FL
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THE BLUE & WHITE
The Official Student Newspaper of
INSIDE
Vol. 79 / No. 15 OPINION
Do you know your history. page 3
NEWS
General Student Body Meeting page 4
Jackson State University Jackson, Mississippi
www.thejsuflash.com
February 14, 2019
S P O RT S
VA R I E T Y
JSU Signing Day page 8
Little known black history facts page 6
WJSU airs riveting Field to Factory docuseries during Black History Month Clement Gibson Editor-in-Chief WJSU 88.5 “Cool and Current” is presenting a fourpart radio docu-series, “Field to Factory” every Sunday in February at 7 p.m. ET. The series was developed by a number of published forums culminating in a national symposium held on the campus of Jackson State University in the summer of 1989. The four part series takes an in depth look at why some AfricanAmericans chose to stay in the south, particularly in Mississippi, during the Great Migration from 1915 to 1940. WJSU Manager Anthony Dean, felt it was important to reair the series so that the listeners
could understand the history of African-Americans and the impact that was made on the south by those who opted to stay. “Most people in the south, particularly those who live in Mississippi, have relatives who moved from the south to the north during the Great Migration. But we also have people whose relatives stayed in the south and faired well in spite of the hardships,” said Dean. “These people owned land, became lawyers, doctors, teachers, preachers and other notable professions and because they stayed, they had a major impact on the quality of life in the south.” Dean added, “I think it’s important for our young people to hear why people stayed in the south and became model citizens and made significant
contributions in the south.” Several influential AfricanAmericans, including novelist Margaret Walker Alexander, former state representative and civil rights leader Henry Kirksey, former City of Jackson Councilman Louis Armstrong, former JSU Professor Doris Saunders, former Holly Springs Mayor Eddie Lee Smith, professor and novelist Blyden Jackson and Essie Edwards, the first African-American nurse at UMMC, and more participated in the documentary. According to the series, the story of the great migration is among the most thematic and compelling chapters in all of American history. It transformed not only the face of the south, but the texture of African-American life and the very character of American
institutions. The first half of the series focused on the migration process—why so many Mississippians left the south and why others stayed. Many left, but many also stayed. Even with injustices such as segregated courts, disfranchisement, public discrimination and fear of lynching. Those interviewed offered many reasons for staying in the south under such harsh conditions. Many stayed because they believed they could make things better and be of service or some kind of help. They did not want to leave their families and history behind. Some felt dedicated to the south because they were teachers and leaders. They knew the south, they
were born in the south they had relationships in the south between themselves and the white community. Some people in these areas did own land and businesses and wanted the businesses to create profit to pay as inheritance to their descendants. Doris Saunders, former professor and interim chair of the Department of Mass Communications at Jackson State, elaborated on black culture in the series. “Blacks have always carried with them their cultural patterns, their symbols and cultural habits. Some of these were food, some of these were music, art and other kinds of language and speech patterns,” said Saunders in the Field to Factory, Cont. on pg. 7
Valentine’s Day spending expected to reach record high Cianna Hope Reeves Managing Editor Discovering creative and thoughtful ways to profess adoration for your significant other on Valentine’s Day does not only come with pressure, it also comes with a price tag. Valentine’s Day is one of the largest spending holidays that most Americans celebrate despite a decrease in flourishing relationships. Valentine’s Day is continuing to receive attention from lovers and those who are single. According to National Retail Federation (NFR), total spending for the romantic holiday is expected to be $20.7 billion, which is an increase of 6 percent in the previous year’s $19.6 billion. Based on an annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics, individuals stated they would spend an average of $161.96. Although the total amount spent from 2017 to 2019 has increased, the number of couples celebrating the national holiday is becoming a downward trend. “The vast majority of Valentine’s Day dollars are still spent on significant others, but
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there is a big increase this year in consumers spreading love to children, parents, friends and coworkers,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. Valentine’s Day customers are also shifting from the traditional method of purchasing chocolates
and roses for their significant other. Today, common gifts include creative candle-lit dinners, room makeovers, and personalized high-end jewelry, just to name a few. Men have usually been the
heavy spenders and they are expected to keep the title as the highest consumers with an average total of $229.54 in 2019— a whopping 20 percent surge from last year’s data. Meanwhile, the average woman said $100 is the maximum YES, WE’RE SOCIAL!
total they would pay when purchasing gifts. Crystal Jones, a senior political science major from Chicago, Ill., admitted she does not spend excessively like her significant other. “In previous years, I have gifted my boyfriend with popular PlayStation games, clothes and candy which usually costs $120. Meanwhile, he is the one to splurge by buying me more personalized items, so it would cost around $240. After all, this is a lady’s holiday,” said Jones. Just over half of Americans will participate in the holiday this year and romantic gifts are becoming more of a demand. Jewelry is the most popular present exchanged by couples, which will mostly likely be adapted by 20 percent of consumers resulting in a spending total of $4.3 billion. The second common gift for loved one are a bouquet of flowers—preferably red roses. Given that red resembles romance, red roses have been embraced as a signification of love. Due to the excessive demand of colored flower arrangements Valentine’s, Cont. on pg. 7
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Tiger Events
Page 2 - February 14, 2019
The Blue & White Flash
Are You A Poet?
The Blue & White Flash Jackson State University
The Asterism Literary Journal at Ohio State University is currently in the process of working on its third volume. Jackson State students can submit poetry, prose poems, and spoken word for this issue. Students should submit their work at
P.O. Box 18449 Jackson, Mississippi 39217 Phone: 601.979.2167 / Fax: 601.979.2876 E-Mail: theflash@jsums.edu
JSU’s 7-Day Weather Forecast
https://lima.osu.edu/Asterism/submit.php.
THURSDAY
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The deadline is March 31st
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The Blue & White Flash Staff SHANNON D. TATUM Publications Manager CLEMENT GIBSON Editor- in-Chief DEJA DAVIS Managing Editor
CIANNA REEVES Managing Editor
DARRIUS BARRON Sports Editor
KALIN NORMAN Photography Editor
Dierius Abby Zahriah Balentine Kambui Bomani Morgan Brunson Halle Coleman Anyaah Copeland Nicholas Fisher Joseph Gordon
K’Shatriyah Humphrey Zipporah Jones Christopher Lane Ivory Lowe Luis Montgomery Sunshine Noel Landrie Tchakoua Darrenlyn Braddy
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.
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
Page 3 - February 14, 2019
The Blue & White Flash
Graphic by: Kalin Norman
Stay woke and learn African-American history all year COMMENTARY
Deja Davis Managing Editor As students at a historically black university, you would think we would be inundated with African-American history from the time we stepped foot on campus. But sadly, this is not the case for many of us. This week, we asked students at Jackson State University this question: Have you learned more about
African-American history at JSU? And many replied that JSU was taking advantage of this opportunity to educate its students on the ‘real” facts of our history. As a child, I’ve always loved Black History Month. I’m not sure if it was because I got the chance to dress up as one of my favorites, Madame C.J. Walker or sing the lyrics to the song “I Can” by the rapper Nas at my fifth grade Black History program. The month of February has always brought excitement and joy because it was the only time black people would get recognized for their achievements. During my childhood, it was a time I was able to learn more about my black culture; however, even though my dear ole college home honors the recognition of black leaders, I still feel like much more can be accomplished. With an endless supply of black excellence and black heroes every day, I should learn something new, but I feel like I hear about the familiar names such as Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, or Harriett Tubman way too often. Even though they are very important and we as black people should always honor them, I also feel that every day, we as students should be informed on other notable blacks. There are still so many that we do not know about and those people should still get recognized. There are also many pivotal events that occurred within the black community and during the Civil Rights era that need to be elaborated on. Students in grade school should be getting more activities incorporated in classrooms that deal with African-American achievements, and not just during Black History Month. We are all familiar with that month in elementary that the teachers taught weekly lessons about famous black leaders, faculty and students decorated the school setting to make it more cultural, and the annual programs that highlighted African-American
leaders were performed by students. All of this occurring during the shortest month of the year. And then nothing for the next ll months. I am grateful that while growing up my Nana made sure that I always found out something new about the accomplishments of AfricanAmericans. It was not until I started high school where the feeling of black history made a drastic change. The amount of history that was not taught in school was saddening. The importance of the month was not getting the same attention I was used to as a child and students stopped caring to learn about it because some public schools did not make it mandatory to learn. This reason ties into why I came to Jackson State. After attending a Black College Tour covering HBCUs in my hometown of Atlanta, Ga., during my junior year of high school, I was completely sold that I was going to an HBCU. Learning the history, the atmosphere on campus, the
wide range of opportunities and more made me want to become a part of this legacy and the greatness of attending this historically black university. There are plenty events that are put together on campus for students that take place for the entire month of February to come out and celebrate our history, but most students do not take the initiative to attend. But I still question why, at this premiere HBCU, black history is relegated to one month? Don’t get me wrong, several professors at JSU do integrate black history into the HBCU experience, and not only through the remembrance of heroes and role models past, but also by shaping future history figures. Am I wrong for wanting more? We live in a generation that loves to proclaim that we are “Woke”. My challenge to you is to take the initiative to learn more about your history. The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.
“Have you learned more about AfricanAmerican history at JSU?” Compiled by Zahriah Balentine
Manuel Powell Senior Psychology Suffolk, Va.
Kenisha Webbe Junior Music Education St. Croix,
George Smith Junior Electrical Engineering Mobile, Ala.
“Yes, I have learned more. However, not as much as I thought I would. AfricanAmerican history is all around campus and available for students to access. I only wish it was more intertwined with the Jackson State University culture.”
“I haven’t learned anything about AfricanAmerican history at JSU necessarily speaking of class. Honestly I learn more about AfricanAmerican history by having conversations with people on campus.”
“Yes I have learned that John A. People’s was actually a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity and also there is a building named after him on campus.”
Jonathan Johnson Senior Computer Engineering Chicago, Ill.
India Bryant Freshman Biology/Pre-Med Tulsa, Okla.
“I knew about AfricanAmerican history. However, I have learned the applications and the effects of our culture. I learned about the different things because of the racial issues that has happened in the past.”
“I did not learn anything about black history. I would love to learn more but I basically try to educate myself. I’ve been taught to educate myself on black history so I love to learn about myself and my ancestors.”
Camille Jackson Sophomore Social Work Hyattsville, Md.
De’Andre Weekes Senior Music Education Pensacola, Fla.
“Well no not really because I didn’t learn any more than what I was already taught in high school. I haven’t taken classes necessarily for someone to teach me.”
“I learned more about black history since I’ve been here at Jackson State because being at an HBCU, you get more exposure to what it feels like to be an African-American. Being more surrounded by African-Americans gives me a closer insight.”
Zachary Gray Senior History Jackson, Miss
Jada Kinloch Freshman Biology Columbia, S.C.
“Since I arrived at JSU, I’ve learned much more about African-American history than anywhere else. When I was in public school, we just learned the basics of black history I’m truly blessed to be at JSU because if not, I probably wouldn’t know as much history that I know today.”
“Yes, I learned that a lot of African-Americans weren’t just taken from Europeans.”
Francis Admsei Junior Statistics Kumasi, Ghana “Not really. I’m an international student and I did not really know much about American history. The only history class I’ve taken at this school so far is 101 and 102 so basically that’s a little I can say.”
Sieara Delone Sophomore English Los Angels, Calif. “I’m going to say yes specifically in my courses. A lot of my instructors are really informed on the different people in history who are writers and poets because I’m an English major.”
Parker Deloach Sophomore Business Admin. Chicago, Ill. “No, since I’ve been at JSU, it’s more so just common courses. As far as Black history, I feel like they don’t put as much emphasis on it. I feel like students want to learn more about black history inside and outside of the classroom.”
News
Page 4 - February 14, 2019
The Blue & White Flash
Housing and safety concerns discussed during meeting
Photo by: Kalin Norman
Students ask questions to various JSU administrators during the first spring 2019 general student body meeting.
Halle Coleman Staff Writer The first Student Government Association general body meeting of 2019 was held on Tuesday, Feb. 12 to address questions and concerns from the student body. The meeting was called to order by SGA President La’Curtis Powell. The meeting began with reports from each class president. Freshman Class President Aurion Taylor-Burks, Sophomore Class President Jaquan Powell, Junior Class President Naysa Lynch,
and Senior Class President Keandre Haywood, all expressed their successes regarding past events and provided details about upcoming events. Reports on behalf of the Royal Court and Senate were also presented. A discussion panel composed of representatives from the following departments, including Financial Aid, Public Safety, Housing, and Student Affairs were present. Enrollment Management scholarship coordinator Ayanna Smith, presented information on new changes affecting the
way students seek and apply for scholarships. Effective Fall 2019, all scholarships, including departmental, foundation, and third-party scholarships will only be accessible through the JSU scholarship portal. The scholarship portal opens twice a year, and is not limited to only registered students. In order to access the scholarship portal, students must simply be admitted to the university. The portal can be accessed by looking under Undergraduate Admissions on the Jackson State University website. Awards and updates will
be made through student JSU email addresses only. “We want to spend the donors money, that’s the focus this year. I want to help you guys spend it! We have so much more, but you guys have to commit to it,” Smith explained. Smith can be reached at ayanna.o.smith@jsums.edu. Multiple students expressed their safety concerns to Lieutenant Damarius Cotton, Public Safety representative for campus police. He revealed that the Department of Public Safety will strictly be enforcing the decal policy in lieu of serious incidents that have taken place on campus. This means that visitors including family or friends will be unable to drive through campus without a decal or visitors pass. “Those that are visiting on the campus can obtain a visitor’s pass and will be instructed where to park at on campus,” Cotton stated. “Visitors who plan to enter the dormitories can park in the lot available on Pearl Street or in the Student Center parking lot.” Lt. Cotton also informed the students that escorts are available for students who feel unsafe at any time on campus. A police officer will be put at the entrance gate alongside the security guards to help make better judgement calls. He also advised students to request to speak to a supervisor if any conflicts arise at the security booths. Tammy Timbers, executive director of housing, stressed
the importance of applying for housing within the allotted time period. The THD housing portal closes March 15, and has no likeliness of re-opening in the fall. The new THD housing portal offers more updated, effective features than the previous housing application on PAWS. “The new housing system that we purchased has a work order submission section. If you have a general issue you can submit and it will go to our assistant director of facilities. It goes into full implementation in the fall,” said Timbers. In order to be able to select a room, students must pay a $75 reservation fee. A room selection made without a payment will be invalid and eventually removed. Any concerns regarding housing can be resolved by visiting the central office located in Campbell or by emailing housinginfo@ jsums.edu. Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Susan Powell ended the meeting by encouraging students to not only hold themselves and SGA members accountable. “A lot of times we tend to complain about so many things but we don’t voice our opinions to the people who are over these organizations and entities,” said Powell. La’Curtis Powell will hold a President’s Gala on Feb. 20th from 5-11:30 p.m. Students can RSVP for attendance through Eventbrite.com.
Rising homicide rates concern residents of the City of Jackson Clement Gibson Editor-in-Chief
City and state leaders along with residents of Jackson are concerned about the city’s high homicide rates. Only 44 days into the new year and there have already been 14 homicides— one person is killed every three days in Jackson. The deaths are coming in all ages. Victims have been anywhere from 19 to 62 years old, but over half of the victims were in their 20’s. There were 34 homicides in the first four months of 2018, a record for Mississippi’s capital city. The only other year comparable to 2018’s fourmonth stretch is 1995, when 31 people were killed. 2019 is on pace to have about 40 homicides in the first four months on the new year, a number that would set a record for Jackson. If this rate continues, Jackson will have over 130 homicides in 2019. A huge spike from the 68 in 2016, 64 in 2017 and 84 in 2018 according to the Clarion Ledger. According to WJTV, Governor Phil Bryant and Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar
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Lumumba met on Jan. 22 to discuss different ways to fix the city’s homicide problem. Following the meeting, Bryant spoke to the media about what he thinks it will take for Jackson to reach a solution. Bryant stated, “It’s going to take an entire effort; state, local, and federal authorities are working.” The governor also
encouraged the support of law enforcement officers because they’re in the middle of a war. “I know the US Attorney’s office has been working on the gang issues in the city of Jackson, but people need to know that this is a subject that has to be addressed and you have to support your law enforcement officers where they’re out there in the middle of this war and that’s
truly what this is. It’s a drug war, it’s a gun war, and lives are being lost,” said Bryant. Nick Armstrong, a junior theater major from Jackson, Miss., is worried about the crimes and how close they are to his home. “It’s getting closer to my street as of late. Especially the one where a pastor was killed. It worries me every day,” said Armstrong.
He continued, “Honestly, there is nothing to solve it. There will always be evil when there is good in the world. Unless there’s a balance between the two, the ugliness of people will continue to rage.” Ramone Davis, a graduate speech communications major from Jackson, Miss., said leadership is the issue and reminisces on days of Milton as mayor. “I feel like it falls under bad leadership from our major and other officials. I remember when Frank Milton was our mayor and he had no tolerance for crime in the city,” said Davis. Lynina Miller, a sophomore biology/pre-medicine major from Detroit, Mich., stresses the importance of being aware. “Anywhere I go, I know there is a possibility that something can happen. I try not to be afraid of going places, I just try to stay safe and aware of my surroundings regardless of where I am.” Organizations like Families First go into the community to talk with students and families about crime prevention. Bryant feels that this organization may help the current situation at hand and has offered their services as a possible solution.
News Briefs: N.Y. detention center protest - Reeves faces backlash Special to the Flash
New York Federal Detention Center In Brooklyn, N.Y., inmates in the federal detention center were left without heat, food, and water for several days due to a partial power outage. According to Insider.com, onlookers saw inmates flashing lights and banging the windows of the prison. As a result, protestors stood outside of the prison to inform local officials of the mistreatment taking place. One protestor among the group was “Love and Hip-Hop” star, Yandy Smith. However, the rally did not last long, after the protestors bombarded the facility. Protesters were sprayed with mace which led to the end of the rally. The detention center holds more than 1,600 inmates in the urban area and had been suffering from low temperatures due to the polar vortex that froze the northeast region, resulting in the power
outage and loss of heat. Local leaders called out the issue labeling it as civil injustice for prisoners. As time progressed, conditions appeared to grow increasingly. Inmates were without food for days, faced colder nights in their cells and the blankets provided were not enough. After a week, the power was restored, and inmates signaled protestors of the change by flicking the lights inside their cells. Mississippi Gubernatorial candidate Tate Reeves answers racism allegations Racists photographs have surfaced of an organization associated with 2019 Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves. While Reeves was in Millsaps’ chapter of Kappa Alpha, the fraternity allegedly had a reputation for racist incidents. Many pictures have surfaced from Reeves time at Millsaps’ that showed alleged racial activities. This has caused him to get
a great amount of backlash in the media during his candidacy for governor. The public is referring to the photo as a racist mock of African-Americans, known as blackface. This act derived from minstrel shows where white actors would paint their face with black paint to portray African-Americans in an inferior way. Amidst his announcement to run for Mississippi governor, the release of the yearbook photos could hinder his chance to win against Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood. Reeves is not the only politician under fire for blackface. Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia was the first to receive national attention for posing in either a KKK suit or blackface in his medical school yearbook. The public has since voiced the need for his resignation; however, the democrat refuses to stepdown.
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The Blue & White Flash
All of Us & Student Body Meeting
Page 5 - February 14, 2019
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Photos 1-5: Jackson State University students participated in the All of Us event. Photos 6-9 Jackson State representatives, (Left to Right) Lt. Darmarius Cotton, Dean of Students LaQuala Coleman, Housing Director Tammy Timbers and Scholarship Coordinator Ayanna Smith discuss various issues at Student Body Meeting. Photos 1-5 by Darrius Barron Photos 6-9 Kalin Norman
Variety
Page 6 - February 14, 2019
The Blue & White Flash
Females dominate 61st annual Grammy Awards Luis Montgomery Staff Writer
The Grammy’s returned to Los Angeles, Calif. this year after being held in New York City last year and was broadcasted live from the Staples Center Sunday, Feb. 10, on CBS. Music’s biggest night has been hosted by U.K. night talk show host, James Corden for the past two years; however, he did not make a comeback to the centerstage this time. It was announced that multitalented singer and recording artist, Alicia Keys, would host this year’s awards celebration. Despite it being her first time hosting the ceremony, Keys is no stranger to the Grammy’s stage. Having won 15 awards over the course of her career, Keys, is a familiar face in the Grammy community. The wife of legendary music producer, Swizz Beats, and the mother of two shared her excitement in an interview with E! News. “I know what it feels like to be on that stage, and I’m going to bring that vibe and energy,” said
Keys. The show kicked off with a performance by Camila Cabello, former member of Fifth Harmony, featuring Ricky Martin and J Balvin with a mashup of “Havana” and “Mi Gente,” providing a Latin, broadway theme. Thereafter, Keys officially welcomed everyone to the show and proceeded with her introduction for the evening. In her opening, Alicia Keys brought out Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Jada Pinkett Smith. The stars shared stories of how music led them to success, and the former first lady could hardly get a word in without the crowd erupting. “From the Motown Records I wore out on the Southside to the “Who Run The World” song that fueled me over the past decade, music has always helped me tell my story,” she went on. “Whether we like country or rap or rock, music helps us share ourselves. Our dignity and sorrows, our hopes and joys, it allows us to hear one another.” At a ceremony dominated by female performers and presenters,
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more electrifying events followed. Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” won four Grammys, including record and song of the year. This was by far his most successful music effort following his first hit “Redbone.” In her first solo Grammy performance, Cardi B performed her latest single “Money,” complete with dancers and an electrifying grand piano opening. Cardi B was nominated in five categories, including album of the year for her debut “Invasion of Privacy” and won Best Rap Album— becoming first solo woman to do so.
“The nerves are so bad. Maybe I need to start smoking weed,” Cardi said through the tears. “I just want to say thank you to everybody that was involved.” Childish Gambino and Cardi B were not the only artists who walked away with prestigious awards, Drake and Lady GaGa were among the awarded. Drake walked away with Best Rap Song for his record, “Gods’s Plan.” With a Golden Globe awarded already, Lady GaGa was bound to win at least one of her 5 Grammy nominations. She won Best Pop Duo/
Group, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Best Song written for visual media. Perhaps another major Grammy moment would be the Motown Records tribute. A performance by Jennifer Lopez, Smokey Robinson, and Ne-Yo, celebrating 60 years of music. When announced about who was performing, Jennifer Lopez received major back-lash from music lovers. Many commenting saying the icon was incapable to handle music that soulful and of that caliber. In an interview with Newsweek, Smokey Robinson had this to say to the Naysayers, “I don’t think anyone who is intelligent is upset, Motown was music for everybody. Everybody,” he said. “Who’s stupid enough to protest Jennifer Lopez doing anything for Motown?” The Grammy’s are known to bring major music moments, and this year was no exemption. This year’s show encountered many changes from previous years— expanding nominee spots, diversity in nominees, and respecting the influence of Hip-Hop.
Five little known black history facts everyone should know Compiled by Ke’Aria Frelix Staff Writer
Black History Month is celebrated every February, but often, many African-Americans history makers are not discussed. Here are five little known Black History facts. Have you ever heard of John Morrow? According to blackamerica. web.com, John H. Morrow was the first U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Guinea and the first American representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Born Feb. 5, 1910, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed Morrow as the Guinea ambassador in 1959, which was met with much criticism. Many believed the AfricanAmerican ambassador was under-qualified despite his education and study of world affairs, and of course, because he was a black man. However, he successfully held the post for two years and in 1961, President John F. Kennedy sent him to France to serve as the first American representative for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Morrow returned to academics after years of government service and retired in 1978. Have you ever heard of
Graphic by Kalin Norman
Claudette Colvin? According to pbs.org, Colvin was the pioneer of the bus boycott. Most people think of Rosa Parks as the first person to refuse to give up their seat on a bus in Montgomery, Ala. There were actually several women who came before her— one
of whom was Colvin. It was March 2, 1955—nine months before Rosa Parks’ refused to get up. The fifteen-year-old schoolgirl refused to move to the back of the bus. Claudette had been studying black leaders like Harriet Tubman in her segregated school along with the current day Jim Crow
laws they were all experiencing. When the bus driver ordered Claudette to get up, she refused, “It felt like Sojourner Truth was on one side pushing me down, and Harriet Tubman was on the other side pushing me down. I couldn’t get up,” said the young Colvin. As one can see, Colvin was standing for her rights at a young age, by sitting down. Have you ever heard of Onesimus—the slave that introduced inoculation to America? Onesimus was a gift to the Puritan church minister Cotton Mather from his congregation in 1706. The enslaved man from Africa informed the priest about the century-old tradition of smallpox inoculation which was created to fight off the widespread disease in his home country. Onesimus then introduced the method to make others immune to Mather. Extracting the illness from an infected person and scratching it onto the skin of an uninfected person introduced smallpox to the healthy individual making them immune. Because of this success, Onesimus’ traditional African practice was used to inoculate American soldiers during the Revolutionary War . Most of us have heard of the classic family show, “The Jeffersons”. The hit show made its television debut on Jan. 18, 1975
on the CBS network. The show featured Isabel Sanford and Sherman Hemsley as George and Louise Jefferson. The show became the second longest-running sitcom featuring a largely black cast and was the first to depict an interracial couple, according to blackamericaweb. com. Have you ever heard of Grace Bumbry? According to biography.com, Grace Bumbry was considered a master of her craft in the opera world. She was known as one of the leading mezzo-soprano vocalists in the world. Born in 1937, her parents exposed her to the likes of Marian Anderson—who would be an early inspiration. At age 16, Bumbry won a contest to enter a local music conservatory but was denied entry due to her race. The contest promoters, looking to avert controversy, made arrangements for Bumbry to attend Boston University, but it was Northwestern University that she blossomed. While in Illinois, she studied with opera star and soloist Lotte Lehmann. In 1961, at the age of 24, Bumbry became in an international sensation after appearing as the first black opera singer to perform in Bayreuth, Germany. Her performance was so mind-blowing that she was dubbed, “The Black Venus.”
ICE release 21 Savage after being detained for expired visa Halle Coleman Staff Writer
21, 21, 21. One of America’s most respected new rappers, 21 Savage, born She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, was arrested and detained in Atlanta, Ga. by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Feb. 2. ICE alleged that the 26-year-old has been illegally living in the United States since 2006 because he is actually a citizen of the United Kingdom. Both of Savage’s lawyers and an official copy of his birth certificate confirmed that he was born on Oct. 22, 1992 in Newham, London. In a statement released Feb. 12 to the public, his attorneys stated, “Mr. Abraham-Joseph was born in the United Kingdom. Mr. AbrahamJoseph arrived legally in the United States at the age of seven under an H-4 visa. He remained in the United States until June 2005, when he departed for approximately one month to visit the United Kingdom. He returned to the United States under a valid H-4 visa on July 22, 2005. Mr. Abraham-Joseph has been continuously, physically present in the United States for
almost 20 years, except for a brief visit abroad.” Many fans were shocked to find out that Savage was born in the UK. He has given off, to some, the perception that he was from the eastside of Atlanta, known as “Zone 6.” Rapping lyrics such as “Straight up out the 6, now I got a house in the hills dawg,” in his 2017 hit, “Bank Account.” Questions have also arisen as to how 21 Savage was able to stay in the U.S. for so long with a criminal record. He was arrested in 2014 in Fulton County, Ga. on the account of felony drug charges. Although he pleaded guilty and was convicted of those charges, they were expunged from his criminal record last year. This may have caught the attention of ICE because in that same year, 21 Savage applied for a U visa. A U visa is a non-immigrant visa that is reserved for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials. 21 Savage and his representative team actually believe that his performance on the “Tonight Show” caused ICE to arrest him out of revenge.
Remixing his new record, “A Lot” while performing on the show he rapped, “Been through some things so I can’t imagine my kids stuck at the border. Flint still need water. People was innocent, and couldn’t get lawyers.” A’Darius Craft, a junior business administration major from Gulfport, Miss. does not agree with the detaining. Craft stated, “I don’t agree with 21 Savage being detained because I feel like he’s been here long enough. If he was going to be detained it should have been a long time ago.” Khalidah Francis, a sophomore psychology major from Port St. Lucie, Fla. thinks the influence he has on people’s lives in the U.S. should keep him here. “It doesn’t make sense for him to get shipped back over to the UK. He came in 2006,” she exclaimed, “You cannot do anything about it because his whole life is here now and he’s influencing a lot of people so it’ll be sad and pointless if he goes back over there,” said Francis. Savage was being held in Irwin County Detention Center, which has a brutal history and reputation as one of the worst immigration detention centers
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in the United States. In a tweet, Savages’s comanager Stone Mound Meezy, revealed that the rapper is on lockdown for 23 hours of the day with no TV or any means of communication besides a
few ten-minute phone calls. If actually deported, Savage will leave behind three young children. He was also nominated for a Grammy this past weekend, but was not in attendance.
Field to Factory Cont. from pg.1
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documentary. Many human beings seem to have an emotional attachment to the places where they grew up, and their ancestors grew up. Black institutions needed black leadership. Many simply felt that they would not be as well off in the north as the south. Eddie Lee Smith, former mayor of Holly Springs, Miss., said he stayed to help those who were not fortunate enough to get an education. “Those of us who had been fortunate enough to get an education needed to stay and help those who had not been that fortunate. Consequently, I began my first year out of college teaching in Mississippi. I turned down a job in Nebraska that would have paid me two thousand dollars more. It was out of the need of concern for our people why I stayed,” Smith said in the documentary. Also according to the documentary, a declining economy and worsening social conditions caused millions of African-Americans to leave the south. Of all of the southern states, Mississippi experienced the greatest loss of migrants. Almost every African-American family had someone who left to find homes, cars, jobs and the freedom to vote in every election. The average age of the AfricanAmerican male leaving the south was 24 while the average age of the African-American female was around 23.
Valentine’s
Cont. from pg.1 on Valentine’s Day, over 250 million roses are produced for the special day. Chocolate and candy rank as the third item on the list to give your valentine. This is the most traditional way couples profess their love for one another—and the cheapest. Consumers spend $1.7 billion on candy alone. Lastly, love letters are projected to stay on the scene. Although the decline of sentimental and passionate love notes has been replaced by text messages, couples will exchange 190 million greeting cards during Valentine’s Day, according to the Greeting Card Association. Among age groups,
To make the journey even more tempting, northern industries recruited southern African-Americans with the promise of better paying jobs and the implications of better social conditions— much better than they received in the south. Wages in the north were doubled and tripled compared to those in the south. Women who received $2.50 a week in domestic services could earn that much in a day in the north. Men receiving $1.10 or $1.25 could earn $2.50 to $3.75 a day in the various industries in the north. Most of the migrants settled in the major cities of the north— Chicago, Detroit, New York, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Cincinnati. Blyden Jackson, PhD., a former English professor at the University of North Carolina elaborated on the locations blacks settled in. “When Negros went from the south to the north, they tended to follow lanes. All three lanes were logical. South Carolina or Virginia or Georgia or Florida. The lane led to cities in the east. The second lane went from Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi to Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis, and Chicago. The third lane led west. From Texas and Louisiana to California,” Jackson said. Even though one of the major causes of the great migration was economic, its roots were entangled in the entire social conditions of the south. It should be noted that many of those interviewed in this 1989 docu-series are now deceased. individuals 30-44 are the largest consumers when Valentine’s Day approaches, spending around $280, followed by those 25-34 at $240. Department stores are the most common shopping destination, whether it is for their partner, family, friend or themselves. “Valentine’s Day means different things for different people,” said Phil Rist, Prosper vice president of strategy. He continued, “Whether it’s a day of romance or one of making sure their children have enough cards in their backpacks for each of their classmates, it is an important day for those who choose to participate.” If you were not told today, Happy Valentine’s Day from The Blue & White Flash!
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Sports
Page 8 - February 14, 2019
The Blue & White Flash
Football fans learn of promising season on Signing Day Darrius Barron Sports Editor Droves of people packed into M-Bar Sports Grill on Ridgewood Court Drive for a nationwide day of excitement for college football fans— signing day. The event took place on Wednesday, Feb. 6, as JSU Tiger football fans, alumni, and current students alike were granted an opportunity to see what the future holds in store for the team. Signing day highlights scouted football talents and reveals which institution those athletes are committed to. This was the first signing day as a JSU Tiger for head coach, John Hendrick. The Tiger audience enjoyed catered food and drinks as Ashley Robinson, JSU’s director of athletics prepared to take the stage. After receiving a round of applause, Robinson soon got the crowd to stand and glow with Tiger pride as he delivered a speech filled with information for the upcoming season, and promises of success. Robinson began with scheduling for the football team. The Tigers are expected to have home field advantage for the season with eight home games including Grambling, Alabama State, Alabama A&M, and Prairie View A&M. The upcoming season begins with a huge game that has everyone talking. The JSU Tigers will compete
Photo: Darrius Barron L-R Coach John Hendrick, Rob Jab and Athletics Director Ashley Robinson discuss the future of JSU football during signing day event.
against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in Atlanta, Ga., during Labor Day weekend. In addition to the BethuneCookman game, JSU is poised to play two more classic games. One being the Southern Heritage Classic against Tennessee State University on Sept. 14, and the other against Kentucky State University on Sept. 28. Robinson made it clear that he worked hard to have so many games in Jackson. He also mentioned how important it is for the alumni to fill the seats at each home game, so that
he can guarantee more seasons with home field advantage. After requesting for alumni to purchase season tickets, Robinson placed the crowd in a state of eagerness by promising a SWAC championship. Once finished providing the schedule information for the upcoming season, Robinson left the crowd in the hands of Coach Hendrick who then lead a quick prayer before he began speaking. Hendrick was named the interim head coach towards the end of the 2018 season after previous
head coach Tony Hughes was fired. During the short time of being the interim head coach, Hendrick lead the team to a 2-1 record to finish the season. Among all of the scouted talent that signed with Jackson State, Hendrick noted that a lot of the players are products of Mississippi. Part of Hendrick’s plan is to not to just recruit new players, but implement new strategies to win and even assemble a quality staff. “The first thing we did was hire a new strength coach who can bring some mental toughness and a
different level of conditioning to our football program. We think we have put together a really good offensive staff, led by coach Ron Dickerson… We went into recruiting looking for the opportunity to improve our athleticism along the offensive line because we think we need to do that to make us better, and then obviously increase our overall team speed. The thing we are doing differently is we are meeting a little bit differently, we have taken some of the early morning stuff away, but we are still putting a big burden on them to be the best they can athletically by really working them hard in the weight room and then doing a great job during winter conditioning. In terms of anything else, practice time will be a little bit different, meeting time will be a little bit different, and hopefully we will gain big dividends from what we are doing,” said Hendrick. It seems as if fans are excited to see if JSU football can return to the heritage it once had. Carla Palmer, a JSU alumna from Jackson, Miss., said “Great games and action, that’s what I’m looking for. I’m looking for the heritage Jackson State used to have when it came to football.” With all of the team spirit, and the vision of Coach Hendrick, the Tigers of Jackson State have the full support of the fans, and a way to execute the promise of a SWAC championship made by Robinson.
Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers win big in trade deadline Kambui Bomani Sports Writer The NBA Trade Deadline has a special place in the hearts of all 30 NBA teams as it makes its annual rounds two weeks prior to NBA All-Star Break. It gives certain teams the opportunity to shape their franchise’s future for the next two or three years by obtaining young prospects and upcoming draft picks from present playoff contenders. In an opposite light, it can give championship contenders an opportunity to bolster their present playoff positioning for a future title run in May and June through the accumulation of quality NBA talent. During last week’s trade deadline, the basketball viewers were able to see both trade deadline realities revealed by the likes of the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers respectively. These two franchises were the epitome of what two organizations going very different ways resemble in the world of sports. The Sixers put together a blockbuster deal mortgaging first round draft pick Landry Shamet, forward Wilson Chandler, stretch big man, Mike Muscala, its 2020
first-round pick, Miami’s 2021 first round pick its 2021 and 2023 second-round picks to the Los Angeles Clippers for Tobias Harris, center Boban Marjanovic, and stretch forward Mike Scott. The top prize of the transaction was Harris who provides Philly with another 20 point per game scorer for their starting five. He’s expected to play power forward alongside center Joel Embiid in the frontcourt. What Harris truly brings to the table is his ability to shoot the three pointer at 43 percent for the season, play off the ball as a cutter, and a catch and shoot power forward. In an offensive system that consist of a point guard in Ben Simmons who has the requisite passing ability and basketball IQ to get his teammates the ball in scoring positions, a spot-up shooter with other versatile offensive movements is prominent for their starting five to help relieve the post-up duties of Joel Embid. On the other side of the coin is the trajectory of the Los Angeles Clippers who through this move feel they have moveable parts to not only throw in the towel for this year but align themselves for a brighter future down the line through a midst of first round draft picks and free agency cap space.
Prior to the trade, the Clippers were coming off a late game victory over a playoffcontending Charlotte Hornets team that have the current fate of the Clippers in terms of being a bottom dwelling playoff team with no playoff upside in 20182019. So, they decided to cut bait with their losses and send their best player to a championship contending team with hopes of collecting a large stash of young players and draft assets to help jumpstart their rebuild. They do so by getting a young shooting guard in Shamet who scored 17 points on 5/9 shooting last weekend in a win versus the Celtics during his first meaningful minutes as a Clipper. The meaning behind the draft picks for the Clippers is that it gives them ammunition to construct a potential signand-trade for a future free agent superstar like Kawhi Leonard or Kevin Durant if possible. If such a situation does not materialize, they can always retain the picks and utilize them to fill out the rest of their roster for the next three to four years. Either scenario will help fully orchestrate the complete remodeling of a Los Angeles Clippers team that has been the stepchild to the Los Angeles Lakers in the LA market since its
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move from San Diego to LA in 1984. This specific transaction provides a life of two worlds for NBA franchises as they trudge towards the second-half of the NBA season. One franchise is poised to exceed their playoff finish from a year ago and represent the
eastern conference in the NBA Finals. Another franchise is beginning their transition from being unheralded in the western conference to a potential contender during the back half of this decade. Only time will tell if both parties reap their desired benefits.
The NBA trade deadline is bigger than basketball or players Tamera McCook Sports Writer This year’s NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and Anthony Davis is still a New Orleans Pelican. New Orleans was reluctant to let their only superstar go, while the Los Angeles Lakers tried to give them everything except the kitchen sink. Davis wanted out and his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, made that very clear a few weeks ago. Paul’s statement on Davis wanting to be traded from the Pelicans may have surprised some, but fans all over saw this coming. For the past few years, NBA players have started to take control of their destiny. The control that team’s front office and owners have, has started to diminish. Many players in the league are choosing where they want to go now, instead of being told where they will be traded. However, this has come at a cost. In 2011 Lebron James, arguably the best player in the NBA, decided to depart from the Cleveland Cavaliers to join his best friend Dwyane Wade, along with Chris Bosh, to form the “Big 3” for the Miami Heat. This caused many fans
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and players to create an uproar. Many called this move weak and was especially hard to accept being that he was turning his back on his hometown franchise. In July 2016, Kevin Durant, another NBA superstar decided to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder to join forces
with Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Many say that Lebron’s move to Miami changed the way players approach free agency. It changed the landscape of the NBA all together. What Lebron did for
basketball and free agency was bigger than basketball. He gave the players a voice. Players no longer had to be told where to go, but instead, they realized that they were free to join whatever team could afford them, no matter the cost.
True enough, players like Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson played for one franchise their entire basketball career, but Lebron encouraged players no longer feel obligated to stay with a team through the good or bad. Team owners and general managers trade players all the time, whether it be for more talent or just to create cap space. If a player no longer wants to be part of an organization, it is no longer blasphemous for them to voice their discomfort. Players such as Davis, James, and Wade have all made it known when they were not happy in a situation. When Isaiah Thomas was traded from Boston to Cleveland, loyalty was nonexistent. A man who after burying his sister, leading his team to the conference finals while never missing a game and giving the Celtics all, he had, was traded for an injury prone superstar in Kyrie Irving. This marks a new day for NBA basketball. Players are no longer sitting quietly as they are traded while in the middle of a game like the Dallas Mavericks did small forward Harrison Barnes. This is bigger than basketball, this is business.