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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2017
The
Reflector
131st YEAR ISSUE 35
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
‘We Have Been Believers’: library celebrates African American life by Kristina Norman Staff Writer
Mississippi State University’s Mitchell Memorial Library celebrates black history month with a new exhibit focusing on African American life in Mississippi. The exhibit titled: “We Have Been Believers: African American Life in Mississippi 18351870,” highlights African American life during the 19th and 20th centuries with a focus on the areas of education, business, civil rights and writers. Jessica Perkins Smith, MSU’s manuscript archivist, said the exhibit highlights items from the university’s special collections on African American life. All of the materials found in the exhibit represent the library’s various departments from archives, manuscripts and rare books. For this exhibit, Smith wanted to move away from the library’s frequently used collections which were featured regularly in other exhibits. To give the exhibit a fresh take, Smith began digging into the university’s exhibit collection. What
Black History began as “Negro History Week” Month which was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American historian, scholar, educator, and publisher. It became a month-long celebration in 1976. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick
Douglas & Abraham Lincoln.
source: www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-facts Jenn McFadden, The Reflector
she discovered in her digging produced some interesting finds. Among the items she found include: political and protest posters from the Clay County Civil Rights exhibit featuring Aaron Henry, Fannie Lou Hamer, and a poster advertising a visit made by Civil Rights heroes Dick Gregory and John Lewis to West Point in 1965.
Items in the literature exhibit include books by novelists Richard Wright and Margaret Walker, as well as lesser known writers such as poet Anselm Finch. Writers like John R. Lynch, a military officer and politician, and William Johnson, a barber, had careers in other fields. One of the most interesting pieces from the literature collection,
is the diary of William Johnson, a free black man who lived in pre-Civil War Natchez, discovered by a MSU archivist. Alongside Johnson’s diary, sits a Tavern License (which grants permission to sale alchohol) of his mother, Amy Johnson. Smith said Johnson was embarrassed by his mother and wrote about his embarrassment in his book.
Also featured in the exhibit are images from the Freedom Vote held in 1964. Events like the Freedom Vote, though symbolic, Smith said, helped prepare African Americans for the time when they could legally vote. Smith said one of the goals of the exhibit is to showcase a broad scope of African American life
in the state of Mississippi. “We wanted to show that there was life going on, and lots being accomplished,” Smith said. She also wants the exhibit to show the variety of African American materials the library currently has in its collection which it is always looking to expand. “If anybody has old stuff don’t throw it away,” Smith said. Jennifer Jones, the MSU library graphic artist, who created the exhibit’s graphic logo compromised of African Americans representing the shape of the state, said the initial idea for the logo was rejected. Although rejected, Jones said, she kept returning to her initial idea. Partly, because Smith kept telling her about all the photos she would feature in the exhibit. Jones said with the exhibit featuring a wide variety of photos covering many generations it made sense to create a logo showing the importance and contributions African Americans have made in Mississippi’s history. What Jones wants those who come to visit the exhibit to see, is the sadness but also the hope the exhibit represents. EXHIBIT, 2
Refuge proposes one-dollar increase for full-time access by Mathilda Kwabbi Contributing Writer
The Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee Wildlife Refuge is proposing a dollar increase on Mississippi State University students’ parking permits for yearlong access to the Refuge. According to junior forestry major William Griffin, visitors are usually charged with an entrance fee of $5 a day or $25 a year. However, if the increase is approved, the Refuge will let students with a Mississippi State parking decal in for free. “The one dollar increase to the price of student parking decals will allow a student’s decal to serve as an annual pass to the Noxubee Wildlife Refuge,” Griffin said. “It isn’t a well-known fact, but technically to enter the refuge you must buy a yearly pass, $25 dollars, or a day pass, $5.” The funds from the five dollar increase in parking decals will not only go to granting MSU students access to the Refuge, but will also support daily operations such as trail or ground maintenance,
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vehicle upkeep and other operations. According to a press release by freshman council member Blake Williams, most students who took the online survey on whether or not there should be an increase in the charge of an annual parking permits support their change. “I think this is a fantastic idea, and would support up to a $20 increase if needed. I love the Refuge, and paying $20 is cheaper than a year’s permit to the Refuge,” junior Allyson Krebs said. However, Griffin said that any student who does not understand the impact the Refuge has might be difficult to convince to pay an extra dollar; those who have gone to the Refuge will see the benefits and importance of the dollar increase. “It may be hard to convince the students who do not understand the significance or importance of the Refuge to pay the extra dollar. I would tell these students to do some homework. Research all of the important wildlife that lives on our 84,000 acre refuge, or take a drive south and marvel at the beautiful
Paying an
Jenn McFadden, The Reflector
old-growth timber down in the swamps,” Griffin said. On Feb. 15, the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee Wildlife Refuge was
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established 1940 for of being breeding migratory
on June 14, the purpose a refuge and ground for birds and
FORECAST: We are looking at a beautiful weekend, Bulldogs! This weekend will see cool mornings that will warm up to be nice afternoons. Have a great weekend, Bulldogs!
other wildlife creatures. It also works towards restoring, conserving and managing wildlife, fish, plant resources and their
inhabitants for the benefit of present and future generations. The Refuge protects wildlife, and also provides outdoor activities that people can enjoy. “The Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge is owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” Griffin said. “The refuge is about 84,000 acres in size, and is a safe haven for outdoorsmen and wildlife alike. Among other things, the Refuge offers us fishing, hiking, bird watching, kayaking, canoeing and so much more. It is a place where wildlife is respected, protected, and preserved.” According Griffin, the Refuge is also used by the College of Forest Resources at MSU to conduct research. This has led to discoveries on how to keep the water and air clean, preserve wildlife habitats and effectively manage forests in the southeast. “This semester we [freshman council] decided to focus our attention on policies and improvements we can bring to Mississippi State University and the Starkville community,” Williams said.
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