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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

128 th YEAR | ISSUE 7

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

‘Banned books week’ celebrates reading of outlawed novels

Cable provider works to resolve service glitch

read,” Cunetto said.

Cunetto said books are made to be read by people and being censored in reading materials is not necessarily a good thing for the public.

“Books are to be consumed by the general public and censorship is not in the best interest of the public,” Cunetto said.

Cunetto said the event will allow individuals to participate in reading various banned books.

“Faculty members are going to come and actually read their favorite books that have been banned,” Cunetto said.

Rachel Cannady, assistant professor at Mitchell Memorial Library, said

by D.J. Wormley Staff Writer

by John Williams Contributing Writer

Cable, phone and internet provider Metrocast, has been experiencing interruptions in service throughout the Starkville community.

Last week, Starkville and surrounding area residents experienced delays in cable, phone and internet service that lasted up to a day and a half. The interruption was caused by a Prairie Sanitation garbage truck that cut a fiber line owned

by Metrocast. The accident occurred when the vehicle did not have the top part of the truck down, cutting the line. The incident was along Hwy. 15 between Pontotoc and Starkville. Crews went out immediately after they realized what caused the interruption in the two locations that were some 35 miles apart.

David McGuffey, junior psychology major and Madison, Miss. native, said he has been using Metrocast since the fall of 2012.

“As far as cable, the picture would sometimes get buggy, not picking up channels very well, and become pixelated.” McGuffey said.

Even during his internet troubles, McGuffey said Metrocast instructed him to disconnect his router and modem and reconnect it.

“Sophomore and freshman year, the internet went out quite a bit,” McGuffey said. “I would call them after waiting a while, but the Internet support wasn’t very helpful sometimes.”

In searching for an alternative service provider, McGuffey said he discovered that Metrocast offers better prices than competitors.

“Metrocast remains to provide the better price,” he said. “The internet is not bad. It is actually fast internet, but the signal sometimes is unreliable.”

Will Whittenton, a senior fi nance major from Forest City, Ark., is a new Metrocast customer and said he has not experienced any problems using Metrocast. Whittenton did mention the interruption early last week which he noticed late Tuesday night, that continued throughout Wednesday evening.

CABLE, 3

Mitchell Memorial Library at Mississippi State University is hosting “Banned Books Week” to promote reading books that have been banned and to raise awareness about censorship.

Stephen Cunetto, system administrator at Mitchell Memorial Library, said the American Library Association sponsors the event.

“The event is supposed to promote banned books.

People are being censored and people need to be able to read what they want to

Banned Books Week is a celebration of reading.

“Banned Books Week is the celebration of the freedom we have to read,” Cannady said. “Librarians fight for people to access all different types of information. Literature is power.”

Cannady said the special week will encourage people to stop and think about how their reading is censored.

“This event should make people think and want to read more,” Cannady said.

“It is an opportunity to celebrate many types of books and celebrate the right and privilege to read so many different books for so many diverse cultures.”

Kathleen Alley, assistant professor of literacy

education, said most libraries nationally support Banned Books Week to show how important reading freely is.

“Most libraries across our nation support this event as a part of what they do highlighting the value of free and open access to information,” Alley said. “I am proud that our university library hosts events campus wide and supports this worthy initiative and I work with our Education Library to coordinate activities with the literature courses I teach in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Special Education.

Our department, and the entire College of Education, are very happy to partner

with the library to support Banned Books Week.”

Alley said Banned Books Week is important because it brings all types of people from all types of backgrounds together to support the freedom to read the materials they want to read as well as educate them about censorship.

“Banned Books Week is important as it brings together many people across the community – librarians, teachers, professors, students, booksellers, publishers, journalists, and readers – in support of the freedom to access information and express ideas and opinions, even when those thoughts might be considered unpopular,” she said.

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Murray finishes in top 10 of Miss America 2014-2015 pageant

Karen Jones | Courtesy Photos

Jasmine Murray, also known as ʻMiss Mississippi,ʼ competed in the Miss America pageant Sunday night, held in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Murray finished in the top 10 after completing the evening wear, swim suit and talent portion of the competition. Murray is a communication major at Mississippi State University. The winner of the Miss America pageant is ʻMiss New Yorkʼ Kira Kazantsev.

Bourgeois to encourage students, provide feedback

by Nia Wilson Staff Writer

Mississippi State University’s Holmes Cultural Diversity Center partnered with the Dean of Students, Thomas Bourgeois for an “Ask the Dean” event. This event will be part of a monthly series hosted by the HCDC. The event will be held

Thursday in the Old Main Lounge of the Colvard Union. It begins at 12p.m. and free food will also be provided.

Ra’Sheda Chanel Boddie-Forbes, associate director of the HCDC, said she hopes this event gives students all the tools needed to thrive at Mississippi State University.

“We learned that in many cases once we see students,

it’s almost too late to help them. A lot of times we hear ‘I didn’t know I could do this and I didn’t know I could do that’. So we decided to put a series together that will serve as informational guide to students,” Forbes said. “It is really a program that has sprung from the pleas and cries of students who have learned the hard way.”

“If you’re not successful

at Mississippi State, it is by choice. State has so many resources on campus to help students be successful.

This university is vested in students’ success,” Forbes said.

Forbes said this is the fi rst event of the ongoing series.

Ask the Dean is expected to run once a month up into the Spring semester.

Fatima Boukary, sophomore marketing major, said

the intimacy of this event is what will make it truly beneficial for students.

“It will be such a personal event and that is exactly why people should go. This event will let students talk face to face with the dean,” Boukary said. “Students can talk to the dean and he will actually listen to your concerns. This is a really good idea that students can appreciate.”

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THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

Forde’s peers recognize his dedication

by Myra Rice Staff Writer

John Forde exhibits relentless effort and extensive understanding of his craft in the Mississippi State University communication department.

Forde began his career at MSU in 1987. Forde has always been a vital instrument in the communication department and the evidence of that was shown July 1, 2004.

“I graduated in ‘83 and came back to the school to teach in ‘87,” Forde said.

Forde was positioned as head of the communication department 10 years ago and has served as a professor in addition to his promotion.

“The position of department head varies. There’s a lot of different things to do, and it’s different each day,” Forde said.

Forde has not only been motivated in his field, but he has motivated other instructors in the department as well.

Instructor Karyn Brown

recalls receiving immense help from Forde.

“He really has been a mentor. He took me under his wing as new colleague,” Brown said.

Brown entered MSU at the same time as Forde, and they forged a bond almost immediately.

“We started at State together 21 years ago,” Brown said.

Forde not only helped Brown on campus, but encouraged her to get involved by nominating her for awards.

“He nominated me for the PRAM educator of the year award that I just received,” Brown said.

Students as well as faculty find Forde dependable and seek him for help with internships as well as jobs.

“He really has a heart for students and a desire to help them find internships and jobs. He helps them network in their fields,” Brown said.

When describing Forde’s

personality, Brown said everyone appreciates him.

“He doesn’t have an enemy anywhere. Everyone just loves Dr. Forde,” Brown said.

Forde not only is known on campus for his experience, but he is also known in the industry.

“He is well-known in our industry and nationwide people know about him,” Brown said.

Jalisa McGaha, senior majoring in journalism, remembers

her first encounter with Dr. Forde.

“I came to know him through my principles of public relations class,” McGaha said.

McGaha recalls multiple times she sought out the help of Forde.

“He is very helpful. There are multiple times where I went to him directly when I needed explanations of something,” McGaha said.

Forde makes his student feel like a top priority.

“He always drops everything for me,” McGaha said.

Forde teaches his Principles of Public Relations class both on campus and online.

He can be found several days out of the week smiling from his door greeting students who need help in any area.

“When we work to together to accomplish something or to come up with something new, that’s the best part,” Forde said.

“I know it may sound cliché, but it’s true.”

— So, which books have been banned? —

“The Scarlet Letter,” by Nathaniel Hawthorne

“Their Eyes Were Watching God,” by Zora Neale Hurston

“To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee

“The Red Badge of Courage,” by Stephen Crane

“Sexual Behavior in the Human Male,” by Alfred C. Kinsey

“A Streetcar Named Desire,” by Tennessee Williams

“The Words of Cesar Chavez,” by Cesar Chavez

“Leaves of Grass,” by Walt Whitman

“The Great Gatsby,” by F. Scott Fitzgerald

“Moby Dick,” by Herman Melville

“Invisible Man,” by Ralph Ellison “Native Son,” by Richard Wright

Many novels considered to be American classics and studied in literature classes have been banned at some point.

BANNED

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“In essence, this event draws attention to the harm done by censoring another person’s rights to access materials and information.”

Alley also said even her own students are surprised to learn about some of the books that have been banned and they discuss book banning.

“Students in my Children’s and Adolescent Literature classes are always surprised by many of the books on the frequently challenged book lists, and we have lively discussions about issues and controversies surrounding book challenges and book banning.”

Alley said even though books are still being banned, hopefully most of the books that have been banned can still be available if people continue to stand up for the right to read what they want to read.

“Fortunately, though books continue to be banned, part of this week’s celebration is that in most cases, the books remain available to the public. This is due at least in part to the efforts of many people across the community who stand up and speak out for the freedom to read,” Alley said.

Alley said she wants students at MSU to take part and learn about censorship and why it is an important and controversial issue.

“I encourage MSU students to get involved and learn about this important issue so they can be leaders in the community now and in the future, standing up and speaking out for everyone’s freedom to read, to seek out, and to express ideas to ensure that all people are afforded this right,” Alley said.

Banned Books Week will take place in the Mitchell Memorial Library at MSU from Sept. 21-27.

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The HCDC works under the Dean of Students Office, so they work closely throughout the year. Both offices have an open door policy and all students are welcome.

Thomas Bourgeois, MSU dean of students, said this event can also teach students a lesson they can carry

with them long after college. “ ‘Ask the Dean’ will teach students to get involved in the day to day operations of their institution. This event will also teach them to be civically engaged. That knowledge is something they can practice for many years after they graduate,” Bourgeois said.

Bourgeois also said an open dialogue is best for both the students and the institution.

“Mostly, I want students to know that their voice is important. I found that, having done this for 20 years, just lecturing people is not always effective,” he said.

“Getting to hear dialogue

directly with students is very important. This event is not just me talking about what I think they want to hear, but actually discussing what they care about. Events like this offer a chance for me to gather both the positive and negative feedback about how the students are feeling.”

United States Airforce ‘Band of the West’ performs at MSU in McComas Theater

Friday, Sept. 12, 2014 1:24 a.m. A visitor was taken to OCJ for suspicion of DUI. Nothing was found, and the subject was released.

11:56 p.m. A student was arrested on Creelman Street for speeding 37/20 and driving under the influence.

Saturday, Sept 13, 2014 12:00 a.m. A student was arrested in Starkville for public drunkenness.

12:18 a.m. A student was arrested in Starkville for speeding and driving under the influence.

1:50 a.m. A student was arrested in Starkville for driving under the influence.

3:02 a.m. A student was arrested in Starkville for possession of marijuana.

Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014 8:00 a.m. A student reported her vehicle was keyed while parked at Ruby Hall parking lot.

8:00 a.m. A student was arrested in Starkville for aggravated domestic.

CABLE After calling customer service, he was informed of an interruption from an automated recording.

Metrocast stated that they were aware of the issue and the technicians were working to address the problem.

After having his service disconnected for a prolonged period of time, Whittenton said he felt as if the issues were external.

“I thought someone had cut a cord somewhere. I knew it just wasn’t Starkville,” he said.

Metrocast, which

Jennifer Daffinee | Courtesy Photo

The United States Air Force “Freedom Brass,” otherwise known as, “The Band of the West,” featured a brass quintet that conducted a series of public performances and student engagement activities at Mississippi State University last night in McComas theater.

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remains to be a dominant provider in Starkville, strives to be the provider of choice for college students and residents of the Starkville and surrounding communities.

A female Metrocast representative, who requested to remain anonymous, expressed that this is not a normal instance for their service interruptions. “We don’t like to see things like this happen,” she said.

“But I’m glad to see the customers in Starkville happy with our service.”

THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

Step Into My Office

Cultural exchange offers valuable experience for students College is the time to break from the mold by growing up and experiencing new cultures. Even if you’re from Mississippi, part of college life in Starkville is actively making friends in a large student body and in doing so you create your own subcultures. Some at Mississippi State University, though, do not arrive by a car they’ve had since high school with parents to help them move in. Some arrive with passport in hand having never been to America. They have more than just subcultural adjustments to get used to, and there can be a language and communication barrier on top of it all.

I don’t know about you, but a lot of my close friends at MSU are a lot like I am. We have similar interests, our suburban upbringing looks similar, we were involved in similar organizations and teams in high school and we share the same values. College is great since so many people from all over the world are gathered on one campus, each in school pursuing different degrees. To only stick with people from similar backgrounds, whether you are from Mississippi, Montana or Malaysia, is a wasted opportunity. Making friends cross culturally at MSU is easier and more important than you would think.

There is a big need for language tutors, and there are easy ways to get involved.

The English as a Second Language (ESL) department needs more students as language partners, which entails simply hanging out and having a conversation to practice English. Additionally, any are welcome to participate in the International Institute’s conversation partner program. Another big need is for

Geny Kate Gurley is a junior majoring in special education. She can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu.

people to be ride share partners. Isabelle de Oliveira, a student at MSU from Brazil, said the hardest part of being here is not having a car, though Starkville is a small town.

“The town is prepared for cars,” de Oliveira said.

“And the bus schedule and itinerary are not the best. I’m pretty limited in what I want to do.”

Most of us have classes in large auditoriums at some point. I always do group projects with friends. College, especially regarding education, should be about branching out. If you’re an international student, find someone outside of the group from your home country to do a group project. If you’re from around Mississippi, partner with an international student on a project to hear a different perspective, which may not be as “foreign” as you would assume.

Do not let the subculture that you create with friends and classmates in Starkville be exactly like where you’ve come from. Break outside of your comfort zone. You may be surprised with what you can learn from cross-cultural friendships, and you may be surprised to find that it’s a lot easier to relate to each other than you thought.

Civil rights pose ongoing struggle in Miss.

by Andy Moore Contributing Writer

Entering my summer, I did not at all anticipate the relevance my experiences would accrue by the time I exited it. Yet I did not suspect the world around me would look so strangely different when I reentered a more familiar setting such as Mississippi State University. Through an internship with The Meridian Freedom Project, in the unassuming yet historically significant city of Meridian, Mississippi, I experienced revelations of life-long importance.

While I stayed on the campus of Meridian Community College, a short drive down the road lead me right to the heart of downtown Meridian, my place of work being only slightly off-set from the center of town. Here, I would arrive daily at around 7:15 a.m., preparing to receive a multitude of rising sixth, seventh and eighth graders, all enrolled in a program designed to maximize their summer experience.

As anticipated, the vast majority of my students were black, that being fairly consistent with the demographic make-up of the area and the schools these students attended. As submerged as I was in this environment of evident need, I became incredibly receptive to learning about the paths of life my students walked, not in the spirit of correction and reform, but of understanding and encouragement. I had no idea that by the end of my foray into teaching I would have learned at least as much from my students and their world as I felt I had taught them.

These energetic kids, called “Freedom Fellows,” were

cared for by our team (consisting of seven interns and a staff of three) until late in the afternoon each day, being instructed in math, reading and rhetoric, as well as fitness, health, art, drama, contemporary issues, etc. And undergirding the whole enterprise was a focus on equipping these young students for success beyond their small world – with much of our mission being to make that small world bigger. A large part of this was achieved through surveying the past, particularly the struggle for civil rights our nation has experienced, and by making connections to our world today.

This summer was of particular importance with regard to the history of civil rights in the South, for it was the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Summer of 1964. Meridian was a hotbed for activity supporting the Civil Rights Movement, and the summer of 1964 proved an integral part of the march toward progress. The original Freedom Summer involved a collection of bold activism aimed at hastening the full realization of the vision of equality and justice for all — tenets that the Civil Rights Movement valued greatly.

Some of those involved support for Southern African Americans were Northerners who were both interested in the cause and equipped to aid in the process. These activists displayed incredible courage and fortitude. However, these gifts of liberty were not accepted by all with thanksgiving, but were met with harsh resistance from proponents of the deeply ingrained history of segregation and racism in the Deep South.

Those who stood up against these oppressive ways did not do so without cost; some

paid the ultimate price for the full freedom of others. James Chaney, Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, young men working with the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in Meridian, were killed while on assignment in neighboring Philadelphia.

Unaware of this rich legacy of activism and civil rights when I arrived in Meridian, I was quickly overwhelmed with the magnitude of what had taken place, and even more so by my duty to carry the banner of progress for-

“A genuine desire to see good in others will change all of our interactions.” ward as part of the inaugural experience of the Meridian Freedom Project. Meeting individuals who were part of the original Freedom Summer was astounding, an experience I have yet to fully process. What I was unknowingly a part of was not simply a community-building program for kids, but a massive cultural initiative beyond anything I had ever heard of. In homage to the seminal impact of the original Freedom Summer, a new, reincarnated project, nobly undertaken in the spirit of that famed effort 50 years prior, arose to further and expand the original vision. With this in mind, one feels humbled to be included in such an extraordinary enterprise.

My involvement helped me learn gentleness and patience, tact and discernment, perseverance and discipline, as well as a massive amount about empathy. This

last feature deserves special attention, with consideration to racial tension not just past, but also present. Social unrest and popular outrage recently scourged our nation as a result of the perceived injustices taking place in Ferguson, Missouri. And certainly we find vile practices and corrupted citizens — in positions of authority or not — throughout our nation. Yet it is clear that race relations have not reached a point that is universally laudable. Far from it, fissures still gape wide in the American Dream — the experience broken up and shattered into pieces — with certain segments of our society able to claim the choicest fragments, while many are only able to obtain the leftovers. Society must address this.

As it stands, empathy is our greatest weapon against the insidious barriers that prejudice of all sorts can erect.

Through immersing oneself in an environment far different from where he or she may feel comfortable and at-ease, there may be confrontation with lifestyles very different from the familiar and exposure to views incomprehensible to strangers. A love for one’s neighbor has never held so much meaning for me and never been so needed. Ultimately, after obtaining newly polished lenses through which to see the world, I see less of that which is divisive and defamatory, and more of that which is unifying and commendable. A genuine desire to see good in others will change all of our interactions. This perspective can be hard to maintain, with forces seen and unseen tearing our good will apart. On this journey, as with many, the more the merrier.

Parse and Parcel

Last week’s Internet slowdown exemplifies solidarity among its users

by Michael Lamb Staff Writer

If there were a welcome sign for the Internet, it would read: “Welcome to the world’s only abstract museum displaying the breadth of diversity human nature can exhibit.” People use the Internet to express their ideas and opinions, to share art and education and to connect with others. Some might be surprised to find among all of this diversity the people of the Internet can indeed unite for a common cause. This was assuredly the case when Americans united to protect net neutrality.

Fight For the Future (FFTF), a grassroots non-profit digital rights

advocacy group, created a viral campaign called “Internet Slowdown,” an event that took place Sept.

10. The organization reported over 40,000 websites advertised the campaign to their users, 312,171 calls were made and over 2.3 million e-mails were sent directly to members of Congress in support of net neutrality.

FFTF estimates 777,364 comments were fi led with the FCC, and the organization believes the actual number is even higher. The group reported that FCC servers went down during the campaign due to the sheer volume of comments submitted, and not all submissions have been counted.

Overwhelming support for net neutrality comes as

a response to lobbying from corporations like AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and Time Warner. FFTF says these companies spend over $1

“... among all of this diversity the people of the Internet can indeed unite for a common cause.” million each week in attempts to lobby the FCC to protect their interests.

These kinds of attempts have been seen before and are in fact where FFTF finds its roots. In 2011, the Stop

Online Piracy Act (SOPA) was a bill proposed to the House of Representatives by Texas Rep. Lamar Smith. The Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) was a previously submitted bill, which was killed in the Senate.

These bills were infamous for their protection of the interests of Hollywood movie and TV industries. Language in the bills would allow courts to respond to lawsuits by requiring Internet service providers to prevent access to offending websites. While the target websites for these bills were offshore hosts to pirated content, many organizations and the U.S. public did not approve of the bills, fearing they would be cans of worms. The bills were strongly opposed by companies like

Google, Twitter, Mozilla and Yahoo.

FFTF launched two campaigns in 2011 in an effort to raise awareness and opposition to the bills. The American Censorship Day was the second of the organization’s campaigns with over 6,000 websites displaying messages to users to stop SOPA. On its website, fightforthefuture.org, FFTF features a timeline of its campaigns, punctuated with a bold statement of its bolstered credentials.

“Ever since we organized the first protest against SOPA, we’ve been on a winning streak. We’re best known for our massive, viral organizing and redefining what’s possible using the Internet,”

the website said.

The timeline provides brief summaries of other major events. When web company GoDaddy.com publicly supported SOPA in 2011, FFTF designed a boycott. According to the FFTF timeline, GoDaddy quickly withdrew support of the bill.

Tiffiniy Cheng, co-founder and co-director of FFTF, expressed in an e-mail to all participants of the Slowdown day the importance of the campaign in addition to her gratefulness for the millions who contributed.

“Now, more than ever, it’s so clear how powerful the Internet really is as a platform for free speech and how absolutely critical it is that we not only fight for it, but we fight to win,” she said.

Ponder This

Managing Editor Catie Marie Martin

Editor in Chief

Emma Crawford

News Editor Lacretia Wimbley

Multimedia Editor

Opinion Editor

Kelsee McKim

Cameron Clarke

Life Editor

Photography Editor

Copy Editor

Noor Mujahid

Emma Katherine Hutto

John Galatas

Graphic Designer

Sports Editor

Austin Grove

Blake Morgan

CONTACT INFORMATION

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor in Chief/Emma Crawford

Letters to the editor should be sent to the Meyer Student Media Center or mailed to The Reflector, PO Box 5407, Mississippi State, MS. Letters may also be emailed to editor@reflector.msstate.edu.

Letters must include name and telephone number for verification purposes. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish a letter.

325-7905 editor@reflector.msstate.edu Managing Editor/Catie Marie Martin 325-8991 managing@reflector.msstate.edu News Editor/Lacretia Wimbley 325-8819 news@reflector.msstate.edu Opinion Editor/Cameron Clarke opinion@reflector.msstate.edu Sports Editor/Blake Morgan 325-5118 reflectorsports@gmail.com Life Editor/Noor Mujahid 325-8883 life@reflector.msstate.edu Photography Editor/Emma Hutto 325-1584 photo@reflector.msstate.edu Multimedia Editor/Kelsee McKim multimedia_editor@reflector.msstate.edu Advertising Sales/Alex Anthony 325-7907 advertise@reflector.msstate.edu

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The Reflector is the official student newspaper of Mississippi State University. Content is determined solely by the student editorial staff.

The contents of The Reflector have not been approved by Mississippi State University.

The Reflector staff strives to maintain the integrity of this paper through accurate and honest reporting. If we publish an error we will correct it. To report an error, call 325-7905.

New thriller reveals gray areas in cinema industry “As Above/So Below,” classified as a found-footage horror and special interest film, was released in theaters Aug. 29 and still show in theaters now. Many fans of this genre looked forward to the movie because its target setting is the ultimate playground for an adventurous horror film; the winding catacombs of Paris, France. The catacombs of Paris are the largest burial grounds known to mankind with an estimated count of over 6 million corpses.

The film’s protagonist’s primary goal is to retrieve the philosophers’ stone. The philosophers’ stone is a legendary artifact of alchemy said to be capable of turning base metals into gold, and it was also rumored to serve as a kind of elixir. The stone is located in the depths of the catacombs and is the key to proving her father’s previous search for the artifact was not a vain quest.

The primary review posted for the film on Rotten Tomatoes serves as both an accurate summary of the film and a statement regarding its critical reception. This review states, “After an intriguing

setup that threatens to claw its way out of found-footage overkill, As Above/So Below plummets into clichéd mediocrity.”

This statement proves correct, as no one gave the film higher than IMDb’s rating of 6.2/10. The first half of the film is strictly archaeological due to a need to introduce the setting and the artifact of interest. The film quickly introduces that idea the gates of Hell itself are located in the depths of the catacombs and that all trespassers must prove themselves worthy by facing the darkest trials from their past.

The main flaw of the film is that it only gives as many answers as a found-footage film allows. “As Above/So Below” does no favors for its audience and leaves much unanswered.

For a movie with a plot as deep and chaotic as this film, additional answers and plot development are needed. It was hard to tell if the spirits presented were due to psychological failure of the characters or even if the survivors ended up in the real Paris after the horrific events ended.

There is a potential to provide

answers, but no dialogue is offered to explain the backgrounds of these characters.

While the film shows several creepy scenarios that by no means disappoint horror fans, negative reviews generated due to lack of purpose and clarity within the film.

The film had a promising sponsor: Universal Pictures.

Why would the film fall short?

There are several reasons.

When going to the theater, it is important to keep in mind that not all films in the industry put all the pieces together.

Many viewers are quick to give negative reviews when all they need to do is solve the puzzle.

“As Above/So Below” could have been this, but it still fell short.

It is hard to say why. Some directors and screenwriters in the entertainment industry, however, have a budget to think about when making films. After a certain amount of advertisement, a director cannot just abandon the project. The people making the movie are then forced to resort to an unfavorable strategy: speed up the production and finish the project, but lower the quality of the film.

It is very believable that this

Brooklyn Tucker is a senior majoring in kinesiology. She can be contacted at opinion@reflector. msstate.edu.

could have occurred with “As Above/So Below.”

Then what can the common movie-goer do about it? One just has to decipher whether or not the film is intended to present a puzzle to the audience or just be pure entertainment value. The question to ask in this kind of situation is, “Does the film present the question and the answers in a graceful, enjoyable way, or is the movie just a disorganized, chaotic plot twist?”

It is possible to appreciate the clever origins and fun creepy plot twist in “As Above/So Below.” The film, however, serves as a temporary reminder of the importance of strategic story lines in the entertainment industry.

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MISCELLANEOUS Annette Sewing & Alteration 5372 Old West Point Rd, Starkville MS 39759. All types of alteration, accept credit cards and cash only, offer 1 day service and sewing classes.

CLUB INFO

The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. MSU student organizations may place free announcements in Club Info. Information may be submitted by email club_info@reflector. to with the msstate.edu subject heading “CLUB INFO,” or a form may be

Sept. 12 solutions:

completed at The Reflector office in the Student Media Center. A contact name, phone number and requested run dates must be included for club info to appear in The Reflector.

All submissions are subject to exemption according to space availability.

THE STREETCAR LITERARY JOURNAL

The Streetcar is Mississippi State University’s creative arts journal open to student submission.

Submit your art, poetry, short stories, nonfiction and more before April 21st online at thestreetcar.msu. wordpress.com.

ASTRONOMY CLUB

The Mississippi State University Astronomy Club will host its first business meeting Friday at 2:00 p.m. All students are invited to attend.

MSU BALLROOM DANCE CLUB

Want to dance but don’t know how? Come join the Ballroom Dance Club at the Sanderson on Sunday and Tuesday nights.

5 THINGS TO KNOW FOR YOUR TUESDAY 1. You too? This past week, Apple surrepticiously downloaded the new U2 album onto the devices of over 500 million customers. While many patrons loved the free tunes, many found the download invasive. Apple has since released instructions on how to remove the album from an iCloud account.

2. March for global warming. On September 21, more than 1,000 groups of political and social activitsts will march through midtown Manhattan to protest the apathy of members of the United Nations regarding global warming and climate change, which the marchers argue is the cause of tragedies such as polar bear extinction and Hurricane Sandy.

3. ISIS strikes again. Another ISIS beheading video has been released, this time of a British aid worker named David Haines. British Prime Minister David Cameron has determined the executioner is a British citizen, and members of the United Nations met Monday to discuss strategies against ISIS. 4. Breakup or baby? Since the infamous elevator incident in May, rumors regarding separation and divorce have swirled around celebrity couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé. However, this past week saw a new rumor trickle through the tabloids: pregnancy. Fans have their fingers crossed for a little brother or sister for Blue Ivy. 5. New episode of police brutality. Last Wednesday, a 22-year-old black man named Darrien Hunt was shot by policemen after apparently brandishing “a samuri-type sword.” Hunt’s death has already been compared to that of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.

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9/4/14 8:22 AM

THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

Catie Marie Martin| Courtesy Photograph

Designers new and old showcase their work at New York Fashion Week 2014. Designers such as Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Billy Reid (pictured above) and Holly Fowler (clothing pictured above) exhibited their fall collections.

Fashion Week: fromNew York to Milan designers showcase trends for spring 2015

by Jessi Cole

Contributing Writer

The Mercedes-Benz fashion show in New York City stands out as one of the most iconic weeks in the fashion world. This bi-annual event is held every September and February to showcase the upcoming trends and styles for spring and fall.

This year’s spring fashion week was held Sept. 4 through Sept. 11, and the week is immediately followed by fashion weeks in London, Milan and Paris.

Viewers and buyers waited anxiously to see the unveiling of top brands’ Spring 2015 collections that

will set the fashion standard for the season.

The trends seen and expected to set the bar for spring season are pretty pastels, off the shoulder looks, pleats, gingham, sneakers and nods to nature with earthy colors and floral prints.

Top designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Rebecca Minkoff, Victoria Beckham, Tommy Hilfiger and Marc Jacobs, along with many other designers, showcased their clothes in the typical unique and eccentric fashion.

Tory Burch describes her collection on her website as “a casual yet elegant ease to the collection, seen in the softness of the lines,

and a play between raw and refi ned.”

Betsey Johnson, true to her eclectic taste, had a whimsical show celebrating different marriage themes featuring drag queens, transgenders, and even her 72 year old dance partner from “Dancing with the Stars.”

According to an interview from the Houston Chronicle, Johnson declares, “pre-nup is a part of the whole world of straight brides, gay brides, transgender marriages, everybody getting married.

Finally, freedom.”

Memorable designer Thom Browne created a fantastical garden world in which to showcase his

clothes, and the fictional characters from the world included six sisters with different fashion tastes.

Models adorned with bright pops of color and floral prints brought the story to life while actress Diane Keaton narrated.

Celebrities continue to play a large role in the fashion world, and this season’s fashion week was no exception. Kendall Jenner of the Kardashian clan walked in the shows of Marc Jacobs, Diane Von Furstenberg, Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karen New York and Polo Ralph Lauren. David Beckham introduced a collaboration line with Belstaff, and Miley Cyrus teamed with Jeremy Scott

to show off her handmade jewelry.

Even Serena Williams, who just won the U.S. Open, impressed the audience with her new HSN fashion line.

Social media dictates the attention that each designer receives, and Michael Kors topped the social media list as being the most talked about designer. According to a Fashion Week review article by New York Times, “in a season when so many shows have seemed timid, yet elaborate, [Kors] does get the American fashion dream: easy, energetic clothes.”

Marc Jacobs, also a social media favorite designer, made a bold statement by sending his models down the runway without a

stitch of makeup on their face. In an interview with “Fashionista,” Francois Nars, Jacob’s makeup artist, says, “I don’t like middle-ofthe-road, so I hate the idea of always doing a ‘healthy’ look. Rosy cheeks and all that,” he said. “We’ve done it, but I like the idea of no color, nothing on.”

Spring New York Fashion Week 2014 did not disappoint as designers made plenty of bold fashion and political statements, and many new designers have created their mark in the fashion world. The bar has been set, and more trends are expected to emerge from the London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks.

Battle of the Bands 2014: winner set to play at Bulldog Bash

by ShaCamree Gowdy Contributing Writer

Lights, acoustics and a crowd—the Student Association will host its annual Battle of the Bands event Thursday. Four bands will compete against each other this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. The event will take place in front of the Colvard

Student Union, on the plaza. A panel of judges will determine who will open up for Justin Moore and The Dirty Guv’nahs during Bulldog Bash on Oct. 4.

Karen Chan, sophomore communications major and a member of the Student Association, said she enjoys hosting the event and being able to be a part of

something so great.

“This event has been here at state for 3 years, meaning that this is the third time we have done it. It actually originated 3 years ago when the Student Association Cabinet created the Late Night Events committee in 2012,” she said.

The event is open to the public, and it is also free of

cost.Raven Stiff, sophomore communications major, said she is also looking forward to the event.

“I can’t wait for Bulldog Bash. I’m going to the Battle of the Bands just to see who will win and get to be the opening performance.

I know each band will do great, and I just really like being supportive of

everything,” she said.

Tim Grider, senior anthropology major and former Battle of the Bands participant, said that his band, The Jarnigan Gypsies, thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the contest.

“Participating in Battle of the Bands was a unique experience because it gave my friends and I

an opportunity to come together and play music for our school,” he said. “We received instant feedback from the panel of judges and the competitive nature of the event made me feel accomplished.”

For more information about the Battle of the Bands, contact Maura Trochessett at 662-325-2930.

Sports

7 THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

Women’s soccer splits weekend home games

by Zach Wagner Staff Writer

The Mississippi State University women’s soccer team hosted both South Alabama and Louisiana Tech this past weekend. Coming off of their best performance of the season at Arkansas State, where MSU won 5-1, the Bulldogs could not capitalize on enough of their opportunities on Friday night as they fell to South Alabama 2-0. However, on the quick turn around the Bulldogs were able to bounce back to defeat Louisiana Tech just two days later with a final score of 2-1.

Head Coach Aaron Gordon said overall he was pleased with his team’s play over the weekend and in particular liked how the squad responded to his efforts to push them after the loss against South Alabama.

“I kind of challenged the team for this game (against Louisiana Tech). Sunday’s a hard day anyway. You play back-to-back and don’t have much rest, so you have to be mentally tough. I told them, ‘look we can control our effort and attitude.’ They

responded as well as I could have hoped for.”

The Bulldogs began Friday night with a nice first-half performance that saw them have the advantage in shots on goal. The squad unfortunately was not able to convert any of these chances to goals and had nothing to ultimately show for their first-half dominance.

The second half turned out to be an entirely different story, which saw South Alabama’s Charde Hannah convert two chances into goals for her team. The first came on a breakaway, off of a defensive lapse on the part of the Bulldogs, which Hannah converted rather easily.

The second came at the very end of the game when Hannah was able to flick the ball over the head of the MSU keeper with just 12 seconds left in the match. The majority of the Bulldog players were pushed up the field trying to find the equalizer, so in effect, they were left vulnerable to a counter attack goal.

Gordon pointed to a lack of following through with the game plan, which led to the team’s downfall.

“When I look at the game, it boils down to executing what we needed to

do from the game plan,” he said. “They did exactly what we thought they were going to do. Unfortunately, we couldn’t execute it in the first half and missed a lot of opportunities.”

Just a day later, the Bulldogs took the field to take on Louisiana Tech on a very humid Sunday afternoon in Starkville. The game turned out to be a competitive contest, with both teams creating a slew of chances throughout the match.

Fortunately for MSU, senior forward Shannen Jainudeen struck quickly for the home team just six minutes into the game. She was able to receive a pass from the midfield, turn and rifle a shot pass the out stretched keeper to place the ball in the bottom right-hand corner.

The rest of the first half saw Louisiana Tech come close to scoring twice, once even hitting the post from close range.

The referee proved to be very controlling in the game, as he issued two yellow cards in the first half to a player on each of the respected teams.

Just as MSU struck quickly in the first half, Louisiana Tech did the same to begin the second half. Kathryn Sloan was able to power a shot

right over the top of MSU keeper Rhylee Decrane into the upper right-hand corner.

This goal really opened up the game, as the rest of the match was very fast paced and filled with a lot of chances for both teams.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 59th minute on an MSU free kick. Morgan Ferrera was able to break free in the box and head the cross into the right side of the goal.

Ferrera described the goal as being something that was a direct result of a week’s worth of practice.

“I knew the ball was coming my way. We worked in practice all week of me being on the back post, and it was a perfect ball,” she said. “I redirected it well and got lucky to see it go in.”

Louisiana Tech had a couple of opportunities to level the score before the full time whistle, but were ultimately unable to put the ball in the back of the net. The final score finished up 2-1 in favor of the home Bulldogs, improving their overall record to 3-4 on the season thus far.

Freshman Mallory Eubanks, who finished with two assists in the game on Sunday, viewed the weekend as a whole as a positive step in

the right direction.

“I think we did well and improved a lot from Friday to Sunday; looking at our mistakes we made on Friday and moving on to improve on Sunday, which was good.”

Looking ahead to Friday’s SEC opener against Ole Miss, Gordon said he knows that his team is coming in as the underdogs, but he doesn’t necessarily view that as a bad thing.

“They’re not playing players who are young but rather that have two or three years under their belt already and

that’s OK. They should be expected to win, and if we were in Vegas they would be the favorites 100 percent.

That’s OK though, I would rather be the underdog right now and the good thing is we’ve got to watch them a lot, and we really have something to build on with this game, which I’m happy about,” he said.

SEC play gets underway Friday night at 5 p.m. at the Mississippi State soccer field, as MSU hosts the Ole Miss Rebels in the traditional rivalry match up.

The Mississippi State University Volleyball team split its four games last weekend in the Maroon Classic. MSU opened with a loss against South Alabama last Thursday.

The Bulldogs kept it close early in the match, but ultimately lost out. Friday night the Bulldogs fell in five sets to the University of Memphis. The tie breaking fifth set went back

and forth, but went to the Tigers in the end. MSU put together its best day of the tournament sweeping the two games. The Bulldogs beat Nicholls State and Northwestern State.

Noah Siano | The Reflector

Mallory Eubanks makes a play on the ball. Eubanks has started every game this season.

From Downtown

Dogs Prepare for trip to Death Valley

In their first road test of The performances in the the season, the Bulldogs first three games of the seaof Mississippi State Uni- son by the MSU offense versity traveled to Mobile, and defense have been imAlabama Saturday and de- pressive. However, make no feated the South Alabama mistake, these teams are not Jaguars 35-3 in front of on the same level as SEC their first-ever home sellout competition, and nowhere crowd. MSU now prepares near the challenge of the Kevin Simmons to travel to Baton Rouge, Louisiana State Tigers in Kevin Simmons is a senior majoring in Louisiana for what is sure Baton Rouge. communication. He can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu. to be a rowdy crowd cheerThe Tigers are 3-0 this ing for the LSU Tigers. This season and No. 8 in the will be the his first SEC game first time as a starter. since 1999 Tiger Stadium, “ This will be without a doubt the that the two also known as teams will Death Valley, is toughest game to date for the 2014 face each home to the LSU MSU football team and possibly other wilthTigers, and it is out a loss. one of the toughthe toughest of the whole season.”

The MSU est places for an offense away team to get struggled a win in college early against the Jaguars, as latest AP Top 25 poll. LSU football. In its last 30 home it failed to score on four of opened the season against games, LSU is 29-1. That their first five possessions. a strong non-conference one loss came on Nov. 2, Leading 7-3 in the sec- opponent in the Wisconsin 2012 against the Alabama ond quarter, the Bulldogs Badgers. The Tigers trailed Crimson Tide. That Alascored three touchdowns 24-7 in the third quarter of bama team won the 2013 on three straight posses- that game and have been National Championship. sions and never looked back dominant ever since. LSU LSU has not only been as the Dogs torched an in- scored 21 unanswered dominant at home, but it ferior Jaguar defense. points to win its home have been dominant against Quarterback Dak opener against Wisconsin MSU. The Tigers have now Prescott did it all in the vic- 28-24 in Houston, Texas. defeated the Bulldogs 14 tory as he finished the game The Tigers then played two years in a row. On Oct. 23, with 201 passing yards and non-conference games at 1999, MSU defeated LSU a touchdown and 148 rush- home against Sam Houston 17-16 at Davis Wade Stadiing yards and a rushing State and the University of um on a last-minute drive touchdown. Prescott also Louisiana at Monroe. They capped by Rod Gibson’s caught a spectacular 24- won both of those games one-yard score on fourthyard touchdown pass in the by a combined score of 87- and-goal. The Bulldogs second quarter from senior 0. The LSU defense has have not been able to get a wide receiver Jameon Lew- now shutout its opponents victory against LSU since. is. The MSU offense con- in 10-straight quarters and MSU has done even worse tinues to look impressive, scored 108 unanswered at Tiger Stadium. The last as it has scored 35 points points since trailing to Wis- time the Bulldogs beat LSU or more in each of the first consin in the opener. at Tiger Stadium was in three games of the season Sophomore quarterback 1991. That is before most for the first time since 1944. Anthony Jennings has put of the students on the two The Bulldog defense held up some rather under- campuses were born.

South Alabama to three whelming numbers replacThis will be without a points and forced three ing last season’s reliable doubt the toughest game turnovers. The defense was quarterback Zach Metten- to date for the 2014 MSU led again by senior defen- berger. Jennings ranks No. football team and possibly sive end Preston Smith who 9 in the SEC in passing the toughest of the whole had two sacks, a forced yards with only 566 yards, season. Dak Prescott and fumble and a blocked field and Jennings’ 51.9 comple- the MSU offense will have goal. MSU Head Coach tion percentage ranks No. a chance to prove they are Dan Mullen said he was 12 in the SEC. Although, one of the best offensives in glad to get the win on the he is not as flashy as MSU the country, or it will just be road. quarterback Dak Prescott, another year that LSU con“We did the things we Jennings has gotten the job tinues to humble a young needed to do to get a win done this year for the Ti- Bulldog team. in a hostile environment on gers. It will be interesting Kickoff is scheduled for the road,” Mullen said. to see how Jennings does in Saturday at 6 p.m.

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