The Reveille 3-13-19

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We d ne s d ay, M a r c h 13, 2 019

POWER BALLOT Brooklen Farley

Catherine Mckinney Andrew Arata

Nalo Zidan William Jewell

With five tickets and a diverse range of candidates, the 2019 Student Government election is a historic event at LSU, page 2 NEWS

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LSU professor seeks to dispel negative misconceptions about shark attacks.

SPORTS

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“The choice to suspend Wade is, plainly and simply, an act of cowardice made by the LSU administration.”

ENTERTAINMENT

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‘Airline Highway’ will run from March 21 to 31 at the Swine Palace.

OPINION

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“If a person in the midst of an argument feels so victimized by another’s beliefs that he reports the name-calling, that person is a ‘snowflake’“

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

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L SU Re ve i l le.co m

COVER STORY

A look at the five LSU Student Government presidential campaigns, platforms

BY KARLI CARPENTER @karlicarpenter_ For the last two years, LSU Student Government’s presidential elections have been uncontested. But this year, five presidential candidates and their vice presidents are eagerly vying for the top SG executive positions.

This election season also includes a diverse set of candidates including two openly queer candidates and three female fronted tickets, one of which could be SG’s first black female president.

The candidates this season have overarching or similar goals and initiatives, with campus safety being a common priority among the tickets.

SG elections are on March 18, and students will vote for student body presidents, vice presidents and Honors College Council members through Tigerlink, a method initiated just this election season. Students will use Moodle to vote for other college council members and senators representing their senior colleges.

Here’s a breakdown of the candidates and their platforms, listed in the alphabetical order of presidential candidates’ last names: “For All” “For All” presidential candidate Andrew Arata and vice presidential candidate Russell Wilder plan to first create a diversity council comprising the presidents of all the University’s international student associations.

They have drafted several bills and initiatives that they are ready to materialize. Wilder has created 14 initiatives to help students with disabilities by making the University more ADA-compliant and helping those students have better overall experiences on campus.

Arata and Wilder plan to improve campus safety by implementing policies that are free and available to all students. In addition to teaching students how to remain safe, the duo said improving campus life is important and can be done by making sure residence halls are in good condition so students can live comfortably and happily.

“Legacy” “Legacy” presidential candidate Brooklen Farley and vice presidential candidate Cory Koch want to leave a legacy at the University that future administrations can expand upon. The center of their campaign is community, as the term encompasses diversity, inclusivity, representation and advocacy.

If elected, Farley would be the first black female SG president.

The “See Commitment, Feel Change” candidates feel they have the duty to advocate for students outside of SG and Greek Life — two groups they said already include outspoken and involved students. However, they

said they will still work to fulfill those groups’ needs and desires.

Campus safety is also one of Farley and Koch’s priorities, and they plan to improve it by growing SG’s relationship with LSUPD. They said they want officers to patrol areas near Middleton Library and the Quad more often, and they are in contact with LSU Staff Senate President Tammy Millican to try to expand the Tiger Transit staff at peak times.

They said they want to create the Tiger Action Group, which will be a group that advocates for students. One responsibility of the group is trying to get the University’s plus and minus grading system removed if students and faculty continue reporting the negative psychological effects it has on students. The group will also help get the grade exclusion policy extended to Physics 2000 so students who received a D or an F in the course can retake it and possibly improve their GPAs. Advocating for more diversity among the Student Health Center’s counselors will be another responsibility of the group.

Farley and Koch created a concept called the Council of High School Leaders, and they want to use SG to unite the next generation of leaders across racial and socioeconomic lines.

“Elevate” “Elevate” presidential candidate William Jewell and vice presidential candidate Taylor Scott said they want to create a fun atmosphere within SG and throughout the University. Their initiatives are organized under five primary platforms.

The first is Enhancing the Tiger Experience, which includes initiatives to improve the day-to-day lives of students.

Another is Transportation Reform, and the candidates will work with administration to implement the Parking Lot Vacancy Status, an app or feature students can use to see which parking lots are full. This will be measured by putting sensors in parking lots.

Jewell and Scott also plan to prioritize campus safety, and they said they will work with LSUPD and administrators to ensure resources are being properly utilized.

The final two initiatives include a fight for funding and health and wellness, which the pair said they may explain in more detail closer to the election.

“All In” “All In” presidential candidate Catherine McKinney and vice presidential candidate Nash Joyner’s campaign aims to leave the University in a better condition so future students can benefit.

The first of McKinney and Joyner’s three-initiative pillar is affordability. They said they are passionate about securing and expanding TOPS funding by lob-

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LSU Student Government office operates during normal hours in the LSU Student Union. bying to state legislators, which they have done successfully in the past. They also want to establish a scholarship portal students can access through their myLSU accounts. Students would fill out an application and be directed to verified scholarships they have at least a 70 percent chance of being awarded.

Their campus safety pillar includes increased ADA compliance, improved lighting on campus, better resources for LSUPD and faster transit times, which will be accomplished by putting Tiger Transit buses on more timeefficient routes.

McKinney and Joyner also want to increase student resources, and one such initiative is to bring back the Olinde Career Center’s online resume builder, which the center lost when it switched software. Students could format resumes online and receive help with adding content by going to the OCC. The pair said this is important to students’ professional development.

“The Time is Now” “The Time is Now” presidential candidate Nalo Zidan and vice presidential candidate Ethan Hunter are aiming to change the University’s culture and empower all students. Both students openly identify as queer and have made diversity a priority of their platform.

One of their initiatives includes access to leadership, which is centered around students knowing who SG leaders are and feeling comfortable voicing their concerns to them.

Another facet of the platform is helping students hold professors accountable to ensure fair grading practices, acceptable classroom conduct, respect for students and syllabi that do not violate the University’s policies.

Zidan and Hunter plan to use their basic transparency platform so students know how funds are being used. They will create an annual open forum where administrators tell students how funds from fee bills are allocated and how students benefit from it.

Their considerate accommodations platform includes initiatives to expand mental health resources, get larger bathrooms in Lockett Hall, increase support for students with invisible disabilities and broaden the accommodations offered by the Office of Disability Services.

Zidan and Hunter plan to increase campus safety by improving lighting and adding numerous emergency blue phones that immediately dial emergency numbers when they are picked up.

Full candidate profiles can be found on lsureveille.com

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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.

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NEWS

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photos courtesy of GUMBO YEARBOOK ARCHIVES (1975-86)

FACULTY

Professor supports cancer patients with art installation

BY LARA NICHOLSON @laranicholson_

From Led Zeppelin to Kevin Gates: A history of musical performances at LSU

BY LYNNE BUNCH @lynnebunch11 In the ‘70s, pop rock legend Elton John was in the prime of his career — he already released his first “Greatest Hits” album, with songs like “Rocket Man” and “Bennie and the Jets,” and he could sell out practically any stadium around

the world. In September 1974, he took his talent straight to the best Louisiana venue at the time — the PMAC, then known as the LSU Assembly Center.

John was not the only superstar to perform at the $11.5 million center since its opening in 1971. The venue stacked up performances throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s with

shows by Journey, Tina Turner, The Jackson 5, Led Zeppelin and more as Baton Rouge continued to solidify itself as an ultimate concert city.

“LSU is continually able to attract top name entertainment because the Assembly Center is the best place in Louisiana,” said the “Concert Season” section of

see GROOVIN’, page 6

the 1977 Gumbo Yearbook. “The Superdome is too big. No one wants to play in an oversized arena with 80 percent empty seats … and outdoor stadium concerts are artistically appalling and are only feasible during summer anyway. So the big names continually flock to Baton Rouge.”

In 2019, Baton Rouge is con-

A constellation of an origami boat carries a tree sapling as smaller constellations of animals follow behind. The boat lands in a Louisiana bayou, and the sapling sprouts into a healthy tree. Plants grow around the tree, and wild animals scurry up and around it.

The scene fades to black, and the origami boat floats through the sky once again.

This is the animation playing in the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center lobby. Digital Art professor Derick Ostrenko, the director of the project, said it is a symbol of the support cancer patients receive as they undergo their cancer journey.

Ostrenko unveiled his new art installation, Journey to Wellness, at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center on Feb. 19. Ostrenko worked on the project for three years with assistance from art graduate students Jake Hamill and Sarah Ferguson and the Ann Connelly Fine Art gallery.

He also received help from a

see DIGITAL ART, page 6

FACILITIES

LSU Law Center receives collection of maritime art memorabilia

BY BAILEY CHAUVIN @Bailey Chauvin The LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center received a collection of maritime art memorabilia, including 29 shipping passports signed by the first 19 U.S. presidents, from lifelong collector Richard J. Dodson.

The collection, known as the Richard J. Dodson Maritime Art Collection, was officially dedicated on March 8 with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Dodson graduated from the LSU Law Center in 1966 and has practiced maritime law for over 30 years. He has collected maritime memorabilia for over 40 years and developed an extensive collection of artifacts. He said he is proud to share his collection with the University.

“I always planned on giving my collection away as it grew,” Dodson said. “I was just thrilled with LSU said that they would love to have it.”

Dodson began collecting maritime art in 1977 when he bought a ship’s wheel from an antique store in Athens, Greece. Since then, he attended maritime auctions and purchased pieces he found interesting. Dodson became especially interested in ships’ passports and purchased his first passport, signed by George Washington, several years later.

The Mediterranean passport, also known as a ship’s passport, was created in 1795 after the U.S. signed a treaty with Algiers that promised safe passage for U.S. vessels with a passport. The Mediterranean passports were modeled after a similar British

document and required the signatures of the president, secretary of state and customs collector, as well as the U.S. seal.

The collection also includes sea letters, which are any government-issued documents held by a merchant fleet to prove its nationality and guarantee protection of the vessel. Sea letters were not as mandatory as Mediterranean passports, but further specified vessels’ national origins and places of destination.

Sea letters were originally written in only three languages, but were soon written in four — French, Spanish, English and Dutch. They were then known as four language sea letters. U.S. sea letters include signatures of the president, secretary of state, and

see LAW SCHOOL ART, page 6

NAIF OTHMAN / The Reveille

The official ribbon cutting ceremony for the Richard J. Dodson maritime collection at the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center on March 8.

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

page 4 FACULTY

Manship professor Jinx Broussard named teacher of the year

BY LARA NICHOLSON @laranicholson_ Not many professors give you their personal cell phone number, make you cry tears of joy and help you plan an event with over 700 attendees. Jinx Broussard was named teacher of the year for doing that and more for her students.

Mass communication professor Jinx Broussard won the 2018 Scripps Howard Foundation Teacher of the Year Award, which recognizes excellence in innovative teaching, mentoring of students, leading the faculty and engaging the classroom.

“I just feel like I’m doing my job every day,” Broussard said.

“I’m getting this award for doing what I wake up every morning and look forward to doing.”

Broussard is regarded as a pioneer in the classroom, using a service-learning curriculum that includes students creating agency names and logos before creating and implementing campaigns for local nonprofit organizations.

Her work with students has led to national organ donation

awareness for the Louisiana donor registry.

Public relations campaigns produced by Broussard’s students for Donate Life Louisiana have won two first place national awards and one second place national award since 2014.

“I try to create an atmosphere just like the work atmosphere,” Broussard said. “It’s not just that we’re doing this on paper. We’re doing this for real.”

Broussard also gives each student her personal cell phone number, saying that PR professionals must work in real time, so she wants to help her students in real time.

Broussard started her teaching career while working as a press secretary at Dillard University, teaching a beginning news writing class for no extra pay. She taught three classes part-time before transferring to LSU in 2006 to be a full-time professor.

“I just love to see the students’ eyes brighten when they learn something new or when they write a really good lede or when I send them out to interview

someone,” Broussard said. “I just felt really good about that.”

Broussard also tries to make personal relationships with her students. One student, who cried in fear on the first day of class eight years ago, later led her PR team and planned an event for organ donation awareness with over 700 attendees.

“At the conclusion of the course, the young woman asked me to step outside the class,” Broussard said. “She confided that she even wrote a blog about her experience and its impact on her journey from student to PR professional. With that exchange and a bear hug, I knew I had done my job.”

Broussard was nominated for the award by the Manship School of Mass Communication’s administration and did not know of the nomination until she won.

Broussard also won the LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning and Leadership Happy Award and the Guido H. Stempel III Award for Research in Journalism and Mass Communication in the same week.

“I’m not doing this for

The Reveille Archives

LSU professor Jinx Broussard speaks at the panel Resistance in the Digital Age on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in the Holliday Forum of the Journalism Building. any awards,” Broussard said.

“I would do this day in and day out just to have [my students] go out there and get good jobs.

But more so go out and make a difference in your lives, in others’ lives and make a difference

in the world. I’m not teaching to get awards.”

The award will be presented at the 2019 AEJMC Toronto Conference and at the Scripps Howard School of Journalism in Cincinnati on April 18.

RESEARCH

LSU oceanography professor conducts shark attack study

BY BAILEY CHAUVIN @BaileyChauvin Sharks have developed quite a notorious reputation in the eyes of the public for being dangerous predators that attack humans, even if unprovoked. LSU Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences Assistant Professor Stephen Midway hopes to change this view through his new study by showing that shark attack rates are low and highly variable.

While living in South Carolina in 2015, Midway watched a news report about a high number of recent shark attacks in the area.

The report piqued his interest and made him wonder just how unprecedented these events were.

“It caught the attention of the news and was being sold as a very rare occurrence,” Midway said. “I realized that with the right data, we can look at changes over time and look at the shark attacks we might expect in any given area in any given year.”

Midway’s study involved conducting a statistical analysis of shark attacks in various regions of the globe using data collected from the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida. The data spanned a 55-year period, from 1960 to 2015. Using data from such a long period of time strengthened Midway’s conclusions about the changes of shark attack rates over time.

Midway used time series models to analyze the number of shark attacks in certain areas. Unlike a standard regression model, time series models can detect several trends over an entire set of data. He also divided the globe

into different regions that were relevant to certain species of sharks.

“A political jurisdiction is not always the best way to think about an ecological phenomenon,” Midway said. “We split things up to look at attacks in places populated by certain types of sharks that are responsible for most of the attacks.”

After finding the number of attacks that occurred in different regions, Midway adjusted the data based on the regional population to find the rate of shark attacks for each area. Midway said the raw number of shark attacks can be informative but finding the rate of shark attacks based on an estimate of the number of people in the water more accurately reflects the risk of an attack.

Midway concluded that the average rate of attack is very low, but rates vary by location. Regions with higher rates of shark attacks, including the eastern U.S., Hawaii and southern Australia, had larger regional populations and more people spending time in the water than areas with lower rates.

“Southern Australia, Hawaii and the eastern U.S. either have a lot of people living there, so a lot of people in the water, or a lot of tourists,” Midway said. “If you don’t have people going in the water, you’re not going to have shark attacks. Typically, the places where we saw the most attacks are the places with the most people in the water.”

Midway also found that as average shark attack rates increase, the average variability of that rate increases. If a remote area only has a few attacks per

BELLA BIONDINI / The Reveille

LSU Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences Assistant Professor Stephen Midway sits in his office on Monday, March 11. year, that number will vary over time, but by very small amounts.

In areas with higher rates of attacks, that rate will differ by much larger numbers.

Midway believes the public perception of sharks is largely influenced by media coverage that reports on shark attacks but fails to consider the millions who aren’t attacked. While shark attacks can have serious consequences, Midway’s study proves the public has no reason to live in constant fear of an attack.

“We hope that our findings lead to an increased awareness of how rare shark attacks actually are,” Midway said. “Shark attacks are dynamic in nature and need to be taken into the context of time and place. We need to be conscientious that we’re not always at risk when we get in the water.”

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

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STUDENT LIFE

LSU organization advocates for environmentally friendly campus

BY BRITNEY FORBES @itsbritforbes Baton Rouge is the most polluted city in terms of particle pollution compared to other parishes in Louisiana, according to the 2018 Business Report.

The University’s Air and Waste Management Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan professional organization dedicated to enhancing knowledge and expertise, by providing a neutral forum for information exchange with the environment. It also provides professional development, networking opportunities, public education and outreach to more than 5,000 environmental professionals in 65 countries, according to the association’s TigerLink page.

“We hope to offer opportunities for students who are interested in helping and learning more about environmental-related topics, but are not necessarily majoring or going to work in this field,” said chemical engineering junior and chair of the Air and Waste Management Association Mae Anne Mangaoil.

The organization also promotes global environmental responsibility and increases the effectiveness of organizations to

make critical decisions that benefit society, their health and the planet.

The organization currently hosts several events throughout the year, including general meetings, professional development and networking events.

Mangaoil said she joined the organization because of its numerous resources.

“It was definitely a great decision because it better prepared me for my future career, and I also get to network with several professionals in my field,” Mangaoil said.

The organization will host its annual resume meeting with environmental employers and the LSU Olinde Career Center on March 21 from 6 to 8 p.m at Drusilla’s Seafood Restaurant. The main purpose of the event is for the Louisiana section members and companies to offer internship or full-time positions to students.

The goal of the Air and Waste Management Association is to provide students who are interested in working in any environmental-related field the opportunity to meet with other professionals who can provide necessary

resources needed to become successful in their chosen career.

“May it be professional and networking events to outreaches, we want to make sure that our members are well-rounded and informed about the numerous opportunities that are available,” Mangaoil said. “Especially the types of jobs that they have with their degree [because] members get to learn about various fields.”

Coastal environmental science senior and vice chair of the Air and Waste Management Association Lindsey Lamana said she joined the organization after hearing about it from her professor.

Lamana and Mangaoil both stressed the importance of recycling and joining environmentalrelated organizations for students interested in helping the planet.

They also suggest students to volunteer in recycling and restoration projects.

“Not only do students get to help the environment and community, but they also get a better picture of the environment,” Mangaoil said. “Other living organisms are negatively affected because of the lack of knowledge,

courtesy of MAE MANGAOI

The Air and Waste Management Association Student Chapter gathers for a meeting on Feb. 5. awareness and better practices.”

Mangaoil said the University should adapt to become more environmentally friendly by launching a bike-loan program. She said the program can encourage faculty, staff and students to refrain from using vehicles to get to different places on campus, while also helping them stay healthy.

“There are a lot of other programs that the University could put into place to make the campus more environmentally friend-

ly,” Mangaoil said. “I extremely appreciate every effort that they make to ensure that the University moves in this direction.”

Students interested in helping the environment can join the Air and Waste Management Association Student Chapter at the University. The organization, founded in 1907, currently has 167 members with various majors. Meetings are held every other week in Patrick F. Taylor Hall room 1206.

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

page 6 in science museums. He said he was fascinated with interactive exvisiting Chinese scholar from Wu- hibits, and wanted to make a cahan University of Technology, who reer in incorporating technology primarily created the animations. and art. “[The project] made me think a “The world is so much about little bit more about my role with- technology now,” Ostrenko said. in the Baton Rouge community “It’s changing so much of our more so than my role in a global lives. I grew up with the birth of and national context,” Ostrenko the internet, and I have always said. “A lot of times as professors, thought that creating art is about we’re focused on the global stage. what’s happening in the world It’s interesting to around us — both refocus and think on a personal and “I have always about the local cultural level. community a lit- thought that creating Ostrenko came tle bit more.” to the University art is about what’s seven years ago and The installation comprises happening in the now holds joint poa transparent as associate world around us.” sitions screen over an professor of digiLED panel, which tal art and a memDERICK OSTRENKO plays the animaber of the cultural Digital art professor tion. It is part of computing research Mary Bird Pergroup at the Center kins Cancer Cenfor Computation and ter’s efforts to incorporate more Technology. art into the facility.

In the future, Ostrenko hopes Studies show that art and art to research quantum computing therapy help cancer patients feel in order to incorporate this new better, including an analysis of technology into art forms. He also over 1,500 participants performed hopes to incorporate artificial inby the National Institutes of telligence and machine learning Health. These studies found that into interactive poetry readings, art therapy helped cancer patients in which the audience may interreduce anxiety, depression and act with the poem and reader with physical pain. their phones.

Ostrenko’s interest in digital Journey to Wellness is now art began during his childhood, open to the public at the Mary where he spent most of his time Bird Perkins Cancer Center.

DIGITAL ART, from page 3

courtesy of MARY BIRD PERKINS CANCER CENTER

Journey to Wellness plays its digital animation at the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, symbolizing the healing journey of cancer patients.

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“She’s the one your friends are talking about!”

LAW SCHOOL ART, from page 3 customs collector and the U.S. seal.

Mediterranean passports and sea letters are no longer in use but are highly valued pieces of maritime collections. Dodson donated 11 Mediterranean passports and 18 sea letters to the University, possibly the most complete collection of American shipping passports in the world. Dodson collected documents signed by the first 19 U.S. Presidents, excluding President William Henry Harrison, who was only president for 31 days.

“After I learned more about the different kinds, I would just buy them at auctions over the years,” Dodson said. “One day, I realized I had nearly all of them. I made a big effort to acquire those that I did not have and to acquire as many of the Mediterranean passports as I could.”

Five maritime artifacts are also part of Dodson’s collection, including a ship’s head, KelvinHughes ship’s binnacle, original ship’s telegraph, ship’s wheel and

Hopefully, it will get students interested in [maritime art memorabilia, which] I consider to be a very important subject, especially in Louisiana.

RICHARD J. DODSON

Maritime art memorabilia collector steering station and ship’s bell.

Dodson decided to donate his collection after the Law Center expressed interest in receiving the collection. He retained historian and former chief curator of the Mystic Seaport Museum J. Revell Carr to review the collection and write brief descriptions about the pieces included in the collection. Dodson said Carr was instrumental in putting together the collection for the University.

“He was a big help in making the final selection,” Dodson said.

“He did an in-depth analysis and wrote all the descriptions, which

were really good. They brought the entire collection to life.”

Dodson said he is almost done with developing his collection because, besides shipping passports signed by President Harrison, his collection is complete. He said he is thrilled that his collection is now at the Law Center.

“Hopefully, it will get students interested in what I consider to be a very important subject, especially in Louisiana,” Dodson said. “I will always be indebted to the Law Center for taking my collection because I’m very attached to it.”

GROOVIN’, from page 3 sidered more of a pit stop than a heartland of music. Since the late ‘80s, there was a steady drop off of campus concerts at LSU that University officials blamed on the school’s location, a poor allocation of campus resources and a need for renovations, according to a 2003 report from The Reveille.

Now, instead of trying to fit in multiple concerts a year, the University focuses most of its attention on Groovin’, LSU’s once-a-year, Student Government-hosted concert.

SG’s involvement in the LSU music scene is not the same today as it was back in the “glory days.”

Concerts were originally directed by the Union Pop Entertainment Committee from 1971-83, comprised of faculty members who voted on entertainment based on its educational value, according to the aforementioned report. Now, the SG Student Entertainment committee plans the Groovin’ event from conception to completion.

The University may not host as many concerts as it used to, but dedicating time for a specific concert event helps SG decide what artist will appeal to the most students, said mass communication junior Mary Dicharry, director of the SGSE. While LSU is known for hosting rock legends in the past, most students no longer prefer the music their parents listened to.

“In 2011-ish, the preferred genre was rock. Now it’s hip-hop/ rap,” Dicharry said. “I think that it just shows SG’s adaptability to put on Groovin’ for the students and to put on a show that most of the students would come see.”

SG surveys students each year to see what the majority of the University wants out of the Groovin’ concert each year. SGSE takes the survey and picks the artist based on student opinion. Student feedback is one of the biggest factors in choosing an artist, Dicharry

courtesy of GUMBO YEARBOOK ARCHIVES (1986)

Soul musician Tina Turner perform at the LSU Assembly Center (PMAC) in 1986. Turner was one of the many famous artists to perform at LSU. said.

The planning does not stop after choosing an artist. There are still contracts to be sorted through, event activities to be coordinated and a final project to be executed.

Groovin’ offers free student admission, but none of it would be possible without funding from student fees, SG and a number of sponsors that include Raising Cane’s, LSU Dining, Auxiliary Services, the Student Health Center and University Recreation. At the beginning of each school year, SG forms agreements with sponsors to create a budget for the show.

The student Groovin’ stipend is automatically included in student fee bills, while sponsors can choose from packages outlined by SG, according to Michelle Lowery, associate director for the Office of the Dean of Students. The packages — ranging from $1,000-$10,000 — give each sponsor the opportunity to receive advertising and event benefits for the show.

Some of the donations for this year’s concert, which will feature

Baton Rouge native rapper Kevin Gates, includes $5,000 from the Student Health Center, $10,000 from the UREC and $2,500 from Raising Cane’s.

Though Groovin’ takes more than six months to plan, it is highly anticipated by students each year. The concert is an opportunity for students to forget their homework, forget their classes and focus on another important part of LSU’s history — music.

“Groovin’ has brought in an audience of thousands every year and I think that students look forward to it every single year,” Dicharry said. “It’s looked forward to enough that [SG planning should match] the excitement that everyone has.”

Gates will perform as the 2019 Groovin’ headliner on March 14.

The SG College Councils will host a pre-party with music from DJ C-Mix, activities and food and soft drinks on the PMAC floor from 7-9 p.m. for the first 2,500 LSU students. Student IDs are required for entry.

SPORTS GOING, GOING, GONE LSU softball’s offense dominates their season

L

BY MATTISON ALLEN | @mattisonlsu

SU softball hasn’t always been known for their offensive play, but this season is changing everyone’s perspective of the Tigers.

The Tigers are usually known for pitching, which isn’t to be belittled, but this team’s power surge in hitting has led them to a 21-5 record. So far, LSU has gained 10 wins on a run-rule scenario. These games ended after the fifth inning with the exception of one, which ended in the sixth.

“I’m not surprised,” senior infielder Shemiah Sanchez said. “I knew people were going to be surprised because in past recent years, LSU wasn’t known as an offensive school. I think we’ve worked really hard in this offseason to get some of those power numbers.”

T he Tigers opening weekend in Tiger Park from Feb. 7-10 ended with them sweeping the competition with six runrule wins. Their first game versus Tulsa on Feb. 7 had an ending score of 19-1. The Tigers picked up 12 runs in the first inning alone. LSU coach Beth Torina previously mentioned that the team was working on their batting power in the offseason, and it is becoming very obvious how hard they’ve worked.

Sophomore pitcher Shelbi Sunseri has picked up 11 home runs alone, which is four more than her entire freshman season. Some of this power from the team is credited to the new Blast Motion technology they’ve been using. This sensor tracks different measurements such as launch angle, exit velocity and power.

“That’s helped tremendously,” Sunseri said. “It really shows our numbers and where we’re slacking or where we’re in a good place. If one of our numbers is low, we look at our other numbers and see if those are good. All of our numbers are going to be different because we’re different hitters. I think it helps to let our coaches know where we should be.”

The Tigers have put up 37 home runs this season. The power of the offense is undeniable. The team’s depth has helped in this area. LSU added graduate transfer

OPINION

LSU lacks loyalty in Wade suspension CAL’D UP CHRIS CALDARERA @caldarera11

see SOFTBALL, page 9

THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES

MITCHELL SCAGLIONE / The Reveille

page 7

Gutless.

There’s no other word for the decision made by LSU athletic director Joe Alleva and the rest of the administration to indefinitely suspend men’s basketball coach Will Wade for the remainder of the season.

It’s a gutless, cowardly decision that stands completely juxtaposed from one of the central pillars of the American justice system — innocent until proven guilty.

For those who live under a rock, Yahoo! Sports released another scathing report about Wade and his recruiting tactics that included the transcript from another wiretapped conversation between the embattled LSU coach and low-level agent runner and convicted felon Christian Dawkins.

The conversation included Wade bragging about a “strong deal” he made, presumably, to freshman guard Javonte Smart and Smart’s family, and was certainly not a good look for a coach that many believe is soon to be subpoenaed.

I think it’s important to point out here that any offer to a recruit in excess of a scholarship is against NCAA rules. That’s

see BASKETBALL, page 9 FOOTBALL

Former Tiger Ron Brooks relishes chance for AAF comeback

BY JACOB BECK @Jacob_Beck25 Injuries in football have brought about the end of many athletes careers. Many times, the athlete had the talent and ability to be a productive player, but just got unlucky — Ron Brooks was one of those athletes.

Brooks was a standout athlete in high school, playing quarterback at MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas, and was the District 7-5A MVP his senior year.

He was a sought after recruit, receiving offers from LSU, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Brooks ultimately chose LSU, switching to the defensive side of the ball, amassing 90 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and three

interceptions all returned for touchdowns in four years as a Tiger cornerback.

Brooks was drafted in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, and the injury bug bit early. Brooks suffered a broken bone in his foot in the Bills final preseason game.

He returned later in the season and played well in his first career start, but would not get a chance to be a regular starter in his four years with the Bills.

Brooks signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016. In his first seven games as an Eagle, Brooks performed well as the starting nickel corner, allowing just one reception every 12.2 coverage snaps per Pro Football Focus.

But the bug was back, and this time it ended his season

as well as his tenure with the Eagles. A ruptured tendon in Week 7 and then a hamstring injury in the following season’s first preseason game was the final nail in the coffin.

But then it wasn’t.

On March 20, 2018, the Alliance of American Football was announced and with it, a glimmer of hope for players like Brooks to have an opportunity to show NFL teams they still have what it takes to play in the league. Brooks got the call from the San Diego Fleet, and thus his comeback began.

“It’s fun playing down [in San Diego] to be honest playing good ball, playing good competition, there’s a lot of guys that are hungry and playing with that energy,

see BROOKS, page 9

THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES

Ron Brooks totaled 90 tackles, 5.5 sacks and three interceptions in his time at LSU.

page 8

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

BASEBALL

LSU baseball struggles to find more consistency at first base

BY BRENNEN NORMAND @BrennenNormand_ First base was summed up best in the movie “Moneyball” — “a confused position.”

“It’s not that hard,” Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane said. “Tell him [Ron] Wash[ington].”

“It’s incredibly hard,” infield coach Ron Washington said.

Beane, was of course, trying to recruit a player he wanted, but Washington’s knowledge rings true to the position as a whole. LSU finds itself in an interesting position in trying to fill the role.

During the fall and preseason, it was a four-way battle for the starting job between four freshmen — Cade Beloso, Drew Bianco, Gavin Dugas and CJ Willis. Bianco won the job for opening day, but it didn’t last long.

Bianco has played in nine games with only two hits.

One of those hits was a home run, but the plate discipline is not all there yet for the young freshman. Bianco has truck out eight times in his limited play.

The Tiger offense has been lacking a consistent approach.

Some swing at numerous first

pitches, some can’t lay off curveballs and others strike out frequently, which is odd as LSU is typically a team that is tough to strike out.

LSU coach Paul Mainieri planned on rotating Beloso and others in. The early struggles from Bianco accelerated that change.

Beloso began to start and showed he was a well-rounded hitter. He hit the ball to all fields with slicing line drives to left and a walkoff home run to right field against Army.

Showing early power to the pull side, teams, especially Texas, began putting a shift on Beloso. He hit into the shift throughout the series but recognized the David Ortiz-esque shift with an attempt to lay down a bunt. Beloso continued to pull the ball against the series against California, hitting two home runs to right field, which lifted LSU to a victory.

While hitting the ball well, the defense from Beloso hasn’t been equal. During a blowout win at the end of the game, Beloso fought the wind but ultimately allowed a flyball to fall on the first base apron.

“That’s unacceptable in the league we play in, and I know coach isn’t happy,” Beloso said.

“It’s not going to happen again.

I’ve got to stay focused for the rest of the game.”

In the series opener against California, he had a mental error on a groundball in the twohole. He charged instead of letting the second baseman take it, and the runner beat him to the bag. Beloso has two errors on the season with a .979 fielding percentage. This could mean trouble for LSU later in the season, but like any lineup, if you can hit there is a spot for you.

Gavin Dugas was another one of the freshmen in the running for the job. He started one game and has only appeared in three. During his lone start, he hit a single and attempted to stretch it into a double. He slid into second base and injured his hand, not allowing him to play since then.

CJ Willis also appeared in three games tallying one hit in six plate appearances. Without significant playing time, it’s hard to determine the impact Dugas and Willis could have in the lineup and in the field.

For now, with Dugas out, Beloso has taken over the majority of the starts. LSU will have a strong power hitter in the lineup, but it will have a defender

MITCHELL SCAGLIONE / The Reveille

LSU freshman first baseman Cade Beloso (24) hits the ball during the Tigers’ 6-5 victory over Southeastern on Tuesday, Feb. 19 in Alex Box Stadium. who is still a raw player.

It will be a growing process for the young Tigers, but a

tough series at Texas and early SEC play should help enhance that growth.

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

page 9

BASKETBALL, from page 7

BROOKS, from page 7

what makes Wade’s comments about the offer he made to Smart especially troubling.

Heck, Wade hasn’t even been officially subpoenaed, yet let alone charged or indicted of anything.

After the LSU administration announced its decision to suspend Wade, news broke that Wade declined to meet with University officials to discuss his side of the story due to advice from his legal counsel.

Some believe this represents insubordination on Wade’s part, justifying his suspension. While it certainly isn’t a great look, I would have to believe that Wade following the advice of his counsel is the best move for his and his employer’s sake.

The initial Yahoo! Sports report that began this media whirlwind suggested that Wade would be subpoenaed by the defense in the coming weeks with regard to the federal investigation of collegiate basketball recruiting.

The choice to suspend Wade is, plainly and simply, an act of cowardice made by the LSU administration to appease the media mob hungry for clicks and attention.

When Yahoo! Sports broke the second transcript of Wade and Dawkins’ conversation yesterday, the internet was flooded with pundits and columnists from around the country climbing upon high horses to chastise Wade and the University.

LSU’s own mass communication professor Robert Mann took

it’s just like playing backyard football again,” Brooks said. “It doesn’t feel like business down here as much as the NFL does.”

In short order, Brooks became the first player in AAF history to return a punt for a touchdown in Week 4 when he returned a 57-yarder against the Memphis Express, a team that features a few of Brooks’ former LSU teammates.

“It was great to see some of the guys, Anthony (Freak) Johnson, (Big) Sam Montgomery, Terrence Magee … that was a special locker room in 2011 and it’s always good to talk them,” Brooks said.

Through five games, Brooks has nine solo tackles, one

SOFTBALL, from page 7 Amanda Sanchez from Missouri.

She has put up three home runs and 30 RBIs. Her patience for the right ball shows in her 13 walks she’s been given.

Its team members like Sunseri and Sanchez that give confidence to the others. If a player can get on a base, they have a high chance of scoring off someone else’s hit with this lineup. It really is a team effort and all pieces work together to pull out these mercy rule wins that ultimately encourage the team.

“It’s been great to see [this power],” junior outfielder Aliyah Andrews said. “It’s such a

MITCHELL SCAGLIONE / The Reveille

LSU mens basketball coach Will Wade addresses the press during the basketball media day in the PMAC Practice Arena, on Oct. 22, 2018. to Twitter to clutch his pearls, saying the University should hold Wade to an “ethical standard.”

And, what standard is that?

Let’s say Wade did pay his players to become Tigers. Are we really arguing that it’s unethical to compensate student athletes for making the University truck loads of money because it’s against the NCAA rulebook to do so?

Are national pundits really making the case that basketball programs like Duke and Kentucky are clean? Do we really believe LSU’s basketball program is the only violator?

This is all a ridiculous jump to conclusions without hearing Wade’s side of the story. Even if it’s all true and Wade is found confidence booster. I just know I just need to get on base then somebody will move me or I’ll steal a base. So it’s just so reassuring for all of us to know that as long as we get on base, somebody’s going to do the job to get us in.”

LSU will be back in Tiger Park during the weekend of March 8-10 after the their first taste of SEC play against Texas A&M, where they went 3-1. The Tigers will host Troy on March 13 at 6 p.m.

“I think with the types of players that we have, we expected more from them,” Torina said. “Are they exceeding my expectations? Probably yes, but I have pretty high expectations.”

MITCHELL SCAGLIONE / The Reveille

LSU sophomore pitcher Shelbi Sunseri (27) pitches during the Lady Tigers’ 4-0 victory over Memphis on Feb. 21 in Tiger Park.

guilty of paying his athletes, what does the administration believe it’s avoiding?

LSU will still be sanctioned and wins will still be vacated with or without Wade at the helm for the last stretch of the season. Alas, Alleva and the administration decided to take the click-bait. They decided to back away from their coach because the media pressure was too hot.

In the process, the University has shown its students and supporters the threshold for loyalty.

Innocent until proven guilty is a fairy tale we’re told as kids, and the adult world plays by different rules.

I’ll be sure to put that bedtime story on the shelf next to the fantasy titled “Forever LSU.”

interception and two passes defended. He came out strong in the season opener against the San Antonio Commanders with three tackles, two passes defended and an interception.

If Brooks can continue to play injury-free, there isn’t a question of whether he has the talent, but whether an NFL team will be willing to take a chance on him.

While he’s 30 years old, Brooks has shown this season that he can still play at a high level, and the ultimate goal for his career still hasn’t changed since he first picked up a football.

“I just want to get back to the league and win games, and ultimately win a championship,” Brooks said. “It really doesn’t matter to me which team I go to, I just want to win.”

JOE DAFOE/ San Diego Fleet

Brooks revels in opportunity to return to professional football after multiple injuries.

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

page 10

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

page 11

PHOTOS BY MITCHELL SCAGLIONE

Louisiana weather strikes golden pride on purple skies across campus.

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

page 12

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ENTERTAINMENT ESPRESS YOURSELF

page 13 LIFESTYLE

Fastest wiener dog found in New Orleans

BY PEYTON DAVIS @peytongdavis

BY RACHEL MIPRO @remroc15

Baristas participate in steamy competition at Latte Art Throwdown

BY RACHEL MIPRO | @remroc15

T

he Baton Rouge coffee community got really intense about steamed milk on Thursday night. At the Latte Art Throwdown, baristas were ready to show off.

Held on March 7 at Light House Coffee, the sixth Latte Art Throwdown was open to anyone who wanted to test

their skills in a competitive setting. Thirty-two contenders went through elimination rounds of making latte art to determine who was the best, drawing whatever idea came to them in the moment.

Rotated around the five specialty coffee shops in Baton Rouge, the event is always hosted by the Barista Guild of Baton Rouge, who wants to pro-

mote the coffee community and expand knowledge about its organization. The latest competition drew a large crowd of hopeful competitors and onlookers, offering free beer and blasting music as the night went on.

Emily Jean McCollister, one of the event organizers

see ESPRESSO ART, page 16

and co-founder of the Barista Guild of Baton Rouge, said the event really helped to bring the local community of baristas and specialty coffee together.

It was also affirming for people who wanted to make their careers in coffee, an industry that isn’t widely talked about.

“Specialty coffee as an indus-

Wiener dogs aren’t really known for their speed, agility or natural athletic prowess. In fact, they are usually just known for their long bodies and tiny legs. However, the wiener dogs who competed at the annual Wiener Dog Race at the New Orleans Fairgrounds Race Course and Slots set out to show what they can do.

On March 9, over 40 wiener dogs competed against each other in five different heats in order to determine who the fastest wiener is. The race is presented by Double “M” Feed, Garden & Pet Supply.

The contestants of the race were given free dog treats and gift baskets that were sponsored by American Natural Premium and Double M Feed.

The wiener dogs raced almost exactly like you think they would.

With a whole lot of heart and a lot of going off course. The owners of the dogs would wait at the finish line and try to bribe and get the attention of their pups with treats and squeaky toys.

Some of the dogs were also dressed in cute costumes that may

see WEINER, page 16

THEATRE

Musical Theatre Club presents 17th annual Singo performance

BY ENJANAE TAYLOR @_queenet_ LSU’s Musical Theatre Club honors a heartfelt LSU tradition while pleasing theater fans presenting Singo — Homecoming.

The students performed an array of classic theater songs while including fun choreography. The show itself allows students from all over campus to bond over their love for musical theater.

Cast member Riley Kloostra, an anthropology sophomore, gave an emotional performance of “Mama Who Bore Me” from the popular musical “Spring Awakening.” Kloostra said she appreciated her experiences with the club as a student who’s not a theatre major.

“I think it’s really special that it gets to showcase all the different sides of musical theater as well as bring people together

from across all of the different colleges and majors to not only to create something that they enjoy, but for the public to enjoy as well,” Kloostra said.

Another part of the on-campus community is that all of their performances are free to the public. The non-profit organization allows students of all walks of life and career paths to come together and celebrate their love for musical theater.

Kloostra shares her appreciation for the variety of students in the club and how the club itself allows her to make time for passion.

“It’s been a lot of fun because I’ve always loved theater, and getting to have an outlet for that, that’s not like you have to be a music major or you have to be a theater major,” Kloostra said.

“One of a co-presidents of musical theater club is a bio-chem ma-

jor. I just think that’s really cool.”

With a theme that discusses tough topics like insecurity and acceptance, the cabaret consistently conveys its message through the structure of the show.

From a Spring Awakening medley to a hit from Avenue Q, all of the songs deal with personal growth in some form or fashion.

“The same person will be the same character in every song,” Kloostra said. “You can follow a bit of the story of the musical even if it’s out of the context of the rest of it, and I think that’s really cool.”

When describing the show, Kloostra used the words “holy teen angst.” This description was fitting with the performance featuring songs from Carrie: The Musical, Calvin Berger, Heathers: The Musical, Spring Awakening

see SINGO, page 16

SALVATORE CAMARDA / The Reveille

The annual Singo production features acts and performances presented by the Musical Theatre Club at LSU on March 8 in the LSU Student Union Theater.

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

page 14 THEATRE

‘Airline Highway’ tells story about living life, finding family here. They were little darlings the first day, and I couldn’t stop smiling by the end of the first Rainbow sequined go-go rehearsal,” Brazda said. “I really boots and death. The Swine feel like everyone’s little sister Palace’s production of “Airline now. It’s just been wonderful.

Highway” is energized and It’s a dynamic process, we’re constantly talking about charalmost ready. acter motivation The upcomand reworking ing play “Airline the same things Highway” is a “It’s a wonderful we’ve done thouzany story about story about what sands of times.” remembrance, Since rehearslove and the kind humans do when put al began in midof family you into situations and February, the make, not the our will to survive cast of about 20 one you’re born actors has been with. In the play, and our will to practicing six which will run prevail.” times a week for from March 21 to four or five hours, 31, a close-knit getting ready community of SOPHIA BRAZDA as the performotel residents Theatre freshman mance approachcome together to es. Brazda says hold a funeral for a burlesque queen before she’s that they’re hoping for a large audience and that everyone even died.

Theatre freshman Sophia should see it.

The play is set in the parkBrazda, who plays the part of Zoe, said the play is an amaz- ing lot of the Hummingbird Moing collaboration between un- tel, off New Orleans highway, dergraduate and master’s stu- where the residents gather to dents, with everyone trying to celebrate the life of Miss Ruby, get into the mindset of their a worldly woman who acted characters and work together as as a mother figure to them all and who wants to attend her much as possible.

“These are people I’ve idol- own funeral. As the celebraized since the first day I’ve got tions continue, the lives of the

BY RACHEL MIPRO @remroc15

motel residents, including their disappointments and emotions, are delved into.

Brazda says that the central theme, remembering after someone is gone, is very affecting and is meant to change the audience’s outlook on relationships and the connections we form.

“At its core, it’s kind of a story of families being born out of the most unique of circumstances,” Brazda said. “You have all these individuals who have gotten the short end of the stick in their minds. They were thrown together over years and years and now they all live in this hotel together and it’s about that family dynamic and adults acting like total children because they are mothers and fathers to each other.”

Brazda said the play is a compelling story of resilience amidst hardship as well as a message about grief, love and how we exist in the memories of others.

“It’s a wonderful story about what humans do when put into situations, and our will to survive and our will to prevail,” Brazda said. “And our will to remember, that’s really what the whole thing’s about, remembering.”

SALVATORE CAMARDA / The Reveille

Performers for the Swine Palace Production block their performance during rehearsals in the Reilley Theatre on Saturday. March 9.

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Wednesday, March 13, 2019

REV R ANKS CAPTAIN MARVEL

Walt Disney Productions

Captain Marvel is a good edition to the Marvel cinematic universe and answers a lot of questions viewers have about the past movies. Once the pace gets going, the movie is a fun, energetic adventure that lives up to the hype of the first female-led Marvel movie.

“When I Get Home” fantastic commentary on Houston, self-love The album’s title is a yearning for return, a grand homecoming to someplace that feels all too Solange Knowles returns to familiar. And for Solange, that the public forefront with “When place is the urban dreamland I Get Home,” a beautiful portrait of Houston, Texas. It shows all of black excellence, hometown throughout the work, as it sparpride and musical zeal all blend- kles with the chill laid-back vibe that is so prominent in Houstoning together as one.

The fourth album by Solange based movements like “chopping and her first since 2017’s seminal and screwing” and enough bass to rattle trunks “A Seat at the Taon I-45. ble,” “When I Get The hometown Home” made its Sometimes I feel I’m love is most prompresence known abruptly through going down, down/ inent on “Alma sudden surprise Sometimes I feel I’m eda,” the track marked most sigrelease on March 1 – the transfer gonna die at times,” nificantly with the trademark Housfrom Black Histon sound that tory Month into SOLANGE KNOWLES sticks out in most Women’s History “When I Get Home” music today, with Month. Leave it trap -influenced to Solange to craft percussion and an album worthy of its release date, celebrating fe- slow, steady grooves. Capped male empowerment and African- with a feature by rapper Playboi Carti, “Almeda” is both a celAmerican culture with ease.

Although it seems that Sol- ebration of a city and the pride ange is perpetually in the shad- of being black, a centerpiece ow of her older sister – for those on the album.

And in a dark world, Solange of you that don’t know, that’s Beyoncé – she continues to push out continues to be the light and the content that tests the barriers beacon for optimism. One only of what R&B can be. And with needs to listen to “Dreams” once “When I Get Home,” Solange cre- to get the notion that even in the ates her most ambitious, funky worst of times, sticking to your and flat-out soulful material that morals and your ambitions in life rivals her previous release and will help everything be alright in the end. even “Lemonade” at times.

BY RICHARD HAYDEL @magnetodorito

Peyton Davis @peytongdavis

A.P. BIO

Broadway Video A.P. Bio is a well blended comedy with a well-rounded set of characters that makes it stand out amongst other NBC sitcoms. A.P. Bio stars Glenn Howerton of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” as Jack Griffin, a former Harvard philosophy professor who lost his job after a violent outburst when he failed to receive tenure.

Barrow Clement @ClementBarrow

WASTELAND, BABY!

Hozier

Many artists have a powerful voice, some are skilled when it comes to producing instrumentals, and few can compose lyrics that both sound good and have meaning. Hozier somehow does it all.

page 15

“Sometimes I feel I’m going down, down/Sometimes I feel I’m gonna die at times,” Solange croons over a hazy wave of psychedelia. “Got my dreams and my eyes wide.”

“A Seat at the Table” featured an extensive guest list, but “When I Get Home” hosts one of the most eclectic and exciting groups of artists in the business today. From the authority of Gucci Mane and Tyler, the Creator on “My Skin My Logo” to the vocal contributions by Dev Hynes and Animal Collective’s Panda Bear, there is a diverse skill set at work here.

The beauty of “When I Get Home” is how unabashedly it embraces the city of Houston and the obvious joy and pride it brings Solange. Most of the 19 tracks, including the cohesive interludes, are named after streets in Houston. The large Texas city has a lot of culture within its limits, and Solange tapped into that resource with abundance to produce her fourth album.

At a lean 39 minutes, “When I Get Home” is an album that relaxes and nurtures. It’s a picture of a beautiful urban metropolis through the lens of a brilliant artist, and it’s pulled off with enough soul to make Prince and Stevie proud. Solange is coming home, and she’s taking us along for the joyous ride.

Masie O’Toole @masieotoole

ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL Twentieth Century Fox

When I read it was based on the “Gunnm” manga and that James Cameron co-wrote the script for the film, which is directed by Robert Rodriguez, it peaked my interest. Would this film be a major disaster like “Ghost In The Shell,” or could Hollywood actually do justice to the unique reality created in the intrinsic form of art?

Lia Salime @liasalime

Read the full reviews online at lsunow.com/entertainment

courtesy of TINYMIXTAPES.COM

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

REV R ANKS CAPTAIN MARVEL

Walt Disney Productions

Captain Marvel is a good addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and answers a lot of questions viewers have about the past movies. Once the pace gets going, the movie is a fun, energetic adventure that lives up to the hype of the first female-led Marvel movie.

‘When I Get Home’ fantastic commentary on Houston, self-love at times.

The album’s title is a yearning for return, a grand homeSolange Knowles returns to coming to some place that the public forefront with “When feels all too familiar. And for I Get Home,” a beautiful por- Solange, that place is the urtrait of black excellence, home- ban dreamland of Houston. It town pride and musical zeal all shows all throughout the work, as it sparkles with the chill laidblending together as one.

The fourth album by Solange, back vibe that is so prominent and her first since 2017’s seminal in Houston-based movements like “chopping “A Seat at the Taand screwing” ble,” “When I Get and enough bass Home” made its “Sometimes I feel I’m to rattle trunks presence known abruptly through going down, down / on I-45.

The homea sudden surprise Sometimes I feel I’m town love is most release on March on 1 – the transfer gonna die at times.” prominent “Almeda,” the from Black Histrack marked tory Month into SOLANGE KNOWLES most significantly Women’s History “When I Get Home” with the tradeMonth.

Leave mark Houston it to Solange to sound that sticks craft an album worthy of its release date, cel- out in most music today, with ebrating female empowerment trap-influenced percussion and and African-American culture slow, steady grooves. Capped with a feature by rapper Playboi with ease.

Although it seems that So- Carti, “Almeda” is both a cellange is perpetually in the ebration of a city and the pride shadow of her older sister – for of being black, a centerpiece those of you that don’t know, on the album.

And in a dark world, Solange that’s Beyoncé – she continues to push out content that tests the continues to be the light and the barriers of what R&B can be. beacon for optimism. One only And with “When I Get Home,” needs to listen to “Dreams” once Solange creates her most ambi- to get the notion that even in the tious, funky and flat-out soulful worst of times, sticking to your material that rivals her previous morals and your ambitions in release and even “Lemonade” life will help everything be all

BY RICHARD HAYDEL @magnetodorito

Peyton Davis @peytongdavis

A.P. BIO

Broadway Video A.P. Bio is a well-blended comedy with a well-rounded set of characters that makes it stand out amongst other NBC sitcoms. A.P. Bio stars Glenn Howerton of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” as Jack Griffin, a former Harvard philosophy professor who lost his job after a violent outburst when he failed to receive tenure.

Barrow Clement @ClementBarrow

WASTELAND, BABY!

Hozier

Many artists have a powerful voice, some are skilled when it comes to producing instrumentals, and few can compose lyrics that both sound good and have meaning. Hozier somehow does it all.

page 15

right in the end.

“Sometimes I feel I’m going down, down / Sometimes I feel I’m gonna die at times,” Solange croons over a hazy wave of psychedelia. “Got my dreams and my eyes wide.”

“A Seat at the Table” featured an extensive guest list, but “When I Get Home” hosts one of the most eclectic and exciting groups of artists in the business today. From the authority of Gucci Mane and Tyler, the Creator on “My Skin My Logo” to the vocal contributions by Dev Hynes and Animal Collective’s Panda Bear, there is a diverse skill set at work here.

The beauty of “When I Get Home” is how unabashedly it embraces the city of Houston and the obvious joy and pride it brings Solange. Most of the 19 tracks, including the cohesive interludes, are named after streets in Houston. The large Texas city has a lot of culture within its limits, and Solange tapped into that resource with abundance to produce her fourth album.

At a lean 39 minutes, “When I Get Home” is an album that relaxes and nurtures. It’s a picture of a beautiful urban metropolis through the lens of a brilliant artist, and it’s pulled off with enough soul to make Prince and Stevie proud. Solange is coming home, and she’s taking us along for the joyous ride.

Masie O’Toole @masieotoole

ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL Twentieth Century Fox

When I read it was based on the “Gunnm” manga and that James Cameron co-wrote the script for the film, which is directed by Robert Rodriguez, it piqued my interest. Would this film be a major disaster like “Ghost In The Shell,” or could Hollywood actually do justice to the unique reality created in the intrinsic form of art?

Lia Salime @liasalime

Read the full reviews online at lsunow.com/entertainment

courtesy of TINYMIXTAPES.COM

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

page 16 SINGO, from page 13 and Grease.

With the show moved up from its original date, which is always around Cinco De Mayo, the rehearsal time was cut short this year. This is was also a challenge since the club just finished their production of “The Addams Family.”

“We’ve only had a month since Addams ended to rehearse it all when normally we have two, so it’s been a bit of a rush job, but everyone’s been really committed to it and it’s been really nice,” Kloostra said.

The cast worked consistently to produce a show that would please musical theatre lovers while making the songs their own. The cast members researched different iterations of the performances they were working on.

“I went back and watched videos from the Deaf West production [of ‘Spring Awakening’], videos of Lea Michele, videos of like touring,” Kloostra said.

“Christine ‘Christy’ Altomare, who played Anastasia on Broadway, was Wendla in a touring production and so I went back and watched a bunch of different versions of that and tried to come up with bits and pieces of them I could combine together to make my own, I feel like everyone’s done a pretty good job of doing that.”

Singo is a fan favorite tradition that was successful for another year and proudly represented the non-profit organization here at LSU. You can donate to the club by using their Venmo @MTCLSU and can like them on Facebook @MusicalTheatreLSU or follow them on Instagram @MTCofLSU.

WEINER, from page 13 or may not have hindered their ability to race. One wiener dog named Cowboy was dressed just like his namesake, along with his own little animal print cowboy hat. A lot of the others just had on simple racing bibs with their numbers on them.

The overall winner of the Wiener Dog race was a local New Orleans wiener dog named Andouille, or Douie for short. His owners are Jon and Camille DeTrinis.

“It was Andouille’s first ever race, and it shocked us how well he did,” Jon DeTrinis said. “He is either a

He is either a natural or he just really wanted the Popeyes chicken I had in my pocket at the finish line.

JON DETRINIS

Owner of Andouille, race winner natural or he just really wanted the Popeyes chicken I had in my pocket at the finish line.”

Unlike other animal races, such as horse and greyhound races, there was no betting on the racers. How-

ever, the winning wiener and their owner were given a $500 prize and free dog food. The New Orleans Fairgrounds Race Course and Slots also offers other unique races such as camels and other breeds of dogs.

courtesy of JJ LOUVIERE

Nola Gean, racer No. 4, sits in preparation for the annual Weiner Dog Race on March 9. form, with letters, hearts and swans becoming common. try is really serious. People stay “With latte art, we do somein it for the rest of their lives,” thing called free-pouring, McCollister said. “It can be a ca- which you just use the milk to reer. It’s so deep and wide.” make the design, there’s no exAccording to McCollister, tra tools or anything,” McCollislatte art in parter said. “You just “It really is an ticular has an inpour milk into teresting history adrenaline high. You the cup and you in the coffee comsomething. get really nervous, create munity, beginning If you don’t steam in the late ‘90s and it’s like suddenly your milk propand becoming erly, you don’t get you forget your very popular with art.” name.” third-wave coffee McCollister and specialty cof- EMILY JEAN MCCOLLISTER said even for peofee. It was a way ple who spend all Third place latte artist of showing the day making latte customer that the art, the competimilk had been properly steamed, tion is still exciting and often eventually evolving into an art a source of pride. For specialty

LATTE ART, from page 13

SALVATORE CAMARDA / The Reveille

The annual Singo production features acts and performances presented by the Musical Theatre Club at LSU on March 8 in the LSU Student Union Theater.

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At the end of the night, three baristas were declared the winners of the competition. In first place, it was Ian Lacour from Rêve in Lafayette, Nigel James of Spitfire Coffee in New Orleans in second place and McCollister in third place.

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OPINION PICK YOUR P ISON

page 17

Toxic relationships wreak physical, mental havoc ISAID WHAT I SAID MAYA STEVENSON @MayaSStevenson Last week, I saw the new Tyler Perry movie which had a large focus on the dirty laundry that goes on in so many families. No family is perfect, and every single one goes through its own struggles. At the end of the movie, after all the dirt had come to light, the family members were instructed to forgive each other.

All I could think was, “What?”

The actions in this movie were enough to shatter relationships, acts of ultimate betrayal. However, they were expected to forgive each other just because they were family. This is typical when discussing personal issues of familial nature, and sometimes other relationships in general.

Many times, people say, “That’s your sister!” or “You guys have been friends for so long!” in defense of those who are toxic in our

lives. People think that a length of time is enough to immortalize a friendship or a relationship. Then, you have those who think blood is the ultimate defense for a person being toxic in someone’s life.

Toxic relationships affect us tremendously, and not in ways that are always obvious. “Whether you’re aware of it or not, a toxic relationship may negatively impact your mental health,” said experts from Keck Medicine of University of Southern California. “It can make you feel insecure or bad about yourself, leave you feeling drained and unhappy, place pressure on you to change something about yourself or may even be physically and emotionally harmful.”

That’s only mental health — I can think of a couple ways toxic relationships affect physical health, as well. For example, when I was dealing with a toxic relationship, I couldn’t sleep. Not because I was overthinking or trying to stay awake, but because it was my body’s way of coping with

the stress.

Outside of that, keeping toxic relationships in your life can have long-term health effects. In a study following more than 10,000 subjects over a 12-year period, researchers discovered that those involved in toxic relationships were at greater risk for heart problems including fatal conditions, according to Arch Med Intern.

Here’s the thing — when a relationship is toxic, it’s toxic. If it’s on your side and you genuinely want to fix it, you can. However, if it’s the other person, it’s in your best interest to let it go. People do not change unless they want to, and you cannot force them to.

It’s better for your sanity to understand this sooner rather than later.

Whatever reason you’re holding onto the toxicity for is worthless at that point. One major indicator is if you no longer experience positive emotions in the relationship.

Being the only one trying or fighting for a peaceful relationship will bring you to the brink of insanity. Whether it be

romantic, platonic or familial in nature, it’s just not worth it. I’m not suggesting you kick someone out of your life at the first sign of wrongdoing. But, when there’s a pattern or you’re experiencing those tell-tale signs, don’t fight for it because of whatever misguided loyalty you’re being guilted into.

And, yes, you only get one family, but this doesn’t mean they’re allowed to keep you in a constant state of unhappiness.

cartoon by ETHAN GILBERTI / The Reveille

Life’s incredibly short — we see this demonstrated every single day. If you don’t, check any news network. More importantly, life is too short to live unhappily because of others. You deserve peace, even if it may cost you a few relationships.

Maya Stevenson is a 19-year-old English and economics sophomore from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Missed romantic opportunities prevalent among students DROP THE MIC DONALD FOUNTAIN @Official_DFound One of life’s biggest miseries is missing out on someone you love. It’s a slap to the face when this person lists everything he or she is looking for in a lover but fails to see this person was you the whole time. Heartbreak is bound to happen at some point in your life, but “why” is the question that keeps most people up at night.

The chorus to Justin Bieber’s song, “That Should Be Me” says, “That should be me, holding your hand. That should be me, making you laugh. That should be me, this is so sad. That should be me.

That should me. That should be me, feeling your kiss. That should be me, buying you gifts. This is so wrong. I can’t go on until you believe that should be me.”

Contrary to popular belief, it’s OK if you sung this song looking in the bathroom mirror wishing your crush would understand.

However, singing to your reflection will not get him or her to see you.

Reveille columnist Te’Kayla Pittman wrote a column about online dating not being the best option for dating. “If you are interested in getting to know some-

one, approach them when you first see them.” Pittman said. “Get your panties out of a bunch and go for the girl!”

Before you can solve a problem, you have to see there is a problem. Waiting is one of the primary causes of missed romantic opportunities. This may seem like a shot toward shy people, but he or she will not wait forever.

Just about every student knows what it’s like to sit in a class and have someone stare at them. At first, this constant stare might come across as cute, but if it lasts too long, the creepy thoughts start to come in. We all know the human mind can conjure up some creepy thoughts.

On the flip side, failure to prioritize what’s important is a problem. While looks are very important, they should not endall-be-all. The body can only look good for so long. When you are dating someone, you are making an investment. People who use the stock market know it is not wise to invest in a stock that will constantly change.

Personality is one of the most underrated traits in dating. Looks often make the first impression before personality can. My dad always told me to be slow to speak and quick to listen. When it comes to dating, decision-making should follow the same process.

Good things come to those who wait.

ALYSSA BERRY / The Reveille

An LSU student recieves a match on Tinder.

Love is a tricky little thing.

Many times, we think we have it all figured out, but learn we know nothing. Whether you’re in

the friend zone or “I don’t know what’s going on” zone, someone is out there waiting for you.

Donald Fountain is a 21-yearold mass communication sophomore from Saint Francisville, Louisiana.

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

page 18

Identity politics counterproductive, damaging to inclusivity SMITT’S TEA JAMES SMITH @itssmitt Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech contains sentiments that will be eternally relevant. “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character,” King said 56 years ago. The Civil Rights Movement might be the most righteous campaign in American history. They were seeking to erase the political implications of identity.

Identity politics is the inclination for people of a particular race, creed, sex, ideology or cultural identity to promote their interests while disregarding others.

Obvious examples include white nationalism, Indian Hindu nationalism, toxic feminism or militant left-wing extremism. There is nothing inherently wrong with celebrating or promoting the interests of one’s identity. That

celebration and promotion only becomes a problem when it is at the disregard or expense of others.

White nationalists would like to see America become a white ethnostate. Muslim Indians are discriminated against because the ruling party is Hindu. Men can be pretty terrible, but we aren’t all evil. Not all conservatives are misogynistic or racist.

The Civil Rights Movement was brilliant because it promoted inclusiveness rather than divisiveness. An identity group, black Americans, fought for rights they were being denied. They did not demonize whites as a whole, only those who perpetuated racism.

They did not say, “I hate white people.” They said, “We don’t want the color of anyone’s skin to matter.” King’s vision, according to his speech, included eradicating the role race plays in politics.

Just as hate cannot be fought with hate, discrimination cannot be fought with discrimination.

We live in a pluralistic society.

Everybody has something to offer to the conversation. America was founded as a nation accept-

cartoon by ETHAN GILBERTI / The Reveille

ing of all identities and on the basis that everyone is equal. This is not to say that we shouldn’t celebrate our differences and similarities. I see nothing wrong with clubs celebrating ethnicities, but Charlottesville provides a tragic example of how that celebration of one particular identity in politics can quickly become hate.

Black Lives Matter is one of the more controversial examples of identity politics employed negatively. The idea itself is fine.

A racial disparity exists and this group set out to make equality a reality. Identity politics, however, is why the group has been met with such tough opposition. The notion of “black lives matter” is incredibly valid. But, critics were quick to point out the flaw in that “all lives matter.” I’m hesitant to speculate, but I think the latter is more of what Dr. King was getting at.

Identity politics is dangerous and counterproductive. While

those groups should be fighting for equality and inclusiveness, they end up pushing others away and delegitimizing their own cause. Identity and diversity should be celebrated. Our unique experiences and cultures are what makes America so beautiful, but there’s a very fine line to traverse when seeking progress.

James Smith is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Grand Coteau, Louisiana.

Netflix should make its streaming service free for students THE MODERATE’S PROPOSAL PATRICK GAGEN @PattyGagen Few university students actually pay for their Netflix account.

If someone you know, whether a parent or significant other, is willing to share his or her account information, then you’re not going to purchase your own separate subscription. No debtsaddled college student would voluntarily squeeze an unnecessary subscription fee into his or her budget between the cost of tuition and living expenses that he or she tallies at the end of each month.

Free subscriptions to Netflix for university students are not some trendy socialist policy requiring government intervention between private enterprise and the general public. Rather, the premise for this idea is based on two economic forces: student loan debt and streaming service competition. The latter of which should compel streaming service companies like Netflix to consider lowering prices for university students to get them off their parents plan and onto their own

subscription. The law of inertia suggests this key demographic will likely begin paying the subscription after they graduate and the free trial period ends.

Securing young subscribers provides a critical revenue stream, and as the streaming service wars ramp up, market leader Netflix is going to have to get creative to keep cash—flush competitors from stealing market share in an increasingly lucrative industry. Netflix has been facing increased pressure from investors to justify its high stock price, which as of 2018 was trading at a price-to-earnings multiple of approximately 134. To put Netflix’s price-to-earnings multiple— of which investors use it to gauge whether a stock is over or underpriced, in perspective — its competitor Disney was trading at a price-to-earnings multiple of roughly 16, falling between the market’s historical average of around 15 to 25.

The bottom line is investors are willing to buy Netflix’s stock trading at an astronomically high price so long as its future earnings growth outlook is optimistic, but Netflix’s future earnings growth is in jeopardy and its stock could sink if its competi-

tors — such as Disney, Amazon and Apple — steal market share.

Netflix recently announced a crack down on account sharing, which could either kick university students off their parents’ plan or force them to pay for a premium family plan, is not a market share winning strategy. It’s only going to force college students to reconsider whether we want a Netflix account in favor of a more user-friendly service like Amazon Prime, which also comes with free two-day shipping.

To make matters worse, Netflix also recently raised its monthly subscription rate from $13 to $15, and that’s not even including the premium price for family plans that’ll tack on an extra $2 to $4. Netflix believes the billions it’s spending on original and licensed content will keep users on its platform.

Netflix’s bet may be a bad one. Disney is pulling its content off Netflix by the end of 2019 to form its own new streaming platform, Disney Plus. AT&T also made a move to dethrone Netflix when it recently acquired WarnerMedia and is following through with plans to also pull its original content, notably hit ‘90s sitcom “Friends” off Netflix

courtesy of WIKIMEDIA

Netflix recently announced a crack down on account sharing. and onto its own new streaming platform. At some point, Netflix subscribers are going to leave in droves.

Offering a free subscription to university students is a better alternative business strategy for Netflix than unsustainable levels of price increases and content spending.

University students love Netflix, but if Netflix is going to treat its customer base like a traditional cable company

Editorial Policies and Procedures EDITORIAL BOARD Natalie Anderson Evan Saacks Hailey Auglair Luke Jeanfreau Hannah Kleinpeter Lynne Bunch

Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Editor Deputy News Editor Opinion Editor Production 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.

would, then we’ll leave. In this golden era of entertainment choice coincided with the rise of streaming services, it’s customers who have the unprecedented power to leave for greener pastures, and Netflix is increasingly looking like a slaughterhouse.

Patrick Gagen is a 21-year-old mass communication and finance senior from Suwanee, Georgia.

Quote of the Week “Women are such strong, powerful leaders, and a lot of the time, we play it silent.”

Brie Larson

Actress and Filmmaker October 1,1989 — present

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

page 19

Conservative ‘snowflake’ terminology hypocritical, illogical LET ME BE FRANK MICHAEL FRANK @BigMpfrank96 Considering the term’s origin stems from slang for anti-abolitionists in the 1860s, it’s ironic that the term “snowflake” has come to mean someone who is too sensitive, wrapped up in social justice issues or advocating a culture of meritocratic equality. Over a century later, in the 1970s, “snowflake” became a term used to note a white person or black person who was seen as acting with white mannerisms.

Writer Chuck Palahniuk believes he coined the term in the 1996 novel “Fight Club,” where he wrote, “You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake. You are the same decaying organic matter as everyone, and we are all part of the same compost pile.” His verbiage isn’t the beautiful and unique neologism that he believes. Contemporary usage is closer to Palahniuk’s ter minolog y than that of the 1860s, though – a condescending reminder that no individual is special.

For those in agreement with the “Fight Club” quote, I should point out that the character who uses the term “snowflake” is a member of an anti-consumerist terrorist organization. I’m no member of the campus debate team, but perhaps a terrorist, fictional or otherwise, is not the best model for ideological debate.

Contemporary use of the term is often espoused by those who believe both the millennial generation and the generation following have lost the qualities of leadership. These views are a holdover from the ‘80s culture war, where a new conservative ideology based in Christian moralizing, such as pro-life beliefs and a no-tolerance stance on gay marriage, found a platform in former president Ronald Reagan.

Under Donald Trump’s presidency, debates on abortion are still prevalent. Despite the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges to legalize gay marriage nationwide, discussions about sexuality and identity continue as attention shifts to the LGBTQ community

and transgender rights. “Snowflake” has become a favorite discursive tool in conservative rhetoric, having been used by now-disgraced Fox News commentator Bill O’Reilly in his book “Old School: Life in the Sane Lane” and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who stated at the 2018 Turning Point USA conference that universities are creating a generation of “supercilious snowflakes.”

While jocular, childish and not-all-that threatening namecalling is detrimental to rational political debate and “snowflake” is just another ad hominem attack, it’s the argumentative equivalent of the white flag.

Anytime someone resorts to this attack, two things become clear.

The first, that person lacks the ability or information to continue in a reasonable discussion.

The second, said person never grew past the “I know you are but what am I” phase.

Of course, the political left has its fair share of name-calling as well, but “snow f la ke” is significantly more widespread and ingrained in contemporary conservative rhetoric than anything the left has come up with in recent years.

It borders on the nature of a glib catchphrase.

But, the real problem with the term “snowflake” isn’t even its rhetorical and rational bankruptcy.

Rather, “snowflake” is so much worse than other ad hominem statements because of its utter hypocrisy.

If a person in the midst of an argument feels so victimized by another’s beliefs he resorts to name-calling, then that person, by the neologistic definition of the word, is a snowflake. In all honesty, I couldn’t care less what someone calls me, but the current state of political discourse is broken. We’re congratulating ourselves for saving it while we stomp it into the ground. But then again, maybe those relying on “snowflake” as a tool for discussion agree with Palahniuk’s character Tyler Durden — none of these societal constraints matter anyway, so throw it on the compost pile.

The real problem with the term “snowflake” isn’t even its rhetorical and rational bankruptcy.

Rather, “snowflake” is so much worse than other ad hominem statements because of its utter hypocrisy.

Michael Frank is a 23-yearold political science and English senior from New Orleans, Louisiana.

cartoon by ETHAN GILBERTI / The Reveille

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