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TUESDAY MARCH 6, 2018
132nd YEAR ISSUE 39
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
Pride Parade put back on BOA agenda JOSH BECK
NEWS EDITOR
The Starkville Board of Aldermen is reexamining the special event request for the highly publicized Pride Parade in their Tuesday meeting. On Feb. 20 the board voted 4-3 to deny Starkville Pride’s request to hold the first LGBT parade in Starkville on March 24. Ben
Carver of Ward 1, David Little of Ward 3, Vice Mayor Roy A. Perkins and Henry Vaughn of Ward 7 voted in favor to deny the parade. Following the denial, Starkville Pride filed for an injunction to sue the city of Starkville. Starkville Pride was connected with Roberta A. Kaplan, a renowned civil rights attorney and founding partner of Kaplan
& Company, LLP. Kaplan said in a press release Friday afternoon she hopes the Starkville BOA corrects their previous decision. “While we are obviously disappointed that the Board of Aldermen did not grant our clients’ application the first time around, we are hopeful that the Board will use this opportunity to do the right thing—and follow the Constitution,” Kaplan
considering varying circumstances of women, like poverty and racial inequality,” Kelly said. Kelly said abortion is not only about a woman’s right to choose, but also about equality. “Abortion (is) critical to women’s equality and to further a greater society,” Kelly said. “As a public university, MSU is committed to diversity through freedom of speech, even when the topic is not popular amongst all.” Parker also explained intellectual conversations discussing these highly controversial topics are the force to allow for respected disagreements. “The academy is a critical space and very important place to have this conversation,” Parker said. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, he understands why many question his Christian views, especially in a place as conservative as the South. Despite this, Parker feels as if performing abortions is his Christian duty. “Religious compassion led me to become an abortion provider,”
Parker said. Parker mentioned his willingness to perform abortions is derived from compassion. He said this compassion allows him to understand the suffering many may experience while pregnant. “Their experience is not mine, but as someone with the power to help, it is my obligation to help,” Parker said. As a result of Parker’s willingness to help, he has memories of criticizers naming him as not “authentically Christian, as if there is only one way to understand Christianity and be a Christian.” “Their view is not the Christian understanding, but a Christian understanding,” Parker said. Many with opposing views did not attend Dr. Parker’s speech but rallied outside Old Main. Dana Chisholm, the President of Pro-Life Mississippi, a Christian organization, who is staunchly against abortion, also supports her ideals with her Christian background. “Dr. Parker says he
Dr. Parker presents case for Christian abortion, causes controversy
TORI BOATNER STAFF WRITER
In an effort to highlight the diverse views of Mississippi State University, the Gender Studies program hosted Dr. Willie Parker on Thursday to present his lecture “Abortion and the Christian Case for Choice.” Parker, a controversial OB/GYN and Christian, works at the only abortion clinic in the state. Director of Gender Studies at MSU, Kimberly Kelly, said she is adamant about women’s rights and accomplishments and hopes to shine a light on these successes annually, specifically during Women’s History Month, which began March 1. “I am proud of our on-going effort to make Women’s History Month more visible,” Kelly said. Kelly recognizes the views of the majority are “overwhelmingly conservative and religious.” As a result, Kelly wanted to recognize the diverse views of abortion. “Not much air-time is given to pro-choice,
said. Alderman Sandra Sistrunk said it is time for the board to reevaluate their responsibility to the people of Starkville. “We have had some time to clarify what our responsibility is and I think it is appropriate to reconsider the vote with an eye towards what our responsibility is, which is to uphold our oath of office and look at
this from a governmental purpose,” Sistrunk said. Bailey McDaniel, president of Starkville Pride, said she is cautiously optimistic about the parade being re-added to the agenda. “The four aldermen who voted no have not indicated they are changing their vote,” McDaniel said. “Tomorrow, we could very well get into the aldermen
meeting and they won’t even discuss it because it can be taken off the agenda.” McDaniel commented on the city leadership and said she thinks highly of Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill and several aldermen. “I think the city is led very well with Mayor Spruill and the three aldermen who voted in favor along with the city attorney, they are wonderful,” McDaniel said.
Courtesy Photo | The Dispatch
Dr. Willie Parker speaks to a packed house during his pro-choice lecture at Old Main Academic Center on the Mississippi State University campus Thursday evening. Parker, a controversial OB/GYN and Christian, works at the only abortion clinic in the state.
performs abortions out of compassion, but one who is a Christian should try to help women and give them a choice of life,” Chisholm said. Chisholm disagrees with the idea of the university exposing young college students to abortion. She feels as if the mental and emotional distress a woman goes through post-abortion is being overlooked. “Strong women have their babies, but after an abortion, the woman is weakened,” Chisholm said. Laura Duran, who is also a board member of Pro-Life Mississippi and a sidewalk counselor, was not pleased with Parker’s
his stance on the issue. “When we listen to each other, we can come to an understanding and live a little bit more harmoniously,” Darce said. As a follow-up lecture to Parker’s “Abortion and the Christian Case for Choice” the MSU chapter of Students For Life and Catholic Campus Ministry are hosting a presentation by Christina Marie Bennett. Bennett a native from Connecticut will present “Abortion, Idolatry and Christ’s Call to Compassion,” will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Old Main Academic Center. Admission is free for all.
presence on campus. She said Parker’s procedures are not healthy for women and encourages women to seek help at various crisis centers in the state. “We are broken-hearted that a public institution would let this man come to speak to our children,” Duran said. Students were also in attendance at the rally. Many were interested in hearing opinions of both pro-life and pro-choice demonstrators. A member of the Catholic Campus ministry, Jennifer Darce, a senior psychology major, said she did not completely agree with Parker, but she was interested in hearing
Success in MSU Entrepreneurship Center EMMA MOFFETT STAFF WRITER
Many businesses like Juva Juice, KJ’S Kreations, Glittersoft, Glo and Campusknot found their start at Mississippi State University’s Entrepreneurship Center. The MSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach was founded in 2009 and accepts 100 teams each year for their Venture Catalyst program. The program helps develop an idea into a fullyfledged company. There are five steps within the program to take a company from ground zero to the point of acting as a company. Each stage becomes progressively more difficult, and many students wonder what it takes to become successful in this
TUESDAY
competitive process. Director of Entrepreneurship Eric Hill said when he looks through the different stages, there are two primary qualities which can help determine the success of any entrepreneur. Hill said the most vital quality needed is individual drive and persistence in the face of adversity. Hill said he has seen some of today’s most successful entrepreneurs turned down by investors more times than not. Hill said he believes it is a matter of changing, being persistent and finding the right opportunities. “The entrepreneur is the biggest factor in the success of their idea and how badly they want it,” Hill said. “The quality that I look at and see perhaps as the biggest indicator if they will be successful is if I get the impression that they are going
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THURSDAY
HI: 67 LO: 37 SKY: Partly Cloudy
HI: 53 LO: 33 SKY: Sunny
HI: 55 LO: 34 SKY: Sunny
POP: 20%
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who become set on a certain vision. “I have seen more brilliant ideas die in stage zero than bad ideas die in stage zero. Ideas are a dime a dozen,” Hill said. “They are worthless. It is all about the team that chases that idea and turns it into something profitable.” Even if a 19-year-old student has failed three times with the E-Center, Hill said he wants them to keep trying and learn from their mistakes, so one day they can accomplish their dreams. Student Client Specialist Calvin Waddy meets with new team members to provide mentorship and develop a plan to navigate the Venture Catalyst program. Waddy said he also believes in the power of the individual over the weight of an idea.
Courtesy Photo | E-Center
MSU students Anna Barker, Avery Gibbs, Houston Butler and Hunter Atwood sit in the CEO Main Office at McCool Hall which is a part of the E-Center.
do it whether someone is here to help or not. You can sense that intrinsic drive in people.”
Hill said many people focus on the power of an idea, rather than the power
FORECAST: Early Tuesday morning showers are possible, then skies will become partly sunny with a high of 67 degrees. Tuesday night’s low will be 37 degrees with clear skies. Wednesday remains sunny with a high of 55 degrees and a low of 33 degrees. Thursday brings more pleasant weather with a high near 57 degrees. Hannah Paige, Campus Connect Meteorologist
of the individual. This way of thinking becomes a hindrance to many starting entrepreneurs
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