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KLAN CONNECTION
Facility Services employee reveals estranged father’s role in the 1964 arson murder of African-American shop owner at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan.
Read on
PHOTO COURTESY OF STANLEY NELSON
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The exterior of Frank Morris’ shoe shop sits in Ferriday, Louisiana, after being burned down on Dec. 10 1964.
NEWS
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An LSU student filmed a garbage truck mixing garbage and recyclables near Nicholson Gateway on Feb. 14.
ENTERTAINMENT
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Waking up early for breakfast can be a difficult task, but the thought of going to one of these restaurants can make it easier.
SPORTS
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Beth Torina earns 500th win, pitcher Maribeth Gorsuch throws program’s first perfect game in impressive weekend for LSU softball.
OPINION
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“Study spaces across campus should be respected, instead of constantly disrupted by loud students.”
L SU Re ve i l le.co m @l s u r e ve i l le
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LSU Facility Services employee reveals father’s history as Ku Klux Klan member BY LARA NICHOLSON @laranicholson_ Facility Services workers at LSU are often seen but not heard. Students see them fixing lights, in dorm bathrooms cleaning showers or mowing the lawns outside. They keep the campus alive and functioning, and yet most students will never know their names or stories. One Facility Service employee is 60-year-old James Poissot. He is a master carpenter and former teacher at Tara High School, where he worked with children of lower socioeconomic status. While working in the LSU Journalism Building, Poissot noticed an article by adjunct professor Stanley Nelson about the 1964 arson murder of Frank Morris, an African-American shoe shop owner in Ferriday, Louisiana. Poissot looked at the article on the wall, pointed and told the people working at the Manship School of Mass Communication that his father was one of the men responsible for Morris’ death. “I walk by, and I see a picture of the gentleman my dad killed,” Poissot said. “And I did say it without any hesitations.” Frank Morris opened a shoe service shop in the 1930s in Ferriday, Louisiana, where he repaired shoes and saddles, sold jewelry, dyed purses and more. His business was known for being open to both black and white customers. Morris would deliver items to white women’s cars whenever they were uncomfortable with entering his shop. As racial tensions grew in the state and the Ku Klux Klan developed strongholds on political figures and police forces, Morris’ shop became shrouded in false rumors that it was also a brothel. It was on Dec. 10, 1964, when two white men burned his shop to the ground with Morris still inside. He escaped the shop
with his entire body covered in burns but died four days later in the hospital. The FBI opened and closed the case in 1965, 1967 and 2007 due to a lack of evidence. Nelson, the editor of The Concordia Sentinel, investigated the murder of Morris and uncovered Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Frank DeLaughter as the organizer of the arson and Arthur Leonard Spencer as the accomplice. Poissot’s father, Coonie Poissot, was riding with DeLaughter in his patrol car on the night of Morris’ death. DeLaughter told Coonie Poissot that Morris needed “a good lacing (whipping),” because he refused to repair DeLaughter’s cowboy boots without a payment in advance. Coonie Poissot was not present for the arson death of Morris but was heavily involved in the local Klan, once claiming to have “killed a black man for the Klan,” according to interviews between Nelson and Coonie Poissot’s daughter. When James Poissot recalls details about his father, he claims his father was also responsible for Morris’ murder. Coonie Poissot spent his life in and out of prison with an addiction to methamphetamines. He had numerous children in different states, most of which James Poissot has never met. Coonie Poissot was abusive to women as well. According to James Poissot, Coonie beat James’ mother to the point of induced miscarriage. Coonie Poissot died in 1992 without meeting James. James Poissot was born and raised with six siblings in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His mother worked at the sheriff’s office and was the highest-ranking female officer there. He has no memories or stories about his father, including how he met Poissot’s mother. Poissot wishes he knew what it was like to have a father figure but feels his mother did a
COURTESY OF STANLEY NELSON
Frank Morris (center) stands outside of his shoe shop before it was burned down.
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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 COURTESY OF STANLEY NELSON
Frank Morris’ bedroom, located inside of his shoe shop, sits in Ferriday, Louisiana, after it was burned down on Dec. 10, 1964. great job of raising him alone. “My mom taught us how to fish at the LSU Lakes,” he said. “We were catching supper, but she didn’t tell us that. We took care of our business.” Poissot didn’t find out about his father’s past until the FBI reopened the Morris case in 2007, and the FBI documents from the 1960s were declassified. He has accepted his estranged father’s past and is glad he did not lead a similar life. “This is the flesh of my flesh and the bone of my bone, but this is not who I am,” Poissot said. “He chose his badge just as you choose yours. He set the stage. He set the bar.” According to Nelson, Spencer’s son, Boo Spencer, followed in his father’s footsteps as a racist and a criminal, spending his life in and out of prison. In an interview, Spencer justified his father’s arson, saying Ferriday should not have had a ‘n----- establishment.’ Other children of Klan members often go down the same roads of crime that their fathers did. “It’s amazing to me looking at the Klan households,” Nelson said. “How some [children] come out good and positive and live good lives, while others just can never get things going.” Poissot said the only reason he wishes his dad was a part of his life was for his grandchildren. He has three children and three grandchildren, one with cerebral palsy. He said he is inspired by his grandson’s bravery and believes his father missed out on the opportunity to see that for himself. Poissot himself denounces racism and sees no reason to hate people based off their skin color. “I think of my dad and I thank God that I was so far away from it,” Poissot said. “Some of the most cherished people that I loved the most in my life are not
my color. So much hatred in this country. It’s wrong.” Poissot feels no connection to his father or his actions. However, he still understands the pain and sorrow his father’s actions placed on the black families of Ferriday. He said his heart goes out to Morris’ family. When asked if he would ever be willing to speak to Morris’ granddaughter, Rosa Williams, he was speechless for a moment. “I wouldn’t say a whole lot [if I met her],” he said. “I would just hug her real hard. I’d hug her real hard. What can you say? I’m sorry it happened to her. It hurts me. That’s why I stopped, and I said something when I saw the face [of Frank Morris.] “Look, I would meet her in a minute. I don’t know what it is, it’s a social thing. If she comes to town, I don’t know where she lives at, but if she ever wanted to contact me, I’d be happy to talk.” Poissot dedicated his life to carpentry and feels incredibly passionate about the craft. He attended classes at the University to improve his skills. As technology developed, he forced himself to learn the necessary computer programs to succeed both in his career and in his University education. He continues to practice his craft as a Facility Services worker at the University. Poissot doesn’t drink or smoke. He goes to church every Sunday and loves to watch shows on YouTube. His family history is dark and rich, while he strives to be accepting of all people. “You’re going to see me around this campus,” Poissot said. “If you haven’t already, just in a blue shirt. We don’t know who we’re going to meet. We don’t know their stories. We don’t know where they come from.”
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NEWS Misplaced Waste
Student witnesses garbage truck collecting both garbage and recyclables BY TAYLOR LANDRY @taylor.landry
JALEN HINTON/ The Reveille
A recycling bin sits on LSU campus on Feb. 25.
A University student recorded a phone video of a waste management mixing garbage and recyclables at Nicholson Gateway on Feb. 14. Political science senior Robin-Renee Keys, who recorded the video, said she believes the University does not recycle because there are not many recycling plants left in Baton Rouge. Keys said she is familiar with the waste disposal process because her family owns a waste disposal company. She started recording the incident on her phone as soon as she saw the truck arrive at the dumpsters. “He [the truck driver] went to the green dumpster first, and then I knew what was about to happen, so that is why I recorded it,” Keys said. Keys once asked a University employee how often recyclables are picked up, and the answer surprised her. “I have heard that they only do it [pick up recyclables] once a week, or once every two weeks,” Keys said. Executive Director of Facility & Property Oversight Tammy Millican said the University has Republic Services on contract for garbage and recyclables pickup for the next five years. However, Millican confirmed the truck in Keys’ video belongs to Pelican Waste and Debris, the University’s previous garbage and recycling service vendor.
Millican said multiple types of recyclables are put into the green bins around campus, which Republic collects and brings to a recycling material recovery center. “The schedule of the frequency of pickups depends on the site,” Millican said. “Smaller, more remote sites are serviced once a week. It really just depends on the building.” Millican said Republic brings the recycling materials to the Recycling Foundation, a recycling material recovery facility. However, trash is sent to the East Baton Rouge Parish North Landfill. The University receives receipts detailing the weight of recyclables each month, which allows the University to evaluate the amount of recyclables leaving campus. “All recycling materials go to the recycling facility, and we receive monthly weight tickets that detail the tonnage of the commingled recycling we send,” Millican said. “We have looked at those numbers, and they remain consistent over time, so the recycling is being brought to that facility each time.” Millican encouraged anyone who may witness a similar incident in the future to report it to Campus Sustainability so the issue can be promptly resolved. Facility Services is addressing the situation with both Pelican and Republic; “so they know not only are we monitoring their service, but so is our campus community of students, faculty and staff.” This story will be updated online as more information becomes available.
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BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY
BR street potentially renamed after Burrow BY CAITIE ZEILMAN @caitiezeilman A local developer and LSU alumnus hopes to rename a Baton Rouge street after former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. Matt Estopinal said he submitted paperwork to the City Parish Planning Commission in early January requesting Henry Adams Road be changed to Burrow Road. The short, private road is located off Highland Road, south of LSU. The item will go to the Planning Commission meeting in March and, eventually, the Metro Council meeting in April, where it could potentially be approved and placed into effect, according to Estopinal. It costs $200 to request a street name change, according to the City of Baton Rouge’s website. Estopinal said he is developing a four-lot residential subdivision along the road. He and his friends parked there during football season. “We parked there before the project was under construction and walked to Tiger Stadium and watched Joe Burrow beat Auburn-- and everyone else,” Estopinal said. The idea of naming the road after Burrow came from a friend of his.
see BURROW, page 4
ACADEMICS
Students praise pop-up style LSU admission letters BY TAYLOR LANDRY @taylor.landry Waiting for a college acceptance letter can be anxious for prospective students. However, for incoming LSU students, anxiety can turn into excitement as they await a special and unique way to celebrate an acceptance. LSU started mailing pop-up style acceptance letters two years ago, starting with the class of 2022. The outside of the acceptance letters is a simple purple background with a metallic gold “LSU” on the front. Many students were surprised when the letter opened up to an extravagant purple and gold pop-up depiction of the LSU memorial tower and banner that reads ‘congratulations.’ Petroleum engineering freshman Hunter Kear liked the acceptance letter because it was different from what any other college
did for its prospective students. “It [the pop-up letter] is extra, but it honestly was one of the reasons my family and I chose LSU,” Kear said. “They put forth the extra effort to make themselves unique from any other college.”
“When I saw the acceptance letter I almost cried.” TYLER GONZALES
Kinesiology sophomore
Secondary education freshman Gabrielle Ogletree said she decided to take it with to school to show off the accomplishment when she received it in the mail. “I am from a big school in Tex-
as and LSU was the only school I applied to,” Ogletree said. “I was so excited to go to LSU that when I got it [acceptance letter] in the mail, I thought, wow, this is so awesome I have to take this to school with me. I took it to school to show and thank everyone who had helped me get to this point.” Ogletree said the acceptance letter was exciting because of its unique pop-up aspect. She had never seen anything like it from another college. She believes the unique letter is what proved to her that LSU is where she needed to be. “I think the letter was another sign that LSU was the right place to be because it was unique and extra, but in a good way because so am I,” Ogletree said. “That’s how I know LSU was where I needed to be.” TAYLOR LANDRY / The Reveille
see LETTERS, page 4
Inside the LSU acceptance letter featuring the Memorial Tower on Feb. 23.
Thursday, February 27, 2020
page 4 STUDENT LIFE
LSU SHC discusses coronavirus prevention, risk factors BY CHARLES FISKE @chuck_fiske The 2019 coronavirus has become a more substantial threat to the U.S., federal health officials said on Tuesday. The disease’s origins can be localized to Wuhan, China. The virus was discovered in late 2019 and has since spread at an alarming rate. The disease causes pneumonia-like symptoms, and according to the CDC, it is believed to have been first caused by human-animal interaction. The disease causes fever, cough and shortness of breath. The symptoms are said to be noticeable within two to fourteen
days after exposure. As of Feb. 26, 44 countries have confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, including the United States. There have been over 60,000 cases of the disease worldwide, over 1,000 of which have been fatal. This outbreak is now more deadly than the 20022003 SARS outbreak in China, which killed 774 people globally. The disease is airborne, and new cases are confirmed every day. Confirmed cases discovered at Arizona State University sparked high anxiety for college health officials across the country trying to prevent the disease from reaching their campuses. Multiple
universities experienced false alarms, mistaking more common ailments for the virus. However, cases have been officially confirmed in Arizona, Illinois, Texas and California. The LSU Student Health Center has released a coronavirus fact sheet on the LSU patient portal. The sheet details the symptoms of the virus, as well as preventative measures individuals can take to narrow chances of encountering the virus. While there is no vaccine available for the virus, the Student Health Center recommends a list of proper hygiene practices from the Center of Disease Con-
trol. Tips include staying home when sick, avoiding contact with sick people, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue and disinfecting frequently touched objects such as phones and keyboards. Individuals are also advised to wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and, if soap and water is not readily available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer. LSU Director of Wellness and Health Promotion Rebecca Fontenot said it is important to alert health care professionals if there is a reasonable risk of disease exposure. “On the exterior doors of the
BELLA BIONDINI / The Reveille
The LSU Student Center sits on 56 Infirmary Drive, Baton Rouge on Jan. 27.
BURROW, from page 3 “It was just for fun,” Estopinal said. “No one was on the street. No one would have to change their address yet. And we thought it would be a cool idea, you know, to just say ‘Hey. Thanks, Joe. We appreciate what you did.’” Many LSU students, including sports commerce senior Will Baldwin, love the idea. “I think that’s an awesome way to commend Joe for all he did this season,” Baldwin said. History junior Gracie Johnson said she was never the biggest football fan, but Burrow changed
LETTERS, from page 3 Kinesiology sophomore Tyler Gonzalez said receiving such an interesting acceptance letter made him feel a sense of accomplishment he had never felt. “When I was in high school, and I received that purple and gold letter in my hands, I felt
Student Health Center we have signs posted that if you have traveled to China or believe you have been exposed to someone recently with coronavirus to notify our main chain-in desk and let them know when you arrive,” Fontenot said. The signs also have a QR code posted on them with a link to the CDC fact sheet regarding the virus. There are no confirmed coronavirus cases in Louisiana, according to the Louisiana Department of Health, but public health officials are working to identify and evaluate suspected cases. On Tuesday, federal health officials warned that the new coronavirus will inevitably spread to the United States, according to The New York Times. “It’s not so much of a question of if this will happen anymore but rather more of a question of exactly when this will happen,” Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said. “We are asking the American public to work with us to prepare, in the expectation that this could be bad.” The U.S. has 60 cases of the disease, 40 of them connected to the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined after it docked in Japan. Those patients are still in isolation in hospitals, the New York Times reported. Coronavirus concerns coincide with the University’s recent mumps outbreak. The mumps outbreak was communicated Feb. 4 to students and faculty in a broadcast email after the first confirmed case was presented at the Student Health Center on Jan. 31, according to Fontenot. The Student Health Center confirmed 16 mumps cases as of Feb. 20.
her mind. “Even coming from a girl who is not a football fan I can honestly say Joe Burrow and the team changed my perspective,” Johnson said. “Naming a street after Joe Burrow is something the city of Baton Rouge can do to show how much we truly adored him.” Kinesiology junior Sabrina Boyd said a road named after coach Ed Orgeron would be more appropriate. “Most of the streets at LSU that are named after people include monumental coaches instead of players,” she said. “It would be more appropriate to name a
Potential site of Burrow Road on the corner of Highland Road and Henry Adams Road in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
more accomplished in myself than I have ever felt before,” Gonzalez said. “When I saw the acceptance letter I almost cried. I wanted to come to LSU since I was little, so it was a dream to become a part of the purple and gold.” Students who got the pop-up acceptance letters received more than just a
confirmation that they could attend the school. They also received a special keepsake that could be cherished. Business junior Nicole Davis said she received a traditional paper acceptance letter rather than a pop-up letter. She thinks LSU should continue sending pop-up letters because it is a great way
street after Coach O since he will be with us for a much longer time and played a huge role in the season.”
Estopinal said he was surprised by the amount of public support the idea received. “We submitted the applica-
to show what kind of school it is. “I think it would have been really cool to get the good news in that way,” Davis said. The Reveille contacted Shay McLaughlin, assistant to the director of the Office of Admissions who said the Office of Admissions declined to comment. Gonzalez said the pop-up style
tion and it has generated a lot of interest,” Estopinal said. “People really like the idea of having a Burrow Road.”
acceptance letters give prospective students a feeling of pride towards being a part of LSU. “LSU is such a great school that people marvel at,” Gonzalez said. “It makes me feel good to know that I can say I go there, attend those classes, walk those halls. It is so satisfying to know they will be able to do it, too.”
ENTERTAINMENT
page 5
Top 5 breakfast foods near campus to satisfy any early bird BY TANER MORGAN | @taner_morgan
The concepts of morning and breakfast are and often overlooked in college where student schedules vary wildly. Some people with no early obligations offset their meals by one and eat two late dinners like hobbits. Others rise with the sun and drowsily stumble to various establishments for coffee and quick food. For early birds, here are some wormless breakfast foods conveniently on and around campus to kick the day off right.
Einstein Bros. Bagels
Dining Halls
There’s a hidden gem on the bottom floor of the Student Union more specialized in breakfast than its slightly better known neighbor McDonald’s. Einstein Bros. Bagels carries a vast selection of bagels from sweet apple cinnamon to more nutritionally rich bagels like the spinach florentine. However, the breakfast food of choice is the All-Nighter bagel sandwich packed with every vital breakfast component the average college student does not have time to make.
There’s no greater bang for your already spent buck than using a meal swipe for breakfast, and The Five and 459 have impressive arrays of options. The hash browns and biscuits and gravy cover some nutritional bases. The omelette bar, if few enough people roll out of bed that early, is the cornerstone of dining hall breakfast. Construct your own omelette by design for a personalized touch not often found in the college lifestyle.
Chick-Fil-A Chicken minis and hash browns are a staple combo from Chick-Fil-A’s breakfast menu. The problem is that everyone and their mother has the same idea and the Union is filled to the brim until the breakfast menu ends at 10:30 a.m. If the wind is blowing in the right direction and the stars are aligned correctly, a walk to the Union to find a short line in the morning is a miracle and opportunity to be capitalized on.
Crispy Donuts
Kolache Kitchen
A little ways down Highland past the fast food joints like Little Caesar’s and Arby’s hides a small time donut operation with a straightforward product. Donut giants like Mary Lee and Krispy Kreme ignore the untapped late night and early morning college student market by setting up shop so far from campus. Crispy Donuts is a local business catering to their audience with cheap prices and simple kolaches and donuts, crispiness included.
The Kolache Kitchen on Nicholson is certainly the breakfast destination for students with a bit more time for luxury and the desire to treat themselves. Breakfast is served all day and sells all day. Savory and sweet kolaches are the titular specialty, but the assortment of breakfast tacos is no letdown. The individual appeal of each kolache makes recommending a one-sizefits-all impossible.
In conclusion
These days, breakfast is not for everyone, but not due to the food. The ungodly hour that entails most breakfast menus makes true early morning breakfast a rare commodity. Those students that indulge deserve some recognition. It is a preliminary requirement for LSU students to eat Louie’s Cafe hash browns within a year of enrollment, but that can be satisfied at any hour of any day. The institution of breakfast in its truest form is fleeting. Only the real early morning patrons of limited time breakfast menus will find pleasure in these nearby options.
Thursday, February 27, 2020
page 6
This Week in Baton Rouge BY CAROLINE HEBERT | @sister_carols
After the last couple of eventful weeks, a weekend of leisure sounds blissful. Baton Rouge offers endless fun and is here to provide ways to relax and chill out after parading. This week’s events consist of places to shop, eat and enjoy the pleasure of doing nothing.
Forks and knives
Go green
Even though this weekend is for relaxation, you still need to eat. Baton Rouge has an endless list of restaurants perfect for a casual weekend lunch. Cocha, located downtown, has creative and fresh dishes that hail from all over the world. And yes, they are pet-friendly with outdoor seating.
Looking to bring some greenery to your living space? Well, Outside Stimuli has all the plants to start your new-found hobby. Located in downtown Baton Rouge, this quaint shop has indoor plants provided by plant lovers. To see more of what they’re about, check out their Instagram @outsidestimuli.
Living on coffee time
Bottoms up
In the mood to people-watch while sipping the caffeine to bring you back to life? Luckily, Baton Rouge has multiple cozy, cute coffee shops. City Roots Coffee Bar is the prime example of a coffee shop with the perfect ambiance. The modern industrialized vibe is inviting and provides many cozy spots to people to watch, chat and drink delicious coffee.
Don’t worry if you’re looking for a drink to recover from your Mardi Gras hangover, Hayride Scandal is the place to be. This bar will take you back in time with elegant chandeliers and old fashion drinks. The hideaway provides an atmosphere that takes your mind off the fact that you have work, school and responsibilities. To see the elaborate drink menu check out HayrideScandel. com.
If you need plans that revolve around the idea of “chillaxation,” Baton Rouge is here for all your needs. Whether it’s grabbing light lunch or a couple of drinks, buying new plants or sipping on coffee, it’s all possible here in our great city.
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.
into your new
Thursday, February 27, 2020
REV R ANKS
page 7
MOVIE
AFTER
Jenny Gage
In Tessa’s own words, after “him” is just … after. There’s not a lot before either, unfortunately. The during is morally ambiguous, riddled with deception from every party involved and after, since she refuses to say so, is precarious at best.
‘Birds of Prey’ showcases the raw, real essence of Harley Quinn BY MEGAN DESOPO @mdesopo99
Taner Morgan @taner_morgan
TV SHOW
UNDONE
Prime Video
Raphael Bob-Waksberg garnered acclaim and praise for both “Undone” and Netflix’s now concluded “BoJack Horseman” in what is still the infantile stage of his creative career. His work quenches the thirst for authentic, hard-hitting adult animation that is severely lacking in the raunchyhumor saturated animated market.
Taner Morgan @taner_morgan
MOVIE
FANTASY ISLAND
Blumhouse
Blumhouse’s new movie explores an island that brings your fantasy to life. The catch, is that your fantasies don’t always play out quite the way you want them to. The movie tried to become people’s nightmares on film but fell short being more comedic than anything else. “Fantasy Island” finished out its natural end and relieved everyone from the nightmarish experience.
Megan DeSopo @mdesopo99
ALBUM
HIGH ROAD Kesha
There’s a song for everyone. The difficulty is finding the song for you. The problem is, you might just find yourself ditching the album before finding the right song. It’s entertaining but lacks the connection of a traditional album. The controlled chaos, while confusing, is on point for the famed wild spirit of Kesha.
Morgan Money @MorganPMoney
Read the full reviews online at lsunow.com/entertainment
COURTESY OF WARNER BROS.
“Birds of Prey” was a perfect mix good, evil and a little bit of crazy, having Margot Robbie prove that she is truly the face of Harley Quinn. After a painful breakup with the Joker (for good this time), Harley must prove herself to Gotham City and everyone who has it out for her. Having blown up the chemical plant where the notorious pair met, Harley realized how many enemies she made. Since the Joker isn’t around to protect her anymore, Quinn is free game. The movie starts alongside the supervillain while she tries to narrowly escape death. Once captured by club owner Roman Sionis (Ewan McGregor), better known as the Black Mask, Harley is tasked with retrieving the Bertinelli diamond. McGregor turned the tables from his previous role of Obi-Wan Kenobi, sinking into
his new role as Sionis. The film introduce two powerful heroes, Huntress and Black Canary. Jurnee Smollett-Bell, who played the Black Canary, won over viewers with her rendition of “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” by Tom Jones. Eventually, Canary becomes Sionis’ personal driver and teams up with Detective Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) as an informant. The Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is the sole survivor of the Bertinelli massacre, there to take revenge on those who murdered her family in front of her eyes. The four ladies are forced to team up near the end to defeat Sionis in an epic battle involving many criminals. After the Black Mask takes Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco), who swallowed the diamond, an epic car chase involving Harley Quinn on roller-
skates and a standoff follows. After the intense battle, the Huntress, Black Canary and Montoya team up to go around the city and defeat evil. However, Harley made Cassandra her apprentice and they drive off with their pet Hyena, Bruce. Jumping between two timelines, before everyone was aware of the breakup and after everyone is aware of the breakup, the movie does a wonderful job showing just how Harley has had to cope, grow and change in a short amount of time. After the poor ratings that “Suicide Squad” received, this movie redeemed to Harley Quinn’s character, making even die-hard DC fans fall for the loveable villain all over again. “Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn” showed just how bad*ss this super-villain really is.
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Thursday, February 27, 2020
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THE Daily Commuter Puzzle ACROSS 1 Cheese in a red wax coating 5 Main course of study 10 Pres. William Howard __ 14 Gas station name 15 Amphitheater 16 Aggravate 17 Positive 18 Second most populous U.S. city 20 Braggart’s problem 21 Quick 22 First stage 23 Wedding party member 25 Rotten 26 Intelligent 28 Unwanted nasal growths 31 Skip __; shirk one’s duty to 32 Theater productions 34 Decompose 36 Leave out 37 Alda & Thicke 38 Sandwich shop 39 “The Voice” network 40 Word before paper or suzette 41 Sat for an artist 42 Breathing disorder 44 Stir up 45 “London __ Fallen”; 2016 film 46 Overuse the mirror 47 Charisma 50 Bit of bacteria 51 Cushion 54 Get well 57 __ list; paper full of chores 58 Spanish cheers 59 Green fruits 60 As straight __ arrow 61 __ for; hope to obtain 62 Department store chain 63 Jewels DOWN 1 At __; relaxed 2 Prescription
by Jacqueline E. Mathews
Created by Jacqueline E. Mathews
3 Gymnastics 4 Name for a Stooge 5 Disease 6 “__ by any other name…” 7 In __; jokingly 8 Stop __ dime 9 Trotted 10 In style 11 Needs a doctor 12 Escape 13 SAT, for one 19 Hockey scores 21 Helsinki native 24 Violent public disorder 25 “Bad __”; Will Smith film 26 Windfall 27 Cuban ballroom dance 28 Rectangular glass piece 29 Assume in advance 30 Foot parts 32 Sincere request 33 Drink like Fido 35 Wave movement 37 Hemingway’s “A Farewell to __”
2/27/20
Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved
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38 Tragic fate 40 Winner 41 Stiffly proper 43 Songbird 44 Slap handcuffs on 46 One of the 12 Apostles 47 Noisy bird 48 Prefix for copter or port
2/27/20
49 High cards 50 Explorer Vasco da __ 52 Eden resident 53 Puts on, as attire 55 Big game 56 Curved edge 57 Price __; sticker on a store product
SPORTS GEAUX MARCEAUX
Landon Marceaux helps LSU baseball reset after tough loss to Eastern Kentucky
BY JARED BRODTMANN @_therealjarbear LSU baseball desperately needed a reset. Someone needed to give the Tigers an individual performance to energize the team before it started slipping below .500. Landon Marceaux delivered. With eight innings pitched, four hits and no runs allowed, on no walks and six strikeouts, Marceaux breathed life back into the team. LSU defeated Eastern Kentucky in game two of the weekend series, 6-3, behind his outing. Marceaux’s command of the strike zone with his fastball helped him own counts, and it kept his strike/ ball ratio at 61/19. The control of the plate also allowed his defense to make plays on induced groundballs and pop-ups. This assisted in limiting his pitch count to 80 on the day. “I know they’re going to get the job done, more often than not,” Marceaux said of trusting in his fielders behind him. “That’s just having confidence in your defense. I know what type of pitcher I am.” “That’s Landon Marceaux. I’m not a huge strikeout guy. I can get a punchout when I need it, but just forcing contact on the ground, (I’m) getting outs wherever I can.” Marceaux’s development of his slider was shown in full on Saturday, and it did earn him a few strikeouts. The growth was very visible to head coach Paul
Mainieri. “He’s such a different pitcher because he’s developed such an outstanding breaking ball,” Mainieri said. “He was able to go to it whenever he needed it; it was his bread and butter. And he was still throwing 91 mph in the eighth inning.” Marceaux got run
support early, with a Zack Mathis leadoff double paving the way for Daniel Cabrera’s two-run home run in the first inning. That was all Marceaux would need to plow through the Colonels’ lineup three times. Cade Beloso hit a three-run RBI double down the line in the bottom of the eigth inning to thwart any potential late inning
rally from the Colonels and seal the win for his teammate. “Man, I’m so happy for that kid,” Beloso said of Marceaux. “Everybody in this program loves Landon, and they know what he’s capable of doing, and I think that right there
see MARCEAUX, page 10
ABBY KIBLER / The Reveille
LSU baseball right-handed sophomore pitcher Landon Marceaux (11) prepares to pitch during LSU’s 7-4 victory against Indiana on Feb. 15 in Alex Box.
page 9 SWIMMING
Curry breaks four swim and dive records BY HENRY HUBER @Henryhuber_ The LSU swim and dive team has gotten off to a good start in the SEC Championships. Four LSU records (the 800-free relay, 200free, 50-free, and 200-free relay) have been broken already, and they all involve one freshman: Brooks Curry. Brooks Curry has had a stellar start to his career at LSU. Coming into the meet, he held the fourth best 200-free (1:36.08) and the sixth best time in the 100-free (43.38). He’s proved himself multiple times this season and proved himself again in the SEC Championships. The first top time he obtained was in the 200-free. Dropping exactly three seconds, he swam a historic 1:33.08 pace in the leadoff split of the 800-free relay. The relay team, comprised of Curry, Karl Luht, Lewis Clough and Ben Hooper, would also earn an LSU record (6:20.51). Brooks broke the 50-free record on two separate occasions. In prelims, he broke it with a time of 19.41, securing the sixith spot in the A-Final. In the 200-free relay, Brooks, Luht, Clough and Matthew Klotz swam a 1:17.50, which gave them the record, and Curry would
see SWIM, page 10
SOFTBALL
Beth Torina earns 500th career win Friday against Sam Houston State BY HARRISON VALENTINE & REED DARCEY @HValentineLSU & @byreeddarcey Now in her eight season in Baton Rouge, LSU softball coach Beth Torina recorded her 500th career win on Friday night against Sam Houston State, as the Tigers posted a 12-0 no-hitter. “It’s a really cool thing,” Torina said. “Not just because of the milestone, but because it makes me think about all the people that made this milestone happen.” Following the win, former players put together a tribute video, which played on the big screen at Tiger Park. The love for Torina poured in on social media, with congratulatory tweets from former LSU football great Kevin Mawae, current players Shelby Wickersham and
Maribeth Gorsuch and former softball players Shemiah Sánchez and Michaela Schlattman. “She’s an incredible woman,” said sophomore catcher Morgan Cummins postgame. “I am so honored to say that she’s my coach. There is nobody like her.” “Such a special night!!” sophomore pitcher Shelby Wickersham wrote. “So blessed to have the opportunity to play for this amazing woman! A great coach and an even better person. She is creating Tigers for life.” Torina compiled her 500 victories in four years at Florida International and eight at LSU. The Lady Tigers continued to add to Torina’s total throughout the weekend. On Saturday, LSU thrashed Sam Houston State 20-4 in five innings.
The Lady Tigers scored 11 runs in the bottom of the first inning. Pitcher Shelbi Sunseri had a basesclearing double in addition to earning her third win of the season with a three-inning, no-earned-runsallowed performance. LSU shut out Belmont for the second time in two days in game two on Saturday with a 4-0 victory. Gorsuch threw the program’s first perfect game, striking out a careerhigh 16 batters. The senior pitcher stuck out eight straight in a stretch from the second to fourth inning. The Lady Tigers travel to Fullerton, California this week to participate in the Judi Garman Classic. On Thursday, LSU will play Loyola Marymount and No. 25 Texas Tech. The weekend classic also includes matchups with No. 2 Washington and California.
AURIANNA CORDERO / The Reveille
LSU senior outfielder Aliyah Andrews (4) talks to LSU softball coach Beth Torina during the Tigers’ 8-0 win over the Florida Gators on March 17, 2019, at Tiger Park.
page 10
Thursday, February 27, 2020
BASKETBALL
LSU basketball projected to earn eight seed in NCAA tournament REVEILLE STAFF REPORT With two weeks left in regular season play, LSU basketball is preparing for an NCAA tournament berth for the second consecutive year. Despite four losses in the Tigers’ last six games, ESPN’s bracketology with Joe Lunardi slots LSU as an eight seed in the West region. As part of the projection, coach Will Wade’s team would travel to Spokane, Washington to play the ninth-seeded Rutgers. The Tigers were projected as a four seed as recently as Feb. 4 following eight wins to start Southeastern Conference play before losses to Vanderbilt, Auburn, Alabama and Kentucky. Kentucky also captured first place in the conference standings due to LSU’s slide. In Lunardi’s projections, LSU joins Florida, Auburn and Kentucky as the other SEC teams expected to make the tournament. Mississippi State, Alabama and South Carolina are among the bubble teams vying
SWIM, from page 9 break his own record with a leadoff time of 19.30. He would also finish sixth in the 50-free finals with a 19.39. Other swimmers that impacted the record books were Lexi Daniels and Isak Vikstrom, who each earned the fifth best times in the 500-free. Despite the solid performances, the depth that’s in attendance has made it difficult to earn points. Regardless, swim coach Dave Geyer is proud of his team. “While it’s easy to sit her and try to split hairs over what things could’ve been, it’s also hard to complain about personal bests and school records,” said Geyer. On the diving side, the championships began with the women’s 1-meter and men’s 3-meter dives. In prelims, Aimee Wilson
MARCEAUX, from page 9 is Landon Marceaux. Just bulldogging, throwing strikes, just complete control of the game. I’m so proud and happy for that kid right there.” Marceaux gave way to Aaron George in the ninth, who was respon- sible for all three runs al- lowed. After another pitching change, Devin Fontenot shut the door for good. Alex Milazzo caught Marceaux and did his fair share defensively to help his pitcher. He picked off two runners and kept buried breaking balls from Marceaux in front of him all afternoon. The catcher’s defense is becoming a talking point among LSU faithful, but he was even more excited to talk about his pitcher’s amazing performance. “Landon Marceaux pitched his butt off today, man,” Milazzo
for a postseason ticket. LSU has not made back-to-back NCAA tournament appearences since the 2004-2005 and 20052006 seasons. Last year, the Tigers earned a three seed, defeating Yale and Maryland before falling to Michigan State in the Sweet Sixteen. The SEC tournament kicks off on March 11 in Nashville. LSU, along with Auburn and Florida, is battling for the second seed. ESPN and SEC Network will provide television throughout the weekend event. LSU has not won the SEC Tournament since 1980. If LSU manages a top four regular season conference finish, the Tigers’ first game in the SEC Tournament will be on Friday, March 13 in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Though unlikely, LSU would play on the Thursday before if it were to fall below a fourth place finish in the final standings. The SEC Championship is set for Sunday, March 15 at noon on ESPN. The Tigers have three remaining regular season games.
On Saturday, Texas A&M visits the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for an 11 a.m. tipoff on ESPN2. LSU finishes its regular season with a
road matchup against Arkansas on March 4 and senior day versus Georgia on March 7. LSU defeated Texas A&M 89-
85 in overtime on Jan. 14 and Arkansas 79-77 on Jan. 8 earlier this season. The Tigers have yet to play Georgia.
THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES
LSU senior guard Skylar Mays (4) drives to the basket during the Tigers’ 77-50 victory over UMBC on Nov. 19, 2019, in the PMAC.
scored a strong 300.90, placing 2nd and qualifying for the finals. In a competitive final round, Wilson would clutch it out with strong scores in her last three dives, earning a silver medal with a score of 320.75. “Last year, Aimee finished third on one-meter,” said diving coach Doug Shaffer. “Her silvermedal performance today was a huge improvement.” Freshman Manny Vazquez Bas qualified for finals as well, squeaking in with a prelim score of 361.70 in the 3-meter. He took the last spot, beating out the 2nd-seeded Anton Down-Jenkins of South Carolina by just 2.6 points. He would end up placing 7th in the finals with a score of 345.00. “Manny came in clutch on his last dive in the prelim to earn his first SEC Final birth,” said Shaffer. “I am really happy with the results of this young team.”
LSU swimming senior freestyle and butterfly Lewis Clough competes in a swim meet during the 2019-2020 swim season
said, praising his battery mate. “That dude gave us a chance to win. He came out, he pounds the zone, he made them put the bat on the ball.” Mainieri had said before the game that Marceaux would be on a 90-pitch cap or a six-inning limit. Those stipulations were amended slightly. “I obviously didn’t plan on him pitching eight innings, but his pitch count was so low, that we could have thought about sending him back in for the ninth, but I just didn’t want to do that,” Mainieri said. But Mainieri was well aware of what his Saturday pitcher did for his ballclub. Marceaux stepped on the mound and dominated when his team needed him to do so badly. “Landon was just absolutely an animal out there. What a competitor. He pitched a phonemenal game for us just when we needed it the most.”
LSU baseball right-handed pitcher sophomore Landon Marceaux (11) pitches during LSU’s 7-4 victory against Indiana in Game 2 on Feb. 15 in Alex Box.
COURTESY OF LSU CREATIVES
ABBY KIBLER / The Reveille
OPINION
page 11
Students need to stop loudly talking in quiet study spaces CARING LIKE ERIN ERIN STEPHENS @epstphns As an aspiring journalist who embraces conversation and debate, I encourage everyone to express themselves where they see fit. This liberty is written in the governing document of our country, and I would never usurp that power. But some of y’all need to be quiet. The University has many nooks and crannies tucked away on this large campus where students and professors can find quiet, comfortable study spots in various buildings, ideal for doing work outside of the classroom. The travesty is out of all these places, I can hardly find a quiet room. Somewhere near you, there is a conversation that you will learn every detail of, a song you will learn every lyric to and a professor whose every flaw you will learn. People rarely have the decency to save comments for areas of mass congregation. They belt them out in the silent lobbies and hallways where students are obviously studying between classes. Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.” If you’re chatting with someone about day-to-day matters, the conversation should be paused when you’re entering a quiet location.
This would seem like common courtesy or even an unspoken rule, but it clearly falls short of being recognized as either. There have been several instances where other students and I were studying in a quiet room, and people entered without judging the environment or situation. I’ve been interrupted by all sorts of things, including students blasting Whitney Houston, Jay Leno and Donald Trump. The least these people could do is speak quietly while passing through, but I wouldn’t be writing this piece if that was the general mindset of people on campus. Orators want to be heard, but a huddle of studying students shouldn’t be forced to be an audience. Being quiet for five seconds while traveling through quiet areas shows some respect for the learning process. The university is No. 1 in football but No. 153 in education according to U.S. News & World Report. Anyone who sees a student diligently working should be quiet and silently applaud their efforts. My favorite interuption tactic is when people knowingly choose to speak in a language besides English to somehow ensure a confidential conversation, like that excuses them from being polite to people working in quiet areas. This is a college campus. Someone can understand you. Additionally, it is still rude to speak loudly in a silent room with people working, even
COLLIN JENKINS/ The Reveille
LSU students study on Tuesday Feb. 11, 2020 in Patrick F. Taylor Hall. if it’s in another language. I understand that life is fastpaced, and some people don’t realize how loud they are when they enter a silent room. This can happen if you’re engrossed in a good conversation, but you should be cognizant of your sur-
roundings. If you can only hear your voice amongst many other people, you are probably too loud. I would never deny anyone the freedom to talk amongst themselves or friends, but be polite when walking across cam-
pus. There are brilliant minds at work who thrive on keen focus. Don’t be the person to rudely interrupt the process. Erin Stephens is a 19-year-old journalism sophomore from Brusly, Louisiana.
Mardi Gras must become more environmentally conscious SAUCE BOSS CECILE CÉCILE GIRARD @ _cegi_ Every year, nearly 10 million tourists flock to southern Louisiana to celebrate Mardi Gras. When they leave after a weekend of partying, drinking and eating, an average of 1,000 tons of trash stays behind. The broken bead strands and candy wrappers strewn along the parade routes are only a sliver of the trash generated by the Mardi Gras season. Every piece of plastic people catch and bring home will make its way to a landfill
eventually, whether in a week or a decade after the parade has ended. Furthermore, every Mardi Gras bead had to be made and shipped from somewhere (often overseas), making for an incredibly wasteful process. However, suggesting that Mardi Gras parades do away with throws entirely is unrealistic. Floats in Louisiana have thrown goods to crowds since the early 1870s, so Mardi Gras revelers are unlikely to stop yelling, “Throw me something mister!” anytime soon. The yearly cycle of waste can be stemmed by establishing a robust system of reusing beads year after year. Ideally, cities in Louisiana would estab-
lish collection points for people to return Mardi Gras beads and other plastic goods in the weeks following the season. The throws could then be sold back to private krewes to be reused the next year. Although a considerable fraction of throws are bound to be lost in this cycle of throwing, catching and returning, it would nonetheless put a dent in the plastic waste of the Mardi Gras holiday. Moreover, establishing a system for reusing beads is not a novel idea. Organizations like Arc of Greater New Orleans already have systems in place, with a majority of repackaged beads being sold back to individuals or
businesses, not krewes. However, even though this process reduces the amount of beads going to landfills, it does nothing to stem the steady stream of plastic into Louisiana at the beginning of every Mardi Gras season. An internal cycle that continually swaps beads between the throwers and the catchers would reduce the need to buy new beads shipped from abroad year after year. Mardi Gras attendees should also be more conscious of their personal waste, even within the carefree celebration of the holiday. An easy remedy for individuals to adopt is to dispose of empty beer cans and other waste in trash cans and recycling bins.
Editorial Policies and Procedures EDITORIAL BOARD Caleb Greene Brittney 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.
Although this will make no difference in the amount of trash generated by the Mardi Gras season, it will at least diminish the amount of litter that finds its way into our bayous and rivers. Mardi Gras may be a crucial facet of Louisiana’s identity, but so is our designation as “the Sportsman’s Paradise.” By striking a sustainable balance between the fun of Mardi Gras and the preservation of our unique ecosystems, we can ensure that our state prospers for many more Mardi Gras seasons to come. Cécile Girard is a 20-year-old psychology sophomore from Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Quote of the Week “We shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”
Winston Churchill British Prime Minister 1874 — 1965
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Thursday, February 27, 2020
The ‘college years are the best years’ mindset is misleading GRACE UNDER FIRE GRACE PULLIAM @ gcpulli I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the highly-mythologized “college experience.” To this day, it eludes me. As I approach the end of my third year at LSU, I’ve found myself questioning whether I’ve done enough to make the most of my time here. Sometimes I’ll sit deep in the bowels of Middleton Library, deliberately avoiding all of my responsibilities and wonder: Is this it? Is this what college is? I can confidently report that the majority of American teens and young adults set certain expectations for their college lives long before ever setting foot on an actual campus. You learn what college is supposed to be like; things you might have picked up from your least favorite uncle as he waxed reminiscent on his “glory days,” or maybe from your friend’s cool older brother who’s back in town for the holidays; or, even more regrettably, from some godawful blockbuster movie (we all saw 2009’s “Transformers 2,” right?). Stop me if you think you’ve
heard this one before: college is supposed to be the time of your life! It’s where you’ll find your lifelong friends! It’s where you’ll make your wildest, greatest memories! It might even be where you met your soulmate. This concept of the uber cool college experience as we know it today only really started taking off in the ‘60s and ‘70s. There’s no disputing that the structure of today’s life is a stark contrast to what it had been in generations past. At some point after the Industrial Revolution took place, academia became the hot new item on the menu. These days, Americans are attending college in greater numbers than ever before, a phenomenon which can primarily be attributed to an increase in the cultural emphasis placed on the importance of higher education. With enrollment in a four-year university now the most prevalent next step for recent high school graduates, the college years seem an almost intrinsic stage in the average American life. We’ve managed to craft an extensive repertoire of elaborate narratives for the ever-prominent college experience. We do this ritual storytelling in an attempt to come to some shared societal understanding, not only of the ex-
perience in question, but of ourselves as purveyors of the experience. We hope to create fantasies that we can ascribe to our own lives. It’s how we justify ourselves; what we’re doing and who we are, what we value, what we want. I suspect that this modern culture of fantasy and the overinflation of this idea of college life is only a symptom of a larger discontentment.
The myth of the gold standard college experience, in which every day is a keg party and nobody’s lonely, is just that: a myth. It can be damaging, as it so often fosters in us these sky-high expectations that must invariably give way to disappointment. College isn’t as shiny and happy as everyone would like to make it seem. Why not accept it? I haven’t exactly had the dreamy experience I’d been hoping for
when I first arrived on campus as a freshman, but who among us actually has? Maybe having the real “college experience” just means figuring out that there isn’t one. Maybe you just have to make your own. I think I’m alright with the one I’ve cut out for myself. Grace Pulliam is an 18-year-old creative writing junior from Zachary, Louisiana.
cartoon by ETHAN GILBERTI / The Reveille
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