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Vol. 75 / No. 22
JSU Events....................... 2 Opinion............................ 3
News................................. 4
Variety.............................. 5 Internation Week............. 6
Yes, We’re Social Jackson State Flash @the_jsuflash JacksonState-Flash @thejsuflash
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Lynching discussed during lecture series William Kelly Photographer/Writer
Deborah H. Barnes, Associate Professor of English at Jackson State University, hosted: “ The Noose and Pyre: Lynching and Racial Violence as Social Control,” on March 17 in Ayer Hall at the Margaret Walker Center for the Study of the African-American Experience. Lynching is a form of public humiliation in which a person is hung by the neck with rope until dead, usually from a massive tree. This concept was used by white supremacists to exert dominance and discipline through fear. “ There’s really nothing more to say except why? But since why is difficult to handle, one must take refuge in how,” said Barnes as she quoted a line from a Tony Morrison novel. “ Today I want us to talk about how lynching was able to proliferate in the way that it did. Most people would say for fifty-one years when in fact it was much much longer.”
Photo: William Kelly Professor Kathi Griffin holds actual leg chains used during slavery at “Noose and Pyre” lecture series presentation.
Barnes added: “ The statistic is that two to three people were lynched ever y week for fifty-one years. That means that so many people were lynched that people stopped thinking about it. Think about how
Orionna Brumfield MC301 Contributor/Staff
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FLASH FACT
SAE is the only social fraternity established in the Antebellum South still in existence
so many people are shot, if there is not a ground swell of resistance then you say ‘Lord they done shot another one’ and you go on. It got to the point that people didn’t even pay attention to it because it had just become understood
as part of what the culture is.” Barnes continued to explain how lynching was a social control that made it manageable for people to
Lynching Cont. on pg. 7
JSU students react to Sigma Alpha Epsilon video
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March 19, 2015
www.thejsuflash.com
INSIDE
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Google Image University of Oklahoma students march to the fraternity house of Sigma Alpha Epsilon
The University of Oklahoma suspended two Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity members, closed their fraternity house and severed ties with the organization after a racist video surfaced in early March. The video showing the fraternity members chanting “there would never be a ‘nigger’ in SAE” and also referencing hanging ‘them’ from a tree caused widespread outrage over the incident. Kendall Bunch, a member of the Delta Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
Inc. at Jackson State University was not surprised about the SAE video. “Several incidents have occurred over the past few years where racism has shown itself to be ver y much alive. This incident just further shows that though we have come far we still have a way to go,” said Bunch, a sophomore accounting major from Olive Branch, Miss. This was not the first racist video linked to the University of Oklahoma SAE chapter. Another video was posted in 2013 on Vine, a social media video sharing site, showing the fraternity’s 79 year-old house mother
SAE, Cont. on pg. 7
Tiger Events
Page 2 - March 19, 2015
JSU Campus Briefs
The Blue & White Flash Jackson State University
P.O. Box 18449 Jackson, Mississippi 39217 Phone: 601.979.2167 / Fax: 601.979.2876 E-Mail: theflash@jsums.edu
Awards & Honors The Blue & White Flash has received numerous awards and honors from the Mississippi Press Association, Black College Communications Association and the Southern Regional Press Institute. The Flash proudly hosted the 2003 and 2010 HBCU Newspaper Conference and Job Fair at Jackson State University.
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Subscription rates for The Blue & White Flash are 25 issues for $25 or the special alumni rate of 25 issues for $20. To subscribe to the Official Student Newspaper of Jackson State University, submit your name, address, city, state, and zip code. Make a check or money order payable to The Blue & White Flash and mail to address above.
The Blue & White Flash SHANNON D. TATUM Publications Manager
KIERRA D. THOMAS Graphic Designer
MARK BRABOY Associate Editor
GUY KING News Editor
WILLIAM KELLY Photographer/Student Designer
Jeremy Anderson Orionna Brumfield Dejha Carlisle Christoper Chapman Dwayne Joseph Jr. Kenya Johnson Octavis Lawson
Elissa McCool Dominique McCraney Ashton Nash Alexis Neely Brittney Snell Reese Tornes Da’Niecia Washington
Letters To The Editor
Letters to the editor are welcome. Editors reserve the right to print or reject for publication any letters received. Letters must include the author’s name(s), address, and phone number; phone number will not be published. All letters are subject to editing for space and libel consideration. Materials must be submitted by Monday at 5 p.m. for publication on Thursday.
Editorial Staff
The Blue & White Flash is open to contributions from all Jackson State University students. We encourage all students, regardless of major and/or classification, to participate in the production of their newspaper. For information concerning your contribution to “The Official Student Newspaper of Jackson State University,” call 601-979-2167 or visit room 211 in the Blackburn Language Arts Building.
Publication/Distribution Information The Blue & White Flash is a weekly newspaper written and edited by the students with the counsel of the adviser. Editorials and letters to the editor represent the views of the writer(s). Views expressed within do not necessarily represent the opinions of the faculty/staff, the administration, the student body, or the Board of Trustees. The editors determine the time of the publication and the ethical qualities of all articles. Articles and other materials in The Flash cannot be republished without the expressed written permissions of the editor, adviser and the Student Publications Board at Jackson State University. The Flash is published during the fall and spring semesters, but not during university-recognized holidays, mid-semester and final examinations. The Flash is distributed at various locations around the Jackson State University campus, free of charge to students, staff and faculty. Additional copies may be obtained from the Office of Student Publications.
The Blue & White Flash
VERSHAWN ASHANTI YOUNG PERFORMS Vershawn Ashanti Young (aka Dr. Vay) will be performing “Your Average Nigga” Monday, March 23. At 4pm in the F.D. Hall of Music Recital Hall. His lecture “The Problem with Grammar “ will take place Tuesday, March 24, at 10am in the Dollye M.E Robinson Building in Room 166/266. For more info contact the Richard Wright Center for Writing, Rhetoric, and Research at 601-979-0989. WELCOME CENTER SEMINAR FEATURES JSU AND JACKSON ZOO PARTNERSHIP Tuesday, March 31, from noon until 1 p.m., the Welcome Center will host a seminar featuring speakers from the Jackson Zoo and JSU. The topics for discussion will include the Jackson State Tiger Exhibit Partnership and “JSU Day at the Zoo.” The community is invited to attend and and refreshments will be served. Come and learn about special rates for membership to students, alumni, and friends. We
will have fun door prizes! RSVP today at 601-979-0883. PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT SEMINAR This event will be held at the following time, date, and location: Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 8am to Thursday, March 26,2015 at 4:30 pm @ Mississippi e-Center Convention Hall, 1230 Raymond Road Jackson, Miss. 4TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY NIGHT OUT The JSU History & Philosopy, Music, Art, Speech Communications & Theatre and MADDRAMA presents Community Night out on March 27, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. It will take place at the New Dimesions International Fellowship Ministries. The address is 110 Alta Woods Blvd. in Jackson, Miss. This event features Joseph M. Banks, S.W.A.G.G., JSU Chorale and The Piney Wood School Cotton Blosson Singers. For more information, contact College Liberal Arts at 601-979-7036.
JSU STUDENTS CAN ‘RETOOL YOUR SCHOOL’ BY VOTING ON HOME DEPOT GRANT Home Depot is inviting online voting by Jackson State University students in its Retool Your School program. According to Arron Richardson, coordinator of Intramural Programming and Special Events, students now through April 20 can go to www.retoolyourschool.com to have the opportunity to vote for JSU to receive Home Depot grant funds.
Page 3 - March 19, 2015
The Blue & White Flash
Opinion
“Do you feel the fraternity members from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter at the University of Oklahoma received the proper punishment?”
Compiled by Daniecia Washington and Reese Tornes
Janesia Ross Sophomore Elementary Education Canton, Miss.
“Yes, I feel like they deserved to get the punishment they got.”
Samantha Hurst Sophomore Education New Orleans, La.
“Yes, I feel that the right punishment was given.”
Javancy Jones Sophomore Education Noxubee, Miss.
“No, I don’t think it’s fair because multiple sororities/ fraternities do things we find inadequate and nothing happens to them.” Cartoon: Reese Tornes
University of Oklahoma SAE chapter exposed COMMENTARY Ruquayya Calmes Sophomore Marketing Little Rock, Ark.
“I do believe they received the right punishment. They have been doing this for a while, and justice was finally served.”
Jerrica Johnson Sophomore BusinessAdministration Byram, Miss. “Justice was served!”
properly
James Sheriff Sophomore Biology Jackson, Miss.
“I feel that the fraternity of SAE did not receive the right punishment, because racism should not be tolerated period.” Guy King News Editor
Isaiah Washington Freshman Biology Jackson, Miss.
“I feel that though what they said was completely offensive, they received the proper punishment.”
Kaitlin Hewitt Freshman Chemistry Jackson, Miss. “I do believe that SAE received the proper punishment for their actions. Words can still hurt someone, and me being AfricanAmerican, I was personally hurt.”
Laporshan Corely Junior Mass Communications Jackson, Miss.
“I feel the whole chapter of that organization should have been suspended.”
Jordan Payne Junior Biology/Pre-med Memphis, Tenn.
“I believe Ohio did not handle the situation correctly being that they did not announce the names of the men but are rapid to announce the names of ANY African-Americans committing crimes.”
Christopher Chapman Junior Mass Communications Chicago, Ill.
“I believe everyone should have been expelled and the chapter shouldn’t be there anymore.”
Michael Moore Sophomore Marine Biology Milwaukee, Wisc.
“I feel that it was partially justified but not to the fullest extent.”
“There will never be a nigger in SAE; there will never be a nigger in SAE. You can hang em’ from a tree, but he will never sign with me. There will never be a nigger in SAE.” This controversial chant was heard last week in a video released on the Twitter account of University of Oklahoma’s black student alliance organization, Unheard. The video was of the university’s chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a white fraternity, singing the racist chant. After the video went viral, David Boren, Oklahoma University President, David Boren, suspended the chapter from the campus and removed its letters from the house. When I saw the video and Anderson Cooper’s report on it, I was not shocked. If anything I was rather amused, because this has been going on secretly for decades. I found it ironic that they actually exposed themselves on camera. Is this behavior so prevalent that they
did not have any qualms about getting on video? According to a CNN video, the correspondent asked the university’s last black SAE member, William Bruce James II, about a 2013 video of the house mother Beauton Gilbow saying the N-word seven times in a row to Trinidad James’s song “All Gold Everything.” James felt that the N-word should not have been used in any context but did say that the house mother does not have issues against black people, because she loved him and his family. I feel that William James should not be judged for defending his fraternity and Gilbow. What I have an issue with is that once again, why was there a video of her even saying the N-word? The predominately white fraternity exposed themselves and their racist views to the world. I feel that discriminatory chants are prevalent in other fraternities as well. After all, blacks had to create their own Greek organizations because they were not accepted in others. Perrymon Wright, a second year member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., felt that the racial chant was a total disgrace to the AfricanAmerican culture and a misrepresentation of what a fraternity stands for. The university expelled two of the members of the chapter from the school, but is that enough? Since the incident, the media has been using this story to bring up relevant
questions. On March 17, CNN held a panel discussion with Trinidad James, two correspondents, and CNN commentator Marc Lamont Hill to address if the N-word should be used today. The discussion got heated among the panel members when a white panelist said that the N-word should be illegal to say for everyone. Hill came back and stated that he could use the word N-word among people that are the same color as him. He felt that we as black people have something in common, because we are always discriminated against. He also felt that white people should not feel comfortable saying the word because it came from white supremacy. Black people will always get worked-up over white people saying the N-word, and they should. The question is when will black people take a stand and say enough is enough? When will we fight to end discrimination and the disrespect from white people? In his recent speech at the Selma March commemoration, President Barack Obama protesting worked in the past; it is time to fight to get results for the present and future. The past seems to be repeating itself. When will you join the fight against racism?
The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.
News
Page 4 - March 19, 2015
The Blue & White Flash
JSU students attend Bloody Sunday commemoration Jeremy Anderson MC301 Contributor/Staff
Approximately 25 Jackson State University and Tougaloo College pre-law and NAACP members travelled to Selma, Ala. to commemorate one of the most infamous Civil Rights demonstrations in American History. March 7th, 1965 marked the date of what is remembered as “Bloody Sunday,” when hundreds of peaceful protestors attempting to march from Selma, Ala., to Montgomery, Ala., to highlight the inequalities in voting rights in Alabama, the South, and the United States of America, were met with a level of violence that shocked the world. Before they could get out of Selma, the protestors were attacked on the Edmund Pettus Bridge with tear gas, dogs and billy clubs wielded by Alabama state law enforcement officers and others that once publicized, was instrumental in swaying the public to support the cause of the protesters. One of those protestors was Senator John Lewis. Lewis, who was in his twenties at the time of the march, suffered a skull fracture during the melee.
Provided by: Jeremy Anderson JSU students at Selma 50.
Exactly fifty years after what he thought was the day that he would die, Sen. Lewis stood behind a podium and delivered a speech that commemorated the courage and bravery of the protestors on the same bridge that he and many were brutalized. The speech on March 7, 2015, was heard by adults and children of all colors and backgrounds who traveled from across the world to celebrate the progress made since that fateful day.
Natalie Nicholson, a Memphis native and Vice President of the Jackson State University NAACP, was one of the attendees. “I would have to say the atmosphere in Selma, Ala. was refreshing. I myself feel like sometimes black people have given up on the movement, believing that it’s no longer necessary. Unfortunately it’s very relevant at a time where black mothers are losing their sons to police brutality and states are now saying you must
bring ID with you in order to vote.” President Barack Obama headlined the event, giving a memorable speech that praised the efforts of American citizens to create a nation where such racial progress is possible. Yet, the president did not shy away from recognizing the apparent problems with race relations that are still prevalent today, mentioning events in Ferguson and modern-day voter discrimination. “If we want to honor the
courage of those who marched that day, then all of us are called to possess their moral imagination. All of us will need to feel, as they did, the fierce urgency of now. All of us need to recognize, as they did, that change depends on our actions, our attitudes, the things we teach our children. And if we make such effort, no matter how hard it may seem, laws can be passed, and consciences can be stirred, and consensus can be built,” said President Obama. The speech served to accent the overwhelming sense of pride and spirit that filled downtown Selma. “This was a very memorable experience being in the presence of both John Lewis and Barack Obama. That was a breath-taking moment. I learned that the work of the African-American community is not over and it’s up to us to continue,” said Jordan Hughes, a junior political science major who attends Tougaloo College. Thousands of people, including the JSU and Tougaloo college students, left Selma with a sense of urgency to continue making a difference in the American community.
Part 2: African American voting rights 50 years later Part 2: Voting Rights 50 years later - As America remembers the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. that helped secure the passage of the Voting Rights Act, students and citizens in this series of stories on voting, discuss if recent challenges and legislations are making it more difficult for some demographics to vote 50 years after the historic legislation.
Mark Braboy Associate Editor Voter ID legislations across the country have many students at Jackson State University discussing if attempts are being made to suppress the AfricanAmerican vote. “I feel like the voter ID laws that are now being passed in Mississippi are put in place for African-Americans. It reminds us of what we have to overcome and its voter suppression all over again,” said Jasmine McCloud, a senior mass communications major from Flowood, Miss. Elizabeth Lewis, a senior English major from Newton, Miss. said, “I feel it is making it difficult. No one should have to go through that process if you are a citizen and old enough. In Mississippi, there is a wide array of identifications that can be used as ID to vote, such as government issued IDs, social security cards, gun licenses, expired IDs that are no more
than 10 years old, and college issued IDs. In places like Tennessee, voters must show a government issued license only, unless they are voting on an absentee ballot, hospitalized, or have religious restrictions. Reverend A. Faye London, a grassroots organizer and reproductive rights advocate from Memphis, Tenn., believes that the motivation for the voter ID laws is to exclude the people who are less likely to vote conservative. “We have a largely conservatively controlled federal government and in a whole lot of states we have a fight on our hands or conservative control where they have already started redrawing districts to make certain that voting patterns will be such that they will always be the majority in every district,” said London. However, some believe that the legislations do not make it difficult to vote. “I don’t think it is. Typically you would need ID for other things, so this is no different to me,” said
Dynasti Dixon, a freshman biology major from Jackson, Miss. Brandalyn Green, a freshman elementary education major from Jackson, Miss. agrees. “Everyone should at least have some form of identification whether elderly or adolescent. If the person wants their vote to be counted, they should have to follow the rules. It’s not that hard to get the proper identification to vote,” said Green. Diante Rogers believes using ID’s will limit voter fraud. “I feel as if it’s more of a hassle, but at the same time, it’s very protective. The government needs to know who is voting so there’s no fraud involved,” said Rogers, a sophomore biology major from Manhattan, N.Y. Many different organizations across the country are demanding legislations to fully restore the Voting Rights Act. Tyson Jackson, Lead Organizer for Mississippi Alliance of State Employees (M.A.S.E) believes that action is important
Google Image Obama family join hands as they begin the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
in the midst of this “all out war.” “When we get to a point where we actually are getting people in office that think like us, not only look like us, but think like us, when they get into office and be able to think like the people, then we’ll start to change something,”
said Jackson. Voter ID cards can be obtained at any Circuit Clerk’s office in Mississippi and mailed to your location. If you are a registered voter, go to http:// www.msvoterid.ms.gov for more information.
The Blue & White Flash
Variety
Page 5 - March 19, 2015
Top 10 memberable moments on the epic show Empire 3. Cookie and Portia evict Boo-boo Kitty After Cookie and her assistant find out that Anika is in cohoots with Lucious’ arch enemy Baretti, they arrive to throw Anika out of the empire. 4. Jamal Comes Out Jamal used Lucious’ song to come out at the Empire party after being told by his father to let his music tell his truth.
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Ashton Nash and Dwayne Joseph Jr. Staff Writers “Take these Cookies!” Many fans remember this line from Taraji P. Henson’s character, Cookie Lyon and many more from the hit new series, “Empire”. The series, created by Lee Daniels, has had the audience stoked, breathless, and on the edge of their seats waiting to see what is going to happen next.
“Empire” has pulled in viewers by the millions. According Nielsen ratings, 11.07 million viewers in the 18-49 age group, have been captivated by the hit show. Students on the campus of Jackson State University are no exception and are tuning in every Wednesday to see what the Lyon family has in store. Here are the top ten OMG moments on “Empire”, according to JSU students we interviewed.
5. The showdown for Lola Jamal’s ex wife’s and boyfriend Reggie show up to claim Lola but Jamal isn’t having it. Reggie tries to shoot Jamal but the story takes an unexpected turn when Lucious reveals that he’s the real father of Lola. Malcolm saves the day by shooting Reggie in the head.
1. Take These Cookies Who can forget Cookie’s 6. Lucious kills Bunkie plea to Malcolm, the head of Lucious and Bunkie Empire security, to “take these cookies” after he saves her from (Cookie’s cousin) had been best friends since they were a would be purse snatcher. teenagers but Bunkie’s attempt to blackmail Lucious leads to 2. Anika betrays Lucious Anika pays Lucious back him being shot in the head. for his infidelity by going to 7. Andre’s Bipolar disorder Lucious rival, Billy Baretti and Flashback’s are a reoccurring becomes the A&R executive theme on this show and it for Baretti’s company. Baretti takes viewers back to when continues his efforts to ruin Andre was first diagnosed Lucious IPO. with Bipolar disorder while in
college. Lucious was in denial about his son’s illness until his son’s behavior begins to affecting Empire. 8. Lucious throws young Jamal in the trash A flashback of Lucious throwing Jamal in the trash when he comes down the stairs in women’s clothing was one of the most memorable scenes this season. This scene sets the tone for Jamal and Lucious’ relationship. 9. Cookie and Anika and Lucious’ Love Triangle As things turn sour between Lucious and Anika, things begin to heat up between the former couples and leads to a weekend tryst that is discovered by Anika. 10. Lucious forces/pays Camilla to leave town Camilla’s influence doesn’t sit well with Cookie or Lucious and he gives her a big check and tells her to leave the country and Hakeem alone. She makes an even bolder move by ripping up the check and proceeds to tell Lucious that after he dies, she’ll be back. Fear not Empire fanatics, according to EOnline, “Empire” has been renewed for a new season.
Kendrick Lamar pimps out expectations with “TPAB” Mark Braboy Associate Editor
Every generation always has that one album that defines an era. In an age of fragile race relations and the constant turmoil people of all cultures face today, Kendrick Lamar’s new album “To Pimp a Butterfly” is the perfect soundtrack to this turmoil. In 2012, when the Grammy Award winning hip-hop artist released his Grammy nominated and critically acclaimed album, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City”, fans have been impatiently awaiting his follow up. So on March 16, when the album unexpectedly popped up online a week earlier than originally planned, it practically set the Internet on fire. While this perhaps may have been the most anticipated album in hiphop since Dr. Dre’s “Detox”, everyone wants to know whether it was worth the wait. From “Section .80” up to now, all of his albums sound
very different from each other. The only thing similar are the usual themes of the world around him at the moment. With that said, this album is NOT “GKMC”! If anything, the themes of this album are a mix between the third person view of the world around him on his first album and a first person view of his personal life. The released songs “The Blacker the Berry” and the Grammy Award winning single “I”, are only a small taste of the depth that Lamar displays on this album. He dives deep into topics like the street politics of the inner city (“Hood Politics”), the low points of his life, (“U”), and self value “For Free?” The track, “King Kunta” is another standout song as it feels like a somewhat mellowed extension of his verse on Big Sean’s “Control”. The musical landscape of the album immediately brought the Harlem Renaissance in mind due to its obvious jazz and spoken
word influences. A lot of the instrumentation appears to be live and it fits perfectly with the lush and diverse production. Lamar raps over a consistent sound that’s also inspired by classic blues, soul, funk, and west coast G-Funk. The guest appearances are well executed on the album, featuring artists like Snoop Dogg, Anna Wise, SZA, and George Clinton among many others. “To Pimp a Butterfly” is perhaps one of the most important hip-hop albums not just in 2015 but of this generation due to its relevant subject matter, superior lyrics, and well crafted soundscape. If “GKMC” set the standard of what a modern day classic is supposed to be, then Lamar has truly raised the bar to legendary heights. The physical copy of the album will be released on March 23. “To Pimp a Butterfly” can be found on iTunes and all music streaming services.
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News
Page 6 - March 19, 2015
The Blue & White Flash
JSU’s 25th annual International Week starts Monday Special to the Flash
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Jackson State University’s International Week and the International Programs Office is pulling out all the stops to make this a memorable event. This year’s theme, “JSU Global — Leading, Building, Embracing,” captures the essence of how Jackson State is leading the charge of global inclusion, according to Shirley Harrison, the office’s interim director. To start, on Monday, the opening ceremony on the plaza will include fresh sushi made on the spot. This year’s movie, The Good Lie, will be shown Tuesday on the plaza, along with serving fresh-popped popcorn and soft drinks. The week’s annual Bazaar on Wednesday will include displays from international students, a fashion show and a parade of flags. (Any student organizations interested in setting up a vendor space can contact Kathy Sims 601-9793794.) The ice cream social will be a great opportunity to learn more about study abroad opportunities. And students are invited to play soccer at an international field event. An International Night of
Dance will highlight Thursday night, and Friday night’s International Scholarship and Awards Banquet is the culminating event of International Week. The guest speaker is Wilbur Colom. A lawyer, businessman and philanthropist, Colom has received awards and citations from the American Association for Justice, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the Magnolia Bar Association, the Mississippi Black Legislative Caucus, Jackson State University and Oakwood College, among many others. His Colom Foundation has been instrumental, through the Washington D.C. based FirstBook program, in giving more than 375,000 books to disadvantaged children throughout the southeastern United States. With author John Grisham, he provided the initial funding for the Mississippi Innocence Project, a firm that specializes in helping wrongfully convicted prison inmates. In his political activities, Colom was a member of President Ronald Reagan’s Transition Team and served on the Judicial Selection Committee for former Mississippi Gov. Haley
Barbour. At the annual banquet, attended by dignitaries, renowned scholars and global leaders, scholarships and awards are presented to students and those who have contributed to the internationalization of JSU and made significant contributions in international affairs. Among the awards presented are the JSU Ralph Johnson Bunche Award, the Dag Hammarskjold Security and Peace Award, the International Pacesetter Awards, the Colin Powell Globalization Award, and the Chairman’s Service Award. Also, during international week, the International Programs Office will officially be renamed JSU Global. International Week is held annually to promote global awareness of the world’s many cultures through educational and entertaining activities. JSU’s International Programs Office operates the only international visitor’s center in Mississippi with the International Visitor’s Center of Jackson, and offers English as a Second Language courses, translation services and study abroad opportunities for students. JSU’s Passport to the World
international study program for students was recently lauded by national, state and local leaders as a model not only for Mississippi but for the world. Jackson State currently
has 315 international students enrolled with 60 different countries represented. For more information, see www.jsums.edu/global or contact Harrison at 601-979-1611.
Youngest Papa John’s Jackson State University Lifelong Learning franchisee a JSU graduate student featured in Jackson art exhibit
JSU Newsroom Andrell Harris, a 2008 graduate of Jackson State University, is the youngest Papa John’s franchisee. Owning his own store in Natchez, Harris credits JSU for his drive and determination that has allowed him to reach his dreams — while also making a positive impression about his alma mater. “I went to Louisville, Ky., and
talked to the CFO of Papa Johns International, Inc., and I told him that I am a Jackson State graduate. And now, in his mind, Jackson State is a great school, because the youngest owner in the history of the company graduated from there,” Harris said. Reaching his dream of entrepreneurship still seems like a dream, he adds. “Sometimes I still can’t believe I was able to do this at such an early age. I just turned 29 years old. I looked at my payroll my first week and it was just an honor to hand a 20-year-old his first check and tell him that he can accomplish the same thing I have.” Harris was featured on WJSUTV’s #MetroMorningLive on Comcast Channel 14. “I think it’s important for the youth to know that they can do anything they put their minds to…. The sky’s the limit,” Harris said.
JSU Newsroom
Shelia Granger-Malone, a Lifelong Learning student at Jackson State University, is showing her art work at the Mississippi Arts Center. The exhibit that runs through April 30 at the Center, 201 E. Pascagoula St. in downtown Jackson, is titled “Pages from Diaries,” and includes mosaics, mixed media, and drawings. It is presented by the Greater Jackson Arts Council. Malone said that she has been sketch artist and portrait painter since childhood. She attended Jackson State University and studied art in 1986, she said, but a military career and family duties prevented her graduation. Malone, 47, said that she finally realized a couple
JSU Newsroom
of years ago that she had “unfinished business” and started back in the Lifelong Learning school. She will graduate in May, she said. But, she added: “I plan to be around for a while!” She is applying for the masters program in public policy. The School of Lifelong
Learning in the College of Education and Human Development is dedicated to providing quality education to adults. Located in the E.E. Thrash Universities Center, 3825 Ridgewood Road in Jackson, the school has classroom facilities for both graduate and undergraduate students.
SAE
Cont. from pg.1 have their way and how lynching was not only related to AfricanAmericans but also other ethnicities. “Most people think of lynching as the illegal murder of black men and women, mostly in the south, when in fact people were lynched in ever y state of the union except three,” said Barnes. “I found a news article that said 12 Chinese people were lynched at one time in a city in Idaho.” Barnes stated that she searched for those Chinese victims for ten years and only recently found the information about two weeks ago. She also stated that according to the novel, “Driven Out,” Chinese people were lynched and purged and murdered wholesale by the thousands in this country but we never hear about it because it is constructed as a “black thing.” Many people present at the lecture were shocked to learn the
deeper truth behind lynching, particularly students. “I feel as if this presentation was ver y beneficial because if I would’ve never came here I would’ve never known that not only blacks were lynched, but also Chinese, Mexicans, and many more,” said Felecia Dennis, a junior criminal justice major from Memphis Tenn. “I learned that we as the 21st Centur y became so blinded by the trend to get hip to the new life that we forgot that the 19th Centur y got us here.” The series will continue with: “ The Furrow of His Brow : The Lost Histor y of Black Lynch Mobs” at 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 24, at the Fannie Lou Hamer Institute@ COFO at Jackson State University ; and “Written in Blood: Discourses in Lynching,” at 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 31 at Galler y1 at Jackson State University. The lectures are free and open to the public.
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Lynching
At Jackson State, there are organizations such as the NAACP Cont. from pg.1 who strive to promote causes and laughing as she used racial slurs programs for not only blacks, but all students at JSU. while singing along to a rap song. “Being at a university that Jordan Darensbourg, a junior meteorology major from Smyrna, is open to diversity, we tr y our Ga. said, “I want to applaud the best to make sure that ever yone (University of Oklahoma) President understands that our world is now Boren in his decision to expel the becoming a melting pie of different students because he is a great man nationalities. It’s time for us to expressing his anger for the lack of have a common ground,” said Robin diversity. President Boren said in Jackson, a junior political science his statement that they will not be major from Jackson, Miss. and Miss NAACP. back as long as he’s president.” Shadai Hailey, a member of Sigma For many students, the video was another example of how racism is Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. at JSU believes there should some type of still ver y much alive. “I still see racism today as blacks forum required Greek organizations and whites still don’t speak to each because their actions can affect the university in a negative way. other,” said Destiney Lawrence, a “Greek fraternities and other sophomore biology/pre-med major organizations are based upon from Fair Hope, Ala. and brotherhood, Lawrence believes that there sisterhood should be no division among the bonding, and helping out the different ethnic backgrounds here community. You can’t help out the community if you don’t respect at the university. “I feel like the fight (racisms) is all the members apart of it,” said already won, and they don’t even Hailey, a senior English education know it. Blacks and whites are major from Detroit, Mich. According to SAE’s website, the equal, and they haven’t established or understood that yet,” said organization has approximately 15,000 members and 219 chapters Lawrence. nationwide. Founded at the I want to applaud the (University of University of Oklahoma) President Boren in his decision to Alabama in 1856, expel the students because he is a great man SAE is the only fraternity expressing his anger for the lack of diversity. social established in the - Jordan Darensbourg Antebellum South still in existence.
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