The Student Printz. January 22, 2015

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Volume 99 Issue 31

PAGE THREE

PAGE FOUR

NEWS

Human Rights

F E AT U R E

Mississippi to crack down on human trafficking.

Screamin’ Eagle Dash Today the Southern Miss men’s basketball team was informed

PAGE SEVEN

PAGE FIVE

A&E

S P O RT S

Ratings of the best and worst of 2015 line-ups.

Struggling men’s team seeks to end seven-game losing streak.

Music Festivals

Basketball

ON CAMPUS

Student charged with kidnapping, domestic abuse Lindsey Kelley Printz Reporter

On Tuesday evening, the University Police Department of The University of Southern Mississippi made an arrest in connection with a domestic abuse and kidnapping case.

Joseph King, 40, of Jackson was charged with domestic violence/simple assault and kidnapping and is booked in the Forrest County Jail. King was also a student at Southern Miss.

The arrest was made after the victim, also a USM student, came to UPD and claimed that King had held her captive in his apartment in the 300 block of 37th Avenue for several days and beat her. Upon showing the police physical evidence of the violence, the police were able to procure a warrant for the domestic abuse case and an arrest was made that night without incident.

King and the victim had been previously romantically involved for several years, and the victim said that King had previously shown interest in being friends.

He invited the victim to an event in Hattiesburg Jan. 11 and picked her up under the guise of attending the event. However, King was said to have kidnapped the girl and held her for several

Susan Broadbridge/Printz

Chief of Police Bob Hopkins addresses the student arrest in domestic abuse case at the University Police Department on campus Wednesday, Jan. 21.

days against her will, only releasing her after the victim pleaded with him.

Chief of Police Bob Hopkins stated in a press release Wednesday afternoon that the victim was able to convince King to release her. “She was eventually able to talk him into releasing her, but that did come with some (conditions) and threats to her, which delayed her a couple of hours (before coming) to us.”

The victim instead relied on others to reach the police, where she was able to give a full report of the entire event.

Hopkins speculated that her past relationship with King may have aided in her release.

“I think her being able to talk to him and knowing what some of his weaknesses are, what she would be able to talk him into under certain circumstances, played well for her,” he said.

King is currently undergoing his initial trial at Forrest County Jail.

“We encourage members of our campus community who believe they are a victim of domestic abuse or are in a domestic abuse situation and need assistance to call us,” UPD Capt. Rusty Keyes said in the press release. “The University and the University Police Department have resources that can help you.”

BASKETBALL

Southern Miss self-imposes postseason ban James Johnson Sports Reporter

Southern Miss has self-imposed a postseason ban for the 2014-15 season, announced in a statement Tuesday evening. The University has informed Conference USA and the NCAA about the decision.

Since November, the university has been cooperating with the NCAA regarding violations involving “Prop 48″ recruits during former head coach Donnie Tyndall’s tenure at USM. On Tuesday, the Southern Miss men’s basketball team was informed that Athletic Director Bill McGillis decided to ban the team from any postseason activities, including the Conference USA Tournament, for

the current 2014-2015 basketball season due to the ongoing University and NCAA investigation.

“I am saddened and extremely disappointed for the members of our men’s basketball team, who will not be able to participate in the postseason this year, as well as for our new coaching staff and fans,” McGillis said. “This selfimposed penalty was a painful, but necessary, decision based on information gathered during the review process.”

The university will continue to to cooperate with the NCAA during the ongoing review process. The Golden Eagles are set to play the Rice Owls Jan. 22 at Tudor Fieldhouse. It will be the Golden Eagles first game since receiving the sanctions.

Randy Sartin/USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Donnie Tyndall during the game against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers at Thompson-Boling Arena December 2014 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

INFORMATION

Page 2 | Thursday, January 22, 2015

MEET THE STAFF OF SPRING 2015

EDITORS & STAFF Kathryn Miller

Alan Rawls

Crystal Garner

Mary Sergeant

kathryn.miller@eagles.usm.edu

gregory.rawls@eagles.usm.edu

crystal.garner@eagles.usm.edu

mary.sergeant@eagles.usm.edu

Executive Editor

Joshua Campbell Sports Editor

joshua.campbell@eagles.usm.edu

Yolanda Cruz Copy Editor

yolanda.cruz@eagles.usm.edu

Managing Editor

Multimedia Editor

Parker Brewer

Cody Bass

parker.brewer@eagles.usm.edu

cody.bass@eagles.usm.edu

Design Editor

Social Media Editor

Julie Gore

Hayley Howard

Nikki Smith

hayley.howard@eagles.usm.edu

ashly.smith@eagles.usm.edu

Web Editor

Susan Broadbridge Kara Davidson

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designer

Chuck Cook

Katherine Frye

chuck.cook@usm.edu

katherine.frye@eagles.usm.edu

Lesley Sanders-Wood Advertising e-mail Advertising Manager printzad@usm.edu

Printz Adviser

Ad Designer

julia.gore@eagles.usm.edu

News Editor

Photo Editor

Assistant Photo Editor

susan.braodbridge@eagles.usm.edu kara.davidson@eagles.usm.edu

lesley.sanders@usm.edu

Dirty Birds • On Thursday, Jan. 15, simple domestic assault was reported in Seymour’s at 4:19 p.m.

The case remains open.

• On Friday, Jan. 16, petit larceny was reported in the Fresh Food Company at 2:22 p.m.

The case remains open.

• On Monday, Jan. 19, petit larceny was reported in Cook Library at 10:35 p.m. The case remains open.

Source: www.alberichcrosswords.com

ACROSS 7 Article missing from collection of antiques? Investigation results (7) 8 One Flemish artist or another abandoning Germany for Spain (3,4) 10 Composed – a term essentially used for it? (6) 11 Drink and drive recklessly? (8) 12 Composer renounces his nationality, we hear, for her (4) 13 Shrub is planted in the verge by westbound main road (10) 14 Knock back drink with airman after opera, but not too much (2,3,6) 19 Record collection containing jazz mostly is feature of column (10) 22 Close companion at last given attention (4) 23 DJ is so tense, needing to become healthier? (8) 24 One has no time for Spanish food (6) 25 Fate of a play about love making comeback (7) 26 Reportedly is acquainted with person that’s patient for plastic surgery (4,3)

DOWN 1 Important card game for Spooner is to inflict crippling damage (7) 2 Be sexually aroused by an unpleasant woman, a Swede (8) 3 Associate skins up, to become unconscious (6) 4 So a grass is mistaken for seaweed (8) 5 Children’s author and playwright retires, heading for Tasmania (6) 6 A Conservative has to demand enthusiastic welcome (7) 9 Church’s really empty, holding first service of the festive season (11) 15 Ordered John to be at work (2,3,3) 16 Quiet Spanish woman hiding new engineer’s glasses (5-3) 17 Inspiration encompasses depth and comprehensiveness (7) 18 Become very fond of female sporting floral clothes (4,3) 20 Hard gangster can cry (6) 21 Use English Master’s tactic (6)

Opinions

Expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, its publication manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.

Police Contact Information

When reporting, the following information should be provided: • Nature of the crime or emergency • Name, address and phone number of the caller • Location of incident • Description of the scene and suspects • Description of any vehicles involved, especially license plate numbers

Editorial Policy

The views represented in The Student Printz’s columns and editorials do not necessarily represent those of the faculty, staff, or administration of The University of Southern Mississippi. We welcome letters to the editor representing similar and contrasting opinions. To be eligible for publication, all submissions must include name, class distinction, major, phone number, and email address. Submissions should be emailed to printzeditors@gmail.com by 5 p.m. Friday. Please limit them to 500 words or less. The Student Printz reserves the right to refuse publication or edit any material on the basis of clarity, space, or journalistic ethics.

University Police 911 (emergency) 601.266.4986 (non-emergency) Bond Hall, First Floor West

NEWS

Thursday, January 22, 2015 | Page 3

NATIONAL

Human trafficking, not just a global issue J.D. Rimann Printz Reporter

Modern-day slavery, today going by the slightly more sterile euphemism “human trafficking,” is a growing issue not only in America, but also in Mississippi, according to Rusty Barnes, executive director of the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security.

Barnes said at a press conference held by Gov. Phil Bryant that human trafficking is a $32 billion enterprise internationally and makes $9 billion of that in the just United States, where it is the second fastest growing crime in the country.

In Mississippi, human trafficking is thought to be on the rise, especially in Hattiesburg and Jackson, due to their location along the main interstates that run through the state.

Robert Press, a professor of human rights at The University of Southern Mississippi, said that while human trafficking is not thought to be incredibly widespread in Hattiesburg, a woman recently reported to local police that she had escaped from traffickers based in Hattiesburg.

The investigation remains ongoing.

While exact data regarding

human trafficking is currently not available, it is being compiled and is expected to be released to the public sometime in February.

Mississippi’s laws concerning human trafficking are considered comprehensive and effective,

rights laws in every state.

When Bryant announced in December 2014 that he was creating a task force consisting of 16 members of the state government to start cracking down on this crime, he was

often hard to identify,” he said.

“It’s a serious crime that often is forgotten, even though we know it is happening. By bringing together the relevant individuals from around the state… we will draw closer to putting a stop to

Human trafficking is a $32 billion enterprise internationally and makes $9 billion of that in the just United States, where it is the second fastest growing crime in the country.

-Rusty Barnes, executive director of the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security earning the state a Tier One ranking – the highest possible – by the Polaris Project. This group works as an advocate for human trafficking victims, as well as a watchdog concerning human

explicit about how he feels both about the perpetrators and what he hopes the new task force will achieve.

“Human trafficking and the people that fall victim to it are

this terrible crime in our state.”

One of the most heinous things about human trafficking is that it can happen to almost anyone, anywhere. Young college-aged women in particular are an

attractive target, typically because the main aim of the traffickers is to exploit them for pornography or prostitution, but almost anyone who appears vulnerable, from the homeless child to the woman out jogging alone late at night, can be a potential victim.

Former Southern Miss student Brittney Eakins, a political science major who served as president of Students for Human Rights and focused her capstone on human trafficking before graduating in fall 2014, said that there is really “only one apparent characteristic shared by the majority of trafficked victims, and that is some form of vulnerability that can be targeted by traffickers.”

These vulnerabilities can include poverty, unemployment or lack of a support structure, although oftentimes abroad, young women are especially targeted for kidnapping by groups.

However, Eakins points out that victims of trafficking are often stereotyped.

“It is a common misconception (in America) that the majority of trafficked victims are foreign nationals or women from poor countries sold into the sex industry.

Trafficked persons can be men or women, adults or children, foreigners or U.S. citizens,” she said.

STATE

Starkville aldermen rescind equality resolutions Colin Cameron Printz Reporter

Starkville aldermen rescinded a resolution passed in 2014 that denounced discrimination against anyone, specifically based upon sexual orientation, and the plus one insurance plan option available for LGBTQ+ workers and their partners.

While Starkville was praised in 2014 for being the first city in Mississippi to implement a LGBTQ+ non-discrimination policy, aldermen voted 5-2 Jan. 6 to rescind the resolution and insurance plan that had been in effect since September 2014.

According to Associated Press, the action took place with no public discussion or warning after a closed-door meeting.

Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman expressed his disapproval of the board’s actions following the rescind.

“I’m disappointed by the actions the board took tonight,” Wiseman said. “I’ll continue to do everything in my power to see it that Starkville is a place where discrimination in any form is never tolerated.”

Wiseman told the Commercial Dispatch that he plans to veto the decision. However, his veto will

not stand if both 5-2 votes hold in an overturn.

“Mayor Parker Wiseman showed tremendous leadership, courage and confidence to represent all residents of Starkville, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Rob Hill, director of the Mississippi Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization.

In regards to insurance policies, officials in Starkville said city employees will not be allowed to purchase health insurance for unmarried domestic partners, as well as homosexual partners following the rescind.

According to the Commercial Dispatch, some aldermen accused Wiseman and Chief Administrative Officer Taylor Adams of not revealing the full impact of the resolution that would allow employees to add an adult dependent.

Board members claimed that they did not realize the entirety of the insurance change’s impact, even though September’s e-packet shows company Cox Consulting Services Inc. recognized “domestic partnership eligibility” with the extension, according to the Commercial

Dispatch.

“Not one alderman said one thing about the equality resolution. It was passed under the radar on consent,” said Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn. “When this document was in my packet,

it kind of concerned me. Nobody said anything, though. I trusted the person who authorized it. For any alderman to say they didn’t know (the impact of the equality resolution and the plus-one insurance extension) isn’t true.”

The HRC said in a statement on LGBTQ+ equality in Starkville that the board’s decision means they must do more community engagement to show the leaders of Starkville that equality is important to move the city forward.

Page 4 | Thursday, January 22, 2015

FEATURE

ON CAMPUS

Band to host 5K fundraiser for Ireland Nan Buti

Printz Reporter The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band and Dixie Darlings are set to travel to Ireland March 12 to perform March 17 in Dublin’s 2015 St. Patrick’s Day parade. To fundraise for its prospective trip, the marching band will host its first Screamin’ Eagle Dash 5K run and 1 mile fun run, Jan. 24 at 3 p.m. starting at Pride Field and making a loop throughout Hattiesburg’s Southern Miss campus.

Students coordinated the 5K in efforts to reduce travel costs.

“Fundraising is critical for a trip like this,” said Gunner Vowel, senior music education major, captain of the drum line and 5K race codirector. “It takes a pretty penny to get such a large organization from one continent to another.”

The Pride will travel to Dublin as a result of an invitation to march in the country’s largest parade, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

“We’re really excited about the opportunity to travel and experience another culture, as well as getting to showcase our talents,” Vowel said.

Marching performances occurred many times throughout the history of The Pride of Mississippi. This march will be the band’s third opportunity to march in Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in the past 30 years.

The band also marched in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade five years ago.The parade will stream through an online feed from a national television channel in Ireland.

“That experience alone is going to be rewarding, and taking in the culture of another place in this world is valuable for our students,” said Assistant Director of Bands and music instructor James Standland.

“The university is going to be proud to have The Pride of Mississippi represent them in the largest parade in Ireland,” Standland said. “I’m just excited that many students are going and to see their reactions. Many of them haven’t left the southeast, much less left the country.”

Nearly 130 Pride of Mississippi members will attend the parade, from guests to grandparents who are dedicated to watching the band perform. The group plans to return

ON CAMPUS

Susan Broadbridge/Printz

The Pride of Mississippi Marching band has its first Screamin’ Eagle Dash 5K run, Jan. 24 at 3 p.m. starting at Pride Field and going around campus.

The band and Dixie Darlings are raising money for their trip to Ireland this March.

to the U.S. March 19.

The 5K winners will receive engraved medals for grandmaster, master and Golden Eagle runners, as well as awards for a top runner in each age category. The “Fastest Stroller” and “Eagle Pride Award” for the most-animated outfit will receive award certificates. The

Pride of Mississippi and Dixie Darlings will be featured at the event providing fun entertainment.

There will be live music from Rayziano and Friends and food from Jimbo’s SouthernStyle Catering.

One lucky participant’s name will be drawn to win an emerald donated by

Parris Jewelers.

The 5K’s general registration cost is $30. Members of Pine Belt Pacers and Southern Miss students with ID may register for $25. Those wanting to participate in the 5K run, 5K stroller or kids fun run may pre-register online or register the day of the event.

Study abroad offers Cuban program Karyn Lewis Printz Reporter

The Obama administration’s new rules relaxing trade and travel to Cuba are now in effect and Americans have already begun their travels across the border.

The University of Southern Mississippi students will take their first trip to Cuba for a new Cuban study abroad program offered during summer 2015.

The program will take place May 9-24. Students who attend will enroll in one of four courses in education, history or social work.

The trip will include daily visits to national museums, public artworks, historic sites and more.

“One of the most powerful aspects of any study abroad program is allowing you to see the world and experience other cultures; to be critical, but also thankful for the place where you live,” said Matthew Casey, assistant professor of history.

Many find the shift in Cuba’s policy under President Barack Obama confusing and face ambiguity about entering Cuba.

To provide clarity, Global Post has created a list of pointers to help tourists going into Cuba.

New rules allow U.S. visitors to bring back up to $400 in souvenirs, including tobacco and alcohol; however tobacco cannot exceed $100 in Cuban prices. A major change in U.S. credit and debit cards allow for use in Cuba, so there is no need to worry about

carrying large amounts of money.

Flights for Havana currently leave from Miami and Tampa, although there are plans to open a flight from New York.

NBC reports it is difficult to determine how long the new rules will be in effect, but that changes should be anticipated.

“The real shift would be for the U.S. government to actually end the trade embargo law. This would need a vote in Congress,” NBC reported.

Questions concerning whether Cubans are ready for Americans have circulated through the media.

When asked how his family in Cuba has reacted to the new travel regulations between the U.S. and Cuba, Ernesto Balarezo, a former USM student who is currently receiving his master’s in music performance at Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University in Georgia, said his family members are excited about the change.

“There is only a political ‘tension,’ but there is not tension against the population of the U.S. From my personal experience it is safe to go to Cuba. They’ve never hated Americans or anything like that. When friends of mine go to Cuba they are always welcome with open arms and open hearts,” Balarezo said.

Studying Cuba’s rich culture could benefit any student who looks to broaden his or her perspective.

“This is a fascinating way to improve who you are as a human, and improving the skills you need to get a job and in life,” Casey said.

“You’ll meet different people and think from a different perspective.

And it doesn’t hurt that the coffee, cigars and music are awesome,”

Casey said.

For more information on the Cuban Studies Program visit usm. edu/study-abroad/cuban-studies,

or contact Matthew Casey for history, Tim Rehner for social work and Lisa Stapleton for education studies and research.

MUSIC

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Thursday, January 22, 2015 | Page 5

Festival lineups receive mixed reviews Mary Sergeant Social Media Editor

As spring and summer approach, many Southern Miss students are gearing up to attend some of the nation’s largest music festivals.

With performances by some of the world’s most famous musicians to up-and-coming artists, festival season is an exciting time for most, if not all, USM music lovers.

Buku Music+Art Project will kick off festival season. This two-day event will celebrate its fourth year at Mardi Gras World in New Orleans.

In 2015, the festival will take place during the last weekend of spring break, March 13 -14. Bassnectar, A$AP Rock, Passion Pit, Empire of the Sun and many other indie rock, electric dance and hip-hop artists are scheduled to attend.

Also in The Big Easy is the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

This festival will take place over the course of two weekends in late April and early May. Jazz Fest began in April of 1970 and has continued to attract large audiences throughout the years.

Senior speech pathology and audiology major Rachael Luckett

will attend Jazz Fest for the third consecutive year.

On the line-up, which includes artists such as Elton John, No Doubt, Widespread Panic and The Who, Luckett said she is not overly disappointed or overjoyed about it.

“In the past I’ve seen longtime favorites like Maroon 5 and Alabama Shakes, which made it more memorable for me,” she said. “I’m sure this year will still be very exciting as well, but it will be a time to make new connections with new artists.”

Next on the agenda is Hangout Music Festival.

Having started only six years ago, Hangout Fest garnered much media attention and brought artists such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Jack White to the sandy dunes of Gulf Shores, Alabama May 15-17.

This year, the Foo Fighters, Zac Brown Band and Beck will headline the three-day event.

Junior elementary education major Mackenzie Rials will attend the three-day festival.

Though she claims the line-up is more disappointing than those of past years, she is excited to see

Paramore, My Morning Jacket and Foster the People listed.

“I am definitely most excited to see Paramore this year,” she said.

“I remember dressing up as Haley Williams for Halloween in 8th grade.”

Sophomore political science major Aaron Linville also plans to attend the festival.

“Even though the lineup isn’t as good as last year’s, it’s still going to be a blast,” he said. “And there’s no better way to discover new bands than at a music festival.”

Linville also plans to travel to Manchester, Tennessee from June 11-14 to experience his first Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.

The four-day festival began in 2002. From indie rock to electronic dance music, Bonnaroo offers music from every genre. Billy Joel, Mumford & Sons, Deadmau5, Kendrick Lamar and Florence + the Machine are at the top of its 2015 line-up.

“Mumford & Sons is my all time favorite band and still to this day has put on the best concert I’ve ever seen,” Linville said. “I’m also really looking forward to seeing Florence + the Machine and Hozier.”

Each and every year, people

are both excited by the line-ups of various festivals and equally disappointed by the line-ups of others.

But, The Festival Owl, a news and media website geared toward music festivals

Courtesy Photo

said it best, “There will never be a festival lineup everyone loves. For the rest of time, it is never going to happen. What is important to remember is to always make the most of the experiences you love.”

2015 music festival gradebook Bradley Presson Printz Reporter

•

Shaky Knees Music Fest

Atlanta, Georgia Line Up Grade: B+

There’s little diversity at Shaky Knees, with it mostly catering to the indie rock side of things, but the line-up is solid the whole way through.

My must sees: Neutral Milk Hotel, The Strokes, Pixies, Wavves, Minus the Bear, American Football, Mastodon Lodging, parking and accommodations: No camping is allowed at Shaky Knees, so you are looking at a hotel, or if you’re lucky, a friend’s house.

Parking is available near the festival. You are permitted to bring in water bottles to refill, food trucks will be on site and alcohol is available inside the festival.

Distance from Hattiesburg: 377 Miles

•

Bonnaroo

Manchester, Tennessee Line Up Grade: D

Courtesy Photo

The past two years I have been envious of those lucky enough to go to ‘Roo, but the 2015 lineup is pitifully thin compared to past line-ups. Weak headliners and an even emptier roster of middle-tier bands make this year’s Bonnaroo a definite skip for me.

My must sees: Kendrick Lamar, Slayer, Flying Lotus, Freddie Gibbs & Madlib,

Iceage, Between the Buried & Me Lodging, parking and accommodations: Access to general access campgrounds is included in the ticket price.

Water, showers and Port-OPotties are available.

Distance from Hattiesburg: 426 Miles

•

Austin Psych Fest presents: Levitation

Austin, Texas Line-Up Grade: B

For a smaller festival, Levitation features a surprisingly strong roster of bands from the fuzzier side of the indie rock spectrum. I want to see nearly every band on the first half of the event’s lineup, but the smaller bands in the festival are all unknown to me.

My must sees: Tame Impala, Fuzz, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Lightning Bolt, The Sword, Nothing Lodging, parking and accommodations: Levitation will take place five minutes outside of Austin at the Carson Creek Ranch. Camping is permitted. Parking is provided for a fee ranging from $10-$20 depending on the amount of time, and a shuttle runs from downtown Austin to the festival.

Food, water and alcohol will be on site, but you are allowed to bring in an outside bottle of water.

Distance from Hattiesburg: 595 Miles

•

Hangout Festival

Gulf Shores, Alabama Line-Up Grade: C

Hangout has never really attracted me and this year is no different. Mostly catered toward mainstream listeners, none of the bands are going to offend anyone, but they aren’t terribly exciting either.

My must sees: Foo Fighters, Beck, Lupe Fiasco, Future Islands, Toro y Moi Lodging, parking and accommodations: Camping is not permitted, so you are looking at a hotel if you plan on attending. Shuttles will run to the festival. No outside food or beverages, but you can bring an empty water bottle to fill up.

Distance from Hattiesburg: 146 Miles

•

BUKU

New Orleans, Louisiana Line Up Grade: C

Mostly focused on the hip-hop and electronic side of things with some indie acts thrown in, BUKU’s line up is alright but lacking in big names.

My must sees: A$AP Rocky, Boosie Badazz, Run The Jewels, Big Freedia, Yung Lean Lodging, parking and accommodations: Hotels are what you are looking at if you are attending BUKU. Parking is provided but space is limited.

Food and water are available inside the festival.

Distance from Hattiesburg: 112 miles.

OPINION

Page 6 | Thursday, January 22, 2015

MOVIES

‘American Sniper’ oversimplifies complexity of war Noé Cugny Printz Reporter

In its weekend debut, Clint Eastwood’s new motion picture “American Sniper,” based on the autobiography of Navy Seal Chris Kyle, has racked up a record-breaking $90.2 million at the box office.

The film has already made critics spill a lot of ink on how historically correct or incorrect it might be, based on the fact that it reinterpreted a book that has already caught some heat for the unverifiable information it delivers.

That is the fate of any film based on true events, which has flooded the theaters and sold so well, basically leaving moviegoers with the choice between biopics, Marvel regurgitation features or going home to seek original content on the Internet.

Before high school teachers start screening Eastwood’s Christian conservative candy movie in history classrooms, certain facts have to be laid down.

“American Sniper” is an entertainment-driven movie using patriotism and war as tools to appeal to an incredibly large, yet very precise target audience. By wanting to touch on Americans’ emotional soft spot of soldiers in the field and at home, and with the overwhelming promotion campaign that had made it unimaginable for anyone on U.S. soil to ignore the film’s release, Eastwood and Warner Bros. unlocked the recipe for success.

And the results are showing.

But at what cost? Besides the $60 million production budget that is now cruelly irrelevant, using a legendary filmmaker’s tools and techniques to create an epic and wildly entertaining action movie on a historical topic as sensitive and complex as the war in Iraq cannot be achieved without overlooking, undermining and sometimes entirely skipping very serious issues. That formula resulted in a single-minded, simplistic and truly insensitive film, or in other words, it resulted in “American Sniper.”

The premise of the movie, much like its development, was simple. The Manichean approach was audaciously and very literally laid out when the all-American Texas dad gave a not-so humbling life lesson to his children at the dinner table.

According to that Texas dad, there are three types of people in the world: sheep, wolves and sheepdogs. Apparently the weak sheep need the help of the glorified sheepdogs to protect themselves from the wicked wolves.

The scenario carefully avoided any political context or understanding of the situation: we go from a newscast of 9/11

straight to Chris Kyle, interpreted

by Bradley Cooper, heading to the battlefield. There was no mention of George W. Bush, or of the case of WMDs, because that is not the purpose of the movie.

The film aimed at showing the effect of the war on the average American Joe, who in this case happens to be really good at killing people. An intricate debate on the situation in Iraq could only diminish the thrill of witnessing Muslim freedom fighters fall like flies under the bullets of the Motherland’s warriors.

That allowed the movie to bluntly caricaturize the effects of fighting for a war that no one understands. The soldiers who were indeed concerned about the purpose of the war belonged to the “sheep” category. The perfect soldier, in contrast, questioned nothing because his whole being was dedicated to his sense of patriotism. That form of alienation, tragic necessity of an efficient army, was celebrated, glorified in the movie.

Set aside the endless clichés delivered to portray the average, middle-class American family as white, attractive and not bothersome to anyone with personality, the depiction of their Middle-Eastern counterparts was incredibly vulgar and demeaning.

The entire population the soldiers encountered in “American Sniper” is reduced to an anti-hero, similar to a comic book villain: vicious and misleading collaborators, helpless families who asked for money in exchange of information and were too foolish to understand that they needed America’s help, or

mere faceless terrorist minions, waiting to be shot down to the great joy of a bloodthirsty, flagwaving audience.

I guess I will have to apologize for not having been raised pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States, and rather developing a fairly poor opinion of the effects of nationalism and prevalent militarism on any given population.

I am afraid that might be why, though conscious of residing in south Mississippi, I feel sour, even sick, when witnessing the people in a theater room cheering in front of a film that glorifies acts of violence while shamelessly simplifying extremely complex realities and unapologetically categorizing entire chunks of the world population.

Courtesy Photo

SPORTS

Thursday, January 22, 2015 | Page 7

BASKETBALL

Golden Eagles search for first Conference win against Rice Jacob Kemp Sports Reporter

Southern Miss (5-11, 0-4 C-USA) is riding a seven-game losing streak going into tonight’s contest against Rice (5-11, 2-3 C-USA).

They are playing for the first time since receiving a self-imposed postseason ban.

The Golden Eagles travel to Houston, Texas, in hopes to snatch their first conference win after the Owls won in overtime over the Charlotte 49ers Jan. 17.

Southern Miss currently sits in 13th out of 14th place in Conference USA and will need to bounce back quickly if they hope to salvage their season. The Owls are struggling similarly to USM and could be the opponent that lands USM its first conference win.

USM’s point of emphasis this week should be to lock down sophomore guard Marcus Jackson and senior forward Seth Gearhart, both of whom lead the Owls in scoring with 14.6 and 13.6 points per game, respectively. The duo are also deadly from the free throw line

and live off of driving to the goal to create easy points in the paint and easy free throws.

Jackson and Gearhart also shoot effectively from the three-point line, shooting 40 and 38 percent, respectively, as well as both shooting above 80 percent from the free throw line. However, past Jackson and Gearhart, the scoring prowess grows thin.

Next up would be junior guard Max Guercy, who only averages 8.8 points per game as well as shooting abysmally from the field, (30 percent). For the Golden Eagles, they will need to continue to lean on the efforts of Matt Bingaya.

Bingaya leads the Golden Eagles in nearly every statistical category and has been the most reliable scoring threat for USM. The Owls do have one significant advantage, however; they have superior length and more depth than the Golden Eagles. Sophomore Andrew Drone comes off the bench for the Owls and provides a major force in the paint at six feet, 10 inches. Drone will easily tower over the Golden Eagles.

The Golden Eagles could then

counter, going small and stretch the floor against the superior length and turn the game into a fast pace type of game which should benefit their isolation type of game.

The Golden Eagles might have the key player to return them to conference prominence. Shadell Millinghaus is now back on the team after an early season departure. He was a major piece for Southern Miss before his absence and will provide some energy early in the game.

The blueprint is simple for the Golden Eagles this game. Shut down Jackson and Gearhart on defense and then weather the storm when their bench players come onto the court.

Then finally, go small and run the floor. They need to create space with speed and play their game and force the bigger wing players for Rice to move their feet when guarding and try to get to the free throw line.

This will be the only meeting with the Owls and getting this one against them will be big going forward as the Golden Eagles have 13 games remaining, all conference games.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

Susan Broadbridge/Printz

Junior Norville Carey dunks the ball during the Golden Eagles home game against UAB Jan. 17 falling to the Blazers. Southern Miss faces Rice this week on the road in Houston, Texas.

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