FL A S H THE BLUE & WHITE
The Official Student Newspaper of Jackson State University Jackson, Mississippi
www.thejsuflash.com
INSIDE
Vol. 79 / No. 20 OPINION
Don’t shoot the messenger page 3
NEWS
SGA Debates page 4
April 4, 2019
VA R I E T Y
Smollett charges dropped page 6
S P O RT S
Clippers vs Lakers page 8
Graphic by Kalin Norman
Left to Right Naysa Lynch, Grant Broadway, Ashton Gage, Madison Lockett, Alia Hall and Gaybriel Payton were chosen to run for the 2019-2020 Miss and Mister JSU postions.
Mister and Miss JSU Pageant winners selected for an intense race for Thee crown
Cianna Hope Reeves Managing Editor
Glitz, glamour, confidence, oh my! The competition for student campus leaders jumpstarted early last week and the race has officially begun for six contestants vying to be the 80th Miss JSU and 3rd Mister JSU. Students, faculty, staff, family and friends gathered inside the Rose E. McCoy Auditorium on Thursday, March 28 to witness who would secure a spot on the ballot and become closer to owning the historic crown and title. Thee Wiz was the theme of the pageant and was hosted by former Miss Jackson State University, Anissa C. Butler (2014-2015) and Michael Taylor, a junior theatre major from Chicago, Ill. The masters of ceremonies brought their energy to the highly-anticipated occasion and introduced the opening of each event. Five Miss JSU contestants
and four Mister JSU contestants competed on stage in front of the student body and judges hoping to charm their way to victory. Competitors vying to reign as Miss JSU included— Alia Hall, Alexia Lee, Madison Lockett, Naysa Lynch and Asia Thompson. Ashton Gage, Percy Brown IV, Gabriel Payton and Grant Broadway competed for the crown of Mister JSU. The contestants were judged according to four categories— oratorical, talent, poise and projection, and on-stage question and answer. The show’s opening started with Darrian B. Jackson, the current Mister JSU and Gabrielle Baker, the current Miss JSU taking the stage with K Studio tap dancers as they bopped to the night’s theme song, “Ease on Down the Road,” by Michael Jackson. Immediately after, the nine contenders vying for the top royal position gracefully glided onto stage with
smiles, confident walks and poise as they modeled in their first wardrobe appearance of the night. Following their prance on center stage, the oratorical phase began. Each contender was allotted three minutes to state their mission and initiatives and would be judged based on content, appearance, diction and grammar and communication skills. Hall delivered a testimonial about her very first impression of Jackson State University just at age 2 and how her decision to continue the family tradition has not been short of amazing. “See, I did not choose JSU, JSU chose me,” she chanted. “I was just a little girl sitting in the stands at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium chanting, screaming and dancing.” She continued, “We are the future of our beloved University and we will carry the tradition for years to come. For the past three years, Jackson State University has been my home, Jackson State University has
molded me and shaped me into the woman I am today. I have learned you cannot love Thee, until you have lived Thee.” Male contestant, Ashton Gage, entered the stage reciting the established history of JSU and crediting the institution for producing an extensive lineage of exceptional professionals. “JSU has been an institution that continues to exemplify excellence, so it was an institution undoubtedly for me,” expressed Gage. “Being a Jackson native, I knew I wanted to stay because how could the state of Mississippi progress as a whole, if the best kept leaving.” After all of the contenders shared their purpose for competing, their love for JSU and their mission to the student body, Scottie Willis Jr. performed a song selection and introduced talent as the next category. Hall and Lynch serenaded the audience with a vocal performance and Gage rapped “Walk Thru,” by Rich Homie Quan as Insatiable
YES, WE’RE SOCIAL!
Modeling Troupe shared the stage as his background models and dancers. Lee, Lockett, Broadway and Payton recited poetry, while Brown IV mimed to “Stand,” by Donnie McClurkin. In this last portion of the pageant, each contestant was judged on overall first impression, the ability to articulate, personality, confidence, stage presence and the ability to answer in a timely manner. After the final segment concluded, the judges tallied the scores, the royal court candidates were introduced on stage in order of class and the final walk of 2018-2019 Miss JSU Gabrielle Baker and Mister JSU Darrian Jackson occurred. After time to deliberate, the host and hostess announced the decision. Lynch, Hall and Lockett were selected to campaign for Miss JSU and Payton, Gage, and Broadway for Mister JSU. Campus-wide election day is Friday, April 5 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
@JSU_StudentPub
Tiger Events
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The Blue & White Flash
The Blue & White Flash Jackson State University
P.O. Box 18449 Jackson, Mississippi 39217 Phone: 601.979.2167 / Fax: 601.979.2876 E-Mail: theflash@jsums.edu
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The Blue & White Flash Staff SHANNON D. TATUM Publications Manager CLEMENT GIBSON Editor- in-Chief
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
DEJA DAVIS Managing Editor
CIANNA REEVES Managing Editor
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.
DARRIUS BARRON Sports Editor
KALIN NORMAN Photography Editor
Publication/Distribution Information
Wakil Atig Zahriah Balentine Kambui Bomani Halle Coleman K’Shatriyah Humphrey
Zipporah Jones Tamera McCook Luis Montgomery Landrie Tchakoua Angel Varner
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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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.
Opinion
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The Blue & White Flash
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Don’t shoot the messenger, but make sure the message is shot COMMENTARY
Clement Gibson Editor-in-Chief
I’m a firm believer that every strength comes with a weakness. For example, when someone is confident they may come off as arrogant. Someone who is patient may come off as weak. The good always comes with some bad and we live in a
day and age where versatility is wanted and needed by many employers and organizations. Balance is as significant as it has ever been. Candidates who are running for these student leadership positions already have so much that they are responsible for— academics, extracurricular activities, organizations, social and family life. So, it is safe to say… they are busy individuals who are looking to add more to their already southern Thanksgiving-like plate. They have shown versatility and the ability to balance thus far, but like I stated in the opening, every strength comes with a weakness. Being as busy and versatile as they are, they sometimes struggle to accomplish all the goals they set or say they will set. That is the weakness that comes with it. But what many people fail to realize in elections is that you are choosing the
best person to represent that position. A person who has similar views, morals, ethics, etc. as you. Once that person is elected, they serve as a spokesman / woman for you and others who voted for them. They propose ideas to those who have the power to make change. The power to change is not in their hands. I have heard the term puppet used for candidates many times, but I do not agree with it. I think the word messenger is more adequate. Their job is to relay the message from the people, student, public or whoever they serve to the ones at the top that have control over rules and laws. That does not mean that the message will be heard or that change will be made. It means that the idea will be brought to the table and sometimes not even discussed. I spent this past summer working in Philadelphia, Penn., with Mastery Charter
School’s communications, development and advocacy team through UNCF (United Negro College Fund). I had the opportunity to visit the state capitol to talk with the house of representatives and state legislators about bills the city of West Philadelphia would like to see passed. In West Philadelphia, over 300 homicides occur annually by handguns. The people in the community passionately spoke about their loved ones who have died and the fears they have for those who have not. I saw first hand what change looked like— answers being deflected and blatant lies being told to your face, but there were also honest people. They expressed that bills that went against or threatened the second amendment are often not even touched or talked about, especially in red states. Unaware of the fact that they have been neglected for
so long, I asked what they are planning to do next and they simply responded, “Come back… again and again and again. We are paving the way.” They told me that they come to see who is honest with them and who shows effort. That is who they vote for. I say all of that to close with this. Take every candidates’ speech with a grain of salt. How likely is what they have planned to happen? Does it fall in line with what you value? Can you trust this person’s ability to communicate effectively with decision makers? With their busy schedules and own life to worry about. Because in the end, the goal is not always to make change, but to start the conversation and path that leads to it. 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 SGA candidates hold true to their campaign promises?” Compiled by Angel Varner
Nicholas McDaniels Junior Biology/Pre-Medicine Jackson, Miss.
Teia McCormick Marketing Freshmen Jackson, Miss.
Rashawn Bonner Biology Junior Jackson, Miss.
Graig Neal Junior Biology/Physical Therapy Zion, Ill.
Tyler Catchings Entrepreneurship Sophomore Jackson, Miss.
“I think they do to the best of their abilities. Sometimes they promise things that are not in their power to actually grant.”
“Not all the time. Some get lost in the glitz and glam. Some of the platforms and what they say they are going to do are a bit exaggerated. I also think it’s hard for candidates to stay true to their word because they have school to take care of. That should be taken into account before we pass judgement.”
Robb Daniels Junior Psychology Muskegon, Mich.
“I feel as some candidates hold true to their word, but most say what needs to be said to get in.”
“I believe they do, they are the ones at the top. So, in my opinion if they are sticking to their word, we will see change and I’ve seen some changes at JSU with some of candidates who have been voted in previous times.”
“Not all of the time, that’s why you have to vote for a candidate that is humble and trustworthy. If you don’t choose the best candidate, they will not hold true to their word.”
“Yes and no, they hold up to some things but not all.”
Brooke Felix Senior Biology Gulfport, Miss.
Jasmine Gibson Senior Elementary Education Terry, Miss.
CJ Anderson Senior Recreation Hattiesburg, Miss.
Kelvin Talley Freshmen Political Science Milwaukee, Wis.
Ayanna Prier Freshmen Biology Pre-Medicine St. Louis, Mo.
Quay Randle Biology Junior Jackson, Miss.
“No, not at all. Sometimes they might. I feel like most of the time they say what they need to say to get votes and then once they’re in office. Who knows?”
“Initially yes, but if they get the office they are seeking I think sometimes they fall short of their initial vision and how they wanted their candidacy to be.”
“Yeah, I feel like they hold true to their word. They come out to the plaza and interact with others and that’s what is all about, keeping that connection.”
“No, I do not believe that any of the candidates have stuck by their word.”
“I do feel like candidates hold up to what they promise while campaigning, other times I know some things can’t be done because budget cuts. However, for the most part I feel they hold up their end of the bargain.”
“Yes, from what I have seen thus far I think they have.”
News
Page 4 - April 4, 2019
The Blue & White Flash
Battle for SGA and Royal Court positions heating up
Zahriah Balentine Staff Writer/MC301
The battle for Student Government Association and Royal Court positions are heating up at Jackson State University. Campaign season has sparked campus-wide attention and debates that allow students to get up close and personal with their future leaders. Students assembled at the Student Center in Ball Room A on Wednesday, March 27, to meet candidates vying to represent the student body for the 2019-2020 academic school year. In total, there are 60 candidates running for one of the 40 positions in the SGA— class councils, executive, judicial, and legislative branches. Hosted by the election committee, candidates addressed questions from students on topics ranging from school pride to bridging the gap between current students and alumni. It did not take much time for the debate to get intense as students and the election committee asked relevant questions. Most candidates were confident in their answers and notions and it showed as the audience applauded for each response. One of the current senators and candidates for Vice President, Zaniqua Bullock, a junior chemistry major from Atlanta, Ga., introduced one major ad-
justment for upcoming elections. “Campaign season will no longer be a battle for the wealth. One of the changes that we made was to limit the amount of days people can buy food and campaign using food. We did this to get more people to campaign and run. One of the main issues with campaigning was ‘it’s too expensive’ or ‘I just can’t afford it’. So, one of the ways that I was able to fix that was to limit how many days we are buying votes,” Bullock said. Bullock continued, “They will only be limited to two days and the rest of the days you will have to be creative. That way more people have an opportunity who can afford to campaign and actually run for these positions.” Gabrielle Allen, a junior business management major from Kansas City, Mo., is one of the candidates who’s competing for SGA President. Allen addressed how she would implement new ideas caused by negative feedback from students and staff because being the president requires criticism from others. “The reason I decided to run for SGA president is because I’m willing to take backlash from the student body, faculty, and alumni because I know that most students don’t really know what’s going on behind the scenes. I decided that I want to do this position because for
Photo by Zahriah Balentine
JSU student, Rosemary Thomas, asking candidates a question during the debates.
me I’m going to give you the real answers and take a backlash from it because I know as students you’re not going to know everything. I’m not going to know everything,” said Allen. Allen continued, “When it comes to receiving criticism I take that to my heart because I need you to know as president, I’m not going to leave you all blinded… Criticism is something that is necessary and if
you all aren’t giving me that and I win, then I know I’m doing something wrong.” Jordan Jefferson, a junior political science major from Jackson, Miss., is the second runner for SGA president. He addressed transparency in the LGBTQ community and the people he plans to reach out too more. “My goal as SGA President is to reach out to those who are
underrepresented like people in the community because they do not get looked at. I want to use the SGA budget to work with LGBTQ, sexual assault, and dating violence,” Jefferson stated. Jefferson went on to speak about and the initiatives he wants to undertake for students to be successful. “As a student body, we’re not Continued on page 7
Jackson State students unite in love at annual Holi Color Festival
Photo by Ke’Aria Frelix
JSU students toss vibrant powdered colors at each other at Thee Holi Festival event.
Ke’Aria Frelix Staff Writer/MC301
Student Zacchaeus Simmons Curates Holi Color Festival in Honor of JSU Global Week Bold, vibrant colors flew through the air landing on the carefree and joyous Jackson State University students as they
celebrated Thee Holi Festival, Tiger style. Sponsored by JSU Global, Zacchaeus Simmons organized the event, which took place on March 28 at the intramural field from 3-6 p.m. The event was a part of the weeklong International Week festivities. Simmons explained the
history and meaning of the festival. “Thee Holi Festival is basically an Indian cultural event where you throw colored powder on each other and in the Indian culture, each color means something different. Things like strength, love, power. This was just something for students at
Jackson State to do differently with a cultural twist. I feel the parties and hotspots here are the same thing over and over again. So, I wanted to do something different,” said Simmons, senior industrial technology major from Jackson, Miss. The event included games such as musical chairs, a potato sack race, tug-a-war, and kickball. Simmons also incorporated his business within the event. “The first three games I mentioned, the people get a prize if you win the game and have my Zacari shirts. The prizes are my brand. A hat with painting on it, and the other prize is apparel with a photoshoot from my boy Twan,” said Simmons. This inspiration for the event was a tribute to Indian culture and also to introduce that culture to Jackson State students. Students like Darren Washington, a senior computer science major from Mount Bayou, Miss., enjoyed his experience at the event. “Coming to this event, I was kind of skeptical because I usually don’t go to a lot events on campus. Then, I hear about
throwing powder at other people, I thought about it getting in my eyes and it’s going to burn. When I came out here, it was actually pretty fun, though. The powder did not burn and it made my skin feel smooth. It makes me look very beautiful. It’s a very fun experience for someone who doesn’t like to get out a lot,” said Washington. Kenjanae McGowan, a freshman meteorology major from Jackson, Miss., was intrigued by the social media posts about the event and decided to attend. “I heard about this event on Instagram. I like it because it brings everybody together. There are a lot of diverse people at Jackson State and a lot of diverse cultures. We came together and had fun,” said McGowan. According to www.holi.org, Holi is considered one of the most revered and celebrated festivals of India and it is celebrated in almost every part of the country. It is sometimes called the “festival of love” because on this day, people unite forgetting all resentments and bad feeling towards each other.
Many prefer online streaming service options over cable tv Aaliyah Bass-Davis
MC301 Contributor
Online streaming is rapidly becoming more popular than television and is threatening the existence of cable. Over the past couple of years, online streaming has had the highest percentage of viewers that watch television. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2017, study show that 61 percent of people who watch television mainly watch it through online streaming services. Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and other services are becoming more favored by the year and turning many away from purchasing and watching regular TV cable. The competition is due to two major pros along with others of course. The major reasons are cost and content. These two factors along are drawing many away from cable and pulling many to watching online streaming. Cost is a major factor in the choice of online streaming versus cable. Cable prices have increased over the years, while subscriptions to online streaming services are most of the time a set, cheap price. For $10 a month, a person can watch Netflix all day every day. “I actually love online streaming, its way cheaper and
now the go-to thing especially with college students,” said Ieishia Lacey, a junior criminal justice major. James Hall is also a fan of online streaming. “Streaming is my favorite because I can afford $10 a month in comparison to a big cable bill,” said Hall, a senior engineering major from Atlanta, Ga. Content is another major factor. With cable, there is no personal choice in what is aired at the time. Viewers must either wait until a particular time, or watch their favorite show or movie another day. Online streaming gives viewer the ultimate control to watch what they want, when they want. General Manager of JSUTV, Rob Jay, stated that, “Online streaming offers more programs… and although television may not become fully obsolete it is definitely competitive.” The school’s cable channel, along with other channels or stations is constantly competing with online services that air. This is obviously both challenging and threatening the channel and others to do more and basically compete in which they have no other choice. With the huge variety of movies and shows that online streaming offers, it is now even encouraged to get and watch between friends, coworkers, and even students. Most of the conversations regarding
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Different online streaming services on different devices.
television now are “what shows are you binge watching?” Nadia Bodie-Smith, professor and coordinator of theatre studies at Jackson State University, even encourages her students to binge watch British shows on Netflix to practice accents. The amount of content is beneficial to viewers at their own discretion and selection. Other conversations are “What’s a good Netflix movie?” “Did you subscribe to that YouTube channel?” It is apparently amongst what is popular. Another pro that online
streaming has over cable television is that online streaming can be watched anywhere with any device that has Internet or Wi-Fi. Many people enjoy online streaming because they can watch it while on the go on their cell phones, tablets, laptops, iPods, and more. “I watch my favorite shows with my cell phone, tablet, and laptop all the time, it is so convenient,” said Chess Walker a senior business major from Greenville, Miss. At the touch of a button, you can watch your favorites instead of waiting to get home or to get to
a television with cable that has the accurate channel. Not only teens and adults enjoy online streaming, but also young children even enjoy many shows on YouTube. Many studies have shown that children watch more YouTube than television. It is apparent that every age is getting their fair share of online streaming. The question still remains, with online streaming becoming more popular and many people switching over from cable, could cable really become obsolete in the near future?
Page 5 - April 4, 2019
The Blue & White Flash
Miss/Mister JSU Pageant & Holi Fest
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Photos 1- 4 Kalin Norman/ Photos 5-6 Ke’Aria Frelix
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(1-4) Contestants competing in the 2019 Miss/Mister JSU Pageant. (5-8) JSU students during Thee Holi Color Festival.
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Variety
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The Blue & White Flash
Smollet dodges major jail time with dropped charges
Luis Montgomery
Staff Writer/MC301 “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett dodged major jail time when his 16-felony indictments in connection with his Chicago attack allegations were dropped. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office confirmed that all charges against Smollett were dropped. Smollett’s attorneys stated to the Press, “Jussie is relieved to have this situation behind him and is very much looking forward to getting back to focusing on his family, friends, and career.” Smollett’s case has unfolded over the past several weeks, leaving witnesses confused, shocked, and offended. The whole landslide began with a threatening letter that was sent to the Fox Studio containing threatening language and laced with a powdery substance. Days later, Smollett reported being attacked in the early hours of Jan. 29 near his apartment in Chicago. Two masked men allegedly poured an unknown substance on him and wrapped a rope around his neck. In a follow-up interview with the police, Smollett alleges that the attackers yelled ‘MAGA country’, a reference to President Donald Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan. Only a few days into the
investigation, Chicago police announced in a tweet that they are seeking ‘two persons of interest’ who were captured on surveillance video near the scene and around the time of the alleged attack. Less than two weeks after the attack, Smollett made his first appearance on stage when he performed at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, Calif. “Regardless of what anyone else says, I will only stand for love,” Smollett said, tearing up before beginning his set. “We hope that you all stand with us.” According to CBS News, Chicago police later announced that they had identified and were questioning the two persons of interest captured on a surveillance video. By midday, CPD notified ABC News that the two suspects were under arrest and that the pair were well acquainted with the actor. Chicago police identified the two men they arrested and later released as brothers, Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, both U.S. citizens of Nigerian descent. The Osundairo brothers were taken into custody and interrogated by police investigating the alleged attack on Smollett in Chicago. The brothers told authorities that the “Empire” actor allegedly paid them to help him orchestrate and stage the hate crime. The two brothers spoke out publicly for the first time stating,
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Smollet was pleased to hear that all charges were dropped.
“We are not racist. We are not homophobic and we are not antiTrump. We were born and raised in Chicago and are American citizens.” Chicago police say Smollett turned himself in to face charges but pled not guilty. A judge set his bond at $100,000 and ordered Smollett to surrender his passport. The Cook County State’s Attorney Office announced that all charges against Smollett were dropped and his record would be wiped.
The office also stated that Smollett had forfeited his bond payment and did two days of community service. Chicago Mayor, Rahm Emanuel and Police Superintendent, Eddie Johnson, expressed their fury over the decision and say they stand by the accusations against Smollett. Emanuel calls the move a “whitewash of justice” and implies Smollett’s fame helped him get off. A lawyer for the city of Chicago says the city is seeking
130 thousand from the actor as restitution for the cost of the investigation he initiated. President Trump tweeted that the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice would review the outrageous case, calling it an embarrassment to the country. Also, Smollett has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award, which was held in Hollywood, but he was not in attendance.
Cardi B confession about alledged sexual misconduct resurfaces
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Cardi B defends statements made on social media.
Deja Davis
Managing Editor “I had very limited options,” said Cardi B referencing her recent controversy.
The Grammy award winner for best rap album has been receiving heavy backlash after a video resurfaced on social media. The video was of her stating that she used to drug and rob men while she worked as a stripper in
New York. In the past, Cardi has addressed her career as a stripper, saying that it was part of how she managed to escape poverty and domestic violence. The original video was made as her career was starting to take off and initially was a response to someone who said she didn’t deserve her success because she hadn’t put in any work. “Nothing was handed to me. Nothing,” she said in the video, before going on to reveal that she would invite men to a hotel before drugging and robbing them. When Cardi saw the story going viral, she posted a written Instagram post addressing the controversy. “So I’m seeing on social media that a live I did three years ago has popped back up. A live where I talked about things I had to do in my past right or wrong that I felt I needed to do to make a living,” she wrote on Tuesday, March 26. She added: “I’m a part of a hiphop culture where you can talk about where you come from, talk about the wrong things you had to
do to get where you are.” Cardi B ended the statement by explaining that the men she referred to in the old video were men she then dated or was involved with, and were “very conscious, willing and aware”. Many memes were created by Instagram and Twitter users, as well as the hashtag #SurvivingCardiB which was trending – the reference to Surviving R Kelly, the documentary that exposed the years of sexual allegations against the star. Some users even compared the Bodak Yellow rapper to comedian Bill Cosby, who was sentenced to jail in 2018 after being accused of drugging and assaulting women. “Bill Cosby and Cardi B are both criminals in my eyes. Only difference is that one is a female and popular in the media right now. She deserves the same treatment and punishment as him.” @AmbitiousHaedyn tweeted via Twitter. The star mentioned that while many artists glorify violence and crime, that was never her intention. “There are rappers that glorify
murder violence drugs and robbing people. Crimes they feel they had to do to survive,” she said. “I never glorified the things I brought up in that live I never even put those things in my music because I’m not proud of it and feel responsibility not to glorify it.” Even though Cardi B stated that she was not proud of her actions, she felt they were necessary at the time. “I made the choices that I did at the time because I had very limited options. I was blessed to have been able to rise from that but so many women have not. Whether or not they were poor choices at the time I did what I had to do to survive.” she said. Her Bardi Gang fans are still showing their die hard and loyal support since it took place when she was a young minded 19-yearold, while others are still holding her accountable for this tragic issue and have officially cancelled her as a rap artist. She ended with an Instagram post saying, “All I can do now is be a better me for myself my family and my future.”
B2K, Pretty Ricky, Mario, and others headline again at Millenium Tour Necho Adams
MC301 Contributor All of your favorite early 2000’s artists and groups are on tour and are coming to a city near you! This tour has been given the name the Millennium Tour and started on March 5, 2019. According to vividseats.com, the tour is mainly a reunion for boy group B2K, but other nostalgic acts were added to the set list to for a bigger audience intake. The official tour schedule was released on Dec. 31, 2018 and the tickets were available to the public on Jan. 4, 2019. The line-up of acts so far includes: B2K, Pretty Ricky, Bobby Valentino, Mario, Lloyd, and more! All these acts were very popular R&B artist in the early 2000’s and till this day, their songs and albums they released a decade ago are still being played today. B2K, Boys in the new millennium, is a popular boy group that emerged in 1998. The members are Omarion, Raz-B, Lil’ Fizz, and J-Boog. The group hit the pop charts in 2001 with their single, “Uh Huh”, and they became a household name after the release of their debut album in 2002. Some of their famous songs are “Uh Huh”, “Bump, Bump, Bump”, “Girlfriend”, and “What a Girl Wants”. Jayla Nolan, a freshman computer science major from Chicago, Ill. said, “I like B2K, one
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of my favorite songs from them is “Bump, Bump, Bump”.” Another group on performing in the Millennium Tour is Pretty Ricky. Group members Spectacular and Baby Blue are blood brothers and Slickem is their cousin. The group’s album, “Bluestar” made their success soar. Nashantia Washington, a sophomore psychology major from Bassfield, Miss. said, “I loved Pretty Ricky when I was younger, listening to songs from them now make me go back.” According to riaa.com, Pretty Ricky’s albums “Bluestars” and “Late Night Special” are certified gold. Some of their famous songs are, “Your Body”, “Grind on me”,
“On the Hotline”, and “Love Like Honey”. One of the singers on the tour is Bobby Valentino. Valentino became popular in 2005 with his self-titled album. His famous single, “Slow Down” was receiving a large amount of radio airplay at the time. Valentino’s self-titled album is certified gold and sold over 708,000 copies in the United States. His single “Anonymous” was actually his second single on his album “Special Occasion” with “Turn the Page” being the first single. Jakari Brown, a music education major from Meridian, Miss. said, “I really liked Bobby Valentino, “Slow Down” was my
song; I’m definitely going to go to see him in concert.” Another singer that is on tour with all the artists above is Lloyd. Known for one of his famous songs, “Get It Shawty”, Lloyd came into the spotlight in 2003. Lloyd’s debut album “Southside”, released on July 20 2004, debuted at number 11 on the billboard 200. His album “Street Love”, debuted at number two on the billboard 200, “Street Love” also has the famous songs, “You” and “Get It Shawty”. Mario will also be taking the stage during the Millennium Tour. Mario came into stardom after the release of his self-titled album in 2001. The lead singles from
this album was a remake of Biz Markie’s “Just a Friend”, “Braid My Hair”, “C’mon”. Mario released his second album, “Turning Point”, in 2004. This album has famous single “Let Me Love You” on it, causing this album to be more successful than his first. “Turning Point” is now certified platinum and its lead single is certified double platinum. Many more artists and groups are set to perform but some of them are surprises for the people who go. The first show was March 8 2019 and some dates are still being added to the tour. The tour will be coming to Jackson, Miss. on May 5. at the Mississippi Coliseum.
Page 7 - April 4, 2019
The Blue & White Flash
Battle for SGA and royal court Continued from page 4
Employment Mississippi Dept. of Corrections
HIRING
CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS Join and Get a 5% Increase in Starting Pay Join The Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) and get an immediate 5 percent increase in your starting pay, if you have a college degree or experience in the workforce. The starting pay is $2,075.27 monthly. FOUR (4) WEEKS OF PAID ONSITE TRAINING. STATE PRISON LOCATIONS: • Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF) 3794 Highway 468, Pearl, MS • Mississippi State Penitentiary (MSP) 708 Parchman Road, Parchman, MS • South Mississippi Correctional Institution (SMCI) 22689 Hwy. 63 North, Leakesville, MS WALK-IN INTERVIEW DATES/TIMES: • Saturday, April 6, 2019 -- Applicants will be admitted from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. • Monday thru Friday, April 15 -18, 2019 -- Applicants will be admitted from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. • Saturday, April 20, 2019 -- Applicants will be admitted from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: • 21 years of age and proof of H.S. diploma or G.E.D. • Males between the ages of 21-25 proof of Selective Service Registration • A Valid Driver’s License • No felony or domestic violence INTERVIEW SCREENING CONSIST OF: • Interview, Math Test, Report Writing Exercise • 1 mile walk/run within 18 minutes and Tower climb (Appropriate athletic clothing and tennis shoes may be worn) For additional information, contact MDOC Personnel Services at (601) 359-5696 or the Personnel Department at each facility: CMCF (601) 9322880 ext. 6701; MSP (662) 7456611 ext. 2366; or SMCI (601) 394-5600 ext. 1217. Individuals may also apply online at the Mississippi State Personnel Board website, www.mspb.ms.gov.
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doing well with transferring to graduate school. In my major we have LSET service. It’s a prep class so you can do well on the LSET and I want to add more of those classes,” Jefferson stated. He finished by ideas he had to help preserve our school’s legacy and housing for international students. “I want to bring back the school yearbook, and a school Hall of Fame. It’s something that will give the student body something to remember. So why not start our own legacy? I want to work with international students regarding housing on campus during breaks because it’s so expensive to go back home. The international devel-
opment has been dismissed so that’s why I also want to work with JSU global,” said Jefferson. Rosemary Thomas, a sophomore mathematics education major from Indianapolis, Ind., and is another student fighting for the junior class senator position. She explained the significance of students attending election events and supporting the potential leaders on campus. “I feel like it’s important for students to come out and support the event because you need to hear who your potential leaders are and what plans they have to make changes on campus,” said Thomas. Campus wide elections will take place on April 5 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Take Note!
Honoring MPB Executive Director
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Sports
Page 8 - April 4, 2019
The Blue & White Flash
Los Angeles Clippers close to becoming king of LA?
Darrius Barron
Sports Editor
Since the Lakers moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles, the famed organization has been the dominant basketball team in the city; and arguably the entire state. The Lakers have achieved ultimate success in the NBA by earning 11 championships in LA, and 16 in total. The Los Angeles Clippers on the other hand has been living in the shadow of the Lakers since the team moved from San Diego. The organization has not been able to win any championships, nor have they played in a conference finals game. Although many people would count the Clippers as a team that will never see the ultimate glory of an NBA championship, LA’s second basketball team is poised to put the work in to become a household name. Now that the Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, and Deandre Jordan era is over (also known as the Lob City era), many Clipper fans who admired the razzle dazzle of the Lob City era find themselves amazed at the level of play they are witnessing from this season’s Clippers. At the start of the season, The Clippers got off to a great start by beating top tier teams like the Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Houston Rockets. Although they took their fair share of losses, beating these teams made
basketball fans across the nation wonder about how far they could make it in the western conference. Now that the season is rapidly approaching its end, the Clippers find themselves sitting at number two in the pacific conference, and number six in the entire western conference. As it stands, all playoff seeding has been clinched, meaning that the Clippers are going to the playoffs even if they lose every game for the rest of the season. Things are now starting to look up for the Clippers organization after decades of living in the Laker’s shadow, especially since the Lakers are yet again a no call, no show for the playoffs. In a tweet, reporter Tomer Azarly shared the energy that Clippers’ guard Patrick Beverly brought to the locker room. Beverly boldly stated his opinion on where the Clippers’ status in LA. “The Clippers are the best team in LA. Mother------thought I was joking.,” said Beverly. Halfway through the season, Clippers’ front office proposed a strategy to purposely lose games, a strategy widely known as “tanking.” Clippers’ front office may have thought they would have had a better chance in the draft lottery than making it to the playoffs. The “tanking” method was immediately rejected by team owner, Steve Ballmer as he told Clipper executives to make a push for the playoffs. At this
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point, Clipper fans were not only surprised by the high level of play, but at the owner’s ambition to win. Even after trading a forward Tobias Harris to the Philadelphia 76ers at the trade deadline, the Clippers failed to show signs of weakness on the court. With the win over the Memphis Grizzlies, the Clippers earned the NBA’s best record during the month of March, and there are still four players that are averaging over 10 points per game. The Clippers may not be the flashiest team in the NBA, nor do they have the biggest names
on the roster. The Clippers are resembling the 2004 Detroit Pistons in terms of not having a single superstar, but are proving their worth amongst star studded teams. Jarvis Robinson, a journalism and media studies major from Chicago, IL believes that it will take other factors for the Clippers to become the dominant team in LA. “I feel like they would bring home a championship by bringing in some free agents such as Kawhi or somebody like that. I feel like the Lakers’ history is too rich for them not to be kings of
LA, but this is a step in the right direction for the Clippers going to the playoffs, and not the Lakers.” As for now, even though the Clippers have upstaged the Lakers, they still have a tough road ahead. With only four games left in their season, the possibility of them playing the grit and grind Portland Trailblazers in the first round of the playoffs are high. To hear more about the NBA, tune into student podcast “At the Whistle” on YouTube. At the Whistle can be found on the Blue & White Flash’s YouTube channel which is “JSUBlueWhiteFlash” and the podcast name is “ATW.”
Mike Conley has done it all for the Memphis Grizzlies
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Wakil Atig
Sports Writer Memphis Grizzlies guard, Mike Conley is arguably the most underrated player of his time. Since being part of the same draft class as Kevin Durant, Marc Gasol, Joakim Noah, and Al Horford in 2007, Conley has always been the underdog despite being drafted at number 4 by the Boston Celtics. Since entering the league, Conley has been as consistent as any other player at his position. He has what many may call a small man’s version of Tim Duncan play style. Conley does not do any crazy tricks with the ball, but
knows how to get to his sweet spots on the court with grace. He relies on fundamentals to get baskets unlike most guards of his era. In his 12-year career Conley has led the Grizzlies to 7 straight playoff appearances including a 2011 upset win against the top seeded San Antonio Spurs. The Grizzlies entered that series as the 8th seed with little expectations from the media to win. After more than a decade, Conley has accomplished a feat that places him in the history books with other legendary names. All thanks to his tenacity, and his dedication to remain humble. It was Conley’s floor
generalship that carried the Grizzlies in that series, leading to their heroic victory. Conley is also responsible for leading the Grizzlies legendary “Core 4” consisting of himself, Marc Gasol, Tony Allen, and Zach Randolph. That group was arguably the best collective group of role players during their era. Of course, they did not achieve what other teams like the Spurs and Celtics did, but they had a solid tenure. Despite his consistency over the course of his career, Conley has surprisingly never made an all-star team appearance. It can be determined by his play style. Since Conley does not bring the excitement to the game like
a Kyrie Irving, does not play with the passion of a Russell Westbrook, and he does not command the crowd with an unbelievable shooting ability like Stephen Curry. He sticks to the basic fundamentals of the game, and that can be a bit boring for his position. For his career, Conley averages an unanimated 15 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds per game. For the 2018-19 season so far, he averages 21 points,6 assists and 3 rebounds per game. Despite the previous rumor that he could be traded at the deadline along with teammate Marc Gasol, Conley remained poised throughout the season. Following Gasol’s departure at the trade deadline, Conley has produced seven games of 20+ points, along with two games of 30+ points and one 40-point game. It was the first time in his 12-year career in which he has scored 40 points in a game. Even though the Grizzlies are not in playoff contention this season, Conley has kept his spirit up. He is the last player remaining from the “Core 4” and is eager about what the future may hold for the organization. He has started all but 6 games this season after missing most of last season with Achilles and heel injuries. Although the Grizzlies’ playoff hopes are nonexistent, they hope to land some promising talent in the upcoming 2019
Draft. With only a few games remaining in the season, Conley has entered the record books for the Grizzlies as he becomes the all-time franchise leader in points, assists, steals, and 3-pointers made for the organization. This is big for Conley and shows that consistency can override hype in most cases. Conley may not have won a championship or even made an all-star team, but he gave it his all every night that he suited up for his team. He now joins the company of NBA greats such as Reggie Miller and LeBron James with that accomplishment. Corey Shaw, a senior elementary education major from Jackson, Miss. said, “Mike Conley does not get the respect he deserves. He’s the most underrated point guard in the league. I feel like he doesn’t get the credit he deserves because he does not play with other great players around him. Plus, he’s a pass first point guard and that’s not exciting at his position.” Trey Watson also praises Conley’s skills as a point guard. “Mike Conley is a great guard. He can get his teammates involved, he can score, and he makes smart decisions with the ball. I feel like he’s underrated in the league and he should be an all-star with the talent he possesses,” said Watson, a sophomore business major from Las Vegas, Nevada.
It’s FAFSA Time 2019-2020!!
FINANCIAL AID AWARENESS MONTH AT JSU
March 2019
Complete
your
2019-2020
FAFSA
NOW (before leaving for Summer break),
using
2017
federal
tax
information. To complete your FAFSA, you will need: •
If you need assistance with completing your 2019-2020 FAFSA, the Financial Aid Staff is available to assist you Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the Financial Aid Office. We are located on the 1st Floor of B. F. Roberts Hall. You may apply online at: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
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The student's driver's license and social security card. The student's and spouse’s, if married federal income tax returns for 2017, W-2 forms, and 1099 forms. The parents' federal income tax returns for 2017, W-2 forms, and 1099 forms. Current bank statements and mortgage information. Records relating to stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investments. Documentation of non-taxable income, such as Social Security income, AFDC, and Veterans Benefits. Business and farm records.