www.thejsuflash.com
INSIDE
Vol. 80 / No. 11 OPINION
Darrius Barron says farewell page 3
November 21, 2019
VA R I E T Y
NEWS
Queen and Slim movie review page 7
Midnight Breakfast page 5
S P O RT S
Sonic Boom Invitational page 8
Photo by: Kentrice Rush Jackson State University Journalism and Media Studies students during the Spring 2019 Commencement exercises.
Tommie “Tonea” Stewart to address Jackson State students during commencement exercises Deja Davis Managing Editor Known for her roles in big screen films “A Time to Kill”, “Mississippi Burning” and the television series, “In the Heat of the Night”, Tommie “Tonea” Stewart will be the fall 2019 graduate and undergraduate commencement speaker on Friday, Dec. 6 in the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center beginning at 10 a.m. The Greenwood, Miss. native and former Miss JSU, received her B.S in Speech and Theatre from Jackson State University and her M.A in Theatre Arts from the University of California at Santa Barbara. In 1989 she completed her Ph.D. in Theatre Arts from Florida State University, becoming the first AfricanAmerican female to receive a doctorate from the FSU School of Theatre Arts. In addition, she is a retired tenured professor and was dean of the College of Visual & Performing Arts at Alabama State University. Outside of her film work, she is a member of the Order of The Golden Circle, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Zeta Phi
Beta Sorority, Inc., and the Hutchinson Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala. Many students who have not found employment may be concerned about finding that first job after graduation. According to an article written by Mike Profita on the website: thebalancecareers. com, graduates should take charge of the process. Check with the university career center. Begin by tapping the resources that are available to you as a student or recent graduate from your college. Visit the career office and meet with a career advisor to discuss your options. JSU’s Career Services Center is located in the Reddix Building. Students can call 601-979-2477 for more information. Start Networking. Networking can be one of the most effective ways to land a job. In fact, a joint survey conducted by LinkedIn and The Adler Group revealed that 85 percent of all jobs are obtained through networking. The best approach is often an indirect one, such as reaching out to contacts for information and advice rather than directly asking people to hire you. Create a LinkedIn Profile. Not only is LinkedIn a great place to build a network, but it also serves as another way to showcase what you
have to offer, build your personal brand, search and apply for jobs, and connect with recruiters and potential employers. Target Your Resume and Cover Letter. As your career goals begin to crystallize, develop versions of your resume that are targeted to specific jobs. Avoid generic cover letters. Organize Your Job Search. Treat your job search like an actual job, and get organized. Keep a database of all your applications and contacts. According to a CNBC report, with an ever-aging U.S. population and advances in medical care, health-care professions top the list of in-demand jobs for 2019, according to a new report from jobs site CareerCast. The U.S. unemployment rate is below 4 percent, leaving many employers struggling to fill positions. In fact, last year there were more openings than there were people looking for jobs. According to the report, here are the top 5 most indemand jobs for 2019 1. Application software developer. Annual median salary: $101,790 2. Medical services manager. Annual median salary: $98,350 3. Registered nurse. Annual median salary: $70,000
4. Medical technologist. Annual median salary: $51,770 5. Construction laborer. Annual median salary: $34,350 Many graduating seniors are looking forward to life post-graduation and expressed their overall experience attending Jackson State. Elena Williams, a graduating senior journalism and media studies student is exploring multiple postgraduation opportunities. “I am applying for two intern positions at CNN this spring and the possibility of landing a reporting job at a local news station,” said Williams. “I am also in the works of starting my own LLC in hopes of having my own production company.” Carmen McDonald, a senior healthcare administration major from Heidelberg, Miss., stated that her time at JSU was nothing short of amazing. “I’ve had many unforgettable experiences that I would not trade for anything. I am looking forward to getting out into the real world and experiencing different areas in my field. LaDerek Thompson, a senior social work major from Tutwiler, Miss., is also eager to begin life post-JSU.
YES, WE’RE SOCIAL!
“I’ve learned a lot at JSU as it relates to life lessons and how to conduct myself in the professional world. I’ve met some of the most amazing people and lost a couple on the way. In fact, I wouldn’t go back and change not one thing. I live by the quote, ‘Business before BS’ because it keeps my momentum to be productive at the highest,” Thompson said. Thompson added: “After graduation I plan on getting my social work license and continuing my education at JSU for my master’s degree.” Mark Carter, a senior, therapeutic recreation major, said he is ready for the next chapter in his life to unfold. “I enjoyed my experience at Jackson State University. From starting off marching in the boom to getting more into my major and working. I’m nervous about what is to come after graduation being that I will be officially entering the real world, however I feel as though I am prepared to take on any challenges brought my way. I have met some great people throughout my college journey,” said Carter. The undergraduate commencement will be held at 10 a.m. on Dec. 6 in the Lee E. Williams Athletics & Assembly Center. A live stream and overflow location will be set up for commencement in Rose E. McCoy Auditorium.
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The Blue & White Flash
The Blue & White Flash Jackson State University P.O. Box 18449 Jackson, Mississippi 39217 Phone: 601.979.2082 E-Mail: theflash@jsums.edu
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The Blue & White Flash Staff SHANNON D. TATUM Publications Manager CIANNA HOPE REEVES Editor- in-Chief DARRIUS BARRON Managing Editor
DEJA DAVIS Managing Editor
WAKIL ATIG Sports Editor
KALIN NORMAN Photography Editor
Chioma Ajuonuma Kharynton Allen Zahriah Balentine Jordon Canada Halle Coleman Ry’n Good Myha Harris Capri Howard
Zipporah Jones Jessica Knight Monica McGhee Ivory Lowe Luis Montgomery Kaylin Robinson Kayla Sims Treasure Thigpen
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Letters to the editor are welcome. Editors reserve the right to print or reject for publication any letters received. Letters must include the author’s name(s), address, and phone number; phone number will not be published. All letters are subject to editing for space and libel consideration. Materials must be submitted by Monday at 5 p.m. for publication on Thursday.
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The Blue & White Flash is open to contributions from all Jackson State University students. We encourage all students, regardless of major and/or classification, to participate in the production of their newspaper. For information concerning your contribution to “The Official Student Newspaper of Jackson State University,” call 601-979-2082 or visit room 111 in the Rose E. McCoy Building.
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The Blue & White Flash is a weekly newspaper written and edited by the students with the counsel of the adviser. Editorials and letters to the editor represent the views of the writer(s). Views expressed within do not necessarily represent the opinions of the faculty/staff, the administration, the student body, or the Board of Trustees. The editors determine the time of the publication and the ethical qualities of all articles. Articles and other materials in The Flash cannot be republished without the expressed written permissions of the editor, adviser and the Student Publications Board at Jackson State University. The Flash is published during the fall and spring semesters, but not during university-recognized holidays, mid-semester and final examinations. The Flash is distributed at various locations around the Jackson State University campus, free of charge to students, staff and faculty. Additional copies may be obtained from the Office of Student Publications.
Awards & Honors The Blue & White Flash has received numerous awards and honors from the Mississippi Press Association, Black College Communications Association and the Southern Regional Press Institute. The Flash proudly hosted the 2003 and 2010 HBCU Newspaper Conference and Job Fair at Jackson State University.
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Opinion
Page 3 - November 21, 2019
The Blue & White Flash
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Reach for the stars so if you fall you will fall on the clouds COMMENTARY
Darrius Barron Managing Editor When it comes to being true, at least true to me, one thing I found is that you never let me down. A small piece of a Kanye West song is the sum of all feelings I have for the people that saw me on my way to accomplishing my goals, and contributed.
I refuse to write this farewell letter for myself to look back and smile at, I write this for the people out there who feel as if they have exhausted all options. I write this letter for the students who are going through the toughest time and want to drop out. You will never know where you will find the inspiration to better yourself, so you should never allow yourself to quit. Quitting in life is the weirdest thing because when you quit, you are literally quitting on yourself. On Nov. 18, 2014, I made a status update on Facebook that read, “Why am I not at a university somewhere.” Today, I am just two weeks away from graduating from Thee Jackson State University. I would like to thank the men and women who saw me running my marathon (shout out to the late Nipsey Hussle), saw my vision, and did what they could to help. At times, the only thing a student wishes for is the encouragement from the ones they love; and several people did that and more for me.
On the outside looking in, outsiders would think that growing up in a black neighborhood means that you will allow negative peer pressure to defeat you. I would really hate to be that guy, but the environment in which I grew up in produced some of the best business minds, and dominant figures in history. Men and women from urban areas created dominant groups like the Black Panthers, dominant cultures like HipHop, and the will to make something out of absolutely nothing. These are the same urban areas that created me and people like me, and it feels magnificent to be a product of my environment. To be part of the JSU family is a feeling that I cannot describe. To have been taken in by the Blue & White Flash and form the Flash Mob is an experience that I wish I can share with my peers back home. If I could say one thing to all incoming freshmen for years to come, it would be to not allow authority figures to
limit your talents. Much too often we are trained to lose our uniqueness and think identical to one another. If we lose the ability to not only think for ourselves but lose our creativity in the process, we lose the bright future that we dreamed of as children. I want you to never allow for a pessimist to change your trajectory because only you know how high your target is. Also, to all current and future JSU students, learn to create your own opportunities. Unfortunately, there will be a day when you have no sponsors for your idea, and at that moment you should tell yourself “the only person who can stop me is me.” To my mother, you set the example and the bar. I secretly entered a contest with you to get more degrees than you, and one day I will be successful at that. To my stepfather, you are the man who showed me the rules of being a man. I thank you for passing on your work ethic to me; it really came in
handy during these college days. To Shannon Tatum, because of you I built an unbreakable bond with people who I probably would have never even known existed. Finally, to Clement Gibson, Deja Davis, Cianna Reeves, Kalin Norman, Wakil Atig, Elena Williams, and Demetris Valentine, I hope you read my farewell letter and be reminded of the work we put in together. I named the six of you specifically because if no one else, you made me feel like I made the right decision of coming to JSU; I have told you all several times and I will say it once more, you all are destined for great things and I cannot wait to see the great things you all manifest. In the words of Kanye West “When it comes to being true, at least true to me, one thing I found is that you never let me down.” Thank you all. The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.
“What are you looking forward to the most during Thanksgiving break?” Compiled by: Kharynton Allen
Javinte Faulk Sophomore Health Care Admin. Lafayette, La. “I am excited to see my friends and hangout with them. I also can’t wait to see my family and eat really good.”
Mikayla Davis Sophomore Psychology Birmingham, Ala. “I am really looking forward to seeing my friends and family. I have missed them so much this semester and I think seeing them will actually bring tears to my eyes.”
Jean-Paul Willard Sophomore Biology/Pre-med New Orleans, La.
Chelsea Waddell Sophomore Criminal Justice Clinton, Miss.
Lauryn Smith Sophomore Education Saginaw, Mich.
Ayanna Preyor Sophomore Biology/Pre-med St. Louis, Mo.
“Over Thanksgiving break, I look forward to working, honestly. I know there will be good food too, but I’m ready to make some money.”
“I am looking forward to eating great food at home and also getting the opportunity to work again and make some money.”
“I am looking forward to finally being able to attend the Bayou Classic and being able to be immersed in the New Orleans culture.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing my family. This semester has been very fast-paced and my family kept me grounded, so being able to spend quality time with them will mean a lot.”
Jada Black Sophomore Biology/Pre-Dentistry Mobile, Ala.
Sydni Harris Senior Business Management Detroit, Mich.
Markus Brooks Senior Criminal Justice Bloomington, Ill.
Keylan Kirby Sophomore Art St. Louis, Mo.
Alora Taylor Junior Industrial Technology Madison, Miss.
A’Mya Washington Sophomore Political Science Olive Branch, Miss.
“I’m looking forward to spending time with my family, my boyfriend and my doggies because that’s what I care about the most.”
“My favorite part of Thanksgiving would be my family’s traditions. We get together and have a great spread, then we always go to the movies the next day.”
“I am looking forward to being at my Grandma’s house and being able to see all my cousins, my uncles and aunts, and just all my family.”
“I am looking forward to going back home and also going to other places. My family and I will be seeing some family out of state in Illinois and Wisconsin.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing all my relatives that stay out of town and eating the nontraditional foods.”
“This year for Thanksgiving, I’m looking forward to being around my family and eating tons of food.”
News
Page 4 - November 21, 2019
The Blue & White Flash
JSU students trap out for the holidays at Midnight Breakfast Rielly Pulliam MC201/Staff Writer Students were invited to come out for a night of food, music and fun at the annual “Midnight Breakfast.” The Campus Activities Board (CAB) sponsored the event and they also had different activities taking place on each floor. CAB invited students to let loose as they wind down for the end of the semester as well as prepare for holiday breaks and final exams coming up. “Midnight Breakfast is a traditional event that started a while ago to get students together in celebration of getting ready for the thanksgiving and the holidays. The event is kind of the ending celebration of the semester and it’s held for students to have fun before we all go home for break,” said the CAB Director of Media Taj Jean-Baptiste, who is a sophomore business management major from Washington, D.C. He added, “This year we did it a little different because we noticed that plenty of students on campus listen to trap music, so we thought it would be a fun way to add a twist to a regular holiday party.” The Christmas-themed party had lines of students that went out of the door, waiting to sign in and enjoy the festivities. The first floor consisted of delicious breakfast ready to be served and a DJ playing jams, while the second floor served chicken wings and nachos with a karaoke station. The third floor held a huge
Photo by Kalin Norman JSU students enjoying the delicious food served during Midnight Breakfast.
party that students went to after they finished eating. Students partied throughout the night and enjoyed line dancing to our signature dance songs. Jayda Smith, a freshman social work major, from Jackson, Miss. said, “This was my first midnight breakfast and I think it was the best event I’ve been to so far. I loved the food, music, and just the overall atmosphere. I already can’t wait to see what they do next year!” While many loved the event, not everyone was completely
satisfied. Some students felt that the “Trap Edition” theme took away from the event getting students into the Christmas spirit. “While I did enjoy this year’s Midnight Breakfast, I felt like they could have done without the trap theme. I feel like the event is supposed to be like a Christmas party and to me that’s what was fun about it last year. I think the trap theme just limited the activities they had and I didn’t like that,” said Dejah Robinson, a sophomore psychology major, from St. Louis, MO.
Despite some students feeling that the event was not as good as the previous year, many other students enjoyed it. Students felt it was a fun way to end the semester and make memories. “Being that I’m a senior I won’t be able to enjoy this event next year so I really was hoping it would be as good as all the previous years and I was not disappointed” said Joshua Byram, a senior communicative disorders major from New Orleans, La. “I’ve always felt this was the best event of the year because the
student body just comes together as a whole and everyone gets in the Christmas spirit. This year it made me sad in a good way because this was my last one but it’s been the best time I’ve had in a while so I’m super happy leaving this event.” As the semester comes to a close the Midnight Breakfast event helped students make memories, have fun, and get in the Christmas spirit. The event brought students together to celebrate the holidays and have fun before it’s time for finals.
Incidents of human trafficking becoming widespread epidemic
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Rielly Pulliam Staff Writer First it starts with posts surfacing across social media platforms of missing individuals, then after 24 hours without a trace, a buzz sporadically sounds issuing an Amber alert, which is
an alarm that signifies potential danger. All of these signs point to a current issue; human trafficking. It is a topic that is being heavily discussed across America and lately in Mississippi. What exactly is human trafficking? In order to get a better grasp of this cruel act, human trafficking is an action of illegally transporting people from
one country to another for forced labor or sexual exploration. This illegal act is growing rapidly in Mississippi, and citizens of the state have been working together diligently to stop this heartless conflict, with social media defiantly playing a huge part of getting the word out. Students at universities have
been posting warnings on their social media about suspicious cars roaming around the campus and as a result of this frequent suspicious acts law enforcement have been posting helpful tips on how to handle the situation if someone The Mississippi Department of Health stated that victims of human trafficking can be your loved ones, people you have met or work with. Traffickers use different means to control their victims and limit their freedom. According to MDH, there are several signs a person should look for to detect human trafficking, which includes; lack of identifying documents, lack of control of money, signs of physical abuse, unusual fearfulness, unwillingness to communicate or socialize, lack of proper care and food, and being underage for work. The victims can be found in restaurants, homes, farms, construction sites, or in the sex trade. It is also encouraged that people stay off their phones as much as possible in public areas, in order to be more aware of surroundings. With people going missing left and right, it seems that people of color have been the main targets. Could this be a race thing? Little
black girls have mainly been seen going missing, and people are definitely noticing the pattern. Jackson State University students shared what they thought about human trafficking, and how people of color have been targeted. JaQuan Powell, a junior political science major from Jackson, Miss. stated, “It’s mainly a reoccurring situation in now the black communities, they are now targeting the younger ages off the streets. Maybe demand is high in the market, which is causing it to occur so frequently.” Helena Vah, a senior theater major from Jackson, Miss., believes the protection of children is of utmost importance. “Working with children, and them being of color it makes me more aware for them and I want to protect them at any cost. Human trafficking is just cruel overall,” said Vah. If you see any behavior that you feel is off or weird, do not hesitate to call the authorities. Also, it is essential to stay updated about what is happening around your local area from your news outlets. If you think you have witnessed a human trafficking scene the national human trafficking hotline is; 1-888-373-7888.
Rodney Reed receives stay of execution for murder of Stacey Stites Treasure Thigpen Staff Writer Just days away from execution, 51-year-old Texas native, Rodney Reed’s life has been spared; at least for now, that is. Reed is an African-American male who has served over 23 years in prison. Reed was sentenced to death for the murder of 19-year-old Stacey Stites in 1996. Reed has long since proclaimed his innocence, and new evidence may quite literally save his life. Case files state that Stites was strangled and her body was dumped alongside a road, prosecutors also alleged that Stites had been raped. DNA collected from Stites’s body at the crime scene was matched to Reed. On the basis of the DNA match alone, prosecutors alleged that Reed had hijacked Stites’s pickup truck while he was on foot and Stites drove to work. No other evidence tied Reed to the crime. When Reed was initially interrogated by detectives, he
claimed that he did not know Stites, he did however eventually confess to having a consensual sexual affair with Stites. Reed admitted that he was reluctant to speak of the affair primarily due to the scandalous nature. Reed also claimed that he was afraid to acknowledge the affair because Stites was engaged to a white police officer by the name of Jimmy Fennell at the time. Questions about whether prosecutors withheld evidence, as well as solicited false witness testimony at Reed’s trial are at the forefront of the pending investigations. In addition to new mounting evidence and witnesses that suggest that Reed is innocent, it may also lend to the fact that Fennell is a suspect. Fennell whom testified at Reed’s trial, has since been convicted of a separate heinous crime. Fennell was released from prison in 2018 after he plead guilty to a 2008 to kidnapping. The victim encountered Fennell while he was on duty and she also alleges that he raped her. During October 2019, a man who spent time in jail with
Fennell signed an affidavit saying Fennell had admitted in prison to killing his fiancée because she was having an affair with a black man. Bryce Benjet, senior staff attorney at the Innocence Project, who has represented Reed for many years, offers a statement. “As we’ve investigated this case, evidence continues to mount that shows that Rodney didn’t commit the crime, and implicates Fennell,” said Benjet. Reed’s pending execution has sparked much interest from politicians, as well as celebrities. Among the celebrities who have spoken out about Reed’s case is Kim Kardashian West. West happened to be meeting with Rodney Reed, when he was informed he would not be executed. Kardashian-West tweeted, “Today, I had the honor of meeting #RodneyReed in person and the privilege of sitting with him when he got the news that the highest court in Texas had issued a stay of execution and remanded the case back to the trial court for further consideration. So
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grateful for the commitment and passion of everyone who voiced their support, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles for their recommendation to issue a 120day reprieve, and the courts for issuing a stay!” In the State of Texas, executions peaked in 2000, when 40 people were put to death. In 2018, the State put 13 people to
death, accounting for more than half of the 25 U.S. executions last year. Texas is responsible for 7 of the 17 executions nationwide to date in 2019. In the case of Rodney Reed however, Texas’s Court of Criminal Appeals issued an indefinite stay of execution, pending further court action on appeal.
JSU At A Glance
The Blue & White Flash
Page 5 - November 21, 2019
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1-4) JSU African Drum and Dance Ensemble performing and celebrating West African culture. 5-8) JSU students enjoying the Midnight Breakfast event.
Photos 1-4 and 7-8 Kalin Norman / 5-6 Jhanae Harris
Variety
Page 6 - November 21, 2019
The Blue & White Flash
Fans anticipate Queen and Slim premiere on Nov. 27 Cianna Hope Reeves Editor-in-Chief SPOILER ALERT: It’s raw. It’s heated. It’s sexy. It’s powerful. It’s Queen & Slim. If you’re wanting to fall in love by the end of the movie—well, you might stay tuned because that’s exactly what’s going to happen. Written by Lena Waithe, creator of the drama series “The Chi”, and directed by Melina Matsoukas, “Queen & Slim” is a romantic thriller that demonstrates “ride or die” love and exposes racial injustices amongst law enforcement from the perspective of two black individuals. In this powerful film, many issues encountered in minority communities are given a platform to show viewers the everyday struggles just by being a person of color— specifically Black in America. Queen enacted by Jodie TurnerSmith, is a criminal defense lawyer, and Slim, “Get Out” star Daniel Kaluuya, is a retail worker who are on the run after a date night took a tragic turn for the worse. As the couple were leaving an Ohio diner in the middle of town, they were shocked to find themselves pulled over for a minor traffic stop violation. The white cop asked Slim to step out of his vehicle, forces him to open his trunk, and whips out his gun after pushing Slim to the ground. Not comfortable about the officer’s attitude, Queen questions the officer’s defiant actions.
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What happens next is where Matsoukas and Waithe creates a plot twist that will become the fuel and the foundation of their attempt to live on-the-run embodying a Bonnie-&-Clydestyle love affair. Worried about his life as he’s being arrested for doing nothing wrong, Slim ends up killing the police officer out of self-defense after skirmishing on the ground. Meanwhile, when a video of the incident goes viral, Queen and Slim become symbols for the terror, grief, and trauma of the
victims and loved ones of racially motivated police violence. In a joint agreement, Queen and Slim decided it was best to flee the scene and escape the city. On this adventure, the two would create an intense bond and would become a force that inspire others to evoke change in their own communities. Realizing they are limited to where they can run away, Queen becomes the leader in their grand escape and guides them to her uncle’s home where they lay low as media reports come in.
Uncle Earl, who has his own history with the law, suffers from a shrill, helps the two outlaws survive on the run while providing them a masterplan. Forced to cooperate and to commit additional crimes, Queen and Slim begin to wear their heart on their sleeves knowing that their life may not end in a fairytale after all. As the time comes when authorities close in on them and while being labeled murderers in newspapers and
television broadcasts, they are soon left to face reality. In the final moments of boarding on an aircraft to flee the country, Queen and Slim are met with law enforcement standing with their guns on the airport’s runway, noting that this was the end of their getaway. They shared their last words and in a blink of an eye, shots were fired killing Queen and Slim. Their bodies laid there— restless—but their marathon inspired many.
Celebrating Thanksgiving in other cultures is now the norm
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Zipporah Jones Staff Writer Thanksgiving is largely considered to be an American holiday, originating from the pilgrims. You may be surprised to learn that America is not the only country that celebrates this time of thanks and giving in the community. When thinking about Thanksgiving in America, the treatment of the pilgrims toward the native Americans cannot be forgotten. In modern times people have adopted it into a time to give
thanks and commune with family members. In other countries, that same tradition is held. The closest country to the United States that celebrates this holiday is Canada. Canada first celebrated its first Thanksgiving in 1578. This means that the first Thanksgiving in North America was in Canada. Canada’s Indigenous people actually have a history of celebrating the fall harvest that predates when the actual settlers came to feast in 1578. Thanksgiving was actually not officially celebrated in Canada until 1978, according to
thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. The same things that Americans celebrate on the fourth Thursday of November Canadians celebrate on the second Monday of October. Thanksgiving is also celebrated across the globe in Japan, going by the name of Labor Thanksgiving Day (in English). Like Thanksgiving in America, it originated from a fall harvest festival, but over the years it changed into a national holiday celebrating people who work in Japan. A difference between Japan’s day of thanks and America’s
is that although Japan’s Labor Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday, many businesses still stay open this day. One could say this is because it is not as big a deal here as it is in the U.S. The first modern version of Thanksgiving was started in 1948, according to kanpai-japan.com. Japan celebrates Labor Thanksgiving Day annually on November 23. In Ghana, a festival called the Homowo Festival is celebrated. This is a harvest festival starting during the month of May. The rainy season actually starts or sets off this festival. According to africaimports. com, this holiday began because of the struggles of famine that Ghana’s people experienced when traveling across Africa in the past. The people of Ghana eventually got through this famine, and, when crops were good, they held a feast to show how happy they were not to be in famine anymore. The first Homowo Festival ever was believed to be held in 1888 on the 27th or 29th of September according to ghanaweb.com. One interesting fact about the Homowo Festival is that a 30-day ban on drumming is set by priests when the festival begins. Thanksgiving cannot be discussed without acknowledging the horrors of genocide that took place on that first day of the harvest
celebration in the United States. Native Americans may not look at Thanksgiving Day with the same fondness as other Americans, so there is a specific holiday set aside for those of Native American origin. This holiday is not held around the same time as Thanksgiving in the U.S., but it is rather held (appropriately) on what Americans know as Columbus Day. Indigenous Peoples’ Day, an official holiday that recognizes that native people are the first and original people of America, is held annually on October 12th. This holiday is observed and celebrated in place of or alongside Columbus Day in about fourteen states, according to smithsonianmag.com. It is important to remember that Native Americans are the people who helped settlers when they first came to America. Many natives now, do not even celebrate Thanksgiving because it is a reminder of a painful and dark past but all over the world, communions and feasts of thanks are held. When celebrating in America, it is important to remember all of the natives that lost their lives so many years ago around this time. Give thanks and come together with your family this year, but also remember why this holiday came to be.
Survival Guide: Five hacks to passing final exams Kayla Sims Staff Writer It is the season of final exams and it can be one of the most stressful times in college students’ lives but knowing how to properly prepare for them could relieve the pressure for even the most skilled test takers. Students tend to become intimidated when finals time comes around but keep calm. Here are five tips that can be used to prepare for finals, midterms and any other major test that you take during your college career. The first tip of preparing for finals is to not cram the information the night before. In order to pass your finals, it is essential to study in intervals for days at a time. Cramming could cause exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and memory loss which could be detrimental to your long-term health and could be the difference between a passing or failing grade. The second tip for passing your finals is to make a study
guide based on your notes, old test and past assignments. There are some teachers that provides study guides, however in some cases that a teacher does not, reviewing old material and outlining important points will help out tremendously. Read old material out loud, listen to recordings and use memorization techniques to remember tough facts and equations. Highlighting key terms can also help. People have different ways of retaining information. Some people are visual learners and some can record information just by listening. The third tip is pretty simple, time management. Time management plays a huge role in the success of any student whether it’s high school or college. Prioritize not only your study time but also the time you rest, studying for finals can be a hassle and overwhelming so make sure you rest as much as you study and don’t take sleep for granted. Time can also play a part in test taking itself especially if your
finals are timed tests. Do not spend too long overthinking on one question, if you do not know the answer skip it and come back to it. That is another reason why some students do not pass their finals, simply because they did not finish it before the scheduled time frame. The fourth tip is sometimes challenging for people, but very important. DO NOT multitask. Often times when we are studying, we tend to watch movies, listen to music or even talk on the phone while studying. Set aside a time that is used specifically for studying without distractions. Studying in peace and quiet is the most effective way to study, and most times that involves leaving your dorm room and turning off all visual and auditory distractions including your phone. Lastly, make studying fun. Get creative with studying by finding the best way to review and retain information. Flash cards, group study sessions, and acronyms are a few ways to creatively study. Color coding information could
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also make studying fun as well. Studying for finals should not be boring or feel forced, it could be entertaining. That leads to falling asleep or easily becoming sidetracked. If you have to play soothing music while doing so, do it! There is no set way to study, it is all about what makes you
comfortable and whatever to do to keep yourself interested. Reward yourself after completing your study goals. Following these few tips will ensure that you pass any test you take. Continue to stay positive and just make sure you do your best to finish out this semester. Good luck to all!
Page 7 - November 21, 2019
The Blue & White Flash
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Page 8 - November 21, 2019
The Blue & White Flash
Lady Tigers wrap up Sonic Boom Invitational in 2nd place
Wakil Atig Sports Editor
The Lady Tigers gave a strong showing at the The Sonic Boom Invitational this past weekend at Fannin Lanes. This included a hard fought second place finish and three Tigers in the top ten. The Lady Tigers started the weekend out strong during Friday’s baker match with a by, then competing against Texas Southern University, Drury University, Alabama State, and Grambling State. They competed in five total matches with pinfalls of 953 for the first, 1041 for the second, 909 for the third, 917 for the fourth and closing out the day with a 994. The first day was wrapped up with a total pinfall of 4,814 placing them second overall behind Louisiana Tech University. “I felt like it carried us a lot of momentum for the whole tournament honestly. We are at home, and we have home lane advantage, with us being comfortable we did pretty good, and it should continue throughout the tournament,” stated Tierra Jackson, a junior recreation administration major from Memphis, Tenn. The momentum was definitely maintained as the Lady Tigers entered their second day of
competition of their home tournament strong with three Tigers leading the way in the top ten. Jackson finished in 10th place with a 191.6 average, above her was sophomore, Natalie Cura with a 193.20, and leading the Tigers for the day was junior, Capri Howard with a 205.2 average. “As a whole, I felt we were ready to step up and give everything we had. Because we were so close to getting into first, and giving everything we can. When we were up against LA Tech although we didn’t hit a strike, we were in the spare of the moment mindset. We did well with our spare and strike percentage as the day went on. I felt pretty good when I found a line that was allowing me to strike and repeat shots, and when I didn’t, I took my time to get the spare. Saturday night we went in to the mindset to have confidence for Sunday and give everything we had to bring ourselves up on the first match tomorrow,” stated Natalie Cura, a sophomore graphic design major from Aurora, Ill. As the Lady Tigers went into their last day of competition, they were up against LA Tech as the top two teams of the tournament. The Lady Tigers fell short in game one of the first match but quickly made a come back taking the number one
spot beating LA tech 2-4. The Lady Tigers faced LA Tech for a second time on Sunday to compete for the Sonic Boom first place title. The Tigers jumped ahead in the match winning three games to LA Tech’s one and needed one more victory to seal the title. The championship went to a seven game tiebreaker where LA Tech overcame the Tigers with 118 finish to 107. The match drew a big crowd and was an exciting one to watch. One of the three freshmen for the Lady Tigers were in the four hole, and took in every moment of the championship match. “This past weekend was my first time experiencing a championship match with the team. The match was very intense so I thought I was going to be more nervous but thankfully my teammates are great and we supported each other no matter the outcome. Because of my teammates, I pushed myself even harder and did what I had to do. This championship match gives me an idea of what the SWAC championship will be like and how hard we have to fight to claim the SWAC title.” stated Kaia Gray, a freshman biology pre-med major from Chicago, Ill. The Lady Tigers will wrap up the first half of their season next week at Hornet Invitational hosted
Photo by James Motley JSU Bowler Capri Howard during the invitational.
by Alabama State University in Montgomery, Ala. The team will return to action next semester
in January for the first round of conference play at the West round up in Dallas, Texas.
JSU surrenders to Southern University in SWAC play
Wakil Atig Sports Editor The Tigers of Jackson State University has had a unique season thus far. As they battled the Jaguars of Southern University, their personality as a team and program was defined. The first quarter was an all out battle as both teams fought hard for control of the game. JSU’s offense was in full swing as they wasted no time getting in the red zone. Although the Tigers were unsuccessful in the red zone, they executed on all field goal attempts for the game. Southern’s run game was their key to success throughout the game as they finished with a total of 264 rushing yards. The Jaguars offensive line was dominant for most of the game, causing the defense an extreme amount of difficulty as they simply couldn’t stop them from charging through gaps Although the Tigers led in both rushing and passing yards, their overall strength was their ability to pass throughout the first half. With 2:55 to go in the first quarter, quarterback Jalon Jones connected with receiver, DD Bowie on a two yard touchdown. Jones went for 16-32 in passing while throwing four touchdowns
Photo by DeJarius Evans Jackson State University players continue to support Thee I Love.
and rushed for a total of 105 yards. Things were clicking for the Tigers in the second quarter as their offense was in full sync. To conclude the second quarter, JSU scored two touchdowns in less than one minutes playing time to take the lead heading into half time. To conclude the first half JSU led SU 24-17. In the second half both teams
struggled overall on both sides of the ball. SU’s defense lacked the same intensity it had in the first half and JSU just couldn’t stand firm on the offensive line to protect their quarterback. This game came down to who executed the most in crucial moments. With a little over a minute remaining in the third quarter SU sealed the game with an 87 yard
kickoff return that snatched the life out of the Tigers of Jackson State. JSU would never regain full momentum in the fourth quarter to make a comeback after leading for the majority of the game. Southern University went on to defeat Jackson State, 40-34. Junior running back Keshawn Harper finished with a game high 208 rushing yards, averaging nine
yards per carry. DD Bowie had his way with the secondary as he snatched six catches for 89 yards and one touchdown. Khalil Arrington finished with a game high nine tackles, Ryan Theyard finished with eight tackles, Brian Mitchell notched one sack and Rashad Jenkins added one interception. Noelle Richardson, a senior biology pre-physical therapy major from Charlotte, N.C., believes the football team has improved since the start of the season, but could have done much better. Richardson stated, “Our team is extremely talented and wellcoached, but for some reason we lose to teams that we are better than. Going forward the team needs to learn how to not play down to the level of competition and dominate at all times.” Briana Clay, a sophomore biology pre-medicine major from Chicago, Ill., believes that the football team needs to work on maintaining their momentum after halftime. Clay stated, “The team was doing well in the first half, especially at the end of the second quarter when they scored two touchdowns. But in the second half for some reason they under performed and lost to a lesser talented team in Southern University.”
Gorden Red becomes Jackson State’s newest accent color Mariah Mitchell Staff Writer In November of 2019, a petition was created by the 74th Administration of the Student Government Association (SGA) to make red an official accent color for Jackson State University. Years ago, red was a color for JSU until the university stopped using it. Recently, football players and other sports teams began wearing the color red until they were asked to stop. Yasmine Howell, a junior biology pre-medicine major from Memphis, Tenn., enjoys having red return to the school’s uniforms. “We’ve been doing it. I love seeing the accent color making a comeback,” said Howell. The signature color schemes for the university are navy blue - Pantone 282 and white. There is also a lighter “highlight” blue for limited use in both print and web publications. The highlight blue is Pantone 2925. “Our current Tiger athletes will now join the tradition of many of our legendary student athletes from the 1970s-1990s by wearing a splash of red to accent Jackson State’s primary colors of blue and white,” said Executive Director of Communications and Marketing Maxine Greenleaf,. Accents of red began to appear in the athletic teams’ apparel during the late 1960s. Red was worn most notably during the tenure of JSU head
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Photo by Kalin Norman JSU football players after the Tenneessee State University win sporting their Gorden Red accented uniforms.
football coach W. C. Gorden. Gorden is a legend among alumni and supporters of Jackson State as the most successful coach in the history of the school’s renowned football program. He served as the head coach at JSU from 1976 to 1991, compiling a record of 119 wins, 47 losses and 5 ties. His tenure included a stunning twenty-eight-game winning streak during the
late 1980s. Credited with making Jackson State’s football program a powerhouse in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) during that era. Gorden was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. Gorden’s Tigers dawned red block JSU helmet logos beginning in 1977. The traditional red sticker design became a point of pride for JSU fans through the
end of its use in 1999. “We are the originators of the color red but I definitely do not want us to be seen as a duplicator of what we already made. We created this color,” stated Kearstyn Richardson, a chemistry major from St. Louis, Mo. Sierra Lovings, a biology major from Atlanta, Ga., feels that bringing the color red back is a wonderful decision. “It is a really great decision
because in the future our children will be able to look back at this and say we were the ones that reinstated this color. It is something for our kids to look back on,” said Lovings. Blue and white will remain the primary colors of Jackson State. Gorden Red, which was named by the University Communications in honor of W.C. Gorden, will serve as an accent color for athletics.