The Student Voice of Howard University Since 1924 Volume 101, Issue 17
Thursday, February 2, 2017
KNOW YOUR ROOTS! The History of Black History Month
Washington, D.C.
INSIDE
By Imara Bright-Johnson Staff Writer
F
or hundreds of years, African-Americans have continuously contributed to the ongoing progress of American’s society. From the traffic light to the pressing comb, African-Americans have accomplished many goals and expanded the possibilities of Black achievement. In addition to (practically anonymously) creating significant inventions still used daily, AfricanAmericans have carved their way into careers previously impossible to have even imagined. Blacks have CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
CAMPUS: From Student to Professor Pg. 5/
Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Negro History Week, also known as the father of Black History Month. (Courtesy Photo)
The Hilltop Moves Near Familiar Street In New Location
By Paul Holston Editor-In-Chief
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The entrance of The Hilltop’s new office at 2401 4th Street NW. (Photo Credit: Paul Holston, Editor-In-Chief)
@TheHilltopHU
fter residing on the P-level of Howard Plaza Towers -- West since 1991, The Hilltop has relocated to a permanent location back on Fourth Street. The Hilltop, Howard University’s student newspaper since 1924, now resides at its new address: 2401 4th Street Northwest, 68B, Washington, D.C. 20059. Both its newsroom and business office are located within Harriet Tubman Quadrangle’s Frazier Hall, across the hall from Girls Inc. of the Washington, D.C. Metro area. The office was relocated unexpectedly during the summer of 2016 after the announcement that the West Towers would close for renovation for the 2016-2017 academic year. Its CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
www.thehilltoponline.com
CULTURE: Howard Poetry & Art Submissions Pg. 11/
SPORTS: Catch Up on the Latest in Bison Sports Pg. 14/
@TheHilltop1924
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you are invited to a
free advance screening Internship Program
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9 7:00PM REGAL GALLERY PLACE 701 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
FREE TICKETS CAN BE PICKED UP FROM CAROL DUDLEY IN THE SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS (ROOM 107 - ACROSS FROM THE CREDIT UNION). ONE TICKET PER PERSON.
ADMISSION INTO THE THEATER IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. SEATING IS LIMITED TO THEATER CAPACITY.
© 2016 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
HITS THEATERS FEBRUARY 24
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017
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BLACK LUCY DIGGS SLOWE
(July 4, 1885 – October 21, 1937)
L
ucy Diggs Slowe graduated from the Baltimore Colored School in 1904, becoming the first female graduate and the first scholarship recipient of the school to enter Howard University in Washington, D.C. Slowe graduated as class valedictorian from Howard University in 1908 and accepted a teaching position at Douglass High School in Baltimore. In 1911, she began studies at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Arts and Science in New York. After completing a M.A. in 1915, continued with student personnel classes at Columbia’s Teachers College. While attending Howard University and continuing through the years, she excelled at tennis. In 1917, Slowe became the first African American to win a national title in any sport by winning the first women’s title at the American Tennis Association’s (ATA) national tournament in Baltimore. Slowe’s professional career included teaching assignments in Baltimore and later in the Washington, D.C. school system. In 1919, the first Black Junior High School was established in the Washington, D.C. school system with Slowe as principal. She organized the school, developed
HISTORY
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The Hilltop Editorial Office 2401 4th Street NW, 68B, Washington, D.C. 20059 (202) 806-4749
Paul Holston Editor-in-Chief
eic@thehilltoponline.com
curriculums, designed and planned an inservice training system for teachers, and educed Columbia University to offer an extension course in education attended by black teachers and white junior high staff. In 1922, Slowe was hired by Howard University as the Dean of Women, a first! During Slowe’s undergraduate years, she observed administrative practices and policies of student governance, noting the opportunities for positively improving the conditions for women in higher education at all levels. This led to her idea that the dean of women should be a specialist position in women’s education. Slowe embraced the female deanship position at Howard, promoting it to prominence as a model for other African American Universities. She garnered acclaim and recognition in the advancement of higher education. As Dean of Women at Howard University, she studied the procedures developed by female deans at other universities and originated procedural standards specific to Howard’s administration. She also secured the establishment of a “women’s campus” at Howard, (three new dormitories for
Almani Jackson Business Manager
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Akiah Singfield Sales Manager
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Devin Barnwell
CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
Assistant Copy Chief
Victoria Jones Copy Editor
Jason Ajiake News Editor
Gabrielle Oliver Culture Editor
Brittany Webb Sports Editor
Dawn Richard Layout Editor
HILLTOP CONTINUED FROM COVER original row house was located on Fourth Street before being torn down to make room for the Mary M. Bethune Annex residence hall. With the help of the 2016-2017
(Photo Credit: Paul Holston, Editor-In-Chief)
leadership team of The Hilltop, editorial advisor professor Shirley Carswell, and personnel from Howard’s administration offices, to include the Office of Residence Life and Enterprise Technology Services (ETS), The Hilltop now has a new home for Howard students, alumni, faculty, staff and the community to
come into an open and welcoming office. While The Hilltop is still working to have all that it needs for a complete newsroom and business office, the 2016-2017 Hilltop leadership team is proud to have been able to provide Howard’s student newspaper a new home.
Zora Neale Hurston (18911960), co-founder of The Hilltop Newspaper, is considered one of the preeminent writers of 20th century AfricanAmerican literature.
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CAMPUS Howard University, Corvias Announce 40-Year Partnership to Enhance Student Housing, Renovate Plaza Towers
Corvias Raises $144 Million in Investments for the Project By Dawchelle Hamilton Contributing Writer
H
oward University President Wayne A.I. Frederick and Chris Wilson, chief operating officer of Corvias, formally announced a 40-year partnership between Howard Dormitory Holdings 1, LLC, a wholly-owned and title-holding company of Howard University (“Howard SPE”), Howard (the “University”) and the privately owned, Rhode Island-based company Corvias on Tuesday, Jan. 31, in Howard’s Interdisciplinary Research Building. The partnership, in which Corvias raised $144 million in investments for the project, will result in the renovation of the East and West Towers of Howard Plaza Towers and new management for Charles R. Drew Hall and George W. Cook Hall. Frederick also confirmed rumors that the university is also considering the closing of Slowe Hall. “We really intend to create an academic environment that matches the ambitions of our students,” said Frederick. “This partnership is an innovative solution to leveraging our assets while improving the facilities for students so they are competitive in the higher education marketplace.” Renovations have already been underway and will take place in two stages. The first being the complete shut down and renovation of the West Towers for one year, in which has currently been closed since Fall 2016, and is scheduled to be complete by August 2017. After the completion and reopening of West Towers, East Towers will then be closed down for renovation during the upcoming 20172018 academic year with an
Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick, left, and Chris Wilson, right, chief operating officer of Corvias, at the media briefing announcing the partnership between Howard and Corvias, Tuesday, Jan. 31 in Howard’s Interdisciplinary Research Building. (Photo Credit: Dawchelle Hamilton, Contributing Writer)
estimated completion by August 2018. “We’re extremely proud to be able to play a small role in making a difference in students here at Howard University,” Wilson said. This is the first time both residence halls will be undergoing such major construction since their opening in 1989. Preview images of the new spaces include
an exercise room with treadmills and ellipticals, modern kitchen spaces with flat top stoves and built in microwaves as well as social and learning spaces. According to Howard officials, through the partnership Corvias will assume the role of all matters regarding residence life, management and maintenance for the four dormitories and will work to enhance “live, learn and
Chief Operating Officer of Corvias Chris Wilson, left, and Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick, right, at the media briefing announcing the partnership between Howard and Corvias, Tuesday, Jan. 31 in Howard’s Interdisciplinary Research Building. (Photo Credit: Dawchelle Hamilton, Contributing Writer)
gather spaces for students.” Officials also estimate that Howard will receive $528 million in financial return from the project, half which will be dedicated to a building reserve fund. All of the excess cash funds will be used for the University’s disposal. When asked about the identity of the institutional investors who funded the project, Wilson said, “It is a private placement so there is some restrictions on how that can be shared.” Howard will still have fulldecision making power over the project and ownership of the dormitories. Furthermore, the project will be committed to working with local and small businesses along with Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) firms. To retain the cost of rent for students, a management review committee will be in place. This recent partnership highlights one of the recent major shifts in housing arrangements for students who live on-campus. In the past few years, students have witnessed the closing of both Carver Hall and Meridian Hill Hall. Meridian notably was closed shortly after a fire occurred on the fourth floor of the dormitory in the Spring of 2014 and is currently being leased for the next 99 years to Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners who intend to convert the space into luxury apartments. Students also saw the introduction of the more modern dorms known as College Hall North and College Hall South in 2014. Dormitories such as the Harriet Tubman Quadrangle, originally built in 1956, is also under consideration for renovations and improvement.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017
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“Love Yourz”: Miss Freshman’s Heartfelt Panel on Self-Love
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Howard Alumnus Turns Into Howard Professor By Brookie Madison Contributing Writer
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Photo Credit: Instagram
By Kaylin Young Contributing Writer
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n enthusiastic voice boomed between the close walls of Blackburn’s Digital Auditorium on Jan. 27 welcoming students as they poured in for a panel on self-love hosted by Miss Freshman Brooke Samerson. The panel, titled “Love Yourz”, featured some of Howard’s most prominent female leaders on-campus. The event was sponsored by Curls Haircare and guests received goodie bags of best-selling products along with an interactive discussion. The evening was opened by Mister Freshman Durmerrick Ross who excitedly introduced each of the panelists. The featured panelists included Miss Howard University Victoria Gray, Howard University Student Association Executive President Allyson Carpenter, Miss Harriet Tubman Quadrangle Ayana Clenance, freshman student activists Tyra Johnson and Raina Simone-Henderson and Alpha Chapter president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Shaylen Braggs. Spoken word artist Friday Shabazz set the mood with a piece entitled “Contour Queen”, detailing the contemporary power of makeup and colorism. After a mirage of snaps and applause, Samerson jumped right into questions and gracefully led the evening’s discussion. ‘Why do you do what you do?’ was a question Carpenter was eager to answer. “Howard has invested so much into me, so I want to fulfill my obligation of investing just as much back into this community,” Carpenter said. Braggs opened up about the duty she owes to both Howard and her sorority. “I know there’s a misconception about AKAs being stuck-up and rude…but it’s not true and I want to change that perception on-campus,”
Braggs said. Samerson urged panelists to be vulnerable with the question, ‘what is your biggest insecurity?’. Samerson confessed her own insecurity of “feeling awkward,” and Clenance talked about the desire to be liked, but felt “it’s better to be respected than to be liked.” It was Johnson’s answer that struck a chord with the audience. “I often compare myself to other women at Howard…you realize you’re not the only poppin girl on campus, but now I feel empowered and inspired by the greatness of the other poppin girls here,” she said. The evening took a political turn when Samerson asked panelists what their fears for women of color are following the recent presidential inauguration of Donald Trump. Carpenter, who is heavily involved in politics on- and off-campus, spoke extensively about her fears of losing healthcare and reproductive rights for women in low-income situations. Samerson’s answer was a call to action. “Now is not the time to pretend our Blackness comes after our identity, it is a part of our identity,” said Samerson. “Now is the time to promote HBCUs and support black business and uplift one another.” ‘What advice would you give to the incoming girls of HU’21?’ was the final question of the night. “All other things like joining extracurricular activities and orgs will depend on your GPA, so take care of that first,” said Gray. Samerson shared personal experiences, and encouraged everyone to pray about every step of their college journey. Following the discussion, Samerson said that she was happy about those who attended. Samerson said, “I’m very blessed that everyone came out and look forward to my next event.”
s a 2010 Howard University graduate, Michael Robinson couldn’t resist the opportunity to work Howard University, the university responsible for his professional development. Dr. Robinson returns for the Spring 2017 semester as an adjunct professor teaching Intro to Musculoskeletal Systems in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Howard’s College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences. Robinson’s desire to teach didn’t come right away. After leaving Howard, he attended Emory University in Atlanta and then completed his residency at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “It wasn’t until my graduate years and postgraduate training where I realized I wanted to teach. That’s where I got most of my training to teach and a lot of my teaching skills come from my practice as a clinician,” Robinson said. As a professor and professional, Robinson wants to be a resource to help people become successful. “In my day job as a therapist, I’m a resource for patients who have movement disabilities and if I can use my knowledge to help them succeed that’s gratifying. In the same way, use my knowledge as a therapist helping students trying to be a therapist. If I can help them succeed as well that is also gratifying,” Robinson said. Because he once was in the same seats as his students in the physical therapy department (as an undergraduate), Robinson explained how important it is to be persistent and customize his teaching for each individual person. “Students have a lot of different ways of learning, so I try to adjust my teaching to fit student’s learning styles so individualized, customized, adaptable is what I am going for,” Robinson said. Helping people with any orthopedic issues is what Robinson specializes, but after mentoring students at UNC at Chapel Hill, he knew teaching was where he wanted to end up to ensure security. “My body isn’t going to last forever so getting into academia was like an idea for me to have a backup plan just in case my hands stop working and I get old,” Robinson said. Looking towards the future, Dr. Robinson anticipates success stories from those he could help. “When I get call back or a letter from a patient saying Michael thank you for helping me get back to dancing or get back to rock climbing that’s why I do what I do. And translating that to academia, I’m looking forward to students calling me back and saying thank you for helping me land my dream job or giving me the skills I need to open my own practice,” Robinson said. Being able to train first year doctor physical therapy students is Robinson’s way of paying it forward. “This is my way of giving back to my alma mater and ensuring that students come out of this program as well prepared as I did,” Robinson said.
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NEWS EyE on Africa
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Ex-Gambian President Flees Into Exile
After losing an election and being threatened with military force, Yahya Jammeh, former
executive order which placed a travel ban on 7 countries — Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan. Since all the countries included are dominated by Islam, the ban is being referred to as the “Muslim Ban” by its opponents. Notably, Ethiopia and Eritrea, which border the African countries included in the ban, were left out of the executive order, presumably due to being majority-Christian.
collective. The North African originally country left the AU in 1984, which was known as the Organization of African Unity at the time, after the entity recognized the independence of the Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara. According to an unnamed African Union source, 39 countries supported Morocco’s re-entry and only 9 voted against it.
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47 Killed in Massive Wedding Accident
According to Mai Fatty, spokesman of Gambia’s new president, Jammeh filled a cargo plane with fancy cars and other expensive goods, and then withdrew $11.3 million from the country’s central bank before leaving.
On Saturday, Jan. 28, a commercial truck carrying a wedding party and guests swerved off-road and into a river in Madagascar. According to local police, the truck driver lost control after trying to bypass a police checkpoint. 47 people were pronounced dead, including 10 children and the newly-wed couple, and at least 22 people were injured.
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President of the Gambia, fled the West African country on Jan. 21, ending his 22-year reign.
Three African Countries Included in Donald Trump’s Ban
On Jan. 27, President Donald Trump signed an
By Jason Ajiake News Editor
Morocco Rejoins African Union After 33 Years
The African Union (AU) announced on Jan. 31 that it would allow Morocco back into the
Scientists Discover New Clues About Ancient Marine Life From African Lake
Researchers at the University of British Columbia recently travelled to Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which shares similar chemistry with the oceans of the Proterozoic era. The team observed that nitrogen was recycled from nitrate to ammonium when microorganisms from Lake Kivu reacted iron with nitrogen in the form of nitrate and the nitrogen remained dissolved and available for microorganisms to use as a nutrient. The study concluded that nutrient availability likely played a substantial role in shaping the nature and activity of life in the oceans of the past, allowing multicellular life
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN CHAPEL? Want to invite the Howard Community to your next event or program? All colleges, schools, organizations, alumni, and community groups are welcome to have a “Call to Chapel.” All “Calls to Chapel” must be submitted no later than 10:00 A.M. Monday morning to be included in the Chapel service.
Email: Chapel@howard.edu
Members of the Chicago People’s Union share a moment with Father Michael Pfleger, a Chicago Pastor and activist.
Interested in Alternative Spring Break? Join us this Sunday…. For information on all things ASB, visit: Cramton Auditorium – 11:00 A.M. http://www.huasb.com Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley Pastor, Alfred Street Baptist Church Deeper in Faith – Wider in Community! Alexandria, Virginia
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017
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Malia Obama Lands Internship at Major Movie and Television Studio By Kai Sinclair Contributing Writer
M
alia Obama’s gap year is proving to be anything but a break as the former first daughter takes on her third film-related internship, this time with the Weinstein Company. The 18-year-old deferred her enrollment to Harvard University until the fall of 2017 and is taking advantage of the time off to gain professional experience. Now, she is set to begin work at the major independent film company’s New York office in February. “During past school breaks, Malia, who has noted an interest in film … has interned for the Halle Berry CBS series ‘Extant’ and Lena Dunham’s HBO comedy ‘Girls,’” said
writer Helena Andrews-Dyer in an article for The Washington Post. The eldest Obama daughter’s work in the entertainment industry and growing professional network presumably aided her in securing the position with company known for producing such notable films as “The King’s Speech,” which won an Academy Award for Best Picture in 2011, and “Fruitvale Station,” the story of Oscar Grant, a man who was murdered by police in Oakland, CA. While Obama’s last name might carry a lot of weight in other areas of her life, it can be expected that she’ll have tasks similar to those of other film interns while with the Weinstein Company.
“I had to know the certain types of teas that the boss liked,” said Steven Ward, a junior film major and former 20th Century Fox Studios intern. “That’s something every film intern is going to have to do because they give you all of the small tasks that they don’t want to do.” But between the coffee runs and restocking the spoons in the office, Ward was able to work on a professional film set as a production assistant and believes Obama might have similar opportunities. Obama, like many college-aged students, looked to internships to gain work experience in their fields of interest in a time that internships are becoming increasingly necessary. In a job outlook study done by
the National Association of Colleges and Employers in 2015, 75 percent of participating employers indicated preference to applicants with relevant work experience and 60 percent noted that they preferred that experience to be gained through an internship. The study also shows that Black and Hispanic students were less like than their white, Asian, and international students to secure an internship. With that in mind, many are rooting for Malia Obama’s continued success in the film industry. “I think it’s awesome,” Ward said. “Also, she’s a Black woman and any Black woman that wants to get into the industry, I’ll support no matter what.”
Afro-Colombian Activist Slain By Sabrina Newton Contributing Writer
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milsen Manyoma, AfroColombian leader of CONPAZ, a collection of communities and organizations that are directly affected by armed conflict in Colombia, was assassinated on Jan. 17, along with her husband Joe Javier Rodallega in Buenaventura, Colombia. An extremely prominent leader in the Bajo, Calima region since early 2005, Manyoma was an active member of CONPAZ, where she acted as quite the outspoken critic of right-wing parliamentary groups. Both Manyoma Emilsen and her husband were heavily involved in many efforts to minimize the control of paramilitary groups over Buenaventura, as well as curtail the invasion of private companies into local communities forcing residents out.
The displacement of locals by international mining and agricultural business interests
proved to be a pressing issue plaguing the community. The CONPAZ initiative provided a safe environment for droves of individuals seeking cover from violence and invasion of these companies seeking profit. Toward the end of 2016, Manyoma had been involved in the work of the Truth Commission, which documented scandalous
killings and orchestrated disappearances. Only months later, her body was discovered in a
Photo Credit: www.teleSur.net
jungle-like area adjacent to the highway with several bruises, stab wounds and gunshot wounds in the neighborhood of El Progresso, a region within Buenaventura. The human rights defender was last seen accompanied by her husband entering a taxi
in Villa Linda the previous Saturday. On the following Tuesday, the bodies of both victims were substantially decomposed, both beheaded. The forensic autopsy determined that both of the victims died as a result of their throats being slit. It had been reported before the assassinations that a truck had been surveilling the home of the couple. In addition, her husband had received numerous threats from unknown sources. Approximately 85 human rights defenders have been murdered in Colombia in the past year, according to the human rights organization Front Line Defenders. The local police department has not named any suspects thus far, but has assured the public that the assassination is being investigated by the necessary authorities.
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Lead Levels in Flint Fall to “Safe” Levels By Justin Cohen Staff Writer
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s of Jan. 24, Flint, Michigan’s lead contamination levels are comparable to other similarly sized U.S. cities with older infrastructure, according to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. “This is good news and the result of many partners on the local, county, state and federal levels working together to restore the water quality in the City of Flint,” the department’s director, Heidi Grether, told the New York Daily News. “The Flint water system is one of the most monitored systems in the country for lead and copper, and that commitment will remain to ensure residents continue to have access to clean water.” The Flint water crisis began when lead lines were improperly treated for corrosion while the city was being managed by the state. Lead from old pipes permeated into the water supply when corrosion-reading phosphates were withheld due to a misinterpretation of government
regulations. This contamination led to an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease that caused the deaths of 10 people. Other health concerns include permanent brain damage for many of the young children exposed to the poisoned water. An excessive amount of lead contaminated water, according to federal standards, is 15 parts per billion. At its peak, Flint water reached a concentration of 20 parts per billion. Today, the concentration level is about 12 parts per billion. However, according to an independent research team from Virginia Tech University, lead levels as low as five parts per billion can have long term effects. “According to EPA, if the ‘worst case’ homes are tested and more than 10 percent are over 15 parts per billion, the city exceeds the federal standards for lead in water,” the team said. “For our sampling, which is of random houses in the city and not
Courtesy Photo
the worst case homes, if more than 10 percent of samples are over five parts per billion, we believe it indicates that the city has a very serious problem with lead in the water.” A number of state representatives have been charged and/or arrested for the crisis, and investigations are still ongoing, including four officials who have been charged with felonies after being accused of misleading the Michigan Department of Treasury to secure million dollars of bonds, forcing
the Flint water supply to come from the Flint river. For residents, the news of the “safe” lead levels is not entirely good, as the state will soon stop paying for the residents’ water bills, which have been partially covered by the government since April 2014. For now, residents are advised to continue using faucet filters and bottled water, for a mass replacement of pipes could spike lead levels again, which will take years to complete.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017
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The Banality of Evil: Trump’s First Week of National Gaslighting Courtesy Photo
By David DePriest Columnist
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ou can’t say we weren’t warned. You can’t say that it was only hyperbole, that he was only selling an ignorant and terrified electorate on the worst conspiracies he could think up. You can’t say that there’ll be a pivot, that he’ll change into a Reagan-esque or even Bushesque figure that can at least be acknowledged as “presidential,” that he’ll ditch the oversized $6000 suits and goofy hair in favor of something more amenable to his aims, like a comb over, a beige suit, and a red armband. Any and all soothsaying that was done to stem the blood loss, to heal the bruising that this electoral catastrophe has wrought, can now be considered bunk, no less a lie than Trump’s own lies about the size of his inaugural crowd. In the last week, people of all stripes have had their worst fears confirmed as Donald Trump has used the office of president to tear away at the fabric that holds this nation together. Within the first three days of his term, Donald put a freeze on all new government hiring and on almost all government jobs, imperiling millions of people who rely on that job to support their families. He threatened a trade war with Mexico, one that the United States will invariably lose as we import more from Mexico than almost any other nation. He scrubbed all mentions of climate change and queer people from the White House websites, and has made efforts to delete all the evidence of climate change that the government has been collecting for decades. The scientific community is, understandably, in shock. He essentially killed the EPA by freezing their funds and silencing their employees, producing hundreds of “alternative” or “unofficial” social media accounts of parks, research centers, and organizations that are continuing to speak out
COLUMN in defiance. In addition to all that mess, Donald also instructed his advisors, spokesmen, and surrogates to continue in what can only be defined as a national-scale gaslighting, a “don’t believe your lying eyes” campaign so severe and dystopian that it trumps other twenty-first century despots in both tenor and scope. His gaslighting is worth noting as we proceed into the second week of his term and, by extension, the second week of recordbreaking protests and acts of resistance. The administration has already tried to downplay the Women’s March and the airport protests as small tantrums thrown by embittered liberal elites, disregarding the fact that these protests happened in every region in the country, every continent on Earth, and almost every major metropolitan area in the world. The administration has already begun to manipulate photos and lie about its own successes, consciously rewriting a history that we’ve all lived. It wants us to doubt the very ground we stand on, to see nothing as real unless we’re told otherwise. It want us to doubt ourselves, our nature, and what constitutes “good” and “evil.” Unfortunately, the administration has succeeded in deluding at least 25 percent of the country into endless questioning, to the point where Trump’s use of a private Gmail account as his official presidential email address is an unprecedented show of business acumen, while it still stands as an indictable offense that former Secretary Clinton used a business-class private setup. All these nefarious deeds, and we still haven’t broached the fact that Trump declared a ban on immigration from several majorityMuslim countries that his administration argues are inextricably linked to terrorism. Conspicuously absent from this list are any of the problematic countries that Trump is currently doing business with, including countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, both
of which have faced scrutiny from previous administrations for either accommodating or bankrolling terrorist organizations like alQaeda. The ban is very clearly and undeniably unconstitutional, un-American, and immoral. To deny entry or at least vetting to people who are very clearly suffering the consequences of our misdeeds, to penalize people whose only mistake was being caught in the crossfire between the United States and one of its jingoistic, nakedly capitalist campaigns, broadcasts this nation’s hypocrisy for all the world to see. It belies a banality that only comes with years of historical revisionism and re-evaluation. As Trump marches, arm outstretched, down the same lines of errant racism and gross nationalism that we’ve seen savage entire continents before, it’s important to take note of just how easy it is to turn off, to be lulled into a trance by its banality. Every day brings a new delude of absurd hatred and incompetence. It’s easy to just let it be, to only passingly acknowledge it. But you can’t avert your eyes. This is how democracies fall. This is how the internment camps, the dissident prisons, the plantations get rebuilt. We can’t let that happen.
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Activists Push University of California to Terminate $475 Million Worth of Contracts With Private Prison Partner The Hilltop Talks with the Afrikan Black Coalition
Photo Courtesy of the Afrikan Black Coalition
By Jason Ajiake News Editor
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fter over one year of pressure from the Afrikan Black Coalition, an organization dedicated to improving the conditions of Black students and the Black community at large, the University of California has agreed to discontinue several of its contracts with Wells Fargo, one of the largest financiers of private prisons. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), about 18 percent of federal prisoners are locked up in private correctional facilities, which profit from mass incarceration and subsequently create a dilemma referred to as the prisonindustrial complex. On Nov. 30, 2015, the Afrikan Black Coalition exposed the University of California for investing approximately $25 million into CoreCivic, formerly known as Corrections Corporation of America, as well as two other private prison corporations. Following the announcement, the Afrikan Black Coalition launched a campaign demanding that the university
divest from the private prisons and terminate its financial relations with Wells Fargo to avoid any indirect continuation of financial support for the private prison industry. Less than one month after launching the campaign, which gained massive support at the grassroots level, the Afrikan Black Coalition announced that the University of California had sold all $25 million of its investments in private prison corporations; however, it did not agree to terminate its relations with Wells Fargo. “Divesting $25 million is a good step toward shutting down private prisons by starving them of capital,” said Yoel Haile, 26, political director of the coalition. Despite the historic victory, the Afrikan Black Coalition continued to struggle with the university over its relations with Wells Fargo, cleverly referring to the bank as “Jails Fargo” throughout the campaign. One year later, on Jan. 30, 2017, the Coalition announced that the University of California will discontinue its $150 million interest reset contract with Wells Fargo by April 1 and will curtail $200 million of its $300 million line of credit with Wells Fargo
by the end of February. The remaining $100 million will be cut once an alternative bank is found. Due to the high costs of terminating particular contracts with Wells Fargo, the University will keep $425 million of its investments and recently signed interest rate swap contracts that will expire in 2023, 2045, and 2047. However, when combined with the termination of a $25 million commercial paper contract with Wells Fargo in Nov. 2016 and the $25 million divestment from private prisons in Dec. 2015, the Afrikan Black Coalition succeeded in pushing the University of California to choose morality over profit, amounting to $500 million in changes. “This decision is the fruit of dedicated, hard work by the Afrikan Black Coalition, following the orders of our Central Committee,” Haile told The Hilltop. “We hope that it offers a clear possibility of what can happen when we are united, focused, and clear about our objectives and harness the power of our people for goals that advance our people’s political agendas.”
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017
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Mecca’s Fall
poetry
CULTURE How can one begin to capture the essence of your beauty? Striking chills shoot down my spine as I watch you be You be magical Like the sea of pink clouds that float in the ocean beyond us You be powerful Like the spirits that flow and throw leaves among us You be valiant Like the masses who were slain to save me And you be all of these so gracefully Excellence. Leadership. Truth. Service. All assets that make you so dear As firm as each brick that upholds your legacy You emanate hope and eliminate fear So as I face the cold nights with our season’s shift Like the sun’s reflection on the moon, I will shine through you And when I don’t know what to make of this life My Mecca forever holds my highest virtue By Courtney Daniel Sophomore, Media, Journalism and Film Major
Whole I feel most myself in a room full of people who do not know me I cannot mirror their expectations I am whole Sometimes I feel my identity rising from my stomach Scratching at the back of my throat I swallow it Whole Sometimes I feel my identity pressing against my spine I fear my vertebrae will crack under the pressure And I will never again be Whole By Daesha Smith Senior, Media, Journalism and Film Major, Fort Pierce, Florida
& ART SUBMISSIONS See Your Poetry and Artwork in the Hilltop: CULTURE@THEHILLTOPONLINE.COM
Not Just Any Kind
You don’t want to see me go. My presence actually matters to someone. You appreciate me and everything I do. I want that “I can’t fall asleep if I’m not next to you” kinda The kinda love where I still get butterflies when I’m love around you. That “you’re the first thing I think about when I open my “I still blush when your name pops up on my phone” eyes in the morning” kinda love kinda love “When I roll over in the bed and see your face, I feel “Movie nights with pizza and you are the perfect nights” complete” kinda love kinda love That “if I haven’t heard from you in a couple hours, I get a That love where I don’t have to worry about getting hurt little worried” kinda love I can trust you Cause this world isn’t safe and if you get pulled over by I want that “daddy’s girl” kinda love because nobody the police, I might not see you again loves me like my dad And how would I live? I want that kinda love where you know that I’m not Without you here to show me that kinda love where I live myself so you try to figure out what’s wrong even when I to keep you happy lie and say I’m okay. That love we go our whole lives looking for The kinda love where you know that I’m just hungry or That love where the good outweighs the bad tired or it’s my time of the month, so you don’t mind that I’m a little moody. “Sitting up in the middle of the night, just talking about “I’m your biggest fan” kinda love life” kinda love “I will always support your dreams” kinda love Because I care what you’re thinking and you care how I’m “Holding up posters, screaming your name, wearing your feeling jersey” kinda love You’re my lover and my best friend kinda love The kinda love where you wouldn’t do anything to risk The kinda love where you love me even when I can’t seem losing me because you want this kinda love just as much to love myself as I do. I want to live for the moments when you hug me and as soon as I try to let go, you hold me tighter.
By Zanaidah Washington Freshman, Sports Medicine Major, Atlanta, Georgia
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Pearl Primus
Dancer, choreographer and anthropologist Pearl Primus was born Nov. 29, 1919 in Trinidad; she grew up in New York where she attended Hunter College and joined New Dance Group, a performing arts organization. In 1943, Primus debuted her first major choreographic work, “African Ceremonial,” along with her other works “Strange Fruits” and “Hard Time Blues.” She spent the Summer of 1944 in the South - living and working with sharecroppers, this had a huge impact on both her academic and artistic work. In October of that year, Primus had her Broadway debut at the Belasco Theatre in New York City. She became famous for protest pieces such as “Slave Market” and “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” which is based on the Langston Hughes poem. In 1948, Primus left for an eighteen-month trip touring Nigeria, Angola, the Cameroons, the Ivory Coast, Liberia and Senegal, where she performed for natives while studying their culture. Throughout the rest of her life, Pearl Primus continued to travel between the United States and Africa. While continuing her formal education, she opened the Primus-Borde School of Primal Dance with her husband in New York City where she taught sociology, anthropology and dance. In 1991 she received the National Medal of Arts from President George Bush. Three years later, Primus died in New Rochelle, NY.
Blacks in the Arts: A MiniSeries By Chantè Russell Staff Writer
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Henry Ossawa
Painter Henry Ossawa Tanner was born in Pittsburgh in 1859, and is best known for depicting biblical scenes. As a child he attended the Robert Vaux School which was one of a small number of Black schools where students studied liberal arts. In 1880 Tanner began school at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Tanner left his studies early and moved to Atlanta where he taught art and opened his own gallery. In 1891 he moved to Paris where he gained fame for his paintings. Though he is most known for his religious work, his earlier paintings such as “The Banjo Lesson” depicted African-American life. His most famous work, however, is “Nicodemus Visiting Jesus” which won him Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts’ Lippincott Prize in 1900. In 1923, Tanner was named named honorary chevalier of the Order of the Legion of Honour, the highest French order for military and civil awards. He also became the first African American to be named a full academician of the National Academy of Design. In 1937, Tanner died in Paris where he had made his fame, home and final resting place.
The Keys to a Successful
Twistout By Kyana Harris Staff Writer
Jane Carter Curl Defining Cream, $18, Walmart
1. Find a curl defining product that works for your hair type
2. The smaller the section, the more defined the twists
Not all products work for everyone’s hair! Find what works for you. Usually, the thicker the hair, the thicker the consistency of the product should be. For example, thick curl defining creams might work better for 4C hair as opposed to a lighter, gel mixture type that would work for 3C/4A hair.
I know it is bad enough having to do your hair after the long process of washing, conditioning and detangling but smaller twists are the way to go if you really want to get your curls poppin’. The style also lasts longer when the twists are smaller. Those six big twists aren’t going to cut it sis, sorry.
An example of the ‘Pineapple’ style to save your curls at night (Photo Credit: Youtuber: Tootsie Time)
3. Coconut oil is your new bestie
4. Pineapple your hair at night
Make sure you put an ample amount of coconut oil on your ends, as they are the weakest part of your strands. Rub the oil through your scalps as well to promote hair growth. When you finish your twists, put the oil all over your hands and then run them through your hair so it will be soft and moisturized. Moisturize your strands at least once a day with coconut oil.
This is an alternative method to simply putting on a bonnet. ‘Pineappling’ your hair with a scarf helps you maintain those curls and keeps them looking fresh for days. It’s a major key, look it up on YouTube!
5. Holy Grail Products Products that I recommend are things such as Jane Carter curl defining cream, Cantu Coconut Co-Wash, Eden Bodyworks curl defining cream, Jamaican black castor oil, Dr. Miracle’s deep conditioner (single packets), Shea Moisture Jamaican black castor oil leave-in conditioner.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017
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BLACK HISTORY CONTINUED FROM COVER
Courtesy Photo
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Bradford Young Receives Oscar Nomination 1st African-American to Receive an Oscar Nomination for Best Cinematography By Gabrielle Oliver Culture Editor
O
n Jan. 24, Howard University double alumnus Bradford Young was nominated for an Academy Award for his cinematography work in the 2016 film “Arrival”, a sci-fi thriller about deciphering an alien language and the unexpected power linguistics holds in today’s society. Young is the only African-American to ever receive an Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography. After British director Remi Adefarasin, nominated for his work in the film “Elizabeth” in 1998, Young is the second person of African descent to be nominated for an Oscar. In “Arrival”, Young aids the fluidity of the plot through his excellent style of scene-formatting. Young is not only able to connect and make sense of scenes that appear disjointed at first glance, but he purposefully
instills a sort of repetition that is akin to that of valued, classic literature. At times, the scenes within “Arrival” follow an anachronic order with nonlinear narrative elements. Instead of confusing movie spectators with this hit-or-miss filming style, Young never misses a beat – and instead connects the personal experiences of main character Dr. Louise Banks, played by Amy Adams, to those abstract linguistic ideas that stump viewers’ expectations. Through his cinematography, Young forces viewers to consider the film “Arrival” as something truly artistic in nature. Whatever the outcome of this year’s Academy Awards, Howard University will be watching with pride to commend Young for his outstanding efforts in cinematography.
SLOWE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom organization. As an undergraduate in 1908, she was a founding member of the first Greek letter sorority for black women, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The sorority has remained continuously active from 1908 to the present and after 109 years in existence, touts a membership of over 260,000 college educated women worldwide. Slowe was a true pioneer in the shaping of educational reform for women of color in the state of Maryland and the country.
women) and influenced the philosophy and appointment of female deans to African American campuses throughout the country. This lead to forward thinking in terms of equal rights for men and women by spearheading progress for African American Administrators on college campuses nationwide. In 1935, she helped organize the National Council of Negro Women and became its secretary. She helped found the National Association of College Women and became its first president. She also worked with the progressive
become life-saving doctors, hardworking lawyers and activists that have made a huge impact on history. Since 1976, the month of February has been set aside to celebrate the achievements of these phenomenal Black men and women. Black History Month was created to acknowledge those who have left their mark and those still making history. The beginning of Black History Month can be traced back to 1915, as it started as only one week and was the idea of one of the first Black Harvard graduates, Carter G. Woodson. Woodson was an author, journalist and historian of African-American history. He, and other notable African-Americans, believed that AfricanAmericans deserved an annual celebration of Black excellence. Woodson and Minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro life and History. The organization thrived on recognizing the achievement of AfricanAmericans, and in 1926, the group sponsored a week-long national Negro History celebration the second week of February.
The week soon grew into a month of celebration. Other schools, communities and organizations were influenced by the work of ASNLH and their commitment to uplifting and supporting AfricanAmericans. In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford officially declared February as Black History Month. Since then, every President has set aside February as an official acknowledgment of Black history. The country realized that the achievements of AfricanAmericans had often gone unnoted and it was time to celebrate the many contributions that AfricanAmericans have made throughout history. Other countries across the world also adopted the idea and began to devote a specific month to African-American History. Since its inception, Black History Month has become an important symbol of cultural spirit in the United States and across the world. In schools, organizations and communities, Black History Month has given everyone the opportunity to educate individuals on Black History and celebrate its significance.
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SPORTS In Case You Missed It...
THIS WEEK IN BISON SPORTS By Brittany Webb Sports Editor
Tennis
The men’s tennis team faced another defeat against the United States Naval Academy on Saturday. The Bison now stand at 0-5 for the season. Their next match is on Wednesday, Feb. 8, against the University of Delaware.
Swimming
The men and women’s swimming and diving teams completed their regular season in a matchup against The Catholic University of America on Saturday, Jan. 28. In their typical fashion for the season, as the team has not lost a match this season at Burr, the teams defeated their competition. The men finished 133-72 bringing them to an overall 5-6 record, while the women finished 123-82, bringing them to an overall 4-7 record.
Basketball
Women: On Saturday, Jan. 28, the Lady Bison returned from playing on the road to host the Savannah State Tigers at Burr Gymnasium. Standing at 4-1 in the MEAC before tip-off, the Lady Bison had a lot to be proud of at the conclusion of the game. At the final buzzer, despite having a rough offensive start in the game, the Bison defeated the Tigers 55-49. In the fourth quarter, senior Sydni Johnson scored her 1,000th point by way of a lay up. Senior Te’Shya Heslip scored a double-double finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds. All
together, the woman stood 9-9 overall and 5-1 in the MEAC at the conclusion of Saturday’s game. Women: The Lady Bison hosted the South Carolina State Bulldogs on Monday afternoon, Jan. 30, for their fifth home game victory for the season. The Lady Bison, 6-1 in the MEAC, defeated the Lady Bulldogs (2-6 MEAC) 7557, despite having another rough offensive start. To the advantage of the Lady Bison, the Lady Bulldogs suffered from turnovers. Lady Bison Te’Shya Heslip finished the game with a double-double, scoring 24 points and getting 11 rebounds. Sydni Johnson finished with 17 points, while Sarah Edmond finished with 13 points and Erin Blaine with 10 points. Men: The men’s basketball team also hosted the men’s basketball team from Savannah State on Saturday, Jan. 28. Despite having home-court advantage, the Bison lost the game 73-70. Throughout the game, teams tied the score eight times and no one team held a significant lead for too long. However, the Bison suffered 29 turnovers throughout the game, ultimately feeding into their defeat. Despite the team’s loss, freshman Charles Williams finished the game with a career-high of 37 points. Men: The Bison hosted the South Carolina State Bulldogs on Monday night, Jan. 30, hoping to break their losing streak. However,
Howard Bison Men’s Basketball End Up Short Against Savannah State By Nicole Hutchinson Staff Writer
O
n Saturday, Jan. 28, the Howard University Bison Men’s Basketball team (5-16, 2-4 in the MEAC) hoped to gain their third conference win at Burr Gymnasium. However, the team fell short by three points in a 70-73
defeat against the Savannah State University Tigers (9-12, 6-2 in the MEAC). The Bison initially led the Tigers, one of the top three shooting teams in the country, throughout the entire game, but failed to execute
critical possessions and get key shots in the basket. Senior JT Miller and freshman Charles CJ Williams led the team to an early lead with a combination of 26 of the team’s 35 points during the first half. Williams brought his A-game, putting up a career high of 37; Miller followed with 18. At one point, Howard had an 11-point lead, but the Tigers’ three-point shooting from Dexter McClanahan closed the gap to 35-32 at halftime.
the extended it after falling short to the Bulldogs 77-68. When the Bison weren’t in the lead, they weren’t trailing far behind. Freshman Charles “CJ” Williams led the team with 21 points, followed by James “JT” Miller with 19. Despite carrying the team as much as they could, things started to unravel for the Bison in the last few minutes of the game. What was once a three-point deficit that could’ve been changed by a three-pointer or and And 1, ended up stretching out to a nine point defeat, as a result of turnovers and missed shots. The Lady Bison and the Bison (5-17, 2-5 MEAC) will face the Florida A&M Rattlers in Tallahassee on Saturday, Feb. 4.
MEAC Recognition: On Monday, senior Syndi Johnson of the women’s basketball team was named CoPlayer of the Week in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Having scored his career-high in Saturday’s game, Charles “CJ” Williams was named Rookie of the Week in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on Monday. Although he’s a rookie, Williams holds the top spot on the team when it comes to putting points on the board. This is Williams’ fifth time holding the MEAC title, and it’s only his first season.
During the first eight minutes of the second half, the Bison came out refreshed and fired up, allowing them to and increase their lead from three points to a 10-point lead, but the Tigers didn’t let the fire last for long. They seemed to have a response for each shot the Bison made. The Tigers stole the lead until the Bison tied the score twice in the last three minutes of the game. McClanahan gave the Tigers the upper hand during the last minute of the game, nailing a three
pointer and two free throws. “We competed the whole game, but just came up short,” forward Jalen Jones said. “We lost some key possessions down the stretch with mistakes. We have an experienced team so I’m sure that we will learn from this and be ready to play in our next game.” Jones, a redshirt sophomore, was the fourth leading scorer against the Tigers holding 4 points.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017
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Pre-Super Bowl LI: History of Teams Vying for NFL Championship By Nathan Easington Contributing Writer
T
he National Football League’s Super Bowl is a tradition that has been for the NFL since January 15, 1967 to determine which team is the year’s champion. While most NFL teams have been lucky enough to participate in the game, this coming Sunday, Feb. 5, the Super Bowl Championship title is being fought for by the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons. Despite both teams having made it thus far, one team has touched Super Bowl grounds more than the other. The New England Patriots have been to the Super Bowl a total of six times in the past 15 years—that’s more
than any other team currently in the NFL. The Falcons have only been to the “big game” one time, in 1999, and faced defeat against last year’s Super Bowl Champions, the Denver Broncos. One factor that has allowed the Patriots to be considered one of the greatest franchises of all time is quarterback Tom Brady. Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the 2000 NFL Draft and has played with the team for a total of 15 seasons. Before Brady, the Patriots, who were founded as the Boston Patriots in November of 1959, had never won the Super Bowl. In previous years, the organization had been knocking
on the door of Super Bowl Sunday. Reaching the American Football Conference (AFC) title game four times before, the Patriots lost the Super Bowl twice. Since drafting Brady, the Patriots had only lost two times in their six Super Bowl appearances. Compared to their opponents, the Patriots have been in the big game six more years than the Falcons. Despite both franchises having existed for some decades, it wasn’t until the last two decades that they’ve seen some of their greatest success, as it relates to the Super Bowl. The Falcons, who were founded in June 1965, have had some great regular
seasons, but they often failed to capitalize off of their success come playoffs. The team won their first playoff game 13 years after their debut season in 1966. While the team did return to the playoff twice over the following five years, the Falcons came up short each time losing to the Minnesota Vikings in 1980 and the Dallas Cowboys 1982. In more recent years, the Falcons have shown great promise in becoming consistent playoff contenders. Since their loss in the ’99 Super Bowl, the team has returned to the playoffs seven times, winning five games. This is their first time returning to
the Super Bowl in over a decade, and experts say they have a fair chance at victory. As both teams prepare for kick-off this Sunday, fans can rest easy knowing the amount of time each franchise has put into making it to this point. At stake for the Patriots and Brady is the desire to become, possibly, the greatest franchise of all time. As for the Falcons, it is the possibility to be the first group of Falcons to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Atlanta. The game will air on live from the NGR Stadium in Houston at 6:30 p.m. on FOX.
The Falcons and The Patriots: 2016 Seasons in Review By Ayanna Alexander Contributing Writer
n Feb. 5, America will witness the two O best teams in the National Football League battle it out at Super Bowl LI in
Houston. Before the game, the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots had very impressive seasons. It’s because of this, determining a champion is much more difficult than it has been in previous years. The Falcons, who finished their regular season with an 11-5 standing, surprised viewers with their offensive cohesiveness. Aside from their performance in the National Football Conference (NFC) championship game against the Green Bay Packers, the Falcons excelled in a week four game against the Carolina Panthers, which the Falcons won 48-33. Quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones both broke franchise records with Ryan achieving 503 passing yards, while Jones acquired 300 yards receiving. Though Falcons fans and football watchers alike could debate whether they could become the 2017 Super Bowl
Champs, their opponent also had a great season and veterans at the Super Bowl. The Patriots finished their season with a 14-2 record. Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan was overwhelmingly the team’s breakout star. In their conference championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hogan
came up with 180 yards receiving and two touchdowns, helping his team in a 36-17 victory. It was during this game that Hogan set the franchise record for most yards received in a playoff game. Hogan’s success story, beginning with him as a lacrosse player, then being traded between four teams before finally reaching the Patriots,
is inspiring. While Hogan shined this year, no one can deny that seasoned quarterback Tom Brady returned with an agenda. The future Hall-of-Famer finished the regular season with 3,554 yards and a 112.2 rating. This year is also special for the quarterback, since Brady sat out for the first four games due to the infamous “Deflategate”. So, it’s assumed that Brady is looking for revenge in the form of another Lombardi trophy. As previously mentioned, Super Bowl LI is anyone’s game and looking at the comparisons, makes the debate even harder. The Falcons had the best offense for the 2016-2017 season, but they will come against a seventh ranked defense, according to the ESPN efficiency metric system. The Patriots defense also raked in 34 total sacks, 34 total fumbles, and 13 interceptions in their regular season. However, if Ryan and Jones can get their momentum going, we could see a Lombardi trophy going to the peach state.
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