to the summer of 2020. During the trial, fans of both found out that the two had also been in an intimate relations inspite of the fact that Lanez was also dating a close friend of Meg’s.

Since taking to the internet with the accusations, both Meg and Lanez have been debating through their music and social media. The fans of both artists

also have input in this case. It was not until December 2022 that there was a verdict of this case released. Lanez was found guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion. Once the verdict was released it was a field day on social media. Many people argued that the evidence was inconclusive or that he did in fact shoot her and should be filled with regret. Needless to say, the friendship is over.

SZA Releases Sophomore Album

After a long wait filled with song teasers, fan made dances, and speculation about titles, SZA finally dropped her second studio album, “SOS”. Solána Rowe, aka SZA, released the sophomore album in December 2022. She released her first album “Ctrl” in the summer of 2017. This debut was a staple album of 2017. Five years later and listeners still have “Ctrl” on repeat, that is until “SOS” was released.

During this time, SZA

teased snippets of songs and unreleased tracks of hers were found. This sparked creators to make dance routines and freestyles on TikTok. These trends did not go unnoticed by SZA who responded with updates on when her second album would be dropping. A date which was pushed back many times.

Mielle Hair Products Appropriation

If you don’t understand appropriation, you need only look at what happened to Mielle Organics, a black owned brand with products designed for African-American women with curlier and kinkier hair textures. First introduced in 2020, the products have been taking off recently on TikTok due to inclusion in the “My Top 2022 Amazon purchases” discussion. The Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil was a fan favorite.

When white TikTok content creator, Alix Earle, created a video on the products, this

In the summer of 2022, an internet phenomenon arose, the “Pink Sauce.” The Pink Sauce was created and introduced by Miami, Fla. based personal chef and TikTok user, Veronica Shaw, better known as Chef Pii. Chef Pii announced the launch of her homemade condiment the Pink Sauce in June 2022 and people were instantly interested in this sauce.

The Pink Sauce is a pink colored sauce using ingredients like milk, sunflower oil, and pitaya. Chef Pii created and posted content of her eating the pink sauce with different foods like wings, burgers, etc. The health dangers of this sauce were concerning as customers began to receive the sauce in the mail. Customers were unable to describe the taste of the sauce. The color of the sauce alone built concern around the product.

One of the most asked questions was, “Is the Pink Sauce FDA approved?” Half a year later the Pink Sauce is now available in over 4,300 WalMart stores across the U.S. with a few ingredient and packaging changes. Will you try the Pink Sauce?

The views expressed in this trending topics column are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.

Shakell James

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Graphic by Tatyana Ross

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Week of January 22, 2023

Jackson State basketball teams victorious at home

major from Byram, Ms., believed the crowd greatly influenced the win.

“The crowd was constantly supporting the team, no matter what the situation was. From foul calls, to traveling violations, the crowd was locked in and fully supportive,” Taplin recalled.

Coach Williams, despite the victory, is focused on putting the victory in their rearview mirror. “It’s a win. We’re 5-2 right now and that’s the most important thing.”

The 3-time Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champions Lady Tigers put up dominant home game performances for Tiger fans.

On Jan. 21, 2023, the Tigers took on Bethune Cookman in a blowout victory, putting up 82 points to the Wildcat’s 60.

The Tigers’ relentless defense caused them to completely disrupt their opponent’s offensive performance holding Bethune-Cookman to 36.2 percent from the field and 30 percent from the 3-point area.

ending the matchup 72-51.

Jariyah Convington, a graduate student from Starkville, Miss., was a vital component in this win leading the team with 18 points, shooting 7-11 from the field.

Boler continued her streak of dominance leading her team with 12 rebounds and 17 points.

White, also recorded a doubledouble of her own, scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds. This marks White’s third consecutive double-double this season. Although the team’s performance played a major part in their success, fans of Jackson State deserve some credit as well. The AAC was filled with students, parents, and alumni who wanted to support the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

The Jackson State University Men’s Tigers basketball remain undefeated at home in the Lee E. Williams Athletics & Assembly Center, following backto-back victories against BethuneCookman University and Florida A&M University.

On Jan. 21, the Tigers defeated Bethune-Cookman, 70-66, in an all-out defensive showcase. The Tigers tamed the Wildcats, holding them to just 36.4 percent from beyond the arc.

The Tigers also excelled offensively, with four members putting up double figure performances for their home crowd. JSU also put up eight 3-pointers for the night.

Ken Evans Jr., a 6’ 5 sophomore guard, led the team with an efficient scoring performance racking up 18

points, while shooting 50 percent from the field. Chase Adams, a 5 ‘8 junior point-guard, also contributed in the offensive attack putting up 13 points and five assists.

The two teams would go back and forth throughout the game, but Jackson State was able to pull away from the Wildcats, taking home the victory.

Despite the Tigers winning the game, Head Coach Mo Williams believed that the team could’ve done better to secure the victory.

“Obviously, I thought that we could’ve been better for our fans tonight. I apologize to our fans for that. I promise you we’ll clean it up on Monday,” stated Williams.

Tigers fans can confirm that this promise was definitely kept in the match-up against FAMU in a nail biting contest that went down to the final seconds of the game.

The matchup also highlighted the Tiger’s persistent defense, as they collected

five blocks throughout the game.

Zeke Cook, 6’ 6 sophomore guard, was the story of the night. Cook put up 17 points and 10 rebounds in his performance. He was also the main catalyst for their defensive efforts, recording three of the Tiger’s five blocks. The game was a back and forth effort in both halves. Both teams refused to let up, causing physical defense and tough baskets on the offensive end.

The game determining factor went down to a foul committed by Florida A&M against Cook, which sent him to the foul line. Cook was able to knock down the go-ahead shot with eight seconds remaining, allowing the Tigers to win the game, 59-58.

Jackson State was able to pull through despite the nervousness of the crowd during the late game situation. A key factor to their win was the crowd’s active participation throughout the game.

Britney Taplin, a junior marketing

The Lady Tigers also remained determined to crash the glass, racking up 38 total rebounds. Daphane White, a 6 ‘5 senior center from Gulfport, Miss., and Angel Jackson, a 6 ‘6 forward from Richmond, Calif., both put up career highs of ten rebounds during their performances.

The Lady Tigers were on fire from the field, as five players scored in double figures to secure the victory.

Ti’lan Boler, the 5 ‘11 sophomore guard from Meridian, Miss., led the Lady Tiger offense, putting up 20 points. Jackson put up a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Daja Woodard, a 6 ‘3 senior forward, also helped out in the win, scoring 13 points off the bench.

The Tigers would carry this momentum to their matchup against Florida A&M, this past Monday.

On Jan. 23, 2023, head coach Tomekia Reed and the Lady Tigers took care of business once again in a dominant fashion against the Rattlers.

The Lady Tigers’ patented defense was on display yet again, as they kept their opponent under 20 points during the first two quarters.

The balanced scoring effort of the Tigers allowed them to cruise by FAMU,

Trinity Jones, a sophomore biology major and Jackson State volleyball player from Dallas, Texas is an avid supporter of the Jackson State women’s basketball team and continuously shows up to their games.

“I enjoy coming to the basketball games,” Jones stated, “It is easy to want to stay inside and watch from online, but I believe showing up in person to support means more to the team.”

Jackson State Athletic Academic Advisor Terry Bracken was extremely pleased with the performance of the Lady Tigers and believes that they have a chance to win it all again.

“I believe the range of talent on the women’s team is deep and you can see that throughout the course of the game,” Bracken stated. “It doesn’t matter who they have on the court, they always seem to get the job done.”

Bracken added, “There is no doubt that this team has what it takes to secure their fourth consecutive SWAC championship ring,” Bracken said, “As long as they keep doing what they’re doing and leaving it all out on the court I know it will be another successful season.”

The dominant win against Florida A&M puts the Lady Tigers 6-1 overall in the SWAC conference.

Jackson State looks to continue their run through the SWAC against Grambling State on Jan. 28, 2023 at the Frederick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.

JSU students react to NFL Wildcard Week results

Seahawks team is astonishing,” said Brown.

As the first round of the 2023 National Football League (NFL) playoffs began, players and diehard fan bases entered their intense journey to the 57th Superbowl.

The Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and the Buffalo Bills are all the teams that are participating in the unpredictable first round.

On Jan. 14, 2023, the NFL Wild Card week started off with the Seattle Seahawks taking on the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers were able to breeze past the Seahawks with a score of 41-23.

The story of that game was Brock Purdy, a rookie quarterback for the Niners. Purdy finished his playoff debut in the history books, becoming the first rookie in the Super Bowl era to throw and run for a touchdown in their first career playoff start.

He put up a total of 332 yards and four touchdowns, which is the most touchdowns recorded by a rookie quarterback in a postseason game.

Jalen Brown, a sophomore biology/pre-physical therapy major from Houston, Texas praised the big time performance from the rookie.

“The fact that Brock Purdy is a rookie and was able to defeat a great

Shortly following the 49ers victory, the Jacksonville Jaguars matched up against the Los Angeles Chargers. This game concluded in a nail-biting ending, with the Jaguars walking away victorious. The final score was 31 to the Chargers’ 30.

In the first half, the Chargers were completely in control. Their defensive efforts caused Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence to throw four first-half interceptions and limited him to one touchdown. Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. was accredited with three of those interceptions.

Despite a rough first half, Lawrence and the Jaguars were able to rally together and make this game interesting. In the second half, the Jaguars were able to go on a historic run to secure the victory over the dominant Chargers.

Trevor Lawrence was able to throw for 3 touchdowns in the second half, which led to a 27-point comeback win in Jacksonville.

Vance Linton, a sophomore marketing major from Atlanta, Ga., was amazed by the heroic comeback from the Jaguars.

Linton stated, “I can’t believe the Jaguars came back. I was dead set on the Chargers winning.”

The NFL Wild Card drama continued as the New York Giants faced off against the Minnesota Vikings.

This game was a battle of the quarterbacks, as Minnesota

quarterback Kirk Cousins and Giants quarterback Daniel Jones traded blows throughout the entire matchup.

Cousins was able to throw for 273 yards with 31 completions but it wasn’t enough compared to Daniel Jones’ 319 yards with 24 completions. Although both quarterbacks ended up with two touchdowns a piece, Jones and the Giants were able to send home the Vikings, 31-24.

Two other matchups in Wild Card Week were the Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals and the Miami Dolphins vs the Buffalo Bills.

The Bengals vs Dolphins matchup had extreme intensity on the defensive end, which made for an interesting game. In the first half, Cincinnati was able to acquire a field goal and a touchdown off a Ravens interception. Afterwards, Cincinnati and Baltimore were both able to have two scoring drives, pushing the score to 7-9 Cincinnati’s way.

A fumble recovery by Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton led to a field goal which pushed the score to 10-9 at halftime.

The second half started with a Ravens punt which resulted in a goahead Bengals score off a 12-play drive.

The Ravens quickly evened the score to 17-17, after a touchdown from wide receiver Demarcus Robinson.

This sparked an all-out defensive battle between both teams. After

several possessions, Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard was able to recover a fumble and score off this fumble, putting the score at 2417. This would be the last score of the game due to some stellar defense on both ends.

The Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills was yet another controversial and intense game. The first half of this game was an offensive showcase with a bit of defensive grit on display.

Buffalo was able to dominate with two back-to-back touchdowns and a field goal, establishing a 17-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The Dolphins were able to tie the score thanks to three total firsthalf field goals and 1 touchdown, after forcing an interception.

Before time expired in the first half, Buffalo was able to sneak in a field goal and this ended the half

with a score of 17-20.

The second half was mainly used as a defensive display with 8 punts, a fumble touchdown, and an interception.

Buffalo was able to come out on top thanks to multiple touchdowns and defensive stops, forcing Miami to turn the ball over on downs. This display of grit helped Buffalo win the game, 34-31.

The final matchup of the Wild Card round was the Dallas Cowboys vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

This game was nothing short of a blowout. The Cowboys advanced to the next round after a 31-14 blowout against Tom Brady’s Buccaneers, spoiling any hopes for an eighth ring.

With the Wild Card round behind us, the NFL prepares for the road to Super Bowl LVII to officially begin.

Some fans displeased with Sharpe interview with Sanders

Nevaeh Bray

Sports Writer

After Jackson State’s 2022 Cricket Celebration Bowl loss against North Carolina Central, former head coach Deion “Prime” Sanders wasted no time clearing the air about his time at Jackson State University.

In an exclusive interview with Shannon Sharpe for his “Club Shay Shay” show, Sanders discussed his decision to sign on as head coach with the University of Colorado football team. His decision to switch from an HBCU to a PWI left the many in the JSU community disheartened. Because of this, the former head coach has faced negative backlash regarding his decision.

“When people are hurt, they say

things out of emotion and anger,” Coach Prime said during the interview. “I listen because when a person says stuff, that’s how they really feel.”

During the interview Sanders disclosed information about a conversation he had with the Athletic Director Ashley Robinson when he first took the job.

According to Sanders, after initially taking the job as JSU’s head football coach in 2021, Robinson asked him to stay at least two years. In three years, Sanders led the Tigers through a 27-5 record.

Sanders said in the interview with Sharpe that he was not surprised by the negative backlash he received from the public. He said ultimately, he would have received the same criticism regardless of how much time he chose to spend with the program.

“It wouldn’t have been enough,”

Sanders stated. “[The fans] fell in love and I fell in love.”

However, Sharpe relayed that Sander’s commitment to Jackson State might be questioned by acknowledging that he sold Jackson State fans a dream and dropped out earlier than he was expected to stay.

The dream references Sander’s earlier comments that HBCU players deserved just as much attention to their talents, HBCU’s needed better facilities and more resources, and over all, the playing field needs to be leveled for HBCUs.

Flimeka Williams, a JSU alum and staunch supporter of the football team was very disappointed by Sanders’ decision to leave and the comments he has made since his departure.

“I felt the interview was full of propaganda and an attempt to make JSU look less desirable than Colorado,”

said Williams. “I don’t feel like he needs to belittle us to make his decision go over better with the fans. Just leave.”

Shane Hooks, a senior journalism and media studies major and Jackson State football player from Miami, Fla., does not believe Coach Prime was wrong in his decision to leave.

“He gave them (JSU) more than what was asked of him,” Hooks said, “Deion had to do what was best for his family and that may not make sense to a lot of people.”

Kennedy Shaw, a psychology major from Memphis, Tenn., believes there was more that Prime could have done to uplift the athletic department as a whole while he was here.

“Deion did a disservice not only to Jackson State, but the entire HBCU community when he made the decision to leave to go to a PWI,” Shaw said. “He also took star players

he recruited for Jackson State instead of encouraging them to stay and grow at a historically black college.”

Marcus Hereford, a Jackson State Alum and current coach for the women’s volleyball team had neutral thoughts on the departure of Coach Prime. The Jackson native believes that there was a lot of attention that was brought to our University thanks to Prime.

“There is no doubt that with Deion being at our school, we had many issues brought to light. At the same time, there is only so much a coach can do outside of the job he owes his team,” Hereford said. “I hope we can continue to grow as a university and not get stuck.”

Many Jackson State fans have resolved that the Prime era is over and are anticipating the next college football season with new Head Coach T.C. Taylor.

Cameron Adams & Nevaeh Bray

Sports Writers

Google Image

JSU Center Daphne White makes basket against FAMU.

Photo by Monica McGhee

Matthew Adams

Sports Writer