Fall Issue #04

Vol 69 | Number 04

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THE TSU HERALD | October 5th, 2016

CAMPUS NEWS page 4

GRAD STUDENTS S.P.A. CAN HELP YOU

SPORTS

SPORTS RUNDOWN

page 8

LIFE & STYLE page 10

TIGER TIPS FOR COLLEGE SURVIVAL

POLITICS page 11

WE CHARGE GENOCIDE

“W he n Yo u Ju st Tr yn a Fit In Yo ur HB CU ” Go es Wr on g page 2

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Cover Story When Ignorance Leads to “Black Face” mockery of HBCU Students By: Nycole Hutchens Opinion Columnist

(Photo courtesy of www.dailymail.co.uk) Snapchat caused many to be offended, appalled and upset.

Merino eventually deleted the racist post but not before many social media users caught wind of her image and decided to share their thoughts on her offensive behavior.

“There will be no form of racism accepted on Prairie View A&M University’s campus. That’s pure stupidity,” said twitter user “Proudly Black”.

Meanwhile, Janisha Kirby, a student wrote: “Typing up a petition of why she doesn’t belong at the best HBCU, Prairie View A&M University.”

A controversial photo of a student went viral on social media last week. While controversy is nothing new and going “viral” is what produces views and engagements, the thought of a students’ audacity left many baffled.

EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MARCUS D. SMITH Sports Columnist MARCUS D. SMITH Opinion Editor NYCOLE HUTCHENS staff writers

NIKKi LUELLEN

Mariea Boyd Mahbuba Motovu Publications Manager TIYOSHA TURNER PHOTOGRAPHER: JADE HORTON

Her name is Brooke Merino, she is a freshmen and a soccer player at Prairie View A&M University, a historically black college. Merino is no longer considered the “unique” type of student. She is an athlete, young, vibrant STAFF and the type of student that many HBCU’s are making a top priority in their recruitment efforts.

So why is Merino the hot topic of discusThe TSU Herald is published by the sion? Merino is a white students of student, she attends an Texas Southern University.

HBCU, is on a socOpinions expressed are those of the cer scholarship. She writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the adminis- decided to show her tration. The newspaper is printed bi- “admiration” for her HBCU peers by postweekly, except during holidays and ing a photo of herself examination periods. with black duck-tape For additional information, plastered on her face call (713) 313-6710. with the caption, “When you just tryna fit in at your hbcu,” she wrote.

The post, which was seen and viewed on

“Why is she at this school? If you feel like you have (such a) hard time fitting in or whatever, why did she go here? Why did she pick to go here?” said Tatiana Scroggins, a junior at PVAMU. Students and anyone else who is intolerant of racist, insensitive behavior have the right to be upset and question Merinos motives and integrity.

This wasn’t the first time Merino has posted offensive photos mocking African-American students. The second photo found on her Facebook page, was a picture of Merino with black colored face paint and her pants stuffed with pillows to simulate a bigger butt, a feature common on black women.

Some may deem this behavior as a form of “flattery” but maybe misinformed about the damage this type of behavior can produce.

Why would a non-traditional student involve herself in such petty, inexplicable behavior on a Historically Black College campus and what should be the consequence?

“My thoughts: this is a very teachable moment... expel her?? No, just allow her the opportunity to understand the depth of blackface,” wrote twitter user LoweBama.

However, many are not buying it as a “teachable moment”.

“By now if you know how to use snapchat, you

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Cover Story know #blackface is inappropriate. “Teachable moment” implies this was an honest mistake,” another twitter user wrote.

The President of PVAMU, George C. Wright, released a statement expressing his concerns and intolerance of Merinos behavior: “As a scholar of race relations in the United States and president of Prairie View A&M University, whose alumni, students, and many supporters have experienced firsthand racial insults in the form of words, caricatures and a wide range of other actions, I know clearly the hurt and harm that can be done from intentional and unintentional acts of this nature.”

Confederate flag on it. Another incident occurred late September at Kansas State, students who did basically the same thing with mud masks, posting a photo and labeling it, “Feels good to finally be a n———a.” Those students were expelled from the university.

So how can HBCUs still uphold their purpose behind being an HBCU, which according to the Higher Education act is “to educate African-Americans” and educate students of other ethnicities about cultural sensitivity?

HBCU’s must first and foremost embrace and not be ashamed of their history and legacy and

“Freshmen Seminar” that focus on the history of HBCUs, require an African-American studies course in the curriculum and fully support and acknowledge campus activities that honor and celebrate black culture.

When HBCUs continue to show a sense of pride in its people, particularly African-Americans, other demographics will have more appreciation and respect not just for black culture but black PEOPLE, and help ward off the temptation of making a mockery of it.

He said in part, “Let me be clear that, whether intentional or unintentional, the actions have the same impact, and as a community, we denounce any racial slight whenever it occurs.”

Since the posting, Merino has been removed from the soccer team. However, some feel she should lose her scholarship entirely.

It’s a relief to know that the university is not taking the actions of this student lightly. It also leads to questions and concerns about the influx of non-black students at HBCUs. How do HBCUs continue to ensure a safe space of learning and culture sensitivity for black students if their priority is no longer African-American students, an issue that many PWI’s already have historically and present day?

Diversity in and of itself is not an issue and should be celebrated. However, it becomes of a concern when the learning environment can potentially become an atmosphere made for African-Americans to feel uncomfortable and culturally mocked as Merino did on social media.

This is not an isolated incident and has occurred at other schools. On Wednesday, at East Tennessee State, a white student harassed and mocked African-American students at a “Black Lives Matter” rally by wearing a gorilla mask and waving bananas at them and carrying a burlap bag with a

make sure all students know and understand this history. This goes beyond having a Founders’ Day that’s sometimes not mandatory. These institutions cannot successfully create a space of awareness if they are subconsciously and sometimes directly hiding their history and the HBCU brand.

For example, when a university decides to omit its major demographic from marketing material and remove “HBCU” from its mission statement as a recruiting tactic, it does more harm than good. It sends a dangerous message that blacks are somehow inferior to other students.

It also creates false advertisement and brings in a targeted demographic under false pretense.

We must bring back and sustain programs like

“Let me be clear that, whether international or unintentional, the actions have the same impact, and as a community, we denouce any racial slight whenever it occurs.”

---George C. Wright President, Prairie View A&M University

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Campus News

Student Psychology Association Has the Keys to Grad School By: Nikki Luellen Staff Writer

(Photo courtesy of Nikki Luellen: in photo left to right: Prof. Jasmine Napier, Prof. Dominique Broussard, Dr. Denika Douglas, and Prof. Zamaria John)

On September 28, the Student Psychology Association hosted an event in the Public Affairs Building called the Blueprint for A Purpose.

The panel did not gloss over the strenuous Gresham also expressed that as an undergraduamount of work and stress that comes with be- ate student in psychology there were lots of ing in graduate school but also encouraged the questions that she and other students wanted The organization set up a grad school workstudents to focus on the bigger picture and to answered so the Student Psychology Associashop panel where psychology professors could not get discouraged in the process of obtaining tion took the initiative to create an event that talk to students about the process of getting their masters and PhD degrees. The professors would benefit the students and create a bond into a grad school program and ways to remain challenged the students to work hard and to with the psychology professors at TSU. successful while balancing the workload of make the necessary sacrifices that comes with graduate school and their personal lives. finishing graduate school.

The Student Psychology Association plans to continue this dialogue with professors and The event was open to all students on camThis event was very insightful and students students in the near future. Other upcoming pus who planned to go to graduate school but left the event with a more comprehensive events by the organization are the Psycholthe information was centered around underunderstanding of the graduate school process. ogy of Black Hair event and the Depression graduate psychology students. Students asked This event was well thought out and attended Screening that will take place next Wednesday questions about maintaining and even enterand students were able to have an open dia- on October 5th. ing relationships while in graduate school, the logue with distinguished professors who took importance of self-care and ways to maintain a pride in their work and also cared about their healthy mindset while dealing with the presstudents. The panel included TSU professors, sure that graduate school tends to bring.

Ms. Jasmine Nappier, Dr. Dominique Broussard, Dr. Denika Douglas and Ms. Zamaria When a student asked the professors about the John. effects of graduate school on their personal lives, Dr. Dominique Broussard explained, When asked about the purpose of the event, President of Student Psychology Association, “… If you really are serious. If this is someRickeena Gresham explained, thing that you really want to do, then you go after it. I knew for myself that it was some“We have a lot of professors on campus who thing I wanted to do ...and I made sure that I are doing what students inspires to do...In pushed through... and that meant some sacpsychology, you kind of have to go to grad rifice. That meant that there was some times school, so we set up this grad school workshop I couldn’t go home to visit my family, so I so that way any student who plans on furthermissed some important things that were haping their education in psychology… have a pening within my family but you look at the layout of how they (the professors) did it and bigger picture…The bigger picture is that I the students can decide how they want to go went straight through. I had my PhD and I still about it.” have some good years left.”

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Campus News TSU Department of Public Safety Orchestrates Campus Lockdown

By: Nycole Hutchens Staff Writer

On September 22, 2016, Texas Southern University was on high alert for campus safety.

Since the Campus Carry law went into effect, campus safety is at an all time high.

Thousands of students walk the campus of T.S.U everyday, safety for Students, faculty and staff is a top priority. For T.S.Us Police Department, that means taking key safety measures including simulating a campus lock down drill.

TSU Police Chief Greene, who is responsible for overseeing the entire process of the drill, explained the importance of this drill and key safety measures everyone on campus should follow.

“We want to educate our community on incidents that may occur here and across the country with gun violence. One of the national

recommendations we have put out is to run, hide and fight.”

Greene also explained “high alert” trends the department and his team consider to be “high risk” times that may occur on campus.

“We look at data, we look at trends, we look at things we are able to formulate to keep our campus safe,” he said.

“In terms of red line trends, there are no specific red line days, however we do an incident increase in the Fall and Spring semesters simply because the campus community is here,” Greene said.

The process of the drill included Greene and his entire team to watch surveillance footage overseeing the entire campus ensuring everyone was following proper protocol to stay safe

in case of an actual event occurring on campus.

Some students even shared their thoughts about the 20-minute drill that took place and what the importance of the drill meant to them.

Sidney Odom, a junior at Texas Southern said he felt good about the drill and more prepared in case of an actual event occurring.

“As far as the lockdown drill today, I felt that it was very important for the university as far as when any event actually takes place, we will know what to do,” he said.

Texas Southern continues to improve the quality and safety of their student body everyday.

As the University continues to grow, safety will always be a top priority.

Texas Southern Students Discuss The Presidential Debate By: Charles Washington Contributing Writer TSU students exchanged views on the first Presidential Debate between candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump which aired Monday, September 26.

Some students felt the debate was pretty interesting and showed how a debate is supposed to happen.

“I think the debate was definitely interesting and informative in more ways than one, all undermining the most intrinsic purpose of what a debate is specifically supposed to be for,” said student Anthony Gallien.

Gallien also felt that there was no winner for the debate; the winner should be Americans themselves.

“I do not think there was a winner. I think the winner should be the American people and I think they are last on the list in terms of the focus on the media, candidates, and I think overall it is a huge misconception that is very unfortunate for society as a whole,” said Gallien.

Student Robert Harris contemplated Clinton won because she mainly focused on the issues how it could help America.

“I think Hillary won the debate. She was really the only one who stated what she was going

to and how she was going to address it,” said Harris.

Harris also says that he thought Donald Trump did not have any legal policies he wanted to discuss and he was just focused on insulting Hillary Clinton.

“Donald Trump really did not have any legal policies that he wanted to discuss. He just wanted to address the issues that were said in the media and just slamming Hillary Clinton by calling her Secretary Clinton,” Harris said.

Janae Malveaux agreed Clinton won because she focused on the serious issues that people were asking about.

“I think Hillary has the potential to be a decent female president candidate. She focuses on serious tasks at hand that people have many questions about,” said Malveaux.

Malveaux also pleads Trump did not focus on the issues but more on himself and the wealthier class.

“Trump does not really focus on the people too much. He focuses on himself while talking about America but somehow revolves around him and how it will benefit him,” said Malveaux.

Malveaux also says that Clinton rehearsed.

She knew what she was going to discuss and how it would help America.

“She read everything like a book. She studied the issues and she knew what she was talking about,” said Malveaux.

While Harris and Malveaux say Trump made the election about himself, Gallien feels both Trump and Clinton made the election about themselves.

“I do not think they focused on the issues, I think that both candidates focused on themselves. I think both candidates were very much engulfed in their own agendas,” Gallien said.

With November right around the corner, it is safe to say that Clinton is the favorable candidate for president.

These students feel she focused more on the issues and America, unlike Trump who they say was addressing what the media said and was just concerned about bashing Clinton every chance he got.

The students also say they will watch the next presidential debate on October 9 to stay informed and see what the future holds for the United States of America.

Texas Southern University Excellence in Achievement

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THROUGH THE EYE

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ES OF OUR TIGERS

Photos courtesy of: Jade Horton

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Sports

Tigers (3-1) Extend Winning Streak Ending 16-year Drought By: Marcus D. Smith Sports Columnist

Fans were on the edge their seats all game long, before the Tigers rallied back in the fourth quarter to atop the Alabama A&M Bulldogs, 34-31, extending the Tiger win streak to three games.

With four seconds left, after just being “iced” as Alabama A&M just burned their final timeout, all eyes were on TSU kicker, Eric Medina, as he lined up a career long 51-yard field goal to give the Tigers a third straight Southwestern Athletic Conference victory, a feat that hasnt been obtained since the beginning of the 21st century in the year 2000. *Note: Johnny Cole’s accolades in 2010 were stripped due to violations of NCAA rules and regulations.* “It’s every kicker’s dream. Some kickers look forward to it and some embrace it. Going out there, I knew we were going to get “iced”. I knew they had one timeout left. In the back of my head I was like ‘they’re going to use it’, so I was trying to keep myself as relaxed as I could.

With the help of my field goal team, [Coach Montgomery] he always preaches, ‘We need nine guys to make the ball go around.’ I knew my protection was going to be there for me.

I knew I just had to get the ball up, after that, everything else will take care of itself,” said Medina in a calm bravado.

The BBVA Compass stadium was a boisterous stadium that night. For a second I reminisced on former TSU kicker, now coach, Robert Hersh’s game-winning field goal against Prairie View A&M in 2012 Labor Day Classic. Students, fans of Texas Southern rejoiced in the victory running, leaping across the baricades of the sidelines to the stands, jumping in high spirits for the team victory. That may have been the best turnout I’ve seen in a while. The celebration provided by everyone in Maroon and Grey was so defining, as was a win such as this.

“Robbie [Coach Hersh] was the only person that didn’t talk to me with two minutes left in the game. He just looked at me, we looked each

other in the eye, and I gave him that head nod.

He didn’t talk to me until after the kick and said ‘Hey man, this is what we live for, this is the moment us kickers strive for,” said Medina.

The past couple of wins for the Tigers have been through adverisity, come from behind type of wins. Earlier in the season, the question coming in was would TSU be the team that couldn’t or considerately wouldn’t play a full 60 minutes of football. Reasoning behind that, I choose not to disclose. Nevertheless, you can definitely see the desire to play, the desire to win, it’s what Survior would call the “Eye of the Tiger”.

They have answered those questions early on here this season and come from behind victories are great, but this Texas Southern isn’t going to harp on that win. Already they are preparing for Alcorn State on October 15, this weekend is a bye-week for the Tigers.

One of the things the Tigers look to improve on is playing a cleaner game. By far, everyone should know, the second half of this game was an atrocity, defensely. After leading 7-6, going in to the half, the Tigers came out the gates and allowed 25 second half points as the triple threat of Alabama A&M’s De’Angelo Ballard, Jordan Bentley, and Jonathan Dorsey really came alive in the third and fourth quarters and struck fear into some of the spectators and bystanders’ hearts.

Defensively that game, is the prime example of two things.

1. It’s not over until the play is dead and the clock reads 0:00.

2. Defensive efforts such as this one, will hinder Texas Southern’s chances at SWAC prominence.

Must give credit and respect where it’s due.

Coming in to the contest the Tigers lead the SWAC in total defense, rushing defense, and scoring defense. The Tigers played a hell of a game defensively, when it mattered most. The

last drive to force a three and out and give the offense the ball with just under a minute left in the ball game. Also a roughing the passer penalty never hurts your offense neither.

“It doesn’t matter what happened in the previous 58 minutes, we just needed one stop and that’s all that mattered...I compliment our kids they stepped up to that challenge,” said TSU Defensive Coodinator, Tom Anthony.

Yet moments leading up to the stand, are indeed worth mentioning, sorry Tom. Before I break it down, the only thing that matters in the numeral changed in the winning column.

That being said, the Tiger gave up 498 total yards in a win, 309 through the air and 189 on the ground and have slipped to third in the SWAC in total defense.

“I’m very proud of them, the way they fought throughout the game, as bad as we played on our side of the ball, they kept fighitng, they kept battling. When it came down to it and we needed a stop, we got that, so I was real proud of them,” coach Anthony added.

I, too, was proud student, watching the team grit it out in dramatic fashion. But winning games is just a stepping-stone. I believe I speak for everyone---students, fans, alum, faculty, staff, let alone players and coaches---when I say that the goal is a SWAC championship.

The tasks of the Alabama States and the Alabama A&Ms are over respectfully. It is time to move on to Alcorn, although is on a slump this year, still remain as the reigning back-to-back SWAC champions. Following that is homecoming, and there will be no embarassment of Texas Southern University on homecoming, i.e. 2015. The schedule will only get tougher as the season wears on. But it’s just one week at a time. As the Tigers continue to make noise, understand, other schools in the conference will take notice, and that’s when the test can truly begin.

Good luck Tigers!

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Sports Sports Rundown

(courtesy of www.tsusports.com)

Lady Tigers fall to Alabama State, to host Alabama A&M HOUSTON – The Alabama State Lady HorAlabama State players recorded 85 digs, the nets outlasted Texas Southern in four sets most by a TSU opponent this season, topping Monday in a battle of the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s last two undefeated teams in Idaho State’s 66 digs on Sept. 3. league play.

After trailing most of the opening set by two Scores of the match were 23-25, 25-11, 25-18, or three points, the Lady Tigers took an 1817 lead on three consecutive points by Fluke. and 25-19.

Fluke started the rally with a kill, then served back-to-back aces, prompting ASU to call a The Lady Hornets (10-7, 7-0 SWAC) hit .242 as a team, while the Lady Tigers were held to a timeout. hitting percentage under .100 for the first time since a three-set loss at Fresno State on Sept. 9. The Lady Hornets briefly reclaimed a 20-19 TSU’s 37 kills against 27 errors on 159 attempts lead, only for TSU to take the lead back with gave the Lady Tigers a .063 hitting percentage four unanswered points. Alexis Austin’s kill and a McKay service ace were followed by confor the evening. secutive ASU errors.

Nicole Robinson led the Lady Tigers (9-9, 5-1 Robinson gave the Lady Tigers a 24-22 lead, SWAC) with a team-high nine kills and hit .227 for the match. Kali Fluke added eight kills and after an ASU kill, Texas Southern took the and two total blocks. Michaela Powell came off set on an ASU attack error. the TSU bench for five kills and hit a TSU-best In set two, the Lady Hornets jumped out to a .235 for the evening.

6-1 lead and never looked back as the evened the match with a 25-11 win. ASU hit .243 Asia Howard posted a double-double for the Lady Tigers, handing out 20 assists and digging during the set, while the Lady Tigers hit mi11 ASU attacks. Allison Woods tallied a team- nus-.103. high 15 digs, while Brianna McKay added 12 Both teams saved their best hitting perfordigs for the Lady Tigers. mances for set four, but ASU’s 10-3 run to finNi’yesha Brown knocked down a match-high ish the set gave the Lady Hornets a 25-19 win and the match.

17 kills for Alabama State, followed by teammate Briana Dorsey with 14 kills. Jamie Coleman led the ASU defensive effort with 29 digs. TSU returns to action Tuesday when the Lady Tigers host Alabama A&M. Match time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Lady Tigers Soccer defeat GSU in overtime 3-2 Box Score GRAMBLING, La.- The Texas Southern Lady Tigers remained undefeated in Southwestern Athletic Conference play as they captured a 3-2 victory over Grambling State on the road.

Rania Kablawi got the scoring started for TSU with a goal in the 24th minute of action.

Kailand Thompson nearly came up with a hat trick as she scored a goal in the second half of play followed by the golden goal in overtime to seal the win in Texas Southern’s favor.

TSU took 19 shots compared to 3 shots for Grambling State. Texas Southern will continue conference play this weekend on the road as they travel Mississippi Valley State (Oct. 7) and Alcorn State (Oct. 9).

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Life & Style

Five Things “How To Get Away With Murder” Has Taught Me About College

By: Mariea Boyd Life & Style Columnist

Fall has officially set upon us, which means it is time for Shonda Rhimes to steal our hearts once again. If you’re anything like me,

by Thursday night you have earned an hour off from studying and homework for heart pounding, consistently hyperventilating, edge of your seat literary genius. The hit TV-show has taught us that life will throw many unexpected challenges, and protecting the ones you love is what matters the most. Now, what has “How To Get Away WIth Murder” taught me about college…

1.

If you miss one class be prepared to be 100% lost by the next lecture. Without the help of his future cell-mates, I’m not sure if Wes would have made it to his next year of law school, with all the drama he experienced in season one. In the perfect world students would follow the syllabus and read chapters before class, but lets face it we’re not that disciplined throughout the entire semester. A good hack to stay on track would be to find an accountability partner that will keep you upto-date if you miss a class.

2.

After three all-nighters in a row you tend to be on edge. After being up all night covering up a murder, Annalise still expected the gruesome five to pass her class. Midterm season is creeping up on us fast, and studies show that students are more likely to cram for major tests, like midterms and finals. To get the most out of your study sessions, take a break every two-hours to regain your focus.

3.

As much as you’d like to believe it, you’re not the only one suffering. Trust me (in best Trump impersonation), you’re not alone!

Depression and the feeling that you’re inadequate is common during the major test season.

Find a friend who you feel comfortable talking to about your problems, or try speaking to the university counselor. Life is hard enough, you do not have to go through it alone. I’m sure your problems aren’t how to get blood stains out of your car, like Connor.

4.

Then there is the moment you realize the review that was given in class, is nothing

like the exam. We all have had the feeling of complete betrayal after taking an exam or after being on trial for a murder you didn’t commit like Nate. I suggest reading the full chapter before lectures, so you will not have to rely on class notes and reviews as your only resource.

5.

Sticking together will get you further than going through your college career alone.

Can you imagine the amount of drama if Asher knew who actually killed Sam Kieating, before he ran over that annoying prosecutor. Yikes!

Throughout the entire first season Walsh, Gibbions, Castillo, and Pratt stuck together and kept their mouths shut each time Asher became suspicious. Find a group of people who are on the same path as you, and take the journey together. Whether it is a PharmD or J.D., you’re hoping to obtain after your collegiate career is over. Your colleagues will make the years a little smoother and more enjoyable.

Good Luck.

Six Study-Tips to Beat the Mid-Term Madness By: Mahbuba Motovu Staff Writer Your exam is less than 24 hours away and hopefully by then, you will have mastered the information in the 30-something pages of the book right in front of you. Deep down you know it’s impossible yet unfortunately, you still have to try, in an attempt to avoid miserably failing your exam.

Sounds familiar? Save yourself the stresses of Mid-term madness and start preparing now with these few helpful tips.

1.

Schedule study time Telling yourself that you need to study today, is not enough. Plan your day, schedule the time, and allocate specific hours to dedicate yourself to your school work. Setting aside time will reduce your study load and help you identify which topics to place more emphasis before you take your exam.

2. Study-Dates Make it fun. Make a date with a friend to hang out with “the books.” Looking over your notes

while engaging in a little conversation every now and then can take away the tense feeling that studying can bring.

3.

Take breaks Studying for four hours straight can be very stressful if not impossible. Take short (15 minute) breaks every hour to reset your brain.

A quick snack, phone call to a loved one, or a short stretch session could help you calm your nerves.

4.

Play some music Listening to music can counter the effect of stress while studying. A research study carried out at the University of Maryland showed that some students were able to stay focused while listening to music at a low volume. Various music streaming websites like YouTube have users that create music playlists which are conducive for studying and concentration-related

activities.

5.

Change up your study location and environment Some college courses can prove to be hectic as they require much more study time. Changing up your study spot can take away the monotony of studying. Coffee shops like Starbucks or bookstores like Barnes & Noble are great options to catch up on your reading if you wish to change the scenario.

6.

Reward yourself You’ve successfully completed a four-hour study session without distracting yourself on social media, so why not reward yourself.

Simple things like going to the movies or the mall can feel very satisfying when you know that you’ve done your part as a student. Planning your reward before you hit the books can motivate you to keep going. Remember to remain positive and not sweat the small stuff.

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Politics WE CHARGE GENOCIDE: BLACK PEOPLE’S CASE AGAINST AMERICA

BY Nikki Luellen Political Columnist

(Cover Photo: courtesy of earthfirstjournal.org (courtesy of www.usatoday.com) With the ongoing killings of Black people in America by police officers, there has been a national outcry against these injustices in America and abroad. Even prominent athletes like Colin Kaepernick and Serena Williams have spoken out against these injustices. According to The Huffington Post, since Kaepernick’s protest on August 26, at least 15 black people have died during encounters with the police.

In 2015, over 346 black people have been murdered by the police and just three percent of those police officers were convicted of any charge, none were convicted of murder. In this year alone, police have killed over 217 black people in America so far. Though people have protested, petitioned their state for police body cameras and new polices, black people are still being mercilessly executed by the police. This violation of human rights calls for a serious step towards justice.

On April 8, 1964, human rights activist, Malcolm X, gave a speech on “The Black Revolution” at Palm Gardens in New York. He believed that in order for Black Americans to get any justice, they must take their case to the UN and charge America with genocide.

Malcolm expressed, “We can see that it is nothing but a governmental conspiracy to continue to deprive the black people in this country of their rights. And the only way we will get these rights restored is by taking it out of Uncle Sam’s (America’s) hands. Take him to court and charge him with genocide, the mass murder of millions of black people in this country - political murder, economic murder, social murder, mental murder. This is the crime that the government has committed…”

Though Malcolm never got the chance to carry out this action, largely due to the lack of support from major civil-rights organizations in America, spokesmen of some African states, following Malcolm’s advice, accused the United States of being, “indifferent to the fate of blacks and cited as evidence the attitude of the United States government toward the civil-rights struggle in Mississippi.”

Today, activists are still searching for effective ways to put an end to the oppression that black people experience in all aspects of their lives. Activist organizations like The International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement believes that America should be charged with genocide against black people in the United States of America. According to the organization, the U.S. government is responsible for mass murders, mass and discriminatory imprisonment, and oppressive conditions in nearly every aspect of life, including statesanctioned violence, murders, education, family life, reproduction, employment, healthcare and freedom of political assembly for African people in the U.S. Over 8,000 people have signed their online petition in support of the group’s stance.

According to student activist Jaron Frederick, “…A lot of people are not taking what’s been going on with us serious. Prisons, mass incarceration, is another form of genocide…

In Tasmania, the British came to Australia and eliminated all of the people…and now it’s happening to us. If the holocaust survivors got their reparations, why can’t we get ours? …

Black people in America are still effected by slavery and it starts with us, we need to learn

our history first and start loving ourselves first, then there is the unity, then millions of people can go to the UN because that is an international crime.”

Though some people may feel that taking America to the world court may be going too far, members from the United Nations are in full support of this action. According to an article published by the Washington Post on September 27, “…the United Nations’ Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent … presented its findings to the United Nations Human Rights Council on Monday, pointing to the continuing link between present injustices and the dark chapters of American history…” Citing the past year’s spate of police officers killing unarmed African American men, the panel warned against “impunity for state violence,” which has created, in its words, a “human rights crisis” that must be addressed as a matter of urgency.

It is no secret that the ongoing genocide of Black people in America, in every aspect of their lives, is a human rights violation that needs to be brought to the UN. In the words of author and civil-rights activist Zora Neale Hurston, “If you are silent about your pain, they’ll kill you and say you enjoyed it.”

“Quote of the Week” “...Charge him with genocide ---the mass murder of millions of black people in this country ---political murder, economic murder, social murder, mental murder.”

---Malcolm X, “Malik El Hajj”

12

What’s Happening on campus & around town

Monday - 10/3

Tuesday - 10/4

Wednesday - 10/5

Thursday - 10/6

Friday - 10/7

The Weekend 10/8 & 10/9

Monday - 10/10

Tuesday - 10/11

Wednesday -10/12

Thursday -10/13

Friday - 10/14

The Weekend 10/15 & 10/16

MIDTERM WEEK Our calendar is reserved for the advertisement of on and off campus events. If you are interested in having your event placed on our calendar, then please stop by room 221 of the Student Center or call us at (713) 313-6710.

20 Questions 1. Why does the homecoming committee have such a large office?

2. Why does HSA have an office?

3. Do black organizations such as NAACP & Collegiate 100 lose value at HBCUs? 4. Are you guys excited about the homecoming concert?

5. Will class attendance drop due to homecoming activities?

6. Will the homecoming concert be censored?

7. Why’d they wait so late to promote homecoming?

8. Are we really having a stepshow?

9. Why is it so cold in the science building?

10.What’s Elvonte Patterson’s job description?

11. Did you see 100 women in suits?

12. When will the cafe menu be updated?

13. Why is room and board so high? And the facilities are not up to date?

14. Why do out-of-state students pay fees?

15. Who’s the Director of Student Activities?

16. Why don’t we have pep rallies Friday’s before home games?

17. Who’s the more credible presidential candidate: Clinton or Trump?

18. Do you know the Negro National Anthem?

19. When will TSU start giving equal advertisment to all sport teams?

20. Why do students complain about student life but don’t attend planned events?

Anonymously submit your questions via Twitter/IG or drop by Student Center Room 221.

DISCLAIMER: The questions are submitted by the student body and are not the views of The TSU Herald or Texas Southern University as a whole. Feel free to bring your questions to room 221 of the Student Center. Questions are printed at the discretion of The TSU Herald.

#TSU20Questions