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ORACLE
Henderson
Wednesday Feb. 3, 2021
State
University
Issue 6
Vol.118
Kelly Stiles Editor-In-Chief “I was born a Reddie and I will always be a Reddie,” former Henderson State University Board of Trustees member Brown Hardman Jr. said. Having finished his seven-year term about a year ago, Hardman reflects on the joy it brought him to give back to the college that meant so much to him and his family. “We fought hard for Henderson, I’ll tell you that,” Hardman said. Due to the transition of HSU into the Arkansas State University school system, Henderson’s Board of Trustees was dissolved to welcome a new Board of Trustees which is meant to take into account the specializations of both Henderson and Arkansas State. Two members of the dissolved committee are set to join the new one. “My momma and my daddy both are Henderson graduates,” Hardman said. Hardman grew up in Arkadelphia and attended the Arkadelphia School District. He was brought up by his father Olin Brown Hardman who was a disabled war veteran and his mother Loise Hardman who was a school teacher, and both were HSU graduates. His father played football with former basketball and football coach Duke Wells, who is the namesake of the Duke Wells Center for sports on the Reddie campus. His mother was the salutatorian of her graduating class, right behind her brother who was valedictorian. “I grew up on Henderson’s campus,” Hardman said. As a child, Hardman would play with Wells’ son and get in trouble for trying to catch goldfish from Henderson’s fish
Brown Hardman: A Reddie from the start Photo by Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance
Former Board of Trustees member Brown Hardman reflects on his life of gratitude toward HSU.
pond. Hardman knew all the football players on the HSU team from the time he was 9-years-old. When he was around the age of 12, he received his first football uniform. Young Hardman refused to wear it, however, until his mom dyed it Henderson colors. “I wasn’t going to have a football uniform if it wasn’t Henderson colors,” Hardman said. By the time he was in highschool, Hardman had become a skilled football player. The year he graduated, HSU started awarding sports scholarships, and Hardman was among the first to receive one. Even though Ouachita Baptist University offered him a scholarship as well, there was no doubt that Hardman was going to
be a Reddie. “I am 39-years-old,” Hardman said. “But, I have celebrated 42 years of being 39-years-old.” After he graduated from HSU, Hardman married his wife of 59 years Carolyn Sue, and went on to spend two years in the Army where he was second lieutenant. When he would spend six months at a time away from Arkadelphia, Hardman longed for his hometown. Following his service in the military, Hardman began working as a real estate broker. He was on the Arkadelphia City Board for 12 years, and went on to become assistant mayor. Hardman considered running for mayor at one time, but decided against it because he would have had
to give up his real estate business United Country Real Estate, where he works to this day. Former Governor of Arkansas Mike Beebe appointed Hardman to be a Board of Trustee member for HSU in 2013. Since Hardman was friends with the rest of the members and much of Henderson’s faculty, it was difficult at times to make decisions that did not align with theirs. “It was one of the toughest jobs I have had in my life,” Hardman said. “I would always vote for what I thought was best for Henderson State University.” Now, when he attends parades in downtown Arkadelphia with his wife, Hardman eagerly awaits
hearing the Henderson marching band. “When the band starts playing that old Reddie Spirit, I start crying,” Hardman said. Hardman believes that Henderson is like no other university; the professors and faculty care for their students in a way that sets the school apart. “That is what the Reddie Spirit is,” Hardman said. Hardman encourages the people of Henderson to embrace what sets the university apart. After all, the college is not coined “school with a heart” for no reason. “Dare to be different,” Hardman said. “Nobody should want to be like everybody else.”
Broadcasting legend Larry King dies at 87 Juli Reaper Calendar Coordinator On the morning of Jan. 23 broadcasting legend Larry King passed away. He had been receiving care at Cedars-Sinai in late december after being hospitalized with COVID. No cause of death has been provided at this time. King was born Lawrence Hrvey Zeiger in Brooklyn, New York,in 1933. He grew up in a Jewish household and later in life he became agnostic. At four years old, Larry’s father died of a heart attack.
King worked to care for his mother for several years following his graduation from Lafayette high school. In 1957, King started out as a radio DJ in Miami. It was not until the “Larry King Show” began in 1978 that King gained prominence. He was on the show for 25 years before retiring in 2010. During his time on the talk show King interviewed people from all walks of life. He interviewed several high profile people including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Dalai Lama, Bill Gates, Lady Gaga, LeBron James, Paris Hilton and Margaret Thatcher and every president since Gerald Ford.
“I like talking to people I’ve never met before,” King said. Sadly, his life came to an end at the age of 87. His career, having lasted more than 50 years, ended with retirement in 2010. Or so everyone had thought. In 2013 he came back and was hosting his interview program, “Larry King Now,” and a new show, “ PoliticKing with Larry King.” King will be missed by people across the nation, but he will live on through his memory. He may have passed away, but he lives on through the legacy he left for journalism and entertainment.
Photo by Wikipedia Commons
The “King” of interviews Larry King dies while being treated for COVID.
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Wednesday Feb. 3, 2021
NEWS
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Biden’s first days in office Cullen Smith Contributing Reporter To say the political climate in America these days have been “rocky” would be an understatement. Especially these past few weeks. With all of the chaos around politics, everyone is ready to look to the future with our new President Joe Biden. He has had a very productive first few days in office, signing fifteen plus executive orders. On his first day, he paused federal student loans and rejoined the Paris climate agreement. The following day, Biden ended the Muslim travel ban and the construction of the border wall. He unveiled an ambitious economic stimulus plan on Jan. 22. On Jan. 25 Biden implemented orders to lift the transgender military ban, reform the incarceration system, and limit the number of private prisons. That makes for a total of 24 signed executive orders within his two weeks in office — the most by a new president in modern U.S. history. With so many orders already enacted and more on the way pose an interesting question. Is it a good thing to put in laws in this manner? Unless the supreme court finds an order unconstitutional, there really isn’t a way for an executive order to be rejected or removed from law. For the most part, President Biden has given orders that the general public agrees with, so it is not much of a problem. But what happens when this is not the case? When the President issues an executive order, the public doesn’t get to vote or voice their opinion on it. Furthermore, even if the public does not agree with an executive order, as long as it is constitutional, it
Photo by Gage Skidmore
Upon his recent inauguration, President Joseph Biden has made many changes during his first days in office.
will not be removed despite a lack of support. It is all smooth sailingfor now. President Biden needs to be careful about which issues warrant executive orders, or he could have some pretty unhappy citizens in the near future. Overall, the majority of the country is at least mildly pleased with Biden’s efforts so far, but a growing number of people are pleading that America keep our new president accountable. Every politician flashes the populace with lofty aspirations and idealistic policies, and every single one of them have fallen short in some capacity. We haven’t been asking for perfection, but the standards have been slipping. The American people are eager for change, and while it may be unrealistic for President Biden to achieve all that he has promised, he still needs to be held to a higher standard. Timeline of Biden’s 24
executive orders Executive orders signed on 01/20/2021 1. Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government 2. Ensuring a Lawful and Accurate Enumeration and Apportionment Pursuant to the Decennial Census 3. Organizing and Mobilizing the United States Government To Provide a Unified and Effective Response To Combat COVID-19 and To Provide United States Leadership on Global Health and Security 4. Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation 5. Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel 6. Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science To Tackle the Climate Crisis 7. Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing
8. Revocation of Certain Executive Orders Concerning Federal Regulation 9. Revision of Civil Immigration Enforcement Policies and Priorities Executive orders signed on 01/21/2021 10. Ensuring a DataDriven Response to COVID-19 and Future High-Consequence Public Health Threats 11. Ensuring an Equitable Pandemic Response and Recovery 12. Establishing the COVID-19 Pandemic Testing Board and Ensuring a Sustainable Public Health Workforce for COVID-19 and Other Biological Threats 13. Improving and Expanding Access to Care and Treatments for COVID-19 14.Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel 15.Protecting Worker Health and Safety 16.Supporting the Reopening and Continuing
Operation of Schools and Early Childhood Education Providers 17. A Sustainable Public Health Supply Chain Executive orders signed on 01/22/2021 18. Economic Relief Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic 19.Protecting the Federal Workforce Executive orders signed on 01/25/2021 20. Enabling All Qualified Americans To Serve Their Country in Uniform 21. Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of America by All of America’s Workers Executive orders signed on 01/26/2021 22. Reforming Our Incarceration System To Eliminate the Use of Privately Operated Criminal Detention Facilities Executive orders signed on 01/27/2021 23. President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology 24. Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad
Sarah Huckabee Sanders: A natural fit for the natural state Lance Brownfield Opinion Editor She was born in Hope, just like a well known former Governor of Ark. by the name of Bill Clinton. She went to Little Rock Central High, made famous by the Little Rock Nine, and went on to get her bachelor’s degree from Ouachita Baptist University here in Arkadelphia. I’m talking, of course, about Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who is deeply rooted in Arkansas and has put her hat in the running for governor. Looking to follow in her father’s footsteps, she’s running under the Republican banner. The daughter of two-term Governor Mike Huckabee, Sanders knows her way
around the Capitol Building. “I think she’s a powerful woman and she’s very intelligent,” sophomore political science major Brennan Shamburger said. “But she’s also running against another woman who’s very intelligent and who’s the current Attorney General of Arkansas.” There are two candidates running against Sanders in the 2022 race. Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin, both Republicans. All three current candidates have strong ties to the state and plenty of experience in politics, but Sanders is the only one to have grown up in the Governor’s Mansion. Little Rock is not the only capital that Sanders has worked in, serving as White House Press Secretary under the Trump administration.
She also served in the Department of Education while President George W. Bush was in office. “She did an admiral job being the White House Press Secretary,” Eddie Arnold, Chairman of the Republican Party of Clark County said. “I think she took some unbelievable heat from the national press media that was unwarranted and uncalled for.” Sanders’ campaign centers around her Christian values, law and order and fighting for Arkansas jobs. With the endorsement of President Donald Trump, Mike Pompeo and many more in the GOP, she stands a good chance of winning the primaries. While a lot can happen in two years, Sanders has raised $1 million in less than a week of announcing her campaign and looks very
competitive. The youngest candidate on the ballot, she has the potential to connect with younger voters who have become much more involved in politics over the past few years. “As a Reddie, I’m inclined to not support her,”
Jacob Palmer, junior political science and criminal justice major said via text. “But, I went to see her give a speech at her alma mater, OBU, last year before COVID. She seemed confident in the spotlight.”
Photo by Wikipedia Commons
Sarah Huckabee Sanders is officially running for Governor of Arkansas.
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Wednesday Feb. 3, 2021
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Comic by Blanton Matthews
Adventures on Earth-K
The apparently final issue of “Legion of Super-Heroes” Blanton Matthews Comic Reporter DC Comics far-future superhero team, the Legion of Super-Heroes, has been rebooted and restarted probably more times than any other DC Comic property. The latest “rebend” launched by writer Brian Michael Bendis (“Superman”, “Action Comics”) began about two years ago, spinning from the pages of “Superman” with Superboy—Clark Kent and Lois Lane’s son Jon— joining team like he was just going away to college in the thirty-first century. While I have largely enjoyed Bendis’ time as the “Superman” writer, his “Legion of SuperHeroes” has unfortunately been unfocused and uninteresting. Issue twelve released in Jan., and it seems to be the final issue of the run, save for an upcoming mini-series tying in to DC’s linewide “Future State” event. No further issues have appeared in DC’s monthly solicitations. The issue features a fairly standard superhero brawl between the Legion— primarily Jon—and Rogol Zaar, the villain whose defeat led to the founding of the “rebend” Legion in the first place. With the focus being on Jon and his House of El Art by Ryan Sook, Wade von Grawbadger, and Jordie Bellaire, letters by Dave Sharpe
relatives on New Krypton, Bendis all but loses the rest of the massive team. In as many issues as he wrote now, very few Legionnaires have yet to develop their own voice. I do not mean in the sense that all Bendis characters sound the same, in that the writer’s signature conversational dialogue cadence can often draw the ire of fans who expect punchier prose, but they rarely speak to any internal character. Most of them exist as decoration. It is understandable given the sheer scale of the Legion,
but the few interactions between non-Jon characters happen either to recap previous plot points or to hint at future ones—or both, as a significant amount of space in the last few issues has been dedicated to warnings of the impending “Great Darkness”, which is just a riff on a previous popular Legion story from several incarnations ago. While not much seems to happen in the pages of “Legion,” it sure is pretty nothing. Artist Ryan Sook (“Seven Sodiers: Zatanna”, “Action Comics”) is an elegant draftsman is paired
here with the clean inks of Wade von Grawbadger (“Star Wars”, “All New X-Men”). Sook redesigned every character from scratch, and largely to great effect. The lines and angles really play into the kinetic motion of the characters, and this almost all-fight issue is particularly a treat to look at. Colorist Jordie Bellaire (“The Vision”, “Batman”) allows the lines to shine with subtle shading, but does not pull punches when it comes to the daunting crowd spreads with the massive multicolor Legion roster.
Brian Michael Bendis can and does write good comics, and it is evident here that “Legion of SuperHeroes” is a project he has wanted to tackle for a long time, which makes it all the more disappointing that he ultimately did so little with it, like a toy collector who keeps everything in their boxes. The collection looks good on display, but it could have been arranged in more interesting ways. You can read “Legion of Super-Heroes” wherever comics are sold or via subscription to DC Universe: Infinite.
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Wednesday Feb. 3, 2021
FEATURES
Antisocial engagement Cullen Smith Contributing Reporter Did I remember to turn my camera off? This question plagues HSU students who are begrudgingly getting ready for their online lectures. Most students are quite familiar with how online platforms are being used for class, but HSU is also using these platforms for entertainment aspects. The staff at the Student Engagement Center have used online platforms to make social events viable. “Before COVID-19 we were already using some virtual mediums to reach out to students so they could be connected,” assistant Vice President for student engagement Dr. Veronikha Salazar said. “But COVID emphasized the need for
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virtual platforms like Zoom, Google Hangout, Skype, and Facebook.” Salazar also noted that her staff had to branch out to online avenues of which they “…hadn’t paid much attention to before COVID-19.” Salazar explained that she had seen an increase in engagement, specifically mentioning Student Government. She explains that, “since everyone has a cellphone, laptop, or iPad with Wi-Fi, you can login from wherever you are.” Usually, the student senators have to be in a room in-person for their attendance to count, but now “…they can even login from Texas if they went home.” The lax attendance combined with the convenience of online Photo by Cullen Smith platforms makes it very easy for students to come The Student Engagement center struggles to keep students involved on campus with social distancing to online meetings and get protocols in place.
Photo by Cullen Smith
Zoom has become a household name within the last year, especially for college students who want to stay engaged with their classes and activities.
to the point, which Salazar describes as both a pro and a con. “There isn’t any interpersonal interaction, no comradery beforehand or afterwards, it’s not personal like a back and forth . . . but a pro is that you start meetings and end them on time because it is so to the point.” Salazar said. HSU has also been able to make a wide variety of “social” events happen this year with the aid of online platforms. “I think it’s a good way to get students involved because most of our events were previously in-person,” Vice President of Student Affairs Jeremiah Hatley said. “That our Student Engagement Center is trying to find ways to do things virtually, it’s a really
good idea.” While there have not been any new events added, Hatley noted that there had been a significant increase in attendance. As it turns out, college students can really get behind classes and events where they do not have to leave their rooms.
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7 ways to have a COVID safe Valentine’s Day Kaela McKim Features Editor It’s no secret that holidays are drastically different now with COVID still spreading. Holidays like St. Patrick’s day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all had precautions in place which caused stress about celebrating with loved ones. As social distancing continues, Valentine’s Day can now be added to the list of affected holidays. That doesn’t mean it can’t still be a special day, however. Here are seven ways to celebrate with your partner while still being safe: 1. Stay indoors away from others. Make a nice homemade meal with your person. One idea is chicken alfredo, as it is easy and cheap to make. 2. Have a spa night. Take the time to relax and enjoy each other’s company with some face and hair
masks, a few lit candles, and the comfiest robes on. 3. A picnic is another great way to spend the day. Soaking in the sun with your partner, a few snacks ready, and music playing is a good, safe way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. 4. For the home bodies, just lounging around may be the best way to celebrate love. Quality time speaks volumes on Valentine’s Day. 5. For those that like DIY projects, build something. Maybe a new desk, a vanity, or a small bookshelf. After it’s completed, it can be appreciated for months to come. 6. Create a homemade photoshoot. Choose a location away from others, or even do it at home, to capture moments forever. 7. Make arts and crafts. Get paint, canvases, brushes, and a jar filled with ideas of what to paint. This is also Photo by Chloe Bergren something to be admired after it’s completed, with Couple Ashlynn Phakvang and Aaron Spinney shooting a COVID safe photoshoot in Dallas, Texas on the memory of painting Jan. 6, 2021. with your partner attached.
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Wednesday Feb. 3, 2021
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Harriet Tubman on the 20 dollar bill
Photo by Wikipedia Commons
Slave abolitionist Harriet Tubman is set to be printed on the 20-dollar bill in 2030.
Kelly Stiles Editor-In-Chief One of President Joseph Biden’s first acts as leader of the free world is meant to represent those who were not always free. The Biden administration announced that a portrait of slavery abolitionist Harriet Tubman shall be printed on one side of the 20-dollar bill in the year of 2030, sharing the currency with former President Andrew Jackson. “For us to live in a multicultural country for so long and not represent all of the components that make up that society does not show who we are as a country,” professor of communication specializing in cultural diversity and gender communication Victoria Ellison said. Tubman is known as the “Moses of her people.” Having escaped slavery, she used her freedom to help former slaves escape along the route of the Underground Railroad. Tubman courageously
fought for justice, risking her own life for that of others. For these reasons and more, Tubman is an inspiration to the American people, especially to African Americans who owe their current freedom, in part, to her. “Do I think [racial inequality is] going to be fixed by a 20-dollar bill? No, I do not,” junior marketing major and member of the Black Student Association Keyuna Thrower said. Recent tensions surrounding the unequal treatment of black people resulting in the Black Lives Matter movement brings about questions regarding the intentions of placing Tubman’s portrait on currency. Some believe that the Biden administration is enacting this change to make it appear as if racial inequality is ending, when in actuality, it is not. “We’re moving in the right direction,” Thrower said. Thrower suggests that this instance should be seen as a way to start conversations about how real change can occur. “As a little girl, I would
have been super proud to see a black woman on a 20-dollar bill,” Thrower said. The portrait of Tubman that is said to be printed on the bill is shrouded in controversy as it depicts her when she was a slave, not when she was free. In fact, the image used is from “wanted” posters at the time Tubman had run away; this particular image was originally meant to display Tubman as a criminal. “I do not feel represented by the image,” Thrower said. “I am not a runaway slave. I am an American citizen. I am free.” Thrower and others have mentioned that there are pictures available of Tubman from when she was a free woman. They argue that a free and empowered black woman is a better representation of African American people. “If you want to do something like this, do it correctly,” Thrower said. Others argue that Tubman would have never wanted to be associated with money. To some, it feels wrong that an individual who used to be bought
and sold like property is represented on the very thing many black people were enslaved for - money. “Money is something we value,” Ellison said. “Our expectations of women and the roles that they play a lot of times are not valued in the United States. So, putting a woman on money, something that is so valued, is a subconscious thing that says, ‘hey, women matter too.’ Especially for black women, who are often discriminated against.” The removal of former President Jackson from one side of the bill is a source of contention, as some believe that it is not fair to remove him in order to make room for Tubman. A rebuttal to this argument is that Jackson’s troublesome history is not a suitable representation of what American values should be. “Jackson has a history of oppression against different people,” Ellison said. Jackson owned hundreds of slaves over the course of his life and played a major role in the violent removal of thousands of Native Americans from their home land. Due
to his history of racial discrimination and ethnic cleansing, critics deem it unfit to place him on the same bill as someone who suffered from slavery. Why should the United States continue to celebrate someone who propagated the very evil Tubman worked so hard to destroy? “We want to represent people from diverse backgrounds, but also people who stood up for the right thing,” Ellison said. Whether or not the details of this decision are morally correct, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris receive praise for carrying out one of their campaign promises. Fighting against the racial inequality that plagues the United States has been a focal topic among the duo, especially upon the arrival of the first woman and person of color to fill the role of Vice President. “That is a good first step for them,” Ellison said. “They are showing their intentions of healing a divided nation, but they’re going to have to keep making strides in that fight for inclusion.”
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The road to joy: Triumph over adversity Darby Waller Contributing Reporter We are congregated in the living room of our souped-up, double-wide manufactured home. It sits on the edge of our family farm on the outskirts of town. We are watching, with minimal interest, our usual evening show, Andy Griffith. Cartoons coming from the other room provide our usual background noise. The whistling theme song blares loud enough to put us off, accommodating my dad, Bruce’s, hard of hearing. Baley’s steps heave across the floor, making distinct thuds for such a tiny person. At first glance she appears short and breakable-looking, but her steps are tense and strong. She is pigeon-toed but she walks with purpose. Her fair, unblemished skin looks as though it had maintained itself since birth. She is so small that you can see the outline of her spine protruding from her back. You can run your hand down it and feel the notch of every vertebrae like running your hand across the black keys of a piano. She tops out at eighty-five pounds, only if we can get her there. She eats solely through a feeding tube that connects to a “button” on her stomach. The buttonsized piece of plastic is barely visible, sticking out of her midsection through her t-shirt. Her t-shirts are hand-medown from her younger, but much larger by comparison, sisters. Her around-the-house outfit is complete with an adult diaper that completely swallows her tiny legs and stomach. She has hazel eyes and dark brown hair — just like me. I often look at her and try to see myself. I can’t help but wonder if we would look more alike had she been born normal. Lauren and I only share similar noses. Lauren is tall, blonde, moderately athletic, easily outspoken, and type A. I can’t relate, so I look to Baley for the whatifs. If there’s anyone who can give you a case of the whatifs, it’s Baley. A near attachment of her dainty hand is a webbed green ball, a toy made for infants, about the size of a softball. She curls her fingers tightly around the openings, clinging to it for dear life. She will only release it for one other toy, Buzz Lightyear, for reasons we don’t worry about trying to understand. She is constantly restless, pacing from her room to the living room and back. She paces. She stops. She sits for a moment. She paces again. She reacts sporadically to our laughter or general loud-ness. We talk to her like you would a baby, knowing that she may or may not acknowledge our existence. We often talk to one another about her and she gazes her eyes and smiles at us for half a second. It’s as if for that moment only, she may know what we are saying. This is the ideal Baley. This is our safe place — our long-
Photo by Kaitlyn Elizabeth
Alumni Darby Waller shares how the adversity of her childhood shaped her, and how she found joy in the midst of it.
awaited promise land after a treacherous journey through the wilderness. Between the three of us there were five faces. Baley’s was always the same, but Lauren and I each had two. One face for Mom’s house and one face for Dad’s. Lauren is exactly thirteen months and six days older than me. Growing up, she was my walking and talking how-to-do-life manual. I was her shadow by my own will. If she jumped, I jumped. If she joined the school band and played the flute, by golly, I joined the band and played the flute too. She was the filter I put every situation through, with only one exception. Lauren wanted so badly to be the apple of our dad’s eye. I tried it a few times, but quickly realized neither she nor I would ever beat out the man’s love for Bud Light and freedom. She persisted. His extended family has a deer camp. It’s a few miles away from my Granny’s house. We always went there on his weekends for the sake of his freedom. His explanation was that it allowed us to see Granny and Grandpa. He wasn’t wrong, but his motives simply weren’t that pure. There was a house my dad rented that was only twenty or thirty minutes from where we lived in Malvern with our mom. Rather than going there on his weekends, he insisted on taking us two and a half hours away to El Dorado, Arkansas. God forbid he be solely responsible for our wellbeing for two whole days. Lauren liked the deer camp when we were younger. She was a small, agile girl that could easily play along with whatever games my older cousins came up with. She liked to hunt and shoot guns — she fit in for the most part. I was not agile, small, or good at any games. I didn’t hunt, nor did I want to shoot a gun. I couldn’t find interest in football games or any other activities that went on there. Lauren may not have genuinely liked any of those things, but she was good at playing the part for them, so she got along well. I learned quickly to stay in the house. At the house there
was TLC or HGTV on the television, the company of my proper and poised Granny, and Baley, who needed to be taken care of. It wasn’t where I wanted to be, but it was the best bet — indoors, safe, not being made fun of by my older cousins. During the day, when Lauren wasn’t there, no one wanted to change Baley’s diapers, so I did it. At home, my parents would lay her on the bed to change her like you would a baby. I was smaller than her or of equal size (depending on the year), so I had to figure out a different way. I would take her to the bathroom and pull down her pants and pull-up, sit her on the toilet, discard the pull-up, clean her, replace the pull-up, and put her pants back on. Simple and easy. For everyone else, there was always an excuse. My dad thought it was weird to change his disabled daughters’ diaper. My granny was too old. My twinaunts either didn’t want to or they had to be convinced. My sister did when she was there, but again, she was usually with Dad at deer camp trying to win him over, hoping it would make him change. I don’t blame her for trying, he actually could be a decent guy when he didn’t drink. At home we had a routine. We weren’t expected to take care of Baley, and we certainly weren’t trying to convince a parent to do us right. At home, Mom and Bruce took care of everything. We played, did our homework, a few chores, and went to bed by 8 pm. We could relax our minds and act our age, which often meant acting up. Lauren was the terrorizing older sister that beat me with my own baby doll and blamed me for her wrong doings. I was the smart-mouthed back talker to my parents, and I tested Lauren’s authoritative personality as often as possible. At Dad’s, we had to be on the same team. We understood that bad things might happen, and we would have to lean on each other. We had to play pretend in the worst possible way. It was us against severe alcoholism and irresponsibility.
As we got older, Lauren and I started to pick up on the level of manipulation my dad and his sisters were trying to achieve. Our aunts would tell us bad things about our mom, either made up or dug up from her past. “You know your mom’s a pill popper,” they said, “and she drank, too, when her and your dad were in college.” We didn’t care, true or not. My aunts failed to realize that Lauren and I had two ears, two eyes, and a brain to pick up on all the little things they did to try and wreak havoc on our lives. We could clearly see the difference between how we lived at home versus there. With our young and observant minds, we knew that home was better. Our aunts disliked me more than Lauren. I was severely unimpressionable on their attempts to sway me and blatantly disinterested in trying to please them. Lauren was, at the very least, polite. I didn’t just roll with the punches. I had strong opinions on what was right and wrong and knew that their actions were wrong. Lauren knew it too, she just cared more about keeping the peace. I slightly enjoyed making them mad. I couldn’t control a lot about my situation, but I could definitely control how much they enjoyed their time with me. Our dad always drove a bright red, four-door, Chevy Silverado. One day, we met up with him like normal. We got all settled in the truck and Mom and Bruce had already driven away. As soon as the coast was clear, he showed us his new “invention.” “Girls, I’ve got something to show you,” he said. “Check out what I’ve been working on.” I don’t remember all its features, but the small contraption was supposed to make the truck run more efficiently… or something. He bragged about wanting to patent it and explained to us what a patent is. It was some kind of a twisted, fatherly teaching moment. He beamed with forced pride in himself. I honestly thought it was lame and boring, so I didn’t tell people about it. Years later, I had a random epiphany while at school that his fantastic invention was indeed, a breathalyzer. He would even have us breathe in it, “for fun.” As time went on, our dad made friends and we spent time with them and their kids. They lived close by my dad’s actual house that we never seemed to go to on his weekends. His friends and all their family would go to the lake together in the summer and Dad would bring us there. If we spent time at his actual house, and not with Granny, I didn’t have the option to stay at home. At the lake, the later it got the more drunk everyone became. The music was loud and the people were in and out of laughter and drunken singing. Never once did I feel completely comfortable or safe around them like I did
with Granny. I was always on guard, and always ready to fake a smile and appease a grown adult with what they wanted to hear. Yes ma’am. No ma’am. Yes sir. No sir. Fake laugh. Smile. Nod. His drunk behavior and our discomfort wasn’t new, but the drive from the lake to his house was a lot longer, curvier, and far less rural than the ride from the deer camp to Granny’s house, and we couldn’t risk doing nothing. Baley wasn’t there, thank God. Lauren and I were beginning to worry about riding home with our dad that night. His breath reeked of beer, he wasn’t that stable on his feet, and he was acting completely stupid. I remember vividly seeing him stumble when yelling out the lyrics to some Toby Keith song, most likely “I Love This Bar.” We had a Go Phone at the time that barely worked. It died so fast that it was mostly useless when you took it off the charger. We couldn’t call our mom with it plugged in to the camper, one of the other kids might know that we are calling for help. We finally got enough charge in it after what seemed like an eternity. We walked over to the communal restroom steps across the road. Our hands were shaky and sweaty, and we tried repeatedly to call our mom. It took so many tries, there was barely any service and so little room for error on such a dumb phone. With each attempt we would get more and more scared that the phone wouldn’t work. We contemplated just grabbing someone’s phone and calling the cops, but we desperately wanted to talk to mom first. We finally got her on the phone. “It’s okay, baby. Calm down. I’m on my way.” She instructed us to go tell one of the women that my mom thought would try to help us. Maybe they would get Dad to drink some water and settle down. I went to find the woman and Lauren waited up the hill. “Uh, I think Dad is pretty drunk. Do you think he should drive us home?” “What?” She laughed me off. “Your dad is not drunk, you’re so silly.” She was drunk, too. I knew Mom said to tell a woman, someone motherly in the very least. So I went and told my dad’s friend’s wife. In my head, I imagined that she would help us or at least offer advice. She was normally sensible, but she was drunk as well. “Hey, uh-” I stuttered, “Dad is drunk, and I think our mom is coming to get us, I don’t think it’s safe for him to drive home.” She immediately stood up, gripped my arm, and squeezed it so tight that it left a mark. “Your dad is not drunk.” She whispered at me, but it resembled a yell more than a whisper. She pulled me up the hill to her camper by my arm where (Cont. on pg. 7))
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Wednesday Feb. 3, 2021
FEATURES
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5 shows to binge over Spring Break Cullen Smith Contributing Reporter The COVID pandemic started way back in March of 2020. As we were forced to remain in our homes, we turned our attention to our screens. Watching shows we had never heard of and finishing their seasons in one sitting is now commonplace. Even though the lockdown has been somewhat lifted, binge-watching is still a big part of our weekly schedule, especially because we cannot always hang out with our friends. While many of us may have watched everything under the sun as of late, we’ll give you some of the best new shows to binge-watch, and maybe some classics too. 1. The Mandalorian: From the universe created by George Lucas comes The Mandalorian which was created by Jon Favreau and produced by Favreau and Dave Filoni, the mind behind the fantastic “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels” animated series. The show follows the titular Mandalorian, played by Pedro Pascal, as he makes his way through the
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The iconic Netflix startup screen is a well-known sight among binge-watchers.
galaxy. A bounty hunter by trade, one of the best, the Mandalorian works alone on bounties throughout the outer rim until he meets an unexpected ally on one of these trips. The show offers an excellent soundtrack worthy of the Star Wars title, and it shows off aspects of the Star Wars universe that were previously unexplored. There’s plenty of time to dive into the sixteen episodes of the first two seasons before season three gets here. It’s likely that Star Wars fans have already watched the show but the second go-around is just as good as the first, and if you haven’t watched The Mandalorian, there’s no better reason to pick up a Disney+ subscription. 2. The Boys: Created by Eric Kripke, The Boys takes the superhero show routine and turns it on its
head. In the universe of The Boys, the publicly known superheroes are owned by Vought International. The heroes are highly monetized, appearing in movies and advertisements. Behind the scenes, these socalled heroes are corrupt, and care only for their own self-interest. These heroes are called “The Seven.” The titular group, “The Boys,” are composed of vigilantes fighting to destroy the Vought corporation. As previously mentioned, this type of superhero show hasn’t been seen before. The series is dark, funny, and all-around entertaining, although very violent. There are sixteen hour-long episodes spanning two seasons, with a third on the way. You can find them on Amazon video. 3. Cobra Kai: This reboot of the 1980’s Karate
Kid movies hits viewers with nostalgia and injects a good bit of youth into the formula, resulting in a Netflix hit. Ralph Macchio and William Zabka return as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence respectively. Martin Kove also returns as John Kreese, head of the original Cobra Kai dojo. Johnny and Daniel reignite their own rivalry, and each begin to teach a new generation. The old memories of the original paired with a great cast makes this show a must-watch. The third season came out on the first of January, and there are thirty Episodes total. 4. Euphoria: This drama, created by Sam Levinson, follows high schoolers and their struggles with trauma, drugs, and identity. The cast is headlined by Zendaya,
who has been praised for her exceptional acting throughout the first season. The show deals exclusively in mature subject matter and graphic content, and as such, it isn’t always easy to watch. However, the show is strangely captivating, likely due to the great cast, story, and score. If you aren’t convinced, take the word of HBO, who has renewed the show for a second season. Until then, there are ten episodes for you to sink your teeth into. 5. The Office (American Version): This show, based off The Office by Ricky Gervais and developed by Greg Daniels, needs no introduction. The shakycam mockumentary has been on top of the streaming game for a long time now. The show chronicles the goings-on at the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. The cast is starstudded, and includes Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, and others. The style and comedy are unparalleled, and there are over two-hundred episodes spanning nine seasons to binge. To be honest, despite the fact that most of us have already binged this show, it never really gets old.
6 professional pointers for acing job interviews Job interviews usually never come without a bit of stress and nerves; with the new COVID lifestyle, cutting out stress is a major accomplishment. You may worry, what if I freeze? What if they don’t like me? What if I don’t have the answers they’re looking for? Luckily, there are tips
and tricks to better prepare you and help you land the job. Here are six tips to help you on your way to a successful future: 1. You may never know exactly what will be asked, but a quick Google search can tell you the most commonly asked questions in an interview. Practicing your answer to just a few can better prepare you for what they may really ask. 2. Go in with your full personality. The
interviewer will see that you’re comfortable and happy to be there. This will also give them a chance to see who you are and may persuade them to show more of their personality as well. 3. It’s common for the interviewer to ask if you have any questions at the end of the meeting. Don’t be afraid to have a few prepared. It will show that you are interested in the day to day life of working
there and that you too want to make sure it is the best fit. 4. Brag about your accomplishments and how you can positively contribute to the company. They most likely already have your resume, but reminding them of what you have done and further emphasizing your good work won’t hurt. 5. Listen and communicate well. Small talk can go a long way,
especially if you are talking to your potential future boss. Getting more personal will give them more of a feel of what it will be like to work with you. 6. At the end of the interview, thank them for their time and point out again why you think the job is a good fit for you. Showing respect and gratitude is key.
we had previously charged the phone. I have still images in my memory of her yelling in my face, screaming at me. But, above all, I remember how she made me feel. I could smell the alcohol on her breath and see the rage in her eyes. I couldn’t tell you what happened between then and my mom getting there. I think her husband joined and my dad figured out what we did. I know this was the scariest part of it all, three plus drunk adults yelling at me, but I have no recollection of what exactly went down. Mom brought my Papa, her dad, because she was that worried about how they would act when she got there. It took her an eternity to get there. She drove all the way out to his house first, and then made the drive to the lake. Once she got there, I wearily climbed in her Suburban and talked to my Papa. At this point I hadn’t cried or processed what happened, but I felt so weary, like I had just been emotionally beaten.
I peeked outside at my mom yelling at my dad. I was so proud of her. Sitting there, safe in my mom’s car, my guard went down. I finally comprehended what just happened. I felt a rush in my stomach. I opened the door and threw up on the ground. Our relationship from that point forward was never the same. Dad made us promises he failed to keep. He was always more concerned about himself than he was with us. He tried to guilt trip us with tears or shopping sprees. Eventually he got one too many DUI’s in Arkansas and decided to relocate to Florida. We spent three weeks with him in Florida one year and two weeks again the next year. We spent almost every night of those weeks in a bar with him, getting to know the bartenders and kitchen staff. I spent my eleventh or twelfth birthday crying in a bar because Dad decided we weren’t doing anything for it. This was how it was all the time. Mom and Bruce. The
name Bruce isn’t a name to me, it’s a word that symbolizes Dad in it’s best light. People often ask, “Why do you call your dad ‘Bruce?’” We always asked the same question. I was three years old when they married, so I could have easily called him Dad. We begged to, but Bruce asked us not to because he wanted us to be respectful of our dad. Bruce was, and still is, the dad we came home crying to when our real dad wasn’t there for us. He taught us right from wrong, fixed our hair when we were little, and our cars when we got older. He dropped everything for us, no matter what. The craziest part is that he didn’t even have to. Bruce’s decision always struck me as odd growing up. He was willing to marry my mom who had a three-yearold daughter, a four-year-old daughter, and a seven-yearold autistic, epileptic, severely disabled daughter after he literally just finished raising two boys. There aren’t many
who would take that on, but Bruce did. Dad didn’t even want to change a diaper. I can’t tell you how many hero-themed essays I wrote about my mom in grade school. From when I was born to age three, she had all of us with essentially no help. My dad found every excuse to be away from home since Mom didn’t want him to drink there. Bruce offered to help because he was the pastor of the church we attended. That’s what pastors do they help. He picked us up from daycare and watched us when Mom had to work. Bruce grew to love us, and my mom grew to love the man who helped. Mom was our defender, our safe place, our example of what is right. She comforted us over and over again, each time our dad broke our hearts. She was the source of our strength in every scary moment we faced. The simplified story sounds awful — growing up with an alcoholic dad and a disabled sister. But the
big picture is spectacular. In the middle of the awful weekends there were twelve days of stability and comfort. In the middle of the burden of caring for Baley there is joy in what she has taught me. My dad gave us Bruce. Baley gave us compassion. Mom got us through it. Lauren did it with me. Somewhere in the middle of the trauma I always had peace. I found it in knowing that one day, I could walk away from it all. I found it in the deep bond that my sisters and I gained. I found it in knowing that there was only time standing between the life I had to live and the life I wanted. I numbed myself to the actions around me just enough to make them think that I was okay with it all. But the day came that I had the power. I could walk away, never look back, and there was nothing they could do about it. No more manipulation. No more intoxication. I could leave it all behind. So, I did.
Kaela McKim Features Editor
The road to joy (cont.)
8
Wednesday Feb. 3, 2021
SPORTS
THE ORACLE
Super Bowl preview: Chiefs vs. Buccaneers Donovan Lee Sports Editor The Super Bowl LIV champions Kansas City Chiefs look to repeat when they battle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2021 Lombardi Trophy. With the Chiefs’ team being familiar to the big stage, the Tampa Bay quarterback has taken part in the season-ending game before, as he is competing for his seventh ring. Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes have met in the playoffs before, battling it out in the American Football Conference title game when Tom Brady played for the New England Patriots. When Brady and Mahomes are compared against each other, the only thing that they have in common is that they both have two wins against each other. Brady has more total team points at 121 to Mahomes’s 120. However,
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Patrick Mahomes (left) and Tom Brady (right) set to face off in Super Bowl LV.
Mahomes has more yards per attempt at 8.9 to Brady’s 7.6. Mahomes has 11 touchdowns with 3 interceptions, while Brady has 6 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. This edition of the NFL’s biggest game is set to be played in Tampa, Florida at
Raymond James Stadium on Sunday February 7,2021, giving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers home field advantage. This is the first time a team has gotten to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium. The matchup between
these two is being labeled as “the G.O.A.T. versus the MVP” and “the older G.O.A.T. versus the younger G.O.A.T.” When Mahomes got asked about playing against Brady, he said: “To go up against one of the greatest, if not the greatest
quarterback of all-time in his 150th Super Bowl is gonna be a great experience.” Brady has had a great career, and the past five seasons have been nothing short of it, considering his age. He has thrown just under 22,000 passing yards, 153 touchdowns, and has appeared in 4 Super Bowls and won one Super Bowl MVP award. He has nothing but respect for the young spectacular quarterback. Ahead of the Super Bowl, ESPN host Mike Greenberg said “This is the best quarterback matchup in Super Bowl history. This is like if Michael Jordan got to play Lebron James in the Finals!” There is high praise for both of these quarterbacks, with Mahomes just getting started and Brady still going strong. Both teams have elite scoring playmakers on their offenses and the game will be one for the ages, regardless of whether it is a high scoring or low scoring occasion.
Softball splits season-opening series Donovan Lee Sports Editor Many things were left to wonder about in 2020. When the pandemic began, it ended a plethora of activities. Reddies softball happened to be a part of the lengthy list of programs to be halted for safety precautions. On Jan. 29, the ladies were able to return to the field and open their 2021 season. The Friday festivities consisted of a double-header against Delta State. For the Reddies’ new head coach David Martinez, this would be his first glimpse of action since being brought on to lead the Henderson ladies from the dugout. Junior pitcher Mallory Brewer (5.1 IP, 7 K, 1 R) was on the mound for HSU to
start game one of the day. Her arm held strong for two solid innings before DSU would score off of a fielder’s choice in the top of the third inning, the first run of the game between either team. HSU scored a run in the sixth inning to tie it at one a piece, credited to freshman cleanup hitter Czoey White with her first home run in the Red and White. This would allow for HSU to send the game into extra innings. Teams have an advantage in extra innings as they begin batting with a runner on second base. Delta State would bat first and successfully send a runner across home plate to go up 2-1. Henderson would capitalize on the opportunity and would cease the moment by scoring two runs, both involving junior left fielder
Photo by Karen Villeda
Reddies softball began their 2021 season on Jan. 29 against Delta State in a double-header.
Kailey Reese. She sent a runner home off her double and would score a run herself off of a walk-off single from sophomore catcher Abbie Moore to win, 3-2. Game two wouldn’t pan out as the Reddies hoped, as Delta State took down
Henderson State, 5-3. The Lady Senators propelled themselves to a win with a two-run and a solo homer over the fences in the fifth inning, allowing both teams to break even for the series. HSU returns to action the weekend of Feb. 12
through Feb. 14 when they host the McGhee-Hawkins Invitational tournament at Dee White Field. They will begin their weekend with a Friday double-header against Maryville and Texas A&MKingsville, respectively.
Boll Weevils plow over Reddies in Monticello Haley Spicer Sports Reporter After the first points of the game were scored by senior forward Raekwon Rogers, the game experienced a delay due to the shot clock malfunctioning. The duration of the game was played with one shot clock. The teams kept up with each other pace-wise at the start as both teams shot well. Every other possession ended with the score being tied or a lead change. However, with the swift tempo comes sloppy plays and turnovers on both ends of the court. Junior guard Malik Riddle, who was the Reddies’ leading scorer coming into the game, got some calls for fouling in the first half that hindered his offensive presence. As a team,
Henderson found themselves down eight while fouls and turnovers were helping Monticello maintain their lead. Late in the first half, the Reddies settled in and got a couple momentum drives. They went on a 7-2 run to bring the lead down to two with seven minutes left in the game. Impacted by the offense picking up, the defense intensified down on the other end as well. Explosive play by senior guard Xavier Davenport tallying to five points allowed HSU to capture a 28-25 lead. Monticello responded with Reddies fall to Arkansas-Monticello, 73-57. a 10-0 run of their own to go throw opportunities helped lead reaching 19 with eight up 42-35 going into halftime Monticello to help extend minutes left in the game. as Riddle picked up his third their lead as they continued Junior guard/forward Yuri foul. to capitalize on Henderson Swinford and Rogers both Rodgers found himself in State’s turnover struggles. fouled out of the game. foul trouble with four fouls As the lead continued The Reddies put up a just four minutes into the to grow, fouls steadily piled fight to the end as they did second half as Monticello still up for multiple Reddie manage to out rebound the held an eight point lead. Free players, resulting in UAM’s Boll Weevils. In the end,
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HSU’s struggles plagued them and UAM came out on top in Monticello, 73-57. HSU will look to bounce back at home on Jan. 30 against Harding University.