Thursday, April 27, 2017 Volume 101 Issue 52
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Tuition raises by
KAITLYN WATKINS news editor
Starting in the fall 2017 semester, The University of Southern Mississippi’s tuition will increase by $8,218 – a 7.3 percent increase from fall 2016. On April 20, the state voted to raise tuition for eight public universities in Mississippi. The College Board approved the increase in tuition which had originally been scheduled to go up 3.8 percent in contrast to the 6.6 percent increase which took effect. Prices will go up by an additional amount for out-of-state and graduate tuition. Mississippi public universities have experienced multiple budget cuts in the past years. In 2016, schools were promised $773 million but received $667 million for the 2018 budget year, according to the Associated Press. Universities increased tuition saying state budget cuts require them to raise more revenue in order to continue to provide quality education for students. According to the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), the statewide average for two semesters of full-time tuition and fees will rise by an average of $454 - 7,413. Director of Financial Aid David Williamson said the financial aid office will increase the students’ awarding budget, known as Cost of Attendance (COA), to compensate for the tuition increase. “Students who are eligible for any tuition scholarship – those scholarships will be increased to match the tuition increases,” Williamson said.
Williamson said students who do not receive tuition scholarships, Stafford Loans or Parent Plus Loans are available whose amounts are also based on the change to the student’s COA. A student’s COA is used to determine the amount of financial aid in the form of scholarships and loans. This cost includes estimated fees and expenses, which are based on the different living arrangements of a full-time student, according to the Office of Financial Aid. Higher Education Commissioner Glenn Boyce said the universities are working to cut spending. “It’s not just about raising tuition,” Boyce said in an interview with the Associated Press. The University of Southern Mississippi’s plan for academic reorganization is a response to the recent state budget cuts. Federal, state and college-based aid is available to students to help counteract the tuition increase. According to federal reports, in the past two years, undergraduate students attending a public university in Mississippi typically received $7,100 worth of financial aid which covers about one-third of the total cost of attendance. However, recent laws that
eliminated stacking of state scholarships or grants in Mississippi will cause some students to receive less state aid. About 3,400 students who received combinations of different state scholarships including MTAG and MESG will now only receive the higher amount offered. The same legislation requires that grades be checked for aid recipients at the end of each academic term rather than each academic year which is estimated to cut aid from 430 students statewide. Demand for state aid increased in the 2016 - 2017 year and exceeded available resources by nearly $11 million, according to IHL. Director of the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid Jennifer Rogers said it was good that more Mississippians were going to college to get a degree. “Unfortunately, the growth in college-going has resulted in a costly increase in demand for state aid,” Rogers said. “We look forward to working with the Legislature and postsecondary institution leaders to identify a wsustainable solution for state financial aid.”
The University of Southern Mississippi will raise prices to $8,218 for the 2017-2018 school year.
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INTRODUCTION THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017
MEET THE STAFF SPRING 2017 Daisy Stutts
Cam Bonelli
Photo Editor
Executive Editor
daisy.stutts@usm.edu
cambonelli93@gmail.com
Jhaimee Bullock
Jack Hammett
Design Editor
Managing Editor
jhaimee.bullock@usm.edu
jackhammett92@gmail.com
Sarah Anne Schloemer
Kaitlyn Watkins
Web Master
News Editor
sarah.schloemer@usm.edu
kaitlyn.watkins@usm.edu
Nan Beauti
Hiba Tahir
Copy Editor
Entertainment Editor
afnan.beauti@usm.edu
hiba.tahir@usm.edu
Julius Kizzee Sports Editor
southernprintz@gmail.com
studentprintz.com
Chuck Cook
Amber Cobbins
chuck.cook@usm.edu
amber.cobbins@usm.edu
Printz Advisor
OPINIONS 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.
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.
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NEWS THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017
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Miss. Rising Coalition protests state holiday ANNIE JOHNSON printz reporter Several members of the Hattiesburg community celebrated Confederate Memorial Day through a peaceful protest outside of the Forrest County Circuit Courthouse on April 24. Members of the Mississippi Rising Coalition exercised their First Amendment rights to Freedom of Speech and Assembly as they held signs and voiced their opinions on institutional racism and systematic injustices that they felt affect people of color in Mississippi. Hattiesburg’s Joshua Generation Church pastor Brandiilyne Dear, who organized the protest, said Confederate Memorial Day is just a passive-aggressive attempt for the state to try to put people in their place. “[The protest] sends a very clear message that we’re not going to have it,” Dear said. “The Courthouse remained closed for the entire day due to the Confederate Memorial Day holiday. The protesters stood in front of the Forrest County Confederate
Monument, which was put in place by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Dear said they were protesting against the state holiday to push for progression in Mississippi. Dear also said Mississippi is the hospitality state, while holding a sign that read: “Hospitality for All?” Governor Phil Bryant signed an official governor’s proclamation declaring the month of April as “Confederate Heritage Month” on March 31, 2016, according to the Jackson Free Press. Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Florida, South Carolina and Louisiana are the only states that honor Confederate Memorial Day as a state holiday. Georgia used to celebrate the holiday, but removed it in 2015. The City of New Orleans began to take down monuments across the city on April 24. “We are stuck in the past,” Dear said. “That [confederate] symbol on that flag is clear, and that symbol represents hate. I have several friends in interracial relationships who won’t come to Mississippi because of our flag. We’re not just hospitality for white upper class citizens, we’re
hospitality for all.” Protestor Annabeth Rowe held a sign that read: “DEPORT THE KKK,” “#TakeItDown” and “Not My Flag.” “I’m not going to back down,” Rowe said. “Let yourself be uncomfortable. Don’t be afraid to piss off your family. Piss off your friends. Piss off your coworkers.” Rowe said that she is “woke.” “To be woke means that you’re aware of the institutional racism, institutional poverty, environmental racism and what’s really going on,” Rowe said. Dear said she could not understand the need for the holiday. “There’s already Memorial Day that honors all soldiers,” Dear said. “This is not my heritage. This does not say, ‘Hey, you’re welcome here’ to all demographics in the State.” Dear said she’ll continue to fight. “It would be so easy to move away, but this is my state and my home,” she said. “We stay and we fight. If we open up a dialogue with other people then we can create change. These symbols cause harm to certain people.”
Annie Johnson | Printz Protest organizer Brandiilyne Dear sits outside of the Hattiesburg Courthouse on Confederate Memorial Day April 24, 2017.
Syphilis, chlamidia, gonorrhea: STDs affect Southern Miss TICHINA WILSON printz reporter The number of cases of syphilis tripled in the Magnolia State between 2013 and 2016, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health. Since the increase, health providers are being vigilant and trying to identify patients’ sexual behaviors. The Clarion-Ledger reported that “there has been a drastic increase in reported syphilis cases throughout the state,” according to state epidemiologist Paul Byers. Data from the Mississippi State Department of Health shows that 290 cases of syphilis were reported in the state in 2013. In 2016, 821 primary, secondary and early latent syphilis cases were reported. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one in two asexually active young people will get an STD before the age of 25, and most will not know it. College students at The University of Southern Mississippi may be unaware they have the STI. Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are all asymptomatic. However, syphilis is not seen as often as chlamydia and gonorrhea at Southern Miss. In 2015, a total of 886 tests were administered. Of those, 15 tested positive for gonorrhea and 94 had positive chlamydia results. In 2016, there were 887 tests administered.
Of those, 16 were positive for gonorrhea, 85 for chlamydia and 15 tested positive for both gonorrhea and chlamydia. Moffit Health offers testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea as a part of the standard STI screening protocol because of how common sexually transmitted diseases are on college campuses. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s theme for STD Awareness Month focuses on syphilis. Health Educator and Promotions Coordinaor at Moffit Health Center Kayla Johnson said there are numerous factors that could be associated with the drastic rise in syphilis. “It’s hard to say whether the increase in number is because we aren’t checking for [syphilis] like we were or if it’s that people don’t know what to look for and they don’t know that they have it and they are sharing it,” Johnson said. “Or it’s that people are being more promiscuous now than they were in the past.” Certain behaviors would lead a provider to recommend a screening for syphilis.” However, there has not been any recent cases of syphilis found by tests administered at Moffit Health. Moffit Health has seen a rise in Plan B over the last year. Aside from offering one form of contraception, Moffit Health also has Plan B One-Step. Plan B is an
emergency contraception and/ or backup plan that helps prevent pregnancy when taken within 72 hours (three days) after unprotected sex or birth control failure. “A lot of times we will see it used as a form of contraception. Yes, it’s a form of contraception but for emergency,” Johnson said. Johnson believes that not all information is accurate about STIs and STDs. “Thereofore, without foundation and understanding you could be putting yourself at risk,” Johnson said. Johnson said there are many common myths associated with the transmission and testing of STDs and STIs. “‘You can tell if someone has an STD by looking,’ ‘I’ve only had one partner so I don’t need to get tested for STDs,’ ‘If I needed to be tested, my doctor would automatically test me,’ ‘I don’t have symptoms, so I don’t need to be tested’ or ‘You’re not going to sit on a toilet and get HIV, it’s all about bodily fluid,’” Johnson said. Moffit Health offers students and faculty PReP, an FDA-approved, pre-exposure prophylaxis which is a daily pill that lowers the risk of HIV infection. However, PReP does not prevent the risk of other infections. Moffit Health also provides “condom distribution centers” in residence halls around campus. “Each residence hall at the front desk has a box that are stocked with
these [condoms],” Johnson said. Students can stop by Moffit Health on campus to get condoms at no cost. “It’s kinda in a corner there so no one can see you,” Johnson said. “It’s very private, the only person
Courtesy Photo |
who would know is you and maybe someone who’s gotten them before,” Johnson said. If you have any questions about safe sex and STD/STI screening, contact Moffit Health Center at 601-266-5390.
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FEATURE THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017
Jazmo’s offers unique atmosphere for youth KENDRA PARKS
printz reporter
In a place full of age-restricted bars and venues, younger Hattiesburg artists do not get the chance to work together. Owner of Jazmos’s Bodega Trey Sullivan brought the concept of the bodega to Hattiesburg and turned it into an all-ages venue and creative space. Bodegas are characterized as small convenience or corner stores. Sullivan took the idea of the bodega and turned Jazmo’s into a convenience store, music venue and a safe space for artistic expression for the youth of Hattiesburg. The bodega also offers a various selection of barbecue food platters and sandwiches. Located on 631 North Main St. in Downtown Hattiesburg, Jazmo’s wants to appeal to the younger Hattiesburg residents and create a venue for them. Sullivan, who attented high school in Hattiesburg, dreamed of moving to the East Coast or Los Angeles. He wanted to find where the ‘weirdos,’ as Sullivan named them, roamed. However, Hattiesburg offered the same artistic environment. In a town full of artists, Sullivan was unsure where to find these creative individuals or how to be acquainted with them.
He said the youth tend to run away from Hattiesburg because of being ostracized for being somewhat different. The bodega gives a safe zone for those kids on a skateboard or minorities and artists who have nowhere else to go in Hattiesburg. “I considered myself a weirdo because of the ambiguousness of Southern Mississippi,” Sullivan said. “I was raised in the rural part of Hattiesburg called Dixie. It was very conservative. I never could identify with a race because even though I was black, I was just never black enough because of my music taste of clothing.” At the age of 18, Sullivan found out he was going to be a father. Nine years later, Sullivan is the 27-year-old father of two children and the owner of Hattiesburg’s first bodega. Sullivan said the idea and concept of the bodega would never had been thought of if it was not for his kids. Sullivan appreciated the arts growing up in Hattiesburg and became frustrated with the lack of creative outlets to express them. The idea behind Jazmo’s Bodega is to provide the younger generation of millennials the opportunity to attend all-age events similar to those at establishments like the Thirsty Hippo or Brewsky’s. From hip-hop shows to spoken word poetry
events, Sullivan plans to provide the amenity of enjoying music projects and words of different generations. Quavious Black, 23-year-old musician, graduated from Oak Grove High School. Black related to Sullivan’s angst to be around similar people at young age. He said he was that kid in the skinny jeans and the skateboard who didn’t really know where to go or what to do. “Jazmo’s is definitely what we were looking for, and that is our outlet,” Black said. “When I talked to Trey about the idea of Jazmo’s and this showcase, I thought it would have been perfect because I had to playing a show in Hattiesburg for a while.” Black said he wished he had a place like this to go in high school. He wanted to develop his music and work after school instead of doing nothing but didn’t know where to start. On September 2, Jazmo’s doors opened at 9 p.m. to millennials and youth who flocked to the bodega for a rare event in Hattiesburg – a hip-hop showcase. The Chandelier Room, the venue room in the bodega, became packed with bodies huddled around the artists taking turns around the microphone. Hattiesburg singer and songwriter Joshua Waters and Black came together
to perform a rap showcase with six different artists. “I definitely wish there was a spot for artists and creatives here growing up,” Waters said. “I feel that’s the reason so many of us leave here looking for what could’ve been here all along. And [Jazmo’s] is definitely becoming that outlet for local artists.” Sullivan said he anticipates more services to be brought out into the community after this exciting crowd turn-out.
Jazmo’s draws a crowd every Thursday with a live band and open mic night. Jazmo’s next show is on May 5 with SilaS Live w/ Quavius, Josh Waters, Devmaccc and Davante Liv3. “A startup in general is figuring out it is way more money involved then he initially thought,” Sullivan said. “I didn’t really expect to spend this money. I spent half of my college tuition already. However, it is worth all of it to manifest the community I wish I had.”
Courtesy Photo | Trey Sullivan, owner of Jazmo’s Bodega
Locally filmed ‘Fighting Belle’ set for release in 2017 - 2018 KELLY BRAHMBHATT
printz reporter
“Fighting Belle,” a comedy featuring Sherri Eakin, Carol Ann Scruggs and Jessica Harthcock, was directed, written and produced by University of Southern Mississippi graduate Sean Riley. Originally from Baton Rouge, Riley graduated with a bachelor’s degree in radio, television and film. He later received his master’s in Educational Administration from the University of Scranton. Filming for this movie began in Sep. 2016, and they filmed on weekends every three to four weeks before taking a holiday hiatus and returning to production in Jan. 2017. According to IMDB, Riley has also directed, written and produced a number of shorts such as “The Perfect Sense,” “The V Card” and “Epiphany.” Riley also served as a production assistant on the Coen Brother’s film “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Indiegogo.com describes the film as “Legally Blonde meets Rocky!”
while also saying, “A sassy Southern Belle gets left at the alter by her fighter fiancé, which prompts her to start her own training with an exboxer from the ‘wrong side’ of the tracks as a means of getting revenge against her fiancé in the boxing ring.” “Fighting Belle” was shot completely on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Specifically, at Charisma Boutique, the Julep Room and a private home in Ocean Springs. All of the boxing scenes were filmed at the Gulfport Boxing Club. For Delilah’s family sequences, they used the Oak Crest Mansion in Pass Christian. The film was completed with a budget just under $10,000 through principal photography, but with actor deferrals, it came out to be closer to $20,000. Riley said up to that point, “I had completed a handful of short films, but I still hadn’t been able to check off the feature film box on my bucket list. “Looking ahead to the future, I realized there was never going to be a perfect time to make a feature film, Courtesy Photo | so I parlayed the momentum created from ‘The Perfect Tense’ right into the development of Fighting Belle,” Riley said. “Since indie filmmaking is such a dicey proposition, I wanted to put my best foot forward in all areas to be successful. Fighting Belle represented a high concept idea, great script, was very funny and
warm and held appeal for all ages and genders.” The release date for the film is still being determined pending distribution offers, but Riley said that it could be as early as summer 2017 or as late as 2018. “I’ve been theatrically screening the movie in various Mississippi
cities in the meantime, however,” Riley said. “Our first theatrical showing was in Ocean Springs on March 18. I’m also interested in entering the movie into a few film festivals as well.” A portion of the proceeds from the film will be donated to sponsor at-risk youth boxers.
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FEATURE THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017
YMCA receives donation of $34,000 PRESS RELEASE The Greater PineBelt Community Foundation recently gave the Family Y of Southeast Mississippi $34,591, thanks to the generosity of Alex Katrishin. Seventeen years ago, Katrishin wanted to thank the YMCA for the many kindnesses it extended to him over the years. He wanted a gift that would support the Y for many years. So he established an endowed fund at the Greater PineBelt Community Foundation - the Alex Katrishin Endowment Fund. The Fund is invested and produces income annually. A total of $714,000 has been given to the Y over the past 17 years. Endowed funds have a tremendous positive impact on non-profits in our area, according to Executive Director fot the PineBelt Community Foundation Theresa Erickson. “The Katrishin Fund produces income for the Family Y. It will
give a gift to the Family Y forever, and enhances the Y’s ability to accomplish its mission now and in the future,” Erickson said. The PineBelt Community Foundation gives four percent of the Fund balance each year to the Family Y. “Disabled in World War II, young Katrishin found a home at a YMCA in California. The Family Y became his passion while he made a living by working various jobs and building his savings which he used to purchase Exxon stock,” said retired Trust Officer Paul Laughlin. “Katrishin capitalized on those stock holdings, growing a small fortune. Later in life he married his college sweetheart and moved to Hattiesburg where he continued to enjoy the offerings of the Family Y in Hattiesburg on a routine basis. “During his estate planning he decided to use the PineBelt Community Foundation because he liked the idea of knowing that
his gift will be a gift that would give forever and that eventually his gift would surpass the original amount given,” Laughlin said. “All communities need more giving individuals like Alex Katrishin.” said Dan Henley, Executive Director of the Hattiesburg Family Y, “Financial gifts to nonprofits ensure that organizations like the Family Y will be an integral part of the community, serving the needs of many children and adults now and for many generations to come.” The Greater PineBelt Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides the vehicle for people to give forever, via endowments, to the charitable organization they are passionate about. The Foundation administers nearly 200 Funds and has $4 million in assets. For more information about the Greater Pine Belt Community Foundation, please call (601) 583-6180 or visit www. PineBeltFoundation.org
Courtesy Photo |
USM social worker chosen as woman of the year PRESS RELEASE Terri (Cookie) Smith, DBH, MSW, social worker and service coodinator at The Children’s Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Mississippi, was chosen
Courtesy Photo |
recipient of the 2017 Woman of the Year award April 23 by the Jasper County chapter of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs (NANBPWC). The Children’s Center for Communication and Development
provides services to children, birth through five, who have complex communication needs and developmental disabilities. Working under the guidelines of both the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) and the Mississippi Department of Health (MDH), Smith’s role primarily falls under needs designated by MDH. As a social worker and service coordinator, Smith’s position at the Center matches the unique needs of infants and toddlers under the age of three who attend the Center with early intervention services and resources within the community. Smith’s selection as NANBPWC’s Woman of the Year is a direct correlation with Smith’s commitment to her role at the Center and to
empowering other women in her field. “The Center is instrumental in my motivation to educate and empower others, especially our families. They are special in terms of resilience, overcoming medical obstacles and learning how to effecetively advocate for their children,” said Smith. “I am one of the first people they meet in their journey, and it is very important to me to understand their concerns and how I can help them facilitate a positive change in their lives.” According to NANBPWC, this award is presented to a professional woman who has contributed positive change in her community and in society. “We are lucky to have such a motivated and passionately driven
group of individuals who staff The Children’s Center. Cookie is no exception to that rule, and this award is a prime example of that,” said Sarah Case-Price, director. The award was presented on April 23 by the club’s Jasper County Chapter. About The Children’s Center for Communication and Development The Children’s Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Mississippi provides communicative and developmental transdisciplinary services to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers while educating, training and supporting families, university students and professionals. For more information, visit www.usm.edu/childrenscenter.
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ENTERTAINMENT THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017
HIBA TAHIR
entertainment editor As we near the end of the semester, I wanted to give you all some tips to help you survive our last few weeks. After all, college can be hard, and nothing is harder than facing final projects and tests with three months of summer looming on a distant horizon. A bit of advice can go a long way. However, the more I think about it, the more I realize that I am less a person and more an amalgamation of things that should not be done at any time, let alone during the most stressful times of the year. So instead of providing tips for what you should do, I’m going to give you tips for what you shouldn’t do, based on things I’ve done recently. Avoid these things, and you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a successful end to the semester.
1. Don’t ask strangers on the internet to challenge you. Chances are, they will. Don’t get me wrong – I’ve enjoyed completing your challenges, and hopefully I’ll be able to talk about my experiences in depth next week when I’ve finished them all. But this endeavor isn’t exactly conducive to successful living. I have two major term papers due next week and instead of working on them, I spent last night videotaping myself trying to contour lines on my face. One of these activities will make me successful someday. The other is something my parents can actually brag about at dinner parties.
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2. Don’t follow trends. I’m going to blame this one on the 5K challenge, which left me feeling adventurous and indestructible after I completed it Thursday. So what did I do with my newfound courage? I tried Starbucks’ unicorn frappuccino. A terrible idea, as I’m sure many of you know, whose terribleness I only further compounded later in the night when I did something even more courageous (number 3). What bothers me most about Starbucks latest drink is the fact that so many warned me against drinking it, right until the straw touched my lips, and I still thought I’d somehow be immune to its dastardly effects. Alas, I was not. I’m still shuddering. 3. Don’t make major changes to your appearance. After drinking the unicorn frappuccino, I went home and chopped off a good twenty inches of my hair. In a matter of mere hours, I lost my best feature. (First person to say “but no one sees it anyway” gets a dirty look.) This happened approximately 24 hours after completing the 5K. I’m not saying the two events are related. I’m not saying they’re not. All I’m saying is that there’s nothing more depressing than walking out into the world after a major appearance change and having absolutely no one look at you any differently. 4. Chocolate is good. Post-Easter chocolate in sacrilegious amounts is most likely bad. Don’t. What’s brown, on clearance and the reason I haven’t lost any weight since the 5K? Stay away from large amounts of chocolate and other sweets. They’re all fun and games while you’re sobbing over finals, but the minute the proverbial “final bell” rings for summer and you put on your new swimsuit, you’ll regret pigging out. (Unless your new swimsuit is a burkini. In that case, eat all you want. I will join you. We’ll make it a dinner party where we feast on chocolate and discuss our social media accomplishments.) 5. Procrastination is, remarkably enough, still the most struggling nation. I was brought into this world via induced labor and have been battling deadlines since. This used to mean doing the project and writing the paper the night before it was due. Nowadays, however, it means doing them the morning of. Earlier this month, I woke up a couple hours before my class and wrote a nine page paper in roughly four hours. How I’ve managed to maintain a competitive GPA is a wonder I no longer have the mental capacity to contemplate, but don’t be like me. Make things easier for yourself. Start early.
OPINION THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017
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State misses mark with Confederate Memorial Day ALYSSA BASS
printz reporter
In 2016 Governor Phil Bryant signed a proclamation declaring April Confederate History Month. On March 31, 2017, Bryant declared April 24 Confederate Memorial Day, following suit alongside Alabama “to honor those who served in the Confederacy.” Bryant’s decision to honor those on the wrong side of history, those who were pro-slavery, is certainly not reflective of what I, as a black Mississippian, want to showcase about Mississippi. From what I have seen during my short time here at The University of Southern Mississippi, most students (regardless of race) do not care to celebrate the Confederacy either. Thankfully, the advocates of flying the Confederate flag are in the minority and can be seen only during the weekends in front of USM. That being said, I am tired of conversations and debates over what the Civil War was fought over – states’ rights or slavery – and whether we should honor those who fought on
the South’s behalf. I am becoming indifferent towards all things celebrated about the Confederacy. This is largely due to the lack of support I have seen for the Confederacy in my day-to-day life. No, Facebook trolls do not count. I am proud to attend a school and be in a state where all public universities do not fly the state flag, which features the Confederate symbol. As USM President Rodney Bennett said in a statement regarding his decision to remove the state flag from campus, “I am looking forward to a time when this debate is resolved, and USM raises a state flag that unites us.” Because those in charge of educational institutions are able to acknowledge that our flag causes nothing but disagreement and unnecessary tension, students from all backgrounds, but most importantly, African-American students, are able to feel welcomed while pursuing higher education. In addition, the City of Biloxi made an even bigger step this past weekend by removing the state flag from all city buildings. Vincent Creel,
spokesperson for City of Biloxi Public Affairs, said Biloxi is welcoming to everyone. “We have 5.7 million visitors a year, and we don’t want anything that’s going to give people pause to coming to Biloxi or the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” Creel said. Creel’s statement with the backing of Biloxi officials and educators serves as proof that Mississippi leaders are actively trying to change Mississippi’s racist reputation to attract people from other states with more liberal ideologies. In the proclamation for Confederate Memorial Day, Bryant said, “It is important for all Americans to reflect upon our nation’s past, to gain insight from our mistakes and successes and to come to a full understanding that the lessons learned yesterday and today will carry us through tomorrow if we carefully and earnestly strive to understand and appreciate our heritage and our opportunities which lie before us.” Perhaps if this proclamation encouraged for the Civil War to be taught in a more honest manner in
K-12 history classes, I would accept Bryant’s statement. However, because children are currently learning and blindly accepting that the Civil War was fought to preserve states’ rights, no insight is being gained. By viewing Mississippi’s casus bellim, literally “case of war,” on civilwar.org, one can find where Mississippi explicitly stated that they would like to secede from the United States because Lincoln threatened the future of slavery. The second sentence of the declaration states, “Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery – the greatest material interest of the world.” It goes on to say that advocating for “negro equality” is wrong, and that the Union is attempting to “ruin our agriculture” due to “none but the black race can bear exposure to the tropical sun.” This public document proves that white men in the south were not only racist, but also lazy. Therefore, telling me that those in favor of fighting for the Confederacy and celebrating their failed efforts today is necessary to “appreciate our heritage” is a waste
of time. When Bryant and other government officials do more than use this ridiculous holiday to take a day off of work, then maybe Bryant’s words will sound slightly sincere. Sadly, I do not see that happening anytime soon. But frankly, Confederate Memorial Day and Confederate History Month do not personally affect me. They are certainly not stopping me from pursuing an education or a career. I have grown used to the underlying racist tone of our government officials who choose to deny the main cause of the Civil War and reiterate their denial through the passing of new holidays For that reason, I do not blame anyone who refuses to believe that Mississippi is welcoming to all people. I personally am not begging for an influx of people to visit or decide to live here, and it is not our jobs as citizens to convince people to do so. It is up to representatives of Mississippi like Bryant to change Mississippi’s image by leaving Confederate symbols behind in museums and leading honest discussions about the Civil War if they ever plan to change Mississippi’s image.
Thirteen reasons why ‘13 Reasons Why’ matters KAITLYN WATKINS news editor Netflix’s recently released series “13 Reasons Why,” based off of Jay Asher’s young adult novel, sparked a national conversation on teenage suicide, mental health and bullying in schools. Several school officials have warned parents not to let their children watch the show while others claim that the story shatters the myth around suicide. Here are thirteen reasons why the show has such an effect, in both positive and negative ways: 1. It makes you think. Many parents are unaware of the atmosphere created in high schools, and the show details several issues that teens face every day including bullying, peer pressure, consent and mental health. 2. It’s uncomfortable. The topics that “13 Reasons Why” deal with can be uncomfortable to discuss. Even the school counselor Mr. Porter seems unwilling to have a conversation with Hannah Baker when she goes to him for help. 3. It’s real life The scary part about “13 Reasons Why” is that any of us could experience similar situations to the ones that Hannah had to face. 4. It shines light on issues. Netflix producers were not afraid to expose the toll that rumors and thoughtless actions can have on peers. Hannah was bullied and was constantly beat down by a series of events which eventually led her to her decision to commit suicide. 5. Has a broad cast of characters.
One thing that I really liked was the relatively diverse casting with not every character representing the white straight norm in television. 6. Showcases the reality of suicide More than 5,240 young people in grades 7-12 attempt to commit suicide every day according to the Jason Foundation. In “13 Reasons Why,” Hannah’s school implements more measures to help those with suicidal thoughts but only after her death. Parents and teachers need to be more attentive to their children and talk about serious issues. 7. Glorifies suicide. Hannah records tapes in which she explains what happened to her before her death and forces the people who she believes wronged her to listen to how she felt. However, the show depicts Hannah’s suicide as almost romantic because she plans the tapes for each person and then they must rationalize to themselves and to others what they did. 8. Youths are impressionable. Thirteen Reasons offers an almost step-by-step instruction manual to how to commit suicide. Teenagers and children often internalize what they watch and read. If those who watch the show believe that suicide is an easy way out, it could make it more likely for some to want to commit suicide instead of seeking help. 9. Suicide has a ripple effect. Suicide has a ripple effect, especially in schools. A junior high student at my alma mater committed suicide less than two years ago. A high school in the
same town also had a student who took his own life. In both cases, and in more, the community gathered to support those who were affected, proving the impact that one person can have on an area. Hannah’s death and the tapes that she recorded in “13 Reasons Why” had a huge impact on the people around her, including friends, family and peers. 10. Sends the message that love can save you. Clay’s adoration of Hannah was central to the show, even going so far as to imply that if he had simply told Hannah that he loved her that she wouldn’t have taken her life. However, it’s a bitter truth that love, though powerful, is not
enough to save anyone. At some point, you have to save yourself. 11. Graphic depictions of rape and suicide. Several episodes begin with a trigger warning for sexual assault and depictions of suicide. The graphic way that rape and suicide is shown is distressing to watch for many, especially if you have experienced anything similar to what is shown. 12. Desensitize viewer to rape and suicidal images. The images used during the rape and suicide scenes leave nothing to the imagination. The way that “13 Reasons Why” shows this issues is meant to help people understand
the impact that these issues have on young people but there is also a danger of desensitizing the public to important subjects. 13. Answers questions about suicide. This series showcases the inner workings of the what a teenager experiences and what kind of effect that suicide has on a community. I think that in the end, “13 Reasons Why” is a difficult show to watch and interpret because it is a difficult subject to talk about. At least one positive of the show is the conversation that it has begun, which hopefully can open up productive discussions about suicide and other issues.
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SPORTS THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017
USM offense dominates South Alabama, 13-7 GRANT CHIGHIZOLA printz reporter Coming off of two straight losses against conference opponent Old Dominion this past weekend, Southern Miss got back on track on against the South Alabama Jaguars on April 25, winning the midweek contest by a score of 13 - 7. Southern Miss got on the scoreboard quickly, with Dylan Burdeaux scoring off of a Hunter Slater RBI to give the team a 1 - 0 lead in the first inning. This lead was short lived, as South Alabama scored two runs to give them a 2 - 1 advantage after one inning. Junior LeeMarcus Boyd tied the game in the top of the second inning with an RBI single, bringing home Cole Donaldson. A Mason Irby RBItriple later in the inning allowed Boyd and Matthew Guidry to score, giving the Golden Eagles the lead back. While South Alabama third
baseman Will Luft tied the game again with a sacrifice fly from Dylan Hardy in the bottom of the second, but a four-run third inning for Southern Miss would put it in the lead for good. Braley started the third inning scoring rally on a Donaldson RBI via fielder’s choice, followed by Wallner scoring on a walk with the bases loaded and then Guidry and Donaldson scoring off of an Irby RBI-double to close out the scoring for the inning. Daniel Keating responded to a third inning home run by South Alabama’s Travis Swaggerty by hitting one of his own in the fourth inning, with his two-run shot to center field giving the Golden Eagles a 10 - 4 lead. South Alabama added one run in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut the lead to 10 - 5, while the Golden Eagles were held scoreless in the fifth and sixth innings. The team got back on the scoreboard in the seventh inning when a Burdeaux RBI allowed Guidry to score, giving them the 11 - 5
advantage. Despite South Alabama cutting into their lead with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Golden Eagles responded once again with two runs in the eighth inning. Casey Maack scored after Donaldson singled to right field to extend the lead, 12 - 7. Later in the inning, Boyd’s RBI single to first base brought home Daniel Keating, sealing the 13 - 7 win for the team. A total of 10 Southern Miss batters had a hit on the night, with Burdeaux, Irby, Wallner, Boyd and Donaldson each accumulating multiple hits in the game. Irby and Boyd also led the way with four and three RBIs on the night, respectively. With the win, Southern Miss now stands at 31 - 12 overall on the season. Their next opponent is conference foe Middle Tennessee State. The threegame weekend series will be held in Murfreesboro, Tenn. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. Friday night.
Julius Kizzee | Printz Daniel Keating swings at a ball on April 8 in USM’s 5-1 win over Florida International.
Golden Eagles drop doubleheader against Western Kentucky, 2-0 ANDREW ABADIE printz reporter In a doubleheader series against Western Kentucky, the Golden Eagles were swept losing, 11 - 6 and 4 - 1. In game one, the Golden Eagles
started the game off with a 6 - 0 lead in the first inning. The Golden Eagles started the game off with getting the first three batters on base. Southern Miss then capitalized on Western Kentucky’s starting pitcher Kathryn Downing’s pitching problems.
The Golden Eagles compiled four hits to drive in all of their runs. However, Western Kentucky’s relief pitcher, Kelsey Aikey, kept the Golden Eagles bogged down offensively and held them scoreless for the rest of the game. She finished her day by allowing
no runs, on three hits and struck out one. At the same time, Western Kentucky slowly chipped away at the Golden Eagle lead with a homerun in the bottom of the first inning. In the second inning, starting pitcher Samantha Robles gave up three hits that resulted in three more Hilltopper runs. Similar results occurred in the third inning as Robles gave up a solo-home run that narrowed the Golden Eagle lead, 6 - 4. Western Kentucky took the lead in the fourth inning after racking up four singles along with three doubles. Five of those hits resulted in a score for Western Kentucky. After being relieved, Robles came back in to finish game. In total, she allowed five runs, on seven hits and struck out three batters by the end of the game. Reynolds finished the game 2-for-3 with one RBI and Lauren Holifield finished 2-for-3. In game two, the Golden Eagles had similar offensive troubles as they only
Archive Photo | Printz
tallied three hits and only one run. In the first inning, Western Kentucky continued to have hot bats after starting pitcher Kim Crowson gave up three hits that resulted in a 2 - 0 lead. Western Kentucky extended their lead to 3 - 0, after Crowson gave up two more singles in the third inning. The Golden Eagles lone run came in the fourth inning after Western Kentucky’s starting pitcher walked four batters run. In the fifth inning, Crowson allowed two more batters to get on base before Robles relieved her. Robles ended the inning, but Western Kentucky added one more run, 4 - 1. Crowson allowed seven hits on four runs and struck out two batters in her four innings pitched and Robles finished the game allowing no runs and no hits with one strike out. The Golden Eagles will play Charlotte for the conference finale series starting April 28. First pitch is set for 5p.m.