The Signal Vol. 89 No. 21 by The Signal

FEB. 24, 2015 - MARCH 2, 2015

VOL. 82 | NO. 21

the

Porsch Force

Weight thrower and shot putter LaPorscha Wells continues to set new records again and again. Get to know more about Georgia State’s sophomore track & field star. PAGE 17 | Sports

PHOTO BY RALPH HERNANDEZ | THE SIGNAL

Inside like us! facebook.com/gsusignal

expanding our roads Dreams and empires shop til you drop

Living the dream

Gov. Deal plans to construct over $1 billion worth of new interstate improvements on I-285/GA-400 interchange.

Our European ancestors weren’t the only ones ruling empires. Here’s why we must learn about African history.

“Little Shop of Horrors” brings its scintillating performance to the stages of Atlanta. Read about the show’s masterminds.

Men’s basketball coach Ron Hunter speaks on the importance of celebrating Black History Month.

News | Page 5

Opinions| Page 7

A&L | pages 10 - 11

Sports | page 18

DAILY NEWS AT WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

News 2

Opinions 7

Arts & Living 9

Sports 17

NEWS

blotter

A non-Georgia State affiliate was issued a criminal trespass warning and escorted off the property. He said he was in the building because he was cold.

15 Feb. 18 1. Feb. What do you mean it’s 4. It’ll be worth millions not prescription? after he dies

University Commons

A bag of marijuana and blue pills were found in a student’s dorm room by a Georgia State staff member. A report for illegal drugs was filed and the information has been turned over to Investigations and the Dean of Students.

16 Can you hear me 2. Feb. now? Good. Can you hear me now? Good.

Aderhold Learning Center

A student purchased a cell phone from an unknown individual., and the cell phone was found to have an insurance claim made on it. A report for theft by deception was filed and the case has been handed over to Investigations.

Feb. 17 That is actually a

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015

really good reason

Andrew Young School of Policy

Langdale Hall

A student filed a report for theft after his art portfolio was stolen. The case has been turned over to Investigations.

Feb. 19

I thought you said your parents weren’t home Univeristy Lofts

A female was issued a criminal trespass warning and removed from the residence of a student in the dorm.

We’re all thinking it’s porn G Parking Deck

A non-GSU related individual was issued a criminal trespass warning for attempting to record an unauthorized video. A criminal history check revealed two active warrants and resulted in the individual’s arrest. The person has been processed and transported to Fulton County Jail to away arresting agencies.

CTW Theft Possession

Photo of the week PHOTO BY RALPH HERNANDEZ | THE SIGNAL Atlanta hip-hop collective, Two-9, brought out a young energetic crowd this past weekend at the Masquerade hosted by Red Bull Sound Select.

THE SIGNAL

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NEWS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/news

SPEAKING OUT

Lack of funding is hindering sponsored events, according to Georgia State’s Black Student Alliance PHOTO BY NADIA DELJOU | THE SIGNAL The Black Student Alliance at Georgia State gathers to actively engage students in the art of spoken word as a means of revamping black culture.

LAUREN BOOKER Associate News Editor

mber Nechole Hart leads one of Georgia State’s many multicultural organizations as president of the Black Student Alliance (BSA). She said the lack of funding for these organizations is hindering them from engaging with students through their events. “I just feel like Georgia State needs to do more especially with multicultural orgs [organizations],” she said. “If you are going to say diversity all the time [and] if you are going to paint Georgia State as this diverse institution that you are graduating all of the different races at the same rate, then you need to go seek out those organizations who are trying to be the voice for those orgs and actually give them money to do things.” After joining BSA Georgia State in September, Hart said she noticed how the organization received $1,700 of funding for 2014-2015 fiscal year. She said the club can’t do much with that amount of funding. “As one club, I would have to collaborate with six other people to get this one speaker,” she said. BSA Georgia State hopes to bring Bill Duke, the filmmaker of ‘Dark Girls,’ to the university, but it would cost $5,000, according to Hart. The organization also wants to visit Malcolm X’s exhibit, which has a $10,000 price tag. “We’d love to be the organization to give Georgia State this event, but if we don’t have the money then what can we do but probably pass it up to

Spotlight or Campus Events or try to get it through another college,” she said.

Funding organizations are seeking

Multicultural organizations should receive at least $10,000 a fiscal year to achieve their goals, according to Hart. “A speaker can be $1,500. So if you have two speakers, that is a big chunk of your thing already,” she said. “I think that’s a better gauge to see ‘OK. You got 10K this year. Now what did you do with your 10K?” She also said for the next fiscal year, BSA Georgia State applied for approximately $6,000. “We’re just like even though this is high, we would rather get cut down from a high number than cut down from an even lower number,” Hart said. The diversity fee committee is a part of the Student Allocation Funds committee and funds organizations within the diversity and multicultural context, according Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Darryl Holloman. “So the diversity fee committee has money allocated to it and those groups would apply for funding through the diversity fee committee versus the general fee committee,” he said. Director for Student Affairs Administration Shantavia Reid-Stroud also said diversity fee committee received $96,050 in funding this fiscal year. Organizations must update the committee on how money was used in the previous year and give them a proposal to receive funding, according to

Holloman. The amount of money organizations receive is not automatic. “It’s all based upon the proposal and how strong the proposal is. [It is also] how individual groups have been working stewards with their money,” he said. “Students and the committees really work to make a determination on how best to allocate the funding for each year.”

Why BSA is advocating for more funding

Hart said Georgia State should reinvest in multicultural organizations to maximize student involvement. “You can have an event and have six people come but you have a 30,000 student campus,” she said. “What can we do if we don’t have any money to do anything? So I feel like Georgia State needs to redirect and put money and effort into this because really we are like invisible organizations who can set up a table in plaza and get walked pass unless someone actually cares.” Hart also said she wants communication to be improved between Spotlight Programs Board, Campus Events and smaller organizations. “I feel like Georgia State needs either to make us more collaborative with Spotlight and Campus Events, the people who do have the money to make these events, or they need to funnel that money to us,” she said. Spotlight Programs and Campus Events are funded by Campus Programing Committee, which is separate from the Student Activity Fee allocation, according to Reid-Stroud. Holloman said organizations can get additional funding through fundraising.

Hart said her organization needs to gain more of an understanding of the fundraising process but has received vendor request forms for fundraising. “I know one thing that trips a lot of orgs [organizations] up is the paperwork that happens,” she said. “Georgia State [and] SGA wide should look into helping smaller ones [organizations] throughout.” Another difficulty BSA Georgia State has faced is the limited space for on campus room reservation, according to Hart. “I feel like when we tried to do BSA week, we had these four reservation forms and were ready to turn them in and excited to start our week,” she said. “Then all of them got shot down for the fact that the School of Music has every room in the University Center and Student Center booked.”

Comparing funding across campuses

After talking to representatives from BSA Kennesaw State University, Hart compared their funding to BSA Georgia State’s. She said BSA Kennesaw State’s budget is significantly higher with funding in the tens of thousands. “I think it is attributed to their university actually saying ‘As this black student alliance you are the voice for our black students.’ So I feel like they put more into it because they are specifically programing for the black students,” she said. BSA Kennesaw State brought Angela Davis, an American political activist and author, to their school recently with their budget, according to Hart.

“Like here with us, there is no way I could even send Angela Davis an email because we don’t have money to and sometimes we think should we just collab [collaborate] with Spotlight but I feel like once you do have to do 45 days before,” she said. “It completely takes your autonomy away. So it’s like, is it even worth it to send that in to Spotlight to get that fund to just get sort of erased in the process?” Holloman said organizations can submit an appeal if they are unhappy with their allocated funding. “They do an appeal that is reviewed by me. I would go back and reconvene the committee if it was a legitimate thing and it would appeal to the dean of students,” he said. The Signal could not reach Student Government Association (SGA) Executive Vice President (VP) Sebastian Parra and SGA VP of Public Relations Camryn Bradley for comment by press time. Other organizations such as Turkish Cultural and Student Association, African Students Association and Hong Kong Student Association were also contacted for comment but upon request could not provide comment by press time. The Signal also reached out to Director for Student Affairs Administration Shantavia Reid-Stroud for more information on funding. However, Reid-Stroud could not provide information by press time. This report will be updated online with Reid-Stroud’s information on organization funding when provided. Key search terms for more on this story: Black Student Alliance, funding, SGA, funding

NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015

University

BECKER’S JOURNEY

TO THE TOP Georgia State president will climb Washington state’s Mount Baker with students MATTHEW WOLFF Staff Reporter

his May, Georgia State President Mark Becker and 10 students will attempt to climb Mount Baker, a glaciated volcano in Washington state’s North Cascade mountain range. No course credit is being offered for making the ascent, according to Becker. “The functional objective of this trip is to introduce students to the world of glaciated mountaineering. Basic mountain skills, such as walking with crampons, traveling on a rope team and crevasse rescue will be covered,” he said. “Teamwork, planning and training will be stressed, along with the importance of self-care and personal responsibility.” Becker is sponsoring the trip with Carson Tortorige, coordinator of Georgia State’s Touch the Earth program. Touch the Earth is part of Georgia State’s Recreational Services and offers outdoor recreational activities including paddling, climbing and cycling, according to the program’s website. They also offer outdoor equipment rentals. Becker, Tortorige and three trained guides from the American Alpine Institute (AAI) will lead the ascent of Mount Baker.

Funding and Applications

Camping on snow Becker said enjoying cold weather is essential to camping on mountain snow. “In the weeks and months leading up to the Mount Baker trip Carson Tortorige and I will work with the participating students to prepare them for conditions we are likely to encounter,” he said. “It is possible that we’ll experience winter and summer within a 24 hour period, from blistering sunshine or walking in the clouds to snow and sleet that could force us to abandon our attempt at the summit of Mount Baker.”

Fire on the Mountain

More mountains to climb Becker said he has enjoyed hiking, backpacking and the mountains since

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARSON TORTORIGE | TOUCH THE EARTH Students traverse the snowy mountainside of the White Mountains in New Hampshire during Touch The Earth’s 2012 spring break adventure.

COLD WEATHER CAMPING TIPS

Wear layers of clothing

Mount Baker is categorized as an active volcano. In 1975-76, new volcanic activity began in the Sherman Crater directly south of Mount Baker, introducing magma into the volcano and creating several steam vents, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). “Although monitoring was increased as a result to the 1975-76 activity, much of it has been dismantled and monitoring at Mount Baker is now insufficient due to the threat that renewed activity would pose to nearby communities and regional infrastructure. Mount Baker is one of several Cascade volcanoes that are high priority to have their monitoring systems enhanced in the coming years,” according to the USGS website. Mount Baker last erupted 6,700 years ago.

high school, but it wasn’t until after obtaining a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Washington without summiting Mount Rainier that he vowed to one day return. “Climbing Mount Rainier became a bucket list item for me, but as the years passed many more pressing or convenient priorities took precedence. Finally, in the fall of 2012 I decided that I needed to make time in my life to train for and climb Mount Rainier,” he said. “I was not getting any younger, and climbing a mountain like Rainier is more than a day hike. Reservations were made for a guided climb with Rainier Mountaineering and I began training in earnest. My group was fortunate to experience ideal weather and climbing conditions, summiting Mount Rainier as planned shortly after daybreak on the morning of July 8, 2013.” Becker also said this year he has been ice climbing in New Hampshire and Colorado and has plans later this year to climb Oregon’s Mount Hood (11,250 feet) and to attend a two-week expedition skills seminar in Peru. The itinerary of the seminar in Peru includes climbs of Ishinca (18,143 feet), Urus (17,782 feet) and Copa (20,302 feet) in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range. There are no official plans as of yet for a mountain climbing trip sanctioned by Georgia State for 2016, but Becker said it is being discussed. “I am having conversations with friends and guides about a couple of climbs on my bucket list. The climbs of Mount Hood and in Peru will give me an idea of where best to focus my planning and training for 2016,” he said. Becker also said he hopes this year’s trip will inspire the students attending. “I hope that, at a minimum, every student will come away from this trip with the appreciation that they can attain big goals in life. Climbing mountains requires physical training, mental preparation, and the honing of specific skills,” he said.

Choose a campsite with good morning sun

The cost to the trip is expected to be funded by Touch the Earth scholarships and donations made through Impact Georgia State, the same crowdfunding program that paid for the university’s marching band to play in 2014’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Tortorige said Touch the Earth received approximately 55 applications from students wanting to climb Mount Baker with Becker. Only 10 candidates will receive official invitations. Before the journey students will

be required to attend four local hiking training sessions, according to the program description. Students will be expected to carry equipment, camp on snow and climb up to 5,000 feet in a single day.

Build your fire before setting up your campsite *Tips collected from Popular Mechanics.

4| 5|

Mountain not climbed by Becker To be attempted

29,029 feet

Sleep in your clothes

Color Key:

BECKER CAN DO BETTER MOUNT EVEREST, Nepal

Hydration is important even in cold weather

Mountain climbed by Becker

K2, Pakistan & China 28,251 feet

MOUNT COPA, Peru 20, 302 feet

MOUNT KILIMANJARO, Tanzania 19,341 feet

MOUNT RAINIER, Washington state

MOUNT ISHINCA, Peru

MOUNT BAKER, Washington state 10,778 feet

14,409 feet

18,143 feet

MOUNT ST. HELEN’S, Washington state

MOUNT WASHINGTON, New Hampshire

8,366 feet

6,289 feet

NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015

City

Atlanta awaits biggest interstate expansion in nearly 30 years SEAN KEENAN Staff Reporter

tlanta commuters will see the construction of over $1 billion worth of new interstate lanes over the next four years, according to Governor Nathan Deal at his State of the State address. “Over the next four years we will open to traffic more than $1.1 billion worth of new, reliable interstate lanes in metro Atlanta, the largest interstate expansion since the 1980s,” he said. Deal also said he seeks to unclog Atlanta’s most congested highways and has multiple initiatives in effect for improvements. “We are making further progress in the form of our I-285/GA400 interchange, which will ease congestion for hundreds of thousands of travelers each day,” he said. The new interstate express lanes will free up some traffic during rush hour, according to Deal’s address. “We are constructing new capacity express lanes along large stretches of I-75 and 575,” he said. “We are also extending the managed lanes on I-85.” Deal also said interstate renovations are a high priority for his staff and Georgia residents around the metro Atlanta area. “If that is our plan [to do nothing], then our roads will slowly slip into disrepair, the safety of our citizens will be jeopardized and our economy will be stagnated by increased congestion,” he said. “That is unacceptable.” Deal also said his cabinet seeks to address additional tasks to satisfy the needs of voters and residents, according to the address. “When it comes to our constituents’ needs in education, healthcare, transportation and public safety, the sea seems so great and our boat so small,” he said. “We may have 10 million challenges, but we also have 10 million oars.”

Plans for expansion Deal said in his state address that he and his cabinet narrowed down their funding options for the completion of the infrastructure projects. He also said their initial proposal was unpopular among constituents. “Only three regions in the state invested in… a regional 1 percent sales tax for designated infrastructure projects,” Deal said. Another viable option entailed

reallocating funds to accomplish the essential tasks, according to the governor’s speech. “Plan B, which includes reprioritized funding and a focus on the most essential projects that will target our most congested areas,” Deal said. “For example, we are constructing new capacity express lanes along large stretches of I-75 and 575. We are also extending the managed lanes on I-85.” Harper said financial specifics for these plans cannot yet be discussed as the legislation is ongoing but a house bill has been introduced regarding potential funding.

Funding the construction Georgia’s House Bill 170 (HB 170), referred to as the “Transportation Funding act of 2015,” seeks to alter certain articles of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) to better suit Atlanta’s expanding business climate, according to the bill. HB 170, sponsored by six republican house representatives, addresses potential funding for interstate renovation and maintenance by adjusting Georgia’s transportation taxes. Deal said the excise tax, which is a fee claimed by the state from the purchase of each gallon of fuel, has remained the same since 1971 and increasing that fee would afford the state more revenue to implement expansion plans, according to the address. “That’s 44 years,” he said. “In that time the fuel efficiency for the average vehicle has almost doubled, which means the amount of excise tax collected for each mile driven has roughly been cut in half. And the federal government has mandated new standards that would again double the miles per gallon for the average vehicle over the next 10 years, meaning that the amount of excise tax collected for every mile traveled will continue to shrink every year.” HB 170 would also increase the flat rate fee fuel distributors pay, according to the bill. “An excise tax is [to be] imposed at the rate of 29.2¢ per gallon on distributors who sell or use motor fuel within this state. An excise tax is imposed at the rate of 33¢ per gallon on distributors who sell or use diesel fuel within this state,” the bill states. The bill also proposed to levy a fee when registering any vehicle running on alternative fuel that would require $200 from noncommercial drivers and $300 to those for commercial purposes.

PHOTO CREDIT GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION A rasterization of the new interstate expansions on I-285 and the GA-400 shows commuters and visitors of Atlanta can expect less traffic congestion and more improvements with the interchange.

“

It will take a very long time to get it done and it will definitely affect students because, with all that traffic, many [students] will be late to class and many will transfer out of GSU.”

The importance of transportation infrastructure Deal said these large projects can consume considerable amounts of the state’s budget. However, the plans are quintessential in maintaining a safe city atmosphere. “According to industry experts, simply maintaining what we currently have on our roadways requires a minimum of hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue each year. Some industry experts even suggest it’s more than $1 billion a year,” he said at the state address. Stefanie Harper, director of communications for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, said the repair and construction of Georgia’s highways largely impacts the state economy. “Georgia’s solid transportation

Adil Bandali Georgia State student

infrastructure is a huge deciding factor for companies,” she said. Harper also said Georgia needs to accommodate traffic to thrive as a business hub. “Suppliers can reach 80 percent of the U.S. market in a two-day truck drive using two major transcontinental interstate highways and four additional interstates that connect to 15 other states,” she said. The Hartsfield-Jackson Airport should remain accessible for trade and business travel and the interstate expansion could facilitate the transportation of products and professionals, according to Harper. “Companies can also reach the majority of the U.S. market in a two-hour flight. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers direct flights to 75 international destinations in 50 countries and is home to 14 cargo-only carriers, making it easy for out-of-

state business meetings,” she said. Georgia State marketing student Joe Ho said the expected cost may concern some. “Highway expansion will be helpful for many commuters fighting through traffic but $1.1 billion is a lot of money,” he said. Georgia State marketing student Adil Bandali said he believes the highway expansion could yield short term pitfalls. “It will take a very long time to get it done and it will definitely affect students because, with all that traffic, many [students] will be late to class and many will transfer out of GSU,” he said. However, Ho also said the completion of the project will benefit the commuter population. “Expanding the highway would affect students by encouraging more commuting and for people who already commute it would help a lot to keep people from getting stuck in traffic,” he said.

NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015

University

Grady Memorial Hospital offering EMT training for college students

last week

SAMUEL ROTH Staff Reporter

rady Memorial Hospital is seeking an arrangement that would allow students from local universities to earn credits from their Emergency Medical Training (EMT) course, according to Manager of Emergency Medical Services Education Jeffrey Asher. However, Coordinated Program Director of Nutrition Jessica Todd and Director of Communications Angela Go from the Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions said they haven’t heard of any plans for this. “Our college, the Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions, has majors in health informatics, nursing, nutrition, physical therapy and respiratory therapy. EMT programs are often conducted at two year technical schools. I’ve checked with our associate dean for academics and we don’t see a correlation between Grady’s program and ours,” she said. Jeffrey Asher said he expected local colleges to be reluctant in arranging the EMT course to be worth credits to students. “I know that with colleges, when you have a track record of success it is easier to accomplish the goals you have. If we run this course this coming summer and have a number of students from the universities around us talk about it, that offers firsthand experience that will make it easier to get to where this can be taken on as a credited course,” he said. Grady started offering CPR, First Aid and EMT training classes to the metro-Atlanta community in their recently renovated building on Marietta Boulevard last December, according to Asher. “We conduct classes for our own people but also branching out and offering classes for the public,” he said. The EMT course offered by Grady is a 20-week program resulting in a Georgia EMT license. It would be beneficial for students interested in graduate medical education, according to Asher. “If students are involved in a nursing or health related program, they already have specified clinical objectives. But the program helps students with the competitiveness of medical school or physician assistant programs or other types of graduate level medical education. Students, when applying, are always looking for something that looks good on their resume and application that is direct tier experience,” he said. He also said college student

Local

Mayor’s car illegally parked

City of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s black GMC Denali was booted on Thursday for being partially parked on a sidewalk, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC). A private company booted the SUV while the mayor was at lunch. A spokesperson from the city said the vehicle was parked illegally by a member of the mayor’s security team. No citation was issued because the the mayor’s SUV is an official police vehicle.

National

Vanilla ice-ice burglary

Vanilla Ice (Rob Van Winkle), was arrested for burglary on Feb. 18 in Lantana, Florida, according to CNN. During an investigating it was discovered Van Winkle took part in the theft of items from a foreclosed home. Stolen items included furniture and a pool heater. The items were recovered from a neighboring home currently being renovated by Van Winkle for his TV show, “The Vanilla Ice Project.” It has been reported that the property has been returned to the rightful owner.

Global PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL Grady Memorial Hospital bridges the gap between college students and medical professionals by providing specialized EMT classes for students. communities in Atlanta are specifically looking for this type of opportunity. “We get contacted on a fairly frequent basis from college students who are interested in going into medicine as a physician or physician assistant and are looking to do something over the summer rather than working your typical college job or sitting around waiting for classes,” he said. Resume building, obtaining licenses and gaining experience are the most important things to receive in the medical field, according to Asher. “A part of the training includes actually going into Grady and getting hands on and direct patient care. In a nursing program you will get that, but if you are a college student getting a degree in

biology and you want to go on to medical school, you need direct patient care experience which is hard to get without some sort of license or certification already,” he said. Asher also said the courses offered by Grady are all kept to a minimum number of students to ensure that the quality of education remains. “We let them into both the hospital at Grady and also the ambulance. You see two different sides of medicine. You see the traditional patient kind of experience at the hospital, but you also get to go out and actually see what it is like to perform medicine applied in the pre-hospital environment,” he said. Georgia State nursing student Catherine Dahlin said the oppor-

tunity for EMT training would be a great reinforcement for students in the nursing program. “Georgia State’s nursing program is all about hands on experience, so to offer EMT training through Grady would be an amazing addition. Lots of nurses are licensed paramedics as well and I’ve always wanted to pursue that,” she said. Dahlin also said the training would be a great additional experience for students outside the Lewis school as well. “Students under different majors could still benefit from EMT training as it offers another option for employment. Also it would train people to know how to respond to emergency situations better than the simple first aid and CPR single day courses,” she said.

Battle for the ages

Future Boxing Hall of Famers Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather have agreed to fight on May 2 after five years of anticipation, according to ESPN. Mayweather posted pictures of the signed contract via social media on Friday Feb. 20. The fight will be for the unification of the welterweight titles and is expected to gross a record-breaking $400 million in a 60-40 split favoring Mayweather. HBO and Showtime will jointly produce and distribute the most expensive Payper-view event ever, costing $89.95 (likely $10 more for HD). This will be only the second time the two networks have come together in an arrangement like this. The fight will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

OPINIONS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/opinion

Making MARTA smarter

DOLLARS & SENSE

WITH MITCH

Public transit and the curious case of incentives

MITCHELL OLIVER Columnist Mitch is a senior finance major and student financial advisor. “My goal is to have more college students financially literate.” -Mitch

Tweet him @madmoneyatl

ith the Atlanta Streetcar off to a decent start, hopeful city planners are thinking Atlanta residents are finally starting to ‘get’ the whole alternative city transportation thing. Getting people to understand the benefits of public transit is the crux of any effective transit concept. Right now the idea behind the Streetcar is to incentivize riders by not charging a fare for the first three months. This is intended to get motorists and locals to try out the Streetcar. In turn, they might realize it helps them get around town easier and ideally the Streetcar will gain a loyal customer who will pay to ride once the grace period is over. In reality, however, this ideal outcome does not go according to plan at all. Typically, the cost to a motorist is rationalized to not be worth it after a certain price or for any number of external reasons. These factors are something city planners obsess over. For example, if the price is too high, people will just keep driving or take a taxi (both options bad for the environment, obviously). Too low and motorists will assume everyone else (except them) will use it, making it an overcrowded and uncomfortable experience. Make it free and all hell breaks loose. Enter MARTA. The public transit OG we all know and … love? Or love to hate. Or have a weird love/hate relationship with. What do you think would happen if Kasim Reed said tomorrow that MARTA will now and forever be free to everyone? Would there be celebrations in the streets? Empty roads and no more traffic? Of course not. If anything, there might be a faint “meh” echoed throughout the city. The “Next Guy” paradox of public transit would arise

— every motorist would assume the next guy would start taking MARTA to and from work now that it’s free. This is great in theory because that would get the next guy off the road, leading to less traffic. Problem is, if everyone thinks like this, no one will actually start taking MARTA! Yet, oddly enough, they will still support public transit. We see this in statistics reported by The American Public Transportation Association. They reported that 74 percent of people support more mass transit spending, but only 5 percent of commuters travel by mass transit. So how do we get motorists to start drinking the public transit KoolAid? How do we convert motorists to MARTA-ists? Simple — we just have to change the way people think about public transit. Easier said than done, sure, but nothing’s going to change if we don’t at least start thinking about the issue and how we can tackle it. So here’s my proposition — a simple two step program: Make it personal and make driving a car in Atlanta really annoying. So let’s make it personal. To do this, there’s got to be a high quality incentive that people will respond to on different levels. I can’t think of a better incentive than subsidized or free MARTA passes via schools and Atlanta business. The idea would be to get Atlanta business leaders on board with a program that not only offered free monthly Marta Breeze Cards to their employees but further reward those employees who took Marta more than, say, twenty times per month. An easy idea would be free tickets to a Hawks or Braves game. For the truly hardcore, offer a prize for the employee who uses public transit the most each month.

Think how small this cost would be to companies like Coke or Georgia Pacific. A 30-day unlimited MARTA pass is $95. For less than $1,200 per year per employee, businesses can not only help support public transit but also contribute on a ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ level, bolstering their corporate image. Win-win. For an intensified effect, we’ve got to make driving as inconvenient as possible. I know this sounds strange, but sometimes you have to think negative to achieve a positive. So let’s look at the parking in Atlanta. More specifically, parking decks on campus. There’s too many of them and the more they build, the more likely people are to drive and park on campus. So what if we closed two of them down, and then raised the price of the rest by $5? It’s extreme, but I guarantee it would convert some people into MARTA riders! Through this negative incentive, we can get some people to stop parking on campus and make them find an alternative. And how convenient — I’ve got a

great alternative — public transit! Before you send in angry letters telling me I’m an idiot, there’s a method to this madness. When our sole purpose is to increase public transit usage, we have to think of ways to make driving as inefficient and cumbersome as possible, even if on a person-by-person basis it isn’t. So that’s just one plan and put in motion, it might create enough inertia to get some real change rolling. But here’s the great thing: there’s endless combinations of programs that might work. The perfect one might not have been thought of yet, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t out there! So I urge you to give the idea some thought next time you’re sitting in traffic downtown. What’s keeping you from using public transit? What sort of incentive/disincentive program would convert you, if any at all? Until then, we’ll all keep sitting in gridlock I-85 traffic, mumbling to ourselves how much traffic sucks and wondering why everyone else isn’t riding MARTA.

Why African history is important too

S ZOYA HASNAIN Copy Editor Zoya is a sophomore journalism major and minor in international relations.

Tweet her @zoya_hasnain

o now that Valentine’s Day is over, people are beginning to remember the other big thing that happens in February. It’s Black History Month! Except, not exactly. It’s more like “Black History: 1619 to Present Day” Month. What happened before the first black people were brought to America seems to be a mystery to most Americans. However, an understanding of African history is fundamental to a proper education in this country. Even if most black Americans don’t identify as Africans anymore, like most white Americans don’t identify as European, any population of people should have a basic understanding of their history and where their ancestry lies. Growing up, we were all taught European history. We learned about the kings, the wars, the art and the literature. European culture and philosophy was gradually drilled into our heads over time. However,

by the time we graduated from high school, we only knew about the history of a segment of our population. There are more than just white people here! And black people have a great deal to do with the history of this country and where it is today. For goodness sake, all the minorities including myself wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for the civil rights movement that gave us our rights and incentives to live here. If European history is treated as an important social class in the education system, so should African history. However, most children are taught history in a way that makes it seem like black history began with slavery. It did not. There are thousands of years of history in Africa that, surprisingly to most, resemble European history. There were kingdoms, rulers, systems of commerce, culture, art and scientific advances. Because of our dismal education

system, most people see Africa as a place that has always been ridden with poverty and suffering. It is actually a beautiful place with a rich culture and history. In fact, African merchants began trading with China and Arabia before Europe. Africa also began independently utilizing iron around 5,000 years ago. Advanced civilizations included the Axum Empire of present day Ethiopia and Eritrea, which served as one of four international powers including Persia, Rome and China. The Kingdom of Ghana was known for its large army and efficient methods of taxation, holding monopolies over gold mines. While most students possess relative knowledge on the British Empire, the French Colonial Empire, the Ancient Roman empire, etc., very few would name the empires listed above off the top of their heads if they were asked to list great

civilizations/empires in history. If my parents hadn’t educated me on Islamic history, American schools would have had me thinking my history began with 9/11. What respect would I have had for my history if that was where I was conditioned to think it began? The truth is, history plays a huge role in how we identify ourselves. The whole reason history is taught is so we can understand where we come from and how to move forward. How are minorities to move forward if we grow up thinking we have never had power in this world? Black history is more than slavery. It is more than a struggle for basic rights. Black history is powerful. It is inspirational, unique and beautiful. Let’s start treating African history as a social class just as important as European history; our children deserve the chance we never had to learn the truth about their past.

OPINIONS

Editorial

Snow? Commute even if it kills you!

any students might have been a little miffed at Georgia State for their shaky response to inclement weather at the beginning of the week of Feb. 15, and rightfully so. The response was less than favorable to the many who were glued to their computers and phones awaiting a verdict on the possible cancellations of school. And what was the verdict? There were no real cancellations, only the meagre paring off of classes before 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Commuters from all over the metropolitan area and beyond were still required to attend, despite hazardous conditions. In our opinion, this could have been handled somewhat better. How? Georgia State could have announced their decisions sooner. The 5 a.m. decisions to keep campus open came inconveniently late (or early depending on which way you look at it) and threw many people off schedule, even though the alerts were actually made a few hours before their self-imposed 5 a.m. deadline. This was not so much an issue of timing as it was preparation. Those who have lived in Atlanta for more than a year remember last year’s colloquially-named Snowpocalypse, the dramatic snowstorm that left thousands of people stranded on the roads in their cars. This is likely why there was so much of a sense of foreboding when the weather forecasters first declared that there was a chance of snow. People were having flashbacks to last year and were eager for a faster decision. Even so, the university could have been a little more empathetic to the large number of students and teachers who needed to commute to school. People north of the perimeter faced freezing temperatures, power outages and black ice. This is where the real issue was. Commuters are the majority of our demographics, and they took the biggest hit. Some students travel from Georgia cities such as Athens, Dalton, Lawrenceville, etc. which are anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half commute. Being out on the roads for that long just increased their chances of getting hurt. Recently it seems Georgia State is moving towards a vision of being a more “traditional” campus with more of its students living on campus. Although this isn’t necessarily a bad vision, we should be careful with how we apply our missions. When an ideal gets in the way of the reality of a situation, it can distract from more practical considerations. Those in charge of notifying the student and faculty were walking a tightrope. If they aired too far on the side of caution, they ran the risk of slowing the university’s daily operations and causing unnecessary setbacks; if they were too hasty in declaring campuses open, they ran the risk of putting people in danger. Georgia State did not consider the commuter population as well as they might have and it caused commuters inconvenience. We hope that, in the future, students and Georgia State can better communicate and coordinate to ensure the safety and functioning of all.

Seasons of

L VE

A look into the cycle of relationships NICOLE MOTAHARI Opinions Editor

Nicole is a double major in biology and English. When she’s not writing, she enjoys listening to musical theater and watching British TV with her family.

ith March right around the corner, it’s time to brace yourself for the inevitable: Mating season. You know what this is. We’ve written about the Christmas lovers; now they’ve broken up, taken some time off and are ready to rebound. In high school, this was the post-Valentine’s day prom date epidemic. In college, it’s everyone humping like bunny rabbits, for lack of a better term. My advice: Don’t give in. Each season, you go through the pain and trouble of finding that one person who you are positive is The One, only to have your castles in the air come crashing down when you realize they’re nothing but an ordinary person, possibly with more flaws than usual and so it’s goodbye Norma Jean and out the door with them. Let me explain the cycle of relationships. You have the sweet little honeymoon/crush phase in which nothing your partner does is wrong and everything in the world is vomiting lollipops, unicorns and rainbows. Then you have that comfort period. Sure you argue a bit, the glamour of first love has worn off, but you figure it is all part of normal wear and tear. Sometime during this comfort phase, your peace of mind will be shattered by the simple realization of ‘I really don’t like this person.’ That sends you into that silent suffering stage of your relationship. To dump or not to dump is the question. Then you start panicking that they’re going through the same phase, so you’re eager to dump be-

Tweet her @SignalOpinions fore you’re the dumpee. After this, you have that painful moment where you dump or get dumped. Usually you’ll have a period ranging anywhere from a few hours to a few months where you’re recovering from the disappointment and the failure of last time. Once your heart’s wound has healed a bit, your confidence swells just a bit and if you see someone else who catches your fancy, you’re back on the market. There are a few different types of love, mind you. There’s a steady constant flame of a long lasting love, the passionate bonfire of a quick romance or the flickering flame of those on again, off again couples. This idea goes hand in hand with my idea (whose title I have so conveniently borrowed from the popular musical Rent): Seasons of Love. I’m sure most of you have noticed this pattern. As I mentioned before, we’ve spoken of Winter Lovers and we’re on the brink of the Sexy Springers that are characterized by the skipping and cutesy picnics in the park. Summer Lovin’ folks tend to do the whole water thing with pool or beach selfies and that sweet ice cream licking you tend to only see in the movies. That lasts until right before whatevertheir-name-is has to go back to their university in God-knows-where. Then it’s back to school and cute little plaid skirts and the pumpkin spice lattes of the Fall Flings that hang in there until right past Thanksgiving. So have fun with your love while you can and may the odds be ever in your favor!

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015

What’s the best English accent? JOHN MILLER Columnist

he best United Kingdom accent is a matter of interpretation, of course. Whether you think someone’s accent is fun, strange, indecipherable or just annoying, there’s always one accent that will be easiest on the ears than all others. For me, the accent that I like the best is the North England accent, more specifically the Midlands accent. If you ever get the chance to meet someone from Leeds, be sure to say “hello” to them from a relative distance and make sure they’re in a good mood. You’ll be met with a pleasant and hilarious “EH-loh!” shouted to you from across the rain-soaked street. And an angry person from Yorkshire is fun to listen to. There’s a certain bite to the accent that makes their threats particularly sharp and bitter. One might recall the defenders of the wall in Game of Thrones. Most of those actors were from Yorkshire. The entire cast of “Chicken Run” were as well, if anyone remembers that movie. Of course, the Midlands are just the lower end of the region that homes the most threatening brogue: Scotland. The Scottish accent is well-known from films like “Braveheart” and “Trainspotting” and it’s not hard to enjoy the slang and figures of speech, if you can understand them. The London accent is what a native would probably call “posh.” This is one of the most accessible accents on the Island because it’s the one Americans are most familiar with, whether they know it or not. The upper-class London accent sounds like exactly that: upper class, imposing and stringent. Think Monty Python. The lower-class of London, however, is what you hear in a Guy Ritchie movie. It’s hard to talk about the accent without the colorful language they often incorporate. Needless to say, they have a penchant for talking with their teeth and biting the H off the fronts of their words, except for the word “herb.” West is Wales, where the accent gets a little muddled. I personally find this accent to be beautiful because it invokes Dylan Thomas’ recordings of his own poetry. The Welsh language is beautiful on its own, too, creating glorious words like “Llanfairpwllgwyngyll.” What’s left to mention is the Irish accent which is charming no matter where you are. Everyone, before they die, should hear a person from Northern Ireland say the word “brain” as much as they should hear a person from Scotland say “bairn.” The most interesting Irish accent to me is the mechanical monotone Irish accent as opposed to the sing-song jubilant accent that makes Americans think of Leprechauns. When he plays a sullen or villainous Irishman, Colin Farrell nails this monotone. It sounds like a menacing, creaky floorboard. So there’s a snapshot of UK accents. Watch movies from the UK, listen to the subtleties in the way people speak, and see if you can tell where on the islands someone is from by the way they pronounce their words.

Letter to the Editor To the News Editor for The Signal: Many students aiming to explore their sexuality and new relationships would jump at the opportunity to spend their time on campus in a co-ed dormitory. After having lived in an on-campus residence hall myself as well as being in a relationship at the time, the excitement for co-ed living situations at Georgia State University needs to be reeled back, and rules need to be outlined

and clearly defined by the administration. From my personal experience as a GSU resident, it is a difficult process to move out of your current dormitory into a different one, regardless if it is due to a simple dislike for your roommate(s) or a more severe situation. Should a couple look towards campus housing as a way of living together, would the university develop a system for placing students in different dormitories should the relationship sour, or would the two have to live under bitter and potentially hostile cir-

cumstances for the rest of the semester? For more severe situations, sexual assault is a prevalent issue in universities nationwide, and GSU is no stranger to this growing problem. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, there were 19 reported rapes, attempted rapes and sodomies at the campus from 2010 to 2014. While the number is not as high as other universities in the state, co-ed living arrangements could potentially add fuel to the fire if the issue is not properly addressed and preven-

tative measures aren’t in place. This new policy, which is planned to be initiated in the Fall 2015 semester, can be a positive, socially liberal and inclusive change for the university, but rules and programs must be defined and kick-started to make the policy fruitful and helpful towards its students. With regards, Adam Chaves

ARTS & LIVING

City of Ink

www.georgiastatesignal.com/arts-entertainment

Written by Taylor Josey

Miya Bailey started tattooing in the early ‘90s after he read a book by Don Ed Hardy on tattooing and tattoo culture. In the book Bailey saw Japanese and New Zealand tattoo culture, but African culture was missing. “I saw this culture in my mind,” Bailey said. “I imagined black people walking around with tattoos and stuff. I was like, ‘Yeah man let’s get back to our roots on how we used to look.’ So I just started doing research on African art and

ing to create a culture.’ So we were like ‘Hey we going to do this and we going to wear this.’” The team struggled to fit in until the start of City of Ink. It took days of mapping out every detail to their success. They teamed up with Fadia Kader from the ‘Broke and Boujee’ parties in an effort to let everyone know that artists were ballers too. “This was the era right after BMF (Black Mafia Family). BMF had Atlanta balling out,” Bailey said. “So we thought, ‘What if we show artists balling out with bottles and parties? Then we can include everybody.’” It was complete with art, a live disc jockey and people who enjoyed the art. After their first art show was a success, Bailey and Davis knew they could change Atlanta forever. “Art shows would be like that forever cause it set the standard,” Bailey said. “A year after our first show we had our grand opening of City of Ink. Over 500 people showed up so we turned it into a block party. Live art, live music, now everybody wants to turn up at art shows. That’s funny.” Since their grand opening in 2007, business hasn’t slowed down. People all over Atlanta look at City of Ink as a hub for great art. They were even listed in Creative Loaf-

ing’s Best of List in 2013. “It was really just us consistently putting out the best work we could do.” Davis said. “ I think our art shows have a big influence on the art scene in Atlanta.”

Cultural Renaissance “We’re clearly the trendsetters for a lot of things,” Bailey said. “City of Ink was just the name given later. But we’ve been around since the ‘90s cultivating this culture in Atlanta.” Bringing all forms of visual art together, City of Ink is also an art gallery. Local artists’ work covers the walls of each location and it changes monthly. “It’s all about creating jobs for younger artists,” Bailey said. “I have a guy who can’t tattoo but he’s a great filmmaker, so he got the opportunity to do film. We’re photographers, painters, illustrators. It’s like a visual arts renaissance. We are all inspired by the next person.” “We’re kind of the catalysts for creativity amongst black people,” Davis said. “And we also try to give a lot of artists the chance to show off their work because it’s kind of hard to get into most galleries.”

Even with a room full of artists, each person at City of Ink shines without stepping on each other’s toes, working together to produce their best creations. “I mean we are the trendsetters; I don’t want to sound egotistical or whatever,” Bailey said. “But there aren’t too many people who create something from nothing.” 2015 marks their eighth year in business, and they will celebrate with their art show titled ‘Enough is Enough: Part Two’. It will take place at the Castleberry Hill location on Feb. 27 and it will feature over 20 artists.

City of Ink Locations:

Beginnings in ink

warrior culture. That’s how I got into tattooing.” Bailey had those dreams before tattoo culture was main stream in the black community. He attributes hip hop and television with the growth of tattoo culture. He didn’t always know how he would contribute to the subculture; he just knew he wanted to help. “I always looked up to Russell Simmons and what he did with hip hop,” Bailey said. “He’s not the founder of hip hop, but he brought it to a mainstream audience and he created jobs for people using the culture. That was the foundation of my idea with City of Ink, Barry Gordy and Russell Simmons.” Although Bailey knew what he wanted to do, it took a year of trying to fit in before he found his place. “It was so wack,” Bailey said. “I did all this ass-kissing trying to get into their events. But the industry is an illusion. You are the person to create your lane and your industry.” Co-owner Corey Davis wanted to provide his peers with art they could afford, so he started tattooing and together they set out to change the city. “Let’s just create something brand new,” Bailey said. “It was me Tuki, Corey, Chris and Samba. We would sit down and say, ‘We’re go-

More than just a tattoo shop, City of Ink creates art to get back to African roots

ity of Ink is one of Atlanta’s most celebrated tattoo shops in Atlanta. Now, with two locations in Castleberry Hill and Edgewood, City of Ink has been tattooing the people of Atlanta since 2007. Although City of Ink is a tattoo shop, founder Miya Bailey shares the story of City of Ink that didn’t come easy and lives past just tattoos. “We’re way more than that,” Bailey said. “Tattooing is just the element to attract, then the real mission is what we stand for. All visual arts is what we use to attract people.”

PHOTO BY BRITTANY GUERIN | THE SIGNAL Art by co-owner Corey Davis. Davis began tattooing to provide his peers with affordable art.

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Castleberry Hill 323 Walker St. Southwest Atlanta, Georgia 30313 Open 1 p.m. - 10 p.m.

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Old 4th Ward 353 Edgewood Ave. Atlanta, Georgia 30312 Open 1 p.m. - 10 p.m.

ARTS &

Lips down on dixie Let’s do the time warp again

PHOTO BY MARC VALLE | THE SIGNAL The shadow cast of Lips Down on Dixie stands for their final bow after a performance of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

Don’t dream it,

written by Sydney Cunningham

n 1975, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (RHPS) was released, and it flopped in theaters. Soon after, theaters held midnight screenings and the film unexpectedly began gaining notoriety. Since then, the film has created a subculture that has only grown. Around the world, people quote it, dance to it, and dress up as the characters for Halloween. And if you are a member of Lips Down on Dixie, you perform it. Lips Down on Dixie is a non-profit performance group that was formed as a shadow cast of RHPS where performers produce a performance of a movie in front of a screen while that movie is playing, essentially pantomiming the film. “We strive to maintain screen accuracy; we try to mimic the screen performance, costumes and makeup,” Aron Siegel, performer and producer, said. “This makes our

show different from putting the DVD in your TV at home. It creates an event mentality, both in the cast and audience.” Lips Down on Dixie is welcome to any interested party, but the participants tend to be actors and performers trying to hone their performance skills and have fun while doing it. “Lips Down on Dixie has become a teaching and learning opportunity for its members. You might be working with a volunteer organization, but everything you do is a learning experience,” Siegel said. “While community theater acting and stage techniques are the most obvious of the items young people can learn about, our members also learn choreography, web design, graphic design, sales, publicity, costuming, lighting design, construction, film and television basics and other fields too numerous to name.”

be it

Performing the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” every Friday night gives teens and young adults a chance be free, have fun and be supported for whomever they are. Difference in race, sexual identity, orientation, gender, or religious belief doesn’t keep people from attending or enjoying a production of the RHPS.

The performance continues to expose new audiences to another world — a world that promotes self-love and confidence. A common and repetitive phrase within

the film is “Don’t Dream it, Be it,” something young adults don’t get to hear very often from contemporary films or television. The RHPS is one of few films left to young adults which is pure fantasy. It neither is gratuitously violent or irresponsible in its message.

Everyone who comes to view the film and cast can get involved as much or as little as they deem fit. We all choose our own level of involvement. We pride ourselves as a launching board for rising actors in the metro Atlanta area.

& LIVING

THE HISTORY “Rocky Horror is a catalyst. Midnight showings encourage audiences to come to the party. Dress up, bring friends, shout out at the screen,” Siegel said. “Anyone who has ever wanted to perform is immediately attracted to the shadow cast idea. It’s the original cosplay.” Lips Down on Dixie has garnered enough attention to perform in places other than the theater; they have performed in nightclubs and festivals around Atlanta, including the drive-in event ‘Rock

PHOTO BY MARC VALLE | THE SIGNAL A veteran among the Lips Down on Dixie cast, Jevocas “Java” Greene (center) embraces his eccentric role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter.

If you have never been to a show, you are labeled a “Rocky Virgin” and a lipstick “V” is written on your forehead. As the movie begins, Lips Down on Dixie begins to act it out. During the the dual performances, there are traditions to shout out and new ones you are encouraged to come up with. As you watch the performance, you catch on to some of the popular ones (some of which may not be appropriate for minors). When the classic song “Time Warp” begins to play, everyone is called to get out of their seats and dance along.

to an audience rarely stays within one genre and one performance. For Lips Down on Dixie, it’s main occasion may be The Rocky Horror Picture Show but they are willing to branch out and plan to do so. “Future plans for Lips Down on Dixie include black-box theater performances of plays and musicals,” Siegel said. “Especially with Plaza Theater owners Michael Furlinger and his partner John encouraging us.”

PHOTO BY MARC VALLE | THE SIGNAL The Plaza Theatre is Atlanta’s oldest operating independent cinema.

JUMP TO THE LEFT, with hands UP.

A STEP TO THE RIGHT (With your hands on your HIPS) BRING YOUR KNEES IN TIGHT.

4 5 6

Watch-a Watch-a Watch It The Rocky Horror Picture Show

For the VIRGINS

1 2 3

and Roll Monster Bash,’ ‘Atlanta Pride’ and others. “Lips Down on Dixie performs dance numbers, most of which are not Rocky Horror related,” Siegel said. “Lips Down on Dixie’s showcase event every year is Dragon Con, Labor Day weekend on Saturday at Midnight in the Centennial Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Atlanta, where it’s been noted we’ve performed in front of 3,000 fans.” A group with desire to perform

Then THE PELVIC THRUST (repeated five times)

SWIVEL HIPS

Do the “TIME WARP” again.

1049 Ponce De Leon Ave. Northeast Atlanta, Georgia 30306 Friday: Midnight Price: $12. All proceeds go to the Plaza Theater to keep it running.

it stayed for two years,” Siegel said. “Cast members back then performed for audiences including Prince, REM, RuPaul and it was rumored Elton John used to show up and watch.” In 2000, Lips found its way to the Plaza Theater and remains there, with shows every Friday night. While other films garner similar attention and performances, none hold a candle to the traditions of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

(Rated R)

As the midnight showings got more and more popular, people began to wholeheartedly participate. They would shout dialogue back at the screen, throw rice and props, and then, performers joined in. “In Atlanta, Rocky Horror began weekend showings at the Film Forum around 1977. Due to its success, Film Forum owners George Ellis and son Michael Ellis moved the film to Film Forum Theater on Peachtree Street where

ARTS & LIVING

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015

Song and slaughter ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ pays Atlanta a visit

The Urchins, played by Courtney Loner, Bethany Rowe and Jennifer Morse, start off the show with a musical number.

ZACH ITZKOVITZ Staff Reporter

rama geeks and horror junkies know that “Little Shop of Horrors” is a musical true to its name. Released in 1982, it premiered in the surprisingly small Workshop of the Players’ Art Theatre of no more than 100 seats. This gave the first audience an intimate relationship with the gruesome story, likely disturbing some of the more squeamish members. Onstage Atlanta is a local theater company with 43 years of history in Atlanta. Its main theater is similar to the space in which “Little Shop of Horrors” first premiered. As Managing Director Barry West explains, the initial concept of the space allowed for mutability, but the design changed over time. “In this particular case, it’s original concept was, ‘This is going to be our studio space,’” West said. “And therefore, we built it so it could eventually be moved around and the stage could be in different areas. A couple of hindrances to this were that we were going to build our main stage out in the warehouse part, but we weren’t able to get that space.” When “Little Shop of Horrors” opens at Onstage Atlanta, Scott Rousseau will portray Mr. Mushnik, the miserly flower shop owner. “This is my first time performing in the show,” Rousseau said. “But I’ve directed this show three times before and I’ve taken on the task of renovating the plant that we have.”

Jacks of all trades In theatre as well as in film, directors and actors have hugely different jobs and distinct responsibilities. Rousseau is glad to return to the stage and describes his mindset as a director and actor. “Directing and acting are two different animals,” Rousseau said. “So they don’t, for me, intertwine. When I have directed this show, I don’t think I said, ‘Here’s how I’d do the role.’ As an actor, it’s a totally different experience. I’m not looking at the director’s side of it; I’m only looking at my character and my character arc.” In addition to managing director, West could claim the titles of set designer, producer, technician and countless more — he was in the midst of painting before his conversation with The Signal. West reveals his passion for all aspects of theater. “I like taking on more [responsibilities],” he said. “ Also, right now I am retired, so I have more time and I can do things like this. But I also like to make sure that everything gets done. With other people having jobs, I can come in and paint or I can build something. I make sure to work on that during the day so that when people come to rehearse at night, they don’t have to worry about things like that.” Rousseau is also active in more ways the one. He explains his involvement in acquiring and managing a plant to use as a prop. “What we confer about is mainly

the plant and how it works,” Rousseau said. “It’s a standard piece of propage for the show, whereas everything else, the set, the costumes, the wigs, that all comes from [West]. I auditioned for the show to be in it, not to hinder his job.” “We’ve also known each other for some 40 odd years,” West added. “So I don’t want to say symbiotic, but I can give him a look and he knows exactly what I’m thinking.” Rousseau confirmed this strong mutual understanding. He explains the advantage of working with someone you know well as opposed to working with a relative stranger. “We work together really well,” Rousseau said. “We know each other’s temperaments and things, so it works well. We’ve stepped on each other’s toes quite a few times, but the thing is, we can go back after and say, ‘you know you stepped on my toes there.’” Both West and Rousseau are quite fond of “Little Shop of Horrors.” The musical’s story features ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. “Little Shop is one of those wonderful shows where you take this group of people in a very lowclass setting and put them into a highly emotional state,” Rousseau said. “The writes have a blast with the show — there’s a lot of inside theatre jokes in it for anybody who knows New York or knows theatre, but it’s also the famous Menken, Alan Menken, who went on to Disney fame and did a lot of music for Disney.”

PHOTO BY RUTH PANNILL | THE SIGNAL

Alan Menken composed the music for “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin” among other Disney films.

Little Shop on-screen Most people have heard of “Little Shop of Horrors” but few know that the musical found inspiration in a B horror film from 1960. “It’s based on a movie that came out in the ‘60s by Roger Corman who was a horror producer,” Rousseau explained. “He originally produced ‘The Little Shop of Horrors’. It was a low-budget horror movie that actually featured Jack Nicholson — there’s a dentist in the show, Orin and Nicholson was a customer of Orin’s in the dentist shop, who really liked being worked on.” He went on to describe the film in further detail and shared his take on the B film. To Rousseau, it made sense to create a musical adaptation of the film, despite its peculiarities. “It took seven days to film,” continued Rousseau. “And it’s a very creepy little film about a man-eating plant from another planet. It’s very weird, but it’s very good. I can see why they would adapt it and it adapted beautifully to this musical.”

A subsequent film, based on the musical, was released in 1986. It features Bill Murray, Jim Belushi and Steve Martin. West explains the selection process that Onstage Atlanta uses to choose plays each season. He explains the hierarchy of authority involved in selecting plays for the theatre to adapt. “The artistic company replaces throughout the year,” West said. “They make suggestions to the company manager. So they decide among themselves which shows they want to do and then all of that is presented to the board of directors, which makes the ultimate decision. It’s a collaborative effort.” The director sees each season of the theatre as a sort of play in and of itself. He suggests the possibility of combining popular and unpopular shows to create a season of repeated and novel experiences. “Musicals cost more to put on,” West said. “But they also have a big return. You have to look at your season as a whole picture, knowing that somewhere in that season, you could put a show that’s not going to be as successful as your other shows. But you want to broaden the horizons of your audience.” Anyone seeking a broader horizon, as well as good music and a nice old-fashioned scare, should head out to Decatur, where Onstage Atlanta resides. Students can reserve a ticket for $17 or $20 at the door. Shows take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. “Little Shop of Horrors” will be performed until March 28.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015

Who knew these weren’t original?

Feature column

Film’s loss is television’s great gain

INGA MASIC Associate Arts & Living Editor

15 13

ARTS & LIVING

t seems as though movies have stopped generating their own ideas and have relied solely on adapting creations such as books or comics to get their huge blockbuster. However, through this depletion, the TV industry has stepped up and taken the reigns of innovation. Movie franchises are what the industry thrives on; they are a guaranteed money-maker. When a book or comic has been developed and the reaction is phenomenal, a director knows he has the grounds to make a successful film. When mentioning specifics, let’s bring in the well-known franchises like “Lord of the Rings,” “The Twilight Saga,” “The Hunger Games,” “The Amazing Spider Man” and of course, “The Avengers”. All of these franchises have built insane fandoms, endless amounts of merchandise and stacks of cash. For all of these fortunate aspects, do we thank the fact that they were just very well-made or the fact that they wouldn’t have even existed without a prior reference? Movies that are not on such a huge spectrum, like “The Notebook” and “Pride and Prejudice” have managed to be become classics in the eyes of the public. Novels and comics are other-worldly projects that have graced the entertainment industry and the film industry alone knows that when

adapting these stories they have an “easy A” on their hands. They are basically playing the safe card and even though it is difficult to make a movie that is good with effects and actors alone, they have the upper hand when being given an amazing story line. That being said, the impression is left that movies don’t have to try anymore and that originality isn’t a factor anymore. The films that are nominated throughout this award season have either been based off a novel or a true story. For instance, “Gone Girl,” “Selma,” “Wild,” “American Sniper,” “The Imitation Game” and “Foxcatcher.” Films that are being recognized at the Academy Awards, the most prestigious award ceremony, are not original ideas. So with movies losing their incentive to come up with their own ideas, who is going to step in and dominate? The answer is television. TV has become the media source where ingenuity is the guiding method. TV creators have developed an impressive collection of shows that indicate the apparent revolution occurring on society’s televisions screens. There are countless ideas for shows that shake the dormant world of imagination. Shows that are on the older side but were huge successes were not based on any other literary works such as “The Wire,” “Six Feet Under,” “X-Files” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” These were shows that created just as big of a fandom as

the huge movie franchises seen today and did this with original content. Contemporary shows like “Sons of Anarchy,” “Veep” and “Girls” are newer shows that have proved to embody the art of originality. TV in general understands how to create shows with ideas not done before and knows that society enjoys easy accessibility with entertainment;TV has that trend down pact. On-demand internet streaming providers like Netflix thrive off making shows that are not the norm; shows like “Hemlock Grove” and “House of Cards” are the breath of fresh air that people yearn for. They are twisted and fantastically unreal. One creator that comes to mind when discussing sheer individuality is Shonda Rhimes who has made epic shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal” and “How to Get Away With Murder.” Each show has a unique twist to it and is severely different from one another; there is no way to get bored of them. Movies are at the top as of right now when it comes to factors such as money, followers and abilities. It is disappointing to know people want to see the books/comic books they fell in love with on the big screen so badly so imagination goes out the window. However, television is making its way up there slowly but surely. TV has what movies lost a long time ago: modernity.

“Black Swan” (2010):

being followed around by a “double” and believes that at some point she killed someone. Also, in both stories they experience inanimate pictures tormenting the protagonist. Who knew there were two freaky stories like this out there?

“Pirates of the Caribbean” (2003):

For example, Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) is similar to Elaine Marley and they were both captured by a pirate and his skeleton shipmates. Also, both stories have pet monkeys and a creepy, foggy pirate town surrounded by water. Seems fishy… no?

“Matrix” (1999):

reality is nonexistent. In the comic book, the story is about a guy who is unappealed by the group’s motives and then decides to join and when doing so gets a new identity. That does sound familiar.

This warped and twisted story is supposedly meant to come from a Japanese cartoon called “Perfect Blue” where a young woman is a singer who is

It is said that this classic franchise that everyone fell in love with is actually an idea taken from a game called “The Secret of Monkey Island.” Many believe that the characters of each work are very similar.

There is a theory going around that the Matrix Trilogy is actually based off a comic book called “The Invisibles.” Which is about a group of people who want to conceal that

columns

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015

Lifestyle column

campus life column

Don’t tell me what to do because you’re

wrong

Women shouldn’t have to wait to be swept off their feet want. Plus, guys don’t always get the subtle hints and waiting by the phone gets pretty boring after a while. As I read McDonald’s article, there were several points (and I basically mean the whole thing) she made that I disagreed with.

1. Eve 3.Pursue Adam and

NICHOLE PLACE Columnist

Nichole is constantly crafting and is an avid re-decorator. Not only does she have a love of bright colors and patterns, but she also is a pug fanatic. Nichole is the writer of the Lifestyle column and the creator of SunshineSomedays, a lifestyle blog. Follow her @GSUSignalAandL

have never considered myself to be a strong, hairylegged feminist; I honestly don’t think any of those exist in the world. But I do strongly believe in equal rights and treatment of both men and women, as should any right minded person. I recently read an article titled “Waiting and Responding: the Role of Women in Dating.” The author, Sophie McDonald, explained that if a girl likes a guy she is supposed to sit around for him to make the move. I want to make it clear that I am a strong believer in fairy tales and men acting like gentlemen — and you don’t earn that title just because you have a penis by the way. But I also feel that women are allowed to make whatever moves on a guy they

ting around hoping that possibly, maybe, one day the guy you’re interested in will like or even notice you, then she has a misconception of the world. Men are not mind readers. Women are not mind readers. If no one makes the first move, then you will both be miserable and alone.

In this article, she talks about how everything went awry when Eve “took matters into her own hands.” Her reasoning being that Eve ate the forbidden apple and convinced Adam to also. So that means sin being let into the world is her fault? I just have one more question. Did she even read that story in the Bible? Eve was deceived by the serpent, not Adam. The author also makes it sound as though she tricked Adam into eating the apple which she did not. (See 1 Timothy 2:14.) I don’t want to make this a religious thing, but if you allude to something, make sure you understand the story.

2.women

The glory of

The author says, “If you initiate, you’re missing the glory of womanhood.” So does that mean if I try to talk to a guy I’ll no longer get my period or something? If she honestly thinks that the glory of womanhood is sit-

Not made to

The author says in this article that women are not made to pursue men and we should “embrace that freedom.” I mean, I’m all about being lazy, but honestly the waiting game is tiring. And frankly, the stress could make someone’s hair fall out. Sitting around does not get the job done and I would much rather be in charge anyways. Relationships are tricky and are different for everyone. But why should women sit around hoping that the guy will make the move? It puts too much pressure on them and makes life a little less fun. The waiting game is like the three day rule before calling someone back: Dumb, pointless and extremely overrated.

fyi

The original article: “Waiting and Responding: the Role of Women in Dating”. Written by Sophie McDonald.

Is Advisement Better?

MIA MCDONALD Columnist Mia does amateur photoshoots, maintains the title of bookworm and hangs out with friends and family.

Follow her @MiaMore09

little over a year ago I wrote a column titled “Why advisement needs to be revamped.” The column received a lot feedback (both negative and positive), but the one that stuck with me is the comment that my article appeared biased and one-sided. The column placed the blame completely on the advisors and the advising department, but the students lacked accountability. Well, with this follow-up, I will attempt to address the student’s absence of responsibility and answer if advisement has made improvements. My main issue with advisement in the past has been its inconsistencies. I could never see the same advisor and even if I had the same advisor, the information was always changing. For every year you’re enrolled, Georgia State gives you a new person to handle your academic files; this wouldn’t be a problem if the advisors read your file prior to your meeting them, but it’s a chore to have to tell the same story every time you meet. They’ve alleviated this by designating specific advisors to each classification and major. So, how do we as students make sure this process is as painless and successful as possible? We must meet our advisors halfway. When you

go to advisement, have questions lined up for your advisor; it should never be a case of them having to drag everything out of you. Their job is to make sure you’re receiving the proper information in regards to you getting your degree. So please make your visit worthwhile. It’s better to have a lot of questions than to show up with nothing. Towards the end and beginning of each semester we all receive the campus broadcast in our emails about meeting with our advisor. We’re encouraged to do a quick check in with the person offering you guidance. Before you delete that email and ignore their request, just do a follow-up. We’re all busy and have hectic schedules to manage, but when it comes to making sure you’re on track, I’m sure you can find time. Even if you aren’t physically available to meet with your advisor in person, you can send an email of even call in on some topics. This is me speaking from experience. There are a few exceptions though. Some students have literally tried everything to receive proper assistance. They’ve met in person, scheduled phone calls, sent emails as often as possible and come with endless questions but still are having issues. So what are their options? How do we solve these problems? Advisement suggests that you fill out the survey and let them know of your dissatisfaction. My advice is to go straight to the department head and be patient. All changes can’t and won’t be changed overnight; it’s a process. If you’ve done more than meet your advisor halfway, and you have also extended yourself, then you don’t need to do anything else. You’ve done your part. To say advisement hasn’t made any positive changes or addressed the issues students have brought up in a year would be unfair. Advisors and students have a responsibility to make sure needs are met, but before you rant on advisement being awful make sure you’re doing your part.

CORRECTION In Nichole Place’s previous article, “Take a bite,” Place spoke to Burger Fi owner whose shop is located in Kennesaw. Among Burger Fi’s multiple locations, one of the listings should be added. See below: 2844 South Main St. Kennesaw, Georgia 30144

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015

reviews

ALBUM REVIEW

Andrew Bird, ‘Echolocations: Canyon’ ALEX KUGACZEWSKI

Staff Reviewer

hicago’s own Andrew Bird has proved himself many things over the years, but “stagnant” sure isn’t one of them. From Bird’s time as an honorary violinist for the Squirrel Nut Zippers up to his latest studio effort, “Things Are Really Great Here, Sort Of…,” Bird has sculpted his artistic persona on the singular promise of forward momentum – the promise that, come hell or high water, he’s not one to find satisfaction just running through the motions. Sure, ever since launching his solo career in earnest with 2003’s “Weather Systems,” acoustic folk, indie sensibility and an ever adventurous attitude have come to consolidate the songwriter’s artistic core, but Bird has always found new permutations to keep listeners engaged with his ever-expanding discography. Despite Bird’s remarkable penchant for reinvention, I’d be lying if I said “Echolocations: Canyon” didn’t surprise me. Slated as the first installment in a series of field recordings shaped by their self-titled environments, Bird’s latest album seems equally ambitious

and preposterous but eventually reveals itself as an interesting, if flawed, step forward. Each of the album’s seven tracks was recorded within Utah’s Coyote Gulch, comprised of nothing more than a lonesome violin and the natural sounds of the rocky, desolate environs. Setting music to tape in such an unusual setting should provide some interesting results and Bird finds success here. “Canyon” moves through its compositions with grace, conjuring a distinct feeling of natural isolation: nature itself begins to feel like its own living, breathing entity enveloping the listener in a shawl of starry nights and circling carrion. This trick works wonders for album opener “Sweep The Field” whose plaintive

strings unfurl deliberately over the tone of rippling water. As the Bird’s strings rise and fall, it’s not difficult to imagine the mammoth walls of dirt and stone in their pristine splendor, towering above him. “Groping The Dark,” the album’s next cut, follows a similar pattern to even greater effect. Here, Bird’s talent with the violin is on full display as he weaves through numerous sonic progressions, all the while capturing an impressionable essence of the wild. Not only does “Grope The Dark” cement itself as the emotional peak of the record, but it also works to justify the questionable virtues of Bird’s outdoor excursion. “Canyon,” however, soon begins to suffer diminishing returns as it delves deeper into its tracklist. By the time the record’s third cut, “Rising Water,” comes to its close, the trick is beginning to wear thin. Given just how beautiful the sounds actually are, this is a shame, because with just some variation to the approach, Bird could have infused the record with a much-needed refresher. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the following tracks, but the singular approach can only sustain so many minutes worth of music. It’s almost too cruel a joke to remark that “The Return

“Echolocations: Canyon” Andrew Bird Grade: C Verdict:

“Echolocations: Canyon” begins as a wonderful exploration of natural soundscapes, but Bird’s unwavering approach to songwriting quickly sabotages an otherwise beautiful album. of Yawny” immediately follows the languid sprawl of “Antrozous,” but like many hard truths, it’s one that shouldn’t be shoved under the rug. Things only degenerate with increasing rapidity as the record continues its meandering drone. With each pass of the clock, the record feels all the more lost within itself. And really, by the time “Before the Germans Came” rolls around, that’s what most listeners are going to be focused on. If this is what fans can expect from Bird over the next few years, they may find themselves wishing, for the first time, that he’d stayed where he was.

FILM REVIEW

‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ FERNANDO MATTOS

Staff Reviewer

here is one undeniable and rare quality in “Fifty Shades of Grey”: The movie is better than the book it’s adapted from. This should surprise but not excite you. It isn’t much better. “Fifty Shades of Grey” doesn’t go too far. E. L. James’ erotic novel is poorly written and this poverty shows up much before the plot kicks in, which tells the story of a college student falling in love with a powerful man. The opening shots of “Fifty Shades of Grey,” however, provide a glimpse of hope. They are well composed and linked by fluid movements. The angles of Mr. Grey running through Seattle and the shots inside his closet form a nice opening credits sequence. It is without a doubt a much more refined introduction than the one in the book. The qualities of “Fifty Shades of Grey” stop here, however. The biggest problem of the movie is its representation of sadomasochist relationships. In these relationships, partners agree to a game of power. Common activities can include erotic spanking or whipping. This game is consensual and both par-

ties, the dominating and the submissive, derive pleasure from it. Two films that explore these relationships well are “Bitter Moon” by Roman Polanski and “Secretary” by Steven Shainberg. Both movies contain a realistic portrayal of sadomasochism since the characters clearly show an understanding of what this game of power entails. It must also be said that Polanski’s film is one of the best movie of the 1990s, grabbing the attention of the audience immediately and never letting it go. Therefore, it isn’t the topic that causes “Fifty Shades of Grey” to be a bad film. The movie is bad because it makes the crucial mistake of glamorizing and romanticizing sadomasochism even though there is nothing romantic in it. In the movie, Anastasia (Dakota Johnson) falls in love and this love leads to her submission. She is not deriving pleasure from this game and only does it to be with Mr. Grey (Jamie Dornan). People who practice sadomasochism do it for pleasure and although love can come later, it is not the goal. Many of these flaws come straight from the novel. Director Sam TaylorJohnson must be congratulated for transforming a book with serious writing deficiencies into a movie that is at

now playing at

least watchable. Her directing, however, fails in the way her actors play out the scenes. Dornan’s performance of Grey is almost comical. Throughout the whole movie, from the very beginning to the very end, he speaks in a dreamlike tone of voice. He almost seems to beg the female audience to fall in love with him even before he can finish his first sentence. The result is flat and disastrous acting. The same happens with Dakota Johnson. Her character embodies all imaginable clichés of the innocent girl who is enchanted by a guy. Her performance is better than Dornan’s, but her character never resembles anyone who takes part in sadomasochism and her role falls completely apart. To make sadomasochism seem romantic is the big mistake of “Fifty

Shades of Grey.” As a movie, however, the images are well composed and edited. It carries the weak and unreal story of the book, but it is, ultimately, a better product and thus worth of a passing grade. That’s not saying much though.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” Rated: R Grade: C Verdict: It can qualify as the early candidate for worst movie of 2015, but it is, at least, better than the book. And that’s the only thing that grants it a passing grade.

A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS Transfixiation

ALEX CALDER Strange Dreams

GROENI Hewn EP

BEACON L1

MICHNA Thousand Thursday

MONSOONSIREN Falstrati EP

SORROW Search of the Miraculous

RONIIA RONiiA

JAGA JAZZIST Jaga Jazzist ‘94 - ‘14

V/A - SECRET SONGS

UNTIL THE RIBBON BREAKS A Lesson Unlearnt

TANYA TAGAQ Animism

NOLLORES Never Leave

VIET CONG Viet Cong

DIODE MILLIAMPERE Psychic Pizza Connection

V/A - shh#000000 (Black)

“Selma” SYNOPSIS:

SHOWTIMES:

In 1965, an Alabama city became the battleground in the fight for suffrage. Despite violent opposition, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his followers pressed forward on an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, and their efforts signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Wednesday- Friday 1 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 5:40 p.m., 7:45 p.m. Rated: PG-13 Running Time: 127 minutes

calendar & games

Campus & Downtown Events ScreenTake: Film & Discussion Series

Feb. 24 6 p.m. Speakers Auditorium at the Student Center Georgia State will be screening Oscar Best Picture nominee “Selma,” and will be discussing the film afterwards. You will get a chance to incorporate views on the movies itself, what the movie represents, how the famous historical event was portrayed, and many other topics. They will also feature speaker Tanya Washington, Associate Professor of Law.

Sips and Strokes

Feb. 25 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Student Center Ballroom If you feel like you have an artist’s touch and want to take a crack at getting on Picasso’s level, then this event is something to attend. You will be participating in two paint sessions, one from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., and the second from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. You will make your own masterpiece and show off the capable artist inside.

Laughter Yoga

Feb. 26 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Counseling and Testing Center This is your regular yoga class where you simply stretch on a mat to relieve your stress, in fact a mat isn’t wanted. They want to create laughter through eye contact with other and simply joining in on childlike playfulness. So let go, and join in the fun. Contact Delores Williams at dwilliams155@gsu.edu for info on the location.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015

Word Search BETTY BOOP

Homelessness Service Project

BUGS BUNNY BULLWINKLE

Feb. 27 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. University Center 430 This event is great for those who want to take part in helping the less fortunate. The message this event is trying to send is that handouts are not all one can do, they want to promote practical, emotional, and physical assistance. They believe that when doing these services for those in need, the possibility for happy, functional lives could be amplified. Volunteers meet at the Office of Civic Engagement.

CASPER DAFFY DUCK FELIX THE CAT FLINSTONES INSPECTOR GADGET LITTLE LULU MIGHTY MOUSE MR MAGOO PINK PANTHER POPEYE PORKY PIG SPEED RACER SUPERMAN

Greek Step Show

Feb. 28 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. Sports Arena Georgia State is bringing back some good ole’ traditions, and this one will be filled with exciting entertainment that everyone will love. This Greek Showcase will have everything, including lip syncing, strolling, and stepping. Come and experience some proud performers. Entrance with a Panther I.D. is $5. General public is $10.

Closing the Gender Pay Gap

March 10 12:15 p.m.- 1:15 p.m. With Women’s History Month coming up, this event will address the issue of pay inequality. Discussion will take a look at the issue from a local, regional, and global outlook. It will be held at the Student Center, in Suite 250.

THE JETSONS TOM AND JERRY UNDERDOG WOODY WOODPECKER

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SPORTS “

www.georgiastatesignal.com/sports

It’s what our coach likes to call ‘queensmanship.’ We practice like there is no one else there but us,

“

- Laporscha wells

Finding her strength

Record-breaking weight thrower and shot putter LaPorscha Wells strives to stand tall amongst competition Written by Jared Oliver

PHOTO BY RALPH HERNANDEZ | THE SIGNAL LaPorscha Wells, sophomore, recently set the school record in the weight throw for Georgia State’s track & field team.

he record books for Georgia State track and field have been rewritten this season on a meet-by-meet basis. Responsible for setting these new marks is sophomore weight thrower and shot putter LaPorscha Wells. Wells has established herself as one of the top performers on the Panthers’ track and field team. Wells recently set a new Georgia State weight throw mark of 19.32 meters on Feb. 13 at the Samford Invitational. While setting a record, Wells also placed first at the Samford Invitational. In the meet before that, Wells

found herself at the top of the Georgia State weight throw charts as she won the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Buccaneer Invitational with a heave of 18.57 meters on Jan. 9. Sophomore Tracy Dorcemont, a teammate as well as a good friend of Wells’, previously held the school record in the weight throw at 18.19 meters. The sophomore has created a mindset for herself to improve and excel at every meet. Wells, as a true freshman, also rewrote the record books last season in the hammer throw with a distance of 50.72 meters at the Troy

Invitational on April 6, 2014. This season Wells set a school record in the weight throw (17.26 meters) at the Birmingham-Southern College [BSC] Icebreaker at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Dec. 5, 2014. She says that the talent she possesses is a byproduct of her passion for the sport. “I think because I’m just passionate about it. A lot of people have the talent but not necessarily the love for it. I just love throwing and I really take it extremely serious, so I think that’s why I’m really dedicated to it,” Wells said.

Consistency and greatness are two attributes that many successful athletes have maintained. Athletes prepare in different ways before competition. Wells says she does not partake in any individual pre-game rituals like other athletes. She just likes to listen to music that she says gets her hyped up. “I have to listen to some real good ‘turn up’ music. That will get me so hype,” Wells said. She says that her favorite song is “War Ready” by Rich Homie Quan. The team as whole has its own ritual before going to meets. The team gets together and plays a couple games of

Spades. Even after Wells finishes with her weight or hammer throw, she likes to play Spades. This helps her get her mind off of ruminating on what she could have done better. “Thinking too much can really throw you way off or trying to concentrate too much, so we play Spades and turn up music,” Wells said. Wells spoke of previous weight throw record holder Dorcemont. According to Wells, they always push and compete against each other. “It’s always good competition. It’s never nothing negative,” Wells said. Wells says the Panthers push each other at practice to improve every day. “It’s what our coach likes to call ‘queensmanship.’ We practice like there is no one else there but us,” Wells said.

Before Wells represented the Panthers at this year’s Sun Belt Indoor Championships in Birmingham, Alabama, she set her sights on establishing another careerbest for the weight throw. “Absolutely, I plan on breaking it this weekend. My goal is get 20 meters by the time Conference comes around,” Wells said prior to this year’s Sun Belt meet. Last season, she finished second-best in the weight toss at 15.29 meters during the indoor Sun Belt Conference championship at Alabama. While there are some athletes who consider this satisfying, Wells was disappointed in placing second. She said that she felt even more motivated to throw and improve. “That’s what most athletes do. They have the mindset to win.

The fact that I had lost kind of made me upset. I knew I had to want it more than anyone else,” she said. Wells came into this season “just ready to throw.”

Not only is she a tough competitor in her field events, but Wells has always been a standout in the classroom. Wells aspires be a symbol of what a student-athlete is supposed to be. She graduated the top of her class in high school as the Valedictorian at T.W.

Josey High School in Augusta, Georgia. “They have this thing where athletes aren’t smart. Well, most of the athletes that went to my school, all of us were smart. We took accelerated AP classes, still competing against each other,” Wells said. She explained that all of her friends that played sports would see who made the highest grade on a test

or who made the highest grade in the class. Wells attributes her hard work and dedication to her mother. “Things would be so different if it was not for her. She really pushed me and told me that anything is possible,” Wells said. She says her mother made her believe that goals and aspirations can be attained with hard work.

Wells is a biology major with some possible different plans after leaving Georgia State in a few years. “The Olympics is definitely an option. Hopefully it becomes an option,” Wells said. “But I do want to go to pharmacy school to become a pharmacist.” Wells also made all-region in basketball and volleyball while in high school. Wells pondered on what school she would be at if she were not partaking in track and field at Georgia State. “My dream school was South Carolina State [in Orangeburg, South Caro-

lina]. My mom filled out a recruiting form and the coach called me and told me that I could be a thrower. But being in Atlanta, like who doesn’t want to be in Atlanta?” she said. “Being here has made it so much easier plus I’m only two hours away from home.” Wells grew up in Augusta, Georgia where she has seen shootings and criminal acts. She understands that she has a great opportunity unlike people she knew back home do not have. “To sit in class next to someone who had an opportunity to go to Harvard, it was just really different. It was kind of a mini culture shock,” Wells said. Wells has molded herself in becom-

ing the best student-athlete she can be, not only being known for her weight throw performances but also for her positive outlook on life. “Always believe in yourself… a lot of people don’t have parents who believe in you. Believe in who you are,” Wells said. “I had a high school friend who went through a lot and she didn’t have someone that pushed her and made her want to do something, and now she’s still at home. I tried as much as I could, but I can’t replace a mother. Just know that life is so much more than working at McDonald’s or something like that. If no one believes in you, you have to believe in yourself.”

Representing blue and white

Finishing First

Looking Forward

Getting Ready

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013 18

SPORTS SPORTS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015

Basketball Head Coach Ron Hunter speaks on Black History Month JEREMY JOHNSON Staff Reporter

n Atlanta, Black History Month has special meaning given it is the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The contributions that black people have made in the United States

have had a profound impact on all aspects of American society, including sports. It is in Atlanta where Black History Month takes on an added significance given its status as a hub of black history. The Signal had a chance to sit down with Georgia State men’s basketball coach Ron Hunter on the importance of Black History Month in February.

What comes to mind when you think of black history? “I think it’s different for each person. But for me, Dr. Martin Luther King is the first thing that comes to my mind. Always has been. I only had what I called one hero outside of my parents and really, it’s Dr. Martin Luther

King. His being a servant, his sacrifice and what he did. Again, I don’t think I [would be] a head basketball coach if it wasn’t for Dr. King. So, that’s the first thing that comes to mind. That’s something that means a lot to me.”

How important is black history month to you ? “It’s extremely important. Because, we have to sometimes understand where we came from. I think that sometimes that our young people today don’t realize the sacrifices that a lot of people have made to get us to where we are right now. We’re so much further ahead than we were 30, 40,

50 years ago. And it’s the people, the African-Americans that really, really had to go through a lot of pain to kind of get us there. So, I hope that our young people understand what the people in the past, our grandparents and our great grandparents, what they did to sacrifice for us.”

“

I don’t think I [would be] a head basketball coach if it wasn’t for Dr. King.” - Ron Hunter Basketball Head Coach

PHOTO CREDIT: GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

How important is it for you to make your team understand the importance of Black History Month?

“It’s important. Because it’s part of our culture. It’s part of our history. And if you don’t understand your history then you’re forgetting and you won’t get anywhere. It’s important that each one of our players, whether black or white, they understand the culture of African- Americans. And how it’s

shaped this country. We live in the best country in the world, but it was shaped through the pain and heartache through a lot of people. So again, I think it’s important for me to make sure my guys understand what was done, whether it be Dr. King or Harriet Tubman or whoever it might be.”

Can you name some of the African American leaders that you have referenced in your time as a coach? “Well, back to Dr. King of course. We talked with John Lewis a lot at Selma. I think those are the two we’ve spent a lot of time talking about. Because that’s meant a lot to me. One of the things I want to do is kind of give them my experiences. But those two are where it becomes close to them. Because, again, King was born right down the road. And

his church is right down the road. But, then also John Lewis, who has come and spoken to our team, who has a movie out, came in and talked to our guys. What a really great firsthand experience that our guys could talk to someone who actually really went through the civil rights movement. So, John was just terrific with them.”

How has that shaped you into a basketball coach and father? “I think just from my previous answers. Just making sure we understand and that we don’t forget. And that basically each of us carries a torch. And so my part of carrying the torch is making sure that I use coaching as a vehicle to make sure that we understand what they have done and make sure that we continue the fights for civil right for all people. Not just blacks, but for all people and that everyone is treated fairly. So, I’ve got to do my part. My players have to do their part. In the future, they have got to help their children so we can continue this legacy.”

GPC coaches and athletes sound off on consolidation with Georgia State Jaguars disappointed over ramifications of takeover AKIEM BAILUM Sports Editor

he looming consolidation between Georgia State and Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) has garnered the attention of many individuals at both schools, from students to a former GPC president to Athletics personnel. The effects of the pact between the two schools will lead to the eradication of GPC’s athletics program. Some Athletics officials at GPC do not appear to pleased with the developments. One of those is Jaguars softball coach Ken Deyton. “I am disappointed that our program will be terminated,” Deyton said to The Signal. “I’m in my eighth year here, and I have immersed myself as well as my family into this

program.” Three of Deyton’s eight years as the head coach for Georgia Perimeter’s softball team have been as head coach, including winning the 2012-2013 regional and district championships. He previously also served in various positions within the program, including as recruiting coordinator, strength and conditioning coach and offensive coach. He thought that the Jan. 13 town halls featuring GPC Interim President Rob Watts and Georgia State President Mark Becker could have been handled in a better manner. “I think that there would have been a better way to do this, rather than a webstream at campus,” Deyton said. “Ideally, we would honor, athletically and academically, every promise made to our two-year students.” Deyton said that he is in favor for educational opportunities for students

and people in Georgia. “I am hoping that the plan put together by Georgia State and Georgia Perimeter is a success,” Deyton said. “In terms of Athletics, I feel that there is a need for a two-year, junior college program.” He mentioned that the talk he had to have with the players on his team was a tough one. “We spoke and I simply said that life isn’t always fair,” Deyton said. He mentioned that he would have to put together his resume again after the consolidation in hopes of landing another coaching job. Deyton said that his new job will likely be within the state of Georgia. Brittany Logan of Georgia State’s women’s basketball team told The Signal in January that she believed that GPC athletes should have the opportunity to be able to try out for Georgia State’s sports teams.

Deyton disagreed and described Logan’s comment as a “per-sport statement.” “I know [Georgia State softball coach] Roger Kincaid, what he’s done and what he’s about. With the work he’s put in, he doesn’t need it. It would be unfair to him,” Deyton said. “He doesn’t need any other players in the graduating classes of our players.” Meanwhile, Georgia Perimeter athletes are also not seeing eye to eye with Watts on the subject of the consolidation and the termination of its program. “Quite frankly, I think it’s unfair because it leaves a lot of athletes without what we were promised: Free education and a chance to play basketball,” said sophomore women’s basketball player Brie Reckley to The Collegian, GPC’s student newspaper. Several of the men’s basketball players were also taken aback by the

consolidation, including freshman forward Darryl Tucker. “Everything is happening so fast,” Tucker told The Collegian. “I really like this school [GPC] and playing for this school is such an honor. I’m just flabbergasted that everything is happening so quick. You have a basketball team full of brothers and you feel like we’re just breaking up.” A source within GPC said all but one of its coaches are likely to lose their jobs as a result of the consolidation with Georgia State. The lone coach who will probably remain is men’s soccer coach Marc Zagara who is also an assistant professor of economics at GPC’s Dunwoody campus. The source also disclosed that while it is early in the process, current GPC Director of Athletics Alfred Barney does not expect to rise to an administrative position within Georgia State Athletics.

PANTHER OF THE WEEK

SPORTS CALENDAR Saturday, Feb. 28 Troy*

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Saturday, Feb. 28

Friday, Feb. 27 Old Dominion

The junior Panthers guard has had huge performances in the last three games in which she has averaged over 17 points. She has been a big reason why Georgia State has won four of its last five games. Moss was born in Fairbanks, Alaska and has moved around the country for much of her life, coming from a military family. It was in Alexandria, Virginia where she played high school basketball, including earning an invitation to play for the Virginia All-Stars against the Maryland All-Stars in the Capital Classic in 2012. In her freshman season, she played for 427 minutes for the seventh-most on the team. Last season, Moss had the fifth-most points on the team. In the first game of last season, she scored a previous career-best 16 points vs. UT-Martin. She also scored 13 points in a December victory vs. Kennesaw State and 15 points in a win vs. UL-Monroe.

at Troy, Ala. 3 p.m.

MEN’S TENNIS Friday, Feb. 27

Thursday, Mar. 5 UL Monroe*

Winthrop at Rock Hill, S.C. 4 p.m.

at Monroe, La. 6 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 28

Men’s Basketball

Women’s Basketball

The women’s team also made it difficult to be an App (Appalachian State) at the Sports Arena as they topped the Mountaineers by a final of 80-70. Gaby Moss and Brittany Logan had 18 points each while Alisha Andrews recorded her 300th career steal. Their next game is Thursday at UALR.

at Norfolk, Va. TBA

Troy*

THE FINAL SCORE Unlike the last matchup, Georgia State looked like a first-place team and Appalachian State looked like a last place team when the Panthers dominated the Mountaineers by a final of 87-43. After the game, head coach Ron Hunter admitted that the previous loss to Appalachian State was on the team’s mind. They next play Thursday at UALR.

WOMEN’S TENNIS Wednesday, Feb. 25 Piedmont Park 12 p.m.

1340 The Fan 3

Gaby Moss Basketball

*conference games

Kennesaw State

at Troy, Ala. 5:15 p.m.

GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

SPORTS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015

Softball

USC Upstate at Spartanburg, S.C. 3 p.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL Thursday, Feb. 26

WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD Tuesday, Feb. 24

Saturday, Mar. 7

UALR*

New Mexico (Match 1)

Sun Belt ChampionshipsDay 2

at Little Rock, Ark. 8:30 p.m.

at Albuquerque, N.M 11 a.m.

at Birmingham, Ala. All Day

1340 The Fan 3

Take away a couple of losses at Auburn and Georgia State softball would be undefeated. The Panthers earned four wins at the Panther Invitational to improve their record to 7-2 on the young season. Georgia State takes to the diamond next on Wednesday at home vs. Kennesaw State.

Men’s Tennis

The Panthers had a tough time vs. George Washington by way of a 5-2 loss to the Colonials. Singles wins by Jannis Koeke and Sofianne Chevallier accounted for the only Georgia State victories. The team’s next match will be on Friday at Winthrop.

Sun Belt Standings MENS BASKETBALL

1st

Georgia Southern 12-4 | Overall: 19-6

2nd

Georgia State 12-4 | Overall: 19-8

3rd

UL Monroe 14-4 | Overall: 18-9

4th

UL Lafayette 10-7 | Overall: 16-12

5th

UL Arlington 9-7 | Overall: 15-11

6th

UALR 7-10 | Overall: 12-15

7th

South Alabama 7-10 | Overall: 9-19

8th

Appalachian State 6-10 | Overall: 9-16

9th

Texas State 5-11 | Overall: 11-14

10th

INVITE YOU AND A GUEST TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF Wednesday, March 4th 8:00PM

Stop by THE SIGNAL office today at 33 Gilmer Street 200 University Center to receive a ticket (While supplies last). Limited one admit-two pass per person. While supplies last. Employees of participating sponsors are not eligible. This screening is overbooked to ensure capacity and seating is available on a first-come, first served basis.

Arkansas State 5-11 | Overall: 10-15

The film has been rated R for violence, language and brief nudity.

IN THEATERS FRIDAY, MARCH 6! #CHAPPIEMOVIE

@CHAPPIETHEMOVIE

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