The official student newspaper of Alabama State University
The Hornet Tribune “WE NEED A FREE PRESS. WE MUST HAVE IT. IT’S VITAL.” “The New York Times of Alabama State University”
VOLUME 57, ISSUE 5
SEPTEMBER 22, 2018
PHOTO BY DAVID EVANS/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
President Quinton T. Ross, Jr., Ed.D, reassured the audience that he has been working on their issues, telling them that these challenges are nothing more than opportunities for improvement.
“YOU DON’T KNOW MY STORY”
After one year, President Quinton T. Ross, Jr., Ed.D, delivers the annual state of the university address BY NEFSA’HYATT BROWN Interim Editor-in-Chief nefsahyatt.brown21@gmail.com
On Thursday morning, Sept. 20, Alabama State University President Quinton T. Ross, Jr., Ed.D, addressed the progress and future of Alabama State University’s during his annual “State of the University Address” in the Dunn-Oliver Acadome. Highlighting a diverse range of topics, including
campus improvements, funds raised during the Inauguration Week, Ross’ speech focused on the attitudes of faculty, staff and students regarding the university, the current media attention that the university is receiving, as well as university achievements and advancements over the past year. Ross challenged all members of the Alabama State University family by asking them “Why are you here?”
“If you are here as faculty or staff, why are you here?” Ross questioned. “Are you here just to get a check, or are you here to truly impact the lives of the thousands of students that we come into contact with? If you are a student, why are you here? Are you here to bring some of the same things that you used to do to a campus of higher education? Answer that question understanding that you have arrived at an institution that
was provided to us by nine freed slaves, who long ago, before we were born, thought enough of us to provide us an institution of higher learning that has produced graduates all over the country, in various position with various opportunities ...” Outside of calling the audience to arms on knowing their purpose, Ross also spoke about the importance of protecting “our house”, Alabama State University.
“Every institution in this country has it challenges, daily, but the benefit that we have is for our media to determine that something is newsworthy that really is not,” Ross said. “I have said it before. If the media could come help me fix something, come to Alabama State and help me. It does not do anything to write it because it does not help the problem.” Praising students on their display of resilience and pa-
tience in times of adversity, Ross reassured the audience that he has been working on their issues, telling them that these challenges are nothing more than opportunities for improvement. He also was clear on expressing that the improvement of ASU was first priority in everything that he does. “As long as you have the wheels of progress turning, See STORY on page 3
Kavanaugh, Ford agree to testify on Thursday
FILE PHOTO BY DAVID EVANS/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
WASHINGTON (AP) — Negotiators reached a tentative agreement Saturday for the Senate Judiciary Committee to hear testimony Thursday from Christine Blasey Ford, the woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault from decades ago, according to two people briefed on the matter. Lawyers for Ford and bipartisan representatives of the committee came to the tentative agreement after a short phone call, said one of the people, who was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity. The person said Kavanaugh would also appear. Some details of the hear-
ASU Trustees listen carefully during the board meeting as members of the administration present proposals for board action.
Trustees pass university operating budget
BY NEFSA’HYATT BROWN least five years or more. “So when I initially saw Interim Executive Editor nefsahyatt.brown21@gmail.com the budget, I requested a budget or a synopsis of a budThe Alabama State get that would show what it University Board of Trust- would cost to provide lonees passed the university’s gevity pay for our workers 2018-19 operating budget who had been here five years during it’s last meeting of or longer,” McCord said, the year on Sept. 21, after “and I requested that we also the board’s Finance Com- look at what it would cost to mittee asked for more time give our workers who had to review the budget three been here five years or longer weeks earlier. a two percent raise. I did not Trustee Tiffany Mc- get those numbers until this Cord expressed her desire to morning, and I think that we compensate employees who have to look at those things had been at the institution at when we are talking about CAMPUS NEWS p.2
folks that have not received raises in a really long time and who have been dedicated to this university. I wish we had additional time to vet out the numbers, especially those who are making the least ....” Trustee Napoleon Bracy agreed with McCord and explained that the Finance Committee would be working closely with the administration “to do things better” including getting the budget earlier. Trustee Mario Lumzy, chairman of the Student Affairs Committee requested
HORIZONS p.5
that the board take action in terms of renaming the Division of Student Affairs to the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. The motion carried and was approved. Faculty Senate Chairman Douglas Strout, Ph.D. thanked the university president for his response to shared governance. However, Strout brought to the attention of the board that some faculty had not been paid for teaching this See PASS on page 3 VIEWPOINTS p.7
Justice Anthony Kennedy
ing, such as the order of their appearance, remained in negotiation. Talks were expected to continue Sunday. The tentative accord could bring to a close days of high-stakes brinkmanship that have roiled Washington ahead of midterm elections and threated to jeopardize See AGREE on page 3
CAMPUS STUDENT ORGANIZATION
QUEEN’S REGISTRATION MISS ASU CORONATION Deadline: October 5, 2018 CALL THE OFFICE OF STUDENT LIFE AT 334-229-4888
SPORTS p.11
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Sept. 22, 2018
The Hornet Tribune Alabama State University 915 South Jackson Street Montgomery, Alabama 36104 (334) 229-4273 www.hornettribune.com
EDITORIAL
Interim Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Copy Desk Chief Copy Editor Recruitment Editor Special Assignment Editor General Assignment Editor
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DIGITAL AND INTERACTIVE COMMUNICATIONS Digital and Interactive Media Director Vacant Social Media Manager Vacant Website Content Manager Vacant
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GENERAL POLICIES
The Hornet Tribune is written, edited and published by members of the student body at Alabama State University. All articles, photographs, and graphics are property of The Hornet Tribune and its contents may not be reproduced or republished without written permission from the general manager. The Hornet Tribune is published once-weekly (Tuesday) with a run count of 5,000 copies per issue during the Alabama State University campus fall, spring semesters. The paper is free to the students, staff, faculty, and the general public every Tuesday morning on the ASU campus. The Hornet Tribune student offices are open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday-Friday. The offices are located on the second floor of the John Garrick Hardy Center. The Hornet Tribune is the official student newspaper of the Alabama State University community located in Montgomery, Ala. 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. The Hornet Tribune is a 12- or 16 page newspaper produced by The Hornet Tribune staff. The entire student body, the primary audience of readers, receives the newspaper free of charge to encourage readership and to ensure the showcasing of our journalistic work. Our secondary audience includes faculty, local community and other collegiate newspaper staffs throughout the country. The newspaper attempts to inform and entertain its audience in a broad, fair and accurate manner on all subjects that affect readers. The medium seeks also to provide a forum for the opinions of the students, the staff of The Hornet Tribune and the faculty to encourage an exchange of ideas and opinions on issues of prominence to the readers. While the staff will allow constructive criticism of any part of The Hornet Tribune after publication, final authority for content of The Hornet Tribune rests solely in the hands of the staff, with the chief editor making the final decision.
PHOTO BY DAVID EVANS/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
State of Alabama Director of Minority Affairs Nichelle Nix encourages students to become active citizens in civic and political affairs.
Nix urges students to ‘get out and vote’ BY NIKITA DENNIS
Staff Reporter/Writer nikitadennis97@gmail.com
“This is your country, and this is your future,” said the Director for the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs Nichelle Nix, when asked about the importance of students learning more about politics and its purpose during the Lawrence Dunbar Reddick Lecture Series. “The importance of politics is registering to vote. You want to be involved and make sure your voice is heard.”
Nix, who was invited to lecture by the University Programs and Activities Board (UPAAB), promulgated the topic of “Grimey Politics: Public Trust and Ethics.” Nix said that public trust has been declining for decades in politics with the distrust levels being high among younger Americans and today’s climate does not make it easier. “It’s always interesting to talk to people, whether it’s professionally or personally, about politics,” Nix said. “It’s always so much nega-
tivity surrounding the word politics.” Nix feels it is important for younger adults to get out and vote because it is a way for your voice to be heard as a person of this country “where we live.” The Lawrence Dunbar Reddick Lecture Series bring distinguished speakers to campuses for “thought provoking” conversations. The lecture series offers the community and students at Alabama State University unique opportunities to hear diverse perspectives by hosting a
wide variety of famous educators, authors, actors, politicians, athletes, journalist, and activist. As the Governor’s Director of Minority Affairs, Nix advises the Governor on policy issues affecting women and minorities, in the areas of economic development, education, health, housing, civil rights, criminal justice and empowerment. She says it is important for women and minorities start restoring trust in politics.
Sophomore music education major Cheyenne Gibson is also concerned about campus security consistency. According to Gibson, “there is a “50/50” chance that the officers are at the checkpoint” adding that there seems to be no definitive measure of enforcement among the security staff. “It’s frustrating because there isn’t any consistency,” Gibson said. “There are three types of police officers at the checkpoint: the one that isn’t there, the one that is there, but doesn’t care, and the one that is there and is strict. There doesn’t seem to be a standard or consistency when it comes to how involved our officers are at the checkpoint.” Junior communications major Amber Woodie made it a point to highlight further discrepancies within the administration of security measures at the checkpoint. “When they are there, they don’t let food delivery people on campus, but they’ll let a Uber driver on campus,” Woodie said. “What’s the difference? Anyone could pretend to be an Uber driver just like anyone could pretend to be delivering food. I feel like that if you’re going
to have a checkpoint, you need to have the same energy all over campus at all the different openings.” Besides securing the checkpoints, campus security blocks other entrances onto campus to control the flow of incoming car traffic. “They block off certain entrances on campus that are open during the daytime with makeshift blockades, gates, and other stuff, but I’ve seen people move them to drive on campus,” Woodie said. “In reality, they’re just a hassle for the students. If anybody wants to walk onto campus and cause a problem or any harm to us, they can. It’s not impossible to walk on this campus. There are other ways to get on campus besides the checkpoint.” Zabril Rivers, a senior music performance major, said that officers need to make fewer assumptions about students and familiarize themselves with the students instead. “They treat the [students] on campus like criminals,” Rivers said. “They treat us as if we are not paying students. We attend classes here and we should be treated with an appropriate level of respect.
They need to do something to get to know us. In that way, they won’t see us as little bad kids or delinquents.” Junior communications major Lorenzo Charles explained that it’s hard to discuss campus security without some degree of unfairness to officers. “People are biased when it comes to security,” Charles said. “Whenever we have the security we need, people complain about cops being everywhere, but when we have less security, people get robbed. We need more security that will focus on their job and not just harass the students. The best thing that we could hope to do is have our campus gated. That way you could only get in with a student ID.” Charles continued. “That would keep a lot of people out. We need to fence our university completely in. It’s a community, it needs to be a gated community. We are the students, the rightful residents to this community, we live here, study here, and work here so our community needs to be safe.”
Students unhappy with campus safety BY LAMONTE PATTERSON Staff Reporter/Writer lpatterson1652@myasu.alasu.edu
Concern for the safety of college students is a growing national concern in light of recent incidents and tragedies on college campuses and Alabama State University students share that concern. “With everything going on campus now, I do not feel 100 percent safe on campus,” said Olivia Price, a junior biomedical engineering major, as she expressed her feelings about the general campus climate during late evening hours. Price explained that her unease is a result of disparities in the enforcement of campus security measures. “I only know of one officer that requires all of us in the car to show our IDs when we go through the checkpoint at night,” Price said. “There is only one out of however many they have on staff.” The checkpoint is supposed to act as a way of making sure that only people who are authorized to drive onto campus grounds at night, but without officer cohesion, it does little to assure students of their safety.
CAMPUS NEWS BRIEFS
SBDC offers networking and education seminar Join Alabama State University’s Small Business Development Center’s professional staff for a great opportunity to do a news story on local small business owners at an event titled: ‘Small Business After-Hours Networking & Education Seminar Series,’ which will take
place on Thursday evening from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. at ASU’s downtown location, which is located at 32 Commerce St. This is a great opportunity to do a news story on local small business owners and how local and national economics are affecting them
as they strive to survive. Also, the event helps provide them resources to stay updated about the many resources that can help their businesses thrive such as a valuable workshop on small business financial statements and the new Federal Tax Laws.
The event co-sponsored by BBVA Compass Bank and Alabama State University’s Small Business Development Center. Refreshments will be served. Pre-registration is required for small business participants (not news reporters) .
Inaugural ‘American Theatre of Being’ acting summit held The inaugural ‘American Theatre of Being Acting Summit’ is being held in Montgomery on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 29-30, 2018 in two locations: The ASU Building at 32 Commerce St. (downtown) and at the Hampton Inn (down-
town) on Commerce Street. and its sponsor is no other than the dean of ASU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, and recognized and renowned Hollywood actor, Dr. Tommie ‘Tonea’ Stewart. Stewart says that with so many movies now being
filmed in the River Region, Alabama State University’s Center of Excellence for the ‘Study of Being’ saw the need to offer to all actors and those interested in the art - a great opportunity to learn about the ‘nuts and bolts’ of acting from acclaimed movie
and TV acting experts who are schooled in the technique called ‘The American Theatre of Being,’ which will be taught at this weekend’s acting summit.
Have a news tip or a great news story, please contact nefsahyatt.brown21@gmail.com
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Senate holds first meeting, confirms new senators BY ALEXIS BUTLER
Staff Reporter/Writer alexisbutler57@gmail.com
The Alabama State University Student Government Association Student Senate confirmed several senators and Executive officers during its first meeting on Sept. 11. The Student Senate confirmed three senators from the College of Business that included sophomore finance major Tyler Rice, marketing major Marymuha Muhammad, and business management major Zakiyah Stirrup. One student from the College of Visual and Performing Arts, theater major Devin Glass-Rickett, was also confirmed. The Student Senate confirmed five senators from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Those students are political science major Deboski Boyd, mass communications major Wynter Rudolph, mass communications major Fanekqua Woody, history major Trentqual Rhone and social work major Kevin Coleman. One student from the College of Education, elementary education major Brianna Ellis was also confirmed by the Student Senate. Many of those students who were up for confirmation had various reasons why they wanted to be senators.
“To serve as an advocate for the student body,”Rice said. Coleman agreed. “There’s been a lot of confusion lately, some students don’t know who to talk to, but i want to be the voice for those afraid to say something.” Other senate officers were also confirmed. Brishanna Fondren was confirmed as the Senate Pro Tempore. The Senate Pro Tempore helps pass bills, holds meetings, etc. Elyssia OmniEssence was also confirmed as the Chief of Staff. She ensured the senators that her previous organization skills will play a large part in her success, she will create committees within SGA that will have different responsibilities, which will decrease the responsibilities of one person and make communication more effective. These committees will bring in weekly reports that will keep the president from being overwhelmed. Anfernee Green was confirmed as the director of communications for SGA. His goal is to change the culture and get students more involved, he wants students to work together. Other positions that were not confirmed were the attorney general and some of the committee chairs. The next senate meeting is scheduled for Sept. 28.
PHOTO BY DAVID EVANS/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
During the State of the University Address, students were entertained by students from the College of Visual and Performing Arts as they performed some Motown Classics.
Story: “I enjoyed the convocation. I thought that the artistic performance...” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
no matter how slow they may turn, they are turning,” Ross said. “When you talk about change, change is incremental. Some people want change today, but it won’t be today. It might be tomorrow and it might be 26 years from now or 26 miles down the road. We have to embrace change. We have to embrace it ... and that is what I am about, changing the way things are, grinding to make it happen.” Other members of the university family offered greetings during the fall convocation including Arianna Thompson, Miss Alabama State University 2018-19, Douglas Strout, Ph.D., chairman of the Faculty Senate, and Marion Brock, president of the NonInstructional Staff Council. Brock expressed his deepest gratitude to Ross and his efforts in moving ASU forward by donating $25,000 to the benevolence fund which is used to assist, recognize, and support the ASU family as needed. He also, spoke about the upcoming food pantry which will be located on the first floor of the John Garrick Hardy Center in the Counseling Center. This pantry, which will be opening in October will be available for faculty, staff, and students. The event also included various artistic performances from the Mighty March-
ing Hornets, the choir, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Students expressed mixed reactions to the convocation and Ross’ speech. Senior rehabilitation services major Natasha Marshall was excited. “The Fall 2018 convocation was honestly an amazing display of the abundance of talent and intellect ASU produces,” Marshall said. “I loved the optimism Dr. Ross’ speech gave. He was definitely right in saying that all institutions have their problems. Also, that the media only captures scandalous stories for attention. I think the speech eased a lot of minds by combating the negative happenings with positive happenings at ASU. Student attendance was certainly higher than usual so thank you to Dr. Rice for the financial incentives. Perhaps students will begin to enjoy university wide events so much they’ll attend on their own free will. Finally, the performances from the Theatre and Fine Arts Department were amazing (as usual)!” “I enjoyed the convocation,” said Najah Buck, a sophomore psychology major. “I thought that the artistic performances were a nice touch to the program as it incorporated everyone’s respective departments. I thought that our president gave a very thought-provoking speech that closed the program out nicely.”
GO HORNETS!!!
Sept. 22, 2018
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
PHOTO BY DAVID EVANS/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Pictured are students from the College of Visual and Performing Arts singing the classic hit by Gladys Knight and the Pips, “Midnight Train to Georgia.”
University family commemorates 9/11 BY CHRISTINE SHELTON Staff Reporter/Writer christineshelton99@gmail.com
There were somber ceremonies in New York City, in Shanksville, Pa., and at the Pentagon on Tuesday, Sept. 11 as the nation, along with survivors and families of those killed on this date, remembered Sept. 11, 17 years after the terrorist attack. Members of the Alabama State University family also remembered the attack, on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, as it held a commemoration ceremony in honor of all the fallen and their families. This commemoration took place at approximately 10 a.m. at the flagpole, centered between William Paterson Hall and William Hooper Councill Hall.
A recap of 9/11 was given before each member of the audience was asked to take a rose and place it at the center of the flagpole in tribute to these victims at the Pentagon. To honor the victims of the Pentagon attack, select students were chosen to read out the victims’ for and their families; each student was given a list of names and hometowns to read to the audience in memorial of that victim. These students were chosen from various organizations on campus. President Quinton T. Ross, Jr., Ed.D, recalled his own experience and how he was feeling at the time. “I was the principal at BTW Magnet High School, and I grabbed the phone to call my relatives in New York,” Ross said. “There’s
a magazine that they put out in New York that shows my cousin running away from the building and someone pulled her down into a basement.” “I felt that today’s memorial for the 9/11 victims was very important because people tend to forget 9/11 happened,” said Tamya Smith, a senior, majoring in elementary education, from Dothan, Alabama. “I feel like they need to do this every year, so we don’t forget the lives lost.” The recognition of 9/11 began with a prayer given by one of Alabama State’s hybrid students, Brandon Chessum. Following the prayer, the ROTC detachment 019 proceeded to lower the American flag at half-point. “I think this was really
great for Ms. Stakers, in the hybrid department, to collaborate with other organizations on campus and to remember 9/11 victims and first responders,” said Karan White, a graduate from Alabama State University ‘02, and a staff member for 15 years. “I’m just grateful to be in this nation.” “My son-in-law was stationed at the Pentagon, Colonel Reginald Williams, and my daughter, Stacy Williams, was just devastated. We were just trying to call to find out to get information, but the family was in shock. Luckily, within hour, Reggie called, and you know it was praise God. We continue to pray for those families until this day,” said Betty Brattnet, who knows a graduate from Alabama State University.
Pass: “That simply can’t stand. Faculty that are serving this university ...” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
summer. “That simply can’t stand,” Strout said. “Faculty that are serving this university during any term, summer, fall, or spring should be paid for their efforts in a timely way according to faculty salary schedule.”
Faculty members have expressed their concerns about payment for the summer 2018 term. Unfortunately, despite the fact that it is the end of September these problems have not been corrected. Secondly, he asked the board to be more considerate in regards to the cancellation
of classes. Calling it a matter of financial management, he explained to the board that the cost of overload courses which is significantly less than regular courses should be taken into consideration when deciding whether to cancel these courses. Also, he said that these course should not be held at the same stan-
dard because of the low cost of serving students and offering these courses. Making it a revenue versus cost situation, he spoke about how the professors who teach these overload courses do not receive a very high compensation as a way to further persuade them. The board thanked the presenters for their reports.
Agree: “Grassley’s latest offer were “fundamentally inconsistent” with the ...” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the court. Tensions have been running on overdrive since Ford, a 51-year-old college professor in California, went public with her allegation that Kavanaugh assaulted her when they were at a house party in high school. Kavanaugh, 53, an appellate court judge, denied the allegation and said he wanted to testify as soon as possible to clear his name. Vice President Mike Pence calls Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh “a man of integrity with impeccable credentials.” (Sept. 22) Ford initially indicated she wanted to tell her story to the committee, but talks dragged on as her lawyers negotiated terms of her appearance. Republicans grew frustrated as Ford’s lawyers insisted on a hearing next Thursday rather than Monday or even Wednesday and made other requests, some of which the committee chairman, Sen. Chuck Grassley,
R-Iowa, rejected. Democrats, against the backdrop of the #MeToo movement, countered that Ford should be shown respect and given accommodation to tell her story. As the talks continued, Grassley countered that he would end the standoff by scheduling a Monday vote on whether to recommend Kavanaugh’s nomination to the full Senate. Meanwhile, Republicans viewed Ford’s requests as a way to delay voting on President Donald Trump’s nominee. The White House views Ford’s potential testimony with trepidation, nervous that an emotional performance might not just damage Kavanaugh’s chances but could further energize female voters to turn out against Republicans in November. Moreover, the West Wing aides who had urged Trump to remain muted in his response to the accusations worried about how the president might react if she ended up partaking in an hourslong, televised hearing. In a single
tweet Friday, Trump broke his silence to cast doubt on Ford’s story in ways Republicans had been carefully trying to avoid. Trump mused to confidants that the “fake” attacks against his nominee were meant to undermine his presidency, according to a White House official and a Republican close to the White House. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss private conversations. Other Republicans had scoffed at Ford’s willingness to tell her story. “When?” tweeted the No. 2 GOP Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, a member of the committee. Ford attorneys Debra Katz and Lisa Banks had said that many aspects of Grassley’s latest offer were “fundamentally inconsistent” with the committee’s promise of a “fair, impartial investigation.” They said they remained disappointed by the “bullying” that “tainted the process.” Patience among Republicans was running thin. The
GOP has faced enormous pressure from its base of conservative leaders and voters to swiftly approve Kavanaugh, who would become the second of Trump’s nominees to sit on the nation’s highest court. Grassley had set a Friday night deadline for Ford to agree to the committee’s latest terms for her appearance. Grassley said that if she missed that deadline, he would scrap the hearing and his committee would vote on sending Kavanaugh’s nomination to the full Senate. Ford’s lawyers asked for another day. In a tweet aimed at Kavanaugh shortly before midnight, Grassley said he was giving them additional time. “She should decide so we can move on. I want to hear her. I hope u understand. It’s not my normal approach to b indecisive,” Grassley wrote. In backing away from deadlines and demands, Grassley underscored the sensitivity with which Senate Republicans have tried handling Ford.
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UNIVERSITY NEWS
Sept. 22, 2018
“We don’t create the news. We just report it.”
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VOLUME 57, ISSUE 5
SEPTEMBER 22, 2018
The official student newspaper serving the Alabama State University and Metro-Montgomery communities
Kavanaugh accuser wants FBI investigation
WASHINGTON (AP) — Christine Blasey Ford wants the FBI to investigate her allegation that she was sexually assaulted by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh before she testifies at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing next week, her lawyers said in a letter sent Tuesday to the panel. The lawyers wrote that Ford, who is now a college professor in California, wants to cooperate with the committee. But in the days since
she publicly accused Kavanaugh of the assault when they were teens at a party 35 years ago, the lawyers said, she has been the target of “vicious harassment and even death threats.” Her family has relocated, they said. An FBI investigation “should be the first step in addressing the allegations,” the lawyers wrote in the letter, which was obtained by The Associated Press. The development comes after President Donald
Trump showered sympathy on his embattled nominee and as Senate Republicans and Democrats fought determinedly over who should testify at a high-stakes hearing on the allegation just six weeks before major congressional elections. Trump has already rejected the idea of bringing in the FBI to reopen its background check of Kavanaugh. Should he order such a review, it would likely delay a confirmation vote until after the
election. Republicans hope to have Kavanaugh confirmed by Oct. 1, the start of the next Supreme Court term. Meanwhile, Republicans are suggesting that Ford, whose allegations have upended Kavanaugh’s nomination — the committee’s vote was already pushed from Thursday to likely next week — will have one chance to testify, and one chance only. “Monday is her oppor-
See ACCUSER on page 6
Nia Franklin, Miss New York, captured the Miss America 2.0 crown on Sunday beating out 50 other young women.
Franklin crowned Miss America (AP) Miss New York Nia Franklin was crowned Miss America 2019 Sunday night, beating out 50 other hopefuls at the rebooted competition. Franklin, 24, wowed judges when she performed an opera song during the talent portion of the competition. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Franklin said that she wanted to promote diversity, especially within the arts. “I just want to thank God for this, it took a lot of perseverance to get here,” she said shortly after winning, also thanking her family and especially her father, who is a survivor of cancer. Miss America 2.0: Behind-the-scenes changes to competition begin at preliminaries For the first time in its nearly 100-year history, the revamped Miss America pageant took place tonight sans its iconic swimsuit and evening gown competitions. Instead, the emphasis
Franklin, 24, wowed judges when she performed an opera song during the talent portion of the competition.
was on the contestants’ ability to answer questions and they were judged based on their passion, intelligence and overall understanding of the role of Miss America. The competition was hosted by “Dancing With the Stars” judge Carrie Ann Inaba and broadcast live from the Atlantic City Boardwalk. The tone of the competition was noticeably different from years past, with the opening sequence featuring the competitors clad in jeans and even a few sweatpants, and saying adjectives such
as “strong,” “confident” and “compassionate.” While the evening gown portion of the competition was axed this year, most of the contestants still donned glittering gowns during a majority of the competition. The Miss America Organization has courted controversy in recent months. Cara Mund, who was crowned last year while competing as Miss North Dakota, accused Miss America leadership of silencing and bullying her after she was crowned.
Mund made a special appearance during this year’s pageant and shared a special message, though she did not acknowledge her previous allegations of silencing and bullying. In a letter to past winners, published earlier this year, however, Mund wrote: “Our chair and CEO have systematically silenced me, reduced me, marginalized me and essentially erased me in my role as Miss America in subtle and notso-subtle ways on a daily basis.” Gretchen Carlson, the first former Miss America to be named chair of the Board of Trustees of the Miss America Organization, responded to Mund on Twitter, saying that she has “never” bullied or silenced her and will “continue to support her.” In December, former CEO Sam Haskell resigned after emails in which he insulted the appearance, intellect and personal lives of former pageant winners were leaked.
CBS President Les Moonves resigns amid sexual harassment allegations NEW YORK (AP) — CBS Chief Les Moonves resigned Sunday, just hours after six more women accused the long-time television executive of sexual misconduct. The resignation is effective immediately, CBS said in a statement posted on its website Sunday night. The New Yorker magazine reported the latest allegations included Moonves forcing women to perform oral sex and retaliating when advances were turned away. Moonves acknowledged relations with three of the women but said they were consensual, adding he had never used his position to hurt the careers of wom-
en.
The network didn’t address the allegations directly, but said Moonves will donate $20 million to one or more organizations that support the #MeToo movement and equality for women in the workplace. “The donation, which will be made immediately, has been deducted from any severance benefits that may be due Moonves,” the statement said. CBS said the network’s chief operating officer, Joseph Ianniello, will take over Moonves’ duties as president and CEO until its board of directors can find a permanent replacement. For the time being Moonves’ role as chair-
CBS Chief Les Moonves resigned just hours after six more women accused the television executive of sexual misconduct.
man will remain vacant. Hours before Moonves’ resignation the New Yorker magazine reported sexual misconduct allegations from six additional women against Moonves, who was already
under investigation for similar allegations made by six others. As that investigation progressed it was widely reSee RESIGNS on page 6
Call the HORIZONS desk at (334) 229-4419 or email asuhorizons@gmail.com
Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee about an alleged sexual assault that occurred while both were teenagers.
Innocent Arkansas man released from prison after 26 years LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas man whose 1992 murder conviction was overturned with the help of the Midwest Innocence Project was freed from prison Wednesday, describing the moment as “surreal” and saying he plans to meet up with his fiancée before traveling to see family in Las Vegas. John Brown, 51, got cheeseburgers with his lawyers after U.S. District Judge Billy Roy Wilson ordered him set free. He spent 26 years behind bars for the 1988 robbing and killing of 78-year old Myrtle Holmes in Fordyce, a community about 60 miles (96 kilometers) south of Little Rock. “I’m feeling great right now. Feeling great,” Brown said. “I’m so blessed.”
Wilson vacated Brown’s convictions last month and gave the state 30 days to release or retry Brown. In his opinion, Wilson wrote that the “case is fairly cut and dried,” and that the state failed to disclose evidence that could have cast doubt on Brown’s guilt, calling it and other issues “constitutional violations.” An original trial in April 1992 resulted in a hung jury, but in August of that year, Brown, Reginald Early, and Tina Jimerson were convicted of murder. In 2015, Early confessed to committing the crimes alone. The following year, the Midwest Innocence Project appealed on Brown’s behalf, saying that his trial See RELEASED on page 6
An aerial photo shows houses surrounded by floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence on the outskirts of Lumberton, NC.
Residents urged about the flooding caused by Hurricane Florence BLADENBORO, N.C. (AP) — Travel remained dangerous Saturday in southeastern North Carolina, where the governor warned of “treacherous” floodwaters more than a week after Hurricane Florence made landfall, and urged residents to stay alert for flood warnings and evacuation orders. Gov. Roy Cooper said nine of the state’s river gauges are at major flood stage and four others are at moderate stage, while parts of Interstates 95 and 40 will remain underwater for another week or more. Emergency management officials said residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed will begin moving into hotel rooms next week. “Hurricane Florence has deeply wounded our state, wounds that will not fade soon as the flood waters finally recede,” Cooper said. South Carolina also has ordered more evacuations as rivers continue to rise in the aftermath of a storm that has claimed at least 43 lives since slamming into the coast more than a week ago. The small farming community of Nichols, South
Carolina, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) from the coast, was completely inundated by water, Mayor Lawson Batter said Saturday. He called the situation “worse than Matthew,” the 2016 hurricane that destroyed almost 90 percent of the town’s 261 homes. Battle said flooding from Florence has wiped out the 150 or so homes rebuilt afterward. Greg Lovell has called his Hampstead, North Carolina, neighborhood home for 15 years, but only while battling floodwaters after Hurricane Florence has he met other members of his community facing the same struggles. (Sept. 21) “It’s just a mess,” said Battle, who was awaiting a visit from Gov. Henry McMaster. “We will try everything we can to come back ... but we need to have federal and state help.” Benetta White and David Lloyd were among 100 people rescued with helicopters, boats and high-wheeled military vehicles during a sixhour operation in southeastern North Carolina’s Bladen See URGED on page 6
HORIZONS
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Sept. 22, 2018
Out: “Pruitt’s departure sets up a Black women can relate to Serena Williams’ potentially bruising confirmation battle...” U.S. Open outrage and the backlash that followed
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County that lasted into Friday morning — their second evacuation in a week. White and Lloyd, who live in the North Carolina town of Kelly, were given little time Thursday night to evacuate when the Cape Fear River came rushing onto their property. By the time they loaded their van, they had to slog through waist-high, foul-smelling water to get to a neighbor’s pickup. From there, they went to the town’s fire department and were taken by an Army truck to a shelter at a Bladen County high school. “We had to evacuate again, all over again, and got trapped in a bunch of water and almost lost our lives,” said White. In Wilmington, where Hurricane Florence made landfall and which had been cut off by floodwaters, officials said they’d identified three safe routes into town. They encouraged people to avoid travel in areas where the risk of flooding remains. North Carolina Emergency Management Director Michael Sprayberry said Saturday that eastern counties continue to see major flooding, including areas along the Black, Lumber, Neuse and Cape Fear rivers. The Cape Fear river is expected to crest Sunday and remain at flood stage through early next
week. He said residents who register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency can begin moving into hotels Monday. The program initially will be open to residents in nine counties, then will be expanded. A FEMA coordinator said about 69,000 people from North Carolina already have registered for assistance. North Carolina environmental officials said they’re closely monitoring two sites where Florence’s floodwaters have inundated coal ash sites . The state is using drones to get photos and video of a dam breach at the L.V. Sutton Power Station in Wilmington, where gray muck has been seen flowing into the Cape Fear River, and at the H.F. Lee Power Plant near Goldsboro, said Michael Regan, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. He said Saturday that the video and photos show sand and “potential coal ash” leaving the Sutton site, and the DEQ will put people on the ground when it is safe. He said that DEQ staff has seen that coal ash left the basin and entered flood waters at the H.F. Lee plant, and is trying to determine “how much of that, if any” has entered into the Neuse River.
Resigns: “Moonves will not receive any severance benefits at ...”
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ported that Moonves would leave the network shortly and was negotiating a severance package. CBS indicated Sunday, however, that no severance agreement has been reached. “Moonves will not receive any severance benefits at this time (other than certain fully accrued and vested compensation and benefits); any payments to be made in the future will depend upon the results of the independent investigation and subsequent board evaluation,” the network’s statement said. Moonves joined CBS as head of entertainment in 1995, and has been CEO of CBS Corp. since 2006, leading the CBS network, Showtime and other entities. CBS has spent much of his tenure as the nation’s most popular broadcast network, with hits such as “The Big Bang Theory” and “NCIS,” and its success has made Moonves one of the highest-paid and most powerful executives in the business. One of Moonves’ accusers, Phyllis Golden-Gottlieb, also reported her accusations to Los Angeles police last year, but they weren’t pursued because the statute of limitations had expired. She said Moonves, while an executive at the Lorimar
production studio in the late 1980s, pushed her head into his lap and forced her to perform oral sex. At another time, she said an angry Moonves pushed her hard against a wall. When she resisted later advances, she began to be frozen out at the company, she said. “He absolutely ruined my career,” she told the New Yorker. Another woman, Jessica Pallingston, said Moonves forced her to perform oral sex on her first day working as his assistant at Warner Bros. productions. Other women told the magazine of unwanted touching or advances. In a statement to the magazine, Moonves said the “appalling accusations” are untrue, but he acknowledged consensual relations with three of the women before he started working at CBS. “I have never used my position to hinder the advancement or careers of women,” he said. “In my 40 years of work, I have never before heard of such disturbing accusations. I can only surmise they are surfacing now for the first time, decades later, as part of a concerted effort by others to destroy my name, my reputation and my career. Anyone who knows me knows that the person described in this article is not me.”
NEW YORK (AP) — When Serena Williams told the umpire at the U.S. Open final that he owed her an apology, that he had stolen something from her, and then she got penalized for her words, Breea Willingham could relate to her frustration and anger. Willingham isn’t a tennis star, but she is a black woman. She and others like her say Williams’ experience resonates with them because they are often forced to watch their tone and words in the workplace in ways that men and other women are not. The stereotype of the “Angry Black Woman” is alive and well, said Felicia Martin, 36, a federal employee who lives in Brook-
lyn. She recalls once seeing a white female co-worker cursing and throwing things and not facing repercussions, while she’s been told to calm down for expressing her own upset in a normal tone of voice. “If I’m upset about something, I should get to express that to you,” Martin said. During Saturday’s championship loss to Naomi Osaka, Williams got a warning from the chair umpire for violating a rarely enforced rule against receiving coaching from the sidelines. An indignant Williams emphatically defended herself, denying she had cheated. A short time later, she smashed her racket in frustration and was docked a point. She protested that and demanded an apol-
ogy from the umpire, who penalized her a game. And if they’re not careful, they say, they risk being branded “Angry Black Woman.” “So much of what she experiences we experience in the workplace, too,” said Willingham, a professor of criminal justice at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. “As black women … we’re expected to stay in our lane, that lane that has been created for us. Any time we step out of that lane, then we become a problem.” Many people, black women among them, echoed Williams’ contention that she was punished while men on the tennis circuit have gotten away with even harsher language.
“A lot of things started going through my head in that particular situation. You know, first and foremost, what was going to be said about her the next day? The typical angry black woman, you know … when she really was just standing up for herself and she was standing up for women’s rights,” said former tennis champion Zina Garrison, who is black. “A woman, period, is always, when we speak up for ourselves, then you have the situation where people are saying, you know, they’re too outspoken. They’re acting like a man, all of that. But then a black woman on top of that, the angry black woman, who does she think she is?”
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Ford did not show up. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said he had “a lot of questions” for Kavanaugh. “A simple denial is not the end of questioning.” As Democrats press for more time to investigate, Republicans have been careful to say that Ford should have her chance to speak, and they have stressed that they are willing to move Monday’s hearing behind closed doors, if she prefers. “Were planning on a hearing Monday. It can be open. It can be closed, whatever Ms. Ford wants,” said Sen. John Kennedy, a member of the Judiciary panel from Louisiana. “We’re ready to hear anything she has to say. I am, anyway, and I think most of us are.” GOP Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee — among a handful of Republicans who insisted on hearing from Ford before voting — said it would be a “shame” if Ford didn’t show up to testify. But he suggested Republicans will not bend from their offer of a hearing Monday. “That would be quite something if she decided she did not want to testify,” Corker said. “I’d assume the committee would then move on as they should.” One witness the Democrats want to hear from is Kavanaugh’s high school friend Mark Judge, who Ford said was in the room when she was assaulted. Kavanaugh
has denied Ford’s allegation, and Judge says he doesn’t remember any such thing. “More to the point, I never saw Brett act in the manner Dr. Ford describes,” Judge said in a letter to the panel. The risks of a public hearing starring the all-male lineup of Republicans on the committee could be high. Republicans said late Tuesday they were considering hiring outside attorneys, presumably including women, to question the witnesses. But that may be moot if Ford declines to appear. Kavanaugh, 53, was at the White House on Tuesday for a second straight day, but again did not meet with Trump. The president said he was “totally supporting” Kavanaugh and felt “terribly” for him and his family. “I feel so badly for him that he’s going through this, to be honest with you, I feel so badly for him,” said Trump, who has himself faced numerous accusations of sexual harassment that he’s denied. “This is not a man that deserves this.” The No. 2 Senate Republican leader, John Cornyn of Texas, was one of the few Republicans who openly questioned Ford’s version of events. He called the allegations a “drive-by attack” on the judge’s character. “There are gaps in her memory,” Cornyn said. “She doesn’t know how she got there, when it was and so that
would logically be something where she would get questions.” Criticism like that fed a Democratic narrative that the GOP’s handling of Ford could jeopardize that party’s election prospects in the age of #MeToo, the response to sexual abuse that has torched the careers of prominent men. “Now this is really what #MeToo is all about, if you think about it,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, the top Judiciary Committee Democrat. “That’s sort of the first thing that happens, it’s the woman’s fault. And it is not the woman’s fault.” Meanwhile, Kavanaugh has been calling Republican senators, including Kennedy, who said the nominee was committed to moving forward. “He’s not happy, he’s upset,” Kennedy said. “He said very clearly and unequivocally, ‘This did not happen.’” Ford went public with her story Sunday, telling The Washington Post that Kavanaugh had forced himself on her in a bedroom at a party when he was 17 and she was 15, attempting to remove her clothes and clapping his hand over her mouth when she tried to scream. She says she escaped when Judge jumped on the bed.
Accuser: “We’re planning on a hearing Monday. It can be open. It can ... ” tunity,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Tuesday, a line that was echoed by other Republicans throughout the day. McConnell expressed confidence that Kavanaugh would be confirmed. “I’m not concerned about tanking the nomination,” he said. “We should proceed as planned,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, a key Republican on the panel. The furious jockeying over Ford’s testimony underscores the political potency so close to an election that will decide control of both the House and Senate, not to mention the confirmation of a conservative justice likely to serve on the high court for decades. Democrats complain that Ford was not consulted before the hearing was announced. They also want more witnesses besides Kavanaugh and Ford, hoping to avoid what they said would turn into a “he-saidshe-said” moment. The lawyers for Ford predicted the hearing, as now scheduled, “would include interrogation by senators who appear to have made up their minds” that she is “mistaken” and mixed up. But Democrats also said Tuesday they were planning to attend the hearing even if
Released: “We feel that an objective, fair review will very obviously result ...” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
lawyer was “ineffective and corrupt,” and arguing that the state withheld potentially exculpatory evidence. His lawyers argued that DNA evidence excluding Brown was withheld from the jury in the second trial. The state attorney general’s office appealed Wilson’s decision to vacate Brown’s convictions, and the appeal is pending. The state also asked for a stay of Brown’s release, which was denied. If the state’s appeal succeeds, prosecutors could retry Brown. Dallas County prosecutor John Thomas Shepherd said his office is gathering original case files and evidence so he can decide whether to retry the case. “I believe that my office
owes it to the victim and to her family to fully look at this and be ready to retry this if we feel like it’s warranted,” Shepherd said. One of Brown’s lawyers, Erin Cassinelli, said she believes there is no evidence that would warrant another trial. “We feel that an objective, fair review will very obviously result in John Brown maintaining his freedom,” Cassinelli said. “We now know who committed this crime, and he is in prison and we’re glad. That is justice. The family deserves to know what happened and now we finally know.” Jimerson, who is still in prison, is also appealing to have her conviction overturned.
UPAAB is accepting applications for positions of directors and assistant directors. If interested, please see Trentqual Rhone in Room A2.20 on the second floor of the John Garrick Hardy Center.
“We don’t create the news. We just report it.”
Viewpoints Editorials, Columns, Letters to the Editor, Editorial Cartoons and Hornet Expressions
VOLUME 57, ISSUE 5
SEPTEMBER 22, 2018
The official student newspaper serving the Alabama State University and Metro-Montgomery communities
Sexual Assault: The world’s faceless crime Senate Judiciary hearings to confirm Brett Kavanaugh as the newest Supreme Court Justice have dominated the political news cycle. With his record of diligent service and respect nearly guaranteeing him the job, it came as a shock to all when news of alleged sexual misconduct muddled headlines. Christine Blasey Ford is speaking out about a violent sexual attack that she claims occurred when she and Kavanaugh were in high school, further igniting the discussion around rape and consent. Brett Kavanaugh has an impeccable record. He is a respected conservative Republican. He is a devout Catholic Christian. He is the father of two beautiful girls, Lisa and Margaret, and his husband to Ashley Kavanaugh, who he mar-
ried in 2004. Brett is a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and a cum laude graduate of Yale University. He was appointed to the US Appeals Court by President George W. Bush, and then in 2018 nominated to the Supreme Court by President Donald Trump. However, none of that matters. Why? His reputation as a respectable person does not deem him incapable of sexual assault. It is important to note that all sexual violence is about asserting power over a more vulnerable. Sex is simply the vehicle for this abuse. Over the past few months, we have seen countless examples of elite and affluent members of society being accused of sexual misconduct. Politicians, actors, and even teachers can be perpetrators of such abuse, no matter whether they appear to be a great person. No one is
Corryn Carter, Staff Columnist exempt from being an abuser because of their place in society or status as a respected individual. Their societal status is not enough to excuse them from proper investigation and examination when allegations are made against them. These alleged victims deserve to be heard and their claims properly handled by the authorities.
At the time of the attack of Christine Blasey Ford’s alleged attack, rapists were virtually untouchable. Those who were raped were believed to have in some way provoking the attack through being drunk or wearing revealing clothing; victims who did come forward were publicly humiliated by their communities while their attackers were able to live their
lives unfazed. Additionally, because sexual assault is one of the most difficult cases to prove in the court of law, those victims who did take their cases to trial often did not receive justice and ended up being harassed because their claims were seemingly invalidated by the jury’s conclusions. Fortunately, the climate around rape is changing. Movements like #MeToo are making it easier for victims to come forward and confront their attackers with the support of others. The plethora of support serves to counteract the negative comments that still surround victims, especially those who have decided to wait. Refusing to remain silent on the part of celebrities and icons that many of us look up to, has given many the courage to seek justice from their attackers and demand the empathy of the
world around them. Those who wait to report their attacks are just as deserving of our empathy and respect. Understand that each time these individuals speak of these attacks, they relive the traumatic experience. Some of these attacks are brutal and debilitating, and therefore we as a society must do our part as a society to be supportive. Kavanaugh and Ford have each been asked to appear before the Senate Judiciary committee in the coming week to review the allegations and determine Kavanaugh’s further eligibility for the Supreme Court. We are all uncertain of the result, but it has forced each of us to take a closer at the way of country views sexual assault within the political arena. One could look at it and See CRIME on page 10
Will sexual assault charge against Kavanaugh help Democrats in the Midterms? BY WALTER C. FARRELL Guest Columnist
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s recent allegation that SCOTUS nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, attempted to rape her at a house party in a Maryland suburb 36 years ago when she was fifteen stopped his confirmation process in its tracks, causing the Senate Judiciary Committee to delay this Thursday’s vote. Instead it will hold a hearing (public or private - their choice) on Monday September 24th. So far, Dr. Ford has declined to appear unless the FBI first does a background investigation of the purported crime. President Trump, Sen. Grassley, and other Republican leaders have declined her request, stating that if Dr. Ford does not appear, it will be time to vote. Yet there is likely to be a residual carryover of female voters’ concerns about this incident irrespective as to whether Dr. Ford testifies or not. In this age of #MeToo, there is an incandescent anger among women over the sexual harassment and assaults that they have been subjected to over the years, and they are preparing to strike back
at the voting booths. As in 1991, during the Atty. Anita Hill-Judge Clarence Thomas controversy, during his confirmation for SCOTUS, over whether he had sexually harassed her while she worked on his staff, this contemporary replay will likely have a similar impact. A year later, the largest number of women in the history of the country was elected to federal office. The Democratic base - teachers (who are mostly women), young people, minorities, and Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) groups-have been energized by the noxious policies and behavior of Trump to turnout during primaries and will be pivotal in the midterms. Also, specific races could break all voting records among the aforementioned groups, flipping Republican seats into Democratic hands. Georgia could be the centerpiece of Democratic takeover of the House in the gubernatorial race between Stacey Abrams, formerly the minority leader in the state legislature and the first African American female to serve as the Democratic nominee for governor in any state.
Her opponent, Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who was endorsed by Trump and has launched his campaign with a series of racist dog whistles, has been a motivator for the Democratic base and for a modest segment of white moderates and Independents to move toward Abrams. In a state that is rapidly changing in its demographic makeup, she has mobilized African American female voters, who have turned out and voted Democratic in exponential numbers in a variety of states ensuring Democratic victories. Her organization on the ground parallels that of Andrew Gillum the first black to win Florida’s Democratic nomination for governor. His victory over a Florida political dynasty was predicated on a superior get out the vote (GOTV) strategy. That approach is being replicated in Maryland by the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Ben Jealous, who is up against a popular Republican incumbent. He is doubling down on his field operations to give himself an edge. But even with this growing Democratic enthusiasm and success in the primaries,
Photos of Judge Brett Kavanaugh and Dr. Christine Blasey when they were in high school.
the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and other Democratic leaders have still not developed a coordinated strategy to collectively reach out to and nurture its base. In the interim, the Progressive wing of the Democratic Party has set its own agenda for winning races. There does not appear to be a political bridge to bring the two sides together. Regular Democrats appear to be unwilling to compromise on key Progressive concerns: Medicare for all and free public college tu-
Call the VIEWPOINTS desk at (334) 229-4419 or email asuviewpoints@gmail.com
ition. And the newly anointed Progressive leaders, led by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) and Ayanna Pressley (MA) in House races are, are not backing down. And there has been only modest focus on public school teachers in Red states since their strikes in the spring which led to major concessions from Republican-controlled legislatures. These natural building blocks for voter registration and GOTV have been overlooked and/or ignored. Hopefully, the Democratic Party makes the neces-
sary adjustments in the next 50 days to secure the victory that is being handed to them on a blue platter. Dr. Walter C. Farrell, Jr., PhD, MSPH, is a Fellow of the National Education Policy Center (NEPC) at the University of Colorado-Boulder and has written widely on vouchers, charter schools, and public school privatization. He has served as professor of Social Work at the University of North Carolina CH and as Professor of Educational Policy at the University of Wisconsin.
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VIEWPOINTS
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The Hornet Tribune is a weekly newspaper written and edited by the students with the advisement of the staff adviser. Editorials and letters to the editor represent the views of the writer(s). Views expressed within do not necessarily represent the opinions of the faculty, staff, administration or ASU Board of Trustees. The editors determine the time of the publication and the ethical qualities of all articles. Articles and other materials in The Hornet Tribune cannot be republished without the expressed written permission of the editor, adviser, coordinator and Student Media Board. Letters to the Editor are welcome. Editors reserve the right to print or reject for publication any letters received. Letters must include the author’s name, address, email address and telephone number. All letters are subject to editing for both space and libel considerations. Materials must be submitted by Thursday at 5 p.m. for publication that next week.
the opportunity to speak ...
sometimes the truth hurts, but necessary to move forward ...
How does the NFL explain what it has done to Eric Reid? I wanna take the next few minutes to break down why I’m continuing my NFL boycott this year and hope that you do as well. And it really centers around the reality that the NFL has stolen the careers of two brilliant black men who dared to speak out against police brutality. But we often talk about one of them and just don’t talk enough about the other. Colin Kaepernick should have an NFL job right now. He’s arguably better and more accomplished than half of the starters. He’s better and more accomplished than every backup. Let’s not even talk about third-stringers. The notion that he’s not one of the top 100 quarterbacks in the league is preposterous. But just for arguments’ sake, let’s assume you are right. Let’s work from the premise that Colin Kaepernick is not in the NFL right now for purely football reasons. Let’s start at the position that every quarterback in the entire league is better, more skilled, more capable, more accomplished than him. All of them. And that he’s been out of the NFL for over 500 days simply because it has been determined on football grounds that he would not make a single team better. You’d be hard pressed to find a single current or former NFL player to agree with such a position, but let’s just put all of that aside for a moment. Now explain why ProBowl safety and defensive
Shaun King, Guest Columnist back Eric Reid doesn’t have a job. He’s 26 years old, injury free, can play multiple positions, is an ethical, generous leader on and off the field, just finished his rookie contract, and is widely known as a coachable, team-first athlete. Try to make the argument that he doesn’t belong on an NFL roster for football reasons. It’s impossible. In fact, a deep analysis of his stats and value has already been done. Everybody who plays at Eric Reid’s level has a job and a well paying-contract except for Eric Reid. In fact, the NFL is riddled with athletes who’ve suspended and arrested and convicted – and they’ve routinely been given second and third and fourth chances, but not Eric Reid – who is clearly being punished not just for taking a knee on the field, but for doing so alongside Colin Kaepernick. Reid said that when he and Kaepernick started last year, they said that their goal
staff editorial
We play a pivotal role in how HBCUs are viewed
Numerous counts of sexual assaults tend to occur on college campuses, and most students who commit these assaults feel less likely to be implicated or held accountable. After committing this crime, the assailant feels empowered, and they will terrorize their victim into never saying a word. Meanwhile, the victim’s mental, emotional, and physical health have all been compromised. Students feel threatened and are less likely to speak out; hence, the assailant never gets reprimanded and the number of assaults continues to accumulate. “Twenty to twenty-five percent of college women and 15 percent of college men are victims of forced sex during their time in college,” the National Sexual Visual Resource Center pulls statistics on both men and women. “More than 90 percent of sexual assault victims on college campuses do not report the assault.” Why don’t we speak up? Is it that we’re afraid? Ashamed? We cannot be scared to speak up for ourselves because the assailant will just move from us to the next person. It will be a continuous cycle until someone is brave enough to stop it. “But many of the remedies that have been pushed on campus in recent years are unjust to men, infantilize women, and ultimately undermine the legitimacy of the fight against sexual violence,” said Emily Yoffe, writer for the Atlantic. Some tactics taken once a student has been sexually abused are not fair to the victim themselves. Men are not taken seriously because they’re men, and they should never put themselves in compromising positions like that to begin with. It forces everyone to question their true manhood, including the victim himself. When it comes to women, we are accused of wanting it and seeking it out of our assailants. Often times we are considered teases, and when we don’t just give it up, people assume it’s their right to take it. It’s not. Unfortunately, when most women are sexually abused, they feel it’s their fault. Society tells us that we can’t wear certain clothing unless we want this to happen to us. So women might think to themselves, did I ask for this? The answer is no. What a woman wears shouldn’t dictate how a man approaches her, and there’s nothing her clothes can say that her mouth can’t; therefore, a woman will gladly give consent if she knows it’s what. We should never just assume. It is imperative that before we engage in anything, we are nothing short of certain when it comes to the other person’s intentions. “Many survivors believe that in order to have been chosen as a target, there must be something wrong with them, something that makes them weak or even deserving of the pain. After all, boys are told that being “manly” means never being weak, and certainly never being the subject of sexual abuse,” said Joanna Schroeder, freelance writer for Bright Magazine.
HBCUs are the pinnacle of black excellence and honor. Created out of necessity by freed slaves subject to racial disparity and injustice, these institutions have provided a safe space for African American scholars. Yet, so often, the accomplishments of these honorable institutions is overshadowed by controversy and complaints. A huge way to limit the amount of negative attention HBCUs receive is for the students to limit their complaints in inappropriate forums. Social media is an amazing way to be heard and although it is an effective communication tool, unfortunately it works the same way when it comes to a university’s internal issues. Students invite criticism by continuing to complain on the school’s hashtag rather than appearing at forums hosted to hear and address such concerns. Doing so only makes it harder for the school to figure out what the student’s actual issues are, in addition to making it nearly impossible to defend itself. Instead of turning to Twitter and Snapchat when there is a problem, the more effective way to solve problems would be to follow the appropriate chain of command to have pressing concerns. The various administrative departments within the school exist to ensure the best possible service is offered to students, and it does no good to explain on social media and never appear in person. The administrative staff at HBCUs also play a key role in how the university is portrayed. HBCUs, in recent years, have become synonymous with controversy and disorganization, and these stereotypes have been largely correct. In the same way that the students reflect the university, so the administration. It is important that each of member of the faculty and staff be dedicated to furthering the goal of the university. Everyone from the janitors to the president of the institution must be dedicated to the university’s betterment. Each person has an obligation of excellence to the school and must carry their weight. Every member of the staff is valuable and should work with pride. Without the faculty and staff, the school would not be as successful. However, they are just as obligated to being on their best behavior as it relates to activity outside of the workplace and in their speech about the university. Bad news, unfortunately, travels much faster and farther than good news. Therefore, the media outlets surrounding the school tend to focus on the university’s misfortunes rather than its accomplishments. With that in mind, the school must always be aware of protecting its image. Potential students and shareholders are watching, and it is not comforting when the university’s already limited coverage consists of negativity. Although many students feel far removed from the civil rights movements, it is important to note that so many maintain negative attitudes about black people despite the changing time. Racism still exists and there are hundreds who would rejoice in the downfall of HBCUs. Therefore, they will do everything in their power to ensure that HBCUs remain underfunded and always on the brink of breakdown. It then becomes the responsibility of those who support such institutions to show up and create good news. In the same way, students often complain about the sluggish financial aid process, post about the school’s academic accomplishments and sports teams. Replace the complaints on the school’s hashtag with a tweet about how the school has had a positive impact. HBCUS cannot survive with-
See NOT on page 10
See VIEWED on page 10
Christine Shelton, Staff Columnist
You are not the perpetrator
Sept. 22, 2018
was to raise awareness and shed light on the issues that were happening in the country. Both believe that they have accomplished that goal. He said, “What I was upset about was the narrative, the false narratives, that was being told about us. People were saying that we are unAmerican, that we’re against police entirely and the military, and that just wasn’t true. At first I thought that was a small sacrifice to pay to get the word out and raise that awareness. I settled with thinking raising that awareness was victory. While just a small handful of black players continue to take a knee or remain in the locker room during the National Anthem, only Eric Reid did so side by side with Colin Kaepernick for an entire season. And that genuinely appears to be at the root of why Eric Reid has effectively been banned from the NFL this season. It may sound far fetched, but you have to remember that many NFL team
owners and executives have openly said that they “hate” Colin Kaepernick and have even gone so far as to compare him to a convicted murderer. I think team owners and executives hate Colin Kaepernick so much that their vitriol toward him has spread to Eric Reid. I can’t make sense of it any other way. I’ve looked at Eric Reid’s forced exodus from the league from every imaginable angle. It’s so preposterous that it’s somewhat hard to believe that a mainstream American company, and that’s what the NFL is, is willing to so obtusely play their hand like this, but I think that’s exactly what they’ve done here. I’m a sports junkie – have been my entire life. On sports talk radio I regularly hear both the hosts and callers say that they think Colin Kaepernick has been banished from the NFL not just because of his on the field protest, but because he wore socks portraying cops as pigs or a shirt featuring Malcolm X talking to Fidel Castro. Again, let’s just pretend that’s true for a moment. Let’s say that Colin did all of his protests, but never wore the socks or that t-shirt and that the socks and the shirt are what pushed it all over the top. What he did, though, was kneel by Colin Kaepernick’s side as the two were teammates. And clearly it’s cost him everything.
take a minute and listen ...
Alexis Butler, Guest Columnist
Wake up black people… smell the need for a major revolution If you don’t see the need for a revolution in 2018, then I’m afraid that you’ve been brainwashed and quite frankly, you’ll never see it. If you are not aware, a revolution is defined as “sudden, complete, or marked change in something,” according to dictionary.com.When you hear the word revolution, it is very likely that your mind takes you to the Revolutionary War. However, contrary to popular belief, revolution starts from within, and doesn’t always consist of physical conflict. America has failed African Americans time and time again. Just because slavery was abolished in 1865, African Americans still deal with high rates of poverty, a lack of education, health disparities, and fall below the charts when it comes to wealth. Yes, it is true that African Americans have to work ten times as hard as their white counterparts in order to be considered, but that’s the key word. You have to work to be just as good. This world was not set up to just hand out opportunities. If you want it, you have to go get it. The time is now. We have to take charge and take a stand. Let’s take Colin Kaepernick, for example. He jeopardized his position in the NFL to stand up for what he believed in and to ultimately, start a revolution. If you are not familiar with Kaepernick and his story, here’s a small glimpse. Kaepernick was a star and leading player for the NFL team, the 49ers. Because he decided to kneel instead of standing for the national anthem, he was attacked by the the public, which resulted in him losing his contract and he has not been signed to another team due to public relation fears of being criticized by the public. NFL teams would much rather miss out on a valuable player than to be criticized for having a black man on their team who stands up for his community. Kaepernick’s message is much larger than refusing to stand. He kneels for all of the inequalities that black people still face today, such as police brutality. Kaepernick’s point of starting this protest has ultimately been proven. He still stands without a job and is criticized for standing up for what he believes in. When you look at this, you must look at the larger picture. Kaepernick is opening the eyes of many and giving voices to those who cannot be heard. He used his platform to make a statement and to shake the nation. Let’s be honest, America can’t handle a black man or woman who stands firm. There is no longer time for you to wait. You must go for everything that you deserve right now, at this moment, and continue the legacy for generations to come. Start with investments. You can put your money in a mutual fund and move forward from there. There are mutual funds like Dreyfus, Transamerica, and T.Rowe Price, just to name a select few. You can start a business, buy property, and so many See SMELL on page 10
Page 9
Sept. 22, 2018
VIEWPOINTS
HORNET EXPRESSIONS “What kind of effect do you believe drug abuse has had on our generation?”
Jada McClain Junior Biology Mobile, Alabama
Marquis Nelson Senior Forensic Biology Mobile, Alabama
Trentqual Rhone Sophomore History Clark County, Alabama
Aliyah Muhammad Sophomore Communications Birmingham, Alabama
Cedric Scales Senior Management Birmingham, Alabama
Charles Griffin Senior Management Augusta, Georgia
“I feel like when more superior people, such as celebrities, use drugs to escape their problems, it sets an example for the younger generation. It causes them to think that drugs are the answers to their problems.”
“The use of drugs on our campus is really bad. It’s almost like every person that I run into uses illegal substances such as marijuana. I feel that it’s hurting our generation because people are depending on this on a daily basis.”
“I believe that drug abuse is such a prevalent issue in this generation, particularly in the black community, because we are so influenced by illusions created by the media.”
“I feel as though young people do drugs just for an image. However, it really has an affect on your brain and your daily activity which they fail to realize. You shouldn’t indulge in drugs to deal with you problems but seek professional help instead.”
“Well considering that college students mostly use weed, I believe that it’s not necessarily a bad thing ... However, I do believe that too many people become emotionally attached to the drug. They began to rely on the drug to cope with stress.”
“I don’t feel like it has as much of an affect on our generation as it has had on past generations. I believe the more hard core drugs are detrimental to society as a whole, rather than less harmful drugs such as marijuana.”
Aretha Franklin: Soul, phenomenal passion, womanist, and activist BY ELWOOD WATSON
Guest Columnist blackcommentator@gmail.com
It has been a little over a month since the world lost one of the greatest singers of all time. On August 16, 2018, Aretha Louise Franklin, the Memphis-born, Detroit raised singer passed away at the age of 76. Franklin had one of the most distinguished voices ever. For more than half a century, her music etched itself into the popular culture as readily as the air we breathe and the water we drink. In essence, for many of us, it was an essential part of our lives. Her songs, nourished our minds, souls and body. After all, she was indeed the“ Queen of Soul!” Aretha made you move, jump, snap your fingers, move your shoulders bob your head, shuffle your feet. In short, your entire body was invigorated at some level when Ms. Franklin sang. Indeed, I am one who sang out loud when listening to her music. You could dance to “Freeway of Love,” feel the intense authenticity of “Ain’t No Way,” or get your sensual groove on with “Baby I Love You.” and “Dr. Feelgood.” My personal favorite was “Angel.” Aretha knew
how to touch your emotions. For some of us, listening to her music was like going to church. In 1967, millions of American women cheered when she powerfully belted out the words R-E-S-P-EC-T. Her vocal performance was so dynamic and powerful. “Respect” was originally recorded by Otis Redding. Redding’s song discussed how a woman should respond to and treat the man in her life. However, Franklin, with an undeniable maturity and unrestrained confidence, took Redding’s message, went on the offense and produced a revised version that became both a feminist and civil rights anthem. The song became a classic. After hearing Aretha’s version, Redding joked, “That girl stole my song.” Aretha grew up in Detroit’s New Bethel Baptist Church, where her father, the legendary C.L. Franklin delivered powerful, in some cases, gut wrenching sermons from the pulpit. More than a few people believe that she adopted her father’s unflinching style in the manner that she sang. The young Aretha had the good fortune to grow up in an environment under the shadow of
On August 16, 2018, Aretha Louise Franklin, the Memphis-born, Detroit raised singer passed away at the age of 76.
some of the most prominent Black singers and clergy of the mid 20th century. Dinah Washington, the legendary Mahalia Jackson (my grandmother’s favorite singer) and others were frequent visitors to the Franklin home and church. There is strong reason to assume that being in the presence of such strong, impervious, Black women accounted for her unapologetic and fierce commitment to the cause of social justice in all its forms. This was evident in 1970 when Aretha offered to post
bail for Angela Davis, who at the time, was a member of the communist party, and had been charged with conspiracy, kidnapping and murder. Others advised her to avoid any association or interaction with Davis, who was seen by many people, including Aretha’s father, (who like others, was understandably concerned about potential repercussions for his daughters career) saw Davis as too controversial. Despite such warnings from friends and allies, Franklin ignored the naysayers and voiced strong
support for Davis and offered to post her bail which was $250,000. Ultimately, she was unable to post bail for Davis due to the fact that she was traveling abroad at the time. Davis’ bail was posted by Rodger McAfee, a White California dairy farmer who harbored left wing political views. While not overtly political, Franklin was astute to the power of her platform and used her voice for more than just belting out songs and entertaining audiences. She was a proud and strong advocate
for the Black community, in particular, Black women. She employed her feminist activism sensibilities in a manner that produced real, concrete results. Unlike some artists of color who are try to walk a middle line in a effort to not offend White sensibilities, she comfortably luxuriated in her authentic blackness in both her music and activism and did not apologize for it. With Aretha Franklin, the intersection of race and gender was real. See ACTIVIST on page 10
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Page 10
Sept. 22, 2018
VIEWPOINTS
HORNET EXPRESSIONS What is your opinion about the cleanliness of Alabama State University’s campus?
Lexi Baker Sophomore Forensic Biology Gadsden, Alabama
Ladee Calhoun Junior Social Work Fayetteville, Georgia
Aleya Carvalho Senior Political Science Columbus, Georgia
Te’Nyah Whatlew Freshman Forensic Biology Dothan, Alabama
Seanteryk Richey Sophomore Education Mobile, Alabama
Bradley Tucker Senior Rehab Service Wetumpka, Alabama
“In my opinion, our campus is quite filthy. Whoever cleans it, doesn’t do a good job. However, the students should help clean it as well.”
“Students treat the campus as their home but also they feel like they have maids to clean up after them so it tends to be really dirty.”
“I feel that it’s very inconsiderate to leave your trash laying around. It just shows how much students care about Alabama State and what little property we do have. I hope that it gets better in the near future.”
“I feel like the organizations could actually come together to help clean the campus but everyone is too proud and only wants the glory of saying they did it.”
“It’s a nice campus. However, it’s need improvement when it comes to being clean. I wish there were more custodians in the residence halls and around campus.”
“If everyone would clean up after themselves, maybe it wouldn’t be such a pressing issue. By the time the day is over, the union looks completely trashed. It is unacceptable for us as students to have our campus looking like that.”
Crime: “Try as they might, no one can live your life for you. So do what you ...” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
say it was bleak considering the sheer number of sexual assault allegations made against Donald Trump. He had one of the most controversial election seasons and yet, he was able to become president. You could also be hopeful and see the willingness to listen on the part of the Senate Judiciary as progress. They are awarding Ford the opportunity to face her accuser and have her story heard. She might finally be
able to receive the justice she deserves if Kavanaugh is indeed guilty. Even if Kavanaugh is still nominated to the Supreme Court Ford will be heralded around the world by those who have been sexually abused for her courage in standing up against sexual violence. Kavanaugh’s reputation will never be the same. People will remember the allegations, and despite his position, people will continue to fight for abusers to be brought to justice.
Not: “It only takes one voice to make a difference, and we just have to be ...”
The lawsuit against Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and the Department of Education was brought by 19 states and the District of Columbia.
The miseducation of Betsey Devoid BY JULIANNE MALVEAUX
Guest Columnist blackcommentator@gmail.com
Even her boss, the 45th President of the United States, is derisive of Education Secretary Betsy DeVoid, the Devos woman who is devoid, absent, of good sense. She may have even been placed in her position as payback for whatever support her wealthy family provided to the certified public liar of a leader. Education Secretary Betsy DeVoid has used her position to elevate her family’s economic advantage, and she has used her position to punish students whose interests are contrary to her own. She is a prime example of miseducation, and her tenure has been an attack on students. Let me count the ways: 1- DeVoid has lifted the for-profit college that President Barack Obama attempted to regulate. She chose to minimize the regulations that curtailed forprofit college exploitation. While the Obama administration attempted to make students, who attended forprofit colleges whole, DeVoid has erred in favored of the rip-off schools. Many for-profit colleges only exist because students take out federal loans. When
these schools fail, so do the students. Why shouldn’t the federal government pick up the slack from schools that falsely market themselves as a bridge from poverty to opportunity? Blessedly, a federal judge just ruled that DeVoid’s attempts to delay Obama-era regulations to provide students with relief was wrong. The Borrower Defense rule, which allows students who borrowed to attend shady schools to apply for relief, had been delayed by the Department of Education, but US District Judge Randolph Moss ruled that the Department’s actions are “procedurally incorrect”. The lawsuit against DeVoid and the Department of Education was brought by 19 states and the District of Columbia. Will DeVos learn her lesson? Probably not. This is part of her miseducation. 2- DeVoid has weakened regulations around sexual harassment and sexual abuse of students. She feels that those who are accused of harassment should have more rights than they are already offered, and that the arc of justice should bend away from the young women who have been raped and abused. DeVoid is devoid of compassion when she raises the bar for those who accuse fellow students and colleagues of sexual as-
sault or harassment. Is there room for adjudication? Probably. Should those who have to encounter their rapists or harassers on campus be protected? Absolutely. 3- DeVoid has stacked her staff with proponents of charter schools and forprofit education, which is the equivalent of having the fox guard the henhouse. She has done this boldly, unapologetically, and with the blessing of her boss, the 45th President, who has also been woefully miseducated. It is likely that the trustees of the University of Pennsylvania cringe every time he says that he went to the Wharton School of Business. 4- DeVoid has proposed rolling back rules on accrediting colleges and schools, raising concerns that she plans to water down the quality of education nationally. This is consistent with her family’s involvement in for-profit education. To be sure, many Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have run afoul of the accrediting agencies, such as SACS (the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools), which seem to be stricter on HBCUs than on other schools, but none in the HBCU community support the DeVoid method of changing accreditation rules. DeVoid is using the Depart-
ment of Education as a playground for her family’s monied interests. Under Betsy DeVoid, the staff of the Department of Education is down 13 percent. Some may see this as a good thing, and every federal agency can probably stand to be streamlined some. But if the staff reduction means less enforcement of important regulations, then DeVoid will have accomplished her purpose, which seems to be to turn education into an unregulated free for all, and a profit opportunity for her family and others who see education as a commodity, not a service. I feel that DeVoid has been miseducated, but perhaps she has been all too well educated in the ways of 45, who promised to disrupt government as we know it. With his horrid approach to governing, and his flippant disregard for the lives of US citizens (witness his crude and inaccurate comments about deaths in Puerto Rico), 45 has certainly been disruptive. And the minion he has described as “ditsy” has been equally destructive to students and schools at the Department of Education.
Activist: “Yes, there will be future singers and performers endowed with ...” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
From the late 1960s up until he mid 1970s, she was perennial force in the music industry and frequently dominated the charts and award shows. By the mid 1970s, her career cooled off somewhat and other Black female singers such as Roberta Flack, Freda Payne, Donna Summer and others were becoming equally popular with the public. The
standstill was short lived as she ferociously rebounded in the mid 1980s with chart topping hits such as “Freeway of Love,” “Jump To It” and “I Knew You’d Be Waiting for Me,” with the late George Michael. In later years, she was a routine presence at many significant venues. She performed for three U.S. presidents and sang for Pope Francis in 2015. Who can forget her spellbinding, tour de force performance that
bought the house down at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors where she sang her iconic “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman,” as she paid tribute to Carole King. Yes, there will be future singers and performers endowed with exceptional talent, but the undisputed truth is that Aretha Franklin was one of a kind. As I see it, there will never be another performer like her. The sounds of heaven are a lot more soul-
ful now as Aretha sings with her new angelic family. Rest in peace Ms.Franklin. Dr. Elwood Watson, PhD is Professor of History, African American Studies and Gender Studies at East Tennessee State University. He is the co-author of Violence Against Black Bodies: An Intersectional Analysis of How Black Lives Continue to Matter.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
There is this box called “manhood”; for generations, fathers have taught their son what it means to be a man. Men need to be tough, they should never cry or really be sensitive at all. They need to be the breadwinner in the household, and assume the role of dominance. Because of this box of manhood, most men don’t know how to deal with situations such as abuse; especially when it happens to them. It takes a toll on them in various ways because they don’t know how to talk about or to seek help. They no longer feel like a man. As far as both women and men are concerned, sexual abuse isn’t something we can just run from. If and when it happens, regardless of who
the victim is, they should never feel compelled to keep it to themselves. Fear is a powerful thing, but the sooner we report these incidents, the sooner we can lower the rate of sexual assaults on college campuses as a whole. Alabama State University’s VAWP (Violence Against Women and Men Program) assists the campus and hold various support groups in order to reduce the number of assaults on campus. They hold several programs that can cater to the needs of those who have been assaulted and who want to come forward or already have. Programs like this should be utilized and taken advantage of because not everyone has the courage to speak out after experiencing something like that.
Smell: “Being black is undeniably an amazing thing. But it doesn’t start ...” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
other things that will benefit you in the long run. When it comes to health, the African American community has to do better as a collective. African Americans have a higher risk for several diseases like breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, STD’s, etc. Although, genetics may play a role in these diseases, our culture does as well and the culture is something that we can alter, starting with eating habits. African Americans are known for soul food, which can be extremely unhealthy. African Americans also have a low rate when it comes
to exercising and receiving health screening when the time is appropriate. That must change if the community wants to see a revolution. Being black is undeniably an amazing thing. But, it doesn’t start here. In the words of Maxine Waters,“Reclaim your time.” Demand what has always been yours and stand firm in what you believe in. Do not wait for a handout. Staying the same can no longer be in the game plan, but as a community, African Americans must evolve and show the world who they are. Wake up black people; it’s time for a revolution.
Viewed: “Being black is undeniably an amazing thing. But it doesn’t start
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
out the support of its alumni, administration and current students. It is extremely important to be mindful of how HBCUs are advertised to
those around us because it is determining factor in enrollment, accreditation and support of institutions by potential investors and potential students.
GO HORNETS!!!!
“We don’t create the news. We just report it.”
Sports Football, Volleyball, Cross Country and Soccer
VOLUME 57, ISSUE 5
SEPTEMBER 22, 2018
The official student newspaper serving the Alabama State University and Metro-Montgomery communities
Alabama State University Hornets outgained Grambling State University Tigers 309 to 291 on the night, running 83 plays from scrimmage, they were unable to convert and forced into a three-and-out.
Hornets shut out, Grambling wins STAFF REPORT
The Hornet Tribune tribune2018@gmail.com
Grambling State used three big first quarter plays to pull away from Alabama State for a 34-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory at Eddie G. Robinson Stadium Saturday night. Ezra Gray led all rushers, carrying the ball 20 times for 130 yards for Alabama State (1-3, 0-1 SWAC), setting a new career-high in the pro-
cess. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry on the night, while Alex Anderson averaged 6.1 yards per carry on seven carries for 43 yards. Darryl Pearson, Jr. finished 13-for-30 for 114 yards, but was sacked three times and threw a pair of interceptions. KHA’Darris Davis came in late in the third quarter to finish 4-of11 for 53 yards, while he was sacked a pair of times and threw an interception. The duo connected with 10 different receivers, led by Wallace
Corker with four catches for 24 yards. Defensively, Christian Clark led the way with eight tackles, including a tackle for loss, while Dennis Roberts IV finished with five. Alabama State outgained Grambling State 309 to 291 on the night, running 83 plays from scrimmage. Grambling State (1-2, 1-0 SWAC) used a false start penalty after an Anthony Craven punt went into the end zone for a touchback to force another punt by the
Hornets. On the ensuing punt, Malik Route caught the ball on the run at 21-yard line and returned it 79 yards to give Grambling State a 7-0 lead with 10:32 to play in the opening quarter. The Tigers added another score after an Alabama State drive stalled at the Tigers’ 47-yard line, following a 57 yard run by Kevin Dominique to set up an 11-yard run by Aldon Clark with 5:56 to play in the quarter. Alabama State was driving late in the quarter after a
31-yard run by Gray set the Hornets up inside the Grambling State 20. However, three plays later De’Arius Christmas batted a pass in the air and picked it off, running it back 66 yards for the score with 3:17 to play in the quarter. The Hornets had their chances throughout the contest, missing a pair of field goals and having drives ended on sacks or back-to-back incomplete passes due to pressure. Alabama State had a chance to score late in the
fourth quarter when Joshua Hill returned a punt 55 yards to set the team up inside the 20, however, they were unable to convert and were forced into a three-and-out. Alabama State will be off next week, returning to action October 6 against Alcorn State on the road in their East Division opener. The game will kick at 2 pm and can be heard on the Hornet Sports Network beginning at 1:30 pm.
STAFF REPORT
The Lady Hornets carried over the momentum into the game-deciding fifth set and controlled from the start, as two late kills from Taira Cottingham – with sets from Kayla Warren and Kori Kursch -- ignited a 5-1 run that clinched the match. “My freshman setter grew up tonight and was phenomenal. Krysta (Medearis) did a great job and Taira brought stability when she came in,” Lucas-White said. Warren finished with seven assists and has now tallied 16 assists in four games. Medearis powered her way to a team-high 12 kills and hit at a .333 clip, the junior’s most efficient output since a .429 display on August 25th (Gardner-Webb). Kori Kutsch posted 25 assists and seven digs. The Torrance, Calif. native has put up at least 20 assists in six of the last eight contests. Martin – the conference leader in total blocks – ended her night with eight kills and three blocks and senior libero Kayla Torres provided a critical 17 digs. Alabama State closes out the Round-up tomorrow at 10 a.m. with a match against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Lady Hornets claim 3-2 victory against Texas Southern The Hornet Tribune tribune2018@gmail.com
The Alabama State University Hornets put up a season-high 314 yards of total offense, but had no answer for Kennesaw State University Owls who finished with 563 yards of offense.
Hornets fall to Kennesaw State Owls STAFF REPORT
The Hornet Tribune tribune2018@gmail.com
For the second consecutive year, Alabama State and eighth-ranked Kennesaw State had to wait out a 90-minute lightning delay – this on at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Alabama State (1-2) was unable to get on track after the delay, falling behind big before scoring late and falling to the Owls 62-13 on the road Saturday night in a game that ended nearly five hours after it’s anticipated start time. The Hornets scored for the first time this season in
the opening quarter after giving up a short field to Kennesaw State (2-1) on their opening drive. After the Owls scored to go ahead 7-0, Hunter Hanson connected on a 29-yard field goal with 5:17 to play in the opening quarter to trim the deficit to 7-3. The Owls were able to get on the board with two more touchdowns to push their lead to 21-3 with 12:46 to play in the opening half, before Hanson put the Hornets on the board again – this time with a 35-yard field goal and trimmed the lead to 21-6. From there, it was all Owls as they scored 31 un-
answered points before Darryl Pearson, Jr. hit Tyrek Allen for a 78-yard touchdown pass. Allen caught the pass racing down the right side, and beat two defenders to the end zone with 9:31 to play in the game. The Hornets had another chance late, getting inside the 10-yard line but were unable to convert for the first time in the red zone this season. Alabama State put up a season-high 314 yards of total offense, but had no answer for Kennesaw State who finished with 563 yards of offense. Darryl Pearson, Jr. finished the night with 195 yards
passing on 11-of-24 passing, while Talesin Farmer led the ground attack with 36 carries on six carries. Eight different players caught a pass on the night with Marquez Spencer catching four passes for 84 yards, while Allen added a pair of catches for 86 yards. Kurron Ramsey led the Hornets with six tackles defensively, while four other players posted four tackles each. The Hornets open Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play next weekend on the road against Grambling State. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m.
Call the SPORTS desk at (334) 229-4419 or email asusports@gmail.com
Baton Rouge, La. | Alabama State rose to the occasion amid a wave of adversity Saturday night against Texas Southern, taking down the Lady Tigers in five sets (25-18, 16-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-9) to cap day two at the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Volleyball Roundup. The Lady Hornets (614, 3-1 SWAC) found themselves in a precarious situation down 2-1 and trailing 14-6 in the fourth set. A Cheyenne Rocker kill sparked a 6-0 run to catapult Alabama State back in the match. The Lady Hornets earned their first lead of the set at 22-21 via another Rocker kill before eventually claiming the dramatic stanza courtesy of a kill from Candace Martin. “We have to establish our character, and that match brought the old character of ASU out. But the team has to define what that is for them, and it can’t be that we roll over. They push us, we push back,” Alabama State head coach Penny Lucas-White said.
GO HORNETS!!!!
Page 12
SPORTS
Sept. 22, 2018