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Vol. 75 / No. 25
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April 9, 2015
www.thejsuflash.com
Jackson State University campaign season in full swing
Photo: William Kelly Left to right: Rashad Moore, Michael Gorden and Henry Goss, at a meet and greet with SGA Presidential candidates in Dixon Hall.
William Kelly Photographer/Writer Jackson State University is currently experiencing campaign madness as campaign season is in full swing with Student Government Association positions up for grabs for the 2015-2016 academic school year. Candidates are showing JSU students just how much they want to represent them by distributing materials such as hand bills, banners, posters, campaign videos, and more! While all of these things may seem very appealing,
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students such as Darius Burns, a freshman psychology major from Dallas, Texas is more interested in genuine conversation. “I honestly believe that there are some people who offer more than others but just because you have more materials doesn’t mean you have more knowledge or wisdom,” said Burns. Students are getting first class treatment this week as candidates are serving breakfast, lunch and other edible treats in residence halls and the Gibbs-Green Walkway, eager to grab the students’
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attention and vote. “In all honesty, I feel like I’ve known who I was voting for before elections even started. I feel that most students, specifically upper classmen, always know who they want to be in office,” said Jerry Rogers, a sophomore accounting major from Memphis, Tenn. Some students feel that the candidates are going overboard with their election tactics. “It’s a bit too much, but it’s fun because it’s like a little presidential election,” said Deante Morgan, a junior art major from Jackson, Miss. The are three candidates
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vying for the position of SGA President. Michael Gorden of Stone Mountain, Ga., Henry Goss of Jackson, Miss., and Rashad Moore of Jackson, Miss. Gorden is a mass communications major with a minor in political science. He has been involved in SGA since his freshman year, serving as his freshmen class president and is currently serving as SGA Vice President. Goss, a mass communications major with a minor in marketing, served as sophomore class president, and is currently the president
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of the JSU chapter of the NAACP. Moore is a criminal justice major who has served as SGA freshman business manager, Mr. Sophomore, and currently serves as junior class president. Students will head to the polls at Jackson State University on April 10, 2015, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Jacob L. Reddix General Purpose Room to determine who will lead students at JSU. Absentee Voting was offered from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Student Center on April 8, 2015, for students who were unable to vote on April 10th.
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Tiger Events The Blue & White Flash Jackson State University
P.O. Box 18449 Jackson, Mississippi 39217 Phone: 601.979.2167 / Fax: 601.979.2876 E-Mail: theflash@jsums.edu
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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Subscription rates for The Blue & White Flash are 25 issues for $25 or the special alumni rate of 25 issues for $20. To subscribe to the Official Student Newspaper of Jackson State University, submit your name, address, city, state, and zip code. Make a check or money order payable to The Blue & White Flash and mail to address above.
The Blue & White Flash SHANNON D. TATUM Publications Manager
KIERRA D. THOMAS Graphic Designer
MARK BRABOY Associate Editor
GUY KING News Editor
WILLIAM KELLY Photographer/Student Designer
Jeremy Anderson Orionna Brumfield Dejha Carlisle Christoper Chapman Dwayne Joseph Jr. Kenya Johnson Octavis Lawson
Elissa McCool Dominique McCraney Ashton Nash Alexis Neely Brittney Snell Reese Tornes Da’Niecia Washington
Letters To The Editor
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.
Editorial Staff
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 601-979-2167 or visit room 211 in the Blackburn Language Arts Building.
Publication/Distribution Information 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.
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The Blue & White Flash
JSU Campus Briefs JSU STUDENTS RESERVE YOUR PRESENT AFRICAN MAILBOX FOR THE ATTENTION MAILBOX HOLDERS!!!!! ART EXHIBIT APRIL 10 FALL 2015 SEMESTER The art students of JSU have It’s time to reserve your pulled together an exhibit mailbox forFOR THE theFALL 2015 next RESERVE YOUR MAILBOX SEMESTER of African art that has been semester. The great news is donated to the university, that it’s not easier than ever. It’s timeUse to reserve mailbox nextthe semester. and which will be shown youryour phone to for scan NEWS is that it’s now easier than at an opening event inThe theGREAT QR code below. Once you ever. Use your phone to scan the QR code below. Once Ayer Hall at 1 PM on April submit your reservations, you submit your reservation, we’ll do all the rest. 10th. For more information, we’ll do all the rest. Don’t email:yumi.park@jsums. delay. It’s and quick Don’t delay. It’s quick easy. and easy! edu. DEADLINE APRIL 24. JSU JROTC RECRUITMENT DAY The JSU JROTC Recruitment Day will be Saturday, April 11 at the SOE Auditorium, room 200 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For moreDEADLINE: APRIL 24, 2015 information, contact Timothy GRADUATING/ Abram at (601) 979-6390 NON-RETURNING or email timothy.l.abram@ MAILBOX HOLDERS jsums.edu. CLOSE YOUR ATTENTION!!! MAILBOX ALCOHOL TIPS It’s time to close your GRADUATING/NON-RETURNING UNIVERSITY mailbox. The great news TRAINING is that it’s not easier than MAILBOX HOLDERS This training will provide ever. Simply use your participants the tools to phone to YOUR scan the QR code CLOSE MAILBOX learn specific strategies below. Once you submit It’s time to CLOSE your mailbox. The GREAT NEWS is that it’s and skills for intervening notifi cation, now easieryour than ever.closure Simply use your phone to scan the QR code below. Once you submit your closure notification, we’ll in alcohol related situations we’ll do the rest. Don’t do all the rest. that may develop on delay. It’s quick and easy! It’s quick and easy.APRIL 24. campus. It will be Don’t helddelay. DEADLINE Monday, April 13 at the JSC building, room 3213 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact Henry T.. Thompson at (601) 979-1197 . DEADLINE: APRIL 24, 2015
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The Blue & White Flash
Opinion
“How do you feel about the SGA election process this year?” Compiled by Reese Tornes
Diante Russells Freshman Art Jackson, Miss.
“ I don’t care about it.”
Deante Morgan Junior Art Jackson, Miss.
“It’s a bit too much, but it’s fun because it’s like a little presidential election.”
Timberly Jones Freshman Graphic Design Canton, Miss.
“I think the ones who are running are looking for a title and not a good image.”
Cartoon: Reese Tornes
EC Chairman responds to pageant controversy COMMENTARY Kamar Smith Freshman Accounting Jackson, Miss.
“I’m not much into this election process.”
Julian Clarke Freshman Computer Engineer Jackson, Miss.
“I think it’s good for the students to get the experience of being a leader.”
Faith Dixon Sophomore Chemistry Jackson, Miss.
“I feel that some of the candidates are running differently from the rest based off ideas that are for the school.”
Guy King News Editor
Mahogany Hopuas-Buckley
Freshman Accounting Wellington, New Zealand
“I don’t vote for college elections. I only care about the actual government principles.”
Gordan Selas Freshman Education Dallas, Texas
“I feel it is more creative than before.”
Quafala Jackson Sophomore Music Education Detroit, Mich.
“Normally I don’t involve myself in the SGA elections however, I do see the importance of it.”
Tyierre Scott Sophomore Computer Engineer Syracuse, N.Y. “It is straight here.”
Douglas Williams Sophomore Psychology Kalamazoo, Mich.
“I see that they are very passionate about their causes this year.”
Iris Crawford Freshman Biology Nashville, Tenn.
“It is unorganized.”
The morale of the student body at Jackson State University is, in my opinion, at an all time low when it comes to the Student Government Association. People have so many opinions on how things work, but don’t have the courage to step up and make changes. When it came to this year’s Miss Jackson State University pageant, the election commission along with our SGA adviser found discrepancies with the judges tally sheets. The commission decided to allow all seven girls to run for the title of Miss JSU. It seemed to be the only fair thing to do when the discrepancies in the judge’s score sheets were discovered. The Election Commission (EC) also received the official tally
spreadsheet two days after the pageant. Students should be aware that the pageant judges are selected by the EC and have no affiliation with Jackson State University. The EC also did not make this decision before notifying the adviser and Associate Vice Provost of Student Affairs, Dr. Charles N. Smith. Both gave the approval to allow all young ladies to run due to the discrepancies. The seven, now six, candidates vying for the position of Miss JSU were notified of the discrepancies immediately following the pageant and also emailed a spreadsheet of the discrepancies. Surprisingly, students around campus were outraged with the Election Commission’s decision to grant all of the contestants the opportunity to run for the title. However, it was the unanimous decision of the 11 students that comprise the EC that it was the only fair thing to do. It was very disheartening to see students use social media to bash Miss JSU candidates once this decision was announced. To see some people stoop so low and cyber-bully some of these young ladies was very disturbing. I was ashamed to be affiliated with the university because
of the ignorance that was displayed by the student body. Some of the candidate’s campaign managers, who are supposed to be “leaders”, were the main students voicing ignorant and vicious lies. These people, who should be displaying high moral standards and conducting fair and ethical campaigns, were instrumental in creating much of the tension around the campus. I appeal to my fellow JSU students to gather all of the facts before voicing opinions. We are the future leaders of tomorrow and we must learn to think before we act and speak in all situation The Election Commission maintained its unity and integrity in the face of this controversy and stood firm in the decision made. Let your voices be heard on April 10 by voting in the SGA elections. Voting begins at 9 a.m. in the Jacob L. Reddix General Purpose Room and ends at 4 p.m. And remember, WE ARE ONE JSU!
The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.
SGA Campaigns
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All Photos by William Kelly
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1)Jordan Carter, Miss Senior candidate with supporters. 2) Rashad Moore, SGA Presidential candidate and Charence Higgins, Miss JSU candidate. 3) Quindarius Redmond, Mr. Sophomore candidate. 4) Rashad Moore, SGA presidential candidate serves food. 5) Students at meet and greet in Dixon Residence Hall. 6) Henry Goss, SGA presidential candidate speaks to student. 7) Markeisha Robinson, Miss JSU candidate and Henry Goss, SGA presidential candidate.
The Blue & White Flash
Miss JSU Pageant
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1) Candidates with Miss Mississippi and Anissa Butler, Miss JSU 2) Tatiyana Blood wears Tiger fashion. 3) Mya Young wears Tiger fashion. 4) Kristen Hudson displays Tiger fashion. 5) Markeisha Robinson wears Tiger fashion. 6) 2014-2015 Royal Court. 7) Dance Ensemble performs during pageant. Photos by William Kelly
News
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The Blue & White Flash
Ted Williams uses ‘Golden Voice’ to inspire others Dwayne Joseph Jr. Staff Writer
“The purpose of standing on that highway corner was to acquire a relationship with God,” said the man who went from being homeless for 19 years to a job as an announcer for Kraft Mac & Cheese. Ted “Golden Voice” Williams visited Jackson State University and was the guest speaker on April 2, 2015 at the Community In Action (CIA) Reception hosted by the Alice Varnado Harden Center for Service and Community Engaged Learning held at the Mississippi e-Center. “The Harden Center for Service wanted a platform where we could recognize students and student organizations for all of the service they have done, and also encourage them to continue to serve,” said Kimberly Harris, Community Service/Service-Learning Resource Specialist/NSE Coordinator. She added: “Who better to help convey this idea than Mr. Ted “Golden Voice” Williams whom has been on both the receiving end as well as the giving end of service.” Williams’, who coauthored the book, “Faith, Hard work, and Humility Brought Me from the Streets to Salvation,” was homeless in 2011 when a videographer from the Columbus Dispatch discovered him in Ohio on the side of the road holding a cardboard sign touting his vocal abilities for donations. Williams’ story went viral
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just thought I was over here begging money for crack but I was on there every morning to establish a relationship with God.
Photo: William Kelly Ted Williams with JSU students who earned the most community service hours.
and many learned how years of drug and alcohol abuse caused him to lose everything he held dear. “When I read Proverbs 3:5 and 6 ‘Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not unto thy own understanding,’ the part that sunk so deep within me was acknowledging him in all my ways,” said Williams as he discussed how his faith in God has helped him overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in his life. Harris says that the Harden Center hopes each student left the reception with a more positive outlook as it pertains to service and not to look upon service as just a graduation requirement, but to make service a part of their
lifestyle. Blue and White Flash staff writer, Dwayne Joseph, Jr., sat down for a one on one interview with the Bedford– Stuyvesant (Bed-Stuy) native about his inspirational story and upcoming projects. Dwayne Joseph: Having being a person in need of support services, why is it important for you to promote community service? Ted Williams: There were many support services that were available. A lot of times the bureaucracy and red tape that it takes to get involved to get situations taken care of was kind of frightening. Either you don’t have an ID, you can’t find your birth
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certificate. But if you had these services available it would give a person a little more ambition or some kick in the butt, or lift in the pants to help themselves. DJ: When you were homeless, did you feel that this was it for you? TW: Not as much as I did when I was holding that sign. When I got to that point, I felt like I was at my last, this is it, what can I do any different? I’ve been to jail, my families given up on me. I haven’t been offered any radio jobs, so yea this is it. But the purpose of that corner was to acquire a relationship with God. Nobody knew that, they
DJ: What current projects are you working on? TW: I have the Ted Williams Project and I have to say that socks are one of the biggest things homeless people don’t have. As many times homeless people like to walk around with everything that they require, you just can’t. So we throw away a lot of things that we accumulate, but socks is one of the most passionate things dear to my heart. I’m going out here to make sure every man, woman, or child will not be without socks. I call it my Socks for Soldiers. It’s not who you are, it’s what you are. Homelessness is a frame of mind because you can have everything you want and still be unhappy. God wants us to always be in need of him. DJ: I read some information about you working for Kraft, tell me about it. TW: I’m still doing the Kraft Mac and Cheese commercials, “You know you love it.” That’s the tagline. You know I tell people God not only gave me a new smile, he gave a Kraft Mac & Cheese logo with the shape of a smiling noodle with the tagline, “You know you love it.” Every day is a thank you Jesus moment.
All Photos by William Kelly
1) Head Coach Harold Jackson and Steven Gilbert accept award on behalf of the JSU football team. 2) Ted “Golden Voice’ Williams speaking at the CIA reception.
Variety
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The Blue & White Flash
Surprise album releases become the new normal Octavis Lawson Staff Writer
Google Images
Album after album, artist after artist, the music industr y is constantly changing. Since Beyonce’s self-titled album dropped seemingly out of thin air on Dec. 12, 2013, there has been a string of headlining artist dropping LPs with little to no advanced notice to the masses. This bodes well for the artists as well as the record companies. Each of the last five albums that were released unexpectedly has gone on to sell at least 300,000 records in the first week of release. This includes the aforementioned Beyonce album, which sold over 800,000 in the first three days of release, Drake’s “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late,” which sold over 495,000 and J.Cole’s “2014 Forest Hills Drive” with over
350,000 sold in its initial week of release. The most recent artist/ album to join these surprised releases was actually not planned by the artist, but the label which “accidentally” released the number one album on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Kendrick Lamar’s “ To Pimp a Butterfly” was actua l ly s che du l e d for a March 23rd rele as e d ate but inste ad rele as e d eig ht d ays e arlier v i a iTunes b e c aus e of a problem at Inters cop e R e cords as wel l as iTunes C ommand C enter. This happ ene d to work out for t he C ompton, C a lifor ni a rapp er as “ TPAB” went on to s el l 363,000 copies dur ing its f irst we ek of rele as e. So what’s the future of the music industr y? Jackson State University senior graphic design major and local hip-hop artist Toi Lewis said, “In time there won’t be any release dates or
even physical CD’s”. The Jacks on, Miss. nat ive st ate d t hat e ventu a l ly e ver yt hing w i l l be exclusively rele as e d on line v i a G o og le Pl ay and iTunes. As the industr y evolves and become more infatuated with what’s new and next, the majority of artists will most likely go to the surprised album tactics to get a leg up not only on competition but also on stopping album leaks. The world of music has become so much more amazing over the past couple years and it seems to not have any intention of slowing down any time soon with Kanye West and Drake releasing “S o Help Me God” and “Views from The 6” respectfully with no release dates in sight. The time of being teased with singles to prepare for an album release is over and we will be treated with new music whether we like it or not.
Sports
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The Blue & White Flash
Duke takes fifth NCAA Championship with help of freshmen Demonte Rule Staff Writer
Hearts were pounding and palms were sweating as many college basketball fans anxiously awaited the results of Duke versus Wisconsin matchup in t6he 2015 National Collegiate Basketball Championship. Wisconsin defeated heavily favored Kentucky 71-64 and Duke defeated Michigan State 81-61 to land coveted spots in the championship game. Each play was important and very crucial for the two teams who both entered the game with 35-4 records. The game was very close as both teams were tied 31-31 at but Duke managed to pull out a victory with the outstanding play from freshman Tyus Jones who had 23 points and 5 rebounds. Duke would defeat Wisconsin 68 to 61. “Freshmen playing like seniors as well as everybody staying hustling, playing defense and rebounds helped Duke to win a National Championship. When you have
Google Image 2015 National Collegiate Basketball Champions.
everybody playing their hearts out and showing up to the big stage to play, it makes it possible to secure a victory,” said John
Bradley, a senior biology major from Mendenhall, Miss. Grayson Allen, Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow
were also key playmakers scoring double figures that helped Duke secure a victory. Jowuan Harris, a junior
biology major from Jackson, Miss, said, “The outstanding play of freshmen Tyus Jones, Justise Winslow and Grayson Allen playing poised among their years and leadership of senior Quinn Cook led Duke to the victory over Wisconsin to me.” Duke managed to shoot 80 percent from the free-throw line compared to Wisconsin’s 60 percent. This played a major role in their loss in such a close game. “Freshmen playing like they had been to the Championship before played a major part in Dukes Victory,” said Debrice Riles a junior physical education major from Jackson, Miss. In a CNN report, Coach Mike Krzyzewski said, “My team had great grit and determination. Our defense down the stretch was magnificent. I don’t know how you can be any better than we were down the stretch.” The national title is the fifth for head coach Mike Krzyzewski and the fifth for the Duke program.
Jackson State Lady Tigers Sweep ASU to win series
Photo: JSU Athletics Media Merina Young, Junior, pitching the ball.
JSU Athletics Media The Jackson State women’s softball team sweep Alabama State on the second day of a three-game home series to win the series 1-0. The Lady Tigers held on to the very end in game one to defeat the Lady Hornets 12-11 then held on to the same fight to down ASU 5-4 in game 2.
In game one, Canessa Swanson, junior third baseman, led the Lady Tigers offensively with four runs, four hits, and three RBIs. Chelsea Smith, junior first baseman, led defensively with 10 putouts and one assist. Other standout Lady Tigers were AJ Hervey with two runs, one hit, and one RBI and Amy Lara with three putouts and four assists.
Alabama State started the scoring effort early in Game 1 with a run in the top of the first on a fielder’s choice. T h e Lady Tigers answered in the bottom of the first with two runs of their own. Swanson singled to claim the first base for JSU. Victoria Nelson was hit by a pitch to make it on to first and advance Swanson to second. Swanson stole third then home for a run. Ashley Neal grounded out to the pitcher while allowing Nelson to make it home for the Lady Tigers’ second run. Both ASU and JSU scored four runs in the second inning. The Lady Hornets scored on an illegal pitch and a three RBI triple. At the end of two innings, Jackson State was up one (6-5). The Lady Hornets regained the lead in the top of the third scoring two runs on three hits and an error but the Lady Tigers
would quickly regain the lead. JSU scored three runs in the bottom of the inning with a double from Smith, a fielder’s choice bunt by Hervey which allowed Smith to score, and a triple by Swanson which allowed Hervey to score. The next run did not happen until the bottom of the sixth where the Lady Tigers put the score at 11-7 advancing their lead by an additional two runs. Alabama rallied in the top of the seventh to tie the game. The Lady Hornets scored four runs on three hits and an error putting the score at 11-11. The Lady Tigers did not want to chance forcing the game into extra innings and managed to score an extra run in the bottom of the seventh to win the game. Givens tripled to right field then scored on an error by the first baseman ending the game at 12-11. Senior pitcher Kelsey Townsend was credited with the win advancing her winloss record to 10-9. Townsend came in as a relieve pitcher in the second inning with 8 hits, 6 runs (two of which were earned), and four strikeouts. Neal and Colvin lead the Lady Tigers offensively in
the second game of the day each scoring one run with one hit and two RBIs. Smith, for the second time today, led defensively with nine putouts. The second game was slow to start as the first run was not scored until the fourth inning. ASU scored in the top of the fourth of three hits. ASU advanced their lead in the top of the fifth with three additional runs from one hit. The Lady Tigers finally made it on the scoreboard with tying the game with four runs. Swanson singled to the shortstop. Nelson singled down the left line and advanced Swanson to second. JSU went on to break the tie and seal the win in the bottom of the seventh scoring one run off three hits and one error. Lara singled to second base. Colvin reached base on an error by the second baseman. Givens singled to the shortstop allowing Colvin to score. Townsend clinched her second win of the day advancing her record to 119. Townsend came in again this game as a relief pitcher in the top of the fifth, allowing one hit, one run, with two strikeouts.