The
S TUDENT P RINTZ www.studentprintz.com
SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927
November 15, 2011
LOCAL
Eaglepalooza: wows despite woes Justin Mitchell and Rachel Beech Printz Writers
Despite Karmin’s last minute cancellation due to “travel issues,” Eaglepalooza 2011 was still a success, according to artists, students, locals and coordinators. Glenn Chandler Project was the first group to hit the Coca-Cola stage downtown at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Performing a combination of original songs and alternative covers, the group compares their style to artists such as Kings of Leon, Mumford and Sons and Matt Nathanson. “We’ve been coming to Eaglepalooza for years, and it was cool to be on the other side of the concert this year,” lead singer Glenn Chandler said. Chandler and many of his bandmates either currently attend Southern Miss or are USM graduates. Glenn Chandler Project’s first performance was opening for Train in May at a music festival in Biloxi. Chandler was excited to expose
his band to Hattiesburg in such a large way. “I wanted to build a fan base in my hometown,” Chandler said. At 6:45 p.m., Ca$h Fountain Productions took the stage and pumped fans up with creative dubstep beats that got bodies moving and hands waving in the air. The group includes four deejays who were on stage to motivate the audience. “We remix everything - country, rock, rap, everything,” the band said. “The four of us are very dynamic. We’re playing for free because we just like doing it. We only charge one or two dollars when we play around town. It’s not about the money, anyway.” When asked what they thought about Karmin not showing up, the band said that as long as it was for a good reason, they understood. “I think they just need to book better next year,” the band said. Promptly at 8 p.m., R&B powerhouse Melanie Fiona gave energy and soulful emotion as she
Volume 96 Issue 23
ON CAMPUS
Justin Sellers/Printz
Rachel Vigres, a senior from Baton Rouge, La., introduces herself at a pep rally Monday afternoon. The pep rally was held in front of Bolton Hall to get people excited for that night’s game against William Carey in Reed Green Coliseum. USM led 29-25 at the end of the first half, and the Lady Eagles were able to defeat their crosstown rivals, the Lady Crusaders of William Carey, 62-46. The Lady Eagles will be back on the court on Wednesday to play UT-Martin.
See EAGLEPALOOZA, 4
ON CAMPUS
Students on probation after blackface incident Southern Miss made national headlines Monday when a Hattiesburg American article about six USM sorority women was picked up by online media outlets across the country. The women, members of Phi Mu sorority, were placed on probation from their national organization after dressing up as members of the Huxtable family from a hit TV show, The Cosby Show, at an off-campus 1980s
themed party Wednesday. Monday night, media outlets such as The Washington Post, The Miami Herald, CNN and MSNBC had picked up the story. The women, whose names have not been released, were in a picture submitted to the Hattiesburg American and accused of participating in blackface because they painted their skin as part of their costumes. “Though it is clear that these women had no ill intent, it was also clear that they had little cultural awareness or competency, and did not understand
the historical implication of costuming in blackface,” Dean of Students Dr. Eddie Holloway said in a press release Monday afternoon. By definition, blackface is makeup applied to a performer portraying a black person and historically has racist implications. It is not illegal. Sunday evening, officers of Phi Mu, along with the women involved in the incident, met with leaders of African American organizations on campus. Deola Jones, a senior business management major and
president of the NAACP chapter at Southern Miss, attended Sunday’s meeting. “I was disappointed by their actions, but I do understand that they didn’t do it out of hatred or maliciousness,” Jones said. “We understood that they didn’t do it on purpose to offend anybody, and now they’ve apologized.” The photo submitted to the Hattiesburg American showed the women with their faces painted, wearing wigs and clothes that would have been considered popular in the 1980s.
EAGLEPALOOZA
WISTERIA ROOM
FOOTBALL RECAP
WEATHER
Mary Margaret Halford Executive Editor
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Wendy Martin, a senior English major, was at the Sunday meeting and saw the picture. “Because I know the history of blackface, at first I was a little offended, but after knowing why they did it my understanding of the incident was a little more clear,” Martin said. “It was just their intent to have fun, and I don’t think it was malicious at all.” Amber Grubbs, a senior newseditorial major, had a different perspective on the incident.
See PHI MU, 3
INDEX Calendar ........................ 2 News .............................. 3 Eaglepalooza...................4 Feature ...........................6 Opinion............................7 Sports...............................8