STATE & NATION
barbour: not worth ‘diddly’
SPORTS
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Also: SU tennis downs XULA. pg. 5
Music career on the rise. pg. 8
sU student gaining buzz
jags get better of grambling
Miss. Gov. remarks on dust-up. pg. 4
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J-State leader to interview By tHe aSSOCiated pReSS
Southern University Board of Supervisors Chairman Tony Clayton said he expected at least three more names in the pool for the system presidency before today’s round of interviews. Two more people — Jackson State University President Ronald Mason Jr. and former Shaw University President Clarence Newsome — are included with the four remaining semifinalists for the position. Today’s round of interviews with five of the six candidates begins at 9 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Meeting Room on the second floor of the J.S. Clark Administration Building. The interview schedule is as follows: •Mason: 10:15-11:15 a.m. •Caroyln Meyers, outgoing president of Norfolk State University: 11:20-12:20 p.m. • Leonard Hayes III, senior adviser in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education: 12:25-1:25 p.m. •Robert Jennings, former Alabama A&M president: 1:30-2:30 p.m. •Marvin Yates, Southeastern Louisiana University vice president for student affairs: 2:353:35 p.m. Yates is a former SUBR chancellor, and Haynes was a Southern executive in the 1980s that has previously applied for the president position. According to a university press release, Newsome was selected according to scoring results from the search committee. His interview will be held later due to extenuating circumstances. Southern’s stated goal is to choose a new president by the end of April. Interviews were originally scheduled for last week, but were postponed until today. Committee co-chairman Murphy Bell Jr. said it is possible more could still apply. Mason has headed Jackson State, one of Southern’s top rivals, for 10 years. JSU, along with SU, is one of the nation’s See search page 4
PARTLY CLOUDY HIGH
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2010
VOL. 55, ISSUE 15
Sumner vs. Williams in runoff
by norman j. dotson jr. diGeSt editOR-iN-CHieF
And then there were two. The end of general elections Monday afternoon left only Demetrius Sumner and Langston Williams standing in the race for the Student Government Association president position. To win outright in this five way fight to the top would require a candidate to receive half of the total votes plus one, altogether the presidential candidates acquired a total of 1,450 votes which means that a candidate would need 725 plus one totaling 726. “I will keep doing what I’ve been doing; keeping it real with the students, no lies, and no empty promises,” said current SGA vice president Langston Williams. Williams tails Sumner going into the runoff elections with a total of 369 votes. Senator Sumner stands in front off the fray with a commanding 514 total of
SGA PRESIDENT
Demetrius Sumner 514* Langston Williams
369*
Koi Lomas
296
Terrence Rubin
243
Julien Singleton
28
votes. Trailing in third place was current chief justice Koi Lomas with a total of 296 votes, in fourth was senior class president Terrence Rubin with a total of 243 votes and in last with 28 votes was senator Julien Singleton. “Its all about coalitions, Sumner said. “If I am successful in my bid for the presidency, I’m not just the president for the people that voted for me, I am a president for everyone. I want to make sure that we’re building coalitions with those peoples who may have supported other campaigns, not just for the presidential realm but for the
photo by apriL bUFFington/digest
Men’s Federation president Brian Collins, left, congratulates SGa Vice president Langston Williams, right, for making Wednesday’s runoff election for SGa president.
other as well to make sure that at the end of the day that there is unity amongst us and that we can come together at the
end of the political season and forward.” See runoff page 3
Candidates put best foot forward during pageant by breanna paUL
MISS SOUTHERN
diGeSt OpiNiONS editOR
Class Queens and Miss Southern 2010-2011 candidates did their best to give students a lasting impression as to why they should be chosen in the primary elections. Current SGA President Stanley White, Jr. and Miss Southern 2009-2010 Sabrina Whitney along with Class Queens, Elyssa Lassiter, Brianna Andrews and Erin Rogers hosted the event. Candidates took a trip to the Big Apple wearing business attires. While the Miss Southern candidates photo by Kenyetta m. CoLLins/digest wore their usual white suits, Kenya Warren shows emotion after being class queen candidates wore notified that she qualified for Wednesday’s scarves with their suits runoff for Miss Southern. following a new trend.
81° | 56° LOW
INSIDE S O U T H E R N
Kenya Warren 689* Diane Chavis
551*
Kiara Stewart
171
Kimberlee Ross 71 After visiting the Big Apple, candidates made their way to Miami for the Lifestyle and Fitness segment. Most candidates carried an accessory with them while making their way across the stage. Some wore trendy, big, floppy hats while others carried beach bags. Following another trend, candidates wore one-piece swimsuits with cut-outs. Miss Southern 2010-2011 traveled to Hollywood to
showcase their talent. Candidate Kiara Stewart performed to a hip-hop master mix, continuing with her “Southern STEWARTess” campaign theme. She danced with two very talented background dancers. Candidate Kimberlee Ross proved that she was a virtuous woman and a boss while dancing to current hip-hop music by herself. Candidate Diane Chavis showcased her talent through martial arts and dance moves, while staying true to her “This Mission is Possible” campaign theme. Chavis ran down from the stairs kicking buff men to reach her beloved boyfriend See pageant page 3
CAMPUS BRIEFS...............2 STATE & NATION................4 VIEWPOINTS......................7 NEWS.............................3 SPORTS......................5 U N I V E R S I T Y ,
B A T O N
R O U G E ,
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are open to students, faculty, and staff. For more information, please contact Melvin Robinson at 225.771.3212.
apartments For rent
Tired of student housing? Free rent specials. 1.866.972.5495.
Campus Briefs TODAY FinanCiaL aid aLert
The Financial Aid Office is requesting that students apply for financial aid early. Complete your FAFSA as soon as possible for the 2010-11 award year. Students must file a FAFSA annually for eligibility consideration. SUBR’s school code is 002025. Please visit www. fafsa.ed.gov to complete a FAFSA online. Students and parents should apply for PINs at www.pin. ed.gov. Your PIN will serve as your electronic signature to process the FAFSA. The preferred deadline for Summer 2010 and Fall 2010 has passed. The final loan deadline for Summer 2010 is June 11. For more information, contact the financial aid office at 225.771.2790. eXerCise & Fitness Center
The new Exercise and Fitness Center of the Intramural Sports and Recreation Department is open for use in the F. G. Clark Activity Center. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Aerobic classes are offered on Monday and Wednesday evenings in Moore Hall Auditorium. The facility and classes
beep meetings
BEEP Meetings are held every Tuesday at 11 a.m. in T.T. Allain Room 222. These meetings are open to all majors. For more information contact Toni Jackson at 225.771.5640 ext. 222 or at subeep@ subr.edu. peer tUtoring
Peer tutoring is available in the Center for Student Success in Stewart Hall Room 107. Available hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays. Follow the Center for Student Success on Twitter to see exciting upcoming events: www.twitter.com/ jaguar_nation. baptist stUdent Union
Want to become a member of the Baptist Student Union? Want to fellowship with other students during the week? Need a place to worship? Need a place to attend for bible study, special events and trips? Need a quiet place to study? Need a place to relax and watch television? Join the T.J. Jemison Baptist Student Union, located at 724 Harding Blvd., across from LaCumba’s Den and the tennis courts. For more information, call 225.774.8924. Los jagUares Latinos
Los Jaguares Latinos, Southern University’s
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Spanish Club, meets Wednesdays at 3 p.m. in Room 320 of T.T. Allain Hall. If you are unable to attend the meetings but still like to participate, please send your name, contact number and valid e-mail address to SouthernUSpanishClub@ gmail.com pi gamma mU
Pi Gamma Mu, the international honor society in social sciences, is inviting juniors, seniors and graduate students to join. Students must be in the upper 35 percent of their class, have a gradepoint average of “B” or better and 20 semester hours in social science courses. There is an international initiation fee $40 and an additional local chapter fee of $10. If you are interested in joining Pi Gamma Mu pick up an application from Dr. Shawn Comminey, Louisiana Epsilon Chapter Adviser, in Room 429 of Higgins Hall. Css seminars
The Center for Student Success is offering three seminars at Stewart Hall’s Lawless Auditorium in the upcoming days. CSS will hold its “Stress Management Techniques” seminar Wednesday at 1 p.m. This seminar is designed to teach students new ways to relieve stress and reduce anxiety. CSS’s “Getting the Most out of Your Textbook” seminar is slated for Tuesday at 2 p.m. This seminar is designed to teach students how to develop
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new reading techniques to improve comprehension and reduce the need to re-read subject material. The “Working with Faculty” seminar is scheduled for Thursday at 3 p.m. SU faculty members will discuss what they really expect from students, along with discussing ways faculty can help students. APRIL 14 stUdent meeting
The Office of Academic and Student Affairs, along with the chancellor, will host a student meeting Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union’s Cotillion Ballroom. The topic will be the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). For more information, please contact Nicole Sampson at 771.2362. APRIL 15 senior VisUaL arts eXhibition
Southern University’s Department of Visual Arts will host a Senior Visual Arts Student Exhibition April 1528 in Frank Hayden Hall. The exhibition gallery hours will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. An opening reception will be held April 14 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. The exhibition is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Robert Cox at 225.771.2070. greater br aLUmni Chapter
The first planning meeting of the the next Southern Alumni chapter in Baton Rouge will be April 15 in the John B. Cade Library’s ITC on the second floor at 7 p.m. Contact louismetevia@cox. net for more information. APRIL 21
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SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
FaCULty senate eLeCtions
Faculty Senate elections will be held on April 21 from 9 a.m.—6 p.m. Run-off elections, if necessary, will be held on April 27. Please fax, e-mail or hand deliver completed nomination forms to Dr. Hassan Mahadallah, Department of Political Science, Higgins Hall, Room 419. Dr. Hassan may be reached at 225.771.3210 (office), 225.771.2848 fax, or hassan_mahadallah@ subr.edu.
iSSN: 1540-7276. Copyright 2008 by the Southern University Office of Student Media Services. the Southern diGeSt is written, edited and published by members of the student body at Southern University and a&M College. all articles, photographs and graphics are property of the Southern diGeSt and its contents may not be reproduced or republished without the written permission from the editor in Chief and director of Student Media Services. the Southern diGeSt is published bi-weekly (tuesday & Friday) with a run count of 6,000 copies per issue during the Southern University - Baton Rouge campus fall, spring semesters. the paper is free to students, staff, faculty and general public every tuesday & Friday morning on the SUBR campus. the Southern diGeSt student offices are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. the offices are located on the first floor of t.H. Harris Hall, Suite 1064. the Southern diGeSt is the official student newspaper of Southern University and a&M College located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. articles, features, opinions, speak out and editorials do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the administration and its policies. Signed articles, feedback, commentaries and features do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, staff or student body. PUBLICATION ASSOCIATIONS the Southern diGeSt is a member of the Black College Communications association (BCCa), National association of Black Journalists (NaBJ), University - Wire Network (U-Wire), associated Collegiate press (aCp), College Media advisers association (CMa), Society of professional Journalist (SpJ), Full member of the associated press (ap) and the Louisiana press association (Lpa).
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NEWS
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - Page 3
www.southerndigest.com
pageant from page 1
OTHER SGA ELECTION RESULTS SGA VICE PRESIDENT Kye Lewis
728*
Nona Stewart
492
Brian Collins
212
CHIEF JUSTICE Venese Morgan
721*
Kirt Thibodeaux
716
Members of the Wesley Foundation participated in a Spring Break mission to Lake Charles to help repair homes damaged by Hurricane Gustav.
Bridgette Moss
161*
Candice Cavalier
155
Students give up to give back
MISS SENIOR
By norman j. dotson jr.
MISS JUNIOR
digest EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Chisolu Isiadinso
133*
Brittany Lyles
118*
Alicia Davis
80
Brig’Nette Tezeno 23 SOPHOMORE CLASS PRESIDENT Shaquille Dillon
319*
Julius McCray
113
MISS SOPHOMORE Makala Clark
209*
Jazmine Stephenson 113* Kiersten Victorian 109 SOPHOMORE CLASS SENATOR Darius Graham
271*
Myeisha Webb
260*
Tevoy Dyson
244*
Alana Rhone
232*
Maurlene Martin
230*
Claudia Joseph
216
Terrica Williams
182
GOLD ‘N BLUEZ REFERENDUM For
788*
Against
651
LIVETEXT REFERENDUM For
Against
845* 599
JAGUAR FUND REFERENDUM For
Against
photo by norman j. dotson jr./digest
681 756*
Reaching out to the Southern University community is part of the Wesley Foundation’s mission but a group of students took that mission a step further. Approximately 20 students accompanied by their adviser, Rev. Willie Law,s spent their spring break doing mission work in Lake Charles, La. While there the students helped to repair the lingering damage done to some homes in the wake of hurricane Gustav. The Wesley Foundation here at Southern University offers this opportunity every year for students to have the chance to go out and help those less fortunate than others. “When we went to the headquarters I didn’t really know what was going on but the people there had maps all over the place,” said Matthias Brown, a junior architecture major. “They were connected and that was a representation of how we are all sown together
like a fabric. It was good to see the unity they had and it was also good to know what little we did could actually help someone less fortunate than us.” The thought of giving up their bring didn’t sit well with a few students at first but as the trip progressed they were easily swayed into the spirit of fellowship. “Honestly my mindset before going down was one of not really wanting to go, I was just going to be going,” Lorenzo Henderson, a senior psychology major from Shreveport said. “After getting down there and seeing that you helped other people and changed their lives I enjoyed myself.” Togetherness was the outlining theme of the whole experience. Not only did the students work with one another they also worked with locals who were very appreciative of their assistance. Reverend Laws recounted on a situation where one of the ladies was so grateful for their help that she spent a portion of what little money she had to buy food to
cook for the students as a token of her appreciation. According to junior therapeutic recreation major Demetrius Rogers from Zachary the very same woman there lost the roof of her house during Hurricane Gustav and a contractor took $20,000 from her without doing the job but this never deterred her faith in any way. Faith was also a very important aspect of this trip as well. For many observing the hardships that others were going through allowed for them to appreciate what they have. While to others seeing how those in a less fortunate situation stayed strong through their faith only served to strengthen their own. “One of the ladies was so grateful for everything that we did for her and she was overwhelmed with joy,” added Javon Spears, criminal justice major from Hammond, La. “She always kept her faith through all of her hardships and said that God blessed her through us.”
said Warren when asked what is her plan of action to win in the runoffs. In the midst of all the uproar, cheers, and words of encouragement Diane Chavis had only two simple words to sum up what all candidates needed to do in order to secure a win in the end, “work harder.” Kiara Stewart came in third with 171 votes while Kimberlee Ross finished last with a total of 37 votes. For the vice president position Kye Lewis was victorious over current Men’s Federation President Brian Collins and AWS president Nona Stewart with a total of 728 votes. Stewart came in second with 492 total votes, however, this was not the total needed to force a runoff election for this position while graduating senior Brian Collins came in last place with a total
of 212 votes. In a close race for chief justice, Venese Morgan came out on top winning by a slim margin of five votes totaling in 721 votes to Kirt Thibodeaux’s 216 votes. “My first plan of action is to get these justice positions filled and get the judicial branch fully active again,” said Morgan. The judiciary branch has been active for over a year due to the lack of justices to occupy the amount of seats needed for the branch to be active. According to Morgan, she only needs six justices for the court to be active and there are already two justices in their positions now. Runoff debates will be in the Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union today at 6 p.m. and voting will be held on Wednesday.
runoff from page 1 According to Lomas, who, has had three successful campaigning seasons at Southern University she will support whichever candidate that will “best represent the students and lead this school into a brighter future.” “I feel excited for the new year, the other candidates are great leaders. I’m excited to help them, and I will definitely be at the debate cheering for them,” said Terrence Rubin. What started off as four is now down two in the bid to become the next Miss Southern. Kenya Warren leads with a total of 689 votes, trailing her is her opponent in the upcoming runoff elections Diane Chavis with 551 total votes. “I’m going to work harder and stay grinding. I’ve been working hard, but just talk to more people and get out there,”
only to find out he was cheating on her. She left the stage with a new guy, while Rihanna’s “Rude Boy” played in the background. Sticking to her “Total Package” campaign theme, candidate Kenya Warren entered the stage in a FedEx box and proceeded to dance with male and female dancers. She danced to Janet Jackson-esque music. At the end of her dance routine, all of the background dancers fell to the ground leaving Warren on top. Between the brief intermissions candidates for SGA President, Vice-President and Chief Justice also had a last chance to plead their cases to students. While speaking, Candidate Langston Williams mentioned that “students were tired of being screwed over” and proceeded to throw LifeStyle condoms into the audience. After leaving Hollywood, all candidates competing for Class Queens and Miss Southern 2010-2011 travelled to New Orleans for the formal segment of the pageant. Hosts formally introduced the contestants by giving a more in depth explanation of their platform and stating their family background. Miss Southern Candidate Kimberlee Ross donned a form-fitting green gown while Candidate Kiara Stewart chose a gold gown. Candidate Diane Chavis wore a silver dress and Candidate Kenya Warren wore a very colorful gown. The Miss Southern 2010-2011 candidates returned to the stage for the Question and Answer portions. Miss Senior 2009-2010 Elyssa Lassiter read the questions to the Miss Southern 2010-2011 candidates. The first question was proposed to Candidate Diane Chavis. “How do you propose we push children to follow positive role models and not negative role models in the media?” Lassiter asked. “I believe it starts in the home,” Chavis answered. “My parents placed me in constructive activities such sports and dance. My coaches and teachers were my role models. Other children should be involved in such activities,” Chavis continued. Lassiter asked the next question to Candidate Kimberlee Ross. “What was one time in your life you had to overcome an obstacle?” Lassiter asked. “I look to those situations as a test that God has put me through and that I should overcome,” Ross answered. The next question was for Candidate Kiara Stewart. “What is one other initiative you will implement if elected?” Lassiter asked. “I plan to bring more internships and co-op opportunities to Southern University. I feel that every student should have an opportunity to work experience before they graduate,” Stewart continued.
state & nation Page 4 - Tuesday, April 13, 2010
www.southerndigest.com
Barbour: Confederacy flap not worth d‘ iddly’ by the associated press
NEW ORLEANS — The dustup over Virginia’s proclamation for Confederate History Month seems like a lot of noise over something that “doesn’t amount to diddly,” Mississippi’s governor said in an interview aired Sunday. Virginia’s Republican governor, Bob McDonnell, apologized for leaving out of his proclamation any reference to slavery. He added language to the decree calling slavery “evil and inhumane” after being criticized for reviving what many Virginians believe is an insensitive commemoration of its Confederate past. Fellow GOP Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi said he doesn’t think the proclamation was a mistake. “To me, it’s a sort of feeling that it’s a nit, that it is not significant, that it’s not a — it’s trying to make a big deal out of something (that) doesn’t amount to diddly,” Barbour said in the interview aired on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
Last year, Barbour issued a similar proclamation in his state that did not mention slavery. He also noted that his state has a holiday, Confederate Memorial Day, that has been maintained by Democratic and Republican governors and the state’s majority-Democrat legislature. The state also honors the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Confederate general Robert E. Lee on the same day in January. Barbour said he was not aware of any complaints that the holiday was offensive. “I don’t really see what to say about slavery, but anybody that thinks that you have to explain to some people that slavery is a bad thing, I think that goes without saying,” Barbour said. Mississippi’s events aren’t embraced by everyone. “I think it’s unfortunate that the governor is so insensitive to the atrocities made against African-Americans in this country by the former Confederate States,” said
search from page 1
PHOTO BY GERALD HERBERT/ap photo
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour speaks at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans Saturday.
Derrick Johnson, president of the Mississippi NAACP. “As governor of the state with a higher percentage of AfricanAmericans that any other, we would hope he would be more sensitive to them.” “We have always raised out opposition to any memorial day that would raise some type of positive light on the Confederacy that broke away from the United States,” Johnson said. “We consider that treason.” McDonnell revised the proclamation after a day of
scalding denunciations as the story became grist for cable news shows and caught fire on political blogs and in social media. McDonnell had issued the Confederate History Month proclamation at the behest of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, descendants of rebel soldiers. McDonnell was the first Virginia governor to issue such a proclamation since fellow Republican Jim Gilmore in 2001. Democrats Mark Warner and Kaine, who succeeded Gilmore, refused.
largest HBCUs and enrolls nearly 9,000 students. Mason is currently embroiled in conflict though over his support of Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour’s proposal to merge Jackson State, Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State into one HBCU. Barbour proposed the merger in November. Then in January, The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson obtained a presentation by Mason supporting a merger similar to Barbour’s plan. Mason called the consolidated school Jacobs State University, after H.P Jacobs, a former slave and a JSU founder. Mason’s preliminary plan was JSU as a graduate campus and ASU and MVSU as undergraduate feeder campuses. He has contended a merger is the best way to save HBCUs in Mississippi. “He (Mason) has done a lot of impressive things at Jackson State,” Bell said, declining comment on the merger proposal by calling it a Mississippi issue. Last year, Mason was picked as one of 11 university leaders on the White House’s national advisory board for HBCUs. At Shaw, Newsome resigned last year with Shaw in the midst of an ongoing financial crisis and more than $20 million in university debt.
SPORTS
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - Page 5
www.southerndigest.com
Jaguars get better of GSU
Softball moves into 2nd SU SPORTS InfORMATIOn OffICE
by morris DillarD DIGEST SPORTS WRITER
Before the weekend series of the Negro League Baseball Classic, Southern University head baseball coach Roger Cador mentioned that his team needed to focus on closing out games. In return, he saw his club leading in-state rival Grambling State University 4-0 in the second inning of game one, before trailing 8-12 in the eighth inning. SU rallied six runs to escape Saturday’s double-header with a 12-14 victory, but GSU sought out game two with an 11-5 win to even the weekend series. The Jaguars drubbed Grambling 16-6 in Sunday’s series finale. “We have not played well, but we still have a long way to go,” said head coach Roger Cador. “If we get our pitching right, and if we start to make routine plays, I really believe we can start to rev it up and make things happen the way some other teams cannot do.” Southern (10-13, 8-4) remains tied for first with Texas Southern (18-18, 8-4) in the SWAC Western Division race while GSU fell two games off the pace (11-17, 6-6). The Jaguars return to action at Lee-Hines Field with a 6 p.m. nonconference tilt against Loyola-New Orleans. GAME ONE: SU 14, GSU 12 The bullpen has been causing a lot of
photo by april buffington/Digest
Southern’s Curtis Wilson rounds second base on his way to third during Saturday’s game against rival Grambling State. The Jaguars took two out of three games to win the series.
problems for the Jags this season. After struggling last weekend, senior pitcher Jarrett Maloy started his road to redemption in game one. In his debut, Maloy pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing eight runs. GSU scored two runs in the third and fourth inning and added four more in the fifth. Freshman left-handed pitcher Jesse Holiday replaced Maloy in the fifth inning. Holiday allowed four runs before Cador sent in senior Sherrard Brooks. GAME TWO: GSU 11, SU 5 Junior pitcher Kyle Wahl started game two of the series, but GSU managed to embarrass the SU pitching staff with a remarkable display of hitting that included more firepower than generosity. GSU scored 10 runs in the first five innings, before Cador retired Wahl for
senior pitcher Chase Richard. SU had 12 hits, but left 14 on base. GAME THREE: SU 16, GSU 6 SU returned to action Sunday afternoon to complete the three-game Negro Classic series. SU took two of three in the weekend series. When these teams played last season on Negro League weekend, SU won all three games. “Consistency is the key,” said Cador. “We came back in the second game and didn’t make that happen.” SU scored four runs in the first inning and five in the third for a 9-0 lead. SU slammed the door shut with a 16-6 victory to complete the series. “We did a lot of things right,” Cador said. “I think this goes to prove that we can get it done.”
With a three game sweep over the University of ArkansasPine Bluff this past weekend the SU Lady Jaguars softball team took over the second place spot in the Western Division in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Southern (11-26, 9-5 SWAC) was led over the weekend by senior pitcher Lanaya Jenkins who totaled two wins. The Seattle native totaled seven strikeouts and improves to 9-10 on the year with a team high 3.87 earned run average. The Lady Jags recorded 25 hits and 22 runs to UAPB’s 17 hits and six runs. Both teams saw five doubles hit over the weekend but the Blue and Gold put up eight triples, a season high in a weekend series and 18 RBI’s. Senior Jasmone Williams had the best weekend with a .750 batting average with three hits, three RBIs, a pair of runs and triples. Freshman Shawntall Steamer hit a season high .667 for the series with six hits, five RBIs, three triples and three runs in nine at bats. Southern will take its 3-game winning streak on the road Wednesday to Southeastern Louisiana. Game time in Hammond is set for 5 p.m.
Southern tennis knocks off Xavier in regular season finale Lady Jags head into SWAC Tournament as No. 1 seed by justin wooten DIGEST SPORTS WRITER
photo by april buffington/Digest
Southern’s Megan Wiltz returns a shot during Saturday’s match against Xavier. Southern defeated Xavier 5-2 in the team’s regular season finale.
The Southern women’s tennis team picked up some added momentum heading into this weekend’s Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament, dropping Xavier 5-2 in the regular season finale Saturday. The Lady Jaguars (10-5, 8-0) already clinched the SWAC Western Division title with an undefeated league run, and now turn their attention to the SWAC Tournament in Alexandria. This will be SU’s third straight appearance in the conference tournament. “This season has been awesome so far,” head coach Jeff Conyers said. “Our expectations are to win the tournament
and advance to the NCAA Tournament. I want our fans to come out and witness these ladies in action and see these girls firsthand.” SU will take on either Alcorn State or Grambling State Saturday at the Alex Aquatic and Tennis Club at 9 a.m. A Lady Jags win would propel Southern to the SWAC title match Sunday at Alexandria City Park at 9 a.m. The conference tournament features the top three teams in each division. Prairie View and GSU join Southern out of the west while Jackson State, Alcorn and Alabama A&M are the east’s top trio. SU and JSU received opening-round byes by virtue of winning their respective divisions. “We consider ourselves
the favorites, but when the tournament starts just throw the records out of the window,” Conyers said. In singles play against XULA, Southern picked up wins from Carlista Mohammad, Kathryn Curtis, Demetria Woods and Jo’Vonna Gaines. In doubles, the team of Mohammed/Gaines and Woods/Janelle Mosley won their respective matches. Southern will lean on the top of its singles rotation, All-SWAC performers Megan Wiltz and Mosley. “Having these two on the team will be a good recruiting tool for the future,” Conyers said. “They believe in me and the direction of the program. They trust me with their kids and want to send their kids here. I’m pretty blessed.”
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VIEWPOINTS Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - Page 7
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Was Badu’s Nudity for Protest or Publicity? Erykah Badu. Her name is synonymous with good music, alternative thought processes, and now, a naked stunt. Most students can admit to growing up listening to Badu’s profound thought provoking music, and hearing about her unusual behavior, for example her unconventional fashion sense, or the fact that she named her first-born son, “Seven,” in honor of “the divine number which can’t be divided.” There’s no denying that the woman is a fascinating individual and an extremely talented artist. In a time when the vast majority of musical artists look and sound the same, she stands out as a real talent. After enduring her achingly long hiatus, fans were excited to learn she
was releasing her first studio album in years, and even more excited to see what she would decided to film for her first video to “Window Seat,” a track off her recently released album. In what she explained to the press after the video’s release as a dedication to one of her heroes, John F. Kennedy, Badu walked through Dallas’s crowded Dealey Plaza, stripping naked and falling to the ground as if she’d been shot. The five minute video was shot guerilla style, meaning there was no permit, closed set, or warning for the shoppers and bystanders witnessing her strip show. Initially no one pressed charges for her naked demonstration. But at the persistent urging of Dallas officials, a witness whose two small children
witnessed the show decided to go ahead and press charges, on the grounds that Badu’s nudity offended her children. Badu has been fined $500 for her performance. The controversial video was shot March 13. Her album was released March 30. The press and attention, whether positive or negative, is huge when you strip naked and fall on the ground in the middle of a public shopping area. Everyone from hosts of morning radio shows, to hip-hop gossip bloggers, to national news networks were talking about it. We’re not saying Badu wasn’t attempting to prove a point with her naked demonstration. We’re just saying that it was perfectly timed to coincide
with the release of her first album in two years. People would’ve bought her album regardless of whether or not she decided to strip in front of innocent pedestrians. It was a blatant publicity stunt; people all over the country who might have never heard her name before this, now know exactly who she is. She doesn’t have to act like she was simply paying homage to one of her heroes. We know she also did it to get some easy public $500 fine is a small price to pay for the huge amount of attention she’s received, and more importantly, potentially higher album sales. ——— This article originally appeared in The Hilltop, the Howard University student newspaper.
149 years on, Dixie decree stirs debate Less than three months into office, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell was blindsided last week by questions his Confederate History Month decree evoked, and the national furor that ensued. Mentioning Old Dixie without noting the horrors of human bondage brought passions of the past into a quarrelsome political climate that elected the first black president in 2008, and has ignited angry protests over his policies since then. It’s all the more troubling to a former Virginia governor that the words like “usurpation,” ‘’nullification” and “state sovereignty” are prominent in bitter protests over a new federal law that expands the federal reach on health care. Those same terms were in vogue around the Civil War in the 1850s and 1860s, and during the civil rights struggle in the 1950s and 1960s. McDonnell immediately felt the lash of public criticism and swiftly apologized for the omission, adding a paragraph to his proclamation that denounces slavery as “evil and inhumane.” But the whirlwind persisted and went global, with Obama saying in a television interview from Prague that McDonnell’s omission was
“unacceptable.” L. Douglas Wilder, a grandson of slaves whom Virginians made the nation’s first elected black governor in 1989, accepted McDonnell’s apology and dismissed the flap as “an honest mistake by an honorable man.” Republican Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said the proclamation seemed like a lot of noise over something that “doesn’t amount to diddly.” But Wilder said the abiding desire to celebrate the Old South with official declarations, most recently by Virginia and Georgia, is a worrisome sign that history’s lessons have not been fully learned as angry voices again advocate states’ rights and preach defiance to Washington. “They’re talking about there being an effort by the government to take away their freedom,” Wilder said in an Associated Press interview. “No one is taking away anyone’s freedom, but we’ve heard all of that before. So you ask them, ‘You really don’t like this nation? You really want to secede?’” And it’s not just activists who energize the growing Tea Party movement who drive the impassioned debate. Last year, Texas Gov. Rick Perry suggested his state
could be driven to secede from the union by Washington, though he emphasized that . “I guess what offends me is the disregard relative to the facts of what the Civil War was about, what the practice of slavery really was like, and the state of events in this country had the South succeeded in that war,” Wilder said. When he was governor, Wilder issued a proclamation commemorating the strife and loss, both Union and Confederate, in the Civil War, with Virginia being home to more of its battles than any other state. Also during his term from 1990 to 1994, Wilder ordered Confederate flag arm patches removed from the sleeves of Virginia Air National Guard uniforms. In the states that comprised the Confederacy, proclamations honoring the Lost Cause are never simple or easy. Issue them and invite the wrath of AfricanAmericans who view it as validation of a system that held their ancestors in chains. Refuse them and anger constituents whose ancestors fought for the South, though most rebel soldiers were far too poor ever to own slaves. It’s a difficult choice, said David “Mudcat” Saunders, a Democratic strategist and descendant of a Confederate
soldier who co-wrote a book in 2006 on how Democrats can win back the white Southern voters who abandoned the party for the GOP and Richard Nixon in 1968. “What upsets them is when slavery is injected into the discussion and it’s imputed that their ancestors — their great-great-granddaddies who fought in the Civil War — were racists and when only 3 (percent) to 5 percent of the people in the Confederacy owned slaves,” Saunders said. “We don’t like to be called racists, damn it. We don’t. Because we’re not. The greatest feat the devil ever accomplished on this earth was slavery,” he said. But because the seceded states of the South and the war that restored them to the Union by force will always be linked to race by slavery, it will be hard for black and white people ever to see it dispassionately, much less agree, Saunders said. “And the way I see it, both sides are right,” he said. “A thousand years from now, people will still be arguing about it in these hills.” ——— Bob Lewis has covered Virginia politics and government since 2000.
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arts & entertainment Page 8 - Tuesday, April 13, 2010
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SU student garners buzz on music scene By billy washington digest a&E editor
There are a few people from Southern University that have made it into the music industry and have become very successful. Musically talented artists such as David Banner, Branford Marsalis and Randy Jackson all have experienced and matriculated through SU. There are many other aspiring artists from SU who have a good chance of becoming successful — rising talented R&B singer Justin Garner. Garner is a 23-year-old senior marketing major from Plaquemine. His official EP “Sound of my Heart” was released Monday and is available for download on various digital outlets such as iTunes, Rhapsody and Zune. Garner is also featured on Myspace.com/ music this week because of the enormous amount of love and support he has received from his fans. He has performed at many cities across the country and has even made a buzz in Japan. Garner is considered as being a triple threat within the
music industry. He is a singer, songwriter and scholar. He can also be labeled as a quadruple threat because he has just been selected to model for the Anthony Lawrence collection. Garner’s music experience initially started with gospel but he soon realized that the gospel business wasn’t fit for him. “I had a bad experience with the gospel industry,” Garner said. “I thought it was all about praising the most high, but I eventually realized that the gospel business was shady; therefore, I decided to make my own music.” After listening to Garner’s hypnotizing tracks from the White Label like “Criminal,” “Luv Gun,” and “Sound of My Heart” Garner has a decent chance of being the next R&B sensation to enjoy the limelight. Influences like Earth, Wind and Fire, Usher, Michael Jackson, and Lionel Richie are all noticeable within several tracks. He is often times compared to Usher and he humbly accepts it as a compliment. “Finding your identity comes form your influences and eventually over time I
will develop my own personal identity,” said Garner. What makes Garner’s style unique is his genuine blend of R&B with a Washington, D.C. Go-Go style tempo that is found in most of his tracks. “I am a big fan of Go-Go music, and Chuck Brown and Rich Harrison are my influences from that genre of music. I love the heavy percussion because it makes a very distinctive sound,” said Garner. Even though he is scheduled to graduate in May, Garner has managed to stay productive. Because of his rising status as an artist, he is scheduled to perform at several venues this month. He is also scheduled to perform during the SpringFest concert April 14. Interscope Records A&R Executive, George Robertson, stated, “Justin is seconds away from being a superstar”. Interscope Records has produced many popular artists such as, Lady Gaga, Eminem, Black Eye Peas and Keri Hilson. Garner is a rising star and people should be on the look out for his future works because he is living up to the hype with his
new and professional style of music. If you are a skeptic, then become a believer. Check out his website, www.
justingarner.com and listen to some tracks or check out his earlier mix tape entitled, “You, Me, and The Radio”.
SU alum hopes clothing line brings positive light to HBCUs
Merkerson leaving ‘Law & Order’
By erica s. johnson
By frazier moore
digest staff writer
ap television writer
NEW YORK — S. Epatha Merkerson, the senior member of the “Law & Order” cast, is leaving after the show’s current 20th season. Merkerson, who joined the NBC drama in 1993 as New York police Lt. Anita Van Buren, has decided to exit after 16 years, according to a person close to the show who spoke on the condition of anonymity because that person wasn’t authorized to speak about cast changes. Merkerson, who held firm on a series that has seen literally dozens of cast members come and go, has played a strong, no-nonsense supervisor in a Manhattan police precinct, primarily overseeing two detective characters (currently played by her co-stars Jeremy Sisto and Anthony Anderson). But this season, Van Buren’s story line has taken a personal turn as she battles cancer, an illness that may figure into her departure from the show.
photo courtesy of baylis management
Justin Garner, a senior marketing major at Southern University, has juggled school and a budding music career.
PHOTO BY peter kramer/AP PHOTO
In this April 27, 2009 photo, actress S. Epatha Merkerson attends the 2009 Matrix Awards, honoring women in the communications industry.
Will Van Buren die? “Not necessarily,” Merkerson told Entertainment Weekly, which first reported her planned exit. “How ever they decide to take her out, it’ll be worthy of the character. Either way, it’ll be great for me because I get to act it.” Early in the 57-year-old Merkerson’s career, she played Reba the Mail Lady on “Peewee’s Playhouse.” She won Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards for her performance in HBO’s 2005 film “Lackawanna Blues.” In February, she won an NAACP Image Award for her role on “Law & Order.”
Southern University graduate C.J. Nellbell is working to correct controversy concerning the legitimacy of a HBCU education with his new clothing line Black College Expressions. The 2006 SU graduate from Atlanta has mixed verbal affirmation with everyday wear in his clothing brand that is true to its name. The “wear what you feel, feel what you wear” clothing line was started in 2009 by Nelldell in response to negative feedback the designer, producer and president of the brand received from corporate America addressing his formal education from a HBCU. Proud of his education and experience, Nelldell sought to create a brand that not only reflected his feelings but also allowed others to be proud of their respective schools and themselves. “This brand deviates from the corporate status quo of merchandise that we are
usually offered on the market today.” Nelldell explains. With more than 20 different school specific sections to shop by, the line gives students the chance to wear their school pride on their backs, literally. “Most of us have a unique confidence that translates into style, we’re proud of who we are, we’re proud of where we come from.” Nelldell said. The HBCU supportive clothing is geared toward anyone who has been apart of the black college existence. “The clothing line is not exclusive to a particular race, it is exclusive to an HBCU experience.” Nelldell said. Casting a positive light over black universities counters the negativity that is often associated with them. Male and female T-shirts and sweaters can be purchased online at blackcollegeexpressions.com. Logos that read “Real talent comes from HBCUs” , “Educated by: (University). My mission, to defeat the stereotype”, and SU specific “Messing with a
jaguar is bad for your health” come in different sizes and colors and all purchases are provided with free shipping. “This line is everyday wear that’s fly, passionate, influential, classy, intelligent, feel-good clothing.” Nelldell said. The future of the brand is customization. Customers will be able to create a variety of designs with different sayings and styles to better enhance their individuality. “The goal of the clothing line has always been to express oneself through fashion and uplift and empower African American people.” Nelldell said. “If I don’t make another promise in my life, I promise to reach back and give back in an effort to pull people to the top with me.” His website reads. Giving back has never been so easy. A percentage of the proceeds from purchases of school specific clothing goes back to respective universities. Black College Expressions can be reached via Facebook, Twitter, phone and web anytime.