JANUARY 31, 2018 VOLUME 102 ISSUE 18
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Features
Taco Bell releases new nacho fries.
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Entertainment
To Rome for Love brinfs black women to Rome to find love.
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Sports
Ito Smith plays in Senior Bowl.
serving southern miss since 1927
Hiba Tahir, Managing Editor Caption
Muslim Student Association hosts second hijab day Alyssa Bass
entertainment editor On Thursday, Feb. 1, the Muslim Student Association will be providing students of all faiths at the University of Southern Mississippi with the chance to wear and learn about the hijab in the Union lobby from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is inspired by World Hijab Day, which was created by New York resident and Muslim woman Nazma Khan in 2013 in hopes of fostering religious tolerance and disproving misconceptions about why Muslim women wear the hijab. President of the Muslim Student Association and freshman biomedical science major Sumar Beauti said that a common belief is that Muslim women are forced to wear the hijab.
“The hijab is often seen as a form of oppression, so having this worldwide event can help change that view on the hijab, which is why Muslim Student Associations all around the world, including USM MSA, continue to hold this event every year.” To one Muslim student, sophomore biological sciences major and international student from Nigeria, Mariam Atobiloye, the hijab symbolizes, “freedom and liberty as I choose to show what I want to show to the world, and conceal what I feel like concealing.” Despite that, Atobiloye says that stories about Islamophobia made her nervous prior to her move to the United States. “I am originally from Nigeria, and I was born and raised as a Muslim,” said Atobiloye. “Before coming, I had seen from the news and stories
back home that Islamophobia is a real issue in America. Also, I knew that the South was a Christianmajority place, so finding and joining the MSA at USM was a decision that I made to help me feel more ‘at-home’ religion-wise.” According to Beauti, there are currently 20 members in the Muslim Student Association, and events like Hijab Day are important to educate the community about Islam through interaction with Muslim students. Since Atobiloye moved to Mississippi, she says that she has not felt discriminated against due to her faith. She does, however, receive stares whenever she chooses to wear the hijab. “Most of the people that I have met here are very supportive and respectful of my religion actually. . . I do cover my hair at all times,
however I do not use the hijab every time. I mostly use scarves,” said Atobiloye. “On days that I choose to wear the hijab, I receive stares from SEVERAL people. The stares are even more [frequent] when I leave campus and go [to] places like Walmart.” The Muslim Student Association is actively searching for female students who are interested in wearing the hijab for the entire day and are willing to document their experiences. Sophomore theatre major Katarina Kristensen agreed to take on the challenge. “I’ve always wanted to wear a hijab to see what it was like through the eyes of all the Muslim women that get scrutinized for practicing their faith in America,” said Kristensen. “I am not expecting to get the full gist of how it is for
all those women that wear them for all of their lives, but I hope to experience a taste of it.” Those who participate in Hijab Day are encouraged to post pictures of themselves on Instagram wearing the hijab with the hashtags #hijabdayUSM and #walkamileinherhijab to be entered in a prize drawing. “Modesty is not cultural,” said Beauti. “In fact, it has been found in every major religion including Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, etc.” Anyone interested in wearing the hijab for the day or finding out more about the Muslim Student Association should contact Beauti via email at sumar.beauti@usm. edu.
JANUARY 31, 2018 ANDREW ABADIE
Assistant Sports Editor andrew.abadie@usm.edu
KAITLYN WATKINS
Executive Editor kaitlyn.watkins@usm.edu
HIBA TAHIR
Managing Editor hiba.tahir@usm.edu
MORGAN CLARK
News Editor morgan.clark@usm.edu
ALYSSA BASS
Entertainment Editor alyssa.bass@usm.edu
SARAH ANNE SCHLOEMER
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KENYATTA S. ROSS
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NATHANIEL SCHUMANN
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Webmaster sarah.schloemer@usm.edu Photo Editor kenyatta.ross@usm.edu
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KYLE WILLIAMS
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CAMERON CUMMINS
Printz Designer cameron.cummins@usm.edu
JHAIMEE BULLOCK
AMBER COBBINS
ASHLEY HOBSON
CHUCK COOK
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USM transitioned to a tobacco-free campus as of Jan. 1, 2018. This policy replaces the former rules which allowed for smoking in certain areas.
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OPINIONS
EDITORIAL POLICY The views represented in The Student Printz’s columns and editorials do not necessarily represent those of the faculty, staff or administration of The University of Southern Mississippi. We welcome letters to the editor representing similar and contrasting opinions. To be eligible for publication, all submissions must include name, class distinction, major, phone number and email address. Submissions should be emailed to printzeditors@ gmail.com by 5 p.m. 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.
Opinions expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, its publication manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.
Lee Renninger featured in gallery exhibition “Botanica Morgan Clark news editor
The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gallery of Art and Design is featuring Gulfport artist Lee Renninger’s show “Botanica,” a ceramics series, from Jan. 24 to Feb. 16. The opening reception took place on Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. Renninger’s show attracted roughly 50-75 people, including students, professors and Hattiesburg residents. Renninger has exhibited at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, the Mint Museum in North Carolina, the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson and the Shepparton Museum in Victoria, Australia. She is the recipient of the Polluck-Krasner Grant, a Jane Crater Hiatt Fellowship and three MAC Visual Arts Fellowships. She has commissioned work around the country and has been featured in three ceramics magazines. Renninger works in the medium of clay, specifically porcelain, a more pure and delicate clay body. Her installation consists of seven works made up of hundreds of small pieces of porcelain, most sewn together with threads. Her sewn works make something fragile and stiff into a more loose and fluid interpretation of fabric. “Botanica is a collection of works that explores various forms of human experience, from the distinctly personal to the vastly universal,” Renninger said. “In each work you’ll find a botanical thread, one that unifies
the collection and lends its own sensibility to the pieces. These installations are made up of hundreds of handmade, porcelain parts, some bound together in a kind of sculptural fabric and some stacked to create complex patterning.” “I use porcelain because of its working qualities but also because of its connotative qualities – fragility, strength, purity and beauty,” Renninger said. “I have to admit that I love the challenge of transforming a dense, hard material into works that appear soft and fluid – almost visually weightless.” The seven pieces are spatially laid out in the gallery, not in a particular order. The names are “Unbound,” “Burqa,” “Burqa Spring Break,” “Botanica: Candyland,” “Versailles,” “Sous Ses Jupes (Under Her Skirts)” and “Botanica: Le Jardin de la Patisserie.” Renninger’s pieces all have personal and metaphorical stories or significance behind them, mostly being that of remorse and loss of a romantic nature. “During the period that I created [‘Unbound,’] I was using discarded dresses as metaphors for all kinds of loss,” said Renninger. “Here, that loss also contains a kind of freedom, as all losses do. The dress and its accessories remain while the woman vanishes… free at last.” “I thought the show was very well put together,” said sophomore painting and drawing major Jordan Farrar. “The show itself was magical in the sense that all
Courtesy Photo the sculptures were very ethereal. I felt it spoke to the audience and invoked a sense of awe and wonder. The fact that Renninger could take such a dense material and turn it into such delicate forms impressed
me. Overall, the show left me craving to see more works from the artist.” The USM Gallery of Art and Design is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Renninger is hosting a ceramics workshop in the 3D Arts Building on Wednesday from 10-11:50 a.m. and from 2-4:45 p.m., followed by a gallery talk in the George Hurst building at 5 p.m.
JANUARY 31, 2018
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Out of the darkness walk promotes suicide awareness Caleb McCluskey printz reporter
Every 12 minutes someone dies from suicide; it is the tenth leading cause of death and the fourth leading cause in people for ages 15 to 64 in the United States. The “Out of the Darkness” campus walk is coming to spread awareness and bringing recourse into the hands of those who need it. On April 28, students are encouraged to gather to walk for and donate in the name of suicide prevention. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention sponsors an annual walk in cities and on campuses alike with at least one walk in all 50 states each year. The “Out of the Darkness” walk was created to spread information and break the stigma around suicide. In 2017, there were 415 walks with about 250,000 people in attendance. The AFSP was founded in 1987 and is a voluntary organization that
gives help to those who have been affected by suicide by providing research and education for the prevention of suicide. Funds raised during the walk will go to the AFSP for research funding in order to help educate people about suicide and help the survivors. The foundation’s major goal is to reduce the suicide rate by 20 percent by 2025. The Campus walk will be held at Spirit Park and open at 8:30 a.m. It will begin with an opening ceremony; the walk itself will start at 9 a.m. and lasts until 10 a.m. The event will end at 11 a.m., so on-goers are allowed to stay around and mingle. There will be booths from various groups in the school which will be announced at a later date. They will hold various resources for suicide prevention. The event is family-friendly. The walk will be at participants’ own pace as either individuals or groups. To register, participants can sign up
online at https://afsp. donordrive.com/. The same website can be used to donate to the individuals and groups participating. There is also a personal Facebook event and group for those seeking to get involved and spread the message. Online registration ends at noon on April 27, but donations will be accepted until June 30. According to co-chairperson of AFSP Christina Jacobs the more people that are there, the more voices that can reach out and be reached out to. Jacobs urges anyone interested to find the Facebook group and get involved as there are many ways to volunteer your time other than participating in the walk. Jacobs also says that breaking down the negative connotation surrounding suicide will bring less shame to the survivors and those who attempted. “Mental illness does not discriminate… [Suicide] is not anyone’s fault, and it is absolutely
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Press Release: Black History Month events at library Food, film, history and literature all share the stage for this year’s celebration of Black History Month at The Library of Hattiesburg, Petal & Forrest County. Beginning with the bio pic “Marshall” and concluding with a discussion of the WPA slave narrative project, the library has some program sure to be of interest to just about everyone in the Pine Belt. The full listing of programs can be found at the library’s website, hattlibrary. com. Black History Month programs are possible due to a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council, through the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in these programs do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the Mississippi Humanities Council. Additional support was provided by the Friends of the Library. Listed below are all the Black History events the library will be sponsoring. All events are at the library, except where otherwise noted. February 1 ~ 28 – Library during open hours Mississippians Forever Free Gallery Exhibit “Mississippians Forever Free” is a collection of photographs and quotes pulled from the more than 400 interviews conducted with ex-slaves in Mississippi from 1936 to 1938. The interviews afforded aged ex-slaves an unparalleled opportunity to give their personal accounts of life under the “peculiar institution” – to describe in their own words what it felt like to be a slave in the United States. February 1 – 2:00 pm & 6:00 pm “Marshall” Thursday Theater Screening “Marshall” is based on an early trial in the career of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. It follows the young lawyer as he defends a black chauffer charged with sexual assault and attempted murder of his white socialite employer. Muzzled by a segregationist court, Marshall partners with a courageous young Jewish lawyer,
Samuel Friedman. Together they mount a defense in an environment of racism and Anti-Semitism. The high-profile case and partnership with Friedman served as a template for Marshall’s creation of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. February 3 – 1100 am Life During World War II Shuntasia Coleman The African-American History Museum will present an interactive learning experience focusing on World War II. Kids will be able to try-on and view fascinating artifacts and historic images from the museum’s collections, helping students build an understanding of African American military history and its essential role in our nation’s story. Shuntasia Coleman is the Programs and Events Coordinator at the African American Military History Museum. February 6 – 6:00 pm Celebration of Soul Food @ Hattiesburg’s Historic Train Depot The City of Hattiesburg presents a “Celebration of Soul Food,” a community pot luck event created to celebrate Black History Month through food, fellowship and entertainment. Guests are encouraged to bring their best soul food dishes for sharing, participate in a friendly food competition, listen to entertainment and hear Dr. Brinda Willis discuss “Why We Call It Soul Food” through a partnership with the Library of Hattiesburg, Petal and Forrest County and the Mississippi Humanities Council. For a full list of suggested foods for the pot luck and more information about the event, visit www.hattiesburgms.com/soulfood.
Award winner. When designating Ward a 2017 Fellow, the prestigious MacArthur Foundation noted, “In her novels and nonfiction accounts of her own experiences with loss and injustice, Ward is offering a raw and powerful portrayal of the circumscribed possibilities and lost potential faced by many African Americans after generations of racial and economic inequality.” Sherita Johnson is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she specializes in nineteenth-century African American literature, black women writers, Jim Crow literature and cultural studies. February 12 – 6:00 pm Camp Van Dorn, World War II Mobilization, and Black Troops in the Deep South Dr. Charles Bolton Like other aspects of mobilization during World War II, the creation of military camps across the country generated numerous problems for
February 7 – 6:00 pm Mississippi’s Newest Great Author – Jesmyn Ward Dr. Sherita L. Johnson A native of DeLisle, Jesmyn Ward has won National Book Awards for Salvage the Bones (2011) and Sing, Unburied, Sing (2017). Her 2013 memoir Men We Reap was a National Book Critics Circle
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nearby communities. In the Deep South, black soldiers training for the war threatened the region’s racial status quo in a way not seen since Reconstruction. Camp Van Dorn, located near Centreville, Mississippi, became one of many sites of conflict between white civilians and African American soldiers. Charles Bolton is Professor of History and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. He specializes in the history of the U.S. South. February 19 – 6:30 pm Book Club: Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward and Adam Singletary Sing, Unburied, Sing grapples with the ugly truths at the heart of the American story and the power, and limitations, of the bonds of family. Rich with Ward’s distinctive, musical language, this novel is a majestic new work and an essential contribution to American literature. A limited number of copies are available for checkout.
Adam Singletary is the Associate Director of The Library of Hattiesburg Petal and Forrest County. Adam moderates the monthly Monday Night book club. February 26 – 6:00 pm The WPA Slave Narratives: Giving Voice to Freedom, Sean Farrell Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States (often referred to as the WPA Slave Narrative Collection) was a massive compilation undertaken by the Federal Writers’ Project of the New Deal Works Progress Administration from 1936-1938. It was the simultaneous effort of writers across seventeen states working largely separately from each other. The total collection contains more than 10,000 typed pages representing more than 2000 interviews. Sean Farrell is the Director of the Library of Hattiesburg, Petal and Forrest County. He curated the exhibit, “Mississippians Forever Free”.
JANUARY 31, 2018
‘Would you like fries with that?’ Taco Bell offers new nacho fries Nate Schumann features editor
Taco Bell premiered its newest item, nacho fries, Thursday and joined the list of fast food chains that sell fries. The nacho fries, priced at $1, are seasoned with Mexican spices and served with cheese for dipping. Alternatively, customers can order “supreme” fries for $2.49. These fries come loaded with beef, nacho cheese, sour cream and Pico de Gallo, with guacamole, bacon or jalapenos as potential add-ons. For many Southern Miss students, Taco Bell is the fast food chain of choice in Hattiesburg, partly because there are two locations close to campus and partly because it stays open later than many restaurants in Hattiesburg. “My friends and I have gone to Taco Bell many times when it’s well past midnight and we want something to eat,” senior information technology major and former Taco Bell employee Joshua Martins said. Other Southern Miss students sampled and provided reviews for the new nacho fries. “The fries themselves are nice,” senior polymer science major Aaron Maliden said. “They’re neither soggy nor limp like some [fast food chains’ fries] are. There is enough taco seasoning on the fries to give them flavor without being overwhelming.” “Of course, the fry and nacho cheese combo is great,” Maliden said. “The fries have a little spice, but if you are someone who is used to eating spicy food, you may be unaffected. All-in-all, I would rate the nacho fries an 8 out of 10, especially considering that they’re only $1.”
Senior information technology major Bradley Dalton said he was a little skeptical about Taco Bell’s fries. After trying them, however, Dalton said his fears were dispersed. “The fries are well-seasoned and have a good texture, almost like mini potato wedges. And the fries benefit immensely from the nacho cheese,” Dalton said. Dalton recommended others try the fries. “They’re pretty good for an absurdly low price, but be warned, you might want to get multiple orders as I found myself hungering for another order very soon after I’d finished my first,” Dalton said. Taco Bell’s nacho fries are set to be available only up through this March. In anticipation of the nacho fry debut, Taco Bell released a 90-second ad in the form of a faux movie trailer titled “Web of Fries” on Jan. 20. The ad features a businessman who decides to investigate why Taco Bell has never sold fries. As a result, he uncovers a conspiracy wherein “the Burger People” have prevented Taco Bell from releasing their apparently long-since planned nacho fries. A shorter cut of this advertisement video aired during the NFC Championship Game last weekend. The video plays on how burger-based chains have largely dominated the fastfood industry when it comes to serving fries. The fries serve as a milestone for Taco Bell as the first instance that they have sold this menu item that is a staple in other fast-food restaurants. Depending on the reception of the nacho fries, Taco Bell may shift them from a limited-time-only to a permanent item on Taco Bell’s menu.
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Clyde Kennard
MISSISSIPPI FREEDOM TRAIL
Friday, February 2, 2018
9:30 a.m., Reception | 10:30 a.m., Unveiling Kennard-Washington Hall Lawn
For more information, visit usm.edu/KennardMarker.
AA/EOE/ADAI
Marker Unveiling
JANUARY 31, 2018
I have a milestone birthday to look forward to this Super Bowl Sunday. What’s a “milestone birthday,” you ask? Well, there are a few major ones most people look forward to. The 16th birthday, for instance, is when most people get their licenses to drive, but is when I got my self-assigned display permit for late-onset parental-rage-induced teenage angst. It’s a medical condition I would like to have named after me because “Hiba” is easier to say than “late-onset parental-rage-induced teenage angst.” The 18th birthday is when most people become legal adults and no longer have to worry about being mistaken for children, but is when I went from being mistaken for a 10-year-old to being mistaken for a 13-year-old. And finally, the 21st, which is when most people look forward to cooler wristbands at clubs and bars and lording their purchasing powers over their younger friends’ heads, but is when I basically spent a year increasing my tolerance for Taco Bell. One birthday less often mentioned— and the one I’ll be celebrating Sunday— is the 22nd, which is special only because it was the subject of a hit Taylor Swift song oh-so-appropriately named “22.” Say what you want to about Swift. I know she’s problematic as heck, but I did grow up listening to her and still believe she’s incredibly talented. If songwriting prowess is what you’re looking for, though, maybe choose a different song. “22” is many things; an auditory masterpiece is not one of them. Because I consider it my duty to dissect less-than-appealing contributions to our society for your benefit and entertainment (and because I am a perpetually-busybut-constantly-searching-for-excuses-to-procrastinate English major) I have decided to spend my last column as a 21-year-old analyzing this bizarre pop culture phenomenon. Here is an in-depth critical analysis of Swift’s “22,” wherein I cite a few of the more shocking lines and analyze them.
1. “It feels like a perfect night
to dress up like hipsters and make fun of our exes.” What’s a great way to tell your ex you’re not over him in the most public, most embarrassing way possible? I believe answering that question is how Taylor came to write both this line and the song as a whole. Girls, if your idea of a perfect birthday is one in which, not only do you spend your night making fun of your ex but you also show up in clothes that mock him? You
need some deep self-reflection. And a hobby.
2.
“It feels like a perfect night for breakfast at midnight.” I’m not saying that I speak for every 20+ year old— but breakfast at midnight is rarely a good thing. It’s usually preceded by a long night partying, or studying until your brain is leaking out of your ears and only a blueberry waffle and covered hash brown will patch it back up. Literally the one and only day of the year that I would be opposed to “breakfast at
midnight” is my birthday. I hesitate to ask this (because she might respond with another album) but who hurt you, Taylor?
3. “We’re happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time.” 10/10 scientists would probably agree this isn’t possible. I blame the unnecessary midnight breakfast you just devoured.
4. “Everything will be alright if we just keep dancing like we’re 22.” Again, 10/10 scientists would most
definitely agree that this statement is false. Dancing like you’re 22 for the rest of your life will not solve all your problems and will likely only add more with time (sore feet, ageobsessed delusion, etc.)
5. “It seems like one of those night we ditch the whole scene and end up dreaming instead of sleeping.” This is one line that I actually like because its far more complex than it appears on the surface. What do this line and an ogre have in common? A lack of adequate social
skills! And layers! You have a lot of words exhibiting double meanings. Both “dreaming” and “sleeping” are used literally— as in, the typical REM sleep phase— and metaphorically— as in, reaching for the stars (sorry) instead of accepting mundanity.
6.
“You look like bad news. I gotta have you, I gotta have you.” Based on this line alone, we totally should have seen “Reputation” coming.
Massively impacted author Ursula K Le Guin dies Carlton McGrone printz reporter
World renowned science fiction author Ursula K. Le Guin died at age 88. Not only was she responsible for award-winning works such as The Left Hand of Darkness, The Word for World is Forest, the Earthsea series and dozens of other pieces and short stories, but Le Guin also played an essential role to bringing the literary genre of science fiction to the forefront with her allegorical fiction that mirrored contemporary issues and provoked deep inner-thinking. She also served as key inspiration to widely celebrated authors such as George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones), Neil Gaiman (American Gods) and Margot Atwood (The Handmaid’s Tale). A true standout writer, Le Guin became an immediately recognizable force within the science fiction community by telling contemporary narratives centered around equality, feminism and the environment on unexplored, incredible planets. She is credited with writing well over 20 science fiction and fantasy novels, dozens of short stories and a sizable collection of poetry. Among her many achievements is one of her most groundbreaking works The Left Hand of Darkness, which tells the tale of a human male recounting his
experiences on the alien planet Winter whose inhabitants are ambisexual and only take on certain gender roles when reproducing. Like many of her other works, this novel introduced the contemporary themes of feminism, sex and gender, and equality to science fiction, causing audiences to consider perspectives and questions that may have been ignored in other forms of fiction. Le Guin’s writing, much like her personality and character in interviews, taught readers to see their own world through alien eyes. Landscapes frozen in time and androgynous rulers painted our society and ways of life in different, unheard of ways, raising the questions and concerns that outspoken, strong women and minorities were too afraid to ask on their own. What purpose do gender roles serve? What if the president was a woman? What would a world without the “majorities” and “minorities” look like? Often credited as an unconventional intellectual, she continually provided thought provoking quotes such as: “I am a man,” Le Guin said in an interview with BBC Radio. “When I was born, there were actually only men. People were men.” “Where I can get prickly and combative is if I’m just called a scifi writer. I’m not. I’m a novelist and poet,” the author said in The Paris
Review. “Don’t shove me into your damn pigeonhole, where I don’t fit, because I’m all over. My tentacles are coming out of the pigeonhole in all directions.” Her bazaar, quirky responses only further propelled Le Guin into the role of a “higher-thinker.” Le Guin was special in that she never pleaded for change. Instead, she only wished people would consider adopting a broader perspective in order to view our world in different ways rather than a black-and-white reality. After the announcement of her death, in an article on The Verge, several authors offered comforting words to describe one of their favorite authors and the influence Le Guin had on their lives and writing. “I’d definitely still be a writer if not for her, but I don’t think I’d be as good a writer,” N.K. Jemisin, author of the Inheritance trilogy, said. “Ursula K. Le Guin’s writing meant everything to me. I keep finding new meaning in her works every time I revisit them,” Charlie Jane Anders, author of All the Birds in the Sky, said. “I honestly can’t even imagine what my writing would be like if I hadn’t read her work when I did-- and I’m certain that many of my favorite works by other authors might not exist in the same form without her.” “Ursula’s work holds a prominent place on the most cherished part
of my bookcase,” Nnedi Okorafor, author of the Binti trilogy, said. “She was a small woman who exuded immense energy in person. She was fiery.” Le Guin’s, as stated in an interview with BBC, greatest fear was her work being forgotten and her legacy lost. She said that women writers are often forgotten so much quicker than male authors, and that this was the curse of
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being born a woman who desired to write fiction. Days after her death, authors and readers have promised to continue reading Le Guin’s writing to honor her memory. In the meantime, Le Guin’s influences will continue to inspire budding writers despite their lack of awareness of the avenues Le Guin had paved for the universe of science fiction.
JANUARY 31, 2018
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Anticipated entertainment releases of 2018 Carlton McGrone printz reporter
With a new year comes new, exciting content for students to further indulge in while procrastinating and ignoring responsibilities. 2018 promises to deliver yet another year jam-packed with highly anticipated film and TV show premiers and game launches. Here are just a few upcoming selections that fans of entertainment can’t wait to sink their teeth into. ‘Marvel’s Black Panther’ (Feb. 16) Serving as a new venture for Marvel, the adaption of this popular hero will mark the company’s first major film featuring a cast of predominantly black leads. ‘Black Panther’ follows Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, a king who will go to any lengths to protect and save his native land, even if that means becoming a masked crusader to prevent world war. ‘Incredibles 2’ (June 15) It’s been 14 years of re-watching the original, but fans can finally visit their favorite Pixar animated superhero family in this sure-to-be-classic. Though not much is known plot-wise, expect to see Mr. Incredible and his family battling another colossal villain alongside the newest addition to their family. ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ (May 25) What’s a new year without yet another ‘Star Wars’ film? ‘Solo’ will
follow the ever-loved, fan-favorite space smuggler Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) as you’ve never seen him before. Yes, he’ll still be in space, but now he’s young and the star of his own film! ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ (Nov. 16) Following the success of J.K. Rowling’s debut in screen writing, the sequel to ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ looks to be a promising addition to the precious Wizarding World. The film picks up with the dastardly Gellert Grindelwald’s (Johnny Depp) escape from prison. It’s up to a young Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) and his ex-student Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to track him down. Boasting an all-star cast, fans are waiting with bated breath for this addition to the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise. ‘Grown-ish’ (Jan. 3) It’s not too late to catch up on this highly anticipated spin-off of popular ABC show ‘Black-ish.’ ‘Grown-ish’ follows Zoey Johnson as she embarks on her pursuit of higher education. Critics are raving about this authentic, gritty take on college, and fans are sure to be enamored as the first season picks up momentum. ‘Marvel’s Jessisca Jones’ season 2 (Mar. 8) Marvel’s Netflix fans have been hungry for the continuation of one of the best female-led shows around. In the second season, we’ll see Jessica continue to struggle with her superhero
identity as she attempts to come to terms with the events in season one. ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ season 2 (April) Hulu’s powerhouse series is making a return to further explore some unanswered events in season one and continue the narrative past the show’s source material. After winning two Golden Globe Awards, this series has been widely regarded as Hulu’s mustwatch series. ‘Westworld’ season 2 (2018) Based on the critically acclaimed novel, season one of ‘Westworld’ blew audiences away, and HBO has since renewed the show for a second season. Both androids and humans continue to roam the illustrious, deadly amusement park Westworld, and as the Wild West gets bloodier, no one seems safe. ‘Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom’ (Mar. 23; PS4 & PC) A surprising smash-hit in America, ‘Ni no Kuni’ introduced players to a massive, colorful world full of magic, exotic locations and creatures called familiars that the player could befriend in order to train for combat. This stylized sequel drops players back into this world with a new protagonist and a new, exciting adventure to reclaim his kingdom. ‘Spider-Man’ (2018; PS4) Not only has the titular web-slinger had several successful movies, but he’s also been the star of multiple video games. Though, none have been as
Courtesy Photo anticipated as his upcoming game. The story follows a 23-year-old Peter Parker as he attempts to leave the superhero life behind. His plans change when a new evil by the name of Mr. Negative rears his ugly head. ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ (2018; PS4 & Xbox One) Serving as a prequel to the surprise 2010 hit, ‘Red Dead 2’ has been something gamers have only dreamed of for years. Though it has suffered at least one delay, there is still hope that this open-world Western will actually be released late this year. ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ (2018; PS4 & Xbox One)
After facing multiple frustrating delays, pushing the game back several years, ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ might be the most anticipated game of the decade. This beloved series combines the most prominent faces of Disney with cartoonish, deadly adventures. Once again players will play as the iconic Sora and his extraordinary keyblade in order to rid the world of darkness and protect Kingdom Hearts. 2018 seems to be shaping up to be an exciting year for entertainment, and there are plenty more for fans to indulge in and explore. It’s going to be tough being patient with so many enormous releases on the horizon.
‘To Rome for Love’ raises concerns for black women Alyssa Bass
entertainment editor Recently Bravo debuted the tv series “To Rome for Love,” a show where five heterosexual black women, ages ranging from 25 to 52, temporarily move to Italy with the hope of finding a partner with the help of dating expert Diann Valentine. I wanted to enjoy this show, but the premise makes me extremely wary. “The men my clients meet there aren’t the same as American black men,” Valentine said in an interview with People magazine. “They’re dating someone who is incredibly affectionate, who welcomes PDAs all the time; who has a strong sense of family and community. They’re men who don’t have the baggage of racism and being a minority in a place where you’re trying to figure out where you belong and how you fit in.” While I certainly do believe that white Italian men are raised differently due to their geographical location and skin tone and, therefore, are different from African-American men, I wish that Valentine had set the show in America. A 2012 study conducted by Mandela Research showed that only 20 percent of African-Americans travel internationally at least once a year. Perhaps the show being set in Italy is meant to serve a sensational purpose. The audience is meant to drool along with the ladies as Italian men finesse their way into the ladies’ hearts with their accents in oh-sobeautiful settings. It’s great that these women have the chance to travel outside of the country to date–– I mean, it sure does beat Tinder.
However, not everyone gets to pull a Lizzie McGuire and find love in Rome. In the first episode, we see the women excited to explore the city and embrace all the attention they’re getting from men eager to give hugs and kisses on the street. Later at a mixer, we see one of the ladies get “attacked” with kisses from a man she had just met that night. If one weren’t thinking critically about these scenes, perhaps the argument could be made that these women are truly living the dream. At first glance, they are. Being in a new country surrounded by new faces is exciting; however, I fear the possibility of the women being exoticized for their black skin. For instance, in blogs and YouTube videos by black women, many of them offer stories about feeling hypersexualized during their stays in Rome. In a blog post titled, “My Life as a Unicorn: A black girl in Rome,” j.nambowa said, “What I did not immediately remember was that seeing a black woman walking down the street, for many Italians, seemingly, is similar to a unicorn [sighting]. During my ten-minute walk to the train I would notice many people staring at me, old women looking uncomfortable and sleazy Italian men giving me hypersexualized stares often accompanied by an undesired “Ciao bella.”She later says, “I suppose, me, dressed for my job at the UN, may seem very strange to people who conceptualize black women as sex workers.” Luckily, the women on the show are surrounded by camera crews and security, so the possibility of any man taking advantage of the cast is unlikely. But once again, many “normal people,” aren’t afforded this luxury when
travelling. Furthermore, YouTube user NaturallyKenya put the issue of racism into perspective in her video about being black and dating in Rome. “There have been at least three or four situations in the past year where I have been called a ‘n word.’ And that only happened to me once a year when I lived in Texas,” said NaturallyKenya. It’s a humorous but sad comparison that only goes to show that yes, a black woman will stand out in Rome. However, she is just as (if not more) likely to get attention from sleazy and racist men in Italy as she would be in the United States. All of this makes Valentine’s comments referencing her Italian suitors benefitting from not being minorities seem tone deaf and inconsiderate of
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the women she’s working for. What Valentine (and maybe even all five women) fails to realize is that the women will not benefit from their partners’ white privilege. I would also like to believe that black American men do not use the “baggage of racism” as an excuse to not date black women; notably, their reasons are usually less complex (I.e. thinking we’re too strong) and are based purely on their own insecurities. In a world where weekly conversations on Twitter revolve around why black men and women resent those who date interracially, it’s refreshing to see black men and women unite. In episode two, one of the women leaves her Italian beau at a club when she sees a crowd of black men and decides to dance with them. The event marked the one and
only moment I found myself smiling during the show instead of cringing. Having said that, I am not interested in the fantasy this reality show offers. Black American women could have benefitted from a positive example of finding love with black men in the United States (or even a country in Africa for cool factor.) I reject the idea that black women are having so much trouble dating in the United States that they are being forced to travel and date outside of their race because black men aren’t interested in them. I encourage viewers to watch the hit docuseries Black Love on OWN if they need confirmation that finding black love in America is possible. “To Rome for Love” airs on Bravo on Sunday nights at 9/8 central.
JANUARY 31, 2018
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Harvard sorority girls ask that you #HearHerHarvard Lanie Leach printz reporter
On Jan. 23, I was scrolling through Instagram and noticed many sorority girls were posting pictures with their sisters with the hashtags “#hearherharvard” and “#withoutmysorority.” These posts exemplified their favorite moments with their sisters and how their sororities have pushed them to become better women. Out of curiosity, I searched the hashtags and found that Harvard has been in the process of banning singlegender social clubs at the university since May 2016. This has caused an uproar in the sorority community of Harvard and is a meaningful reason for the hashtags. Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma and Kappa Alpha Theta have announced they will continue to recruit women during the spring. According to The Harvard Crimson, single-gender club members may not be eligible for campus leadership positions, varsity athletic team captaincies and college endorsement for prestigious fellowships like the Rhodes. In contrast, the women of Kappa Kappa Gamma have
disaffiliated themselves with their national organization and become a gender-neutral group called the Fleur-de-Lis. Women of Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma and Kappa Alpha Theta at Harvard later sent out Facebook posts pleading for women to post about why their sorority was important to them. The sororities wanted to enforce the importance of “empowering women-only spaces.” As a sorority woman, womenonly spaces are important to me. Unlike most people, I did not start out in my sorority by going through formal recruitment; I was a snap bid after bid day. I found my home away from home at my sorority. I also found that sororities are not just glitter and t-shirts. They are not just “stack pictures” of bigs and their littles and swaps. They are not just a name. A sorority is a group of women who come together to empower one another and make each other better women. Sororities offer women chances to hold leadership positions. They offer women chances to give back to their communities. They offer women a lifetime of friendships— and no, we did not buy them. “While Harvard’s sanctions
claim to support women’s right to make their own decisions, these sanctions actually force women to choose between the opportunity to have supportive, empowering women-only spaces and external leadership opportunities,” Harvard Delta Gamma Woman wrote in a post Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. Harvard Delta Gamma perfectly described the hypocrisy of Harvard’s decision. Harvard claimed to be opening more conversations; however, men and women can have a conversation with each other while being members of different social groups, right? There are so many misconceptions about sororities when there are so many things that make them worthwhile. I am not trying to tell anyone that going Greek is the most important thing in the world, but I am trying to tell people that we’re sick of the stereotypes. We are expected to meet strict GPA requirements and we are all completely original women. So, “#HearHerHarvard” when she says her sorority matters because contrary to what you believe, it pushes her to become the best version of herself she can be.
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Online dating is ruining romance, here’s why Carlton McGrone printz reporter
In a world where we’re able to order virtually anything through an app and get it delivered within hours, it’s no surprise online dating was one of the first truly remarkable things that the internet provided in terms of furthering our convenience. However, like most things that may be convenient and fairly simple, online dating is killing the ancient art of making personal connections. Apps such as Tinder, Bumble and Grindr and dating sites like OkCupid and Match.com have become something of mammoths in the dating world, creating their own separate cultures based around dating and forming relationships. For instance, on Tinder, potential matches are simply swiped away based on trivial pictures; while on Match.com, one’s hopes and dreams are judged on a single glance at his or her 500 characters-or-less personal bio.
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Each dating app, new and old, is aimed at various crowds and publics, singling out those that think and act exactly the same while frightening anyone who dares attempt to understand and thrive in the limited space. Speaking from personal experience, dating in the real world can be terrifying and has morphed into something of a harrowing venture that seems to be solely taken on by poor unsuspecting loners. There was a time where it was unheard of for anyone to actually meet online friends or crushes offline, but the fact stands that it’s truly bizarre to approach an individual and utter some sort of greeting that will let them know your life goals and long-term ambitions in an impressive way. Some of us are lucky if we aren’t immediately dismissed because of unfavorable facial or body features. These are the issues that online dating has introduced to dating culture, and sadly these issues will become the norm if they aren’t already.
Much like reading online articles and abridged versions of literature, Tinder has made us less attentive and more objective when it comes to dating. Courting a potential loved one has become a thing of the past simply because we want to skip the awkward, raw, emotional steps that naturally develop within a relationship. In fact, it’s arguable that we have become afraid of these awkward get-to-know sections of a relationship and would rather skip this step—I know I wish I could. We’re so completely caught up in not embarrassing ourselves that we’d rather search for a pretty face online and hope that this will be the one you can bring home to mom. That need for convenience, rather than desire to pursue a romance, has completely consumed us. A few past and current users of dating apps offered a few comments on their experiences with dating apps and how they felt about the apps themselves. “I’d say that online dating has its
pros and cons. On one hand, it offers you the ability to cut out the middle man of mustering up the courage to communicate,” Gavin Lyall, a student in New York and ex-user of Tinder, said. “Dating apps have a tendency to make things feel very artificial. Communication through a screen is incomparable to actual human contact.” “I’ve had many relationships because of dating apps. None of them were longer than 3 months,” Lyall said. “I will say that I may not have dated one or two of the men that I did, if I’d met them in person as opposed to online, which I have to say is the biggest drawback for any online dating app.” “I think that online dating is the way to go now-a-days so I think I’m all in for it, but I really just want to meet someone in person,” Kathryn Verplaetse, a Southern Miss student and semi-user of Tinder, said. “With online dating, I don’t think people look for a relationship.”
Despite the negatives aspects of online dating, there are several advantages that come with being able to conveniently meet others if done properly. Imagine being a college graduate, just settling into a new career and location while also desperately attempting to move out of your best friend’s apartment. Apps that allow you to meet friends, rather than possible romantic partners may be more beneficial, considering the pressure to make a great first impression is essentially gone. Apps that allow people to meet in groups can work wonders in terms of networking. There’s also the aspect of meeting people you’d never have met otherwise. Love stories have obviously sprung about in the decade of online dating, and it’s only thanks to a connection made online that these couples were able to make that chance encounter that so few are able to enjoy. “Living in New York City, you find a great many people that you just wouldn’t while walking on the streets or taking the train,” Lyall said. “Many members of the LGBTQ+ community aren’t socialized when it comes to relationship, all things considered. Dating apps are a very safe way for members of a marginalized community to feel safe, by creating something of a digital shield against discriminatory individuals.” “My best friend met her fiancé on Tinder, and I think it’s a great way to see who is around you,” Verplaetse added. The verdict: Though romance may be an aspect left in the past, love continues to be in full bloom. Apps can help begin conversations and introduce you to new people, but don’t expect anything more than surface level attraction unless you’re willing to dig through the mounds of pointless, effortless dates. Swiping right on a picture can definitely be a great icebreaker, but don’t give up on noisy, crowded bars and making a fateful encounter in a bookstore. Finding the one willing to suffer through awkward hand-touching and painful goodbyes will be worth the inconvenience.
JANUARY 31, 2018
www.studentprintz.com
Lady Eagles overcome early struggle to claim win over UTSA, 83-60 Thomas Turner printz reporter
The Southern Miss women’s basketball team (12-8, C-USA 4-2) overcame a slow start at Reed Green Coliseum, knocking off the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners (3-17, C-USA 1-7) 83-60. The Lady Eagles currently sit in fourth place in Conference USA. The Roadrunners jumped out to a five-point lead only two minutes into the first quarter. UTSA used a fast-paced transition offense throughout the opening quarter and offensive rebounding to keep Southern Miss on its heels. The game stayed close the entire second quarter. Neither team took a lead of more than two points while 11 lead changes occurred. Senior Megan Brown led the Lady Eagles in the half with six points, two rebounds and an assist. “I thought the second-half was something we could walk away and be proud of,” Head Coach Joy Lee-McNelis said. “We had a lot of players score a lot of buckets in that second half.” The Lady Eagles opened up the second-half with more urgency, turning five consecutive Roadrunner possessions into five turnovers and eight points and
giving Southern Miss a sevenpoint second-half lead. The Lady Eagles’ aggressive defense forced UTSA to claim two of its timeouts early in the half. The sixth Roadrunner turnover in seven possessions turned into a Hannah Lott three-pointer and a 10-point Southern Miss lead with seven minutes left to play in the third quarter. “I think that was a momentum changer, Hannah does that a lot for us,” Brown said. “Knocking down the three balls and changing the momentum. The first half was rough, but I’m gonna be honest with you, halftime was rougher for us.” The Lady Eagles’ defense woke up and took over the game in the third quarter. Southern Miss poured on 30 points, sparked largely by turnovers, in the third period and took a 17-point lead into the fourth, 62-45. The early second-half surge was too much for the Roadrunners to overcome as the Lady Eagles continued to find the basket and increase their lead in the fourth quarter to 23, 69-46. Brown led the Lady Eagles the rest of the way finishing the contest with 19 points, six rebounds and an assist. Southern Miss travels to Rice on Feb. 1 with tip off set for 7 p.m.
Kenyatta S. Ross, Photo Editor Caption
Ito Smith: A Senior Bowl Experience Trevor Ritchie printz reporter
With the chance to return home and play in a game he idolized, former Southern Miss running back Ito Smith accepted the challenge and set out to make the most of his Senior Bowl experience. Smith is the first Southern Miss player to play in the Senior Bowl since Jamie Collins in 2012. The week-long process of workouts, meetings, practice and fan events can ask a lot out of the emerging prospects that are put on display in Smith’s hometown of Mobile, Alabama, but it was an experience that drew high praise for Smith. After the end of a three-day practice stretch in preparation for the game, Smith reflected on his time on the field with an array of talent competing for the same goal. All week long the message seemed to be the same: Smith was determined to do nothing else but grow from this opportunity. “I had a great experience,” Smith said. “I’ve been getting coached by some of the best coaches in the county. I’m just trying to go out every day competing and getting better.” Smith played on the South team which was led by the Houston Texans coaching staff. Head Coach Bill O’Brien was impressed by Smith’s abilities after having the chance to coach him. “He really stood out to me,” O’Brien said. “I think he’s got a really good approach to practice. He practices really hard. He’s got really good quickness, [and] he’s built low to the ground. He’s got good strength and catches the ball out of the backfield. I was very
Courtesy Photo Caption impressed with him.” Smith got a look as the South team’s running back on four different series during the game itself. He recorded four carries for 23 yards, caught two balls out of the backfield and a two-point conversion in the South’s 45-16 route of
the North side. The 5-foot-9, 201-pounder said he spoke to over 25 teams throughout the process of the event. Not only that, but Smith also touted a few NFL comparisons from analysts and scouts. Chad Reuter, an NFL.com Draft
Analyst, told The Student Printz that Smith could play a similar role as James White does for the New England Patriots. “He’s done everything well,” Reuter said. “Obviously, he’s been great at USM, but his quickness and eagerness
in pass-pro against a consistently high level of competition this week has been impressive. I expect he’ll succeed. He’s a really good back that could end up playing a role like James White does for the Patriots… or maybe more.”