SERVING SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI SINCE 1927 • WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM • JANUARY 29, 2020 | VOLUME 105 | ISSUE 15
TÊT CELEBRATION PG 3
OPEN MIC NIGHT PG 6
CRIME CAMERAS PG 7
City council approves Project NOLA partnership
MORGAN USRY
PRINTZ REPORTER Illustration by Derrick “DJ” Reed | Printz
he Hattiesburg City Council approved a plan to partner with Project NOLA to implement a citywide camera system Jan. 21. Project NOLA, a non-profit based in New Orleans, provides crime cameras to businesses, individuals and local governments. The footage is stored by the organization for 10 days unless it is requested by the city. Mayor Toby Barker said the idea of Project NOLA was first brought forward by Hattiesburg police Chief Anthony Parker. Parker presented it to the city council in November as a tool for the police department to help solve crimes more efficiently. Barker has pushed for the partnership after recent violent crimes in Hattiesburg.
Barker said the cameras would not be a complete solution to crime in the city but could help police solve crimes faster and deter criminal activity. “A major side effect of solving crimes quickly includes the message that is sent to residents and visitors alike: violent crimes, and all crime for that matter, will not be tolerated in the City of Hattiesburg,” Barker said. “If you commit a crime, you will get caught. Additionally, this system has proven to save costs through a quicker apprehension of criminals, which can often include overtime pay, cost of local incarceration and court-related costs.” Representative of Ward 2 Councilwoman Deborah Delgado was the only council member to vote against the partnership. She said she voted against it because she does not approve of government surveillance. “I don’t believe that we should be surveilling our community. If you want to have surveillance on your private property, that’s one thing. But to be surveilling the community, in general, is a problem
for me,” Delgado said. Delgado said Hattiesburg Police Department already has a good record with solving crimes and that there should be more focus on preventing crimes. “I’d rather see more police officers that are trained in community relations where their primary responsibility is getting to know the people in a given neighborhood to establish trust,” Delgado said. Although there are some claims that the presence of the cameras themselves would prevent crimes, Delgado said she does not believe it will. “These guys are not concerned about that. It would seem that the greatest deterrent would be a life sentence or sitting in jail for 30 years, but that hasn’t stopped them. And cameras give them the opportunity to be even more slick,” Delgado said. Ward 1 Councilman Jeffrey George said he voted for the cameras, so that the police department would have another tool to solve crimes.
“Obviously it’s just one aspect to solving crime. These cameras are not by any means the fix-all for crime in Hattiesburg, but I think it’s definitely a tool that will help solve crimes after they happen. Also, I think it’s something that should deter crime because people know they’re on camera.” Unlike Delgado, George said he is not really concerned about issues of privacy regarding the cameras. “These cameras are no different from a camera that’s on a convenience store or the Ring doorbell that you may have on your front door that’s already recording towards the street and already recording someone as they drive by,” George said. Barker said that although the partnership has been approved, they are still several months away from choosing locations for and installing the cameras. The location and installation of each camera will also have to be individually approved by the City Council.
NEWS JANUARY 29, 2020 MEET THE STAFF Executive Editor
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Alumni Association funds Southern Station EARL STOUDEMIRE PRINTZ REPORTER
n mid-December, the ground of Spirit Park was broken to build a new foundation for Southern Station. A gift from the Southern Miss Alumni Association, Southern Station will feature a 34 x 24-foot stage and more than 1,250 square feet of event space behind the stage facing M.M. Roberts Stadium. The facility will be complete with climate-controlled restrooms and a 275-square-foot space that can be used for storage or event preparation. It will be completed by the beginning of Southern Miss’ 2020 football season. Initially, the Alumni Association considered building a bronze Golden Eagle statue, but the group decided they needed a gift that would resonate more with students. “Our mission is to be the driving force behind engagement,” Southern Miss Alumni Association Director Jerry DeFatta said. “We want our alumni to be engaged, but in
order to have engaged alumni, we have to have engaged students. We really invest a lot of time and a lot of resources in students for them to realize that connection when they leave. One of the best ways to build good relationships with the university is to have good experiences as a student.” Albert & Robinson architects from Downtown Hattiesburg will build the stage. The company renovated the Ogletree House after the 2013 EF4 tornado. Southern Station will be used to accompany large acts, small acoustic sets, and events Southern Miss organizations would like to host. The backdoor space on the M.M. Robert’s Stadium side can be used to have game day tailgates or outdoor events for alumni that can be roped off with pipes and drapes to create a green room. It can even be a changing room for theatre and arts events. Senior music education major Matthew Gioia said he is excited to see what Southern Station will be used for. “Local bands, local artists, and Eaglepalooza, maybe instead of going to Downtown Hattiesburg or Reed Green just
have it there. Even for a DJ coming there, why not at Southern Station? It’s a huge space,” Gioia said. After construction is complete, the university administration will decide if student organizations will be charged to use Southern Station. “I feel like we have built a facility with a wide range of uses that we hope will serve Southern Miss for decades to come,” DeFatta said. Senior Associate AD for External Operations Brad Smith said Southern Station has the potential to enhance the game day experience. “We understand the financial commitment our students and fans make to spend a game day weekend with us, so we are excited that the Southern Miss Alumni Association brought this to life,” Smith said. “Many students, fans and families are craving more activities surrounding a football game, and Southern Station will help us add more to their game day. By creating a better connection to our students and fans, Southern Station will take our game day atmosphere to another level.”
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The views represented in The Student Printz’s columns and editorials do not 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 submission must include name, class distinction, major, phone number and email address. Submissions should be emailed to printzeditors@ gmail.com by 5 p.m. on the Friday before publication. 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.
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PRODUCT rewards students’ creative endeavors BRIAN WINTERS PHOTO EDITOR
he student magazine PRODUCT hosted a launch party Jan. 26 at Southern Prohibition Brewery. Students who were accepted into the 34th issue of the magazine read their entries aloud for the attendees. PRODUCT allows undergraduate, graduate and doctorate students at Southern Miss the chance to share their poetry, fiction, non-fiction, drama and graphic art with their peers. One student from each of the categories was awarded a cash prize. The first place winners include Lillie Busch for prose, Corinne Dekkers for poetry, Cayson Miles for drama and Maggie Matteson for art. Senior English licensure major Jaq Jefcoat hosted the event. Jefcoat said they got involved with PRODUCT after Adam Clay, Ph.D., encouraged them to enroll for the intercession to be more involved in learning about publishing. “I found out about PRODUCT back in the spring of 2019 when I took Dr. Clay’s poetry writing class,” Jefcoat said. “I had one of my trans poems published in Issue 33.” Clay is an assistant professor of English and director of the Center for Writers. “I think it is a good idea for students to submit work that’s been critiqued and discussed in any one of our creative writing workshops,” Clay said. Jefcoat said they strongly suggest people writing and submitting works of art and photography for PRODUCT’s future issues. “I also think it is a place to submit work outside
of one’s main genre,” Clay said. “A fiction writer might try submitting a poem, and a poet might try submitting a story.” Clay said PRODUCT is a venue that rewards risk-taking and experimentation. “It’s all anonymous submissions, so each piece is judged for itself,” Jefcoat said. “There are diverse ranges of submissions, and I enjoyed seeing them.” Senior English major Cherish Triplett said she heard about PRODUCT from a professor who encouraged her to submit her work. Triplett submitted poems but did not think anything would come from it. “I submitted about five poems and out of those they picked one I wrote about my mom,” Triplett said. “It was extremely shocking to me because that was something I wrote just to write something.” Triplett said since it was her last year at Southern Miss she decided to put out more work. After a year of being silent, Triplett felt like she had something to say and something to prove to herself about her writing. “It really has inspired me to be heard as a young black person from the South,” Triplett said. Triplett said she feels proud of herself after reading her work aloud. “Once I am done, I am proud of myself,” Triplett said. “Getting in front of a big crowd and sharing personal information is nerve-wracking.” Jefcoat said they were scared when they were submitting their poetry at first. “Having confidence in your piece is a plus,” Jefcoat said. “At the end of the day, you are confident to put your work out there, and that is an amazing feat for anyone.” Triplett said you cannot let fear stop you from putting yourself out there. “At the end of the day, this is for you,” Triplett said. “Screw getting picked or winning anything, at least you put a step forward to further your goal.” The winning entries along with other submissions for each category can be found at https://productmag.squarespace.com.
Courtesy photo by Product Magazine
VSA invites public to Têt celebration EARL STOUDEMIRE PRINTZ REPORTER
he Vietnamese Student Association will host their annual Têt celebration Jan. 30 at the Baptist Student Union with food, games and live entertainment. At the celebration, VSA will sell bowls of pho and cups of boba tea for $6 and $2, respectively. Additional activities include paper lantern and dragon making and a pie in the face section to pie a VSA member for $1. All proceeds will be going to Messengers of Love to raise money for school supplies, new orphanages, schools and clean water sources for children in Vietnam. Vice president of VSA and junior biomedical sciences major Christy Ngueyn said celebrating Têt is when she is most proud to be Vietnamese. “This time of year, I am most grateful for my grandfather for fighting alongside the U.S. in the Vietnam War and because of that my family had the opportunity to come to America for a better life. So, I am very grateful for my family giving me a better life, especially in education. It is important for me that this holiday is all about celebration of past years’ lessons and success and how important it is to be an Asian American in this day and age,” Nguyen said. Têt is a celebration of the Lunar New Year that is celebrated in many Asian countries. Helen Le, a senior biomedical major and longtime member of VSA, gave insight on how it became a holiday in Vietnam. “China used to rule Vietnam for a long time, and during the Chinese rule, the Chinese brought in philosophies, traditions, foods, and even Lunar New Year, which is now known as Têt for the Vietnamese. The Vietnamese
Graphic by Marissa Haas | Printz
still carry many of the Chinese traditions of Têt, but the Vietnamese replaced the Rabbit with the Rat on the zodiac,” Le said. Senior advisor of VSA Julie Lam said Têt is usually celebrated for a longer time outside of the U.S. “People didn’t work like for a week or two. There is a celebration every single day. Like how Americans decorate for Chirstmas, it is like that in Vietnam, but here in the U.S. the decorations are subtle. We only celebrate for a weekend here in U.S. since it is not a national holiday,” Lam said.
There are many traditions that are practiced in the celebration of Têt, such as deep cleaning homes before the new year. For example, sweeping the first day of the new year sweeps good luck out the door. Arguments between others are resolved on that day. Vietnamese women and men wear red áo dàis, which are silk tunic garments worn over pants, to bring in luck and prosperity. Customs that are practiced on the day of Têt focus on withholding and restraint. Some families do not cook the day of Têt, but prepare the holiday feast the day before instead.
Tina Do, a senior banking and finance major and VSA’s treasurer, said Têt is an important day to spend with her family. “We have a huge feast and party as a family to enjoy the new year. Those older than me give me money in a red envelope called ‘Li Xi’. This is a sign of good luck and those older are wishing me a good new year,” Do said. Nguyen said VSA is an inclusive organization and welcomes new members. Email Christy.nguyen@usm. edu for more information on how to be involved with VSA.
FEATURES JANUARY 29, 2020
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Political science major shares his music talents
Marissa Haas | Printz
KAYLYN JONES
PRINTZ REPORTER
reshman Cullen Deroche is a hidden gem from Houma, Louisiana. Based on his political science major, it would be unlikely to believe he is also a talented musician. Deroche has been playing piano since he was eight years old when he got his f irst piano as a gift. At 16, he received another a gift, a bass guitar. Deroche explained how he was introduced to music. He was surrounded by people who also enjoyed music and played instruments. As the years passed, Deroche developed a deep fondness of the process of creating music. For many artists, performing their craft puts them in a higher mindset and gets them in touch with their inner being. “When I’m home alone, I take the chance to really get into the mindset.
Cullen Deroche plays guitar on campus.
My amp is cranked up loud enough for me to feel the music, and I let it echo through the house. A good bass note is something you feel in your core, shaking up your chest, and a good drumbeat feels like a second heartbeat,” Deroche said. As a teen, he got his f irst taste of performing in front of a large audience in a talent show when he and a friend swallowed their fears and performed a cover of “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath. “We both lost ourselves to stage fright, because what 16-year-old doesn’t? But we put together a performance that turned everyone in the room into old-school heavy metal headbangers, if only for two minutes,” Deroche said. In his music, Deroche strives for creating something new and fresh. “I like anything with a beat that’s a little unpredictable or that’s been mixed-up,” he said. He checks for trends and gains inspiration from other artists who are passionate with their craft. To him, energy is the key to unlocking his interest and composing great work.
“When I’m playing bass, I like to move fast. I’ll compete with myself and see how many extra notes I can add to a bassline to transform it into something with a catchy melody. When I play bass, my goal is to create the song behind the song,” he said. He is inspired by bands like Green Day and Blink-182 where the energy and aggression of punk are fused with catchy melodies and dancef loor pop. Deroche also listens heavily to hairmetal and synth-pop. However, he is not afraid to expand his taste by listening to everything from classical to Ariana Grande. He f inds inspiration in the oldschool cool of Beatles and Rolling Stones vinyl records and 1960s photos of New York. “I get called an ‘old soul’, and maybe I am, but nobody said this stuff had an expiration date on it,” Deroche said. Art can be used as a therapeutic tool to decompress and express inner emotions. To Deroche, art is a powerful way to get through the stress and the restrictions of day-to-day life. “I throw away all my stress and
cheer myself up after a tough day. It means a place where you make up your own rules and communicate with the whole world at once. I’ve got time every single day that I dedicate to art and music, and if I don’t have time, I make time,” Deroche said. According to Deroche, art is a way for people to look into another’s point of view and show an emotional response to the world. “A painter can gently brush out a relaxing scene from nature, or they can pound paint into a terrifying battle from an ancient war. It’s how we tell people what’s really on our minds,” he said. Deroche’s advice to other artists and musicians is to make it a daily habit to step out of comfort zones by surrounding yourself with passionate, competitive people. “Above all else, don’t ever, ever worry about a trend. I’ll grab a trend, cut out the parts that look cool, and throw away the rest.” To f ind out more about Cullen Deroche, follow him on Instagram @ cullenderoche and watch him jam out.
LIFESTYLE JANUARY 29, 2020
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Hattiesburg locals choose less, not a mess KARA LOWE
PRINTZ REPORTER s a society, Americans rely too much on possessions. Whether it is a fancy car, their favorite latte every day, or even just sentimental possessions, many individuals obsess about consuming. For others, minimalism offers an opportunity to be surrounded by only the things that spark joy and what they absolutely need to survive. Many people might wonder if minimalism deprives someone too much. This assumption is wrong. Minimalists do not need as much as others, because they have changed their mindset, and they focus on more important things. Hattiesburg local and tiny house carpenter Anna Cochran lives a minimalistic lifestyle. Cochran began practicing the act of minimalism three years ago when she watched the documentary “Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things.” Cochran realized she had been surrounding herself with temporary possessions, and she was using those items to define herself. Cochran said she realized that her image of an adult was not accurate and that sometimes less is more. “I thought an adult was someone who had a lot of money and a great career, and that you had to have that to be suc-
Meghan Fuller | Printz
cessful, but now because of minimalism, my life is only full of luxuries,” Cochran said. “I now define adulthood as someone with emotional strength and mental integrity rather than what he or she has from materials.” Cochran has freed her life of possessions by building herself a tiny home and limiting items to only what she absolutely
Anna Cochran poses with her tiny house.
needs and loves. “Instead of having 20 shirts and only liking six of them, I only have six shirts. It frees up a lot of my time not having to pick out a new outfit every day,” Cochran said. Minimalism is also the realization that the more things you have, the more things you have to take care of.
Staff member of Hattiesburg Convention Commission Daniel McKellar limits what he buys. McKellar only purchases what he needs and enjoys the simpler things in life. McKellar’s advice is that people should fill their lives with assets and get rid of liabilities. “If your life is full of liabilities, then you’ll be a slave to your possessions. Before buying something ask yourself: Is this an asset or a liability,” McKellar said. McKellar says he has enjoyed not having to take care of as much in his life since practicing minimalism. While practicing minimalism is easy for some, it can be difficult for beginners to adjust to the lifestyle. William Carey student Sam Houston is in the beginning stages of becoming a minimalist. Houston said that when someone is in college, they are pushed into minimalism due to moving around a lot and living in smaller spaces, such as a dorm. Although Houston is interested in the idea of minimalism, he has trouble leaving a lot of his possessions behind. He has realized, though, that since living out the lifestyle, things start to clutter peoples’ lives. “Since I have started experimenting with it, I am surprised to find that having fewer items hasn’t changed my life in a bad way. It has actually caused me to worry less about what I have to take care of as far as items go and allowed me to be more present with the people I am with.”
Thrifted Gold: Planting roots in the new year BETHANY MORRIS
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR he beginning of the year always brings the need for change and a bit of refreshing. What’s more refreshing to your living space than adding a bit of greenery and bright pops of floral colors? Revive your living space with a pop of color by creating simple and cheap DIY pots from thrifted dishes. You are being resourceful with your money while creating a unique piece of décor for your living space. The potted plants will reflect your unique style and interest. I encourage everyone to look at local thrift stores for coffee cups, teacups, bowls and even tea and coffee canisters to use as pots. Find styles and patterns that you enjoy for the pots and then visit your local plant nursery. If your town does not have a plant nursery, Walmart and Lowe’s are always a great option for finding inexpensive plants. While I’m searching for some greenery and pops of color, I often browse the garden centers of Walmart and Lowe’s. Both stores offer low prices, and even a clearance section for plants that might be on their last limb. The clearance section is great if you have a green thumb and the time to devote to these plants! Adding a bit of greenery and floral to a living space will brighten up any room. If you’re a busy college student like me, but you want to still have plants in your room, consider investing in succulents and cacti. Succulents and cacti require little to no maintenance. For pops of color, look into succulents and cacti that bear flowers. It is also interesting and fun to mix and match the different textures that cacti and succulents offer. The contrast of the rough, prickly texture of cacti against the smooth, shiny texture of many succulents
is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. I found the thrifted dishes that I used for this DIY at NUTS in Laurel and City Thrift in Jackson. Believe it or not, I paid under a dollar for each of them. If you mix the patterns, textures and shapes of your thrifted planters, it will provide a more organic look to your living space. It’s not only important to add this variety in your planters, but also in the plants you choose. Your new greenery should have a variety of colors and textures. When transferring your plants from their packaging, you should add a little water while breaking up the soil. Add fresh soil in order to anchor the plant in the new pot of your choice.
Bethany Morris | Printz
Often, when dealing with succulents and cacti, the soil is rather dry at the time of purchase, which makes removing the plant difficult. If you choose succulents and cacti to fill your thrifted pots, be sure to sit them in a sunny location. These types of plants thrive off of tons of sunlight. It’s important to note that your plant can only grow within the means of its new pot. When browsing thrift stores for glassware to use as pots, be aware that those with nice depth and width will produce more lush greenery. Don’t expect your cacti and succulents to rapidly multiply or grow to a large size in the size containers and canisters that I used.
I hope that my tips will help you create your own unique version of thrifted potted plants! The options for creativity with this DIY are endless. Remember to always be on the lookout for thrifted gold in your local thrift stores. MATERIALS NEEDED FOR DIY POTTED PLANTS: Potting soil Water (for adding moisture to the prepackaged soil) Thrifted cups, bowls, or canisters (choose a variety of dishes) Succulents, cacti, or your choice of plant (multiple sizes, shapes and textures)
ENTERTAINMENT JANUARY 29, 2020
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Open Mic Comedy Night contributes little humor LILLIE BUSCH
FEATURE/LIFESTYLE EDITOR pon entering the Porter, it is easy to recognize the local stand-up comedians in the small crowd. They check their watches and have black notebooks open on the restaurant’s sticky tables. They scribble last-minute thoughts in hopes to crack the magic joke that will make the audience laugh. That joke, it turns out, is difficult to find. “It was my first time going so I wasn’t expecting much. There were a few good comedians, but overall, it was okay,” audience member Janey Shimp said. Waitress Darian Santiago has worked at the Porter for two years. Her schedule alternates Tuesdays and Thursdays, which are for Trivia and Comedy Nights, respectively. She said the nights are usually busy. “Yeah, some [stand-up comedians] are funny, but others are just difficult to get through, and I feel embarrassed for them,” she said as she cleared the plates from the table. Jokes of the night included Sherlock Holmes, school shooters, cat killers, sex with koalas and robot girlfriends. The stand-up comedians at the Porter force the audience to ask the age-old question: Are misogynist, crude and perverted jokes still funny? Comedian Scottie Corley hosts the event along with fellow comedian Carolyn Lucas. Corley began practicing stand-up comedy in 2014. He said that the comedy scene—the people, the restaurants—has changed since then, but not the jokes. “One of the few times I quit… As a gay comedian, you don’t see a lot of diversity. You see a lot of straight
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white male comedians doing straight white male sets, unfortunately. I would really like to see a plethora of things,” Corley said. “That’s why it’s so great to have a diverse set of comedians. Because you may not like that one person for saying that joke, but you might like the person who comes on after.” Corley also commented on political correctness and how it affects comedy. “Comedians don’t do [take risks] anymore, because
Tommy Tee-Ray-Bergeron performs at Open Mic Comedy Night.
we’re afraid of offending people, especially in a small town like Hattiesburg, Mississippi. We want to make people laugh, but let’s be honest. We comedians want to be heard. This is our one opportunity to do it.” The outrageous jokes, such as the risk of being killed on the first date, are the local comedians trying to be heard. The easiest way to accomplish that is to be sensational and potentially offensive. As a seasoned comedian, Corley offered advice for
those wanting to get into performing stand-up comedy. “You have to be thrown under the bus to learn what to do and not to do. . .If you have your favorite comedians, then start watching them, and find out your own signature style,” Corley said. “Also comedic timing is very important, so if you don’t have it, you’re not funny.” Open Mic Comedy Night at the Porter is hosted by Hub City Comedy and occurs every Thursday at 9 p.m. Signups begin at 8:45 p.m.
‘The Turning’ leaves viewers confused MEGHAN FULLER PRINTZ REPORTER
Illustration by Kathleen Hetherington | Printz
he recent film adaption of “The Turn of the Screw,” an 1898 horror novella by Henry James, was chilling but completely off-base. With alternate and confusing endings as well as hints of statutory rape, the film leaves a bitter taste in viewers’ mouths. The gothic yet exciting “The Turning” was a typical horror film involving two creepy kids and their live-in governess. The plot twist, however, was that governess Kate, played by Makenzie Davis, was imagining everything all along. In the novel, the story ends with the spirit of Quint, who is present in the film as well, killing Miles, one of the children. But this film had two alternate endings with an abrupt roll of the credits strictly following the confusing conclusion. Although Miles, played by Finn Wolfhard, does not die in the movie, it is implied that the late Quint has entered his body and is acting through the child. While the spirit within Miles is old enough to flirt with Kate, it is still incredibly immoral to even consider a relationship between the two. Miles--now Quint--makes gestures at Kate by touching her face, kissing her and even calling her tattoo sexy. Although a grown man’s spirit is inside him, it is still no excuse to add this to the plot. One of the movie’s endings shows Kate rescuing the children and fleeing the
haunted estate. At the start of the film, there are hints of the impossibility of the children crossing the gates, as if they had a lethal tie to the property. The second ending, as well as the perceived truth, was that Kate, similar to her mother, was just imagining it all. Kate had heard of the recent deaths of both the previous nanny as well as Quint and inevitably ended up like her mother. It is hinted that Quint, the riding instructor, raped the previous governess and killed her for trying to flee. This is barely explained throughout the film and truly shows Hollywood’s lack of display for things more important than drugs or violence. While all of them are hints, the implied sexuality throughout the film is focused on a romance between a grown woman and an underaged boy instead of the rape and murder of a woman barely mentioned throughout the film. While the jump scares might frighten some viewers, the scares did not help the film and were untimely. The best angle that the film provided was the accurate portrayal of mental illness and how quickly it could happen to anyone. Kate’s character shows her slowly deteriorating and weakening as she stays with the children. To some, this might be the same as anyone living in a haunted house. However, it is clear that Kate’s mental illness is worsening. Although the ending was fleeting and complicated, the plot altogether was sufficient enough to prove itself. While viewers will inevitably complain about the unsatisfying ending, this film, as well as its cast, prove themselves worthy of the horror genre.
OPINION JANUARY 29, 2020
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Hattiesburg is not Big Brother: crime cameras are not an invasion of privacy MEGHAN FULLER PRINTZ EDITOR
hile Hattiesburg officials aim for another attempt at deescalating crime, many residents aren’t too thrilled at the newest project to place crime cameras around the city. The cameras do not prevent crime, but they can help to lower the crime rate by finding suspects and bringing them to justice. Project NOLA is a camera system to be placed throughout the city in an effort to reduce crime through gunshot detection and license plate identification. The cameras are only to be purchased by individuals or businesses that support the system. While many residents are against the idea, they should be excited about the outcome the cameras could bring. As for those claiming it to be an invasion of privacy, the cameras will be facing the city streets. To further explain, anyone has the right to record someone in a public place without consent. So residents saying that this is an invasion of privacy have either been misinformed or are unaware of their rights. It would be an invasion of privacy if someone were to place a camera within another person’s home, but that is not what the City of Hattiesburg is trying to accomplish. It is not enforced upon any resident because individuals and businesses can choose whether to purchase the cameras.
Illustration by Derrick “DJ” Reed | Printz
If residents fear that their privacy is being breached, they can simply refrain from buying the camera. The cameras were installed in New Orleans and lowered the crime rate. However, the cameras do not stop all crime, as that would be impossible, if not just extremely difficult. Reinforcing punishment for those committing the crimes is the whole reason the project is an incredible idea. Those against resolving crime must have a personal vendetta against the law or are afraid to be incriminated themselves. If anything, residents should be excited about the change
and should be welcoming it just as they have welcomed dash cams. Many have assumed that the cameras are to enforce traffic laws as well, but this is far from the truth. Residents might just be unaware that state law prohibits the use of traffic cameras in order to enforce traffic laws. Hopefully, that will change, although I’m sure many suburban mothers would protest the idea. The City of Hattiesburg is not Big Brother, nor are they trying to dig into the lives of residents through computer monitors. They are simply trying to enforce the
law and catch any criminals on the run. Law enforcement does not have enough of a personal vendetta against residents to peep into their personal lives. They frankly could not care less about your affair, Karen. The best thing residents can do throughout this process is to stay informed, do their research and refrain from breaking the law in the first place. Because I’m sure others will agree, Hattiesburg could very well be on its way to becoming a much safer city for all parties involved. Not many would object to that.
Students deserve more than Southern Station LAUREL THRAILKILL PRINTZ REPORTER
hile the addition of Southern Station will undoubtedly be a welcome one for the university, it will also be a costly one. There are several other projects on campus that the money could have gone towards. The Southern Miss Alumni Association celebrated 100 years of service to Southern Miss in 2017. In commemoration of this occasion, the association invested in scholarships for children of Southern Miss alumni, but they felt something was missing. They identified a need for an outdoor stage and gathering space that could be used by the university for various events and the association invested in this project now known as Southern Station. However, some of the money could have gone towards scholarships that all students would be eligible for based on both merit and academic performance. As a first-generation college student, there are already unique challenges I have faced throughout my academic career. The cost of tuition was one of them. There are some scholarships that I was not eligible for because my parents did not attend college or complete a degree. More scholarships that are accessible to everyone and also reward academic
Brian Winters | Printz
performance would be greatly appreciated by many students. Another thing that the money for Southern Station possibly could have been used for instead is efforts to alleviate the less-than-ideal parking situation on campus. Many students feel that there is simply not enough parking available on campus or that available parking is too far away from their classes. The money could go towards building parking garages or additional areas for students to park. The money could also
help alleviate the high cost of parking passes, as they are not affordable for some students. These are concerns that students have been voicing for years, but not much has changed. An additional idea for what the money could have been used for is increased recycling and sustainability efforts on campus. There are already several good programs in place, but there is always more that can be done. An increase in education regarding sustainability and
how it can affect our campus, city and the planet as a whole would be extremely beneficial for the Southern Miss campus. In the end, Southern Station will be a positive addition to the campus. It will likely benefit many people including students, faculty, staff and alumni. There is nothing wrong with the Alumni Association investing the money in Southern Station, but it is also important to consider other uses for these funds and what they could be used for in future projects.
SPORTS
JANUARY 29, 2020
Lady Eagles lose third straight game MAKAYLA PUCKETT SPORTS EDITOR
he Southern Miss women’s basketball team (11-7, 3-4 C-USA) lost its third consecutive game to Middle Tennessee (13-7, 5-3 C-USA) on Jan. 25. “We are in conference play. The pressure is a little bit greater, and early on our bench was giving us a lot of production. And now if you look at the stat sheet in our three losses, our bench has been nonexistent,” head coach Joye Lee-McNelis said. “We are just not playing very well right now.” Middle Tennessee started off the scoring with a jumper from Anastasia Hayes at the 9:20 mark. Kelsey Jones quickly put Southern Miss on the board with a free throw. A jumper by Alarie Mayze paired with a layup by Mayze and Daishai Almond gave the Lady Eagles a one-point advantage. Two jumpers by Shonte Hailes and a three-pointer from Mayze secured the Lady Eagles’ lead until a three pointer, two free throws and a jumper by Middle Tennessee ended the period with a score of 15-14 to the Lady Raiders’ advantage.
Respect Leaphart responded to Middle Tennessee’s two layups with a jumper followed by a jumper and two free throws by Jones to briefly put Southern Miss back in the driver’s seat. Leaphart had a free throw and a jumper for the second quarter accompanied by a layup by Mayze and jumper by Hailes; however, the Lady Eagles trailed by nine at the half. In the third quarter, the Lady Eagles had four layups to narrow the score gap to one point. Leaphart was responsible for two, and Mayze and Jones each had one. Jones had two more jumpers for the period, yet Southern Miss was behind by 15 at the end of the third. Hailes had 15 points in the fourth quarter including two three-pointers. Mayze finished out the game with two jumpers and a free throw, Jones with a jumper and two free throws and Leaphart with a jumper and layup. The Lady Eagles fell to the Lady Raiders with a final score of 77-69. “Mentally we have to be a little bit tougher,” McNelis said. “It starts with me as the head coach and our coaching staff. We have to lace up our bootstraps and try to figure out something else.”
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As a whole, the Lady Eagles had 22 turnovers, which allowed Middle Tennessee to score 27 points off of the turnovers. They also shot just 21.4% in t h r ee -po in ter s making only 3 out of 14. Hailes carried the team with 21 points for the game. McNelis relies heavily on Hailes to put up points in order to secure a win. “At first I wasn’t [feeling the pressure,] but now losing three games straight I’m feel-
ing the pressure.[McNelis] is demanding that I score the ball, and I’m trying to do that but the defense is facing me a lot so it’s hard to do that,” Hailes said. Despite the adversity the team has faced so far, Mayze is confident that practice and positivity will produce a win. “My job is to help my teammates and encourage them to keep pushing and not giving up,” Mayze said. “We just have to keep working, and it’s going to fall. I know it’s hard losing three games in a row, but we just have to keep working.” The Lady Eagles will travel to Old Dominion on Jan. 30 for a 6:30 tip off.
Bethany Morris | Printz
Pictured: Head coach Joye Lee-McNelis
Prediction: 49ers will win Super Bowl LIV CHARLIE LUTTRELL PRINTZ REPORTER
Graphic by Kathleen Hetherington | Printz
s the NFL season comes to an end, the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will f ight to decide who will be Super Bowl LIV champions. Both teams have dominated all season long, but one team has an advantage over the other. After the f inal whistle blows, the 49ers will be the team to raise the Lombardi Trophy. The 49ers have competed at an elite level all season long. They f inished the 2019 season as the f irst seed in the NFC with a record of 13-3. To give an idea of how hard they were to beat this season, the three games they lost were all within a single possession. Statistically, this matchup shows that the 49ers have an advantage. According to NFL.com, their offense is ranked No. 4 in total yardage and their defense is ranked as the second best overall in yardage allowed. In comparison, the Chiefs’ offense ranked No.6, and their defense ranked No.17 overall. In their previous game, the Chiefs limited Derrick Henry, the league’s rushing leader, to 69 yards. They will have to repeat a similar performance against the 49ers, who have the second best ranked running offense in the league. Over the regular season, the Chiefs had an inconsistent rushing de-
fense that ranked No.26 overall. It is highly doubtful that they can stop the run as eff iciently against a 49ers team that has consistently dominated teams with their rushing attack. In the NFC Championship, the 49ers’ Raheem Mostert rushed for 220 yards and four touchdowns. They ran so well that they only passed the ball eight times. If Mostert f inds success running early in the game, the Chiefs will f ind themselves in a tough situation to overcome. Also, the Chiefs will have to prepare for a dangerous passing attack. While he has not passed much in the playoffs, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has proven himself as one of the league’s most eff icient passers. According to NFL Network, he f inished the season as the only quarterback in the league to f inish top f ive in yards per attempt passing touchdowns and completion percentage. The 49ers’ defense will be tested against Patrick Mahomes, arguably the best quarterback in the league. However, they are a cohesive unit that has not shown any signif icant weaknesses. To have a shot at victory, the Chiefs will have to play near perfect. If the 49ers play their brand of football, San Francisco should get ready to celebrate their franchise’s sixth Super Bowl victory.