Vo lum e 130 · N o. 33
E s t. 18 87
T hu r s d ay, Ja nu a r y 3 0, 2 02 0
WATER
WASTE
LSU is forming plans for a $20 million renovation project that will improve the water quality and structure of LSU’s six lakes. Read on
page 2 photo by BELLA BIONDINI
NEWS
p ag e 3
Bayou Country Superfest organizers announced an indefinite hiatus with no plans to return to Tiger Stadium.
ENTERTAINMENT
p ag e 5
With LA being the center of attention since the national championship, here are some facts you might not know about the state.
SPORTS
p ag e 9
“Usually when people encounter a black snake in the wild, they run, but when it came to Kobe Bryant, the world never ran.”
OPINION
p ag e 11
“Bigoted Free Speech Alley preachers should be ignored, rather than egged on.”
L SU Re ve i l le.co m @l s u r e ve i l le
page 2
LSU Lakes in desperate need of care; University, BRAF to begin dredging by Jan. 2021 BY LARA NICHOLSON @laranicholson_ The six lakes surrounding campus have been a staple at the University since 1938. Students and local residents often run, bike or walk their dogs around the perimeters. Children growing up in the city share fond memories of feeding the ducks on the University’s beaches. The LSU rowing team practices almost every single morning in that water; sorority members brag to the rest of campus for getting to live on its coasts. “When you talk to the [former] president of LSU, F. King Alexander, he says it’s the number one tool he has for recruiting people,” Baton Rouge Area Foundation Executive Vice President John Spain said in 2018. Alexander once said that if the Baton Rouge lakes are not dredged and cleaned, the idyllic bodies of water could morph into a murky swamp. Alexander made that statement five years ago to student media, and little progress has been made toward cleaning the lakes since, leaving the lakes’ condition to worsen. However, plans are underway to begin a $20 million project to clean and revitalize the lakes, with hopes that construction can start by January 2021. The lakes are currently an average of 3.5 feet deep with a visibility depth of 6 inches. According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the healthy average for lake depth is a minimum of 5 feet. The lakes have depleted in depth over the years due to gradual sediment buildup, particularly consisting of nitrogen and phosphorus runoff from storm drains. This shallow water, along with hot, humid Louisiana temperatures, have created the perfect site for algae growth — which infest the lake with large, stringy blobs of green. According to Matt Thomas, president of the University Lakes Improvement and Preservation Association, this will dissolve oxygen in the water and suffocate fish to death. Hydrology professor Jun Xu attributes heavy pollution as a cause for the drastic decline in water quality. Xu and his graduate students researched the quality of the water in 2015, and found a slew of items and pollutants in the lake. “My graduate students go there frequently, and we have found everything possible,” Xu said. “We even found a refrigerator, a couch, a sofa. People throw everything in, even big pieces of plastic.” All these problems combined have caused the once eye-catching, natural University landmark to return to the murky swamp it was before. These issues have been mostly ignored since 2008, when the Army Corps of Engineers recommended in a report
B-16 Hodges Hall Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, La. 70803
NEWSROOM (225) 578-4811 Editor in Chief CALEB GREENE Managing Editor BRITTNEY FORBES Digital Editor ANDREW MIERAS News Editor BAILEY CHAUVIN Deputy News Editor ANNA JONES Sports Editor NATASHA MALONE Deputy Sports Editor ANTHONY MOCKLIN Opinion Editor RACHEL MIPRO Production Editor LUKE JEANFREAU Multimedia Editor ABBY KIBLER
ADVERTISING (225) 578-6090
BELLA BIONDINI / The Reveille
Geese and runners enjoy University Lake on the outskirts of campus in Baton Rouge on Jan. 24. that the lakes be dredged, which is an intense excavation project that scoops mud and sediment out of the lake floor. The lake was last dredged over 20 years ago, which was performed with a hydraulic hose. According to Spain, the method produces fewer smells and looks less unattractive but is less effective at eliminating sediments, accelerating the deterioration of the man-made lake as a result. Some Baton Rouge residents have taken it upon themselves to clean the lakes. Randy Peterson, 84, has cleaned litter surrounding the lakes using a litter stick and trash bag two to three times a week for the last 48 years. Peterson said he frequently sees passers-by throwing garbage from their car windows into or around the lakes, and he can fill two trash bags every time he cleans the lakes. “Just living here and seeing how bad it is, and it’s getting worse,” Peterson said. “It’s amazing how I can go two days in a row and still fill up my bags. It’s awful.” Because of the worsening conditions of the lake, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation created and presented a two-phase master plan with a price tag of $20 million in order to revitalize the lake’s health and use. The first phase of the plan, which would improve the quality of the water by 70 to 80%, involves dredging and sculpting the
floor of the lake and cleaning the algae out of the water. The second phase to improve the lakes’ use would add new structures and landscapes to encourage lake use, such as boat lodges, a promenade on Sorority Row and a bird observatory. The plan was postponed for about four years while they collected funding. Gov. John Bel Edwards announced the start of the University Lakes Project on Nov. 13, 2019. Three-quarters of the funding came from the Recreation of Parks Commission, while the remaining $5 million will come from commitments by state officials, according to Edwards. The momentum has been gaining since, with the LSU Real Estate and Facilities Foundation — an affiliate of the LSU Foundation — selecting Brailsford & Dunlavey and CSRS for a joint venture of project advisor on Jan. 21 after presenting their proposals with five other management companies. “Collectively, our team understands the critical need to restore the University Lakes system to health,” CSRS CEO Michael Songy said. “We have the experience, capacity and expertise to help [LSU’s] REFF deliver the desired outcomes of the Project, including health, beauty and a win-win [for funders and users.]” The three entities will work together to oversee the project.
Their next job being to select a designer and contractor. Beyond that, Brailsford & Dunlavey and CSRS will advise over the rehabilitation and improvement of the six lakes, financial analyses over budgeting and spending and the entirety of the dredging excavation. The University hopes for construction and dredging to begin by January 2021. However, Xu’s research suggests that the project may not be an effective long-term solution. “People want to dredge, which would be certainly helpful, but it is not a long-term solution. After they dredge, the material will accumulate again,” Xu said. “The lakes were dredged many times before in the past 70 to 80 years.” Xu’s research in 2015 concluded that replacing the existing gate between the University Lake and Corporate Canal with a sluice gate, which controls the flow of water, would likely be the most effective solution for the LSU Lakes by eliminating the damming effect caused by the current gate and equalizing the depth of the two bodies of water. “In the lake at the bottom, you have all kinds of material — like dirt, organic debris, tree branches, grasses, all kinds of stuff,” Xu said. “This material will be flushed out when you open the gate, so that is basically like a dredge, but you’re using a gate to dredge the lake.”
Layout/Ad Design EMILY POOLE Layout/Ad Design SARAH FRANCIONI Layout/Ad Design MALLORY LACOMBE
CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS The Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure its readers the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards. This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes that may have been printed in The Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified, please contact the editor at (225) 578-4811 or email editor@lsureveille.com.
ABOUT THE REVEILLE The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Reveille is free. To purchase additional copies, please visit the Office of Student Media in B-39 Hodges Hall. The Reveille is published biweekly during the fall, spring, and summer semesters, except during holidays and final exams. Second-class copies postage paid at Baton Rouge, LA, 70803. Annual biweekly mailed subscriptions are $125, semester biweekly mailed subscriptions are $75. Non-mailed student rates are $4 each regular semester, $2 during the summer; one copy per person, additional copies 25 cents each. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Reveille, B-39 Hodges Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.
NEWS PANTRY PROMOTION LSU Food Pantry moving to larger space in Student Union
BY TAYLOR LANDRY @taylor.landry To some members of the LSU community, getting food to eat may not be an issue. But to others, it can be a challenging aspect of college life. The LSU Food Pantry, which provides supplemental food for students who experience situational or constant food insecurities, recently announced its plans to move locations on campus. The pantry is currently located on the third floor of the Student Union in Room 350, but will move to the first floor of the Student Union in Room 108 across from the Tiger Card Office. The transition to a bigger space stems from the increase in donations and the number of students who use the pantry. Assistant Director of Leadership and Service Caleb Wells said the goal of the food pantry is to ensure students are able to sustain themselves. “We are here for anyone who might experience food insecurity,” Wells said. “Whether it is someone who throughout the year does not consistently have enough to supply their own food or someone who needs supplemental items to take care of themselves, that is what we are here for.” The food pantry is open yearround for students to access twice a week. The only requirement to access the pantry is a Tiger Card. The food in the pantry varies depending on donations. Donations from Trader Joe’s come on Mondays and Tuesdays through the LSU Food Pantry’s affiliation with The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. “On Mondays and Tuesdays, we typically have the highest number of users that show up to shop,” Wells said. “We get a lot
page 3 ATHLETICS
LSU hype videos earn clout
BY CATHERINE ZEILMAN @caitiezeilman
are transitioning to a scheduled in-person training so that volunteers can work shifts as short as 30 minutes a day.” Last semester, there were 6,130 visits to the food pantry
Not only did LSU football crush the competition on the field this season, the team’s social media account dominated the internet. The social media index and measurement platform reported LSU football had the most engagement of any NCAA program this season, according to MVPIndex. It generated 29 million likes, comments and shares across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The team’s accounts claimed nine of the top 10 most engaging social media posts from NCAA football teams this season, according to the index. LSU football shared hype videos with its more-than-746,000 Instagram followers and 783,000 Twitter followers before every game this season. They included clips of team highlights, music and voice-overs performed by celebrities including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Tim McGraw and John Goodman. LSU senior Will Stout edited and produced these videos weekly. Several of them accumulated over one million views. Award-winning sportswriter and LSU digital sports media reporter Cody Worsham wrote scripts for the videos. He said the videos took off thanks to Stout’s work and the success of the team. “I think the key to success is Will’s talent,” Worsham said. “The other key is the success of the football team. If we were 6-6 or 6-5, that video wouldn’t have
see FOOD PANTRY, page 4
see FOOTBALL HYPE, page 4
BELLA BIONDINI / The Reveille
The old location of the LSU Food Pantry sits in room 350 on the second floor of the Student Union on Jan. 21. of fresh produce on those days such as spinach, carrots, apples, milk, eggs and many other kinds of counter produce.” LSU’s Food Pantry receives anywhere between 500 to 1,000 pounds of food donations from the local food bank each Wednes-
day. Students or on-campus organizations can reach out and donate. The easiest way to help the food pantry is by volunteering. “Students can volunteer their time in the space,” Wells said. “As we move to the new location we
STUDENT LIFE
Bayou Country Superfest departs from LSU’s Tiger Stadium BY CATHERINE ZEILMAN @caitiezeilman Bayou Country Superfest announced it has no plans to return in 2020 or beyond. The 10-year-old country music festival said it will be “on hiatus until further notice” in a tweet on Monday. The event organizers did not elaborate on the decision. Attendance for the Memorial Day weekend festival peaked in 2014 with around 135,000 people, but has decreased every year since. The festival relocated from its original venue, LSU’s Tiger Sta-
dium, to New Orleans in 2017 while the stadium underwent repairs. The Mercedez-Benz Superdome hosted the event for two years. History junior Blake Lea Bueto said she believes the location change contributed to the decline in attendance. “They moved it to NOLA, which probably messed everything up,” Bueto said. “I know I personally decided not [to buy tickets] because I didn’t want to go there. Then it became a dry stadium, and people typically go to drink and listen to music.” The festival returned to Tiger Stadium in 2019, with an atten-
dance of only 50,000 country music fans— less than half the size of its crowd in 2016. Headliners included Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line. Some were not surprised by the news, and placed the blame on the lineups. “Well, if you wouldn’t have brought in the same damn acts every damn year, maybe ticket sales wouldn’t have been so dismal,” Twitter user @NotMoscona said in response to Superfest’s hiatus announcement. Jason Aldean performed at THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES
see SUPERFEST, page 4
The sun sets above Tiger Stadium on Jan. 21, 2019.
page 4
Thursday, January 30, 2020
FOOD PANTRY, from page 3
SUPERFEST, from page 3
and 43,808 pounds of food donated, Wells said. The food pantry will nearly triple in size as it moves, allowing more students to shop at a time. There is currently a limit to the number of students allowed inside of the pantry, occasionally resulting in long lines. “It takes a long time to process the line because the current room is not very large,” Wells said. “We only allow six people to shop at a time, so the bigger space will allow us to accommodate more students at a time and cut down on lines.” Wells wants students to know there are no financial documents needed to come to the pantry, and the pantry and staff are there for students who need it.
Superfest five times, almost every other year since the festival’s creation. Kenny Chesney and Luke Bryan both appeared four times. Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line and Keith Urban are among others who also made several appearances. Biological engineering sophomore David Vercher said he believes the festival did not promote itself well. “It’s not advertised well enough,” Vercher said. “Even though I’ve been before, I don’t hear anything about it until it’s almost time for it.” Visit Baton Rouge and the Louisiana Office of Tourism contributed $350,000 each for the festival, according to The Advocate. “Are we disappointed? Yes,” Visit Baton Rouge CEO Paul Arrigo told WBRZ. “Are we hoping that something like this comes back in the future? Absolutely.” Arrigo is not the only one who will miss the yearly festival. Several students, including kinesiology sophomore MacKenzie O’Keefe, are saddened by the news. “I’m sad because I never got to go and I love country music,” O’Keefe said. “I think it’s a great way to bring people together, especially in Baton Rouge. It will be missed.”
FOOTBALL HYPE, from page 3 as much of an impact. But they were doing so well.” Many fans, including sports commerce junior James Connors, looked forward to the weekly videos in preparation for game days. “I thought the LSU hype videos were a great representation of the culture of our university,” Connors said. “They were extremely entertaining and consistently gave me goosebumps and got me fired up for Saturdays.”
BELLA BIONDINI / The Reveille
The old location of the LSU Food Pantry sits in room 350 on the second floor of the Student Union on Jan. 21. The two-to-three-minute videos gained the attention of both students and national media, alike. Sports Illustrated, ESPN, CBS Sports and other major sports media outlets featured stories about the videos. Sports Illustrated even declared LSU the undisputed national champion of hype videos. International trade and finance senior Owen Pollard said the team’s social media posts and videos are the best of any program in the nation.
“It definitely helped spread the LSU brand to people all across the country,” Pollard said. “My friends back home in Kentucky who aren’t even LSU fans became LSU fans because of those videos.” Worsham said he felt the scripts and videos did a good job of connecting with everyone-including non-sports fans. “My wife does not care about sports at all,” Worsham said. “She could maybe name one player on LSU’s team. But when I played the video of the Rock
reading the script, she thought that was cool. It had that out-ofsports crossover appeal.” The team celebrated its 42-25 national championship win over Clemson with a visit to the White House on Jan. 17. A video of several team members dancing to the “Get the Gat” challenge went viral on Twitter, accumulating over 4.3 million views as of Saturday, Jan. 25. “As an Ohio State fan, it makes me uncomfortable to like this LSU team so much,” Twitter user @jeannathomas wrote.
February 3-7
Monday, 2/3
Planting Positivity
11:00am-1:00pm • Free Speech Plaza
Introduction to mindfulness
1:50-2:50pm LSU Law Center, Tucker Room
Let's talk: Brief consultations 2:00-4:00pm
Euphoria screening 6:00pm • FREE FOOD Student Union Ballroom
tuesday, 2/4
#Relationshipgoals: how do we love? why do we fight? 9:00-10:30am • Student Health Center, Rm 250
Enlightened eating with teaching kitchen 1:30-2:30pm • 459 Commons
Wednesday, 2/5
Friday, 2/7
Stomp out stigma @ wild out Wednesday 12:30-2:30pm • Free Speech Plaza
Emotional wisdom series: Frame of mind
3:00-4:15pm • Student Health Center, Rm 250
Destination Wellness: gymtimidation: Confidence at the urec 4:00-6:00pm • UREC Register at: TINYURL.COM/SZ6U7WL
National black HIV/aids awareness day - free HiV testing 11:00am-1:00pm • Women’s Center
launch group: Finding your squad
1:30-2:30pm • Student Union Career Center Classroom, 256J
goat yoga
2:30-3:30pm • Parade Grounds Register at: TINYURL.COM/WLLLWRK
Thursday, 2/6 Leave your worries on the tree
11:00am-1:00pm • Free Speech Plaza
let’s talk: Brief consultations 2:00-4:00pm • Design Building
purple table talk
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: LSU Campus Life • LSU Dining LSU Greek Life • LSU Office of Diversity LSU Student Government • LSU UREC • NAMI On Campus
#mentalhealthmatters
6:00pm • FREE FOOD Student Union Atchafalaya Room @lsuhealthcenter
ENTERTAINMENT LOUISIANA 101 BY BRITNEY YOUNG @byoun99
A comprehensive guide to what makes LA great
1.
page 5
The national championship put a spotlight on Louisiana. Some may know about Mardi Gras and our food, but do people truly know about Louisiana? The state has a unique history and culture that some may not know. Whether you’re an out-of-state student or looking to get in touch with your roots, I’m here to give you a quick brief of what’s it like to be a champion in Louisiana.
Oui Speak French
If you ever heard “laissez les bon temps rouler” and wonder why a state in America will use a French saying, a little history lesson can answer that. A group of French people from rural areas of France immigrated to Canada. When they were there just minding their business, the British was able to control the Acadie area, but the Acadians didn’t want to follow suit. So, the British expelled them from Acadie. The Acadians, also known as Cajuns, eventually settled in south Louisiana. Our very own Coach Ed Orgeron a great example, because he does speak French and his dialect matches those who live in my hometown of Breaux Bridge and other parts of south Louisiana.
2.
Louisiana Food Ethics
I’m here to tell you the truth and nothing but the truth. Don’t dine at restaurants from other states who claim to make Cajun food. Many people in Louisiana follow this unspoken rule. If you want to experience our exquisite cuisine, then you have to come to Louisiana. I believe that you will get the full experience of Cajun food through parents and grandparents who are from Louisiana. There’s nothing better than a home-cooked gumbo. It’s way better than paying $20 for a plate of crawfish etouffee. Another controversial topic in Louisiana is boiled crawfish. It has to be spicy and well-seasoned. Adding potatoes and corn IS also necessary. Crawfish season has to be my most anticipated season of the year because it falls during the greatest holiday of all time, Mardi Gras.
3.
A Second Christmas
The title basically states how seriously we consider the Mardi Gras season. It’s our second Christmas, and the greatest time to party of the year. It’s a time to eat loads of food and drink a lot, which is something you will see a lot even when Mardi Gras is over. I think every young Louisianan has been personally shocked by the fact that most states don’t have daiquiris drive-thrus like we do. Mardi Gras isn’t always about Bourbon Street either. It’s a great time to experience the music, food and art of New Orleans. Catching beads and gawking at the extravagant floats is also another favorite part of Mardi Gras. If you’re new, I highly recommend taking a trip to New Orleans during Mardi Gras. The Mardi Gras celebration doesn’t stop in New Orleans. It’s celebrated all over south Louisiana, but we know people from all over the country and world do come to New Orleans to celebrate.
4.
The Sound of Music
If you haven’t figured it out yet, music plays a huge part of our culture. We are known for jazz with legendary Louis Armstrong, and Frenchmen Street in New Orleans, which holds countless jazz clubs. Fats Domino is also another musician from Louisiana who was a pioneer of early rock and roll. But, I think the most overlooked music genre that majority of people not know about is zydeco. Zydeco can be heard anywhere from my hometown of Breaux Bridge and the neighboring city of Lafayette. This genre is a mix of Louisiana French and Afro-Caribbean music. People dance to it all the time either alone or with a partner.
5.
That’s Hot
It’s miserable walking from class to class in that Louisiana heat. I really don’t have anything else to say. It’s just really hot, and the heat really is unbearable. This is just a warning that the heat really is that bad, and it’s going to stay that way. Just drink lots of water. Also, did I mention it rains a lot?
6.
A Friend of Yours is a Friend of Mine
The last thing I want to mention is our hospitality. I went to New York City a couple of times and figured out quickly that everything is fast-paced. I love the city and how fast-paced everything is, but we need a break. Louisiana really isn’t fast-paced even in New Orleans. We love to be with friends and family and having a good time. We welcome others with open arms and just want to share our culture with them. We may be rowdy at football games, but at the end of the day, it’s just a game. We’ll have fun and party with our opponents because life is too short to be angry. When the weather is right for a crawfish boil with the ones we love, it’s exactly the Louisiana way.
Thursday, January 30, 2020
page 6
The top 5 best chicken sandwiches around LSU’s campus BY CHARLES JONES @saxycj The chicken sandwich is one of the most desirable food items in the industry, following the consistency of Chick-FilA and the insane success of the Popeyes chicken sandwich. However, there are more chicken sandwiches out there, deserving attention as well. Luckily for LSU students, five of the best chicken sandwiches on the market are within driving distance from campus, for your delicious poultry cravings. Here are, in my not-so-humble opinion, and in no particular order, the five best chicken sandwiches available, all of which are closely available for LSU students. 1. Chick-Fil-A - Spicy Chicken Sandwich The chicken sandwich supposedly got its start at the Georgiabased chicken juggernaut ChickFil-A. The fried chicken breast, with three pickle slices and a toasted, buttered bun, has been a consistent cultural food staple for over 50 years now. However, it is the spicy iteration of the classic that takes the cake in my book. The blend of spices gives the
Get your
classic formula enough kick to entertain your taste buds but not enough to really beat them to a pulp. A delicious sandwich from a delicious location, that has an on campus location, as well as two very nearby locations as well (one on College Drive and the other on Burbank Drive). 2. Popeyes - Spicy Chicken Sandwich The social media sensation to end all social media sensation, the Popeyes spicy chicken sandwich made cultural waves when it originally ran its previous limited time offer in early 2019. Since then, demand for the fried delicacy, consisting of spicy mayonnaise, pickles, a delicious golden fried chicken breast, and a brioche bun, has been at an all time high, so much so that it is now a full menu item rather than a limited item. Popeyes knocked the advertisement and social media craze out of the park, and the sandwich is absolutely worth every bit of the hype. 3. Atomic Burger - Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich When Atomic Burger opened its doors on Burbank, it made waves in the Baton Rouge burger
scene. Now, they brought their popular limited time option of a fried chicken sandwich, which was extremely popular at their location in Metairie, to the 225. Featuring two styles, Nashville hot or mild, the sandwich is on a potato roll like the burgers at Atomic, then the chicken breast is duck fat fried, with roasted garlic aioli, pickled cabbage, and dill pickles to top. If you want a little extra heat, the Nashville hot choice is the best option, as it provides a fair amount of heat to balance the crisp, cool taste of the pickles and cabbage. 4. The Chimes - Blackened Chicken Sandwich The Chimes is a local food staple, with two locations in Baton Rouge offering up delicious seafood and ice cold beer. However, one of the most underrated items on the menu isn’t seafood at all. The blackened chicken sandwich, aside from being fractionally healthier than its fried counterparts, features a chicken breast with delicious herbs and spices, coming to you dressed the way you want it. If you’re looking for something a little more in line with your diet, this is the chicken sandwich you want.
COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA
5. Raising Cane’s - The Sandwich Combo Okay, here me out...the sandwich at Raising Cane’s is actually delicious. It contains all of the aspects of Cane’s that you know and love, while adding a new and convenient way to eat it. The three fingers and sauce are all their, and lie on a bed of lettuce on a delicious Kaiser Roll.
Commemorative Poster today!
visit LSUReveille.com or email admanager@lsu.edu
It is a classic combo that cannot be beat, and it should be a much more popular selection on Cane’s menu than it currently it. HONORABLE MENTIONS: Wendy’s Spicy Asiago Chicken Sandwich, The Overpass Merchant’s Billy Ray Cyrus, Burgersmith’s Roasted Chicken Sandwich
DELIVERS DELIVERS TALENT
TALENT
The College of Music & Dramatic Arts is your premier source for performing arts on the LSU campus, with over 300 events each year, many of which are free for students to attend. From the dynamic rhythms of the School of Music, to the emotive expressions of the The School College of Music Dramatic Arts your premier of Theatre, we&have something foriseveryone.
source for performing arts on the LSU campus, with & Tickets overInformation 300 events each year, many of which are free for Purchase tickets online at lsu.edu/cmda/events students attend. From the dynamic rhythms of the or call to 225-578-3527 for details. School of Music, to the emotive expressions of the School of Theatre, we have something for everyone. Information & Tickets Purchase tickets online at lsu.edu/cmda/events or call 225-578-3527 for details.
Stephenson Department of Entrepreneurship & Information Systems
Any of LSU’s 330 academic programs can be paired with our BS in Entrepreneurship. Visit lsu.edu/business/opportunity to learn more.
! s u w o l Fol For more information, visit us at
lsudining.com
Thursday, January 30, 2020
page 7
REV R ANKS MUSIC
CIRCLES Mac Miller
“Circles” complements “Swimming,” Miller’s last album before his death, and basically concludes his music career. Miller was a gentle and kind soul whose legacy deserves to be passed down. His musical growth was fun to watch and listen to. Also, it’s a reminder of how mental health can affect someone, and there’s not an easy path to recovery.
Britney Young @byoun99
DOCUMENTARY
CHEER
Netflix
Binge-watching “Cheer” on Netflix is highly recommended. Anyone and everyone will enjoy this show and become very attentive to the team and their success. Watching a team work through the ups and downs to accomplish a goal they all hoped for was exhilarating to watch. So, next time you or someone else says cheerleading is not a sport, watch this documentary, and then get back to me.
Caroline Hebert @sister_carols
MOVIE
DOLITTLE Universal Pictures
A dated story, weak visuals, and unfunny writing ruin a perfectly wonderful cast, and create the first big flop of 2020. Do yourself a favor; “1917” and countless other (and better) films in theaters right now.
Charles Jones @saxycj
MUSIC
MANIC Paramount Pictures
This album is gentle and powerful and showcases Ashley as a person and what she can do musically, featuring different genres and different collaborators. I tried to put into words how much I love this album, but I don’t think I ever will be able to do it justice. Do yourself a favor and go listen to this album and hear the story and musical masterpiece from Ashley herself.
EnJanae’ Taylor @_queenet_
Read the full reviews online at lsunow.com/entertainment
‘Sex Education’ is a Netflix must watch binge worthy premier BY ALEXANDRIA DUQUE @AlexInTheMedia Netflix’s season two of “Sex Education” is even more humorous and heartfelt than the first. Shows about growing up and exploring sexuality have become popular over the past couple years. “Big Mouth” and “Sex Education” are beloved by fans who relate to the message they bring and the truth they tell. The show established that in its first season and came back even better in its second season. The storyline is meaningful, and we see real character growth throughout. By the last episode, you’ll be laughing, crying and desperately wanting another season. The season starts off rocky with Otis (Asa Butterfield) and his girlfriend Ola (Patricia Allison) discovering that Otis’s mother, (Gillian Anderson) Dr. Milburn, is dating Ola’s father Jackob (Mikael Persbrandt). Otis wants to have space from his mom to grow up, but when an outbreak of Chlamydia seems to take over the school, Dr. Milburn feels the need to come and spread information about sex to the students. The parents and students in the show could have used a show like this at this time. The lack of knowledge they had on these topics was astounding. Sure, it may have been exaggerated, but some schools desperately need to update their sex education programs, and some parents need to learn to have discussions with their teenagers about safe sex. We do get a great glee-like performances to attempt to discuss the issue, but all it really did was make it worse. Honestly, I’m not complaining because I love a good messy acapella showcase. We continue on, Maeve (Emma Mackey) gets to come back to school. Jackson (Kedar Williams-Stirling) feels crushed by the pressure of swimming and actually decided to crush his hand, putting it in a cast and preventing him from swimming for a while. With Maeve back, she decides to start running the business again with Otis. With his
COURTESY OF IMDB
mom on campus, he hopes she doesn’t find out, but he then begins to worry about her stealing all of their clients. Maeve also realizes she still has feelings for Otis even though he’s moved on with Ola, which leads to the girls not having the best relationship. Maeve also has to deal with her mom coming back with some surpries and a new mysterious neighbor. The relationship drama doesn’t stop there, with the new it-boy having an interest in Eric (Ncuti Gatwa) after his secret lover Adam (Connor Swindells) comes back from military camp. This season was about the characters learning about themselves and discovering who they are. One of the most powerful messages I’ve seen made for teens occurred through the second half of the season, when Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood) gets sexually assaulted. The incident affects her, impacting her relationships and day-to-day activities.
It’s sadly true that everyone you meet has a story about an event that shouldn’t have occurred, but it’s amazing to see the women in Aimee’s life share their stories and support her through her difficult time. The show talks about different sexualities, sexual assault, womanhood, mental health issues and of course sex education. All important topics that the main audience should know about, and they get to learn about it through funny dialogue and high-quality drama. We finally get to see Maeve open up, Jackson discuss his mental health issues and Otis admit his true feelings about his parent’s relationship. There’s a lot of ups and downs, and even more surprises in this season, but it’s incredible to watch and I honestly enjoyed it from start to finish. From big parties to super sexual and a funny “Romeo and Juliet” musical that looks a lot like “Rocky Horror,” “Sex Education” season two does not disappoint.
Classifieds
Thursday, January 30, 2020
page 8
Now twice a week. To place your ad, visit www.lsureveille.com/classifieds and click Submit an Ad Costs: $0.34 per word per day. Minimum $3.75 per day. Deadline: 12 p.m., three school days prior to the print publication date
Help Wanted LSU Student Media Distribution Assistant LSU Student Media is seeking applicants for the position of Distribution Assistant. This position is responsible for delivery/distribution of The Reveille newspaper and special publications. Applicants must be LSU students enrolled full time and in good standing. Reliable personal transportation and availability in the early morning hours on Mondays and Thursdays are required. Job expectations include attention to detail, good communication skills and the ability to follow instructions precisely. Distribution Assistants are considered brand ambassadors of the Reveille/ Student Media and are accountable for the presentation of the publications distributed. Rate of pay is $20/hr. Please apply at www.lsureveille.com/application. Pristine Performance Academy is looking for recreational gymnastics coaches and camp counselors. Must be able to work Saturdays. Please email pristineperformancemanagement@gmail.com. PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY AND ORTHODONTIC ASSISTANTLooking for the right outgoing, hard working, enthusiastic person to work part time( min 15 hours) during school semester in an extremely fast paced office. Must be available during holidays and full time during the summer. Great pay, great team, and no experience needed. Email resume and school schedule to ssbatonrouge@smilestars.com
make a
splash
with
YOUR business!
place a classified at LsuReveille.com!
For Rent NEWER 4 BED 2 BATH 2 CAR GARAGE, GRANITE, STAINLESS STEEL, LAUNDRY, PRIVATE YARD/PATIO $1890/MO 808-292-0842
Boil Up
Some Interest!
Let Your Business Bloom
Place a Classified
LSUReveille.com
Place your
Place a Classified today! LSUReveille.com
REEL IN SOME
business!
classified
{ { HE RE
place a classified
Place a classified at LSUReveille.com
LsuReveille.com!
at
FOR RELEASE JANUARY 30, 2020
THE Daily Commuter Puzzle ACROSS 1 Smooch 5 Slide over on the bench 10 Worry 14 __ along; move slowly 15 Item in a purse or pocket 16 Tush 17 “__ Breaky Heart”; Billy Ray Cyrus hit 18 Remorse 20 __ Paulo 21 Pizzas 22 “Malcolm __ Middle” 23 Refueling ship 25 “Joan of __”; Ingrid Bergman film 26 Cane alternative 28 Snoozes 31 __ at; tried to shoot 32 “A rose by any other name __…” 34 __ amok; went wild 36 Lupino’s namesakes 37 Actress Field 38 Song sung alone 39 __ up; ease 40 Actress Bo 41 Pool toys 42 Whispered confidence 44 Pastor’s territory 45 “Tie a yellow ribbon round the ole __…” 46 Permissible 47 Thin piece of leather 50 Humongous 51 Toward a ship’s stern 54 Introducing 57 Suffix for detest or predict 58 Vienna’s nation: abbr. 59 On a __; overindulging 60 Hightail it 61 Mosquito __; tropical bed tents 62 Performed 63 Enlarge a hole DOWN 1 Optima & Sorento 2 Early Peruvian
by Jacqueline E. Mathews
Created by Jacqueline E. Mathews
3 Kid in the next desk 4 Timid 5 More agile 6 __ on; root for 7 Klutz’s word 8 Half and half 9 Reasonable bedtime 10 Brigitte Bardot’s birthplace 11 Ripped in two 12 Every 13 Arbor Day planting 19 In need of a nap 21 Begged 24 Eisenhower & others 25 Supportive friend 26 Cry loudly 27 Assistants 28 Mope 29 Cost-effective 30 Sprinkles at the table 32 Where to apply Compound W 33 Olsen of Vaudeville 35 Have a snack 37 Look for 38 Dress for Indira
1/30/20
Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved
©2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.
40 Curtain 41 Churchill Downs event 43 Seasides 44 __ out; stuffed oneself 46 Sudden forward thrust 47 Bridge 48 __ or false test
1/30/20
49 Take a nap 50 Helpful tip 52 Small wingless insect 53 Abound 55 Org. for Clippers & Cavaliers 56 __ Tac; breath mint 57 Chad’s continent: abbr.
SPORTS
page 9
Column: Kobe Bryant will always inspire resilience and love MYLES KUSS @kussmyles Usually when people encounter a black snake in the wild, they run in the other direction and never look back. Never would you look to this animal for inspiration, but people have been looking to this Black Mamba for years. People looked at Kobe Bryant in awe, in anger, for guidance, and for inspiration. No matter why or what for, the world never ran in the other direction when it came to Kobe Bryant. And now, he’s gone. Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday. The sports world is trying to deal with the unexpected loss of a true legend as athletes from LSU’s own Shaquille O’Neal breaking down on NBA,TNT’s pregame show, to soccer stars across the globe. Fans, athletes and reporters alike have cried and shared their stories of why Kobe meant so much to them and to the world. Growing up in a Boston Celtics household, I was trained to hate the Los Angeles Lakers. That included Kareem AbdulJabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Bryant. Yet, Bryant was so universally loved in the end. So much so that I had to put up my Celtics green and really look at this Bryant guy. He was a pure scorer and had the best turnaround jumper that I have ever seen. The resemblance to Michael Jordan was uncanny. Even if he would have beaten Abdul-Jabbar in scoring, that would not have changed the
love he received throughout his career and retirement. His constant demeanor is what caused to ascend to a cultural icon, not his pullup jumpers or his reverse layups. He taught the world the importance not just to do what you love, but work hard once you find it. That Mamba Mentality is a lesson that we could all use in our day-to-day lives. At the end of the day, Bryant was a father first and raised four daughters and never felt any pressure to have a son. That is what made him special. He found his two passions, basketball and parenthood, and worked harder than anyone else at both. Until the very end. Make no mistake about it, he needed this mentality to endure the rough stretches of his life. He was drafted out of high school and traded to straight one of the most successful franchises in the NBA -- and maybe all of sports -- and wasn’t immediately accepted by his teammates. He faced hardships throughout his time in the league, but never as public as one night in Colorado in 2003. In 2003, Bryant faced a rape allegation from a 19-year-old woman who worked at a hotel where Bryant was staying. The charges were eventually dismissed after the woman failed to testify, but later a civil suit was brought was settled out of court. This situation tarnished his legacy for a significant amount of time and almost led to a divorce in 2011, but Kobe never quit and continued to improve himself. He often leaned on his Catholic faith and emphasized his dedication to his family by picking up his children whenever
JESSICA HILL/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was killed Sunday along with his daughter Gianna on Jan.26 after a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. he could, even after long nights in the gym or on the road. He was recognized said talking to his priest saved him during his darker times. In addition to getting through hardship, Bryant was an intellectual who knew multiple languages and continued to become informed in any subject that could help him connect
with others. This is why young people look up to Bryant, not just basketball players. He admitted he made mistakes, but he found what he loved, and he never let those passions go. Every challenge that you face is only as tough as the mentality you bring to it, and Kobe showed that if you bring the “Mamba Mental-
ity” to what you love, you will be doing it for a long time. Thank you, Bryant, for showing the world what to strive for: love of what you do. I can’t wait to tell my sons and daughters the story of the young stud from Philadelphia that never knew when to quit. It will become their favorite story.
Bo Pelini named LSU football’s next defensive coordinator BY HARRISON VALENTINE @ HValentineLSU LSU has hired Youngstown State head coach Bo Pelini as its next defensive coordinator, the school officially announced on Monday. Pelini will reportedly sign a three-year deal, earning him $2.3 million, making him the second-highest paid assistant in college football behind Auburn DC Kevin Steele. Pelini replaces Dave Aranda, who accepted the Baylor head coaching job on Jan. 16 after an impressive fouryear stint in Baton Rouge. “The opportunity to return to LSU is truly unique,” Pelini said in his announcement. “Culturally, with my prior experience at LSU, I know it is a great fit for me. The chance to work
with Coach Orgeron, the ability to take charge of the Tigers’ defense, is something that I’m extremely excited about. All of that in a place that both my family and I immensely enjoyed when we were there before is very exciting for us. We are very honored and looking forward to this next chapter.” Pelini served as LSU’s defensive coordinator under Les Miles from 2005-2007 before moving on to become the head coach at Nebraska (2008-2014) and Younstown State (20152019). During Pelini’s time at Nebraska, he recorded an overall record of 66–27 over seven seasons. He compiled a 33-28 record at Youngstown State. In his tenure with the Tigers, Pelini’s defenses ranked third
nationally all three years, two of which ranked atop the Southeastern Conference. In his final year at LSU, Pelini was a member of the BCS National Championship team, which took down Ohio State 3824 in New Orleans. He notably coached eventual first-round draft pick Glenn Dorsey, the most decorated defensive player in program history. “We are privileged to have one of the top defensive coordinators in all of football in Bo Pelini join our staff,” Orgeron said in an official release. “Bo has had some of the best defenses in football during his career and we are looking forward to him bringing his knowledge and expertise back to LSU to win championships.”
COURTESY OF THE WIKIMMEDIA
Bo Pelini served as LSU’s defensive corrdinator from 2005-2007. He now returns to the position.
page 10
Thursday, January 30, 2020
BASEBALL
Getting to know the fresh faces of LSU baseball program BY NATASHA MALONE @ malone_natasha As the 2020 LSU baseball season approaches, many new faces to the program arise. The Tigers brought another top-10 ranked recruiting class, according to Baseball America, and many are looking to have a significant impact on this young, but talented ,Tigers team. The Tigers are welcoming in 14 players comprised of junior college-signees and freshmen. Coach Paul Mainieri is high on some of these highly touted incomers, as he highlighted junior college transfer Zack Mathis, catcher Alex Milazzo and outfielder Maurice Hampton during LSU’s annual media day at Alex Box Stadium. One of the most intriguing players through fall ball has been the emergence of junior college transfer Mathis. Mainieri gave Mathis praise, comparing him to former Tiger Josh Smith. “When I think of a replacement for Josh (Smith), even though it’s a different position, I think (third baseman) Zack Mathis has those qualities of a real leader,” Mainieri said. The Tigers biggest area of concern is its infield. The team is returning one starter from 2019, shortstop Hal Hughes. Although Hughes is returning, Mainieri is still looking for someone else to emerge as a leader in the infield. “Our infield is the most inexperienced group we have out there,” Mainieri said. “Hal (Hughes), of course, is a fine defensive player. He is a pretty
steady shortstop and makes the routine play for us. On a given day if that’s what we need is a shortstop to make some plays for us and have some scrappy at-bats, then Hal will be the guy, but I am still looking for someone to step up.” Mathis had an outstanding two-year career at San Joaquin Delta College, posting a .352 career batting average with 14 home runs, 48 doubles, 134 hits and 134 RBI. Zachary native, Milazzo, also has the chance to get playing time early as he looks to solidify his position behind the plate, an area where the Tigers struggled last season. “Words can’t describe adequately how excited I am to have Alex Milazzo as part of our program,” Mainieri said “Alex is a tough, hard-nosed, and gritty player that will provide great leadership behind the plate.” Mainieri said. “He is probably known as the best throwing catcher in the country for the 2019 class.” Hampton, the talented dualsport athlete, is looking to make up missed time due to football. Hampton was ranked as high as the No. 23 overall prospect by Perfect Game and turned down a significant amount of money represent the Purple and Gold. “You can tell he’s going to get better as a hitter, because he’s so athletic and strong,” said Mainieri. “Mechanically, he’s a little tight. The more he plays, the better he’ll get.” Hampton is in competition with sophomore Giovanni Digiacomo for center field job. Mainieri is waiting to see how
The Reveile Archives
LSU junior infielder Hal Hughes (3) catches the ball during the Tigers’ scrimmage on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, in Alex Box Stadium. the rest of preseason plays out before giving an opening day roster.
“I can’t even come close to giving you that right now,” Mainieri said when speaking on
opening-day lineups. “I’m still waiting for certain players to assert themselves.”
FOOTBALL
LSU gains new commitments ahead of national signing day BY NATASHA MALONE @ malone_natasha With just nine days until Feb. 5 and National Signing Day, LSU football recruiting is in full swing. Coming off a national championship win, Coach Ed Orgeron and company have taken no time off on the recruiting trail. In the past week, the Tigers have gained pledges from many positions of need and are still pushing hard to build on others. From unexpectedly losing pledges, including from two five-star wide receivers during the early signing period, the Tigers were looking to pick up another wide receiver for the 2020 cycle. They did just that in Alex Adams. Adams shut down his recruitment and committed to the Tigers, giving LSU its third receiver in the 2020 class. The Mississippi native joins Louisiana natives Kayshon Boutte and Koy Moore as the Tigers’ wideouts in this class. The Tigers received another
unexpected, but much needed, gift on Sunday evening, as they landed a commitment from four-star and top 150 prospect Kevontre Bradford. Bradford’s commitment came after his weekend visit. The Texas native is ranked as the No. 138 overall prospect in the country’s 2020 class, and No. 15 nationally in terms of 2020 running backs. Bradford stands as the lone running back commit in this year’s recruiting cycle. With one open sort remaining in the Tigers’ 2020 class, LSU is all in on one of the highest-rated unsigned prospects. The Tigers pushed hard to flip South Carolina commit, Jordan Burch. Burchs’ recruiting process has had bumps in the road. Many thought he was going to sign with LSU during the early signing period, but the South Carolina native decided to stay home. The Tigers never failed to take their foot off the gas when it came to Burch and now they hope for it to pay off.
At 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, Burch is ranked by the 247Sports Composite as the No. 2 defensive tackle in the country and
the No. 7 overall prospect in the 2020 class. The five-star defensive linemen took an official visit over to Baton Rouge over
the weekend and with signing day just over a week away, LSU looks to be in good position to land the five-star recruit.
ABBY KIBLER / The Reveille
Coach Ed Orgeron gets cheered on as he walks down Victory Hill before the Tigers’ 42-6 win against Utah State on Saturday, October 5, 2019.
OPINION PREACH IT
page 11
Campus preachers hurt the University’s image, need to be ignored
GABBING WITH GABBY GABBY MARTINEZ @gobbymartinez Whether students like it or not, everyone has the right to showcase their own propaganda in the University’s Free Speech Alley. Recently, self-proclaimed “campus preachers” have taken to the alley to preach the good word of fanatical hate. Just as the College Democrats have the right to set up shop outside of the Student Union, these radical Christians are authorized to do the same. As long as they don’t instigate or encourage physical harm, they are protected by their First Amendment rights. Not a single soul takes them seriously, other than themselves. And since the preachers aren’t physically intimidating, they are nothing but comic relief for students between long lectures and labs. Sometimes the height of your day can be to get some Chick-fil-A
from the Union and engage with the preachers for entertainment. These extremists are willing to debate with anyone, even the girls in Nike shorts who they slutshame. But this debate is exactly what they want. According to a website run by Brother Jed, a long-time fixture at the University, they pointedly practice “confrontational evangelism.” On the website, you can also find a 2-hour long video teaching others how to handle a crowd of sinners, accompanied by an off-brand Stevie Nicks soundtrack. One of the saddest things to witness is the elementary school field trips visiting the University, where kids have to walk past an old man screaming about “gays going to Hell.” Similarly, it’s disappointing to see prospective LSU Kickoff students experience this kind of hate as a first impression when walking to the Union. For a school that prides itself on diversity and inclusion, these preachers create an Islamaphobic and ableist space in front of one of the biggest meeting grounds
on campus. It’s kind of funny to look down at your phone and see that the LSU Student Health Center created an Instagram post on emotional wellness, only to have someone on the same campus yell that mental health and depression is fake. The preachers also denounce the consumption of alcohol and the act of “fornication.” Not to mention, most of these preachers love President Trump as if he were the second coming of Christ himself. Despite his multiple sex abuse allegations and divorces, they compare themselves to him and admire his ability to be “unafraid” in politics. They not only discredit Christians worldwide, but they hurt other evangelical organizations promoting themselves in Free Speech Alley. Students walking past these religious bigots will tend to immediately invalidate other campus ministries as viable options, associating religion with these people. While there’s not much the University can do to dismantle
cartoon by ETHAN GILBERTI / The Reveille
the organization from protesting on-campus, there is something that students have the ability to change. They can simply quit giving them the attention they want. Without attention or peo-
ple caring, then their mission boils down to absolutely nothing. Gabrielle Martinez is a 19-yearold mass communication freshman from Gonzales, Louisiana.
The University’s transition to online ADA-compliance has been difficult, but worthwhile TEA WITH MARIE MARIE PLUNKETT @MarieC_214 In the 2019-2020 academic year, the University has faced numerous changes and exciting new prospects. Former President F. King Alexander announced his departure to run Oregon State University, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences appointed a new dean, the football team won the national championship and LSU is finally on its way to becoming ADA-compliant. The Office for Civil Rights informed the University of its noncompliance with federal accessibility laws and estab-
lished August 2019 as the deadline for the University to ensure all online and classroom content is ADA-compliant. Though the deadline has since passed, the period of transition for faculty, staff and students hasn’t. In order to be ADA-compliant, online content, including but not limited to electronic documents, emails and official social media channels produced by the University, must be accessible for all users, must work with assistive technologies and must be in compliance for all classes. This means syllabi, handouts and PowerPoints posted to Moodle by professors must be checked for accessibility before being published. Syllabus week earlier this semester seemed to be one endless cycle of frustration and delays as professors and students
alike complained about the “new” requirements. While there’s certainly a learning curve for every new procedure, and it does takes time to settle into an efficient routine, the importance and magnitude of accessibility on campus far outweighs any short-term inconveniences. The University is behind the curve with ADA-compliance, and the resistance and negative reception of the recent updates only further tarnishes our reputation. The situation is frustrating for those attempting to navigate the changes without proper training or explanation. That is nothing compared to the frustration of not being able to receive the same education as your peers because of an institution’s noncompliance with federal mandates. The transition hasn’t been
smooth for some, but the prog- ings on campus fail to meet the ress being made is encouraging. proper criteria. Some of the buildThe University is ings around the taking steps not quad, like Stubbs only to prevent Hall, don’t have future lawsuits elevators providThe University is taking ing access to the and legal issues, but also more steps not only to prevent second and third importantly to future lawsuits...but also... floors. create a more Regardless of welcoming and to create a more welcoming whether these open atmosphere and open atmosphere for buildings pose for students from a potential lestudents all backgrounds. gal threat to the Students University, steps should embrace should be taken the change and to ensure acceseducate themsibility for all selves about it. Furthermore, students. After all, as an academic ADA-compliance isn’t limited to institution, the University’s priority electronic content, it also involves should always be the student body. physical accessibility of buildings and resources located on campus. While the University has met Marie Plunkett is a 20-year-old these requirements on the newer classical studies junior from New buildings, many of the old build- Orleans.
Editorial Policies and Procedures EDITORIAL BOARD Caleb Greene Brittany Forbes Baily Chauvin Anna Jones Rachel Mipro
Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Editor Deputy News Editor Opinion Editor
The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, The Reveille or the university. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-39 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must provide a contact phone number for verification purposes, which will not be printed. The Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving the original intent. The Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Reveille’s editor in chief, hired every semester by the LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
Quote of the Week “To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.”
Jane Austen author 1775-1817
page 12
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Saints’ hidden emails are raising questions, should be released GRACE ON FIRE GRACE PULLIAM @gcpulli In a Jan. 24 article from the Associated Press, it was revealed that executive staffers for the New Orleans Saints assisted Archbishop Gregory Aymond with extensive PR damage control following the 2018 Catholic Church sexual abuse scandals. The assistance came in the wake of public outrage, at a time when over fifty Catholic clergymen were implicated in allegations of sexual abuse. Spokesmen for over two dozen alleged victims, who are now pursuing a lawsuit against the church, claim to have proof of the Saints’ involvement in an institutional cover-up and have since filed a motion for the public release of several related emails exchanged between Aymond and the organization. Saints executives have appeared in court to appeal for the motion to be dismissed. Shortly after the report dropped, the Saints issued a public statement, admitting to having been contacted by Aymond in 2018. However, the team adamantly denied a cover-up, claiming that Senior
Vice President of Communications Greg Bensel simply urged the archbishop to be “direct, open, and fully transparent” with law enforcement and media. In case you’re wondering why the archbishop chose to reach out to the Saints for help in the midst of this crisis, it wasn’t because of the team’s name. His decision probably had to do more with the fact that devout Roman Catholic and Saints-owner Gayle Benson— who inherited the team from her late husband, mogul Tom Benson—is a longtime friend of Aymond’s and a significant benefactor of the archdiocese. Like all franchises in the NFL, the Saints are privately owned. As such, Benson was acting well within her rights as the owner when she chose to lend out the team’s assets in support of the church. Without an indictment by a grand jury, there’s no statutory precedent for such private and presumably sensitive trade documents to be made subject to public record. If the court were to rule in favor of publicizing the emails, it would be a landmark breach of the conventions of civil discovery. In that regard, I understand that there are professional and legal stakes behind the Saints’ efforts to pro-
tect these documents. Still, I wonder. In the face of mounting scrutiny from the press, might it not be in the Saints’ best interest to release the emails themselves, rather than wait for the court’s decision? If the Saints’ correspondence with Aymond does square with the claims made in their official statement, why not prove it? Inquiring minds want to know. It seems unlikely the emails will be released anytime soon either by means of a court order or by an independent motion on the team’s part. In the event that the suit against the archdiocese goes to trial, the related documents may be entered into evidence by the court, at which point they will immediately become public record. Given the seriousness of the charges brought up by the suit, a grand jury is likely to make an indictment in the case. Frankly, any other outcome would represent an upsetting miscarriage of due process. As for what evidence the emails might contain about the alleged abuse itself? For now, that remains to be seen. At the moment, the Saints are under no legal obligation to release the records of their correspondence with Aymond and the church. I imagine that the longer the emails stay buried,
the more questions will arise concerning what it might be, exactly, that Benson and her Saints are trying to keep from
seeing the light of day. Grace Pulliam is an 18-yearold creative writing major from Zachary, Louisiana.
GERALD HEBERT / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gayle Benson, widow of NFL New Orleans Saints and NBA New Orleans Pelicans owner Tom Benson, walks down the steps to receive his casket with New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond for visitation at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.
The Grammys Awards are driving fans away, losing credibility, respect EVAN ON EARTH EVAN LEONHARD @evan_leonhard For decades, the Grammy Awards have been the paradigm of musical achievement. The Recording Academy, the non-profit in charge of the award show, has played an enormous role in setting trends and spotlighting artists that have changed the course of American music history. Mariah Carey, Amy Winehouse, Adele and the Beatles are all examples of artists that were baptized into iconic careers by the Grammy’s Best New Artist award. However, a plague of accusations has rocked the Academy’s reputation in recent years, causing many to reevaluate the award show’s relevance to musical merit and culture on the whole. New allegations of corruption and abuse made by former Recording Academy CEO, Deborah Dugan, might be the final nail in the coffin for the organization’s credibility. The show’s deteriorating public perception has evidently made a serious impact on its audience, as ratings have consistently decreased for the past decade. With its status and viewership in rapid decline, I think we are witnessing the
Grammys’ last moments. One sign of the show’s downfall can be seen in the strange and confusing choices of nominees and winners. Perhaps the most infamous example of this in recent memory was when Macklemore’s “The Heist” won over Kendrick Lamar’s “good kid, m.A.Ad city” for Best Rap Album in 2014. Incidents like these, in which an artist of color gets snubbed despite enormous critical acclaim, provoke suspicion of racist attitudes or alternative agendas that might hold sway in the Academy behind closed doors. In the years following the Macklemore-Kendrick debacle, the public, including artists themselves, has subjected the Grammys to unprecedented scrutiny. Examples of supposed snubbing were being identified and criticized left and right. In protest, many mainstream musicians, like Drake, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, have, at one point or another, opted to boycott the award ceremony altogether. At a pre-Grammy gala last Saturday, rapper and record executive Sean “Diddy” Combs added to the litany of celebrity rebellions against the Recording Academy. In his acceptance speech for a lifetime achievement award, in front of hundreds of other musicians and Academy
executives, he expressed some derisive remarks about hip hop’s historically poor relationship with the Grammys. Diddy stated, “Truth be told, hip-hop has never been respected by the Grammys. Black music has never been respected by the Grammys to the point that it should be . . . And for years we’ve allowed institutions that have never had our best interests at heart to judge us. And that stops right now.” With its own industry in revolt, I don’t see how the Grammys can continue to sustain any significant cultural influence without making some sweeping changes to award processes and overall transparency. In a formal complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), about ten days prior to Diddy’s scathing speech, recently ousted Recording Academy CEO Deborah Dugan essentially exposed the Grammys for tampering with results, confirming the corruption that has been suspected for years. Dugan’s accusations ultimately boil down to what she calls “a boys’ club” at the helm of the Academy. She asserted that this elite, all-male pack of executives prioritize their own interests over the integrity of the awards and the artists they claim to be honoring.
Dugan alleged this “boys’ club” is not beyond bypassing the Grammys’ voting process by choosing winners and nominees that best suit their financial investments or personal motives. She confirms the likelihood of racist and sexist undertones behind many of these dishonest decisions. I don’t see how the Grammys can recover from this. Beyond the obviously problematic bigotry that seems to haunt the Academy’s inner workings, the mere revelation that the show’s results are not totally based on merit is enough to do irrevocable dam-
age to its reputation as the music industry’s premier prize. As someone who has grown up making an event of award nights, it’s particularly disheartening for me to watch the Grammys deteriorate like this. Although I don’t think it’s likely, I genuinely hope that the Recording Academy will come to its senses and get its act together. Institutions that authentically elevate and honor great art are so important for the vitality of our culture. Evan Leonhard is a 19 yearold English and philosophy major from New Orleans Louisiana.
MATT SAYLES / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Billie Eilish accepts the award for record of the year for “Bad Guy” at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Jan. 26, in Los Angeles.