MTSU
SIDELINES
2// 19 // 2014 E D I T O R I A L LY INDEPENDENT
MTSU professor helps with Tuskegee museum Pg. 4 The hype of ‘House of Cards’ Pgs. 6-7 Two peas in a P.O.D. Pgs. 12-13
Shawn Jones spotlight Pg. 14
BONNAROO Pgs. 9-11
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NEWS ALCOHOL East Main Street Feb. 14, 2:14 a.m. Authorities arrested Jarren K. Long, 24, on charges of driving under the influence. ASSAULT Campus Recreation Center Feb. 13, 10:21 p.m. Authorities responded to a report of a fight in the campus recreation center; however, the parties involved said that it was only a verbal dispute.
ASSAULT Keathley University Center Feb. 13, 7:07 p.m. Complainant reported that she was shoved by another individual; however, she reported that she was not harmed in the incident.
TRAFFIC Off Campus Feb. 10, 5:00 p.m. Authorities arrested Curdell Giles Jr., 25, for his third offense of driving on a revoked license.
THEFT Student Union Building Feb. 12, 7:25 p.m. Complainant reported that some of his belongings were stolen.
THEFT Holmes Garage Feb. 10, 4:06 p.m. Complainant reported that his license plate was stolen while his vehicle was parked on campus.
ARMED ROBBERY Off Campus Feb. 11, 8:50 p.m. Authorities arrested Marlon K. Washington, 18, in connection to a reported armed robbery on Feb. 3 in the Livestock Center parking lot.
DRUGS Reynolds Hall Feb. 9, 9:48 p.m. Authorities responded to a complaint of drugs being smoked in a dorm room; however, no drugs were found and the matter was turned over to Residential Life for further action.
TN-0000969155
WARRANT East Main Street Feb. 13, 8:39 p.m. Authorities arrest Daniel A. Howell, 32, for an active warrant, violation of the open container law and violation of bond conditions.
CRIME BRIEFS
2 SIDELINES | Feb. 19, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com
S T N E T N CO
3 NEWS 6 A&E 10 COVER 12 Features 14 OPINIONS 15 SPORTS S T A F F
Emily West >> Editor-in-chief John Coulston >> Assistant A&E Editor
Amanda Gambill >> Managing editor Sam Brown >> Sports Editor
Quint Qualls >> News Editor Connor Grott >> Assistant Sports Editor
Daniel Jansouzian >> Assistant News Editor Robert Allen >> Opinions Editor Taylor Davis >> Assistant News Editor Laurel O’Neill >> Designer
Bailey Robbins >> Features Editor Cat Murphy >> Photo Editor
Claire Osburn >> Assistant A&E Editor
Noel Heath >> Assistant A&E and Features Editor
Maranda Faris >> Copy Editor Leon Alligood >> Adviser
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Cover designed by Laurel O’Neill and Emily West. Correction: In the Feb. 5 issue, the photo of the library was by Christian Larsen, not Cat Murphy. We regret this error. John Bragg Mass Communication Building Center for Innovation in Media 1301 East Main Street P.O. Box 8, Murfreesboro, Tenn. 37132 Editorial: 615-904-7648 mtsusidelines.com
SIDELINES | Feb. 19, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com 3
NEWS
Tennesseans favor legalization of medical marijuana By Daniel Jansouzian // Assistant News Editor Tennesseans appear less opposed to the legalization of marijuana for medical use than that of everyday use, according to the latest MTSU Poll results. “The poll underscores the importance of distinguishing between support for permitting general marijuana use and support for permitting medical marijuana use,” said Ken Blake, director of the MTSU Poll. The poll selected 600 Tennessee adults at random on Jan. 23-26 to ask about leading controversial issues in politics today. When asked if Tennesseans thought marijuana use should be legal or not, 33 percent said it should, while 57 percent were in favor of it remaining unlawful. The rest were unsure. When the same 57 percent were asked if they were in favor of adults using doctor-prescribed marijuana for medical purposes, nearly two-thirds of them said yes. In the end, 33 percent are in favor of legalizing marijuana, while 36 percent are only in favor for medical reasons and 18 percent would like for it to remain banned. Another 6 percent would permit medical use but are undecided about banning marijuana entirely. The rest are unsure. When looking at the results along religious and political lines, 40 percent of self-proclaimed evangelical Christians support a ban on all but medical uses while 48 percent of non-evangelicals favor legalizing marijuana in its entirety. While 45 percent of Democrats favor legalization, 44 percent of Republicans support ban, but favor medical use. Independents are nearly split evenly on the issue. “It’s hard to say whether proponents of allowing general marijuana use and proponents of allowing only medical marijuana use would be willing to join forces politically,” Blake said. “But one thing is clear: proponents of continuing the absolute ban on marijuana use are substantially outnumbered in Tennessee.” Other issues addressed in the poll included same-sex marriage, which found 64 percent of Tennesseans opposed and 26 percent in favor, statistically similar to the finding of 62 opposed in the Spring 2013 poll. Findings also showed 52 percent opposed federal enforcements of gun control in the state of Tennessee. The MTSU Poll is a scientifically valid poll with an error margin of plus-or-minus 4 percentage points at the 95 percent level of confidence. To contact the news editor, email Quint Qualls at news@mtsusidelines.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @sidelines_news and @mtsusidelines 4 SIDELINES | Feb. 19, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com
Museum opens in Tuskegee, Ala. to honor the first black airmen
NEWS
MTSu Professor helps with museum design By Quint Qualls // News Editor Despite the rigidly enforced racial segregation of the 1940s, members of the 99th Fighter Squadron, the first black flight unit, became some of the most distinguished airmen in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations during World War II. A museum dedicated to the memory of these African-American airmen, commonly called the “Tuskegee Airmen,” opened to the public on Feb. 15. The exhibit features memorabilia from the World War II era, including a full-scale P-51 fighter-bomber plane. For many of the original airmen, the museum’s opening marked an historic day where their struggles against the racial hegemony of the World War II era were honored and remembered. “Today represents the fact that a lot of guys went through a lot back in those days,” said George Hardy, a former fighter pilot with the 99th. “When this program started many people in the army didn’t think that blacks could fly, and we had to prove differently.” Until the establishment of Moton Field, the training site for the first black airmen, African-Americans were prohibited from flying in the U.S. military. By the end of World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen had evolved into four fighter squadrons and four bombing squadrons. Following the war’s end in 1945, Hardy continued his career in the Air Force throughout the Korean and Vietnam wars until his retirement in 1971. He experienced firsthand the gradual racial integration of the military. “In Vietnam, I was commander of the detachment and all of my pilots were white,” Hardy said. “So I was able to see that turnaround from the racial segregation to where integration took hold in the service.” Aerospace professor Randy Johnson was the expert who consulted designers in the historical accuracy of the museum during its construction. “African-Americans at the time wanted more than just to learn how to fly,” Johnson said. “They wanted access to the air in the Army. They began to push for that, and the Army finally relented and established
The museum had a grand opening Feb. 15 in Tuskegee, Ala. Photo by Quint Qualls.
Tuskegee as primary flight training for black pilots.” Johnson was contracted by the National Park Services in 2004 to write “From Clubs to Hawks,” a book about the legacy of the first black airmen. The original Tuskegee Airmen set the standard for other black Americans, such as Leon Crayton, who joined them in 1953. “To be here among the original Tuskegee Airmen – it’s just heartwarming because they set the pace for us way back in the early ‘40s,” Crayton said. “The National Park Service has put forth a great effort to renovate this whole thing, and that took, not so much money, but personal effort and respect for what we did in the military. It’s heartwarming to see that they put forth an effort so the legacy would be remembered.” To contact the news editor, email Quint Qualls at news@mtsusidelines.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @sidelines_news and @mtsusidelines
SIDELINES | Feb. 19, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com 5
A&E Natural products your body will love By Noel Heath // Assistant A&E Editor // Photos by Noel Heath. Even though we are still in the middle of winter, don’t let your body get caught in hibernation. Instead, try a new way to hydrate and energize with these beauty products that should help you pamper yourself.
Coconut oil This kitchen staple is being praised more and more in the wellness industry as a miraculous moisturizer. Great for removing the toughest makeup, deep conditioning frizzy hair, in place of shaving cream and softening even the driest deep-winter skin, coconut oil’s many uses and yummy smell make it addicting. Apply it to your hair, skin and cuticles for an intense moisturizer as much as you wish — a small jar will last you forever.
Apple cider vinegar While the smell of ACV isn’t as appealing as it sounds, this naturally derived detox and antiseptic does wonders for conditioning your hair and clearing your skin. Mix 1 part ACV with 3 parts water and pour it over your hair after shampooing. Leave in for a few minutes, then rinse. This removes chemical build-up that store bought products leave behind and adds silky shine like nothing else. Celebs like Scarlett Johansson and Hilary Duff swear by ACV as a softening skin toner and spot treatment. It naturally balances your skin’s PH and greatly reduces red marks and blemishes. Use a cotton ball to apply water-diluted ACV to your face twice a day, or leave it as a spot treatment overnight.
Mineral makeup If you’ve ever wondered where your makeup went after a long day, chances are about 90% of it was absorbed by your skin. Awesome. While nomakeup is probably ideal for a healthy face, happy skin — for those of us not quite ready to venture outside make-up free — mineral makeup is a great alternative. Nowadays, plenty of options are at any location for us to choose. Just be mindful of the ingredients. If you can’t say or spell it, it probably shouldn’t go on your face.
6 SIDELINES | Feb. 19, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com
A&E
Bentonite clay Calcium bentonite clay or “Indian Healing Clay� has been used for centuries to detox and purify the skin. It naturally holds a strong negative charge that bonds with the positive charge of many toxins to draw them out of your skin and leave it feeling cleaner than you ever thought possible. This charge also pulls excess hydrogen from skin, allowing more of that healthy oxygen in. When mixed with equal parts water and apple cider vinegar and applied as a face mask once or twice a week, bentonite clay noticeably clears and heals the majority of skin issues. Leave it on until it dries, around 10-20 minutes depending on skin sensitivity, and see your skin get gorgeous.
Sulfate-free soaps and shampoos While many of us enjoy the rich lather that chemical-enriched shampoos and body washes provide, these bubbles usually mean not-good-for-you sulfates. Watch out specifically for sodium lauryl or sodium laureth sulfates in the top five ingredients on your favorite bubbly bottles. Instead, go for sulfate-free and natural bottled options, or start a trend and make your own. The most common ingredient for DIY shampoos circling the web is baking soda. DIY soaps can be as simple as mixing glycerin, jojoba and your favorite yummy-smelling oils.
Essential oils Many perfumes contain harsh chemicals and dyes that don’t belong on your skin. Instead of going for these expensive bottled smells, try naturallyderived essential oils. You can find them at most health and beauty stores, and they are much cheaper than store-brand colognes. Try amber, sandalwood or myrrh for a delicate, but great-smelling impact.
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A&E ‘More than sharks love blood:’ A ‘House of Cards’ Season Two Review By Laurel O’Neill // Designer The highly anticipated second season of Netflix’s original series “House of Cards” premiered Friday, Feb. 14, with the whole season up at once, enabling a binge watching session that feels like getting thrown in front of a DC Metro train. The season picks up right where we last left off, opening with a quiet scene: Frank and Claire Underwood jogging together on a foggy night. “There are two kinds of vice presidents: doormats and matadors. Which one do you think I intend to be?” Frank Underwood has been known to say. You can hazard a guess. Within a few minutes, the season starts to take shape. Frank’s swearing in as vice president is coming up, while Claire must deal with Gillian Cole’s lawsuit. A new Majority Whip must be chosen. Zoe, Lucas and Janine learn new information from the police report on Peter Russo’s death. All of these pieces set up a thrilling second season that, like the Underwoods, doesn’t pull its punches. Centered around the idea of ruthless pragmatism, the moral center of the show leans even further toward the darker shades of grey, and it makes you love it. Despite the intricate and finely woven plot, the real strength of the show is the characters. If you’ve seen “Orange is the New Black” or the latest season of “Arrested Development,” you know Netflix’s focus is character-driven shows, and this season doesn’t disappoint.
Where season one flirted with a professional division between Claire and Frank, season two presents them as a united front. This season is where the comparisons to Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” hopefully fall by the wayside, as ambition serves only to galvanize their partnership into the one fixed point of the show. If they’re going to do something, they’re going to do it together. One of the best things about the season is that the rest of the cast has opportunities to shine. Everyone’s most and least favorite lobbyist, Remy Danton, works as some sort of quadruple agent and still manages to dip out of the shadows just enough to be likable. And Freddy turns out to be more than just that guy who makes the ribs. The main antagonist of the season, Raymond Tusk, proves himself to be a worthy adversary, and infuriatingly wealthy. Look out for new characters, like the new Majority Whip Jackie Sharp, the First Lady, the Underwoods’ press men and the hacker Gavin Orsay, who bring it and bring it hard. Another strength of this show is its relevance.
Photo courtesy of Facebook.
Deep Web cyber warfare? Check. Campaign funding scandals? Check. Sexual assault, especially in the military? Check. Sino-American economic and political relations? Check. Abortion issues? Check. The energy crisis? Check. Mental health controversy? Check. If you haven’t watched yet, or you’re on the fence about it, check it out. This season definitely lives up to its expectations and promotions. Prepare to be surprised. Constantly. Painfully. Memorably.
Best quote: “If you don’t like how the table
is set, turn over the table.”—Frank Underwood
Best character: Cashew, the guinea pig Best Smack Down: Claire’s live interview in episode four.
Best WHAT THE F—? moment: The end of episode one. Make sure there’s no one around to hear you scream.
To contact the A&E editor, email Claire Osburn at ae@mtsusidelines.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @Sidelines_AE and Instagram @sidelines_ae 8 SIDELINES | Feb. 19, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com
COVER
a magical, musical event: A BREAKDOWN OF bonnaroo By Claire Osburn // A&E Editor With prime music festival season fast approaching, Tennessee’s own raucous, four-day event comes to mind. When the second weekend in June rolls around, music junkies from all over the world make the trek to the sleepy city of Manchester to experience the annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts festival. Lucky for us, this musical extravaganza takes place a mere 35 minutes down I-24. Preparation for this musical adventure never ends; whether it’s marketing, booking bands, acquiring vendors or communicating with fans the other 361 days of the year, Bonnaroo never sleeps.
OUTREACH TO THE OUTDOORS Getting fans to the fest means coordinators rely on posters, flyers, and shoutouts from the event’s artists to spread the word. However, over the last few years, Bonnaroo has begun to transition into new age advertising. “We were one of the first festivals who heavily integrated social media,” said Jeff Cuellar, vice president of strategic partnership for AC Entertainment, a music production company based in Knoxville that helps create Bonnaroo. “And I know we were the first major festival with a mobile application,” he added. Festival-goers can download the app, “Bonnaroo,” for free to explore maps, checkout the lineup and schedule, socialize, listen to the Roo Radio, and more. Social media has become as essential as beer for the 12-year-old festival.
FREE RIDE Keeping with the good vibes Bonnaroo sends out, the coordinators play nice with the residents of Coffee County. “We feel an active and engaged community is going to be more receptive and supportive,” Cuellar said. “We own the property that Bonnaroo sits on, Great Stage Park, so it’s where we live, work and play as well. So it only behooves us to support the community in as many ways as humanly possible because it’s our community as well.” Support includes discounted tickets, and lots of business for an otherwise primarily rural city. However, nearby inhabitants aren’t the only ones who can catch a break on the festival’s $300 price tag. Bonnaroo offers a variety of options for those of us who are pinching
our pennies. Working with a vendor, organization or just volunteering for the festival will earn you the cost of admission in exchange for a little help. “A lot of my friends have volunteered for free tickets, and they always tell me its great,” said Eric Carroll, a senior recording industry management major. “You have to put a security deposit down when you work, just to ensure you will show up to work your shift, but you will get your money back once your shift is done. The biggest thing is getting good shifts booked. Clean Vibes post-show clean up is one of the best ones to work.” Dave Cate, a recent MTSU graduate, has experienced working with Clean Vibes firsthand. “I volunteered through Clean Vibes, which is a waste management company that contracts with all sorts of festivals each year,” he said. “It was a great experience on top of the already amazing festival experience and a way to take ownership of something that I loved while doing satisfying work. Definitely worth the free ticket.” Steven Baird, a junior awaiting candidacy into the music business program, went the opposite volunteer route, choosing instead to work as an advocate for Roo’s social media efforts. “It was really easy because I have a relative that got me hooked up with a group of volunteers,” he said. “I did basically nothing. Our job was to tell people about the Facebook check-ins.”
THE LAY OF THE LAND If you’re on a budget or running late, it’s general camping for you. Otherwise, Bonnaroo offers tent-only, VIP, group, family, RV, glamping and on-site tent and cot rental camping. “Camping with your friends, and the right group of friends is key,” said Maddie Hannah, a junior majoring in junior and interdisciplinary studies, K-6 education.“Camping with your car is also the best way, in my opinion. It’s nice to have somewhere to lock your stuff and to have multiple canopies and tapestries to block sun.” The closer to Centeroo — the nexus of the Bonnaroo universe where all the live music takes place — and the best vendors are located, the better. Unless you’re willing to shell out the extra bucks, however, it’s a first-come, first-serve basis. “The best place to camp is however close you can get to Centeroo,” said Lisa Manci, junior child development and family studies major. SIDELINES | Feb. 19, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com 9
COVER
Artists and graffiti photos by Emily West. Festival-goer shots by Claire Osburn and Jess Stanford. 10 SIDELINES | Feb. 19, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com
COVER
“You can’t choose where you get placed, but I always hope for a close spot so there isn’t as much walking.�
ALL ABOUT THE TUNES
Arriving at the festival the day before helps, or choose between a $5 taxi ride and dragging your exhausted, dirt-covered self the 30 minutes back to camp.
Cuellar said that Bonnaroo’s team is always on the lookout for the hottest artists to grace their stages and even wooing the ones they really want. Radiohead and Bruce Springsteen are among those who took a few years of planning and coaxing to headline.
BONNAROOVIANS People watching is one of the best free activities Bonnaroo has to offer. The costumes, the personalities, the lack of inhibition all guarantee lifelong friendships or interesting stories. To truly be a festival-goer, attendees must return to the farm year after year, happily leaving day jobs and real-world problems in the dust, ready to join the unwashed masses. “Me and three of my best friends took a road trip from New Jersey to Tennessee for Bonnaroo as our senior trip,� Carroll said. “It was my first festival, but it certainly wasn’t my last. At the time in 2010, I had just committed to MTSU, and I literally was going to know no one at the beginning of the school year. Oddly enough, my neighbors at ‘Roo were from MTSU and ended up becoming some of my best friends at school. Needless to say, Bonnaroo will always have a special place in my heart.�
“The beautiful thing is, I’d say 90 percent of our organization and our partner organizations are music lovers, so we want to know what’s happening before everyone else anyways,� Cuellar said. “It’s part of our DNA.� They look for talents from social media, friend recommendations or “just going to see live music at a 200-person club,� he said. So tune in Feb. 19 for the lineup announcement, save up and get ready to fall in love because Bonnaroo isn’t your average hit-it-and-quit-it type of festival. “I will be at Bonnaroo every year until the day I die,� Carroll said. To contact the A&E editor, email Claire Osburn at ae@mtsusidelines. com. Likes us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mtsusidelines and @sidelines_ae.
Baird also gets nostalgic about his first Bonnaroo. “We left from drill [in the Army National Guard] Saturday afternoon and drove to Manchester,� he said. “I bought a ticket off a dude outside the main gate, lost my mind at STS9 and lost the group. I wandered around for a few hours and finally made it back to where we had parked. They had left me. I eventually found a couple that was willing to give me a ride back to McMinnville. Got to the Armory, changed and got to formation right on time.�
Crab Legs, Wings, Burgers, and Salads Great Atmosphere, Great Food, Live Entertainment
Contrastingly, Cate’s first time happened while he was navigating the horrors of high school. “My first time at Bonnaroo was an incredible, eye-opening experience,� he said. “It was 2008, I was 17 and relatively sheltered, and I had never seen anything like it before — a vibrant, positive community of weirdness that pops up and then disappears every year like the world’s biggest summer camp for adults. I also got hooked up with a VIP ticket, which was nice, but the amenities wouldn’t be worth the jump-in price if I were buying. I had to skip 2009, but I’ve gone back every year since, so you could say I liked it.�
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FEATURES That
someone on the other end
Campus employees Paul and Marie Junkin spend the workday separately, but have spent life together for almost 48 years.
Marie recalled. “And so, when he picked up the phone and I said, ‘Hello.’ It was the first time we ever talked.”
“It’s just something that was meant to be,” 68-year-old Marie said about her husband. “I don’t know what else to say. We’re just supposed to be together.”
On the other end, Paul, who was about 150 miles away in Kalamazoo, Mich., sold electronic parts for a living. The pieces Marie’s boss needed for the computer were on backorder, so the phone calls became more regular. Each one only lasted from 10 to 15 minutes, but when the parts finally arrived, those minutes didn’t reduce.
The first thing she does before opening up the Provisions On Demand (P.O.D.) market is put on a pot of coffee. Marie likes to unlock it at 7:15 a.m., 15 minutes before schedule. “They know I always let them come in as long as I have one pot done, cause they just want coffee,” she said tenderly as her northern accent stretched the “o” sound in “coffee.” Meanwhile, Paul prepares for his drive to the Keathley University Center, where he will clock in at 8 a.m. as a Subway cashier. The restaurant opens at 10 a.m. as Marie’s head begins to disappear behind a swell of students and faculty members waiting to purchase lastminute necessities ranging from batteries to Scantrons. Then, distance separates the couple again at 2 p.m. when Marie drives home from work and an easy walk across campus grows into miles. Thirty minutes later, Paul clocks out, too. Miles reduce to feet, and he’s home once more. One end meets the other end. This is how Paul and Marie’s days have come together for almost half a century.
Connected
beyond wires
The year was 1965 when Marie’s boss at Applied Dynamics, a computer assembly company, asked her to pick up the phone. “My boss says, ‘I’m on hold. The gentleman’s name is Paul ... When he comes back on, ask him when he’s going to ship the parts for us,’” 12 SIDELINES | Feb. 19, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com
“If [the company] needed anything, she would call and ask for me,” Paul said. Both voices heard something in the other’s that was more than just talk about computers and part shipments. “We just connected,” Marie said affectionately about the link they shared beyond the phone line. “Something was there, but we didn’t know what.” Though they casually discussed the possibility of meeting one another, neither person ever uttered a word about feeling “connected” to the voice on the opposite end until Paul made a move.
By Bailey Robbins // Features Editor By their third date, Paul surprised himself by proposing at a drive-in movie theater. Backlit by the film and accompanied by the smell of popcorn, Marie said, “Yes.” Eight months later, the couple married. And after almost five decades of marriage, the Junkins say they can’t remember a single fight. “We’ve really had a good marriage,” she said. While living in Michigan, Paul and Marie had three sons. In 1974, the family moved to Florida where the couple traded snow for beaches. Twenty-seven years later, the couple moved to Tennessee, where they made Tennessee their final home. “Marriage is not an easy thing,” Marie admitted. “It’s give and take. I told my boys, ‘You can’t change anybody; you can only change yourself. Don’t try to change the person you’re with, and you’ll do fine.’ So, I didn’t try to change [Paul], and he didn’t try to change me. We’re always there for each other.”
Something
different to talk about
“I was interested,” Paul said, smiling, as Marie let out a small laugh. “I figured what the heck ... and [I wanted to] see what she looked like.”
For more than 12 years, Marie has managed the same line that wraps around and out the small P.O.D. market. She swipes, studies and repeats the name printed on the payment card, personalizing each customer’s visit.
The relationship began when Paul surprised Marie by showing up at her doorstep. The first date came and went, but it left her wondering whether he felt the same spark, too.
“I’ve done real well because I’m learning people’s names — they just love when I can do that ... I’m remembering names. And it’s good for me,” she said.
“The girls at work wanted to know how he was because they knew we were talking on the phone,” Marie explained. “And I said, ‘Let me put it this way, if he calls me back, that means I know he likes me, and I won’t go out with anybody else.’ And, he calls me back on Monday at work, and I didn’t go out with anybody else.”
At the other end of campus, Paul feels the same about those who stand in his line craving sub sandwiches. “They keep me young,” Paul smiled as Marie agreed. “I look at them and say, ‘Boy, I wish I had that enthusiasm still.’”
FEATURES When the couple returns home for the evening, Marie cooks a big dinner. Then, they settle on the couch to watch TV, favoring NCIS. On work nights, they’re in bed before 10 p.m., and start again by 6 a.m. “I don’t want to quit,” Marie said about her job. “What’s there to do staying at home all day? There’s not much you can do. And, I told [Paul], ‘If we stayed home, what are we going to talk about?’” And, after almost half a century of talking to one another, both Marie and Paul listen to the outcome of each other’s day and still care. And despite Paul’s indifference about Marie’s cooking
choices, they can recall their youth and feel a connection that is much, much stronger. “But, we haven’t had any problems. I love him more now than I did when I met him, if that’s possible,” Marie said. It’s possible because Paul replied with a smile. To see the full version of the story, go to mtsusidelines. com To contact the features editor, email Bailey Robbins at features@mtsusidelines.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mtsusidelines Photos by Bailey Robbins.
LOCATIONS:
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MURFREESBORO: 1250 W. Clark Blvd. 750 S. Church St. 4051 Franklin Road SMYRNA: 769 Nissan Drive
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SIDELINES | Feb. 19, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com 13
OPINIONS It’s time to ‘Boot the Braids’ By Rachel Tyree // Contributing writer For more than a year, fast-food chain Wendy’s has refused to join the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Fair Food Program. This farmworkerdesigned program to protect the human rights of farmworkers relies on the cooperation of major buyers such as Wendy’s. In the face of Wendy’s blatant disregard for farmworker rights, students across campuses that contract with Wendy’s are joining in this week’s campaign to “Boot the Braids.” Students want the chain banned from campuses until they acknowledge farmworker rights. While our university does not have a Wendy’s restaurant directly on campus, we do have the power of thousands of students who can help make a change. During spring break, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers will launch the “Now is the Time” Southeastern tour, bringing farmworkers and allies to 10 cities in 10 days to target corporate hold-outs Wendy’s and Publix. Destinations will include Columbus, Ohio, near Wendy’s headquarters, and Lakeland, Fla., the hometown of Publix. A major stop is planned for Nashville on Tuesday, March 11, and all Middle Tennessee students who support justice for farmworkers are urged to attend. Students have rallied behind this cause with results before, such as “Booting the Bell” from 25 high school and college campuses a few years ago, resulting in Taco Bell joining the Program to support farmworker rights. In fact, Wendy’s current president, Emil Brolick, who was president of Taco Bell at the time ironically stated, “Any solution must be industrywide ... we hope others in the restaurant industry will follow our leadership.” Due to the pressure of thousands of students organizing with farmworkers through the Student/Farmworker Alliance, 12 multinational corporations, including Wal-Mart, the biggest retailer in the world, have joined the Fair Food Program. In doing so, they commit to buy their tomatoes exclusively from farms that are in compliance with the Fair Food Program. Of the five largest fast food corporations in the US — Taco Bell, McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway and Wendy’s — Wendy’s is the only not to have joined. 14 SIDELINES | Feb. 19, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com
After McDonald’s, Burger King, and Subway joined the Program, the Student/Farmworker Alliance took the same approach with campus dining contractors. Sodexo, Aramark, Compass, and Bon Appétit all joined the initiative to respect farmworker rights — making it clear again that corporations respond to student power and student organizing, and that universities’ responses to worker exploitation is crucial for the protection of workers’ rights. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers’, which produces more than 90 percent of fresh tomatoes distributed in the fall/winter months in the United States, is a major distributor to fast-food chains. If you have eaten a tomato this winter, it likely came from Florida, from the hands of these farmworkers whose basic human rights are threatened as long as corporations like Wendy’s refuse to do the right thing. It is important for students to understand their opportunity for influence on a large scale and that fighting injustice is not reserved for post-graduation: the time is now. For more information and ways to get involved, contact the Nashville or Murfreesboro Fair Food Committees at nashvillefairfood.wordpress. com, facebook.com/nashvillefairfood or facebook.com/MurfreesboroFairFood. Want to write an opinion? Contact the opinions editor, Robert Allen, at opinions@mtsusidelines.com.
SPORTS Sidelines Spotlight:
Shawn Jones, the quiet leader By Connor Grott // Assistant Sports Editor As the Blue Raiders (17-7, 7-2 C-USA) enter the final stretch of their conference schedule, one MT player is looking to lead the Blue Raiders to a repeat of last season’s success, but with a different ending. With Shawn Jones’ career in a Blue Raider uniform coming to a close, the senior forward is looking to lead the Blue Raiders to another conference championship and NCAA tournament appearance before capping off his fouryear career. Jones entered this season on the Conference-USA Preseason Players to Watch List, and has proven to live up to that designation. Coming into the Blue Raiders’ matchup against Tulane on Feb. 13, Jones is averaging 15.2 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game, both career-highs. The senior forward currently ranks 15th in the country and first in Conference-USA in field goal percentage this season, and he shoots 59.7 percent from the field. Jones reached a major milestone in Middle Tennessee’s last matchup against FIU on Feb. 8, becoming the 31st Blue Raider to join the 1,000-point club after slamming home a dunk. Jones is just the third player in program history to record more than 1,000 points, 500 rebounds
and 100 blocks in his career. He is also the 16th player in MT history to compile 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in his career. Jones sat down with Sidelines to discuss his productive four-year career, and what the senior wants to accomplish before he hangs up his blue and white jersey. SL: What made you choose basketball? SJ: “I have been playing basketball since I was about eight. I tried to go the football route but my mom didn’t like all the contact, so I just stuck with basketball throughout the rest of my life. I tried to play football again in high school but I wanted to play wide receiver and the coaches were going to make me play defensive end. So I said, ‘Nah I’m alright I’ll just stick with basketball.’” SL: Not only did you get your 1000th point, you also became the third player in program history to reach 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 100 blocks. What does that mean to you? SJ: “That’s something that feels real good in my heart. Coming to MTSU, I wanted to do something to make me be remembered. Being a part of that club…I will always be remembered.”
Neiko [Hunter], knowing that we lost Bruce and Marcos last year, knew that coming into this season we had to step up and be leaders because most of us aren’t really talkers, like myself. I like to lead by action, but knowing that we lost those people, the ones who were doing most of the talking, we had to step up in those leadership roles.”
to be like for you and will your family be in attendance?
SL: This is your fourth season as a Blue Raider. During your four seasons at MTSU, who has been your biggest mentor?
SL: It’s your senior year. What are you trying to accomplish this season before you leave?
SJ: “Coach-wise, I’d probably say Coach [Win] Case. He’s viewed me as a son since I’ve been here. Player-wise, it was either LaRon Dendy or Bruce Massey. They would always just coach me on the sidelines every time I would get down on myself. They would always tell me not to worry about mistakes and to just go out there and play.” SL: In your entire career at MTSU, what has been the most special moment to you?
SJ: “Yeah, my family and my high school coach are going to make the trip. It’s going to be a real big night. It will actually be the first time my mom has been up here since the first day she dropped me off my freshman year. It’s going to be a good day for me.”
SJ: “I’m trying to accomplish getting another ring, and helping to get this team to the NCAA tournament again.” To see the full version of this story, go to mtsusidelines.com To contact the sports editor, email Sam Brown at sports@mtsusidelines.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @sidelines_sport and @mtsusidelines. Photo by Brett Turner.
SJ: “I would probably say when Kerry and I made SportsCenter. It was an alley-oop against Arkansas-Little Rock last season. That was probably one of the most special moments for me.
SL: The team had some transfers that came in, such as Marcus Tarrance and Jaqawn Raymond. At the same time you lost a lot of senior leadership in players like Marcos Knight and Bruce Massey. Did you step into that leadership role this season?
SL: Your time with the Blue Raiders is winding to a close. What are you going to miss the most about MTSU? SJ: “I’ll miss the fans that were rooting for me these four years. But the biggest thing I’ll miss is my teammates. I look at them as brothers, and it’ll be tough.”
SJ: “Me, Kerry [Hammonds],
SL: Senior night is March 1 against Rice. What’s that going SIDELINES | Feb. 19, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com 15
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