VOLUME 80 - ISSUE 1

Put on Your Dance Shoes; New Dance Minor Pending Approval from Board of Regents

With Southern University being generally regarded as one of the hubs of the South for graduates within the STEM and nursing fields, new additions to Southern University’s Board of Supervisors have begun to develop the groundwork for similar efforts to be undertaken in the sector of dance.

The addition of this new minor into the Fine Arts curriculum could be accepting students as early as the Fall 2023 semester. According to Dean Cynthia Bryant, additional steps are needed. “While the Southern University Board of Supervisors graciously approved our proposal, the certificate program cannot be offered until we receive full approval from the Louisiana Board of Regents,” said Dean Bryant.

Dr. Doris Hall, Chair of the College of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies Curriculum Committee at Southern and a Baton Rouge

native with history within the HBCU community, is the creator of the Dance Studies course.

This new addition to

month’s January 6th meeting. The new members of the board include Zazell V. Dudley of Shreveport for District 4, Maple L. Gaines of New Orleans for District 2, Paul P. Matthews of Metairie for District 1, Christy O. Reeves of Baton Rouge, and Ann Smith of Kentwood for District 5.

While the Board of Supervisors is responsible for overseeing the operations of the campus, the Board of Regents holds the authority of ultimate approval for funding and implementation of policies that the Board of Supervisors brings before them.

the Southern University educational curriculum comes on the back of the induction of five new members of the Board of Supervisors as of last

“My hope is that I can add value to Southern University where I can, to learn, listen, grow, and help in any way that I can,” the newly swornin Matthews assured. While there are Southern alumni present on this incarnation of

See NEW MINOR page 4

Party in the House: Safety Rules When Going Out

Imagine walking at night from a party or event, on an open road, the breeze is fluttering, and the lights are dim in the street. You walk briskly knowing that you are by yourself, but you start to hear heavy footsteps pacing toward you. Your mind starts to race with thoughts of terror and nervousness.

To avoid any issues or to protect yourself, you should always travel to the party with a friend. Some friends have rules when walking into a party with them.

Kierra Gooch, a sophomore nursing major expresses some of the rules her friend group have while planning to go out. Her first one is to stay together at all times. At parties, many women tend to have too much fun and separate easily from their friends. It’s up to all girls to stick with their friends at least until it is decided the night is over.

Gooch’s second rule is to not leave your drink unattended; you watch it or get another one. Date rape is common in areas like clubs or parties. In the U.S., 43.6% of women, nearly 52.2 million, experienced some form of contact with sexual violence in their lifetime, according to the 2015 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey.

Her lady rule is to make sure

there is recognition to all the exits just in case something happens. In the party scene, things happen fast and the last thing needed is not being able to find an immediate exit just in case of an emergency.

Most men usually are very chill at these events. Is there a guy code for these events?

Kaleb Brown, a freshman, vocalized his views on going to parties with friends. He says that his friends mostly

must decide who is going to be the “designated driver” for the group. The designated driver is mostly the caretaker of the group and is supposed to monitor all friends as they indulge in party activities. He also made a similar statement to Gooch’s about keeping the group together.

A first-year student, Dynel Turner, majoring in social work has rules for her friend group and herself. She tells herself to not get intoxicated too much because she wants to be aware of her surroundings, and keep an eye on the people she came with. She also believes she should carry weapons like pepper spray to a party. Weapons are not allowed for safety reasons, but Dynel feels she may need something like that just in case of an altercation. She also decides to book a Lyft for the night for her friends because drunk driving isn’t condoned.

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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 editorials, commentaries, ans speakouts. 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. Southern University students should include their majors, hometowns and year in school. When referring to specific DIGEST articles, please include the date and title. All materials should be directed to the editor in chief of The Southern DIGEST, P.O. Box 10180, Baton Rouge, La. 70813. Materials may be delivered by hand to the DIGEST office located in Suite 1064 Harris Hall or can be e-mailed to digest@subr.edu.

PUBLICATION ASSOCIATIONS

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The Office of Student Media is a department in the Division of Student Affairs.

House of Cards: SU Housing Updates

While the student body is often outspoken in its issues with campus housing, a sit down with the Director of Housing Tracey Abrahams was able to shed light on why many students are having the issues that they are.

“My desired professional purpose was doing my part to help the next generation of future Jags,” said Tracey Abrahams.

Res-Life’s main goal is to accommodate the freshman students who live on campus and give the upperclassmen an opportunity to transition to living off-campus until they can get more housing on campus.

The structure for students living on campus has been constant in recent years, with the overall number of beds remaining the same in large part. Similarly, there are facilities/units for every classification, though four facilities are usually reserved for freshmen, while upperclassmen have the University Apartments and Boley Hall as their primary housing centers.

Every year Res-Life partners up with campus apartments, with the Cadence being the most active partner with student housing. At the very beginning of this spring semester, there were some complications for students to move back into their rooms due to their tuition fees not being paid in full or at least enrolled in a payment plan.

For students who weren’t able to get a room, there wasn’t any temporary housing available. “Temporary housing was never provided to students outside of the Cadence, the only alternative

where students can use their financial aid to cover their housing,” according to Abrahams.

Ms. Abraham gave an estimate of twenty-two hundred students who are able to live with residential life based on the number of beds (2,020), currently at their disposal.

Gavin, a junior computer science major, voiced his opinion about upperclassmen staying off campus. “It’s the matter of not everyone having the money to stay off campus nor do all of us have cars so how would we get to class on time?.”

However, another student feels differently. “I don’t find it reasonable in that aspect… because of low housing. If they can’t afford it then they just can’t afford it. But I do find it reasonable in the fact that they are upperclassmen and I feel like they would need their own space,” said Ahmaya Ellis, a junior therapeutic rehabilitation major.

Gavin also agreed to housing for students on campus. “ We

need more housing buildings. The ones we have now need to be updated and taken care of better than they are…Not having hot water, sometimes the water has an odor, and insects being in the rooms as soon as we move in.”

Abraham mentioned a plan for new facilities with the world-shaking back from pandemics and enrollment continually increasing; However, they have not yet come to vision, and revisions are being made.

Abraham was asked if she thinks students will have this problem again in the next upcoming school year. She strongly feels freshmen can have a grace period to pay their fees before move-in day, however, upperclassmen should be responsible enough to have their fees paid. In addition, she feels that upperclassmen are adults and should know how the process goes with making sure fees are paid prior to move-in day and getting the financial assistance needed ahead of time.

Unfortunately, the housing department is always seen as not doing its part or not being fair to students. They communicate with students in advance of the school year via email, with all students who have put in an application to live on campus with a given notice to what their status is with their room assignments and fees.

If a student is unable to pay their fees, it is the student’s responsibility to communicate that with an employee from Res-Life or Abraham. Res-Life also encourages students to be on the lookout for updates for the next upcoming school year to defeat any confusion that transpired this spring.

To encourage students to be productive in their housing assignments, the department has put out early housing applications for the 2023-24 school year, which is open from February 1st through May 15th. It is on a “first come, first served” basis as there are limited spaces, with the majority of the space reserved for first-time freshmen.

NEW MINOR from page 1

the board, there are members such as Matthews that have business and social roots within the state of Louisiana that, according to their remarks after being sworn in, will be used to promote Southern in their new roles.

Maple Gaines, a Southern University alumni of 1969, spoke briefly about her bonds and history within the university and how she views the opportunity to serve on the board of her alma mater. “I came early yesterday and just drove around campus, and thought about the influence that Southern had in my life and that of my children that makes me so excited about serving,” Gaines remarked. With this latest version of the university leadership being comprised of voices from not just the Louisiana area, but from within Southern University itself, it was the consensus of all new members of the Board that they were ready to begin work on making the university better, while also listening to the voice of the students and staff to create new educational opportunities for attendees of Baton Rouge’s sole HBCU.

SAFETY from page 1

Before her friends leave their homes, they all agree on a specific time to leave the establishment.

Another important rule is to watch what you post on social media. Social media controls most of the things done in the world It can make or break you your reputation and image. It may seem funny to record your friend’s drunk moments, but not when others are watching.

We must all not only protect ourselves but others that we travel and have fun with. The party scene can be fun and exciting, but can also be dangerous. If it becomes unsafe, men or women must get to the nearest safe place.

Kailen bourne THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

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SWAC Champions, Lady Jaguars Send Seniors off With Title

Kevin albarez, aSSiStant Sport information Director SU STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

D’IBERVILLE, MS – The Southwestern Athletic Conference celebrated the seniors for every team before the beginning of competition on the final day of the SWAC Round-Up Two at Cypress Lanes in D’Iberville, Mississippi. Southern (45-34, 20-8) had more to celebrate as the tournament concluded the regular season schedule. The Lady Jaguars sent off seniors Alanna Coward, Kymberly Jackson, Lindsey Ugas and Raja Anderson as SWAC Champions.

“I am so proud of this group of young ladies,” head coach Barry Doyle said about his team’s performance. “Just three years ago, the seniors started this journey with me, and I told them back then we could win it. Not sure if they believed it then but with some awesome recruits and hard work, they can now call themselves SWAC champs.”

The Lady Jaguars held off a furious comeback from Texas Southern to start off the day, taking the game 914-899. Jailyn Rogers continued to lead Southern on the lanes, finishing the game with a 225. Coward would finish strong to end with a 190. After starting slow, Nyla Wilson would come back to finish with a 180.

Southern would have problems

trying to carry in the second match against Grambling. The Lady Jaguars would end up with eight split through the first seven frames and would be down 50-pins at half way through the game. Down 30 going into the 10th, every Lady Jaguar marked to pull out the game 809-753. Coward, Quinney and Wilson would pace the Southern with games in the 170. Coward would finish with a 179, Quinney followed

with a 177 and Wilson led off with a 174.

The Lady Jaguars would lock up the title in a big way against the four time defending SWAC regular season champions Prairie View A&M, 985-9. Rogers bounced back to score a 228 and Coward continued to move up in the individual standings with a 213. Ugas would finish out with a strong 191. Wilson’s 180 and Quinney’s 173

Ed Reed vs. Bethune Cookman Saga

On December 27th, Bethune Cookman University announced Ed Reed as their head football coach. However, after a social media outburst, the Hall of Fame inductee, announced on January 21st that he will no longer be the head coach at BethuneCookman. Reed tweeted a statement that said, “After weeks of negotiations I’ve been informed that the University won’t be ratifying my contract and won’t make good on the agreement we had in principle, which had provisions and resources best needed to support the student-athletes.” Reed also added, “I was committed to coaching and cultivating a relationship with the university, players, community, and the fans. It’s extremely disappointing this won’t be happening.” Reed held a meeting with the players and parents that lasted about 15 minutes. He shared his frustration with the university and the modifications they are not willing to make so that Reed could continue coaching for the school.

The denial of ratification of Reed’s contract came after he posted a derogatory statement towards Bethune-Cookman after he arrived and his office was not cleaned properly. Reed would later go on to apologize for the profanity he used in the post, but Bethune-Cookman would go on to release its own statement regarding

the matter and decided to not proceed with contract negotiations.

“While we appreciate the initial interest in our football program displayed by Mr. Reed during the course of recent weeks, we are also mindful of the qualities and attributes that must be exhibited by our institutional personnel during what has been uniquely challenging times for our campus as we recover from the impact of two hurricanes during this past fall semester,” in a statement issued by the school.

This came as a shocker to most people in the African-American community after the success that

Deion Sanders had with Jackson State this past fall. Many were hoping that Ed Reed would continue the uprising of HBCUs, but this time it did not work out in his favor. However, there is a mixed bag of opinions on this situation not all details have been released. One act doesn’t define a person, so I can’t say Ed Reed is a bad person. Sanders showed sympathy and love to Ed who was his teammate in Baltimore at one point in their respective careers. “I know you do not want to leave those kids,” Sanders said towards Reed. “Sometimes in life, you got to walk away.”

would round out the score, giving the Lady Jaguars their best game on the weekend.

With the championship in hand, coach Doyle let the seniors finish off the tournament against Florida A&M. The Rattlers would come out on top 946-849. Quinney would lead the Lady Jaguars with a 213. She would be followed by Wilson with a 177, Ugas at 174 and Coward with a 171.

“The Ladies performed well as a team all weekend,” Doyle said. We took the lead on the first day and never looked back. I can not say enough about the team effort, perseverance and the will to win. We completed a couple goals with the regular season title and a first round by in the tournament. SWAC tournament championship is next.”

Individually, Rogers finished second overall with a 5,399 for 27 games, giving her a 199.96 average. Coward finished inside the top 10 with a 5,044 for 26 games, a 194 average. Quinney would finish just outside the top 10 with a 5,230 for 28 games, giving her a 186.79 average for the SWAC competition.

UP NEXT Southern will travel to Dallas on February 10 for the Lady Techsters Invitational and USA Bowl.

Show Up and Play Baseball

zayleaH pirtle THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

After a runner-up finish in the SWAC Tournament/Championship, The Jaguars baseball team looks to get back there, but win. We found Head Coach Chris Crenshaw and caught up with him to discuss the preparations his team is going through to prepare for the imminent 2023 season.

“Show up and play baseball!” Head Coach Chris Crenshaw stated after discussing what challenges his team would face and how he would prepare for them. He emphasized that having everyone healthy is important, and with that, there will not be “too many challenges.” As the interview continued, Crenshaw was humble but confident about what he expected from his team. The Jags have had the consistent success of being winners, champions, and having deep runs in the tournament.

After being runner-ups against Alabama State University in the previous season, Coach Crenshaw plans to win the west division to get back to the SWAC Tournament. From that point, “The tournament [will] take care of itself.” The coaches and players have talked countless times about winning championships, so they know what needs to happen to win it all. Again, Crenshaw expresses his hope for everyone to be healthy

Courtesy: gojagsports.com

Hall of Famer Ed Reed ( DIGEST Graphic)

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The Enhancement of HBCU Sports

KynneDi JacKSon THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

When thinking about HBCU sports, we often think about stats, players, and coaches. However, when asked the question “What changes can be made to make HBCU Sports better?”, we are challenged to look at all aspects, not just what our eyes are trained to see, including the technical aspects of HBCU sports.

Entering college is a big shock for several people. As an athlete, things can be even more stressful. Transitioning from the real world can take a major toll on one’s mental health which could in turn lead to other underlying issues. The main downfall within collegiate sports is the mindset of several players. If there were classes that contributed to the building of character for these young women and men, then possibly things could move smoother within collegiate sports.

Though the transition can be hard for athletes, along with the class there are several ways to improve a student athlete’s mental

health. Such as guaranteed four-year scholarships for all athletes, less strict schedules, and also mentors outside of their general areas.

There have been several occasions where coaches have “fired” players or pulled strings to get players out of their scholarships to make room for incoming athletes. The stress placed on an athlete after a “surprise” like this could weigh heavily on a student-athlete.

Remembering that their first obligation is to the school and their studies.

With that being said as a student-athlete with the school as their priority, classes can become quite demanding. Especially for those who are transitioning into this new world. We all know that collegiate sports can be very time-consuming, but what if players knew they had a certain time slot blocked off every day for school work

or just mental health times? Not only is this giving players a chance to catch up, but it is also giving them a lesson on time management through everyday life before entering into the real world. We can’t speak about the real world without speaking about financial difficulties and also financial prosperity. Which is where mentors come into play. Of course, studentathlete mentors and coaches are provided, however, these

Who you got? Super bowl prediction

As the season winds down, the biggest day in sports has arrived, the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, my team did not do well this year, finishing with a 7-10 record. The New Orleans Saints could not get things going for our city. Of course, that does not stop me from watching football. Next up, I was rooting for Joe “Shiesty” Burrow and the Bengals. They had a spectacular season but fell short to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are taking on the Philadelphia Eagles for Super Bowl LVII. Overall, this is going to be a great game.

For the first time in NFL History, we have two African American quarterbacks facing off in a super bowl.

Will the Chiefs beat the Eagles? Not at all. The Eagles played phenomenal football throughout the entire season.

From the first game, Hurts has been holding down the team with some star athletes, such as Devonte Smith and AJ Brown. The Eagles have a great offense inside and out. They also have an outstanding defense. Their defense had 3 sacks and 18 pressures with seven quarterback hit against the San Francisco 49ers in the AFC Championship. Hurts

missed two games late in the season due to a shoulder injury. When he returned from injury, he came out blazing. He continued to dominate and take care of business. With their record and stats, they are going to smash the Chiefs in the super bowl.

Don’t get me wrong. Mahomes is like a, “cheat code.” I do not know how he does it, but he makes some magnificent plays. Mahomes and Kelce carried the Chiefs to victory in the NFC Championship game. The week before the game, Mahomes was dealing with an ankle injury, but the way he played against the Bengals

looked almost as if he was his normal, high-performing self. Mahomes was not the only person who was injured. Multiple players from the Chiefs were injured. JuJu Smith is working with a knee injury, and Kadarius Toney has an ankle injury. There is also the halftime show. We all know the one and only Rihanna is going to perform. Rihanna is a beautiful queen with some great music. Super Bowl halftime shows are no ordinary performances. However, I am excited to see what she brings to the table. I already know she will throw some crazy outfits on to go with her performance. It will

mentors are strategically placed on position and sports. It is always good to have a mentor outside of your field to gain a stern outlook on what is to come. Many colleges are now moving into NIL deals for players. Providing lump sums of money to these athletes. Many of them, especially those attending an HBCU background, have never touched money like that. Having someone to help guide you with decisions and investments would be wise. You never know life’s next move, but you must be prepared for what it throws at you.

So when asked “What changes can be made to make HBCU sports better?”, I answer by looking beyond sports. Looking at the individuals playing the sports. They are more than just athletes. We have to show them that we care, show them that we understand and that we are here for them. There is a very great chance for better performance if these few changes were put into place and executed correctly.

BASEBALL from page 4

throughout the season. The players have been known to step up to the plate and give their opponents a run for their money. The Jags play up to the competition and not down and it shows in their work ethic and swagger.

be the first time Rihanna pops out after having her baby, so I wonder if she will include her baby sometime in her performance.

With the Chiefs’ injuries and an Eagles team that looks in top form despite the rumors of Jalen Hurts’ shoulder injury, I am confident the Eagles will win because the Chiefs’ defense will not be able to handle the Eagles’ explosive offense. In addition, the Eagles’ defense is aggressive and tenacious, so Mahomes will have his work cut out for him. I am upset the NFL season is coming to an end. On the other hand, I am excited to watch the finale of NFL football.

The results speak for themself. The Jags will have a long season ahead of them, but they are confident they will be there in the end. The Jags will have returning outfielder Jaylen Armstrong, a junior, from Southaven, Mississippi. As well as, junior infielder O’Neil Burgos from Juncos, Puerto Rico. Armstrong finished last season with a batting average of .360 and a .974 fielding percentage. Burgos concluded with a batting average of .322 and a .963 fielding percentage. The team as a whole had a batting avg of .276 and a fielding percentage of .952.

With the majority of the team returning to play another season, chemistry should be present. Coming off of a great season with a record of 21-9 in conference play, the players will know what to expect and how to prepare to continue their success.

Stay tuned to the weekly updates and live coverage at the during home games.

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Construction work being done just outside of Stewart Hall to begin the spring 2023 semester (Christopher Toler, Jr./DIGEST)

The 92nd Miss Southern University, Briana Hall annoucing the half-time student game during the Womens basketball game against Jackson St. (Terren Thomas/DIGEST)

Junior Guard, Diamond Hunter gives her teammate Senior Guard, Genovea Johnson a Hi-Five after making another shot during the Jaguars game against Jackson State. (Terren Thomas/DIGEST)

The Alpha Eta chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. strolling at Late Night Pretty Wednesday. (Zhoee Hugger/DIGEST)

A group of friends enjoying themselves at Late Night Pretty Wednesday. (Zhoee Hugger/DIGEST)

Graduate student Guard, Brion Whitley moving the ball to the hoop during the Jaguars game against Jackson State. (Terren Thomas/DIGEST)

Student gather around to pay tribute to our fallen Jaguar Reggie Elloie with a balloon release in front the student union on Wednesday, Feburary 1. (Christopher Toler Jr)

Students jigg at Late Night Pretty Wednesday in the Southern University Event Center. (Clemetine Rice/ Digest)

BREC Greenways is committed to working with local partners and organizations to create and connect EBR with 450+ miles of trails!

BREC Greenways Bike it with

Members of the Beta Alpha of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. at the student Union Bowling Alley during Zeta Week. Tuesday, Janurary 31. (Christopher Toler Jr./DIGEST)

The brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. stroll through the crowd during the Late Night Pretty Wednesday in the Event Center. (Clemetine Rice/DIGEST)

Business Development Manager/SU Alum Dominiq Richard of Coca-Cola shares a new flavor with Freshman, Kyler Pierre inside the Student Union on Wednesday, February 1. (Brianna Fields/DIGEST)

Publications & Graphics Manager, Devin Hadrick trains Sophomore, Mass Communications major Sydney Cuillier on the basics of editing in the Student Media Office on Tuesday, January 31. (Nodea Sewell/DIGEST)

The nail industry, similar to most industries, over the past two years has changed due to COVID-19. COVID-19 allowed many people to have additional time to develop new hobbies including in the nail industry. In fact, numerous at-home nail technicians plan to take their skills to a professional level due to the aftermath of the pandemic leaving hundreds of nail technicians with newfound clients, who continue to return to them long after nail salons were back in business.

Before the pandemic, it was common to go to a local nail salon and get your manicure and pedicure done. This was true for Mya Bailey, a sophomore biology student from Rialto, California. However, the shift

Inside the life of a CEO

caused by the pandemic allowed her to build her own business.

Bailey is the CEO of “Mya Nailed It.” She has built her talent throughout her time at Southern University.

When asked about the origin of her business name, she explained that she was inspired by a salon she saw in the past and put her unique twist on the name. Bailey’s nail journey began in September 2021, and she continues to improve daily. Mya explained that initially she wanted to learn how to do her own nails, but figured it would be easier to practice on other people.

The residents of her freshman dorm S.V. Totty Hall became regular customers. From the clientele she built in Totty, she was able to expand to a campus-wide business. You may have seen her colorful and unique designs on your social media feed. The number of clients she had per week continued to rise over the course of a year due to the power of self-advertisement. The idea of creating her own schedule

as a college student was very important because she has managed her business and education at a balanced rate.

Doing nails on campus has allowed her to improve her social skills and meet more members of the Bluff. Currently, she is located in the Cadence apartments over the hump.

Bailey’s services include full-set acrylic nails, full-set acrylic toenails, gel manicures, and she also creates custom press-on nails.

Mya’s aspiration in a few years is to graduate undergrad and move on to medical school. During medical school, she plans to continue to pursue her career as a nail tech as a side job.

Mya mentioned some advice to anyone who would like to embark on

their nail journey by saying, “Just do it’’! The number of supplies needed to get started can be costly, so she advised that you are prepared to make purchases to improve your business. Mya highlighted that there will be a large amount of patience needed and the understanding that building a nail career is an investment in itself. Rushing can cause the quality of your work to become depleted, so she suggested taking your time with the process. Customer service was a skill she had to learn in terms of communicating with clients as she works on their nails. Some clients are not as social as others, so she has learned how to discern how to merge with different personalities.

What separates Maya’s business from others is her reasonable prices, professionalism, and the peoplefriendly environment she brings to her clients. Be sure to follow her on IG @myanaileditt_.

DIGEST Alum Feature: Life Lessons from Southern University

Responsibility, accountability, and time management are among the skill sets that Felix C. Cunningham, III learned as an undergraduate mass communication major on the campus of Southern University. Felix is a selfpublished author. The reason he chose SU was that SU was the closest college and wanted to be around more people like him, black and proud.

Cunningham said, “Actually [in high school] I had not a single clue what I wanted to major in. I was such a carefree high school student. Still, I knew I wanted to do something that involved writing because every other field wasn’t a part of my

dream at all.” His favorite class was General News

Writing with Dr. Ahmose [since retired] “because he was very structured and straight to the point. We had to write every time we stepped into that class and that’s what

our assignments consisted of as well. It blended well with what I had to learn now because writing every day is necessary to grow.”

The skills he learned during his time at SU helped him prioritize his personal and professional life. His proudest moments were his tenure working in the Office

of Student Media and being able to travel as a part of the Southern Digest, especially as Sports Editor. He wrote about giants among men, the proud women that conquered their fields consistently, and how Southern overcame many obstacles and kept their pride throughout. “However, my core skills came from the Mass

Communication department and especially being a part of the Southern Digest and Yearbook staff.”

SU helped shape his life after college. Southern helped Cunningham in selfcare and finding out what he really wanted to propel him into the life he has now.

“High school made me a freespirited thinker, SUBR made me an adult,” Felix continued.

“It took a while as does all good things and I bumped my head sometimes, but as a toddler, you have to get back up and try again.” During his undergraduate career, he participated in The Southern Digest, Ego magazine, and Yearbook. He is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, INC.

brittany J. patterSon THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

“ . . . My core skills came from the Mass Communication department and especially being a part of the Southern Digest and Yearbook staff.”

- Felix Cunningham, III

Cunningham

You People: A hit or uncomfortable, comedic failure

From the plot to wellknown cast members, You People is a new movie that has caught the eyes of many movie lovers and critics for several different reasons. You People, a biracial love story, is not just about a white man and a black woman falling in love; the message is much deeper than that. The movie gives modernday examples of how the world reacts to biracial couples and shows how white and black Americans are living in two completely different worlds. The relationship between the two main characters is genuine, but it is hard for their parents to get along.

Ezra is Jewish, and Amira is Muslim. Between their racial and religous differences, it is almost as if two different worlds collided and crashed due to their parents having two different beliefs. Cultural differences cause the parents’ relationships to clash which causes the couples’ relationship to negatively alter as well. The conversations between each parent could come off as a teaching

mechanism if the audience really pays attention. It is so easy to think just because you’re part of the argument makes sense that you forget to consider their point of view. Later in the movie, the parents learn that their differences were the cause of the breakup, so they decided to apologize and make things right. The movie also shows how misunderstood we the black community is. Ezra’s mother

immediately sees Amira as “the black girlfriend” instead of a decent human being who makes her son happy. We, as black women, are never taken seriously. Every time we voice how we feel it comes off as angry or problematic to the ignorant population. A pivotal moment is the scene between Ezra’s mother and Amira at the wedding recital. It really captures the emotion of every black woman in America that

have to deal with adversity. The movie is good for laughs but it’s deeper than comedy. It really explains the adversity black people face against white people.

For years we have been fighting to be treated fairly, but to white people, we will never be enough to be treated as decent humans. In the eyes of white people, they know we must work twice as hard to excel. To white people, we

are often seen as something to appropriate when it’s beneficial for them. We, as the minority, hold a lot of weight for this country just to be copied and then put to death.

Overall, I do like this movie. It gives you a broader perspective of something black Americans face every day when encountering a white person. We are not treated fairly not because they do not want to but because white people not know how. White people do not know how to connect with us because they do not want to understand what it takes to be black because they know how they treat black people. Being a biracial couple at one point in time was illegal, so now that it is okay, white people are having a difficult time coping and understanding the love between the two races. I believe the whole concept of the movie is that white people become uncomfortable when a well-educated black family is presented to them. They start to feel intimidated which leads to slurs and microaggressions as if they do not care, or we are not capable of understanding their disrespectful lingo.

aaliyaH bennett THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

DIGEST Graphic

Who:

What:

When:

PROCTER & GAMBLE INFORMATION SESSION

Tuesday: Feb 7, 2023 from 5-6PM

Pinchback Engineering Building Room: 115

We offer full time, internships, and all expense paid leadership camps to all Southern students & all majors! Learn more about all our career opportunities & how to successfully complete P&G’s Application & Interview.

Food and gifts will be provided! Our management team is looking forward to meeting you

SUBR Students and Student Organizations Leadership Student Leadership Roundtable Discussion hosted by CIA Sunday, February 12th 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Where: Valdry Center for Philanthropy – 598 Harding Bloulevard

Why: An informal setting to discuss career opportunities, making the transition from college to the work environment, and to answer any questions about our Agency, its Mission, and what it is really like to work for the US Government.

We look forward to meeting you!

SpeakOut!

Do you think HBCU’s are an example of black-onblack capitalism?

America’s #1 Target: The Black Man

Police brutality is a problem that has affected several generations of black people. One would think that over time things would change. However, change has not yet occurred. Black people pray that police will protect our cities without the threat of being their next victim, but unfortunately, it seems as if the problem is forever going to escalate.

“All

I’m at the point where I must question if I can count on the police in any situation. Most policemen take their authority and abuse it even though the only thing separating me from a policeman is his or her badge. It seems hard for the police to understand that having a badge does not mean

having the right to question me or any other black person when we have not done anything wrong. It does not mean you can place me under arrest because I refuse to show you identification. It does not mean you have the right to throw me to the ground and continue to choke me after I’ve told you I can’t breathe. It does not mean you have the right to take my life.

It seems our black men are dying simply because of their race. Recently, unarmed Tyre Nichols was beaten to death by five black officers. Unfortunately, we are used to black-onblack crimes, but this is unacceptable. For the police to feel vindicated enough to beat Tyre due to a personal issue is horrific.

Sources state that Tyre was involved with one of the officer’s ex-girlfriends. The officer let his emotions lead him to beat a defenseless Tyre, who was

screaming in fear and calling out for his mom, to death. Nichols was punched, pepper sprayed, tased, and beaten with a baton. Watching the bodycams of the officers pained me. It scares me to think these are the people who were selected to “protect and serve” our nation. The police officers are no different than criminals in the streets killing and robbing others for no reason. They robbed Tyre of his life, and he had to suffer until his death.

Why? Why are people treated like this? Why are things escalated to this level? When will things change? We are living in a never-ending cycle. We, black men, already have it hard as it is. We have to do better as a team. My heart goes out to everyone who has experienced or lost a loved one to police brutality.

My Historically Black Southern U

KAMRYN

“HBCUs are a community where we all can network with each other and share what we know.”

“HBCUs benefit from black people using them for a come up such as Ed Reed and Deion Sanders, who are both NFL hall of famers and helped black people.”

Black history is essential to America. It is a reminder of the hardships and trials our black ancestors faced and conquered.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been implementing black history within their campuses as early as the 19th century. Quite frankly, HBCUs alone are a key example of black history.

History at the illustrious Southern University and A&M College goes deeper than anyone can imagine. In 1880, black history became a reality for those unable to receive fair educational treatment. With 12 students initially, SU was built exactly seventy-four years before segregation

in schools was outlawed in 1954 when predominantly white schools would not admit black people..

The history embedded within our campus is represented in ways that often go unnoticed. Each building on the bluff is named after someone who profoundly impacted Southern.

For example, Boley residence hall is named after Ms. Alice Amira Boley, who was an instructor at SU and SU Lab’s Principal--totaling 42 years of service at SU before her passing (subr.edu).

Boley Hall houses closets filled with small notes left from past residents and students. In reality, those closets are aged, but the history and culture instilled in the writings allow wonders of what prior students were like. How did they impact Southern? Where are they now? What is their black history? Symbolism like this

is what makes attending my HBCU a constant culture shock. Walking the campus alone gives a sense of empowerment due to the dedication of our alum, which lies in the very infrastructure of our institution.

According to Google, the definition of history is “the study of past events, particularly human affairs, and the whole series of past events connected with someone or something” However, black history, according to Google, has no direct definition.

Black history, unlike most things in the world, is the one thing our community can call our own. Historically Black Colleges and Universities will continue to stand as black historical monuments, enlightening and motivating those that want success to go out and get it. My name is Ashiriah Willams, and I am black history.

Digest: Rating Mayberry vs. Dunn

With a recent burger cookoff at Mayberry and Dunn Dining halls, a conversation of which dining hall reigned supreme came into question. The Digest sent undercover staffers to discuss the quality of cleanliness, hospitality, and of course, food, to test which eatery was superior. The results are as follows.

“ HBCUs are an example of black people benefiting off of other black people because, “it gives an environment for black people with like experiences to come together and those coming from the same background as one.”

Mayberry is closer to the main campus. Known for its famous Tony Burger, a lot of students come to Mayberry to eat, especially when it’s Red Bean Monday or Fish Friday. It has a great selection of food choices such as stir fry, fruits, veggies, ice cream, cake, and more. The cleanliness of the area is very reputable and with

wonderful smells of Louisiana Cajun seasonings, who wouldn’t love eating at Mayberry? One big issue that has recently happened in Mayberry, however, is that they have been using different plates than last semester. The current plates students are using are not durable plastic ones, but rather easily breakable paper plates that one would have at a child’s birthday party. Dunn Hall doesn’t seem to have that problem.

Overall Score: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (Grade A)

Dunn Dining hall is much more spacious than Mayberry. There are a few different stations available at this location too, from a salad bar to a pizza station. Being located near the primary residence halls, Dunn is easily accessible to most students. Unlike Mayberry, Dunn is not known for a signature special day such as “Red Bean Monday.” Dunn has a delicious dessert section as well, but there’s no guarantee you’ll actually

get one as they often run out quickly. Where Mayberry is more consistent in taste and quality, Dunn has its peaks and valleys throughout the week. However, the hospitality and atmosphere of Dunn are incomparable to Mayberry. The staff at Dunn Hall are very nice and great to talk to, something that Mayberry tends to lack.

Overall Score: 3.5 out of 5 Stars (Grade C+)

Overall Winner: Mayberry

When it comes down to the food, Mayberry takes the cake for this one. From their juicy hot burger and fries, or their delicious sweet selection, we would love to eat here every day. Overall, both dining halls are very attainable for students to eat at, but, from our standpoint, Mayberry is the favorable choice. Despite personal preferences, we are grateful for the tireless dedication of the staff at each dining hall.

aSHiriaH williamS THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

Jalynn JacobS & Kamron williamS THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

CHASE GLASPER-JACKSON FRESHMAN POLITICAL SCIENCE BATON ROUGE

HBCUs find a way to get over on other black people. Their funds do not go where they belong”

EUGENE JUNIOR BROADCASTING MAJOR MINORING IN FASHION LAFAYETTE, LA

ANTONIO PATTERSON SENIOR MASS COMMUNICATIONS NEW ORLEANS

CARMEN CALHOUN FRESHMAN MASS COMMUNICATIONS DEQUINCY

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