The September 29 isse of The Southern Digest

STATE & NATION

SPORTS

HBCU NEWS

3 charged after melee. pG. 5

Also: SU tennis wins HBCU title. pG. 7

Hazing allegations surround band. pG. 10

su holds off alcorn

chicago teen beaten to death

sonic Boom silenced

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2009

VOL. 54, ISSUE 9

Students getting most from Webbased radio

By Breanna paul digest contributing writer

Southern University’s Mass Communication Program and Technology Network Services have formed a partnership to produce a student-run online radio station, “The Bluff.”

Students, faculty, staff and the community will be able to listen to the radio station, which will broadcast 24 hours a day, at http://www.subr.edu/thebluff.

The vision to establish a radio station at Southern University began in 2005, in response to the student body demand for a student-run radio station.

That vision was practically realized in January 2006, but, there was no radio frequency, license, or funding. However, through the innovation of students and staff, an online radio station was established when the Mass Communications Department obtained a Title III grant to purchase media equipment. The Mass Communications Department and students volunteered their

time to get the station started.

Recently, Technology Network Services has volunteered time and resources toward “The Bluff,” thus creating a partnership with the Mass Communications Department. “‘The Bluff’ is not only available to students in the mass communications department but to students in any major…” faculty advisor, Darrell Roberson stated and went on to add “The only requirement is to have interest.”

Roberson strongly encourages students, faculty and staff to listen to broadcasts, this fall semester and beyond.

According to Roberson, since “The Bluff” is just getting started, the station will be streaming. This means there is recorded music on the station, but with an option to go live at a moment’s notice. Also Roberson stated that since “‘The Bluff’” is just getting started again, they have yet to have a live broadcast.

Currently, the online radio station is only accessible on the campus.

“There are future plans to

photo By norMan J. Dotson Jr./DiGest

rapper Lil Phat gives “the bluff” radio station an interview last fall. the internet-based radio station serves the su campus.

make the station available off campus and eventually, “The Bluff” will expand to car radio, when a frequency becomes available.” stated Roberson.

Adam Powell, a mass communications senior from Indianapolis, who volunteers with “The Bluff,” said, “It is a great learning tool for students.”

Powell went on to add “there is no need for an internship with any other radio stations such as Max 94.1, a student can just work here on campus.”

Powell has been working with “The Bluff” since January 2009, and reported that new freshman and sophomore volunteers have joined the online radio staff.

Aaron Steele, a senior business management from San Diego, also volunteers with “The Bluff.” stated that “The Bluff” has had a positive influence on his life.

“I’ve met a lot of people that are in the Mass Communications Department, which is good since my major is Business Management. The radio station

has helped with my engineering skills because I am into production and music.” added Steele.

Steele has been volunteering with “The Bluff” for a year.

Students from any major can apply to work with the “The Bluff,” either on the website or in Stewart Hall.

If you are interested in this opportunity to hone your mass communications skills, call 225771-3935, email thebluff@radio. edu or visit Stewart Hall Room 154.

Raising awareness of sickle cell anemia challenging By canDace eDwarDs digest stAFF writer

Sickle cell anemia, an illness that can unexpectedly take your last breath away, affects millions of people, regardless to their race, ethnic background, wealth and living conditions.

“It’s always a challenge for us to get the awareness of sickle cell out to the public,” said Lori Burgess, executive director of Baton Rouge’s Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation. “So many illnesses and diseases always receive attention by the public, but it is hard for people to pay attention to this disease. I’m not sure

whether it is because people feel that it isn’t a “top disease” per say or what, but sickle cell anemia is a serious condition that everyone needs to take concern with.”

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website, sickle cell anemia is a serious disease in which the body makes sickle-shaped red blood cells. As normal red blood cells are discshaped and move easily through blood vessels, they contain protein hemoglobin.

This iron-rich protein gives blood its red color and carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. These cells last about 120 days in the bloodstream and

then die.

However, sickle cells contain abnormal hemoglobin that causes the cells to have a sickle shape and don’t move easily through blood vessels. These cells may also cause clumps that can block blood flow in the blood vessels that lead to the limbs and organs. These blockages can cause pain, serious infections, and organ damage. AS opposed to normal blood cells, these cells normally live from 10 to 20 days and then die.

“Some patients with sickle cell anemia are fortunate, having no major problems while some have several crisis.” Burgess explained.

When these patients have crisis, they are hospitalized until the crisis is over. A crisis can happen at any time, giving no warning signs. These crisis often affect the bones, lungs, abdomen, and joints.

Some people may have at least one crisis per year, while others have 15 crisis or more. Other signs include shortness of breath, coldness in the hands and feet, chest pains, pale skin, headaches, and dizziness.

“Sickle cell anemia is not like a disease like HIV or STDs. This disease is See sickle page 3

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CAMPUS BRIEFS................2 STATE & NATION................5 HBCU NEWS.....................10 NEWS.................................3 SPORTS.............................7 VIEWPOINTS....................11 U N I V E R S I T Y ,

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THE SOUTHERN DIGEST 4 - DAY WEATHER OUTLOOK WEDNESDAY, SPET. 30

sunny HI - 82° / LO - 61° 0% CHANCE OF RAIN

Classifieds eMployMent

Airport Texaco hiring cashiers for evening, weekdays & weekends shifts full-time. Excellent customer service skills req’d. Very competitive pay. Apply in person to Baton Rouge Metro Airport Texaco.

Campus Briefs TODAY aws spirit Bus trip

SU female students, get your bus tickets for the Jackson State game Oct. 3. The cost is $55 and includes round-trip travel, overnight hotel stay at the Hilton at Jackson and trip to Tanger Outlet Mall Sunday.

Please pay at the cashier’s office and bring proof of payment to the AWS office in Room 207 of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union no later than Wednesday, Sept. 30.

This trip is for SU female students only.

For more information, call 225.771.2027.

Men’s feD spirit Bus

The Men’s Federation is having a spirit bus to Jackson, Miss. Saturday for the Jackson State game.

The fee for riding the bus is $25, but students will have free game admission with valid student ID. Also males and females can ride the bus, just make sure to go and pay the cashiers office and tell them that you want to ride the Men’s Federation bus.

THURSDAY, OCT. 1

partly clouDy

HI - 86°/ LO - 72° 10% CHANCE OF RAIN

seasonal flu shots

The SU Student Health Center has partnered with Walgreens to offer seasonal flu shots to SU students, faculty and staff.

The seasonal shots cost $24.99 and will be given

by Walgreens employees at the Student Health Center from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. today and Oct. 2.

Seasonal flu shots will also be available during the center’s Fall Health Fair Oct. 13, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union.

A Vaccine Administration Record (VAR) form must be completed before the flu shot will be administered.

The forms are available in the Student Health Center. citywiDe auDitions

An open-call citywide audition to work with Nerjyzed Entertainment for the 2009 Bayou Classic Greek Show and Battle of the Bands will be held Friday, Oct. 2 from 3 p.m-7 p.m. at the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union. Dancers selected will perform at the 2009 Bayou Classic.

Participants must be 17-years-old or older and must have proof of age.

There is no audition fee.

Participants are asked to sign in at 2 p.m. su karate cluB

The Southern University Karate Club welcomes all persons interested in training Shotokan Karate.

Training is scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon at the J.B. Moore

FRIDAY, OCT. 2

Address: City/State/Zip: Daytime Phone: (

)

SATURDAY, OCT. 3

scattereD t-storMs

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HI - 79° / LO - 63° 40% CHANCE OF RAIN

HI - 81° / LO - 67° 20% CHANCE OF RAIN

Hall Auditorium. For challenGe more information, call Student applications for Edwin Walker at 771.3721 the 2009 Honda Campus or e-mail edwin_walker@ All-Star Challenge’s campus subr.edu. competition are being accepted now until Monday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. The campus Beep MeetinGs has been The Southern tournament University chapter of the postponed until Thursday, Black Executive Exchange Nov. 12 at the SmithProgram meets Tuesdays Brown Memorial Union. at 11 a.m. in Room 222 Participants in the campus of T.T. Allain Hall. BEEP competition are eligible to is open to all majors be selected to represent SU in the 2010 Honda Campus campuswide.

All-Star Challenge National Championship Tournament.

For more information, insurance licensinG contact the Honors College courses SU’s Division of at 771.4845 or go to www.

Continuing Education hcasc.com. and College of Business will sponsor insurance stuDent orGanizations licensing courses on the The Office of Student Baton Rouge campus. Programs announces that the The courses, which due date for organizations to are open to anyone register for the academic year interested in becoming a 2009-2010 is Wednesday, licensed insurance agent, Sept. 30. Please come by will include continuing the office, located in Suite learning classes for those 203 of the Smith-Brown who are already licensed. Memorial Union to pick up Registration is ongoing and complete forms. for the classes. The starting date for the class taBasco welcoMe Bowl will be determined at the Come to the “TABASCO end of registration. For Welcome Bowl” Wednesday more information about October 7th at 6:00p.m. in the courses or registration, the Smith-Brown Memorial call 225.771.2613. bowling alley. Its FREE BOWLING, FREE FOOD, and LOADS of Fun!!

DoMinoes tournaMent The Smith-Brown Memorial Union’s writinG proficiency Recreation Area will hold The Writing Proficiency a dominoes tournament Examination is scheduled Oct. 14 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. for Thursday, Oct. 15. Only at Lacumba’s Playpen. those students who have Registration for the officially registered (the tournament will be Sept. Writing Proficiency must 28-Oct. 9 at Lacumba’s appear on the student’s class Playpen. Registration is schedule) will be allowed to for individuals only, with take the test. If the student a $3 registration fee. has not registered, the deadline for doing so is Wednesday, Sept. 30. honDa caMpus all-star Students can begin signing in at 3:15 p.m. at their appointed sites. To ensure that the test begins on time, there will be no admittance after 3:45 p.m.

Please report as follows: •A-E: School of Nursing Auditorium •F-L: Lee Hall Auditorium •M-P: Harris Hall/ Classrooms •Q-Z: Stewart Hall Auditorium

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suite 1064 – t.H.HArris HALL P.o. boX 10180 – bAton rouge, LA 70813 225.771.2231 PHone / 225.771.3253 FAX www.soutHerndigest.coM 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.

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MISSION STATEMENT the mission of southern university and A&M college, an Historically black, 1890 land-grant institution, is to provide opportunities for a diverse student population to achieve a high-quality, global educational experience, to engage in scholarly, research, and creative activities, and to give meaningful public service to the community, the state, the nation, and the world so that southern university graduates are competent, informed, and productive citizens. website: www.subr.edu.

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2009 FALL DIGEST STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF norman J. dotson Jr. COPY EDITORS Kenyetta M. collins erica s. Johnson SPORTS EDITOR Larry Young Jr. PHOTO EDITOR wil norwood LAYOUT EDITOR darrius Harrison

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All briefs should include a date, time, contact name & number. submit announcements to: the southern digest - suite 1064 Harris Hall, Attn: PAge 2 CORRECTIONS Fact and accuracy is our goal and our job. As the voice of the southern university student body we are committed to ensuring to most fair, truthful and accurate accounts of our work. in the event of an error we will make all corrections on Page 2. bring corrections to the southern digest office located in suite 1064, Harris Hall.

NEWS

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - Page 3

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sickle from page 1 inherited, every person that is diagnosed with the disease was born with it.” Said Burgess.

Unlike illnesses such as the flu or chicken pox, sickle cell anemia is a disease that is past through the parents.

If each parent has a trait of sickle cell, then the child or children of the parents will have sickle cell.

“It’s something beyond our control.

This is why it is important that people are tested for the trait before children are conceived.” Burgess explained.

It is common for children to be diagnosed with the disease at an early age, but the disease is normally not diagnosed until infants are four moths old or older. When children are diagnosed with the disease, they are able to receive burial insurance, but in many cases, they cannot receive medical insurance. If they do receive medical insurance, once the make 18 years old, they are dropped off the insurance because of the disease.

“At one point and time, people were dying as children with this disease. Today, people with the disease are living to be in their 20s and 30s. They are normal people. They have their own lives, jobs and families. They are normal, just like me and you, it’s just that they have this chronic disease.” Burgess said.

“Many people with have this disease are not comfortable with acknowledging it.” Burgess said. “I know so many people, even some with master degrees and doctoral degrees who are ‘quiet’ about their situation. I can recall when one person actually said that they were raised to be quiet about it because this disease only happened to “poor black folk” and that is far from being true.”

“So many people feel that they have been cursed with the disease, so they decide to keep it among themselves. But it is not a contagious disease and it is nothing to be ashamed of. We need to

keep informing others about so we can find a cure for it.”

The Baton Rouge Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation is working hard to educate people and get people more involved with helping find a cure for thee dreadful disease. The foundation sees over 475 clients, which are from 11 surrounding parishes. The parishes include Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana “We can’t do this alone.” Burgess expressed. She explained how the foundation hosts several events for the patients, especially the children and for the public to learn more about the disease.

“We have annual activities and events for the patients. Many organizations partner with us and assist us with these activities, for example, organizations partner with us and assists with making food baskets for Christmas.”

“But we do need volunteers for our events.” Burgess explained. “Whether it is a monetary donation or if someone volunteers their time, it is greatly appreciated.”

In partnership with Southern, the foundation will host the nationwide Empowerment Day at the J.K. Haynes Nursing School on October 22, 2009 from 1-6 p.m.. A walk will begin at 1 p.m. where teams or individuals can walk in support of sickle cell anemia.

Registration will take place at noon.

Health vendors, health screenings, along with a Sickle Cell Town Hall Meeting will take place after the march. Presenters, local entertainment and a special national recording artist will perform at the meeting. Free testing to see if you have the sickle trait will also be available.

For more information, contact Lorri Burgess at 225-346-8434.

State down 2k jobs in Aug. NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana lost 2,500 nonfarm jobs in August — 32,100 over the last year — with the biggest hit coming in the service-providing sector, the state Workforce Commission reported Friday.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.8 percent, up slightly from July. The national unemployment rate last month was 9.7 percent.

The workforce commission estimated Louisiana’s non-seasonally adjusted, nonfarm employment for August at 1.9 million. Monthly gains in the goods-producing sector — 2,300 jobs — were overshadowed by losses of 4,800 jobs in the service-providing sector, the commission said.

In August, six of the eleven industry sectors had decreases in employment, while four gained jobs and one remained unchanged.

The largest over-the-month decline occurred in leisure and hospitality, which lost 3,000 jobs. That was followed by trade, transportation, and utilities, which posted a monthly loss of 1,400 jobs. Other declines included manufacturing and professional and business services, which lost 1,200 and 700 positions, respectively.

The industry groups with the largest monthly gains were education and health services (+2,200) and construction (+1,300). Mining, logging and government, each added 900 jobs.

Over the year, seven of the eleven industry sectors showed a decrease from the August 2008 figures. After trade, transportation, and utilities, and manufacturing, the largest over-the-year job loss occurred in professional and business services, where employment fell by 6,200, followed by leisure and hospitality which shed 4,900 jobs.

Yearly losses also occurred in financial activities (-2,900), mining and logging (2,700), and information (-900).

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Answers sought in theft By briana brownlee digest contributing writer

John B. Cade library has been under servere watch after the library’s Sharp Notevision Projector was stolen out of Classroom 182 on the second floor of the Library two weeks ago.

The thieves carelessly snatched the once mounted projector from the ceiling, which caused damage to the remaining wires. There is a two-day window on when the crime took place, however, footage from the surveillance cameras have not been much help given that the camera’s in the library are only in located the hallway. Clearly the devastating acts of the perpetrators will not only affect the library, but the students and other faculty of the university as well.

The loss of the stolen projector has already begun affecting students and professors alike. History professor, Dr. Troy Allen, requested to teach in classroom 182 in an effort to step outside the common teaching style of lectures; however, due to the sudden theft students are left without that opportunity.

“There are only a few classrooms with multimedia and it’s a shame that someone will steal a very expensive piece of equipment, when the university does not have the money to replace it…” stated Allen who went on to say, “Some people might see this as small, however

small acts like this leads to bigger destruction such as the vandalism in the stadium.”

The estimated price of the projector is $2,600, and the bulb alone can cost up to $600.

Unknown to the thieves, the life of the expensive bulb is expected expire soon.

“I have to replace the bulbs in the projector every year and I did not get around to replacing the bulb in the projector that was stolen.” stated the Electronic Services’ Librarian, Louis Metevia.

According to Emma Bradford Perry, the Dean of Libraries, the University will try to make every effort to replace the projector if the funds will allow it.

“We just really want the projector back, the thieves do not have to turn themselves in. They can just put it in a box and leave it up front” pleaded Allen.

As of now there are not any leads to who may have stolen the equipment, yet the investigation is still pending.

The case of the stolen projector has caused anger and disgust throughout John B. Cade library and is causing library officials to look to students for help in solving this case and prevent future criminal acts from arising.

“Students are the first guards stopping crimes like this, if anyone knows anything please come forward and tell us.” Metevia added.

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More school: Obama would curtail summer vacation

By LIBBY QUAID AP EDUCATION WRITER

WASHINGTON—Students beware: The summer vacation you just enjoyed could be sharply curtailed if President Barack Obama gets his way.

Obama says American kids spend too little time in school, putting them at a disadvantage with other students around the globe.

“Now, I know longer school days and school years are not wildly popular ideas,” the president said earlier this year.

“Not with Malia and Sasha, not in my family, and probably not in yours. But the challenges of a new century demand more time in the classroom.”

The president, who has a sixth-grader and a third-grader, wants schools to add time to classes, to stay open late and to let kids in on weekends so they have a safe place to go.

“Our school calendar is based upon the agrarian economy and not too many of our kids are working the fields today,” Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.

Fifth-grader Nakany Camara is of two minds. She likes the four-week summer program at her school, Brookhaven Elementary School in Rockville, Md. Nakany enjoys seeing her friends there and thinks summer school helped boost her grades

photo by bizauyehu tesfaye/AP PHOTO

Seventh grade students at Edwards Middle School work on guinea-pig heart during their science class Thursday, June 18, 2009, in the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston.

from two Cs to the honor roll.

But she doesn’t want a longer school day. “I would walk straight out the door,” she said.

Domonique Toombs felt the same way when she learned she would stay for an extra three hours each day in sixth grade at Boston’s Clarence R. Edwards Middle School.

“I was like, ‘Wow, are you serious?’” she said. “That’s three more hours I won’t be able to chill

with my friends after school.”

Her school is part of a 3-yearold state initiative to add 300 hours of school time in nearly two dozen schools. Early results are positive. Even reluctant Domonique, who just started ninth grade, feels differently now.

“I’ve learned a lot,” she said.

Does Obama want every kid to do these things? School until dinnertime? Summer school?

And what about the idea that

kids today are overscheduled and need more time to play?

Obama and Duncan say kids in the United States need more school because kids in other nations have more school.

“Young people in other countries are going to school 25, 30 percent longer than our students here,” Duncan told the AP. “I want to just level the playing field.”

While it is true that kids in

many other countries have more school days, it’s not true they all spend more time in school.

Kids in the U.S. spend more hours in school (1,146 instructional hours per year) than do kids in the Asian countries that persistently outscore the U.S. on math and science tests — Singapore (903), Taiwan (1,050), Japan (1,005) and Hong Kong (1,013). That is despite the fact that Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong have longer school years (190 to 201 days) than does the U.S. (180 days).

Researcher Tom Loveless of the Brookings Institution looked at math scores in countries that added math instruction time. Scores rose significantly, especially in countries that added minutes to the day, rather than days to the year.

“Ten minutes sounds trivial to a school day, but don’t forget, these math periods in the U.S. average 45 minutes,” Loveless said. “Percentage-wise, that’s a pretty healthy increase.”

In the U.S., there are many examples of gains when time is added to the school day.

Charter schools are known for having longer school days or weeks or years. For example, kids in the KIPP network of 82 charter schools across the country go to school from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., more than three hours longer than the typical day.

STATE & NATION

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - Page 5

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3 charged in beating death

state briefs bY tHe AssociAted Press

Jindal heads to Washington for fundraisers

By karen hawkins AssociAted Press writer

CHICAGO—Three teenagers were charged Monday in the beating death of a 16-year-old Chicago honor roll student on his way home from school, a melee captured on a cell phone video that shows a group striking him with boards and kicking him as he lay on a sidewalk.

The death of Derrion Albert, a sophomore at Christian Fenger Academy High School, on Thursday has reignited community outrage over chronic violence involving city students and is putting pressure on school and police officials to address gang problems that often are at the root of such violence. More than 30 students were killed in 2008, according to district figures, and the city could exceed that toll in 2009.

But some community members said the solution lies with parents.

“It is our problem. We have to take control of our children,” said Dawn Allen, who attended a vigil at the school Monday, where a group of residents tried to force their way into the school before being turned back by police.

Albert was attacked around 3 p.m.

Thursday in front of Agape Community Center in the south Chicago neighborhood of Roseland, where he was walking to a bus stop, authorities said.

The violence stemmed from a shooting

photo By wflD foX chicaGo/ap photo

this image from video provided Monday by wFLd Fox chicago shows a person swinging a wooden two-by-four during a violent fight on chicago’s south side thursday, that allegedly left derrion Albert dead. the video, allegedly taken by a person at the scene, shows several people beating and stomping a person believed to be 16-year-old Albert. three teenagers have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with his death.

early Thursday morning involving two groups of students, said Tandra Simonton, a spokeswoman for the Cook County prosecutor’s office. When school ended, members of the two groups began fighting.

The attack, captured in part on a bystander’s cell phone video, shows Albert being struck on the head by one of several young men wielding wooden planks. After he falls to the ground and appears to try to get up, he is struck again and then kicked.

Prosecutors charged Silvonus Shannon, 19, Eugene Riley, 18, and Eric Carson, 16, with first-degree murder, and they were ordered held without bond on Monday, said Andy Conklin, a spokesman for the Cook County prosecutor’s office.

Simonton said Albert was a bystander and not part of either group. She said Albert was knocked unconscious when Carson struck him in the head with a board and the second person punched him in the face. Albert regained consciousness and was trying to get up when he was attacked a second time by five people and was struck in the head with a board by Riley and stomped in the head by Shannon, Simonton said.

Desiyan Bacon, Riley’s aunt, attended Monday’s vigil at the school and said her nephew didn’t have anything to do with the beating and was a friend of the victim.

“They need to stop the crime, but when they do it, they need to get the right person,” Bacon said.

Labor dept.: more 2-year grads needed

By MelinDa Deslatte AssociAted Press writer

Suggestions from a Jindal administration official Monday that Louisiana has a “surplus” of four-year college degrees rankled members of a commission looking at ways to overhaul the state’s public college systems.

Curt Eysink, executive director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the state’s labor department, told the commission that Louisiana needs more students enrolled in — and graduating from — vocational training and community college programs.

Eysink said there are more graduates with four-year college degrees than the state can employ in their fields while the state has a shortage of workers needed for skilled labor jobs. He also presented occupational forecasting data that showed the top growth jobs projected for the state included ticket-takers, home health aides, retail salespersons and nurses.

“We do a great job of producing fouryear graduates. We don’t do a good job producing two-year completers,” Eysink said. “We’re producing a work force that we cannot employ in Louisiana.”

Members of the Postsecondary

Education Review Commission said that means Louisiana needs to do a better job of attracting companies to employ those college-educated workers.

“If I saw the strongest growth area was ushers, lobby attendants and tickettakers, I’d leave Louisiana too,” said Belle Wheelan, a commission member and president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Commission members said while community and technical college enrollment needed to grow, they didn’t think that needed to come at the expense of four-year university degrees.

“It’s like telling a rich man he has too much money. Can you ever have too many four-year degrees?” said Artis Terrell, chairman of the Louisiana Board of Regents.

For example, Terrell said Shaw Group Inc. founder and CEO Jim Bernhard recently told state officials that he chose to locate an engineering office in Charlotte, N.C., a few years ago because of a shortage of engineers in Louisiana.

Wheelan and commission member Lezli Baskerville, president of the National Association For Equal Opportunity, said the job forecast Eysink gave was disturbing because many categories that

are forecast to be the top growth sectors in the state have average salaries below $20,000 a year.

They questioned whether the state had a plan to attract higher salary work to encourage its well-educated graduates to stay, instead of moving to Houston, Dallas or Atlanta.

Eysink defended Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration as working to bring in higher-paying jobs. He said the state needs to boost enrollment in twoyear schools and certificated training programs because he said Louisiana has thousands of vacant jobs that can’t be filled because they require training beyond a high school diploma but less than an undergraduate degree.

The Postsecondary Education Review Commission is charged with recommending efficiencies, cost-cutting moves and ways to restructure the state’s four public college systems amid years of projected budget shortfalls and shrinking state funding for higher education.

Any commission recommendations would have to be enacted by the Board of Regents, which oversees public colleges in Louisiana, and the state Legislature before they could take effect. The panel’s report is due by Feb. 12.

Gov. Bobby Jindal returned Monday to the campaign fundraising trail, with three events scheduled in the Washington, D.C., area.

Jindal’s office said the governor was attending a Monday night fundraiser for Bob McDonnell, the Republican candidate for Virginia governor who is running in a tight race against Democrat R. Creigh Deeds.

On Tuesday, Jindal was scheduled to raise money for his 2011 re-election campaign at two separate events in Washington.

The money-raising trip is the latest in a string of outof-state-fundraisers that have taken Jindal to Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, Arkansas, California, Illinois and Florida this year.

The governor’s campaign warchest topped $3 million by the end of 2008, according to the latest campaign finance report he’s filed with the state ethics board.

Supreme Court denies request for records

NEW ORLEANS—The Louisiana Supreme Court, by a vote of 5-2, denied an appeal by The Associated Press and other news organizations for public access to transcripts of all hearings in the case of a Jena, La., teen accused of beating a schoolmate.

Friday’s ruling leaves intact the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal’s June decision that upheld the public’s right to attend juvenile proceedings when the underlying offense is a crime of violence but denied access to the court record and the transcripts.

The appellate court ruled that because Mychal Bell’s case was in juvenile court, all records are private — even those of hearings that should have been open to the public.

FBI closes bridge to search for evidence

NEW ORLEANS—FBI agents have been scouring the Danziger Bridge as a federal investigation continues into police shootings of several civilians there four years ago.

The FBI closed down the bridge for several hours Saturday while agents looked for evidence. Members of the local FBI office’s Evidence Response Team Unit could be seen working on the eastern end of the span over the Industrial Canal.

FBI spokeswoman Sheila Thorne confirmed that the team was examining the bridge as part of the federal civil rights investigation into the shootings. She declined to say more.

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Groups question police response to G-20 protesters By dan nephin associated press writer

PITTSBURGH —Several people who were arrested during Group of 20 protests and others who witnessed police response to the demonstrators accused authorities Monday of being heavy-handed during last week’s economic summit, but city officials commended law enforcement’s conduct.

In all, 190 people, including at least two reporters, were arrested during the summit Thursday and Friday.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said the police response would be evaluated and urged people who felt wronged to make formal complaints, but he praised law enforcement. He said there were no major injuries and less than $50,000 in property damage was done.

“We were prepared to keep our city safe and we did so,” he said Monday.

About 110 of the arrests happened Friday in the city’s Oakland section, home to the University of Pittsburgh and the scene of nighttime protests Thursday and Friday.

Nathan Lanzendorfer, 23, of Pittsburgh, showed off large bruises on his legs and left arm at a news conference Monday at the Thomas Merton Center, a Pittsburgh anti-war group.

He said he was shot with rubber bullets as he was trying to leave the area Friday night. Lanzendorfer said he didn’t hear any dispersal orders and was just following others when he was shot.

“This was unjust, unfair,” he said.

A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter was arrested Friday and charged with disorderly conduct and failure to disperse.

The reporter, Sadie Gurman, declined to discuss the arrest and referred The Associated Press to her comments in a Post-Gazette story in which she said she was arrested on Pitt’s campus “while truly trying to get out of the fray.”

The other reporter who was arrested works for Twin Cities Indymedia, a Minneapolis-based organization that says it reports from “inside social movements against capitalism, imperialism, and injustice.”

Melissa Hill, 30, of Minneapolis, said she was swept up in a mass arrest and held for about six hours. Her camera was returned broken and without the footage she shot, she said. Police said she was charged with disorderly conduct and failure to disperse.

“I think being a journalist ... it should be obvious that you are there basically just to cover this. You’re not participating in the protests,” she said. “You want to be the eyes for the whole entire world to see what’s going on.”

Hill and several others described the scene as confusing and threatening, partly because the police line was continually shifting. Some said they were bystanders who became trapped by police.

Deputy Chief Paul Donaldson said he didn’t understand those claims. Dispersal orders were given about 15 minutes apart and, as police moved people out of

photo by keith srakocic/AP PHOTO

Members of the environmental group Greenpeace are arrested after they hung a banner from the side of the West End Bridge over the Ohio River in Pittsburgh Wednesday.

Pittsburgh Police said eight of the nine people were arrested and charged with various misdemeanors. A ninth person is being charged with conspiracy. Greenpeace is urging action from President Barack Obama and the other leaders coming to the city for the G-20 summit.

one area, the crowd simply gathered in another area, he said.

He said he issued the dispersal order Friday night in Oakland, because he didn’t want a repeat of Thursday’s protests,

which resulted in some property damage.

As of Monday morning, the city had received five complaints, including from a business-owner who had tear gas get inside the establishment.

SPORTS

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - Page 7

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Southern U.

48 - 42

alcorn st.

Jaguars hold off Braves

photo by april buffiNgtoN/Digest

Southern’s Pierre warford and allan baugh corral alcorn State’s gabriel nash as Steven williams (97) closes in during Saturday’s Swac opener. The Jaguars survived a 28-point fourth quarter from the braves to win 48-42.

By morris dillard DigeST SPorTS wriTer

Southern’s Bryant Lee took a knee on the final play of the game as time expired.

Alcorn State players and coaches stood around with their heads high, on their way back to Lorman, Miss., winless.

Alcorn State coach Earnest Collins was forced to watch it all, awaiting Pete Richardson to emerge across the field to commend his victory.

The Braves had one last opportunity to recover an onside attempt, following a 79-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 1-yard score with 24 seconds remaining, and the Jaguars held on for a 48-42 victory Saturday night in A.W. Mumford Stadium.

Despite being on a two-game winning streak against the Braves, both games

were decided with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

“They’re fundamentally sound on offense and defense. Their not going to take a lot of chances,” said coach Richardson. “Creatively, they gave us fits.”

Richardson’s team ranked top amongst Southwestern Athletic Conference teams in rushing heading into the game, averaging 190 yards per game. However, SU rushed for 73 yards on 30 attempts, averaging 2.4 yards per carry. Gary Hollimon showcased big-play ability with 66 yards of total offense and two scores.

“If we’re not averaging 250 yards, we’re never happy,” center Ramon Chinyoung said after the game. “Upfront as a o-line See SU-ALCORN page 8

SU tennis team wins HBCU title DigeST newS Service

ATLANTA– Southern’s tennis team claimed the 2009 HBCU National Championship on Saturday at the ninth annual tournament.

The Jaguars prevailed in the competition that included 11 teams.

Carlista Mahommed, who won the Flight B women’s singles title, led SU. In a marathon match that lasted nearly four hours, Mahommad overcame Florida A&M’s Alexis Brown 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 to garner the singles honor. Southern’s Janell Mosley also made an appearance in the semifinals round.

In women’s doubles action, Flight A saw SUs Megan Wiltz and Kathryn Curtis advance to the finals but suffering a 9-8 loss in an intense match versus Hampton’s Baek & Sangria. The Flight B women’s doubles semifinals round was loaded with SWAC representatives as SUs Demetria Woods & Alicia Shaw took on a duo from Hampton in the top bracket while Alcorn State’s Katherine Hoepelman & Arielle Buchman faced Carlista Mahommed & Jo’Vanna Gaines in the bottom bracket (the match was called due to weather).

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SU-ASU Mobile game may move SPORT By dan murtauGh Mobile (ala.) PreSS-regiSTer

MOBILE, Ala. — Kickoff for the Gulf Coast Classic is less than two months away, but the game has no contract with LaddPeebles Stadium and an official from one of the schools said he is considering options other than playing in Mobile.

Since 1974, the Classic had been an Alabama State home game in Mobile, as the Hornets left the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery once a year for the larger Ladd-Peebles and a devoted alumni base.

Last year, organizers tried to convert the game into a true classic, featuring the same two teams every year.

To do so, they promised Southern $250,000 and Alabama State $225,000.

Both schools are historically black colleges that play in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Organizers asked the city of Mobile to increase its contribution to the game from $40,000 to $450,000.

The Mobile City Council gave the game $275,000.

Classic organizers were unable to meet the financial obligations they made to the schools, and city officials were disappointed in the low turnout for the game. On Tuesday, the City Council cut the game’s funding to $47,500 for this year.

The schedules for Alabama State and

Southern still list the game being played Nov. 14 at Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

But Alabama State’s interim athletic director, Sterling Steward, said Thursday that might change.

“We know the game is going to happen, but we don’t know where, as of yet,” he said.

“Currently, we are exploring all options.”

Southern University Athletic Director Greg LaFleur could not be reached for comment last week.

In May, he came to a Mobile City Council meeting and said Southern would play the game in Mobile this year because it’s a scheduled away game. But he wouldn’t commit to playing in Mobile beyond that.

Amelia Bacon, a retired executive for U.S. Airways, who is managing this year’s game, said the game does not have a contract with the Ladd-Peebles Stadium board yet.

She said members of the board of the Gulf Coast Scholar & Sports Foundation, which organizes the game, met with stadium board officials about the contract last week.

Despite that, she said, she believes the two teams will play in Mobile this year and beyond.

“There were rumblings that perhaps there was not going to be a Classic,” she said. “I have no reservations about making sure we can change that. There is no reason for there not to be a Classic.”

Organizers were working on a plan to

pay the schools the money they’re owed for last year’s game — $103,900 for Southern and $88,319 for Alabama State — before this year’s contest, she said.

She also said she is renegotiating the Classic’s contracts with the two schools so they will be paid a percentage of the game’s revenues, not a flat fee.

The game has also been a point of contention in city government.

Last year, Mobile Mayor Sam Jones proposed giving the game $450,000 to help its transition to a true classic.

But after a divisive debate that included promises of retaliatory votes and accusations of racial prejudice, council members settled on the $275,000 allocation.

The game, which Southern won, drew only about 10,000 fans to the 42,000-seat stadium on a cold, rainy November night.

This year, Jones proposed giving $47,500 to the Gulf Coast Classic and reserving another $200,000 for the council to give either to the Classic or another sporting event.

Council members voted 4-3 to divvy up that $200,000 between the Senior Bowl and the Saenger Theatre.

Bacon said it was an “extremely disappointing decision.”

“We would have been able to do many more things for the Classic,” she said. “It delayed us, but it did not deter us.”

Obama to make in-person pitch for 2016 Olympics WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will travel to Denmark to support Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics, projecting the highest-ever White House profile in lobbying for the international event.

Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to the president, told The Associated Press Monday morning that Obama will leave Thursday and join his wife, Michelle, in Copenhagen, where they’ll make the pitch to the International Olympic Committee.

Obama would be the first U.S. president to actually appeal in person to the International Olympic Committee for an Olympics event.

The International Olympic Committee is meeting in Copenhagen to select a host city for the 2016 Summer Games. Chicago faces

tough competition from Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo.

The White House later formally announced the trip, saying that Obama and his wife “will both make presentations to the IOC during Friday’s session. They will discuss why Chicago is best to host the 2016 Summer Games, and how the United States is eager to bring the world together to celebrate the ideals of the Olympic movement.” The IOC is scheduled to decide the site on Friday.

While in Denmark, the statement said, Obama and his wife also will meet with Queen Margrethe and the president will meet with Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen of Denmark.

Obama, who represented Illinois in the U.S. Senate after serving in the Illinois

Legislature, is a longtime supporter of Chicago’s bid. Michelle Obama is a native of the city and he considers it his adopted home town. Obama recently sent letters to selected IOC members promising a “spectacular Olympic experience for one and all.”

“President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama symbolize the hope, opportunity and inspiration that makes Chicago great, and we are honored to have two of our city’s most accomplished residents leading our delegation in Copenhagen,” Mayor Richard M. Daley said in a statement. “Who better to share with members of the International Olympic Committee the commitment and enthusiasm Chicago has for the Olympic and Paralympic Movement than the President and First Lady.”

SU-ALCORN from page 7 we want to run the ball, it shows how dominant we can be in the trenches.”

Fifteen years ago, NFL MVP Steve “Air II” McNair led Alcorn State to a 41-37 victory over reigning SWAC champion Southern. In a game televised

by ESPN2, thousands of Braves fans screamed to the top of their lungs, as they watched McNair score the gamewinning touchdown in Jack Spinks Stadium. Last season, SU’s Bryant Lee emerged as one of the premier quarterbacks in SWAC, throwing a 21-yard game-winning touchdown in a come-from-behind 15-12 victory in Lorman.

“It feels good,” Lee said.” “Just going out there and executing and when the defense is not doing good, the offense is doing a good job vise versa.”

Lee completed 19 of 35 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns including an 11-yard touchdown pass to Juamorris Stewart for the game’s first score. Stewart caught 10 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns.

Curry Allen returned from an shoulder injury as a missing link in SU’s spread offense. Allen scored an 11-yard touchdown late in the third quarter.

“The offensive line blocked great for us, the receivers found ways to get open and were able to read the defense real good and just made it easier for me,” said Lee. SU (3-1,1-0) are preparing to travel to Jackson, Miss., to play host to Jackson State to extend their current win streak at four games.

SU, amongst the top defense

in SWAC, had problems slowing down the passing attack of an offense that ranked nearly last in all of SWAC’s statistical areas. Also, the Braves were held scorless through two games this season, but redeemed themselves with 408 passing yards and five touchdowns.

SU were up 14-0 midway through the second quarter but began hurting themselves with mistakes, allowing a winless team that seemed to be no match for the highest scoring offense in SWAC. The Braves answered SU with two scores of their own before halftime, including a 73yard touchdown pass from deep in their own territory.

Warren Matthews, a senior making his fourth career start at tight end, caught two passes for 71 yards and one touchdown.

“The coaches said do not take

them lightly cause their not a push over team,” said Matthews.

“You got to come with it and they came with it.”

SU’s Byron Williams scored a 91-yard kickoff return, the first since 2004, to attempt to put an exclamation mark on The Braves comeback attempt with 12:11 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Braves answered with two scores of their own to bring themselves within six with 4:36 seconds remaining.

SU’s offensive players quickly put on their helmets to avenge the score of Alcorn State.

Moments later, Lee connected with Matthews for a 63-yard touchdown that added more pressure for the Braves offense.

The Braves added seven more points to the scoreboard but ran short of time to stage any comeback.

Shorts

DigeST newS Service

SU falls to McNeese

Southern fell 1-0 to McNeese State at Clark Park in Baker.

SU (0-9) could not get an open look at the goal in order to tie the game. Junior forward Nakesha Rolle led the team in shots with one and one on goal.

Freshman Starr Hines ended the game with her third shot of the season and her first on goal.

The Cowgirls’ Alana Clark scored the lone goal of the game at the 21-minute mark. Megan Rogers recorded the assist by crossing the ball in front of the goal for Clark.

Sophomore goalie D’Nae Capron finished the game with five saves to increase her season total to 64. The Bahamas native is ranked third in the conference in the save category.

The Jaguars will have eight days off before they travel to Grambling to open SWAC play Oct. 3.

Washington named interim Grambling coach

GRAMBLING— Robert Washington Jr. has been named interim men’s basketball coach at Grambling State University.

He replaces Rick Duckett, who was placed on administrative leave after the death of a player in August. His employment formally ends Oct. 31.

Henry White, a former Hill Junior College standout, died at a Shreveport hospital Aug. 21 after falling ill a week earlier at a pre-season practice.

Washington had been an assistant to Duckett.

The Monroe News-Star reported university officials plan to launch a national search for a replacement for Duckett after the upcoming basketball season.

Williamses earn SWAC POTW honors

Alcorn State quarterback Tim Buckley earned top offensive honors He completed 25 of 40 passes for 408 yards and five touchdowns and one interception and rushed 18 times for 52 yards and one touchdown in the Braves’ 48-42 loss at Southern.

Meanwhile, Southern defensive end Steven Williams took home top defensive honors while chasing Buckley.

Williams made five tackles (3 solo, including 1.5 TFL) and 1.5 sacks in Southern’s 48-42 win over Alcorn State. He made a solo sack in the first quarter and combined with a teammate on a fourth-quarter sack as the Jaguars held off Alcorn State.

Jaguars running back Byron Williams was the SWAC’s top special teamer. Williams averaged 37.8 yards on four kickoff returns, including a 91-yard kickoff return for touchdown in the fourth quarter of Southern’s win over Alcorn State.

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hbcu news Page 10 - Tuesday, September 29, 2009

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Hazing allegations bench Sonic Boom of the South

Over 40 suspended in JSU case; 22 Boom members hazed By tiffany edmondson black college wire

More than 40 members of Jackson State University’s 280-member marching band, “The Sonic Boom of the South,” have been suspended and may face criminal charges amid allegations of hazing.

In addition to the hazing charge and failure to comply with university rules and regulations, the students also may be charged with assault and battery and moral turpitude.

Hazing allegations came to light Friday just before the football season’s first home opener against Grambling State University. According to JSU Associate Vice President for Student Life Marcus Chanay, the hazing accusations stem from a student suffering a fractured shoulder during an off-campus event.

“On Friday, September 18, 2009, the Division of Student

Life. According to the JSU Student Handbook University Policies and Procedures Relating to Student Conduct: “Participation in hazing subjects the individual or organization to University disciplinary action and may be punishable by law.”

The handbook also states that judicial penalties for hazing are: suspension; indefinite suspension; expulsion. Similar accusations were made on Oct. 9, 2007, when the band was under the leadership of former band director Lewis Liddell and the performances were suspended pending an investigation.

Approximately 50 band members assembled to protest the university’s decision to halt their upcoming performances photo courtesy of black college wire and suspension was lifted Jackson State officials suspended over 40 members of the Sonic Boom of the South on the heels of recent a few days later. They were hazing allegations. According to the Jackson Police Department, a mother of one of the victims reported however placed on a one-year that her son suffered a broken collarbone during a hazing accident at an off-campus apartment. probation and advised that any Life was contacted by a parent Safety launched an investigation We will continue educating the further violations would cause immediate suspension of the who reported that her son which determined that charges entire band on hazing.”

Some band members were Sonic Boom of the South. All was hazed off-campus by would be filed. The Jackson upperclassmen band members Police Department is also not allowed to perform during band members had to participate education sessions on hazing. out of the percussion section. She investigating the off-campus Saturday’s halftime show. Any in ——— indicated to us that her son had incident. Chanay added: “There allegations of hazing would be Tiffany Edmondson writes for The been hospitalized for a fractured were approximately 22 students investigated and handled by Blue & White Flash, the Jackson State hazed. There are no charges Judicial Services, which falls University student newspaper, which shoulder,” Chanay said.

The JSU Department of Public pending against the entire band. under the Division of Student originally published this article.

Prairie View officials dealing with flu outbreak By ryan rudd black college wire

Prairie View A&M University continues its efforts to neutralize the spread of the seasonal flu that has become an ongoing problem among the students.

The Owens-Franklin Health Center has had a high number of students in and out of the facility being treated early for the influenza outbreak.

Since the outbreak began on Aug. 23, the clinic has been waiting for the vaccine designated for isolated students affected by the outbreak. Out of a total of 51 students placed in isolation, 23 returned home to recover from the sickness.

According to a recent report, 12 reported cases have been from students who live off campus.

“Of the 51 students placed in isolation, 32 of them have been documented to return to class,” said Thelma J. Pierre, administrator of the Owens-Franklin Health Center.

Things seem to be looking up in University College as well. Shandon P. Neal, director of student and residential life, is very pleased with the progress of this situation.

“It has really calmed down. We’ve had only a couple of new cases since the second week of class began, “ Neal said, “We had 44 students isolated, and the majority of them in our facility have gotten past their sickness and returned to their normal class cycle.”

Surprisingly, there have been six new reported cases of influenza. Pierre said there were two cases of H1-N1 confirmed in the week of August 31, but luckily those have been resolved. According to Pierre, the flu season is typically from October to March, but H1N1 spreads so rapidly it really has no ending point.

Once available, the health center is scheduled to receive the H1N1 flu virus vaccine from the Centers for Disease Control. “All essential medical personnel in the nursing program on PV’s Houston campus, are designated to take H1N1 vaccine,” said Dr. Betty Adams, dean of nursing, and she is currently in communication with university officials to carry out processes needed when the vaccine is available.

Accoding to Adams, the vaccine should eliminate the H1N1 flu virus upon entering the affected body.

“Avoid crowded areas as much as possible, and avoid traveling for 24 hours after sickness is gone,” Adams advised.

He also said, “It is not sanitary to sneeze on your shoulder, or your upper arm area. If you keep sneezing into your arm, you are simply spreading germs into your garments. Those germs then make their way back into the air, and eventually spread.”

——— Ryan Rudd writes for The Panther, the Prairie View A&M University student newspaper, which originally published this article.

VIEWPOINTS

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Hip-Hop fan amid strong Christian values SPEAK OUT While growing up, I have always hidden something from my parents; something that I fell in love with ever since my older brother introduced me to it when I was in grade school. Unlike some teens, which may hide dirty magazines, alcohol, or cigarettes, my vice was hiphop music.

“Why hide music from your parents?” some may ask. Well, my family is deeply rooted in Christianity.

My father is a pastor of a church in Tallahassee named Jesus Apostolic, not to mention the slew of uncles and aunts who are pastors, deacons, or evangelists. So, while some other parents might not find problems with listening to secular music, I was told not to, or else. As a result, hip-hop music became my alcohol.

MATTHEW RICHARDSON BLACK COLLEGE WIRE

I remember the first hip-hop song I heard that I couldn’t get enough of: Fabolous’s “Young’n (Holla Back)”. The single from his first album was back in 2001, so you know how sheltered I was.

I would jam out in my brother’s red Honda CR-X because that was the only place I could get my buzz without being caught. After that, I wanted more. I loved the beats, the rhymes, and the style. Everything about hip-

hop I loved. But come Sunday morning, it was back to the choir and back to traditional praise and worship songs— nothing wrong with that—but I guess you could call my thoughts being more focused on hip-hop while in church, a “hangover.”

The first album I bought was 50 Cent’s The Massacre in 2005. After that, I bought Nas’ “Illmatic”. To this day I have 255 albums in my collection, with only 46 being Christian CDs. Do my parents know? Of course not. They have threatened to both my older siblings and I that if a secular album were found it would be thrown away.

The bible doesn’t say anything about what type of music we should listen to; however, my parents read to me a few scriptures that may pertain to secular music.

I Corinthians 10:31 reads: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” I’m pretty sure plenty of hip-hop music isn’t encouraging me to glorify God. So what excuse could I give them after that? None. So when it came to me watching BET’s Rap City Program while I was home alone and I heard my parents walking through the door, I would turn away from it like it was Cinemax…After Dark. And when it came to me having my enormous album book, I would hide it under my bed.

What can I say, I do it for hip-hop.

——— Matthew Richardson is staff editor of The Famuan, the Florida A&M University student newspaper, which originally published this article.

Did you see “The Cleveland Show?”

What did you think?

BY wil norwood

Digest photo editor

jaleesa rowland marion, la. freshman political science

“The Cleveland show was funny, but it wasn’t Family Guy.” rowland

teyhlor robinson baker graduate student criminal justice

“It is, to me, another dumb cartoon show. robinson This show is not assisting young children with any aspect of their education. It only shows them how to act ignorant and degrade themselves.”

ashley robinson new orleans sophomore nursing

robinson

“It was crazy. It was just like Family Guy, but with black people.”

christopher russell vivian senior fine arts

russell

“No, but I plan to tonight. I find it hilarious that Cleveland is played by a white man.”

SUBMISSIONS POLICY

The Southern DIGEST welcomes letters from readers commenting on current issues and other matters of general interest to the SU family and public. We set aside this space to publish these letters for others to enjoy. This newspaper is not responsible for individual opinions expressed on its editorial and opinion pages. The Southern DIGEST reserves the right to edit any contributions and or reject them without notification. Authors are encouraged to limit the length of submissions to 300 words. Letters should not include libelous statements. Offensive and personal attacks will not be permitted. The DIGEST will not print “open letters” addressed to someone else. All contributions must be type written, signed and must include the author’s address and phone number. Unsigned letters will not be printed.

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Editorial policy

Staff editorials represent the opinions of the author and the majority opinion of the Southern DIGEST Student Editorial Board, which is comprised of the student staff of editors and columnists. The Southern DIGEST provides an open forum to educate, inform and enlighten the students, faculty and staff at Southern University, Baton Rouge, La.

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