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‘It feels almost like a monarchy’ Sigma Phi Lambda officers express frustration, feel like OU student who attended Capitol riot faces no consequences

ARI FIFE @arriifife

Editor’s note: Several sources in this story have been granted anonymity and are referred to by pseudonyms, indicated by asterisks. Their identities are known to The Daily.

Two former OU Sigma Phi Lambda officers and one member say they’ve left the organization following footage of another member on a U.S. Capitol balcony during the riots Jan. 6, citing national leaders’ attempts to conceal the incident instead of addressing it.

Miranda Myers, an OU communication alumna who graduated in May 2020 and was an active member of Christian sorority Phi Lamb for two years, said she saw screen recordings of freshman Mya Cobb’s Snapchat story showing her at the Capitol on social media. Frustrated by national sorority leaders’ response as the news spread across campus, she sent the screen recordings in several student GroupMes, writing that as an alum, she’s “pissed off.”

The Snapchat stor y, which The Daily has obtained, contains footage of first responders driving past the Washington Monument, with a Washington, D.C., location filter. The next video shows a group of people walking, with the caption “there are fights.” Cobb also posted a video of a crowd of people with the caption “they are trying to break in,” and a later clip from her private story shows a crowd outside the Capitol chanting “U-S-A,” with many holding flags in support of former President Donald Trump.

One clip shows a group of people climbing over a short stone wall near the Capitol, and another shows Cobb running toward the Capitol with the stone wall behind her, and the caption “might get arrested.”

Cobb also posted a video in the middle of a crowd of people with Trump flags captioned “I can’t get out now.” Another video shows Cobb in a crowd of people with Trump paraphernalia, when an explosion is heard.

Another video shows Cobb on a balcony next to a person holding an American flag. By comparing footage of the riot published by ProPublica to Cobb’s Snapchat story, The Daily has identified the balcony as one on the Capitol building facing the Washington Memorial.

The Daily messaged Cobb with a request for comment on officers and members leaving the organization due to her at 1:58 p.m. Feb. 7, but as of 7:30 p.m., she hadn’t responded. In a Jan. 7 message to The Daily, though, she said she was in Washington to accompany her mother to see Trump, but she didn’t enter the Capitol or break any barriers.

“I also left before it got aggressive or bad because I wasn’t about to support people breaking into buildings and rioting,” Cobb wrote. “It was very peaceful when I was there.”

ILLUSTRATION BY RACHEL LOBAUGH/THE DAILY

Cobb also wrote she left at around 1:30 p.m. EST, as her mother is “elderly,” though her Snapchat posts indicate she was near the Capitol until 2:45 p.m. In the Snapchat screen recording provided to The Daily, the viewer’s time zone was CST, with the current time of the recording 2:44 p.m.

In the recording, the story displayed as posted roughly an hour before, what would have been around 2:44 EST. She also wrote she heard the situation became “extremely bad” after she left, and she only saw running in a protest on the grass and people waving flags.

According to The New York Times, the first barriers at the Capitol were breached at around 1 p.m., with rioters breaking into the Capitol building at around 2:10 p.m. The ProPublica footage shows protesters walking around the front of the Capitol, climbing the steps and entering a Capitol balcony at 2:43 p.m.

“I am very grateful (that we left early) because the breaking (in) and aggression I saw on videos and news wasn’t what the majority of the people came to do,” Cobb said. “99 percent of the people there were extremely peaceful when I was there, besides screaming names.”

Myers said two of the officers — Jennifer Smith* and Rachel Moore,* whose identities are both known to The Daily — strongly advocated for nationals to address Cobb’s presence at the Capitol, as they felt her behavior conflicted with Phi Lamb values. She said that national leaders “called both of (the officers’) faith into question,” encouraging them to forgive Cobb, but ignoring the negative image she said Cobb’s actions gave the group.

Smith said the regional director said she would meet with one of the top Phi Lamb national directors and also mentioned she had a meeting with Sara Haugland, the OU Phi Lamb president soon. Smith said the regional director assured her and Moore she’d start the removal process for Cobb.

When Smith followed up

with Haugland a few days later, though, Haugland said the regional director told her they weren’t planning on removing Cobb.

The Daily reached out to Haugland for comment at 2:05 p.m. Feb. 7 but didn’t receive a response by 7:30 p.m.

Myers’ own attempts at drawing attention to Cobb’s actions were punished, she said, as she received an email on Feb. 3 from executive director of expansion Cara Morris, barring her from leading a bible study she’d moderated for three weeks and was supposed to lead for the rest of the semester.

The email read that Morris has been working with the OU Phi Lamb officers and university “on an issue” for the past month, and within that time, it’s come to national leaders’ attention that she’s “posted negative remarks about a member and the organization as a whole,” Morris wrote that while national leaders are still working to address this issue, they “do not feel it appropriate at this time for (Myers) to lead a Bible Study through Phi Lamb.”

Myers said this wasn’t the first time sorority leaders had brought an issue related to Cobb to the sorority’s regional or national leaders, as execs reported Cobb’s alleged bullying of another member to their regional director.

Smith said all five executives were in complete a g re e m e nt t hat C o b b should be removed at that time, but the regional director encouraged them to just have a conversation with her because she was “obviously hurting.”

“All five of us were fighting for this member for some sort of justice,” Smith said. “And … we’re like ‘OK, I guess nationals knows best, because we were pretty naive about the situation (involving the bullying).’”

Cobb’s behavior doesn’t reflect the beliefs of most Phi Lamb members, Myers said, and she’s been disappointed to see national leaders’ lack of action, as she has many good memories in the organization.

She also said nationals are

usually fairly hands-off when it comes to chapter regulation, and she doesn’t think the incident involving Cobb has been handled correctly.

“We all have freedom of speech, we can do whatever we want,” Myers said. “But there’s a point where it’s just kind of like, ‘Are you just doing whatever you want, and not thinking about the consequences behind your actions’?”

Smith said at an officer meeting following the Capitol siege, she and Moore both said they wanted to quit. Smith also said the other three officers agreed they were at their wit’s end.

“It’s because dealing with nationals is so difficult — it feels almost like a monarchy sometimes,” Smith said. “(In) England, the king and queen are just kind of symbolic, but Parliament makes the rules, and you can’t really say anything.

That’s kind of like what we are, we’re just here as a symbolic thing. We can’t actually make the change that we thought we could.”

Moore, who was elected as an executive member in April 2020, agreed she felt powerless to handle the situation as she saw fit.

“I tried to initiate conversations on multiple occasions, and (nationals) would participate in the conversation, but they didn’t always listen,” Moore said. “They very much wanted me to stay quiet about things, which was frustrating (because) it felt like my voice was being stolen, and my unique perspective was being stolen because they wanted me to represent Phi Lamb. And to do that, I had to be quiet.”

In a screenshot sent to The Daily, regional director Allyson Jones encouraged officers in a group chat not to respond to the email with the screen recordings of Cobb’s story. Jones wrote sorority leaders would “help (the officers) formulate a response later,” but they wanted to discuss the situation first.

Though Moore sent her letter of resignation Jan. 28, she said her decision to do so was based on the neglectful way nationals

addressed issues with Cobb, not because of the organization as a whole.

“I think the majority of the girls in our chapter are good and thoughtful people,” Moore said. “And I know a lot of other people left the chapter for similar reasons. But lots of people stayed because of the stuff they found there that was really good, like the sisterhood and the friendships, and I can’t deny them that because it’s hard to leave something that you love.”

Marissa Allen*, a Phi Lamb member whose identity is known to The Daily, said she was in the organization for about a year, and that seeing the videos of Cobb was “disconcerting,” even though she wasn’t familiar with Cobb previously.

“I didn’t want people to look at the letters on my shirt or on the back of my car, and associate me with her, and me with those ideals because I don’t uphold those ideals whatsoever,” Allen said.

Allen said she expected Cobb’s presence at the Capitol to be addressed at the first chapter meeting after the Jan. 6 riots, but when she realized the issue was being “covered up” instead, she decided she didn’t want to be associated with Phi Lamb anymore.

Moore said nationals wanted to send the message that they were addressing the issue internally, but from her perspective, it wasn’t being handled at all.

“I always try to look critically at the environment I place myself in and if their actions spoke for me as an individual, would I still feel like I was doing good and advocating for good,” Moore said. “And ultimately, the answer was no. And so, I decided that it was important for me to leave, not just for the purpose of showing them that their actions mattered and that they had consequences, but also for the purpose of making sure that, when I chose my stance, I was doing it because of what I believed in.

And I wasn’t letting myself be represented by an organization that didn’t really stand for anything.”

S m i t h s a i d C o b b ’s

behavior has also affected Phi Lamb’s member base — the group was projected to have 70 active members this semester, but less than 40 attended the first chapter meeting, and — including potential new members — less than 30 attended the second.

Smith said she knows several dropped from the organization for reasons related to Cobb. A couple said meetings weren’t fun anymore because Cobb made the environment toxic, a few others said they didn’t feel safe attending meetings because Cobb had gone to parties during the pandemic, and a few others said they didn’t want to be associated with an organization that allowed behavior like Cobb’s, she said.

“I know deep down that it isn’t my fault because I genuinely couldn’t do anything, even though I tried,” Smith said. “However it’s hard not to feel that way because the members that drop, they don’t know that you’re fighting for them because you don’t really talk about it. And it just hurts because they think the officers are the ones that aren’t protecting them. And you know, we really, really tried, but nationals makes it very difficult.”

Smith said though she signed up for the responsibilities of an officer, she felt she was expected to go beyond reasonable expectations at times, and she often felt like she had to drop everything to fix a problem.

“Yes, Phi Lamb was a priority for me, but I’m also a student,” Smith said. “I’m not a clergy member (or) anything like that. I don’t necessarily have the power, nor do I feel the need to put that type of responsibility on myself to fix somebody who’s shown time and time again that they’re going to do whatever they want despite anybody else’s feelings.”

According to the OU chapter’s constitution, an active member must “be under the covering or seeking a church home,” “actively involved” in a Bible study, paying semester dues, have signed a liability waiver at the beginning of each school year they’re active, and attending 75 percent of all mandatory events.

Though there aren’t specific terms for member removal, the constitution also reads that the Board of Directors — which is separate from the officers — “reserves the right to revoke the membership of any member who is disruptive to the organization.”

Myers said allowing Cobb to remain a Phi Lamb member shows acceptance of her blatant disregard for Biblical teaching.

“There’s no consequences for this girl,” Myers said.

“God calls us to obey our government … and what she did wasn’t doing that — she wasn’t following those laws. … She also wasn’t loving thy neighbor as you love yourself.”

Ari Fife

ariani.s.fife-1@ou.edu

2

NEWS

• Feb. 9- 15, 2021

New virus variants pose risks OU chief COVID officer warns of increased spread ALEXIA ASTON @alexiaaston

OU Chief COVID Officer D r. D a l e B r a t z l e r s a i d Oklahoma ranks third in the nation for COVID-19 cases per capita and warned of “more transmissible” strains of the virus in a Friday COVID-19 update.

With 56 cases per 100,000 population per day, Bratzler said 56 cases is a “tremendous drop” compared to the average of 103 new daily cases Jan 12.

“About three weeks ago, we had 4,256 new cases per day, on average, in Oklahoma,” Bratzler said. “Today, we’re down to 2,216. That’s a 48 percent reduction in the total number of new cases per day in Oklahoma.”

Bratzler said there is notable rural spread of COVID19 in Carter County, Blaine County, Murray County, Adair County and Comanche County with over 100 new cases per day, but cases in metropolitan counties are down.

“Oklahoma County is only seeing 42 new cases per 100,000 population a day,

TREY YOUNG/THE DAILY

OU Chief COVID Officer Dr. Dale Bratzler in his office Oct. 12.

Tulsa County is at 62 new cases per 100,000 population per day and Cleveland County is down to 49 new cases per 100,000 population per day,” Bratzler said.

Bratzler said the COVID-19 mortality rate in Oklahoma is increasing, now at 0.9 percent. He said the rate is about nine times higher than the

annual influenza death rate.

“This disease is much d e a d l i e r t h a n t h e f l u ,” Bratzler said. “There were 29 new deaths reported today.”

Concerning new COVID19 variant strains, Bratzler said the United Kingdom variant has been identified in 33 states, is more transmissible and may be more deadly

than past variants.

“There’s a new spike protein mutation of this UK variant that may actually cause some resistance to the antibodies that are formed with the vaccines that we’re using today,” Bratzler said. “That’s not proven yet, but again that’s one of the things we’ll have to watch for.”

Bratzler said the South African variant has been identified in five cases in the United States. He said there are studies pending on the variant, but it may not respond to current vaccines as well.

“The one important thing about the South African variant is that this particular

virus doesn’t seem to be treated well with treatments like convalescent plasma, or monoclonal antibodies that we often use when people have early COVID disease,” Bratzler said.

Bratzler said there have been two cases of the Brazilian variant in the US that were both in Minnesota.

He said natural and vacc i n e - i n d u c e d i m mu n i ty doesn’t seem to prevent infection.

“In Brazil, where this variant now has become predominant, there are a number of people who have had COVID-19, recovered and then been reinfected with this new variant,” Bratzler said. “The vaccines that we’re giving now might not work against it, and you might even, if you’ve recovered from COVID-19, be susceptible to an infection with this new variant.”

Bratzler said the current COVID-19 vaccines are safe and people need to avoid “vaccine hesitancy.”

“I think the important thing for people to understand now is we’re in the race,” Bratzler said. “If you get the chance to get the vaccine, please go get it.”

Alexia Aston

alexiaaston@ou.edu

OU POSITIVE AND TOTAL TESTS SINCE 1/10

TOTAL OU COVID-19 VACCINATIONS Data from OU Dashboard on Feb. 7.

OU announces in-person commencements Ceremonies to be held for 2020, 2021 graduating classes JILLIAN TAYLOR @jilliantaylor_

OU President Joseph Har roz announced the university will host several in-person graduation ceremonies to honor the classes of 2020 and 2021 from May 14 to 17.

According to a Thursday afternoon email, each Norman campus degree-granting college has been assigned to a specific ceremony in the Gaylord FamilyOklahoma Memorial Stadium. Graduates are required to register and, once registration is complete, the university will determine how many

TREY YOUNG/THE DAILY

OU President Joseph Harroz speaks during the 2024 OU Class Kick-Off on Aug. 18.

guests they can bring.

An outdoor venue was deemed to be “the best option” to “respect the

safety” of graduates and their guests, according to the email. The event will require physical distancing

of graduates and guests as well as face masks to “protect everyone in attendance.”

“Throughout our plann i n g p ro c e s s, w e hav e s t r i ve d t o b a l a n c e ou r commitment to supporting the safety of our graduates and guests while also upholding the tradition of our ceremonies,” Harroz said in the email. “Safety precautions have been at the forefront of all of our planning, and OU’s Chief COVID Officer, Dr. Dale Bratzler, has guided our decision-making with respect to public health and safety.”

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be rescheduled to later the same day, according to the email. A graduate-only ceremony in the Lloyd Noble Center will occur in the event a delay is not possible, as the university “will not be able to accommodate guests” if the ceremony is moved indoors.

All ceremonies will be livestreamed for graduates and guests who are unable to attend, immunocompromised or wish to attend virtually, according to the email.

G ra d u a t e s a n d t h e i r guests must bring tickets to be admitted into the stadium, according to the email. Additional information from University Events is forthcoming.

“This past year has been unforg ettable in nearly every way imaginable,” Harroz said in the email.

“Your resiliency in the face of a global pandemic is nothing short of extraordinary. We look forward to watching each of you cross the stage as we gather in celebration of the OU Classes of 2020 and 2021.”

Jillian Taylor

jillian.g.taylor-2@ou.edu

CULTURE

Feb. 9-15, 2021 •

3

‘He was born telling stories’

Former OU student cowrites series with Taika Waititi JACINDA HEMEON @jacindarae4

Sterlin Harjo used to throw legendary Halloween parties that he said “people still talk about” at his house on Jenkins Avenue. A few years later, he found himself seated at a dinner table in New York City with none other than esteemed actor and Sundance Film Festival founder Robert Redford.

Harjo, who attended OU to study film, said his first foray into the big league of movie directors was a surreal experience. He had just screened his film at Sundance and was enjoying shop talk with Redford and his friend — a not-yet-famous director — Taika Waititi.

Harjo said although he was receiving recognition, he was barely making a living as a filmmaker and had to ask Waititi to pay for his lunch earlier that day “I thought, ‘How weird is it that I’m being celebrated, and my films are being celebrated, but I can’t afford the tab,’” Harjo said.

Harjo, a Seminole and C re e k f i l m ma ke r f ro m Holdenville, Oklahoma, said finding work is difficult for everyone in the industry — but for Native people, it’s close to impossible. He said he and Waititi initially bonded over their respective Indigenous identities and the struggles they faced in Hollywood.

“He wasn’t the biggest director in the world when I met him,” Harjo said. “He’s like a brother to me.”

Harjo and Waititi maintained their friendship over the years and are currently developing a series for the FX network — “Reservation Dogs.” Harjo said the series will follow a group of Native teenagers on a journey of survival as they laugh about the pain and darkness they’ve experienced, with a fun, supernatural twist.

But the path to FX wasn’t clear cut, and Harjo said there were quite a few bumps in the road and even more failures.

During his time at OU, Harjo said he bought a computer and a camera to teach

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PHOTO COURTESY OF STERLIN HARJO

Sterlin Harjo (middle) works on set for his series “Reservation Dogs” with actors Paulina Alexis (far left), D’pharoa Woon-a-tai (left), and Lane Factor (right).

himself to edit and shoot his own films.

“It was such an education, and I kind of took it and ran with it,” Harjo said. “I’ve never been afraid to jump off a cliff.”

Harjo said he was fortunate enough to find support among his professors and peers. He used to screen his films on Campus Corner and formed a strong bond with former OU professor Scott Hale.

“You could tell that (Harjo) was different, in a good way,” Hale said. “And while his attendance was not sterling, it was obvious that this guy was going to do great things.”

Hale said from the minute he met Harjo he knew he was “charismatic,” and although Harjo wasn’t the best student when it came to following the attendance policy — something the two still joke about — on the days he made it to class, he always brought something new to the table.

“He is a natural storyteller. People can’t help but be drawn to him,” Hale said.

“Whether we were watching something and he made some smartass remark, or he was onstage making smartass remarks. He was born telling stories.”

Hale said he continues to be blown away by the way Harjo — who Hale said is one of the students he is most proud of — captures the spirit

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of not just the people, but the locations he films in.

“Whether it’s the sound of locusts on a summer night, or whether it’s just blood red dirt,” Hale said. “You know you’re watching the Sterlin Harjo show.”

But Harjo said his first projects were not Sundanceworthy, and his first feature film was so bad that he has it “in a box somewhere” hidden in his home.

“If you want to be a filmmaker, make films right now.

You’re a day late,” Harjo said.

“Because you’re going to make some really bad films like me.”

Before the FX deals and money, Harjo said he had to build a small team of people who were willing to work with him without any of the glitz and glam of big-time productions.

“It’s really hard to ask people to work on something for no money. They have to believe in you, and they have to believe in the vision,” Harjo said. “I’m really thankful for the crew here that I came up with because they stuck it out with me. It’s so nice to be able to hire them and pay them now.”

Through every failure, Harjo said one thing kept him going — the desire to tell the stories Hollywood had left behind.

“I didn’t see stories that

represented me and the people that I knew, and so I wanted to be the one to do that,” Harjo said. “It’s really exciting to tell stories that haven’t been told before.”

Harjo said the dismissal of Native voices and stories stems from the long history of Native oppression in the U.S. The aversion to Native stories ran so deep in Hollywood that when Harjo left Norman after college to pursue his career, a Hollywood executive asked if Philip Seymour Hoffman could play a role and be on the poster for a film.

“They told me they loved the script, but Native stories don’t sell,” Harjo said. “I’m not gonna ask (Hoffman) to be a cameo.”

Harjo said he attributes Hollywood’s diversity problem to its shortsightedness.

He said the only reference to Natives in popular films has been in westerns or stories told through a white point of view.

“Most TV shows about Natives have something to do with white people. Whether that’s through history and trauma, or white people trying to get us down,” Harjo said. “They had no idea how to make nuanced Native characters.”

With the recent push for more diversity in the industry, Harjo said Native filmmakers are finally getting the

HOROSCOPE

By Eugenia Last

Copyright 2020, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 ASTROGRAPH by Eugenia Last Look for the positive in every situation this year, and you will find it easier to make headway. How you approach people and situations will determine how much help and support you receive. Refuse to let outside influences slow you down. Strive for perfection and stability.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Someone will outsmart you if you don’t prepare appropriately. Leave nothing to chance, and you will outmaneuver anyone who tries to upstage you. Romance is favored.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- Look for an opportunity, and don’t hesitate to take advantage of an offer. How you conduct yourself will make an impression on someone who can help you advance. Make suggestions and offer solutions, but don’t share personal information.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Keep things moving forward. A positive attitude will help ward off interference. Stay focused on what you are trying to achieve. It’s a good day for romance.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Put your differences with colleagues aside; focus your energy on getting things done on time. It’s up to you to make decisions that support your happiness. Make an effort to promote relaxation.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Take on something that interests you. A new position, project or partnership will challenge you intellectually and push you to learn more and take better care of yourself and your financial future.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Offer suggestions, do your part and put unfinished business to rest. Handle

money matters, contracts or joint endeavors with enthusiasm. Your efforts will result in rewards.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Don’t let the actions of others upset you.

Take the initiative, look out for your interests and get things done on time.

Opportunity is apparent, but it’s up to you to take advantage of it.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Live and learn. Take your time, listen carefully and make changes that improve your social standing, attitude and relationships. Don’t take a risk with your health. Do what’s best for you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Control your emotions and concentrate on your responsibilities. How you conduct business, handle investments and deal with health issues will be crucial. Be mindful of others when making changes.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Proceed with caution. A problem with a partner, friend or relative will surface if you are outspoken or indulgent. Relax, be introspective and let situations unfold naturally.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Take hold of whatever situation you face. Be positive, offer insight and make conclusions based on facts, not on hearsay. The way you present your ideas will determine how they’re greeted.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Formulate your plan, then put it in motion. Don’t let what others do or say deter you from reaching your destination. A unique approach will lead to an exciting offer.

recognition they deserve.

Now that Hollywood knows diverse films can make money, Harjo said it’s opened up the conversation for more Native creators.

“All of a sudden, diversity is being celebrated, but when I was coming up, it was a hindrance,” Harjo said. “We’ve always been here, there was just no work.”

Before his “Reservation Dogs” deal with FX, Harjo decided to document the experiences of underrepresented Native artists across the world in his documentary, “Love and Fury.” The film follows Native writers, painters and musicians for a full year.

One musician in the film, Penny Pitchlynn — known by her stage name LABRYS — is from Norman, Oklahoma.

She said working with Harjo helped to pull her out of a dark place.

The two met in 2010 when Harjo directed Pitchlynn’s music video for her song “Salem.” The two stayed in contact over the years, and he eventually called her about lending her story to “Love and Fury.” “(Harjo) has frequently been one of the good voices,” Pitchlynn said. “I think that’s what humans are for. He’s a good voice.”

Native representation in media is more than just representation to Harjo. He said

it’s a celebration of everything Native people have had to overcome — and that’s exactly what his and Waititi’s project “Reservation Dogs” is.

The show follows four Native teens navigating their emotions after a traumatic event, committing crimes and dodging the police. Harjo said he couldn’t divulge too much, but the supernatural and humorous elements of the show would appeal to fans of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, “Fargo”, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and anyone who loves television or Waititi’s films.

“This is the show I’ve always wanted to make, but didn’t have the budget,” Harjo said. “Native humor hasn’t been on a mainstream level before and Native humor is very unique.”

Harjo said filming the pilot of the show during the pandemic was challenging, but that everyone on set was excited to be back doing what they loved. He said that because of Waititi’s previous connection at FX — vampire mockumentary “What We Do in the Shadows’’ — the executives didn’t even ask for a pitch; they greenlit the pilot and then ordered the series.

Harjo said working with Waititi, who is currently directing “Thor: Love and Thunder,” has been a breeze because the two are so close.

“It’s just like working with your friend,” Harjo said. “But my friend happens to be in Australia right now directing Thor.”

Harjo said he wants artists, especially Native artists, to go after what they want unapologetically.

“I had a teacher who said, ‘Whatever you do, don’t have a fallback plan. You’ll fall back,’” Harjo said.

“Reservation Dogs” will resume filming in April 2021 and premiere on FX by 2022.

Jacinda Hemeon

jacinda.r.hemeon@ou.edu

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Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg February 9, 2021 ACROSS 1 Bit of bounce 4 They’re in charge (think “top”) 8 “I’m outta here!”

13 One might propel a lifeboat 14 Puma competitor 15 ___ E. Neuman 16 Point where good momentum stops, in football (“forward”) 18 Alternative to an exchange 19 Sends romantic signals 20 Doomsday for Caesar 21 Stick up for 23 Dishwasher soap brand 26 All tied up 27 Choose to take part 30 Typical young adult novel reader 31 Green, in Granada 33 French ___ (big instruments) 35 Dr.’s field 36 Heartland residents (“Middle”) 39 ___ choy 42 Tiny 43 Enticed 47 Some raggedy dolls 49 Braying bunch 51 Roberts of romance

2/9

52 Gymnast’s performance 54 Got class credit 56 Countess Grantham on “Downton Abbey” 57 Oscar winner Matlin 59 Loosen up on the massage table 61 Senior homeowner’s cash source (“reverse”) 64 Greek moon goddess 65 Opera highlight 66 Dot-com or #MeToo 67 ___ so often 68 Final financial figure (“bottom”) 69 Lawn droplets DOWN 1 Part of a Rice Krispies trio 2 Kernel holder 3 Suggest, as a solution 4 “Splish Splash” singer Bobby 5 Go too far with 6 Crux 7 Back talk 8 Downhill coasters 9 Cause’s follow-up 10 Show your worth (“up”) 11 Kyoto cash 12 Throw in 15 Huffington with a “Post”

17 Actress/ former Parliament member Jackson 21 App coder, slangily 22 Night of anticipation 23 Ring shape 24 Don’t start?

25 London setting of “Call the Midwife” (“East”) 28 Expression that’s coined 29 Works up a sweat 32 Ambulance initials 34 Show with Ego Nwodim and Chris Redd, briefly 37 Give forth 38 End-of-day photo op 39 Conference without the jury (“side”)

40 Peace activist Yoko 41 Work hard (“down”) 44 Snow-White’s sibling 45 Prior to, poetically 46 One honored in June 48 Person opposed to weed control?

50 Injury you may ice 53 Proofreader introducing an error, e.g.

55 Birdbath buildup 57 Ground-up corn 58 Prefix for “cultural” 59 Find a purpose for 60 Calif. neighbor 62 Calif. neighbor 63 Wide-open mouth

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Following Directions by Pam Klawitter

4

SPORTS

• Feb. 9- 15, 2021

Harkless leads Sooners to top Oklahoma transfer, guard proves worth in first season AUSTIN CURTRIGHT @AustinCurtright

Elijah Harkless stood in the background, watching now-famous NBA brothers LaMelo and Lonzo Ball during LaMelo’s 16th birthday party in 2017.

Harkless, just 17, was avoiding the spotlight as the Ball brothers rapped and celebrated on stage at a country club in Chino Hills, California.

He wasn’t concerned about the fame or spotlight, the Lamborghini, or the shoe deal from Big Baller Brand that LaMelo received at the party.

He just wanted a shot.

LaMelo, who’d already established himself as a five-star prospect, was wearing a gold chain and the flashy blond hair that had become a staple in basketball mixtapes on YouTube and a reality TV series on Facebook.

While LaMelo shined on stage, Harkless donned a normal blue T-shirt and black sweatpants. He was living with the Ball family and training the summer going into his senior year of high school, honing his skills for one last chance at a Division I offer.

Fast forward over three years, and the OU junior has started the past eight games for the No. 12 Sooners after transferring from Cal State Northridge. In those starts, Oklahoma is 6-2, including a five-game win streak and three consecutive top-10 wins that propelled it into the top 10 at one point.

Despite being close with the Ball family and working out together, Harkless wasn’t heavily recruited. In fact, Harkless had zero offers at that point, while Lonzo was getting ready to join the Los Angeles Lakers and LaMelo was a few months removed from scoring 92 points in a high school game as a sophomore.

“He was not getting recruited by anybody,” said Dave Kleckner, Harkless’ coach at Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California. “Are you guys kidding me? I’m sitting here, begging these scouts. I said, ‘Hey, guys, Elijah Harkless is not getting the credit he deserves.

You need to put him out there and put him up and promote him as being a top player.’”

Harkless bet on himself, worked hard, and stayed faithful.

Now, thanks in large part to Harkless, OU (12-5, 7-4 Big 12) became the third team in NCAA history with four top10 wins in a single month and the first since 1974. The San Bernardino, California, product has three steals in five of his starts and has been the defensive X-factor for a surging OU team.

Harkless leads the Sooners with 24 steals and is fourth in the conference averaging almost 2 steals per game despite missing four games due to transfer rules and playing the eighth-most minutes on the team. The 6-foot-3 guard replaced senior forward Brady Manek when he tested positive for COVID-19 and has kept a starting spot following Manek’s return.

Harkless went from the 17-year-old in the Ball brothers’ shadow to helping the Sooners to their largest weekly increase in the AP Top 25 Poll in program history.

“You can see how he can impact the game in a variety of ways,” Kleckner said. “His toughness, the loose balls, the deflections, the steals, the rebounds, just the value to have someone like that in the lineup, it impacts the game.”

‘NOBODY APPRECIATED THE WAY THAT I PLAYED THE GAME’ Harkless went to Kleckner in the huddle.

“Coach, let me guard him,” he said of the 260-pound forward destroying the outsized Etiwanda lineup. “I don’t

Junior guard Elijah Harkless during the game against No. 9 Alabama on Jan. 30.

care, I’ll guard anybody.

Whatever it takes for us to win.”

Ha r k l e s s , t h e t e a m’s 6-foot-3 point guard, didn’t back down despite the 65pound deficit.

Harkless led Etiwanda to a 30-4 record his senior year, averaging 10.4 points and 5.5 rebounds after moving from wing to point guard. His team made it to the California state semifinals before losing to Sierra Canyon, led by now-Vanderbilt guard Scotty Pippen Jr., Indiana G-League guard Cassius Stanley and Houston Rockets forward KJ Martin.

P i p p e n , St a n l e y , a n d Martin, all considered at least three-star recruits by Rivals, had multiple Division I offers. Martin also had an offer from OU before opting to play one year at IMG Academy and then entering the NBA draft.

Although Etiwanda lost, 58-55, that night, finish-

to offer him. Before offering, Kleckner’s message was simple.

“I’ve got a player you’re gonna love,” Kleckner said to Long Beach State coach Dan Monson. “He’s not getting recruited by anybody and I love him. He’s the toughest kid I’ve ever coached and I’ve coached a lot of tough kids.

To say that he’s the toughest kid I’ve ever coached, is saying a heck of a lot, especially for this program. You gotta give this guy a scholarship.”

Kleckner has coached 25 years at Etiwanda and produced NBA players Jeff Ayres and Darren Collison, but he says Harkless is still his toughest student.

Although he couldn’t complain, Harkless wanted schools in bigger conferences to give him a chance.

He was later offered by only Cal State Northridge and UC Riverside. “ H e w a s n o t h a p p y ,” Harkless’ mother Sherice

2004-11. Rougeau earned a starting spot and a scholarship as a junior. During his senior year with the Runnin’ Rebels, he averaged over 10 points per game, after averaging only six his senior year at Etiwanda.

Rougeau’s story — similar to Harkless’ in regards to recruiting — is a testament to Etiwanda’s team and the culture that Kleckner built.

“Coach Kruger,” Kleckner said of Harkless, “got another one of our diamonds in the rough.”

‘HE WANTED TO PLAY IN A BIGGER CONFERENCE’ Harkless averaged over 10 points per game, led the Big Sky conference in steals per game with 1.7, and even had Cal State Northridge’s first triple-double in team history with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against Saint Katherine College. His 54

EDWARD REALI/THE DAILY

Junior guard Elijah Harkless during the game against No. 9 Alabama on Jan. 30.

ing its chances of winning a state title, Harkless more than held his own against the trio of highly-recruited players and the No. 12 team in the nation. He scored 14 points with 10 rebounds, and flashed his toughness, even scuffling with Pippen during the game.

Similar to Oklahoma this season, Etiwanda pushed the importance of defense.

Neither team plays the flashiest game, but their wins are determined by grit and toughness.

“We put a precedent on defense in high school,” Kleckner said. “We get after it defensively and I think it carried over to college for Elijah. I think schools overlook somebody’s defensive abilities and just focus on ‘is this guy an offensive threat?

Is this guy a scorer?’ and they put a higher precedent on that than they do defense.

That results in missing out on a guy like Elijah.”

Harkless received his first Division I from Long Beach State shortly after the semifinal. Kleckner, who knows Long Beach State’s head coach, advocated for them

Sterling said. “He got down on himself when he wasn’t getting those offers. He knew his abilities and they weren’t coming through.”

Averaging just over 10 points per game wasn’t good enough for most scouts. With basketball becoming more offensively focused and other highly-touted players surrounding Harkless in California, his exposure was lessened. Teams didn’t care about his ability to fill the stat sheet in every category or his selfishness to dive for a ball.

“Me and my people, we never thought any of those guys that were recruited over me were better than me,” Harkless said after scoring a season-high 14 points against then-No. 9 Alabama on Jan. 30. “Nobody really appreciated the way that I played the game. It wasn’t all about points. It’s all about wins. Wins are more important than stats to me, in my opinion.”

René Rougeau, another Etiwanda basketball alumni who played under Kleckner, walked on at UNLV in 2004 where OU head coach Lon Kruger coached from

steals in the 2019-20 season were the most for the team since 2004-05.

But Harkless’s breakout season wasn’t enough for Cal State Northridge to become a winner. The team finished 15-17 Harkless’s sophomore season.

Sterling said that the players “liked each other and vibed together” but the team wasn’t on the same page as the coaching staff. She said that some players had the “green light” on the team, but her son wasn’t one of them.

Northridge had seven players enter the transfer portal after the 2019-20 season.

“Out of the starting five, four of the team’s five starters transferred,” Sterling said.

“That should tell you something. I think it was the coach and (Harkless) wanted to play in a bigger conference.”

Kruger and the Sooners reached out to Harkless quickly, and he committed before being able to visit campus due to COVID-19, choosing OU over Montana State, Fresno State, and Loyola Marymount. When Harkless saw a Power Five conference offer, he couldn’t

EDWARD REALI/THE DAILY

pass it up. It offered him a chance to play in arguably the best conference in basketball and for a coach who admired his defensive style of play.

“Northridge coaches talked often about how physical and how aggressive he is and was for them,” Kruger said.

“And that’s certainly been the case here. He’s a very on-ball, physical defender … any coach would want that type of attitude and mentality in a program.”

Harkless was content to sit out a year due to transfer rules while developing and learning OU’s system.

Instead, the NCAA’s immediate eligibility waiver passed on Dec. 16 allowing him to play after missing the team’s first five games.

OU football safety Jeremiah Criddell — who went to Rancho Cucamonga High School, six minutes from Etiwanda — played a part in Harkless’s decision to come to OU. Criddell confirmed that Oklahoma treats its athletes well, which was big for Sterling. She said that Criddell’s insight contributed to Harkless attending the Sooners.

No one was happier than Sterling that Harkless decided to attend OU. She’s coming to Norman for his birthday, which was Feb. 3, and to watch her son play in the Lloyd Noble Center for the first time, against Iowa State on Saturday.

“I’m beyond excited,” Sterling said. “I’ve shared his highlights with my boss and I tell everyone about him. I’m the mom, I can say how good I think he is or how proud I am, but when other people say it and see it, it solidifies how I feel.”

“This is something he’s always dreamed of and always wanted. For it to come to the forefront is a blessing. I’m beyond proud.”

‘THOSE ARE WINNING PLAYS’ In a 66-61 win over the Crimson Tide, Harkless forced three steals and hit a fadeaway jump shot to ice the game for OU. He also dove for a ball near the baseline and dished an assist to sophomore guard De’Vion Harmon for a layup while laying on the court. Harkless had 14 points and added five rebounds while playing with his usual toughness in his role as the defensive catalyst.

“He’s been fantastic,” Kruger said. “He’s been super aggressive, he’s a very physical player … those are winning plays, and Elijah has no hesitation to get on the floor or stick his nose in there on a rebound and play in a physical way.”

Shawn Clark, who played guard for late, former OU coach Billy Tubbs from 198285 and also wore No. 24, recognizes Harkless’s toughness as he watches OU’s season unfold. Clark said Harkless’ defense and aggressiveness would translate to his days

on the court when Tubbs’ teams would play fast and force steals behind a stout defense that earned praise nationally.

“In order for you to be exceptional on defense, you gotta buy in,” Clark said, who now coaches the girl’s basketball team at Southmoore High School and still watches every OU game. “In my observations, he has the length, strength and athleticism to defend well in the Big 12. If you look back in my era, we had to defend, and you could find yourself being 6-foot-3, having to defend someone that’s 6-foot-8, and he’s been able to do that.”

“He’s the type of player that could be successful in our era. I don’t think you have a lot of kids in today’s game that are willing to (play defense) for the duration of a game. He’ll go 40 minutes baseline-to-baseline. What I’ve seen from him is his willingness to do that.”

A common phrase OU has used this season is “next man up.” The players used it when Manek and sophomore forward Jalen Hill missed two games due to COVID-19 protocols in early January, and as senior guards Austin Reaves and Alondes Williams have missed OU’s past two games for the same reasons.

Harkless played 15 minutes or fewer in the Sooners’ first three conference games before playing 38 minutes against Kansas in his first start. Without Manek, Kruger deployed a fourguard lineup that sparked OU’s five-game win streak, with Harkless playing power forward. Harkless had three steals and a block.

Harkless defines OU’s “next man up” mentality.

Kruger knew before the season the type of player Harkless could be for his team. He said Harkless’ confidence grew tremendously from the four-point loss against Kansas.

Sterling said Harkless was nervous before the Kansas game. But on a phone call after Harkless’ breakout game against Kansas State on Jan. 19 — eight points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and three steals — he said he was comfortable.

“I just felt so good with that ball in my hands,” Harkless said to Sterling.

But Harkless’ breakout came two games after his learning experience against the Jayhawks. Kruger knew it would take time for Harkless to get settled, and he grew in each game. Harkless was trusted for the final shot against the Crimson Tide less than a month after fans perhaps thought he was a “depth” guard off the bench.

“It takes time,” Kruger said. “I think in his case, he’s very conscientious about doing the things right, and I think maybe even stepping into the rotation a little bit (he was) concerned about how other people are feeling about that. Our point was just ‘hey, just play. We’ll take care of the rotation.’

“It takes time, and some people might jump in from day one. But as you saw, he’s progressed in every ball game and he’s playing awfully well right now.”

Through it all, Harkless just cares about winning.

The former zero-star recruit got what he wanted all those years ago in the shadows of the country club party: A shot. From joining a Power Five program to nailing the winning bucket against Alabama, he’s making the most of his opportunity for a team playing for big goals as March nears.

“I do anything to help the team,” Harkless said. “If that’s scoring that night, if that’s rebounding that night, if it’s assisting another night, I think I’ll be able to help the team.

“I can’t wait to see where we’re at in March.”

Austin Curtright

austincurtright@ou.edu