STATE & NATION
SPORTS
VIEWPOINTS
Thousandshopeforstimulusmoney. pG. 5
Also: PV on inside track. pG. 7
Norwood recalls times with Bailey. pG.11
SU rests during off week
Detroiters scuffle for money
A friend is missed
estABLished in 1928
WWW.SOUTHERNDIGEST.COM
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2009
VOL. 54, ISSUE 10
Concert suffers cutbacks
No charges in Bailey murder
By mary daVis digest staff writer
As homecoming week closes in, Student Government Association officials are continuing to work hard to provide students with the best homecoming, despite budget cuts. This year SGA President Stanley White and cabinet had only a $90,000 budget to cover the cost of events for both homecoming and spring fest. To avoid having to cancel either event, the budget was split into two even amounts. “They spent $100,000 plus for homecoming last year, and for spring fest we spent $65,000 on Jeezy alone and I have $45,000 to produce an entire show. This year we have to literally make something out of nothing, we don’t have that much money so we have to produce a show on a budget.” explains White. Despite budget cuts, Southern University is one of
File photo By norman J. dotson Jr./diGest
r & B singer trey songz entertains the sU student body during last year’s homecoming concert. this year’s homecoming concert. sga officials are working with a $45,000 budget for this year’s annual show, less than half of what was spent on entertainment this time last year.
the only, along side Grambling State University and Howard University, HBCU’s to sponsor a homecoming week due to budget crisis. At the start of the process of planning homecoming week SGA members thought they were going to have to abandon tradition, and provide student‘s with only a concert and not a comedy show. Luckily they were able to find a co-sponsor for the comedy show, which left a small amount of money in the budget to go toward planning the concert. “We don’t have a lot of money to work with, so the
artist we have scheduled are able to work with our prices”, explained Miranda Nixon, Activities Coordinator. Headlining this year’s concert is R&B singer Monica, whose latest album release was her 2006 album, “Makings of Me.” Also scheduled to perform is Mouse of Trill Entertainment, rapper Gorilla Zoe and rap newcomer Dorrough. The comedy show will include performances from Lavar Walker, Lil Duvall and an unknown guest who’s to accompany Duvall. A few additions and moderations have been made to the
homecoming schedule. An addition to the festivities of homecoming week includes the Student Choice Awards, which are to be held in Seymour Gymnasium on Tuesday, October 13 at 7 p.m. “The award show is something we talked about as an executive board and something we wanted to implement on campus. We have a red carpet because we really want to make it a big event instead of having just a concert and comedy show, See concert page 3
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco prosecutors say there’s not enough evidence to charge a woman who allegedly lured a Louisiana man into a fatal robbery attempt. Authorities still are looking for the gunman who killed 26-year-old Michael Bailey on Saturday night. They arrested the woman over the weekend, but expect to release her Tuesday. Police say BaiLeY Bailey and his friends met the woman at the City Nights club in the South of Market area, and she asked for a ride home because she had lost her car keys. Police say the men drove her around 3 a.m. to a housing project at Hunter’s Point, where several robbers were waiting. During the confrontation, one of them fatally shot Bailey. Bailey was an electrical engineering student at Southern University at Baton Rouge. He was married with two children.
Southern University set for Homecoming activities digest News serVice
Southern University will celebrate its Homecoming 2009 week with a number of activities, including a gospel concert, spirit day, an electrifying Greek show and the annual parade in Scotlandville, all leading up to the Saturday, Oct. 17 football game against Fort Valley State. Events kick off with a Convocation and Gospel Concert, Sunday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union. “Spirit Day,” will be held Monday, Oct.
12. On this day all university faculty, staff, students, alumni and fans are asked to wear blue and gold. The Department of Visual and Performing Arts will hold its’ Visual Arts Gallery Grand Opening from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. in the Visual Arts Gallery of Frank Hayden Hall. The gallery will feature works of art by Southern visual arts students. The exhibition will run from Oct. 13 – Nov. 25. Gallery hours of operation will be from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday. Sabrina Whitney, will be crowned Miss
Southern University 2009-2010 during the Miss Southern University Coronation, Wednesday, Oct. 14 in the Felton G. Clark Activity Center at 7:30 p.m. Formal attire is preferred for this event. A Homecoming Pep Rally will be held at noon Thursday, Oct. 15, in the Seymour Gym. The Jaguar football team, marching band and cheerleaders will be in attendance. On Friday, Oct. 16, the 19th Annual Southern University Radio-thon “Students First” will be held from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. at Citadel Broadcasting Network.
An Alumni Reception will be held in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union from 1:30 pm-3 p.m. This event is open to all SU Alumni. Admission is $25.00. For more information call 225.771.4200. Alumni “Remembering When” program honoring the class of 1959, will be held in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union from 3 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. This event is free See homecoming page 3
THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE DIGEST WILL BE FRIDAY, OCT 16. STORMS/WIND HIGH
92° | 73° LOW
INSIDE S O U T H E R N
CAMPUS BRIEFS................2 STATE & NATION................5 A & E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 NEWS.................................3 SPORTS.............................7 VIEWPOINTS....................11 U N I V E R S I T Y ,
B A T O N
R O U G E ,
L A .
CAMPUS BRIEFS Page 2 - Friday, October 9, 2009
www.southerndigest.com
THE SOUTHERN DIGEST 4 - DAY WEATHER OUTLOOK SATURDAY, OCT. 10
t-storms
SUNDAY, OCT. 11
scattered t-storms
HI - 78° / LO - 67° 60% CHANCE OF RAIN
HI - 78°/ LO - 70° 40% CHANCE OF RAIN
Classifieds
107 of W.W. Stewart Hall. Follow the Center for Student Success on twitter to see exciting upcoming events. Twitter. com/Jaguar_Nation
employment
Airport Texaco hiring cashiers for evening, weekdays & weekends shifts full-time. Excellent customer service skills insurance licensinG req’d. Very competitive pay. Apply in person courses to Baton Rouge Metro SU’s Division of Airport Texaco. Continuing Education and College of Business will sponsor insurance licensing courses on the Campus Briefs Baton Rouge campus. The courses, which TODAY are open to anyone interested in becoming a licensed insurance agent, Graduation prep days Balfour will be con- will include continuing tinuing their graduation learning classes for those prep-aration days on who are already licensed. Registration is ongoing Friday, October 9 from 10am – 3pm. Graduating for the classes. The seniors will be able to order starting date for the class class rings, announcements, will be determined at the end of registration. For cap and gown. more information about the courses or registration, su karate cluB The Southern University call 225.771.2613. Karate Club welcomes all persons interested in Greater kinG daVid training Shotokan Karate. church serVices Training is scheduled for Greater King David Tuesdays and Thursdays Baptist Church will have at noon at the J.B. Moore worship services on Hall Auditorium. For Sunday, October 11 at more information, call 7am and 8:30am at 7306 Edwin Walker at 771.3721 Harry Drive and at 11 or e-mail edwin_walker@ a.m. at 222 Blount Road. subr.edu. Please contact Jean’quel Henry at 225-603-0611 for more information. Beep meetinGs The SU chapter of the Black Executive Exchange su art Gallery Grand Program meets Tuesdays openinG at 11 a.m. in Room 222 The Southern University of T.T. Allain Hall. BEEP Department of Visual is open to all majors Arts will have the Ribbon campuswide. Cutting Dedication and Opening Reception of their Art Gallery on center For student Monday, October 12 success Students peer tutoring is from 6pm – 8pm. The Art available at the Center for Gallery will open October Student Success in Room 13 – November 25 during
MONDAY, OCT. 12
Page 2
TUESDAY, OCT. 13
scattered t-storms
scattered t-storms
HI - 83° / LO - 71° 40% CHANCE OF RAIN
HI - 81° / LO - 68° 40% CHANCE OF RAIN
the hours of 10am – 4pm. The Gallery is free and open to the public and is located in Frank Hayden Hall. auditions
Department of Speech and Theatre are holding auditions for their Fall 2009 main stage production entitled “The Story” by Tracey Scott Wilson in Hayden Hall. The auditions will be held Monday Oct. 12, 3 p.m.5 p.m. in room 13, and Tuesday Oct. 13, 2 p.m.3:30 p.m. in room 14. Males and females of all ethnicities are needed. For more information please contact Dr. Hendricks at 771.3190 or email aileen4474@bellsouth. net. seasonal Flu shots
The SU Student Health Center has partnered with Walgreens to offer seasonal flu shots to SU students, faculty and staff. The seasonal shots cost $24.99 and will be available during the center’s Fall Health Fair Oct. 13, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union. A Vaccine Administration Record (VAR) form must be completed before the flu shot will be administered. The forms are available in the Student Health Center. 2nd annual marketinG and sales conFerence
Yourself for Success” on Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 8 a.m.5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 8 a.m.-1:50 p.m. in T.T. Allain. Any questions contact the college of Business at 771.5640. lacumBa players
“The Official Southern University Student Drama Organization” will meet Tuesday, Oct. 13 in room 14 of Hayden Hall at 3:30 p.m. and ALL students are welcome. For more information contact Dr. Hendricks, room 10 Hayden Hall, or call 771.3190. Book siGninG and discussion
Meet and discuss with author & alumnus J. Thurman about his latest work “The Man-You-All” Friday, Oct. 16 in the SU Bookstore beginning at 1 p.m. co-sponsored by AWS. “It is sure to encourage this generation of black women to question their relationship protocols.” meet the author
Meet Judge D’ Army Bailey author of “The Education of a Black Radical” Friday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. in the John B. Cade Library co-sponsored by Southern University’s Law Center. “Moving, powerful, and intensely personal, The Education of a Black Radical offers an inspirational tale of hope and a courageous stand for social change.” community decoration
The college of Business contest is hosting it’s 2nd annual You are invited to marketing and sales participate in the community conference entitled “The decoration contest, which, Recession: Reconstructing will be judged on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 8:30 a.m. The deadline for application is Tuesday, Oct. 12 and all participants will be judged based on slogan, color, originality and creativity. For more information contact Lisa Hammond or Errica Taylor at 771.3590.
GET 36 ISSUES FOR JUST $40 Name:
dominoes tournament
Address: City/State/Zip: Daytime Phone: (
)
For more information call 225.771.2230 or mail your subscription payment of $40 to: The Southern Digest Subscriptions, PO Box 10180, Baton Rouge, LA 70813. Business, cashiers checks and money orders accepted only. No personal checks or credit card orders accepted. Make all payments to The Southern Digest.
The Smith-Brown Memorial Union’s Recreation Area will hold a dominoes tournament Oct. 14 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at Lacumba’s Playpen. Registration for the tournament will be Sept. 28-Oct. 9 at Lacumba’s Playpen. Registration is for
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
sUite 1064 – t.H.Harris HaLL p.o. BoX 10180 – BatoN roUge, La 70813 225.771.2231 pHoNe / 225.771.3253 faX www.soUtHerNdigest.coM issN: 1540-7276. copyright 2008 by the southern University office of student Media services. the southern digest is written, edited and published by members of the student body at southern University and a&M college. all articles, photographs and graphics are property of the southern digest and its contents may not be reproduced or republished without the written permission from the editor in chief and director of student Media services. the southern digest is published bi-weekly (tuesday & friday) with a run count of 6,000 copies per issue during the southern University - Baton rouge campus fall, spring semesters. the paper is free to students, staff, faculty and general public every tuesday & friday morning on the sUBr campus. the southern digest student offices are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - friday. the offices are located on the first floor of t.H. Harris Hall, suite 1064. the southern digest is the official student newspaper of southern University and a&M college located in Baton rouge, Louisiana. articles, features, opinions, speak out and editorials do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the administration and its policies. signed articles, feedback, commentaries and features do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, staff or student body. PUBLICATION ASSOCIATIONS the southern digest is a member of the Black college communications association (Bcca), National association of Black Journalists (NaBJ), University - wire Network (U-wire), associated collegiate press (acp), college Media advisers association (cMa), society of professional Journalist (spJ), full member of the associated press (ap) and the Louisiana press association (Lpa).
ADVERTISER MEMBERSHIPS the southern digest subscribes to the american passage, alloy M+M, 360 Youth, Zim2papers, all campus Media, ruxton group and college publishers on-Line services. STUDENT MEDIA OFFICE www.subr.edu/studentmedia director - tBa assistant director - tBa publications asst. - fredrick Batiste advertising Mgr. - camelia gardner CONTACTS (area code 225) advertising office - 771.2230 digest Newsroom - 771.2231 student Media services- 771.3004 the Jaguar Yearbook - 771.2464 YearBooK Newsroom - 771.4614 ego Magazine Newsroom - 771.4614 southern University and a&M college at Baton rouge is accredited by the commission on colleges of the southern association of colleges and schools, 1866 southern Lane, decatur, georgia 30033-4097, telephone (404) 679-4500, website: www.sacscoc.org. MISSION STATEMENT the mission of southern University and a&M college, an Historically Black, 1890 land-grant institution, is to provide opportunities for a diverse student population to achieve a high-quality, global educational experience, to engage in scholarly, research, and creative activities, and to give meaningful public service to the community, the state, the nation, and the world so that southern University graduates are competent, informed, and productive citizens. website: www.subr.edu.
The Office of Student Media is a Division of Student Affairs.
2009 FALL DIGEST STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Norman J. dotson Jr. COPY EDITORS Kenyetta M. collins erica s. Johnson SPORTS EDITOR Larry Young Jr. PHOTO EDITOR wil Norwood LAYOUT EDITOR darrius Harrison
DIGEST STAFF WRITERS Mary davis Morris dillard rosalinda clay candace edwards Breanna paul tremaine sanders DIGEST PHOTOGRAPHERS Norman J.dotson Jr. april Buffington trevor James Justin wooten robert w. florida Jr. CARTOONIST wil Norwood
PAGE 2 ANNOUNCEMENTS & PAID CLASSIFIED INFO CLASSIFIED the southern digest is not responsible for the contents, promises, nor statements made in any classified and reserve the right to reject any ad request with explanation. No classified ads will be accepted or processed over the telephone and must accept the type font sizes of the digest. aLL cLassified MUst Be paid iN adVaNce BY casHiers cHecK or MoNeY order. No persoNaL cHecKs accepted. students must have proper id and phone numbers to get student advertising rates. rates do not apply to students who are representatives & employees of the company. in the event an error is made in a classified ad, immediate claims and notice must be given within 15 days. the digest is only responsible for oNe replacement or run in the next publication. classified are due oNe weeK prior to run date. paid classified can be ordered by contacting the student Media advertising Manager at 225.771.2230.
PAGE 2 / CAMPUS BRIEFS all submissions must be received by 3 p.m. each friday for Tuesday’s Issue and by 3 p.m. each wednesday for Friday’s Issue. page 2 is only available to officially registered campus organizations, southern University departments. all briefs should include a date, time, contact name & number. submit announcements to: the southern digest - suite 1064 Harris Hall, attn: page 2 CORRECTIONS fact and accuracy is our goal and our job. as the voice of the southern University student body we are committed to ensuring to most fair, truthful and accurate accounts of our work. in the event of an error we will make all corrections on page 2. Bring corrections to the southern digest office located in suite 1064, Harris Hall.
NEWS
Friday, October 9, 2009 - Page 3
www.southerndigest.com
Students raise domestic abuse awareness By breanna paul digest staff writer
Students received domestic violence information and tips during the “Become Aware and Stand Strong” seminar that took place in the Stewart Hall Auditorium Tuesday sponsored by various SU organizations. Josh DuBois, president of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Kristen Miller, vice-president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. welcomed everyone to the educational event. DuBois informed everyone that there are more types of abuse than physical abuse; there are verbal, mental, spiritual, sexual and economic types of abuse. Summer Swanson, who, works with the Battered Women’s Program in Baton Rouge addressed the group about domestic violence, also known as intimate partner abuse. The Battered Women’s Program provides many services to many different kinds of women; each service is tailored to the victim’s needs. Some of the services the Battered Women’s Program has are a crisis hotline which is open 24/7, a shelter which houses up to 60 women and children at a time, support groups and counseling services. In the past year, the Battered Women’s Program has housed
609 women and children at their shelter, the Zonta House. Swanson said “Some women just stay one night or some stay up to six weeks.” Swanson spoke of an illegal immigrant who stayed in the Zonta House for 7 months. The Battered Women’s Program goal is to do whatever is necessary to get the abused women safe. Many women are given bus passes, taxi cab fare, housing and food. The Zonta House provides daycare for the women who have children who need to be cared for while they are at work. “Women are showered with gifts,” Swanson said is one of the reason the women are coerced back into the abusive relationship. She also posed this question, “We should not ask ‘why do they stay?’ but ‘why are people being battered?’” In some cases, the program will have to get restraining and protective orders for the women. Swanson said that many women will change their mind about following through with the different orders for different reasons. The two main reasons women stay in the intimate partner abuse relationships are children and money. Swanson said the women are coerced to come back to the abusive relationship.
Swanson urged the audience to not judge the women but to remain supportive. “I learned about the statistics and about the different tactics that abusers use. I knew what domestic violence was but not the specifics.” Valencia McNeely, a junior accounting major from Baton Rouge native said. Another goal of the Battered Women’s Program is to educate people on what domestic violence is and the statistics of domestic violence. In spring 2009, the Battered Women’s Program went to every high school in Ascension Parish and educated the students on domestic violence. Some statistics are: approximately one in five teenage girls will be abused; one out of every four women will be abused in their lifetime; five out of every 10 women are seriously injured or killed do to domestic violence. According to Swanson, the Battered Women’s Program would like to prevent the problem and not solve it, however if the problem exists we are able to help. Swanson also spoke of the different relationships domestic violence or intimate partner violence exists. Many people only think intimate partner violence occurs in the male/female relationship;
homecoming from page 1 and open to all SU Alumni. For more information call 225.771.4200. The Pan Hellenic Council Greek Show will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Felton G. Clark Activity Center. SU sororities and fraternities will compete for a cash prize. The first- and second-place winners will advance to the annual Bayou Classic Greek Show. Tickets are $10. For more information, call 225.771.2940. Alumni Federation Annual Homecoming Reunion Dance, featuring Willie Clayton & “Mellow,” will be held in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union from 8 pm - 12 am. Admission is $30 in advance, $35 at the door. For more information, call 225.771.4200. Also on October 16, the 7th Annual Southern University College of Business Gala on the Bluff will be held at the Sheraton Baton Rouge Convention Center beginning at 7:30 p.m. The event will feature Stephanie Jordan, Gina Brown and Anutha Level, Mel ‘Mr. Hole in the Wall’ Waiters and Michael Ward. Tickets
are $75. Attire is Semi-Formal. For more information or for reservations, call 225771-5640. The annual Homecoming Parade will begin at 8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 17. The route starts at the corners of Kaufman Street and Scenic Highway. The parade will travel north up Scenic Highway then make a right at Harding Boulevard, make a u-turn at Pembroke Street, then travel back down Harding and end at Kaufman. Also on Saturday, Miss Southern University Sabrina Whitney and her Royal Court, University Queens, the Royal courts from the New Orleans and Shreveport campuses, along with the original Dancing Dolls, will be presented at a pre-game show at 4:45 p.m. in A.W. Mumford Stadium. Kick-off for the game is 5:30 p.m. against Fort Valley State. The homecoming convocation and gospel concert, Visual Arts Gallery Grand Opening, Miss Southern University Coronation, pep rally and parade are all free and open to the public. For more information, call 225.771.4545.
get online @
www.southerndigest.com
however it exists in male/ male and female/female relationships. Most people hear about intimate partner violence because 87%-93% of intimate partner abuse is male/female. Because of the economic crisis, Louisiana has cut the Battered Women’s Program budget by 20%. Louisiana is not the only state dealing with budget cuts in their Battered Women’s Program. California recently cut all money in the budget for domestic violence. “The Black community takes domestic violence lightly. We need to be more supportive of abused women” said Baton Rouge native and sophomore business major, Ebonee West. After Swanson addressed the audience on domestic violence, Sharen Carter addressed the group on her personal experience with domestic violence. Carter works with the non-profit organization, “Am I My Sister’s Keeper?”Her sister, Lauren Robinson was murdered while in an intimate partner relationship in 2007. “She never told anyone of her abuse. She thought she could handle it on her own.” said Carter. As Robinson was getting ready to leave the relationship, her abuser took her life and then his own.
concert from page 1 we wanted to give students more options,” said Nixon. “As of right now we are one of the only colleges sponsoring both a comedy show and concert that are both free to students.” added Nixon. Awards will be given to winners in the following categories, Who’s Who among each perspective class, Best Athlete, and Best Car. Voting took place at noon on Wednesday in the lobby of Smith Brown Memorial Union. Results will be read at the program on Tuesday. Student’s nominated those they felt were deserving of the opportunity, and the final nominations were made by a committee consisting of members of the student body and two SGA officials. Also, as reflected in last year’s program scheduling the Miss Southern Coronation will be held on Wednesday, October 14, as a homecoming week program. “I hope everyone appreciates that there is still going to be a homecoming week this year,” exclaimed White. Despite budget issues, SGA officials were able to keep the tradition of homecoming week, with a few moderations to event dates. Nixon is asking the students of the university to come out to support every event, and stay positive.
Page 4 - Friday, October 9, 2009
www.southerndigest.com
$101M upgrade in La. disputed By melinda deslatte associated press writer
A $101 million upgrade to state computer systems became a flashpoint Tuesday in the debate over how to cut government costs, with Gov. Bobby Jindal’s top budget adviser saying the contract could save millions and Treasurer John Kennedy calling it a waste. Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis said the upgrade will shrink state spending on unnecessary duplication of work, employees and maintenance by integrating state agency computer systems. She said estimates show Louisiana could save up to $125 million over three years. Nearly $50 million has been spent on the upgrade effort so far. Louisiana’s Chief Information Officer, Ed Driesse, who works for Davis, said it would be “crazy” to abandon the upgrade now. “It’s sort of like pouring the foundation for your house, putting sheetrock on it, putting a roof on it and then saying, ‘We don’t want it,’” Driesse said. “If you quit now, for the most part you’d lose 50 million bucks.” Kennedy said he expects the cost of the work to double before it’s complete, questioned the cost savings projections and argued the money would
be better spent on other priorities. “I would suggest that we put this contract on hold. We can revisit this project a few years from now,” Kennedy said. “It’s just a question of priorities. I just think treating our kids for swine flu is a higher priority than an accounting toy.” The dueling arguments will be considered by the Commission on Streamlining Government, which was set up by Gov. Bobby Jindal and the Louisiana Legislature to recommend ways to slash state spending amid years of projected budget shortfalls. On Tuesday, a commission advisory committee chaired by Sen. Mike Michot — and on which Davis sits — recommended the computer work continue. A separate advisory panel chaired by Kennedy already had recommended that the upgrade be stopped. The upgrade would mean nearly all state departments use one computer system to do their budget, accounting, state purchasing, inventory, contracting and facility management work. Currently, that data is spread across dozens of different computer systems that, in some instances, are 15 to 20 years old, Driesse said. Jindal Chief of Staff Timmy Teepell said no decisions have been made about the future of
the computer work. He said the governor is considering whether to stop the project, delay it or reduce its scope. “In time of budget shortfalls, we have to look at every dollar we’re spending and make sure it’s the best use of taxpayer dollars,” Teepell said. Davis said it didn’t send mixed signals for her to support the computer upgrade and Teepell to say the governor had yet to make a decision on the project. She said Jindal asked the commission to consider all cost-cutting ideas before he decides what programs should continue and which programs should be scrapped. “The governor is not trying to intervene or get in the way of the work the streamlining commission is doing,” Davis said. While the debate rages, the upgrade work is continuing with $49.7 million spent and another $18 million budgeted in the current fiscal year. The new system — if not derailed — is set to go online for most department by June 2010, with the transportation department slated to be upgraded three months later. The project, which began during former Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s administration, has repeatedly been touted as critical to avoid a system crash in some agencies.
State officials probe ACORN NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana’s attorney general said Tuesday he has stepped up an investigation into embezzlement at ACORN nearly a decade ago, but the prosecutor and community activist group clashed over how much money was taken. Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell claimed the figure was $5 million, but ACORN said the sum hadn’t changed from slightly less than $1 million. ACORN said its chief executive officer estimated it could cost up to $5 million to “get everything together” in the aftermath of the embezzlement, but the group’s leaders claim only $948,607 was stolen. The prosecutor’s new figure was reported in a subpoena filed last week. He was seeking information from a company that provided bookkeeping, accounting and other financial management services to ACORN. ACORN said Caldwell was basing the $5 million figure on remarks Chief Executive Officer Bertha Lewis made during an October 2008 board meeting. “The $5 million figure was an off-handed remark by Bertha as a worst-case scenario for what it could potentially cost to get everything together,” ACORN President Maude Hurd said in a statement. “Lawyers, accountants and consultants were quite expensive, and the
board needed to know that. Bertha’s remarks have since been taken out of context.” The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, commonly known as ACORN, has been reeling since a hidden camera captured the group’s employees giving a couple posing as a pimp and prostitute advice about how to lie about the woman’s profession to get financial help for housing and about how to smuggle girls into the country to be hookers. The videos became a national sensation and conservative rallying cry. Day after day, new footage was released on a different ACORN office — the initial splash from a visit in Baltimore, then Washington, D.C., Brooklyn, San Bernardino, Calif., and San Diego. The fallout was swift for an organization that long has been a target of conservatives, who’ve cited charges including voter registration fraud and misuse of public money. ACORN last year settled an internal dispute and a lawsuit involving accusations that Dale Rathke, a brother of the group’s founder, made nearly $1 million in improper credit card charges in 1999 and 2000. The Rathke family and a donor have repaid the money and no charges were ever brought. Caldwell’s subpoena said the exact amount was unknown until the 2008 board meeting.
STATE & NATION Friday, October 9, 2009 - Page 5
www.southerndigest.com
Treasurer: one board, no TOPS changes
state briefs BY tHe associated press
SU wins federal grant
Southern University has won a $100,000 federal grant. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday announced that Southern is one of 15 historically black land-grant schools that will receive the money for economic development and business promotion. In all, the agency is giving out $1.5 million in 14 states. The grants are intended to help create businesses, promote cooperatives and provide jobs.
By melinda deslatte associated press writer
Treasurer John Kennedy believes the state’s public fouryear universities should be governed by one board to help cut costs, but he said Monday he opposes any suggestion to limit spending under the TOPS free college tuition program. Those ideas, along with the treasurer’s opposition to college tuition increases for students, put Kennedy at odds with the leader of the higher education system that includes the state’s flagship university. LSU System President John Lombardi has said a single governing board won’t solve the budget woes of campuses, he thinks scholarships under TOPS — the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students — should be capped, and he thinks tuition costs should grow. Without naming Lombardi, Kennedy essentially told the Press Club of Baton Rouge that he disagrees with Lombardi’s stances on all three hot-button topics. As a member of the Commission on Streamlining Government, Kennedy recommended that Louisiana should do away with the LSU, Southern University and University of Louisiana system boards and put all three systems under the oversight of the Board of Regents. The current structure pits university systems against each other to compete for funding, he said. “They protect their systems, and they protect their turf,” said Kennedy, who chairs an advisory panel to the streamlining commission that is looking at ways to shrink state spending amid years of projected budget shortfalls. The consolidation idea, backed by Kennedy’s advisory panel, will be considered by the full streamlining commission next week. A separate commission looking specifically at cost-cutting in higher education hasn’t discussed the topic so far. Lombardi, in a recent luncheon speech in Baton Rouge, tossed aside suggestions that consolidating the university systems’ governing boards would significantly cut costs. He said “reorganizing the way people sit around the table” isn’t a solution to budget problems, but “an escape from the real problem.”
photo By carlos osorio/ap photo
detroit residents, right, pick up forms to apply for federal stimulus funds at cobo center in detroit, wednesday. scuffles erupted and several people were treated for fainting and exhaustion as thousands of detroit residents tried to apply for free federal money.
Detrioters rush for money By corey Williams associated press writer
DETROIT—Scuffles erupted as thousands of Detroiters jockeyed, pushed and shoved Wednesday to get free money being offered to only 3,500 of the city’s recently or soon to be homeless. Several received medical treatment for fainting or exhaustion while frantically trying to obtain the applications for federal assistance. The long lines and short tempers highlighted the frustration and desperation that Detroiters feel struggling through an economic nightmare. The line around downtown’s Cobo Center started forming well before daybreak. Anger flared within a few hours as more people sought out a dwindling number of
applications for the program. Members of the Detroit Police Department’s Gang Squad and other tactical units were called in for crowd control. Several people reportedly passed out from exhaustion and had to be treated by emergency medical personnel. Some minor injuries were reported, and no arrests were made. “It’s a sign of the times, and we can’t deny we have people here who are in need,” said Karen Dumas, communications director for Mayor Dave Bing. “It’s scary and very disappointing. It also shows a need for redirection for our city.” One in four working-age adults in Detroit is without a job and the city’s home foreclosure rate continues to be among the nation’s highest.
One in four families and three out of every 10 individuals live below the poverty level, according to the U.S. Census. Before Wednesday, Detroit Planning and Development workers already had spent two days handling long lines at City Hall and other locations. Rumors that $3,000 stimulus checks from the Obama administration spurred heavy turnouts. That helped get 33-yearold William Lambert and his 27-year-old fiancee, Iesha Wagner, to City Hall on Tuesday. Lambert said he is out of work and living with Wagner at her mother’s home. “We kind of fell on hard times,” he said. “It’s hard working as a carpenter and then not working at all. It’s not good right now.”
Pot legalization gains steam in Calif. SAN FRANCISCO (AP)— Marijuana advocates are gathering signatures to get at least three pot-legalization measures on the ballot in 2010 in California, setting up what could be a groundbreaking clash with the federal government over U.S. drug policy. At least one poll shows voters would support lifting the pot prohibition, which would make the state of 40 million the first in the nation to legalize marijuana. Such action would also send the state into a headlong conflict with the U.S. government while raising questions about how federal law enforcement could en-
force its drug laws in the face of a massive governmentsanctioned pot industry. The state already has a thriving marijuana trade, thanks to a first-of-its-kind 1996 ballot measure that allowed people to smoke pot for medical purposes. But full legalization could turn medical marijuana dispensaries into all-purpose pot stores, and the open sale of joints could become commonplace on mom-and-pop liquor store counters in liberal locales like Oakland and Santa Cruz. Under federal law, marijuana is illegal, period. After overseeing a series of raids that destroyed more than
300,000 marijuana plants in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills this summer, federal drug czar Gil Kerlikowske proclaimed, “Legalization is not in the president’s vocabulary, and it’s not in mine.” The U.S. Supreme Court also has ruled that federal law enforcement agents have the right to crack down even on marijuana users and distributors who are in compliance with California’s medical marijuana law. But some legal scholars and policy analysts say the government will not be able to require California to help in enforcing the federal marijuana ban if the state legalizes the drug.
Lomotey compiles encyclopedia on black education
SU Chancellor Lofi Lomotey has compiled a two-volume encyclopedia that he hopes will raise awareness about various aspects of education for African-Americans. Lomotey’s “Encyclopedia of African American Education” will appear on some bookshelves beginning Oct. 20. It covers topics including the illegal teaching of lessons to slaves, the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, and modern classrooms. The work is the result of Lomotey’s partnership with California-based SAGE Publications. He is the longtime editor of that publisher’s scholarly journal, “Urban Education.”
Naked burglar caught on tape
SLIDELL— Police say a naked man who appeared to be drunk or on drugs broke into a home in Slidell, cooked and ate a meal and took a shower before leaving, wrapped only in a sheet. Slidell Police Capt. Kevin Foltz says a video surveillance system at the home shows that the naked man first used a garden hose to shower outside the house. He later broke several windows, entered the house and ransacked it before cooking himself a meal, having several drinks and showering again. It happened early Monday while the home’s owner was away. Police chief Freddy Drennan is hoping for the public’s help in finding the suspect.
Another lawsuit in post-Katrina blockade
NEW ORLEANS—Another lawsuit has been filed in connection with the closure of the Crescent City Connection bridge to pedestrians who were trying to leave New Orleans in the chaotic days after Hurricane Katrina. The new suit comes a week after a federal judge partially granted class certification in a lawsuit filed against police in the case. The new suit not certified as part of the class of people covered in the federal lawsuit.
Page 6 - Friday, October 9, 2009
www.southerndigest.com
Floating house could ride New Orleans’ floods By stacey plaisance associated press writer
NEW ORLEANS—A house capable of floating atop rising floodwaters made its debut Tuesday in New Orleans alongside more than a dozen other homes built through actor Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation. Called the FLOAT House, the unique home aims to answer the challenge posed by the Big Easy’s flood risk, starkly illustrated by the rising waters of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. “I wanted to float it down the Mississippi River to New Orleans,” architect Thom Mayne said with a chuckle while in New Orleans for Tuesday’s event. Instead, the home was shipped in pieces from Los Angeles, where it had been constructed on UCLA’s campus. The dwelling was designed by Morphosis Architects under the direction of Mayne, a professor at UCLA. Mayne said it’s the first of its kind to be permitted in the United States. It is long and narrow like the traditional New Orleans shotgun home and sits on a raised 4-foot base. It also has a front porch. But the home is contemporary in design, with sharp angles and energy efficient features like solar panels and a roof designed to capture and recycle water. “You have to build a house for the environment, for the reoccurrence of hurricanes, but it can also be energy efficient,” Mayne said. No one lives there yet, but a family could buy the home and move in as early as next month, said Tom Darden, executive director of Make It Right. The
photo by patrick dunn-baker/AP PHOTO
An undated handout photo provided Tuesday by Morphosis Architects shows a house capable of floating. The house, said to be the first permitted in the United States, has been brought to New Orleans and placed among more than a dozen other homes built through actor Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation. The home, called the FLOAT House, was unveiled Tuesday and is designed to float up and down with rising water levels.
group says it went through the local zoning and permitting channels before erecting the 1,000 square-foot, twobedroom house on the site. Residents must qualify through the
foundation to be eligible for the floating house or other homes being built by Pitt’s group. They must have lived in the Lower 9th Ward before Hurricane Katrina struck the area in August 2005.
Mayne said the Morphosis floating house technology was developed and is in use in the Netherlands, where architects are working to address rising sea levels expected with climate change. In case of a flood, the base of the house acts as a raft, allowing the home to rise on guide posts up to 12 feet as water levels rise. In the Lower 9th Ward, which saw some of the worst flooding in the city during Katrina, floodwater reached as high as 12 feet. “It’s amazing,” Darden said. “Our goal is to be as innovative and eco-friendly as we can be, and the FLOAT House is certainly technology designed for this climate.” The home’s base is a high-performance chassis made from polystyrene foam coated in glass fiber-reinforced concrete. It houses the essential equipment to supply power, water and fresh air. While not intended for occupants to remain inside during a hurricane, the structure is designed to minimize catastrophic damage and preserve the homeowner’s investment, Mayne said. The floating home should also allow residents to return within days of a hurricane or flood, Mayne said. Mayne’s team, which included architects and UCLA graduate students, took about two years to design and build the house. He said he is now shopping for a production company to help mass produce it. Miller said the houses could sell for around $150,000. Shannon Sharpe Briand, a New Orleans real estate agent with ReMax for more than seven years, said she thinks some buyers would be interested in the floating homes, especially if the going price is $150,000.
SPORTS
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - Page 7
www.southerndigest.com
Bye gives Jags breather
photo by kenyetta m. coLLinS/DiGeSt
southern free safety Jason House tries to get past Jackson state’s Anthony Mayes after picking off trae rutland in the first quarter last weekend. House’s four interceptions on the season is tied for the national lead in football championship subdivision play. By larry young digest sPorts editor
Southern’s bye week may be just what the doctor ordered. Coming at such a crucial time after the Jaguars’ meltdown on the sidelines of Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Miss. – one in which FCS All-American WR Juamorris Stewart was taken out of the game and QB Bryant Lee stormed off the field without shaking hands with Jackson State players—after a vital Southwestern Athletic Conference loss 22-14. On Monday, SU coach Pete Richardson offered his thoughts on what his team needs to do to come out on top in close contests, and what they will work on during the off week. Here’s a short list: • Richardson believes his team must establish the run early in games. He said getting the running game started is vital
to his team’s offensive success. Out of 56 snaps, SU passed 40 times. As deadly as they are throwing the ball, a predictable offense won’t survive long. It didn’t help that SU totaled just 20 yards on those 16 carries. With basically no threat of a running game, Stewart was held to 69 yards on seven catches. “When teams double on him high and low, somebody else has to step forward and make plays for us,” Richardson said. • Get rest. SU has played a month of football games without any time off. Factor in camp, and the Jaguars have been going full speed for two months without a break. “It’s been a long two months for our football team, so we have to work on getting sound,” Richardson said. “We’ve been thin on the defensive line due to injury and some individuals have suffered with colds.” See bye week page 8
SPORTs SHORTS SU soccer to host Alcorn
Southern’s soccer team will welcome Alcorn in their first non-conference match in October. Today’s game is set for 4 p.m. at Clark Park in Baker. SU (0-10, 0-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) will be looking for their first win of the year. Leading the way for the Lady Jags in shots is junior Nakesha Rolle with 16. The Bahamas native is currently tied for fifth in the SWAC. Goalie D’nae Capron leads the team in saves with 67 and is fifth in the conference.
SU Invitational begins today
It’s time again for the 25th Annual Southern University Invitational Volleyball Tournament, held today and Saturday. Participating schools include Alabama State, Grambling State, Jackson State,
Mississippi Valley State, Prairie View A&M, and tournament host Southern. At the end of the tourney there will be an all-tournament team, an MVP award, first and second place team awards and a coach of the tournament award. The last three winners of the invitational are in the tourney with 2008 winner Prairie View looking to repeat. All matches will be played at Seymour Gymnasium.
Beathley named POTW
Junior Lourena Beathley was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s defensive player of the week. The former Broadmoor High star posted 18 digs in a single match last week as the Lady Jaguars defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff in three sets. Beathley averages a team-best 2.41 digs and has totaled a team-high 82 digs.
Page 8 - Friday, October 9, 2009
www.southerndigest.com
PV takes control of SWAC West SWAC By morris dillard digest SPORTS writer
Over the years, Black College football fans have witnessed electrifying come from behind victories and classic battles between in-state rivals. During that time, the Southwestern Athletic Conference has reached a level of excitement where fans are at the edge of their seats anticipating historical moments. So far, many coaches have set the stage for their players to deliver that moment in college football history that will forever be remembered. Rejuvenated Prairie View A&M were picked to finish third in the SWAC Western Division at the beginning of the season. So far, the Panthers have fought their way atop. On Saturday, in the Cotton Bowl, PV made a big statement putting an end to a 21-game losing streak to Grambling. The Panthers (2-1, 2-0 SWAC) defeated rival Texas Southern 17-7 in the 25th annual Labor Day Classic on opening weekend. In Jackson, Miss., Southern’s three game win streak came to
SWAC STANDINGS EASTERN DIVISION
Alabama A&M Jackson St. Miss. Valley Alabama St. Alcorn St.
SWAC Overall 1 0 4 1 1 0 1 3 1 1 2 2 0 1 3 1 0 1 0 3
WESTERN DIVISION
Prairie View SOUTHERN Ark.-Pine Bluff Grambling St. Tex. Southern
SWAC Overall 2 0 2 1 1 1 3 2 1 1 2 2 0 1 2 3 0 1 1 3
Last Week’s Results Jackson St. 22, SOUTHERN 14 Miss. Valley 61, Texas Coll. 6 Alabama A&M 35, Tuskegee 15 Prairie View 35, Grambling St. 32 Alcorn St. at Ark.-PB—canceled Alabama St., Tex. Southern—idle This Week’s Games Prairie View at Alabama St., 1 pm* Tex. Southern at Rutgers, 2:30 pm Alabama A&M at Grambling St., 3 pm* Miss. Valley at Alcorn St., 4 pm* Ark.-PB at Jackson St., 4 pm* *—denotes SWAC game
an abrupt end as Jackson State topped the Jaguars 22-14. The
Tigers outrushed SU 246-20 and drained the clock, holding the ball 11 minutes more than the Jaguars. SU (3-2, 1-1) has a bye week before its next game, Fort Valley State on Oct.17. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-2, 1-1) went through a series of position changes during the offseason. The Golden Lions were 3-9 last season and finished fourth in SWAC. However, this season UAPB leads the SWAC in total defense, holding opponents to 275 yards per game. Third year head coach Rod Broadway’s Grambling State Tigers were picked to repeat as SWAC champions. So far, GSU (2-3, 0-1) has played tough non-conference opponents and suffered their first SWAC defeat Saturday. Texas Southern (1-3, 0-1), travels to Brunswick, N.J., to play Rutgers in a non-conference game. The Tigers have nine defensive interceptions and lead SWAC in total offense. Alabama A&M senior defensive end Jeremy Maddox was selected SWAC defensive player of the week after Saturday’s 35-15 win over Tuskegee at the Circle City Classic. Alabama A&M (4-1, 1-0) looks to continue its fast
start and win at Grambling on Saturday. Jackson State junior cornerback, Anthony Johnson and senior kicker, Eric Perri were named SWAC Newcomer and Specialist of the Week. The honors were given after JSU’s 22-14 win over SU. Johnson made two tackles, one interception and three pass breakups in the Tigers’ first win of the season. JSU (1-3, 1-0) hosts UAPB at Veterans Memorial Stadium Saturday. Mississippi Valley State (22, 1-1) squares off against in state rival Alcorn Saturday in Lorman, Miss. The Devils have won two straight games including Saturday’s 61-6 thrashing of Texas College. Alabama State (3-1, 0-1) suffered its first SWAC defeat Saturday at the hands of MVSU. The Hornets won three straight games against non-conference opponents and face a physical PV team that can run the football. Alcorn (0-3, 0-1) remains winless but looks to turn its season around after the bye week. In the Braves’ last game, a 48-42 loss to SU, senior quarterback Timothy Buckley threw for 484 yards and five touchdowns.
scolds GSU, PV bands digest news service
The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced today the Grambling State Marching Band and the Prairie View A&M Marching Band have each been issued a public reprimand for their actions during last Saturday’s Grambling StatePrairie View A&M football game. Conference rules state that: “once the offensive team breaks the huddle and approaches the line of scrimmage, the band shall cease playing.” By rule, both bands were asked to stop playing at these times by both the referee and the public address announcer. SWAC rules state that: “on the 2nd offense the violating band will be reprimanded and suspended from performing during their next contest and/or fined an amount to be determined by the Commissioner. On the 3rd offense the violating band will be suspended from performing the remainder of the season. ” “While we completely understand the importance of the bands to our total game experience, the rules of playing during the game must be adhered to in the interest of competitive balance”, SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp said. “There are a number of opportunities for the bands to play and perform between plays, as well as, prior to the offensive team approaching the line of scrimmage. We expect all of our outstanding bands to follow these guidelines.”
bye week from page 7
get online @
www.southerndigest.com
• At such a crucial time in their young season, the Jaguars should take advantage of this week and use dismantle Fort Valley State, in preparation for its big test the following week. On Oct. 22, Prairie View, who is currently undefeated and in control of the Western Division visits Mumford Stadium. “We know what’s at stake,” tight end Warren Matthews said. “If we win out, we go to Birmingham that much easier. We have to win out.” • Get back to the basics. Like any other veteran coach, Richardson knows games are won in the trenches. Likewise, he wants to see the offensive line “hang in there on their blocks” to open holes for the running backs. “We have to regroup and get ready to move on from here,” Richardson said.
arts & entertainment Friday, October 9, 2009 - Page 9
www.southerndigest.com
Connick Jr. blasts blackface skit By tanalee smith associated press writer
ADELAIDE, Australia—An Australian variety show host has apologized for a skit in which singers parodying the Jackson Five performed in blackface. American singer and actor Harry Connick Jr., who was serving as a guest judge on Wednesday night’s “Hey Hey It’s Saturday,” was visibly shocked by the skit, in which four men with afro wigs and blackface sang and danced behind a Michael Jackson impersonator wearing white makeup. Connick, 42, gave the per-
formance a zero score and told them that if it had been done in the United States it would have been pulled off the air. Blackface was a traditional trope of minstrel shows in the U.S. that dates to the 19th century. Whites playing stock black characters — usually offensive stereotypes meant to demean — rubbed coal, grease or shoe polish on their faces. Blackface performances are not common in Australia. Public reaction to the “Hey Hey” performance in online forums was mixed. Some Australians said they were embarrassed such a racist sketch had been broadcast, while others said detractors
were too politically correct and that the skit was funny. Michael Jackson died June 25 at age 50. At a news conference on other issues Thursday morning, opposition politician Helen Coonan labeled the skit “disgusting.” Host Daryl Somers apologized to Connick at the end of the live show. “I know that to your countrymen, that’s an insult to have a blackface routine like that on the show, so I do apologize to you,” Somers said. Connick said he would not have appeared on the show if he’d known about the skit. “I just want to say, on behalf
of my country, I know it was done humorously, but we’ve spent so much time trying to not make black people look like buffoons, that when we see something like that we take it really to heart,” he told Somers after his apology. Anand Deva, the frontman of the “Jackson Jive” act, said it was not meant to cause offense but added he would not have performed it in the U.S. “Hey Hey” ran for 27 years starting in 1971. The “Jackson Jive” group first appeared on the show 20 years ago and were invited back to reprise their roles during the second of two reunion shows for the once-popular program.
Andrews case shows hotel security holes By beth j. harpaz ap travel editor
NEW YORK—The hotel industry is reexamining guest privacy safeguards in light of the case of an ESPN reporter who was videotaped nude through the peephole of her hotel room door, allegedly by a man who reserved an adjacent room. “This is a wakeup call for the hotel industry,” said Peter Greenberg, author of “Hotel Secrets from the Travel Detective” and CBS travel editor. Court papers say Michael D. Barrett requested and received a hotel room adjacent to ESPN reporter Erin Andrews at the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University. Barrett then allegedly jimmied the peephole of Andrews’ hotel door, shot the videos and uploaded them to the Internet. Until now, requests for adjacent rooms have been handled inconsistently throughout the hotel industry. If you ask for a room next to another guest, some hotels will call the other guest for consent, but many will simply go ahead and book it without
photo by John Smierciak/AP PHOTO
Michael Barrett runs through neighbors backyards to avoid the media as he enters the back door of his home in Westmont, Ill., on Monday. Barrett, 47, is accused of secretly making nude videos of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews and apparently uploading videos of other unsuspecting nude women to the Internet, a federal prosecutor said Monday. Barrett was released on $4,500 bond but was ordered to wear an ankle monitoring bracelet, to adhere to a strict curfew and not to use the Internet.
confirming with the other party. “There is no consistent policy within individual brands or
across the industry,” said John Burns, president of Hospitality Technology Consulting in Scottsdale, Ariz. “It is in the
hotel industry’s cultural DNA to attempt to satisfy guests’ ‘adjacent room’ or ‘connecting room’ requests.” Such requests are not uncommon from extended families, tour participants and individuals traveling together for work or conventions. “It would not be unusual for a guest who affirmatively seems to know that another guest is registered to ask to be placed adjacent or near another guest and for that request to be honored,” said Bjorn Hansen, a professor at New York University’s Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management. But Burns said “given the recent focus on this issue, I expect that policies related to handling this request are under consideration both at the property and brand level.” Joe McInerney, CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, confirmed that his organization “sent an advisory to our members asking them to review all their guest privacy procedures and all of their security procedures to make sure their staff are doing everything they should be doing.”
Rapper Jones pleads guilty to NYC assault By jennifer peltz associated press writer
NEW YORK—Rapper Jim Jones admitted Monday to punching a friend of Ne-Yo’s in the face in a Louis Vuitton store during a scuffle that erupted as the R&B crooner was browsing. Jones pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge in his Dec. 22 dustup with Jayvon Smith in the luxury-goods retailer’s Fifth Avenue store in Manhattan. Jones, 33, was sentenced to time served — the few hours he was in custody after
turning himself in to police in January. The fight unfolded in front of holiday shoppers in the store, which sits opposite Tiffany’s flagship on Fifty-Seventh Street. Defense lawyer Scott Leemon had previously said Jones didn’t start the fight. Leemon said Monday the rapper pleaded guilty because he didn’t want to risk probation — and potential touring restrictions — if convicted. Leemon declined to comment on what started the fight. Ne-Yo told the Los Angeles-based radio station Power 106 in
February that Jones and Smith “have had drama in the past.” Jones still faces a civil suit Smith filed after the incident. Jones, whose birth name is Joseph Jones, released his latest album, “Pray IV Reign,” in March. He recently starred in “Hip-Hop Monologues: Inside the Life and Mind of Jim Jones,” an off-Broadway play chronicling his life on the road and on Harlem streets. He said as he left court that he has “just been working on the music and trying to steer clear of any trouble.”
Page 10 - Friday, October 9, 2009
www.southerndigest.com
VIEWPOINTS
Friday, October 9, 2009 - Page 11
www.southerndigest.com
A real friend lost I’M JUST ASKING STATEMENT
I’M JUST ASKING is for entertainment purposes only. These remarks do not represent the opinions of the DIGEST staff, Southern University or the Office of Student Media Services.
1. Who really wants to sleep with David Letterman? 2. Whose bright idea was it to have a home game out of state? 3. How come some places in Jackson didn’t have good cell phone service? 4. Who tailgates outside of a hotel? 5. Better yet, who tailgates outside of Chili’s? 6. Why can’t they just go inside? 7. How come Kofi can write an encyclopedia but not give the Digest five minutes of his time? 8. Is this where the Lacumba money going? 9. After looking at the homecoming poster, who wants to stay for the events? 10. Who’s not going to any? 11. Are Thursday’s events for kids only? 12. Who wants to get their face painted? 13. Do the Sonic Boom of the South and the Human Jukebox share hazing tips? 14. Who’s sitting on Fort Valley State’s side instead of the home side? 15. Who is Fort Valley State? 16. Will Miss Southern look like a “No Boundaries” mannequin for homecoming? 17. How much is her stipend, $3? 18. Doesn’t she have a stylist? 19. Why do some commuters try hard to park at the MLK Catholic center? 20. And, asn’t Dr. King Baptist, and are there THAT many Catholics attending SU?
Read the Digest at WWW.
southern digest .com
I often ponder… “what is my life?” accomplishments, goal(s)… but mostly I think about my friends. Not really which are my real friends, but how many of those real friends do I have. A friend that’s always there. Someone who won’t forget about you down the line. A real friend. As I contemplate, I often forget to appreciate the true friends that are here now. I was unfortunate enough to be reminded of one such friend as I entered the engineering building Tuesday Oct. 6, 2009. It was around 10:15pm when I passed something that gave me the grim reminder and sent a chill down my spine as I looked on in total shock and awe. I remember my friend as far back as elementary school. He was a lightskinned guy, with kind of square glasses and a hightop fade. I remember so vividly because I have a picture from back then that I was going to give to his then girlfriend’s brother to
WIL NORWOOD embarrass him a little. Things were different back then. School friends would always be at school, until they leave. That happened a few times, as I would later in life see this particular friend more than once. The next encounter would be when I made it to Crestworth Middle. One day I was in P.E. and noticed a now taller version of my friend with smaller glasses and way less hair. I must admit, I didn’t believe it was him at first since he looked so different. It was a great to see Mike again. And we could still talk to each other a usual. And this was when my individualism began to become more apparent. We’d chill, same as always. Just as we picked up,
same as always, so did the cycle. The next time I saw him was in Mayberry, still same as always. We even exchanged numbers. I may have called once. I was sure the time passed may have made us too different. Then I’d see him maybe three more times over the years until the last time I passed him about a week or two ago. We crossed each other near James. We spoke, but I was in a hurry to get where I was headed. I was in a hurry. I wish I had known that where I was going could have waited. Tuesday, I walked into the engineering building and stopped in awe as I saw a huge memorial that read “R.I.P. Michael Bailey.” It wasn’t a crewed joke as I thought it was. It wasn’t a mistake. I hurried through life, and found out two days late. I often ponder can I have more real friends that will always be there? Right now, however it doesn’t matter. I just lost one. A real one.
Letter to the Editor Though Merriam-Webster may define it differently, leadership is not simply a title to be claimed. It is more than a simple position to be filled or an occupation to be seized. Its true definition is more expansive than simply telling the riffraff what to do and how to operate in the confines of a society. Leadership is far more than all of this. True leadership (and I must never fail to draw the difference between true leadership and that which is present in certain aspects of Southern University Administration) is not simply some quality that grants the upper echelons of society a blank check to mess over us “lesser” individuals. Instead, it serves to lift us up, encourage us, communicate with us, and provide the types of support so that, when we come to fruition, we are able to exemplify this leadership in leading others. True leadership, as it pertains to Southern University, brings you down from your office in mid day to the café, to the residence halls, and to the Student
get online @
Union to interact with, listen to, and work with the students whom you are employed to work for. Allow me to take this moment to thank the likes of Dr. Shujaa and Ms. Wessinger and others of our campus’s unsung heroes who have exemplified true leadership in this regard. True leadership brings you over to the temporary (and I trust it will be temporary) Student Section of A.W. Mumford Stadium to make your presence felt and show your support for student causes and your consideration for the feelings of the Student Body on the matters they deem critical. On that note, I send a gentle nod to the Dr. Kassie Freeman who briefly bled along with us for our seats. These are examples of true leadership. Unfortunately, we have some members of the Southern University Administration that have intentionally, in nonchalance, or obliviously displayed the fundamentally flawed leadership that is grounded in fundamentally flawed leadership philosophy.
It is fundamentally flawed leadership philosophy to say, and I quote, “there are some issues that students just aren’t going to have a say in.” It is fundamentally flawed leadership philosophy to be seen on the front row at campus events where nationally renowned guests are present and then disappear gently into the good night not to be seen again by the ones who truly matter. But none of the flaws of our Southern University Administration’s leadership are irreversible. As I have stated before, the solution to this persistent issue is the conscious effort by our leadership to reverse course, increase administrationto-student contact and communications, and restore the true focus of historically black institutions such as ours. I have faith that the administration will heed our cry and once again strive for the perfection of Southern University campus life. Demetrius Sumner, Senator-at-Large Student Government Association
www.southerndigest.com
SPEAK OUT
Which homecoming event are you looking forward?
BY wil norwood
Digest photo editor
brittany henry Kentwood Junior nursing
henry
Monica.”
“The concert. I really want to see who’s there because I really haven’t heard about anyone else being there except
viola selvage baton rouge freshman elementary education
“I’m looking forward to the selvage Coronation, so I can see how the Miss Southern is crowned.”
aaron chauvin new orleans senior computer science
“I’m looking forward to the grand opening of chauvin the art gallery the most. I have a few pieces in the show.”
kaneesha hutchinson
lake charles freshman civil engineering
“The pep rally. I want to see what all the fuss is about.” hutchinson SUBMISSIONS POLICY
The Southern DIGEST welcomes letters from readers commenting on current issues and other matters of general interest to the SU family and public. We set aside this space to publish these letters for others to enjoy. This newspaper is not responsible for individual opinions expressed on its editorial and opinion pages. The Southern DIGEST reserves the right to edit any contributions and or reject them without notification. Authors are encouraged to limit the length of submissions to 300 words. Letters should not include libelous statements. Offensive and personal attacks will not be permitted. The DIGEST will not print “open letters” addressed to someone else. All contributions must be type written, signed and must include the author’s address and phone number. Unsigned letters will not be printed. Southern University students should include their majors, hometowns and year in school. When referring to specific DIGEST articles, please include the date and title. All materials should be directed to the editor in chief of The Southern DIGEST, P.O. Box 10180, Baton Rouge, La. 70813. Materials may be delivered by hand to the DIGEST office located in Suite 1064 Harris Hall or can be e-mailed to digest@ subr.edu.
Editorial policy
Staff editorials represent the opinions of the author and the majority opinion of the Southern DIGEST Student Editorial Board, which is comprised of the student staff of editors and columnists. The Southern DIGEST provides an open forum to educate, inform and enlighten the students, faculty and staff at Southern University, Baton Rouge, La.
Page 12 -Friday, October 9, 2009
www.southerndigest.com