FL A S H THE BLUE & WHITE
The Official Student Newspaper of Jackson State University Jackson, Mississippi
www.thejsuflash.com
INSIDE
Vol. 78 / No. 15 OPINION
COJ Infrastructure page 3
January 25, 2018
VA R I E T Y
NEWS
Proud Mary page 7
Tell Them We are Rising page 4
S P O RT S
JSU vs. Grambling Basketball page 8
Photos by Kalin Norman Program participants join hands to sing “We Shall Overcome” at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Convocation.
Dr. Joyce Ladner delivers th 50 Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Convocation address Alexandria Galtney Editor-in-Chief Former student, Dr. Joyce Ladner, returned to Jackson State University that expelled her in 1961 for leading a civil rights protest. Ladner, the guest speaker at the 50th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Convocation, gave a moving address to students, faculty, staff, alumni and community leaders gathered in the Rose E. McCoy Auditorium on Jan. 23. After the singing of the Negro national anthem, “Lift Ever y Voice and Sing”, Jackson State University President William Bynum, Jr. gave a welcoming address before Ladner, a scholar and activist whose career was shaped through her firsthand involvement with the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi, took the stage. Ladner reminisced on
her time spent working with the NAACP Youth organization and her expulsion from Jackson State University along with her sister 57 years ago on March 27, 1961 for leading a protest on campus during the tenure of JSU President Jacob L. Reddix. The expulsion led her and her sister to transfer to Tougaloo College, where they both graduated. In 1963, Ladner was imprisoned for a week for attempting to integrate the all-white Galloway Methodist Church in Jackson. Ladner was a friend and worked with slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers, as well as civil rights pioneers Fannie Lou Hamer and Ella Baker. This was not Ladner’s first time speaking at the MLK convocation. Ladner received an invitation to speak at the University from Margaret Walker Alexander in 1970, 48
years ago. Ladner reminded the audience that Dr. King was an agent of change and that his ideals must continue, even during the current presidency of Donald Trump. “We have seen all kinds of attacks on human decency, and these are all kinds of things Dr. King would speak on. He would tell you to carr y the gauntlet. Fight the battle,” said Ladner. Closing remarks were given by Robert Luckett, director of the Margaret Walker Center and an Associate Professor of Histor y at JSU. Luckett thanked Ladner for her civil ser vice and also gave a formal apolog y to her and her sister on behalf of the Margaret Walker Center and the university. Luckett emphasized that although he had nothing to do with Ladner’s expulsion in 1961, he wholeheartedly
apologized for JSU expelling her 57 years ago, and commended Ladner for having the courage to stand up to Jim Crow and the power structure in the state of Mississippi and nation. “While I have no immediate responsibility in those actions, I believe ever yone here agrees that the decision was unjust and that was Jackson State’s great loss to lose you from this university,” said Luckett. A’sean Davis, a senior civil engineering major from Gulfport, Miss. and Student Government Association Vice President, hopes all students attending the convocation were inspired by the life and actions of Ladner. “ The was definitely a life changing event, because we got to speak with someone who was actually there with Dr. Martin Luther King, who actually experienced the
YES, WE’RE SOCIAL!
histor y and experienced the different changes. I hope all students look back and realize we have to be the changes we want to see,” said Davis. “She stepped up when it was her time, now it’s our time to step up.” At the closing of the celebration, all the attendee’s joined hand in hand to sing “We Shall Overcome.” The For My People Awards luncheon immediately followed the convocation in the JSU Student Center Ballroom on campus where Ladner was also the keynote speaker. The four honorees recognized at the For My People Awards Luncheon for their commitment to the public preser vation of African-American histor y and culture included: Dr. Ladner, Dr. Wilma Mosley Clopton, Dr. Mar yemma Graham and Airea D. Matthews.
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Page 2 - January 25, 2018
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
KIERRA D. THOMAS Graphic Designer
ALEXANDRIA GALTNEY Editor- in-Chief AARON WALKER Managing Editor
CHELSEY JONES Managing Editor
Morgan Beard Kambui Bomani Winnie Bush Tavia Calvin Jared Dorsey K’Shatriyah Humphrey
Gabrielle Jones Mia Jones Zipporah Jones William H. Kelly III Kalin Norman Bari Yakubu
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.
Subscription Information
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 - January 25, 2018
The Blue & White Flash
Cartoon: Bari Yakubu
Enough is enough with the city of Jackson’s infrastructure issues COMMENTARY
Aaron Walker Managing Editor Frustration and irritation seem to be common feelings expressed by city of Jackson residents and current Jackson State University students.
At the beginning of the New Year, many students looked forward to a smooth transition into the spring semester. We wanted to sit back and reevaluate the previous year to see what could be done better for the new year. However, broken water pipes, boil water notices and low water pressure issues in Jackson have made the beginning of the semester unnecessarily hard form everyone. For three weeks, many Jackson residents had to deal with low to no water pressure in their homes, school openings were postponed, and many businesses in the city were also affected. As a lifelong resident of Jackson, I understand the frustration that many people have with the city’s infrastructure issues. I have had to deal with the
crumbling infrastructure of this city for many years. This is not a new issue. It is also not the fault of the current mayor, Chokwe Antar Lumumba. It is a problem that has been decades in the making. But at some point, the leaders of the city have to do something to fix the issue or the future generations will continue to inherit the infrastructure woes. Jackson citizens have been playing the blame game for years now. Let’s stop blaming and start doing something about the problems. And more importantly, let’s put people in office who are not afraid to make the hard choices that will come if the problems are to be fixed. There is no way to sugar coat it, the only way this city will be able to fix the infrastructure is if the taxes are raised and
earmarked for these issues. I am tired of driving on pothole-filled streets that constantly lead to car repairs. I am tired of having to boil water for days at a time because another pipe has broken. But most of all, I’m tired of hearing the city officials say, “it’s not my fault” or “this happened before my tenure”. We already know this, but it became your responsibility when you ran for office, point blank period! City officials continue to talk about raising taxes, but it seems like they are not doing anything with the tax dollars they have now. Why are we still talking about raising taxes when Jackson citizens voted to pass a one percent tax hike on Jan. 14, 2014 to fix the infrastructure and yet we have not seen much improvement? You
can say you use the money on this and that, but you still have major streets with potholes and a failing school district that had to sit out for over two weeks when they should have been in school. Where do we go from here you ask? The citizens of Jackson need to vote and to get involved within the city to create change, because the only way Jackson citizens will see better results is when we stop complaining and start doing. Don’t talk about it, be about it! We need to hold our elected officials accountable to make sure that they are doing what is best for the people of Jackson. The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.
“Should the city of Jackson raise taxes to fix the infrastructure issues?”
Compiled by Chelsey Jones, Gabrielle Jones and Winnie Bush
Elizabeth Parker Sophomore Psychology Vicksburg, Miss. “No,because Jackson has already raised taxes for the last three years. It was done on the promise to help the crumbling infrastructure and roads especially. ”
Alexis Brown Sophomore Business Management New Orleans, La. “I do feel as through the city of Jackson should raise taxes to fix the infrastructure because other than getting sponsorships, the city of Jackson should hold some form of remuneration. ”
Michael Ware II Junior Sociology Tulsa, Okla. “Jackson should not raise taxes to fix infrastructure. Instead they should find alternative ways to bring in income to boost the economy.”
Th’Marves Brooks Senior Business Admin. Saginaw, Mich. I say yes but the taxes shouldn’t be as high as states like California and Florida. If Madison and Ridgeland don’t have to raise taxes and their streets are fine, why can’t Jackson be like that?
Lindsei Roby Junior Mass Communication Raymond, Miss. “No! I believe the citizens of Jackson have suffered enough from previous attempts to rebuild the city’s infrastructure. There has to be another solution.”
Tiana Mobley Senior Criminal Justice Biloxi, Miss. “Yes, because this city is a mess.”
Ladarius Singleton Sophomore Civil Engineering Jackson, Miss. “Yes, because Jackson is supposed to be the capital but yet it is one of the worst looking cities in the state.”
Alexis Taylor Senior Mathematics Milwaukee, Wis. “Yes, I think that they should raise taxes on large corporations and wealthy people to fix roads.”
Keundria Dunson Sophomore Accounting Jackson, Miss. “I don’t think so because the money they are taking out for taxes are already not going to things we need repaired.”
Comelia Walker Senior Mathematics Canton, Miss. “Yes, because that’s the only way things will get done since we have no other way of income. We need it but we can’t afford it.”
Ladarious Ross Sophomore Political Science Clarksdale, Miss. “I think it is a great idea due to the fact how the roads and buildings are raggedy. But I also disagree because raising taxes will put more people in a burdened position.”
Carmeron Stringer Senior English Jackson, Miss. “Taxes shouldn’t be raised because we are in poverty so it defeats the purpose of having them give something they don’t have.”
News
Page 4 - January 25, 2018
The Blue & White Flash
AVP for Student Affairs discusses changes slated for residence halls
File Photo
Chelsey Jones Managing Editor Jackson State University students will notice a change this spring when they reserve their rooms in the residence halls for next semester. Some of the changes include what appliances students are allowed to bring. On Jan.18, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Susan E. Powell, Ed. D., held a meeting in the Rose E. McCoy Auditorium to announce the upcoming changes. Powell also sat
down with The Blue &White Flash to elaborate more on these changes. One of the changes is that students will now be required to pay a fee to reserve their rooms for the next semester. “One of the things I want to do is restructure the move-in process to make it easier and smoother for all students, especially the returning students,” Powell said. “One of the things that we will implement is a $75 deposit. We will have a room selection process that will probably take place in
February or early March at which time a student will pay $75. They can select their room and their roommate.” Powell explained that this new process would help her and her staff to know who is returning for the new year so that they can be assigned a room as soon as possible. “One of the things I witnessed at my first movein day was students being assigned to a room on PAWS and when they got here, they were given another room,” she said. “We want to prevent that process.”
Powell also clarified that the $75 deposit will come from the student’s account and will not “go in a separate pot.” The next change that was discussed was the microwaves and refrigerators that are available in every dorm room. The rule was originally that students could not bring their own microwaves and refrigerators, but starting in fall 2018, that will no longer be the case. “I’m looking to see how we can save money,” Powell said. “We spend almost $111,000 renting the microwaves and fridges. And with the condition of our residence halls, I am tr ying see how we can save money and put it back into the piping, infrastructure, and the building so that the housing can be adequate enough to live in. So instead of renting the micro-fridges and microwaves, we are going to do one of two things: you can bring your own or have the option to rent one from JSU.” Powell also discussed whether certain residence halls would be renovated.
“I want students to take pride in where they reside,” she said. “A question came up about McAllister and one of the things we are doing is that we are going to shut it down and renovate it over the summer so it can be ready for freshman in the fall.” She also stated that Stewart Hall would also be renovated. After the meeting, students expressed their concerns. Many students were pleased with the changes, while others were not. Erica Sargent, a senior education major from Memphis, Tenn. and a resident in Campbell Suites, expressed her feelings about the new changes. “The pro of the new housing process is that it’s good for upcoming students and returning students to have an option to bring their own refrigerators,” Sargent said. “A concern is making sure our school is using the money for important things instead of charging us for unnecessary things.” The new changes will begin as soon as next month.
Students respond to water issues at Jackson State University Aaron Walker Managing Editor Water pressure issues at Jackson State University continued for days after the cold front credited with causing a new wave of water main breaks. Low water pressure and no water in some buildings caused opening delays for Jackson State University due to infrastructure problems within the city of Jackson. The capital city experienced over 200 water main breaks since the start of this year. City employees worked tirelessly to fix the massive numbers of breaks throughout the city caused by extremely cold weather. City of Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba has stated publicly that similar issues are being faced by other cities across the countr y. On Jan. 19, school officials sent out an email stating that the city of Jackson was still experiencing water issues throughout the city and as a result, JSU on-campus services were being impacted. Until the issues
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were resolved and the on-campus water tower was filled, the campus continued to have water pressure issues in different campus buildings, such as the residence halls. Many of the building also needed water for the boiler systems that supply heat. In the email, JSU officials encouraged students who could return home, to do so for the weekend to help
lower the need and usage of water and sewer systems. Many JSU students were very frustrated with the situation. Daisha Henderson, a senior mass communication major from Chicago, Ill. said, “My air has being blowing out freezing cold air since August. I have gotten sick twice now. I’m almost 6 months pregnant and this is not safe for me
and there is no hot water at all,” said Henderson. Some out-of-state students feel that Jackson residents should hold city leaders accountable for the issues in the capital city. Darian Walters, a junior communicative disorders major from Tulsa, Okla. said, “I think Jackson’s longstanding infrastructure issues reflect the lack of action its people
take in voting and holding their representatives accountable for making competent, long-lasting and effective changes throughout the city from the water pipes down to the roads. He added, “As for the campus, I do not think it’s fair to the students to charge for housing this semester until all residents are comfortable. Meaning until all dormitories have heat, hot water, no water dripping from their ceilings or flooding their bedrooms and functioning indoor toilets.” On Sunday Jan. 2, JSU officials met with city officials to discuss the upcoming work week. JSU released another memo relating to the issue which stated that because of the height of the campus buildings, the on-campus water tower needed to be filled in order to supply enough pressure to the higher floors, hence the water, sewer and heat issues that the campus has been facing. Normal business at JSU resumed on Monday, Jan. 22.
Jackson State University and Mississippi Public Broadcasting partner to host HBCU documentary ‘Tell Them We Are Still Rising’ LA Warren University Communication
Jackson State University and Mississippi Public Broadcasting will host a free public preview screening of the feature documentary “Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities” at 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, in the Mississippi e-Center@JSU. The event, also co-hosted by JSU’s Department of Journalism and Media Studies, will feature multiple Emmy Award winner and National Humanities Medalist documentarian Stanley Nelson and other distinguished guests such as JSU President Dr. William B. Bynum Jr. The screening will be followed by a reception and Q&A session with the filmmaker. “Tell Them We Are Rising” explores the rich history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and how they have influenced the course of the nation for more than 150 years.
PBS.org reports that HBCUs were a “haven for black intellectuals, artists and revolutionaries” and have been instrumental in paving a path toward the American dream. However, the institutions remain largely unknown, even though they are credited for impacting social, political and economic progress. Furthermore, PBS says, “These institutions have nurtured some of the most influential Americans of our time – from Booker T. Washington to Martin Luther King Jr., W.E.B. Du Bois to Ralph Ellison, Toni Morrison to Oprah Winfrey, Alice Walker to Spike Lee to Common.” As a result, “Tell Them We Are Rising” aims to capture the story of Americans who refused to be denied higher education. Nelson, co-founder of the nonprofit production company Firelight Media, has directed and produced more than 12 documentary features. These works include “Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution,” “Freedom
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Summer,” “Freedom Riders” and “The Murder of Emmett Till.” To learn more about “Tell Them We Are Rising,” click PBS/MPB.
To view a clip of “We Are Rising,” visit FILM. Attendees to the screening are urged to tweet and share photos of the event by tagging #HBCURising.
Also, follow @HBCURising on Twitter and Instagram. Registration for the screening was required. For additional information, call 601-432-6298.
The Blue & White Flash
50th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation
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Photos by Kalin Norman
(1) Dr. Robert Luckett, director of the Margaret Walker Center, addresses MKL Birthday Convocation attendees. (2) College of Eductation professor Dr. Glenda Windfield (l) and guest speaker Dr. Joyce Ladner(r). (3) JSU President William Bynum, Jr. welcomes attendees. (4) 2017-2018 Miss JSU Comelia Walker addresses attendees. (5) Guest speaker Dr. Joyce Ladner during speech. (6) Reginald Thompson, MWC Advisory Board Member.
News
Page 6 - January 25, 2018
The Blue & White Flash
Stars urge viewers to show up at polls at the NAACP Image Awards Aaron Walker Managing Editor For the first time ever, the 49th NAACP Image Awards celebrating black excellence was televised on Jan. 15, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Anthony Anderson hosted the ceremony aired on TV One at the Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif., on what would have been Martin Luther King Jr.’s 89th birthday. Anderson’s opening monologue poked fun at the current presidential administration and Omarosa Manigault. Other people who were presenting used their time onstage to encourage more civic involvement and the fight for social justice. Kerry Washington, Tracee Ellis Ross, Laverne Cox, Jurnee Smollet-Bell, Lena Waithe and Angela Robinson set the tone for the evening when they emerged onstage holding hands to dramatically issue a call to get out and vote.
The six women declared support for the Time’s Up initiative to stop sexual harassment and gender discrimination and urged viewers to speak up at polls as during the upcoming midterms elections. The show featured many worthy contenders who were awarded for their amazing talents. Ava DuVernay was the biggest winner of the night, taking home the Entertainer of the Year Award. DuVernay mentioned many other black directors and writers, such as Shonda Rhimes and Kenya Barris, during her acceptance speech. “This is our time, we can say we were here when all this gorgeous art happening, and that we supported it that we lifted each other up, that we did as Dr. King said we would do: live the dream. We’re the dream,” said DuVernay. Other big winners included the TV show “black-ish”, winning best
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comedy series. Tracee Ellis Ross and Anderson took home Best Outstanding Actor and Actress in a comedy series. “Power” won Best Drama Series and its star Omari Hardwick won for Outstanding Dramatic Actor. Taraji P. Henson won for her role as Cookie in “Empire” and Octavia Spencer won for
her role in “Gifted”. Actor Daniel Kaluuya won for his leading role in “Get Out,” beating out veteran actor Denzel Washington for the award. The movie “Girls Trip” took home the award for Outstanding Film. NAACP president Derrik Johnson asked members in the audience and viewers watching at home to text
their pledge to vote in 2018 before presenting the President’s Award to Danny Glover. Glover was recognized for his professional and philanthropic contributions, particularly for his work with the United Nations and his advocacy for labor unions. Glover was not the only veteran entertainer to receive an award. Halle Berry presented the Music Makes a Difference Award to Charlie Wilson. He talked about his recovery from addiction and homelessness to musical success and philanthropy. One of the best moments in the show came during singer Andra Day’s remarkable performance of Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit”. Rapper Common accompanied her on stage to perform their song “Stand Up for Something” which brought the house down and had the whole audience on its feet.
Call for gender equality took center stage at Screen Actors Guild Awards
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Alexandria Galtney Editor-in-Chief The 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards was an unforgettable, histor y making night. The show aired live Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. from the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles. Several stars came out on top, including the cast of the CBS hit show, “This Is Us.” Actor Sterling K. Brown’s win made him the
first African-American to receive the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama award for the series, and the entire cast took home the award for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series. In Brown’s acceptance speech he said, “What a blessing it is to do what you love for a living. What an honor it is to be recognized by your peers for a job well done. in this room for a job well done.
This room is a source of endless inspiration for me. I love all of y’all.” The entire cast also got on stage during their acceptance speech reacting to their win with huge cheers of surprise. On stage, star Milo Ventimiglia, who plays patriarch Jack Pearson, thanked the show’s loyal viewers. “To the people that watch with us ever y Tuesday night and embrace a show that reflects positivity and hope and inclusion, we love you,” said Ventimiglia. “This Is Us” also stars Mandy Moore, Chrissy Metz, and Justin Hartley, who round out the Pearson family. The series follows one family’s multi-generational stor y and includes stor ylines about body acceptance, transracial adoption and grief. Morgan Freeman also took home the Lifetime Achievement Award. Instead of standing up on stage and thanking an endless list of names, Morgan took the time to say another major change needs to happen in Hollywood. After taking a look at it, Morgan said, “I am going to tell you what’s wrong with
this statue. It works from the back. From the front… it’s gender specific. Maybe I started something,” said Morgan. The SAG Award statue resembles a man, but Morgan suggested that it should be gender neutral as both men and women take home the award on a yearly basis. Morgan is the 54th recipient of the SAG Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding acting career and humanitarian accomplishments. It was announced that he would take home the highly coveted award back in August 2017. The awards show was also a spotlight for the #MeToo Movement and the Times Up movement. The #MeToo campaign has raised the consciousness of a nation, making space for women to articulate how difficult it is to move through the world without being sexually harassed, assaulted, intimidated or abused. TIME’S UP addresses the systemic inequality and injustice in the workplace that have kept underrepresented groups from reaching their full potential.
The movement is a unified call for change from women in entertainment for women ever ywhere. From movie sets to farm fields to boardrooms alike, we envision nationwide leadership that reflects the world in which we live. Women took center stage at the awards and there were a few firsts. The show, for the first time, had a woman host. “We are living in a watershed moment in time, and as we march for ward with active momentum and open ears,” said host Kristin Bell. “Let’s make sure we are leading the charge with empathy and diligence because fear and anger never win the race.” Ever y award was given out by a woman, which is also a first at the SAG awards. It was an intentional nod to the movement against sexual harassment and assault in Hollywood and beyond. The Oscars is the next award show that will be tackling the issues Hollywood is facing with the treatment of woman in the entertainment industr y and beyond. The Oscars is s c h e du l e d t o a i r Ma rc h 4 w it h h o s t Ji m my K i m m e l on A B C .
Proud Mary proves to be a major disappointment for some moviegoers Alexandria Galtney Editor-in-Chief Some people are calling it a box office failure, while others are praising Taraji P. Henson’s role as an assassin with a motherly instinct and forgiving heart. Henson also produced the film. In the movie “Proud Mary”, Henson hits the screen as a hit-woman named Mary working for an African-American organized crime family. Benny, played by Danny Glover, is the leader of the mob family who portrays himself as a devoted family man and father figure to Henson. Mary was raised by Benny and his family to be a cutthroat assassin she is after running away from home. She later finds out that Benny sees her as property when he informs her that she can never leave because her debt to him has not been paid. Mary, wanting to find something a little different in life, follows a kid living in the streets she had a previous encounter with a year earlier.
The kid named Danny, played by newcomer Jahi D’Allo Winston, is a 12 year-old boy whose mother abandoned him. Mary killed his father, who had a large debt, for lack of payments. Danny was present the day of his father’s murder but never saw the person who shot and killed him. Danny now works for another organized crime family under the leadership of a man named Uncle, who physically and mentally abuses Danny. Mary, not wanting to kill children and feeling compassion and sympathy for Danny, takes him in after finding him passed out on the streets in an alley. Mar y subsequently kills Uncle and his henchman for mistreating Danny, which causes problems for other organized crime families, including her own. The movie continues with Danny and Mar y learning about each other’s past and finding the connections between them both. Their life-changing
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journey leads the two on a run for freedom and hopes for a new start. Critics are saying this film lacks viewer interest because of the failure to promote the film adequately. “Proud Mary” is definitely not going to make any of 2018’s “best of the year” lists. Older viewers may see similar parallels to this movie and the 1980’s
movie “Gloria” starring Gena Rowlands. Mary is sort of John Wick but with Henson in the lead role instead of Keanu Reeves. The movie, while disappointing, does boast a breakout a performance from newcomer Winston. Why should students watch the movie? The obvious reasons are because “Proud Mary” is starring a black woman with an
almost entirely black cast. Although not a masterpiece or even a good film, you can blame the studio for not marketing African-American films enough. The lack of marketing for “Proud Mary” is more evidence that Hollywood just does not believe audiences will watch movies by and about black people.
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Sports
Page 8 - January 25, 2018
The Blue & White Flash
Lady Tigers win and men’s team falls to Grambling JSU Athletics Media Five Jackson State Lady Tigers scored in double figures as JSU cruised to an 82-70 victor y over Grambling State Saturday afternoon at the Lee E. Williams Athletic Assembly Center. Christina Ellis led the way for JSU with 18 points, four rebounds, three steals and three assists. Katie Hunt added a double-double as she finished 12 points and 13 boards, while Kawaii Perr y added 11 points and a pair of assists. Derica Wiggins and Marneisha Hamer each chipped in 10 points. Monisha Neal led GSU as she finished with a doubledouble of 16 points and 12 rebounds. The game was tied at 30 all at halftime. Jackson State turned up its defensive effort in the second half and eventually took control of the game. After the sides traded buckets to remain knotted at 36, Jackson State reeled off 12 unanswered points and held Grambling scoreless from the field for a five-minute spann in the third quarter. Grambling did cut the lead down to four, but Ellis buried a jumper at the buzzer to give Jackson State a 52-46 lead going into the fourth. JSU proceeded to increase its lead to as many as 11, but a 10-2 GSU run brought the visitors within one possession midway through the final period. Jackson State regrouped to put together a decisive 10-3 run of its own, with Ellis
Ten Conference on Nov. 20. Jackson State is currently second place in the SWAC with one game behind the Golden Lions of Arkansas Pine Bluff. From the start of the game, Grambling never let go of the lead. GSU Anthony Gaston and Ivy Smith Jr. scored 16 points each. Gaston and Smith also each made six field goals with Smith grabbing a game high 10 rebounds. GSU Shirmane Thomas added 12 points, shooting 51 percent from the floor. Reser ves Axel Mpoyo chipped in 13 points and Diontae Jones had 10.
Jackson State shot 15 of 60 from the field with a percentage of 25.0 and 3 of 23 behind the three-point line. JSU’s leading scorer was junior Maurice Rivers from Atlanta, Ga. He scored 12 points with 4 of 14 field goal shooting and 4 of 4 from the free throw line. JSU had 16 fewer rebounds grabbing just 30 compare to GSU 46 rebounds. Jackson State however did not have a bad game with keeping up with the basketball ball with just 7 turnovers compare to GSU shooting the basketball. Senior for ward Treshawn Bolden from Jackson, Miss.,
led the team in rebounds with 6 and scored 4 points in the game. Junior for ward Darius Austin from Centreville, Ill., contributed big for the team with 9 points with 3 of 8-field goals and 1 of 3 behind the arc. Junior guard Jeremiah Jefferson from Glenn Heights, Texas had a rough night with 1 of 6 shooting from behind the arc. He scored 7 points with 3 of 10 field goals with 34 minutes in the game. According to the JSU Blitz, Coach Wayne Brent spoke about the Tigers first conference lost. “We just didn’t have it tonight, you know this is the lowest we scored all year with 45 points. We just didn’t make any shots and early on we couldn’t get any stops. I think they scored 4 of the first 5 possessions. The Tigers next game will be Saturday, Jan. 27 against the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State University. MVSU is (0-20) overall this year and the last time they won a game was March 4, 2017 against Arkansas Pine Bluff. This should be a bounce back game for the Jackson State Tigers. Last year, JSU defeated MVSU 83-68 at the Lee E. Williams AAC. MVSU defeated JSU 70-67 in overtime at Itta B ena, Miss., on Feb. 25, 2017 Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m. at the Robert W. Harrison Complex in Itta B ena, Miss. You can listen to the game live on 88.5 FM and watch the game live on JSU’s Live Stream.
league baseball player is St. Louis Cardinal’s catcher Yadier Molina and his favorite baseball team is the Atlanta Braves. “I have high expectations for myself. I am a hardworking student-athlete that holds myself to high standards. I expect myself to have another successful academic and athletic year,” said Vidal. However, baseball is a game of winning and losing and it has taken him a long time to understand that he is not perfect and losing in this sport is going to happen. “Baseball is a game of failure and sometimes players get mad when they make mistakes at the college level. But I noticed that when those guys made mistakes, they stayed cool
and their teammates picked them up after they made a mistake,” said Vidal. Vidal has been attending and playing baseball at Jackson State since 2016. He always prides himself for his defensive fielding abilities and has worked hard to make sure he is prepared to handle the ball in ever y situation. “I feel pretty good about the team. We have a lot of talent, but we got a long way to go and a lot of stuff to work on,” said Vidal. Vidal does visualization before each game and he likes to pay close attention to the other catchers on the professional level. He pays attention to the pitches that called, faming techniques, and blocking techniques. When it comes to support, Vidal feels that
his teammates this year are ver y close and they know each other ver y well, which allows them to be able to support each other in any situation, good or bad, on or off the field. According to Vidal, baseball has definitely prepared him for life. It has taught him how to work hard, how to make connections, how to work together with others, and to know that loving what you do is the most important thing when it comes to choosing a career. This season, the baseball team will open their season against The Privateers of New Orleans on Feb. 20, 2018. They all want the same thing, a SWAC Championship and they are willing to work to achieve that goal.
Photo: JSU Athletics Media JSU Lady Tiger takes shot at free throw line.
scoring half of her points in the fourth to hold off Grambling. Morgan Beard Sports Editor The Jackson State University men’s basketball team took their first Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) lost to the Grambling State University. The final score of the game was 72-45. JSU was without senior guard Paris Collins who was is injured. This game was the lowest points the JSU Tigers have scored since the 76-45 loss to Mar yland of the Big
Stephen Vidal Hometown: Curacao Major: Business Administration Classification: Senior Sports: Baseball Position: Catcher Number: 25 Morgan Beard Sports Editor Stephen Vidal is multitalented on the baseball diamond, playing catcher for the Jackson State University Tigers baseball team and the national team of Curacao in the Dominican Republic. Vidal, a senior, will be receiving his Bachelor of Business Administration degree on April 28, 2018. According to Vidal,
he came to Jackson State after graduating from his junior college in Missouri. He is also the first player from his hometown to play division college baseball. In 2017, he won defensive player of the year. “I chose to attend Jackson State University because it seemed like a good school to me where I could pursue an education and continue playing baseball at a high level,” said Vidal. Vidal’s favorite major