April 1

Thursday, April 1, 2021

OSU’s Asian Students Express Concern Over Racial Hatred Jennifer Maupin O’Colly contributor Asian students at Oklahoma State have felt the sting of racism this past year amid COVID-19 but were encourage by university President Burns Hargis’ statement denouncing hate and intolerance following the recent mass shooting in Georgia.

The Atlanta spa shootings earlier this month resulted in the death of eight Americans including six Asian women and brought the issue of anti-Asian racism into the national spotlight with millions sharing #StopAsianHate on social media. Hargis made his position clear in a statement last Monday in which he decried racism against Asians in America and said the university is “outraged.”

“We stand united with our Asian students, faculty, staff and community members and oppose the inexplicable hate, discrimination See Students on pg. 2

The Asian American Club at OSU has fun and spreads awareness in many of their events.

Provided by Michael Lor

2021 vision: OSU football looks ahead to year of normalcy following hectic 2020 Ryan Novozinsky Staff Reporter

Adam Luther Kasey Dunn has been promoted to offensive coordinator of the Oklahoma State football team.

When watching game film from past seasons, Kasey Dunn’s eyes wander to the thing that was ripped from him last year.

A full stadium.

“I can’t wait to get back in the stadium,” Dunn said.

“We show tapes all the time and we see a full stadium and we’re just like ‘oh my gosh.’ It’s eye opening. Our kids can’t wait to get back out there, we can’t wait to get back out there as coaches.”

Dunn spent a large portion of his first season as Oklahoma State’s offensive coordinator adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic. He adapted to not having spring practice, having modified summer and inseason practices and two non-conference games being canceled.

So when spring practice began for OSU two weeks ago, Dunn couldn’t help but feel giddy.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had long practices like this,” Dunn said. “So it was fun to get back at it today. Get the guys running around out there having some fun.”

The players, who, along with the coaches, had to deal with several adjustments such as COVID tests three times a week last season, shared a similar excitement to Dunn.

“I’m tired of these masks,” linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez said. “I just can’t wait for a packed Boone Pickens Stadium.”

If this spring is any indication, the upcoming season could meet these players and coaches expectations.

The Cowboys are down to testing once per week and Oklahoma is currently in Phase See 2021 on pg. 4

Page 2 Thursday, April 1, 2021

News Students...

Continued from pg. 1 and intolerance that has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hargis said. “We know this has caused fear and anger on our campus community and in the broader Stillwater community.”

Nearly 480 Asian students are enrolled on OSU’s Stillwater campus this semester, making up just over 2% of the entire student body, not including multiracial or international students. Social chair for OSU’s Asian-American Student Association Catherine Xiong said she generally feels pretty safe on campus but has experienced some behavior that makes her “uncomfortable.”

“We do get looks, especially when they hear us talk,” Xiong said. “Then they are like, ‘Oh, you actually know how to speak English.’”

While overall hate crimes dropped seven percent in 2020, anti-Asian hate crimes increased by 149%, according to a study by The Center for Study of Hate and Extremism. Terms like “Kung Flu” and “The China Virus” have contributed to many placing a blame on the Asian community for the coronavirus.

Reports of Asian Americans being spat on, called racial slurs, physically assaulted and tragically killed have filled headlines across the country over the last year.

Xiong, who is the eldest daughter in her family, said she feels unsafe because the majority of attacks are against Asian women but being away from home has

her “more terrified for her parents.” She said that being away from home has been uniquely difficult.

“It’s scary to know that [a racist attack] could happen to me,” Xiong said. “But we have all seen the news, and it’s more targeted at older Asian grandmas and grandpas.”

Michael Lor, secretary of OSU’s Asian-American Student Association, said while he is worried for the Asian community, the statement by Hargis helped him feel safe.

“President Hargis has definitely taken the initiative to make sure that the Asian population here is well accepted and safe, so we are very grateful for that,” Lor said.

Hargis also provided resources for any Asian student, faculty or staff member who feels unsafe, including ways to report incidents of racism, organizations for Asian students and mental health resources. He used strong language throughout, explaining, “hate and intolerance toward any individual has no place on the Oklahoma State campus.”

The Asian American Student Association works to provide an inclusive space for Asian students to celebrate their culture, as well as share it with the rest of the OSU community. Lor said it’s upsetting to see the United States experiencing this current wave of intolerance but hopes this might be an opportunity for communities to come together and learn.

“We are kind of declining in our ways of thinking,” Lor said. “America is a melting pot. That’s what we are known as … We aren’t holding our reputation where it should be, and we aren’t being a good role model.” news.ed@ocolly.com

DON’T STUMBLE! (Part #3) “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate one another,” (Mt.24:9-10) All this I told you so that you will not go astray. (stumble) They will put you out of the synagogue, in fact a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.” (Jn.16:1-2) The are many places in the scripture that tell of persecution of true believers. Jesus said if they did it to me they will do it to those who follow me.

(Jn.15:20) Many times this will separate the true believers from the false. No one likes hardships, difficulties and certainly persecutions, but the challenge comes and we don’t want to stumble and fall away.

Jesus speaks to the Smyrna church in Revelation: "I know your afflictions...slander...do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer...the Devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be careful..."

Does God allow persecution and trials of different kinds? He certainly does!

Couldn't God deliver them out of bad situations? Of course! Sometimes He will and sometimes not. He even governs how long the difficulties will last. These are times when we see the grace of God in wonderful ways. His grace is made perfect in weaknesses.

(2 Co.12:9) That is why we are not to be offended at God's ways.

Difficulties can seem to be hindering the very work of God, but the Lord is working in and through the situation to accomplish something good in the end.

Lifestyle

Pexels

Oklahoma is becoming a hotspot for the film industry.

Lights, camera and a call to action

By Logan Smith Staff Reporter This past month, Oklahoma has become the state to see such movie stars as Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese and Keanu Reeves.

Scorses’s “Killers of the Flower”, which had halted filming last year due to Covid, has returned to filming here in Oklahoma.

A prepared release from a meeting last month between Osage cultural leaders and film crew for the movie ex-

plained what was discussed.

“Members of the community spoke, sharing their concerns,” the prepared release said. “Mr. DiCaprio asked several questions... that will inform the script and his character.”

The film will feature Leonardo Dicaprio as well as Robert De Niro, is hiring Oklahoma crews and has virtual casting for extras ongoing.

In an interview with Abby Kurin, executive director of the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture, she explained her

outlook on the expanding industry.

“Film equals jobs,” Kurin said. “And naturally, we want to put our name out there.”

Incentives are being made by cities nationwide to film companies to bring their projects to such areas as Tulsa County. Oklahoma City is also adapting to the growing film industry, notable in the use of the Cox Convention Center as a film studio, as of September of last year.

“To have something... [that] brings jobs into a sec-

tor of an industry that has a lot of promise in our city” said Assistant City Manager, Aubrey McDermid, “is a great deal.”

Keanu Reeve’s being sighted in the Plaza District of Oklahoma City this last week seems like icing on the cake of stars visiting here. Despite no word of his future projects being filmed in Oklahoma, there is still a promising future for those looking for jobs in the film industry at this time. entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Page 4 Thursday, April 1, 2021

sports 2021...

Continued from pg. 1 4 of its COVID-19 vaccination plan, which makes all OSU players, coaches and staff eligible for the vaccine.

According to coach Mike Gundy, many players have already taken care of this.

“People are back in the normal flow and a large percentage of our team has already been vaccinated, so they can migrate out of the testing procedures, which were very annoying for the players,” Gundy said. “You had to do it, but still kind of a nuisance to them.”

Gundy, who is set to receive his vaccine during the first week of April, is optimistic about the season from a COVID perspective.

For a program that prides itself on discipline, things are starting to look like they did in the pre-COVID era.

“It’s much different now in a lot of areas based on COVID,” Gundy said. “That was such a distraction in so many ways that — we have a very regimented schedule of what we do here and we function on punctuality and we do things daily the same way and we couldn’t do that a year ago.

“It’s a lot different than it was last year and that’s helped with everybody’s attitude.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Page 6 Thursday, April 1, 2021

sports Defense creating a new legacy

Jared A’Latorre Staff Reporter In a legacy of Oklahoma State star offensive players, the team is establishing a new look these days.

The Cowboys were looking at the 2020 season last year this time around as something that fans could not wait to see. Now, in a conference that’s quarterback happy and a school with a handful of legendary players on the offensive side, the scene has changed.

For their depth in 2021, the Cowboys have more to fill on their offensive side.

While the defense does lose a big piece at cornerback in Rodarius Williams, they have familiar faces to fill, like Christian Holmes and Thomas Harper.

Holmes came in as a transfer and played a lot of downs in the secondary rotation, totaling 24 tackles and six pass breakups. In 2020, Harper was a reliable defender who would make quite the effort to always make a challenge on passes.

He finished with 30 total tackles and one interception.

Harper also finished his year as a Second Team Academic All-Big 12.

While the defensive line will be without their big guy up front, Cameron Murray, the Cowboys will bring back multiple pass rushers that defensive coordinator Jim Knowles loves to implement on third down plays.

When head coach Mike Gundy was asked about the depth of every team, he said that the defense is all pretty familiar with each other.

“Defensively, we’re pretty mature, we didn’t play a lot of underclassmen,” Gundy said.

The linebacker position looks to be in the hands of veteran leadership as well.

With Malcolm Rodriguez, being the leader of the pack, will look to work with Devin Harper, taking advantage of the extra year given by the NCAA from the pandemic.

Rodriguez was all about the defense making a name for itself to change the program around for at least the time being.

“You don’t hear it very often here, you just always hear about an offensive school here, so just to hear that, it just goes to show that it’s kind of turned around for our defense,” Rodriguez said. sports.ed@ocolly.com

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Page 8 Thursday, April 1, 2021

sports Notebook: Cowboys spring practices in full swing ahead of Pro Day, spring game

Dean Ruhl Staff Reporter It’s a sound that hasn’t been heard on Oklahoma State’s campus since November.

The sound of shoulder pads popping as two players collide with each other.

On Tuesday, OSU had its first practice in pads since the 2020 season ended. With the spring game scheduled for April 24, coach Mike Gundy said he’s excited with the energy and attitude the team shows.

Gundy said they currently have 112 players on the roster, compared to the 85-90 they would have in a normal offseason. This is because of a larger early enrollment class, transfers, and seniors that stuck around for their extra year of eligibility given by the NCAA. “Even our young players and new players are getting really quality reps,” Gundy said. “I’m looking forward to watching the tape and seeing what guys do.”

Here are other storylines from Tuesday’s press conference: Gundy sees improvement in the offensive line’s pass protection Gundy compared the offensive line to “musical chairs” last season because of the constant rotation due to injuries, leading to issues with pass protection.

Two weeks into spring practice, he said he sees improvement.

“It looked like we were better, in protection, which will allow us to be a better run blocking team,” Gundy said. “I’m excited about

that.”

Ry Schneider and Tevin Jenkins both declared for the NFL draft following the 2020 season, but starters, Josh Sills, Hunter Woodard and Jake Springfield all are returning to OSU. Gundy said it has been fun to watch the third offensive line group compete in practice. The third group is composed of athletes in early enrollment, and who haven’t played at this level of competition.

Brennan Presley will be a versatile option in the offense After a breakout performance against Miami in the Cheez-It Bowl, grabbing six receptions for 118 yards and three touchdowns, Brennan Presley set expectations to be the next star receiver for the Cowboys following Tylan Wallace’s departure.

Gundy said he will have a versatile role in the offense this season.

“He can do a lot of things,” Gundy said. “He can catch it, he can run it, he can throw it. We need to be able to bring him into the offense in different ways because he is so versatile and he’s a quick learner.”

Presley will even take part in punt returns, and in special situations punt coverage.

Presley said he hasn’t been on the field for returns since high school, but will assume the role if he is asked to.

“Whatever it takes to do it for the team,” Presley said. “All of us would do it.

Take advantage of anything, a lot of people would kill to be in this position that I am, so I’m not going to look at myself and think I’m any different from anybody else.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

FOR RELEASE APRIL 1, 2021

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Business Squares

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Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis ACROSS 1 Anger 5 List member 9 Reheat, in a way 13 Service station sections 14 Crime site 16 One may symbolize friendship 17 Gets with difficulty, 18 Ctrl+V, commonly 19 *Like some pages in used books 21 It arrives just before Christmas, for many 22 Substituted (for) 23 Send an IM to 24 Public health org.

25 Card game cry 26 Like some exams sportscasts Football Hall of Fame lineman 35 Before, in Brest 36 List-ending abbr.

37 Helpers 38 *Arcade staple 40 Puts away 41 Pre-event periods 42 Chemical suffix 43 Fire remains 44 Calls in poker 46 Criminal 50 Tell when one 53 Secondary persona, or

Designers Wanted The O’Colly Media Group is now hiring Advertising Designers for our ad and marketing departments.

Duties include working on layouts, designing ads, and creating media campaigns.

the answers to starred clues 54 Distinctive characters 55 Verdi solo 56 Paintball souvenir?

57 With 7-Down, teary 58 Tolerate 59 Not worth __ 60 LAX info 61 Rogues 62 Trees used to make bows

4/1/21

By Joseph A. Gangi

DOWN 1 Fowl 2 Facetious target of a series of guides 3 Talk of the town?

4 *Metaphor suggesting suspense 5 Spain and Portugal, mostly 6 Unavailable 7 See 57-Across 9 Word with lemon or orange 10 Pot starter 11 Jury member 14 English 15 *Is a fifty-fifty proposition 20 Extends, as a building 21 Building extension 23 Jigsaw bit 27 Start over 28 Over 29 No __: surprisingly 30 Possess

Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved

©2021 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

31 Tel __ 32 Fill with freight 33 Casual pants

4/1/21

47 Parts of some 48 Lit up 49 Kind of position used for meditation

words, maybe 39 Hebrides native 43 Wedding 51 Pack it in destinations, 52 __ Major often 53 Triangle 45 Like 55-Down calculation 46 Inspiration for the 55 See 45-Down

schedule.

For more information contact Lori@ocolly.com or call 405-744-7355

Daily Horoscope

Level 1

2

3

4

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes (TNS) Today’s Birthday (04/01/21). Good things come through friends this year. Strengthen partnerships, alliances and collaborations for shared gain. Shifting educational directions this spring aims you toward a summer creative breakthrough. Make an income change this winter, before an exploration takes wing. Solidarity and teamwork can produce miracles.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Educational opportunities present travels more than expected. Share your discoveries.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Collaborative ventures can get lucrative. Advance a shared cause or passion. Resources can be found. Do what you promised. Inspire another to take action.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Love animates your actions. Collaboand ambitions. Share and connect at a deeper level.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Your physical performance can get lucrative. Put love into your work and it gains value. Prioritize your health and vitality. Ride a lucky break.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — Learn new tricks from someone you love.

Take advantage of a lucky chance. Conversation can lead to powerful possibilities.

Get into something fun.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Settle into your cozy nest. Sort possessions. Save what you love and use, and share the extra. Discover forgotten treasure.

Savor domestic arts and pleasures.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Words come easily today. Use persuasive language. Develop a brilliant idea. Capture onto paper or devices, edit, polish and share with a wider audience.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Take advantage of a lucky opportuing. Talk about what you love.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 9 — A personal epiphany or insight illuminates hidden treasure. Ask for what you want. Proceed to the next level. You’re an inspiration to others.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Private conversations and presentations can get especially productive. Take notes. Work a transformation. Turn a plain rock into a jewel. Work your special magic.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Resources and solutions arise in conversation with your circles and communities. Consult with friends and colleagues.

Toss the ball to a teammate. Collaborate.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Graduate to the next level. Your work is gaining respect. Past experience leads to new opportunities. Connect with valuable allies to grow and expand.

4/1/21 Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

Page 8 Thursday, April 1, 2021

sports Notebook: Cowboys spring practices in full swing ahead of Pro Day, spring game

Dean Ruhl Staff Reporter It’s a sound that hasn’t been heard on Oklahoma State’s campus since November.

The sound of shoulder pads popping as two players collide with each other.

On Tuesday, OSU had its first practice in pads since the 2020 season ended. With the spring game scheduled for April 24, coach Mike Gundy said he’s excited with the energy and attitude the team shows.

Gundy said they currently have 112 players on the roster, compared to the 85-90 they would have in a normal offseason. This is because of a larger early enrollment class, transfers, and seniors that stuck around for their extra year of eligibility given by the NCAA. “Even our young players and new players are getting really quality reps,” Gundy said. “I’m looking forward to watching the tape and seeing what guys do.”

Here are other storylines from Tuesday’s press conference: Gundy sees improvement in the offensive line’s pass protection Gundy compared the offensive line to “musical chairs” last season because of the constant rotation due to injuries, leading to issues with pass protection.

Two weeks into spring practice, he said he sees improvement.

“It looked like we were better, in protection, which will allow us to be a better run blocking team,” Gundy said. “I’m excited about

that.”

Ry Schneider and Tevin Jenkins both declared for the NFL draft following the 2020 season, but starters, Josh Sills, Hunter Woodard and Jake Springfield all are returning to OSU. Gundy said it has been fun to watch the third offensive line group compete in practice. The third group is composed of athletes in early enrollment, and who haven’t played at this level of competition.

Brennan Presley will be a versatile option in the offense After a breakout performance against Miami in the Cheez-It Bowl, grabbing six receptions for 118 yards and three touchdowns, Brennan Presley set expectations to be the next star receiver for the Cowboys following Tylan Wallace’s departure.

Gundy said he will have a versatile role in the offense this season.

“He can do a lot of things,” Gundy said. “He can catch it, he can run it, he can throw it. We need to be able to bring him into the offense in different ways because he is so versatile and he’s a quick learner.”

Presley will even take part in punt returns, and in special situations punt coverage.

Presley said he hasn’t been on the field for returns since high school, but will assume the role if he is asked to.

“Whatever it takes to do it for the team,” Presley said. “All of us would do it.

Take advantage of anything, a lot of people would kill to be in this position that I am, so I’m not going to look at myself and think I’m any different from anybody else.” sports.ed@ocolly.com