APRIL 4 ISSUE

www.southerndigest.com

Tuesday . April 4, 2017

Volume 68 . Issue 9

www.southerndigest.com

ALL IN FAVOR

DOYLE, DIAMOND, DUNCAN WIN BIG IN STUDENT ELECTIONS

Newly elected Miss Southern University, Felise Thompson-Doyle and SGA President Elect Armond Duncan, celebrate as the 2017 SGA election results are announced on Friday, March 31 on the steps of the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union.

(Courtesy/Don Green)

DUNCAN

DIAMOND

BY CHRISTINA WHITE - BRIA GREMILLION

SOUTHERN DIGEST - NEWS WRITER / MANAGING EDITOR

The Student Government Association (SGA) held its spring elections this past Friday and Southern University Baton Rouge now has nine newly elected student leaders.

A large crowd huddled around the entrance of the student union in anticipation as the winners were announced.

Native of Alexandria, Louisiana and junior double marketing and business management major, Armond Duncan is the newly elected SGA President for the 2017-2018 school year.

With damp eyes, Duncan expressed that he was “so elated” to have received the genuine support and trust of his peers, earning a total of 1,265 votes, 63.7 percent.

COLEMAN

THOMPSON-DOYLE

LODREE

The newly appointed Student Government Association Vice President is 21-year-old junior and education major from Kentwood, Louisiana, Xavier Diamond. Diamond received 60.3 percent of student votes.

In response to his victory, Diamond stated, “The feeling is awesome. It just feels even better when you see how many students believe in you to get the job done.

The Vice President went on to say, “It’s definitely not about me but it’s about fulfilling the needs of the students.”

The crown of Miss Southern University was claimed by Felise Thompson-Doyle, who received an impressive 919 votes from the student body.

“I got to inspire people. I got to really prove that its not where you come from but it’s where you’re going. I think that’s

SMITH

SMITH

why I’m most excited, that I got to inspire so many people,” expressed Doyle.

In reply to the benefits of becoming a student leader, Director of Student Life, Jonas O. Vanderbilt, Jr., expressed, “You grow into being exactly who you are when you’re pitched to be a student leader. Being a student leader has its ups and downs but it makes you become the person you are and it molds you to be a stronger person.”

Deja Lodree is the new president of the Association for Women Students, receiving 597 votes. When asked how she felt about her newfound success and role of leadership, Lodree simply had this to say, “The Lord is good and his mercy endures forever.”

Adagio Coleman was elected as the SGA Chief Justice, raking in 971 votes.

As the winning student leaders were

ROBINSON

SMITH

announced, the audience erupted into cheers and joyful celebrations.

Candidates avidly campaigned all last week, making their platforms known and intentions transparent to the entire student body. As a part of campaigning, the election pageant and SGA debates were held Wednesday, March 29 in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

Candidates vying for the top tier positions of SGA President, Vice President, Chief Justice, Miss Southern University, and Association for Women Students President debated with one another by answering questions composed by six panelists. The panel was made up of alumni such as past SGA presidents, former queens and student leaders.

See ALL IN FAVOR page 3

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

News

THE

Page 2 - Tuesday, April 4, 2017

The Southern Digest SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

SUITE 1064 – T.H.HARRIS HALL – P.O. BOX 10180 – BATON ROUGE, LA 70813 225.771.2231 PHONE / 225.771.5840 FAX WWW.SOUTHERNDIGEST.COM The Southern DIGEST is written, edited PUBLICATION ASSOCIATIONS and published by members of the The Southern DIGEST is a member of student body at Southern University the Black College Communications and A&M College.

Association (BCCA), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), The Southern DIGEST is published Associated Collegiate Press (ACP), once weekly (Tuesday with a run count College Media Association (CMA), of 4,000 copies per issue during the Society of Professional Journalist (SPJ), Southern University - Baton Rouge Full member of the Associated Press campus fall, spring semesters.

(AP) and the Louisiana Press Association The paper is free to students, staff, (LPA). faculty and general public every Tuesday & Friday morning on the SUBR STUDENT MEDIA OFFICE campus. The Southern DIGEST student offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. The offices are located Director Heather Freeman on the first floor of T.H. Harris Hall, Publications/Graphics Manager Suite 1064.

Jermaine Proshee ISSN: 1540-7276. Copyright 2017

by The Southern University Office of Advertising/Sales Manager Camela Jackson Student Media Services.

All articles, photographs and graphics are property of The Southern DIGEST and its contents may not be reproduced or republished without the written permission from the Editor in Chief and Director of Student Media Services.

The Southern DIGEST is the official student newspaper of Southern University and A&M College located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Articles, features, opinions, speak out and editorials do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the administration and its policies. Signed articles, feedback, commentaries and features do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, staff or student body.

CONTACTS (Area Code 225)

Advertising/Sales Office- 771.5833 DIGEST Newsroom - 771.2231 The Jaguar Yearbook - 771.5812

Southern University and A&M College at Baton Rouge is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone (404) 679-4500, Website: www.sacscoc.org.

DIGEST STAFF Spring 2017

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brandon Prince

MANAGING EDITOR Bria Gremillion COPY EDITORS Chelsea Lovey NEWS EDITOR Eddie Bynog COMMENTARY EDITOR Julian Alvarez A&E EDITOR Morgan Becnel-Adams SPORTS EDITOR ----------------PHOTO EDITOR Kayla Foster MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Arnita Dove

DIGEST STAFF WRITERS Konner Johnson Patricia Foster Jerome Hicks Anathlynn Howard Andrew Evans Jonalyn Fair Jhaylon Green Tayla Cayette Lyonel Nicholas Courtney Wright Kerry Wilson Dennis Mcgrew Christina White DIGEST PHOTOGRAPHERS Angel Gavin Adrian Greenwood Keona James Jammie McCastle Ealiya Toplin Brandon Tucker Tristen Joffrion Drakkar Broussard Nigel Gary

CAMPUS BRIEFS All submissions must be received by 3p.m. each Friday for Tuesday’s Issue.

PAGE 2 is only available to officially registered campus organizations, Southern University Departments.

All briefs should include a date, time, contact name & number.

Submit announcements to: The Southern DIGEST Suite 1064 Harris Hall, Attn: PAGE 2 You my also email: digest@subr.edu

CORRECTIONS Fact and accuracy is our goal and our job. As the voice of the Southern University student body we are committed to ensuring to most fair, truthful and accurate accounts of our work. In the event of an error we will make all corrections on Page 2.

Bring corrections to The Southern DIGEST office located in Suite 1064, Harris Hall.

SOUTHERN DIGEST

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

THE SOUTHERN DIGEST 4 - DAY WEATHER OUTLOOK WEDS. APRIL 5

TUES. APRIL 4

MOSTLY SUNNY

AM STORMS

HI - 87° / LO - 69° 20% CHANCE OF RAIN

HI - 77°/ LO - 52° 50% CHANCE OF RAIN

THURS. APRIL 6

SUNNY

SUNNY

HI - 71° / LO - 50° 0% CHANCE OF RAIN

HI - 75° / LO - 50° 10 % CHANCE OF RAIN

Campus Briefs WHAT’S HAPPENING

SPRING INTO FITNESS Southern University Intramural Sports Complex will host a “Spring Into Fitness” event this evening from 6:30pm-8:30pm featuring Health & Wellness Instructor Kasey Barnes.

THE SU NUTRITION ZONE! Receive quality nutrition advice to bring a change to your spring semester and beyond with our senior nutrition students and dietetic interns. Cafe Lacumba is every Wednesday during the spring semester!

APPRECIATION WEEK Residential Life and Housing will be having their appreciation week April 2th-6th.

THE GALA SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST IS NOW OPEN! The Gala on the Bluff (GOTB) is now open. Visit galaonthebluff. net today to submit your online application. All incoming freshmen, existing, and transfer students are welcome to apply.

CAMPUS WIDE STUDENT ART EXHIBITION The exhibition opened March 23 and will be open until April 20 in the visual Arts Gallery in Frank Hayden Hall.

RETOOL YOUR SCHOOL Use hashtag on social media to vote #SOUTHERNU_RYS17. Vote online at: www.retoolyourschool.org for your school to win $50,000.

SIGNING DAY The Alumni Federation’s National Academic Signing day is set for April 22.

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY MCAT SCHOLARSHIP The Chemistry Program of the Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry is pleased to announce the availability of funding to pay for MCAT registration fees for a limited number of students who are interested in attending medical school after graduation. The scholarship, which is made possible by a Southern University System Foundation Grant, is available to Southern University undergraduate or graduate level students and is open to all majors.

You must use your SUBR email to access the application. Applications will be accepted from Wednesday, March 1st through Friday, March 31st. Award notifications will be made on April 15th and funding will be available for test dates beginning in June. If you have any questions, you may contact the MCAT Scholarship Selection Committee by sending an email to chemistry@subr.edu.

ACADEMIC HONORS DAY AWARDS PROGRAM Save the date! This spring the annual Academic Honors Day Awards Program for the Baton Rouge campus will be held on Wed., April 19 in Seymour Gymnasium, beginning at 10:15 a.m. The theme is “A Legacy of Excellence amidst Change.” Students, parents, faculty and administrators are encouraged to attend this premiere recognition ceremony, whose honorees will hail from all colleges, schools and divisions and range from honor roll designees to memorial award recipients, to winners of the Faculty Senior Award for Academic Excellence and the highly coveted Chancellor’s Award.

In order to allow for the participation of high-ranking university officials, the Committee on Academic Honors has moved the date of the awards program from a Friday to a Wednesday.

Students and faculty may attend more easily as classes will be cancelled during the event. Newly instituted, small program changes will allow time for all honored students either to be called to the stage, or to stand as specific cohorts are announced.

STUDY ABROAD Interested in a study abroad opportunity to Belize from May 14- June 7, 2017 For more information and to apply call 225-771-2613 or visit http://www.subr. edu/index.cfm/page/675 MUMPS “The Louisiana Department of Health is investigating cases of mumps in Louisiana, including a cluster of cases at LSU in Baton Rouge. This while just to our north, the State of Arkansas is experiencing a prolonged mumps outbreak with more that 3,000 cases since October 2016. Most of these cases are occurring in school-aged and young college students.”- Louisiana Department of Health.

SUBR traffic guard receives March “Above and Beyond” Award

BY RASHEED WATKINS

What are your plans for spring break?

MARGIE TURNER BIOLOGY FRESHMAN MIAMI, FLORIDA

“For spring break, I plan to go to Miami and lay out on the TURNER beach, jet ski, and anything else the winds blow me into.”

SHANNON BUTLER SOCIAL WORK FRESHMAN LACOMBE

“During my spring break I BUTLER plan to get a room in Florida with some of my close friends, have a good time, and turn up!”

CATT SMITH AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE : FRESHMAN AUGUSTA, GEORGIA

“This spring break I plan to work with celebrities back SMITH home and get paid to save for future trips.”

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!

Submit your letter to the editor today!

digest@subr.edu

Plant, a University Police employee, was nominated by interim chief Joycelyn Johnson who said Plant is an exceptional employee who often works extra hours and is a perfect example of going above and beyond to get the job done.

“Thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and service,” SU Board Chair Ann A. Smith said to Plant.

speakout

Deadline to submit is 5pm on Fridays.

COURTESY SU MEDIA RELATIONS

Southern University Baton Rouge traffic guard Katherine Plant received the March 2017 “Above and Beyond” Award presented by the SU Board of Supervisors during its regular monthly meeting March 31 at the Solomon Episcopal Conference Center in Loranger.

The “Above and Beyond” Award was established to help inspire and motivate SU employees to reach their maximum performance. One award will be presented at the SU Board of Supervisors meetings each month.

FRI. APRIL 7

Pictured (left - right): SU System President-Chancellor Ray Belton, SU Board of Supervisors Chair Ann A. Smith, March 2017 “Above and Beyond” Award recipient Katherine Plant, SU Board Vice Chair Rev. Donald R. Henry, and interim SU University Police Chief Joycelyn Johnson.

Attn: Brandon Prince

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

THE

SOUTHERN DIGEST

News

Tuesday, April 4, 2017 - Page 3

2017 Student Election Results SGA President Armond Duncan 1265 Darryl Harris

722 SGA Vice-President Xavier Diamond 1181 Bre’anna Perkins 504 Courtney Smith

275 FILE - In this March 24, 2017 file photo, President Donald Trump with Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price are seen in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. With prospects in doubt for repealing “Obamacare,” some Republicans say the Trump administration can rewrite regulations and take other actions to undo much of the health care law on its own. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

Trump Care Faces Major Setback

BY PATRICIA FOSTER

SOUTHERN DIGEST - NEWS WRITER

Since 2016’s presidential election campaign, President Donald Trump has promised to make it his mission to replace Obamacare.

Republicans have not favored Obamacare since it was put in place because it increases taxes for high-income individuals to pay for the cost of the reform.

President Trump’s solution to replacing Obamacare is Trumpcare.

He built his entire campaign around Trumpcare but that has now proven to be easier said than done because the Trump Administration was forced to pull the healthcare reform bill.

Trump issued an ultimatum to the House Republicans, either vote to approve Trumpcare or reject it and keep Obamacare forever.

It seemed as though the House Republicans made it clear that they do not take kindly to ultimatums, even from the President himself because the bill was rejected before it was voted on after failing to impress enough lawmakers into supporting it.

Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey, chairman of a major committee, said the bill would raise costs unacceptably on his constituents.

Trump rallied against Obamacare for seven years, making it his number one priority to replace the bill; however, the healthcare reform, Trumpcare, has been a gamble from the beginning due to the fact that it cuts health coverage too much.

Meanwhile, since Obamacare, more than 20

million Americans have gained coverage from the signed law in 2010.

Conservatives interest groups didn’t exactly favor the idea of Trumpcare either because it only garnered 17% approval.

Trump, however, didn’t see it that way, blaming Democrats on the bill’s defeat stating, “With no Democrat support we couldn’t quite get there,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “We learned about loyalty, we learned a lot about the vote-getting process.” Ironically, Obamacare was approved in 2010 with no Republican votes and Republicans dominate Congress.

Democrats, on the other hand, rejoiced in the defeat of Trumpcare due to the fact that it means Obamacare will remain in place.

“Today is a great day for our country, what happened on the floor is a victory for the American people,” said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who helped Obama pass the Affordable Care Act in 2010. “Let’s just for a moment breath a sigh of relief for the American people.”

The failure to get the bill voted on politically weakened Trump but the President remained optimistic and voiced his plans to move on to fulfill his other campaign promises.

Represenative Greg Walden of Oregon, chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee that helped write the bill, told reporters: “We gave it our best shot. That’s it. It’s done. D-O-N-E done. This bill is dead.”

SGA Chief Justice Adagio Coleman Cathy Mcleod

971 918

Miss Southern Felise Thompson Doyle La’Deja Graves

Tiara Johnson

919 563 509

AWS President Deja Lodree

Skyler Franklin

Lela Murdock

597 503 175

Miss Senior Darby Smith Jamesia Stewart Tashema Jackson

Junior Class President Darren Smith

Simone Garrett Miss Junior Traci Smith Krista Tolbert

169 123 73 295 220 373 145

Sophomore Class President Jaylon Robinson

424 Cedrick Morales 188

ALL IN FAVOR from page 1

The panelists quizzed the candidates on topics ranging from their stance on recently passed controversial amendments to their opinion on the appropriate relationship between student leaders and administrators. Students competing for the titles were required to think quickly on their feet to garner the trust of student voters present.

The pageant consisted of candidates for Miss Southern, Miss Senior and Miss Junior participating in a swimsuit and talent competition.

A crowd favorite was “The Electric Queen” coined

by Felise Thompson-Doyle. Doyle graced the stage, fighting back tears as she expanded on how, “It’s not where you come from, it’s where you’re going,” and how her goal is to catapult Southern University to its highest potential in every aspect.

The night was riddled with adrenalized and often heartfelt speeches, solid promises, thoughtprovoking questions, laughter and tears.

The common thread connecting all of the candidates was unity within the university.

Adagio Coleman, SGA Chief Justice sang a similar tune stating that, “A house divided will not stand.”

SGA Vice President, Xavier Diamond, passionately spoke about his “game plan” in which he wants to make stronger, more effective and aggressive efforts to meet the student body on a personal level, right at their specific point of need.

Jaylon Robinson won Sophomore Class President with a total of 424 votes. Darren Smith won junior

class president with 295 votes.

REFERENDUM RESULTS: Leaders such as newly installed Sophomore Class President, Jaylon Robinson assured the student Referendum #1 HUMAN JUKEBOX (PASSED) body that, “We are more than a college; we’re a community. We are more than classmates, we are For the purpose of gaining the necessary funding family.” For that reason, one of his biggest areas to maintaining facilities, purchase and maintaining Yes 1609 of change is elevating one another with activities equipment, scholarships, travel expenses, and such as peer tutoring, creating networking events, No 393 any other necessary expenses that affect the functionality of the Band Department at Southern promoting organizations on campus, participating University and A & M College, do you support the in community service projects, holding prayer renewal and increase from $10.00 to $60.00 Human Jukebox Fee? meetings and providing monthly surveys and forums for the students to voice their ideas, opinions and concerns.

Referendum #2 CAREER SERVICES (PASSED) Traci Smith won Miss Junior, receiving 373 votes and Darby Smith was crowned Miss Senior with a For the purpose of gaining the necessary funding total of 169 votes. to host various career workshops, career Yes 1454 needed fairs, networking events for students and alumni, The positions of Men’s Federation President, recruiting programs and any other necessary AWS Vice President, Senior Class President, Senior No 514 campus expenses that affect the functionality of the Career Class Senator, Senior Class Justice, Junior Class Services Center at Southern University and A & M College, do you support the creation of a $10.00 Vice President, Junior Class Senator, Junior Class Career Services Fee for 5 academic years?

Justice, Miss Sophomore, Sophomore Class Vice President and Sophomore Class Senator were all Referendum #3 ATHLETICS (PASSED) unopposed.

Lastly, all referendums presented to the student body were passed. The Human Jukebox will now Yes 1440 For the purpose of gaining the necessary funding to maintaining facilities, purchase and maintaining receive $60, the Career Services Center will get $10 equipment, scholarships, travel expenses, and any for five academic years and athletics will receive a No 548 other necessary expenses that affect the functionality $10 fee increase, raising their student assessed fee of the Athletic Department at Southern University and A & M College, do you support the renewal and to $200. increase from $190.00 to $200.00 Athletic fee?

Jaguar Sports Page 4 - Tuesday, April 4, 2017

THE

SOUTHERN DIGEST

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

SUS Board Appoint Roman Banks as SU Director of Athletics Morris Scott named interim men’s basketball head coach COURTESY SU ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS CHRISTOPHER JONES

LORANGER -- The Southern University System (SUS) Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of Roman Banks as the director of athletics, University officials announced Friday.

The decision removes the existing interim title for Banks, who held the post in an interim capacity for more than 18 months while also serving as the head coach of the Southern University men’s basketball program.

“I was pleased to recommend Mr. Roman Banks to assume the role of athletic director for Southern University on a full-time, permanent basis,” said Dr. Ray L. Belton, Southern University System President. “Having served in a dual role as interim athletic director and head men’s basketball coach during a particularly challenging period, Coach Banks provided solid leadership and gained the respect and support of his colleagues, student-athletes, alumni, and stakeholders. His appointment will ensure a seamless transition to continue moving the department in a positive direction.”

During his two-year tenure as interim athletics director, Banks spearheaded the University’s broad-based efforts to address numerous compliance

ROMAN BANKS

MORRIS SCOTT

and academic progress rate (APR) shortcomings with the NCAA. As result, Southern learned the 2013-14 studentathlete data submitted to the NCAA has been deemed accurate and serves as the department’s starting point for the calculation of future multi-year APR scores ending the NCAA-imposed postseason ban.

Among of his administrative achievements, Banks has cultivated a working relationship with the external units within the Southern University campus to ensure the department remains NCAA compliant. He also has increased the academic resources afforded the student-athletes by hiring additional compliance and academic support personnel.

While serving in dual roles, Banks guided Southern through NCAA mandated postseason bans and successfully implemented the recovery of vital compliance data used in APR calculations.

“I am extremely grateful to the SU Board of Supervisors and Dr. Ray Belton for granting this tremendous opportunity to continue progressing the SU athletics department forward,” said Roman Banks. “The time has come to elevate the Southern Jaguar athletic brand and establish a new standard of excellence while maintaining the recent work we accomplished as a certified and a compliant NCAA Division I member institution.”

As Banks assumes his new role as

athletics director full-time, the SUS Board also approved the appointment of associate head coach Morris Scott to interim head men’s basketball coach.

“We are confident that associate head men’s basketball coach Morris Scott, who was appointed interim head coach, will continue guiding the team and players in a manner consistent with its record of success and growth,” Belton said.

Scott, a former basketball player and graduate of Florida A&M University, has served as an assistant for six seasons under Banks. Scott’s leadership and basketball acumen helped the program win two SWAC Tournament championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances.

Scott also played an instrumental role in Southern claiming the 2013 SWAC regular season title, the program’s first since 2006.

“Morris Scott has been a key figure in our bid to return the men’s basketball program to prominence since my arrival at Southern in 2011,” Banks said. “His knowledge of the history and tradition associated with Southern Basketball is unparalleled and he has relentlessly pursued those student-athletes who embodied the traits we valued as a staff in producing a winning culture.”

Both positions are schedule to begin April 1.

SOUTHERN PRO DAY 2017

SET FOR APRIL 5 AT A.W. MUMFORD STADIUM Southern University’s all-time leading rusher Lenard Tillery and all-time leading receiver Willie Quinn will be among eight former Jaguars who will participate in Southern Football Pro Day 2017 on Wednesday, April 5 at A.W. Mumford Stadium.

Southern Pro Day 2017 is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. inside the team weight room in the A.W. Mumford Fieldhouse before moving to the field inside the stadium, where players will conduct several drills, including the 40-yard dash, in front of a contingent of NFL scouts.

Fans are permitted to attend the field portion of Pro Day inside A.W. Mumford Stadium.

Let’s show our support. Good Luck Jaguars!

THE

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

SOUTHERN DIGEST

Go Jags, Go!

Advertisement Tuesday, April 4, 2017 - Page 5

SU Tops UAPB in Three Game Series

BY BRANDON PRINCE

SOUTHERN DIGEST - EDITOR-IN CHIEF

Last weekend, the Southern University baseball team (5-8, 6-17 overall) played with a chip on their shoulders as they traveled on the road to Pine Bluff, Arkansas in hopes of coming away with “W’s” in their win column.

The team has recently tasted defeat in their last 7 games with 5 of those losses on the road. However, this series against the Lions of UAPB (6-6, 7-19 overall), the Jags battled head-on and came away with 2 wins in the 3 game series. Head Coach, Roger Cador, said he is happy with how the way his team is playing at the moment.

“It was great for the kids to win one like this because we’ve been struggling,” Cador said. “We made no errors. We didn’t set a lot on fire, but we got good pitching and we got the hit when we needed it.”

On Friday afternoon, the Jags earned game 1 of the series, winning 3-2. SU started off strong loading the bases and capitalizing with two scores, one batted in by sophomore catcher, Bobby Johnson.

The Lions, however, would catch up collectively in the third and sixth innings to tie the game at 2-2. The seventh inning would then secure the game for

the Jags with a go ahead run batted in (RBI) by junior designated hitter, John Pope, bringing in sophomore outfielder, Javeayean Williams. SU held the Lions to 2 runs for the remainder of the game to win. Unfortunately for the Jags, things would begin to shake up in game 2 of the series.

In the first game of Saturday’s double header, the Lions struck first in the bottom of the second after each team held each other scoreless in the first inning.

Though red-shirt junior pitcher Harold Myles struck out Lions’ second baseman Aderly Perez, Johnson couldn’t quite coral the pitch and forced a bad throw to first base which allowed two base runners for UAPB to score. This game, however, would turn into a seesaw battle, which ended in extra innings.

In the top of the fourth, the Jags fought back with 4 runs of their own with Johnson leading the charge. He redeemed during his next at bat, earning a 2 RBI double down the left field line to bring in senior shortstop Philip Williams and second baseman Robinson Mateo.

Sophomore Johnathan Crain would also get in the action with a double to right center, allowing Johnson to score from second base. Crain would later score on a pass ball from third. The Lions

This Week in Jaguar Sports Jaguar Baseball WEDNESDAY, APRIL 05 BASEBALL Jaguars @ Loyola-New Orleans New Orleans, La. | Wesley Barrow Stadium @ 6:00 p.m.

FRIDAY, APRIL 07 BASEBALL Jaguars vs. Texas Southern Lee-Hines Field @ 6:00 p.m.

Jaguar Tennis WEDNESDAY, APRIL 05 WOMEN’S TENNIS Jaguars vs. Xavier (LA) University Courts @ 1:00 p.mp.m.

SATURDAY, APRIL 08 BASEBALL Jaguars vs. Texas Southern Lee-Hines Field @ 2:00 p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 09 BASEBALL Jaguars vs. Texas Southern Lee-Hines Field @ 1:00 p.m

Digest Sports writers wanted!

Stop by: 1064 T.H. Harris Hall

DIGEST FILE Southern University Head Baseball Coach Roger Cador chats with Freshman First Baseman Ryan Watts during a mid-season match up versus Grambling State. The Jaguars are hoping to gain momentum and get to .500 and hopefully make it to the postseason.

would later strike back in the bottom of the seventh with 5 runs of their own.

UAPB scored 5 runs on 5 hits, making the score 8-4 in their favor. In a last effort to come come from behind for the win, the Jags would continue to fight offensively, collectively scoring a total of 4 runs in the eight and ninth innings to tie the game at 8 forcing an extra inning.

Unfortunately, the Jags would run out of gas as they would be unsuccessful on capitalizing on their momentum. The Lions would walk away with the victory 9-8 on a RBI single by shortstop Bradly Lopez, bringing in Perez from second base. Although the Jags lost a close one in game 2, the Jags would see daylight in

game 3 of Saturday’s double header.

SU scored first in the game and would keep lead until the six inning. The Jags then continued to pound the Lions on offense and eventually pulled away in the eighth (7-3). In game 3, they would combine for 7 runs on 8 hits and 5 RBI’s.

The Jags are now midway into Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play as they look forward to earning more wins against Loyola Universtiy in New Orleans for 6 p.m. on Wednesday and back home to host the Tigers of Texas Southern for another weekend series in Lee-Hines Stadium, April 7th-April 9th.

Photos of the Week

Page 6 - Tuesday, April 4, 2017

THE

SOUTHERN DIGEST

Southern University students listen to keynote speaker Kay Hall during the “Behind the Brand” seminar held in Stewart Hall on March 27.

(Julian Alvarez/DIGEST)

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

Supporters of Xavier Diamond hold up posters outside the Student Union during Campaign Week.

(Ke’Ona James/DIGEST)

The UNAP stepteam performs a Power Ranger themed performance during the “Battle of the Dorm” Step show held in the events center on Sunday, April 2. (Kayla Foster/DIGEST)

Junior Marketing/ Management major, Armond Duncan, explains how he plans to use his platform as the 2017-2018 SGA President on Friday, March 31. outside of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union. (Patricia Foster/DIGEST)

The Southern University Human Jukebox performs in front of the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union in hopes that students will vote yes on their refrendum on Wednesday, March 29. (Ealiya Toplin/DIGEST)

Junior Education major, Xavier Diamond, explains his platform while campaigning for SGA Vice President hours before the election results are announced on Friday, March 31. (Patricia Foster/DIGEST)

Members of the Beta Sigma chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated barbeque hot dogs to show support to candidates on March 29. (Ke’Ona James/DIGEST)

THE

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

SOUTHERN DIGEST

Photos of the Week

Tuesday, April 4, 2017 - Page 7

Students slide down the water slide during “Wet n’ Wild day,” outside the intramural sports complex as part of Residiential Life appreciation week on Monday, April 3. (Kerry Wilson/DIGEST)

Students listen to Alison Cesar of Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge as she speaks on making the right financial decisions during “Schoolin’ Life,” an economic forum sponsored by the Alpha Tau chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc., on Monday, April 3, in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom. (Ealiya Toplin/DIGEST)

Contestants from Jones Hall stroll during the “Battle of the Dorm” step show held in the university event center on Sunday, April 2. (Kayla Foster/DIGEST)

Students listen to keynote speakers during “Schoolin’ Life”, an economic forum sponsored by the Alpha Tau chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc., on Monday, April 3, in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom.

(Ealiya Toplin/DIGEST)

Students enjoy the water slides during the “Wet n’ Wild Day” held outside the intramural sports complex on Monday, April 3. (Kerry Wilson/DIGEST)

Newly Elected Mens Federation President, Anthony Kenny, leads students in prayer before the announcement of the new SGA officials in the union courtyard on Friday, March 31.

(Kayla Foster/DIGEST)

Arts & Entertainment Page 8 - Tuesday, April 4, 2017

THE

SOUTHERN DIGEST

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

Tomi Lahren banned from the Blaze

BY PATRICIA FOSTER

SOUTHERN DIGEST - STAFF WRITER

Tomi Lahren, an outspoken conservative who is notorious for her comments against the Black Lives Matter Movement, President Barack Obama and women’s protests for rights, has recently been fired from The Blaze.

The Blaze is a conservative news network that was also Lahren’s platform to voice her political beliefs. Lahren has been known to cause an uproar in the black and democratic communities with her opinions.

She even made statements against her own gender when she ripped into the “A Day Without a Woman” protest, stating “Real women don’t wake up and skip work to march for abortions and paid contraceptives… true equality doesn’t mean special treatment”. So imagine everyone’s surprise when they found out she is actually prochoice.

On March 17, 2017 Lahren appeared on The View where she said women should have access to abortions. She went on to say, “I’m a constitutional, you know, someone that loves the constitution. I am someone that is for limited government, and so I can’t just sit here and be a hypocrite and say I’m for limited government but I think that the government should

decide what women should do with their bodies.” Lahren also continued stating, “ I can say, you know what, I am for limited government, so stay out of my guns and you can stay out of my body as well.” Lahren claiming of being pro-choice shocked everyone due to the fact that not too long ago she attacked women marching to defend their rights to abortions ,yet she agreed they should have access to them. The most important person it surprised was The Blaze founder, Glenn Beck. As a result of Lahren’s bold statement about being pro-choice, she was given a week long suspension from The Blaze and according to the New York Post, she has been officially fired. According to Beck, Lahren wasn’t suspended for being pro-choice, but for changing her tune on the subject by saying, “It’s no secret that Tomi and I don’t agree on quite a lot . If you can’t defend the idea that leads to the second part of the discussion which is the people calling for Tomi to be fired.”

Many of Tomi Lahren’s supporters, mainly republicans, were angry to learn about Lahren being pro-choice while all the people who detested Lahren and her platform used to spew her biased political views rejoiced at Glenn Beck’s

BY SANDY COHEN

AP ENTERTAINMENT WRITER

DIGEST ART

DIGEST ART

decision to fire her. Liberals even pointed out the hypocrisy that is Republicans judging Lahren for being pro-choice, yet are always pointing out how one sided liberals are. In response to the backlash, Lahren left a series of tweets, one of them saying, “Listen, I’m not glorifying abortions. I personally don’t

advocate for it. I just don’t think it’s the government’s place to dictate.” It’s no secret that Tomi Lahren is the face of the young Republican party, so it wouldn’t be long before another conservative network hires her; however it won’t be at The Blaze.

KEYSHIA COLE GOES HOLLYWOOD

BY LYONEL NICHOLAS

SOUTHERN DIGEST - STAFF WRITER

R&B vocalist and Oakland, California native, Keyshia Cole, is back to take over your television screens on Monday nights as the newest addition to the Love & Hip Hop family.

The show documents the lives and relationships of hip hop and R&B musicians, performers, managers and record producers in their respective cities. The show currently focuses on three major cities which include its original one being New York City, Atlanta and Hollywood.

Keyshia is set to join the Hollywood series of the show, which seems fitting for her as California and hip hop are integral parts of her life. She was not on board automatically though, and sources say she was very hesitant to even discuss the matter.

In an interview with The Breakfast Club in early

February, the singer-songwriter chatted about the show stating her reasons why she would not be joining the franchise. Cole stated, “Mona reached out to me a few times and was just asking if I would be willing to do it.”

She went on to say, “I think it’s a great platform for artists if you do it right, I wouldn’t want to be in all the crazy stuff.”

From February to March, Keyshia had a change of heart as she took to twitter on March 19th to tell her fans a “secret”.

Cole continued on to tweet “I start filming next week”. The tweet started an immediate uproar from her fans wanting to know what the star was up to.

She later confirmed that she would be filming for the fourth season of Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood. to which Keyshia replied, “Contractually got what we wanted to move and I want to touch bases with the essence of my fans again. Wanted to do

Gifted’ unites Chris Evans with a new young leading lady

DIGEST ART

something different.”

When fans worried that the show’s reputation and dramafilled episodes might hurt Cole’s career, she modestly said that her storyline will only help enhance her image.

Keyshia is no stranger to reality television with her break into the profession being a show centering around her and her

family in 2006 called Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is. Cole has been in numerous reality shows over the years and one of her shows Keyshia & Daniel: “Family First” featured her now estranged husband, Daniel “Booby” Gibson. Gibson is also See HOLLYWOOD page 10

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chris Evans glows around his new leading lady, who makes no secret of her excitement at hanging out with Captain America. She gushingly talks up his talents (“He can tap dance!”), yet is just as quick to keep him honest when he says something questionable.

She also travels with a selection of stuffed animals, including a plush seal in a pink dress.

Evans’latest co-star is 10-yearold actress Mckenna Grace.

They star together in “Gifted ,” a family drama opening Friday about an unassuming single guy raising his math-prodigy niece, determined not to let her brilliance interfere with her childhood.

Though Evans is an uncle in real life (his eldest sister has three kids, ages 3, 5 and 7), he says he bonded in a different way with Mckenna: as colleagues. Evans and “Gifted” director Marc Webb (“The Amazing SpiderMan”) saw dozens of girls read for the role, and Mckenna stood out with her childlike charm yet old-soul maturity.

“She might as well have an apartment,” he said. “I’m telling you, I’ve met lesser pros in adults.”

The 10-year-old actress — also a regular on TV’s “Designated Survivor” — is the kind of professional who asks if she can bring her stuffed seal along while promoting her new film. She also has a plush cat with her at this interview, noting she’s allergic to real cats.

Mckenna says she isn’t a math whiz like her character in “Gifted.” Instead, she feels like she’s gifted with a great family and amazing lifestyle.

“This experience is so wonderful and it makes me so See GIFTED page 10

THE

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

SOUTHERN DIGEST

Arts & Entertainment Tuesday, April 4, 2017 - Page 9

Dr. Farmacy: Two Students, One Mission

BY LYONEL NICHOLAS

SOUTHERN DIGEST - STAFF WRITER

Health & Wellness. Just a few of the very important reasons why two Southern University students started the all-natural food company, Dr. Farmacy.

Senior sociology major, Luke Williams, and co-founder, senior marketing major Diarra Bryant say that the lack of nutrition and the very limited late-night food options surrounding the campus were the starting points for the two to team up.

Williams and Bryant noticed that there was a food desert in Scotlandville and decided it was up to them to change that.

So in the spirit of helping people and entrepreneurship they decided to start a business.

The two met and bounced ideas off of each other, expressing their concerns and gave birth to a Caribbean-infused, all-

Photo courtesy of Luke Williams, Co-Founder of Dr. Farmacy

natural food menu.

Dr. Farmacy offers a healthy and affordable food alternative for students with the highest price on their menu being $9.

They also deliver food to students on campus for a small fee giving students without transportation access to their

products.

The health-food dusiness is also available for catering and has cooked for numerous events on the campuses of Southern University and Louisiana State University.

In addition to delicious meals, Dr. Farmacy also serves freshly hand squeezed fruit juices, freshly cut fruit and a host of other health conscious alternatives not readily available to most college students.

“We’re all natural and the blend is like no other. You never have a Louisiana and a Caribbean influenced company,” said Williams who is from Jamaica.

Williams believes that it is his Jamaican upbringing combined with Bryant’s down south influences that make for an intense and successful fusion of cuisine.

Dr. Farmacy has also provided a

solution for students on campus frustrated with the lack of dining options, hours and food choices available.

Sophomore accounting major Tiara Wallace is one of those students.

“LSU has stuff open on campus until about 3AM for their students, why can’t we have the same or something open at least until midnight,” asked Wallace.

The company is big on promoting health, wellness and nutrition and to them, that extends way beyond food.

“We just want people to be conscious of what they put in their bodies, what they listen to and the people around them.

Those are the things that will improve your quality of life,” said Bryant.

Student’s interested in trying out Dr. Farmacy can follow the owners on instagram @JamLuke4 or @DrBryant.

Issa Rae Lands Movie Deal

BY COURTNEY WRIGHT DIGEST STAFF WRITER

Issa Rae, known for her online web series,Awkward Black Girl, and star of her HBO series Insecure, is moving her way to the big screen.

The Senegalese-American actress and director has been casted opposite SNL’s Bill Hader in his drama/comedy Empress of Serenity. This film will be the first time that Rae will star in a major project that is not of her own creation. It will also be the directorial debut of Me and Earl and The Dying Girl author and screenwriter Jesse Andrews. Producers are Stephen Chbosky along with Mr. Mudd’s Lianne Halfon, Russell Smith, and John Malkovich. This is the same group that produced “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”

Production is scheduled for an August start date.

Over the past few years, Issa Rae has “glowed up” and has had a major streak of successes. After becoming a YouTube superstar with Awkward Black Girl, and having the series picked up by Pharrell, Rae began working on the production of her own show.

This show, Insecure, was later

DIGEST ART

picked up by HBO in 2015. In 2016, Insecure was nominated for NAACP Image Awards for: Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing and Directing, Outstanding Actress and Supporting Actress (Issa Rae and Yvonne Orji).

Also, Rae was nominated

for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy. The show has since then been renewed for a second season that will premiere on July 23, 2017.

Rae also graced the cover of Essence Magazine’s May 2015 Game Changers issue alongside

Shonda Rhimes, Ava DuVernay, Debbie Allen, Mara Brock Akil. Not only is she a director, producer, and an actress, but she is also an author. Her first book, The Misadventures of An Awkward Black Girl was published in February 2015, and is now a New York Times

best-seller. Through all this success, Issa Rae has remained honest, humble, and does not care what others have to say.

She says,“Call it maturation or denial or self-hatred—I don’t care. And it feels great. I’ve See ISSA RAE page 10

Arts . Entertainment

THE

SOUTHERN DIGEST

Page 10 - Tuesday, April 4, 2017

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

Reminder:

Campus Climate Survey!

Dear Students,

As you may be aware, sexual assault impacts as many as 20-25% of female students and 3-6% of male students on college campuses each year. This means we all probably have at least one person in our lives who has experienced sexual assault, whether we know it or not. Southern University and A&M College is strongly committed to addressing this issue, and we encourage our students to do their part to create a safe and healthy campus community.

There is now an easy opportunity for you to play a huge role in addressing this important issue. We are implementing a survey to help understand student perspectives and experiences related to sexual assault. By participating in this 30-minute survey, you will be providing critical insights to help protect and support Southern University and A&M College students.

CAMPUS DEALS 333333 P I E C E of the P I E EWARDS 599 R333333 CHOOSE ANY 2

Medium 2-Topping Pizzas, Oven Baked Sandwiches, Stuffed Cheesy Bread, Penne Pastas, 8pc Chicken, Specialty Chicken, Salads or Marble Cookie Brownie

The more students who participate, the more we will learn that can help us take on this issue in a meaningful way. Your response really will make a difference.

To participate in the survey please click here: https://www.research.net/r/ southernu_batonrouge_climatesurvey If you would like to seek out campus resources for sexual assault, please click here http://www.subr.edu/index.cfm/subhome/64 Thank you for participating—and for encouraging your friends to do the same!

- Office of the Dean of Students

9193

EACH

Additional Charge For Pan Pizza. Plus Tax. Minimum 2 Items. Additional Toppings Extra.

Delivery Charge May Apply.

Offer Expires 12/31/17

Earn 10 POINTS for every online order of $10 OR MORE. Get a FREE Medium 2-Topping Pizza when you earn 60 POINTS.

®

EVERYDAY CARRYOUT SPECIAL Large 3-Topping Pizzas Carryout Only

7

$ 99 EACH

3676 HARDING BLVD SUITE D

®

Chicken Combo

17

DOMINOS.COM/REWARDS

225-775-3278

Large 1-Topping Pizza and a 8pc Chicken

Additional Toppings Extra.

Delivery Charge May Apply.

Offer Expiers 12/31/17

TOWARD FREE PIZZA

9174

CARRYOUT ONLY. Plus Tax. Additional Toppings Extra. Offer Expires 12/31/2017

$

JOIN TODAY & EARN POINTS

98 EACH

9171

®

NOW HIRING

APPLY TODAY! JOBS.DOMINOS.COM

rumored to be appearing on the show alongside Keyshia.

Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood has began filming and is set to return to VH1 decided to focus only on the positivity of being black, and especially of being a black woman. Am I supposed to feel oppressed? Because I don’t.”

Empress of Serenity is said to be loosely inspired by a David Foster Wallace novel.

It is described as an edgy comedy that centers around an animal rights lawyer, played by Hader, who is shocked by the news of his mother’s death. He finds unexpected friendship after he is pressured by his estranged father to go on a 45-day cruise. In the film, The Awkward

HOLLYWOOD from page 8

sometime in June . As for now, you can keep up with Keyshia Cole on her social media platforms where she regularly keeps fans and supporters updated.

ISSA RAE from page 9

Black Girl star will play a character named Michelle, an introvert with a kind spirit in the cabin next door.

Rae becomes both the aid and the obstacle in Hader’s character’s elaborate plan to win back his ex-wife Student, Eric Rozier says “I’m excited to see her in a movie. She is hilarious. I watched Insecure and Awkward Black Girl and I believe she would be awesome in this movie.”

The movie is said to come out in late 2018.

thankful for my life. I’m gifted that I have my family here to support me and that I’m here right now with Chris,” she said, adding, “Well, every job could be my last, you know?”

As for Evans’ gifts? Mckenna’s got that covered, too.

“He has lots of secret talents,” she said. “He can tap dance! Though he still has not tap danced for me.”

Evans sheepishly admits that yes, he does tap dance.

“I’m looking to tap dance in a movie,” the actor said. “I want to find one! Maybe a nice Gene Kelly biopic.”

“He can sing and he can tap dance,” Mckenna declared, putting a point on the subject like a manager might.

The two did a lot of singing on set between takes, she said — mostly

GIFTED from page 8

1990s pop-rock.

“Her dad grew up listening to the Presidents of the United States of America, a band back in the ‘90s,” Evans said, “so we would sing ‘Peaches’ a lot, which was one of their better songs.”

Looking at Mckenna warmly, he added: “She couldn’t actually hear all of their songs because some of their songs have bad words.”

Mckenna said she and her dad also love watching Marvel movies together, so she already knew about Captain America before working with Evans.

“He’s so much more than Captain America,” she said. “’Civil War’ is always (playing) on the plane. And I look at it and I’m like, ‘Hey, I know him!’”

Commentary

THE

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

SOUTHERN DIGEST

Tuesday, April 4, 2017 - Page 11

Too Pro-black for Pro-football

BY BRANDON TUCKER

SOUTHERN DIGEST - STAFF WRITER

A passer rating just above 90 percent with 16 touchdowns and over 2,000 yards thrown in a contract year.

Most professional football team owners and general managers looking for a starting quarterback would salivate at the chance to line up outside a free agent quarterback’s door with statistics like these.

This is not the case for former San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick has has been a free agent since March 9th of this year has yet to sign with a professional football team.

Many speculate on the reasons why pro-football teams have yet to sign a quarterback only four years removed from leading his team to a Super Bowl. A slight decline in Kaepernick’s play can be attested to his battling through injuries in the past few seasons on a dismantled 49ers team.

Some sources would say team owners and general managers think he can’t play his position well anymore.

Kaepernick still had a higher passer rating than highly celebrated quarterbacks, Eli Manning and Cam Newton.

Kaepernick,

who has always been known for his work ethic in the film room and on the practice field, has sources saying he doesn’t have football as a high priority any longer. This past season, Kaepernick used his platform to protest against systemic racism and social injustices by not standing for the national anthem.

This move was calculated by Kaepernick who had not been standing for the national anthem throughout the 2016 preseason.

Most only took notice of his protest after the third preseason game. Some sources would say he’s ungrateful, unpatriotic and a distraction to his team.

Could pro-football teams not signing Kaepernick be their way of getting back at him for his stance and social beliefs in the political sphere?

Some feel that pro-football teams are blackballing the

Iron Fist: From My Eyes

BY KERRY WILSON

SOUTHERN DIGEST - STAFF WRITER

The new Netflix show Iron Fist has been around for a couple of weeks.

The show centers around a man named Danny Rand, played by Finn Jones, who comes from a wealthy family in New York City, and owns a company named Rand Industries. When he was a child, his family went on a trip to a city in China; however that is where, like in most superhero stories, everything went horribly wrong.

While flying over the Himalayan mountains, something happened to their pilot causing the plane to crash. This lead to the death of both of Danny’s parents.

He would have died too, but two monks discovered him, and took him to the ancient mystical city of K’un-Lun. There

he was sent to a monastery and trained there to learn the ways of Kung Fu. His skills gave him the chance to earn ancient great power. After an ultimate test of strength, he earned the title and power of the Iron Fist. He decides to return back home 15 years later to New York, only to learn that people thought that he died, including his two childhood friends, Joy and Ward Meachum, played

by Jessie Stroup and Tom Pelphrey. After he convinces them that he is not dead, they allow him to come back and work for Rand Industries.

The show centers around Danny trying to get adjusted to his new life and destroying the corruptness inside of his family’s company.

Before I watched this show, most of the people that I told that I was reviewing

unapologetically pro-black quarterback for his protest and use of his platform within pro-football to attack systemic racism. In an instagram post, Academy Award nominee Spike Lee says, “How Is It That There Are 32 NFL Teams And Kap Is Still A Free Agent? WTF. Smells MAD Fishy To Me, Stinks To The High Heavens.”

Kaepernick’s former coach Chip Kelly isn’t sure what to make of Kaepernick still being a free agent. In an article

by Michael David Smith for Pro Football Talk, Kelly says that, “There are 32 individual groups that make decisions on what is best. If you’re not part of those 32 teams, it’s very difficult to know what is going on.” Southern University mass communications major Jeremiah Cornelius of Baton Rouge expressed, “Think it’s sad...says

Iron Fist hadn’t seen it but said that they hadn’t heard positive things about the series. Before I watched Iron Fist, I read a few of the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.

So, after all of the negative things I heard about this show, what do I think of Iron Fist? Well honestly, I’m disappointed that I’m not more disappointed. I mean that I went into this show thinking it was going to be bad, and that I wasn’t going to enjoy it because it was going to be so predictable and not very fun. I really did enjoy watching this show at times.

However, this doesn’t mean I thought it was great.

There are a few problems with the show that I feel could have been improved or changed. For instance, the martial arts fights do look a little slow at times, and the story can be predictable,

California’s HIV Disclosure Law Proposal

BY PATRICIA FOSTER

SOUTHERN DIGEST - STAFF WRITER

Just recently, a new law regarding people disclosing their HIV status was proposed in California.

The bill would amend California’s HIV criminal status, making it no longer a felony but a misdemeanor to knowingly spread HIV to a person who’s HIV negative.

The bill was already approved by the Senate public safety committee. What was legislators reasoning behind this law? That times have changed since the height of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.

New medication and treatment has recently came out since then which helped people with

HIV positive status live longer and healthier lives. So in other words it’s no longer considered as the “death sentence” it used to be and its now equivalent to an incurable STD. This new bill has definitely opened up a very serious discussion and it has many people angry. I have very mixed feelings about it. California does have very strict laws about disclosing your HIV status before being intimate with a person who’s HIV negative.

You can receive up to 6 years in prison or longer depending on how many partners. Do I think something should be done about California’s HIV laws? Yes and here’s why. In June 2008, Nick Rhoades, a man who’s HIV positive, had a

one-time sexual encounter with another man, Adam Plendl and didn’t disclose his HIV status to him.

When Plendl learned about Rhoades HIV positive status he got tested, and it came back negative but the hospital called the police and Rhoades was arrested four months later.

Rhoades testified that he felt it wasn’t necessary to tell Plendl his about HIV positive status due to the fact that that Rhoades was taking medication for the virus and his virus load was undetectable; meaning the virus could not be transferred therefore Plendl wasn’t actually at risk for the disease but because Rhoades violated Iowa’s HIV laws he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Although the EDITORIAL POLICY

a lot about our country, it also says a lot about how we treat people who try to advocate for change and [social] justice”.

Long gone is the era of Bill Russell, Jim Brown, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, athletes who often used their platform to speak out against injustices around the world, especially injustices involving people of color. Hefty monetary contracts and sponsorships persuaded a lot of black athletes from speaking out in later generations. There seems to be a new awakening and awareness of injustices from athletes ranging from LeBron James to Kaepernick. It’s still a good while before the kickoff for the upcoming football season. Hopefully Kaepernick will find a suitor for his services soon and continue to champion for the voiceless in America.

specifically with who the bad guy is. All in all, I thought it was a good superhero show. I really did connect with the characters, enjoyed the storyline, and at times was even a little surprised by some of the cliffhangers at the end of some of the episodes. So, I don’t understand why so many people didn’t enjoy it like they did with other superhero shows like Daredevil and Luke Cage. They may show different kinds of heroes but their goals are still the same as in Iron Fist.

I may not understand the reasons why people don’t like it, but I can at least respect their opinions. If you’re into superhero shows that have great characters, a good storyline, but are be a little predictable at times, then Iron Fist is the superhero show for you.

sentenced was reduced to time served and five years’ probation he still had to register as a lifetime sex offender.

Nobody can deny that that was a very harsh sentence so yes something had to be done about the HIV criminalization laws.

Although I can understand why this law has people scared.

The HIV criminalization laws was put in place for a reason.

Former college wrestler, Michael Johnson, was HIV positive and knowingly infected 30 people or more and to make matters worse he filmed it. He now faces life in prison. Point is there are a lot more people like Johnson who are HIV positive and just don’t care because in their mind they think “what can

be worse than me getting HIV?” Legislators stated that hopefully this law will encourage people to get tested but I doubt it.

Southern offers free HIV test yet there are still a lot of people who refuse to get tested. My teacher offered bonus points to anyone who gets tested but she said there were only a handful of students who actually did it.

At this day and age it’s now considered “cool” to “hit it raw” according to most of the rappers of this generation. Young people today are so focused on getting laid they don’t stop to think that without protection a moment of pleasure can turn into a lifetime of pain. HIV may not be considered a death sentence anymore but it’s still considered a life sentence.

The Southern DIGEST welcomes letters from readers commenting on current issues and other matters of general interest to the SU family and public. We set aside this space to publish these letters for others to enjoy. This newspaper is not responsible for individual opinions expressed on its Editorial and Commentary pages (Including Sports Commentaries). The Southern DIGEST reserves the right to edit any contributions and or reject them without notification. Authors are encouraged to limit the length of submissions to 300 words. Letters should not include libelous statements. Offensive and personal attacks will not be permitted. The DIGEST will not print “open letters” addressed to someone else. All contributions must be type written, signed and must include the author’s address and phone number. Unsigned letters will not be printed. Southern University students should include their majors, hometowns and year in school. When referring to specific DIGEST articles, please include the date and title. All materials should be directed to the editor in chief of The Southern DIGEST, P.O. Box 10180, Baton Rouge, La. 70813. Materials may be delivered by hand to the DIGEST office located in Suite 1064 Harris Hall or can be emailed to digest@subr.edu

Student Media

Page 12 - Tuesday, April 4, 2017

THE

SOUTHERN DIGEST

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926