@xulaherald
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September 26, 2017 - October 16, 2017
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Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, La.
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September 26, 2017 - October 16, 2017
Candidates Speak; Highlights fr by D’Audra Metoyer & Morgan Moore Staff Writers dmetoyer@xula.edu & mmoore12@xula.edu
Early voting for the upcoming New Orleans mayoral election is Sept. 30-Oct. 7, 2017, and the primary is Saturday, Oct. 14. It is important for voters to have facts and understand each candidate’s platform. The Xavier Herald had the opportunity to sit down with three of the 18 candidates running for the office. The Herald attempted repeatedly via telephone calls and emails to set up interviews with two candidates considered among the top five contenders, Desiree Charbonnet and Michael Bagneris; neither responded. Candidates LaToya Cantrell, Hashim Walters and Troy Henry agreed to interviews.
LaToya Cantrell Democrat Councilwoman For District B Website: https://latoyacantrell.com/ Why do you think college students should vote for you? I have been pushing and getting results in areas for affordable housing, education, economic development, job creation, health, and health disparities. I’ve been in the trenches and at the forefront of these issues for the city of New Orleans, so I would say they should vote for me because they’ll be voting for someone who will need no training wheels come May of 2018. I have government experience, municipal experience, and I know how to get results in our city, and I’ve demonstrated that [as a current New Orleans City Councilperson]. My opponents have no experience with municipal government at all nor a demonstrated track record of getting results that impact the quality of life of people. How do you feel about the actions President Donald Trump has taken excluding the transgender community from the military? I thought it was extremely offensive. Being the person who spearheaded New Orleans being a welcoming city for our immigrant community and our LGBT community, I made sure that it became a priority for our current mayor that New Orleans is welcoming. [We have] real policies that dealt with community policing practices, economic development opportunities, language access barriers, as well as proper training - sensitivity training that needs to happen when you’re talking about our LGBT community. You and Desiree Charbonnet have the potential to become the first female African-American mayor of New Orleans. How do you feel and how does that influence your approach to this election? I’m not running for mayor to be the first of anything. I’m running for mayor to be the best mayor that this city needs. What needs to be historic in this city is that everybody has the opportunity for real growth here. We’re about to be 300 years old, so, I think, yes, it’s about time - 300 years - for you to get a woman, but, at the same time, I believe it’s about time we start taking care of the people who are the backbone of this city; about time that we ensure that women and children can thrive here. Right now, they’re leading in this city living in poverty - at or below - and that’s a problem for me, being a woman, absolutely, and a mom. What do you think is the future of New Orleans? The future for me is making sure that we address the issues that have caused people to live in poverty for generations, providing them with real access to opportunity and growth and education - meeting them where they are. I think that has to be a priority in order to elevate them and keep them growing, so that they can reach their full potential in our city. If we do that and focus where the needs are the greatest and give people real opportunity, then eventually New Orleans will be a place that thrives for every person who is here.
The following edited excerpts were taken from those interviews. For complete, unedited comments, visit CANDIDATES SPEAK on our interactive website, xulaherald.com.
Photos by Stephen Chinn xulaherald.com
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September 26, 2017 - October 16, 2017
om the Mayoral C ampaign Stance Troy Henry Democrat Managing Partner at Henry Consulting Website: http://www.troyhenry.com/ Why do you think college students should vote for you? I am uniquely qualified for the job. I am the only candidate running that has actually managed over 40 people ever in their career. I am the only one that has ever hired an executive. I am the only one that has actually managed operations and a budget of over $20 million dollars. I’m the only one that has actually managed union organizations, the only one that’s actually migrated jobs to the area. I’m the only one that has delivered municipal services, and I’ve done it for multiple cities throughout the country. I designed an energy efficiency program that the city of New Orleans now uses. What do you feel the city is not spending enough of its resources on? It’s not spending any money on growing. What you need and what college students want is a growing city that will have thriving economic opportunities for them, so when they leave school, they have jobs here if they want to stay here in New Orleans. Today, they have to go somewhere else, make a commitment to be underpaid or unemployed. I want to change that. I’ll call on two-hundred of the Fortune 1000 companies in my first four years in office. I expect an 8%-10% success ratio that would equate to about 40,000 new jobs in the city of New Orleans. How do you feel about the actions President Trump has taken excluding transgender soldiers from the military? I’m not a fan of discrimination in any way, shape, or form. Excluding or isolating somebody because of their sexual orientation is, to me, wrong. How do you plan to address crime in the city? Poverty, I believe, is the root cause of crime today. Poverty begets hopelessness; hopelessness begets criminal activity. Adding 40,000 new jobs helps address the poverty situation. We will have more people with a living wage. Today, the African-American community has almost 40% of its population living below the poverty line. That’s just an unacceptable level of poverty. We need to provide better services for folks that are addicted to opioids. A lot of our smash-and-grab kind of crimes are because people need a fix. We need to make sure places like Odyssey House have sufficient funding. The second piece of the tactical approach is mental health. Jailing them is not the solution; we need to get them actual help. We have to fix our police department. Every police officer will do one patrol a week. We will have more officers in our neighborhoods. Hashim Walters Independent College Graduate Website: http://www.hashim4mayor.com/ Why do you think college students should vote for you? They are not just voting for me; they are voting for a movement. I think we have to realize that this is the time for our generation to step up to the plate and really change the world. Tupac said that ‘I will spark the brain that will change the world.’ I realize that he was talking about our generation. More than anything, it’s younger people that tend to bring the world together. I have some plans for New Orleans that are going to be innovative, and I’m just a regular everyday citizen. I go through what people go through. I’ve been there. I’ve lost friends to gun violence. I’ve been a college student just three months ago. I know how it is to be in that struggle - to want to have your voice heard and wanting to make your mark in the world while still finding yourself. I would love to be a representative for our generation. If I get elected, everyone in the city of New Orleans gets elected. I’m a man of the people. I would put everything on the line - my life on the line for this city. What made you decide to run for mayor at such a young age and as an Independent? I believe that New Orleans is ready for something new. I ran as an Independent because I truly believe that both parties, the Democratic and Republican parties, are at odds, and they’re lost right now. Running as an Independent definitely lets people know that I’m a man of the people. I would say I’m a part of the people’s party. If I were to be elected, I would be the people’s mayor. Without a doubt running at 22, I think that’s the best thing to do right here, right now, at this time. It can definitely change the culture of New Orleans for some years to come. How do you feel about the actions President Trump has taken excluding transgender soldiers from the military? That is absolutely ridiculous. It made me mad because it doesn’t matter what, everyone has human rights. For him to remove someone for who they are, from the military, that infuriated me. Everyone deserves a right to join the military. Everyone deserves to have human rights. We should hold him accountable for the things that he says. We have to hold him accountable for the way he addresses his constituents. He sets the tone for America. How do you plan to address crime in the city? Crime happens because there is an influx in poverty in our communities, and we don’t have the proper educational resources. If you don’t fix those two things, you will continue to have crime. Most of the crimes committed in the city are by young African-American men, and it’s because they are unemployed: 44% of all African-American men in the city are unemployed. The education system is broken, we need to make sure they have access to real education. to the school board to get those vo-tech programs back, those job training programs back in the high schools. Not everybody is going to go to college. Also, creating a job industry. Once you get the people trained, the businesses will come.
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September 26, 2017 - October 16, 2017
Political Aesthetics by: Barriane Franks | “Mother Nature V. America”
The Xavier Herald Staff Fall 2017
Editor-in-Chief: Nicholas Davison _______
Arts & Entertainment Editor: Natese Dockery
Photography & Video Editor: Dat Le Copy Editor: Kaelin Maloid Design Editor: Chandler Rigby Sports Editor: Ayanna Robertson Web Editor: Mark Veals _______
Meet Xavier Herald’s New Political C arto onist Barriane Franks by Cleo Singleton and Jazmine Rodgers Staff Writers cinsgle7@xula.edu jrodger3@xula.edu
Freshman art major Barriane Franks is the new political cartoonist for The Xavier Herald. A New Orleans native, Franks was artistically trained at the New Orleans School for Creative Arts. In her sophomore year she created an art series called “Social Injustice.” The series focuses on societal racial and gender injustices. Barriane bases her art in
Barriane Franks and her parents during freshmen orientation. Photo by Mark Veals
reality. Her second cartoon for her column Political Aesthetics entitled “Stress” depict two students being swallowed by hundreds of stressors- including “Trump” and “Financial Aid.” In lieu of a sort of artistic process,
Franks simply thought about what stresses people out and what they do when they are stressed. Social Injustice developed after extensive research of African-American history and comparison by contemporary situations. On the purpose of her art, Franks said she hopes it will “help make this world more equal.” Barriane Frank’s artwork can be seen on Instagram as @princess._.barriane. Princess Barriane Artistry, her business, can be commissioned through princessbarriane.wixsite.com.
Staff Writers
Alajuwan Joseph Blair Lyons Joe Brown Kennedy Cox Cleo Singleton Jazmine Rodgers D’Audra Metoyer Morgan Moore
Photographers Stephen Chinn
Contributing Writers Shannen Lewis Dr. Adrian Woods
Faculty Advisor: Melinda L. Shelton 504.520.5096, mshelton@xula.edu
HERALD CONTACT INFORMATION
Xavier South, 112B 504.520.5096 Email Stories: herald@xula.edu Advertising: 504.520.5096
Herald Office:
The Xavier Herald is an award-winning newspaper produced by, for and about students at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, La. While The Herald is housed in the Department of Mass Communication, its contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the department or Xavier University. The Herald is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and as such adheres to the collegiate journalists’ code of ethics. The Herald staff reserves the right to accept, edit, or refuse content.
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Go watch Brandon Brown interview the Caribbean Student Union as they speak about the destruction to Caribbean Islands due to the recent hurricanes at xulaherald.com.
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September 26, 2017 - October 16, 2017
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D i v i s i o n o f B u s i n e s s : Internship application hit the experience jackpot by Shannen Lawson Division of Business slawson3@xula.edu
Summer 2017 was the summer I entered my first true stage of adulthood. I took a leap of faith and pursued an internship opportunity with the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of the Comptroller of the Currency at its Southern District Office in Dallas, Texas, over 1,000 miles away from my residence in Detroit, Mich. It was only a week after I turned 18, and, although it seemed crazy, what is success without sacrifice? I received this opportunity through the Federal Diversity Internship Initiative offered by The Washington Center. They paid for transportation as well as housing, while still giving me a biweekly stipend. I received the information for the internship through an email from Joe Ricks, head of the Division of Business. I was only a fresh-
Shannon Lawsor at her internship
man, but I beat out hundreds of applicants, many of whom were older than I, for the one internship position at the OCC. For the people unfamiliar with the OCC, it is an independent bureau of the U.S. Department of Treasury that regulates national banks and federal thrift institutions. Lucky for me, I interned with an amazing boss, Liz Phan, who is an executive in the office. She allowed me to be involved in more pertinent
meetings and tasks that even some employees are never exposed to. The great thing about this agency is that the employees come from many different walks of life, and everyone has varying professions and tasks that they are responsible for in the regulation process. I took it upon myself to give informational interviews and meet with specialists (asset management, licensing, etc.), executives, lawyers, new hires,
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national bank examiners, etc. I took an array of notes about everything from accounting standards to law regulations, and I keep it with me as a tool for future success. My notes were a very instrumental tool for me when I went out and visited a bank while its annual exam was in progress. I was able to efficiently give good feedback on my observations, conclusions, and suggestions for future operation. This was probably one of the most satisfying days I had in my internship, just knowing that I possess the skills necessary for the job was gratifying.
My favorite thing to do was analyze a public report of a bank’s financial information called the Uniform Bank Performance Report (UBPR). I got so good at drawing conclusions from it that my boss allowed me to brief her on banks, and then we’d compare our analysis to other reports. I also sat in for problem bank decision meetings throughout the summer and,
on my last week, I made some discoveries in the report that I spoke up on in a meeting that included top executives in the office, examiners, and even the FDIC. Everyone in the office gave me so many kudos, and this was probably the best day ever. All-in-all, I can say that this was the opportunity of a lifetime and I definitely left Dallas with so much knowledge and information that puts me way ahead of the average sophomore business major. For that, I am forever grateful.
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September 26, 2017 - October 16, 2017
Op-Ed: Dear Xavier, The Freshmen Perspective by Alajuwan Joseph Staff Writer ajosep13@xula.edu
no stranger to having stressed out students. My first week of school at Xavier was pretty cool, but as time progressed, my stress levels rose; and I’m not the only freshman on campus that feels this way. According to Damon Cousin, a pre-pharmacy major, “Xavier is beyond stressful for no reason.”
Stress: the body’s reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. According to Insidehighered. com, 50 percent of college freshmen reported they felt stress, and 36 percent reported that they felt they were unable to manage their day-to-day stress. Some causes of stress in freshmen students can be a new environment, being independent, the transition from high school assignments to college assignments, managing grades, the continuous stream of work, and much more. Students also have problems back at home, and college adds to the stress that they deal with already. Ranked No. 5 in all Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Xavier is
For one thing, I feel like professors give us “busy work,” and the busy work is ineffective. By busy work, I mean that we receive homework assignments, even though the professors fail to convey the lesson to the students. Sometimes, it seems the assignment aren’t there to help us, but just for us to have work. In addition, the professors seem to be more interested in conferences, instead of the education of their students.
don’t have the “best” attitude. Another problem is the counseling service. While they try to help, it isn’t really helpful. When you go to them, they ask you questions I feel are unrelated to why you came in the first place. And when I leave, I don’t feel as if my stress has been acknowledged or alleviated. Lastly, I feel as if the required GPA to keep your scholarship should change. You have to maintain at least a 3.3 GPA to keep your scholarship. The average GPA at Xavier is a 2.75, so why do we need to maintain at least a 3.3 to keep our scholarship?
Although Xavier adds to my stress, there are good things that it offers, too. For example, the writing resource center is amazing; in my opinion, I feel it is the most helpful resource center on Also, students sometimes campus. Everytime I go to the center for help, I always can’t understand their receive an ‘A.’ professors because of their strong accents; those same I do have some professors get angry when recommendations to help you ask questions, trying to alleviate stress. clarify and make sure you understand their lessons. Freshman seminar, if For the best school in the it has to be a class that is required, should do more to south, Xavier’s professors
help students alleviate stress. In class, the tips we’re offered don’t help. “Get a calendar,” my professor says. I have a calendar to manage my time. Then what? I’m still stressed out. “Take a nap,” my professor says. Okay? I wake up, and I’m still stressed out. Another solution is to make an online survey, specific to Xavier, where students can rate their professors, or students can have access to the survey comments that students leave about professors. This way, students can know not to choose a certain professor, and if they have to choose that professor, they know what to expect. I also think a 24-hour resource center can help students. Being a student is a full-time job, and if we are going to be up late in the library doing homework, we should have available help. Xavier pays for students to have free access to the New York Times, so why not give students free access to tutoring sites? Also, there should be a 24-hour nurse on call at Xavier. Right now, when the health center closes, there is
no one that can help students, and they have to go to urgent care or the emergency room, which costs money. It would be nice to have someone who could help students out with small things on the weekend, such as asthma attacks, hives, toothaches, etc. There are a few other things Xavier can do as well. Stress relieving activities such as yoga, adult coloring books, Zumba classes, and venting sessions amongst students, where administration actually listens. Also, I think upperclassmen should be asked to give some do’s and don’t’s to avoid stress in college, or just succeeding in general. Finally, there should be something done about the quality of life at Xavier, too. Students are already stressed from classes; the low quality of dorms, food, and fun only add to their stress. Even though Xavier is considered the best college for education, they are definitely not the best at aiding their students in other problems. How can students create a “just and humane society” if they are stressed out?
Op-Ed: New Students: Success Requires Time—and Academic Help by Dr. Adrian Woods Director, Academic Programs and Advising at SASO Contributing Writer awoods@xula.edu
Dear Alajuwan Joseph, Your situation really is showing your growth and development as a first time freshman. This situation shows us that you have been thinking critically about issues that could potentially hinder your success, and that is a good thing! Ponder on this quote: “Knowledge is created by the learner, not given by the teacher”. When your instructors refer you to areas that can increase your capacity to
learn, they are helping you to become the successful student they know you can be. Additionally, instructors are available during office hours to provide additional assistance. Your professors treat you as the young adults you are. They have expectations of you to come to each class on time, because time and attendance are important, and to also be prepared when you come through the door by having already studied the material indicated in the syllabus. Professors will not always provide the answer; in many cases they want you to discover the solution to the problem by thinking critically about the material. In fact,
come to you. You go to it”. your class participation and engagement add to the As the lead of the educational experience. The advising team in the Student student’s participation is just as important as the professor’s teaching. The relationship is reciprocal and symbiotic. Your college years will be some of the most memorable years of your life. The administrators, faculty and staff of Xavier University, in general, and the Student Academic Success Office in particular, will provide you with a network of support that is better than Verizon! We see something in you that is deserving of our time, attention, and tutelage. So in the words of Marva Collins, “Success doesn’t
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Academic Success Office, we wish the best for you and the entire Freshman Class of 2021.
September 26, 2017 - October 16, 2017
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Suicide Awareness: What are t h e wa r n i n g s i g n s ? by Natese Dockery Arts & Entertainments Editor ndockery@xula.edu
According to the American Foundation for Suicide: • • • • •
•
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US. Each year 44,193 Americans die by suicide. On average, there are 121 suicides per day. More Louisiana residents die by suicide than by homicide. On average, one person dies from suicide every 12 hours in the state of Louisiana. Suicide is the third leading cause of deaths in persons aged 15-34 in the state of Louisiana.
What are the warning signs? Persons who are suicidal may talk about suicide, or threaten to take their own life. Suicidal persons may prepare for death; this can include many things like preparing for their funeral or giving away their personal items to loved ones. Sometimes, suicidal people can be deeply depressed or show changes in their personality. Sometimes people even go as far as showing a lift in their spirits- this sudden change in mood can mean the person is feeling relieved because their problems will soon be over. There are many more warning signs in suicidal people, and those warning signs can be found on multiple websites that provide help including The American Foundation
for Suicide Prevention and Suicide Prevention Resource Center. Because every person is different, some warning signs will not apply to a suicidal person. There are many resources for suicidal students both on campus and off. The counseling and wellness center located on the second floor of St. Joes suite 202 offers many resources including counseling free of charge to students. If the counseling center is closed or counselors are not available, students need to call 911 in the case of emergency. ViaLink offers counselors 24/7 they can be reached at (800)749-2673 or www. Vialink.org The suicide hotline number: 1-800-273-8255
Graphic by Chandler Rigby
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I M P O R T A N T I N F O G R A P H I C S
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September 26, 2017 - October 16, 2017
Political Aesthetics by: Barriane Franks | “Stress”
Dealing with College Stress by Breyanah Graham Staff Writer bgraham2@xula.edu
While there are many enjoyable things about college, it can be overwhelming for students. Whether it’s maintaining high grades, meeting assignment deadlines, dealing with tough professors, battling financial aid, or managing personal relationships, most college students find themselves stressed. “Stress is something that you go through no matter who you are,” said Bracely Williams, counselor at the Counseling and Wellness Center. It doesn’t matter how well a student is, nor how well they do in school - anyone can fall victim to stress. Whether the student has straight-A’s or has to spend a little bit more time studying than others; or if they’re black or white, short or tall, fat or skinny, stress affects everyone, according to Williams. “Everyone is or has been
affected by stress at some point in their life,” Williams added.
resource is the Counseling and Wellness Center, located in St. Joe’s.
Unfortunately, this definitely hits hard for college students.
The CWC is a great resource for students to go that is conveniently located on campus. They are available throughout the week to help students with any type of stress related problems and will help you find the best way to deal with stress.
At Xavier, stress is a hot topic, according to Williams. Social life, academics, health, and relationships all bring forth some kind of stress to students. Because there are multiple sources of stress, students can be affected by more than one kind. Sadly, there is no remedy that will magically relieve stress. However, there are a variety of ways that can effectively deal with stress and reduce its effects. “With any stress you go through the first step is to recognize what you are dealing with,” Williams commented. “And then try to seek help. Do not think you have to deal with it alone.” Williams added that there were people willing to help, and “a lot” of resources for students to access. One such
“Stress affects everyone differently. There is no general fix that fits everyone. What works for me won’t necessarily work for you. We make it specific for each student,” Williams said. Freshman Karen Osei- Boamah said that, for her, “Time management, motivation, and caffeine are
the keys to managing stress.” According to Williams, when dealing with stress, it is important to promote “selfcare.” “It’s all about sleep,” commented sophomore Jordan Wright. “Anytime I’m stressed, I just go take a nap. Then when I wake up, I actually feel like I can do everything I need to do.” Williams said students have to make sure they are, first of all, taking care of themselves. Not just mentally either. A good diet and physical exercise can help reduce stress. Students should also take time to do things for themselves and have a healthy balance between life and school.
For more articles on dealing with stress as college students, visit xulaherald.com for more resources xulaherald.com
“Also, try to promote relaxation. Relaxation techniques are good in general,” Williams added. There are many other additional ways that you can deal with stress. Dealing with stress effectively depends on you personally. Check out some of these tips below from students to keep your stress in check. • Get enough sleep. Take a nap between classes if you can • Don’t be afraid to get help from friends, family, and/or professionals • Lean on your classmates and peers • Pray about it and ask for help with it • Manage your time responsibly • Don’t procrastinate • Don’t overload yourself by taking on too much at once • Find time to have fun • Find a hobby that you like to do to relieve stress • Stay positive
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September 26, 2017 - October 16, 2017
“Once On This Island,” Forever in Our Eyes by Joe Brown Social Media Manager arober20@xula.edu
“One on This Island” director, Maxwell Williams, has breathed life into the cliched story of two worlds colliding. This story, told over and over again when it comes to theatre plays, is the epitome of an emotional rollercoaster. “One on This Island” is a short, 90 minute play, whose intricate plot and welldesigned sets, leaves the audience guessing what’s going to happen next. The play, a musical, is a fable about starcrossed lovers at the mercy of a group of whimsical and capricious gods. However, on a deeper level, the story delves into the topics of class conflict and the healing powers of courage, devotion and hope. It is a journey that begins with a storm and ends in the sunlight. “Once on This Island” traces island girl Ti Moune (Shangobunmi Durotimi) as she matures into a headstrong woman. Her life begins when she is rescued from drowning and adopted by Tonton Julian (Robert Diago DaQui) and his wife Mama Euralie (Idella Johnson). When her prayers to the Gods to guide her life are heard, Ti Moune begins a journey to heaven …. and hell. The stage was set as a Caribbean island wrecked by what looked like a hurricane or storm, which sparked my interest because of the recent damage Hurricane Irma did in the Caribbean. This beautifully choreographed and directed production, with its all-Black cast, moves quickly over 90 minutes. The tale traces Ti
Moune’s rescue of Daniel Beauxhomme (Luke Halpern), the mulatto son of the fictitious island’s French monarch; their love affair; and the inevitable ending to forbidden love--all influenced by Papa Ge, Demon of Death (Bryan Demond Williams); Erzulie, Goddess of Love (Taylor E. James); Asaka, Mother of the Earth (Jessica Mixon); and Agwe, God of Water (Kebron Woodfin). The songs and dances amazed the audience with how aligned they were with Caribbean culture. In addition to that the special effects drew even more attention with scenes that visually are captivating. The final scene brought the audience to tears which were either good or bad. In order to find out you have to go see “Once On This Island” starring Durotimi and Halpern.
Snapshot from the “Once on this Island” performance. Photo courtesy of Le Petit Théâtre.
“One on this Island” kept getting better and better until, suddenly, you realize the end is nearby. The songs and dances amazed the audience with how aligned they were with Caribbean culture. In addition to the plot, the special effects drew even more attention with scenes that were visually captivating. In order to find out what happens, you have to go see “Once On This Island” starring Durotimi and Halpern. “Once On This Island” finishes its three-week run at Le Petit Theatre Du Vieux Carre` with 7:30 p.m. shows Sept. 28, 29, 30, and a 3 p.m. matinee on Oct. 1. Student tickets are discounted to $15, and regular prices range from $35-$50. Tickets can be bought online at www.lepetittheatre.com, by telephone at 504.522.2081/ext. 1, or at the door, 616 St. Peter St.
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September 26, 2017 - October 16, 2017
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“LUV is Rage 2” Album Review by Blair Lyons Staff Writer blyons1@xula.edu Recently, Philly rapper Lil Uzi Vert released his sequel to his critically acclaimed 2015 mixtape, LUV is Rage. The mixtape combined auto-tune with various rock elements and brought the common rockstar mentality of the young rapper to light. Uzi has teased the sequel, LUV is Rage 2, since May, when he dropped his 3x platinum single, XO Tour Lif3. LUV is Rage 2 starts with an intro premiering the voice of Uzi’s ex-girlfriend, Brittany. Brittany was also featured on the intro on the song 7AM, track No. 4 on the first LUV is Rage. The intro was a surprise, being that the couple had been rumored to have split since late February this year.
In LUV is Rage 2, it’s clear that Uzi has incorporated more production value into the project. Producers Maaly Raw and Don Cannon, common collaborators with Uzi, take up most of the production credits for the album. The regular brass 808s and fast tempo instrumentals have been traded in for quality, album-like production, something to be expected since this is a debut album.
music video to be released soon.
As far as features go, there’s only one worth noting, Pharrell Williams on the song “Neon Guts.” Starting off with his signature 4-count, Pharrell and Uzi sing about money, cars and feeling elated. On the hook, Williams and Uzi sing, “so high like Elon Musk, so high stars eat our dust/and I got a colorful aura, like I got neon guts.” The song is a perfectly crafted collaboration that has plenty of value in radio, and listeners should expect a
Uzi’s aura is revolutionizing modern hip-hop culture. He once said in an interview that he was heavily influenced by heavy metal growing up, primarily Marilyn Manson. From stagediving into large audiences to singing about prior relationships, it’s clear Uzi has rekindled the distant relationship between 2000s hardcore rock and modern hip-hop.
Uzi does exactly what he is expected to do on this albumincorporate rock/metal melodies and synths, sometimes subtle and other times deep lyrics, and diverse flows and vocal inflections. Altogether, the entire album separates itself from hiphop and makes its own lane into a new era of musicians bridging the gap between genres.
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September 26, 2017 - October 16, 2017
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Fenty Beauty and the Importance of Representation in Cosmetics by Kennedy Cox Staff Writer kcox3@xula.edu
After three long years of waiting, Fenty Beauty is finally here. Rihanna’s long awaited makeup line, filled with complexion products, highlighters, and a lipgloss with a universal shade, hit stores worldwide on September 8. Fenty Beauty is the first makeup line to ever debut all across the world, in Sephora’s worldwide and in Harvey Nichols in the United Kingdom. Reviewers have applauded the brand for not only the color range, but also for the quality of the products. On Sephora.com, customers comment on the adaptability of the foundation for all skin types, the creaminess of the matchsticks, and the shininess of the highlighters. The salespeople at the Sephora on North Peters raved about the integrity of the products, and even of Rihanna herself. They commented on how people of all shades visited the store to browse the products and that they had already sold out of many of their darker shades.
Fenty Beuaty campaign designs captured at a local Sephora store in North Peters. Photo by Stephen Chinn.
They were excited about the future of the cosmetics industry, despite there currently being many issues regarding black women in the business. With 42 foundation shades, Fenty Beauty has one of the most expansive shade ranges in the cosmetic industry. Rihanna said that the large shade range was a conscious choice: “diversity and inclusion are important to the brand.” Along with the foundation, there are
highlighters, contour sticks, and concealer sticks that are flattering for every skin tone. But why do people of darker complexions have to settle for such small options? Black women spend around $7.5 billion a year on hair and beauty products, so why are there so little brands that cater to our needs? Many brands, like YSL Beauty and Clé de Peau Beauté have come under fire for having very few shades for darker complexions. Not only
are there very few options to chose from, but many products that are made for dark or deep people contain harsh chemicals that are not found in lighter complexion products, even though they are from the same brand. Why do black people have to settle for subpar products when black people account for 22 percent of all beauty purchases made in the United States, despite being only 12 percent of the population?
Rihanna is definitely worthy of praise for her new makeup line. Hopefully she will come out with even more shades and other makeup products to add to her already enormous collection. Thank you to the Sephora associates at the North Peters location for all the great information they provided regarding Fenty Beauty and the makeup industry in general.
Suits and Sequins Dominate the Runways During Fashion Month Industry by Kennedy Cox Staff Writer kcox3@xula.edu
Week two of Fashion Month is almost over. New York started off this highly anticipated fashion month. In 2015, Mercedes Benz and others pulled their sponsorships, while other American brands chose to show their collections in Paris or outside of the traditional fashion calendar. Despite this, the brands that have chosen to stay in New York, such as Marc Jacobs and The Row, put on excellent shows that will give upcoming shows on some serious competition. London, on the other hand, has been a constant superpower during fashion month. Brands like Anya Hindmarch, Marques ‘
Almeida and David Koma presented exceptional garments that remind fashion lovers why this month is so special. Spring and Summer 2018 can expect some interesting trends that differ greatly from what we have seen in fall and winter 2017. Fitted is out; flowing gowns and airy tops are in, apparent in how they dominated the runway. They are something we will definitely see for the next few seasons. Prints and intricate designs are also making a comeback, which differs from the fall and winter fads. Here are some trends to expect in the forthcoming spring and summer: Suits: A good suit is a necessity, as seen with the timelessness of Le Smoking Suit by French house Saint
Laurent. Antonio Berardi, Osman, and Ralph & Russo put interesting twists on the suit with lavish deconstructions and colors.
just announced his second collaboration with NARS, mixed femininity with serious sexiness. A patent leather dress with lace ruffles resembled a lavish judge’s robe.
Red: Many designers are seeing red for the spring. Narciso Rodriguez, a CubanAmerican designer who dressed Michelle Obama for many events during her husband’s presidency, showed many simple yet eclectic red dresses Christopher Kane designs in the 2017 Fashion during his show. Juicy Couture put Wekek Show. Photo Courtesy of Google Images. on a great show Ruffles: Ruffles were with some classic Juicy something that we saw on looks, despite the brand’s runways in February, and recent face lift with the help of a new creative from what we’ve seen so far director. they aren’t going anyway. Christopher Kane, who
As we’ve crossed the pond from New York to London, and will be heading to Milan next, we can anticipate more bold and lively looks in Milan and Paris. Spring and summer 2018 seems like it will be an exciting and colorful season with lots of bright colors, sequins, and florals (groundbreaking).
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Head over to the xulaherald.com to see more fashion columns from Kennedy Cox.
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September 26, 2017 - October 16, 2017
Sidelines: The Sports Opinion Editorials
Op-Ed: Trump should stick to politics, not sports by Kaelin Maloid Copy Editor kmaloid@xula.edu
The Donald has rolled in bigotry and racism like a pig in mud since before he decided to run for president.
The 2x NBA Champion, 2x MVP, and 4x NBA All-Star Stephen Curry remarked how he, like other athletes, did not want to visit The White House under Trump’s administration. Trump, offended, tweeted, “Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a
championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore the invitation is withdrawn!”
One, Curry wasn’t hesitating, he had fully made up his mind; and, two, how can you withdraw an invitation from someone who doesn’t want go anyway? His tweet caused the response of many NBA players, including the love
Only a day or two after calling NFL players “son of bitches” for kneeling during the National Anthem, Donald “The Donald” Trump has managed to receive backlash from yet another professional sports league, the NBA, by using his favorite form of communication - a tweet. I would love to say I expect more class from our president, but, truly, I don’t.
LeBron James’ infamous “u bum” tweet, directed at Donald Trump.
him or hate him, LeBron James, who referred to Trump as “U bum!” in his tweet. NBA Player’s Association president and Houston Rockets’ point guard, Chris Paul, made his own series of tweets, typing Trump wouldn’t call one of the players “a son of a bitch to their face.” He also wondered why Trump was concerned with who did and didn’t want to visit the White House, especially with everything else going on in the world.
Aside from “u bum” being one of my new favorite insults, Trump has really done it this time. In an effort to, I guess, shame players, he has done nothing but anger them. It might work on NFL players, whose brains are so addled with injuries from bad concussion policies that they no longer can distinguish when they are being made fools of, but NBA players will not stand for this.
Adam Silver, NBA commissioner, is also backing his players, saying he’s “proud” of them for speaking out, although he stated he was also “disappointed” that the players would not have their chance to share their views directly with Trump Honestly? I don’t think the players cared, nor do I think Trump would’ve listened, but I digress. Another article, another day. Trump is a child with a big ego, and his latest fiasco, like all his others, will blow over - in the NBA anyway. At least since the Curry and his Warriors won’t be visiting the White House, they can be on the court, practicing to take down the superteam hopefuls of Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony of the Oklahoma Thunder.
Op-Ed: Donald Trump Crossed the Wrong Line by Ayanna Robertson Sports Editor arober20@xula.edu
for black bodies and black lives. It is about the complete disrespect that black people are faced with on a daily basis from police, the workplace, the system and our president.
In turn, there was an uproar from various athletes and athletic organizations. The NFL as a whole released a statement calling Trump’s comments “divisive.” On Sunday, Sept. 24, there was an On Friday, Sept. 22, obvious show of support from President Donald Trump made teams and individual players some less than professional decided to either take a knee, comments about football put their fists up or even stay players who choose to take in the locker room while the a knee during the National anthem was being played. Anthem. Two of the performers for the anthem took a knee as well. The comments included calling grown men “sons of Even though the support bitches,” and saying that if for Colin Kaepernick was they disrespect the American beautiful, I do have a few flag, they should lose their issues with what has taken jobs. This issue, however, is place since the President’s not about the flag at all. It is comment. about supporting a country that shows a huge disregard Donald Trump was
upset with ESPN host Jemele Hill for calling him a “white supremacist” on Twitter, yet for some reason he finds it okay to get on national television and call athletes out of their names. However, I didn’t find that same passion within Trump when he was calling Neo-Nazis, white supremacists who carried lit torches and promoted violence and murder, “very fine people.” Not only were his comments violent, inappropriate and uncalled for, but they were also arguably targeted at a specific group of people. I say this because the overwhelming majority of the men who kneel on game days are African American, so that has to be who his remarks are directed to. More than 30 NFL teams issued statements expressing their solidarity with their players. Teams such as the New England Patriots said
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that they “are proud to be associated with players who make such tremendous contributions in positively impacting our community. Their efforts, both on and off the field help bring people together and make our community stronger.” The Steelers even opted to not be present during the anthem.
My question is, where was this support when Kaepernick first began the kneeling trend? Why does Colin Kaepernick still not have a roster spot on any NFL team? It seems as if he has been black balled from the league for simply exercising his first amendment right to peaceful protest. I also wonder why it took a derogatory comment from the president to cause such an uproar, or as some people are saying, unity within the sports world. Why more than one year after Kaepernick
first took a knee do players think it’s important to kneel? Is it because they are upset at Donald Trump, and they feel as though there is a point to prove? Or is it because they genuinely feel the effects that racism and police brutality have on the community? After all, that is the reason why Kaepernick began kneeling in the first place. If a player or team is protesting against the national anthem, it should be done with pure intentions and not because of a hashtag, trend or in reaction to President Trump. It should be done because each individual knows why he or she has to take a knee.
September 26, 2017 - October 16, 2017
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SNAPS!
Jaleel S.A.N.D performs his original music during Live Music Friday. Jay Tea of For The Greater Good Performs at African Student Union Talent Show
Kiriston Clark, or “Rojo,” took the stage and performed an original song called, “Quiet Storm” at the African Student Union Talent Show.
Kai Imani kicked off the show with a singing performance of Sade’s “Is It a Crime?”
Left: Keri Thomas sung “Titanium” by David Guetta during the African Student Union Talent Show. Right: JayTea and Chad $olo perform during Live Music Friday.
All photos by Kaelin Maloid and Stephen Chinn.
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September 26, 2017 - October 16, 2017
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