Friday, May 21, 2021 by The O'Colly

Friday, May 21, 2021

‘People want to know about Black Wall Street’ Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell shares his thoughts on the Tulsa Race Massacre

TENTH in a series

Ryan Novozinsky Editor-in-Chief

“Greenwood Here and Now” is a project by The O’Colly Media Group that highlights the tragedy and triumph of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, 100 years after the Tulsa race massacre.

As the state’s first ever director of tourism, Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell has a good pulse on when people are coming to visit Oklahoma. From Pinnell’s perspective, there will be a boom of visitors to Oklahoma this summer be-

cause of one main reason: the 100-year anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. “The race massacre museum that’s going to be open this year, it will probably be the most talked about new museum in the country,” Pinnell said. Pinnell is referring to the new state-ofthe-art history center in Tulsa called “Greenwood Rising,” which opens in the summer of 2021. The museum was built by the Tulsa Race Massacre See Wall Street on pg.3

Unsplash

Some OSU students welcome an increase to the minimum wage.

Raise the wage? OSU students weigh in on potential minimum wage bump Ellie Melero Staff Reporter In the United States, debate rages on whether the minimum wage is a livable wage. In Stillwater, a college town where many students rely on minimum-wage jobs to get by, many workers and some business owners say it’s time for a pay raise. Balancing the books on minimum wage can be difficult, particularly for students. Savannah Basco, a student at Oklahoma State University, works two jobs to support herself

while going to school, and she said she fully supports raising the minimum wage. “I think, for the most part, (the current minimum wage) is unrealistic,” Basco said. “My cost of living is really cheap compared to other places in the country, and I still struggle to make ends meet with two jobs. So, thinking about other students who have higher rent and are making $7.25, I just don’t see how it’s possible.” The minimum wage in the United States is $7.25 per hour, and it hasn’t gone up since 2009, although the number of workers who actually make the minimum continues to

decline, to 2.3 percent of all workers in data released from 2017. President Joe Biden made a campaign promise to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour, however the Senate removed the measure to raise the minimum wage from the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill Biden signed March 10. The debate hasn’t gone away. Basco works as a barista at Aspen Coffee Co. and makes minimum wage. She has the opportunity to make more through tips, but she said tips are inconsistent and vary wildly. That’s why she has a second job at Tropical Smoothie Café. Basco works 25 hours per week

at Aspen and 15 hours per week at Tropical Smoothie on top of her school responsibilities. She said her workload has made it difficult to focus on classes and assignments, which is why she decided to take this semester as a “break semester” and enrolled in only one class. She said a higher minimum wage would help, and she said she hopes Congress revisits the issue soon. “I think (Congress) should keep in mind the people that are actually working these jobs,” Basco said. “A lot of (Congress members) probably See Wage on pg.2

Page 2 Friday, May 21, 2021

News

Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Wage... Continued from pg.1 haven’t worked for minimum wage before. Not for long periods of time, at least. It can be incredibly difficult to pay all of the bills just with that wage. So I think they should keep in mind all of the people who are affected by that.” Basco isn’t alone in seeking a wage increase. Matt Ring, an employee at Big Country Liquor, said he supports raising the minimum wage because people can’t support themselves on it. Ring, another OSU student, said his parents help him with rent and bills, and he works mostly for spending money. He said he knows how lucky he is to have financial support from his family, and he said he doesn’t think he would be able to get by without it on his $9.50 per hour wage. “People who aren’t fortunate enough to have family members pay for their rent or their insurance or their phone and stuff like that, (the minimum wage is) definitely not livable,” Ring said. “I think it should be raised to a more livable wage so that more people can afford to have basic needs and not have to live in

poverty.” Several Stillwater business owners said they believe a minimum wage increase is probably due, yet some said they don’t support Biden’s proposed $15 minimum wage. Chad Watkins, the owner of DuPree’s Sports and Screenprinting, said he supports raising the minimum wage, but he said he thinks a $15 minimum wage is excessive, especially in light of the hardships businesses have faced because of the pandemic. DuPree’s retail store closed for one month at the beginning of the pandemic, while it maintained its online operations. Watkins has had to deal with supply shortages, and foot traffic in the store has been slower since DuPree’s reopened. Not wanting to let any employees go, Watkins has had his workers focus on doing chores to spruce up the store, such as repainting. Watkins’ part-time employees, most of whom are students, make minimum wage upon hiring, but he said most of his part-time employees make $8 per hour. Most of his fulltime employees are salaried. Watkins said he is supportive of raising the minimum wage, but added he thinks a $15 federal minimum wage is too high. “I think the minimum wage should go up,” Watkins said. “It’s been $7.25 for probably 10 years now,

ETERNAL JUDGEMENT & FORGIVENESS! Eternal Judgment is one of the foundational teachings of the Christian faith. (Heb.6:2) The Bible tells us that man is appointed (destined) to die one time and after that to facejudgment . (Heb.9:27) This is not a popular subject. It is very sobering! God has declared it will happen one day, so we can be sure it will. There are various judgments that take place in our systems that bring punishment (jail time or penalties) for various crimes. After the time or penalty is fulfilled, then the individual is released. He can continue living a normal life. However, the judgment of God, that will surely come, is different in that there is no end to the judgment. It continues for all eternity. This should move all to an honest and humble evaluation of where they stand with God.

The Apostle Paul writes, at the second coming of Christ: “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power…” (2 Thess.1:8-9 NIV) Ps.32:3-5 makes clear the struggle one has with his guilt. Here is a man who will not be honest and humble himself before God. He is refusing to acknowledge his sin and need of forgiveness. Stubborn! Finally. he says: “I confessed my sins to God and stopped trying to hide my guilt... And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone!” The result is shown in verses Ps.32:1-2. The blessedness of a forgiven person! It counts for eternity! We all need to be honest and humble ourselves. Confess our sins, ask forgiveness, and God will clear our account. We will be free from judgment that separates us eternally from God!

and it’s probably due to go up. I just don’t think it should double.” Although Watkins said he doesn’t think a $15 minimum wage is necessary, he said if customers are willing to pay more for his products to offset the cost of raising the wage, then he will support it. That seems to be the complicated offset to simply legislating a minimum wage increase – pushing the cost on to customers, especially for employers with small profit margins. Somebody has to pay for it, and it’s not always the employer. John Franzmann, the owner of Brown’s Bottle Shop, said doubling the minimum wage would be harmful to his business, especially given the economic conditions the pandemic has caused. “COVID has created all kinds of issues with cash stream,” Franzmann said. “Each day has been a new challenge.” Like Watkins, Franzmann has dealt with supply shortages damaging his business, although he has never had to close his store. Franzmann said he is fully opposed to a $15 per hour federal minimum wage, but said he would be open to the state raising the minimum wage. Franzmann said he believes the minimum wage is an issue better left to state legislatures because the cost of living is different in every state. He

said a $15 minimum wage might be necessary in California, but he said he doesn’t believe it’s necessary in Oklahoma. “I don’t mind creeping minimum wage up a little bit here and there...,” Franzmann said. “But to force every business owner in the country to suddenly double their potential payroll is – there’s not too many business that can just do that without having all kinds of catastrophic results within the cash stream of their business.” Watkins agreed states should be in charge of the minimum wage. Basco said she knows a $15 minimum wage would be hard on businesses, and like Franzmann and Watkins, she said she doesn’t think that high of a wage is necessary in Oklahoma. Maybe a compromise? Basco said the minimum wage needs to go up, allowing $12 per hour would be a good starting place. She said she knows for sure $7.25 per hour is not enough. “I definitely think (the minimum wage is) too low as of right now,” Basco said. “And I think people, when they’re discussing the topic, should be compassionate for the people that are working these jobs.” news.ed@ocolly.com

News Wall Street... Continued from pg.1

Kelly Kerr Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell believes the new Tulsa Race Massacre museum will be the most talked about museum in the country.

Centennial Commission. Pinnell said he’s looking forward to more people visiting the state to learn about and pay respects to the victims of the Race Massacre. “It’s a history that must be told, we must learn from it,” he said. One of the things Pinnell hopes people learn about is the rebuilding of some of the Black-owned businesses after the tragedy 100 years ago. “In regards to Greenwood, I love to see the Black entrepreneurship, Black-owned businesses being opened back up in that Greenwood dis-

trict,” he said. “That’s a story that I think gets lost when we talk about that race massacre that happened down there. As far as the entrepreneurship that has been torn down and built back up again, there’s an amazing story there with Black entrepreneurship in the Greenwood district –– Black Wall Street.” In a state that’s dominated by Native American history and the oil and gas industry, Pinnell says that one topic gets asked about much more than those: Black Wall Street. “It’s still the most asked question of the Tulsa Historical Society, people want to know about Black Wall Street,” Pinnell said. news.ed@ocolly.com

Masks no longer required at Oklahoma State University Adam Engel Staff Reporter The mandated use of masks and social distancing will no longer be required at Oklahoma State University or at any OSU sponsored activity, according to press release. This change comes after the updated CDC guideline, allowing vaccinated citizens with a choice to wear a mask in most indoor settings.

Two exceptions for this change exist — masks remain required on OSU transportation buses and in certain areas of University Health Services. OSU officials confirmed that this ruling will extend into the fall semester unless a change in guidance comes from the CDC. news.ed@ocolly.com

Joshua Cleary

news.ed@ocolly.com

NEED TO PICK UP

A FEW CLASSES OVER THE SUMMER?

OSU-OKC offers smaller class sizes and affordable tuition on campus or online! CLASSES BEGIN JUNE 7. ENROLL NOW FOR SUMMER AT WWW.OSUOKC.EDU

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Page 4 Friday, May 21, 2021

sports

Cowgirls earn No. 5 seed Stillwater tabbed as regional, super regional Sam Hutchens Staff Reporter

Oklahoma State has officially been tabbed as one of the favorites to make the College World Series — and the Cowgirls will not have to leave the state of Oklahoma to do it. OSU was announced as the No. 5 overall seed on Sunday night

during the NCAA Softball Championship Selection special. With the top-eight seed, the Cowgirls will host regionals and super regionals. Sporting a record of 19-4 at home, with two of those losses coming against No. 1 overall seed Oklahoma, the Cowgirls are well positioned for another run to the College World Series. Mississippi State, Boston and Campbell will travel to Stillwater for the regional in Cowgirl stadium. The three schools will face off against OSU and each other in a doubleelimination format for supremacy. Playing in front of the OSU faithful is not something lost on the Cowgirls. After hosting an elec-

tric series against OU earlier in the season, Cowgirl fans have shown themselves capable of producing a postseason-worthy atmosphere. “I know that our people will be jacked,” Gajewski said. “The atmosphere at Bedlam is exactly why I wanted to come here…it was relentless, it was brutal, it was fun, it was a little bit intimidating and scary.” If OSU wins its regional, it will face the victor of the Austin regional. The Cowgirls are 4-0 against UT on the year, and because the Cowgirls earned the right to host a super-regional, that series, too, will be played in Stillwater. This Cowgirl team has a chance to do what not even the 2019 team

that made the College World Series could do — play every postseason game in Oklahoma. “It’s just awesome to play at home,” coach Kenny Gajewski said after his team’s final regular-season game on Saturday. “But just because you play at home doesn’t guarantee you. It just seems to be an easier path for a lot of teams. If you go back and look through all the years, the teams that host have an advantage.” If OSU wins its regional and super regional series, it will play for the school’s 53 national championship in Oklahoma City. sports.ed@ocolly.com

OSU senior Alysen Febrey slides into second base during Friday’s game of the Oklahoma State vs. Iowa State softball series on April 2, 2021 at Cowgirl Stadium in Stillwater.

Joel Devick/O’Colly

sports

Raining birdies Cowboys go low, win regional in blow out fashion

Chris Becker Assistant Sports Editor Bo Jin raised his fist in joy as he walked off the 18th green. Jin, a freshman, had just made a par putt that officially sealed Oklahoma State’s victory at the NCAA Stillwater Regional. Although the victory was official after the Jin putt, it was known long before that who was leaving Karsten Creek Regional champions. The putt gave the Cowboys a 28-under finish, and Jin a 9-under tournament, which was good for runner-up honors. “We kind of knew we had the win, so I was just very proud to finish us off,” Jin said. Beginning the third round Illinois and OSU were neck and neck pulling away from the rest of the field, making the tournament a one-versus-one for the crown. As the Fighting Illini and the Cowboys had played just one to four holes, based on the groups, Mother Nature struck, and sent the regional into a lightning delay with OSU Chris Becker

See Birdies on pg.8

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sports

Another baseball season has come and gone. After a shortened 2020 campaign Oklahoma State have gotten through the 2021 season unhampered by the ongoing pandemic. Although the Cowboys haven’t been hampered by the pandemic, they have been hampered with injuries— pitchers especially. However, that hasn’t stopped them, just made the season more difficult. The Cowboys were rolling on the mound. Then Parker Scott left with an arm injury, then Justin Wrobleski and then twoway star freshman Nolan McLean had some back problems and then the final nail came when Brett Standlee, one of the best closers in the country, left with an arm injury. Through it all the Cowboys remained strong fighting through the adversity. Now they face the final challenge of the season with New Orleans striding into town for a Thursday, Friday and Saturday series. OSU (30-16-1), coming off a series win against Baylor, is looking to finish the season on a high note, and maybe work themselves into a better postseason position heading into the Big 12 Tournament. New Orleans (28-24), 5-5 in their last 10 games, is looking to darken OSU’s

OSU Athletics

postseason dreams, and instead end their season on a high with their first win(s) against a Power 5 team this season. The final series of the season for both

teams will feature the official dedication of O’Brate Stadium during Thursday’s game. sports.ed@ocolly.com

FOR RELEASE MAY 21, 2021

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

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Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis ACROSS 1 Bill collectors? 6 “Get back to us” letters 10 Not much 14 Elitist 15 Resort WNW of Breckenridge informally 17 Assorted caustic solutions? 20 Some snowmobiles acquisition 23 Receiving annoying questions? buds briefly 30 Letters seen between * and # 31 Prized smokes 34 Agreements just between us?

By Bruce Haight

5/21/21

4 Trickster in “American Gods”

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

scale 42 Singer/songwriter short might exits? __ & AJ

letters 10 “Nattering nabobs of negativism”

54 With a sound mind 11 Raise canines? 56 Romeo or Juliet 12 Assumed 57 Pretense of being moniker a brute? 60 Doomed boat in “Jaws” 21 Intense suffering 22 Kind of rock brand 63 Look the wrong way? mode DOWN dose 2 Just like that

Daily Horoscope

Level 1

mixture

jurisdiction 41 Like some winks 42 One traditionally drawn at dawn 33 Prefix with arid 43 Incoming words or dry 35 Words that might 44 Distribution word 46 Stock sector 36 Lad college team gestures

5/21/21

artery 50 Jacket material? that sounded like they should always work 55 Twin 57 Fight decision strength?

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes Today’s Birthday (05/21/21). Take your education to new heights this year. Do the homework for excellent grades. Make a shift with your partner this spring, before a personal epiphany illuminates the summer. Rest, recharge and review next winter, 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 — Slow for tricky passages. Stay forgiving with misunderstandings or delays. Roll around obstacles. Ignore rumors or gossip. Choose stability over illusion. Practice makes perfect. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 7 — You’d like something fun. Words could get twisted or awkward. Don’t try to force things. Clarify miscommunications patiently. Love is the bottom line. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Home comforts can soothe frazzled nerves. Savor a bubble bath. Avoid controversy. Put the oxygen mask on yourself to help others. Nurture yourself to grow. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 7 — Others may demand quick action. It’s not always possible. Share the bigger picture. Avoid risk, expense or hassle. Privacy supports your words to come together.

business, distractions or silly arguments. Productivity can pay well. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Acknowledge self-doubts and let them go. Abandon preconceptions or assumptions. Fact and fantasy clash. Raise integrity levels. Stick to tested routines. Persuade with clear arguments. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 6 — Finish projects and clear space for what’s next. Educational plans may have changed. Adapt around obstacles. What do you want to learn? Reorient your exploration. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — Social barriers could stall a Misunderstandings could easily spark. Patience is golden. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Wait to see what develops with a professional project. Read contracts and consider long-term consequences before committing. Listen generously. Provide patient support and partnership. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Your exploration could get complicated. Tempers may be short. Don’t antagonize anyone, overextend or take on more than you can complete. Prioritize your health. a challenge. Avoid risky propositions. Get expert support when needed. Collaboration maintains momentum. Forgive misunderstandings, show up early and pull together. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 7 — Relax. Allow extra grace and patience with your partner. What you get may not match as expected. Avoid risks or arguments. Find the humor.

5/21/21 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

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sports

STILLWATER’S MATTRESS STORE 424 SOUTH MAIN STREET, STILLWATER,OK 74074

Chris Becker

Birdies... Continued from pg.5 clinging to a two stroke lead. During the delay the Cowboys stayed loose in their lodge talking with family and friends, keeping the mood light. They were prepared, being it was no secret that weather could hamper play Tuesday. “We were ready for a massive delay, we had an Xbox hooked up, so we were prepared,” coach Alan Bratton said. “It really didn’t seem that long.” After the delay, the onslaught began. OSU, unlike in the first round Monday, jumped out early with birdies blessing the scorecards. As a team on holes six through nine the Cowboys shot 8-under par, and from there the Cowboys soared, opening up a double-digit lead as they made the turn. “We try to kill everyone,” Eugenio Chacarra said. “We know how Karsten Creek is, we play here everyday.” The back nine was no different from the four Cowboys whose scores

counted on the round, Chaccara, Jin, Austin Eckroat and Brian Stark, not a single bogey can be found on their back nine score cards. Together the four shot 5-under par. That was different from Monday, when the six Cowboys who played carded 10 bogeys and four double bogeys on the back nine. “We were playing fine at the start, just had a couple of bogeys, but it’s not that hard to make a bogey at Karsten Creek,” Bratton said. “We kept the big numbers away, we had a few big numbers (Monday).” The Cowboys were joined by Illinois, SMU, Sam Houston and Little Rock as the five team qualifiers for the National Championship on May 28- June 2 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Arizona. Sam Houston clinched its ticket despite their low scorer not playing in the third due to NCAA COVID-19 contact tracing procedures, and Little Rock clinched its berth on the 54th hole with a birdie to top Baylor and Auburn by a stroke. SMU’s Noah Goodwin dominated the tournament, winning over Jin by six strokes. sports.ed@ocolly.com

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