April 25, 2023 . Volume 80 . Issue 8
Brittany J. Patterson
Our Stories Finally Told: H.B.C.U. Day At The Capitol
THE SOUTHERN DIGEST
Over 63 years ago this past March, seven Southern University students staged a sit-in at a “Whites Only” counter in Baton Rouge. This action led to the arrest of these seven students but started the sit-in movement across the country. Now the site is one of many Louisiana Civil Rights trials. This is one of many pivotal moments in history that Historically Black College and Universities students in Louisiana are recognized for. At this year’s H.B.C.U. Day at the Capitol, Louisiana legislators, the Louisiana Board of Regents, and all six of Louisiana’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities met in honor of and paid tribute to these universities. The event unveiled the newly opened HBCU exhibit at the Capitol Park Museum. This marks the first phase of the Capitol Park Museum’s HBCU exhibit. It includes archival photos, interpretive panels, campus highlights, and specifically curated artifacts such as uniforms worn by our band members and football teams. Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Commissioner of Higher Education for the Louisiana
Executive Director of Admissions & Recruitment, Heather Freeman and staff from the SU Office of Admissions at the Capitol Park Museum during HBCU Day At The Capitol. (Brittany J. Patterson/ DIGEST)
Board of Regents spoke about the importance of celebrating HBCUs. “Today is a day that we celebrate, celebrate making sure that you talk
about who tells our story and where our story is and to have a permanent exhibit in our Louisiana State Museum that impacts the importance of
our historically black colleges and universities and there is no better See HBCU DAY page 3
Surviving Being A Woman: Delta’s host Self-Defense Class Vincent Pardo
THE SOUTHERN DIGEST The spring semester may be coming to an end, but activities on campus are still taking place. The Alpha Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. hosted its May Week, which consisted of engaging and informative events each day. Delta member and graduating senior, Madison Weatherspoon, explained, “[May week] It’s kind of like a chance for them to see us nonstop all week, them to interact with us, get to know us, and get to know what we are about.” This year’s May week theme was based on the Johnson Family Vacation movie, and each event related to the film in its own way. However, there was one day that elevated above all and could easily come back to save every participant’s life. Held at the Event Center just off the Bluff, Thursday night’s event taught imperative self-defense
Members of the Alpha Tau chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. pose for a photo during their Self-Defense program held inside the Event Center on April 20.(Austin Powe/DIGEST)
lessons. Weatherspoon stated, “It was really just like to teach the women on this campus just a couple of defense mechanisms, just some selfdefense tactics, what to do if you’re ever in a situation where you need it.” The instructor for the night was Lieutenant Leonard
Harry of the Baton Rouge City Police. Lt. Harry explained what to do if you’re ever being attacked, and described different tools and tactics that could be used to prevent the situation altogether. Lt. Harry also shared that it’s crucial to be aware of your surroundings at all times, “Especially like
when they’re going into parking lots and parking garages.” He also elaborated, “The first thing to remember is you got to breathe”, he continued, “Because if you’re not breathing, you’re not fighting, and then understand See SELF-DEFENSE page 2
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA