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50 Shades Darker TOO DARK?

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2017

The Magnolia Independent Film Festival

Riley Self

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The

Fresh on the mound:

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131st YEAR ISSUE 36

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

Resolution 42 questions Smith’s ban from coliseum

by Emmalyne Kwasny News Editor

On Feb. 4 in the Humphrey Coliseum, Mississippi State University men’s basketball team played The University of Tennessee. At halftime, Houston Smith, a sophomore education major, was ejected from the basketball game due to his use of explicit language directed towards the referees.

“Y’all are so f***ing bad, it’s embarrassing,” Smith said directed towards the referees. After his remark, a referee turned to Jay Logan, associate athletic director for event and facilities management, and pointed Smith out.

Smith was then told to leave the game.

On Feb. 7, Smith had an administrative hearing with dean of students Taber Mullen and admitted to the charges against him. He was told his punishment was banishment from the Humphrey Coliseum and all MSU basketball games for the remainder of the 2016-2017 season and was placed on disciplinary probation until May 15, 2017. Smith was told he could appeal the decision.

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY CODE OF CONDUCT VIOLATIONS:

ALCOHOL//ASSAULT//ASSISTING OR COOPORATING//DISOBEDIENCE TO OFFICIALS//DISORDERLY CONDUCT//DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR//DRUGS// EXPLOSIVE DEVICES//FEE PAYMENT//FRAUD//FRAUDULENT REPORT //GAMBLING//HARASSMENT//HAZING//NATIONAL SECURITY RISKS //ORDINANCES OR LAWS//SEXUAL MISCONDUCT//THEFT//TRESPASS// TRAFFIC AND PARKNG//VANDALISM//VIOLATIONS OF THE HONOR CODE//WEAPONS

Jenn McFadden, The Reflector

Student Association Senators Taylor Thomas and Nathan Usry, along with almost a dozen other senators, presented Resolution 42 to the SA Senate on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Resolution 42 requested the University to annul Smith’s “disciplinary probation, treating his sentence as completed.”

The resolution passed with 22 out of 33 votes.

There is a sportsmanship reminder at every home basketball which reads, “Vulgar, abusive or demeaning

language, or disorderly conduct are unacceptable and unwelcome here at Humphrey Coliseum. Let’s afford the student athletes, coaches, officials and your fellow fans the respect they deserve.”

Thomas, senior industrial engineering major, who presented Resolution 42 said the SA exists to be a liaison between students and administration and emphasized the importance for SA to represent the student body. He said he would

not have known of Smith’s punishment if it had not been for the publicity it received on social media.

A hashtag and petition was started after his banishment from games labeled #FreeHouston and “Free Houston Smith” at www.thepetitionsite. com/442/330/517/ free-houston-smith/?taf_ id=33727842&cid=fb_ na#bbfb=621651166.

“This is an opportunity for the senate to seek justice for one of the students we were elected to represent,” Thomas said.

“We don’t want to tell the administration how to do their job, but instead want to work together with them to ensure the student’s punishment is just.”

Smith said the SA approached him and told him they were working on some things but he did not know any specifics of it, nor did he ask them for their support.

“I’m very flattered that the SA, a representation of the student body, has decided to support me,” Smith said.

Usry, senior biological sciences major, said the SA Senate respectfully disagreed with the measures taken against Smith.

“We [SA Senate] decided as elected representatives of the student body that it is our job to be a voice for a student who is facing what so many consider unfair sanctions,” Usry said.

Hunt Walne, vice president of SA and senior agronomy major, said he was proud of the debate surrounding Resolution 42.

“I am excited to see students passionate about issues that are pertinent to everyday student life, and proud to see them stand up for a fellow student,” Walne said.

RESOLUTION 42, 2

The trail to Mississippi heritage

by Kristina Norman Staff Writer

Mississippi’s cultural impact to the nation continues to grow with the addition of a trail commemorating literary authors across the state.

The “Southern Literary Trail,” spans across three Southern states: Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.

According to its website, the trail is America’s only tristate, literary trail connecting mythic places that influenced great novelists and playwrights of the 20th Century.

Mythic places on the trail include the author’s home, museums and events in the author’s hometowns celebrating their lives and works.

Mississippi State University’s Mitchell Memorial Library serves as the home base for the trail.

Sarah McCullough, the trail director and the coordinator of cultural heritage projects for MSU libraries, said the university’s designation for the trail is something students should take pride in.

“It’s a great honor for State,” McCullough said.

Often many

Mississippians overlook the fact that the state has produced many great writers in relation to the state’s relatively small population.

“I think we take it for granted,” McCullough said.

“We grow up with it, and we forget that it’s exceptional.”

McCullough said the idea for the trail originated 10 years ago at the Tennessee Williams Festival in Columbus. Volunteers attending the festival discussed starting a literary trail celebrating the state’s rich literary history. That idea blossomed into the trail that now exists today.

As the trail has grown, so has the need for personnel to regularly assist and administrate it. Two dozen individuals now serve the trail’s board with each state on the trail appointing codirectors and academic advisers.

The trail’s growth also created the need for a permanent home for the trail.

Last year, MSU Dean of Libraries Frances Coleman offered to make MSU the headquarters for the trail.

After Coleman’s suggestions, the trail’s board voted, and unanimously decided to locate the trail’s headquarters to the university.

Currently, Mississippi

has nine authors on the trail which include William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Tennessee Williams, Richard Wright, Margaret Walker Alexander, Walker Percy, Shelby Foote, Borden Deal and Stark Young.

So far, Mitchell Memorial Library has unveiled two banners featuring Mississippi writers. The current trend featuring Mississippi writers on the library’s banners will continue and follow along with the academic calendar.

Each banner includes an image of the author as well as an inspiring quote from them.

The first banner unveiled in December featured Tennessee Williams with a quote he made about the state after he won the Pulitzer Prize describing Mississippi’s beauty as “the spot of creation, a dark, wide, spacious land that you can breathe in.”

The current trail banner unveiled earlier this month features Richard Wright.

Stephen Middleton, who was on hand for the unveiling of the banner, spoke about Wright and his literary contributions. He also spoke about the great honor bestowed on Wright by the library in honoring his literary legacy, as well as his designation on the trail.

William Faulkner The Sound and the Fury A Rose for Emily As I Lay Dying

Works by Authors

Missississippi

Eudora Welty A Curtain of Green The Robber Bridegroom Delta Wedding

Tennessee Williams The Glass Menagerie A Streetcar Named Desire Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Richard Wright Uncle Tom's Children The Man Who Was Almost a Man Black Boy

Margaret Walker Alexander For My People October Journey This Is My Century

Walker Percy The Moviegoer The Last Gentleman Lancelot

Shelby Foote Tournament Follow Me Down Jordan County

Borden Deal There Were Also Strangers Adventure Legend of the Bluegrass

Stark Young Two Plays for Children So Red the Rose Sweet Times and Blue Policeman

Jenn McFadden, The Reflector

Parents advocate for student drug abuse

by Samantha Neargarder Contributing Writer

Devin Harper a Mississippi State University student from 2014-2015, was 23 years old when he committed suicide on Jan. 16, 2017.

Beginning at the young age of 16, Harper struggled with an Adderall addiction.

Since his death, Harper’s parents made it their personal mission to spread awareness about drug abuse and addiction.

They took to Facebook and speaking to college campuses to let students know the struggles of addiction, and the obstacles Harper faced while in school.

In the first Facebook post, Harper’s mother noted how the Adderall is very accessible on college campuses. Harper’s father, Dennis Harper, said his son is still the leader among many.

“Devin was truly a selfless sole,” Dennis Harper said. “He is continuing that by getting his story to other parents and kids.”

When Harper’s parents took to Facebook to spread awareness, they wrote a letter to everyone explaining the effects of the drug.

According to the Facebook post, college students are two times more likely to abuse Adderall than peers who do not attend college.

“Adderall works by mimicking high dopamine levels in the brain,” Harper’s parents said on Facebook.

“Dopamine, the body’s ‘feel good’ chemical creates a rewarding effect. Although naturally occurring in the brain, drugs like Adderall mimics unnaturally high levels of it.”

The letter also shared Harper’s personal experiences; when he was alone, he could no longer feel happy or joyful.

The Mississippi State Department of Health reports men ages 25-30 are more likely to abuse drugs and are about twice as likely to die from overdose than woman. However, 18 women die each day from prescription drug abuse.

This age reflects the age of many students in college.

Sam Watts, a MSU health and promotion wellness graduate student, is experienced in Adderall abuse cases specifically.

DRUG ABUSE, 2

LITERARY TRAIL, 2

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THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 21 2017

RESOLUTION 42

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NEWS CONTINUED FROM 1

Logan Reeves, SA Gavin King and senior Reeves, senior industrial senator and primary music major, said the engineering major, said he opposition to Resolution most important reason he was disappointed the SA 42 along with senators supports the resolution Senate passed the resolution Layton Little and Emily is because he believes the and believes it was presented Crace, said he believes that appealing process in the based on Smith’s social by approving the resolution, Code of Student Conduct standing on campus, which the SA disregarded MSU is broken, as there must be brings concerns to the SA administration’s decisions either new evidence or an accidentally ignoring those concerning students. error in the proceedings in who do not have the same “In my opinion, sending the ruling. social luxury. this resolution to university “Most people agree Despite his opinions administrators will on Resolution 42, severely weaken Reeves does believe the standing of the Smith’s punishment “Regardless of the outcome, Student Association is severe and does in the eyes of those not fit his actions at I will continue to have whom we depend the basketball game. the utmost respect for our to create the change “It is not my our students desire,” job to decide administration at MSU. I Reeves said. his punishment; Reeves said ultimately, it is have a passion for MSU sports Smith must have in the hands of accepted his students,” Reeves and I will continue to support punishment or was said. “I am genuinely presented before sorry that Houston all of our teams.” a hearing with five has been banned MSU students who from Humphrey -Houston Smith, sophomore determined him to Coliseum for the education major be guilty. He said remainder of the MSU’s message 2016-2017 season, about sportsmanship but that sentiment before every home sits separate from game makes it clear that that what Mr. Smith did my opposition to Resolution Smith’s removal from the was wrong,” King said. 42.” coliseum was appropriate “There’s a preponderance Smith tweeted a based on his conduct. of evidence to support that. statement regarding his Thomas said Smith Furthermore, we have faith punishment on Feb. 8 in did not appeal the decision that he was treated justly by which he thanked people made regarding his our administration in the for their support after he punishment because appeals proceedings. What I find was ejected from the game. can only be made if there to be the problem is that He said he has not missed is new evidence or an error this student cannot appeal a home game since he in the procedure, which his sanction. We are simply became a student and that does not include wrongful asking that the university he loves MSU and watching punishment. He said this is administrators take a second MSU basketball “more than something the SA would like look at the sanctions they anything.” He wrote, “At to see change as a result of imposed, because many of the end of the day, I love their resolution. us don’t believe that they fit Mississippi State, and the SA Attorney General the infraction.” last thing I want to do is shine a bad light on the place we all love.”

No matter what happens with Resolution 42, Smith supports MSU. “Regardless of the outcome, I will continue to have the utmost respect for our administration at MSU,” Smith said. “I have a passion for MSU sports and I will continue to support all of our teams.”

The SA will take Resolution 42 and the online petition to the Dean of Students calling the administration to re-evaluate Smith’s punishment.

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Applications may be picked up suite 331 in the Colvard Student Union.

LITERARY TRAIL CONTINUED FROM 1

McCullough said Richard Wright had a troubled background and moved frequently living with various relatives.

Despite the troubles he faced, his mother instilled in him a love of reading and learning.

Wright’s quote comes from his memoir, “Black Boy,” about growing up in the segregated south.

“Whenever my environment had failed to support or nourish me,” Wright said, “I had clutched at books.”

Jennifer Jones, MSU library’s graphic artist, who designs the banners for the library, said it can be challenging finding images for the banners.

Nevertheless, she has succeeded.

Photos on the banners have all featured black and white images and will continue to do so. Jones said the decision to use black and white images helps give the banners continuity from author to author.

Jones’s enthusiasm for the trail extends beyond her job. She said she talked with a friend about the possibility of going on a pilgrimage to Georgia, and visiting the various author’s houses and museums.

McCullough said she sees the future of the trail expanding to other states, but for now, the primary focus will be on effectively marketing and managing the current sites.

Other trails in the state such as the Mississippi Blues Trail have attracted tourists from around the globe giving the state an economic boost.

Another economic boost could follow with the literary trail. McCullough said people have traveled as far away as Australia to visit the literary trail, and next year, a school group from England plans to tour as well.

Friday February 17, 2017 2:24 a.m. A student was arrested on College View Street for speeding 46/20 and suspended Driver’s License. Justice Court citations were issued.

Saturday February 18, 2017 12:28 a.m. A student was issued a referral for causing a disturbance in Ruby Hall.

4:02 p.m. A student was arrested on warrant at Moseley Hall for uttering forgery.

6:04 p.m. A student reported her vehicle damaged while parked on South Farm Horse Unit.

Sunday February 19, 2017 9:38 p.m. A student reported his wireless Beats headphones missing from Hurst Hall,

DRUG ABUSE “Adderall abuse can be defined in multiple ways including taking a higher dose or more often than prescribed, taking it in a non-approved method like snorting, taking it for nonmedical reasons, or simply taking someone else’s prescribed medicine,” Watts said. “It may seem harmless, but Adderall abuse can lead to paranoia, seizures, heart problems, panic attacks, aggressive behavior, tremors, skin irritations and much more.”

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Adderall is a drug considered at a high potential for abuse, which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Also, the rates of Adderall misuse and abuse among high school seniors remain unacceptably high, according to the Partnership for a drug-free America. The new data makes it very clear, that

CONTINUED FROM 1

abuse of all prescription medicine is an immediate threat to the health of American teens.

While Adderall has many health setbacks, legal consequences are also involved in the state of Mississippi for sharing, or taking Adderall, and other prescribed stimulants.

Watts said these include fines up to $1,000 or $10,000 and up to one year in jail for illegally possessing less than onetenth of a gram, or one dosage unit.

Dennis, an advocate for awareness wants students to know the reality of situations like this.

“Please know that you are not in control of yourself when addicted to this drug,” Dennis said. “If you feel your true friends and family are bothering you with something that you think is under control, then you are not under control. Please don’t let your friends do this. It’s deadly.”

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THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2017

Magnolia Film Fest to highlight local filmmakers

by Shelby Poindexter Staff Writer

The 20th annual Magnolia Independent Film Festival will be held from 7-10 p.m. March 2, 7-10 p.m. March 3, and 1-4 p.m. and 7-10 p.m March 4 at Hollywood Premier Cinemas.

The MAG was the fi rst independent fi lm festival in Mississippi and it began in 1997 by Ron Tibbett. It is the only fi lm festival in the Golden Triangle Area and the oldest in Mississippi.

This year, a 20-year celebration will be held from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. on March 2 at the Holiday Inn Express Conference Room. Past and present judges, staff members, and fi lmmakers will be present, and anyone is welcome.

There will be a red carpet event from 6:30 - 7 p.m. on March 3 and 4 at Hollywood Premier Cinemas. Anyone is welcome to come and

be interviewed and get his or her picture taken. The event will also be displayed live on Facebook.

At 10 a.m on March 4 there will also be a meet and greet with 20 to 25 present fi lmmakers and crew at Nine-Twentynine Coffee Bar. Films for the festival were chosen by a team of screeners who score fi lms based on a rubric. Anything goes. There will be comedies, horror fi lms, action, and foreign fi lms. There are a total of 28 fi lms, 24 shorts and four features, five of which were created

by MSU students.

Several of this year’s fi lms were fi lmed and created locally in Mississippi.

Some of the areas include West Point, Amory, Tupelo and around the Gulf Coast.

Angella Baker, chair and director of the fi lm festival, said what she is most excited about when it comes to this year’s festival, is the fi lms themselves.

“I am defi nitely excited about the quality of the fi lms themselves,” Baker said. “There is one that was actually screened at the Sundance Film Festival and several progressive fi lms, and one that was created by a 10-year-old girl from Atlanta called “Dear New President.”

Molly May, student judge for the festival, said she is most excited about the experience.

“I was simply asked to be a student judge this year as Miss Mississippi State University 2017,” May said.

“I’m so excited to be able to judge this year as not only a student, but also as a representative of the university.”

May said she thinks that there is a lot to discover from independent fi lm festivals, and she is excited to see what fi lms are in store.

“I think some of the best fi lms can be discovered from independent fi lm festivals,” May said. “Take ‘Paranormal Activity’

or ‘Blue is the Warmest Color.’ Both are renowned and decorated fi lms found at fi lm festivals. I’m most excited to experience something like this for the fi rst time not only as a viewer, but as a judge and to see all the cinematic talent the Golden Triangle has to offer.”

Student tickets for the Magnolia Independent

SUDOKU

Film Festival are $5 per night or $15 for an all-festival pass. General admission is $10 per night, $30 for an all-festival pass, and $40 for a VIP pass. Those with VIP passes will have access to the VIP lounge where they can relax, have drinks and snacks and receive special t-shirts and posters.

Baker said the festival is

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HELP WANTED Boardtown Bikes is seeking a bicycle mechanic. Mechanical expreience and involvement with cycling is preferred. Visit www.boardtownbikes.com to apply.

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a wonderful experience for everyone.

“For students,” Baker said, “there is a great admission price and the fi lms truly are both high quality and educational. What is so great is that everyone will get to view three hours of superb movies and fi lms.

There are fi lms for every taste. There really is something for everyone.”

large back yard. 513 Overstreet Drive, Starkville. $975.00. Pet Friendly.

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Private collectibles for sale: Thousands of WWII military items. (no guns) Pez candy dispensers, Elvis Presley collectibles and much more.

Cash only. By appoinment only. Call 901-626-2763 for details.

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MSU GAMER’S GUILD The MSU Gamer’s Guild is holding an Overwatch and Halo Tournament at 2 p.m. on Saturday the 25th in Butler Hall.

For more information contact vgcmsu@ gmail.com

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OPINION

THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2017

‘50 Shades Darker’ is not about romance Chris Lowe is a sophomore majoring in business information systems. He can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu.

On Valentine’s Day, I joined many other men in being forced to watch “50 Shades Darker.” My disinterest in the movie was originally due to the fact that I do not generally enjoy romance movies.

Interestingly enough, by the time the credits were rolling, I felt disdain for the movie.

“50 Shades Darker” hastily explores a borderline-abusive relationship between a manipulative billionaire who embodies everything that is traditionally attractive in a man and a fresh-out-of-college writer who loves to pretend she is independent.

Really, the movie centers around traditional

gender roles and backwards thinking, while hiding under the paper-thin guise of progressiveness.

It also sprinkles in bits of ultra-vanilla BDSM sex.

Somehow, the movie franchise is quite successful in a society that abhors emotional abuse.

According to Box Office Mojo, “50 Shades Darker” has made a worldwide profit of over 276 million dollars as of Feb. 19.

The movie begins sometime after the first movie in the series ended, with Anastasia Steele having broken her dominant-submissive relationship with the perfect man, Christian Grey. Ana is determined to keep him out of her life, but Christian yearns for her to return to him.

Within 10 minutes of the movie, he has convinced Ana to go to dinner with him simply by asking more than once, and she excuses her weak will by stating it is “only because I’m hungry.” This act sets the tone for the rest of the film.

Over and over again, Ana pretends to put her

foot down regarding her boundaries and her insistence that the relationship should be different than it was in “50 Shades of Grey.”

However, Christian flaunts his endless supply of money, yells very loudly or initiates sex every time

To be fair, the movie often addresses that his insistence on dominance is an issue, but this matters little when everything magically resolves itself anyway. Whether it is Christian hiring a private investigator to create a profile on her or him scream-

50 SHADES TOO DARK

JENN MCFADDEN, THE REFLECTOR

she tries to be independent, and Ana either gives in to him completely or gives in to 95 percent of the original demands.

Michael Smith from the Tulsa Times states accurately, “The movie is mostly a wash-rinse-repeat cycle.”

On this day in history...

ing at her for being gone for three hours without a phone, Ana allows things to happen that would never be appropriate for a healthy relationship.

The worst part is the further Christian takes his antics, the more Ana falls for him. It baffles me that

J.K. Rowling

wins his second Olympic gold medal. Button

““If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.”

captured his first gold prize at the 1948 Olympics, becoming the first American to ever take home the men’s title. history.com

Empathy is necessary in political discourse

by Mustafa Sen Staff Writer

It is always difficult to have political conversations with family you do not agree with or friends who you do not want to unintentionally burn bridges with.

However, it is getting harder to talk about politics with others because of polarization in the United States. Recently, I have had a small chat over coffee with a woman in her 70s, and she said, “the gap between the left and the right is as big as it has ever been.”

Rob Willer, a professor of sociology at Stanford, supports this idea and states liberals and conservatives have grown further apart.

Moreover, he adds, “They increasingly wall themselves off in these ideological silos, consuming different news, talking only to like-minded others and more and more choosing to live in different parts of the country.”

Knowing this, how can we have healthy political conversations at the dinner table with our families? Or rather, how can we survive

unavoidable political conversations, especially after the election season?

Well, according to Friedrich Nietzsche, “Those who cannot understand how to put their thoughts on ice should not enter into the heat of debate.” In debating politics, it is key you remain cool. There are other ways to refine your skills in political conversation as well.

First, you should know

be able to accept your own failings when it comes to recognizing the truth.

A second way to improve political conversation is to respect the person you are talking with in the same manner you would like to be respected. In the Hegel’s “Philosophy of Right,” the system of mutual recognition and abstract rights is the basis of morality.

He adds, “Be a person and respect others as a person.” Before we sit down for

“Acknowledge that you are discussing ideas, and others might have different opinions. Political discussion does not entitle you to be rude.” your stuff—keeping up with politics is a full-time job, and there is a high chance that you cannot know all the information about a particular issue or nominee without spending hours researching.

This means you should expect and be tolerant of different people’s likely “variations” of the truth in any given situation, but it also means that you should

a conversation, it is crucial for us to understand even if we may disagree with the person we are going to engage with, they are still a human being with emotions and thoughts.

Acknowledge that you are discussing ideas, and others might have different opinions. Political discussion does not entitle you to be rude.

Finally, when having

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these discussions, you should try to find common ground. It does not matter what you are talking about.

It is possible to find at least a little common ground in any conversation. If you cannot find it, try to focus on common problems you both share.

After finding this mutual understanding in the conversation, latch onto it.

Speak more about it. This is an excellent opportunity to boost each other’s egos in order to guarantee the rest of the conversation continues in a civil manner.

In Psychology Today, Joni Johnston states, “It is good to find the common ground, but do not use it show that you are superior.” He also suggests you, “show them that how they feel matters to you, even though you still disagree with them. You will be well on your way to a fruitful discussion.”

In sum, despite the politics, social media, restrictions and everything else working to divide us, we owe it to each other to interact and connect. If you want to have better political conversations, empathy and respect is the way to go.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 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.

money) and said “awwwww” when things worked out for him and Ana. To me this indicates that not only does the film showcase itself as a model for romance, but the people watching it take that message to heart.

I can confidently say as a man that I do not want to be in a relationship where I dominate my significant other in every aspect, and from what I have seen from the women I know, they do not take kindly to this kind of abuse.

For some reason though, I have heard quite a lot of praise for “50 Shades” from the same people who would be miserable if someone they loved treated them the way Christian treats Ana. I believe that because the movie says it is romantic, people think it is romantic, but I challenge those who do to really think about what occurs in “50 Shades Darker.”

This is not the example men and women deserve to have ingrained in their minds when they think of a successful relationship.

Online dating should not be a source of embarassment

REFLECTIONS

...in 1952, men’s figure skater Dick Button

a movie can portray a relationship like this as ideal and it not be some kind of social satire.

It really is like a sort of parody to me. Christian will do something that screams possessive and controlling, then the film will cut to a Disney-esque romantic scene that, in some cases, makes Ana forget about an extremely important argument her and Christian were in the middle of just moments before.

By the end of the movie, the audience is basically told that Christian has a heart of gold and he is a changed man, but there is no real evidence to support.

Of course, why would a guy that has already claimed he does not like movies like this care enough about “50 Shades Darker” to write an article on it? Well, I heard some very concerning reactions to it while in the theater.

Women around me frequently gasped in happiness when Christian performed his romantic gestures (spending a lot of

The

by Natalie Bullock Staff Writer

Being a single woman in a new town, meeting people can be extremely difficult. Add graduate school into that mix, and all I really have time for is class, work, sleep and repeat. So I decided to get into online dating.

I spent time making a thoughtful profile and looking at people who I felt I could connect with. After a year of being in the online dating game, I have frequented multiple apps and went on a few dates. While I have mixed expectations of what I will get from the experience, I still feel like this was the right choice for me.

I cannot be the only one who feels this way.

According to EHarmony, 40 million Americans and over a quarter of young adults are invested in online dating. That is a lot of dating prospects compared to the total amount of zero dateable guys I have met in the past year.

However, even with the large amount of people exploring online dating, there is still a great amount of stigma surrounding it.

When I tell people about a date I have or about a guy I find interesting, the question I am always asked is where I met this person.

When I tell my friends that I met them on some dating app, I get this fear that my interest or date will not be taken seriously.

Even more, I worry I will be labeled as desperate.

I am not wrong in

that worry, either. Pew Research found that 23 percent of people think those who online date are desperate. Additionally, Becca Wolinsky of the Huffington Post details a personal experience of incredulous looks and awkward accusations when she discussed her online dating experiences with friends and acquaintances. This is a common side effect of being in the online dating world.

We live in a digital age.

We can be connected to others with the swipe of a lock screen. Online dating is just one of many results from being so digitally connected–if we are already spending so much time on our phones, what harm is there in trying to connect with others in a romantic way as well?

In that sense, I think we need to stop putting so much pressure on finding dating prospects in dayto-day life. EHarmony states that 20 percent of committed relationships began through online dating–that is a significant amount. So we need to stop thinking that meeting people “organically” can be the only appropriate way.

In the end, how we meet someone is not important.

The connection and how we make each other feel should take precedence.

So do not be afraid to admit that you swipe right on Tinder a little too much, or stalk the questions and answers on OkCupid more than you care to admit.

Some may judge, but I promise it will not be me.

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5

SPORTS

THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2017

Riley makes a name for him ‘Self’ in victory

by Dalton Middleton Sports Editor

The Mississippi State University baseball team lived up to the hype of opening weekend.

Returning players such as Jake Mangum and Brent Rooker excelled as usual, with Mangum tallying up seven hits in four games and Rooker hitting a walk off single to beat Western Illinois.

While these were all big moments, the biggest happened in the comeback win against Texas Tech. That moment for Mississippi State was the play of one very talented freshman pitcher, Riley Self.

Self was a very anticipated true freshman and many people expected huge things out of the young pitcher, with some fans on Twitter comparing him to former MSU star and current New York Yankees pitcher, Jonathan Holder.

Out of high school, Self was named a Louisville Slugger fi rst team AllAmerican and named the fi fth best overall player in the state of Mississippi. He was the second best righthander in the state and ranked 215th in the country for his class.

After a very successful

high school career, Self carried that into his fi rst two performances of his collegiate career.

In the season opener against Texas Tech on Friday, Self came in to the game and threw one inning. Although he did not stay in the game long, he only allowed one hit and struck out two Red Raiders to give fans a glimpse of what he could do.

The freshman had his fame in the last game of the weekend against the same team. When Self was called in from the bullpen, he starred for the Bulldogs.

He ended up going five innings in the game, struck out seven batters, and only allowed one hit. The one hit was a solo home run in the eighth inning.

In the five innings he threw, he retired all but two batters. One was the solo home run and the other was a walk. The team made no errors behind him and second baseman Hunter Stovall said it was because Self is calm and collected on the mound and easy to play behind.

“Riley Self is an unbelievable pitcher,” Stovall said. “He is going to do big things for us this year and he is going to throw a lot of innings. He is very fun to play behind because he throws his little cutter deal and that is always getting

under and over barrels and it’s always contact with him. He is a strike thrower so it’s fun to be behind someone like that.”

The cutter was working for Self in the game.

After he started throwing it when he was in high school, it was not his main focus until he got to MSU and spent the majority of his time on it.

Self said his cutter is a feel pitch, and the pitch was working well on the night.

“My fastball is a cutter basically and I throw it every pitch and it gets under their barrels and I try to keep them off balanced as much as I can,” Self said. “The cutter became more natural when I got here with my arm slot and everyone kind of accepted it and it has become better since.”

Head coach Andy Cannizaro was very pleased with his performance on the day and bragged about the special talent he brings to the mound.

“Self was incredible,” Cannizaro said. “Fastball up to 91 with a wipeout slider and cutter. He really did a great job. You are talking about a kid who is just making his fi rst or second appearance in college baseball.”

During a weekend MSU used 10 relief pitchers, Self

Anxiety ToolBox

Alayna Stevens | The Reflector

The Mississippi State University baseball upset No. 14 Texas Tech on Sunday night behind Riley Selfʼs fi ve innings of relief.

stood out as one of the best. With MSU trying to fi nd their starting rotation, Coach Cannizaro said Self may have put himself in a position to be one of the starters. He said if he does not become a starter, he will continue to pitch a good amount of innings.

“Riley Self is going to be somewhere in that mix,

whether he morphs into a starter for us or we keep him in that bullpen role, but a guy like Riley shows you what kind of stuff he has,” Cannizaro said.

“He is going to be on the mound and he is going to be on the mound a lot. We will see if he is a starter or a bullpen guy.”

Self said he does not

EXPIRES 05/04/2017

mind if he is a starter or a bullpen pitcher as long as he helps out the team.

When he was asked about his role, he said he will pitch anywhere he is wanted to pitch.

With the performance he gave the Bulldogs this past weekend, he should not have a problem fi nding time to pitch.

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THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2017

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