Volume 68 No. 10 by THE TSU HERALD

Vol 68 | Number 10

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THE TSU HERALD | February 04, 2015

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CAMPUS NEWS page 2

VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE HELD DURING EVE OF PRIMARY SEASON

LIFE & STYLE page 5

VALENTINE’S DAY FOR SINGLES

SPORTS page 6

SPORTS RUNDOWN

OPINION page 7

#OSCARSSOWHITE: BOYCOTTING THE 2016 OSCARS

Holly Hogrobrooks, civil rights pioneer and TSU alumna, dies at 75

Campus News Voter registration drive held during eve of primary season BY SENORA HARRIS Contributing Writer TSU students elected to prepare for the upcoming March 1 primary with a voter registration drive last week. Freshman class senator, Jaloni Williams, organized the drive in hopes of having as many TSU students as possible voting in the upcoming primary, as well as the elections to follow. “I think it’s important that they make it habitual, and they continue to do these things, because we can’t let a handful of people take control of our democracy,” Williams said. “We have to have a voice for ourselves. If we don’t vote, we take away our own voices.” The Tau Epsilon fraternity partnered with Williams for the voter registration drive, which took place in the middle of the Tiger Walk. In exchange for proof of voter registration, students received BBQ, drinks, and snacks. During the initial organization of the registration drive, Williams said that he reached out to every volunteer group that represented potential presidential candidates to participate. A group that represented Senator Bernie Sanders were the only

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LENZI S. CAUSEY Sports Editor JONATHAN DAVIS Campus News Writer MAHBUBA MATOVU Sports Writer MARCUS SMITH Staff Writer VALERIE MADISON Staff Writer WILLIE WILLIAMS

ones to accept Williams’ invitation. Due to students’ strong endorsement of Bernie Sanders on social media and on flyers around campus, many assumed the drive was sole more promotion for the senator at first glance. Michael Wiseley was one of the volunteers that represented the Bernie Sanders volunteer group. While he and his colleagues informed students about Sanders’ platforms, he also assisted in getting them to register before the February 1 deadline. “We just wanted to come out and get every person we could find that needs to get registered to vote,” Wiseley said. “We’d love for them to vote for Bernie Sanders, but the important thing is to get everyone to vote and turn out March 1.” Although the Tau Epsilon fraternity doesn’t officially endorse Bernie Sanders, their Vice President, Cedric Clemons, saw the volunteers’ presence on campus as positive. “Because we’re at an HBCU, they want everyone to understand the importance of being able to vote, which is why we’re out here today,” Clemons said.

Williams expressed that he was pleased with meeting his humble goal for the drive. “Even if we got just a couple students to register, or even one, every vote would count,” Williams said. “It all matters, no matter how much money you spend. Everyone matters to me, so I fee like [the drive] was successful.” Early voting for the primary begins on February 12.

“We have to have a voice for ourselves. If we don’t vote, we take away our own voices.” Jaloni Williams, Freshman Class Senator

The TSU Herald is published by the students of Texas Southern University. Opinions expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the administration. The newspaper is printed biweekly, except during holidays and examination periods. For additional information, call (713) 313-6710.

Publications Manager TIYOSHA TURNER Advisors SERBINO S. WALKER MICHAEL BERRYHILL

Students visiting tables on the Tiger Walk for voter registration drive held January 27th on the TSU Tiger Walk. Photo: Senora Harris

Cover Story Holly Hogrobrooks, civil rights pioneer and TSU alumna, dies at 75 BY SERBINO SANDIFER-WALKER Holly Adrienne Hogrobrooks, civil rights pioneer who helped to organize Houston’s first sit-in on March 4, 1960, died January 22 after a lengthy illness. Her efforts helped pave the path to end segregation in Houston. She was 75.

at the core of Houston’s moral, political and economic fiber.

Hogrobrooks’ parents, Theodore and Euneida Hogrobrooks, played a vital role in the movement. They owned a popular diner located on Dowling Street across from the Eldorado Ballroom and would often allow the students to organize their sit-ins at their home. They also financed the movement and would bail the students out of jail when they were arrested for their non-violent protests.

Hogrobrooks was an alumna of Texas Southern University and a journalism professor until her retirement in 2000. More than a half a century earlier, Hogrobrooks, along with several other TSU students led a sit-in movement that changed Houston forever. A founding member of the Progressive Youth Association, which was started by students on TSU’s campus in the 60s, Hogrobrooks strategized with Eldrewey Stearns, John Bland, Pete Hogrobrooks, Otis King, Deanna Lot Burrell, Halcyon Sadberry Watkins and many more on how that first act to end segregation in Houston would be organized. Hogrobrooks and several others met at a flagpole located centrally on campus. They lined up in pairs, said a prayer, and began to march to the Weingarten Supermarket lunch counter at 4110 Almeda Road. Once they arrived the students streamed in one by one and sat down, determined to be served; however, they were never served. This unlawful assembly became an exercise in civil disobedience for the young architects of change, and set-off a firestorm of student protests that cut

“Holly was fearless, opinionated and strong because our parents taught us to standup to injustice,” said Enid Hogrobrooks, Holly’s sister.

The Weingarten sit-in was one of many sit-ins in Houston. By 1963, Houston businesses started to desegregate and in 1964 the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed by the U.S. Congress. Hogrobrooks’ 5 foot 11 frame and sharp intellect would often intimidate most people she met. She loved teaching at TSU and would always have a great story to share with students. Many of her students would reference her as a modern day Ida B. Wells because she would often lecture about the importance of standing up for justice and equality. Hogrobrooks standing next to Texas Historic Marker that commemorates Houston’s first sit-in. Photo: Ladonia Randle

She has even been called the mother of Houston’s 1960 sit-in movement. A memorial is being planned for Hogrobrooks in March. The location will be confirmed at a later date.

Campus News

Legacy Lecture Series sheds light on TSU BY MAHBUBA MATOVU Campus News Writer Students at Texas Southern University were treated to a star-studded afternoon at the Legacy Lecture Series event hosted by 100 Black Men of America and Collegiate 100 on January 25th, 2016. The Legacy Lecture Series is an HBCU tour that was created in 2007 by the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame (NBCA) to equip and empower students to overcome the economic, social cultural and political challenges of today, by positioning them for leadership roles through education and mentoring. The event held at the university’s Student Center Tiger Room boasted a powerful panel of six inspirational leaders, headed by the founder and Chairman of the NBCA Hall of Fame, Thomas W. Dortch Jr. and Director of Media Relations at the T.D. Jakes Ministries, Zakiya Larry. Among the panelists were Judge Glenda Hatchett of the popular court show, Judge Hatchett, national senior manager at the American Heart Association, Kimberly D. Wright, former NFL player, Stevie Baggs Jr. and Miss NBCA Hall of Fame, Donita Barrett. “We are here because we care about you, we are here because we understand that we must raise a new generation of servant leaders, and I say servant leaders because you can’t lead unless you’re willing to serve.” Dortch, an internationally sought after speaker who has been on the Fox News Channel and the Oprah show, asked students to speak about the challenges they felt needed to be addressed. “This is your institution, and this institution will impact each of you more than it will impact the president and the administration. The brand for this institution is going to be what’s going to carry your reputation from here into your careers,” Dortch said. Among the topics discussed were how students can be more effective at managing some of the issues at the university. Larry who is also a former Miss TSU and has built a career in crisis management, advised students to have powerful conversations in sessions with powerful people. She applauded TSU students for being passionate enough to create the #TakeBackTSU movement, saying it made an impact. Larry encouraged stu-

dents to gather the same passion that stood behind the movement on social media to request sit-down meetings with people who can affect change. “The reality is that there might be someone in Kansas retweeting #TakeBackTSU but they have no vested interest in the university and are just entertained,” Larry said, adding that “Talk without tactics is a waste of time.” Judge Hatchett expressed her concern about personal violence like date rape, saying that it has become an epidemic for the communities. She quoted inspirational leader, Mahatma Ghandi, saying, “We must be the change that we want to see in the world.” Hatchett also reminded students that they are the beneficiaries of Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream, and that alone gives them the enormous responsibility to raise a new generation of servant leaders. “True leaders don’t create more followers, true leaders create more leaders,” according to panelist, Stevie Baggs. The celebrated football player reminded students that being at an HBCU was a privilege and an honor, and advised them to create vision boards that will help them in finding their purpose in life. “We all have the exact same purpose in life, and that purpose is to give back, we all just have different gifts,” Baggs said. “They say that all our generation does is Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook, but no one puts their face in a book,”

Baggs added to a clapping audience. The panelists were also joined by Student Government President, Crystal Owens and Miss TSU, Channing Briggs. Both students and panelists left inspired. Students to be better leaders and panelists with the satisfaction and the desire to mentor more generations. “It meant a lot to me because I have a passion and a need to help people to grow, and I think this was an environment where folks could get out their grievances and for us as a community, just among ourselves, to heal those things and address them,” Larry said.

Life & Style

Valentine’s Day for singles BY VALERIE MADISON Staff Writer

Yes, that time of year is back and everyone seems to be in love or getting engaged; pink and red seems to be plastered in every single store and you may feel the need to wrap your arms around a loser you barely like just to spare yourself of having to spend another Valentine’s Day alone. Victoria’s Secret has every single lingerie set on sale (and they must have thought of everything because they are the cutest pieces you have ever seen), everyone is posting their ideal plans with ‘BAE’ and all the while you are just trying to get a good grade in a class that you pretty much stay up until midnight studying for. “Looks like my date on Valentine’s Day will be these books, because I’m single yet again,” Senior, Lisa Williams said. Being single on Valentine’s Day to some may be depressing and is the worst time to be all alone, however, for some it is liberating to know you can celebrate being free and able do what you want or it is addressed as ‘just another day.’ So, how do you plan on spending yours? Traditionally,Valentine’s Day gives couples the chance to celebrate their love with gifts,

LaDiamond Blueford, senior, RTF major

Prinston ‘Taddy’ Nnanna, senior, Art major

extraordinary dinners at fancy places, wedding proposals, but overall to show someone special appreciation. After talking to dozens of students on campus, it has been found that many students have dedicated their lives so much to their studies and future goals that they haven’t had time to invest in relationships to lock in that date for Valentine’s Day. First, realize that being single is not a bad thing! You have more time to work on you and find out what you like and who you truly are. You may have this long list of what he needs to be and have; make sure you have those as well. Plus, all that glitters isn’t gold, so guys are making up for the other 364 days of not being the Prince Charming she posts every Monday on her Instagram. Treat yourself! Have you been working really hard this semester and continuously keep putting off that pedicure you needed last month or maybe getting your brows ‘slayed’ has been on your last three to-do lists, but never get the chance to go? Making yourself feel special is not needing to be down by another, because you’re worth it and definitely deserve the pampering.

Cupid’s Corner

Call up your other single friends! Nothing is better for you than dressing up and going out with the best people you know. Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, call up your friends and go to brunch and enjoy french toast and music. You can also catch a movie, like Ride Along II, currently in theatres. You+Netflix+Wine=Success Something highly recommended for the single ladies this Valentine’s Day would be to go ahead and spend the Sunday selfishly by watching all the episodes of Sex In The City on Netflix while drinking your favorite wine or for those who can’t indulge, eat junk food and be lazy before the week starts! Remember, it is okay to be single. If you haven’t gotten it by now, being single is surely not a bad thing! Just be patient for Mrs. or Mr. Right and focus on getting your education, finances and self physically and mentally together and the rest will fall into place.

Glynn Jones, Administration of Justice Major

Derick Ingram, Sports Management and RTF Major

Sports Sports Rundown BY MARCUS SMITH Sports Writer

Women’s Basketball The good times just keep rolling as the Lady Tigers continue to carve out dominant performances and stay undefeated in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play.

drew multiple offensive fouls and recorded four steals in the game for the Lady Tigers. Vines was among the four in double-digits. She poured in 12 points, connecting on 50% of her shot attempts.

After a 57-30 rout against University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), Texas Southern (7-0) has won 21 consecutive games in the conference, the longest streak in six plus seasons for Women’s SWAC Basketball.

The Lady Tigers are off on the road to face Alabama State, the first of a three game road trip. Follow the Lady Tigers basketball action on via radio broadcast on KTSU 90.9 FM beginning at 5:00pm every game day. February 6th, this Saturday, Texas Southern travels to Prairie View A&M for part two of the “Battle of 290”. Be sure to make plans accordingly to carpool out to the game in support of your Lady Tigers.

“We gave up 11 points in the first half…we defend well. People [teams] are slowing us down, zoning us, trying to pack it in on Vines, and other people on this team have to step up,” said Lady Tigers head coach, Johnetta HayesPerry.

Men’s Basketball The Texas Southern Fighting Tigers basketFour players scored double-digits for the Texas ball team refuses to be dethroned of being Southern providing a balanced attack for the the best team in the SWAC. After a 29-point team’s offense. Senior Brianna Sidney was rout against UAPB, a 78-49 victory, TSU still right around her average per game (12.5 ppg), stands undefeated in the conference with seven scoring a team-high 13 points for the Lady wins, 18 consecutive against SWAC schools Tigers. dating back to last season. Although limited on offense compared to prior games, Keiana Vines took over the game from a defensive standpoint effectively controlling the paint for eight blocked shots in the contest, including five in the first half alone. Senior forward, Toni Cheadle, protected the glass as she paced the team with 16 rebounds, a season-high for her. Cheadle finished with 12 points on 45% shooting from the field. “At halftime she had 10 points and 10 rebounds. She defended well against a really good kid...she rebounded the ball well and we really needed that,” said Coach Hayes-Perry on Cheadle’s performance. After 20 minutes of play, the Lady Tigers led the Lady Lions, 30-11, who barely manage to outscore Cheadle alone. Texas Southern displayed a textbook sound defensive performance as they held UAPB to 18% shooting on nine made field goals out of the 48 attempted for the entire game. Freshman guard Joyce Kennerson added 12 points and was locked in defensively as she

The Tigers put on a showcase of fundamental team basketball, effectively sharing the ball on offense and finding the open man to make the right play. As a team, the Tigers dominated the interior defense by compiling 42 points in the paint, a stat well complimented by 20 second chance buckets. Senior guard, Chris Thomas led the way for Texas Southern with a sky high field goal percentage of 70%. He had a gamehigh 18 points and seven assists. “We worked on zone a lot. It’s been so long since we’ve gone against a zone that we were hesitant on going into the middle and making the extra pass. I thought it was a great team effort. We had four guys [score] in double figures. We really shared the basketball tonight, we had 20 assists on 28 field goals,” said Texas Southern head coach, Mike Davis. Guard, David Blanks, was among the four guys who scored in double figures. Blanks added 17 points, 11 of which came in the first half. Joining him and Thomas are senior forward Malcolm Riley who was able to chip in 16 points and Derrick Griffin who recorded

a double-double, registering 13 points and 13 rebounds. Texas Southern outscored UAPB, 35-20, in the first half and held the Golden Lions to 31% shooting from the field and just 11% from the three point stripe. UAPB’s Ghiavonni Robinson leads the Lions in scoring with just under 16 per game, (15.8 ppg), but was held to 11 points on four out of 13 shooting. Pine Bluff would finish the game at 37% from the field and 20% from long-range. “We got off to a really, really good start defensively, our defense did good as we began the game. We kind of started fouling a little bit too much there, but our defensive intensity was great, the best it’s been in a while. It was a good game for us,” said Coach Mike Davis of the defensive performance put forth by his team. The Tigers pack up their duffle bags and head on the road for the next three games facing, Alabama State, Alabama A&M, and Prairie View A&M before returning back to the H&PE Arena on February 13th to face Jackson State. With the first half of conference play in the books, the Tigers are aiming to perfect their craft on the court in preparation for the SWAC Tournament in March to defend last year’s title. Texas Southern has won the last two championships (2014, 2015) and hangs six SWAC tournament championships banners overall. The third most in SWAC history behind Alcorn State (7) and Southern University (8) since the event began in 1978. “Our focus is we’re trying to focus on the process, and the process is doing everything right. Being a really good basketball team and not worry about whether we win or lose. When you start worrying about winning and losing you start putting pressure on you [the team] and you start thinking totally different instead of focusing on playing good basketball. So we’re excited to get better every game that’s our goal to get better…as a team our guys really focus on getting better,” said Coach Mike Davis. Continued on page 7

Opinion #OscarsSoWhite: Boycotting the 2016 Oscars BY WILLIE WILLIAMS Staff Writer

The Academy Awards have proven once again that we still have a long way to go in diversifying the movie industry, even in the 21st century. For the second year in a row, not one single black actor or movie was nominated for a leading role or best picture. Interesting huh? People all over took to social media with the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite, to express their concern over the lack of diversity when it comes to the Oscars. Since then the hashtag has trended and has brought many African- American actors, actresses and even directors to call for the boycotting of this year’s award ceremony. Actress Jada Pinkett-Smith recently released a video that went viral stating her utter frustration and disappointment in this year’s awards show. The actress even stated that she wouldn’t be attending this year’s ceremony due to black actors and actress being snubbed of nominations. Many have stated that the reason that she called for the boycotting was because her husband, Will Smith wasn’t nominated for his leading role in “Concussion”. Do I think that it played a part in her considering it? Maybe so. We can’t be naïve to think that it didn’t cross her mind but through the years, more and more black actors are noticing the trend of being snubbed from the Oscars, Sports Rundown (cnt’d from page 6) Football Texas Southern University Athletics Department is proud to introduce Michael Haywood, as the new head coach of Texas Southern University’s football program. Haywood, a Houston native, attended St. Thomas High School and went on to play wide receiver for the University of Notre Dame. Following his playing career, Haywood was running back coach and offensive coordinator for his alma mater Notre Dame. Haywood accepted the position after former

like Smith. Well many may say that Common and John Legend just won an Oscar last year for Selma; granted they did but it was for the song ‘Glory’ that they collaborated on. The movie wasn’t nominated for either ‘Best Director’, ‘Lead Actor’ or even ‘Best Picture’. The last person to win an Oscar for a supporting role was Lupita Nyong’o for her role in “12 Years A Slave”, before that Octavia Spencer won for her supporting role in “The Help”. Notice that majority of the black actors or actresses that have won an Oscar, have been in supporting and not leading roles. The AfricanAmerican culture is beginning to realize that the only roles and movies that get nominated for Oscars are ones that depict the “norm” or cultural history. This gives the message to us that we only win awards when we are the norm or when we make music. This has to simply change. Janet Hubert, the woman that played Aunt Viv on “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” for 3 hot seconds, stated that Jada had no valid reason to boycott the Oscars. In her video, Hubert stated that there are bigger things in the world that Smith should be worried about than the Oscars. Seems like there’s still unfinished business between Smith’s husband and Hubert. Yet in a recent interview with Huff Post Live, she downright criticized Stacey Dash for her comhead coach Darrell Asbury resigned from coaching duties after posting a 12-31 record in his four seasons at TSU. “You can’t just go off of last year…You have to give everyone an opportunity to get in. We’re starting from ground zero, where everybody has to work to earn their position and we’ll find out when we go to winter conditioning [spring training],” said new TSU football head coach, Michael Haywood. Haywood was the head coach of Miami Uni-

ments against boycotting the Oscars, critisizing her yearning for the attention of the media. We need you to pick a side of the fence and stay on it Aunt Viv because this flip flopping isn’t working! Cheryl Boone Isaacs, the Academy’s president even released a statement pledging to diversify the award show in the future. This will be Isaacs second year releasing this statement about diversifying the award show but we have yet to see any change. Such great movies such as “Straight Outta Compton”, which told the story of the prominent 80’s hip-hop group NWA and their struggle to emerge from the streets of Compton, wasn’t nominated for an Oscar; let alone invited. Yet Stacey Dash makes asinine comments blatantly blaming networks such as BET for causing segregation within the industry, really Stacey Dash? If there were not networks and award shows such as the BET Awards, Trumpet Awards and more, our people wouldn’t be acknowledged for their hard work and philanthropy on and off the screen. The hashtag has caused such a controversy and gotten people talking, President Obama has even come stated that there is a need for diversity in the awards show The Oscars premiere February 28 at 7pm on ABC. versity in Ohio from 2009-2010. Haywood’s overall head coaching record is 10-15 in two seasons. In his first season he posted a 1-11 record, but in the following season he led the team to a 9-4 record, a Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship, and was named 2010 MAC Coach of the Year in just his second season with the team.

What’s Happening on campus & around town

Monday - 2/1

Tuesday - 2/2 Young, Black and Tested Event Tiger Room 6:30 pm

Monday - 2/8

Tuesday - 2/9

Wednesday - 2/3

Thursday - 2/4

Campus Org Workshop Tiger Room 12 noon

Informational Risk Management Workshop 7:30 p.m. Cafe

Mardi Gras Cafe’ Party SSLC Cafe’ 8pm-12 am

Wednesday - 2/10

Friday - 2/5

Thursday - 2/11

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Presents: Valentine’s Day Bake Sale 12pm-2 pm SSLC

Friday - 2/12

The Weekend 2/6& 2/7 TSU v. PV Basketball H&PE 5:00 pm

The Weekend 2/13 & 2/14 Qupid Hangover Vol. II SSLC Cafe’ 10 pm

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.

1. Did anyone see the new computers in MLK? 2. Were they results of Take Back TSU? 3. Why are the scholarships decreasing? 4. Are you boycotting the Oscars? 5. What’s the beef Aunt Viv? 6. Do students know that TSU apparel is now at available at Walmart? 7. Why does the bookstore charge $57 for a t-shirt and Walmart charges $9.98 for the same shirt? 8.How much is SGA saving for their retreat? 9. Trump or Clinton? 10. What are we doing for spring fest? 11. What are you doing for spring break 2k16? 13. Why is parking still inadequate? 14. Are you graduating in May? 16. Or do you just think you’re graduating in May? 17. Did you do your exit loan counseling? 18. Are you attending the Campus Org Workshop? 19. Who is Holly Hogrobrooks? 20. Do you know Miss TSU’s birthday is February 10th?

Anonymously submit your questions today!

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.