ISSUE 11, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018
The Southern DIGEST www.southerndigest.com ● The sentinel of the enlightened student body at Southern University and A&M College ● Since 1926
Southern Enters New Medical Marijuana Deal Debrandin Brown. ● DIGEST Staff Editor
Coach Dawson Odums speaks at the 45th annual Bayou Classic press conference inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Adriana Trosclair/DIGEST)
ONE ROAR Mayor’s Bayou Classic Kick Off Press Conference Recap
James Eaglin, Jr. DIGEST Sports Editor
On Monday, November 19, representatives from Southern University at Baton Rouge, Grambling State University, and the Bayou Classic steering committee met at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans to exchange cordial greetings ahead of a critical gridiron matchup between the Grambling State Tigers and the Southern Jaguars Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the 45th Annual Bayou Classic. “We have had the benefit over the last 45 years to display the excellence of two premier HBCUs,” said Southern University President-Chancellor Ray Belton. He went on to say, “The world will be watching the 45th Bayou Classic,” “What we want everyone to hear as we go into this week-long schedule of events is – ONE ROAR,” said President
and CEO of New Orleans Convention Company, Inc. (NOCCI) Dottie Belletto via press release. “We welcome fans, families, alumni, and visitors to experience the best of the classics at this year’s 45th anniversary celebration of the Number One HBCU Classic in the nation.” Louisiana governor Jon Bel Edwards, who reflected on his days playing football at high school, commended the impact of the game to the community. “We focus a lot on the football game, and it’s a tremendous game,” he started, “… [but] we should use this as an opportunity to bring attention to HBCUs generally.” Xavier University at Louisiana graduate and current New Orleans mayor, LaToya Cantrell, was also in attendance, proudly pointing out other several HBCUs graduates who serve as state officials, most of them hailing from Southern University and the Southern University Law Center. “This is the best time to uplift all the
institutions,” said Cantrell. As the attention shifted from the importance of HBCUs to economic impact, the Bayou Classic still remained at the center of discussion. According to the official press release, the Bayou Classic brings more than 200,000 visitors to occupy more than 90% of New Orleans, providing a $50 million economic impact to the city. The game is on pace to see record breaking expectations with the inclusion of the Thursday Night Football, featuring an NFL matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints playing in the Superdome Thanksgiving night. “For two HBCUs to have an event that requires [us] to be out here Monday morning for a press conference lets me know that this is a big deal,” said Grambling State University president Rick Gallot. Belton showed nothing but support towards current Southern Jaguars see PRESS CONFERENCE on page 3
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Over the past year, Southern University has been attempting to get its medical marijuana growing operation underway, with Advanced Biomedics being the firm chosen to handle growing operations. Since the original deal was announced, however, the lack of progress by Advanced Biomedics in the university’s medical marijuana ventures has led university officials such as Attorney Tony Clayton to question the ability of the firm to adequately meet the terms of their deal. “I just think that the owners of Advanced Biomedics ought to be ashamed of themselves for what they did,” Clayton said. “We entered into an agreement with them and they just lollygagged and did whatever they did and kind of set us behind.” Because of the aforementioned lack of progress on the part of Advanced Biomedics, the Southern University Board of Supervisors has selected a new firm, Ilera Holistic Healthcare, in order to resume their growing operations. Ilera Holistic Healthcare recently bought out the majority of shares of Advanced Biomedics and proceeded to renegotiate a new contract with Southern that would see their medical marijuana program expand exponentially over to the next few years. The contract, which was approved by the Southern University Board of Supervisors, included $2.15 million that were awarded to Southern to begin their medicinal growing. Additionally, Ilera Holistic Healthcare will pay for the university’s monthly installments starting in 2020. According to Southern University PresidentChancellor Ray Belton, the new deal will jump start their growing operation so that distribution to those in need of the drug can begin. “I don’t think we should reflect on the past, but really the present and today really represents an historic occasion for Southern University,” Belton see NEW DEAL on page 3
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MANAGING EDITOR James Eaglin, Jr.
DIGEST WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Ella Dodor Sydney Brown Paris Duncan Destiny Speaks Dante Davis A’yanna Muigua Miranda Thomas Tyler Thomas Aliya Creecy Adriana Trosclair Bailie Boyd E’Laziah Nickerson Jodeci Ashford Hannah Schlaman Terrance Jones Leah Williams Jordan Victorian
NEWS EDITOR Gabrielle Hutchinson LAYOUT EDITOR Caleb Penn MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Devin Hadrick A&E EDITOR Najeri Evans
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TUESDAY • NOVEMBER 20 • 2018
FALL 2018 STAFF
The Southern DIGEST is written, edited and published by members of the student body at Southern University and A&M College.
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.
What’s Happening
SPORTS EDITOR James Eaglin, Jr.
CAMPUS BRIEFS ID Office Attention students, those who are returning students do not need the new ID card at this time as your cards are still valid. Only incoming freshmen and transfer students are required to get an ID card at this time. There will be an announcement when returning students will be required to get the new ID card. CUSA Tutoring Services Interested in being a tutor? Stop by Stewart Hall Room 155 to see if you meet the requirements. For more information call 225-7712206 or email brittany_ melancon@subr.edu. Need a tutor? Stop by the tutoring center in Stewart Hall Room 155 or the CSE ISTAR Learning Center on the 1st floor of Pinchback Hall. Jaguar Athletics New season tickets can now be purchased online at Ticketmaster. When you purchase season tickets, you can get baseball and basketball season tickets for an additional $100. SUS employees can now purchase season tickets through Payroll Deduction. Call the Ticket Office at 225-771-3171 for more information. Traffic and Parking Friendly Reminder via the Director of Traffic and Parking: Please ensure all parking tag decals are visible in vehicles, which includes: laying flat on dash or hanging from www.southerndigest.com
mirror. If you have more than one tag i.e. commuter decal and handicap, please make sure both are visible. If you are faculty in a reserved spot, please be sure your number matches your parking spot.
Foundation Scholarship Program is now open for application for high school seniors, undergraduate students, and graduate students until January 18. Visit freemontfoundation. com to apply.
EBONY HBCU Campus Queens
Basketball
The time has come to show your Jaguar pride and vote for Darby A. Smith, Miss Southern University and A&M College as a Top 10 EBONY HBCU Campus Queen. Vote daily https://www.ebony.com/ campusqueens-2018/ contestant/southernuniversity-baton-rouge until December 31, 2018. Information Technology Food Drive The Division of Information Technology is hosting their 4th annual food drive. Your generous support and donations would help families in need this holiday season. Non-perishable food items will be accepted through Dec. 14. Drop off locations are Moore Hall and John B. Cade Library. Spring 2019 Registration Registration for Spring 2019 has begun. The preliminary schedule is available to view on Self Service Banner https://ssbprd.subr.edu/ PROD8/bwckgens.p_ proc_term_date. Please be aware the schedule is subject to change during pre-registration. See your advisor for more information. Scholarship Opportunities The 2019 Freemont
Our men’s basketball team will travel to Niceville, Florida to participate in the Emerald Coast Classic this weekend. They will play Western Michigan on Nov. 23 at 1:30pm and Nicholls State on Nov. 24, time is TBA.
Whats New at Southern • SU nursing program selected to participate in national research program • University progresses with medical marijuana program with first $2.15M payment • SU STEM Day 2018 draws large crowd
VISIT subr.edu to read the full articles
News TUESDAY • NOVEMBER 20 • 2018
Three sides to every story: his side, her side, and the PROOF Miranda Thomas ● DIGEST Staff Writer
The Southern University Police Department is becoming unstoppable in their continuous efforts to better the campus. The goal is to be as transparent and authentic as possible. The SUPD will be making it mandatory that officers wear body cameras beginning in the spring semester of 2019. Law enforcement agencies all around the world are now adding body cameras to their uniforms. With the series violent of events occurring lately, police departments want the community to have sole confidence in them. These HD cameras are distributed by Axon, a trusted company around
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the country. Axon, formerly known as Taser International, supplies most of the agencies in the Baton Rouge area. The new police body cameras are devices that will record any conversations or interactions with the police on and off the campus of Southern University. These devices will record and provide nothing but the Proof. False allegations and misunderstandings will now be thrown out the door. We will no longer have to worry about what happened because we can see it for ourselves. In the words of Captain Harold Williams, “If a student has a complaint against an officer, it will be recorded. It is a form of transparency. There is no way of lying if it is recorded.” Students are excited about
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they may have to file. Though I do believe they shouldn’t be able to turn their cams off while on duty, I still believe it’s a good idea.” According to Captain Harold Williams, it will be a mandate that the officers wear the cameras while on duty, so this will not be a problem. It is safe to say that this new addition to our campus will make things a lot clearer. The evidence that is collected from the cameras will be sent directly to the District Attorney’s office or DIGEST ART clerk’s office. It will be sent the changes that the SUPD is to wherever the case is making. Southern University being handled. Footage that student, Briana Porter, is downloaded for evidence says “I feel that it is very will be stored onto a cloud. necessary that they wear The videos will be available body cameras. You never for a few months after being know what can happen recorded, if not put under on campus. With all the investigation. The department is eager to police brutality going on it is release all of the upcoming needed!” These long-lasting enhancements to our devices are indeed gaining campus. The authorities and the trust of our students. It will benefit both the students students will benefit a great amount from new additions and the authorities. Another student, James such as the body cameras. Smith, says “It’s a good idea We are looking forward to a for them to have body cams great Spring 2019 semester so that it helps with the here at The Southern accuracy of the report that University.
The fight continues: Doctors in the war against arms Dante Davis ● DIGEST Staff Writer
Throughout the week of November 11, doctors, physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals have taken to Twitter and other social media platforms with concern over gun violence in response to the National Rifle Association’s attempts to silence the medical community. Social media has since been flooded with pictures from trauma rooms across the United States ranging from doctors and nurses covered in bloody scrubs to the shredded, bloody remains of bullets -- all of which are accompanied with the hashtag #ThisIsMylane, #ThisIsOurLane, and #GunControlNow. The recent rise in mass shootings and general gun violence has marked a sharp change throughout the medical community as the community has remained silent on politically charged issues such as gun control, despite the fact that they see and feel the impacts of such issues far more than the average American does. In an article by Associate professor at the Oregon Health & Science University, Dr. Esther Choo, it is explained that the medical community is taking a stand now because while they have
FILE - In this Jan. 26, 2013, file photo, handguns are displayed on a vendor’s table at an annual gun show in Albany, N.Y. In a study looking at data from 2006-14, serious gun injuries including many from assaults sent 75,000 U.S. children and teens to emergency rooms over the nine years. Results were released on Monday, Oct. 29, 2018. (AP Photo/Philip Kamrass, File)
allowed themselves to be censored in the past, they can no longer be complicit in allowing the status quo to continue. “Health professionals have realized we can no more neglect searching for solutions to gun violence than we can decline to resuscitate a patient dying of sepsis or heart failure in front of us — or to refuse to work toward preventing the next case,” Dr. Choo declared. Choo’s sentiments on the issue are shared by the many doctors and nurses who have seen more than their fair share of gun-related deaths, such as New York-based physician Dr. Marianne
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Haughey. “I have cared for victims of gun violence for the past 25 years. That must be my lane. Come into my lane,” Haughney invites. As an emergency physician and director of St. Barnabas Hospital’s Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Dr. Haughey has experienced, first-hand, the effects of today’s gun control and took the NRA’s verbal assault personally, to which she responded, “Tell one mother her child is dead with me, then we can talk.” Members of the medical community in conjunction with Affirm Research, a nonprofit corporation comprised of healthcare leaders and www.southerndigest.com
researchers who seek to end the epidemic of gun violence through research, innovation, and evidencebased practice, wrote an open letter to the National Rifle Association asking them to, “Help us in our non-partisan, physician-driven research [and] join forces with us to find solutions,” in an effort to curtail gun violence using practical, research oriented methods. The National Rifle Association has yet to release a statement regarding the offer to work together with Affirm Research or the medical community’s backlash.
football head coach Dawson Odums, calling him ‘a man of great intensity’ and ‘a molder of men. Set to make his sixth Bayou Classic appearance, Odums didn’t come to the podium with a prepared statement, choosing instead to take a moment to reflect on his personal journey and the importance faith has in his life. “It’s been a joyful ride, and I know what it means to you,” said Odums. The ‘it’ he is referring to is a victory in the Bayou Classic. The Jaguars have lost three straight games to the Tigers. Senior receiver Randal Manard and senior tight end Dennis Craig are two of the few remaining members on the active roster who have experienced victory at the Superdome. The winner of the contest will decide the SWAC West division champion, and will secure the right to play the SWAC East division champion Alcorn State Braves December 1 at Jack Spinks Stadium in Lorman, MS for a chance to crown the 2018 SWAC Champion and represent the conference in the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl. NEW DEAL from page 1
said to WAFB during the finalizations of the deal. The President of Ilera Holistic, Dr. Chanda Macias, also spoke to the media the future base of operations for their growing, as well as time table for expected results. “It takes between six to nine months to build out and at that time, we’ll be at full capacity,” said Dr. Macias in regards to the timeline she expects their growing operations to be fully functional. While there is a temporary growing facility on Scenic Highway to begin work immediately, a permanent base of operations has been set to be constructed in the next several months. With the popularity of the recreational drug sweeping the country as legalization spreads state-to-state, more than a few people around campus are interested in just what the new university deal means to Southern and the surrounding community. “It’s a controversial topic. But as long as it’s in a protected environment [like a greenhouse] and being handled properly, it sounds like it should be a cool project,” said Devin Raby, a sophomore civil engineering major from Baton Rouge, Louisiana when asked what he hopes to see from the program in the future and how it can go right.
4 SPORTS
Sports
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The (Unofficial Black) CFB Playoffs: Four rivalries will decide Celebration Devin Hadrick ● DIGEST Staff Editor
The last weeks of the regular season are always scheduled with the biggest rivalry games that seem to carry postseason implications, and this season is no different. In 2014, the larger FBS football programs experienced the playoff format for the first time, with four teams having an opportunity to compete for a championship. In 2018, HBCU football will experience a similar experience for themselves. Think of these ‘playoffs’ as being split up into two conference brackets with 8 teams. The SWAC bracket consists of the Bayou Classic (between Southern and Grambling State) and the Soul Bowl (between Alcorn State and Jackson State). The MEAC bracket features the Aggie/Eagle Classic (between North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central) and the Florida Classic (between Florida A&M and Bethune Cookman). These four games will ultimately decide who the two conference representatives who will face off in the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl, which will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Saturday, December 15. On the SWAC side of the bracket, everything is clear cut. The SWAC team will be decided December 1, as the winner
of the Bayou Classic and the Soul Bowl will face off head to head for the SWAC Championship at the site with the best conference record. On last Saturday, the Soul Bowl took place at Jack Spinks Football Stadium in Lorman, MS. Heading into halftime, optimism was high that Jackson State could win the game, as the halftime score was 3-3. However, Alcorn shut out the Tigers in the second half, scoring 21 unanswered enroute to a 24-3 victory. Due to Alcorn State’s win Saturday, marking their fifth straight SWAC East title, whoever wins the Bayou Classic would have to travel to play Alcorn State in the SWAC championship. The difference between the two conferences is that the MEAC doesn’t have a conference championship game, which makes things complicated. The conference outlined five playoff tiebreaker scenarios, heavily depending on the winners of the Florida Classic and the Aggie/ Eagle Classic, to determine who goes to Atlanta. The FAMU Rattlers just had one job: to win. Despite taking a 13-7 lead into halftime, the Wildcats of BCU would win the game 33-19, eliminating FAMU from Celebration Bowl consideration. NCAT easily took care of business against NCCU after winning 45-0, making the Aggies eligible to compete in the Celebration
Courtesy: thecelebrationbowl.com
Bowl for the third time in the game’s four year history. Southern’s “first round” game against Grambling State in the Bayou Classic on November 24 in New Orleans is always the big game to determine who goes to the SWAC Championship game. 2014 was the last time Southern beat Grambling State on a late goal line stand in the 4th quarter in which the Jags won 52-45. Since then Grambling has won the last three Bayou Classics and currently lead the series 23-21. The last three years Grambling State has went to the SWAC Championship game and Southern has seen their
Down in Texas: Women’s Basketball Falls to Baylor Debrandin Brown ● Leah WIlliams DIGEST Staff Editor
As the Lady Jags traveled to Baylor last Thursday to take on the Lady Bears at the Ferrell Center in Waco, TX, Southern came into the game looking for improvement after losing to Kentucky 91-41. Turnovers were the story of the night for both teams, with Baylor taking advantage of fastbreak opportunities throughout the contest. Shooting only 28% from the field in the first half, the Lady Jags faced an early 32-14 deficit in the first half of play. Offense was hard to come by for the Jags throughout the night. The early goings of the game were marked with physical play from both squads, with fouls being called in flurries as the game progressed into the second half. With Baylor knocking down over 70% of their shots in the first half, they entered the locker room up 59-27. The second half saw more fouls being called in an even greater multitude than the first, with Baylor going to the free throw line a total of 40 times on the night, compared to Southern’s 12. The third and fourth quarters were far more contested than the first two, as the Lady Jaguars were able to defensively limit Baylor, although the third quarter still saw the Lady Bears
season end early. This is the first year where I can think of the last games of the season having as big of an impact as they do this year. All the teams have a shot at a Black College Football National Championship but only one team will win out. Southern is a hot team right now and everything favors them because they haven’t loss since September 29. This weekend Southern will see if they will get to avenge their loss to Alcorn on homecoming or have a rematch on the Bluff against Jackson State while still preparing for their biggest game of the season.
Volleyball wraps up season in Itta Bena James Eaglin, Jr. ● DIGEST Sports Editor
After finishing the regular season riding a six game winning streak, head coach Vanessa Jacobs and the Southern University Jaguars volleyball team (12-16, 10-8 SWAC) took their talents to Itta Bena, MS, as Mississippi Valley State was the host site for the 2018 SWAC Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
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outscore Southern 16-10. The fourth and final quarter saw the Lady Jags make 5/11 of their field goals and connect on two shots from behind the arc. Despite this, Baylor went to the free throw line twenty times, knocking down half of their attempts and outscored Southern 19-12 to end the game. With a final score of 94-49, the Lady Jags dropped their second straight game to fall to 2-2 on the season. “I thought our young ladies battled. We were overmatched on the inside. They were 6’5 and 6’6, and were 5’11
and 6’0. It’s tough down there, but they battled. We had a hard time rebounding the basketball [and] I think that was one of the keys to the game.” said coach Funchess to reporters following the matchup against Baylor. The Lady Jags hope to bounce back at home as they take on South Alabama Monday, November 19 and the Dillard University Bleu Devils on Thursday, November 29. Both games are at home in the F. G. Clark Activity Center.
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The Lady Jaguars entered the bracket as the #3 seed, after great performances from senior middle blocker/right side hitter Paige Hall to finish the season. During the win streak, Hall had been on the aggressive end offensively, represented by her .375 attack percentage. The other two seniors on the team were just as impactful, as left blocker/defensive specialist Bailey Jefferson ranked fifth in the conference in digs and setter Vaterra Calais was third in the SWAC in assists prior to Nov 15. The Jaguars faced #6 Grambling State in the quarterfinals, a team they had defeated twice see VOLLEYBALL on page 5
Sports TUESDAY • NOVEMBER 20 • 2018
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SPORTS 5 VOLLEYBALL from page 4
in straight sets during the regular season. Southern cruised through the first set, winning 25-18. They would fall behind for the first time during Set 2, trailing 1912 at one point, but junior opposite hitter Shelby Jolly’s 3 kills fueled a 10-3 scoring run to tie the set at 22. Grambling would eventually pull away, winning 27-25. Despite another Grambling run late in Set 3 that saw the set tied at 23, Southern regained control of the match behind back to back kills from Jolly and junior middle blocker Arabella Hall. The Lady Jags would win Set 3 25-23. Southern would also win a competitive Set 4 to win the match 3-1. Other than blocks, Southern held the edge in every key statistical category. Most of Southern’s kills came from Paige Hall (17) and Jolly (14). Calais added 23 assists and 3 aces, and Jefferson contributed 27 of the team’s 81 digs during the match. In the semifinal round, the Jaguars were up against 2-time defending champions #2 Alabama State. Southern remained close throughout Set 1, but could not overcome the Lady Hornets, losing the Set 25-21. Sets 2 & 3 both finished the same way, with Southern coming up short. They would lose the match to Alabama State, ending a 2018 season that was full of twists and turns. When considering that the Lady Jaguars lost eight straight games to begin the season, much can be said about the ability of the coaching staff and studentathletes to create an opportunity for themselves to finish in the tournament semifinals. As a team, Southern finished first in blocks for the season (2.06 avg/set). The Lady Jaguars also finished within the top five teams in terms of hitting percentage, opponent’s hitting percentage, assists, opponent assists, kills, opponent kills, service aces, opponent service aces, and digs.
#1 HBCU CLASSIC
November 23-24, 2018
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! www.mybayouclassic.com
Tickets are also availble at Southern University Ticket Office. www.southerndigest.com
Paige Hall was announced to the SWAC All-Tournament team Sunday following the SWAC championship match between Alabama A&M and eventual champion Alabama State. For all things Southern Volleyball, be sure to follow the team on Twitter (@ SouthernU_VB) or visit the athletics website (gojagsports.com)
6 POTW
Photos of the Week
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TUESDAY • NOVEMBER 20 • 2018
International Educator, Ms. Carrol, and biology major, Quionne Dabney, educate a Southern University student at the Mark the Map event on November 13. (Tyler Thomas/DIGEST)
Southern University President, Ray Belton, speaking at the 45th annual Bayou Classic press conference at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19. (Adriana Trosclair/DIGEST)
Brothers Kvion and Keatric King perform “Waltz from Puritani” composed by Bellini at “A night with the roses,” on November 14 inside Hayden Theatre. (Kyndall Jones/DIGEST)
Southern University Head Football coach, Dawson Odums, speaks to the press at the 45th annual Bayou Classic press conference at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19. (Adriana Trosclair/DIGEST)
Scotlandville community members partner with the Mu Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. to host an early Thanksgiving dinner on Monday, November 19. (Destiny Speaks/DIGEST)
SAI Member, Jasmine Batiste performs, “Weak” by SWV at “A night with the roses” in Hayden Theatre on November 14. (Kyndall Jones/DIGEST)
Louisiana Governor, John Bel Edwards, speaks at the 45th annual Bayou Classic press confrence at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19. (Adriana Trosclair/DIGEST)
Southern University professors lead the congregation in prayer during the Prayer for Peace event on November 14 outside in the Smith-Brown Union courtyard. (Garland Johnson/DIGEST)
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Photos of the Week TUESDAY • NOVEMBER 20 • 2018
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Members of the Kappa Kappa Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity host “A night with the roses” in Hayden Theatre on November 14, 2018. (Kyndall Jones/DIGEST)
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The 45th annual Bayou Classic trophy being displayed at the press conference at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19. (Adriana Trosclair/DIGEST)
Senior, mass communications Major, Ernesco Lollis , opens up with a poem he wrote at Beyond the Mic on November 13 in the Lakefront Room. (Baile Boyd/DIGEST)
SUSLA students, along with faculty and staff, attend the SUSLA-Connect Fair in the Harris Hall Multipurpose Room on Tuesday, November 13. (Contara Mayfield/DIGEST)
Members of the Scotlandville community partake in the early Thanksgiving dinner sponsored by the Mu Sigma Philos Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. on Monday, November 19. (Destiny Speaks/DIGEST)
Concert Choir and SAI Members perform at “A night with the roses” on November 14 inside Hayden Theatre. (Kyndall Jones/DIGEST)
Members of the Kappa Kappa Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity host “A night with the roses” in Hayden Theatre on November 14. (Kyndall Jones/DIGEST)
Organizers assist members of the community at the early Thanksgiving dinner sponsored by the Mu Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. on Monday, November 19 (Destiny Speaks/DIGEST)
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8 A&E
Arts & Entertainment
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Classic Comebacks: Tyler Thomas ● DIGEST Staff Writer
honest efforts from studios to revive old franchises.
Television shows and movies have been the primary source of entertainment for over 50 years now, and over time numerous remakes and reboots of motion pictures have been produced.
However, for everyone of those you get a “Ghostbusters” (2017) or a “Mummy” (2017) or a “Footloose” (2011) or a flat out shot for shot remake of “Karate Kid”. Television is also guilty, as it has spat out a slew of remakes in the past few years such as: Magnum, P.I., Rush Hour, Lethal Weapon, Night Rider, Charmed, MacGyver or Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
A number of film productions of the past, categorized under nearly all genres, ranging from horror to children and family, have been rebooted or are in the process of being rebooted. For example, the newly released animated remake “Grinch”; a classic originally starring Jim Carrey in the 90s. The “Grinch” was just one of the more recent reboots that came this year, albeit before it was the Halloween sequel. A classic horror franchise with at least 7 sequels “Halloween” (2018) erased all of them and served as a direct follow-up to the 1978 original “Halloween”. This reboot can be interpreted as either a stray away from the original plot or a refreshing update to a first film classic. One seems like a genuine reason to reboot a convoluted franchise, but the other seems to be there only for the money. Of course some reboots
Upcoming reboot films consist of: “Lion King”(2019), “Aladdin”(2019), “Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse”(2018), “Pet Sematary”(2019), “Shaft”(2019), “Men in Black”(2019), “Charlie’s Angel”(2019), “The Grudge”(2019), “Spawn”(2019), “Hellboy”(2019), “Dumbo”(2019), “Mulan”(2020), and “The Batman”(2020). DIGEST ART
are criticized as blatant cash grabs by movie studios in hopes to milk an already dead cow. Throughout recent years we’ve had a great mix of movies such as:
“Planet of the Apes” (2011), “Mad Max”, Stephen King’s “IT”, “The Jungle Book”, “Spiderman”, “Kong: Skull Island”, “Star Trek”, “A Star is Born”, and many more that seemed like
Soon to come are even more reboots to classic shows and movies where you can decide for yourself if it is a financial strategy for the entertainment studios or a genuine effort to introduce new audiences to a franchise by the filmmakers.
More black channels, BET Two new black-owned networks to watch for in 2019 James Eaglin, Jr. ● DIGEST Staff Editor
Last week, Comcast Corporation announced agreements with two black majority-owned independent networks, CLEO-TV and AFRO, to be distributed on its Comcast Xfinity Cable platforms beginning in 2019. The two networks will join ASPiRE and REVOLT as four of eight minority-owned independent networks that will be featured on Comcast as part of terms agreed to during its acquisition of NBCUniversal back in 2011. According to Comcast, the selection process of the two networks was very extensive. The content of the network, whether the network is fully financed, whether the network’s ownership and/ or management group(s) are well established with relevant experience and are substantially owned by African Americans, whether the network is already launched and has existing or potential multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) distribution, whether the network could be negotiated for a reasonable price, and whether the network and its potential carriage provide value to
Brooklyn rapper 6ix9ine arrested Jim Mustian ● Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) rapper known as 6ix9ine was in custody Monday a Manhattan appearance.
— The Tekashi federal awaiting court
The Brooklyn-based rapper, whose legal name is Daniel Hernandez, was among four people arrested on racketeering and firearms charges.
AFRO and CLEO TV Will Launch on Comcast’s Xfinity TV in January 2019 (Graphic: Business Wire)
Comcast and its customers were some of the criteria used to make the selections. CLEO TV is the latest offering of Urban One, Inc., the company most known for popular television network TVOne. CLEO TV, derived from the ruler Cleopatra, seeks to have programming with the interests of millennial women of color in mind. According to an official press release, “CLEO TV will offer quality content
that defies negative and cultural stereotypes of today’s modern women. The network promises a unique and diverse offering of shortform and long-form content including travel, home design, cooking, talk shows, movies, docu-series, sitcoms and much more.” Polycultural black network AFRO is an extension of Afrotainment TV. “We are excited to bring AFRO’s live content and growing on www.southerndigest.com
demand catalog of more than 300 hours of original programming to millions of Xfinity customers. Comcast’s selection of AFRO, which is a recognition of the rich diversity in black content and culture, solidifies our position as a leader in polycultural black home entertainment in North America,” said Yves Bollanga, Founder and CEO of Afrotainment, via the company’s press release.
An attorney who has previously represented Hernandez did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Monday. The authorities also arrested three of Hernandez’s former associates, Kifano “Shotti” Jordan, Jensel “Ish” Butler and Faheem “Crippy” Walter. It is unclear whether they had defense attorneys. 6ix9ine has been one of the most ascendant and controversial names in hiphop in recent months. His album Day69: Graduation see 6IX9INE on page 10
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THE OG Returns: The Pimp Tape Album Review Debrandin Brown ● DIGEST Staff Editor
An OG in the rap game, and in hiphop culture in general, Too Short has made a triumphant return to the limelight with the release of his first studio album since 2012, and his 20th overall. His latest project, labeled The Pimp Tape, is 20 tracks long and features guest verses from 2 Chainz, Snoop Dogg, and Schoolboy Q, to name a few, with production from the likes of OZ and ChopSquadDJ. Banking on his patented 90s flow, along with innovative new school production, Short composed a gritty album with an obvious 90s vibe that has been refined and synchronized to create an entirely new sound for the veteran MC. The opening track, Go $hort Dog, saw the MC pay homage to many of the late great figures in hip-hop, such as Eazy E and 2Pac, as well as living legends such as himself, Jay Z, and T.I. to name a few. Short proceeded to speak on his tenure in the game and how artists like himself aren’t given the respect that they have earned in some cases. “People say, “He hot, but he so
old.” Who gives a f***, b****? ‘Cause I’m so cold” rapped Short on the Instrumental produced track. On tracks such as Ain’t My Girlfriend and How to Be a Player, Short lived up to his pimp persona with a multitude misogynistic bars from the OG MC that may have been club bangers in the 90s and early 2000s, but do come off as politically incorrect in today’s hip-hop landscape. With that being said, the wordplay and flow used by Short on many tracks on this album are superb in ways that many modern-day MCs couldn’t touch today. This includes his ability to structure his flow in the patented 90s style, while doing it over newer production that is able to capitalize off of his bars. On the Zaytoven produced track, The Game Taught Me, similar rhetoric can be seen by Short that sums up not only this album, but Short’s career in totality. “They say “b****, b****, b****” is all I say. But that b**** kept me paid.” rapped Short over the newgeneration beat. On this track in particular, the overwhelming message given by Short is that he has never been the commercial rapper
for the masses, and he knows that. Despite this fact however, he has still managed to stand the test of time by staying true to who he is, and staying true to who the game taught him to be. “My mama taught me how to treat a woman. The game taught me how to treat a bitch” were the words spun by Short on the chorus of t h i s song. These words, in the way that they were composed, spoke not only to the mentality of a pimp as described by Too Short, but Shorts own approach to women, life, and the game in general. While the prime of Short’s career may have long since passed, this album is a mixture of old and new styles that has shown anyone who knows music how versatile artists like Too Short can be, even in 2018.
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TUESDAY • NOVEMBER 20 • 2018
First African-American top network executive exiting ABC
Lynn Elber ● AP Television Writer
But Rhimes, whose shows own ABC’s Thursday prime-time schedule, and another prominent producer, Kenya Barris of the network’s sitcom “black-ish,” have both jumped ship for lucrative streaming deals.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey, who created a deep bench of ethnic diversity in the network’s shows and fired Roseanne Barr for a racist tweet, will be stepping down.
More recently, Dungey made news for her quick action in canning Barr from her revived namesake show “Roseanne” after the actresscomedian posted an insulting tweet about former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett, who is African-American. Barr apologized, but the show, which had been an immediate success for ABC, was revamped without her and debuted this fall as “The Conners.”
Her decision announced Friday comes amid ABC corporate parent Walt Disney Co.’s pending acquisition of 21st Century Fox and the planned reorganization of Disney’s television units. Dungey, who became the first African-American programming chief for a major broadcast network when she was named to the job in February 2016, will be replaced by Karey Burke, head of programming development at ABC sibling cable channel Freeform since 2014, the network said. Dungey will remain during a transition period as Burke takes over. Burke’s resume includes overseeing production of NBC prime-time series including “ER” and “The West Wing” from 1999 to 2003, during which time she developed “Scrubs,” ‘’Freaks & Geeks” and other shows. In a statement, Dungey said she could have called ABC home for many more years but wants to tackle new, unspecified challenges. Under Dungey, both as president
FILe - In this June 13, 2018 file photo, Channing Dungey arrives at the Women In Film Crystal and Lucy Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif. Disney-owned ABC said Friday that Dungey has decided to exit as ABC Entertainment president. She will be replaced by Karey Burke, a programming development executive at Freeform. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
and in her previous job as head of ABC’s drama development, the network became the home of “Scandal,” ‘’How to Get Away With Murder” and other multiethnic shows from powerhouse African-American producer Shonda Rhimes.
In October, Disney said it was bringing in Fox executive Dana Walden as chairman of Disney Television Studios and ABC Entertainment. Burke will report to Walden after the Fox acquisition is completed, with Burke’s replacement at Freeform to be announced, ABC said. In a statement, Disney CEO Bob Iger lauded Dungey for her “curiosity, passion and creativity” and predicted she will be successful at whatever she chooses to pursue. Burke, a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, said she was honored to continue Dungey’s legacy of “excellent storytelling that touches so many people’s hearts.”
6IX9INE from page 8
JAGUAR SPEAKOUT Q: What are you thankful for? (Tyler Thomas/DIGEST) Trenisha McGowan Junior Nursing “I am thankful for being a black woman in America with a great family and good grades.” Marque Chambers Freshman Criminal Justice/ Psychology “I am thankful for my parents helping me through the tough times.” James Batiste IV Freshman Psychology “I am thankful for 18 years of unbothered life.”
Elizanae Jackson Freshman Family and Consumer Sciences “I am thankful for having the opportunity to attend an HBCU and having met such great people while doing so.”
Day was among the top records on iTunes following its February release. He is also known for the multiplatinum hit “Fefe” with Nicki Minaj, which peaked at No. 3 on the pop charts, and “Stoopid,” featuring the incarcerated rapper Bobby Shmurda.
EDITORIAL POLICY The Southern DIGEST welcomes letters from readers commenting on current issues and other matters of general interest to the SU family and public. This newspaper is not responsible for individual opinions expressed on its Editorial and Commentary pages (Including Sports Commentaries). 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 emailed to digest@subr.edu
But 6ix9ine also has had a series of run-ins with law enforcement and has publicly identified himself as a member of a violent New York gang, 9 Trey Bloods. The 22-year-old recently pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in Brooklyn Criminal Court in connection with a May traffic stop. In a 2015 case in New York, 6ix9ine was sentenced to probation for his involvement in a sexually explicit video of a 13-year-old girl. The video, posted on social media, showed the girl performing a sex act on another man while 6ix9ine “stands behind the child making a thrusting motion with his pelvis and smacking her on her buttocks,” according to court documents.
BEAT GRAMBLING GO JAGS! www.southerndigest.com
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TUESDAY • NOVEMBER 20 • 2018
Working While Black Hannah Schlaman ● DIGEST Staff Writer
This idea that black people could be racists against their own kind because they did their job in a manner befitting the details of their job description is truly mind boggling. Don’t get it twisted, there is the potential to be racists against your own race, but to be labeled as racist due to the fact that you are excuating your job has gotten fairly out of hand. I’ve seen and heard of this idea, mainly towards the people of African American ethnicity who have taken the vow under public law enforcement. I understand that it is 2018, and law enforcement vs the black community has been a controversial issue for decades. I agree that there have been circumstances where the protection of a community due to police harassment has been questionable, and also the fact that the protection of an individual has been questioned due to the high rates of profiling. But what I can say is that I disagree with the concept that all cops are dirty cops. What I would think to be the hardest social aspect about being in law enforcement as an African American is the awareness of potential rejection by your own race. It’s hard enough that other races don’t accept one another, but to me it would be harder when my own race doesn’t either. Aside from the social hardship, there is probably also a moral hardship. Having to choose between what you’re obligated to do, and your community, I assume would never be easy. That being said, being labeled as racist is beyond disregardful for the divided lives they have to live. As a community, I think it is very unfair. My image for the future is one where there isn’t so much controversy with the ones who are suppose to protect the community, who are now labeled as our biggest enemy. I do think that there should be a change in communication tactics from law enforcement, if for no other reason than because society is constantly changing and assumptions can make any situation become dangerous for the police officer and any individual. To be able to construct a system where the police are not hated by some is a stretch, but to start with yourself is a step in the right direction. I’m not saying to become silent, but to become activists in your community. I feel that law enforcement to community conferences should be established in every community, I think it’s a good way for communication to be spread and understood between the two in a more positive way and being able to take these steps in our nation is monumental for the future of our society.
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COMMENTARY 11
Bake Sale for Diabetics Ella Dodor ● DIGEST Staff Writer
argue that one cake or cupcake will not cause diabetes, things like it largely contributes to the disease.
More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, diagnosed diabetes costs America $327 billion every year, and the healthcare for American diabetics is 2.3 times greater than those without diabetes; yet the apparent most popular way to raise money to support diabetes is bake sales. A coincidence? I think not.
Diabetes is the resistance of body cells to insulin, a hormone that transport blood sugar to cells for use or to be stored. With cells not tolerating insulin, a person with diabetes is left with a high level of blood sugar.
The sheer irony that bake sales on our very campus are being used to support diabetes-awareness is not only in bad taste, but counterproductive to the point. People should be encouraged to eat less cake or less sweets to support diabetes and not the other way around. Although some might
The immediate cause of such change in resistivity of cells to insulin is not known for sure, but sugar and fat contributes largely to weight gain and obesity, which seem to have a direct connection to the abnormal behavior of cells observed in a person with the disease. “In people with diabetes, cells are resistant to insulin; as a result of this insulin resistance, sugar accumulates in the blood. While eating sugar by itself
does not cause insulin resistance, Grieger says, foods with sugar and fat can contribute to weight gain, thereby reducing insulin sensitivity in the body.”(Everyday health) The issue here is also about the message that is sent out or more about the contradiction in this very message. Fundraisers have purposes to raise money for a cause, and that’s great, but when the money becomes more important than the cause, there is a problem. If sugar level in our society’s diet were to decrease, the risk that we are being exposed to would also decrease. So if we were really serious about helping fix the problem of diabetes, there are better ways to do it than by selling the very sweets that start the problem.
It’s Time to talk about Student Health Jamilah Stith ● DIGEST Staff Writer
In a flurry of assignments, exams, jobs and the sudden drop in temperature, student health might not exist on the top of everyone’s list. It should, but sometimes students have to push through the sniffles in order to keep getting work done. In between classes and extracurricular activities, small breaks can be used for eating, napping, or getting seen at the health center. Beyond the tinted doors of the Baranco-Hill Student Health Center is a small, but bustling place to be. When an individual walks in, they are greeted by a nurse who asks for their ID. After filling out some information, they wait to be called and seen by a doctor. However, between the hours of 11am-to 1pm, this scene doesn’t occur. To some, it’s lunch time. To
others, it is the only available time in their day that they can go to the health center. I’m not against lunch breaks because they’re mandated and necessary, but a two-hour break during a peak time of the day seems to be odd. The Health Center is an invaluable resource to students, especially those who might not have normal access to healthcare. It can’t replace a hospital in an emergency situation, but it can help in everyday life. They can help treat the common cold, STD’s, and more. Most of all, they are conveniently placed between the dorms and the bridge, giving students closer access to health services. Even further, the cut-off time for walk-in appointments are 4pm. If the health center is supposed to close at 5pm, why can’t someone get seen before then? I can understand how walk-in’s after 4:45pm can seem like a slippery slope, but paperwork
doesn’t seem like enough of a reason to decline a student of care. On the weekends, when students are considerably less busy without classes to attend, is another time to address their health. Yet, the health center is closed. Even if the health center was open for limited hours on the weekend, that would be preferable to none at all. It just seems like whenever myself and my colleagues are open, the Health Center is not. While it may seem trivial and a matter of coincidence, this presents a gap in service that affects more students than just myself. The nearest hospital is nearly 13 miles away. In essence, student health lies in the palms of the health center. I’ve talked to an enthusiastic member of SGA who assured me that solutions are to come, but I haven’t heard anything just yet.
Dating at SU: Don’t Short Yourself Bailie Boyd ● DIGEST Staff Writer
When you go out on a date with a guy for the first, do you expect them to pay? If so, I know it’s the whole “he asked me out on the date not the other way around”, and that’s understandable to an extent. I’ve been taken on a date where I just felt it was fair to split the pay because if you look at it plainly, the guy has to come pick you up from wherever you are, take to you to the place, might even have to pay for parking, and then take you back where you came from. Now see, I’m from California where gas is knocking on $4 a gallon, so that trip is going hurt those pockets. There are ways you should treat your significant other, your “lul yea”, but now I’m going to speak to my ladies of Southern University: Do not cheat yourself. You know exactly what you deserve and how you should be treated, so don’t force yourself into a relationship just cause he is the finest man on campus, which he probably isn’t if he’s giving you grey hairs.
If that man doesn’t call you or text you back in a timely manner, give him the benefit of the doubt that he might be busy. But if it’s constantly happening, LET THAT MAN GO.
butterflies, makes you blush when you hear his name, my ladies who have secured THAT MAN, you made it off the ground and taken that first step.
Men come with warning signs and we have to be smart enough to see and acknowledge them. Don’t make up excuses for him everyday because then you’re just lying to yourself.
Don’t lose a good man because your friends are coaching you through the relationship. Ladies, it is not a crime to spoil YOUR man and treat him like the king he is. We are too busy concentrating on social norms that we aren’t seeing the real, and the real is that the relationship should be equal, a piece for a piece.
If you can’t be seen during the day with him chilling around campus, do not be the one he texts when it starts getting dark, because then you aren’t even going for the girlfriend position “sips tea”. Now that winter break is among us, please watch for those men going home, because there is a big chance he is going home to his “home boo”. Watch out for this especially careful, because it will hurt bad if you see him boo’d up on a social media. Just cut it, it’s not worth stressing over. I think we all should know how to tell a man’s intentions, and though some may be a little difficult, he will always show signs. Now for my leading ladies that have that man who just gives them
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I know some of y’all know that hurt when you lose a good man, because you’re letting too many people have an input on your relationship, and that’s just not fair to your man. For the ladies that believe “if he ain’t posting you, he hiding you”, no, that’s wrong. As the age old saying goes, what’s understood doesn’t need to be explained. He will post you when he’s ready, because social media can be a bad place for budding relationships. More than anything else, watch for the signs, and yes I am single (hint,hint).
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