Friday 1/16/15 by The State News

State News The

The commemorative MLK section will start on page 7 Illustration: betsy agosta

s p ot l i g h t

politics

Project 60/50 completes a year

The university endeavor strived to create discussion on community issues — page 4 f riday, JA N UARY 16 , 2 015

@thesnews

Federal judge recognizes legality of same-sex marriages

Couples married last March in Michigan will be afforded all the benefits and protections under the law — page 6 stat enews .com

cou rt

Student charged with terrorism pleads guilty

Former finance freshman Matthew Mullen sent a message on the anonymous app Yik Yak that caused East Lansing Public Schools to lock down in November — page 2

News

Olivia Dimmer and Simon Schuster Trends and issues editor Breaking news editor campus@statenews.com @thesnews

MSU student behind Yik Yak threat pleads guilty, on the hook for $20K In East Lansing district court, former finance freshman Matthew Mullen pleaded guilty to charges of terrorism for posting a shooting threat on Yik Yak last semester. As part of his plea, Mullen is responsible for the costs of the police response to the threat By Katie Winkler kwinkler@statenews.com

Former MSU finance freshman Matthew Mullen pleaded guilty Thursday for a threatening Yik Yak post made on November 22 which prompted surrounding schools to be on alert. Mullen appeared in East Lansing’s 54B District Court Thursday morning in connection with charges of terrorism for posting “I’m gonna (gun emoji) the school at 12:15 p.m. today” on the social media app from his dorm room in

“The charge itself is pretty serious and when you look at the communication that was made and what the response to it was ... Unfortunately for him, he is a young kid that did a very stupid thing.” Frank Reynolds, Mullen’s lawyer

East Akers hall. During the hearing, Mullen said he had no intention of carrying out the threat and no possible means to do so. As part of the plea, Mullen will not face jail time and no other charges will follow as a result of his plea. Mullen will be held responsible for the costs of police agents responding to his post in the county-wide area, which could cost him up to $20,000. Under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, Mullen may receive no criminal record if he undergoes probation successf ully, Mullen’s law yer Frank Reynolds said. “The charge itself is prett y serious and when you look at the communication that was made and what the response to it was, obviously, people were bothered by that because they were calling the police,” Reynolds said. “Unfortunately for him, he is a young kid that did a very stupid thing.” For the spring semester, Mullen resides with his parents in Illinois and is scheduled to begin classes there later this month, Reynolds said. Mullen is not attending MSU

Former MSU student Matthew Mullen attends his preliminary hearing Thursday at 54-B District Court in East Lansing. Mullen pleaded guilty to threatening to commit terrorism and the plea is currently under advisement. PHOTO: Hannah Levy

now, but it’s unclear whether he could have the opportunity to reenroll. “There was an interim suspension and right now the final status and how they’re

handling that, I’m not completely sure about. Hopefully, its going to be through a withdrawal,” Reynolds said. Mullen’s scheduled arraignment in circuit court will

begin on January 28, followed by sentencing on February 25. Although the social media app Yik Yak is anonymous, police were able to locate Mullen in Akers hall by con-

tacting the app’s developer. Several schools in the East Lansing and Lansing area were put on lockdown after the threat was posted and MSU issued an alert.

Keep your bike rolling with these winter tips By Meagan Beck mbeck@statenews.com

The Asian Studies Center presents...

The S.C. Lee Scholarship & Paper Competition

In honor of the late Professor Shao-Chang Lee, an advocate of U.S.-East Asia relations, the S.C. Lee Endowment is proud to sponsor students with outstanding accomplishments in Asian studies. Several scholarships up to $5,000 are available and prizes up to $1,00 will be awarded for research papers focusing on Asian topics. The scholarship is open to undergraduate students only. The paper competition is open to all enrolled MSU students. Application deadline is: January 30, 2015 at 5 p.m. For full contest details and application visit: http://asia.isp.msu.edu

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As snow and ice have already covered streets and sidewalks, riding a bike to class is not the warmest option, but can be made safe and bearable by following some simple tips. Tim Potter, MSU Bikes Service Center manager, said students can still use their bikes by following regular safety rules, keeping up on maintenance and dressing appropriately before riding. STAY VISIBLE Potter said he recommends using good lights year round but especially in the winter. “Since snow storms make visibility more of an issue, it’s more important to use lights,” Potter said. Ref lective tape is another way to remain visible to drivers when there is low visibility. RIDE IN THE ROAD Students should be riding their bikes in

fri day, JANUARY 1 6 , 2 01 5

the road to prevent accidents with other cyclists and pedestrians. Potter said when there is a lot of snow, another option is riding where cars have already created a path. “Most of the time, cyclists should be riding in the direction of traffic, except the times when cars might not be in control,” Potter said. CONSIDER STUDDED TIRES When snow and ice are covering where cyclists usually ride, studded tires can help a bike get better traction. Potter said the MSU Bikes Service Center can provide studded tires for customers, but they can be pricey — starting at $50 per tire. For a cheaper alternative, Potter said students can make their own studded tires by attaching sheet metal screws with edges on the head of it to the tread of a mountain bike’s tires. KEEP UP ON BIKE MAINTENANCE The cold weather can cause issues with brakes and shifts.

Keeping a bike indoors can help prevent frozen cables and water freezing in the brake lines. Potter said many of the residence halls have indoor bike rooms where students can keep their bikes. Consistently checking the brakes and lubricating the chain also prevent issues. Tri-Flow oil can be used to keep the parts of a bike well-oiled and lubricated and can also help fix frozen brakes and gears. He also suggests lowering the seat on bikes during winter so the rider’s feet are closer to the ground. Potter also warned salt can rust and ruin a bike. DRESS FOR SUCCESS While riding in the cold weather, being equipped with warm apparel is essential. Potter said wearing goggles can help protect eyes from wind or snow, which might block a rider’s vision. Fenders can also be attached to a bike which prevent snow and sludge from flying up onto the bike or its operator.

Contents

Crossword

L.A. Times Daily Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

i ns i d e

Community members prepare for annual MLK march Monday

Like MLK, students find spirituality through gospel music and worship

Facetime with Patrice Wright, vice president of Black Student Alliance

Page 8

Page 11

Page 15

O nl i n e To hear the speech that Martin Luther King Jr. gave at MSU in 1966, which was featured on this issue’s cover, go to statenews. com/ multimedia

da i ly N umb e r

49 Years since Martin Luther King Jr. visited and spoke at MSU in 1966.

“King’s message is still incredibly relevant today, and especially to the MSU community as it partakes in marches, protests and town halls to bring serious issues to light.” Editor-in-chief Celeste Bott on remembering the real reason behind MLK Day. Read more on page 10.

ACROSS

1 Sardine cousin 5 “My take is ...” 10 Princess from Amphipolis 14 Iota 15 One-up 16 “Head With Pipe” artist Nolde 17 Watchable, in a way 18 Jar for leafy vegetable storage? 20 2000s World #1 female golfer 22 Nurture 23 Word with cake or break 24 Actor Jackie’s pet fish? 27 “__ Love” (Maroon 5 hit) 29 Smoking, perhaps 30 Half a score 31 1959 novel in whose film version Mary Crane became Marion Crane 33 Giant 36 Rabbit’s friend 37 Opine ... or create four long answers in this puzzle? 41 Literary __ 42 More than hammer home 43 Video game segments

45 Jr.’s jr. 46 Spot for a soak 49 With 60-Down, only South Korean World Golf Hall of Fame inductee 50 Emulate an inveterate swindler? 53 Small songbird 54 Work on a canvas? 56 Unfortunate 57 Vessel with limited space? 61 Bard’s verb 62 “See Dad Run” star 63 Steer snagger 64 Mishmash 65 TripAdvisor alternative 66 “No worries” 67 White side, maybe

DOWN

1 More than peck 2 Head __ 3 Besides 4 Plymouth’s county 5 Org. with a multi-ring logo 6 “No __!” 7 Whitewater figure 8 Pitcher? 9 Green sage 10 Survey taker, at times 11 Text clarifier

12 Compliment on a course 13 Antacid brand word 19 Old PC monitors 21 Martin’s start? 25 Hollywood glitterati 26 Sambuca flavoring 28 On a sugar high, say 31 Psychologist’s concern 32 Quaker Honey Graham __ 33 Toast, with “a” 34 U.S.-U.K. separator 35 “Truth is more of a stranger than fiction” writer 37 The works 38 Second section of Verdi’s “Requiem” 39 Fit nicely 40 Quarters, e.g. 44 Daffy Duck has one 46 Move on a screen 47 Shakespearean heiress 48 “But I digress ...” 50 Trainee 51 Marine predators 52 Bygone birds 53 Mango tango smoothie server 55 Prefix with cardial 58 Post-spill need 59 __-Aztecan languages 60 See 49-Across

Get the solutions at statenews.com/puzzles

Senior guard Travis Trice takes a jump shot during the game against Maryland on Dec. 30, 2014, at Breslin Center. The Spartans were defeated by the Terrapins, 68-66 in double overtime. Read a preview for this weekend’s Maryland game on page 5. PHOTO: danyelle morrow

Level:

editorial staff (517) 432-3070 VOL . 105 | NO. 74

Contact The State News (517) 432-3000 Newsroom/Corrections (517) 432-3070 feedback@statenews.com General Manager Marty Sturgeon (517) 432-3000 Advertising M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (517) 432-3010 advertising Managers Alex Hubert Kelsey Taber Colophon The State News design features Acta, a newspaper type system created by DSType Foundry.

The State News is published by the students of Michigan State University, Monday through Friday during the academic year. Subscription rates: $5 per semester on campus; $125 a year, $75 for one fall or spring semester, $60 for summer semester by mail anywhere in the continental United States. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the MSU community. Additional copies $0.75 at the business office only. State News Inc. is a private, nonprofit corporation. Its current 990 tax form is available for review upon request at 435 E. Grand River Ave. during business hours.

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk

Editor-in-chief Celeste Bott managing editor Anya Rath BREAKING NEWS EDITOR Simon Schuster TRENDS AND ISSUES EDITOR Olivia Dimmer

SOLUTION TO THURSDAY’S PUZZLE

1/16/15

f r i day, JA NUA RY 1 6 , 2 01 5

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Spotlight

Anya Rath Managing editor arath@statenews.com @thesnews

Project 60/50 completes its year goal, shows no signs of stopping The project, an endeavor led by the MSU Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, created multiple forums for discussions on issues experienced by members of the East Lansing community and the nation as a whole By Cameron Macko cmacko@statenews.com

In 1954 the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case outlawed the “separate but equal” status quo in the nation. Ten years later, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law. Last year Martin Luther King Jr. Day marked the beginning of a massive inclusivity campaign at MSU, coinciding with these two major civil rights anniversaries. Project 60/50 was headed by the MSU Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, or I3, and involved partnership with both student groups and East Lansing community organizations. Monday marks one year since the project’s kickoff. Though the 60th and 50th anniversaries in the project’s title have passed, project organizers have no plans to end the events associated with Project 60/50 in the near future. Planning for the project began two years before its kickoff, and its central goal was to create an environment on campus and in the surrounding community where difficult issues could be discussed. An exploration I3 Director Paulette Granberry Russell, the executive director of Project 60/50, said the topics for discussion include far more than just civil rights, but could include topics such as the environment, same-sex marriage, elder rights and beyond. “It’s exploration,” she said. “It’s not necessarily advocacy for civil rights. It’s creating space for individuals who are interested in discussing, for example, issues of race equality.” The events associated with the project are significantly varied,

Spring 2015 Tax Refund Room 307 Student Services Building Last Day for Refund: January 26th

Student ID Required 4

with the website accepting donations to help set up and maintain events. Money raised went to a number of activities including work with local high school students or setting up an exhibit in the Union. One major partner of the project included the East Lansing Public Library, where the most popular activity involved regular film showings. “We’ve done a variety of programs, but one of the ongoing and most popular program is a series of films we did called ‘Racial Healing: A Community Conversation,’” said East Lansing Public Library’s Head of Program and Outreach Services Jill Abood. “The program is we show a film and then we have facilitators who have been for the most part affiliated with MSU, professors, but we’ve also had other people, community members and so forth as well who then lead discussions about issues of race, class, prison system after we watch the film.” Attendees have included participants from all over the East Lansing area, from MSU students and faculty to local high schoolers. More than 200 events under the Project 60/50 umbrella have been attended by thousands of community members. Many students during the fall semester felt the need to take this discussion under their own direction, sponsoring and organizing protests and events outside the scope of Project 60/50. Some of the more noteworthy protests include the “Black Lives Matter” protests in the Main Library during exam week, the massive student uprising against commencement speaker George Will and the banners hung around campus calling attention to the Michael Brown case in Ferguson, Missouri. At tempts to bring students together Granberry Russell said the issues focused on by the project are ones students still face on campus and in the nation as a whole. “Issues of race and racial inequality are societal issues and concerns,” she said. “MSU is a microcosm of the greater society.” Naif Alyami, director of public relations for the International Students Association, believes it’s good for the administration to take steps to fix problems of

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Cast members (from left to right) theatre junior Christi Thibodeau, Yifan Luo and theatre sophomore Taylor Blair all perform a skit during Rob Roznowski’s 60/50 Theater Project on Sept. 19, 2014, at the Fairchild Theatre. Theatre junior Kendall Kotcher and theatre sophomore Taylor Blair perform a live skit during Rob Roznowski’s 60/50 Theater Project on Sept. 19, 2014, at Auditorium.

200 Project 60/50 events attended by thousands of community members

state news file photos

this nature faced on campus. “As international students, we feel that we have a gap between us and the domestic students,” Alyami said. He added that domestic students rarely go out of their way to engage international students on campus, forcing them to bridge the gap even though they’re typically the ones outside their comfort zones. Alyami also said the situation hasn’t necessarily gotten better for minority student groups, but

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it’s positive the administration is trying to be involved. He did point out that events organized by the International Students Association are rarely attended by domestic students, a topic that regularly comes up in discussions. No end in sight Though beginning as “a yearlong conversation on civil and human rights,” Granberry Russell said, its organizers have no plans to officially wrap up

the project because of the overwhelmingly strong response they have gotten from MSU students, faculty and community members. Another important civil rights milestone, the 1965 march on Selma, celebrates its anniversary in 2015, meaning the program could include it in potential events. “Project 60/50 is sustainable and so I don’t see Project 60/50 ending in January of 2015,” Granberry Russel said.

She said discussions are underway to determine the next step for the project. The East Lansing Public Library plans on continuing its cooperation with I3, as the topics being discussed can be difficult to bring out into the open. “Those can be uncomfortable conversations,” Abood said. “But (the project is) trying to create an atmosphere where it’s open and people can really communicate and learn and share with one another.”

Sports

Geoff Preston Sports editor sports@statenews.com @thesnews_sports

Men’s basketball gears up for rematch against No. 14 Maryland After losing to the Terrapins in late December, MSU heads east to College Park, Maryland hoping to avenge their early loss. Izzo says a win hinges on the Spartans’ ability to rebound and to defend without fouling By John Neidhart jneidhart@statenews.com

Since a conference opening loss to Maryland on Dec. 30, MSU has won three straight Big Ten games in three different ways. The first came in an all-around dominating 20-point win over Indiana. The second, a furious second-half rally to beat Iowa and the third was a back-and-forth overtime win against Northwestern. The Spartans (12-5 overall, 3-1 Big Ten) have been finding ways to win, and Saturday they get a chance to continue their win streak and finally defeat an AP top 25 team when they travel to College Park, Maryland for a rematch with No. 14 Maryland. “Traveling to Maryland for the first time will be interesting,” Izzo said. “I’ve been there once before for a game and I’m sure it’ll be Fourth of July and Christmas. Big weekend game, big TV game. I hear they’re honoring Gary Williams, so it’ll be a festive day.” Williams, the former head basketball coach at Maryland, was inducted into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014. In the first meeting, Maryland and MSU needed double-overtime before the Terrapins came away with a twopoint victory in their inaugural Big Ten opener. Freshman guard Melo Trimble was terrific, scoring 17 points, 12 of which came from the free-throw line. Trimble torched MSU’s guards, blowing by them and penetrating the lane at ease. According to Izzo, he “drove it

down our throat.” However, the Spartans played solid defense on the perimeter, holding Maryland to just 33.3 percent shooting from the field. “If you ask me what do we gotta do this week, we gotta rebound better, and another interesting stat, they had zero free throws the first half and 32 the second, so we gotta defend without fouling,” Izzo said. Trimble’s success against MSU wasn’t just a fluke, either. He’s taken a conference-leading 136 free throws, making 88.2 percent of them. For the Spartans, senior forward Branden Dawson played his first game after missing two with a wrist injury. He appeared to be affected by the brace he was wearing, turning the ball over twice and even losing control on the way up for shots. In the three games since, Dawson has averaged more than 13 points and 12 rebounds per game. Whether or not he can keep up these numbers will be a key factor if MSU hopes to pull out a win. MSU will have a pretty healthy squad for the game, after medical tests revealed that junior forward Matt Costello is “fine” and junior forward Denzel Valentine was discovered to have an ulcer in his throat, but he is about 90 percent, according to Izzo. He also mentioned that freshman forward Javon Bess is “the best he’s been” all season. Maryland has gone 3-1 since the teams met, with the loss coming in shocking fashion on the road at Illinois. Sat urday ’s ga me is sc heduled for a 4 p.m. tipoff and will be televised on CBS.

Follow @thesnews_sports for gameday updates

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Freshman forward Marvin Clark Jr. tries to push past Maryland guard Richaud Pack on Dec. 30, 2014, at Breslin Center. photo: danyelle morrow

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Quick reads Same-sex couples married in March recognized by a federal judge By Sergio Martínez-Beltrán smartinez@statenews.com

A U.S. district judge recognized on Thursday the legality of ceremonies of the same-sex couples who were married in March, following a ruling categorizing the prevention of same-sex marriage as unconstitutional. The court decision ordered the state government to grant couples all the benefits and protections under the law. “Defendants are preliminarily enjoined from refusing to recognize the marital status of Plaintiffs and all other same-sex couples who were lawfully married in Michigan after the district court’s

Classified To place an ad … By telephone (517) 432-3010 In person 435 E. Grand River Ave. By e-maIl advertising@statenews.com onlIne www.statenews.com/classifieds offIce hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

ruling authorizing such marriages in DeBoer and before the issuance of the stay by the Sixth Circuit on March 22, 2014 in that case,” Judge Mark A. Goldsmith said in the opinion. “Defendants shall afford all such couples all the protections and benefits as are mandated or authorized by Michigan law for all couples whose marriages are validly solemnized under Michigan law.” The plaintiffs included in the ruling included eight same-sex Michigan couples who were married after a federal judge struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. The ruling was made on the case Marsha Caspar v. Richard Snyder. Although he was succinct in his statement, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said Thurs-

day his office is waiting for a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court. “We are reviewing Judge Goldsmith’s decision but as I have said repeatedly, the sooner the United States Supreme Court makes a decision on this issue the better it will be for Michigan and America,” Schuette said in a statement. This new ruling comes after the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned lower court rulings in several states that deemed bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. “Even though the court decision that required Michigan to allow same-sex couples to marry has now been reversed on appeal, the same-sex couples who were married in Michigan during a brief peri-

od when such marriages were authorized acquired a status that state officials may not ignore absent some compelling interest — a constitutional hurdle that the defense does not even attempt to surmount,” Goldsmith said in the order. Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum said the decision supports the rightfulness of the marriages. Byrum was one of several county clerks who issued marriage licenses to the newlyweds. “I knew the marriage licenses were issued legally, I knew the marriages were entered into legally and I, as many others knew, that these were valid licenses,” Byrum said. Read more online at statenews.com

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LOCAL FIRM seeks snow plow operators. Mostly overnight hours. Wage based on experience. 517663-2040

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“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. PROUD TO SUPPORT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY’S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Office of the Associate Provost for Academic Services Admissions

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MLK

MLK has influenced today’s student activism By Kayman Whaley kwhaley@statenews.com

Peaceful doesn’t always mean quiet. There are many ways to get messages across, and whether it’s through lying down in the middle of traffic or simply yelling, MSU students have displayed a familiar way of protesting – peacefully. Students at MSU seem to have embraced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message to go about things in the nonviolent way. Interdisciplinary studies in social science junior Alexandria Vaughn-Powe participated in the silent march organized by the NAACP in protest of Mike Brown’s death and the non-indictment of police officer Darren Wilson. Vaughn-Powe said she thinks in terms of on campus, protesters are achieving their goal. “I do think that people protesting is important but … the main thing that we’re trying to do on campus is bring awareness,” Vaughn-Powe said. “A lot of the time (issues) are swept under the

rug or go unnoticed.” During the Civil Rights movement, Vaughn-Powe said activists were striving for their rights, whereas now activists are striving for the ability to create new laws. This includes accountability assurances for the authorities, such as requiring police officers to wear cameras on duty, one of the demands MSU students have asked of East Lansing police . “As far as campus, that was definitely a demonstration influenced by the works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Vaughn-Powe said. “I do think that peaceful protests is the best way to go about it.” Third-year law student Emily Gillingham also took the peaceful path along with many others to protest columnist George Will as the speaker at MSU’s fall commencement. “I couldn’t stand by and not participate in a countermovement,” Gillingham said on the protest in a previous interview with The State News.

Protesters lie down in the middle of the road and block traffic Dec. 5, 2014, during a protest which went down Grand River Ave., to the MSU Union and ended at Beaumont Tower. The group of students shut down Grand River Ave., in East Lansing by marching and laying down in the middle of the street in protest of police violence against black people. phOTO: Erin Hampton

To read the rest of the story, visit statenews.com.

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Our civil rights movement continues By Sergio Martínez-Beltrán smartinez@statenews.com

Martin Luther King Jr. is someone I’ve admired since I was little. I remember my first encounter with one of the people who would later give sense to the words equality, justice and peace. Growing up in Puerto Rico, I went to a book fair. I had the opportunity to choose a book I wanted and take it home for free. While I was roaming the library, I found one with a cover showing the face of someone unknown until that moment to me — Martin Luther King Jr. I came back home and read the book that explained the amazing life of this man. After finishing, I told my mom what I had learned and she further explained to me the importance of King. At the time, I was not completely sure why there would be a book of this man in Puerto Rico. But I remember having this beautiful conversation with my mom — she explained to me who he was, and his impact in the world. As I fast-forward, here I stand — a 19-year-old college student, working at a newspaper and living in a place where I never imagined I would have ended up. As I experience different emotions daily and learn new things, there is still something that has not changed much — racial and ethnic issues. When it comes to civil rights, I believe we should be doing better by now. Minorities in this country and around the world are still being marginalized on a daily basis. As we stay warm in our homes on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, remember the civil rights movement is still up and running, and we need it. We need a civil rights movement because black males and females — I know, you may not want to hear about it, but I feel the need to talk about it — are being killed by white law police officers. We need a civil rights movement because there

is discrimination against Latinos on a daily basis. The fact that Latinos are being constantly asked to speak English while speaking Spanish with their friends is sickening. We need a civil rights movement because around the world over the past few days we have seen anti-Muslim protests. Just because a sick group of people decided to use the name of their prophet to kill others does not mean all Muslims have a similar ideology. Remember the white student who went on a shooting spree in University of California - Santa Barbara? It would be as absurd to believe every white male would do the same thing in colleges around the country. We need a civil rights movement because people are being judged on a daily basis for their sexual orientation and sexual identity. Today, those who identify themselves as members of the LGBT community walk in this country — the home of the free world — without any legal rights, due to the lack of sensitivity and recognition from our government. With all these things happening, it is hard to think about equality, justice and peace. It is upsetting to think that King was killed because he believed that white kids and black kids should have the opportunity to play together. It is upsetting to think that King was killed because he believed in equality, justice and peace and still, we have all sorts of inequalities, injustices and violent situations. There is some truth when people say the only thing that’s changed are the chains. In part, it is our fault. It is time for us to become leaders and fight for what we believe in. It is time for us to organize and fight for what we want and what we deserve. We need to be more vocal to create a change. As one of my colleagues told me, we all can be King — we just need to believe in our ability to change the system. This Monday, please remember that we celebrate a movement and that it is time to bring back a movement that will protect others and will create a systematic change. Martin Luther King Jr. is a movement and we should be thankful for living in a country where that movement started. Sergio Martínez-Beltrán is a reporter and the staff minority representative with The State News.

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. January 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963

The staff and students of MSU Hillel are proud to join with the campus community in honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. f r iday, JANUARY 16, 2015

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For activists, MLK Day is more than just a day without work, class Martin Luther King Jr.’s message is still relevant today, especially in light of the growing activism in the MSU community this year

By Celeste Bott cbott@statenews.com

Everybody loves a day off. I know I do — a chance to relax, a long weekend and in the case of Martin Luther King Jr. Day,

a reprieve before the spring semester kicks into high gear. But with perks like that, the real meaning of the holiday can get lost far too easily. When students were engaging in die-in protests during finals week, I was shocked at the negativity I was hearing from my peers, of all ages and colors. Some complained of the inconvenience of having to step over students to meet up with study groups. Others were sympathetic to the message, but com-

plained about the timing of it. Hey, of course black lives matter, they said, but I have a 7:45 a.m. final. The thing is, activism can’t rely on convenience. If we were all to sit around and wait for the timing to be right for genuine social change, I have a feeling we would be waiting forever. Nobody understood that better than King. And that’s what this coming Monday celebrates — his fearlessness to demand civil rights no matter the obsta-

“Activism can’t rely on convenience. If we were to sit around and wait for the timing to be right for genuine social change, I have a feeling we would be waiting forever.”

cle placed in front of him. I’m not a person of color, so I won’t claim to understand the challenges they face even now, in 2015. But I was proud to see so much activism last semester, and I hope like hell that it continues, no matter how inconvenient it may be to the administration, to police or to protesters’ peers. King’s message is still incredibly relevant today, especially to the MSU community as it partakes in marches, protests

and town halls to bring serious issues to light. Even if those actions don’t directly affect you personally, have respect for them. Enjoy Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Sleep in, spend time with friends and family, get a jump start on this semester’s homework. But remember the man and remember his message, and don’t let the day go by without doing so. Celeste Bott is the editor-inchief of The State News.

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Gospel music on campus helps students find their spirituality, relate to history By Leslie Hemenway lhemenway@statenews.com

Music has united students across campus for generations. For members of the MSU Gospel Choir, gospel music is an integral part of their history and everyday lives. Advertising senior Jalen Bell, MSU Gospel Choir director, said gospel music has greatly influenced history, particularly regarding the civil rights movement and Martin Luther King Jr. “Martin Luther King Jr. was a spiritual man, and he went to church and supported the church,” he said. “So I would consider (gospel music) a huge part (of that). Slaves sang spiritual songs, so I think it has had a lasting effect on black history as a culture.” Apparel and textile design senior Kalieha Stapleton, MSU Gospel Choir publicity chair, said she agreed with Bell’s sentiments. She said gospel music’s general message of overcoming obstacles played a huge role in King’s sermons and the entire civil rights movement as a whole. Biomedical laboratory sciences sophomore Raven Pompey, MSU Gospel Choir business manager, said gospel music has influenced today’s singers, in addition to history. “Honestly I couldn’t even imagine history without gospel music. A lot of the great artists in

the world today started singing in the church,” she said. Gospel music has touched their lives on a personal level as well. Stapleton said she’s made a lot of friends within the gospel music community, from practices to performances, and it has made her the person she is today. “It means a deeper connection and understanding to who I am and what my life’s about. … It’s a great thing to have in your life,” she said. Stapleton said she believes the gospel music community at MSU is a strong one. Even though there are many different organizations, she said they’re all connected and spreading the same message. “I would say there aren’t a lot of organizations that are a part of gospel music, but for those of us that are, we’re very prominent in what we do,” Pompey said. Mechanical engineering senior Alexander Hoover, MSU Gospel Choir band director and president, said gospel music means a multitude of different things to him. For Hoover It can be motivational, fun or peaceful. It all depends on the mood he’s in. “(Generally) it solidifies my faith and keeps me going,” Hoover explained. “To me, personally, I think it means a symbol of expression to God,” he said.

The MSU Gospel Choir sings at Monday’s meeting Nov. 10, 2014, in N101 Kedzie Hall. state news file photo

Martin Luther King, Jr.

BA in Sociology Morehouse College, 1948 Impact on the world: Infinite.

Remember his dedication, courage, and endless hope.

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Celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Preparing the next generation of world-changers.

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Students prepare for annual commemorative march Students will walk from the Union to the MSU Museum, with a break at Beaumont Tower, for the annual commemorative march in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. By Erin Gray egray@statenews.com

Martin Luther King Jr. took steps to change unjust situations when he was faced with them, and the civil rights leader’s actions have inspired students today to follow in his footsteps. On April 4, 1968, King was assassinated for being an activist and leader of the Civil Rights Movement, which aimed to stop prejudice against black people in the United States. Monday is marked as a national holiday in remembrance of King and his brave efforts. Every year, members of MSU and Greater Lansing communities come together to march in King’s honor. The march starts at the Union, pausing at Beaumont Tower and ending at the MSU Museum. “This is my fourth time attending (the march),” said Patrice Wright, history senior and vice president of MSU’s Black Student Alliance. “It’s something I look forward to every year.” The march is meant to resemble the freedom marches of the 60s, according to MSU’s Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives. It is part of Project 60/50, a campaign launched by the university in 2014 to bring people together to discuss diversity and civil rights.

“It doesn’t always pertain to one race. It pertains to the greater human race. ... It’s something that every ethnicity should come out (to).” Michael Storay, interdisciplinary studies and social sciences senior

“My ancestors really had to go through some things so that I could have the opportunity … to attend institutions, to have the right to vote and to just be in a better society of people who are just a little more understanding,” Wright said. Wright was impacted by the keynote speakers at the marches in previous years. Last year, Ernest Green spoke out about his experience of being a Little Rock Nine member and speak-

From left, then human development and family studies senior Christian Dorma, journalism education senior Brittany Roden and human development and family studies senior Brittany Dooley listen to Ernest Green, of the Little Rock Nine, speak to the marchers Jan. 20, 2014, at Beaumont Tower. state news file photo

days until the commemorative march

RHA would like to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by asking you to not only remember popular moments in history but to rememebr the man behind them. He was a Reverand boycotted by churches, a Nobel Peace Prize winner whose children were nearly bombed and a Civil Rights leader who was denied the right to live. Speak out about his contributions to society. “...we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” - MLK 12

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ing with King at his high school graduation. Michael Storay, an interdisciplinary studies in social science senior and member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity heard Green speak at the march last year. “It was good to see somebody who was well into the Civil Rights Movement come

speak at Michigan State, which is an honor to have had him,” Storay said. Wright and Storay recommend all students attend the march. “It doesn’t always pertain to one race,” Storay said. “It pertains to the greater human race. … It’s something that every ethnicity should come out (to).”

“So, I conclude by saying again today that we have a task and let us go out with a ‘divine dissatisfaction.’ Let us be dissatisfied until America will no longer have a high blood pressure of creeds and an anemia of deeds.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

Act Like a King Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

MLK

The Mayhem Poets to perform at MSU in MLK event By Lauren Owings lowings@statenews.com

For a night that is to be dedicated to “Speaking Like King,” the International Center will host highly acclaimed slam poetry group The Mayhem Poets. The group will perform on Jan. 17 at 5 and 8 p.m. and combines elements of hip-hop, theater, comedy and improvisation to shed light on contemporary issues. Mason Granger, a member of the Mayhem Poets, said it all started at Rutgers University when group members Kyle Rapps and Scott Raven formed an open mic group on campus called Verbal Mayhem. “We basically found ourselves in college not wanting to take the usual 9-to-5 job route,” Raven said. Granger said his passion for slam poetry began with a class and a trip to the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York City. “I only went on the trip because the girl I had a crush on in the class was going. … I was fully expecting a slow, boring, quiet poetry reading because that’s all I thought was out there,” Granger said. When Granger saw the slam poetry performance at Nuyorican, he was entranced and began writing his own poetry for Verbal Mayhem the next week. Raven said he grew up in a family of teachers. His mother was an English sign language teacher, and Raven said that was his first peek into the world of different cultures.

“I got from her the love of language and the love of learning,” Raven said. He said slam poetry has a stigma to it, as well as traditional poetry which people tend to believe is boring and hoity-toity. “We’re trying to maintain the integrity with our writing but also making it all come alive with performance … (we’re) those poetry rock stars that still can have an appreciation for the classics, but giving it that spoonful of sugar,” Raven said. Granger said each of the group members have different personalities, which allows The Mayhem Poets to reach a wide variety of audience. “We can roll through the nerdy set, then we can roll through youth detention centers. … We want all of those groups in the same room having a good time together,” Granger said. Granger said he wants different cultural groups to be aware of one another, so they can share influences and blend styles. He said in 2005, when the group first got together, social media sites didn’t exist. The Mayhem Poets recognized that kids were growing up in more isolated circumstances, with no access to slam poetry. They aimed to change that. “We started the traveling circus of poetry,” Granger said. He said they want people to not just see their performance and be exposed to the messages, but recognize that anyone can become a poet. “You don’t have to be born a poet or pop out of the womb writing Shake-

The Mayhem Poets perform their slam poetry for the crowd. Photo Courtsey of Kyle Rapps

speare,” Granger said. Granger said he started writing poetry simply because it was fun. “The main thing is that everyone has something to express, and everyone knows that there are ways that you can express yourself. But most people don’t think of poetry as one of those ways,” Granger said. Raven said it’s all about positive personal expression. “Poetry can be an accessible means of reaching other people and kind of a gateway into other cultures,” Raven said.

THEN

& NOW

An MLK-Day Event

Robert Sills, DVM, PhD

Pathologist and Chief of the Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Malcom D. Williams, DVM, PhD

Senior Scientist, Environmental Health/Toxicology Centers for Disease Control/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Monday, January 19 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Catered lunch provided

A-213 Veterinary Medical Center 736 Wilson Road

RSVP by Monday, January 12 davissa@cvm.msu.edu For more information visit cvm.msu.edu/MLK f ri day, JA NUARY 1 6 , 2 01 5

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MLK Jr. has directly affected all minority groups, even decades years after his death The Civil Rights leader’s actions have made life better for all minorities, not just black people JOIN US IN A CELEBRATION OF REFLECTION & SONG

Dr. Martin Luther, Jr.

And the Struggle for All U.S. Citizens to have the Right to Vote

with special guest speaker: Helen Moore, JD

Monday, January 19th, 2014 11:30-2:30pm

Erikson Kiva - MSU Campus ERICKSON HALL - 620 FARM LN, EAST LANSING

Schedule:

11:30 AM Welcome & Lunch 11:45 AM Earl Nelson Singers Perform 12:00 PM Dr. Martin Luther, Jr. and the Struggle for All U.S. Citizens to have the Right to Vote Guest Speaker: Helen Moore, JD 1:00 PM Student Panel 1:45 PM Announce Diversity Poster Contest Winners ADMITTANCE IS FREE 2:00 PM Spoken Word Piece TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS 2:15 PM Closing Remarks & STUDENTS Questions? Send them to susan.bowden@ssc.msu.edu ORGANIZED BY: THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK DIVERSITY COMMITTEE, STUDENTS FOR MULTI-CULTURAL ACTION/ASSOCIATION OF BLACK SOCIAL WORKERS,SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM. FUNDING FOR THIS EVENT IS PROVIDED BY THE MSU COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND THE MSU SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK.

“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.”

By Anya Rath arath@statenews.com

When I was a little girl, I wanted nothing more than to just fit in. As one of the only Indian students in my school, which was comprised mostly of white students, I stuck out like a sore thumb. My brown skin and geeky glasses, which I started wearing as early as second grade, caused me to be exceedingly self-conscious of my appearance. While the glasses were embarrassing in their own right, my skin color was what gave me the most anxiety.

I fretted that not looking the same as my white classmates had an impact on my worth and my ability to succeed. My crippling shyness was only reinforced by my constant insecurities. I would be afraid to talk to new people because I was afraid of immediate judgment. However, as I grew older and learned to love and appreciate my culture and heritage, the color of my skin became a factor that barely affected my confidence. Instead of being a quiet grievance, it is a solid part of my identity. But the thing is, my childish concerns could have been a harsh and ugly reality for me. These ideas that we would be shocked by now were something black citizens of the U.S. had to regularly battle due to racial segregation and discrimination. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is one that speaks to people

“Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the reasons I have the luxury of not being ashamed or regretful for my skin tone.” from all minority backgrounds because he is one of the reasons why having basic fundamental rights and being legally treated with equality and respect is not something that is contingent on the hue of your skin. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the reasons I have the luxury of not being ashamed or regretful for my skin tone. My brown skin could have easily been the obvious difference between the type of education I received. It could have had the potential to affect my career.

But racism is not a dead concept and we are certainly not a perfect society. I know all too well that I could still be the subject of blatant discrimination, and the stories that are reported in the media make that apparent. Whether we’re talking about police brutality against blacks or other minorities, or witnessing the backlash for a Miss America with Indian heritage, these are all signs of a constant undercurrent of racism. As a country, we made a step in the right direction by creating legal equality. I can only hope going forward that racism and prejudice will begin to also become a thing of the past so I can tell another shy little brown girl that all she has to worry about is holding out for contact lenses. Anya Rath is the managing editor for The State News. Reach her at arath@statenews.com.

“Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.”

Nelson Mandela

- Martin Luther King, Jr. Norway, 1964

Title of speech: ‘Make Poverty History’ Campaign delivered on Febrary 3, 2005 at Trafalgar Square in London, United Kingdom

“And we’re coming to engage in dramatic, nonviolent action, to call attention to the gulf between promise and fulfillment, to make the invisible visible.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE. SPARTANS WILL.

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Title of speech: ‘Remaining Awake Through A Great Revolution’, delivered on March 31, 1968 at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC

AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER Visit or Contact us at: http://www.africa.msu.edu Tel:353-1700 E-mail:Africa@msu.edu

MLK

Facetime with Black Student Alliance VP Patrice Wright After a passionate fall semester, vice president of the Black Student Alliance Patrice Wright reflects on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and how the civil rights leader influenced the activities of her organization mental in various social movements in history. This semester we are partnering with the Martin Luther King leadership committee and were holding a workshop on Monday for the leadership conference that will take place in the union. We will basically be looking at student activism and the role that college and high school students have played in making social movements like the black power movement possible.

Patrice Wright By Ray Wilbur rwilbur@statenews.com

History senior Patrice Wright has her hands full. As vice president of the Black Student Alliance, the organization has been at the forefront of protests in the wake of Michael Brown’s death, and now the organization looks to continue the conversation they began in the MSU community. The State News: What are the BSA’s current initiatives? Currently, Black Student Alliance for the second half of the school year is working to put a lot of emphasis on getting students focused on learning about history and different social movements, especially since the recent events in Ferguson and Palestine as well. Just getting students more aware about how black students have long been instru-

SN: How does MLK continue to influence The Black Student Alliance and yourself? MLK is one of the first political and social figures I learned about, especially associated with black history ... Just that basis and foundation of knowledge of MLK is very important for people to have. Personally, learning about the more radical side of MLK has been more impactful on my life and was instrumental in shaping my beliefs about non-violent practices and how you truly reach out to your community. Simply learning more in depth about him than just our broad view of him we get. His legacy of inspiring people to fight for what you believe in has impacted the BSA over the years since our founding in 1969 … one year after MLK was assassinated. His death and other black social movements at the time created an environment where the BSA needed to be formed. SN: Does the BSA get particularly involved or inspired around MLK day? For the BSA, and me, our commitment to social justice issues and serving the community is a year

Honoring the Memory of Martin Luther King Jr.

“Learning about the more radical side of MLK has been more impactful on my life and was instrumental in shaping my beliefs about nonviolent practices and how you truly reach out to your community.” Patrice Wright, Vice president of the Black Student Alliance

round thing. There is more emphasis on social issues and race issues because you have more people who want to be involved because of the holiday. But we are always involved. SN: Why are these issues that MLK fought still important? Although we have progressed with certain laws like the voting rights act and being able to attend predominantly white institutions and things of that nature, we still live in a society where people are close-minded. They’re not totally aware of the privileges they have. Just thinking about people like Martin Luther King, he can be the example for people to check their privileges and see that although we have made strides, things are not as great as they could be.

“I have a dream that my four little childrenthat willmy onefour day “I have a dream live in a nation where little children will one day they not be where judgedthey by the live inwill a nation color their skin, but by the will not be of judged by the theirbut character.” color content of theirofskin, by the

Martin Luther King, Jr. content of their Dr. character.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

--“to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood” MSU Jewish Studies f ri day, JA NUARY 1 6 , 2 01 5

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Martin Luther King Jr. Day events ahead By Rachel Fradette rfradette@statenews.com

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the anniversary of MSU’s Project

60/50, the university and city are hosting a variety of events during the weekend. Here are some of the happenings, from concerts to luncheons, open to the public this weekend.

Project 60/50 Gala Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Huntington Club in Spartan Stadium The Project 60/50 Gala will be a celebration of the project and its year-long

conversation of civil and human rights at MSU. Guests can enjoy cocktails at 6 p.m. with special acknowledgments of the project given at 7 p.m. The event was coordinated by MSU’s Office for Inclusion.

“Speaking Like King” Featuring Mayhem Poets The slam poetry trio, the Mayhem Poets, will perform at the MSU International Center in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Project 60/50. This slam poetry night will be centered around the Civil Rights Movement and include an open mic performance at the end of the show. To read a story on the group, see page 13. “Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer, and Protest” Jan. 18 at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Fairchild Theatre in the Auditorium The College of Music presents “Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and Protest” with performances from jazz orchestras and the Grammy award-winning gospel sextet Take 6. The concert will be in celebration of King‘s birthday. See Tuesday’s paper for a story on the performance MLK Student Leadership Conference Jan. 19 at 9 a.m. at the Union All students are welcome to the Student Leadership Conference commemorating this year’s civil rights theme, “A Tribute to Project 60/50: Crossing Borders, Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges.” With the day off from classes, students will be able to take this opportunity to hone their leadership skills while paying tribute to MSU’s Project 60/50 and King. Greater Lansing Area Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commision 30th Annual Luncheon Jan. 19 at 10:30 a.m. at the Lansing Center The 30th Annual Celebration Luncheon in honor of King will be held Monday at the Lansing Center. This year, the theme is, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy,” a quote from King. Doors are open to the public at 10:30 a.m. and food will be served at 11 a.m. Music of the Dream Concert Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. at Wharton Center Cobb Great Hall The Greater Lansing Area Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission presents a night of spiritual gospel music that exhibits the spirit of the civil rights leader himself. The spiritual music will address key issues that still exist today from musicians such as Tamela Mann, Tye Tribbett and Geoffrey Golden.

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